Today in Family History - 30 Nov

My 5th great-grandfather Robert Rankin (Anders line) possibly (likely? might have?) died on this day in 1837 in St. Landry Parish Louisiana [1, 2, 3]. Various sources give Robert's date of death as 01 Nov, 13 Nov, or 30 Nov. I have never been able to ascertain which one is the correct date, but have chosen 30 Nov. The primary source [1] has the misspelled date "thirteth" which could be either "thirteenth" or "thirtieth" but in all likelihood 30 Nov is correct.

Robert's place of death is also not well understood. He lived in Texas until shortly before his death. It is not clear why he returned to Louisiana before dying.

Robert was initially buried at Butler Cemetery in Coldspring, Texas. His body was re-interred at Texas State Cemetery on 11 Jun 1936 not far from the grave of Stephen F. Austin.

It should be noted that the back of Robert's grave marker is incorrect (or at best incomplete) as it does not mention son William Marshall Rankin.

References

[1] Records of the U. S. National Archives and Records Admin: Revolutionary War Pension Files. File #W26365, Robert Rankin(s). Peggy Rankin's testimony before the Republic of Texas 6th Judicial District Court, 22 Mar 1844. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Transcription

[2] Smith, Paul and Tommie, Texas State Cemetery. Page 30.

[3] White, Virgil D., Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files, Volume III: N-Z, The National Historical Publishing Company, Waynesboro, Tennessee, 1992. Page 2812.

Today in Family History - 29 Nov

My grandmother Evelyn Thorst Erickson was born on this day in 1909 in North Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan [1, 2, 3].

References

[1] Death Records of Boulder County, Colorado. Death certificate for Evelyn Thorst Erickson.

[2] The Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon, Michigan. 12 Sep 2007; Obituary for Evelyn Thorst Erickson.

[3] Birth Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Delayed Registration of Birth for Evelyn Thorst Erickson

Today in Family History - 25 Nov

My 5th great-grandparents Peter Guerrant, Jr. and Mary Perreau (Baldwin line) were married on this day in 1756 in Manakin, Goochland, Virginia [1].

References

[1] The Huguenot, No. 5, The Huguenot Society, 1931. Page 90.

Today in Family History - 24 Nov

My 5th great-grandmother Elizabeth Denton (Erickson line) died on this day in 1830 in Chemung County, New York [1]. She was buried at Wellsburg Baptist Church Cemetery in Wellsburg, Chemung, New York [1]. (She died as Elizabeth Baley, wife of Joseph Baley.)

References

[1] Tice, Joyce M., Tri-Counties Genealogy and History. Cemetery Record for Wellsburg or Baptist Church Cemetery, Chemung County, Page 1.

Today in Family History - 23 Nov

My 5th great-grandmother Anne Hill (Baldwin line) died on this day in 1835 in Alabama. The location of her grave is not known. Her maiden name is not known for certain, but some sources say it was McDaniel.

References

[1] Anne Hill Family Bible. Page 680, Family Record, Deaths.

[2] Robert Hill Family Bible. Page 680. 

Maude Emeline Covell Photograph

Today's photograph is of my great-grandmother Maude Emeline Covell. The photo is undated but may be from the very early 1900s.

Iver Frank Erickson Photo - Young

Today's photograph is of my great-grandfather Iver Frank Erickson in his youth. The photograph is undated but may be from the very early 1900s.

Georgia E. F. Pegoda Photo - Young

Today's photograph is of my great-grandmother Georgia Effie Florene Pegoda in her youth. It is undated but may be from the 1920s or so.

Dr. John Allen White Letter

Before my 3rd great-grandfather Dr. John Allen White (Baldwin line) died, he wrote a letter to one of his children, copies (or transcriptions) of which are still extant. Links to images of a transcription and a typed transcription are given below.

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Transcription:

Transcription of a copy of a letter written by Dr. John Allen White, undated, recipient unknown but one of his children (transcribed by Kevin Paul Thompson, 26 Apr 2007)

Copy from manuscript (?) written by Dr. J. A. White

I graduated from the medical department of University of La. In the spring of 1853 I practiced medicine in Union Parish, La. until Jan. 1862.  I then went into the Army as Captain of Company I, 31st Regiment, infantry of La.  I did my utmost to fill the office credibly.  I succeeded well enough to have the _____ and respect of my superior officers and when in the winter (?) of 1864 I had to resign on account of bad health.  Every (?) soldier under me without excetpion was my personal friend.  From 1865 to 1907 I practiced medicine in various places in Tex.  Since 1907 old age and failing health made it evident that my days of usefullness had passed.  Since then I have waiting, waiting for death with his sycle (sic) to cur me down.

As neighbour, father, husband, citizen and soldier I have ____ _____ and fearlessly done what I believed to be my duty.  I reverence my God and sumbit without murmoring to his will.

What I wish is I must have a coffin, no herse (sic) that is the superlative of foolishness, no clothes except what I have.  Guess there will have to be $5.00 expended for my grave.  Do not care where I am to be buried.  Your mother wanted to be buried by George.  If there is not room for all three leave the space for her besides (sic) George.  I wish you to remember that your mother has been a good wife and a good mother.  Do your utmost to make the remainder of her life happy.  She has had a heap of sad experiences but has always met the necessities of life ___fully.

[The note below was obviously added to the letter or the copy.]

He was born 1829 Dec 8 in Washington, Ga.  Died April 3rd 1911 at __ 10 A.M. Huntsville, Texas.

Dr. Traylor Letter #11

Date: 21 Jan 1861

Today's letter from Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. to John Hill is missing the last page. We are fortunate to have Kyle Traylor's transcription which does continue to the end of the letter.

Along with the usual business matters, we see Dr. Traylor discussing the problems with their harvest which seem to be common.  We also see the first mention of issues leading to the Civil War as Dr. Traylor laments Louisiana's stance on staying in the Union.

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Transcription:

                        Marion, Jany 21st / 61

Col. John Hill

Waverly, Texas

Dear Sir,

     Your favour of the 4th decr. is before me, inclosing sundries from I. Cole. I believe in a former communication I wrote to you all the particulars in relation to that matter. What I wrote was in evry [sic] particular true. I once thought him conciencious [sic] in his claim & felt sorrow for his mistake. I now believe he knows he is claming [sic] what does not belong to him. I see that he wrights [sic] to you that Brazile will testify that it, the disputed 1/4 was in the former deed. He writes to me from Alabama March 12th / 59 that Brazile informes him that, it was not included in the deed. He certainly will be a valuable witness, testifying both ways. He has no wright (sic) to the land, & I will sell it the 1st oportunity [sic] if not otherwise instructed by you.

     Your Lock Land was sold in Nov. of which I informed you in Katie's letter soon after wards. It was sold to a Dr. Macklin for three dollars per acre 1/3 on 15th day of feby next the balance in one & two years, with interest from date on all the notes,

     A short time before last count Cuth & wife accidentally stayed all night with us. They were just from Mayo's & in the cours [sic] of conversation he mentioned, that Mayo was speaking of what he owed you & said that he was to pay 12 1/2 percent interest which he would & should be able to do this winter stating further that he had $10,000 dollars in mortgage notes that, he was sure to get.

     I was about to commense [sic] suit but thought that if I did so the unlawfull (sic) interest would be lost & that, it was worth another trial, so I did not commense [sic] suit.

     I sent the note of Phelps & Lupo over to be presented to the administrator of H. Phelps. The young man that owed the other debt gave to the attourney [sic] near (?) $1200. dollars in notes & a/c. The most of which they say is good. He proposed further to sell two old Negroes belonging to his wife to pay the balance, This of cours (sic) did not suit, but it showed a willingness on his part to pay. I hope Mrs. I- will loos [sic] nothing in that debt,

     I made about 100,000 tt cotton but as cotton is turning out badly from the seed I do not expect to get more than 50 bags, I have gined [sic] but a fiew [sic] days. We are using the old fashioned cotton Trasher & Duster that was used 25 or 30 years ago in Alabama. It improves the sample of our cotton very much. Dr. White is not done picking cotton yet, I am helping him if the weather remains good a fiew [sic] days longer, we will get it done. He did not make so large a crop

[the letter stops here, but Kyle Traylor's transcription continues, so a page is missing]

but from sickness & other causes he is late picking.

     You think that Texas will go out of the Union & that she will be hard to satisfy. This state I fear will be out first. Our glorious union & country I fear is gon [sic] And its destruction will in all probability, be baptized in rivers of blood, with all the accompanying evils & crueltys of civil war. May God defend us from it.

     I think more moderate councils would with concert of action obtained for us all that we could ask. We have many friends at the north, our course I fear will put them all on the other side.

     And, Griffin & W.C. (Cork?) are our members to the convention both conservative. Quachita P-sh (Parish) sends Garrett (conservative).

     This leaves us all in usual health. I write to Katie of this date.

     Give my love to all

           Yours truly, John Traylor

Today in Family History - 17 Nov

My 3rd great-grandparents Tiete van der Klok and Stijntje van Zanten (Thompson line) were married on this day in 1849 in Uithuizen, Groningen, Netherlands [1].

References

[1] Marriage Records of Uithuizen, Netherlands. Record No. 24 (for 1849).

Today in Family History - 16 Nov

My 4th (and 5th) great-grandmother Martha Formby (Anders line) died on this day in 1883 in Montgomery County, Texas [1]. She was buried at Mt Pleasant Cemetery [1, 2].

References

[1] Montgomery County, Texas Cemeteries, Volume 1. Page 18, Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

[2] Mt. Pleasant Community Scrapbook, Cemetery and Church, Montgomery County, Texas, 1870-1979. Page 66.

Today in Family History - 15 Nov

My 3rd great-grandmother Mary Louise Traylor (Baldwin line) died on this day in 1918 in Riverside, Walker, Texas [1, 2] just one day after her 64th wedding anniversary. She was buried at Oakwood Cemetery (Section 2) in Huntsville, Texas [1].

References

[1] Walker County, Texas Cemeteries, Volume 3, Walker County Genealogy Society, Huntsville, TX, 2007. Page 51, Oakwood Cemetery - Section 2.

[2] Records of the Texas State Archives, Confederate Pensions. File #24300, Capt. John Allen White. Application for Mortuary Warrant for Mary Louise Traylor. Cover page Page 1

Today in Family History - 14 Nov

My 3rd great-grandparents Dr. John Allen White and Mary Louise Traylor (Baldwin line) were married on this day in 1854 in Union Parish, Louisana [1, 2].

References

[1] Marriage Records of Union Parish, Louisiana. Book 2, Page 9. Application

[2] Records of the Texas State Archives, Confederate Pensions. File #24300, Capt. John Allen White. Form B, Application for Widows of Soldiers Who Are In Indigent Circumstances, Application by Mary Louise White. Cover page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3

Dr. Traylor Letter #10

Date: 26 Sep 1860

Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. prefaces today's letter to John Hill with a comment on the death of (presumably) a family acquaintance. (This is not fully visible in the image but is documented in the original transcriptions I received.) He begins the letter commenting about his sister's bad health (this is John Hill's wife). He also comments on Mrs. White's family having more sickness of late. Mrs. White is the father-in-law of Dr. Traylor's daughter Mary Louise. He mentions a little John having been sick. This is presumably his grandson John Traylor White, son of his daughter Mary, who was born 21 Jan 1860 just 8 months before this letter was written.

Much of the remainder of the letter comments on the harvest and deals with business transactions and disputes being handled by Dr. Traylor for John Hill.  At the very end, John does express quite a bit of unhappiness with living in Louisiana and his desire to move if he ever can.

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Transcription:

Sept 28th Tell Katie that G. N. Benson died this evening of consumption.

Col. John Hill                           Marion La Sept 26th 1860

Waverly, Walker Co. Texas

Dear Sir,

     Your favour of the 11th reached me by the last mail. I am sorry to hear of Sister Sarah's continued bad health. I hope yet that she may recover it again before long. The health of our country is unusually good. Swamp & all. There is almost no sickness except in a fiew [sic] families. Mrs. White's is one for the last two or three years they have had more sickness than formerly. Little John was quite sick a fiew [sic] days since, but was better yesterday. I have had some sickness in my family, which you know is unusual. Barn (?) has had two spells, the 1st was tedious. I have had no other sickness worth mentioning. I perceive your crop is coming fully up to your calculation. A great portion of this country is doing no better.

     This immediate neighborhood has made corn enough for its consumption, a fiew [sic] will have to buy, others can sell. The cotton crop will be a full average. I think I have made com enough to do me & will make 4 or 500 Ibs of cotton to the acre. Others are doing much better than this, say from 6 to 800 lbs.

     I fear that I am going to have some trouble with Cole. When he came to look at your land I gave him the map told him the no. of acres in the tract, & the price. I also pointed out the detached 1/4 section & told him that you would sell that with or without the other & advised him to look at it telling him that you said it was the best land you had. When I and Dr. White went down to make the titles he had left for Ala. leaving his overseer to take the deed & give the notes. He remarked that, there was more than 1960 acres. I told him that I had never made the adition [sic] but that you had, & that you was [sic] so generally correct, that I expected he was mistaken. When I came to look at it, I found that he had included the detached 1/4. I asked him if Cole wanted that 1/4 & that I knew with that quarter there was more than 1960 acres. I told him as Mr. Cole had left his notes for only $6000 dollars that I would reserve the land until we could hear from him. In reply he said that he had written those notes & signed them himself. So that but for Dr. White I should have given him a deed for the whole & made new notes including the amt, for the 1/4. Dr. White thought it would be an irregular way of transacting business & advised to postpone until we heared [sic] from Cole. It went on so until March 10th/59 when he wrights [sic] to me claiming the whole tract, as belonging to the trade, and proposed to arbitrate. I thought it so preposterous that I paid no attention to it. He pretends that the original deed is lost, & sent his son in law up to get another. When I went to give it to him he puled [sic] out the mortgage & said that Mr. Cole said that contained the true no.s of the land purchaised [sic] by him.

     On examination I found that in copying the no.s from the power of Attorney I had included inadvertently the disputed 1/4. I told him I would give him a deed for the land I sold to Cole & no more, He said Cole did not want the deed unless the disputed 1/4 was included. I expect suit is already ordered.

     When I received the instruction concerning the note of Philips & Lupo, I wrote to Lupo requesting him to go over & try to secure the debt of Edwards & informing him what my instructions were. In reply he requested that, I would wate [sis] until he could go over & see what he could do with Edwards, stating further that, he did not know that his sister was in necesitous [sic] circumstances, that he had but recently sent her money & that so soon as he could purchais [sic] a check he would send her $200.00 more.

     Some time after this he writes me that he has seen Edwards & the Lawyer & that Edwards promised to make the note good. He is now perfectly [sic] steady & sober Clerking for Will (?) of Ouachita Cty.

      I will have the note presented it costs nothing & can do no harm.

     I received a note the other day from a Mr. L. L.H. Maclin offering $3 per acre for your lock tract of land 1/3 1st Jany the balance in 1 & 2 years. I wrote to him that if he would close the trade immediately he could have it at the price he offered 1/3 cash the balance on one and two years with interest from date. That I had several times been disappointed, by persons contracting for it & unless he closed the trade soon I should sell to the first person who came or rise in the price if I saw fit. This was 3 or 4 days since. I have not heared [sic] from him. He addressed me from Hilsborough. Randolph got a letter from one of your Virginia boy [sic] the other day they were well & well pleased. I hope Katie will make good use of her opertunities [sic]. Should she need any thing I must beg you to furnish it. At the same time, I hope she will restrict her expenses as near to her actual necessities as posible [sic].

     I sometimes wish that I could get away from this miserable poor country. There are fiewer [sic] inducements now than ever to remain, our Landing is in the hands of vilons [sic] that I beleave [sic] burned my cotton last year. I shall have to hawl [sic] to Ouachita Cty. And then again when I reflect how well others are doing I think it is my fault that I do not succeed better. On this much however I am determined, If ever I am able I will try some other place. My love to all.

          Respectfully yours & c.  John Traylor

Today in Family History - 12 Nov

My 3rd great-grandmother Stijntje van Zanten (Thompson line) died on this day in 1909 in Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan [1]. She was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Muskegon.

My 3rd great-grandparents Jack D. Clarke and Mary Dudley Williams (Baldwin line) were married on this day in 1857 in Muscogee, Muscogee, Georgia [2, 3].

References

[1] Death Records of Muskegon County, Michigan. Death certificate for Stentje van Zanten (Vanderklok); Book 3, Page 137.

[2] B. F. Baldwin, Jr. Bible. "Marriages" page. Owned by Benjamin Franklin Baldwin. Jr. and Clara Ann Clarke.

[3] Marriage Records of Muscogee County, Georgia. Book D, Page 204; marriage license for Jack D. Clarke and Mary D. Williams. Certified

Dr. Traylor Letter #9

Date: 27 Feb 1860 (and 29 Feb 1860 - leap day!)

Just 4 weeks after the previous letter we see another letter passing from Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. in Louisiana to John Hill in Texas. Dr. Traylor reports apparent yellow fever in his general area. He also comments on some poor crops and poor luck, leaving him poor as is apparently common.

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Transcription:

                        Marion, Feby 27th 1860

Col. John Hill

Waverly, Texas

Dear Sir,

     I wrote you about a month since (since when, I have none of your favours to acknowledge) Informing you of a remittance of between $26 & $27 hundred dollars. Frillsen & Stevenson have acknowledged receipt of it & say they have acknowledged to you. I have also started a draft by C.T. Powell for $1000.00 which amount completes the payment for Coles land. I have sent Mayo's note to him & hope in a fiew [sic] days to have the money for it. I have also sent the note belonging to Mrs. Jackson, I have no instructions from her what disposition she wishes made of it, when paid. I informed you in my last, that, I expected to sell your Lock Land to him, John Steel (?) since when I have twice hered [sic] from him. One time he sent me word he had been sick, the other that he would be over soon & yet he does not come.

     I believe I have no other business transaction of which to inform you. The health of the country is (with the exception of cold) is [sic] very good, but fiew [sic] caces [sic] require treatment.

     I saw Dr. Larkins a week since he says three or four of there [sic] most prominent citizens have died within a short time pased [sic]. He says they died in the same way that his Son Wm did with all the symptoms of yellow fever. Henry Phelps is dead. He lived near Bastrop on the Bayo. It is said of Pneumonia.

     I made a very poor crop of corn & cotton last year. I fear not corn enough to do me & had the misfortune to get 7 or 8 bags burned of my best cotton, which will make me (as I always am) very short of funds. I must beg that you will supply Katie's necesities [sic] & charge to my account. I shall be ready in two or three days to plant corn, I plant 140 acres in corn, have it all beded [sic] with 5 furrows a portion all plowed out.

     I am going to try to plant 200 acres in cotton 55 of it new ground. If we keep healthy & are favoured [sic] with good seasons I hope to make a better show next year.

     Mr. E. George returned from Ala. a short time since with his new wife. We have caled [sic] on them she appears to be a sensible good woman & has seen good society. His children still keep up there [sic] foolish enmity. None of them have caled [sic] on her. We here [sic] that the most bitter and hostile language had pased [sic] between him & they.

Feby 29

     I was too late for this last mail nor have I much time for this.

     Yesterday it raned [sic] all day. Tell Katie I intended to have written to her by this mail, but as Marion wrote by the last & Gus, by this I have concluded to defur [sic] it for a day or two. Tell her that Susan has 75 or 80 young chickens & that her peas are large enough to stick. I expect her aunt Sarah's are blooming by this time. I have not time to write further. Give my love to all & for yourself accept my best wishes for your prosperity & happiness.

        John Traylor

Dr. Traylor Letter #8

Date: 01 Feb 1860

Today's letter from Dr. John Randolph Traylor, Sr. to John Hill mixes a small amount of business with a good many personal details. Ever the doctor, Dr. Traylor relates a bit of the health of people in the area. He also comments that 1859-1860 has been a very cold winter.

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Transcription:

                        Marion Feby 1st 1860

Col. John Hill

Waverly, Texas

                       Dear Sir,

     I sent to Frillsen & Stevenson by Dr. White $656.00 & requested them to inform you of the same. Mr. Cole has today paid his last note of $2013.00 Which I will send as above as soon as I can. His (?) $656.00 was paid by M.W. Goldsby he is yet owing you a fraction over $100.00. I sent over to Mayo. He said he would be over in a short time & pay up.

     I expect he will be able to do it as he has made $1600.00 by trading this fall & winter. He sold a lot of negroes he purchased at Brother Paschals sale for $700.00 profit the balance he has made by trading on mules. You perhaps recollect he purchased some land & negroes for which he paid $11,000.00. He has sold the land for $12,000.00 making the 5 negroes & $1000.00 clare[sic], so you see he must be flush & the prospect for his paying good.

     I have made no other collection. The note deposited with me for Mrs. Jackson falls due 1st March. If paid when due, what disposition does she want made with it? please learn & inform me. I expected before this to be able to inform your that your Lock Track [sic] was sold to Old Jonny Steel (?). He looked at it & was pleased, sent me word some three week [sic] since that, he would be over soon since which I have not heared [sic] from him. The price agreed upon was three dollars per acre he paying 2/3 this spring the balance in two years without interest. I do not know the cause of his delay.

     I am happy to inform you that we are all well. Our little Sally was quite sick for 3 or 4 days last week of cold but is quite well now.

     The health of the country is quite good though there have occured [sic] a fiew [sic] caces [sic] of much savierty [sic] from cold. Henry Philips died 10 or 12 days since of pneumonia it is said. He lived on Bayou Bartholomew near Bastrop. We have had the savierest [sic] winter that, I ever saw in the south. Since it set in it has been almost constantly cold until about two week since the mercury ranging from 8 up a great deel [sic ]of the time as low as 30 for two weeks pased [sic] we have had beautifull [sic] weather almost like summer until yesterday evening when the wind changed suddenly & blew a gale from the north the mercury was found this morning at 17 and at its highest elivation [sic] today it was 28.

     If they have not already learned it you may tell them that Addy Powell has a daughter that, her name is Ida. We think there is a pretty good chance for a wedin [sic] in our neighborhood. A certain Mr. Harges Editon (?) of the Farmerville Paper, visits there pretty often & I mean Mrs. Bensons & we think it eminent.

     Mr. George & his lady are expected daily from Ala. By the way since he left his fine Gin house & screw with about 20 bags of cotton were burned by accident. I am claring [sic] 50 or 60 acres east of my field by your old place it looks terable [sic] poor, but I can't do any better.

     Tell Katie we can't come up with her Aunt Sarah's Gardin [sic], we should have had to plant last fall to have such peas as she has. We had cabbage, lettis [sic] & mustard up on yesterday I guess there is not much of them left today. Our peas are just coming up.

     Tell Frank he must give Mary a mawling for me & that I am going to write to her in two or three days & give her jipes (?) for the way she scolded me. Sally says tell Taby (?) to turn (?) over here & she will (?) with (?) her.

     What about your trip to Anjalina? Is it timbered or Prairie land?

     Susan joins me in love to you all

               Yours Truly

                      John Traylor