Charles Stockard was the first husband of 4th great aunt Elizabeth Rebekah (Walter) Stockard (later Gurley). His will was made 23 November 1820 and was filed with the court on 8 January 1821. (Which presumes he had already died.) It mentions his wife, Elizabeth, and his two children, Margaret and William. Witnesses are James Planno, David Swazzo, and Elkena Walters. Elkena is Elizabeth’s brother. David Swazzo is likely David Swayze, Elizabeth’s brother-in-law. James Planno is unknown (for now). The two children were also unknown before and are tentatively attributed to Elizabeth.
<<PAGE 70>> (lower half)
— name of God amen I Charles Stockard being wea- — —— –
——sound and perfect mind and memory do make and———-
——– last will add testament in manner and form follow—–
————First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth
—– kard all my ready money and all the money that is due me
——-different persons living in the State of Virginia which in in Chrise
—–ttles hands for collection and all my goods and Chatties of what kind
and nature soever for her to purchase a comfortable farm and to have
and to held the same until my two Children Margaret and William
Stockard arrives of the age of twenty one years then the land
equally divided between them after my dearly beloved wife Elizabeth Stockards proper dower is set off to her and it is my desire for her to
raise the two Children and give them good schooling and in case
of the decease of my Children then my beloved wife to have the
whole farm whom I appoint my sole Executrix of this my last
will and testament by me made in witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this 23rd day of November in the year of our
Lord one thousand and eight hundred and twenty
his
Charles X Stockard
mark
Signed sealed puolished and declared by the
above named Charles stockard to be his last
will and testament in presence of us who have
hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
in presence of the Testator.
James Planno, David Swazzo, Elkena Walters
<<PAGE 71>>
Fairfield County Ohio ss at a special Court of Common pleas Holden
at Lancaster in and for the county aforesaid on the 8th day of January 1821 the foregoing last will and Testament of Charles Stockard is preduced and proven by Elkena Waters and David Swazzo two of the Subscribing witnesses and ordered to be recorded and that the letters testementary thereof be a ____ to the Executrix therein named
Atteste Hugh Boyle, Clk. F.C.
[i] John Newmark started the “Amanuensis Monday” category in 2009 on his Blog, Transylvanian Dutch and many bloggers have followed suit using the tag. Google provides the following meaning for amanuensis: “A literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.”
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. So, if I could follow her children in the censuses, I might see her in one of their households.
Margaret died in New Salem, Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1826. The date she came to Ohio is still unknown. I have not been successful in finding her husband, James Walter, in the 1830 Census, even though he died in Rushville, Ohio, in 1838. Even though she had already passed, I wanted to begin with the 1830 Census and see what I could find for her children.
Elkanah Walters – Richland, Fairfield County, Ohio
The 1830 US Census lists 14 heads of household with the surname Walter, Walters, Watter, or Waller.
1 Male 5-10 James (age 9) b. 1820
1 Males 10-15 Harvy (age 12) b. 1818
1 Male 20-30 UNKNOWN MALE – (born 1800-1810)
1 Male 40-50 Elkanah (age 49)
1 Female <5 Margrate (age 1) b. 1829
2 Female 5-10 Adaline (age 5) b. 1824
Caroline (age 7) b. 1822
1 Female 30-40 Rachel (age 40) b. 1890
Elkanah and Rachel (Decker) are believed to have married on 6 November 1814. If the unknown male was born in 1810, Rachel would have been 20 but was born before they were married. On the other hand, if the unidentified male was born closer to 1800, he would have been 10 to 15 years younger than Elkanah. An age that fits either of Elkanah’s younger brothers (James or John). I suspect this is either James or John. As I believe John was enumerated (see below), I suspect this is James. James C. Walters does appear in the 1840 Census in Liberty, Fairfield County, Ohio.
Catherine (Walters) Swayze – Catherine married David Swayze in 1817.
In 1830, David Swayze appeared in the census for Walnut Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, page 198, 4th from bottom.
1 Male 30-40 David (Age 34 b. 1796)
1 Female < 5 S.B. (age 2 b. 1828)*
2 Females 10-15 Emily (Age 10 b. 1820)
Elizabeth (age 12 b. 1818)
1 Female 30-40 Rachel (age 40 b. 1890)
* Note: Daughter Margaretta was born about 1821 and died on 18 October 1823. There are two other children, Angeline and William, who I believe were born between 1824 and 1826 and died before 1830.
John Walter – Berne, Fairfield County, Ohio – Page 139, Line 2 above from bottom.
1 Male 20-29 John (over 25 b. bef. 1804)
2 Females < 5 FNU-D1 (under 5 (1825-1830)
FNU-D2 (under 5 (1825-1830)
1 Female 20-29 Belinda (Unknown age)
Fits criteria expected for John Walter (bef. 1804-____), son of James and Margaret (Swann) Walter.
Nancy (Walters) Lewis.
Nancy was born in 1788 and would be about 42 years old in 1830 and likely married to FNU Lewis. There were seven Lewis households enumerated in Fairfield County during the 1830 Census.
William – 9 in the household – No females over 29.
Thomas – 3 in the household – No females over 20.
James – 4 in the household – No females over 20.
Juda – 6 in the household – Colored.
Daniel – 2 in the household – Colored.
Thomas H – 6 in the household – 1 female 30-39
John – 7 in the household – 1 female 30-39
So, Nancy either lived outside of Fairfield County, Ohio, had her age reported incorrectly, or died before 1830. More research is needed.
Elizabeth Rebekah (Walters) Gurley.
Elizabeth was born in 1788 and would be about 42 years old in 1830, and possibly married to either Charles Stockard or James Gurley (I don’t know which was first.) Charles Stockard doesn’t appear in Fairfield County during the 1830 Census. James Gurley appears in the 1830 Census. His household has seven people, including a female 30 to 39 years old that could be Elizabeth. I need to do more research to determine Elizabeth’s marriages and children to know if this is Elizabeth (née Walter) or a different James Gurley or a different wife of his.
Conclusion – The Walter family in 1830
Parents
James Location Unknown
Margaret Died in 1826
Children
Martin Location Unknown
Nancy Location Unknown
Elkanah and his family were in Richland Twp, Fairfield County, Ohio
Catherine Married to David Swayze – Walnut Twp, Fairfield County, Ohio
Elizabeth Probably married to James Gurley; lived in Fairfield County, Ohio
James C. Probably living with Elkanah.
John and family – Berne Twp, Fairfield County, Ohio.
Follow-up
Determine Elizabeth’s marriages and children to know if this is Elizabeth (née Walter) or if it is a different James Gurley or a different wife of his.
Next I’ll continue looking for the Walters in the 1820 Census, particularly James, Margaret, Martin, and Nancy.
Sources
1830 Census – Ohio, Fairfield, Walnut – Page 198 – David Swayze -. “United States Census, 1830,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5L-GYL : 20 February 2021), David Swayze, Walnut, Fairfield, Ohio, United States; citing 198, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 130; FHL microfilm 337,941.
1830 Census – Elkanah Walters – Rushville, Fairfield, Ohio. “United States Census, 1830,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5L-5N4 : 19 August 2017), Elkanah Walters, Richland, Fairfield, Ohio, United States; citing 259, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 130; FHL microfilm 337,941.
1830 Census – Ohio, Fairfield, Berne, page 139 (2nd line from the bottom) – John Walter. “United States Census, 1830,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5L-LMF : 20 February 2021), John Walter, Bern, Fairfield, Ohio, United States; citing 139, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 130; FHL microfilm 337,941.
Ancestry indicates that Fugate is most probably a variant of Fugett. Fugett is perhaps an adaption of Fuget, a topographic name from Fuge, a regional term for fougère ‘fern.’ Neither Forebears nor Genealogy Bank have a meaning for the name either.
Geographical
According to Forebears, nearly 98% of the World’s Fugates live in the United States. In the United States, the largest incidence and percentage of the population is in Kentucky. The state where my most recent Fugate ancestors lived.
9th Great-grandfather: 3360. Peter Fugate (1650-c. 1695)*
10th Great-grandfather: 6720. James Fugate (1630-1651)*
Historical
1840 – In 1840, Rachel had already married Meridith Mannin and had that surname. Her father, Reuben, died in Ralls, Missouri, in 1833; her grandparents had passed also. So, none of my Fugate ancestors were Fugates in 1840.
1650-1675 – Peter Fugate was born in France c. 1650. He died in Maryland sometime after 1695. He married Frances Mould about 1675 in Mosquito Creek, Baltimore County (now Harford County), Province of Maryland. Peter was my Immigrant Ancestor on this line.
Today, Fugates are mainly in the midsection of the United States, with nearly a third of them living in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana.
Direct Descendants
I have 1187 known descendants of James Fugate in my tree; 111 Mannin/Mannings, 69 Browns, 60 Bryants, 48 Fugates, 43 Barnetts, 28 Horns; 22 Richmonds; 21 Osts, 20 Taylors, and many other surnames. One thousand eighty-six of those descendants are known descendants of Rachel Fugate. I have previously written about 4 of them:
The Fugates of Kentucky, commonly known as the “Blue Fugates,” are notable for having been carriers of a genetic trait that led to the blood disorder methemoglobinemia, which causes the appearance of blue-tinged skin.[ii]
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] My goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.
Alice Liebman, circa 1935
The envelope this negative was in says, “Miss Alice Liebman, Me Gen Hospital #844.”
Alice Liebman, Nurse, circa 1935
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 and 1937 Portland City Directories list Alice Liebman as a student nurse at 22 Arsenal (Maine General Hospital).
The Maine Marriage Index indicates that Alice C. Liebman married Charles Bartlet, Jr. on 30 November 1937.
The 1940 Census lists Alice C. Bartlett living in Eliot, York County, Maine; however, it indicates she lived in Portland, Cumberland County, in 1935.
I am reasonably confident this photo is of Alice Cole Liebman, born 23 March 1916 in Eliot, York County, Maine, about 1935, when the 19-year-old was attending nursing school in Portland, Maine.
Ancestry has 20 public trees that refer to Alice Cole Liebman. Family Search has profile MKSZ-GPY for Alice Liebman, born 23 March 1916. I uploaded two photos of her to her Family Search Memories.
Vanette Laliberte, Nurse, circa 1935
This negative envelope says, “Miss Vanette La Liberty, ME Eye & Ear Infirmary #275.”
Vanette Laliberte, Nurse, circa 1935
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1940 U.S. Census lists the New Hampshire-born Vanetta Laliberty as a 28-year-old nurse at the Coos County Institution in Stewartstown, New Hampshire. It also notes she lived in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, in 1935.
I’m confident this photo is of Vanetta Liberty about 1935 when she attended nursing school at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Ancestry has six public trees that refer to Vanetta Emma Liberty White. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Vanetta, daughter of Leon and Marie (Paradis) Laliberte So, I have added her photo to Dead Fred.
Richard Linnell, circa 1935
Richard Linnell, circa 1935
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. C. E. Linnell, 78 Rosemont Ave #447.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Charles E and Hazel E Linnell residing at 78 Rosemont Ave.
The 1940 Census lists Charles E Linnel living at 78 Rosemont Ave, Portland, ME. The household consists of Charles, his wife hazel, and two sons, Richard (age 13) and Arthur (age 11).
In 1935 (when this photo was probably taken), Richard would be about eight and Arthur about six. The child in this photo appears to be about 8, so I believe this is Richard. Hopefully, a family member will be able to confirm it to be Richard.
Alternative individuals: This could be Richard’s brother Arthur, but I don’t think so.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Char. Litrocapes, 15 Cedar St #637.”
Helen Litrocapes (née Anifant), circa 1935.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Charles and Helen Litrocapes living at 15 Cedar.
Maine Marriage index indicates that Charles Litrocapes married Helen Anifant on 3 June 1934.
Helen was born on 27 January 1915 and would be about 20 years old when this photo was taken about 1935.
Ancestry has five public trees that refer to Helen Anifant, wife of Charles Litrocapes. Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Helen, so I uploaded a photo of her to Dead Fred. I also uploaded a second photo of her to my Flickr photostream.
Milton & Tena Libby (née Bronnum), circa 1935.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Milton Libby, 16 Grant St #499.”
Milton & Tena Libby (née Bronnum), circa 1935.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Milton S Libby and his wife, Tena L, living at 16 Grand. Milton S. is the only Milton Libby appearing in the 1935 Directory.
The 1940 US Census lists (38-year-old) Milton Libby, his wife Tena L, and his 10-year-old son, Milton L, living at 14 University.
Ancestry Family Trees suggest that Milton’s wife, Tena, is Tena Louise Bronnum.
I am confident this is a photo of Tena Louise Libby (née Bronnum) and her son Milton about 1935 when Milton was about five years old.
I fully identified all five Three of them have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories
Two individuals did not have a Family Search profile but did appear in Ancestry trees, so I posted their images to Dead Fred.
I had additional photos for two of the individuals, so I uploaded those photos 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.
For this week’s Treasure Chest Thursday, I’m looking at two clippings from one page of the Donna Darling Collection. There is both an ad and a text write-up. The good news is that a handwritten note above the clippings is “Topeka Kans.”
Clipping from Donna Darling Collection
The ad shows three show times, 3:00—7:30—9:15, at the Novelty Theater.
The show is the “Dona [sic] Darling Revue with Sammy Clark in a riot of beauty and comedy singing and dancing.”
The clip also mentions four other acts in the program, Pathe News, and a Screen Comedy.
The text advertising write-up reads:
AT THE NOVELTY The First Half.
An entirely different bill of vaudeville will be on at the Novelty the first three days of the week. Col Mack believes in “mixing them” and avoiding “that sameness.” This season he will not only mix the attractions on every bill but he will make every possible effort to make each bill “different.”
The feature of the first half will be the Donna Darling Revue, with Miss Darling “The Musical Comedy Beauty,” and Sammy Clark the “Juvenile Komic,” making merry both on their own and because of their absolute dissimilarity. The revue is filled with song and dance number of just the sort that are demanded by vaudeville patrons. Donna and Sammy are supported in the act by the team of Barring and Lazure with Hal Dixon featured at the piano.
The program as usual will be started by the newest movie news….
Key features:
The venue is the Novelty Theater in Topeka, Kansas.
None of the other shows on the bill are named.
Analysis
Donna and Sammy began their show together about May 1926 in New York. The show headed west to Michigan and Ontario. In July, it was in Illinois and Ohio. In August, it headed west to Illinois and Oklahoma. After a short return to Illinois, they headed west again for Colorado, Texas, and Arizona in September. After several months in the west, they returned to the Midwest (Iowa) in January 1927. I haven’t found any dates or venues for Donna and Sammy in Kansas; however, they had to have played in Kansas in August or September 1926.
Cinema Treasures indicates that the Novelty Theatre opened in Topeka, Kansas, in 1908. After Donna played there, it became the Dickinson Theatre, then closed in 1988 and was demolished in 1993.
Conclusion
New Venue: August or September 1926 – The Novelty Theater, Topeka, Kansas – Donna Darling Revue with Sammy Clark.
Actions
I have set up alerts for “Donna Darling” and “Sammy Clark” in Kansas during 1926 at Newspapers.com and Genealogy Bank.
I added a task to check NewspaperArchives and Elephind (Library of Congress) every year for new postings.
Charles Stockard was the first husband of 4th great aunt Elizabeth Rebekah (Walter) Stockard (later Gurley). His will was made 23 November 1820 and was filed with the court on 8 January 1821. (Which presumes he had already died.) It mentions his wife, Elizabeth, and his two children, Margaret and William. Witnesses are James Planno, David Swazzo, and Elkena Walters. Elkena is Elizabeth’s brother. David Swazzo is likely David Swayze, Elizabeth’s brother-in-law. James Planno is unknown (for now). The two children were also unknown before and are tentatively attributed to Elizabeth.
— name of God amen I Charles Stockard being wea- — —— –
Fairfield County Ohio ss at a special Court of Common pleas Holden
