"Very Poor and of a Lo Make" Abner Sanger

Unusual title, I know.  The Very Poor and of a Lo Make is a title of a wonderful book that had it's beginnings back in 1774. It is comprised from a set of journals that Abner Sanger kept from 1774-1782 in Keene, New Hampshire and 1791-1794 in Dublin, New Hampshire.  His papers were kept for 44 years, then were passed down from generation to generation until they were put up for auction in 1914.  From Page XI, "The Library of Congress bought the collection of Sanger papers.  Taken to Washington, the pages of the little booklets were cut apart, silked and bound (with the letters from father to son) between hard covers.  The journal was placed in the Manuscript Division."

"Abner Sanger once referred to in a legal proceeding as a man, 'being very poor and of a lo make.'"  When he died, the local newspaper wrote, "Died in this town, Mr. Abner Sanger, aged 83."  It is nice to know that his life is still being read about.

Other than providing valuable insight into the life of a farmer living in Keene and Dublin, New Hampshire for much of his life, there is a nice chronology of his life and some genealogical information. However, Abner didn't write much about his family, but the author incorporated a small three generation genealogy section of the Sanger family and that has helped me tremendously. While I am not directly related to him, I am to his second wife, when Elizabeth "Betsey" Johnson married again in April 01, 1784. Abner and Elizabeth had seven children together.

Buried at Old Cemetery, (Known as Washington St. Cemetery)

Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire

His wife, Elizabeth is buried in Dublin, photo below and it is on

 Find-A-Grave.

Source:  Sanger, Abner, Lois  K. Stabler, editor, Very Poor and of a Lo Make: The Journal of Abner Sanger, Pub. for the Historical Soc. of Cheshire County, Portsmouth, NH: 1986.

Recently, (Oct. 2010) I found my flyer for the book, and copied it below.

Follow Friday -- Follow the Surname

When I received the marriage certificate with the big ugly red stamp, and copied off-center I was a little upset. But then I read it. Darn, this wasn't to my liking, my great-grandparents had the same 

surname!

I probably stewed about it, then went on to other things, all the while angry for the mistake.  But, there was no mistake.  A good deal later, I discovered that Charles Clarence Poole and Anna "Annie" Poole were related, they were second cousins once removed!  That discovery made for a quick lineage for Annie, as I only had to add a few lines, then merge her file into her husband's.  Even when I used FamilyTreeMaker to calculate their relationship, they don't show up as husband and wife, but as second cousins once removed.

If you ever come across something like this, you might be luckier than unlucky.  And, don't always assume the certificate is wrong!

Many years later, I now can see the record online at Family Search through their Records Search Pilot option (the link isn't exact for some reason, but the name is #3, so click on that).  If I had waited 13 years, I wouldn't have had to wait for the snail mail, pay for the copy or receive a copy with the red stamp. However, this one is also off center as well.  Can't do anything about that...

Treasure Chest Thursday -- Mother and Child

Grandmother Sarah Ten Eyck Bishop

with my mother, Jane

Grandmother Marjorie Adams Poole

with my father, John

(above and below)

Both of my parents were born in 1919, mother born in New York City, and father in Evanston, Illinois.  Each was the first child.

Tombstone Tuesday - ELDER JOHN STRONG

Princess Diana and I are 9th great-granddaughters of Elder John Strong.

       

Bridge Street Cemetery, Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts

John Strong

Born:  Abt. 1610, Chard, Somerset, England

Died:  April 14, 1699, Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts

His wife, Abigail Ford

Born:  Abt. October 08, 1619, Bridport, Dorset, England

Died:  July 06, 1688, Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts

A Day at the Library -- Sentimental Sunday

There usually isn't much sentimental about a day at the library, especially since the day was yesterday, but it will be before long.  A day filled with seeing Eric and Henry, Gary B. Roberts, Laura Lee K., helping a genea-blogger, mention of Kathryn Doyle and a crazed man who tried to stop the train I was on.

I went to the New England Historic Genealogical Library (NEHGS), in Boston, yesterday, because I received a letter earlier this week from Laura Lee K. of California stating, "In Boston at NEHGS, researching James Lowrey.  Happened to find your rootsweb genealogy, just after finding John and Elidia in the Barbour VR. Have been reresearching your entries." We corresponded and I knew I just had to meet her.

Upon arriving and the elevator door at NEHGS, out came Eric and Henry (Eric is the director of the DAR Library in Washington, D.C. and Henry is the editor of the NEHGS Register). They were leaving to catch a plane, so no time for hugs or chatting (Eric and I have known each other for over 20 years).  The next person I saw was well-known genealogist Gary Boyd Roberts, he was very happy and excited to be going to the FGS conference in Knoxville next week. I hadn't seen his name as a speaker, so I asked if he was talking, and he said, "no" and that he hadn't been there in a very long time.  So, some of you may see him. (I am privy as to why he is there, and will keep it that way, but you can ask him.)

Meeting Laura Lee, who had been at the Library for an entire week, with her darling, non-genealogist husband, was a real treat. They were attending the NEHGS program called, "Come Home to New England" a program that is held twice in the summer. Laura discovered me through my Roots Web site and wrote me. I had just written about the Lowrey Family Reunion several weeks ago, and it was this family she was working on. Meeting her was like seeing an old friend.  We spent a lot of time together sharing this and that.  I loved that she told her new friends that we were cousins. But most of all was the fact that my blog was the first she had ever read (how can you not get sentimental over that). My blog address is on my Roots Web site. I learned that she had gone to the Jamboree and to Salt Lake City this year, so of course, I was envious. In addition, she knows Kathryn Doyle of the California Genealogical Society. Laura and I will continue to correspond, we share many, many lines which I want to help her with. I was thrilled that somebody can use my genealogy research.

It was a full day, and one of the most fun I've had at a library, perfect in every way.  Until....I took the train from Boston to home.  Half way through the 45 minute ride, a crazy drunk or drugged 20ish person ran down our aisle, out the car and up the steps to the first car, where the engineer was!  The train continued, but we all wondered what was going on. Several conductors came through, and now the train stopped and the guy was brought back, with all the conductors and the engineer. To think he was trying to get to the engineer was rather scary, to say the least.  The guy was seated, and warned that the police would remove him at the next stop.  He continued to rant and rave and we all held our breath, and the passenger again got up, and the train stopped a 2nd time. It ended peacefully, we were all 20 minutes late, and the guy was one lucky person, and not arrested.  Apparently, it is a federal crime (as in air planes), but the conductor made the call to not contact the police.  He said, he thought of the passengers not wanting to be late.

So, can you get all this from the internet?  I don't think so.  But, that being said, I do love the internet. Read  the photo below...that is one day I won't go to the library!

White Flower Farm, Litchfield, Massachusetts

 White Flower Farm (website)

Litchfield, Connecticut

  

I have been to White Flower Farm before this visit, it isn't a farm but a family-owned nursery, with some plants from outside the United States. This is a great place to order bulbs, seeds, and plants of all kinds. Even though it was August 14, 2010, we had a spring-like day, and fortunately, no tourists or shoppers around! It was too early to buy bulbs for fall, tho they had a few to sell. It's a nice place to walk the trails and enjoy all the sights in front of you.

Check out their catalog. When I was into gardening, I ordered from them frequently, usually getting my catalog in January or February, and had a few months to dream about gardening in winter.

 

 

My husband Bill posed for a photo.

 

Our August 2010 program.

Follow Friday -- I Don't Want to Follow Them

Why I ever decided to subscribe to World Vital Records, I wish I knew.  It was just about a year ago, and I assumed I would use it along with several other subscriptions for aiding in my genealogy research.  I've nothing against the company, it was just that blogging got in the way.  My research time was cut way back.


Last week, I received a call from the company, and was asked if I wanted to renew.  When I replied, "no" that is when I was asked a number of questions.  I held my breath and even offered the bit of information, I hoped was true. I said, I hadn't used it in almost a year.  Well, I was right, she had the exact date!  No secrets there. So, with my "no thank you," I think that means a "maybe we can change her mind."  For the past week, I've received the following emails from them.   (I realize the dates don't show below, but they are daily, and two for today.)

Is there anybody who thinks I should reconsider?

		WorldVitalRecords		World Vital Records SPECIAL OFFER: 7 Days to Search GenealogyBank for FREE!‎ - Having trouble viewing the images in this email? View our online version. Become a Fan Follow us …		10:41 am
		WorldVitalRecords Newsle.		World Vital Records Five Ways to Document a Death‎ - If you would like to view the newsletter in your browser, click here. In This Issue …		8:51 am
		WorldVitalRecords		World Vital Records LAST CHANCE for Buy 1 Year Get 1 Year for Penny‎ - If you are already a member, you may use the special to extend your subscription.) Having trouble …		Aug 9
		WorldVitalRecords		World Vital Records Discover Your Ancestors With 3 Great Sources‎ - REMINDER: LAST CHANCE on our Subscription Specials (If you are already a member, you may use …		Aug 8
		WorldVitalRecords		World Vital Records FREE Access to Yearbooks + FREE Month + 50% OFF Collections‎ - Having trouble viewing the images in this email? View our online version. Become a Fan Follow us …		Aug 7
		WorldVitalRecords		World Vital Records Discover Your Ancestors in the Newspaper Archive‎ - Having trouble viewing the images in this email? View our online version. Discover Your Ancestors …		Aug 6
		WorldVitalRecords		World Vital Records 45% OFF! 2 Genealogy Subscriptions For 1 Low Price‎ - Having trouble viewing the images in this email? View our online version. Become a Fan Follow us …		Aug 5

"The Happiest Man in Town" Built his House

One of the early discoveries on my Wilder line was found in the Historical Society of Cheshire County, New Hampshire.  I made at least four trips, because there was a wealth of information, including seeing the house my 4x grandfather, Able Wilder built and his cemetery stone.

"HANDERSON HOUSE : 124 Washington Street Circa 1827 Abel Wilder, called the "happiest man in town,"settled in Keene near the close of the 18th century, kept a wheelwright shop, was jail keeper, and built several houses on what was then called Prison Street.

The one numbered 124 Washington Street was built by Wilder and bought in 1833 by Phineas Handerson, the first to practice law in Chesterfield."  The above information is from, Smith, Marjorie W., Historic Homes of Cheshire County New Hampshire, Brattleboro, VT: Griswold Offset Printing, 1968. Pg. 57.

I wonder what made him so happy. He died at age 91.

124 Washington St., Keene, N.H. (spring and fall)

But, it wasn't all that easy researching him.  The death record stated he died in Bridport, Addison Co., Vermont...a rather long way from Keene, New Hampshire.  Of course, we went to Bridport, roamed the cemetery, and found stones for his daughter and other family members, but nothing for the 91-year-old. Well, wouldn't you know, his family brought the body back to Keene, and he was buried about 2 miles from the Historical Society!

Amanuensis -- An Ancestor Stolen by Pirates

I read my first Amanuensis in John Newmark’s genealogy blog TransylvanianDutch.  Of course, I had never heard that term before.  However, my blog today is an example of an Amanuensis.  What is an Amanuesis?  "It is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another." I  am copying a page from the Missisquoi Historical Society Reports, Vol. 17, 1982, "The Story of Catherine MacDonald" by M.J. Ellis. Pp. 113-114. The author, Margaret Ellis, was my first cousin, once removed.  (Direct ancestors are in geen.)

"The Story of Catherine MacDonald

These sugar tongs were presented to Catherine MacDonald at her marriage about the year 1760 and descended through her daughter Mary Currie, and her granddaughter Catherine Westover to her great granddaughter Martha Rosenberger, who destined them for her niece Mary Rosenberger, in charge for her daughter of the original owner and in the event of the death of Mabel without heirs, they are to go to the eldest child of Charles TenEyck, grandson of Catherine Westover.

This was written on Jan. 7th, 1888 at St. Armand West by Mrs. Edwin Smith.

The story of Catherine MacDonald was briefly mentioned on page 33 in the First Historical Report (1908).  The following story came from two sources: from Mrs. Edwin Smith (written in 1888) and from Mrs. Edward Stote, written in 1912.

"Somewhere about the year 1745, a little girl, attended by a nurse, about four or five years old, was playing on a beach somewhere along the coast of Scotland.  A pirate ship nearby saw the little girl and thinking possible of ransom, stole her.  Maybe by poor communication, or by a storm, that plan was abandoned and the ship crossed the ocean and the little girl was sold in New York.  Fortunately, she came into the hands of a Madam Livingstone who treated her in every respect, except one, as her own daughter.  She wisely called her CATHERINE MACDONALD, the name which was marked on the child's clothing, which was of finest linen.

She no doubt was hoping that sometime it might be a clue that would lead to finding her family.  Through fright or perhaps from long weeks at sea the child could remember nothing about her home or family, only that she was playing on the beach with her nurse.

The child grew to womanhood and when about twenty-two years of age was married to a Mr. CURRIE of Alburg, VT, an American of Scottish descent.  Among the gifts from Madam Livingstone to her adopted daughter were these sugar tongs.

Four children were born to them, FRANCIS, ROBERT, CATHERINE and MARY.  Mary married ASA WESTOVER, also of Alburg, VT.  He was of Welsh descent.  Mrs. Westover (Mary Currie) died when 37 years old, leaving 3 daughters: CATHERINE, ELIZABETH, and MARGARET. After the death of their mother, the children went with their father to Sutton, Quebec, moving to Dunham a year or two later.

In 1880 Catherine was married to HENRY ROSENBERGER who was born on the Hudson in New York State but whose ancestors, of German descent, came from Wittenberg on the River Elbe. When there seems to have been a general movement from that part of the United States towards Missisquoi Bay, his parents were among the first to arrive.  Henry then being three years old. They settled on a farm in St. Armand West and raised a family of seven children.  The place is now known as Rosenberg, where two of their grandchilden, James and Hattie Rosenberger still reside (1912) the great-grandchildren of Catherine MacDonald.  Elizabeth, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Westover, married a Mr. George Rykert of Dunham (they were the parents of Asa Rykert) whose father was John and grandfather Capt. Joseph Rykert.  Margaret, unmarried, lived with a brother of her father's second marriage, near the home of her childhood on the picturesque hills near Dunham and Frelighsburg.

Postscript:  To return to the sugar tongs and the first paragraph, Mary Catherine Smith did die without heirs and so the sugar tongs came to the eldest child of Charles TenEyck -- Caroline TenEyck Doherty -- and so to me, Margaret Doherty Ellis."

I would love to know if this is a true story, and as you can see, it was written in 1888.

Photo of the silver tongs was shown in the article.