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.

Richard Halstead Puts his House in Order, 1700-1785

On May 27, 2018, I published The Halstead Ancestors quoting an Orange County, New York history introducing Richard Halstead to my readers. You can view the blog post here.

Today I’ll share his last will and testament with you. As you’ll see, he wanted his wife provided for as long as she remained his widow. Land, household items, livestock and money gifts were left to his heirs. Digital images appear at the end of my post.

His will was dated May 5, 1774, and proved December 1, 1785 in New York City, New York.

   In the name of God Amen I Richard Holstead of Goshen in Orange County in the Province of New York being now in health of body but through God's goodness in sound perfect and disposing mind and memory for I am thankfull being mindfull that it tis appointed once for all men to dye and that the hour of death is uncertain and also that it Behoves every one to set his house in order while in this life do make this my last will and testament in manner following

   first of all I bequeath my soul to God who gave it recommending on his mercy through Christ my redeemer for Salvation and my body I recommend to the earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Exr's hereafter mentioned and touching and concerning my worldly estate 

   I give, bequeath, devise will and order in the following manner desiring everyone concerned in the Distribution thereof will be contented and satisfied therewith Imprimis I give and do order unto my Exrs hereafter named so much of my movable estate for them to dispose of for the payment of all my just debts and funeral charges in some convenient time after my Deceas 

   Item I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Esther Holstead all the remainder of my household furniture excepting my large cubbord and I do give and order that my said wife shall have sufficient house room in my said dwelling house and the benefit of the equal half of my homestead lot adjoining to my said dwelling house also one riding hors, two cows, six sheep the above said benefit of my said dwelling house and homestead lot shall remain to her no longer than she shall remain my widow and the above mentioned furniture and creatures she shall have them forever and be at her own disposal 

Esther Holstead was born Esther Oldfield (1707), a daughter of Joseph Oldfield and Martha Grasset. Richard gifted Esther with all his furniture with one exception. He also directed his executors that Esther should have a place in his dwelling house and some farm stock to call her own.

   Item I give and bequeath to my son Michael Holstead all my whole farm or tract of land I now do live upon scituate lying and being on the west side of the Drowned land and the Wallakill within the Patten of Wawayanda in the County and Province aforesaid which I did lately purchase from Henry Davee his Deed of conveyance being had refference thereto will give the boundaries of the said tract or farm of land which said tract or farm shall remain together with the approvements and appurtenances thereunto belonging and also my working horses mairs and all others creatures of cattle kind and sheep and all my farming utensils to him my said son Michael Holsted and to his heirs and assigns forever 

Richard’s son, Michael, inherited his father’s homestead lot along with the livestock. I couldn’t locate the deed referred to in Orange County records. From the description, it sounds like this was the property Michael Halstead owned in the town of Minisink.

   Item I do give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Seely my above mentioned large cubbord and the equal moiety or half part of all my whole right that I have to a certain tract or lot of land which was set of land containing about three thousand acres for the benefit and use of all those persons that hath town rights belonging to the township of Goshen scituate within the Patten of Wawayanda which said moiety or half part of all my whole right to the above mentioned tract shall remain to my said daughter Sarah Seely and to her daughters and their assigns forever 

I was wondering who was going to get that large cupboard.  Richard bequeathed one-half of his 3,000-acre Goshen tract to Sarah and the Seely granddaughters.

   Item I do give and bequeath unto my grand son Samuel Holstead my other equal moiety or half part of my whole right as his above mentioned and described and to be equally divided with my said daughter Sarah which said half part shall remain to him and to his heirs and assigns forever. 

A grandson, Samuel Halstead, got the remaining half of the Goshen tract. Perhaps Samuel’s father was Isaiah Halstead.

   Item I do give and bequeath unto all my said sons Richard Holstead, Joseph Holstead, Isaiah Holstead, Benjamin Holstead and Michael Holstead the remainder of all my town right of lands within the patten of Wayawanda aforesaid to be equally divided between them which shall remain to them and their respective heirs and assigns forever. 

   Item I do give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Holstead all the remainder of my southeast Division lot of land situate in the township of Goshen aforesaid supposed to be about ten acres of land be the same more or less which shall remain to him and to his heirs and assigns forever. 

   Item I do give unto my sons Richard and Isaiah each five shilling New York money to be paid to them out of my moveable estate by my Exrs which shall remain to them and their respective heirs and assigns forever my will is

According to The Michael Shoemaker Book, Richard and Isaiah Halstead left Orange County, New York and migrated to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania where they remained for many years.

and I do order my said son Michael Holstead to provide maintain sufficiently all necessarys and fire wood for my said wife Esther and also to provide for her creatures during her widowhood and

Taking care of Mom falls to Michael and rightly so.

   Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my loving wife Esther Holstead and my sons Joseph Holstead and Michael Holstead or in case of death the survivours of them to be the Executors of this my last will and testament and for them to see that the above devisions be as equally as maybe and I do revoke and disannull all other wills and testaments and do declare this to be my last  In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this fifth day of May and in the year of our Lord Christ seventeen hundred and seventy four 1774

     Richard (X his mark) Holstead   Signed, sealed, delivered and and Declared by the Testator to be his last will and testament 

    Note before signing and executing hereof my will his that my Said Pue in the Presbyterian meeting house in Goshen shall remain to the use and benefit of all my family until such time as they shall so cause to dispose of it)

As early as 1721/22, Richard and others contributed land to establish the Goshen Presbyterian Church. Great Grandfather insured the Halstead’s standing in the Goshen Presbyterian Church reserving his family pew for their benefit.

and the words enterlined in the fifth line from the top of this side of this half sheet (for my said wife Esther)

   Henry David, Daniel Everett, Susanna [V] Huge 

   Orange County}  Be it remembered on the first day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty five personally appeared before me James Everett Surrogate of the said County Daniel Everett of the Precinct of Goshen in said County Esquire who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he saw Richard Halsted deceased make his mark to and seal the within written instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of the said Richard Halstead bearing date the fifth day of May in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy four and that he heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament that at the time thereof he the said Richard Halsted was of a sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and belief of him the Deponent that his name subscribed to the said will is of his proper handwriting which he subscribed as a witness thereto in the Testator's presence and that he saw the other witnesses subscribe their names as witnesses thereto in the Testator's presence.   James Everett Surrogate

    The People of the State of New York by the Grace of God Free and Independent to all to whom these presents shall come or may concern Send Greeting Know Ye that in Orange County on the first day of December instant before James Everett Esquire thereunto by us delegated and appointed the last will and testament of Richard Holsted deceased (a copy whereof is hereunto annexed) was proved and is now approved and allowed by us and the said deceased having whilst he lived and at the time of his death goods, chattels or credits within this State by means whereof the proving and registering the said will and the granting Administration of all and singular the said goods, Chattels and credits and also the auditing allowing and final discharging the account thereof doth belong unto us The Administration of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased and any way concerning his will is granted unto Joseph Holstead and Michael Holstead Two of the Executors in the said will named the being first duty sworn well and faithfully to Administer the same and to make and exhibit a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits and also to render a just and true account thereof when there unto required  In Testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our Court of Probates to be hereunto affixed

Witness Thomas Tredwell Esquire Judge of our said Court at the City of New York the fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five         Dav Judson Clk

New York Co., NY, Wills and Administrations, Volume 38, pages 264-267

  

Richard Halstead’s Will begins last paragraph p 264

Continues on p 265

Richard Halstead’s Will pages 266-267