Hugh Ellis Roberts – A Second Look

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Don Taylor

Roberts Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.My second look at an ancestor begins with a review of what I think I know. Census records are among the easiest to find ancestors, so I often verify them first. Next, I look at Vital Records (birth, marriage, & death).  Do I have all the records, are they properly sourced, have I gleaned all of the data from the sources that I possibly can. Are they any conflicts between various evidence? If so, have I analyzed those conflicts? Have I followed up on any previous items for follow-up or continued research?  Does the evidence I have suggest further lines of research?

Ancestor 8 – Great-grandfather Hugh Ellis Roberts (1884-1908)

Hugh Ellis Roberts, 1901

I originally wrote about Hugh Ellis Roberts (1884-1908) in my Blogger blog on 22 Feb 2016.

Census Records

There is no surviving 1890 census, so the first, and only, census that Hugh appears in is the 1900 Census. The 1900 Census indicates that his mother owned the farm free, indicating I should look for property ownership. It also indicates her number on the Farm Schedule is #159, indicating I should look for her farm in the Farm Schedules. The census indicates that Florence could read and write, suggesting she went to school.

Birth

I initially based Hugh Ellis Roberts’ birth upon a pension file that his mother filed in 1888. It indicted that Hugh’s birthdate was 2 July 1844. However, I was able to find a birth registration entry for Hugh, which indicates he was born on 3 July 1844.

 

 

Conflicting Birth Info:

The birth register entry states Hugh’s birth was July 3rd, 1884 in Elk Prairie Township. His mother’s pension request file indicates he was born July 2nd, 1884. Also, some sources indicate Hugh was born in Spring Garden Township. (Elk Prairie and Spring Garden Townships are adjoining townships in Jefferson County.) The 1900 Census indicates that Hugh’s mother could not read or write, so it is certain that the information was second-hand in both cases. (One created by a Clerk, the other by a Lawyer.)

The registry entry was timely, within two weeks of the birth, however, it may have been provided by a third party. The Pension File was from November 1888, only four years after Hugh’s birth and the data had to have come from his mother as entered by her lawyer on a form. As such, there is no clear answer regarding Hugh’s birthdate. I am preferring 3 July as Hugh’s birthdate solely because the registry entry occurred closer to his birth. If new information comes forth regarding his birth I will reconsider what my preferred date and location are.

Asa’s Birthdate

Hugh’s birth registration indicates his father, Asa Ellis Roberts,  was 47 years old when Hugh was born, suggesting his father, Asa Roberts, was born in 1837.  However, Asa’s marker on Find-a-Grave indicates his birth year as 1835. Additionally, the 1850 Census reports that Asa was 15 years old, again suggesting his birth year is 1835. So, I’ve decided to keep Asa’s birthdate as 1835 unless I find other compelling sources indicating otherwise.

Patience’s Birthdate

Hugh’s birth registration indicates his mother, Patience Anna (Marshall) Dean Roberts was 38 years old when Hugh was born. That suggests she was born in 1845. During the 1850 Census, Patience was six-years-old suggesting her birth was in 1843 (assuming a December birthday). There was a birthdate affidavit (for civil war pension) which reported her birthyear being 1845. I’m not convinced that either birthyear is correct, so I’m leaving the 1843 birthyear as my preferred date.

Patience’s Surname

Hugh’s birth registration states that Patience’s maiden name was Dean. However, Dean was the surname of her first husband. Patience’s maiden name was Marshall. In this case, I believe Hugh’s birth registration was entered incorrectly.

Marriage

Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940 provides a registry entry for the marriage of “Ellis” Roberts and Clara Dell Scott. Both are reported to be 17 years old. Hugh Ellis was 16 and Clara was either 16 or 17.[1] Patience did give permission for the marriage. Of interest, one of the witnesses was Clara Bilbrey(?) whose relationship is unknown. Also, J. R. Clark certified the marriage; I wonder who he was.

Children

A little less than seven months after their marriage, Clara gave birth to my great-aunt and great-uncle, Carrie & Harry, on 22 May 1901.

Bert Allen Roberts, my paternal grandfather, was born on 20 Sep 1903.

Great-aunt Mable Ilean Roberts was born 2 June 1908.

Further Actions / Follow-up

      1. Past Continued Actions
        • Confirm Death Date with original source documents.
        • Confirm Cause of Death.
        • Confirm Date of Birth – Complete (See above.)
        • Order Death Certificate from Franklin.
        • Find Property Record for Anna’s farm ownership (also number 4 below).
      2. I need to determine the actual date and location of Harry Ray Roberts’ death.
      3. I need to determine the date and location of Mabel Ilean Roberts’ death.
      4. 1900 Property Ownership of Patience Anna Roberts.
      5. Look for Patience’s farm in the 1900 Farm Schedule #159.
      6. Look for Florence having attended school. Although Hugh could not read and write, he may have attended the same school.
      7. Who was Clara Bilbrey that was a witness to the marriage of Hugh and Clara?
      8. Who was J. R. Clark who certified the marriage of Hugh and Clara? (Religious?)
      9. Research locations for further information and background.
        • IL, Jefferson County, Spring Garden
        • IL, Jefferson County, Elk Prairie
        • IL, Jefferson County, Ina
        • IL, Franklin County, Barren Township
        • IL, Franklin County, Sesser
        • IL, Franklin County, Sesser, Hammond Cemetery

Endnotes

[1] Some records suggest Clara was born in 1883, other indicate 1884. I still need to do an analysis of her birthyear.

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Joel Cruff Taft & the 1830 Census

Posted on March 21, 2021 by Don Taylor

Census Sunday
By Don Taylor

Following families in the early census records is always tricky. Reading incorrectly transcribed names and filling in the gaps makes things challenging. Such is the case concerning Joel Cruff Taft and the 1830 Census.

During the 1840 Census, Joel, his father Asa, and his Brother, Asa Junior, were enumerated next to each other. In the 1830 Census, Joel and his father were listed next to each other. Brother, Asa Jr., is enumerated two after Joel on the next page. They were located in Lisle, Broome County, New York.

Their profiles show:

      • Asa:                       – 1 1 1 – – – 1  ||  – 1 – 1 – 1
      • Joel Cruft Taft – 1 – – – 1        ||  2 2 – – 1
      • Asa Jr.:                 – 2 1 0 0 1        ||  3 1 – 1 – 1

In 1830, I believe that Joel had five children, a boy and four girls. The four girls fit, Amanda and Catherine being under 5, while Mercy and Sarah would be between 5 and 10.  The boy under five must be the same unknown boy who appears in the 1840 Census between 10 and 15.

Although I cannot read Joel’s name in the 1830 Census, I am confident that this is Joel beneath his father, Asa Taft.

Joel Cruff Taft Household – 1830

Males <5        1          Unknown (b. 1824-1830)
Males 20-30 1          Joel (29)
Females <5    2          Amanda (4) – Catherine (1)
Females 5-10 2          Mercy (8) – Sarah (5)
Females 20-30 1       ?Tamise? (34)

When I research Asa’s life, I will need this Census information for him, so I’ll include it here.

Asa Taft Household – 1830

Males

  • Age 5-10 1          James (8)
  • Age 10-15 1          John (15)
  • Age 15-20 1          Seth (16)
  • Age 50-60 1          Asa (56)

Females

  • Age 5-10         Sarah Jane (9)
  • Age 15-20     Unknown (b. 1810-1815)
  • Age 30-40    Lucy (39)
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Ethel Wight Collection – Part 21

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Don Taylor

Booker, Bouk, Bourne (2), & Bowdish

Photo Friday
Ethel Wight Collection
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.This week for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes contain the names who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is important to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.

Mary Josephine Bowdish (1909-1997), ca. 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Mary Bowdish, 68 High Street, Portland #430.”

Mary Bowdish, circa 1936

The 1933, 34, 35, and 36 Portland City Directories listed Mary J Bowdish, a dietitian at 68 High street residing at 59 High street.

On 19 September 1937, Mary Josephine Bowdish married Robert Carleton Mansfield. According to the Rutland Daily Herald (Rutland, VT), “For some time, she was a dietitian at the Children’s

Family Search identifies Mary Josephine (1909-1997) as ID: LXRX-6YM. I have uploaded two photos of Mary to her Family Search ID. I have also uploaded one more picture to my Flickr PhotoStream. Mary Josephine (Bowfish) Mansfield is found in 17 trees on Ancestry.

Harriette Blanche Bourne (1909-1998), ca. 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Harriet Bourne, 135 Bracket St. Portland, #835.”

Harriett Bourne, circa 1936

The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Harriet B Bourne, a piano teacher at 135 Brackett. At the same address is Barbara Bourne.

The 1930 Census identifies Harriett B Bourne and her sister Barbara H Bourne as the 21-year-old daughter of George W. Bourne. So circa 1936, she would have been approximately 27 years old.

Family Search identifies Harriette Blanche Bourne (1909-1998) as ID: LY2N-VKH. I have uploaded a photo of Harriette to her Family Search ID. Harriette Blanche Bourne appears in nine trees on Ancestry.

Barbara H (Bourne) Huey (1910-1986), circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, Miss Barbara Bourne, 135 Brackett St, Portland #889.”

Barbara Bourne, circa 1936

The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Barbara H Bourne, a “sub clk PO” residing at 135 Brackett. At the same address is Harriett Bourne.

The 1930 Census identifies Barbara H Bourne and her sister Harriett B. Bourne as the 19-year-old daughter of George W. and Mary E. Bourne. So circa 1936, she would have been approximately 25 years old.

Family Search identifies Barbara H. Bourne (1910-1985) as ID: Y28-J3Z. I have uploaded a photo of Barbara to her Family Search ID. Barbara H. (Bourne) Huey is found in 12 trees on Ancestry.

Miss Leonne Bouk , circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Leonne Bouk – Y.W.C.A. #486.” [Although it might say Leonne Bonk.]

Miss Leonne Bouk, circa 1036

Searching every way I can think of, I can’t seem to identify Miss Bouk or place her into a family group. Leonne is a rare enough name that I thought I might find her by looking for Leonne only with most any surname. No such luck.

I have added her photo to Dead Fred.

 

Ronald Booker (1934-1992), circa 1936

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Laura Booker, 200 Spring St. Portland #1031.”

Ronald Booker, circa1936

The 1936 Portland City Directory indicates that Stanley J. and Laura E. Booker made their home at 200 Spring.

The 1937 Portland City Directory indicates Stanley resides at 20 Pine; however, Laura isn’t mentioned in the listing.

The 1938 Portland City Directory reported Stanley and Laura living at 44 Holly.

During the 1940 Census, Stanley and Laura lived with Laura’s mother and stepfather on Douglas Street in Portland. With them is their six-year-old son, Ronald. Ronald was born on 25 February 1934. He died in 1992 in Santa Barbara, California.

In this photo, the child appears to be about two or three, which confirms a likely photo date of 1936.

Family Search identifies Ronald Eugene Booker as ID M3Q2-R19. There were two photos of Ronald. I uploaded them to his Family Search profile. Ronald appears in four ancestry trees.

Conclusion

This week I had:

      • Four successful identifications that I could post images to Family Search
      • One named individual but not otherwise identifiable that I posted to Dead Fred.

Final Note

If any of these photos are of your family member, I would love to hear your reaction. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.

Endnotes

[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.

[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.

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Donna Darling Collection – Part 78

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Don Taylor

Terrace Theatre – Bathing Beauties

Treasure Chest Thursday
By Don Taylor

For this week’s Treasure Chest Thursday, I’m looking at a clipping from the Donna Darling Collection.

Terrace Theatre – Attendance Records Smashed, circa 1925

Cinema Treasures reported 41 Terrace theatres in the united states, but only one of them in a city named Danville – Danville, IL. Donna appears to have had two trips into Illinois with her Bathing Beauties, once in the fall of 1924 (September) and again in January/February 1925. So this show must have been from one of those periods.

This clipping is particularly interesting because it names the other girls in the show.

  • Betty Bryant of Ziegfield’s – A Prize Winner.
  • Mildred O’Brien – In Singing and Dancing.
  • Alyce Louyse – A Bather From Mars.
  • Clarice Allyn – Petite Toe Dancer.
  • May Walker – Blue Singer and Beach Flirt

It also mentions Murray Earl as Comedian.

Key features:

  • The venue was the Terrace Theatre in Danville, Illinois.
  • The show was the “California Motion Picture – Big Hollywood Reue of Bathing Beauties, featuring Donna Darling.

Finally, a review of the newspapers of the time yielded none currently available online for Danville, Illinois.

Conclusion

Date Unknown (Probably Fall 1924or Spring 1925) – Danville, IL – Terrace Theatre – Hollywood Revue of Bathing Beauties.

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Broome County Deeds 1819-1824 – Vol 8 – Pages 108 & 109

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Don Taylor

Roberts-Barnes-Taft-Sutherland
Amanuensis Monday
By Don Taylor

[Transcription of Page 108]

Heirs of Mary Sutherland       } 
                           To                           }
    Justice B Sutherland             }

Deed Book 8, Page 108

This Indenture made this seventeenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one. Between Phineas Sutherland and Dorcas his wife, [[i]] David Sutherland and Rachel his wife, Lot Sutherland and Lydia his wife, Jacob W Fuller and Candice his wife, David Brown and Eliza his wife, Joel C Taft and Tammey his wife of the the town of Lisle, County of Broome, State of New York of the first part and Justice B. Sutherland of the town aforesaid of the second part Witnesseth, that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to them in hand paid by the party of the second part the receipt whereof as is hereby con??ped and acknowledged Hath remised realeased and forever quit claim unto the  2nd Justice his heirs and assigns forever all right and title which have the 1st parties of the first part have in and to a certain piece or parcel of land lying and being in the town of Lisle it being a part of lot No seventy in the first township of the Chenango Triangle – Bounded as follows – Beginning at the southwest corner of a lot of lands containing 100 acres deeded to Mary Sutherland by John Hornby then north fifteen chains eighty three and a half links to the Swest corner of David Sutherland land thence East thirty one chains sixty seven links to the S. east corner of 1se David Land thence south fifteen chains eighty three and a half links to a stake marked thence west to the place of beginning containinf fifty be the same more or less – To have and to hold all [??] right and title in and to said remised released and quit claims forever in with the assentenance thece of onto the said Justice his heirs and assigns forever to his and their own to [???] use and behoof*

[ Text continued on left margin ]

* And Furthermore we the said parties of the first part do for our select our heirs ?? Administrator consistent with the paid Justice his heirs and assigns that from and after ensealing of those Seventy-two the partials of the first part will have and affirm no right and title a deserved into the above remise released and quitclaim presence.

[ Text continued on the main page ]

In witness whereof we the parties of the first part have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and years first above written Phineas [His Mark] Sutherland {Seal} Dorcas {Her Mark Sutherland {Seal} David Sutherland {Seal} Rachel Sutherland {Seal} Lot Sutherland {Seal} Lydia Sutherland {Seal} Jacob W. Fuller {Seal} Candance Fuller {Seal} David Brown  {Seal} Eliza Brown  {Seal} Joel C Taft  {Seal} Fanny Taft  {Seal}. Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Joseph Warner Orlando C. Fuller.

On the 28th day of January in the year of our Lord 1822, personally appeared before me Oliver Stiles one of the conerned na??g  of 1d County Phineas Sutherland & Dorcas his wife, David Sutherland & Rachel his wife, Lot Sutherland & Lydia his wife, Jacob W Fuller & Candance his wife, David Brown & Eliza his wife and Joel C Taft and Fanny his wife,

[ Page 109 ]

Deed Book 8, Page 109

with names to me bury[?] and acknowledged that they executed the within deeds and the Dorcas Sutherland, Rachel Sutherland, Lydia Sutherland, Candance Fuller, Eliza Brown and Fannie Taft came to me I examined separately privately and but [???] their husbands acknowledged thay executed the same voluntarily and without any fear or compulsion from them. Oliver Stely

Recorded June 25th, 1822 at 10 O.Clock A.M.

[Transcription by Don Taylor, 10 March 2021]

Findings

  • Mary Sutherland died before 17 March 1821.
  • Her estate, of some 50 acres, went to her children.
  • Her children consisted of:
    • Phineas Sutherland and Dorcas his wife,
    • David Sutherland and Rachel his wife,
    • Lot Sutherland and Lydia his wife,
    • Candice, the wife of Jacob W Fuller,
    • Eliza, the wife of David Brown
    • Tammy, the wife of Joel C Taft
  • All of the above appear to have been living on 17 March 1821.
  • It is unclear, but Justice B. Sutherland may have also been one of her children. The property transfer was recorded on 25 June 1822.

Endnotes:

[i] Note: Comma’s were not in the original but were added to the transcript to improve readability.

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