Some family historians count their "success" in numbers of sources cited, or number of ancestors found/proven, or in how much they know about one line of ancestors. I am more inclined toward the second and third of those items.
Randy Seaver in his Genea-Musings column a few months back asked "What's your number?" He wanted us to count back to our seventh great grandparents, which really means not all that far back, to see how many of the possible 1023 ancestors we had noted on our trees. My count is about 525 and husband's is about 414. So basically, I know a little more than half of my ancestors during that time period and about 40% of husband's ancestors. I am grateful for every ancestor I've found but the missing ones haunt me. Who are they, and what are their stories? Will I ever have the skills and resources to find more of them? I don't know the answer to that.
At the same time, I also want to research the lives of each of the ancestors I've found. I am glad every time I can find a little nub of information about them, whether it's a date, a location, an occupation, a religion, or whatever. Then, I want to put them in the context of their time and of their family, and get a better idea of what they might have been feeling. For instance, what did my grandparents (Holbrook) feel, and what were they doing, when they each got the dreaded telegram that their son had been killed in World War II? What was it like for the survivors of a cholera (McCoy)or a typhoid (Starr) epidemic? How did my great great grandfather (Knott) feel when he had to let his wife in Iowa know that their son had been murdered in Nevada, back in the very early days? What changes did our ancestors have to make in their lives when a son went off to war, whichever war it was? Did they read newspapers and follow the developments in Washington DC, or in fashion, or were they serious readers? Did the immigrants keep in contact with their families back in England or Germany or wherever the home country was?
There are so many things I want to know, and my "success" has no connection to the number of ancestors I've found. Some times just a simple sentence in a book I am reading is enough to make my day, such as a comment in Almost a Miracle about the success of commissary officers in the state militias in obtaining needed supplies for the militia during the Revolutionary War. Since I have an ancestor who was a commissary officer for the New Jersey militia, I found this very helpful in understanding how active he must have been, especially since New Jersey had a lot of Loyalists at that time.
People often ask me when I'll be "done" with my genealogy. The answer is simple: "not in my lifetime." Will someone down the line be interested enough to continue this research? I would love to think that will happen!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Holbrook line: Peter Black, mason, teamster, farmer, soldier, father and husband
The early life of Peter Black is a mystery. There are statements on the internet that he was the son of a Hessian soldier who stayed here after the Revolutionary War. There is another statement that he was the son of a German boy who came to America during the Revolutionary War and settled in Pennsylvania. The first name is variously listed as Ulrich or Frederick, and the last name is given as Swartz or as Black. (Black is the English translation of the Swartz name.) The only clue I have found is that there was a man named Ulrich Black in Adams County, Pa in 1798, listed on a tax record. Could this be Peter's father? I've found no other records, on line or at the Allen County Public Library, listing Ulrich, so as of now his father is officially unknown, as is his mother.
The first thing we really know of him is that he was married in Baltimore, Maryland to Martha Amos, daughter of Benjamin Amos and Elizabeth Amos (cousins; the Amos tree is complicated!) on August 16, 1812 in the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Peter was a veteran of the War of 1812, according to on line biographies, so the most likely place for him to have served or would have been the Baltimore area. As of this date, I haven't been able to verify the claim to service, but it is likely since most of the men of Baltimore served when it became apparent that the British, who had just burned Washington DC, intended to make Baltimore their next target.
His early training was in the manufacture of brick and the trade of masonry. A few years after his marriage, the family moved to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where he was a teamster. A teamster then was someone who drove horses, delivering goods and perhaps people from one place to another. This job involved uncertain hours and uncertain pay, but Peter apparently did well enough to have a nest egg to take with him in 1833, when he and his family moved to Richland County, Ohio. There he was a farmer, again rather successful, as the 1850 census shows him with real estate valued at $6000.
Three years later, all of the Black family except for one son, Frederick Amos (noted as Amos in the 1850 census), who had gone on ahead, and Elizabeth, who stayed behind with Isaac Hetrick and their large family, moved to Noble County, Indiana. This was probably quite a move for a 64 year old man! Peter and Martha settled in Jefferson Township, Noble County and farmed for the rest of their days. By the 1860 census, he had real estate valued at $8000 and personal property of $2000, and there was a 17 year old servant girl living in their home. The census shows his birth state as Maryland. In his biography, he is noted as being a Democrat and an industrious and honest man.
Peter died on October 23, 1863, and is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Jefferson Township, Noble County, Indiana. The cemetery is on land originally donated by the Black family, so his farm was undoubtedly nearby. It was an honor to visit the cemetery on Memorial Day in 2009, and place a flag on the grave of a veteran of the War of 1812!
The children of Peter and Martha were Frederick Amos, Owen, Elizabeth, Oliver P, Cyrus, Davis, Benjamin, Naomi, Peter Mark, and James.
Our line is: Peter Black and Martha Amos
Elizabeth Black and Isaac Hetrick
Mary Alice Hetrick and Louis Stanard
Etta Stanard and Loren Holbrook
Ray/Howard/Lois/Gladys
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Beeks line: Road trip! Wise, Aldridge, Folsom research
I had the most marvelous time last week! Husband and I escaped for a short road trip. I spent my time in courthouses, libraries, and historical societies. Husband spend his in the car, reading woodworking magazines. I had a lot of fun, but I'm not sure he did...
Our first stop was Hancock County, where I found microfilmed records relating to the arrest and trial of Jackson Wise, in 1847. Briefly, an arrest warrant was issued on February 9, to the sheriff of Marion County, requiring that Jackson Wise and McLean Bodkin, who were in the common jail of Marion County, be returned to the Hancock County Sheriff on a charge of burglary. The sheriff was prompt in making the return, and on February 11 there are records of the jury being chosen, with the trial being delayed until the next morning due to the time. Jackson and McLean were found guilty and ordered to Jeffersonville State Prison, where they were promptly received. There are no records of the actual trial. McLean died in prison after about six months. Jackson was pardoned in 1854, and I hope to write more about that later.
Next it was on to Rushville, in Rush County, to see what we could learn about the Aldridges. Due to time constraints and the fact that I have transcripts of the relevant wills, we didn't go to the courthouse there. I found some wonderful things at the Rushville library, including a five page typed biography of John Simpson Aldridge Sr., one of the family's heroes. I'll post that at a later date. We also were able to locate the cemetery and the graves of John S Aldridge Sr and Mary Lakin are buried, as well as John S Aldridge Jr and Lucinda Wheeler. We didn't locate the grave of Ella Folsom, John Jr's second wife, but it may have been there. A lot of the gravestones are deteriorated, but there were flags at the gravesites of three veterans in this small family cemetery. The cemetery was on the land that John Sr originally owned. It's hilly, but peaceful and I can see why someone would have settled there.
We then went on to Greensburg, in Decatur County, which is where the guardianship papers for Jeremiah Folsom's children are located. I'd hoped to find a will for Jeremiah there, but the records for that time period are burned or otherwise destroyed. I didn't learn a lot there, but it was fun anyway.
The next day, we drove to Lawrenceburg, in Dearborn County, which is the last place we know for certain that Jeremiah Folsom was. I didn't find any trace of Jeremiah there, but I did get some land records for Richard, who is possibly a brother or uncle to Jeremiah. The librarian and a wonderful gentleman in the recorder's office there were just extremely helpful, but I didn't get there names. They helped me understand where the properties of Jeremiah and Richard were located, and helped me focus in on McGuire's Station, which was a blockhouse or fort just a mile inside the 1794 Treaty of Greenville line. The other side of the line was Indian territory, and until the war of 1812 was settled, the area around McGuire's Station was very much frontier territory, and under constant threat of attack. There are several Folsom's who were from this area and fought in the war of 1812, including Richard and James. I haven't found Jeremiah's name yet, but he was only about 15 when the war started so he may have been considered too young to enlist.
We also went to Ripley County, Indiana, where Richard Folsom and William Lock purchased land in 1816, but I didn't learn a lot there. Again, some of the records for the time period were missing.
Friday we were in Switzerland County, where I went to the library and the courthouse. The gentleman at the library, Barry Brown, was very helpful but we found little new information. Jeremiah Folsom and Sally Lock were married in Switzerland County in 1815. His father gave permission, but the recorder failed to note the father's name, and we didn't locate any likely suspects.
So, I have some deeds and court papers, some hints and other places to look, and that makes me happy. I feel like I understand these people a little better, having seen the land where they lived (Aldridge and Folsom), and it was a good trip. If I'd had more time, and more experience, I probably could have located more information or at least eliminated some possibilities, but at least I found what I found. Thank you, husband, for your patience and for driving to all these places. Start saving those magazines because we may go somewhere else sometime!
Our first stop was Hancock County, where I found microfilmed records relating to the arrest and trial of Jackson Wise, in 1847. Briefly, an arrest warrant was issued on February 9, to the sheriff of Marion County, requiring that Jackson Wise and McLean Bodkin, who were in the common jail of Marion County, be returned to the Hancock County Sheriff on a charge of burglary. The sheriff was prompt in making the return, and on February 11 there are records of the jury being chosen, with the trial being delayed until the next morning due to the time. Jackson and McLean were found guilty and ordered to Jeffersonville State Prison, where they were promptly received. There are no records of the actual trial. McLean died in prison after about six months. Jackson was pardoned in 1854, and I hope to write more about that later.
Next it was on to Rushville, in Rush County, to see what we could learn about the Aldridges. Due to time constraints and the fact that I have transcripts of the relevant wills, we didn't go to the courthouse there. I found some wonderful things at the Rushville library, including a five page typed biography of John Simpson Aldridge Sr., one of the family's heroes. I'll post that at a later date. We also were able to locate the cemetery and the graves of John S Aldridge Sr and Mary Lakin are buried, as well as John S Aldridge Jr and Lucinda Wheeler. We didn't locate the grave of Ella Folsom, John Jr's second wife, but it may have been there. A lot of the gravestones are deteriorated, but there were flags at the gravesites of three veterans in this small family cemetery. The cemetery was on the land that John Sr originally owned. It's hilly, but peaceful and I can see why someone would have settled there.
We then went on to Greensburg, in Decatur County, which is where the guardianship papers for Jeremiah Folsom's children are located. I'd hoped to find a will for Jeremiah there, but the records for that time period are burned or otherwise destroyed. I didn't learn a lot there, but it was fun anyway.
The next day, we drove to Lawrenceburg, in Dearborn County, which is the last place we know for certain that Jeremiah Folsom was. I didn't find any trace of Jeremiah there, but I did get some land records for Richard, who is possibly a brother or uncle to Jeremiah. The librarian and a wonderful gentleman in the recorder's office there were just extremely helpful, but I didn't get there names. They helped me understand where the properties of Jeremiah and Richard were located, and helped me focus in on McGuire's Station, which was a blockhouse or fort just a mile inside the 1794 Treaty of Greenville line. The other side of the line was Indian territory, and until the war of 1812 was settled, the area around McGuire's Station was very much frontier territory, and under constant threat of attack. There are several Folsom's who were from this area and fought in the war of 1812, including Richard and James. I haven't found Jeremiah's name yet, but he was only about 15 when the war started so he may have been considered too young to enlist.
We also went to Ripley County, Indiana, where Richard Folsom and William Lock purchased land in 1816, but I didn't learn a lot there. Again, some of the records for the time period were missing.
Friday we were in Switzerland County, where I went to the library and the courthouse. The gentleman at the library, Barry Brown, was very helpful but we found little new information. Jeremiah Folsom and Sally Lock were married in Switzerland County in 1815. His father gave permission, but the recorder failed to note the father's name, and we didn't locate any likely suspects.
So, I have some deeds and court papers, some hints and other places to look, and that makes me happy. I feel like I understand these people a little better, having seen the land where they lived (Aldridge and Folsom), and it was a good trip. If I'd had more time, and more experience, I probably could have located more information or at least eliminated some possibilities, but at least I found what I found. Thank you, husband, for your patience and for driving to all these places. Start saving those magazines because we may go somewhere else sometime!
Friday, October 18, 2013
Holbrook: Josiah Whittemore
Josiah Whittemore is something of a mystery. He was born in 1749 to John Whittemore and Lydia Clough. He married first, in Lunenburgh, Ma, Lucy Snow, on August 9, 1773. She died in Leominster in 1794. Secondly he married Martha Parkhurst Rider, widow, in late 1795, also in Leominster. He had 10 children with his first wife and 4 children with his second wife. He's listed as being a Revolutionary War veteran, and in August of 1977 marched 180 miles in 9 days with the "Northern Army" on an alarm at Bennington.
Find a Grave shows his monument at the Phiillipston Center Cemetery in Phillipston, Massachusetts. He is buried next to his second wife, Martha, who died in 1826. There is also a memorial stone for Lucy at the same cemetery, in basically the same style, but it is unknown where she was buried.
I don't yet know his church affiliation, or his occupation. I do know he must have been very busy, with 14 young mouths to feed, although it appears that his oldest children may have been out of the household by the time his youngest children were born. I have not been able to locate him in a census, unless he was the Josiah Whittemore in West Cambridge, Essex, Massachusetts in 1810 with 15 people in his household. We have no record that he ever lived in that location, so I'm skeptical.
I chose to write about Josiah because he is representative of so many of our ancestors. We can learn the bare facts about his life, but we don't know how to fill in the dash between 1749-1814. He apparently kept his name out of the court system, he did his duty when he was called, and he raised a large family. Since this was Massachusetts, it's possible that he was a Congretationalist, perhaps attending the lovely church building shown on the Phillipston, Mass wikipedia page. I'd love to go to Massachusetts to see what else can be learned about him, but that may never happen. Meanwhile, we can be glad he existed, because without Josiah Whittemore, we wouldn't be here!
Our line of descent:
Josiah Whittemore-Lucy Snow
Josiah Whittemore-Betsy Foster
Elizabeth Whittermore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Lois/Gladys/Ray/Howard Holbrook
Find a Grave shows his monument at the Phiillipston Center Cemetery in Phillipston, Massachusetts. He is buried next to his second wife, Martha, who died in 1826. There is also a memorial stone for Lucy at the same cemetery, in basically the same style, but it is unknown where she was buried.
I don't yet know his church affiliation, or his occupation. I do know he must have been very busy, with 14 young mouths to feed, although it appears that his oldest children may have been out of the household by the time his youngest children were born. I have not been able to locate him in a census, unless he was the Josiah Whittemore in West Cambridge, Essex, Massachusetts in 1810 with 15 people in his household. We have no record that he ever lived in that location, so I'm skeptical.
I chose to write about Josiah because he is representative of so many of our ancestors. We can learn the bare facts about his life, but we don't know how to fill in the dash between 1749-1814. He apparently kept his name out of the court system, he did his duty when he was called, and he raised a large family. Since this was Massachusetts, it's possible that he was a Congretationalist, perhaps attending the lovely church building shown on the Phillipston, Mass wikipedia page. I'd love to go to Massachusetts to see what else can be learned about him, but that may never happen. Meanwhile, we can be glad he existed, because without Josiah Whittemore, we wouldn't be here!
Our line of descent:
Josiah Whittemore-Lucy Snow
Josiah Whittemore-Betsy Foster
Elizabeth Whittermore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Lois/Gladys/Ray/Howard Holbrook
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Beeks, Harshbarger, Holbrook, Allen: So many places, so little time!
Finding the information I'd like to have about our ancestors is hard. Some of our ancestral lines trace back through many counties and over half of the states in the Union. Each county and each state has little quirks to learn about. Some are similar in how they store records, and some are not. Here's a rough view of what families were in what states:
Beeks: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Delaware
Harshbarger: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa
Allen: Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, Iowa, Missouri, Utah, Oregon (also Nevada, California, Florida, Nebraska, Michigan although no "vital records" type events took place there)
Holbrook: Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Washington, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont
Most of these states involve at least three counties each, over differing time periods. Some counties have multiple families, sometimes from two or more lines. I still have a lot of brick walls in all of our lines, and it's possible that more states will need to be added to this list.
Then, there's Nova Scotia, which shows up in the Allen line.
Once you get back across the ocean, the great majority of our known ancestors came from either England or Germany, although there are some from Wales, from Scotland, and from Ireland. Going further back would bring in all of the countries of Europe, and further back we can even get into the Middle East.
What's a family historian with limited budget and no foreign language skills going to do? I am very grateful for the internet, for the subscriptions I have to some of the main databases, and for the fact that I live near the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. Still, I know there are precious finds that can only be found at or near the locations our ancestors live. So many places, so little time!
Beeks: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Delaware
Harshbarger: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa
Allen: Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, Iowa, Missouri, Utah, Oregon (also Nevada, California, Florida, Nebraska, Michigan although no "vital records" type events took place there)
Holbrook: Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Washington, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont
Most of these states involve at least three counties each, over differing time periods. Some counties have multiple families, sometimes from two or more lines. I still have a lot of brick walls in all of our lines, and it's possible that more states will need to be added to this list.
Then, there's Nova Scotia, which shows up in the Allen line.
Once you get back across the ocean, the great majority of our known ancestors came from either England or Germany, although there are some from Wales, from Scotland, and from Ireland. Going further back would bring in all of the countries of Europe, and further back we can even get into the Middle East.
What's a family historian with limited budget and no foreign language skills going to do? I am very grateful for the internet, for the subscriptions I have to some of the main databases, and for the fact that I live near the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. Still, I know there are precious finds that can only be found at or near the locations our ancestors live. So many places, so little time!
Friday, October 11, 2013
Allen line: James Allen Sr.
James Allen, whom I have designated as "senior" to distinguish him from his son James Allen, and his grandson James Allen, is pretty much a mystery.
He was born about 1735, (I suspect closer to 1733, perhaps even 1730) according to undocumented internet sources, in Goochland County, Va. I haven't found any records to support either the year or the location, but it's as good a guess as any, so I've tentatively put that information in our tree. I've found four different sets of parents for James, but no documentation for any of them. He could be the son of William Allen and Mary Ann Owen, or the son of James Allen and Anne Anderson, or the son of James Allen and Mary Dennis, or the son of James Allen and Lucy Hobson. All these families have sons named James, in the approximate area of our James, and born in the correct time frame.
The first thing we know for sure about James is that he was married sometime before December 14, 1755. That is the date his first (presumably) son was born as noted in the Douglas Register. His wife was Sarah Crowdas/Cloudas/Crowder (various spellings!), daughter of George Crowdas and Susannah. George and Susannah lived on the Little Byrd Creek in Goochland County, and James apparently lived in the same general area.
James and Sarah had several children, all born in Goochland County. Richard was born December 14, 1755; Elizabeth January 6, 1759; Susannah June 4, 1761; Mary May October 16, 1763; George November 29, 1766; James March 28, 1769; William 1772; Martha January 22, 1775; and Sally April 4, 1777.
There are several James Allen's from Goochland County who served in the Revolutionary War. It is possible that one of them was "ours", but not yet proven.
The next real information we have about James is his death. He died in 1801 in Goochland County, having left everything to his widow, Sarah. She died in 1825 and only then was James's will probated. The actual process took several years due to dealing with heirs in Kentucky (the heirs of James Jr, who had already died but were given James's share). The chancery court case is 45 pages long and is found on the Library of Virginia website (www.lva.viringia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=075-1834-026).
The body of the will states "My will is that my wife Sarah do possess and enjoy my whole estate furing her natural life or widowhood and after her death or marriage my desire is that my whole estate to be equally divided amonst my children, to wit: Richard Allen, Mary Glass, George Allen, James Allen, William Allen, and Martha Carroll, to them and their heirs forever." Elizabeth, Sally, and Susannah are not mentioned in the will. I have not tried to trace them but presumably they had already died when the will was written. It was written on July 6, but I can't make out the year (it's either 1800 or 1801).
I have seen references to James described as "planter" so presumably he owned land at the time of his death. The inventory of his personal property was fairly substantial, but sadly much of the value was due to his owning 5 slaves, each of whom had a high value. They were named Davy, Buck, Gib, Patty and child, and Charlotte. The estate value was $1925.10, leaving three hundred and twenty dollars and eight five cents for each of the six legatees.
That is what is known or guessed about James Allen, our ancestor. I'd love to connect with other people who are researching this man, to talk about the documentation they have that makes them think one of the couples mentioned above is our family,
Here's our line:
James Allen-Sarah Croudas
James Allen-Tabitha Parrish
Archibald Allen-Margaret Dunn
George Allen-Nancy McCoy
Edward Allen-Edith Knott
Richard Allen(Vernon, Tessora, Corinne, Edith)-Gladys Holbrook
He was born about 1735, (I suspect closer to 1733, perhaps even 1730) according to undocumented internet sources, in Goochland County, Va. I haven't found any records to support either the year or the location, but it's as good a guess as any, so I've tentatively put that information in our tree. I've found four different sets of parents for James, but no documentation for any of them. He could be the son of William Allen and Mary Ann Owen, or the son of James Allen and Anne Anderson, or the son of James Allen and Mary Dennis, or the son of James Allen and Lucy Hobson. All these families have sons named James, in the approximate area of our James, and born in the correct time frame.
The first thing we know for sure about James is that he was married sometime before December 14, 1755. That is the date his first (presumably) son was born as noted in the Douglas Register. His wife was Sarah Crowdas/Cloudas/Crowder (various spellings!), daughter of George Crowdas and Susannah. George and Susannah lived on the Little Byrd Creek in Goochland County, and James apparently lived in the same general area.
James and Sarah had several children, all born in Goochland County. Richard was born December 14, 1755; Elizabeth January 6, 1759; Susannah June 4, 1761; Mary May October 16, 1763; George November 29, 1766; James March 28, 1769; William 1772; Martha January 22, 1775; and Sally April 4, 1777.
There are several James Allen's from Goochland County who served in the Revolutionary War. It is possible that one of them was "ours", but not yet proven.
The next real information we have about James is his death. He died in 1801 in Goochland County, having left everything to his widow, Sarah. She died in 1825 and only then was James's will probated. The actual process took several years due to dealing with heirs in Kentucky (the heirs of James Jr, who had already died but were given James's share). The chancery court case is 45 pages long and is found on the Library of Virginia website (www.lva.viringia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=075-1834-026).
The body of the will states "My will is that my wife Sarah do possess and enjoy my whole estate furing her natural life or widowhood and after her death or marriage my desire is that my whole estate to be equally divided amonst my children, to wit: Richard Allen, Mary Glass, George Allen, James Allen, William Allen, and Martha Carroll, to them and their heirs forever." Elizabeth, Sally, and Susannah are not mentioned in the will. I have not tried to trace them but presumably they had already died when the will was written. It was written on July 6, but I can't make out the year (it's either 1800 or 1801).
I have seen references to James described as "planter" so presumably he owned land at the time of his death. The inventory of his personal property was fairly substantial, but sadly much of the value was due to his owning 5 slaves, each of whom had a high value. They were named Davy, Buck, Gib, Patty and child, and Charlotte. The estate value was $1925.10, leaving three hundred and twenty dollars and eight five cents for each of the six legatees.
That is what is known or guessed about James Allen, our ancestor. I'd love to connect with other people who are researching this man, to talk about the documentation they have that makes them think one of the couples mentioned above is our family,
Here's our line:
James Allen-Sarah Croudas
James Allen-Tabitha Parrish
Archibald Allen-Margaret Dunn
George Allen-Nancy McCoy
Edward Allen-Edith Knott
Richard Allen(Vernon, Tessora, Corinne, Edith)-Gladys Holbrook
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Beeks, Allen, Holbrook lines: Our "royaltrees"
Although this blog will focus mainly on our ancestors on this side of the Atlantic, this particular post takes us back to the Tudors, the Plantagenets, the Stuarts, the Capets, and numerous other lines of royalty, mostly in the time period prior to 1550.
Each family mentioned above has numerous connections to royalty. That really doesn't mean much to us in terms of living our everyday lives, since our claims to any throne were long ago extinguished by marriages, the end of the line for male descent, or revolution of one sort or another. Knowing that many of the rulers we study in history books are either ancestors or cousins does make history more interesting, though.
I'm listing here the "gateway immigrant" for each of the main lines I'm tracing. Of course, once we are back a few generations from the "gateway immigrant", the lines all interconnect so that we are all cousins to the other lines. There are more immigrant ancestors through other marriages, but those immigrants would be considered our step grandmothers and grandfathers, so I won't list them here. Also, many in our royal lines were not faithful spouses, so many of our descents are from children born to mistresses.
Allen line: Peter Bulkeley, Jane Allen
Holbrook line: Anne Lovelace Gorsuch, Edward Raynesford
Beeks: Edward Fitzrandolph goes back to William I of Scotland
There are the lines approved by Douglas Richardson (Allen and Holbrook lines) and others who are very learned in this type of genealogy.
There are also lines, either not proven to the experts' satisfaction or not considered royalty. For instance, the Allen and Holbrook lines both include Owain Glendower as an ancestor. He was not technically royalty, but he assumed the role of leader of Wales during the early 1400s. His story is fascinating.
Then there are the "maybes". In the Allen line, Mary Morton Hamilton is shown as the wife of Humphrey Parrish. Since none of the experts have approved this line yet, I'm thinking it is suspect, but I've shown it on our tree anyway. It traces back to James II of Scotland and Maria Guelders, who has a fabulous tree herself. We also have a lot of people with the same surname in the same place at the same time as proven gateway immigrants, but they are not proven. Nicholas Corbin and Elizabeth Kemp (a married couple) are good examples of this. They came to Maryland from England in 1671. Corbin lines and the Kemp lines from Virginia/Maryland both are traced back to royalty, but as far as I can find, no one has proof that Nicholas and Elizabeth actually fit into these families.
So far I have been unable to trace any lines to royalty of any of the Harshbarger lines. If they exist, they would likely go back to German rulers of long, long ago. However, we can be reasonably certain that each of us traces back to Charlemagne, which gives all of us a reason to claim that we are "royal pains".
Each family mentioned above has numerous connections to royalty. That really doesn't mean much to us in terms of living our everyday lives, since our claims to any throne were long ago extinguished by marriages, the end of the line for male descent, or revolution of one sort or another. Knowing that many of the rulers we study in history books are either ancestors or cousins does make history more interesting, though.
I'm listing here the "gateway immigrant" for each of the main lines I'm tracing. Of course, once we are back a few generations from the "gateway immigrant", the lines all interconnect so that we are all cousins to the other lines. There are more immigrant ancestors through other marriages, but those immigrants would be considered our step grandmothers and grandfathers, so I won't list them here. Also, many in our royal lines were not faithful spouses, so many of our descents are from children born to mistresses.
Allen line: Peter Bulkeley, Jane Allen
Holbrook line: Anne Lovelace Gorsuch, Edward Raynesford
Beeks: Edward Fitzrandolph goes back to William I of Scotland
There are the lines approved by Douglas Richardson (Allen and Holbrook lines) and others who are very learned in this type of genealogy.
There are also lines, either not proven to the experts' satisfaction or not considered royalty. For instance, the Allen and Holbrook lines both include Owain Glendower as an ancestor. He was not technically royalty, but he assumed the role of leader of Wales during the early 1400s. His story is fascinating.
Then there are the "maybes". In the Allen line, Mary Morton Hamilton is shown as the wife of Humphrey Parrish. Since none of the experts have approved this line yet, I'm thinking it is suspect, but I've shown it on our tree anyway. It traces back to James II of Scotland and Maria Guelders, who has a fabulous tree herself. We also have a lot of people with the same surname in the same place at the same time as proven gateway immigrants, but they are not proven. Nicholas Corbin and Elizabeth Kemp (a married couple) are good examples of this. They came to Maryland from England in 1671. Corbin lines and the Kemp lines from Virginia/Maryland both are traced back to royalty, but as far as I can find, no one has proof that Nicholas and Elizabeth actually fit into these families.
So far I have been unable to trace any lines to royalty of any of the Harshbarger lines. If they exist, they would likely go back to German rulers of long, long ago. However, we can be reasonably certain that each of us traces back to Charlemagne, which gives all of us a reason to claim that we are "royal pains".
Friday, October 4, 2013
Harshbarger line: William A Withers, Civil War veteran
As usual, I wish I knew more about this man, but I think it's important to share what I know at this point, always hoping that I will learn more about him "tomorrow". Most of what I know about William comes from his obituary, which was published in an unnoted Whitley County newspaper. We know that he died on Saturday, October 5, 1912, and the obituary was published shortly after that, possibly Monday. This is what it says.
"WILLIAM A. WITHERS PASSED AWAY SATURDAY MORNING AT THE HOME OF HIS DAUGHTER, MRS. HENRY KEISER, ON THE SOUTH SIDE."
William A Withers civil war veteran and for many years one of the well known residents of west Columbia township, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on Chicago street at 10:15, Saturday morning, after an illness of less than a week's duration. He had been enjoying good health and last Monday started to Ft. Wayne with a load of potatoes, but before reaching his destination was taken sick, and he was unable to return to this city that night. Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Keiser went to Wayne and brought him to his home on the south side as it was felt that better care could be given him here than at his home, 3 miles west of town, and every effort was made to restore his health but without success.
The deceased was born in Illinois April 2, 1840, and at the time of his death was 72 years, 6 months, and three days old. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. C, 15th Ohio regiment. After the close of the war he came to this country and June 16, 1867, was united in marride [sic} to Miss Barbara Cook, [note: she was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Whetstone Cook) and to this union four childfren were born two of whom survive. They are Mrs. Henry Keiser, of this city, and William H Withers, of Goshen, who is now employed in Illinois on a dredge.
Mr. Withers was a member of the Church of God in former years but later became a Seven Day Adventist. He was a member of the G..A.R. and was prompt and regular in attendance of the meetings of that order.
The funeral will occur Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on East Chicago Street, Rev. L. A. Luckenbill officiating; interment in the South Park cemetery. The G.A.R. post will have charge of the funeral."
There are so many mysteries here that need further research. The only William Withers I have found in the 1850 census was a William Withers, son of Joseph and Mary Withers, who is indicated as having been born in Ohio. I haven't yet found him in an 1860 census. In 1870, he says he was born in Ohio, and in 1880, that line is blank (he is William Whithers in that census). In 1900, his birthplace is listed as United States. In 1910, he is shown as being born in Ohio. I think he was probably born in Ohio, and that the obituary is incorrect. But I'll keep looking!
As I'm writing this, I realize I don't have his death certificate, which may mention his parents. I will make it a point to get that during the next week.
We do know that his four children were Wilson, born 1869, Willie, born 1871, William H, born 1875, and Della.
If William was the son of Joseph and Mary, who were in the 1850 census in Marion, Iowa, we don't know how it happened that William enlisted in the 15th Ohio Infantry. We do know that he enlisted August 30, 1861 and was mustered out on September 20, 1864. The 15th Ohio Infantry was first organized as a three months regiment, but mustered out August 27-31, 1861. It was reorganized at Mansfield, Ohio in September, 1861. Wikipedia has a good listing of the battles this unit was involved in, and they involved very heavy fighting. No wonder William left at the end of his three year enlistment. I think it's safe to say the memory of William A Withers should be honored in our family.
Here is the line of descent:
William A Withers-Barbara Cook
William H Withers-Della Kemery
Goldie Withers-Grover Harshbarger
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Margaret Beeks
I've used census records found on Ancestry.com, the Wikipedia article about the 15th Ohio regiment, and the US Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles found on Ancestry.Com, along with the obituary, for this posting. I'd love to hear from someone who knows more about William!
"WILLIAM A. WITHERS PASSED AWAY SATURDAY MORNING AT THE HOME OF HIS DAUGHTER, MRS. HENRY KEISER, ON THE SOUTH SIDE."
William A Withers civil war veteran and for many years one of the well known residents of west Columbia township, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on Chicago street at 10:15, Saturday morning, after an illness of less than a week's duration. He had been enjoying good health and last Monday started to Ft. Wayne with a load of potatoes, but before reaching his destination was taken sick, and he was unable to return to this city that night. Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Keiser went to Wayne and brought him to his home on the south side as it was felt that better care could be given him here than at his home, 3 miles west of town, and every effort was made to restore his health but without success.
The deceased was born in Illinois April 2, 1840, and at the time of his death was 72 years, 6 months, and three days old. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. C, 15th Ohio regiment. After the close of the war he came to this country and June 16, 1867, was united in marride [sic} to Miss Barbara Cook, [note: she was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Whetstone Cook) and to this union four childfren were born two of whom survive. They are Mrs. Henry Keiser, of this city, and William H Withers, of Goshen, who is now employed in Illinois on a dredge.
Mr. Withers was a member of the Church of God in former years but later became a Seven Day Adventist. He was a member of the G..A.R. and was prompt and regular in attendance of the meetings of that order.
The funeral will occur Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on East Chicago Street, Rev. L. A. Luckenbill officiating; interment in the South Park cemetery. The G.A.R. post will have charge of the funeral."
There are so many mysteries here that need further research. The only William Withers I have found in the 1850 census was a William Withers, son of Joseph and Mary Withers, who is indicated as having been born in Ohio. I haven't yet found him in an 1860 census. In 1870, he says he was born in Ohio, and in 1880, that line is blank (he is William Whithers in that census). In 1900, his birthplace is listed as United States. In 1910, he is shown as being born in Ohio. I think he was probably born in Ohio, and that the obituary is incorrect. But I'll keep looking!
As I'm writing this, I realize I don't have his death certificate, which may mention his parents. I will make it a point to get that during the next week.
We do know that his four children were Wilson, born 1869, Willie, born 1871, William H, born 1875, and Della.
If William was the son of Joseph and Mary, who were in the 1850 census in Marion, Iowa, we don't know how it happened that William enlisted in the 15th Ohio Infantry. We do know that he enlisted August 30, 1861 and was mustered out on September 20, 1864. The 15th Ohio Infantry was first organized as a three months regiment, but mustered out August 27-31, 1861. It was reorganized at Mansfield, Ohio in September, 1861. Wikipedia has a good listing of the battles this unit was involved in, and they involved very heavy fighting. No wonder William left at the end of his three year enlistment. I think it's safe to say the memory of William A Withers should be honored in our family.
Here is the line of descent:
William A Withers-Barbara Cook
William H Withers-Della Kemery
Goldie Withers-Grover Harshbarger
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Margaret Beeks
I've used census records found on Ancestry.com, the Wikipedia article about the 15th Ohio regiment, and the US Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles found on Ancestry.Com, along with the obituary, for this posting. I'd love to hear from someone who knows more about William!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Allen line: The will of Lemuel Dunn
I obtained this will on a trip to Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky a couple of years ago. I decided to transcribe it because although I've sent it to "cousins" who put it on their Ancestry trees, it is difficult to read. Maybe this will be a bit easier on the eyes:
This is from will book 9, page 234:
Mercer County and state of Kentucky in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven_I Lemuel Dunn of the county and state afroresaid do make and order [not sure I have that wording correct] the following to be and remain my last will and testament-that is to say, first of all, I give unto my beloved wife Sarah R Dunn during her life or widowhood the whole of my estate both real and personal to be and received [?] at her disposal by her the said Sarah R Dunn paying to each of my sons and daughters, David C Dunn, William H. H. Dunn, George W Dunn, Margaret J Dunn, Lemuel Dunn, Sally Dunn and Cynthia Dunn fifty dollars as they may become of age-or as much more as the said Sarah R Dunn may think proper to give to the above named. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this day [and?] date above written. Signed Lemuel Dunn Sr.
Signed in the presence of the following persons:
David G Campbell Martha H Denney
Jane Campbell, Martha Denney senr
Rosannah Campbell, J.H. Hogue
Mercer County [?} September County County Court 1829- The foregoing last will and testament of Lemuel Dunn dec'd was this day produced into court and proven by the oaths of Martha H Denney ...Denny Seniot to subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Att: Thomas Allin C.C.
I also have a copy of his inventory, which is about a page long. There were 8 head of cattle, 4 calves, 5 horses, and what I suppose would be typical farm equipment, plus a considerable number of tools. This family was not dirt poor, because a wooden clock valued at $25 is listed, which is actually the single most valuable item on the inventory, after the horses ($138) and the waggon and gear ($100). He also had 12 chairs, (enough to feed his whole family all at once and company, too), a watch, a looking glass, and 50 books valued at $20. The inventory was ordered on September 18, 1829, and totalled $501.75. Appraisers were James Campbell, Stephen Stone, A.S. Robards and Benj. Curd.
We don't know much more than this about Lemuel. His son George Washington went to Missouri, read law, and became a judge, and on-line biographies of the judge say that Lemuel's father was Michael Dunn, who fought in the revolution and was of Irish extraction. We don't know when Lemuel was born. He married Sarah (Sally) Reid Campbell on March 14, 1809 in Madison County, Kentucky. In the record, his name is clearly written as Samuel but we have other documentation proving that this was Lemuel Dunn. We don't know when he was born, or whether this was his first and only marriage. If he was, say, 25 when he married then he was only 45 when he died, but again, this is speculation.
Efforts to search for Michael Dunn are ongoing. There was a Michael Dunn from Maryland who married Elizabeth Cheney, daughter of Richard Cheney of Anne Arundel, Md, and went to Wythe County, Va. I located a Michael Dunn who was in the militia of Montgomery County, Virginia during the Revolution. There is also a Michael Dunn who died in the battle known as St Clair's Defeat on November 4, 1791, among the 623 soldiers who were killed or captured in that horrible massacre. James Dunn, who may or may not be related, was also killed that day. These Michael Dunns may be one and the same person, or there may be two or even three Michael Dunns in the same area at the same time, and one might be Lemuel's father. No proof is known to exist, but we're still looking.
I would love to learn more about Lemuel, and especially about his mysterious father. If we find anything definitive, you can bet that we'll be doing the Happy Genealogy Dance!
Our line is: Lemuel Dunn and Sarah Campbell
Margaret J Dunn and Archibald Allen
George Allen and Nancy McCoy
Edward Allen and Edith Knott
Richard/Edith/Corinne/Tessora/Vernon Allen
This is from will book 9, page 234:
Mercer County and state of Kentucky in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven_I Lemuel Dunn of the county and state afroresaid do make and order [not sure I have that wording correct] the following to be and remain my last will and testament-that is to say, first of all, I give unto my beloved wife Sarah R Dunn during her life or widowhood the whole of my estate both real and personal to be and received [?] at her disposal by her the said Sarah R Dunn paying to each of my sons and daughters, David C Dunn, William H. H. Dunn, George W Dunn, Margaret J Dunn, Lemuel Dunn, Sally Dunn and Cynthia Dunn fifty dollars as they may become of age-or as much more as the said Sarah R Dunn may think proper to give to the above named. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this day [and?] date above written. Signed Lemuel Dunn Sr.
Signed in the presence of the following persons:
David G Campbell Martha H Denney
Jane Campbell, Martha Denney senr
Rosannah Campbell, J.H. Hogue
Mercer County [?} September County County Court 1829- The foregoing last will and testament of Lemuel Dunn dec'd was this day produced into court and proven by the oaths of Martha H Denney ...Denny Seniot to subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Att: Thomas Allin C.C.
I also have a copy of his inventory, which is about a page long. There were 8 head of cattle, 4 calves, 5 horses, and what I suppose would be typical farm equipment, plus a considerable number of tools. This family was not dirt poor, because a wooden clock valued at $25 is listed, which is actually the single most valuable item on the inventory, after the horses ($138) and the waggon and gear ($100). He also had 12 chairs, (enough to feed his whole family all at once and company, too), a watch, a looking glass, and 50 books valued at $20. The inventory was ordered on September 18, 1829, and totalled $501.75. Appraisers were James Campbell, Stephen Stone, A.S. Robards and Benj. Curd.
We don't know much more than this about Lemuel. His son George Washington went to Missouri, read law, and became a judge, and on-line biographies of the judge say that Lemuel's father was Michael Dunn, who fought in the revolution and was of Irish extraction. We don't know when Lemuel was born. He married Sarah (Sally) Reid Campbell on March 14, 1809 in Madison County, Kentucky. In the record, his name is clearly written as Samuel but we have other documentation proving that this was Lemuel Dunn. We don't know when he was born, or whether this was his first and only marriage. If he was, say, 25 when he married then he was only 45 when he died, but again, this is speculation.
Efforts to search for Michael Dunn are ongoing. There was a Michael Dunn from Maryland who married Elizabeth Cheney, daughter of Richard Cheney of Anne Arundel, Md, and went to Wythe County, Va. I located a Michael Dunn who was in the militia of Montgomery County, Virginia during the Revolution. There is also a Michael Dunn who died in the battle known as St Clair's Defeat on November 4, 1791, among the 623 soldiers who were killed or captured in that horrible massacre. James Dunn, who may or may not be related, was also killed that day. These Michael Dunns may be one and the same person, or there may be two or even three Michael Dunns in the same area at the same time, and one might be Lemuel's father. No proof is known to exist, but we're still looking.
I would love to learn more about Lemuel, and especially about his mysterious father. If we find anything definitive, you can bet that we'll be doing the Happy Genealogy Dance!
Our line is: Lemuel Dunn and Sarah Campbell
Margaret J Dunn and Archibald Allen
George Allen and Nancy McCoy
Edward Allen and Edith Knott
Richard/Edith/Corinne/Tessora/Vernon Allen
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