Showing posts with label DAR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DAR. Show all posts

31 August 2017

The Tale of Three James

CaptureAre you researching your LINDSEY ancestry?  Do you believe that you descend from Archibald LINDSEY?  The Massachusetts Revolutionary War Patriot, documented in the annals of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution (DAR); Ancestor #A070563?1  If so, I encourage you to go slow and proceed with caution. 

Archi’s father, according to the DAR application, is purported to be James LINDSEY born Londonderry, Ireland, 1680; died Nutfield (Londonderry) New Hampshire, 1774 and, was married to Ann Gypson (widow).  However, nowhere in the application are there any source citations provided as to how they “know” that James Lindsey of Londonderry, Ireland and Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire is Archi’s father. Let alone, how they know that he emigrated from Ireland and more specifically, Londonderry.

Before I delve into the specific subject of this post – the Tale of Three James – a little background is needed.

I began the research of my LINDSEY ancestry in 2013; starting from my Grandfather, Walter Galloway LINDSEY and working backward.  In 2014 I hit a “bump in the road.”  Archibald LINDSEY was purported to be my third Great Grandfather, Edwin G LINDSEY’s father.  And, the son of James LINDSEY.  But there appeared to be nothing more than hearsay, to support that assertion.  I first learned of this “relationship” from Margaret Isabella Lindsay’s book “The Lindsay’s of America.2   More research followed and I learned of an Archibald LINDSEY who served during the American Revolutionary War as a Private, from Massachusetts, September 1777 – October 1777.  Armed with that information, I went to the DAR website and searched for applications that may have been submitted listing Archi as their Patriot.  I found three, an original and two supplemental applications.  All three sorely lacked source citations. 

A lot of assertions and assumptions were made based on, as far as I can tell,  hearsay. The original application was clearly reviewed; you can see several notations throughout.  But, again, no source citation is provided, nor anything indicating where the information was derived. This has been my research focus ever since. 

I have been able to prove, to my satisfaction, that my third Great Grandfather, Edwin Galloway LINDSEY and all his siblings named in both sources previously mentioned here, are indeed the descendants of Archibald LINDSEY.  I have since obtained actual pay and muster rolls documenting Archi’s service during the Revolutionary War.  More on that research and my findings in a future post.  So, now it was time to focus the research on, and to document, Archi’s parentage.

A note to the reader: I affectionately refer to Archibald LINDSEY as “Archi” throughout.

As I mentioned, the initial DAR application, dated 4 November 1953, asserts that James LINDSEY was born in 1680, Londonderry, Ireland and died in 1774, Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire.  The application also asserts that Ann Gypson (widow) was his wife.  There are no citations provided and no original documents included in the applicant package.  So, where did this information come from?  What information, documents, research was used to substantiate it? 

I needed to learn more about what information was out there; what documents did James create during his life?  What documents were created about or for James, during his life?  Did anyone else who descended from James LINDSEY, his son Archi, or another of his children (Archi’s siblings) have information, and more specifically, documentation that would support or refute their connection?  Sadly, every single tree and message board, etc. that I found, simply provided the same flimsy resources that I’ve noted here.  Everyone cites, attaches and refers to the DAR application which asserts that James is Archibald LINDSEY’s father.  And, Ann Gypson was his wife.  To support the Ann Gypson connection, everyone cites the New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847 – 2011, which states, “James Lindsey (bachelor, married an Ann Gypson (widow), 16 January 1727/8."3   In addition, all cite the Find-a-Grave memorial for James which notes that he is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, Rockingham, New Hampshire.4

SLOW; proceed with CAUTION! 

It would appear, that the information within the New England Historical & Genealogical Register was a compilation of historical ministerial records from throughout New England.  The specific notation, reference James Lindsey’s and Ann Gypson’s marriage, comes from the Hon. Samuel C Adams, of Newfield, Maine. He notes that he is “in possession of the original record of Mr. Adams [Reverend Hugh Adams], and believing it may afford some interest . . . I send a copy of the record of marriages, baptisms, admissions to the church, etc.”   

James is a common given name and Lindsey a common surname.  There is not enough identifying data in this entry in the cited register to definitively conclude that this James Lindsey is Archi’s father.  The entry doesn’t tell me where either party are from.  It doesn’t include birth date; birth place; nor where either party lived at the time of marriage.  There is nothing, nothing at all, to distinguish this James Lindsey from any other male by the same name. As this historical and genealogical register records marriages, baptisms, admissions to the church, etc. from throughout New England, I took the time to browse the book.  That is, I looked from its cover and at all 504 pages (518 images) of it.  Scouring the pages for any other mentions of the LINDSEYs. There were only two: Joel Harvey Linsley (page 88; image 97) and James LINDSEY (page 180; image 191).  There was nothing else in the register that shed light on just who this James Lindsey was.

Yet, every tree, message board, etc. that I’ve come across cites this as their source – their only source – making the connection between this James Lindsey and Ann Gypson to Archi.  Really?  How’d they make that leap?  Because it was recorded on an approved DAR application?  Because it is on another family tree?  Because others believe that they descend from James LINDSEY and repeatedly quote this connection?

Rev Hugh Adams

Ann Gypson

Let’s take a look at that Find-a-Grave memorial.  James LINDSEY is buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery, located in East Derry, New Hampshire in section K Lot 61.  However . . . there are couple of things that should immediately jump right off the page for any discerning genealogist or family historian. 

1. The memorial page includes the name of his spouse, Martha Lindsey

2. A VERY IMPORTANT note left by the photographer, DJ Goldman.  DJ notes that this is “an unusual stone in that his wife, Martha, is on the other side of the stone.  This is not commonly seen in gravestones of this era.”

JamesTranscription:  Here lyeth the body of James Lindsay who died on the 17 June Anno Domini 1774 aged 94




Martha On the opposite side of James Lindsay’s headstone . . .

Transcription: Here lyeth the body of Martha Lindsay wife to James Lindsay who died on the 29 of January Anno Domini 1743.  Aged [the age is not visible]

Did no one see that there is clearly something rotten in the Province / state of New Hampshire?  We have a James LINDSEY said to be married to an Ann Gypson in 1727/8 and who they attach to their family trees.  And, we also have a James LINDSEY buried with his wife Martha in the Forest Hill Cemetery, whose Find-a-Grave memorial they also attach to their trees.

Did no one ask themselves . . . was James married more than once?  Did Ann die?  Did Ann and James divorce? Did James remarry; when?  What happened to Ann?  Where is she?  Is there more than one James Lindsey in the area?

My goal was to determine if there really was a connection between James Lindsey and Archibald LINDSEY as noted on the DAR application.  In order to do this however, I needed to untangle this new mystery . . . is there one James who was married first to Ann and then Martha?  Or, is there more than one James Lindsey in the Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire area and surrounding local? 

It so happens at this point, I was scheduled to travel to New England, specifically Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York, on a research trip.  I planned to focus on my LINDSEY family.  Specifically, Archi.  And, I was hoping to really dive into research on James as well.  In preparation for this trip, I went back over every single piece of evidence that I had on Archi to this point.  From Archi “forward” I had not been as successful in untangling which of Archi’s wives were the mother of which of his children.  More on this in a future blog.  But while doing this, I came across hints (shaky leaves) or clues when searching other parts of the LINDSEY line that were either new to me, or I just hadn’t really focused on them before. 

One clue was particularly interesting, and I came across this about a week before my trip.  This ended up being the best time to run into it, because it was fresh and foremost in my mind when I traveled to New Hampshire.  The Clue?  The US and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s – 1900s.5  This abstract from the original record says that a James LINDSEY and his wife, Martha arrived on these shores, in New Hampshire, in 1720.  Now, this is an index; an abstract, and it clearly notes “date and place of first mention of residence in the New World extracted from several sources, mainly ‘New Hampshire Provincial Deeds, 1641 – 1771,’ which are on microfilm at the New Hampshire Historical Society.”  Well, isn’t that convenient.  It just so happened, that a week after finding this, I would be in New Hampshire visiting the New Hampshire State Archives.  The New Hampshire Historical Society was now added to my list of places to visit.

So, here’s the thing, the DAR application, and everyone thereafter, has been recording that James LINDSEY was married to an Ann Gypson (widow) 16 January 1727/8.  This abstract alone, calls that information into question.  First, note the year James arrived in New Hampshire; 1720.  Note who he arrived with; wife, Martha.  Now, go back and look at that headstone in the Forest Hill Cemetery and attached to the Find-a-Grave memorial.  Do you see a problem?  Martha and James were married when they arrived on these shores in 1720; the Rev. Hugh Adams’ records included in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 1847 – 2011, mentioned above, records a James Lindsey marrying an Ann Gypson (widow) 16 January 1727; and, Martha Lindsey, according to the headstone that she SHARES with her husband James LINDSEY, didn’t die until 1743.

So, are we looking at the same man, James LINDSEY, married twice and buried, at the time of his death in 1774, with his first wife, Martha?  Or, are we looking at two different men?  Time to look at those deeds mentioned in this latest clue.

Passenger ListWhen visiting the New Hampshire State Archives, I mentioned my interest in Land Deeds, and my specific focus on the James and Martha Lindsey mentioned in the Passenger and Immigration Lists Index. Here’s what I found.

The Royal Town Charter for Londonderry, in the new Province of New Hampshire, dated 1 June 1722.6 

Samuel Shute, Esq., Governor; and Commander and Chief, Province of New Hampshire, on 1 June 1722, signed the Royal Town Charter, which granted “. . . equal shares unto sundry of our beloved subjects whose names are entered unto a schedule hereunto annexed that inhabit or shall inhabit. . . .” 

James LINDSEY was among the sundry [many] granted equal shares of land.

To view the Londonderry Royal Town Charter, click here.  Note, this novice blogger is using Google Docs for the first time, so fingers crossed that it works “as advertised.”  If it doesn’t, I am sure that it is 100% operator error on my part.

The fourth and fifth page of the Royal Town Charter provides a “Schedule [list] of Names of the Proprietors of Londonderry.  A list of approximately 122 “neighbors” of James LINDSEY.  This will be helpful later.

1722 Royal Town Charter 2 (002)

I learned from the staff that the New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds has digitized the land deeds for Rockingham County and those records can be found on their website..  When I returned from my trip, land deeds were my sole focus.  Remember, the Passenger and Immigration index noted “Provincial Deeds, 1641 – 1771.”  I wanted to search both the “Verified Grantor” and “Verified Grantee” lists for 1629 to present.  I searched for James LINDSEY using all known variants of the surname to include the four most common spellings I’ve seen throughout my research:  LINDSEY; LINDSAY; LINSEY; and LINZEY. 

I then set about reading and transcribing each deed – every single one.  Forty-one deeds from 1722 – 1771.  Then I went back and read through them again.  I wanted to pick out pieces of information from each deed that I thought may be helpful in learning more about James and I took notes.  I was looking to identify James’ FAN Club.  That is, I was looking for his Family / Friends; Associates; and Neighbors.  People that lived, worked, and associated with James and his family on a daily basis; people, that if found in a given place and time with a James LINDSEY, would later help me identify whether there was only one James Lindsey or whether there might be more than one.  So, to that end, I made note of who James purchased land from or sold land to.  Whether his wife was mentioned in the deed as relinquishing her dower and power of thirds. The boundaries - that is, who the neighbors were.  And, I noted both who witnessed James’ signature and who signed as Justice of the Peace.  I then took my notes and created an excel spreadsheet which would greatly assist in helping me to contrast; compare; and document my findings.  Again, I was looking to learn whether there was one James LINDSEY or more than one.

To view the resulting spread sheet click here.

Okay, before getting into what I found, keep in mind we are wanting to determine if there is one James Lindsey, married twice?  Or, whether there is more than one James Lindsey, in the same geographical area during the same time?  And, we are looking to confirm, or deny, the assertion by many that James Lindsey is Archi’s father.

In the deed dated 15 June 17307 (see image below), James LINDSEY and his wife, Martha, sell property to their daughter, Jenat and son-in-law, John Wallace.  The witnesses to this transaction were John Anderson and John McMurphy.  James Mckeen, Justice of the Peace.

15 June 1730 - Land Deed - James Lindsey

“To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come, greeting.  Know ye that I James LINDSAY of Londonderry, within his Majesty’s Province of New Hampshire in New England for and in consideration of love and good will and affection which I have and do bear to my son, John Wallace, of the Town and Province aforesaid . . .”

15 June 1730 - Land Deed - Jenat

“ . . . that Jenat Wallace the wife of the aforesaid, John Wallace, out live or survive her husband, John Wallace, that the aforesaid lands with all the improvements that shall or may be upon the same at his decease shall return and fall unto the said Jenat Wallace, wife to the aforesaid John Wallace and DAUGHTER to the aforesaid James LINDSEY . . .”

1730

“. . . and Martha, the wife of the said James Lindsay, doth hereby give grant yield up and surrender all my right of dower and power of thirds . . .”

1746The 3 February 1746 deed8, has James LINDSEY of Londonderry and his wife, Margaret, engaged in the sale of their land to James Rodgers.  The witnesses were Thomas Cochran and John MacMurphy.  The Justice of the Peace was John MacMurphy.

“ . . . Margaret, the wife of the said James Lindsay, doth by these presents give, grant, yield up, and surrender all her right of dower and power of thirds . . .”

16 October 1749 - Land Deed - Lindsey~LindseyOn 16 October 17499 a James Lindsey “transferred” property to his daughter.  The witnesses to this transaction were James Scales and Susanna Scales.  The Justice of the Peace was James Scales.

“To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting.  Know ye that I James Lindsey of Canterbury in the Province of New Hampshire in New England, Cordwainer, for and in consideration of the paternal love and affection which I bear to MY DEARLY BELOVED DAUGHTER AND ONLY CHILD Elizabeth Lindsey of Canterbury aforesaid, spinster.”

12 June 1750 - Land Deeds - Lindsey~GipsonOn 12 June 175010 a James Lindsey “transferred” property to his step-daughter.  The witnesses to the transaction were James Scales and Susanna Scales.  The Justice of the Peace, James Scales.

“To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting.  Know ye that I James Lindsey of Canterbury in the Province of New Hampshire in New England, Cordwainer, for and in consideration of the love and affection which I bear to my beloved DAUGHTER-IN-LAW ELEANOR GIPSON, the daughter of my present wife by her first husband . . .

What we have:

  1. A James LINDSEY, an early resident of Londonderry, Province of New Hampshire. (Royal Town Charter, dated 1 June 1722)
  2. A James LINDSEY and his wife, Martha, of Londonderry, Province of New Hampshire, selling land to their son-in-law, John Wallace (15 June 1730)
  3. A James LINDSEY and his wife, Margaret, of Londonderry, Province of New Hampshire, selling land to James Rodgers
  4. A James Lindsey, of Canterbury, Province of New Hampshire, transferring land to his beloved daughter and only child, Elizabeth (16 October 1749)
  5. A James Lindsey, of Canterbury, Province of New Hampshire, transferring land to his beloved daughter-in-law [step-daughter], Eleanor Gipson, the “daughter of my present wife by her first husband (12 June 1750)

Out of forty-one land transactions James LINDSEY of Londonderry, Rockingham, Province / State of New Hampshire,  bought and sold land from 1722 – 1767, a total of 12 times.  And, all within Londonderry or Windham which was a part of Londonderry from 1719 – 1742.  His land transactions never took him outside these two locals. 

We have two James Lindseys of Canterbury, who both bought, sold, or “transferred” land.  One James Lindsey “transferred” land to his only child, Elizabeth, 1749.  And, in 1752, James purchased land from his daughter, Elizabeth and her husband, Nathaniel Perkins.  Both transactions were within Canterbury.

The other James Lindsey on 12 June 1750, “transferred” land to his step-daughter, Eleanor Gipson. The land sold was located in the town of Canterbury.  And, the deed notes that both Eleanor and her step-father, James Lindsey, were both from the town of Canterbury.

I have found no transaction for the purchase or sale of land outside of Canterbury for either of these James Lindseys.

So, as you can see, we do, in fact, have more than one James LINDSEY living at the same time in the same geographical location.  There was indeed a James Lindsey married to an Ann GIPSON.  A James Lindsey buying and selling land with his first wife, Martha and then after Martha’s death in 1743, with his second wife, Margaret.   And, there was also a James Lindsey, selling land to his beloved daughter and only child, Elizabeth.

So, who is Archi’s dad?  Well, I know who his father isn’t.  It isn’t the James Lindsey who had only one child, a daughter, Elizabeth! 

I’m scratching my head.  These records were created in the 1700’s; they were witnessed, recorded and filed.  And, they aren’t the only records that existed for that time and place for either of the three James LINDSEYs, For instance . . .

The History of Windham in New Hampshire (Rockingham County), 1719-188311 which records the Officers of the Provincial Government. 

Provincial Government

James LINDSEY of Londonderry is serving as a Town Officer of Londonderry / Windham in 1722.  Now, I could be wrong, but I’d think, business, at the Provincial level, on a fairly regular basis would be taking place.  And, the Government would be creating, recording and filing records.  All of which “could” lead to information about James and his family.

Just in this one snippet, James LINDSEY is surrounded by his FANS.  James McKeen and John McMurphy, Judicial Officers (Justice of the Peace) whom James appeared before to acknowledge that the transaction was his “free act and deed.  James McKeen, John Goffe, James Gregg, Samuel Graves, Samuel Moore, James Alexander, John Cochran, all were not only witnesses to James Lindsey’s, Martha’s and Margaret’s signatures on the various land transactions from 1722 – 1771, but they also frequently bought land from and sold land to James Lindsey as well.

Our ancestors didn’t live in a vacuum, without any connection to other people or events.  All of these records were available in 1953, when the first applicant applied to DAR for membership, citing Archibald LINDSEY as their Patriot Ancestor. They were available, when DAR’s genealogist reviewed, examined, and vetted the application and the supporting evidence, or as we’ve seen, the lack thereof.  Yet, as far as I can see, to a person and organization, what was included in that application was taken as, and promulgated in every family tree, story, and conversation, as gospel.  The irony is – without getting too involved with this analogy – that no matter your personal beliefs, we all know that there are many that would argue the validity of what Christians refer to as the Gospel (the Bible).  They cite that it is just a collection of stories; that there is seemingly no documentation, nothing to support it’s accuracy, etc., etc.  Yet, many a genealogist and family historian take what they see in print and online, in DAR applications; authored genealogies; family trees; family lore, etc. with no supporting evidence, or at least none cited, as . . .  “gospel.” 

Can James Lindsey be added to the family tree?  Which James Lindsey?  NOT MY FAMILY TREE!!!  Not yet!  There is nothing, nothing to substantiate the claim.  And, I am not in the habit of adding anyone to my family tree that hasn’t been thoroughly researched and “proven” to a reasonable degree of certainty.

SLOW; PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!

We now know which James Lindsey is not Archi’s father, but we have two remaining candidates.  The first, James Lindsey married to Martha, who was in Londonderry, Rockingham, New Hampshire as early as 1720; who remarried after Martha’s death in 1743.  His second wife is known to be Margaret. 

And, then there is the James Lindsey of Canterbury, who, as we’ve seen is indeed married to the widow Ann Gypson, and is the father of his beloved step-daughter Eleanor.

Two James Lindsey’s and three potential women that could be Archi’s mother.  Ann Gypson; Martha; or Margaret.  That will have to be a future blog post.

A lot more research required.

I am not a fan of lineage societies as a whole, but what I find particularly troubling about DAR is, they have, since their founding in 1890, set themselves apart by restricting membership to those who can “prove” their descent from an American Patriot.  That is, an applicant must  provide documentation proving relationship from the patriot down to themselves.  DAR also sets themselves apart, insisting before an applicant is approved, a DAR genealogist must review and vet the submitted information and genealogies for accuracy.  Unfortunately, and what is maddening, is this leads everyone to falsely conclude that if an applicant is admitted into the prestigious ranks of the Daughters of the American Revolution, their lineage is “golden” – err, proven.  And, DAR does nothing to discourage this. 

DAR allows for an applicant to “piggy back” on a so called, proven Revolutionary Ancestor with whom they share a “proven” common lineage.  So, unless an applicant has anything to add . . . but, why would they?  Why do research when it has already been done for you, right?  Why go back and review what had been previously submitted; to oh, I don’t know, check on that pesky and glaring discrepancy mentioned above – you know Martha? Ann?  Three James Lindseys?  Why they should is obvious to any seasoned and discerning genealogist and family historian.  However, the reality is, many, far too many, don’t and these errors persist causing tree rot.

And, therein lies the root – pun intended – of my problem.  I’d be far more impressed with DAR if they stopped the practice of allowing new applicants to “piggy back” onto an existing application; an application that as we’ve seen can be with error.  I’d be far more impressed if they’d insist that an applicant must do their own research or hire a professional to do so, of their genealogy and lineage back to the Patriot ancestor.  If an applicant wishes to use the approved application package of a former member and the information contained within, they may do so with the knowledge that they be used as hints only.  There will be nothing from the existing package accepted as “proof” that cannot be duplicated by research today.  And, I’d be very impressed if they were a little more obvious then they currently are, that their “proven” patriots and lineage files are not without error, some more glaring than others.  Far too many are susceptible to the notion that if an application has been approved by DAR the lineage is “proven” and without error.  Well, it has to be, right?  Or, DAR wouldn’t have accepted it.  That is the perception DAR promotes when it states that only applicants with a “proven” lineage will be accepted for membership to their august organization.

Capture

As you research your family, strive to review everything with a critical eye. There are tools, from the simple, such as the excel spreadsheet I’ve linked above - they need not be fancy, it can be as simple and basic as pencil and paper - to the technical.  .  And, there are best practices and standards - the Genealogical Proof Standard - that are available to guide the novice to the professional.  Insist on knowing where the information came from.  As we’ve seen, just because it is in print or accepted by a prestigious and established organization and lineage society does not mean that the information is full-proof.  Humans created the documents; humans assessed the documents and humans are not without error!  And, lastly, even if supporting documentation is available, you / we should all read through it, transcribe it, critically review it and make our own determination as to the accuracy of the information.  And, as to the information in toto. 

Yes, this means hours upon hours of work.   In some cases creating spreadsheets, or what have you, to contrast and compare.  Collecting documents not only on who we believe to be our ancestor, but as you’ve seen, collecting documents created by their FANs and most importantly, in the case of our ancestors with common names, collecting documents that were created by any person with the same name, in the same general local, and really reading them; transcribing them; dissecting them; comparing the information they contain, against what we’ve learned about others with the same name; creating a timeline to see where there are gaps, overlaps, impossibilities and probabilities.  ALL of this will help to find OUR ancestor and document them.  And, of course, it will ultimately help us climb OUR family tree and not someone else’s!!! 

A note to the reader: To learn more about the Genealogical Proof Standard, I highly recommend viewing a series of YouTube videos put together by Ancestry’s Corporate Genealogist, Crista Cowan.  They are no more than 30 minutes in length and are choc full of information, tips, etc.  Crista’s presentation style is such that the novice to the professional can all learn something; they are not collegiate and you feel as though Crista is in the room and talking directly to you.  The series is free and I highly recommend saving them to refer back to.  Here is a link to the series.

Crista also has an excellent video presentation on the “FAN Club” method of research.  That is researching the Family / Friends, Associates, and Neighbors of our ancestors.  Here is the link.

Another professional genealogist and speaker that I highly recommend is Mr. Warren Bittner, CG.  I first heard him speak at the 2014 NGS Genealogy Conference in Richmond, Virginia.  He was AWESOME!!!  If you ever get the opportunity to hear him speak in person, GO to hear him!!  Do NOT pass go; do not collect $200.00, go directly to hear his presentation!!  You will not regret it.  Warren Bittner, during his 2014 NGS session, presented a very interesting topic reference proving identities, and did so in an entertaining way.  What I got out of that presentation was better understanding of what is meant by a reasonably exhaustive search.  Hint . . . the research that I’ve done and what I have written about here is just the beginning phases of my foray into a reasonably exhaustive search on James LINDSEY.  As they say . . . I’ve only just begun!

For those that have a Legacy Family Tree Webinars subscription, you can access archived presentations by Warren in their webinar library. 

I challenge each of you, as you research, to go SLOW!  And, PROCEED WITH CAUTION! 

What similar challenges have you had in researching your ancestors and how did you ultimately resolve the conflict?  Or, is the “jury still out?”  I look forward to learning what worked for you.  I am all about “collecting” tips and tricks that will help me and others further their research and ultimately documenting all of our ancestors.

Tracy

Copyright © 2017 Family Preserves; Tracy L Meyers

_____________________________________

SOURCES:

1Membership application, Frances E Whitney, National No.336908, on Archibald Lindsey (1744 – 1835), approved 4 November 1953; Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, DC

2Margaret Isabella Lindsey, The Lindsays of America, (1889; reprint, Westminster, Maryland: Heritage Books, Inc, 2008), pages 141 – 143

3Ancestry.com. The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847 – 2011 (database online). Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Image 191

4Find A Grave, database with images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 6 April 2014), memorial 18369952, James Lindsey (1680 – 1774), Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, Rockingham, New Hampshire; gravestone photograph by  D J Goldman

5Ancestry.com and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s – 1900s [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2010. COPELY, WILLIAM. “Scotch-Irish Settlers in New Hampshire, 1719 – 1776.” In Historical New Hampshire (New Hampshire Historical Society, Concord), Vol. 50:3/4 (Fall/Winter 1995), pp. 213-228 (page 221)

6”New Hampshire, Royal Town Charter, Province of Londonderry, 1722,” Land Deeds, New Hampshire State Archives, Concord

7“New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds,” database, nhdeeds.com (http://www.nhdeeds.com : accessed 26 August 2017) entry for James Lindsey, Rockingham County Registry of Deeds; citing verified Grantor 1629 – 2017, digital images, volume 0017:360-361

8New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds,” database, nhdeeds.com (http://www.nhdeeds.com : accessed 23 August 2017) entry for James Lindsey, Rockingham County Registry of Deeds: citing verified Grantor 1629 – 2017, digital images, volume 34:117-119

9“New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds,” database, nhdeeds.com (http://www.nhdeeds.com : accessed 23 August 2017) entry for James Lindsey, Rockingham County Registry of Deeds: citing verified Grantor 1629 – 2017, digital images, volume 70:340-342

10“New Hampshire County Registries of Deeds,” database, nhdeeds.com (http://www.nhdeeds.com : accessed 23 August 2017) entry for James Lindsey, Rockingham County Registry of Deeds: citing verified Grantor 1629 – 2017, digital images, volume 40:274-275

11Ancestry.com.  The History of Windham in New Hampshire (Rockingham County), 1719-1883 : a Scotch Settlement (Commonly Called Scotch-Irish), [database online],  Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.  2005

12 October 2014

Slowly, but Surely . . . the LINDSEYS

Over the past several months I have been focused on my LINDSEY ancestors; I had previously been able to document from myself back to my third great grandfather, Edwin Galloway LINDSEY, in Pennsylvania.  A ‘cousin’ contact, about six months ago, started me on my current journey to document the line back to my fourth great grandfather, Archibald LINDSEY.  This ‘cousin’ provided information from compiled genealogies, county histories and also mentioned that there were LINDSEY descendants that were members of a lineage society.  While there was information . . . there were no source citations; none!  Not in the compiled genealogies; not in the lineage society membership applications; not in the county histories; not in the surname  book – “The LINDSAYs of America by Margaret Isabella LINDSAY.  Which just made me crazy, to say the least.  See the following posts to see, in detail, what information the above did provide:

In the Absence of Documents
Puzzle Pieces
Archibald LINDSEY, DAR, and the American Revolution
Archibald LINDSEY - Who? What? Where is the Source?
LINDSEY - Connecting the Dots; Beginning the Process
Land Records - Deeds; An Introduction

So my journey began.  Over the past six months I have worked to discover and research what actual documents are out there and available to help me “prove,” or not, that Archibald LINDSEY is, or isn’t, my third great grandfather’s, Edwin LINDSEY’s, father and my fourth great grandfather.  And, while I have made discoveries; discoveries that I believe greatly bolster the validity of the information I was given, that one definitive piece of the puzzle is still elusive.

What I know . . .
(In an effort not to make this a book; I will present the information in a series of posts.  Today’s focus, my third Great Grandfather, Edwin Galloway LINDSEY)

Edwin Galloway LINDSEY
Birth:  about 1800
Birthplace: New York, USA

US Census Records 1850; 1860 and 1870

Marriage #1
Amarillis SKINNER
Marriage Date: 27 January 18281

”The LINDSAYS of America,” by Margaret Isabella Lindsay
Deed signed 5 May 18282
US Census Record 18303

Deed signed 23 June 18354

On the 5th day of May 1828, Edwin LINDSEY paid $100.00 to Alpheus Hawley and his wife Kesiah to purchase land located in the Village of Glens Falls, Warren County, New York. My hypothesis is that this land was purchased in preparation of Edwin’s pending nuptials to Amarillis – a place to build their home.

1825 - Deed - Edwin Lindsey 
Land Record - images 237-238; pages 453 - 455

1830 - US Census
1830 United States Census for Edwin Lindsey

And, in 1835 Edwin LINDSEY and Amarillis sold their land back to Alpheus Hawley for the amount of $100.00 U.S. Dollars.  And, from the deed, we know that Amarillis LINDSEY was examined and the deed signed by the clerk, Thomas Archibald, on the 23rd day of June 1835.  (click the hyperlink to see the deed in its entirety.)

1835 - Land Record - Edwin Lindsey
Land Record - image 83; pages 153 (middle) – 154

Marriage #2
Rosanna RANKIN
Marriage Date: Between 1835 and 1838
Birth of first child: Helen Mar LINDSEY about 1838
Death of Eldest Son: Edwin Franklin LINDSEY, 1856
Death of Rosanna (RANKIN) LINDSEY, 1864

Pennsylvania Philadelphia City Death Certificate, Helen Mar LINDSEY5
US Census Record 18506
Mortuary Notice, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Public Ledger7
Pennsylvania Philadelphia City Death Certificate, Rosanna (RANKIN) LINDSEY8

Death Certificate - Helen Mar Lindsey
Death Certificate - Helen Mar LINDSEY

US 1850 Census
1850 United States Census for Edwin G LINDSEY (Lines 28 - 35)

Obit -Edwin F Lindsey - 23 January 1856
Mortuary Notice - Edwin Franklin LINDSEY

Death Certificate - Rosanna (Rankin) Lindsey
Pennsylvania Philadelphia City Death Certificate - Rosanna (RANKIN) LINDSEY

While I have not been able to locate a marriage record for either Edwin’s marriage to Amarillis or to Rosanna, the above cited 1835 land record supports the assertion made in the surname book, “The Lindsays of America” that Edwin and Amarillis were married.  The author, Margaret Isabella Lindsay also states that Edwin deserted Amarillis and his family. By 1840, Amarillis LINDSEY is on her own and listed as the Head of Household on that year’s US Federal Census. (see below)9  Making the case for the hypothesis that,

1)  Edwin and Amarillis had parted ways between 1835 when the sale of their land was finalized and 1838 when Edwin’s and Rosanna’s daughter, Helen was born.  And,

2) That Edwin and Rosanna were married during that time frame.  Or, at the very least living as man and wife by 1838.

US 1840
1840 US Federal Census for Amarillis LINDSEY (last entry)

Helen Mar LINDSEY’s death certificate; the 1850 US Federal census; the Mortuary Notice documenting the death of Edwin Franklin LINDSEY; and the death certificate for Rosanna LINDSEY, together, make a strong case, in my opinion, that Edwin and Rosanna were indeed married.  Helen’s death certificate provided the added bonus of providing Rosanna’s maiden name – RANKIN.

Curiosities . . .

Searching the internet I have located and collected several puzzle pieces.  While I believe they fit into and will complete the overall picture, I have not been able to assemble the puzzle just yet.  Listed here are some of the curiosities that I have come across:

  1. The surname SKINNER, with the help of my ‘cousin’ we located the “Skinner Family Association” and the personal memoir of Edward Skinner written by Dr. S W Heath10, Edward’s son-in-law.

    In reading through it a couple things jumped out . . .

    - He provides the names of his parents and that of his siblings.  He also notes who they are married to.  Now, there are typographical errors within the memoir.  But, the information fits what I do know, to this point. To read the entire memoir, click on the hyperlink; click on the images to see the specific information that pertain to my specific research. 

    Lydia Finny Skinner

    Samuel G Skinner

    Amarillis
    Personal Memoirs of Edward Skinner

    The above snippets provided Amarillis’ parents names, to include her mother’s maiden name FINNEY; confirmed where the Skinners were from in New York and where they moved to in Ohio; confirmed Samuel Skinner’s date of death; and confirmed that Amarillis (misspelled as Arnarilus) and her marriage to Edwin Galloway LINDSEY (referred to as Galway LINDSEY in the memoir.)

    I also located online at familysearch.org Samuel G SKINNER’s will11 in which he names his wife Lydia (FINNEY) SKINNER and his children, including Amarillis; however, he did not identify her in his will by her married surname.

    14 June 1841 - Will - Samuel Skinner                                                            Samuel G Skinner Will (image 69; page 99)
  2. After locating Edwin LINDSEY and his family in the 1830 US Federal Census, Albany Ward 4, Albany, New York, I took a look at the proceeding page(s) and the page or two after Edwin’s entry (image 39) and discovered a William RANKINS (image 41)12.  Remember, Edwin sometime between 1835 and 1838 married a Rosanna RANKIN; Could William RANKINS be her father or her brother perhaps?  Note, in the 1840 US Federal census Albany Ward 4, Albany, New York, there is a Geo. A RANKIN (image 66);13  I did not find William RANKINS listed in the 1840 census in Albany; Could Geo. A Rankin be Rosanna’s father or brother?  I know that I need to research both men and their families, but, how do you research someone you don’t know – you only have their first and last names and tick marks on two census documents that provide absolutely no other information?  I have looked through Albany in its entirety for both census years, these are the only Rankin[s] that I located.  Do I search all of New York?  And any and every Rankin[s] family?  My guess is YES, but allow me to be in denial just a bit longer.  Ugh, a tedious and laborious endeavor.  But, the rewards . . . yes, that is what I look forward to.

    On a positive note I am always looking at genealogy blogs, and the other day I came across a new (well, new to me) one and while leaving a comment for the author, I happened to see a familiar surname . . . RANKIN!  Rankin?  Hmmm, I couldn’t get lucky enough that it would be the same RANKIN line that I’m researching.  I finished my initial comment and then asked the author about the RANKIN surname and filled her in on what little information I have on Rosanna and what possible discovery(ies) I made in the 1830 and 1840 US census records.  Fingers crossed

    1830 - William Rankins
    1830 US Federal Census for William Rankins (image 41)

    1840 - Geo A Rankin
    1840 US Federal Census for Geo. A Rankin (image 66)
  3. The following two excerpts from the “History of Warren County New York with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches” provided the following interesting tidbits and clues . . . (to view, click the image; to view in context, click the hyperlink)

    Page 278 - Warren County History
    Page 278

    In 1826 Edwin purchased a printing press and all the accessories and published the Glens Falls Observer for two years.14  In an initial attempt to find out more I contacted the Historian of Glens Falls, New York to inquire if it was possible to learn more about Edwin’s purchase of the Newspaper and his publication of the “Glens Falls Observer.”  I was hoping, much like land purchases, there would be a record.  Not so much.  Wayne, the historian, noted that the “business records going back to the early 1800’s are spotty at best.”  However, he did suggest that I contact the Chapman Historical Museum to see what records they may have.  I have done as suggested and I am waiting a reply.

    Page 424- Warren County History
    Page 424

    The above image15 is further evidence of Edwin’s successful business venture, the purchase and operations of the Glens Falls Observer.  And, it also provides two further clues . . . Samuel G SKINNER was the proprietor of a local coffee house.and the Glens Falls School-house was built on the road leading from Samuel’s residence and situated near the local cemetery.
  4. Another Database, on ancestry.com, with great potential was the New York Military Service Cards, 1816 – 1979.  Edwin G LINDSEY served in the New York National Guard as an Ensign in the 121st Infantry, 17th Brigade, 10th Division.16  (click on the image or hyperlink to view larger image)

    New York Military Service Cards
    New York Military Service Card for Edwin G Lindsey

    Now, there’s a record I could sink my teeth into.  The source information states that ancestry.com received the database and images from the New York State Military Museum, Saratoga Springs New York.  Awesome, I’ll contact them and see if I can hit ‘genealogy gold!’  After all, the card image provides register and page number where the record and information can found.

    Here is the index . . .

    New York Military Service Cards Index 
    New York Military Service Card Index

    I contacted the New York State Military Museum, Saratoga Springs, New York and asked if I could obtain a copy of the information from Register “B,” page 455 on Edwin G LINDSEY?  Foiled!  I received the following reply from Jim, the Assistant Librarian / Archivist.

    ”Unfortunately, no one knows what “Register B” refers to. I do not have any additional information on Lindsey.”

    What?  Really?  Ancestry.com did not pull this database and the attached images out of thin air; they came from somewhere and it is clearly stated, under the source information, where the information and the images were obtained.  So, what happened to these records?  Why isn’t the Museum’s Librarian / Archivist familiar with them?  Arrrgh!  Ugh! 

    Jim does go on to suggest . . .

    “The New York State Library has additional reports prior to 1858; however, I do not know if they are available online. Another line of inquiry is to use the AG reports to discover where the 121st Infantry was from (most units were recruited in strict geographical areas). Once you know an area you can see if there are any newspapers from there at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/nysnp/city1.htm
  5. You would then have to find out where the newspaper or microfilm is stored, go there, and search. The theory here is that officers were more likely to have a higher social standing therefore more likely to appear in newspapers.”

    I have been unsuccessful, to this point, in finding anything on the 121st Infantry anywhere.  I do not purport to be the most proficient at Google (or other search engine) searches; Lisa Louise Cooke, I am not.  But, I would have thought if there was even a smidgeon of historical information on the 121st Infantry, I might have at least found a blurb or two with an indication of where I might find out more.  In what archive?  In what historical society?  Or, in what historic repository can I find more information?  Any military historians, specifically New York National Guard, out there?  Any suggestions?

My hypothesis at this point, having discovered and researched the above documentation, is that the information in the county histories, the compiled genealogies, the lineage society membership applications and the Lindsay surname book, in reference to Edwin Galloway LINDSEY, is accurate.  There is however, a lot more research to be done.

What are your thoughts?  Suggestions?  I look forward to hearing from you.

Tracy


SOURCES

1Margaret Isabella Lindsey, The Lindsays of America (1889; Reprint, Westminster, Maryland: Heritage Books, Inc, 2008), page 142

2"New York, Land Records, 1630-1975," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32578-3868-92?cc=2078654 : accessed 11 Oct 2014), Warren > Deeds 1826-1831 vol D-E > image 237 of 572; citing County Clerk. County Courthouse.

31830 US Census, Albany County, New York, Population Schedule, Albany Ward 4, page 310, Edward G Lindsey; Digital Image, Ancestry.com (http:www.ancestry.com) : Accessed 31 August 2014; Citing NARA Microfilm Publication M19, 201 rolls

4New York, Land Records, 1630-1975", Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/), Accessed, 1 September 2014, images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32571-11815-91?cc=2078654. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32571-11815-91. 

5Pennsylvania Philadelphia City Death Certificates 1803 - 1915; Index and Images (familysearch.org), GS Film Number: 1977749; Digital Folder Number: 004009974; Image Number; 00714. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J6PF-T97 

6Ancestry.com, 1850 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data - Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the), Ancestry.com, http://www.Ancestry.com, Year: 1850; Census Place: Philadelphia Chestnut Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_813; Page: 456B; Image: 387

7
Mortuary Notice, 23 January 1856, accessed 10 October 2014, for Edwin Franklin Lindsey, by NewsBank and/or the American Antiquarian Society. 2004.
Source: GenealogyBank.com. Public Ledger, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, online images 

8 "Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JFZK-4ZX : accessed 11 Oct 2014), Rosannah Lindsey, 18 Jan 1864; citing , Department of Records; FHL microfilm 1986422. 

9Ancestry.com, 1840 United States Federal Census (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data - Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record G), Ancestry.com,
http://www.Ancestry.com, Year: 1840; Census Place: Queensbury, Warren, New York; Roll: 349; Page: 308; Image: 625; Family History Library Film: 0017209.

10Dr. S W Heath, “Personal Memoirs of Edward Skinner; from the Skinner-Hope Family Record,” Skinner Family Association, Skinner Kinsmen,
http://skinnerkinsmen.org/SKU/SKU03_2/03_2edward.html : accessed 11 October 2014, paragraphs 2, 4, 5 and 24; Reprinted from skinnerkinsmen.org 

11Hartland, Huron, Ohio, Huron Wills 1828-1873, vol A-1, image 69 of 425. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-27612-961-97?cc=1992421&wc=9GMG-K6N:266279301,266804901; digital images, Family Search, Familysearch.org (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-27612-961-97?cc=1992421&wc=9GMG-K6N:266279301,266804901).   

12
Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

13
Ancestry.com. 1840 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.   

14Smith, H P (Henry Perry), History of Warren County [N.Y.] with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers (Syracuse, New York D Mason and Co Publishers, 1885), 278; Digital Images. Internet Archive (https://ia600401.us.archive.org/16/items/cu31924083944151/cu31924083944151.pdf : accessed 19 March 2014) 

15Smith, H P (Henry Perry), History of Warren County [N.Y.] with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers (Syracuse, New York D Mason and Co Publishers, 1885), 424; Digital Images.  Internet Archive (https://ia600401.us.archive.org/16/items/cu31924083944151/cu31924083944151.pdf
: accessed 19 March 2014) 

16
Ancestry.com. New York, Military Service Cards, 1816-1979 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.  Original data: NYNG Officer Service Cards prior to 1/1/1930. Saratoga Springs, New York: New York State Military Museum. NYNG Officer Service Cards prior to 1/1/1930. New York State Military Museum, Saratoga Springs, New York.



 

 



 

04 July 2014

Land Records; Deeds - An Introduction

CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO VIEW A LARGER VERSION

An online genea pal familiar with my current research of the LINDSEYs and the goal to prove / disprove a relationship between Edwin Galloway LINDSEY, my third great grandfather and Archibald LINDSEY, the man I believe to be Edwin’s father and my fourth great grandfather, recently sent a document – a deed – that she had come across for Archibald LINDSEY.  I hope all of you have genea pals that you collaborate with; they are a Godsend! 

After days of searching for  . . . anything on Archi and his family and coming across leads only to have them either dead-end, dry up, or, add to the labirynth of confusion that I was already trying to navigate, I threw up my hands in frustration, and whined - yes, whined - on one of the FaceBook groups that I belong to about my frustration and that Archi had induced a migraine.  The following morning I had an email from my genea pal with a record attached that was for an Archibald LINDSEY.  And, she hoped that it was for my migraine inducing Archi.  BINGO!  Not only was it for my Archi, but it helped prove who Archi’s last wife was – Hannah. 

“The Lindsays of America,” by Margaret Isabella Lindsay, notes that Archi was married three times.1  While a typed double-spaced paper included in the supporting documents submitted with the 1953 DAR lineage application states, “Who his three wives were, I have not found out.”2 

Wives (2)

However my LINDSEY cousin recently sent me a scanned copy of the Michigan Return of Deaths, Bay County (West Bay City) which recorded the death of Archi’s daughter, Nancy S (LINDSEY) Orton, and listed her parents as Archibald and Isbel LINDSEY.3  

1878 - Michigan Deaths - Nancy Lindsey

So I now have the given names of two, of the three, of Archi’s wives.

To this point, in all my research, I have been kept busy by looking for and collecting the obvious source documents – birth, marriage, divorce, death - however, I know that there is a treasure trove of source documents out there that go beyond the traditional vital records.  These non-traditional records sets potentially contain a wealth of genealogical gold – given names, surnames, family members, who is married to who, etc.  So, I was looking forward to learning what this deed on Archi contained, so I dove – head first – right in and began transcribing.  Did I mention that Archi tends to induce migraines? 

This deed was handwritten, it was 2-1/2 pages long, it was written without punctuation and in one single and very long run-on paragraph.  Yikes, my heard hurts!  Most of the words I could make out; some I couldn’t, but at the end of it. . .  while I could read what it said; I absolutely did not comprehend what it said.  Lord, help me.

Okay, it was time to see what resources I could find, that were on a 5th-grade level (easier for me to understand) that would help me learn and understand, I hoped, what I was looking at.  I started with Crista Cowan, the Barefoot Genealogist, surely she had something in her presentation library on land records.  I wasn’t disappointed, I found Introduction to Using Land Records for Family History out on the ancestry.com YouTube Channel and FamilySearch.org had Pennsylvania Research: Land Records: Field of Dreams in its educational series.  While my LINDSEY research is predominately in New York right now, I didn’t think it would hurt to watch familysearch.org’s presentation on Pennsylvania Land Records – I imagined that while locals may change, that where to look and ultimately find the records you are looking for, will not be that much different location to location.

Note: Both video presentations were introductory and at a basic 101 level; very easy to understand.  Thank you guys – I walked away headache free.  Thumbs up

Definitions:

  • Appurtenance: An accessory or any other item associated with a particular activity or style of living; accessories, trappings, equipment
  • Assigns: Individuals to whom property is, will, or maybe transferred by conveyance, will or statute
  • Bargain: Negotiate the terms and conditions of a transaction
  • Deed: A legal document that is signed and delivered, especially one regarding the ownership of property or legal rights
  • Encumbrance: A mortgage or other charge on property or asset
  • Execute: To sign and otherwise complete a document, such as acknowledging the signature if required to make the document valid; to finish, complete, or perform as required, as in fulfilling one’s obligations under a contract
  • Grantee: An individual to whom a transfer of property is made
  • Grantor: An individual who transfers ownership of property
  • Hereditament: Any item of property, either a corporeal Hereditament (such as land or a building) or an incorporeal hereditament (such as rent or a right of way); an item of inheritance
  • Indefeasible: Not able to be lost, annulled or overturned
  • Indenture: A formal legal agreement, contract or document
  • Metes and Bounds: The boundary lines of land, with their terminal points and angles.  A way of describing land by listing the compass directions and distances of the boundaries. 

Measurements – Metes and Bounds

1 Rod, Perch, or Pole = 25 Links = 16.5 Feet
4 Rods = 1 Chain
1 Chain = 4 Rods = 66 Feet = 100 Links
1 Link = 7.92 Inches
25 Links = 1 Rod = 16.5 Feet

Warren County, 1827 (page 112 – 113) – starts mid-page 112

record-image

Pages 112 - 113

(page 114) deed’s last paragraph at the top

record-image (1)

Page 114

This indenture made the 11th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven between Archibald LINDSEY and Hannah, his wife, of the town of Luzerne and county of Warren of the first part and Jeremy Rockwell of the town of Hadley and County of Saratoga of the second part witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred forty-one dollars and twenty-six cents lawful money of the United States of America to him in hand paid [illegible] as before the exchange and delivery of these presents by the said party of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and the said party of the second part his heir executor and administrator forever released and discharged from the same by these presents has granted [illegible] and [illegible] confirmed and by these presents doth grant [illegible] unto the said party of the second part and to his heirs and [illegible] forever the one equal and undivided half of all that certain farm or parcel of land [illegible] lying and being with town of Luzerne with the county of Warren with patent of [illegible] within log no. three with subdivision of lot no. thirteen beginning at the northeast corner of lot of land surveyed for Elijah Buttolph with east line of the twenty-fourth alottment of said patent at the distance of one chain and twenty-six links from the place where the said line strikes the bank of the Hudson River and running thence north eighty-nine degrees east sixty-eight chains and twenty-one links to the east line of the said lot no. three thence north two degrees west seventeen chains and ninety links along the said line of lot no. three [illegible] eighty [illegible] degrees west forty-seven chains and sixty links to the [illegible] side of Hudson River thence along down the east side of said river to the place where the east line [illegible] of the said twenty-fourth allotment of the said river thence along the said line last mentioned to the place of [illegible] one hundred and six and a half acres of land together with all and [illegible] the tenements [illegible] and appurtenances whatsoever unto the said above mentioned and described premises in anyway operating or belonging [illegible] and also all the estate rights title interests [illegible] and rights of [illegible] property [illegible] claim and delivered whatsoever as well with law [illegible] equity of the said party of the first part of [illegible] as to the same and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances to have and to hold the above granted [illegible] and described premises with the appurtenances unto the said party of the second part his heirs and [illegible] to his [illegible] proper use and [illegible] forever [illegible] deed the said party of the first part himself heirs executors and administrators doth covenant grant powers and agree to deed with the said party of the second part his heirs and [illegible] that he the said party of the first part at the time of the closing and delivery of these presents is lawfully [illegible] of a good absolute and [illegible] estate of [illegible] fee [illegible] and [illegible] all and [illegible] The above granted [illegible] described premises with the appurtenances and [illegible] rights free power and lawful authority to grant bargain sell and [illegible] the same with [illegible] manner and [illegible] of [illegible] and that the said party of the second part his heirs and [illegible] shall and may at all times hereafter peaceably and quietly have hold use [illegible] enjoy the above granted premises and every part thereof with the [illegible]  Without any [illegible] molestation eviction or disturbances of the said party of the first part his heirs or [illegible] or any other person or persons lawfully claiming as to claim the same and that the same now are free clear discharged and unencumbered of and from all former and other grants titles charges estates judgments taxes [illegible] and [illegible] of what nature as [illegible] and also the said party of the first part and his heirs and all and every other [illegible] as [illegible] whatsoever lawfully as equitably [illegible] any estate rights title or interest of [illegible] as to the [illegible] Therein before granted premises by law [illegible] as  [illegible] trust for [illegible] shall and will at any time or times hereafter upon the reasonable request and at the proper cost and charges in the law of the said party of the second part his heirs and [illegible] make do and execute as [illegible] as [illegible] to be made [illegible] and executed and all and every such further and other said fee and reasonable acts [illegible] the law for the better and more [illegible] and [illegible] the premises hereby [illegible] to be granted [illegible] the said party of second part his heirs as [illegible] his [illegible] the law shall reasonably be devised advised as required and the said Archibald Lindsey his heirs the above described and hereby granted and released premises and every part thereof with the [illegible] unto the said party of the second part his heirs and [illegible] against the said party of the first part and his heirs and against all persons whomsoever lawfully claiming as to claim the same shall and will warrant and by these presents forever defend [illegible] the parties to these presents have [illegible] and seals the day and year first above written Archibald Lindsey Hannah Lindsey sealed and delivered in presence of us the [illegible] the [illegible] equal undivided half of [illegible] between the seventh and eighth lines before signing [illegible] State of New York [illegible] I do certify that on the eleventh day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven personally appeared before me George P Cronkite [illegible] for the [illegible] the acknowledgements of deeds of the County of Warren Archibald Lindsey and Hannah his wife known to me to be the same person described in and who executed the written deed and the said Archibald Lindsey before me acknowledged that he had executed the same as his act and deed and the said Hannah having been by me privately examined apart from her said husband acknowledged that she had freely executed the same and finding no material [illegible] as [illegible] therein - except the one noted prior to the execution of the said deed do allow the same to be recorded taken and acknowledged this 11th day [illegible] 1827 before me. George P Cronkite [illegible] I certify the proceeding to be a true record of the original deed with the acknowledgement thereof once examined and compared with the record [illegible] this 20th day of June AD 1829 at 1 o'clock pm.
Thomas Archibald Clerk.4

Okay, other than their names and a few other bits, I didn’t understand a word of that!  What I did get is that Archi and his wfie, Hannah on 11 June 1827 entered into a contract to transfer ownership of the property over to Jeremy Rockwell.  The property was surveyed and using the Metes and Bounds measurements was described in the deed.  Mr. Rockwell was purchasing the land from Archi and Hanna LINDSEY for the sum of $341.26 lawful United States currency.*

* Interesting bit of trivia:  According to this Inflation Calculator $341.26 United States (1827) currency would be worth $7,936.28 today; however, if we took $341.00 United States (2014) currency back in time to 1827, our money would have only been worth . . . $14.67.  Ouch!!

Also noteworthy was that a patent was mentioned, but the specifics were illegible; it would seem that neither Archi nor Hannah could write – they signed the deed with their mark; the deed was reviewed and certified to be a true record of the original on 20 June 1829.  And, lastly, the property, as noted in the deed, was surveyed by Mr. Elijah Buttolph.*

The deed was reviewed and certified to be a true record of the original on 20 June 1829 . . . that’s two years, plus a few days, later.  Why?  Initially mortgaged in 1827 and paid in full in 1829?  Did they even do that then?  Hmmm, I need to consult Google.

*F A N (Friends, Acquaintances, and Neighbors Note: Elijah Buttolph, according to a number of census records was Archi’s and Hannah’s neighbor.

Reference the patent, after watching the tutorials mentioned above, I believe that the patent should be on file . . . somewhere and that it should contain information on who originally owned the land and who Archi purchased it from.  I just need to figure out what the deed tells me about the patent – currently I am not having any luck making it out.  But, this is a deed signed by the grantor (Archibald and Hannah LINDSEY), I think I need to look up the record (the deed) that was signed by the grantee, Mr. Jeremy Rockwell – maybe that record will be a little easier to decipher . . . okay, one can hope can’t they?

Did I miss anything?

While I dove head first into transcribing the deed, I feel as though I only dipped my big toe into this new record set, do any of you have recommendations on where I can learn more?  Keep in mind, 5th grade level is optimum (or lower Smile with tongue out); what about a Land Records for Dummies book? – that certainly would be my speed.  Have any of you blogged about land records?  How to use them?  How to understand them?  I would love to read them.  Hopefully you’ve followed the KISS (keep it simple stupid) method, I will be able to understand it better.  LOL!  Honestly, I am not joking!!

And, while I work on getting myself better acquainted with land records, do any of you know why this deed was written and signed by Archi and Hannah in 1827, but not reviewed and certified until 1829?  Is there something – genealogically – that two year+ span is telling me?  Where can I find the patents?  Note, I will be going back over those two videos mentioned above, I believe the Family Search video gave some great information on where patents can be found, and Lord knows, I am a slow study, so the more I review them, the more the information will sink in.  Or, at least that’s my hope.

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Sources:

  1. Margaret Isabel Lindsay, The Lindsays of America (1889; Reprint,Westminster, Maryland: Heritage Books, Inc, 2008), 141
  2. Membership Application, Frances E Whitney, 336908, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Administration Building, Washington, DC
  3. “Michigan, Deaths, 1867-1897,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11628-35989-58?cc=1452402 : accessed 1 July 2014), Nancy S Orton, 16 January 1878; citing page 50-51, West Bay City, Bay County, Michigan, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL Microfilm 2363666
  4. “New York, Land Records, 1630-1975,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32578-539-44?cc=2078654 : accessed 4 July 2014), Warren > Deeds 1826-1831 vol D-E > image 358 of 572; citing County Clerk, County Courthouse