Monday Mystery: Did Tollervey Marry Simmons in Jolly Old England?

Genealogy.  It really is one big mystery to be unraveled through time.  It can take years to try and discover the proof to what I think I know.

Looking at some old records again (ok, maybe for the 100th time), I still wonder about the tenements old Grandpa John inherited from his mama who died--  well we don't know when.  We do know he had the land in his 1794 will.

The things we three family researchers think we know:

John SIMMONS married Katherine CHEESEMAN around 1736 in Hampshire, England.

They have either four or five children.  If it is indeed five, then the first one appears to be deceased by 1736.  Maybe the boy belonged to them-- maybe not.  Since I haven't found out more about the definitive of the parents, I will ignore him for now.  Ignore, not forget.

The first known legit child, we think, is John SIMMONS who was christened 1736 in the only church on the island of Portsea, St Mary's.  

The second legit child, we think, is William SIMMONS who is c. around 1737 in the same parish church.

The next two children are girls--  one dying as a young toddler, and the other hasn't been followed.  

Of interest in this mystery is William.  He may have married Elizabeth TOLLERVEY.  At least, some people have them married, but with no proof noted.

According to the Hampshire Burial Records, William is buried in Portsea in February 1831.

Now to the biggest mystery of the day.  Remember John, the alleged first legit child?  His 1794 will in New York mentions land in Hanover Row, Portsea, Hampshire, England.  Did William also own this land with him?  To whom did the land belong in the first place?  Was it land of the father who allegedly dies c. 1742 or the land of the stepfather, James HILL?  Does William, who was buried in February 1831, have living blood grandchildren around to help with the mystery?

More information on the Portsea of old as it pertains to this quest can be read here.

Ahh, genealogy. Jolly old England might hold the answers.  Want to send me to find out?

©2016 ASEldredge

Mystery Monday: Drowning Young at Edgewater Beach

While looking for some 1795 deeds in Allegheny County,  I stumbled across a conversation I had with a 2nd cousin once removed back in 2002.  At the time, Sarah shared some family memories and helped me to understand some more double relationships that seem to crop up in the family from time to time.  She also enlightened me with a sad story of her stepbrother who had died young.

Edward Johnston YOUNG (1898-1919) was the son of George Fleming YOUNG (1850-1912) and Harriet Matthews YOUNG (1868-1927).

The story Sarah shared with me was doing those days, city boys were often sent during the summer to work on farms.  This particular summer, the Great War was ongoing and her stepmother, Harriet Matthews YOUNG (who had remarried Ralph Emerson BULFORD after becoming a young widow), was concerned that young Edward would be drafted.  She asked him to come home and spend time with her before he went to fight for his country, as she expected he would be called to serve soon.

Edward went to a picnic in Oakmont and took his sister, Peg, with him.  He was out on the water in a canoe and jumped in the water.  Evidently, he thought he knew how to swim.  He couldn't and he drowned.

His death cert confirms he died in a canoe accident by drowning.  His sister also had the unpleasant task to provide information for the death certificate.

Unfortunately, the dates in early July 1919 which would have reported his death are not online.  At least, I haven't found them.

For the rest of the story,  Edward J YOUNG, is my 3C1R on his mother's side as his great-grandparents were my 3G grandparents.  Of interest as well is his stepsister's mother, Martha Verlinda BENNETT(1879-1910) who was the first wife of Ralph Emerson BULFORD, is also my 1C2R through Martha's maternal line.

Ahh, genealogy.  Family memories confirmed are like finding a drop of water in a desert.  It doesn't quite quench my thirst, but it helps solve the mysteries of the past.  And leaves me begging for more.


Source:
Ancestry. com. PA Death Certificates.

©2016 ASEldredge