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As the Puritans grew uneasy in England, they sought freedom in New England. In the summer of 1630, a fleet of 11 ships led by John Winthrop arrived near Boston. It was the beginning of the Great Migration, a period in which about 20,000 colonists arrived in America. Ships in Winthrop's Fleet:** Arabella (The Flagship) Talbot Ambrose Jewel Mayflower* Whale Success Charles William & Francis Hopewell Trial *Not the Plymouth Pilgrim's ship by the same name. **5-6 other ships arrived in 1630, one carrying Capt. John Underhill .[9] On April 8, 1630, four ships (Arabella, Talbot, Ambrose, and Jewel) departed from Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, and began arriving at Salem on June 13. Seven other ships sailed in May, arriving in July, bringing a total of about 700 people. My ancestor, Elder John Strong was said to have come over on "Mary and John", which arrived two weeks before Winthrop's Fleet did. Mary and John is believed to have not been a part of the Winthrop Fleet, but the ship reportedly made four voyages between England and the colonies, between 1607 and 1633. It was owned by Roger Ludlow. The first known voyage was in 1607 during the attempt to settle the Popham Colony, which failed. The second known voyage departed from Plymouth, England, on March 20, 1630, carrying about 140 passengers including John Mason. The third known voyage departed from London on March 24, 1633/4. Sources: Winthrop Fleet [ Wikipedia ] Mary and John [ Wikipedia ] The Planters of The Commonwealth in Massachusetts, 1620-1640, Boston, 1930, p. 87. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, by Robert C. Anderson. (Source is considered unreliable). [ Link ] The Winthrop Fleet of 1630, by Charles Edward Banks. [ Link ] Mary and John Passenger list for 1634 [ PhelpsFamilyHistory.com ] The Winthrop Society [ WinthropSociety.com ] The History of New England from 1630 to 1649, by John Winthrop, 1853, p. 442. The planters of the Commonwealth: a study of the emigrants and emigration in colonial times: to which are added lists of passengers to Boston and to the Bay Colony; the ships which brought them; their English homes and the places of their settlement in Massachusetts, 1620-1640, p. 65 and 83. [ Link ] Additional resources: Join the Winthrop Society [ Link ] National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims [ Link ] Mayflower Database [ Link ] #greatmigration #immigration #newengland #johnwinthrop #winthropsfleet #elderjohnstrong #captjohnunderhill

Recently I've been working on filling in some of the blank spaces in my family tree profile - missing dates and places. The blanks are mysteries and are often more intriguing than the known facts! Knowing exactly when a person died doesn't change anything, but when it's the grandfather of my beloved great-grandmother, the late Mary (Harvey) Reese Gaul, I feel the information is worth preserving. His name was John Clark Harvey and he was born about 1824 in Lapeer, Cortland County, New York. In Lapeer, there is a road called Harvey Hill Road, named after Newman Harvey, Clark's father and namesake of his son, Newman A. Harvey. After finding the home on a property map, I took a drive to get a better look and shared a video to preserve the place's memory . There's a good chance Clark was born on Harvey Hill Road, although I'm sure the house is long gone. Better known as Clark Harvey, he was my 3rd great-grandfather. Birth records were not required in New York until the late 1800s, so I've accepted the fact that his birth date is probably lost forever, but he was counted on nearly every census from 1850 to 1892, so a record of his death shouldn't be hard to find. Still, no grave for him can be found on Findagrave, and searches on Ancestry.com  failed to produce any record of his death. I also searched area newspapers for his obituary, without success. (If anyone finds his obituary, please share!) He was counted on the census of Lapeer in 1892, but when the 1900 census was taken, his wife, Betsy, was marked "widowed". Other records for men named John Harvey or Clark Harvey were found after 1900, however, and with no definitive death date, we might never know if those records pertained to him or not. Maybe Clark had actually left Betsy and she just told the census taker she was widowed simply because she was a widow prior to marrying Clark. This is one reason why these blank spaces need to be filled! The blanks raise too many questions! In my notes, I found that Clark probably died in 1898, so I decided it was time to find the answer once and for all. I was prepared to check New York's Death Index for each year between 1892 and 1898, if necessary, but I decided to start with 1898. I flipped through the online pages to HARVEY and, lo and behold, there it was! The quality of the copy is very poor and nearly illegible, but we can make out the faint impression of Clark Harvey who died 30 Dec (1898) in Lapeer . Certificate #48357. Hooray! Another blank space filled. Of course, there are still unanswered questions. Was an obituary published? Where is he buried? Perhaps Quail Hill Cemetery in Lapeer? ( See my video of it here ). The search continues! From the 1898 New York State Death Index Click here to learn more about the Harvey family.

Before I began my genealogy quest, all I knew about my family was that they had lived in central New York for as long as anyone could remember. Whereas most of my friends knew when and where their ancestors had emigrated from - France, Germany, Italy, etc., it seemed my roots sprang up out of the ground in upstate New York and I knew nothing about them. Until fairly recently, the region of Central New York was mostly comprised of small towns and villages nestled between massive farms, fields, and forests. Even today, in many of these towns, little has changed in the past century. It seemed such an insignificant place. How did my ancestors end up here? And where did they come from? It wasn't until I began researching that I learned about the Military Tract , also called the Central New York Military Tract and the New Military Tract . Soldiers who enlisted to fight in the American Revolution were promised a minimum of 100 acres of land for their service. However, this wasn't tempting enough for some and because by 1781 they had only enlisted about half the quota set by Congress, the payment was increased to 600-5,500 acres, depending on rank. (Update: Read below map for more details). To my surprise, at least ten of my ancestors fought in the American Revolution . This explains how they ended up in Central New York, primarily in Cortland, Tompkins and Cayuga Counties! The Military Tract encompassed all of Cortland County, Cayuga County, Onondaga County, Seneca County, as well as parts of Tompkins County, Oswego County, Schuyler County and Wayne County. Lots were drawn in 1791 and they were required to settle the land by 1799. Most of the soldiers were from eastern New York, Massachusetts and the rest of New England and many sold their lots instead of relocating. Of course there were disputes, mostly caused by swindlers "selling" land that did not belong to them. Some buyers arrived and found out they had been duped when others proved ownership of the land. The townships which were created from the Military Tract were surveyed and named after classical Greek and Roman names, as well as famous authors, as shown here. These towns for very large and were eventually divided and subdivided. Choose a town for details and possible resources for finding more information about the place and the people who lived there: From Onondaga's Centennial Gleanings 1. Aurelius (#8) 2. Brutus (#4) 3. Camillus (#5) 4. Cato (#33) 5. Cicero (#6) 6. Cincinnatus (#25) 7. Dryden (#23) 8. Fabius (#15) 9. Galen (#27) 10. Hannibal (#2) 11. Hector (#21) 12. Homer (#19) 13. Junius (#26) 14. Locke (#18) 15. Lysander (#1) 16. Manlius (#7) 17. Marcellus (#9) 18. Milton (#17) 19. Ovid (#16) 20. Pompey (#10) 21. Romulus (#11) 22. Scipio (#12) 23. Sempronius (#13) 24. Solon (#20) 25. Sterling (#28) 26. Tully (#14) 27. Ulysses (#22) 28. Virgil (#24) This map was printed in History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins, and Schuyler Counties, New York with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers . Check the resource for your ancestors if they lived in these places! Click here to see more useful genealogy tips and resources including military records ! #newyork #upstate #centralnewyork #cny #militarytract #americanrevolution #revolutionaryland #bountyland #veterans #american

From The History of Lewis County, New York; with biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, by Franklin B. Hough, 1883, we can learn a fair deal about the Leonards of Lowville, Lewis County, New York . JAMES L. LEONARD The first that is known of this family name is John Leonard, who lived in Springfield, Mass., and who is supposed to have emigrated from Bilstan, county of Stanford, England, about 1639. The first adventurers from England to this country who were skilled in the forged iron manufacture were two brothers, James and Henry Leonard, who came to the town of Raynham, Massachusetts, in the year 1652, which was about two years after the first settlers had established themselves upon this spot. In that same year these brothers built here the first forge in America. Henry not long after moved from this place to the Jerseys, where he settled. James, who was the progenitor from whom sprang the whole race of the Leonards here , lived and died in this town [Raynham]. He came from Pontipool, in Monmouthshire, England, and brought with him his son Thomas , then a mere lad, who afterward worked at the bloomery art with his father in the forge. Within a mile and a quarter of this forge was a pond known as Fawling Pond, on the north side of which once stood King Philip's house, where he used to spend the hunting season. Philip and these Leonards were on friendly terms and often traded with each other. Such was Philip's friendship that when his war broke out in 1675, he gave strict orders to his warriors never to molest the Leonards. During that war, two houses near the forge were constantly garrisoned, and one of these was built by James Leonard long before King Philip's war. The generations of the family were John Leonard, 1 ; Josiah, 2; Reuben, 3; Elias, 4; James Harvey, 5. James Harvey Leonard was the father of James L. , the subject of this sketch. He was born in West Springfield, Mass., September 22, 1780, and died in Syracuse, N. Y., March 14, 1845. He came to Lowville with his cousin, Stephen Leonard, in 1804, on horseback from Skaneateles, N. Y., where they had been employed as clerks in stores . The rude aspect of the country at first discouraged them, but they were made of sturdy material and determined to stay. James H. began business in Lowville in 1804, and in January, 1805, was joined by Stephen Leonard. This firm became widely known through Northern New York. They supplied rations to troops passing through the country, and in embargo times were largely engaged in business transactions with Canada. James H. Leonard continued in the firm just a quarter of a century. He was a prominent and public spirited man, and among the foremost in every measure of public utility. He was an original trustee of the Lowville Academy, and an elder in the Presbyterian church. He was also postmaster at Lowville many years. His remains were interred at Lowville . His wife was Mary Parish, daughter of Captain John Parish, (lost at sea,) of Branford, Conn. They were married in May, 1805. She was born July 10, 1785, and died in Lowville, May 19, 1871, aged 86 years . Leonard burial plot on Findagrave From an humble beginning as a merchant's clerk, and with no advantages or opportunities derived from patronage or influence of others, but gifted with foresight and financial tact which proved adequate for his station, he gradually acquired, by a course of honorable dealing and prudent management, what is regarded with us as a large estate. Naturally liberal, enterprising and public spirited, he every year found new occasions for the promotion of some new measure of public utility, and he appeared to take an honest pride in witnessing and promoting the prosperity of every interest which tended to advance the moral, intellectual and social condition of those around him. His influence was felt throughout the growing spheres of his business relations, and our people had learned to place confidence in his opinions and to seek his aid and counsel in whatever tended to the public good. James Loren Leonard was the fifth and youngest son of James Harvey Leonard, and was born in Lowville on the 5th of June, 1821. Of the five brothers and three sisters, but one, Mr. Francis K. Leonard, now remains of this family. The subject of this sketch received his education at the Lowville Academy, and is remembered as an industrious student, especially fond of mathematics, obedient and attentive to all his duties. The limited means of his father, arising from a pecuniary loss, prevented him from attempting a more extended course of study, and at the age of seventeen he entered the store of J. P. Ellis, at Carthage, N. Y., as a merchant clerk. A few months after, he entered the store of the late William L. Easton of the village of Lowville, as a clerk, and after serving about seven years in this capacity became a partner with a one-third interest in the establishment. With a natural aptitude for financial management that expanded to meet the growing spheres of his opportunities, Mr. Leonard at an early stage of his business career, began to lay those foundations of confidence and esteem in the public mind which time only served to strengthen and confirm. While with Mr. Easton, Mr. Leonard entered the Bank of Lowville and on the 11th day of April, 1840, he appeared as book-keeper. He was appointed teller on the 19th of June, 1841, and on the 1st of April, 1846, he was elected cashier. He was chosen Vice-President, April 19, 1855, and on the 19th of September, 1857, became President of the bank. This office he held at the time of his death. For several years Mr. Leonard had a pecuniary interest in the clothing store at Lowville, conducted by D. A. Smith. This interest had previously been represented by his brother-in-law, Mr. Loren M. Brown, at whose death he assumed it. At an early period of his connection with the bank, he began to buy up stock as opportunities offered and his means allowed, until nearly the whole was owned by himself and Mr. Easton, and finally, in 1856, Mr. Leonard purchased the larger interest of his associate and became almost sole proprietor of the institution. At an early period in the history of the bank, a part of its capital had been invested in the State bonds of Arkansas, and subsequently fell to a merely nominal value, and in consequence of this decline, the bank stock was for several years much depressed, and although its credit was maintained, the stockholders received no returns from their investments. By prudent management this error was gradually retrieved, and the capital, placed on a sound basis, began to yield its due returns to its owners. The financial crisis of 1857, was felt by the Bank of Lowville, in common with all others, and led Mr. Leonard to apply for the appointment of a receiver to close up its business; but the general suspension of banks throughout the country, which occurred simultaneously stayed the proceedings, and as the assets were much above its liabilities, no serious apprehensions of ultimate loss were entertained. The injunction was granted by Judge Hubbard on the 1oth of October of that year, and dissolved by Judge Denio on the 27th. The Hon. De Witt C. West was, during this brief period, the Receiver. As a proof of the confidence of his fellow citizens in the integrity of Mr. Leonard and in the stability of his bank, it should in this connection be recorded that at a public meeting held in Lowville on the 13th of October, it was agreed to receive the bills at par as usual, and no serious embarrassment occurred in consequence of this momentary shock. The bank did not commence a single suit against its customers during the crisis and lost no debts from discounts during that period. Of Mr. Leonard's business habits, financial tact in the management of the bank of Lowville, and public and domestic life, the writer of a notice in the Lewis County Democrat of January 30, 1867, who is understood to have been the Hon. D. C. West, says: "Since his connection with the chief financial institution of the country, his reputation and acquaintances have been co-extensive with the country, and indeed in some of his financial operations he discharged practically some of the duties which but for the enlarged confidence reposed in him by the county officials would more properly have devolved upon the county officers themselves. His management as a banker was commendable. With a sharp eye to the interests of its owners, it is believed that no undue advantage of necessitous creditors was ever taken by him. We remember no "Dummy" or other devices (which occasionally degrades the true banker, into the shaver and usurer) on the part of Mr. Leonard as a condition for loans, and his honorable management in that respect gave a high character to his business operations." Of the bank of Lowville, in operation as the chief financial institution in Lewis county, since July 1, 1839, Mr. Leonard was teller from June 19, 1844, to April 1, 1846, and cashier from last named date to September 19, 1857. In 1852, he became the purchaser and was interested in stock of the late I. W. Bostwick to the extent of six hundred and twenty-nine shares : and in 1853, to one hundred and eighty-five shares, or about $37,000, and after that period became the owner of the entire capital stock of the bank, except in so far as requisite to maintain its organization. The Valley bank was organized in 1851, with a circulation of $60,287 and the Bank of the People in 1852, with a circulation of $40,480, by Mr. Leonard as individual banks at Lowville. The former was disposed of and the latter wound up voluntarily. These banks were all organized under the general State banking laws of New York. Successful in the rapid accumulation of wealth, he was a leading contributor to almost every subscription paper here circulated. To the religious and educational institutions, like the men of our town preceding him, he was the firm friend, undaunted by opposition, undismayed by disaster. Usually placid, he gradually controlled those associated with him without difficulty. Associated and active in almost every enterprise of a public character, his loss even at this time cannot be over-estimated to this county in a business or social point of view. He left no issue. For a brief period only glided the smooth current of domestic joy. A wedded life of a few months closed by the untimely death of his youthful bride. To his aged mother (now deceased) and more immediate relatives and friends, his constant solicitude and charities were given ending only with existence. Fond of travel, and partaking largely of the National spirit which carried our country through the crisis of the Rebellion, he was one of the few from this country at the restoration of the flag exercises at Fort Sumter, the review of our armies at Washington at the close of the war, visiting also Richmond in its desolation and the unleveled and abandoned defenses about Petersburg. The dangerous financial condition of the country in the winter of 1859 and '60 alone prevented his journeying through the South and to the Isthmus, and he was looking forward to the relief from active business in a brief period, when he might have perhaps indulged his declared wish to travel on the Continent. James L. Leonard was no common man. This will be more apparent when we consider that he died young. Had he been permitted to go on accumulating his strength for twenty years to come as he had for the last ten, he would have become a power in the land. His will met few obstacles it did not conquer. He could enjoy the convivialities of social life without becoming degraded by its dissipations. He could devote himself to the duties of religion without being a bigot. He could rapidly accumulate wealth and still keep his heart and hand open as day for meeting charity. In a word, he could live for himself much and still live for others more. No such life as his is ever lost to the world. When a man dies, some sort of subtle influence seems to follow it which vivifies the coming years with the spirit of progress. Already the citizens of Lowville have taken fresh interest in the improvements which he projected, and had near his heart, and seem to accept them as trusts which they must execute in accordance with his wishes. Through many discouragements and trials, he pursued his even course along the rugged way which leads from poverty to affluence-unsullied by passion, untarnished by guile-and was stricken down in life's meridian with his labors seemingly half accomplished; yet in his two score and seven he accomplished much more than most men do who are blessed with their three score and ten. Mr. Leonard conducted his business to the common advancement of his own interests and those of the public generally, and as his means increased his native generosity and public spirit expanded to meet the growing impulses of a noble soul. The erection of a session room in 1853, and the latter costly renovation of the Presbyterian church of Lowville are largely due to his beneficent aid and early counsels. In 1860, Mr. Leonard took an active part in the enlargement of the building of the Lowville Academy, setting a noble example by a heavy subscription, lending funds from his ample means sufficient for the occasion, and devoting much time to business details. The publication of the history of Lewis county by F. B. Hough, in 1860, was almost entirely due to Mr. Leonard, who, with persevering industry, and entirely without expectation of pecuniary reward, secured a subscription sufficient to justify the expense of the undertaking. His mind was admirably fitted to enjoy historical inquiries, and he took especial pleasure in the collection and preservation of memorials of the early settlement of the county. His files of county newspapers were almost complete, and his knowledge of the local and personal history of the town and county was extensive. The formation of a County Historical Society was a subject he had much at heart. Plans were often discussed with those of a kindred spirit, and there is no occasion to doubt but that a suitable hall for a public library and cabinet, and for the preservation of memorials of the pioneers of our valley, would have been erected within a few years, and mainly at his own expense, had his life been spared. His lamented death before the execution of any part of the plan should impose upon surviving friends a kind remembrance of this intention and lead to its realization at the earliest practicable period. Upon the outbreak of the late war few persons felt a deeper interest in the final triumph of the National arms. He was an ardent patriot in spirit, and confident in the final issues of the right. His private aid to those enlisting in the services was frequently bestowed entirely without ostentation, and often known to none but those receiving it. He was one of a committee appointed at an early period in the town of Lowville to raise funds for the support of the families of soldiers and he subsequently served on other committees formed to promote the success of the cause. At an early stage in the conflict he expressed his confidence in the stability of our government by advancing money for its stock when pecuniary means were most needed, and the final issue of events most doubtful. The stocks eventually proved to be a highly remunerative investment, but they were taken in the darkest hour of the Republic, when to the common obs erver lowering clouds and thick darkness overhung the future and cast a dismal gloom over the present. Although thus incidentally enriched by the war, he will never be mentioned with those who watched the tide of events and waited till success was manifest and doubts were dissipated. He reasoned correctly that bonds and obligations upon property or against individuals were only good so far as government gave origin and effect to laws for their enforcement, and that whatever tended to weaken or destroy this, aimed at the vital elements of the social compact and hastened to aid the speedy and certain overthrow of every institution and of every interest. Mr. Leonard was from the first, an earnest advocate of measures tending to secure the construction of a railroad through the valley, urging its importance upon every occasion, hiring engineers to run partial lines in search of feasible routes, and liberally subscribing for all expenses of preliminary measures. A few months before his death he was appointed in conjunction with Senator O'Donnell and Hon. De Witt C. West as a committee to ascertain the final terms of the Utica and Black River Railroad Company for extending their line to this village, and had his life been spared he would have labored with untiring zeal for the promotion of this measure. His death cast a heavy load of responsibility upon his associates and the public. He constantly regarded this road as destined to become a good investment, and had he lived he would probably have proved the sincerity of these opinions by a liberal subscription to its stock. In 1865, after fruitless efforts to procure a telegraphic connection with this village, Mr. Leonard, upon his own account, made a contract for the erection of poles between Lowville and Port Leyden, and was about procuring the wires when the Montreal Telegraph Company, judging from this proof of confidence that the line would be remunerative, assumed the contract and completed the communication. He had previously made unsuccessful appeals to the proprietors of connecting lines, and had it not been for his enterprise Lowville might not yet have realized this great public benefit. For many years he had cherished the project of a Rural Cemetery adjacent to our village, and about 1861, he purchased the then only available grounds for this purpose. A few days before his death the measure was again brought forward under his encouraging advice. Preliminary meetings were held and the day but one before his death he conversed long and cheerfully with a friend on this subject. An Association was finally formed on the evening of the day he died, and it became the sad duty of loving friends, as the first business transaction to pass resolutions of sorrow at the sad bereavement occasioned by his death. On opening his will he is found to have bequeathed lands for cemetery purposes, and to have provided that the income arising from the sale of lots should be entirely expended in improving and beautifying the grounds. Mr. Leonard was for many years a member of the Presbyterian church and society, and at the time of his death was a trustee in common with his generous and earnest friend, Giles C. Easton, who died on the evening of the same day with Mr. Leonard, and who had been closely associated through life in various social and business relations. United in life and in death, the names of James L. Leonard and Giles C. Easton will long claim the grateful remembrance of our citizens. Upon the death of Isaac W. Bostwick, in 1857, Mr. Leonard was chosen a trustee of Lowville Academy, and he was one of the most active and laborious members of the Board. Having repeatedly given for the benefit of the academy, he provided in his will for a further bequest of $10,000, and a residuary interest of one-fifth in his estate to aid its endowment. During the last few weeks of his life, Mr. Leonard was excessively burdened with business cares. The completion of a noble block of buildings at a central point in the village of Lowville, intended in part for his bank, an unexpected complication of business from an endowment for others which he was called upon to meet, and above all, a constant and exhausting solicitude for the health of his aged and feeble mother, with whom he watched with the tenderest devotion, proved altogether too much for a constitution not naturally rugged, and for several days before he gave up business he was a fit subject for a physician's care. On Sunday, the 20th of January, 1867, he was obliged to acknowledge himself too sick to leave his room, and his symptoms assumed the form of typhoid fever with congestion. He was still unwilling to take active medicine, and he said he could not afford to be sick least his mother should need his care. His condition was not considered dangerous until Friday, when he became delirious. Diphtheritic symptoms appeared and he rapidly sank until death closed the scene at four o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, the 26th of January, 1867. Mr. Leonard was married on the 25th of January, 1858, to Miss Mary M. Willard, only daughter of General Joseph A. Willard, of Lowville, who died on the 11th of August, following their marriage. Mr. Leonard never again married, and to the last, evinced toward the parents of his loving bride, that tender regard which proved the earnestness of his affection and the permanent impression which this loss had occasioned. In the spring of 1865, Mr. Leonard made an excursion to Charleston, South Carolina, as one of a party on board the steamship Oceanus, to witness the raising of the American flag upon Fort Sumter. Before leaving home upon this journey, he drew up a will which was found among his papers after his death, and which was to govern the distribution of his estate. Had this instrument been reviewed a month before his death, his increasing means and more recent events might have led to a somewhat different disposition of his estate. As it was, the citizens of his native county, town and village, had lasting and substantial reasons for cherishing a lively gratitude for his munificence and a tender regard for his memory. Source: History of Lewis County, New York; with...biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, by Hough, Franklin Benjamin, 1883 [ Link ] Are you related to James Harvey Leonard? Learn more about the family on Wikitree and add your branches ! Click here to learn about my branch of the Leonard family .

If you had ancestors in Central New York, check this four-volume set for your family names! "Central New York, an inland empire, comprising Oneida, Madison, Onondaga, Cayuga, Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango counties and their people", by William Freeman Galpin, was published in 1941. Here you can find biographies and portraits of many of central New York's early settlers, as well as old photographs of the places they lived. Use the links below to find all four volumes online, free! Main Street, Cortland, New York Volume 1 [ Link ] [ Link to Index ] Note: Under "Newspapers", a full list of early newspapers is given. Volume 2 [ Link ] Volume 3 [ Link ] Volume 4 [ Link to Index ] This is just one of the many resources I've stumbled upon while researching my family. Click here to see more New York resources or click here for all states . #resources #newyork #history #genealogy

Early settlement of the English and Europeans in America was only made after several failed attempts starting as early as 1584. These were ambitious men who petitioned for the necessary charters, giving them permission to explore or occupy new colonies. The brave men landed their ships on the shores of an unknown land, facing many potential threats. Hostility from the native people, wild animals, and inclement weather were a few of the major obstacles they faced. They left the safety and conveniences of their well established cities and boarded wooden vessels sailing across the waters of the mighty Atlantic Ocean for a chance at a better life. The first few attempts, which failed, were business ventures. The colony lost at Roanoke in 1584, for example, consisted of men in search of silver and gold - a hope which was dashed when they found none. They had such a rough time that they retreated back to England empty-handed. The next year another group sent to Roanoke vanished completely. The next attempts were in 1607 when the Popham Colony in Maine came and went and another group arrived at Jamestown (Virginia). After suffering many losses Jamestown finally started to gain stability in 1610. The groups that came after were mostly Puritans, Pilgrims, Baptists, Protestants and Quakers - all Christian denominations. They were seeking life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - God given rights, the reformers proclaimed, quoting scripture. What a vision and what a tremendous accomplishment to have laid the foundations for exactly what they had hoped and prayed for. Four centuries later, America continues to prosper, blessed with more luxury and freedom than any of the "First Comers" could have hoped for. In hindsight, let us not forgot the example they sought to make, as evidence for all the world to see how greatly blessed a nation that honored and obeyed God and His Word would be, and warning that God would turn his back on a nation that turned it's back on him. Known attempts by the English and Dutch at settling North America, with a summary of their expeditions. Source information is listed below. Your comments, corrections, or additions are welcome in the comments below. This page may be updated periodically as new resources are discovered. You will be able to find it in the Immigrants to America category in Free Genealogy Resources . 1584 | The Lost Colony of Roanoke (North Carolina) In June of 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh sent two ships across the Atlantic in search of land England could claim. They landed on Roanoke Island off the coast of North Carolina and found it suitable for conquest and colonization, so Queen Elizabeth granted permission for about 100 men to sail over to form a colony. The group failed and returned to England within a year. Raleigh gathered another group of 120 men, women, and children willing to try again. The ship dropped them off and returned to England for supplies but when they returned to Roanoke, the settlement was in ruins and there was no sign of the colonists. The names of these lost colonists can be found here . 1607 | Jamestown (Virginia) The first permanent English settlement in the New World was organized by a group of entrepreneurs, "The Virginia Company of London", who sent three ships to "James Fort" (present-day Jamestown, Virginia), arriving on May 13, 1607, under the command of Capt. Christopher Newport. The smallest ship, "Discovery", was left behind for the group's use, led by Captain John Smith. The group consisted of 104 men and boys. Captain Newport went back to England and returned to Jamestown to deliver 100 new settlers in January of 1608. To his disappointment, he found that only 38 of the 104 men and boys survived and, to make matters worse, one of the new arrivals accidentally started a fire that destroyed the entire colony's living quarters. Captain Newport went back to England again in April of 1608 and returned that October with eight German and Polish settlers and the first two women, Mistress Forrest and Anne Burras, her maid. Then, on June 2, 1609, Capt. Newport commanded the flagship "Sea Venture" and eight other ships full of supplies and 500 new settlers destined for the Virginia Colony. The convoy was split up when a severe three-day storm wreaked havoc on the seas. Many supplies were lost and one ship returned to England, but 200-300 settlers made it to Jamestown. The Sea Venture, however, was shipwrecked off Bermuda. Some of them attempted to sail Sea Venture's longboat to Virginia, but were never seen again. Other survivors on Bermuda salvaged parts of the Sea Venture to build two smaller ships, Deliverance and Patience. Under the command of Sir Thomas Gate and Sir George Somers, they sailed successfully to Jamestown, arriving on May 23, 1610. Expecting to find a thriving settlement of about 500 people, they were shocked to find only about 60 remained and many of those were sick or dying. On June 7, 1610, the remaining settlers boarded the ship with the intention of returning to England. As they sailed down the James River, they were intercepted by Lord Delaware and three ships bound for Jamestown, containing supplies, food, colonists, and a doctor. They were ordered to return to their settlement at Jamestown on June 9, 1610. With renewed hope and supplies, they were able to build the foundations for a successful colony. In 1699, however, the colonial capital was moved to Williamsburg, bringing and end to the settlement at Jamestown, which to this day remains an archaeological site and historic park. It wasn't until August of 1619 that a ship containing 20 of the first African slaves from Angola arrived near Jamestown. 1607 | Popham Colony (Maine) Later in 1607, the Virginia Company of Plymouth attempted to establish The Popham Colony (or Sagadahoc Colony) in present day Phippsburg, Maine. The colony was abandoned after one year, but it was there that the first ship built by the English in the New World was made. The ship, "Virginia of Sagadahoc", was one of the nine ships led by Capt. Newport in the flagship Sea Venture during the fateful and stormy voyage of 1609. 1609 | Exploration of the Hudson River (New York) In 1609, the Dutch East India Company of Amsterdam commissioned Henry Hudson to explore in search of a Northeast Passage around Russia and Scandinavia whereby trade between Asia and Europe would be easier than it was in the dangerous waters off the coasts of Africa. In the Flyboat "Halve Maen", Hudson was forced to turn around when arctic ice blocked his path. Undeterred, he opted to try to find a Northwest Passage and before long, he was exploring the east coast of America. He entered into the Narrows, which had been discovered in 1524 by Giovanni da Verrazzano, and continued into Upper New York Bay and northward up the river that is named after him to this day, the Hudson River. 1613 | New Netherland (New York City) The Dutch established a settlement in present-day New York City as early as 1613. The Dutch Colony of New Netherland was founded by the Dutch West India Company in 1621 and became a province of the Dutch Republic in 1624. Thirty families came over on the ship New Netherland , landing at Governor's Island and Fort Orange in May of 1624. Then, in June of 1625, another 45 people arrived. They were primarily Walloons and French Huguenots and 11 of them were African slaves or indentured servants. There was little contact between New Englanders and New Netherlanders during the first decades of settlement. In 1664, four English frigates appeared in New Amsterdam's harbor, demanding surrender. After crippling losses in the Indian Wars, surrender came easy. Nine years later though, in August of 1673, a 21-ship fleet of Dutch ships recaptured New Netherland, only to finally cede it to the English in November of 1674 with the Treaty of Westminster. At the time, there were 7,000-8,000 people in New Netherland and only half of them were Dutch. They were mostly European colonists, American Indians and African slaves. Note: New Amsterdam refers to the southern tip of Manhattan. It was the capital and seat of New Netherland's colonial government from 1625 until 1664, when the English conquered the Dutch and renamed it New York City. 1620 | Plymouth Colony (Massachusetts) The first English settlement in New England took place in 1620 when the Pilgrims of the Leiden Congregation and London Merchant Adventurers crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower and formed the Plymouth Colony at Plymouth, Massachusetts. See my interactive Mayflower database and illustrations here . The second ship to arrive was the Fortune in 1621 , followed by the Anne & Little James in 1623 . 1623 | Nantasket Beach Located on a peninsula southeast of Boston is Nantasket Beach, in the town of Hull, Massachusetts. In 1623/24, Roger Conant, arrived from London to the Plymouth Colony, but soon after, he moved with his family to Nantasket. About a year later, the Conants moved again, this time up to Cape Ann, discussed next. 1623/24 | Cape Ann (Massachusetts) "The Essex Colony" at Cape Ann was attempted in 1623. The region had been mapped in 1609 by explorer, John Smith (1580-1631), after he helped establish the settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. The books and maps Smith printed inspired and encouraged settlement in New England in the years following. In 1623, two ships carrying 32 people with the Dorchester Company, led by John Tylly and Thomas Gardner arrived to start a fishing plantation. Cape Ann lies in Essex County, about 47 miles from Plymouth Colony by sea, or 83 miles by land. Disputes over patents arose between the settlers at Cape Ann and those at Plymouth, resulting in the Dorchester Company relocating to Naumkeag (Salem) and some returning to England. After this attempt, some of the investors formed the Massachusetts Bay Company. Roger Conant was governor of Naumkeag until Endicott's group arrived in 1628. From Wikipedia: "According to the Essex Institute, the list of old planters, in 1626, who were in Cape Ann before the move were as follows: Roger Conant - Governor, John Lyford - Minister (went to Virginia, instead of Naumkeag), John Woodbury, Humphrey Woodbury, John Balch, Peter Palfray, Walter Knight, William Allen, Thomas Gray, John Tylly, Thomas Gardner, Richard Norman (and his son), William Jeffrey, and Capt. William Trask". 1624 | New Amsterdam (Manhattan, NYC) The Walloons were natives of the County of Hainaut, Belgium. Feeling unwelcome in Holland, they requested permission to settle in Virginia in 1621, while it was under British control, but their request was denied. Next they petitioned the Dutch West India Company for permission to settle in Dutch-controlled New Amsterdam, a request that was granted. They left Holland in March of 1624 and landed in New York on May 20, 1624. The One World Observatory allows you to see what Manhattan looked like when they arrived . See The Walloon Settlers , and the Netherland Monument here. 1628-1629 | Salem (Massachusetts) A group of about 50 Puritans led by John Endicott left England aboard the ship, "Abigail", in June of 1628. They arrived at present-day Salem, then called "Naumkeag", after a local Indian tribe which had been virtually exterminated by war with another local tribe and a plague. The name of Naumkeag was changed to Salem in 1629. This was the first successful attempt at settlement by the Massachusetts Bay Company. Endicott served as governor and in other elected positions until his death, which occurred in 1664. He upheld strict Puritan values and was a Separatist opposed to the Anglican church. Another group of six ships sent by the Massachusetts Bay Company, and carrying about 350 Puritans led by Francis Higginson arrived on June 29, 1629, and formed a settlement at Salem. They also brought hundreds of cows, horses, goats, oxen, and rabbits. The six ships were: Talbot, George Bonaventure, Lyon's Whelp, Four Sisters, Mayflower ( not the Plymouth Pilgrim's ship by the same name), and the Pilgrim, which carried supplies only. A small group of settlers led by John Endicott welcomed them at the harbor. There were only six houses in Salem at the time. A portion of Higginson's diary can be found here . A list of residents in Salem up to the year 1651 is available at winthropsociety.com . 1630-1631 | Boston (Massachusetts) After Higginson's group landed successfully, another convoy of 11 ships led by John Winthrop arrived in the summer of 1630. The ships were: the Flagship Arabella, Talbot, Ambrose, Jewel, Mayflower (again, not the Plymouth Pilgrim's ship by the same name), Whale, Success, Charles, William and Francis, Hopewell, and Trial. Six other ships arrived in 1630, one presumably the "John and Mary" led by Capt. John Underhill . The Massachusetts Bay Company is said to have transported 20,000 colonists and settlers to the New World through the 1630s. See The Winthrop Fleet for more details. The ship Lyon arrived near Boston on Feb. 5, 1631. On board was Roger Williams, a radical Puritan and proponent of separation of church and state. He was banished from Massachusetts for his radical views and he and his followers left and settled Providence, Rhode Island, in 1636. It became a sanctuary for religious dissidents. Williams's patent for the colony of Providence Plantations was obtained in 1644. More details can be found here . God requireth not an uniformity of Religion to be inacted and inforced in any civill state…true civility and Christianity may both flourish in a state or Kingdome, notwithstanding the permission of divers and contrary consciences, either of Jew or Gentile. - Roger Williams, The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience, Discussed in a Conference Between Truth and Peace , 1644. 1632 | Baltimore (Maryland) George Calvert arrived in Jamestown in the autumn of 1629. Being Catholic, Calvert and his family were not welcome and sought a settlement elsewhere. Although he had died in April of 1632, Lord Baltimore's charter granting him permission to establish a colony on either side of the Chesapeake Bay, in present day Maryland, was granted five weeks after his death, in June of 1632. His son, Cecil, inherited the land which became a place of refuge for Catholics. Click here to find free Immigration resources. Click here for thousands of free genealogy resources . Sources: Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Vol. IX, p. 205; Chronological Table. [ Link ] Popham Colony [ Wikipedia ] Starving Time [ Wikipedia ] Jamestown, Virginia [ Wikipedia ] New Netherland [ Wikipedia ] Cape Ann [ Wikipedia ] Massachusetts Bay Colony [ Wikipedia ] John Endecott [ Wikipedia ] Francis Higginson [ Wikipedia ] Roger Conant [ Wikipedia ] Cape Ann [ Wikipedia ] Old Planters [ Wikipedia ] The Life of Francis Higginson, First Minister in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, by Thomas Higginson, 1891, p. 69. [ Link ] #immigration #greatmigration #earlysettlers #newengland #shiprecords #genealogy #america #underhill #mayo #decker #dickinson #CaptJohnUnderhill #colonial

Percy Henry Daniels married Vena Dykeman on April 22, 1929, in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. . He settled down for a new life on solid ground and started his family. Notice the change of occupation? No longer was he 1st Mate aboard a great ship and international traveler. His new occupation was "Plumber". Later he would be a farmer, before dying in 1940. The following is a newspaper clipping from the Cortland Standard, April 23, 1929, copied from his daughter's scrapbook. From The Ithaca Journal, Fri. April 26, 1929, p. 5: Their marriage license is shown here. See the entire record online for free at FamilySearch.org using this link : Click here to see more about Percy Daniels . "New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159371-262996-20?cc=1618491 : accessed 2 June 2015), Tompkins > Licenses, 1929-1931, no 954-1650 > image 8 of 789; county offices, New York. #daniels #Dykeman #leonard #Leonard #PercyDaniels #marriage #venadykeman

Vena Dykeman and Percy Daniels were married on April 22, 1929, in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. Their marriage was published in the Cortland Standard the following day, on April 23, 1929. The Ithaca Journal, Fri. 4-26-1929 p5 Click here to learn more about Vena Dykeman and her family . Click here to learn more about Percy Daniels and his family . #daniels #Daniels #Dykeman #Leonard #VenaDykeman #PercyDaniels

Mae C. (Mayo) Lewis was the sister of Lydia (Mayo) Decker . Her biography and family portraits were published previously here . Mae died on June 12, 1938, six weeks shy of her 58th birthday, in Dalton, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania. She suffered from chronic myocarditis, chronic intestinal nephritis, arterial sclerosis, and acute nephritis. Her obituary was published in The Scranton Tribune, June 14, 1938: Mrs. Mae Lewis "Mrs. Mae C. Lewis, 57, died on Sunday night at her home in Dalton. She was a member of the Dalton M. E. Church. Surviving are her husband, W. L. Lewis; five sons, Gilbert, Russell, Earl and Ernest, Dalton, and Duane, New York; two sisters, Mrs. Lettie Decker, Hamburg, N. Y., and Mrs. Lucy Hunt, Newton, and a brother, Alvin Mayo, Nicholson. The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 3 p. m. from the home. The Rev. S. J. Truscott, Dalton M. E. Church, will officiate. Interment in Fairlawn Cemetery, Dalton. Arrangements by H. W. Cole & Son, Clarks Summit." Provided here is a copy of her death certificate. Source: Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Certificate Number 55619. Find out how to access the Pennsylvania State Archives online to find this and many more valuable records, free! - Click here - Click here to see more about this family . #maemayo #williamlewis #mayo

Lucy P. (Mayo) Hunt, was the sister of Lydia (Mayo) Decker . She was born May 8, 1876, in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Her biography and family portraits were published previously here . Lucy died at the age of 81, on September 27, 1957, in Newton, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania. She was widowed and her usual residence was given as a farm in Newton, stating that she had been there for four years up until her death. The informant for her death was Anson C. Miller. She was buried on September 30, 1957 at Scott Valley Cemetery in Montdale, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania. Her obituary was printed in The Scranton Tribune, Sat., Sept. 28, 1957: Mrs. Frank Hunt, 81, Newton, Clarks Summit RD 8, died unexpectedly yesterday morning at the home of her son, Anson C. Miller, with whom she resided. Mrs. Hunt, who had resided with her son for the past four years, leaves 87 survivors. Born in Bradford County, Mrs. Hunt had resided in the Abington area most of her life. A daughter of the late Oscar and Lycenia Strong Mayo, she was a member of Clarks Summit Pentecostal Church and its Sunday School. Her first husband, Floyd Miller, died in 1901, and her second husband died in 1951. Surviving in addition to her son are four daughters, Mrs. George Lee, Newton; Miss Bessie Hunt, Olyphant RD 1; Mrs. Frank Richards, Newton, and Mrs. Lawrence White, Clarks Summit; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Iva Williams, Newark, N. J .; a stepson, Charles, Peckville; a brother, Alvin Mayo, Forkston; 33 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be held from the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 South State St., Clarks Summit, at 2 p. m. Monday. The Rev. David Laquintano, Clarks Summit Pentecostal Church, will officiate. Interment, Montdale. Friends may call from 7 to 9 o'clock tonight and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p. m. Sunday. Lucy's cause of death was "Coronary Insufficiency", onset three hours before her death. The official death certificate from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; (Certificate Number #81110) is shown here: This document was found in the Pennsylvania Archives online . For more information about the Mayo family, click here . #lucymayo #frankhunt #mayo

Charles Russell Leonard died on Monday, Nov. 23, 1908. Notice of his funeral was printed in The Journal (Groton, New York) on November 25, 1908, and a "card" of thanks was published on December 2, 1908, by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Wells and Mrs. Chas. Leonard. It took a long time to find this obituary, simply because Charles' name was abbreviated as "Chas." and it doesn't offer much information. A more interesting notice was published the following week. "A Card...to thank neighbors and friends for their kindness and sympathy during the illness and death of Charles Leonard". It was signed "Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Wells" and "Mrs. Chas. Leonard". It seems safe to assume "Mrs. Chas. Leonard" is referring to Luella, his second wife, who he was living with in Groton in 1905 , but who were Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Wells and how were they involved? A search for men named Charles Wells in the Groton area in 1908 produced two matches: Charles E. Wells in Groton in 1900. He was married to Ina Legg, but he died in 1904, prior to this notice being published. Charles Hyde Wells who was born in Pompey, Onondaga County, New York, abt. 1839. He was counted on the census in Pompey until 1880. [ FamilySearch]   In 1865 there was a "Boarder" named John Leonard, age 26, living in the Wells home in Pompey. He was formerly in the Army. [ FamilySearch ] On the 1892, 1900, 1905, 1910, and 1920 censuses Charles Wells was living in Cortland, where he died on June 30, 1922. His wife's name was Lydia L. Wells. Her obituary claims she was born in Pompey, Onondaga County, on Aug. 8, 1840. The closest matches in Pompey in 1850 were: Lydia L. Haskins (b. 1844), Lydia A. Marsh (b. 1836), and Lydia L. Rice (b. 1837). Charles & Lydia Wells had five children in their home: Amelia (Wells) Dunn, William H. Wells, John Wells, Eugene Charles Wells, and Nellie E. (Wells) Wood. I spent a few days sorting through the paper trails hoping to find a connection, to no avail. Following is a summary of what I found and shared on Charles Hyde Wells' Wikitree . Timeline of Events: 1850 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch : Asa Wells (age 76?), born in CT Chloe Wells (age 72 or 77?), born in CT Levi Wells (age 43) - born in NY Jane Wells (24) - born in NY Mathew Wells (age 40) - born in NY, Laborer Elzada Wells (age 31) - born in NY Charles Wells (age 12) - born in NY, Farmer Asa Wells died Feb. 4. 1854, age 79 yrs 6 mos. He is buried in Pompey Hill Cemetery. Findagrave memorial for Asa Wells 1860 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch : Elzada N. Wells, Female, age 40, b. NY, Farm Laborer Charles Wells, age 22, b. NY, Farm Laborer Lydia Wells, age 18, b. NY Cloe Wells, age 82. b. CT Hamilton Squires, age 16, Farm Laborer, b. NY 1865 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch : Elzada Wells, (Female) age 46, b. NY (1 child, married once, widowed) Charles H. Wells, age 27 "Child", Farmer, (married once, married) Lydia Wells, age 25 "Wife", (2 children, married once, married) Lydia (Chloe?) Wells, age 86, "Mother", b. CT (8 children, married once, widowed) Amelia Wells, age 4, "Grandchild", b. Onondaga County William Wells, age 1, "Grandchild", b. Onondaga County John Leonard, age 26, "Boarder", Farmer (Single, formerly in Army) From the Cortland Democrat, Sept. 17. 1868: "Sept. 11 - In the guardianship of John S., Eugene C., and Nellie E. Wells. Petition for appointment of guardian filed, guardians oath and bond filed and letters of guardianship issued to Lydia Wells, of Cortlandville." 1870 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch : Charles Wells, age 32, farmer $3500 real estate and $2625 personal estate Lydia Wells, age 29, wife b. England? Amelia Wells, age 10, b. NY Nellie Wells, age 8, b. NY John Wells, age 4, b. NY (lived in Los Angeles, CA in 1935) Charles Wells age 2 mos? b. NY Alzada Wells age 59, b. NY Chloe Wells, age 92, b. CT Chloe Wells died on Jan. 4, 1872, at the age of 93, and is buried in Pompey Hill Cemetery in Pompey. Findagrave memorial for Chloe Hyde Wells 1875 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch : Charles Wells, age 38, b. Onondaga, Married, Mail Carrier Liddia Wells, age 34, Wife Amelia Wells, age 13, Daughter Willie Wells, age 11, Son John Wells, age 8, Son Eugena Wells, age 5, Son Elzada Wells, age 56, "Mother" 1880 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch : Charles Wells, age 41, Farmer, Married Lydia Wells, age 38, Keeping House William Wells, age 16, Son John Wells, age 13, Son Eugene Wells, age 10, Son Nellie Wells, age 3, "Son" (Daughter?) Elzada Wells, age 63, Mother Elzada Wells died March 23, 1891, in Cortland. From the Syracuse Standard, Tues., Mar. 24, 1891, p. 3: "Mrs. Elzada Wells died yesterday morning of consumption at the age of 72 years. The funeral will be held at the residence of her son, Charles Wells, to-morrow morning. The remains will be taken to Pompey." From the Cortland Democrat, Fri., Mar. 27, 1891: "DIED...WELLS- In Cortland, N.Y., March 23, 1891, Mrs. Elzada Wells, age 72 years." 1892 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch : Charles H Wells, age 55, "Teamster" Lydia M. Wells, age 52 Nellie E. Wells, age 16 From the Cortland Standard, Wed., Sept. 7, 1898: "Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr. Frank Steward Wood and Miss Nellie Elzada Wells which will take place at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Wells, 167 Railroad Street in Cortland on Wednesday evening, Sept. 14, at 8 o'clock." "WOOD-WELLS. Two Cortland Young People United in the Bonds of Matrimony. A merry gathering of friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Wells of 167 Railroad-st. last evening witnessed the marriage of their daughter, Miss Nellie B. Wells, and Mr. Frank S. Wood of Cortland. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W. H. Pound, pastor of the Congregational church, in the presence of a few invited guests. The rooms were neatly trimmed for the occasion, and the ceremony took place under an arch of evergreens. A fine wedding supper was served, and then Mr. and Mrs. Wood left on the late train for New York, from which place they will go to New Haven, Ct., for a visit with relatives, and on their return will reside at 107 Railroad-st." From The Syracuse Weekly Express, Thurs., Sept. 25, 1890: "HOMER, Sept. 18 .- Eugene Wells of Cortland and Miss Belle Lawson of this village were married on Tuesday at the Methodist parsonage by the Rev. A. N. Damon." 1900 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch : (167 Railroad Street, Cortland) Charles Wells, born Jan. 1838, age 62, married 42 years, "Night Watch" Lydia Wells, born Aug. 1840 in NY, age 59, married 42 years, five children all still living in 1900 Nellie E. Wood, "Daughter", born Dec 1876, age 23, married 2 years, no children, parents born in England. Frank S. Wood, "Son-in-law", born Apr. 1873, age 27, married 2 years 1905 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch : (167 Railroad Street, Cortland) Chas. H Wells, age 68 (est. 1837) "Night Watch", b. NY, parents born in NY Lydia M. Wells, age 65, 1910 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch : (167 Railroad Street, Cortland) Chas. H. Wells, age 72, married 51 years, Night Watchman at Lumber Yard Lydia Wells, wife, age 62, married 51 years, 5 children, all still living in 1910. From The Cortland Standard, Mon. Aug 28, 1916: "Mrs. Clarence Dunn of Pompey and Mrs. Charles Wells of Cortland visited at the home of their brother and son, Eugene Wells in Wall-st., on Saturday." 1920 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch : (South Ave) Frank S. Wood, age 47, "Com. Traveler; Groceries" Nellie F. Wood, age 43 "Wife" Chas. H. Wells, age 82 "Father-in-law" Lydia Wells, age 79 "Mother-in-law" Charles H. Wells died on June 30, 1922, in Cortland, New York. From the Cortland Democrat, Fri., July 7, 1922, p. 5: "DIED...WELLS - In Cortland, June 30, Charles H. Wells, aged 84 years, and 6 months." From the Binghamton Press, Wed., July 5, 1922: "Charles H. Wells died Saturday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank S. Wood at 130 South Main Street. Mr. Wells was born in Pompey 84 years ago. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Clarence Dunn of Pompey and Mrs. Wood of Cortland, and three sons, Eugene Wells of Homer, William H. Wells of Groton, and John B. Wells of Denver, Col. The funeral was held Monday." 1925 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch : Lydia M. Wells, age 84 "Mother-in-law" 1930 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch : Frank S. Wood, age 56 Nellie E. Wood, age 53 Lydia Wells, age 89 "Mother-in-law" From The Syracuse Journal, Sat., Jan. 12, 1935: "Mrs. Amelia H. Dunn - Mrs. Amelia H. Dunn, 74, died here Friday. Surviving are three brothers, William Wells of Groton, John Wells of Los Angeles, Calif., and Eugene Wells of Homer; a sister, Mrs. Frank Wood of Cortland; a granddaughter, Mrs. Leora M. Wright of Georgetown; a grandson, Clarence B. Van Brocklin of Manlius; a great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews. Services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon in the rooms of C. G. Hall, funeral director, in Lafayette. Interment will be in Pompey." Other Sources Walworth, Reuben Hyde, Hyde genealogy, or, The descendants, in the female as well as in the male lines, from William Hyde, of Norwich (Albany, 1864), Vol. 1, p. 412-413 Other possible connections: From The Dryden Herald, Wed., Apr. 13, 1904: "Mrs. Charles Wells was called to Cortland on Saturday by the severe illness of her daughter, Maude , who is suffering from an attack of the measles. The condition of the patient was reported on Monday to be slightly improved. Charles Wells went to Cortland on Tuesday to see his daughter." From Dryden Rural News, March 30, 1938: "Extracted from a letter written by Mrs. Charles Wells in Anchorage, Alaska, to her brother Egbert McMasters of Brooktondale ..." (regarding her trip to Alaska). From The Syracuse Weekly Express, Thurs., Oct. 9, 1890: Montezuma - "Mrs. Charles Wells and her children of Auburn and her mother, Mrs. Josephine Rogers of Rose Valley, were visiting friends in town last week". If anyone knows the connection between Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wells and Charles Leonard, please share! See the Leonard page for more. Research Notes: Before finding these, I searched the following newspapers for Charles Leonard's obituary: Moravia NY Republican Register 1908 - 1912 Auburn NY Democrat Argus 1908 - 1909 (Mentions: Herman Leonard's estate and heirs: Susan Leonard, widow, George H. Leonard, son, and David E. Wallace, stepson. (April, 1908). Also, Patrick Leonard, father of Mrs. Michael Coleman.) Union Springs NY Advertiser 1908-1911 - (Mentions: Charles Leonard of Farmer) Interlakin NY Interlaken Review 1908-1910 (searched as given, sic) Newspaper Auburn NY Weekly Auburnian 1885 - 1888 #Leonard #leonard #charlesrussellleonard #obituary #death

Recently, I've been researching the soldiers, officers, minutemen, and militia who responded to the alarm Paul Revere delivered, letting the colonists know the British were coming and not for a tea party. It was April 19, 1775. Imagine the fear and adrenaline pumping through the colonists' veins in these small towns as men left their wives and children to defend the colony. They had no idea they would go down in history as the first men to enter the American Revolution. Where do we find such bravery and courage? Reading through the names of the brave men, I wondered if the people who originally wrote them were writing by candlelight using a quill for a pen. Some were so unfamiliar, I assumed they were misspellings or transcription errors - Azariah, Eben, Eliale, Eliaphaz, Gershom, Ithamar, Issachar, Jesiah, Jeshua, Joatham, Jotham, Ziba, Shubael, and Solenas, for example. There were even three men named Shadrack, Meschec, and Abednego. As it turns out, these are all Biblical names - mostly spelled correctly. Other names found in the rolls were old fashioned names like Amasa, Archelaus, Asa, Cornelius, Barnabas, Rufus, Jeremiah, Moses, Ebenezer, Eleazer, Eliphalet, Elisha, Ephraim, Nathaniel, Nehemiah, Phinehas, Reuben, Rufus, Samson, Simeon, Thaddaeus, Solomon, and Uriah - all names of Biblical origin. There were also many men with more common Biblical names among the rolls, John being the most common. Many were named Thomas, Andrew, Peter, Samuel, David, Joshua, Caleb, Benjamin, Isaac, Jacob, James, Daniel, Joseph, Aaron, Abel, Abraham, Joshua, Philip, Jesse, and Stephen, for example. Many of these names are still very popular today and although giving a child a Biblical name doesn't guarantee the family is Christian, I don't believe non-Christians have ever generally made a practice of giving their children Biblical names. Perhaps today they might, not realizing or caring whether or not a name is found in the Bible, but in most cases, those who are opposed to the Bible probably wouldn't give their child a Biblical name. Of the 4,006 men listed in Massachusetts Muster Rolls of men who participated in the events of April 19, 1775, the distribution of names is as follows: 418  (10%) of the soldiers' names named after royalty: Charles (15), Edward (32), George (21), Henry (23), Richard (27), Robert (35), Edmund (13), Francis (30), and William (217). 181 (5%) of the soldiers' names were neither Biblical nor royal names. Of these, Oliver (34), was the most common, although it is said that the name Oliver derives from Olivier - French meaning Olive Branch - (Biblical). About half of these names include surnames given as first names - Leonard, Allen, etc. Others included Ambrose, Christopher, Theodore, Norman, and Willard. Also included in this number are names such as Hopestill, Increase, Justice, Purchase, and Unite. These were verb names were traditionally given by Puritans. 3,409 (85%) of the soldiers' names were from the Bible. There are 147 different names. Each Biblical name found in the rolls, along with the number of occurrences are shown here: To me, this is a very interesting revelation. This demonstrates that from the arrival of the Mayflower and the years following, the Puritan Migration, to the time of the Revolution - for 155 years, their descendants continued strong in the faith. Perhaps this is where those brave men found their hope and their help to win the war. In fact, I'm sure of it. How else could a few patriots who were in the minority stand a chance against a Kingdom like Great Britain who was planting colonies around the globe? King George III had all his judges and magistrates in place and his "regulars" fully occupied Boston. He even had the loyalty of many of the colonists who didn't mind conforming to Parliament's new laws, paying their new taxes, and not having a say in any of it. Against all their wealth, weapons, and might, the patriots won. Some people argue that America wasn't founded as a Christian nation, but there is so much documented evidence to show that it was and this analysis of the names of those who physically fought to make our independence possible is just another piece of evidence. The Pilgrims and Puritans emigrated to America in search of a home where they could practice their Christian walk without persecution, which was often very severe, even deadly. Their goal was to demonstrate to the world what a nation with God on it's side could become - "a city upon a hill", and that goal was achieved for the past 400 years. Even today, 250 years later, 63% of Americans are Christian - 42% Protestant and 21% Catholic, although the numbers are dwindling as people stray further from God. [1][2] Just as we were an example of what a blessed nation can become, we can also be an example of what happens when a blessed people forget all that God has done for us, reject his laws, and lose his blessing. Finally, as a sidenote, I found it interesting that April 19, 1775, fell squarely in the middle of Passover. In 1775, Passover began on Friday, April 14th and ended on Saturday, April 22nd [3]. While most Christians don't celebrate Passover today, it is one of the few holidays God commanded the Israelites to keep. It is a profound parallel, for those who know the story of Passover in the Bible and what it symbolizes, and even more so for those who know about the diaspora and the Lost Tribes of Israel. I'm sure I could write for days about it, but I'll leave it at that. Click here to search the Patriot's Day Database to see if any of your ancestors or relatives were among the bravest on that day. Let us never forget them or their bravery and sacrifice and may we keep the same faith. God bless America! Sources: [1] How U.S. religious composition has changed in recent decades ( PewResearch ) [2] America's Christian majority is shrinking, and could dip below 50% by 2070 ( NPR ) [3] Hebrew Calendar ( HebCal )

While sifting through records of men named Charles Leonard in Central New York in the mid-1800s, I learned about a man named Charles Leonard of Byron Center. Not to be confused with Port Byron , which is in Cayuga County, Byron is situated about 89 miles west of it, in Genesee County. Charles was born Oct. 8, 1816, in Sangerfield, Oneida County, New York. He was a son of Stephen Leonard (1780-1848) and Ann (Bush) Leonard, and a descendant of Solomon Leonard of Duxbury, Massachusetts. Charles was a 4th great-grandson of Solomon Leonard, and although neither Stephen nor Charles were my ancestors, they were relatives, since my Leonard line also descends from Solomon Leonard. Charles' father, Stephen Leonard, was counted on the census in Sangerfield, Oneida, New York, in 1820, 1830 and 1840, and he died there on Apr. 23, 1848, at the age of 67. Charles Leonard married Betsey Williams, Oct. 16, 1837, and together they had four known children: Nathan E. Leonard , born Aug. 25, 1839, in Sangerfield, Oneida, New York, married Francis Hulett in 1861 and had at least two children - Effie (married Stevens), and Wyman Leonard. He enlisted in the 25th New York Light Artillery on February 11th 1863. Discharged on August 1st 1865 in Rochester, NY. Died Dec. 14, 1911, in Barre, Orleans, New York. George Leonard , born Aug. 11, 1841, in Sangerfield, Oneida, New York. He married Linnie Dibble on Jan. 27, 1876, at Byron, and they had a daughter named Stella (1883-1951), who married Fred Willard in 1903 and had at least two children: Glenn D. Willard Sr (1904-1985) and Gertrude Mae Willard (1907-1970). Gertrude married Louis J. Gaeta in 1925 and had at least two children. He is buried in Byron Cemetery, Section NE H21 4. ( Findagrave ). Alice Deborah Leonard , born Sept. 12, 1844, in Sangerfield, Oneida, New York. She never married or had children, but cared for her parents in their old age. She is buried in Byron Cemetery, Section NE H20 2. ( Findagrave ). Mary Leonard , born abt. 1848, died young on Feb. 8, 1868. She is buried in Byron Cemetery Section NE H21 5. ( Findagrave ). She was 19 years, 5 months old. Two years after his father died, Charles was counted on the census of 1850, still in Sangerfield. His family was living with the Miller family. Charles was 34, Betsey was 36, and their children in the home were: Nathan E. (11), George (8), Alice (5), and Mary LEONARD (2). ​ In 1860 the family was in Byron, Genesee County, NY, as follows: Charles (45, Hotel Keeper), Betsey (49), Nathan (19), George (17), Alice (15), Mary LEONARD (13), and James TUCKER and family of five. Note: There was also a Charles Leonard, age 19, in LeRoy in 1860. He was “Barn Keeper” at Powell Carpenter’s Motel. ​ In 1865 Charles's family was still in Byron as follows: Charles (52, Hotel Keeper), Betsey (57), George (26), Alice (24) LEONARD and two others.   In 1880 they were still in Byron as follows: Charles (64), Betsy (67), Alice (32) with J. BELLOWS (53) and Effie LEONARD (17), their granddaughter. Betsey died March 13, 1893, in Byron, and is buried in Byron Cemetery, Section NE H21 2 ( Findagrave ). In 1900, Charles was still in Byron. He was 83, and indicated he was born Oct 1816, widowed, born in NY, father born in Mass., mother born in NY. His daughter, Alice, born Sep 1845, was still living in the home. She was single and reported as being born in New York. Her mother was born in Mass. Two boarders also lived in the home. Charles died at the age of 84, on May 7, 1901, at Byron, and is buried in Byron Cemetery, Section NE H21 1. ( Findagrave ). Other information about Charles and his family, found in various newspapers and publications: Found in the Gazetteer and Biographical Record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1790, p. 399 [ Link ] as follows: “Charles Leonard was born in Sangerfield, Oneida County, where he lived until 1852, when he came to South Byron, and kept a livery stable and saloon for three years. He was a farmer for three years in Le Roy. In April, 1865, he came to Byron Center, and has kept the hotel there since that time, and has also carried the mail from South Byron to Byron Center.” He sold the "Byron Center Hotel" in 1890. See also, p. 150 of the Gazetteer for 1869-1870 [ Link ]. From the Syracuse Daily Courier July 9, 1859: "Change of Proprietors. - Many will regret to learn that Barney Becker, the popular landlord of the Voorhees House, has disposed of his interest in that splendid Hotel and retires from its management. The new landlords are B. Filkins and Chas. Leonard, both of who know how to keep a first class Hotel. We wish them prosperity."   From the Batavia Spirit of The Times 1833-1865 "Fire at South Byron - Between one and two o'clock last Wednesday morning, the Rail Road Hotel at South Byron, owned and occupied by Stephen Leonard, was entirely destroyed by fire."   From the Batavia Spirit of The Times 1833-1865 "To those of our Genesee County people who may desire to stop at Battle Creek, Michigan, it will be welcome intelligence to know that STEPHEN LEONARD, formerly of South Byron, is now the proprietor of the American Hotel, at the first named place. Our old friend Leonard kept at Byron, for some years, one of the finest and most popular Hotels in this region. We doubt not his establishment at Battle Creek will prove alike acceptable to all who may favor him with their patronage. We wish the American and its worthy landlord abundant and permanent good fortune."   From the Buffalo Evening Courier May 1, 1876: "Trouble in a Beer Saloon - A lively Melee - A Revolver Used, Etc. About seven o'clock in Lenhard's saloon, No. 12 Batavia street, and before it terminated firearms were brought into requisition. It seem that about five o'clock Willis Wright, William Flinn, and two other young men entered this place and had some beer to drink. They remained til nearly seven o'clock. One of the party broke a beer glass but refused to pay more than half the amount asked for it, whereupon high words ensued. The bartender, Chas. Lenhard, was set upon by the party, and received some bruises about the face, after which the assailants were ejected from the premises. Once outside the quartette, or some of them, as it is alleged, hurled stones at the building, one of the missiles crashing through a window, and another passing through a light of glass in the door, striking Chas. Lenhard in the forehead and inflicting a painful wound. Louis Lenhard, a brother of the injured man, catching up a revolver, rushed outside and fired a couple of shots at the assaulting party as they retreated up the street. The shootist as taken into custody by Patrolman Hazel, of the Third Precinct, on charge of assault with intent to kill, preferred by Wright. Flinn was locked upon charge of assault and battery; and to make the matter still more complicated, the Sunday law will probably be applied."   From The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Sat., Mar. 15, 1890: "GENESEE. Charles Leonard has just sold his brick hotel at Byron Center to Miss Alice Clark of the town of Alabama. She has recently sold her Alabama hotel to a Mr. Reed, of Shelby. Mr. Leonard has owned and kept the Byron Hotel for more than twenty five years, and this deal is quite noteworthy even in that flourishing village."   From the Batavia Progressive Batavian "Byron, March 4th, 1884. Charles Leonard and his daughter Alice are to start for Massachusetts Thursday, to be absent several weeks."   From the Batavia Progressive Batavian Friday, June 5, 1885: "The accident reported in your last week's paper, to young Chapel and his lady companions, by which they were slightly injured and his horse killed, was caused by the driver, Frank Jones, of Charles Leonard's horse and buggy, undertaking to drive past Chapel on a narrow place in the road which crowded him off the side into the ditch, upsetting his carriage and throwing the horse over and instantly killing him. Chapel is seeking damages for his loss from Leonard, and negotiations for settlement are pending. If they fail of course the matter will probably go to the courts. One of the young lady's arms is quite badly injured - may disable her for some time."   From the Rochester Democrat Chronicle, Sat., Mar. 15, 1890: "Charles Leonard has just sold his brick hotel at Byron Center to Miss Alice Clark, of the town of Alabama. She has recently sold her hotel at Alabama to a Mr. Reed of Shelby. Mr. Leonard has owned and kept the Byron Hotel for more than twenty-five years, and this deal is quite a noteworthy event in that flourishing village."   From the Batavia Daily News 1890: "Tuesday April 20 (or 29) - Charles Leonard having disposed of his hotel property at Byron Center, will sell on the premises two horses, some swine, a variety of agricultural implements and a large lot of household goods, including ten bed-room sets, tables, chairs, crockery, glassware, etc. sale begins at 19 o'clock. C. H. Reynolds, auctioneer; C. H. Coward, clerk."   From the Batavia Progressive Batavian 1892-1895: "BYRON. Mrs. Charles Stevens, of Albion, has been visiting her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Leonard."   From the Batavia Progressive Batavian Feb 19, 1892: "BYRON. Chas Leonard is to receive an insurance of $500. A disability claim."   From Batavia Daily News, Feb 1893: "Mrs. Charles Leonard, who has been an invalid for a number of years, is in a critical condition". From the Batavia Progressive Batavian, Fri., Mar. 27, 1893: "Mrs. Charles Leonard died at her home in Byron Monday night March 13th, in the 77th year of her age. She was born in Williamstown, Mass., in the year 1818[or 1816?]. Her maiden name was Betsy Williams. She was married to Mr. Leonard more than half a century ago. Besides the bereaved husband she leaves three children, two sons, George and Nathan, and a daughter, Alice, who has always lived with her parents, caring for her mother until she was called from her mortal home. Mrs. Leonard was an affectionate wife, a kind and gentle neighbor, and leaves a large circle of friends. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the whole community. The funeral will take place at her late residence Friday afternoon."   From Batavia Daily News, April 14, 1896: "The Late George Leonard. Byron, April 14. - George Leonard, whose death was announced in the News yesterday, was a son of Charles Leonard, who for many years was proprietor of the Byron Center hotel. He had been sick nearly a year. He leaves a widow, one daughter, an aged father, one brother, Nathan Leonard of Middleport, and a sister, Miss Alice Leonard of Byron. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock." From The Leroy Gazette, Wed., May 15, 1901: "LEROY AND VICINITY. Charles Leonard, for 35 years a resident of Byron Center, died last week at age 84 years. For a number of years he conducted the Byron Center hotel."   From The Batavia Daily News, Sat., Aug. 6, 1927: "THE PAST AND PRESENT...Charles Leonard was the proprietor of the hotel at Byron and operated the stage route from South Byron to Byron Center." This 1876 map shows exactly where the hotel was located: You can tour Byron and see Charles Leonard's old "brick hotel" on Google Maps . It appears the hotel, his home, and the church (to the left) are all still standing 148 years later. Use the arrows to navigate toward the church (to the left) to see the Leonard's home, which has been beautifully preserved. If you're a descendant of Stephen Leonard, check out the family on Wikitree and add your branches! Stephen Leonard on Wikitree Click here for free genealogy resources . Click here to learn about my Leonard branch .

My 4th great-grandmother, Sophronia, married Russel Leonard in or before 1830 and had at least two children, Charles Russell Leonard and Jenette (Leonard) Reynolds. Russel left to buy land in Michigan territory in 1833 and was never heard from again by his family. Sophronia soon remarried to Thomas Knapp and raised a large family with him. This is the brick wall in my Leonard line. Family tradition says Charles Russell Leonard's mother was "Sophronia Burrill", alternatively written Burlet, Burrell, or Burlew in various documents. One family record gives her father's name as Joshua Burrill (of Pembroke, Genesee, New York), but she is not named in Joshua's will, unlike his other known children, leaving us with no evidence to prove this claim, and even casting doubt on it. My DNA matches descendants of both Sophronia Knapp and of Joshua Burrill, so I do believe we are on the right track, but I don't understand why no connection has been found to link Sophronia to her father. My DNA matches with descendants of Joshua Burrill's daughter, Martha (Burrill) Redman: Refer to my previous post here for more on my DNA connections with Joshua Burrill. Many researchers confuse Sophronia with Sophronia, the wife of Nelson Burrill, which is understandable, given the many similarities between them. Both of these Sophronias were born about 1815 and both died in 1883, and they lived within about 30 miles of each other. The most common mistake I see is Sophronia (Burrill) Leonard Knapp's birth date given as December 13, 1815, in Cortland, New York. This information is incorrect. People are confusing her with Sophronia (Campbell) Burrill, wife of Nelson Burrill. There is no documentation proving when or where Sophronia (Burrill) Leonard Knapp was born as far as I know. Here's what has been found about Nelson & Sophronia (Campbell) Burrill of Elbridge, with sources: Sophronia Maria Campbell[1] was born on 13 Dec 1815 in Onondaga, Onondaga, New York[1, 2, 3]. Sophronia Maria Campbell married Nelson Burrill and lived in Elbridge, Onondaga, New York. Elbridge is only about ten miles from Port Byron, where Sophronia (Burrill) Leonard requested information about her husband be sent. In 1840, the only boy in the "Nelson Burrel" household was under five, and would have been their son Nelson A. Burrill who had just been born in April of 1840. We don't see Sophronia's name on the census with him until 1850 and on that census the boy Nelson was 10. She was counted on the census in 1870 in Elbridge, Onondaga, New York. She lived in Elbridge in 1880[2]. She was an active member of the Presbyterian Church at Jordan.[10] She died on 20 Apr 1883[9]. She went by the name of Sophronia Burrill[2]. She was buried in Jordan Village Cemetery, Jordan, Onondaga, New York. Her parents were reportedly born in Massachusetts. Nelson Burrill[1, 2, 5] was born on 25 Nov 1811 in New York[1, 2, 5, 6]. He lived in Camillus, Onondaga, New York, in 1840[7]. His father was Jacob Burrill, a brother of Joshua Burrill of Pembroke, Genesee County, New York. Therefore, Nelson was a cousin of Sophronia (Burrill) Leonard Knapp, assuming she actually was a daughter of Joshua. Nelson was counted in the census in Elbridge, Onondaga, New York, in 1850, 1860, 1865, 1870, 1875, and 1880[2]. He died on 07 Jul 1881 in Weedsport, Cayuga, New York[6]. He also went by the name of Nelson Burrel[7]. He was buried in Jordan Village Cemetery, Elbridge, Onondaga, New York. Nelson Burrill and Sophronia Maria Campbell had the following children: Nelson Alonzo Burrill was born on 5 Apr 1840. Horace L. Burrill was born on 3 Dec 1841. He lived in Weedsport, Cayuga, New York, USA in 1881 (as per father's obituary). He died on 1 Aug 1922. He was buried Weedsport Rural Cemetery. (See also, Burritt Family excerpt, below). Mary Alice Burrill was born on 23 Nov 1843. She died on 20 Oct 1844. Martha C. Burrill was born on 12 Sep 1845. She died on 20 Oct 1877. Francis M. Burrill was born about 1850. James A. Burrill was born about 14 May 1851. He died from typhoid pneumonia on 20 Nov 1873. (See bio here) There are many similarities between the two Sophronias but as you can see by comparing the records, they are clearly not the same person. See The Life of Sophronia Knapp for more details. Another coincidence and common factor between both Sophronias is that neither of them is found in the 1883 New York Death Index. Sources Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004), _, Database online. Source number: 317.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: RB1. Record for Nelson Burrill. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1880 Census (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010), Database online. Year: 1880; Census Place: Elbridge, Onondaga, New York; Roll: 905; Family History Film: 1254905; Page: 157D; Enumeration District: 169; Image: 0511. Record for Nelson Burrill. 1875 New York State Census. The Burritt family in America : descendants of William Burritt of Stratford, Connecticut, 1635-1940, by Lewis L. Burritt, p. 63 [Link] Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1880 Census (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010), Database online. Year: 1880; Census Place: Elbridge, Onondaga, New York; Roll: 905; Family History Film: 1254905; Page: 157D; Enumeration District: 169; Image: 0511. Record for Sophronia Burrill. JORDAN VILLAGE CEMETERY Index (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nyononda/CEMETERY/JORDAN.HTM) BURRILL, Nelson. Born November 25th, 1811. Died July 7th, 1881. BURRILL, Sophronia, wife of Nelson BURRILL. Born December 13th, 1815. Died April 20th, 1883. BURRILL, James A., son of Nelson and Sophronia BURRILL. Died November 20th, 1873. Aged 22 years, 6 months and 6 days. BURRILL, Mary Alice, daughter of Nelson and Sophronia BURRILL. Died October 20th, 1844. Aged 10 months and 27 days. BURRILL, Martha C., daughter of Nelson and Sophronia BURRILL. Died October 20th, 1877. Aged 32 years, 1 month and 8 days. Ancestry.com, 1840 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Year: 1840; Census Place: Camillus, Onondaga, New York; Roll: ; Page:. Record for Nelson Burrel. Ancestry.com, Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010), Database online. Record for Nelson Burrill. MyHeritage.com, Newspaper: Cayuga Chief, April 14, 1883, "At the residence of her son, H. L. Burrill, Esq., in Weedsport, April 20th, 1883, Mrs. S. M. Burrill, relict of the late Nelson Burrill, aged 66 years and 4 months." Our Church and Her Interests: Being a Souvenir of the Past History..., by J. Edward Close, p. 52, and 91-92. [Link] See Nelson Burrill's info on this page: See also my previous post about Nelson and Sophronia Campbell Burrill, here. My goal is to prove the parentage of Sophronia who married Russel Leonard who went missing in 1834. If you have any comments or suggestions, please share! Click here for more details about Sophronia's family. Click here for my genealogy links and tips! #sophroniaburrill #sophroniacampbell #leonard #burrill

Massachusetts Soldiers & Sailors of the Revolutionary War is an amazing collection of data in 17 volumes arranged alphabetically by last name. You can find these online at Archive.org (free). Use these links to make it easy. Simply select the book the surname you are researching falls between. VOL 1 - A to Ber VOL 2 - Bes to Byx VOL 3 - C to Cor VOL 4 - Cos to Dr VOL 5 - Du to Fo VOL 6 - Fr to Gy VOL 7 - Ha to Hi VOL 8 - Hm to Jy VOL 9 - Ka to Ls VOL 10 - Lu to Mop (alternate link) VOL 11 - Mor to Paz (alternate link) VOL 12 - Pe to Ra VOL 13 - Re to Se VOL 14 - Sh to Sth VOL 15 - Sti to Toz VOL 16 - Tra to Whe VOL 17 - Whi to Zyr (alternate link) Click here to see more resources for Military Records. Click here for more free genealogy resources. #americanrevolution #links #resources #military #veterans #Massachusetts #newengland #resources

When I look at the vital records of Woburn, all I can think is "Why OH WHY can't every town have records as good as these?!" Edward Johnson (1856-1922) and William Cutler (1847-1918) have done a great service to the descendants of Woburnians! Truly, it is a phenomenal work. Virtually every birth, marriage and death that occurred in Woburn between 1640 and 1900 is recorded in these ten volumes and you can access right now for free using the links provided, courtesy of archive.org.   Parts 1-3 Births, Marriages & Deaths from 1640-1873 in one [ Link ] Parts 4-6 Births, Marriages & Deaths from 1873-1890 in one [ Link ] Parts 7-9 Births, Marriages & Deaths from 1891-1900 in one [ Link ] Individual Volumes Part 1 - Births 1640-1873 [ Link ] Part 2 - Deaths 1640-1873 [ Link ] Part 3 - Marriages 1640-1873 [ Link ] Part 4 - Births 1873-1890 [ Link ] Part 5- Deaths 1873-1890 [ Link ] Part 6 - Marriages 1873-1890 [ Link ] Part 7 - Births 1891-1900 [ Link ] Part 8 - Deaths 1891-1900 [ Link ] Part 9 - Marriages 1891-1900 [ Link ] Part 10 - Marriage Intentions 1699-1890 [ Link ] Photo of Soldiers Monument from "Woburn: an historical and descriptive sketch of the town, with an outline of its industrial interests" by Woburn Board of Trade [ Link ] Click here for more free Woburn history and genealogy resources Click here for more free Middlesex County, Massachusetts history and genealogy resources Click here for more free Massachusetts history and genealogy resources Check out the Genealogy Dashboard for more free tools and resources #woburn #massachusetts #resources #vitalrecords #births #marriages #deaths

Reflecting on my paternal ancestry feels akin to observing a faraway object without the help of binoculars or a telescope. Nearby objects are seen with sharp clarity, while distant objects appear indistinct and indistinguishable. In fact, regarding my Leonard lineage, I can see absolutely nothing beyond Charles Russell Leonard, my 3rd great-grandfather. What we do know, is that in May of 1834, his mother, Mrs. Sophronia Leonard placed a missing persons ad in The Cayuga Republican, asking for assistance in locating her husband, Russel Leonard, who left to buy land in Michigan Territory the previous November (1833). Anyone with information was to direct it to the post master at Port Byron, New York. This leads me to believe that Sophronia was living in Port Byron in 1834. Is this a fair supposition? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. I have thoroughly researched the Leonards who lived in Port Byron and haven't found any other trace of Russel or Sophronia there. The 1830 census only listed the head of each household but that year, there were about 610 households counted on the census in Mentz. Three of them were Leonards - James, Henry, and Manassah Leonard, who had purchased land on Lot 4 in Throop in 1796. They were blacksmiths and, if I remember correctly, they were descendants of James or Henry Leonard, the Iron Masters. At any rate, those three Leonard households in Mentz contained a total of 35 people, many of whom were probably Leonards. One of them may have been my 4th great-grandfather, the elusive Russel Leonard, father of Charles Russell Leonard. Unfortunately, I've found nothing to identify him. For anyone researching people who lived in Port Byron in the late 1700s, you need to know a few things. First, regarding Cayuga County: Today, Port Byron is a village in the middle of the town of Mentz, in Cayuga County, New York. From 1784 to 1791, the locale was considered part of Montgomery County, formed from part of Tryon County. From 1791 to 1794, the locale was considered part of Herkimer County, formed from part of Montgomery County. From 1794-1799, the locale was considered part of Onondaga County, formed from part of Herkimer County. Since 1799, the locale has been considered part of Cayuga County, formed from part of Onondaga County. Regarding Port Byron: The town of Mentz was incorporated as Jefferson in 1802. It was much larger than it is today. The town's name was changed from Jefferson to Mentz in 1806 (or 1808). Ira was formed from part of Mentz in 1821, Montezuma was formed from part of Mentz in 1859 and Throop was formed from part of Mentz, Aurelius and Sennett the same year (1859). Port Byron is a village in the center of the town of Mentz. The village was called Bucksville until about 1825, when the name was changed to Port Byron. The name change was made soon after the Erie Canal was built through the village (1820), making it a "port". Today it is the Erie Canal Lock 52 Complex, a park listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Port Byron is located on an important route used by westward travelers from New England. The New York Central Railroad, constructed in 1853, went through Mentz, north of the village of Port Byron. The old Montezuma Turnpike (Route 31) passes through the center of Port Byron and the New York State Thruway also runs through Port Byron, virtually parallel to the former route of the Erie Canal, which was rerouted to the Seneca River about 1917. Port Byron has been home to several men who made a mark on the world. Isaac Singer, founder of the largest sewing machine company in the world, "was a mechanic who had a shop in a saw mill located near the present dam", and Henry Wells, of the world famous Wells Fargo, "had a shop at the corner of Rochester and Main Streets in the rear of the store which Samuel Thomas now occupies. He started the first express company of this great globe." (Source: History of Port Byron and Mentz : from Indian tribes to nineteen twenty-two, by E. H Kerns, p. 6) About 1823, Brigham Young arrived in Port Byron. (Remember, at the time, Port Byron was, called Bucksville). Young was born in Vermont in 1801, but had lived in Chenango County and in Tyrone, Genoa, and Auburn, before moving to Port Byron, where he sought employment opportunities brought by the newly built Erie Canal. It is said that it was in Port Byron that he converted to the newly established Mormon religion and where he also met a young woman named Miriam A. Works in Port Byron. They were married in Aurelius in Autumn of 1824. In Port Byron, Young worked odd jobs painting the canal boats, repairing furniture, construction, or whatever he could do., until he was hired full time by Charles Parks, producing furniture, pails, and buckets. He was there two years, until 1825, when he moved to Oswego. (Brigham Young : a concise biography of the Mormon Moses, by Ed Breslin, 2013). The above newspaper clippings I found while browsing through an old scrapbook shows a photo of Brigham Young's home, and states that it was on Utica Street in Port Byron. The 1939 article states: "In 1844, at the death of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion, Young was made president of the church, and in 1847, with hundreds of followers, Young moved westward from state to state until he and his clan reached Utah. Here they started the organization of a prosperous community. Young died on Aug. 28, 1877." Joseph Smith's death was an assassination, which occurred during his presidential campaign. While being held in jail in Illinois on the charge of treason, an armed mob stormed the jail and Smith was killed. Brigham Young's first wife, Miriam, died at the age of 26 on Sept. 8, 1832, in Mendon, Monroe County, New York, the same place where Brigham was baptized in the Mormon faith. He remarried in 1834 and in 1842 began taking additional wives, as is the practice in the Mormon religion. He was married a total of 56 times and had 57 children. Eight of his wives were Joseph Smith's widows. (Source: Wikipedia) The Mormon Church, also referred to as LDS, is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the organization behind FamilySearch.org. Their website offers genealogists access to important records and resources, as well as a platform to build their family tree online, all at no cost. Just think! If Brigham Young hadn't kept the Mormon church alive after Smith's assassination, the site and library would have never existed! At the corner of Utica Street (Route 31) and Main Street in Port Byron is a historical marker that reads: "Brigham Young the Mormon prophet lived in the house 100 yards east of here in 1831. He was baptized a Mormon at Mendon, N.Y." Looking east from this marker, it appears the home he lived in can be seen here from Google Street view, behind this parking lot. Can you spot it from the backside of the house? (Zoom in!) Another historical marker located on Utica Street in Port Byron states the following: "Abraham Lincoln April 27, 1865. Train carrying Pres. Lincoln's casket stopped at Port Byron Station 1.3 mi. north of here. Station draped with mourning and flags." President Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865, in Washington, D.C., and his body arrived in Springfield, Illinois, on May 3, 1865. His coffin was moved 17 times between 1865 and 1901 "due to construction and fears for the safety of the president's remains. There was actually a plot in 1876 to steal the body and hold it for ransom." (Source) See a full list of historical markers in Port Byron at hmdb.com. It's been interesting learning about Port Byron's history, but to me, it's a place that holds a daunting mystery. If time travel is ever invented, I'd go back to Port Byron on November 1, 1833, to find my 4th great-grandfather, Russel Leonard. Then I'd follow him on his journey to buy land in Michigan to see what happened to him. I'd sit next to him on the canal boat if I could, and ask him all about his parents and grandparents. (I've seen "Back to the Future", so I know enough to not interfere, but I'd just really like some answers!) Afterwards, I'd time travel to May 2, 1834 and meet Sophronia at the Cayuga Republican newspaper's office on Genesee Street in Auburn and of course I'd take a lot of pictures and videos of her, Charles, and baby Jenette! I'd ask all about her parents, too. I'd definitely like to stay a while and bring back some answers! For more information, see: Sophronia (Burrill) Leonard Knapp Russel Leonard Charles Russell Leonard My Leonard branch Blogs about the Leonards Russel Leonard missing Port Byron history and genealogy resources Cayuga County history and genealogy resources New York history and genealogy resources All genealogy resources My ancestors #leonard #russelleonard #sophroniaburrill #portbyron #mentz #cayugacounty #newyork

H. W. Leonard, of the Port Byron foundry, has quite a contract for the manufacture of iron wheels for wheelbarrow use. - Evening Auburnian 1-8-1878 There was a Henry Leonard who lived in Mentz from 1810-1830. According to Storke's "History of Cayuga County", 1879, p. 310, his partner was "George Anable". The location of the Leonard foundry in Port Byron is shown here on this 1875 map. A search of Cayuga County's 1870 and 1880 census provide only the following close match for Henry Leonard, which proves to not be the same Henry W. Leonard of the Port Byron Foundry: In 1870 when the census was taken, there was a Henry Leonard (age 21), employed as a "clerk in store" in Auburn, Cayuga, New York. He and one George* W. Leonard II (age 30), a machinist, both born in New York, were living in perhaps a boarding house, with 24 other people (no other Leonards). At the time of the 1880 census, Henry M. Leonard (age 30), was still living in Auburn and working as a "clerk in store" and was married to Alice J. Leonard. They had two daughters, Emily B. Leonard (age 6), and Leonara J. Leonard, age 4, and son named George W. Leonard, (age 1). They lived on Lewis Street and appear to have shared a home with Diana and Josephine Howard, hairdressers. *It seems likely that the photo at right (front and back shown) is the same George W. Leonard II, mentioned above. Meanwhile, we find Henry W. Leonard on the 1880 census in the First Ward of Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, living in the home of his "brother-in-law", and business partner, "George G. Annable", age 38. "Machinist" was given as both Henry and George's occupations. Henry's father, (Annable's "father-in-law"), also lived in the home. His name was Joseph N. Leonard, age 75, born in New York. Connecticut was given as the birthplace of both of Joseph's parents. Sadly, Henry was a widow, age 45, and it appears he had no children living in the home. A look further back, to the 1870 census of Onondaga, Onondaga County, New York, finds the following, which explains that George Annabel was married to Esther, presumably the daughter of Joseph N. & Wealthy Leonard, whose birthplace was given as Massachusetts, like her mother, Wealthy. Joseph was a farmer and like on the 1880 census, his birthplace was given as New York. In 1875, they were counted in Mentz, Cayuga County, as follows: (Notice, in 1875, Esther's birthplace was reported as Onondaga County instead of Massachusetts). "Emma Lou Leonard" married first to a Mr. Chapin, who died before 1920, and she married second at the age of 46, to Frederick James Nichols in Niagara Falls, on the Canadian side, in August of 1920. Frederick was a divorcee born in Bridgeport, New York, the son of John Wesley Nichols and Elizabeth Buller. On the marriage license application her birthplace is given as Port Byron, New York. Her parents names are given as George Annabel and Esther M. Leonard. Esther was born in 1846 and died in 1919, according to "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:3MMM-93P), entry for George G /Annable/. A look back, yet further, to the 1860 census reveals J. M. Leonard (age 55) and wife, Wealthy (age 48) with two children in the home: Esther M. Leonard (age 14) and James D. Leonard (age 12), living in Onondaga. Henry would have been 25 and his place of residence in 1860 has yet to be found. This family may be related to Russel Leonard, father of Charles Russell Leonard (1830-1908), who went missing in 1834. #otherleonards #iron #portbyron #henryleonard #ironworker

About 24 years ago, I visited the Cayuga County Historical Society for the first time without much knowledge about my family beyond my great-grandparents. My main focus was to gather information about my Leonard family. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they had organized file folders for different families in the county. One particular find was a fascinating book titled "Descendants of Solomon Leonard," a connection I hadn't realized existed back then. My husband and I decided to photocopy the entire book, convinced that many of the local Leonards were linked to Solomon. Indeed, years later, my DNA results confirmed that I am a descendant of Solomon Leonard! Today you can find the Leonard book and many others like it online. In fact, the Cayuga County Historical Society has published volumes of the county's history. You can access and read all 12 Volumes of "Collections of Cayuga County Historical Society" online. Scroll down to view the contents of each volume and use the "Link" to access the book at Archive.org. (Tip: Use the site's search feature to quickly search inside each book or just flip through the pages). Volume 1 [Link] Volume 2 [Link] Volume 3 [Link] Volume 4 [Link] Volume 5 [Link] Volume 6 [Link] Volume 7 [Link] Volume 8 [Link] Volume 9 [Link] Volume 10 [Link] Volume 11 [Link] Volume 12 [Link] Click here for more Cayuga County genealogy and history resources Click here for more New York genealogy and history resources Click here for everywhere else! #cayugacounty #newyork #resources

Leonardsville is a hamlet in the Town of Brookfield, Madison County, New York. The book "Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York", gives the following account: "The first merchant in Leonardsville and in this town was Reuben Leonard, from which family the village took its name; be began trading in 1801 and long conducted a large business for the time. He also kept a tavern in early years, managed a distillery, a tannery, and a large ashery; he was also the first postmaster. He failed about 1820." Update 6/29/2024: In an attempt to learn more about the Leonards of Leonardville, I searched Findagrave and found that there are no Leonards indexed in Leonardsville Cemetery. Only 94% of the burials are indexed on Findagrave, so an actual cemetery index might reveal some Leonard burials, though. In Madison County's Military Rolls 1806-1853 (found here), the following Leonards are listed: J.D. Leonard, Lieutenant, 1816 Joshua Leonard, Chaplain, 1809 Reuben Leonard, Major, 1809 Reuben Leonard, Colonel, 1811 (143rd infantry) L. H. Denison of Rochester shared some memories of Leonardsville in a letter printed in The Brookfield Courier in April, 1902, provides us with some information about the location of the Leonard store. "The old Leonard store built by Reuben Leonard, who gave the place its name was moved from the original site to the south-east corner, opposite the Hardin store. On the south-west corner were the remains of the old pot ashery. The Leonard store was used as a dwelling, general store, cabinet shop and tailoring establishment, the latter being on the third floor." "It has just been learned that the old store building and the shop adjoining, also the tenant house on South street, all owned by Mrs. L. D. Brand, are to be extensively repaired next spring. The Brand store is the oldest structure in the village. Its builder and first owner was Reuben Leonard, after whom the place is named, and it originally stood near the present location of H. D. Babcock's house, but was moved across the street the the place where it now stands nearly a century ago." (Brookfield Courier, Nov. 10, 1909) "Newton Leonard, who died at his home in Washington Mills, Nov. 18th, was known to many people here and in his younger days was frequently a resident of this vicinity and had been pleasantly associated with many of our citizens. He was, we believe, a relative of Reuben Leonard, from whom this village takes its name. Mr. Leonard had an enviable record in the Civil war a a member of Company B, of the 14 New York Regiment, raised in Oneida Co. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Fredericksburg and was paroled. At the expiration of his parole he was transferred to the 67th Regiment and served with it until the regiment was mustered out in Albany. ... He leaves behind him the record of a brave soldier and a good citizen. Mr. Leonard was a brother of Mrs. Mills D. Clark, wife if a former townsman, who visited him not long ago, and his brother, Franklin Leonard, formerly resided here." (Brookfield Courier, Nov. 23, 1910) E. P. Clarke also recollects Leonardsville as follows: "The old yellow stone building stood just north and a little east of the house in which we lived. It was built by my maternal uncle, Reuben Leonard, and occupied by him until his failure and removal to Rochester." (Brookfield Courier, October 14, 1971) The church meeting house in Leonardsville was completed on October 7, 1802, but burned exactly 47 years later, on October 7, 1849, undoubtedly destroying important records. (Brookfield Courier, Nov. 2, 1972) In searching the U.S. Federal Census for Reuben Leonard, it is noted that there was one in Dutchess County on the census in 1800 and 1810. Reuben Leonard of Leonardsville was counted on the census in Brookfield in 1820. In 1830, there was only one Reuben Leonard in New York according to the census. He was in Rochester. In 1840, again, there was only one Reuben Leonard in New York and he was living in New York City with a large household of ten. *Brookfield was considered part of Chenango County in 1800. Madison County was formed from part of Chenango County in 1806. Click here for more Madison County Genealogy Resources. Sources: Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Madison County, New York, by John E. Smith, 1899, p. 42, 357, 362-363. [Link] Madison County Archival Records [Link] Madison County Participants in the War of 1812 [Link] #Leonard #NewYork #leonard #madisoncounty #resources #history

Charles Russell Leonard was born November 25, 1830, in Union Springs, Cayuga County, New York. He was the son of Russel (or Russell) and Sophronia Leonard. Russel was last seen in 1833 when he went west to Michigan Territory to buy land and never returned, leaving Sophronia with two children that we know of - Charles and Jenette. She married Thomas J. Knapp on September 11, 1837, in Genoa, Cayuga County, with whom she had several more children. A list of the census records Charles has been identified in are shown below. This page will be updated if and when the missing records are found. 1840 Census - Not found Charles's mother, Sophronia, was remarried to Thomas Knapp and living in Scipio, Cayuga, New York. (Details) Charles may have lived in the household of Joshua Leonard, Jr., who also lived in Scipio. Joshua had a brother named Russel Leonard, who may have been Charles' father. See more about this theory in my previous article here. 1850 Census - Not found In 1850, his mother, Sophronia Knapp (age 35) was living in Genoa with her new husband, Thomas Knapp (39) and seven children: Joseph (13), Thomas (12), Mariah (9), Sophia (7), Lydia (4), Dewey (2), and William (0). They were family #217 counted on page 28 of 60. (Details) Note: The same year (1850), his soon-to-be wife, Polly Brown (age 12) was living with who I believe was her mother and stepfather, Peter and Lydia Shaver, also in Genoa. They were family #381 counted on page 49 of 60. The only other Leonard in Genoa in 1850 was George Leonard, who lived in the home of Otis Carson (age 48) and Polly Carson (age 45) and their children. George was age 50. No sign of Charles. 1855 Genoa, Cayuga County, New York (See full census here) Charles (23), Mary (17), Joseph (1) - They had been living there only two months *Notice the middle initial. It is transcribed as Charles B. Leonard. 1860 Census - Not found 1865 Groton, Tompkins County, New York Charles Leonard and Mary with children: Joseph, Susan, Charles, Sarah g., and Frances Leonard. 1870 Groton, Tompkins County, New York Charles Leonard and Mary with children: Joseph, Jane, Frankie, and Lewis Leonard. 1875 Locke, Cayuga County, New York Charles Leonard with wife, Sarah (Mary Polly Brown?) and children: Frances, Lewis & Lydia. 1880 Locke, Cayuga County, New York Chas. R. Leonard with wife Mary and children: Lewis, Lydia, Arthur and Irvin. 1892 Rose, Wayne, New York Charles Leonard with his second "wife" Luella and her children fathered by William Knapp. 1900 Lyons, Wayne, New York Charles Leonard with his second wife, Luella and her mother, Betsy Lumbert, and Malvina Leonard, a daughter, presumably a Knapp as shown above on the 1892 census. Charles's birthdate is given as December 1834 but his first wife's embroidered Family Record says he was born Nov. 23 (or 25?), 1830 (or 1831?). We know he was born before 1833 when his father left for Michigan to buy land, so his birth info here is incorrect. 1905 Groton, Tompkins, New York Charles Leonard and his wife, Luella. At the age of 72, he was still working as a "Day Laborer". Photo from Dryer Family Photos is labeled Charles Russell Leonard and Luella Schriver Knapp Wilson Leonard. Click here to learn more about Charles and this branch of my family. #leonard #charlesrussellleonard #charlesleonard #census #timeline

Cortland County is located smack dab in the center of New York State. It sits at an elevation of 1,100-2,100 feet above sea level, which results in cooler temperatures than it's southern neighbors. You can usually feel a dramatic drop in temperature the further north you travel. Precipitation from the Great Lakes and the Finger Lakes, combined with the colder temperatures from the high elevation, result in feet of snow being dumped on the many mountains and valleys of the region every winter. The snow plows are busy all winter moving the snow off the roads and by late winter, the piles of plowed snow along the sides of the roads are 8-feet tall or more and packed solid. When Spring finally arrives and all the snow and ice start to melt - the "Spring thaw", the soil is muddy for weeks, but the runoff fills the streams, lakes, and wells with fresh water, rejuvenates the trees, plants, grass, and flowers, and everything comes back to life. Cortland County was part of the Military Tract, land awarded to soldiers of the American Revolution, in the early 1800s, and prior to that it was home to various Native American tribes. For thousands of years, their trails and camps were the only sign of human life in what we now call "Upstate" New York. As you can see, from this terrain map, courtesy of Google Maps, Cortland County is southeast of the Finger Lakes. Some of the many hills are over 2,100 feet above sea level, while the valleys are level and as low as 1,000 feet above sea level. According to the intriguing account found in the old book "Stories of Cortland County," the geological history of the region is a tale of dramatic transformation. It describes a time when the hills stood tall and sharp, a stark contrast to the landscape we see today. This narrative delves into the concept of an ice age, a period of prolonged freezing that reshaped the terrain in profound ways. As the chilling temperatures gripped the land, massive sheets of ice and snow traveled from the distant northern regions, exerting immense pressure as they advanced southwards. Picture the relentless force of these icy behemoths as they gradually flattened the once imposing mountains, leaving in their wake a landscape altered beyond recognition. The journey of the ice sheets was not a gentle one; they carried along enormous boulders, shattering them into scattered remnants along their path. The valleys, once deep and rugged, bore the brunt of this glacial onslaught, being filled with layers of gravel that now lie buried beneath the surface, some reaching depths of over 200 feet. This geological upheaval shaped Cortland County, leaving fertile pastures, lush forests, and beautiful, rolling hills in every direction. Fossils found in Cortland County are from the Devonian period, while the oldest fossils in neighboring Chenango County date back to the Silurian period. The Silurian is a geologic period and system spanning 24.6 million years from the end of the Ordovician Period, at 443.8 million years ago (Mya), to the beginning of the Devonian Period, 419.2 Mya. The Silurian is the shortest period of the Paleozoic Era. As with other geologic periods, the rock beds that define the period's start and end are well identified, but the exact dates are uncertain by a few million years. The base of the Silurian is set at a series of major Ordovician–Silurian extinction events when up to 60% of marine genera were wiped out. [Source: Wikipedia] The Devonian is a geologic period and system of the Paleozoic era during the Phanerozoic eon, spanning 60.3 million years from the end of the preceding Silurian period at 419.2 million years ago (Ma), to the beginning of the succeeding Carboniferous period at 358.9 Ma. It is named after Devon, South West England, where rocks from this period were first studied. [Source: Wikipedia] Much of Cortland County and Chenango County rest on the Ithaca Formation, Upper and Lower Division, part of the Genesee Group, dating back to the Devonian period. For more information on the geology of Cortland and Chenango Counties and the central New York area, these sites are helpful: https://earthathome.org/finger-lakes-geology/geology-finger-lakes/ https://paleontological.s3.amazonaws.com/PDF/SpecialPublications-OutOfPrint/Linsley_1994.pdf Click here to learn more about Cortland County. #cortlandcounty #cortland #centralnewyork #geology #newyork

A great resource for learning about ancestors from Central New York is this 3-volume set called "History of Central New York: embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties", by Harry R. Melone, 1932. Links to all three volumes are provided below. Volume 1 is dedicated to the places and early settlers of Central New York, including many old photographs. Sit back and enjoy this slideshow of the images! If your ancestors lived in Central New York, in the 19th-20th centuries, you're being given a peek into their world! The Table of Contents for Volume 1 is shown here. Volumes 2 and 3 contain biographies of prominent citizens of central New York, including many portraits. All three volumes are available free online! Use the links below to jump to the resource at archive.org's site. VOLUME 1 [Link] VOLUME 2 [Link] VOLUME 3 [Link] Volumes 2 and 3 contain hundreds of biographies and some portraits of the prominent citizens of central New York. There is no Table of Contents or Index in these, so you'll have to use the search feature. Use the magnifying glass on the left side of the window to search within each book, as shown here: Click here to see more New York genealogy resources! #genealogy #historical #records #resources #photos #historicphotos

When I first caught the genealogy bug in the year 2000 and started researching my Leonard roots, my grandfather, Robert Leonard was already deceased nearly two decades. No one could recall what his father's name was, since his parents had split up when he was a small child. The only clue was that he married a woman named Valentine. A visit to the town clerk's office in Willet produced my grandfather's birth certificate, though, and on it was his father's name: Albert Leonard. Immediately I began researching men named Albert Leonard in New York and there were several. How was I ever going to find out which one was my great-grandfather? That was in the early days of the internet and I tried a search on AOL and I came across a cemetery index containing the name of a man named Albert Leonard with a wife named Valentine, buried in Rose Cemetery in North Rose, Wayne County, New York. It was a 90-mile drive from where I was living at the time, so we took a trip to see what we could find! (You can see the photos and documents we found that day in my previous blog, here). We visited the Cayuga County Historical Society and found a book there, called "Memorial, genealogical, historical, and biographical, of Solomon Leonard, 1637, of Duxbury and Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and some of his descendants", by Manning Leonard, 1896. I was certain this must be my family, even though it contained no familiar names! Now you can find it online, free. Through genealogy message boards, I got in touch with a few people researching Leonards in the area and with their help and clues provided in Dryer Family Photos, I learned that Albert's father was Lewis Leonard and Lewis' father was Charles Russell Leonard. Charles was believed to have been given his father's name and his mother was Sophronia Burrill (or Burlet, according to his death certificate). I checked Manning Leonard's book, but Charles was not found. Although many people had been searching for years, we could find no information about Charles' father. Finally, a few years ago I found a newspaper clipping from 1834, which indicated his name was Russell, and he left to buy land in Michigan Territory on November 1, 1833, and hadn't been heard from since. Sophronia and her children were "suffering" and it was requested that anyone with information contact the postmaster at Port Byron, New York. Nothing further has been found and Sophronia was remarried to Thomas Knapp by 1840. A search of Russell Leonards living in Michigan on subsequent censuses revealed a man by the name of Russell Leonard, born May 18, 1808, in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. He married to (Lydia) Leonard Forbes on November 19, 1833, in Townsend Township, Ontario, Canada - 200 miles west of Port Byron. Could he have deserted his wife and children to elope with another woman? The other strong potential match is Russell, son of Joshua Leonard and Hannah Sylvester, also of Worthington, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The family lived in the same towns as Charles and his mother. See my previous blog for the many reasons I suspect this is my line. My father's haplogroup seems to indicate he is a descendant of Solomon Leonard of Duxbury. Both of these Russells were 4th great-grandsons of Solomon Leonard. They were 3rd cousins to each other! This explains why my father's DNA matches BOTH Russell of Burtchville and of Chesterfield. (It appears he has fewer results with the Michigan line, but additional comparisons will need to be made to make a positive determination). In conclusion, after researching for the past nineteen years, and still having no definitive proof of either relationship, creating the chart shown above helped me see that Solomon Leonard is my 10th great-grandfather either way! Yes, there are some blurry links in between - my line is the green and either the blue or the pink, but Samuel Leonard (grandson of Solomon) was the 2nd great-grandfather of both of the Russells I have spent years researching! My initial hunch (and hope) was true! Note: Brad Leonard is publishing an updated version of the Descendants of Solomon Leonard (1610-1671). Last I knew, it was 640 pages with the index! Stay tuned for more on that! BONUS News! In light of this recent discovery, descendants of Solomon may be interested to know that his wife, Sarah Chandler, was the daughter of Roger Chandler and Isabella Chilton. Isabella was a daughter of James Chilton, Mayflower passenger! Click here to learn more! Are you a descendant of James Chilton? Commemorate his life and memory with your very own certificate! You can find them on Ebay or Amazon! If you have any information to contribute, please comment below or contact me! If you are in this family and have had your DNA tested, please upload the raw data to GedMatch and add your test info to WikiTree so we can compare! Note: WikiTree is a collaborative tree, where each person is allowed only one profile. No duplicates! We work together on each person's profile, adding information. Sources are required and changes are tracked. Join me in reconstructing the Leonard tree there! Find your place in the tree from Charles Russell Leonard (click here). #leonard #solomonleonard #genealogy #mayflower #mayflowerdescendant #pilgrims #newengland

Due to the lack of information about the mother of Charles Russell Leonard, and my theory that there may be some confusion about the identity of "Sophronia Burrill", the reported mother of Charles Russell Leonard. Her name appears to be first hand knowledge given by someone, as no record to confirm this has been found. A woman by the name of Sophronia Burrill was living in Elbridge, Onondaga, New York as early as 1850 until her death in 1883. Her name was Sophronia Campbell, wife of Nelson Burrill. See "The Burritt family in America : descendants of William Burritt of Stratford, Connectucut, 1635-1940", p. 63. The similarities between Sophronia, wife of Thomas Knapp, and Sophronia, wife of Nelson Burrill are astounding, leading me to believe the two could easily have been confused. Aside from their names, these two woman appear to have been born around the same year and they both died in 1883. Furthermore, the Burrills lived 11-12 miles east of Port Byron, where Sophronia Leonard reported her husband missing in 1833. Was Sophronia Campbell married to Russel Leonard before she married Nelson Burrill? No record of either Sophronia's marriages can be found and no conclusive evidence has been found. The only evidence I found which may prove that Sophronia Campbell was NOT married to Russel Leonard is on the 1865 New York State Census, where "Number of times married" is asked and the answer for Sophronia was "1". (Note: Sophronia Knapp indicated she was married two times). People didn't always answer census questions honestly, however. A marriage record would still help positively prove or disprove my theory. Following are copies of Nelson and Sophronia Burrill on the census beginning in 1840. From these we learn she was probably born in Onondaga County, New York, and her parents were born in Massachusetts. Notice, in 1840, Charles Russell Leonard, would have been 10 years old. No children in the home match this age. He doesn't appear to have lived in Sophronia Knapp's home either that year, though. Sophronia Burrill's death was announced in The Cayuga Chief, Weedsport, April 21, 1883, as follows: An attempt to locate Sophronia Campbell's parents yield only one result so far. In Chester, Massachusetts, a daughter named "Sophrona", was born to Alvan and Polly Campbell on October 15, 1814. She appears to have had a brother named Nelson, born May 1, 1811. On p. 146 of the same book, the marriage between Polly Goodwill and Alvan Campbell, is recorded. They were married Jan. 3, 1811. Click here to learn more about Sophronia Burrill, mother of Charles Russell Leonard. #sophroniaburrill #census #elbridge #jordan #onondagacounty #nelsonburrill #burrill

The search along the trails left behind by my Leonard family, have led me squarely to a place commonly found by genealogists - a brick wall. The earliest Leonard that has been identified in my line is Charles Russell Leonard who was born in 1830, possibly in Union Springs or Springport, Cayuga County, New York. He had a sister named Jenette who was born in 1833. Others in the family researching this line give his mother's name as Sophronia, reportedly Sophronia Burrill. An extensive search of newspapers published in the area during that period produced this very interesting find: Who was this "Russel Leonard", husband of Sophronia Leonard, who left Lock Port on November 1, 1833, never to be heard from again? Watch this video, which explains my theory: It seems most likely to me that Sophronia's husband, Russell, was a son of Joshua & Hannah Leonard of Worthington, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. He was born June 27, 1808, in Chesterfield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, according to Massachusetts Town Vital Records. His birth record is shown here beside his brother, Joshua Leonard, Jr.'s in Chesterfield Vital Records. Their father, Joshua, was born on Nov. 8, 1773, in neighboring Worthington. [Vital records of Worthington, Massachusetts, to the year 1850, p. 44]. He lived in Chesterfield in 1810. Joshua Sr's father was Amos Leonard. ( Possible match here ). Joshua Leonard, Jr., was living in Scipio, Cayuga County, New York, in 1820. In his home there was a young man born between 1805 and 1810, which could very well have been his younger brother, Russell. It couldn't have been either of his other two brothers, as the ages don't match. In 1830, Joshua Sr., was counted on the census in Venice, Cayuga County, New York. Venice was formed from Scipio in 1823, so perhaps he didn't move, but rather the location of his home fell in the portion of Scipio that became Venice. He was counted on the census in Venice again in 1840, at which time we find Thomas Knapp, and presumably Sophronia, living nearby in Scipio. It does not appear that her son, Charles Russell Leonard, was living in the home, however. Charles would have been 9 years old at the time and may have been the boy age 5-9 who was counted on the census in Joshua Leonard's home in 1840. Joshua was between 60-69 years old. What ever happened to Russell, the son of Joshua Leonard, who was born in 1808? Was he the husband of Sophronia who went missing in 1833? I had previously researched another Russell Leonard who was born in 1808 in Hampshire County, Massachusetts and died on October 22, 1874 in Grant, St. Clair, Michigan. His death record states his parents were Elisha Leonard and Elizabeth Brown who were married in Washington, Massachusetts, on March 23, 1802. This Russell, however, was actually named Elisha Russell Leonard, Jr. , born March 19, 1808, in Massachusetts. He married Lydia Almina Forbes and I believe there may be some confusion between her and Lydia Ann Leonard. Her memorial on findagrave (memorial #134570823) says she was Lydia Ann Leonard, the daughter of Benjamin Leonard of Massachusetts and Eva Burgett. It says Lydia was born April 11, 1811, in Chautauqua, New York, and married first to a Mr. Forbes. the problem is, her name was given as "Almina Forbes" when she married Russell, "Elisha R. Leonard" - not Lydia or Ann. They were married in Townsend, London District*, Ontario, Canada on November 19, 1833. Sophronia's missing person's notice, published in May of 1834, says he left from Lockport, New York, on the first day of November last, meaning November 1, 1833, to buy land in Michigan. Could he have made it to Townsend, Ontario, Canada, by November 19th to marry Lydia? Yes, he could have. Lockport is only 89 miles from Townsend. By 1850, this "Russel Leonard", age 42, was working as a Shingle maker and living in Burtchville, Michigan, with his wife, Lydia, and five children: Almina, Wellington, Alice, Abigail, and George Leonard. According to a very informative post by Marla Gearhart on the message boards in the Leonard Family Genealogy Forum on genealogy.com, Elisha Leonard (1751-1832) did have a son named Elisha and a grandson named Elisha Russell Leonard. Elisha Leonard, Jr. moved from Massachusetts about. 1815 and lived in Madison County, New York, and then in Oneida County before moving to Ontario, Canada, about 1825. She claims his son, (Elisha) Russell settled in Michigan abt. 1847, which may explain why he is found there in 1850 but not in 1840, but he did marry in 1833. While the dates line up, and the places are close - they are not close enough. These Michigan Leonards show no connection to Port Byron or Union Springs. They also show no other known males named Charles in the line. Furthermore, if Russell's father was already in Canada in 1825, then it seems likely that his son was also there with him. For these reasons, I do believe the Russell who was the son of Joshua Leonard is more likely a paternal match for our Charles Russell Leonard. I hope to confirm this eventually. Someone please tell me he didn't leave poor Sophronia in upstate New York alone with two small children just as winter was approaching, only to run off and marry another woman! Please?! There may have been a connection between Joshua and Elisha's families, since they were both from Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The fact that they both used the Russell name, however, seems to be coincidental. Joshua's son, Russell, appears to have been named after his mother's brother, Russell Sylvester, while Elisha Russell Leonard was named after his father. Deeper investigation into the lines will prove to be more confusing since there was another Joshua Leonard b. 1797 living in Cazenovia in the mid-1800s. He was a Reverend. In another post I will share my research on that line. Update 6/27/24: Both Russel Leonard, son of Joshua, and Russel Leonard, son of Elisha, were 2nd great-grandsons of Samuel Leonard, a grandson of Solomon Leonard. In fact, these two Russels were 3rd cousins. Soon I'll share an analysis of my DNA results compared to descendants of these Russels. Stay tuned! Your comments, questions and suggestions are welcome! Please share! #Leonard #leonard #CharlesRussellLeonard #RusselLeonard #missing #Michigan #missinglink #ElishaLeonard #JoshuaLeonard

In an effort to find out if Joshua Burrill was the father of my 4th great-grandmother, Sophronia Burrill, I took some time to make a timeline for a better angle. Since Joshua's will names his three oldest daughters, his son, and his youngest daughter, I wanted to find out when and where Sophronia came into the picture and if there was any evidence of her being with the family. Take a look at what I discovered! 1781 - Joshua Burrill was born in 1781 in Thompson, Windham, Connecticut. 1809 - He married Caroline Fitts in Oxford, Massachusetts, on March 9, 1809. (Oxford is abt. 10 miles north of Thompson). The marriage intention was filed January 21, 1809, at Oxford. 1810 - Joshua & Caroline's daughter Martha "Patty" Burrill was born Jan. 29, 1810 in Connecticut. 1812 - Joshua & Caroline's daughter Brooksey was born Nov. 14, 1812. Her obituary states she was born in Middlebury, Massachusetts but no such place exists in Massachusetts. There is a Middlebury in New Haven County, Connecticut, abt. 84 miles southwest of Thompson, where Joshua was born. Another possibility is that she was born in Middleborough, Massachusetts. 1813 - Joshua & Caroline's son, Arba F. Burrill was born in Connecticut. 1814 - Joshua & Caroline's daughter Achsah was born in Massachusetts. 1815 - Joshua & Caroline's daughter Sophronia was born in Massachusetts (UNCONFIRMED BUT LIKELY) 1820 - Census of Auburn, Worcester, Mass. (One male under age 10 (Arba), one male 26-44 (Joshua), three females under age 10 (Brooksey, Achsah, Sophronia?), one female age 10-15 (Martha), one female age 26-44 (Caroline). 1825 - Joshua & Caroline's daughter Mahaleth was born in Massachusetts. 1825 - Joshua appears on tax list in Camillus, Onondaga County, New York. 1827 - Joshua & Caroline's daughter Martha "Patty" Burrill marries David Redman. 1830 - Census of Elbridge, Onondaga, New York (One male age 5-9 (???), one male age 15-19 (Arba), one male age 40-49 (Joshua), one female age 10-14 (? Mahaleth was abt. 5), one female age 15-19 (Brooksey?), and one female 40-49 (Caroline). 1830 - Joshua & Caroline's daughter Brooksey Burrill marries John King, October 1830. 1840 - Census of Pembroke, Genesee, New York (one male age 20-29 (Arba), one male age 50-59 (Joshua), one female age 20-29 (?), and one female age 50-59 (Caroline) 1848 - Caroline died in 1848 and Joshua remarried to a woman by the name of Merinda. 1864 - Joshua's will was written on April 23, 1864. 1865 - Joshua died on April 15, 1865. It was the very same day of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Joshua's will was probated on May 22, 1865, in Genesee County, New York, and names all his children except for Sophronia. Why? We don't know, but the omission of her name has led many to believe Sophronia wasn't his daughter. Arba had a daughter he named Sophronia and there was a tradition in the family to name children after siblings. In fact, Arba, was named after his mother's brother, Arba Fitts. Also, my DNA matches several of Joshua's other children's descendants, so it's nearly proven that Sophronia was related, but no documentation can be found. Hopefully this census sheds some light on the family during the time when Sophronia would have been about 5-9 years old. Note also, the spelling of the family name on this census, "Burrell". If you have any information or insight to offer about Sophronia's relationship to this family, please let me know! See also: My Burrill DNA matches Joshua Burrill's Last Will & Testament This branch of my family #joshuaburrill #sophroniaburrill #burrill #leonard #timeline

If you've ever done a search on popular genealogy sites, you may have seen records from the source "Biography and Genealogy Master Index". This source indexes millions of genealogical tidbits found in various biographical and genealogical resources. It's worth checking for your family names, to see if you could have missed an important source. Various editions and volumes were published and below you can find the ones I've located and indexed for you, with links to access the books for free on Archive.org. In each volume you will find the names sorted alphabetically, with codes following the name. The key to the codes is found in the beginning of the book, indicating which source provided the information. Vol 1, 2nd Edition, 1980 A-B [Link] Vol 2, 2nd Edition, 1980 C-E [Link] Vol 3, 2nd Edition, 1980 F-H [Link] Vol 4, 2nd Edition, 1980 I-L [Link] Vol 5, 2nd Edition, 1980 M-O [Link] Vol 6, 2nd Edition, 1980 P-R [Link] Vol 7, 2nd Edition, 1980 S-T [Link] Vol 8, 2nd Edition, 1980 U-Z [Link] 1981-85 Cumulation Vol 1 A-C [Link] 1981-85 Cumulation Vol 2 D-G [Link] 1981-85 Cumulation Vol 3 H-L [Link] 1981-85 Cumulation Vol 4 M-R [Link] 1981-85 Cumulation Vol 5 S-Z [Link] 1986-90 Cumulation Vol 1 A-G [Link] 1986-90 Cumulation Vol 2 H-O [Link] 1986-90 Cumulation Vol 3 P-Z [Link] 1990 A-Z [Link] 1995 A-Z [Link] 1999 A-Z [Link] 2000 A-Z [Link] 2001 A-Z [Link] 2014 A-Z [Link] 2016 A-Z [Link] Click here for more free genealogy resources!

A man named William R. Daniel submitted a claim for 160 acres of bounty land in Missouri on January 4, 1819, for his service during the War of 1812. He was a Private in Captain J. Rothrock's Company, 38th Reg't of Infantry. The claim was settled January 4, 1819. According to the land map, the property was located here, in De Witt, Carroll County, Missouri. It was 160 acres of land between Route 230 and Route 240. The property's edge is 1.28 miles from the banks of the Missouri River to it's east. You can have a look around with this interactive Google map but there's not much to see there: William Daniel may not have ever lived on this land. He may have sold it upon receiving it. There were only two men named William Daniel counted on the census in Missouri in 1830. They were: William Daniel living in Mississippi, Scott, Missouri, in a household of 4. He was age 40-49 (born bet. 1781-1790) and the woman of the house was age 50-59 (born bet. 1771-1780). There was a young man age 15-19 (born bet. 1811-1815) and a young woman age 10-14 (born bet. 1816-1820). William Daniel living in Lincoln, Missouri, in a household of 6 including himself, age 30-39 (born bet. 1791-1800), and a woman the same age, presumably his wife. There were 2 boys under age 5 (born between 1825-1830), and one boy age 5-9 (born bet. 1821-1825). There was one young girl, age 10-14 (born bet. 1816-1820). Note: There were three Daniel households listed consecutively. William was listed between Nancy Daniel and George M. Daniel: George M. Daniel's home had four occupants including himself, age 20-29 (born bet. 1801-1810), a boy under age 5 (born bet. 1825-1830), a young girl age 10-14 (born bet. 1816-1820), a young woman age 15-19 (born bet. 1811-1815). Nancy's home had nine people including herself, age 50-59 (born bet. 1771-1780), and a young woman age 15-19 (born bet. 1811-1815), as well as seven slaves - a female age 24-35 and six children under the age of 10. In a book called "The New Stars", by Manie K. Morgan, she explains that "Slavery was less fundamental an interest in Missouri than lower south. It was like slavery in northern Kentucky - much more a domestic than a commercial institution. Slaves were mostly family servants and held in small numbers." Nancy was mentioned in History of Lincoln County, Missouri. On page 234, it states that Nancy Daniels was a daughter of John Riffle, who settled in Lincoln County in 1804. They were at Fort Howard during the War of 1812. On page 249, it states she was born in 1804, which doesn't align with the census. I found no mention of Mr. Daniels (or Daniel). At this point, I'm not sure if William R. Daniels was the father of Austin Miles Daniels, who married Mary Ellen Wilkinson somewhere in Morgan County, Missouri, in 1836/37, but there is a possibility. In 1843, Austin bought land in Florence or Richland Township, a mere 57 miles from William's land in De Witt, by today's boundaries. From there, he moved his family to Holt County, and they left Missouri by 1851, going to Oregon by ox cart. While searching for more information about this William Daniel, I found this abstract on fold3.com: This is interesting because the William I am looking for named his son Austin. Did he name them after his commanding officers, Col. A. Austin? And I know it's a stretch, but Austin named one of his sons Johnson. Could it be that William also named a son Johnson and Austin later named his son after that uncle? These are just my theories. We'll have to keep looking for more information. If anyone can help prove or disprove who Austin's actual father was, please comment below or contact me. To follow my research on William Daniels, see his profile here. More useful links: Bounty Land Warrants for the War of 1812 can be searched on FamilySearch here Search the Bureau of Land Management's records here Find thousands of free genealogy resources here #daniels #williamdaniels #austindaniels #missouri #warof1812

Looking into the past can be like peeking into a darkened room. Every little clue we find sheds a little bit of light on its contents. Sometimes we're lucky enough to have photos of our ancestors, and it's great to see what they looked like, but what other information can an old photo provide? Ideally, someone wrote the names, dates, and places the photos were taken, but not always. Sometimes the photographer's name and the city may be imprinted on the border or backside, which could provide some clues. One of the portraits of my 3rd great-grandfather, Charles Russell Leonard, for example, doesn't have a date to tell us when it was taken, but Charles was born in 1830 and he appears to be about 60 years old in this photo, so we can estimate it was taken around 1890, but if we wanted to be sure, doing some research on the photographer could help verify the approximate date of the portrait. Charles R. Leonard's photograph is marked "GEHRING", the name of the photographer, along with the place, which is crossed out, but appears to be "Lyons, NY". A search of area newspapers for the words "Gehring" and "Photographer" helps shine some light on the photographer's career. The photographer's name was Tobias D. Gehring. From these clues, along with census records, the following is a partial timeline of his life: 1857/58 - Tobias D. Gehring born at sea in April, to parents emigrating from Switzerland. 1860 - His family of eight people was counted on the census in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1880 - At the age of 23, Tobias was counted on the 1880 census, boarding in the home of William Clayson in Syracuse, Onondaga, New York. He was single. 1882 - Tobias married Charlotte Hamilton. 1887 - He had a photography studio located at 18 East Genesee Street in Syracuse (1887-1888 Syracuse Directory). He also had a studio on Locust Street at one time. 1892 - Tobias and his wife, Charlotte, lived in Syracuse with four children: Grace, Charlotte, Ralph and Hazel Gehring. He was employed as a crucible maker. (1892 NY State Census) 1893 - Moved to Lyons, 45 miles west of Syracuse. 1894 - Gehring had a studio in the Nellis Block on Williams Street in Lyons. 1898 - Gehring had a studio in Herkimer, New York, in 1898, which he sold that year and returned to Lyons, supposedly "his former home". Lyons is about 100 miles west of Herkimer. This time, he didn't remain in Lyons long, however. 1900 - When the 1900 census was taken, he lived in Syracuse, about 45 miles east of Lyons. They had five children in their home in 1900. They were: Grace Gehring, Charlotte E. Gehring, Ralph Gehring, Hazel O. Gehring, and Harold R. Gehring. Hazel married Henry F. Loeb in Macomb County, Michigan, in 1915. Tobias Gehring died on Sept. 21, 1906, in Syracuse. Given the long distances between the places Gehring lived, one might wonder if it is the same person, but an intriguing story published in the Rochester Democrat in 1894, ties it all together, explaining that in 1894, Gehring had a photographic studio in the Nellis Block in Lyons. It also states that he had been in Lyons for a year and that he had previously operated a studio on Locust Street in Syracuse for 15 years. So, from these references, we can see that Gehring had a studio in Lyons between 1893 and 1900, which makes sense, because we know that Charles Leonard, who spent most of his life in Cayuga and Tompkins Counties, lived in Wayne County briefly. He was counted on the census in Rose, Wayne County, New York, in 1892, and in Lyons in 1900. (See his census timeline here). The village of Rose is just a few miles from Lyons. In summary, the portrait of Charles Russell Leonard was taken in Lyons, probably between 1893 and 1900. Charles would have been between 63 and 70 years old. The Nellis Block in Lyons, is shown here: Click here to learn more about Charles Russell Leonard. Click here to learn more about this branch of my family. Click here for thousands of free genealogy resources to help in your research! #leonard #charlesleonard #charlesrussellleonard #lyons #waynecounty #photograph #portrait #photo