The Genealogy Room

Procrastinataion

2010-10-30T11:49:00.004-04:00

Today I am the victim of a common problem with genealogy research. When I first started research, I collected photo copies of excerpts from books. These excerpts contain many valuable clues and data. Nowhere on these papers have I cited the book, author and publisher. I thought at the time I would remember this information. Now, in 2010 as I sit here, I have no idea what book contained the information. I have no memory of a visit to any repository that would contain a book with this information.

There are about as many excuses as there are researchers for not noting the source where information cames from. Essentially it is procrastination. I probably had driven quite some distance, or maybe snuck into a library somewhere on vacation. I probably only had a couple of hours to locate my information and copy it. I was probably in too much of a hurry. In my rush to save time I created a situation where I will spend just as much time, if not more, to locate the source for this photo copied book excerpt.

Today I am very diligent about labeling any piece of paper that I collect. I note on each page where the place (repository) where I found the information. Then I note the title, author, publisher and any other data that is necessary to find the information again. I also note the date I visited the repository and then I add my initials. Why the initials? It reminds me that I actually did visit a repository on a particular date. Sometimes I forget where I have been.

Asbury-Green Chappel Cemetery

2010-10-16T16:44:00.003-04:00

The Friends and Family of Asbury-Green Chappel, Inc. is a group of diverse persons whose goal is to restore, conserve and preserve the African American Cemetery that is part of the former Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, located off May Port Road, Bozman, Talbot County, Maryland. We also hope to educate area citizens about the importance of preserving our historical cemeteries, as well as our heritage.

We are a fully incorporated non-profit Charitable Organization. We have purchased the property from the Peninsula Conference of the United Methodist Church. In May of 2010 we received a Phase I report from Grave Concerns located in Park Hall, Maryland. The property was digitally mapped for burial features such as grave markers, vaults, grave mounds, and other features including the foundations of two buildings. A list of recommendations was made based on our goals.

I am the Historian for the organization and my job description includes researching the information on the former church, African Americans who resided in the Bozman community and possible identification of who may be buried there. I will also be responsible for the legal requirements for DNA testing and the re-internment of remains.

Other goals are to fence the property, restore at least five vandalized crypts, restore and reset grave stones as needed, expand the membership base and continue fund raising efforts and submit grant applications. Members of the Board of Directors and Friends have extensive expertise in the different areas needed to reach our goals.

I intend to use my Genealogy Blog to chart my methodology and the results of my research.

Mayflower Ancestor - Richard Warren

2007-07-11T17:24:00.000-04:00

(Note: the following information was obtained from Mayflower Families through Five Families, Volume 18, Part 1).

Richard WARREN was probably born in England. He married Elizabeth Walker, daughter of Augustine Walker of Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, probably before 1610. He died 1628 at Plymouth.

Children of Richard Warren and Elizabeth Walker, first five probably born in England last two in Plymouth were:

1. Mary b. about 1610.

2. Anna b. about 1612.

3. Sarah b. about 1614.

4. Elizabeth b. about 1616.

5. Abigail b. about 1618.

6. Nathaniel b. about 1624.

7. Joseph b. about 1626.

Mayflower Descendant 2nd Generation

2007-07-11T17:13:00.000-04:00

(Note: the following information was obtained from Mayflower Families through Five Families, Volume 18, Part 1).

Mary WARREN was born in England about 1610. She married after 22 May 1627 Robert Bartlett, perhaps the son of Robert Bartlett and Alice Barker. She died 27 March 1683 at Plymouth. She was 73 years old.

Mary Warren arrived in Plymouth in 1623 on board the Anne. She was accompanied by her mother Elizabeth and four sisters. Her father had arrived in Plymouth aboard the Mayflower in 1620. Her future husband Robert Bartlett also arrived on the Anne in 1623.

Children of Mary Warren and Robert Bartlett at Plymouth were:

1. Benjamin b. before 6 June 1633.

2. Rebecca b. before December 1634.

3. Mary b. about 1634.

4. Sarah.

5. Joseph b. about 1639.

6. Elizabeth b. about 1643.

7. Lydia b. 8 June 1648.

8. Mercy b. 10 March 1650/1.

Mayflower Descendant 3rd Generation

2007-07-11T17:04:00.000-04:00

Note: the following information was obtained from Mayflower Families through Five Families, Volume 18, Part 1).

Elizabeth BARTLETT was born about 1643 at Plymouth. She married Anthony Sprague, son of William Sprague and Millicent Eames, 26 December 1661 at Plymouth.

The children of Elizabeth Bartlett and Anthony Sprague born at Hingham were:

1. Anthony b. 18 August 1663.

2.Benjamin b. 16 August 1665; d. 27 September 1690. Age 25.

3. John b. 30 September 1667; d. 23 October 1690. Age 23.

4. Elizabeth b. 5 September 1669; d. 11 October 1690. Age 21.

5. Samuel b. 8 March 1671/2.

6. Sarah b. 23 May 1674.

7. James b. 23 January 1677/8.

8. Josiah b. 23 April 1680.

9. Jeremiah b. 24 July 1682.

10. Richard b. 10 April 1685.

11. Matthew b. 27 March 1688.

Mayflower Descendant 4th Generation

2007-07-11T16:51:00.000-04:00

(Note: the following information was obtained from Mayflower Families through Five Families, Volume 18, Part 1).

Anthony SPRAGUE was born 18 August 1663 at Hingham and died probably at Attleborough before 14 May 1729. He married Mary Tilden, daughter of Thomas Tilden and Mary Holmes, about 1689.

They apparently lived at Rehoboth and Attleboro.

Children of Anthony Sprague and Mary Tilden are:

1. Anthony b. abt. 1690.

2. Benjamin b. 7 September 1691.

3. Mary b. 1 October 1692.

4. Elizabeth b. 26 May 1694.

5. Sarah b. 7 March 1696/7.

6. Lydia b. 27 September 1699.

7. Hannah b. 12 March 1700/1 d. 28 November 1704

8. Mercy b. 17 June 1703.

9. Phebe b. about 1705.

Mayflower Descendant 5th Generation

2007-07-11T16:43:00.000-04:00

(Note: the following material was obtained from Mayflower Families through Five Generations Volume 18, Part 2.)

Anthony Sprague was born about 1690 and died 1745/47. He married Ann Thurston, daughter of Thomas Thurston and Mehitable Tripp.

Children of Anthony Sprague and Ann Thurston were:

1. Anthony

2. Samuel

3. Abigail

5. Alice

6. Jonas

Mayflower Descendant 6th Generation

2007-07-11T16:15:00.000-04:00

Anthony SPRAGUE was born about 1728 in Scituate, Rhode Island. He married a Mary (--?--). He died about 1772 at Lanesborough, Berkshire County, Massachusetts (probate record, Berkshire County, Massachusetts).

Anthony was the son of Anthony Sprague and Ann Thurston (Mayflower Families Book 18 Vol. 2). Anthony married a Mary (Unknown). The Dexter Genealogy suggests that this Mary was a Dexter. However, the Sprague Families in America could not identify her surname. Anthony Sprague died intestate and his affairs were handled by a Jonathan Pettibone and his widow Mary. Jonathan Pettibone was also appointed guardian of the minor children of Anthony Sprague. More research is needed to prove the surname of Mary and the relationship of Jonathan Pettibone to the Anthony Sprague family.

Edward R. Knurow collection at the Berkshire Athenaeum Local History Room, Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts show that the sons of Anthony fought as Patriot's in the Revolutionary War. The widow Mary removed with her son Eseck to Vermont where she died and was buried.

Children of Anthony Sprague and Mary (--?--) are:

1. Gideon

2. Anna married Hulet/Hulot.

3. Phebe married Man.

4. Anthony.

5. Eseck married Lucy Rubbllee.

6. Mercy

7. Sarah married Amasa Weed.

8. Jerusha

9. Samuel

10. Abraham

11. Priscilla married Lee.

Mayflower Descendant 7th Generation

2007-07-11T12:27:00.000-04:00

Priscilla SPRAGUE was born 21 April 1746 at Scituate, Plymouth (Sprague Families in America by Warren Vincent Sprague). She married Philemon Lee, son of John Lee and Martha Carpenter, at Berkshire County, Massachusetts (proof pending). She died on 9 May 1804 (proof pending) and is buried in an unmarked grave next to her husband Philemon Lee at Maplewood formerlly called Mt. Upton Cemetery at Mt. Upton, Guilford Township, New York (A View of Maplewood Cemetery compiled by Guilford Historical Society).

Priscilla was raised in the frontier community of Lanesborough, Massachusetts where her family farmed (land records, Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts). In her father's probated will 11 April 1772 Priscilla Lee was mentioned as a child of Anthony Sprague. This indicates that she was married to a man by the name of Lee. She inherited the family bible. Land records in Adams, Berkshire County, Massachusetts show that a Priscilla Lee jointly owned land with her husband Philemon Lee. Adams is a neighboring town to Lanesborough.

Philemon Lee with a household composed of one adult male and two females is found in Rensselaerville, Albany County, New York. A check of the land records show that a Philemon Lee and his wife Priscilla owned land in this town at this time. By 1800 the family had sold the land in Rensselaerville and bought land in Unadilla, Otsego County, New York. Later Philemon and family removed to Mt. Upton across the Unadilla river in Chenango County. On 5 November 1819 Philemon Lee gave a half acre for a burying ground and school to the town of Mt. Upton. The following year, 1820, he married Ursula Cleveland. It is quite probable that his first wife Priscilla was buried on this land. The book "A View of Maplewood Cemetery" by the Guilford Historical Society shows that Priscilla Sprague was wife to Philemon. A stone prominent in the cemetery erected 1 May 1887 by the trustees of the First Baptist Church reads " Mr. Lee gave these grounds to the First Baptist Church Nov. 5 1819 for a burial ground."

Children of Priscilla Sprague and Philemon Lee are:

1. Olive b. 3 March 1774 d. 6 January 1854. She married John Scott.

2. Sarah b. 30 January 1777 d. 23 March 1848. She married Silas Scott.

3. Martha b. 28 January 1779 d. 16 April 1854. She married Jesse Skinner.

4. Philemon b. 2 December 1782 d. 20 December 1866. He married Sophia Townsend.

5. Mary b. 16 April 1785 d. 16 March 1854. She married Asher Scott.

6. Lucy b. 7 March 1787 d. 8 March 1824. She married Richard Mudge.

7. Anthony b. 6 February 1790 d. 4 August 1861. He married Mary (--?--).

8. Elizabeth "Betsey" b. 4 April d. 5 November 1879. She married William D. Mudge.

9. Sophia b. 8 December 1795 d. 11 May 1879. She married Jallael Billings.

Mayflower Descendant 8th Generation

2007-07-11T11:45:00.000-04:00

Elizabeth LEE was born on 4 April 1793 at New York. She married William D. Mudge, son of Aaron A. Mudge and Wealthy Deming, on 11 October 1809 at Unadilla, Otsego County, New York. She died on 5 November 1879 at Coventry, Chenango County, New York (all information from Mudge Memorials by Alfred Mudge).

Elizabeth Lee was the daughter of Philemon Lee and Priscilla Sprague. She was born in the wilderness of New York after the Revolutionary War. The War opened up lands that formerly belonged to the Iroquois Indians. The Iroquois sided with the British during the War and subsequently lost their dominion over their lands in New York State. The population pressure in New England created a demand for new lands to be settled. The parents of Elizabeth and Elizabeth herself were true pioneers. They suffered the diverse hardships and pleasures of opening up new lands.

Elizabeth and her husband William D. Mudge settled on a farm in the wilderness on the east banks of the Unadilla River. William's primary occupation was lumberman. The couples first tragedy occurred where their first three children, Lucy, Priscilla and Morris Jackson died of diphtheria during a two week period in September-October of 1815. A family story does mention the deaths of these three children and that it affected their mother mentally for the rest of her days. The next three children born between 1816 and 1820 were given the same names as the deceased children. The children's grave may be found in a farmers pasture at Spencer Cemetery in Unadilla, New York. Today only the name of Lucy is readable.

The second tragedy struck when William D. suffered economic hardship during a depression after the War of 1812. A war in which he fought (military records - NARA). He lost his lands (land records - Otsego County). The family moved to Coventry, Chenango County, New York. Many of their children settled in Chenango County when they married (1800-1880 US Census Records). William worked as a farmer on rented lands in Chenango County until his death.

Children of Elizabeth Lee and William D. Mudge all born at Unadilla, Otsego County, New York:

1. Lucy b. 10 September 1810 d. 8 October 1815 at age 5.

2. Priscilla b. 27 November 1812 d. 23 September 1815 at age 2.

3. Morris Jackson b. 3 February 1814 d. 3 October 1815 at age 1.

4. Morris Jackson b. 13 July 1816 d. 1899. He married Emily W. Green 13 Jan 1839.

5. Lucy b. 26 April 1818 d. 18 Aug 1848. She married E.C. Matteson on 18 March 1841.

6. Priscilla b. 1 May 1820 d. unknown. She married Wilson Wedge.

7. William Lee b. 28 August 1822 d. unknown. He married Esther E. Green on 13 August 1850.

8. Mary Elizabeth b. 18 October 1824 d. 1918. She married William S. Grannis on 25 September 1844.

9. Unknown b. 1826 d. 1826.

10. Martha Emily b. 2 January 1828 d. 1922. She married H. N. Morenus.

11 Sarah b. 20 April d. 11 April 1836 at age 4.

12. Franklin Israel b. 20 May 1833 d. 13 February 1911. He married Almira Waters.

13. Schuyler Dewaine b. 13 June 1836 d. unknown. He married Phebe Augusta Hancock.

14. Sally Marie b. 25 May 1841 d. 17 February 1844 at age 2.

Mayflower Descendant 9th Generation

2007-07-11T09:49:00.002-04:00

Franklin Israel MUDGE was born on 20 May 1833 at Unadilla, Otsego County, New York (death record - New York State Vital Records). He married Almira Waters, daughter of Nathaniel Waters and Anna Jane Smith, at Oxford, Chenango County, New York on 7 November 1852 (p. 161-162 Mudge Memorials by Alfred Mudge). He died on 13 Feb 1911 at Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York (death record - New York State Vital Records). He was buried on 16 Feb 1911 at Riverview Cemetery, Oxford, Chenango County, New York (cemetery records - Oxford, New York).

Franklin I. Mudge is the bearded gentleman seated. The picture was taken shortly before his death in 1911. Seated next to him is his daughter Jenni Mudge Andrews. She is holding her grandson Roland Andrews. Standing in the back is George Andrews son of Jenni.

Franklin was born on his parents farm near the banks of the Unadilla River in the wilderness of Otsego County, New York. He was called "Ira" by his parents (1850 census). As an adult he preferred to use his first name "Franklin" ( 1860- 1910 census, death record, land record).

"Ira" or Franklin was the 12th of 14 children born to William D. Mudge and Elizabeth "Betsey" Lee. His father lost his land when Franklin was a small boy and the family removed to Coventry, Chenango County, New York where he learned to read and write (Mudge Memorials by Alfred Mudge). Franklin worked as a farmer and stonemason. He owned a farm in Coventry Township (land records - Norwich, New York). When his wife, Almira died in 1895 the farm was sold. Franklin spent the remaining 16 years living with various of his children. His death certificate lists his occupation as Switch man. This indicates he may have worked for the railroad that passed through Bainbridge. His grandfather Aaron Mudge was a Revolutionary War Patriot.

Children of Franklin Israel and Almira Waters were as follows:

1. Jane "Jenni" Waters b. 31 July 1853 at Oxford, New York and d. 20 November 1940. She married Elman Legrande Andrews on 14 March 1877 at Oxford, Chenango County, New York.

2. Rosetta "Rose" Almira b. 7 September 1855 at Oxford, New York and d. 28 Dec 1934. She married Harvey Sanders 18 October 1871 at Oxford, New York.

3. Devillo Eugene b. 6 April 1859 at Oxford, New York and d. 4 Jan 1925 at East Branch, Delaware County, New York. He married Cora E. Smith on 3 July 1881 at Bainbridge, New York.
4.Estella "Stella" Ladell b. 15 January 1862 at Coventry, New York and d. 7 January 1952. She married Edward L. Wilkins on 25 April. 1886.

5. Anna Mae b. 29 April 1867 at Coventry, New York and d. 5 February 1905 at Oxford, New York. She married L. D. Goodnough.

6. Samuel b. circa 1869 New York. Died young.

7. Merton Franklin b. 23 July 1870 at Coventry, New York and d. 8 May 1945 at Oxford, New York. He married Emma Root on 15 March 1891.

8. Ernest Jesse b. 14 April 1874 Coventry, New York and d. 7 March 1953 at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts. He married Edith Adelle Saunders on 3 May 1898 at Norwich, New York.

9. Louis Vernon b. 28 January 1879 at Coventry, Chenango County, New York and d. 25 June 1948 at Johnson City, New York. He married Angie Roselle on May 1899.

Mayflower Descendant 10th Generation

2007-07-11T09:06:00.001-04:00

Jane "Jenni" Waters MUDGE was born on 31 July 1853 at Oxford, Chenango County, New York (death certificate - New York State Vital Records). She married Elman Legrande Andrews, son of Anson Homer Andrews and Sylvia Yale, on 14 March 1877 at Oxford, Chenango County, New York (death certificate; Mudge Memorials by Alfred Mudge). She died on 20 November 1940 at Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York at age 87. She was buried on 22 November 1940 at Glenwood Cemetery, Afton, Chenango County, New York (cemetery records).

The picture at left is a photo shows Jenni on the far left standing. She was raised on a farm in Coventry Township, Chenango County (land records, Norwich Court House, New York). Jenni was the oldest of nine children.

She married Elmon Andrews and resided in Coventry township until 1898/99 when her husband built the home at left on Main Street, Bainbridge, New York (land records, Norwich Court House, New York). The house is still standing today and is located at 86 N. Main Street, Bainbridge, New York.

Jenni spent her entire life as a homemaker, wife and mother. Later in life she was devoted to her grandchildren and would often take care of them during the summer or when their parents were working. She was a devoted Baptist.

Children of Jane "Jenni" and Elman Andrews were as follows:

1. Grace b. 25 Feb 1878 and d. 10 Feb 1896.

2. Nellie b. 2 Nov 1879 and d. 19 Jan 1968. She married Charles Harvey Wakeman 16 Jan 1901.

3. George b. 7 Nov 1882 and d. 28 Aug 1964. He married Myrtle Bently on 1 Aug 1905.

4. Floyd "Lester" b. 31 Jan 1884 and d. 5 Jan 1944. He married Martha Curlhair on 28 Feb 1904.

5. Myra b. 20 Aug 1887 and d. 9 Nov 1909.

6. Flora Mae b. 14 May 1892 and d. 11 Aug 1938. She married Fred Lester on 28 Aug 1912.

Mayflower Descendant 11th Generation

2007-07-09T14:40:00.000-04:00

Nellie ANDREWS was born on 2 Nov 1879 at Coventry, Chenango County, New York (death record - New York State Vital Records). She married Charles Harvey Wakeman, son of Robert Etna Wakeman and Mary Elizabeth Waters (marriage record - New York State Vital Records). She died on 19 Jan 1968 at 86 North Main Street, Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York (death record - New York State Vital Records), at age 88. She was buried at Glenwood Cemetery, Afton, Chenango County, New York (cemetery records) next to her husband Charles.

Nellie was born to a carpenter, Elmon Andrews and his wife Jane "Jennie" Mudge. She grew up on the farm with her brothers and sisters in the town of Coventry, New York. She and her sister Grace attended the teachers college at Oneonta. In 1896 Grace and Nellie became very ill with Influenza. Grace died of complications. While the girls were in college they met a local farmer named Charles Harvey Wakeman. He had a talent for machines of all sorts.

Nellie and Charles married 16 Jan 1901 and started married life on the farm in Coventry. They had one daughter before they moved to Leistershire (now Johnson City), Broome County, New York. Charles opened a machine shop. He was soon selling automobiles and motorcycles. Nellie worked with him, doing the books. Charles became a prosperous respected businessman.

About 1917 Charles bought a farm in Little Meadows, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It was a mere 20 miles from Johnson City. For the children it was a trip into the wilderness. In July of 1922 Charles was shot by a fellow that thought Charles was Revenuer (this was during Prohibition Times). Charles died within a few hours. His daughter Gertrude was shot in the leg. The boys, Clayton and Alden also witnessed the murder. Tyboni (the fellow who murdered Charles) was shot in a burst of gunfire when he shot the Sheriff and Deputy who were about to arrest him.
As can be imagined, Nellie and the family were devastated. Two of the girls were married. Nellie had one grandchild and another soon to be born. She and her four children removed to Endicott where she bought a house near the Loder Avenue Elementary school.

Life continued to be full of hardship as Nellie became sick with TB and was institutionalized for many months. When she regained her health she removed to Bainbridge to live with her parents.
She helped her parents and worked part time as a domestic to make ends meet. She inherited the home when her parents died. Nellie died peacefully in her sleep in the middle of Jan in 1968.

Children of Nellie Andrews and Charles Harvey Wakeman:

1. Gertrude Grace b. 17 Jan 1902 at Bainbridge, NY. Died Feb 1984 at Binghamton, NY. Married (1)Gustav Emil Fortran 24 Jul 1923. Married (2) Allison Henry Buffam 8 Dec 1950.

2. Dora Belle b. 29 Oct 1903 at Lestershire, NY. Died 17 Aug 1987 at Endicott, NY. Married Joseph Peter Reardon 24 Nov 1921.
3. Zadia Nellie b. 25 Aug 1905 Lestershire, NY. Died 15 Jan 1987 at Bainbridge, NY. Married Michael Joseph Reardon.

4. Clayton Charles b. 15 Feb 1908 at Lestershire, NY. Died 25 Sep 1986 at Bainbridge, NY. Married Amy Gertrude Eggelston.

5. Zelma Celestia b. 17 Jan 1910 at Lestershire, NY. Died 21 Oct 1999 at Pumela, TX. Married Archie Sterling Engel.

6. Alden Harvey b. 9 Mar 1913 at Lestershire, NY. Died 15 Oct 1998 Lake Mills, WI. Married Anne Jane McHugh.

Mayflower Descendant 12th Generation

2007-07-09T11:24:00.000-04:00

Dora Belle WAKEMAN was born on 29 Oct 1903 at Lestershire (now Johnson City), Broome County, New York (birth certificate - New York State Vital Records). She married Joseph Peter Reardon, son of Michael Aloyesius Reardon and Mary Angelina Creagh, on 24 Nov 1921 at Little Meadows, Apolacon Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (marriage record-Susquehanna County Court House, Montrose, PA). She died on 14 Aug 1987 at Sullivan Park Health Care Center, Endicott, Broome County, New York (death certificate - New York State Vital Records). She was buried on 17 Aug 1987 next to her husband and son John at St. Thomas Cemetery, Apolacon Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (Church Records, Little Meadows, PA).

Dora was the second of six children born at Johnson City. Her father, Charles Harvey WAKEMAN was a mechanic/car and motorcycle dealer at Johnson City. The family lived in a frame home within walking distance to the shop. Both her parents worked at the shop and she was cared for by both her grandmothers who would alternate stays at the family home. She attend public schools in Johnson City. She never graduated from High School.

When she was 16 yo her father moved the family out to the country. He bought a farm in the small community of Little Meadows. She met her future husband when her father hired him to come and 'gentle' a new horse. Dora fell in love with shy, studious, Irish farmer. This caused a ruckus in the family. The Wakeman family was staunch Baptist and very much prejudiced against the Catholic Church and anything Popish. Joe Reardon was not only a Catholic but Irish too. Joe won the approval of his in-laws through his example of Christian love and gentleness.

Joe and Dora started their married life at the Reardon farm on Cork Hill in Little Meadows. Life on the farm was hard work but there was fun to be had with family and community parties. Joe's parents moved from the farm in the early 1920's and a couple of years later Joe, Dora and their two children followed them to Endicott where Joe worked for IBM.

Dora was always the creative one. Her gardens were works of art. A trait that has been handed down through the generations. She was an excellent seamstress and needlework artist. Dinner at here house meant lots of excellent homemade food, rolls and rich desserts. Later in life she took up oil painting. To this day her descendants treasure these works of art.

Children of Dora Belle (Reardon) Wakeman and Joseph Peter Reardon were as follows:

1. Son - Living m. Living
2. Helen, (my mother) b. 4 Jul 1924; d. 21 Feb 2007. m. Living
3. Daughter - Living m. Living
4. Daughter - Living m. Living

Mayflower Descendant 13th Generation

2007-04-10T16:31:00.000-04:00

My mother is a 13th generation descendant. The primary documents that I can submit for her are:

Certificate of Death. The primary evidence is the name, date, time, location, cause of death, burial location, name of physician that pronounced death, social security number. The secondary information provided by her spouse (my father). This includes her date and location of birth, occupation and place of employment, name of parents. Other evidence that lists children, grandchildren and names of siblings and spouse include the obituary that ran in the local paper and the copy of the funeral mass and copies of the eulogies given by her daughters and husband. The Social Security Death Index that may be accessed publicly on line has her name, birth month and year, death month and year, state where social security number issued, county and state where last benefit was paid and the social security number. A copy of the original application may be ordered for a fee from the SSA under the Freedom of Information Act.
Marriage certificate. Both the town and state have copies of the marriage certificate. It was less expensive and less time consuming to obtain this document from the town office. The primary evidence on this document is the names and address at time of application for license of both the bride and groom, their date and location at time of marriage. Of less genealogy value is the birth date and location of the bride and groom. In addition to this source there is the Marriage certificate issued by the priest that performed the marriage along with the names, dates and location of the bride and groom and the witnesses. The local paper ran an announcement of the marriage that listed the bride, groom, parents of bride and groom, names of the wedding party, date and location of the wedding. There are also numerous photos that have in my mothers handwriting the names of the people that are in the photos.
1930 US Federal Census. This lists her relationship to the head of household, age, location at the time the census was taken.
Birth Certificate. The state issued certificate gives the date, location, and name of child born. The names of the parents, where they lived at time of birth, the occupation of the mother and father, their age at their last birthday and location of birth. The certificate is signed by the attending physician.

The Mayflower Society also requests the birth certificate of my father even though he is not a Mayflower descendant.

Mayflower Descendant 14th Generation

2007-04-10T15:32:00.000-04:00

Genealogy research begins with yourself. So that is myself (14th generation) on the far left. These are the living female descendants of my particular line. My two daughters(15th generation) and my two granddaughters(16th generation). My two sons and grandson refused to get snagged into this photo.

The Society requires one to submit primary documents of birth, death, marriage etc.

I have in my files the original and copies of the

Birth certificate with foot print issued by the hospital at the time I was born. For purposes of genealogy this is not a valid primary evidence document.
Birth certificate issued by the state where I was born.
High School Diploma, College Diplomas (BA, BSN), Registered Nurse documents in the states that I am permitted to practice.
Marriage and divorce certificates from the states where they were issued.
Birth certificate of current spouse.

The Mayflower Society requires that I submit copies of the State issued birth certificate, marriage records, divorce decree, and birth certificate of spouse.

If my children or grandchildren want to join the Society they have to provide their birth certificate. If they can prove, through primary records, that they are descended from me they may be eligible for Society membership.

Mayflower Descendant

2007-04-10T14:36:00.000-04:00

A family story from my mother's maternal family has it that we are descended from John Alden and Priscilla Mullins of Mayflower fame. Three generations of women passed this story to me with the authority of truth. In genealogy we are taught that every story has a grain of truth so I took it upon myself two years ago to locate that grain.

And...the TRUTH is... "We are descended from a Mayflower passenger. Except that it is Richard Warren, not John Alden!" My mother greeted this news with a resounding "humph". Her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother all repeated the story in the exact same words and it HAD the ring of truth. These generations of mothers were correct also, as a 2006 research trip in a New England library proved . But, that is another story.

Research of the magnitude that I undertook two years ago demanded a well organized plan. My husband, as a Christmas gift, gave me the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Maryland preliminary application. Along with the promise of the financial and other support such a search would require. Without his help, guidance, support and belief in my family story I could not have done this project.

My research has shown that I am a 14th generation Mayflower descendant. In this blog I will demonstrate how I found this information and continue to update you on the application process to the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Maryland.

Estate Settlement Enoch Burson

2007-03-28T15:43:00.000-04:00

This document was given to me recently to see what I could make of it. The owner of this document purchased it from an Internet dealer for $20.00. The provenance of this document is unknown.

From the face page of this document it appears to be a legal document. The document measures 5 1/2 inches in length and 7 1/2 inches in width. There is a fold down the lengthwise measure of the document.

Transcription from the face of the document:
Estate of
Enoch Burson
dec
__________
unable to read
__________
Minutes No 10
Page 489

The transcription the is upside down reads:
(B)
J. M. Tobias
rceipt

Transcription:
Recieved of J F Burson Executor of the Estate of Enoch Burson Decd one negro gearl Dorcus at too hundred and twenty five Dollurs. one boy allen at one hundred and fifity Dollars one bed and furniture at twenty Dollars. one lot of meat at fifteen Dollars one bay colt at thirty five dollars one lot fodder one Dollar one steer at three Dollars one ax a too weeding hoes at one 29/100 Dollars Making in all four hundred and fifty 29/100 Dollars in full of the destributive shere Mary Ann Tobias being the amount of here shere mone as render in by the (word unknown) as one of the heirs of the said Enoch Burson

1849 John C. Tobias
Mary Ann Tobias

What do I know about this document:

It was dated 1849. It was probably written at that time.
This document involves the estate of Enoch Burson
The document is recorded in a legal ledger, location unknown, on page 489.
A female slave named Dorcus and a slave boy named Allen are considered part of the monetary estate settlement. Along with some meat, a bay colt, fodder, steer and ax and a couple of weeding hoes.
The distribution was made to Mary Ann Tobias one of the heirs Enoch Burson.
Mary Ann Tobias' husband John C. Tobias is seeking her inheritance.
J L Burson is the executor of the estate

Research plan and analysis

Check the 1850 census. Since this was probably written in 1859 Mary Ann and John C Tobias are probably still living. The executor J. Burson may also be living as well as the slave Dorcus and slave boy Allen. Here is the results of a check of the census.

Enoch Burson, Year: 1830; Census Place: , Conecuh, Alabama; Roll: 3; Page: 106. One male between the ages of 30 - 40, one female less than 5, one female between 20 - 30, one slave male under 10, two slave males between 24 - 36, and one slave female between 10 - 24.

Mary Ann Tobias, Year: 1850; Census Place: District 2, Montgomery, Alabama; Roll: M432_12; Page: 156; Image: 174. She lives with John C. Tobias, age 32, occupation farmer, born in South Carolina and Mary age 2 born in Alabama. Birth location for Mary Ann is unknown. According to the slave schedules John Tobias has two slaves - a 6 year old female and a 4 year old male.