Ever Widening Circle

Many of you that have read my blog, (though not many) know that this is a blog about my genenalogy... and have read about my search for my Native American roots.  I have found rather quickly in my research information about Fredric Webster son of Solomon & Mary (Wilson) Webster.  I stated in the blog entry "...Some in Michigan are living..." -

"Calling me back "home," beckoning me is a little piece of land. Ironically it is called Barkhamsted Lighthouse. I ponder the inhabitants of the Lighthouse "Tribe" even thought what it's name would mean to those coming after them. To me it is a beacon deep in my heart. A passion that was my mother's and my grandmother's to stand where the Websters & Chagum's once stood."

It's all coming full circle.... Probably a year ago I connected with Coni Allen-Dubois, also descendant of the Barkhamsted Lighthouse Tribe. (I figured out that she is my 7th cousin, 1x's removed - LOL!)  She has done extensive work & traveled far & wide to collect the "stories" of our family.  Coni has asked me to join her blog & write updates on my Webster family line there.  I am truly honored & totally excited to be joining an awesome sister to dig up all the stories we can collect on the Barkhamsted Lighthouse Tribe. :-)  You can check her Blog out at Ever Widening Circle - I will be posting very soon :)

Summer's here!!!

G'morning! Summer is here, school is out & it's time to take weekly visits to cemeteries... I've been out & about to 3 cemeteries... plan on more.  I think it's very important to teach my children the importance of taking care of graves & how to respect them. 

I remember trips to cemeteries in the summer with my Grammy Vincent. She would tell me stories about our family. Things like "My uncles lived there," pointing to a empty piece of land... "... and after they died me & my girlfriends used it as a playhouse until one day your grandpa & some of his friends scared us and filled the kitchen table with dead birds!"
She goes on to tell me about her uncles...

"Uncle Stub & Uncle Steven were farmers.  They have always lived together.  Uncle Stub was, well something was wrong with him, he looked like someone had smash his head down into his body, he was slow mentally.  But he was so sweet to us kids.  They died within days of each other, I remember going to the funeral, they had died from tuberculous or something that was going around at that time."

Clayborn "Stub" Palmer

I then did some research...

Stephen Lewis and Clayborn Lester were 6th & 9th son of Syrenous Palmer & Terissa A. Chase.

Stephen was born on 7 Sept 1878 in Michigan or Ohio.  I find him in 1880 in Duplain, Clinton County, MI with his parents.  Clayborn was born 8 September 1885 in Brant, Saginaw County, MI.  I find both Sephen & Clayborn in 1900 & 1910 in Brant, Saginaw County, MI with their parents.  They lived together in 1920 in Brant, Saginaw County, MI.

Stephen died on 11 April 1931 in Brant of Pneumonia (not really tuberculous but my grandma was 9 at the time of their death).  Clayborn died on 13 April 1931 in Brant of Pneumonia, only 2 days after Stephen died.

Both are buried in Brant Cemetery in Saginaw County, Michigan.

Clayborn & Stephen's Grave Stone in Brant Cemetery.

Canadian Genealogy...

The people in the photo, are James Tyrrell & his first wife Sarah Coulbeck.

James Tyrrell was born 17 Mar 1865 in Bayham, Ontario, Canada the son of Ambrose Tyrrell & Mary Lane. He married Sarah Coulbeck on 19 Oct 1885 in Tilsonburg, Oxford, Ontario, Canada. Sarah was born Abt 1859-1860 in Ashby cum Fenby, Lincolnshire, England. In 1861 she is in the England Census in Eastville, Lincolnshire, England. She died sometime between 1891-1895 in Ontario, Canada. Sarah was the daughter of Charles Coulbeck & Hannah Blythe.

* Looking for more information on Sarah Coulbeck.

_____________________________________________

Post Card sent on Sep 14, 1908 (9 AM)

To Mrs. Bert Webster, Lawton, Mich.

Reads:"Lizzie--This is view of our house. Mother is one in black-the short one. Jip is sitting beside her. It is I on the top step. Pa happened to be down town so wasn't in it. F. N. T."

F. N. T. could be Nora.

Please email me at sherita461972@gmail.com

40th Birthday!!!

I'm still researching the Webster family. My husband bought me a 6 month membership with Ancestry.com - while researching on there I found several photos of the Webster family. This one is of Frederic Roy Webster & his wife Mary B. Blett Webster, my great great grandparents. Not sure when it was in the paper, but it says they are celebrating their 65 wedding anniversary.

I've got them being married on 26 Mar 1878 in Shermantown, Allegan County, MI (source: Dibean Marriage Collection) and they both died in 1942 (her in Feb & him in Nov). So if the marriage year is right they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 1943 which is impossible.... OR I've death dates wrong, which I doubt because I found their death records on Ancestry.com & correspondence with a granddaughter of theirs.

I celebrated my 40th birthday, and yes I did have a minor mid-life crisis... but I snapped out of it when my hubby gave me this gift & my zeal for research was renewed. I can't wait for some free time to make a trip to the State of Michigan's Library to get into some "old school" researching. :-) All in all, my birthday was a mildstone I will not forget anytime soon.

Much Love from Michigan

Genealogy Gaps...

Recently a friend asked me to "teach" her how to find her ancestors... my advice was to "start with yourself, your parents, your grandparents, their siblings, their cousins... then you can dig deeper." With that advice I realized that I have some major gaps in my more recent genealogy.

This photo of the girls by the old car is my grandma Lash with her siblings & cousins. I realize I have lots of empty spots under their names. I have filled out my grandma's information but not her sisters or cousins. It was taken at my great grandmother Elizabeth Webster's funeral, so it was in July 1921. Right to left I will place what I do know about each child in the photo.

Maxine M. Mohney (in the dirty looking dress, I think she is like me, I'm sure she was all clean & as soon as possible she got in the dirt... yep that's how I was LOL!) She was born in 1916 in Michigan. She was the 3rd daughter of Nora Delle Webster & James Clarence Mohney. I found her in the 1930's Census living with her sister Ruth & Ruth's husband Clarence Cook in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, MI. And in Ruth's obituary in 1999 Maxine had already passed.

Alice J. Webster (in black dress with white colar - also photo to the right with Edith) born February 24, 1908 in Lawton, Van Buren County, MI oldest child to Bert Alvin Webster & Elizabeth Ann Tyrrell. I found her in the 1920 Census with her parents in Genesee County, MI. The first marriage record I found of her was to Frank J. Glimos, but she had already been married to a Mr. Flintoff - but I can not find any record of her first husband. She married Frank Glimos on July 26, 1947 in Genesee County, MI. He died in 1962 in Saginaw, Saginaw County, MI. Alice died March 1, 1977 in Genesee County, MI. She is buried in Grace Lawn Cemetery, Flint, Genesee County, MI (same cemetery as her parents). Alice & my grandmother Edith were very close & spent a lot of time together.

Ruth Carol Mohney (white'sh dress with the baby in front of her - mother Ruth Ann was named after her; the photo to the right is Ruth) was born December 3, 1909 in Lawton, Van Buren County, MI. The oldest child & daughter of Nora Delle Webster & James Clarence Mohney. First record I found of her was with her husband Clarence Cook in the 1930 Census in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, MI. Clarence & Ruth must have divorced, since he died in 1968 & she married Jack C. Haas in 1938 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, MI. Ruth died on March 26, 1999 at the Lifecare Center in Plainwell, Allegan County, MI, her funeral was held on March 28, 1999 at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren Funeral Home Vicksburg Chapel in Vicksburg, Kalamazoo County, MI. Ruth was buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Lawton, Van Buren County, MI (as well as her 2nd husband Jack.)


Rosetta "Betty" Webster (the baby in front of Ruth; she is the little girl to the right) born 5 months before her mother Elizabeth died on February 13, 1921 in Lawton, Van Buren County, MI. Youngest child/daughter to Bert Alvin Webster & Elizabeth Ann Tyrrell. She moved in with her Aunt Nora after her mother died. Betty died on September 24, 1929 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, MI of Primary Lobar Pneumonia (Aka: Tuberculous). I haven't found where she is buried, but I am assuming Kalamazoo or Flint. I would love to find out more about her, but since she only lived 8 years, it's harder.






Edith Irene Webster (in black sailer type outfit; this is my grandma Lash) she was born August 31, 1914 in Lawton, Van Buren County, MI. She is the second child/daughter of Bert Alvin Webster & Elizabeth Ann Tyrrell. She married Ray (Roy) Lash on December 31, 1936 at the Mt. Morris Methodist Church in Mt. Morris, Genesee County, MI. They had 12 children, and lived in Flint, Genesee County, MI until they moved to Chesaning, Saginaw County, MI in 1960's. She lived in Chesaning until the time of her death on June 21, 2007, where she passed away at her home surrounded by loved ones. She is buried in Wildwood Cemetery in Chesaning, Saginaw County, MI next to her beloved husband Ray. I have many memories of my grandma. She told me that she loved hummingbirds because her mother loved them, that Elizabeth (called Lizzie) had a vine outside her kitchen window so the hummingbirds would come. Edith also loved butterflies because her mother thought they were beautiful.

The last child is Lurena W. Webster (she is looking down) she was born on August 14, 1919 most likely in Lawton, Van Buren County, MI (haven't found the record, grandma told me the birthdates of her sisters). She was the 3rd child/daughter of Bert Alvin Webster & Elizabeth Ann Tyrrell. She married a Mr. Papple (can't find any record of this yet), but when she married her 2nd husband Howard B. Welch on June 14, 1945 in Genesee County, MI she was Lurena Papple. Howard died in 1955 in Genesee County, MI & is buried in Gracelawn Cemetery in Flint, Genesee County, MI. Lurena later married Harry Quinn on September 22, 1984 in Genesee County, MI. Lurena was named after her mother's sister Lurena Tyrrell & also my grandmother named one of her daughter's Lurena. Lurena died January 19, 1996 in Genesee County, MI and is buried in Gracelawn Cemetery.

The following photo is of Bert & his 3 grown up daughters sometime in the early 1960's, from left to right is Lurena, Bert, Edith & Alice.

....Some in Michigan are living...

Calling me back "home," beckoning me is a little piece of land. Ironically it is called Barkhamsted Lighthouse. I ponder the inhabitants of the Lighthouse "Tribe" even thought what it's name would mean to those coming after them. To me it is a beacon deep in my heart. A passion that was my mother's and my grandmother's to stand where the Websters & Chagum's once stood. To see the old cemetery & foundations of the homes, that are barely noticed today. To somehow feel their presence from the past. To visit the town's Historical Society and Records vault, to find my ancestors name in some forgotten record.

It all starts with JAMES CHAGUM and MOLLY BARBER.

James Chagum, son of Great James Chagum and Jane/Priscilla Sands, was born in Jun 1710 in Block Island, Washington County, RI. James went to worked as a gardener for Molly's father. Other notable events are; Land Grant: 1760. "James Chaugham being awarded a land grant in 1760 by the British Gov. of GT.", Military Service: Possible that he served in the French Indian Wars. Molly Barber was born about 1714, uncertian where, some reports of Ireland others Wethersfield, CT. Her father's name could be Peter Barber, but it is unknown. In the 1800, Litchfield County, CT. "Mary Chaugum, P. 32, with 1 Female-over 45, 3 free persons in family"

The story goes that Molly had many male callers, she fell in love with a gentleman caller, and her father denied them to get married and locked her up on their grounds, the gentleman then moved out west. James seeing Molly so sad gave her a rose from the garden and a friendship blossomed. They eventually fell in love and decided to run away so they could be together. Molly's angered father chased them from Wethersfield, CT into an Indian village near Barkhamsted, were he passed right by Molly and didn't even recognize her. Molly and James fearing that they'd be descovered then settled in the mountain range around Barkhamsted where they flourished. They had 8 children in all; Two boys Samuel who married Miss. Green of Sharon, CT and Solomon who married Miss Hayes & now I have found that he may have also married a Ms. Sophia Bills (Webster) who died while giving birth on 3 Mar 1848 in Kent, Litchfield County, CT. Six girls, two who never married Elizabeth who died in 1854 and Sally who died young. Meribah (aka: Mary) who married Samuel Lawerence. Hannah Sands who married Ruben Barber in 1784. Mercy married Isaac Jacklyn. Mary (aka: Polly) married William Preston Wilson Sr, who was a preacher (some say Baptist) and a school teacher, he also served in the Revolution War, he was lame possibly from battle of Monmouth.

William P. Wilson Sr & Mary/Polly Chagum lived at the Lighthouse site, & had 4 known children; Susan (b. 1795) married Daniel F. Clarke, Esther (b. 1796) married David Haskell, Polly (b. 1771) married Joseph Elwell Sr. [I have found 6 children for them, one who is Sybil Elwell who married Montgumery Webster, who was the father of Solomon Webster], and finally their only son William Preston Wilson Jr, (b 1799) married Harriet Wilson - daughter of Eli Wilson & Huldah Wadsworth Cook. [I have found 5 children for them one of whom is Mary Wilson who married Solomon Webster the son of Montgumery Webster].

Sybil Elwell & Montgumery Webster's children were said to be 11 but I have only found 8; Solomon (b. 1828) married Mary Wilson, Henrietta (b. Jun 1830), Minerva (b. 1834), William (b. 1840), Prudence (b. 9 Jan 1845), Henry (b. 1 May 1848 d. 20 May 1848), Stephen (b. 15 Jun 1849) & Samuel (b. Nov 1850). Sybil died 21 July 1851 in Bela Squire Crossing in Farmington, Hartford County, CT age 47 years old and Montgumery died 16 Aug 1883 in Winchester, Litchfield County, CT age 81 years old.

Solomon Webster & Mary Wilson had 11 known children; Franklin (b. 1850) married Mary Corlis in 1882, Laura (b. 30 Jul 1851) married Isaac Elwell [grandson of Joseph Elwell Sr. & Polly Wilson], Frederic Roy (b. 1852) married Mary Blett, Riley (b. Mar 1858 d. 24 Jun 1917) never married, Susan (b. 14 Aug 1861) married Andrew Cochran in 1878, Watson Squires in 1888 and Walter Humphrey in 1810, Janet (b. 1864) married Edwin Snow, Isadora "Dora" M. (b.1860's) married Francis W. Hack, Emma (b. 22 Feb 1868) married Egbert King in 1891, Mary (b. 1869 d. 1869) died of Cyanosis, Daniel (b. 1870), Justina Janet (b. 1870 d. 1870) died of Cyanosis. I also have two other children in the census with them a Prudence (b. 9 Jan 1859) and a Ferdine (b. 1859) - believe these are the same person & I also believe that Prudence is Solomon's sister.

The above photo was taken at Bert's wife Lizzie's funeral July of 1921.

Left to Right: Stanley, Bert, Frank, Fred Jr, Nora, Minnie, Elmer, Judd. Fred & Mary Webster standing in front in the middle.

Frederic Roy Webster [moved to Michigan with his aunt & uncle, Isaac Elwell (b. 1812) & Thankful M. Wilson (b. 1812) after 1870] he & his wife Mary Blett had 6 children who where all born in Michigan; Frank E. (b. 1878), Lena Belle (b. 1881), Fred Agusta (b. 1883), Bert Alvin (b. 1887), Nora Delle (b. 1889) & Stanley (b. 1892). It should be noted here that in 1880 Frank should have been about 2 years old & he was not in the census with his parents, however a child was with them named Charles that was born in 1879, I believe this is Frank. Also Mary was married before to Henry W. Price & they had 4 children - Nellie, Minnie, Elmer & Byron Judson (aka Judd) & in many census were named Webster.

(The photo to the left is Webster children back row left to right is Frank, Bert, Fred Jr, sitting is Nora & Stanley. Missing in Lena Belle since she died in 1916, I'm assuming that the photo was taken after that time.)

Bert is my great grandfather, his daughter Edith Webster married Roy Lash, her daughter was Ruth Ann Lash who is my mother.

I hold in my hand two wonderful books. The first one is A Village of Outcasts: Historical Archaeology and Documentary Research at the Lighthouse Site by Kenneth L. Feder. GoodReads calls it "A fascinating story of Native Americans, freed African-American slaves, and assorted European outcasts who came together and established a settlement that thrived from 1740 to 1860, this case study integrates the history and archaeology of a multicultural, multiethnic New England village." I have had the book since I purchased some for my mother & grandmother from Walt Langraf in May of 1998 & he sent me a copy as a gift. At that time I was still in college & had limited time to read it, I have recently started reading it again. The book talks about Archaeology terminology & a basic knowledge of Archaeology. It also talks about my second wonderful book "The Legend of the Barkhamsted Light House" by Lewis S. Mills, MA. , which is written in the style of The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

In Feder's book is more factual, while Mills' book is more "romantic" - both are prized possessions of my collection of family heirlooms. Not only do I treasure the information in those books & the papers I received back in 1998, I treasure the friend I had in Walt Langraf, I know that this world is a little bit darker now that he is no longer with us.
One day in the near future I hope to step onto this Valley where my ancestors lived & loved. One day I hope that my children can see the importance of history. The song by Cher, "Gypsy's Tramps & Theives" keeps running through my head; James Chagum was considered a run-away servant, he & his brave wife Molly Barber was considered outlaws...

In Lewis S. Mills book, "The Legend of the Barkhamsted Light House" page 93 he writes...

“Molly Barber and James Chaugham
Dead and Buried-gone forever:
Scattered now are their descendants.
Some are in the Town of Woodbury
Busy digging graves and hunting;
Some in Riverton and Colebrook
Some in Harwinton and Winsted,
Some in Michigan are living.

… Generations speeding onward
In an ever widening circle,
Carry far the blood of Chaugham
And his spouse, brave Molly Barber..."
My family are part of that "...SOME IN MICHIGAN ARE LIVING...."

Civil War website... and February in Michigan

Hello friends... it's February in Michigan & yestreday it was almost 50 degrees!!! Gotta love this globel warming LOL!!!

Found this cool website for Civil War records at http://www.michiganinthewar.org/rosters.htm

The above pic I found at a Saginaw County website (can't remember where now) but it was of the Brant Civil War men... my great great grandfather George Aldrich is in there somewhere just can't get it big enough to really see... will have to find the pic larger somewhere :)

Happy Hunting!

The winter wind is blowing here in Michigan....

.... and I am dreaming of going to cemeteries in the summer....

I know that no one really reads my blog entries... but I love doing them. I started a new hobby... sorta. I am couponing!! I have saved so much money, my husband bought for himself a new motorcyle and I got a tattoo! It hurt like crazy, but I want another one!! :) Going with butterflies I think.

I don't know how some people do all that they do... being a full time mom of 2 kids & all their activities, going to class at church once a week, Bible study, couponing, and all the books I want to read... plus general housework that needs to get done... genealogy & scrapbooking have kinda got pushed down to low priority. :(

My laptop crashed, and I've been slowly rebuilding my genealogy database back up. I am really focusing on sourcing my information. I found a website that helps figure out how to source, http://www.genealogywise.com/group/sourcingyourgenealogy.

I think one of the ways to get everything done that I want done is to pick a one day a month and do genealogy. :)

Oh also to the Chaugham family who may look at this check out Coni's website... http://conidubois.wordpress.com/ she has extensive research on the Barkhamsted Lighthouse tribe in CT :)

Happy Hunting!

Sherry

Seeking Michigan

I found this great website, that lets you search for, view & print death certificates in Michigan from 1897-1920! This is an awesome tool for Michigan Genealogist. It's been around since 2008 (I believe) and they have more history than just death records such as photographs, maps, spoken histories, and documents. I especially love the Civil War photographs & records!!

Happy Hunting! :)

Genealogy slump

We all go through times when we just can't find anything or life takes over & we don't have time to research all that we want to. I have been there. This last year & a half has been crazy here in the Carsten house. My husband Marty is still recovering from Meningitis, but he is doing GREAT! A year ago our little foster baby J left our home & our hearts are broken. We felt the most joy we could have ever felt when we adopted our 2 foster children Z & S. We left our home church of 11 years to follow what God has for us.... and in return have found some of the greatest friends ever!

In July I feel 3 different times, broke a couple toes, and ruptured two disc. Spent the summer healing & loving on my kids... and now we are knee deep in football/cheerleading... ugh!! Hoping school starting will give me some chances to do some genealogy research.

Much love,
Sherry

Search my records on Find-A-Grave

Search Sherry Carsten's cemetery records at by entering a surname and clicking search: This contributor's recordsAll of Find A Grave (61.5 million names) Restrict search to Surname

Time for Summer/Brick walls

Hello all... I've been really busy this winter. Ready for camping this summer... we've got a couple of family reunions already planned. For Marty's side, we have the Martin family campout in June & the Carsten family reunion in July. My family hasn't done a reunion in a long time. Would love to do a Vincent family reunion. But I did find that there is going to be an Aldrich one in July... that will be interesting! :)


Aldrich Brick Walls


ALDRICH/ALDRIGE/ALDRIDGE--AARON ALDRICH, b. Abt. 1810 in NY. Married Almira LOCKWOOD bef. 1835 prob. in NY. Children: George William, Susan, & Anna. George m. Arabella HAMILL in St. Charles, Saginaw County, MI; Susan m._____ALBACH of West Milbrook; Anna m._____CORNELL of Washington.



ARABELLA HAMILL (Photo to the right is Arabella, can't remember where I got it from or who); b. August 14, 1850 in Lansing, MI. Married George ALDRICH on February 18, 1866 in St. Charles, Saginaw County, MI. d. August 07, 1920 in Pontiac, MI. Her parents were William D. & Triphena Arabella [MORTON] HAMILL. However she was adopted. Her real name was Faith Charity. There was also a little boy that was adopted by William & Triphena. Would like info on both her adopted family and her biological family.






ALMIRA (or ELMIRA LOCKWOOD), b. March 04, 1823 in NY. Married (1) Aaron ALDRICH/ALDRIGE/ALDRIDGE Bef. 1835 prob. in NY. Married (2) William CRAIG in Michigan. d. June 28, 1901 in Corunna, Shiawassee County, MI. Death Record in Shiawassee County Court House says her parents were Mr. DOGE of Corunna and Unknown. But the 1850 Sharon, Washtenaw County, MI census says that Mary LOCKWOOD lived with Aaron & Almira ALDRIGE at the age of 50 being born in NY. The 1860 of St. Charles, Saginaw County, MI census say Mary LOCKWOOD lived with William & Almira CRAIG at the age of 63 being born in NY. Any information on the parentage of Almira/Elmira or Mary LOCKWOOD would be appreciated.

Summer's almost over..... :D

Thing have been so crazy here. Summer was great, did a lot of camping. Fed the deer up north at a refuge, my daughter was in baseball (her team took 3rd place!), my husband's family had family reunions, my great neice & nephew came up from Virginia for a visit, went swimming A LOT, and our foster baby J, (we got him at 5 days old) went to live with his birth father. (J was 17 months old when he left us)

I am so ready for school to start, but we are gonna go camping one more time! I did find over the summer, my husband's great great grandfather August's death certificate. For those of you who don't know my husband, his name is Martin.... check out the Father's name on August's death certificate!!! :)

Gravestone Symbolism

I love old gravestones, they are so beautiful and with great meaning. I never knew what some meant, so

I did some research into the meanings of symbols on gravestones. Listed below are some of the symbols commonly used and what they mean. (I have gathered all over the internet)

Anchor: The Anchor represents a steadfast hope. There is life after death.
Arch: We are separated from our loved ones now, but we will spend eternity together in heaven.
Birds: Birds represent the soul.
Cherub: A cherub represents divine wisdom.
Broken Column: A life cut short.
Conch shell: The wisdom of a wise man.
The Cross, the Anchor, and the Bible: The trial, the victory, and the reward.
Crown: Eternal reward and glory.
Dove: Holy Spirit, purity and love
Evergreen: Eternal Life
Garland: Christ was victorious over death.
Ivy: Faithfulness
Lamb: Innocence.
Laurel: Victory
Lily: The resurrection
Olive Branch: Peace and Forgiveness
Palms: Victory over death.
Peacock: Eternal life.
Skeleton: Life is short.
Star of David: God
Snake in a Circle: Everlasting life.
Flag: liberty and loyalty. Often seen on military markers.
Stars & Stripes around an Eagle: Eternal vigilance and liberty. Often seen on U.S. military markers.
Sword: often indicates military service. When found on the base of the stone might indicate infantry.
Horse: May indicate calvalry.
Eagle: courage, faith and generosity. May indicate military service.
Shield: Strength and courage. May indicate military service.
Rifle: often indicates military service.
Cannon: generally indicates military service. When found on the base of the stone it may indicate artillery.
Crossed Swords: Lost in battle. (Also may indicate a military person of high rank)
Torch: Eternal Life.
Triangle: The Trinity.
Weeping Willow: Grief
Heart: victory of the soul over death
Hands reached to the sky: signifying a belief in life after death.
Hands pointing down: as though to depict the hand of god confirming mortality.
Hands clasped in prayer: devotion or a couple reunited in death.
Handshake: soul saying goodbye to earthly life.

Links to others:
http://www.everlifememorials.com/v/headstones/cemetery-symbolism.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headstone
http://www.thegraveyardrabbit.com/2008/12/links-to-articles-by-graveyard-rabbits_20.html

A variety of acronyms, such as GAR, DAR and SCV may also indicate military service or membership in a veteran's organization. These listed here are U.S. organizations.

CSA - Confederate States of America
DAR - Daughters of the American Revolution
GAR - Grand Army of the Republic
SAR - Sons of the American Revolution
SCV - Sons of Confederate Veterans
SSAWV - Sons of Spanish American War Veterans
UDC - United Daughters of the Confederacy
USD 1812 - Daughters of the War of 1812
USWV - United Spanish War Veterans
VFW - Veterans of Foreign Wars


Speaking of graves, I always wondered why people put stones or rocks on gravestones, well... The Jewish tradition of leaving a pebble or stone on top of a tombstone signifies that someone has honored the deceased person’s memory with a visit to the grave. I have also heard that it commemorates the gathering of family and friends to mourn the deceased. Cool isn't it?

Pvt. Dee Lash

Born L. D. Lash on December 11, 1895 in Richfield, Genesee County, MI to John H. Lash and Cordelia Lane.
He worked for the city of Flint as a Laborer, according to his June 5, 1917, World War 1 Draft Registration Card.

He died July 20, 1918 at the 103rd Field Hospital in La Ferte, France. Died of wounds received during the battle of Chateau-Thierry. He was buried in the American section, La Ferte-sous-Jouarre, Grave #239.

According to correspondence in his military file he "was cheerful and quite optimistic when evacuated. Later died at hospital, and accorded military burial. Greatly admired by his fellow soldiers, his untimely death is sincerely regretted."

In July of 1921 his body was brought home, at first his final resting place was going to be Arlington Cemetery, but his father changed his mind and had him laid to rest in Gracelawn Cemetery, Flint, Genesee County, MI. There is no grave marker on his grave that I was able to find.

I have searched the Flint Journal paper for July 1918 and 1921, there is no mention of him dying or being brought home. There is no obituary, not even in the list of injuried soldiers is there anything mentioned of him.



Here are some World War 1 links that are helpful

http://www.worldwar1.com/
http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Main_Page
http://www.overthefront.com/
http://chippewa.migenweb.net/gwarsoldier.htm

Lighthouse Tribe of Barkhamsted, CT

They were a quiet little community in the hills of Connecticut. Here is there story...

It all starts with JAMES CHAUGHUM and MOLLY BARBER. James was born to Samuel & Priscilla Chaughum circa 1710 on Block Island, Rhode Island. James went to worked as a gardener for Molly's father. Molly was born in Ireland about 1714. Her father's name could be Peter Barber, but it is unknown. It is unknown when they came to Wethersfield, CT.

The story goes that Molly had many male callers, she fell in love with a gentleman caller, and her father denied them to get married and locked her up on their grounds, the gentleman then moved out west. James seeing Molly so sad gave her a rose from the garden and a friendship blossomed. They eventually fell in love and decided to run away so they could be together. Molly's angered father chased them from Wethersfield, CT into an Indian village near Barkhamsted, were he passed right by Molly and didn't even recognize her. Molly and James then settled in the mountain range around Barkhamsted where they flourished.

They had 8 children in all; Sally, Samuel, Solomon, Meribah (Mary), Hannah Sands, Mercy, Mary (Polly), and Elizabeth. Samuel married a Miss. Green, Solomon married a Miss. Hayes, Meribah (Mary) married Samuel Lawerence, Hannah Sands married Ruben Barber in 1784, Mercy married Isaac Jacklyn, Mary (Polly) married William Wilson before 1797.

My link is Mary & William Wilson (click on their names above, and it will take you to their website)

Click here to view Photos from Book's on the Lighthouse tribe

Suggested Reading
A Village of Outcasts: Historical Archaeology and Documentary Research at the Lighthouse Site, by Kenneth L. Feder (Mayfield Publishing Company, Mountain View, California---1994).(Book cover scanned by Sherry L. Carsten)

Barkhamsted, CT and its centennial 1879, by William Wallace Lee, (Meriden, CT: Republican Steam Print, 1881).

The Legend of Barkhamsted Light House, by Lewis Sprauge Mills, (Lewis Sprauge Mill, publisher. Barkhamsted, CT).

Other Links to the Lighthouse

Stone Museum in People's State Forest, Pleasant Valley

Barkhamsted Historical Society

Lyman C. Lash

Born: 19 May 1826 - New York

Marriage: 9 Dec 1848 - Grand Blanc, Genesee, Michigan to Mary J. Reinhart

Census: 1850 - Atlas, Genesee, Michigan

Census: 1860 - Oregon, Lapeer, Michigan

Census: 1870 - Richfield, Genesee, Michigan

Census: 1880 - Richfield, Genesee, Michigan

Census: 1900 - Richfield, Genesee, Michigan

Death: 15 Jul 1902 - Richfield, Genesee, Michigan

Burial: 17 Jul 1902 - Richfield Union Cemetery, Richfield, Genesee, Michigan

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Anyone have any other information?

UGH!

My computer crashed!! I lost all my genealogy files!!! :(

Mary Conley Hilliker - grave found!

Mary Conley born 23 June 1833 in Cayuga County, NY (calculated from her gravestone; says she was 38 years 9 months, 7 days).

I have her marriage to Lester Gibbs on 12 Nov 1850 in Lapeer County, Michigan (source Dibean Marriage Records), daughter Eleanor (Ella) born sometime between 1852-1854, I can't find her in the 1860 census, and she isn't with Lester or her daughter, which are with Philo & Mary Ann Gibbs in Dryden, Lapeer County, MI. According to Family Search, she marries to Charles Garner in 1861 in NY (but her surname is Traverse), between 1862-1864 they have Albert and Harriet Garner, all in Cayuga or Wayne County, NY. Charles dies in the Salisbury Prison in Salisbury, NC. Sometime after his death in December of 1864, but before 1868 she moves back to Lapeer County, Michigan.

She marries Mortimer Hilliker on 29 March 1868 (this is where I get Cayuga County, NY as her birth). Daughter Lillie is born in December 1868 in Dryden, Lapeer County, MI. I next find her in 1870 census with husband Mortimer in Dryden, Lapeer County, MI with Bert & Hattie as Hilliker's not Garner. She died on 1 April 1872 and is buried in Thornville Cemetery, Lapeer County, MI.

What I find interesting is...

1. I found Charles Garner in 1860 with Robert & Mary Conley in Cayuga County.
2. Mortimer Hilliker's brother Albert married Rebecca Conley daughter of Justice & Lucy Conley and has a sister named Mary.
3. I found Justus COONLEY (spelling different I know) with Ester, Lucey, Julia, Mary, Harriet, and Rebecca in Lapeer County in 1850
4. Mary is buried in the same cemetery as other Hilliker's but also with Gibbs and Eoff's.
   

Could my Mary be related to Albert's wife Rebecca? Could Robert and Mary Conley who Charles Garner is living with be related to my Mary? Where oh where did my Mary go??

Could this be???

I found this Death Certificate on a website that has Death Records 1897-1920 called Seeking Michigan. Could this be Cordelia "Delia" Lane, who married John H. Lash??

What I know about Cordelia "Delia" Lane is as follows...

Born: Aug 1873 in Hadley, Lapeer County, MI

Parents: Isaac Lane & Elsie Cobb

Census:

1880 living with parents in Elba, Lapeer County, MI

1900 living with husband John Lash in Juanita Township, Tuscola County, MI

1910 living with husband John Lash in Juanita Township, Tuscola County, MI

Children: Lyman J., L. D. "Dee", Freddie, Edward C., Roy "Ray"

Death: Sometime between 1910 and 1918. (When son's Lyman, L. D. "Dee", & Edward entered the service in 1917 there was no mention of her. Then later, when Dee died on 20 Jul 1918, in his Military File it states that his father, John, is a widow.)