Abigail Betsey Grantier Coolbaugh

One of my goals for the year is to research more of my women ancestors.  I realized when I reviewed my list of blog posts at the beginning of the year that I hadn’t investigated a lot of my female ancestors.  There tends to be little documentation of women as we get back in history so the researching can be frustrating. 

What I know about Abigail:

• Abagail Betsey Grantier Coolbaugh is my maternal 3x great-grandmother. 
• She was the mother of my 2X great-grandfather Portis M. Coolbaugh.  (See the blog post Portis/Porter M. Coolbaugh). 
• Her parents were David and Rhoda (Kilborn) Grantier. 

So what can I learn about Abigail?  Many hours of research later….

What I have learned about Abigail:
Abigail was born in Canton, Bradford, PA on 10 May 1823

Abigail had sisters:

• Jane L. Grantier Whitehead who was born in 1826 in Canton, PA
• Lucy A. Grantier Hooper who was born in 1831 in PA
• Sarah Elizabeth Grantier Mauley who was born in 1833 in Canton, Pennsylvania according to Sarah’s death certificate.

Abigail was married in 1841:
This is extracted from Clement F. Heverly, Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, 1770-1800, Vol. 1, Bradford Star Print, 1913. Volume 1 - Page 53

Abigail and Marvin Milton Coolbaugh had 4 children:

• Portis Coolbaugh- my 2X great-grandfather
• Bertha Coolbaugh Crammer Dutton
• Francis/Frank Coolbaugh
• Arthur Coolbaugh

From the US Census Records I learned:

• In the  1850 and 1880 US Federal Census I see that Abigail is referred to by her middle name as Betsey.
• In the 1860 and 1870 US Federal Census Abigail is listed as A.B. Coolbaugh.
• In the 1880 US Federal Census Betsey is a widow and her son Arthur is living with her.
• In the 1900 and 1910 US Federal Census Abigail is reported as giving birth to 4 children with 3 still living (Francis/Frank had passed away).  Her father’s birthplace is listed as Pennsylvania and her mother’s as Connecticut.  She can read, write and speak English.  She is renting a house.  Her son Arthur is still living with her.

Abigail died on 14 April 1912 in Monroeton, Bradford County, Pennsylvania and is buried there:

From her death certificate I was able to determine her dates of birth and death, determine her place of birth, verify her parents’ names, and learn her cause of death.  The informant for the information turned out to be her daughter.  In the census records the children are usually listed by their initials.
Acute Catarrh Pneumonia- Catarrh Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue associated with catarrh and with marked evidences of inflammation of the bronchial membranes - often chronic.  from Causes of Death in the Late 19th Century mentioned in the Register of Deaths, 1893-1907 by Karin L. Flippin, HIS 480, April 23, 1997

I learned a lot about Abigail “Betsey” but still always long for a photo and more about her life beyond the facts.  Maybe one day I can locate other descendants of hers and maybe get some more information.

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

Enjoy the journey,

Debby