Saturday, August 29, 2009

SNGF - Ancestors I Have Met

Here is this week's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun, hosted by Randy Seaver at GeneaMusings.
Here is your challenge for tonight (or whenever you read this):

1) Write down which of your ancestors that you have met in person (yes, even if you were too young to remember them).

2) Tell us their names, where they lived, and their relationship to you in a blog post, or in comments to this post, or in comments on Facebook.
Mine is a very short list. I only met three of my grandparents and none of my great-grandparents. My mother's father, Daniel M. Carlisle, died just a month after I was born. So technically we were alive at the same time but we were never together.

Harvey Gordon Berry, 1926 - 2000. Dad was born in Syracuse, NY. Moved to Clayton, NC in the 70's, on to El Paso, TX in the 80's and finally retired to Haines City, FL. Although he died in Florida, he is buried in North Carolina. He was named for his father's step-father and his mother's brother.

Mom. Happily she is still with us and hopefully will be for a good while yet.

Kimberly Powell Berry, 1900- 1984. My father's father. Kim was born in Ottawa, Ontario. He moved to Syracuse, NY in the mid 20's and remained there the rest of his life. He became a naturalized US citizen. The SSDI indicates he died in Texas and is incorrect. He died in Syracuse. Living close by I was able to know him well. I have no idea where his name comes from. Kimberly is unusual for a man. I've often wondered why he was given Powell for a middle name but so far I have found no family connection.(Kim's father, Joseph Berry, died when Kim was a boy and his mother remarried to Harvey Harry Sanders. I did meet "Grandpa" Harry although I do not remember him.)

Mary Leith Kelly Berry, 1900 - 1970. My father's mother. Mary was born in Calabogie, Ontario. I'm not certain when her family moved Ottawa, Ontario. A good looking guy named Kim lived next door. After their marriage in 1922 they moved to Syracuse, NY. Mary refused to become naturalized because she felt she was already a US citizen because her father had been born in the US. Mary was her paternal grandmother's name. I still have not discovered her maiden name and wonder if it was Lieth? Grandma and I had many adventures together.

Pearl Vivian Camfield Carlisle, 1886 - 1972. My mother's mother. Pearl was born in South Bend, IN. She was married in Alamo, TX and after living there briefly she moved to Buchanan, MI. She remained there until sometime in the 60's when she required nursing home care, where she spent her final years in Niles, MI. Her parents simply liked her name. I have pictures of me with Grandma when I was about a year old. The time I remember meeting her she was in the nursing home and it was a rather unpleasant visit for a child. I wish I had had the chance to know her better.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Sarah Ann Camfield, April 8, 1902




South Bend April 8th 1902

Dear Children and friends


I will try to write once more to let you knwo we are all well as usual and hope you are the same I got aletter from Elizabeth last week and one from Wirt not very long ago I dont know if I told you in the other letter or not I have been looking for one from Ella nut have not got it yet

I am all alone again so I thought to write but its nothing new to be alin awhile almost every day Rose has an errand to town three or four times aweek and some times more but I am glad to be alone it is preferble to so much noise and confusion

page 2

I have been sewing carpet rags this for noon I am getting most done I dont know what I shall do next I got all sowed up week before last and wondered what I should do but Mrs Brady gave me a lot I have two or three balls to sew yet there will be 4 or 5 pounds of them she says she is going to piece a block for your pattern quilt before I go out there I want to piece one more if I can I almost forgot to tell you that Frank called on us and how glad we all was to see him than they did last winter to see Ben and Bell when they here I donot know of any one I should have been any gladder to see

page 3

apr 9th

I have not seem Tola since she made my dress then she made my bedtick I wanted to change the feathers but did not think I could but 3 week ago I thought I would try so went at it and done it nicely allalone there is two meetings here closeby I intendid to go but I have one of my spells of cold in my head or catarrh I have to sit with my handkerchief inone hand and write with the other to finish my letter Ruby is going to write to Tammerson

from your affection Mother
hoping to see you soon S A Camfield good by



Marshall Wirt Wisner was Sarah Ann's youngest brother. Sarah Elizabeth Hall Beldon and Ella Hall McKinnon were her nieces, daughters of Maryetta Wisner Hall.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Camfield, Sarah Wisner (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Children and friends”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 8 April 1902. Digital Images 1-3.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Apr – Dec 1902,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Etola Robinson, March 30, 1902





1902
South Bend Ind March 30th

Dear Annie: I can not remember the time when I heard from you but I think I owe you a letter has not this been a fine easter day? have not been any place to day intended to go to church but it was so stormy all day did not do ot wanted to go to hear the musis Paule Alfont was to play in the paptist this morning and the presbyterian this evening she often plays.

I wonder how you are all geting along? should like so much to see you. Rose called on me week before last but I was not at home.

am having plenty of work now and looks like it would continue all summer. I wonder what is the

page 2

matter with Abb. have not had a letter from him since November and none from Lib since she was hear wonder if she hears from Walt I have not heard since they went from here.

I see by last nights paper that there is a chance of the electric road going through Buchanan after all if it does I think I shall get there more than once a year.

how are the kittens geting along expect they are as big as their mother by this time.

I expect you are thinking about cleaning house I am too but can have nothing new so so not feel very much enthused about it did want a new

page 3

carpet so badly but can not have it but Annie I am almost out of debt have got Mrs Mccombs and Dr. Thomas paied. owe Dr. Myers a little do not know how much but do not think it can be over $5.00 Just think there is the savings of two years gone for a few weeks of illness but I am glad to get out of it that easy and be well.

I suppose you have read of the Singer strike it is apparently no nearer settlement than at first ecery thing is quiet and it has nearly reared to be spoken off.

Monday evening: will try and finish this letter this has been another miserable

page 4

March is giving us a parting breeze well ought not to grumble it has not been very hard on us I have not had to buy any coal this month have only used $7.00 this winter and an other Dollars worth will take me through the spring and sumer I think.

do you ever go down to see Sarah? she and peater are boath poorly this spring wish we had them over here and nicely settled so we could take care of them.

give my love to the while family and tell Tamerson will write to her before long

write soon and I will try not to wate so long before answering next time. I am as ever your friend Toley

Abb and Sarah were Toley's siblings.

Toley's long hospital stay really cost her. I admire her for working to pay off the debt rather than buy things she wanted and put off the payments.


For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Robinson, Etola(South Bend, IN) to “Dear Annie”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 30 March 1902. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan – Mar 1902,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Sarah Ann Camfield, March 15, 1902



South bend March 15 1899 [1902]

Dear Children and Grand Children

we are all well and this will find you all enjoying the same blessing this is such a beautiful spring morning I have been out taking a walk and called on a neighbor it very hard walking on acount of the ice

I thought I had blocks enough for three quilts one for each of the girls and comenced setting one to gather and found I had only just half enough so you see I am not out of work yet

Fred is with us yet he has rented a house two weeks ag but Libby has not come yet

I got a letter from Mrs Plant aweek ago she is in Newyork state will come back in March to burr oak

them bulbs did not grow

page 2

I suppose you know today would be Fathers eighteth birth day if he was alive I have read two sermons this morning and Called on a nabor and peeled potatoes for dinre and written this letter and made my bed and it is onl eleven oclock I do not mean to brag but am so glad I am able to do it and try to be thankful for the blessings of health that I can do it

I feel to prais the giver of all health ana strength and power


S A Camfield

write when and as often as you can

PS
I send you this star so you can see the size of my work I had 126 stars thought for 3 quilts 48 for each it wants 84 Bells the star is all pink and out side blue the others will be all kinds just as they come I have Bells partly cut out togather have 14 stars to peace yet



1899 is written on this letter but I can not tell if it was added later. Mike would have turned 80 in 1902. There is a letter by Libbie Camfield written 15 Mar 1899 that firmly places Sarah in Batavia that year. Either the date was added later or Sarah Ann was missing Mike and put his death year on the letter by mistake.

Sarah Ann's break from piecing either did not last long or I still haven't properly dated this letter!

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Camfield, Sarah Ann (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Children and Grand Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 15 March 1899 [1902]. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan - Mar 1899,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

William Daniel Carlisle 1921-2009

Uncle Bill passed away yesterday morning. He lived in Buchanan, Michigan almost all of his life and as I was raised in Syracuse, NY we didn't get to spend much time together. We visited Michigan a few times, he and his family came to New York twice that I remember.

I visited on my trip to Michigan in 2008 and by then Alzheimer's had robbed him of his memories and his passion. I do remember that he was passionate about many things. His physical health had started to rapidly decline last fall and earlier this year Hospice was called to help. My Aunt Sue had cared for him with all the love anyone could wish for. I am afraid she will be lost in the next few weeks.

I had hoped that Mom would be up to the trip but it seems not. I know attending the funeral would help her grieving process. I thought about driving out by myself but decided it would be best if I stayed close to Mom for the time being.

Most of what I remember about Uncle Bill comes from stories Mom has told me, letters and pictures. I will do a proper obituary in due time, when I have my thoughts a little better connected but I thought as long as I was going through the old pictures now I'd share a few.








Sarah Ann Camfield, March 6, 1902





South Bend March 6th 1902

Dear Children

we are well and hope you are I am alone so I would write to you to let you know that we have not forgotten you I am not peasing anymore I am carpet ragging I have about ten good balls sewed and enough torn to make about two more balls now if you would like them I will make what I can but if not I will stop and find some else to do I have got the blocks for the three quilt done and two over I believe that makes twenty six since two years ago the 12th of last november

page 2

ther is more pieces but I have got so tired of it I do not want to do any more of it and I dont know as any wants any more quilts

I got apicture of Wirt and his two boy about two weeks ago and a letter from him last week I have not had any from Elizabeth yet since I wrote to her

how is the Cremery is it running yet it will seem strange to Jim Woods folks to live out in the Country I should think Joseph thinks it must be the Cathaway they have got

page 3

I dont know what this is a piece of but thought I would send it to Tamerson

Joseph and Rose is talking of buying alot this spring I dont know whether it will be any thing but talk or not I have down town once since I back to the bend and I went and spent the day with Mrs Tampson that is all I have been away only to meeting I have been serveral times in the evenings as well as in the day time I believe itold you they built a new Church close by it is just about as down to the Osborn plac from your place ther has als bee built a minnonite Church built about as far as down to McKnight corner I think

page 4

I have not been there but think of going when the weather is more settled I can go the biggest half of the on the street so it wont be very bad I can go once in awhile any way it will be better than sitting here day after day that is gettin quite tire some I am getting anxious for the time to when I can come to Buchanan for a but I shall hate to go away now and leave the meetings it is such acomfort to go we got aletter from Libby this after noon they are well well I am tired and guess you will be when you get done reading this. So good by for this tine

S A Camfield

Marshall Wirt Wisner was Sarah Ann's youngest brother. I did not find his letter or picture. Sarah Elizabeth Hall Belden was her niece. Elizabeth "Libby" Warner Camfield was married to Sarah's grandson Fred. Fred lived with Michael and Sarah Ann for years and was more like a son to her. I believe Fred was living with his parents and Sarah Ann in South Bend and Libby and son Earl were still in Branch County, Michigan. Wood's and McKnight's were family friends in Buchanan.

Twenty-six hand pieced quilts in 2 1/2 years. I think I would have wanted to do something else too. I wish I knew how big the rag balls were and what what she did with them.

I'm not sure what churches were in Buchanan at that time and I should look into it as Sarah mentions missing meetings when she stayed there. The family lived out at the edge of town and on a hill so perhaps it was just too much of a walk for her to get to any of the churches.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Camfield, Sarah Wisner (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 6 March 1902. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan – Mar 1902,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Monday, August 24, 2009

1837 Deed John Collins to Porter Graham

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Amanuensis Monday, hosted by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

I have been trying to transcribe some records in addition to the letters. This deed was found online in the Munice/Delaware County Digital Resource Library. Porter Graham was born about 1795 either in New Hampshire or Pennsylvania per various census records. I can place him in Pickaway, Ohio in the 1820's and 1830's. This deed helps me place his move to Delaware, Indiana.


Deed. John Collins To Porter Graham 557
This Indenture made the fifth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred
and thirty seven between John Collins of the county of Delaware of state of Indiana of the
first part & Porter Graham of the county and state aforesaid of the second part witnesseth
that the said John Collins in concideration of the sum of five hundred dollars to him in _ence
paid by the said party of the second part. does hereby grant , bargain & sell
unto the said party Porter Graham his heirs and assigns _______ all that certain
tract of land To W_S the North East quarter of Section No Five, in Township number
Twenty, North of Range Number Ten East,. Situate in the said county of Deleware
together with all ___ her__taments of appurtenances thereunto belonging or in
any use apputaining. To have and to hold the same unto the said party of
the second part his heirs and assigns forever. hereby covenanting that the land so
described is free and unencumbered in any way whatever & further that he
the said party of the first part his heirs, executors, and administrators the said
Lot od land with all the benefits and profits thereof unto the said party of the
second part his heirs and assigns will warrant and forever defend -
In cortness whereof the said John Collins together with Cassander Collins his wike
who hereby relinquishes all her right to Dower in said premises have hereunto set their hands
and seal the day & year above written
Signed sealed & delivered John Collins (seal)
In the presence of Cassander Collins (seal)
State of Indiana Before me John Marshall a Justice of the Peace of said
Delaware County county personally came John Collins & Cassander his wife the with
______ and acknowledged the ____ Indenture to be ther voluntary act and deed for
the uses & puposes therein expressed & the said Cassander Collins wife of the said John
Colllins, being by me examined seperate and apart from the said husband acknowldged
that she signed the within deed of her own free will and accord, without______ comp
ulsure of her said husband, and that she thereby relinquishes all her right tp
dower in said premises ----------- In testemony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 5th day of December 1837
Rec & Recorded Dec 6th 1837 _______ / John Marshall J. P. (seal)

____________________________________________________________________________
Duplicate / ____________________________________________
No ___22 /
Recieved from John xxxxxx Stewart of Henry
county, Indiana / the sum of two hundred dollars.---- ______ in ___
___ the South West quarter of Section No 2 in township No 21
North of Range No Nine East // containing - One hundred
& sixty acres
John Spencer (____)

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Sarah Ann Camfield, Jan 6, 1902






South Bend January 6th 1902

Dear Children and all

we are well and hope you are also this is a lovely day alittle cold but fair I suppose you are looking for aletter from me so will try to make one for you I have pieced up all of the strips you gace me and some besides and made stars two quilts one for you and one for Rose hers I have filled out and made them square yours is just stars I did not know what color you would like and I havepiced 16 blocks apiece for the tw of the alike that we started when I was there and I have 9 for the one I left there I think I had ninw there and nine here so that will be eighteen for the one and 16 each for the other ones

page 2

and 9 sample blocks for your patern quilt you will laugh when you see them I amsure I have torn 4 or 5 pounds of carpet rages have not sewed any you will think I have braged enough so will quit though I do not meen to brag only tell you so you will now I have not been sick nor idle

last monday I recieved a nice roll of peacs of calicoes from Ella they are real nice ones and they were kept so nice there was not a wrinkle in them and they were roled up just as smooth as could be she said in her letter I did not tell you I got aletter from her the day after newyear she said if I did

page 3

not like them to put them all in the ragbag but I shall not for I am glad of them and think them very nice between Christmas and newyear I recieved a letter from Mrs Warner she wrote one two pages and Mr Warner wrote one and half and Minie she is the widdowed sister of Libby she wrote most two pages I thought I would get aletter from wart or Elizabeth about the holiday but have not yet well about my Christmas present got 6 handkerchielf and 2 books one big Orange Joseph got me twbladed knife about the size of yours Rose got me flannel for a dress I suppose she told you.

She said Fred and Libby sent 5 dollars for Christmas

page 4

I donot like it atall and I do not see that I kneed it she als got abasket it is apretty basket but I have no use for it.

you need not put your self out any to come to make it I understand by what she said that she asked you to come hae and make it but dont have any trouble about it the gloves you sent me are more than nice and I wore them to meeting Christmas and twice since I thank you for them and also Tamerson for the handkerchief I suppose Rose thanked you for the rug I have not been in one house but ours and the Church since I came here

page 5

I must tell you about the meeting at this new Congregatinal Church here where I go on Christmas day every one seemed to enjoy it so much but when the meeting was out then every one was on there feet and shaking hands and greeting each other and O they they all seemed so happy I never was any where all seeme so united and hapy in my life but I cannot begin to put it on paper but I can feel it when I think of it it seemed like happyneys itself

from your loving Mother
S A Camfield


For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Camfield, Sarah Wisner (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Children and all”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 6 January 1902. Digital Images 1-5.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan – Mar 1902,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Etola Robinson, Jan 5, 1902




South Bend Ind. Jan. 5th 1902 (423)

Dear Anna: I will try and answer your letter which I was very glad to recieve. I am very well. weigh 122 3/4 pounds have not quite caught up with you yet but am geting there you see. I am working all the time but there is not much in it. am working at the Furriers part of the time was there nine days along about thanksgiving to help them over the rush and now the regular hand has left them to over see the sweepers at the hospille and so they are giving me all the work there is but at this time of the year it will not be much probily two or three days out of the week but they are holding put the hope of giving me the place next season and if they do it will amount to something the remainder of

page 2 (425)

the time I have managed to have something to do but as I say there is not much in it I have not made my new waist yet shouldlike to have a new corset to fit it over and do not fell hardly able it get ot.

how do you like the cloth off my new suit? it looks very nice on me will send you a cut of my jacket the cloth was $1.00 per yard and I had three and one half yards. it cost me all together $4.32 so you see my handkerchief nearly paid for it I used those big buttons I had on that light grey dress of mine you remember them do you not?

(I shall have to fall back onto my led pencle for that pen lets the ink sown to rapidly) I thought I might possibly come home x miss but did not get my suit

page 3 (424)

made in time and did not have anything else fit to ware. am now making a cloak for Frankie Walling out of her mothers plush cape it will be quite pretty. Purl was over here today the first time I have seen any of them since you were here she says they are all well. said grand ma did not go to church this morning because she read untill it was to late to get ready. Rose sent word for Amelia and I to come over next sunday and spend the day. I do not suppose Amelia will go but I probily shall.Purl and I went over to Mrs. Marshes I hapened to mention your having been here and my not being at home and she woundered "why you did not step acros the street/" I told her you only had a few minutes time. how does it come that Clint is home this winter.

[There is nothing more. I may have missed a page when I was photographing the file]

Pearl Camfield and Mabel Marsh were duaghters of Rose Graham Camfield.

EDIT 19 May 2010 - Amelia Gosline was Toley niece and roommate. Clint Voorhees was Toley's nephew.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield


Robinson, Etola (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Friend”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 5 January 1902. Digital Images 1-3.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Jan – Mar 1902,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Friday, August 21, 2009

Just for Fun

I collect names into my tree for entertainment value. These folks are usually poorly sourced and I have no intention of tracking down and proving the relationships. I can here some of you gasping through my internet connection. Lighten up! It's ok to have some fun with your tree and you never know who may fall out.

When I first started working on my mother's genealogy she really wanted me to find her a pilgrim. Since there wasn't one to be had, I distracted her with Mary Towne Esty and Roger Conant. She was impressed - once I explained who they were. Edward I, King of England, now that got her attention. Was he really her 33rd great-grandfather? Neither of us care, it's just fun to think about. One tree I've found has Odin as my 57th great-grandfather. I'm a big SG-1 fan so this find was particularly fun. (Odin was the ruler of Asgard.)

Our family also has it's own stories of famous relatives. It turns out I'm not really a Princess but it's a fun story none the less.

Yesterday, TK had a post about her family's story that they are related to Zachary Taylor. As far as I know nobody in my family ever claimed a relationship to the president. I am a distant cousin of both the Bush's and Franklin Pierce. Just to check I searched One World Tree at ancestry for my grandfather's name, Daniel Michael Carlisle. Once I had his record I clicked on the "Find Famous Relatives" link. Zachary Taylor was not there.

I was very surprised at some of the names that did come up! I will be doing some research to see if Thomas More (1478-1535) is really my 12th great-grandfather. I hadn't taken the line back that far. (This one I will source ;-)

I copied down a list of some of our famous relatives so I could take it to Mom's today. Then, of course, I forgot to take it. She was a little blue today so I tossed out some of the names from memory. There was a Pilgrim - William Brewster was my 9th great-granduncle it seems. Mom was happy to have a pilgrim at last but still unimpressed. So I tried somebody more contemporary - Lucille Ball and was rewarded by a "You're kidding!"

I followed Lucy up with Amelia Earhart. The look on Mom's face was priceless!!! She moved to the edge of her chair and told me not to tease her. She is always interested in our genealogy but I don't think I have ever seen her this excited before. I did point out that she was a distant cousin, 7th, twice removed. Her reponse was that it didn't matter we're still related.

I did use the link, "Show Relationships" and found some errors due to a step relationship in my old tree that Ancestry used but for the most part the relationships seemed reasonable. They are not something that I'm going to spend a lot of time on.

Still, it is fun to think about the famous and in some cases infamous people we're related to. Here are my ten favorite from the list at Ancestry. What famous people are lurking about in your tree?

Eli Whitney, 1765-1825

Samuel Morse, 1791-1872

James "Wild Bill" Hickok, 1837-1836

Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1867-1957

Frank Lloyd Wright, 1867-1959

Amelia Earhart, 1897-1937

John Steinbeck, 1902-1968

George Orwell, 1903-1950

Lucille Ball, 1911-1989

Julia Child, 1912-2004

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Research, FTM, Maps

I've been hunting through census records, working on my Hall line. As you know, the records from 1790 - 1840 only list the head of household name. I've been trying to match up all those little chicken scratches with known family members. I keep getting totals that don't add up. A child is missing. There are two more children than I expected. Entire families are hiding.

A good deal of what I know about the descendants of William Hall and Ruhamah Andrews comes from the surrogate record of their granddaughter, Laura Carter, which states:
Your petitioners have made diligent inquiry from descendants surviving relatives, known to them, to ascertain the names and residences of said decedents surviving relatives, but cannot ascertain them all.
I've already found mistakes with some of the relationships and names listed. I now believe that the Percy Cook listed was Pierce G Cook, based on information from Pierce's descendants. To complicate matters Pierce married Ursula Hall, who is not named in the surrogate record but is believed to be another descendant. Was she left out because she was married to a descendant and therefore it was unnecessary to list her separately? Was she simply overlooked? Or do we have her from the wrong Hall family?

I put my Hall tree up at Ancestry so my cousins could access it and I've found it much easier and faster to work on the tree online, so I guess I'm going to go with FTM 2010. At $40 it will have to wait until I start earning a paycheck again.

I had originally made the tree private and have now switched it to public in hopes of making a connection with someone who has more answers than I. It has been a couple of days now and it is still showing up in searches as private so I don't know how long it will be before others can see it and maybe make connections. (It is listed as public with a link from my profile page.) I have accepted many "Ancestry hints" of other trees, hoping that the new Member Connect function will alert me if those trees add something new and hopefully helpful.

I'm also loving that you can attach census records from certain years to an entire family at once. You do need to be careful that you're not adding duplicate individuals. For lines that are new to me it even adds spouses and children, so I can add several people in a minute or two rather then the 30 minutes it would have taken me on FTM 2008. Again, this feature must be used with caution.

Having had distant cousins contact me about a line I haven't worked on in a long time has really helped me see where I have mistakes and missing information.

In trying to locate some individuals in the census I have been looking in places where other family members were found. About 1830 the family really started to scatter so I have started on a google map that shows who was where when. Take a look and let me know what you think. Should I have created a separate map for each decade?


View Hall Family Migration in a larger map

Monday, August 17, 2009

James Graham etal to Robert S White - 1848

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Amanuensis Monday, hosted by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

I have been trying to transcribe some records in addition to the letters. This deed was found online in the Munice/Delaware County Digital Resource Library. I found this deed confusing in the way it references Margaret Doughty Horner as being under age and the deed won't be executed until she becomes of age.

I believe the land was part of the estate of Littleton Doughty. Susan Clark had been his wife and was now remarried. Elizabeth Graham and Margaret Horner his daughters.


Know all men by there presents that we, James M. Graham, Elizabeth Ann Graham, Joseph Horner, Margaret Sarah Horner and Susan Clark of (Delaware County and State of Indiana), are held and firmly bound unto Robert S. White of said County in the sum of three hundred and thirty dollars lawful money to be paid to the said Robert White his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns for the payment where of well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated this 10th day of February A. D. 1848.
The condition of the above obligation is such, that if the above bound James M. Graham, Elizabeth Ann Graham, Joseph Horner, Margaret Sarah Horner and Susan Clark, shall as soon as Margaret Sarah Horner is of lawful age make, execute, and acknowledge a deed of conveyance such as will be suffient to convey and confirm to the said Robert S. White, his heirs or assigns in fee simple clear of all incumbrances of any kind, the following described Real Estate wits: the North West quarter of the South __st quarter of Section No Twenty eight in Township No Twenty one North of Range No ten, East. Containing forty acres more or less, and until such deed shal be executed do permit and suffer said Robert S. White his heirs or assigns, peaceably and quietly to hold and enjoy the above described tract of land, then the above obligation is to be void and of none effect, otherwise to be and remain in full force and ____ in __.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Josiah Williams

James M. Graham (seal)
Elizabeth A Graham x her mark (seal)
Joseph C Horner (seal)
Margaret S Horner (seal)
Susannah Clark (seal)

For value recieved, I, Robert S. White, do hereby assign over and transfer all my right, title, interest and claim in and to the within title bond to John Williams. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, together with Lovina White, my wife, in testimony that she relinquishes her right and title to Dower in the premises therein named, has also set her hand and seal, this 6th day of March 1848.
Robert S. White (seal)
Lovina White x her mark (seal)

State of Indiana, Delaware County. S.S. I, Job Swain, one of the Justices of the Peace of said County; do hereby certify that the above named Robert S White and Lovina White came personally before me, and acknowledged the forgoing instrument of writing to be their voluntary act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned also, Lovina White the above named wife of the said Robert S White, who being by examined privately, seperate and apart from, and without the hearing of her said husband and the full contents and purport of the foregoing instrument by me made known, she acknowledged that she voluntarily executed the same of her own free will and acord without any coersion and compultion from her husband. In witness of which, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of March 1848.
Job Swain J.P. (seal)

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Sarah Ann Camfield, Nov 27, 1901




South Bend Nov 27th 1901

Dear Children and Grand Children

well Ann I have written to Wirt and now I will dare write to you and Elizabeth we are all well and ought to be happy and thankful we have enough to eat and wear to be warm and comfortable and are having such beautiful weather I think it ought to make every one feel thankfull wel Libby and Earl is in Chicago they went last wednesday we have had 2 letters from her they seem to like it very much and why should they not Fred gets 4 dollars aday and gets house rent for 10 dolars amonth the same as we pay they have all conveniences I kept my clothes bars and feather

page 2

and pillows now I want you to have them if you will excet them you can have them any time you can get them over thare I have made and tied acomfeter all alone since I came back and pieced 31 blocks for the three quilts we planed and have pieced one pattern block for your pattern quilt yesterday Rozy and I walkedup where they are building a new Evangelical Church it seem to be most done it will nice when it is done I can go to Church it is just anice walk from here last Monday was Joseph Birthday and we never thought of it until this morning we are expecting Ben and Bell Marsh here for avisit she said look for us friday or saturday

page 3

Earl was very much pleased with his rabit Libby thought hers nice she said she must make something for you we are going to have the big Rooster for dinner to morrow if the Lord is willing and spares his life and ours

Joseph is at work at the depot yet he seems to like it and he seems to be so well I dont know when I have seen him look and seem so well he sits down to the table and eats lik other folks he says his work is not hard as a general thin he does not complain of being tired or sick that is something new for him you know S A C



Sarah had written to her nephew, Marshall Wirt Wisner and niece Elizabeth Hall Belden. See the Hall family letters for more information.

Joseph has given up his job as a barber and is now working for the railroad. Fred, Libby and Earl have all moved to Chicago. Fred may have been working as an electricians apprentice.

Breaks over! Sarah's back to piecing quilts.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield



Camfield, Sarah Wisner (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Children and Grand Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 27 November 1901. Digital Images 1-3.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1901,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Etola Robinson, Sept 20, 1901




September 20 1901
Dear Annie: Do you observe I have made a vase of some ink. Thought I would celbrate by writing to you, think I will have to invest in some new pens next think I have some someplace but can not find them.

Weill how are you! Tamerson told me about you leaving your washing to go visiting I shall not be surprised to hear of you doing any thing now I believe you have wated until this late date to sew your wild oats I am well have not had much to do lately that is not much that there is any money in. manage to keep bisy most of the time. Sarah, Peater and Cora was here to see us went home Tuesday morning

page 2

I caned 1/2 bushel of peaches wednesday want to can some tomaties but do not know if I can get any they are scarse this year.

Did you ever see sucha miserably cold September as this is? dear me I have to have fire most all the time now how will I ever buy coal enough to last untill next june

Walter and Vera are quite near neighbors of mine just over on Westula second house from gas tank they are boath at work Walt says he does not like it ( work I mene ).

I have been making a dress for Pauline Alfont thsi week. Mrs. alfont's Father and Mother are visiting her. I have not been over to Roses since Ruby came home. Turk is doing well in the dressmaking line I am surprised to see how well she

page 3

[page 3 is missing'

page 4

Plumbs as the city has been well supplied with them

how do the children like attend high school? give my love to all and write soon.

from your frien
Etoley Robinson
69_ E Washington
S. B. Ind.




For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield



Robinson, Etola (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Annie”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 20 September 1901. Digital Images 1-3.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1901,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]