Ethel Conners was born on September 6, 1893, the daughter of Henry W. and Bertha (Fisher) Conners in Big Rapids Michigan. In the 1900 Federal Census, Henry and his wife are found in Austin, Michigan. They have four children; Viola (1890), Ora (1892), Ethel (1893), Gertrude (1896). Henry is a farmer who came to Michigan from Canada in 1866. Henry is a naturalized citizen. His wife Bertha came from Germany in 1882 at the age of eighteen. Ethel is six years old at the time of the census and is attending school.

In the 1910 Federal Census, Ethel M. is sixteen years old. Her older sisters, Viola and Ora list their occupation as servants for a private family. Ethel does not list an occupation nor does it appear that she is still in school. Henry and Bertha now have eight children; Viola, Ora, Ethel, Gertrude, Arthur (1901), Earl (1903), Foster (1906), Leslie (1908). Henry list is occupation as Farmer.

In the 1920 Federal Census, Ethel is living in a boarding house on East Dayton Street in Flint, Michigan. She is a machinist in an automotive factory. Ethel M. married Clarence W Boyer on September 3, 1921 in Howell, Michigan.

By the 1930 Federal Census, Ethel and Clarence remain in Flint. Clarence is a machinist for the auto industry. Ethel is a housewife. Ethel and Clarence have a daughter Helen who was born in 1926 and a son, David who was born in 1929. They also have Leslie Connor, listed in the census. He is Ethel’s brother and is listed as a boarder. They lived on Brand Court. At this time I should state that I have seen the “Conner” name spelled with both an “or” and an “er” and I have seen Ethel’s Middle name listed as May and Mae. All these discrepancies have been in Census records or hand written records where the person writing may have written it in error or not verified it.

In the 1940 Federal Census, Ethel and Clarence are living on Brand Court in Flint, Michigan. Clarence still works for the auto industry. They have two children; Helen and David. They have a seventy-nine year old widow, Haniette Sears living with them. It states that she is a friend from Tuscola County, Michigan. Clarence died in 1946.

I wish I knew more about Ethel from the time her husband died in 1946 and her death 43 years later.

Thirty one years ago today, June 16, 1989, Ethel M. Boyer died in Argentine, Genesee County, Michigan at the age of ninety-five years old. She is buried in Beebe Cemetery in the Boyer plot.

Rest in peace, Ethel!

Love, Jan

Ethel Conner Boyer is the wife of my first cousin three time removed, Clarence W. Boyer.

Almira Elizabeth was born on November 21, 1835 in Groveland, Oakland County, Michigan. She is the daughter of Victor and Mary (Stephen) Leet. Victor and Mary Leet had three children; Almira (1835), Thomas (1838), and Jacob (1844).

In the 1840 Federal Census, Victor Leet, his wife and a son and a daughter who are both under five years of age are found in Wabash, Illinois. Victor’s parents, Jonathan and Deborah Leete / Leet moved to Wabash, Illinois with several of their children between 1834 Michigan Census and the 1840 Federal census. Jonathan received a land grant in Illinois as a result of his service in the War of 1812. Most of the children of Jonathan and Deborah and their families also went to Illinois at least for a period of time. One daughter, Nancy Leet Boyer remained in Michigan. It appears that Victor and his wife return to Michigan. I do not find them in the 1850 Federal Census in either Illinois or Michigan.

Almira Elizabeth married William Shank on January 12, 1859 in Oakland County, Michigan. In the 1860 Federal Census, William and Almira are living in Walled Lake, Michigan. They have one child whose name is Frank and he is six months old. Also listed in this Census there appears to be Mary Lut which I believe is Leet. The Census seems to imply that she is ten years old. The only 10 year old Mary Leet that I can find is the daughter of Ashel and Emeline Grace Leete from Ionia County, Michigan. She is listed with her parents in the 1860 Census. So this data is a bit bit confusing. Most other researchers believe that Mary Stephen Leet, Almira’s mother died in February of 1850 at the age of 43. I can not at this time confirm this but Victor Leet and his son, Thomas are listed in Milford without his wife in the 1860 Federal Census. Could this be Mary (Stephen) Leet and the age is transcribed wrong? Maybe she is ill and living with her daughter? Or could this be an “unknown to me ” niece or cousin who actually is 10 years old. More for me to investigate.

In the 1870 Federal Census, William and Almira live in Brighton, Michigan. They have two children; Albert (1861) and Frances (1867). Almira’s father, Victor Leet, is now living with them. And appears to remain with them for the remainder of his life. In the 1880 Federal Census, Almira and William remain in Brighton with their son and daughter, Albert and Frances and Victor Leet.

In the 1900 Federal Census, William and Almira live in Milford, Michigan. In the 1910 Federal Census, Almira remains in Milford and her nineteen year old granddaughter is living with her, Anna E. Cooley. She is a widow. She has had three children one of whom (Frank) has died. I do not find a death certificate for her son, Frank. It is my belief that he died as an child.

Ninety three years ago on June 9,1927, Almira died in Livingston County, Michigan at the age of ninety one years old. She is buried with her husband in Milford, Michigan at the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Rest in peace Almira!

Love, Jan

Almira Elizabeth Leet Skank is my first cousin four times removed

Henry Fisher was born on December 23, 1796 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Henry left Pennsylvania settling in Dover, Ohio before 1822 when he married Elizabeth Crites on March 12, 1822. Henry and Elizabeth had ten children; John (1822), Daniel (1826), Solomon (1828), George (1830), Joseph (1832), Anna (1835), Elizabeth (1839), Lydia (1840), Henry (1843), Mary (1845).

By the 1830 Federal Census, the Fisher Family is living in York Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. They have three sons, presumably, John, Daniel and Solomon listed on the census. In the 1840 Federal Census, Henry has three sons who are age ten to fourteen and two sons who are six to ten. He has three daughters under five and a female over twenty (this must be a sister/niece of either Henry or Elizabeth because Elizabeth is the youngest Crites daughter in her family.) and his wife is between thirty and thirty-nine. There are eleven in the household in 1840.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Henry and Elizabeth have seven children living at home. They live in York Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. The children listed in the census are Solomon, George, Joseph, Ann, Elizabeth, Lydia, and Henry. (no sign of Mary) John and Daniel have married. John remains in the York Township near his parents but Daniel has move to Wells County, Indiana. In the 1850 Non-Population Schedule taken on the 30^th of July 1850. Henry has seventy acres improved and 74 acres of land that are not improved at an estimated valve of $4000.00. He has five horses, five milking cows, 8 cattle, 28 sheep, 14 pigs, 200 bushels of wheat, 100 bushels of rye, 300 bushels of corn and 160 bushels of oats.

In the 1860 Federal Census, Henry and Elizabeth have four children living with the, Elizabeth, Lydia, Henry and Margaret H. Could the census taker be mistaken…Is this Mary who should have been listed in the previous census or a Granchild who really is five). If it is Mary then the age is wrong she would have been fifteen. Henry Critz is living with them too. He is he is the older brother of Elizabeth.

In the 1870 Federal Census, Henry and Elizabeth are seventy-five and seventy-four years old. They have a daughter Elizabeth living with them and two grandchildren, Barbara (1851) and Jacob (1854). Under the comments they list that Elizabeth is insane. She never marries. They also have Henry Crites living with him and he is a brother to Elizabeth. He lists his occupation as farm Labor. Henry Fisher’s is farmer who owns his farm and the Value is listed at $3320. On the US Non- Population Schedule taken on June 22, 1870, Henry Fisher had 2 horses, 5 pigs, 2 milk cows, 60 bushels of wheat, 200 bushels of corn and 250 bushels of oats.

The 1880 Federal Census, which was taken on the 15^th of June 1880, show that Henry is a widower. His wife died on March 30, 1880. His adult daughter lived with him and two grandchildren, Jennie and Jacob.

One hundred and thirty eight years ago, on June 2, 1882, Henry Fisher died in York Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He is buried in Crooked Run Cemetery in Dover, Ohio.

In Henry’s Will, he names George as his executor and divides his will nine ways which tells me that Mary must have died. He states that if George takes in Elizabeth for the remainder of her life than he get her share to assist in taking care of her. George handles the execution of Henry’s Will through the probate process.

Rest in peace, Henry!

Love, Jan

Henry was the husband of my five times Great Aunt.

Sarah Ann was the daughter of Hiram and Mary (Addison) Best. She was born in Durham, Ontario on January 17,1858.

In the 1861 and 1871 Canadian Census, Sarah is with her parents Hiram and Agnes Best in Dereham, Oxford, Ontario.

On March 8,1883, Sarah Ann Best married David Edward Coon at the bride’s residence in Durham, Oxford, Ontario. It is witnessed by Hiram Best and James Addison.

In the 1891 Canadian Census, David and Sarah are living with David’s parents, Matthew and Sarah Ann Coon in Sidney, Hastings West, Ontario. David is a farmer. They have two daughters ; Annie (1884) and Caroline (1886). ( I am not sure why the Census says Caroline, her death record in 1895, states Carrie Louise.

In 1898, Sarah gave birth to twins, a still born son and a daughter who they named Mildred Rachel. The following record allows us to make some assumptions. They are that the daughter was born alive but I see no record of her in census or other records so I assume that she must have died soon after and before the 1901 census. I do not see either of these children listed in the Cemetery record where I find the rest of the family members burial records but they could be on the other side of the family stone. The stone looks much older than a 1935/ 1936 stone.

In the 1901 Canadian Census, David is a farmer. Sarah and David’s daughter, Carrie died at age nine They seem to have lost a daughter the children listed are Laura A (Annie from the previous census), Wilbur (1892) and Ralph (1894) and David’s Mother Sarah Ann

In the 1911 Canadian Census, David and Sarah have two children and David’s Mother living with them. They are Wilbur (1892) and Ralph (8/14/1894)They live in Sidney, Ontario. David’s Mother is Sarah Ann and she is eighty six years old, born in 1825.

Eighty-five years ago today, Sarah Ann Coon died of complications from Diabetes.

She is buried in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Frankfort, Ontario with the rest of the Coon family members.

Rest in peace, Sarah Ann!

Love, Jan

Sarah Ann Best Coon is my first cousin four times removed.

Leete Family Crest

Richard Leete was the son of Thomas and Mary (Slade) Leete born in Cambridge, England in 1575. Thomas and Mary had six children; John (1575), Thomas (1575), Richard (1576), Jane (1577), Ruth (1578), Rebecca (1579).

Most of the information has been obtained from the Parish Records for the Oakington Parish.  Many of the Leete family men were Churchwardens at sometime during their lives including Thomas Leete in 1598 and Richard from 1612 through 1615. Churchwardens were responsible for maintaining accurate church records

Richard is known to have married first to Isabella. She died and is buried in the Oakington church yard on September 3, 1616. On January 17, 1617, Richard married Elizabeth Rogers which is listed in the church Marriage records. In the Parish there are fourteen Leete children born but none are for children of Isabella and Richard or Richard and Elizabeth.

Listed in the official probate records indicate that Master William Gager granted administration right for the estate of Thomas Leete who died on November 12, 1616 to his natural born son, Richard Leete on December 7,1616.

Three hundred and ninety one years ago today Richard Leete died in Oakington, Cambridgeshire, England. He is buried in the cemetery next to the Oakington Parish Church. There are of course not stones or monument to prove it but the Parish records do a good job of that.

Oakington Parish Church and Cemetery

Rest in peace, Richard!

Love Jan

Richard is my eleventh Great Uncle.

This is one of those weeks where there just isn’t much data to find. Many trees show Richard and many do not show that he is married much less twice but that is what the parish records indicate. None of them show children. There is evidence of Leete Family members who date back to the Crusades around 1000 AD in England. I did learn a lot today about early record keeping in England which I will write up in a future blog.

This is likely where Grace’s discarded stone is!

Grace Spencer was born on July 27, 1674 in Connecticut. She was the daughter of John and Rebecca (Hayward) Spencer, they had five children; Rebecca (1666), Jerad (Gerard) (1669), Benjamin (1671), Lydia (1673) , Grace(1674/1677).

The Gerard (Jared) Spencer family from Stotford, Bedfordshire, England, with his five  sons, John, Gerard (Jared), William, Thomas and Michael, came to America in 1632 settling in Massachusetts and Connecticut.  All of the Spencer men were very active politically and militarily in early colonial New England. Grace was Gerard’s Granddaughter

Grace married John Day Jr. on January 21, 1696 in Hartford, Connecticut. John and Grace had eleven children; Lydia (1698)), Mary (1699), John, III (1701), Joseph (1702), Benjamin (1704), Editha (1705), Esther, (1705), Daniel(1709), David (1710), Abraham(1712), Isaac (1713).

Three hundred and six years ago today, Grace died on May 12, 1714 at the tender age of thirty nine leaving her husband with eleven children. She is buried in the Colchester Burial Grounds in Colchester, Connecticut.

Rest in peace, Grace!

Love, Jan

Grace is my first cousin eight times removed.

Rant coming

Nothing makes me madder than to see a photo like the one above.   Just because the tombstone is broken, do not move it…Leave it on the grave.. Notify the Cemetery trustee or the county or the owner of the cemetery. Most of the old pioneer cemeteries do not have maps or records which can accurately identify grave placement so once the grave stone is moved there is no way to know where it belongs.

I would rather see grass grow over the stone, though I think that is disrespectful too.  As a society, county, and town, it is our obligations to care for our cemeteries.   We owe that to our ancestors!  The correct amount of funds need to be set aside to properly maintain them. We need to preserve all of our cemeteries but especially our oldest.  It is very easy when the budget gets tight to cut funding for cemeteries.

It is nice to have these big memorials to our famous generals and presidents, after all they were great leaders but it is the common people who manned the militia, ran businesses and farms, cleared land and established towns and ran them, that really made this country what it is today.  These are the people buried in these cemeteries.    Their final resting place should be their place of honor.  A place where any and all can come to see.

Paul Leroy Whitely was the son of Dora E. (Smith ) and Josiah Whitely born on Dec 31, 1893 in Fairmont, Indiana. In the 1900 Federal Census, Paul is found with his parents; Dora and Josiah and Dora’s Uncle, John Smith. In the 1910 Federal Census, Paul is still with his parents in Grant County, Indiana. He is attending school. His father is a farmer. In his 1918 WWI draft registration, Paul Leroy claims an exemption (due t religious beliefs) stating that he is a member of Quaker Church known as the “The Friends Church”.

In 1919, Paul Leroy Whitely is granted a student passport to study abroad. The passport application, dated February 10, 1919, states that he would be in Bordeaux, France for seven months of study. He departed Bordeaux, France returned through the port of New York on the ship “SS Chicago” on September 7, 1919. Paul Leroy obtained his Bachelors Degree in 1920 at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. In the 1920 Federal Census, Paul Leroy is recorded with his parents in Grant County, Indiana. The census states that he is working with is father on the farm.

An Quaker College Alumni Directory states that Paul Leroy went on to obtain his Master’s Degree at the University of Chicago in 1923 and his PHD in Psychology in 1927.

In the 1930 Federal Census, Paul Leroy is living in New York. It is a boarder living with Charles Sanford and his wife. He is a teacher at a university according to the census record but that same year, Paul Leroy took a position at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was a Professor of Psychology.

1932 Franklin and Marshall Directory

Paul Leroy married Esther Ruth Risser on October 26, 1934 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  In the 1940 Federal Census, Paul Leroy and Esther are found in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He is a professor at Franklin and Marshall College. They have one son, James Lowell Whitely.

Franklin and Marshall College

On April 27, 1942, Paul filled out a WWII Draft card. In it he states that he lives in 519 State Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with his wife, Esther and that he works for Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

On July, 1952, Paul, Esther and their son James, left New York Harbor bound for Southampton, England on the SS Veendam for a one and a half month trip. Once they arrived in England, they stayed in London at the Friends House on Euston Road.

Thirty two years ago today, Paul Leroy Whitely died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at the age of ninety five years old. He was buried in Sadsbury Friends Burial Grounds in Christana, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Rest in peace, Paul Leroy!

Love, Jan

Paul Leroy Whitely is my second cousin 2 times removed.

John Henry Crites is the son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Meyers) Crites. He was born on March 24, 1852 in Union Township, Wells County, Indiana. Jesse and Elizabeth Crites had six children; Daniel (1850-1862), John Henry (1852), Mary Margaret (1856), Syrus Lincoln (1860- 1864), Jesse Franklin (1866), Sarah Louise (1870). Jesse was a farmer and they lived on 80 acres of land that he purchased from the Federal government on January 1, 1850.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Jesse, Elizabeth and Daniel are found in Wells County, Indiana. Jesse is a farmer. By the time of the 1860 federal Census, Jesse and Elizabeth have four children; Daniel, John Henry, Mary M and Syrus who is a few weeks old. By the time of the 1870 Census, Jesse and Elizabeth have three children; John H. , Mary M. , and Jesse F. John H. works as a farm labor for his father.

In 1874, John Henry Crites married Amanda McGoogan in Zanesville, Indiana. In the 1880 Federal Census, John Henry and Emma live in Union Township, Wells County, Indiana with their 4 year old daughter, Cora. John lists his occupation as farm laborer. It is likely that he is working for his father on the farm.

John and Emma Crites

In the 1900 Federal Census, John H and Emma lived in Rock Creek, Wells County, Indiana. They are recorded with Dessie who is thirteen. Their oldest daughter, Cora, has married Alvin Smith. John lists his occupation as a carpenter. In the 1910 Federal Census, John H. and Emma live in the small town of Uniondale, Indiana. In the 1920 Federal Census, John and Emma live on Meridian Street in Uniondale, Indiana.

Rest in peace, Grandpa John!

Love, Jan

John Henry Crites is my two times Great Grandfather. I spent about six years looking for the cemetery where John and Emma Crites were buried. I looked in all the cemeteries near their home in Indiana. To date, I still do not find death records for either of them. After looking at the Smith Plot in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Clio where their daughter Cora and her first husband Alvin are buried, I questioned whether the blank space next to Cora and Alvin could be where they were buried. I did know that John and Emma lived with Cora and her second husband, John Daly as Emma’s life neared the end. Emma needed the extra help that her daughter could provide. In 2004, I visited the office for the Clio Cemetery and sure enough that is where they were buried in Woodlawn Cemetery with no tombstone. I contacted the cemetery and ordered a tombstone for them using the information that the cemetery provided from their records.

Ebeneser Mudge was the son of Micah and Mary (Alexander) Mudge born on February 26, 1863 in Northampton, Massachusetts. Micah and Mary had eight children; Mary (1671), Elizabeth (1673), Moses (1677), Abigail (1680), Susanna (1681), Ebenezer (1683), Thanksful (1685), Martha (1693).

Ebenezer married Abigail Skinner on July 13, 1708 in Lebanon, Connecticut. According to the General History of the Town of Sharon written by Charles F. Sedgwick.

“Ebenezer Mudge was one of the original proprietors of the town in the town of Sharon, Connecticut, and was from Colchester. He drew the twenty-fifth home-lot, lying on both sides of town street, and embracing the place once owned by Charles L. Prindle, and Baldwin Reed on the west, and by Deacon A. C. Woodward, Estate of Reuben Hunt, Mr. Terrett and Mr. Skinner, on the east. In 1743 he settled on the western border of Skinner’s pond, as it was then called. Here he lived until his death April 21, 1758, at the age of seventy-five. He had six sons, viz. Samuel, Mica (to Albany Cty, NY in 1758), Abraham, Ebenezer, Jarvis and Joseph. “

“A farmer, millwright, and surveyor, Ebenezer was progenitor of the Mudge family in CT, which spread into NY, MI, & IL. According to the Sharon Historical Society website, “Of the original fifty proprietors who purchased shares in the new town of Sharon, 28 eventually settled on their lands, men like Stephen Calkin, Ebenezer Mudge, Jonathan Peck, and Nathaniel Skinner.”]

Ebenezer and Abigail had eleven children; Ebenezer (1709), Mary (1711), Abigail (1712), Elizabeth (1714), Samuel (1716), Micah (1718), Martha (1720), Joseph (1722), Jarvis (1723), Deborah (1726), Abraham (1728), Sarah (1732). There is much debate as to how many children Ebenezer and Abigail had so this is my best calculation.

He was a farmer and opened a Saw Mill/ Grist Mill and Iron Works with his sons in Sharon, Connecticut. In 1740, Ebenezer sold his orginal “Lot 25” property in Sharon to Cornelius and Mary (Mudge) Hamlin. Today, the Sharon Historical Society owns and operated on this property. He settled on the western border of Mudge Pond with his wife and family in 1743, in an area of Sharon that would later be known as Mudgetown.

Two hundred and sixty two years ago today, Ebenezer Mudge died in Sharon, Connecticut. He is Buried in the Hillside Cemetery in Sharon, Litchfield County, Connecticut.

Rest in peace, Ebenezer!

Love, Jan

Ebenezer Mudge is my 6 times Great Grandfather.

Robert F Hood was born on January 12, 1862, the son of Robert F. Hood and Sarah Elizabeth Smith. Robert and Sarah Elizabeth had three sons; Robert Franklin (1862), James A. (1863-1863), John William (1869).  Their son, James, who was named after Elizabeth’s father, James Smith,  died at the age of 2 months.  Sarah Elizabeth died on January 5, 1873. Robert F Hood (Sr) was a wagon maker according to the 1870 Federal Census. He and his family live in Columbia City, Indiana. The have two sons listed in the census; Robert F and John Wm.

In the 1880 Federal Census, the family remains in Columbia City, Indiana. The elder Robert F has remarried Mary J Hilderbrand after the death of his first wife, Sarah Elizabeth. Robert F Jr is eighteen years old and remains in school according to the census record.

Robert F (Jr) married Minnie A. Hartsock on January 13, 1887. In the 1900 Federal Census, Robert F is a farmer. He and his family remain in Columbia City. They have two children; Thomas (1892), and Ellen(1899). By the time of the 1910 Federal Census, Robert and Minnie have three children; Thomas, Ellen and Robert J. (1903)

In 1920 Robert and Minnie live at 310 North Washington Street in Columbia City, Indiana. Robert states that he is a merchant who works in a furniture store. By the 1930 Federal Census, Robert F has retired. They remain at the same address on North Washington Street.

John William Hood and Robert Franklin Hood –  around 1930

Eighty- five years ago, Robert Franklin Hood died in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on April 14, 1935. He was buried at the Greenhill Cemetery in Columbia City, Indiana.

Rest in peace, Robert Franklin!

Love, Jan

Robert Franklin Hood is my first cousin 3 times removed.