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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday -- Edward Thurston, Sr. of Rhode Island

HERE LYETH THE BODY
OF EDWARD THVRSTON
WHO LIVED 90 YEARS
AND DEPARTED THIS LIFE
_ 28  DAY OF FEBRVARY
1706

Coddington Cemetery
Newport, Rhode Island

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Surname Saturday -- HARRIS

Harris is a rather common surname, yet I only have two direct lines in my tree. However, there are 122 in my database because of my interest in this family. Viola wrote me quite a few years ago, asking for some help with her family, I didn't have much to offer, and again she wrote the other day. In checking my file, I was surprised to see that 120 Harris's weren't mine, but hers. The family is from the Stanbridge E., Dunham and Frelighsburg all towns in Canada, near Vermont, and several Vermont towns of my ancestors, many of the allied surnames are familiar, and a few settled in the city where I now live. Based on all these criteria, I'm posting Viola's lineage for my Surname Saturday, with hopes somebody else share's her line.



Generation No. 1

1.Alonzo Royce HARRIS was born 7 JAN 1805 in Berkshire, Franklin Co., Vermont, and died 14 JUL 1892 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He married Phoebe THAYER 19 OCT 1831 in Franklin Co., Vermont, daughter of Timothy THAYER and Desire WING. She was born 1811 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 31 JUL 1875. He married Anne HAWKINS 20 OCT 1879 in Quebec, Canada. She was born 14 AUG 1835 in Cork, Ireland, and died 8 MAY 1932 in Quebec, Canada.
  
Children of Alonzo Royce HARRIS and Phoebe THAYER were:
+2  i.Orson Thayer HARRIS was born 3 APR 1834 in Berkshire, Franklin Co., Vermont, and died 23 NOV 1876 in Alburgh, Grand Isle Co., Vermont.
+3  ii.Hannibal Conversse HARRIS was born 15 MAR 1832 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 22 FEB 1905 in Tacoma, Washington.
 4  iii.Emily Jane HARRIS was born 3 JUN 1836 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 26 JAN 1916 in Franklin, Franklin Co., Vermont. She married Orson Laselle Meigs 22 JAN 1856 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, son of Daniel Bishop MEIGS and Caroline BINGHAM. He was born 19 OCT 1830 in Franklin, Franklin Co., Vermont.
 5  iv.Mary Mariah HARRIS was born 17 APR 1843 in Franklin, Franklin Co., Vermont, and died 4 JAN 1893 in Quebec, Canada. She married Alanson Henry HARVEY. He was born 26 DEC 1872 in Clarenceville, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
 6  v.Delia HARRIS.
 7  vi.Caroline HARRIS was born 11 JUL 1842 in Stanbridge, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 17 FEB 1927 in Grand Isle, Grand Isle Co., Vermont. She married Charles E. HAYDEN 13 MAY 1860 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He was born 1836 in Maine.
+8  vii.Alonzo Royce HARRIS was born 9 SEP 1844 in Berkshire Twp., Franklin Co., Vermont, and died 24 SEP 1876 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+9  viii.Merville Marvin HARRIS was born 1 JUN 1847 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
 10  ix.Dora HARRIS.
 11  x.Mary HARRIS.

Children of Alonzo Royce HARRIS and Anne HAWKINS were:
+12  i.Rachel C. Royce HARRIS was born 16 APR 1882 in Quebec, Canada.
 13  ii.Nellie May HARRIS was born 20 DEC 1884 in Quebec, Canada. She married Asa WESTOVER 1920 in Quebec, Canada. He was born 1885.


Generation No. 2

2.Orson Thayer HARRIS (Alonzo Royce HARRIS1) was born 3 APR 1834 in Berkshire, Franklin Co., Vermont, and died 23 NOV 1876 in Alburgh, Grand Isle Co., Vermont. He married Mary Jane RHICARD, daughter of Abraham RHICARD and Abigail FARGO. She was born 28 MAY 1833 in of Stanbridge, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 11 JAN 1917 in Alburgh, Grand Isle Co., Vermont.
  
Children of Orson Thayer HARRIS and Mary Jane RHICARD were:
 14  i.Bertha Jane HARRIS was born 29 MAR 1856 in Quebec, Canada.
 15  ii.Charles HARRIS was born 1857 in Quebec, Canada.
+16  iii.Hobart O. HARRIS was born 1 JUL 1858 in Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 1943 in Quebec, Canada.
 17  iv.Dora M. HARRIS was born 1862 in Quebec, Canada.
 18  v.Phebe HARRIS was born 1866 in Quebec, Canada.
 19  vi.Caroline Cynthia HARRIS was born 6 DEC 1871 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 24 FEB 1924 in Alburg, Grand Isle Co., Vermont.
 20  vii.Ednah Ella HARRIS was born 17 MAR 1872 in Quebec, Canada.

3.Hannibal Conversse HARRIS (Alonzo Royce HARRIS1) was born 15 MAR 1832 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 22 FEB 1905 in Tacoma, Washington. He married Ellen C. CLEMENT 1 JUL 1856 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, daughter of Chauncey CLEMENT and Sarah BROWN. She was born 11 DEC 1836 in Quebec, Canada, and died 16 OCT 1898 in Tacoma, Washington.
  
Children of Hannibal Conversse HARRIS and Ellen C. CLEMENT were:
 21  i.George HARRIS was born 1858 in Quebec, Canada, and died 1859 in Quebec, Canada.
 22  ii.Albert Coleman HARRIS was born 1860 in Quebec, Canada, and died 18 JUN 1898 in Pierce, Washington.
 23  iii.Nellie HARRIS was born 1861 in Quebec, Canada.
 24  iv.Alonzo Royce HARRIS was born 1865 in Quebec, Canada, and died 1869 in Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
 25  v.Susie HARRIS was born 1868 in Quebec, Canada.
 26  vi.Chellis HARRIS was born 1871 in Quebec, Canada.
 27  vii.Ellena O. HARRIS was born 15 JUL 1873 in Quebec, Canada.
 28  viii.Ernest C. HARRIS was born 1877 in Quebec, Canada.

8.Alonzo Royce HARRIS (Alonzo Royce HARRIS1) was born 9 SEP 1844 in Berkshire Twp., Franklin Co., Vermont, and died 24 SEP 1876 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He married Almira Flanville PERKINS, daughter of Nathaniel PERKINS and Almira FLANVILLE. She was born 1847.
  
Child of Alonzo Royce HARRIS and Almira Flanville PERKINS was:
+29  i.Stella HARRIS was born 7 JUL 1873 in Quebec, Canada, and died 19 JUN 1967 in Waterbury, Washington Co., Vermont.

9.Merville Marvin HARRIS (Alonzo Royce HARRIS1) was born 1 JUN 1847 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He married Deborah Harriet MARTINDALE. She was born OCT 1852 in Quebec, Canada.
  
Children of Merville Marvin HARRIS and Deborah Harriet MARTINDALE were:
 30  i.Merville M. HARRIS was born APR 1879 in Quebec, Canada.
+31  ii.Alonzo Royce HARRIS was born 31 OCT 1881 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died NOV 1979 in Brookline, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts.
 32  iii.Dwight Millard HARRIS was born 12 JUL 1886 in Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 19 DEC 1969 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California. He married Emily G. She was born 1893.

12.Rachel C. Royce HARRIS (Alonzo Royce HARRIS1) was born 16 APR 1882 in Quebec, Canada. She married Myron CALLAGHAN 1901 in Quebec, Canada, son of James CALLAGHAN and Emeline JOHNSON. He was born DEC 1877 in Quebec, Canada.
  
Child of Rachel C. Royce HARRIS and Myron CALLAGHAN was:
 33  i.Basil CALLAGHAN was born SEP 1908 in Quebec, Canada. He married Agnes WIGHTMAN 1934 in Quebec, Canada.


Generation No. 3

16.Hobart O. HARRIS (Orson Thayer HARRIS2, Alonzo Royce HARRIS1) was born 1 JUL 1858 in Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 1943 in Quebec, Canada. He married Emma Helen GAGE 1885 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, daughter of John GAGE and Hannah BOOMHOWER. She was born 2 MAR 1868 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 1913 in Stanbridge East, Missisquoi, Quebec, Canada.
  
Children of Hobart O. HARRIS and Emma Helen GAGE were:
+34  i.Malcolm Nathaniel HARRIS was born 24 JAN 1886 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 12 JUN 1935 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
 35  ii.Winnifred F. HARRIS was born 16 AUG 1888 in Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 1905 in Quebec, Canada.

29.Stella HARRIS (Alonzo Royce HARRIS2, Alonzo Royce HARRIS1) was born 7 JUL 1873 in Quebec, Canada, and died 19 JUN 1967 in Waterbury, Washington Co., Vermont. She married Karl Wallace MORSE. He was born 5 JAN 1870, and died 15 NOV 1920.
  
Child of Stella HARRIS and Karl Wallace MORSE was:
 36  i.Myra MORSE was born 4 JAN 1894 in Vermont, and died 19 NOV 1991 in Vermont. She married John Ross BEATON. He was born 29 NOV 1877 in Vermont, and died 21 JUN 1955 in Vermont.

31.Alonzo Royce HARRIS (Merville Marvin HARRIS2, Alonzo Royce HARRIS1) was born 31 OCT 1881 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died NOV 1979 in Brookline, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts. He married Loretta V. ROARK 28 NOV 1906 in Lowell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of Frank E. ROARK and Mary A. REDMOND. She was born 1886 in Massachusetts.
  
Child of Alonzo Royce HARRIS and Loretta V. ROARK was:
 37  i.Leon R. HARRIS was born 2 JUN 1908 in Lowell, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.


Generation No. 4

34.Malcolm Nathaniel HARRIS (Hobart O. HARRIS3, Orson Thayer HARRIS2, Alonzo Royce HARRIS1) was born 24 JAN 1886 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 12 JUN 1935 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He married Lillian Amelia FORTIN 1 AUG 1906 in Frelighsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, daughter of Joseph FORTIN and Emma Philena RUSSELL. She was born 17 DEC 1887 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 27 JAN 1923 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
  
Children of Malcolm Nathaniel HARRIS and Lillian Amelia FORTIN were:
 38  i.Grace HARRIS was born 1 JAN 1901 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 13 APR 1901 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
 39  ii.Ruth HARRIS.
 40  iii.Victor Lloyd Malcolm HARRIS was born 24 MAY 1909, and died 17 FEB 1988. He married Hilda Ernestine BOCKUS, daughter of George Allen BOCKUS and Ada Emma COREY. She was born MAY 1908 in Quebec, Canada.
 41  iv.Muriel Margaret HARRIS.
 42  v.Edyth May Helen HARRIS was born 1 AUG 1912 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 1 DEC 1912 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
 43  vi.Dorothy HARRIS was born 1 JAN 1918 in Stanbridge E., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
 44  vii.Allan Coleman HARRIS.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday -- Jones at Mount Auburn Cemetery

LEWIS JONES
A. D. 1640

EDWARD F. JONES
COLONEL 6TH REG MA. V. M.
FIRST IN THE FIELD
BALTIMORE APR. 19, 1861
COLONEL 26TH REG. MASS. VOLS.
BVT. BRIG. GENERAL U.S. VOLS.
LT. GOV. NEW YORK
1886 TO 1892
BORN JUNE 3, 1828
DIED AUG. 14. 1913

NETTIE
HIS WIFE
DIED OCT. 23, 1862
AGED 35

Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Can't Read a Will? -- Tuesday's Tip

Have you ever tried to read a will, either an old one or a more recent one? Since I've been blogging, I've transcribed at least 10, and have had problems with reading the handwriting on all of them. The other day, while typing up my most recent for the post for yesterday, I discovered a way to figure out what some of the words were. I don't believe I've ever seen this method before. Being a huge user of Google, I decided to type in some key words, both before my unknown word/s and some key words after the unknown. Below, I give two examples of what I was up against, and Google helped!


I used these Key Words: lastly as to all the rest residue ___ whether real or personal (I knew I was missing about four words).
Correct: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, whether real, personal.



I used these Key Words: Decease her ____  apparel is to be given to my
Correct:  Decease her wearing apparel is to be given to my

Monday, January 23, 2012

Amanuensis Monday -- Samuel Griffin

Will for Samuel Griffin, my 6th great-grandfather.

In the name of God Amen I Samuel Griffin Essex in the County of Chittenden in the state of Vermont being weak in body but of sound and of perfect mind and memory do make and publish with this my last will and Testament in manner and form following That is to say I give to my Beloved wife Mercy Griffin all my Household furniture during her life with other possessions hereafter mentioned -- I give to my son John my farm on which I now live together with my Cattle Sheep and Swine also my tyme peace and loom on the following conditions viz He is to support my wife during her life and provide and furnish her with all things necessary for her Comfort and Convenience he is to pay all my debts that I shall owe at my decease he is to pay sixty Dollars to my three Daughters viz Twenty to Lois Kelsey to Polly Dowd and Twenty to Azube Davis My son John is to pay the aforesaid sum to my Daughters in one year after my wife's Decease and he is to have my Farming  utensils -- my Carpenters and Joiners are to be equally divided between my five sons, viz Joel, Asahel, Samuel John and Dan after my wifes Decease her wearing apparel is to be given to my daughter Mercy Pelton and the remainder of my Houses hold furniture is to be divided as follows. Samuel and Dan are to have Each of them a bed and bedding The remainder is to [be] equally divided between my five sons above Mentioned excepting my son John lastly as to all the rest residue and remainder of my estate whether real or personal of what name or nature I give to my beloved wife Mercy Griffin whom I do appoint sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament Thereby revoking all other Wills by me made In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 16th of May in the year of our Lord 1808.

Signed sealed published and     }
declared by the above named
Samuel Griffin to be his last       
will and Testament in presence
of us who here unto subscribed
our names as witnesses in the   }
presence to the Testator      

Ezra Slater?
Zuriel Tyler
Benton Buck
                               Saml Griffin


 

An Inventory of the real and personal Estate of Samuel Griffin Late of Essex Deceased

Copies received from Joan Kaysen in July 2006 and Bradley Griffin in October 2009. Both are distant cousins, and it's taken me this long to discover I had two copies, and this long to transcribe it.

Amanuensis Monday was begun by John Newmark of the TransylvanianDutch blog. The term means, "a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another." Many bloggers enjoy doing this because it allows them to freely copy something that has been written.



Saturday, January 21, 2012

Edwards of Massachusetts -- Surname Saturday

The Edward line is another old Massachusetts line of mine, I'm showing my direct lines below in green. If you would like sources, please write.


Generation No. 1


1.ALEXANDER EDWARDS was born 10 FEB 1613 in Liandalog, Wales, and died 4 SEP 1690 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married SARAH BALDWIN 28 APR 1642 in Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts, daughter of RICHARD BALDWIN and ISABELL. She was born BEF 25 JUN 1621 in Cholesbury, England, and died 3 OCT 1690 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
Children of ALEXANDER EDWARDS and SARAH BALDWIN were:
+2  i.Samuel EDWARDS was born 7 MAR 1643 in Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts, and died 13 APR 1713.
3  ii.Hannah EDWARDS was born 18 FEB 1645 in Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts, and died 11 SEP 1680 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married Samuel DAVIS 4 MAR 1668 in Northampton / Deerfield / Northfield. He was born 21 FEB 1644 in Roxbury, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts.
4  iii.Joseph EDWARDS was born 8 AUG 1647 in Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts, and died 21 SEP 1690 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Elizabeth ELMORE 2 JAN 1672 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She died 1674 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Hannah ATKINSON 27 NOV 1674 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
5  iv.Mary EDWARDS was born 20 JAN 1649. She married John FIELD.
+6  v.BENJAMIN EDWARDS was born 24 JUN 1652 in Springfield / Northampton, and died 31 OCT 1724 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
7  vi.Sarah EDWARDS was born 21 NOV 1654 in Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts. She married James NORTH 20 NOV 1677 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He died 25 JUL 1689 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
8  vii.Nathaniel EDWARDS was born 25 JUN 1657 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 3 OCT 1731 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Hepzibah JANES 17 MAY 1687 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She died 9 NOV 1691 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Elizabeth STILES AFT 9 NOV 1690 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She died 5 APR 1719 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
9  viii.Elizabeth EDWARDS was born 22 FEB 1660 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 1740 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married Samuel CLARK 1 MAR 1682 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He was born 23 OCT 1653 in Dorchester, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts.



Generation No. 2


2.Samuel EDWARDS (ALEXANDER EDWARDS1) was born 7 MAR 1643 in Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts, and died 13 APR 1713. He married Sarah BOYKIN 16 MAY 1675 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
Child of Samuel EDWARDS and Sarah BOYKIN was:
10  i.Abigail EDWARDS was born 7 JAN 1681 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died BEF 1 FEB 1749. She married William HOLTON 5 DEC 1706 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, son of John HOLTON and Abigail FISHER. He was born 13 JUL 1675 in Dedham, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, and died 13 NOV 1755 in Northfield, Franklin Co., Massachusetts.

6.BENJAMIN EDWARDS (ALEXANDER EDWARDS1) was born 24 JUN 1652 in Springfield / Northampton, and died 31 OCT 1724 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He was buried in Bridge St. Cemetery. He married THANKFUL SHELDON 23 FEB 1681 in Northampton / Deerfield, Massachusetts, daughter of ISAAC SHELDON and MARY WOODFORD. She was born 27 AUG 1663 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 20 OCT 1741 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
Children of BENJAMIN EDWARDS and THANKFUL SHELDON were:
11  i.Benjamin EDWARDS was born 15 JAN 1683 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 9 MAR 1710 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Mary CLARK 5 JAN 1707 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
12  ii.Ebenezer EDWARDS was born 18 NOV 1683 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Mary NORTH. She was born 2 FEB 1682 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
13  iii.Mary EDWARDS was born 4 FEB 1686 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 28 NOV 1729 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married Samuel PHELPS 12 DEC 1706 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
+14  iv.THANKFUL EDWARDS was born 6 DEC 1688 in Springfield, Hampden Co. Massachusetts, and died 22 DEC 1766 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
15  v.Esther \ Hester EDWARDS was born 19 JAN 1691 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married John WAIT 27 NOV 1716 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
16  vi.Deliverance EDWARDS was born 14 JUN 1693 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 5 JUL 1712 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
17  vii.Mindwell EDWARDS was born 11 JAN 1695 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married Noah PARSONS 17 JAN 1712 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
18  viii.Elizabeth EDWARDS was born 21 OCT 1697 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 6 AUG 1775 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married Daniel BARTLETT 23 DEC 1719 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He was born 1665, and died 1747. She married Josiah PARSONS AFT 14 DEC 1738.
19  ix.Joseph EDWARDS was born 1700.
20  x.Hannah EDWARDS was born 3 APR 1703 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
21  xi.Isaac EDWARDS was born 12 JAN 1706 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 18 JAN 1706 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.



Generation No. 3


14.THANKFUL EDWARDS (BENJAMIN EDWARDS2, ALEXANDER EDWARDS1) was born 6 DEC 1688 in Springfield, Hampden Co. Massachusetts, and died 22 DEC 1766 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married WILLIAM PHELPS 1706 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, son of WILLIAM PHELPS and ABIGAIL STEBBINS. He was born 16 APR 1684 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 20 JUN 1755 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married Jonathan CLARK 25 JUL 1734.
Children of THANKFUL EDWARDS and WILLIAM PHELPS were:
22  i.Thankful Edwards PHELPS was born 17 DEC 1707 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 26 FEB 1708 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
23  ii.Eliakim PHELPS was born 17 JAN 1709 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 7 MAR 1777 in Belchertown, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Lydia RUST 11 JAN 1730. He married Elizabeth DAVIS AFT 1753.
24  iii.Thankful PHELPS was born 20 JUL 1710 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 1783 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married CALEB POMEROY (his 2nd wife) 15 NOV 1733 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, son of ELTWEED POMEROY and MARGERY ROCKETT. He was born ABT 6 MAR 1641 in Windsor, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 18 NOV 1691.
25  iv.Benjamin PHELPS was born 10 MAR 1713 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Rachel BROWN 24 JUN 1731.
26  v.Josiah PHELPS was born 10 MAR 1716 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
27  vi.Eunice PHELPS was born APR 1720 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married John WAIT 1742.
+28  vii.LOIS PHELPS was born 1725 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 21 APR 1779.
29  viii.Experience PHELPS was born 17 MAR 1727 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 1766 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. She married Preserved BARTLETT 3 NOV 1754 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.
30  ix.Joseph PHELPS was born 1728, and died 20 DEC 1773 in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Sarah CADWELL 2 DEC 1763 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Eunice LUSK 20 OCT 1770.
31  x.William PHELPS was born 12 SEP 1731 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Abigail.
32  xi.Elnathan PHELPS was born 18 FEB 1734 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 2 JAN 1813 in Pownal, Bennington Co., Vermont. He married Eleanor BRIDGMAN 15 DEC 1757. He married Sarah 15 FEB 1776.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday -- No Bull, You Need to Look at all 4 Sides

After doing 98 Tombstone Tuesday entries for this blog and entering hundreds to Find-A-Grave.com, I am still learning new things. On a recent trip to Newport, Rhode Island, I took many photos, including several in the Coddington Cemetery, seen below. Why shouldn't I take a photo of the largest stone, the lighting was semi-perfect. Once home, I discovered I hadn't a clue what family this stone was for, no surname was listed! Apparently, I didn't walk around it, as I always tell people to do it...there are four sides. The biggest isn't always the best. Fortunately, I went to the Find-A-Grave site and able to see others listed for that cemetery, including who these two women were married to, it was Henry Bull. The site says he was an "American Colonial Governor. He emigrated to America in 1635 and settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts." Henry is listed on one of the sides of this stone. I was lucky, once again.
ELIZABETH
HIS WIFE,
DIED OCT. _ 1665

ANNE CLAYTON
HIS SECOND WIFE,
AND WIDOW OF
NICHOLAS EASTON
DIED JAN. 30, 1707


Monday, January 16, 2012

Edward Cross and Arizona's First Newspaper

"Edward Cross, born in Lancaster, New Hampshire in 1832, began working as a printer for his local paper, the Coos Democrat, when he was 15 years old.  He then moved on to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked as a printer for the Cincinnati Times. Demonstrating writing skills, he served for a time as the paper’s Washington Correspondent.  He became involved with directors of the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company and moved west in 1857.  He settled in Tubac, Arizona Territory, where he invested in the company’s  mines and established the territory’s first newspaper,  The Weekly Arizonian.  The Washington printing press was brought to Tubac by Cross and his associate, William Wrightson, via the “Jackass Mail,” as the mule teams were called, and was used to print the first issue on March 3, 1859.


Cross, serving as editor of the paper, had strong convictions.  He took exception to a number of articles written by Sylvester Mowry of Tucson that were published in Eastern newspapers. He criticized them for inflating the size of the local population and the magnitude of local mining operations.  Mowry challenged Cross to a duel, which took place on July 8, 1859. Using Burnside rifles, four shots were fired before Mowry’s gun failed, entitling him to another shot.  Cross stood waiting unarmed.  Mowry refused to fire at an unarmed man, thus ending the duel.  Both men exchanged apologies in person and in the Arizonian. The paper was sold a few weeks later, ironically to Mowry.  He moved the press to Tucson where it was used to print the first issue of the Citizen  and possibly theStar.  Later it printed the Tombstone Nugget.  In 1910, the press was donated to the Arizona Historical Society.  The press ultimately returned to Tubac after an absence of 120 years in 1980, where it was installed in the period print shop at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park Museum.
In addition to his writing and mining interests, Cross joined the U.S. Army scouts in their efforts against the Apaches.  In 1860, he crossed the border into Mexico to command a Sonoran army garrison supporting the insurgency of Benito Juarez.  At the outbreak of the Civil War, Cross returned to New Hampshire where he accepted a commission as colonel of the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment. 
Cross was reportedly an impulsive and colorful officer, occasionally striking non-commissioned officers with the flat of his sword when angry.  He was known to wear a red bandana on his head instead of the traditional officer’s hat. This was his way of making himself easier to spot on the battlefield by his men.  However, on July 2, 1863 Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock noticed that his bandana was black rather than red.  Cross indicated that he had foreseen his own death and that black was more appropriate.  Cross fought in the Battle of Gettysburg that day and was mortally wounded while helping to stabilize the left flank as it entered the Wheatfield.  He fell near Rose Woods and died the next day at a field hospital.  His body was shipped home to Lancaster and laid to rest in the town’s cemetery."
The article was copied from Tubac Presido Park and permission was granted by Cindy Monro.
My cousin, Larry McGrail forwarded this link to me in September 2011. Edward Cross is my first cousin, five times removed.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Obituaries -- Lowell, Massachusetts

The below listed names were taken from The Lowell Sun newspaper's obituary section for this week. (If there is an * by the name, it means I knew that person, and you may write me if you have questions.)

MONDAY,  JANUARY 9, 2012
LORRAINE A. DUCHESNE, OF LOWELL, MA; 71
JOSEPH FALCONE, OF SOMERVILLE, CAMBRIDGE, BILLERICA, BROCKTON, MA, WW II VETERAN, AGE 92
NORMA JEAN HITE WILGOREN, OF WEST PALM BEACH, FL, FORMERLY OF NEWTON, MA
DAVID F. STECCHI, OF DRACUT, MA; 76
KATHERINE B. OLIVER, OF LOWELL, MA, LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, AND GRANDMOTHER; 84
LAURIE ELLEN QUINLAN, OF LOWELL, MA; 54
RITA A. (PELLETIER) DESIAURIERS, OF DRACUT, MA, 1937 - 2012

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012
CECILE L. HUGO, OF LOWELL, MA, LOVING MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND SISTER; 98
JEFFREY PAUL McGRATH, OF HARWICH PORT, MA; 55
ARTHUR J. KEELEY, FORMERLY OF WOBURN, SON IN BILLERICA; 56
PETER M. BURKE, OF LOWELL, MA, AIR FORCE VET
JAMES JOSEPH DURKIN, JR., OF CHELMSFORD, MA, LOVING FATHER, GRANDFATHER, AND GREAT-GRANDFATHER
LUCY (FREITAS) PITTA, LONGTIME HIGHLANDS (LOWELL) RESIDENT; 93
ALEXANDRIA 'ALICE' HIGGINS, OF LOWELL, MA, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 75
HAROLD A. HAWKES JR., TEWKSBURY MACHINIST; 82

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012
RICHARD N. DENNIS, RETIRED ARMY CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER; 64
GABRIELLE E. COOLONG, OF CHELMSFORD, MA, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 70
ROBERT J. FADDEN, OF DRACUT, MA, M/A-COM RETIREE, ARMY VET; 73
EVANGELINE LAGANAS, FORMERLY OF LOWELL, DESIGNED, MADE CUSTON WEDDING GOWNS; 85
ROSALIND B. CARITO, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF LOWELL, MA
IRENE DANCAUSE, RETIRED LOWELL, MA SCHOOLTEACHER; 92
JOHN 'JACK' J. ROSCOE, LIVED IN TEWKSBURY; ARMY, AIR FORCE VET; 74
VALDEMIRO M. 'VAL' SILVA, OF TEWKSBURY, MA, LIVED IN LOWELL, ST. ANTHONY CHURCH MEMBER; 65
MARY R. 'BECKY' GALLAGHER, LOWELL, MA NATIVE; OF DAVENPORT, FL, LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, SISTER


THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012
FRANCISCO P. MONTEIRO, OF LOWELL, SERVED IN PORTUGUESE ARMY; 93
ROSALIND B. CARITO, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF LOWELL, MA
HELEN B. (BOWMAN) CUNDALL, FORMERLY OF GROTON, MA; 80
SUSAN M. ABERLE OF BURLINGTON, MA
JOAN BYRNE HEATON, MOTHER OF CHRIS BROWN, GRANDMOTHER OF ETHAN BROWN
OUDALONE SOUKSANANIKONE, BORN LAOS, OF LOWELL, MA, BELOVED FATHER; 53
FRANK M. POLAK SR., OF NASHUA, NH, USPS RETIREE, WW II VET; 89
JOAO P. MADERIA, BELOVED HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER; 70
BEATRICE HUNT IAMS, OF CHELMSFORD, CHORISTER AND CHOIRMASTER, VARIOUS EPISCOPAL CHURCHES FOR 84 YEARS; 99
GARY W. DREW, OF PEPPERELL, AIR FORCE VET; 69\


FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012
JAMES P. PATSOURAKOS, OF LOWELL, MA; 95
MARIA FREITAS, BORN PORTUGAL, OF LOWELL, MA, BELOVED MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, AND SISTER
ELEANOR KIRBY CHASE, OF BEVERLY, MA FOR OVER 90 YEARS, DIED IN ACTON, MA; 1918 - 2012; AGE 93
GLADYS (FICHTNER) JOHANSON, OF LITTLETON, MA; 83


SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2012
IRENE C. (DESROSIERS) MARQUIS, OF PELHAM, NH; FORMERLY OF LOWELL; 82
FRANK MICHAEL POLAK SR., OF NASHUA, NH; 89
EARL A. LeBOURDIS; LIFELONG LOWELL RESIDENT; 84
THERESA JULE (DILLENSCHNEIDER) PALMER, FORMERLY OF BRAINTREE, OF WEYMOUTH, MA
STEVEN DECKER, FORMERLY OF CHELMSFORD, MA, DIED VALRICO, FL; 52
LEON RALPH HICKEY, OF CARIBOU, ME, FORMERLY OF LOWELL; 65


SUNDAY, JANUARY 15,L 2012
BARBARA HUNTLEY, FORMERLY OF CHELMSFORD, MA, OF BARRINGTON, RI; 91
DOLORES C. MARCOTTE, FORMERLY OF PELHAM, NH AND DRACUT, MA; 75
JIM REILLY, OF BOSTON, FORMERLY OF LOWELL, FORMER GOLDEN GLOVES BOXER AND US NAVY VETERAN; 64
HARRY C. CURTIS, JR., OF SPRING HILL, FL, FORMERLY OF BILLERICA, MA; 75
DAVID M. DRINAN OF BILLERICA, MA; 58
ARMAND P. MERCIER; 78, FORMER CITY COUNCILOR AND MAYOR
JOHN O. ROBERTS, OF HUDSON, NH; 73
JOHN J. POWERS, III, FORMERLY OF WESTFORD, MA, OF NEW IPSWICH, NH; 48
JOSEPHINE A. NEVESKA, OF TEWKSBURY, MA; 88