Photo by Donna Skinner Shuey on Find a grave

William Skinner was born on February 11, 1774 in Virginia. He was the son of Joseph and Mary (Bromley) Skinner. They had four sons; Richard (1773), William (1774), Henry (1776), Joseph (1779).

William married Amelia Barnett in 1794. They had ten childre; Rosanna (1795), John (1798), Milly (1800), Catherine (1802), Sarah (1803), William Jr. (1810), Elizabeth (1810), George (1812), Barnet Gaines (1812), Nancy(1814).

William Enlisted into the Army on May 14, 1814 in Suffock, Virginia at the age of 36. He was honorably discharged in March of 1815.

From Ancestry.com

In the 1810 Federal Census, William Skinner and his family lived in Harrison, Kentucky. William and Amelia have two sons and five daughters. In the 1820 Census, the Skinner family is found in Georgetown, Kentucky and they have two sons and five daughters. By the time of the 1830 Federal Census, William and Amelia are now living in Franklin County, Indiana and they have five sons and one daughter. In the 1840 Federal Census, William and Amelia are in Decatur, Indiana with two sons and a daughter.

One hundred and sixty three years ago today, William died on May 21, 1856 in Michigantown, Clinton County, Indiana. William Skinner had a last will dated May 6, 1856 registered in Clinton County, Indiana, fifteen days before he died.

Transcribed version of Wm Skinner  last will.

He was buried is buried in Layton Cemetery which is being reclaimed by the surrounding forest.  Sadly, this cemetery is no longer maintained.

Rest in peace, William.

Love, Jan

William is my third cousin five times removed.

Frank Hayner was the son of John H. and Sarah (Seaburn) Hayner  was born on September 19, 1874 in St Clair, Michigan.  John and Sarah had nine children; William (1863), John (1867), Nellie (1869), Charles(1871), Frank (1874/5), Paul (1878), Leslie (1879), Fred (1884), Alex (1886).

In the 1880 Federal Census, John and Sarah are found in St Clair, Michigan living on Mulberry Street. John works in a tannery. They have seven children living with them; William, John, Nellie, Charles, Frank, Paul and Leslie. Frank is listed as 7 years old and is attending school. In the 1900 Federal Census, Frank remains living with his parents. He is a single man who works as a day laborer. By the 1910 Federal Census, Frank is now working as a sailor on the Great Lakes. His residences is still with his parents in St Clair.

One hundred years ago today, Frank died in the US Marine Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Frank was working as an sailor on the SS Stadicons when he sustained a spinal injury in an accident which was his eventual cause of death.

He is buried in the Hayner plot in Hillside Cemetery in St. Clair, Michigan.

Rest in peace, Frank!

Love, Jan

Frank is my first cousin three times removed.

Barkham Family Plot in Lakeside Cemetery, Holly Michigan

James Barkham was born on December 25, 1842 in Rochester, Michigan. He was the son of Edmund and Mary (Wilkinson) Barkham.  Edmund and Mary had ten children; Sarah (1836), Christopher (1837), Agnes (1840), Stephen (1841), James (1842), Robert (1845), Myrtie (1848), Marshall (1852), Lina (1853), Evaline (1854). In the 1850 Federal Census, James is a a seven year old living with his seven siblings and his parents in Avon, Oakland County, Michigan. Edmund is a Miller by trade. By the time of the 1860 Federal Census, James is eighteen years old and there are eight siblings living with him and his parents. The family remains in Oakland County.

James married Mary Thomas. They were married in Michigan and most likely Oakland County but I have not found the marriage record yet. They had four children; Myrtie (1867), Harry (1869), James (1872), Carlton (1873). In the 1870 Federal Census, James and Mary are listed in Holly Michigan with two children, Myrtie and Harry. James is a Miller by trade. By the time of the 1880 Federal Census, James and Mary have four children; Myrtie, Harry, James and Carlton. Mary Thomas Barkham died on March 10, 1881 at the age of thirty four.

James married Myra in 1892. I do not know her maiden name at this time. In the 1900 Federal Census, James, Myra and Harry are found in Plano, Texas. He is a Miller working at a flour mill.  By the 1910 Federal Census, James and Myra have returned to Michigan and they live in Detroit.   James is employed at a flour mill. They live on Winder Street. They have one son, James and daughter Myrtie and her husband Joseph Bellford living with them. They seem to be running a boarding house and have eight lodgers living with them. In the 1930 Federal Census, James is living with his daughter, Myrtie and her family.  They are living in the Village of Holly.  Myra has apparently died.

Eighty five years ago today, at the age of ninety one, James died in Holly, Oakland County, Michigan. I have not been able to locate where James is buried. His death Certificate indicates that it is in Holly Michigan. He is likely buried with his first wife Mary but I am unable to locate her also. His Parents and siblings are buried in Commerce Village Burial Grounds. His children are buried in Lakeside Cemetery in Holly. When I find him, I will update this post.

Rest in peace, James.

Love, Jan

James is the Uncle of the husband of my Great Grand Aunt.