John U. Muir of Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, Scotland

 

Burford Congregational Cemetery,
Burford, Ontario, Canada

John U. Muir (1) was born about 1770-1774 in Ayrshire, Scotland (1,2,3,4), married Diana Winnett about 1793 (birth of first child) and immigrated to Ontario, Canada, probably on the ship "Commerce" from Greenock, Scotland to Québec, Canada, in 1821 (5).  I say probably, because the number of children is off by one, and the ages for all do not match well.  They had 9 children:

1.  Thomas White Muir, born 10 Jun 1795 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, baptized 14 Jun 1795 in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland (6,7), married Mary Wiley 2 Sep 1831 in Bathurst District, Ontario, Canada (8), and died 16 Jan 1876 in Middlesex, Ontario, Canada (1,7).

2.  Margaret Muir, born 16 Aug 1797 and baptized 20 Aug 1797 in Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland (6), married William Bennett 20 Feb 1822 in Perth, Lanark, Ontario, Canada (8) and died after 1883 (1).

3.  John Muir, born 7 Jun 1802 [calculated] in Ayrshire, Scotland (9), married 1st Charlotte Thompson 3 Oct 1823 in Perth, Lanark, Ontario, Canada and 2nd Elizabeth Thompson Crosker 28 Sep 1847 in Burford, Brant, Ontario, Canada (8), and died 27 Apr 1885 in Woodstock, Oxford, Ontario, Canada (9,10).

4.  James Muir, born about 1806 in Ayrshire, Scotland (11,12), married 1st Christiana Campbell about 1833 (13) and 2nd Susanna Kipp Laurence 2 Jan 1849 in Burford (8), and died 24 Jan 1881 in Lambton, Ontario, Canada (1,12).

5.  Robert Cuthbertson Muir, born 11 Feb 1809 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland (1,7,14), married Margaret Elizabeth Thwaites 3 Aug 1852 in St Quivox and Newton-on-Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland (15), and died 10 Mar 1905 in Burford (7,16).

6.  Janet Muir, born about 1812, probably in Renfrewshire (7,17), married Matthew Virtue 27 Sep 1832 in Bathurst District (8), and died 10 Jan 1896 in Burford (7,17).

7.  Allan Brown Muir, born about 29 Apr 1814 [calculated], probably in Renfrewshire (7,18), married Barbara Jane McWilliams about 1843, probably in Burford (birth of first child), died 29 Jan 1892 in Burford (10,18).

8.  Agnes Cuthbertson Muir, born 17 Dec 1818 [twin] in Eaglesham, Renfrewshire, Scotland and baptized 31 Jan 1819 in Paisley Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland (6).  No further record, probably died in Scotland before the family emigrated.

8.  Grace Mitchell Muir, born 17 Dec 1818 [twin] in Eaglesham and baptized 31 Jan 1819 in Paisley Abbey (6).  No further record, probably died in Scotland before the family emigrated.

John's surname was spelled Mair in the baptisms of the first two children and Diana's surname was spelled Winnacoat, Winacot, Winacoat and Wincioat in the baptisms of the first two and final two of her children (6).

John Muir and Diana Winnett's ancestry has long been a brick wall, so I hired John McGee of Wheech Scottish Ancestry Services to see if he could learn more about the family by searching through the National Archives in Edinburgh.  He didn't have much success with the Muir line, but he did with Margaret Brown's.  Here are the results of his research, along with further research by myself --

John U. Muir's parents were probably John Muir, born about 1750, probably in Ayrshire (4), and Margaret Brown, baptized 7 Apr 1752 in Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland (4,20).  Their marriage bann was dated 26 Feb 1769 in Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, Scotland (19).  They had 5 known children: 

1.  John U. Muir, see above

2.  William Muir, born 28 Sep 1771 and baptized 8 Oct 1771 in Kilmaurs (4,20).

3.  probably Margaret Muir, born about 1776, who married Thomas White, living 1841 in Galston (21).  I believe Thomas White is the namesake of John U. and Diana's firstborn son.  John Orr, age 15 was living with them.  This same John Orr was living with Robert Muir, his uncle, in 1851 in Galston (22). [See #5 below].

4.  Barbara Muir, baptized 13 May 1781 in Kilmaurs (20).

5.  Robert Muir, born 7 Jun 1790 and baptized 1 Jun 1790 in Galston (20).  Living with John Orr, his nephew, in 1851 in Galston [see #3 above].

6.  James Muir, born 8 Mar 1792 and baptized 11 May 1792 in Galston (20), married Janet Scott 27 Nov 1814 in Galston (19) and was a mason by trade (21).

Margaret Brown, baptized 7 Apr 1752, was the daughter of John Brown and Janet Cuthbertson of Blacklaw, Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland.  John was born about 1715 (20,23) in Stewarton, married Janet 25 Mar 1737 in Neilston, Renfrewshire, Scotland (4) and died 21 Dec 1759 and is buried in Stewarton Cemetery (23).  Janet died 11 May 1782 and is buried in Stewarton Cemetery (23).  They had 5 known children:

1.  Agnes Brown, baptized 2 Feb 1738 in Stewarton (4,20)

2.  John Brown, born about 1740 (23), married Grizel Mitchel 19 Apr 1771 in Stewarton (19) and died 10 May 1778 and is buried in Stewarton Cemetery (23).  I believe Grizel Mitchell may be the namesake of John U. and Diana's child Grace Mitchell Muir.

3.  Thomas Brown, baptized 1 Feb 1748 in Stewarton (4,20).

4.  Margaret Brown, see above.

5.  Allan Brown, baptized 5 Nov 1754 in Stewarton (4,20), married Mary Barr before 3 May 1783 in Ayrshire (20,21,24), and was buried 21 Oct 1850 in Fenwick, Ayrshire, Scotland.  He was a farmer (21).  I believe he was the namesake of my 4th great-grandfather Allan Brown Muir (1814-1892).

John Brown, born about 1715 in Stewarton (20,23), was the son of John Brown and Mary Fulton.  They had 5 known children.

1.  Anne Brown, baptized 22 Jun 1707 in Stewarton (20).

2.  Matthew Brown, born 22 Oct 1714 and baptized 24 Oct 1714 in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland (20).

3.  John Brown, see above.

4.  David Brown born 27 Apr 1717 and baptized May 1717 in Kilwinning (20).

5.  Joseph Brown born 4 May 1720 and baptized 8 May 1720 in Kilwinning (20).

Janet Cuthbertson, wife of John Brown, was the daughter of Thomas Cuthbertson and Jean Paton.

Thomas, son of William, and Jean, daughter of James, married 26 Jan 1704 in Kilmarnock, after bann dated 12 Jan 1704 (4,19).  Thomas, a farmer of [Little] Blackwood, Kilmarnock (4,20) was buried 4 Mar 1746 in Kilmarnock (25).  Jean was buried 5 Feb 1736 in Kilmarnock, aged 55 years (24).  They had 6 known children:

1.  Janet Cuthbertson, see above.

2.  Jean Cuthbertson, born 7 Feb 1708 and baptized 15 Feb 1708 in Kilmarnock (20).

3.  Margaret Cuthbertson, born 3 Jan 1710 and baptized 5 Feb 1710 in Kilmarnock (20) and buried 28 Apr 1732 in Fenwick (25).

4.  Elizabeth Cuthbertson, born 11 Oct 1717 and baptized 27 Oct 1717 in Kilmarnock (20).

5.  Mary Cuthbertson, born 7 Apr 1720 and baptized 5 May 1720 in Kilmarnock (20).

6.  William Cuthbertson, son of Thomas, married Agnes Lymburner 15 Dec 1743 in Kilmarnock (19).

Sources:

1.    The History of the County of Brant, Ontario, Warner, Beers & Co., Toronto, 1883, Hathitrust.org

2.    Find a Grave, memorial #42016992, Burford Congregational Cemetery, Burford, Ontario, Canada.

3.    The Early Political and Military History of Burford, Major Robert Cuthbertson Muir, La Cie d'Imprimerie Commerciale, Québec, 1913

4.    John McGee, Wheech Scottish Ancestry Services, 7 Hillside Drive, Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, G61 3QH, 24 Oct 2021

5.    "Canadian Immigrant Records, Part Two," ancestry.com

6.    Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950, ancestry.com

7.    Ontario, Canada, Deaths and Deaths Overseas, 1869-1948, ancestry.com

8.    Canada, Ontario, Marriages, 1800-1910, familysearch.org

9.    Find a Grave, memorial #139476945, Woodstock Baptist Cemetery, Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

10.  Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947, familysearch.org

11.  Canada Census, 1871, familysearch.org

12.  Find a Grave, memorial #216707076, Bear Creek Cemetery, Lambton, Ontario, Canada

13.  Marriages, 1869-1927, familysearch.org (married of their child)

14.  Canada Census, 1901, familysearch.org

15.  Scotland, Marriages, 1561-1910, familysearch.org

16.  Find a Grave, memorial #42017230, Burford Congregational Cemetery

17.  Find a Grave, memorial #45851921, Burford Congregational Cemetery

18.  Find a Grave, memorial #41914711, Burford Congregational Cemetery

19.  Scotland, Parish Marriages & Banns 1561-1893, findmypast.com

20.  Scotland, Parish Births & Baptisms 1564-1929, findmypast.com

21.  1841 Census of Scotland, findmypast.com

22.  1851 Census of Scotland, findmypast.com

23.  Ardrossan Library & Carnagie Library, Compiler, Some Ayrshire Monumental  Inscriptions, Ayrshire Roots, https://www.ayrshireroots.co.uk/Genealogy/Records/MIs/some%20Ayrshire%20MIs.htm

24. An Inquiry into the Origin, Pedigree & History of the family, or clan, of Aitons in Scotland, William Aiton, A. Miller, Hamilton Scotland, 1830, Hathitrust.org

25.  Scotland, Parish Deaths & Burials 1564-2017, findmypast.com

Corrected Ancestry of Edward Jones of Isle of Wight, Virginia

image by Randy Young, 18 Feb 2017

 Edward Jones (Edward, Arthur,Arthur, Robert) wrote his will 15 Jan 1722, which was probated 17 Jul 1730 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia (1).  He married only once, to Deborah Exum, about 1683, mother of all his children (2).  Their children were:

1.  Edward Jones, born circa 1685, married Abigail Sugar about 1720 in Isle of Wight, Virginia (2).

2.  Joseph Jones, married Elizabeth Kinchen in Isle of Wight, Virginia (3)(4).  He wrote his will 5 Dec 1726, proved 25 Sep 1727 (4).

3.  Sarah Jones

4.  Deborah Jones

5.  William Jones, he witnessed his brother Joseph's will (4). 

6.  Jane Jones

7.  Mary Jones

I learned the ancestry of Edward Jones from two articles by John Anderson Brayton, a noted and highly respected authority of Virginia, North Carolina and royal genealogy, published in The Virginia Genealogist, which can be seen at New England Historic Genealogical Society, americanancestors.org.

Edward Jones was the son of Edward Jones (Arthur, Arthur, Robert), baptized 1 Nov 1626 at St Mary in Bitton, Gloucestershire, England, the son of Arthur Jones (5)(6).  He owned land in Isle of Wight, Virginia in 1653 (7). On 22 Feb 1671 he was overseer of the will of Sarah Watson and on 9 Apr 1677 he was surety for the will of William Dixon (4).  His children were:

1.  Edward Jones, husband of Deborah Exum, died between 15 Jan 1722 - 27 Jul 1730 in Isle of Wight, Virginia

2.  Arthur Jones, married first before 1679 Susannah King in Isle of Wight and second Prudence.  He wrote his will 22 Jan 1715/16 in Surry County, Virginia (7).

3.  Richard Jones, married Jane Harris before 14 Mar 1687 in Isle of Wight, his undated will was proved 22 May 1721 in Isle of Wight (2)(4).

4.  Sarah Jones, married Blackaby Terrell, marriage contract 1698 in Isle of Wight (3).  There was no mention of Sarah or children in his will, dated 7 Sep 1726 in Isle of Wight (4).

Arthur Jones (Arthur, Robert) was baptized at St Anne, Oldland, Gloucestershire, England (5)(6).  Children of Arthur, baptized at St Anne, Oldland, Gloucestershire (5)(6) were:

1.  Arthur Jones, baptized 16 Jan 1624/25, married Margaret Barrett, wrote his will 29 Aug 1692 in Hamilton, Bermuda, proved 27 Oct 1692 (7).

2.  Edward Jones, baptized 1 Nov 1626.

3.  Samuel Jones, baptized 16 Nov 1628, buried 13 Sep 1631 at St Mary, Bitton, Gloucestershire, England (5)(6).

4.  Samuel Jones, baptized 22 Apr 1632, buried Mar 1680 at St Mary, Bitton, Gloucestershire, England (6).

5.  Richard Jones, baptized 9 Nov 1633,  died before 29 Aug 1692 in Bermuda (7).

Arthur Jones (Robert) was born about 1570 in England (5), married Ellen Pitman 4 Jul 1591 at St Anne, Oldland, Gloucestershire, England (5)(6) and was buried 4 Jun 1636 at St Mary, Bitton, Gloucestershire, England.  Their children, baptized at St Anne, Gloucestershire, England (5)(6) were:

1.  Martha Jones

2.  Edmund Jones, baptized 03 Feb 1594/95.

3.  Arthur Jones, baptized 19 Jul 1597.

4.  Mary Jones, buried 3 Sep 1607 at St Anne, Oldland, Gloucestershire, England (5)(6).

5.  Ffreydeswede (Ffriswide, Ffrisey) Jones, baptized 6 Apr 1602, married Henry Eiles alias Monk 26 Oct 1622 at St Anne, Oldland, Gloucestershire, England (5)(6), buried 1 Jun 1655 at St Mary, Bitton, Gloucestershire, England (6).

6.  Sarah Jones, baptized 16 Jun 1604.

7.  Henry Jones, baptized 1 Nov 1606, married Sislye Creede at St Anne, Oldland, Gloucestershire, England (6) and was buried Sep 1680 at St Anne, Oldland, Gloucestershire, England (6).

Robert Jones, born about 1545 in England married Margery (5) and was buried 13 Nov 1604 at St Anne, Oldland, Gloucestershire, England (5)(6).  Their child was:

Arthur Jones, born about 1570, who married Ellen Pitman.

Sources: 

(1)  Virginia, Isle of Wight, Deed Book 3, pages 210-211, FHL #007645159, Images 509-510 of 605, familysearch.org

(2)  Brayton, John Anderson, Colonial Families of Surry and Isle of Wight Counties, Virginia, Volume 2, J. A. Brayton, Memphis, TN, 1999, familysearch.org

(3)  Chapman, Blanche Adams, Marriages of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., Baltimore, MD, 1976

(4)  Virginia, U.S., Land, Marriage, and Probate Records, 1639-1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2004.

(5)  Brayton, John Anderson, "The Ancestry of Edward Jones of Isle of Wight County, Virginia," The Virginia Genealogist, Volume 45 Number 1, Jan 2001, americanancestors.org

(6) FreeReg, FreeUKGenealogy, https://www.freereg.org.uk/

(7)  Brayton, John Anderson, "The will of Arthur Jones of Bermuda," The Virginia Genealogist, Volume 43 Number 3, Jul 1999, americanancestors.org

Esther Homer, wife of Amor Preston: errors corrected and new information discovered.

Amor Preston married Esther Large 6 Jan 1710/11 in Bucks County, Pennsylvana (1, 2, 3), and for many years I assumed that was her maiden name.  After discovering an article in The Oregon Daily Journal, dated 16 Mar 1919, I learned that her maiden name was Homer.  I then went looking for a marriage record between Esther Homer and a man with the surname Large.  Richard Large and Esther married 21 Jun 1705 in Falls, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (1).

Many more years went by, and I thought I'd look for more information about Esther.  I reviewed her marriage certificate to Richard Large, and one witness to their marriage stood out:  William Homer.  I did a simple google search using the search terms "William Homer" "Bucks, Pennsylvania" and got a great hit.  It was an abstract of the will of William Sanford, dated 25 Mar 1689 and probated 17 Oct 1692, and a witness was named James Boyden (remember that name).  Sanford named "my son William Homer" and "daughter in law Ester Homer" (4).  William Sanford had a son named William Homer?  This is why abstracts are only a jumping off point, we must search for the will!  It is also very important to remember that in the colonial era, the term "in-law" didn't mean what it does today.  At the time, it meant that Esther was the child of his wife, and she became his daughter-in-law at the time of William's marriage to her mother.  Unfortunately, though he mentioned "my dear wife" in the will, her name was not given.

I then went on a hunt for a copy of the will, and found it, along with a codicil, and another juicy piece of information, at familysearch.org.  

What is very interesting is what I discovered first, as I was searching through the record set that contained the will.  I found the indenture for Ester Hummer, daughter-in-law of William Sanford, "between 8 & 9 years of age," dated 10 Mar 1690/91 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to James Boyden for 8 years.  He was the witness to Sanford's will.

Watts and Belsterling stated that Esther died 14 Feb 1774 in Buckingham, Bucks County, Pennsylvania "aged upwards of one hundred years" (2, 3).  this would have put her birth year about 1674.  The Indenture proves that this is in fact incorrect.  She was born about 1682, and died at about 92 years of age.

I then went in search of a marriage record for William Sanford to a woman with the surname Homer.  William Sanford and Frances Homer were married 31 May 1684 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania (7, 8, 9).  She is purported to have come from England as a widow with her two children.  She is also said to have been Swedish (2, 3). 

I then went in search of William Homer.  His marriage intention to Elizabeth Warmsley was recorded 4 Jul 1700 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania (1), and he purchased 250 acres in Byberry, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania in 1713 (7).  He wrote his will 3 Sep 1714 and it was probated 17 Mar 1715 (10).

Sources:

1.   U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com  Operations, Inc., 2014.

2.   Charles S. Belsterling, "William Preston of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Philadelphia," The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Volume 11 Number 2, Mar 1931

3.   William Watts Hart Davis, "History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time," Democrat Book and Job Office Print, Doylestown, PA, 1876

4.   Martha Cross Sargent, "Sanford, William," PA-Roots, 1 Nov 2009, http://www.pa-roots.org/data/read.php?28,617782,617782

5.   A registry of wills, letters of administration, and the names of executors, guardians and trustees, 1684-1693, Film #005547281, pages 59-60, Images 70-71 of 780, familysearch.org

6.   Pennsylvania, Bucks, Orphans' Court record Book A, Volume 1, Film #005534520, pages 24-25, 28-29, Images 27 and 29 of 360, familysearch.org

7.   William Joseph Buck, "Local Sketches and Legends Pertaining to Bucks and Montgomery Counties," printed by the author, 1887

8.   Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013, [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

9.   William Montgomery Clemens, "American Marriages Before 1699," The Biblio Co., Pompton Lakes, NJ, 1926

10.  Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, U.S., Will Index, 1682-1819, [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2000

NOTE:  I apologize for my poor sourcing in previous articles.  I strive to do better in the future.

Blair Blunders

  

Part I - Colbert Blair and Sarah Morgan

A few days ago, I read an article titled "The Family of Edward1 Morgan of Pennsylvania," by Stewart Baldwin, published in The Genealogist, Volume 15 Number 1 (Spring 2001), Volume 15 Number 2 (Fall 2001) and Volume 16 Number 1 (Spring 2002).  It shed quite a bit of light on the family of Colbert Blair and Sarah Morgan.  The brightest light regarded their son James.  Most family trees and websites say that he was born in Augusta County, Virginia, married Margaret Sudderth, and died in Pickens County, Georgia.  However, according to the article, Colbert's son James died during the Revolutionary War.  The Blair Family DNA Project confirms this.  According to the DNA test results, Colbert Blair is not related to James and Mary (unknown last name, probably not Colbert) and their son James Blair, husband of Margaret Sudderth, and their descendants are not related to Enos Blair (1750-1834), who is the only proven child of Colbert Blair and Sarah Morgan.  The other children are considered theirs according to geographic proximity, family naming patterns, etc.  Enos Blair is the linchpin:  if a DNA test does not show a match to him or his descendants, then you're not a descendant of Colbert Blair and Sarah Morgan.

Children of Colbert Blair and Sarah Morgan:  unless otherwise cited, source is the above mentioned article.

1.  Enos Blair, born 1750 (a), probably in Pennsylvania (the first record found for Colbert Blair in Virginia is in 1765), married Hannah Millikan 10 May 1775 in Centre, Guilford County, NC, died 13 Jul 1834 in Randolph County, NC (b).

2.  Mary Blair, born about 1752 (c), probably in Pennsylvania, married Moses Guest about 1772 (c), died before 8 May 1829 in Franklin County, GA, when Moses married his second wife (c).

3.  Isabel Blair, born 13 Dec 1761, probably in Pennsylvania, married John Grider in 1781 (d), probably in Burke County, NC (the first record of Colbert Blair in North Carolina was in 1778), died 23 Feb 1857 in Henderson County, TN (e).

4.  James Blair, probably born in Pennsylvania, died before 22 Oct 1783 in Burke County, North Carolina, when his widow Anna was granted administration of his estate, estate inventory taken 10 Nov 1783 (i).  According to John O. Hawkins in his article titled "Caldwell County Area," North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Volume 16 Number 2, May 1990, he was born before 1767 and his widow moved to Pendleton Co., TN with their eldest son George Blair, who was also mentioned in the estate records of his father.  The estate records also noted that James and Anna married in Virginia (i).

5.  Colbert Blair, born about 1771 (f), probably in Augusta County, Virginia, married Jane Murry (g) about 1794, probably in Burke County, NC, died between 28 Aug - 5 Sep 1846 (the dates of his will and probate) in Mongtomery County, IL (h).

Sources:

a.  Gravestone, Springfield Friends Meeting House Cemetery, High Point, Guilford County, NC

b.  The Johnsons and their kin of Randolph, Jessie Owen Shaw, McGregor & Werner, Inc., Washington, D.C., 1955, hathitrust.org

c.  Guest-Guess History and Lineage in America, Alta Louise Biggs Martin, Bowman Printing Co., Atlanta, TX, 1981, familysearch.org

d.  Isabel Grider Revolutionary War Pension Application, W358, fold3.com; The National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 22 Number 3, Sep 1934 has an abstract by Jessie McCausland Casanova.

e.  United States Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872, familysearch.org, citing National Records and Archives Administration micofilm publication T718, Washington, D.C.

f.  United States Federal Censuses 1790, 1800, 1820, 1830, 1840 and Illinois Census Returns, 1810 and 1818, Illinois, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index for 1820 and 1825, ancestry.com

g.  History of Benton County, Oregon, David D. Fagan, A. G. Walling, Printer, Lithographer, Etc., Portland, OR, 1885

h.  Will & Probate records in my personal possession, obtained from the Montgomery County, IL Probate Court

i.  North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, ancestry.com

Part II - Colbert Blair and Jane Murry

I recently received some information from the Montgomery County Genealogical Society, and thanks to my new discoveries concerning Colbert Blair and Jane Murry, I've corrected some errors and confirmed information about Colbert Blair and some of their children.

I confirmed that he died on or about 29 Aug 1846 (2, 7) and that he was buried in Clear Springs Cemetery, Hillsboro, Montgomery Co., IL. (7).  I've created a corrected memorial for him at Find a Grave, and you can search under Memorial #221516100.  I don't have him connected to Jane or his children, however.

Little is known about his wife Jane, but she was born between 1771-1780 (1) and died between 1840 and 28 Aug 1846 in Montgomery Co., IL (1, 2).

Children of Colbert Blair and Jane Murry:

1.  Dolly Blair born circa 1795 in Burke Co., NC (1, 4) married Paul Beck 19 Oct 1815 in Adair Co., KY (4).  She died before 23 Jun 1832 in IL when Paul married second Margaret Brents in Montgomery Co., IL (5).  Paul and Dolly are my 5th great-grandparents.

2.  Enos Blair born circa 1798 in Burke Co., NC (1) married Nancy Jones 16 Jan 1817 in Adair Co., KY (6), died between 5 Sep 1846 and 1 Oct 1850 in Montgomery Co., IL (1, 2).

3.  Nancy Blair born circa 1798 in Burke Co., NC (1) married John Beck 3 Feb 1814 in Adair Co., KY (6) and died 3 Jan 1851 in Montgomery Co., IL (7, 8).

4.  John Blair born about 28 Feb 1799 [calculated] (13) in Burke Co., NC (9) married Elizabeth Jane Isaacs 3 Sep 1817 in Adair Co., KY (4) died 22 Apr 1871 in Fillmore, Montgomery Co., IL (13) and died 22 Apr 1871, age 72 years 1 month and 22 days, buried 26 Apr 1871 in Clear Springs Cemetery, Hillsboro, Montgomery Co., IL (9, 13).  He wrote his will 20 Mar 1871, probated 31 Oct 1871 (7).

5.  Elizabeth Blair born about 1801 in Burke Co., NC (1) married first Hiram Beck 26 May 1820 in Bond Co., IL (5), married second Henry Ginger 2 Jul 1855 in Fayette Co., IL (5).  Some family trees incorrectly state that she married a Lee.  She was on the 1860 census in Dry Point, Fayette Co., IL but died before 8 Jul 1870 in Dry Point (1).

6.  Colbert Powell Blair born 30 Jan 1805 in Burke Co., NC (3, 10) married Elizabeth Hill 19 Feb 1824 in Montgomery Co., IL (5).  He was a member of the Oregon State Legislature in 1862 (3) and died, age 101, 16 Jun 1906 in Pendleton, Umatilla Co., OR (9, 11) and was buried 18 Jun 1906 at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton (9). 

 

7.  Meeky Montgomery Blair born 9 Mar 1810 in Adair Co., KY (1, 7) married first Gilham Scribner 16 Jan 1826 in Montgomery Co., IL (5), married second John Wesley Powell 15 Dec 1830 in Montgomery Co., IL (5), married third Jacob Styner 24 May 1857 in Clark Co., MO (12).  She died 12 Feb 1863 in Fort Madison, Lee Co., IA (7).

There may be additional Blair / Powell connections.  Why was Colbert's middle name Powell?  Some claim without providing proof that Meeky Blair and John Wesley Powell were cousins.  Records in the Montgomery County Genealogical Society say that John was the son of Elias Powell and Elizabeth Day, the daughter of Nicholas Day and Miss Blair.  If anyone has records confirming Blair / Powell connections, please contact me at wrxwoman@gmail.com.

Sources:

1.    United States Federal Census

2.    Will and Probate record of Colbert Blair

3.    History of Benton County, Oregon, David D. Fagan, 1885

4.    Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979

5.    Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900

6.    Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954

7.    Montgomery County Genealogical Society

8.    History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, William Henry Perrin, 1882

9.    Cemetery Transcription

10.  Oregon Historical Records Index, Oregon State Archives

11.  Colbert Powell Blair obituary

12.  Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002

13.  FHL #848951, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/montgomery/cem_clearsprings.html

12 Golden Rules of Genealogy

 I just discovered this from gotgenealogy.com and just had to share.  My favorite rule is #8.

Skeletons in every closet

I've spoken to people who tell me that they don't want to do genealogy because they're afraid of what they might find.  My response is that every family has skeletons in the closet and that we are not responsible for the misdeeds, mistakes and outright crimes of those who came before us.  I even had one person exclaim "Aren't you embarrassed?!" after I related what one of my ancestors did (the first story you'll see).  I replied that I wasn't embarrassed in the least at what my ancestor did 100 years before I was born.  I've found that sometimes, the good and the bad come entangled with each other.

My third great-grandfather Philander Gleason married Ruth (probably Chapman) and she fell ill and died from inflammation of the lungs 3 Apr 1870 in Antrim, Shiawassee County, Michigan (1, 2).  During this time, Philander had an affair with a woman named Charlotte Fuller (I believe she was also married) (3) and their son Wallace Philander Gleason was born 16 Mar 1870 (one month before Ruth died) (4).  Wallace was raised by his father and doting half-sisters.  It seems that Philander was appropriately named.

Additional illegitimacies

The following stories also illustrate how the good and the bad go together.  It's frowned upon to be illegitimate, but when you can say you're descended from royalty, it soothes the sting.

Robert and his wife Mabel FitzHamon

I'm descended from Robert FitzRoy (son of the king) born about 1090 in Caen, Normandy, France and died 31 Oct 1147 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England (5).  He was the firstborn "natural" (illegitimate) son of King Henry I of England, 9th Duke of Normandy.  His mother is unknown.  King Henry was called Beauclerc which means Good Scholar because of his translation of Æsop's Fables (6).  King Henry was the son of William the Conquerer, born 1025 in Falaise, France and died 9 Sep 1087 in Rouen, Normandy, France (5, 6).  He was the illegitimate son of Robert II and Arletta (also spelled Herleva), a tanner's daughter (6).  Robert II was poisoned and died in 1035 in Nicaea, Turkey (5, 7).  William the Conquerer's wife Matilda of Flanders was descended from Charlemagne.

King Henry I

I'm also descended from David Yale, died 1626 in Chester, Cheshire, England (8), illegitimate son of John Yale and Agnes Lloyd.  John Yale was descended from Charlemagne, born 2 Apr 742 in Metz, France and died 28 Jan 814 in Aachen, Germany (9, 10), first Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

Charlemagne, Emperor Charles the Great

I'm descended from Joan, illegitimate daughter of King John, born 24 Dec 1167 in Oxford England and died 19 Oct 1216 in Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire, England (11).  Her mother may have been Clemence, Duchess of Brittany, who died in 1201 (12).  Joan died 2 Feb 1236/37 in Pen-y-Bryn, Caernarvonshire, Wales (12).

Murder Victims

I'm related to three people who were murdered.  Sometimes our ancestors are the perpetrators and sometimes the victims.  

The first was Elizabeth Evarts, my 8th great grand aunt.  She was killed by her husband Peter Abbott, who became insane, and was convicted of her murder on 16 Oct 1667 in Fairfield, Connecticut (13, 14).

The second was Ammiel Brickell, my 3rd great grand uncle.  He received news that his daughter Louise was going to elope with Samuel Garrett, and he found them at the Golden Eagle Hotel in Sacramento, CA.  Garrett shot and killed Ammiel on 29 Aug 1855 (15, 16, 17).  Louise married Garrett in the jail, and he was convicted and hung one year after the murder.  From this story we also learn that things written in stone aren't always correct.  Ammiel was originally buried in an unmarked grave in the City Cemetery of Sacramento (15), and later was re-interred in the Colfax Cemetery in Colfax, Placer Co., CA (15, 18).  His gravestone is incorrectly engraved with the death date of 10 Aug 1851.

The third was my 3rd great grand uncle John L. Beck, who was stabbed several times at a masquerade ball by Frank Castile, on 16 Feb 1897 in Cleveland, Klickitat, WA.  Not surprisingly, there are conflicting accounts.

"The story as told to Mrs. Whitmore by Ed Kutch, now deceased, was as follows:  It was a custom to have masquerade parties and to award a prize to the best costume.  An area man went masqueraded as a woman. His disguise was so complete that he was awarded first prize. This so angered Frank Castile that a fight began inside the hall.  The men were herded outside into complete darkness. There Castile, who had a stiff, crippled arm, slipped a knife from its storage alongside the arm. In the darkness he slashed out Wildly and split Beck from hip bone to hip bone, causing his death.  Castile then dashed wildly back through the lighted hall to escape on the fastest horse that was tied outside.  Sometime in the darkness his sanity returned and he rode to Goldendale and turned himself in. He was later freed and, as Kutch told the story, finally lost his mind from guilt.  Beck has a tall, white stone in Cleveland Cemetery and it says he was murdered. Beck was the father of one daughter, Hattie R. Beck. Tragedy came again to this family when the little girl died of pneumonia at the age of four years and nine months.  (The Grandview Herald, Grandview, WA., October 26, 1978, page 9 & 11)"

"Tacoma Daily News, Tacoma, Washington, February 17, 1897

KILLED ON ACCOUNT OF A GIRL. Goldendale, Wash., Feb. 17 -- Frank Castile, a stockman, stabbed John Beck in the abdomen, at Cleveland, yesterday, killing him almost instantly. The men were attending a masquerade ball and became involved in an altercation over a young lady. Castile claims that he killed Beck in self defense. He came here and surrendered to the sheriff."

Unfortunately, Frank Castile was acquitted of his crime.

Sources:

1.   U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885

2.   Shiawassee District Library

3.   Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925

4.   Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1952

5.   Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-22, Sir Leslie Stephens, 1909

6.   A Synopsis of English History from the Earliest Times to the Year 1870, Second Edition, Stacey Grimaldi, F.S.A., 1871

7.   The History of Normandy and of England, Volume III, Sir Francis Palgrave, 1851

8.   The American Genealogist, Volume 56 Number 2, Apr 1980

9.   The History of Charlemagne, George Payne Rainsford James, Esq., 1847

10.  A History of Charles the Great, Jacob Isidor Mombert, 1883

11.  The American Genealogist, Volume 52 Number 3, Jul 1976

13.  The American Genealogist, Volume 65 Number 1, Jan 1980

14.  History of the Colony of New Haven to its absorption into Connecticut, Rev. Edward E. Atwater, 1902

15.  Genealogies of Connecticut Families:  From the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 1, Gary Boyd Roberts, Judith McGhan, 1983

15.  California, Mortuary and Cemetery Records, 1801-1932

16.  History of Sacramento County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, G. Walter Reed, 1923

17.  Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 9, Number 1383, 31 Aug 1855  Volume 10, Number 1453, 21 Nov 1855

18.  Grave Marker, Colfax Cemetery, Colfax, Placer Co., CA

Nicholas Baker and Mary Hodgetts of Stourbridge, Worcestershire, England

I have recently discovered some errors and new information regarding my 12th great-grandparents, Nicholas Baker and Mary Hodgetts of Stourbridge, Worcestershire, England.
The book County Genealogies, Pedigrees of Hertfordshire Families, by William Berry, published 1844, pages 83-84 (available to read at Hathitrust.org) stated that Nicholas died "ob. 14 Nov 1632."  This is incorrect.  Through the England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858 database at ancestry.com, I learned that Nicholas wrote his will 29 Apr 1604 in Stourbridge, and that it was probated 16 Jun 1604.  In his will he requested that he be buried at St Mary in Old Swinford (about 1 mile from Stourbridge), and per a transcription of the parish register that can be found at freereg.org.uk, he was buried 6 May 1604.  He mentioned his mother Margery, wife Mary, and children Margery, Elizabeth, Judith, Joseph, Nicholas and John, all of whom were under age 21, therefore born after 1583.  I now knew where to look for a burial record for Mary Hodgetts Baker, and learned that she was buried at St Mary 14 Nov 1632.  This was the date that was erroneously attributed to her husband.  Mary wrote her will in Aug 1632 and her estate was inventoried 10 Dec 1632.  She mentioned her son John and daughters Margery Nash and Elizabeth Doolittle.  Her son-in-law Thomas Nash was a witness.  Her will was at The Hive, the library of the University of Worcester.  
Through googlebooks.com I learned of the book The Madstard Case:  Or Stark Mad in Stourbridge, by R. L. Chambers, 1986 and purchased a copy.  I learned quite a bit about the Bakers and the Madstards from this well sourced book.  It is about the lawsuit brought forward by Richard Madstard, the nephew of Margery Madstard, and the first cousin of Nicholas Baker.  He claimed that the 8 governors of King Edward's Grammar School were embezzling and committing other misdeeds.  His suit was unsuccessful, partly due to his erratic and sometimes destructive behavior, which earned him the nickname "Richard Starkmad."
Genealogical Summary of the Baker Family
I.  Nicholas Baker, blacksmith, is the earliest known ancestor in Stourbridge.  He was fined two pence as a retail seller of ale for breaking the assize in 1529, he was a witness to Kenelm Smythe's will in 1542, a creditor of 8 pence in Henry Perx's estate in 1544, a tenant by indenture in Old Swinford in 1550 and died before 1569 in Stourbridge (1).
II.  John Baker, son of Nicholas Baker, blacksmith, was a baker and a brewer, and married Margery Madstard.  He was nominated as a juror in 1575 and was a juror in fact in 1577-1578.  He was an affeerer (assessor) in Apr 1578 and a juror in fact 1580-1581.  John wrote his will and died in 1582 (1).  Children:1.  Margaret married William Boldon before 1582 (1, 2, 3)2.  Alice married William Wight (not West as Berry stated) about 1580, as their son Richard was baptized 13 Aug 1581 at Halesowen, Worcestershire (1, 4).3.  Mary married Richard Smarte before 1582 (1, 2, 3).4.  Nicholas, born about 1552 in Stourbridge, married Mary Hodgetts.  He was one of the 8 governors of King Edward's Grammar School 15 Jan 1586/87* to May 1604 (1).5.  John, born about 1554 in Stourbridge, butcher, married Joan, daughter of Gregory Woodward of Bromyard, Hertfordshire.  He wrote his will 20 May 1614 in Stourbridge, and was buried at St Mary 1 Jun 1614 (1, 2, 3, 4)6.  William married Joan Gill in 1594 in Worcestershire and he was still living when Joan was buried 31 Mar 1632 at St Mary (1, 3, 4, 5)7.  Thomas died young, after 1582 (1)8.  Elizabeth married William Cox in 1593 in Worcestershire (1, 2, 3, 5)
III. Nicholas, son of John and Margery Madstard, married Mary Hodgetts.  Children:1.  John died before 29 Apr 1604 in Stourbridge (1)2.  Margery married Thomas Nash and they arrived at Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, British Colonial America 26 Jul 1637.  She died between 11 Feb 1655 and 1 Aug 1657 in New Haven, Connecticut, British Colonial America (3, 6, 7, 8)3.  Nicholas married 20 Jan 1612/13 in Birmingham, Warwickshire to Dorothea Pemberton, buried 4 Jan 1617/18 at St Mary, estate inventory and administration dated 20 Jan 1617/18 in Stourbridge (1, 3, 4, 9)4.  Joseph buried 23 May 1607 at St Mary, died "of the sickness" (2, 4)5.  John married 7 Jun 1624 at St Mary to Elizabeth Moseley, died 24 Mar 1669/70, buried the following day at St Mary, estate administration 18 May 1670 in Stourbridge (2, 9, 10, 11).6.  Elizabeth married 27 May 1609 at St Mary to Edward Doolittle and was buried 23 Oct 1636 at St Mary in Kidderminster, Worcestershire (2, 4, 12).7.  Judith, the youngest daughter per Nicholas' will, buried 7 May 1607 at St Mary, died "of the sickness" (2, 4)
*Double date years:  a double date year comes from the transition between the use of the Julian Calendar and the Gregorian Calendar that occurred between 1582 and 1758.  Since both calendars were used simultaneously for such a long time, dates were often ambiguous unless it was specified which calendar was being used.  For this reason, many people wrote dates falling between 1 Jan and 25 Mar using both dates to clarify.  According the the Julian Calendar the year began in March (first month) and according to the Gregorian, the new year began 1 Jan.  Old Style (OS) referred to the Julian and New Style (NS) referred to the Gregorian.
Genealogical Summary of the Madstard Family
Margery Madstard, a baker and brewer (1) had 5 known siblings, who were identified through the will of her brother Thomas.1.  Thomas, mercer, married Jan 1553 in Pedmore, Worcestershire to Mary Tyrer, he wrote his will 24 Aug 1587 in Stourbridge, probated 9 Oct 1587.  He was the father of Richard, who brought a lawsuit against his cousin Nicholas Baker and 7 other governors of King Edward's Grammar School (10 13, 14).2.  John, no information3.  Agnes, married a Harrold, died before Thomas wrote his will.4.  Joyce, married a Warham.5.  Isabell, who married John Bache.
Sources:
1. The Madstard Case: Or Stark Mad in Stourbridge, R. L. Chambers, Dulstan, 19862. 2. County Genealogies, Pedigrees of Hertfordshire Families, William Berry, J. R. Smith, London, England, 1844, at https://www.hathitrust.org/digital_library 3. The Nash Family; or, Records of the descendants of Thomas Nash, of New Haven, Connecticut, 1640, Sylvester Nash, Tiffany Case, 1853 at https://www.hathitrust.org/digital_library4. Parish register transcriptions at freereg.org.uk 5. England, Boyd's Marriage Indexes, 1538-1858 at findmypast.com 6. U. S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s at ancestry.com 7. Families of Ancient New Haven, Volume VI, Donald Lines Jacobus, New Haven, CT, 1930 at ancestry.com 8. Genealogical Notes on the Founding of New England: My ancestors part in that undertaking, Ernest Flagg, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1926 at books.google.com 9. Worcestershire Probate Index, 1600-1858 at findmypast.com 10. England, Select Marriages, 1538-1973 at ancestry.com 11. Worcestershire Monumental Inscriptions at findmypast.com 12. National Burial Index for England & Wales at findmypast.com 13. Extracted Probate Records, 1269-1975 at ancestry.com 14. England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858 at ancestry.com