tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971702457406701802024-03-14T01:48:15.278-07:00Confessions of a Wannabe WriterKelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-82983848115017747562022-05-30T03:00:00.003-07:002022-05-30T03:39:09.241-07:00The Short Story of Captain Charles Wesley Chapman<p>I often research people in my own genealogy with much interest. I also often research their family members that aren't in my direct line, since they also lead sometimes to wonderful pieces of information about my own lines.</p><p>But I also research people who aren't in my line at all. Sometimes, I do that kind of research for others as a pay it forward or on a freelance basis. Sometimes, I do it because the person may have had an impression on those in my lines.</p><p>This is the story of one such person. This is the story of Captain Charles Wesley Chapman.</p><p>I have no relationship to the man. I never had. But his story fascinates me because, well, he is the namesake of one of my ancestors. He rubbed shoulders with another. And he died leaving no heirs and no one to tell his story. So I have taken it upon myself to try to learn, at the very least, a little about the man. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZmYSotW6ksOySYDrEQ8PnR5UjTKJZM_A4WjbjlaWcPhiSOvIp_cHmGYsgbF_GAeLyqs7R60ULpjwr52LHc2A6R7ovBsveF2bpC4I4Ga9CEYeFLaVcyzHlxNYi1Gv8OVhkrNK0ciUJPqNqGh4cPo59bwnW49IbKR5jOLgMEVNGuy3IHdpW6o08xR-/s569/Charles%20W.%20Chapman.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="421" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZmYSotW6ksOySYDrEQ8PnR5UjTKJZM_A4WjbjlaWcPhiSOvIp_cHmGYsgbF_GAeLyqs7R60ULpjwr52LHc2A6R7ovBsveF2bpC4I4Ga9CEYeFLaVcyzHlxNYi1Gv8OVhkrNK0ciUJPqNqGh4cPo59bwnW49IbKR5jOLgMEVNGuy3IHdpW6o08xR-/s320/Charles%20W.%20Chapman.jpg" width="237" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo of Charles W. Chapman, taken from the book <i>Under the Red Patch</i> (between pages 152-153)<br />Source: <a href="https://openlibrary.org/books/OL17958884M/Under_the_red_patch" target="_blank">Internet Archive</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Charles Wesley Chapman was born around the year 1838 in Pennsylvania to William Chapman, a immigrant from Ireland, and Maria Dunlop of Chester County, Pennsylvania. He had at least three older brothers, James, William, and Joseph, and possibly one sister named Ann. </p><p>Not much is known about his early life, at least not that I could uncover doing my typical research. But what is known is that he lived in the Third Ward of Pittsburgh when the 1850 census was enumerated. Also in the household were his parents William and Maria, and . William worked at a glass house. Also enumerated were 23-year-old James, 22-year-old William, and 18-year-old Joseph (which were likely Charles' elder brothers, and a 25-year-old woman named Nancy Armstrong. It's the only census I found where Charles was listed with his parents, as he was not in residence in 1860 with them. There are a few candidates for Charles in the 1860 Federal Census Enumeration, but I did not have as much time to devote to research as I would have liked, so I did not take the time to chase them all down to figure out which one was the correct Charles. </p><p>In 1861, Charles was living in Lawrenceville, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, boarding at a residence on Chestnut Street near North. He was listed in the local directory as working in the oil business, but that career was short lived due to the outbreak of the Civil War.</p><p>Chapman started his military service actually with the Pittsburgh City Guards, which became the 12th regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was the third sergeant of the City Guards under Alexander Hays. When the City Guards were then re-organized into companies on the Twelfth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Charles became the 2nd Sergeant of Company K. This regiment mustered in 25 April 1861.</p><p>Because at the time, the Union had thought the war would be over soon, the men were only enlisted to three month terms. The Pennsylvania Twelfth Regiment was tasked with the protection of the rebuilt Northern Central railroad running from Harrisburg to Baltimore, with Charles' company stationed at the headquarters in Cockeysville. While most of the regiment were not able to drill, being scattered along the line, company K was able to be drilled regularly and soon became veteran soldiers. They were mustered out of service after three months at Harrisburg on 5 August 1861. Most of the men then re-enlisted for three years, including Charles. </p><p>On 23 September 1861, he was appointed the captain of Company K of the newly formed Sixty-Third Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, known as the "Hays' Guards." *I wrote a <a href="https://hubpages.com/education/The-Hays-Guards-The-Story-of-Company-K-of-the-Sixty-Third-Pennsylvania-Volunteers-Part-One" target="_blank">history on the company</a> years ago available in my HubPages articles.*</p><p>On 5 March 1862, a reconnoitering party of one hundred men, led by Lt-Col Morgan, was being guided by a man by the name of Williams towards the direction of the Occoquan River near Pohick Church in Virginia. A detachment of Texan Rangers passed by in the night, which the party thought was another scouting party. When the party realized their mistake, they gave chase, but the Texans had already hid themselves in the bushes and ambushed the party as they came. Captain Chapman, Quartermaster James M. Lysle and Private Moore were in the front of the party and were killed instantly. Another private was shot in the arm (which later had to be amputated). The rest of the party was able to rout the Texans and gave chase, but the Texans evaded capture.</p><p>According to the eyewitness account of John Rudolph Marti, a sergeant in Company A, Chapman was struck by a ball under his left eye. The bullet went through his head and came out by the collar of his coat, killing him instantly. Lysle was shot through the arm in such as way that the bullet went through his chest and he lived about ten minutes. Moore was shot in the chest and survived almost half an hour. </p><p>Sgt. Marti also wrote that Chapman was one of the best officers in the entire regiment and that his company in particular really loved him. Joe Hoopes, a private in Company C, also echoed that sentiment when he wrote to his family that some of the best men in their regiment were lost that night.</p><p>Alexander Hays, the commander of the Sixty-Third Regiment, wrote a letter to his wife dated 10 March 1862. He had this to say:</p><p></p><blockquote> "You have heard of a tiger robbed of its whelps, and you can imagine what species of tiger I represent. I have not scolded anyone -- the fault is to egregious to be within my jurisdiction, and I am patiently awaiting the action of higher authority....... The bodies were forwarded on the 7th to Pittsburgh. Before leaving, all were borne to the church tent, and I never knew the Doctor (Marks) more eloquent." ~ <span style="font-size: x-small;">Transcription in Gilbert Adams Hays' book <i>Under the Red Patch: Story of the Sixty Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1864, </i>pages 417-418</span></blockquote><p>After the memorial service from the regiment, Charles' body was sent via train to Pittsburgh and arrived the next day, which was a Sunday. After an afternoon service at the Chapman residence in Lawrenceville, Charles was buried in Allegheny Cemetery in section 25, lot 74, grave 1.</p><p>He had never married nor had any issue. He died at 24 years of age.</p><p>His elderly parents, who had been subsisting on what Charles could send them from his Army pay, were bereaved. William Chapman, Charles' father, was an invalid and had been for ten years, unable to make a living. </p><p>Maria Dunlop Chapman, at the age of 65, applied for a mother's pension on 8 June 1865 from the couple's home in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. Some of my readers may wonder why it took her over three years to file for the pension. First off, the act allowing her to even apply for the pension in the first place was not passed by Congress until 14 July 1862. One provision in that act allowed for dependent mothers to be entitled to receive the full pension of a son killed in the line of duty or died from the result of wound received or disease contracted while in service as a result of the line of duty provided that the soldier did not have a wife or children.</p><p>However, fees had to be paid while applying for pensions, most often by pension attorneys who often charged $10 for each application. It also cost $5 to file the application with the government, $1.50 per affidavit, and $1.50 for surgeon's exams (which William had to be subjected to because he had to prove he was totally disabled). If Maria and William Chapman were dependent on Charles while he was in the Army, they likely had to wait until either they could scrape the money together to pay the fees or have someone pay it for them. </p><p>On 12 July 1865, she was approved to receive $20 per month. I imagine the pension the couple received helped their situation immensely. William Chapman died 12 December 1867 and was buried in Allegheny Cemetery. Maria survived both her youngest son and her husband, passing away from chronic bronchitis on Forty-Second Street in the 17th Ward of Pittsburgh on 11 December 1870. She was buried with her husband in Allegheny Cemetery.</p><p>But the legacy of the young captain of company K of the 63rd Pennsylvania Volunteers lived on. I'm not sure how many young men were named after the beloved captain, but I am quite sure that one of Chapman's fellow soldiers DID name his son for his fallen comrade.</p><p>One of the sergeants in company K was a man by the name of John Devender Wood. On 24 May 1875, John's youngest son was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. John decided to name the newborn Charles Wesley Chapman Wood, after his fallen friend. That young newborn was my father's grandfather, named for a soldier who paid the ultimate price in the American Civil War.</p><p>Sources used:</p><p><span style="font-size: small;">Additional Evidence in the Mother's Army Pension for Maria Chapman, filed 8 June 1865 ; Photocopy provided by NARA in the pension file for Charles W. Chapman, pension application number 81254, certificate number 51280; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2022), Entry for Charles W. Chapman in household of William Chapman, Year: 1850, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 3 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 745, and Page: 141a; citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bates, Samuel P. <i>History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865: prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature</i>, 5 Volumes (Harrisburg: B. Singerly, State Printer, 1869), volumes 1 and 2 referenced.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Civil War Pittsburgh, "Night of March 5, 1862,"<i>Facebook</i>, 6 March 2022 (https://www.facebook.com/civilwarpittsburgh/ : accessed 27 May 2022).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Died - Maria Chapman," death notice, <i>The Pittsburgh Daily Commercial (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 13 December 1870, page 1; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 29 May 2022).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 51, "Chapman Charles W., oil business, bds Chestnut, n North, L(awrenceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 May 2022).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Find A Grave</i>, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 27 May 2022), memorial page for Charles Wesley Chapman, Find A Grave Memorial # 122224413, citing Allegheny Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by KBStewart, photograph by DGG.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gorman, Kathleen L."Civil War Pensions: History of the Union Federal and Confederate State pension systems," Virginia Center for Civil War Studies at Virginia Tech, <i>Essential Civil War Curriculum</i>, 2021 (https://www.essentialcivilwarcurriculum.com/civil-war-pensions.html : accessed 4 March 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hays, Gilbert Adams. <i>Under the Red Patch: Story of the Sixty Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1864</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Sixty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteers Regimental Association, 1908).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Historical Data Systems, comp., "U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865," database online, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2022), Entry for Charles Wesley Chapman, co K, 63rd Pennsylvania; Historical Data Systems, Inc.; Duxbury, MA 02331; American Civil War Research Database; citing data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"How Capt. Chapman and Lieut. Lysle Were Killed," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 10 March 1862, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 29 June 2017).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Klled at Pohick," <i>The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland)</i>, 8 March 1862, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 27 May 2022).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Letter from John Rudolph Marti, Sergeant, Co. A, Camp Johnson, Near Alexandria, March 10, 1862," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 17 March 1862, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 27 March 2022).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Mother's Army Pension Application for Maria Chapman, mother of Capt. Charles W. Chapman, filed 8 June 1865; Photocopy provided by NARA in the pension file for Charles W. Chapman, pension application number 81254, certificate number 51280; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2022), Entry for William A Chapman, died 28 Dec 1907, cn 122336; 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. Parents names and places of birth referenced.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cemetery Records, 1845 - 1960," database online, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 27 May 2022), Entry for Charles W Chapman, buried 10 Mar 1862; citing Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cemetery Records, 1845 - 1960," database online, <i>FamilySearch</i>, Entry for Wm Chapman, buried 19 Dec 1867.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh City Deaths, 1870-1905," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 27 May 2022), Entry for Maria Chapman, 11 Dec 1870, FHL microfilm 505,816.; citing Allegheny County Courthouse, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2022), Entry for Chas. W. Chapman, died 1862, Pennsylvania State Archives; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Civil War Veterans` Card File, 1861-1866; Series Number: 19.12; citing <i>Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1777–2012</i>. Digital Images, 3–5. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Bureau of Archives and History. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Remains Arrived," <i>The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 10 March 1862, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 29 May 2022).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Remains Coming," <i>The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 8 March 1862, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 27 May 2022).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rothbard, Murray N. "Beginning the Welfare State: Civil War Veteran's Pensions," <i>The Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics</i>, 22:1 (Spring 2019): 68-81</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>U. S. Congress, <i>The Statutes at Large, Treaties and Proclamations of the United States of America</i>, vols. 1-18 (Little, Brown and Company: Boston, 1789–1875), 12: 566-569, 14 July 1862, "An Act to grant Pensions," 165</span></p><p></p>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-80438625548382631392022-02-25T09:29:00.004-08:002022-02-25T10:01:15.972-08:00James Fielding: The Fight for His Pension<p>This blog post is the seventh in a series on my ancestor, James Fielding, one of my more fascinating ancestors. After his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/06/james-fielding-early-years.html" target="_blank"> early life</a>, his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/07/james-fielding-civil-war.html" target="_blank"> stint in the Civil War,</a> having to <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/09/james-fielding-man-of-many-hats.html" target="_blank">change his profession</a>, his <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/10/james-fielding-police-officer.html" target="_blank">police officer </a>days, and his <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/12/james-fielding-grand-army-of-republic.html" target="_blank">involvement in the GAR</a>, and the <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2022/01/james-fielding-house-on-norwood-avenue.html" target="_blank">house on Norwood Avenue</a>, he spent the last days before his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2022/02/james-fielding-stay-at-home-for.html" target="_blank"> death at the Soldier's home in Dayton, Ohio</a>. This is the story of the fight for his pension.</p><p>After James Fielding passed away in February of 1913, his daughter Nellie and his brother John were left to cover his final expenses and settle his estate. John was listed as the executor of James' will, which was five pages long and admitted into probate on 12 March 1913. </p><p>James had left a bit of property, the legacy of his late wife, when he died. The house and its lot were part of that estate. The furniture and the house were both left to Marcus, James H., Edward and Nellie. Mark was also left the piano and $400, while Edward was left $250 and the dining room wardrobe Nellie was left the large mirror and her mother's clothing as well as $400. James H. was left $1500 should the house be sold for his living expenses (which makes sense given his disabilities, as he was paralyzed and blind, though it is still yet unknown how he came to be afflicted), with John Fielding being in charge of the money.</p><p>Daughters Mrs. Jennie Titus, Mrs. William McKim (Emma) and Mrs. Charles Woods (Birdie) were all left just $5 each. This was likely due to the fact that all had married and were relatively settled with their husbands and did not need more money. But this is speculation.</p><p>As of April 1913, the estate hadn't yet been divided, but the house and lot were worth $3200 and the last assessed value of the real estate was $2500 per Application for Reimbursement for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, filed 11 April 1913 by daughter Nellie M. Anderson. </p><p>According to his daughter, James was sent back home from the Soldier's Home where he had been residing in October 1912 and stayed at his home in Pittsburgh until December 1912. Nellie asked for reimbursement of $100 to pay for the care that she gave her father those three months before he was sent back to the Soldier's Home. She also was asking for the $37.50 that she had to pay the undertaker and $5.30 for undisclosed "incidentals." One of the witnesses on this pension application was Sarah A, McLaughlin, who was the current wife of Nellie's maternal step-grandfather, <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/05/elmon-edward-mclaughlin-tale-of.html" target="_blank">Elmon McLaughlin</a>. The other witness was her sister, Laura Armstrong. Both witnesses resided at 2713 Veterans Street in Pittsburgh. </p><p>This reimbursement was disallowed due to the fact that the value of the real estate was sufficient to cover all of the claims Nellie had made. A letter from the Commissioner of Bureau of Pensions to Mrs. Nellie Anderson, dated 14 May 1913 rejected her claim.</p><p>On 31 July 1913, a letter was sent from Stephen G. Porter, the House Representative from the Twenty-Ninth District of Pennsylvania, to G. M. Saltzberger, the commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions in Washington, D. C. The letter asked for the status as to why back pay of two months for James Fielding was not paid, even though Nellie Anderson held a receipt saying it should have been paid. </p><p>I'm going to sidetrack a little here, since I did a bit of research on Stephen G. Porter to find out who he was, since he wrote not one, but at least two letters on behalf of Nellie and James H. Fielding.</p><p>Stephen G. Porter was born in Ohio but moved to Allegheny City with his parents at the age of eight. He first studied medicine, but switched to studying law and became a lawyer. He was the city solicitor of Allegheny City from 1903-1906 and was elected to Congress in 1910, serving from 4 March 1911 until his death in 1930. In 1913, he was running for mayor of Pittsburgh as well as serving in Congress. He ran against public works director Joseph G. Armstrong, another North Sider. Porter was unsuccessful in that bid, as it appears from several Pittsburgh area newspapers in a quick search on Newspapers.com that Armstrong was the favored one. Perhaps helping with this issue that the Fieldings were having was an attempt to help garner votes away from Armstrong.</p><p>On 11 August 1913, a letter from the acting commissioner of the Board of Pensions was sent in reply to the Honorable Stephen G. Porter of the House of Representatives stating that stated that "the law (note here: the statute at law was from 53rd Congress. Sess. III. Ch. 192. 1895.) provides that such accrued pension as was due the soldier at the time of his death shall be paid, first, to his lawful widow, and if there be no widow, then to his child or children under sixteen years of age at the date of his death.... if no widow or minor child under sixteen years of age survive the pensioner, no payment of the accrued pension can be made or allowed except so mush as may be necessary to re-imburse (<i>sic</i>) the person who bore the expense of the soldier's last sickness and burial, provided he did not leave sufficient assets to meet such an expense." It also stated that the claim for re-imbursement was denied because the house and assets left by James Fielding were sufficient to meet such expenses.</p><p>According to papers in James Fielding's pension file, it took nearly three years to settle James' estate, but currently I cannot locate any other paperwork to assist in why it took that long. The will he left was the only paperwork located.</p><p>On 9 January 1917, Nellie wrote a letter to the Pension Board asking why there could not be a pension provided to helpless children of old soldiers. She also stated that the estate was settled in April 1916, in which there was nothing left to place James H. Fielding into a home, making him solely dependent on his sister, who still lived in the house on Norwood Avenue. It stated:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy0A9uQB4sl2qvsYpgPAM43rbhQwvRVnk5qCNvMl1u4GVCW0ChRlYnMDn5-LOGWw1fTawcnTu3ba5Xj9F2HW6notsDtmz99y1txhe5IIJov20uDgkSiTX7rG_YlCTR2WylYf7InjcXmU6hIdzpNuvX24GTwpS76FcZT6-V-q6Bu4Uj4OziHKZB0QfB=s1790" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1790" data-original-width="1772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy0A9uQB4sl2qvsYpgPAM43rbhQwvRVnk5qCNvMl1u4GVCW0ChRlYnMDn5-LOGWw1fTawcnTu3ba5Xj9F2HW6notsDtmz99y1txhe5IIJov20uDgkSiTX7rG_YlCTR2WylYf7InjcXmU6hIdzpNuvX24GTwpS76FcZT6-V-q6Bu4Uj4OziHKZB0QfB=s320" width="317" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to the Pension Agent in Washington D. C. dated 9 Jan 1917; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Pension Act of 1890 (51st Congress. Sess. I. Ch. 634. 1890) did have a clause in it that stated "in the case a minor child is insane, idiotic, or otherwise permanently helpless, the pension shall continue during the life of said child, or during the period of such disability, and this proviso shall apply to all pensions heretofore granted or hereafter to be granted." However, because James H. Fielding's disabilities came about after he had attained the age of majority, he did not fall under the proviso of the act. A letter sent G.M. Saltzgerber to Mrs. Nellie Anderson, dated 14 March 1917 informed her of this.</p><p>In a letter dated 27 May 1919 to the Honorable Stephen G. Porter, who was apparently personally acquainted with the condition of James H. Fielding, Nellie wrote that she was unaware at the time of probate that the property her father owned was encumbered and that the debts from his burial and services had to be born by her. She made another plea for her father's final pension payments. She also wrote: "He was entitled to the increase of $1.00 per day for all old soldiers over 75 years of age, had been advised of the fact in May 1912 but he had never received but $15.00 per month till his death."</p><p>Much to Nellie's chagrin, it appears that naught came of this letter writing, for it seems the pension owed to her father went back to the government. The family continued to earn their meager living and James Henderson continued to rely on his widowed sister for support.</p><p>James Henderson Fielding lived in the house on Norwood with his sister until at least 1920, when he appears on that year's Federal Census with her, listed as having been blind. he last appears in the Pittsburgh area city directories in 1919, listed as living in the house. He then appears in the 1930 census in the Saint Barnabas Home on Meridian Road on Richland Township, a care facility dedicated to helping lower income people. He died at the home from chronic asthma on 13 December 1931 and was buried at the home's cemetery in Mars, Pennsylvania two days later.</p><p>Nellie was such a notable woman that I had written a<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/02/notable-women-nellie-grant-may-fielding.html"> blog post </a>about her life. I need to update it a bit, as I have some new information on her. But that is to come.</p><p>Thus ends James Fielding's story. He was a remarkable ancestor of mine and I was honored to be able to write this series about him. Perhaps, one day, I will find all the answers.... but the pursuit of genealogy research is more fun when I discover more questions than answers.....</p><p><b>Sources Used:</b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for James H. Fielding and Nellie M. Anderson, Year: 1920, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T625_1526, Page: 3B, and Enumeration District: 729; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for James H Fielding, Year: 1930, Census Place: Richland Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 18A, Enumeration District: 0773, and FHL microfilm: 2341723; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Application for Reimbursement, certificate number 11390, deceased pensioner James Fielding, E, 155th Pa Inf., dated 11 April 1913; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Central Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers Form No. 37, reporting death of James Fielding, pension cert no 11390, filed 21 Feb 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Death notice," <i>The Pittsburgh Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 14 December 1931, page 30, death notice for James. H. Fielding; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 February 2020).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Finance Divisions, referral of reimbursement for claim of James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 4 June 1919; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Find A Grave</i>, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 19 February 2020), memorial page for James Henderson Fielding, Find A Grave Memorial # 125766296, citing Saint Barnabas Home Cemetery (Mars, Butler, Pennsylvania), memorial created by Gail Slater, maintained by BSATroop400, photograph by Steve.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">House Office of History and Preservation and the Senate Historical Office, <i>Biographical Directory of the United States Congress</i> (https://bioguide.congress.gov/ : accessed 17 February 2022), Entry for Stephen Geyer Porter, 1869-1930 (id P000447).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from Acting Commissioner E. C. J. to the Hon. Stephen G Porter, dated 11 August 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from E. C. Tieman, acting commissioner, to Hon. Stephen Foster, dated 18 June 1919; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from the Commissioner of Bureau of Pensions to Mrs. Nellie Anderson, dated 14 May 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from G.M. Saltzgerber to Mrs. Nellie Anderson, dated 14 March 1917; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to the Honorable Stephen G. Porter, dated 27 May 1919; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to the Pension Agent in Washington D. C. dated 9 Jan 1917; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Letter from Stephen G. Porter, Representative of the 29th District Pennsylvania, to G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions, dated 31 July 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from Stephen G. Porter, Representative of the 29th District Pennsylvania, to G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions, dated 2 June 1919; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 February 2020), Entry for James Henderson Fielding, died 13 Dec 1931, cn 112920; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Receipt of Payment for Funeral Services For James Fielding from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to R. T. Rodney, Funeral Director; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reimbursement for Claimant Nellie Anderson in case of James fielding, invalid pensioner per act of 11 May 1912, filed 14 May 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1919</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1919), page 1039, "Fielding Jas H, r 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 10 February 2022).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">U. S. Congress, <i>The Statutes at Large, Treaties and Proclamations of the United States of America</i>, vols. 19-125 (United States Government Publishing Office: Washington, D.C., 1876–2011), 26: 182-183, 27 June 1890, "An act granting to soldiers and sailors who are incapacitated for the performance of manual labor and providing for pensions to widows, minor children, and dependent parents," 634.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">U. S. Congress, <i>The Statutes at Large, Treaties and Proclamations of the United States of America</i>, vols. 19-125 (United States Government Publishing Office: Washington, D.C., 1876–2011), 27: 964-965, 2 March 1895, "An Act To provide for the payment of accrued pensions in certain cases," 192.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">U. S. Congress, <i>The Statutes at Large, Treaties and Proclmations of the United States of America</i>, vols. 19-125 (United States Government Publishing Office: Washington, D.C., 1876–2011), : 1912, 11 May 1912, "An Act Granting pensions to certain enlisted men, soldiers, and officers who served in the Civil War and the War with Mexico," 123.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Will of James Fielding (1913), Probate Records of Allegheny County: Will Book 120, Number 20, Page 34; Register of Wills, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><div><br /></div>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-43682619819258373422022-02-05T07:50:00.001-08:002022-02-25T09:29:58.574-08:00James Fielding: The Stay at the Home for Disabled Veterans and Death<p>This blog post is the seventh in a series on my ancestor, James Fielding, one of my more fascinating ancestors. After his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/06/james-fielding-early-years.html" target="_blank"> early life</a>, his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/07/james-fielding-civil-war.html" target="_blank"> stint in the Civil War,</a> having to <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/09/james-fielding-man-of-many-hats.html" target="_blank">change his profession</a>, his <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/10/james-fielding-police-officer.html" target="_blank">police officer </a>days, and his <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/12/james-fielding-grand-army-of-republic.html" target="_blank">involvement in the GAR</a>, and the <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2022/01/james-fielding-house-on-norwood-avenue.html" target="_blank">house on Norwood Avenue</a>, this was the next logical step. This is the story of his final days.</p><p>Like my <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/p/the-hangmans-ropemaker-project.html" target="_blank">hangman's ropemaking ancestor</a> Jacob Bupp, James Fielding spent his final years at the Central Branch of the Home for Disabled Soldiers in Dayton Ohio. This <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-hangmans-ropemaker-soldiers-home-at.html" target="_blank">blog post on Jacob Bupp's stay</a> there has some research on the start of the Central Branch. Of course, since James was there almost fifteen years after Jacob's stay, the home had changed a bit.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJXjjlyPfkshJCQSWxfOKgyQZCoqohdtd64YEZxkrcWlFxthGZdASBlRT-cmz9-8uR2etMaHLxaa_aCuuq7-daLMQjNLQ4kX6KEF0PzABciEY6XOSJfZZNDTfHPp9GXTUtCbDHTaTCt5_kQbZZKyi_Mds9ffXgLdCBtTMuUbszT2K7uFwWqu6ziQxp=s640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="640" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJXjjlyPfkshJCQSWxfOKgyQZCoqohdtd64YEZxkrcWlFxthGZdASBlRT-cmz9-8uR2etMaHLxaa_aCuuq7-daLMQjNLQ4kX6KEF0PzABciEY6XOSJfZZNDTfHPp9GXTUtCbDHTaTCt5_kQbZZKyi_Mds9ffXgLdCBtTMuUbszT2K7uFwWqu6ziQxp=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Soldier's Home at Dayton in 1902, taken by Underwood and Underwood</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: Library of Congress, Stereograph Cards, digital id cph 3b41068, photo in the public domain<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>**Note here - There are more images of the home online, but many of them are not in the public domain or I cannot ascertain the rights for them - one such site is <a href="https://www.mygenealogyhound.com/vintage-postcards/ohio-postcards/OH-Dayton-Ohio-National-Soldiers-Home-vintage-postcard-photo.html" target="_blank">My Genealogy Hound</a> - others can be googled if you are interested in seeing what the home looked like.**</p><p>James was likely sent to live at the home when his disabilities became too great for his widowed daughter and sons to care for him at the home on Norwood Avenue. After all, Nellie Fielding Anderson also had to care for her ailing elder brother, James Henderson. Since James the elder was eligible for care at a Soldier's Home because of his Civil War service and the injury he sustained then, the family probably took advantage of that resource.</p><p>James likely traveled by train to get from Pittsburgh to Dayton, Ohio as that was the most convenient means of travel at the time. It is not known if anyone accompanied him.</p><div>On 13 January 1909, James Fielding was admitted to home with defective vision (almost blind in right eye), loss of teeth, bayonet would to his left foot, slight cardiac hypertrophy, arteriosclerosis and hypertrophy of prostate. Interestingly enough, his page from the historical register for the Soldier's Home listed his occupation as wagoner, a trade not reflected in any of his directory listings. It also made no mention of his shoulder injury. </div><p>Veterans living at the home had to follow a code of conduct subject to the Articles of War. This allowed for a structured environment for the former soldiers who lived at the home. They were organized into companies with a captain and had a ranking system similar to the military in which they once served. The entire home was overseen by a governor, who at the Central Branch in 1913 was "Colonel W. J. White."</p><p>James, like all of the men, was required to wear a uniform, likely one of the surplus of uniforms from the United States Army. He probably attended the Protestant weekly prayer meeting held on Sundays and listened to concerts at the bandstand that was located on the campus. Because he was literate but blind in one eye, he likely did not take advantage of the library on the campus but may have visited the menagerie. Because he was a member of the Grand Army of the republic, he likely attended meetings that they held on the campus, despite his ailing health.</p><p>Of course, all of this is circumstantial, given the lack of evidence on what exactly James did while he lived at the home. But veterans living there at the time James did were afforded all of these amenities.</p><p>What is known is what James was treated for in the home. From a page of his pension file, this was listed:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwG8FL_gEy7arYZFbpqvcJq5Vz40Lzynd-Bagt4uan14XEqcBtfHdi0cUnEetjXCO7JsEywmXMFCR3Wk5Kc_oa-j3wItectelNUoXDaYp9C1xq_cbxgzao-k_4z4l1JmZKKE7drNieXXLusUR8PK3y2zCaAZQLD8lvXmf2q2aglFp_WEZnBm5JnsYe=s757" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="757" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwG8FL_gEy7arYZFbpqvcJq5Vz40Lzynd-Bagt4uan14XEqcBtfHdi0cUnEetjXCO7JsEywmXMFCR3Wk5Kc_oa-j3wItectelNUoXDaYp9C1xq_cbxgzao-k_4z4l1JmZKKE7drNieXXLusUR8PK3y2zCaAZQLD8lvXmf2q2aglFp_WEZnBm5JnsYe=w640-h224" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b>Certificate of Medical History for James Fielding, Form Number 147, Filed by the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 16 April 1913; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />As once can see, he had many health issues that needed to be addressed. Given his advanced age, these conditions had to have been debilitating for him.<br /><p>James lived in the home from January 1909 until his death on 18 February 1913. He probably had family members visit, as visitors were encouraged at the home and the trains ran from Pittsburgh to Dayton. </p><p>He was enumerated in the 1910 Federal Census on 10 May 1910 as a widowed inmate at the home, with no occupation listed for him.</p><p>James was awarded $18 per month beginning 6 June 1912 and then $21 per month beginning 14 September 1912, the higher amount the result of the Pension Act of 1912. However, in a letter written in 1919 by daughter Nellie, he never received the final pension amounts, as "he was entitled to the increase of $1.00 per day for all old soldiers over 75 years of age, had been advised of the fact in May 1912 but he had never received but $15.00 per month till his death." This was likely because the certificate that did finally grant him these amounts was issued over a month after his death, since the certificate issued on 29 March 1913. This would cause issues for his children later. </p><div>On 18 February 1913, James Fielding died in the hospital at the Central Branch of the National Home for Disabled Soldiers at the age of seventy-five. His death certificate and records found in his pension files list his cause of death as diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis and senility. Interestingly enough, his death certificate also lists his occupation as "teamster."</div><div><br /></div><div>His body was shipped back to Pittsburgh by the undertakers J. P. Boyer and Sons from Dayton, Ohio with permission from the governor of the Home, Colonel W. J. White. </div><div><br /></div><div>James Fielding was buried on 21 February 1913 at Union Dale Cemetery in Division 1, Section G, Lot 5, Grave 4. Funeral Services were provided by R. T. Rodney, Funeral Director at 715 Arch Street on the North Side of Pittsburgh. The total cost of the funeral services was $42.80 for a hearse, 3 carriages, fee to open the grave, cost of the permit for opening the grace and services rendered, as well as notices posted in the newspapers and a telegraph sent to Washington D.C. </div><div><br /></div><div>One obituary noted that he was survived by four sons, three daughters and four brothers, including his brother John, who was a former councilman in Pittsburgh. Incidentally John was listed erroneously as James' son, not his brother, on James' page from the register of the National Soldier's Home.</div><div><br /></div><div>**Note here: John was the subject of an article I wrote, <a href="https://owlcation.com/humanities/A-Most-Distressing-Steam-Engine-Incident-of-Pittsburgh-1863" target="_blank">The Pittsburgh Steam Engine Accident</a>, where he lost his leg as a teen... He still lived a long life and became councilman and did a number of great things and eventually I may write about him.**</div><div><br /></div><div>John was also the executor of James' will, which left a great deal of his possessions to the children that still lived in the house he owned on Norwood Avenue. But the execution of that will and the incidents that followed are a subject for another blog post on another day. For there is more to this story, but that's for another <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2022/02/james-fielding-fight-for-his-pension.html" target="_blank">blog post</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sources Used</b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Year: 1910, Census Place: Jefferson Montgomery, Ohio, Roll: T624_1218, Page: 26A, Enumeration District: 0135, and FHL microfilm: 1375231.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Application for Reimbursement, certificate number 11390, deceased pensioner James Fielding, E, 155th Pa Inf., dated 11 April 1913; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Burns, Carolyn Johnson. <i>Soldiers Home of Dayton, Ohio: Information about the Central Branch of the National Military Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers known today as the Dayton VA Medical Center</i> (http://www.carolynjburns.com/soldiers/ : accessed 21 January 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Central Branch Home for D. V. S. Admittance report for James Fielding, dated 16 Jan 1909; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Certificate of Medical History for James Fielding, Form Number 147, Filed by the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 16 April 1913; ; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Claim for Pension for James Fielding filed 5 June 1912; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Daily Life at the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers," article, <i>National Park Service</i> (https://www.nps.gov/articles/daily-life-for-disabled-volunteer-soldiers.htm : accessed 3 February 2022).</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Fielding," death notice, <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 20 February 1913, Page 29, death notice for James Fielding; online images, <i>Google News</i> (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"James Fielding," obituary, <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 21 February 1913, Page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 27 July 2013).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"James Fielding," death notice, <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 20 February 1913, page 7; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 27 March 2020).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Fielding," death notice, <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 20 February 1913, Page 29, death notice for James Fielding; online images, <i>Google News</i> (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gasbarro, Norman. "Old Soldiers' Homes," <i>Civil War Blog: A Project of PA Historian</i>, 9 May 2012 (http://civilwar.gratzpa.org/ : accessed 6 November 2019).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to the Pension Agent in Washington D. C. dated 9 Jan 1917; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 27 July 2016), James Fielding, 18 Feb 1913; citing Jefferson, Montgomery, Ohio, reference fn 11097; FHL microfilm 1,953,599; citing data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Ohio Death Records, 1908-1932, 1938-2007," database online, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, died 18 Feb 1913; Montgomery, Ohio; Volume 1008, Certificate 11097; citing "Ohio Department of Health. Index to Annual Deaths", 1958-2002. Ohio Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Columbus, OH, USA. and Ohio. Division of Vital Statistics. "Death Certificates and Index, December 20, 1908-December 31, 1953". State Archives Series 3094. Ohio Historical Society, Ohio; Index only, no certificate.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, born 1837, died 2-18-1913; citing <i>Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1777–2012</i>. Digital Images, 3–5. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Bureau of Archives and History. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Plante, Trevor K. "The National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers," <i>Prologue Magazine</i>, Spring 2004; online, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, <i>National Archives</i> (https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue : accessed 11 November 2019), information on the Dayton Home.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Powell, Lisa. "Dayton’s soldiers’ home was among the country’s first to care for veterans," <i>Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)</i>, 24 May 2019, information on the history of the Dayton Home; online archives (https://www.daytondailynews.com/ : accessed 6 November 2019).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Receipt of Payment for Funeral Services For James Fielding from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to R. T. Rodney, Funeral Director; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Unknown note reporting death and no payment made in pension file of James Fielding; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S., Burial Registers, Military Posts and National Cemeteries, 1862-1960," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, died 18 Feb 1913; citing Burial Ledgers. The National Cemetery Administration, Washington, D.C. (Original records transferred to NARA: Burial Registers, compiled 1867-2006, documenting the period 1831-2006. ARC ID: 5928352. Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773–2007, Record Group 15. National Archives at Washington, D.C. and Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the Quartermaster General. (09/18/1947–08/01/1962). Burial Registers of Military Post and National Cemeteries, compiled ca. 1862–ca. 1960. ARC ID: 4478151. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985, Record Group 92. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C; Listed in the burial records for the Dayton branch of the Home for Disabled Veteran Soldiers.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding born abt 1837, admitted 1909 to Dayton, Central Branch.; citing Historical Register of National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1749, 282 rolls); Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">U. S. Congress, <i>The Statutes at Large, Treaties and Proclmations of the United States of America</i>, vols. 19-125 (United States Government Publishing Office: Washington, D.C., 1876–2011), : 1912, 11 May 1912, "An Act Granting pensions to certain enlisted men, soldiers, and officers who served in the Civil War and the War with Mexico," 123</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Will of James Fielding (1913), Probate Records of Allegheny County: Will Book 120, Number 20, Page 34; Register of Wills, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</span></div><div><br /></div>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-48729930268979057972022-01-13T06:47:00.176-08:002022-02-05T07:50:51.650-08:00James Fielding: The House on Norwood Avenue<p>This is the sixth blog post in a series on James Fielding, one of my more fascinating ancestors. After his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/06/james-fielding-early-years.html"> early life</a>, his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/07/james-fielding-civil-war.html"> stint in the Civil War,</a> having to <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/09/james-fielding-man-of-many-hats.html">change his profession</a>, his <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/10/james-fielding-police-officer.html" target="_blank">police officer </a>days, and his <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/12/james-fielding-grand-army-of-republic.html" target="_blank">involvement in the GAR</a>, this was the next logical step. This is the story of the house in which he resided on Norwood Avenue.</p><p>For most of the latter part of his life, James Fielding lived in a house on Norwood Avenue, in what was once the Tenth Ward of Allegheny City. Many documents in his Civil War pension file reference this house and its addresses, so this address quickly became a focal point for some of my research.</p><p>It should be noted that the Tenth Ward of Allegheny City appears to have had a few names in the time the Fieldings resided there. The neighborhood they lived in was probably Perry South. It is now in the 26th Ward of Pittsburgh, but I will get to that point in a few paragraphs.</p><p>Even though James lived in the house, ownership of the property, according to the deed of sale from 20 August 1896, was listed as his wife, Mrs. Sarah V. Fielding. Sarah bought the lot, which was lot number 54, from Robert W. Bissell for a mere $450. She was later charged $20 for sewer improvements and repairs to the street in April of 1900 per an official notice advertised in <i>The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</i>. The 1902 Allegheny City Atlas from G. M. Hopkins and Company also proves Sarah's ownership of the lot by listing "Mrs. S. V. Fielding" as the owner of the lot.</p><p>The family was enumerated at the house on the 1900 census, listed incorrectly with the surname Feilding. James and Sarah were listed without occupations in an owned, but mortgaged home with their sons and youngest daughter. James H. was 37 and a laborer, Eddie Mc. was 24 and helper at a foundry, and son Marcus was age 21 with no occupation listed, but did attended school for 10 months. Daughter Birdie was listed as Beatrice B. and aged 19. Her occupation was listed as a helper at home.</p><p>*Side note here - this is NOT the only time my paternal great-grandmother Birdie Boggs Fielding was listed as Beatrice in a marriage document for one of her children.... but that's a story for another day.*</p><p>James was listed at living at this residence on 23 April 1901 when he signed consent papers for his daughter Birdie to marry Charles Wesley Chapman Wood. Birdie also listed this address as hers on her application for a marriage license. The couple was married at this residence on the same day as well.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAG9XHAzhbNQlnapMZ_bzpX9GrP3s0l8vjXV8vHFUkxSv6OOQuPXwrOPJYbsJDQy26FdhOQorqSOln6bu1geqpi2l7fgCyk0wtBEGOhQMvuGhIA3N9Dygs_e5HjgCqWuzAbMRm3ixOJq0FvpUSRWHb7OdeQkpYWTXf1h7fEDSE0QKjH-Z5l5teKc7y=s1515" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="1136" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAG9XHAzhbNQlnapMZ_bzpX9GrP3s0l8vjXV8vHFUkxSv6OOQuPXwrOPJYbsJDQy26FdhOQorqSOln6bu1geqpi2l7fgCyk0wtBEGOhQMvuGhIA3N9Dygs_e5HjgCqWuzAbMRm3ixOJq0FvpUSRWHb7OdeQkpYWTXf1h7fEDSE0QKjH-Z5l5teKc7y=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Consent of James Fielding in the marriage of his daughter, Birdie, to Charles W. C. Wood, 23 April 1901, citing Allegheny County Marriage Licenses, ln 13279. Copy provided by Allegheny County Department of Court Records (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>James' son Edward listed 54 Norwood as his place of residence in marriage to Annie Cremians, which took place 8 January 1902. The marriage ended in divorce five years later.</p><p>In 1903, this was mentioned in <i>The Pittsburgh Post</i>: "Mrs. James L McGurk, who has been visiting Mrs. James Fielding, No. 54 Norwood avenue, returned home last Saturday, after a lengthy stay." Mrs. James McGurk was probably a widowed woman by the name of Mary Hooks McGurk, who was born in 1867 in Ireland, but this has not been proven. She is the most likely candidate though.</p><p>The Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding filed 9 June 1903 lists this address as his place of residence as does the Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding filed 14 December 1904 and the Additional Evidence and General Affidavit in the matter of James Fielding, claimant, filed 24 April 1905.</p><p>Around this time, the city of Pittsburgh (which spelled its name as Pittsburg at the time... the H wasn't added until 1911) was looking to expand again, having already absorbed East Birmingham, Birmingham and a number of other neighbors. They looked to consolidate Allegheny City into their city, citing that Allegheny City needed the annexation because it was corrupt and the university in Allegheny City needed room to grow. </p><p>There were of course, a number of other reasons too, but this blog post would be long and boring if I laid them all out, so I won't.</p><p>The members of the Fielding family were just a few of the 145,000 that lost their identity as Allegheny City residents when Pittsburgh's efforts to annex the city came to fruition on 7 December 1907. While most of the residents of Allegheny City were very opposed to the annexation, they lost in a vote and later, in a Supreme Court decision. </p><p>I am inclined to think that, given the fact that most of my ancestors' children claimed to be proud North Siders for the rest of their lives, that most of them were opposed to this annexation. But their feelings on the matter, aside form a few family stories from my grandmother and cousins, are lost to time and history.</p><p>Names of streets in the former Allegheny City were changed because many were duplicated in the more populous Pittsburgh. Whenever possible, the new street names of the newest part of Pittsburgh did begin with the same first letter to assist the transition. It wasn't until 1911 when the entire process was completed.</p><div>I bring this up because, while the name of the street upon which the Fieldings lived never changed (unlike a number of others in my paternal ancestry), the house NUMBER did change. The numbering system was also updated. So while they stayed in the same house, which was lot number 54 in the development, the house number was changed to 2704. Since the process took years, there is some overlap in address information on the house on Norwood.</div><div><br /></div><div>James' wife Sarah died during the annexation process. On 4 October 1907, she died in the house, which was listed as 2704 Norwood, 10th Ward of Allegheny City. Her cause of death was apoplexy contributed by senile debility, or rather a stroke caused by old age (though she was only 68 years old at the time). At the time of her death, she was a member of the Thomas Armstrong Council, number 92, of the Daughters of Liberty. She was a founding member of the council, which was a nativist group looking to limit immigration. According to newspaper accounts from October of 1892, the council got its start then. James was the informant on her death certificate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing happened in 1907 while the annexation process was going on and Sarah was in her last days. The Pension Act of 1907 was passed 6 February 1907 and allowed for Civil War soldiers to collect a pension for old age. In James' case, he was allowed to collect a pension of $15 per month because by 1907, he was 70. He had to file a new claim to get the old age pension, since he was already receiving money for his disabilities from the war. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-8vPgoOLysPR38t1ucykFvHP9klWKiuZCaef_KSCoGF7BB9vB_xbWqIy4iON28NLWzxKjrblir1FfwTQmGWvmw11ZzyjePg2tDE-9wpeYdBhr7w_O3oD_vwKZbTRjiybFojiO4lc92g8X9JY2qni0FtzoSrqzP8XCeuWg_VGWZGdim3ck66Lyfxs_=s1782" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1782" data-original-width="787" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-8vPgoOLysPR38t1ucykFvHP9klWKiuZCaef_KSCoGF7BB9vB_xbWqIy4iON28NLWzxKjrblir1FfwTQmGWvmw11ZzyjePg2tDE-9wpeYdBhr7w_O3oD_vwKZbTRjiybFojiO4lc92g8X9JY2qni0FtzoSrqzP8XCeuWg_VGWZGdim3ck66Lyfxs_=s320" width="141" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b> </b>Act of Feb. 6, 1907 Pension Card for James Fielding provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent to Kelley Wood-Davis 29 Jan 2020 by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>After having a number of denied claims for pension increases over the years since he was making the maximum allowed monthly pension as it was, James, of course, applied for a new claim. The application for increase was filed on 14 Sept 1907, his 70th birthday, while he living at the house on Norwood Drive, though the address was still 54 Norwood on the application. His witnesses of character for that pension application were James C. McIntyre, who lived at 1315 Penna Avenue and knew James Fielding for 35 years, and Phillip McDonough, who lived at 3124 Brighton Road and knew James Fielding for 20 years. This increase was granted on 31 December 1907 and continued for a few years until the next pension act, in 1912, increased his monthly sum yet again.</div><div><br /></div><div>James continued to live in the house himself, which I assume reverted to his ownership when Sarah died. But in January of 1909, he moved to the Central Branch Home for Disabled Veterans in Dayton, Ohio. This was the <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-hangmans-ropemaker-soldiers-home-at.html" target="_blank">same home</a> in which Jacob Bupp, my hangman's ropemaking ancestor, lived. </div><div><br /></div><div>But four of his children continued to live in the home. Daughter Nellie was a widow and had two young children who likely lived with her. Son James H. was disabled and blind. Son Marcus was a bachelor and son Edward was just coming out of a divorce at the time. The children lived there as late as 1925, per a plat book from that year. There was a great deal of correspondence in James Fielding's pension file that dealt with the house after James' death, but that's <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2022/02/james-fielding-stay-at-home-for.html" target="_blank">another blog post</a> for another time.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sources Used:</b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Act of Feb. 6, 1907 Pension Card for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, Co. E, 155 Pennsylvania Infantry; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Act of February 6, 1907, present claim for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, private, company E, 155 PA Vol. Inf.; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Additional Evidence and General Affidavit in the matter of James Fielding, claimant, filed 24 April 1905; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 954: 46, Robert W. Bissell to Sarah V. Fielding, recorded 6 November 1896; FHL microfilm 1531620.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brief for Reopening for Claimant James Fielding, Private, Company E of 55 Pa Vol Inf (Rejected 22 January 1903); citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brodt, Zach. "Record #12 - 1911 Pittsburgh Directory," University of Pittsburgh, <i>Archives & Manuscripts @ Pitt</i>, 22 May 2014 (https://pittarchives.tumblr.com/post/86495928408/record-12-1911-pittsburgh-directory : accessed 16 December 2021), information on the merger of Allegheny City.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Charles W. C. Wood and Birdie B. Fielding Marriage License and Certificate, (23 April 1901), Allegheny County Marriage Licenses: File Number 13279; Department of Court Records, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Death Record," obituary, <i>The Pittsburgh Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 7 October 1906, Page 6; Mrs. Sarah V. Fielding; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hopkins, G. M. <i>Real estate plat-book of the city of Allegheny: Wards 9-11, 14 and 15, Volume 2</i> (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1902); digital image, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 January 2021), plate 9, viewed property of Mrs. S. V. Fielding.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hopkins, G. M. <i>Real estate plat-book of the city of Pittsburgh: Wards 23-24, 26 and Part of 22 and 25 (Volume 4, revised 1939)</i> (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1925); digital image, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 16 December 2021), page 23, Perry South, viewed 2704 Norwood Avenue, owned by "J. E. Fielding et al."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Increase for Invalid Pension for James Fielding cert. no.11390, rejected 22 Jan 1903; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding, Co E 155 Regiment of Pa Inf Volunteers, cn 11390, filed 1 July 1902; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding, Co E, 155 Regiment Pa Inf Volunteers, no 11390, filed 9 June 1903; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding, co E, 155 Regiment of the Pa Inf, claim number 11390, filed 14 December 1904; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jones, Diana Nelson. "The day the City of Allegheny disappeared: Pittsburgh gobbles smaller neighbor as Alleghenians vote 'no' but to no avail," <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 9 December 2007; online archives (https://www.post-gazette.com/ : accessed 16 December 2021); https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2007/12/09/The-day-the-City-of-Allegheny-disappeared/stories/200712090229.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Miles, Lisa. <i>Resurrecting Allegheny City: The Land, Structures & People of Pittsburgh's North Side</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: L. A. Miles, 2007.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>"Notice of Sarah Fielding's death," death notice, </span><i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i><span>, 6 October 1907, Page 32; online images, </span><i>Google News</i><span> (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Official," official notice, <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 17 April 1900, Page 7; Petition for Damages, costs and expenses of the improvement of a sewer on Norwood Avenue. Sarah V. Fielding was charged $20; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 13 July 2020), Entry for Edward McD. Fielding and Annie Cremians, 8 Jan 1902, referencing Allegheny County marriages, v. 57, page 782, ln D-19845; citing various county courthouses, Pennsylvania.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for Sarah V. Fielding; died 4 October 1907; Certificate number: 95518; 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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1898</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1898), 376, "Fielding James, 54 Norwood av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1899</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1899), 445, "Fielding James, agt, 54 Norwood av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, Univerity of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh </i><i>and Allegheny directory, 1900</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1900), 432, "Fielding James H, lab, Norwood av n Hawkins av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1901</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1901), 472, "Fielding James agt 54 Norwood av A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1902</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1902), 506, "Fielding James agt 54 Norwood av Allegheny"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1903</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1903), 596, "Fielding James lab Norwood and Hawkins av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1904</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1904), 575, "Fielding James H lab 54 Norwood av A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1905</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1905), 530, "Fielding James H agt 2704 Norwood av A(llegheny); digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1906</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1906), 591, "Fielding James, 2704 Norwood, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1907</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1907), 606, "Fielding Jas, 2704 Norwood, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh directory, 1908</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1908), 554, "Fielding Jas, 2704 Norwood, A(llegheny); digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 27 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rooney, Dan and Carol Peterson, <i>Allegheny City: A History of Pittsburgh's North Side</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Universityof Pittsburgh Press, 2013), 130-144.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sarah V. Fielding entry, Allegheny City Registration of Deaths, volume 15: page 95, Allegheny County City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Society in Pittsburgh and Allegheny City," <i>The Pittsburgh Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 20 September 1903, 10; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 July 2020).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Soldier's Application for Increase of Pension for James Fielding, filed 14 Sept 1907; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Surgeon's Certificate for in the case of James Fielding Co E, 155 Reg't Pa Inf, Applicant for Increase pension number 11390, filed 8 Feb 1899; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Surgeon's Certificate for in the case of James Fielding Co E, 155 Reg't Pa Inf, Applicant for Increase pension number 11390, filed 29 Oct 1902; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Surgeon's Certificate for in the case of James Fielding Co E, 155 Reg't Pa Inf, Applicant for Increase pension number 11390, filed 7 Oct 1903; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Surgeon's Certificate for in the case of James Fielding Co E, 155 Reg't Pa Inf, Applicant for Increase pension number 11390, filed 28 Feb 1905; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-41364632508468355122021-12-09T07:06:00.002-08:002022-02-05T06:50:44.415-08:00James Fielding: The Grand Army of the Republic and the 1890s<p>This is the fifth blog post in a series on James Fielding, one of my more fascinating ancestors. After his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/06/james-fielding-early-years.html" target="_blank"> early life</a>, his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/07/james-fielding-civil-war.html" target="_blank"> stint in the Civil War,</a> having to <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/09/james-fielding-man-of-many-hats.html" target="_blank">change his profession</a>, and his <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/10/james-fielding-police-officer.html" target="_blank">police officer </a>days, he changed careers yet again, this time becoming a chiropodist. During this time period, he was also heavily involved in the Grand Army of the Republic.</p><p>First, let's dig a little into the history of the Grand Army of the Republic, because it was a fascinating secret society in its heyday.</p><p>The Grand Army of the Republic was organized and chartered first in Illinois in 1866. It was the brainchild of a enlisted Army surgeon by the name of Benjamin Franklin Stephenson. By 1890, it had reached its peak with over half a million members in over 8,000 posts, including five presidents. </p><p>Three objectives were the basis for organization; fraternity, charity and loyalty . They had local meetings and "camp-fires" that were actually pretty popular. There were annual state and national meetings, called encampments in which railroads had special trains and discounts and tents were set up so that veterans could relieve their war days. There was a special fund for needy veterans, widows and orphans. Through the GAR, soldier's homes were set up. The Civil War was significant in reuniting a divided nation and the GAR helped raise funds for memorials and memories to remind people of this. </p><p>To become a member of the GAR, one had to have been honorably discharged from one of the branches of the US military between April of 1861 and December of 1865. He could not have been part of the Confederacy and he had to apply to his local post, where the post decided his membership by vote. The posts were organized similar to Masonic lodges, with similar rituals.</p><p>Members wore a double breasted coat that was dark blue with bronze buttons and had gold cord. They also wore a bronze star badge on their lapels so that they could be easily identified as a member of the GAR. They referred to their brothers as "comrades" and held votes for post positions.</p><p>James Fielding was a member of GAR Post #3, also known as the Gen Alex. Hays Post. Alexander Hays was a general who started out in the Civil War as the colonel of the 63rd Pennsylvania Regiment and was promoted a few times through the course of the war before his death on 5 May 1864 in the Battle of the Wilderness. (The 63rd Pennsylvania Regiment was the regiment John D. Wood served in that I wrote <a href="https://hubpages.com/education/The-Hays-Guards-The-Story-of-Company-K-of-the-Sixty-Third-Pennsylvania-Volunteers-Part-One">a history</a> of long ago. His son Charles married Birdie Fielding, James' youngest daughter.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc-lE9h8JIRgfuzFy-MOxAmcVB-oJZkwlWP2in7V07vRiwceCL57IudEOssRvuWrAH8gahhRdSth1VLxqja2ha41Rp3WSUWErPiMVxHViiK0EvKj4XWjNuGHY9tm00cQUdrT83wop1yvs6E2DweV6PZGp890lUFCGE_TNDkRcme3ymIwdseHL6cQOX=s1024" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="687" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc-lE9h8JIRgfuzFy-MOxAmcVB-oJZkwlWP2in7V07vRiwceCL57IudEOssRvuWrAH8gahhRdSth1VLxqja2ha41Rp3WSUWErPiMVxHViiK0EvKj4XWjNuGHY9tm00cQUdrT83wop1yvs6E2DweV6PZGp890lUFCGE_TNDkRcme3ymIwdseHL6cQOX=s320" width="215" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><cite style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #242424; text-align: start; text-indent: -28px;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Photograph of Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays that was taken sometime b</span></cite><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #242424; text-align: start; text-indent: -28px;">etween 1860 and 1864. Photograph source: <a href="https://www.loc.gov/item/2018668369/" target="_blank">Library of Congress</a></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>As the GAR grew, so did its focus from being just a fraternal organization to a political one. As the GAR grew, so did the idea that the organization could present demands upon legislators. Pension bills became a point in which the GAR lobbied hard. In fact, because President Grover Cleveland vetoed a comprehensive pension bill that Congress enacted in 1887, he lost the 1888 election because G.A.R. members pushed the pension rhetoric into the polls, helping to elect Benjamin Harrison as president instead. </p><p>It is not known when James first joined Post #3 of the Grand Army of the Republic, but on 9 January 1888, he was elected as inside guard in the post. He may have joined the GAR because of the pension issue, as several claims he made to increase his pension were rejected before he was elected an officer in the post. </p><p>James Fielding was working as a chiropodist at the time he was elected officer. Chiropodists worked on feet, removing ingrown toenails, calluses, and corns. Sometimes they plied their wares as street traders, but by the time of James Fielding's tenure as a chiropodist, many had established offices. In 1888, James had an office at 543 Wood and in 1889, he had an office at 811 Penn Avenue, which appears to have been an office building of sorts in Pittsburgh, per searches of the newspapers of the day. He appeared to have this job off and on until 1898, per city directories. Interestingly enough, he took out an advertisement right under his listing in the 1891 Pittsburgh area directories that read: </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjp3sfMXmEPY0i31t3zaJak5JTlLp2MDrN5GzaAr4JXVNuRiNR5Xgl7NgFetJLXgevXwAwzfZxDGdCPzAtcyol2KyhoCBDMEIS591OtquVLRtSnmF9pfdSDANhrE3tZtnW-zTb7w9oOLlcCVn701OrtFcSlXB1T5QWpdw_VdbN0mRTWNAx6qpzZh7Pc=s376" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="376" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjp3sfMXmEPY0i31t3zaJak5JTlLp2MDrN5GzaAr4JXVNuRiNR5Xgl7NgFetJLXgevXwAwzfZxDGdCPzAtcyol2KyhoCBDMEIS591OtquVLRtSnmF9pfdSDANhrE3tZtnW-zTb7w9oOLlcCVn701OrtFcSlXB1T5QWpdw_VdbN0mRTWNAx6qpzZh7Pc=s320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1891/1892</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1891), 318, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 7 Jackson, A(llegheny)" Source: <a href="https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A31735055723229/viewer#page/304/mode/2up" target="_blank">Historic Pittsburgh</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>On 21 April 1888, James filed a Re-Rating Arrears and Increase of Pension claim stating he needed his pension corrected because his rate of pension of $4 a month was "unjustly low and disproportionate to the degree of his disability." John Burke and Samuel Moore, both of Pittsburgh, were his witnesses, and P. J. Lockwood was his attorney. A notation on the front of the claim stated "Claimant objects to being sent to the board before which he was last examined." On 3 April 1889 the pension was increased to $12 per month, as this was the first successful claim. </p><p>This coincided with the Grand Army of the Republic's biggest victory in politics, as President Harrison signed into law the Pension Act of 1890, which allowed any and all persons who had served ninety days in service in one of the branches of the United States military during the Civil War, were honorably discharged, never part of the Confederacy, and who were suffering from some sort of disability that incapacitated them from manual labor to receive funds from the United States. The pension was to be at least six dollars a month, but not exceeding twelve dollars a month. It was also the first time in the history of United States pension acts that the soldier or sailor's rank was not considered.</p><p>On 1 Dec 1890, James was elected as officer of the guard to Post #3. Though the post was in the city of Pittsburgh at the time, James was still living in Allegheny City, where he resided at 7 Jackson Street. This was the address listed on his daughter Emma's marriage license application in December 1890 when she married William McKim.</p><p>In December 1894, the GAR ran this about him in The Pittsburgh Press "Comrade James Fielding, Post 3's old warhorse, had returned from Williamsport and will reside permanently in this city. As usual, he will have charge of the annual distribution of Christmas turkeys to the widows of the Post."</p><p>The reason for his relocation to Williamsport lies in his Appeal for Reconsideration that was received 8 August 1892 which states: "...he believes injustice has been done him. He feels that the Allegheny Board must be prejudiced against him. He respectfully requests that he may be ordered to Washington D.C. for reexamination at the time of the GAR Encampment, or the Williamsport, Pa." On 15 February 1893, James was examined again by doctors, this time in Williamsport. The physicians felt he was entitled to a pension increase for both his dislocated shoulder and for his bayonet wound. But he never received those pension increases due to the Pension Act of 1890. </p><p>For whatever reason, James returned to Allegheny City and took up his duties as a comrade of Post 3 again. He resided on Leland Avenue, where wife Sarah was charged $21.11 cents for sewer repairs in December of 1898. It is very likely that while James moved to Williamsport for a period of about a year, his family stayed in Allegheny City.</p><p>In September of 1895, Louisville in Kentucky became the first city south of the Mason-Dixon line to host the annual Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was the largest convention ever in the city. </p><p>James Fielding was part of the advance guard of the Pittsburgh posts, which left, probably by train, on 5 September 1895. He was instructed with procuring headquarters for the Pittsburgh contingent, which he found in room 17 at the Law Temple on Green and Fifth streets. The encampment was a success, though several were killed due to a cannon explosion the morning of the parade and a grandstand collapsed at the fireworks display. It was reported later in September that "Comrades H. A. Moore and James Fielding came in for a great deal of praise for the manner in which they performed their duties at Louisville."</p><div>Not much else is known about James' work with the Grand Army of the republic after the Louisville Encampment. He was mentioned in a May 1892 article as one of the members of Post 3 who was visiting schools for Decoration day. This was the biggest legacy left by the GAR. The celebration of what was then Decoration Day became the national holiday of Memorial Day. Though it was a Southern tradition started in Virginia, it eventually was pushed to become the celebration it now is by the Grand Army of the Republic.</div><p>The Grand Army of the Republic dwindled because Union veterans began to die off, with the last remaining member, Comrade Albert Woolson, dying in 1956.</p><p>James' story continued though, as he owned a house in Allegheny City for many, many years. But that's a story for <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2022/01/james-fielding-house-on-norwood-avenue.html" target="_blank">another post</a>.</p><p><b>Sources:</b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1890 Veterans Schedules," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, Year: 1890, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 88, Page: 1, and Enumeration District: 174.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Appeal for Reconsideration Filed for James Fielding, received 8 August 1892; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine, "The Evolution of Podiatry: Historical Insights You Should Know," Celebration Orthopaedic, <i>Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute</i>, 17 May 2021 (https://celebrationorthopaedics.com/podiatry-in-celebration/ : accessed 21 October 2021).</span> </p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">General Affidavit, case of James Fielding, late of Co. E, 155th Regt. Penna Vols filed by Dr. J. H. Wright, 2 Dec 1886; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Grand Army of the Republic and Kindred Societies," article, <i>Library of Congress Researcher and References Service Division</i> (https://www.loc.gov/rr/main/gar/garintro.html : accessed 19 November 2021), Information on the Grand Army of the Republic.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding, co E, 155 Pennsylvania, no 11390, filed 30 Jan 1890; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Invalid Increase for James Fielding, Co. E, 155th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, number 11390, filed 4 June 1889; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Invalid Pension Reissue to Allow Additional Disability for James Fielding, cn 11390, Co E, 155 Pa Vol Inf (Present claim filed 18 June 1889); citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Invalid, Re-Rating & Increase for James Fielding, Co. E, 155th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, number 11390, filed 21 April 1888; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1888/1889</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1888), 343, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 543 Wood, h 7 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1889/1890</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1889), 356, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 811 Penn av, h 7 Jackson av A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pennsylvania, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1890/1891</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1890), 287, "Fielding J. chiropodist, 7 Jackson av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1891/1892</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1891), 318, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 7 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1892/1893</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1892), 320, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 7 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1893/1894</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1893), 326, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, 7 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1894/1895</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1894), 317, "Fielding Jas, Leland av, n Charles, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1895/1896</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1895), 331, "Fielding J, Physician, Leland av, n Charles, A(llegheny), h same"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1896/1897</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1896), 348, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, Leland av, n Charles, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1897/1898</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1897), 352, "Fielding Jas, chiropodist, Leland av, n. Hawkins av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, Unversity of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Lodge Room Gossip," <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 14 February 1892, page 14; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 9 December 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Medical Evidence Affidavit of Dr. M. J. Koenig, in the Claim of James Fielding, pvt, Co E, 155th Pa Vols, number 11390 for Increase, filed 2 August 1892; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Medical Evidence Affidavit of J. Stickel, M.D., in the Claim of James Fielding, pvt, Co E, 155th Pa Vols, number 11390 for Increase, filed 4 August 1892; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Officers of the G.A.R. elected," <i>The Pittsburgh Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 2 December 1890, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 February 2020).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pearson, John. "A Brief History of Chiropody and Podiatry," Carole Adrienne, <i>Civil War Rx</i>, no date, (http://civilwarrx.blogspot.com/2016/06/a-brief-history-of-chiropody-and.html : accessed 21 October 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 29 June 2020), Entry for William McKisn and Emma Fielding, 16 Dec 1890, FHL microfilm # 878584; citing various county courthouses, Pennsylvania.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Post 3's Installation," <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 10 January 1888, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 21 October 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Prechtel-Kluskens, Claire. "A Reasonable Degree of Promptitude": Civil War Pension Application Processing, 1861–1885," <i>Prologue</i>, Spring 2010, Vol 42. No. 1; online, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, <i>National Archives</i> (https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2010/spring/civilwarpension.html : accessed 4 March 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rothbard, Murray N. "Beginning the Welfare State: Civil War Veteran's Pensions," <i>The Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics</i>, 22:1 (Spring 2019): 68-81.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Secret Societies: Grand Army of the Republic," <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 8 September 1895, page 11; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 9 December 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Secret Societies: The Grand Army," <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 23 December 1894, page 14; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 21 October 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Secret Society: Grand Army of the Republic," <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 29 September 1895, page 15; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 9 December 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Surgeon's Certificate in case of James Fielding, co E, 155th Pa. Vols, Applicant for Increase, claim number 11390 filed 3 April 1889; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Surgeon's Certificate for in the case of James Fielding Co E, 155 Reg't Pa Inf, Applicant for Increase pension number 11390, filed 4 June 1890; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">U. S. Congress, <i>The Statutes at Large, Treaties and Proclmations of the United States of America</i>, vols. 19-125 (United States Government Publishing Office: Washington, D.C., 1876–2011), 26: 182-183, 27 June 1890, "An act granting to soldiers and sailors who are incapacitated for the performance of manual labor and providing for pensions to widows, minor children, and dependent parents," 634</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Veach, Michael. "Grand Army of the Republic at The Filson," Filson Historical Society, <i>The Filson Newsmagazine</i>, n.d. (https://filsonhistorical.org/archive/news_v2n3_gar.html : accessed 9 December 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"The Veterans' Advance Guard," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 6 September 1895, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Viewers' Reports," official notice, <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 23 October 1898, Page 7; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Waskie, Anthony. "The Grand Army of the Republic," article, <i>Essential Civil War Curriculum</i> (https://www.essentialcivilwarcurriculum.com/the-grand-army-of-the-republic.html : accessed 19 November 2021).</span></p>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-79576781294403637062021-10-14T06:12:00.008-07:002022-02-05T06:47:41.374-08:00James Fielding: Police Officer This is the third blog post in a series on James Fielding, one of my more fascinating ancestors. After his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/06/james-fielding-early-years.html"> early life</a>, his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/07/james-fielding-civil-war.html"> stint in the Civil War,</a> and having to <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/09/james-fielding-man-of-many-hats.html">change his profession</a>, he also was, later in life, a police officer for the Allegheny City police force. This is that story.<p><span><span>On 28 April 1881, the Allegheny City Police Committee held a special meeting. The mayor of the city at the time was Lewis Peterson Jr, who was the cousin of James' mother-in-law Emeline Peterson McDonald McLaughlin and nephew to the first of three <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-tale-of-three-henry-petersons.html" target="_blank">Henry Petersons</a>. Lewis Peterson submitted a list of appointments he had made for confirmation. On that list was the name of James Fielding, his cousin's son-in-law, who badly needed a job. Although he was impaired form his Civil War injuries, he still was able to become an officer, for the list, save for two men, were confirmed by the police committee.</span></span></p><p><span>Some of his actions as a police officer were recorded in the local newspapers. It is not 100% certain that these are all James Fielding, as he was merely listed as "Officer Fielding," but the timeline appears to match up correctly, so they will all be reported. In genealogy, especially when it comes to newspaper accounts, not everything is 100% certain.</span></p><p><span>One of his first acts as a police officer was to spoil the fun of some boys playing ball in the Eighth Ward by arresting them and taking them to the Mayor's office on 8 May 1881.</span></p><p><span>On 25 August 1881, this was reported in the </span><i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</i><span>:</span></p><p><span></span></p><blockquote><p><span> "A one legged crazy man was picked up on Ohio street yesterday afternoon by Officer Fielding, and place in the lockup. He could not give his name or residence. He is crazy on religious subjects."</span></p><p></p></blockquote><p><span>Officer Fielding procured a wagon for a man by the name of Mr. Reed on 12 September 1881 when he was thrown from his own wagon when he collided with a gad lamp and was seriously injured. James escorted the man home to his house on the corner of 36th and Penn in Pittsburgh.</span></p><p><span>On 29 November 1881, he made two arrests that made the newspapers. He arrested Henry Helewig for domestic abuse after Helewig's child was gravely injured. He also arrested one intoxicated woman by the name of Mary Greenewalt after she impeded a train by falling drunkenly across the tracks and had to be rescued.</span></p><p><span>In February 1882, he testified in a trial against Health Officer Christ Hoch after charges were brought against the man that he was publicly intoxicated at the polls. James had seen Hoch the day in question and testified he did not think Hoch was drunk. Hoch was neither exonerated nor censured in the meeting.</span></p><p><span>On 2 April 1882, he rescued an elderly man from Sharpsville, Pennsylvania by the name of Andrew nelson. According to the Pittsburgh Daily Post, Nelson was an itinerant who was quite ill on the bank of the river. He was sent to lock-up first and then to the city home.</span></p><p><span>On 30 May 1882, he had to euthanize a ferocious dog owned by Jacob Snyder after the dog bit a young boy by the name of Harry Baker twice.</span></p><p><span>Sometime in early August of 1882, he fell while walking on a boardwalk in the Troy Hill neighborhood and dislocated his arm. One must wonder if it was the same arm he injured in the Civil War. On 2 December 1882, he received $46 for lost time, presumably for this injury.</span></p><p><span>On 2 Jan 1883, the </span><i>Pittsburgh Daily Post </i>reported this</p><p><span></span></p><blockquote>"Officer Fielding was yesterday made the victim of a practical joke. Upon entering the Allegheny Engine House on Troy Hill, he was presented by the members of the company with a handsome pipe filled with what he supposed was tobacco. He immediately lit it and after smoking for a few moments was startled by a loud report, the bowl that had been partially filled with powder, having exploded. Mr. Fielding, after recovering from his astonishment, left the house without thanking the donors for the gift."</blockquote><p></p><p><span><span>His bad luck continued to plague him, for on 28 January 1883, he was attacked on Lowry Street in the Troy Hill neighborhood. A gang of roughs fought with him and he was severely beaten, though no arrests were made.</span></span></p><p>No other accounts were made in 1883 about Officer Fielding until August of 1883, when he was listed as an ex-police officer in another public drunkenness trial. This time, the charges were made against Lieutenant McCormick, who had been suspended for his charges by Mayor Peterson but was brought up before the Allegheny Police Commission. The communication from James was placed in the lieutenant's file, as Mayor Peterson suggested that "he alone had the authority to investigate charges against his officers."</p><p><span><span>For a period in 1883-1884, he went back to being an agent, according to the 1884 city directory for Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, though it is not known if he went back to the publication company or not. But his stint as a police officer was not yet over, for on 1 May 1884 he was nominated again as a police officer by Mayor James G. Wyman and sworn in again by the Police Committee on the same day.</span></span></p><p>On 15 August 1884, James arrested 18-year-old James Montgomery from Cleveland because the youth was throwing stones at a Blaine and Logan Marching club.</p><p>On 18 February 1885, a broom peddler by the name of John Steinmetz was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He tried to stab James with a knife.</p><p>The February article is the last mention of James as a police officer that can be found in the newspapers. The Pittsburgh area city directory for 1886/1887 still lists him as a police officer, living at 160 James in Allegheny City, but there are no mentions of him making arrests in 1886, so one cannot be sure. </p><p>It was this address that clinched that he was a police officer, for it was at this address that James filed an Invalid Claim for Increase on 7 Sept 1885. John Wells and Frank Wadlow were the witnesses on this affidavit. This was also the address daughter Jennie gave on her marriage license application to Joseph Titus. The couple was married 3 December 1885. James filed an increase again on 16 August 1886 and claimed the same address. The witnesses on that affidavit were R. B. Robinson and James A. Green or Greer.</p><p>What is also known is that he went on to become a maker of lightning rods, per the 1887/1888 city directory for Pittsburgh and Allegheny City.</p><p>While his adventures as a police officer were over and done with, there was still more to his story, especially his involvement with the Grand Army of the Republic. But that is better left for <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/12/james-fielding-grand-army-of-republic.html" target="_blank">another blog post</a>.</p><p><b>Sources Used:</b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Allegheny Briefs," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 19 February 1885, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Allegheny Committee Work: Business Before the Police and Health Committees," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 2 August 1883, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Allegheny Investigation," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 28 February 1882, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Allegheny News," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 11 August 1882, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Allegheny News," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 29 January 1883, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Allegheny Police Department," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 2 December 1882, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Allegheny Police Force," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 29 April 1881, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"An Allegheny Policeman Surprised," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 2 January 1883, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding, co E, 155th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, claim number 11390, filed 7 Sept 1885; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1882/1883</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1882), 273, "Fielding, James, police, 209 Washington av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1884/1885</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1884), 315, "Fielding Jas, agt, 135 James A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1885/1886</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1885), 312, "Fielding Jas, Police, 56 Hemlock, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1886/1887</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1886), 325, "Fielding, Jas, police, 160 James, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1887/1888</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1887), 328, "Fielding Jas, lightning rods, 160 James, A(llegheny"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Local Briefs," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 3 April 1882, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Local Briefs," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 30 May 1882, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The News from Allegheny," <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 9 May 1881, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"The News from Allegheny," <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 25 August 1881, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The News from Allegheny," <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 13 September 1881, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The News from Allegheny," <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 30 November 1881, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 February 2020), Entry for Joseph Titus and Jennie Fielding, 3 Dec 1885, cn 568, referencing Allegheny County (Pennsylvania), Clerk of the Orphans' Court, Marriages, volume 1, page 190, FHL microfilm number 878577; citing various county courthouses, Pennsylvania.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Stoning a Marching Club," <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 16 August 1884, page 4; online images, <i>Google News</i> (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 24 September 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Surgeon's Certificate in Case of James Fielding, Application for Increase dated 25 November 1885; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Wyman's Brigade: New Police Force of Allegheny on Duty," <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 2 May 1884, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 September 2021).</span></p>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-26380013165451022312021-09-15T08:06:00.004-07:002022-02-05T06:39:13.823-08:00James Fielding: Man of Many Hats<p>**Blogger's note here - apologies for the small break in my blogging. I have been working on my <a href="https://kswoodwrites.blog/" target="_blank">fiction writing</a> as well lately and that has taken a great deal of my "free time" lately, as I do this in addition to a full time job and normal day-to-day activities**</p><p>This is the third blog post in a series on James Fielding, one of my more fascinating ancestors. After his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/06/james-fielding-early-years.html" target="_blank"> early life</a> and his<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/07/james-fielding-civil-war.html" target="_blank"> stint in the Civil War,</a> he found himself injured and having to change the course of his life. This is that story.</p><p>Because he had injured his shoulder and his foot during his brief stint in the War of Rebellion, James Fielding found himself having a hard time doing manual labor. While he resided with his mother-in-law Emeline McDonald in the Second Ward of Allegheny City directly after being discharged per his entry in the Civil War Draft of 1862, by the end of 1863 he was living in Richland Township, at the northern end of Allegheny County. According to medical affidavits filed later in his life, he lived here for three years. Daughter Emma's death certificate stated she was born in Richland Township in 1866, which helps lend credence to this as their location at the time.</p><p>From 1867 until early 1869, James also owned land in McClure Township, a lot he bought for $250. The lot was a plot in a development divided by Frederick Eschelman and John S. Ashworth. It was described as "having a front of twenty feet on a street, thirty feet wide and extending back on the south side ninety eight feet more or less and on the north side sixty seven feet more or less to edge of stone quarry rock, also the right to a spring for family use situate on the north east corner of said street."</p><p>I should note here that there is a bit of confusion as to where he lived and worked, as several different documents give different accounts. What I do know is he did a number of manual labor jobs that required sitting, for his foot did still pain him.</p><p>Per an affidavit filed by James Godfrey on 29 Jan 1891, James Fielding rented bench room in Godfrey's blacksmith shop to work as a locksmith and a bell hanger from 1866 to 1867. H. J. Westerman claimed in an affidavit filed on 2 Jan 1891 that he had known James Fielding for 25 years and that around the years of 1866 and 1867, James worked in the same shop as Westerman (probably James Godfrey's shop) and that Westerman helped to fix James' arm when it became dislocated. </p><p>James was listed as living at 7 Ohio Street in Allegheny City in the 1868 city directory, working as the locksmith and bell hanger, but that stint appeared to be short lived. By late 1868, he was working in a sewing factory, probably in Allegheny City. Per the Medical Evidence Affidavit of Dr. M. J. Koenig filed 2 August 1892 found in James' pension file, the following was recorded:</p><p></p><blockquote>"His right eye is blind in consequence of a cataract, during the year of 1868 found Jas. Fielding light employment in a sewing factory where he had to chisel with a light hammer at a piece of steel, when his shoulder caused him to make a mis-shift, starting a fine steel chip to cut through the cornea of the right eye. He has consulted opticians of high standing, who adviced him not to have it operated on, as it might endanger the left eye."</blockquote><p>The 1870 census has always confused me for the Fielding family. James was listed as living as a boarder in the Sherman House Hotel in Ward 10 of St. Louis, Missouri and working as a printer, but it appears he was just passing through the city. There is evidence he was working as a traveling printer and salesman.</p><p>His wife Sarah and their children were enumerated in the fifth district of New Orleans, Louisiana. While Sarah was not listed in the 1870 New Orleans City Directory, her neighbor on the census, Nathan Johnson, engineer, was living on Seguin, between Delaronde and Villere according to the directories. what is interesting is that their living children, James, Fanny and Emma, were all listed with the surname of Andrew instead of Fielding. Sarah's mother, Emeline, was living in New Orleans with her second husband <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/05/elmon-edward-mclaughlin-tale-of.html" target="_blank">Elmon McLaughlin</a>, so it is likely that Sarah and the children traveled down the rivers to live near Emeline while James was traveling.</p><p>From 1872 to 1873, he lived at 186 Rebecca Street in Allegheny City, working as a machinist and then as an agent. While further research did not reveal what kind of an agent, it is surmised he was a book agent of sorts. It is likely this was the house that daughter Nellie was born in, as she was born 2 August 1872.</p><p></p><p></p><p>At the biennial review for his pension payment in 1873, the pension was reduced to $4 per month. Apparently, the Medical Board thought his disability didn't warrant the pension he was receiving and the degree of his disability was likely reduced.</p><p>By 1874, James Fielding had moved to Cleveland, Ohio. At first, it appears he moved there himself without taking his family, as he was listed in the 1874 Cleveland area directory as a boarder living at Saint Charles hotel, where he was listed as a book agent. He likely sold subscriptions for Appleton Publications, who created such works as <i>Picturesque America</i>. Appleton's was located at 90, 92, and 94 Grand Street in New York City, according to an advertisement in the Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette in 1870. They sold subscriptions to their essays for $4.50 a year. By 1874, they were located at 549 and 550 Broadway Avenue in New York City and had completed the essays that were become <i>Picturesque America</i>, which was listed as James' employer in the 1875 Cleveland Directory. </p><p>By December 1875, he was working for the newspaper <i>The Christian at Work,</i> and an advertisement they ran in the Daily Cleveland Herald made mention of him: </p><p></p><blockquote>"Mr. James Fielding, who is widely and favorably known, has been engaged to travel in this section and appoint local agents throughout the country." (18 Dec 1875, page 8).</blockquote><p></p><div>It is not known where his family lived from 1874 to 1875, but by 1876, the family was living with him in Cleveland, as son Edward was born at 566 Hamilton on 20 April 1876. However, just a year later, they were living once again in Allegheny City, as James was listed again as in the Pittsburgh area city directories, living at 77 Bidwell. He worked as a printer and then a watchman. Son Marcus was likely born in this house, as he was born 2 December 1878.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 1880 census listed him living in Allegheny City, probably still at the Bidwell address. He was listed as a locksmith by occupation, with wife Sarah, sons James, Edward and Marcus, and daughters Jennie, Emma and Nellie. It was at the Bidwell address that James filed another declaration for increase on 13 March 1880, claiming his wound had become much worse, rendering him incapable of following his usual occupation (though which "usual occupation" is not listed). James J. Brown and Daniel J. Boden were the witnesses on this affidavit. He stated he was only making $4 a month as a pension. This was rejected on 13 May 1880.</div><div><br /></div><div>While his life continued on and he had a stint as a police officer, that will be listed in a future <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/10/james-fielding-police-officer.html" target="_blank">blog post</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sources Used:</b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding; Year: 1870, Census Place: St Louis Ward 10 St Louis, Missouri, Roll: M593_820, Page: 26B, Image: 93043, and Family History Library Film: 552319.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Entry for Sarah V Fielding and household; Year: 1870, Census Place: New Orleans Ward 14 Orleans, Louisiana, Roll: M593_525, Page: 789A, Image: 271699, and Family History Library Film: 552024.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Act of July 14, 1862 Pension Card for James Fielding, volume 3, page 144, Co. E, 155 Pennsylvania Infantry; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed book 223: 621-623, Frederick D. and Eliza Ann Eshelman, and John S. and Ellen Ashworth, to James Fielding, recorded 17 Oct 1867; FHL microfilm 1509528 and 1509529.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed book 249: 607-608, James and Sarah V. Fielding to David Wright, recorded 18 February 1870; FHL microfilm 1509761.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>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., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for james Fielding and family; Year: 1880, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1086, Family History Film: 1255086, Page: 132B, Enumeration District: 006, and Image: 0269.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Appleton's Journal," advertisement, <i>Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 22 November 1870, page 1; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 July 2020).</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Atlas of the cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and the Adjoining Boroughs</i> (Philadlephia, Pennsylvania: G.M. Hopkins, 1876); digital images, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 5 February 2021), Plate 10-11> viewed Rebecca Street in the 5th Ward of Allegheny City.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beers, F. W., and S. N. Beers, <i>Map of Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania : from actual surveys</i> (Philadelphia: Smith, Gallupp and Hewitt, 1862); digital image, <i>Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division</i> (https://www.loc.gov/item/2012592151/ : accessed 7 July 2021), viewed part of Richland township.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Certificate of Disability for Discharge for James Fielding, Private, Co. E, 155th PA, filed 11 Jan 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Cleveland Directory 1874/1875</i> (Cleveland, Ohio: W. S. Robison, 1874), 209, "Fielding James, bk agt, bds St. Charles Hotel"; digital images, <i>HathiTrust</i> (https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100677838 : accessed 20 July 2020).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Cleveland Directory 1875/1876</i> (Cleveland, Ohio: Robison, Savage and Co., 1875), 212, "Fielding James, agt. Appleton's Picturesque America, 20 ws. Pub Sqr. r. 1 Buckeye"; digital images, <i>HathiTrust</i> (https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100677838 : accessed 20 July 2020).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Cleveland Directory 1876/1877</i> (Cleveland, Ohio: Robison, Savage and Co., 1876), 204, "Fielding James, agt. r. 570 Hamilton"; digital images, <i>HathiTrust</i> (https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100677838 : accessed 20 July 2020).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Christian at Work," advertisement, <i>Daily Cleveland Herald (Cleveland, Ohio)</i>, 18 December 1875, page 8; online images, <i>GenealogyBank</i> (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 20 July 2020).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 100, "Fielding James, machinist, 56 Fourth"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1868/1869</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1868), 168, "Fielding James, locksmithing and bell hanging, 7 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1872-1873</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1872), 169, "Fielding James, machinist, 186 Rebecca, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1873/1874</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1873), 192, "Fielding James, agt, 186 Rebecca, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1874/1875</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1874), 209, "Fielding James, agt, n Perry av, 2d ward, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1877-1878</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1877), 203, "Fielding Jas, printer, 77 Bidwell, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1878/1879</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1878), 221, "Fielding Jas, printer, 77 Bidwell, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1879-1880</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1879), 229, "Fielding Jas, watchman, 77 Bidwell, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">General Affidavit of Henry Barr, filed 3 Feb 1891, Pension file of James Fielding; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">General Affidavit of H. J. Westerman in the claim of James Fielding, co E, 155 Regiment, Pa Volunteers, no 11930, filed 2 Jan 1891; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Invalid Claim for Increase for James Fielding, filed 13 March 1880; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Invalid Pension Claim Declaration for James Fielding, filed 8 Jan 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Medical Evidence Affidavit of Dr. M. J. Koenig, in the Claim of James Fielding, pvt, Co E, 155th Pa Vols, number 11390 for Increase, filed 2 August 1892; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>National Archives and Records Administration, "U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, born about 1837 from 2nd Ward Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; citing "General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 546 rolls.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for male Child Fielding, born 20 April 1876 at 556 Hamilton, Cleveland; Cuyahoga > Birth registers with index 1872-1876 > image 204 of 288; FHL Microfilm number 1986157; citing County courthouses, Ohio.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Publishers' Notice to Picturesque America Suscribers," advertisement, <i>The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 28 October 1874, page 5; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 July 2020).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reimbursement Card, Certificate number 11390, for invalid pensioner James Fielding; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Surgeon's Certificate of Biennial, Annual, or Semi-Annual Examination, on which the Pensioner Draws his Pension for James Fielding, filed in Pittsburgh, 13 Sept 1873; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 July 2021), Entry for James Fielding, birth year about 1837, residence Second Ward (Allegheny City),; citing "Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registrations, 1863-1865". NM-65, entry 172, 620 volumes. NAI: 4213514. Records of the Provost Marshal General’s Bureau (Civil War), Record Group 110. National Archives at Washington D.C.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-89867851088660262232021-07-02T09:15:00.010-07:002022-02-05T06:43:39.947-08:00James Fielding: Civil War<p>This is the second in a series of posts about my ancestor, James Fielding, an illustrious man. To read the first post about his early life, <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/06/james-fielding-early-years.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p><p>Like most of the men in his generation, James Fielding was part of the great conflict known as the Civil War.</p><p>James volunteered for service at Pittsburgh on 21 August 1862 for a three-year term. He had been married to his wife, Sarah McDonald, for nine months, and their first child, a boy they named James Henderson, was just nine days old when James signed up. Information seems to suggest that the couple was living with Sarah's mother, Emeline, at 56 Fourth Street in Allegheny at the time, though they could have also been staying at John Fielding's home on Ohio Street as well.</p><p>He was twenty-four years of age.</p><p>James was assigned to Company E of the 155th Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the command of Captain Joseph B. Sackett.</p><p>The regiment was organized at Camp Copeland, three miles outside Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, and moved by cattle cars on a train first to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to collect the last two companies of the regiment. It then moved on 4 September 1862 to Washington, D.C., where it was attached to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army Potomac.</p><p>This regiment was also the one that a man named William Woods was assigned, though he was assigned to Company B. William Woods' nephew, Charles Wesley Chapman Wood later married James' youngest daughter, Birdie.</p><p>James' stay was extremely brief. </p><p>According to pension records he filed in later years, James was assigned to assist the quartermaster in moving supplies. Some time on either the 8th or 10th of September, 1862, just a few days after establishing camp in Alexandria, Virginia, he incorrectly lifted a barrel off the wagon. In doing so, he apparently injured his right shoulder, dislocating it, but he merely got some liniment from the medical supplies and applied it to the hurt shoulder. He assumed it would heal soon, so he refused to seek correct medical treatment.</p><p>On 11 September 1862, James was assigned the duty of waking the officers for the day. He rose before four in the morning and began his trek to the officers' tents. However, because it was still fairly dark that time of the morning, he could not see well. In the darkness, he tripped over a bayonet left out of a recruit's tent. The bayonet impaled the upper part of his foot, disabling him.</p><p>The incident was memorialized in the regiment's history, <i>Under the Maltese Cross,</i> which had this to say about it:</p><blockquote><p>"This claim of first blood, however, was later seriously disputed on behalf of Private James Fielding, of Company E. Fielding insists that a jab from a protruding bayonet, which a recruit carelessly left sticking out of a tent at night, drew blood from his big toe. From this wound Fielding was forever afterward rendered hors du combat." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 155th (1862-1865), <i>Under the Maltese Cross, Antietam to Appomattox</i>, (Pittsburgh: 1910) 55)</span></p></blockquote><p>He was taken to the field hospital, where he was treated for his wound. The injury had to have been serious because he was never given active duty again but was released from the Union Army on 4 Jan 1863 with a certificate of disability.</p><p>James never saw combat, but because he was injured in the line of duty, he did receive a pension for his injuries. His commander, Captain Sackett, wrote an affidavit for him.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfmMFxEVrRqnVosIBzBgGHZTzKGyjSN5DCc-218Xb_ac7vu9y8DDg0HOeeIsWUDPfs3V-aqQ80K6U5jiItgTJ8EiB4new5wlL6LBZHp6VCBGz7UJfnnkWUQh-RJQsQvCI2Y6Bx3ihbf8/s1974/Fielding+James+Civil+War+Pension+%252811390%2529_Page_8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="1588" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfmMFxEVrRqnVosIBzBgGHZTzKGyjSN5DCc-218Xb_ac7vu9y8DDg0HOeeIsWUDPfs3V-aqQ80K6U5jiItgTJ8EiB4new5wlL6LBZHp6VCBGz7UJfnnkWUQh-RJQsQvCI2Y6Bx3ihbf8/s320/Fielding+James+Civil+War+Pension+%252811390%2529_Page_8.jpeg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Undated Affidavit of Capt. Joseph B. Sackett in Brief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863, from James Fielding's civil War Pension File, copy provided to Kelley Wood-Davis by Deidre Erin Denton, genealogist</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>James was eligible to apply for the pension due to the Act to Grant Pensions that was passed by Congress on 14 July 1862 (37th Congress. Sess. II. Ch. 166. 1862), as he had been partially "disabled by reason of any wound received.... while in the service of the United States." Being as how the ratio of men wounded in the war to the general population was nearly 14 per one thousand per Rothbard's "Beginning the Welfare State: Civil War Veteran's Pensions" (70), James was one of many who applied.</p><p>Witnesses for the original affidavit for pension file claim (filed 8 Jan 1863) were Alexander McCracken, aged 40, and John Flinn, aged 43, both residents of Pittsburgh. The affidavit was signed by W. A. Herron, clerk of the orphan's court. The surgeon's certificate attached to this claim was not filled out.</p><p>Fielding was entitled to a pension beginning 4 January 1863 of $5.33 a month on account of the bayonet wound. One inflation calculator equates that to $113.75 per month in 2020 money. Incidentally, one of the physicians who examined him in August of 1863 stated that the disability was "probably temporary."</p><p>James returned to his previous life before the military, having served in active duty less than a month. He moved in with his mother-in-law at 172 Robinson, and it is that address from whence he applied for his first military pension. Both his shoulder and the wound from the bayonet plagued him for the rest of his life, according to documents he filed.</p><p>Interestingly enough, because he was back amongst civilians in late spring and early summer of 1863, he was recorded in the Civil War Registrations done in Pennsylvania at that time. He was recorded as living in the Second Ward of Allegheny City and had no occupation at the time of the registration. No mention of his service was given in the column listed "Former Military Service." Because of his disability, he of course was not drafted back into the war.</p><p>**Note here: I had done a bit of digging on the other men mentioned above, as I am a firm believer in the FAN method, as I have stated in other blog posts. **</p><p>Joseph B. Sackett, the captain of James' company, met with a sad fate a year after James had been discharged. While returning from a picket near Warrenton, Virginia on 24 January 1864, he attempted to cross Kettle Run, fording the river on horseback. He drowned in the process.</p><p>William Wood, who is also related to me as a second-great-granduncle, did survive the Civil War and probably saw many battles with his unit. He eventually was promoted to Corporal on 14 March 1865 and mustered out with his company on 2 June 1865. (Side note here: he died in 1885 unmarried and childless, long before his nephew married his comrade's daughter.)</p><p>Both John Flinn and Alexander McCracken were shoemakers in the area and were probably men James knew from working with his father.</p><p>James' stint in the Civil War was a chapter that closed, but a new chapter was just beginning. But that's a story for the <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/09/james-fielding-man-of-many-hats.html" target="_blank">next post</a>.</p><p><b>Sources used:</b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Certificate of Disability for Discharge for James Fielding, Private, Co. E, 155th PA, filed 11 Jan 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 218, "McDonald Emily, widow Henderson, dressmaker, Robinson n Darragh, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1862-1863</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1862), 216, "McDonald Emeline, widow Henderson, 172 Robinson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 100, "Fielding James, machinist, 56 Fourth"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864</i>, 236, "McDonald Emeline, wid Henderson, 46 Fourth".</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Evans, Samuel M. <i>Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the war for suppression of the rebellion, 1861-1865: roll of honor, defenders of the flag, attack on Fort Sumter, S.C., April 12, 1861, surrender at Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: s.n, 1924), 152.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Examining Surgeon's Certificate for the case of James Fielding, private, Company E, 155th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 7 Aug 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hawks, Steve. <i>The Civil War in the East</i> (https://civilwarintheeast.com/ : accessed 11 March 2021), United States Regiments & Batteries > Pennsylvania > Infantry> 155th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Hospital Statement for J Fielding, Co. E, 155 Regiment of Pa Volunteers, no. 11390, dated 13 July 1889; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Invalid Pension Claim Declaration for James Fielding filed 8 Jan 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">National Archives and Records Administration, "U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, roll number T288_151, Application number 7786, Certificate number 11390.; Applied 10 January 1863 for pension; citing "General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 546 rolls.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, 155th (1862-1865), <i>Under the Maltese Cross, Antietam to Appomattox: the Loyal Uprising in Western Pennsylvania, 1861-1865; Campaigns 155th Pennsylvania Regiment</i> (Pittsburg, Pennsylvania: 155th Regimental Association, 1910).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Prechtel-Kluskens, Claire. "A Reasonable Degree of Promptitude": Civil War Pension Application Processing, 1861–1885," <i>Prologue</i>, Spring 2010, Vol 42. No. 1; online, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, <i>National Archives</i> (https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2010/spring/civilwarpension.html : accessed 4 March 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b></b>Rothbard, Murray N."Beginning the Welfare State: Civil War Veteran's Pensions," <i>The Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics</i>, 22:1 (Spring 2019): 68-81.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Undated Affidavit of Capt. Joseph B. Sackett inBrief in the Case of James Fielding, Private, Company E, 155th Regiment of Pa. Vol.: Claim for Invalid Pension Proof Exhibited, dated 29 April 1863; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding, born about 1837 from 2nd Ward Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; citing "Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registrations, 1863-1865". NM-65, entry 172, 620 volumes. NAI: 4213514. Records of the Provost Marshal General’s Bureau (Civil War), Record Group 110. National Archives at Washington D.C; listed as married in 1863.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>U. S. Congress, <i>The Statutes at Large, Treaties and Proclmations of the United States of America</i>, vols. 1-18 (Little, Brown and Company: Boston, 1789–1875), 12: 566-569, 14 July 1862, "An Act to grant Pensions," 165</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-85351431295413849702021-06-26T07:51:00.007-07:002022-02-05T12:11:30.655-08:00James Fielding : Early YearsI have been spending some of my personal genealogy research time focusing on my Fielding family, because, well, they fascinate me so. I don't know if it is because they are the quintessential blue-collar family, or just because I did not know much about them when I was growing up. Anyway, here is another blog on my Fielding family.<div><br /></div><div>My pap's maternal grandfather was a man named James Fielding, who had lived a very full life, according to multiple documents. I wanted to find out more about him, as the Fielding family once was one of the biggest brick walls in my tree, and certain records I stumbled upon led me to find a landmine of information. After spending a great deal of time processing his Civil War Pension file, I knew I wanted to write about him as well. But I had too much information to write just one blog post on him, so bear with me as I tell the tale of this wonderful man in a series of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>James was the son of the shoemaker <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/04/chasing-elusive-john-fielding-sr.html" target="_blank">John Fielding, who already has a post written about him</a>, as he is one of my elusive family members.</div><div><br /></div><div>James Fielding was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania on 14 September 1837 as the third son and <span style="font-family: inherit;">one of several children of the aforementioned James Fielding and his wife Martha. His father at least was English, having been born in Manchester. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">John, I have discovered since I wrote his blog post, likely came over as a "servant" aboard the packet ship Columbia, which arrived on 21 January 1828 in New York City. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">James' mother's parentage remains a mystery, as does her correct surname, but I will keep checking for cracks in that brick wall.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-53d310d3-7fff-d5f1-31c1-039129b9f61b"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While James is not listed by name on the 1840 census, he is enumerated as one of two free white male children under the age of five in his father’s household in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, where John was listed as "Jno. Fealding". Brother Joseph was enumerated as the other son. James was listed as living with his parents and family on the 1850 census where the family was enumerated in Allegheny City's Fourth Ward. He was marked as having attended school that year, and both of his parents could read and write since neither was marked as illiterate on the census.</span></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By 1860, James had been trained as a machinist and was living on Ohio Street in the Fourth Ward of Allegheny City with his parents, though the census enumerator for that district simply listed each member of the family by their first initial and misspelled their surname, putting Fielden instead of Fielding.</span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div>Machinists in the period before the Civil War saw a great deal of change in the way they worked, as many different machines were being invented to make machining more precise and uniform. After all, it appears that precision machining got its biggest push from the event known as the Mexican-American War, when the U.S. Government requested bids for rifles with interchangeable parts. Tools, such as planers, presses, and various machines, were invented that allowed machinists to make higher quality and more uniform parts faster. Apparently, there was still a great deal of hand shaping needed for parts cast by machines, and James was likely trained in this kind of work, as later pension documents suggest.</div><div><br /></div><div>While no documents state where he was employed, James first appears as a machinist in city directories in the 1861 <i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Cities</i>, residing at 104 Ohio. Thie address was his father John's and brother Cooper's address of residence as well. As his father was listed as living on Ohio Street in city directories as early as 1850, it could be assumed that James lived there for a period of years with the family. Ohio Street was the borderline for the Third and Fourth Wards of Allegheny City according to the 1855 map, <i>The Cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny With Parts of Adjacent Boroughs, Pennsylvania,</i> and since the family lived on the Fourth Ward side in the 1860 census, they had to have lived on the south side of the street.</div><div><br /></div><div>On 27 November 1861, James married a young woman by the name of Sarah Virginia McDonald (also spelled MacDonald). </div><div><br /></div><div>Sarah was the daughter of <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/01/chasing-elusive-henderson-mcdonald.html" target="_blank">Henderson McDonald</a> and Emeline Peterson and the stepdaughter of <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/05/elmon-edward-mclaughlin-tale-of.html" target="_blank">Elmon McLaughlin</a>. She was born 1 September 1839 somewhere in Allegheny County as Henderson and Emeline's eldest daughter. Through her mother, she was descended from Anthony Morris, one of the English Quaker founders of the city of Philadelphia, and of whom I am still doing research.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike James' family, the McDonald family appears to have moved around a bit. In 1840, Sarah was listed as the one free white female under the age of five in the household of Henderson McDonald in Pittsburgh's South Ward on that census, and in 1850 was living probably on Federal Street in Allegheny City's Third Ward, as that census and the 1850 city directory state. In 1860, she was living with her widowed mother and sister in Allegheny City's First Ward in the household of one Ann Aiken.</div><div><br /></div><div>The couple was married on 27 November 1861, just as the Civil War was taking place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Where the couple was married is a bit of a mystery. It was somewhere in Allegheny County, that much is known, but conflict exists in just where in Allegheny County. When sent a form asking personal questions in regards to his pension in 1898, James Fielding answered that he and Sarah had been married in Sharpsburg, which was upriver and up the railroad tracks from Allegheny City. However, a small blurb in the <i>Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner</i> in March of 1862 gave the following:</div><blockquote><div>"On the 27th of November, at the residence of the bride's mother, by Rev. John Williams, Mr. JAMES FIELDING to Muss SARAH V. McDONALD, all of Allegheny City." ~ </div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Married," <i>Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 22 March 1862, page 3</span></blockquote><p>Since the marriage was listed in a Presbyterian paper, it can be assumed that Rev. John Williams was a Presbyterian minister. However, further research on the man did not yield any information, leaving it a bit difficult at present to locate a church with which the marriage might be registered. </p><p>The city directory for the 1861-1862 period for Sarah's mother lists Emeline as living on Robinson in Allegheny City. It is possible she resided briefly in Sharpsburg in November of 1861, but it is more likely that James' recollection of where he was wed by 1898 was a bit fuzzy. </p><p>The marriage had but a brief interlude, for James, like most of the young men of his generation, went off to the war. But that's a story for the <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/07/james-fielding-civil-war.html" target="_blank">next post</a>.</p><p>More posts on James Fielding:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/09/james-fielding-man-of-many-hats.html" target="_blank">James Fielding: Man of Many Hats</a></li><li><a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/10/james-fielding-police-officer.html" target="_blank">James Fielding: Police Officer</a></li><li><a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/12/james-fielding-grand-army-of-republic.html" target="_blank">James Fielding: The Grand Army of the Republic and the 1890s</a></li><li><a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2022/01/james-fielding-house-on-norwood-avenue.html">James Fielding: The House on Norwood Avenue</a></li><li><a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2022/02/james-fielding-stay-at-home-for.html" target="_blank">James Fielding: The Stay at the Home for Disabled Veterans and Death</a></li></ul><p></p><p><b>Sources Used:</b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1840 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1840, Census Place: Pittsburgh South Ward Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 441, Page: 373, Image: 764, and Family History Library Film: 0020536 (Entry for Henderson McDonald).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1840 United States Federal Census," database online Entry for Jno Fealding and household, Year: 1840, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 440, Page: 290, Image: 592, and Family History Library Film: 0020536.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1850, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 3 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_744, Page: 152B, and Image: 310 (Entry for Henderson McDonald and family).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Entry for John Feilding and household, Year: 1850, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_744, Page: 217B, and Image: 440; citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Year: 1850, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_744, Page: 217B, and Image: 440.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1860, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 1 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1067, Page: 635, Image: 102, and Family History Library Film: 805067 (as Emaline McDonald and daughters).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for J. Fielden and family, Year: 1860, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1068, Page: 676, Image: 63, and Family History Library Film: 805068 (enumerated as J. Fielden and family); citing 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">APIAMS, "The History Of Precision Machining," American Precision Industries, <i>American Precision Industries Metal Specialties</i>, 30 November 2017 (https://apiams.com/blog/appreciating-the-history-of-precision-machining/ : accessed 24 June 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Application for Reimbursement, certificate number 11390, deceased pensioner James Fielding, E, 155th Pa Inf., dated 11 April 1913; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny With Parts of Adjacent Boroughs, Pennsylvania</i> (New York City, New York: J.H. Colton and Company, 1855); digital images, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 24 June 2021), viewed Ohio Street.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 93, "Fielding James, machinist, 104 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 218, "McDonald Emily, widow Henderson, dressmaker, Robinson n Darragh, A(Allegheny)".</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, & vicinity : their occupation, places of business and dwelling houses : also, a list of the public offices, banks, &c, 1850</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Geo. Parkin & Co, 1850), 30, "Fielding John, shoemr, Ohio, Al"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, & vicinity : their occupation, places of business and dwelling houses : also, a list of the public offices, banks, &c, 1850</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Geo. Parkin & Co, 1850), 61, "McDonald Henderson Capt. Federal, Al(llegheny)".</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Married," <i>Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 22 March 1862, page 3; online images, <i>NewspaperArchive</i> (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 12 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for Sarah V. Fielding; died 4 October 1907; Certificate number: 95518; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Smith, Robert F. "Machining and Machinists," article, <i>The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia</i> (https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/machining-and-machinists/ : accessed 24 June 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Soldier's Application for Increase of Pension for James Fielding, filed 14 Sept 1907; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding.</span></p>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-3700066873498991042021-05-22T08:27:00.007-07:002021-05-22T08:36:47.044-07:00Elmon Edward McLaughlin: A Tale of the Steamboat Steward<p>In January of this year, I wrote a blog post on my ancestor <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/01/chasing-elusive-henderson-mcdonald.html" target="_blank">Henderson McDonald </a>and his wife, Emeline Peterson. They were a part of my "Chasing the Elusive" series. While Henderson McDonald is still a brick wall despite searching, I broke through the wall that was Emeline Peterson in a major way, including tracing her lineage back several generations, as <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-tale-of-three-henry-petersons.html" target="_blank">The Tale of Three Henry Petersons</a> explains a bit.</p><p>In finding research on Emeline Peterson and her family, I also stumbled onto information about her second husband that fascinated me.</p><p>After Henderson passed away sometime around 1856 (although evidence/lack thereof of evidence suggests he may have also possibly abandoned the family as well, but this is just another suggestion at present time), Emma became a dressmaker. With her sister, Sarah, she DID buy property - in my previous blog post I erroneously stated she did not have a property in her name, as I had overlooked a deed made out to EMMA McDonald. On 28 February 1864, Emeline and Sarah purchased a parcel of land 26 feet by 85 feet along Fourth, Ferry, and Third Streets in the first ward of Pittsburgh for $3250 from one Caleb Russell. This property appears to be the very same property in which Emma did her dressmaking, and was rented first by Alice Mowry and then Mrs. M.H. Wrighter. The sisters sold the land for a whopping $9000 to James Sterrett on 17 Sept 1867.</p><p>Sometimes after that property was sold, but before 1 July 1870, when she was enumerated in the 1870 Federal Census, Emeline remarried. I have yet to find a marriage registration or certificate for her to cement a marriage date, but she married a steamboat steward by the name of Elmon Edward McLaughlin.</p><p>Elmon Edward McLaughlin, known mainly as Ed, was born probably in Rome, Lawrence County, Ohio on 29 November 1835 as one of the younger children born to David McLaughlin and Pheobe "Pheba" Gillett. According to his father's will from 1855, Ed was estranged from his family and thus was to receive only a few dollars. Why he was estranged is still a mystery, but it may have had something to do with the fact that the lad was likely working as a riverman along the Mississippi River Valley. </p><p>Because of his unusual first name and the fact that he often went by his middle name, finding records for him is sometimes a challenge. He was listed as Alvin, Almon, and even Edmund on census records, and as Elmer in directory listings.</p><p>It is unknown how he got his start in the rivers, but during the Civil War, he is noted as having been a steward in the United States Navy, working aboard riverboats assigned to the Army of the Mississippi. His duty included time aboard the ironclad gunboat USS Indianola as well as the tinclad river steamboat USS Forest Rose. Not much is known as of yet about his service on either of these boats, as records seem to indicate he served just a year in the Navy, but his service later earned him a pension from the United States.</p><p>Tracking Ed is difficult, as his occupation made him itinerant. What is known from city directories is that he had residences in Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Pittsburgh, and it is very likely he met Emeline while either living in Pittsburgh or traveling through on one of his boats.</p><p>It is also highly likely he was married once before he met Emeline, though I can find no record of any marriage for him. A later census gives that he had been married three times.</p><p>What is known is that the couple first appeared together in the 1870 Federal Census, where they were living in the 14th Ward of New Orleans with a 29-year-old woman named Jenny and Emeline's daughter Emma, both of whom were listed with the surname of McLaughlin. Subsequent city directories from New Orleans list him at three different addresses, suggesting that, probably because of his peripatetic job, he rented instead of purchasing property for his family.</p><p>Newspaper accounts give some indication of how good he was at his job. Given that stewards on the river steamboats were responsible for managing the cabin workers, ordering food, and were social networkers on the river systems, having been mentioned often in newspapers likely meant he was very good at the job indeed. In November of 1868, he was steward of the Era No. 9, and it was noted in <i>The New Orleans Crescent</i> that he "will see to the wants of passengers, and he knows how to do it." He also was mentioned as the steward of the Colonel A. P. Kouns in 1874/1875 and as the steward of The Silver City in 1878. In 1879, he had completed a season of steward of the Charles Morgan and went on to work on the Ashland.</p><p>A "Notice to Heirs and Devisees Residing Out of the County of Allegheny" was published on 20 Nov 1879 stating that Hugh Stanton had been issued a judgment in the Court of Common Pleas against the estate of Mariah Peterson, who was Emeline's aunt. Both Emeline and Ed, as Edward Mclaughlin, were listed as heirs notified by this decision. Further research still needs to be done on this judgement.</p><p>The couple appeared to have resided in New Orleans until 1883 when they moved back to Allegheny City Pennsylvania. However, by 1887, it appears Ed and Emeline had moved to Cincinnati, where again they lived in a series of residences. In 1890, Ed was enumerated on the veterans' schedule of the 1890 Federal Census in Allegheny City, but also had a residence in Cincinnati that same year, so he was likely passing through the Pittsburgh area when the census takers visited.</p><p>While residing in Cincinnati, Ed was noted mostly for his tenure as the steward of the Scotia, a position he held for several years. This was stated about him in the newspaper <i>Wheeling Register (Wheeling, West Virginia)</i> on 23 Nov 1889: </p><p></p><blockquote>"Mr. Ed McLaughlin, the popular steward of the steamer Scotia, is the right man in the right place, and his kindness is appreciated by the number of passengers who traveled on the Scotia." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">("Items of Interest Picked up About Boats and Boatmen," <i>Wheeling Register (Wheeling, West Virginia)</i>, 23 November 1889, page 4, found on GenealogyBank)</span></blockquote><p></p><p>On 29 November 1889, in the same paper, it was reported that "Col. Ed. McLaughlin, the popular steward, made all feel at home" aboard the Scotia during a party given for leading shipping merchants in Pittsburgh. The next day, Ed created a Thanksgiving feast as a farewell dinner for Captain Rowley aboard the Scotia, as he resigned as captain. In December of 1889, another account stated he was witness to an excited John McDonald receiving news he was the father of a ten-pound baby boy. In March of 1891, it was noted he was organizing an orchestra for the Scotia. He was listed as the steward of the Scotia again in April 1891. By October of that year, he was aboard a new boat, the Hudson.</p><div>On 9 October 1891, Emeline Peterson McDonald McLaughlin died from meningitis at the apartment she shared with her husband Ed McLaughlin in the Loring House, at Pearl and Broadway in Cincinnati. The address was given as 85 Broadway on her death register. She was noted in a local newspaper merely as "the wife of Ed McLaughlin." Emeline was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati two days later. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ed continued his job as steward through the last decade of the 19th century, working on the steam The Grand Era and also on the Adam Jacobs. </div><div><br /></div><div>As of this blog post writing, however, he remains elusive in enumerations for the 1900 Federal Census, but by 1903, he was residing in Allegheny City for what seemed permanent, even though he continued his occupation. On a 1903 marriage license registration, he lived at 2713 Virginia Avenue in Allegheny City, and on 12 August 1903, he married Sarah A. Armstrong, a forty-three-year-old spinster from Wheeling, West Virginia. The couple resided at this address with some of Sarah's siblings until Elmon's death.</div><div><br /></div><div>In May 1913, he was listed as steward on the packet steamship Ohio, and was involved in relief efforts during the Floods of March 1913. This appears to be his last position, as he was quite elderly. In November 1915, he was stricken with broncho-pneumonia, and as he was quite advanced in years at the age of 79 and debilitated, he soon was stricken with inanition. He succumbed on 27 November 1915 at his home at 2713 Veterans Street in Pittsburgh.</div><div><br /></div><div>**The couple never moved from their home. When Allegheny City was consolidated into Pittsburgh in 1909, some street names in the former city were changed to avoid overlap with those street names already in Pittsburgh, and Virginia became Veterans.**</div><div><br /></div><div>Elmon Edward McLaughlin was buried 30 November 1915 in Union Dale Cemetery in Pittsburgh. His obituary merely mentioned he was the husband of Sarah Armstrong, quietly omitting the illustrious long life he had as a steamboat steward and river traveler.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sources:</b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 March 2021), Entry for Edmund McLaughlin and household, Year: 1870, Census Place: New Orleans Ward 14 Orleans, Louisiana, Roll: M593_525, Page: 796A, and Family History Library Film: 552024; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 May 2021), Entry for Elmon E Mclaughlin and household, Year: 1910, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1308, Page: 9B, Enumeration District: 0634, and FHL microfilm: 1375321; 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.</span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 168: 496-498, Caleb Russell to Emma McDonald and Sarah Ann Peterson, recorded 3 March 1864; FHL microfilm 1498034 and 1498035.</span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed book 223: 531-533, Sarah Ann Peterson and Emma McDonald to James Sterrett, record 28 Sept 1867; FHL microfilm 1509528 and 1509529.</span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Along the River," <i>Wheeling Register (Wheeling, West Virginia)</i>, 5 December 1889, page 4; online images, <i>GenealogyBank</i> (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 20 May 2021).</span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 May 2021), Entry for Alvin McLaughlin in the household of David McLaughlin, Year: 1850, Census Place: Rome Lawrence, Ohio, Roll: 701, and Page: 409a; citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C..</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1890 Veterans Schedules," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 May 2021), Entry for Elmon McLaughlin residing in Allegheny, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA; citing Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M123, 118 rolls); Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>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., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 March 2021), Entry for Almon McLaughlin and family, Year: 1880, Census Place: New Orleans Orleans, Louisiana, Roll: 463, Page: 37B, and Enumeration District: 076; 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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"A Voyage Up 'La Belle Riviere'," <i>Cincinnati Commercial Gazette (Cincinnati, Ohio)</i>, 31 March 1892, page 9; online images, <i>NewspaperArchive</i> (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 21 May 2021). article on the steamboat Hudson.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Coles, Sasha. "Work, Slavery, and Freedom on the Steamboat," article, <i>The Enchanted Archives</i> (https://enchantedarchives.com/ : accessed 22 May 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Crew of a Western Steamboat," article, <i>Oklahoma Historical Society : Steamboat Heroine</i> (https://www.okhistory.org/learn/steamboat : accessed 22 May 2021), information on the occupation of a steward on a steamboat.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1868/1869</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1868), 299, "McLaughlin Edward, riverman, Gravt av n Beech, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 28 March 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Down Along the River," <i>Cincinnati Commercial Tribune (Cincinnati, Ohio)</i>, 28 May 1913, page 8; online images, <i>NewspaperArchive</i> (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 21 May 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Find A Grave</i>, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 25 March 2021), memorial page for Elmon E McLaughlin, Find A Grave Memorial # 107403134, citing Union Dale Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by Ed Fincke, maintained by genieresearcher, photograph by genieresearcher, also by Connecting Ancestors.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Items of Interest Picked up About Boats and Boatmen," <i>Wheeling Register (Wheeling, West Virginia)</i>, 23 November 1889, page 4; online images, <i>GenealogyBank</i> (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 20 May 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1886/1887</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1886), 692, "McLaughlin Elmon E, steward, 15 E Jefferson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 20 May 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The March Flood of 1913", David Tschiggfrie, editor, <i>S & D Reflector</i>, Vol. 7, No. 1 (Marietta, Ohio: Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen, March 1970), 17; online images, <i>Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen</i> (http://www.riverhistory.org/reflector.html : accessed 21 May 2021)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"McLaughlin," <i>Pittsburgh Dispatch (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 1 November 1891, page 5; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 19 March 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"McLaughlin," death notice, <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 29 November 1915, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Miscellaneous," <i>Cincinnati Commercial (Cincinnati, Ohio)</i>, 29 July 1879, page 13; online images, <i>NewspaperArchive</i> (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 21 May 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Miscellaneous," <i>Cincinnati Commercial Gazette (Cincinnati, Ohio)</i>, 10 October 1891, page 7; online images, <i>NewspaperArchive</i> (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 19 March 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">National Archives and Records Administration, "U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 May 2021), Entry for Elmon Mclaughlin, filing date 24 Oct 1891, roll 305; citing "General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 546 rolls.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">National Archives and Records Administration, "Navy Widows' Originals (Disapproved)," database online with images, <i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 21 May 2021), Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, List of officers and comrades for the U.S.S. Forest Rose, entry for Elmon McLaughlin, found in the pension file of Clarissa Tate, widow of William Tate, application number 24830, page 24, filed 13 Oct 1909.; Citing NARA M1274. Disapproved pension applications of widows and other dependents of U.S. Navy veterans who served between 1861 and 1910.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Naval Historical Center, United States Navy, <i>Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships</i> (https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs.html : accessed 21 May 2021), information on the Forest Rose.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Notes on Navigation," <i>Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (Wheeling, West Virginia)</i>, 30 March 1891, page 5; online images, <i>GenealogyBank</i> (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 20 May 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Notice to Heirs and Devisees Residing Out of the County of Allegheny," legal notice, <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 20 November 1879, page 1; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001," online database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 19 March 2021), Entry for Emaline Mclaughlin, 09 Oct 1891, FHL microfilm 355,117.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Ohio, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 May 2021), Entry for David McLaughlin, probate date 25 Jun 1855; Wills; Probate Place: Lawrence, Ohio; citing Ohio County, District and Probate Courts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 May 2021), Entry for Elmon E. McLaughlin and Sarah A. Armstrong, 12 Aug 1903, Allegheny County, v 64 p 333, FHL microfilm number 878606; citing various county courthouses, Pennsylvania.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b></b>"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 March 2021), Entry for Elmon E. McLaughlin, died 27 November 1915, cn 110100; 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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 May 2021), Entry for Elmon E McLaughlin, buried Union Dale Cemetery, veteran of the Civil War, Series 1; citing <i>Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1777–2012</i>. Digital Images, 3–5. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Bureau of Archives and History. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Queen Mab," <i>The Times (Shreveport, Louisiana)</i>, 6 April 1875, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 May 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The River," <i>The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana)</i>, 18 March 1894, page 20; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"River Intelligence," <i>The New Orleans Crescent (New Orleans, Lousiana)</i>, 4 November 1868, page 8; online images, <i>NewsaperArchive</i> (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 28 March 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"River News," <i>The New Orleans Daily Democrat (New Orleans, Louisiana)</i>, 4 August 1878, page 11; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 May 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Stage of the Rivers," <i>The New Orleans Daily Democrat (New Orleans, Louisiana)</i>, 14 May 1879, page 7; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Suhr, Robert Collins. "USS Indianola: Union Ironclad in the American Civil War," article, Historynet LLC, <i>HistoryNet.com</i> (https://www.historynet.com/: accessed 21 May 2021), information on the ship and its battles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 28 March 2021), Entry for Elmon McLaughlin, cn 36086, FHL microfilm 1,635,493; citing NARA microfilm publication M850 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 May 2021) citing a collection of directories for U.S. cities and counties in various years. **Please contact me for the list if you are interested, as there are SEVERAL entries**</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Weather and Rivers: Festivity Aboard the Scotia," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 30 November 1889, page 6; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).</span></div><div><br /></div>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-34232089402889411502021-05-07T07:52:00.005-07:002021-05-07T08:00:41.087-07:00The Tale of Three Henry Petersons<p> In researching my Fielding family (still working on outlining a blog post series on James Fielding), I stumbled upon a landmine of information where I once had a huge brick wall. I am still processing the information, albeit slowly, because I am almost dazed by the sheer amount of information I have uncovered and don't have as much time as I used to to process the information. This line has to do with my ancestress, Emeline Peterson, who married <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/01/chasing-elusive-henderson-mcdonald.html" target="_blank">Henderson McDonald</a> and was the grandmother to <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/02/notable-women-nellie-grant-may-fielding.html">Nellie Fielding</a> and my own great-grandmother.</p><p>Emeline Peterson, I have determined, was the daughter of Henry Peterson and Mary Ann Marson. </p><p>But my trail didn't end there, nor did it start with her parents' names. In fact, finding out Emeline's parents' names was one of the last things I discovered about her immediate family.</p><p>I should start at the beginning. This is the tale of three Henry Petersons. Keep in mind that I work backwards through history while reading this.</p><p><b>THE FIRST HENRY (1784-1841)</b></p><p>In trying to find out more about Emeline Peterson, I decided to research Sarah Peterson, the 35-year-old woman who was living with Emeline and her husband in the 1850 census (because I am a HUGE believer in the <a href="https://www.cyndislist.com/research-methodology/fan-club/" target="_blank">FAN club method of research</a> when hitting brick walls). I determined that Sarah was in fact Emeline's elder sister when I found Sarah's will from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1874, in which Sarah Ann Peterson mentions that because her sister Emeline McLaughlin was well provided for, she chose not to bequeath her anything. This will also mentions her cousin Lewis Peterson jr. as well as her uncle Peter Peterson, sister Elizabeth M. Cary and brother Franklin.</p><p>**Note here: this will also helped me uncover where Emeline went after Henderson's death, so she is no longer an elusive family member, but that's a blog post for another day.**</p><p>Using that information, I searched for these family members. Lewis Peterson jr. was the son of Lewis Peterson sr., of course. Lewis sr. and his brother Peter were prominent members in early Pittsburgh society, having opened L & P Peterson & Company in 1820, which was a tin, copper, and ironware manufacturing company. Researching further, I found that the two were beneficiaries in their father's will in 1838 in Allegheny County. Their father was named Henry Peterson, and he left items to his widow Hannah and seven surviving children; Henry, Lewis, Peter, Derrick, Maria, Ann, and Lydia.</p><p>Because I knew already that Lewis and Peter were the uncles of Emeline and Sarah, I knew I could rule them out as my ancestor. That left me with Derrick and Henry jr. as the two candidates for the father of Emeline. I then stumbled upon a notice in the <i>Pittsburgh Gazette </i>that summed up an 1852 civil suit between Sylvanus Lathrop and Ann Peterson, aunt to my Emeline. In that summation of events leading to the civil suit, it stated that while Henry had a family in 1837, Derrick did not. </p><p>What cinched the claim to Henry was a book that was written in several volumes over several years called <i>The Morris Family of Philadelphia: Descendants of Anthony Morris</i> (which I call the Morris book in shorthand). In volume 3, on page 636, my ancestress Emeline Peterson was listed as one of several children of Henry Peterson and Mary Ann Marson. Of course, I didn't take the book as full truth on my ancestry but verified that info with other evidence. And I am still working on that other evidence.</p><p>**note here: Even though I also write have written one myself, I don't take any written genealogies at face value, as there are too many mistakes and liberties taken. If they are sourced, I verify the sources used.... if not, I try to do the legwork myself. I still use them as sources though.**</p><p>I also starting working up the Peterson line. Henry Peterson sr. and Henry Peterson jr. both ended up in Allegheny County in what is now Pittsburgh, but neither one of them started there. They both lived in Philadelphia in the early part of the nineteenth century, but Henry jr. was actually born, it appears, in Delaware, in Duck Creek Cross Roads in Kent County. His mother was Henry sr.'s first wife, Margaret Morris, whose line the Morris book actually focuses on (and whose line I haven't worked on yet because I am still working the Peterson research..... but I'll verify the book info soon I hope). </p><p>The first of my three Henry Petersons is still a bit of a mystery, though he is the only one of the three for which I have a birth AND a death date. I am still trying to narrow down when and where Henry and Mary Ann Marson married, but it appears that they had two sons, Benjamin Franklin and John M, as well as the three daughters already mentioned; Sarah, Elizabeth, and Emeline. Henry was a copper and tinsmith and established himself first in Philadelphia before moving to Pittsburgh. What is curious however is that he died in Philadelphia in December 1841 at the age of fifty-seven from a plural effusion. It is not known why he was back in Philadelphia, but he may have been visiting for one reason or another. I am waiting on his probate record from Allegheny County as I type this to see what, if anything, was left in his records. I also need to verify Mary Ann's maiden surname, as the only document that mentions is thus far is her entry in the Morris book.</p><p><b>THE SECOND HENRY (before 1760-1838)</b></p><p>The second Henry Peterson, known thus far as Henry Peterson Sr. was actually also a junior. I have no date of birth for him other than he was born before 1760, as his census records indicate. He was the child of Henry Peterson and Hannah Rothwell, though his mother's surname has not been verified (as the Morris book is the only document thus far that gives her surname). </p><p>While it appears he lived in Philadelphia most of his life per city directory entries, census records, and deed and probate documents for his siblings and father, he appears to have died in June 1838 in Pine Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania according to his own probate records. He also lived in Loudon County, Virginia for about ten years, as deed records and an advertisement he placed in the <i>Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser</i> in 1787 indicate. It is not clear why he moved there, but a few of his children were born there. His first wife was Margaret Morris, who died in 1828 according to the book, and he appears to have remarried, as wife Hannah is listed in his will, though as of yet I have no information on Hannah at all. Henry, according to his will, had the seven aforementioned children, but the Morris book lists a couple that died young as well. Further research will need to be done to prove this, however.</p><p><b>THE THIRD HENRY (died circa 1794)</b></p><p>This brings me to my third Henry Peterson. Like his namesake, this Henry (who is actually the first Henry Peterson in my line if one goes chronologically) has no date of birth as of yet, but I do know that he died sometime between 6 September 1791, when he wrote his will, and 3 September 1794, when his will was proved in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. A 1774 Philadelphia deed states he was a merchant, and his will lists four children named Lydia, Henry, Peter, and Derick, which means the second Henry named his children after his siblings. </p><p>Derick Peterson, son to this Henry and brother to the second, was a pretty famous guy in early Philadelphia history. He appears to have been a captain in the Philadelphia militia during the Revolution, he owned a vast estate in what was then Lower Dublin Township (now part of the Holmesburg neighborhood in Philadelphia), and he and his brother Henry had a very public falling out over debts owned to him that brought up the bequeathment that was left to the brothers by their father in his will. I am currently awaiting his probate records from the Philadelphia Register of Wills because so many of the other Petersons (including the first Henry Peterson) are mentioned in the abstract of his probate and I want to know what legacy he left to each of them. </p><p>Because both the second and the third Henry Petersons lived in Philadelphia for a time, sorting records for them feels almost impossible in some instances without further research. I have numerous records saved in various places in the hopes of being able to sort them out to the correct ancestor. Add to that the repeating names for their children and one has a recipe for frustration in research. But I power on because I like to write the stories of who my kin were and how they lived within the scope of history.</p><p>This tale isn't finished, and I like to think it never will be as long as I can find information on any of the Peterson family.</p><p><b>Sources: </b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">*note - I have chosen not to post a complete list of all the sources I have on all of my Henry Petersons because the research is ongoing. For further sources, contact me*</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1800 United States Federal Census," online database, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 April 2021), Entry for Henry Peterson, Year: 1800, Census Place: Lower Dublin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Series: M32, Roll: 42, Page: 153, Image: 223, and Family History Library Film: 363345; citing Second Census of the United States, 1800: Population Schedules, Washington County, Territory Northwest of the River Ohio; and Population Census, 1803: Washington County, Ohio. NARA microfilm publication M1804 (1 roll).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1830 United States Federal Census," database online, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 April 2021), Entry for Henry Peterson, Year: 1830, Census Place: Pittsburgh West Ward Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Series: M19, Roll: 144, Page: 53, and Family History Library Film: 0020618; citing Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Abstracts of Wills Recorded in the Administration Books, Register's Office, Philadelphia", <i>Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania</i>, volume V no 3 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, March 1914), 295; online images, <i>Google Books</i> (https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Pennsylvania_Genealogical_Magazine/GMIxAQAAMAAJ : accessed 25 April 2021). Entry for Derick Peterson, administration Book N, page 242, 1829.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 27-2B: 60-62, Lewis and Maria Peterson to Henry Peterson, recorded 19 October 1819; FHL microfilm 1497872.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 27-2B: 104-106, Assignment of Lewis Peterson to Henry Peterson jr., recorded 13 Nov 1819; FHL microfilm 1497872</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Clear, Helen, compiler, <i>Deaths Gleaned from the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate 1834-1855</i> (New Brighton, Pennsylvania: Archives & History Ministry Team of the Western Pennsylvania Conference, United Methodist Church, 2000), 163; online file, <i>Western PA Conference, The United Methodist Church</i> (https://www.wpaumc.org/archives-sampler : accessed 18 April 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cushing, Thomas. <i>History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: Including Its Early Settlement and Progress to the Present Time, a Description of Its Historic and Interesting Localities: Its Cities, Towns and Villages: Religious, Educational, Social and Military History: Mining, Manufacturing and Commercial Interests: Improvements, Resources, Statistics, Etc. : Also Portraits of Some of Its Prominent Men and Biographies of Many of Its Representative Citizens</i>, volume 1 (Chicago: A Warner & Co, 1889), 147</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"District Couty - Sylvanus Lothrop vs. Ann Peterson et. al.," legal notice, <i>Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 29 March 1852, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 April 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Harris' general business directory of the cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny: and also of the most flourishing and important towns and cities of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Western New York, Virginia, &c.</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: A.A. Anderson, 1841), 46, "Peterson Henry copper and tin warehouse, Front n. Market d, h Springdale"; digital images, Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 22 April 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Haavik, Benjamin Knute. "Eden Hall: A Cultural Historic Landscape," (Master's Thesis University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1998), 17. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Loudoun County, Virginia, Deed Book S: 143-145, William and Sarah Allen to Henry Peterson, recorded 13 Sept 1790; FHL microfilm 32305.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Loudoun County, Virginia, Deed Book X: 310-313, Henry and Margarett Peterson to Lee B. Gale, recorded 24 December 1796; FHL microfilm 32309.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Moon, Robert C. <i>The Morris Family of Philadelphia: Descendants of Anthony Morris</i>, volumes 1-5 (Philadelphia: Robert C. Moon, 1898–1909). (I used the copy currently on Ancestry.com, but various other copies are available on the internet)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania Archives," database online with images, <i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 25 April 2021), Entry for Derick Peterson, volume 1, page 144, Muster Rolls Relating to the Associators and Militia of the City of Philadelphia; extracted from Thomas Lynch Montgomery (editor), <i>Pennsylvania Archives</i> (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Publishing Company, 1906).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 April 2021), Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994 Allegheny Proceedings index 1788-1971 vol 33-34> volume 34, page 266, box 9; citing county courthouses in Pennsylvania.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 April 2021), Entry for Henry Peterson, probate date 13 June 1838, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Will Books, Vol 4, pages 26-27; citing Pennsylvania County District and Probate Courts.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993," (accessed 19 March 2021), Entry for Sarah A Peterson, probate date 28 Aug 1874, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Will Packets, Vol 17-19, 1874-1876, volume 17, page 584, number 307; citing Pennsylvania County District and Probate Courts.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993," (accessed 11 April 2021), Philadelphia > Wills, Vol W-X, 1790-1799> Vol X, page 106, Will of Henry Peterson (img 450 of 824); citing Pennsylvania County District and Probate Courts.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 April 2021), Entry for Henry Peterson, died 15 Dec 1841; FHL microfilm 1,905,884; citing Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book EF9: 643-648, Derick and Mary Peterson and Lydia McCalla to Henry Peterson, recorded 6 Dec 1802; FHL microfilm 21947.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"To the Printer of the Aurora," <i>Aurora (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 19 April 1805, page 1; online images, <i>GenealogyBank</i> (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 10 April 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"To the Public," <i>Aurora (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 17 April 1805, page 1; online images, <i>GenealogyBank</i> (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 10 April 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Untitled," legal notice, <i>The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 4 January 1840, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 April 2021).</span></p><p><br /></p>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-23518611268182050732021-02-08T07:53:00.000-08:002021-02-08T07:54:19.514-08:00Notable Women: Nellie Grant May Fielding Anderson<p>A year after I received it, I'm still working on the Civil War pension file of my second great-grandfather, James Fielding. There is a great deal of information in the file, but alas, between working full time and other commitments, it's been slow going. Eventually, I will finish the blog post I have already started to put together on his remarkable life.</p><p>In documenting each page of the pension file, I have come across the extraordinary life of his daughter, Nellie. My pap's maternal aunt was a strong and notable woman in her own right.</p><p>I should mention that I don't have much on Nellie's ancestry past her parents. After all, both sets of her grandparents, <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/04/chasing-elusive-john-fielding-sr.html" target="_blank">John Fielding and Martha Gibson</a>, and <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/01/chasing-elusive-henderson-mcdonald.html" target="_blank">Henderson McDonald and Emmeline Peterson</a>, are both subjects of "Chasing the Elusive" blog posts I have done.</p><p>Nellie Grant May Fielding was born on 2 August 1872 in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania (which as I have mentioned before is now the Northside of Pittsburgh). She was the fourth child and second daughter born to James Fielding and Sarah Virginia MacDonald. At the time of her birth, the family was living at 186 Rebecca in Allegheny City's Fifth Ward, so this is most likely where she was born. </p><p>As a child, she spent time in Cleveland, Ohio (and maybe a few other locations), as her father worked at the time as a traveling agent for a few publishing companies. Her younger brother, Edward, was born in Cleveland, which leads to the assumption that the family did travel with James, at least to Ohio.</p><p>Younger brother <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/02/chasing-elusive-marcus-fielding.html" target="_blank">Marcus </a>was the subject of his own blog post as well.</p><p>On 19 January 1890, Nellie married Walter Black Anderson in Camden, New Jersey. He was a Scottish immigrant and the son of James Anderson and Balmain Black. Both Walter and Nellie were seventeen years of age, and it is unclear why they traveled all the way to Camden from Allegheny City where they both lived. Perhaps it was easier to get married there for them, being underage and all. </p><p>***Note here: As of this blog post, I have ordered their marriage license from the New Jersey State Archives, but will need to wait to receive it. If it has answers, I will update this blog post with them.**</p><p>Walter was trained as a bookkeeper and frequently moved about the general vicinity of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, per his entries in the area city directories. It is not known if Nellie moved with him or not, but the couple did have two children born in the area. Nellie Balmain Anderson was born at 5 Jackson Street in Allegheny City on 5 Jan 1891 and George James Anderson was born on 14 August 1894 in Pittsburgh. </p><p>By 1898, the family was living in Sharpsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Walter died suddenly here on 20 November 1898 at the age of twenty-six, leaving Nellie a widow with two small children. He was buried in Highwood Cemetery. No record of his death was registered at the county level, and as death records were not required until 1906 by the state, it is not known what he died from.</p><p>Nellie moved back to Allegheny City after Walter's death, presumably to be closer to her parents, and took in boarders in 1900 to make ends meet. She spent some time living in Pittsburgh but appears to have moved back into her father's home at 2704 Norwood Avenue in Allegheny City around the time her mother died in 1907. It was in this house that she was enumerated in 1910, living with her brothers James and Edward. She probably kept house for her father before he moved to the National Home for Soldiers in Dayton in 1909.</p><p>After her father died in 1913, Nellie was responsible for putting his last affairs in order, and as a result of this, she went into a small amount of debt. Per records found in James' pension file, Nellie applied for reimbursement for expenses of $142.80 on 11 April 1913. In the same document, she stated that her father was last paid his pension in December of 1912 and that James' home, in which she lived with brothers James, Edward, and sometimes Marcus, was worth $3200. The house had been left to the children who lived in it at the time of James' death per his will, with their father noting they were to live together as long as possible. Should the house have to be sold, James Henderson was to inherit $1500, which would be left in the hands of his uncle and James' younger brother John, who was the executor. Marcus and Nellie both were to inherit $400, while Edward was set to inherit $250. (By contrast, Nellie's sisters Jennie, Emma, and Birdie only received $5 apiece.)</p><p>**tangent here: I wrote an article about Nellie's uncle <a href="https://owlcation.com/humanities/A-Most-Distressing-Steam-Engine-Incident-of-Pittsburgh-1863">John Fielding and the accident that cost him his leg</a>.**</p><p>I'm not sure why Edward and Marcus were included in this stipulation in the will, but James Henderson was blind by the time his father wrote the will and was a feeble man. In September of 1913, he suffered a stroke, leaving him paralyzed. Nellie was his caretaker, and likely was taking care of both her brother and her father from the time of her mother's death in 1907 until James the elder moved to Dayton for better care.</p><p>Here is why I think Nellie was so notable.... as a widow herself, with two younger children, she managed to not only run her father's household for him when he was invalided but also took care of her eldest brother in his condition as well as her two younger brothers. Per newspaper advertisements, the family also took in boarders to make ends meet, which added to her work. She also did some of this while making a living for herself at a time when it was considered low-class for a woman to work outside of the home.</p><p>Because of the house, however, the family also ran into some problems. In the aforementioned application for reimbursement that Nellie submitted, she listed the home's worth, which disallowed her claim due to the fact that the value of the real estate was sufficient to cover reimbursements Nellie had asked for, despite the fact that her father's pension money, which the family appeared to be living off of, had not been paid since December of 1912. Nellie contacted her local Congressman, Stephen G. Porter, and apparently asked him to look into the matter. He in turn wrote a letter in July of 1913 inquiring about the status of the final pension payments.</p><p>This began a letter-writing campaign between Nellie, Stephen G. Porter, and the commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions that lasted for many years. Nellie mentioned her invalided brother and the rising costs to care for him but was told that since he was over the age of 16, he was not entitled to his father's pension despite his disabilities. The commissioner continued to stand his ground, stating that because the house was sufficient enough to cover the costs of the debts Nellie held, they did not have to pay the accrued pension. However, if the family sold the house, Nellie and James Henderson would have nowhere to live.</p><p>By 1920, it appeared that Nellie had ceased fighting the matter. This was when it appeared she also went back to work, as she's enumerated in the 1920 census and listed in the corresponding city directories as a matron at the Bell Telephone Company in Pittsburgh.</p><p>It is not clear when the home finally had to be sold, but by 1928, a Bonomo family appears to have taken residence of the home. James was sent to the St. Barnabus Free Home, where he was enumerated in the 1930 census and where he succumbed to chronic asthma on 13 December 1931.</p><p>Nellie took up housekeeping once more. In 1930, she was enumerated in the census in the household of 55-year-old Harry Rushmore, a widower living in Swissvale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania with his three children as their housekeeper. Little else is known about her time spent here, however.</p><p>The 1940 census found her enumerated in the home of widowed Emma S. Eisenhauer on 3242 Orleans Street, living as a boarder, along with two other boarders. This census listed that in 1935 she was living in the "same place" but not the "same house," so her stint as a housekeeper with Rushmore appeared to have been short.</p><p>Little else is known about her or where she lived or what she did until 24 February 1963 when she died from an intestinal hemorrhage due to a broken hip caused by an accidental fall at the Reformed Presbyterian Home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was 90 years old at the time and had outlived her parents, all of her six siblings, her husband, a son-in-law, and her only grandson, Walter Anderson, who died in a fiery crash outside Detroit, Michigan in 1949. Her funeral was held at the Reformed Presbyterian Home three days after her death and then she was buried in Highwood next to her husband, having spent 65 years of her life without him.</p><p>One day I would love to see a photo of this formidable woman. Did she look as strong as the research suggests she was or did she appear fragile? Was she hardened by her life experiences or did she remain optimistic and flexible to the curveballs that were thrown her way? I may never know, but she remains a notable woman in my eyes.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Sources Used:</b></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, </span><i style="font-size: small;">Ancestry.com</i><span style="font-size: small;"> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2020), Entry for Nellie M. Anderson and family, Year: 1900, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 2 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 12, Enumeration District: 0015, and FHL microfilm: 1241355; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 July 2020), Entry for Nellie Anderson and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1308, Page: 4A, Enumeration District: 0634, and FHL microfilm: 1375321; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for James H. Fielding and Nellie M. Anderson, Year: 1920, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T625_1526, Page: 3B, and Enumeration District: 729; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for James H Fielding, Year: 1930, Census Place: Richland Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 18A, Enumeration District: 0773, and FHL microfilm: 2341723; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 February 2021), Entry for Nell Anderson in the household of Harry Rushworth, Year: 1930, Census Place: Swissvale Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 1A, Enumeration District: 0816, and FHL microfilm: 2341725.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 February 2021), Entry for Nellie Anderson in the household of Emma S. Eisenhauer, Year: 1940, Census Place: Pittsburgh Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: m-t0627-03674, Page: 10A, and Enumeration District: 69-743; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Allegheny City, Registration of births in the city of Allegheny, 1878-1907 and index 1882-1907, volume 4: page 97, Entry for Female Anderson, born 15 Jan 1891.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>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., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 July 2016), Entry for James Fielding and household; Year: 1880, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1086, Family History Film: 1255086, Page: 132B, Enumeration District: 006, and Image: 0269.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Anderson," death notice, <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 26 February 1963, death notice for Nellie Anderson, page 22; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Application for Reimbursement, certificate number 11390, deceased pensioner James Fielding, E, 155th Pa Inf., dated 11 April 1913; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Atlas of the cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and the Adjoining Boroughs</i> (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: G.M. Hopkins, 1876); digital images, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 5 February 2021), Plate 10-11> viewed Rebecca Street in the 5th Ward of Allegheny City.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Central Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers Form No. 37, reporting death of James Fielding, pension cert no 11390, filed 21 Feb 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Death Record," obituary, <i>The Pittsburgh Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 7 October 1906, Page 6; Mrs. Sarah V. Fielding; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Died," death notice, <i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 22 November 1898, Walter Black Anderson, page 5; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 6 June 2020).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1872-1873</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1872), 169, "Fielding James, machinist, 186 Rebecca, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Find A Grave</i>, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 1 February 2021), memorial page for Nellie Fielding Anderson, Find A Grave Memorial # 184299810, citing Highwood Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by FrankA.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Find A Grave</i>, Walter Black Anderson, Find A Grave Memorial # 184299886.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from Acting Commissioner E. C. J. to the Hon. Stephen G Porter, dated 11 August 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from the Commissioner of Bureau of Pensions to Mrs. Nellie Anderson, dated 14 May 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from E. C. Tieman, acting commissioner, to Hon. Stephen Foster, dated 18 June 1919; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from G.M. Saltzgerber to Mrs. Nellie Anderson, dated 14 March 1917; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to the Pension Agent in Washington D. C. dated 9 Jan 1917; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding from NARA sent 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Letter from Stephen G. Porter, Representative of the 29th District Pennsylvania, to G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions, dated 31 July 1913; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Letter from Stephen G. Porter, Representative of the 29th District Pennsylvania, to G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions, dated 2 June 1919; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 February 2020), Entry for male Child Fielding, born 20 April 1876 at 556 Hamilton, Cleveland; Cuyahoga > Birth registers with index 1872-1876 > image 204 of 288; FHL Microfilm number 1986157; citing County courthouses, Ohio.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 February 2020), Entry for James Henderson Fielding, died 13 Dec 1931, cn 112920; 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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2020), Entry for Nellie Anderson, died 24 Feb 1963.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1899</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1899), 131, "Anderson Nellie, wid, Walter B, h 188 Jackson, A(llegheny)"; digital image, Univerity of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 26 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1900</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1900), 132, "Anderson Nellie M, wid Walter, 311 Jackson, A"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 29 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1904</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1904), 186, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter V 2033 Center av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1905</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1905), 136, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2033 Center av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh directory, 1908</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1908), 129, "Anderson Nellie M wid Walter 2704 Norwood av A"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh directory, 1909</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley,, 1909), 119, "Anderson Nellie M wid Walter 2704 Norwood av A"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh directory, 1910</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1910), "Anderson Nellie M wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b><i>Pittsburgh directory, 1912</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co and R. L. Dudley, 1912), 112, "Anderson Nellie wid W V 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh directory, 1913</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co and R. L. Dudley, 1913), 113, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh directory, 1914</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1914), 142, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pittsburgh directory, 1915</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1915), 147, "Anderson Nellie wid Walter B 2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Polk's Pittsburgh city directory, 1922</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1922), 395, "Anderson Nell M (wid Walter B) Matron Bell Tel Co h2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Polk's Pittsburgh city directory, 1923</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1923), 392, "Anderson Nellie M (wid Walter B) h2704 Norwood"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Polk's Pittsburgh city directory, 1924</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co, 1924), 470, "Anderson Nell M (wid Walter B) h2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Receipt of Payment for Funeral Services For James Fielding from Mrs. Nellie Anderson to R. T. Rodney, Funeral Director; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reimbursement Card, Certificate number 11390, for invalid pensioner James Fielding; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b><i>R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1916</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1916), 457, "Anderson Nellie N (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1917</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co., 1917), 429, "Anderson Nellie M (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1918</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1918), 436, "Anderson Nellie M (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1919</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co, 1919), 420, "Anderson Nellie m (wid Walter B), r 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>R.L. Polk & Co.'s Pittsburgh city directory, 1920</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R. L. Polk & Co, 1920), 432, "Anderson Nell M (wid Walter B), h 2704 Norwood av"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"To let," advertisement, <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 22 August 1915, page 29; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 February 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"United States Marriages," database online, <i>FindMyPast</i> (www.findmypast.com : accessed 5 February 2021), Entry for W B Anderson and Nellie G M Fielding, married 19 Jan 1890, Camden, Camden, New Jersey; citing all the United States marriage records that are currently on Findmypast.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); RG 15, 2,807 rolls, NA–Washington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Will of James Fielding (1913), Probate Records of Allegheny County: Will Book 120, Number 20, Page 34; Register of Wills, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</span></p>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-43652950408221274262021-01-13T06:17:00.007-08:002021-05-22T08:45:57.023-07:00Chasing the Elusive: Henderson McDonald<p> I apologize for the lack of blogging in recent times. I recently finished a rather large genealogy research project for an acquaintance that ended up consuming all of my free time until just before Christmas, and then took a short research break, as my mind had "fried."</p><p>In this new year, I am back to doing my research. I am starting off 2021 with another chasing of the elusive. I also will be updating the last chasing the elusive blog post I wrote in the next few days, as I found more information on <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/10/chasing-elusive-elizabeth-hager.html" target="_blank">Elizabeth Hager VanLuvanee Hause.</a></p><p>One of my paternal third-great-grandfathers was a man by the name of Henderson McDonald. There is very little on him in regards to a paper trail, thus he remains one of my more elusive ancestors (as does his wife). </p><p>Let's start at the beginning:</p><p>Henderson McDonald was born sometime around the year 1815 in Pennsylvania, according to the census records. However, he could have been born as early as 1811, as a Henderson McDonald was baptized at the Derry Presbyterian Church in Derry, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania on 6 September 1811, per page 142 of the first volume of <i><a href="https://archive.org/details/notesquerieshist00unse_7/page/142/mode/2up" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Notes and Queries: Historical, Biographical and Genealogical, Relating Chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania</a></i> edited by William Henry Egle. However, further research will need to be done in order to determine whether or not this is the correct Henderson McDonald. I have a couple of emailed queries out but am waiting for replies. For now, this record is merely a note to research as more records come available online.</p><p>Because of the lack of records to research at present time, it is unknown who his parentage was. </p><p>At some point, he married Emeline Peterson, who was also born in Pennsylvania around the year 1821. They probably married before September of 1839, as that was when their daughter Sarah was born.</p><p>The couple had three known children per census records, although the only census I have found that lists them all is the 1850 census. The three known children are Sarah, who was born 1 September 1839, William, who was born around 1848, and Emma G, who was born in June of 1850.</p><p>Given the gaps in the years of the children, I am almost certain other children were born to the couple, but those children probably sadly died as infants or children before census enumerators could find them.</p><p>Here's where he becomes elusive, as he only listed in a handful of documents despite searching what is available online.</p><p>Henderson McDonald appears in two United States Federal census records. In 1840, he is listed as the head of the household in Pittsburgh's South Ward, living with his wife, eldest daughter Sarah, and an unknown free white woman aged 20-29. In this census, one person was enumerated as being employed in navigation of canals, lakes, and rivers. In 1850, he was listed as the head of the household, living in Allegheny City's Third Ward with his wife Emeline, children Sarah, Emma G and William, and a 35-year-old woman named Sarah Peterson, who was probably a sister or relative of Emmeline's. In that census, he was enumerated as being employed as a clerk.</p><p>In February of 1844, his name appeared in a "List of Letters" that were waiting at the Pittsburgh Post Office. The list ran for several consecutive weeks in the <i>Pittsburgh Morning Post</i>. </p><p>He also appears only in one city directory for the greater Pittsburgh area. That directory is <i>Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850</i>, in which he is listed as Capt. Henderson McDonald, living on Federal Street in Allegheny.</p><p>1850 is the last known year for documents for him, as the trail runs cold after the directory listing and the 1850 census. There are a few clues, however, in documents for his wife.</p><p>Emeline Peterson McDonald first shows up as a solo woman in the <i>Directory for 1856-1857 of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Cities</i>, when she appears as "Mrs. McDonald" working as a dressmaker on Craig Street near Ann Street. She then appears in a handful of city directories living on Robinson Street and Fourth in Allegheny City's First Ward. It is because of these listings that it is likely Henderson died between 1850 and 1856.</p><p>Emeline (whose name was spelled in a variety of ways including "Emily") also appears on the 1860 census with daughters Sarah and Emma, living in the First Ward of Allegheny city in the house of one Ann Aiken, where she was employed as a seamstress.</p><p>In November of 1861, Emeline's daughter Sarah married James Fielding in her home, according to a write-up in the <i>Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner</i>. Conflicting information however gives the location of this home in both Sharpsburg (per a questionnaire James Fielding filled out later for his pension application) and Allegheny City (per the newspaper write-up itself done in March of 1862). The minister who married the couple was one John Williams. Aside from being a Presbyterian minister, little is known about him.</p><p>Emeline McDonald's last entry is in the <i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1866/1867</i>, where she appears living on 32 Fourth Street in Allegheny City. After that directory, her trail also runs cold.</p><p>Searches to probate records from Allegheny County for both Henderson and Emeline yielded no hits, as did property records in the forms of deeds available as digitized images on FamilySearch and elsewhere. Searches of the many newspapers digitized on newspapers.com, NewspaperArchive, and GenealogyBank have not yielded any death notices or notes of any kind on the couple. The negative searches lead me to assume that the couple owned no property, and therefore had little to take through probate. They also may have had a death notice in a newspaper that has not yet been digitized or lost to time (or even did not get noted at all). Aside from daughter Sarah, who was my ancestress, little is known on the couple's children as well. The trails for Emma and William also run cold. </p><p>Perhaps one day there will be a brick removed in this giant brick wall that is my McDonald family and I will be able to continue the hunt backwards through the generations. However, until then, I remain, chasing the elusive.</p><p>Update here (22 May 2021): I have picked up Emeline's trail and wrote a post about her second husband, <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2021/05/elmon-edward-mclaughlin-tale-of.html" target="_blank">Elmon Edward McLaughlin</a>.</p><p><b>Sources</b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Ancestry.com, "1840 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1840, Census Place: Pittsburgh South Ward Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 441, Page: 373, Image: 764, and Family History Library Film: 0020536 (Entry for Henderson McDonald).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1850, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 3 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_744, Page: 152B, and Image: 310 (Entry for Henderson McDonald and family).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Ancestry.com, "1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 July 2016), Year: 1860, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 1 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1067, Page: 635, Image: 102, and Family History Library Film: 805067 (as Emaline McDonald and daughters).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh & vicinity for, 1858/1859</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: George H. Thurston, 1858), 165, "McDonald Emeline, widow of Henderson, h Robinson bl Darragh, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh & vicinity for, 1859/1860</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: George H. Thurston, 1859), 186, "McDonald Emeline, widow of Henderson, h Robinson n Canal, A(llegheny)"; digital image, Univeristy of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 11 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 218, "McDondald Emily, widow Henderson, dressmaker, Robinson n Darragh, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 236, "McDonald Emeline, wid Henderson, 46 Fourth"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1866/1867</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1866), 273, "McDonald Emma, wid Henderson, 32 Fourth"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, & vicinity : their occupation, places of business and dwelling houses : also, a list of the public offices, banks, &c, 1850</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Geo. Parkin & Co, 1850), 61, "McDonald Henderson Capt. Federal, Al(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 31 July 2016).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"List of Letters," <i>Pittsburgh Morning Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 22 February 1844, page 4; Henderson McDonald had a letter; online images, <i>NewspaperArchive</i> (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 12 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Married," <i>Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 22 March 1862, page 3; online images, <i>NewspaperArchive</i> (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 12 January 2021).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for Sarah V. Fielding; died 4 October 1907; Certificate number: 95518; 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; Parents listed as Henderson McDonald and Emeline Petterson.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Voucher circular questions for James Fielding, certificate number 11390, dated 5 July 1898; Scanned copy provided in the pension file for James Fielding sent 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.</span></p>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-27564747865043653472020-10-15T16:31:00.003-07:002021-01-13T07:06:11.666-08:00Chasing the Elusive: Elizabeth Hager VanLuvanee Hause FOUNDI've been working on my Hager line lately and had come across another elusive: my maternal grandmother's aunt, Elizabeth.<div><br /></div><div>*Note here: As of 13 January 2021, when I updated this, Elizabeth was no longer a Chasing the Elusive, as I FOUND her trail... so this has been edited to reflect that<br /><div><br /></div><div>Elizabeth Hager was born the third child to Christianna Huber and <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-tragic-story-of-jonas-hager.html" target="_blank">Jonas Hager</a> (whom I already wrote a blog post on). She was born sometime in August of 1888, in that not-so-sweet spot of time when Pennsylvania counties did not require birth registrations. Pinning down a location for the family is also difficult, as Jonas tended to move his family between Bucks and Montgomery Counties as he found work. She was likely born in either Bucks or Montgomery County.</div><div><br /></div><div>What is known is Elizabeth was on the 1900 census with Jonas and Christianna and family in Hatfield Township, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, enumerated as eleven year old "Lizzie" and having had 7 months of schooling that year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometime around the year 1905, Lizzie married Arthur VanLuvanee, the elder brother of Mary VanLuvanee (who married Elizabeth's brother George). The couple had a daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who was born in Lansdale on 21 August 1905, per Montgomery County Birth registrations. </div><div><br /></div><div>Arthur was a moulder, and on the 1910 to 1940 census enumerations, the couple were found living in a series of homes in Lansdale, first on Third, then west Main, and finally settling at 30 Ridge Street, where they owned their own home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Arthur died on 18 December 1945 at the home on 30 Ridge Street in Lansdale from heart problems, and great-great-aunt Elizabeth was the informant in his death record.</div><div><br /></div><div>It
was the last that I could find of her on ANY record. That has sincechanged</div><div><br /></div><div>Daughter Mary married Kermit Detweiler and died 31 January 1965 in Norristown, and like her father, she was buried at Whitemarsh Memorial Park in Ambler, Pennsylvania. Upon contacting the cemetery, however, I learned that Elizabeth was NOT buried with them.... so I continued to search.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some interesting notes: She is not listed on Arthur's draft cards for either World War One or World War Two as the next of kin. Arthur's mother was his next of kin on the WWI card, whilst daughter Mary was listed as the person who would always know Arthur's address in WWII. Why wasn't Elizabeth listed on either?</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">While
those questions have not been answered, I have found out what
happened to her. I had to thoroughly research her siblings to find
out! (This is a great example on why using the FAN method for
research does help!)</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Sometime
after Arthur died in December of 1945 but before brother Robert died
in September of 1948, Elizabeth remarried a man by the name of Elmer
Hause, as she's listed in Robert's obituary as “Mrs. Elmer Hause.”
Elmer was born 29 March 1895 in Lansdale and had also been married
before, although it appears his marriage had ended in divorce. He
had a number of children with his first wife, though none with
Elizabeth, as they were both in their fifties.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Just
as though I have been unable to locate a record for Elizabeth's first
marriage, I cannot find a marriage certificate for the couple, though
I have searched through a number of Pennsylvania county indices that
are available on FamilySearch.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What I do know is that the couple
continued to reside in Lansdale on Ridge Street until Elmer's death
on 9 November 1960 from cerebral thrombosis contributed by lung
cancer. He died at the Eagleville Sanatorium in Lower providence
Township, but his last known address, as well as the address of his wife, was 40 Ridge Street.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Elmer was buried at Whitemarsh as well,
and in his obituary, which was found on Ancestry.com's Public Member
trees, Elizabeth and daughter Mary (as Elmer's stepdaughter) were
listed as survivors, along with Elmer's family from his first
marriage.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It is currently unknown what happened
to Elizabeth after Elmer's death. What is known is she passed away
on 15 April 1970, though her death record has just been released to
the Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission and therefore has
not been viewed yet. (I tend to wait until the death certificates are online on
Ancestry.com, as the copies are better).</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It is also known that she WAS indeed
buried at Whitemarsh Memorial Park with her second husband under the
name Elizabeth Hause.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Sometimes one gets that wonderful
little piece of information in which a brick wall comes crashing
down, and thanks to her name in her brother's obituary, Elizabeth
Hager Vanluvanee Hause is no longer a Chasing the Elusive!</p></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sources</b></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 January 2017), Entry for Jonas Hager and family, Year: 1900, Census Place: Hatfield Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1442, Page: 2B, Enumeration District: 0204, and FHL microfilm: 1241442.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 October 2020), Entry for Arthur Vanluvanee and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Hatfield Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1377, Page: 17A, Enumeration District: 0082, and FHL microfilm: 1375390; 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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 October 2020), Entry for Arthur Vanluvanes and family, Year: 1920, Census Place: Lansdale West Ward Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T625_1605, Page: 11A, and Enumeration District: 103; 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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 October 2020), Entry for Arthur Vanluranee and family, Year: 1930, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Page: 10B, Enumeration District: 0054, and FHL microfilm: 2341816; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 October 2020), Entry for Arthur and Elizabeth Van Luvannee, Year: 1940, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: m-t0627-03579, Page: 14B, and Enumeration District: 46-74; 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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Elmer Hause jr. Obituary, Koch Family2014 Public Member Tree; held by David Koch, 2013, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2021). unknown newspaper clipping. Posted 9 March 2013 by David Koch, notations by Florence (Hause) Beckett, Elmer's sister.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Find A Grave</i>, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 16 December 2020), memorial page for Elizabeth Hager Hause, Find A Grave Memorial # 210030986, citing Whitemarsh Memorial Park (Ambler, Pennsylvania), memorial created by Lisa Phillips, photograph by Lisa Phillips.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Orphan's Court, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Register of births 1901-1908, V 324; Entry for Mary Elizabeth VanLuvanee, registered 10 Dec 1905; FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah; FHL microfilm 925502.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 October 2020), Entry for Arthur Vanluvanee, died 18 Dec 1945, cn 107184; 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.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i>, Entry for Elmer Hause, died 9 Nov 1960, cn 105997-60.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i>, Entry for Mary E. Detweiler, died 31 Jan 1965, cn 007169-65.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania Death Indices," online index, <i>Pennsylvania Historical Museum Research Commission</i> (http://www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/Research-Online/Pages/Death-Indices.aspx : accessed 4 January 2021), Entry for Hause, Eliza H, died 4-25-1970 in Lansdale, cn 040254.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Robert F. Hager," obituary, <i>Doylestown Daily Intelligencer (Doylestown, Pennsylvania)</i>, 28 September 1948, page 3; online images, <i>NewspaperArchive</i> (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 16 December 2020).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014," database online, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 December 2020), Entry for Elizabeth Hause, SSN 180-10-7962, dob 8 Aug 1888, date of death Aug 1970; citing Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 October 2020), Entry for Artur VanLuvanee, date of birth 20 Apr 1884; 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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 October 2020), Entry for Arthur VanLuvanee, born 20 Apr 1884; citing United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group Number 147. National Archives and Records Administration.</span></div><div><br /></div></div>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-68717044718020011672020-07-13T06:10:00.001-07:002020-07-13T20:20:03.761-07:00Men and Motorcycles: The Waldspurger Passion<div>
My maternal grandfather (whom I affectionately called Granpop or Pop) Ernest Waldspurger had eight brothers, and he was the seventh of ten children in a staunch Catholic household. His father, Edward C. Waldspurger, was the son of Florian Waldspurger and <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/01/notable-woman-marie-elizabeth-hans.html" target="_blank">Marie Elizabeth Hans</a> while his mother, Julia Ann Vautier, was the daughter of <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-story-of-william-john-vautier.html" target="_blank">William John Vautier </a>and Catherine Miller.</div>
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As one can imagine, with ten kids, there were a great deal of cousins for my mom to grow up with..... Lucky for me, I have communicated with a number of these cousins and have been gleaning stories throughout the years from them that I have been trying to write down for future generations.</div>
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A number of the stories involving my pop and his elder brothers involve motorcycles.... They were crazy for them.</div>
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Because my mom has SO many first cousins (and second cousins, etc. etc.), I have also been lucky that many of them are willing to share photos that back the stories. And because the youngest of the brothers is still alive at one hundred years young, I have been able to ask him what it was like in this motorcycle crazy family.</div>
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I thought today I'd share some of these photos and stories:</div>
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My great uncles seemed to prefer Indian motocycles (since according to the <a href="https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/history/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">History of the Indian Mortorcycle</a>, there was no R in the word!), although a few of them did own early Harley Davidson bikes as well. <br />
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Pop's six older brothers were William (Bill), Florian (Wally), Edward (Ed), Lawrence (Larry), Cornelius (Bud) and Francis (Frank). I was told by my mom, a number of her cousins, and my still alive great uncle, that all of the older brothers did ride bikes (although I don't have a photo of Bud and a bike, nor my own pop). So it was neat to find these photos of them on their bikes.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGdt6D416Zy3Sl7RN_nCH4l6o1gTP1o4Qr35h5g20yjgWt9rs2GTRK_3-aUn5l3_pAH99LR4vl07R7jGBKtLRvz6q2hAklF8vy4-b7ZIZpo4Rz0BKIjxBswkTaMSCqivFo_KdUpsb7ro/s876/billwaldsindianbike.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="561" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGdt6D416Zy3Sl7RN_nCH4l6o1gTP1o4Qr35h5g20yjgWt9rs2GTRK_3-aUn5l3_pAH99LR4vl07R7jGBKtLRvz6q2hAklF8vy4-b7ZIZpo4Rz0BKIjxBswkTaMSCqivFo_KdUpsb7ro/s320/billwaldsindianbike.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiI8eROh8D131P-qSRj9MkLjntwXW9_3KVAKigLDlmX2YpvarLRN6Hd0EJGyXQ0ZethyfHU6WSAEAZGYtZOF-nhiWbi1lhswLC6d5vDrpEVLW2ceCNa9InwQMid_AxcQiiIbq_nDFsjPk/s1231/flossindianbike.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="643" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiI8eROh8D131P-qSRj9MkLjntwXW9_3KVAKigLDlmX2YpvarLRN6Hd0EJGyXQ0ZethyfHU6WSAEAZGYtZOF-nhiWbi1lhswLC6d5vDrpEVLW2ceCNa9InwQMid_AxcQiiIbq_nDFsjPk/s320/flossindianbike.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wally</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91JWRY7xl3WkuYpICJQ1Ur6nEnrAU2LphzjNAbWxaTxhKZxLksDWPP0eKZ2huchIBicM-WYCVaZKQOlOxo6D0EnlUqZPRc8auyqNolZ_QsBjdRRzWWD4mHEj1Hi50yhBjXwqsayHNw3k/s1261/larryindianbike.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91JWRY7xl3WkuYpICJQ1Ur6nEnrAU2LphzjNAbWxaTxhKZxLksDWPP0eKZ2huchIBicM-WYCVaZKQOlOxo6D0EnlUqZPRc8auyqNolZ_QsBjdRRzWWD4mHEj1Hi50yhBjXwqsayHNw3k/s320/larryindianbike.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9MSzK_GVxLntujaqvq9nemeQxAH6CTcQ-2XxjniNDVg9TRI8EG6s45Tj2CeMrmhxNOSfZJmedVYP33n-Z0ylq9xcpWjobK8PuRDO9KFSmNgRN5ZDCUGhmhdlypfZjF7tban2mcbdPgc/s1326/Frank+and+Larry+Waldspurger+with+friends+and+Indian.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Larry and Frank Waldspurger with friends, 1932" border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1326" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9MSzK_GVxLntujaqvq9nemeQxAH6CTcQ-2XxjniNDVg9TRI8EG6s45Tj2CeMrmhxNOSfZJmedVYP33n-Z0ylq9xcpWjobK8PuRDO9KFSmNgRN5ZDCUGhmhdlypfZjF7tban2mcbdPgc/w320-h202/Frank+and+Larry+Waldspurger+with+friends+and+Indian.jpg" title="Larry and Frank Waldspurger with friends, 1932" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larry and Frank with friends and what I am told is a late 1920s Indian Inline, 1932<br />
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The "boys" used to drive my great-grandmother nuts, as they would clean their motorcycle parts in the kitchen and she'd have to be dodging them and the mess just to get dinner on the table. As each of the boys got older and married and started to move into their own homes, they kept their motorcycle-riding traditions, and even played polo on their bikes! Some of them were also founding members of the Lansdale (Pennsylvania) Motorcycle Club<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5RN1mZtsSSPmn7OWV4Cfaq4Pe9MAVQYhI1o91vB87bklc_ZWQuvDc3nfpl8hcfV__kkan1EPzC0mpobz55Am-TPlhv5TPSbFPYsp9WdsPMZvWbOvLRqW8PfzFMJU-IKclKiskrEFIAI/s620/Lansdale+motorcycle+club.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5RN1mZtsSSPmn7OWV4Cfaq4Pe9MAVQYhI1o91vB87bklc_ZWQuvDc3nfpl8hcfV__kkan1EPzC0mpobz55Am-TPlhv5TPSbFPYsp9WdsPMZvWbOvLRqW8PfzFMJU-IKclKiskrEFIAI/s320/Lansdale+motorcycle+club.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Motorcycle Club of Lansdale,Pennsylvania</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitR_YbN1lBU9x4XE7uH952jK1L5jwBIgQwY16fteFTOZ4HQO1dqF7bZpJTpvqHoT0Z21kGzUg5qdZJhqDYNfJNPnnM3yPHkZ2dIlHxgQ4CNuTiRipJH0q92xCWpR4ptpoJg0sPCUUL1VM/s2048/Bill+Moore+1930.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1522" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitR_YbN1lBU9x4XE7uH952jK1L5jwBIgQwY16fteFTOZ4HQO1dqF7bZpJTpvqHoT0Z21kGzUg5qdZJhqDYNfJNPnnM3yPHkZ2dIlHxgQ4CNuTiRipJH0q92xCWpR4ptpoJg0sPCUUL1VM/s320/Bill+Moore+1930.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1930 - Bill Moore, who later married my pop's cousin, Helen Guretse</td></tr>
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I asked my great-uncle, who was the youngest of the brothers, if he got to ride bikes like his elder brothers did. He replied back with a "no, never got the chance to." When asked why.... he told me it was because of my pop. In 1933, at the age of 19, my pop was on his motorcycle when he was involved in a VERY serious wreck that almost cost him his leg. He was hospitalized for a great deal of time, and for the rest of his life he walked with a limp as a result. Because of this accident, he did not get to serve his country during World War II like his two younger brothers (which I am told wounded him greatly) because no branch of the armed forces would have him. He instead worked in the silk factories during the war, and then as a tool-and-die maker, serving that way.</div>
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One of my mom's cousins had this photo, which really hit home to me the severity of my pop's injuries.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pop in the hospital in 1933</td></tr>
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Anyways, after Pop was injured, my great-grandfather was scared that he would lose one of his boys. He told ALL of his sons to get rid of their motorcycles, and they honored my great-grandfather's wishes. The youngest son was only thirteen at the time, so there went his chances to ride the Indians and Harleys like his brothers.</div>
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Others in the family continued the tradition later in the years, but the early photos are my favorites.</div>
Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-20116205146876275942020-06-05T09:58:00.001-07:002020-06-05T09:59:21.600-07:00Chasing the Elusive: Lewis SheetsI am really working on another one of my illustrious ancestors, Jacob Sheets (which is taking awhile, hence lack of blog posts lately - I am also working on another project as well research wise, so my time is divided). But in doing research on him, I have been thoroughly researching each of his children as best as I can, and came across a dead end in a few of his children, most noticeably Lewis F. Sheets.<div><br /></div><div>Let's start at the beginning:</div><div><br /></div><div>Lewis F. Sheets was born 9 Sept 1833 in Philadelphia, according to an affidavit his elder brother swore to. He was the youngest child of Jacob Sheets (also Sheats), a Philadelphia boat builder, and his second wife Mary (likely with the surname Kelty). Lewis was just fourteen years old when his father died in 1847, and his guardianship was awarded to one Samuel Kelty, who may have been a brother to Lewis' mother.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note here: There are many variations in spellings for his names. Most notably on his first name it appeared throughout his life that he used Lewis and Louis interchangeably. His last name was spelled a variety of phonetically correct ways. Since spelling of names was not standardized in the time he lived, it can arguably be stated that any of the spellings is the correct one.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a great deal of family lore surround Lewis' father, which I will eventually get to when I finally write Jacob Sheat' blog post, but there is one major tale of lore that affects Lewis that I can share now. it is said that Jacob Sheats was a gambling man and went so deep into debt that the youngest four children were farmed out to others for care since he could not afford to take care of them. While I have not been able to find documents to support this family story entirely, I do know that one <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2018/11/chasing-elusive-who-was-catherine-field.html" target="_blank">Catherine Field</a> did raise Lewis' older sister Helen for a bit, which lends some credence to the story.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have not been able to find him on the 1850 census. His elder brothers (Joseph B. and Jacob S.) were enumerated in Upper Alloways Creek, Salem County, New Jersey and Northern Liberties, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania respectively. His two surviving sisters (Deborah C. Sheets Whiteside and Helen M.D. Sheets) were both in Philadelphia County on the census, in Northern Liberties and Passyunk respectively. It is not known who Lewis lived with though, and if he was enumerated with his own name or the name of the family he lived with. It is something I keep searching for.</div><div><br /></div><div>Around 1858, he married Evalene Hocker, who was born about 1837 to Charles and Mary Hocker. The couple made their home in Philadelphia's 11th Ward near Pier 31, living at 155 Dana Street for much of</div><div>their married lives. It was in this area that the couple had ten children; George, Mary H., Abraham Lincoln (who died young), a stillborn daughter, Charles Barnecoat, Edward M. (who also died young), Richard E., Jacob M., Francis and Emma H.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a young man, Lewis worked briefly as a policeman, but spent more of his adult life as a stove moulder and then as an inspector at 20 South Seventh. Newspaper articles form the time indicate the address was the Philadelphia City Gas Works,and an article regarding the company in April 1884 referred to one"Inspector Sheetz" giving a meter reading that was in excess. The company for which he worked is still in existence today, and is still city run.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1886, he purchased a grave loot deed number 9160 at Odd Fellow Cemetery in Philadelphia. His son Edward was removed to this plot, as he had died 21 October 1870. Also noted as being removed to the plot were children Jacob and Lewis Miller, who were Lewis' young nephews via his sister Helen.</div><div><br /></div><div>In September 1896, son Charles was involved in a fight just outside the Eleventh Ward Republican Club which resulted in a man's death. He, along with two others, were charged with the death of Francis X. "Frank" Hollweck, but at the Court of Oyer and Terminer on 19 January 1897 the three men were found not guilty.</div><div><br /></div><div>1901 was the last city directory in which Lewis Sheets was listed in Philadelphia, still living at 155 Dana (which was 155 Nectarine at this point, having had a street name change around 1897/1898), but working as a "collector." The neighborhood in which the Sheets lived in was left to the wreckers sometime before 1923, and is now part of Interstate 95.</div><div><br /></div><div>It appears that sometime after this point, Lewis and Evalene made the move to Cape May County, New Jersey, where they lived with daughter Mary and her husband Francis Hoffman. On 8 August 1904, Evalene died in Rio Grande, a census designated area in Cape May County. Her body was brought back to Philadelphia, where it was interred in the family plot at Odd Fellow Cemetery after a funeral at son Jacob's home at 143 Nectarine. (Daughter Emma was buried in the same plot just three years prior, having died from pyaemia following mastitis at the age of 20).</div><div><br /></div><div>Lewis continued to live with his daughter and son-in-law after Evalene's death, having been enumerated with them in both the 1905 New Jersey State Census and the 1910 Federal Census. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is where he gets elusive....... He completely disappears off the radar after the 1910 Federal Census. Mary and Francis Hoffman are enumerated without any mention of him in the 1915 New Jersey State Census, and since death record indices for New Jersey from that time period have been "lost", finding any record of his death remains elusive. He was NOT buried in the Odd Fellow Cemetery plot with his wife per the cemetery records available, nor have searches of available online newspapers at my disposal (on Newspapers.com or Genealogy Bank) revealed a death notice.</div><div><br /></div><div>So the search continues, and until then, he will remain an "elusive" to chase.....</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sources Used</b></div><div><font size="1"><b> </b>"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Louis Sheetz and family, Year: 1870, Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 10 District 32 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1395, Page: 563B, and Family History Library Film: 552894; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Louis Sheet and household, Year: 1900, Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 11 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Page: 2, Enumeration District: 0196, and FHL microfilm: 1241456; 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.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Francis Hoffman and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Middle Cape May, New Jersey, Roll: T624_870, Page: 2A, Enumeration District: 0092, and FHL microfilm: 1374883; 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.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">Affidavit of Joseph B. Sheets regarding descendants of Jacob Sheets, sworn 6 Feb 1852 in front of Robert Guestner, Justice of the Peace for Salem County, New Jersey, in Bounty Land Warrant Application number 91618-40-50, Service of Jacob Sheats (Capt. Henry Freas' Co., NJ Militia, War of 1812); Photocopy of affidavit provided by Robert Young in 2004 to Kelley Wood-Davis; citing War of 1812 Pension and Bounty land Warrant Applications, Record Group 15, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">Affidavit of Samuel Kelty, guardian for Lewis F. Sheets (minor) affirmed 6 Feb 1852 in front of Robert Guestner, Justice of the Peace for Salem County, New Jersey, in Bounty Land Warrant Application number 91618-40-50, Service of Jacob Sheats (Capt. Henry Freas' Co., NJ Militia, War of 1812); Photocopy of affidavit provided by Robert Young in 2004 to Kelley Wood-Davis.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">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., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Lewis Scheetz and family, Year: 1880, Census Place: Philadelphia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1172, Page: 453B, and Enumeration District: 190; 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</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images, <i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 May 2020), various years and entries recorded; contact blogger for more details.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"Death Follows a Blow," <i>The Times (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 25 September 1896, page 1; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 5 September 2020).</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1"><b> </b>"Died," death notice, <i>The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 4 April 1901, page 14; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 May 2020). entry for Emma Sheets Brady.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"Died," death notice, <i>The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 10 August 1904, page 7; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 18 May 2020). entry for Evalene Sheets.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"Died," death notice, <i>The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 8 February 1907, page 7; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 18 May 2020). Entry for Jacob M. Sheets.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1"><b> </b>"Gas Trust Committees," <i>The Times (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 24 April 1884, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 5 June 2020).</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"Held for Trial," <i>The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 27 September 1896, page 17; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 5 June 2020).</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"New Jersey State Census, 1905," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 20 May 2020), Entry for Louis F Sheets in household of Frances Hoffman, , Cape May, New Jersey, United States; p. 14, line 17; FHL microfilm 1,688,593; citing Department of State, Trenton.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1"><b> </b>"Notes of the Court," <i>The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 20 January 1897, page 12; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 5 June 2020).</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-1999," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 May 2020), PA-Philadelphia> Philadelphia> Not Stated> Odd Fellows Cemetery, 22nd and Diamond Streets > Image 1100 of 1345, entry for Lewis Sheets, deed 9160, dated 1 June 1886; citing Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906," online database, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Abrm. Lincoln Scheets, 18 July 1862; bk 4 p 144; FHL microfilm number 1289307; citing Board of Health. Department of Records.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906," online database, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Chas. Barnecoat Sheets, 16 Oct 1865; bk 1865 p 275; FHL microfilm number 1289310.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906," online database, <i>FamilySearch</i>, Entry for Edward Sheitz, 12 Nov 1868; bk 1868 p 303; FHL microfilm number 1289312.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950," database online, <i>FamilySearch</i>, Entry for Francis Sheets, born 19 Jan 1877; FHL microfilm number 2195605.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births, 1860-1906," online database, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 May 2020), Entry for Richard E. Sheetz, 21 Mar 1871;bk 1871 p 41; FHL microfilm number 1289313.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 February 2020), Entry for Edward M. Sheets, 19 Feb 1870; FHL microfilm 1,994,724; citing Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 18 February 2020), Entry for Jacob M. Sheets, 06 Feb 1907, FHL microfilm 1,319,490.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i>, Entry for Sheets, 01 Mar 1864; FHL microfilm 1,986,424.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1"><b> </b>Petition to the Honorable L. Piraldo, Commissioner of the Pension Office for issue of bounty warrant to guardian of Lewis F.Sheets by W. L, Allans, dated 27 August 1853, in Bounty Land Warrant Application number 91618-40-50, Service of Jacob Sheats (Capt. Henry Freas'Co., NJ Militia, War of 1812); Photocopy of affidavit provided by Robert Young in 2004 to Kelley Wood-Davis.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">Petition to the Pension Office regarding eligibility of claim of Helen F. Sheets as a minor child of Jacob Sheets, deceased filed by W. L. Weaver, esq. of Salem, New Jersey 5 June 1852, in Bounty Land Warrant Application number 91618-40-50, Service of Jacob Sheats (Capt. Henry Freas'Co., NJ Militia, War of 1812); Photocopy of affidavit provided by Robert Young in 2004 to Kelley Wood-Davis.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, <i>Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network Interactive Maps Viewer</i> (http://www.philageohistory.org/tiles/viewer/ : accessed 5 June 2020), viewed the area around 155 Dana on several maps, including present time map.</font></div><div><font size="1"><br /></font></div><div><font size="1">Taylor, Frank H. "In Nectarine Street," digital image, <i>Library Company of Philadelphia</i> (https://digital.librarycompany.org/islandora/object/digitool%3A67899: accessed 22 May 2020), Information on Dana Street, where Lewis Sheets lived; citing Frank H. Taylor Collection.</font></div>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-15230148879241863612020-05-05T07:06:00.001-07:002020-05-05T07:07:30.334-07:00Chasing the Elusive: Mathilda RadtkeEvery so often I revisit branches of my tree I may not have covered well in the past, and my Radtke branch is one of them. As it stands right now, it consists of just one person; my paternal grandmother's paternal grandmother Mathilda Pauline Radtke.<br />
<br />
What I know about her consists of just a few facts, gleaned mostly from sources created after her death. What is elusive about her is her origin.<br />
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Mathilda was likely born with the German spelling Mathilde, in some part of Prussia. Because I know I have some Polish ancestry thanks to DNA testing, my assumption has been that she likely is my Polish ancestress, as she could have been born in Danzig, in what is now Poland but was part of Prussia for awhile. However, I really have no proof of where in Prussia she was born.<br />
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I do know that she went by the nickname of "Tillie" most of her life.<br />
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Mathilda immigrated to the United States via Bremen and New York City aboard the S. S. Donau, which arrived at New York City on 8 May 1876 and was listed on the ship's manifest as Mathilda Rathke. She came with an 18 year old Katherine Rathke, who was likely related to her in some way. Because they were two young women traveling, it is possible that someone else on the manifest was also related to her, though at present it is difficult to determine who.<br />
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Tillie has been lost on documents until the 1880 census enumeration, so it is not known when or how she arrived in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. She does appear on the 1880 census working as a servant in the household of Daniel and Sophie Gehlbach, who lived 292 Franklin Street in the Sixth Ward of Allegheny City. Sophie was the slightly elder sister of Christian Adam Pfeiffer Jr., who Mathilda married just a few years later. At present, it is presumed the couple met because of the Gehlbachs.<br />
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Tillie and Adam, as he was known, were wed likely in late 1884, but it is possible they were married in 1885 as well. Adam was the eldest son and third child born to Christian Adam Pfeiffer Sr. and Wilhemine Karoline Wild. He was born 28 May 1853 in Kleinsachsenheim, Neckarkreis, Baden-Württemberg but had immigrated at the age of seven to the United States with his family.<br />
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Adam worked in the iron and steel mills that made Pittsburgh famous, working mostly as a mill laborer and a puddler. Tillie kept the house. The couple lived in what is now the Shadeland neighborhood on the North Side of Pittsburgh, but was then the Eleventh Ward of Allegheny City. They first lived on Cliff Avenue, and then Shady Avenue before finally moving to Courtland Street, all in Allegheny City.<br />
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The couple had six children, but their two eldest children met with sad endings early on. Their eldest, Mary, was born sometime in April 1885 and died 25 November 1885 from tabes mesenterica (tuberculosis caused by drinking tainted cow's milk). Their second eldest was Christian Adam (the third) who was born August 1887 and died 28 January 1888 from convulsions. Both children were buried at Union Dale Cemetery near Adam's parents.<br />
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The last four children fared better, and lived into their adult years. Adolph Reinhart (who went by his middle name his entire life) was born on 15 June 1888. Mathilda was born 4 January 1890. John Frederick was born 4 June 1891. The youngest son, Joseph, was born 22 September 1893.<br />
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Tillie's last known entry in a public record before her death was the 1910 Federal Census enumeration, where she was listed as the mother of six children, four of whom were living. She had been married for 26 years, and had immigrated in 1876. Her native tongue was German, as she is listed as having been from Germany (which technically was correct, given that Prussia had become part of a united Germany in 1871).<br />
<br />
In November of that year, Tillie was stricken with cancer in her toe. While treatable today, it was not as treatable in 1910, and by Christmas she had also come down with toxemia (blood poisoning) and on Christmas Day, 1910, she finally succumbed to her condition.<br />
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Her funeral was three days later, and was held at St. Thomas German Lutheran Church on Brighton Road. A Rev. Dietrich presided as minister over her services. She was then buried in Highwood Cemetery.<br />
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Not much is known about Mathilda aside from records, as the only link to her I had was my grandmother, who was born 11 years after Mathilda died. She only had a few memories passed down from her family to give me.<br />
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Adam outlived his wife for 16 years, continuing to work as he was able and continuing to reside in their owned home on Courtland Street (the street was named Courtright Street in the aftermath of the annexation of Allegheny City to Pittsburgh in 1909 because apparently Pittsburgh already had a Courtland Street). He died on 24 November 1926 from bronchial pneumonia, which was brought on by myocarditis and chronic bronchitis. He was buried two days later after a funeral service held at his home, in which members of the Northside Lodge no. 75, Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers of America were invited along with family and friends.<br />
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<b>Sources Used</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 August 2016), Entry for Adam Peiffer and family, Year: 1900, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 11 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1357, Page: 22B, Enumeration District: 0089, 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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 August 2016), Entry for Christian A. Pfeifer and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 27 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1308, Page: 13A, Enumeration District: 0657, and FHL microfilm: 1375321; 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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Christian Adam Peiffer entry, Registration of deaths in the city of Allegheny, 1876-1907, v. 3: Page 188, Allegheny County City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Death Notices," death notice, <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 26 November 1926, Page 44. Death notice for C. Adam Pfeiffer; online images, <i>Google News</i> (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 6 August 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Death Notices," death notice, <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 27 December 1910, page 14. Death Notice for Mathilda Pfeiffer; online images, <i>Google News</i> (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 13 August 2016). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898," database, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 6 August 2016), Entry for Christian Adam , 05 Jun 1853; FHL microfilm 1,184,623. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NLMJ-FZ6).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b><i>Find A Grave</i>, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 9 August 2016), memorial page for C Adam Pfeiffer, Find A Grave Memorial # 62605678, citing Highwood Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by Sharon Deanne Kieffer, photograph by Rob and Debi Felten and Richard Boyer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b><i>Find A Grave</i>, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 August 2016), memorial page for Mathilda P Ratdke Pfeiffer, Find A Grave Memorial # 62605777, citing Highwood Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by Sharon Deanne Kieffer, photograph by Rob and Debi Felten, also Richard Boyer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">John F. Pfeiffer and Elizabeth M. Bupp, (22 June 1921), Allegheny County Marriage Licenses: cn 6781; Department of Court Records, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania. Groom's parents listed as Christian and Mathilda Radke Pfeiffer. Father born in Germany and residing in Pittsburgh. Mother deceased.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mary Pfeifer entry, Registration of deaths in the city of Allegheny, 1876-1907, V. 2: Page 181, Allegheny County City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 August),<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Entry for <span class="srchMatch" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #181a1c;">Adam </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181a1c;"></span><span class="srchMatch" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #181a1c;">Pfeifer and family;</span></span><span class="srchMatch" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #181a1c; font-family: "source sans pro" , "helvetica neue" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span>Year: 1861; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 210; Line: 30; List Number: 376; Place of Origin: Württemberg. Port of Departure: Le Havre, France. Destination: United States of America.Port of Arrival: New York, New York. Ship Name: Zurich. The family is numbers 71-77.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 August 2016), Entry for Mathilde Rathke; Year: 1876; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 403; Line: 13; List Number: 374.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 August 2016), Entry for Adam Pfeiffer; died 24 Nov 1926; Certificate Number: 109152; 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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 August 2016), Entry for Mathilda Pfeiffer, died 25 Dec 1910, Certificate number 126335; 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.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania Death Indices," online index, <i>Pennsylvania Historical Museum Research Commission</i> (http://www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/Research-Online/Pages/Death-Indices.aspx : accessed 6 August 2016), "Pfeiffer, Christian A; ---- 101952; Pgh; Nov. 24."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 August 2016), Entry for Adam Pfeiffer; Probate date: 24 Nov 1926; Estate and Proceedings Indexes, 1788-1971; Author: Allegheny County (Pennsylvania). Register of Wills; Probate Place: Allegheny, Pennsylvania; citing Pennsylvania County District and Probate Courts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 August 2016), Entry for John F Pfeiffer, application number 112525 filed 13 Feb 1934, North Side, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; citing World War I Veterans Service and Compensation File, 1934–1948. RG 19, Series 19.91. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg Pennsylvania; Parents listed as father Adam C. Pfeiffer (deceased) and mother Mathilda Pauline Radtke (deceased), on son John's application.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pfeiffer, Richard. Christian Adam Pfeiffer 1853-1926, Typed Family Tree of Adam Pfeiffer Sr.; supplied by Pfeiffer, Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, 2002. Sent via mail to Kelley Wood-Davis in 2002.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"United States Germans to America Index, 1850-1897," database online, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 13 August 2016), Entry for Adam Pfeifer, 04 May 1861; citing Germans to America Passenger Data file, 1850-1897, Ship Zurich, departed from Havre, arrived in New York, New York, New York, United States (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD78-DHG); Citing NARA NAID 566634. National Archives at College Park, Maryland.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"United States Germans to America Index, 1850-1897," database online, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 13 August 2016), Entry for Mathilde Rathke, 08 May 1876; citing Germans to America Passenger Data file, 1850-1897, Ship Donau, departed from Bremen & Southampton, arrived in New York, New York, New York, United States (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD72-94C).</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Various Pittsburgh area directories found on <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org). Contact blogger for entries </span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wood, Elizabeth Pfeiffer. North Carolina, to Kelley Wood-Davis, email, 31 December 2011, "Re: Hi!,"; privately held by Wood-Davis, 2018. emails from grandmother to granddaughter regarding questions. References to Mathilda Pfeiffer being long gone before Gram's birth.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Württemberg, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1985," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 August 2016), Entry for Christian Adam Pfeiffer, Taufe (Baptism) 5 Jun 1853; Page 71; Custodian: Evangelische Kirche Kleinsachsenheim (OA. Vaihingen); citing Lutherische Kirchenbücher, 1500-1985. Various sources.</span><br />
<br />Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-55602139390860170312020-04-21T06:59:00.001-07:002020-04-21T07:02:48.465-07:00Notable Women: Elizabeth Sunliter YoungFrom time to time, I write about the more notable women in my family tree, and recently I stumbled (quite literally) upon Elizabeth Sunliter. She is one of my earliest known American ancestress, and she lived a neat life. So I wanted to tell her story.<br />
<br />
Elizabeth Sunliter was born 12 September 1782 to Peter Sunliter and his wife Elizabeth (also spelled Elisabeth). She most likely was born in Passyunk, but could have also been born in Northern Liberties. What is certain is she was born in Philadelphia County, and was the second born daughter of the couple. Their first was also named Elisabeth, and while a death or burial record has not yet been located, it is very likely the first daughter named Elizabeth died in the year preceding this second one's birth. Elizabeth was one of only two of the five children of Peter and Elizabeth Sunliter to survive childhood. Her younger brother, Peter, also lived, but besides the first Elisabeth, son Georg and daughter Catharina also passed away in their youth.<br />
<br />
I should note that the name Sunliter is spelled a number of different ways, all phonetically correct. I have seen Sunlider, Sonliter, Sonleider, Sunlighter, Sohnleiter and any other combination..... All of which would be "correct" as there seems to be no standardized version of this name.<br />
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On 2 October 1804, Elizabeth married Johann "John" Young junior at St. Michael's and Zion Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, one of the oldest German Lutheran Churches in the area (it is still in existence!). He was born about 1784 and the two met because it appears they were neighbors.<br />
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In twenty years, the couple had eleven children; Eliza, Mary, Philip, Sarah, John S., Peter Sunliter, Ann, Margaret, Catherine, Adam S. and Henry S. All eleven were likely born in East Southwark or Passyunk, as those were the areas John Young was enumerated on the 1810 and 1820 , and were all definitely born in Philadelphia County. While it appears that the couple spoke German natively, as they were part of the huge German population in Philadelphia in the early part of the 19th century, they also spoke English. They seemed to be founding members of the new English-Speaking Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (their second daughter was one of the first to be baptized there) that was founded by some members of St. Michael and Zion churches and built on Race Street in Philadelphia. It was here at St. John's that most of their children were baptized (and also where daughter Sarah later married Peter Vautier.... they were the parents of <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-story-of-william-john-vautier.html" target="_blank">William John Vautier</a>).<br />
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Like <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-vautiers-truck-farmers-of.html" target="_blank">the Vautiers</a>, the Youngs were truck farmers that operated a farm on the Neck, and their last name is mentioned in the same <i>The Times </i>article from 1891 in Philadelphia as the Vautiers that labels them "the Neck Barons." John took over ownership of land Elizabeth's father left her when he died intestate in 1806. The property was a parcel of land that was split with Elizabeth's brother Peter that had been bought by their father from Christian and Rachel Young (who may be related to John, but I don't know for sure). Deed records from Philadelphia are being attempted to be located to see if there was any other property.<br />
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John was a supporter of politics, and in particular was a member of the Democratic Republican Party, but he also appeared to have a drinking problem. On 27 March 1828, he died at the age of forty four from "mania a potu", what would today be considered heavy habitual alcohol use. He was buried at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery the day after he died, next to son Philip, who had died from bilious fever in 1823.<br />
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Elizabeth was named administratrix of the estate, and took over her husband's properties and her own, while raising her family in antebellum Philadelphia. After all, her youngest children were only four and six when their father died. She never remarried, but amassed a small fortune in the decades after her husband died. She sold off some property as well per newspaper advertisements, though it is not known if it was property she acquired after John's death or not.<br />
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Some of the pitfalls into finding information on Elizabeth (especially now during the COVID-19 shutdown) is that while the Philadelphia Deed indices are online for the time period, not all of the deeds themselves were microfilmed and then digitally uploaded, so some of the deeds for an Elizabeth Young cannot be ascertained to be hers without examination. There is also the fact that Passyunk, where the Youngs lived, did not become a part of the City of Philadelphia until 1854, so many of them were simply not listed in the Philadelphia area directories available online because they were not residing in the city (though for some years some of Passyunk was listed... just not everyone...)<br />
<br />
Elizabeth Young died from a disease of the lungs on 24 April 1846 at the age of 63 on Girard's farm in Passyunk, Philadelphia. She had outlived her husband by nearly twenty years. She was buried two days later at Philanthropic Cemetery (another now defunct cemetery).<br />
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In her will, she left farm implements and the crop that had been planted to son John, instructed her executors to purchase furniture for not-yet-married Catherine, and then split the remainder of her estate between her ten children, with the caveat that those heirs who owed her money would have it taken from their share of the inheritance.<br />
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<b>Sources Used:</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"140th Regiment Militia: Philadelphia County - Moyamensing Township," <i>Aurora General Advertiser (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 2 June 1807, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 April 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1790 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 April 2020), Entry for Peter Sunlighter, Year: 1790, Census Place: Mojamensing and Passyunk Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Series: M637, Roll: 9, Page: 255, Image: 547, and Family History Library Film: 0568149; citing First Census of the United States, 1790 (NARA microfilm publication M637, 12 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"1810 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 February 2019), Entry for Jno Young, Year: 1810, Census Place: East Southwark Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: 56, Page: 135, Image: 00194, and Family History Library Film: 0193682; citing Third Census of the United States, 1810. (NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls). Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1820 United States Federal Census," online database, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 April 2020), Entry for John Young and household, 1820 U S Census, Census Place: Passyunk Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Page: 142, NARA Roll: M33_110, and Image: 407; citing Fourth Census of the United States, 1820. (NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1830 United States Federal Census," database online, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 April 2020), Entry for Elizabeth Young and faily, 1830, Census Place: Passyunk Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Series: M19, Roll: 157, Page: 314, and Family History Library Film: 0020631; citing Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1840 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 April 2020), Entry for Elizabeth Young and family, Year: 1840, Census Place: Passyunk Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: 491, Page: 179, and Family History Library Film: 0020556; citing Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"At Private Sale," advertisement, <i>Public Ledger (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 22 July 1841, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 April 2020).</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Democratic Republican Meeting," legislative acts or legal proceedings, <i>Franklin Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 19 September 1820, page 2; online images, <i>Genealogy Bank</i> (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 20 February 2020).</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Died," death notice, <i>Public Ledger (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 25 April 1846, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 12 April 2020).</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ellet Jr., Charles. <i>A Map of the County of Philadelphia from Actual Survey</i> (Philadelphia: Charles Ellet, 1843); digital image, <i>Greater Philadelphia Digital History Network</i> (https://www.philageohistory.org/tiles/viewer/ : accessed 20 April 2020), viewed Passyunk township.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Historical Society Of Pennsylvania, Births & Baptisms," database online with images, <i>FindMyPast</i> (www.findmypast.com : accessed 17 April 2020), Entry for Elisab Sohnleitner, baptized 26 Sep 1782 at St. Michael and Zion Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, Baptisms 1771-1784, page 182, line 122; citing Historical Society of Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Historical Society Of Pennsylvania, Births & Baptisms," database online with images, <i>FindMyPast</i> (www.findmypast.com : accessed 12 February 2019), Entry for Ann Young, baptized 21 Jan 1816 at St. John's Lutheran Church 5th & Race Streets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ibid. Entry for Margaret Young, baptized 27 Sept 1818 at St. John's Lutheran Church 5th & Race Streets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ibid. Entry for Mary Young, baptized 10 May 1807 at St. John's Lutheran Church 5th & Race Streets</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ibid. Entry for Peter Young, baptized 31 Jan 1813 at St. John's Lutheran Church 5th & Race Streets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ibid. Entry for Philip Young, baptized 17 June 1808 at St. John's Lutheran Church 5th & Race Streets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ibid. Entry for Sarah Young, baptized 11 Feb 1810 at St. John's Lutheran Church 5th & Race Streets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Historical Society Of Pennsylvania, Marriages," database online with images, <i>FindMyPast</i> (www.findmypast.com : accessed 12 February 2019), Entry for Johann Jung or Young and Elisabeth Sonleiter, married 02 Oct 1804, St. Micheal's & Zion Lutheran Church; citing Historical Society of Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Neck Barons," <i>The Times (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 25 April 1891, page 8; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 January 2019).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Notice," legal notice, <i>Sun (Philadelphia, Pennsyvania)</i>, 1 May 1846, page 2; online images, <i>Genealogy Bank</i> (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 20 April 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Osborn, Matthew Warner. "A Detestable Shrine: Alcohol Abuse in Antebellum Philadelphia," <i>Journal of the Early Republic</i>, Volume 29, no. 1 (Spring 2009), online archive, <i>JSTOR</i> (https://www.jstor.org/stable/40208240 : accessed 20 April 2020), pages 101-132.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-1999," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 February 2019), Entry for the marriage of Johann Jung and Elisabeth Sonleiter (indexed as Sanleitam), 2 Oct 1804 at Saint Michael’s and Zion Church; citing Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-1999," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 February 2019), Entry for John Young Jr. burial date 28 March 1828, referencing St John's Church Evangelical Lutheran (Philadlephia) burial records for 1828.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-1999," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 February 2019), Entry for John Young Jr. burial date 28 March 1828, referencing St John's Church Evangelical Lutheran burial record, Removals to Laurel Hill (son Philip too).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-1999," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 February 2019), Entry for Philip Young. burial date 26 Sep 1823, referencing St John's Church Evangelical Lutheran burial records for 1823.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 13 April 2020), digital folder number 004009791 >image number 454 of 582 > Entry for John Young; referencing Registration of deaths, 1803-1903; arranged by year and cemetery, year 1828: Mar-July, July-Sept, Sept-Oct, Oct-Dec, page 70, entry for Evangelical Lutheran Burial Ground of St. John's Church burials 22-29 March 1828; citing Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 12 April 2020), Entry for Elizabeth Young, died 24 Apr 1846; referencing Philantrophic Burial Ground records 1846:11 April-27 June; FHL microfilm 1,906,484.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 April 2020), Entry for Elizabeth Young, probate date 23 April 1846, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; will number 82, 1846; citing Pennsylvania County District and Probate Courts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 February 2019), Entry for John Young, probate date 1828, Pennsylvania, City of Philadelphia, administration files; Author: Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). Register of Wills; Probate Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Administration Files, No 21-86, 1828; Book N, Page 188, number 4.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Deed Book TH 40: 371-373, John and Elizabeth Young to Peter Sunliter, recorded 9 March 1813; FHL microfilm 21971.</span>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-7722122129537059132020-04-09T06:57:00.001-07:002020-07-21T16:34:30.827-07:00Chasing the Elusive: John Fielding Sr.Occasionally I write about some of my more elusive family members, in hopes that one day I can break. I call them "<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/p/chasing-elusive.html" target="_blank">Chasing the Elusive</a>" and John Fielding is one such member, being a maternal great-grandfather of my grandpap. He was the grandfather to another Chasing the Elusive subject,<a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/02/chasing-elusive-marcus-fielding.html" target="_blank"> Mark Fielding.</a><br />
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John Fielding was born sometime in 1801, and was likely baptized 16 August 1801 in Anglican church in the parish of St Mary, St Denys and St George in Manchester, England as the son of one Mathew Fielding. His mother's name may have been Mary, although records don't give a name for his mother. Later children's baptisms in the same parish (for Cooper, William and Martha) link Mathew to a Mary, surname unknown.<br />
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It is not known when John immigrated to the United States, but it had to have been sometime before 1833 when his eldest son was born in Pennsylvania. Sometime before that point, he married Martha Gibson (some sources state her surname was Cooper), who was born in Pennsylvania, though her age fluctuates on census records, putting her birth sometimes between 1809 and 1814.<br />
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The couple had nine children. Cooper was their eldest, born March 1833. Son Joseph was born in 1835, and son James was born 14 September 1837 in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. At some point as well came a daughter who remains nameless at this point, who was born sometime between 1835 and 1840 (she likely died very young). The 1840 census enumeration lists four children in the household of John Fielding of Allegheny City, as well as John and wife Martha. The remaining five children were born after that enumeration. Martha was born 16 September 1841. Amos was born 9 February 1844. John was born 10 December 1846. William was born 28 July 1850. The youngest, Mathew, was born sometime in 1853 or 1854.<br />
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John was a shoemaker by trade, at least from 1850, when he was listed as such in the federal census enumeration. He was listed as a shoemaker in several Pittsburgh area directories, living on Ohio Street in the Fourth Ward of Allegheny City.<br />
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In 1863, son John was injured in <a href="https://owlcation.com/humanities/A-Most-Distressing-Steam-Engine-Incident-of-Pittsburgh-1863" target="_blank">an accident involving a steam fire engine</a>, eventually losing a leg from the accident. John Fielding Sr. sued the company (Oakland Railway Company) that was tasked with maintaining the street on which the accident occurred for medical bills and his son's lost wages. He won his suit on 22 December 1863, and recouped $1800. The suit was brought by the company to the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, who in October of the following year ruled there was no error in the original judgement.<br />
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It is not clear however if John Fielding Sr. was able to enjoy his winnings, however. On 23 July 1864, a petition of guardianship was filed four his four youngest sons in the Allegheny County Orphan's Court, listing them as the minor children of John Fielding, deceased. The petition was granted and lawyer J. D. Hancock was awarded guardianship of Amos, John, William and Mathew. Another lawyer, Thomas J. Keenan was awarded letters of administration in the probate of John's estate, as he died intestate. Both of these lawyers handled his suit against the railway company, so it is not altogether surprising that they were involved in handling his affairs after his death.<br />
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This is where I am chasing the elusive: I have not found either the date he died or how he died. Since death records were not a thing in Allegheny City (nor where they a county or state thing either yet), I have not been able to find any mention of a death for either him or his wife in the 1860s. I have checked available cemetery records available online, online newspapers (though I may not be searching with the correct parameters, as the searches are all OCR readers, so it's likely a death notice does exist somewhere), probate records, even land records available for that time period. I know he was alive in December of 1863 when he won his suit, and had passed before July of 1864 when his sons became the wards of J. D. Hancock, but the date remains elusive. Given that the four boys show up living with elder brother Cooper on the 1870 census, it is likely that Martha also died in this time period. Again, no record can be located for her as well.<br />
<br />
I may never find the record, or I may crack the case. Who knows. One thing is for certain, though. I will have fun doing the research either way.<br />
<br />
<b>Sources Used:</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1840 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Entry for Jno Fealding and household, Year: 1840, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 440, Page: 290, Image: 592, and Family History Library Film: 0020536; citing Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 July 2016), Entry for John Feilding and household, Year: 1850, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_744, Page: 217B, and Image: 440; citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2016), Entry for J. Fielden and family, Year: 1860, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1068, Page: 676, Image: 63, and Family History Library Film: 805068 (enumerated as J. Fielden and family); citing 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 March 2020), Entry for Cooper Fielding and family, Year: 1870, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 4 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1291, Page: 367B, and Family History Library Film: 552790; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Coroner's Inquest," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 13 April 1863, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"The Death of Young Reams," <i>The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 13 April 1863, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh & vicinity for, 1857-1858</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: George H. Thurston, 1857), 62, "Fielding John, shoe maker, h Ohio n West"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://digital.library.pitt.edu : accessed 30 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh & vicinity for, 1858/1859</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: George H. Thurston, 1858), 78, "Fielding John, shoemaker, h Ohio n Middle, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 93, "Fielding John, shoemaker, 140 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1862-1863</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1862), 90, "Fielding John, shoemaker, 140 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 100, "Fielding John, shoemaker, 40 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 30 July 2016), I believe the 40 should be 140, that it was a typo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1864-1865</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1864), 95, "Fielding John, shoemaker, 140 Ohio, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digitial Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 7 April 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Distressing Accident: A Man Killed and a Boy Maimed by Steam Fire Engine," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 11 April 1863, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, & vicinity : their occupation, places of business and dwelling houses : also, a list of the public offices, banks, &c, 1850</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Geo. Parkin & Co, 1850), 30, "Fielding John, shoemr, Ohio, Al"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://digital.library.pitt.edu : accessed 30 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Heavy Verdict," <i>The Pittsburgh Daily Commercial (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 8 April 1864, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Heavy Verdicts," <i>The Daily Evening Express (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)</i>, 15 December 1864, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Important Trial in the District Court," <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 24 December 1863, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Lease for Sale," advertisement, <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 6 July 1866, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 March 2020), Allegheny County Orphans' Court docket 19, June term 1864, page 199, no. 109, entry for petition of Amos, John, Matthew and William Fielding for guardianship, filed 23 July 1864, image 127 of 650; FHL microfilm number 866215; citing county courthouses in Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 March 2020), Allegheny County Orphans' court docket, v. 21, page 226, No. 75, petition of Martha Caskey in estate of John Fielding, deceased, filed 9 June 1866; image 141 of 679; FHL microfilm number 872591; citing county courthouses in Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 March 2020), Allegheny County Orphans' court docket, v. 21, page 456, no. 18, Account of Thomas J. Keenan administrator of John Fielding Sr., deceased, filed 3 Dec 1866, image 262 of 679; FHL microfilm number 872591; citing county courthouses in Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Sad Accident - Man Killed and Boy Seriously Injured," <i>The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 11 April 1863, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 24 March 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Woodward & Rowlands' Pittsburgh directory for 1852: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, 1852</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: W.S. Haven, 1852), 107 (page 7 of Allegheny Directory), "Fielding John, shoemr, 7 Ohio st."; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://digital.library.pitt.edu : accessed 30 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wright, Robert E. State Reporter, <i>Pennsylvania State Report</i>, Volume 48 (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Kay and Brother, 1865), 320-328; online images, <i>Google Books</i> (https://books.google.com/books : accessed 24 March 2020).</span>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-84604383482916564872020-03-30T07:35:00.001-07:002020-10-15T14:29:45.418-07:00The Tragic Story of Jonas HagerI once joked to my mother that her great grandfathers didn't fare so well. After all, Florian Waldspurger was decapitated in the <a href="https://hubpages.com/education/The-Hatfield-Train-Wreck-of-1900" target="_blank">Hatfield Train Wreck in 1900</a>. William James Cox died as the result of a hunting accident years after leaving his first wife, <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/02/notable-woman-anna-sperry-cox.html" target="_blank">Anna Sperry Cox</a>. <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-story-of-william-john-vautier.html" target="_blank">William John Vautier</a> lost the use of one arm after taking a bullet in the Civil War. And then, there is Jonas Hager, who died tragically. But let's start at the beginning.<br />
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Jonas Hager was born 20 January 1866 in Finland Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania as the eldest son of Jonas Hager and Elizabeth Heffentrager. His parents had both been married before they wed in September of 1865, just four months before Jonas' birth, and both had been left as widowers with children. The marriage could have been one of convenience, with a pastor's blessing later (as pastors were hard to come by in the then rural area in which they lived). Whatever the case, there is a great deal of history on both of his parents, but since they are not the focus of this piece, I will save it for some other time.<br />
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When Jonas was just fifteen years of age, his father died. There is some evidence that Jonas Hager Senior was also maimed or crippled, so one can imagine the kind of strain that put on the young lad, as he likely had to work from an early age to help support the family.<br />
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At the age of eighteen, Jonas married Christianna Huber, who was three months his senior, in Bucks County. The couple was wed 8 March 1884 at the Ridge Valley Reformed Church in West Rockhill Township by the Reverend Simon Gross. Christianna was the sixth child born to German immigrants Johann Georg "George" Huber and Christina Barbara Esser. Christianna also had to work from a young age, as she worked as a servant for more prominent families in Bucks County.<br />
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The couple's first child, Bertha, was born 1June 1884 in Finland Township. Jonas worked as a blue collar laborer and a moulder, and the family seemed to move around a bit, living in a series of rented homes. By 1893 when they were living on Green Street in Lansdale, they had three more children, George Alfred (born 7 September 1886), Elizabeth (born sometime in August 1888) and Robert Franklin Hager (born 14 April 1891). Son Elmer H. was born in the home on Green Street on 26 August 1893.<br />
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On the 1900 census, the family was living in a rented home in Hatfield Township, where daughter Jennie Elnora was born just three days before the family was enumerated on the 1900 Census. An interesting clue from this census enumeration indicates that the couple had a child born between Elmer's birth in 1893 and Jennie's birth in 1900, but that the child had passed away. Research done so far has not uncovered this unknown child, but I continue to look.<br />
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The couple went on to have two more sons. Webster Linwood was born 5 October 1902 in Lansdale, as was the couple's last son, Jonas Leon Hager, who was born on 12 May 1905, just one year before the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania made birth certificates a mandatory state level registration.<br />
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Jonas was an avid outdoorsman, and loved to fish. He likely supplemented the family's meals with his smaller catches, though he probably kept some trophies as well. 1908 seemed to be no different a year.<br />
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On the 15th of June, Jonas Hager skipped work at the plant of Norristown Plumbing Supply Company to go fishing with his three buddies, Paul Henning, Alfred Bateman, and John Jerschen. It was a slow day, and they wanted to catch some fish, as bass season had just opened up. After some time of the fish not biting, Jonas got bored.<br />
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While his friends made for the shore, Jonas apparently decided to go for a swim, despite his friends' protest that the water was too cold. He rowed the boat he was using to Barbados Island, just south of Norristown on the Schuylkill River. He disrobed and jumped into the river for a swim. However, he only swam for a bit before struggling in the water and going under, drowning in the process.<br />
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His three friends panicked when he went under, and instead of helping their friend (one account says they looked for him and could not find him), they fled the scene, reporting his drowning to the police at Norristown City Hall. The three were arrested, but were later released when it was discovered that the drowning was accidental and not intentional.<br />
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Jonas' body was recovered several hours after the incident, and the death certificate was signed by the coroner, Joseph King. Several newspapers reported on his death, though his age and even his name vary in the accounts.<br />
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<i>The Lansdale Reporter</i> summed up best the family's shock:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The drowned man was 42 years of age and leaves a widow and eight children, three of who are married. The wife and five younger children are heart-broken over the loss of their main support at their humble St. Elmo Street home. The family were preparing to move to Norristown next week, where Mr. Hager had recently secured steady work." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(18 June 1908, Page 3)</span></blockquote>
Jonas was buried five days after his death in Division A, Section D, Lot 16, Grave 1 of Lansdale Cemetery in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. The undertaker in charge of the services was D. Y. Monday of Norristown, Pennsylvania.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDt7D41nxAoEDTsNFA3MZXqRgYmfFV7WqykhIyw32FOLgBOw47PJ1vjkidVOjSwGFUGE8Ab4xk505qsuPtRnEl2JG4kSdwli8sEhGUXs-HPkSPCvvifVPUmr1Ct0DWiJU7wz0juvh-oEo/s1600/Jonas+Hager+%2528my+photo%2529+tombstone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDt7D41nxAoEDTsNFA3MZXqRgYmfFV7WqykhIyw32FOLgBOw47PJ1vjkidVOjSwGFUGE8Ab4xk505qsuPtRnEl2JG4kSdwli8sEhGUXs-HPkSPCvvifVPUmr1Ct0DWiJU7wz0juvh-oEo/s320/Jonas+Hager+%2528my+photo%2529+tombstone.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonas Hager's headstone at Lansdale Cemetery. Photograph taken August 2017 by the blogger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Christianna, devastated by the loss of her husband, had to work a series of jobs to make ends meet. She worked as a housekeeper, a laundress , and cleaned houses to support her children, as Jonas Leon was only three when his father died. The family moved around, renting rooms and houses as they were able. By 1930, Christianna did own a home in Lansdale at 623 Cannon Street, which had a radio set according to the 1930 census enumeration. It was at this home that she died on 2 November 1936 at the age of seventy-one from complications of diabetes. She was buried five days later next to her husband at Lansdale Cemetery.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Dw350M_nH44P7DWTOAcNOTNI7Q1A_puP2SWgmQaqXpkK9t66xugFO54GXvl_lLlnqqUfoJ1w1kkkfEea3GTPa8BFhSYaXZ5fjMurzzLlq2NrU1tjxVKWg3xatGhFIO2tzcrbM7_8NtE/s1600/Christianna+Hager+%2528my+photo%2529+Tombstone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Dw350M_nH44P7DWTOAcNOTNI7Q1A_puP2SWgmQaqXpkK9t66xugFO54GXvl_lLlnqqUfoJ1w1kkkfEea3GTPa8BFhSYaXZ5fjMurzzLlq2NrU1tjxVKWg3xatGhFIO2tzcrbM7_8NtE/s320/Christianna+Hager+%2528my+photo%2529+Tombstone.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christianna Huber Hager's hedstone at Lansdale Cemetery. Photograph taken August 2017 by the blogger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b>Sources Used:</b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 April 2017), Entry for Jonas Hager and family, Year: 1870, Census Place: Marlborough Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1377, Page: 597B, Image: 422119, and Family History Library Film: 552876; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 January 2017), Entry for Jonas Hager and family, Year: 1900, Census Place: Hatfield Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1442, Page: 2B, Enumeration District: 0204, and FHL microfilm: 1241442; 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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2017), Entry for Christiana Hager and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Hatfield Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1377, Page: 17A, Enumeration District: 0082, and FHL microfilm: 1375390; 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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 April 2017), Entry for Christiana Hager and household, Year: 1920, Census Place: Lansdale East Ward Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: T625_1605, Page: 14A, Enumeration District: 102, and Image: 236; 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.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 April 2017), Entry for Jonas Hager and family, Year: 1930, Census Place: Lansdale Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 2082, Page: 30B, Enumeration District: 0053, Image: 87.0, 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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>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., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 April 2017), Entry for Jonas Hager and family, Year: 1880, Census Place: Marlborough Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1158, Family History Film: 1255158, Pages: 316 C and 316D, Enumeration District: 016, and Image:s 0258 and 0259; 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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Bass Fisherman Drowns," <i>The Allentown Democrat (Allentown, Pennsylvania)</i>, 18 June 1908, Page 3; online archives, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 April 2017).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Directory of Montgomery County, Penna. 1900-1902," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 8 May 2017), page 313. "Hager Jonas, Lab, Lansdale"; citing <i> Directory of Montgomery County, Penna. 1900-1902 : containing residence and business directories of all the boroughs, also a list of residents with post office addresses in each township, as shown by the latest assessors' returns</i>. Philadelphia: Journal of Commerce Pub. Co., 1900.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Drowned While In Swimming," <i>Harrisburg Daily Independent (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)</i>, 16 June 1908, page 4; online archives, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 April 2017).</span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Elmer H Hager and Lillie B Grebe, (29 August 1914), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: page 269, cn 25117; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania. listed as father, deceased, occupation moulder, born in Finland Township.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Find A Grave</i>, online database (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 23 April 2017), memorial page for Christianna Huber Hager, Find A Grave Memorial # 38455107, citing Lansdale Cemetery (Lansdale, Pennsylvania), memorial created by LWD, maintained by Marti Drumheller, photograph by Anonymous.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Find A Grave</i>, online database (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 20 April 2017), memorial page for Jonas Hager, Find A Grave Memorial # 38455113, citing Lansdale Cemetery (Lansdale, Pennsylvania), memorial created by LWD, maintained by Marti Drumheller, photograph by Anonymous.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Jesse Meyer Cox and Jennie Elnora Hager, (23 March 1918), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: file number 30133; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Lansdale Man Drowned," <i>The Lansdale Reporter (Lansdale, Pennsylvania)</i>, 18 June 1908, page 3. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Lansdale Woman Dies," death notice, <i>The Lansdale Reporter (Lansdale, Pennsylvania)</i>, 3 November 1936, page number not recorded. Transcription found on the Find A Grave memorial for Christianna Huber Hager (memorial number 38455107).</span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Lansdaler Drowned," <i>The Ambler Gazette (Ambler, Pennsylvania)</i>, 18 June 1908, page 4; online images, <i>POWER Library: PA Photos and Documents</i> (http://digitalcollections.powerlibrary.org/cdm/ : accessed 20 April 2017), Wissahickon Valley Public Library's Ambler Gazette Collection. incorrectly listed as James rather than Jonas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Oral interview with Dorothy (Cox) Ritter," 1999-2000 by great-niece Kelley Wood (Fullerton, California), owned by Kelley Wood-Davis, Norwalk, Iowa, no notes taken; oral information on family history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Orphan's Court, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Register of Births 1893-1900, Book 1893-1997, page 198; Entry for Elmer Hager; <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TN-K96Z-Q?mode=g&i=115&cat=321969: accessed 4 January 2017); image 116; FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah; FHL microfilm 925501.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Orphan's Court, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Register of Births 1893-1900, Book 1897-1900, page 120; Entry for Jennie Elnora Hager; <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TN-K9D4-D?mode=g: accessed 26 Dec 2016); image 446; FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah; FHL microfilm 925501.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985," online database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 April 2017), Entry for Jonas Hager and Christianna Heuber, marriage 8 Mar 1884, Ridge Valley Reformed Church, West Rockhill, Bucks, Pennsylvania; referencing the Private Records of Simon K. Gross, Christ Reformed Church at Indian Creek, Ridge Valley, Bucks County. Rearranged and typed by Raymond Hollenbach of Royersford, June 1972. Page 38; Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Collection Name: Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records; Reel: 797; citing <i> Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records</i>. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985," online database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 April 2017), Entry for Jonas Hager and Christianna Huber, marriage 8 Mar 1884, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, The Reverend Simon K Gross Pastoral Records; Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Collection Name: Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records; Reel: 797; citing <i> Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records</i>. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 April 2017), Entry for Christiana Huber Hager, died 2 Nov 1936, cn 104909; Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Certificate Number Range: 102501-105500; 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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 April 2017), Entry for Jonas Hager, died 15 June 1908, cn 54955, Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Certificate Number Range: 052001-055800; 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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Roy Krupp and Bertha A Hager, (10 August 1901), Application for Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage: Page 360, ln 11419; Montgomery County Archival Records Department, Norristown, Pennsylvania. listed as father (also had to give consent, as Bertha was only 17)</span></div>
Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-14368028272380794772020-03-17T07:20:00.000-07:002020-03-17T07:21:31.077-07:00Chasing the Elusive: The Mysterious Disappearance of Burris Doudney Wood IThis is a <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/p/chasing-elusive.html" target="_blank">"Chasing the Elusive"</a> in that I don't know what happened to my third-great-grandfather, but it is also a story that has been passed down through the family.<br />
<br />
This blog post is on the first Burris Doudney Wood in the family. He named a son Burris Doudney, and he also had a nephew named for him.... the nephew became the famous steamboat captain Burris D. Wood who died in 1902. Burris' son, <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2019/12/chasing-elusive-burris-doudney-wood.html" target="_blank">Burris Doudney Jr. also disappeared mysteriously</a> and is a "Chasing the Elusive" in his own right.<br />
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Anyway, I should start at the beginning.<br />
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Burris Doudney Wood was the ninth child and second son born to Abinah Belford Wood and Susannah Humphreys, and their last child to be born in New Jersey. He was born 9 November 1815, probably in Cumberland County, as Abinah did own land in Greenwich Township there, but it is not known for sure. What is known is Burris made his way to Franklin, Fayette County, Pennsylvania with the family, and was enumerated on a federal census there in 1820 as the free white son under the age of ten in the household of "Biney Woods."<br />
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By 1830, the family was living in Saint Clair Township, just south of Pittsburgh, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Burris was again enumerated in the household of Abinah Wood (Ancestry has him listed as Anich) as one of two males aged 10-14 in the household. (Burris' brother David was listed as the other one).<br />
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*Side note here - until 1850, the only people listed on the Census Enumerations were the heads of the households.... everyone else was tallied as a person living in the household, so it makes for interesting research sometimes.*<br />
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Burris married Miss Julia Blackford (or Blachford) on 1 May 1838 likely in Allegheny County, as he was living there, but the couple could have been in the neighboring Washington County, where Julia was supposedly born. No records exist to prove this date as the marriage except for what I like to call "the Wood Book" in my research - it's actual title is <a href="https://archive.org/details/historygenealogy00wood/page/n6/mode/2up" target="_blank">History and Genealogy of the Descendants of Abinah wood and Susannah Humphreys</a>. The family is listed as "Wood Family III" for those interested. Julia was born sometime between 1815 and 1817 in the aforementioned Washington County according to family stories,though not much is known about her parentage. She may have been the daughter of a John Blackford but that is just hypothetical at this point, so I don't have parentage listed for her.<br />
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At any rate, the couple lived in Mifflin Township, Allegheny County, according to the household enumeration done in 1840 for the federal census. Mifflin Township was south and slightly east of what is now present day Pittsburgh. It was east of Saint Clair Township at the time Burris lived there and most of the people who lived in the area were shipbuilders (Family stories suggest Burris got his start as a shipbuilder). Burris was enumerated directly after his brother-in-law John Arehart (who married Emma Wood), which suggests that they were neighbors. Enumerated in his household was himself, Julia, and their infant daughter, Eliza (or Elizabeth).<br />
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In 1842, the couple moved their small family, which by this time also had a son, John Devender (born 23 April 1841) to Lower Saint Clair Township, as Burris had bought property on Brownsville Plank Road. The land he purchased was bought from Alfred Verner for $150 on 2 Jul 1842, and it is assumed the family lived here for a time. Brother David ought land that bordered it. However, Burris (and David) apparently went into debt with Verner in 1846, as the land was seized and sold in a sheriff's sale. Burris was able to buy the land back in 1847, but had also bought two other properties that year, a parcel of land at the corner of Carson Street and Joseph Street as well as a parcel of land at Clifton and Joseph Street, both in East Birmingham, Allegheny County. It is not known exactly which property the family lived at.<br />
<br />
By 1850, when the family was enumerated again on the federal census living in East Birmingham and where Burris was listed in the local directory as a Justice of the Peace on Joseph Street, the couple had nearly completed their family with the births of their next four children. <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/01/notable-woman-reumah-anne-wood-tatem.html" target="_blank">Reumah Ann</a>e was born 14 Jan 1843. Margaret M. was born 18 June 1844. William W. was born sometime in 1847 and the aforementioned son Burris Doudney was born 27 May 1849. All six children (including Eliza and John) were enumerated along with Burris and Julia on the census.<br />
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Also in 1850 Burris purchased one more property, having sold off the rest of his properties. This parcel of land was situated on Wharton Street and Joseph Street in East Birmingham. He only owned this land for a little over a year, selling it in June 1851. It is not know where the family moved, though it is likely the remained in East Birmingham and rented.<br />
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In 1852, just after the birth of the couple's final son, George W Wood (born 1 April 1852), Burris had to deal with a legal issue. He and one Francis Sellers were plaintiffs in a case against William C. Aughinbaugh and James Moore. There was an action of trespass on the case for the recovery of $200 for work and labor done by Burris and Sellers. The case went to the jury on 6 May 1852 and Wood and Sellers received $101.06.<br />
<br />
For one reason or another, Burris decided that life in Allegheny County no longer suited his family. Because this was the heyday of the steamships, and he had connections to shipbuilding, he decided he was going to pack up his family and moved to Saint Louis, Missouri, which was a hub of activity. Sometime in the spring of 1854, he traveled via boat to Saint Louis, intent on finding a place for his family to live. On 10 May 1854 he sent a telegram back to East Birmingham instructing his wife and children, who were packing for the move, to stay in East Birmingham until he sent for them.<br />
<br />
It was the last message the family ever received.<br />
<br />
Theories as to what happened to him abound. Family members who were interviewed after the fact were adamant that he did not abandon his family and that he had to have been murdered. He did have the family's fortune on him, and apparently was involved somehow in another lawsuit, though nothing has come to light in regards to any other legal matters. Nothing has ever been proven as to what happened to him after 10 May 1854, which has been listed as his death date ever since.<br />
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I have been searching fruitlessly ever since discovering this story early in my research. So far, while certain clues have emerged, nothing can cement any theory. I did search the Deed record index in St. Louis, Missouri to see if there was any record of property bought there, but nothing was recorded. Burris' name was used in connection with an advertisement for Genuine Holland Bitters, which ran in local area newspapers as late as 1858 and beyond. These refer to him as "Mr. B. D. Wood late Justice of the Peace, East Birmingham, P[ennsylvani]a." Perhaps something was amiss?<br />
<br />
Julia, back in East Birmingham, was left with seven children under the age of 15. Family stories gathered through the years suggest that after Burris mysteriously disappeared in 1854, Julia was penniless. She was also left to raise her family by herself and ended up making ends meet by working small odd jobs, such as cleaning and laundry, until her children were old enough to support her. She resided in a boarding house on Washington near Main in Birmingham in 1857 listed as a widow, but had moved to Temperanceville by 1860, likely to be closer to Burris' sisters Susannah Wood Ainsworth and Elizabeth Wood Shaffer, as both of them were living there already.<br />
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As was contemporary for the time, Julia relied on her sons to survive, residing with John, William, Burris and George at one point or another throughout the rest of her life. What is fascinating is that she was listed as "Mrs. Woods", a widow living by herself on the 1880 census enumeration.<br />
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For the final three weeks of her life, she did live with daughter Reumah at 40 South Diamond Street in Allegheny City. She died there on 25 October 1885 from bronchial pneumonia. One of her obituaries lists that she died at son John's home, but the death registration itself gives Reumah's address as where she died. After a funeral at son John's home four days later, she was buried in section B, lot number 73, grave number 3 at Highwood Cemetery in what is now Pittsburgh.<br />
<br />
<b>Sources Used:</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1820 United States Federal Census," online database, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 July 2016), Entry for Biney Woods and household, 1820 U S Census, Census Place: Franklin Fayette, Pennsylvania, Page: 147, NARA Roll: M33_103, and Image: 155; citing Fourth Census of the United States, 1820. (NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1830 United States Federal Census," database online, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 July 2016), Entry for Abinah Wood (indexed as Anich), Year: 1830, Census Place: St Clair Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Series: M19, Roll: 144, Page: 208, and Family History Library Film: 0020618; citing Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1840 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2016), Entry for Burris Woods and family, Year: 1840, Census Place: Mifflin Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 439, Page: 150, Image: 309, and Family History Library Film: 0020536; citing Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2016), Entry for Burris D. Wood and family, Year: 1850, Census Place: East Birmingham Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_748, Page: 37B, and Image: 80; citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2016), Entry for Julia Wood and family, Year: 1860, Census Place: Temperanceville Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1062, Page: 535, Image: 542, and Family History Library Film: 805062; citing 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 July 2016), Entry for Julian Woods and Household, Year: 1870, Census Place: McClure Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1294, Page: 111A, Image: 335422, and Family History Library Film: 552793; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">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., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 July 2016), Entry for Mrs. Woods, Year: 1880, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1088, Family History Film: 1255088, Page: 102A, Enumeration District: 028, and Image: 0202 (enumerated as Mrs. Woods); 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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 70: 490, Alfred Verner and wife to Burris D. Wood, recorded 10 June 1845; FHL microfilm 8091683.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 77: 384-385, Oliver Ormsby and wife to Burris D. Wood, recorded 11 August 1847; FHL microfilm 1497890.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 79: 79-80, William Phillips to Burris D. Wood, recorded 1 Nov 1847; FHL microfilm 1497891.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 81: 653-655, Elijah Trovillo, sheriff, to William Phillips on behalf of Burris D. Wood, recorder 23 August 1848; FHL microfilm 8091688.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 83: 200-201, Burris and Julianne Wood to John Gilbraith, recorded 20 Nov 1848; FHL microfilm 1497892.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 86: 281-282, George Duncan and Wife to Burris D. Wood, recorded 30 May 1849; FHL microfilm 8091679.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 88: 150-151, Burris D and Juliana Wood to George Hoezel, recorded 12 October 1849; FHL microfilm 1497894.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 88: 607-608, Burris D. (B.D.) and Julian Wood to Thomas Elmore, recorded 12 Feb 1850; FHL microfilm 1497943.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 93: 337-338, Thomas Elmore and wife to Burris D. Wood, recorded 16 Nov 1850; FHL microfilm 1497944.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 96: 400-401, Burris D. and Julian Wood to Theodore Steinike, recorded 20 July 1851; FHL microfilm 1497946.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Atlas of the cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and the Adjoining Boroughs</i> (Philadlephia, Pennsylvania: G.M. Hopkins, 1876); digital images, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 April 2018), Plate 110, Temperanceville and part of Chartiers, viewed Elliot Street and the Rolling Mill.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Atlas of the vicinity of the cities Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Penna. : from official records, private plans and actual surveys.</i> (Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins Company, 1886); digital image, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018), Plate 29, viewed the area of McClure and Ashton.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"A Wonderful Remedy - Mr. B. D. Woods," advertisement, <i>Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 28 June 1855, Page 2, "Mr. B.D. Woods, late Justice of the Peace, East Birmingham, Pa."; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 July 2016); advertisement for Genuine Holland Bitters.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"A Wonderful Remedy - Mr. B. D. Woods," advertisement, <i>Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (Wheeling, Virginia [West Virginia])</i>, 5 April 1858, page 2; online images, <i>Virginia Chronicle : Library of Virginia</i> (https://virginiachronicle.com/ : accessed 15 March 2020), The Virginia Newspaper Project.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Died," death notices, <i>Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennylvania)</i>, 27 October 1888, Page 7 "Julia Wood"; online images, <i>Google News Archives</i> (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 20 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh & vicinity for, 1857-1858</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: George H. Thurston, 1857), 229, "Woods Julia A, widow of Horace, BH Washington N. Main"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://digital.library.pitt.edu : accessed 3 April 2018).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 338, "Wood Julia Ann, widow Burrows, above Steubenville pike n Wood, T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1862-1863</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1862), 334, "Woods Julia A., wid Burris D., Elliott, T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 367, "Woods, Julia Ann, wid Burris, Elliott n Wood, T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1864-1865</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1864), 348, "Woods Julia Ann, wid Barris, Elliott n Wood's mill, T(emperance)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digitial Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1866/1867</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1866), 410, "Woods Julia A, wid Burris, Elliott n Rolling Mill, T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1867/1868</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1868), 455, "Wood Julia Ann, wid Barris, Elliot n rolling mill T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1868/1869</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1868), 432, "Wood Julia, wid Burns, Virgin ay, T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, & vicinity : their occupation, places of business and dwelling houses : also, a list of the public offices, banks, &c, 1850</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Geo. Parkin & Co, 1850), 105, "Woods B.D. justice peace, Joseph, E Bir"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (http://digital.library.pitt.edu : accessed 6 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Find A Grave</i>, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 August 2016), memorial page for Julia Ann Blanchford sp? Wood, Find A Grave Memorial # 19490418, citing Highwood Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by William Bozic, photograph by William Bozic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"The Grim Messenger," <i>Pittsburgh Dispatch (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 1 January 1889, page 8; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 March 2018).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"History Overview," <i>Mifflin Township History</i>, 2012 (www.mifflintownshiphistory.wordpress.com : accessed 28 March 2018).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Home Matters," <i>The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 5 May 1852, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 3 April 2018).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Home Matters," <i>The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 6 May 1852, page 3; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 3 May 2018).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1882/1883</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1882), 804, "Woods Julia, wid ________, 8 Howards Row, Beaver av, Allegheny"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 19 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1883/1884</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1883), 844, "Woods Julia A, wid Veris B, 203 Cass av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digitall Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 19 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1885/1886</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1885), 953, "Woods Julia A, wid Berris, Ashland av, n McClure av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 19 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1886/1887</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1886), 991, "Woods Julia A, wid Burris, Ashland av, n McClure av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 19 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1887/1888</i> (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1887), 1008, "Woods Julia A, wid Burris, r Shady av, n Eckert, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, <i>Historic Pittsburgh</i> (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 20 July 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jordan, Sarah Strickler. niece of Burris D. Wood, written statement by P.A. Wood, no date recorded; transcribed copy of written statement, privately held by Kelley Wood-Davis, Norwalk, Iowa, 2016. Transcribed by Florence Wood Wolcott and copied by Martha Wood Scudder, who mailed a photocopy to Kelley Wood-Davis in 2001.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Julia Wood entry, Registration of deaths in the city of Allegheny, 1876-1907, volume 3: page 333, Allegheny County City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>McIlvain, Josephine. "Twelve Blocks: A Study of One Segment of Pittsburgh’s South Side, 1880-1915." <i>The Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine</i>, Volume 60, No. 4 (October 1977): 351-370.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Sheriff's Sales," notice of sale of debtor's property, <i>Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 22 May 1846, page 2; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 22 March 2018).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sidney, J.; J. Neff; S. McRea, <i>Map of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, with the names of property-holders : from actual surveys</i> (Philadelphia and Allegheny City: S. Moody, 1851); digital image, <i>Library of Congress</i> (http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3823a.la000699 : accessed 26 March 2018), viewed Lower Saint Clair Township and the area in which the land was located.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">St. Louis (City and County), Missouri, Inverted index, W 1804-1891: Year 1854, Negative search; FHL microfilm 8193896.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Work of the Grim reaper," <i>The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)</i>, 27 October 1888, page 4; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 March 2018).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wood, B.D. (St. Louis, Missouri) to Julia Ann Wood, telegram, 10 May 1854; privately held by Kelley Wood-Davis. Norwalk, Iowa, 2016. transcribed copy of a telegram. Telegram sent to Percy A. Wood in 1903 by Harry W. Wood, grandson of B.D. Wood. Transcription date and creator unknown. Photocopy of transcription was mailed by Martha Wood Scudder to Kelley Wood-Davis in 2001.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wood, J. H.; T. R. Wood; P. A. Wood; and G. E. Wood. <i>History and Genealogy of the Descendants of Abinah Wood and Susannah Humphreys</i>. Andover, Ohio: Press of the Citizen, 1903.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wood, William Walker. grandfather of Percy A. Wood, not recorded, statement by Percy A. Wood, no date recorded; transcribed copy of statement made by W. W. Wood regarding the disappearance of his brother, Burris D. Wood, privately held by Kelley Wood-Davis, Norwalk, Iowa, 2016. Transcribed by Florence Wood Wolcott and copied by Martha Wood Scudder, who mailed a photocopy of transcription to Kelley Wood-Davis in 2001.</span><br />
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<br />Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-85824535517610532822020-03-09T08:49:00.002-07:002020-03-09T08:49:26.331-07:00The Story of William John VautierMy maternal grandfather's maternal grandfather was a wonderful character, and one of my few great-great-grandparents of whom I have several photographs, thanks to different cousins. He also has one of the most detailed reports of anyone in my family, due in part to persistence and multiple sources (like Philadelphia city directories and a very complete Civil War Pension file!) This is his story.<br />
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The story of William John Vautier starts in Passyunk Township, where his father, Peter Vautier of the <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-vautiers-truck-farmers-of.html" target="_blank">truck farming Vautiers </a>had a farm. Passyunk Township became a part of Philadelphia in 1854, but William's story begins before that. Though documents claiming his birth took place in Philadelphia aren't entirely inaccurate (given the consolidation of 1854), he wasn't actually born in the city.<br />
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William was born 28 March 1840, as the fourth of Peter Vautier and Sarah Young's six children, on the farm the family had in Passyunk Township. He spent his childhood attending the local school and also the Baptist church, for though his parents had married in an Evangelical Lutheran church in Philadelphia (and had baptized his two elder siblings there), there were none in the area they settled.<br />
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On 28 November 1860, William's father passed away and the family had to support themselves without him. Sarah became a huskster, a traveling saleswoman of groceries to support her family (and appeared to do very well indeed), and William was a gardener, most likely on one of his uncles' farms. However, this was also the time of the growing hostilities between the Northern and Southern states, and as a young man, William felt the call to enlist in the Civil War.<br />
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On 20 August 1862, William enlisted in the Union Army, and was sworn into Company E of the 29th Pennsylvania Volunteers by Lt. Setford. His older brother, Charles, also enlisted three days after him and was put into the same company. The captain of their company was Captain Syke Buemont. (Younger brother John D. Vautier also enlisted at the age of 17 and wrote a few works about his time in the Civil War.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP_vbHDg94Cm2jARuLaFFrXSoMf1ZRdS9AaR-Zw2iw8qmCZ-kFROTzARFqGeBAg4NN0_WBT4nqnDqStjPTW0v4fTMUWkb6GwYlnMhtYm06c7dPitf0XVag7vbKl2OgOn2M3eK2dwsLmI/s1600/Wm+J+Vautier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="779" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP_vbHDg94Cm2jARuLaFFrXSoMf1ZRdS9AaR-Zw2iw8qmCZ-kFROTzARFqGeBAg4NN0_WBT4nqnDqStjPTW0v4fTMUWkb6GwYlnMhtYm06c7dPitf0XVag7vbKl2OgOn2M3eK2dwsLmI/s320/Wm+J+Vautier.JPG" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William J. Vautier in his Civil War uniform. Photo in the personal collection of the blogger</td></tr>
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Though it cannot be proven with documents yet, William likely saw some sort of action in the battles of Chancellorsburg, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Ringgold, Lookout Mountain, and was probably part of the siege in Atlanta, and was likely held in provost for Antietam. He was with the regiment when they were granted a furlough in late December 1863 until early February 1864 and did come home to Philadelphia for that furlough. This furlough was granted after three-fourths of the regiment reenlisted (including William) on 10 December 1863.<br />
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On 8 December 1864, he was on detached duty as a drug clerk at Hospital 16 in Nashville, Tennessee. While William was watching a procession of colored soldiers walking down the street who were shooting wild salutes, a pistol was fired from an unknown person in the procession and the bullet lodged in William's left arm. The ball was never removed and as a result of the injury, William was unable to fully open or close his middle, ring and pinky finger on his left hand. He was honorably discharged from duty as a soldier in the Union Army on 11 May 1865 in Nashville, Tennessee and came back to his life in Philadelphia.<br />
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On 30 December 1868, he was a witness in the trial of George S. Twitchell Jr., who was charged with murdering his mother-in-law, Mrs. M. E. Hill. William had been asked to help search the property after the fact and testified to his negative search of the privy of Hill house. At the time, he was employed by George Shisler, the son-in-law of his maternal uncle John Young. William was still living with them in 1870 when the family was enumerated on Rope Ferry Road in the 26th ward of Philadelphia, though he was erroneously listed as being 35 years of age, when in reality he was only 30. The family lived on what was known as the Girard homestead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr1MNkS8ZHWZoATJPj5FitY9uiN_QnYEy_v2jBLsSeea6nIUvxofvWaeOLRoPpy3QqEkctkluVdUHWVz6VmHNYK6xGV1r8eoulf81uFajS3SOZESVwlkmtjz1F-dkchCIimyPvbCBKjU/s1600/williamjvautier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="373" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr1MNkS8ZHWZoATJPj5FitY9uiN_QnYEy_v2jBLsSeea6nIUvxofvWaeOLRoPpy3QqEkctkluVdUHWVz6VmHNYK6xGV1r8eoulf81uFajS3SOZESVwlkmtjz1F-dkchCIimyPvbCBKjU/s320/williamjvautier.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William J. Vautier as a middle-aged man, date of photo unknown. Photo in personal collection of the blogger.</td></tr>
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On 7 September 1871, William married Catherine Elizabeth Miller at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Trinity. The church is still located on the corner of Wolf and Eighteenth Streets in Philadelphia, and was just up the street from the Girard Homestead. The couple was joined in marriage by Rev. S.A.K. Francis.<br />
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Catherine, or Kate as she was known, was the eldest child of Jacob Miller and Helen DeForest Maurice Sheets. She was born 7 September 1851 in Philadelphia. Kate's father was also a prominent farmer, but it is not known how the couple met.<br />
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The couple spent the first few years of their marriage living in the southern end of Philadelphia, as their first few children were all born in what is now the South Philadelphia neighborhood of Philly. William worked a series of jobs while living here. He worked as a chandelier maker for a year, went back to work as a gardener, was a general laborer and a teamster at times and then was employed as a grocer.<br />
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The couple's eldest daughter, Helen Mary, was born on 19 July 1872 at 1111 Mifflin Street and was baptized at the same church her parents were married at nearly six months later. Daughter Sarah Miller was born June 1874. Her place of birth was listed as the Women's Hospital, but that hospital did do births as outpatients as well, so it is not certain if she was born at home or the hospital. Son Jacob Miller was born 15 October 1875 at 1810 South Twelfth Street. (Sarah and Jacob were also baptized at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Trinity.) Son William John was born 3 October 1877 on League Island (he died a little over a year later at 1119 Moore Street). It is not known where in the city daughter Miriam Crosby was born on 1 December 1878 because she mysteriously is the only one of the eleven children whose birth registration cannot be found. Son Ellerslie Wallace was the last child to be born in south Philadelphia, as he was born 4 January 1881 at 1728 Passyunk Road. <br />
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The family moved to the Harrowgate neighborhood shortly after Ellerlie's birth. The family moved to a home on Harrowgate Lane near Emerald Street. It was here that daughter Julia Ann was born 10 October 1884, son Ellerslie died on 31 August 1883 and son Daniel Miller was born 14 December 1884. During this time, William was listed in the city directories as a butcher and dealer, liking dealing in groceries and the wares left over from the butchering process.<br />
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The house they lived in became officially 3546 Emerald Street, and this residence was listed as the place of birth for the final three children born to William and Catherine. Ann Grubb was born here 17 September 1877, Laura Elizabeth was born 13 September 1890 and James Wilson, the youngest child, was born here 18 February 1893. The family lived here for thirteen years. However, for about a year (1888-1889), William's address on certain documents from his pension file was listed as 526 Stephen Street in Camden, New Jersey. Evidence suggests that William lived in Camden while the family continued to reside in the Harrowgate neighborhood at the Emerald Street address. Perhaps he moved to Camden to get a better doctor to examine him for a pension increase.<br />
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As a result of the wound he received during his stint in the Civil War, William was put on a disability pension for the rest of his life, since even though he could hold down a job, he wasn't able to work the more manual jobs for too long due to his injured hand and arm. His original pension was $4 per month, which he started receiving in April of 1873. However, in 1879 he was awarded an arrears of pension in the amount of $381.87 from 1865 until 1873. Over the course of the rest of his lifetime, he made several requests for an increase in pension. He applied for increase in 1885 and was denied. He again applied in 1888 and was approved for a increase to $6 per month commencing 24 July 1889 (this coincided with his move to Camden, which suggests he may have made the move because the doctors on the examining board in Camden may have been more favorable to increasing his pension than the doctors in Philadelphia). In May of 1891 he applied for another increase to his pension and was approved for an increase to $8 per month commencing 9 March 1891. In 1907, he applied for another increase in pension, and was granted $12 per month 25 March 1907. He again applied in 1910 for an increase and on 31 March 1910 his rate was raised to $15 per month. It was ultimately raised to $24 per month starting 22 May 1912 and ending upon his death. After his death, his wife applied for a widow's pension and received it.<br />
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Also because of his service in the Civil War, he joined the Grand Army of the Republic and was a member of Post 71, General John F. Reynolds in Philadelphia. <br />
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Anyway, back to Philadelphia in 1894.... this was the year that William and family made the move from Harrowgate to a rented home at 3169 Belgrade Street in the Port Richmond neighborhood. This neighborhood was the final move for William J. Vautier, though he lived in two different houses on this street. For four years they lived at 3169 Belgrade before moving down the street to 3183 Belgrade Street. The lot the home was on was owned for at least part of the time by one William Allen, and the family rented the home. It was a row house, as were many houses in the neighborhood (and still are, though the current homes on the street were built in 1920).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPSMlRcyWG7CkcKDNJ1Rbme3xGMDBrD8NRNpVW_k8i5Lniltfu90JEU7ZeHmrC0SkpEPCP19Hsjj8DVCRyQvh6RJiy4whUQ2Pl5xnna6FcNvAOzSmkR3YHDGorNpAhwiwTH9eQL-ov5c/s1600/vautierfam1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="445" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPSMlRcyWG7CkcKDNJ1Rbme3xGMDBrD8NRNpVW_k8i5Lniltfu90JEU7ZeHmrC0SkpEPCP19Hsjj8DVCRyQvh6RJiy4whUQ2Pl5xnna6FcNvAOzSmkR3YHDGorNpAhwiwTH9eQL-ov5c/s320/vautierfam1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI1hdoNqhxQ8bhXi6URJ4uACw94yK_JoCqrbjG58ZF-HioeBaB-5aIPchuFlQq81nog7tr8m-i2E6n8ZP5c3cak8cq6hVJKKq2DAq38iMp2rs3iLpaF-UAsNZqjvYtma8r7Ybg-IEfe0/s1600/willjvautsfam1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="825" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI1hdoNqhxQ8bhXi6URJ4uACw94yK_JoCqrbjG58ZF-HioeBaB-5aIPchuFlQq81nog7tr8m-i2E6n8ZP5c3cak8cq6hVJKKq2DAq38iMp2rs3iLpaF-UAsNZqjvYtma8r7Ybg-IEfe0/s320/willjvautsfam1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two photographs of the William J. and Catherine E. Vautier family, both taken in the yard of the Belgrade addresses. Photos in the personal collection of the blogger (I can identify most everyone in both photos if you would like me to... drop me a line)</td></tr>
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The family lived in the same block as did the <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/01/notable-woman-marie-elizabeth-hans.html" target="_blank">Elizabeth Hans Waldspurger</a> family at this time, and it is assumed that this was how William's daughter Julia met Elizabeth's son Edward, or how the Waldspurger family came to live on the same block (as son Edward may have let his mother know a home was for rent or purchase on the street after having met the Vautiers). In any case, the two families joined as one in my genealogy in the marriage of Julia Ann Vautier to Edward Charles Waldspurger in 1901.<br />
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William worked as a janitor while living in the Port Richmond neighborhood, and according to family stories, at least part of that time was spent as a janitor at the local school. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjXM0b3UOjyM8u1P2vF5CeGN9PcMTftFtFepnSEklPz-mVc7V6MfgCMGFKjJ2Dz-_22TjfS7KPxb63MoMt6pAMJi2lL_Wd8e904Ga-vb4ShrBc0kukEg8oelwvkMxQqwuKmKzGzlIJm8/s1600/Glass+Great+Grandfather+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjXM0b3UOjyM8u1P2vF5CeGN9PcMTftFtFepnSEklPz-mVc7V6MfgCMGFKjJ2Dz-_22TjfS7KPxb63MoMt6pAMJi2lL_Wd8e904Ga-vb4ShrBc0kukEg8oelwvkMxQqwuKmKzGzlIJm8/s320/Glass+Great+Grandfather+A.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William J. Vautier, circa 1910, in the backyard of his Belgrade home in Philadelphia. Photo in the personal collection of the blogger.</td></tr>
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On 18 February 1913, William John Vautier died at the rented home on 3183 Belgrade Street. The cause of death on his certificate was listed as apoplexy. Apoplexy was the term used at that time for a stroke, which is what William very likely died from. The physician attending to his death was W.R. Knight. He was buried two days later at North Cedar Hill Cemetery after a funeral at home. He was buried in section W-6. His grave was unmarked until 1938, when his daughter in law, Flora Bardsley Vautier, applied for a headstone from the Veteran's Administration. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-dNJGnySC9fQdW4y3QmCPNQVtRd1BOhTbGpOptjr1RdgOo2LCCndOx8tehj2K6Wa5Co2yBj08Mc8-HISbyln_OB-E07VHMWyO5Aa3eCkGsib61O6eBsrN1UzJOH7wa59tMXV7SpUfzg/s1600/William+J+Vautier+headstone+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="352" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-dNJGnySC9fQdW4y3QmCPNQVtRd1BOhTbGpOptjr1RdgOo2LCCndOx8tehj2K6Wa5Co2yBj08Mc8-HISbyln_OB-E07VHMWyO5Aa3eCkGsib61O6eBsrN1UzJOH7wa59tMXV7SpUfzg/s320/William+J+Vautier+headstone+2017.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William J. Vautier's headstone. Photo taken August 2017 at North Cedar Hill Cemetery by the blogger.</td></tr>
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In October of 1913, the lot upon which the family lived was sold to Theresa Crosson for $1400, and Catherine moved out. It is not known where she moved to, but it is likely her sons helped to support her and their sisters, as social convention dictated. The family moved to various addresses on Almond Street in the Port Richmond neighborhood, if following Daniel and James Wilson in the city directories, and by 1919, Catherine was living at 3192 Almond Street. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzAzaOUFgAldjSIeVaizrWx-_6_wzBGRrgT8Og4XRCHPVNjAJccdjLIng3NAyk410BMCgpzghcXAuOC4ihOwkTMtXUx0ez8gl0pZ554ajap7Rz9HfMXKzpUfbq1nZ-ubTuXaIlDa8Ni4/s1600/Belgrade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzAzaOUFgAldjSIeVaizrWx-_6_wzBGRrgT8Og4XRCHPVNjAJccdjLIng3NAyk410BMCgpzghcXAuOC4ihOwkTMtXUx0ez8gl0pZ554ajap7Rz9HfMXKzpUfbq1nZ-ubTuXaIlDa8Ni4/s320/Belgrade.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belgrade Street as it looked in August 2017. While the houses were built in 1920, they are of similar style to the ones that were there. I took a walk in the neighborhood in 2017 to see where my family lived, and shot this photo among others.</td></tr>
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It was here at 3192 Almond Street that Catherine passed away 4 February 1919 from sarcoma of the stomach. The cancer that took Catherine's life was detected first on 1 July 1918, and from 5 July 1918 until her death, she was attended to by Doctor Rolla L. Smith of 2987 Richmond Street in Philadelphia. Her daughter Ann was her primary caretaker and nurse. Her youngest child, James Wilson Vautier, was overseas fighting in World War One when his mother passed, and the rest of his siblings chose to not tell him she had died until he returned home two months later.<br />
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After a funeral at her home, Catherine was buried next to her husband in North Cedar Hill Cemetery, although to this day, no headstone marks her final resting place.<br />
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Son Daniel died in 1937 as a civilian worker aboard the<a href="https://hubpages.com/education/Boiled-alive-The-1937-explosion-aboard-the-USS-Cassin" target="_blank"> U.S.S. Cassin when a steam explosion caused him and several others to be boiled alive</a>.<br />
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<b>Sources Used:</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2016), Entry for Peter Voutier and family, Year: 1850, Census Place: Passyunk Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_820, Page: 63A, and Image: 134; citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2016), Entry for Peter Vautier and family, Year: 1860, Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 1 Division 1 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1151, Page: 52, Image: 56, and Family History Library Film: 805151; citing 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 February 2019), Entry for John L. Young and household, Year: 1870, Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 26 District 88 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1414, Page: 595B, and Family History Library Film: 552913; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1890 Veterans Schedules," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 October 2016), Entry for William Vautier, Year: 1890, Census Place: Philadelphia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: 80, Pages: 1-2, and Enumeration District: 569; citing Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M123, 118 rolls); Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2016), Entry for William Gauitier and family (as indexed in database), Year: 1900, Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 25 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1467, Page: 8B, Enumeration District: 0587, and FHL microfilm: 1241467; 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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2016), Entry for William J Vautier and family, Year: 1910, Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 25 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1398, Page: 15A, 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.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">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., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2016), Entry for Wm. J. Vautier and family, Year: 1880, Census Place: Philadelphia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1185, Family History Film: 1255185, Page: 430A, Enumeration District: 545, and Image: 0129; 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.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Anna C. Wueteun entry, Birth Registers 1860-1903, "Births Registered during 1887 Jan-Dec." reel 41: page 108, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bates, Samuel P. <i>History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865: prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature</i>, 5 Volumes (Harrisburg: B. Singerly, State Printer, 1869), Volume One; Page 520; "Vautier, Wm. J., Private, Mustered in Aug. 20, '62, 3 years, discharged by General Order, May 23, 1865".</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images, <i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 30 September 2016). Various years and entries for William J. Vautier and family (for complete listing of entries, contact the blogger)</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Daniel Vautier entry, Return of Births in the City of Philadelphia 1860-1903, fn 6432: Month of December, 1884 returns for J. Howard Evans, M.D., Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Died," death notices, <i>The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 19 February 1913, page 7, entry for William J. Vautier; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 October 2016).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Died," death notice, <i>The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 6 February 1919, page 18, entry for Catherine M. Vautier; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 13 October 2016).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">E. Wallace Vautine entry, Birth Registers 1860-1903, book 1877, reel 35: page 54, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Hellen Vautier entry, Return of Births in the City of Philadelphia 1860-1903, Doctors' Returns: Birth Returns for 1 June 1872 to 1 July 1872 for Wm Patterson M.D., Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Historical Data Systems, comp., "U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865," database online, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 October 2016), Entry for William J Vautier; Enlisted 20 Aug 1862 as a Private in Company E, Pennsylvania 29th Infantry Regiment on 20 Aug 1862; Mustered out on 03 Jun 1865; citing data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA; Source: History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Jacob Votere entry, Birth Registers 1860-1903, book 1875: page 16, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jas W. Vautier entry, Birth Registers 1860-1903, book 1893: page 76, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Julia A. Vautier entry, Birth Registers 1860-1903, book 1882-1883: page 216, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Julia Ann Waldspurger wife of Edward Charles Waldspurger SSN 715-14-8640 application of wife for spouse's annuity, 1952; Railroad Retirement Board Inactive Claim Folders, RG 184; National Archives and Records Administration - Atlanta, Morrow, GA. Father's full name William John Vautier.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kropp, Sonny. <i>A White Star On My Cap by William J. Vautier</i> (N.p.: Sonny Kropp, 1983).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Laura Elizabeth (Vautier) entry, Return of Births in the City of Philadelphia 1860-1903, Doctor's Returns: Return of Births September 1890 for Mary Leichsenring, midwife, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Local Intelligence: The Hill Murder," <i>The Evening Telegraph (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 30 December 1868, page 1. "William J. Vautier sworn - I am employed by Mr. Shissler; the privy at Mrs. Hill's house was searched by me, and nothing was found."; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 11 June 2017).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Mother, Awaiting Son, Dies: Young Philadelphia, Anticipating Reunion, Not Told of Death," <i>Eveninig Public Ledger (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 8 April 1919, page 6; online images, <i>Chronicling America</i> (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 13 October 2016), Historic American Newspapers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">National Archives and Records Administration, "U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 October 2016), Entry for William Vautier and widow Catherine Vautier; Roll number T288_488; Invalid application number 183354, certificate number 124364; Widow's application number 1006154, certificate number 761815; filed in Pennsylvania; citing "General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934". Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T288, 546 rolls.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Obituary notes," obituary, <i>Harrisburg Daily Independent (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)</i>, 19 February 1913, page 10; online archives, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 October 2016).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Civil War Muster Rolls, 1860-1869," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 October 2016), Entry for William J. Vautier; Enlistment date 20 Aug 1862; Private Co. E, 29th Pennsylvania; citing Pennsylvania (State). Civil War Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1861–1866. Records of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, Record Group 19, Series 19.11 (153 cartons). Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 October 2016), Entry for Catherine Voutier, died 4 Feb 1919, cn 16521; 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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966," database online with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 October 2016), Entry for William J Vautier; date of death 18 Feb 1913; certificate number 22400; 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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (www.familysearch.org : accessed 8 October 2016), William Vautier, 25 Mar 1879; FHL microfilm 2,031,099; (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDVB-KYP); citing Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Pension Certificates Issued," <i>The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)</i>, 6 March 1892, page 8; "Washington, March 4. - Pension certificates have been issued as follows: Issue of February 19, 1892.....Pennsylvania - Originial...... William Vautier"; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 October 2016).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pension File Claim for William Vautier Private Co E 29 Pa. Vols, pension number 183354; Photocopies provided by NARA in the pension file for William Vautier; 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., Filed with the Adjunant General's Offie 9 August 1865. (For complete listing of documents, contact the blogger)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sarah Vautier entry, Birth Registers 1860-1903, book 1874, reel 30: page 71, Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Schanes, Nancy. Family Group Sheet of Peter Vautier and Sarah Young, Vautier Collection; supplied by Schanes, [<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">address for private use</span>], Wilmington, Delaware, September 1988; Information obtained via Civil War Pension Records, Pennsylvania Census Records (1850 and 1880), the diary of John Vautier, Notes from Jill Vautier Miller, and records from St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Photocopy sent by Schanes to Kelley Wood-Davis in 2002.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963," online database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 October 2016), Entry for William Vautier, died 18 Feb 1913; citing <i>Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941</i>. Microfilm publication M1916, 134 rolls. ARC ID: 596118. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, Record Group 92. National Archives at Washington, D.C; <i>Applications for Headstones, compiled 01/01/1925 - 06/30/1970, documenting the period ca. 1776 - 1970</i>, ARC: 596118. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985, Record Group 92. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Vautier, John D. <i>The Personal Diary of John D. Vautier</i>, transcribed copy (n.p., n.d.), ; online transcription, Robert Weaver and Phyllis Weaver Bickley, <i>WikiTree</i> (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Vautier-28 : accessed 12 February 2019.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Widow Pension for Catherine M Vautier, widow of William Vautier, private, Co. E, 29th Pennsylvania Inf. Certificate number 761815, approved 21 June 1913; Photocopies provided by NARA in the pension file for William Vautier; 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. (for complete listing of documents, contact the blogger)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">William Vautier entry, Return of Births in the City of Philadelphia 1860-1903, Doctors' Returns: Birth Returns for November 1877 for W.J. Patterson, M.D., Philadelphia City Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</span></div>
Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-713079619899921912020-03-02T07:03:00.000-08:002020-03-02T07:32:59.171-08:00How to "Genealogy"Lots of people have stopped and asked me how did I get started in this fun world of blog writing about my ancestry and historical events in general..... It sort of evolved from the stuff I have collected all of the years,<br />
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I have always been interested in history, a trait I probably picked up from my dad, who is an avid war history buff (though he does like history in general as well). In my research, I have come to find out his dad was an officer in the history club at his high school, so hey, I know it's at least inherited! But my mom also loved hearing family stories and to this day loves telling me about her own family memories, so I get the trait from both sides.<br />
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It helps that I am still very much the type for whom research is fun. I love the thrill of being immersed in words and documents. I also love reading, as I grew up immersed in a world of books (thanks to both Mom and Dad).<br />
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Anyway, I digress.<br />
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I should probably start with my own genealogy journey first.....<br />
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<b>My Journey</b><br />
In May of 1999, my mom's mother, my grandmother <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2017/01/rediscovering-grandmother.html" target="_blank">Jean Cox Waldspurger</a>, passed away. I was a senior in high school at the time, so while I didn't fly back for the funeral with my parents, my mom brought me a copy of a small family tree her cousin Pat had created. Pat also was into history, and loved the family tree stuff, and her family tree sparked something in me. Since I always loved history, and took every history class at the high school I could take, it was just a natural progression for me to start filling in the blanks on the tree with what information I could find.<br />
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That was nearly 21 years ago.....<br />
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I made plenty of mistakes in the beginning. I collected a great deal of information, but one huge thing I didn't do was cite my sources. The researcher in me was even in college at the time, and learning all about MLA and APA and Chicago/Turabian style citations due to the nature of my degree, but I didn't record where I got the information on a death date for my great-grandmother.... or the distant cousin on the tree. So when others asked me where I found the information, I wasn't able to tell them. And when my information was challenged in light of new information, I wasn't able to prove anything. In fact, one whole branch of my original tree has been erased in light of the fact that I had name collected (I just added names and dates without checking first if they were accurate or "mine"), and the name collection information was entirely inaccurate.<br />
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I also put blinders on. I would collect names and then birth, marriage and death dates, but really nothing more, which made for a boring read at times.<br />
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About 15 years ago, I started to change my thinking about how I do genealogy. I got serious about redoing my entire line, starting at my parents and working my way backwards. As I did this, I only focused on my own ancestors, not on any of their children or siblings, so I know now I missed a great deal of information, but the information I did collect was useful, and cited properly.<br />
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At the end of 2015, the family tree software program I was using on my personal computer, Family Tree Maker, was discontinued by Ancestry.com. While later the software was picked up by another company, I decided to jump ship with FTM (at this point I also removed my vast trees from their site as well), which I had been using in its various forms since 1999, and go with a new genealogy program (RootsMagic7 for those who are interested). Making the switch threw all of my sources into disarray, as it converted them into weird formats (which likely meant I didn't format correctly when switching). This actually was a blessing in disguise, which I will get to in a minute.<br />
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Also around that time, I decided to get very serious about making sure sources were cited in the "correct" format, meaning the way any professional genealogist would do it (I am not advocating that everyone do it this way though. I tell others that they should "do you" when citing stuff. This way just works best for the perfectionist in me.) So I started to re-do ALL of my research once more. merging sources from the old program into the newly created and updated (and correct) sources in the new program and going through each of my ancestors, their children and their siblings and redoing EVERYTHING on them as well as adding new information.<br />
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I now track just about anything I can about my ancestors... where they lived and worked, how they were described on certain documents, what property they owned, what illnesses they were reported having, etc. etc. etc. For my <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/p/the-hangmans-ropemaker-project.html" target="_blank">Hangman Ropemaking ancestor Jacob Bupp</a>, it means also that EVERY rope he made has its own event, each with the sources I referenced in his series.<br />
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It is a great deal of work, but when it comes to families such as my Woods, where there are FOUR Burris Doudney Woods, or my Vautiers, where there are various William Vautiers (among other repeated names), this kind of thing helps me track exactly which Burris Doudney Wood or William Vautier I am looking at when I find a record, because I not only have name and dates of vital information, but also where they were known to live and what occupation they may have done (also likely nicknames for them as well). The information sheets I send to family members often overwhelms them, but I like to make sure I have documented everything (plus it helps me out when writing these blogs when I have a timeline to follow on my program). I have uploaded the aforementioned <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xc1ShTV7JYE8xdnQzZeA45QRHrUIoXiI/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Jacob Bupp's Individual Summary that can be viewed here</a> for those interested in the kind of detail I try to get.<br />
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It's been four and a half years since I made the switch, and I am still working on this kind of in-depth research. Remember when I said the messing up of my sources was a blessing in disguise? It now helps me figure out what branches of my tree haven't been updated and verified with the newest information. Some of those branches I may never get to (a number of them are collateral lines.... lines that married into mine or distant cousins that I was merely name collecting in the beginning). While some are important, others are not as important to me, and will likely remain on the back burner indefinitely. It's not that I don't ever want to make sure they are "correct," it's just merely the fact that this is a side hobby for me, not my main job (I still have two!), so I don't have all the time in the world, especially in this ever increasing digitization of records, as more information to help genealogy keeps coming online. I am still finding out all I can about the FANs of my own ancestors.<br />
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About three years ago, I started to write little stories about each ancestor for my family members. My dear husband suggested I start sharing them with the world, and so this blog was reborn. I like writing about the different journeys my ancestors have taken, and finding out all I can about the places they lived and the social issues of their day.... it helps to breathe life into them in a way I never could have imagined 21 years ago!<br />
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<b>How To "Genealogy"</b><br />
I get told by people they wish they could do what I do.... but they don't know where to start.<br />
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Start by writing down what you know, then asking questions of living relatives. I do a great deal of interviewing of people, via email or phone calls or even face to face conversations. I write stuff down, or print out emails, and yes, I do use them as sources too. Find a genealogy program you would like to use - there are free ones out there as well as ones to purchase - or just write stuff down on paper. I still have the early trees my mom and I made for our lines back in 2000.<br />
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Then take to the internet. I do use Ancestry.com a great deal, as I have an ongoing subscription (note, this is not a plug for their services - I am not receiving compensation from them!) but I also use <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/en/" target="_blank">FamilySearch</a> (where I recommend people actually start since it is free and there is a great deal of information here) as well as local history societies and library resources for where ever I am researching. West Virginia has a vast collection on their <a href="http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/" target="_blank">Archives and History</a> site and my own local library has a <a href="https://norwalk.biblionix.com/catalog/?st=414998AC562D9D2BF8AC132317783E1D" target="_blank">collection of local history books</a> in their genealogy section that I use heavily while working on my church history. Other sites that have been useful to me are <a href="https://www.findmypast.com/" target="_blank">FindMyPast</a>, Fold3, and Newspapers.com (the latter two being part of my Ancestry subscription)<br />
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Also, search engines are great tools to look for other resources. I tend to do that a lot to find the more obscure stuff or when I am moving my research from one location to the next, especially the books that are being digitized on sites like <a href="https://books.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Books</a>, <a href="https://www.hathitrust.org/" target="_blank">Haithi Trust </a>and <a href="https://archive.org/" target="_blank">Internet Archive</a>. Google is my primary search engine, and I also use it often to define word for me while researching, look up places (I recently wanted to know what county in Kansas a certain city was) so I can fill them in better, and even search "How to use" guides for certain websites. FamilySearch's <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Main_Page" target="_blank">Wiki</a> is also very useful for finding just about anything on genealogy.<br />
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Like I said before, just because I am VERY precise with my citations doesn't mean that everyone has to be. Some in the online communities I belong to use simpler sources (finding what works for them), but they do cite where they got information from. This is a good idea because it can help you keep track of where you got information from already. There are "how to" guides for this as well (<a href="https://www.evidenceexplained.com/" target="_blank">Evidence Explained</a> is the one I use, but there are many different guides out there). Citing information also helps because if you are challenged about research (I have had cousins argue with me over things in my research) you can then go back and actually find the records that help prove your research to be correct inasmuch as you know it to be.<br />
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Don't overlook the old fashioned pen and paper research. I planned a trip to Philadelphia almost three years ago just to get to THREE different archival repositories since they had records that weren't online (but the indexes were). After requesting information in person, I paid for copies of that information, and it helped out a great deal.<br />
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A tip I tell people is get creative when searching for documents and learn to accept that the way your name is spelled now may not have been the way it always was spelled. For years I was told my maiden name of Wood NEVER had an "S' on the end of it. While that is very true in the era of standardized spellings for surnames because of Social Security and birth certificates and the like, it wasn't always the case. Before the 20th century my ancestors tended to flip flop between Wood and Woods, once even in consecutive documents.<br />
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Don't insist a name HAS to be spelled a certain way. Often, remember that a number of sites use volunteers to index things, so names might not be spelled correctly in the index because the volunteer reads something different. A number of my Vautier relatives are indexed Vantier because the cursive U looks like a cursive N. I found my great-great-uncle Jesse Sperry's death record by searching for just his death date, which I had, and discovered he had been indexed as "Jennie Spring" because that was what the volunteer read (I have since submitted a correction), so try date instead of name, or broaden your search by other means.<br />
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Each family has a different journey, and finding information to document that journey can be a fun task, if you love to research....<br />
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I am more than willing to help others in their journey, if anyone ever needs help. Whether it's offering guidance with how to find materials, being another set of eyes to comb through a resource, or just offering some support or encouragement, I can help.<br />
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I've often been asked why I don't do this professionally. I merely state that this is a fun hobby for me, but not something I would want to be paid full time to do. I am happiest doing this when I don't have looming deadlines over me (because I am a bit of a procrastinator when I can be), and I have other pursuits that I enjoy doing as well, so while on occasion I do research on friends' lines for a bit of compensation, I can't ever see myself doing this on a full time basis.Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-90190742597362882672020-02-26T14:31:00.002-08:002021-01-13T07:20:43.829-08:00Chasing the Elusive: Marcus FieldingI 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).<br />
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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.<br />
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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!<br />
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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?<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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).<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Here is what I can't find for him:<br />
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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.<br />
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A record for his first marriage (which had to have happened after 1920).<br />
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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.<br />
<br />
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?<br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
<b>Sources Used</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1920 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>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., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"California, County Marriages, 1850-1952," database online with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"California, Death Index, 1940-1997," index online, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Divorces Filed," <i>The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California)</i>, 6 January 1940, page 15; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 26 February 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"Divorces Granted," <i>The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California)</i>, 8 February 1940, page 37; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 26 February 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Intention to Marry," <i>The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California)</i>, 21 November 1939, page 15; online images, <i>Newspapers.com</i> (www.newspapers.com : accessed 26 February 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," database, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<br />Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97170245740670180.post-10909689953544876922020-02-19T06:53:00.000-08:002020-02-19T06:57:45.999-08:00Stocking Making: A Family IndustryThe 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.<br />
<br />
<b>History of Stocking-Making</b><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<b>First Generation</b><br />
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, <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2019/03/alsace-is-it-german-or-french.html" target="_blank">Alsace was part of the German Empire</a>, 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.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwNwHnbeKEP5l-bD3Fyi-Lq6n0oJ8sEk5UhAeFqPqkS5CZrdOvIMUxrL_q2Eo_XW8ptkTtWm3vqYbh_Edouc9DuCBqiHtkuwB5ZEToEEeOw5tOPuWpbyj3ykfliuBWzWeSccoem8CV-0/s1600/CircularLoom_Berthelot_IllustratedExhibitor1851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="614" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwNwHnbeKEP5l-bD3Fyi-Lq6n0oJ8sEk5UhAeFqPqkS5CZrdOvIMUxrL_q2Eo_XW8ptkTtWm3vqYbh_Edouc9DuCBqiHtkuwB5ZEToEEeOw5tOPuWpbyj3ykfliuBWzWeSccoem8CV-0/s320/CircularLoom_Berthelot_IllustratedExhibitor1851.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Loom likely used by François Waldspurger. Found in <u>The illustrated exhibitor: a tribute to the world's industrial jubilee</u> (London: John Cassel,1851) page 431. Source: <a href="https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/weltausstellung1851d/0485" target="_blank">Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, Heidelberger Historische Bestände digital</a> via Wikipedia Commons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Second Generation</b><br />
Florian Waldspurger, who was husband to <a href="https://piratesnaiad.blogspot.com/2020/01/notable-woman-marie-elizabeth-hans.html" target="_blank">Elizabeth Marie Hans</a>, 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 <span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">were forever changing to suit Philadelphia's current needs). </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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 <a href="https://hubpages.com/education/The-Hatfield-Train-Wreck-of-1900" target="_blank">Hatfield Train Wreck </a>took place.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Third Generation</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Fourth Generation</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqZ18Uj3vvGZxZu03OsTeDe8nqwGnNI8ZtZgl_SUj7iCOsXArFG2cbFpUYBroLrAJamj1ZUv6qqjKMvovZlGNEKwfWWUYFsJQC6IRDTGZ5D3imE5Ttkhn1kaTFS2eM-wYpL3urSDsXZI/s1600/stockingplantmachines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="730" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqZ18Uj3vvGZxZu03OsTeDe8nqwGnNI8ZtZgl_SUj7iCOsXArFG2cbFpUYBroLrAJamj1ZUv6qqjKMvovZlGNEKwfWWUYFsJQC6IRDTGZ5D3imE5Ttkhn1kaTFS2eM-wYpL3urSDsXZI/s320/stockingplantmachines.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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 </span></span>François just three generations prior.<br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEpew8-FWBOUeEZqcQGfVZq2s0-HsRP0YQzMbe6-UXZDafQKztQqbCARCWyl2GYQN7JZxE6v-jaDFImRWD8v5_fERo5djCW88GxWeLin8QQSWyDXNMyeN4oY5ovhzN8DsfkuZqC6-99E/s1600/erniewarpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="990" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEpew8-FWBOUeEZqcQGfVZq2s0-HsRP0YQzMbe6-UXZDafQKztQqbCARCWyl2GYQN7JZxE6v-jaDFImRWD8v5_fERo5djCW88GxWeLin8QQSWyDXNMyeN4oY5ovhzN8DsfkuZqC6-99E/s320/erniewarpic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ernest Waldspurger looking over a hosiery loom with his boss, circa 1940, probably at Elm Hosiery, North Wales. Personal collection of the blogger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It is possible that some of the descendants of </span>François Waldspurger <span style="color: #222222; white-space: pre-wrap;">even participated in the </span><a href="https://hsmcpa.org/index.php/component/k2/item/28-the-dexdale-hosiery-strike" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Dexdale Hosiery Strike of 1933</a><span style="color: #222222; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that took place in Cheltenham. Florian Waldspurger, son of Edward and great-grandson of </span>François<span style="color: #222222; white-space: pre-wrap;">, did work at Dexdale for a bit, though it is not known exactly when. (He later became a watch and jewelry repair man).</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Fifth Generation</b></span></span><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Sources Used</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"1930 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"1940 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., <i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A Leg To Stand On: A History Of Hosiery</i>
(https://www.wolfordshop.net/history.html : accessed 7 February 2020), history
of stockings.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bender, Alexa. "18th Century Stockings," website, <i>La Couturière Parisienne</i>
(http://www.marquise.de/en/1700/howto/struempfe.shtml: accessed 6 February
2020), explanation of stockings in the 18th century.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images,
<i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 4 September 2016), year 1887; page 1748;
"Walzbuler Flurion, laborer, h r 522 Poplar".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images,
<i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 4 September 2016), year 1889; page 1849;
"Waschberger Julian, tailor, h 1 r 522 Poplar".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
"City Directories for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," online database with images,
<i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 4 September 2016), year 1890; page 1899;
"Walzburger Lorian, tailor, h r 522 Poplar".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
Clendenin, Malcolm. "Building Industrial Philadelphia," (essay, 2009) digital
copy, <i>Preservation Alliance For Greater Philadelphia</i>,
(http://www.preservationalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/HCSIndustrial.pdf
: accessed 17 February 2020); 10.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: x-small; white-space: pre-wrap;">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.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
Cutlip, Kimbra. "How 75 Years Ago Nylon Stockings Changed the World,"
<i>Smithsonian Magazine</i>, 11 May 2015; online article, <i>Smithsonian
Magazine</i>
(https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-75-years-ago-nylon-stockings-changed-world-180955219/
: accessed 7 February 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil,"
online images, <i>Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin</i>
(http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August
2016), no. 4, Catherine Waltspurger; 20 Feb 1835; citing <i>Actes de Naissance
de la commune d' Dibolsheim, arrondissement Selestat, department du Bas Rhin,
1835</i>; listed as father.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil,"
online images, <i>Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin</i>
(http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 5
September 2016), no. 12, Florian Waldspurger and Maria Elizabeth Hans, 1877;
citing <i>citing Actes de Mariage de la Commune Erstein, Arrondissment de
Selestat, Department du Bas Rhin, 1877, [annexion allemande]</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, <i>Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin</i> (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August 2016), Number 43, Aloise Waldspurger, 1853; citing <i>Registre de Naissances 1853, Arrondissment de Selestat, Commune d' Erstein</i>; listed as father.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil,"
online images, <i>Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin</i>
(http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August
2016), Number 54, Marianne Waldsburger, 1840; citing <i>Actes de Naissance pour
1840, Arrondissement de Schelestadt, Commune de Erstein.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, <i>Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin</i> (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 5 September 2016), no. 76, Eduard Waldspurger, 1877; citing <i> Actes de Naissances de la Commune Erstein, Arrondissment de Selestat, Department du Bas Rhin, 1877, [annexion allemande]</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i>
Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil,"
online images, <i>Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin</i>
(http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 30 August
2016), Number 102, Martin Waldspurger, 1849; citing <i>Actes de Naissance pour
1849, Arrondissement de Schelestadt, Commune de Erstein</i>; listed as father.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Departemental Bas Rhin, "Registres paroissiaux et documents d' etat civil," online images, <i>Archives Departementales Du Bas Rhin</i> (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/rechercher/documents-numerises/: accessed 5 September 2016), no. 127, Eugene Waldspurger, 1878; citing <i> Actes de Naissances de la Commune Erstein, Arrondissment de Selestat, Department du Bas Rhin, 1878, [annexion allemande]</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Felkin, William. <i>A History of the Machine-wrought Hosiery and Lace Manufactures</i> (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1867), 542-550; online images, <i>Google Books</i>(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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"History of Hosiery," article, <i>Vienne Milano</i>
(https://www.viennemilano.com/blog/pantyhose-and-tights-a-history-of-hosiery :
accessed 7 February 2020).</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">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).</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i>
Laskow, Sarah. "A Machine That Made Stockings Helped Kick Off the Industrial
Revolution," <i>Atlas Obscura</i>, 19 September 2017
(https://www.atlasobscura.com/ : accessed 6 February 2020).</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i>
Masciantonio, Robert. "In Kensington, Old Textile Mill To Be Revived With
Apartments," <i>Hidden City: Exploring Philadelphia's Urban Landscape</i>, 7 May
2019 (https://hiddencityphila.org/ : accessed 17 February 2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i>
McCarthy, Jack. "Silk and Silk Makers," <i>The Encyclopedia of Greater
Philadelphia</i>, 2018 (philadelphiaencyclopedia.org : accessed 17 February
2020).</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i>
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, <i>Archives
Départementales Du Bas-Rhin</i> (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr : accessed 31
August 2016); 7 M 359.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i>
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, <i>Archives
Départementales du Bas Rhin</i>
(http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/recensements-population : accessed 8 September
2016); 7 M 359.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i>
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, <i>Archives
Départementales du Bas Rhin</i>
(http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/recensements-population/ : accessed 8 September
2016); 7 M 359.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Scranton, Philip B. <i>Workshop of the World - Philadelphia</i>
(http://www.workshopoftheworld.com/ : accessed 17 February 2020), information on
the stocking and textile industry on Philadelphia.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images,
<i>Ancestry.com</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images,
<i>Ancestry.com</i> (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".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995," database online with images,
<i>Ancestry.com</i> (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".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Walter Licht Speaks on Philadelphia’s Textile Heritage," <i>Mural Arts
Philadelphia</i>, 5 August 2012 (www.muralarts.org/blog : accessed 17 February
2020).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, <i>Fold3</i> (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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, <i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for Florian Waldspurger; Serial Number T24, Order Number T10402.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, <i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for James Waldspurger; Serial Number S-92, Order Number S3224.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, <i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for Joseph Waldspurger; Serial Number 2036; Order Number 971.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b>"WWII Draft Registration Cards," database online with imades, <i>Fold3</i> (www.fold3.com : accessed 18 September 2016), Entry for William Florian Waldspurger; Serial Number T713; Order Number T11096.</span>Kelley Wood-Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542052140532773135noreply@blogger.com0