I wonder what life was life for our ancestors 100 years ago. More specifically, who was alive and what would they have been doing that year, when the "war to end all wars" had just ended with an armistice the month before. I've used the information in our family tree, and the 1920 census (which could be a little "off") to try to reconstruct life on that day.
In the Holbrook line, my grandparents, Loren and Etta Stanard Holbrook, had been married for a little over four years. They were living in or near Meteor, in Ferry County, Washington. They were either on or near the Colville Indian Reservation. At Christmas 2018, Loren was 35 and Etta was 29. They were the parents of Ray, who was three years old, and Howard, who was eight months old. In the 1920 census, Loren was the manager of a saw mill. He had acquired land when he first went to the area in 1907-1908. Ten years later, he may have still been suffering a little bit of culture shock, for life in a tiny community in Washington state was much different than life in Chicago Heights, Illinois, where he had been raised. I wonder what gifts the boys received that year?
The boys were fortunate because all of their grandparents were still alive. Yes, one set was in Chicago and I don't know how often, if at all, they got to see those grandparents. But Fremont and Phoebe Brown Holbrook would have doted on those boys, just as any grandparent would. Fremont and Phoebe in the 1920 census were listed with no occupation. They were both 62 years of age, and had three roomers living with them. Two were machinists (one French speaking) and one a chemist, so dinner conversation may have been lively. I hope Phoebe fixed a nice meal for them, and perhaps invited their son Ray for dinner, also. I think Clark, who may or may not have been home from the war yet, may have already transferred his residence to Florida, so I don't know whether or not he was at Christmas dinner that year. Still, knowing that the war was over and Clark was coming back would have been a cause for great joy at that Holbrook table.
The other grandparents, Louis and Mary Alice Hetrick Stannard, lived much closer. They lived across the Columbia River in Stevens County, and because they had to take a ferry to cross the river, it would take over an hour for the trip even though it was just about 25 miles from the Holbrook to the Stanard home. It is very likely that the Holbrooks made the trip that day, as I know that Christmas was always important to the Stanards. Louis and Alice were both 62 years old. Louis is listed as a school teacher but he was also the assistant school superintendent, The superintendent was their daughter, Elizabeth (Bess), who never married. Quite probably "Winnie", (Elwin) was there, too, with his wife Bessie Moody and their children (not sure whether all the children were born yet, or not.) Bessie would die in 1920, but in 1918 the family was likely enjoying their Christmas. They lived in Colville, Stevens County, not far from Hunters and a much easier trek to go "home for Christmas".
So the Holbrooks and Stanards were in Washington State, and the older Holbrooks were in Chicago Heights, Illinois. What about the Allen family?
Edward (Ed) and Edith Knott Allen were in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their first baby, a boy, had died but there were four children in 1918 and Edith was about six months pregnant with the baby who would prove to be their last surviving child. Ed was 50 and Edith was 40. He was a self employed attorney, and rented a home for the family Ed's parents had already passed on, but Edith's father was still alive. John Wilson Knott lived in Yoncalla, Oregon with his son and daughter in law, George and Martha Knott. Sometime during this time period, John (although I've heard that he went by the name "Wilson") preached his last sermon and went to a nursing home, where he lived out his days. He was 82 years old in 1918, and that was about the age he was when he ended a lifetime of preaching.
I don't think any of these families had much money. The wealthiest, the Holbrooks of Chicago Heights, probably were middle class with upward aspirations, but the others were struggling to reach middle class status by Christmas of 1918. Nevertheless, all of the families knew Jesus; two being ordained preachers (John Wilson Knott was Presbyterian, Louis Stanard was Baptist). Christmas 1918 would have been a joyous one for all, for they knew what Christmas was all about.
Merry Christmas, family present and family past! And if future family, someone living 100 years from now, reads this, Merry Christmas to you, too!
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Monday, December 24, 2018
Beeks and Harshbarger Christmas, 1918
Christmas 100 years ago...What was it like for those family members who were alive then? In many ways, we can only guess whether they had a bountiful Christmas or were lucky to get (or give) an apple or orange. But we do know they had family...Boy, did they have family!
We can only begin to imagine Christmas Day in 1918 for Wilbur Beeks. He was in Russia, and had been since early August, as part of what was supposed to be a second front against Germany but ended up being part of the Russian revolution. By now, he had mostly recovered from his wounds received September 27, and was operating with his unit again. We can only hope they had some pause for a Christmas celebration. Wilbur's wife of a little over four years, Cleo Aldridge Beeks, had a little bundle of joy to enjoy at Christmas. After having buried two babies, one in 1915 and one in 1916, Kenneth Eugene Beeks was having his first Christmas (he would have only one more) and enjoying the day as much as a baby of almost six months can.
Cleo would have had her choice of places to celebrate. I don't know where she was living then. She may have lived in Andrews, as that is where the birth record for Kenneth states,. If so, she could have been living the life of a single Mom while Wilbur was away. Or she could have been living with her parents, Harvey and Margaret Catherine Dunham Aldridge. Harvey was 65 and his wife was 60. In 1920, the Aldridges were living on Berry Street in Andrews, and Harvey was a laborer at the lumberyard. The Aldridges were already raising two grandchildren, but probably would have had room for a daughter and grandson, too, if needed. There were six surviving Aldridge children including Cleo, so the family gathering, wherever it was held, would have included many Aldridge grandchildren, nieces and nephews to Cleo. Maybe she didn't have enough time to really miss her husband that day.
Or she may have been staying with, or at least visiting, the home of her in-laws. John, 51, and Elizabeth Wise Beeks, 48, that day. In 1920, they were living on Main Street in Andrews, and he was a section man on the interurban line. Two of their children, Charity and Chester (Bud) were living with them, as was David Wise, Elizabeth's father, who was 81 years old. And there was another Beeks family member to visit, Mary Wise Beeks, Wilbur's grandmother, the widow of William Beeks. She was 78 years old, but lived in a home she owned on East Washington Street in Lagro. Her son Martin lived with her. Mary and William had several children, some still living, so presumably there was a large Beeks Christmas celebration somewhere.
One other thing about the Beeks Christmas celebration: Cleo herself turned 22 on Christmas of 1918.
The Harshbargers in Whitley County also had lots and lots of family. Grover Harshbarger by now was mostly recovered from the bout with "Spanish influenza" that had knocked him for a loop and out of the military earlier that year. He may have been living with his father then, but by 1920 he was living with his sister Maud, her husband, daughter, son in law, grandchild, and at least two other lodgers, relationship not determined although another of the 'lodgers" had the surname Harshbarger. Grover was a logger at a saw mill. Both his parents, Emanuel and Clara Ellen Harter Harshbarger were still living. listed as in the same household, in Thorn Creek, Whitley County, Indiana. (This was significant because there had been an earlier divorce action and I never found whether or not it was withdrawn, Apparently it was.) Emanuel was 64 and Clara was 61. They had at least three other children still living, so if they hosted a Harshbarger family Christmas the farmhouse they lived in would have been crowded.
Goldie Withers was 17 and single, likely living with her parents, William H and Della Kemery Withers. Her sister Sue, three years older, was married but probably came home for Christmas. By 1920, both girls were gone, but 1918 would have been a family year. Della's parents were still alive and in Whitley County, too, and they have a large family. Adam, 72, and Nancy Fanny Buchtel Kemery, also 72, were farmers in Columbia Township, Whitley County. They had two adult children living with them in 1920, but others were grown and away from home so there were likely grandchildren at the Kemery household that day, too.
All of the families I've visited here had good support systems. In the case of Cleo Aldridge Beeks, that was probably needed and she learned her lessons well, as she cared for many aging relatives during her lifetime. But Christmas 1918 for all would have been a time of hope, with the war (except for Wilbur and the thousands of others still fighting in Russia) over. And one other thing-Christmas Day 1918 brought just a little bit of snow to northern Indiana, .6 of an inch but enough to qualify for a "White Christmas".
We can only begin to imagine Christmas Day in 1918 for Wilbur Beeks. He was in Russia, and had been since early August, as part of what was supposed to be a second front against Germany but ended up being part of the Russian revolution. By now, he had mostly recovered from his wounds received September 27, and was operating with his unit again. We can only hope they had some pause for a Christmas celebration. Wilbur's wife of a little over four years, Cleo Aldridge Beeks, had a little bundle of joy to enjoy at Christmas. After having buried two babies, one in 1915 and one in 1916, Kenneth Eugene Beeks was having his first Christmas (he would have only one more) and enjoying the day as much as a baby of almost six months can.
Cleo would have had her choice of places to celebrate. I don't know where she was living then. She may have lived in Andrews, as that is where the birth record for Kenneth states,. If so, she could have been living the life of a single Mom while Wilbur was away. Or she could have been living with her parents, Harvey and Margaret Catherine Dunham Aldridge. Harvey was 65 and his wife was 60. In 1920, the Aldridges were living on Berry Street in Andrews, and Harvey was a laborer at the lumberyard. The Aldridges were already raising two grandchildren, but probably would have had room for a daughter and grandson, too, if needed. There were six surviving Aldridge children including Cleo, so the family gathering, wherever it was held, would have included many Aldridge grandchildren, nieces and nephews to Cleo. Maybe she didn't have enough time to really miss her husband that day.
Or she may have been staying with, or at least visiting, the home of her in-laws. John, 51, and Elizabeth Wise Beeks, 48, that day. In 1920, they were living on Main Street in Andrews, and he was a section man on the interurban line. Two of their children, Charity and Chester (Bud) were living with them, as was David Wise, Elizabeth's father, who was 81 years old. And there was another Beeks family member to visit, Mary Wise Beeks, Wilbur's grandmother, the widow of William Beeks. She was 78 years old, but lived in a home she owned on East Washington Street in Lagro. Her son Martin lived with her. Mary and William had several children, some still living, so presumably there was a large Beeks Christmas celebration somewhere.
One other thing about the Beeks Christmas celebration: Cleo herself turned 22 on Christmas of 1918.
The Harshbargers in Whitley County also had lots and lots of family. Grover Harshbarger by now was mostly recovered from the bout with "Spanish influenza" that had knocked him for a loop and out of the military earlier that year. He may have been living with his father then, but by 1920 he was living with his sister Maud, her husband, daughter, son in law, grandchild, and at least two other lodgers, relationship not determined although another of the 'lodgers" had the surname Harshbarger. Grover was a logger at a saw mill. Both his parents, Emanuel and Clara Ellen Harter Harshbarger were still living. listed as in the same household, in Thorn Creek, Whitley County, Indiana. (This was significant because there had been an earlier divorce action and I never found whether or not it was withdrawn, Apparently it was.) Emanuel was 64 and Clara was 61. They had at least three other children still living, so if they hosted a Harshbarger family Christmas the farmhouse they lived in would have been crowded.
Goldie Withers was 17 and single, likely living with her parents, William H and Della Kemery Withers. Her sister Sue, three years older, was married but probably came home for Christmas. By 1920, both girls were gone, but 1918 would have been a family year. Della's parents were still alive and in Whitley County, too, and they have a large family. Adam, 72, and Nancy Fanny Buchtel Kemery, also 72, were farmers in Columbia Township, Whitley County. They had two adult children living with them in 1920, but others were grown and away from home so there were likely grandchildren at the Kemery household that day, too.
All of the families I've visited here had good support systems. In the case of Cleo Aldridge Beeks, that was probably needed and she learned her lessons well, as she cared for many aging relatives during her lifetime. But Christmas 1918 for all would have been a time of hope, with the war (except for Wilbur and the thousands of others still fighting in Russia) over. And one other thing-Christmas Day 1918 brought just a little bit of snow to northern Indiana, .6 of an inch but enough to qualify for a "White Christmas".
Friday, December 21, 2018
James Longbottom, Immigrant
I'm really not sure whether I should be writing this blog post or not. Most of the sites say that James is "assumed" to be the father of Daniel Longbottom. But then, most sites clearly have erroneous information about James, giving him the same birth date and marriage date, and stating, without any proof that I can find, that he died in Norwich, New Haven County, Connecticut. So let's see what we do know about James, and try to separate fact from speculation.
James Longbottom was probably born about 1605, more or less, somewhere around the village of Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England. A James Longbottom married Isabel Hoult on August 19, 1628 at Heptonstall, Yorkshire, England. Note: The name is spelled Longbotham in England). This couple is often given as Daniel's parents. It's possible, because no one seems to know when exactly Daniel was born, although his birth year is typically given as 1658-1660. If this is Daniel's birth year, then it's not likely that Isabel was his mother, although it's barely possible, especially if Daniel was born say 5 years earlier. Or James may be the father, but another woman may be his mother.
James's place of death is frequently given as Norwich, New London County, Connecticut. In a review of some of the available on line sources, I've not been able to verify that. (A son of Daniel's did die in Norwich, and that might be the source of the confusion.) James is believed to have died in 1674, which would mean that he wasn't likely living with Daniel, in Norwich as Daniel would have been young.
OK, so there are all those things we don't know about James. But I believe I've found traces of him, not in Norwich but in Rhode Island. The time period fits and the story there is believable. He was first of Newport, and in 1660 was one of a group of six who bought land from the native American Narragansett tribe in 1660, representing a group of about 80 men. This land later became the town of Westerly, R.I., and James drew the 55th lot when land was distributed. The town was on the east side of the Pawtucket River, and there were disputes with Stonington, Connecticut, when persons from Stonington built on disputed land there. Eventually this led to quite a feud, and some of the Westerly men were thrown in jail (not sure whether this was in Connecticut or in Massachusetts). I didn't find a list of the men who were arrested so we don't know if this included James or not, but it surely included some of his friends and neighbors.
There is a list of freemen of Westerly on March 18, 1669 that does not include James Longbottom. Was this an oversight? Was he not a freeman? Or had he, perhaps, already left the area for Norwich, or gone back to Newport? Any of these are possible. The land that James had bought in Westerly was sold by Daniel Longbottom in 1714, which is the reason James is believed to be Daniel's father. He could be a grandfather, though. Also there is one reference that Daniel sold land of James's in 1674. This would mean Daniel had to be at least 21 years of age at the time.
Here we come to the end of what I've been able to locate about James Longbottom. He is as shadowy as they come, and if it weren't for the information we have about him in 1660-1661, we wouldn't know he had been in America at all. Newport and later Westerly had early Baptist histories. Perhaps James was a Baptist, and his death was simply not reported to the authorities. It would appear that he stayed out of legal trouble, based only on the idea that no one has reported finding him in court records.
Some of our ancestors like to hide behind thin veils and some behind thick curtains. Some may stay hidden there during my lifetime, but perhaps these hints will allow someone else to do some real digging, perhaps in Yorkshire, and come up with a more definite sketch of our ancestor. I certainly hope that is the case, for I'd like to know more about James Longbottom!
The probable line of descent is:
James Longbottom-possibly Isabel Hoult
Daniel Longbottom-Elizabeth Lamb
James Longbottom-Elizabeth Jackson
Elizabeth Longbottom-John Eames
Hannah Eames-James Lamphire
Susan Lamphire-Joseph Eddy
Susan Eddy-Hiram Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
James Longbottom was probably born about 1605, more or less, somewhere around the village of Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England. A James Longbottom married Isabel Hoult on August 19, 1628 at Heptonstall, Yorkshire, England. Note: The name is spelled Longbotham in England). This couple is often given as Daniel's parents. It's possible, because no one seems to know when exactly Daniel was born, although his birth year is typically given as 1658-1660. If this is Daniel's birth year, then it's not likely that Isabel was his mother, although it's barely possible, especially if Daniel was born say 5 years earlier. Or James may be the father, but another woman may be his mother.
James's place of death is frequently given as Norwich, New London County, Connecticut. In a review of some of the available on line sources, I've not been able to verify that. (A son of Daniel's did die in Norwich, and that might be the source of the confusion.) James is believed to have died in 1674, which would mean that he wasn't likely living with Daniel, in Norwich as Daniel would have been young.
OK, so there are all those things we don't know about James. But I believe I've found traces of him, not in Norwich but in Rhode Island. The time period fits and the story there is believable. He was first of Newport, and in 1660 was one of a group of six who bought land from the native American Narragansett tribe in 1660, representing a group of about 80 men. This land later became the town of Westerly, R.I., and James drew the 55th lot when land was distributed. The town was on the east side of the Pawtucket River, and there were disputes with Stonington, Connecticut, when persons from Stonington built on disputed land there. Eventually this led to quite a feud, and some of the Westerly men were thrown in jail (not sure whether this was in Connecticut or in Massachusetts). I didn't find a list of the men who were arrested so we don't know if this included James or not, but it surely included some of his friends and neighbors.
There is a list of freemen of Westerly on March 18, 1669 that does not include James Longbottom. Was this an oversight? Was he not a freeman? Or had he, perhaps, already left the area for Norwich, or gone back to Newport? Any of these are possible. The land that James had bought in Westerly was sold by Daniel Longbottom in 1714, which is the reason James is believed to be Daniel's father. He could be a grandfather, though. Also there is one reference that Daniel sold land of James's in 1674. This would mean Daniel had to be at least 21 years of age at the time.
Here we come to the end of what I've been able to locate about James Longbottom. He is as shadowy as they come, and if it weren't for the information we have about him in 1660-1661, we wouldn't know he had been in America at all. Newport and later Westerly had early Baptist histories. Perhaps James was a Baptist, and his death was simply not reported to the authorities. It would appear that he stayed out of legal trouble, based only on the idea that no one has reported finding him in court records.
Some of our ancestors like to hide behind thin veils and some behind thick curtains. Some may stay hidden there during my lifetime, but perhaps these hints will allow someone else to do some real digging, perhaps in Yorkshire, and come up with a more definite sketch of our ancestor. I certainly hope that is the case, for I'd like to know more about James Longbottom!
The probable line of descent is:
James Longbottom-possibly Isabel Hoult
Daniel Longbottom-Elizabeth Lamb
James Longbottom-Elizabeth Jackson
Elizabeth Longbottom-John Eames
Hannah Eames-James Lamphire
Susan Lamphire-Joseph Eddy
Susan Eddy-Hiram Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Holbrook line: Benjamin Hearnden Harrington Herendeen
For simplicity's sake, I'm going to use the spelling Hearnden in this post, but Benjamin's name was spelled in many different ways during his lifetime; he was apparently illiterate as he signed his name with an X on legal documents.
Information abounds about this ancestor, and so do stories that can't be proven. Also people look at the same set of facts and draw different conclusions. So, I'll just say that some people think his parents were James Harrington and Ann Clinton-Fiennes, which lines probably trace back to English nobility. Others say his father was likely Robert Harrington. It is known that James and Ann had a son named Benjamin and that they all came to Boston in 1630. James died in 1630 and Ann in 1632 and Benjamin went to live with an uncle, Charles Clinton-Fiennes. The story goes that Charles was a strict Puritan and Benjamin had become a Baptist. Uncle Charles severely flogged Benjamin for this, and Benjamin then went to Rhode Island. Another story says that when escaping to Rhode Island, Benjamin joined a family of Quakers also enroute to Providence Plantation, and that is how Benjamin met his future wife. These are stories and speculation only, but it seems to be true that Benjamin was a Baptist and Elizabeth White, his wife, was a Quaker. Choose for yourself how much of the story, or which stories, you want to believe.
What is well documented is that Benjamin had some run ins with the law in Massachusetts. There was a man of his name presented in court in Lynn, Massachusetts for beating his wife in 1647. It appears that this was about the same time that the Hearnden's moved to Rhode Island, although it is possible that they shuttled from Lynn to Providence and back again for a few years, while they were establishing crops in Providence to support themselves, and while there was work for a bricklayer (Benjamin's occupation) in Massachusetts. He took the oath of allegiance in Providence in 1648, and received a land grant in 1651, which may have been the first time he was old enough to receive a grant. He acquired several more plots of land during his lifetime, so that he was able to pass land on to each of his surviving sons.
Benjamin and Elizabeth each seem to have had difficulties with their neighbors. Elizabeth was found guilty of stealing clothing from Mary Pray, the wife of Richard Pray. (Elizabeth would marry Richard Pray as his second wife after Benjamin's death, so it's hard to figure out what was going on here). Elizabeth's family received a house lot next to that of Benjamin and Elizabeth, and there were court proceedings involving altercations between the two families. At another time, Benjamin was charged with inciting an Indian to kill John Clawson. John Clawson was killed by the Indian and the Indian was executed for it, but Benjamin was acquitted of being an accessory to the crime.
Benjamin had several dealings with our ancestor Roger Williams, and one writer says the two families were related. Another writer hints that it was Clawson that was Benjamin's relation. I've not found anything to connect Benjamin to either family, except as neighbors.
Benjamin died between February 1686/87 and May 17, 1687. His estate was probated about a year later and was valued at either 42 pounds and change, or 142 pounds and change (two different amounts reported and I've not yet found the original to judge for myself). His estate included the typical farm animals and implements as well as land. As mentioned above, Elizabeth married Richard Pray for her second husband. Benjamin and Elizabeth had nine children together, all adults by the time their father died.
It's an interesting couple. Benjamin was a Baptist with a not totally savory reputation, and Elizabeth was a Quaker who perhaps made little defense when charged with stealing clothes from the first wife of her second husband. It would be interesting to hear their sides of these issues. It would also be interesting to know what their reputation was in Providence. I'd also like to know whether it was Benjamin, or Benjamin Jr who participated in King Philip's War. (It appears that the Herendens did leave Providence when the town was burned, but returned fairly soon after.) Either way, I wonder what Elizabeth thought of her husband or son participating in war.
Our line of descent is:
Benjamin Hearnden-Elizabeth White
Alice Hearnden-Daniel Brown
Hosanna Brown-Mary Hawkins
Othniel Brown-Deborah Brown (yes, cousins)
Sarah Brown-Enos Eddy
Enos Eddy-Deborah Paine
Joseph Brown Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiram Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Information abounds about this ancestor, and so do stories that can't be proven. Also people look at the same set of facts and draw different conclusions. So, I'll just say that some people think his parents were James Harrington and Ann Clinton-Fiennes, which lines probably trace back to English nobility. Others say his father was likely Robert Harrington. It is known that James and Ann had a son named Benjamin and that they all came to Boston in 1630. James died in 1630 and Ann in 1632 and Benjamin went to live with an uncle, Charles Clinton-Fiennes. The story goes that Charles was a strict Puritan and Benjamin had become a Baptist. Uncle Charles severely flogged Benjamin for this, and Benjamin then went to Rhode Island. Another story says that when escaping to Rhode Island, Benjamin joined a family of Quakers also enroute to Providence Plantation, and that is how Benjamin met his future wife. These are stories and speculation only, but it seems to be true that Benjamin was a Baptist and Elizabeth White, his wife, was a Quaker. Choose for yourself how much of the story, or which stories, you want to believe.
What is well documented is that Benjamin had some run ins with the law in Massachusetts. There was a man of his name presented in court in Lynn, Massachusetts for beating his wife in 1647. It appears that this was about the same time that the Hearnden's moved to Rhode Island, although it is possible that they shuttled from Lynn to Providence and back again for a few years, while they were establishing crops in Providence to support themselves, and while there was work for a bricklayer (Benjamin's occupation) in Massachusetts. He took the oath of allegiance in Providence in 1648, and received a land grant in 1651, which may have been the first time he was old enough to receive a grant. He acquired several more plots of land during his lifetime, so that he was able to pass land on to each of his surviving sons.
Benjamin and Elizabeth each seem to have had difficulties with their neighbors. Elizabeth was found guilty of stealing clothing from Mary Pray, the wife of Richard Pray. (Elizabeth would marry Richard Pray as his second wife after Benjamin's death, so it's hard to figure out what was going on here). Elizabeth's family received a house lot next to that of Benjamin and Elizabeth, and there were court proceedings involving altercations between the two families. At another time, Benjamin was charged with inciting an Indian to kill John Clawson. John Clawson was killed by the Indian and the Indian was executed for it, but Benjamin was acquitted of being an accessory to the crime.
Benjamin had several dealings with our ancestor Roger Williams, and one writer says the two families were related. Another writer hints that it was Clawson that was Benjamin's relation. I've not found anything to connect Benjamin to either family, except as neighbors.
Benjamin died between February 1686/87 and May 17, 1687. His estate was probated about a year later and was valued at either 42 pounds and change, or 142 pounds and change (two different amounts reported and I've not yet found the original to judge for myself). His estate included the typical farm animals and implements as well as land. As mentioned above, Elizabeth married Richard Pray for her second husband. Benjamin and Elizabeth had nine children together, all adults by the time their father died.
It's an interesting couple. Benjamin was a Baptist with a not totally savory reputation, and Elizabeth was a Quaker who perhaps made little defense when charged with stealing clothes from the first wife of her second husband. It would be interesting to hear their sides of these issues. It would also be interesting to know what their reputation was in Providence. I'd also like to know whether it was Benjamin, or Benjamin Jr who participated in King Philip's War. (It appears that the Herendens did leave Providence when the town was burned, but returned fairly soon after.) Either way, I wonder what Elizabeth thought of her husband or son participating in war.
Our line of descent is:
Benjamin Hearnden-Elizabeth White
Alice Hearnden-Daniel Brown
Hosanna Brown-Mary Hawkins
Othniel Brown-Deborah Brown (yes, cousins)
Sarah Brown-Enos Eddy
Enos Eddy-Deborah Paine
Joseph Brown Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiram Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Friday, December 14, 2018
Holbrook line: Richard Harding, Immigrant
Richard Harding is an immigrant. We know that because he died in Braintree, Massachusetts on December 27, 1657, a few days after writing his will there. That's pretty much the one sure thing we know about him. The rest of what I will write is information, or possibly speculation, that I can't document.
Richard is thought to have been born in 1587 in Boreham, Devonshire, England to John and Mary Greene Harding. The family later moved to Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, perhaps. Richard was one of several children, but he isn't mentioned in the will of his fagther. He was already in America when his father died, so it is quite possible that he had already received what would have been his inheritance, perhaps as a gift to help Richard get settled here.
Richard is supposed to have arrived in 1623 with a wife and an infant son. The "infant" son may have been John, was was born about 1620, or it may have been Stephen, our ancestor, who was born in 1623, believed to have been born in America. Richard made his living as a mariner and fisherman, living not far from Weymouth Landing. It would have been very difficult for Richard's wife to stay at home with two small children while Richard was at sea.
We don't know what kind of house Richard had, but it's speculated that he lived on land given him by his aunt's husband, Sir Robert Gorges. Sir Robert had been given the land in an effort to plant a colony there. Richard evidently lived there all his life. A confusing statement is that he helped settle Rhode Island and was a follower and supporter of Roger Williams. Richard was granted freeman status in 1648 in Massachusetts, so it's hard to imagine that he also was supporting Roger Williams, who had been banished to what became Rhode Island in 1636.
This is as much as I know, think I know, or have my doubts about, Richard Harding. Definitely he was here, and it's highly likely he was the father of Stephen Harding. Beyond that, I have no documentation. He isn't mentioned in any of the Great Migrations literature, that I've found. So take it with a grain of salt, and if you know something contrary to what I've said, or supporting it, with documentation, please let me know!
The line of descent is:
Richard Harding-unknown first wife
Stephen Harding-Bridget Estance
Abraham Harding-Deborah Gardner
Mercy Harding-Samuel Winsor
Joseph Winsor-Deborah Mathewson
Lillis Winsor-Nathan Paine
Deborah Paine-Enos Eddy
Joseph B Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiram Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Richard is thought to have been born in 1587 in Boreham, Devonshire, England to John and Mary Greene Harding. The family later moved to Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, perhaps. Richard was one of several children, but he isn't mentioned in the will of his fagther. He was already in America when his father died, so it is quite possible that he had already received what would have been his inheritance, perhaps as a gift to help Richard get settled here.
Richard is supposed to have arrived in 1623 with a wife and an infant son. The "infant" son may have been John, was was born about 1620, or it may have been Stephen, our ancestor, who was born in 1623, believed to have been born in America. Richard made his living as a mariner and fisherman, living not far from Weymouth Landing. It would have been very difficult for Richard's wife to stay at home with two small children while Richard was at sea.
We don't know what kind of house Richard had, but it's speculated that he lived on land given him by his aunt's husband, Sir Robert Gorges. Sir Robert had been given the land in an effort to plant a colony there. Richard evidently lived there all his life. A confusing statement is that he helped settle Rhode Island and was a follower and supporter of Roger Williams. Richard was granted freeman status in 1648 in Massachusetts, so it's hard to imagine that he also was supporting Roger Williams, who had been banished to what became Rhode Island in 1636.
This is as much as I know, think I know, or have my doubts about, Richard Harding. Definitely he was here, and it's highly likely he was the father of Stephen Harding. Beyond that, I have no documentation. He isn't mentioned in any of the Great Migrations literature, that I've found. So take it with a grain of salt, and if you know something contrary to what I've said, or supporting it, with documentation, please let me know!
The line of descent is:
Richard Harding-unknown first wife
Stephen Harding-Bridget Estance
Abraham Harding-Deborah Gardner
Mercy Harding-Samuel Winsor
Joseph Winsor-Deborah Mathewson
Lillis Winsor-Nathan Paine
Deborah Paine-Enos Eddy
Joseph B Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiram Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Holbrook line: Henry Stevens, Immigrant
Henry Stevens is another man of mystery, prior to his immigration to Massachusetts Bay Colony on the Defiance in 1635. His age on the records is given as 24 at that time, so his birth date would be about 1611, and it's probably safe to say his origins were in England. The ship sailed from London, which may or may not mean he was from somewhere in the southeast section of the country. Alice Stevens, believed to be Henry's wife, came at the same time on a separate ship, the Abigail. We don't know why they sailed on separate ships and that is a mystery I'd like to solve. At any rate, it appears that they were married before they came to America, perhaps shortly before.
Their first home was in Lynn but they were in Boston by 1641. Alice was admitted to the Boston church on June 18, 1643, and Henry Stevens was admitted February 8, 1651/2. Sometime between April 11, 1649 and February 1651/52, Alice had died and Henry was married to Mary Buckmaster. Their first child was born May 28, 1652, so Henry wasn't a widow for long. Henry and Alice's first three children were baptized on the same day that Alice became a member of the church (having children baptized was sometimes a prime motivator in joining a church; at least one parent had to belong to the church.) John, James, Joseph, Deborah and Deliverance were the children of Henry and Alice. Henry's children with Mary were Joanna, Henry, Thomas, Joshua, John, Samuel, Silence, and Mary. This was quite a family to raise! Son John was nearly 33 years old when Mary, the last child, was born in 1670.
Fortunately, Henry had a good trade. He was a mason, and likely moved from Lynn to Boston when he realized there was more work available at Boston. (Robert Charles Anderson suggests that Henry was a servant to John Humfrey, who left to return permanently to England, about the time that Henry moved to Boston. He further suggests that Henry, as a servant to Humfrey, had burned down Humfrey's bar. My inference is that this was likely an accident, because years were added to Henry's servitude, rather than Henry being imprisoned or even sentenced to death, as would have happened if it were considered a crime.
Henry had at least some education because he signed his name on deeds, and when he died his estate included books. He became a freeman on May 26, 1652, and was appointed to committees to set boundaries between towns. He was also a constable at least twice, and a tithingman. One of the deeds refers to Henry Stevens as a husbandman, so he must have done some farming, or at least owned farmland, also.
When Henry died on June 11, 1690, James and Joseph had predeceased him, as Henry left small bequests to their children. His estate totaled 411 pounds 10 shillings, of which 381 pounds was real estate in several different locations.
I have not been able to find what became of Mary. Information on various genealogy web sites gives her death as 1684. If this is accurate, then Henry, who wrote his will in 1688, had remarried and his third wife was also Mary, for he mentions her by name in his will. This would be a mystery that a descendant of Henry and Mary might want to try to solve. Our tree comes through Henry and Alice, so my interest is in identifying Alice.
The line of descent is:
Henry Stevens-Alice
John Stevens-Elizabeth Hildreth
Joseph Stevens-Elizabeth Tidd
Elizabeth Stevens-William Snow
Lucy Snow-Josiah Whittemore
Josiah Whittemore-Betsy Foster
Mary Elizabeth Whittemore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Their first home was in Lynn but they were in Boston by 1641. Alice was admitted to the Boston church on June 18, 1643, and Henry Stevens was admitted February 8, 1651/2. Sometime between April 11, 1649 and February 1651/52, Alice had died and Henry was married to Mary Buckmaster. Their first child was born May 28, 1652, so Henry wasn't a widow for long. Henry and Alice's first three children were baptized on the same day that Alice became a member of the church (having children baptized was sometimes a prime motivator in joining a church; at least one parent had to belong to the church.) John, James, Joseph, Deborah and Deliverance were the children of Henry and Alice. Henry's children with Mary were Joanna, Henry, Thomas, Joshua, John, Samuel, Silence, and Mary. This was quite a family to raise! Son John was nearly 33 years old when Mary, the last child, was born in 1670.
Fortunately, Henry had a good trade. He was a mason, and likely moved from Lynn to Boston when he realized there was more work available at Boston. (Robert Charles Anderson suggests that Henry was a servant to John Humfrey, who left to return permanently to England, about the time that Henry moved to Boston. He further suggests that Henry, as a servant to Humfrey, had burned down Humfrey's bar. My inference is that this was likely an accident, because years were added to Henry's servitude, rather than Henry being imprisoned or even sentenced to death, as would have happened if it were considered a crime.
Henry had at least some education because he signed his name on deeds, and when he died his estate included books. He became a freeman on May 26, 1652, and was appointed to committees to set boundaries between towns. He was also a constable at least twice, and a tithingman. One of the deeds refers to Henry Stevens as a husbandman, so he must have done some farming, or at least owned farmland, also.
When Henry died on June 11, 1690, James and Joseph had predeceased him, as Henry left small bequests to their children. His estate totaled 411 pounds 10 shillings, of which 381 pounds was real estate in several different locations.
I have not been able to find what became of Mary. Information on various genealogy web sites gives her death as 1684. If this is accurate, then Henry, who wrote his will in 1688, had remarried and his third wife was also Mary, for he mentions her by name in his will. This would be a mystery that a descendant of Henry and Mary might want to try to solve. Our tree comes through Henry and Alice, so my interest is in identifying Alice.
The line of descent is:
Henry Stevens-Alice
John Stevens-Elizabeth Hildreth
Joseph Stevens-Elizabeth Tidd
Elizabeth Stevens-William Snow
Lucy Snow-Josiah Whittemore
Josiah Whittemore-Betsy Foster
Mary Elizabeth Whittemore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Friday, December 7, 2018
Holbrook line: William Fifield, newly found immigrant
William Fifield is a recent addition to our family tree. When I learned who the Lucy Snow was who married Josiah Whittemore, she came with quite a well researched genealogy. William Fifield was one of those finds. I love it when an ancestor has been written up by Robert Charles Anderson in The Great Migration series! What I don't love about William Fifield is that he lived in a state and county that I'm not familiar with. That means I not only have more research to do, but I have to learn how to do the research in New Hampshire. However, I digress.
William Fifield was born about 1614 somewhere in England. A case has been made that he is from Littleton, Hampshire, England, and some believe his ancestry can be traced back another four or five generations. I'm not convinced, but I'm sure going to look into it. His birthdate is approximated from various depositions he gave in his adult life, when he said that he was of a certain age at that time. It isn't known who his wife may have been, other than her given name of Mary. They likely married after each immigrated.
The first record we have of William is his oath of fidelity given when he immigrated on the Hercules, in 1634. It arrived at Ipswich, Massachusetts Bay Colony in April of that year. Since there were only 12 known passengers on this ship, either it was very small or it carried primarily cargo. In 1634, most of what the colony used would have been imported from "home". It was, after all, a colony. He lived at Ipswich for a short time, then at Newbury, and in 1639 went to Hampton, in what is now New Hampshire. It appears that he spent the rest of his life there.
Hampton would have been a good place to raise a family. It was on the Atlantic Ocean, so there was likely a maritime business. If not, at least it was pretty! Good water was available, and there were vast fields of timber nearby. William and Mary may have had as many as nine children, the last born in 1660/61. Two children did not survive infancy, but the others reached adulthood and married.
There is a possibility that William was somehow related to the Fifields of Barbados, but that needs more study. If it turns out to be true, one could wonder ships sailing to or from Hampton would have carried family members. It also makes one wonder whether there was any slave trade involved.
William acquired land both by grants and by purchase, but I don't know enough about land in New Hampshire at this time period to figure out whether he acquired more than the typical resident.
William had some amount of education, because he signed his name to deeds. He was made a freeman in 1641, which gave him the right to vote and to hold office. He held the office of timber surveyor, selectman, constable, and deputy constable at various times, and was frequently a petit juror. He also served on a committee to set the boundary between Portsmouth and Hampton.
This is what I know about William Fifield. I'd like to learn his origins and his wife's maiden name. I'd like to know about his military service (he had some, because he was excused from military training in the later years of his life), and how active he was in church. But, welcome to our family, William Fifield! I'm glad you made your presence known.
The line of descent is:
William Fifield-Mary
Elizabeth Fifield-John Tidd
Elizabeth Tidd-Joseph Stevens
Elizabeth Stevens-William Snow
Lucy Snow-Josiah Whittemore
Josiah Whittemore-Betsy Foster
Mary Elizabeth Whittemore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
William Fifield was born about 1614 somewhere in England. A case has been made that he is from Littleton, Hampshire, England, and some believe his ancestry can be traced back another four or five generations. I'm not convinced, but I'm sure going to look into it. His birthdate is approximated from various depositions he gave in his adult life, when he said that he was of a certain age at that time. It isn't known who his wife may have been, other than her given name of Mary. They likely married after each immigrated.
The first record we have of William is his oath of fidelity given when he immigrated on the Hercules, in 1634. It arrived at Ipswich, Massachusetts Bay Colony in April of that year. Since there were only 12 known passengers on this ship, either it was very small or it carried primarily cargo. In 1634, most of what the colony used would have been imported from "home". It was, after all, a colony. He lived at Ipswich for a short time, then at Newbury, and in 1639 went to Hampton, in what is now New Hampshire. It appears that he spent the rest of his life there.
Hampton would have been a good place to raise a family. It was on the Atlantic Ocean, so there was likely a maritime business. If not, at least it was pretty! Good water was available, and there were vast fields of timber nearby. William and Mary may have had as many as nine children, the last born in 1660/61. Two children did not survive infancy, but the others reached adulthood and married.
There is a possibility that William was somehow related to the Fifields of Barbados, but that needs more study. If it turns out to be true, one could wonder ships sailing to or from Hampton would have carried family members. It also makes one wonder whether there was any slave trade involved.
William acquired land both by grants and by purchase, but I don't know enough about land in New Hampshire at this time period to figure out whether he acquired more than the typical resident.
William had some amount of education, because he signed his name to deeds. He was made a freeman in 1641, which gave him the right to vote and to hold office. He held the office of timber surveyor, selectman, constable, and deputy constable at various times, and was frequently a petit juror. He also served on a committee to set the boundary between Portsmouth and Hampton.
This is what I know about William Fifield. I'd like to learn his origins and his wife's maiden name. I'd like to know about his military service (he had some, because he was excused from military training in the later years of his life), and how active he was in church. But, welcome to our family, William Fifield! I'm glad you made your presence known.
The line of descent is:
William Fifield-Mary
Elizabeth Fifield-John Tidd
Elizabeth Tidd-Joseph Stevens
Elizabeth Stevens-William Snow
Lucy Snow-Josiah Whittemore
Josiah Whittemore-Betsy Foster
Mary Elizabeth Whittemore-Joseph Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Holbrook line: Joseph Morse 1610-1690 Immigrant
Perhaps I should be writing this about the Joseph Morse who died in 1646 in Ipswich, Massachusetts Bay Colony and who had a son named Joseph, mentioned in his will, but Robert Charles Anderson is not willing to state that Joseph of Ipswich is the father of Joseph of Watertown, Massachusetts Bay Colony, so I will only present that as a possibility. The Joseph Morse I will write of was born about 1610, somewhere in England and sailed on the Elizabeth from Ipswich, England in 1634.
Joseph was listed as 24 years of age at the time. He apparently went straight to Watertown and stayed there is whole life. He was admitted to the Watertown Church and was granted the status of freeman on May 6, 1635. He was a weaver by trade but also received several grants of land, including meadow and "upland" as well as a farm of 73 acres, all as grants. He may have rented these lands out or he may have farmed them himself. He was married by about 1637 to Esther or Hester Piece, daughter of John and Elizabeth (possibly Stoker) Pierce, also of Watertown. Joseph and Esther had at least seven children, six of whom lived until adulthood. This was a pretty decent survival rate for the time and indicates that Joseph and Esther were probably not "dirt poor", although they may have struggled during the early years. Another indication that the family was surviving economically was that they accepted at least one child into their care, who was three years old at the time and who became an apprentice at the age of five, unless these are two different children with the same father.
Joseph apparently did not take an active part in the civic life of Watertown, although he was a fence viewer for a term. Raising several children, carrying on a trade as well as (likely) a farming operation may have left him little time for public service. When Joseph died in 1689/90, his estate was very small, just a little over six pounds. He had already disposed of his land holdings and probably was living with or under the care of one or more of his children. Esther lived until 1694.
This is not much information to fill in the "dash" for a man who lived about 80 years. I have a book on my "to read" shelf about Watertown, and although I didn't find his name in the index, perhaps the book will be able to fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge of Joseph and how he lived. We do know that he farmed, he worked, he attended church, he voted, and he served as "master" to at least one child beside his own.
One other thing: He is listed as the ancestor of Calvin Coolidge and of Richard Nixon.
The line of descent is:
Joseph Morse-Esther Pierce
Joseph Morse-Susanna Shattuck
Esther Morse-Nathaniel Joslin
Israel Joslin-Sarah Cleveland
Sarah Joslin-Edward Fay
David Fay-Mary Perrin
Luceba Fay-Libbeus Stanard
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
Joseph was listed as 24 years of age at the time. He apparently went straight to Watertown and stayed there is whole life. He was admitted to the Watertown Church and was granted the status of freeman on May 6, 1635. He was a weaver by trade but also received several grants of land, including meadow and "upland" as well as a farm of 73 acres, all as grants. He may have rented these lands out or he may have farmed them himself. He was married by about 1637 to Esther or Hester Piece, daughter of John and Elizabeth (possibly Stoker) Pierce, also of Watertown. Joseph and Esther had at least seven children, six of whom lived until adulthood. This was a pretty decent survival rate for the time and indicates that Joseph and Esther were probably not "dirt poor", although they may have struggled during the early years. Another indication that the family was surviving economically was that they accepted at least one child into their care, who was three years old at the time and who became an apprentice at the age of five, unless these are two different children with the same father.
Joseph apparently did not take an active part in the civic life of Watertown, although he was a fence viewer for a term. Raising several children, carrying on a trade as well as (likely) a farming operation may have left him little time for public service. When Joseph died in 1689/90, his estate was very small, just a little over six pounds. He had already disposed of his land holdings and probably was living with or under the care of one or more of his children. Esther lived until 1694.
This is not much information to fill in the "dash" for a man who lived about 80 years. I have a book on my "to read" shelf about Watertown, and although I didn't find his name in the index, perhaps the book will be able to fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge of Joseph and how he lived. We do know that he farmed, he worked, he attended church, he voted, and he served as "master" to at least one child beside his own.
One other thing: He is listed as the ancestor of Calvin Coolidge and of Richard Nixon.
The line of descent is:
Joseph Morse-Esther Pierce
Joseph Morse-Susanna Shattuck
Esther Morse-Nathaniel Joslin
Israel Joslin-Sarah Cleveland
Sarah Joslin-Edward Fay
David Fay-Mary Perrin
Luceba Fay-Libbeus Stanard
Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants
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