Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Clarence W Faulkner {Gen 4}

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

Clarence W Faulkner (George W, Robert, Samuel, William) was born in Indiana March 25th 1842, to parents George Washington Faulkner and Harriet Pheobe Smith.

Clarence married (1) Lovina Lansing (1848-1867) July 3rd 1866 in Chicago, IL (2) Ella A Stebbins (1850-1884) September 14th 1868 in Oceana Co, MI (3) Alice Sullivan (1845-1928) September 12th 1875 in Chicago, IL AND April 11th 1903 in Indiana.

Clarence and Lovina had one child born in Oceana Co, MI:

• UFN Faulkner b. Oct 1867 d. UNK

Lovina died in childbirth October 6th 1867. It is not know whether the child survived. Lovina is buried in Pentwater Twp Cemetery in Pentwater, Oceana Co, Mi.

After a brief hiatus in Chicago, IL Clarence returned to Pentwater, MI and married for a second time.

Clarence and Ella had one child born in Jefferson Co, CO:

• Clarence I Faulkner b. 25 Mar 1873 d. UNK m. Lena P Dickerson

Clarence and Ella got divorced shortly after the birth of their son and Clarence returned to Chicago, IL, where he married for a third time. Ella married Clark A Titus in 1882, having two more children with him. Ella died in childbirth Oct 2 1884 and is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery in Boulder, CO.

Clarence and Alice had one child born Chicago IL:

• Fred Faulkner b. 19 Jun 1868 d. 22 Sep 1935 never married

Clarence was in the grocery and restaurant business and traveled a lot. I can only speculate, but it is curious that his son Fred was born in 1868 (to his third wife) two months before Clarence married his second wife. Unless Fred is not Clarence's son, this is still a mystery needing to be solved.

Clarence's brother RN Faulkner was attending college in Chicago in 1867 and 1868.

Clarence may not have know about the birth of his son Fred before he married Ella. That marriage was short-lived and Clarence returned to Chicago to marry Fred's mother. The couple remained married, I presume, until Clarence's death March 25th 1926. Alice followed two years later on March 11th 1928. They are buried in the Westville Cemetery in LaPorte Co, IN with their son Fred.

I did find another marriage record for Clarence W Faulkner and Alice Faulkner in 1903 in Indiana ...... I don't know why. 

©2018 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Tools For The Dig: State Focused Research | Indiana

State Focused Research | Indiana

Some of my favorite research sites are slightly off-radar by today's definition.

First I'd like to talk about Genealogy Trails. From their homepage: "Our goal is to help you track your ancestors through time by transcribing genealogical and historical data and placing it online for the free use of all researchers. We are all about adding data for you to use in researching your family lines!!! We know that what you're looking for is data -- and we have LOTS of it right here.
Our hosts work continuously to bring you fresh, interesting and NEW data (well.... as new as hundred year old data can be!!!)" Pretty much everything you need to know to begin your Indiana research is contained within the pages of  Indiana Genealogy Trails. This is a thorough, well thought out site - and they are always looking for volunteers!

Companion Yahoo! Group: Genealogy Trails/Midwestern States

Next up, RAOGK. Another volunteer site. A treasure trove of links, well organized and easy to understand. From this site you can request look-ups from a team of Indiana volunteers. Or add you name to the volunteer list if Indiana is your home-base.

INGenWeb is an oldie but a goody! Volunteer based also, this database was founded in 1996! From their home page: "INGenWeb isn’t an ordinary genealogy website. Ordinary websites are those where text and sometimes pretty pictures are present, but trying to get in touch with a real person to help you with your research… impossible. The strength of INGenWeb is its many volunteers, some of whom have spent over a decade assisting others with their Indiana research. Using our county page visit the Indiana county your ancestors lived in and first try and find any information the county may freely provide on their pages (most have some sort of search built in). If the particular fact isn’t available online, then reach out to the county coordinator (cc) and they will try and assist you as best they can. Most county coordinators have their email address available on their website, though some will use contact forms."

Linkpendium is another all around resource hub. So What is Linkpendium, Anyway? "Linkpendium is a 10,000,000+ resource directory to everything on the Web about families worldwide and genealogically-relevant information about U.S. states and counties. We cover both free and subscription sites, with a strong emphasis upon free resources provided by libraries, other government agencies, genealogical and historical societies, and individuals. We are particularly proud of our unique indexes to online biographies."

Cyndi's List Indiana page.


FamilySearch:
Indiana State Wiki
Indiana State Catalog
Indiana Online Genealogy Records


State societies and archives include:
Indiana Genealogical Society
Indiana Historical Society
Digital State Archives/Indiana
IN.Gov/Archives

Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center

A comprehensive list of newspapers can be found at The Ancestor Hunt's Indiana page.


For social context look at LOC Indiana Collection, Indiana State Library Digital Collections and DigitalIndy.


As I discover more resources I'll update this post. Do you have any Indiana favorites that I've missed? Please share!


©2017 Anne Faulkner - Ancestor Archaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Book Of The Week: A History of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana

A History of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana:

A Complete and Concise Account from the Earliest Times to the Present, Embracing Reminiscences of the Pioneers and Biographical Sketches of the Men who Have Been Leaders in Commercial and Other Enterprises

Joseph Peter Elliott

Keller Print. Company, 1897 - Evansville (Ind.) - 499 pages

©2017 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Notes From My Grandmother | Bass Lineage and Genealogy

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.

Bass Family Lineage and Genealogy .....

Grandma didn't know much about the Basses, I still don't. I wrote several posts (here) (here) and (here) about what I know. She was able to put together a spotty genealogy and a few facts, which I now present.

Robert Bass - - born in Boone County, KY, May 9, 1827. His father William L Bass, born in KY and married Margaret Roberts, who was born in KY in 1803. They moved to Bartholomew County, IN. In 1843 came to IA to Van Buren County and to Mahaska County in 1845. W L Bass died in 1885 - - his wife in 1883 - - both more than 80 years old.

Robert Bass was the oldest of the family of six sons and three daughters. He came to IA when he was 17 years. He was married to Mary Ann Roberts. He married Martha J Algood on July 4, 1865 after his first wife died. Martha was born in Montgomery County, IN and was a daughter of John L Algood, one of the earliest settlers of the state of IA, arriving about 1847. Children by the first marriage; Rosa (Mrs W E Stringer), John A Bass - - farmer of Pratt County, KS. By second marriage; Mary B (Mrs W E Moore), Charles, Frank, Nellie (died at 10 mos), R W - - druggist, Monong County, Agnes (Mrs Frank Bacon), Paul T.

Robert Bass was a justice of the peace for several years. Twp trustee, member of school board.


GENEALOGY

GEN 1

****Nathan Bass b. Nov 4, 1775 VA d. Sept 7, 1849 (74 years)

            married Ruhama Price, December 25, 1796, KY

                            b. Sept 30, 1777 NJ d. Oct 21, 1853 IN (76 years)

issue:

Elizabeth R b. Oct 17, 1797 KY d. Feb 16, 1862 KY - 65 years

    m. Mar 20, 1817 KY

Sally W b. Aug 8, 1799 KY d. Feb 27, 1819 KY - 20 years

     m. Dec 19, 1817 KY

***William L b. Jan 8, 1802 KY d. Mar 18, 1885 IA - 83 years

     m. July 3, 1824 KY

Josiah L b. Nov 10, 1803 KY d. Mar 28, 1884 IN - 42 years

     m. Mar 13, 1829 KY

Susan W b. Nov 16, 1805 KY d. May 22, 1843 IN - 38 years

     m. May 31, 1827 IN

Charity C b. Dec 2, 1807 KY d. Jan 5, 1836 IN - 29 years

     m. Oct 14, 1828 IN

David G b. Nov 20, 1809 KY d. Jan 25, 1877 MI - 68 years

     m. Sept 29, 1831  IN

Jonathan I b. Feb 29, 1812 KY d. Apr 14, 1874 IN - 62 years

     m. Nov 23, 1837 IN

N Woodford b. June 18, 1814 KY d. Oct 18, 1888 KS - 74 years

     m. Aug 21, 1842 IL

P Jackson b. Feb 1, 1817 KY d. Nov 20, 1891 KY - 74 years

     m. Mar 12, 1843 KY

Thomas W b. July 29, 1819 KY d. Feb 18, 1895 IN - 70 years

     m. Feb 16, 1845 IN

GEN 2

***William Leonard Bass 

     married Margaret Roberts b. KY

issue:

Elizabeth - m. - - Doze; issue Martha D m. - - Harbor

**Eliza Ann b. July 22, 1836 d. Dec 14, 1917 -
     m. Apr 30, 1857 Elijah Busby

Marion - m. Susan James; issue: Sarah, Mary, Willis

Tom

Ruhama - m. - - Lower; issue: Alice, Rose, Wood, Homer, Jessie

Andrew Jackson - m. Adelaid Chew; issue: Albert, May, Eliza, Wilbur, Jim

Robert - b. May 9, 1827 d. May 25, 1909 - 82 years

     m. Mary Ann Roberts (first wife) issue: Rosie, John

     m. Martha Jane Algood (second wife) issue: Mary, Charley, Frank, Agnes, Paul, Nellie

                                                              *Frank - issue: Nettie and Frank b. 1807 d. 1930

                                                              *Agnes b. 1875 d. 19 - ?

Woodford  b. Apr 19, 1844 d. Jan 12, 1901

     m. ? ; issue: Belle - - - -, Emiline Atwood

                   
GEN 3

** Eliza Ann b. July 22, 1836 d. Dec 14, 1917
        m. Apr 30, 1857 Elijah Busby b. Nov 17, 1831 d. Dec 14, 1917

issue:

Wm. Leonard b. Mar 27, 1859 d. July 9, 1917
     married Margaret - - - b. ? d. Nov 2, 1883 - 80 years

*Laura Alice b. Aug 26, 1861 d. Feb 1952 - 91 years
      m - Zadoc Willis Thomas; issue: Dana E, Lauren, Irene, #Robert Willis

Emma b. Dec 5, 1866 d. 1951? m. - - Brown

John Robert b. Nov 25, 1869 d. ?

Homer Ernest b. July 20, 1872 d. ? - m. Loda - -; issue: Margaret, Homer

Lena Estelle b. Jan 26, 1877 d. July  1937 - 51 years m. - - - VanEss

..........end..........

                                                         

©2017 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved. 

©1950-82 Elizabeth Twining Potwin Thomas - private collection

Book Of The Week: History of Hancock County, Indiana

History of Hancock County, Indiana: From Its Earliest Settlement by the "pale Face," in 1818, Down to 1882 ...

John H. Binford

King & Binford, publishers., 1882 - Greenfield (Ind.) - 536 pages

©2017 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Book Of The Week: History of Tipton County, Indiana

History of Tipton County, Indiana: Her People, Industries and Institutions

Marvin W. Pershing

B.F. Bowen, 1914 - Tipton County (Ind.) - 636 pages

©2017 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Brick Wall Ancestor | #2 Margaret "Peggy" Roberts Bass

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 #2 Margaret "Peggy" Roberts Bass

Margaret "Peggy" Roberts was born April 1st 1803 in Kentucky. Somewhere. To unknown parents. According to her headstone she died November 2nd 1883. She was 80y 7m 1d old. Back calculation of this gives us the April 1st 1803 birth date. There are no actual records of her birth that have been found to date.

Margaret married William Bass, son of Nathan Bass and his wife Ruhama, in 1823. There is a record of a Peggy Roberts marrying a Wm L Bass on July 3rd 1823 in Boone County, Kentucky. This record is only a transcript, the original record being rather elusive, I know of no researcher who has discovered it yet. (Because that would give us all the information we need, right!)

Nathan Bass, William's father, is found on the 1820 census in Barren County, Kentucky. Looking at that county for Roberts, there are four households listed: Ardemas, Isaac, Drury and Thomas. Looking at Boone County there are five Roberts households: Billingsly, Daniel, Phillip, Wesley and William.

How would a girl from Boone county end up with a boy from Barren county? The counties are 200 miles apart. However, looking at William's father Nathan again, it is found that he is buried in Boone County at the Old Salem Baptist Cemetery. Which is part of the Old Salem Predestinarian Baptist Church. Were William and Margaret members? Did they meet and get married there? I have yet to uncover records from this church.

So, Boone county or Barren county, Margaret and William were married sometime before May 1827 when their first child was born. In Kentucky. Or maybe Indiana. By 1830 the couple was living in Bartholomew, Indiana and stayed there for the next 15 or so years. They are listed on the 1830 and 1840 US censuses. Sometime around 1843 the family removed to Iowa, where their youngest child was born  in April of 1844.

I have not been successful at finding the family on the 1850 US census. They are listed on the 1856 Iowa State census, and the 1860/1870/1880 US censuses. That 1850 census would really be helpful at identifying the children!

Margaret and William had at least ten children. There may have been more. If they were the couple that married in 1823 I would suspect there was a child or two born before their oldest known child was born in 1827.


The children:

• Robert b. 1827 Kentucky or Indiana 
• Nathan J b. 1829 Kentucky or Indiana
• Elizabeth J b. 1831 Indiana
• Wm Marion b. 1833 Indiana
• Eliza Ann b. 1836 Indiana
• Thomas b. 1838 Indiana
• Male UNK b. 1838/9 Indiana *counted on the 1840 census, not seen again
• Ruhama F b. 1840 Indiana
• Andrew Jackson b. 1842 Indiana
• Woodford M b. 1844 Iowa

William's obituary speaks of eight children. Not named. Perhaps two died in infancy? "Obituary published in The Gospel Messenger, April 14, 1885, page 239  BASS.—In Middle Creek church, Iowa, Mar. 18, of old age, Bro. Wm. L. Bass, aged 83 years, 2 months and 10 days. Bro. Bass was born in Barren Co., Kentucky, moved to Iowa in 1843, lived in Mahaska county ever since. He was a consistent member of the Brethren church for many years. He leaves eight children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to mourn his departure. His companion preceded him about sixteen months. He had been very feeble for years and longed to die, being tired of life. Services by Bro. S. P. Miller assisted by J. Gable, from Heb. 4:9. Jestina Pfoutz." 

Margaret Roberts Bass and her husband William L Bass are buried in the Wymore Cemetery in Mahaska county, Iowa. There are several children and grandchildren buried there as well.

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

©Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Field Notes: Midwest Genealogy Conferences 2017

I am sad that I will not be able to attend RootsTech this year. I have never actually been able to attend. Utah is a far distance from Chicago and things just keep getting in the way. Life. Work. Parents and children. Lack of funds. The list goes on. I console myself with the presentations that are available online during the conference, and make plans to attend smaller local and regional conferences. Ones that don't take me too far away for too many days. Such is my life for the foreseeable future.

Here is a list of the upcoming conferences within a reasonable distance of Chicago. I doubt I'll make either the Iowa or Indiana conferences, they are in opposite directions on the same day. I plan on attending the DuPage IL conference, and I'd really like to make the Ohio conference. Time will tell.


  
RootsTech February 8 - 11, 2017 - No, I will not be there 'live and in person' but they will be streaming selected presentations. That information has not yet been released, but should be soon. From their website FAQs: "Similar to past years, we will stream several sessions of the conference live on our website. Once the conference is over, recordings of these sessions will be posted on our website for a limited time."



FTU 2017 Winter VIRTUAL Genealogy Conference March 3 - 5, 2017 - "Get all the benefits of a genealogy conference from the comfort of your own home! Over the course of three days, you'll get access to the latest research methods for finding your family history, from DNA testing and the latest technology to new resources and search tools. You'll get 15 presentations that you can download and keep, along with several live chats, access to professional genealogists through the discussion boards, along with tons of freebies and prize drawings." Yes please!

Learn more here:  2017 Winter Virtual Conference at Family Tree University



DuPage County Genealogical Society - 42nd Annual Conference, March 11, 2017
"The program sessions are offered in 4 tracks, each with 4 sessions, choose from 16 topics!  There are topics for everyone... those just getting started, or focus on European research, with DNA, organizing and methodology. And of course, great speakers -  Maybe you've heard of them, follow them on-line, and have used their tools.  Now meet them in person, learn tips and techniques, and ask questions!"

Michael D. Lacopo  Author, lecturer and "Hoosier Daddy?" blogger
Carole Magnuson  Author and lecturer
Kathy Meade  ArkivDigital representative, author, and volunteer specialing in Swedish research
Donna M. Moughty  Consultant, instructor and lecturer specializing in Irish research
Diahan Southard  Consultant, lecturer and "Your DNA Guide"

Learn more here. Register before February 18th and save $5.00!



Iowa Genealogical Society - IGS Spring Technology Conference, April 8, 2017.
IGS will host its eighth annual Spring Technology Conference on Saturday, April 8th.
"Back To Your Roots with J H Fonkert CGSM. For most of his career, Jay worked as a state government policy analyst — a kind of work that required research, analysis and problem-solving. After he heard a couple of accomplished genealogists talk about evidence analysis and methodology, he was hooked. He has since attended professional genealogy education institutes in Washington, D.C., Birmingham, Alabama, and Salt Lake City, and has learned from some of the best."

Learn more here.



Indiana Genealogical Society - IGS Annual Meeting & Conference, April 8, 2017
"Registration is open for the Indiana Genealogical Society's 2017 annual conference, which will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Central Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library (40 E. St. Clair St.) in downtown Indianapolis. The featured speaker will be noted speaker and genealogist Tony Burroughs."

Learn more here.



Ohio Genealogical Society - 2017 OGS Conference: Genealogy Gone Wild, April 26-29, 2017

"The conference will be held at Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in Sandusky,Ohio. We have an excellent program for the 2017 OGS conference with a wide variety of topics and speakers for family historians of all abilities. We hope you will enjoy the lectures planned! The conference also offers a variety of workshops to enhance your conference experience. The full program brochure can be downloaded from the program page when it becomes available. Congratulations you are now ready to join the adventure of Genealogy Gone Wild!"

Learn more here.

Do you have any favorite local or regional conferences you attend? Let me know! Share your experiences in the comments. ~Anne


©2017 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Field Notes: Write It Out - New Writing Contests For 2017

Ohio Genealogical Society Writing Competition
1 January - 1 March 2017

OGS is sponsoring its genealogical writing contest to reward amateur and professional genealogical authorship and to fill the pages of its renowned journals with quality articles. All entries fitting the criteria will be considered for publication in Ohio Genealogy News (OGN) or the Ohio Genealogical Society Quarterly (OGSQ). Editors will select the appropriate journal for each winning article. Both OGS members and non-members are able to compete. Only unpublished entries are eligible.

Prizes will be awarded as follows:

$50 Grand Prize for highest scoring article (in either category) - one prize given
$25 Prize for next highest scoring article in each category - two prizes given
$15 Prize for next highest scoring article in each category - two prizes given

Articles must be properly cited following the guidelines in standard works by Elizabeth Shown Mills, MLA, or APA.

Entries will be accepted from 1 January 2017 through 1 March 2017 and must be submitted according to The Ohio Genealogical Society Writing Contest Rules and Style Guide available on the OGS website or by e-mail request to writingcontest@ogs.org

For questions please contact writingcontest@ogs.org

See full description HERE


2017 WMGS Writing Contest (Western Michigan Genealogical Society)

~ A Sense of Place ~

All family historians and genealogists, except the Michigana Editor and judges, are invited to submit their favorite story for the contest. There is no entry fee and membership in WMGS is not required.

Location, Location, Location
Our ancestors moved, settled and moved again. Place often determines occupation, educational opportunities, and even the materials used in building a home. For the 2017 WMGS Writing Contest, entries should focus on the Great Lakes Region (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Ontario, and Pennsylvania). WMGS has worked for over 60 years to educate researchers in evaluating and citing sources. Your story may inspire someone else to use new research techniques or discover a unique resource. The 2017 Writing Contest will recognize unpublished excellent genealogical writing by awarding substantial prizes.

Prize winning entries will be published in Michigana. Like all submissions to Michigana, entries will be thoroughly edited before publication.

The prizes:
1st prize: $100 and 1 annual WMGS membership (total value - $120)
2nd prize: $75 and 1 annual WMGS membership (total value - $95)
3rd prize: $50
4th prize: $25

Winners will be announced in May.

We would love to hear your story. Write it up and enter the 2017 writing contest! Start your project now!  Entries will be accepted between January 1 & March 30, 2017. Full rules and entry information can be found on the downloadable and printable form HERE.


The Dallas Genealogical Society
2017 Writing Competition
January 1 - March 31, 2017

Seeking original material submitted by members and non-members, hobbyists and professionals. Length of articles may be from 1500 to 5000 words. Only original material not previously published elsewhere in any format is eligible. Winners are eligible for publication in Pegasus: Journal of the Dallas Genealogical Society.

Subject Matter: While DGS has a goal of preserving Dallas history, topics may range beyond the Dallas city and county geographic area only as specified below:

● advanced methodologies and case studies emphasizing an approach to a problem are not limited by geography

● family histories and genealogies must be linked to North Texas (as defined below), including those families who came from or left to settle elsewhere than North Texas

● historically interesting events in North Texas must include a connection with a local family

● histories of ethnic or military groups, or of neighborhoods and houses, must be specific to North Texas 

(North Texas: defined as the area that includes northern counties along the Red River from Fannin to Hardeman counties, eastern counties from Fannin to Limestone counties, southern counties from Limestone to Runnels counties, western counties from Runnels to Hardeman counties, with all interior counties within these boundaries; also counties which were included in the pre-Republic political boundaries of Nacogdoches.)

The historical time period covers from Pre-Republic days to the 1940 census.

Awards:
First Prize: $500
Second Prize: $300
Third Prize: $150

Winners will be announced in May 2017 .

Complete contest rules can be found HERE. Entry form can be found HERE.

Do you know of other writing contests? Have you ever entered a writing contest? Please share your thoughts and/or experience!

©2107 Anne Faulkner - AncestorArchaeology.net, All Rights Reserved

Nathan Bass: More Questions Than Answers (52 Ancestors #15)

I must confess. I really have a hard time writing about an ancestor I know so little about. It's not for lack of trying, but Nathan Bass is one tough nut! I much prefer to have enough information to paint a picture of a life, to answer a few questions, to lay down some facts. Such is not the case here. This story will have more questions than answers. But it is a starting point. And a place to publicly question a lot of the misinformation floating around on the internet.  For my own piece of mind at any rate.

Nathan Bass is my 4th great grandfather. From the research my grandmother, the Genealogy Queen, did on the man I know he was born in Virginia on November 4, 1775. His parents have been unproved to date although there are lots of theories out there on the public trees of the world wide web. I prefer to stick to the facts and the fact here is his parentage has not yet been proved.

Nathan moved to Green County, Kentucky sometime prior to 1796, where he married Ruhama Price on Christmas Day of that year. The couple had 11 children according to my grandmother's research. All born in Kentucky.

The 1800 Kentucky Tax Lists show a Nathan Bass in Green County.

Nathan is listed on the 1810 and 1820 Federal census residing in Barren County, Kentucky. There were two land grants issued to Nathan for parcels of land in Barren; 134 acres in 1806 and 100 acres in 1816. Nathan and Ruhama's first four children were married in Kentucky.

The 1830 and 1840 Federal census' record that Nathan and Ruhama had moved to Flat Rock,  Bartholomew County, Indiana, where five more of the couple's children were married between 1830 and 1845.  Nathan purchased two adjacent 80 acre parcels in Bartholomew Co through the U.S. General Land Office in 1821.

Nathan died September 7, 1849. He is buried in the Salem Predestinarian Baptist Church Cemetery in Walton, Boone Co, Kentucky according to Find A Grave. (His wife, interestingly, is buried in Flat Rock Baptist Cemetery in Flat Rock, Bartholomew Co, Indiana)

These are the facts, stark as they may be. For some reason it is being published on public family trees all around the web that Nathan's middle name is Woodford. Nowhere have I found this legitimately documented. The one and only place I have found an indication of a middle name is on the gravestone. It is inscribed "Nathan R. Bass".

Now for the questions:

• Where did "Woodford" come from?

• There are several theories as to Nathan's parents, mostly on the same trees that show him as Nathan Woodford. Again, these are all public trees with no legitimate source citations. Who are Nathan's parents?
• I wonder whether Nathan's father was involved in the American Revolution. There are several Bass's from Virginia listed as Patriots with the DAR, but none indicate this particular Nathan as a son. Was his father involved in the Revolutionary War?
• I also wonder if Nathan was perhaps involved in the War of 1812. I have found nothing to support this yet. Was he?
• Why did Nathan move from Virginia to Kentucky? Why did Nathan move from Kentucky to Indiana? Why is Nathan buried in Kentucky, and not with his wife in Indiana?

More questions than answers ......

footnote: in researching all the places Nathan had lived and realizing that Kentucky was part of the Virginia Territory until 1792 my curiosity was piqued. There will be more to this story .....

Rhoda Ann Vredenburg Rowley: Following In Her Mother's Footsteps (52 Ancestors #14)

Rhoda Ann Vredenburg was born March 4, 1818 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Her father was Reverend Hackaliah Vredenburg, her mother Sarah Kniffen. She was the second daughter born to the couple, and one of nine children. Rhoda's father was a circuit rider for the Methodist ministry and was often gone for long stretches of time. Her childhood in the wilderness of Indiana was one of hardship, scarcity and lack.

In September 1840 Rhoda married Reverend Rossiter Clark Rowley. Rossiter was a fresh young Methodist circuit rider from Ohio who had, sometime after 1838, been assigned to preach in Putnam County, Indiana.

The newly married couple made their home in Greencastle, Indiana "for a season", which based on the birth of their first two children was at least 5 years. It is recorded that Reverend Rowley was called to missionary work in Illinois, and their youngest child was born in Peoria in 1857.

I can only imagine the life Rhoda must have had up to this point. Growing up in the desolate wilderness of a brand new State, being cold and hungry for much of her young life. She was a devout Christian which must have been the appeal to marry a man just like her "dear old dad". She learned at the heels of her mother how to be a preacher's wife, so I imagine the role came naturally to her when she began her own married life. The big city of Peoria, Illinois must have, at first, seemed strange and frightening.

Rhoda and Rossiter had five children in all, but research to date has only uncovered three named children. The assumption is that two children died in childbirth or early infancy.

By 1853 Rev. and Mrs. Rowley had acquired 20 acres of land a mile outside of Peoria and had built a "neat little cottage".  There is an account of the virgin land being plowed by a team of oxen and a considerable orchard being planted. Rhoda must have been very happy at this seemingly idyllic life after so much hardship in her youth.

Sometime around 1860 Rhoda's husband transferred his membership to the Presbyterian Church and was performing missionary work once again. The family is found in Galesburg, Illinois until the 1870's.

In 1876 the family uproots again. This time to Adams County Iowa. Rev. Rowley was in charge of organizing the Presbyterian churches in Brooks and Nodaway, Iowa.

Nothing is written of Rhoda's life, save for her obituary, so I must tell her story through the documentation of her husband. In Rhoda's later years she was an invalid. Often during her years of suffering physicians despaired, as did her friends. It is recorded that Rhoda bore her suffering with Christian fortitude and uncomplainingly.

Rhoda died in her home on December 10, 1890. She was 72 years old. Her last days were spent pain free and she died as if falling asleep. Her last words were "come Jesus, come".


footnote: all of the accounts recorded her were the collected writings of my grandmother during her genealogical research work - all credit goes to Elizabeth Twining Potwin Thomas. 

Sarah Kniffen Vredenburgh: Circuit Preacher's Wife (52 Ancestors #5)

Week five opens with yet another mysterious female ancestor. This week I point the spotlight on Sarah Kniffen Vredenburg(h), my fourth great grandmother. The name Kniffen is one of those that can, and has, been recorded in several different ways. Sarah's parents are UNK, making it just that much harder to verify her surname. My grandmother, the Genealogy Queen, had in her notes a question as to whether it was Kniffin or Kniffen. I have recently discovered that it might also be Sniffen or Sniffin. 

Yup.

Another good challenge designed to drive me, and others searching for Sarah crazy.

Let's see what we know, and leave the door wide open for new discoveries.

 Sarah Kniffen was born in Westchester Co, New York in July 1792, according to her monument marker on Find A Grave. Nothing is known of her childhood.

Sarah married Hackaliah Vredenburg(h), a Methodist minister, sometime before 1812, when the first of their children was born.  Some accounts claim they had eight children, other claim nine. I have been able to prove six and speculate on a seventh.

Sarah Kniffen Vredenburg's America

In 1817 the young family moved to Terra Haute, in the new State of  Indiana, but it was not to be a settled life. Sarah's husband was an itinerant preacher, a circuit rider, with an assigned territory of 300+ miles. Some of the memoirs written on Rev. Vredenburg tell of winters where there was no shelter for the family, no food to eat, "the pittance received from the people being barely sufficient to furnish them with clothing". This must have been a terribly hard life. Oft spoken of as "privations, dangers and toils of the itinerancy" I can nary imagine what this sort of life was like. Yet, Sarah lived it. I would imagine quietly and without complaint. Traveling from town to town, raising her children virtually alone while her husband was gone for days or weeks at a time, "organizing new societies and circuits, carrying the Gospel messages to the scattering settlements, and enduring all the exposures and privations of pioneer life." For further reading this book contains stories of life in early Indiana.

It is unclear as to when the Vredenburg's actually moved to Illinois, but by 1860 Sarah and her husband had settled in Vermillion County to live the retired life. It is said the Rev. Vredenburg enjoyed the time he had spent in Vermillion County while on his circuits. Several of Sarah's adult children are found in Vermillion Co, Illinois as early as 1845.

In 1869 Sarah lost her husband to what can be described as a heart attack.

In August 1870 a widowed Sarah had moved clear across the State of Illinois to reside with her daughter and son-in-law in McDonough, Illinois.

In September 1870 Sarah died. She was 78 years old.

She is buried with her husband in Vermillion County.

Sarah was just one of the uncounted thousands of strong, silent, resilient pioneer women whose stores go untold, but without whom the American frontier would not have been tamed. A Founding Mother who sadly will remain in the shadows of her husband and his accomplishments.

Thank you Sarah Kniffen Vredenburg. For your strength to plow through, despite the harshest of conditions.

Margaret Roberts Bass: Iowa Pioneer & A Bit Of An April Fool's Puzzle (52 Ancestors #4)

Another difficult ancestor. I wanted to do my 52 Ancestors project with some of my more obscure people. My hope is that in writing it out and publishing it I will a) see something new, b) someone will come forward with a new bit of information. Let me tell you what I know of my third great grandmother Margaret Roberts Bass.

Margaret Roberts was born on April 1, 1803 (according to her headstone) in Kentucky. To UNK parents. She 'disappears' for her entire childhood. She appears to have gotten married to William L. Bass 3 July 1823 in Boone KY. The record index lists her name as Peggy. I have not yet been able to obtain this marriage document.

The couple then disappears for 23 years. The next sighting is in 1856 in Mahaska Co, Iowa. They are listed in the Iowa State Census. They have five children by this time. two daughters and three sons, my second great grandmother among them. The children range in age from 19 to 11 and all are recorded as being born in Iowa.

There are some notes my grandmother the Genealogy Queen had in her Big Box of Stuff that says the Bass family moved to Bartholomew Co, Indiana but no date is given. They went on to Van Buren Co, Iowa in 1843, and then to Mahaska Co, Iowa in 1845. The notes were dated 1950 and I have no idea where she obtained the information.

Margaret and William were said to have 8 children, according to William's obituary, and were members of the Brethren church. I have found no obituary for Margaret.

Margaret Roberts Bass lived the remainder of her years in Mahaska Co, Iowa. She died on 2 Nov 1883 and is buried in the Wymore Cemetery with her husband William.

There is so much more to this story that I have yet to find out. Who were Margaret's parents? Why did they move to Indiana, and then to Iowa? Where are the other three children? With more and more resources being published on the internet every day I hope that it will only be a matter of time before I can get a few of these questions answered.

But until then, Margaret is keeping true to her birth date by being a long standing April Fool's puzzle for me!

Hackaliah Vredenburg: Brick Wall Ancestor

I've decided to finally undertake my grandmother's biggest Brick Wall, my 4th great grandfather the Reverend Hackaliah Vredenburg. Here is all I have found so far:

 Memoirs. Rev. Hackaliah Vredenburg. 

 "Rev. Hackaliah Vredenburgh was born in Westchester county, N. Y., May 10, 1790, and died at the residence of his son-in-law, Rev. Rowley, in Wisconsin, January 23, 1869.

 In 1817 he settled at Terre Haute, Ind. In 1830 he united with the Missouri Conference. His first appointment was Okaw Circuit. In 1821 the Illinois Conference was formed, Bro. Vredenburg being one of the original thirty-two members, of who two only are now left, the venerable Peter Cartwright, of Illinois, and Aaron Wood, of Indiana. He was returned the second year to Vermillion: in 1825 his appointment was Crawfordsville, and the next fall he was granted a location. In 1831 he was re-admitted into the Illinois Conference and appointed to Logansport mission. The next year the Indiana Conference was formed, and his field of labor being within its bounds, he became a member of it, and continued identified with the conferences of Indiana until his death. In 1832 he was appointed to Washington Circuit, 1833 to Lafayette, 1834 and 5, to Pine Creek, 1836 to Monticello Mission, 1837 to Dayton, 1838 and 9 to Greencastle. In 1840 he received a superannuated relation, which he retained until death with the exception of one year, 1851, when he traveled in Prairieville Circuit.

 Most of Bro. Vredenburg’s itinerant life was spent in the Valley of the Wabash. From its mouth almost to its source he preached, organizing new societies and circuits, carrying the Gospel messages to the scattering settlements, and enduring all the exposures and privations of pioneer life. In one of his charges no house could be had to shelter his wife and children while he traveled his circuit of three or four hundred miles round. Rather than leave his work, he took possession of a deserted log stable, and fitting it up with his own hands made that the parsonage for the year. At other times he was compelled on his rest days to cultivate a small piece of ground to supply his family with food, the pittance received from the people being barely sufficient to furnish them with clothing. But amid all these privations and dangers this faithful minister was always at his post, rarely missing an appointment and never deserting his trust.

 He was much attached to Vermillion county. One of the first, if not the very first to carry the Gospel there, for he preached at Butler’s Point as early as 1823, when failing health hoping there to spend the remainder of his days. But as age and increasing infirmities came upon him he was compelled to break up housekeeping and spend his time with his children. His sight had become dim and his body exceedingly feeble, yet his mind was clear and strong, and the memory of the incidents and labors of his itinerant life unimpaired. On the day before he died he was attacked with a severe pain in the chest which continued about thirty-six hours, when death released him from his sufferings. When told by his physician that he could live but a little while and that he had better prepare to die, he replied. “I have been doing so all my life.” His aged companion, who shared with him the privations and toils of the itinerancy for near fifty years, still survives."

 Source: Memoirs. Rev. Hackaliah Vredenburg. Methodist Episcopal Church. Minutes. North Western Indiana Conference. 1869. 18th. P. 32.

 This should be an interesting ride!


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