Remembering Some American Revolution Soldiers of Smith Township

Earlier this week, we, as a nation, took time to remember our fallen.  While Memorial Day gained its popularity after the Civil War as the women of the South remembered their men who had fought dying for what they believed, today, we Americans remember all of our sons and daughters who fought and died during their time of service in whichever timeframe they fought--  from the American Revolution up to today.

Here is a partial list of those men who bravely risked everything so we, as Americans, can have the freedoms we enjoy.   This list of American Revolution men were residents of Smith Township in Washington County, PA, at the time of their deaths.  I wonder where they were during the Revolution?

Name		Age	Implied Birth	Died		Buried
Capt James Boggs		65	1745	1810		Cross Creek
William Harvey		67	1754	1821		Burgettstown
James Leech		83	1740	1823		Burgettstown
Thomas Hays		83	1745	1828		Cross Creek
James Cooke		78	1762	1830		Cross Creek
Joseph Phillips		79	1752	1831		Burgettstown
Joseph Aiken		75	1751	1836		Burgettstown
Moses Hays		80	1757	1837		Cross Creek
Alexander McCready		89	1756	1845		Burgettstown
Cap Samuel Fulton						Florence
John Coventry		94	1751	1845		Burgettstown

Ahh genealogy.  I'm guessing the two surnames I recognize from my family who lived very close to Smith Township in the late 1700s need to be investigated further.  The old folks weren't kidding when they said we had kin in Cross Creek!

Source:  The Daily Evening Reporter, Oct 14, 1878

©2019  AS Eldredge

Wordless Wednesday: Irma and Me

Watching the forecast being refined as the mainland United States awaits the arrival of Hurricane Irma is stimulating.  Whether you are in the path or close to the projected path of the largest recorded hurricane in history, the eyes of the country are watching and leaving us all pretty much wordless as we just recently witnessed the arrival of Harvey.

I have only known one Irma in my life and that was my second cousin, once removed.  Irma M WENZEL was the daughter of William Henry WENZEL(1870-1951) and Sadie Emma SIMMONS(1872-1944.)  The WENZEL family had a farm on Wenzel Rd in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA.  I guess I should say it is closer to the Mt Lebanon area.  Anyway, they had a farm and older cousins would relay tales of stopping by and grabbing fruit off the trees, even if they didn't go up to the house to see cousin William and Sadie.  As expected from those who know my heart and roots, both William and Sadie are buried at my family cemetery, the St Clair Cemetery, on Scott Rd in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny, PA.

Seeing the name Hurricane Irma brought memories of my Irma back to me.  Irma was born in May 1904 and died in Sept. 1987.  I only met her a couple of times when we would make the trek up to Pittsburgh to see my dad's aunt.  When we would visit, my sweet great-aunt would throw open the doors and tons (or so it seemed to me) of cousins would appear for various dinners.

Irma and her husband, Robert F ALGEO, would be two of the many guests dining on food, family lore and memories of the past.  I remember Irma and Robert well.  Robert was a salesman for the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco to you and me) and was considered to be a big joker.  He loved to tease and he loved to tease me.  He told me one time he would give me a nickel if I would get him more tea.  I replied that I thought the Yankees would be big spenders and that didn't qualify as one in my world.  Many roars of laughter erupted that day!

Irma was a typist, played piano and had horses and a big Eskimo type dog.  Sweet Irma.

Robert and Irma had no children.  Her one sister, Margaret Emma WENZEL, did not marry to my knowledge.  So that line is gone.  In fact, I lose track of Margaret after the 1940 census where is still single and living with sister Irma and brother-in-law Robert.

Ahhh, genealogy.  The winds of the past are swirling in my head.  Rest sweetly Irma.

©2017  AS Eldredge

Death in Homestead Cemetery in Allegheny County, PA

It's a sad day.  I just saw a news report from Pittsburgh, PA, that the Homestead Cemetery in Munhall is dead.  No owner. No burials. Just a very sad forgotten 34 acre burial site of long ago Allegheny County.

My heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who have taken the time out to try and take care of the grounds. If I was in the area, I would be there as well.

Before the cemetery is forced to completely die and its fate decided by the powers that be, I call upon the genealogy groups in the Western PA area to document as much as you can.  Currently, the records that still exist can be found at the West Mifflin Historical Society.  Unless it has changed, the records are not available to the public.  Can this be changed?

According to FindaGrave, about 44% of the gravestones have been photographed and over 7000 graves are identified.

I am sure there are more.  Wish I could dig them up before the information is lost forever.

Ahh, genealogy. Such a sad day for a death.

Read more here:  http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/tag/homestead-cemetery/

©2017  AS Eldredge

Tombstone Tuesday: Keziah and her Beau Go West to Look for Gold

It's another cold, blustery day outside, which makes it perfect to stroll through some old cemeteries.

Today, I found the tombstone of Daniel Howe SIMMONS (1829-1922) in River View Cemetery in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon.  This confused me for a moment as his death certificate indicates burial at the IOOF Greenwood Cemetery.  First question is:  what is IOOF?  The IOOF is the Odd Fellows Organization that was founded with the thought of giving aid to those who need it without needing recognition, in addition to other beliefs.

Apparently, they had quite the following out west and had burial spots for their members.  Both Daniel, and his wife, Keziah KLINGENSMITH (1823-1907), are buried in their cemeteries--  and in two different states.  Daniel resides in Oregon while Keziah passed away while the couple lived in San Diego, CA in 1907.  Keziah was also buried in an IOOF cemetery, although a headstone for her has not yet appeared for me to find.

Daniel Howe Simmons

Daniel was an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution and his bio at Findagrave indicates he was the only (I'm guessing first) member to be buried in Oregon.  I found it interesting that his stone includes the information that his dad, my grandpa, served in the American Revolution.  Well, yeppers, he did.  Daniel was a young teenager when his dad passed in 1843 in Wheeling, WV.

I don't why, but Daniel, along with his mother and siblings, move to Cincinnati, Hamilton, OH, before the 1850 census.  Daniel's bride was from western PA, and attempts to find her in the 1850 census in either locale have not been fruitful.  Sigh.  Their marriage is recorded in 1852 in Hamilton Co, OH.

Daniel and his new bride, Keziah, went to the Pacific Coast in 1852 to search for gold.  Alas, while he never struck it rich, his family ties to the American Revolution and to the growth of early America are pure gold.

Rest sweetly, Uncle Daniel.

Ahh, genealogy.  Just gotta wonder how Daniel got the middle name of HOWE?  Did his dad know him?

©2017  AS Eldredge

Sources:
Findagrave:  River View Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah, OR
Photo credit:  FriendsofRiverView
Death Certificate for Daniel H Simmons
Obituary of Keziah Simmons

Wednesday Child: Finding the Family in a Child's Death

Uncovering new leads as one searches for the family tree can lead to times of high excitement as well as to times of sadness.  Take, for instance, the death of Helen S SIMMONS in 1904, in Washington, DC.

Who is she?  I am not quite sure.....yet.

Burial Card of Helen S Simmons, Glenwood Cemetery, Washington. DC

But I do know her family, because they are my blood as well.

I found little Helen resting at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, DC, as I was browsing the online images of the burials at FamilySearch.

The dates are a little misleading at FamilySearch. The lists of the dearly departed start in 1878.  So for those of us who have so many deaths between the 1854-1877 time frame, it is much harder to dig for the information.  I am still digging in the Plat Books, although I suspect it will be over many cups of coffee!

What did surface just last Wednesday was the Burial Card of Helen S SIMMONS.  Little Helen died on July 23, 1904, at only 14 months old due to bronchial pneumonia.  She was interred in Section Q, Lot 116, Site 1.  There are two other tidbits on the card.  Her residence, which I haven't tried to follow yet, and wait for it--  The big tidbit is she in buried in the lot of William R SIMMONS.

Now, I do know him!  William R SIMMONS is the grandson of David SIMMONS of Philadelphia.  This may sound familiar as I have been looking at David, David's final resting spot in Hood Cemetery in Germantown, David's will, and David's descendants over the last two weeks or so.

I know William R SIMMONS had three living siblings in 1853 at the time of his grandfather's will.  I know that some of them are buried at Glenwood Cemetery.  I know his mother, Elizabeth FENWICK SIMMONS is also buried in the family plot at Glenwood Cemetery.

So far, I have identified the following SIMMONS blood buried in Section Q, Lot 116.

Site 1:  Helen S SIMMONS
            James SIMMONS
Site 2:  John B SIMMONS
Site 3:  Elizabeth FENWICK SIMMONS
            George Robert SIMMONS

How many sites were in Section Q, Lot 116?  Still researching that! It appears to be six burial spots.  I suspect William R SIMMONS rests there as well, although I have discovered no proof.

Plat Book C, Glenwood Cemetery, Washington, DC

Looking through the Plat Books and using yet another clue on little Helen's burial card, I bring to light the following:

William R SIMMONS purchased the the lots July 10, 1858.
Date of Interment:      Person:                      Age:           Site No.
June 9, 1861             James SIMMONS                               1
July 26, 1904           Helen S SIMMONS       14mo             1
April 8, 1858            Richard SHAW                                    2
Dec. 20, 1897           John B SIMMONS        73                  2
May 25, 1863           Elizabeth SIMMONS    75                  3
Sept. 23, 1920          George R SIMMONS    59                  3


Ahh genealogy.  Little Helen.  Rest sweetly little one.  You are not forgotten.

©2017  AS Eldredge

Sources:
"District of Columbia, Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013." FamilySearch. http:FamilySearch.org: 14 June 2016. The Glenwood Cemetery, Washington, DC.

Tombstone Tuesday: Resting in an Unmarked Grave

Just last week, I gasped as I read the 1853 will of David SIMMONS, a prosperous merchant in Philadelphia.  He had grandchildren who he named!  And great grandchildren, too!

So off on another mission with my fin fans to see what I could find.  His children are not in the Hood Cemetery with David and his wife, Margaret CHAMBERS.  What to do?

Look at the most unusual name and see if any information can be found.  There it is in Washington, DC.  It's a marriage certificate and then interments at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, DC!

Let me explain how I know the right bones have surfaced.

The 1853 will makes no mention of children.  Instead, it specifically mentions the following grandchildren:

Will of David P Simmons

William R SIMMONS
Elizabeth GODDARD
James SIMMONS
John B SIMMONS

and children of granddaughter, Margaret DOWLING:
David DOWLING
Marshall DOWLING
Julius DOWLING

There are the clues.

Granddaughter Margaret DOWLING is dead before 1853.

The marriage records in Washington, DC, confirm a Margaret SIMMONS married Patrick DOWLING 9 May 1939.  The 1850 census confirms Patrick b. Ireland and children are living in the household of Elizabeth SIMMONS, who we can assume is the mother of Margaret and the widow of William Clarke SIMMONS.

Now to finalize the information trail.  On Findagrave, we see a Margaret DOWLING with no marker, no death date in the Glenwood Cemetery.  We do, however, see the Plot listed.  This is crucial.

Section B, Lot 85, Site 7

Why look!  Here is Patrick DOWLING, b. Ireland d. 1864 in Glenwood Cemetery in Section B, Lot 85, Site 6.

BINGO!  His bio also confirms two marriages.  One in 1939 to Margaret SIMMONS, and the second to Drucilla MARKS in 1852.

Ahh, genealogy.  Remembering our beloved bloodlines who rest even if there isn't a marked grave to visit.

©2017  AS Eldredge

Sources:
Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Original data: Pennsylvania County, District and Probate Courts.
Ancestry.com. District of Columbia, Marriage Records, 1810-1953 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.
Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
Original data: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Find A Grave Memorial# 165062964
Find A Grave Memorial# 165063464
Cemetery photo by Janet Greentree

Tombstone Tuesday: Finally! Visiting Grandma 199 Years After Her Passing

Look fellow genealogy family seekers!  It's Grandma!  She's alive!  No, wait...her legacy is alive!

Catharine DALLY SALTER SIMMONS is resting in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, DC.  Her tombstone provides the important clue that leads us to her birth year as about 1742!  

I knew she passed away while living at her son, William, house in 1818, as the family gathered for the final disposition of the will of John SIMMONS (d.1795).  But, now, I can see her!

Catharine Dally Salter Simmons, Rock Creek Cemetery

Catharine Dally, my 5th great grandma!

Catharine was the daughter of Hendrick DALLY and Sarah GIFFORD.  Catharine's brother, Gifford DALLY, was the first elected doorkeeper of the first, second and third US Congress (1789-1795).

Catharine was first married to William SALTER, a ship's surgeon, in 1756 at Trinity Church in NYC. The young widow then married a second time in 1758 at Trinity Church in NYC, John SIMMONS the innkeeper.  Their tavern was a two story building located at 63 Wall St, and was directly across from Federal Hall, where our nation's first President was inaugurated.

History books tells us that WASHINGTON ate this tavern before Evacuation Day.

Catharine's sister, Elizabeth, was married to Samuel FRAUNCES, owner of Fraunces Tavern in NYC and the steward at George WASHINGTON's home after the American Revolution.

Catharine and John Simmons (d. 1795 NYC) had six children.

William SIMMONS (1759-1825)
John SIMMONS (1761-1843)
James SIMMONS (abt 1763-1809)
David P SIMMONS (abt 1770-1830)
Stephen Gifford SIMMONS (1780-1830)
Catharine C SIMMONS (1784-1821)

To learn more:

William SIMMONS, Government Accountant
Samuel FRAUNCES

Ahh, genealogy.  Remembering my grandma.  Acknowledging her ties to early America.  Now to get all those wanna-be grandchildren to realize she did not give birth to their grandpa in 1747 at the ripe old age of 5 and her parents did not go to England from NJ to give birth to her and then return to America for the rest of the children!

©2017  AS Eldredge

Sources:

https://www2.gwu.edu/~ffcp/exhibit/p4/p4_4text.html
Photo credit:  Krista AQ & Tommy Thompson
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=139011049
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=wallstreetjohn&id=I42

Treasure Chest Thursday: Following Early Pennsylvania Wills to Find the Way

Looking to unearth the dead in Philadelphia?  Looking for that elusive legal documentation?  Sometimes, digging can reveal the treasures of old.

For instance,  I've started looking in more detail at my old Philadelphia kin, their lives, their final resting spots in the Hood Cemetery and the Christ Church Burial Ground, their connections to George WASHINGTON, etc.

This month seems really appropriate as our country acknowledges the contributions of black Americans through history and celebrates the birthdays of a couple of our early Presidents.  While I have already sprinkled some seeds on Samuel FRAUNCES and his relationship to our first President, I will now see what sprouts as I look at a blood uncle who witnessed the inauguration of good old George.  I suspect since the inauguration happened next door to the family business in New York City, that all he had to do was lean out the window!

David P SIMMONS (1770-1853) was one of six children of John SIMMONS (d.1795) and his wife, Catharine DALLY (d. 1818).  The family business was next to Federal Hall in New York City, which history tells us was the site of the inauguration of George WASHINGTON.  As it took place on the balcony, I suspect grandpa John and his family leaned out of upstairs windows to watch.

David married Margaret CHAMBERS in 1792, at the family church, the Trinity Church, in New York.    Why he moved to Philadelphia I don't know.  What I do know is the family did spend some time there during the American Revolution and had kin there as well.  David and Margaret had one son I can document, William Clarke SIMMONS born 11 August 1793.

David remarries a woman named Ellen as is documented in the land deeds when he sold land in Chenango County, NY.  Right David?  Of course, it's the land that is described in the will of his father, John, who died in 1795.

David became a prosperous merchant in Philadelphia and spent the remaining years of his life there as did his brother, James (d. 1809).  They are both buried at the Hood Cemetery in Germantown.  Is the Margaret SIMMONS buried at Hood Cemetery who died 1798 the first wife of David?

David was the last of his siblings to die.  I wondered about his children and their families.  What a great treasure chest to be found online regarding some of the early PA Probate Records and Wills!

There he is--

Will of David P Simmons found online at Ancestry.com

Noted in the will and probate files:

No living wife--  but a sister in law, Mary McKEAN

The grandchildren:
William R SIMMONS, Elizabeth GODDARD, James SIMMONS, John B SIMMONS

The great-grandchildren:  David DOWLING, Marshall DOWLING, Julius DOWLING-  all children of granddaughter, Margaret Simmons DOWLING.

Hmm, looks like more digging is needed to confirm some of the identities of these blood cousins of mine.  I have started to look around in Washington, DC, where I find Patrick DOWLING who was first married to Margaret SIMMONS.  More digging needed to unearth the details of this treasure chest.

Ahh, genealogy.  Digging for the proverbial treasure chest in the wills to find the way!

©2017  AS Eldredge

Sources:

Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Original data: Pennsylvania County, District and Probate Courts.
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=21207622&ref=acom
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Simmons&GSiman=1&GScid=45141&GRid=21071924&

Those Places Thursday: Dying in Old Philadelphia

Dig, dig, dig.  Don't you just love digging in old cemeteries?  Oh, wait.  Don't you just love to see what surfaces when you dig in old cemeteries?

While we genealogy buffs can't literally dig in old cemeteries, we can dig back to our roots by using cemeteries of old.  For instance, just this last week, I have been digging around in Philadelphia trying to find more evidence of the family.  While I have known of early family ties in the area, my new attempts at digging up more have resulted in both frustration and joy with the old cemeteries.

The two cemeteries of interest are the old Christ Church Burial Ground and the Lower Burial Ground.

The Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia has been around for about 300 years.  Interred underground and in the above ground sections are many interesting and famous colonial families.  While its most famous resident is Benjamin FRANKLIN, there are also many other early Americans of interest.  There are five signers of our great Declaration of Independence who rest here, as well as other famous Americans, including John ROSS, Betsy's husband.  While my family does not have anyone considered "famous" residing here, I do have family.  I am related to the BRINGHURST, DALLY, and SIMMONS residents.  What is frustrating is I have identified the sections and the plot numbers.  Why is that frustrating?  Because there is no map showing where the sections are!  I know old Ben is in Section A, and I know my BRINGHUST kin are in section B.  How close are they?  Perhaps I need to take a pen to paper......

Entrance to Hood Cemetery.  Photo courtesy of Library of Congress

Imagine my delight after the disappointment of not finding section maps when I stumbled across the Hood Cemetery in Germantown!  This cemetery, originally known as the Lower Burial Ground, had its land set aside before 1700, thus making it also around 300 years old!  This cemetery is alive!  No, no.  It's not the walking corpses, it's the history!  Thanks to Brendon McTEAR for taking the time to thoroughly dig in to the lives of the residents and posting about them.  What a treat it is to read of the history of Germantown and its early residents.  Of course, I, too, have kin resting there as well.  Think BRINGHURST, SIMMONS, RAGUET and ASHMEAD.  See a common theme?

I have the roots in those early cemeteries and am always looking to learn more about the early folks, their lives, and how they shaped the history of our land.

Ahh, genealogy.  Gotta just dig the history!

©2017  AS Eldredge

Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/HoodCemetery/
http://www.ushistory.org/tour/christ-church-burial-ground.htm
http://www.ushistory.org/germantown/lower/lbury.htm
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/pa0825/
Ancestry.com. Philadelphia, Tombstone Inscriptions from Christ Church [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.
Original data: Clark, Edward L. Record of the Inscriptions on the Tablets and Grave-stones in the Burial-Grounds of Christ Church, Philadelphia. Philadelphia, PA, USA: Colines, Printer, 1864.
http://www.philageohistory.org/rdic-images/ChristChurch/

Surname Saturday: Digging in Philadelphia's Hood

Going back and looking at old details with an open eye years later can be quite satisfying.  Just this week, someone contacted me regarding some early military commissions he has in his possession.  He just doesn't know why his family has them.  We looked together, and at the surface, I can't figure it out either.

What I can figure out is those commissions belonged to my family of old.  This sent me on a more thorough search of that side of the family.  Ah, all the new uploaded scans and information on the internet made this so much easier than it was when I first started all this some 20 years ago.

Anyway, I decided to go back and look at some of the research others have done on this one particular line.  It wasn't much, but it was enough to send me digging in the old Hood Cemetery and the old Christ Church Burial Grounds in Philadelphia.

Jacob Ashmead, Hood Cemetery, Germantown, Philadelphia, PA

I have more research to do and then I must start drawing some lines on paper to connect the dots.  For, you, see, I also found that my one-line-by-marriage had an officer in the American Revolution whose name I am familiar with.  Why?  Because he was the commander of the unit another one of my grandpa's served in--  the 2nd PA Regiment! This is really neat as that particular grandpa of mine was residing in Lancaster (Chester) at the time.  James GLENN (1750-1813), who is buried at my family cemetery, the St Clair Cemetery in Allegheny Co, PA, was a private in Captain Jacob ASHMEAD'S 2nd PA Regiment and is listed at Valley Forge on the muster rolls.

Let me see if I can sum it up:

Captain Jacob ASHMEAD (1742-1814)-  history tells us he served under Bendedict Arnold  (ouch)
before he was promoted to lead the 2nd PA Regiment.

He was nephew to George BRINGHURST (1697-1752) and Anna ASHMEAD(1708-1760) -his natural aunt.

George and Anna were parents of John BRINGHURST (1726-1795) who married Elizabeth SHUTE (1735-1808).

Their daughter, Margaret (1757-1798) married James SIMMONS (1763-1809).

James, son of John SIMMONS (c. 1730-1795) and Catherine DALLY (c. 1742-1818)--  my grandparents!

With the exception of John SIMMONS and Catherine DALLY, they all reside at Hood Cemetery in Philadelphia.  This cemetery has a fascinating history in its residents.  I hope to go there one day.

Ahh genealogy.  Digging in the Hood now has me mixing the blood of old with current generations.

©2017  AS Eldredge

Sources:
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=20768108
https://archive.org/stream/historyofbringhu00leac/historyofbringhu00leac_djvu.txt  
https://www.facebook.com/HoodCemetery/photos/a.873920835979198.1073741829.131577916880164/1094984470539499/?type=3&theater
Leach,Josiah, History of the Bringhurst Family, 1901.

Military Monday: Dave? Is That You? You, PA 149th You

Part 3 in the series You, PA 149th You

Can you imagine the scene after a soldier is left for dead on the battlefield during the Civil War?  It couldn't have been a pleasant experience for either side.  In this case, the soldier was found alive later and sent to the hospital.

David PHILIPS, born May 6, 1835, in Scott Twp, Allegheny, PA, was the son of Henry Hultz PHILIPS and Adeline LONG.  In the Federal Census for 1860, he is living next to Henry and Adeline, and next to Thomas PHILIPS.  The census tells us his wife is Elizabeth and they were married in 1860.

David enlists during the frenzy of local boys joining Captain James GLENN on August 22, 1862.  These boys become the men of Co. D, PA 149th who walked to hell and back during the course of their three year enlistment.  David received a gunshot wound to the head at Laurel Hill, VA.  Left for dead!  For three days!

He did recover and returned to fight with his unit.

From Nesbit's book on the History of the Regiment

After the war, he returned to Allegheny Co, PA, and settled in Wilkinsburg as a machinist.  His wife passed.  Around 1892, he married Anna. He lived his life and passed away Feb. 9, 1913, and was buried at Southside Cemetery.

Why am I looking at him?  The 1863 letter of cousin Frank states he had a picture made with him and four others. Frank's words:     " No 1 Ustic ROTHROCK, our bugler, No 2 Dave PHILLIPS, No 3 Boy MAY, 4 I.B. MOMYER, 5 Sam PHILLIPS, No 6 your humble servant."

Is this the picture?  Look at the man standing behind who I have identified as Ustick ROTHROCK in the first bugle position.  Dave?  I think so.

I located his obit in the Pittsburgh Press dated February 10, 1913.  I thought his survival and success after the war needs a shout out.

Pittsburgh Press February 10, 1913

 Ahh, genealogy.  How many men have survived? How many men have we lost?  Take a moment and remember them all.   Thank you for your service American veterans.

Part 1 of the series:  Frank?  Is That You? You 149th Bucktail You
Part 2 of the series:  Ustick?  Is That You?  You, PA 149th You




Sources:
http://genitalesga.blogspot.com/2011/04/1863-civil-war-letter-from-member-of-pa.html
http://www.pa-roots.com/pacw/infantry/149th/149thcod.html
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/149th-pa-at-gettysburg.90596/
http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/pageviewer-idx?type=simple;c=pitttext;cc=pitttext;idno=00hc08553m;q1=philips;submit=Go;didno=00hc08553m;rgn=full%20text;view=image;seq=0165
http://interactive.ancestry.com/5164/41381_620305176_0822-02254/356353?backurl=http://person.ancestry.com/tree/6687227/person/6980841523/facts/citation/107690121404/edit/record
Historical Data Systems, comp.. American Civil War Soldiers [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.     
1860 Federal Census, Chartier, Allegheny, PA   

©2016 ASEldredge     

Wordless Wednesday: Death at the 1864 Wilderness Battle

Richard MORROW, Jr
PA 139th Co. D
Wounded May 5, 1864 Battle of the Wilderness
Died May 6, 1864  Field Hospital
Beloved son of Richard MORROW and Mary MILLER
Age at death 19 years, 7 months, 9 days
Date of Muster September 1, 1862
Monument at Pine Creek Cemetery, Allegheny Co, PA


The 139th was positioned at the Brock Road and Plank Road area.  Which field hospital was closest? There was a field hospital on the nearby Carpenter Farm with 4 grave areas. Could his remains have been buried there?  

Ahh, genealogy. What a beautiful monument for the youngest son.  Gone way too young, but remembered so many years later. Rest in peace, young Richard.





Sources:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=116337324
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/tsphotos/pinecreek-hampton/morrow-richard6.jpg
http://www.pa-roots.com/pacw/infantry/139th/139thcod.html
http://www.hamptonmagazine.org/dec-jan-issue-2014-15/cover-story/
http://spotsylvaniacw.blogspot.com/2012/02/hospital-burial-site-on-carpenter-farm.html

©2016 ASEldredge

It's Friday! Time to Follow My Fingers

When researching family history or the places where one might have found their kin of the past, it is not unusual to just stumble on some finger-finds that reach out and grab attention.

So, today, I will share some blogs and sites that have recently caught my attention.  They are listed in no particular order.

Notes to Myself by True Lewis
http://mytrueroots.blogspot.com
By the way, super congrats on becoming a Daughter of the American Revolution!  Now, get out and volunteer to promote history, patriotism and education!  In case you can't tell, I too am a card carrying member of the NSDAR.

TDP Genealogy Blog by Terry D Prall
http://tdpgenealogyblod.blogspot.com
Terry and I do share DNA, so I find this an interesting read.  Terry also provides tips on his research which is helpful to anyone looking for roots.

Elizabeth Shown Mills
https://historicpathways.com
What can I say?  Her books have been invaluable to me over the years.  Thanks!

LowCountry Africana
http://www.lowcountryafricana.com
Sponsored by the Magnolia Plantation Foundation
Sometimes, I just am enthralled at looking at the information this group is preserving on SC, GA and FL history.

My old glimpse into the past
http://genitalesga.blogspot.com

http://www.stclaircemetery.com
I can't close without a shoutout for my family cemetery-  the old St Clair Cemetery in Mt Lebanon, Allegheny, PA

Ahh, genealogy.  My heart is overwhelmed at how much how many are willing to assist.  Happy Friday Follow reading time to you all!

©2016 ASEldredge

Thankful Thursday: Uncle George is Finally Home

Digging up the past can be an overwhelming task.  In fact, it is impossible to research everything as a solo act.  The internet has really come a long way in becoming a great tool to use to dig.  But.....

It's the many volunteers who help others who light the way for history to live again.  Without the human touch in dredging up the leads, we would most likely all still be sitting around scratching our heads in dismay.

For example, it took a village of information and thoughts from others to help me solve several mysteries.  Sometimes, just a spark can relight the nearly smoldering embers of inquiry into the family genealogy coal mines.

In my quest, I have been so grateful to all those who have helped, whether it be directly or indirectly, with my search.  Having just a death certificate may not be enough.  Find the obituary alone may not be enough.  Together, these wonderful finds may result in shouts of glee.

The Pennsylvania Death Certificates found online dating 1906-1963 have been a blessing as one can search names and see if the information needed is there.  Add that to the Old Pittsburgh Newspaper Project, and sometimes, a lost family member is reunited again by the obituary.

Just this week, while I was chatting with another finding the past fanatic, er, volunteer, we bounced ideas about George W CALDWELL, Jr.  We confirmed a first marriage to Elizabeth NEU.  Read about that exciting find here.

But what happened to him?  I have wondered about this for years.  I know he lived at a boarding house in Pittsburgh with his dad in 1900.  I know he signed his dad's Civil War Pension papers in 1904 while living in Johnstown, Cambria Co, PA.  I know he was dead by his sister's 1940 obituary.

My buddy suggested we look at the 1923 death of a George Caldwell.  In studying the death cert, I noticed the age was right.  More importantly, I noticed the body had been removed to Pittsburgh from Crawford Co, PA.  No other information was gleaned from the death certificate.  He is listed as single--so what happened to wife number 2?

Yesterday, I looked at the Old Pittsburgh Newspaper Project for the obituary.  Even though that particular date has yet to be indexed by the forty or so volunteers, it will be. I have faith in those awesome volunteers.

I was able to locate the obituary in the Pittsburgh Press.  Bingo.

The obituary confirmed the services for George would be held at his brother's house, Dr. F M CALDWELL and burial would be at the First St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Mt Oliver, Allegheny Co, PA.

Light that torch.

On to Findagrave where a wonderful volunteer had a memorial for him with the year of death in the same cemetery as F M CALDWELL.  Even though there is no photo for his final resting spot, he is with his brother and his son.  And now, the information on George is on his memorial page.

Yes, Uncle George has finally come home and it's all because volunteers take the time to dig in to past.

Ahh, genealogy.  With a thankful heart for all the dedication volunteers have to help us all in our personal journey.  Keep those torches lit!

Sources:
Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  George Caldwell
The Pittsburgh Press, Sept 9, 1923.

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS1N-HVW : accessed 12 June 2016), George Caldwell Jr. in household of Emma Hammond, Precincts 1-2 Pittsburgh city Ward 2, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing sheet 2B, family 30, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,357.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=caldwell&GSiman=1&GScid=2261277&GRid=96814649&

©2016 ASEldredge

Wednesday's Child: Congenital Monstrosity

The cause of death listed for female infant CALDWELL broke my heart.  Such was the pain and heartbreak of the sad ending to what had been a time of joy for Herbert George CALDWELL(1921-1972) and Lois KOEHLER in Allegheny Co, Pennsylvania in 1953.

Little infant girl CALDWELL was laid to rest in First St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Mt Oliver, Allegheny, PA in the family plot of her grandparents, Benjamin G CALDWELL(1886-1978) and Margaret REDDY(1889-1978).

Ahh, genealogy.  Sometimes finding a new family grave and corresponding death certificate leaves me wordless.  Tis a time to bow my head and pray.  Sleep little one, sleep sweetly.

Source:
Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

©2016 ASEldredge

Mystery Monday Reveals: I Want a Divorce!

Years ago, I received a funeral memorial record from the 1935 death of a cousin in Pittsburgh, PA.  From time to time, I have reflected on the information noticed in the funeral cards and wondered about the rest.

In August 2009, I wrote a tidbit on Cousin Elizabeth Troech?  You see, she showed up at the funeral and signed in as "cousin."  Check out more here about the beginning of this big mystery.  Who was she and just how was she related?

Tick, tock.

On to December 2010,  where the TREUSCH truth became clear as mud.  Ok, it was getting lighter.
Anyway, in reading about the immigration of a family from Germany to Pittsburgh, the name NEU jumped off the page and sparked a memory.  You see, 2gUncle Frank had married a Margaret NEU.  I found this fascinating as I started to search for more on the mysterious cousin Elizabeth TRUESCH.
A friendly volunteer in Pittsburgh checked the Old St Paul Lutheran Cemetery where Uncle Frank resides, and proudly announced there was also an Elizabeth TRUESCH in the NEU plot.  Bingo, Margaret and Elizabeth were sisters!  Read more on this story here.

Now here it is, a beautiful sunny Monday in June 2016 and the mystery is finally solved!  Let me catch you up.

Just a few days ago, I was looking at Ancestry and found a tree on the FALCK family.  While I don't spend much time looking at most trees due to a lack of documentation, this one tree and its documentation caught my eye.  Finally, someone who doesn't just cut and paste.

I looked more closely and saw that the unknown cousin Elizabeth TRUESCH was first married to a CALDWELL.  Hmmmm..  Did I mention that 2gUncle Frank was a CALDWELL(1868-1934)?  I quickly dashed off an inquiry to John in CA and he was Speedy Gonzalez in replying.  We started bouncing ideas off of each other.  We wondered.  We compared notes.  We both started getting excited.  Why?

He had the documentation of Elizabeth's second marriage app to TRUESCH.  I had the documentation on the brothers of Frank CALDWELL.  I went back and re-evaluated what I thought I knew.  There it was.  On the 1900 census, a brother of Frank, George W CALDWELL, JR, b. 1861 is listed as divorced and living with his widowed father in a boarding house.  Hmmmmmm..  Who was his wife?  Did he have children?  I didn't know.

My NEU buddy, John, provided the names of the children of Elizabeth NEU and the unknown CALDWELL.  You could have knocked me over.  My blood was racing.  Elizabeth named her older child Benjamin Gottlib CALDWELL(1886-1978).  Benjamin was the name of 2gUncle Frank's grandfather, Benjamin HUNNEWELL, who died in 1849 cholera epidemic in Pittsburgh.

And just today, I called the Allegheny Co Court Records Dept to see about finding the divorce record for Elizabeth NEU CALDWELL.  I could provide the date of her second marriage app and I could guess the time frame.  The helpful lady found a divorce in 1900 for Elizabeth CALDWELL.  She then asked for the man's name.  Well, that is why I was calling!  I wanted the man's name.  So, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and blurted out George CALDWELL.  She said yes.  I asked if the middle initial was W?  She said yes.

Bingo.  Monday Mystery solved!  After all these years!

Ahh, genealogy.  Sometimes you just gotta have a divorce.  Sometimes, you get lucky and get it 116 years after!

Sources:
Ancestry Family Trees, FALCK family Tree owned by muxbuster.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/census/1850/1850cholera.txt
First St Paul German Evangelical Church Cemetery, Mt Oliver, Allegheny, PA.
Funeral Memorial Papers of Austin McClain BRENDEL in possession of AS Eldredge.

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS1N-HVW : accessed 12 June 2016), George Caldwell Jr. in household of Emma Hammond, Precincts 1-2 Pittsburgh city Ward 2, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing sheet 2B, family 30, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,357.

Allegheny County, PA Court Records, Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA  412-350-4646.

©2016 ASEldredge

Thursday Thriller: Slain Over a Grudge

Looking at the headlines of today with all the crimes and murders can leave us so very saddened.  Why do folks just have to be so violent?  Good thing the past was always so peaceful.....or was it?

Here's a story about a family grudge gone wrong in 1894.

Ouch.. shot and the body was left for hours until the inquest?  It would appear that J A Coward was indicted for the murder of Madison Connell (1852-1894).  Well, it wasn't the first time he was in trouble.  According to church records, JA Coward was "in trouble" in 1892 for not supporting his church.  He asked to be dropped from the rolls when questioned by the Hebron Baptist Church in South Carolina.

The death of Connell left a widow, Mary E Myers Connell (1849-1918) and three children.

Both men now rest in the same cemetery at the church of their family.  I wonder how close they are in proximity?

Ahh, genealogy. Gotta inspect both sides of the fence when looking at history.

Source: 
The Florence Weekly Times, November 1894.
FindaGrave.com  Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Florence Co, SC

©2016 ASEldredge

Wordless Wednesday: Love Delivered on D-Day

For the last thirty years I have really not liked this week.  For this week is the week when I laid my gentle giant to rest.  Each year, I sit quietly and mourn the loss that rocked my young world.  It's amazing that the tears still readily spring to my eyes as I relive this week over and over.

The stories of D-Day have always moved my soul to remember and to pray for our fallen military men.  What bravery they displayed on what had to be the most fearful day of their lives, and the day many would perish.  Can you imagine the the scene and how intense the smell of fear had to have been?

My dad was not at Normandy on that fateful day some 72 years ago.  Instead, he was busy fighting in the Pacific.

My dad did perish on the anniversary of D-Day.  For me, that is fitting as he was truly a brave patriotic man who had followed in the footsteps of love and loyalty his ancestors displayed as they fought for this great country.

Some 12 years ago, it was my honor to organize a family reunion at what I like to call my family cemetery, the St Clair Cemetery, in Mt. Lebanon, Allegheny, PA.  It was a beautiful day as descendants came from around the country to honor two of our fallen American Revolution ancestors.  Speeches were given, flags flew in the gentle breeze, hymns were sung, a 21 gun salute was fired, and Taps was heard as we all stopped to thank all brave men and women who have served America.

Around that time, the gent in charge of the cemetery asked permission to remove some overgrown daylilly plants from one of my family plots.  I gave permission but asked him to wait until I had time to take some for myself and any other family member who wanted a living remembrance of the past.  We dug those plants up and sent them to the south and out to the west to be planted, in addition to those plants which would stay in Pittsburgh.

This week, on D-Day, as I was feeling so very blue, I happened to walk outside.  I saw one beautiful bloom on my St Clair daylilly.  It was standing tall with its beautiful pale peach color and it stopped me in my tracks.

I don't think I have ever seen such a beautiful site that screamed out the words Faith, Belief, Loyalty and Love.  My head reverberated with these thoughts as I stood wordless and thirstily absorbed the undying love from my family members who have gone before me.

The next morning I went to take a picture of the beautiful flower.  It was gone.  Not wilted, but gone.  The message sent to me from beyond the grave on D-Day stays.  Faith, Belief, Loyalty and Love.

Ahh, genealogy.  Love lives and the past speaks leaving me wordless.

©2016 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

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