Saturday, January 17, 2015

CGSSD Meeting Today Featured DearMYRTLE Presenting in a Hangout On Air

Today's Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD) program was DearMYRTLE presenting "Google Hangouts: Enhancing Family Gatherings and Interviews" to about 45 attendees at UCSD.

You can read DearMYRTLE's meeting summary at http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/2015/01/virtual-were-talking-google-hangouts.html.  The video is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRFGQMEIbtE and below:



If you watch carefully, I am in the far left-hand side of the audience view.  I raise my hand occasionally, and even get to speak in response to MYRT's questions.

I took a photo of the screen during the presentation:


You can see the video on the screen, the filmstrip with the persons on the Hangout at the bottom of the video, and Paul Hawthorne's laptop facing the audience on a table at the bottom of the photo, which is hooked up to the projection and audio system.

This program was a combination of DearMYRTLE's slide presentation and her live interactions with Cousin Russ [Worthington] and the audience.  She spent some time demonstrating how to find the DearMYRTLE community on Google+, and how to set up a private community on Google+ so that persons can create a family community, and invite family members to join it, for family discussions, video calls, slide shows, stories, and the like.  It's FREE and reliable, and can be private if you want it to be.

There were few in the audience who had experienced a Hangout On Air before, and there were many questions about the process.  Pat and Russ explained it all.  I hope that this results in a CGSSD Community on Google+ (and an SDGS Community as well), with society calendars, announcements, videos, etc.

Presentations like this, from a remote presenter, to a group that has only a laptop with a camera and projector, plus a Google account, can be done at a mutually agreed time.  The society pays the presenter for their presentation time, but saves the cost of travel reimbursement.  For societies that are not near a large city, this would be a smart way to obtain quality genealogical education from world renowned speakers.

You can see all of DearMYRTLE's publicly available YouTube videos on her YouTube page at  https://www.youtube.com/user/DearMYRTLE.

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/01/cgssd-meeting-today-featured-dearmyrtle.html

Copyright (c) 2015, Randall J. Seaver





Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Do Some Semi-Random Online Research

It's Saturday Night - 
time for more Genealogy Fun! 



Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible! music) is to:

1) We're going to do a little bit of Semi-Random Online Research tonight...

2)  Go to your family tree database of choice (you know, like RootsMagic, Reunion, Ancestry Member Tree), and determine who the very first person on your list of E surnames is.  Or the first person on your list of I surnames.  Or Q surnames.  Or any other name you need to research.  Your choice!

3)  What do you know (or not know) about this person based on your research?  It's OK to do more research if you need to - in fact, it's encouraged!

4)  How are you related to this person, and why is s/he in your family tree?

5)  Tell us about it in a blog post of your own, in a comment to this blog post, or in a Facebook Status post or Google+ Stream post.


Here's mine:

2)  I didn't find a usable candidate, so I went with the spouse of a Seaver with an unknown maiden name.  In this case, it is "Kate," the second wife of Arthur A. Seaver (born in 1860 in Manlius, Bureau County, Illinois), son of Ira A. and Jennie (Hatch) Seaver.  

3)  All I know at this time (from my database) is that Arthur and Kate were married on 3 April 1905, but I don't have a source for that.  I don't know anything about Arthur's first wife, Etta M. Roberts, either.   

I will do more research - starting with a search for Arthur Seaver, born in about 1860 in Illinois.  I didn't find much in the census records for 1910 and later for Arthur and Kate.  A Find A Grave entry for Arthur A. Seaver looks like a good start,  The memorial for Arthur A. Seaver provides a death date - 19 Feb 1918 in Stockton, San Joaquin County, California.  That is new information for me.  He is buried in Stockton Rural Cemetery.  

His wife, Kathryn A. Seaver, is on the same stone, with a birth date of 1864 in Michigan, and a death date of 25 June 1931 in Los Angeles, California.  She is buried in Stockton Rural Cemetery.  All of that is new information for me, and I'll add it to my database, and create a source for it. I also found Arthur and Kathryn in the California Death Index, 1905-1939 database.

I looked for a marriage between Arthur and Kate, and found one for Arthur A. Seaver and Mrs. Kate Seaver on 3 April 1905 in St. Joseph county, Indiana in the Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 database on Ancestry.  So I can add the county and state, but I still don't know Kate's maiden name.  This marriage occurred when she was about age 41, so perhaps it is her second marriage.  

I went looking for Kat* Se*ver* persons born 1864 in Michigan, and found the 1920 US Census for Los Angeles, where Kathryn Seaver was residing with her sister, Janet R. Wetmore, a widow born 1866 in Michigan. The 1900 US census for Janet Wetmore names her husband as Frank Wetmore and a son Roy Wetmore.  An Ancestry Member Tree provides their marriage in 1885 and Janet's maiden name as Stoddard.  No parents names are provided.  The California Death Index, 1905-1997 provides Roy Wetmore's death information and says his mother's maiden name is Stoddard!  Ergo, Kate's maiden name is probably Stoddard.

I couldn't find Kat* Stod* in the 1870 or 1880 US census records.  Or Janet either.  Another Ancestry Member Tree says Kathryn A. Stoddard's parents are Mosley Gardner Stoddard (1829-1899) and Lida Ann Turner (1829-1902).  The tree says that she was married to Will L. Seaver in 1882 in Chicago, Illinois.  A marriage record in Cook County, Illinois, Marriages Index, 1871-1920 has an entry for Kittie A. Stoddard and Will L. Seaver (age 23) on 24 May 1882.  Ah, Kittie!  Instead of Kate!  She does appear in the 1880 census with her Stoddard parents, but there is no sign of Janet.  I searched my database for Will* L. Seaver persons, and found several, but only one born around 1859.  The best match was William L. Seaver, born in Vermont, living in Chicago in the 1880 US Census with his parents. He was the son of Ezra and Elma Annie (Kimball) Seaver, and both of them died in Chicago around 1900.  

4)  Arthur A. Seaver (1860-1918), son of Ira A. Seaver is my 7th cousin three times removed.  William L. Seaver (1859-????), son of Ezra S. Seaver,  is also my 7th cousin 3 times removed.  Ira and Ezra were both sons of Ebenezer Seaver (1804-1861) and Sophronia Jillson (1809-1892) of Williamstown, Vermont.  So Kathryn/Kate/Kittie A Stoddard married two Seaver men who were first cousins.  

So I managed to solve this Kate mystery - finding two marriage records, two death records, a burial record, etc.  I added useful information to my database about two Seaver families.  Not bad for about an hour's work.  


Copyright (c) 2015, Randall J. Seaver



Surname Saturday - LNU (colonial Massachusetts)

It's Surname Saturday, and I'm "counting down" my Ancestral Name List each week.  


I am in the 8th great-grandmothers and I'm up to Ancestor #1079 who is the unknown mother of Sarah Grande (1691-????), wife of Thomas Allen (1690-1777).  So, Ancestor #1081 is next, who is Martha LNU (1647-1698) 
[Note: the earlier great-grandmothers and 8th great-grandfathers have been covered in earlier posts].

My ancestral line back through three generations in this LNU family line is:


1. Randall J. Seaver

2. Frederick Walton Seaver (1911-1983)
3. Betty Virginia Carringer (1919-2002)

4. Frederick Walton Seaver (1876-1942)
5. Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962)

8. Frank Walton Seaver (1852-1922)
9. Hattie Louise Hildreth (1857-1920)

16. Isaac Seaver (1823-1901)
17. Lucretia Townsend Smith (1827-1884)

32. Benjamin Seaver (1791-1825)
33. Abigail Gates (1797-1869)


66.  Nathan Gates (1767-1830)
67.  Abigail Knowlton (1774-1855)

134.  Jeremiah Knowlton (1745-1785)
135.  Abigail Pierce (1750-1776)

270.  Samuel Pierce (1712-1772)
271.  Abigail Stearns (1715-1798)


540.  John Pierce (1673-1744)
541.  Elizabeth Smith (1674-1747)


1080.  Joseph Peirce, born about 1647 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died 25 November 1713 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.  He was the son of 2160. Anthony Peirce and 2161. Anne.  He married about 1667 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.
1081.  Martha LNU, born about 1647 in Massachusetts, United States; died before 15 June 1698 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.

Children of Joseph Peirce and Martha are:
i. Joseph Peirce, born 02 October 1669 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died 13 March 1753 in Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; married (1) Ruth Holland 20 May 1689 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; born 12 December 1665 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died before 21 December 1692 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; married (2) Hannah Munroe 21 December 1692 in Lexington, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; born 1674 in Lexington, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died before 1736 in Massachusetts, United States; married (3) Beriah Bemis 12 August 1736 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; born 23 June 1681 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died 04 November 1768 in Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.
ii. Francis Peirce, born 27 July 1671 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died 22 April 1728 in Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; married Hannah Johnson 17 December 1697 in Lexington, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.
iii. John Peirce, born 27 May 1673 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died before 21 May 1744 in Waltham, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; married Elizabeth Smith 05 November 1702 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.
iv. Mary Peirce, born 26 November 1674 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; married Jacob Bennett 1706 in probably Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; born about 1676 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, United States.
v. Benjamin Peirce, born 25 March 1677 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died 06 December 1740 in Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire, United States; married (1) Elizabeth Hall 07 September 1705 in Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire, United States; born about 1673 in Dover, Rockingham, New Hampshire, United States; died about 1710 in Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire, United States; married (2) Hannah Chesley 30 May 1714 in Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire, United States; born 1690 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.
  vi. Jacob Peirce, born 25 December 1678 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died 06 December 1740 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; married Hannah Lewis 13 November 1702 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.
vii. Martha Peirce, born 24 December 1681 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died 15 September 1759 in Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; married William Whitney 17 May 1706 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; born 06 May 1683 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died 24 June 1720 in Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.
viii. Stephen Peirce, born 24 October 1683 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; married Abigail Bemis 16 September 1708 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; born 10 January 1687 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.
ix. Israel Peirce, born 07 October 1685 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; married Sarah Holland 14 January 1718 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; born 12 August 1688 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.

x. Elizabeth Peirce, born 09 September 1687 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States;  married Joseph Bemis 15 October 1706 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; born 17 November 1684 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; died 1738 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.

I have no leads as to Martha's maiden name or her parents.  

The URL for this post is:

copyright (c) 2015, Randall J. Seaver


Friday, January 16, 2015

My Relationships to U.S. Presidents - Post 3: Presidents 28-33

I can't seem to stay away from Geni.com and their search capability to find relationships with living persons.  I spent some time today working backwards in time looking for my connections to the Presidents.  I did six of them in My Relationships to United States Presidents - Post 1: 39 to 44 (posted 2 October 2014) and five more in My Relationships to U.S. Presidents - Post 2: Presidents 34-38 (posted 13 November 2014).  Here are the next six going back in time:

1.  Harry S. Truman (33rd President of the United States) is my 8th cousin twice removed:


The common ancestors are Adam Mott (1596-1661) and Elizabeth Creed (1598-1635) of Rhode Island, according to Geni.com.  My ancestor is Elizabeth Mott (1629-1694) and resided in Rhode Island.  Harry's Mott ancestor is George Mott (1620-1674) who ended up in Virginia.  I don't have George (also called Adam George Mott in some online trees) in my tree, and Elizabeth is not listed as George's sister in Geni.com for some reason.  I doubt that this relationship is accurate, although there may be a link another generation or two back in time.

2)  Franklin Delano Roosevelt (32nd President of the United States) is my 7th cousin twice removed:



The common ancestors are Joseph Church (1638-1711) and Mary Tucker (1640-1710).  Mty ancestor is Deborah Church (1677-1772) who married Samuel Gray (1681-1712).   Franklin's ancestor is Joseph Church (1662-1715) who married Grace Shaw (1667-1737).  I am fairly confident that this relationship is correct.

3)  Herbert C. Hoover (31st President of the United States) is my 7th cousin twice removed:



The common ancestors are Ephraim Buck (1646-1721) and Sarah Brooks (1652-1720).  My ancestor is Ephraim Buck (1676-????) and Herbert's ancestor is John Buck (1680-1752).   I am fairly confident that this relationship is correct.

4)  Calvin Coolidge (30th President of the United States) is my 6th cousin three times removed:



The common ancestors are Jonathan Hubbard (1659-1728) and Hannah Rice (1658-1747).  My ancestor is Samuel Hubbard (1687-1753) and Calvin's ancestor is Mary (Hubbard) Davis (1682-1759).  I am fairly confident that this relationship is correct.

5)  Warren G. Harding (29th President of the United States) is my 7th cousin twice removed:


The common ancestors are Ebenezer Slocum (1650-1715) and Mary Thurston (1657-1732).  My ancestor is Samuel Slocum (1685-1741) and Warren's ancestor is Joanna (Slocum) Carr (1680-1709).  I am fairly confident that this relationship is correct.

6)  Woodrow Wilson (28th President of the United States) is my 13th cousin five times removed:


The common ancestors is John Stewart, 2nd Lord Lorn (1397-1463).  I doubt that this relationship is correct, but don't have enough information to confirm that doubt.

7)  I did not check the records for each relationship shown in the charts above.  I am confident that my lines back to the immigrant ancestors from England are correct, but I have no idea how accurate the lines are from the immigrants back to some of the common ancestors to the Presidents.  Some are well researched, and have entries in the book by Gary Boyd Roberts, Ancestors of American Presidents (1989).  

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/01/my-relationships-to-us-presidents-post.html

Copyright (c) 2015, Randall J. Seaver


NEW or Updated Databases on Ancestry.com - Week of 10-16 January 2015

The following databases were added or updated on Ancestry.com during the period from 10 to 16 January 2015 (Note: not all new or updated databases are indexed or have images).

*  Ghana, Census, 1984; unindexed database with images, NEW added 1/15/15

*  U.S., Newspaper Extractions from the Northeast, 1704-1930; indexed database with images, NEW added 1/15/15

*  North Carolina, Civil Action Court Papers, 1712-1970; unindexed database with images, updated 1/14/15

*  Linz, Upper Austria, Austria, Miscellaneous City Records, 1485-1894 (in German); unindexed database with images, NEW added 1/13/15

*  Savannah, Georgia, Court Records, 1790-1934; indexed database with images, updated 1/13/15

*  Gelderlamd Province, Netherlands, Civil Registration, 1811-1950 (in Dutch); indexed database, no images, NEW database, added 1/13/15

*  South Africa, City and Area Directories, 1813-1962; indexed database, no images, NEW database,  added 1/13/15

*  Savannah, Georgia, Records of Titles, 1791-1971; indexed database with images, updated 1/13/15

*  California, Railroad Employment Records, 1862-1950; indexed database with images, updated 1/12/15

The recently added or updated page on Ancestry.com is http://www.ancestry.com/cs/reccol/default.

The complete Ancestry.com Card Catalog is at  http://search.ancestry.com/search/CardCatalog.aspx.  There are 32,544 databases available as of 16 January, an increase of 7 over last week. 

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2015/01/new-or-updated-databases-on-ancestrycom.html

Copyright (c) 2014, Randall J. Seaver

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 55: #62, Alexander Sovereen (1814- 1907)

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 #55:

Alexander Sovereen)  is #62 on my Ahnentafel list, my third great-grandfather. He married in 1840  to #63 Elizabeth Putman (1820-1895).



I am descended through:

*  their daughter,
#31, Mary Jane Sovereen (1841-1874), who married  #30 James Abraham Kemp (1831-1902),in 1861.
*  their daughter #15 Georgianna Kemp (1868-1952), who married #14 Charles Auble (1849-1916) in 1898.
*  their daughter, #7 Emily Kemp Auble (1899-1977) married, #6 Lyle Lawrence Carringer (1891-1976)in 1918. 
* their daughter, #3 Betty Virginia Carringer (1919-2002), who married Frederick Walton Seaver (1911-1983) in 1942.
*  their son, #1 Randall J. Seaver (1943-....)

 =====================================================

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


*  Name:                     Alexander Sovereen[1-8]   
*  Sex:                         Male   
*  Father:                     Frederick Sovereign (1786-1875)   
*  Mother:                   Mary Jane Hutchison (1792-1868)   

2)  INDIVIDUAL FACTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):    

*  Birth:                       22 December 1814, Middleton, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada[1–2]
*  Census :                   1 April 1851 (age 36), Windham, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada[3]
*  Census:                   1 April 1861 (age 46), Windham, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada[4]
*  Census:                   1 April 1871 (age 56), Windham, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada[5]
*  Census:                   1 April 1881 (age 66), Windham, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada[6]
*  Census:                   1 April 1891 (age 76), Windham, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada[7]
*  Census:                   1 April 1901 (age 86), Windham, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada[2]
*  Death:                     15 August 1907 (age 92), Windham, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada[8]
  
3)  SHARED FACTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):   

*  Spouse 1:                 Elizabeth Putman (1820-1895)   
*  Marriage 1:              3 March 1840 (age 25), Norfolk, Ontario, Canada   

*  Child 1:                    Mary Jane Sovereen (1840-1874)   
*  Child 2:                    Frederick Sovereen (1842-1846)   
*  Child 3:                    Rosella Elizabeth Sovereen (1844-1845)   
*  Child 4:                    Amart Ann Sovereen (1846-1849)   
*  Child 5:                    Rachel E. Sovereen (1848-    )   
*  Child 6:                    Gertrude Ann Sovereen (1851-1938)   
*  Child 7:                    Sarah Adelaide Sovereen (1853-1915)   
*  Child 8:                    Nancy Amelia Sovereen (1855-1927)   
*  Child 9:                    Roselia Sovereen (1856-1856)   
*  Child 10:                  Valzoria Sovereen (1856-1877)   
*  Child 11:                  Hattie Sovereen (1859-1919)   
*  Child 12:                  Frederick Alexander Sovereen (1861-    )   
*  Child 13:                  Addison B. Sovereen (1863-1942)   
*  Child 14:                  Wilbert Melvin Sovereen (1867-    )   
  
4)  NOTES (with source citations as indicated in brackets):   

Nearly everything known about the life of Alexander Sovereen was obtained from a newspaper article "Alexander Sovereen, son of the founder of the old village of Fredericksburg" which was published in or near Delhi, Norfolk County, Ontario, probably in the year 1902.[1]  It was obtained from Mark Putnam who has done extensive research on the Putman family. The text below is excerpted from the newspaper article.

"It is not often one finds a man engaged in cradling grain or mowing grass by hand, clad in a heavy coat and woolen mittens, but when one finds a man so engaged who has reached his 87th year, it is indeed a rare spectacle.  In fact it has come to pass that a twentieth century man who can swing a grain cradle without demoralizing one half of the grain and wrecking his own physical frame beyond the possibility of repair, is looked upon as having outlived his day and generation.  In these degenerate day any man who can pull off and trample down a sufficient quantity of grain to enable an observer with ordinary eyesight to distinguish where he has cradled and where he has not cradled, will pass muster as a cradler; but shades of the departed! If our grandsires could behold their tangled, zig-zag swathes with heads pointing in every direction known and unknown, they would return to their shady abodes with a firm and steadfast determination never again to visit the scenes of their earthly experiences.

"The man in his 87th year, who was found cradling in a field of green rye, clad in heavy coat and woolen mittens, is Alexander Sovereen, second and only surviving son of Frederick Sovereen, the founder of the old village which flourished and passed into general decay years before the modern, up-to-date village of Delhi sprang into existence. And this man who has only three more milestones to pass before he reaches ninety, swung the cradle as our grandsires swung the old 'turkey wing', in long bygone days.  He has always enjoyed the reputation of being an expert cradler, having on one occasion cradled as many as six acres in one day.  Mr. Sovereen evidently inherited his full share of that rare constitutional vigor which seems to be the common birthright of the members of the old Sovereen family.  The subject of this sketch has done enough hard work during his life to break down a half-dozen ordinary men.  His days, which have been many, have also been long ones.  His restless ambition has led him into many fields of labor, varying in kind, but never, in any case, freed from the grind of toil.  He seems always to have found recreation in hard work, and no task was deemed too laborious or too hazardous for him to undertake.  Whether engaged as employer or employee, made no difference;  he was always found in the vanguard.  He has not won as many favors from the fickle Goddess of Fortune as some far less deserving men have, yet the old-time twinkle of the eye and the old familiar smile which illuminates the time-withered features as it did when the face was younger, indicates that the heart is as warm, the conscience as self-approving and trust in the unknown future as implicit, as in the days gone by.  His family hearth, like that of his father, was always noted for its open-hearted hospitality and good fellowship.  No human being was ever turned away from his door hungry or cold.  Had he been less charitable as a citizen, less helpful as a neighbor, and less generous and confiding in his household, he would have made it possible, no doubt, for a more luxurious environment in his old age, but when the final summons calls him to his fathers, he will be remembered by all who know him, not only for the good he did do, but for the greater good his noble generosity would have prompted had circumstances been favorable.

"Mr. Sovereen was born in old Charlotteville December 22nd, 1814 and was three years past common school age when the family moved into the second log cabin erected where Delhi now stands.  This seems a long time ago to the active generation of Delhi, and yet this inmate of the second cabin who, by the way, was born while Turkey Point was yet judicial headquarters for all London District, is still able to cradle green rye.

"Mr. Sovereen has some distinct recollections of his childhood experiences in old Charlotteville.  He is a grandson of the 'Jake Sovereen' who kept the historical pioneer tavern.  He remembers his grandsire well, and was frequently at his place, his father having settled on a lot a little west of the old homestead.  He has occasion to remember one thing which happened during this early period which he would like to forget if he could.  He was about six years old at the time, and his brother, the late William L., was about three years his senior.  One day during the absence of the master and mistress of the cabin, the youngsters on mischief bent, as youngsters in all climes and ages are, conceived the idea of throwing stones in the rapacious mouth of the big brick and mud chimney.  Sally Loder, who subsequently married Jerry Anderson, lived with the family, and was engaged in cooking dinner, when the stones began to rattle down the chimney. Some struck the crane and bounded off on the hearth, while others 'plunked' into the boiling pots which hung on the pot-hooks, accompanied by liberal allowance of soot.  Sally was not long in determining the source of the trouble and rushed out to remove it. William, the elder escaped by slipping through a hole in the log fence, but little Aleck was caught and the enraged Sally gave him what he terms the 'tarnalest lambastin' he ever received in his life.  In those pioneer times John McCall was a noted hunter and trapper.  He was a frequent visitor at the Sovereen tavern and was wont to boast of his prowess and bravery while pursuing his perilous adventures in the forest.  One night he remained late at the tavern and after much boasting he shouldered his rifle and went out expressing the wish that he might meet the devil himself before he reached home.  The father of this sketch could imitate a wolf's howl to perfection, and being at the tavern that night, he resolved to test McCall's bravery.  Starting in advance he posted himself in McCall's trail, and as he approached he let loose a vigorous howl.  McCall halted, and after snarling a defiant 'yah-a-a' he advanced.  This was repeated a second time; but when 'Uncle' Frederick loosened up on his third howl, McCall turned his back on the imitation foe and beat a hasty and inglorious retreat. He remained at the tavern until break of day, swearing that he had been attacked by a whole pack of wolves, and that it was one of the greatest 'hairbreadth' escapes of his life.  It was, no doubt, as real as many of the 'hair-breadth' escapes of pioneer times which has been handed down to us.

"For four or more years after the Middleton settlement was effected, there was no school within reach of the family, and when a school was finally opened in a log cabin a squatter had built on a sand knoll near May's Corners, on Talbot road, the services of our subject had become too valuable in the work of home-building to spend much time in school.  He was permitted, however, to attend a short turn on an average of two to three days in the  week.  Subsequently, this school was located farther west in a log cabin which stood nearly opposite the place where Mike the fortune teller lived for many years.  A man named Sandy Ford taught each of these schools.  In due time a nucleus of what developed into Fredericksburgh was formed, and a school was opened in the pioneer log cabin of Joseph Lawson which stood on the brow of the hill overlooking the Conlin tannery.  This may properly be termed the pioneer school of Delhi.  It was also used by the settlers as the pioneer 'meeting house'.

"No one ever regretted more keenly the lack of an elementary education than has the subject of our sketch.  His brother William lived for a time with his grandfather Hutchinson and while there acquired a crude elementary education, which was always esteemed by his less fortunate brother, a very great advantage in making the most of life's opportunities.

"Mr. Sovereen married Eliza Putman, and settled near the village where he cleared up a farm and raised a large family, mostly girls.  One of these girls is the wife of Mr. John Cole, the present owner and occupant of the fine old Frederick Sovereen homestead, others are married and in homes of their own, and some are dead.  Addison, the only living son, is located in Manitoba."

The only record of the birth of aAlexander Sovereen is the 1891 Census of Canada, which listed his birth date as 22 December 1814, age 86.[2]

Alexander and Eliza (Putman) Sovereen married on 3 March 1840 in Norfolk County, Ontario.  The marriage date and place for the wedding of Alexander Sovereen and Eliza Putman was obtained from email correspondence with a now-unknown correspondent in the mid-1990s.  The email and the printed information has been lost.  Attempts to find a record have been unsuccessful.  

They had 14 children between 1840 and 1867, but at least four of the children, and possibly 6, died soon after birth.  Another, Valzoria, died as an unmarried young woman.

In the 1851 census for Norfolk County, Ontario, the Alexander Sovereen family resided in Windham township.[3] The household included:

*   Alexander Sovereen - age 40, a farmer,  born in Upper Canada (U.C.), a Baptist
*  Elizabeth Sovereen - age 30, female, born in Upper Canada, a Baptist
*  Mary J. Sovereen - age 12, female, born in Upper Canada, a Baptist
*  Rachel E. Sovereen - age 6, female, born in Upper Canada, a Baptist

The Alexander Sovereen household was enumerated in the 1861 Census of Canada in Windham township, Norfolk County, Ontario.[4]  The household included:

*  line 33 - Alexander Sovereen - an Innkeeper, born Upper Canada, Baptist religion, resides in Windham, age 47, male, married  
*  34 - Eliza Sovereen - no occupation, born Upper Canada, Baptist religion, resides in Windham, age 43, female, married
*  35 - Mary J. Sovereen - no occupation, born Upper Canada, Baptist religion, resides in Windham, age 21, female, single
*  36 - Rachael Sovereen - no occupation, born Upper Canada, Baptist religion, resides in Windham, age 12, female, single, attended school within the year
*  37 - Gertrude Sovereen - no occupation, born Upper Canada, Baptist religion, resides in Windham, age 10, female, single, attended school within the year
*  38 - Sarah Sovereen - no occupation, born Upper Canada, Baptist religion, resides in Windham, age 8, female, single, attended school within the year
*  39 Nancy Sovereen - no occupation, born Upper Canada, Baptist religion, resides in Windham, age 6, female, single, attended school within the year
*  40 - Rozina Sovereen - no occupation, born Upper Canada, Baptist religion, resides in Windham, age 4, female, single
*  41 - Haty Sovereen - no occupation, born Upper Canada, Baptist religion, resides in Windham, age 3, female, single

In the 1871 Census of Canada for Norfolk County, Ontario, the family is found in Windham township, North Norfolk District.[5]  The household included:

*  Alexander Sovereen - age 56, a farmer, of German descent, born in Ontario, a Baptist
*  Eliza Sovereen - age 59, born in the U.S
*  Sarah Sovereen - age 18, born in Ontario
*  Nancy Sovereen - age 16, born in Ontario
*  Valarie Sovereen - age 14, born in Ontario 
*  Hattie Sovereen - age 12, born in Ontario
*  Alexander Sovereen - age 8, born in Ontario
*  Wilbur Sovereen - age 3, born in Ontario
*  Peter Putman - age 58, born in the U.S., a laborer of German descent (surely Eliza (Putman) Sovereen's brother).

In the 1881 Census of Canada Records for Norfolk County North, Ontario, this family resided in Windham township:[6]

*  Alexander Sovereen - male, age 67, born in O[ntario], religion Baptist, origin German, occupation Farmer, married.
*  Elizabeth Sovereen - female, age 60, born in U.S., religion Baptist, origin German, married
*  Hetti Sovereen - female, age 22, born in O[ntario], religion Baptist, origin German
*  Adison B. Sovereen - male, age 17, born in O[ntario], religion Baptist, origin German, occupation Farmer
*  Melvina M. Kemp - female, age 15, born in O[ntario], religion Baptist, origin German
*  Wilbert Sovereen - male, age 13, born O[ntario], religion Baptist, origin German

In the 1891 Census of Canada, Norfolk North District, Ontario, this family resided in Windham township:[2]

*  Alexander Sovereen - male, age 76, married, born Ontario, father born United States, mother born Nova Scotia, Baptist religion, occupation farmer, 1 employee, can read and write
*  Elisabeth Sovereen - female, age 72, married, wife, born in United States, father born United States, mother born United States, Baptist religion, can read and write
*  Wilber Sovereen - male, age 23, married, son, born in Ontario, father born in Ontario, mother born Ontario, Baptist religion, can read and write
*  Fannie Sovereen - female, age 20, married, L (in-law?), born in Ontario, father born Ontario, mother born Ontario, C.E. religion, can read and write

In the 1901 Census of Canada, Norfolk North District, Ontario, this family resided in Windham:[7]

*  Sovereen Alexander - Male, Head of household, White, born Dec 22 1814, age 86
*  Jay Levi S. - Male, Lodger, Married, born Jul 22 1872, age 28
*  Jay Margaret L. - Female, Lodger, Married, born  Jul 29 1875, age 25
*  Jay Russell R. - Male, Boarder, Single, born Mar 26 1895, age 6
*  Jay Edward L. -  Male, Boarder, Single, born Apr 5 1898, age 2

The death record for Alexander Sovereen includes this information:[8]

*  Name of deceased:  Sovereen Alexander
*  Sex:  Male
*  Date of Death:  15th August 1907
*  Age:  93
*  Residence, Street number, or Concession and Lot:  Lot 21 Con 11
*  Occupation:  Farmer
*  Single or Married:  Married
*  Where Born:  Middleton
*  Cause of Death:  Old Age
*  Length of illness: Four days
*  Name of Physician in Attendance:  None
*  Religious Denomination:  Baptist
*  Name of Person Making Return:  Corman, W.W.
*  Date of Registration:  16th August 1907

5)  SOURCES 
 
1. "Alexander Sovereen, son of the founder of the old village of Fredericksburg," undated clipping, about 1902, from unidentified newspaper; Mark Putnam collection, provided to Mark Putnam by family members; privately held  by 4th cousin, Mark Putnam, [address for private use], Tuscola County, Michigan.

2. Census of Canada, 1901, Norfolk County, Ontario, Schedule No. 1 (population), District 93, North Norfolk, Division No. G, Subdivision 6 of Windham, Page 3, Family #31, Alexander Sovereen household; digital image, Library and Archives Canada (http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1901/Pages/1901.aspx : accessed 31 July 2014).

3. Census of 1851, Norfolk County, Canada West, District 25, Windham, subdistrict 237, page 35 (stamped), lines 32-35, Alexander Sovereen household ; digital image, Library and Archives Canada (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1851/index-e.html : accessed 10 March 2013); citing Library and Archives Canada Microfilm C-11741.

4. Census of Canada, 1861, Canada West, Norfolk District, Middleton sub-district, Page 49, Lines 33-41, Alexander Sovereen household ; digital image, Library and Archives Canada (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1861/index-e.html : accessed 23 August 2013); citing Library and Archives Canada Microfilm C-1052.

5. Census of Canada, 1871, Norfolk County, Ontario, Schedule #1, district 12, North Norfolk, subdistrict b, Township of Windham, Page 49, Dwelling 174, Family #178, Alexander Sovereen household ; digital image, Library and Archives Canada (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1871/index-e.html : accessed 10 March 2013); citing Library and Archives Canada Microfilm C-9909.

6. Census of Canada, 1881, Norfolk County, Ontario, Schedule #1, District 158, Norfolk North, subdistrict C, Township of Windham, page 46, Dwelling #204, Family #225, Alexander Sovereen household ; digital image, Library and Archives Canada (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1881/index-e.html : accessed 5 March 2013); citing Library and Archives of Canada Microfilm C-13263.

7. Census of Canada, 1891, Norfolk County, Ontario, Schedule No. 1, District 96, North Norfolk, Subdistrict Township of Windham, Division No. 4, Page 9, Family #44, Alexander Sovereen household; digital image, Library and Archives Canada (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1891/index-e.html : accessed 10 March 2013).


8. "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," online database, FamilySearch (http:// www.familysearch.org), Alexander Sovereen entry.


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