Brick Wall Ancestor | #7 David M Whitford

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 bookshelf ...... 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 | # 7 David M Whitford


David M Whitford is my 3rd great grandfather. He hid from me for quite some time. He's still being reclusive so maybe by writing about him I can draw him out. It took me quite a bit of sleuthing to glean the information that I have. I will save you the play-by-play, just know it was difficult and confusing to piece together as much as I have thus far. Also know that without doing extensive collateral research and looking in places impossible to logic I never would have found him.

David M Whitford was born about 1803 most likely in Vermont, although I have found nothing other than a census notation to prove this. He may be of Irish descent. He was found in Medina Co, Ohio by 1828 when he married Betsey Lease.

Courtesy FamilySearch

The couple's first four children were born in Medina Co, Ohio, where David was a prominent lawyer.

In 1837 David bought 80 acres of government land in Hillsdale Co, Michigan and removed with his family to settle new territory. He brought with him a substantial sum of money to help until he could get himself established in the new state.

Courtesy BLM/GLO

Their next seven children were all born in Michigan.

In 1849 the family, or some of it, was residing in Niles, Berrien Co, MI. David (incorrectly noted as E.M) and Elizabeth (Betsey) are witnesses to their daughter Jane's wedding.

Courtesy FamilySearch

Things took a very bad turn for the family around 1850 when Betsey and two of the daughters were living in a poor house in Ottawa, LaSalle Co, Illinois while David and two sons were living with the family of Nathan Lease (Betsey's brother) in Richland Co, Illinois, over 200 miles away.

The thirteenth and final child of the couple was born in Alton, Illinois in 1852.

This was where the trail ended for quite some time. I wasn't even sure I had the right family, as broken as it was, in 1850.

Then one day, for some unknown reason, by some unknown hand, I was guided to a sketch in a history book. My mind was literally blown. (This is where collateral research pays off BIG TIME) The sketch was on Dr H K Whitford, David and Betsey's first born child. What blew me away ....... the book was on Kane Co, Illinois history. I live in Kane Co. Not only that, Dr Whitford was a very prominent man in a certain city named Elgin, in Kane Co, IL. Guess where I live? Yes, yes indeed. All this time and quite literally just down the street, lay some of the answers I was seeking.

Courtesy Internet Archive

The sketch explained the documents I was finding and helped put some of the puzzle together. Visiting the local library, my local library, just down the street from where I have lived for the last 32 years, I dove into the microfilm and did a newspaper search. From the obituary of the youngest son I learned that David and Betsey had come to Elgin shortly after 1852!

And that's where the trail stops cold. Again.

David and Betsey are not seen on any census after 1850.

The questions remain: who are David M Whitford's parents, when did David Whitford die, and where is he buried?



GENEALOGY

David M Whitford b. about 1803 Vermont d. UNK
                   m. 28 Feb 1828 Medina Co, OH, Elizabeth "Betsey" Lease

children:

• Dr Henry K Whitford b. 9 Feb 1829 OH d. 15 Feb 1912 IL m. (1) Mary Stevens (2) Susan K Daggett
• Mary Whitford b. 1831 OH d. UNK
• James H Whitford b. 27 Jan 1831 OH d. 29 Apr 1895 MN m. Maria C Luddy
• Jane M Whitford b. abt 1835 OH d. 29 Feb 1888 MN m. (1) Daniel Nichols (2) Harrison Faulkner
• Leonard C Whitford b. 7 Nov 1837 MI d. 26 May 1909 WA m. (1) Mary Jane Williams (2) Florence A Ledger
• Jerome B Whitford b. abt 1839 MI d. Feb 1894 IL m. (1) Lucinda Phoenix (2) Ella Camon (3) Jane Ann Reynolds
• Child 1 Whitford b. abt 1841 MI d. UNK
• Sarah Whitford b. 14 Dec 1843 MI d. 12 Apr 1910 WA m. Richard Truax
• Child 2 Whitford b. abt 1845 MI d. UNK
• Rhoda L Whitford b. 7 Nov 1846 MI d. 9 Nov 1909 MN m. Josiah Brooks
• Child 3 Whitford b. abt 1848 MI d. UNK
• Child 4 Whitford b. abt 1850 IL d. UNK
• Daniel H Whitford b. 1 Apr 1852 IL d. 17 May 1911 IL m. Ellen Catherine Gregory

The entire family disappears in 1860, some reemerge in 1870 on the federal census. There are a number of bad trees (what? no!) on Ancestrydotcom that supply a middle name and parents for David; the sources, of course, are other Family Trees.

So, there you have it. David M Whitford born about 1803 in Vermont, of Irish descent, a lawyer in Ohio, a land owner in Michigan, fell on hard times during the Panic of 1837, last reported to be living in Elgin, IL about 1855.

Too bad we can't put him on a milk carton!


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

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Harrison Faulkner Horton {Gen 3}

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

Harrison Faulkner Horton (Margaret, Samuel, William) was born in Newbugh, Orange Co, New York, September 11th 1804, to parents Margaret "Peggy" Faulkner and Gabriel H Horton.

Harrison married Emily Coleman December 15th 1829 in New Milford, Orange Co, New York.

The couple had two daughters:

• Annie M Horton b. 7 Nov 1830 d. 9 May 1852
• Mary Helen Horton b. 3 Feb 1840 d. 30 Sep 1922 m. Giles C Burnham

What little I know of this family is gleaned from the book Horton Family Genealogy compiled by George Horton, published in 1876. I suspect the Horton part is mostly correct, the Faulkner paragraph however has proved somewhat incorrect. To be expected, I suppose, when it may well have been second- or third-hand information, passed down from memory.

Harrison was educated in the Presbyterian faith and Democratic political school. He was a traveling merchant who moved around several times, ending up in New York City, where he retired.

Harrison Faulkner Horton died August 13th 1883 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI.  His wife, Emily Coleman Horton died February 25th 1853 and is also buried in Michigan. (Their daughter Mary Helen had removed to Michigan upon her marriage)

From the Horton Genealogy book

  

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

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Henrietta Faulkner {Gen 3}

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

Henrietta Faulkner (James, Samuel, William) was born in Wallkill, Orange Co, New York, May 1st 1831, to parents Col James Faulkner and his wife Martha McBride.

Henrietta married Charles Cassidy December 4th 1861 in Jackson Co, Michigan. 

The couple had two daughters together:

• Virginia Cassidy b. 1865 d. 17 Sep 1872
• Anna Cassidy b. 24 Dec 1866 d. 3 Jun 1941 never married

Henrietta and Charles Cassidy lived in Grass Lake, Jackson Co, MI their entire married lives. 

Henrietta Faulkner had come to Grass Lake, Jackson Co, MI with her parents and siblings in 1834. Charles Cassidy had come to  Sylvan, Washtenaw Co, MI in 1839 with his parents and siblings. The Faulkner family had come from Orange Co, New York, the Cassidy family from Madison, New Jersey. Both families being drawn westward by the promise of good farming and Government land. 

Henrietta Faulkner Cassidy died September 19th 1900. Charles Cassidy died sometime in 1915. They are buried in Grass Lake East Cemetery with their daughters.

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

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Harrison "Harry" Faulkner {Gen 3}

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

Harrison "Harry" Faulkner (James, Samuel, William) was born in Wallkill, Orange Co, New York, sometime between 1825 and 1829, to parents Col James Faulkner and his wife Martha McBride.

Harrison married 'Miss' Jennie Whitford May 1st 1856 in Grass Lake, Jackson Co, Michigan.

Shortly after the marriage the couple relocated to Faribault, Minnesota.

The couple had three sons together:

• Arthur Edward Faulkner b. 2/1859 d. 8/21/1923 m. Ellen Lumley no issue
• Lloyd Anson Faulkner b. 9/30/1862 d. 12/18/1933 m. Anna O'Connell
• Louis Nelson Faulkner b. abt 1864 d. 8/31/1920 never married

Turns out 'Miss' Whitford was actually the former Mrs Daniel Nichols and already had a 6 year old son, James, at the time of her marriage to Harrison. The boy lived with his mother and step father, relocating to Minnesota with the family.

On May 29th 1878 Mrs Jennie Faulkner was granted a divorce from her husband.

Harrison's exact age/birthdate remain uncertain. The available census records put his date of birth anywhere between 1825 and 1831. His obituary claims he was 80 years old when he died.

Harrison lived the remainder of his life in Minnesota, always near his ex-wife and sons. He was a carpenter by trade and made fine furniture. His obituary states that he also studied medicine, was a railroad fireman and worked in the lead mines in Galena, IL. Whether this is a case of 'tall tales' or the truth, remains to be seen. Other statements made in the obituary have been proved false.

At any rate, it seems Harrison lived a colorful life.

Harrison Faulkner died September 3rd 1905. He is buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery in Rice Co, MN in an unmarked grave.


Obituary - Rice County Journal:  "The late Harrison Faulkner, whose funeral took place in Faribault Wednesday afternoon, came of a family with some distinguished members. His great grandfather, who was of Scotch lineage, immigrated to what was in his time the colony of New York, early in the eighteenth century. James Faulkner, father of Harrison Faulkner, settled in Michigan 1833, on a tract of land where he spent the remainder of his days, near Grass Lake. He had been a colonel in the war of 1812, and was at one time in command of Staten Island, N.Y. before moving to Michigan.

Col. Faulkner lived for a time in Tennessee(*), and was owner of a large plantation, and of a good many slaves, but when he removed to Michigan he took only a few slaves with him, whom he freed soon after. They would not leave their old "massa." 

Harrison Faulkner was born in Goshen, Orange co., N.Y., in 1825. He studied medicine for two years, but gave up that profession. Working on a railroad, he was the first fireman on the Michigan central railroad. Then he went to the lead mines at Galena, Ill., and remained there a number of years. In 1855 Mr. Faulkner married Miss. Jennie Whitford, and in 1856 he came to Minnesota, being one of the first settlers of Faribault, as his grandfather had been one of the early settlers in New York, and his father one of the early settlers of Michigan.

Mr. Faulkner for a time followed the trade of carpenter in this city. He was a man of honest, upright character in all his dealings. he was well educated, as were all his brothers and a pleasing gentleman to converse with, having seen much, and observed and thought much about what he had seen. He will be missed not only by his family, but by the early settlers of the city.

Mr. Faulkner leaves three sons; Arthur E. of St. Paul; Dr. Lloyd A. of Lonsdale, and Louis N. of New York City. Louis Faulkner is a distinguished stone carver, having been an instructor of the Armour Industrial school in Chicago, and employed in work on some of the finest mansions in the east.

Harrison Faulkner was the last of his family - all his brothers and sisters having preceded him to the grave, at advanced ages." 

NEWSPAPER CLIPPING: "13/sep/1905--the funeral of Harrison Faulkner was held from the cathedral at 2 p. m. Wednesday, Rev. A. R. Hill officiating. The pallbearers were Alex Smith, Cap. Cavanaugh, H. P. Sime, Judge Turner, M. B. Haskell, William Wachlin, and George Dandelet. The interment was made in Maple Lawn. Mr. Faulkner was an early settler in this city but of late years has resident in Lonsdale. No man was held in higher respect by his friends. Mr. Faulkner died at the advanced age of 80."

(*)NOTE: there has been no evidence found that Harrison's father James ever lived in Tennessee or owned slaves. The family migrated directly from New York to Michigan in 1834. Historically, the family never owned slaves.

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

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Frances Ann "Fanny" Faulkner {Gen 3}

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

Frances Ann "Fanny" Faulkner (James, Samuel, William) was born in Wallkill, Orange Co, New York, sometime in 1816/17, to parents Col James Faulkner and his wife Martha McBride.

Fannie married Joseph C Watkins about 1843 in Jackson County, Michigan.

The couple had one son:

• FNU Watkins b. about 1844/45

Frances Ann Faulkner had come to Grass Lake, Jackson Co, MI with her parents and siblings in 1834. I am uncertain when Joseph Watkins came to Michigan, however he did receive a patent for land in 1837. He may be the J C Watkins found in later censuses in neighboring Ingham County. If this is the same man, he remarried in December of 1845 and died in 1870. I have been unable to find any more information on the son, perhaps he died before the 1850 census, perhaps he was raised by other family members. 

from Find A Grave

Frances 'Fanny' Ann Faulkner Watkins died April 20th 1845 at the tender age of 29. She left behind a grieving family, including husband and young son. Fanny Ann is buried in Grass Lake East Cemetery with most of the rest of the Faulkner family.

The rest of the story remains a mystery. I'd really like to find out what happened to the young son.

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

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Mary Jane Faulkner {Gen 3}

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

Mary Jane Faulkner (James, Samuel, William) was born in Wallkill, Orange Co, New York , January 11th 1814, to parents Col James Faulkner and his wife Martha McBride.

Mary Jane married widower Josiah Robinson Sloat, Sr (b. 1805 d. 1862) on April 5th 1842 in Jackson, Michigan.

The couple had at least five children together:

• Mary Emaline Sloat b. 5 May 1843 d. 5 Sep 1923 m. Abel N Howe
• Fannie A Sloat b. June 1844 d. 1933 m. Milo T Carpenter
• Martha Sloat b. 10 Feb 1847 d. 19 Jan 1935 m. Charles L Becker
• Josiah R Sloat Jr b. 1849 d. 24 May 1918 m. Harriett C Smith
• DeEtte "Sarah" Sloat b. 1852 d. 13 Nov 1885 never married

Mary Jane was also step mother to Charles A Sloat, Josiah's son by his first marriage.

Mary Jane Faulkner had come to Grass Lake, Jackson Co, MI with her parents and siblings in 1834. Josiah Sloat had come to Sharon Twp, Washtenaw Co, MI in 1831 with his parents and siblings. Both families were originally from Orange Co, New York. The proximity of the family farms was close, Grass Lake road today runs right into Sharon Twp. 

Mary Jane Faulkner was Presbyterian and may have met Josiah in church, or may have met him in town, her father owning the first hotel in the county.

From Find A Grave

Mary Jane Faulkner Sloat died April 21st 1902 at the advanced age of 88 years. She is buried in Sharon Township Cemetery in Washtenaw County, MI. Her husband Josiah Sloat died March 5th 1862, his burial is unknown.

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

Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | Harrison Horton Faulkner {Gen 3}

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

Harrison Horton Faulkner (Robert, Samuel, William) was born in New York, (either Orange Co, Ontario Co, or somewhere in between) August 3rd 1814 to parents Robert Faulkner and his wife Sally Ann.

Harrison married (1) Susannah Prentiss (b. 1821 d. 1854) on August 29th 1841 in New York. He married (2) Mary Root (b. UNK d. UNK) on March 23rd 1856 in Indiana. He married (3) Lavina Akerly (b. 1836 d. UNK) February 27th 1867 in Michigan.

Children with (1) Susannah Prentiss: (all born New York)

• Lydia A Faulkner b. 30 Oct 1844 d. 24 Sep 1901 m. Fernando Kinney
• Mary Jane Faulkner b. 30 Mar 1847 d. 30 Nov 1904 m. John Masser
• Charles Edwin Faulkner b. 27 Oct 1851 d. 29 Aug 1910 m. Mary Poe

Children with (2) Mary Root: (all born Michigan)

• Harrison H Faulkner, Jr b. 1 Feb 1858 d. 1 Sep 1890
• Lucinda L Faulkner b. 1 Jul 1861 d. 11 May 1919 m. Henry Young
• William N Faulkner b. 1865 d. 11 Sep 1867

Children with (3) Lavina Akerly: (all born Michigan)

• George W Faulkner b. Sep 1869 d. 1940 m. (1)Vinie Reist (2)Anna Boom
• Nancy A Faulkner b. 15 Apr 1872 d. bef 1880

Harrison was a farmer and a stone mason. He may have met his second wife in Indiana while visiting his father. He left Wayne County, New York sometime after 1850 and was residing in Cass County, Michigan by 1867.

Harrison Horton Faulkner died August 7th 1891 and is buried in Eden Twp, Mason Co, Michigan. Susannah Prentiss Faulkner died October 3rd 1854 in New York and is buried in Ridge Chapel Cemetery in Wayne Co, New York. It is unknown when or where Mary Root Faulkner and Lavina Akerly Faulkner died or are buried. 

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Finding Faulkner: The Progeny | George Washington Faulkner {Gen 3}

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

George Washington Faulkner (Robert, Samuel, William) was born in New York, (either Orange Co, Ontario Co, or somewhere in between) December 12th 1814 to parents Robert Faulkner and his wife Sally Ann.

George married Harriet P Smith (born Aug 22, 1819 in New York) on July 3rd 1841 in Porter Co, Indiana.

The couple had 7 children: (born in Indiana and Wisconsin)

• Clarence W Faulkner b. 25 Mar 1842 d. 25 Mar 1926 m. (1)Alice Sullivan (2)Ella A Stebbins (3)Lovina Lansing
• Catherine M Faulkner b. abt 1844 d. 1874 m. Charles M Baker no issue
• Rodolphus Nelson Faulkner b. 14 May 1847 d. 20 May 1933 m. Addie Whitcomb 
• Emery George Faulkner b. 29 Dec 1849 d. 2 Jul 1916 m. Marion B Johnson no issue
• Ensley Faulkner b. 4 Mar 1853 d. 18 Aug 1890 m. Christina Elizabeth Nehm
• Joanna G Faulkner b. 1855 d. 24 Jul 1940 m. (1)James G B Atwood (2)Clayton Wiley no issue
• Elizabeth A Faulkner b. 29 Mar 1860 d. 16 Sep 1949 m. (1)Franklin J Pierce (2)J Nelson Yakes (3)George W Lincoln no issue

George was a wagon maker and the family traveled between Porter Co, Indiana, Baraboo, Wisconsin and Oceana Co, Michigan. Sometime after 1870 and before 1880 George and Harriet divorced.

George Washington Faulkner died October 2nd 1897 in Pentwater, Oceana Co, MI. Harriet P Smith Faulkner died February 22nd 1913 in Los Angeles, CA. G W Faulkner is buried in Pentwater Township Cemetery, Pentwater MI and Harriet Smith Faulkner is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale CA

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