Friday, September 4, 2015

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 88: #108 James Vaux (1787-1839)

Amy Johnson Crow suggested a weekly blog theme of "52 Ancestors" in her blog post Challenge:  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks on the No Story Too Small blog.  I am extending this theme in 2015 to 104 Ancestors in 104 Weeks. Here is my ancestor biography for week #88:

James Vaux (1787-1839) is #108  on my Ahnentafel list, my 4th great-grandfather, who married #109 Mary Palmer (1788-1844) in 1808.



I am descended through:

* their son, #54 Samuel Vaux (1816-1880), who married Mary Ann Underhill (1815-1883) in 1839.

*  their daughter, #27 Abigail A. Vaux (1844-1931), who married #26 Devier James Lamphear Smith (1839-1894) in 1861.*  their daughter #13 Abbie Ardell "Della" Smith (1862-1944), who married #12 Henry Austin Carringer (1853-1946),  in 1887.
*  their son, #6 Lyle Lawrence Carringer (1891-1976), who married #7 Emily Kemp Auble (1899-1977) in 1918.
*  their daughter, #3 Betty Virginia Carringer (1919-2002), who married #2 Frederick Walton Seaver (1911-1983) in 1942.
*  their son, #1 Randall J. Seaver (1943-....)

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1)  PERSON (with source citations as indicated in brackets):


*  Name:                    James Vaux[1–10]   
*  Sex:                        Male   

*  Father:                   John Vaux (1747-1806)   
*  Mother:                 Joanna Laver (1763-1836)   
  
2)  INDIVIDUAL FACTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):
  
*  Birth:                    before 20 December 1787, South Petherton, Somerset, England[1]
*  Christened:          20 December 1787 (after age 0), Old Meeting House, Presbyterian, South Petherton, Somerset, England[1]   
*  Property:              13 December 1831 (after age 43), Auction of property on which James Vaux resided; South Petherton, Somerset, England[3]   
*  Immigration:        1 May 1832 (after age 44), ship Cosmo, New York, New York, New York, United States[4]   
*  Deed:                   16 June 1832 (after age 44), bought 55.5 acres in Lot 27 and 40 acres in Lot 28 from the Holland Land Company; Aurora, Erie, New York, United States[5]   
*  Deed:                   15 November 1832 (after age 44), bought 25 acres in Lot 27 from Oren and Nancy Treat; Aurora, Erie, New York, United State[6]   
*  Deed:                  15 November 1833 (after age 45), bought 55.5 acres in Lot 27 from the Holland Land Company; Aurora, Erie, New York, United States[7]   
*  Deed:                   7 January 1837 (after age 49), bought 4 plus acres of land in Lot 31 from  Eliphalet Jones; Aurora, Erie, New York, United States[8]   
*  Death:                 23 July 1839 (after age 51), South Petherton, Somerset, England[1,9]   
*  Burial:                26 July 1839 (after age 51), South Petherton, Somerset, England[1,11]   
*  Deed:                 26 October 1853 (after age 65), heirs sold 4 plus acres of land in Lot 31 to William N. Bennett; Aurora, Erie, New York, United States[10]   
  
3)  SHARED FACTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):
  
*  Spouse #1:         Mary Palmer (1788-1844)   
*  Marriage #1:      13 December 1808 (after age 20), South Petherton, Somerset, England[1,2]

*  Child 1:              John Palmer Vaux (1810-1874)   
*  Child 2:              James Edward Vaux (1812-1871)   
*  Child 3:              Anne Vaux (1814-    )   
*  Child 4:              Samuel Vaux (1816-1880)   
*  Child 5:              William Vaux (1819-    )   
*  Child 6:              George Vaux (1820-1873)   
*  Child 7:              Josiah Vaux (1822-1888)   
*  Child 8:              Cyrus Vaux (1824-    )   
*  Child 9:              Mary Vaux (1826-1828)   
*  Child 10:            Ernest Vaux (1831-1916)   
  
4)  NOTES (with source citations as indicated in brackets):   

 The book, The Vaux Family of South Petherton, by Sara Anson Vaux and Hanna Nicholas, has extensive information about the lives of James and Mary (Palmer) Vaux[1]:

James Vaux was christened 20 December 1787 in the Old Meeting House,  Presbyterian in South Petherton, Somerset, England[1].  His parents were John Vaux and Joanna Laver.

James Vaux married Mary Palmer, by banns, on 13 December 1808 in South Petherton, with both signing the record[1-2].  Their first two children were baptized in the Martock parish church, which signals a possible Martock connection to Mary Palmer's family.  They had ten children between 1810 and 1831, all born in Somerset, of whom eight migrated to America, married and had children.

The Land Tax records of 1810 to 1830 clearly indicates that James lived and farmed in South Petherton[1].  He paid tax on the lands of the late John Vaux and in 1817 took over the farming of the meeting house lands from his uncle, William Vaux.  In 1821, Joseph Vaux assumed one of the parcels, although the executors of John  Vaux still "owned" the land.  In 1821, his younger brother William began to occupy the "Meeting House Lands" and pay tax on them.

In 1823, cousin Joseph's two parcels were located on South Street, and Joseph Vaux, James's brother, lived on North Street[1].  The designation for William, Junior was "Meeting House Land."  By 1826, Samuel was added to the list.  In 1826, the tax paid by James, John, William Junior and Samuel was significantly decreased, perhaps an indication of a crop price crisis.  John and Samuel disappear from the 1827 and 1828 lists altogether.

Mary (Palmer) Vaux inherited her uncle John's entire estate (worth under L600), proved 14 June 1820[1].  Her son John and daughter Ann also received bequests.  James Vaux inherited land and money in 1829 from his uncle William Vaux and from William Harding[1]

An auction of land on which James Vaux resided in South Petherton, Somerset was noted in the Sherborne Mercury newspaper, dated 2 January 1832[3]:

The transcription of this record is:

"TO BE SOLD, IN FEE, BY AUCTION,
By Mr. CHAFFEY, at the Crown Inn, in South Pe-
therton, in the county of Somerset, on TUESDAY, the
10th day of JANUARY next, at five o'clock in the af-
ternoon, on the conditions to be then produced.
THE following valuable PREMISES, in
Lots, viz. ---
1. -- A Dwelling House, Garden, and Outhouses, situ-
ate at South Petherton.
2. -- An Orchard, called Kealand Orchard, also situate
at South Petherton, and containing by estimation 4 acres
(more or less).
N.B.  The above-mentioned Lots are in the occupation
of Mr. Samuel Vaux.
3. -- A Close of Arable, called Holefaxen, containing
by estimation 6 acres (more or less), situate at South
Petherton aforesaid, and now in the occupation of Mr.
James Vaux.
The Occupiers will shew their respective Lots and the
further particulars applications may be made to Mr.
NICHOLETTS, Attorney at Law, South Petherton.

Dated 13th December 1831."

James and Mary (Palmer) Vaux left for America in 1832 with all of his children except James Junior, arriving 1 May 1832 aboard the ship Cosmo landing in New York City[4].  Son James Vaux joined the family in New York in 1834.

There are a number of land records in Erie County, New York for James Vaux.  They are summarized below:

*  On 16 June 1832, James Vaux of Erie County, New York bought land from Wilhem Willink and others (owners of the Holland Land company) for $421.50[5].  The land was in Erie County, Township 9 (Aurora), Range 6, parts of Lots 27 and 28.  The part of Lot 27 was bounded on the East by a line parallel to the East bound of Lot 27, 15 chains, 4 links; South by land of Lyman Letson (14 chains, 92 links); West by land parallel to the first line and partially by land of Oerin Treat, 37 chains, 33 links; North by Lot 28 (14 chains, 92 links); containing 55 acres and a half.  The part of Lot 28 was bounded on the West by a line parallel to the west line of Lot 28 at the distance of 30 chains, East therefrom 38 chains, 35 links; North by a line parallel to South bounds of Lot 28, 10 chains, 43 links; East by a line parallel to the first mentioned boundary, 38 chains, 35 links; South by Lot 27, 10 chains, 43 links; containing 40 acres. The deed was recorded 3 August 1832 Genesee County and 3 October 1832 in Erie County (Erie County Deeds, Liber 13, page 318).

*  On 15 November 1832, James Vaux of Erie County, New York bought land from  Oren Treat and others for $336.50[6].  The land was in Erie County, Township 9 (Aurora), Range 6, Lot 27, Northeast part, containing 55 and a half acres, more or less.  The land was bounded on the East by the line laid out to Oren Treat, 43 chains, 79 links; South by the line laid out to Oren Treat, 5 chains, 70 links; West by a line parallel to the first line, 43 chains, 89 links); North by lot 28, 5 chains, 70 links; containing 25 acres   The deed was recorded 31 March 1842 in Erie County (Erie County Deeds, Liber 67, pages 19-20).

*  On 15 November 1833, James Vaux of Erie County, New York bought land from Wilhem Willink and others for $291.39[7].  The land was in Erie County, Township 9 (Aurora), Range 6, Lot 27, Northeast part, containing 55 and a half acres, more or less.  The land was bounded on the North by Lot 28 (15 chains, 4 links); East by Lot 19 (36 chains, 77 links); South by land of Lyman Letson (15 chains, 4 links); West by land deeded previously to James Vaux (37 chains, 5 links).  The deed was recorded 17 February 1834 in Genesee County and 20 February 1837 in Erie County (Erie County Deeds, Liber 35, Page 427).

*  On 7 January 1837, James Vaux and James Vaux, Jr., both of Erie County, New York, bought land from Eliphalet Jones and his wife Polly for $850[8].  The land was in Aurora town, Erie County, a part of Lot 31 in Township 9, Range 6, containing 4 acres and 47 rods.  The land was bounded commencing from a stake in the southeast corner of land owned by Holmes Hollister and Curtiss; on the north by J.S. Bartlett's land; thence running South 89-1/4 degrees East 23 rods and 15 links to the center of the highway; thence North 2-1/2 degrees East  along the center of the highway 79 rods and 3 links; thence West parallel to the first mentioned line 23 rods and 15 links; thence South 2-1/2 degrees West 29 rods and 3 links to the place of beginning.  The deed was recorded 7 January 1837 in Erie County (Erie County Deeds, Liber 40, Page 520.).

Just before his death, James Vaux returned to England, leaving his wife and young children in Auriora, Erie county, New York[1].  The most probable reason for his return was to help Susan (Ostler) Vaux, newly widowed after the death of John Vaux, James's brother, in 1837.  The will of William Vaux, a childless uncle of James and John, left James property and money, but James's son William was left land that would be his only on the death of Samuel Vaux.  This Samuel Vaux died 15 July 1836 at age 37.  James Vaux may have returned to England to protect his son's right to the land, or to secure further funds for the family's life in New York.

The English death record for James Vaux indicates that he was a farmer, and died of apoplexy.  His niece, Elizabeth Godden, was present when he died[1].  The burial record for James Vaux is in the South Petherton parish records[11].

The Western Flying Post newspaper, published in Sherborne, Dorset, had a death notice in the 29 July 1839 issue:

"July 23, at South Petherton, after a short illness, Mr. James Vaux, who lately returned from America, where he left a wife and family."

An article from the Taunton [Somerset] Courier, and Western Advertiser newspaper, dated 31 July 1839, says[9]:


"On the 23rd instant, at South Petherton, of a paralytic seizure, Mr. James Vaux, aged 52, who has left a wife and eight children in America."

After his death, Mary (Palmer) Vaux petitioned the Erie County (New York) probate court for administration on the estate of James Vaux, since he died intestate.

"The petition of Mary Vaux showeth that she is the widow of James Vaux late of Aurora in said county deceased.  That the said deceased died in England, while on a visit there, on 23 of July last.  That he left no will as far as your petitioner has yet ascertained but left personal property which in the opinion of your petitioner will not exceed two thousand dollars.  Your petitioner is desirous that letters of administration ... that James Vaux and John Vaux her sons may be appointed with her in said transaction, that Elizabeth John and Daniel B. Stiles be appointed appraisers of the personal property of said deceased."

On 6 October 1853, John Taylor and Ann his wife, Samuel Vaux and Mary Ann his wife, George Vaux and Elizabeth his wife, and Ernest Vaux, all of Chester, Dodge County, Wisconsin, and John Vaux of Buffalo, Erie county, New York, and Josiah Vaux  and his wife Mary Ann of Aurora, Erie County, New York sold land to William N. Bennett for $225[10].  The land was in Aurora town, Erie County, a part of Lot 31 in Township 9, Range 6, containing 4 acres and 47 rods.  The land was bounded commencing from a stake in the southeast corner of land owned by Erasmus Adams; on the north by the heirs of J.S. Bartlett's land; thence running South 89-1/4 degrees East 23 rods and 15 links to the center of the highway; thence North 2-1/2 degrees East  along the center of the highway 79 rods and 3 links; thence West parallel to the first mentioned line 23 rods and 15 links; thence South 2-1/2 degrees West 29 rods and 3 links to the place of beginning.  The deed was recorded 10 March 1854 in Erie County, New York.

5)  SOURCES

1. Sara Anson Vaux, The Vaux Family of England, the United States, and Australia (unpublished), Chapter 6, page 32.

2. Church of England, Parish Church of South Petherton (South Petherton, Somerset), South Petherton Parish Registers, Marriages, 1806-1812, Marriage of James Vaux and Mary Palmer, 8 October 1808; accessed on FHL BRITISH Film 1,526,363, Item 13.

3. "To Be Sold, In Fee, by Auction," notice, Sherborne [Dorset] Mercury, 2 January 1832, names land resided on by James Vaux; digital image, Findmypast (http://www.Findmypast.com : accessed 12 June 2015), British Newspapers collection.

4. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com), accessed 14 March 2013), ship Cosmos, Bristol to New York, arrived 1 May 1832, List 242, Page 2, Line 19, James Vous family entry, (image 5 of 11); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M237, Roll 16.

5. "New York, Land Records, 1630-1975," Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 2 February 2013), digital images, "Erie County, New York Deeds, 1829-1837, Volumes 12-13," Volume 13, Page 318 (image 433 of 525), James Vaux deed in Aurora, N.Y. from Holland Land Company, 1832; original records in Erie County, N.Y. County Clerk's Office, also on 907 rolls of FHL Microfilm, specific record on FHL microfilm US/CAN 590,014.

6. "New York, Land Records, 1630-1975," FamilySearch, "Erie County, New York Deeds, 1841-1842, Volumes 66-67," Volume 67, Page 19-21 (images 543 and 544 of 797), James Vaux deed in Aurora, N.Y. from Oren and Nancy Treat, 1832.

7. "New York, Land Records, 1630-1975," FamilySearch, "Erie County, New York Deeds, 1835-1837, Volumes 34-35," Volume 35, Page 427, James Vaux deed in Aurora, N.Y. from Holland Land Company, 1833.

8. "New York, Land Records, 1630-1975," FamilySearch, "Erie County, New York Deeds, 1836-1901, Volumes 40-41," Volume 40, Page 520, James Vaux deed in Aurora, N.Y. from Eliphalet Jones, 1837.

9. "Deaths," death notice, Taunton [Somerset] Courier, and Western Advertiser, 31 July 1839, page 7, James Vaux death notice; digital image, Findmypast (http://www.Findmypast.com : accessed 15 June 2015), British Newspapers collection.

10. "New York, Land Records, 1630-1975," FamilySearch, "Erie County, New York Deeds, 1853-1855, Volumes 148-149," Volume 148, Page 378-380, heirs of James Vaux deed in Aurora, N.Y. to William N. Bennett, 1853.

11. Church of England, Parish Church of South Petherton (South Petherton, Somerset), South Petherton Parish Registers, Burials, 1813-1849, Register #1096, James Vaux burial, 26 July 1839, accessed on FHL BRITISH Microfilm 1,526,363, Item 17.

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