Military Service of Israel Alden

 

American Musket from the Revolutionary War

In the Spring when I was researching the life of Israel Alden (my maternal 6th great grandfather) I learned he also served in the Revolutionary War.  Israel Alden is the great-great grandson of John & Priscilla Alden of the Mayflower.   (See post The Life of Israel Alden)  This led me to wonder what I could find out about his Revolutionary War service?

From the Massachusetts, U.S. , Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War page 108:

From these records of Israel's service I know that he was a Private and served from 19 September 1777 until 16 October 1777.  Israel served for a total of 28 days.   What happened during this time period of the War?  What was Stillwater?  Hmm, he served for only a month.  

First, I looked for information on Paterson's brigade:

• Patterson’s Brigade was organized in Cambridge, Massachusetts in April 1775.  The Regiment became part of the Continental Army in June 1775 then after several changes was also designated as the 15^th Continental Regiment and the 1^st Massachusetts Regiment in 1777.

Next, I wanted to learn about "Stillwater" and the War:

• “Stillwater” is a village southwest of Saratoga and part of the Battle of Saratoga occurred here.  So, Israel was a soldier at the Battle of Saratoga.

Being a little rusty on my Revolutionary War battles I needed to learn more about the Battle of Saratoga:

• The Campaign of Saratoga (14 June – 17 October 1777) was an attempt by the British to gain military control of the strategically important Hudson River valley.  The campaign ended with the surrender of the British army and was an enormous morale boost for the Colony and convinced France to enter the war in alliance with America.  WOW, Israel was part of a very important battle during the Revolutionary War.  Now I want to visit the battlefield to experience and learn more about the battle.

This Summer I had the opportunity to visit the battlefield which is now maintained as part of the Saratoga National Historical Park:

Listening to the Ranger talks and reviewing the displays I was surprised to learn how much of the land had been cleared of trees by the early settlers. It was also interesting to find out that frequently men served for short periods such as Israel did because they had farms to get back to, etc.  These soldiers brought whatever weapons they owned and used them in battle.  I also learned that there is Battle Historian for the Saratoga Battle.  I contacted him to ask questions about the battle and to see if there is any additional information about Israel.  As of this time, I have not received a reply.

Did Israel receive a pension for his service?  I’ve heard that some soldiers received land grants as payment.  Could that have been why Israel decided to move to Windsor, NY as other soldiers did?

• In the book Binghampton It’s Settlement, Growth and Development Lawyer states, ”Under a law of congress passed March 18, 1818, pensions were provided to be paid to those soldiers of the Revolution who had served in the regular or United States army, and they alone were entitled to its benefits, to the exclusion of the militia or state troops, whose service in many cases was fully as meritorious and hazardous as that of their more favored fellows.  The injustice or at least the discriminating provisions of the act were so manifest that the whole body of troops, both regulars and militiamen, were loud in their denunciation of them, yet more than twelve years passed before congress remedied the wrong.” 

Since Israel served for such a short time and after searching and searching for records, I was unable to find a record for a pension or a land grant.

What an interesting journey this was!  I was able to learn more about an important battle in our Country's history and learn that my ancestor was a farmer who became part of this important battle.  I was able to stand and view the areas Israel may have looked over and fought on.  Being able to actually "be" where your ancestor was 244 years ago is just amazing.  I always learn more when I can be at the location and talk to others who have done such extensive research about an event my ancestor was part of.

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

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

What Are You Wearing to Your Next Family Reunion?

(click on photos to enlarge)

Several years ago I began an interesting journey as a genealogist. I found out that perhaps I was descended from John and Priscilla (Mullins) Alden on my maternal line. First, I successfully proved this theory and became a member of the Alden Kindred of America. (See post It’s Official! I Proved it! ) Later I was able to successfully prove my lineage and join the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. (See post General Society of Mayflower Descendants Success). I also had a period costume made that helped me learn a little more about what life was like for my 9^th great-grandmother Priscilla (Mullins) Alden. (See post What Would Priscilla (Mullins) Alden Think ). Last year I had plans made and tickets purchased for events in and around Plymouth, Massachusetts that were meant to celebrate the 400^th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower. Unfortunately, due to Covid, and like many other plans made, these events were cancelled.

After learning of my connection to John & Priscilla, I hoped one day to attend the annual Alden Family Reunion the first weekend in August held on the grounds of the Alden House in Duxbury, Massachusetts. This year that plan finally worked out.

I arrived in Duxbury on Saturday morning eager to take part in 2 days of events at the Alden House. The first presentation was about a new painting of the first Thanksgiving that was commissioned by the National Association of Christian Congregational Churches as “a Gift to the Nation”.

• This painting was meant to be a more accurate accounting of the first Thanksgiving.  Karen Rinaldo and Kevin M. Doyle discussed their extensive research about the event and the individual people involved before Karen created the painting entitled The First Thanksgiving-1621.  (There is even a legend that goes with the painting).  Karen and Kevin have co-authored a book entitled In the Wake of the Mayflower: The First Encounter that was a result of the research done for the painting and details what happened after the arrival of the Mayflower.

Other events included a Tour of the Alden House, a cemetery tour of the Old Burying Grounds in Duxbury given by the Duxbury Historian, getting souvenirs (of course) in the Gift Shop and a wonderful New England Chowder supper.

I had the amazing privilege of camping in my van conversion camper in the parking lot of the Alden House. When I woke up on Saturday morning I thought about how fortunate I was to be able to sleep on the same land that my ancestors lived on 400 years ago. How many people can say that?

 My dog, Harley, and I went for a walk on Sunday morning around the grounds and on the Duxburrow Path and to see the original Alden home site.

• According to the sign the Duxburrow Path takes its name from a Pilgrim -era road that once ran through the land. In 1637 the Plymouth Colony Court created the “highway” to run north from Plymouth and linked to several settled homesteads and cut through the Alden property as it continued on.

I couldn’t help trying to imagine John & Priscilla and the children playing and working here in the woods and fields on this very ground. What kind of mischief did a young Joseph (my 8^th great grandfather) and his siblings get in to?

On Sunday I decided to wear my Pilgrim costume, I had brought it all the way from California after all.

Sunday events included an Annual Meeting, a fried chicken luncheon, a reenactment by the New Plimmoth Gard and gathering for the family photo.

photo compliments of the Alden Kindred Society, Karen Wong Photography 

(I count about 100 people in the photo)

Meeting all those cousins of mine was such fun. Wow! Everyone was so welcoming and I learned new things about my ancestors and the times they lived in. The common question was, “Which of the children [of John & Priscilla] are you descended from?” Whenever you have the opportunity to attend a family reunion, I encourage you to do so and see what you can learn.

Harley and I spent another night on the grounds of the Alden House. After the reunion was over and everyone had left, the homestead was quiet and I had time to reflect on my amazing experience there. As night fell this was the view of the Alden House. A fitting tribute to the strength and determination of my ancestors 400 years ago.

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

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

The Life of Daniel Markham

As we research further back, about 300 years ago, in history it becomes harder and harder to know for certain if we are recording the correct events for our ancestors at times. While I am piecing together Daniel’s life I have to use the pieces of recorded events I am able to find. I carefully review the information to see what makes sense. How much of the data matches? Does the information make sense? Sometimes it doesn’t and it’s back to square one. Other times all the information gathered seems to make sense in telling the life story. 

As I have gathered information for Daniel Markham, my maternal 7^th great grandfather there is also the added question of several generations of ‘Daniel’ Markham.  Hopefully, I have the right information for my 7th great grandfather:

Daniel was born 13 Nov 1704 in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut to parents Daniel C. and Deborah Meacham Markham.

• 
  Middletown is located along the western bank of the Connecticut River about 16 miles south of Hartford. It was incorporated by English settlers in 1650 under the original Native American name Mattabeseck. The native Mattabesett people were part of the Algongquian speaking tribes of the Connecticut Valley. The colonist renamed the settlement in November 1653 as Middletown because the settlement was about half-way between Windsor and Saybrook on the 'Great River'. The settlement of colonial Puritans had a hard life spent clearing the rocky soil of New England in order to build homes and tend farms. By 1676 the Puritans owned all but 300 acres of the Mattabesett territory. A mere twenty eight years later Daniel was born in this area.

Daniel was baptized in the Middletown First Congregational Church on 19 November 1704:

On 2 April 1729 Daniel, 25 years old, married 22 year old Patience Miller in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, USA.  

(click on images to enlarge)

The children of Daniel and Patience that I have been able to identify are Daniel and Deborah.

There is a record of Daniel and Patience being confirmed on 29 June 1729 according to Connecticut Church Records for the First Congregational Church in Middletown, CT.

Patience died on 19 March 1732/3 in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut.

There is no record as to why or when Daniel would leave Middletown and move to Strafford where he would meet and again marry.

On 14 November 1745 Daniel, 41 years old, married 28 year old Thankful Heath  in Strafford, Tolland County, Connecticut.

Their children: Daniel Jr, Lucy (my 6^th great grandmother), Samuel, Benjamin, and Stephen.

There is no record of why or when Daniel and Thankful decided to leave Stafford and move to Tryingham, Massachusetts.

Daniel's second wife Thankful died reportedly in the mid-1750s.

On 14 June 1768 Daniel sold 41 acres of land he owned in Tyringham, Massachusetts to his son-in-law Israel Alden, husband of daughter Lucy and my 6^th great grandparents. (See post The Life of Israel Alden)

Daniel died 16 March 1786 at the age of 81 in Tyringham, Berkshire, Massachusetts.

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

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

The Life of Israel Alden

In honor of Thanksgiving and the 400^th Anniversary of the Mayflower, I wanted to learn about Israel Alden, my maternal 6^th great grandfather. Israel is the great-great grandson of John and Priscilla Mullins Alden. (click on highlighted names to view additional posts)

Israel was born to Noah and Joanna Vaughn Alden on 18 May 1747 in Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut.

11 July 1765 Israel married Lucy Thankful Markham in Stafford, CT. 

Lucy and Israel would have 13 children: Israel, Noah, Timothy (my 5^th great grandfather), Lucy, Benjamin, Thankful, Samuel, Zilphah, Moses, Abner, Elisha, David and Ruth. Only their first child Israel was born in Stafford. The other children were born in Tyringham, Massachusetts. If oldest son Israel was born in 1766 and son Noah was born 6 March 1768 then Israel must have moved to Tyringham, Mass between 1766 and 1768.

14 June 1768 – Daniel Markham of Tyringham sold 41 acres of land to Israel also then of Tyringham, Massachusetts. Lucy also had a brother named Daniel but I believe they are referring to Lucy’s father here. Was the land sale the reason that the young couple moved to Tyringham? What was the area like when they moved there?

• This area was first settled in 1735 and began as a town named Tyringham (after a village in Buckinghamshire, England) in 1762 shortly before Israel and Lucy moved here. The town started as an agricultural community. In 1786 the town had 182 dwelling houses, forty shops, two tanneries, four potash works, two iron works, four grist and saw mills. From the town valuations we also know that the townspeople made 1185 barrels of cider that year and there were more than 10,000 acres of wooded land and a bout 2500 acres improved for growing crops. There were 500 horses, 800 swine, 178 oxen, 500 cattle and 541 milk cows. Quite a thriving community when Israel and Lucy were raising their family here.

Israel Alden served as a private in the American Revolution from 19 September 1777 to 16 October 1777 serving in the Berkshire County Militia.

In 1790 US Federal Census, the first census, and in the 1800 US Federal Census Israel and family are living in Tyringham, Berkshire, Massachusetts.

26 July 1792 there is a sale of their rights in the thirds set off to their mother Thankful from Lucy’s siblings to Israel. On the same day Israel and Lucy sell 54 acres to Daniel Markham.

12 March 1816 Israel and Lucy, living in Tyringham, sold 50 acres of land (lot #104) for $400. I wonder if they intended to move to Windsor, New York and this was their money for the new land and the move.

25 December 1816 Israel Alden bought 60 acres in Broome County, New York. The village of Windsor, where Israel lived, is located on the Susquehanna River. In 1805 Windsor had a population of 1,000. On 2 March 1807 the township of Windsor was created. I always wonder why my ancestors moved to a different location. What were the possible reasons for the move when Israel was 69 years old?

• In reading the book Binghampton It’s Settlement, Growth and Development I may have found an answer to my question. The editor William S. Lawyer explains that about 250 survivors of the Revolution came to this area and made homes for themselves and their families. As expected, I see “Israel Alden” in the list of Revolutionary soldiers who came to this area. Lawyer states “Nearly all of these patriots of the war for American independence were in modest circumstances, some of them very poor, while few indeed of the number could afford any of the luxuries of life as then enjoyed. They came to the region, as did other pioneers, hoping to benefit their condition and provide comfortable homes for their families. Their land was purchased at reasonable prices, and they at once set about its cultivation and development.”  Did Israel follow other soldiers of the Revolution to Windsor?

On 20 July 1817, only seven months after purchasing land there, Israel died in Windsor, Broome County, New York at the age of 70.

I am amazed at how far Israel moved in his life during that time period.  He was born in Stafford, CT.  He then moved his family to Tryingham, MA and later he would move them yet again to Windsor, NY.

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

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

Allegheny College and Timothy Alden

Usually, I post links to my blog posts on Genealogy pages for the area my ancestor lived. I am always hopefully that I will find ‘cousins’ through my post and that they may have additional information about my ancestors that I previously hadn’t known. More pieces of the puzzle that tells about the lives of my ancestors.

Recently, I wrote about my maternal 5x great-grandmother Lois Wilcox Alden. (See post Celebrating the Life of Lois Wilcox Alden). Surprisingly a woman responded to my blog post and gave me new information about Lois’ husband, my maternal 5^th great-grandfather, Timothy Alden. (See posts Sunday Obituary-Timothy Alden, Tombstone Tuesday-Timothy Alden and Using County Histories to Find Information-Timothy Alden)

I started by reviewing the research I had to see if I had just missed the information she shared or if this was all new information. Nothing I had previously found related to this new information. What my cousin shared is that “Timothy Alden was the founder of Allegheny College.” Wow! That is very exciting! What can I find out to add to this story?
Allegheny College is perched on a hill overlooking Meadville in Northwestern Pennyslvania. According to the college’s website the college was founded in 1815. At that time of the college’s founding Timothy was 45 years old. Allegheny College is listed as the oldest college in continuous existence under the same name west of the Allegheny Mountains.

On their website Allegheny College states “In 1815, Meadville was still a raw frontier town of about 400 settlers, of whom an unusually large number had come from Massachusetts and Connecticut. They dreamed of a college that might bring the educational opportunities of New England to the frontier. The Rev. Timothy Alden was recruited to take on the task, and two months after his arrival in April 1815, Allegheny was established-with Alden as its first president.  Within half a dozen years, Alden succeeded in attracting sufficient funds to begin building a campus, having traveled throughout the eastern states seeking support for a planned library and classroom building. The need of a building to house a library led to the construction, in the 1820s, of Bentley Hall, today a leading example of early American architecture. Designed by Alden, this handsome structure still crowns the hill on which the campus is located.”


Allegheny College goes on to say that Rev. Timothy Alden was a graduate of Harvard Divinity School. Further research on Harvard Divinity School showed that it dates from 1816 when it was established as “the first non-denominational divinity school in the United States”. Timothy Alden was born in 1770 in Tyringham, Massachusetts and married his wife Lois Wilcox there in 1790. The family moved to Monroe, Bradford County, PA in 1801. My guess is he would have attended Harvard Divinity School before 1801.

In the book entitled “Allegheny College Register of Alumni and Non-graduates, Allegheny College” Centennial Edition 1915 I found the following information on Timothy Alden:

There was also a new preparatory school building built in 1905 on the Allegheny College campus called ‘Alden Hall’.

When thinking about this, I remember that I found nothing in Timothy Alden’s obituary that talks about Allegheny College but then his obituary is one of the more interesting ones I have found that does not talk a lot of his accomplishments but more about his character. I have found him referred to as ‘Captain’ but not as ‘Reverend’ except at Allegheny College. Monroe, PA, where the family is known to have lived, was about 280 miles away. In the early 1800s that would have been a very long distance. Was, perhaps, Rev. Timothy Alden a different family member and not my Capt. Timothy Alden (married to Lois Wilcox) with the same name?

When I looked at the census records for 1830, when Rev. Timothy Alden was President of Allegheny College, I found two Timothy Aldens:

one listed in Mead Township, Crawford County, PA:

one listed in Monroe Township, Bradford County, PA:

To my knowledge Capt. Timothy Alden and Lois Wilcox Alden did not have a son named Timothy either.

This is a wonderful story and I wish they were the same person but right now I think they were probably two different men. I still want to check with the Harvard Divinity College to find out about Timothy Alden.  

Reminder, not all family stories turn out to yield information for your ancestors.  But by posting on The Pennsylvania Genealogy Network on Facebook…I found a new cousin and that’s more important than any story!

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

Tombstone Tuesday-Lois Wilcox Alden

Lois,

Wife of

Timothy Alden

Died

Jan. 10, 1851

Aged 77 Yrs

11 M & 8 D

Lois is buried at the Monroeton Cemetery, Monroeton, Bradford County, PA

You can read more about the life of my maternal 5x great-grandmother at Celebrating the Life of Lois Wilcox Alden.

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

Celebrating the Life of Lois Wilcox Alden

Lois Wilcox Alden

my maternal 5^th great-grandmother.

Lois was born to Sheffield Wilcox Sr. and Eunice Ross Wilcox on 5 February 1773 in Westerly, Rhode Island. Lois was, I believe the oldest of nine children born to Sheffield and Eunice. Westerly is a town on the southwestern shoreline of Washington County, Rhode Island. English colonists first settled this area in 1661.

The family moved from Westerly to Cooperstown, New York before settling in Monroe township, Pennsylvania in 1798.

On 11 November 1790 a 17 year old Lois Wilcox and a 20 year old Timothy Alden would marry in Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts before moving to Monroe Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania in 1801. I wonder what brought Lois to Tyringham?

When the couple came to the area 'Monroe Township' wasn’t even formed yet. The area was a wilderness and they were among the early settlers.

Lois and Timothy would have 7 children, that I know of, between 1792-1810: Adonijah, Sophronia, Louisa (my 4^th great-grandmother), Permilla, Philinda, and twins Sylvester William and Sevellon Wells.

  

Lois would die on 10 January 1851 in Monroe, Bradford County, Pennsylvania at the age of 78. Lois was a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother. She would have traveled a distance of about 266 miles from her place of birth to her home in Monroe, Pennsylvania. Perhaps a day trip today but by horse and wagon a long way to travel by the time she was 28 years old.

Unfortunately, women of that era left very few records for us to discover and know about them. What I do know is that today is her birthday and I can remember her birth 247 years later! Happy birthday Great-Grandmother Lois!

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

San Diego Colony November Compact Day

On Saturday the San Diego Colony of the Mayflower Society held their annual November Compact Day meeting and luncheon at the Green Dragon Tavern in Carlsbad, California in the:

This is the second time I have had the privilege of attending, this time as a verified Mayflower descendant. This was my first time wearing the ‘costume’, or period dress, of my ancestors. (See post What Would Priscilla Mullins Alden Think?)

Following an Invocation and The Pilgrim Pledge:

In the name of God Amen.

I pledge myself to help hold aloft the lamps of civil and religious liberty lighted by the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock; to recall and cherish the sacrifices and struggles made by them for the common good; to study their lives, deeds, faith, courage and character, and to draw inspiration therefrom; to emulate their spirit; to be loyal to the flag and institutions of the country whose founding was so greatly aided by their work and wisdom; to do everything within my power to deserve and preserve the heritage, and at all times and in all ways to profit by the Pilgrim example.

State Officials from the California Mayflower Society in attendance were introduced and new members were presented and welcomed in to the San Diego Colony.

Next was the exciting Pilgrim Roll Call. Each of the Mayflower passengers are called by name and the number of descendants in attendance are counted and recorded. Passenger John Howland had the largest number of descendants present at 24. My ancestor John Alden had 21 descendants in attendance this time. For a complete list of passengers and information about the passengers visit Passenger Lists Mayflower 1620 on Caleb’s website.


The guest speaker for this luncheon was Caleb Johnson.  Caleb is an author and historian with over 25 years of researching the Mayflower passengers and their voyage. His most popular book is Here Shall I Die Ashore about the life of Stephen Hopkins. Caleb’s website,  “ the Internet's most complete and accurate website dealing with the Mayflower passengers and the history of the Pilgrims and early Plymouth Colony” can be found at MayflowerHistory.com.

Caleb Johnson with Kathleen Loftman, San Diego Colony Deputy Governor, and William “Bud” Leef, San Diego Colony Governor

Caleb’s talk was entitled “Recent Discoveries in English Records concerning the Mayflower Passengers”. Caleb told us about some of his current research and discoveries on ancestors of several of the Pilgrim passengers. I always find it amazing to learn about documents that are still being discovered, almost 400 years later, that relate to the Mayflower Passengers and their ancestors. Some of the examples of the documents in old English handwriting were amazing to see. I wondered how long it took them to transcribe some of the documents due to the handwriting. What interesting information they have been able to uncover!  Caleb was a very interesting speaker with great examples of documents for us to get a feel for the work he has done.  Research that many of us would never be able to do on our own.

At the end of the luncheon they asked all of us in costume to stand up 

and later we had a picture taken of all of us that were in ‘costume’ together.

(click on pictures to enlarge)

I have Kathy to thank for making my 'costume'.

How amazing to see the variety of ‘costumes’ and colors. Everyone had a wonderful time and the food, as usual, was delicious. What a wonderful way for all of us ‘descendants’ to honor our ancestors and appreciate what they went through as they survived that first winter and embarked on a new life in this ‘new world’. I am very thankful for their perseverance in making their new life here in America.
What a great way to start the Thanksgiving Holiday!

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

Special thanks to friend and fellow Blogger Diane Gould Hall for many of the photos.  Hopefully, next time, it will be Diane's turn to be accepted into the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.

Be sure to mark your calendar for 8 November 2020 and set aside some time to visit the San Diego Colony Mayflower presentation in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA marking the 400^th celebration for the landing of the Mayflower.

2020 Mayflower Commemorative items

Wedding and Anniversary of MM and Betsey Granteer Coolbaugh

One Hundred and Seventy Eight years ago today, in 1841, my maternal 3x great grandparents Marvin Milton Coolbaugh, aged 20 years, and Abigail Betsey Granteer, aged 18 years, were married in Canton, Bradford County, Pennsylvania.  (clink on links to read more about their lives from previous posts)

Betsey was born and raised in Canton.  She was the oldest of 4 daughters born to David and Rhonda Kilborn Granteer.  Marvin was born and raised about 20 miles away in Monroeton, Pennsylvania.  I wonder how the couple met?  What were the hopes and dreams in 1841 for a young couple as they were starting a new life together?

Their wedding announcement was listed in the Bradford Porter newspaper on Wednesday, November 3, 1841:

Also published in a column entitled ‘They Were Sweethearts Long Ago’ in The Bradford Star newspaper on Thursday, May 31, 1900:

The Rev. S. W. Alden was Marvin’s maternal uncle Severellon Wells Alden, minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church (descendant of John and Priscilla Alden of the Mayflower).

Thirty-Five years later the couple celebrated their Anniversary with the following account recorded in The Canton Independent-Sentinel on 12 October 1876, page 3:

(click on image to enlarge)

Transcription:

A Fine Time of a ‘Lunch.”

The Thirty-Fifth Anniversary of the Connubial Pilgrimage of Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Coolbaugh of Monreoton.

Several Cantonians Present At The Feast.

A Fine Time Well Enjoyed.

Editor Sentinel:  Marvin Coolbaugh and wife, having enjoyed matrimonial felicity for just thirty-five years, on the 27th ult, concluded to make a mark by a good, strong tally, at the Thirty-fifth Anniversary of their connubial pilgrimage, by enjoying what “Marv” was pleased to call a “lunch.”  Consequently a few of heir friends had due notice served upon them, “To lay aside all excuses whatsoever, and to be, and appear, at Mr. & Mrs. Coolbaugh’s, on the said 27th day of October, in their proper sersons, under a penalty better imagined then defined; and to govern themselves accordingly.”  As there are few persons who can well afford to disregard “Marv’s” constabulary authority, so prodigious in its momentum, and for various other reasons needless to mention, most of those summonded entered an appearance promptly at the time.
     Your correspondent, of course, was there, and concluded to make a note of all that was passing.  Among the parties present from Canton, (Mrs. Coolbaugh’s native city,) we noticed Mr. Jay Whitehead, Mr. Ezekiel Newman, and Mr. E. L. Manley; each bringing his wife, and each having married a sister of Mrs. Coolbaugh.  Last but not least, from Canton, was their daughter, Bertha Cranmer, at home to see “Ma” and enjoy the festivities of the occasion.  Her eyes as dark and as sharp as ever; healthful and blooming countenance, all sprightliness and vivacity, she appeared to be regarded by her aunts and all as the life and animus of the party.
     Their sons were at home with their wives, for a flying call, making of the family record B.F. Coolbaugh and wife from Sayre, and P. M. Coolbaugh and lady (my 2x great grandparents), from Towanda.  I noticed, also, Mrs. E.B. Coolbaugh, of Towanda.  Then turning to the representatives from Monroe, I found Mrs. Judge Tracy, Mrs. L. G. Hollon, Miss Mary Arnot, Mr. and Mrs. Jared F. Woodruff, and Rev. S. W. Alden, who officiated at the interesting occasion thirty-five years ago, and now, accompanied by his lady, the old “Elder,” by mistake, left his aches and pains at home, and really appeared rejuvinated again.
     In the midst of the finest flow of convivial chat, Marvin appeared, and called their attention to that part of the bill of fare which he had denominated as a “lunch.”  Well, if that was a lunch, I wonder how and where even Solomon found room for dinner.  We all enjoyed it in the largest style possible, and in fact, devoured it until I was ashamed to look a live turkey in the face.  You may thus form an estimate of how it was gotten up.
     Marvin Strictly objected to any presents for the occasion, but childish dodges finely evaded his serious mandate.  Four of their children were present, and five grandchildren.
     Among other presents and valuable keepsakes, I noticed a paper of pins to Grandma, that she might “keep her ears pinned on.”  Looking further, a comb was inscribed to Grandpa, that “the animals might not get the mastery over him.”  O, these mischievous little grandbabies, they annoy as well as please.  “Marv.” laughed at their jokes in spite of his natural seriousness.
     All wiped their mouths and went away “Resolved to meet some other day.”
                                                                            L.C.

What a joyous occasion that Anniversary celebration sounds like it must have been!  I so appreciate all the detail LC added to my family story.  What insight into the personalities of Marv and Betsey. 

Happy Anniversary Marv and Betsey!!

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

                                                                        

MM Coolbaugh

Marvin Milton Coolbaugh is my maternal 3^rd great-grandfather. I started out researching his life a few weeks ago (see post Sometimes You Just Get Lucky) and am finally getting back to him. When I start out researching one of my ancestors I may have a birth and death date and perhaps a marriage date. But that is never enough for me. I want to know about their lives; what did they care about, what were they involved with what was happening around them while they lived. Sometimes, I am able to find out a lot about them and other times information may be scarce. What can I learn about Marvin?

According to the 1820 US Federal Census, the year before Marvin’s birth, his parents Benjamin and Louisa were in the township of Towanda, Bradford County, PA. The population was about 1,342 people. It appears that Benjamin’s brother William and several other Coolbaughs were also living in that area.

Marvin was born 2 July 1821 in Monroe, Bradford County, Pennsylvania to Benjamin and Louisa Alden Coolbaugh.

On 27 November 1841 in Canton, Bradford, PA Marvin (age 20) and Abigail Betsey Grantier (age 18) were married. They would have 4 children: Portis (my 2x great-grandfather), Bertha, Frank and Arthur.

In the 1850 US Federal Census in Monroe, Bradford County, on 31 July, MM Coolbaugh was 29 years old. His occupation was listed as Farmer. Betsey, his wife and children Francis, Portis and B.L. are also listed. MM’s maternal grandparents, Timothy and Lois Alden are listed as living in the same dwelling. Timothy is also listed as being a Farmer. Lois would die in 1851 and Timothy would die in 1859.

In 1858 on the County Tax Roll I find MM owing some money on taxes. Were these taxes perhaps for farm land that Timothy owned (when moving to the area he purchased 800 acres) that Marvin was helping him run and maybe taking over? 

(click on images to enlarge)

• I need to locate a Will and Land Deeds for Timothy Alden and Land Deeds for Marvin.

In the 1860 US Federal Census in Monroe Borough, Bradford County, on 13 August, MM was 39 years old. His occupation is listed as Hotel Keeper. AB, his wife and children BF, PM, BS, AE and J Crous, Day Laborer, are also listed.

In 1860 and 1861 MM seemed to be involved, according to the local newspaper, in politics and elections that were occurring. More to follow on this.

On 11 April 1861 MM applied for the first 'Hotel Keeper' license I was able to locate:

LICENSES-Notice is hereby given that the following named persons have filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions, their petitions for license under the existing laws of this Commonworth, and their several applications will be heard before the Judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions, on Monday, the 6^th day of May next, at 2 o’clock, p.m. of said day:

M.M. Coolbaugh……..Monroe boro

• He is listed as a 'Hotel Keeper' on the 1860 census.  When did he begin as a 'Hotel Keeper'?

On 1 September 1862 on a tax list for District #13 in Pennsylvania for Monroe Borough I find Marvin M Coolbaugh paying for a Class B License for Hotel Keeper with a tax of $10.00. I see him also listed on the next line as paying a tax for a Class B License for Retail Dealer in Liquor with a tax of $20.00.

In 1863 on a tax list for District #13 in Pennsylvania for Monroe Borough I again find M M Coolbaugh paying for a Class B License for Hotel Keeper with a tax of now $6.67 and paying a tax for a Class B License for Retail Dealer in Liquor with a tax of now $13.33.

On an “Alphabetical List of Persons in Division No. 15^th, of Collection District No. 13^th, of the State of Penn, liable to a tax under the Excise laws of the United States, and the amount therof, as assessed by A Mullan, Assistant Assessor, and by I S Monroe, Assessor, returned to the Collector of said District, for the month of May, 1865. Annual” I find:
Coolbaugh MM Monroe Boro, Monroeton 1 Gold Watch Number in Abstract-272 Quantity or Valuation $75 Rate of Tax 1 Total $1.00

• Was the watch something MM purchased or was it perhaps a family heirloom? I wonder what ever happened to that gold watch that I knew he had in 1865? I wonder if a family member still has it? What a treasure that would be today. Oh, to be able to see or hold that today and know that he carried that watch 154 years ago.

In the 1870 US Federal Census in Monroe Borough, Bradford County, on 5 August, MM was 49 years old. His occupation is listed as Constable. Listed as living in the house with him are his wife BA and son Arthur.

On 13 September 1879 at the age of 58 Marvin died in Monroe, Bradford, PA. His occupation was listed as Constable at the time of his death.

I have a better understanding of the life MM lived but have some lingering questions:

• I see in the information that I kept finding Marvin listed as “MM Coolbaugh”. I wonder if he preferred being called MM over Milton? Was this a nickname or just a preference on his part?
• Wish I could find out the name of the Hotel that MM was ‘Hotel Keeper’ for. On a map of Bradford County for 1869 I found the Eagle Hotel located on the corner of Main and Church Street and the Greenwood Hotel. Could either of them be the one he was involved with?
• Marvin had at least 3 different professions: Farmer, Hotel Keeper, and Constable.  I wonder if he had a favorite of these?

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

Enjoy the journey,

Debby