Frasers of Fife: Generation Three | Alexander Fraser and Ann Young

1880 John Fraser Family Tree

23. Alexander Fraser (Alexander - 5, Duncan -1) born April 20th - year not recorded - engineer


married 1840


Ann Young birth not recorded


children born to this union:


      i. Jeanie Fraser b. October 31st 1841 d. July 15th 1849

61. ii. Janet Fraser b. February 27th 1844 married A. Short

62. iii. Ann Fraser b. November 29th 1848 married Mr. Carnegie

      iv. Margaret Fraser b. March 8th 1851 d. October 22nd 1861

      v. Elizabeth Fraser b. February 1st 1853 d. February 3rd 1855



Alexander was killed in 1855
Ann died in 1854



Editors note: I was struck by the fact that the mother, Ann, died in 1854, the father, Alexander, was killed in 1855. The youngest daughter died in 1855 as well. My question is who raised the remaining children? Even though these are just names on paper now, they were once living people, seems quite the tragedy struck this young family.

~ all information provided here has been taken directly from the John Fraser family tree compiled in 1880 and as such is the only source for these writings - the objective being to record his work for further study and documentation ~ 

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net
©1880 John Fraser - Scotland
All Rights Reserved

Brick Wall Ancestor | #4 Jane "Jennie" M Whitford Nichols Faulkner

We all have them! Those stubborn ancestors that refuse to come out of hiding. No matter how much coaxing we do! Well, I think it's time to bring them out of the shadows - put their redacted story out there - another piece of the puzzle could be lurking just around the (cyber) corner, in someone's basement, or closet, or sitting in a box on a book shelf ...... You never, ever know where that loose chink will manifest, the one that allows you to push out one brick, then the next. Food for thought. So without further ado....

Brick Wall Ancestor | #4 Jane "Jennie" M Whitford Nichols Faulkner

Jennie hid her secret from me for quite a while. Maybe she hid it from everyone? Maybe she has more that I don't know about yet!

Jennie M Whitford is my 2nd great grandmother. She married my 2nd great grandfather Harrison "Harry" Faulkner and had 3 sons with him. The middle son is my great grandfather Dr. L A Faulkner.

But Jennie is quite the mystery woman! Here's what I know.....

Jennie (Whitford) married Harrison Faulkner in Grass Lake MI on May 1st, 1856. She was 21 and Harry was 27, according to the (very difficult to read) marriage book. Witnesses were Henry B Halbert and Mrs Mary Jane ---- (?) I found Henry - he was married to an Elizabeth not a Mary, so not husband and wife - perhaps friends of the couple.

Harry had lived in Grass Lake since 1834, I don't have any idea where Jennie came from!

By 1859 the couple was living in Faribault, MN. Their first son, Arthur, was born there in February of that year.

The 1860 census shows the young family - here's a screenshot of the record - the census was broken up onto two pages. Says Jennie was born in Ohio. Good to know. But who are James Nichols and Sarah Woodford?

Like you, my first thought was Woodford/Whitford - Sarah could be Jennie's sister! Viewing Sarah's entry, it states that she was born in Michigan - which could explain how Jennie ended up in Grass Lake. But who the heck was James Nichols? (Also born in Michigan?) A step brother? A nephew?

Looking at the 1870 census Jennie is listed as being born in Michigan (!) and neither Sarah nor James are in the household anymore. The other two sons, Lloyd and Louis are there, having been born in the decade between 1860 and 1870.

A quick search for a Sarah Woodford/Whitford brought no promising results - oh sure, there was a good rabbit hole or two, but in the end nothing conclusive. Putting a pin in Sarah, I briefly moved on to James with similar results. 

So, relegating the two to the back burner for the time being, I moved ahead with Jennie. (Work with what you know first!) 

The 1880 census brought a surprise! Jennie and Harry had gotten a divorce! And, Jennie was back to being born in Ohio. An additional promising clue, her father was born in Vermont, her mother in New York. FNU Whitford born Vermont c 1800 might bring a few hints ...... another pin to revisit later. 

Moving forward was relatively simple. Jennie lived for a time in Chicago (Chicago City Directories 1884-1885) with her son while he attended medical school, then after his graduation in 1884, returned to St Paul MN where she remained until her death in 1888.

The Dalby Database lists a notation for her obituary: "FAULKNER - JENNIE M. MRS - FARIBAULT REPUBLICAN - 29/FEB/1888 - DIED, IN ST. PAUL, FEB. 29TH, AGED 53 YEARS. THE REMAINS WILL BE BROUGHT TO FARIBAULT THURSDAY MORNING FOR BURIAL"  I have not been able to find where she is buried and strongly suspect cremation, ashes unknown.

OK. So Jennie Whitford appeared in Michigan in 1856 and died in Minnesota in 1888. Where was she before 1856? Ohio? How did she get to Michigan? Who were her parents? Where was she actually born?

Curious, one year she was listed as Jane, not Jennie. The 1886 St Paul MN directory listed her at 70 Douglas with her sons Lloyd and Louis (no, not a widow - polite way of treating divorced women in the 19th century) A new clue!

On FamilySearch I punched in "Jane Whitford" + Michigan and look what I found!

Our girl Jennie had married Daniel Nichols in 1849. She was 16 and he was 23! Nichols! NICHOLS! Whoa, okay this might lead somewhere. E M Whitford and Elizabeth Whitford were witnesses - parents of Jennie, perhaps? Or siblings? Certainly relatives of some sort. They were from Niles, Berrien Co, MI which is about 130 miles southwest of Grass Lake. Time for more digging!

The 1850 census showed nothing for an E M Whitford (wildcard search) born in Vermont. Dropping the E and M also returned nothing. Likewise for Elizabeth (1850! Women are searchable!)

Argh!

But Jane and Daniel ARE on the census - living with a girl named Mary Woodford age 19. Sister? Seems very likely. Just the three of them, which would make sense if the 10 year old James Nichols living in Jennie's household in 1860 was her son by her first marriage! Jennie would have been very close to giving birth, perhaps Mary was there to help with the preparations.

That's the 'secret'. Jennie had been married previously. At the age of 16! And the other 'secret'? TWICE divorced. Oh, wait, you don't know that yet.......

While I did not find an actual divorce record for Jane and Daniel, I did find Daniel getting married on the 7th of November 1856 (same year as Jennie and Harry's marriage) in Branch, MI. He married Minerva Shook and went on to have six children with her. His family is easily traceable.

As for James Nichols, he bounced around, working as a farm hand here and there until he married Addie Blackburn in 1882; settling in Rice Co, MN, not far from his mother. He remained in farming and raised three children with his wife. Jennie's grandchildren unfortunately were all born after her death.

Results from more digging, that I'm not going into here (if you're really interested contact me ~ mostly checking family trees, doing sideways research and comparing DNA results .... oh, and a lot of rabbit holes!) I discovered who I suspect are more siblings of Jennie's - three sisters and four brothers. There is speculation (family trees - some with DNA confirmation) as to the parents, but nothing that I have been able to confirm with documentation. But you have DNA you say. Yup. And we are all certainly related in some way, but the folks who match with the DNA all have used Online Family Trees as their source to prove parentage - not actual documents. What does the Magic 8 Ball say?  Probably "signs point to yes", but I'm not relying on the old 8 Ball to prove my genealogy.

I'm going to label this Brick Wall as soft, perhaps a crumbling Brick Wall?

And the most sweetly ironic part? The writing of this brought me to my very own front door in a 'seven degrees of separation' kind of way. It was from a random post that caught my eye just today on a DNA match, citing a sketch for a prominent Elgin, IL doctor. Possibly Jane "Jennie"'s brother. Possibly. And where do I live? Why, Elgin, of course!  Most of the tree is sourced with other Public Trees, but I'm feeling kinda excited about the discovery - coincidence? Not sure I believe in such a thing. More like ancestors pointing the way ......

This search is not over!

Here is the genealogy as I have come to know it thus far:

Jane "Jennie" M Whitford b. say 1835 Ohio
                                               d. 29 Feb 1888 Minnesota
                                                m. (1) Daniel Nichols (2) Harrison Faulkner

 children (all marriages):

• James H Nichols b. Aug 1850 d. UNK m. Addie Blackburn (3 issue)
• Arthur Edward Faulkner b. Feb 1859 d. 21 Aug 1823 m. Ellen Lumley (no issue)
• Lloyd Anson Faulkner b. 30 Sep 1862 d. 18 Dec 1933 m. Anna O'Connell (5 issue)
• Louis Nelson Faulkner b. say 1864 d. 31 Aug 1920 (never married)  

siblings: (presumed, not proved)

• Henry K Whitford MD b. 9 Feb 1829 Medina, Ohio d. 15 Feb 1912 Kane, Illinois
• Mary Whitford b. say 1831 Ohio d. UNK (possible twin)
• James H Whitford b. 27 Jan 1831 Ohio d. 29 Apr 1895 Minnesota (possible twin)
• Leonard C Whitford b. 7 Nov 1837 Michigan d. 26 May 1909 Washington
• Jerome B Whitford b. say 1839 Michigan d. UNK
• Sarah Whitford b. 14 Dec 1843 Michigan d. 12 Apr 1910 Washington
• Rhoda L Whitford b. 7 Nov 1846 Michigan d. 9 Nov 1909 Minnesota
• Daniel H Whitford MD b. say 1852 Illinois d. UNK

Of interesting note: Dr Henry K Whitford was a professor at Bennett College of Medicine in Chicago at the very same time Jennie's son Lloyd was attending school there. Did Lloyd go to Bennett because his uncle was a professor there? Curious.

Suspected parents of the the Whitford clan are David M Whitford and Elizabeth Lease. IF these are the correct parents they are last found in LaSalle County, Illinois in 1850. Elizabeth is in a Poor House and David is working his brother-in-law's farm. According to this sketch the family had fallen on very hard times. The trail goes cold after 1850. Well, before that too. I can't prove that this all fits together. It's the most logical explanation I have come up with to date.

I am reminded of the notation on Jane's marriage to Daniel, however, witnesses were E M Whitford and Elizabeth Whitford. Could E M be a woman? Her sister Mary perhaps?

Always more questions than answers!


If any of this rings true to you please contact me and let's figure it out!

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Joseph Faulkner M.D. {Gen 2}

It started, as good quests always do, with a family tale.

Joseph Faulkner (James, William) was born to James Faulkner and Catherine Bull Faulkner in 1770/80 in New Windsor, then Ulster Co, New York. The information comes from the Bull Book and is not definite on the date.

Joseph married Priscilla Faulkner (William, William) his first cousin most likely in New York.

To this union ten (maybe) children were born:

• William Faulkner b. 1810 d. November 5th 1876 - never married

• Cassandra Faulkner b. 1812 d. Somerset PA

• Clarissa Faulkner b. 1812 d. 1903

• Thomas Faulkner b. 1809 m. Susan Van Vorhees 1828 - Colonel Civil War

• Mary A. Faulkner b. November 5th 1811 m. Hiram Walsh d. July 29th 1891 Illinois

The next five children are also attributed to this union, but the birth dates given in the Bull Book seem unlikely to be the same mother. More research is needed.

• James Bull Faulkner b. 28 June 1824 m. Susan Murdock

• Catherine Faulkner b. 1826 m. J. Wells

• Martha Faulkner b. 1827 m. Franklyn Coleman d. March 3rd 1859

• Phinney Faulkner b. 1829 d. April 18th 1857 in Tennessee of Yellow Fever - Reverend - never married

• John Faulkner b. 1835 - never married

Joseph Faulkner died before 1850 in Dundaff, Pennsylvania

Priscilla Faulkner Faulkner died September 10th 1868 in Dundaff, Pennsylvania

note: this is recorded as written in the Bull/Wells Genealogy Book. This branch of the Faulkner line has not been researched or verified by me. I include it merely to document all descendants. 

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Notes From My Grandmother | Potwin Lineage and Genealogy, Beulah's Letters

Somehow, much of my grandmother's hand written and (badly) typed notes and research wound up in my possession. Traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to Chicago again. It sat, in the dark of my mother's closet, until my dad passed and my mom decided to begin her great purge. Knowing I had picked up the torch, the next generation to pursue the Greatest Hobby on Earth, the papers came to live with me. Unsure for many years on just what to do with them, I have decided to bring them out and share them with you - transcribed, of course - no one can read my grandmother's handwriting! But in her own words; mistakes, rambling sentences, and all. I think she will be pleased her work and her writing are once again out in the light.

Yakima Aug 31 - '67

Dear Friend, 

So pleased to hear from you - will answer promptly - 

You spoke of moving but didn't say if you were going to Calif or staying in Chicago a while -

I was interested in the Oak Park pamphlet and puzzled too - I was in Chicago a great deal at my aunt's <around 1900 to 1907> she lived in Austin - the Loop (we called it the Elevated) in 1900 - ended at Austin - we knew there was an Oak Park but I never was there.

So they called Austin a frustrated entity - not so - Austin too had lovely wide streets - tree lined 3 story homes - setting back from the street. In 1900 the "L" ended at Austin so can Oak Park claim it as one of their lifelines?

And in 1903 Austin was a well established suburb where Oak Park Ave was still a long empty street - From 1900 to 1906 or 7 the year I was married, I spent in Austin that winter - and my uncle was sputtering about their townsmen calling it Cicero - but it happened.

As a girl - going into Chicago by train - often - we knew we were not allowed to get on a "service car" (street car) - one time I did as I had to take it to reach a friends home - took me on the South side of Chicago (the negro belt for sure), but haven't I heard they are infiltrating on the West side?

My relatives moved to Evanston later and are all gone now - a cousin moved to settle in Maquoketa Ia.

My son Don and I spent a week in Victoria B.C. - a lovely city - on Vancouver Island - had to take a ferry up thro the San Juans - groups of islands - large ones.

Victoria is not only Canadian but Socialistic too - in Canada - no freeways - no hurried crowds. Was really restful after the hullaballoo (?) in America - they string clotheslines in the air - front yards are beautifully landscaped - lots of flowers, but nothing in any back-yard. I looked as we drove about - It was all the same - not a thing in any backyard except a back fence and not much yard.

We've had a long hot summer - unusual - 98 all this week. Ordinarily, we get one hot week in July but not this year - all August was hot to 102 - 

I  have been plagued with some arthritis this past few months in my right ankle - I keep on exercising about the yard and it seems to help.

I expect my son and daughter from Seattle to be here for Labor Day weekend - otherwise like Thoreau (that old tramp) - I enjoy "companionable company in solitude"

I have a daughter living in Belmont Calif now and if I get that far next winter - we might get to meet - here's hoping - 

Keep well - 

Best wishes

Beulah E Potwin

113 N 27th Ave

Yakima Wn

98901

to be continued .........

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

©1965 Beulah E Potwin - Private Collection

Mayflower Month! My Connection to Stephen Hopkins

Stephen Hopkins was from Hampshire, England. He married his first wife, Mary, and resided in the parish of Hursley, Hampshire.  They had their children Elizabeth, Constance, and Giles, all baptized there. It has long been claimed that the Hopkins family was from Wortley, Gloucester, but this was disproven in 1998 with the discovery of his true origins in Hursley. 

Stephen Hopkins went with the ship Sea Venture on a voyage to Jamestown, Virginia in 1609 as a minister's clerk, but the ship wrecked in the "Isle of Devils" (Bermuda). Stranded on an island for ten months, the passengers and crew survived on turtles, birds, and wild pigs. Six months into the castaway, Stephen Hopkins and several others organized a mutiny against the current governor. The mutiny was discovered and Stephen was sentenced to death. However, he pleaded with sorrow and tears. "So penitent he was, and made so much moan, alleging the ruin of his wife and children in this his trespass, as it wrought in the hearts of all the better sorts of the company". He managed to get his sentence commuted.

Eventually the castaways built a small ship and sailed themselves to Jamestown. How long Stephen remained in Jamestown is not known. However, while he was gone, his wife Mary died. She was buried in Hursley on 9 May 1613, and left behind a probate estate which mentions her children Elizabeth, Constance and Giles.

Stephen was back in England by 1617, when he married Elizabeth Fisher, but apparently had every intention of bringing his family back to Virginia. Their first child, Damaris, was born about 1618. In 1620, Stephen Hopkins brought his wife, and children Constance, Giles, and Damaris on the Mayflower (child Elizabeth apparently had died). Stephen was a fairly active member of the Pilgrim group shortly after arrival, perhaps a result of his being one of the few individuals who had been to Virginia previously. He was a part of all the early exploring missions, and was used as an "expert" on Native Americans for the first few contacts. While out exploring, Stephen recognized and identified an Indian deer trap. And when Samoset walked into Plymouth and welcomed the English, he was housed in Stephen Hopkins' house for the night. Stephen was also sent on several of the ambassadorial missions to meet with the various Indian groups in the region.

Stephen was an assistant to the governor through 1636, and volunteered for the Pequot War of 1637 but was never called to serve. By the late 1630s, however, Stephen began to occasionally run afoul of the Plymouth authorities, as he apparently opened up a shop and served alcohol. In 1636 he got into a fight with John Tisdale and seriously wounded him. In 1637, he was fined for allowing drinking and shuffleboard playing on Sunday. Early the next year he was fined for allowing people to drink excessively in his house: guest William Reynolds was fined, but the others were acquitted. In 1638 he was twice fined for selling beer at twice the actual value, and in 1639 he was fined for selling a looking glass for twice what it would cost if bought in the Bay Colony. Also in 1638, Stephen Hopkins' maidservant got pregnant from Arthur Peach, who was subsequently executed for murdering an Indian. The Plymouth Court ruled he was financially responsible for her and her child for the next two years (the amount remaining on her term of service). Stephen, in contempt of court, threw Dorothy out of his household and refused to provide for her, so the court committed him to custody. John Holmes stepped in and purchased Dorothy's remaining two years of service from him: agreeing to support her and child.

Stephen died in 1644, and made out a will, asking to be buried near his wife, and naming his surviving children. ~from MayflowerHistory.com

My Lineage:

• Stephen Hopkins and Mary
• Constance Hopkins (1606/1677) married Nicholas Snow (1599/1676)
• Ruth Snow (1644/1715/16) married John Cole (1644/1725)
• Ruth Cole (1667/1728) married William Twining Jr (1654/1734)
• William Twining III (1704/1769) married Apphia Lewis (1704/1793)
• Elijah Twining (1741/1802) married Lois Rogers (1744/1815)
• Lewis Twining Sr (1777/1821) married Jennett/Janet Smith (1780/1827)
• Edward Wolcott Twining (1814/1897) married Priscilla B Ashby (1817/1911)
• Jesse Louis Twining (1850/1933) married Flora Dell Rowley (1857/1932)
• Carrie Elizabeth Twining (1881/1969) married Irving Augustus Potwin (1878/1938)
• Elizabeth Twining Potwin (1904/1985) married Robert W Thomas (1904/1955) 
• Elizabeth A Thomas (1936 - ) married Robert L Faulkner (1934 - )
• ME

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Book Of The Week: Pilgrim Alden

Pilgrim Alden: the story of the life of the first John Alden in America with the interwoven story of the life and doings of the Pilgrim colony and some account of later Aldens

Augustus Ephraim Alden

Earle, 1902 - Pilgrim fathers - 232 pages

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Photo Friday :: Thanksgiving Night 1897

This series was birthed from the large old photo album I rediscovered in the back of my closet. Many of the photos are from my grandmother's side of the family. There are also unknown photos that came with the album. Story goes my dad, an avid garage saler, picked up a celluloid covered Victorian era photo album on one of his scavenges. It already contained photos of an (as yet) unidentified family. My parents put our own vintage family photos in the album alongside the mystery family's.  As children we marveled at the old fashioned clothing and settings, often wondering who these people were and what their lives were like. Of course, we thought that ALL the people in the photos were our relations! It wasn't until my mom passed the album on to me after my dad died that I learned of the mystery family residing alongside our own!

I plan to share these photos over time, sometimes they will be my family, and identifiable, others will be of the mystery family. Thanks to the world wide web, they may find their way home yet!

Enjoy!

labeled: "Taken Thanksgiven Night 1897"

At first I thought this was a random mystery photo, but upon closer inspection I do believe it is part of the Irons clan of Chicago. The woman on the right looks like Agnes Irons from other photos I have. I've seen the girls in other Irons family photos, too. As for the young men? Can't say for sure. Take a look here and see if you don't agree that this might be an Irons family photo.

At any rate, looks like a good time was had by all!

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Video Of The Week: How to Apply to Lineage Societies: Tips from NEHGS

We watch a lot of videos in the Cave. Webinars, instructional videos, continuing education videos,

you name it! If it helps with our genealogical pursuit we are all over it!

Each week we thought we'd share one we've enjoyed.

Hope you enjoy it too!

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Frasers of Fife: Generation Three | Agnes Fraser and David Sheilds

1880 John Fraser Family Tree

22. Agnes Fraser (Alexander -5, Duncan -1) born September 6th 1812


married


David Sheilds born 1812


children of this union:


       i.  Robert Sheilds b. 1832 d. 1850

       ii. Elizabeth Sheilds b. 1835 died in infancy

59. iii. Janet Sheilds b. 1837 married Alexander Mitchell

60. iv. Agnes Sheilds b. 1841 married George Dewar



 Agnes died 1852
David died in 1862

~ all information provided here has been taken directly from the John Fraser family tree compiled in 1880 and as such is the only source for these writings - the objective being to record his work for further study and documentation ~ 

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net
©1880 John Fraser - Scotland
All Rights Reserved

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Sarah Faulkner {Gen 2}

It started, as good quests always do, with a family tale.

Sarah Faulkner (James, William) was born to James Faulkner and Sarah Bull Faulkner on December 8th 1768, most likely in New Windsor, then Ulster Co, New York.

Sarah married Thomas Houston about 1792 most likely Near Middletown, New York.

To this union ten children were born (most likely Middletown, Orange Co, New York):

• Ann Houston b. 1793 m. Henry W Denton d. November 8th 1871 - no issue 

• Harriett Houston b. August 25ht 1794 m. John B. Booth

• Gabriel Houston b. May 25th 1798 m. Susan Ann Owen

• Adaline Houston b. May 1800 m. Rev. Gabriel Corwin d. April 21st 1861 - no issue

• Catherine Houston b. 1801 m. David Corwin

• Philinda Houston b. May 20th 1802 d. August 10th 1883 - never married

• Jane Houston b. 1805 m. Henry O. Bronson M.D. d. May 28th 1878 - no issue

• James Houston b. 1807 d. California - never married

• Franklin Houston b. 1809 m. Caroline L'Hommedieux

• Nelson Houston b. April 20th 1813 m. Sarah Townsend

Sarah Faulkner Houston died February 3rd 1847
Thomas Houston died August 5th 1859

both are buried in the Phillipsburg Cemetery in Phillipsburg, Orange Co, New York




©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Notes From My Grandmother | Potwin Lineage and Genealogy, Beulah's Letters

Somehow, much of my grandmother's hand written and (badly) typed notes and research wound up in my possession. Traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to Chicago again. It sat, in the dark of my mother's closet, until my dad passed and my mom decided to begin her great purge. Knowing I had picked up the torch, the next generation to pursue the Greatest Hobby on Earth, the papers came to live with me. Unsure for many years on just what to do with them, I have decided to bring them out and share them with you - transcribed, of course - no one can read my grandmother's handwriting! But in her own words; mistakes, rambling sentences, and all. I think she will be pleased her work and her writing are once again out in the light.

Dear Friend,

I have thought of you often - so don't cut me off your list. Whatever are you doing - living in the folds of Chicago. It can't be the same city I knew - way back in the gay 90's - all that snow. We had an open winter - ground never froze - in this central Wash. Seattle & Portland get the rain - we get the sunshine - no hot summers any more - plenty of snow in the mts beyond us.

I too read a lot of history all last winter - I find I can remember what I read in history but other books lose interest for me - and, I wonder what (so called) historians will say about our present mix-ups - we're a doomed country - thanks to (9 old men) Supreme Court - not to mention our misguided government.

Is Highland Park a suburb of Chicago? I still live by myself (no dogs) but hire so much done - I wish I could live in one of the lovely apts everywhere.

Don and Meg (my two youngest age 40) have lovely ones in Seattle but oh the rents! $170 for 2 bedroom one - etc and Seattle is too much for me - so I'll stay in my own home on a quiet street - Yakima is a lovely city.

I quit the newspapers - can't see they are needed - I enjoy the commentators on TV, especially Joseph Benti - Cronkite, both, and so I've just had my 84th birthday - but live "like 60".

I hope to hear from you soon - you say you are working - wish I could - I wanted to enter Real Estate 20 years ago but got "talked out of it".  Am I sorry!

Love,

Beulah E Potwin

All apologies for not answering sooner - -

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

©1965 Beulah E Potwin - Private Collection

Mayflower Month! My Connection to Edward Fuller

Edward Fuller has been generally identified as the son of Robert and Sara (Dunkhorn) Fuller, baptized on 4 September 1575 at Redenhall, Norfolk. Thomas Morton, writing in 1637, says that Samuel Fuller (brother of Edward Fuller) was the son of a butcher. The name Matthew also occurs in this Redenhall Fuller family. 

The name of Edward Fuller's wife has not been discovered. In James Savage's Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England (1860-1862), Edward Fuller's wife was given as "Ann". However, there are no American or English records which give her name. I suspect James Savage may have made a simple typographical error: Mayflower passenger Edward Tilley had a wife Ann; or perhaps he was thinking of their sister Ann Fuller. Nonetheless, numerous sources published after 1860 have utilized Savage's Genealogical Dictionary, and so the identification of Ann can be found in numerous other books and online resources.

Very little is known about Edward Fuller. What is known is that he, his wife, and his son Samuel came on the Mayflower in 1620 to Plymouth. A single Leiden judicial document mentions Edward Fuller, and proves that he, like brother Samuel Fuller, were living in Leiden. Both Edward and his wife died the first winter, but son Samuel (who would have been about 12), survived. An older brother, Matthew, had stayed behind, and came to America later. ~from MayflowerHistory.com

My Lineage

• Edward Fuller
• Matthew Fuller (1605/1678) married Frances LNUK
• Elizabeth Fuller (1627/1714) married Moses Rowley Sr (1627/1705)
• Moses Rowley Jr (1654/1735) married Mary LNUK (some say Fletcher, not proved)
• Moses Rowley III (1679/1735) married Martha Porter
• Daniel Rowley (1719/UNK) married Bethiah Langrill (1725/1750)
• Joseph Langrill Rowley (1750/1837) married Hannah Loveland
• Joseph Rowley (1788/1853) married Annie Beach (1790/1863)
• Rossiter Clark Rowley (1818/1912) married Rhoda Ann Vredenburgh (1818/1890)
• Flora Dell Rowley (1857/1932) married Jesse Louis Twining (1850/1933)
• Carrie Elizabeth Twining (1881/1969) married Irving A Potwin (1878/1938)
• Elizabeth Twining Potwin (1904/1985) married Robert W Thomas (1804/1955)
• Elizabeth A Thomas (1936 - ) married Robert L Faulkner (1934 - )
• ME

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Book Of The Week: Sketch of the Public and Private Life of Samuel Miles Hopkins, of Salem, Connecticut

Sketch of the Public and Private Life of Samuel Miles Hopkins, of Salem, Connecticut

Samuel Miles Hopkins, Sarah Hopkins Bradford

Society, 1898 - 56 pages

Samuel Miles Hopkins (1772-1837) was the son of Samuel Hopkins and Mary Miles (1811-1858) of Goshen, Connecticut. He was a descendant of the emigrant John Hopkins and his wife Jane (Strong?) of Hartford, Connecticut. John was the possible second son of Stephen Hopkins who was the fourteenth on the list of forty-one passengers who signed the Mayflower Compact in December 1620. John came to Massachusetts with the Reverend Thomas Hooker in 1633. The historical sketch traces the Puritan lineage of the author. Samuel Miles Hopkins married Sarah Elisabeth Rogers (1778-1866) of New York City in 1800. They were the parents of seven children: Mary Elizabeth (b.1802), William Rogers (b.1805), Julia Anne (b.1807), Hester Rogers (b.1808), Samuel Miles (b.1813), Woolsey Rogers (b.1815) and Sarah Elizabeth (b.1818.

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Photo Friday :: E W Ashby's Daughters

This series was birthed from the large old photo album I rediscovered in the back of my closet. Many of the photos are from my grandmother's side of the family. There are also unknown photos that came with the album. Story goes my dad, an avid garage saler, picked up a celluloid covered Victorian era photo album on one of his scavenges. It already contained photos of an (as yet) unidentified family. My parents put our own vintage family photos in the album alongside the mystery family's.  As children we marveled at the old fashioned clothing and settings, often wondering who these people were and what their lives were like. Of course, we thought that ALL the people in the photos were our relations! It wasn't until my mom passed the album on to me after my dad died that I learned of the mystery family residing alongside our own!

I plan to share these photos over time, sometimes they will be my family, and identifiable, others will be of the mystery family. Thanks to the world wide web, they may find their way home yet!

Enjoy!

labeled "Eusebius Ashby's daughters"

Well, maybe. He had six of them. And, as I am discovering, the labels on some of the photos are not quite correct. If these are EW's daughters, I would guess them to be the two youngest, Priscilla, born 1876 and Ester, born 1880.

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Video Of The Week: Searching Study Projects on AmericanAncestors org

We watch a lot of videos in the Cave. Webinars, instructional videos, continuing education videos, you name it! If it helps with our genealogical pursuit we are all over it!

Each week we thought we'd share one we've enjoyed.

Hope you enjoy it too!

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Frasers of Fife: Generation Three | George Fraser and Janet Turpie

1880 John Fraser Family Tree

21. George Fraser (Alexander -5, Duncan -1) born April 30th 1807 - mechanic

married

Janet Turpie birth not recorded


child born to this union:

i. Janet Fraser birth not recorded


George died April 6th 1844 aged 37
Janet's death is unrecorded

~ all information provided here has been taken directly from the John Fraser family tree compiled in 1880 and as such is the only source for these writings - the objective being to record his work for further study and documentation ~ 

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net
©1880 John Fraser - Scotland
All Rights Reserved

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | William Bull Faulkner {Gen 2}

It started, as good quests always do, with a family tale.

William Bull Faulkner (James, William) was born to James and Catherine Bull Faulkner in the town of New Windsor, then Ulster County, New York in 1758; according to the Bull Family Book.

William married an UNK first wife about 1774.

to this union four children were born (most likely Middletown, New York):

• John Faulkner b. August 1775 m. Catherine McCord

• Achsah Faulkner b. about 1777 m. James Boak

• Matthew Faulkner b. 1778 m. Isabelle Robinson

• Levi Faulkner b. 1779 d. September 20th 1804 - fell from a horse and died/never married

William married Agnes 'Nancy' McWilliams April 3rd 1788 at the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, New York.

to this union four children were born (all Orange County, New York):

• Sarah Faulkner b. 1789 m. William T. Bush Jr.

• Letty Faulkner b. 1790 m. Benjamin Everett

• Joseph Faulkner M.D. b. 1795 d. January 17th 1856 - never married

• Esther Faulkner b. 1798 d. UNK

William Bull Faulkner died in 1798.

Agnes McWilliams Faulkner married for a second time, William Stubbs, Jr. in 1802. (per Bull Family Book) She died December 3rd 1830

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Notes From My Grandmother | Potwin Lineage and Genealogy, Beulah's Letters

Somehow, much of my grandmother's hand written and (badly) typed notes and research wound up in my possession. Traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to Chicago again. It sat, in the dark of my mother's closet, until my dad passed and my mom decided to begin her great purge. Knowing I had picked up the torch, the next generation to pursue the Greatest Hobby on Earth, the papers came to live with me. Unsure for many years on just what to do with them, I have decided to bring them out and share them with you - transcribed, of course - no one can read my grandmother's handwriting! But in her own words; mistakes, rambling sentences, and all. I think she will be pleased her work and her writing are once again out in the light.

Dear Mrs. Thomas,

I am disappointed at my efforts in writing - Hope you can make sense out of all the notes I send - 

I only have one contact with East Windsor now, a sister-in-law, Stephen's wife - but she sent me all th data she had so I have "jotted" it all down for you - wish I could have had it typed up - I will be 83 in April - no one believes me but my Dr. says heredity has a hand in it - strong ancestry counts -

I think I gleaned all the "work" habits of my paternal Scotch grandmother and all my children inherit her neatness to the point it is almost painful -

I keep active we're a "reading" family - 

notes

Thomas Costain now dead did much research in medieval history so that helps us - we couldn't have done it.

So the Magnificant Century written by Costain has a chapter "The Poitevines Rule England" - look on the paperback shelves of any good store, even drug stores - that is where I found the above book.

But Costain wrote:

"Conquering Family" which tells the story of the Poitevins of Aquitaine France

Elinor of Aquitaine who started the Plantaganet Line married Henry II England

Magnificent Century

Plantaganets

The Three Edwards

all these you may find in paperback editions - in one book ancestry thru Elinor's family goes back to Jerusalem - it makes fascinating reading - all of Elinor's 4 sons by Henry II were bold fighters but very bad kings.

And all tho I am not a Potwin (but by marriage) we are all interested in genealogy and, in reading medieval history. My daughter Inez in the Graduate Dept at U of W discovered "Elinor of Aquitaine" and having read in history how Wm of Normandy had a Poitevine with him on his war trips to Ireland - England etc - We knew we had found some history -

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

©1965 Beulah E Potwin - Private Collection

Mayflower Month! My Connection to Isaac and Mary (Norris) Allerton

Isaac Allerton may have come from the vicinity of Ipswich, co. Suffolk, England.  He first appears in Leiden, Holland records on 4 November 1611, when he married Mary Norris.  Isaac had a sister named Sarah who also resided in Leiden, and who married future Mayflower passenger Degory Priest.  He was probably also related, perhaps a brother, to Mayflower passenger John Allerton.

Isaac Allerton is one of the most complex figures in early Plymouth Colony.  He was elected assistant to Governor Bradford in 1621, and continued in that capacity well into the 1630s.  He was the individual sent to handle most of the buyout negotiations with the London investors that ccommenced in 1627, and continued through the early 1630s.  Allerton soon began to take advantage of his position by engaging in some personal trading deals, and engaging the Pilgrims' joint-stock company in business ventures they had not authorized.  After driving the colony deeper into debt with ill-advised business opportunities, he was eventually removed and replaced by Edward Winslow.  After the death of his wife Fear in 1634, he retreated to the New Haven Colony and married there to Joanna Swinnerton.  

Allerton became an active merchant trader, engaging in transactions and trade with many neighboring colonies including the Dutch at New Netherlands; New Sweden; Virginia; Massachusetts Bay; and Barbados. ~from MayflowerHistory.com

Mary (Norris) Allerton was about thirty when she came on the Mayflower with her husband Isaac and three children Bartholomew, Remember, and Mary.  Her marriage record in Leiden indicates she was from Newbury, which is presumably Newbury, Co. Berks, England.  Searches of this area for her baptism record and other Norris family records have not yet turned up anything conclusive.  They buried a child at St. Peters, Leiden, on 5 February 1620, and she gave birth to a stillborn son in Plymouth Harbor on 22 December 1620.  She herself died during the height of the first winter, on 25 February 1620/1, though her husband and three children all survived. ~from MayflowerHistory.com

My lineage:

• Isaac Allerton married Mary Norris 
• Remember Allerton (1614/1652) married Moses Maverick (1611/1686)
• Elizabeth Maverick (1649/1698) married Nathaniel Grafton (1642/1670)
• Priscilla Grafton (1671/1698) married Thomas Jackson 1673/1710)
• Mary Jackson (1698/1766) married John Potwine Sr (1698/1792)
• Thomas Potwine Sr (1731/1802) married Abigail Moseley (1732/1759)
• Thomas Potwine Jr (1756/1824) married Martha Stiles (1760/1822)
• Benjamin A Potwine (1788/1852) married Cornelia Curtis (1798/1885)
• Monroe A Potwin (1837/1917) married Ella A Burt (1850/1902)
• Irving A Potwin (1878/1938) married Carrie E Twining (1881/1969)
• Elizabeth T Potwin (1904/1985) married Robert W Thomas (1904/1955)
• Elizabeth A Thomas (1936 - ) married Robert L Faulkner (1934 - )
• ME

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Book Of The Week: Mayflower Descendents and Their Marriages for Two Generations...

Mayflower Descendents and Their Marriages for Two Generations After the Landing: Including a Short History of the Church of the Pilgrim Founders of New England

Bureau of Military and Civic Achievement, 1922 - United States - 40 pages

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Photo Friday :: Aunt Hettie, Most Likely

This series was birthed from the large old photo album I rediscovered in the back of my closet. Many of the photos are from my grandmother's side of the family. There are also unknown photos that came with the album. Story goes my dad, an avid garage saler, picked up a celluloid covered Victorian era photo album on one of his scavenges. It already contained photos of an (as yet) unidentified family. My parents put our own vintage family photos in the album alongside the mystery family's.  As children we marveled at the old fashioned clothing and settings, often wondering who these people were and what their lives were like. Of course, we thought that ALL the people in the photos were our relations! It wasn't until my mom passed the album on to me after my dad died that I learned of the mystery family residing alongside our own!

I plan to share these photos over time, sometimes they will be my family, and identifiable, others will be of the mystery family. Thanks to the world wide web, they may find their way home yet!

Enjoy!

Labeled "Mrs. E. Ashby"

"Aunt Hettie"

"taken mid-1800's"

Note: I'm a bit perplexed by this one. Mrs E Ashby's given name was Elizabeth Ann, Mr E Ashby had a sister named Hester/Ester. Either the author of the label was confused and this is actually a photo of Mrs A B Dicken, E Ashby's sister, or Elizabeth was called Hettie? 

If this is the sister and not the wife, then here is a photo of the daughter.  

Do I see a resemblance? Or am I just grasping at straws?

fun with photos!

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Video Of The Week: Find Your 17th-c. New England Ancestors with NEHGS

We watch a lot of videos in the Cave. Webinars, instructional videos, continuing education videos, you name it! If it helps with our genealogical pursuit we are all over it!

Each week we thought we'd share one we've enjoyed.

Hope you enjoy it too!

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Frasers of Fife: Generation Three | James Fraser and Agnes Calander

1880 John Fraser Family Tree

20. James Fraser (Alexander -5, Duncan -1) born May 24th 1805


married


Agnes Calander born June 6th 1807



children of this union:


      i. Elizabeth Fraser b. September 29th 1842 d. June 10th 1847

      ii. Janet Fraser b. February 10th 1844 d. 1847

      iii. Henry Fraser b. December 11th 1845

58. iv. Alexander Fraser b. May 10th 1848 married Elizabeth Martin

      v. George Fraser b. July 26th 1850



James died December 31st 1867 aged 65 years
Agnes' death is not recorded

~ all information provided here has been taken directly from the John Fraser family tree compiled in 1880 and as such is the only source for these writings - the objective being to record his work for further study and documentation ~ 

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net
©1880 John Fraser - Scotland
All Rights Reserved

Notes From My Grandmother | Potwin Lineage and Genealogy, Beulah's Letters

Somehow, much of my grandmother's hand written and (badly) typed notes and research wound up in my possession. Traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles and back to Chicago again. It sat, in the dark of my mother's closet, until my dad passed and my mom decided to begin her great purge. Knowing I had picked up the torch, the next generation to pursue the Greatest Hobby on Earth, the papers came to live with me. Unsure for many years on just what to do with them, I have decided to bring them out and share them with you - transcribed, of course - no one can read my grandmother's handwriting! But in her own words; mistakes, rambling sentences, and all. I think she will be pleased her work and her writing are once again out in the light.

March 3 - '66

Dear Friend,

 Have you survived the winter in good shape? We really had some here though usually rather mixed winters and I see on TV daily what your Chicago winter has been like. -

I am writing to ask if you will soon send me data about your children their marriages and issue with full names and dates. - I am trying to complete  the genealogy so my daughter can make copies. -

Did you receive my last letter - about Iowa and such! It could have gotten lost - so many planes acting up - 

It looks like spring but spring weather is most unpredictable out here - down to 17 last night and the orchardists worry over the fruit these coming cold nights.

I just finished reading Wm the Conqueror - learned that his fore bearers were Scandinavian - and being overgrown in their North country decided to ravage elsewhere - so they took Normandy - Then Wm grew up and history reports that he not only took England - subdued the people, but ravaged the land - And he was ruthless!! He had a son John - first Wm was King of England then (by conquest) - Then his son John and John had a son John II who married Elinor - etc -

A few weeks back Time magazine had an article that told how England was celebrating a day in honor of Wm the C. But I don't see the sense to that - he did nothing for them - so it goes - 

Hope you are well - write soon

Sincerely, 

Beulah E Potwin

113 N 27th Ave

Yakima Wn

©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

©1965 Beulah E Potwin - Private Collection

The Mysterious Jennie Whitford Faulkner (52 Ancestors #1)

Jennie M Whitford is my 2nd great grandmother on my paternal side. She, like many female ancestors, is hard to research. I have made a few discovers, but she remains largely a mystery.

Jennie was born about 1835 in either Ohio or Michigan depending on which U.S. Census  you are looking at. She first appears in the 1860 census recorded as being born in Ohio. The 1870 census lists Michigan for her birthplace and the 1880 census again lists Ohio as her birthplace.

She married Harrison Faulkner, my 2nd great grandfather, on May 1, 1856 in Grass Lake Michigan. From the Jackson Citizen Patriot dated May 15, 1856: "Faulkner, Harrison and Miss Jenni M Whitford, both of Grass Lake, m. in Grass Lake, May 1, 1856, by Rev. C. R. Pattison."

Mrs. Harry Faulkner of Faribault

So, I know she was living in Michigan in 1856. I have not been able to find any record of her prior to this wedding announcement. Her parents remain a mystery. How did she get to Grass Lake? I can find no other Whitford's listed in the early Michigan census' at this time.

By 1860 she and Harrison are living in Faribault MN with their first child, Arthur, who was born in MN in 1859. (Second son Lloyd, b. 1862 and third son Louis, b. 1864, in Faribault as well. I can find no record of any other children born to this couple.) Interestingly, in this census there are listed two additional household members. Sarah Woodford age 16 and James Nichols age 10. Both born in MI. The children's relationship is not noted. I have always wondered if Sarah might be Jennie's younger sister. And if that is true then which surname might be correct? And who is James Nichols? Neither Sarah nor James appear in the household after the 1860 census.

On May 29, 1878 Jennie is granted a divorce from Harrison. Why? I'd love to know!

By 1880 Jennie is employed as a tailoress, still living in Faribault with her three teenage sons.

In 1885 she has moved to St Paul, MN and is listed in the city directory as Jane Faulkner (wid Harrison) residing with her three sons. Harrison, apparently following his family, is found living several blocks away.

Jennie died Feb 29, 1888 in St Paul. She was only 53. Her middle son, Lloyd, had become a successful doctor by this time and she was living with him at the time of her death. There is a record of the obituary in the Dalby Database, but I have been unsuccessful at finding either the actual obituary or the death certificate. It is claimed she was buried in Faribault MN, but that has yet to be discovered. Several other family members were cremated and I suspect that Jennie was too.

Interestingly, shortly after Jennie's death Harrison returned to Faribault where he remained until his death in 1905. The three sons remained in St. Paul.

Mayflower Month! My Connection To The Pilgrims

Well, it's November. 

Again. 

Here in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving later this month. The characters of our Thanksgiving are the Pilgrims who sailed across the ocean on the Mayflower to land at Plymouth Rock, and thus colonize the New World. Every schoolchild knows the story. Parents and Grandparents sit through 'The First Thanksgiving" plays, watching their progeny in construction paper headdresses and Pilgrim hats. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving airs on TV. And personal curiosity to find a connection to one of the original 102 travelers peaks. Everybody wants to have a Mayflower Connection!! 

At least in November.

The blood of several Mayflower passengers courses through my veins. It is exciting, as a genealogist and family historian, to make the connection. To think of those people, my ancestors, and their lives; struggles and triumphs, wins and loses. The oppression that drove them to a virtually unknown wilderness across a vast ocean, guided by their beliefs. Facing delay and peril, yet forging ahead.

Strong people. 

Stubborn people. 

My people.

To date I have discovered my connection to three families:

• Isaac and Mary (Norris) Allerton through their daughter Remember.
• Edward Fuller through his son Matthew.
• Stephen Hopkins through his daughter Constance.

In the coming weeks I will briefly explore each of these families and share my connection. As so much has already been written on these folks I seen no need for in-depth coverage, but I would like to share my ties, and hopefully discover some 'cousins' who share some of the same ancestors.

Until next time here are some links for further reading:

MayflowerHistory.com
Wikipedia 
TheMayflowerSociety.org


©2016 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Martha McBride Faulkner: Invisible Wife (52 Ancestors #2)

It irks me so that the women of former generations were, for all intents and purposes invisible. They
might well have been strong, opinionated, highly regarded citizens, but the history books record, for the most part, only the accomplishments of their husbands, fathers and brothers.

Such is the case of Martha McBride. Martha is my 3rd great grandmother on my paternal line. She was born about 1789 probably Ulster Co (now Orange Co), New York.

Martha first materialized to me when I was researching my 3rd great grandfather. Colonel James Faulkner. Originally I did not know her name. She was mentioned as "the wife and mother" in a biographical sketch on James. The obituary of my 2nd great grandfather listed her name as "Jane McBride", which was my first clue as to her surname. Another biographical sketch on James listed his wife as "Caroline".

It wasn't until I began to build James' family and research sideways that I discovered Martha. I was able to obtain death certificates on three of the children. Therein was listed the name of the mother: Martha McBride. Happy dance ensued. I had a name! A real name!

That euphoria was to be short lived.

Even with a name and a host of other information I still could not, can not, discover who Martha McBride really was.

The story of Martha can, sadly, really only be told through her husband.

Martha McBride was born about 1789, probably in Wallkill, then Ulster Co, New York. She met and married James Faulkner, son of an early pioneer family in the area, somewhere between 1811 and 1813. (James' uncle and father were well known military men and a couple of 'larger than life' characters in early Wallkill history.) Martha's family is unknown. Martha's new father-in-law owned 1000 acres of farm land, several hundred having been sold to her husband James just prior to the marriage.

Her early married life may have been busy and perhaps worrisome. Her new husband was the Justice of the Peace in Wallkill at the time of their marriage. When the War of 1812 broke out he was put in command of a regiment stationed on Staten Island. Meanwhile Martha was home caring for one or perhaps two babies, and running a farm. After the War, Martha's husband remained an officer of the State Militia.

The years of 1816 and 1817 found Martha's husband elected to the State Legislature, spending time in Albany NY. Meanwhile Martha was home, pregnant with twins, while caring for her two toddlers; and running a farm. (It is said Martha's husband was not reelected due to his siding with Gov. Clinton on the construction of the Erie Canal.)

The years between 1818 and 1826 found Martha pregnant three more times, the third pregnancy being another set of twins. Martha's husband began work as a county land surveyor and was "enjoying in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens", meanwhile Martha was home caring for 8 children; and running a farm.

By 1826 the Faulkners had begun to sell off their farmland, and by 1832 they began to plan a move to the wilderness of Michigan; and Martha had her ninth child.

bit of 1826 land sale record - note Martha only 'made her mark' - she probably could not read or write

Martha's husband purchased 600 acre of Michigan wilderness in 1833 in the area of Grass Lake, Jackson Co, Michigan. The move was soon to follow. The trip took 4 to 5 weeks, traveling by wagon with all they possessed. The Faulkner's were among the first to settle the area. By the fall of 1834 James had erected the first hotel in the new town, having cut the timber himself from the heavily forested wild land which, "he had improved from wilderness to fruitful fields". Martha had her tenth child.

In 1835 Martha had her eleventh, and final, child.

In April 1845 Martha lost her third daughter to complications of childbirth. Amazingly, all of Martha's children thrived and grew to adulthood. Only four of her children married, three daughters and one son, whom I descend from.

At Christmastime 1845 Martha departed the earth, she was only 56. I can find no obituary or death record. Her final resting place remains a mystery, but it is speculated she is probably buried near her daughter, most likely in the old Maple Grove cemetery.

In 1929 the courthouse containing all the early town records burned to the ground.