BH-15 – Sarah Jane (Locke) Reid (1868-1941)

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ancestor Sketch
Bradley-Hingston Project
Bradley-Hingston-Reid-Locke Line
By Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.When Sarah Jane Locke was born on 14 February 1868 in Arlington, Massachusetts, her father, Thomas, was 34, and her mother, Mary, was 39. She married Samuel J Reid on 26 June 1890 in Salem, Massachusetts. They had nine children in 17 years. She died on 16 July 1941, in Peabody, Massachusetts, at 73.

Sarah Jane Locke Reid is ID 9KQ4-1VD on Family Search and in 42 Ancestry Public Trees. She is also in my Bradley-Hingston Project tree on Ancestry.

List of Greats

    • 1st Great-grandmother: 15 – Sarah Jane Locke (1868-1941)
    • 2nd Great-grandfather: 30 – Thomas Nichols Locke (1834-1900)[i]
    • 3rd Great-grandfather: 60 – John Lockett (1799-1874)
    • 4th Great-grandfather: 120 – Samuel Lockett (1757-1832)

Birth

Sarah was born on 14 February 1868 in Arlington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

She had four older siblings.

Children of Thomas Nichols and Mary Ann (Patterson) Locke*

Name Born Married Died
John W c. 1858 –
Thomas N c. 1861 –
Lizzie c. 1863 – –
James H c. 1867 –
Sarah Jane 14 Feb 1868 Samuel J Reid 1941
George Dec 1869 –

* I have not researched Thomas and Mary and have not followed their children’s lives to learn their spouses’ names and death dates.

1870 Census

The 1870 Census found little two-year-old Sarah at home. The household consisted of her parents, Thomas & Mary, her four older siblings, and her younger brother, who was five months old during the Census.  Her three oldest siblings were in school. Her parents were born in Ireland, but her siblings were all born in Massachusetts. His father was a Marketman and had $1500 in personal property (no real property).  Living with them was 20-year-old James Lang, a garden laborer from New Hampshire, and Jame Cain, a 48-year-old garden laborer immigrant from Ireland. I know of no relationship between either James and the Locke family.

1880 Census

Before the 1880 Census, the Locke family moved 15 miles northeast to Salem, Massachusetts, and lived at 30 Prospect during the Census. Sarah would live in Salem for the next 50+ years. Sarah’s older sister, Lizzie, does not appear in the Census. Sarah’s father was a Teamster. Her two oldest brothers were working as curriers.[ii] Her older brother, James, and her younger brother, George, attended school.

Marriage

Sarah married Samuel J Reid on 26 June 1890. Rev. James P Franks, the rector of Grace Church (Episcopal) in Salem, performed the ceremony. They married two days before Samuel’s 23rd birthday; Sarah was 22.

Children of Samuel J and Sarah J (Locke) Reid

Name – REID Born Married Died
Florence 1891 William Robert Hingston 1984
James Edward 1893 1923
George Samuel 1895 Letitia Louis Dinan 1918
Mary Elizabeth 1899 Frank W Stockpole 1928
Thomas L 1901 Marjorie Bateman 1970
William Patterson c. 1903 Emma Marguerite Johnson 1987
Albert P 1903 Bef. 1910?
Sarah Jane 1906 1906
Margaret 1908 Bertram D Coffin 1908

1900 Census

The 1900 Census found the young couple renting a house at 29 Summit Street, Salem. Samuel is working as a whitener[iii]. Florence and James are attending school.

1909 – Death of Samuel

Sarah’s husband, Samuel, died on 21 November of tuberculosis (TB) of the spine. Spinal TB (Potts Disease) is rare (less than 1% of TB cases). Antitubercular drugs weren’t developed until 1948-1951. In 1909, it was a long and painful death (1-5 years).[iv] Samuel was buried at Green Lawn Cemetery, Salem, Mass.

1910 Census

The year following Samuel’s death must have been challenging. The 1910 Census found the Widow Reid living at 46 Prospect, Salem. Eight of her children are living with her. Albert, who would be about six years old, is not in the household. I presume he died. However, the Census reports that Sarah had eight children, all of whom were living.

  • Florence (age 18) is working as a stenographer at a hat bleachery.
  • James (age 17) is a leather worker at a leather shop.
  • George (age 14) is an apprentice at a bleachery.
  • None of the children were attending school.

1920 Census

By the 1920 Census, Florence had married and moved out. George married Letitia Dinan in 1915 and moved out. Sarah Jane was still renting a home at 46 Prospect, Salem. At home were

    • James, age 26, worked as a tacker at a leather shop.
    • Mary E Reid, age 20, worked as a blocker at a hat bleachery.
    • Thomas L Reid, age 18, worked as a fireman at a leather shop.
    • William, Sarah, and Margaret were attending school.

1930 Census

The 1930 Census reported that Sarah and her daughter Margaret lived at 250 Washington Street in Peabody, Mass. Margaret is working as a saleslady at a department store. At the same address are Sarah’s daughter Florence, her husband, William Hingston, and three of their children, Barbara, Priscilla, and Allen. William owned the house; Sarah was renting for $25 per month.  Margaret married Bertram Coffin about 1931 and located to 71 Pierpont, Peabody, Mass.

1940

Sarah lived with her daughter Margaret and her husband Bertram Coffin at 71 Pierpont, Peabody, by the 1940 Census. The household consisted of Bertram, Margaret, their son Bertram, Sarah, and Sarah’s grandson, Frank W Stackpole. (Frank’s mother, Mary Elizabeth, died in 1928.)

Death

Sarah died on 16 July 1941 in Peabody. She was buried next to her husband, Samuel, at Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem, Essex County, Mass.

Events by Location

  • Massachusetts, Essex, Peabody – 1930, 1940, Death (1941)
  • Massachusetts, Essex, Salem – Marriage (1890) 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920.
  • Massachusetts, Middlesex, Arlington – Birth (1868), 1870.

Sources:

  • 1870 Census, NARA, 1870 – Thomas Locke – Arlington, Middlesex, Mass. “United States Census, 1870”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD3Z-35J : 29 May 2021), Thomas Locke, 1870.
  • 1880 Census, NARA, 1880 – Thomas Lacke (Locke) – Salem, Esses, Mass. “United States Census, 1880,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH6N-39F : 14 January 2022), Thomas Lacke, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district, sheet, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm.
  • 1900 Census, 1900 Census – Samuel Reid – Salem, Exxes, MA (FS). “United States Census, 1900,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9RD-W5N : accessed 18 March 2018), Florence Reid in the household of Samuel Reid, Salem city Ward 4, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 451, sheet 2A, family 34, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,647.
  • 1910 Census (FS), Family Search, 1910 Census – Sara Reid – Salem, Essex, MA (FS). “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2JJ-BM8 : accessed 18 March 2018), Florence Reid in the household of Sara Reid, Salem Ward 4, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 465, sheet 16A, family 328, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 588; FHL microfilm 1,374,601.
  • 1920 Census (FS), Family Search, Sarah J Reid – Salem, Essex, Massachusetts. “United States Census, 1920”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXYY-92S : 1 February 2021), Sarah J Reid, 1920.
  • 1930 Census (FS), Family Search, 1930 – Sarah J Reid – Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts. Year: 1930; Census Place: Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0228; FHL microfilm: 2340637. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/30013129?h=e55850.
  • 1940 Census (FS), Family Search, Bertram Coffin – Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts. “United States Census, 1940,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4XK-KVF : 10 January 2021), Bertram Coffin, Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 5-307, sheet 9B, line 55, family 173, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 – 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 1588.
  • Find a Grave Memorial, Find a Grave, Sarah Jane Locke Reid – Memorial 242811882. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/242811882/sarah-jane-reid.
  • Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, Family Search, Sarah Jane Locke – 14 February 1868. “Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915”, database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQDL-NVD : 16 March 2022), Sarah Jane Locke, 1868.
  1. Massachusetts Births, 1841-1915, Family Search, Sarah Jane Locke – 14 February 1868. “Massachusetts Births, 1841-1915,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXZF-G56 : 20 February 2021), Sarah Jane Locke, 14 February 1868, Arlington, Middlesex, Massachusetts; citing reference ID #10, Massachusetts Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,428,071.
  2. Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915, 1921-1924, BIRTH – Sarah Jane Reed – 16 March 1906. “Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915, 1921-1924”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXNR-PDY : 27 October 2020), Sarah Jane Reed, 1906.
  3. Massachusetts Marriages, 1841­-1915, Family Search, Samuel Reid – Sarah J. Locke – 26 June 1890. “Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N4Z6-5G9 : 10 March 2021), Samuel Reid and Sarah J. Locke, 26 June 1890; citing Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,415,227.

Endnotes

[i] I have not researched Albert Wesley Welch or his ancestors yet.
[ii] A currier is worker who brings tanned hides or skins to salable form.
[iii] A whitener is a person who bleaches cloth.
[iv] National Library of Medicine – “Historical aspects of Pott’s disease (spinal tuberculosis) management.”

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Photo Friday – Merrill, Valle (née Crone), Veazie (née Chase), & Vitone

Posted on August 19, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 94

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 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.

Patricia Joan Merrill, circa 1936 (age 6)

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Wm Merrilll, 230 Spring St. #1005.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Patricia Joan Merrill, circa 1936 (age 6)
  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists William S Merrill, Jr., and his wife, J. Patricia, living at 230 Spring.
  • The 1940 US Census lists William Merrill, his wife Patricia, and his ten-year-old daughter, Joan, living with Patricia’s father, William Kelley, at 230 Spring Street.

I am confident this is a photo of Patricia Joan Merrill, born 1 June 1929 to William Stephen and Josephine Patricia (Kelley) Merrill, about 1936, when Joan was about six years old.

Ancestry has seven public trees that refer to Patricia Joan Merrill. Family Search has profile G91G-B17 for Patricia Joan Merrill. I have uploaded a photo of Joan to her Family Search Memories.

Zula (née Crone) Valle, circa 1935.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Mrs. Donald Valle, 108 Newbury St, #552.”

Zula (Née Crone) Valle, circa 1935.

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Donald D Valle and his wife Zula living at 108 Newbury. Zula is the proprietor at 660 forest Ave and 151 Woodford. Donald is a manager at 151 Woodford.
  • The 1940 Census lists Donald and his 30-year-old, Canadian-born wife, Zula B, living at 79 Chenery Street.

I am confident this is Zula (Crone) Valle about 1935.

Ancestry has 19 public trees that refer to Zula B Crone. Family Search has profile G8RN-FRH for Zula B Crone. I have uploaded two photos of Zula to her Family Search Memories. I have also uploaded a third photo of her to my Flickr Photostream.

Richard L Valle, circa 1935 (Age 4)

This negative envelope says, “ Mrs. Donald Valle, Son, 108 Newbury St, #551.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Richard L Valle, c 1935 (Age 4)
  • On the same day, Zula Valle had her photo taken; she also had a photo of her son taken.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest the son was Richard, born 2 May 1931.

I am confident these photos are of Richard Della Valle (1931-1995) about 1935.

Ancestry has nine public trees that refer to Richard Della Valle, son of Donald and Zula (Crone) Valle. Family Search does not have a profile for Richard, so I have uploaded his photo to Dead Fred. 

Frances Veazie, circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Wm D Veazie, 286 State St #100.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

Frances Veazie, circa 1934.
  • The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Rev. William D Veazie and his wife Frances R, living at 286 State, apartment 2.
  • The 1930 US Census lists Francis R Veazie, the 29-year-old, Massachusetts-born wife of William D Veazie, living at 56 Morning Street in Portland.
  • Ancestry Family Trees suggest this is Frances Russell Chase (1901-1988), the wife of Rev. William Dawes Veazie.

I am confident this is Francis Russell (Chase) Veazie (1901-1988) about 1934.

Ancestry has 17 public trees that refer to Francis R Hinkley (Chase) Veazie.  Family Search has profile 9KX8-J5J for Frances Russell Hinkley Chase. I have uploaded two photos of Frances to her Family Search Memories. 

Photo confirmed to be of Frances Veazie by a grand-child of Frances.

—————

Private Larry Vitone, USA, 26th Infantry Division

This negative envelope says, “Private Larry Vitone.”

Envelope description.

What I tried to identify this individual.

  • I searched for Vitone and Vitore in the Portland area from 1935-1945 without success.

I looked at alternate individuals.

There were four Lawrence Vittones who registered for the WW II draft.

  1. Lawrence Vittone was born on 16 Feb 1892 in Gastonville, PA. He is too old in the 1940s to be the man in these photos.
  2. Frank Lawrence Vittone was born on 18 Dec 1906 in Gastonville, PA; however, a photo of him was clearly of a different individual.
  3. Lawrence Vittone was born on 18 May 1909 in Gastonville, PA.
  4. Lawrence H Vittoni was born on 21 Oct 1909 in Derry, PA.

I have found no records that indicate the last two served during World War II.

26th Infantry Division Patch

The patch on the soldier’s sleeve indicates he was attached to the 26th Infantry Division.

I’ve searched for anyone with the surname Vitone, Vittone, Vitoni, or similar and have found no one with a similar name in the 26th Infantry Division during WWII.  Hopefully, someone with better WW II roster search skills can identify this soldier.

Private Larry Vitone, USA, 26th Infantry Division

I am not confident that I have read the surname correctly, which contributes to my not

identifying the individual in this photo, so I’ve only uploaded it to my Flickr photostream. If identified, I can contribute more pictures of this individual.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified four of the five Three of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
  • I identified one individual that did not have a Family Search profile but did appear in Ancestry trees, so I posted his image to Dead Fred.
  • I failed to identify one person. I uploaded his photo here.

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.

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have a higher image quality than the images 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.

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Francis Asbury Welch (1887-1929)

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ancestor Sketch – Welch-Harris Project
Welch Line
by Don Taylor

Photo of Don Taylor with cat Nasi.Francis Asbury Welch was born on 26 November 1887 in Kennebunkport, Maine. His father, Albert, was 40 and his mother, Harriet, was 25. He had four older siblings. He married Julia Anna Daley on 11 June 1917. Francis and Julia had three children during their marriage. He died in 1929 at the age of 42.

WH8 – Francis Asbury Welch (1887-1929)

Francis Asbury Welch is found in 11 Ancestry Public Trees and is Family Search profile L71C-KTH.

List of Greats

    • 1st Great-grandfather: 8 – Francis Asbury Welch (1887-1929)
    • 2nd Great-grandfather: 16 – Albert Wesley Welch (1847-1920)[i]

Birth

Francis was born on 26 November 1887 in Kennebunkport, York County, Maine.[ii].  He had four, possibly five, older siblings.

Children of Albert Wesley and Harriet Marilla (Robinson) Welch*

Name Born Married Died
Helen May Jul 1880 Frank N Woodman 1954
Albert Chester Sep 1881 Eva 1956
Minnie Jeanette Apr 1883 Harlan V Trafton –
Emma Belle Nov 1884 Robert A McFarland 1964
Francis Asbury Nov 1887 Julia A Daley 1929
Herold Lester Apr 1892 – 1960
William Robinson Jun 1894 – 1950
LeForest Welch Apr 1896 – 1984

*Note: The 1900 Census indicates that Harriett had ten children, eight of whom were living. Based on the children’s age gaps, one was probably born about 1886 and the other about 1890. Both died before 1900. Their first names are unknown.

1900 Census

The 1900 Census found the Albert W Welch family living at 5 South Street, Brunswick, Cumberland County, Maine. Frank’s oldest sister, Helen, had married Frank N Woodman the year before; they also lived in the household. Frank was 12 years old and was attending school.

In 1907, Frank’s older brother, Albert, emigrated to Canada. Frank followed in 1908. For the 1911 Canadian Census, Frank worked as a baker and lived with his brother Albert, his wife Eva, and their two sons, Ralph & David, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Military Service

Frank returned to the United States before he needed to register for the draft. When he registered, Frank worked as a baker at Reilly & MacFarlane, 248 Main in Biddeford[iii].

He and Julia Anna Daley applied for a marriage license only three days before registration day. Six days after registering for the draft, he married Julia. They were both living in Biddeford, York County, Maine then. Rev. Timothy P. Linehan, a pastor at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Biddeford, performed the ceremony.

Marriage

Children of Francis Asbury and Julia Anna (Daley) Welch

Name Born Married Died
Francis W Welch 1918 Emma Ricci 1977
Robert Anthony Welch 1920 Margaret Hazelton 2007
Margaret Welch 1924 William O’Neill 2019

Adulthood

The 1920 Census found Francis and Julia living at 30 Green Street, Biddeford. Francis is a baker at a bakery. Little Francis W is one year old. We also learn that Julia’s parents were born in Ireland and spoke English. The house at 30 Green Street was built in 1800[iv] and stands today.

Death/Burial, etc.

Francis “Frank” Asbury Welch died in 1929 and is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Biddeford, York County, Maine. His marker includes names and dates for him, his wife, two sons, and one daughter.[v]

Events by Location

  • Canada, Alberta, Edmonton          1908-1911
  • Maine, Cumberland, Brunswick 1900
  • Maine, York, Biddeford                   1917-1929, Marriage, Death
  • Maine, York, Kennebunkport       Birth (1887)

Endnotes

[i] I have not researched Albert Wesley Welch or his ancestors yet.
[ii] The birth record for Robert Welch says his father, Francis, was born in Kennebunk instead of Kennebunkport. The 1911 Canadian Census indicates that Frances was born in November 1888 instead of 1887. Also, his cemetery marker indicates 1888. I use 26 November 1887 and Kennebunkport in my records because the 1900 Census indicates he was born in 1887 as does his draft registration.
[iii] Today, 248 Main in Biddeford is a small park area next to Biddeford Savings.
[iv] Internet – Zillow.Com – Listing
[v] Internet – Find a Grave memorial #211456470.

Sources:

  • Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Birth – Robert Welch – 12 Dec 1920, Biddeford, York, Maine. FamilySearch (2 March 2021), Robert Welch, Birth 12 Dec 1920; multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm 10,208. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24J-6CW8.
  • Biddeford-Saco Journal (Biddeford, Maine), Newspapers.com, Obituary – Francis W Welch – 3 Jan 1977, Page 2.
  • Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Marriage – Frances Asbury Welch @ Julia Anna Daley – 11 June 1917.
  • Maine, World War I Draft Register Index, 1917-1919, Frank A Welch – born 26 Nov 1887. “Maine, World War I Draft Registration Index, 1917-1919,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HM-T1LP: 15 March 2018), Frank A Welch, 1917-1919; citing Draft Registration, Biddeford, Biddeford, York, Maine, United States, Maine State Archives, Augusta; FHL microfilm 005756431.
  • United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Frank A Welch – Registered 5 June 1918. “United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZF1-HHV: 23 December 2021), Frank A Welch, 1917-1918.
  • 1900 Census, 1900 – Albert W Welch. “United States Census, 1900”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMLD-FB4: 9 March 2022), Albert W Welch, 1900.
  • Canada Census – 1911 (Library and Archives of Canada), Family Search, Albert C Welsh – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. “Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2768-BYT: 29 March 2022), Frank Welsh in the entry for Albert C Welsh, 1911; citing Census, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm.
  • 1920 Census (FS), Francis A Welch, Age 32, York, Maine. “United States Census, 1920”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF84-6YY: 1 February 2021), Francis A Welch, 1920.
  • S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Robert Anthony Welch – (1920-2007). Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database online]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007.
  1. Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921, Birth – Francis William – 24 Feb 1918. “Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24J-6DJ8: 2 March 2021), Francis William, Birth 24 Feb 1918; multiple sources, Maine; FHL microfilm 10,208.

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Walter’s in the 1820 Census – Part 2

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Don Taylor

Census Sunday
Darling Research
Darling-Swayze-Walter Line
By Don Taylor

(See: Walter’s in the 1820 Census – Part 1)

Following families in the early census records is always tricky and following a woman through census records before 1840 is especially difficult. Margaret Ann (Swann) Walter is challenging.

Margaret died in New Salem, Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1826. The date she and her husband, James Walter, came to Ohio is still unknown, but I would presume it to have been before 1826. Several records suggest James and Margaret lived in Frederick County, Virginia, before they came to Ohio. So, I decided to try to find James, Margaret, or their children in Frederick County during the 1820 Census.

In 1820 I would expect the James Walter family to consist of:

    • James Walter Age 68
    • Wife: Margaret Age 60
    • Son: John > 16
    • Son: James C. Age 20
    • Son: Elkanah S. Age 31
    • Son: Martin Age 41
    • Elizabeth Age 23 – Married to Charles Stockard[i]
    • Catherine Age 26 – Married to David Swayze[ii]
    • Nancy Age 32 – Probably married to FNU Lewis

Walter – Frederick County, VA, in 1820

The 1820 Census for Frederick County, Virginia, lists one Walter as head of household. That was John Walter of Stephensburg.

I believe I found John Walter, the son of John Walter, in the 1830 Census in Fairfield County, Ohio. If so, he was 20 to 29 years old then and would have been 10 to 19 years old in 1820. The John Walters of Frederick County, Virginia, is unlikely to be the same person.

His household consisted of 10 individuals:

    • Male 26-44 1   John Walter
    • Male 10-15 1
    • Male < 10 2
    • Female 26-44 1
    • Female 10-15 1
    • Female < 10 4

I believe that John Walter, son of James and Margaret, would have been 16 in 1820, so this John can’t be him. The female 26-44 is most likely John Walter’s wife. Margaret Ann (Swann) Walter would have been 60 in 1820, so this record can’t include her.

Walters – Frederick County, VA, in 1820

I have found that occasionally a “Walter” is enumerated as a “Walters” in the Census. There were two Walters in the 1820 Census for Frederick County, Virginia.

John Walters, Age 26-44. Again the Wrong age.

Lawrence Walters is a male over 45, with a female in the household over 45. My records show a Lawrence Walter, born about 1755, the son of John and Ann (Parker) Walter. He died about 1833, so this could be him. This could be the brother of my James Walter. Learning more about this person may be helpful.

Conclusion:

I have not found James and Margaret Walter in Frederick County, Virginia, during the 1820 Census.

Endnotes:

[i] Charles Stockard died in November 1820 in Fairfield County, Ohio. He and Elizabeth were married in Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1815, so I’d expect them to be either in Fairfield County, Ohio, or Rockingham County, Virginia.

[ii] David Swayze and his wife Catherine have located to Fairfield County, Ohio, by the 1820 Census.

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Photo Friday – Merrill, Murray, Murphy, & Musklin

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Don Taylor

Ethel Wight Collection – Part 93

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 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.

Dr. Thomas Murray, circa 1934.

The envelope this negative was in says, “Dr. Murray, 548 ½ Congress St. #25.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Dr. Thomas Murray, circa 1934.

    The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Thomas W Murray as a dentist at 548½ Congress St, Rm h living at 85 Emery with his wife Mary B. The directory also indicates he was the only Murray in the Dentist and Physician listings.

  • World War I Draft Registration Cards indicate Thomas William Murray was born on 27 April 1885.

I’m confident this photo is of Dr. Thomas Murray, Dentist, about 1934 when he was about 49 years old.

Ancestry has two public trees that refer to Thomas William Murray. Family Search has profile KLHS-B3Q for Thomas W. Murray. I have uploaded two photos of him to his Family Search Memories.

Helen Merrill, Nursing Student, circa 1935.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Helen Merrill, St. Barnabas Hospital #661.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Helen Merrill, Nursing Student, circa 1935.

    The 1939 Portland City Directory lists Helen H Merrill as a nurse at 93 Pine.

  • The 1940 US Census lists Helen Hastings Merrill, a 25-year-old nurse at Hart Street Beth Moses Hospital. In 1935 she was living in Portland, Maine.

I am confident this photo is of Helen Hastings Merrill, born 1 May 1914 in Portland, Maine, when she was a student at St. Barnabas Hospital.

Ancestry has three public trees that refer to Helen Hastings Merrill. Family Search has profile LRQN-RYS for Helen H Merrill. I have uploaded two photos of Helen to her Family Search Memories. I also uploaded one additional photo of Helen to my Flickr Photostream.

Rose Musklin, Nursing Student, circa 1934.

This negative envelope says, “Miss Rose Musklin, State St Hospital #261.”

What I’ve discovered:

  • Rose Musklin, Nursing Student, circa 1934

    The 1936 and 1937 Portland City Directories list Rose Musklin as a student nurse living at 62 State (State Street Hospital).

  • Further research failed to find any more information about Rose.

I have confirmed the name as Rose Musklin; I have found no other information regarding this individual.

I have not found Rose in Ancestry trees nor on Family Search. Consequently, I uploaded her photo to Dead Fred. I have also uploaded a second photo of Rose to my Flickr Photostream.

Beatrice Murphy & Child, circa 1943.

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. E. C. Murphy, West Wareham, Mass – 1943.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Beatrice Murphy & Child, circa 1943.

    World War II Draft Cards include Edward Courtney Murphy, who lived in Rochester, Plymouth Co., Mass, but his mailing address was West Wareham, RFD. He was born in Boothbay, Maine, on 21 July 1899. His wife was Beatrice Murphy.

  • Ancestry Trees indicated that Edward Courtney Murphy’s wife was Beatrice Wooden (1905-1953). One of the Ancestry family trees includes the same photo I have with the label, “Beatrice Mitchell Wooden Murphy holding Lynn claire, 1944, Rochester, MA.”

This photo shows Beatrice (Wooden) Murphy, born on 15 June 1905, in 1943, with her child Lynn.

Ancestry has ten public trees that refer to Beatrice Wooden. Family Search has profile K45X-86F for Beatrice Woodin, wife of Lt Edward Courtney Murphy. I have uploaded two photos of Beatrice with her daughter to her Family Search Memories. 

Carolyn Anne Murphy, circa 1933 (age 5).

This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Alma Murphy, 65 Grant St #196.”

Why I believe this to be the individual.

  • Carolyn Anne Murphy, circa 1933 (age 5).

    The 1934 Portland City Directory indicates that Ulysses G Edgecomb and Frank M Good lived at 65 Grant. There is not an Alma Murphy listed in the 1934 Directory.

  • The 1935 Portland City Directory indicates that Mrs. Alma E Murphy married Charles J Connell. The 1935 directory also shows that Charles and Alma lived at 273 State, apt 1.
  • The 1940 US Census lists Charles and Alma Connell living in Jersey City, New Jersey. It also indicates that they lived in Portland, Maine, in 1935. With them are a 13-year-old son, Ronald, and an 11-year-old daughter, Caroline.
  • Ancestry Family trees suggest that Alma Erskine McLellan married Ronald Charles Murphy in 1925 and had a daughter, Carolyn Ann Murphy, in 1929. Alma then married Charles J Connell in 1934.

I am confident this photo is of Carolyn Ann Murphy, born on 6 February 1929 in Augusta, Maine, about 1934, when she was about five years old.

Ancestry has 11 public trees that refer to Carolyn Ann Murphy. Family Search has profile G36S-PBN for Carolyn Anne Murphy. I have uploaded a photo of Carolyn to her Family Search Memories.

Conclusion

  • I fully identified all five Four of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
  • One individual did not have a Family Search profile and did not appear in any Ancestry trees. I uploaded a photo of her to Dead Fred and a second photo of her to my Flickr Photostream

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.

Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have a higher image quality than the images 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.

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