The Slovak Yankee

John Clark(e) 1736-1809 Will

This will is at Northumberland County (PA) Probate 2:95:

In the name of God Amen, I John Clarke of the Township of West Buffalo in the County of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania Yeoman being weak in body, but of sound mind and memory and understanding blessed be God for the same but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following to wit: Principally and first of all I commend my immortal Soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and as to such wordly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner to wit; First it is my will and I do order that all my just Debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease. 

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane, the wife of David Watson the sum of one thousand eight hundred sixty six Dollars and sixty seven cents Lawful Money current in the state of Pennsylvania as soon as conveniently can be after my decease.

Item I give and bequeath unto William Clark and Jane Clarke (being two of the children of my son Joseph Clarke) the sum of eight hundred Dollars in like Money aforesaid equally to be divided between them or their legal Representatives on their arrival of the age of twenty one years or days of marriage which ever shall first happen. 

Item I given and bequeath unto John Ram (torn) the sum of forty Dollars in like Money aforesaid to be paid to him as soon as conveniently can be after my decease. 

Item, I give and bequeath unto Widow Fisher (lately the wife of Philip Fisher) unto widow Little (lately the wife of Samuel Little) and unto widow McNutley (lately the wife of _____ McNutley) the sum of forty Dollars iin lie money aforesaid equally to be divided between them by my Executors herein after named and to be paid to them as soon as conveniently can be after my Deceased

And as touching all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate that is to say in Money Bonds, Notes or  Book Accounts, I give and bequeath unto the Children of my son Joseph Clarke in share and share alike to be paid to them as soon as the money shall come into the hands of the said Executors after my Decease.

And lastly I nominate constitute and app0int my friends David Watson and Christopher Eilert both of said  West Buffalo Township in the County and State aforesaid to be the Executors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills and testaments legacies and bequeaths by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the ninth Day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seven. 

John Clarke

 

 

Amanuensis Monday: Obituary of Catherine Y. Kinmond

Portland Evening News, Tuesday, February 24, 1931, page 14 [Maine]

MRS. CATHERINE Y. KINMOND

WESTBROOK--The funeral services for Mrs. Catherine Y. Kinmond, 86, who died Monday at her home on Pierce Street, will be held Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 from the funeral parlors of H.A.G. Hay, Main Street.  Mrs. Kinmond made her home with her son John Y. Kinmond, and was ill but a very short while before her death.  She was born in  Brechin, Scotland, and had resided in Westbrook almost 50 years.  Being a member of the Westbrook Congregational Church.  She leaves beside her son John, two other sons: James Kinmond of this city and Ernest Kinmond of Three Rivers, Mass.; also three daughters, Mrs. Annie K. Smith and Mrs. Veramus (sic) C. Hanson of the city, and Mrs. Betsy J. High of Methuen, Mass.

Portland Evening News, Thursday, February 26, 1931, page 16

MRS. CATHERINE Y. KINMOND

WESTBROOK--Funeral services were held Wednesday for Mrs. Catherine Y. Kinmond, wife of Ernest F. Kinmond from 795 Maine street, the Rev. Ray Gibbons of the Westbrook Congregational Church officiating.  Six grandsons were bearers, these being Ernest F. High of Methuen, Mass., Harold Kinmond of Three Rivers, Mass., Robert Smith, Ernest F. Kinmond, Philip Hanson and Roland Pinkham of this city.

 

N.B.  It is interesting that had I not continued reading I would have missed the second notice which ties my Pinkhams to this woman.  Her daughter, my great-grandmother, had predeceased her and was not mentioned in her obituary.

Amanuensis Monday: Obituary of Charles A. Keene

Beverly Evening Times (Beverly, Mass.)

CHARLES H. KEENE

Charles H. Keene residing at 29 Wallis Street and well known in Beverly passed away at the Beverly Hospital yesterday after an illness of about two months at the age of 63 years.

Mr. Keene was employed by the Boston & Maine Railroad and has a host of friends who will be sorry to learn of his passing.  He was a member of Liberty Lodge A. F. & A.M. The Scottish Rite Bodies of Salem and Boston, Aleppo Temple Shrine, Bass Rover Lodge I.O. D.F. and the Anchor Club.  Besides his son John W. Keene of Norristown, Pa. he elaves (sic a typo!) a sister in Watertown, three brothers Fred of New York City, William and Alonzo Keene of Boston and six grandchildren.  The funeral services will be held at the Funeral  Chapel of Curtis H. Gentlee Ellis Square, Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock.

Note: His full name was Charles Arthur Keene, and the H. is an error.  See his marriage and birth records at: Massachusetts Births for 1873, 250:188 and Massachusetts Marriages for 1892, 424:301.

Amanuensis Monday: Obituary of Ada S. Keene

Beverly Evening Times (Mass.) [April 28, 1934]

MRS. ADA S. KEENE

Mrs. Ada S. Keene, wife of Charles A. Keene who made her home in  Beverly for many years and who had many friends here, passed away this morning in South Hamilton where she had been living for the past several months.

Mrs. Keene was a member of the Methodist Church of Beverly, the Friendship Rebekah lodge of which she was a Past Noble Grand and a Past Deputy, Diana Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, being a Past Worthy Matron a member of the Friendship club and of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.

Besides her husband, Charles A. Keene, she leaves a son John W. Keene of Philadelphia, five brothers and six grandchildren.

DIED

KEENE--In South Hamilton, April 28, Mrs. Ada S. Keene, wife of Charles A. Keene, age 59 yrs., 27 dys.  Funeral services will be held Monday April 30 at 2 p.m. from the Methodist church, Cor. Dane and Cabot streets, Beverly.  Relatives and friends are invited.

Amanuensis Monday: Obituary of Winifred L. James

Portland Press Herald (Me.), August 6, 1964, p. 2.

MRS. WINIFRED L. JAMES

WESTBROOK -- Mrs. Winifred L. James, 79, widow of Augustus James, died unexpectedly Tuesday evening at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Leigh Hoar of Winthrop.  Mrs. James resided at 40 Waltham St.

Born at Naples, she was the daughter of Charles and Mary Stack Gammon.  She had been a resident of Westbrook for 45 years, coming here from Mechanic Falls.  Her husband died in 1928.

Mrs. James was a member of the Warren Congregational Church and belonged to Group D. of the church's Women's Fellowship.  She was a member of the Beulah Chapter, OES, of Westbrook.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Leigh Hoar of Winthrop, and Mrs. Richard Wilson and Mrs. Leigh Flint both of Westbrook; a son Raymond C. of Westbrook; a brother, Philip Gammon of Revere, Mass.; 20 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday from 795 Main Street. The Rev. Clarence Clark of York will officiate. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Note: Her mother's obituary is here.

Amanuensis Monday: Deposition of William Bean 1803

From Strafford County Court Case #1805/48:

The Deposition of William Bean of lawful age who testifieth and saith on or about the 20th Nov^r 1803 at Capt. Senters I think Mr. Chase asked me to go to the Door to see the delivery of a horse and Mr. Wallace delivered to Mr. Chase a dark grey horse as his property free and clear of all incumbrences.

Qt. by Chase whether he knew any thing to the contrary when he delivered me the horse whether or no I had paid him for the horse.

Ans. I do not know neither did I hear them say.

Qt. by Wallas attorney: did you understand how or on what condition that horse was delivered to Chase

Ans. I do not know.

Qt. by Wallas attorney: was not Joseph Wallace then a prisoner by said Chase

Ans. No he was not.

Qt. by Wallas attorney: was not Nathaniel Wallace then a prisoner in Capt. Senter's house by Chase as an officer

Ans. I know that he was

Qt. by Wallace Attorney do you know of what sum

Ans. I do not

Qt. by Wallace attorney do you know who is known of

Ans. I do not

Qt. by Wallace attorney did you not you consider when the horse delivered by Joseph Wallace to Chase was in consideration of the execution, Chase, had against his father Nathaniel Wallace in part or full

Ans.  I thought the horse was delivered to Mr. Chase for the debt or security of the debt but do not know for certain

Qt. by Wallace attorney was not Nathaniel Wallace at his Liberty after the Horse was delivered to Chase

Ans. yes

Qt. by Chase do you know whether Mr. Wallace was released by the horse being delivered to me or not

Ans. I do not know

Qt. by Wallace attorney did you not consider that when Joseph  Wallace delivered the horse that Nath^l Wallace was released from Chase

Ans. I did consider it also

Fees

Notification     17

Notifying and Justice 17

Subpoena 10

Summoning witness 17

His travel 6 miles 24

his attendance 40

Writing deposition 34

Swearing Deponent 34

Justice travel 3 miles 10

Total $2.03

Amanuensis Monday: Deed of Charles Allen

To all people to whom these presents shall come, know ye that I Charles Allein of Greenland of ye Town of Portsmouth in New Hampshire Husbandman for, and in consideration of ye love and affection, which I beare towards my well beloved son Daniel Allein, have given, granted, and by those presents, do freely clearly, and absolutely give and grant to my well beloved son Daniel Allein, his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, all and singular my farme of land and meadow ground, lying, and being in Greenland in ye Town and province aforesaid, butting and bounding as followeth: beginning eight rods from ye land was formerly Philip Lewis’s running North West and by west to a hemlock forty fower rod, and from thence South and be West to a white oak so marked and upon ye same points to a cart path being about thirty five acres further: and, seven rods to a hemlock to ye same cart path marked to ye Eastward of a house formerly called William Davis’s house and from thence along the cart path north eight rods of ye mill dam and from thence upon a straight line to ye first beginning and containing about fourty acres more or less and all woods, trees, orchards, houses, barns, rights, priviledges, and appurtenances thereunto belonging. To have and to hold ye same and all moveables, and chattels to my aforesaid son, Daniel Allein, his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns forever, and grant by these presents, before ye ensealing hereof, order my well beleoved son Daniel Allein to pay these legacies as follows, viz. to my two daughters Susanna and Martha five pounds a piece in good current pay, six months after marriages; and to my son John ten pounds and a horse, as he comes to ye age of twenty one years. And as to my son Charles, I have formerly given him his portion in land, as will appeare under my hand; and further I now order my Son Daniel Allein to maintain my own person with appropriate meat, drink, washing, and lodging, during my naturall life and at my decease to bury me decently; and further my order is to my Son Daniel Allein that he pay my son Jude ten pounds in good pay; and in formation to all and every part hereof, I have put my hand and seal this fourteenth day of September in ye year of the Lord God, seventeen hundred and five.

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered in ye presences of us witnesses: Abraham Lewis; Ebenezer Johnson

Charles Allein (by mark)

Recorded on 7 October 1705

Notes: From New Hampshire Provincial Deeds [Rockingham County] 7:175.  This is a wonderful example of a colonial deed for life support that also acts as a quasi-will.  By this document we can infer his wife is dead and that his children are Daniel, Jude, Susannah, Martha, and John.  Susannah and Martha are not yet married and John is less that 21 years old.

Transcription Monday (Amanuensis): Obituary of Mrs. Mary A. Gammon

Portland Press Herald, [Maine] November 26, 1931, page 2

Gammons Funeral Friday

Westbrook, Nov. 25 - Funeral services for Mrs. Mary A. Gammon, widow of Charles Gammon, who died today on her 82nd birthday at her Rochester Street home, will be held at 1 o'clock Friday afternoon at the residence.

Mrs. Gammon was born at Bangor, the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Stack.  She went to Scarboro to make her home after her marriage to Mr. Gammon in 1867.  She also lived at Raymond, Gorham and Oxford. She came to Westbrook from the latter town in 1920 following the death of her husband.  She was a member of the Warren Congregational Church of this city and a charter member of the Larry Relief Corps of South Windham.

She is survived by three sons, Clyde E. Gammon of Rumford, Philip H. Gammon of Westbrook and Walter E. Gammon of Portland; four daughters Mrs. Henry Chaplin of Oxford, Mrs. M.S. Whitacker of Lynn, Mass., and Mrs. Winnifred G. James and Miss Ethylle M. Gammon of Westbrook; 14 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.  Internment will be in the family lot in the Oxford Cemetery.

Notes:  It was Thomas and Abbie Stack (not Mary) and she was born in St. John, New Brunswick not Bangor.  Don't believe everything you read!

Transcription Monday (Amanuensis): Internet Genealogy

From "Accessing the Genealogical Literature: Problems Facing Historians and Genealogists" The American  Genealogist 72 (1997):387-398.

Internet Resources

Presently, there is little genealogical scholarship adrift on the “information highway” known as the Internet. Many genealogists are mounting their ancestries on homepages on the World Wide Web without footnoting sources, and forcing the browser to email them asking whence the information came. However, this medium is fairly new and the researcher should be aware of its potential for information about primary resources and contact with fellow researchers.

Just before this article was to be published, Thomas Jay Kemp, head of special collections at the University of South Florida, Tampa, published Virtual Roots: A Guide to Genealogy and Local History on the World Wide Web (Wilmington Del.: Scholarly Resources, 1997), an exhaustive listing of relevant web sites for genealogical research.  Hence, my own comments here will be brief.

The most comprehensive site thus far is maintained by Cyndi Howell at (http://www.oz.net/~cyndihow/sites.htm). With links to over 20,000 web sites, it should be every genealogist’s starting place for Internet research. Another website with promise is the USGENWEB Project at (http://www.usgenweb.com/index.html) which is trying to produce a webpage for each U.S. county with genealogical information. Thus far 2,200 of the 3,100 counties are represented. Since each page is maintained by volunteers, there is wide variety in the type and quality of the information given. One site that does display scholarship is a Mayflower Homepage maintained by Caleb Johnson (http://users.aol.com/calebj/mayflower.html) which has original full-text Mayflower documents available (the Mayflower Compact, Winslow’s writings, Morton’s writings, various wills, etc.). Of course there is an abundance of good scholarship on the Mayflower families in print, but it is nice to have to some available electronically as well. 

Other sites of interest are :

• Horus’ Web Links to History Resources on the Web (http://www.ucr.edu/h-gig/horuslinks.html) from the University of California, Riverside, History Department.
• HYTELNET (http://library.usask.ca/hytelnet/) the most comprehensive index of searchable online library catalogues worldwide. 
• Library of Congress (http://marvel.loc.gov/)
• OCLC (http://www.oclc.org) 
• RLIN (http://www.rlg.org) 
• Chadwyck-Healey (http://www.chadwyck.com)

Notes:

I wrote that article.  I posted this for several reasons.  I make more disparaging than effusive remarks about Internet genealogy.  This week in a series of posts I will examine both my viewpoints and the reality of research on the Internet.  Readers new to this blog have not read all my postings from the last three years (yes, it's been that long) and are getting a distorted picture of how I view the Internet. 

I'm also posting this to prove my bona fides.  I think I can safely say without fear of successful contradiction that I was talking about Internet genealogy before ANY blogger, and indeed was the first to write about the Internet as a burgeoning source for genealogy [in a scholarly journal].  Indeed, that article most likely predates most genealogists' start dates for their research.  So I have been studying this phenomenon for a long, long, long, time.

I'm sorry I present a contrarian view to things.  Most, if not all but for me, of genealogical bloggers are the most excited, happy, helpful and wonderful people out there.  In my opinion, that sometimes comes off as the Stepford Genealogists.  Ancestry Good.  Foootnote Good.  Genealogy Good.  There has to be more than one-dimension to this whole thing, right?

Transcription Monday (Amanuensis): Obituary of Mrs. Harris Duncan

Portland Press Herald (Me.) 17 May 1960:

MRS. HARRIS DUNCAN

WINDHAM--Mrs. Dorothy Elizabeth Duncan, 58, wife of Harris Duncan, died at her home on the Cook Road Monday following a long illness.

She was born in Falmouth Oct. 21, 1901, daughter of J.P. and Elizabeth Stacks Pratt.  She attended Falmouth and Westbrook schools.

She came to Windham from Westbrook 14 years ago.

Besides her husband she is survived by a son James E. of California; a daughter, Mrs. Nancy McAvoy of South Portland; four brothers: John D. Pratt of Steep Falls, A.P. Pratt, Steve Pratt and Ross Pratt, all of Westbrook, a sister Mrs. James Waltham of Belfast, two grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be held at 2 p/m Wednesday at the  Dolby Funeral Home, South Windham.  Internment will be in Forest City Cemetery.

Notes:  J.P. should be J.T./Stacks should be Stack/A.P. Pratt, again should be A.T. Pratt.  This is how I would track down the deaths of my ancestors's siblings.  In this particular case, my great-grandfather Archibald Thompson Pratt.  I had his obituary and knew this sibling died previously.  By getting her death certificate and then her obituary, I found more places where the family had moved to.  I then moved forward through time to get the rest of the family.   And yes, this was all done by mail and microfilm before the Internet.