Using Census Records to Tell the Story of Walter Franklin Terry

One of my third great-grandfathers was Walter Franklin Terry. 
Walter was born on the 12th of October 1804, to Joshua Terry and Elizabeth Rowland Terry.
Walter married Eliza Ann Tooker.
Walter and Eliza had 10 children-6 boys and 4 girls; Walter, Albert, Gilbert, Edward, Elizabeth, Ira, Emily, Josephine, Amelia and Charles.

I thought I’d take a look at what else I could find out about Walter using Census records.

Before 1840 Walter would have only been a tally mark on his father Capt. Joshua Terry’s census records.

US Federal Census, July 1840, Town of SoutholdWalter Terry                                                                      my guesses of who is being counted in the family

• 1-Free White Persons - Males - Under 5                                         Edward (4 yo) 
• 2-Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9                                          Gilbert (8 yo) and Charles (9 yo)
• 2- Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14                                     Albert (11 yo) and Walter, Jr. (13 yo)
• 1-Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19                                      ? maybe a laborer
• 1-Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39                                       Walter, Sr. (36yo) father
• 1-Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69                                      ?  maybe Walter’s father Joshua (65 yo)
• 1-Free White Persons - Females - Under 5                                      Elizabeth (2 yo) 
• 1-Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39                                  Eliza (31 yo) mother
• 6-Persons Employed in Agriculture                                                  Walter Sr., maybe Walter Jr., Albert, ?, ?, ? (laborers)
• 1-Persons Employed in Navigation of the Ocean                              ?  Walter’s father Joshua was a seafarer and his mother died 3 years before
•                                                                                                                         this so maybe Joshua was living with the family??
• 7-Free White Persons - Under 20                                                     Walter Jr., Albert, Charles, Gilbert, Edward, Elizabeth, ? laborer
• 2-Free White Persons - 20 thru 49                                                   Walter Sr. and Eliza
• 10-Total Free White Persons                                                            (Why I don’t like the census reports before 1850…there’s a lot of guessing)
• 10-Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves                 No slaves or free colored

US Federal Census, 13 July 1850, Town of Southold, Family #153

• Walter Terry, 45 years old, Male, occupation-Farmer, $2,500 real Estate value, place of birth-New York
• Eliza A., 40 years old, Female, place of birth-New York
• Franklin, 24 years old, Male, occupation-Farmer, place of birth-New York
• Albert, 21 years old, Male, occupation-Seaman, place of birth-New York
• Gilbert, 17 years old, Male, occupation-Laborer, place of birth-New York, attended school within the last year               (my great great-grandfather)
• Edward, 14 years old, Male, place of birth-New York, attended school within the last year
• Eliz, 12 years old, Female, place of birth-New York, attended school within the last year
• Ira B., 9 years old, Male, place of birth-New York, attended school within the last year
• Emily, 7 years old, Female, place of birth-New York, attended school within the last year
• Josephine, 4 years old, Female, place of birth-New York, attended school within the last year

US Federal Census, 12 July 1860, Town of Southold, Peconic Post Office, Family #782

• Walter Terry, 64 years old, Male, occupation-Miller, birthplace New York
• Emily E. Terry, 16 years old, Female, birthplace New York, attended school within the year
• Amelia Terry, 8 years old, birthplace New York, attended school within the year

Walter’s wife Eliza Ann Terry died 28 July 1959.
My great-grandmother (Walter’s granddaughter) Carrie’s middle name was Eliza.  I wonder if she was named after her grandmother Eliza Ann Terry?  (See posts -Carrie’s letters)
Walter married Elizabeth Ruland after the 1860 census but before the 1865 census.

New York, State Census, 1865-Inhabitants of Southold, 3rd Election District  Family #279

• Walter F. Terry -60 years old, Male,  born Suffolk County
• Elizabeth Terry –56 years old, Female, wife, born Suffolk County
• Amelia H. –12 years old, Female, daughter, born Suffolk County

The Terry’s were listed with Aaron & Jane Hunt and daughter Sarah J. Tuthill. –Interesting, not sure why they were with them.  Did they live with the Hunt’s for awhile?  Jane wasn’t Walter’s sister or daughter so why were they with them?

US Federal Census, 4 June 1870, Town of Southold, Mattituck Post Office, Family # 110

• Walter Terry, 65 years old, Male, married, occupation-Farmer, $2,000 real estate, birthplace- New York
• Elizabeth Terry, 61 years old, Female, married, occupation-Keeping House, birthplace- New York
• Amelia Terry, 17 years old, Female, birthplace-New York

Walter Franklin Terry passed away 9 months later on the 24th of March 1871.

I think it’s very interesting to see how the census records have changed over time. Think about the last census you responded to and the questions asked today as compared to the questions asked in 1870.

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.

Enjoy the journey,

Debby