Asa Taft (1774-1839) – Ancestor #84

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Don Taylor

Roberts-Brown Project
Roberts-Barnes-Taft Line
By Don Taylor

Asa Taft is my double-fourth great-grandfather. He was born in Uxbridge, Mass., in 1774. He had between 10 and 12 children and two wives, Sarah and Lucy. He moved west to Partridgefield (now Hinsdale), Mass, and again west to Sharon, New York. Finally, he moved west again to Lisle, New York, and he died in nearby Triangle, New York.

Asa Taft is found in my Roberts-Brown Family Tree, 696 Ancestry Public Trees[i], and is Family Search profile L78D-G83.

Birth

Asa was born on 29 April 1774 in Uxbridge, Massachusetts Colony, the third child of Silas and Elizabeth Mary (Cruff) Taft.

Children of Silas and Elizabeth (Cruff) Taft (Asa’s Siblings)

NameBornMarriedDied
Dan1769Sarah Comstock1834
Job1772Elizabeth Brown1840
Asa1774Sarah Whitney Lucy Wilson Fuller1839
Abigail1777Isaac CoryAft. 1855
Silas1779Silvy ?Aft. 1850
Lewis1781Belinda Dewey1842
Cruff1784Rhoda CrowellBef. 1831
Mahetablec. 1785 c. 1848
Mary1786  

Mahetable & Mary may be the same child.

Asa’s marriage #1

Sometime between his birth and marriage, Asa Taft relocated from Uxbridge, MA, 100 miles west, to Partridgefield, MA. He and his wife, Sarah Whitney, were both of Partridgefield, MA, when they married on 18 September 1794.

Children of Asa and Sarah (Whitney) Taft

NameBornMarriedDied
Asa1794Irene Day1880
Luransa1796Luman Olmstead1870
{Possible son}[ii]1797  
Amanda1798Chauncey Whitney1872
Lucy Wilson[iii]c. 1799Joel Barnes1839
Joel Cruff1800Tamise Sutherland1849
Seth1803Sarah Spaulding1875
John Whitney1805Electa Day1892
{possible daughter}{Bet 1810-1813}  

Adulthood

Amanda was born in 1798 in Partridgefield, MA. Asa began paying taxes in Sharon, Schoharie County, NY, in 1800 suggesting the family moved the 100 miles west to Sharon about 1799.

They moved another 100 miles west again, about 1805, to Triangle, Broome County, NY. Sarah died there in 1813.

A few years later, probably about 1819, Asa married Lucy Wilson. They had three children.

Children of Asa and Sarah (Whitney) Taft

NameBornMarriedDied
Sara Jane1821David Clinton1881
James F.c. 1822Mary Ann Ellison1848
Ambrose Wilsonc. 1825Harriett W Shattuck1891

Asa was a successful farmer. The 1825 New York Census noted he had 100 acres, 40 cattle, six horses, 20 sheep, and 16 hogs.

Death/Burial, etc.

Asa died on 17 March 1839 in Broome County and was buried in the Taft Family Cemetery about a mile north of Triangle, New York.

Events by Location

  • Massachusetts Colony, Worcester, Uxbridge – Birth
  • Massachusetts, Berkshire, Partridgefield (Hinsdale today) – 1794
  • Massachusetts, Berkshire, Peru – Marriage 1 – 1794
  • New York, Broome, Lisle – Lived 1820 to 1830
  • New York, Broome, Triangle – Marriage 2 – Death & Burial – 1839
  • New York, Schoharie, Sharon – Lived 1800-1803

Conflicts

I suspect Lucy was married previously and had several children in that marriage before she married Asa Taft. That would explain three children identified as Asa’s, which I don’t think are. It would mean that Lucy and Joel were stepsiblings and not brother & sister.

Actions / Follow-up

  • Find Asa in the 1790 & 1810 Censuses.
  • Continue Research on Asa Taft (1774-1839)
  • Research Asa’s wives and children.

Sources

  • 1800 Census (FS), Family Search, 1800 – Asa Taft – Sharon, Schoharie, New York, page 16. “United States, Census, 1800”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5B-QR1 : Sat Mar 09 23:59:55 UTC 2024), Entry for Asa Taft, 1800. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5B-QR1.
  • 1820 Census, Various, Asa Taft, Asa Taft Jr., Joel C Taft – Lisle, Broome, New York. “United States, Census, 1820”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHL8-H5F : Sat Mar 09 06:32:56 UTC 2024), Entry for Asa Taft, 1820.
  • 1830 Census (NARA), Various, 1830 Census – Asa Taft – Lisle, Broome, New York. Year: 1830; Census Place: Lisle, Broome, New York; Series: M19; Roll: 85; Page: 109; Family History Library Film: 0017145.
  • Ancestry.com, New York, U.S., Tax Assessment Rolls of Real and Personal Estates, 1799-1804 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014), Ancestry.com, 1800 – Asa Taft – Sharon Schoharie, NY.
  • Ancestry.com, New York, U.S., Tax Assessment Rolls of Real and Personal Estates, 1799-1804 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014), Ancestry.com, 1801 – Asa Taft – Sharon, Schoharie, NY.
  • Ancestry.com, New York, U.S., Tax Assessment Rolls of Real and Personal Estates, 1799-1804 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014), Ancestry.com, 1802 – Asa Taft – Sharon, Schoharie, New York.
  • Ancestry.com, New York, U.S., Tax Assessment Rolls of Real and Personal Estates, 1799-1804 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014), Ancestry.com, 1803 – Asa Taft – Sharon, Schoharie, New York.
  • Broome County (New York) census, 1820-1845, Family Search, Film # 008201793 – Image 112 of 382.
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69087508/asa-taft: accessed February 19, 2025), memorial page for Asa Taft Sr. (29 Apr 1774–11 Apr 1839), Find a Grave Memorial ID 69087508, citing Taft Cemetery, Triangle, Broome County, New York, USA; Maintained by Nathan Warner (contributor 47282835).
  • Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, Family Search, Births – Page 199 (Image 373 of 509). “Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F42G-FZZ : Sat Mar 09 16:11:55 UTC 2024), Entry for Asa Taft and Silas Taft, 29 April 1774. Uxbridge. Birth Records, Marriage Records, Death Records, Declarations of Intention.
  • Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, Family Search, Image 214 of 259 (right side) Starts with Dan Daft. “Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F45N-HP8 : Sat Mar 09 15:45:29 UTC 2024), Entry for Asa Taft and Silas Taft, 29 April 1774.
  • Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, Family Search, Marriage – … Asa Taft ?? Vorway in the State of New York and Miss Whitney of Partridgefield were lawfully Publishe??? by me Geot Walkins Jr. “Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29L-CYBW : Thu Jan 16 14:01:09 UTC 2025), Entry for Asa …A and Whitney, 18 Sep 1794.
  • New York, Cemetery Abstracts, 1800-1965, Family Search, Burial – Asa Taft – Age 65, 11 Mar 1839 -. “New York, Cemetery Abstracts, 1800-1965”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WQ6P-NCN2 : Sat Mar 09 04:50:14 UTC 2024), Entry for Asa Taft.

Endnotes

[i] Ancestry Public Trees – This number changes. It is the number of trees on the day I was writing this sketch.

[ii] I think this might be a stepson to Asa.

[iii] I find it interesting that Lucy Wilson Taft has the second name of Wilson. I suspect this is a daughter of Asa’s second wife Lucy Fuller Wilson and is a stepdaughter to Asa.

Posted in Ancestor Sketch, Roberts-Barnes | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Beckwith Theatre, Dowagiac, MI, 19 Feb 1920.

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Don Taylor

In the News, 105 Years Ago
Vaudeville/Chin-Chin
Cassopolis Vigilant (Cassopolis, MI)
By Don Taylor

Advertisment for Chin Chin
Cassopolis Vigilant, February 19, 1920

My grandmother was a vaudeville star. I am following her career and learning about her many performances. In October 1919, she joined the cast of the Charles Dillingham production of “Chin-Chin” “Chin-Chin” played in the US and Canada until June 1920. I monitor several newspaper services, watching for new venues where the show played while she was a cast member.

This week’s entry is from the Cassopolis Vigilant dated Friday, February 19, 1920, via Newspapers.Com.

New Venue Added:

Feb 20, 1920 – Dowagiac, MI – Beckwith Theatre – “Chin-Chin.”

Posted in In the news, 1919-20 - Chin Chin, Vaudeville | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Photo Friday – Moody & Rounds

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 055
 Hod, Wright, JPD, Liz, Others Album (2024.13.50)
By Don Taylor

The Linwood Dyer Photo Collection at the Scarborough Historical Society contains a photo album labeled “HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS.” Some photos have identification notes or hints, others do not. I am trying to positively identify and then share these historical photos with the descendants of the people pictured, offering families a chance to see unknown images of their ancestors.

The original materials, including this album (Accession number: 2024.13.43), are carefully preserved at the Scarborough Historical Society, serving as part of the broader Linwood Dyer Photo Collection’s enduring legacy.

Major Frank Moody, circa 1876.

Photo of Major Frank Moody, circa 1876.
Major Frank Moody, circa 1876.

This photo from page 22 is labeled Major Frank Moody. The photographer was identified as Smith – Photographer – no address. There were at least six different Smith photographers in Portland that operated from 1871 to 1916.

Also on page 22 is an unlabeled photo of a woman about the same age as Major Frank. Due to placement in the photo album, I suspect this is Major Frank Moody’s wife. Further research found his wife was Julia A Harmon (1833-1906).

Page 23 of the album includes to photos, also photographed at the same studio at about the same time are two more photos. One is identified as “Eleanor Moody” and the other as “Eleanor Moody & sister. (Under sister is “Harriet” written in pencil.)” The 1880 US Census lists Major Moody, his wife Julia and two daughters Hattie (age 15) and Nellie (age 12). Find a Grave has a photo of Elinor S Moody, that appears to be the same woman, just a few years older.

I am sure these four photos comprise the Major Frank Moody family:

  • Major Frank Moody – Father (1830-1888) (aka Major Francis Moody)
  • Julia Ann (Harmon) Moody – Mother (1833-___)
  • Elinor S Moody – daughter (1868-1956) (aka Nellie S Moody)
  • Hattie Moody – daughter (aka Harriette F. Moody) (1865-___)
Photo of Julia Ann (Harmon) Moody, circa 1876.
Julia Ann (Harmon) Moody,
Photo of Eleanor and Hattie Moody.
Eleanor and Hattie Moody.
Photo of Eleanor Moody.
Eleanor

Major Moody’s photo, showing him in his mid-50s, dating the photo to around 1876. I am confident in this identification so I’ve my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and to their Family Search profiles.

Mettie Rounds, circa 1895 (age 17).

Photo of Mettie Rounds, circa 1895.
Mettie Rounds, circa 1895.

The photo on page 20, labeled “Nettie Rounds (Uncle James Small’s sister’s child),” was taken by H.M. Smith of 478 Congress St., Portland, ME (studio listed at that address 1892-1898). This identification clarifies the album’s perspective: Nellie A. Plummer’s mother was Ellen A. Hunnewell. Ellen’s sister, Marietta, married James Auston Small (Nellie’s uncle). James had three sisters: Maria (m. Charles A. Libby), Elizabeth (m. Edwin Wilson Rounds), and Nellie May (m. Rosco Green Libby). Elizabeth and Edwin’s daughter, Mettie/Nattie L. Rounds (1878-1965), is likely the photo’s subject, taken circa 1895 when she was about 17.

I added it to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and her profile at FamilySearch (LBMZ-B8X).

Conclusion

Family photographs hold an extraordinary power to connect us across generations, offering glimpses into the lives, personalities, and experiences of those who came before us. The discovery of an unseen photograph of a beloved ancestor can be a profoundly moving experience that collapses the distance of time and allows us to see our family members as they once were, perhaps in the full bloom of youth or childhood. If any of these images have helped you recognize an ancestor, I would be deeply grateful to hear your story and learn how these photographs have enriched your understanding of your family’s history.

For those interested in accessing the highest quality versions of these historical photographs for genealogical research, please note that the full-resolution images are available through Ancestry and Family Search platforms due to technical constraints. These photographs are shared freely for your family history research and documentation, with the simple request that you acknowledge their source with the citation: “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.” By sharing and properly attributing these images, you help maintain the vital connection between these historical materials and their custodians, ensuring that future generations can continue to discover and learn from these precious visual records of our shared past.

Posted in Linwood Dyer Collection, HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS Album, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Donna & Crescent Theatre in the News

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Don Taylor

Donna Darling at Crescent Theatre, Pontiac, MI, February 13 & 14, 1925.

Donna in the News
100 Years Ago
by Don Taylor

Ad for the California Bathing Beauties in the Pontiac Daily newspaper of 12 Feb 1925.
Clipping – Pontiac Daily 12 Feb 1925

“Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s. 

This week from the Pontiac Daily Leader (Pontiac, MI), dated February 12, 1925, I learned that the “California Bathing Beauties, featuring Donna Darling” played at the Crescent Theatre in Pontiac, Michigan.

I found an advertisement regarding Donna and her show. Also playing was the motion picture “Merton of the Movies” with Glen Hunter & Viola Dana.

Because of those newly available online articles, I was able to add another venue for Donna’s exciting vaudeville career.

New information added to her career list:

Feb 13 & 14, 1925 – Pontiac, Michigan – Crescent Theatre – “The California Bathing Beauties.”

Endnotes

My thanks to Genealogy Bank for providing access to this clipping.

Posted in In the news, California Bathing Girls (1925), Vaudeville | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Photo Friday – Libby, Plummer, Roberts

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Don Taylor

Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 054
 Hod, Wright, JPD, Liz, Others Album (2024.13.50)
Portland, Scarborough, Maine
By Don Taylor

The Linwood D. Dyer Photo Collection is a remarkable historical archive, encompassing hundreds of carefully preserved images, documents, and genealogical records that paint a vivid portrait of life in Scarborough and its surrounding communities. Among its treasures lies this particular photo album, its spine bearing the intriguing notation “HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS” – a cryptic reference to the faces and stories contained within. While many photographs in the album contain detailed labels illuminating their subjects’ identities, others remain mysterious, their subjects waiting to be recognized and named. As a historian and curator, I have embarked on a meaningful mission to connect these historical photographs with descendants of the people they depict, offering families the profound experience of discovering previously unseen images of their ancestors. The original materials, including this album (Accession number: 2024.13.43), are carefully preserved at the Scarborough Historical Society, serving as part of the broader Linwood Dyer Photo Collection’s enduring legacy.

Addie Libby, circa 1882.

Photo of Addie Libby, circa 1882.
Addie Libby, circa 1882.

This photo from page 15 is labeled Addie Libby[i]. No photographer was identified for the photograph. The page includes a note, “children of Eben Libby’s broth.”

Addie Leona Libby (1862-1886) is the daughter of Samuel Libby (1835-1902). Samuel’s brother was Ebenezer Scott Libby (1848-___). The woman in the photo appears to be about 20 years old, thus dating the photo to about 1882.

I am confident this photo is of Addie Libby, so I added it to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and her profile at FamilySearch (KG49-6GJ).

Annie Libby, circa 1886.

Photo of Annie Libby, circa 1886.
Annie Libby, circa 1886.

On page 14 of the album, this cabinet card is of a young woman named Annie Libby.[ii] 

The photographer was C.W. Hearn, Portland, Maine. The back is blank, and there is no address for the studio. Hearn Studio operated in Portland on Congress Street from 1881 to 1889, dating the photo to 1885 ± 4 years.

Annie Libby, the daughter of Samuel and Lucy Ann (Hunnewell) Libby, was born in 1870. She appears to be about 16 in this photo, suggesting the photo was taken about 1886.

I am confident his photo is of Annie, so I added it to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and her profile at FamilySearch (KDS3-9VW).

Ella Libby, circa 1882

Photo of Ella Libby, circa 1882.
Ella Libby, circa 1882

From page 14 of the album, this cabinet card of a young woman is labeled Ella Libby.[iii] 

The photographer was Lamson, Portland, Maine. The back is blank, and there is no address for the studio. Lamson Studio operated in Portland from 1871 through 1902. Ella was born in 1864 and appears to be about 18 to me, suggesting the photo is circa 1882.

I am confident his photo is of Ella, so I added it to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and her profile at FamilySearch (KCWL-CD7).

Forest Libby, circa 1889

Photo of Forest Libby, circa 1889.
Forest Libby, circa 1889

This cabinet card of a young man is labeled “Forest Libby” with an added note, “[child] of Eben Libby’s broth.”[iv]  The photographer was Lamson, 5 Temple St., Portland, Me.  Lamson Studio operated in Portland from 1879 through 1902. Forest was born in 1864 and appears to be about 25 to me, suggesting the photo is circa 1889 in keeping with the photographer being at that location.

I added this photo of Forest to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and his profile at FamilySearch (LZZM-VKX).

Sarah Elizabeth Plummer (later Wright), circa 1887.

photo of Sarah Elizabeth Plummer (later Wright), circa 1887.
Sarah Elizabeth Plummer (later Wright), circa 1887.

This cabinet card of a young woman is labeled “Aunt Liz Plummer Wright.[v] The photographer was Lamson, Portland, Maine. The back has the Lamson logo but no location. Lamson Studio operated in Portland from 1871 through 1902.

From previous research, I learned that Sarah Elizabeth (aka Lizzie) Plummer (1871-1943) married Albert E Wright on 3 June 1896 in Scarboro, ME. She appears to be about 16 in this photo, suggesting the photo was taken about 1887.

I am confident this photo is of Liz, so I added it to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and her profile on FamilySearch (LT4J-QK3).

Sarah Elizabeth Plummer (later Wright), circa 1879.

Photo of Liz Plummer as a child, circa 1897.
Liz Plummer as a child, circa 1897.

Two cabinet cards on page 11 of the album show a girl labeled “Aunt Liz Plummer Wright[vi], who appears to be about eight years old. The photographer was J.M. Peck, 518 Congress Street, Portland, Me. J.M. Peck operated at 518 Congress Street from about 1875 to 1886.

Sarah Elizabeth (Liz) was born in 1871. She would have been eight in 1879, fitting J.M. Peck’s time at 518 Congress.

I also added these two photos to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and one of them to her FamilySearch profile (LT4J-QK3).

Blanche Plummer Roberts, circa 1887.

Photo of Blanch Roberts as a young child, circa 1887.
Blanch Roberts, circa 1887.

This cabinet card of a young girl, about 5 years old, is labeled “Blanche Roberts.”[vii]

The photographer was H. M. Smith, 478 Congress St., Portland, Me. The back is blank. H.M. Smith operated at 478 Congress from 1893 to 1898. Blanche was born in 1892, suggesting H. M. Smith took the photo about 1887.

I added this photo to my Linwood Dyer Collection family tree at Ancestry and her profile at FamilySearch (L2L3-XRR).

Conclusion

Family photographs hold an extraordinary power to connect us across generations, offering glimpses into the lives, personalities, and experiences of those who came before us. The discovery of an unseen photograph of a beloved ancestor can be a profoundly moving experience that collapses the distance of time and allows us to see our family members as they once were, perhaps in the full bloom of youth or childhood. If any of these images have helped you recognize an ancestor, I would be deeply grateful to hear your story and learn how these photographs have enriched your understanding of your family’s history.

For those interested in accessing the highest quality versions of these historical photographs for genealogical research, please note that the full-resolution images are available through Ancestry and Family Search platforms due to technical constraints. These photographs are shared freely for your family history research and documentation, with the simple request that you acknowledge their source with the citation: “Photo Courtesy: Scarborough Historical Society.” By sharing and properly attributing these images, you help maintain the vital connection between these historical materials and their custodians, ensuring that future generations can continue to discover and learn from these precious visual records of our shared past.

Endnotes

[i] The original of this photo is held by the Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood D Dyer Photo Collection, “HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS” album. 2024.13.50, page 15.

[ii] The original of this photo is held by the Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood D Dyer Photo Collection, “HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS” album. 2024.13.50, page 14.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] The original of this photo is held by the Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood D Dyer Photo Collection, “HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS” album. 2024.13.50, page 15.

[v] The original of this photo is held by the Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood D Dyer Photo Collection, “HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS” album. 2024.13.50, page 12.

[vi] The original of this photo is held by the Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood D Dyer Photo Collection, “HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS” album. 2024.13.50, page 11.

[vii] The original of this photo is held by the Scarborough Historical Society, Linwood D Dyer Photo Collection, “HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS” album. 2024.13.50, page 3.

Posted in Linwood Dyer Collection, HOD WRIGHT JPD LIZ OTHERS Album, Faces from the Past | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment