FRENCH : Ruhama (French) Wade (1810-1884)

I am seeking the parents of Ruhama French, born about 1810 (based upon census research). She was probably born in Stoughton, MA, where she was married. Her marriage was 18 Sep 1829 to Ruel Wade, performed by Calvin Park (intention 25 Jul 1829). At that time, the parents were never listed in Stoughton's marriage records. A look through the Stoughton records on microfilm at the LDS church didn't give me anything on Ruhama's birth. I've also checked my Search & ReSearch CDs for the Early Vital Records of Norfolk County, Bristol County, and Plymouth County. Their children's births are also not listed in Stoughton records, yet this family has always resided in Stoughton. They may have been born in Brockton (then North Bridgewater), but I do not see anything in Brockton or Bridgewater records either.

Their children were: 

1. Charlotte Rebeckah, b. 1830, d. 21 Oct 1831

2. Bradford, b. 1832, d. 1908, m. Cordelia Holbrook

3. Charlotte, b. 1834, d. 1903, m. Horace Beals

4. Alonzo, b. 1837, d. 1877, m. Mary (Woodward???)

5. Henry William, b. 1839, d. 1920, m. Esther Benson

(Henry named a son Edgar French Wade, which led me to surmise that Ruhama's maiden name was also French. I found I was correct... He also named a son Harry Ellsworth Wade, and I wonder if Ruhama's mother's maiden name was Ellsworth...).

6. Hannah, b. 1841

7. George, b. 1843-1844, d. 1845-1846

8. Lidora Ann, b. 1845, d. 1859

9. Charles Adelbert, b. 1849, d. 1850

10. Ida Fostina, b. 1854, d. 1854

If anyone has any ideas on Ruhama's parents, I would greatly appreciate it!

Wendy (Wood) Hawksley

Dover AFB, DE

autumndivona@juno.com

- posted May 23, 2005

HOLMES : Clyde Richardson Holmes (1911-1995)

I would like information on the ancestors of Clyde Richardson Holmes, Sr. 

Richard Capen

capen@slocoast.net

- posted May 31, 2005

- posted July 1, 2005

SMITH : Susanna (----) Smith, wife of Benjamin Smith of Stoughton : I am seeking to uncover the surname and parentage of Susanna (--) wife of Benjamin Smith of Stoughton. Little is known about her, other than she was likely born circa 1696/1700, was married no later than 1721, and died before 26 Mar 1747, as this is the marriage date of Benjamin to his second wife, Martha Perrin. A Susanna Smith joined the First Church of Canton [Stoughton], MA on 25 Mar 1744, and it seems likely that this could be the Susanna Smith in question.

Benjamin Smith was b. in Taunton 4 Feb 1695/96 in Taunton, son of Andrew and Mary (Bundy) Smith and he died 23 September 1769 in Stoughton. Mary Bundy is a descendant of Mayflower passenger James Chilton. Benjamin "owned the covenant" on 2 Dec 1722 at the First Church of Canton, MA. Benjamin and Susanna (--) Smith were the parents of six children all born in Canton/Stoughton, MA: Ephraim Smith, bapt. 2 Dec 1722; Benjamin, Jr. b. 23 Mar 1724; Ephraim, b. 13 Sept 1726; Tabitha, b. 20 Apr 1729; Nathan, b. 24 Jul 1731 and Isaac, b. Feb 1736.

I am descended from Tabitha, who m. Elijah Pitcher. Any information welcome!

David Pettee, 4 Howley Ave., Newton, MA 02459, Tel: 617-969-2463 dapettee@aol.com

SMITH / PITCHER: Tabitha (Smith) Belcher: Seeking the death place and date of Tabitha (Smith) Pitcher, wife of Elijah Pitcher, who was the daughter of Benjamin and Susanna (--) Smith of Stoughton. Tabitha was born 20 April 1729, and baptz. at the First Church of Canton, MA on 4 May 1729. She married Elijah Pitcher in Stoughton on 29 October 1747. Elijah Pitcher was b. in Stoughton on 31 May 1726, son of Edward and Jane (Lyon) Pitcher.

Tabitha is mentioned in a Stoughton land deed with her husband Elijah dated 16 August 1749, and both were “added to the church” in Stoughton, MA on 17 March 1754. The last known Stoughton Church reference to Elijah Pitcher was when he was “dismissed” per his request from the church on 31 May 1767 to the First Church in Norwich, CT. About a year later, on May 22, 1768, Elijah Pitcher and an unnamed wife were admitted to the First Congregational Church of Norwich, CT.

There are many children attributed to Elijah, with little primary source evidence, except for the five children as follows. The first three can be accounted for with firm confidence as children of Tabitha, all b. in Stoughton, MA: Jemima, b. 1 May 1750; Jerusha and Elijah, Jr. both baptized on 4 Nov 1753. Daughter Chloe, baptized 6 April 1755 and son David, baptized 14 May 1758 are presumed to be the children of Tabitha in the absence of any death record and/or marriage record of Elijah to Jemima (--). There is a reference in the First Church of Canton, MA records that a gift was given in the name of Elijah Pitcher in 1759 on "account of sickness." Could this be a reference to Tabitha? Elijah married second Jemima (--) , who died in Westfield, MA in 1797, aged 59. The date and place of this wedding are unknown.

I descend from dtr. Chloe who married Samuel Capen in Stoughtonham on 22 Aug 1775.

All assistance welcomed!

David Pettee, 4 Howley Ave., Newton, MA 02459, Tel: 617-969-2463 dapettee@aol.com- posted August 23, 2005

-  posted August 23, 2005

WINSLOW: Sally (Winslow) Gay (1782-1857)

I have been searching for many years to find the parents of my great-great grandmother Sally Winslow.  According to her death certificate she was born in Wiscasset, Maine in Jun 1782.  Her parents names are not mentioned.  I have been to Wiscasset and reviewed the town records to no avail. She married Otis Gay of Stoughton on May 25, 1806 in Boston by Rev John Eliot, DD of the New North Church (5th Congregational Church). As far as I can tell, she spent the rest of her life in Stoughton - she died there on September 30 /October 1, 1857.  She is buried in Dry Pond along with her husband and son. Her daughter Letitia is buried at Dry Pond in the Jones  section with her husband  Jefferson Jones.  Otis Gay died in 1810 leaving the widow Sally with two minor children. Her son  died in 1823 and her only surviving child was Letitia (Gay) Jones. In the 1850 census Sally  is shown living with Jefferson and Letitia Jones in Stoughton.