52 Ancestors: #52 ~ Abraham (Abram) Augustine Webster

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.



I did it! Here is the last blog post for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. Thank you Amy Johnson Crow for this challenge. And thank you to my wonderful readers for following along. And now to introduce you to this week's ancestor....

Abraham (or Abram) Augustine Webster was the thirteenth and last child born to my 4th great-grandparents, Augustine Webster and Mary Tyler. I've introduced you to four of his brothers in previous posts – Ebenezer, Daniel, Wesley and George.

For some reason there's some confusion about whether his name was Abraham or Abram. In most of the census records I've seen him listed in his name was Abraham. On his Find A Grave memorial page there's a picture of his tombstone. His tombstone lists his name as Abraham.

The inscription on his tombstone is as follows:

Webster
Our Parents
Abraham Webster 1817-1894
Phebe His Wife 1819-1883

According to the book Waterman Family, Descendants of Robert Waterman, Volume 1 by Donald Lines Jacobus, his name was Abraham.¹  The book also states that he was a farmer and had 11 children.  The book History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut. Vol. 1 states that his name was probably Abram.²

Why was he listed in both the Waterman and the Webster genealogy books? Because he married a Waterman, or I should say the descendant of a Waterman.

Regarding his name though, with most of the records stating that his name was Abraham, I think I'll go with that instead of Abram.

Abraham was born on 2 June 1817 in Chester, Meigs, Ohio.

Abraham, who is my maternal 3rd great-granduncle, married my 1st cousin 4 times removed, Phebe Smith, who was the daughter of Jonas Smith and Jerusha Waterman. This is another instance in my family tree where someone in my Webster family married someone in my Waterman family. Another example is the marriage of my 2nd great-grandparents, Ebenezer Perry Carlisle Webster and Cynthia Maria Waterman.

Cynthia Maria Waterman and Abraham's wife Phebe Smith were first cousins. Phebe's mother, Jerusha, and Cynthia's father, Asher, were siblings.

I wrote about Abraham's mother-in-law, Jerusha Waterman, in a previous 52 Ancestors post. She was one of the children of Dr. Luther L. Waterman who was a surgeon in the Revolutionary War. You can read about Jerusha by clicking HERE.

Abraham and his wife Phebe were the parents of eleven children.

1. Martha Caroline Webster (1840-Bef 1910)
2. Antsel Delay Webster (1841-1843)
3. Charles Austin Webster (1843-1863)
4. Sarah Jane Webster (1845-?)
5. Lewis Stanley Webster (1847-1874)
6. Emma Viola Webster (1849-?)
7. Malinda Frances Webster (1853-?)
8. Spencer Ackley Webster (1855-1856)
9. Elma Alvira Webster (1857-?)
10. Eva May Webster (1859-1944)
11. Corwin Webster (1861-1861)

Abraham spent his life as a farmer in Lebanon Township, Meigs County, Ohio. That was his occupation in every census record in which I've seen him listed.

He passed away on 31 January 1894 in Racine, Meigs, Ohio. He was buried in the Bethlehem Cemetery located in Lebanon Township, Meigs County, Ohio.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Jacobus, Donald Lines, and Edgar Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family. Vol. 1. New Haven, CT: E.F. Waterman, 1939. 564. Print.^↩
2 Webster, William Holcomb, and Melville Reuben Webster, D.D. "XXVI."History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut. Vol. 1. Rochester: E. R. Andrews Printing, NY. 618. Print.^↩

52 Ancestors: #51 ~ George Kinney Webster

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.



This is my maternal 3rd great-grand uncle, George Kinney Webster. He was the sixth child born to my 4th great-grandparents Augustine Webster and Mary Tyler. I recently wrote about his brothers, Ebenezer, Daniel, and Wesley.

George was born on 25 March 1803 in Columbia County, New York. He was married twice. He married his first wife, Polly De Wolf, on 2 September 1831 in Meigs County, Ohio. According to an article in The Democrat (Pomeroy, OH) newspaper, George and Polly were married by George's brother, Ebenezer, who was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church.¹

George and Polly were the parents of ten children.

1. Amanda Maria Webster (1832-1865)
2. Clarrissa Webster (1834-About 1846)
3. Lavina Webster (1836-1858)
4. Aurilla Webster (1838-1869)
5. Louisa Webster (1840-1919)
6. Nancy Webster (1842-1866)
7. Verlinda Webster (1844-1873)
8. Mary Alice Webster (1849-1869)
9. Donnally Darius Webster (1851-?)
10. Homer Horton Webster (1853-1872)

Sadly, most of these children did not survive past about thirty years of age. In fact, most died while they were in their twenties.

George's first wife Polly passed away on 6 May 1861 in Syracuse, Meigs, Ohio.

George married his second wife, Martha Sayers, on 13 October 1861 in Meigs County, Ohio. They were the parents of one child.

1. Melissa Webster (1863-?)

George passed away on 21 June 1878 in Oldtown, Meigs, Ohio. He was buried in Bicknell Chapel Cemetery located in Great Bend, Meigs, Ohio.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 George K. Webster and Polly De Wolf marriage, "Meigs County News For The Year 1892." The Democrat (Pomeroy, OH) December 22, 1892, Old Time Marriages. Rootsweb. 06 Dec. 2014.^↩

52 Ancestors: #50 ~ Rev. Wesley Webster – Following In His Brother's Footsteps

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.



A few weeks ago, I introduced you to Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to one of Ebenezer's brothers, Reverend Wesley Webster. Like his brother Ebenezer, Wesley also became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. As far as I can tell, Ebenezer and Wesley were the only ministers among the thirteen children born to my 4th great-grandparents, Augustine Webster and Mary Tyler.

Wesley was nineteen years younger than his brother, Ebenezer. By the time Wesley began his ministry, Ebenezer had finished his. Ebenezer was licensed to preach in 1820 and preached principally in Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio until 1841.¹

Wesley began preaching in 1842. I found the following about him in the History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut. Vol. 1 ²

"…a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church was educated at the Athens University, Athens, O., but did not graduate. Entered the ministry in 1842, as a member of the Ohio Conference, and on the division of that conference, became a member of the Cincinnati Conference. He preached for 28 years and among the places where he preached were, Marysville, Union Co.; West Jefferson Madison Co.; South Charleston, Clarke Co.; Jamestown, Green Co.; Hebron, Licking Co.; Rushville, Fairfield Co.; New Vienna, Clinton Co.; and Miami City, O. He is (1883) on the Superannuated list."

Wesley Webster married Sarah Jane Davisson on 17 June 1845 in Clark, Ohio. She was the daughter of Isaac and Sarah Davisson.

Wesley and Sarah had two children. Tragically, both of them did not survive to adulthood.

1. Daughter Webster (20 June 1846 - 20 June 1846)
2. Francis Asbury Webster (18 August 1847 – 12 October 1848)

Wesley passed away on 25 September 1895 in South Charleston, Clark, Ohio. His wife Sarah passed away on 5 January 1900.

Wesley and his wife Sarah were both buried at Greenlawn Cemetery located in South Charleston, Clark County, Ohio and share a tombstone. Inscribed on the tombstone are the words, "An Abolitionist and a Prohibitionist. Praise the Lord!"

To see Wesley's Find a Grave memorial page, click HERE.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Webster, William Holcomb, and Melville Reuben Webster, D.D. "XXVI."History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut. Vol. 1. Rochester: E. R. Andrews Printing, NY. 616. Print.^↩
2 Webster, William Holcomb, and Melville Reuben Webster, D.D. "XXVI."History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut. Vol. 1. Rochester: E. R. Andrews Printing, NY. 618. Print.^↩

52 Ancestors: #49 ~ Daniel Bromley Webster

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.



I'd like to introduce you to my maternal 3rd great-granduncle, Daniel Bromley Webster. He was the fourth child born to my maternal 4th great-grandparents Augustine Webster and Mary Tyler. In last week's 52 Ancestors post, I introduced you to Daniel's older brother Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster, who was born in 1795. I also shared a picture of Ebenezer in that post. Sadly, I don't have a picture of Daniel to share with you.

I am in possession of a two-volume genealogy book called History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut by William Holcomb Webster and Rev. Melville Reuben Webster, D. D. I have the print version of this book. I found that the book is now online at the website Archive.org. If you'd like to read it, click HERE. I'm a direct descendant of Governor John Webster. He's my 9th great-grandfather. Within the pages of this wonderful Webster genealogy book I've found information about my Webster family, including Daniel Bromley Webster.

Daniel Bromley Webster was born on 26 September 1799 in Columbia County, New York. At some point in his life, he and his family moved to Ohio. On 11 February 1823 Daniel married Lois Stewart in Rome, Athens, Ohio. Lois was the daughter of Daniel Stewart and Ruth Fulford.

Daniel and Lois were the parents of nine children.

1. Martha Webster (1823-?)
2. Eliza Webster (1824-1842)
3. Hiram Webster (1827-1844)
4. Lucetta Webster (1829-1851)
5. Calvary Morris Webster (1832-1867)
6. Samantha E. Webster (1833-1912)
7. Sarah Lovisa Webster (1837-1887)
8. Julia Ann Webster (1839-1930)
9. Belinda Webster (1840-1843)

Daniel passed away on 15 April 1864 in Athens, Ohio due to smallpox.¹ What a horrible death that must have been. How did he contract this? Was there an outbreak in the community? I'll need to do some research to see if I can find answers to these questions. I haven't found any information indicating that his immediate family also contracted this terrible disease. Daniel's wife, Lois, passed away around thirteen years later in 1887.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Webster, William Holcomb, and Melville Reuben Webster, D.D. "XXVI."History and Genealogy of the Governor John Webster Family of Connecticut. Vol. 1. Rochester: E. R. Andrews Printing, NY. 617. Print.^↩

52 Ancestors: #48 ~ Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.

Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster

This is a photo of Reverend Ebenezer Tyler Webster, my maternal 3rd great-granduncle. He was a brother of my 3rd great-grandfather, Moses Augustine Webster. Moses named his oldest son Ebenezer. That son was my 2nd great-grandfather, Ebenezer Perry Carlisle Webster, who served in the Civil War. Moses must have named his son Ebenezer after his brother. I think that's wonderful. I like seeing ancestors who named their children after family members.

Ebenezer Tyler Webster was born on 27 December 1795 in Columbia, New York to his parents Augustine Webster and Mary Tyler.

Ebenezer married Sarah Sophaniah Lane on 4 October 1824 in Franklin, St. Louis, Missouri. They were the parents of ten children. Sadly, only four of their children survived to adulthood.

1. Barton Augustine Webster (1826-1866)
2. Verlinda M. Webster (1827-1894)
3. Son Webster (1829-1830)
4. Celena Jane Webster (1831-1835)
5. Betsey Elvira Webster (1833-1835)
6. Martha Amelia Webster (1836-1837)
7. Charles Wesley Webster (1838-1917)
8. Mary Elizabeth Webster (1841-?)
9. Fletcher Cook Webster (1843-1845)
10. Joseph Wayland Webster (1845-1931)

It's so tragic that Ebenezer and Sarah lost so many of their children. They lost their two daughters, Celena and Betsey, in August of 1835. Celena passed away only seven days after Betsey. I'm wondering if there was some illness that struck the family or community at that time. I'll need to do research to see if I can find the causes of their deaths.

Ebenezer Tyler Webster passed away on 16 January 1877 in Van Wert, Van Wert, Ohio. He was buried at the Woodland Union Cemetery in Van Wert, Van Wert, Ohio.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

52 Ancestors: #47 ~ Lucinda A. Waterman

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.



Today, I'd like to introduce you to Lucinda A. Waterman. She was the ninth child born to my 4th great-grandparents Dr. Luther L. Waterman and Phebe Barker.

Lucinda was born in about 1803. She was most likely born in New York. Every census I've seen her listed in states her birthplace as New York. Also, her brother, David Bassett Waterman, who was the eighth child born to Luther and Phebe was also born in New York. And Luther passed away in New York in 1807, about four years after Lucinda's birth.

Lucinda married Daniel Bicknell, son of Isaac Bicknell and Sarah Green, on 17 July 1833 in Athens County, Ohio.

According to the book Waterman Family, Descendants of Robert Waterman, Volume 1 by Donald Lines Jacobus, Lucinda and Daniel had no children. On page 569 of this volume is the following paragraph.¹

Mr. Bicknell was a farmer. He and his wife were listed in the 1850 Census at Troy, Athens co., Ohio. No children were listed, and descendants of a brother of Lucinda state that she left no children.

Mr. Jacobus mentioned that Lucinda and Daniel were listed in the 1850 census living in Troy, Athens County, Ohio.² I also found them in the 1860 and 1870 US censuses as well. In the 1860 census they were still living in Troy, Athens, Ohio.³ But by the time the 1870 census was taken, they had moved to Olive Township, Meigs County, Ohio.⁴

Here's Lucinda and Daniel listed in the 1870 US Federal Census. They are at the very bottom of the page at lines 39 and 40.



And here's a cropped portion of the census page to get a better view of Daniel and Lucinda Bicknell's listing in the 1870 census.



Lucinda passed away on 20 June 1879. She was buried in the Reedsville Cemetery located in Olive Township, Meigs County, Ohio.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Jacobus, Donald Lines, and Edgar Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family. Vol. 1. New Haven, CT: E.F. Waterman, 1939. 569. Print.^↩
2 Year: 1850; Census Place: Troy, Athens, Ohio; Roll: M432_660; Page: 65A; Image: 134. Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.^↩
3 Year: 1860; Census Place: Troy, Athens, Ohio; Roll: M653_934; Page: 106; Image: 216; Family History Library Film: 803934. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.^↩
4 Year: 1870; Census Place: Olive, Meigs, Ohio; Roll: M593_1242; Page: 104A; Image: 211; Family History Library Film: 552741. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.^↩

52 Ancestors: #46 ~ "Child" Waterman

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.



Over the past several weeks, I've been introducing you to the children of my 4th great-grandparents, Dr. Luther L. Waterman and Phebe Barker. One of their nine children passed away before reaching adulthood.

Unfortunately, I don't even know the name of this child, or when he or she was born. I say "he or she" because I don't know if this child was a boy or a girl. He or she was only listed as "Child" in the book Waterman Family, Descendants of Robert Waterman, Volume 1 by Donald Lines Jacobus.¹

Even though I don't know much about this little child, he or she deserves to be remembered just as much as the other children of Luther and Phebe Waterman. And so, here's what I know about the little Waterman child known as "Child" Waterman in my family tree.

This little child is listed along with the other children of Luther and Phebe Waterman on page 297 in Volume 1 of Mr. Jacobus' book about my Waterman family as follows.

1. Samuel, b. 4 Apr. 1778; d. 28 May 1857.
2. Erastus, b. 6 May 1780; d. 13 Apr. 1859.
3. Child, d. at Franklin, Conn., in 1784.
4. Jerusha, b. 8 June 1786; d. 1 June 1867.
5. Phebe, b. 22 Jan. 1789.
6. Asher, b. 26 Oct. 1791; d. 19 Jan. 1785.
7. Eusebius B.
8. David B., b. abt. 17 mar. 1798; d. 3 Mar. 1851.
9. Lucinda, b. abt 1803.

You can see "Child" Waterman listed as number 3, stating that he/she passed away in Franklin, Connecticut sometime in 1784.

I also found the following record on Ancestry.com. It's a page from Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920 for Franklin, Connecticut.²

The entry near the bottom shows a record of death for one of Luther Waterman's children. The child died in 1784. Unfortunately, this record doesn't indicate whether this child was a male or female or when he/she was born.



This is cropped from the page above.



I went back a few pages in the record on Ancestry.com and found the title page. Here is a cropped portion showing the title of the record.



Perhaps someday I'll be able to find information regarding the birthdate for this little child and whether the child was a male or female.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Jacobus, Donald Lines, and Edgar Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family. Vol. 1. New Haven, CT: E.F. Waterman, 1939. 297. Print.^↩
2 Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: 2013. Volume 36. Page 4. Franklin, Connecticut. Pautipaug Hill Congregational Church. Original data: Connecticut. Church Records Index. Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecticut.^↩

52 Ancestors: #45 ~ Another David Bassett Waterman

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.



In September, I shared a 52 Ancestors post about my 5th great-grandfather, David Bassett Waterman. Today, I'd like to introduce you to another David Bassett Waterman in my family tree. I actually have four David Bassett Waterman's in my family tree!

The David Bassett Waterman I'm introducing you today is my 3rd great-granduncle and son of my 4th great-grandparents, Dr. Luther L. Waterman and Phebe Barker. Luther's father was the David Bassett Waterman I mentioned at the beginning of this post.

Ya, it can get confusing. Perhaps this small descendancy chart will help.



From now on in this post, I'll be referring to Luther's son David, and not to my 5th great-grandfather.

David Bassett Waterman was born on 17 Mar 1798 in New York. He married Maria Frederica Eckhart on 19 August 1827 in Athens County, Ohio. Maria was born around 1805 in Munich, Germany to her parents John Jacob Echkart and Mary Fein.

David and Maria were the parents of seven daughters.

1. Mary Maria Waterman (1827-?)
2. Martha Anne Waterman (1833-1910)
3. Amelia  Melissa Waterman (1837-?)
4. Josephine Lovina Waterman (1837-1911)
5. Louisa Lucette Waterman (1839-1907)
6. Lucinda Emily Waterman (1842-1898)
7. Phebe Hannah Waterman (1846-?)

I found some interesting information about David Bassett Waterman in the book Waterman Family, Descendants of Robert Waterman, Volume 1 by Donald Lines Jacobus.¹

On pages 567-568 is the following:

From an old family account: "David Bassit Waterman, named Bassit for Captain Bassit, an ancestor that was killed on board his ship by pirates. He married Maria Fredericka Eckhart. Of this union seven children were born. Seven girls, namely, Mary, Martha, Amelia, Mellissa, Josephine Lovina, Louisa Lucetta, Lucinda Emily, Phoebe Hannah, named Hannah for a great aunt, Hannah Brewster.* They were strict Methodists and always the M. E. preachers made their home with them during the quarterly meetings and revival meetings, the church house being on their farm very near to their dwelling house. The children listened to a great deal of witty talk and many college stories from these divines, as well as much praying and reading of the Bible. The mistress of the house was handsome, humble, dignified, and reserved, as well as a good cook, and hospitality was a characteristic of both master and mistress of the place."
_______________________________________________________________
* Her great-aunt was Hannah Barker; but the Barkers had Mayflower ancestry.

I'm so thankful that Donald Lines Jacobus researched and wrote about my Waterman ancestors. I've been able to find some wonderful and interesting genealogical treasures in these books.

David Bassett Waterman passed away on 3 March 1851 in Coolville, Athens, Ohio. He was almost 53 years of age at the time of his death. He was buried in the Bethel Cemetery, which is located in Coolville, Athens County, Ohio.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved
_______________________________________________________

1 Jacobus, Donald Lines, and Edgar Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family. Vol. 1. New Haven, CT: E.F. Waterman, 1939. 567-568. Print.^↩

52 Ancestors: #44 ~ Eusebius B. Waterman's Marriage Record

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.

Eusebius B. Waterman was my maternal 3rd great-granduncle. He was one of nine children born to my 4th great-grandparents Dr. Luther L. Waterman and Phebe Barker.

I don't have an exact date of birth for Eusebius. I don't have a birth record for him and the four United States federal census records I've seen him in haven't helped either. In the 1850 census, the calculated birth year for Eusebius is about 1800. In the 1860 census, his calculated birth year is about 1795. The 1870 census says he was born in about 1800 again. And in the 1880 census, his calculated birth year is about 1796.

At least there's consistency in each of these census records regarding the birthplace of Eusebius. Each of them state his place of birth as Connecticut.

In the book Waterman Family, Descendants of Robert Waterman, Volume 1 by Donald Lines Jacobus,¹ not much is written about Eusebius. Mr. Jacobus wrote the following about him.

Eusebius B. Waterman…born     , died     ; married in Athens Co, Ohio, 28 July 1819, Sally McAfee, born about 1800, died 2 Feb. 1872 in 72d yr. (gravestone, near Coolville, Athens Co., Ohio).

Children, if any, have not been found.

I was able to find the marriage record for Eusebius and his wife Sally McAfee in FamilySearch.org.²



Transcription of Marriage Record

The State of Ohio, Athens Co. ss} I hereby certify that on the twenty eighth day of July last I joined together in the holy state of matrimony Eusebius Waterman & Sally McAfee of lawful age given under my hand and seal this 11th day of October A.D. 1819. Luther Hopkins Justice of the Peace

The date "July 24, 1819" in the far right column is under the column heading "Date of License."

While researching Eusebius on Ancestry.com, I was able to find him listed in three agriculture census records and even a land map showing where he lived in Carthage County, Ohio. Perhaps I'll share these interesting finds in future posts.

Unfortunately, I don't have any information about where or when Eusebius passed away, or where he was buried.

I'll be introducing you to another child of Luther and Phebe Waterman in my next 52 Ancestors post.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved 

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1 Jacobus, Donald Lines, and Edgar Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family. Vol. 1. New Haven, CT: E.F. Waterman, 1939. 566. Print.^↩
2 "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1997," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18059-53779-12?cc=1614804 : accessed 29 Oct 2014), Athens > Marriage records 1822-1856 vol 1-2 > image 33 of 117.^↩

52 Ancestors: #43 ~ Phebe Waterman - Research and Questions

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.

Phebe Waterman was one of the children born to my 4th great-grandparents Dr. Luther L. Waterman and Phebe Barker. She was born on 22 January 1789. At this time, I'm not sure where Phebe was born. In the 1850 Federal Census¹ her birthplace is listed as Connecticut. But in the 1870 Federal Census² her birthplace is listed as New York. Two of her siblings, one born before her and one born after her, were born in Dutchess County, New York.

Phebe married Nathaniel Pierce. Unfortunately, I don't know the date or place of their marriage.

I'm also not sure who their children were. FamilySearch has eight children listed in their family. But, without sources proving they were in fact Phebe and Nathaniel's children, I hesitate to list them here.

I had hoped to find information about Phebe Waterman in the book Waterman Family, Descendants of Robert Waterman, Volume 1 by Donald Lines Jacobus.³ But, in the section about Phebe, Mr. Jacobus stated that Phebe's family was not traced. He did say that they were living in Clayton, Illinois.

I feel fairly certain about the identities of two of Phebe and Nathaniel's children that were included in the list on FamilySearch. They were:

1. Amanda Pierce (About 1821-1909)
2. Edwin Barker Pierce (About 1833-1907)

I found Phebe in the 1850 Federal Census living with her husband Nathaniel and son Edwin. This image of the 1850 census shows Phebe and Nathaniel's family living next to their daughter Amanda (Pierce) Selby and her family.

1850 United States Federal Census
Houston, Adams, Illinois

See the far right column? It states that Phebe was deaf. Interestingly, in the 1870 Federal Census, there is no indication that Phebe was deaf. I wonder why. I also wonder if Phebe was born deaf or if she became deaf later in life.

If she was born deaf, I wonder what her life was like as a child. What were her educational opportunities? How did her family communicate with her?

An article in Wikipedia called "History of deaf education in the United States" states the following:

"Before the 1800s, few, if any, educational opportunities existed for deaf children in America. Some wealthy families sent their children to Europe's schools, but many non-high class children had no access to education."

The article also stated that deaf education began in the early 1800s in the United States.

I was hoping to find Phebe in the 1860 Federal Census⁴ to see if she was listed as deaf in that census as well. So far I haven't found her. I did find her husband and two of her children however. But, Phebe wasn't listed as living with her husband Nathaniel in this census. I wonder where she was.

As you can see from the image below, Nathaniel Pierce was still living next to his daughter Amanda (Pierce) Selby and her family. Nathaniel was also living next to his son Edwin and his family.

1860 United States Federal Census
Houston, Adams, Illinois

By the time the 1870 Federal Census was taken, Phebe's husband Nathaniel had passed away. In this census, Phebe was listed as living with her daughter Amanda and her family.

1870 United States Federal Census
Houston, Adams, Illinois

As you can see, I have many unanswered questions about Phebe and her family. Hopefully I will be able to answer these questions through further research.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Year: 1850; Census Place: Houston, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M432_97; Page: 119B; Image: 246. Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.^↩
2 "United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12391-221369-79?cc=1438024 : accessed 27 Oct 2014), Illinois > Adams > Houston > image 31 of 32; citing NARA microfilm publication M593.^↩
3 Jacobus, Donald Lines, and Edgar Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family. Vol. 1. New Haven, CT: E.F. Waterman, 1939. 565. Print.^↩
4 Year: 1860; Census Place: Houston, Adams, Illinois; Roll: M653_155; Page: 979; Image: 635; Family History Library Film: 803155. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.^↩

52 Ancestors: #42 ~ Jerusha Waterman – Daughter of a Revolutionary War Surgeon

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small. 

In previous 52 Ancestors posts, I introduced you to Samuel and Erastus, two of the nine children born to my 4th great-grandparents, Luther and Phebe Waterman. Today, I'd like to introduce you to Luther and Phebe's eldest daughter, Jerusha Waterman.

Jerusha was born on 8 Jun 1786 in Amenia, Dutchess, New York. Her father, Dr. Luther Waterman had served as a surgeon in the American Revolutionary War. In Luther's pension file, Jerusha is listed as one of his and Phebe's children and on one of the documents she signed her name. In fact, in this amazing pension file, the signatures of all of Luther and Phebe's children can be found. I'll share Jerusha's signature in a future post.

Jerusha married Jonas Smith sometime before 1805. She and Jonas were the parents of nine children. Their first two children were born in New York and their third child was born in Pennsylvania.  The rest of their children were born in Ohio.

1. Hiram Smith (1805-1878)
2. Lavina Smith (1807-1880)
3. Harriet Smith (1809-1888)
4. Asher Smith (1812-1880)
5. Jacob Smith (1815- 1882)
6. John Smith (1817-1880)
7. Phebe Smith (1819-1883)
8. Sarah L. Smith (1826-1908)
9. Amanda Catherine Smith (1832-1905)

Jerusha and her family were living near her brothers, Samuel and David Bassett Waterman, in the 1850 Federal Census for Troy Township, Athens, Ohio.¹ You can see her brothers and their families listed below Jerusha's family in the image below.



This is a cropped portion from the 1850 Federal Census showing Jonas and Jerusha Smith and three of their daughters.



Jonas Smith passed away on 8 January 1853 in Coolville, Athens, Ohio, leaving Jerusha a widow for 14 years. In the 1860 Federal Census, Jerusha is listed as the head of household in Troy Township, Athens, Ohio.² The image below is a cropped portion from that census record. Her daughters, Lavina and Sarah (Sally) were living with her at the time. Also, a young man named Benjamin Humphrey was living with them too. It looks like he was helping with them with their farm.



Jerusha passed away on 1 June 1867 in Coolville, Athens, Ohio. She was buried in Bethel Cemetery which is located in Troy Township, Coolville, Athens County, Ohio.

I'll introduce you to another of Luther and Phebe Waterman's children in a future post.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11779-141880-28?cc=1401638 : accessed 14 Oct 2014), Ohio > Athens > Troy > image 14 of 34; citing NARA microfilm publication M432.^↩
2 Year: 1860; Census Place: Troy, Athens, Ohio; Roll: M653_934; Page: 105; Image: 214; Family History Library Film: 803934. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.^↩

52 Ancestors: #41 ~ Erastus Waterman's Signature

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to my 3rd great-granduncle, Erastus Waterman. He was the second child born to my 4th great-grandparents, Luther and Phebe Waterman.

Erastus Waterman was born on 6 May 1780 in Connecticut.

On 11 September 1851, Erastus Waterman signed a Power of Attorney document, which is found in Luther Waterman's Revolutionary War pension file. In this document Erastus appointed Mr. John Welch to be his attorney in order to procure any money due to him and his siblings from their father's Revolutionary Pension. Erastus' mother, Phebe, had already passed away by the time this Power of Attorney document was signed.

Here's the Power of Attorney document that was signed by Erastus. About half-way down the page is his signature.



And here's Erastus' signature cropped from the page.



Erastus was 77 years old when he signed this document. He passed away on 13 April 1859 in Coolville, Athens, Ohio.

I don't have any information indicating Erastus ever married. In fact, in the book Waterman Family, Descendants of Robert Waterman, Volume 1, page 563,¹ it states the following: "No wife or family have been found." The book also states the following regarding Erastus' burial place: "Gravestone near Coolville, Athens Co., Ohio"

Erastus was living with his nephew John Smith and his family in the 1850 federal census.² This image shows John's wife Lydia and their children. Erastus is on line four. John is listed on the previous page.



I'll be introducing you to another of Luther and Phebe Waterman's children in a future 52 Ancestors post.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Jacobus, Donald Lines, and Edgar Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family. Vol. 1. New Haven, CT: E.F. Waterman, 1939. 563. Print.^↩
2 "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12328-142003-35?cc=1401638 : accessed 05 Oct 2014), Ohio > Meigs > Salem > image 23 of 34; citing NARA microfilm publication M432.^↩

52 Ancestors: #40 ~ Samuel Waterman, A Revolutionary War Surgeon's Son

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small. 

In last week's 52 Ancestors post I shared a photo of Dr. Luther L. Waterman's grave marker. Luther was my 4th great-grandfather and served as a surgeon in the American Revolutionary War. He and his wife, Phebe  Barker, were the parents of nine children. Samuel Waterman was their oldest child.

Samuel was born on 4 April 1778 in Connecticut. He married Lydia Edgerton, daughter of Zebulon Edgerton, Jr. and Abigail Palmer.

Samuel and Lydia were the parents of eight children.

1. Betsey M. Waterman (1804-1869)
2. John Barker Waterman (1806-1845)
3. Luther Waterman (1812-1852)
4. Anna Waterman (1814-After 1869)
5. Caroline Waterman (1816-1851)
6. David Waterman (1820-1896)
7. Zebulon E. Waterman (1823-1883)
8. Reuben Waterman (1828-?)

In 1850, Samuel and Lydia Waterman were living in Troy Township, Athens County, Ohio.¹ The image below is a cropped portion of the 1850 federal census for Troy Township, Athens, Ohio. At the time this census was taken Samuel was 72 years old. His occupation was listed as a farmer, his property was valued at $1,000, and his birthplace was Connecticut.

Some of Samuel and Lydia's children were living with them in 1850 – Betsey, Anna, Caroline, David and Reuben. David's wife, Mary Ann, and their baby, James, were also living with them as well.



The image below shows the full page from the 1850 census that lists Samuel and Lydia Waterman and their family.



When looking at census records, it's important to see who's living next to or near our ancestors. On this page we see that Samuel's younger brother, David Bassett Waterman, was living next to him. He's listed as D. B. Waterman.

Samuel Waterman passed away on 28 May 1857 in Coolville, Athens, Ohio.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved 

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1 "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11779-141880-28?cc=1401638 : accessed 04 Oct 2014), Ohio > Athens > Troy > image 14 of 34; citing NARA microfilm publication M432.^↩

52 Ancestors: #39 ~ Luther's Grave Marker in Union Cemetery

This is part of the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" Challenge begun by Amy Johnson Crow, author of the blog No Story Too Small.

I've written about my 4th great-grandfather, Dr. Luther L. Waterman, here on my blog before. He was a surgeon in the American Revolutionary War. I was thrilled to find his signature on a document dated August 23, 1776. I shared that exciting find on my blog. If you'd like to see his signature on that special document, click HERE.

Today I'd like to share a photo of Luther Waterman's grave marker. I found it on Find A Grave. The photo was taken by a Find A Grave volunteer named Nancy. I'm very grateful to her for taking this photo.

Dr. Luther L. Waterman Grave Marker
Photo Courtesy of Nancy

Dr. Luther L. Waterman Grave Marker

Photo Courtesy of Nancy

Unfortunately, the grave marker is somewhat difficult to read. I can make out the letters DOC above Luther's name. But that's about it.

Luther passed away on 9 September 1807 in Cazenovia, Madison County, New York and was buried in the Union Cemetery in Cazenovia. This map shows where Union Cemetery is in relation to Cazenovia.

Google Map - Cazenovia to Union Cemetery

And here's a different map showing Union Cemetery.

Google Map - Union Cemetery

Rootsweb has a webpage dedicated to the Union Cemetery. On this website, there's a map showing where the cemetery is located and a plot map as well. There's also a listing of those buried at the cemetery. From the list, it appears that Luther was the only Waterman buried there.

According to The Waterman Family, Volume 1, Descendants of Robert Waterman of Marshfield, Massachusetts through seven generations, Phebe and her children moved near Coolville, Ohio sometime after Luther's death.¹ A document in Luther's pension file which was signed by Phebe stated that she was a resident of Troy Township in Athens County Ohio on 8 September 1838.²

I was curious to see the distance from Cazenovia, New York to Coolville, Ohio. I once again turned to Google Maps. You can see the distance between these two cities on the map below.

Can you imagine moving this far in the early to mid 1800s? How did the family travel to Ohio? What mode of transportation did they use? Was the trip difficult or easy? In 1838 Phebe was 82 years old. I don't know exactly when she and her family moved to Ohio. But, even if it was ten years earlier, she would have been 72 years old at the time. What must it have been like for her to move hundreds of miles away from her home in New York?

Google Map - Cazenovia to Coolville

Athens County Ohio became the home and/or birthplace of several generations of my Waterman ancestors. These include my 3rd great-grandfather, Asher Waterman, his daughter and my 2nd great-grandmother Cynthia Maria Waterman, and her son and my great-grandfather, Watson (Frederick) Emory Webster. You may recognize Watson's name because he is affectionately referred to as "The Traveling Dentist" here on my blog.

In future 52 Ancestors posts, I'm planning on sharing what I know about the children of Luther and Phebe Waterman.

Thanks for reading!

Jana

© 2014 Copyright by Jana Last, All Rights Reserved

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1 Jacobus, Donald Lines, and Edgar Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family. Vol. 1. New Haven, CT: E.F. Waterman, 1939. 297. Print.^↩
2 Revolutionary War Pension file of Dr. Luther L. Waterman.^↩