Pages

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Bridesmaid is Wedded When her Duties Ended


Middletown Daily Times-Press, Middletown, New York

September 16, 1913 Edition

GOSHEN

BRIDESMAID IS WEDDED
     WHEN HER DUTIES ENDED

   Goshen, Sept. 16—The wedding at the Clark home on Mathew street, Monday afternoon, turned out to be a double one. Besides the marriage of Miss Nettie Clark to F. V. Cook, there occurred also the entirely unexpected uniting of Miss Clara Fitzgerald, of Middletown, to A. Vanderslith, of Paterson.
   The guests had all assembled for the announced wedding, which was to occur at 3 o’clock. Mr. Vanderslith was one of these, while Miss Fitzgerald was to be bridesmaid.
   For some time this couple have been seen in each other’s company, but no serious steps had been taken to prepare their friends for Monday’s happening.
   At about 2 o’clock, Mrs. D. P. Clark, mother of the bride, in a joking way, suggested that this couple be married at the same time. To the delight of all the suggestion was adopted.
   Mr. Vanderslith then made a record dash up-town, procured a license and the ring, and, the four were made two by Rev. J. C. Coddington, of the Methodist Church.
   The Clark-Cook marriage was told about in the Times-Press in yesterday’s issue.
   Mr. Vanderslith is an employe of a large manufacturing concern in Paterson, and was soon to leave on an extended business trip—this probably hastened his decision in favor of immediate marriage.
   The home was beautifully decorated and the marriage—or marriages—took place under a beautiful arbor. After the double ceremony, the entire party adjourned downstairs where a bounteous wedding feast, prepared by Mrs. Clark, was served.
   The two couples then left on their wedding trips, after being wished all the good luck in the world.
   Mr. and Mrs. Cook will go for a short trip through the West, and will reside in Port Jervis. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderslith will spend a short time in Walden and vicinity, after which they will leave on the business trip before mentioned.




Thursday, May 14, 2020

Nettie A Clark’s Lawn Party


Orange County Times, published Middletown, New York

August 19, 1902

                    GOSHEN

Happenings at the County Seat—All the
Latest News

             Miss Nettie A. Clark, aged 10 years,
gave a lawn party Thursday afternoon
at the home of her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. David Clark, to forty of her little
friends and companions. The occasion
was a happy one for all present. Re-
freshments were served and in the
evening the whole party was given a
straw ride and attended the band
concert. Among those entertained by
the little hostess were Annie Maguire,
of Brooklyn; Ethel Clark, of Paterson;
Lizzie Stalter, of Warwick; Gertrude
Kane, of Chester; Ethel Keenan and
Nellie Hewitt, of Middletown, and Ella
Wilson, of Hartford, Conn.



The Straw Ride
Winslow Homer
from Harper’s Bazar
September 25, 1869

Monday, March 2, 2020

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 5


I’ll continue the Dunlap discussion with the 1820 federal census enumeration for Archibald and Elizabeth Dunlap’s family:

1820 Federal Census taken August 7,1820:
Waynesboro, Augusta Co., Virginia, Page 19

Head of Household: Archibald Dunlap
2 males under ten years: son William and unknown male
1 male between 16 and 18 years: probably son James
2 males between 16 and 25 years: sons Robert and Archibald Jr.
1 male 45 years and older: Father Archibald Sr.
2 females under 10 years: unknown females
3 females between 10 and 15 years: daughters Elizabeth, Martha and 1 unknown
1 female between 16 and 25 years: daughter Margaret
1 female between 26 and 44 years: daughter Nancy
1 female 45 years and older: Mother Betsey
3 persons engaged in agriculture: Archibald Sr., perhaps sons Robert and Arch Jr.
7 persons under 16 years
3 persons over 25 years: parents Archibald Sr. and Betsey, daughter Nancy
13 total free white persons

Surprisingly I couldn’t find Archibald in the 1830 federal census. I read the complete Augusta County census on Ancestry.com and Familysearch.org. The page numbers were consecutive, so I don’t believe there are any missing pages. The enumeration included the Northern District, Southern District and Staunton. The sole problem I noted was the Staunton census didn’t include any surnames beginning with the letter “A.”

I’ll try substituting for the 1830 census with details I know about family members. Archibald and Betsey’s home probably included the youngest child, William and the unmarried children—Nancy, Robert, James and Martha. Daughter Margaret had already married Jacob Spitler in 1824 while Elizabeth wed Phillip O. Palmer March 1827. Archibald Jr. married Margaret Minnick in August of 1830. I’m still missing some unknown household members from the 1820 census who could be with the Dunlap’s.

The 1810 and 1820 federal census enumerations were arranged by surnames (all D surnames recorded on same page) making it impossible to identify who Archibald’s neighbors were. However, the 1840 census was recorded as taken by the census enumerator.

1840 Federal Census
Augusta County, Virginia, Page 48, 3rd Line

Head of Household: Archibald Dunlap
1 male between 60 and 70 years: Father Archibald Sr.
1 female between 40 and 49 years: daughter Nancy
1 female between 60 and 70 years: Mother Betsey
3 total white persons
  

 1840 Federal Census
Augusta County, Virginia, Page 48

The younger Archibald Dunlap appears on the 12th line.

Although I don’t know if he fits into Archibald’s family, there’s a John Dunlap three names below Archibald Jr. (on the 15th line).

No probate papers or land deeds were recorded in Augusta County, Virginia for Archibald.

Post 5 is the last in my series. I initiated the “Archibald Dunlap Research Log’ series to find and document 4th Great Grandfather’s parents and children and I achieved that goal. Scotland’s People website led me to Archibald’s parents and siblings. Before I began working on the family, I had known some of Archibald and Betsey’s children. I’m glad to report I discovered two more children to add to the Dunlap history.


Earlier posts:


Sunday, February 23, 2020

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 4


Archibald Dunlap from Augusta County, Virginia was born May 12, 1771, in Campbeltown, Scotland. He arrived in the American Colonies as a child about 1775 with his family. I’ve written three earlier blog posts and will leave links at the end.

Since writing my first Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post, I proved Archibald Jr. is a son of Archibald Sr. and Betsy Dunlap. Letters exchanged between Dunlap cousins in the 1860’s solidify the connection between Archibald Jr.’s children and children of the documented Dunlap’s. Thank you Jerry L. and Wanda Bostic Dunlap for sharing and publishing the Dunlap Family Letters on their excellent website Dunlap Family Tree.

While reading a typewritten transcript of Augusta County, Virginia Marriages compiled by Annie Walker Burns, I spotted a marriage bond for Wm. Buchman and Martha Dunlap dated March 3,1835. Burns recorded Martha as the daughter of Archibald Dunlap. Archibald Dunlap served as a bondsman but I’m uncertain whether its Archibald Sr. or Archibald Jr. Census records later identified ‘Wm. Buchman’ as William Buchanan.
  

 Excerpt from
Virginia Genealogies and County Records
Volume VIII (Eight)
Compiled by Annie Walker Burns
Box 6183, Washington, D. C.
Page 68

Early personal property tax lists place 4th Great Grandfather in Augusta County, Virginia as early as 1791.

An 1800 personal property tax list revealed Archibald Dunlap owed the tax assessor 60 cents for a tithe and 5 horses.

The next time I discovered him in an official record was the 1810 census:

1810 Federal Census Enumeration
Augusta County, Virginia, Page 12/334

Head of Household: Arch’d Dunlap
2 males under 10 years: sons James and Archibald Jr.
1 male between 10 and 16 years: son Robert
1 male between 16 and 26 years: unknown
1 male between 16 and 45 years: Archibald Sr.
2 females under 10 years: daughters Elizabeth and Martha
2 females between 10 and 16 years: daughters Nancy and Margaret
1 female between 16 and 26 years: unknown
1 female between 26 and 45 years: wife Elizabeth

A young man and woman lived in the Dunlap household, but their relationship to the family is unknown.

4th Great Grandfather Archibald enlisted in the United States Army Dec. 2, 1813, for a five-year stint. His company commander was Lt. Koontz, and he served in the Artillery. The Register of Enlistments describe Grandfather as 5’6½” tall, blue eyes, brown hair, dark complexion and 45 years of age.

I was delighted to find a physical description of Great Grandfather but was surprised he enlisted in the army at the age of 45. His enlistment occurred during the War of 1812 against the British.

The Army Enlistment Register stated he was a farmer born in Edinburgh, Scotland. My earlier research place Archibald Dunlop’s birth in Campbeltown, Scotland—not Edinburgh. Google mapped a five-hour car drive between Campbeltown and Edinburgh. This is a new development. I must remind myself Grandfather was a small child when he left Scotland perhaps making his early recollections fuzzy. His enlistment age (45 years) calculates to a 1768 birth—not matching Scotland’s People (1771).  See Archibald Dunlap Research Post 3.

I can think of several scenarios to explain the situation so I’m not ready to disregard my earlier research. However, I would very much like finding another birth source.

The Remarks in the Enlistment Records tell Archibald’s military history. Five months after enlisting, he was confined for desertion at Fort Washington, Maryland May 31, 1814. I think Grandfather took on more than he could handle physically and was too old for army life.



Transcription:
D. R. [Descriptive Rolls] Det. Arty Ft. Washington, Md., May 31/14, In for desertion – Capt. Jas Reed’s Co. Book US Arty 1812/15, Present Aug 20 & Dec 1814 – D. R. [Descriptive Rolls] Feby 16, M. R. [Muster Rolls] Feby 18, & M. R. Feby 28/15, Present. Mo
Ret [Returned] May 31, M. R. & I. R. [Muster Roll & Inspection Return] July 31/15, Discharged, April 30/15, old age & Rheumatism – The remark “In 20th Infy.” appears opp. his name.

 

Printed in the Republican Constellation, Wincester, Virginia
Feb. 5, 1814

As you can see from the above advertisement, Lt. Jacob Kountz offered $10.00 for Grandfather Arch’s capture. It’s curious his age was said to be 42 years contradicting the enlistment register age 45.

His name appeared in muster rolls in August and December of 1814 as well as February 1815. Archibald Dunlap was discharged early April 30, 1815 owing to rheumatism and old age at Fort Washington.


Earlier Posts:

  


Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Sunday, February 9, 2020

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 3

Recently I blogged about “The Kerr and Dunlap Families” published in Jed Hotchkiss and Joseph A. Waddell’s Historical Atlas of Augusta County, Virginia. The author didn’t indicate how he obtained the information leaving me to wonder about its accuracy. Documenting the article became my next research job.

I’ve limited myself to the Dunlap family and refer you to blog post “Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 2” for a partial transcription of the sketch.

From The Kerr and Dunlap Families:

John Dunlap and his wife Nancy whose maiden name was Colvin, resided in Campbeltown, Argyleshire, Scotland. They were the parents of five sons and two daughters, . . . Two of the sons settled in Tennessee and Kentucky. Three of them, John, Archibald and Robert settled on the head waters of Middle River, in Riverheads township, Augusta County, Virginia.

My Findings:

There was an Archibald, Robert and John born to John Dunlap and Isabel Colvin in Campbeltown, Argyleshire, Scotland. The government web site Scotlands People provided documentation for eight Dunlop children.

Old Parish Records Births, Campbeltown:

1756    
John Dunlop & Isobell Colvin had a Ch. bapt. Margaret January 25th

1758
John Dunlop & Isobell Colvin had a Ch. bapt. John June 25th

1760
John Dunlop and Isobell Colvill had a son born 18th and baptized 20th Augt named James

1762
John Dunlop and Isobel Colvin had Daughter born 17 Dec Baptised 18 name Jenat

1765
John Dunlop & Isabel Colvin had a son born the 3rd & baptised the 7th of March called Robert

1767
John Dunlop and Isobell Colvill had Daughter born ye 6th & bapt ye 8th Febry named Elizabeth

1769
John Dunlop & Isobel Colvin had a daughter born the 13th & baptised the 14th March called Agnes

1771
John Dunlop and Isobell Colvill had a son born 12th and baptized 16th May named Archibald

I noted two minor discrepancies from the published article. According to the National Records of Scotland, four sons and four daughters were born in Scotland. The number of children and sons and daughters is different and a question about Great Grandmother’s given name--Nancy or Isabell. Augusta County’s Atlas wasn’t published until 1885 many years after the actual events. It’s easy to understand how memories of events fade.

From The Kerr and Dunlap Families:

John lived with Robert, and died unmarried, aged eighty.

My Findings:

This could be true. John Dunlap’s last will and testament written April 1835 bequeathed his real and personal estate to his brother Robert’s son, William Dunlap. This included a plantation located between his brother’s and Mathew Willson’s lands. It’s difficult to say John lived in his brother’s home but at least nearby. James Trimble, John Kerr and Samuel Kerr served as subscribing witnesses. In June 1839, James Trimble and John Kerr presented the will to the Augusta County Court to be recorded in the County books.


Excerpt from
John Dunlap’s Will
Augusta Co., VA Will Book 22, page 386

Using Scotland’s People’s baptism date 1758 and an approximate death date of 1839 in Augusta County, John Dunlap was about 81 years old when he died. Not exactly as written in the history but close enough.

From The Kerr and Dunlap Families:

. . . Robert Dunlap, who was born 1765 in Campbeltown, Argyleshire, Scotland

My Findings:

Robert’s birth and baptism in March 1765 confirmed as stated above.

From The Kerr and Dunlap Families:

The children of Robert and Margaret were: Elizabeth who married Levi L. Stevenson, of Staunton, Virginia; Isabella, who married Robert Sterrett, of Rockbridge County, Virginia; John, who married Isabella North, of Staunton, Virginia and Isabella Blain, of eastern Virginia; he removed to Atchison County, Missouri; Nancy, who married James A. G. Youell, of Rockbridge County, Virginia; Bailey, born in 1800, who married Sallie Baylor, daughter of George Baylor; settled at Mount Pleasant, near Spring Hill, on Middle river, on a farm once owned by Moffatt; Jane, married David Kerr, of Summerdean, Virginia, grandson of Robert and Elizabeth Kerr; Robert died at the age of twenty-three, unmarried; Madison married Martha McKee, of Rockbridge County, and settled on Kerr’s creek in said county; William, the youngest, married Mary J. Crawford, daughter of Robert Crawford; his second wife was Mrs. Amanda Blair, daughter of Dr. John McChensney.

My Findings:

The Kerr and Dunlap Families sketch reveals an amazingly thorough list of Robert and Margaret Kerr’s children. Robert Dunlap’s probate proceedings beginning April 1847 verify most of his children named above.

Conclusion:

Although I haven’t been able to prove every statement, investigating “The Kerr and Dunlap Families” was beneficial helping to build a backdrop of the extended family. Next time I’ll focus on my ancestor Archibald Dunlap.