Papa’s Baby

Today, I visited the remnants of an old plantation home located in the Town of Stanton in Haywood County, Tennessee. The site used to be the old home place of Joseph and Lucy Stanton, founders of the town. It is not the original home, as that was burnt down and a smaller home built in its place. Time has been rather kind to the home in the regard that it is still standing but it is evident that the home had not been lived in for many years.

Natural has begun to encroach upon the foundation of the home. Critters, various plants and trees have broken through the barrier long ago designated between nature and man. It is evident that the home was once a modest, yet grandeur home of the times, complete with a front porch that must have seen its share of visitors and family members, relaxing and playing on its wide and lengthy deck.

A short walk from the home, across a field which has seen more than a 170 years of planting and harvesting, lays a family cemetery. Hidden in the middle of a grove of trees and covered by decades of overgrowth and neglect, the cemetery is invisible during the summer months. Only two headstones remain above ground, although I believe there are more which have fallen to the effects of time and to the earth which has once again erased the intrusion upon its land.

The broken headstone of Mary Henry Ware

Both stones mark the final resting place of beloved children. The larger stone, which is approximately 48 x 24 inches, is broken into two pieces and pays tribute to Mary Henry, the infant daughter of Henry Briton Ware and his wife Mary Caroline. Little Mary Henry died at the age of 17 months from malaria. Her commanding stone reads

Interred in this spot
where reposes the body of
Mary Henry
infant daughter of Henry Briton
Ware and Mary Caroline his wife

she died after one weeks illness
of congestive fever 22nd day of
Aug. the year of our lord 1830
Died 1 year and 5 months

Jesus said suffer little children
and forbid them not to come
unto me for of such is the kingdom of Heaven

The headstone of Pannie Ware

The second headstone is much smaller, approximately 24 x 18 inches and in immaculate condition, probably due to the fact that it was leaning slightly over, which prevented the weather from hitting it directly. The white marble stone is beautifully simple, but shows the love her parents had for their precious toddler.

The first words my eyes were drawn to were Papas Baby.

Papa’s baby was a three-year-old named Pannie Ware who was born on Saturday, January 17, 1880, the youngest child of Joseph Henry and Mary Speed Boyd Ware.  She died on Nov. 8, 1883 of unknown causes.

I have been haunted by this stone and its words all day…

PAPAS BABY

What misfortune happened to little Pannie that took her away from her Papa?

I had to find out more about Pannie Ware, so I began my search on Ancestry.com for records of her life. But there are none.

Not a birth record.

Not a death record.

Not even a census record.

Nothing but a headstone.

I came across her family in the 1880 census for Stanton, Haywood County. The census was taken on June 28, 1880 and shows Pannie’s father, Joseph Henry, mother, Mary Boyd and siblings Annie Boyd – 12, William S. – 10, John B. – 8, Grace Arlington – 7, five-year-old James G. “Jimmy” and two-year-old Joseph Henry, Jr. -  7. Also included on the census were 16-year old W.P. Burns, 18-year-old Kate Bryne, a school teacher, field hand 19-year old Lee Nelson and 25-year old widow E. Nelson who served as the family’s cook.

But no Pannie. She would have been six-months old, so why wasn’t she recorded on the census?

This oversight is actually quite grievous. Because of the era of her birth and her age at death, little Pannie Ware has fallen through the crack of life to the obscurity of death and to that abyss that many genealogists dread – the all too common, unaccounted and many times record-less period of time for children that occurs between federal censuses.

No one remembers or even knew she existed. 

Research on Ancestry.com reveals many family genealogists working on the various branches of her family tree. They account for her parents and her siblings, but not one family genealogy tree accounted for little Pannie Ware. Not even a listing of “unknown child.”

And that breaks my heart.

Her parents have long gone, as well as her siblings. And unless there is a family Bible handed down through the generations which holds the record of her birth, ensuing generations have probably never even heard of her.

It’s a miracle that her final resting area was found on a back road in a town on the edge of existence, in the middle of a field surrounded by a grove of overgrown trees and debris.

I believe her marker, quite possibly the only record of her short life and the love her parents felt for her, was kept pristine for the past 133 years so that one day, she would be found and once again remembered.

Papa’s Baby… I remember and I promise I’ll never forget.

Disclaimer:  2/5/2013 – The current owners have now posted “No Trespassing” signs on the property and have stated they do not want anyone on the property, to enter the home or to visit the cemetery.

A Christmas Gift

First of all Happy New Year! Tonight to celebrate, I decided to research a small Bible I had acquired and am ashamed to discover it has been 11 months since I have written… don’t know what I have been doing… well, yes, I do know. Living life but I have no idea where 2012 went and now we’re at 2013. My New Year’s resolution is to write at a minimum ONCE PER WEEK!  Okay, now on to my historical hunt and story for today.

With love from Mother

I love to purchase old items that I find with names in them. I enjoy researching the names and trying to discover who the previous owners were and to learn a small semblance of what their lives may have been like. After I’ve figure out a bit about their lives, I try to find current family members and work to reunited the items with the original owner’s family.

Tonight, to start off the new year, I researched the name of Miss Fannie I. Elliott, the name I found written in a small bible I discovered in a local antique store. On the facing page of the cover was the inscription, “Fannie I. Elliott A Christmas gift from her mother. Dec. 25th, 1884″ I wanted to find out who Fannie I. Elliott and her mother were.

The book was with a batch of items that came from Ohio, so when I entered Fannie’s name into Ancestry.com’s search engine, I felt pretty good when the name appeared in Dover, Cuyahoga, Ohio. I was even more convince I had the right person after checking and linking other possible connections and family trees.

New Beginnings

Fannie Idella Elliott was born on Feb. 21, 1866 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio to William George Elliott (Dec. 16, 1824 – Nov. 7, 1897) and Louisa Parfitt (May 5, 1825 – June 4, 1900). She was either the eighth or ninth child born to the couple, as she was a twin. Her sister was named Anna Luella. Her parents were both born in England. I discovered a christening record for her father for Jan. 2, 1825 in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England naming him as the son of Jacob Elliot and Susanna and one for her mother, the daughter of James Parfitt and Mary, christened on 26 Jun 1825 in Bruton, Somerset, England.

Family genealogy trees located on the web all purported that Fannie’s parents were married in Dover, Cuyahoga, Ohio on Sept. 16, 1847, but while researching each of their 10 children, the oldest, Frank Riddle Elliot, is reported to have been born in England according to both his death certificate and christening registration, although the name on the christening registration lists his name as Riddle Frank Elliot, christened on Dec. 10, 1848 at Brewham, Somerset, England to William and Louisa. This could mean a couple of things… the family history trees have the marriage location wrong, the family traveled back to their home country and the babe was born in England while on the visit or Frank was born in England before they left but his parents weren’t married and they lied on the christening registration, and quite possibly, that could be why they left England.

William and Louisa, in addition to the twins and Frank (Nov. 6, 1848-Oct. 7, 1909), were the parents of James John Elliot (Jan. 18, 1850 – June 6, 1931), Sarah M. (1853-1932), Fred (1855-1930), Lettia Louisa (1858-1943), Thomas Henry (abt 1860 – ?), Gilbert Willson (July 5, 1863 – May 21, 1946) and Walter Edward (Sept. 1, 1868-Oct.1, 1951).

1860 federal census showing William Elliot and his family

On June 8, 1860, the census taker recorded William Elliot and his wife Louisa were living in Dover, Cuyahoga, Ohio with their children Frank, 11; James, 9; Sarah, 7; Fred, 5 and Lettie, 2. All the children, including Frank, were listed as being born in Ohio.

The 1870 census taken in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

The 1870 census shows the reality of the times of the building of America. Each family listed on the census form along with the Elliot family was an immigrant family, with every head of household affirming they were born in England, Germany or France. The ninth US census shows the family still living in Dover, Cuyahoga, Ohio but with additional children. Living in the home are William, 47 and his wife Louisa, 45; son Frank, 21, whose birth, along with his parents, are listed as in England, James, 19; Sarah, 17; Fred, 14; Lettie, 12; Henry, 9; Gilbert, 6; twins Anna and Fanny, 4 and one-year old Walter. William, as a farmer, was able to give his family a comfortable living as evidenced by the value of his real estate, $7,300 and his personal estate was valued at $1,00.

William Elliott and family in 1880 Federal Census Cuyahoga County, Ohio

According to the 1880 US Federal Census, the Elliott family was living in North Olmsted, Cuyahoga, Ohio. William and Louisa are both 55 years of age and living at home were James J., 29; Thomas H. 19; Gilbert W. 16; Anna L. 14; Fannie I. 14 and Walter aged 11.

When Fannie was 18 she was given the bible, a copy of the New Testament published by the American Bible Society in 1872, on Dec. 25, 1884 according to the inscription written by her mother. I’m going to assume that since she was a twin, her mother Louisa, probably gave her sister Anne a bible as well. The bible’s pages are in remarkable condition, considering its 141 years, and unfortunately, I believe that’s from its lack of use.

A New Generation

By the time Christmas rolled around the following year, Fannie had become the bride of Walter R. Keyes (1864-Jan. 9, 1938) at the age of 19. They married on Dec. 24, 1885 in Rockport Township, Cuyahoga, Ohio. There is a notation on the marriage certificate that the consent can be found on doc. no. N, No. 1 file. Walter Keyes is the son of James H. Keyes from Gloucester, England and Martha J. Wilde of Scotland.

Marriage certificate for Fannie Elliott and Walter Keyes

The young couple started their family with the birth of a daughter, Luella M. (1887-1947). A second daughter, Alta Keyes, was born on Aug. 12, 1888 in Rockport, Cuyahoga, Ohio and died before she was two. A son, Howard, was born on 1891, followed by Ada R. (1894-1936); Walter J. (1897-1980); Melvin (1900-1980) and baby Everest who was born in 1902 and died the following year.

Walter was a hardware clerk in 1900 and the family lived in Rocky River, Cuyahoga. The 1900 federal census shows that Walter and Fannie had been married for 15 years and she was the mother of six children, with five of them living. The family had a 25-year old servant living with them named William E. Baker.

In 1910, the family is still living in Rocky River, Ohio next to Walter’s younger brother Edward and his family. Walter and Fannie were now 45 and 44 years of age respectively and had recorded on the census as having another child who had been born and died. Walter was listed as a hardware merchant, son Howard was a salesperson, working alongside his father and 16-year old daughter Ada/Ida was a bookkeeper for a local coal company.

Fannie and Walter Keyes in 1910

Fannie and Walter were present at the weddings of their children, including Howard, who married Alma L. Mireau on June 3, 1912 and Ada, who became the bride of Arthur H. Hoag on Aug. 9, 1917.

The 1920 census shows the family living on Chapel Road in Madison Township, Lake County, Ohio. Only Walter, Fannie and their youngest son Walter, 21, are living in the home. In 1920, Walter has left the hardware business and lists his occupation as farmer and the son is a bank teller. The family is doing well and own their home free and clear.

Walter & Fannie living alone in 1930

The 1930 census shows that Walter and Fannie are in their mid-60s and are living alone back in Cuyahoga County. Walter is no longer working and they also own this home, located at 194 Loraine St., free and clear.

Although I have been able to locate the death certificate numbers for Fannie and Walter, I have been unable to find a copy of their actual certificates. Fannie I. Elliot Keyes died on July 5, 1932 at the age of 66. Walter passes a few years later on Jan. 9, 1938 at the age of 74. Fannie’s twin sister, Anna Luella married Bertrand H. Perrin and died on Oct. 16, 1938 in Geneva, Ashtabula, Ohio.

Death certificate of Anna Luella Elliott Perrin, twin sister of Fanny Idella Elliott Keyes.

In awe of the past

I have been spending the past 10 days on a dream vacation…. a week of research at the world’s largest genealogical library – The Family History Library in Salt Lake City. It’s been a week with no children, no husband, no work (well, almost… I still wrote a couple of stories for this week’s Leader), and almost no school (online classes )

And even with that little bit of work and school I had to do, I have had an AMAZING week! Ten to 12 hours a day of researching, give or take an hour depending on if I remembered to stop to eat. I have scoured through books written in the mid-1800s, examined Internet resources which made available documents and newspapers from all over the world from the past four centuries and my favorite – microfilms documenting marriages, births, deaths, military service and censuses, some as early as 1712! This trip I have visited Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, India, Switzerland and England, all without leaving the warmth of the library.

There is something about being able to view an original document which exists as testament to the life of your ancestors. On my last trip in July, I located the 1827 marriage certificate of my 4th great-grandparents, William and Celinda Court Brown and the 1844 marriage certificate of my 3rd great-grandparents, Francis and Celinda Brown Clough from BOMBAY, INDIA… Talk about an amazing feeling! This time, I found banns (wedding announcements) and death notices written in French from my PANCHAUD line in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland from 1712… pouvez-vous dire merveilleux?

Death certificate of Jean Francois Panchaud

Death certificate of 11 month-old Mary Roberts

I also found the death records of my great-great-grandmother’s first husband and their daughter, my great-great-great-great auntie, who both died in Bombay, India in 1869, just five months apart from each other. Her husband of less than two years, Robert Clifton Roberts was 34 years old and died from an abscessed wound. He was thought of very highly in his community and the local newspaper, The Times of India, reported on Mar. 1, 1869 that his death was sincerely regretted. My 11-month-old auntie, Mary Roberts, died from convulsions. Finding their death notices helped explain why my great-great grandmother left her home and her family and traveled thousands of miles to England in the 1870s after spending her entire life in India. I can imagine how distraught she must have been to have lost her husband and baby within months of each other. She probably was trying to get away from the place that held so much pain for her, even though it was the place of her birth. But at the same time, even though I feel sadness at their passing and what could have been, when I look at those records I can’t help but think if they hadn’t died, I would not be here today. Because it was their deaths that drove my gggrandmother to England where she met my gggrandfather, and in turn, begat my line.

I also learned some American history this week. I located a census of the Indiana Territory for 1807 which listed every free white man living in the territory before it was a state. There was only 616 names on the list! I find that simply incredible that I have a document in my hands that list every single person living in the state of Indiana, before it was a state, and there’s just over 600 names on the list! My sixth-great grandfather, Alexander Guard and two of his sons, David (my 5th great grandfather) and Timothy were listed on the census. They had traveled from New Jersey with their families after the Revolutionary War by following the Ohio River, arriving at North Bend, Ohio in the spring of 1790 and moved to, what is now Dearborn County, Ind. in 1796.

There is so much history to be learned by digging up the past – The history of our ancestors and of our descendants. The reason we are here and the path we are taking. Genealogy is the map to discovering our history. Give it a try and learn the stories of your past.

Seeking the truth… the Agrue Murders

I can’t believe the interest shown in the murders of Johnson and Nina Agrue, their sons William and Leo and their 11 year-old granddaughter Mary Breeden on May 16, 1941 in Dearborn County, Indiana. I started researching the tale a few years ago when my mother told me the story as she knew it, hearing it from her mother. It wasn’t talked about much in my family. Little Mary was the daughter of my great-uncle Oakley Breeden and my first cousin once removed. Her father and my grandmother were siblings and after the murder, family members said he distanced himself from everyone.

I’ve managed to gather quite a bit of info, but there is more out there. I haven’t been able to work on my research consistently for the past couple of years, but the response I have been getting lately from other family members has renewed my interest and renewed my dedication to get to the bottom of the story.

Stay tune… more is definitely coming!

A new year for renewed energy

Isn’t is amazing how everyday life seems to get in the way of, well, everyday life? You have good intentions to accomplish something and then something else steps in the way and the first task becomes an afterthought. Well, no more. This year will be different.

When I started back to work, it was to have a bit more money available to help out my children who were starting to live life on their own. To be able to help out with unexpected expenses or to meet their needs which they might not be able to meet on their own. And the extra funds have come in handy. My oldest and his wife have welcomed a new son; my first grandchild and my daughter-in-law and the baby have moved in with my husband and I while her husband is serving in Kuwait. The extra money has definitely come in handy… I have a new grandson I feel the need to spoil and with the extra bodies at the house, utilities and other necessities have increased as well.

But, it’s come at a price; a hefty price. I have to readjust myself, reschedule my time, reorganize my life and re-prioritize my goals to make everything meet at the proper adjoining crossroads. The point where I accomplish and meet my responsibilities and obligations but at the same time leave a bit of breathing room for myself – to find time to re-energize myself, to accomplish the goals I have laid out and time to just do something for me.

This year WILL be different.

This year, I WILL concentrate on my schooling and finish my classes on time.

This year, I WILL work on the mystery of the murders of my family members who have waited for more than 70 years for their story to be told.

This year, I WILL work on my genealogy and family trees; to research, answer questions and connect missing pieces.

This year, I WILL blog more often and document the untold stories of those I uncover.

This year, I WILL accomplish my New Year’s resolution of helping at least 12 people and organizations, both through my time and money.

This this year, I WILL take time for myself; to do the things that I love to do. To help the people I love and those I don’t know.

And this year, I WILL have a life worth living and not just live a life.

This year, I WILL take the time to do more for me

 

 

A Child of the World

American has long been considered a melting pot, a place for people of all religions, cultures and races to live in freedom. And because America was founded by immigrants, when researching their genealogy, many Americans will find ancestors from around the world.

I am no different… well, maybe a little.

On my mother’s side, a few of my ancestors have been in this country since the mid-1700s. A good many of them came to America in the mid-1800s looking for a new way of life for their families. And some have been here since the beginning. My maternal ancestors give my life a blend of Native American, English and German roots and I feel blessed to have their blood running through my veins.

On my father’s side I am truly a child of the world. I am half Bermudian and half American. My father was born in Bermuda, as was his father. My grandfather’s brother, my great-uncle, and his family lives in Canada. My great-grandfather was born in England and his father, my great-great grandfather from Lausanne, Switzerland and his grandfather from France. My GGGrandfather’s  seven children were born in England, Italy and South Africa. His wife, my GGGrandmother was born in Bombay, India in 1846 during the height of the East India Company and died in Dimboola, Australia in 1906. My father’s mother was also born in Bermuda, but her both her parents immigrated to Bermuda from the Azores. Their parents, my great-great grandparents stayed on Pico and Sao Miguel, Azores.

On my mother’s side, I am the 7th generation to be born in the U.S. But on my father’s side I am the first generation born in America. I love exploring my heritage and finding the connections that bridge my families and navigates my path down the winding road I call my life.

The Bankruptcy of Issac Panchaud

London Gazette, 30 January 1732

Whereas a commission of bankrupt is awarded against Issac Panchand, late of St. Martin’s-lane, in Cannon-street, London, Merchant, and he being declared a Bankrupt, a hereby requited to surrender himself to the Commissioners on the 9th and 16th Instant, and on the 17th of March next, at Three in the Afternoon, at Guidhill, London, and make a full Discovery of his Estate and  Effects ; when and  Where the Creditors are to come prepared to prove their Debts, and at the second Sitting to chose Assignees, and at the last Sitting the said Bankrupt is required to finish his Examination. And all Persons indebted to the said Bankiupt, or that have any of his Effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to whom the Commissioners shall appoint but to give Notice to Mr. Myonett, Attorney, in Wallbrook, London.

London Gazette, 3 March 1732

Whereas Isaac Panchaud, late of St. Martin’s-lane, In Cannon-street, London, Merchant, hath surrendered  himself, pursuant to Notice, and been examined: This is  to give Notice that he will attend the Commissioners on t he  17th of March Instant, at Three in tbe Afternoon, at Guildhall, London, to finish his Examination ; when and where  the Creditors are to come prepared to prove their Debt s,  and assent to or dissent from tbe Allowance of his Certificate.

London Gazette, 23 February 1733

Whereas the acting Commissioners in a Commission of Bankrupt awarded against Isaac Panchaud, late  of St. Martin’s-lane in Cannon-street, London, Merchant,  have certified to the Right Honourable Charles Lord Talbot,  Baron of Hensol, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain,  that the said Isaac Panchaud hath in all things conformed  himself according to the Directions of the several Acts of  Parliament made concerning Bankrupts , This is to give Notice, that by Virtue of an Act passed in the fifth Year of  his present Majesty’s Reign, the said Certificate will be allowed and confirmed as the said Act directs, unless Cause  be shown to the contrary on or before the 19th of March next.

London Gazette, 8 Feb 1842

THE Creditors of Isaac Panchaud, late of London, Merchant, against whom a Commission of Bankrupt hath been awarded, who have duly proved their Debts under the said Commission, are desired to meet the Assign’s of the said Bankrupt’s Estate and Effects on Wednesday next, being the 16th,  of February, Instant, at Five in the Afternoon, at the Feather Tavern in Cheapfield, to assent or dissent from the said Assignees commencing any Suit or Suits at Law or in Equity, as also to the said Assignees submiting any difference or Dispute, relating to the said Bankrupt’s Estate or Effects, to Arbitration, or otherwise to compound and agree the same, and on other special Affairs.

London Gazette, 25 December 1742

Whereas a Commission of Bankrupt is awarded and issued  forth against Isaac Panchaud, of London, Merchant, and he being declared a Bankrupt, is hereby required to surrender himself to the Commissioners in the said Commission named, or the major Part of the m on the 10th and 15th Days of January next, and on the 8th Day of February following, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon on each of the said Days, at Guildhall, London, and make a full Discovery and Disclosure of his Estate and Effects ; when and where the Creditors are to come prepared to prove their Debts, and at the second Sitting to chose Assignees, and at the last Sitting the said Bankrupt is required to finish his Examination ; and the Creditors are to assent to or dissent from the Allowance of his Certificate. All Persons indebted to the said Bankrupt, or that have any of his Effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to whom the Commissioners shall appoint, but given Notice to Mr. Amson, Attorney, in Wallbrooke, London

London Gazette, 29 March 1743

Whereas John Jupe, of Queen Street, in the City of London, Pewterer, John Brown, of Grace-church Street, London, Merchant, and John Berdoe, of Thames Street, London, Ironmonger, Assignees of the Estate and Effects of Isaac Panchaud, late of London, Merchant, against whom a Commission of Bankrupt hath been lately awarded and Issued, have great reason to believe that the said Bankrupt hath not made a full and true Disclosure and Discovery of all his Estate and Effects, and that great Part thereof is secreted and concealed, and particularly some of his Books of Accounts ; Therefore for the better Disclosure of the said Bankrupt’s Estate and Effects, and for encouraging thc Discovery thereof, the said Assignees do hereby promise a Reward of 25 1. per Cent, to all and every Person and Persons who shall at any Time or Times hereafter, voluntarily come and make Discovery to them the said Assignees, of any Part of the said Bankrupt’s Estate not come to their Knowledge, to be paid to such Person or Persons for discovering the same, by them the said Assignees, out of the neat Proceed of the said Bankrupt’s Estate which shall be recovered on such Discovery.

London Gazette, 7 June 1743

Whereas, the acting Commissioners in the Commission of Bankrupt awarded against Isaac Panchaud, of London, Merchant, have certified to the Rt. Hon. Philip Lord Hardwicke, Baron of Hardwicke, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, that the said Isaac Panchaud hath in all Things conformed himself according to the Directions of the several Acts of Parliament made concerning Bankrupts t This is to give Notice, That by Virtue of an Act passed in the Fifth Year of his present Majesty’s Reign, his Certificate will be allowed and confirmed as the said Act directs, unless Cause beshown to the contrary on or besore the First of July next.

London Gazette, 5 May 1744

Pursuant to an Order made by the Right Hon. the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, the Commissioners in a Commission of Bankrupt awarded against Isaac Panchaud, of  London, Merchant, intend to meet on the 23d Instant, at at Three in the Afternoon, at Guildhall, London, at which Time and Place the Creditors are to come prepared to proceed to the Choice of a new Assignee or Allignees of the said Bankrupt’s Estate and Effects, in the room of the present Assignees by the said Order removed ; at which Time the said present Assignees are required severally to come to an Account before the said Commissioners, as by the said Order is directed and such Creditors who have not already proved their Debts, may then and there prove the same.