Those Places Thursday: Hell Hole Swamp, Seriously?

Imagine spending a delightful afternoon talking with a quiet, gentile lady of the old South and, then, trying to keep the emotions on your face under control when she spits out something that takes you aback.

Yes, that happened to me several years ago when I was introduced to an elderly lady (ok, she was 92) who had known my kinfolk.  Yes, she had known my great grandparents.  Yes, she had known my great grandmother well. 

After a cup of tea down in an area of historic Charleston, this sweet lady tells me how her family buried treasure so those "yanks" couldn't get it.  She also told me stories of how her family dug some of it up after the War of Northern Aggression.

When I asked her about my great grandmother, she told me she had worked in the cigar factory in Charleston and had spent her later years in the home for the poor.  It seems she was always fighting to survive.

This great grandmother, along with her mother and siblings, walked home to South Carolina from Palatka, FL, when she was just three or four years old.  Her father had been wounded in the War of Northern Aggression while he was fighting in Tennessee around Lookout Mountain.  He later died in a Confederate hospital in Savannah and is buried there.  His family then had to go home to South Carolina with a couple of wagons.  My great grandmother told later descendents she would be allowed to ride in the wagon when she was too tired to walk.

I was fascinated, and oddly, so proud they survived.  Then, this sweet little old lady told me my great grandmother was from Hell Hole Swamp.  My mouth almost dropped as I had not heard of this area before.

I asked what was Hell Hole Swamp.  The reply, "A BAD place to be from."  The best one could hope for was to find a way out of there.

Interesting.  I asked where it was.  She gave me instructions to go to Cordesville and take a right onto Alligator Road.  The swamp would be there.

I went.  It was exactly as she said.  The only living human we saw was a man putting on hip boots, presumably to go hunting in the swamp.  Of course, I was able to find a church cemetery out there complete with evidence of my family.  Actually, not one, but two, cemeteries.

I have to agree.  It had to be one hell of a place.  Hell Hole Swamp is now part of the Francis Marion National Forest and has remained quite rural.  There are rumors of how it got its name.  All I know for sure is that it is listed in present day Berkeley County as Hell Hole Swamp on a 1773 map by Cook.  How it got its reputation is a whole other story.

But for my great grandmother and her family right after the Civil War ended, I agree.  It had to be a tough existence.  She did leave the swamp.  First, it was down the road to Cordesville where she and husband lived for the birth of their children.  Then, it was to Mt Pleasant to farm.  She ended in Charleston proper.

Ahhh, genealogy.  There's a lot of history in that little area of Hell Hole Swamp.  Murder. Prohibition.  Yep, I know the stories of some of them.

©2015 ASEldredge

Source:
http://www.davidrumsey.com/maps4112.html

Wordless Wednesday: 1890 Autograph Book

Cleaning out my father-in-law's abode after we had to say goodbye was hard.  Finding this triangle shaped burnt orange velvet autograph book made it all the sadder as I had so much more I wanted to say.....

The first page of the book tells us that Papa Christmas brought the book in 1890 to a young girl.  This girl was the mother of my father-in-law.

One of the many pages in the book tells us young Hazel used the book over a time frame of about three years.

Ahhh, genealogy.  Thanks for keeping this memento so my children could catch a glimpse of their great grandmother Hazel.  And, yes, I will take off my specs and think of you and the past in Sharon Springs, New York.

©2015 ASEldredge

Tuesday's Tip: Digging for Gold in Coal Mine Country

Lineage societies are a great place to look for family fun facts of the past.  While a member of several societies, I am most fond of the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society.  I reckon it's because my kin removed to the area from Ireland and Eastern Pennsylvania back before the colonies declared independence from across the pond.

I've been a member of WPGS for over ten years now.  This is not something I can say for all the societies I've joined from time to time.  What brings me back?  I really enjoy reading their magazine which is published on a quarterly basis.  I diligently search each issue for familiar names and have been rewarded several times.

In fact, I joined in with a couple of cousins and, in 2006, published a diary from the 1861 timeframe.  How has so much time passed?

Back to the present.

The WPGS covers the 26 counties in western PA.  They also have some free databases on their website.  For members, there are more databases dating back to 1974 to lose yourself while reading.

It's a great tip.  If you've got old family from those hills that were chock full of coal, spend some time there digging for your family gold nuggets.

Ahhh, genealogy.  Love finding those nuggets.  Love it more when it leads to more fabulous finds and not the proverbial "fool's gold."

©2015 ASEldredge

Friend of Friends Friday: Ohio Releases 30 Years of Adoption Records

It's a new day and an exciting one for Ohio adoptees.  As of today, adoptees whose adoptions were finalized between January 1, 1964, to September 19, 1996, can apply for a copy of their files.  This equates to something like 400,000 records.

The cost for the records is also reasonable at just $20.  Just remember that mailing the notarized application is most likely the most expedient way to receive the adoption packets which will all be mailed.  None will be given out in person.

This may open a whole new world for those seeking to solve the mystery of their family roots.  To learn more, go to the Ohio Department of Health and click on https://www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/legalinfo/adoptfnl.aspx .

Ahhh, genealogy.  Spring into action and dig for those roots!

©2015 ASEldredge

Those Places Thursday: What Was Pleasant Valley?

Several years ago, I ran across a snippet of an 1868 response to a letter to a local Pittsburgh newspaper.  Intrigued by the description "rookery of shanties up a stinking hollow", and the rebuttal of the residences being "neat, handsome and elegant," I wondered where it was located.

Found it. First part of old Allegheny City, it's now part of northern Pittsburgh.

Gathering information on Pleasant Valley hasn't been easy.  One online source says it was originally known as Snyder's Hollow.  An 1870 painting of Snyder's Hollow by the American landscape artist Jasper Holman Lawman is part of the Carnegie Museum of Art.  The painting looks rural with a couple of houses shown.  I don't think I would call them shanties, but I also wouldn't call them elegant.

The best information found on Pleasant Valley is detailed by the Charles Street Rowhouse Historic District which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.  According to the writeup, Pleasant Valley was named so by the developers who were building spec housing.  It was mainly used for rental housing and was part of the development of the Pleasant Valley Street Railway which had horse drawn street cars.

More information on the later development of the area along with changing from horse drawn streetcars to electric streetcars in Pleasant Valley can be read in the book by David Ford Henry.

Ahhh, genealogy.  During its lifespan, perhaps both descriptions were correct at one time or another.

©2015 ASEldredge




Sources:
Painting of Snyder's Hollow, 1870, by Jasper Holman Lawman
Wikipedia on Perry South (Pittsburgh)
http://www.livingplaces.com/PA/Allegheny_County/Pittsburgh_City/Charles_Street_Rowhouse_Historic_District.html
Henry, David Ford, The Genealogy of the Henry Family, 1919.

Wordless Wednesday: Living and Working on Wall Street

History is fascinating.  Sometimes, the revelation of a new tidbit can open your eyes.  Take, for example, the bustling business of my 5g grandpa on Wall Street.  Yes, Wall Street.

Grandpa was known for sitting in front of the tavern.

Corner of Broad and Wall St

Back around the time of the American Revolution, old grandpa owned a tavern on Wall Street.  What's really cool is finding the tavern and grandpa in more than one history book about Wall Street.  This tavern also served as the place for the first installation in 1784 of an American mayor of New York City in a newly free America.

To go back just a bit in time, Wall Street was also the place where the early Americans vacated their properties as the British were confiscating them for use. The Presbyterian Church  next to Grandpa's tavern was transformed into a hospital for the British while on the other side of the tavern, City Hall was turned into a jail.

It was reported in one history book on Wall Street that General Washington attended a banquet at the tavern as the Americans retook New York City from the British.

I also was taken aback when I stumbled across a Harper's Weekly drawing depicting Washington's return to New York with the tavern prominently displayed as well.

As expected, the building no longer stands and the family no longer holds the deed.  The tavern burned down in the mid 1800s.

Ahhh, genealogy. I suspect some would claim the pigs depicted in the drawing are still rooting around there today.........


Source:
Hill, Frederick Trevor, The Story of a Street, 1908.

©2015 ASEldredge

Tuesday's Tip: Going to the Old Country Free of Charge

Happy almost Genealogy Day in Sweden!  So, I'm a little early, but I am just in time to review all those Swedish veins of mine to determine what I want to try and find for free.  Yes, for free this weekend!

ArkivDigital has announced an open house this weekend, March 21-22.  This is super if you want to look at their millions of images. 

Just be sure to brush up on your Swedish.  Directions to register and take advantage are located on the ArkivDigital site.

Ahhh, genealogy.   It's simple for me. My mormor's mor and far were Swedish.  Hejda!

©2015 ASEldredge

Tuesday's Tip: Spend Time Reading the Past

How many times did you watch your parents read the evening newspaper?  I know my parents liked to sit down after dinner and spend hours reading every page.  What precious memories..... of those pages rattling, of papa asking for more coffee, of mama drifting off to sweet slumber.......

You can still take hours to read the past newspapers and glean tidbits of information which will lead you down your genealogy past.

In case you haven't had the time to peruse the old Pittsburgh newspapers, a wonderful group of volunteers has been doing it for you!

We've been indexing the old Pittsburgh newspapers for deaths, marriages, and divorces.  The dates we have indexed can be seen at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paallent/ .  Links from this site will take you to the indexed names.

Ahhh, genealogy.  It's a great day for those of us with Irish roots to tip our hats while we look for some gold under the old rocks!

©2015 ASEldredge

Friend of Friends Friday: Finding the Negro in Allegheny County

For those who are searching in western Pennsylvania for their family roots, consider checking the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.  The only known copy of a paper first written in 1931 by Schenkel which was taken from early court documents can be seen at the Heinz History Center.

Slavery was prohibited in Pennsylvania in 1780.  However, the masters had to register their slaves by Nov 1780 or the slaves would be free.  There were some other rules, but in general, the slaves would become servants until the age of 28.  At that time, they would be freed.

In 2002, the Western PA Genealogical Society published the names of the negroes and mulattos which had been registered with the courts in Allegheny County from 1783-1813. 

Ahhh, genealogy.  Digging up the past one court document at a time can lead to some interesting discoveries.  And, then there are the other questions raised......

Source:
Western Pa Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol 29, No. 1, ppg 33-43.

©2015 ASEldredge

Thriller Thursday: Epic 1931 Fire Described as Holocaust

Imagine the scene.  Fire erupts in the middle of the night at a poor house in Pittsburgh.  It's a story that headlined the newspapers for three days in July 1931.

 

Here is a partial list of the dead:

Clara Lenz, 70, died late yesterday in West Penn Hospital of burns and smoke inhalation. Body was claimed by relatives.
Mary Shumaker, 68, died in Homeopathic Hospital at 7:37 o'clock last night of shock.
Frederick Edelman, 75, identified by his son, Frederick Jr., of 217 Spring Street.
George A. Becker,53, identified by a friend, John E. Ridall, Jr., of 16 North Duquesne avenue, Duquesne.
Mary A.Hite, 67, identified by Nicholas E. Lyman, nephew, of 1404 Eighteenth avenue, Altoona
Cornelius Moore, 70, identified by his daughter Josephine Stewart, of 1114 Sunday street.
Martha Filey, 76, identified by Sarah Filey, a daughter-in-law, of 2121 Penn avenue.
Catherine Cansher, 59, identified by Elizabeth Flannery, a friend, of 216 Forty-fourth street.
Mary Waldier, 60, identified by Dennis, a son, of 2 Laxton place.
Mary Jacobs, 68, identified by Algie Jacobs, of 6733 Hedge street, a sister-in-law.
Catherine McGuire, 86, identified by a niece, Catherine Bradley, of 256 Melwood avenue.
Mary Thomas, 80, identified by her son, Ellsworth Roberts, of 15 Arlington avenue.
Gustave Moll, 70, identified by Rudolph Henne, a friend, of 605 North Beatty street.
Andrew Watermeyer, 71, identified by Mary M. Baker, a daughter, of 7135 Hermitage street.
Mrs. Rosie Lang, 71, identified by Thomas Carr, son-in-law, of 3934 Liberty avenue.
Catherine McIsaac, 77, identified by Charles R. Davis, of 6924 Bishop street, as his mother-in-law.
Mary McAvoy, 71, died in Homeopathic Hospital, identified by friends in the hospital. Proof of identity not yet given.
Mary Burns, 69, died in Homeopathic Hospital; gave her name and those of friends; proof not yet given.
Theresa Risinger, 81, identified by John Breneman, of 1315 West Washington street, New Castle, as his mother.
Bridget Shea, 72, died in Homeopathic Hospital; identified by friends before death; proof of identity not yet given.
Margaret Slattery, died in Homeopathic Hospital; identified by Nell McCann of 6007 Walnut street, a friend.
Mary McCarthy, 74, died in Pittsburgh Hospital; identified by friends, body turned over to undertaker.
Sara Ludden, 69, died in St. Francis Hospital; body turned over to undertaker.
Samuel Berry, 73, died in West Penn Hospital; body claimed by friends and turned over to undertaker.
Mary Connors, 66, of 5300 Penn avenue, died in West Penn Hospital, identified by relatives; body turned over to undertaker.
John Greer, 68, identified by a brother-in-law, Henry McClusky, of Washington, Pa.
Woffard J. Lynan, 73, identified by a cousin, John W. Lynan, 2032 East Ninetieth street, Cleveland
Twelve unidentified.

Three days of news on this tragic event which was filled with both despair and heroism have been transcribed and can be found at our Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project.

Ahhh, genealogy.  Amidst the tears of despair our hearts can still sing with triumph.  Just be sure to bring your hankies!

©2015 ASEldredge

Wordless Wednesday: Uncle William

 

What is there to say?  This wonderful close up picture of an old painting was sent to me years ago by a direct line descendent of the subject.  The man in the painting was the brother of my 4g grandpa.

Ahhh, genealogy.  Just speechless at times.

©2015 ASEldredge

Tuesday's Tip: New Search Technique for Out-of-Copyright Books

There is no greater thrill to us as seekers of the past than to learn of a new genealogy site with new sources.  Correction....with old sources that have a new life.

I recently came across GenGophers.com which is in its Beta testing.  The premise of the site is to allow digital access to old books.  Right now, there is no fee to search. 

The catch is a survey pops up.  Complete the survey and you're in the book. For my survey, I was given a number of internet services and asked which I used in the last 30 days.  After my one question survey, I saw the page of the book I was viewing and was given the opportunity to download the complete book.  I then had to manually scroll through the book to the page I had seen.  In this case, it was pg 2737.

Here is the screenshot I saw:

The site asks for the first and last name and then a state or country.  At this time, entering a county is not an option. A family member's name can also be entered.  The biggest difficulty for me so far is knowing I need to look in more than one state for the same person.  The beauty is seeing the names of the books for person and a small snippet of the text. 

At this time, the group is also asking for feedback so I expect it to get easier to search in more specific locations. 

These books have been digitized by FamilySearch, so there is confidence it will be done correctly and get better over time.

According to the website, there are currently over 40,000 books available to search either by text or title.  This group is also utilizing a technique call information extraction, which promises to result in better searches.

This is exciting.  What is more exciting is they have another 60,000 books on the way.

Another tidbit of information on my search--  I had to use three names before I could find one.  Even though the names I chose were not common, they weren't on the hit list--yet.  One day....... 

Ahhh, genealogy.  You'll find me sitting in the sun seeing if I can find a gopher-ful of treasures.

©2015 ASEldredge

Mappy Monday: 1865 Survey of Land Around Saw Mill Run

Digging through old files can be fun.  Sometimes, one can find a gold mine, or rather a coal mine wealth of information. 

For instance, just this morning, I found an old email from about ten years ago from a dear cousin of mine, John, which had an attachment of an 1865 land survey taken along Saw Mill Run in Union Twp, Allegheny, PA.

This land was part of the estate of Robert SNODGRASS Jr, (1794-1863) and his wife, Hannah GLENN(abt1797-abt1863).  They are both buried in the Mt Pisgah United Presbyterian Church Cemetery aka Jennings Cemetery in Greentree, Allegheny PA.  Robert was a ruling elder of the church.

In looking at the map, you see the land of Robert detailed as five parcels noted by letters.  To the west of his land is the land of Moses CHESS and to the right is the land of George LOWEN.  To the southeast is land of Achsah SNODGRASS, sister of Robert.  Both Achsah and Robert had received land from their father, Robert SNODGRASS Sr (1754/1758-1797).

Moses CHESS was the son of John CHESS and Mary MIDDLESWORTH.

Suffice it to say I am related multiple times to the names listed above with the exception of LOWEN.  I suspect if I dug long enough, I probably would find a connection of some sort.  After all, he was stuck in the middle with my family blood flowing all around him! 

Ahhh, genealogy.  Mapping the past still brings a mystery to solve.

Note:  The map is still in the possession of cousin John, a direct line descendant of Robert SNODGRASS and Hannah GLENN.  Thanks John for sharing.  Alas, John, has it really been ten years since we walked the land of our beloved families in Pittsburgh? You know how much I adore you!

©2015 ASEldredge

Friend of Friends Friday: Slaves Freed by James Buchanan

For a long time now, I have known the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania banned owning slaves since 1780.  This isn't as simple as it sounds.

The Commonwealth allowed the children of female pregnant slaves born in the state complete freedom at age 28.  However, many residents around 1780 sent their pregnant slaves to Virginia where slavery was recognized.  If the child was born in Virginia, then the child was still born a slave.

I also have found the following tidbit about my uncle in Klein's biography of President James Buchanan.  The tidbit shows that BUCHANAN bought the slaves, freed them, and then employed the two females in his home.

Robert HENRY(1801-1838) was a son of my 4g grandpa, John HENRY of Lower St Clair, Allegheny, PA.  Robert married Harriet E BUCHANAN(1802-1840), daughter of James BUCHANAN, SR and Elizabeth SPEER, and sister of President James BUCHANAN.

What I don't understand is who were the relatives mentioned in Sheperdstown, Virginia?  And how close was the association that James BUCHANAN could have a deed of transfer written and executed?  The name on the deed says from Ann D HENRY to James BUCHANAN. 

Who is she?  I have no knowledge of who she is or why Uncle Robert could convince her to sell.

Ahhh, genealogy.  Good deeds can not only be seen today for they can be found in the past.

©2015 ASEldredge



Sources:
Klein, Philip Shriver. President James Buchanan A Biography, 1995. https://archive.org/stream/presidentjamesbu007671mbp#page/n141/mode/2up/search/robert+henry
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/empowerment/18325/gradual_abolition_of_slavery_act/623285
http://www.ushistory.org/presidentshouse/slaves/washingtonand8.htm

What's This Recipe for Squirrel?

Ever wonder how often our ancestors had to eat squirrel?  I wonder how often it was on the menu.....

Down at Berry College in Rome, GA, squirrel has been on the menu everyday along with some crow and other unidentified body parts.  In fact, I have had the pleasure of seeing it served fresh and frozen.

Want to witness our nation's glorious bird in its habitat with its young?  Take some time to watch this awesome live feed of the eagle family at home.  I've been watching since the little ones were just eggs, and now, I am watching them grow as they eat, sleep and perform other natural bodily functions.  Who knew how far the droppings could fly!  Who knew I would ever be a witness to this wonderful event?

Lunch is over on this Friday afternoon for this little family.  Guess the eaglets really liked mom's recipe.

The live feed is found at http://www.berry.edu/eaglecam/

Ahh, genealogy. Preserving our nation's heritage and enjoying family recipe Friday.  What could be better?

©2015 ASEldredge

Navigating the Old Books for Early Pittsburgh Marriages on Family Friends Friday

Defining and navigating the waterways in and around Pittsburgh in the early 1800s was made easier by Zadok Cramer, a local bookshop and printer owner.  While he was first known for publishing the Navigator, he also published Cramer's Pittsburgh Almanack for a number of years.

This little gem is also the source of a number of marriages in the area.  The beauty is now one can find many of the years online.  On just this one page pictured, I find evidence of two marriages in my family.

What makes it more fun is noticing so many friends of the family listed here as well.

Ahhh, genealogy. How many pages do you need to navigate to find the treasure.....


 ©2015 ASEldredge


Sources:
Cramer's Pittsburgh Almanack for the year of our Lord, 
1807, http://indiamond6.ulib.iupui.edu/cdm/ref/collection/HistAlmanac/id/2370
1825, https://archive.org/details/cramerspittsburg1825amer
Villanova University- several years. https://library.villanova.edu/Find/Record/949745
American Almanac Collection (Library of Congress) https://myebooks365.com/book/MTUzMDB3ag~~/Cramers-Pittsburgh-almanack-for-the-year-of-our-Lord--18
Founders Online, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-01-02-0495

Thankful Thursday: Celebrate World Book Day with Words of the Past

Joined correctly, letters make words.  Words make sentences. Sentences make books!  How thrilling this is.

Are you thankful for the books in your life?  For me, I am so thrilled to have found so many books either about my family or a mention of my family. 

For years, I have been in communication with my wannabe cousin.  Oh, how I wish he was of my blood.  Alas, there is no hard proof.  The "proof" used in old DAR apps and reproduced freely on that genealogy site we all use is no proof at all.  How can one claim to be a child when there has never been any documentation surfacing?  Just examine the locations they lived and the land.

To make a long story short, my wannabe cousin has written a book about his family and the myth of my family.  It's a great read if you have an interest on truly documenting what is seen and accepted as the truth.

Bill has done a wonderful job of documenting old family lore and comparing it with old documentation.  The addition of DNA testing has confirmed that he is not of my blood, although I will claim him anytime as a kissing cousin.

Archerd Family History, Vol. 1.
William F Archerd
2013

Below is just a sampling of books either about my family or a mention of my family.

Chardavoyne, David G.  A Hanging in Detroit, 2003.
Harbison, Massy. A Narrative of the the Sufferings of Massy Harbison, 1825.
Hill, Frederick Trevor. The Story of a Street, 1908.
Leckie, Robert.  George Washington's War, 1992.
Wall Street Ninety Years Ago, 1921.

Ahhh, genealogy.  Thankful for the many books and the stories they tell.

©2015 ASEldredge

Wordless Wednesday: Memorial of the Manor Home

This wonderful photo is of one of my old family homes in Banksville, Allegheny, PA, taken about late 1884 thru early 1885.  While the home no longer stands, I have stood on the spot in front of it and could easily picture it in my mind's eye.

The people in the photo are interesting, and not only because the young couple are my greatgrandparents.  Betcha guessed the older couple are my 2g-grandparents!  The lady sitting down died in March 1885 while the bearded gent died in 1889.  The land on which the house sat was given to the seated lady by her father and was originally given to her grandfather for his service in the American Revolution.

The big question is just exactly who are the two on either end of the family photograph?  The man on the left is black and the lady on the right shows no family features.  Perhaps the man worked for them?  Perhaps the lady did as well or is a neighbor or wife of their son who lived next door?

The 1880 census answers no questions.  Instead, it leads me to think the lady on the right end of the photograph may not have been the daughter-in-law to the son next door.  Why?  She has a daughter at that time, and I would suspect her daughter would have been photographed as well.  At least if it had been me, I would have run next door to grab my kid for this special occasion.

This home was described as the "Manor House" when it was left in the will to a son (not pictured).

Ahhh, genealogy.  If only the two on the end had something to say to me......  Speak!  Just don't leave me wordless on this rainy cold Wednesday.

©2015 ASEldredge

Tombstone Tuesday: Can't Hide Her Age Any Longer!

You can live. You can hide. But the years can't be hidden any longer........

A brief reference to the first wife of grandpa John HENRY of Lower St. Clair, Allegheny, PA, has been written about in the past by myself and others. Her name took some digging, but enough documentation finally surfaced to confirm her name was Sarah SMITH, daughter of John SMITH of Hopewell, Washington, PA.

According to history books and old family papers, they had either 3 or 4 children (most likely the number 4 is correct) before her demise which seems to have been around 1785-1786.  Like any good widower with children at that time in history, John looked around and found a new bride, Margaret McMILLEN. Yada, yada.

While I know John and Margaret had a daughter, Sarah Smith HENRY(d.1817), I didn't know when she was born.  She married Andrew FIFE(1790-1878), had two children and died (most likely due to childbirth as her child was born 1817).  Sounds fun.

My cousin who authors the Free Range Genealogist recently wrote some thoughts about Sarah FIFE(1817-bet1855-1860), the second child of Sarah Henry FIFE(d.1817).  In her writings was a picture of her tombstone.  This was news to me.

Off I went to Find a Grave, and there it sits in all its glory.  The angle of the tombstone is a little off so I am unable to read the inscription at the bottom.  What is cool is the information on the tombstone does say "in the 24th year of her age."  She was 23!  Now I can come close to estimating her year of birth.  It should have been either late 1793 or very early 1794.  What this also does is confirm she was the oldest daughter of John HENRY and his second wife, Margaret McMILLEN.  What this does is allow me to now write her name with new
found confidence as the following:

Sarah Smith HENRY (abt1794-Feb 1817)

What confidence to name your first daughter after the dead wife!  I rather suspect they knew each other, but I have to prove it now by maps, proximity, or church records.  It could be a challenge.

Ahhh, genealogy. Gotta love it when a tombstone speaks volumes almost 200 years later!  Let me know if you can decipher the bottom inscription.  It seems to start "Death thous hast......

©2015 ASEldredge


Read More on the FIFE family fun on Genitales, my old blog:
http://genitalesga.blogspot.com/2010/01/and-photo-nominee-is.html
http://genitalesga.blogspot.com/2010/01/wordless-wednesday-early-photo-of-mrs.html

Sources:
Findagrave. Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth, Allegheny, PA. Photo by LAB.
Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933, Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921. A century and a half of Pittsburg and her people, Vol. 3, pg431.
Will of John Henry, dated 28 Apr 1838, St Clair Twp, Allegheny, PA
Family Bible
The Descendants of John and William Fife, of Upper St Clair, Allegheny Co, PA
Free Range Genealogist, Sarah Fife entry
Washington Co, PA Will Bk #1, pg 84

Mappy Monday: Looking for Inherited Land

I'm rich.  I just know I am.  Or maybe not.

My 5th ggrandfather's will is dated 1794 and was probated in New York City.  In this will, he leaves his "lands, tenements, hereitament and estate"  in Hanover Row, Portsmouth Common, England to his children.

Now this is cool.  Only I have no idea whatever happened to the land.  Was it sold by the children? Did English authorities consider it abandoned?

In learning about the area, Portsmouth Common was built just outside the dockyard.  An email from David in 2009 when I inquired in Hampshire about it tells me the following about the land:

Hanover Row
1721-1845 ran from The Parade (which was parallel to Long Row) to
Sharps Buildings (at corner of Gravel Row)
1845 absorbed into The Dockyard, Marlborough Area
(presumably north of the Marlborough Gate)
1874 demolished.

So - your area of interest is Portsmouth Dockyard, and, narrowing it
down, north Portsea area (where there are still The Parade and
Marlborough Row) - a block east from where Mary Rose and the Victory are
berthed.

This is the only map I have found online (so happy myfamilymatters put this up) from the time close to 1794.  This provides a point of reference for me should I ever find someone across the pond who is willing to check it out for me at the land records office.
 

Ahhh, genealogy.  Mapping the past with the thoughts of today.

©2015 ASEldredge

Sources:
1794 Will of John Simmons
http://www.myfamilymatters.org.uk/page85.html
http://www.thedearsurprise.com/hearts-of-oak-portsmouth-and-the-royal-navy-in-the-18th-century/

The Hills are Alive with Madness Monday

This morning marks a great anniversary of one of my favorite songs from when I was a child.  To celebrate the 50 year mark of the songtrack, The Sound of Music, I've been humming along and thinking of those wonderful hills in Pennsylvania from whence I come.

My dad left the Pittsburgh area, courtesy of Uncle Sam, which resulted in only visits to the area during my childhood.  My dad loved those hills up there and had lots of stories to tell.  I only wish I could remember them all now.

About ten years or so ago, I did take the opportunity to visit the area so I could go play with the dead.  That doesn't sound right, does it?  Correction, I visited the area so I could participate in two graveside ceremonies.  One was for another grave dedication where the family placed a DAR marker on the grave of my dear great aunt, who was instrumental in making sure I was aware of my roots.  The other was for the 200th anniversary of the Mt Lebanon UP Church which my family was so much a part of until our last burial in the 1960s at the church cemetery.  This cemetery is known to the masses as the old St Clair Cemetery and to me as my family graveyard.

Anyway, on this visit, the family members who had gathered from several states and Pittsburgh took the time to visit another local treasure, the Oliver MILLER homestead in South Park, a suburb of Pittsburgh.

We were given a private tour of the home and the grounds by a wonderful docent.  While walking on the property, I could feel the blood coarse through my veins and I couldn't help but sing, "The Hills are Alive with My Family Story."

While most students of history remember the Whiskey Rebellion, others have forgotten. It is reported the first shots of the Whiskey Rebellion were fired on the property of Oliver MILLER.  Now, that's history talking!

For me, it was the knowledge that Oliver MILLER's son, James, married Mary SMITH, daughter of John SMITH of Hopewell Twp, PA.  James and Mary lived in that house I toured.  Their children carried water.  The family broke bread together.  James kept a ledger for the business. The family made regular use of the cold spring water that still flows today.  I'm sure they drank deeply of the water from time to time.  Just like my children did some ten years ago.

Why did I feel the past so strongly at the homestead?  Ah, it was knowing Mary SMITH had a sister, Sarah SMITH, who was the lovely bride of John HENRY of St Clair Twp, Allegheny, PA.  John and Sarah had several children before her early death.  John remarried Margaret McMILLAN, and together, raised the children of the two women John loved during his lifetime.

As the will of John SMITH is dated and probated in 1788 where he leaves a little something to his granddaughter, Elizabeth HENRY, who is the daughter of the now deceased Sarah Smith HENRY and son in law John HENRY, we can safely say Sarah's death was by 1788.  Where Sarah's remains rest is a mystery.

What makes it madness? Do you know how hard it is to trace a family named John SMITH and wife Jane?  To date, I think he may have had a brother Joseph who also lived in the Mt Joy-Hopewell area and whose will was probated in 1792.  The coincidence for me are the names of the witnesses which overlap.

James MILLER and his wife, Mary SMITH are both buried at the Bethel Cemetery in Bethel Park, Allegheny, PA.

There is another connection with marriage of the sister of James MILLER, Mary MILLER, to William WALLACE. I have not traced it yet, but how does this William WALLACE relate to Joseph WALLACE who married Sarah McBURNEY in 1898? 

Ahhh, genealogy.  My blood is alive in Pittsburgh especially when I can walk the same steps through those hills.

Read more of what I have written on the Oliver Miller Homestead and the Whiskey Rebellion:
http://genitalesga.blogspot.com/search/label/oliver%20miller
http://genitalesga.blogspot.com/2007/07/tax-whiskey.html

©2015 ASEldredge

Sources:
Washington Co, PA Will Bk #1, pg 84.
email correspondence with Bill Barton, 2004
FindaGrave- Bethel Cemetery, Allegheny, PA

Family Friends Friday: Oh My! Another Cubbage in the Cupboard

Oh my goodness.

Ever have to urge to clear out an old cupboard to see what is hidden away?  I did so today, and much to my surprise, found a blog on Cubbage Genealogy.

My goodness.  It's a name one doesn't typically see in a day, that is, unless you look at my family tree.

To make it all sweet and short:

James CUBBAGE (1777-1854) married the lovely Jane GILFILLIAN (1782-1861).  One would suspect the knot was tied in Allegheny Co, PA and one would suspect it was done by the Presbyterian minister from the (what is now called) the Mt Lebanon UP Church. 

How can I say that?

Jane's father, Alexander GILFILLIAN was prominent in the old church and a resident of the neighborhood.  Oh yes, he was also a close friend to my HENRY and GLENN families.

James CUBBAGE (1777-1854), son of John CUBBAGE and his wife, Martha, was also known to the family as a member of the old church.

Of course, one of the final clues is that they are buried in the old St. Clair Cemetery, fondly known as my family cemetery.  Before 1858, one had to be a member of the church in order to be buried there.  The church did not open up burials to the public until 1858, and even then, most burials were from family members of those who are resting there.

In addition to many other children of John CUBBAGE and wife Martha is:

George CUBBAGE d. 1826 Robinson Twp, Allegheny, PA who married Nancy CALDWELL (1791-1883).  As Nancy is buried at Venice Presbyterian Church, Washington Co, PA, it is a theory George may not be there.  The church and its graveyard seems to have started around 1849, so it's a tad late for George.  To top it off, Nancy had remarried after the death of George.

To continue:
George and Nancy had seven children, one of whom is:

Sarah B CUBBAGE ( abt 1814-1851) Note:  She, too, is buried at the old St Clair Cemetery.  She married Jacob DOOLITTLE (1809-1891)  Note:  He is buried at Chartiers Cemetery, Allegheny, PA, with his second wife.

Jacob and Sarah had a daughter, Martha E DOOLITTLE (1842-1907) who married my 2nd cousin William James GLENN (1839-1908).  Read more on William James GLENN on my previous blog.

They also had another daughter who married in to the LEA family as did my great grandfather's sister.

So, there's plenty of CUBBAGE in my cupboard. Perhaps we can determine how the Cubbage Genealogy crowd connects with mine.

Ahhh, genealogy.  You never know what you can find hidden way back in the cupboard.



©2015 AS Eldredge

Government at its Best during the War of 1812

Yesterday, the main topic of concern was unanswered questions on the St Clair Boys aka the Hunting Shirt Rifle Company during the War of 1812. Why is there so little on the PA Militia group that comprised this band of patriotic boys?  Their fathers had mostly fought during the American Revolution and had instilled those wonderful stories of glory and honor as the colonists declared independence and followed up with a war of lasting several years.

Our schoolbooks barely mention the War of 1812. The war lasted over three years with no land exchanging hands.  The Americans opposed Britain impressing American sailors in to the British Navy.  In addition, America opposed the trade restrictions brought by the Brits fighting the French. Another reason for this war is the British support of the American Indians as the Indians opposed western expansion beyond the original 13 colonies. If you want to learn more about this conflict that shaped our early country, our patriotism, and our presidents, be sure to check out the History Channel.

The part of the early War of 1812 that intrigues me most is the history of the war in Pennsylvania.
John C. Fredriksen, in his informative article, demonstrates the deficiency of the United States forces.  He tells us that Pennsylvania Governor Snyder enlisted close to 100,000 men by the fall of 1812.  This is my area of interest as the local Butler Co and Allegheny Co Regiments were formed at this time.  I know an uncle of mine, Thomas McMillen HENRY enlisted at a local tavern as documented in his Pension File.

The call went out that men were needed to protect against the forces of British troops and Indians who were rumored to be marching to the area.  While the rumor proved to be just that, the general panic resulted in local men volunteering to protect the new nation and their homes in Pennsylvania.  The St. Clair Boys led by James Turbett enlisted September 12, 1812.  They joined other regiments as they marched north from Pittsburgh to Meadville, the point of rendezvous. 

Unfortunately, over three thousand other men were camped there with insufficient arms, ammunition, provisions and housing.  The lack of coordination between the state and the federal government is demonstrated in Pennsylvania during this time.  While the men faithfully volunteered, the federal government refused to pay or equip the men. Turbett's men were part of the group whose arms were over half defective, thus forcing them to stay in Meadville for over six weeks.  No wonder the men were frustrated.  No pay, no training, not enough provisions.  These men finally did leave Meadville to march to Buffalo.  To date, I have not determined what they did while there.  Alas, these brave men who were willing to fight for the new country were told they could go home in December 1812.  Some of them were sent out west to General William Henry Harrison (yes, that one, the 9th President of the United States and War of 1812 hero), and the rest just went home without ever firing a shot.  Of course, it can be tough to fire a shot with no working gun.  Some of them deserted.  Of course, they were sitting in a winter encampment to what purpose?

What happened to St Clair boys?  I reckon they went home and continued their lives.  Their tales of their short tenure in the military must have been rather boring.  Lucky for us, their sons and grandsons still felt patriotic when it came to the next big test this country had, The War of Northern Aggression, oops, I mean the War Between the States.

Ahhh, genealogy.  One great thing came out of the War of 1812.  It's a little song we all know--The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key.  Oh, say can you see.........

Sources:
Fredriksen, John C. The Pennsylvania Volunteers in the War of 1812: An Anonymous Journal of Service for the Year 1814, https://journals.psu.edu/wph/article/viewFile/4054/3871
War of 1812, History Channel, http://www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812
Fold3 1812 Pension Files, Thomas M Henry
http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/smithproject/history/chap4.html 
Sapio, Victor.  Pennsylvania and the War of 1812, pg 183-185.  https://books.google.com/books?id=FuQeBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA185&dq=meadville+war+of+1812&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gIfwVOGpN4KRyQTuv4CoCw&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=meadville%20war%20of%201812&f=false 

 ©2015 ASEldredge

 

Thankful Thursday: Dreaming of Answers to Questions on the War of 1812

It's been a long hard road to where we are now.  Just think of how our ancestors lived in this frigid weather without benefit of the newscasters telling them how bad it was!

Seriously, the road our ancestors took was a hard one and I am so thankful for what they endured so I can sit in my toasty warm house and spend countless hours online looking for that elusive answer to the questions that swim around in my head.

I am still trying to determine what happened to those "St Clair Boys" of the War of 1812.  Someone suggested I spend some time on Fold3 where they just happen to have the pension files for those wonderful veterans of old.  Too bad for me as they only have the documents uploaded for the first 13 letters of the alphabet (that's "M" for those who have to count it out on their fingers.)  And to make it even more fun, most of them did not serve long enough to be eligible for pensions and then they had the nerve to die by 1820.

I know the St Clair Boys were under the command of James TURBETT so I went to see what I could see... and this is what I have found so far....

Muster Rolls of the Pennsylvania Volunteers in the War of 1812
Company commanded by Captain James TURBETT from St Clare Twp and attached to the 2nd Regiment of Infantry commanded by Lieut. Col. John Purvinse (PURVIANCE) commanded by Brigadier Gen'l Adamson TANEHILL of the 1st Brigade of PA Volunteers

Date of enlistment:  Sept 12, 1812
Time of engagement:  March 25, 1813
Discharged Dec 18, 1812

Marched to Meadville, the place of rendezvous  and march from Buffalo
Note: The troops marched to Meadville where they were put under the command of John PURVIANCE  of Butler, PA, in September.  Unfortunately, they were held in Meadville until November due to their firearms being defective. Can you imagine their frustration?  General Mead had sent the call out to the area to defend their state back in the late summer of 1812. These chaps volunteered and then sat for about 6 weeks or so doing nothing for the cause. More on this tomorrow.

James Turbett               Capt
George Cochran        Lieut
Nath'l Pearson            Insign
James Sibett            Sergt
Sam's Simmons        Sergt    deserted(Buffalo)
James Turner            Sergt    deserted(Buffalo)
Wm Ramsey            Sergt
Lewis McFarland        Corp'l
Chas Rigdon            Corp'l
Isaac Elliott            Corp'l
Ebenezer Pearson        Corp'l
John Maxwel            Privit
Arch'd Gilkeson        Privit
David Jewel            Privit
Thos Black            Privit
Jno Sinclear            Privit    deserted
Arch'd Allison            Privit
Thos Mathews        Privit    deserted
Jos Gooshorn            Privit
Wm Sinclear            Privit    deserted
Jno Turner                    deserted
David Kennedy
Wm McCleran (McClaren)
Nath'l Eastep (Eastop)
Geo Vonn
Jno McCallister                deserted
Hugh McKean
Thos Parker
Thos Henry
John Andrews                    deserted
Eben Kerr
Wm Cochran
Hugh Menis

Another source calls the group the Hunting Shirt Rifle Company. An 1873 affadavit of Samuel PEARSON, a younger brother of one of the men in TURBETT'S company recalled "At the time, there was much excitement about the War of 1812, and Nathaniel and his brother Ebenezer enlisted in the Hunting Shirt Rifle Company led by Captain James Turbett (1st Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia) shortly after Nathaniel's wedding. Samuel relates: "My mother & sisters filled a pretty large contract of making Linen Jackets and knapsacks for the Company. (I remember) the departure of the Co. for the seat of war. They passed my grandfather's house, and being at school a few rods distant, school was dismissed, and with the other scholars I ran and climbed upon a board fence to see the soldiers pass." Nathaniel, an Ensign, served a three-month term. His second child was named Oliver Hazard Perry Pearson in honor of the Battle of Lake Erie (1813) hero."

The pension file for Thomas (McMillan)  HENRY is boring at best, although it did provide a marriage date and location of his marriage.

War of 1812 Pension File
Svc: Capt James Torbett’s Co PA Militia
Enlisted Sept 25, 1812
Discharged Dec 31, 1812
Residences:
1850, 1855 Lawrence Co PA
1872 New Wilmington, Lawrence, PA
Maiden name of widow:  Eliza Clark
Marriage:  Jan 13, 1818 Burgettstown, Washington, PA
Death of Soldier:  Sept 15, 1873 New Wilmington, PA
Bounty Land:
77608 40 50
40971 120-55

In looking at the names of the roster, I know I am by blood related to three of them, marriage related to at least two, and am familiar with the families of a number of them.  Some of them are buried at my family cemetery (aka the old St Clair Cemetery in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny, PA.)

Ahhh, genealogy. So thankful for these men who volunteered to protect their homeland.

Sources:
Muster Rolls of the PA Volunteers: in the War of 1812-1814, edited by Thomas Lynch Montgomery, pg 729. https://books.google.com/books?id=uEQOAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA730&lpg=PA730&dq=James+turbett+war+of+1812&source=bl&ots=a4dtBXedsZ&sig=bv_22WgJrLHwhmYAY37INpQhyRg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZFXvVLOGGePGsQTlvYBY&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=James%20turbett%20war%20of%201812&f=false
St Clair Cemetery Profile on Nathaniel P PEARSON http://www.stclaircemetery.com/view.php/page/Profile_Pearson
Fold3 1812 pension file on Thomas M HENRY
War of 1812, The Second Revolution by Rainier Chapter, NSDAR, pg 71, https://books.google.com/books?id=xM_AAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA71&lpg=PA71&dq=meadville+war+of+1812&source=bl&ots=Atc99_vEkI&sig=kR8oy2dcxfz2xnt3lryseAELKbk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=M17vVNW9Ja_ksATUjoHgBQ&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=meadville%20war%20of%201812&f=false

©2015 ASEldredge

Wordless Wednesday: Death Index and More from Old Pittsburgh Newspapers

Just a quick update of our old Pittsburgh area death notices--

Tis a group effort started some five years ago by a dedicated group of volunteers through our rootsweb mail list.  While the project has taken a long break now due to other commitments in life,  I am pleased to announce:

Death - over 106,6000 entries
Marriage- over 24,000 couples
Divorce- over 1400
Photos
WWI Military Personnel with over 73k entries
Civil War:  The men of Company E

To check to see if your loved one is on the list, please go to:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/death-index.htm

In addition, we also have 1864 Tax Returns which were published in the newspaper.  Can you imagine that happening today?

There are also WWI articles pertaining to Pittsburgh area men, House of Refuge information, Poor House articles, Veterans Schedule and other transcriptions done by loving hands, although tired ones, of our volunteers.

Take time to check it out:
Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project Updates

Why, it's almost enough to render you speechless!  Enjoy!

Ahhh, genealogy. Gotta love it especially when you help someone you don't know find a smile.

©2015 ASEldredge

New Day for an Old Genealogy Blog

Welcome to the winter of 2015. It's been cold and snowy, so let's start anew together.

This will be the new home of Genitales, A Genealogy Column by AS Eldredge.

Yep, I've had to start over so enjoy the new found thoughts of the past as well as checking in with the old thoughts on the old blog site.

Ahhh, genealogy.  Gotta love it.