Those Places Thursday -- Where an Ancestor Lived

Whenever I travel to a distant town, state or an island, I always check my genealogy records to see if an ancestor had ties to that location. So I was delighted when I discovered that my ancestor Thomas Mayhew (large wikipedia article*) was an early settler of Martha's Vineyard (island) in Massachusetts.


Many of the photos will be shown on my Flowers From My Area blog, but a few new ones are below. Naturally, the houses were not there in 1647, when Thomas moved from Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts to Martha's Vineyard. But, I believe he probably saw the bluffs.


*"In 1641, Thomas secured Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, the Elizabeth Islands, and other islands as a proprietorship from Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Lord Sterling. This enabled him to transfer his business operations there. With the help of son Thomas, a settlement was established. Farming and whaling enterprises began."

Wordless Wednesday -- Painted at age 80

This painting isn't particularly beautiful or unusual, but it hangs in my dining room and I look at it every day. My grandfather painted it when he was 80. I have the copper jug shown in the photo and it displayed below the painting in that room. Apparently, he used it for holding water and swishing the paint off of his brushes! The evidence is on the inside rim. What was he thinking?


I believe the jug was purchased by him during one of his many trips overseas. Imagine Paris in 1927, bet he had fun. In the 30 years I've had it, I cleaned it once.

Very worn around rim, and thin band about to fall off.

Bottom of pot.

Children Died Young -- Tombstone Tuesday

Young children of Ward and Rebecca Seccomb Poole

Buried at:

Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts

Sally Poole

Born:  18 Apr. 1802

Died:  27 Feb. 1809.

Joseph

Born:  30 Dec. 1797

Died:  11 May 1798

Rebecca

Born:  4 Oct 1800

Died:  15 Oct 1801.

Children in the row on the right of their parents.

Will of Amos H. Adams of Batavia, New York -- Amanuensis Monday

Amos Adams left a very detailed will; naming 10 people, a cemetery and a church as beneficiaries. Most interesting to me, were all the books he wanted his niece to have, and she was fortunate to receive pictures of her grandparents as well. A copy of the will was obtained by my cousin, Claire and sent to me. Amos was my 1st cousin, 4 times removed.

-----------------

I, Amos H. Adams, of the town of Batavia, County of Genesee and State of New York, being of sound mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this my last will and testament, in manner following, that is to say:-

1^st  I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.

            2^nd  I give and bequeath to my niece, Ada Sherwin the following articles of personal property, to wit:-

Six hair cloth chairs and one hair cloth rocker; six cane seat chairs, one black walnut upholstered rocker, one upholstered chair, one gold chair, hair cloth sofa, marble top table, three round top Bible stands, two card stands, 1 whatnot, picture of Mrs. Adams and easel as it stands, two brussels carpets, grey rug 36 x 72 inches, “Christ weeping over Jerusalem”, “Orient Landscape”; “The birth of Christ”; “Christ before Pilate”; oil painting of Calla lilies; oil painting 36 x 21; pictures of my father and mother Adams; 4 pictures of Voyage of life; picture of Lincoln and three generals; 20 views of Centennial Exposition; Poem read by the Rev. C. A. Johnson at the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of myself and wife. Also books, Missionary sketches, Rainsford’s Sermons, Odd Fellows keep sake, Bible vs. Tradition, Life Of Adoniram Judson, “Cast adrift”, “The Pillar of Fire”, “Pilgrims Progress”, “The two-fold life”, “Life of Martha and Mary Washington”, “The great cities of the world”, “God against Slavery”, “Gensie Walton”, “ Samantha among the brethren’, “A wind flower”, Cyclopedia Vols. I, II, III, Lady’s book, “Museum of Antiquities”; “ Genesee County, N.Y.”, Barnes notes I, II Vols. “Prohibition”, Wendell Philips, “American Wheat Culturist”, Sermons Fifth Series”; Ladies Wreath, Field Dungeon and escape; “History of the Secret Service”, “The Psalmist”, Theodosia Vols. I, II, “Fleetwood’s Life of Christ”, “Glory of Immortal Life” “Odd Fellows Offering,” “Home of the Bible”, “Life of Charles H. Spurgeon,” “Around the world with eyes wide open”, Dictionary of the Bible, Compendium of Cooking and reliable receipts, Webster’s Dictionary, 5 pairs lace curtains in parlor, one pair chenille draperies, The old family Bible, Pictures of A.H. Adams and pictures of Mrs. A.H. Adams and frames in sitting-room, sewing machine, hanging lamp, side board, writing desk, 6 silver table spoons, 9 silver tea spoons, 3 Albums (ends without a period, and a lot of free space). (Note: Typed as written.)

            3^rd  To Ella Sherwin, daughter of the said Ada Sherwin, I give and bequeath the following articles of personal property, to wit:-

1 china set, 1 cake basket, 1 castor, 1 pickle dish, 1 water pitcher, 1 mug, 1 goblet, 1 bedstead and bedding in back chamber, up stairs.

            4^th  To Mrs. Albert Fanchier of Bethany, N.Y., I give and bequeath the following articles of personal property, to wit:-

1 bedroom dresser, 1 commode and stool in my sleeping room, 1 couch in kitchen, 1 bedstead up stairs, sitting room carpet, 3 pairs lace curtains in my sleeping room.

            5^th  To Charles DeWolf of Batavia, N.Y., (my nephew) I give and bequeath the following articles of personal property, to wit:-

1 dresser, stand and commode in chamber and all my wearing apparel, setting room table and lamp, 1 couch in sitting-room, 6 flag bottom chairs, 1 cracker dish, a Boston rocker, 1 patent rocker, 3 camp chairs, also two hundred dollars in cash.

            6^th  To Addie DeWolf, daughter of Charles DeWolf I give and bequeath the following article of personal property, to wit:-

1 bed and bedding, in room over sitting room.

            7^th  To Loren Cooper, daughter of Fred Cooper, Batavia, N.Y.

I give and bequeath one silver tea set of five pieces, presented to me on the 25^th anniversary of my marriage.

`           8^th  To Arden Smith, daughter of Fred W. Smith, of Batavia, N.Y.

I give and bequeath one silver tea set of five pieces presented to me on the fiftieth anniversary of my marriage.

            9^th  To Thirza Hawley of Batavia, N.Y., I give and bequeath the following articles of personal property, to wit:-

            The carpet in my bed-room, mirror in sitting-room, 1 willow rocker, 1 sitting-room coal stove, 1 picture of Mt. Vernon, also books: “Battle of the Union”, “The Great Rebellion”, “To the Work” by D.L. Moody, “Life and Times of Abraham Lincoln,” From the Manger to the Throne”, “Pathway of Life”, “What can a woman do”, “Ministry of Healing”, "Penticost”.

            10^th  To Nellie Fox and Marea Fox, nieces of my deceased wife, I give and bequeath the following personal property, to wit:-

Bed stead and bedding in my bedroom.

11^th  To Lulu E. Fox niece of my deceased wife, I give the following personal property, to wit:-

1 bed stead and bedding in front room up stairs.

            12^th  I give and bequeath the use and income of five hundred dollars to the First Baptist Church of Batavia, N.Y., formerly known as the Baptist Society of Batavia Village, N.Y., during its corporate existence – the income from said fund to be used for charitable purposes and for such other necessary wants as said Church shall stand in need; and said Church is hereby through its proper officers authorized to receive, in trust, such fund of $500, from my executor hereinafter named, but on condition that it gives security for the safe keeping and investment of the same in safe securities or by deposit in some reliable Savings Bank of this state.

            And in case it shall appear that said Church can not legally act as trustee to receive said $500, and disburse its income as above provided, then said fund of $500, to remain in the hands of my said executor as such trustee or his legally appointed successor or successors, to be invested in safe securities or deposited in such Saving Bank as he may select and he is hereby directed to pay over the income from time to time to said Church during its said Corporate existence.

            13^th  I hereby give and bequeath to The Elmwood Cemetery Association of Batavia, N.Y. one hundred dollars in trust to invest the same and use the annual interest or income to be derived therefrom for the care of my burial lot.

            14^th  I hereby devise and bequeath to “The Baptist Education Society of the State of New York”, located at Hamilton, N.Y., all the rest and residue of my estate both real and personal, in trust, to be invested in safe securities or deposited in some safe Savings Bank of this State to use the interest or income to be derived therefrom for charitable purposes for the support of indigent young men who desire to enter the Baptist Ministry under the auspices of the said “The Baptist Education Society of the State of New York” subject to such provisions as to the sale of the real estate by my executor as is hereinafter provided.

            I hereby authorize my executor hereinafter named to sell all the real estate that I may own at the time of my decease, wherever the same may be situated, and to rent and collect the income from the same, until sold, for the purpose of carrying out all the provisions of this Will, which may require the payment of money, including the devise and bequest to “The Baptist Education Society of the State of New York” to use the income therefrom according to the conditions provided for in the 14^th provision of this Will; and my said executor is further authorized to deed and convey said real estate or any part thereof unsold by him to the said “The Baptist Education Society of the State of New York:, in trust, for the purposes of aforesaid.

            Lastly I hereby nominate and appoint my friend Charles R. Gould of Batavia, N.Y. to be the executor of this my last Will and Testament, to give security required by law, as in cases of Administration, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29^th day of June, A.D., 1901.

                                                            Amos H. Adams

We, whose names are hereto subscribed, do certify that Amos H. Adams the testator, subscribed his name to this instrument in our presence and in the presence of each of us, and at the same time, in our presence and hearing, declared the same to be his last will and testament, and requested us and each of us, to sign our names thereto as witnesses to the execution thereof, which we hereby do in the presence of the testator and of each other, on the day of the date of the said Will and write opposite our names our respective places of residence.

                                                            Geo. D. Williamson

                                                            Batavia, N.Y.

                                                            Charles E. Reed

                                                            Batavia, N.Y.

H.B. Cone

Batavia, N.Y.

GENESEE COUNTY

Surrogate’s Court

Amos H. Adams, DECEASED

WILL AND CERTIFICATE.

Proven December 23, 1907

State of New York

County of Genesse

Recorded on the 18^th

Day of January, 1908 at 11:15 o’clock, a.m. in Liber

202 of Deeds, at page 33

And examined.

C. B. Pixley, Clerk

______________________

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.

Two Death Certificates For Same Person -- Why?

There is nothing unusual about the death certificates (below)  for my great-grandparents. They were obtained in 1999 and you can see that the state loved red stamps. If you look closely, you can see that they died in Illinois and were buried in Washington, D.C.

The third certificate is for my great-grandmother, recently found on the internet, is from the District of Columbia. Her information was "furnished by transit permit." If you ever have a "transit permit" certificate of death, you will see there is very little information provided, so try and obtain the original certificate from where that person died.

The saddest thing is, I haven't a clue where I found her second certificate on the internet. And, I can't even locate my great-grandfather's "transit permit" (his record of death, does state transit permit), although I saw a shorter one and copied to my computer, somewhere. Lesson learned to myself...pay more attention and keep better records, even after all these years, I mess up.

Click to enlarge.

Those Places Thursday -- Concord, MA

Thomas Pellet

1670s / 1728

Cyrus Pierce

1850

Capt. John Adams

c. 1817

I have no idea how many historical houses there are in Concord, but I will try and find out. If a sign is for your ancestor, please let me know, and I will take a photo of the house.

Downtown Concord, MA on a nice rainy day. (To me, the best time for taking photos, esp. cemetery stones.)

DAR Postcard -- First Day Cover -- Wordless Wednesday

Postcard purchased at the DAR on the date it was issued, October 11, 1990.

Tombstone Tuesday -- SHERWIN family of Stafford, New York

Stafford Rural Cemetery, Stafford, Genesee Co., New York

Herbert C. Sherwin

1844  --  1935

His wife,

Ada L. Dewolf

1859  --  1943

Their daughter below.

Ella M. Sherwin

1883  --  1959

Photos taken by my cousin Claire, and used with permission.

Lucius Poole Could Split Hairs

This Man Could Split Hairs.

Lucius Poole, whose den in Springfield St., Boston, is famous among antiquarians, can do more wonderful things with a sheet of paper than any one else in America--perhaps in the world. Not only can be dovetail, skive, splice and inlay, but he can split. This is the most difficult achievement in the whole art of book patching. Mr. Poole will take a leaf from any of the current magazines and slice it three times through its entire length and width, thereby making four sheets instead of one, each of just one-quarter the thickness of the original. Splitting hairs is rough work beside a job like that.

One of Mr. Poole's tricks is to cut an imperfect picture from a page and then insert one in its stead so deftly that only the closest scrutiny will discover that a fiber has been disturbed. Another is to "plant" a photograph on the page of a book so that one cannot tell that it was not printed there originally.

When Mr. Poole is asked to tell how he performs his feats, he says: "Oh, it's just by work, partly natural and partly acquired. It would take a year to explain the detail."--New York Press.

Lucius was my 2nd great-granduncle.

(Above article sent to me by Carol Merriman.)

Lucius was my 2nd great-grand uncle.

Sunday's Obituary -- Mrs. George S. Poole

Mrs. George S. Poole

Mrs. Sarah Poor Poole, widow of George S. Poole, who was president of the Warren Institution for Savings, died Tuesday at her home at 9 Washington ave. Mrs. Poole was born in Peabody, May 5, 1850, the daughter of Franklin Osborne and Nancy Poor Jacobs. She was a graduate of Abbott academy in Andover and throughout her life had been much interested in the affairs of that school.

Mrs. Poole was a resident of Mt. Vernon st., Somerville, for 40 years and had been a summer resident of Marblehead neck for more than 50 years. She was a member of and for many years active in the affairs of Winthrop church, Charlestown. Mrs. Poole leaves three children, Franklin Osborn Poole, librarian of the Bar association of New York; Mrs. Edith Poole Merriman of this city and Irving Poole of Arlington, and nine grandchildren.

The funeral was held Thursday morning at the Blake Memorial chapel, Rev. R. E. Bailey officiating. The interment was in Harmony grove cemetery. Salem.

POOLE--Aug. 26, Sarah Poor Osborn, widow of George S. Poole, age 80 years, at her home, 9 Washington av., Cambridge, Mass. Funeral service at the Blake Memorial Chapel, at Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, Mass., Thursday, Aug. 28, at 11 a. m. The family requests that no flowers be sent.

(Above article sent to me by Carol Merriman.)

Sarah was the wife of my 2nd great-grand uncle.