Joseph Miller’s Probate Estate Feb. 3, 1873, Rockbridge, Virginia

Joseph Miller farmed land in Walkers Creek District, Rockbridge Co., Virginia. The land was the 70-acre parcel he bought in 1823 from Michael and Ann Wardlow which he kept throughout his lifetime.  When a young man, Joseph married Sarah Hawpe Nov. 13, 1813. They would become the parents of eight children:

         

          John, born ca 1815           

          Eliza Catherine, married Joseph Groah           

          Henry, married Elizabeth Bosserman               

          Nancy Jane, married William K. Clemmer        

          Joseph Andrew, married Frances Ellen Dull               

          Sarah, married John A. Lucas               

          Rachel, married John Cunningham        

          Ananias, married Margaretha Jane Bosserman

By 1840, Sarah Hawpe died, and Joseph remarried July 16, 1846 to Isabella (McKenny) Kennedy in Rockbridge County. Isabella mothered the younger Miller children. Joseph became a widower once again when Isabella passed in June 1858. 4^th Great Grandfather Joseph Miller died Jan. 11, 1873 at the age of 82 years.

Great Grandfather didn’t prepare a will so when his time came, the family needed to petition Rockbridge County, Virginia Court to appoint an estate administrator.

   Know all men by these presents, that we Robert D. Firebaugh, Henry Miller, and Wm. K. Clemmer, are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the just, and full sum of Twelve Hundred Dollars, to the payment whereof, well, and truly to be made to the said Commonwealth of Virginia, we bind ourselves and each of us, our, and each of our heirs, Executors, and Administrators, jointly, and severally, firmly by these presents, Sealed with our seals, and dated the 3^rd day of Feby. one Thousand – eight hundred and seventy three. The condition of the above obligation is That if the said Robt. D. Firebaugh who has been appointed administrator of the Goods, Chattels, and Credits of Joseph Miller deceased, shall truly, and faithfully discharge the duties of his office or trust according to law; then the obligation to be void, else to remain in full force.

                                                                      R. D. Firebaugh

                                                                      Henry Miller

                                                                      W. K. Clemmer

   At Rockbridge Court Feby. 3^rd 1873

   This bond was acknowledged in Court by the obligors thereto, and ordered to be recorded.

                                                                      Teste.

                                                                      J. P. Moore C. C.

[Source Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, page 567]

The three men named in the bond were family. The appointed administrator, Robert D. Firebaugh, was a grandson-in-law. Son Henry Miller and William K. Clemmer, a son-in-law, promised the Court Robert D. Firebaugh would settle the estate.

The administrator presented an appraisal of Great Grandfather’s personal estate in Rockbridge County Court March 3, 1873. The appraisers, Joseph McFaddin, Enos Ott, and John W. Beard, might have been friends or neighbors of the Miller family. They determined Joseph’s personal belongings worth $804.52.

Appraisal, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, page 575

Appraisal and Sale, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, pages 576-577

In case you happened to visit Great Grandfather, there were plenty of beds to sleep in and a good stock of apple butter and honey, bacon, apples, beets, and potatoes to eat.

Feb. 13, 1873 a sale of Joseph Miller’s personal estate was held. The sale brought $1,032.79 to the estate. Remember this is Great Grandfather’s personal holdings, not his lands.

  

Sale, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, pages 578-579

Sale, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, pages 580-581

Sale, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, pages 582-583

Sale, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, page 584

The appraisal provided me with a peek inside Great Grandfather’s home and farm. I recognized many names in the sale bill belonging to family members. No doubt the neighbors and acquaintances picked up some bargains too.

R. D. Firebaugh’s final settlement was presented to the Rockbridge County Clerk March 27, 1874. After debits and credits were taken into account, $751.84 remained to be shared equally among Joseph Miller’s heirs and children--$93.98 for each.

Joseph’s parents aren’t known to me. I do know of a Henry Miller who died in Rockbridge 1826 whose will reveals he had a son Joseph. Could this be my Great Grandfather Joseph?

Questions and more questions! Dear Readers if you can help, please do.

Settlement, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 21, pages 110-111

Settlement, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 21, pages 112-113

#52 Ancestors: Miss Maggie, The Maiden Aunt

I’m joining Amy Johnson Crow’s Week 14 writing prompt ‘The Maiden Aunt’. Most of my grandparents’ sisters married; I had to look back to the 2^nd Great Grandaunts before I found a few maiden aunties.

I selected my 2^nd Great Grandfather James Addison McFall’s sister, Margaret Jane McFall, to be the subject of today’s post. Aunt Maggie lived with her mother and unmarried brothers in the McFall home for most of her life at Mt. Solon, Augusta Co., VA.

An obituary published in The News Leader, Staunton, VA is a great McFall family read and I’m anxious to share it with you.

FUNERAL OF MISS M.

     JANE McFALL

   The funeral services of Miss Maggie McFall, who died at her home in Mt. Solon, on Tuesday, March 12, were held on Thursday, March 14, from the Methodist church. The Rev. J. M. Harris, of Mossy Creek Presbyterian church, of which she was a member, was in charge, assisted by the Rev. J. B. Grimes, the resident Methodist minister. A large concourse of friends, relatives and neighbors was in attendance.

   The music was remarkable for the selections made and the sweetness of the singing. With Prof. James Clarke, at the organ, the singing was rendered by the choir, composed of Mrs. George Chapman, Messrs. Guy Stoutamyer, Russell and Mansen Baylor.

   The remarks of the officiating clergymen embodied little in the wav of eulogy. “Miss Maggie,” as she was familiarly known, had spent her entire life in the community in which she died and had left a record which, in itself, was laudatory of her life and character.

   In early life she was united with old Mossy Creek Presbyterian church and to the end held her membership in that church. During her later life, she was unable to attend her own church with regularity. But she was regular in her attendance at all the services of the nearby Methodist churches.

   She was born May 5, 1842, and had she lived until May 5 next, would have rounded out the 87^th year of her age.

   Her father was David McFall, a prominent merchant of Mt. Solon, who died many years ago. Her mother was Mrs. Catherine Todd McFall, who lived to a ripe old age, having died in February 1908.

   Miss McFall leaves two brothers, Hamilton B. McFall, one of Augusta County’s most widely known citizens; and Stewart B. McFall, formerly of Harrisonburg, but now of Indianapolis, Ind.

   James A. McFall, another brother, died at Mt. Solon in 1887 and David Chambers, the youngest of the family, preceded her to the grave a few years ago, having died during September 1924.

   She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, among them being Mrs. Clara Irvine, of Avon; Mrs. Knizer Richcreek of Staunton; Paul McFall, of Waynesboro; Lawrence McFall, of Chicago; James McFall, of Philadelphia; Mrs. Weldon Berry, of Harrisonburg and Walton H. McFall with whom Miss McFall had long made her home in Mt. Solon.

   Beside the above there is a number of grand and greatgrand-nieces and nephews.

   The body was buried in the old Mt. Solon burying ground beside those of her mother and other members of the family.

   The following friends and neighbors acted as pall-bearers. Messrs. Charles Hanna, Bernard Reeves, Eugene Reeves, Chambers Kiracoffe, Frank Reeves, Emmett Wilberger, Harry Denkle, and Edward Hogshead.

   The flower-bearers were grand-nieces of Miss McFall, as follows: Mrs. Robert Dickson, Misses Mary McFall, Martha Hope McFall, Frances McFall, Charlotte McFall and Catherine Hanna.

          The News Leader, Staunton, Virginia, Thursday, March 21, 1929 edition

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Nancy Jane (Miller) Clemmer, 1817-1885

My Miller ties begin with 3^rd Great Grandmother Nancy Jane Miller born November 17, 1817. She was the second child of Sarah Hawpe and Joseph Miller from Rockbridge County, Virginia. Nancy married William K. Clemmer in Rockbridge June 28, 1842. After their marriage, they made their home in neighboring Augusta County, Virginia.

I’ve always wanted to write a post featuring Great Grandmother Nancy. I have assorted documents and census records for the couple but few solely for Nancy. Recently, I located a news clipping about Nancy J. Clemmer’s passing.

The Valley Virginian published in Staunton, Virginia reported Great Grandmother’s death in their Thursday, March 12, 1885 issue:

   “On the 17^th of February the messenger of death visited the residence of Mr. Wm. K. Clemmer, and took the wife and mother. She had suffered for some weeks from a stroke of paralysis. Her remains were at St. Johns (Reformed) Church; funeral service by the Rev. Mr. Shreckhise.”

Nancy J. Clemmer was known as “the wife and mother”—a mother to 12 children and a wife to William for 42 years.

The Clemmer children:

1.     Mary Elizabeth Clemmer born 13 Feb 1843 in Augusta County, Virginia; died 18 Apr 1862 at the age of 19.

2.     George Lewis Clemmer, born 5 Jun 1844, Augusta County, Virginia; married Letitia Ann Lange, 13 Oct 1870, Deerfield, Virginia, United States; married Elizabeth A. McClintic, 1891; died 31 Jan 1920, Rivershead District, Augusta, Virginia.

3.     Sarah Jane Clemmer, born 20 Oct 1845, Augusta County, Virginia; married Robert Dunlap Firebaugh, 9 Dec 1866, Augusta County, Virginia; died 12 May 1938.

4.     Joseph Henry Clemmer, born 7 Mar 1847, Augusta County, Virginia; married Sarah Jane Snyder, 24 Mar 1870, Arbor Hill, Augusta, Virginia; died 24 Jun 1901, Augusta County, Virginia.

5.     Rachel M. Clemmer born ca 1848.

6.     Trusie Estelin Clemmer, born 22 Apr 1849, Augusta County, Virginia; married John Martin Baylor, 9 Sep 1867, Middlebrook, Augusta, Virginia; died 1 Apr 1911.

7.     Emma Roberta Clemmer, born Dec 1851, Virginia; married Newton J. Baylor, 21 Oct 1875, Middlebrook, Augusta, Virginia; died 1930.

8.     Emily Clemmer was born about 1852.

9.     Annie Eliza Clemmer, born 14 Aug 1855, Augusta County, Virginia; married William S. Cochran, 30 Dec 1886, Middlebrook, Augusta, Virginia.

10. Luella B. Clemmer, born 15 Nov 1856, Augusta County, Virginia; married Millard F. Palmer, 8 Nov 1877, Augusta County, Virginia; died 16 Dec 1916.

11. John Letcher Clemmer, born 5 Jan 1859, Virginia; married Mary C. Bosserman, 6 Oct 1881; died 4 Aug 1941.

12. Carrie W. Clemmer, born Apr 1864, Virginia; married William Camper Bosserman, 24 Nov 1887, Augusta County, Virginia; died 1949.

I wish I knew more about Nancy Jane Miller aside from a few dates and places. Readers, it’s my hope you’ll be able to tell me about my 3^rd Great Grandmother.

You might enjoy reading WM. K. CLEMMER’S SPECIAL PARDON, 52 Ancestors 52 Weeks

Golden Wedding and the Golden Coins

The Evening Leader, Staunton, Virginia

Wednesday, November 15, 1922

   Mr. and Mrs. J. W. White celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home near Mt. Solon on Nov. 14, with their children and many other relatives present. The occasion was a delightful one, and a real old Virginia dinner was served to the large company assembled to greet Mr. and Mrs. White. Yellow chrysanthemums were used in profusion for house and table decorations. Many beautiful presents were received.

   Mr. and Mrs. White have six children, 40 grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

   Present at the golden wedding were Mrs. Clara Brown and two sons, White Throne, Va.; Mr. and Mrs. A. S. White and four children, White Throne; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Clemmer and nine children, of near Staunton; Mr. and Mrs. B. B. White and daughter, Staunton; Mr. Ernest White, at home; Mr. Walter Sandy, a son-in-law, and two children, Mt. Solon; Mrs. I. S. Brown, Abilene, Texas; Miss Leila Brown, Waynesboro; Mrs. G. C McClain, Greenville; Mr. and Mrs. John Props, Mt. Solon; Mr. and Mrs. James Props, Mt. Solon; and the Rev. Mr. Harris.

The honorees, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. White, were my 2^nd Great Grandparents Mary (aka Mollie) Agnes Brown and John William White. I introduced my readers to Great Grandfather in post JOHN WILL WHITE, Father, Grandfather, GreatGrandfather – 52 Ancestors. It’s Good to See you, Grandma Mollie features Great Grandmother.

Mollie Agnes Brown married John William White near Waynesboro, Virginia Nov. 14, 1872. They lived in the Middle River District, Augusta County, VA with their children—Clara Louise, James William, Arthur Stuart, Ella Virginia, Olive Leora, Bernard Brown and Ernest Boyd White.

So who are these folks that spent an enjoyable Sunday at the Great Grandparents’ place?

The first five guests listed above were the White siblings who celebrated their parents’ golden wedding anniversary along with children and spouses. Olive Leora (White) Sandy died in 1919 but widower Walter Sandy attended the party.

                                                                                                                        

Mrs. I. S. Brown from Abilene, Texas was Lou Brown--the wife of Great Grandmother’s brother, Isaac Stuart Brown. The family called him Uncle Ike and they traveled from Abilene to be at the golden wedding. Uncle Ike left Augusta County for Texas years before. His Virginia family called him their millionaire uncle because he became wealthy in the sheep and cattle business. While remembering Uncle Ike in the Clemmer History, Uncle Casper Garber wrote “On the occasion of Grandfather and Grandmother White’s 50^th anniversary, he and his wife came back, and the family remembers that he left them some gold coins for the occasion.”

Miss Leila Brown and Mrs. G. C. McClain were sisters and nieces of Grandma Mollie. Leila and Alma’s father, Henry Weed Brown, passed a few months earlier leaving Uncle Ike and Grandma Mollie the surviving Brown siblings.

I don’t know of any connection to Mr. and Mrs. John Props nor Mr. and Mrs. James Props. Perhaps they were neighbors.

Clergyman Rev. Mr. Harris completed the Evening Leader’s guest list.

Ignace Henri Jean Fantin-Latour

#52 Ancestors: Where there’s a Will

Join me as I share my ancestor’s will and annotations. Don’t forget to contact me if we’re related. 

In the name of God Amen I Joseph Brundige of the town of Minisink in Orange County being sick and weak in body but of sound mind memory and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say  

When Joseph prepared his will Feb. 2, 1830, 4^th Great Grandfather was 60 years of age. The section in Minisink where Joseph Brundage lived would later become the town of Wawayanda.

First I give and devise to my sons Orzimus C., William T., Samuel, Abijah, Mastin and Merrit all my real estate consisting of about one hundred and twenty acres of land to hold to their and to their heirs and assigns forever subject to the legacies charges and conditions herein after mentioned

Great Grandfather purchased several pieces of land in the Minisink area according to deeds at the Orange County Government Center, Goshen, NY.  On Sept. 24, 1804 he acquired 61 and 3/4 acres from John Green and his wife Cloe. [Deeds Liber L, page 78.]  The June 15, 1813 issue of the Orange County Gazette reported the 61 3/4 acres was slated to be sold for non-payment of interest.

In March of 1815, Joseph bought 70 acres he formerly owned from Holloway Stephens and wife Amy. [Deeds Liber 39, page 189.]  Joshua Mulock and wife Sarah sold him 50 acres Jan. 4, 1823.  [Deeds Liber 39, page 191.]

also I give and devise to my six sons before named all my personal property of whatever nature or kind except as in herein after excepted,

That would be the six who shared the120 acres.

also I give and bequeath to my oldest son Epenetus Two hundred Dollars to be paid to him when my youngest son shall attain to the age of twenty one years,

It sounds like Epenetus didn’t take to farming. According to his father’s wishes, he needed to wait until the youngest boy became 21 years old (1845) before he could collect the $200.

Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Rosanah Brundige one hundred and fifty Dollars for an outset which I consider equivalent to the portions which I have already given to her sisters Azubah King and Sophia Knapp the said legacy to be paid to her when she shall be married, or if she should continue single when her youngest brother shall arrive at the age of twenty one and until one or the other of the said events shall happen my will is that she shall live at home with the family and be supported out of the proceeds of the property but if my said daughter Rosanah should die without being married and before her youngest brother shall attain to the age of twenty one years I then will and order that her legacy be distributed equally amongst all her surviving brothers and sisters

As you probably guessed, Rosanna was a girl when Joseph planned for her future without him. He had already provided for his married daughters Azubah and Sophia. Isaac P. King was Azubah’s husband and Sophia married Nathaniel Knapp.

also I give and bequeath to my wife Martha Brundige three cows and six sheep to be kept upon the farm also my clock and family Bible

What happened to the Bible? Did 4^th Great Grandmother entrust it to one of the children and if so, which one?

she is also to be provided with a horse and wagon as often as she shall request the same and my desire is that she shall continue upon the farm and take the charge of my younger children,  Also to the end that my family may be kept together and that my younger children may have a home and a support  

it is my will that all the stock and farming utensils which I may have at the time of my decease shall be continued upon the farm and farther that there shall be no partition or division of my estate either real or personal until my youngest son shall arrive at the full age of twenty one years 

If I can rely on census records, Martha Brundage was 47 when Joseph passed. Great Grandfather definitely wanted her to remain on the farm until their youngest boy Masten reached his majority in 1845. Joseph needn’t worry about his land as his son Orsamus C. retained it by buying out his brothers.

I further order that the surplus funds arising from my estate if there should be any after defraying the necessary expenses of the family and after discharging such debts as are outstanding at the time of my death shall be appropriated to the erection of suitable buildings and in making such other necessary improvements upon the farm as shall be deemed advisable and proper

It’s a shame Great Grandfather Joseph died two years after the will was drawn up on Feb. 4, 1832. His thoughtfulness and love for his family and farm are evident. Ten children including six that were not yet 21 years old grieved their father.

Also I will and order that if any of my sons should die without leaving lawful issue before my youngest son shall arrive to the age of twenty one years then the share or shares of such deceased son or sons shall be distributed equally amongst his surviving brothers   

I do hereby constitute and appoint my wife Martha Brundige Executrix and my son Orzimus Brundige and my son in law Nathaniel Knapp Executors of this my last will and testament 

Nathaniel Knapp declined to serve as an executor April 30, 1832.

In witness where of I have signed sealed published and declared by the testator as and for his last will and testament in our presence who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto

Joseph Halstead of Minisink in Orange Co

Phebe Halstead of the same place

John E. Phillips of the same place

On March 15, 1832, Joseph Brundage's will was probated. An inventory was conducted by Abijah Wells and Jonathan Tuthill June 20, 1832 appraising his property to be worth $849.22.  (Inventory on file at Orange Co., NY Surrogate Court)

I’m on the lookout for Joseph Brundage’s bible. Brundage family researchers, can you help?

Source Orange County, New York, Wills, Liber I, page 324-328