Mercy (Gay) Sanford & the Early Censuses

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Don Taylor

Mercy Sanford and the 1840, 1830, and 1820 Census records.

Brown-Sanford-Gay
Census Sunday
By Don Taylor

Following widows in early America can often be difficult, Mercy (Gay) Sanford was widowed when her husband, Ezra Clugston Sanford, died 22 June 1813 in Pownal, Bennington County, Vermont.[i] Mercy died in Byron, Genesee, New York sometime in 1841.[ii] So, the question arises, what happened to Mercy between 1813 and 1841? When did she locate to Byron?

Typically, you start with what you know, and go back in time. However, in the case of Mercy, I needed to start with what I knew and go forward in time. First, I looked at the three census records in question.  Miraculously, I found Mercy in the 1830 Census.

Censuses

1830 – Byron, Genesee County, New York

The Mercy Sanford household consists of 1 Female, 60 to 70 years old and 1 male from 10 to 15 years old.

Mercy was born in 1761, so she would have been 69 in 1830. Living with her is a young male; my suspicion a grandson, or even a great-grandson.[iii]

1820 – Not with Lucy. 

After Ezra died in 1813, Mercy was given guardianship of her daughter Lucy.[iv] Lucy married Levi Case in 1817. My first thought was that Mercy might have been living with her daughter Lucy and her husband Levi during the 1820 Census. No Such Luck.

The 1820 Census record for Levi Case is:

Levi Cass 1 – – 1 – – 1 – 1 – – – 

Males
1 Male  Under 10   Apparently Levi A. (Jr.)
2 Males 16 to 26   One must be Levi. The other is unknown.

Females
1 female under 10 apparently is Mercy G.
1 female from 16 to 26 years of age must be Lucy.

So, it is apparent that Mercy didn’t locate to New York with Lucy and Levi.

1820 – Not with Electa. 

Mercy’s daughter, Electa, died in 1819, so Mercy couldn’t be living with her in 1920.

1820 – Bergen, Genesee County, New York. 

After Electa died, her husband, Dewey Miller, married Electa’s sister Sally. Could Mercy be living with them during the 1820 Census? Yes.[v] The 1820 Census entry for Dewey Miller is:

Dewey Miller  3 – – – 1 – 1 – – 2 1  

Males
3 males under age 10. One is likely Aaron, one is likely Albert, the third one is unclear.
1 male between 26 and 45 is clearly Dewey.

Females:

1 female under age 10 appears to be daughter Lucy.
2 females 26 to 45. One must be Sally and the other is an unknown female.
1 female over 45 appears to be Mercy.

Dewey was born in 1787, so he’d be 33 during the 1820 Census.
Sally was born in 1790, so she’d be 30 during the 1820 Census.
Mercy was born in 1861, so she’d be 59 during the 1820 Census.

The marriage of Dewey to Electa, her death, the marriage of Dewey to Sally, and the 1820 census lend themselves to a speculative narrative that Electa got sick. Mercy located to help take care of Electa. Upon Electa’s death, Dewey married Sally, and Mercy was still with the household during the 1820 Census.

1840 – Byron, Genesee County, New York

There doesn’t appear to be a Mercy Sanford in the 1840 Census. However there is a Mary Sanford of the correct age whose neighbors are many of the same people as were neighbors to Mercy during the 1830 Census.[vi] The neighbors include David Shed, Erastus Hamond, and Stephen Clark.  The entry for Mary (Mercy) is:

Mary Sanford – – 1 – – – – – – – – – – –  |  – – – – – – – – 1 – – –

1 Male 10 to 15 – Unknown male.
1 Female 70 to 80 – Mercy (Gay) Sanford

Conclusion

Mercy and Ezra Sanford were married on 11 Oct 1876. His records for the 1790, 1800, and 1810 censuses are the records for Mercy. These three additional census records follow Mercy for the years after Ezra’s death until Mercy’s death.

Endnotes:

[i] Find a Grave, Find a Grave, Ezra Sanford (1763-1813) – Memorial# 43640146. Died 22 Jun 1813. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=43640146.

[ii] “Thomas Sanford, the emigrant to New England; ancestry, life,and descendants, 1632-4,” Carlton E.  Sanford, Charles Arthur Hoppin (1911), Page 226 – Sketch 711 – Ezra Sanford. https://archive.org/details/thomassanfordemi01sanf/page/n3.; PDF, Archive.Org (https://archive.org/details/thomassanfordemi001sanf).

[iii] 1830 Census (FS), Family Search, 1830 Census – Byron, Genesee, New York – Page 368 – Mercy Sanford. “United States Census, 1830,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHPN-YDQ: 29 July 2017), Mercy Sanford, Byron, Genesee, New York, United States; citing 368, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 90; FHL microfilm 17,150.

[iv] Vermont; Wills and Probate Records, 1749-1999, Ancestry.Com, Probate – Ezra Sanford (1753-1813) – Page 03 (00390). Guardianship Papers – Assigning Mercy Sanford as guardian for Lucy Sanford, 5 July 1813. https://search.ancestry.com/collections/9084/records/325523/.

[v] 1820 Census (FS), Family Search, 1820 Census – Bergan, Genesee, New York – Page 43 – Dewey Miller. “United States Census, 1820,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLV-7N5 : accessed 15 February 2020), Dewey Miller, Bergen, Genesee, New York, United States; citing p. 43, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 72; FHL microfilm 193,727.

[vi] 1840 Census (NARA), 1840 Census – Bergan, Genesee, New York, Page 267 – Mary [Mercy] Sanford. “United States Census, 1840,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHT7-SWK : 15 August 2017), Mary Sanford, Byron, Genesee, New York, United States; citing p. 267, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 286; FHL microfilm 17,188.

Posted in Brown, Census Sunday, Gay, Sanford | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

ThruLines – Darling Part 2 – Bernard & Bertha Trumpi

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Don Taylor

ThruLines Thursday
Darling-Huber-Trumpi/Koch
DNA
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.In Part 2 of my Darling ThruLinestm analysis, I’m looking closely at matches with wife’s maternal 2nd great-grandparents, Bernard[i] Trümpi (1844-1913) and Bertha (Koch) Trümpi (1862-1927).

ThruLinestm indicated that there are 3 (newly discovered) cousins who match Shirley through the Trümpi line.

J. S. Descended from Bebetta Trümpi

J. S. and Shirley share 15 cM of DNA on one chromosome, which is a very small amount.

ThruLinestm suggests that the connection is through great-aunt Babetta Trumpi. Babetta was the second of the seven children of Bernard and Bertha. Babetta also had another seven half-siblings from Bernard’s first marriage.  She was born 9 Oct 1888, emigrated to the United States Oct 1905, and married Wilhelm Fuchs on 16 Nov 1906 in Winnebago, Illinois. They had at least eight children, one of whom was Walter Fuchs. Walter died sometime before 2006.

Through the tree of J. S., I learned that Walter married Katherine Welty and had children, one of whom was J. S.’s grandparent.

With the suggested tree, J. S. would be a 2nd cousin 2x (2C2X) removed. Genetically, a 2C2X should share between 0 and 261 cM, which is in the expected range but is a very low amount. DNA Painter suggests a 7.5% probability for this relationship.

L. C. Descended from Freida A. Trumpi

L. C. and Shirley share 112 cM of DNA on 7 segments. Much more in keeping with what I would expect from a 2nd cousin.

ThruLinestm suggests that the connection is through great-aunt Frieda A Trümpi. Frieda was the fourth of the seven children of Bernard and Bertha. Freida also had another seven half-siblings from Bernard’s first marriage.  She was born 9 Aug 1895, emigrated to the United States in 1906, and married Adolph John Karch on 27 Feb 1913 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. They had at least five children, one of whom was Albert Adolph Karch (1913-1963). Walter died sometime before 2006. L. C. is one of Walter’s children.

Thus, the paper trail also suggests that L.C. and Shirley are 2nd Cousins. They share 112 cM of material across 7 segments, which fits within the range (46-515) expected for 2nd cousins, but at the low end (8.9% likelihood).

K.B. Descended from Freida A. Trumpi

K.B. and Shirley share 23 cM of DNA on 2 segments.

ThruLinestm suggests that the connection is also through great-aunt Frieda A Trümpi. I mentioned Frieda under L.C.’s relationship. Another of Frieda and Aldolph’s children was Elinor Frieda Karch (1914-1998). Elinor married John Patrick McCarthy and they had at least one child, Marcella Rae Whitmore (1935-1998).  Marcella is K.B.’s grandmother.

Thus, the paper trail also suggests that L.C and Shirley are 2C2R. They share 23 cM of material across 2 segments which fits within the range (0-261) expected for 2nd cousins, twice removed, but again, at the low end (8.3% likelihood).

Conclusion

I find it interesting that all of these ThruLinestm connections include much less DNA than would be expected. All within norms, but all in the bottom 10% for the paper relationship. That makes me wonder if there might be some event that would reduce the amount of DNA shared significantly. This might be a good candidate for chromosome mapping. I have a “gut feeling” that I have something wrong and that Bernard had two wives name Bertha.[ii] If so, that Babetta and Freida’s descendants had less shared DNA than expected would make sense.

Finally, if you are a descendant of Bernard Trümpi (1844-1913) or Bertha (Koch) Trümpi (1862-1927), please consider testing with Ancestry DNA; it is an excellent genealogical resource, which may help you broaden your tree.

All of my ThruLines posts are listed under the ThruLines Thursday category.

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Posted in Koch, ThruLines Thursday, Trumpi | 2 Comments

Chin-Chin – Wilkes-Barre – May 4, 1920

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Don Taylor

Donna Montran and “Chin Chin” play at the Grand Opera House in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on 4 May 1920.

Vaudeville
Chin-Chin 

“Chin Chin” played at the Lyric Theatre in Allentown on the 3rd and cast and crew headed the 60 plus miles north to Wilkes-Barre.

Advertising

Advertising for the show began a week before with a page 3 photo and both a display and a short writeup telling the readers about the coming show. Eventually, three papers[i] would all let the people about the show.

It must have been a big deal to play at the Grand Opera House. It was one of the few theaters at the time that hadn’t added silent films to their schedule and remained a strictly live theater establishment. Advertising copy was upscale and thoughtful. For example, “‘Chin Chin’ at the Grand” spoke about the popular translation of The Thousand Nights and One Night, translated by John Payne, even though “Chin Chin” only used the concept of many stories in one and not having a plot.

Sadly, Donna was never called out specifically, although some of the songs she sang were mentioned as part of the “Musically Rich Show.”[ii]

Post Show Info

I still have not determined where Donna and Chin Chin played on May 5th or May 6th, but by May 7th, they were 140 miles east to Patterson, New York.

Grand Opera House, Wilkes-Barre, PA

I have never had such a difficult time learning about a theatre as I have in learning about the Grand Opera House in Wilkes-Barre. I’ve been unable to find photographs or postcards of the venue. I cannot even find a reliable source for its build date. Certainly, the Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of 1891 shows that the Theatre was NOT there.  Likewise, the 1892 City Directory doesn’t mention the Opera House as either a “Hall” or by address. However, the 1893 City Directory does indicate that the Theatre was there at 13 South Franklin and that Moses Burgunder was the manager. So, I believe that the Opera House was probably built in 1892.

The Joseph Cahn – Gus Hill Theatrical Guide and Moving Picture Directory for 1921 reported that the theater seated 1290 people, 464 on the main floor, 280 in the Balcony, 500 in the Gallery, and 46 in box sets.

Specifications for the Grand Opera House, Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Proscenium opening: 36×34 ft
Front to back wall: 36 ft
Between side walls: 60 ft
Apron 2 ft
Between fly girders: 46 ft
To rigging loft: 60 ft
To fly gallery: 38 ft
and there were 12 Dressing rooms

I have been unsuccessful in determining what happened to theater, although I know that it has been demolished.

Today the site is a parking lot.

Further Research

I have contacted several organizations in hopes to learn more about the Grand Opera House in Wilkes-Barre. I will incorporate that information when I learn more. 

Endnotes

[i] The Evening News, The Wilkes-Barre Record, and the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.

[ii] The Evening News (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) · Mon, May 3, 1920 · Page 5, “At the Grand.”

 

Posted in 1919-20 - Chin Chin, Donna Montran, Vaudeville | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Butterfield Bible – Part 3 – Deaths

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Don Taylor

Cover of the Daisy Butterfield Bible

I recently received a copy of the “Butterfield Bible” from a friend who asked that I share its contents with the “Genealogy World.”  The bible is an 1889 edition that appears to have originally been owned by Daisy E. Butterfield of Marseilles, Illinois, who put her name inside the front cover in 1889.  The section between the Old and New Testaments includes “Family Record” sheets for Marriages, Births, and Deaths. This is a transcript of the “Deaths.”

Deaths

Deaths entered in the Bible

Daisy Butterfield Bible – Deaths

  • Lottie Butterfield – July 16, 1877.
  • Charlie Butterfield – Dec 14, 1873.
  • Fannie Leora Eichelberger – Jan 29, 1898.
  • P. A. Butterfield – April 23, 1913.
  • Sarah A. Butterfield – March 5, 1923.
  • Melvin K. Parr – husband of Lois Antoinette Butterfield Parr in Los Angeles, Calif.[i] [1928?]
  • Fredrich M. Eichelberger, husband of Alice M. Butterfield Eichelberger in Long Beach California.[ii] [1928?]
  • Louis Augustus Butterfield – Jan. 5th, 1942 – Marseille, Ills.
  • Lois Antoinette Butterfield Parr – Aug. 20, 1944 – Woodstock, Ills.
  • Alice Mabel Butterfield Eichelberger – January 26, 1951 – San Diego, Calif.

Final Comment

If you are a descendant of Sarah Ella “Daisy” (Butterfield) Larrabee (1879-1953), please contact me. I would love to reunite this bible with the family.

Endnotes

[i] The date of 1928 is somewhat disconnected from the entry for Melvin Parr and for Fredrick Eichelberger.  The date clearly applies to one or the other, but this document doesn’t provide clear evidence.

[ii] Ibid.

Posted in Sunday Bible Review | 1 Comment

The Waters Family of 1880 Patten, Maine

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Don Taylor

Blanchard Project
Utterstrom/Chase/Waters

By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.During my ancestor sketch for Sadie Walters, I learned that Patten, Kennebec County, Maine, was settled about 1828 and incorporated in 1841. Sadie was born in 1887 in Patten, Maine and her parents were born in Patten as well. So, I wondered, just when did Sadie’s people come to Patten.  Sadie’s parents were William G. Waters and Laura M. Swett.

I decided to look first at the Waters of Patten, Maine, as they appear in the 1880 Census records.

1880 Population Schedule

A search of the 1880 Census for “Waters” in Patten, Maine, had 12 results in four-family units:

  1. George Waters, Age 67 – Widower – Farmer
    1. Daughter – Elen M. Waters, Age 40
    2. Son – Willie G. Waters, Age 22 – works on a farm.
  2. Samuel Waters, age 65 – Farmer
    1. Wife – Frances E. Waters, age 41
    2. Daughter – Emily Waters, age 14 – Attended School.
    3. Adopted Daughter – Mary I. Waters, age 24 – Teacher.
  3. William Waters, Age 60 – Farmer
    1. Wife – Olive T. Waters, Age 33
    2. Daughter – Alice M. Waters, Age 10 – Attended School.
    3. Son – William L Waters, Age 8 – Attended School.
    4. Niece – Emily A Rowe, Age 19 – Teacher
    5. Nephew – George E Rowe, Age 23 – Teacher
  4. Eunice W. Waters, Age 64 – Mother of Lonsen Grant.
    1. (Son) – Lonsen Grant, Age 37, farmer

Willie G. Waters is clearly the William G. Waters that I have in my records and Sadie A. Water’s father, who was born in January 1858. Thanks to the 1880 Census, I’ve learned that William’s father was George Waters, born c. 1813 and Willie G. had a much older sister, Elen, who was 18 years older, born about 1840.

George Waters Family entry in the 1880 Census.

I find it very interesting that George, Samuel, and William Waters are all in the 60s, all were born in Maine, and all of there parents were born in Maine. So, I suspect that the three are brothers.  A look at earlier census records may provide a clearer look and either confirm or rebuke that hypothesis.

Non-population Schedules

The 1880 Agricultural Census Schedule lists the farm information regarding each of the Waters’ farms.

George had 100 acres of land, 60 of which was tilled. In 1879, he had two horses, three milch (milk) cows, 18 sheep from which he got 100 pounds of fleece, and 20 chickens. He had 5 acres in oats, 3 acres in wheat, 1 acre of potatoes, 2 acres of apple trees. Altogether, George’s farm was valued at $1,539.

Samuel and William’s farms were slightly larger at 150 acres and valued at $1,775 and $1,780, respectively.

Future Actions

  • Next – Review the 1870 Census records.
  • Research property records for the Waters of Paten, Maine.

Sources:

  • 1880 Census, Lonsen M. Grant (Head) – Patten, Penobscot, Maine – Eunice W. Waters (Mother). 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Roll: 485; Page: 386A; Enumeration District: 001.
  • 1880 Census, George Waters – Patten, Penobscot, Maine. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Roll: 485; Page: 385D; Enumeration District: 001.
  • 1880 Census, Samuel Waters – Patten, Penobscot, Maine. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Roll: 485; Page: 383D; Enumeration District: 001.
  • 1880 Census, William Waters – Patten, Penobscot, Maine. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Roll: 485; Page: 384A; Enumeration District: 001.
  • 1880 U.S. census, “Agricultural Census Schedule”, George Waters, Patten, Penobscot, Maine, OS Page 15, Line 4. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Archive Collection Number: 15-156; Roll: 15; Page: 15; Line: 4; Schedule Type: Agriculture
  • 1880 U.S. census, “Agricultural Census Schedule”, Samuel Waters, Patten, Penobscot, Maine, OS Page 11, Line 5. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Archive Collection Number: 15-156; Roll: 15; Page: 11; Line: 5; Schedule Type: Agriculture.
  • 1880 U.S. census, “Agricultural Census Schedule”, William Waters, Patten, Penobscot Maine, OS Page 11, Line 7. 1880; Census Place: Patten, Penobscot, Maine; Archive Collection Number: 15-156; Roll: 15; Page: 11; Line: 7; Schedule Type: Agriculture.
Posted in Blanchard, Chase, Utterstrom, Waters | Tagged , , | Leave a comment