Robert Caskey Bartley was born on August 24,1835 in Bartley, Mount Olive Township, Morris County, New Jersey. He is the son of Jonathan and Dorothy (Caskey) Bartley.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Robert is found in Roxbury, New Jersey with his mother Dorothy. On December 18, 1858, Robert married Alice Swackhamer in New Jersey. Robert and Alice had two children; Anna (1859-1860) and Winfield, (1862-1863) who both tragically died as infants. Anna died of Croup but I did not find information on how Winfield died. Alice tragically died in on November 5, 1862. It is hard to imagine that Robert lost his wife and his two children in the span of three years.

The next census I find Robert in is the 1870 Federal Census in New Jersey. He is listed with his mother, Dorothy, in Roxbury, New Jersey. In the 1880 Federal Census, Robert is found with his second wife Hannah and their daughter Abbi Fox who was born in 1875. Robert list his occupation as farmer.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Robert and Hannah are in Mount Olive Township, Morris County, New Jersey. Abbie and her husband, William Hopler and their daughter, Bernice, (1898) are living with Hannah and Robert. Robert lists his occupation as Farmer while Abbie is a Bookkeeper, William is a manufacturer.

In the 1905 New Jersey State Census, Robert is listed in Mount Olive Township, Morris County, New Jersey and his occupation is listed as Manufacturer. In the 1910 Federal Census, a seventy three year old Robert remains in Mount Olive Township, Morris County, New Jersey with his wife Hannah. His daughter, who appears to be a widow, still lives with them and she has three children; Bernice (1898), DeWalt (1901), Ellit (1903). He list his occupation as farmer and merchant. In the 1915 New Jersey Census, Robert is found in Bartley, New Jersey. His occupation is listed as Farmer.

One hundred and five years ago on December 21, 1916, Robert died. He is buried with his family in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Chester, Morris County, New Jersey.

Rest in peace, Robert!

Love, Jan

Robert Caskey Bartley was married to a distant relative, Alice Swackhamer.

Daniel J. Boyer is the son of David and Eunice Electra (White) Boyer. He was born on September 22, 1888 in Rose Township, Oakland County, Michigan. David and Eunice had six children; Nellie (1887), Daniel (1888), Clarence (1890), Flossie (1894), Celia (1900), David (1905).

In the 1900 Federal Census, Daniel is eleven and living with his parents and his siblings in Rose Township, Oakland County, Michigan. Daniel is attending school. David, his father, is a farmer.

Daniel married Lucille Savory on February 19, 1910 in Flint, Michigan. In the 1910 Federal Census, Daniel is listed as 21 years old. It has been transcribed incorrectly on Ancestry where they have is age as 41 years old. A lesson to always look at the actual document. He and Lucile are married, he is working as a Farm Laborer, probably for his father. The Census was taken on the 5th of May 1910. In 1910 the first of their daughters is born, Beatrice but unfortunately she died a few days after her birth according to her death certificate.

Daniel registered for the WWI draft on June 5, 1917 in Genesee County, Michigan. He states that he is working for Buick Motors Company in Flint as a machinist- tool grinder. He states that he is twenty eight years old. They live at 619 Taylor in Flint, Michigan.

By the 1920 Federal Census, Daniel and Lucile have two daughters; Merle Viola (1912), Gladys (1914). Daniel is a foreman for the railroad. They live in Highland, Oakland County, Michigan where they own their home. In the 1930 Federal Census, Daniel is 41 years old. He and Lucile live next door to Eunice, Daniel’s mother, who is a widow. The two daughter, Merle and Gladys, are still living at home. They also have a lodger living with them buy the name of Raymond Gault. Daniel remains employed by the railroad.

In the 1940 Federal Census, Daniel and Lucile are in Highland, Oakland County, Michigan. They live on Bishop Street. Daniel no longer works for the railroad. He lists his occupation as Section Trimmer. I have no idea what that is.

Seventy one years ago on December14, 1950, Daniel died in Rose Township Oakland County, Michigan. He is buried in Beebe Cemetery in Rose Township, Oakland County, Michigan.

Rest in peace, Daniel!

Love Jan

Daniel J Boyer is my first cousin 3X removed.

Thomas Best was born on January 11, 1833 in Ontario, Canada, He was the son of Conrad and Catherine (Louks) Best. Conrad and Catherine had eight children; Sarah Ann (1824), Miriam (1826), John Landon (1827), Hiram (1830), Thomas (1834), Catherine (1836), William Edward (1839), Caroline (1842). Conrad was a farmer in Oxford County, Ontario. In the 1851 Provincial Census, Thomas is 19 and assisting his father on his farm.

Thomas married Rhue Anne Pringle, who was also born in Canada, on September 18, 1861. They were married by Rev G.R. Saunderson at the Strong Hotel in London, Ontario.

By the 1870 Federal Census, Thomas and Rhue Anne Best are in Kingston, Michigan with Rhue Anne’s parents, Lockwood and Mary Pringle. They have two sons; Alexander (1862) and Andrew (1864). Thomas and his Father-in-law are farmers. In the 1880 Federal Census, Thomas and Rhue Anne reside in Koylton, Tuscola County, Michigan. They have two children living with them; Andrew Clinton and Nora (Salmona Elnora) (1871).

If you look close at the Death certificate and Thomas tombstone, there is a discrepancy. The Death Certificate states that Thomas was born on January 11, 1833 in Ontario but the Tombstone states January 10, 1834. One day short of one year later. His death date on the Death Certificate states December 7, 1899 but his Tombstone says December 7, 1900. I am going with the death certificate. One hundred and twenty-two years ago on December 7, 1899, Thomas Best died in Kingston, Michigan. He is buried in the Kingston Cemetery, in Kingston, Michigan.

Rest in peace, Thomas!

Love, Jan

Thomas Best is my four times Great Uncle.