Sunday, March 12, 2017

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?
Cornell William and family photo highlight
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)
Cornell Charlotte 1928 obit 2
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

2 comments:

  1. Amazing what we find when we sit down and look. I love the idea of concentrating on one person like this and digging up all I can. Great job Debby. I feel like I know her a little now.

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  2. Thanks Diane! I was also amazed at what I found. I too feel like I know Charlotte a little better now.

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