JEREMIAH HALL house built 1727 in Wrentham, Colonial Massachusetts

Jeremiah Hall home built in 1727
Located at 588 Franklin St. in Wrentham, Massachusetts

I’m always happy when I am contacted by someone who has read my blog posts and either wants to share information or has questions.  Afterall, it’s really why we write our blogs. 

In this case a woman named Jody contacted me and said she lived in a house built by my husband’s 5^th great grandfather, Capt. Jeremiah Hall (1697 – 1789)

Here is what she said and she attached a photo of the house.

 “Hi Diane - I stumbled across your ancestry blog and wanted to reach out. My family recently moved into the house Jeremiah Hall built in Wrentham, MA and it is such a stunning home with lots of rich history. I would love to connect and share info”.

Of course I emailed her right away and said I’d love to have anything she is willing to share, and would be willing to share whatever I have that would be helpful to her. How do I even thank her for this kind gesture?

BACKGROUND

This house was built in 1727.  The new owner, Jody, doesn’t know the family history, but has some documents that might tell us more about the origin of this home.

Jody sent me this information: “According to deeds pertaining to 588 Franklin St., Wrentham, Massachusetts, Benjamin Hall was a husbandman (Farmer) and one of the first selectmen of Wrentham in 1713. Benjamin married Sarah, and their son Jeremiah was born May 23, 1697. He was a Miller. Benjamin deeded land to Jeremiah in 1721. Benjamin died in Aug 1726.  The house was built in 1727.”

Here is the plaque that hangs by the front door of the house

That information matches the family history I have as to Jeremiah Hall being the son of Benjamin Hall and Sarah Fisher.

I have 5 Benjamin Halls in my database, all from Massachusetts and all from the 17^th & 18^th century.  I believe I have them sorted out as to who is connected to whom.

Additionally, I have 7 Jeremiah Halls in my database.  Again,  all from Massachusetts in the 17^th & 18^th century.

When I first began researching my husband, Ron’s family, I had quite a time figuring out who was who.

Here is the descendancy from the original Hall immigrant, Edward (7^th great grandfather) down to my husband.

 Edward HALL (abt 1611-1670) m Esther THAYER (abt 1619-abt 1674)

Benjamin Hall, Sr. (1668-1726) m Sarah FISHER (1668-1751)

Capt. Jeremiah Hall (1697-1789) m Dorothy HILL (1698-1753)

Jesse Hall (1734-1808) m Achsah CLARK (1735-1808)

Cornelius Clark Hall (1776-1815) m Elizabeth CONICK (1783-1859)

Rev. George Hall (1804-1878) m Almira ROSETTE (1806-1858)

Thomas C. Hall (1845-1897) m Cora BROWN (1854-1933)

Charles Schuyler Hall (1878-1953) m Daisy BRIGHT (1882-1953)

Gordon C. Hall (1917-1966) m Dorothy FINK (1913-1993)

My husband Ron

Next week I will share photos of the inside of this lovely colonial home.

If you are related to or connected to anyone in this blog post, please get in touch.  Let’s exchange information.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2022   Diane Gould Hall
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

 

CORA’S SCRAPBOOK ~ A letter from her husband Thomas to his son, Charles

This is the story of my journey through Cora’s scrapbook.  Cora is my husband, Ron's, paternal great grandmother. I will give a link to all posts at the beginning of each new post.  Here’s that link My posts about Cora's Scrapbook

Today I am presenting one of the letters I found when I went through Cora’s wonderful scrapbook.  I’m so very happy that she preserved these pieces of family history for us.

Cora & Thomas only had one child, their son Charles. There are, of course, many references to him in the scrapbook.  This one is particularly sweet, as it’s a letter from Thomas to his son Charles.

There is no date on it.  Thomas mentions Christmas, so we know what time of year it was. It has to be before Thomas died on 18 Jan 1897, age 52.  Charles was only 18 when his father died.

(Please click on this image to enlarge it)

Where was Charles when his father wrote to him?  From the sentence in the letter, “hoping he has a splendid time,” we must imagine he was on some sort of outing.  Perhaps attending an out of town event?  Maybe as I examine other documents in the scrapbook I will come to know the answer?

I do think it’s a sweet letter from father to son.  I wish I could have known Thomas. He sounds like a loving, caring father.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2021   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

CORA’S SCRAPBOOK ~ Episode 2 – Thomas C. Hall & Cora E. Brown marriage announcement, 1877

This is the story of my journey through Cora’s scrapbook.  I will give a link to all posts at the beginning of each new post.  Here’s that link My posts about Cora's Scrapbook

The very first piece of family history I find in this scrapbook is the wedding announcement of Cora to Thomas C. Hall.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I knew they had married 5 Feb 1877, based on information in his Civil War Pension file.  But, what other evidence did I have.  None! 

Thomas was 32 at the time of the marriage and Cora was 22.  Their only child, Charles Schuyler Hall was born 13 months after the marriage, on 5 Mar 1878, in Saratoga Springs, New York. I have no record of any other children born to this couple.

Here are the newspaper clippings from the scrapbook.  It doesn’t say what newspaper they are from, so I’m going to try and find that information.  It also looks like a portion of the article is missing.

(Please click on any image to enlarge it) 

TRANSCRIPTION:

HYMENEAL – Mr. Thos. C. Hall, a former resident of Saratoga, now a citizen of Poughkeepsie, came back to Saratoga yesterday and carried away with him one of those most attractive features of our village – a charming young lady, Miss Cora E. Brown.  Mr. Hall always had good sense and fine taste when he dwelt here, and we are glad that they cling to him.  Our best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Thos. C. Hall

A nice package of wedding cake comes to our table accompanied by a notice of the marriage, on the 5th inst., at the residence of the bride’s father on Church street; by the Rev. Mr. Carey, of Miss Cora E. Brown, of Saratoga, to Thomas C. Hall, of Poughkeepsie.  The wedded pair, on return from their wedding tour, will make their home in Poughkeepsie.  The marriage service was attended by a large number of relatives and friends who manifested their regards for the wedded couple by a liberal bestowment of presents. Among these was a piano by father and……

Another of Saratoga’s fair daughters has left to make a house elsewhere.  Miss Cora E. Brown, daughter of Charles Brown the tobacconist, changed her name preparatory to making her home in Poughkeepsie, on Monday.  The best wishes of many friends attend her………..

Even with the missing portions of this article, we can learn something about our couple. 

• Their wedding was well attended
• There was a wedding cake
• The marriage location was Cora’s father’s residence on Church St.
• Cora was the daughter of Charles Brown, a tobacconist
• The officiant was Rev. Mr. Carey (this can help us figure out which religion the couple may have been and lead to church records)
• The couple was going on some kind of “tour” or trip after the wedding
• They were going to make their home in Poughkeepsie

That’s quite a lot of genealogical leads to follow. Admittedly in my case, some of the items are facts I already know about.

Update: I cannot help but research as I write.  I have located a portion of the articles transcribed above, plus another small wedding announcement. The first place I go for any east coast newspapers is to Fulton History Postcards website where Tom Trynski has been scanning newspapers for years.  He’s a one man show and a blessing to us all.

Here is a cropped portion of the page from The Daily Saratogian from 6 Feb 1877. 

Cora & Thomas had moved from Poughkeepsie to Halfmoon, New York by the time of the 1880 census.  He was working as a baggage handler for the railroad.  I can’t wait to share more about this couple’s life.

If, while you are reading this post, you find you are connected to any family mentioned, I’d love to hear from you.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY–John Conick & Abigail Hartshom Conick

  

John Conick and his wife, Abigail are buried at Schuyler Lake Cemetery in Schuyler Lake, Otsego, New York.  Photographs posted to Find A Grave and used with permission of Chuck Metcalfe.

Since I have just discovered new ancestors on my husband’s paternal side of the family, I thought it would be nice to highlight them today.  At least what I know so far.

John Conick or Coneck or McConnick (this name was spelled many different ways) was the son of James Conick and his wife Elisabeth (maiden name unknown).  

John Conick is the 4th great grand uncle of my husband.  John’s brother Jonathan is the direct descendant to the Hall family.

John Conick was the 4th son born to James & Elisabeth Conick.  John married Abigail Hartshom (sometimes shown as Hartson) on 13 Feb 1782 in New Hampshire.  

John fought in the Revolutionary War and was granted a pension for his service.

I’m excited to learn more about this branch of our family.  Right now, I’m just happy to have found new information.  I looked for many years for details about Elizabeth Conick, wife of Cornelius Clark Hall.  Cornelius and Elizabeth are my husband’s 3rd great grandparents.

James Conick & Elisabeth ?

Jonathan Conick & Zeruiah Wheelock

Cornelius Clark Hall & Elizabeth Conick

Rev. George Hall & Almira Rosette

Thomas Cornelius Hall & Cora Brown

Charles Schuyler Hall & Daisy Fern Bright

Gordon Charles Hall & Dorothy Fink

If you are reading this post and find that you are related to any of the names shown here, I would love to hear from you.

OTHER POSTS THAT YOU MAY FIND USEFUL

 

ADDING SIBLING LINKS TO FIND A GRAVE 

CEMETERY RECORDS - What can they tell you? How do you use them? 

FIND A GRAVE.com - Submitting Records Using Their Spreadsheet 

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2014   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

MYSTERY MONDAY–UNIDENTIFIED FAMILY PHOTOS

HALL   BROWN  AVERY  BRIGHT  GOODBODY

These photos were all in a small album in the possession of one of my husband’s cousins, a 1st cousin once removed.  She too does genealogy.  We cannot figure out who these ladies & gentlemen are.  The folks who might have known are long since gone from us.  These are most probably family members from the Saratoga Springs, New York area, containing the surnames listed at the top of this post.  

See the family group records I have included below.  

This album was in the possession of Dorothy Louise Hall who married Thomas Leavenworth Goodbody, Sr.  We found pictures identified (but only a couple) that were Dorothy’s grandmother, Cora E. Brown.

I’m am placing these photos on here exactly as they were scanned. 

If you recognize anyone, please contact me.

Click on any image to enlarge it

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA ABOUT THIS FAMILY, HERE ARE SOME SCREEN SHOTS FROM MY DATABASE.  

These are the families we believe are represented in this album. 

BROWN-AVERY FAMILY

 
HALL-BROWN FAMILY


HALL-BRIGHT FAMILY


GOODBODY-HALL FAMILY


None of us ever know when a piece of information we provide might lead to a connection with a family member or someone who knows about the family.  That’s just what I’m doing here.  It’s always worth a try.

I wish you luck in identifying your mystery photos.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2014   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHT RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

CHURCH RECORD SUNDAY–Dorothy Fink Baptismal Record

Dorothy with her older brother Al

Dorothy circa 1954

 

Dorothy Beatrice Fink, born 7 Nov 1913 in Buffalo, Erie, New York

Baptized on 17 May 1914 

Daughter of Henry August Fink & Freada E. Doller

Married Gordon Charles Hall on 22 Aug 1948, San Diego, San Diego Co., California

Mother of one son, still living

Died 6 Oct 1993, San Diego, San Diego Co., California

Yesterday as I was going through a metal box that had belonged to my husband's mother, I found a treasure that was folded up at the bottom.  You just never know what you will find and I certainly didn't expect this to be at the bottom of the box with old bank records and deeds.  

Here's the box.  One more note.  If you'll notice the name of the baking company from Buffalo - it's HALL Baking Company.  Funny, because after Dorothy moved to San Diego she married Gordon Hall.

An old metal box with many treasures

And what was the treasure I found?

Dorothy's baptismal certificate from May 1914

I just love finding items like this.  I’m going to frame this one and hang it in my office with other special documents.

Happy hunting and I hope you too find lots of precious keepsakes,

Michigan Girl

Copyright © 2014 Diane Gould Hall

Lots of new Lindsay information

That's a picture of Bessie Lindsay and an article about Richard "Dick" Lindsay.

Gosh, it's been several days since I've posted. The reason is because I've been so darn busy gathering information from my newly found 3rd cousin. Well, maybe also because the internet has been up and down due to the incredible storm that swept thru here for several days. But...........where was I? Oh yeah, the Lindsay's. This new 3rd cousin, I'll call her May for privacy purposes, has provided pictures, vital records and newspaper articles galore. In exchanging photos I was able to identify the two unknowns sitting at a table with our Great GrandUncle Dick Lindsay, as my grandfather and grandmother. How cool is that? And, when she sent me all those newspaper articles about Great Granduncle Dick Lindsay (he was prominent in Detroit politics for many years) there just happened to be an obituary for his brother, William W. Lindsay. Well, William W. Lindsay is my Great Grandfather and I had not located his obituary. It's been just great connecting with May because she is as passionate about genealogy as I am and she also happens to be very nice and fun to talk to.
That's one of the unexpected joys I've found in my 5+ year journey in locating ancestors and descendants. I have connected with many cousins on all sides of the family and every one of them is a treasure. Some I've become quite close to.
So then today I was in here working and began digging around my information on Bessie Lindsay. She was married twice. The first time was not a happy marriage and according to her granddaughters she didn't talk much about it. I've been trying to locate a marriage record to that first husband and guess what? I FOUND IT! Where? In the Ontario Marriage Records on Ancestry.com. This is the 3rd or 4th time I have found a marriage record in the Ontario records. Seems it was pretty easy to drive over the bridge from Detroit to Windsor and get hitched. Why go out of country? In one case it seemed that there was an "early" pregnancy. This find today is also a bit suspicious as far as dates and could be for the same reason. In finding this record I've gotten the names of the first husband's parents, and the religion as stated by the bride and groom. I am sure this is the right couple because the parents names for the bride match what I have and one of the witnesses is the bride's sister - also a match for what I have.
I've gone on too long already. Never quit looking. While you may not locate something today you never know what you'll find next week, next month or next year. Keep good records on what and where you search, but never hesitate to go back to a place you searched before and search again. New records are being added all the time.

I better get back to "work."
Smiles,
Michigan Girl

A Day at the San Diego Genealogy Society

Today was my first day volunteering to help out at the San Diego Genealogical Society. I joined this organization about a year ago, with the intent of becoming involved once I retired. Well......since I became suddenly "retired" last April I have taken a more active roll and have been attending meetings and seminars. The two seminars have been informative and I recommend classes & seminars to anyone who is interested in learning more effective way to research your family.
But, I digress. I arrived at 10 a.m. and met our society President, who had asked for volunteers. I was the only one there so I'm not sure if others volunteered or were just coming on other days? The entire society runs on volunteer work and there are many things that need to be done all the time.
I was put to work immediately in a very familiar area - liability insurance. Getting a certificate corrected to be exact. Right up my alley since that's what I did at the City of Poway for many years. Then it was on to other small, but necessary tasks. We already have plans for what I/we will do next week and I brought home a couple of things I can complete here.
I think I will enjoy this volunteer thing. After 41 years of working there's got to be something useful to pass along.
No family research got done today, but tomorrow is another day.

Til then,
Michigan Girl

Blogging about family research - Day 1

I have just created this blog as a way to try and connect with more family members. I have been researching my family, including my husband's family, for over 5 years. I've never had a blog before so this will be a learning experience.

Here are some of the surnames that I am researching. This is not a complete list, but includes some of the primary names: Boggs, Bowen, Bowden, Bright, Fink, Frampton, Gillen, Goodbody, Gould, Hall, Hart, Hunter, Lindsay, Milne & Thorp

I hope that this will be a way to share this incredible journey. I currently live in southern California, although I was born in Michigan. My parents and grandparents and many other family members were born in Michigan and many still live there. There are also family connections in many other states.

Stay tuned and let's see how this blog thing works.

Til next time,

Michigan Girl