Papers, Papers, And More Papers

Posted on May 7, 2024May 7, 2024 by FHadmin

When you are clearing out a house, you might be inclined to just dump old papers that don’t look like they have been touched for decades. However, before you just dump that box, bag, or drawer of old receipts, newspaper clippings and other papers, take a look at them. You might be surprised what general history, local history, and family history they hold. You might even find yourself fascinated by them.

Preserving Everything

My parents preserved many things, but today’s article takes a look at the “paper” they preserved. Mom was the Newspaper Clipping Queen. She cut out articles about the family, neighbors, the neighborhood, historic events, and more. Meanwhile, neither of them got rid of receipts for key items, memorial cards from funerals, invitations, or announcements. And, they didn’t touch any papers that they inherited. Thus, I have been going through “paper” for years and for every stack I go through, I only inch closer to being done.

This article touches on a few examples of the things they kept, focusing on local and family history.

Births, Marriages, Deaths, and Interesting Stories

My parents had hundreds, if not thousands, of newspaper clippings. If you are related to people in Fort Scott, Drywood Township, or Pawnee Township in Bourbon County, Kansas, Mom just may have cut out an article about your family. The challenge with these clippings, in many cases, is to figure out if the people are related to us or not. This is particularly true of people in mom’s family and the neighborhood where she grew up (Drywood Township), as it seems like most everybody is related in some way. Even after doing genealogy for nearly 30 years, I still haven’t untangled all of the people that lived in that area.

Newspaper articles are wonderful. I enjoy them and they have provided facts or clues when I was researching someone. In some cases, I couldn’t have figured out who someone was without them. But, what I like most about them is that they bring my ancestors and the people they knew to life. For instance, the story in the article from 1946 adds so much to the story of the Pellett family. Like all other families, they were so much more than vital statistics.

Note: Rufus Pellett was not a direct ancestor. However, like all the Pelletts in Bourbon County, he was a relative.

Church Records

Church records among the many papers that were in my parents’ home include membership records, church directories, attendance records, and church bulletins.

My mom’s membership card at what is now the United Methodist Church in Fort Scott is shown. It appears that she was a member at the church in 1955, if I am reading the date correctly. That leads to another fun challenge with all the records – reading the handwriting.

HINT: If you have a paper record and cannot read the handwriting, take a photo and enlarge it on your phone/computing device. Often enlarging it makes it more readable.

Licenses

Hunting & Fishing Licenses

Grandpa Joseph Andrew McCracken’s fishing license tells us that at age 47, he was 5’9” tall, weighed 180 pounds, had blue eyes, and brown hair. If we didn’t know his date of birth, this license would tell us that he was born about 1894. His hunting and driver’s licenses tell us similar information, although for some reason his weight, hair color, and height all seem to be variable from license to license. Still, we get the general idea.

Driver’s License

Grandma Nellie (Peelle) McCracken got a driver’s license in 1931. It is unclear how much it really got used as she much preferred to ride a horse or drive a team of horses than to drive a car. In any case, it is similar to grandpa’s fishing license in that it tells us similar information about her. She was 5’4”, had blue eyes, and light colored hair. A woman, however, never admits her age or weight. She did on the license, but I won’t disclose it here. Her driver’s license also shows her address and gives her signature.

HINT: Licenses and military records are good places to find descriptions of ancestors.

Hardware Receipts

I.E. Morrison

This receipt is especially interesting because it lists both Hiattville and Pawnee as business locations. There never were many that did business in both towns and receipts from them are few and far between. In addition, Ester (McCracken) Fisher, Lydia Peelle, and possibly other family members worked at Morrison’s store.

Williams Hardware

This Williams Hardware receipt was written for Baldwin Barker. It was likely in my parent’s possession because my grandfather was the administrator of Baldwin’s estate. Also included in my parents papers is a newspaper showing a long list of items to be sold at a sale after Baldwin’s death in 1928.

Of note to the family, Baldwin, his wife, and children lived in the house that I grew up in.

Hills Brother Lumber

The interesting thing about this receipt for lumber is that the lumber company was on the plaza in Fort Scott. That area was so very interesting. Although I don’t remember this particular business, I do remember going into businesses on the plaza when I was young.

I do not know why the name is McPheron. That is a total mystery to me. There were people with that name that lived in Bourbon County at one time. I don’t know if this purchase was for someone in that family or if an error was made in the name.”

Banks

Hiattville State Bank

The Hiattville State Bank was formed in 1907 with $10,000 in capital. One of the original stockholders was John Hartnett, who was a first cousin to my great grandmother, Matilda (Jury) Peelle. John was also the first child born in Hiattville.

The document from Hiattville State Bank is intriguing because it states that the bank is crediting the account; however, it has no name or account number on the document.

Farlington State Bank

This bank document was from less than three years after the bank was formed on October 25, 1915 by members of the Martin family. The bank initially had $10,000 in capital, a new brick building, a burglar-proof safe, and a large vault. However, the bank closed July 24, 1924, less than ten years after it was formed. Elmer Poole, cashier at the bank, was sent to jail for accepting deposits when he knew the bank was insolvent. However, he was cleared of embezzling funds.

The document is particularly interesting from a family history perspective because it is signed by Grandpa Joseph Andrew McCracken, his father Andrew Johnson McCracken, and his mother-in-law Matilda Peelle, which is a rare combination of signatures. Also, the interest rate was 8%, which was very common in that era.

Cars

The automobile registration receipts (and there are quite a number of them) tell the story of the vehicles that the family owned over the years.

This example shows that they owned a 1935 Studebaker sedan in 1952. One thing that was generally consistent is that they tended to own older cars. When Dad was 21, he was driving a 1928 Ford Coupe. It was as old as he was.

In 1943, Grandpa Jsoseph Andrew McCracken owned a 1933 Plymouth Sedan. This car had bad tires and Grandpa went to buy a new set. However, before the sale was final the United States entered World War II and the sale of new tires was restricted. So, the family didn’t get a set of new tires until after the war.

Tax Statements

The tax statement shows the real estate property Joe McCracken owned in 1951, including the acreage and tax. What surprised me, but shouldn’t have, was that it had the school district listed on the form. From this tax form, it appears that Rocky Vale ceased to exist, at least ceased to exist as a separate school district, prior to 1951.

So Much More

These records don’t begin to scratch the surface of the many documents that my parents stored for decades. Other types of paper documents they kept include photographs, letters, greeting cards (so many of them), various mortgage and insurance documents, certificates, school records, and legal records.

Among the many receipts are the receipt for the birth of one of Dad’s siblings, the receipt for my mother’s wedding rings, and even for the 1954 Ford tractor.

One of the most interesting is a Jury summons, as it is embossed with a seal. It is far fancier than the postcards I have gotten.

Last, but not least, an old mimeographed copy of a list of heirs for the probate case of Minnie Alameda (McCracken) Munroe, sister to Andrew Johnson McCracken, may have been the most helpful document of all. It contained names that I did not know and led me to find that Lemuel Lawrence McCracken, my great-great grandfather, had been married before he married Louisiana Matteer, my great-great grandmother. I also discovered through that document that Louisiana had also been married prior to their marriage. Thus, one document from decades ago led me to two branches of family.

So, if you wonder how I know so much about family and local history, it is in part due to my parents and the fact that they never threw out “important” papers!

Sources: The 50 year ago clipping is from the Fort Scott Tribune. The one for Kay’s wedding is likely from the same newspaper.

Holy Matrimony

Posted on April 30, 2024 by FHadmin

Today, marriages come in many forms from the brief ceremony at the justice of the peace to elaborate events that go well beyond the ceremony. In the case of my grandmothers, one was married by the probate judge and the other by a member of the clergy. Both came away with a husband and a beautiful record of their marriage.

Courtship and a wedding

Courtship

Originally named Eleanor, my Grandma McCracken hated that name and to my knowledge no documents were ever issued with that name. Thus, she officially became known by her nickname, Nellie. She was a young woman of 18 when she started courting with Joseph Andrew McCracken.

One of the postcards that they sent each other.

The particulars of Nellie and Joe’s first meeting are unknown. Nellie lived in Bourbon County and primarily would have attended events at Rocky Vale, Pawnee or Hiattville. Joe lived in Crawford County with ties to Farlington. However, they didn’t live too many miles apart.

While courting, they attended events together, but also sent postcards back and forth. In October of 1912, Nellie sent Joe a postcard reminding him of a party and making sure that he knew she would be there.

Their courting became all at a distance when Joe went out of state to work in the fields. Based on the letters they wrote to each other, they were very much in love. Read more about their story in the blog The Locket.

The photo was taken about the time they married. The dress shown is likely Nellie’s wedding dress.

Marriage

On February 24, 1914, Probate Judge Russell issued a marriage license to them. Then, at 5 p.m. on March 4, 1914, Rev. E. A. Brown of Pawnee married them at his home. The Reverend’s wife was the witness. It is interesting that Rev. Brown married them as he was a Baptist minister and neither of them were Baptist. Perhaps no Methodist minister was around the area at the time or they were friends with him as he was a young man of about 30 years of age.

Nellie and Joe received the beautiful certificate commemorating their marriage. It is approximately 18″ by 20″.

Married Life

After their marriage Nellie and Joe set up housekeeping at a house four miles south of Hiattville. Nine and a half months later Nellie would give birth to the first of their eleven children.

Nellie and Joe were married 46 years before Joe died of heart issues.

Wedding And a Celebration

Courtship

Dessie was born in Kansas. However, the family lived both in Kansas and Missouri, mostly very close to Garland, Kansas. The exception is during a short interval surrounding 1913 when the family went by covered wagon and moved to Oklahoma. However, they soon returned to Kansas.

Clifford Claney “Cliff” Pellett was in Scott Township in 1900, but was in Drywood Township by 1905. He wasn’t, however, a close neighbor of Dessie.

After Dessie’s mother, Sarah (Ashby) Thomas died in 1918, Dessie, being the oldest, spent the next four and a half years raising her younger siblings. It is unknown how much time she had for courting. In addition, Cliff was serving in WWI between the fall of 1917 and the summer of 1919. So, unless they were writing letters to each other, they definitely weren’t courting during that time.

However, Dessie definitely new Cliff by October 27, 1921 when Dessie hosted a wiener roast at her Uncle John Ashby’s home, as Cliff was among the large guest list. That evening included dancing and old fashioned games for entertainment.

Marriage

Clifford & Dessie (Thomas) Pellett and Their Son Marvin

On Saturday, June 2, 1923, Dessie wore a navy blue canton crepe dress with shadow lace when Cliff and her stood before Judge Crider to exchange their wedding vows. Dessie’s brothers Leland and Delbert were witnesses.

They received the certificate shown above. It is not as large as the one my other grandparents received. Yet, it is still good-size (shown in a 18″ by 20″ frame) and is just as lovely.

They ventured from their home one-half mile south of the Diamond School to Fort Scott on business the following Monday. One might guess that they needed a few things in order to set up housekeeping.

A couple of weeks later, the Clarksburg Country Club (a.k.a. the Clarksburg Club) gave Dessie a wedding shower at their regular meeting. The presents were placed in a deep window and the shade drawn to hide them. Dessie was subject to a rhyming game that led her to the window. Each gift also had rhymes, which she read out loud to the ladies of the club. It was said to be enjoyable by all.

Married Life

Eleven and a half-months later, Dessie gave birth to a son. Unfortunately, he died before or shortly after birth. She would, however, go on to have another son and three daughters.

Dessie and Cliff were married 43 years before Cliff died of heart issues. However, Dessie would tell you that they were married 18 years. The reason being that Cliff was in a VA hospital for the remaining years. Therefore, she didn’t view that they were married since they didn’t live as man and wife during that time.

Memories of the One-Room School House

Posted on April 10, 2024April 10, 2024 by FHadmin

I never went to a one room school, but I did attend grade school at a very small town school. Here is a look at some of the one-room schools in southern Bourbon County and northern Crawford County, Kansas. The schools included were somehow connected to my family. In addition to the one-room schools, I included a couple of bonus schools with two classrooms instead of one.

Arlington School

Arlington School, located in Walnut Township, Bourbon County, Kansas was officially school #81.

Grandma Nellie and her sister Lydia are listed as pupils in the 1899-1900 school year. The clerk is listed as J. Peele. We are not aware of a J. Peele that would have been in that area. Thus, my guess is that it was their father W. J. Peelle.

Bell School

Bell School, District #3, was named Bell because it had a large bell in the belfry. It was in Drywood Township in Bourbon County, Kansas. It originally was located near Appleton along the state line with Missouri. Appleton was absorbed by Memphis and Memphis later became Garland.

The school souvenir shows that the Pellett family attended this school.

Farlington School

Farlington School wasn’t a single room schoolhouse, but it was a small town school. This is the upper grades. The picture includes Florence McCracken, Andrew McCracken’s niece, and Roy Draper, who married Grandpa Joe McCracken’s sister Bell.

Guinn School

Guinn School is school #36 in Bourbon County, Kansas. Located in Drywood Township, Guinn was attended by many of mom’s family. The last year for the school was 1942-1943.

Generally, all of the small schools had big end of the year functions. One year Guinn had a big dinner where everyone brought dishes to share with the crowd. The students of the school presented a program with singing, dancing, playing of musical instruments, and recitations. My Uncle Marvin Pellett was among the students performing.

Additionally, the teacher gave out prizes for spelling, reciting Bible verses, and attendance. My mom and her two older siblings were among the winners of prizes. My Uncle Marvin won the award for most improved penmanship.

Floyd Conner listed as a part of the school board was a relative. The Conner children had attended Guinn.

Photo is from 1898. I am likely related to most of the people shown, but am definitely related to the Pellett and Conner families.

Hiattville School

Hiattville School #101 wasn’t technically a one room school as there was an upper room and a lower room. However, it was a small town school. Clate Farmer, Grandma Nellie (Peelle) McCracken’s cousin, attended Hiattville School.

William J. Peelle, my great-grandfather worked on the Hiattville School. I believe that was the newer school and not Old Hiattville, which is described below.

Old Hiattville District #18 was located north of Hiattville in Pawnee Township, Bourbon County, Kansas. The school had 25 students in 1896. Nora Hartnett, Grandma Nellie (Peelle) McCracken’s cousin, received marks of 90 or above in all subjects for the month ending in February 1896.

Johnson School

Johnson School, District #6, was in Sherman Township in Crawford County, just south of the Bourbon County line. Andrew McCracken was the director of Johnson School for several years.

Joe McCracken and his siblings attended District #6. As you can see, the souvenir booklet states that this is Pleasant Ridge School. The letter shows the same school district with the name Johnson School. Now, I know that they attended more than one school over the years. However, since it gives the same school district in both documents, I believe it is referring to the same school.

For one period in 1908, Ernest, Doc, and Oella McCracken were all above 90% in personal conduct, attendance, and studies.

Grandpa Joe likely did not meet the attendance criteria as in the following school year, he attended a few full days and many half days because of farm work. He missed every day one month because of the harvest.

However, Joe’s conduct was listed as nearly perfect and all his grades except one were in the excellent category 95 to 100. Those subjects included spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, physiology, geography, U.S. history, and Kansas history. His lowest grade was a 94 in Civil Government.

Lone Elm School

Lone Elm School, District #84, was located in Walnut Township in Bourbon County. It was a couple miles south and a mile west of where the Peelle family lived and where Don and Kay Davis later lived.

Lone Elm must have been named because there was a single elm tree at the location as in 1891, The Fort Scott Lantern talked about how the district was cultivating some pine trees.

In the 1902-1903 school year, Grandma Nellie (Peelle) McCracken and her sister Lydia Peelle were not tardy or absent during a 6 month period. Passco Peelle was a visitor at the school. It is assumed that this is Grandma’s grandfather, but it could have been Grandma’s brother Passco “Pat” Peelle as he would have turned 4 before the end of the school year.

Pawnee

Pawnee School was in what is known as Pawnee, Pawnee Station, or Anna in Pawnee Township, Bourbon County, Kansas.

O’Ella McCracken taught school at Pawnee for two years (1941-1942, 1942-1943). The photo is from before she taught at the school. However, it includes Pellett relatives and the McCrackens’ good friends the Keeney kids.

Pleasant Valley

Pleasant Valley School District #9 was located in Pawnee Township, Bourbon County, Kansas. It was due north of Pawnee.

In 1891, The Fort Scott Lantern described Pleasant Valley as small, but having “all the characteristics of a wide-awake progressive school.” (I wonder what that meant.)

O’Ella (McCracken) Ross taught school at Pleasant Valley for 4 years (1937-1938, 1938-1939, 1939-1940, 1940-1941). The contract shown indicates that for the upcoming school year (1938-1939) that she will make $65.00 per school month.

Possum Trot School

I had heard about Possum Trot, but I didn’t think it was a real place. However, in 1916 Uncle Pat and R. E. Lozier were working on the Possum Trot Schoolhouse. Later it was Lem McCracken who was working with R. E. Lozier.

Rocky Vale School

Rocky Vale School #78 was located just north of my dad’s property line in Pawnee Township, Bourbon County, Kansas.

In 1891, The Fort Scott Lantern describe the Rocky Vale School as small, but “full of life and energy.”

Grandpa Joe McCracken was the director of the school for many years (20+-) and all his and Grandma Nellie (Peelle) McCracken’s children graduated from there with their 8th grade diploma.

This newspaper clipping states it is the 1916-1917 school year. That is incorrect. It is likely 1906-1907 as Nellie and Lydia Peelle are among the students.

Girls of Rocky Vale. Ruby, Dee, and Ruthe McCracken are among the girls.

Students of Rocky Vale including Ed and Don McCracken.

Teachers at Rocky Vale

1891-1892 Millie Coffern

1895-1896 Miltie Preston

1900-1901 Mr. Owens (Did not finish the year, illness)

1901-1902 Maud Coghill

1903-1904 Stella Emmitt

1904-1905 Florence Wiedenman (of Hepler)

1906-1908 Lela Killion

1908-1909 Mabel Boyd

1909-1911 Minnie Roeske

1911-1912 William Bentley

1912-1913 Verna Perry

1916-1917 Nellie Armstrong

1917-1919 Clara Roland

1920-1921 Sarah Runkle

1921-1922 Eugene Kelley

1922-1923 Viola Park

1923-1924 Roy O. Soellner (of Pittsburg)

1924-1925 Pearl Johnson

Later, O’Ella (McCracken) Ross, Dee (McCracken) Burnam, and Don McCracken all taught at Rocky Vale. O’Ella taught at the school 1933-1935. Dee only taught there one year in the 1940s.

Rocky Vale was the center of their community as were most schoolhouses. They were more of a community center. Besides school, the buildings were used for community events, lectures, political groups, elections, preaching, organizations, and more. Rocky Vale became so much more than a school that the neighborhood had its own items in the newspapers under the name Rocky Vale. The school and maybe you could say the schoolhouse became the catalyst for creating a community.

Schofield School

Schofield School, District #37, was in Marmaton Township, Bourbon County, Kansas. It was located almost due north of Hiattville on old Highway 39 just after the highway curved eastward. The Peelle family lived just down the road from the school after they first moved to Kansas. In 1883, great-grandpa William J. Peelle’s sister Mossie was one of the favorite performers during an evening of entertainment at the school.

Great-Grandpa W. J. Peelle indicated in his journal that he worked on this school (along with numerous other schools). The family moved to Hiattville and then west of Hiattville before moving back to this home.

In 1908, the school was a bustling place with Maggie Gift charged with 31 students split almost evenly. However, the Peelle family had moved to what became known as the Homeplace at what is now Highway 7 & Birch Road. However, Lydia, Nellie, and Pat Peelle (grandma and her siblings) came to visit on the last day of school.

Years later, O’Ella (McCracken) Ross taught at Schofield School for two years (1935-1936, 1936-1937).

A Love-Hate Relationship With Religion

Posted on March 26, 2024 by FHadmin

Image: Public domain; Source New York State Archives

Sometime people who were strong believers in God had a hard time practicing their faith even in the land of “freedom of religion.” Mary and John Tilton, my 9th great grandparents, constantly fought to practice their religion.

Salem, Massachusetts

The Tilton family’s first religious conflict in the Colonies occurred in 1642 when John Tilton, born about 1613 in England, and his wife Mary were living at Lynn, Massachusetts just outside Salem. Apparently, Mary, Lady Deborah Moody, and another woman stated that they did not believe in the baptizing of infants. Instead, they believed that people should only be baptized when they were old enough to confess their faith.

This was not in alignment with the views of the Puritans and the Church of Salem. Thus, the minister that lived next door to Lady Deborah Moody did not approve of their views. Despite coming to America for religious freedom, the minister and members of the Puritan community still wanted one and only one set of religious beliefs. They just wanted the accepted beliefs to be their beliefs.

Therefore, the women were charged in court. The minister saw Lady Moody as the leader in spreading dissenting religious beliefs. One of the Puritan leaders said that Lady Moody was “a dangerous woman.” Like others who beliefs were contrary to the Puritan beliefs, Lady Moody was told to change her beliefs or be excommunicated.

Well, being women of strong religious convictions, neither Mary or Lady Deborah Moody changed their beliefs. They did, however change their location.

New Netherland plus surrounding areas 1685 reprint of 1656 map; Public domain; Via Wikipedia

Gravesend, Long Island, New York

As a result of trouble with the Puritans, John moved his family to New Netherland. The area later became New York. Lady Moody and others with similar beliefs made the same move. The location appeared to be a good option as the Netherlands tolerated different religious beliefs.

As a woman with money and influence, Lady Deborah Moody was the founder of the new area, which she named Gravesend. It was on Long Island and is in the area known today as Brooklyn.

Gravesend, with John Tilton as town clerk, prospered and so did Lady Moody’s influence, which became very beneficial to Mary and John Tilton, as well as others who shared their beliefs.

Arrival of the Friends

The Friends (a.k.a. Quakers) arrived in New York in the 1650s. However, before Friends arrived in America, some of the Colonies banned them. They were disliked for being outspoken about their views and preaching loudly anywhere and everywhere. Their views of equality for women, refusing to take oaths, etc. were disturbing to those who came before them. They were considered both too radical and too zealous. Yet, the Friends just viewed it as being free to practice their beliefs.

Originally, it seems that only Friends who were too open about their beliefs were persecuted; thus, public preaching by ministers that were unapproved or holding conventicles (illegal or unapproved religious meetings) were considered crimes. However, Governor Stuyvesant soon cracked down on Quakerism, making it illegal to house a Quaker. It also encouraged the residents to rat on Quaker activities. The penalties could be downright cruel, including fines, imprisonment, lashings, and hard labor. At one point, he even proclaimed a day of prayer as he was fearful of God’s judgement if the Quakers converted people to their beliefs.

This wasn’t a new approach for the governor as he strongly supported existing religious law. He, along with others thought that uniformity was important. Additionally, many believed that heresy and diversity of thought would result in the wrath of God. Thus, the governor had previously taken steps to prevent other groups from flourishing in New Amsterdam. It seems that Governor Stuyvesant, at least, did not live up to the reputation of the Dutch regarding religious tolerance.

More Religious Persecution

Harboring a Quaker

On January 8, 1658, John Tilton was arrested for harboring a female Quaker minister, who had been banished from New Netherland, along with some of her followers. Two days later, he was sentenced to a 12 pound Flemish fine plus legal fees. This was one-half the fine of attending a conventicle. The reason for leniency was that it was his first offense, he was an upstanding resident, and the fact that he claimed the Quaker minister and the others came to his house while he was absent.

The First Banishment

In January 1661, both Mary and John were charged with attending conventicles. Mary does not seem to have been prosecuted. However, John was called before the governor and council of New Amsterdam (New York City) because of his support of the Quakers. He was ordered banished from the area or receive corporal punishment.

However, the banishment never took place. It has been speculated that John’s standing in the community combined with efforts of a friend who was in good favor with the governor led to this relief.

The sentence of banishment did not deter John and Mary, who continued to align themselves with the Quakers.

The Arrest

On September 19, 1662, complaints were made against John and Mary Tilton, who had both attended and hosted Quaker meetings. They weren’t arrested, however, until October 5. At that time, they were imprisoned at Ft. Amsterdam.

John’s Crime

John was charged with continuing to attend the Quaker meetings and for harboring Quakers and permitting them to quake at his house. By quaking, they meant that the Friends would quiver and quake as they worshiped as a part of fearing God.

The complaint pointed out his earlier offenses, his continued support for the sect, and that he should be made an example since apparently the Quakers easily forgot. His sentence was a fine of 100 pounds Dutch money. Plus, he was to stay in prison until his fine and court costs were paid.

Mary’s Punishment

Mary, John’s wife, was charged with being a sorceress, luring and seducing people to join the Friends (Quakers). Worse, than seducing adults into the faith, they believed she tried to convert young girls.

They claimed that Mary had “dared not only to assist at all the meetings of that abominable sect who are named Quakers, but even has presumed to provide them with lodgings and victuals, and has endeavored to go from house to house, and from one place to the other, and to lure the people, yea, even young girls, to join the Quakers, and already with several succeeded, encouraging and supporting them.” (From the statement to the Director-General and Council of New Netherland.)

Again, it was believed that she should be made an example in order to prevent others from convincing colonists to move away from what they believed was the “true Church.” This was viewed as critical. Otherwise, they believed God would punish the entire colony. She was also fined 100 pounds plus costs. In addition, she was to be banished from New Netherland.

Mary’s punishment was harsher than John’s. It is believed that those in charge were especially harsh on female offenders of any law or rule. One article told of a woman where they recommended prison for her petticoat simply being too high to be respectable.

Banishment

Mary’s banishment was delayed until spring of the next year because of winter weather. An inventory of their belongings was taken and then they were removed from New Amsterdam.

During their banishment, they stayed with friends at Oyster Bay on the other side of Long Island. Although not far away, Oyster Bay was outside the jurisdiction of the governor of New Amsterdam.

New York

In 1664, the English gained control of the area and it became New York. Interestingly, the agreement included that the Dutch were guaranteed freedom of religion. The very people that had so harshly treated people of other religions now wanted freedom to worship as they chose given that someone else was in control.

Three years after the English took control, John and Mary were back at Gravesend and John returned to his position as town clerk, which he kept until 1681. John or his son John Jr. became Justice of the Peace. A bit of an issue occurred when he refused to take the oath of office because it was against his religion.

John and Mary continued to strongly support the Friends and practice their faith. John signed a letter to the Governor of New York explaining why he and other Quakers did not want to provide funds to repair a fort. The simple reason was that they were against war. Later, he gave land for what appears to have been a Friends burial ground.

Mary died in 1683 and John in 1688, both at Gravesend.

Future Generations

Although John and Mary mostly had trouble with their religion not fitting other people’s idea of an acceptable religion, other members of the family sometimes had trouble even following the rules of their own religion. They were very independent minded and that trait seems to have been passed down through the generations

For example, although their son John Jr. moved to New Jersey, that did not stop him from being arrested for “subscribing to a seditious paper.” Years later, their great-great granddaughter Patience was disowned (or faced being disowned) because she married out of unity. She wrote an apology to the Monthly Meeting condemning her actions and requesting to reconcile with the Friends. Her apology apparently was accepted.

Many others had issues of not doing exactly what the their faith required. Interestingly, what brought the family to the Quaker faith was differing beliefs. And, that was what caused them the most trouble with the Quaker faith.

And, this is not the only family in my tree that had a love-hate relationship with religion!

A Man With Two Names

Posted on February 26, 2024February 27, 2024 by FHadmin

My grandmother’s brother was Leland or Leonard – depending on who you ask. . . And, no, the answer isn’t all that simple.

Leland (center) in Mexico. Appears to have been during his early military service as he appears very young.

The Early Years

Leland was born Leland William Thomas January 17, 1908 to James William “Will” and Sadie Ella (Ashby) Thomas in Vernon County, Missouri. He joined three older siblings. His mother would give birth to two more healthy babies before she died during childbirth when he was ten. After Sadie died, her oldest daughter Dessie, my grandmother, took over running the household and helping raise her younger siblings. (Photo at top: Back: Dessie, Verda,Delbert ; Front: Theo “Bud”, Oren, Leland.)

On December 31, 1926, before Leland turned 19, he joined the U.S. Navy. He served just over 2 ½ years completing his service August 21, 1929.

His First Wife

A couple of weeks after being discharged from the Navy (September 3, 1929), Leland married Frances Marie Howell. In the census the following year, Leland and Frances were living with Frances’ mother and sister. In 1933, they had a daughter Joan Berniece. She was followed by a son Leland William Thomas Jr. in 1934. At the end of 1936, they had a son John Carl that only lived two days.

One version of the story from another researcher is that it was around 1935 that Frances claimed that Leland, who she said was a traveling salesman, headed to California. However, no evidence has been found to date of his being a traveling salesman, If he left in 1935 John Carl could not be his son, and Leland would not make it to California for several years. Another version of the story said that he left for California to join the Navy for WWII. This aligns with his timeline of reaching California. However, there is more to the story. . .

His Second Wife

In July 1936, several months before Leland and Frances’ son John Carl briefly visited the earth, He married Edith Lehr in Elkton, Maryland using the name Leonard Thomas. It seems the name change and the out of state marriage may have been because Leland had not divorced Frances.

Leonard and Edith lived in the general area of York, Pennsylvania for several years. The year following their marriage, they had a stillborn daughter. In 1941, a stillborn son would follow at only seven months gestation. They are not known to have had any children that survived childbirth.

U.S.S. Seminole Image from 1960s. U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

WWII

When WWII came about, Leonard joined the United States Navy Reserves. He served from May 22, 1942 until October 21, 1945. During his service he spent a significant amount of time in San Diego, where he was assigned to the US Navy Sub Repair Unit where he was a metalsmith. He was attached for a time to the U.S.S. Griffin.

On March 8, 1945, when the U.S.S. Seminole was commissioned, Leonard was assigned to the ship. He sailed with the ship to do training in the Hawaiian Islands before heading to Okinawa. Twice during this period, the ship had to take evasive maneuvers, not to avoid the Japanese, but to avoid typhoons.

Leland with his niece Ruby Pellett at a family gathering at Gunn Park, Fort Scott, Kansas.

After the War

After the war, Leonard and Edith lived in California. To my knowledge, he never made an effort to see his children. I can’t fathom leaving my children and moving a couple thousand miles away. Our family knew about the children, but I don’t know if any pictures of them survived. I did hear a story, however, that my grandmother had a picture of Leland and Frances and he wanted her to destroy it.

He continued to exclusively use the name Leonard as his legal name. However, to the day she died, my grandmother called him Leland. Meanwhile, to be completely different, Edith called him “Tom.”. When I spoke to a distant relative a few years ago that had known Leonard when he lived in California, he was surprised to learn that his name wasn’t Tom. It was the only name he had ever known.

Perhaps Edith called him “Tom” because she didn’t want to slip and call him Leland when referring to him in official communication or maybe it was simply a pet name. However, between my grandmother’s insistence that he was Leland and the family’s knowledge of his first wife and children, Edith had to have known about his past. It is unknown what version of the story he shared with her.

Leonard died March 1, 1960. The military apparently figured out the connection between Leland and Leonard as the application for his military gravestone had his earlier service added onto the card with his WWII service.

Not Quite Done . . . One more mystery!

As if there wasn’t enough mystery in this story, another mystery showed up in the 1950 census. In that census, Frances is with John Squares, a new husband (or they at least claim to be married). Her known children with Leland are in the household. However, there are two additional children listed with the last name of Thomas who are listed as step children to her husband. These are Robert F. Thomas, who was born in 1939, and Jacquelyn Thomas, who was born in 1943. They are not children that John had with his prior wife and I have found no explanation for these children.

Leland’s Kids?

Could they be Leland’s and he went back and forth between Frances and Edith for a period of time?

This option is definitely possibly for Robert. Depending on the exact date of Jacqueline’s birth, it could rule this option out based on his WWII service dates. At this point, it cannot be ruled out.

Half-Siblings?

Could Frances have gotten pregnant by another man and just used the Thomas name saying her husband was a traveling salesman and gone a lot?

This is very possible. It definitely wouldn’t have been the first or last time a woman whose husband was absent or even dead claimed him as the father of a child born out of wedlock.

Someone Else’s kids?

Could they be someone else’s kids entirely?

This is possible, but if so, they were considered members of the family. A death record for Leland W. Thomas Jr. mentions their names. Unfortunately, a complete obituary, which might tell us more, has not been located.