Census Sunday Brown Research Brown-Mannin(g)-Fugate Line By Don Taylor
Following families in the early census records is always tricky. However, when a census’s information is as expected, it gives a great sense of correctness. Such is the case concerning Reuben Fugate and the 1810 and 1820 Censuses.
In Reuben Fugate & the 1830 Census, I found Reuben’s apparent household completely wrong. It concerned me that I might have everything mixed up. However, Reuben’s household is what I would expect in the 1810 and 1820 Censuses–him, his wife, and two children, Rachael and Grizzie.
In 1820, I expected Reuben’s household to include Reuben (born 1780), his wife, Catherine (born c. 1780), and two daughters, Rachael (age 17) and Grizzie (age 14).
The Census Record for Bloomfield, Bath County, Kentucky, enumerated on 7 August 1820, recorded:
The 1810 Census for Montgomery County finds the household of Reuben Fugate as follows:
Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44 1 – Obviously Reuben – Age 30
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10 2 – Apparently Rachael & Grizzie – Ages 7 & 4
Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44 1 – Apparently Mary (first 1wife) – Age 30
Conclusion
I’m very comfortable that I found Reuben Fugate living in Montgomery/Bath Counties in 1810 and 1820. I am still uncomfortable that the Reuben Fugate I’ve found in the 1830 Census is the correct Reuben Fugate.
Endnotes:
[i] 1820 Census, Reuben Fugate – Bloomfield, Bath, Kentucky – Page 166 – 4th from the bottom; Census Place: Bloomfield, Bath, Kentucky; Page: 166; NARA Roll: M33_16; Image: 93 via Ancestry.com. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Fourth Census of the United States, 1820. (NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[ii] The bolded items are my interpretation of my records’ expectations as they relate to the Census records.
[iii] 1810 Census, Reuben Fugate – Montgomery County, Kentucky – Image 8 of 37 – 20th name from top. Year: 1810; Census Place: Montgomery, Kentucky; Roll: 7; Page: 354; Image: Kym252_7-0370; FHL Roll: 0181352 via Ancestry.com. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Third Census of the United States, 1810. (NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls). Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. It is vital 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.
Catherine Towsey and Family, 1934.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Catherine Towsey & Family, 44 Forest St #358.”
Why I believe this to be these individuals.
Arthur and Catherine Towsey with four of their five children – 1934.
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Catherine M Towsey living at 44 Forest. Also at that address are Arthur E (Katherine M), Edward W, and William H Towsey.
The 1930 US Census lists Arthur E (age 59) and Catherine M Towsey (age 45) living at 44 Forest. Living with them are five children, three sons, and two daughters:
Edward W Age 22
John L Age 21
William H Age 19
Catherine M Age 17
Florence A Age 16
I am confident this photo is of the Towsey family circa 1934. It includes Arthur and Catharine, their daughters, Catherine and Florence, and two of their three sons (Edward, John, & William).
Ancestry has four public trees that refer to Catherine Dixon, wife of Arthur Edward Towsey. Family Search has profile L5ZD-YPJ for Catherine.
I uploaded this photo to Catherine’s Family Search Memories and tagged Arthur in the picture. I did not tag which child is which because I can’t differentiate between the girls or between the boys. Hopefully, a family member can identify them and tag them in Family Search.
Maureen Towsey, circa 1936 (age 2).
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. John L Towsey, 46 Waterville St #1064.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Maureen Towsey, circa 1936 (age 2).
The 1940 US Census lists John A Towsey, his wife Helen, and two children, Maureen (age 6) and John (age 1), living at 46 Waterville.
I believe this photo, taken about 1936, is of Maureen when she was about two years old.
Ancestry has three public trees that refer to Maureen Towsey (1934-2018). Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Maureen, so I uploaded this photo of Maureen photo to Dead Fred.
Rev. William Towart, DD, Aug 1943 & 1946.
Next are three photo sets, all referring to Dr. Towart. One says “Dr. Towart, Aug 1943,” one says “Dr. & Mrs. Towart, 1946”, and finally one says “Dr. Towart Copy.” Because these images are from after Ethel Wight’s Portland Office closed, the photos must have been taken or processed at Ethel Wight’s Ocean Park (Old Orchard Beach) studio.
A review of Portland City Directories failed to reveal anyone with the surname Towart.
The 1937 Old Orchard Beach Directory lists William G Towart, Dean School of Methods, residing at “Tanglewood” Randall av Ocean Park (301 Pleasant, Bennington, VT).
The Biddeford Daily Journal, dated August 23, 1943, page 1, includes a photo, “Baptists Honor Faithful Service.” It contains the same photo as the “Dr Towart Copy” image. The article also names the individuals:
Front Row: Mrs. & Rev. Joseph G Robbins (of Newton Center, Mass); Ethel & Artemis B Sweezey (of Malden, Mass); Dr. F. F. Peterson (Weston, Mass). The back row included: Mrs. & Rev. William G Towart (Bennington, VT) and Hattie and Clarence B Mitchell (Bradford, Mass).
The photo in package “Dr. Towart – Aug 1943, is the same man identified as Rev. William G Towart.”
Finally, the photo package, “Dr. & Mrs. Towart – 1946,” appears to be the same couple identified in earlier photos but a few years older.
Dr. and Mrs. William Towart, Aug 1943.
I am confident these photos are of
Rev. William George Towart, DD, (1880-1949) 1943, circa 1943, and 1946.
Mabel Geneva (Starkey) Towart (1888-1972) circa 1943 and 1946.
Rev. & Mrs. Joseph G Robbins of Newton Center, Mass., August 1943
Artemis B. and Ethel (Hall) Sweezey, August 1943.
Dr. Ferdinand Francis Peterson (Weston, Mass.), August 1943.
Hattie and Clarence B Mitchell (Bradford, Mass.), August 1943.
I identified thirteen of sixteen individuals. I didn’t determine which of the sisters are which and which two of the three brothers are in the photograph. I also failed to identify the wife of one individual.
One child didn’t have a Family Search profile, so I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred.
I identified all of the individuals in a group photo of nine individuals. I uploaded that photo to Family Search and tagged four of them. Finally, I uploaded three photos to my Flickr Photostream.
I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.
For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.
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.
Census Sunday Brown Research Brown-Mannin-Fugate Line By Don Taylor
Introduction
Following families in the early census records is always tricky, and a census record is often completely different from expectations. Such is the case concerning Reuben Fugate and the 1830 Census.
Reuben died in 1833; the 1830 Census shows him living in Bath County, Kentucky. Reuben’s two daughters were married and living elsewhere. My records suggest Catherine was the same age as Reuben, about 50 years old, in 1830.
Reuben’s 1833 will mentions two negro men, Antony (40) and George (30). It also mentions five other negros, Sarah, Caroline, Mary, Didama, & Smith. The five potentially fit the census’s record of enslaved people, but the two adult males are not mentioned. The two negro men not being mentioned is concerning, but they may not have become part of the household until after Reuben moved to Missouri.
Having Catherine’s age off by ten years or more is concerning. Either Catherine was considerably younger than my other records suggest, or this isn’t her.
I’m not too concerned about the unknown boy and unknown girl, 5 to 10 years old.
The only Fugate enumerated in Ralls County, Missouri, is James Fugate. His family unit doesn’t suggest Reuben and Catherine lived with him. So, I don’t believe the Fugates moved to Missouri before 1830.
Conclusion
I’m not 100% convinced this 1830 Census record portrays Reuben Fugate, whose wife was Catherine. I suspect it is, but until I find something to explains the family unit as described or indicates that Reuben and his family stayed in Kentucky until after the 1830 Census date, I’m indicating this record only tentatively describes Reuben Fugate’s household. I’m hoping the 1820 Census and other records will provide additional clarity.
Ethel Wight Collection – Part 141 Photo Friday By Don Taylor
This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. It is vital 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.
Jane Thomas, 1934.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. H. A. Thomas, 5 Hamlet, #174.”
Jane Thomas, 1934.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Harry A & C Jane Thomas living at 5 Hamlet Ave.
The 1940 US Census lists Harry A and the 35-year-old, New York-born Jane Thomas living at 65 Packlett, Portland. They have a son, Robert, and a daughter Mary.
Ancestry Family Trees suggest this is Clara “Jane” Thayer, wife of Harry Thomas and mother of Robert.
I am confident this is a photo of “Jane” Thomas, née Thayer, taken in 1934.
Alice Thurlow, Student Nurse at St. Barnabas Hospital, circa 1936.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Alice Thurlow, St. Barnabas Hospital #1055.”
Alice Thurlow, circa 1936.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1936 Portland City Directory lists Alice Thurlow as a student nurse at 231 Woodford (St. Barnabas Hospital).
The 1940 US Census shows nurse Alice E Thurlow living with her mother, Queenie, and stepfather Harold F Seal at 38 Bell in Portland. Alice was 24 and born in Maine, and Queenie was 47 and born in Canada.
This photo is of Alice Evelyn Thurlow, daughter of Howard Sylvester and Queenie Regina (Hathaway) Thurlow. She was born on 17 December 1915 in Falmouth, Maine.
Identification confirmed by a relative who has seen this photo before.
Fred Tice – circa January 1942
This negative envelope says, “Fred Tice – Jan 1942.”
Because this date is after Ethel Wight’s Portland, Maine, studio closed, the work must have been done in her Ocean Park studio. Ocean Park is a village in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
Fred Tice – circa January 1942
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1940 US Census lists Fredrick Tice boarding at 27 Adelaide Road, Old Orchard Beach. He was a 48-year-old, Massachusetts-born widower.
World War I Draft Registration Cards include Frederick Tice, born Feby 2, 1892, in Granville, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Birth Records include Frederick Tice, born 2 Feb 1892 to Dustin and Joanna (Sullivan) Tice.
I am sure this is a photo of Fredrick Tice (1892-1967), taken about 1942, when he was about 49 years old.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Barbara Tillotson, 3 Tolman Place #118.”
Barbara Tillotson, 1934.
What I learned about this individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory does not list any Tillotson, and it lists Mrs. Ethel E Pomroy with a lodging house at 3 Tolman Place.
A 23-year-old Barbara Elizabeth Tillotson married Albert Clifford Brunell on 12 October 1935 in Groveton, New Hampshire.
The 1930 US Census lists several potential Barbara Tillotsons.
The woman in this 1934 photo appears to be in her early 20s, so that she would have been born about 1914 ± 5 years (1909-1919). Although the photo of Barbara Elizabeth Tillotson in the 1929 Groveton High School yearbook appears to be the same young woman, I am not 100% certain it is the same young woman. Also, I could not find any link of Barbara Tillotson to Portland, Maine.
Ancestry has 17 public trees that refer to Barbara Elizabeth Tillotson (1911-1955). Although I believe this photo is likely of Barbara Elizabeth Tillotson (born 27 November 1911, I cannot positively identify her as such and only posted this photo to Dead Fred.
Confirmed to be Barbara by a Grandneice.
Serena Titcomb, 1934, Student Nurse at Maine General Hospital.
This negative envelope says, “Miss Serena Titcomb, Me Gen. Hospital #263.”
Serena Titcomb, 1934.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City directory lists Serena Titcomb as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
The 1940 US Census lists Serena Southard Titcomb as a nurse at the Eastern Maine General Hospital (Bangor). She was 25 years old. She indicated her residence in 1935 was Brewer, Penobscot County, Maine.
Serena Southard Titcomb was born on 21 September in Brewer, Maine, the daughter of Vernon and Helen (Lord) Titcomb.
I am sure this photo is of Serena, taken in 1934 when she was a nursing student.
I identified all five individuals. Four have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. One did not have a Family Search profile, so I uploaded that photo to Dead Fred.
I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.
For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.
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.
One of my favorite documents for genealogy research is a will. Generally, wills provide information regarding close family relationships. Besides relationships, wills can clarify information and lead to more questions regarding an individual’s life. Reuben’s will provides a conflict with other records regarding his death. It raises questions regarding some of his children and new questions regarding his FAN (Family, Associates, and Neighbors).
Be it remembered that I Ruben Fugate of Rawls county and the state of Missouri being weak in body but sound in mind and memory calling to mind the mortality of man and knowing it is once appointed for all men to die do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in form following.
To wit first I do commit my soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian like burial and as for the worldly wealth which it has been please god, to bestow on me. I dispose of in the following manner after the payment of all my just debts and the necessary expenses for a decent burial I will and bequeath unto my well loved well beloved wife Catherine Fugate two negro men one named Antony aged about forty and the other named George aged thirty together with all my money bonds notes and accounts both in this state and in Kentucky together with the improvement that we now live on and all my stock of every kind with the exception of one mare also my wagon and all the apparatus belonging to sd wagon and all the farming utensils and all the household and kitchen furniture. The same to have and to hold subject to be by her moved and disposed of as she may think proper during her natural life then to be returned to my two daughters Rachael and Grizzy or so much there of as may be on hand. I also will and bequeath to my two daughters Rachael Mannon and Grizzy Prince the following
—– Page 80 —–
Named negros to be between them equally divided, (MZ) Sarah, Caroline, Mary, Didama & Smith the same to be for their own proper use and benefit during their natural live after which they together with their increase to descend to the children of the said Rachael & Grizzy also the mare which has not been disposed of in the foregoing is to be kept by my wife during her stay in this county and her two first colts to be given to the two sons of my two daughters Ruben Mannon & Ruben Prince after which or in case of the removal of my wife from the country previous to that time the mare is to become the property of Rachael Mannon and if the said mare should have two more colts they are to be given to Enoch and Isaac Mannon to be of right their own property for their own use and disposal.
To the above and foregoing which I make and ordain as my last will and testament I appoint my wife Catharine Fugate the sole and only Executrix in testimony whereof I hereon set my hand and seal this 19th day of June 1833,
Reuben Fugate {Seal} Attest J. D. Caldwell John Musick
State of Missouri} County of Ralls } In the county Court in and for said county of Ralls August Term A. D. 1833.
The last will and testament of Reuben Fugate deceased late of our county of Ralls is produced in open court and proving by the oath of James L Caldwell and John Musick two subscribing witnesses to said will who severally made oath that each of them were present when the said Reuben Fugate signed sealed acknowledged and delivered the said will as for his act and deed hand and seal for the purposes therein expressing as his last will and testament and at that time he appeared to be of sound and disposing mind.
I Charles Glascock clerk of the county court in and for the county of Ralls in the state of Missouri certify the above to be a true copy
—– Page 81 —–
Of the record made in said court in testimony whereof I the clerk of aforesaid have herein set my hand and seal of office August 6th A.D. 1833
Charles Glascock Clerk Recorded August 6th A.D. 1833.
——————-
Facts learned or confirmed:
The will is dated 19 June 1833, proved in August, and recorded on 6 August 1833.
Reuben Fugate was Christian.
Reuben’s wife was Catherine. She was also the Executrix.
Reuben had two daughters – Rachael Mannon & “Grizzy” (Grizzela) Prince.
Reubin’s will mentions four grandchildren:
Rachael’s three sons: Ruben, Enoch, & Isaac Mannin.
Grizzy’s son: Ruben Prince.
Witnesses (FAN):
James D. Caldwell
John Musick
Conflicts:
Mannin Family Bible & Reuben Fugate’s Will
The Manning Family Bible has an entry for Reuben Fugate and that he died June 13th, 1833. That is the date that Family Search and WikiTree have for his death. Likewise, the vast majority of the over 1500 Ancestry public trees also indicate 13 June 1833 as his death date. However, the record of his will indicates he signed it on the 19th of June 1833, six days after his death. Either the Manning bible entry or the record of his will is incorrect.
Bible: The Family Record – Deaths lists many deaths; Ruben’s entry is on the second half. Possibly the two entries were made on the right side, and then six more entries were done on the left side. It is also possible that the two entries on the right side were entered long after the fact. Equally likely, the entries on the left are all Mannin surnames and the two on the right are the Fuget entries.
Will: The record of the will indicates Reuben signed the will on 19 June 1833. However, the will was transcribed by a clerk, Charles Glascock. It is possible that Charles transcribed it incorrectly, but he may have transcribed it correctly. His will was proofed in August and recorded on 6 August 1833, indicating he died between 19 June and 6 August.
I don’t know which is correct, but I do hope that further research into Reuben’s life and records will shed further insight into his death date. But for the time being, I select 13 June 1833 as his perferred death date.
Grandchildren
Reuben mentioned his grandson, Reuben, in his will. Also, Enoch and Isaac are mentioned. However, two other grandchildren, Thomas and Tubill, are not mentioned, and they are older than little Reuben. Could my birth dates for the children be incorrect, or did Reuben (the elder) bypass four grandchildren and jump to his (apparent) namesake to give the two-year-old a colt?
FAN
Who were James D Caldwell and John Musick of Ralls County, Missouri, and were they related to Reuben, or were they acquaintances or neighbors?
Conclusion
I’ve had 13 June 1833 as Reuben Fugate’s death date for decades and will keep it as a preferred date. However, I will add “between 19 June and 6 August 1833” as an alternate date.
