William Hall c.1740-1822 - Probate Papers

Many thanks to cousin Rebecca Klein who found, transcribed and shared this document. It lists his ten children so the two children that I had not found death records for, Abram and Sophia must have died before him.

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The people of the state of New York by the grace of God,

free and Independent; To all to whom these presents shall come or may

concern send Greetings;

(Seal) Know ye that at the town of Canandaigua in the county of Ontario

on the eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight

hundred and twenty three before Jared Willson Esq Surrogate of our said

county the last will and testament of William Hall deceased a copy whereof

is hereunto annexed was proved and is now approved and allowed of by us; and

the said deceased having whilst he lived and at the time of his death, goods

chattels or credits within the state, by means where of the pricing and registering

tho said will and the granting administration of all and singular the said

goods chattels and credits and also the auditing allowing and final discharging

the account there of doth belong unto, the administration of all and singular

the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased and any way concerning his

will is granted unto John Hall executor in the said will named hearby

requiring you will and faithfully to administer the same and to make and

exhibit a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods chattels

and credits and also to under a just and true account thereof when thereunto

required. In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of office of our said

Surrogate to be hereunto affixed. Witness Jared Willson Esquire Surrogate of the

said county at the town of Canandaigua aforesaid the eleventh day of October

in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three.

(Signed) Jared Willson

In the name of God, Amen; I William Hall of the

Phelps in the county of Ontario and state of New York being weak in body but of

sound and disposing mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same

do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form

following that is today, I do will and order that my funeral expenses

and all my past debts be paid out of my estate by executor here in after to be

named, Item, I give and bequeath unto my ten children to wit William

Hall, Joseph Hall, Tamason Glover wife of David Glover, Sarah Carter

wife of James Carter, Hannah Grover wife of Benoni Grover, Persis Baker

wife of Roswell Baker, Samuel Hall, Sophia Hall, Ruhamah Glover wife

of Philander Glover, and Sibel Cook wife of Titus R. Cook the sum of one

hundred dollars each to be paid out of my estate by my executor to be named

in the manner following limit, twenty Dollars at the expiration of one year

from the time of my decease and the remainder in four equal annual payments

from that time, to be paid in good merchantable grain or meat stock to be de-

vided at the hands of my son John Hall in the town of Phelps at the then

market price. Item I give and bequeath unto my son John Hall all the

use residue and remainder of my statute of what nature and kin I forever

to hold him his heirs and assigns joiners; whom I here by appoint sole

executor of this my last will and testament hereby wishing all former wills

by me made , In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal the

twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and

twenty two.

Signed sealed published and declared by the above William Hall

named William Hall to be his last will and (Seal)

testament in the presence of us who have her unto

subscribed our names as witnessed in the presence

of the testator; Chester Wait, Thomas Kelley, Thos Smith

Ontario County -- Be it remembered on the eleventh day of

October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three

personally appeared before me, Jared Willson Esquire, Surrogate of the County

of Ontario, Thomas Kelley, one of the subscribing witnesses to the last will

and testament of William Hall late of the town of Phelps in said county de-

ceased who being duly sworn did depose and say that he the deponent saw

William Hall late of the County of Ontario deceased Sign and seal the

written instrument then shown unto him of which the afore going is a true copy

purporting to be the last will and testament of the said William Hall deceased

bearing date the twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand

eight hundred and twenty two, that at the time there of the said William Hall

was of sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and

belief of him the deponent and that he the deponent and Chester Wait

and Thomas Smith subscribed their names as witnesses to he said will

in the presence of each other and in the presence of the testator.

(signed) Jared Willson

Surrogate’s Record V. 18, pages 24 (bottom), 25, and 26 (top)

From the Ontario County, New York, Surrogate’s Court, Probate Records V.13-19,

1818-1829 (Family History Center – Microfilm)

Transcribed by Rebecca Klein Aug 2011

Family History by Tamerson Carlisle Binns, 1960. Part 1

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.

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The original of this document contains information about living people which I have removed. I prefer to transcribe items as I find them but in this case I felt the need to correct certain items and have therefor taken the liberty of highlighting in red information I believe to be incorrect. I have highlighted in blue items that I have reason to question. My corrections or questions appear [in brackets].

Because this was transcribed line by line the word wrap may make it difficult to read online. Also due to online formatting I have replaced ditto marks with the word they indicated.

I would be happy to share the original with other descendants. This is Part 1 of 3.

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Family History, typed by Tamerson Carlisle Binns and sent to her niece, Vivian Carlisle LaValle, with a letter dated Oct. 13, 1960.

page 1

William Hall born London [obit says Lyme], England 1735 [c. 1740] was a ship builder & rope maker X settled
in Conway, Mass. He was a soldier in Revolutionary War, see Vol. 6 & 7 Mass. Sol-
diers & Sailors in Rev. War. Was married to Rhemhamah Andremer [others say Andrus or Andrews] born Wales 1735. [her last child was Christened in 1795]

David Glover Sr. born in England 1735. [Henry Glover born 1732, Milton, MA] trade blacksmith was a Captain in Revolu-
tionary War. [Private] He married Hannah Lewis born in Mass. in 1740.[1732, Dedham, MA]

The two above couples are given as the Grand Parents of David Glover Jr. and
Tammerson Hall listed just below. Note the difference in spelling of the
name Tamersonas Tammerson and was also spelled Tamisen some place back.

David Glover Jr. born in 1775 in Dedham, Mass. married to
Tammerson Hall born 1778 [1779 on headstone] & had 10 children.

1.Eveline A. Glover born 1800. Died 1897.[1896 per cemetery records]
2.Louisa Lambert Glover born 1801. Died 1851.
3.Orville B. Glover born 1804 Died 1852.
4.Lewis E. Glover Born 1805 Died 1863.
5.Malvina F. Glover born 1807 Died ----
6. William H. Glover born 1809 Died 1863.
7.Rheuhamah A. Glover born 1811 Died 1885. [found on 1892 census, death date unknown]
8.Ruban Glover 1815 Died 1887
9.Mentoria Glover born 1818 Died 11 mo. old.
10.Milton Glover born 1820 Died 1898. [other family records say 1897]
11.Hannah Lewis Glover born 1823 Died 1906.

2.Louisa Lambert Glover married Daniel Carlisle. She died from conegstive chills
(common in those days) at a neighbors funeral. [possible but doesn't ring true]

3.Orville B. Glover married Julia --- and had 5 children. [Julia Ann Carr]
1. Lowell Glover married Henrietta --- & had 5 children. [Maryette Harper]
2. Harrison Glover married Ellen Gates [Bates]& had 1 Ellen [Marian Elma?] who married Albert Stev-
ens [Stephens]who had Hugh & Georgia.
3. William H. Glover married Ann Simmons and had Orville. all dead
4. Jay Glover married Eliza Alexander and had Jay M. who married Belle Haslett
5. Tamerson Glover married George Merrill & had 2 sons. George died as a baby
7 Harrison married Lillie Shultz [alternate Shults]and had Lillie Tamerson.

5.Malvina F Glover married David Baily & had David & Mantoria.

7. Rheuhamah A. Glover married Mr. [Elijah] Smith & had Edgar & Frank. [Benjamin Franklin]

11.Hannah Lewis Glover married Daniel Carlisle as his 2nd wife in 1852. She was
a sister of his first wife Louisa Lambert Glover.

2. Louisa Lambert Glover was first wife of Daniel Carlisle and had 7 children.
1. Francis David Carlisle born 1832 was accidently killed working on railroad
& was buried beside the tracks in 1854.
2. Orville Daniel Carlisle born 1835 died 1900.
3. William Dwight Carlisle born 1833 died 1852. not married
4. Tamerson Zipporah Carlisle born 1837 died 1874.
5. Mary Elizabeth Carlisle born 1840 died 1925.
6. Isaac Ashley Carlisle born 1842 died 1929.
7. Fannie Louisa Carlisle born 1845 died 1905.

2. Orville Daniel Carlisle married Lydia Bartlett & had 3 daughters.
1. Clara Belle married Isaac Sewell. No children. Died 1946

2. Lilly May married Thomas Ghrist & had 1 girl died a baby & 2 boys Glenn
and John. Tom Ghrist died & Lillie married Chas. Burdisk. both died.

(born 1879 [1877]) 3. Mary Frances married Francis Ashley Carlisle & had 6 children. Frances,
Sewell, Dorothy, Dorothy, Richard, Raymond.

(born 1902) Frances married Edgar A. Mayes. They had Edgar Atterson who died day born 1923
(born 1926) and Albert Carlisle who married [living] & had [living]

(born 1904) Sewell Barlett Carlisle married Dorothy Wallace & had [may be living], [may be living] & Donald Canfield. [info removed]. Sewell married again.

(born 1908) Dorothy Jeanne Carlisle married Charles Omar Caster and had [living] who married [living] --- & they have one [living].

(born 1910) Raymond married Florence Jenerick & had [living].

(born 1915) Richard Carlisle Carlisle married Dawn & had no children.


Binns, Tamerson Carlisle. (Buchanan, Michigan) to “Dear Vivian” [Vivian Carlisle LaValle]. Letter. 13 October 1960. Digital Image 2 of 4. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Orlando, Florida. 2011.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Genealogical Papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Surname Saturday - Hall

I have two different Hall families in my tree. The first series of letters that I transcribed were called the Hall Family Letters. That line belongs to cousins through my Wisner / Badgley ancestry.

The Hall family that I descend from is:

Me
>Mom
>>Daniel Michael Carlisle, 1885-1960
>>>Isaac Ashley Carlisle, 1842-1929
>>>>Louisa Lambert Glover, 1801-1851
>>>>>Tamesin Hall Glover, 1779-1843
>>>>>>William Hall, c. 1740-1822

Family oral history says that William Hall was a ship carpenter and rope maker who decided to try his luck in Massachusetts. His obituary gave a few more details:

Geneva Gazette, 14 August 1822, page 3, column 3

Died,

In Phelps, the 10th inst. Capt. William Hall, aged 82 years, father of Maj. Joseph Hall.

Geneva Gazette, 21 August 1822, page 3, columns 3 & 4

Deaths

The following obituary notice of Capt. William Hall, whose death was inserted last week, has been handed to us for publication.

Capt. H. was a native of Lyme, in England. Being deprived by death of his parents at the age of 14, he took to a seafaring life, which he followed as common sailor, and commander for twenty years; during which time he suffered shipwrck and capture five times, and narrowly escaped with his life the perils of the ocean and the murderous hand of the piratical Barbarian. During all the trying scenes thro' which he passed during his long life, he was never heard to utter an oath. His life was that of the righteous - and his last end apparently the same.

He married Ruhamah Andrews (or Andrus) c. 1867 and they had 12 0r 13 children. They lived at Conway, Massachusetts before moving on to Phelps, Ontario, New York.

I have a public tree at Ancestry.com that has all of the records I have found to date. If you do not have a paid subscription and would like access to the tree please let me know and I can give you access.


Previous Posts about the Hall Family Descendants

Ruhamah Andrews Hall's Intemperance

Laura Carter - Surrogate Record

Tamesin Hall Glover
Hannah Lewis Glover Carlisle

Milantha Hall Marsh
Milantha Hall Marsh, Newspaper Clippings

Ruhamah Andrews Hall's Intemperance

Ruhamah Andrews Hall was my 4th great-grandmother and I know woefully little about her. She was supposedly born in Wales c. 1745. She married William Hall c. 1767 in Massachusetts. It is possible that her maiden name was Andrus rather than Andrews.

I can place her in Conway, Hampshire (now Franklin) County, Massachusetts in May 1774 at which time two of her children were baptized. She had 12 or 13 children that I know of. (Her daughter, Sophia, was baptized in 1790 and I have found nothing further about her. Then there was daughter, Ruhamah for whom there was no baptism record. Were they one daughter or two?)

The family relocated to Phelps, Ontario, New York, along with many others families from Conway, in 1798 or 1799. At age 50+ I can only imagine how difficult life would have been.

While I have found many references to the family in the history and records of Phelps, nothing specifically referenced Ruhamah until I started looking at the history of the Church at Oaks Corners. (Sessional Records of the Church at Oaks Corners that appeared in The Phelps Citizen, May 1889.)

In 1804 it was decided that there was a need for a real church rather than holding services in barns or inns as the community had been doing. On 9 January 1804 Ruhamah's son, Joseph Hall, was chosen as one of the first trustees of the church. Construction began later that year.

In 1808, Ruhannah Hall was admitted to the church. There is no way to know for certain that this is the elder Ruhamah. It is certain that she was a member of the church. History of Oaks Corners Church, by Mabel E. Oaks, 1954 gives a good overview of the church's history. From the section titled, The Church Judicial:

The next examples of the church's authority have to do with intemper­ance. In 1834, the church body put itself on record with a lengthy resolution declaring its disapproval of "the traffic in ardent spirits and the use of them as a drink." It had already proved this disapproval many times. In 1817, Ruhannah ______________, living on the Naham Cobb farm, Lester Road, received a summons to appear before the session, as common fame charged her with having been " for a long time in the intemperate use of ardent spirits." She sent word she was sorry, promised to reform and to come to the next session meeting. When she still did not appear after two more citations, she was suspended and later excommunicated, put outside the pale. The Interesting thing about this is that her son was then a trustee of our church, which fact must have made this performance of duty most embarrassing for all concerned.

The author left out the surname Hall but there is no doubt that this section referred to my ancestor. Interesting to me are the terms "common fame" and "ardent spirits." The first says to me that she did not attempt to hide her drinking. I'm not quite sure which ardent spirits she may have partook but the area was later know for its hard cider. Assuming she was born c. 1745 she was in her 70's when she was excommunicated from the church.

Family records indicate that Ruhamah died in 1821. I have yet to confirm that and I do not know her burial location. 

So now I have new questions. Why was she living on the Cobb farm? Was her husband living with her? Why did she drink? Was she shunned by her neighbors? What was her relationship like with her children and grandchildren?

Pursuing DAR Membership

Last week was focused on our annual event at work so there was no time for writing or even transcriptions. I did however make time to attend my first DAR meeting a week ago today.

There is a local chapter in the city nearest me so it was convenient and they were a very welcoming group. They had a program on beginning genealogy which didn't really help me but was a good. Only a few members of the group spend much time researching online and none of the ones I talked to had ever heard of genealogy blogs, so I have something to offer them ;-)

The registrar looked over the worksheets I'd filled out and we talked about the ancestors I could use for membership. I had thought to use them all, or at least the three that other members of the family have used plus one more that I think I can get the paperwork together for fairly easily. It turns out that I have to make a separate application for each Patriot ancestor. I have no problem doing the paperwork that that would entail but the cost is prohibitive, so for now I have to pick just one.

I have found the DAR number of my great-grandaunt, Arabella Carlisle Osborn so I could probably file a short form based on her membership. Mom is certain that my great-aunt, Tamerson Carlisle Binns was a member and I could request a search for her application.

The registrar suggests that I use the ancestor that neither of my aunts could have used and at some later point add my other ancestors. I have filled out a request through the Patriot Index lookup service to see if anyone else has already registered this ancestor. I'm an inclined to go this way because in my mind I'd like to think that Sarah Ann would be tickled that I used her grandfather for my application rather than the more famous (or infamous) Carlisle ancestor. It's funny how close to Sarah Ann I sometimes feel because of her letters.

Here are the four ancestors I will be focusing on over the next couple of weeks to see what records I have and what I'd need. I hope to have all the records I need by the next monthly meeting.

Captain Daniel Carlisle (1738 - 1794)

Henry Glover (1732 - 1800)

William Hall (1740 - 1822)

Anthony Badgley (1750 - 1829)

Rose Graham Camfield, Oct 1, c1906

South Bend Oct 1st
Dear Ann,
We received your letter yesterday and in regards to Uncle Henrys coming here, I will say it seems by Mr Halls few short lines that we havent any thing to say in the matter of his coming, or how long he will stay or any thing else all we are called on to do or rather he demands of us is to send our address plainly so he cant miss the place or have any trouble in finding us, and that would be easy to do

2

after he gets here he could find us easy enough, and I doubt if they wait for directions I expect to see him any day. I think they have planned to send him here for a while and Mr Halls letter (or note) signifys that they are not waiting our convenience or our letters, or our advice on the subject in any way shape or form if he had written a letter stating about how long uncle Henry would stay with us or even asked if we could have him, but instead of that he writes that he is coming so I shall look for him every day without our writing to them

3

Now about our opinion on the subject, Joe says and so do I that it would be awful nice for mother to see her brother that is if he would come and stay a fiew weeks and then go home but we have none of us ever seen him (I havent’) we dont know what his disposition is or how feeble he may be and if he should be sick here so fore from his friends we would be forcect to keep him perhaps all winter I think an old person like that ought to stay home if they

4

well now to change the subject how are you all any way Pearl is still at the same position and Roy is in the store yet and Ruby goes to school I have one bushel of sweet apples I am going to make som preserve som with _inces My sister is taking care of a woman who is paralised she has been there some time this is a gloomy October day and makes us begin to ___ for mother we shall look

5

for you her most any time now
well you will write all abot it when you com if we hear anything from Uncle Henry we will be sure to send you word so good by and love to all Rose

oh yes, did Mrs Matth_____ favor you with a Call? she Called here she said she was going to see you when she returned to Buchanan
Rose



This was originally published August 2, 2008. I have included it here for continuity.

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


Camfield, Rose Graham (South Bend, Indiana) to “Dear Ann”
[Sarah Ann Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 01 October c. 1906. Digital Images 1-5. Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Snowville, New York. 2008. [Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, Undated c. 1900-1940, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

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.

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.]

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

Crabby Apple

I recently connected with some very distant cousins research my Hall line and I've spent the last week working on it. I hadn't looked at my file for some of the branches of this line for years so it was a very good thing they contacted me. When I first started out I made some very wrong assumptions and added them to my file. I spent a good part of last weekend going over that part of the tree and trying to fix it. Hoping I have it all untangled now and have everyone in the correct family. I continue to move laterally along the brickwalls in this line in hopes of finding that loose brick or two that will bring the whole thing down!

A big frustration was trying to fix both on file on my computer and my tree at ancestry.com. In reading Randy's article about FTM 2010 I think it will be much easier in the future, as I can work on just one tree and simply download it to the other. The thing is I have been very frustrated with FTM 2008 because it is sooooooooo slow. I hate to spend good money and still be unhappy. Several people have recommended that I switch to Roots Magic. I have to make a decsion soon.

I spent way too much time at FaceBook this week. I find myself reading blog articles there. Then I get them again in my reader. I also see lots of comments left at FB on blog articles rather then on the actual blogs. Before joining FB I had wondered if that was where the commenting had disappeared to. It's sad because comments left there aren't available to others reading reading the blog online.

I also have added We're Related to my page there. What is the point? I have yet to figure out how to look at anyone else's tree. It keeps asking me to add my "friends." I've added my sister and my nieces. I guess I could add Randy and Bill too now that I stop and think about it but what will it do if I do that? Will it then suggest that I become "friends" with all of their "friends." I haven't found a page that really explains what We're Related really does or how best to use it. I thought it might search other FB user's trees and see if we connect. FB continually suggests people that I should add as friends based on my friend's, friends. There was one suggestion seemingly out of the blue for another very distant cousin, who does not seem to be a friend of any of my other friends, so does that mean the program is working? There was no reference to We're Related. (I've sent her a friend request.) I have found other distant cousins on FB that it has not suggested and that I have not contacted yet. I guess I feel funny about saying, "Hey I'm your 3rd cousin, six times removed. Do you want to be friends?"

The whole friend thing still is weird to me. Maybe if they called it something else I'd be better with it. I'm also finding myself on information overload on FB. How on earth do those of you with several hundred friends manage!?

I feel guilty about the time I did not spend working outside this week. Even though it has been a cool, wet summer our summers here are too short to not spend as much time outside as we can. I'll try to get back to posting letters as I can. I really need to find some way to manage my time better for the next few weeks!

Laura CARTER - Surrogate Record

I have had several cousins contact me over the last couple of months about the descendants of William Hall 1740-1822 and Rheuhama Andrews or Andremer 1745-1821. I can't remember when I went to Ontario County Records and Archives to look at the Surrogate record of Laura Carter but here is the transcription I made of a small portion of the file. Laura was the granddaughter of William and Rheuhama. She never married and her immediate family predeceased her so her probate records were a gold mine for discovering some of the other descendants. I have added notes as to what I have discovered and what I think are the correct relationships.

To the Surrogate Court of the County of Ontario:

The petition of Samuel SOUTHWORTH and Montgomery S SANDFORD of the village of Geneva in said County of Ontario respectfully shows
That Laura CARTER late of the village of Geneva in said County of Ontario, deceased, died in the said village of Geneva on or about the 5th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety one being at that time a citizen of the United States and a resident of the County of Ontario. That she died having a last will and Testament, which bears the date - the - 12th day of April 1880 and a codicil thereto, which bears date the 25th day of November A.D. 1890 which affects, or purports to affect both real and personal property, and by which said Last Will and Testament the said decedent nominated and appointed Samuel SOUTHWORTH and Montgomery S SANFORD executors thereof: That the said decedent died possessed of real and personal property in the said County of Ontario, which does not exceed in value about $70,000. and that the following named persons are all the heirs at law and next of kin of the said decedent as far ??? as your petitioners can with - due diligence ascertain. The same and their places of residence are as follows, viz.,

That said decedent left no husband, child, descendant, Father, Mother, brother, sister or any descendant of any sister or brother her surviving. [Laura Carter was the daughter of Dr James Carter and Sarah Hall. She never married. She had a sister Harriet who predeceased her. I do not yet believe there were other siblings]

That as your as your petitioners are informed and believe to be true said descendant left no relatives of her surviving upon her paternal side and that her only surviving relatives are the descendants upon her maternal side. 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. So far ?? as they can ??? them , they are as follows:

Milantha MARSH and Wallace HALL of Phelps, New York only know descendants of John HALL her deceased maternal uncle. [John HALL had 5 children, however I have only learned the names of two, Olney HALL and Milantha HALL MARSH, the youngest. Olney Hall died in 1871 leaving four surviving children: John Edward HALL, William Wallace HALL, Helen Elizabeth HALL BRUSIE, and Mary Jane HALL CORWIN.]

Mary CRITTENDEN, Ypsilanti, Michigan only known descendant of Joseph Hall, her deceased maternal uncle. [Mary Hall b abt 1815 m William Salisbury CRITTENDEN s/o Osee CRITTENDEN & Sarah SALISBURY GLOVER. They lived in Lenawee Co & Jackson Co, MI. Joseph’s other children: Elizabeth d.1879, wife of Erastus BURT – some of her descendants mentioned below; Harriet d. 1876, wife of Sullivan HOLMAN – she was mistakenly listed as Laura’s aunt below; Othniel , not certain when he died, more below.]

Charles HOLMAN, Owasso, Michigan, Hattie WESTON, Alma, Michigan, Laura GARLOCK, Port Gibson, N.Y., Christina DENSMORE, Albion, N.Y., Howard BURT, Newark, N.Y., J. Hall BURT, West Kendall, N.Y., Othniel HALL, residence unknown ???? and other descendants of Harriet HOLMAN her deceased maternal aunt is petitioner unknown. [Charles HOLMAN and Harriet WESTON were children of Harriet HALL & Sullivan HOLMAN. Both Harriet b 1806-1807 & Charles b 1830 are buried in Oakhill Cemetery, Shiawassee Co, MI. Laura GARLOCK, Christina DENSMORE, John Howard BURT & Joseph Hall BURT were chil. of Erastus BURT & Elizabeth HALL. Elizabeth Hall BURT's cemetery record on the Orleans Co genweb page states that she was the daughter of Joseph HALL. Nowhere in the records of Laura CARTER is Elizabeth HALL mentioned. Othniel HALL was the son of Joseph m. Lamira Glover d/o Philander GLOVER & Polly MELVIN. His aunt, Ruhamah Hall, was her step-mother. He was in Lenawee Co, MI by 1840.]

Comfort HALL, Randolph, New York, Harriet BRIGGS residence unknown, Almira SWEET, Oil City, Pa. and others, to petitioner unknown, descendants of Samuel Hall, descendants of Samuel Hall, her deceased maternal uncle. [I think* Samuel’s children were Almira SWEET, Harriet BRIGGS, Comfort HALL, Othinal HALL, William HALL and Romina RAPPOLE. More research nedded.]

Lyman BAKER, Phelps, N.Y., Roswell BAKER, Knowlesville, N.Y., Alice JEFFERY, Tehama, California, Jessie BAKER, residence unknown, Benjamin F MEYERS, Ithaca, Michigan and others, to petitioners unknown, descendants of Persis BAKER her deceased maternal aunt. [Persis HALL m. Roswell BAKER, Sr. Lyman and Roswell Jr. were their sons. Their daughter, Philena BAKER m. John W. MYERS and their children were: Eliza MYERS m. Albert BOVEE; Benjamin F. MYERS, Philena MYERS m. Elijah BOVEE; Susan C. MYERS m. Marshall ISLES; and Mary P. MYERS. I do not know how Alice JEFFERY and Jessie BAKER are related.] [Edited 7 Aug 2009 to add: I now believe that Jessie Baker and Alice Jeffery were daughters of another son of Persis and Roswell Baker, Sr. The Orleans County genweb page lists a Ruel C. Baker, d. 1861, in Tanner Cemetery where other members of the family are buried. I found him on the 1860 in Tehama, Tehama, CA with daughters Alice Baker and Jesse McCutcheon. In 1850 he was in Jackson, Jackson, MI. On the 1870 census I found an Alice Jeffress in Red Bluff, Tehama, CA]

Reuhamma CORBIN, Albion, NY, Evelyn HIBBARD, residence unknown, Hannah CARLISLE, Albion, N.Y. and others, to petitioners unknown, descendants of Tamma Hall GLOVER, her deceased maternal aunt. [Tamesin aka Tamerson Hall m David GLOVER and they had 11 children; Eveline aka Evelyn m Jabez HIBBARD, Louisa m Daniel CARLISLE, Hannah who also m Daniel Carlisle after her sister's death, Orville m Julia CARR, Lewis m Elizabeth SEELIG, Malvina, William m Abigail ??, Rheuma m 1st Elijah SMITH m 2nd Joseph CORBIN, Sr, Reuben m. Charlotte ??, Mentoria and Milton. Evaline & Rheuma settled in Orleans Co, many moved on to Michigan]

Levi GROVER, Porter GROVER, Caroline P WHITNEY whose residences are unknown and others, unknown to petitioners, unknown descendants of Hannah GROVER, her deceased maternal aunt. [Hannah Hall was twice married, 1st to Asa Porter. Caroline P WHITNEY would be a child of this marriage. They had eight children including Caroline, two having died in 1845 and the rest I have not tracked down as yet. Hannah m 2nd Benoni GROVER with whom she at least six more children: Levi, Asa Porter, Thankful, Christina m. Russell BLAKELY,Augustus d. young and Alonzo.]

The descendants of Ruehama GLOVER her deceased maternal aunt, whose names and places of residence are to your petitioners wholly unknown. [Ruhamma m Philander GLOVER as his second wife. Her step-daughter, Lamira, m her nephew , Othniel Hall. See above. Ruhamma & Philander Glover had four children, Wellington A b 1815, Rev. Livingston M, Luther M, & Mary Jane]

Percy COOK, Minard COOK, John COOK whose places of residence are unknown to your petitioners, and other, to petitioners unknown, descendants of Sophia COOK her deceased maternal aunt. [Did they get Sophia and Sybil mixed up or did Sophia also marry a COOK?]

The descendants of William HALL, her deceased maternal uncle, whose places of residence are to your petitioners wholly unknown. [I have found nothing about William Jr. after the family left MA]

[Not mentioned were Abram Hall or Sybil HALL COOK.]

Your petitioners are unable to state whether any of the heirs at law of said Laura Carter are infants - or persons of unsound mind or ???
Therefore your petitioners pray that the said Last Will and Testament and codicil thereto may be proved and letters of testamentary granted thereon according to law and the above named and described heirs and next of kin of said decedent may be cited to attend the probate thereof: and for such other or further order in relation to the proof of said will and codicil or the service of said citation, as may be just and proper.
Dated July 14th 1891.

Signatures of S SOUTHWORTH
M S SANDFORD

Hannah Lewis Glover Carlisle

Hannah was the youngest of twelve children born to David and Tamesin (Hall) Glover. She was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario Co, NY on April 22, 1823. I have been able to find very little on the family’s time in Phelps other than they had borrowed money from one of Tamesin’s brothers, which they were unable to repay.

I really know nothing about her childhood or what she did as a young adult. Sometime between 1850 and 1852 her sister Louisa died leaving a husband and seven children. On July 11, 1852 Hannah married her brother-in-law, Daniel Carlisle who was 25 years older than her. She went from being an aunt to being a step-mother. She and Daniel had a farm south of Buchanan, Berrien Co, MI. A daughter, Arabella, was born there in 1857.

In Oct 1861 her two surviving stepsons joined the 2^nd Michigan Calvary and so did she. A record of her service is found in History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan. With ... biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Philadelphia, D. W. Ensign & Co., 1880.

pg184

Services of a Buchanan Lady in the War of the Rebellion

Mrs. Hannah L. Carlisle was born in Phelps, N.Y., in 1823. The family moved to Orleans
Co, N.Y., when she was four years old. In 1850 she came to Cassopolis, and in
1852 married Daniel Carlisle, and in 1854 removed to near Buchanan on a farm.
Upon the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion she was strongly impelled to
offer her services as nurse, and upon the organization of the 2d Michigan
Cavalry she left her home and family and went with the regiment, Nov. 14, 1861, to St. Louis. After reaching the city
she was assigned to the regimental hospital, where she remained until the
regiment was transferred to Fort Donelson, in February 1862, when she
returned home. On the night of July 14,
1862, she received a telegram from the Sanitary Commission in Chicago, asking her to report for
duty the next day. She did so, and was met by a gentleman at the train, and
reported at the Massasoit House. Orders were soon received to report at Post
Hospital No. 1, Columbus, Ky., under the charge of Dr. Ransom , of Roscoe, Ill.,
and Gen. Quimby, in charge of Fort Halleck. Mrs. Carlisle remained at this
hospital until the close of the war, when she entered the Freedman's Department
as superintendent and teacher, and reminded in that connection one year, and
returned to the duties of home July 3,
1866. Mrs. Carlisle is now living in Buchanan.

What the article does not tell is that Arabella was only four at the time she left. From notes written by W. W. Osborn, husband of Arabella I learned that just before being assigned to the hospital in Columbus she had charge of a Hospital boat for a few weeks and as the boat was old and leaky she worked in water to her knees for ten days or more. Her daughter, Arabella, was with her at Columbus for two years and was in the hospital with her mother when the Confederates bombarded the city, her mother having refused to leave the sick and wounded in her charge, when advised to leave on account of the danger of capture by the Confederates. She received a nurse’s pension in her later years.’

She joined the M. E. Church at the age of sixteen and donated in membership until her death. She was a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Woman's Relief Corp., and took a very prominent part in Temperance, Religious and Grand Army of the Republic Work, and was well known in these circles in Buchanan, MI., Deadwood, SD., Council Bluffs and Sioux City, Iowa.

The family donated several of her diaries and letters to The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. They are between her and other members of the family written between Aug 17, 1862 and Apr. 7, 1866 during her civil war service. They are mostly from the Post Hospital at Columbus, KY. She expresses her dislike of Copperheads and Secessionists, tells of troop movements on the river, raids on guerilla bands, the destruction of Secessionist's homes, hospital life, food and a Thanksgiving dinner, the celebration at the fall of Vicksburg, and the capture of Jefferson Davis. During the time that she was in charge of a Columbus, KY school for the American Freeman's Aid Commission, and she tells of the clashes between military and civil officers, the plight of the Negroes, and the rough treatment accorded them. I have looked into obtaining these records, but the cost is prohibitive. Due to the number of pages they will not photocopy them. Maybe at some time in the future I will be able to visit the library and read her thoughts for myself.

This originally appeared at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree on 25 January 2006. Since I originally wrote this I have retieved her letters from the University of Michigan and they will begin appearing here later this year. She also kept diaries in her later years and I hope to retrieve them in April and begin transcribing them also.

Tamesin Hall Glover

Tamesin is one of my favorite ancestors to daydream about. I really know very little about her life. I don’t even know for certain what her name was. Her headstone and christening record say Tamesin but all of the granddaughters named for her are Tamerson.

She was born in Feb 1779 in Conway, Franklin Co, MA to William and Ruhamah (Andrews) Hall., the 5th of 13 children. Her parents were both immigrants trying to make their way in this country. She was born at a time when western Massachusetts was relatively undeveloped country. I have no idea if the family was rich or poor; no idea how they lived but I imagine that it was a hard life.

She met and married David Glover in 1800. Family history says that they returned to David’s home town of Dedham, MA for two years where she gave birth to two daughters, Evaline in 1800 and Louisa in 1801. With two babies they packed up and moved to Upton, back in western Massachusetts were Orville was born in 1804. They moved again to Milford where Lewis was born in 1805 and Malvina was in 1807. By 1809 they had moved yet again, to Northhampton where William was born. I have always hated moving so I wonder how she felt about moving so many times. Did she see it as an adventure; a path to something new and better or was it really the burden that I imagine?

In 1810 or 1811 they packed up their belongings and six children to join her father in Phelps in Ontario County, New York. The trip would have been made in the late winter as travel by sleigh over frozen ground was much faster and easier than fording rivers and streams or bypassing boggy ground at other times of year. Can you imagine traveling with six children in the winter? I do not know if they had the means to stay at inns along the way. I imagine them building large fires and camping along the way as many settlers did.

They remained in Phelps for at least 13 years where she had five more children; Ruhamah - 1811, Reuben – 1815, Mentoria – 1818, Milton – 1820 and Hannah – 1823.

I have never learned what trade occupied David but I do know that when Tamesin’s brother, Joseph, died in 1822, they owed money to the estate that was listed as uncollectable. I cannot imagine raising 11 children (all were still living in 1820). I do not know if they had their own home or if they lived with her father; they are listed on the same page on the 1820 census. They would have had to tend a large home garden. Combine that with the cooking, laundry, cleaning , education and care of young children and I see Tamesin as exhausted all of the time, even though the older children would have been expected to help. I wonder what made her happy. Did she attend quilting bees? Did she have time to visit with other women? Did she own more than two dresses at a time? How important was the church to her?

Sometime between 1823 and 1830 the family packed up and moved further west to Gaines, Orleans County, NY, as did many other family members. They must have done a little better financially here as they were able to purchase a one acre home lot in 1838. She saw the marriages of most of her children and the births of many grandchildren. She also said goodbye to several of her children as they pressed on further westward to Michigan.

She passed away July 1, 1843 at the age of 64 and is buried in Gaines Cemetery. The headstone has been broken by vandals. David left soon after her death to join his children in Michigan. I’ve only been to the cemetery once but I think of her often.


This originally appeared at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree on 11 October 2006.

Sarah Ann Camfield, 10 Dec 1891

Noble Dec 10 1891

Dear Children

at last I have sat down to write to you we are well and hope you are the same Mr and Mrs Bogardus have gone to Coldwater on a three or four day visit and Father is doing their chores that our own keep him nearlt all day we have our corn about hald husked we have had so much stormy weather there could not be much done we got shingles to have our kitchen shingled sixweeks ago but there has not been aday fit to have it done I am afraid it will not get done this fall it is so late
I made out to raise 6 turkeys I sold four and kept 2 I got 9 cts apound for the turkey and six and ahalf for chickens what I sold of both came to a little over 8 dollars

page 2

you asked about the corn it was about as good as we expected it is good sound corn not a soft mebbeen in the field the ears are rather shaort on account of the verry dry weather but it is averyy good crop we have the sowed to wheat it is looking verry good
I was glad to hear from illinois once more if you see Mrs Sherwood tel her how glad I should be to see her I suppose the children are all maried or gone from home so they are alone like us
I wish we could come there to spend the holidays with you and see all the folks and every thing but it is no us to think of it if you could make it convenient to come here all of you we would try to make it as comfortabl for you as we could and be verry glad to see you in the bagain
so good by for the present M and S Camfield


This was the only letter from 1891.

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


Camfield, Sarah Ann. (Noble, MI) to “Dear Children”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 10 December 1891. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1891 - 1893,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 25 Nov 1889

Noble Nov 25th 1889

well Anna I suppose you think I am not going to write any more wel I had a sore thumb for awhile and I have got so I hate to write we are as well as usual but that is not verry well

wel you talked of comeing to see us and I have been waiting to get ready for you but I cannot so you must come when you can Father finished husking corn to day we have 12 good loads

I thought I would write to Mary E Hall before now but have not I have not written to Rosy in more than a year

the Dipthera is about here one school is closed an the acount of it I dont know whether it is

page 2

much or not in haste

S A Camfield

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


Camfield, Sarah Ann. (Noble, MI) “well Anna”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 25 November 1889. Digital Image.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 7 Jan 1889

Noble Center Jan 7th 1889

Dear Children
I suppose you are looking for a letter dy this time so I will try and write a little there does not seem to be any thing to write about we stay rite here I have not seen a woman to speak to since a week before Christmas if it was not for Fred I do not know how I could stand it he goes to school every but is here night and morning for company Father is no more company than a stick of wood and dont say much more I am glad you hear from Illinois some times I do not did Martha say anything about her Father and Mother I think I will write to them once more and see if I can get an answer Freddie sends his thanks for the handker chief he ment to send you something

2

but time sliped by without some how I send my thanks for my apron but feel as ashamed to excep it because I id not send you any thing
how I wish I could except your kind invitation to come and help fill the house and see you all nothing would please me better I assure you
I think every year we will go next but I dont know as we ever will but I hope to if we live longenoug I hope it will be so you can come here next summer how long is it since you was here
S A Camfield

"Father is no more company than a stick of wood and dont say much more." Grandpa Mike was man of few words I guess!

Another bare bones Christmas has come and gone.

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


Camfield, Sarah Ann. (Noble Center, MI) “I suppose you are”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 7 January 1889. Digital Images 1-2.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

Sarah Ann Camfield, 24 May 1887

Noble May 24 1887

we are going to Bronson this morning we just got your letter last night so I will write a few lines to let you know we are well a usual I have not got done white washing and cleaning house yet it is slow work when you cannot work only 2 or 3 hours a day I feel pretty wel but cannot stand it to work but a little while at a time
I think Faney wrote us a very nice letter for alittle boy

well you have chosen the very name I had for the baby
I suppose you and Ashley are not at all pleased with it being a girl as you said nothing about it
in haste write as often as you can
S A Camfield


The baby was named Tamerson Louisa, for her great-grandmother Tamesin Hall Glover, Ashley Carlisle's maternal grandmother so I find it odd that Sarah says, "well you have chosen the very name I had for the baby".

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


Camfield, Sarah Ann Wisner. (Noble Center, MI) “we are going to bronson”
[Anna Camfield Carlisle]. Letter. 24 May 1887. Digital Image.
Privately held by Apple, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,]
Snowville, New York. 2009.
[Carlisle Family, Box #1, Correspondence, 1887 - 1889,
Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. 2008.]

A Great Newspaper Find and Tips for Searching

In the spring of 2005 I ran across the following:

From Geneva Advertiser 19 June 1894

(Abstracted from classified Legal Notices)

Malantha Marsh, Wallace Hall and Lyman Baker, Phelps, N. Y.
Mary Crittenden, Ypsilanti, Mich.
Charles Holman, Owasso, Mich.
Hattie Weston, Alma, Mich.
E. Burt Garlock, Jefferson City, Missouri
Cyrus Garlock, Mary C. Garlock, W. F. Garlock, Port Gibson, N. Y.
Christina Densmore and Reuhama Corbin, Albion, N. Y.
Howard Burt, Newark, N. Y.
J. Hall Burt, West Kendall, N. Y.
Harriet Briggs, Jamestown, N. Y.
Almira Sweet, Oil City, Pa.
Roswell Baker, Knowlesville, N. Y.
Alice Jeffery, Tehama, Cal.
Benjamin F. Myers, Ithaca, Mich.
Hannah Carlisle, Sioux City, Iowa
Othniel Hall, Comfort Hall, Jessie Baker, Evelyn Hibbard, Porter Grover, Caroline P. Whitney, Percy Cook, Minard Cook, John Cook, and all others, heirs at law and next of kin of LAURA CARTER, deceased.

Ann Lawson, Augusta, N. Y.
Caroline Field, Geneva, N. Y.
Mary E. Tulett, Anna W. Tulett, Laura L. Tulett and Clarence E. Tulett, all of the Town of Fayette, N. Y.,
who are interested, as creditors, next of kin, heirs at law, legatees, or otherwise, in the estate of LAURA CARTER. late of the town of Geneva, Ontario County NY.

Some kind soul had transcribed this and put it on the web for me to find! I have bolded the two names that jumped out at me, two of my great-grand-aunts, daughters of David Glover and Tamesin Hall. I had no idea who Laura Carter might be but I noticed several other Hall's and there was Roswell Baker who had been in my tree for years as an unrelated person that I knew was somehow tied to the Carlisle family.

From this small item in an old paper I was eventually able to fill in several generations of the descendants of of Capt. William Hall and Reuhama Andrews/Andros. I never would have looked at the will of Laura Carter had I not found this one small mention in an old newspaper.

The draw back to newspaper research is that you find out very few good things. Happy items make the paper far less often than sad times. Births merit a quick line - son born to, weddings and anniversaries get a nice write up if the family submitted the information. But mostly you find death notices, accident reports and arrests. All of these are wonderful for filling in and untangling family lines but often make me sad.

Since finding this I have been hooked on newspaper searches. The newspaper article above was transcribed. Here are some tips for searching old newspapers online:

• When searching old papers be sure to use every conceivable spelling of a surname.


• Search by known addresses. In my husband's family some of the family homes were passed down through the family for 100 years. You may find spelling variations this way that otherwise wouldn't occur to you.


• Be sure to put your search terms in quotes, ie: "500 Carbon". Do not include St., Ave., or Rd. as sometimes they may have been spelled out and other times omitted.


• The optical readers that search engines use sometimes get hung up on old and faded type so use creative searches. 500, 506, and 509 may all look the same to the search engine. When looking for articles about my Hollington family I found twice as many articles by changing the i to l - Holllngton. Interchange a, e, and o to generate more hits. Try interchanging the number 0 and the letter o.


• Try search first by given and surname, then add a middle initial, add the middle name and then begin again with surname and given name, etc.


• In small town papers search for just a surname with various spellings. This can have big payouts in in city papers. Most of the Grabowski's in Syracuse are related but when searching just by surname I restrict the number of years I'm searching to making sorting through all of the hits manageable.


• If you still do not find the marriage notice or obituary you are seeking you can try searching for terms like were wed, wedding, death, funeral, etc but restrict the dates of the search as much as possible. I have had only limited success searching this way.

A slightly different version of this post first appeared at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree on 2 January 2006. Since that time I have learned how to create links ;-), I no longer have a subscription to NewspaperArchive.com and wish I could afford it again, and I have added some more tips for searching.