Daniel Piper’s Staunton, Virginia Properties, Brick Wall Ancestor, Part 3

4^th Great Grandfather Daniel Piper bought a lot in Staunton’s oldest residential neighborhood in the Newtown section April 28, 1800 from Michael Seyford and his wife Catherine. Although I expected to find the deed in the City of Staunton documents, the sale was recorded in Augusta County Court (which I haven’t yet viewed). Staunton is an independent city physically located in Augusta County, Virginia and maintains their own deed books.

Courtesy Library of Congress

Edward Beyer, 1820-1865, artist

Woldemar Rau, 1827-1889, lithographer

I learned more about the property when Great Grandparents Daniel and Elizabeth Piper sold the lot to Jacob Leas Sept. 19, 1803 for 75 Pounds. The parcel was described as Lot No. 14 in Staunton known as Newtown containing ¼ acre being part of 25 acres that formerly belonged to Alexander St. Clair. The indenture noted this was the same parcel conveyed to Daniel Piper by Michael and Catherine Seyford April 28, 1800. I found a record of the indenture in Staunton Deed Book 1, pages 22-23.

The following year Archibald Stuart and his wife Eleanor sold a ¼ acre to Daniel Piper on Nov. 1, 1804. It was Lot No. 6 in the Town of Staunton and described as

   “One certain Lot or parcel of ground, lying and being in that part of the Town of Staunton, which from the Lands of the said Archibald Stuart, hath been surveyed and laid off into Lots and Streets, and by Law lately added to the said Town of Staunton”

The selling price was 35 Pounds and a margin notation indicates the sale was examined and delivered to the grantee April 25, 1805.

One-fourth of an acre is too small for much farming. Daniel Piper wasn’t yet a Staunton constable; perhaps he worked as a tradesman or merchant.

Daniel still owned a ¼ acre in Staunton when he purchased Lot No. 47 in Middlebrook, Augusta County from William Scott and his wife Nancy Nov. 25, 1805. I haven’t yet read the Augusta County deed and don’t know any details. Middlebrook is located 12 miles south of Staunton. By this date, Daniel had been working as a constable in Staunton a few months.

The following year he would sell Staunton Lot No. 6. Daniel and Elizabeth made a nice profit when they sold it for 100 Pounds to John McDowell July 21, 1806. The sale was presented the same day at the Court of Hustings held for the Corporation of Staunton.

Several years passed and on March 20, 1811 Archibald and Eleanor Stuart sold another small parcel to Daniel Piper containing 25 poles. The sale of Lot No. 32 was acknowledged in the Court of Hustings the same day.

Then on April 20, 1812 Great Grandfather acquired part of Lot No. 14 from the Stuart’s for 20 Pounds—another ¼ acre parcel.

Daniel Piper needed $300 and arranged to mortgage the most recent ¼ acre to Adam Sheuy Nov 13, 1813. Jacob Leas and Andrew Haroufe served as trustees in the arrangement. The following summer the indenture in trust with Adam Shuey was acknowledged in the Staunton Court of Hustings.

More family business occurred in Middlebrook when Daniel’s son-in-law and daughter, Henry Stover and Polly, sold him Lot No. 35. The Middlebrook sale was recorded with the Augusta County Court.

In April of 1821, Daniel sold his Middlebrook property (Lot No. 47 he acquired in 1805) to James Cosby. As was the case with the other Middlebrook, Augusta County deeds, I need to view the county clerk’s copies.

Daniel’s last Staunton transaction was dated October 20, 1823. This occurred after his death. It involved Lot No. 14 that he had mortgaged in 1813 and the debt owed Adam Shuey. It appears Jacob Leas and Andrew Harouf had to sell the ¼ acre for nonpayment. John Joseph, Daniel’s son-in-law, purchased the property at a public sale for $175.

While pleased to know more about my ancestor, I have new questions. What happened to the Middlebrook lot that Henry and Polly Stover conveyed to Daniel? And what did my 3^rd Great Grandfather John Joseph do with the ¼ acre lot he bought at the public sale?

An inventory of Great Grandfather Daniel’s personal estate didn’t answer my questions. However, it did reveal Daniel owned a German Bible and German books hinting at his origins. I know he couldn’t fulfill his mortgage commitment and his personal estate reflected his financial hard times valued at $35.20.

Son-in-law Henry Stover’s final accounting of Daniel’s estate showed only a $12.16 balance after his bills were attended to.

Excerpt Augusta County, Virginia

Will Book 15, page 137

I’ll post next time about Daniel Piper and Elizabeth Acker’s children.

Links to:

Tough Nut to Crack, Daniel Piper, Brick Wall Ancestor

Constable Daniel Piper, Brick Wall Ancestor, Part 2

Constable Daniel Piper, Brick Wall Ancestor, Part 2

I promised an accounting of Daniel Piper’s census records in my last post Tough Nut to Crack, Daniel Piper, Brick Wall Ancestor.

Great Grandfather was alive for the 1790 and 1800 federal census, but those enumerations have long been lost to Virginia researchers.

By 1790 Daniel and Elizabeth Acker had been married several years. A1790 personal property tax list reveals Daniel taxed in Shenandoah County, Virginia.

The 1800 personal property tax lists provide a new location for the family in neighboring Augusta County, Virginia. Nothing further can be gleaned from the document besides Daniel being required to pay a tax on himself.

The 1810 and 1820 federal enumerations added to Great Grandfather’s story.

Augusta County remained home to the Piper’s when the 1810 federal census was recorded. It breaks down the family into the following categories:

            1 white male under 10 years: son Daniel A. Piper

            1 white male 45 years of age and up: father Daniel Piper

            3 females under 10 years: the youngest daughters Frances, Eliza and Sarah

            2 females between 10 and 16 years: Polly and Margaret

            1 female 45 years of age and up: Mother Elizabeth (Acker) Piper

Three more children not included in the 1810 census round out the family. An older son, Joseph, born about 1789 was close to 21 years old in 1810. The second son, George W. Piper, would have been around 18 years of age. I couldn’t locate Joseph or George as heads of household in 1810 and don’t know where they were living. Daniel and Elizabeth Piper’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth, had already married. The youngest son, William K. Piper, had not yet been born.

The 1820 census surprised me. Daniel Piper’s household included just one male over 45 years engaged in manufactures. No doubt he was the one male but where were his wife and younger children? Had Grandmother Elizabeth died? The older children Joseph, Polly, George, and Margaret all had married in the intervening years.

In 2005 the Virginia Genealogical Society published Wesley E. Pippenger’s Index to Virginia Estates 1800-1865, Volume 6, Counties of Augusta and Rockingham, City of Staunton. Staunton is one of Virginia’s independent cities and maintained their own records. This is where I found five index entries for bonds titled “Piper, Daniel, constable” in Staunton will books.

Since I was borrowing Staunton land records from the Library of Virginia, I requested the will books too. Yes, the Staunton land transactions (which I’ll tell you about soon) and the bonds are for my brick wall ancestor Constable Piper.

To become a constable, Daniel needed to issue a bond promising the Corporation of Staunton two full years of service. If he did not, he would forfeit $500 to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Great Grandfather committed to five two-year terms beginning June 17, 1805, serving until June 1815.

I’m including a transcription of the1809 bond from Staunton Will Book 1, pages 125-126.

Know all men by these presents, that we Daniel Piper and Jacob Leas are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency John Tyler esquire Govvenor of Virginia and his successors, for the use of the Commonwealth, in the just and full sum of five hundred dollars, to which payment well and truly to be made, we bind our-selves, our heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated the twentieth day of June 1809, and in the 33^rd year of the Commonwealth.

            The conditions of the above obligation is such, that whereas the above bound Daniel Piper hath been duly appointed Constable in and for the Corporation of Staunton for the term of two years from the date of these presents. Now if the said Daniel Piper shall well and truly make due return of all precepts and papers, that shall come into his hands by virtue of his Office, and shall in all other respects, well and truly discharge the duties of a Constable within the said Corporation for and during the term aforesaid, according to law, then the above Obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and Virtue.

                                                                                    Daniel Piper

                                                                                    Jacob Leas

Signed, sealed and acknowledged

 in Open Court

            Teste.

                Vincent Tapp, C. C^k

Come back and visit soon. I’m planning a Daniel Piper, Brick Wall Ancestor, Part 3 blog post.

Tough Nut to Crack, Daniel Piper, Brick Wall Ancestor

“Tough Nut to Crack” describes 4^th Great Grandfather Daniel Piper. So far, he’s proven hard to know. For many years I’ve been stymied in my efforts to find Daniel’s origins. My blog’s been quiet while I mull over my research. Still, I can’t tell who Great Grandfather’s parents were, but I’ve added a few details to his story. It’s time to share what I know.

Daniel Piper’s last known residence was Augusta County, Virginia where he died in the spring of 1823. I don’t know when or where he was born but I estimate his birth about 1760.

The earliest record I have for Great Grandfather is a record of his marriage bond to Elizabeth Acker.

     Piper, Danl. --- Acker, Eliz. Sept. 19, 1786. Bondsman: George Wetzel.
         Shenandoah County, Virginia Marriage Bonds, 1772-1850,

            Compiled by Bernice M. Ashby, page 13

According to several family trees on Ancestry.com, Elizabeth Acker, daughter of Johan Heinrich Acker and Catherine Wehrly/Worley, was born Nov. 13, 1767, possibly in York County, Pennsylvania. She died before 1821 at the age of 54. Unfortunately, the family trees don’t include source citations for any of this information.

After their marriage, Daniel was included in the 1787 Shenandoah County, Virginia personal property tax lists. (Also 1788.) Daniel Piper and brother-in-law Michael Acre appeared in the same entry on a 1789 personal property tax list in Shenandoah County. The date was Oct. 16, 1789, and they were taxed for 2 white tithables with 2 steed horses.

A List of Tithables & Taxable property taken by Taverner Beale one of the Commissioners of Taxes for Shanandoah Co., page 19

The Shenandoah tax accessor had him in their sights again in 1790, 1791, and 1792. I lost track of Daniel in 1793 but found him in Shenandoah in 1794 and 1795.

 

March 10, 1794

Shenandoah Co. VA Personal Property Tax List

For the most part, Daniel was taxed for being a male over 21 years of age residing in Shenandoah County and the owner of a horse.

Sometime between 1795 and 1800 Daniel and Elizabeth relocated to Augusta County, Virginia. Great Grandfather was among those assessed on the 1800 Augusta County, VA personal property tax list.

During those years, Daniel acted as a surety when his sister-in-law Magdalena Acker married John Warley March 28, 1796.

       1796--March 28, John Warley and Daniel Piper, surety. John Warley and Magdalena Acker, daughter of Henry Acker, deceased.

     Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, Marriage Licenses, Marriage Bonds, and Marriages;1793-1794, page 322

I don’t have land tax lists for the Piper’s but do have an abstract of Daniel’s land transactions in Augusta County, VA. My favorite Augusta County Genealogist, the late Mrs. Katherine Bushman, sent me a brief history of Great Grandfather’s land deals. I don’t feel comfortable discussing the transactions without viewing the deeds, but this is a beginning. I’ve requested the City of Staunton records via an interlibrary loan from the Library of Virginia and hope to have more details to share with you soon.

Deed Book 31, page 7, April 28, 1800
Michael Seyford and Catharine his wife, to Daniel Piper Lot #14, Newtown section of Staunton
Deed Book 33, page 251, Nov. 25, 1805
William Scott and Nancy his wife, of Middlebrook, to Daniel Piper Lot # 47, Middlebrook
Deed Book 44, page 4, April 10, 1819
Henry Stover and Polly his wife, to Daniel Piper Lot 35, Middlebrook [Son-in-law and daughter of Daniel Piper].
Deed Book 45, page 398, April 4, 1821
Daniel Piper to James Cosby, Lot #47, Middlebrook.

City of Staunton, Virginia, records, Circuit Court Clerk:

Deed Book 1, page 22, Sept. 19, 1803
Daniel Piper and Elizabeth, his wife, to Jacob Leas Lot #14, Newtown; to Piper from Seyford and wife, April 28, 1800.
Deed Book 1, page 41, Nov. 14, 1804
Archibald Stuart and Eleanor his wife, to Daniel Piper Lot #6, Stuart Addition, Staunton.
Deed Book 1, page 65, July 21, 1806
Daniel Piper and Elizabeth, to John McDowell Lot #6, Stuart Addition.
Deed Book 1, page 186, March 20, 1811
Archibald Stuart and Eleanor to Daniel Piper Lot 32, Stuart Addition.
Deed Book 1, page 228, April 20, 1812
Archibald Stuart and Eleanor to Daniel Piper part of lot #14, Stuart Addition
Deed Book 1, page 288, Nov. 30, 1813 Deed of Trust Daniel Piper of Staunton
Jacob Leas and Andrew Harouf Mortgage of lot #14, Newtown, where Daniel Resided.
Deed Book 2, page 262, Oct. 20, 1823
Jacob Leas and Andrew Harouf to John Joseph
sale of lot mortgaged by Daniel Piper in 1813 Lot #14, Stuart Addition (this deed reads Stuart Addition while the mortgage reads Newtown) [John Joseph was a son-in-law of Daniel Piper].

I’ll discuss the Piper children in my next post along with the few census enumerations I found for Daniel.

Uncle Joe, Life-Long Musician

Uncle Joe Crowder is a perfect fit for the musical theme of Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” writing challenge. You’re looking at The New Theater Orchestra from Staunton, Virginia. Uncle Joe is pictured in the back row first on the left with a bass violin.

Photo courtesy of Charles Culbertson

The News Leader, Staunton, Virginia, Sat., Dec. 11, 2004

Members of the New Theater Orchestra

Sometime in the 1920’s

Uncle Joe married my Grandfather’s sister, Lytie Lorraine Joseph, in Augusta County, Virginia June 20, 1917. He died before I was born so I knew little about him. That changed today when I found his obituary and prepared a transcription for this post. I hope you enjoy hearing about Uncle Joe, our family’s music man.

Staunton-News Leader, Staunton, Virginia, Friday Morning, August 20, 1943

CROWDER DIES AFTER ILLNESS, PENNSYLVANIA

    Joseph L. Crowder, sergeant music instructor, United States Army, died in Valley Forge General Hospital, Phoenixville, Penna., Thurs-day morning. He had been a patient there several months and his condition had for some weeks caused alarm.

   Sergeant Crowder was born in Staunton, fifty-eight years ago, a son of Captain Thomas J. Crowder, long a commissioner of revenue here, and Mrs. Betty Virginia Crowder, and spent most of his life in Staunton. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lytie Joseph Crowder; a brother, Erol, and sister, Etta, and two nieces, Virginia and Josephine Crowder, all of this city.

   The body will be brought here for final services, but arrangements have not been completed.

Life-Long Musician

   Sergeant Crowder was a musician, proficient in various instruments, and devoted the greater part of his life to teaching and playing. He received his first instruction from his brother, the late S. Travers Crowder, a well known trombonist. Some of the Sergeant’s pupils are now members of the Stonewall Brigade band, with which he had been associated for about forty years. He had served it both as director and assistant director, as well as filling various chairs in concert. In the days when theaters used orchestras, Sergeant was regularly employed as a string bass. In amateur theatricals here, his services always were gladly given. He also played in various church ensembles.

   He served on the Mexican border with the old First Virginia Infantry band, but in World War I was not eligible due to a physical imperfection. When he was turned down for active duty then, he volunteered for Y.M.C.A. work and was accepted. Three years ago when our war clouds were gathering, he again volunteered and was accepted as a band master-instructor of the 116^th Virginia Infantry (National Guard) band, and went to Fort Meade when this regiment was called into federal service last February two years ago. He was with the band on maneuvers in Virginia, the Carolinas, in Florida, and went abroad with the 116^th last September.

   All of his service was in England, and it was there in late December that he developed pneumonia. He recovered, but later complications developed and he spent considerable time in a hospital there before being sent to the United States in early spring. He was at Halloran General hospital, Staten Island, N. Y., for several months before being transferred to Phoenixville. Military procedure had been executed and he was due to be transferred to Woodrow Wilson General hospital here when his fatal illness developed.

Guest of Lady Astor

   During his service in England, the Stauntonian upon one occasion was talking with a group at a railroad station. He mentioned Virginia and a woman standing nearby turned to him, inquiring if his home was in Virginia. He replied affirmatively, and the inquirer identified herself as Lady Nancy Astor, originally of “Mirridor,” near Greenwood. Lady Nancy invited Sergeant Crowder to be her guest one weekend at her English estate; “Clivedon.” He accepted, and his visit there was one of the most pleasant experiences while abroad.

   Sergeant Crowder was a man of quiet disposition, his great appreciation of music mellowing his life, and causing him to find contentment in the less boisterous pursuits. He was fond of reading, research, and travel. His many fine qualities won him a large circle of friends, both in civilian and military life. He was a member of the Central Methodist church, Staunton.

   Mrs. Crowder was notified late Wednesday that his condition was much worse and she left immediately for Phoenixville, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Farrar. They arrived just before he died.

Fellow musicians paid tribute to Uncle Joe as reported in the The Evening Leader, Staunton, Virginia:

     “The Stonewall Brigade band here records its profound sorrow at the passing of this fine man and fine musician, and extends to his family its sincerest sympathy. With Longfellow, we say:

          “He has moved a little nearer

                To the Master of all music.”

Sergeant Joseph Crowder

If you’re an Ogden with Orange County, New York ties, call this your Lucky Day

Dear Readers,

I bet you wish you could step back in time and have a visit with a relative who knew a 2^nd Great Grandmother. That’s what happened to me when I discovered an interview at my local genealogical society.

Eighty-four years ago, June 1, 1934, Mrs. Emma Wood visited with a local historian and genealogist. Emma Wood was born Emma Frances Ogden August 10, 1864 at Otisville, New York to Joseph Stewart Ogden and Charlotte Anna Satterly.  She’s my first cousin 3 times removed.

In other words, she was my 2^nd Great Grandmother Harriet C. Ogden’s niece.

When Emma Frances was born, Great Grandmother Harriet was a young wife married to Jeremiah B. Clark. By the time Harriet passed in 1912, Emma was 48 years old living in Middletown, New York.

An Ogden family enthusiast employed genealogist Miss Elizabeth Horton to learn the family history. That must be what brought Miss Horton and Emma together June 1, 1934. Emma would have been 70 years old. She reminisced about her Aunts and Uncles while Miss Horton wrote down her recollections. Miss Horton prepared 3 pages of hand written notes from the interview. This is old school genealogy—nothing typed, indexed or digitized.

I know what you’re thinking. I will admit the notes seem a bit messy, but this is a rare glimpse into the family. If you’re an Ogden with Orange County, New York ties, call this your lucky day.

After Miss Horton died, her research was gathered in paper bags and brought to the Orange County Genealogical Society.  Society volunteers sorted and added her materials to the vertical file collection.

Contact or visit your genealogical and historical societies. Treasures might be waiting for you too.