Hiram Burkholder is not a direct ancestor in the ancestor line, but he is a brother to Barbara Burkholder Long Buchtel Kemery, and so is my husband's third great grand uncle. As an addition to Barbara's story, now we know that she also had a brother to worry about, during the Civil War. I've been able to uncover just a little of his story, so here is what I've learned so far.
Hiram was the youngest son of Joseph and Elizabeth Miller Burkholder. Like most of his siblings, he was born in Portage County, Ohio, where the Burkholders had settled as early as 1820. The children attended school there at District 4 Suffield Township, although we don't know how long they were in school. Hiram's older sister Barbara married at the age of 14 but she was a girl, so perhaps not expected to go beyond what we would call grammar school.
Sometime in the early 1850s the family moved to Whitley County, Indiana. Michael Burkholder, whom I believe to be the oldest brother, was still in Suffield Township, Portage County, Ohio in the 1850 census (he had a son named Hiram born in 1849 and I have found some confusion in trees concerning the two Hirams) but I haven't found Joseph in the 1850 census yet.
At any rate, the Burkholders and the Buchtels and other either related or about to be related families moved to Columbia Township, Whitley County, Indiana and in the 1860 census Hiram at age 21, is the only child left at home. His parents were elderly, or at least Joseph was. He was listed as 77 years old and Elizabeth is listed as 66 years old.
Hiram didn't stay in the Burkholder household much longer. On August 3, 1861, he married Martha Ester Brock and they likely set up their own household. The Civil War, however, intervened and Hiram apparently enlisted in the 100th Indiana Regiment, Company F. This company (a company started out as a unit of 100 soldiers) was made up primarily of Whitley County men, so he would have known and probably neighbored with some of the group. Hiram went into the army as a private and was discharged as a private. His enlistment date was August 20, 1862, the unit was mustered in on September 10, and by November 1 they were on their way to Memphis, and to more excitement than any of them would ever wish to see again. These men saw as much action as any in the War, I would think.
Their first big actions were the actions at Vicksburg, Missisippi, both the unsuccessful battle and then the siege. They then went to Jackson, Mississippi where they saw constant action, and then were in camp at Big Black Springs to rest and recuperate. They sailed to Memphis with the 4th division, 15th Army corps, and moved on to Stevenson and Bridgeport, Alabama and Trenton,Ga. They participated in the defeat of the Confederates on Lookout Mountain and then marched to Chattanooga where they participated in the storming of Missionary Ridge. The division took the Ridge and held it against tremendous Confederate assaults, and it's likely that Hiram was there. From there, the unit went to several more locations before joining in the Atlanta campaign. There were at least thirteen engagements listed in the regimental history before they ever reached Atlanta, so it is safe to assume that Hiram was fighting pretty much all the way. After Atlanta was evacuated there were further marches and campaigns, including Savannah and Griswoldville. They then went to and through the Carolinas, eventually ending up at Raleigh, N.C. when the war ended. They then proceeded to Richmond and on to Washington, D> for the grand review and mustering out on June 9, 1865. The original strength of the regiment was 968, gain by recruits 86; total 1054. Loss by death was 237, desertion 31, and unaccounted for, 11. So over 20 percent of the regiment was lost to death, and we don't know the extent of the injured. Of the dead, 58 were killed in action and 173 men died of disease, usually dysentery or typhoid fever or malaria or any of the other "camp fever" diseases.
Hiram and Martha had started their family before Hiram left for the War. According to census records of 1870, Hiram and Martha (Martha was only 22!) had four children, Joseph who was about 6, then Elizabeth who was four, Barbary who was two, and William who was just four months old.
Now we come to a mystery, which I hope someone can explain. Sometime between 1870 and 1880 the family moved from Whitley County Indiana to Van Buren, Darke County, Ohio Hiram's occupation didn't change, for he was a farmer in both locations. Mary, Michael, and Lida had joined the family. Martha had aged 13 years in the ten years between the censuses and was now 35, and had seven children to raise. I wonder what influenced Hiram's decision to move? There was a Brock family living there of the right age to be Martha's parents, or other older relation, but I don't know if this is the explanation or not.
At any rate, Hiram and Martha were still there in 1900, living by themselves and probably enjoying a bit of peace and quiet. Martha was 56 in this census, so the 1880 census age of 35 was probably close to correct. When Hiram married Mary Grim (father Washington Lutins, mother last name of Ayers) on March 30, 1905, both were listed as widowed. This is the last time I've found Hiram in a census, or in any other record, until his death on July 26, 1930. He was receiving a pension from his Civil War service, but I haven't ordered it. ( I would love to see what it says but it would cost at least $80 to get it, so for now, it goes on my wish list).
According to Find a Grave, Hiram died on July 26, 1930 and is buried at Abbotsville Cemetery, Abbotsville, Darke County, Ohio. One other note: The same site lists two additional children for Hiram and Martha. Delana and Dolphus each died as infants, between the censuses. Delana died in 1877 and is apparently buried there, so that gives us a clue as to when the family moved to Darke County.
I always enjoy sharing the stories of our ancestors and their families who served in the military. It is one way I can honor them, as well as reminding myself that our soldiers (sailors, etc,) suffered real hardships and faced death for the cause and country they believed in. We need to know their stories!
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Friday, January 26, 2018
Holbrook line: Thomas Estance, Immigrant
I'm not sure I should be writing this post, since so little is known about Thomas, but maybe just by pointing out all the inconsistancies I'm finding about him, it will inspire someone to actually look at the records and figure out which is truth and which is unproven.
Thomas's last name may have been Esten when he arrived in the Colonies. He may have been born anywhere from 1600 to 1613, and he may have died anywhere between 1691 and 1708. It is believed that he was born either in Swansea, Wales, or possibly somewhere in Herefordshire, England. Documents, of course, have not yet been found to verify either location. His parents are thought to be Richard Estaen and Agnes Underwood, but again, I've not seen the records to indicate that.
We don't know when he came to America although it is believed to have been before 1651. His wife was Ann Thomas, which may be a good Welsh name. Again, the marriage may have taken place on either side of the ocean, as far as is known now. However, most sources say that thee of their four known children were born in Swansea, Massachusetts, which is just across the state line from Rhode Island, where they eventually settled . The birthdate of one daughter, Bridget, is typically given as 1628 and if this is correct, and the birth dates of the other children are correct, that opens up the possibility that Bridget was the child of an as yet unknown first marriage, becaue the other birth dates re from 1645 to 1651.
We do find brief mention of Thomas in Swansea, Massachusetts, where he was one of the earliest settlers, in 1653. The town was not actually official until 1667, and we don't know exactly when Thomas left Swansea, nor why. Swansea was formed by Baptists and the Baptist religion was strong in Providence, so possibly Thomas left Swansea, as a Baptist, before that community was really formed. (This is entirely speculation on my part. His reason for moving across the lines of the two colonies may have been for better land, or because his business, whatever that might have been, would do better in Providence, or for family reasons, or any number of other explanations,)
The Estances and the Hardings are thought to have moved to Providence, rhode Island, about 1664. Ten years later, Thomas sold to Stephen Harding, his son in law, one fourth interest in the right of common in the undivided lands of Providence. We don't know what happened to the family during King Phlip's War but there were only a few families that stayed in Providence By now, Thomas would have been at least years old and perhaps approaching 75, so it is likely that he and his wife took shelter somewhere else while the war continued. In 1682, he swore an oath of allegiance at Providence, so we know the family returned. By the use of the term "swearing", we can assume he was not influenced by his Quaker neighbors.
And again, the death dates for Thomas vary from 1691 to 1708, when there was some activity on his estate. The best date I can find is February 20, 1698 but if that is correct, I don't know why it took 10 years for his estate to be probated. I would love to find those records. They might explain a good deal, but even if they explained just one of the mysteries surrounding this (possible) Welshman, it would still be a startling and welcome find.
Thomas, and Ann, I salute you for your courage, your hard work, and your religious beliefs. Thank you for your contribution to what became our country.
The line of descent is:
Thomas Estance-possibly Ann Thomas
Bridget Estance-Stephen Harding
Abraham Harding-Deborah Gardner
Mercy Harding-Samuel Winsor
Joseph Winsor-Deborah Mathewson
LillisWinsor-Nathan Paine
Deborah Paine-Enos Eddy
Joseph Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiran Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Thomas's last name may have been Esten when he arrived in the Colonies. He may have been born anywhere from 1600 to 1613, and he may have died anywhere between 1691 and 1708. It is believed that he was born either in Swansea, Wales, or possibly somewhere in Herefordshire, England. Documents, of course, have not yet been found to verify either location. His parents are thought to be Richard Estaen and Agnes Underwood, but again, I've not seen the records to indicate that.
We don't know when he came to America although it is believed to have been before 1651. His wife was Ann Thomas, which may be a good Welsh name. Again, the marriage may have taken place on either side of the ocean, as far as is known now. However, most sources say that thee of their four known children were born in Swansea, Massachusetts, which is just across the state line from Rhode Island, where they eventually settled . The birthdate of one daughter, Bridget, is typically given as 1628 and if this is correct, and the birth dates of the other children are correct, that opens up the possibility that Bridget was the child of an as yet unknown first marriage, becaue the other birth dates re from 1645 to 1651.
We do find brief mention of Thomas in Swansea, Massachusetts, where he was one of the earliest settlers, in 1653. The town was not actually official until 1667, and we don't know exactly when Thomas left Swansea, nor why. Swansea was formed by Baptists and the Baptist religion was strong in Providence, so possibly Thomas left Swansea, as a Baptist, before that community was really formed. (This is entirely speculation on my part. His reason for moving across the lines of the two colonies may have been for better land, or because his business, whatever that might have been, would do better in Providence, or for family reasons, or any number of other explanations,)
The Estances and the Hardings are thought to have moved to Providence, rhode Island, about 1664. Ten years later, Thomas sold to Stephen Harding, his son in law, one fourth interest in the right of common in the undivided lands of Providence. We don't know what happened to the family during King Phlip's War but there were only a few families that stayed in Providence By now, Thomas would have been at least years old and perhaps approaching 75, so it is likely that he and his wife took shelter somewhere else while the war continued. In 1682, he swore an oath of allegiance at Providence, so we know the family returned. By the use of the term "swearing", we can assume he was not influenced by his Quaker neighbors.
And again, the death dates for Thomas vary from 1691 to 1708, when there was some activity on his estate. The best date I can find is February 20, 1698 but if that is correct, I don't know why it took 10 years for his estate to be probated. I would love to find those records. They might explain a good deal, but even if they explained just one of the mysteries surrounding this (possible) Welshman, it would still be a startling and welcome find.
Thomas, and Ann, I salute you for your courage, your hard work, and your religious beliefs. Thank you for your contribution to what became our country.
The line of descent is:
Thomas Estance-possibly Ann Thomas
Bridget Estance-Stephen Harding
Abraham Harding-Deborah Gardner
Mercy Harding-Samuel Winsor
Joseph Winsor-Deborah Mathewson
LillisWinsor-Nathan Paine
Deborah Paine-Enos Eddy
Joseph Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiran Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Holbrook line: John Burbank, Immigrant
Once again we have an immigrant with an elusive history. According to numerous trees but no documentation that I have found, John Burbank was born sometime between 1600 and 1613 in Greystoke, Cumberland, England. His parents are believed to be John Burbank and Ann or maybe Abigail, but again I haven't found wills or anything on line that supports this belief. Greystoke is in the northern part of England, not far south of Carlisle. I haven't been able to find anything about the industries that might have been operating there in the early 100's but the area around Carlisle was used for farming and raising livestock so that is a possibility.
We don't know when John married his first wife, who may have been Ann or Joane, and may have been a Jordan. Or she may have been someone else entirely. He had two children with his first wife. We don't know for sure when John came to America but it may have been in 1635, on the ship Abigail. The name that is supposed to have been written incorrectly and then evolved into John Burbank is a far cry from Burbank. There is always the possibility that he didn't give his real name and that he did come on this ship, or another of the same year, because that fits with the theory that he came as an indentured servant, worked in Charlestown until he acquired his freedom, and then had to work to earn his standing as a freeman, which was granted May 13, 1640, .
Ann must had died before 1643, because John married Jemima about that time. We don't know where either marriage took place but the second marriage, to Jemima, would most likely have been in Massachusetts. John is found in what became Rowley, Massachusetts in 1643 and apparently stayed there his whole life. He was termed a yeoman, which means a farmer of a small amount of land. He and Jemima had three children, and they were still married when John died in 1681. He had acquired some land and I have seen brief abstracts of his will but haven't found it on line yet. In addition to his wife and children, he also mentioned a grandson, the son of John Jr.
Our John is one of those quiet men who made America great. He lived quietly, obeyed the laws, worshipped in church (probably, because we don't have records of his being fined for non-attendance) and generally stayed out of trouble . Because he did all these things, there is not a long paper trail to follow for him. But we know he was here, we know that he fathered five children and raised them, and we know he dreamed of a better future, or he would not have come to America. Some things we can understand, even without knowing the details.
The line of descent is:
John Burbank-Jemima
Lydia Burbank-Abraham Foster
Abraham Foster-Mary Robinson
Nathan Foster-Hannah Standish
Nathan Foster-Elizabeth Lansford
Jude Foster-Lydia M
Betsey Foster-Josiah Whittemore
Elizabeth Whittermore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Update: I think I have Lydia's parents wrong. They are now believed to be Caleb Burbank and Martha, of Rowley, Massachusetts. Caleb's father is supposed to be a John, but I don't know if it's this John or not. I'm deleting John from the tree until I get this figured out! 5/5/2019
We don't know when John married his first wife, who may have been Ann or Joane, and may have been a Jordan. Or she may have been someone else entirely. He had two children with his first wife. We don't know for sure when John came to America but it may have been in 1635, on the ship Abigail. The name that is supposed to have been written incorrectly and then evolved into John Burbank is a far cry from Burbank. There is always the possibility that he didn't give his real name and that he did come on this ship, or another of the same year, because that fits with the theory that he came as an indentured servant, worked in Charlestown until he acquired his freedom, and then had to work to earn his standing as a freeman, which was granted May 13, 1640, .
Ann must had died before 1643, because John married Jemima about that time. We don't know where either marriage took place but the second marriage, to Jemima, would most likely have been in Massachusetts. John is found in what became Rowley, Massachusetts in 1643 and apparently stayed there his whole life. He was termed a yeoman, which means a farmer of a small amount of land. He and Jemima had three children, and they were still married when John died in 1681. He had acquired some land and I have seen brief abstracts of his will but haven't found it on line yet. In addition to his wife and children, he also mentioned a grandson, the son of John Jr.
Our John is one of those quiet men who made America great. He lived quietly, obeyed the laws, worshipped in church (probably, because we don't have records of his being fined for non-attendance) and generally stayed out of trouble . Because he did all these things, there is not a long paper trail to follow for him. But we know he was here, we know that he fathered five children and raised them, and we know he dreamed of a better future, or he would not have come to America. Some things we can understand, even without knowing the details.
The line of descent is:
John Burbank-Jemima
Lydia Burbank-Abraham Foster
Abraham Foster-Mary Robinson
Nathan Foster-Hannah Standish
Nathan Foster-Elizabeth Lansford
Jude Foster-Lydia M
Betsey Foster-Josiah Whittemore
Elizabeth Whittermore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Update: I think I have Lydia's parents wrong. They are now believed to be Caleb Burbank and Martha, of Rowley, Massachusetts. Caleb's father is supposed to be a John, but I don't know if it's this John or not. I'm deleting John from the tree until I get this figured out! 5/5/2019
Friday, January 19, 2018
Holbrook line: Edward Counts or Counce 1635-1704
This will be a short post, because I've not found much about our ancestor Edward Counts, but his story should be told, however little we know of him. Well, we know that he was born about 1635 because in 1663 his wife Sarah Cleveland said in a court case that Edward was then about 28 years old. Unfortunately, that is all the information that I can glean from that court case, except that it was in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. There is another court case he is briefly mentioned in in 1673 but I can't make heads nor tails out of that. I think he was a witness.
So back to the beginning...We don't know who his parents are. Speculation is that his father might be Samuel because he named his only known son Samuel, but that is just speculation, as far as I can tell. I've not been able to find him on any immigration lists, so we don't know when he came to New England or where the ship's passengers might have been primarily from. The first thing we really know is that he married Sarah Adams, daughter of Richard Adams of Malden, on February 25, 1663.
Their first son, Samuel, was born in July of 1671. He and two daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah, were baptized together at the First Church in Charlestown on April 4, 1677.
I did find one comment that he had lived at Malden for some period of time but I don't know if that was while he was courting Sarah, or in the early days of their marriage, or perhaps it was in the last years of their marriage. Sarah died on September 27, 1674 in Malden, just a few days before her father, Richard Adams died on October 6, 1674. We don't know if the same illness struck them both down, or whether there were two unrelated causes of death. Sarah's mother, Mary Cheame, died in 1684, so she may have helped Edward with the raising of the three youngsters, approaching and in their early teens when Sarah died. Edward apparently did not remarry.
Edward died about February 14,1704 at Charlestown, where he had first lived and made his home. I haven't yet found his will, or appraisal. I don't know his occupation. I don't know his religion, except that he did have his children baptized. I DO know that more research needs to be done for him!
The line of descent is
Edward Counts-Sarah Adams
Elizabeth Counts-Enoch Cleveland
Sarah Cleveland-Israel Joslin
Sarah Joslin-Edward Fay
David Fay-Mary or Mercy Perrin
Luceba Fay-Libbeus Stanard
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
So back to the beginning...We don't know who his parents are. Speculation is that his father might be Samuel because he named his only known son Samuel, but that is just speculation, as far as I can tell. I've not been able to find him on any immigration lists, so we don't know when he came to New England or where the ship's passengers might have been primarily from. The first thing we really know is that he married Sarah Adams, daughter of Richard Adams of Malden, on February 25, 1663.
Their first son, Samuel, was born in July of 1671. He and two daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah, were baptized together at the First Church in Charlestown on April 4, 1677.
I did find one comment that he had lived at Malden for some period of time but I don't know if that was while he was courting Sarah, or in the early days of their marriage, or perhaps it was in the last years of their marriage. Sarah died on September 27, 1674 in Malden, just a few days before her father, Richard Adams died on October 6, 1674. We don't know if the same illness struck them both down, or whether there were two unrelated causes of death. Sarah's mother, Mary Cheame, died in 1684, so she may have helped Edward with the raising of the three youngsters, approaching and in their early teens when Sarah died. Edward apparently did not remarry.
Edward died about February 14,1704 at Charlestown, where he had first lived and made his home. I haven't yet found his will, or appraisal. I don't know his occupation. I don't know his religion, except that he did have his children baptized. I DO know that more research needs to be done for him!
The line of descent is
Edward Counts-Sarah Adams
Elizabeth Counts-Enoch Cleveland
Sarah Cleveland-Israel Joslin
Sarah Joslin-Edward Fay
David Fay-Mary or Mercy Perrin
Luceba Fay-Libbeus Stanard
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Harshbarger line: Cleveland Harshbarger in World War II
I admit it . I nagged, I begged. I implored. Finally, husband and I went to the VA Services Office in Huntington, Indiana, and were able to obtain the separation papers for Cleveland Harshbarger, who served in World War II. Basically all I knew of his service was that he was a bazooka gunner and that he had been in the Battle of the Bulge I remember his telling me that things were quiet and then "All Hell broke loose". That was the extent of my knowledge of his service. I wanted to know more, so my children, and all of Cleve's children and grandchildren and yes, great grandchildren would know a little of his story.
What I have been able to find is still just a little of his story, but it is so important that I want to share it now. More details may or may not be forthcoming, as more records are available, but since most of the records of World War II servicemen men were burned in 1973, we'll never know his full story. I'm just grateful that Cleve filed these records with the Huntington County recorder when he returned from his military service He wasn't required by law to do this, so not every soldier filed their separation papers.
From these papers, we know this about his schooling before he entered the Army. He graduated from Rock Creek High School in 1943, and his civilian occupation is listed as "Student: Had just finished a four year high school course at the time of induction. Took such courses as typing, bookkeeping, commercial mathematics, general business, algebra, English, biology, wood shop and Latin."
That's the background for Cleve's enlistment in the U.S. Army on November 1, 1943. He actually entered into active service (left Huntington, Indiana for Ft. Benjamin Harrison) on November 22, 1943, which was just two days before Thanksgiving Day. He must have missed his mother's good home cooking on Thursday, but perhaps the Fort had a special meal planned, also.
I don't know where Cleve trained, or whether it was anyplace other than Ft. Benjamin Harrison, due to the loss of records. However, I know that he was part of the Twelfth Infantry, and I can follow a little of their history. The unit arrived in England on January 29, 1944 so Cleve likely had basic Army training and not much more, by that time. He may have received whatever training it took to be an anti-tank gunman (bazooka and probably other weapons) in England.
The 12th Infantry landed on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944, D Day. It seems to me that I remember Cleve saying that he went in on D-Day plus 17, which would likely have meant that he went in as a replacement for casualties. The 12th Infantry took part in the Battle of Mortain (American name; German name was Operation Luttich) from August 9-August 12, 1944, but it is likely they had been doing some fighting in the interim. Two of the five campaign stars Cleve was entitled to wear were from the battles of Normandy and of N. France, so these actions probably fit the criteria for these two stars.
He also had a campaign star for Ardennes, which is the Battle of the Bulge mentioned earlier. The 12th Infantry earned a Presidential Unit Citation for their valor in action in Luxembourg, and also earned the Belgian Fourragere. We don't know for sure where Cleve was but it was in this general area, and he would have been quite busy. Cleve was also involved in battles in the Rhineland and Central Europe, for which he also earned campaign stars, but I don't have any details about that time.
As mentioned earlier, Cleve was in an anti tank company, and the bazooka was the weapon he mentioned to me that he had used, although there may have been others also. His Separation Qualification Record shows that he spent four months in infantry basic training, twelve months as an anti-tank gun crewman, and six months as a cannoneer. A cannoneer didn't aim the cannon, and he was not supposed to discharge the cannon, although I can't say that he never did that. His basic job as a cannoneer would have been to pack the shells, set the fuses, and load the cannon. "Under the pressure of a fire mission, these tasks were hellish in the freezing, wet weather of Northern Europe. If your frostbitten hands were not already cut up from separating the silk powder bags with a knife, you got soaked kneeling down in the puddles and mud that formed around the gun pit. " Cleve was promoted from private to private first class when he finished basic training, and that is the rank he had when he was discharged.
He was discharged at the Hospital Center Separation Point at Camp Butner, N.C. on November 5, 1945. I don't know that he was ill or injured. Many thousands of soldiers were discharged here so the location name may be a bit misleading. Or maybe everyone was given a thorough physical before they were released, in case of future VA claims. Cleve would have been home to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family, but those two years changed him, as they did every serviceman, forever.
During the next two years, Cleve went to work at Majestic in Huntington, married a young waitress, Mary Beeks, whom he met in Huntington, and settled down to raise a family. Like other servicemen, even though he was forever changed by his war experiences, he was ready to live his American dream which he had fought so hard to protect. Honor and respect and a bit of awe is due him and the others of his generation. We are free because he fought for us.
The line of descent is:
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Beeks
Their descendants
What I have been able to find is still just a little of his story, but it is so important that I want to share it now. More details may or may not be forthcoming, as more records are available, but since most of the records of World War II servicemen men were burned in 1973, we'll never know his full story. I'm just grateful that Cleve filed these records with the Huntington County recorder when he returned from his military service He wasn't required by law to do this, so not every soldier filed their separation papers.
From these papers, we know this about his schooling before he entered the Army. He graduated from Rock Creek High School in 1943, and his civilian occupation is listed as "Student: Had just finished a four year high school course at the time of induction. Took such courses as typing, bookkeeping, commercial mathematics, general business, algebra, English, biology, wood shop and Latin."
That's the background for Cleve's enlistment in the U.S. Army on November 1, 1943. He actually entered into active service (left Huntington, Indiana for Ft. Benjamin Harrison) on November 22, 1943, which was just two days before Thanksgiving Day. He must have missed his mother's good home cooking on Thursday, but perhaps the Fort had a special meal planned, also.
I don't know where Cleve trained, or whether it was anyplace other than Ft. Benjamin Harrison, due to the loss of records. However, I know that he was part of the Twelfth Infantry, and I can follow a little of their history. The unit arrived in England on January 29, 1944 so Cleve likely had basic Army training and not much more, by that time. He may have received whatever training it took to be an anti-tank gunman (bazooka and probably other weapons) in England.
The 12th Infantry landed on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944, D Day. It seems to me that I remember Cleve saying that he went in on D-Day plus 17, which would likely have meant that he went in as a replacement for casualties. The 12th Infantry took part in the Battle of Mortain (American name; German name was Operation Luttich) from August 9-August 12, 1944, but it is likely they had been doing some fighting in the interim. Two of the five campaign stars Cleve was entitled to wear were from the battles of Normandy and of N. France, so these actions probably fit the criteria for these two stars.
He also had a campaign star for Ardennes, which is the Battle of the Bulge mentioned earlier. The 12th Infantry earned a Presidential Unit Citation for their valor in action in Luxembourg, and also earned the Belgian Fourragere. We don't know for sure where Cleve was but it was in this general area, and he would have been quite busy. Cleve was also involved in battles in the Rhineland and Central Europe, for which he also earned campaign stars, but I don't have any details about that time.
As mentioned earlier, Cleve was in an anti tank company, and the bazooka was the weapon he mentioned to me that he had used, although there may have been others also. His Separation Qualification Record shows that he spent four months in infantry basic training, twelve months as an anti-tank gun crewman, and six months as a cannoneer. A cannoneer didn't aim the cannon, and he was not supposed to discharge the cannon, although I can't say that he never did that. His basic job as a cannoneer would have been to pack the shells, set the fuses, and load the cannon. "Under the pressure of a fire mission, these tasks were hellish in the freezing, wet weather of Northern Europe. If your frostbitten hands were not already cut up from separating the silk powder bags with a knife, you got soaked kneeling down in the puddles and mud that formed around the gun pit. " Cleve was promoted from private to private first class when he finished basic training, and that is the rank he had when he was discharged.
He was discharged at the Hospital Center Separation Point at Camp Butner, N.C. on November 5, 1945. I don't know that he was ill or injured. Many thousands of soldiers were discharged here so the location name may be a bit misleading. Or maybe everyone was given a thorough physical before they were released, in case of future VA claims. Cleve would have been home to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family, but those two years changed him, as they did every serviceman, forever.
During the next two years, Cleve went to work at Majestic in Huntington, married a young waitress, Mary Beeks, whom he met in Huntington, and settled down to raise a family. Like other servicemen, even though he was forever changed by his war experiences, he was ready to live his American dream which he had fought so hard to protect. Honor and respect and a bit of awe is due him and the others of his generation. We are free because he fought for us.
The line of descent is:
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Beeks
Their descendants
Friday, January 12, 2018
Holbrook line: Nathaniel Henchman, Immigrant
When I started gathering information for this post, all I had was an approximate death date and location, and the name of a daughter. I don't have a lot more information than that now, but it an hour or so of internet searching (also checking a couple of reference books I own), I have more than I started with.
The first thing I learned is that most of the trees showing Nathaniel Henchman born in 1640 in Massachusetts and married in 1693 in Massachusetts, then dying in 1695 in Maryland are not correct. There obviously was a Nathaniel Henchman born in 1640 etc but he is not the one we are still learning about. Our Nathaniel was in Maryland in 1665, according to both Robert W. Barnes and Gust Skordas. . I have only found the references at this tme and haven't seen the actual books that they wrote, but believe me, this will be high on my list for my next library trip.
What I found, that is new to me and apparently to most of those who have posted trees for Nathaniel Henchman, is that he was listed in the taxpayer records of 1692 in Baltimore County, Md. He was listed on both the north and the south side of the Patapsco Hundred, and is denoted by the number one, meaning he was the only taxable person there. This is not absolute proof of his family status, but it likely indicates that there were no other men over the age of 16 living with him. He apparently lived near his son in law, Jonas Bowen Also exciting to me is that the constable on the North side was Nicholas Corbin, who is probably the Nicholas Corbin who is a brick wall on our Allen side.
I was unknowingly either on or very near this land of our ancestors in 1993, when I was in Baltimore on a business trip, because the Patapsco River runs right through Baltimore. Of course, even had I known, I wouldn't have been able to get the feel of the place even by standing on the actual property, but it still would have been a thrill to do so The Patapsco River estuary now forms Baltimore Harbor, and in 1665 the settlers likely would not have been very far upriver from there.
Unfortunately, this is all I know of Nathaniel until we come to his will. I found a copy of it, too, and it would be very readable is I knew how to decipher the old handwriting. It was written in October of 1694 and proved in June of 1695. He left his land and plantation to his grandson, Benjamin Bowen, (will says son of Benjamin but it is believed by others that this was an error and should be son of Jonas Bowen; internal indications of will are that Jonas Bowen, mentioned later, is correct) and other bequests also. There is mention of his wife, who may be either Mary or Margaret, but we don't know if she was the mother of his daughter.
As far as is known, the only child of Nathaniel Henchman and his wife was Martha, although it is possible that a study of land records would show other children also. Martha is believed to have been born about 1661, which would mean Nathaniel was born probably 1640 or earlier. We don't know where Martha was born, either, so that is another of many mysteries still to be solved about this family.
This is as much as I know of Nathaniel, but it is so much more than I knew when I started this that I am indeed thankful to have learned this much. The search will continue, and I'm hopeful, because there are apparently so many cousins out there, that someone will contact me with more information.
The line of descent is:
Nathaniel Henchman-possibly Mary or Margaret
Martha Henchman-Jonas Bowen
Martha Bowen-John Merryman
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis E Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
The first thing I learned is that most of the trees showing Nathaniel Henchman born in 1640 in Massachusetts and married in 1693 in Massachusetts, then dying in 1695 in Maryland are not correct. There obviously was a Nathaniel Henchman born in 1640 etc but he is not the one we are still learning about. Our Nathaniel was in Maryland in 1665, according to both Robert W. Barnes and Gust Skordas. . I have only found the references at this tme and haven't seen the actual books that they wrote, but believe me, this will be high on my list for my next library trip.
What I found, that is new to me and apparently to most of those who have posted trees for Nathaniel Henchman, is that he was listed in the taxpayer records of 1692 in Baltimore County, Md. He was listed on both the north and the south side of the Patapsco Hundred, and is denoted by the number one, meaning he was the only taxable person there. This is not absolute proof of his family status, but it likely indicates that there were no other men over the age of 16 living with him. He apparently lived near his son in law, Jonas Bowen Also exciting to me is that the constable on the North side was Nicholas Corbin, who is probably the Nicholas Corbin who is a brick wall on our Allen side.
I was unknowingly either on or very near this land of our ancestors in 1993, when I was in Baltimore on a business trip, because the Patapsco River runs right through Baltimore. Of course, even had I known, I wouldn't have been able to get the feel of the place even by standing on the actual property, but it still would have been a thrill to do so The Patapsco River estuary now forms Baltimore Harbor, and in 1665 the settlers likely would not have been very far upriver from there.
Unfortunately, this is all I know of Nathaniel until we come to his will. I found a copy of it, too, and it would be very readable is I knew how to decipher the old handwriting. It was written in October of 1694 and proved in June of 1695. He left his land and plantation to his grandson, Benjamin Bowen, (will says son of Benjamin but it is believed by others that this was an error and should be son of Jonas Bowen; internal indications of will are that Jonas Bowen, mentioned later, is correct) and other bequests also. There is mention of his wife, who may be either Mary or Margaret, but we don't know if she was the mother of his daughter.
As far as is known, the only child of Nathaniel Henchman and his wife was Martha, although it is possible that a study of land records would show other children also. Martha is believed to have been born about 1661, which would mean Nathaniel was born probably 1640 or earlier. We don't know where Martha was born, either, so that is another of many mysteries still to be solved about this family.
This is as much as I know of Nathaniel, but it is so much more than I knew when I started this that I am indeed thankful to have learned this much. The search will continue, and I'm hopeful, because there are apparently so many cousins out there, that someone will contact me with more information.
The line of descent is:
Nathaniel Henchman-possibly Mary or Margaret
Martha Henchman-Jonas Bowen
Martha Bowen-John Merryman
Martha Merryman-Alexis Lemmon
Alexis Lemmon-Rachel Stansbury
Sarah Lemmon-Abraham Hetrick
Isaac Hetrick-Elizabeth Black
Mary Alice Hetrick-Louis E Stanard
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Holbrook line: Richard Godfrey, Immigrant
Richard Godfrey is one of our ancestors who followed a slightly different path to New England, or at least a later path. Many of the English ancestors I write about were here by the end of the Great Migration in 1635, but Richard didn't come until possibly 1650 or so. I'm getting the cart ahead of the horse here, I guess, so let's backtrack.
Unfortunately, if we start at the beginning we don't know where we are, because Richard's parentage is very much a matter of question. So is his birth location. He may be the son of a Richard Godfrey born in Wales about 1600, and he may be the Richard Godfrey born in Lancashire, England in 1631, but there is no real proof for either "may be". So we really know nothing of his life until he shows up in Taunton, Plymouth Colony, in 1652. We don't know whether he landed first at Boston, or landed at Plymouth, and we don't know what he did for a living in England.
One slightly unusual aspect of his arrival was the timing of it. He apparently arrived at the end of three Civil Wars in England (one right after another). Did he come to America to escape military service, or had he already been a soldier? Was it for purely economic reasons that he came? What were his religious beliefs? Plymouth was not generally a good place to live unless one could live in harmony with Separatists. There was one exception: If one had a skill that was needed at Plymouth, one would be welcome there. And there is a possibility that Richard had skills that were needed in the iron making industry. His wife was (unknown first name but many say Jane) Turner, daughter of John Turner and Jane, and they seem to have been married about 1650. The location of the marriage is unknown at this time, but if they married in England they may well have come to America to work in the iron works that John Turner co-owned. Richard's name hasn't been found in company records, but he did own land that was part of the forge
Richard and his wife had six children, but birth dates are lacking. They were born from "circa 1651" to "say 1660". Jane died before March of 1669/1670. Richard apparently stayed a bachelor for about 15 years, and then married Mary possibly Hoskins, widow of Mr. Palmer.
We see a few glimpses of Richard's life in that we know he was sentenced to spend two hours in the stocks on training day, for speaking "opprobriously" of some place in the town of Taunton, and 14 years later, was fined five pounds for actions unknown, but apparently they were to the detriment of William Wetherell, who was to receive the money. His name is found in the records of King Philip's War, as having served but it seems more likely that this was his son, also named Richard. He was still part of the military company in 1682, however, along with sons Richard Jr. and Robert.
Richard's will is dated October 4, 1691 and was proved on November 17 of the same year. His three daughters and son Robert were each given five pounds, and sons Richard and John were to pay the debts and share the remainder of the estate. His second wife, Mary, was given 20 bushels of corn, one hog and one good cow Perhaps he expected that she would go to live with one of her children, or his. His inventory has been lost so we don't know the weapons he owned, or whether he owned books, or whether there was evidence of a religious belief in his home. But we do know a few things about Richard Godfrey, and with luck, work, and money, perhaps more can be found.
The line of descent is
Richard Godfrey-(Jane?) Turner
Alice Godfrey-Peter Holbrook
Mary Holbrook-Joseph Thompson
Alice Thompson-Joseph Rockwood
Levi Rockwood-Deborah Lazell
Susannah Rockwood-Nahum Hollbrook
Joseph Holbrook-Mary Elizabeth Whittemore
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
There is also a second line:
Richard Godfrey-(Jane?) Turner
Alice Godfrey-Peter Holbrook
Joseph Holbrook-Mary Cook
Jesse Holbrook-Abigail Thayer
Amariah Holbrook-Molly Wright
Nahum Holbrook-Susannah Rockwood
etc.
So I think anyone from Nahum Holbrook on down is their own cousin, somehow!
Unfortunately, if we start at the beginning we don't know where we are, because Richard's parentage is very much a matter of question. So is his birth location. He may be the son of a Richard Godfrey born in Wales about 1600, and he may be the Richard Godfrey born in Lancashire, England in 1631, but there is no real proof for either "may be". So we really know nothing of his life until he shows up in Taunton, Plymouth Colony, in 1652. We don't know whether he landed first at Boston, or landed at Plymouth, and we don't know what he did for a living in England.
One slightly unusual aspect of his arrival was the timing of it. He apparently arrived at the end of three Civil Wars in England (one right after another). Did he come to America to escape military service, or had he already been a soldier? Was it for purely economic reasons that he came? What were his religious beliefs? Plymouth was not generally a good place to live unless one could live in harmony with Separatists. There was one exception: If one had a skill that was needed at Plymouth, one would be welcome there. And there is a possibility that Richard had skills that were needed in the iron making industry. His wife was (unknown first name but many say Jane) Turner, daughter of John Turner and Jane, and they seem to have been married about 1650. The location of the marriage is unknown at this time, but if they married in England they may well have come to America to work in the iron works that John Turner co-owned. Richard's name hasn't been found in company records, but he did own land that was part of the forge
Richard and his wife had six children, but birth dates are lacking. They were born from "circa 1651" to "say 1660". Jane died before March of 1669/1670. Richard apparently stayed a bachelor for about 15 years, and then married Mary possibly Hoskins, widow of Mr. Palmer.
We see a few glimpses of Richard's life in that we know he was sentenced to spend two hours in the stocks on training day, for speaking "opprobriously" of some place in the town of Taunton, and 14 years later, was fined five pounds for actions unknown, but apparently they were to the detriment of William Wetherell, who was to receive the money. His name is found in the records of King Philip's War, as having served but it seems more likely that this was his son, also named Richard. He was still part of the military company in 1682, however, along with sons Richard Jr. and Robert.
Richard's will is dated October 4, 1691 and was proved on November 17 of the same year. His three daughters and son Robert were each given five pounds, and sons Richard and John were to pay the debts and share the remainder of the estate. His second wife, Mary, was given 20 bushels of corn, one hog and one good cow Perhaps he expected that she would go to live with one of her children, or his. His inventory has been lost so we don't know the weapons he owned, or whether he owned books, or whether there was evidence of a religious belief in his home. But we do know a few things about Richard Godfrey, and with luck, work, and money, perhaps more can be found.
The line of descent is
Richard Godfrey-(Jane?) Turner
Alice Godfrey-Peter Holbrook
Mary Holbrook-Joseph Thompson
Alice Thompson-Joseph Rockwood
Levi Rockwood-Deborah Lazell
Susannah Rockwood-Nahum Hollbrook
Joseph Holbrook-Mary Elizabeth Whittemore
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
There is also a second line:
Richard Godfrey-(Jane?) Turner
Alice Godfrey-Peter Holbrook
Joseph Holbrook-Mary Cook
Jesse Holbrook-Abigail Thayer
Amariah Holbrook-Molly Wright
Nahum Holbrook-Susannah Rockwood
etc.
So I think anyone from Nahum Holbrook on down is their own cousin, somehow!
Friday, January 5, 2018
Holbrook line: Thomas Bliss, Immigrant
While doing a little research about Thomas Bliss, I learned that there are at least two Thomas Blisses in New England during roughly the same time period. Some trees have them mixed together, and I've spend considerable time trying to apply the right facts to the right gentleman. I hope I have this correct now. If I still have some doubts, I'll try to point them out as I go along. And if I get something wrong, please contact me, especially if you have better sources than I've used!
Thomas was most likely born about 1588 in the village of Preston Parva, Daventry, Northamptonshire, England. This is pretty much in the geographical center of England, with no ocean waters close. It may have been largely an agricultural town, but Thomas learned the trade of blacksmithing. We don't know much about his parents although at least one blog post lists them as John Bliss of Daventry and later Preston Parva, and Alice Smith. Another source gives William Bliss and Elizabeth Oliphant as being his parents. More research, again, is needed.
Thomas married Dorothy Wheatley on November 22, 1614 in Daventry. She apparently died in 1631, after giving birth to seven children. Then it gets confusing. He may have married Abigail Southam, or that may have been his cousin Thomas who married Abigail. No record of her death has been found. It does appear that Thomas and his children by Dorothy emigrated to Massachusetts in about 1638, and it seems a little unlikely that he would have made this trip with up to seven children, if he didn't have a wife or other family member to help with the children. There is also a slight possibility that the Dorothy Bliss who died in 1631 was a different Dorothy Bliss, and that Dorothy Wheatley Bliss died in 1646 in Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts. I'm not finding documentation for that death report, but it could very well exist.
Thomas and Dorothy's children were Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, John, Thomas, and Jonathan. They may have also had a daughter Martha, who died young, and possibly Nathaniel, although I wonder if he belongs to the other Thomas Bliss.
The family, with or without a wife and mother, came to New England in 1637 and settled first at Braintree. There were granted land there in 1639, and Thomas too the freeman's oath in May 1642 in Cambridge. Thomas was one of the original proprietors of Rehoboth, where he moved in 1643. By the time they both died (before October of 1647, when the inventory was taken), they owned 45 acres of land. Thomas was a blacksmith at Rehoboth, and also a farmer and surveyor. The blacksmith trade would have supported his family during the lean times, while waiting for crops to grow and debts to be paid.
Thomas inventory was valued at 117 pounds, 16 shillings and 4 pence, which did not include land or dwelling. He had some weapons including one old musket and 2 old swords, and a modest amount of books, but most of the value of his inventory was in either tools belonging to the blacksmith trade, or equipment and animals used in farming.
I don't have a clear indication of his religion, although his will uses the typical language of giving his soul to God and his body to the earth. Most likely he was a Puritan, but we don't know for sure that that was the case. There are other things I'd like to know, also, especially whether he had a wife in New England, and his parentage. But knowing this much allows us to give him the honor he is due, as a pioneer family during the early days of New England. Thank you, Thomas Bliss!
Here is the line of descent:
Thomas Bliss-Dorothy Wheatley
Mary Bliss-Nathaniel Harmon
James Harmon-Sarah Clark
Jane Harmon-Samuel Doty
Sarah Doty-Josiah Standish
Hannah Standish-Nathan Foster
Nathan Foster-Elizabeth Lansford
Jude Foster-Lydia M
Betsy Foster-Josiah Whittemore
Mary Eliabeth Whittemore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Thomas was most likely born about 1588 in the village of Preston Parva, Daventry, Northamptonshire, England. This is pretty much in the geographical center of England, with no ocean waters close. It may have been largely an agricultural town, but Thomas learned the trade of blacksmithing. We don't know much about his parents although at least one blog post lists them as John Bliss of Daventry and later Preston Parva, and Alice Smith. Another source gives William Bliss and Elizabeth Oliphant as being his parents. More research, again, is needed.
Thomas married Dorothy Wheatley on November 22, 1614 in Daventry. She apparently died in 1631, after giving birth to seven children. Then it gets confusing. He may have married Abigail Southam, or that may have been his cousin Thomas who married Abigail. No record of her death has been found. It does appear that Thomas and his children by Dorothy emigrated to Massachusetts in about 1638, and it seems a little unlikely that he would have made this trip with up to seven children, if he didn't have a wife or other family member to help with the children. There is also a slight possibility that the Dorothy Bliss who died in 1631 was a different Dorothy Bliss, and that Dorothy Wheatley Bliss died in 1646 in Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts. I'm not finding documentation for that death report, but it could very well exist.
Thomas and Dorothy's children were Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, John, Thomas, and Jonathan. They may have also had a daughter Martha, who died young, and possibly Nathaniel, although I wonder if he belongs to the other Thomas Bliss.
The family, with or without a wife and mother, came to New England in 1637 and settled first at Braintree. There were granted land there in 1639, and Thomas too the freeman's oath in May 1642 in Cambridge. Thomas was one of the original proprietors of Rehoboth, where he moved in 1643. By the time they both died (before October of 1647, when the inventory was taken), they owned 45 acres of land. Thomas was a blacksmith at Rehoboth, and also a farmer and surveyor. The blacksmith trade would have supported his family during the lean times, while waiting for crops to grow and debts to be paid.
Thomas inventory was valued at 117 pounds, 16 shillings and 4 pence, which did not include land or dwelling. He had some weapons including one old musket and 2 old swords, and a modest amount of books, but most of the value of his inventory was in either tools belonging to the blacksmith trade, or equipment and animals used in farming.
I don't have a clear indication of his religion, although his will uses the typical language of giving his soul to God and his body to the earth. Most likely he was a Puritan, but we don't know for sure that that was the case. There are other things I'd like to know, also, especially whether he had a wife in New England, and his parentage. But knowing this much allows us to give him the honor he is due, as a pioneer family during the early days of New England. Thank you, Thomas Bliss!
Here is the line of descent:
Thomas Bliss-Dorothy Wheatley
Mary Bliss-Nathaniel Harmon
James Harmon-Sarah Clark
Jane Harmon-Samuel Doty
Sarah Doty-Josiah Standish
Hannah Standish-Nathan Foster
Nathan Foster-Elizabeth Lansford
Jude Foster-Lydia M
Betsy Foster-Josiah Whittemore
Mary Eliabeth Whittemore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Allen line: William Brewster, Immigrant and Pilgrim
It seems somehow fitting that I write the last regularly scheduled Allen family post about the first ancestor our nuclear family learned of . We were given for Christmas one year a typewritten genealogy of the Starr family, and in those pages we found our connection to William Brewster. I was about 12 years old at the time, and I was one proud young girl. William Brewster! The Mayflower! Elder, holding the role of chaplain! To someone already deeply interested in history, this was a treasure of pure gold.
Much has been written about William Brewster and I could just say "look him up on Wikepedia" and not have to write another word . But because some of my family might not take that step, here is a brief summary of his life. William Brewster was likely born at Scrooby Manor, Nottinghamshire, England, where his father, also William Brewster, was the bailiff of the archbishop of York (Scrooby Manor belonged to the archbishop) and also the local postmaster.
The first significant event in William's life was his brief period of study at Peterhouse, Cambridge, before he entered the service of William Davison. This likely meant that he was part of the court of Queen Elizabeth I. William Davison got on her wrong side and was sent home in disgrace, and our William Brewster went home to Scrooby. There he took over his father's role as postmaster.
Whether it was at Peterhouse or somewhere else, William became less and less a proper Anglican and more and more a Separatist. Scrooby Manor was frequently used as a meeting place by other Separatists in the area, where the group worshipped and planned what to do as the authorities started cracking down on anyone not a full supporter of the Anglican church. The group decided to leave England, but before they could do so, many of this small group were arrested. The cell where William Brewster and William Bradford were held is now a tourist attraction, seen on "Who Do You Think You Are?" in the Ashley Judd program. Eventually the two were released, and made their way to the Netherlands, where other members of the Separatists had already fled.
The Pilgrims spent 13 years in the Netherlands, which practiced a certain amount of religious freedom. The group lived in close proximity to each other, and ate many of their meals together. Here William Brewster practiced the trade of printing, and taught English at Leiden, and made enough money to help support the group in very modest circumstances. One of the pamphlets he printed angered King James in England, and he had to go into hiding as the Separatists negotiated to buy ships and prepare to leave the Netherlands.
The story of the Mayflower is well enough known that I won't repeat much here. There was at least one false start, as the second ship intended to go with the Mayflower, the Speedwell, began leaking, and unsuccessful repairs were made. This was a fearful time for the passengers and the trip across the Atlantic wasn't easy, either. Once land was sighted, most of the men on board the Mayflower signed what became known as the Mayflower Compact, setting up basic regulations for the way they would live. Tradition says that this was signed using the top of a chest belonging to William Brewster, which has been preserved.
The first Massachusetts winter, that of 1621, was terrible for the Pilgrims and at the end, there were only seven men left alive. William Brewster was one, and William Bradford wrote in his journal of the tender care that Mr. Brewster gave to those who were ill. William took on many of the roles of a pastor, praying and preaching, conducting graveside services, and encouraging the congregation to live a Christian life. However, he continually refused to preside over Communion services, so the group had to wait until their pastor, John Robinson, arrived in 1629.
William's wife Mary, surname still a subject of debate, died in 1627 after having given birth to six children, one of whom died in England. William did not remarry, and he died April 10, 1644, at Duxbury. He was about 77 years old at the time of his death.
Pilgrims were stern people because they had to be. But they laughed and raised families and felt joy as well as other emotions. While we may not understand some of their religious beliefs, we can honor them for their faithfulness, for their hard work, and for the opportunity that they saw to "start over" in a new country. William Brewster is one of my favorite ancestors, and not just because he was the first one I learned about. I hope he is one of yours, too.
Our line of descent is
William Brewster-Mary
Jonathon Brewster-Lucretia Oldham
Hannah Brewster-Samuel Starr
Thomas Starr-Mary Morgan
Mary Starr-John Chester
Thomas Chester-Sarah Eldridge
Bathsheba Chester-Jonathon Havens
Betsy Havens-John Starr
John Havens Starr-Clarissa Falley
Harriet Starr-John Wilson Knott
Edith Knott-Edward Allen
Richard Allen-Gladys Holbrook
Their descendants
Fun fact: There is a whole list of famous descendants in the Wikepedia article. We are distant cousins of Katherine Hepburn, Bing Crosby, Nelson Rockefeller, and Zachary Taylor, among many others. Hello, cousins!
Much has been written about William Brewster and I could just say "look him up on Wikepedia" and not have to write another word . But because some of my family might not take that step, here is a brief summary of his life. William Brewster was likely born at Scrooby Manor, Nottinghamshire, England, where his father, also William Brewster, was the bailiff of the archbishop of York (Scrooby Manor belonged to the archbishop) and also the local postmaster.
The first significant event in William's life was his brief period of study at Peterhouse, Cambridge, before he entered the service of William Davison. This likely meant that he was part of the court of Queen Elizabeth I. William Davison got on her wrong side and was sent home in disgrace, and our William Brewster went home to Scrooby. There he took over his father's role as postmaster.
Whether it was at Peterhouse or somewhere else, William became less and less a proper Anglican and more and more a Separatist. Scrooby Manor was frequently used as a meeting place by other Separatists in the area, where the group worshipped and planned what to do as the authorities started cracking down on anyone not a full supporter of the Anglican church. The group decided to leave England, but before they could do so, many of this small group were arrested. The cell where William Brewster and William Bradford were held is now a tourist attraction, seen on "Who Do You Think You Are?" in the Ashley Judd program. Eventually the two were released, and made their way to the Netherlands, where other members of the Separatists had already fled.
The Pilgrims spent 13 years in the Netherlands, which practiced a certain amount of religious freedom. The group lived in close proximity to each other, and ate many of their meals together. Here William Brewster practiced the trade of printing, and taught English at Leiden, and made enough money to help support the group in very modest circumstances. One of the pamphlets he printed angered King James in England, and he had to go into hiding as the Separatists negotiated to buy ships and prepare to leave the Netherlands.
The story of the Mayflower is well enough known that I won't repeat much here. There was at least one false start, as the second ship intended to go with the Mayflower, the Speedwell, began leaking, and unsuccessful repairs were made. This was a fearful time for the passengers and the trip across the Atlantic wasn't easy, either. Once land was sighted, most of the men on board the Mayflower signed what became known as the Mayflower Compact, setting up basic regulations for the way they would live. Tradition says that this was signed using the top of a chest belonging to William Brewster, which has been preserved.
The first Massachusetts winter, that of 1621, was terrible for the Pilgrims and at the end, there were only seven men left alive. William Brewster was one, and William Bradford wrote in his journal of the tender care that Mr. Brewster gave to those who were ill. William took on many of the roles of a pastor, praying and preaching, conducting graveside services, and encouraging the congregation to live a Christian life. However, he continually refused to preside over Communion services, so the group had to wait until their pastor, John Robinson, arrived in 1629.
William's wife Mary, surname still a subject of debate, died in 1627 after having given birth to six children, one of whom died in England. William did not remarry, and he died April 10, 1644, at Duxbury. He was about 77 years old at the time of his death.
Pilgrims were stern people because they had to be. But they laughed and raised families and felt joy as well as other emotions. While we may not understand some of their religious beliefs, we can honor them for their faithfulness, for their hard work, and for the opportunity that they saw to "start over" in a new country. William Brewster is one of my favorite ancestors, and not just because he was the first one I learned about. I hope he is one of yours, too.
Our line of descent is
William Brewster-Mary
Jonathon Brewster-Lucretia Oldham
Hannah Brewster-Samuel Starr
Thomas Starr-Mary Morgan
Mary Starr-John Chester
Thomas Chester-Sarah Eldridge
Bathsheba Chester-Jonathon Havens
Betsy Havens-John Starr
John Havens Starr-Clarissa Falley
Harriet Starr-John Wilson Knott
Edith Knott-Edward Allen
Richard Allen-Gladys Holbrook
Their descendants
Fun fact: There is a whole list of famous descendants in the Wikepedia article. We are distant cousins of Katherine Hepburn, Bing Crosby, Nelson Rockefeller, and Zachary Taylor, among many others. Hello, cousins!
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