Thankful Thursday -- A Step-grandmother Connection

In the photo above, Edna is on the left. Along with my parents, siblings and my grandfather. Earle Bishop. I took the picture.

When you least expect to get a lead, somebody leaves a message for you on FindAGrave. Mine came from Claudia, who wrote the following: "When I 'googled' Earle Bishop, I saw your flowers on his memorial. Mr. Bishop married my 1st cousin 2x removed, Edna May Smart.

Edna's parents were Joseph and Ellen (O'Reilly) Smart. Joseph's sister was my great-grandmother, Edith Emily Smart. Their parents were Joseph and Emily (Ford) Smart.

I wonder if you have any information on the Smart family? And if so, could we collaborate on "Smart" information? If you don't, would you be able to steer me in the right direction? This side of my mother's family is a mystery to me and have been finding it difficult to find anyone who still has information on the family."

I was delighted, since Edna was my step-grandmother, the only grandmother I ever knew, so I wrote Claudia back with some information.

Her reply, "Sorry, I guess your grandfather marrying Edna May Smart didn't sit well with you?  Was she a nice person? Can you tell me the story or anything about her because I don't know anything about the "Smart" side ... whatever you can tell me will shed some light on things.  Also, if you have pictures of your Grandparents as well as Edna or others, and can send them to me, I would love to put them on their pages in my tree.  I would love to hear about your grandmother Sarah, too!!  

The only info I have on Edna is that in 1930, according to the census records, she was working as an office clerk in a bank and living at 162 Weldon Road, Berlin, CT; then sometime after 1930 she was married to a George Simmone and they had 1 child, a son they named George Simmone, Jr.   But don't have any info on the husband and don't know if he died or if they divorced ... but then she married your Grandfather on July 25, 1953.  I was only 3 yrs old at that time.  She also had a brother Howard Frederick Smart.  I have that she died on July 5, 1992, either CT or FL ... but don't know where she is buried.

My 85 yr old cousin, Shirley Baker, who lives in Stamford, CT had written to me one time that Edna's son's name was George J. Simmone. I scour the internet for information ... some days I get lucky, other days I don't.  That's how I found Mr. Bishop's obit.

Well, it was very nice to hear back from you, Barbara ... thank you for responding.  I would love to hear more about my 1st cousin, 2x removed, Edna May (Smart) Bishop."

Claudia and I have since shared information on the phone, I only wish she was related to me, because we had so much fun chatting. She filled me in on Edna's family, and I did for her. There are things we don't know, such as where she was buried, and what happened to her son, but we are hoping clues will come soon.

Why am I posting all of this? Well, I am hoping there are other family members who will google any of the above names, just like we all do.  I would like to help Claudia out, because I absolutely loved her cousin, Edna.

Edna deserves very much to be in my genealogy, and I am happy to have her genealogy. She became my step-grandmother when I was about 10. She was the sweetest person, always showed an interest in what I was doing, and insisted I go with them to NYC for a week, one summer, as they had an apartment there, Monday thru Friday. I saw everything a tourist would see, as well as a show at Radio City Music Hall. Through the years, it was she who always sent all the grandchildren a birthday card with money, and a personal note. She wrote lovely letters, and I still have one or two. I also liked that she introduced me to candy at age 11! My grandfather was so happy and they shared a great love of music and travel, in that they traveled the world several times, and lived part-time either in London or Florida. What a great step-grandmother, I was lucky to have Edna in my life for 30 years.


The conclusion was written the following week and may be seen here.

Two Different Car Trips Across America

I know a lot of bloggers have been to some of these parks in the past few years, feel free to comment on which place you liked the most.

(All these photos were taken over 25 years ago.)

 

OLIVER AND ANNA BELDEN Buried in Lenox, Massachusetts

My 5th great-grandparents, Oliver Belden and Anna Woodruff are buried in this Cemetery. I often visit the town of Lenox and walk around in this lovely cemetery. Photos were taken in 2011 and October 2017. I decided to update my original July 2011 post because it was apparent to me, that nobody would have a clue where to look for my ancestors if they wanted to find their stones. I'm showing my original 3 photos and new ones which show the correct way to take pictures.

Church on the Hill Cemetery

Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts

Oliver Belden

Born:  November 19, 1732, Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut

Died: September 16, 1811, Lenox, Berkshire Co., Connecticut

His wife, Anna Woodruff

Born:  January 15, 1736, Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut

Died:  February 19, 1828, Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts

Use the link above to see all the names of individuals buried at this cemetery. I've shown 25 Beldens with death dates above.

 

Happy July 4th To All

In honor of my patriotic Revolutionary War ancestors, I am listing their names and dates below. (There are three sets of fathers and sons.)









JOHN ADAMS
1758-1830


JOSIAH BALLARD
1721-1799


THOMAS BARNES
1744-1825


OLIVER BELDEN
1732-1811


NATHANIEL CRESSEY
1724-1809


JOSEPH CROSS
abt 1760-1855


HEZEKIAH CUTLER
1707-1792


MANASSAH CUTLER
1742-1823


STEPHEN DANIELS
1757-1832


JOHANN F. HESS
1751-1830


JOHN HOLMES
1729-1783


DANIEL HUBBARD
1713-1777


ZADOCK HUBBARD
1749-1827


STEPHEN KELSEY
1757-1833


JONATHAN KILBORN
1707-1785


JOHNATHAN KILBORN
1742-1807


HENRY SCRAMBLING
abt. 1745-1808


JOHANNES TEN EYCK
1732-1785


JACOB VAN WOERT
1754-1843


MOSES WESTOVER
1743-1826


SAMUEL WILDER
1745-1824


ASHER WRIGHT

1755-1833

1976 Bicentennial -- July 4th

The nation was counting down to the Bicentennial for many years and Washington, D. C. intended to make that July 4, 1976 a memorable day for all.  As a matter of fact, events were planned for all four days.  Some of the special events I saw were the American Folklife festival, NARA displaying the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the Constitution, a huge "American Bicentennial Grand Parade" and of course the fabulous fireworks.

Since I was living in Alexandria, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, I had no intention of missing any free events in the city.  But, there was a problem for the Fourth of July activities. Too many people, and the Metro (subway) hadn't opened yet in my area.  Fortunately, my first cousin, who lived two blocks from the Capital, invited me to spend two nights with her.  How wonderful for me and we spent the entire time together sharing all the great and free activities together. We saw the long parade, went to a concert or two and had a superb location to watch the fireworks, from the Capital, I think we had passes, because she worked for a Texas politician, and I don't remember fighting for a spot.  And when it was all over on the 4th, we were back at her place within minutes.

My photos aren't the best, actually among my worst, but I thought I would share them.  Happy 4th to everybody.

NEHGS: An Improvement and FREE

The New England Historic Genealogical Society entrance has had a face lift. Last photo shows how it looked two weeks prior.

Now you must be wondering what is FREE. The Society will be free to all this coming Friday, July 8th.

When I was there a few days ago, I saw a flyer, and saw that the Highland Street Foundation is providing many free open houses this summer. This is an especially good day, as they are offering free entrance to:

PLIMOTH PLANTATION
137 Warren Ave – Plymouth
WORCESTER ART MUSEUM
55 Salisbury St. – Worcester
CAPE COD MUSEUM OF ART
60 Hope Lane - Dennis
NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
99 Newbury Street - Boston

Normally it cost $15 a day per non-member of NEHGS, so this is a good deal if you want to check out the library, without paying. Anybody want to meet me there?

Ball of Massachusetts -- Surname Saturday

The Ball surname is another old Massachusetts line. My direct lines are in green, and if you would like sources or would like to share information, please contact me.

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Descendant Register, Generation No. 1

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1.	JOHN BALL (WILLIAM BALL1) was born ABT 1585 in Wiltshire, England, and died 1 NOV 1655 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married Joanne KING? BEF 1620. *
	Children of JOHN BALL and Joanne KING? are: 2   i. John BALL was born ABT 1620 in England, and died 20 FEB 1676 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He married Elizabeth (__) PIERCE BET 1640 AND 1644 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She died BEF 1665 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. + 3   ii. NATHANIEL BALL was born ABT 1625 in England, and died 18 APR 1709 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

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Descendant Register, Generation No. 2

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3.	NATHANIEL BALL (JOHN BALL2, WILLIAM BALL1) was born ABT 1625 in England, and died 18 APR 1709 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married MARY WAYNE? MOUSALL? BEF 1649 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She died 14 FEB 1669. He married Margery KNIGHT 7 FEB 1670 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She died 14 JAN 1705/6.
	Children of NATHANIEL BALL and MARY WAYNE? MOUSALL? are: 4   i. John BALL died 27 JUL 1649 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 5   ii. Nathaniel BALL was born 28 JUL 1649 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 23 NOV 1649 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 6   iii. Ebenezer BALL. + 7   iv. ELEAZER BALL was born ABT 1651, and died 15 NOV 1698 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 8   v. John BALL was born 15 AUG 1660 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 27 NOV 1703. He marriedMartha BIGNALL \ BICKNELL 29 SEP 1682 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She died BET 1685 AND 1690. He married Hannah RUGG 16 OCT 1690 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of John RUGG and Hannah PRESCOTT. + 9   vi. Nathaniel BALL was born 3 JUL 1663 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 4 MAR 1724/5 in Townsend, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 10   vii. Hannah BALL was born 22 JAN 1665 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married John WHITTAKER 12 DEC 1705 in Stow, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He was born in of Stow, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

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Descendant Register, Generation No. 3

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7.	ELEAZER BALL (NATHANIEL BALL3, JOHN BALL2, WILLIAM BALL1) was born ABT 1651, and died 15 NOV 1698 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He was buried in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married PRISCILLA WOOD 25 SEP 1675 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She was born 1654 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 1687. He married Sarah MERRIAM 14 JUN 1688 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She was born 2 AUG 1654 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
	Children of ELEAZER BALL and PRISCILLA WOOD are: 11   i. Sarah BALL. + 12   ii. PRISCILLA BALL was born ABT 1676 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 13   iii. Mary BALL was born 4 MAY 1678 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Benomy FOX 8 APR 1707. 14   iv. Eleazer BALL was born 26 MAY 1681 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 6 AUG 1682. 15   v. Elizabeth BALL was born 22 JUN 1683 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 16   vi. Jeremiah BALL was born 21 APR 1686 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

9.	Nathaniel BALL (NATHANIEL BALL3, JOHN BALL2, WILLIAM BALL1) was born 3 JUL 1663 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 4 MAR 1724/5 in Townsend, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married Mary BROOKS 19 APR 1688 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of CALEB BROOKS and Susannah ATKINSON. She was born 3 APR 1666 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 22 AUG 1726 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She was buried in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.
	Children of Nathaniel BALL and Mary BROOKS are: 17   i. Susannah BALL was born 24 JAN 1688/9 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Mr. YOUNG?. 18   ii. Caleb BALL was born 10 AUG 1690 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 9 JUN 1753. He marriedExperience FLAGG 26 OCT 1713, daughter of Benjamin FLAGG and Experience CHILD. She was born 5 MAY 1692 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. + 19   iii. Nathaniel BALL was born 1 APR 1692 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 3 JUN 1749 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. + 20   iv. Thomas BALL was born 2 FEB 1693/4 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 21   v. Samuel BALL was born 24 MAR 1696/7 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married Alice w\o Samuel BALL. 22   vi. Mary BALL was born 11 MAY 1699 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 23   vii. Jeremiah BALL was born 1 MAY 1701 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married Mary STEVENS. She was born 1702 in of Groton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 24   viii. Benjamin BALL was born 19 JUN 1704 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 5 MAR 1738/9. 25   ix. Ebenezer BALL was born 30 MAY 1712 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 26 OCT 1726 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 26   x. Sarah BALL was born 29 APR 1714 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Joshua BENJAMIN 25 MAR 1745 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He was born in of Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

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Descendant Register, Generation No. 4

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12.	PRISCILLA BALL (ELEAZER BALL4, NATHANIEL BALL3, JOHN BALL2, WILLIAM BALL1) was born ABT 1676 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married ISAAC MILLER 6 JAN 1697 in Concord / Sudbury, Massachusetts, son of JAMES MILLER and MARY w\o JAMES MILLER. He was born 3 AUG 1670 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts.
	Children of PRISCILLA BALL and ISAAC MILLER are: 27   i. Mary MILLER was born 25 APR 1696 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married John PRIEST 13 DEC 1715 in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. 28   ii. James MILLER was born 4 DEC 1699 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. + 29   iii. PRISCILLA MILLER was born 25 OCT 1703 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 1777 in Worcester, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. 30   iv. Sarah MILLER was born OCT 1705 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married William TEMPLE 16 MAY 1729 in Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 31   v. Isaac MILLER was born 7 MAY 1708 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 32   vi. Abraham MILLER was born 12 MAR 1710 in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

19.	Nathaniel BALL (Nathaniel BALL4, NATHANIEL BALL3, JOHN BALL2, WILLIAM BALL1) was born 1 APR 1692 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 3 JUN 1749 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married Sarah BAKER 31 MAY 1711 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of William BAKER and Elizabeth DUTTON. She was born 13 AUG 1693 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 16 FEB 1743 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He marriedSarah (Davis) MERRIAM 10 SEP 1746 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She was born 1710, and died 25 MAY 1799 in Groton, New Hampshire.
	Children of Nathaniel BALL and Sarah BAKER are: 33   i. Abigail BALL was born 26 JUL 1712 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Elias? STEARNS. 34   ii. Sarah BALL was born 29 APR 1714 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Thomas STRATTON 30 MAY 1732. + 35   iii. Nathaniel BALL was born 3 JUN 1717 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died AUG 1814 in Temple, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. 36   iv. William BALL was born 12 AUG 1719 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 23 JUL 1732. 37   v. Ebenezer BALL was born 30 DEC 1721 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 1781 in Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. He married Sarah GOOKINS 16 OCT 1746 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She was born 1725. 38   vi. Elizabeth BALL was born 9 DEC 1724 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Josiah CHILD 24 APR 1755 in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. 39   vii. Eleanor BALL was born 2 JUL 1727 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 40   viii. Mary BALL was born 30 APR 1729 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Samuel CHILD 19 DEC 1745 in Waltham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He was born 19 DEC 1745 in Waltham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 41   ix. Hannah BALL was born 12 JUN 1731 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Philip GOSS 12 MAY 1748 in Bolton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He was born in of Lancaster, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. 42   x. Rebecca BALL was born 29 NOV 1733 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Peter BROOKS 8 JAN 1752 in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. 43   xi. Lois BALL was born 10 MAR 1735/6 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Joseph WILLOUGHBY 22 MAY 1760 in Harvard, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. 44   xii. Lucy BALL was born 31 AUG 1739 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. She married Benjamin NOURSE 21 JAN 1760 in Grafton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. He was born in of Shrewsbury, Worcester Co., Massachusestts. Children of Nathaniel BALL and Sarah (Davis) MERRIAM are: 45   i. Eleazer BALL was born 31 MAY 1747 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married Mary BRADISH. 46   ii. Submit BALL was born 26 MAR 1749 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.

20.	Thomas BALL (Nathaniel BALL4, NATHANIEL BALL3, JOHN BALL2, WILLIAM BALL1) was born 2 FEB 1693/4 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. He married Abigail w\o Thomas BALL.
	Child of Thomas BALL and Abigail w\o Thomas BALL is: + 47   i. Mary BALL.

*American Ancestors. Vol. 12. 3 (Summer 2011) Pgs. 44-45. "'Adventures with a DNA Study: 'What? I'm Not Related to George Washington!'" by David G. Ball. "John Ball, Jr. and Nathaniel were not brothers. Whether the John Ball who died at Concord in 1655 was the father of either John or Nathaniel (or neither) remains unknown."