Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tamerson L Carlisle, Sept 20 , 1905

The next letter was written by Tamerson and sent along to Daniel with Ann's letter.
Mamma said I couldn't have any more pages than she or I would have to pay the postage. I'm broke.

She tells Daniel that his dog, Peter and his pet ferrets are fine. I don't know why I was quite surprised that Grandpa had ferrets but I was! A neighbor boy named Leland was helping to take care of them. A quick check of the 1900 census and found Leland Robinison, age 9, living on Moccasin Ave, behind the Carlisle's. So Leland was Toley's nephew.

She was making Grandma Camfield (Sarah Ann) an bonnet and making over her winter hat.

This line puzzled me:
Mrs. Treccoe has taken her two older children away. Yesterday her cow got away + ate so many pairs that it nearly died.

Anna will explain more in her next letter and spelled the name Tryco.


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


Carlisle, Tamerson Louisa (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Daniel”
[Daniel Michael Carlisle]. Letter. 20 September 1905. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1905,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Anna Camfield Carlisle, Sept 20, 1905





Buchanan, Mich.
Sep 20th 1905

Dear Daniel.

Your letter just came, will answer now so as to send it out this afternoon. we was ever so glad to get your letters and the card. yes you first letter came all right. There seemed a big lonesome place after you were gone but was very glad to hear you were through all right. want you to get all the good out of your trip you can, and hope you will enjoy it.

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rather hope you will like Michigan best so come home whenever you want to.

Frank and Francis was here last week. he says you have got father west than he has ever been. he has never crossed the Mississippi river. Francis was real good. better than when she was here with Mamie. Frank makes her mind. we have had more rain than was good for my flowers so they do not look so nice as they did. we have been putting up peaches. bought a bushel and a half of Mrs. Aaron Miller

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for 50 cts a bushel and then she gave us a bushel so our peaches sis not cost us very much. we have bought four cords of wood so with what was in the wood shed before, it is pretty well filled up. Your Father has been going a few days work on charlwoods house on Portage st. next week he expects to go to Dayton to work. This week I am making over Grandma Camfields brown dress. now I hear you say, "I wonder what she thought I would care about that." but I wanted something to fill up with. Bert Warman was here the Sunday after you went away. said he was very

page 4

much surprised when he heard you were gone. Mrs. Miller Father is dead. died very suden in South Bend. they went over to the funeral last Monday. You said I need not send you the paper, but I will send the one that tells about the ball game. I thought you would like to know about that and you need not read the rest of it unless you want to.

I do not know as there is any thing more for me to write as Tamerson is going to write some. we shal keep looking for letters from you as often as you have opertunity to send them.

Yours with love.
A Carlisle

Top of page 1

Peter woke us up Sunday morning barking. He kept at it so long we got up to see what was the matter. He had four young coons up a peach tree. They belonged to the Voorhees boys. They had got out and came this far. And penny had treed them.


This was the first I'd ever heard the Grandpa (Dan) had traveled "out west." I mentioned it to Mom and said was surprised I didn't know. Seems he did a little bit of everything. Of course I was driving at the time so I didn't get anything written down.

Francis wwas of course Frank's daughter, Frances.

Sarah Ann will mention her dress in a future letter.


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


Carlisle, Anna Camfield (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Daniel”
[Daniel Michael Carlisle]. Letter. 20 September 1905. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1905,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Monday, September 28, 2009

Francis Ashley Carlisle, Aug 1, 1904





Hartford Mich
Aug 1 '04

Dear Mother + Father.

It gives me great pleasure to imform you that if you were grand parents before you are now doubly so for Sunday morning July 31 at 6.00 a young man weighing 6 1/4 pounds came to take up his abode with us. That he will be a preacher is proven beyond all doubt bu his vocal attainments which have already manifested them selves.

Mamie is doing well beyond

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our fondest hopes and we all rejoice that God has been so good to us.

Mrs Dondon who was with us when Frances was born is now with us and all that nursing skill and medical attention can wail will be done. Mrs Dondoro sends you her love + congratulations.

Belle Sewell from Atlanta is with us and is a great help indeed. I am anxious that you should see her before she returns South.

I have time to write no more now and so will close hoping to hear from you very soon.

Give our love + Christian greeting to both Grandmothers and to the children.

As Always with love.
Frank + Mamie



Clara Belle Carlisle Sewell was Mamie's sister (Mamie being Mary Frances Carlisle Carlisle) and Frank's cousin. It strikes me as odd that they never tell what they have named the babies in the letters. In this case the child was named for both his visiting aunt and his maternal grandmother - Sewell Bartlett Carlisle.


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


Carlisle, Frank Ashley (Hartfor, MI) to “Dear Mother + Father”
[Sarah Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 4 August 1904. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1903-1904,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Dad's Campfire Songs

Randy asked us to pick just one favorite song for this weeks Saturday night genealogy fun. Sorry Randy, I just can't do it! Music has always been a very important part of my life and I could never pick just one favorite.

My love of music is surprising because I grew up in a home without a radio. I used to love to ride in the car with Dad because he'd turn on the car radio to catch the news and sometimes forget to turn it off when the news was done. Mom would sing to us when we were little and my grandmother sang once in a while. I know all of the Gay '90's hits!

The only time Dad sang or showed any interest in music at all was around the campfire on our summer vacations. So for my Sunday morning fun I'll share my two favorite songs that he used to entertain us with. Picture us in a state campground singing these. I wonder what the other campers thought?

The first I have not been able to find the music for. The only place I've been able to find the lyrics in an old Boy Scout song book. Was Dad a Boy Scout? (Dad's lyrics varied slightly)
Once I went in swimmin'
Where there were no women
Down beside the sea
Seeing no one there
I hung my underwear
Upon a willow tree
Dove into the water
Just like Pharaoh's daughter
Dove into the Nile
Someone saw me there
and stole my underwear
and left me with a smile!
I don't care, I'll go bare
Bye - bye B V D's


This next one I sang to my kids and now my grandkids. They all think I'm nuts. I'd did find music to go with this one so feel free to sing along.



Washington & Lee Swing

Once again Dad's lyrics were slightly different from what I found.

We'll take the legs from some old table
We'll take the arms from some old chair
We'll take the neck from some old bottle
And from the sofa get some hair
we'll get some hair
We'll put them all together
With the aid of wire and glue
And we'll get more love
From the gosh old dummy
Than we ever get from you!

What songs did your family sing?

Saturday, September 26, 2009

What Is and What Could Be

This was written for the 81st edition of the Carnival of Genealogy, Blog Obituary, to be hosted at Tracing the Tribe.

What would I like to see written if my blog disappeared ten years from now?

What would be written if it happened today?


Genealogy World
Circulation 250 Million


September 26, 2019

Apple's Tree Ceases Publication

Snowville, NY - Genealogists world wide will be shocked to learn that Apple's Tree, one of the most highly rated family history blogs of the last decade will cease publication after a final, farewell post today by blog author, Apple.

Apple's Tree began in 2006 and quickly gained a small following of other genealogy bloggers through participation in the Carnival of Genealogy. The blog struggled the first three years and almost folded in 2009 according to author Apple. "It was great fun when I started but there came a time when I started worrying about building a following and blogging became work. Another job was the last thing I needed. When it stopped being fun the quality went right down the drain. I stopped worrying about who was reading and went back to writing for myself and the rest is history!"

Since mid 2010 Apple's Tree has consistently entertained readers with biographical sketches, articles on both local and regional history, how to tips and family history stories.

When asked, "Why stop now?', Apple responded, "I've written all I know about my family, transcribed all the records and letters I've been able to find. I've finally retired from my day job and I plan to travel the country and visit all of the places my ancestors did and meet some cousins along the way. After that I plan to re look at what I have written and publish several books."

Although there will be no new articles published at Apple's Tree the archives will be maintained as a valuable resource for other family historians.

Apple assures us that she will still be checking in with her blogging friends and commenting on their work.


A girl can dream can't she? In truth, were I to cease publication today, the article would look more like this:

GeneaVillage Gazette
Circulation 250

December 14, 2009

The editors have learned that Apple's Tree ceased publication sometime back in September. We only noticed that the blog had disappeared when we were asked if we had a link to "that letter blog."

Apple's Tree got off to a shaky start less than three years ago but after a few months started to show promise and picked up a small following. There was a two year period when there were well written articles on a range of topics, however earlier this year quality articles were supplanted with day after day of boring letter transcriptions and not much else. We're told that readers unsubscribed in droves and who could blame them?

The comments left by blog author, Apple, will be missed by all. However the blog itself will be missed only by a few of it's loyal followers and is no great loss to the Genea-blogging community.


I have been dissatisfied with the direction that Apple's Tree has taken over the last several months and I'd like to thank all of you that have stuck with me. I will continue to publish the transcriptions of my family's letters however I will be making a concerted effort to shift the focus of this blog back to family history and research.

Carnival poster courtesy of footnote Maven.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Francis Ashley Carlisle, Dec 25, 1903



Hartford Mich
Dec 25 '03

Dear Mother + All.

Recieved both your present + letter today + was glad to hear from you once more. I had written long ago to both Daniel + you but I guess you never recieved them. Many thanks for your kind remembrance of us. I had hoped to send you some little gift of remembrance too but we were financially short this christmas + so unable to do so. but remember that we love you all ___ same old way even if we have

page 2

no money just now. My work goes nicely + we hope for great things from the Lord.

Lillie came yesterday for a visit. was glad to see her.

We are all well + recieved many presents especially silver + glass ware. have not counted them yet.

This is the sixth letter I have written this evening + am so tired + sleepy that I can hardly keep awake. so you must take the will for the deed if I can see to write no longer tonight.

Love to all.
Frank

I believe that Lillie refered to Mamie's sister, Lillian Carlisle Ghrist. She lived in or near Mishawaka, IN at this time as far as I can tell.


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


Carlisle, Frank Ashley (Hartford, MI) to “Dear Mother and All”
[Sarah Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 25 December 1903. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1903-1904,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Becky in Snowville

Becky's journey brought her to New York this week and after visiting Niagara Falls she traveled along the lake and found herself in Snowville! I was thrilled to have her come visit. We've know each other through our blogs for over three years but this was the first time we've met in person.



We talked for hours about her trip, genealogy, cemeteries, politics and life. It was great to be able to sit down and talk with an old friend.

I am incredibly jealous of the trip she is having and wish I could have jumped in the van and joined her for at least part of her journey.

Becky - John and I both enjoyed your visit. We hope you have a wonderful adventure and that your travels bring you back our way!

Sarah Ann Camfield, Nov 9, 1903





South Bend Nov 9th 1903

Well Anna

I suppose you think it is time to hear from me well I have been buisy doing nothing it seems to me I have not been feeling as usual I have quite a cough and am lamer than I have been but I will be all right after alittle I think Rosa is tiing some Comforters she has tied two and is finishing another today that is all she is going to do thay have been mooving stoves that is done now we are going to have three stoves running this winter we ought to be warm

page 2

the hard coal stove is in the front room and the little wood stove is in the dining room right by my bedroom dore so you see I can be warm if we can get coal there is potatoes and apples in the seller to last some time I dont know how many and they made 13 gallons of crout so you see were provided for awhile any way and 1 hundred quarts of canned fruit the Mothers meeting was at our house the day before I came home and last week it was near enough so I went and this week wensday it will be here again the first sunday I was home I went to the Evangelical Church

page 3

I think I left two pocket handkerchief in the pocket of your cape it seems as if there was something else but donot know if you will send them I will be Obliged Joseph has been out of work ever since I have been home to day he is at work on the sewer I believe I have not called on any of the neighbors yet nor seen Mrs Gallop she is taking care of the same woman she was when Joseph was here for 5 five dollars per week I think she better stick to it if it is money she is after and of coure it is and nothing else from your Loving Mother S A Camfield

page 4

every thing is straitened up now there is one paper we have have not got but it is ready when we call for it the money is out on interest at six percent the same ast was before so that is off my mind for two years

I wrote to Elizabeth belden yesterday today and tomorrow I think to write to Ella did you send the one I left for misses Plant of coare you did


Interesting that Sarah Ann had an investment and struggling to have enough money most of her life.

I wonder if Grandpa Joe was rethinking giving up barbering when he had to take work on the sewer? I was never clear on why he gave up his barber shop.

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


Camfield, Sarah Wisner (South Bend, IN) to “Well Anna”
[Sarah Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 9 November 1903. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1903-1904,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Sarah Ann Camfield, Oct 12, 1903



Buchanan October 12th 1903

Dear Children this is Monday morning and I thought I would begin my task of writing letters by writing to you for I thought you would be most interested in it I received 15 letters Fraiday and one saturday I got one from Jud Sweeting did you write to him he said he received a letter frome me the day before I thought it must have been from you and he thought it was fro me I never wrote to him I supposed they were out west I did not know they were in Bronson

Page 2

now for the writers of the letters it was a perfect surprise to me Anna had six that she had got but said nothin about till Friday morning they came and put them in my lap bed had them looked over Ashley had been to the Office threw another lot in my lap then the wonder was more than ever wen they had had fun enough of seeig mybewilderment Anna explained it to me I had never heard of such a thing I think there could not have been a more complete surprise

Page 3

Mr and Mrs Warner of Noble ane from Mrs Orrie Smith one from Mrs Ola Harris and Harrises niece that is taking of one from Mrs Plant of Bur Oak one from Mrs Bloat Bell plant motherin inlaw of sherwood I never saw her nor hardly heard of her but she wrote a splendid letter also one from Mrs Spero and one from Mrs James Burk Batavia and one from Mrs Minlin Batavia and Mrs Bogardus of Noble Mrs Elizabeth Belden of Wisconsin Mrs Ella Mc Kinnon of Minnesota and Mrs Libby Camfield of Kansas palace and one from Mr Earl Camfield of the same

Page 4

your letter came Friday morning and the picture saturday I think you and Earl look very natural but I cannot much of Freds looks in him Anna says he is in the dark more I know I cannot see near as well as I could last year not ever last spring wel I do not of any thin more only to thank your part in the party I thought you would like to know how it came I think it was verry nice indeed

[no signature]

What a nice birthday surprise for Sarah Ann! Most of the letters I have of hers were written to her daughter Anna. I don't know how this letter written to her son in South Bend, IN came to be saved.

Warner, Smith and Harris were related to Libbie Warner Camfield (Fred's wife).

Sweeting, Plant, Bloat, Spero, Burk and Minlin were neighbors of Sarah Ann when she lived in Branch County, MI.

Mary Bogardus was the wife of Henry, see link below.

Elizabeth Belden and Ella McKinnon were Sarah Ann's nieces and letters they wrote to Anna can be found with the Hall Family letters link below.

Libbie and Earl writing from Kansas was a big surprise for me. I knew that Fred and Libby left Chicago for a time and that at some point they lived in the Ozarks but I didn't know that they tried Kansas first.

For more see:
Camfield Family Letters
Descendants of Sarah Ann Wisner
Michael Camfield
Henry Bogardus, Shirt-tail Cousin
Hall Family Letters

Camfield, Sarah Wisner (Buchanan, MI) to “Dear Children”
[Joseph Harrison Camfield]. Letter. 12 October 1903. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1903-1904,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Francis Ashley Carlisle, Sept 29, 1903





Hartford Sept 29 '03

Dear Dan,

I am ashamed that I have not answered your letter before but Mamie has been quite sick + I myself have been under the weather + so neither of us has done much.

Now as to the papers: How do you get along with Tom? Is he easy to work for or is there much picting between you? I am some what of the opinion that as far as he is concerned he would be willing to give you the papers but that the company wont back him in it for they are not anxious to bind them selves __ anyway.

If you think you can get along with Tom O. K. and that he means to

page 2

help you all he can + will give you the raises you spoke of why perhaps you might as well [strike] speak to him about it [end strike] keep right on to work + some time when you have experience enough you might strike agood job for yourself some where else. In that O may be able to give you a little lift when the proper time comes. But here is one thing that you dont want ever to forget. Never take a job of piece work if you want to become a first class machinist. Many a good man has spoiled his chances by taking piece work just because it paid better at the time. If you take such a job you will never advance any further and should you loose that job you would be of little account for any other. An all round man can always get a job when he wants it but a piece worker has a hard time. Look out for this.

I am glad to hear you are sticking to the drill press drawing. You wont amount to much ever if you dont stick to it no matter how hard it will be. Yes the drawing can all be

page 3

be made in one part when you know how. A piece that is behind another piece can be represented by dotted lines for instance a ballance wheel partly hidden by a post on which rests the box in which one of the journals of the shaft rests. Special n intricate parts of the machine are some times reproduced on alarger scale on the same sheet if possible This is pretty poor drawing paper but you will catch my idea.

[Drawing]

As I said dont be afraid to ask questions even if you are laughed at for this isone of the best ways to learn there is. I am glad you like the work + I think the more you have of it the better you will like it.

I am pleased with your trip to the Bend + your descriptive of what you saw. You do right to allways go to these places + see + learn. Take advantage of any opportunity like that If there is any questions you think

page 4

of dont hesitate to ask me + I will tell you if I know or can find out.

Mother wrote that you had gained 14 lbs. It is lucky that they have double doors to the shop or old Ballenger would hardly be able to get in before long if they kept up.

There will be lots of things of course that you will have to learn that no one can tell you of _ you will hardly know how you found out your self. But make Tom tell you all he knows + dont be afraid of making a mistake that is the way we learn best + ________. You have a far better opportunity of learning than I had + I want you to improve it. Some time when you have a little time off run up and see us. I have many things I would like to talk with you about.

Good Bye for this time.
As Ever
Frank

I'm happy to have the mechanical drawing by Frank. Many of the Camfield descendants are/were talented artists. Sadly, I did not inherit their talent. This type of drawing is very different than the drawings I've seen by others.

More advice for Dan. Did he take it? I haven't figured out yet who Tom or Ballenger were. Dan worked most of his life for Clark Equipment Company in Buchanan so it seems he stuck with the machine shop trade.

Clark Equipment Co was incorporated in 1903 as George R. Rich Manufacturing Company in Chicago, IL. The company moved to Buchanan, MI in 1904 so it seems that Dan received his early training elsewhere.


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

Carlisle, Francis Ashley (Hartford, MI) to “Dear Dan”
[Daniel Michael Carlisle]. Letter. 29 September 1903. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1903-1904,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Monday, September 21, 2009

Milantha Hall Marsh, Newspaper Clippings

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.


Milantha Hall Marsh was a distant cousin and I have written about her before. She is mentioned in the Laura Carter Surrogate Record; in Dining Out I wrote about the things I'd like to ask her about her life and the family; and I transcribed her 100th Birthday Notice that appeared in the Syracuse Herald.

Today I am sharing the remainder of the newspaper clippings I have found for her thus far.


Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Thursday, February 1, 1912, page 10

Mrs. Milantha Marsh Has Lived 100 Years in Phelps

Centarian, Bright and Active, Observes Birthday with Family - Her History

[Picture of Mrs. Milantha Marsh, her daughter, Mrs. Calista Hull; Mrs. Eugene Helmer, daughter of Mrs. Hull and Miss Catherine Helmer.]

Phelps, Jan. 31. - The 100th anniversary of the birth of Mrs. Milantha Marsh, a life-long resident of the toen of Phelps, was observed to-day at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Eugene Helmer. Mrs. Marsh is a most remarkable woman, for one so advanced in years, and is quite active both bodily and mentally. She has also the distinction, believed to be quite rare, of rounding out a full century in the same township where she was born.

The event to[day was attended only by the relatives and a few near friends of the family, which included Rev. Dr. Pierce, of Syracuse, a former pastor of the Phelps M. E. church and Rev. W. H. York, the present pastor of that society.

In February, 1796, John Hall, father of Mrs. Marsh, accompanied by a friend John Salisbury, his wife and family, made their way with oxen and horses into this section from Conway, Mass., and settled at Melvin Hill, two miles southwest of the present village of Phelps. There Mr. Hall purchased a farm from a landowner named Melvin, the man for whom Melvin Hill derives its name, and soon after that he married Miss Serena Swan, who also came to these parts from Conway, Mass. with her mother and brothers. Mrs. Marsh was the youngest of five children and she was born January 31, 1813.

Her grandfather, Seth Swan, was a minuteman in the Revolutionary war and he was killed while throwing up breastworks in the battle of Bunker Hill. He is the only American believed to have been killed in that battle. Soon after her marriage, Mrs. Marsh's mother returned to Conway for a visit and rode the entire distance alone on horseback. Mrs. Marsh was married at the age of 23 years to Samuel Marsh, whose parents came to Melvin Hill from Rutland, Vt. He died 38 years ago. Six children were born to the couple, five of whom are living. They are, Edward F. and E. O. Marsh, Miss Eugenia Marsh, Mrs. Calista Hull and Louise Sweet, all of Phelps. There are also thirteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren living.

Among the heirlooms now in the possession of Mrs. Marsh is one which she operated until very recently, a hand loom that was hewed out of the virgin forests by her mother's brothers long before saw mills were in operation in this section of the country. Mrs. Marsh began weaving at the age of nine years and that occupation was the means of rendering a great deal of suport to their family during her childhood.

When she was 12 years pf age, her father was killed by a kick from a horse and had it not been for the money she earned from weaving it would have been impossible for the family to complete the work on a large frame house that their father had in course of construction at the time of his sudden death. The house still stands in an excellent state of preservation.

Twelve years ago, after 88 years of continuous residence at Melvin Hill, Mrs. Marsh came to Phelps to ive. She was educated in the school at Melvin Hill, and, when eighteen years of age, she became a member of the Baptist church at that place. After moving to Phelps she united with the M. E. Church, of this village, and is still an honored member.

About the only recreation Mrs. Marsh ever really enjoyed was traveling. After her family had grown up she and Mr. Marsh took no less than ten trips into the Far West, and after her husband died, Mrs. Marsh, with more than four-score years to her credit, made another long journey in company with her daughter, Miss Eugenia. Mrs. Marsh has always been in the best of health and had never cause to call upon a physician on account of illness until after she had passed her 80th year, and since then she has had medical attention but four times. She attributes her long life to her plain and industrious mode of life.



The Lyons Repbulican, Lyons, NY, Friday, February 6, 1914, page 4, col. 2

Mrs. Milantha Marsh of Phelps celebrated her 102d birthday this week. She is in complete possession of her mental faculties and is in good condition physically. She attributes her long life to her plain and industrious mode of living.




Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Friday, November 13, 1914
No page number shown. Top of columns 1 & 2; includes photo.

DEAD AT AGE OF 102 YEARS

Mrs. Milantha Marsh Succumbs to Brief Illness

ALWAYS LIVED IN PHELPS

A Remarkable Woman Who Had Retained Her Health Until a Few Months Ago – Her Father Came to Phelps from Mass. In 1796.

Phelps, Nov. 12 - - Mrs. Milantha Marsh, a life long resident of the town of Phelps, died yesterday in her home in West Main street, aged 102 years. Mrs. Marsh had been in excellent health until a few months ago, when she began to decline. Mrs. Marsh was a descendant of one of the ____ families in this section. Her father, John Hall, came to the town of Phelps from Conway, Mass. In February, 1796 and located on a farm at Melvin Hill. He was married soon after to Miss Serena Swan.

Mrs. Marsh was the youngest of five children. When 23 years old she married Samuel Marsh, whose death occurred thirty-five years ago. She leaves two sons, Enoch G. and Edward F. Marsh, and two daughters, Miss Eugenia Marsh and Mrs. Calista Hull, all of this village. She also leaves several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
The funeral will be held from the Methodist Episcopal Church at 2:30 o’clock Saturday afternoon, the pastor Rev. W. H. York officiating. Burial will be made at Melvin Hill.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

SNGF - Ahnentafel Roulette

Randy's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun this week is a tough one for me.
Here is your assignment if you choose to play along (cue the Mission Impossible music, please!):

1) How old is your father now, or how old would he be if he had lived? Divide this number by 4 and round the number off to a whole number. This is your "roulette number."

2) Use your pedigree charts or your family tree genealogy software program to find the person with that number in your ahnentafel. Who is that person?

3) Tell us three facts about that person with the "roulette number."

4) Write about it in a blog post on your own blog, in a Facebook note or comment, or as a comment on this blog post.

5) If you do not have a person's name for your "roulette number" then spin the wheel again - pick your mother, or yourself, a favorite aunt or cousin, or even your children!


1. Dad would have been 83. 83 ÷ 4 = 20.75 Rounded to 21.

2. Number 21 in my ahnentafel Mary, my great-great-grandmother. She was born sometime between 1830 and 1837 in either Ireland or France. She died about 1901 in Adams, Jefferson, New York.

3. I know very little about Mary. She was the wife of Michael Kelly. I believe that she was born in Ireland and that she emigrated to Canada before moving to New York. Her children were:
  1. John Kelly, born about 1853, Canada. Died 1896, Adams, NY
  2. Ann Kelly, born 1854, NY.
  3. James Kelly born 1856 Adams, NY. Died 1936, Canada.
  4. Philip Kelly born about 1857, Adams, NY. Died between 1917-1920.
  5. Mary A. Kelly, born 1860, Adams, NY.
  6. William Kelly, born about 1862, Adams, NY. Died 1896, Adams, NY.
  7. George Kelly, born about 1867, Adams, NY.
4. Three things I know about Mary.
  1. At the time of the 1855 census she lived in a log cabin.
  2. She could not read or write.
  3. ????????
OK, I do not know three things about Mary. She is a paternal ancestor and my focus is on my maternal ancestors right now. So here are three things I need to do to find out more about Mary.
  1. Check surrogate records in Jefferson County, NY
  2. See if there is a death certificate for Mary.
  3. Contact the South Jefferson Historical Society to see if they have further information in their Kelly surname file.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Francis Ashley Carlisle, Aug 31, 1903


Hartford, Mich.
Aug. 31 '03

Dear Dan -

I have not as yet recieved your apprenticeship papers from Mr. Brown. I am anxious that they should be settled at once. If they are not willing ot make out papers I know where I can get you work in a much larger shop at the same terms.

Please ask him to let me know at once. so that you will be settled before cold wather.

As ever Your Brother.
F.A. Carlisle
Hartford
Mich.

I believe this is the letter that Frank mentioned in his last letter and told Daniel to hand to Tom and that is why the letters seem to be posted out of order.

The 1900 census for Buchanan has: Thomas Brown, b May 1873 Connecticut, Machinist.

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


Carlisle, Francis Ashley (Hartford, MI) to “Dear Dan”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 31 August 1903. Digital Image.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1903-1904,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Friday, September 18, 2009

Francis Ashley Carlisle, Sept 1, 1903





Hartford, Mich.
Sept. 1 '03

My Dear Dan .

I was very pleased to receive your letter + would have written before but for lack of time. You are starting out well in the shop. You think three years a long time but in most shops it would be four at least. there too you forget what you will gain in three years + a trade that will always in the hardest times furnish you a good living which can hardly be said of any other occupation.

Also remember you are not in this shop so much to learn how to make things as how to handle + make tools. Most any body can make axles for

page 2

instance, but there are very few that know how to make the tools or make the machinery. Remember always that the machinist is not paid for what he does but for what he knows.

I dont like the attitude of Tom about three papers + I hardly know what to say about it. - letters are so unsatisfactory If I could only see him face to face about ten minutes I would find out mighty quick just what he means.

Of course you don't care to hound him till he gets disgusted with you + yet you ought to have some understanding.

Suppose you tell him that I have been asking after these papers + wanting to know why they are not sent to me to look over. I will enclose a letter to you to show to him + that may _____ him to time. If that don't work then we will try some thing else for I feel you should have some thing to hold the shop down + not let them drop you just when ever the notion strikes. Then I think that is a very good shop to learn in because they have milling machines. pay great attention to tool making of all kinds and don't be afraid to ask questions about your work. always be anxious to find out why + how of every thing. watch carefully when you have opportunity the work of the black smiths, tin punching, forging + ____________

page 3

Also don't be afraid to work. Shop men are generally anxious to to cheat in matters of time + material, don't do it. Also if it is possible, show little forms to Tom though don't toady to do it. Bosses don't like a sucker. Another thing that you can do when you know more of machinery though you can begin now is to notice carefully your machine how + why it runs and it operations in your work. Study all the time to find some improvement on it or some quicker way to do your work. You will make your self valuable to your employers that way + it helps a man greatly both in knowledge + finance to do these things. Remember that no machine is so perfect but what some improvement can be made upon it + work to that end.

This is not preaching. I had to find these things out for myself + wi consequence lost many opportunities.

Now as to the school business. It don't seem possible;e that there are the right precis. Suppose you write directly to them your self + ask them to send you their literature on mechanic engineering. + see just what they say. Also find out about the other school. we may be able to do better let me know what you hear from them both

If you get the time send me a drawing of the machine you are at work on _ er will have a course of

page 4

mechanical drawing of our own. You will have to be able to read drawings at ___ht so need much practice on them.

Well you will be tired of all this talk, so I will quit + give you a rest. Give all the folks my best + tell mother that a letter would be very acceptable.

Don't hesitate to write to me of any difficulty for it will be strickly between you + me. I am anxious you should profit by my experience as far as possible.

As ever Yours -
Frank

P.S. Just hand Tom this short letter and ask him what shall I say? Let me know at once what he says.

So many of the letters have been written by women about domestic issues that it was very nice to have a male perspective. He held to his topic and never mentioned how any of his family was doing.


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


Carlisle, Francis Ashley (Hartford, MI) to “My Dear Dan”
[Daniel Michael Carlisle]. Letter. 1 September 1903. Digital Images 1-4.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1903-1904,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Tamerson L Carlisle, Aug 20, 1903

The next letter is from Tamerson to her mother, Anna. Tamerson, at the age of 14, was traveling by herself. Apparently she had been visiting someone named Mrs. Rennie and had taken the street car from there to South Bend to visit with her Camfield relatives. No one was there to meet her and her cousin, Leroy Camfield, was not at work yet at the store near the street car line so she walk over to the depot and sat for an hour. She then rechecked the store and found Leroy.
A little after 1 o'clock I went over to Wyman's again and found Leroy. He does not get thru work until about 6 P. M. I told him that I would wait for him and I really enjoyed sitting there watching the people go out and in. It was raining some so I could not walk around town.

Eventually she connected with her cousin, Ruby Camfield and they walked home together. Her plan was to stay until the following week and then she would return to Buchanan and Ruby would come with her.


I was surprised that they allowed Tamerson to travel alone at such a young age until I thought about my own youth. At thirteen I flew with my brother and sister to Raleigh and my sister was only 7. We had to change planes in D.C. and had no problems. At fourteen I was able to take the bus back and forth to North Carolina by myself.

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


Carlisle, Tamerson L (South Bend, IN) to “Dear Mama”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 20 August 1903. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1903-1904,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]