Ruth JEROME, 1760-1824, CT USA

My 4th great-grandmother on my maternal line, Ruth JEROME, is the youngest daughter [the 11th child] of my favourite-named ancestor, Zerubbabel JEROME - and his wife Phebe COOK. Interestingly, Zerubbabel married her younger sister Sarah first. Unfortunately Sarah died in childbirth of her first child who also died, a daughter named Mary. 

I do wonder how those marriages were talked about in the family. Probably the families were close, I have found several siblings to Sarah and Phebe Cook; their father married several times, with 1-4 children from each wife. More research would be helpful in understanding the social context. Certainly the region was still opening up to settlers.

Back to Ruth JEROME: She was born 14 Jun 1760, in Harwinton, Litchfield, CT, surrounded by her many siblings. And on 8 Dec 1778 in Harwinton, CT, she married Stephen Wells GRAVES [sr], b 2 Feb 1752 in East Plymouth, Litchfield CT. Take note of that 1778 date - the "Revolutionary War" had been ongoing for 2 years by this time. Both the Jerome and Graves families, as well as some of their farming neighbours, were apparently not actively pro-revolution. Stephen had furnished a substitute soldier after first being drafted into service. But he and up to 30 of his neighbours were harassed regularly by "Patriot" vigilantes   - the Sons of Liberty - attempting to hogtie the men and force them into fighting the British. The Graves' home was particularly targeted by the Sons of Liberty as it was known to be a rendezvous for the local Loyalists. 

Interestingly, a 32 page history of the region provides anecdotes of how the neighbouring women would blow conch shells to warn the working men to high-tail it to the Tory Den [see photo] and other hiding places when the Patriots came calling on horseback to their farms. Unfortunately that small history is no longer shown on any of the Harwinton sites, nor on Internet Archive.  

I have two short articles which you can request from me - see email address at bottom of page - with this historical information.  One was from the NEHGS March 2015:  "The Connecticut Tory Den - Safe Haven for the Royalist Sympathizers."  The second source would be "The Tories of Chippeny Hill, Connecticut," by E.LeRoy Pond. In addition, there is a history of Harwinton House, compiled by Roger Plaskett, Harwinton Town Historian, 2006.  Stephen GRAVES built this house after the war, 1795. It was moved from Harwinton to New Canaan, where it still stands.

Ruth JEROME and Stephen GRAVES in lived in Harwinton CT, where their 7 children were born - note the two first little girls dying on the same day:

   1.  Nancy, b 7 Nov 1779, d. 20 Aug 1783

   2.  Ruth, b 1 Mar 1781, d. 20 Aug 1783 

   3.  Cornelius [ancestor], b 15 Feb 1783, d. 27 Sep 1828 Auburn, Cayuga,
           NY; m. Anna TREAT est. 1803 in Harwinton; 8 known children,  2 died
           young.

   4.  Major Nelson, [Major is his name], b. 29 Dec 1784, d. 4 Aug 1861 Jordan,
          Onondaga, NY; m. 3 Apr 1806 in Litchfield CT to Abigail Lankton; 10
           known children, of whom 4 died young.

   5.  Stephen Wells jr, b 5 Aug 1791, d. 3 Aug 1854 in Dover, MI; m. 15 Nov
           1811 to Rhoda Clark, in Burlington CT; 3 known children

   6.  Nancy, b. 23 Jun 1793, d. 11 Dec 1873 in Cambridge IL; m. 15 Feb 1815
           in Jordan NY to Miles Welton; 10 children, 9 of whom lived to adulthood.

   7.  Ruth, b. 20 Jul 1795, d. 15 Apr 1886 in Plymouth Hollow [Thomaston],
           Litchfield CT; m. 26 Mar 1817 to Marvin Blakeslee from Plymouth Hollow;
           no children researched as yet.

As you can see, 18 year old Ruth married, moved to Stephen's farm during the early years of the Revolutionary War, and suffered her first two children dying on the same day - likely from a contagious disease - while caring for her 3rd child, a son, who was only 6 months old. During the Revolutionary War, she and her husband were fighting off the Sons of Liberty who stole and destroyed her conch shell at gunpoint, as she was trying to keep her husband safe. She also brought food for the men hiding, leaving it a ways from the cave so as not to lead the Patriots to the loyalist men. Fascinating challenging times.

Several of her children moved away with their spouses to Michigan, Illinois, and further in New York. 

Ruth died 28 Aug 1824, in possibly Harwinton, CT, and has a tall slab gravestone next to her husband's in Terryville, Litchfield, CT.  Her gravestone is inscribed with a short sentence: "The memory of the just is blessed"  She was 64 years old, her original 5 living children were married, and with eventually over 28 grandchildren. Note Terryville is just under 8 miles from Harwinton. See FindaGrave for image of both Ruth and Stephen's gravestones. 

Stephen lived a few years past her death, and died 6 Jun 1828, in Terryville, aged 76 years. He is buried beside her, with his own tall slab gravestone as well. Terryville is a town within the town of Plymouth CT.

                                -- / -- / -- / -- / -- / -- / -- / -- / -- / 

If these are your ancestors, I am happy to share what little I have on these ancestors. And if there are errors, please do let me know, via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below and I will get back to you either by email or in the Comments. I appreciate the opportunity to correct any issues in these family trees.

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52 ANCESTORS, 52 THEMES - No.32 : Cornelius GRAVES, 1783-1828

This year's challenge by Amy Crow is another weekly blog based on Themes. Last week's theme was Easy, and I wrote about my ex-husband's maternal grandfather.  This week's theme is 32, i.e., THIRTY-TWO.  We're at the 32nd week, and there are 32 third-great-grandparents.  I've chosen to write about Cornelius GRAVES, of Connecticut - whose father is much better known (Stephen GRAVES, of the Tory Den fame near Harwinton CT).  Don't forget to click on links for more details.

Cornelius GRAVES, b. 15 Feb 1783 in Harwinton, Connecticut, was the eldest son, and third child of Stephen GRAVES and Ruth JEROME (whose father was Zerubbabel JEROME - remember those posts on Zerubbabel?).  Cornelius was baptised 27 Apr 1783, in East Plymouth, CT.

Cornelius became a very successful stone mason and contractor, and in about 1803 he married Anna TREAT, the 2nd of the five daughters of Samuel Peet TREAT and Sarah THOMPSON.  Anna is a direct ancestor of  Robert TREAT, Governor of CT in the latter part of the 1600s.

The family moved near Auburn, Cayuga, New York, where he worked as a farmer, as well as contracting/providing materials while building the Auburn Prison.  Apparently, he also was involved in contracting materials to build the locks on the Erie Canal.  The Canal opened Oct 26, 1825, connecting the Great Lakes with the Hudson River, starting a wave of immigration to the western regions, as well as improving transportation of goods/freight.

Soon after 1810, the family moved and settled in Jordan, Onondaga County, NY.

Children of Cornelius and Anna:
  1. Emeline, b. 21 Jun 1805, Harwinton CT, d. 2 Aug 1879; m. Henry Allen 1824; 3 children
  2. William Thompson, b. 2 May 1807, Harwinton CT, d. 26 Jul 1889; m. Oct 1835 to Catherine C. Davis;  known as "honest Tom Graves"; successful banker
  3. Edward Seabury, b. 19 Nov 1810, Harwinton CT, d. 19 Oct 1887; m. 5 Jul 1849 to sister of above bro's wife, Nancy L. Davis; 1 daughter
  4. Stephen Rensselaer, b. 2 Oct 1814, Jordan, NY, d. 1894; m. 7 Nov 1824 to Susan A. Barr; 6 children
  5. Sheldon, b. 8 Jul 1816, Jordan NY, d. 13 Feb 1894 Chicago IL; m. 12 Jun 1846 to Mary Camp; 5 children
  6. Caroline, b. 31 Aug 1818, Jordan NY, d. 22 Jul 1821 - 2yrs of age
  7. Harmon, b. 29 Oct 1821, Jordan NY, d. 2 Mar 1825 - 3 yrs of age
  8. Charles Giles [direct ancestor], b. 7 Mar 1824 Jordan NY, d. 8 Feb 1902; m. 26 Sep 1850 to Harriet Philena ORMSBEE (1827-1929!); 3 daughters

Only four years after the birth of his last child, Charles, Cornelius died on 27 Sep 1828, near Auburn NY.  It is a mystery to me why he died at only 45 years of age, and I haven't found any records to date with any details.  But noting that two children died in 1821 and 1825, there may have been epidemics in the region... or perhaps he had an accident related to his work.  However, he was a very successful businessman, and the family managed extremely well in their lives after he died.

Anna, his wife, did not remarry. She lived for a time with her eldest son, Wm Thompson "Tom" Graves in Jordan.  She died, aged 83, on 12 Oct 1866, in Jordan NY.

Cornelius is buried with his wife, in Maple Grove Cemetery in Jordan, Onondaga, New York.

If any of this information is incorrect, or if you have further information, please do contact me at my email below or through Comments. I am always happy to correct details, and add information as well,

Blogger - or my computer - is still not letting me "reply" to your comments, for some unknown reason. If I don't reply to your Comment, please know that I'm totally thrilled you came to read my post and commented!  You truly make my day.

52 ANCESTORS, 52 THEMES. No. 17, Prosper : Charles Giles GRAVES, 1824-1902

This year's challenge by Amy Crow is another weekly blog, but based on Themes.  Number 16 was Live Long.  This week, number 17 theme is Prosper.  

Please note that photos are copyright to me, and may not be copied.  Contact me if you are a relative and wish me to send you a copy, or if you have information/corrections to offer.

The photo here may or may not be of Charles Giles GRAVES - but was with others who clearly were family members, part of a collage. 

Here's Charles Giles GRAVES - a "Gentleman," who lived "on his own means" - as the Censuses state as his Occupation; clearly a prosperous man. Charles Giles GRAVES was my second great-grandfather on my mother's mother's line.  

His father was Cornelius GRAVES (1783-1828) & Anna TREAT (1783-1866). From the Graves Family Association's records, (Gen. 166), Cornelius "...was a stone mason [who] removed to near Auburn New York, where he pursued farming and contracting, and furnished materials to build Auburn prison, and for locks on the Erie Canal."  Anna TREAT was the 2nd great-granddaughter to Governor Robert TREAT of Connecticut.

Charles was the 8th child of Cornelius & Anna, the youngest of 6 sons and 2 daughters, born 7 Mar 1824 in Jordan, Onondaga, NY.  Note he was only 4 years old when his father died.  His mother did not remarry.  

On 26 Sep 1850, in Syracuse, Onondaga, NY, he married "Hattie" Harriet Philena ORMSBEE (1827-1929).  Hattie was the eldest daughter, 2nd child, of Jacob ORMSBEE and Sabra TOWERS. Jacob was a successful contractor/builder in and around Syracuse. 

Charles and Hattie had the following children, born in Syracuse NY:

  1.  Lillian Adele, b. 25 Nov 1853, d. 5 Jan 1949 Syracuse; m. 11 Jul 1877 to
          Gabriel W. Wisner (lawyer); 4 children
  2.  Clara Augusta "Gussie" [ancestor], b. 5 Nov 1857, d. 30 Oct 1955,
          Pinellas FL;  m. 2 Oct 1879 to James "Grove" Grover TERWILLIGER;
          3 children [my line through eldest]
  3.  Florence Estelle, b. 3 Feb 1860, d. 6 Apr 1954 Tabor NJ; m. 6 Sep 1893 to
          Ernest F. Tyler (jeweller/business owner); 1 daughter.  She was called
          "Aunt Toto" by my mother.

From 1862 Jan 21 - 1863 Apr 18, he was a Second Lieutenant in COMPANY "C", 19th INFANTRY, New York.  He resigned out on April 18 1863.  

In the Syracuse region, he owned or was a partner in a number of mercantile businesses (Seager & Graves, e.g.), as well as in the early oil industry, and manufacturing of gas pipes. 

One month short of his 78th birthday, Charles G. GRAVES died at the family residence on Sunday, 4 Feb 1902, after struggling with pneumonia for two weeks, according to newspaper accounts.  He was survived by his wife, Hattie, and their three daughters, eight grandchildren.

He is buried (as is his wife) in the Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, Onondaga, NY, as can be seen on FindAGrave.

If any of these people are your ancestors as well, please contact me via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below.  I would love to learn more about my ancestors. 

Blogger is still not letting me "reply" to your comments, for some unknown reason. If I don't reply to your Comment, please know that I'm totally thrilled you came to read my post and commented! You make my day.

52 ANCESTORS in 52 WEEKS, No. 43: Samuel Peet TREAT, 1754-1837

Following the challenge from Amy Johnson Crow to write a post weekly, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, here is my 43rd installment, my 4th great-grandfather, Samuel Peet TREAT.  This TREAT family line goes back from my 2nd great-grandmother in a direct line to Governor Robert TREAT (CT). (Deputy Governor of CT 1678-1683, 1698-1708, Governor 1683-1698).  

One of the reasons I wanted to write about this particular Samuel TREAT (there are many in collaterals and direct lines), is that the children attributed to him and his wife have unusual birthdate gaps. Perhaps a reader may be able to help me understand them or, find further information.

The TREAT surname is from the TROTT family lines in England. Shortly after one specific Trott family emigrated from Taunton area of Somerset to settle near Wethersfield CT, their line changed the surname from Trott to Treat, for reasons unknown to us now.  More details of the TREAT ancestry needs to go through research in TROTT families in England.

Samuel Peet TREAT, b. 29 Sep 1754 in Milford, New Haven, CT, was the 5th child of parents, Samuel TREAT (1714-1798) & Beulah JENNINGS (1722-?). Samuel had 4 sisters and one brother (one other brother died as infant). 

"Samuel P. Treat" is listed as a Private, volunteer in the War of 1812, according to the "Record of Service of Connecticut Men".  There were, however, more than five Samuel Treat men of the right age to be in the military. This is likely to be Samuel Peet Treat, but is not proven.

On 29 Sep 1780, in Milford, New Haven, CT, Samuel P. TREAT married Sarah THOMPSON, b.22 Aug 1763 in New Haven.  Sarah's parents were apparently James or Zachariah THOMPSON & Sarah PUNDERSON - there is some confusion as to which Thompson was her father, at this time.  Note that Samuel was 26 years old, Sarah 17 years old, at the time of marriage.

Samuel & Sarah had 5 children who are attributed to them, as follows, all born in Connecticut:
  1.  Mehetable, b.1 Oct 1781, Milford; m. 11 Aug 1799 to Samuel Jones.
  2.  Anna [ancestor], b. 15 Mar 1783, Washington; d. 12 Oct 1866 Jordan NY; m. 1803 to Cornelius GRAVES; 8 children - our line follows youngest child, Charles Giles GRAVES
*there is an unusual gap of 12 years between births at this point; mother is ~32 
  3.  Hepzibah, b. 19 Mar 1795, Bristol;  d. 23 May 1881, Elbridge NY; Simon Converse, at least 3 children
*here is another unusual gap of 7 years between births; mother is ~39
  4.  Sarah Elizabeth "Sally Betsy", b. 10 Jun 1802, Bristol; m. Amherst Coon est 1822; at least 3 sons
*here is another unusual gap of 7 years between births; mother is ~46
  5.  Nancy Jennet/Janet, b. 9 Nov 1809, Watertown; d. 21 Nov 1904, Conneaut, PA; m. 8 Oct 1834 to Edward W. Sanderson (he died in OH); at least 4 children.

I have not been able to find records of other children born during those years, and have not been able to make good genealogical sense of the large gaps between the children.  

Sarah THOMPSON, Samuel's wife, died 13 Jun 1830 in Watertown, CT.  Samuel died  7 years later, in 5 Jul 1837, in Russia, Herkimer, New York.  He and his wife are buried in Century Cemetery, Russia, New York.   His headstone lists both Samuel and Sarah's death dates. 

If you have further information on Samuel Peet TREAT and his family, including the children, please do not hesitate to contact me via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below.  I appreciate any corrections, additions, etc. Thanks for stopping by.