Tombstone Tuesday-Caroline Overton Robinson

Please see posts entitled Caroline Overton Robinson and Amanuensis Monday-Will of Caroline F. Overton Robinson to find additional information on my 3x Great-Grandmother Caroline Overton Robinson.

Brookfield Cemetery, Manorville, Suffolk County, New York

Robinson Family Plot

Caroline

wife of

Stephen Robinson

died March 20, 1897

AE 85 years & 3 mo

Farewell dear mother sweet thy rest.

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

Enjoy the journey,

Debby

Amanuensis Monday-Will of Caroline F. Overton Robinson

Yesterday I completed a blog post with information I learned about my paternal 3x Great-Grandmother Caroline F. Overton Robinson.  (see post Caroline Overton Robinson) .  I found Caroline’s Will was at the Surrogate’s Court in Riverhead, Suffolk County, New York.  The Will was only available on Microfilm and the only copy I was able to print was of poor quality.  I had to read the screen and write over the copy in order to be able to read all the information.  I’m so glad I did this because as I try to read the Will now when I’m back in California….ugh!!  The following is Caroline’s Will:

Probate Record including Will (page 501)  located in Record of Wills Book 33 pages 499-503

Transcription: 

Will In the Name of God, Amen. I, Caroline T. Robinson of the town of Riverhead, County of Suffolk and in the state of New York, being of sound mind and memory, and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, that is to say First. After all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, I give and bequeath to my beloved son Barney O. Robinson one hundred Dollars ($100). 2nd. I give devise and bequeath to my grandson Forrest E. Terry, son of Gilbert and Almeda Terry of the town of Southold and County afore said fifty Dollars ($50). 3rd. I give devise and bequeath to my beloved son Arthur M. Robinson one hundred Dollars ($100). 4th. I give devise and bequeath to my beloved daughter Carrie E. Robinson all the rest and remainder of both personal and real property of every name and description. Likewise, I make constitute and appoint my son George W. Robinson, of Mattituck, town of Southold, County of Suffolk to be Executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. In Witness Whereof. I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal, the eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.                                                                                                          Caroline F. Robinson                 L.S.

Caroline’s Will was proved in Surrogate’s Court, Riverhead, Suffolk County, NY on 12 July 1897.

I find it interesting the people that Caroline left money to in her will.  She had more children and lots of grandchildren.  I wonder why she chose the ones she did?  (I have a copy of Stephen’s will and need to work on that one.)  I believe that daughter Carrie was the only unmarried child at the time of Caroline’s death.  Leaving her the remainder of her property and personal affects does make sense.  I think perhaps the family farm was sold before Stephen died and then Caroline must have lived with some of her children until her death.

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

Enjoy the journey,

Debby

Caroline Overton Robinson

I thought I would see what I could find out about my paternal 3x Great-Grandmother Caroline Overton Robinson.

    (click to enlarge)

        believed to be Stephen and Caroline outside their farmhouse

 (photo compliments of cousin Rebecca)

What I learned about Caroline:

• In one report Caroline was born 18 October 1811 in Manorville, Suffolk County, New York.  I found another listing that she was born 18 Oct 1810 in Riverhead, Suffolk, New York. (This will deserve more research.)  Her parents were Jonathan Benjamin Overton and Elizabeth Osborn Overton.
• Caroline married Stephen Robinson 24 January 1825 in Riverhead, Suffolk, New York.
• Caroline and Stephen had 10 children (6 boys and 4 girls)-Barnabas, George, Perry, Almeda (my 2x Great-Grandmother), Frances Dolisca, Alonzo, William, Huldah, Arthur, and Caroline/Carrie.
• The US Federal Census for 1850, 1860, show Caroline and Stephen living in Riverhead, New York.
• The US Census Non-Population Schedules (agricultural) show Stephen having a farm in Riverhead in 1850 and 1860.
• New York State Census for 1865 shows the family living in Riverhead, New York.
• In the 1880 US Federal Census Caroline is living with her daughter Carrie in Calverton, New York.  (Stephen passed away in 1871).
• I was unable to find Stephen and Caroline in the 1870 US Federal Census.
• Caroline died on 20 March 1897 in Brookfield, Manorville, Suffolk, New York. 

from the Traveler Watchman Newspaper, 26 March 1897 in the Mattituck section;

Transcription: On Saturday morning Caroline, the aged widow of Stephen Robinson, formerly of Manor, LI “fell asleep in Jesus” at the home of her daughter Carrie Robinson, of this place.  She was in her eighty-sixth year, and until a few weeks ago had been very smart and active.  She left four sons and four daughters, George W., Perry S,. Barney O., and William T. Robinson, all of this village, Mrs. E.H. Terry of Patchogue, Mrs. Gilbert Terry of Peconic, Mrs. E. Hawkins of East Haven, Ct., and Miss Carrie Robinson of this place; while her grandchildren and great-grandchildren are a host.  She has truly been a “mother in Israel.” and her children rise up and call her blessed.  Her funeral was held here, the Rev. O.C. Lane officiating, and interment at Manor. (Now known as Manorville)

She is buried with her husband in Brookfield Cemetery, Manorville, Suffolk County, New York.

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

Enjoy the journey,

Debby

The Luck ‘O the Irish….Perhaps…

Finding Susan McKenna Hughes

 

I decided, like many other people, to take advantage of Ancestry’s free Irish records this weekend in honor of St. Patrick’s day.  I thought I’d see what I could find on my Irish 3x Great-Grandparents Patrick and Susan McKenna Hughes since I know they came from Ireland.

Frequently when we do genealogy we make a ‘guess’ as we start on our research journey because that is all we have at the time…a guess.  That is how I started this research, with a guess.  Hopefully, a good guess.

I use my guesses but always look for information to confirm or refute my guesses.  The more information I can find the more likely my guess is true.  Here are my guesses for this research:

I know from Sarah’s marriage license that her parents were listed as Patrick and Susan Hughes from Ireland.  (see post- Finding my Irish Roots-First Steps). 

I knew from a post I did several weeks ago about a family legend that my great-great-grandmother Sarah Hughes Rowan was believed to be a ‘cousin’ of Arch Bishop John Hughes (see post entitled-Hughes-Researching a Family Story, Part 1) that the Arch Bishop’s family was from Annalogham, Tyrone, Ireland so I took a guess that my Hughes side of the family probably came from County Tyrone also. 

I was able to find a marriage record for a Patrick and Susan Hughes in Clonfeacle Parish, County Tyrone, Ireland in 1846.  In that marriage record I noticed that one of their witnesses was an Ellen McKenna.  I decided to take a guess that she was probably Susan’s sister or relative at least.  (I also noticed that the male witness is not a Hughes.  Perhaps he was a friend of Patrick’s?  Is this where Patrick grew up or was this just Susan’s home town?  Research for another time.)

I knew the family was reported to be staunchly Roman Catholic.  (There is a family story that when Susan’s daughter Sarah married an Episcopalian/Protestant she was disowned by her mother.  Something I struggle to try and understand based on the religious beliefs of the times.  The family story is that when Sarah took her first child to see her mother Susan said through the door that she no longer had a daughter and wouldn’t even see her grandchild.)

I was able to look in Ancestry under Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1912.  I guessed that Susan was about 20 years old when she was married in 1846 making her birth about 1826 roughly.  I was able to find a Susan Helen McKenna (YEA) that was baptized on 2 January 1820 in the Parish of Moy/Clonfeacle, County Tyrone in Ireland.  This listed Susan’s father as Felix and her mother as Sarah (interesting the name of my great-great grandmother, Susan’s daughter.  That would make sense although Sarah is also a popular Irish name.)

(you can click on images to enlarge)

Then I looked for an Ellen McKenna of a similar age.  I was able to find an Ellen McKenna baptized in Moy/Clonfeacle, Tyrone Ireland on 3 April 1822, 2 years younger than Sarah.  Ellen’s parents were also Felice (Felice appears to be the Latin form of Felix) and Sarah.  Well, that helps my case that I have found the right Sarah since Sarah and Ellen were sisters.)

I continued to look and also found a Fel McKenna, parents Fel and Sar McKenna baptized 9 January 1817 (3 years older than Sarah).  In the register it looks like the names were all written as partial names.

In Summary:

I am still not certain I have found the ‘right’ Susan McKenna.  I think I have connected the dots in a reasonable way.  If my thinking is correct then I have found Susan’s siblings (at least 2 of them) and an entire new generation by locating the names of her parents-Felice and Sarah McKenna.  I still don’t know Sarah’s maiden name and was unable to find a marriage record for Felice and Sarah…yet.  I have a lot more then I did before this weekend.  I will continue to search Susan and her family to find additional information which will increase my certainty that I have found the right Susan McKenna or refute and send me on a different path.  I am happy I found this information and feel like I am on the right path. 

Enjoying looking for your pot of gold!

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

Enjoy the journey,

Debby

Wedding Anniversary of James Hammond and Edna Cornell Hammond

My maternal Grandparents-Edna Chloe Cornell and James Jacob Hammond were married 83 years ago today.





Most of the guests were relatives and friends of my Grandmother who grew up and lived in the area of Spencer, New York.  (See blog post- Celebrating the Life of Edna Chloe Cornell).  My Grandfather was born and raised in Iowa.  (see blog post- Celebrating the Life of James Jacob Hammond).  I find it interesting that in 1928 my grandfather’s sister –Mrs. Frank Shove (Margaret Hammond Shove) came all the way from Cherokee, Iowa to attend her brother’s wedding. (see blog post- Tombstone Tuesday-Margaret (Hamman) Hammond Shove)
I wish I had a picture of my grandparents together.  Maybe one day I will find a picture.

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

Enjoy the journey,

Debby

What can I learn about Charlotte R. Bailey Cornell?

What can I possibly learn about my maternal 2x great-grandmother Charlotte R. Bailey Cornell who lived in Upstate New York?

Charlotte is circled in red and this is the only picture I have of her.  Her son William, my great-grandfather is standing behind Charlotte and my grandmother, Edna Cornell Hammond, is the youngest child and to the left of Charlotte in the picture.

What I already knew about Charlotte:

• she was born in upstate New York in October 1841 to Silas and Sarah Bailey
• she married Joseph Cornell on 1 Jan 1858 in the ‘Johnson Settlement’
• Joseph and Charlotte had 9 children-5 sons and 4 daughters.
• she died 15 Jul 1928 in Spencer, Tioga, New York, USA

What I learned about Charlotte:     (from US Federal Census records, newspaper articles, city directories, land deeds, etc.)

• August 1860 Charlotte lived with her husband Joseph and son Edmund in Catherine, Shuyler County, New York.  (US Federal Census)
• July 1865 Charlotte lived with her husband Joseph and children Edmund and Sarah J in Catherine, Shuyler County, New York.  (NY State census)
• July 1870 Charlotte lived with her husband Joseph and children Edmund, Sarah J and Josephine in Catherine, Shuyler County, New York.  (US Federal Census)
• June 1875 Charlotte lived with her husband Joseph and children Edmund, Sarah J, Iva, Isaac, and Mary in Catherine, Shuyler County, New York.  (NY State census)
• June 1880 Charlotte lived with her husband Joseph and children Edmund, Sarah J, Iva, Isaac, Mary, Nathan, Guy and William in Catherine, Shuyler County, New York.  (US Federal Census)
• 20 October 1904 “ Mrs. C. R. Cornell observed her 64th birthday, Oct. 11th, by the homecoming of a number of her children and grandchildren.  Those present from a distance were Mr. & Mrs. W[illiam] Cornell and three children, Mrs. E[d] Bagley and son, of Ithaca; Mrs. E. Cornell and two children, of Alpine.”  (newspaper clipping)
• 13 January 1905 there was the listing of a deed filled A. J. Card to Charlotte Cornell, Spencer, NY for $400. (from Newspapers.com)
• 9 October 1915 land deed for the transfer of a piece of land from Charlotte to her daughter Sarah Jane Cornell Bagley for $1.00.  (land deed)
• 26 December 1917 at 77 years old Charlotte tripped over a rug in her home and fractured her right hip. (from Newspapers .com)
• 1917 According to the Farm Journal Illustrated  Rural Directory of Tioga County New York Charlotte was listed as “ Cornell, Mrs. C. 0 Academy Street, Spencer (NY).” and “Cornell, Wm. (Netta) laborer 0 Academy St., Spencer. (NY)”  (city directory)
• 17 January 1918 “Mrs. Charlotte Cornell, who was taken to the Packer Hospital at Sayre two weeks ago for treatment to a fractured hip as the result of a fall, has sufficiently recovered to be brought home.”  (form another newspaper clipping)
• January 1920 Charlotte lived alone in Spencer, Tioga County, New York.  (US Federal Census)
• 1923 Ithaca City Directory  “Cornell Charlotte,  wid Joseph, b 701 W Green  (city directory)
• June 1925 Charlotte was living with her daughter Sarah Jane Cornell Bagley, her son-in-law Edwin Bagley and Edwin’s brother Frank Bagley in Enfield, Tompkins County, New York.  (NY State census)
• 19 July 1928 “Mrs. Charlotte Cornell died at her home in this village, Sunday, July 15, aged 88 years.  Her funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock.  Burial in Evergreen cemetery.  H.L. Palmer funeral director in charge.  Mrs. Cornell has been in feeble health for several years.”  (newspaper clipping)

from The Ithaca Journal published 16 July 1928 and available on Newspapers.com

I think it’s interesting that my great-grandfather, and Charlotte’s son,  William Cornell was not listed in the obituary as he was also still alive at the time of her death.  Charlotte outlived 5 of her children and her husband Joseph.  (see post Civil War-Certificate of Disability for Discharge)

Thank goodness for small local newspapers who kept records of the minor comings and goings of their inhabitants. 

Now I would like to get a copy of Charlotte death certificate.  I wonder what happened to Josephine who must have died before the 1875 census?  I wish I could find more pictures or Bible entries.

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

Enjoy the journey,

Debby

Hughes-Researching a Family Story, Part 1

I remember my paternal grandmother Agnes telling me a story about our family being related to Arch Bishop John Hughes who founded St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.  She said that her mother Sarah Rowan King (See blog post Finding My Irish Roots-First Steps) had taken her and her sisters Anna and Sadie once to see the grave of the Arch Bishop in the crypt under St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

Arch Bishop John Hughes

(photo found on Dead Fred website)

I have often thought of this family story and wondered if it is true and if so….how exactly are we related?  I thought perhaps it was time to research this and see what I could find out. 

What I know:

• My paternal great-great grandmother Sarah Hughes Rowan lists her parents on her marriage certificate as Patrick Hughes and Susan McKenna.  Sarah lists her place of birth as New York City.  Sarah’s address at the time of her marriage in 1869 was 306 10th Avenue, New York City.
• On Sarah’s death certificate her parents are again listed as Patrick Hughes and Susan McKenna.
• I also have the following letter from my grandmother’s sister Anna:

Transcription:  “My grandma Sarah (Hughes) Rowan well her second cousin was Arch Bishop Hughes and he was buried at the cathedral-I went with my Mom and family a few times to see.  My sister Agnes, Gloria’s mom and your grandma traced a lot, years before.”

This confirms what I remember my grandmother Agnes telling me but also gives me the idea that John and Sarah were second cousins.  Oh, how I wish I could have found the research she says my grandmother did.

I have tried repeatedly to go back from Sarah Hughes Rowan to find her parents Patrick and Susan McKenna Hughes.  This has become difficult since the name Patrick Hughes is a VERY common name.  I have found the following information:

• I believe I found the marriage record on Ancestry.com of Patrick Hughes and Susan McKenna in 8 November 1840 in Moy, Clonfeacle, Tyrone, Ireland
• I was able to find in the 1850 US Federal census on Ancestry.com a Patrick & Susan Hughes (both born in Ireland) living in NYC with a daughter named Susan.  I believe that my great-great grandmother Sarah was born in late 1850 or 1851 in New York City. 
• 
  

So, this time I thought I would try to start with Arch Bishop John Hughes family and see if I can connect it to mine.  Since the Arch Bishop was such a famous person there is a lot of information available about his life.  While most of the information deals with him becoming a Roman Catholic Priest and his journey to become the Arch Bishop of New York City there is some family history that I can use.

I know that Patrick and Margaret Hughes came from Annalogham, County Tyronne, Ireland before coming to the United States.  I started to develop a family tree of the Arch Bishop’s family with information that I was able to find so far:

• John was Arch Bishop and had no children.
• Peter died at age 11 in Ireland.
• Mary died at age 10 in Ireland.
• Margaret’s married name was Rodrigue.  (Interesting-when Michael died in 1869 he was at his sister’s home on 11th Street in NYC.  This was not far from where my Sarah lived when she got married 2 months before.)
• Ellen became a Nun.

Michael and Patrick were married and had children.

• Michael married Bridget, who died in 1836 about 7 days after her newborn son Patrick. 
• Ellen born 1831 and died in 1833
• Patrick died in 1836 at birth
• Patrick married Ellen McCone and was residing in Pennsylvania in 1850 according to the US Federal Census.

• James b. 1823
• Michael b. 1825
• Mary b. 1828
• Sarah b. 1830 – this doesn’t match my Sarah who was born in NYC about 1850/1
• Patrick b. 1847 – this doesn’t match my Sarah’s father who was married in 1846 in Ireland
• Charles b. 1848

Some final thoughts:

• I am thinking that the term ‘cousin’ was loosely used to mean they were ‘family’. 
• John’s father was a Hughes and his mother was a McKenna.
• Sarah’s father was a Hughes and her mother was a McKenna.
• Since Sarah’s parents and John’s parents were from County Tyronne in Ireland that is a connection.
• I believe that perhaps Sarah and John had the same grandparents or that their grandfathers may have been brothers?

Definitely need to do some more researching to see what else I can find out and I probably need ……to do a trip to Ireland to do some research .

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

Enjoy the journey,

Debby