James S Stranahan was born in 1699 in Ulster County, in the north of  Ireland. He came to America in 1725 at the age of twenty six. He purchased land in Scituate, Rhode Island on October 18th and November 29th of 1745.  He became a prosperous and intelligent farmer. In 1748, James signed a list with local citizens who had chosen to dissent from the teachings of the regular church which would classify him as a Separatist. He settled in Plainfield, Connecticut where he raised his family. James and his wife,  had seven children; Alice (1824), Isabel (1830), Jane (1833), James (1735), John (1736), William (1839) ,Nancy (1842),  James S Stranahan died on January 8, 1792 in Plainfield, Windham, Connecticut at the age of 93 years.

James S Stranahan is the patriarch of the Stranahan family in America.  It is reported that James and his sons are buried in the Cemetery at the Killingly, Connecticut Church. I found a photo of his stone on Ancestry but I can not find the cemetery as of yet.

Rest in peace, James

Love Jan

Addie Jane Hayner, my great Grand Aunt married into the Stranahan family in 1882.

Francis Denny (Denney)was born on June 2, 1874 in Wells County, Indiana. He was the son of Rolandus and Elizabeth Jane (Bell) Denney. Rolandus and Elizabeth had nine children; Elva (1872), Francis (1874), Nellie (1876), Arlena (1878), Bessie (1880), Jesse (1883), Lucy (1887), Celia (1889), Milan (1892).

In the 1880 Federal Census, Francis is a five year old boy living with his parents in rural Wells County, Indiana. He has three siblings; Elva, Nellie, Arlena.

On August 22, 1895, Francis married Josephine Edyth Werst. In the 1900 Federal Census, Frank is listed with Josie and two children, Donald who is two years old and Fayma who is a newborn. They live on on Miner Street in Fort Wayne. Frank is a drill pressman in an iron works factory.

The 1910 Federal Census, Frank and Josie remain in Fort Wayne but now live on Huestis Street. Josie’s parents, Charles and Sarah Werst are living with them and they now have three children, Donald, Fayma and Waneta. Frank works for an electric company as a winder. They own their home.

In the 1920 Federal Census, Frank and his three children are living in Fort Wayne Indiana on Walnut Street. He is divorced and lists his occupation as machinist in a factory. He is renting his home. On April 5, 1922, Frank married Mabel Vera Fish in Hillsdale, Michigan. It is at this point that his last names is spelled Dennie instead of Denny or Denney. On the Marriage License he lists his residence as South Bend, Indiana and Mabel’s name is listed as Prokop though her maiden name is Fish on all of the records for their children.

By the 1930 Federal Census, Mabel and Frank have three children; Darrell (1922), Eugene (1923) and Betty J (1926). They live on Gulton Street in Fort Wayne and they own their home. Frank is working as a pipe fitter at Electric Works. In the 1940 Federal Census, Frank and Mabel have four children; Darrell, Eugene, Betty Jean, Trevis (1932). They live in Fort Wayne on Poplar Street. They own their home and Frank does not list an occupation. Since he is 65 years old I am thinking that he has retired.

Seventy two years ago, Frank Dennie (Francis Denney) died on New Years Day. He is buried in Prairie Grove Cemetery.

Rest in Peace, Frank!

Love, Jan

Frank Dennie (Francis Denney) is my first cousin three times removed.

Rolandus Denny was born on December 9, 1848 in Brooke, Virginia. He was the son of Walter and Mary (Young) Denny. Walter and Mary had seven children; Jane Elizabeth (1843), Oella (1845), Rolandus (1848), Francis (1850), Mary Agnes (1852), Clara Virginia (1855), Walter (1859).

In the 1850 Federal Census, Rolandus is found in Brooke, Virginia with his parents Walter and Mary. He is three years old. By the 1860 Census, Walter and Mary and their children have moved to Lafayette Township, Allen County, Indiana. Walter is a farmer. Rolandus is 12 years old and attending school. In the 1870 Census, Rolandis is 23 years old. The Census does not list an occupation but he is still living with his parents.

Rolandus Denny married Elizabeth Jane Bell on October 17, 1871 in Indiana. They settled in Union Township, Wells County, Indiana where they had nine children; Elva (1872) , Francis (1874), Nellie (1876), Arlena (1878), Bessie (1880), Jesse (1883), Lucy (1887), Celia (1889), Milo (1892).

In the 1880 Federal Census, Rolandus is a farmer living in Union Township in Wells County, Indiana. He and wife, Elizabeth, have four children; Elva, Francis, Nellie and Arlena. The next available Census is the 1900 Federal Census and Rolandus is living in Lafayette Township, Allen County, Indiana. He is a fifty one year old farmer. He and Elizabeth have four of their children who are still living at home all of whom are under the age of 21 years old.

In the 1910 Federal Census, Rolandus Denny is found in Lafayette Township on the farm. He is sixty one years old. He and Elizabeth have two minor children who still live at home, Celia and Milo.

One hundred and one years ago, Rolandus Denney died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis on Christmas Day, 1917. He was buried in Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville, Indiana.

Rest in Peace, Rolandus.

Love, Jan

Rolandus is my second Great Grand Uncle.