I recently have been digging into my Fielding family tree. My grandpap's mother was Birdie Boggs Fielding, the daughter of James Fielding and Sarah Virginia MacDonald. James Fielding filed for a Civil War pension file, which I recently received, and boy are there a bunch of neat things in it that I will hopefully get into when I finish processing it (there are over 156 images all told in the file.... so I am working on it).
Upon receiving the file and starting the processing of all of the documents, I realized that my Fielding branch isn't as fleshed out as the three other branches of my tree are.... I have a vast collection of information on the rest of my first great-grandparents' families (Woods, Waldspurgers, and Vautiers) but not so much on the Fieldings.... I am setting out to rectify this now.
That being said, I hit my first brick wall in my great-grandmother's slightly elder brother, Marcus MacDonald Fielding.... I know where he was born and even where he died, but so much of his life seems to be missing, so I figured he's be my first Fielding piece to appear on this blog. And of course, he's a Chasing the Elusive!
Marcus MacDonald "Mark" Fielding was born 2 December 1878 in what was then Allegheny City, Pennsylvania (now Pittsburgh's North Side). He was the youngest son born to James Fielding and Sarah Virginia MacDonald and the second youngest of their seven children. His year of birth is one of the first points that is confusing, as the 1880 census and 1900 census, as well as the voucher circular questions found in James Fielding's pension file that were filled out by James himself all list Marcus' year of birth as being 1878, but any document that Marcus had a chance to fill out in later life has his year of birth as 1879. Perhaps he thought he was a year younger than he actually was?
Marcus lived with his family, mostly in Allegheny City (although James seems to have moved around a bit himself, as I am working those details out at the moment), until about 21 years of age, according to census records, as he's enumerated with the family in both the 1880 and 1900 US Federal Censuses.
After the 1900 census, he disappears until 1918, when he filled out a draft card in Chicago, Illinois for World War One. On 12 September 1918, he gave his place of residence as 2358 Indiana Avenue, Flat 608 in Chicago. This same document lists his place of employment as the Ordnance Department of the Standard Steel Car Company in Hammond, Indiana, where he worked as a machinist. On the 1920 census enumeration, he's listed as living as a roomer at 1570 Van Buren Street and employed as a machinist, but out of work.
He then disappears again until 1930. On 19 April 1930, he's enumerated on the 1930 Federal census as living at 143 West 14th Street in Los Angeles, California, and working as a tile setter. What's interesting is he's also listed as divorced, but no marriage can be found for him previous to 1930 (nor do I know where to look for one).
There is one marriage for him I was able to find. On 25 November 1939, at the age of 60 (or 59, depending on what year is correct on his birth record) he married a sixty-three-year-old widow by the name of Lillie Bea Millheisler Alderson in Los Angeles, California. The couple was married by Harold E. Carlson, a Methodist minister, and the witnesses were Hilda Sherman of 1565 West 14th Street and Signa Carlson of 1575 West 14th Street, both in Los Angeles. This marriage was short-lived though, as local newspapers reported on 6 January 1940, just over a full month after marrying, that Lillie had filed for divorce. By 8 February 1940, the divorce was granted. It is not known why the couple divorced, as the records have not yet been located.
Three months later, Mark, as he was known, was working at the Tanbark Flats Forest Experiment Station Dry Lake Branch Camp in San Jose Township, Los Angeles County, California as a tile cutter and stonemason, as enumerated in the 1940 Census.
The next and final document I have on him is his death record, which indicates he died at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Hondo, Los Angeles County, California on 11 June 1952 and was cremated at the Los Angles County Crematory fifteen days later. No cause of death is noted on the certificate, which is interesting.
Here is what I can't find for him:
Any record of him on the 1910 Federal Censuses... and I have tried searching different census sites - because I don't know WHERE he lived, I can't eliminate anything at this point.
A record for his first marriage (which had to have happened after 1920).
His World War Two draft card registration... he would have been old enough for the "Old Man's Draft", but no record can be found as of yet on Ancestry or Fold 3.
Any indication as to why he moved across the country, although I have a hunch he went to California to look for work during the Depression, or right before it... perhaps he was running from a bad marriage too?
Right now, he's just there. I am hoping as I flesh out information on his siblings I will find a breadcrumb that will lead me back to him, but at the moment that's all I have...... So he's an Elusive I need to chase!
Sources Used
"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Year: 1900, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 10 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1357, Page: 3A, Enumeration District: 0081, and FHL microfilm: 1241357; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.
"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 February 2020), Entry for Mark Fielding, Year: 1920, Census Place: Chicago Ward 18 Cook (Chicago), Illinois, Roll: T625_329, Page: 24B, and Enumeration District: 1054; citing Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 February 2020), Entry for Mark Fielding (indexed as Ficlding), Year: 1940, Census Place: San Jose Los Angeles, California, Roll: m-t0627-00255, Page: 3A, and Enumeration District: 19-748; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.
Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Year: 1880, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1086, Family History Film: 1255086, Page: 132B, Enumeration District: 006, and Image: 0269; citing Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 26 February 2020), Entry for Mark Fielding, d. 11 June 1952, cn 12141; referencing Death certificates, Los Angeles County, California, nos. 10950-12576, 1952; citing California State Archives, Sacramento.
"California, County Marriages, 1850-1952," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 26 February 2020), Entry for mark Fielding and Lillie Bea Alderson, 25 Nov 1939, cn 17086, book 1633, page 290, Los Angeles County (California); FHL microfilm 2,114,343; citing county courthouses, California.
"California, Death Index, 1940-1997," index online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for Mark Fielding, born 2 Dec 1879, died 11 Jun 1952, Los Angeles County; citing State of California. California Death Index, 1940-1997. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.
"Divorces Filed," The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), 6 January 1940, page 15; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 26 February 2020).
"Divorces Granted," The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), 8 February 1940, page 37; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 26 February 2020).
"Intention to Marry," The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), 21 November 1939, page 15; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 26 February 2020).
Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding sent via electronic file to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for Mark Fielding, born 2 Dec 1879; SSN 568186575; Parents James Fielding and Sarah V. MacDonald; citing Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007.
"U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 February 2020), Entry for Marcus Fielding, born 2 Dec 1879; Registration State: Illinois; Registration County: Cook; Roll: 1452382; Draft Board: 02; citing United States, Selective Service System. "World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.
26 February 2020
19 February 2020
Stocking Making: A Family Industry
The tricoteur, bonnetier, Strumpfmacher, Strumpfweber, knitter, stocking maker, hosiery mill laborer... all of these titles were listed as occupations done by various family members in my Waldspurger family tree. Because at least five generations of Waldspurger family members have been occupied in this industry, I thought I better take a look at what it entailed.
History of Stocking-Making
Stocking making before the invention of the knitting machine was done by hand, obviously. Most stockings in this time were actually worn by men, and made popular by them. Knitted stockings were often expensive, given that they took more time to make than stockings made of woven material and sewn. However, because knitted stockings had more elasticity, they were better constructed and fit better than ones made from woven material, even if they didn't last long due to the way they were washed. So they were in higher demand.
While men wore stockings and flaunted them, women's stockings were often plain and functional, meant only to keep legs warm, since women wore dresses or skirts that went down to the floor, hence not needing to flaunt any decorations. It was considered risque for a woman to show even her ankles. One of the first famous women to wear stockings and make it known was Queen Elizabeth I of England. She apparently wore some elaborately made stockings too.
William Lee, a curate from Calverton, in England, created the first mechanical stocking knitter by 1589. While Queen Elizabeth I rejected the machine (citing that she wanted to keep her hand knitters employed), King Henry IV of France loved the idea (since he loved wearing stockings as well) and helped Lee establish the machines in France. However, when Henry was assassinated in 1610, Lee's life in France fell to pieces and after he died, his brother moved the machines back to England and improved upon them. They eventually became so successful that spies from around Europe were sent to steal the blueprints and establish the machines in their countries. By the nineteenth century, the industry was widely established and were one of the first industries to trigger the Industrial Revolution.
Hosiery was often made of silk, though linen, wool and cotton hose were also knitted. The Industrial Revolution helped to bring these stockings to the masses. In the late 19th century, rayon was invented as the first man-made material and was introduced into hosiery, though silk stocking were still the most preferred of hose.
By the 1920s, hosiery had made a shift from being predominately worn by men to being worn by females, and as skirts got shorter in the flapper era, stockings became more elaborately designed and colored hose became the rage. Eventually, around the middle of the 20th century, nylon and later spandex were invented by Du Pont, and made waves as they were introduced into the industry.
First Generation
The first documented Waldspurger ancestor to be a stocking maker was François Waldspurger, father to Florian Waldspurger. François lived in Bas-Rhin, Alsace his entire life. He was born in Ebersheim, moved to Diebolsheim, where he married Sophie Egermann and had three children, and eventually moved his family to the larger city of Erstein. On all of his children's birth records (of which there were nine) and also on three different French census records, he is listed as a bonnetier (hosier), faiseur de bas (stockings maker) or tricoteur (knitter). By the time of his death on 6 June 1875, however, Alsace was part of the German Empire, so Franz Waldspurger, as he was known on his German death certificate, was also occupied as the German counterpart to one of his French occupations.
Second Generation
Florian Waldspurger, who was husband to Elizabeth Marie Hans, was the sixth child born to François Waldspurger and Sophie Egermann. Since Alsace was in German occupation when he came of age, he had occupations that were listed obviously in German. Florian was employed as a Strumpfweber (stocking weaver) and Strumpfmacher (stocking maker), as listed on both his marriage license and also on the birth certificates of his two eldest children. When the family moved to Philadelphia in 1880, Florian quickly found work in the textile industry of the area (which was brought to the area by immigrants such as Florian). His occupation varied from document to document, as he was listed as a weaver, a knitter, a tailor, and an ironer (the changing occupations isn't a surprise in an area where small scale industries were forever changing to suit Philadelphia's current needs).
Florian, whose name was also butchered severely in the same documents, likely worked in a number of different factories in the Northern Liberties neighborhood in which he lived, as the textile industry was one of many that dominated the heavily industrialized neighborhood and the surrounding areas. At one point, he owned his own knit good business, which was not hard to achieve, because in Philadelphia, most textile industries were owned by first generation immigrants. However, his health began to decline as a result of the heavily industrialized air that he breathed in on a daily basis, and he removed to the country and took up a farmer's lifestyle to help improve his health. He was on his way to collect the money owed him for selling his business (among other things) on that fateful day of 2 September 1900 when the Hatfield Train Wreck took place.
Third Generation
Because Elizabeth Hans Waldspurger could not fully support the needs of her family herself, and since it was a socially appropriate thing to do, her children went to work after they finished their primary schooling at eighth grade. The youngest two children, Elizabeth and Clara, both went to work for the textile industry in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Philadelphia. Both girls were listed as winders of cloth in the 1910 census enumerations. Clara was also listed as a winder at the stockingmills in Lansdale, per her marriage application.
Fourth Generation
Hosiery mills were a prevalent industry in the southeastern portion of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, especially in Montgomery County, where the Waldspurgers moved in the latter part of the 1910s. Many of the grandchildren of Florian and Elizabeth Marie Hans Waldspurger worked in the industry at one of the many hosiery mills in the area, especially in Lansdale and North Wales.
All of the nine sons of Edward Waldspurger (Florian's son and Francois' grandson) worked in one of the hosiery or textile mills at one point or another, including my own grandfather, who worked at Elm Hosiery Mill in North Wales.
Some of the other grandchildren in the extended Waldspurger family also worked the hosiery mills at one point or another, as it was an easy job to start at in the twentieth century. Because of the increasing mechanization of the mills, the job was much less skilled in the 1900s than it was in the time of François just three generations prior.
It is possible that some of the descendants of François Waldspurger even participated in the Dexdale Hosiery Strike of 1933 that took place in Cheltenham. Florian Waldspurger, son of Edward and great-grandson of François, did work at Dexdale for a bit, though it is not known exactly when. (He later became a watch and jewelry repair man).
Fifth Generation
Since Hosiery mills were so prominent in the southeastern Pennsylvania area, some of the great-great-grandchildren of François Waldspurger also were engaged in hosiery making as their first places of employment in the area. However, since a number of this generation is still alive, I have chosen not to go into depth about their employment.
Sources Used
"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 September 2016), Family of Elizabeth Waldspurger, Year: 1910, Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 25 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1398, Page: 12A, Enumeration District: 0539, and FHL microfilm: 1375411; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 September 2016), Entry for Edward C Waldspurger and family, Year: 1930, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 2082, Page: 14B, Enumeration District: 0053, Image: 55.0, and FHL microfilm: 2341816; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.
"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 April 2019), Entry for Edward Waldspurger and family, Year: 1940, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: m-t0627-03579, Page: 9B, and Enumeration District: 46-68; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.
"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 September 2016), Entry for Edward C. Waldburger and family, Year: 1940, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T627_3579, Page: 7B, and Enumeration District: 46-70.
A Leg To Stand On: A History Of Hosiery (https://www.wolfordshop.net/history.html : accessed 7 February 2020), history of stockings.
Bender, Alexa. "18th Century Stockings," website, La Couturière Parisienne (http://www.marquise.de/en/1700/howto/struempfe.shtml: accessed 6 February 2020), explanation of stockings in the 18th century.
"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 4 September 2016), year 1887; page 1748; "Walzbuler Flurion, laborer, h r 522 Poplar".
"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 4 September 2016), year 1889; page 1849; "Waschberger Julian, tailor, h 1 r 522 Poplar".
"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 4 September 2016), year 1890; page 1899; "Walzburger Lorian, tailor, h r 522 Poplar".
Clendenin, Malcolm. "Building Industrial Philadelphia," (essay, 2009) digital copy, Preservation Alliance For Greater Philadelphia, (http://www.preservationalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/HCSIndustrial.pdf : accessed 17 February 2020); 10.
Cornelius D Waldspurger and Elizabeth May Grace, (10 October 1936), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: no. 59873; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Cutlip, Kimbra. "How 75 Years Ago Nylon Stockings Changed the World," Smithsonian Magazine, 11 May 2015; online article, Smithsonian Magazine (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-75-years-ago-nylon-stockings-changed-world-180955219/ : accessed 7 February 2020).
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August 2016), no. 4, Catherine Waltspurger; 20 Feb 1835; citing Actes de Naissance de la commune d' Dibolsheim, arrondissement Selestat, department du Bas Rhin, 1835; listed as father.
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 5 September 2016), no. 12, Florian Waldspurger and Maria Elizabeth Hans, 1877; citing citing Actes de Mariage de la Commune Erstein, Arrondissment de Selestat, Department du Bas Rhin, 1877, [annexion allemande].
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August 2016), Number 43, Aloise Waldspurger, 1853; citing Registre de Naissances 1853, Arrondissment de Selestat, Commune d' Erstein; listed as father.
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August 2016), Number 54, Marianne Waldsburger, 1840; citing Actes de Naissance pour 1840, Arrondissement de Schelestadt, Commune de Erstein.
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 5 September 2016), no. 76, Eduard Waldspurger, 1877; citing Actes de Naissances de la Commune Erstein, Arrondissment de Selestat, Department du Bas Rhin, 1877, [annexion allemande].
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August 2016), Number 102, Martin Waldspurger, 1849; citing Actes de Naissance pour 1849, Arrondissement de Schelestadt, Commune de Erstein; listed as father.
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 5 September 2016), no. 127, Eugene Waldspurger, 1878; citing Actes de Naissances de la Commune Erstein, Arrondissment de Selestat, Department du Bas Rhin, 1878, [annexion allemande].
Elizabeth Waldspurger entry, Birth Registers 1860-1903, "Births Registered during 1889 Nov - 1890 Oct", reel 44: page 155, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Father listed as F. Waldspurger, weaver.
Ernest Walspurger entry, Birth Registers 1860-1903, "Births Registered during 1887 Jan-Dec." reel 41: page 38, line 5, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Father listed as F Walspurger, weaver
Felkin, William. A History of the Machine-wrought Hosiery and Lace Manufactures (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1867), 542-550; online images, Google Books(https://books.google.com/books?id=PPK1FYmWYo8C&dq=hosiery+making+in+france+history&source=gbs_navlinks_s : accessed 7 February 2020; history of French hosiery making on machines.
"History of Hosiery," article, Vienne Milano (https://www.viennemilano.com/blog/pantyhose-and-tights-a-history-of-hosiery : accessed 7 February 2020).
Interview with James Waldspurger (Hatfield, Pennsylvania), by Kelley Wood-Davis, 25 August 2017. oral interview, notes taken, held in 2017 by Kelley Wood-Davis (Norwalk, Iowa).
John Francis Best and Clara Agnes Waldspurger, marriage, (6 September 1916), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: no. 27723; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Laskow, Sarah. "A Machine That Made Stockings Helped Kick Off the Industrial Revolution," Atlas Obscura, 19 September 2017 (https://www.atlasobscura.com/ : accessed 6 February 2020).
Lawrence Waldspurger and Emma Teresa Hoelscher, (11 May 1935), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: no. 57225; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Masciantonio, Robert. "In Kensington, Old Textile Mill To Be Revived With Apartments," Hidden City: Exploring Philadelphia's Urban Landscape, 7 May 2019 (https://hiddencityphila.org/ : accessed 17 February 2020).
McCarthy, Jack. "Silk and Silk Makers," The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, 2018 (philadelphiaencyclopedia.org : accessed 17 February 2020).
"Oral interviews with various Waldspurger family members," 1999-2020 by Patricia Waldspurger Mahoney, information and notes collected by Patricia Waldspurger Mahoney and passed along to Kelley Wood-Davis; owned by Patricia Waldspurger Mahoney, Lansdale, Pennsylvania; no notes taken; oral information on family history.
Recensement de 1856 (Census of 1856), Department du Bas Rhin, Arrondissement du Selestat, Canton du Erstein, Commune du Erstein, Images 45 and 46, household 158; family 204; individuals 827-835, Francois Walspurger and family; digital images, La Direction des Archives du Département du Bas-Rhin, Archives Départementales Du Bas-Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr : accessed 31 August 2016); 7 M 359.
Recensement de 1861 (1861 Census), Département du Bas-Rhin, Arrondissement du Selestat, Canton du Erstein, Commune du Erstein, image 9, house number 68, family 112, individuals 427-436, Family of Francois Walspurger; digital images, La Direction des Archives du Département du Bas-Rhin, Archives Départementales du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/recensements-population : accessed 8 September 2016); 7 M 359.
Recensement de 1866 (1866 Census), Département du Bas-Rhin, Arrondissement du Selestat, Canton du Erstein, Commune du Erstein, image number 15, household no. 137, family no. 122, individuals 830-839, Family of Francois Walsburger; digital images, La Direction des Archives du Département du Bas-Rhin, Archives Départementales du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/recensements-population/ : accessed 8 September 2016); 7 M 359.
Scranton, Philip B. Workshop of the World - Philadelphia (http://www.workshopoftheworld.com/ : accessed 17 February 2020), information on the stocking and textile industry on Philadelphia.
"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 September 2016), Entry for Florian Woldspurger; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1885; p 1888; "Woldspurger Florian, laborer, h r 522 Polar"; citing a collection of directories for U.S. cities and counties in various years.
"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 September 2016), Entry for Florian Waldspurger; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1886; page 1776; "Waldspurger Florian, knit goods, r 522 Poplar".
"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 September 2016), Entry for Florlan Waldspurger; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1891; p. 1917; "Waldspurger Florian, knitter, h r 522 Poplar".
"Walter Licht Speaks on Philadelphia’s Textile Heritage," Mural Arts Philadelphia, 5 August 2012 (www.muralarts.org/blog : accessed 17 February 2020).
"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for Ernest Waldspurger; Serial Number 1313; Order Number 1775; citing National Archives and Records Administration; Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Multiple Registrations; RG: 147.
"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for Florian Waldspurger; Serial Number T24, Order Number T10402.
"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for James Waldspurger; Serial Number S-92, Order Number S3224.
"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for Joseph Waldspurger; Serial Number 2036; Order Number 971.
"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for William Florian Waldspurger; Serial Number T713; Order Number T11096.
History of Stocking-Making
Stocking making before the invention of the knitting machine was done by hand, obviously. Most stockings in this time were actually worn by men, and made popular by them. Knitted stockings were often expensive, given that they took more time to make than stockings made of woven material and sewn. However, because knitted stockings had more elasticity, they were better constructed and fit better than ones made from woven material, even if they didn't last long due to the way they were washed. So they were in higher demand.
While men wore stockings and flaunted them, women's stockings were often plain and functional, meant only to keep legs warm, since women wore dresses or skirts that went down to the floor, hence not needing to flaunt any decorations. It was considered risque for a woman to show even her ankles. One of the first famous women to wear stockings and make it known was Queen Elizabeth I of England. She apparently wore some elaborately made stockings too.
William Lee, a curate from Calverton, in England, created the first mechanical stocking knitter by 1589. While Queen Elizabeth I rejected the machine (citing that she wanted to keep her hand knitters employed), King Henry IV of France loved the idea (since he loved wearing stockings as well) and helped Lee establish the machines in France. However, when Henry was assassinated in 1610, Lee's life in France fell to pieces and after he died, his brother moved the machines back to England and improved upon them. They eventually became so successful that spies from around Europe were sent to steal the blueprints and establish the machines in their countries. By the nineteenth century, the industry was widely established and were one of the first industries to trigger the Industrial Revolution.
Hosiery was often made of silk, though linen, wool and cotton hose were also knitted. The Industrial Revolution helped to bring these stockings to the masses. In the late 19th century, rayon was invented as the first man-made material and was introduced into hosiery, though silk stocking were still the most preferred of hose.
By the 1920s, hosiery had made a shift from being predominately worn by men to being worn by females, and as skirts got shorter in the flapper era, stockings became more elaborately designed and colored hose became the rage. Eventually, around the middle of the 20th century, nylon and later spandex were invented by Du Pont, and made waves as they were introduced into the industry.
First Generation
The first documented Waldspurger ancestor to be a stocking maker was François Waldspurger, father to Florian Waldspurger. François lived in Bas-Rhin, Alsace his entire life. He was born in Ebersheim, moved to Diebolsheim, where he married Sophie Egermann and had three children, and eventually moved his family to the larger city of Erstein. On all of his children's birth records (of which there were nine) and also on three different French census records, he is listed as a bonnetier (hosier), faiseur de bas (stockings maker) or tricoteur (knitter). By the time of his death on 6 June 1875, however, Alsace was part of the German Empire, so Franz Waldspurger, as he was known on his German death certificate, was also occupied as the German counterpart to one of his French occupations.
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| Loom likely used by François Waldspurger. Found in The illustrated exhibitor: a tribute to the world's industrial jubilee (London: John Cassel,1851) page 431. Source: Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, Heidelberger Historische Bestände digital via Wikipedia Commons |
Second Generation
Florian Waldspurger, who was husband to Elizabeth Marie Hans, was the sixth child born to François Waldspurger and Sophie Egermann. Since Alsace was in German occupation when he came of age, he had occupations that were listed obviously in German. Florian was employed as a Strumpfweber (stocking weaver) and Strumpfmacher (stocking maker), as listed on both his marriage license and also on the birth certificates of his two eldest children. When the family moved to Philadelphia in 1880, Florian quickly found work in the textile industry of the area (which was brought to the area by immigrants such as Florian). His occupation varied from document to document, as he was listed as a weaver, a knitter, a tailor, and an ironer (the changing occupations isn't a surprise in an area where small scale industries were forever changing to suit Philadelphia's current needs).
Florian, whose name was also butchered severely in the same documents, likely worked in a number of different factories in the Northern Liberties neighborhood in which he lived, as the textile industry was one of many that dominated the heavily industrialized neighborhood and the surrounding areas. At one point, he owned his own knit good business, which was not hard to achieve, because in Philadelphia, most textile industries were owned by first generation immigrants. However, his health began to decline as a result of the heavily industrialized air that he breathed in on a daily basis, and he removed to the country and took up a farmer's lifestyle to help improve his health. He was on his way to collect the money owed him for selling his business (among other things) on that fateful day of 2 September 1900 when the Hatfield Train Wreck took place.
Third Generation
Because Elizabeth Hans Waldspurger could not fully support the needs of her family herself, and since it was a socially appropriate thing to do, her children went to work after they finished their primary schooling at eighth grade. The youngest two children, Elizabeth and Clara, both went to work for the textile industry in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Philadelphia. Both girls were listed as winders of cloth in the 1910 census enumerations. Clara was also listed as a winder at the stockingmills in Lansdale, per her marriage application.
Fourth Generation
Hosiery mills were a prevalent industry in the southeastern portion of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, especially in Montgomery County, where the Waldspurgers moved in the latter part of the 1910s. Many of the grandchildren of Florian and Elizabeth Marie Hans Waldspurger worked in the industry at one of the many hosiery mills in the area, especially in Lansdale and North Wales.
All of the nine sons of Edward Waldspurger (Florian's son and Francois' grandson) worked in one of the hosiery or textile mills at one point or another, including my own grandfather, who worked at Elm Hosiery Mill in North Wales.
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| My pop, Ernest Waldspurger, at work at the hosiery mill circa 1940. It is presumed this mill was Elm Hosiery in North Wales. Personal Collection of the blogger |
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| Ernest Waldspurger looking over a hosiery loom with his boss, circa 1940, probably at Elm Hosiery, North Wales. Personal collection of the blogger. |
Fifth Generation
Since Hosiery mills were so prominent in the southeastern Pennsylvania area, some of the great-great-grandchildren of François Waldspurger also were engaged in hosiery making as their first places of employment in the area. However, since a number of this generation is still alive, I have chosen not to go into depth about their employment.
Sources Used
"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 September 2016), Family of Elizabeth Waldspurger, Year: 1910, Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 25 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1398, Page: 12A, Enumeration District: 0539, and FHL microfilm: 1375411; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 September 2016), Entry for Edward C Waldspurger and family, Year: 1930, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 2082, Page: 14B, Enumeration District: 0053, Image: 55.0, and FHL microfilm: 2341816; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.
"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 April 2019), Entry for Edward Waldspurger and family, Year: 1940, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: m-t0627-03579, Page: 9B, and Enumeration District: 46-68; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.
"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 September 2016), Entry for Edward C. Waldburger and family, Year: 1940, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T627_3579, Page: 7B, and Enumeration District: 46-70.
A Leg To Stand On: A History Of Hosiery (https://www.wolfordshop.net/history.html : accessed 7 February 2020), history of stockings.
Bender, Alexa. "18th Century Stockings," website, La Couturière Parisienne (http://www.marquise.de/en/1700/howto/struempfe.shtml: accessed 6 February 2020), explanation of stockings in the 18th century.
"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 4 September 2016), year 1887; page 1748; "Walzbuler Flurion, laborer, h r 522 Poplar".
"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 4 September 2016), year 1889; page 1849; "Waschberger Julian, tailor, h 1 r 522 Poplar".
"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 4 September 2016), year 1890; page 1899; "Walzburger Lorian, tailor, h r 522 Poplar".
Clendenin, Malcolm. "Building Industrial Philadelphia," (essay, 2009) digital copy, Preservation Alliance For Greater Philadelphia, (http://www.preservationalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/HCSIndustrial.pdf : accessed 17 February 2020); 10.
Cornelius D Waldspurger and Elizabeth May Grace, (10 October 1936), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: no. 59873; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Cutlip, Kimbra. "How 75 Years Ago Nylon Stockings Changed the World," Smithsonian Magazine, 11 May 2015; online article, Smithsonian Magazine (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-75-years-ago-nylon-stockings-changed-world-180955219/ : accessed 7 February 2020).
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August 2016), no. 4, Catherine Waltspurger; 20 Feb 1835; citing Actes de Naissance de la commune d' Dibolsheim, arrondissement Selestat, department du Bas Rhin, 1835; listed as father.
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 5 September 2016), no. 12, Florian Waldspurger and Maria Elizabeth Hans, 1877; citing citing Actes de Mariage de la Commune Erstein, Arrondissment de Selestat, Department du Bas Rhin, 1877, [annexion allemande].
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August 2016), Number 43, Aloise Waldspurger, 1853; citing Registre de Naissances 1853, Arrondissment de Selestat, Commune d' Erstein; listed as father.
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August 2016), Number 54, Marianne Waldsburger, 1840; citing Actes de Naissance pour 1840, Arrondissement de Schelestadt, Commune de Erstein.
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 5 September 2016), no. 76, Eduard Waldspurger, 1877; citing Actes de Naissances de la Commune Erstein, Arrondissment de Selestat, Department du Bas Rhin, 1877, [annexion allemande].
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August 2016), Number 102, Martin Waldspurger, 1849; citing Actes de Naissance pour 1849, Arrondissement de Schelestadt, Commune de Erstein; listed as father.
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 5 September 2016), no. 127, Eugene Waldspurger, 1878; citing Actes de Naissances de la Commune Erstein, Arrondissment de Selestat, Department du Bas Rhin, 1878, [annexion allemande].
Elizabeth Waldspurger entry, Birth Registers 1860-1903, "Births Registered during 1889 Nov - 1890 Oct", reel 44: page 155, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Father listed as F. Waldspurger, weaver.
Ernest Walspurger entry, Birth Registers 1860-1903, "Births Registered during 1887 Jan-Dec." reel 41: page 38, line 5, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Father listed as F Walspurger, weaver
Felkin, William. A History of the Machine-wrought Hosiery and Lace Manufactures (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1867), 542-550; online images, Google Books(https://books.google.com/books?id=PPK1FYmWYo8C&dq=hosiery+making+in+france+history&source=gbs_navlinks_s : accessed 7 February 2020; history of French hosiery making on machines.
"History of Hosiery," article, Vienne Milano (https://www.viennemilano.com/blog/pantyhose-and-tights-a-history-of-hosiery : accessed 7 February 2020).
Interview with James Waldspurger (Hatfield, Pennsylvania), by Kelley Wood-Davis, 25 August 2017. oral interview, notes taken, held in 2017 by Kelley Wood-Davis (Norwalk, Iowa).
John Francis Best and Clara Agnes Waldspurger, marriage, (6 September 1916), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: no. 27723; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Laskow, Sarah. "A Machine That Made Stockings Helped Kick Off the Industrial Revolution," Atlas Obscura, 19 September 2017 (https://www.atlasobscura.com/ : accessed 6 February 2020).
Lawrence Waldspurger and Emma Teresa Hoelscher, (11 May 1935), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: no. 57225; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Masciantonio, Robert. "In Kensington, Old Textile Mill To Be Revived With Apartments," Hidden City: Exploring Philadelphia's Urban Landscape, 7 May 2019 (https://hiddencityphila.org/ : accessed 17 February 2020).
McCarthy, Jack. "Silk and Silk Makers," The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, 2018 (philadelphiaencyclopedia.org : accessed 17 February 2020).
"Oral interviews with various Waldspurger family members," 1999-2020 by Patricia Waldspurger Mahoney, information and notes collected by Patricia Waldspurger Mahoney and passed along to Kelley Wood-Davis; owned by Patricia Waldspurger Mahoney, Lansdale, Pennsylvania; no notes taken; oral information on family history.
Recensement de 1856 (Census of 1856), Department du Bas Rhin, Arrondissement du Selestat, Canton du Erstein, Commune du Erstein, Images 45 and 46, household 158; family 204; individuals 827-835, Francois Walspurger and family; digital images, La Direction des Archives du Département du Bas-Rhin, Archives Départementales Du Bas-Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr : accessed 31 August 2016); 7 M 359.
Recensement de 1861 (1861 Census), Département du Bas-Rhin, Arrondissement du Selestat, Canton du Erstein, Commune du Erstein, image 9, house number 68, family 112, individuals 427-436, Family of Francois Walspurger; digital images, La Direction des Archives du Département du Bas-Rhin, Archives Départementales du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/recensements-population : accessed 8 September 2016); 7 M 359.
Recensement de 1866 (1866 Census), Département du Bas-Rhin, Arrondissement du Selestat, Canton du Erstein, Commune du Erstein, image number 15, household no. 137, family no. 122, individuals 830-839, Family of Francois Walsburger; digital images, La Direction des Archives du Département du Bas-Rhin, Archives Départementales du Bas Rhin (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/recensements-population/ : accessed 8 September 2016); 7 M 359.
Scranton, Philip B. Workshop of the World - Philadelphia (http://www.workshopoftheworld.com/ : accessed 17 February 2020), information on the stocking and textile industry on Philadelphia.
"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 September 2016), Entry for Florian Woldspurger; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1885; p 1888; "Woldspurger Florian, laborer, h r 522 Polar"; citing a collection of directories for U.S. cities and counties in various years.
"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 September 2016), Entry for Florian Waldspurger; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1886; page 1776; "Waldspurger Florian, knit goods, r 522 Poplar".
"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 September 2016), Entry for Florlan Waldspurger; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1891; p. 1917; "Waldspurger Florian, knitter, h r 522 Poplar".
"Walter Licht Speaks on Philadelphia’s Textile Heritage," Mural Arts Philadelphia, 5 August 2012 (www.muralarts.org/blog : accessed 17 February 2020).
"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for Ernest Waldspurger; Serial Number 1313; Order Number 1775; citing National Archives and Records Administration; Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Multiple Registrations; RG: 147.
"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for Florian Waldspurger; Serial Number T24, Order Number T10402.
"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for James Waldspurger; Serial Number S-92, Order Number S3224.
"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for Joseph Waldspurger; Serial Number 2036; Order Number 971.
"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, Fold3 (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for William Florian Waldspurger; Serial Number T713; Order Number T11096.
12 February 2020
The Curious Case of Frederick E. Carlton, the Modern Bluebeard of New York
*Warning: This blog post is a very long one. I intended to put this as a series of posts on my hub on HubPages, but the format there wasn't suitable for his very long story, so it has been moved here. More posts will probably follow on his life as I uncover more research on this man.*
Upon hearing that Schaub had been sent a check for $700 from the trust, Frederick Carlton hatched upon a scheme. He represented to Harry Schaub that he had insider information on a huge property sale that was going to take place, but needed some cash to make it happen. Carlton intimated that both he and Schaub could become rich very quickly by acting on this information and convinced Schaub to turn over the cash to him.
Nothing became of the money, and Schaub became infuriated. He bugged Carlton to give him back his money, but Carlton had another idea. He had Schaub meet him at the Hotel Saint George in Brooklyn on 6 July 1905, explaining there was some paperwork needed to seal the deal. Schaub met with Carlton there, where Carlton plied him with whiskey and cigars that may or may not have been laced with drugs. When Schaub awoke the next morning, Carlton had absconded with the cash and he knew he'd been swindled.
Instead of feeling sheepish and letting go of the money, Schaub decided to get even. He went immediately to the police and made a complaint. Frederick Carlton was arrested at his mistress' hoarding house on a vagrancy charge, but soon the charge was changed to grand larceny.
But you see, that was just the tip of the iceberg of the crimes of Frederick Edward Carlton.......
An Alias
When searching his room at Mrs. Shultz's boarding house on 14 July 1905, police found numerous trunks, including one that contained several nude photographs of his mistress, Eleanor Vandeventer (which caused her to be arrested under Comstockery laws) as well as countless letters.
From those letters, it was soon determined that Frederick Carlton had been operating under several different aliases and corresponding with multiple women. It was also soon determined that even Frederick Edward Carlton was an alias.
What led them to discover this was a letter from a man in Saint Louis, who had seen Carlton's photograph in the paper, and knew him to be a local troublemaker by the name of J. E. McCandless.
In fact, there was a great deal more to be known about Carlton than just his real name.....
As a young man, McCandless wandered around Missouri, getting arrested in connection to a robbery theft in Clayton and being sentenced to thirty days for loitering in Saint Louis. After getting out of jail, he enlisted as a private in Company D of the Sixth Infantry of the United States Army, being sworn in by one Captain Morgan on 1 November 1888. With his regiment he was shipped to Fort Lewis in Colorado and then to Fort Riley in Kansas. It was here at Fort Riley that he he deserted on 8 April 1890. He received a dishonorable discharge from the Army on 27 Apr 1891 and was sentenced to two years at Fort Leavenworth.
The year was 1905. The place was New York City, New York. The character of this piece had just completed another one of his daring charades and was almost sure he wouldn't get caught. But for Frederick E. Carlton, his time was soon running out. This is his story.
Grand Larceny
In early summer of 1905, Henry J. B. "Harry" Schaub was a machinist in the United States Navy and worked on the submarine the USS Porpoise in the New York Navy Yard. He had also recently come into some money from a trust set up by the Newport Trust Company of Newport, Rhode Island.
He was roommates with another Navy man, Frederick Edward Carlton. The two lived in a boarding house at 198 Sands Street. The home was run by one Mrs. Shultz, and the two men were good friends.
In early summer of 1905, Henry J. B. "Harry" Schaub was a machinist in the United States Navy and worked on the submarine the USS Porpoise in the New York Navy Yard. He had also recently come into some money from a trust set up by the Newport Trust Company of Newport, Rhode Island.
He was roommates with another Navy man, Frederick Edward Carlton. The two lived in a boarding house at 198 Sands Street. The home was run by one Mrs. Shultz, and the two men were good friends.
Upon hearing that Schaub had been sent a check for $700 from the trust, Frederick Carlton hatched upon a scheme. He represented to Harry Schaub that he had insider information on a huge property sale that was going to take place, but needed some cash to make it happen. Carlton intimated that both he and Schaub could become rich very quickly by acting on this information and convinced Schaub to turn over the cash to him.
Nothing became of the money, and Schaub became infuriated. He bugged Carlton to give him back his money, but Carlton had another idea. He had Schaub meet him at the Hotel Saint George in Brooklyn on 6 July 1905, explaining there was some paperwork needed to seal the deal. Schaub met with Carlton there, where Carlton plied him with whiskey and cigars that may or may not have been laced with drugs. When Schaub awoke the next morning, Carlton had absconded with the cash and he knew he'd been swindled.
Instead of feeling sheepish and letting go of the money, Schaub decided to get even. He went immediately to the police and made a complaint. Frederick Carlton was arrested at his mistress' hoarding house on a vagrancy charge, but soon the charge was changed to grand larceny.
But you see, that was just the tip of the iceberg of the crimes of Frederick Edward Carlton.......
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| Frederick Carlton, as depicted on page 4 of The Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia), 1 August 1905 on Chronicling America |
It was soon discovered that Frederick Edward Carlton wasn't who he said he was......
When searching his room at Mrs. Shultz's boarding house on 14 July 1905, police found numerous trunks, including one that contained several nude photographs of his mistress, Eleanor Vandeventer (which caused her to be arrested under Comstockery laws) as well as countless letters.
From those letters, it was soon determined that Frederick Carlton had been operating under several different aliases and corresponding with multiple women. It was also soon determined that even Frederick Edward Carlton was an alias.
What led them to discover this was a letter from a man in Saint Louis, who had seen Carlton's photograph in the paper, and knew him to be a local troublemaker by the name of J. E. McCandless.
In fact, there was a great deal more to be known about Carlton than just his real name.....
A Missouri Man
James Edward McCandless was born 23 April 1868 as the eldest child of Alexander McCandless and Anna Law in Louisiana, Pike County, Missouri. The family relocated to Moberly, Randolph County, Missouri, where James grew up in. It is said he began his life of crime as a schoolboy, and by the time he was a young man, he was well known in the area for being reckless and wayward.
As a young man, McCandless wandered around Missouri, getting arrested in connection to a robbery theft in Clayton and being sentenced to thirty days for loitering in Saint Louis. After getting out of jail, he enlisted as a private in Company D of the Sixth Infantry of the United States Army, being sworn in by one Captain Morgan on 1 November 1888. With his regiment he was shipped to Fort Lewis in Colorado and then to Fort Riley in Kansas. It was here at Fort Riley that he he deserted on 8 April 1890. He received a dishonorable discharge from the Army on 27 Apr 1891 and was sentenced to two years at Fort Leavenworth.
After this, James Edward McCandless seemed to have disappeared from radar, or so most people thought.
Women Scorned
In addition to being identified as James Edward McCandless as a result of his photograph, Frederick Carlton soon found himself being accused of bigamy, as many women wrote to claim that he was their husband.
As stated before, the police found many letters in one of the chests amongst Carlton's belongings. These letters were of a more personal nature, addressed to many different women, under many different names. It seemed Frederick Carlton fancied himself as a lady's man, and had women all over the country.
All of the stories were eerily similar..... Each woman had accumulated some sort of nest egg in the form of savings, inheritance, or jewels. Each woman found herself being wooed by a handsome, often younger, man who claimed he was rich himself, but needed to "borrow" her money to get something done. Then after being convinced to tie the knot, each of these women suddenly found themselves deserted and their nest eggs gone, and their husbands never to be seen again.
Carlton had this to say about the accusations being thrown at him:
Women Scorned
In addition to being identified as James Edward McCandless as a result of his photograph, Frederick Carlton soon found himself being accused of bigamy, as many women wrote to claim that he was their husband.
As stated before, the police found many letters in one of the chests amongst Carlton's belongings. These letters were of a more personal nature, addressed to many different women, under many different names. It seemed Frederick Carlton fancied himself as a lady's man, and had women all over the country.
All of the stories were eerily similar..... Each woman had accumulated some sort of nest egg in the form of savings, inheritance, or jewels. Each woman found herself being wooed by a handsome, often younger, man who claimed he was rich himself, but needed to "borrow" her money to get something done. Then after being convinced to tie the knot, each of these women suddenly found themselves deserted and their nest eggs gone, and their husbands never to be seen again.
Carlton had this to say about the accusations being thrown at him:
"I will say that I expect to be identified by every woman whose husband is missing. It is said she identified a photograph of me. You know that an identification by photograph cuts no ice. The courts have so held repeatedly. By the way, one woman picked me out my photograph and sent her brother to this jail to look me over. The moment he saw me he said I was not the man. Within two days eight persons have been brought here for the purpose of having them identify me, but they failed." ~Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 28 July 1905, page 2Many women came forward to see if Carlton was the man who deserted them after taking their money, but ultimately the number of women fleeced was narrowed by police to twelve women. These are the twelve, in the order he likely fleeced them:
- Helen Murray from Nebraska, whom McCandless married under either his own name or as John McCandless, probably in 1890. Research cannot locate a marriage certificate for this couple as of yet.
- Jennie Andrew from Yankton, South Dakota, whom he married under the name of Fred Carlton. Like Helen Murray, research has not uncovered evidence to support or deny this
- Rose Cercier or Cherrier from Saint Louis, Missouri, whom McCandless was engaged to under the name of Carl Martin. Newspaper accounts vary as to if they wed, and no conclusive evidence can support a marriage record as of yet.
- Mrs. Lucia Mitchell from Kentucky, whom he married under the name of James Martinez. Research has not proven this marriage as of yet.
- Wiletta S. Bird, whom he legally married 26 Apr 1894 in Manhattan, New York under his real name. This was the first of his marriages that can be proven.
- Mildred "Millie" Peterson, whom he met while under the name James Edward Cartier and didn't marry, but stole from anyway in 1895.
- Mrs. Etta Kingery, a widow in Gordon, Alabama, whom he married 18 Oct 1897 under the name of Edward James Martinez and had a daughter. This marriage can also be proven.
- Mrs. Lulu Kettering, whom he married 20 Dec 1897 in Rochester, New York under the name of William DeRodriques. This marriage does have an existing record.
- Jane Maria "Jennie" Smyth, whom he married 28 Aug 1903 in Brooklyn, New York under the name of Frederick Carlton. This marriage can be proven.
- Mary P. "Mamie" Gorman, whom he married 14 Aug 1904 in Brooklyn under the name of Frederick Carlton. This marriage can also be proven.
- Eleanor Vandeventer,who he didn't marry, but lived with off and on as Frederick Carlton. She was arrested as an accomplice to his crime.
- Frederica "Rickie" Pfeiffer, whom he married 23 Jun 1905 as James Carter Richards. (This is where my connection lies with him, as she was a relative.) While it is not conclusively proven that she was swindled by Frederick Carlton, as she never identified him as her husband, the timing of the crime fits neatly into his saga, and the alias he used is similar to all of his other ones.
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| Graphic of Frederick Carlton and two of his women, as it appeared in a number of newspapers across the US, including Barbour County Index (Medicine Lodge, Kansas), from which this was clipped. Source: Chronicling America |
Interestingly enough, Carlton claimed that he was innocent of all of these crimes. In late July and early August 1905, he was declaring that his "double" was actually responsible for the crimes and that his lawyer was looking for the man. He claimed the man was related to him as a cousin and "was so like him in manner of speech, facial aspect and disposition" but that because they were related though the man's mother, he didn't want to cause the relative any scandal, so kept the identity of his "cousin" a secret. Soon enough though, that story was proved to be just another tall tale told by the con artist.
The Known Wives
Wiletta S. Bird was Carlton's first wife (chronologically) that was proved to be legally married to him, and from who the charges of bigamy were found against later wives. While newspaper accounts reported that Carlton first married Wiletta under the name of Charles R. Farley in May of 1893, this marriage cannot be found. It was also stated they wed first in Eastwood, Bergen County, New Jersey, but Eastwood did not exist in 1893. What is known is, like with his other wives, he took off with Wiletta's savings after the marriage. According to Willetta, when she found him in 1894, Carlton informed her the marriage was not legal because the minister was bogus. He also admitted he was using an alias. The couple was then legally wed a second time (Carlton used his actual name of James McCandless) on 26 April 1894. The minister for this marriage was Rev. Eli Quick, and the couple were married at his home at 725 Greenwich in Manhattan, with a friend and a sister of the bride as witnesses. However, this marriage was not happy for long, as once again Carlton deserted her, but not before trying to poison her with a lethal dose of morphine powders. Thankfully a friend stopped Wiletta from taking the powders. (In a typo, some newspaper accounts in 1905 state this marriage didn't take place until 1904....)
Bluebeard
Two of his bigamous victims, Jennie Smyth and Mamie Gorman, died from tetanus poisoning shortly after they married Carlton, and just under a year apart. Both women were in good health, aside from the suspicious manners in which they each were caused to gain the affliction.The Known Wives
Wiletta S. Bird was Carlton's first wife (chronologically) that was proved to be legally married to him, and from who the charges of bigamy were found against later wives. While newspaper accounts reported that Carlton first married Wiletta under the name of Charles R. Farley in May of 1893, this marriage cannot be found. It was also stated they wed first in Eastwood, Bergen County, New Jersey, but Eastwood did not exist in 1893. What is known is, like with his other wives, he took off with Wiletta's savings after the marriage. According to Willetta, when she found him in 1894, Carlton informed her the marriage was not legal because the minister was bogus. He also admitted he was using an alias. The couple was then legally wed a second time (Carlton used his actual name of James McCandless) on 26 April 1894. The minister for this marriage was Rev. Eli Quick, and the couple were married at his home at 725 Greenwich in Manhattan, with a friend and a sister of the bride as witnesses. However, this marriage was not happy for long, as once again Carlton deserted her, but not before trying to poison her with a lethal dose of morphine powders. Thankfully a friend stopped Wiletta from taking the powders. (In a typo, some newspaper accounts in 1905 state this marriage didn't take place until 1904....)
Mary Etta Bowdon Kingry was a rich widow with a young son living in Gordon, Alabama. On 18 October 1897, she married Carlton in Gordon under the name James Edward (or Edward James) Martinez. He worked under the guise of a physician in Gordon, according to accounts, and wooed Etta. The couple were married by a justice of the peace named F. F. Peet. They had a daughter named Eulia, who was born 1 January 1899, but like the other women, he took her money and ran
Lulu Ritz Kettering was also a young rich widow with a young son. She was living at 50 Lewis Street in Rochester, New York when Carlton wooed her under the guise of a Brazilian coffee plantation owner by the name of William DeRodriques. Lulu's family objected to the couple being wed, as Lulu had some money after her first husband had passed away, but they finally relented, and the couple was wed 20 December 1897 at Christ Church in Rochester. Just ten days later, after securing all of her jewelry, Carlton left Lulu. By the time he was caught in 1905, she had gone back to her first husband's surname of Kettering.
Jane Maria "Jennie" Smyth married Frederick E. Carlton at St. Clement's Church in Brooklyn, New York on 28 August 1903. Carlton was in the Navy at the time as a commissary agent aboard the ship the Dolphin, and was sent to Washington, DC with his unit. Jennie followed him there, and the couple took up residence in a boarding house at 500 D Street. One morning, while putting on her slippers, Jennie pricked her foot with a sewing needle that had supposedly fallen into them. As a result of the wound, she contracted tetanus and died from it on 15 May 1904. Her body was shipped back to Brooklyn, where she was buried on 20 May 1904.
The "grieving" widower wasted little time moving on. While in Brooklyn on leave because of the funeral, he met Mary P. "Mamie" Gorman and began to pursue her. While her family had serious misgivings about him moving on so quickly after his first wife's death and didn't want to see him and Mamie together, he persisted and somehow won them over. The couple wed 14 August 1904 at St. James Pro Cathedral in Brooklyn, just three months after Jennie's death. Like her predecessor, Mamie also mysteriously contracted tetanus, which took her life on 10 March 1905 at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn. According to Edward, Mamie was supposed to have become infected by a cat scratch, though he practically refused to let anyone treat her until it was too late.
After Mamie's death, Jennie Smyth's father and Mamie Gorman's brother both became suspicious. Their suspicions were heightened when it was discovered that life insurance policies had been taken out on both women by their husband. Jennie was insured for $2000 and Mamie was insured for $3000, and Frederick Carlton was paid out for both deaths. Both families called for Carlton to be tried for murdering his wives.
It was because of these two mysterious deaths that Frederick Carlton was given the nickname "The Modern Bluebeard". He was nicknamed such after the French folktale character of the same name who was a wealthy nobleman who married a number of women in succession, having killed off each one before marrying again.
Maie Gorman's body was exhumed on on 19 July 1905 to be tested for poison, but tests were inconclusive, and Frederick Carlton was never tried for the murder of either wife due to lack of evidence. However, many believed him to be guilty of both deaths, as he was purported to have knowledge of poisons and medicines.
After Mamie's death, Jennie Smyth's father and Mamie Gorman's brother both became suspicious. Their suspicions were heightened when it was discovered that life insurance policies had been taken out on both women by their husband. Jennie was insured for $2000 and Mamie was insured for $3000, and Frederick Carlton was paid out for both deaths. Both families called for Carlton to be tried for murdering his wives.
It was because of these two mysterious deaths that Frederick Carlton was given the nickname "The Modern Bluebeard". He was nicknamed such after the French folktale character of the same name who was a wealthy nobleman who married a number of women in succession, having killed off each one before marrying again.
Maie Gorman's body was exhumed on on 19 July 1905 to be tested for poison, but tests were inconclusive, and Frederick Carlton was never tried for the murder of either wife due to lack of evidence. However, many believed him to be guilty of both deaths, as he was purported to have knowledge of poisons and medicines.
Conviction
Ultimately, on 18 September 1905, Frederick Carlton was indicted for grand larceny. After all, according to one inflation calculator, he managed to fleece his friend out of $700, which is equivalent to over $20000 today!
The same day, he was also indicted for three counts of bigamy, as only the New York marriages were entered into evidence. (My theory as to why he was never officially linked to my great-great-grandaunt Ricka was that she went back to Pittsburgh after being fleeced and either didn't connect her deserter to Carlton or just didn't want to have to deal with him). His marriage to Wiletta Bird was considered his first marriage, subsequently making the marriages to Lulu Ritz Kettering, Jennie Smyth, and Mamie Gorman all bigamous in the eyes of the law.
The same day, he was also indicted for three counts of bigamy, as only the New York marriages were entered into evidence. (My theory as to why he was never officially linked to my great-great-grandaunt Ricka was that she went back to Pittsburgh after being fleeced and either didn't connect her deserter to Carlton or just didn't want to have to deal with him). His marriage to Wiletta Bird was considered his first marriage, subsequently making the marriages to Lulu Ritz Kettering, Jennie Smyth, and Mamie Gorman all bigamous in the eyes of the law.
A week later, on 25 September 1905, in Kings County Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, Frederick Carlton was tried. His lawyer was John S. Bennett and the prosecutor in the case was District Attorney Clarke. One newspaper commented that Carlton never left his seat, and was found guilty on all charges that the court was seeking prosecution of.
The trial for the first bigamy charge took an hour, with the jury out only long enough to place a ballot of guilty. Wiletta Bird proved that she was still married to Carlton as James McCandless by producing the marriage certificate. The pastor that married them, Rev. Eli Quick, and all of the witnesses present were in the courtroom and were prepared to testify. Lulu Kettering was also in the courtroom, as were family members of both Jennie Smyth and Mamie Gormon. Several other women were also present in the courtroom. It is assumed they were other women that McCandless swindled under his aliases, and they appeared to be hopeful to give their testimony. However, due to the swiftness of the trial, and the fact that defense seemed to give no objections to any testimony, they were not needed, much to their disappointment. After the jury found Carlton guilty of the first count of bigamy, he changed his plea to guilty for the other bigamy charges.
On 2 October 1905, Judge Joseph Aspinwall sentenced Carlton to nineteen years of hard labor at Sing Sing Prison for his crimes. At the sentencing, Judge Aspinwall was quoted as saying:
Superintendent of Industries John P. Powers, who oversaw Sing Sing, was hiring convicts to do work they weren't supposed to do, and Carlton appeared to be one of those convicts. He helped the State of New York get Powers fired from his position as Superintendent of Industries at Sing Sing. In exchange, Frederick Carlton was pardoned just six years into his nineteen year sentence by Governor Dix for being a model citizen. The pardon came as a surprise to those who had convicted him.
As of this blog post, it is not entirely known what happened to Carlton after his release, though there is some speculation he may have taken the alias Ted Hall and married and had several children. It is possible that he went back to his con artist ways, and hopefully one day that story may be told. In the meantime, there were other crimes he was charged with, though those charges appeared to not come to fruition. Another post in the future will deal with these charges.
Sources Used
"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 January 2020), Entry for Alex McCandless and family, Year: 1870, Census Place: Louisiana Pike, Missouri, Roll: M593_798, Page: 239A, and Family History Library Film: 552297; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 January 2020), Entry for Alex. McCandless and family, Year: 1880, Census Place: Moberly Randolph, Missouri, Roll: 712, Page: 54B, and Enumeration District: 106; citing Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 February 2020), Entry for Mrs. Etta Martinig ("Martinez") and household, Year: 1910, Census Place: Montgomery Ward 6 Montgomery, Alabama, Roll: T624_29, Page: 4A, Enumeration District: 0098, and FHL microfilm: 1374042; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 January 2020), Entry for Frederick E. Carlton, Year: 1910, Census Place: Ossining Westchester, New York, Roll: T624_1089, Page: 3A, Enumeration District: 0103, and FHL microfilm: 1375102; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"Alabama, County Birth Registers, 1881-1930," index online, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 February 2020), Etta Martinez in entry for MM9.1.1/W6ZS-2W2M:, 1 Jan 1899, FHL microfilm 007620926; citing multiple county Probate Judges, Alabama.
"Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 21 January 2020), Entry for E.J. Martinez and Etta Kingry, 18 Oct 1897, referencing Henry County marriages, vol G, p 130, cn 258; citing various probate courts, Alabama.
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Court Records 2773 Jan 1913 Docket A, Petition of Fredericka Richards, Femme Sole Trader, Petition and Affidavit for Fredericka Pfieffer Richards, 31 December 1912; Department of Court Records, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
"Back to Her Old Job With Her Money Gone," Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 24 July 1905, page 6; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 August 2016).
"Bigamist 'Carlton's' Astounding Life Story, As Told by Police Inspector Cross," The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, New York), 8 October 1905, 13 and 24; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2020).
"Bigamist Convicted," Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey), 26 September 1905, page 5; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Bigamy As a Profession", Arthur I. Street, editor, Pandex of the Press (San Francisco: Calkins Newspaper Syndicate, 1905), 452; online images, Google Books (https://books.google.com/books?id=tlqsOxknNcQC&source=gbs_navlinks_s : accessed 23 January 2020).
Billion Graves, database and images (billiongraves.com : accessed 10 February 2020), memorial page for Mary T Carlton (Gorman), Billion Graves Memorial #4036352, citing Calvary Cemetery (Third) (Woodside, Queens, New York),transcribed by chearl, photograph by MichaelCassara.
"Career Began in Moberly," The Steelville Ledger (Steelville, Missouri), 3 August 1905, page 6; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 28 January 2020).
"Carlton Given Nineteen Years," Morning Press (Santa Barbara, California), 3 October 1905, page 1; online images, UCR Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research (https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=p&p=home&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1 : accessed 24 January 2020), California Digital Newspaper Collection.
"Carlton is Now Regarded as Being the Most Daring Criminal of Present Age," The Buffalo Times (Buffalo, New York), 25 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 13 January 2020).
"Carlton, Laughing at Police, Declares All Women Are Easy," The Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia), 1 August 1905, page 4; online images, Chronicling America (https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 28 January 2020), Historic American Newspapers.
"Carlton Pardon Causes Comment," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York), 2 December 1911, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspaper.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Carlton Talks Glibly Once Started," Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 28 July 1905, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Carlton's Trunks Seized," The New York Times (New York, New York), 15 July 1905, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Claim Carlton Army Deserter," The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas), 27 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 26 January 2020).
"District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 21 January 2020), Jennie M Carlton, 16 May 1904, District of Columbia, United States; cn 154998, FHL microfilm number 2115159; citing Health Department District Records Center, Washington D.C.
Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 9 February 2020), memorial page for Jennie M. Carlton, Find A Grave Memorial # 203630005, citing The Evergreens Cemetery (Brooklyn, New York), memorial created by BarbaraLL, photograph by BarbaraLL.
"Fred Carlton Pardoned," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York), 1 December 1911, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspaper.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Fred. E. Carlton Had Many Names and Many Wives," The Washington Times (Washington, District of Columbia), 20 July 1905, pages 1-2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 28 January 2020).
"Further Evidence Against Carlton," The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), 25 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Germs May Prove Guilt," The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, New York), 30 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Husband and $12,000 gone," The New York Times (New York, New York), 25 July 1905, page 12; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 August 2016).
"Husband and Money Missing," The Sun (New York, New York), 24 July 1905, First Edition, Page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 August 2016).
"Indict Carlton for Robbery," The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), 20 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Is Frederick E. Carlton a Modern Bluebeard?," The Bremen Enquirer (Bremen, Indiana), 17 August 1905, page 7; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 28 January 2020).
"Jury Convicts Carlton on a Charge of Bigamy," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York), 25 September 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspaper.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"More Women Claim 'Bluebeard' as Husband," The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California), 26 July 1905, page 6; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2020).
"News By the Wire," Kingston Daily Freeman (Kingston, New York), 19 September 1905, page 9; online images, Hudson River Valley Heritage Historical Newspapers (https://news.hrvh.org/ : accessed 22 January 2020).
"New York Has Bluebeard," Halstead Independent (Halstead, Kansas), 10 August 1905, page 7; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," index online, FamilySearch (10 Feb 2020 : accessed 10 February 2020), Entry for Mary T. Carlton, 10 Mar 1905, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States, FHL microfilm 1,324,096; citing New York Municipal Archives, New York.
"New York, New York, Extracted Marriage Index, 1866-1937," index online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 January 2020), Entry for Fred Edward Carlton and Jane M Smyth, married 28 Aug 1903 in Kings County, New York, cn 5972; citing Index to New York City Marriages, 1866-1937. Indices prepared by the Italian Genealogical Group and the German Genealogy Group, and used with permission of the New York City Department of Records/Municipal Archives.
"New York, New York, Extracted Marriage Index, 1866-1937," index online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 February 2020), Entry for Mary Gorman and Frederick Carlton, married 14 Aug 1904 in Kings, New York, cn 9991
New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," index online, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 28 January 2020), Entry for James Mccandless and Willetta Bird, 26 Apr 1894, Manhattan; FHL microfilm 1,493,118.; citing New York Municipal Archives, New York.
"New York Prisoner Believed to Be New Jersey Man Who Stole Wife's Savings," The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California), 25 July 1905, First Edition, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 August 2016).
"New York, Sing Sing Prison Admission Registers, 1865-1939," database online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 January 2020), Entry for Frederick E Carlton, alias James E. McCandless, alias William E. Rodriguez, admitted 2 Oct 1905from Kings, New York, USA; citing Sing Sing Prison. Inmate admission registers, 1842–1852, 1865–1971 (bulk 1865–1971). New York (State). Dept. of Correctional Services, Series B0143. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.
New York State Department of Health, "New York State Marriage Index - 1897," index images online, Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/New_York_State_Marriage_Index_1897 : accessed 25 January 2020), page 213; DeRodriques, William E.; 20 Dec; Rch; 24406.
New York State Department of Health, "New York State Marriage Index - 1897," index images online, Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/New_York_State_Marriage_Index_1897 : accessed 25 January 2020), page 444; Kettering, Lulu; 20 Dec; Rch; 24406.
New York (State) Legislature Assembly, Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York, volume 27 (Albany: The Argus Company, 1912), 10; online images, Google Books (https://books.google.com/books?id=0yUbAQAAIAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s) : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Oxford Graduate as Bluebeard," The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), 15 July 1905, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Police May Arrest Carlton's Fiancee," The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), 15 July 1905, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Says Carlton Used Drug to Rob Him," The Evening World (New York, New York), 18 July 1905, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.nespapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Suspect Carlton of Poison Plot," The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), 13 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Suspected of Crime," Evening Star (Washington D.C.), 13 July 1905, page 8; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"To Reveal the Pull of Powers," The Evening World (New York, New York), 23 November 1911, page 17; online images, Newspapers.com (www.nespapers.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Two Wives in Ten Months Both Died of Lockjaw," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York), 13 March 1905, page 5; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspaper.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 January 2020), Entry for James E. McCandless; citing Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"Was His Own Counsel," Evening Star (Washington D.C.), 19 September 1905, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2020).
"Women Held as Carlton's Accomplice," The Evening World (New York, New York), 21 July 1905, 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.nespapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
The trial for the first bigamy charge took an hour, with the jury out only long enough to place a ballot of guilty. Wiletta Bird proved that she was still married to Carlton as James McCandless by producing the marriage certificate. The pastor that married them, Rev. Eli Quick, and all of the witnesses present were in the courtroom and were prepared to testify. Lulu Kettering was also in the courtroom, as were family members of both Jennie Smyth and Mamie Gormon. Several other women were also present in the courtroom. It is assumed they were other women that McCandless swindled under his aliases, and they appeared to be hopeful to give their testimony. However, due to the swiftness of the trial, and the fact that defense seemed to give no objections to any testimony, they were not needed, much to their disappointment. After the jury found Carlton guilty of the first count of bigamy, he changed his plea to guilty for the other bigamy charges.
On 2 October 1905, Judge Joseph Aspinwall sentenced Carlton to nineteen years of hard labor at Sing Sing Prison for his crimes. At the sentencing, Judge Aspinwall was quoted as saying:
"You are at heart a villain, murder, swindler and thief, and I am sorry I cannot send you the electric chair. You are one of the most dangerous men in the country." ~ "Carlton Given Nineteen Years," Morning Press (Santa Barbara, California), 3 October 1905, page 1While a prisoner, Carlton was enumerated as a tinsmith in the 1900 Federal Census (in which he was also enumerated as having been married eight times), but newspaper accounts of his release also stated that he was employed in office work.
Superintendent of Industries John P. Powers, who oversaw Sing Sing, was hiring convicts to do work they weren't supposed to do, and Carlton appeared to be one of those convicts. He helped the State of New York get Powers fired from his position as Superintendent of Industries at Sing Sing. In exchange, Frederick Carlton was pardoned just six years into his nineteen year sentence by Governor Dix for being a model citizen. The pardon came as a surprise to those who had convicted him.
As of this blog post, it is not entirely known what happened to Carlton after his release, though there is some speculation he may have taken the alias Ted Hall and married and had several children. It is possible that he went back to his con artist ways, and hopefully one day that story may be told. In the meantime, there were other crimes he was charged with, though those charges appeared to not come to fruition. Another post in the future will deal with these charges.
Sources Used
"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 January 2020), Entry for Alex McCandless and family, Year: 1870, Census Place: Louisiana Pike, Missouri, Roll: M593_798, Page: 239A, and Family History Library Film: 552297; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 January 2020), Entry for Alex. McCandless and family, Year: 1880, Census Place: Moberly Randolph, Missouri, Roll: 712, Page: 54B, and Enumeration District: 106; citing Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 February 2020), Entry for Mrs. Etta Martinig ("Martinez") and household, Year: 1910, Census Place: Montgomery Ward 6 Montgomery, Alabama, Roll: T624_29, Page: 4A, Enumeration District: 0098, and FHL microfilm: 1374042; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 January 2020), Entry for Frederick E. Carlton, Year: 1910, Census Place: Ossining Westchester, New York, Roll: T624_1089, Page: 3A, Enumeration District: 0103, and FHL microfilm: 1375102; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"Alabama, County Birth Registers, 1881-1930," index online, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 February 2020), Etta Martinez in entry for MM9.1.1/W6ZS-2W2M:, 1 Jan 1899, FHL microfilm 007620926; citing multiple county Probate Judges, Alabama.
"Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 21 January 2020), Entry for E.J. Martinez and Etta Kingry, 18 Oct 1897, referencing Henry County marriages, vol G, p 130, cn 258; citing various probate courts, Alabama.
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Court Records 2773 Jan 1913 Docket A, Petition of Fredericka Richards, Femme Sole Trader, Petition and Affidavit for Fredericka Pfieffer Richards, 31 December 1912; Department of Court Records, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
"Back to Her Old Job With Her Money Gone," Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 24 July 1905, page 6; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 August 2016).
"Bigamist 'Carlton's' Astounding Life Story, As Told by Police Inspector Cross," The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, New York), 8 October 1905, 13 and 24; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2020).
"Bigamist Convicted," Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, New Jersey), 26 September 1905, page 5; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Bigamy As a Profession", Arthur I. Street, editor, Pandex of the Press (San Francisco: Calkins Newspaper Syndicate, 1905), 452; online images, Google Books (https://books.google.com/books?id=tlqsOxknNcQC&source=gbs_navlinks_s : accessed 23 January 2020).
Billion Graves, database and images (billiongraves.com : accessed 10 February 2020), memorial page for Mary T Carlton (Gorman), Billion Graves Memorial #4036352, citing Calvary Cemetery (Third) (Woodside, Queens, New York),transcribed by chearl, photograph by MichaelCassara.
"Career Began in Moberly," The Steelville Ledger (Steelville, Missouri), 3 August 1905, page 6; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 28 January 2020).
"Carlton Given Nineteen Years," Morning Press (Santa Barbara, California), 3 October 1905, page 1; online images, UCR Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research (https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=p&p=home&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1 : accessed 24 January 2020), California Digital Newspaper Collection.
"Carlton is Now Regarded as Being the Most Daring Criminal of Present Age," The Buffalo Times (Buffalo, New York), 25 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 13 January 2020).
"Carlton, Laughing at Police, Declares All Women Are Easy," The Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia), 1 August 1905, page 4; online images, Chronicling America (https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 28 January 2020), Historic American Newspapers.
"Carlton Pardon Causes Comment," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York), 2 December 1911, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspaper.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Carlton Talks Glibly Once Started," Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), 28 July 1905, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Carlton's Trunks Seized," The New York Times (New York, New York), 15 July 1905, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Claim Carlton Army Deserter," The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas), 27 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 26 January 2020).
"District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 21 January 2020), Jennie M Carlton, 16 May 1904, District of Columbia, United States; cn 154998, FHL microfilm number 2115159; citing Health Department District Records Center, Washington D.C.
Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 9 February 2020), memorial page for Jennie M. Carlton, Find A Grave Memorial # 203630005, citing The Evergreens Cemetery (Brooklyn, New York), memorial created by BarbaraLL, photograph by BarbaraLL.
"Fred Carlton Pardoned," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York), 1 December 1911, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspaper.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Fred. E. Carlton Had Many Names and Many Wives," The Washington Times (Washington, District of Columbia), 20 July 1905, pages 1-2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 28 January 2020).
"Further Evidence Against Carlton," The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), 25 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Germs May Prove Guilt," The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, New York), 30 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Husband and $12,000 gone," The New York Times (New York, New York), 25 July 1905, page 12; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 August 2016).
"Husband and Money Missing," The Sun (New York, New York), 24 July 1905, First Edition, Page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 August 2016).
"Indict Carlton for Robbery," The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), 20 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Is Frederick E. Carlton a Modern Bluebeard?," The Bremen Enquirer (Bremen, Indiana), 17 August 1905, page 7; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 28 January 2020).
"Jury Convicts Carlton on a Charge of Bigamy," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York), 25 September 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspaper.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"More Women Claim 'Bluebeard' as Husband," The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California), 26 July 1905, page 6; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2020).
"News By the Wire," Kingston Daily Freeman (Kingston, New York), 19 September 1905, page 9; online images, Hudson River Valley Heritage Historical Newspapers (https://news.hrvh.org/ : accessed 22 January 2020).
"New York Has Bluebeard," Halstead Independent (Halstead, Kansas), 10 August 1905, page 7; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," index online, FamilySearch (10 Feb 2020 : accessed 10 February 2020), Entry for Mary T. Carlton, 10 Mar 1905, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States, FHL microfilm 1,324,096; citing New York Municipal Archives, New York.
"New York, New York, Extracted Marriage Index, 1866-1937," index online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 January 2020), Entry for Fred Edward Carlton and Jane M Smyth, married 28 Aug 1903 in Kings County, New York, cn 5972; citing Index to New York City Marriages, 1866-1937. Indices prepared by the Italian Genealogical Group and the German Genealogy Group, and used with permission of the New York City Department of Records/Municipal Archives.
"New York, New York, Extracted Marriage Index, 1866-1937," index online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 February 2020), Entry for Mary Gorman and Frederick Carlton, married 14 Aug 1904 in Kings, New York, cn 9991
New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," index online, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 28 January 2020), Entry for James Mccandless and Willetta Bird, 26 Apr 1894, Manhattan; FHL microfilm 1,493,118.; citing New York Municipal Archives, New York.
"New York Prisoner Believed to Be New Jersey Man Who Stole Wife's Savings," The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California), 25 July 1905, First Edition, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 August 2016).
"New York, Sing Sing Prison Admission Registers, 1865-1939," database online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 January 2020), Entry for Frederick E Carlton, alias James E. McCandless, alias William E. Rodriguez, admitted 2 Oct 1905from Kings, New York, USA; citing Sing Sing Prison. Inmate admission registers, 1842–1852, 1865–1971 (bulk 1865–1971). New York (State). Dept. of Correctional Services, Series B0143. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.
New York State Department of Health, "New York State Marriage Index - 1897," index images online, Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/New_York_State_Marriage_Index_1897 : accessed 25 January 2020), page 213; DeRodriques, William E.; 20 Dec; Rch; 24406.
New York State Department of Health, "New York State Marriage Index - 1897," index images online, Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/New_York_State_Marriage_Index_1897 : accessed 25 January 2020), page 444; Kettering, Lulu; 20 Dec; Rch; 24406.
New York (State) Legislature Assembly, Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York, volume 27 (Albany: The Argus Company, 1912), 10; online images, Google Books (https://books.google.com/books?id=0yUbAQAAIAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s) : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Oxford Graduate as Bluebeard," The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), 15 July 1905, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Police May Arrest Carlton's Fiancee," The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), 15 July 1905, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Says Carlton Used Drug to Rob Him," The Evening World (New York, New York), 18 July 1905, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.nespapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Suspect Carlton of Poison Plot," The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), 13 July 1905, page 1; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"Suspected of Crime," Evening Star (Washington D.C.), 13 July 1905, page 8; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"To Reveal the Pull of Powers," The Evening World (New York, New York), 23 November 1911, page 17; online images, Newspapers.com (www.nespapers.com : accessed 24 January 2020).
"Two Wives in Ten Months Both Died of Lockjaw," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York), 13 March 1905, page 5; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspaper.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
"U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 January 2020), Entry for James E. McCandless; citing Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"Was His Own Counsel," Evening Star (Washington D.C.), 19 September 1905, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2020).
"Women Held as Carlton's Accomplice," The Evening World (New York, New York), 21 July 1905, 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.nespapers.com : accessed 25 January 2020).
04 February 2020
Notable Woman: Anna Sperry Cox
Occasionally I tend to focus on some of the notable women in my family history. This is the story of one of those women. This is the story of Anna Grace Sperry Cox.
Anna "Annie" Grace Sperry Cox was my maternal grandmother Jean Cox's grandmother. She was born 19 August 1866 in Lower Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania as the eldest child of William Sperry and Ellen W. Robbins. Her paternal line of Sperrys had been landowners in Montgomery County since before the American Revolution, and the Robbins line also were owners of land around the county.
Anna grew up in the household of her maternal grandmother, Margaret Whiteman Robbins, who was left a small estate upon the death of her husband, Jonathan. However, that land was whittled down by orders of sale that were called for by creditors, as Jonathan left the family in debt. By 1890, the family was living in the borough of North Wales, likely in rented quarters.
On 7 May 1890, Anna married William James Cox, who was three years her senior, in Flourtown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was seven months pregnant at the time,so the marriage was probably due to necessity. The couple was wed by Rev. J. D. Dietrich. He had been the pastor at the Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Whitemarsh Township in 1884, but appears to have also been a famous dairy farmer and botanical lecturer in Flourtown around the time of the couple's marriage.
Two months later, on 2 July 1890, the couple's eldest son, William Oscar Cox, was born in Philadelphia. However, his birth was registered until the family was settled in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio, though why the birth wasn't registered in Philadelphia remains a mystery. Adding to further confusion is the fact that Elizabeth Newton Cox (who is the subject of her own blog post) was registered as the natural daughter of the couple in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, but was raised by William's parents. Even more confusing is the fact that daughter Ellen W. Cox was born just two months prior to Elizabeth, her birth being 14 May 1893, however her place of birth was Indiana. So did William and Anna give up Elizabeth to be raised by her grandparents and then adopt Ellen later, were the girls actually twins, and just reported with differing birth dates and locations, or was there some other incident at play? One may never know.
What is known is that William James Cox, like his father William Newton Cox, was a moulder and ironworks laborer. Also known was he was a hired strikebreaker, and traveled around Ohio working in ironworks that had active strikes. On 15 July 1891, while the young family was living in a boarding house in Salem, Ohio, William and his father, among others, were involved in an altercation with strikers after leaving a saloon. Ten strikebreakers and two strikers were arrested and charged with drunkenness, rioting and fighting. William himself was fined $5 for his part in the fight. One can imagine how Anna felt when she heard about her husband involved in a drunken brawl.
In 1893, around the time of Elizabeth's birth that still is shrouded in mystery, the couple were being evicted from their rented rooms at 916 Sycamore in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. It is not known if William was working as a strikebreaker here, but the family did not reside in the area long. By the time the couple's last child, Jesse Meyer, was born on 14 September 1895, Anna was residing in her mother's home at 114 North Second Street in North Wales, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It is not known if William lived here too.
It is around this time frame that the story of Anna Sperry Cox takes a sordid turn.
Divorce is not as common then as it is today (since it was much harder to get a divorce before no fault laws were established) but it did happen. It is very likely that it happened to William and Anna, although it is also just as likely that the couple did not officially divorce, but rather William deserted the family and started a second family.
Sometime between Jesse's birth in 1895 and 1899, William just took off, leaving Anna to raise their three children, Oscar, Ellen and Jesse, alone. Anna and the children continued to live with her mother, Ellen Robbins, in the house on 114 South Street, supported by the meager means of the older woman and the labor of Anna's brother, Jesse Sperry. It is not known exactly why the couple split, though speculation done by the couple's descendants (including whispered conversations heard by Anna's grandchildren later) indicate the marriage was never a happy one, and the stress of the itinerant lifestyle and no money likely compounded the problems to the point where William felt trapped.
William, in the meantime, married Miss Emily Towers on 29 November 1899 at Christ Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Emily, who was only seventeen at the time, needed the permission of her mother to marry, and that permission was granted. William was listed on this marriage application as having never been married, which obviously was not true. This clue also leads me to believe that he knew he was committing bigamy by marrying another woman while still wed to Anna.
The second marriage seemed to be a happier one for William. He and Emily went on to have four children; Viola, William Charles, James Newton, and Mary Elizabeth, before William passed away 12 February 1913 in Danville, Pennsylvania as the result of a hunting accident. But that's a story for some other time...
Anna, in an act of defiance or strength, or however one wants to interpret it, continued to insist she was still married until William's death in 1913. On both the 1900 and 1910 census enumerations, she stated she was married, despite the common practice of deserted women trying to hide their status by claiming widowhood. Grandson Jesse Cox later stated that even mentioning his grandfather William was considered taboo when he was a child, thus furthering the conviction that the couple never did divorce and Anna remained a deserted woman for the remainder of her life.
Anna continued to live with her brother Jesse, housekeeping for the confirmed bachelor as well as raising her children. By 1920, Jesse Sperry had purchased a home at 142 Swartley Street in North Wales, and the family moved there. Son Jesse continued to live with his mother and uncle after he wed, supporting the family as well. Anna lived in this house until her death, as son Jesse inherited the home upon her brother's death.
On 7 February 1953, Anna Grace Sperry Cox died at the home at 142 Swartley Street in North Wales from coronary thrombosis, contributed by atherosclerotic heart disease. She was 86 years old. Her obituary stated that she was the widow of William James Cox, which was one last dig at the husband who deserted her. (On a side note, Emily Towers Cox passed away in 1946, leaving Anna as the last surviving wife as well). She was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Ambler, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania near her parents, siblings and daughter. As of this post, her grave is not marked by a headstone.
Sources Used
"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 January 2017), Entry for Margaret Robbins and household, Year: 1870, Census Place: Gwynedd Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1377, Page: 394B, Image: 406530, and Family History Library Film: 552876.
"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 December 2016), Entry for Ellen Sperry and family, Year: 1900, Census Place: North Wales Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1444, Page: 9B, Enumeration District: 0257, and FHL microfilm: 1241444; citing : United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.
"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 December 2016), Entry for Anna Cox and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: North Wales Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1378, Page: 6B, Enumeration District: 0128, and FHL microfilm: 1375391; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 December 2016), Entry for Jessie Sperry and family, Year: 1920, Census Place: North Wales Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T625_1605, Page: 8A, Enumeration District: 152, and Image: 354; Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 December 2016), Entry for Jessie Cox and family, Year: 1930, Census Place: North Wales Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 2084, Page: 20A, Enumeration District: 0112, Image: 41.0, and FHL microfilm: 2341818; United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.
"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 December 2016), Entry for Jesse Cox and family, Year: 1940, Census Place: North Wales Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T627_3583, Page: 16B, and Enumeration District: 46-161; United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.
Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 January 2017), Entry for Jonathan Robbins and household, Year: 1880, Census Place: Gwynedd Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1157, Family History Film: 1255157, Page: 142C, Enumeration District: 007, and Image: 0691; Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"A Series of Set-Tos," The Salem Daily News (Salem, Ohio), 17 July 1891, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2017).
Cox, Jesse M. jr., (West Chicago, Illinois) to Kelley Wood, letter, 7 April 2005; Cox Family Collection, privately held by Kelley Wood-Davis. [address for private use], Norwalk, Iowa, 2020. Letter answering questions sent to Cox by Wood. owned by recipient.
"Marriage License 1885-Present," database online with images, Lackawanna County, PA - Public Access System (http://www.lpa-homes.org/LPA_Public_Inquiries/Views/LPA_Views/LPAXX01D.aspx : accessed 17 May 2017), Entry for William Cox and Emily Towers, marriage date 29 Nov 1899, record number 0052-00175, license number 19975; citing Lackawanna County Courthouse records.
"Marriage Licenses," The Scranton Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania), 30 November 1899, page 3, William James Cox and Emily Towers, both of Dunmore, are listed as having obtained a marriage license; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 15 May 2017).
Memorial card and obituary for Annie Sperry Cox, died 7 Feb 1953, in Dorothy Cox Ritter Memorial card for Mrs. Annie (Sperry) Cox, 1953, privately held by Kelley Wood-Davis, [address for private use], Norwalk, Iowa, 2017. photocopy of original. Photocopy of original mailed in 2002 to Kelley Wood-Davis by Amber Arinsburg Kostic, granddaughter of Annie Cox, daughter of Dorothy Ritter and first cousin once removed of Wood-Davis.
"Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962," online database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 16 January 2017), Entry for Lizzie Cox, 16 Jun 1893; citing Hamilton, Butler, Ohio, Butler County (Ohio) Birth and death records, 1867-1908, Birth records v. 1-2 1867-1893, page 151 ; FHL microfilm 355,799.
"Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 January 2017), Entry for William A. Cox, 02 Jul 1890; birth; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 931,592; (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XDYX-M8R); citing County courthouses, Ohio.; Birth record listed in Birth and death records, 1867-1908 (Columbiana County, Ohio); Birth records v. 3-5 1878-1905, page 45; image 299 of 815.
Orphan's Court, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Register of Births 1893-1900, Book 1893-1896, page 81; Entry for Meyer Cox; FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TN-K962-3?i=55&cat=321969: accessed 26 Dec 2016); image 56; FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah; FHL microfilm 925501.
"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 January 2017), Entry for Annie Sperry Cox; died 7 Feb 1953; certificate number 16581; Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Certificate Number Range: 015751-018450; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 January 2017), Entry for Ella Cox; date of death: 24 Aug 1906; certificate 76389; Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Certificate Number Range: 075251-078670; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
"'Squire's Squibs," Hamilton Evening Journal (Hamilton, Ohio), 19 May 1893, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2017).
"U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 April 2017), Entry for Jesse Sperry, born 3 May 1876; Registration State: Pennsylvania; Registration County: Montgomery; Roll: 1907293; Draft Board: 4; citing United States, Selective Service System. "World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.
"We Congratulate Cox," The Salem Daily News (Salem, Ohio), 18 July 1891, page 8; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2017).
William James Cox and Annie G. Sperry, (7 May 1890), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: license number 2569; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Anna "Annie" Grace Sperry Cox was my maternal grandmother Jean Cox's grandmother. She was born 19 August 1866 in Lower Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania as the eldest child of William Sperry and Ellen W. Robbins. Her paternal line of Sperrys had been landowners in Montgomery County since before the American Revolution, and the Robbins line also were owners of land around the county.
Anna grew up in the household of her maternal grandmother, Margaret Whiteman Robbins, who was left a small estate upon the death of her husband, Jonathan. However, that land was whittled down by orders of sale that were called for by creditors, as Jonathan left the family in debt. By 1890, the family was living in the borough of North Wales, likely in rented quarters.
On 7 May 1890, Anna married William James Cox, who was three years her senior, in Flourtown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was seven months pregnant at the time,so the marriage was probably due to necessity. The couple was wed by Rev. J. D. Dietrich. He had been the pastor at the Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Whitemarsh Township in 1884, but appears to have also been a famous dairy farmer and botanical lecturer in Flourtown around the time of the couple's marriage.
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| William James Cox and Annie G. Sperry marriage record from Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania. |
What is known is that William James Cox, like his father William Newton Cox, was a moulder and ironworks laborer. Also known was he was a hired strikebreaker, and traveled around Ohio working in ironworks that had active strikes. On 15 July 1891, while the young family was living in a boarding house in Salem, Ohio, William and his father, among others, were involved in an altercation with strikers after leaving a saloon. Ten strikebreakers and two strikers were arrested and charged with drunkenness, rioting and fighting. William himself was fined $5 for his part in the fight. One can imagine how Anna felt when she heard about her husband involved in a drunken brawl.
In 1893, around the time of Elizabeth's birth that still is shrouded in mystery, the couple were being evicted from their rented rooms at 916 Sycamore in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. It is not known if William was working as a strikebreaker here, but the family did not reside in the area long. By the time the couple's last child, Jesse Meyer, was born on 14 September 1895, Anna was residing in her mother's home at 114 North Second Street in North Wales, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It is not known if William lived here too.
It is around this time frame that the story of Anna Sperry Cox takes a sordid turn.
Divorce is not as common then as it is today (since it was much harder to get a divorce before no fault laws were established) but it did happen. It is very likely that it happened to William and Anna, although it is also just as likely that the couple did not officially divorce, but rather William deserted the family and started a second family.
Sometime between Jesse's birth in 1895 and 1899, William just took off, leaving Anna to raise their three children, Oscar, Ellen and Jesse, alone. Anna and the children continued to live with her mother, Ellen Robbins, in the house on 114 South Street, supported by the meager means of the older woman and the labor of Anna's brother, Jesse Sperry. It is not known exactly why the couple split, though speculation done by the couple's descendants (including whispered conversations heard by Anna's grandchildren later) indicate the marriage was never a happy one, and the stress of the itinerant lifestyle and no money likely compounded the problems to the point where William felt trapped.
William, in the meantime, married Miss Emily Towers on 29 November 1899 at Christ Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Emily, who was only seventeen at the time, needed the permission of her mother to marry, and that permission was granted. William was listed on this marriage application as having never been married, which obviously was not true. This clue also leads me to believe that he knew he was committing bigamy by marrying another woman while still wed to Anna.
The second marriage seemed to be a happier one for William. He and Emily went on to have four children; Viola, William Charles, James Newton, and Mary Elizabeth, before William passed away 12 February 1913 in Danville, Pennsylvania as the result of a hunting accident. But that's a story for some other time...
Anna, in an act of defiance or strength, or however one wants to interpret it, continued to insist she was still married until William's death in 1913. On both the 1900 and 1910 census enumerations, she stated she was married, despite the common practice of deserted women trying to hide their status by claiming widowhood. Grandson Jesse Cox later stated that even mentioning his grandfather William was considered taboo when he was a child, thus furthering the conviction that the couple never did divorce and Anna remained a deserted woman for the remainder of her life.
Anna continued to live with her brother Jesse, housekeeping for the confirmed bachelor as well as raising her children. By 1920, Jesse Sperry had purchased a home at 142 Swartley Street in North Wales, and the family moved there. Son Jesse continued to live with his mother and uncle after he wed, supporting the family as well. Anna lived in this house until her death, as son Jesse inherited the home upon her brother's death.
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| Anna Cox's memorial card and obituary; Personal collection of the blogger |
Sources Used
"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 January 2017), Entry for Margaret Robbins and household, Year: 1870, Census Place: Gwynedd Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1377, Page: 394B, Image: 406530, and Family History Library Film: 552876.
"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 December 2016), Entry for Ellen Sperry and family, Year: 1900, Census Place: North Wales Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1444, Page: 9B, Enumeration District: 0257, and FHL microfilm: 1241444; citing : United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.
"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 December 2016), Entry for Anna Cox and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: North Wales Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1378, Page: 6B, Enumeration District: 0128, and FHL microfilm: 1375391; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 December 2016), Entry for Jessie Sperry and family, Year: 1920, Census Place: North Wales Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T625_1605, Page: 8A, Enumeration District: 152, and Image: 354; Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 December 2016), Entry for Jessie Cox and family, Year: 1930, Census Place: North Wales Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 2084, Page: 20A, Enumeration District: 0112, Image: 41.0, and FHL microfilm: 2341818; United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.
"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 December 2016), Entry for Jesse Cox and family, Year: 1940, Census Place: North Wales Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T627_3583, Page: 16B, and Enumeration District: 46-161; United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.
Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 January 2017), Entry for Jonathan Robbins and household, Year: 1880, Census Place: Gwynedd Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1157, Family History Film: 1255157, Page: 142C, Enumeration District: 007, and Image: 0691; Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"A Series of Set-Tos," The Salem Daily News (Salem, Ohio), 17 July 1891, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2017).
Cox, Jesse M. jr., (West Chicago, Illinois) to Kelley Wood, letter, 7 April 2005; Cox Family Collection, privately held by Kelley Wood-Davis. [address for private use], Norwalk, Iowa, 2020. Letter answering questions sent to Cox by Wood. owned by recipient.
"Marriage License 1885-Present," database online with images, Lackawanna County, PA - Public Access System (http://www.lpa-homes.org/LPA_Public_Inquiries/Views/LPA_Views/LPAXX01D.aspx : accessed 17 May 2017), Entry for William Cox and Emily Towers, marriage date 29 Nov 1899, record number 0052-00175, license number 19975; citing Lackawanna County Courthouse records.
"Marriage Licenses," The Scranton Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania), 30 November 1899, page 3, William James Cox and Emily Towers, both of Dunmore, are listed as having obtained a marriage license; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 15 May 2017).
Memorial card and obituary for Annie Sperry Cox, died 7 Feb 1953, in Dorothy Cox Ritter Memorial card for Mrs. Annie (Sperry) Cox, 1953, privately held by Kelley Wood-Davis, [address for private use], Norwalk, Iowa, 2017. photocopy of original. Photocopy of original mailed in 2002 to Kelley Wood-Davis by Amber Arinsburg Kostic, granddaughter of Annie Cox, daughter of Dorothy Ritter and first cousin once removed of Wood-Davis.
"Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962," online database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 16 January 2017), Entry for Lizzie Cox, 16 Jun 1893; citing Hamilton, Butler, Ohio, Butler County (Ohio) Birth and death records, 1867-1908, Birth records v. 1-2 1867-1893, page 151 ; FHL microfilm 355,799.
"Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003," database online with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 January 2017), Entry for William A. Cox, 02 Jul 1890; birth; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 931,592; (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XDYX-M8R); citing County courthouses, Ohio.; Birth record listed in Birth and death records, 1867-1908 (Columbiana County, Ohio); Birth records v. 3-5 1878-1905, page 45; image 299 of 815.
Orphan's Court, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Register of Births 1893-1900, Book 1893-1896, page 81; Entry for Meyer Cox; FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TN-K962-3?i=55&cat=321969: accessed 26 Dec 2016); image 56; FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah; FHL microfilm 925501.
"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 January 2017), Entry for Annie Sperry Cox; died 7 Feb 1953; certificate number 16581; Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Certificate Number Range: 015751-018450; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966," database online with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 January 2017), Entry for Ella Cox; date of death: 24 Aug 1906; certificate 76389; Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Certificate Number Range: 075251-078670; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
"'Squire's Squibs," Hamilton Evening Journal (Hamilton, Ohio), 19 May 1893, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2017).
"U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 April 2017), Entry for Jesse Sperry, born 3 May 1876; Registration State: Pennsylvania; Registration County: Montgomery; Roll: 1907293; Draft Board: 4; citing United States, Selective Service System. "World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.
"We Congratulate Cox," The Salem Daily News (Salem, Ohio), 18 July 1891, page 8; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 January 2017).
William James Cox and Annie G. Sperry, (7 May 1890), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: license number 2569; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania.
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