Harriett Browning Deleon Coolbaugh

I thought I’d see what I could learn about my maternal 2nd great-grandmother Harriett Browning Deleon Coolbaugh.  Frequently as I search my ancestors in the mid to late 1800s I am unable to find much information of them in public records.  This is especially true for the women in my family.  I was certainly surprised at how much I was able to learn about Hattie.

Harriett “Hattie” Browning was born in June 1850 to Amanda Johnson Browning and William Browning in Orwell, Pennsylvania.

In the 1850 US Federal Census on the 20th of September in Orwell, Bradford County, Pennsylvania Harriett W. was 3 months old (born June).  Her father William W. Browning was 34 years old, a Chair Maker by occupation, birthplace Pennsylvania and owning real estate worth $400.  Harriett’s mother Amanda was 27 years old and her birthplace was listed as Pennsylvania. There are no other children or adults living with them.

In the 1860 US Federal Census on the 26th of July in Orwell, Bradford County, Pennsylvania (Post Office -Potterville) Harriett was 11 years old, birthplace listed as Pa.  Her father William W. was 44 years old, his occupation Chair Maker, with Real Estate valued at $1400 and Personal Property valued at $740.  Her mother Amanda was 37 years old, birthplace Pa.  Her brother Euster was 8 years old and birthplace PA.  Her brother Gay was 2 years old with a birthplace PA.  17 year old Edwin Sherman lived with them and is listed as a Chair Maker apprentice.

In the 1870 US Federal Census on 15 August for Le Raysville, Bradford, PA I can find William, Amanda, Eustace and Gay but not Amanda.
Harriett reportedly 1st married a man named __ DeLeon.  I am not sure what year or how long they were married before he died. I am unable to find them in the 1870 census but I know that Harriett was not living with her parents then.

Portis, who’s first wife died during childbirth,  married Hattie Browning Deleon on 22 June 1875.  (See post Portis/Porter M. Coolbaugh)
Their children were:

• Max Morris Coolbaugh in 1877
• Amanda who was born in 1880
• Nettie Emily (my great grandmother) in 1881.  (See post Searching for Nettie Emily Coolbaugh Cornell)
• Charles in 1886

In the 1880 US Federal Census on 3rd of June in Towanda Borough, Bradford , PA shows Harriett 30 is Keeping House with Portis 35 with an occupation as Engineer Stationery.  Living with them are Portis’ son from his first marriage Lewis 11, their son Max M. 3 and daughter Amanda 2 months old.

In the 1892 New York State Census on 16 February in Barton, Tioga County, New York Harriett age 42 is living with her husband Portis age 48 with occupation Carpenter, son Max M. age 15, daughters Amanda age 12 and Nettie age 10, and son Charles age 7. This is the first record of the family living in New York.

In the 1900 US Federal Census on the 8th of June 1900 in Baldwin Township, Chemung County, New York Harriett is 50 years old and her husband Portis is 55 years old and his occupation is Farmer.  Their sons Max M. age 22 is listed as a Sailor and son Charles is 13 years old and at School. Everyone is listed as being able to read, write and speak English.

In the 1905 New York State Census on 1 June in Baldwin, Chemung County, New York Harriet is 55 years old living with her husband Portis age 60 who was a Farmer and their son Charles 19 years old who was also listed as a Farmer.

In the 1910 US Federal Census on the 20th of April in Genoa Town, Cayuga County, New York Harriett is 60 years old, has been married for 35 years.  She has had 5 children and 4 are still living.  Portis is 65 years old and they are living with their daughter Nettie Emily (my great grandmother) and her family.

Harriett’s husband Portis died 16 October 1910.

On 21 October 1910 Hattie filed for a Widow’s Pension after the death of her husband Portis, who was a Veteran of the Civil War.

In the Elmira, New York, City Directory for 1914 I see Hattie living with her son Charles at 101 1/2 Front Street.

In the 1915 New York State Census on 1 June in Elmira Ward 2, Chemung County Hattie was 65 years old and was living with her daughter Amanda Cooper and her family on John Street.

In the 1920 US Federal Census on 2 January in Town of Spencer, Tioga County, New York Hattie is 69 years old and living with her daughter Amanda and her family. 

In the Ithaca, New York, City Directory, for 1926 Hattie is living with her daughter Amanda and her family at 502 N. Plain St.

In the Ithaca, New York, City Directory, for 1927 Hattie is living with her daughter Amanda and her family at 502 N. Plain St.

In the Ithaca, New York, City Directory, for 1930 Hattie is still living with her daughter Amanda and her family at 502 N. Plain St.


Harriett died in March 1930.  She lived to be 80 years old.  I need to try and get a copy of her death certificate.  Hattie’s daughter Nettie Emily would die before her in 1925.

There is so much information in public records on Hattie!  I wish I could locate a photo of Harriett.  Maybe if I can find a descendant of Amanda Cooper’s family they might have one since they are the last ones that Hattie lived with.  I wonder if she preferred Harriett or Hattie?  As she was getting older I find her listed more as Hattie.

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.
Enjoy the journey,
Debby