HOUSTON FAMILY
Sam Houston was a 19th century American statesman , politician and soldier. He was born in Timber Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia of Scotch-Irish descent.
He was elected as the first and third President of the Republic of Texas. He was also U. S. Senator for Texas after it joined the United States and also a governor of Texas. He refused to swear loyalty to the Confederacy when Texas seceded from the Union, and resigned as governor. To avoid bloodshed, he refused an offer of a Union army to put down the Confederate rebellion. Instead, he retired to Huntsville, Texas, where he died before the end of the Civil War.
His father Samuel Houston was a sibling of Jane Agnes Houston, a great grandparent of ours. They grew up in Carlisle, Cumberland, Pennsylvania as did our family. Samuel Houston married Elizabeth Paxton and Jane Agnes Houston married Matthew Patton.
Samuel Houston and his spouse settled in Kentucky and Tennessee. His sister Jane Agnes Houston Patton and her family went on to Jefferson County, Indiana.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Thursday, December 1, 2011
JOHN PATTON, A SCOTTISH MARTYR
The Paton family came from the east coast of Scotland and settled in Fenwick, on the lands of Warnockland and Meadowhead. The first Paton in Fenwick, Matthew Paton was born in Warnockland about 1565 and died in 1632. He married Janet Muir.
John Patton, our subject, was born in Meadowhead in the parish of Fenwick and shire of Ayr. He was brought up in the art and occupation of husbandry. He entered the military as a volunteer and went abroad to the wars in Germany. For some heroic achievement at the taking of a certain city he was advanced to a captain's post.
In 1645 when the ministers in the western shire's called upon their own parish militia to oppose Montrose's insurrection, he was appointed to be their captain. He behaved with much gallantry among the Coventers. He was a Soldier-Covenanter in the religious warfare of that time. He fought at the battles of Worcester, Pentland and Bothwell Bridge.
Captain John Patton married Janet Lindsay June 25, 1656. She was born in Airnock, Scotland. About 1666, John married the second time to Janet Miller who was born in Englesham, Scotland. He had at least seven children: David, Janet, John, Hugh, Agnes, Margaret, Marion and several that died young.
He was finally captured, imprisoned at Edinburgh and sentenced to death. Friends interceded on his behalf and a reprieve was granted by the King of England. However, the officer in charge of the prison held up the papers until after the execution on May 8, 1684. Captain John's Memorial marker at Fenwick Church says the following: Sacred to the Memory of Captain John Paton, late in Meadowhead of this Parish, who suffered Martyrdom in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh, May 9th, 1684. He was an honour to his country, on the continent, and at Pentland, Drumnclog, and Bothwell. His heroic conduct truly evinced the gallant officer, brave soldier, and true patriot.
John Patton, our subject, was born in Meadowhead in the parish of Fenwick and shire of Ayr. He was brought up in the art and occupation of husbandry. He entered the military as a volunteer and went abroad to the wars in Germany. For some heroic achievement at the taking of a certain city he was advanced to a captain's post.
In 1645 when the ministers in the western shire's called upon their own parish militia to oppose Montrose's insurrection, he was appointed to be their captain. He behaved with much gallantry among the Coventers. He was a Soldier-Covenanter in the religious warfare of that time. He fought at the battles of Worcester, Pentland and Bothwell Bridge.
Captain John Patton married Janet Lindsay June 25, 1656. She was born in Airnock, Scotland. About 1666, John married the second time to Janet Miller who was born in Englesham, Scotland. He had at least seven children: David, Janet, John, Hugh, Agnes, Margaret, Marion and several that died young.
He was finally captured, imprisoned at Edinburgh and sentenced to death. Friends interceded on his behalf and a reprieve was granted by the King of England. However, the officer in charge of the prison held up the papers until after the execution on May 8, 1684. Captain John's Memorial marker at Fenwick Church says the following: Sacred to the Memory of Captain John Paton, late in Meadowhead of this Parish, who suffered Martyrdom in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh, May 9th, 1684. He was an honour to his country, on the continent, and at Pentland, Drumnclog, and Bothwell. His heroic conduct truly evinced the gallant officer, brave soldier, and true patriot.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
MARGARET ALICE FLEISCHER COLBORN
Margaret Alice Fleischer was born November 14, 1860 near North Topeka, Kansas. On February 26, 1881 she married Frank Clair Colborn who was born December 31, 1854, in Buffalo, New York. Margaret met Frank Colborn at her brother Will Fleischer's farm. She was riding a horse and the saddle turned with her. She was trying to fix it when Frank came along and helped her. Frank always said that she did it on purpose.
They lived near Topeka for several years and their first two children were born there, George Washington Colborn and Sarah Dollie Colborn. Then in 1884 they moved to Barber County, southeast of Medicine Lodge. Here ten more children were born to the Colborns. When they went to Barber County, Papa Frank chartered a box car and brought his horses, wagon, lumber to build a house and barn, and household goods. The train only went to Harper, Kansas so he had to haul the lumber from there. Frank was there for six weeks when he sent for Margaret Alice.
When Margaret Alice came Frank had built the barn of 1 x 12 inch boards. Whenever it rained she had to move everything and dry things out. They lived in the barn until the house was built. The ten children born in Barber County were: Ethyl Mae, William Henry, Florence Alma, Lester Harry, Nellie Alice, Daisy Ruth Eleanor, Frank Fleischer, Ernest Harold, Arthur Harvey, and Marjorie Clara Colborn.
Margaret Alice Fleischer Colborn died March 3, 1945. She belonged to the Assembly of God Church. Frank Clair Colborn died April 1, 1933. He belonged to the Church of God.
They lived near Topeka for several years and their first two children were born there, George Washington Colborn and Sarah Dollie Colborn. Then in 1884 they moved to Barber County, southeast of Medicine Lodge. Here ten more children were born to the Colborns. When they went to Barber County, Papa Frank chartered a box car and brought his horses, wagon, lumber to build a house and barn, and household goods. The train only went to Harper, Kansas so he had to haul the lumber from there. Frank was there for six weeks when he sent for Margaret Alice.
When Margaret Alice came Frank had built the barn of 1 x 12 inch boards. Whenever it rained she had to move everything and dry things out. They lived in the barn until the house was built. The ten children born in Barber County were: Ethyl Mae, William Henry, Florence Alma, Lester Harry, Nellie Alice, Daisy Ruth Eleanor, Frank Fleischer, Ernest Harold, Arthur Harvey, and Marjorie Clara Colborn.
Margaret Alice Fleischer Colborn died March 3, 1945. She belonged to the Assembly of God Church. Frank Clair Colborn died April 1, 1933. He belonged to the Church of God.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
ISAIAH SMITH
Isaiah Smith was born January 22, 1757 in New York. He was a Revolutionary War soldier and body guard to General George Washington. He married Nancy Ann Williams of the Highlands, Orange County, New York. They were married May 5, 1783 at the Hudson River's edge where the William's property adjoined and ran below West Point.
In 1775, Isaiah enlisted in the 2nd Connecticut Line under Colonel Charles Webb. Isaiah, a blacksmith apprentice, replaced the master blacksmith. He enlisted in June 1775 for six months and was in the battle of the Ticonderoga, New York. He was discharged in January of 1776, then reenlisted at Stamford, Connecticut for one year. He remained in the Army until discharged in June 1784 at the Highlands, Orange County, New York. In the winter months he lodged with Washington's troops at Continental Village, Morristown, New Jersey.
Isaiah and Nancy Ann had eight children: Mahitabell, Mariah, Sebrah, Isaiah Jr., Samuel, Caten John, Robert Williams, and Hannah Jane. Isaiah died March 27, 1825 at Canadice, Ontario, New York. Nancy Ann died in 1839 at Brooklyn, Kings, New York.
In 1775, Isaiah enlisted in the 2nd Connecticut Line under Colonel Charles Webb. Isaiah, a blacksmith apprentice, replaced the master blacksmith. He enlisted in June 1775 for six months and was in the battle of the Ticonderoga, New York. He was discharged in January of 1776, then reenlisted at Stamford, Connecticut for one year. He remained in the Army until discharged in June 1784 at the Highlands, Orange County, New York. In the winter months he lodged with Washington's troops at Continental Village, Morristown, New Jersey.
Isaiah and Nancy Ann had eight children: Mahitabell, Mariah, Sebrah, Isaiah Jr., Samuel, Caten John, Robert Williams, and Hannah Jane. Isaiah died March 27, 1825 at Canadice, Ontario, New York. Nancy Ann died in 1839 at Brooklyn, Kings, New York.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
DUXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS
The area now known as Duxbury, Massachusetts was inhabited by people as early as 12,000 to 9,000 B.C. By the time European settlers arrived here, the region was inhabited by the Wampanoags, who called this place Mattakeesett, meaning "place of many fish."
In 1620, the English settlers known as the Pilgrims established their colony in Plymouth. Per the terms of their contract with financial backers in London, they were required to live together in a tight community for seven years. At the end of that term in 1627, land along the coast was alloted to settlers for farming. Thus, the coastline from Plymouth to Marshfield was parceled out, and many settlers began moving away from Plymouth.
At first, those who settled in Duxbury came to work their new farms just in the warmer months and returned to Plymouth during the winter. It was not long, however, before they began to build homes on their land, and soon requested permission from the colony to be set off as a separate community with their own church. Duxbury was incorporated in 1637.
Some of the most influential men in the colony received grants in Duxbury and became its first leaders. Captain Myles Standish, the military leader of the colony, lived in the Nook. Elder William Brewster was, for many years, the religious leader of the colony. John Alden was another important settler. His house, now a museum on Alden Street, was the site of many important meetings of the colony's leaders. The graves of some of Duxbury's first settlers can be found in the Old Burying Ground on Chestnut Street, next to the site of the original meetinghouse. (John Alden was my tenth great grandfather).
THE CHIPPEWA FUR FARM
Clarence Day and his mother Edith Day established a fur farm on their property in Clam Lake, Wisconsin. They fenced a large swampy area on their land for the raising of muskrats. Pens were also built for the raising of fox, mink, and chinchilla rabbits. They called the farm, The Chippewa Fur Farm.
In the 1930's fur coats were very popular for women but also for men. Fur stolls, collars, and trims were also in style. Mink oil also was used in some medicinal products and cosmetics, as well as to treat, preserve, and waterproof leather.
The Chippewa Fur Farm was not a success. Several factors contributed to the failure. The climate was too cold, other animal predators killed off the fenced in animals, and distance from the large populated area were all factors in the demise. After the roaring twenties the popularity of fur products began to decline. Another important factor in the failure was that Clarence and his family loved animals and disliked killing them for the market.
In a letter from Clam Lake written by Annie Winifred Allen in 1933 she states that she went fishing for fox food. She writes "as fast as we baited the hook we had a fish". Apparently this was one source of food for them.
Parts of the fence still remain as a reminder of that period. An interesting endeavor for a city family with a great sounding idea.
In the 1930's fur coats were very popular for women but also for men. Fur stolls, collars, and trims were also in style. Mink oil also was used in some medicinal products and cosmetics, as well as to treat, preserve, and waterproof leather.
The Chippewa Fur Farm was not a success. Several factors contributed to the failure. The climate was too cold, other animal predators killed off the fenced in animals, and distance from the large populated area were all factors in the demise. After the roaring twenties the popularity of fur products began to decline. Another important factor in the failure was that Clarence and his family loved animals and disliked killing them for the market.
In a letter from Clam Lake written by Annie Winifred Allen in 1933 she states that she went fishing for fox food. She writes "as fast as we baited the hook we had a fish". Apparently this was one source of food for them.
Parts of the fence still remain as a reminder of that period. An interesting endeavor for a city family with a great sounding idea.
TAGHMON, WEXFORD, IRELAND
Taghmon, Wexford, Ireland was the home of our Donnelly ancestors. We have only traced them to the 1700's but Taghmon was established long before then.
Taghmon is a very ancient parish some miles west of Wexford. It was founded in the year 597 AD. This makes it one of the oldest places of uninterrupted human habitation in Ireland. The sites of the Church of Ireland, the Monichaun Field, and the Castle represent ancient beginnings of Taghmon village.
In the year 597, Taghmon was quite different than today. The Irish language was spoken everywhere in Wexford and the place that we now know as Taghmon was called "Achad Liathdrom". This can be loosely translated as 'the grey field on the ridge'. The area was ruled by a chieftain named Dimma Mac Hugh. In 597, the monk named Fintan came and asked Dimma to grant him some land to build a monastery. This the chieftain did and Fintan, with a few of his followers, built his monastery in 599 in the area that is now known as 'the Monichaun'. Fintan marked out the site by four crosses made of timber. A university was later added, which at its peak catered for up to 230 students. Among the subjects taught were Scriptures, Astronomy, Languages, and Mathematics. The school developed a wide reputation and the sons of chieftains and princes attended as well as many from England and Continental Europe.
The place became known as Teach Munna, 'the House of Munna', which was later shortened to Taghmon. Finton laboured for over thirty years in Taghmon. He was there for twenty-four years when he contracted leprosy. This disease was relatively common in Ireland in the medieval period. Fintan died on 21 October 636 A.D. The monastery died out sometime towards the end of the 12th century partly as a result of the Viking raids.
Taghmon is a very ancient parish some miles west of Wexford. It was founded in the year 597 AD. This makes it one of the oldest places of uninterrupted human habitation in Ireland. The sites of the Church of Ireland, the Monichaun Field, and the Castle represent ancient beginnings of Taghmon village.
In the year 597, Taghmon was quite different than today. The Irish language was spoken everywhere in Wexford and the place that we now know as Taghmon was called "Achad Liathdrom". This can be loosely translated as 'the grey field on the ridge'. The area was ruled by a chieftain named Dimma Mac Hugh. In 597, the monk named Fintan came and asked Dimma to grant him some land to build a monastery. This the chieftain did and Fintan, with a few of his followers, built his monastery in 599 in the area that is now known as 'the Monichaun'. Fintan marked out the site by four crosses made of timber. A university was later added, which at its peak catered for up to 230 students. Among the subjects taught were Scriptures, Astronomy, Languages, and Mathematics. The school developed a wide reputation and the sons of chieftains and princes attended as well as many from England and Continental Europe.
The place became known as Teach Munna, 'the House of Munna', which was later shortened to Taghmon. Finton laboured for over thirty years in Taghmon. He was there for twenty-four years when he contracted leprosy. This disease was relatively common in Ireland in the medieval period. Fintan died on 21 October 636 A.D. The monastery died out sometime towards the end of the 12th century partly as a result of the Viking raids.
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