Family History Is Just About Those Who Are Gone...Or Is It?

When we begin to assemble the key players of our family tree, we all begin with the basics. We write our names neatly in the primary box at the bottom of the tree. Then we move up a branch and we write our fathers name...then our mothers name. Then we separate off into the paternal side and fill in the names of our father's parents and grandparents. Then we work our way back to our maternal side and diligently fill in the names of her parents and grandparents.

We may fill in the birth dates and death dates if we know them, maybe making a mental note to "Call Mom and ask what Grandma's birthday was".

After we've dutifully filled in all the blank lines we step back, and with a sigh, we pat ourselves on the back for a job well done.

Maybe we frame this tree and hang in our hallway with the other family photographs. Checking off our list "Research Family History".

But wait!! Don't check that off your list quite yet.

Family History is more then just the names and dates of our parents and grandparents. The history of our families...of ourselves...is the story each of us have to tell. Sadly our stories are lost after we are gone, little tidbits may remain in the memories of our children, cousins or nieces, but the things that may matter to us go unmentioned.

Who better to tell your story then...YOU.

Family history is about OUR own stories too! Not just those who've already passed.

Many times we are so focused on getting the facts about our 4x Great Grandfather that we forget to get the stories of our parents, ourselves or our children down. I know I'm guilty of this as well.

But guess what?

All those who are dead...will stay that way. Their history will remain in place. It's those who are alive that we need to worry about. It's their stories...our stories...that need to be preserved now. Think of all the information that is sitting in their heads, just waiting to be mined.

"But my life is so ordinary! There is nothing special about me!" you say.

Really??

How is that possible?

History is about ordinary people. Some who have done extraordinary things, but they were ordinary just like the rest of us. Today blogs, like this one, are read by many. Why?? Why are blogs so successful? They are written by everyday people about their everyday lives. What about Twitter or Facebook? Their entire existence is based on peoples desire to know about other peoples lives. Why do we want to know what someone had for lunch? Why do we care what movie they saw last night? Because we're curious about people.

So imagine your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren or even your 4x great grandchildren...don't you think they will be curious about you? Curious as to why you loved to play the piano? Why you chose to be a doctor? Or why you quit college?

WE ALL HAVE A STORY TO TELL!!

So tell it....because family history is NOT just about those who are gone!

1940 Census - Kimple's Neighbors with the Minnigh's

The 1940 Census has recently been released and I've had a chance to find some of my family members on it.

Tonight, I found something interesting...I found that my 2nd Great Grandparents - William and Mary Kimple lived next door to my Great Grandparents - Harold and Esther Minnigh.

In 1940 my Grandfather Robert Minnigh was only 15 years old.

I love finding these little tidbits.

I'm still looking for a death date for William Kimple. I know that Mary Kimple is in Florida with her son in 1945. So maybe William passed away shortly after this census was taken and Mary moved to FL to be by her son Arthur. Yet, she was living next door to her daughter and grandchildren, so why move? So many questions?

Minnigh Homestead

My Grandfather, Robert Minnigh, lived on Minnigh Lane. I asked him many years ago how it was possible for him to live on a road that shared his last name and he told me..."Back in 1800's some of our ancestors settled in this part of Penn on 200 acres, what is now Minnigh Lane was the lane that ran through the property - it is now a public road."

Picture if of my 3rd Great Grandmother Eliza Jane Bradley and her husband William Minnigh standing in front of their home.

Eliza and William had four children: Edrie Viola (1852-1857), May (birth and death unknown), Catherine (birth and death unknown) and son Elmer Oliver (1861 -1945). My grandfather's modern day home was located about 500 feet from Eliza and William's home (as seen in picture above). The land on which it sat consisted of 200 acres, which had been purchased by William from Eliza's father (John Guy Bradley) at the time of their wedding. In 1889 William invented and obtained a U.S. Patent #396887 on what he called a "seed grader and cleaner"  - something to be used by all growers of grains. Whether or not it was ever produced I have no idea.

Another interesting story was told to my Grandfather Robert by his father Harold. In the 1800's the home was built in approx 1860 - after William & Eliza had married and moved to the farm - William started growing tobacco in addition to his regular farm crops. (There use to be a photo taken long ago of tobacco tied in bunches hanging in a barn located behind the house). Indians still lived and roamed through out the area, usually several in number - they would come by the  house from time to time to beg or barter. They were primarily interested in the tobacco and at some point it was agreed upon - tobacco for lead. The lead to be melted down and cast to form lead balls for ammunition for hunting. It is said that is was never made known where the lead came from but the Indians were never gone long before they were back with the agreed upon amount of lead for tobacco. It was quite certain that the location of the lead deposit was on the farm nearby but William supposedly never learned of the location and though it was searched for, they never found it.

Pictures from Minnigh Homestead

Foundation from Eliza and Williams home

There is a walnut tree that still stands adjacent to where the house stood that still produces a few walnuts each year. As a child Harold would gather nuts from that tree.


An oil painting by Mary B. Dille was given to William Minnigh on July 1, 1896. I'm waiting for a photo of the actual painting to be sent to me, but below is the card that was attached to the painting.

Stories From the Minnigh Family - Part 1

**Post has been updated...thanks to Cousin Joel for clarifying some of the details

Picture taken circa 1938

left to right: Wendell Minnigh, Circie Bates Minnigh, Elmer O. Minnigh

Wendell E. Minnigh (1911-1986). Graduated from high school 1928, attended Allegheny College and Boston University School of Theology. He was a pastor at a number of Methodist churches in Western Pennsylvania. He held, over the years, several high level administrative appointments within the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the (United) Methodist Church. In high school and college he was a member of Varsity Baseball and he was also outstanding in tennis and was a member of the varsity swim team. He also played the clarinet and piano.

Wendell was extremely intelligent and well read.

My Grandfather (Robert Minnigh) once said about Wendell..."I got to know him quite well over the years and in my judgement, had he not chosen the ministry, he could have mastered whatever he chose, particularly law, as his father had before him, or because of his speaking voice and good looks the theater or movies."

Wendell married Alene Hyde, who also excelled at swimming and tennis. They first met in Volant when they were both 6 and went to the first grade together. Alene's family attended the church Elmer Minnigh pastored. They were reconnected in about 1932. Together they had five children: Wendell Jr., Diane, Judith, Miriam (Mi-Mi) and Joel.

Wendell's Obit: PA--Sharon Herald....11 Sep 1986
REV WENDELL MINNIGH Sr: Greenville; 74, died Wed morning (9/10/86) in Gilmore's White Cliff Nursing Home after an extended illness. MrMinnigh was born 11 Nov 1911 in Tidioute, to the late RevElmerO & Circie Annette Bates Minnigh. He was a 1928 graduate of Conneautville High School & a 1933 graduate of Allegheny College. He earned a bachelor of sacred theology degree in 1938 from Boston University School of Theology. In 1959 Allegheny College awarded him a doctor of divinity degree. He served Methodist churches in NewCAstle, Townville, Crawford County & UnionCity. From 1948-1964 he was pastor of First Methodist Church-Greenville; then he went to Pittsburgh where he served for 2 years as pastor of Emory Methodist Church. In 1966 Appointed disrict superintendent of the Allegheny District Western PA, which in 1968 became the Butler District of the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 1972 he became pastor of the United Methodist Church-GIrard. He officially retired in 1975 & returned to Greenville. {several more paragraphs re activities} Surviving are his wife the former Alene Hyde, whom he married 26 Dec 1934; 5 children: Diane Minnigh-Boston; Judith (MrsThomas) Gardner-Girard; Miriam Marshall-BerthoudCO; Rev WendellE MinnighJr-BathNY; JoelD Minnigh-Pittsburgh; a bro: HaroldA Minnigh-Cooperstown & 7 grandchildren. Two bros preceded him in death. Service will be Sat for the former pastor of Greenville First United Methodist Church, a district superintendent for the United Methodist Church & long-time trustee at Allegheny College-Meadville. {Services will be held Sat in First United Methodist Church with his son Rev DrWednell MinnighJr officiating, burial in ParkLawn Cem. Arrangements by Loutzenhiser-Jordan Colonial Funeral Home}


Circie Annette Bates (1881-1941).

Circie Annette Bates

1881-1941

Her parents had owned a considerable amount of land in Ohio bordering on the Pennsylvania state line at a place, appropriately named "State Line". They raised horses among other things. Her parents donated some land and money for the construction of a Methodist church in State Line.

George Bates

Father of Circie 

1842-1928

Nancy Towner (Bates)

Mother of Circie

1847-1906

As a teenager, Circie, was the official rider, when it came time to prepare her parents horses for riding, it was her job to accustom the horses to having someone on their back, which they didn't always take too kindly to. But she prevailed.

Upon the completion of the church in State Line, the very first pastor to occupy the pulpit on Sundays was a man named Elmer Orville Minnigh (unmarried). Circie would accompany her parents to church on Sunday and by the time she had reached the age of 18 and the pastor the age of 38 a courtship had begun and a wedding followed in 1900.

Circie Annette Bates, Elmer O. Minnigh with son Harold

My Grandfather (Robert Minnigh) once said about Circie: "I was fortunate enough to have known Circie quite well, having visited her during my summer vacations. We spent much time sitting on the front porch at Robinson Chapel during the warm days of summer while war clouds were gathering over Europe - just prior to WWII. Our game was Chinese Checkers. If I ever did win a game - I don't remember. She would laugh heartily whenever she won. I venture to say if she were here today. I would still not be able to beat her. She was a wonderful grandmother to me."

Circie Bates and Elmer O. Minnigh

Circle played the piano and organ at church services and also had a piano in the house.

Elmer and Circie had 4 sons: Elmer Jr. (who died shortly after birth - approx 1901), Harold Arden (born 1902), Wendell (born 1911), and Marion LaFern (born 1915 - died 1918 at the age of 3).

Circie Bates with son Marion LaFern

who died at 3 years of age

Marion Minnigh

Circie Bates Minnich {Minnigh} Obit: Mrs. Elmer Kinsman; 59, died at home here Thursday evening after a 2 month illness. She was born 12 Jun 1881 at State Line, a daughter of George and Nancy Bates and was a member of the Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband, Rev. Elmer Minnich; 2 sons: Harold - Linesville; Rev. Wendell-Townville; 5 grandchildren; 2 sis: Mrs. Charles Bush - Williamsfield; Mrs Harry Sharp-Kinsman; 2 bros: Morah Bates - Conneaut and Earl Bates - Denver Co. Service will be held Sun afternoon at McLean Funeral Home with Rev Lee Smith-Sharon and Rev Albert Marriott - Meadville officiating. Burial will be at Jamestown PA (ParkLawn Cem)

Elmer Orville Minnigh (1861-1945).

Elmer O. Minnigh and Circie Bates

His parents had a 200 acre farm located at Bradleytown (named after his mother Eliza Bradley's father, John Bradley). Elmer was born there. He was the only son of Eliza and William Minnigh. He had two sisters: Mary (May) Adeline Minnigh (McLean) 1862-1936 and Catherine Amanda Minnigh (Foster) 1867-1938

Catherine Amanda Minnigh (Foster)

Elmer's Sister

1867-1938

He attended the Sunville Seminary in PA. Sunville Seminary was a high school located near Bradleytown. Elmer graduated from there in 1878. He attended Allegeheny College where he graduated with degrees of A.B. and A.M. in the class of 1882. He was a classmate of Clarence Darrow - famed lawyer to be. During that time Elmer, for a while, dated Darrow's sister, Mary, who lived at the family home in Kinsman, Ohio. Incidentally that home is now on the National Register. The distance from Allegheny to Kinsman was close to 50 miles and could be reached via a trolley. So on weekends Elmer would travel to visit. Just how serious of a relationship it became, is unknown to me, but it apparently ended up on his graduation from Allegheny and enrollment at the university of Michigan. Elmer graduated from that institution with the degree of LLB. He was to practice law, successfully in the state of Missouri for eleven years and then dedicated his life to Christian Service, being ordained and received into the Methodist ministry in 1895. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta National College Social Fraternity, of which he was a charter member.

left to right: Elmer O. Minnigh, Eliza Bradley, Harold Minnigh holding son Robert Minnigh

left to right: Circie Bates, Elmer O Minnigh, Wendell Minnigh, Harold Minnigh, Eliza Bradley and George Bates

He was extremely articulate, with a voice that was made to order for a lawyer or minister.

Robinson Chapel in Parker, PA

My Grandfather (Robert Minnigh) once said about Elmer..."He was most impressive while standing at the pulpit on Sundays. I, at the young age of 12, found myself mesmerized by his sermons whenever I was at one of his Sunday services. He would spend hours during the week in his "study" preparing his up-coming sermon, and when Sunday arrived, when he approached the pulpit he would have only his bible in his hand. And from that moment on, until he had concluded his sermon, everyone within earshot was hearing a story being told in such a way that it was hard to believe that he had not personally witnessed everything first hand. As a lawyer he must have been outstanding. He was a good and wise man."

Elmer was active in his ministry for 50 years and died at the home of his son Wendell.

New Castle Newspaper Saturday March 17, 1945

Obit says: Rev. E. O. Minnigh Dies in Union City

Well-known retired minister passes away at home of his son Thursday.

Rev. E. O. Minnigh, retired Methodist minster, passed away, following a month's illness on Thursday March 15, at the parsonage home of his son, Rev. Wendell E. Minnigh, 46 East High Street, Union City, PA. Mr. Minnigh was aged 83 years. He had lived with his son since the passing of his wife four years ago this month.

Born June 13, 1861 near Sunville Pa, the only son of William and Jane Minnigh, Elmer Orville Minnigh was the oldest of four children. The others preceded him in death. Mr. Minnigh attended Sunville Seminary and was graduated with honors from Allegheny College, with degrees in A.B. and A.M. in the class of 1882. 

Attending the law school of the University of Michigan, he was graduated from that institution with the LL.B degree several years later practicing law successfully in the state of Missouri for 11 years. Mr. Minnigh dedicated his life to Christian devotion and service and was ordained and received into the Methodist ministry in 1895. Serving in the St. Louis Conference until 1899, Mr. Minnigh transferred back home into the Erie Conference. He was united in marriage on February 7, 1900, with Circie Annette Bates of near Jamestown, PA. They lived happily together for 41 years until the death of Mrs. Minnigh on March 13, 1941 They had four sons, two of whom died in early childhood. Two survive, Harold Arden Minnigh of Linesville, PA and Rev Wendell E. Minnigh, Pastor of the Methodist church in Union City, PA. In addition six grandchildren are living.

The Rev. Elmer O. Minnigh with his wife served the following charges in Erie Conference, Sate Line on the Jamestown charge, Espyville, West Middlesex, Tidioute, Volant, New Wilmington, Linesville, Conneautville, Edinburg and Robinson Chapel, all in Pennsylvania. Little Valley and Silver Creek in New York state. He had served in the ministry of the Methodist church for 38 years in the effective relation and help a pastorate for seven years more following his retirement.

Mr. Minnigh was a charter member of Phi Delta Theta national college social fraternity, a Mason and a member of the I.O.O.F.

His son Rev. Wendell E. Minnigh served at Wesley-Kings Chapel Methodist charge from 1936 to 1938. 

The body will be at the McCurdy funeral home Kinsman O until Sunday, where friends may call. Funeral services in his memory will be held at the Methodist church Jamestown, PA, Sunday at 3 p.m. Interment will be in the family lot in the Jamestown cemetery.

Understanding History Is An Important Part Of Genealogy

I teach my kids History is a story. It's not boring facts and dates to memorize then forget. History is a narrative of the past...of those who lived before us.

If you think about our days...the cars we drive, the wars we fight, the choices we make, the jobs we have...all will one day just be facts and dates...to be studied and then forgotten. But wait, you say, that's not right! We don't want our daily struggles and accomplishments to be treated so inconsequential, but then neither did the generations before us.

A hundred years from now future generations may wonder why families lost their homes or moved across the country away from their families just for a job. But if they knew the story of our economic crisis they could answer those questions. The choices wouldn't seem so out of the ordinary. Just like today we look back at those who lived during the Great Depression ,and if the ancestor we are searching for lived during that time, it may help us understand some of the motivations behind their decisions.

Facts about our ancestors, when and where they were born, where they're buried, the date they were married are all important to know, but I would argue that digging deeper into the lives of our ancestors to reveal the story behind each person is far more important. Because the basic information really only provides a basic frame work. The true story is in the little details.

I've always been more interested in the stories behind the names. During my research I found out that Judith Flaugh married Martin Betts and I want to know about their daily lives together. Was it a love match? I learn that Matthias Flaugh Jr. dies at 44, leaving his wife Hannah and 9 children behind and I want to know how he died. Was Hannah devastated? But because I know my history I know that in 1831 life would have difficult for Hannah and her children. How did she cope? What happened to her children? Did her family step in, or did his, to help support her and the children? But then I learn that Hannah had 3 more husbands and I know that she was a survivor. There is also one heck of a story there!!

Stories and photographs are another way to help fill in that frame. But sadly we aren't always fortunate enough to have these things and definitely not for each person.

Of all the ancestors I've researched Hannah intrigues me the most. I'd love to one day find an image of her. And I'd really like to find out how Matthias died.

Family Photo Collage

Like my family heirlooms, I don't believe in locking away photographs of my family/ancestors. In fact I recently created 2 large photo collages that now hang in my office/dining room.

Not only do I smile each time I see them, they've been the center of many dinner conversations. One of my kids will point to a photo and ask who they are, what year they were alive and that will lead us into a lengthy conversation about all I know about that family member and the things that were happening in their time period.

I'll find the kids staring at the photos at times, inspecting them up close...then they'll say "Mom, I have the same eyes as this person or you sit with your shoulders rolled forward just like this one."

I nod and smile because this is family. These people may be gone but their stories are still here. They still matter.

It's a moment of true family bonding across all generations. I wish each of them could know that 10, 50 or 100 years later their lives and their photos still live on in the homes of their ancestors.

So I encourage you to make one for your homes. You can always make color copies of the photos instead of using the originals. And just see the conversations you'll have.

Indentured Servants...Do You Have One In Your Family?

Wikipedia defines Indentured Servants this way: Indentured servitude refers to the historical practice of contracting to work for a fixed period of time, typically 3 to 7 years, in exchange for transportation, food, clothing, lodging and other necessities during the term of indenture. It was a system that provided jobs and - most important - transportaion for poor young people from the overcrowded labor markets (such as Europe) who wanted to come to laber-short areas, but had no money to pay for it. The majority became farmers and farm wives.

Matthias Flach (My 6th Great Grandfather) left Rimhorn at 19 years old on the ship "Union" under captain Andrew Bryson. He arrived in Philadelphia on Sept 27, 1773, under the name Johan Madas Flach. He became a "servant" and was indentured to John Peters of Philadelphia for 3 years, 3 mo or 20 pounds. (Pennsylvania German Society, List of Indentures, Pg 322-323)

On July 13, 1776, he signed himself up as a common soldier on the Roll of Muster for the War of Independence and fought for America's freedom from the English Crown.

According to documents he participated in the battles of Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth.

Later he married Marie Arnold and they had 8 children.

When they settled in Crawford County, PA he acquired 200 acres.

He's buried in Peiffertown Cemetery, which is 2 miles south of Saegertown, PA. 

Tombstone reads "Restless death's unerring dart has 

pierced the aged veteran's heart. He, while alive, did firm 

maintain the liberty he helped to gain under the 

great Washington." He was a Private.

Great article about Johann Matthias Flach

Descendants of Wilhelm Flach

Generation No. 1

1.  WILHELM² FLACH  (PAUL¹) was born 19 Feb 1668/69.  He married ANNA MARIE GAUL 10 Jun 1698. 

       

Child of WILHELM FLACH and ANNA GAUL is:

2.                i.    PHILLIP³ FLACH, b. 04 Jan 1709/10; d. 23 Jan 1752.

Generation No. 2

2.  PHILLIP³ FLACH (WILHELM², PAUL¹) was born 04 Jan 1709/10, and died 23 Jan 1752.  He married JOHANNA ELISABETHA MERCKEL 27 Nov 1732, daughter of HANS ADAM MERCKEL.  She was born 12 Feb 1712/13, and died 25 Sep 1776.

More About PHILLIP FLACH:

Burial: Germany

Occupation: Master Baker

More About JOHANNA ELISABETHA MERCKEL:

Burial: Germany

       

Children of PHILLIP FLACH and JOHANNA MERCKEL are:

3.                i.    JOHANN MATTHIAS⁴ FLACH, b. 08 Apr 1752, Rimhorn, Hesseen, Germany; d. 20 Jan 1834, Sagertown, PA.

                  ii.    EVA MARIA FLACH.

                 iii.    GEORGE FLACH.

Generation No. 3

3.  JOHANN MATTHIAS⁴ FLACH (PHILLIP³, WILHELM², PAUL¹) was born 08 Apr 1752 in Rimhorn, Hesseen, Germany, and died 20 Jan 1834 in Sagertown, PA.  He married ANNA MARGARETHA ARNOLD 1780 in Berk County, PA, daughter of PETER ARNOLD and ANNA.  She was born 21 Jul 1759 in Lancaster County, PA, and died 17 Feb 1835 in Woodcock Township, PA.

More About JOHANN MATTHIAS FLACH:

Burial: PieferTown Cem. on Park Ave Ext between Meadville & Sagertown                                                                                           

More About ANNA MARGARETHA ARNOLD:

Burial: PieferTown Cem. on Park Ave Ext between Meadville & Sagertown

       

Children of JOHANN FLACH and ANNA ARNOLD are:

4.                i.    GEORGE⁵ FLAUGH, b. 1793, Eagleton, Cumberland County, Pensylvania; d. 06 Jun 1880, Woodcock Township, PA.

5.               ii.    JACOB FLAUGH, b. 21 Jan 1783, Eagleton, Cumberland County, PA; d. 18 Feb 1863, Sagertown, PA.

                 iii.    MARY M. FLAUGH, b. 1814; d. 1883.

                 iv.    ELIZABETH FLAUGH, b. 09 Mar 1803, Eagleton, Cumberland County, Pensylvania; d. 04 May 1855, Vernon Township, Crawford County, PA.

                 v.    SARAH FLAUGH, b. 1800; d. 1892.

6.              vi.    MATTHIAS FLAUGH, JR, b. 24 Jun 1787, Eagleton, PA; d. 29 Aug 1831,. Crawford County, PA

                vii.    JOHN CONRAD FLAUGH, b. 10 Feb 1795, Eagleton, PA; d. 11 Mar 1879, Crawford County, PA.

               viii.    SAMUEL FLAUGH, b. 24 Nov 1798, Eagleton, Cumberland County, Pensylvania; d. 30 Jan 1875.

                 ix.    BARBARA FLAUGH, b. 1793, Eagleton, Cumberland County, Pensylvania.

Generation No. 4

4.  GEORGE⁵ FLAUGH (JOHANN MATTHIAS⁴ FLACH, PHILLIP³, WILHELM², PAUL¹) was born 1793 in Eagleton, Cumberland County, Pensylvania, and died 06 Jun 1880 in Woodcock Township, PA.  He married CATHERINE GRAFF 1813.  She was born 03 Feb 1793 in Sadsbury Twp, Crawford Cnty, PA, and died 11 Aug 1865 in Woodcock Township, PA.

More About GEORGE FLAUGH:

Burial: Mt Blair Cem

More About CATHERINE GRAFF:

Burial: Mt Blair Cem

       

Children of GEORGE FLAUGH and CATHERINE GRAFF are:

                  i.    MATTHIAS⁶ FLAUGH, b. 04 Sep 1817; d. 02 Jul 1899; m. CATHERINE BROWN, 18 Sep 1839; b. 24 Feb 1818; d. 24 Nov 1903.

More About MATTHIAS FLAUGH:

Burial: Cochraton Cemetary

More About CATHERINE BROWN:

Burial: Cochraton Cemetary

                  ii.    SAMUEL FLAUGH.

                 iii.    SUSAN FLAUGH.

                 iv.    ABRAM I. FLAUGH.

                 v.    BENJAMIN FLAUGH.

                 vi.    GEORGE W. FLAUGH, JR..

                vii.    HIRAM FLAUGH.

5.  JACOB⁵ FLAUGH (JOHANN MATTHIAS⁴ FLACH, PHILLIP³, WILHELM², PAUL¹) was born 21 Jan 1783 in Eagleton, Cumberland County, PA, and died 18 Feb 1863 in Sagertown, PA.  He married CATHERINE HICKERNELL, daughter of ABRAHAM HICKERNELL and ELIZABETH FREE.  She was born 28 Aug 1782, and died 29 Sep 1867 in Hayfield Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania.

       

Children of JACOB FLAUGH and CATHERINE HICKERNELL are:

                  i.    CATHERINE⁶ FLAUGH, b. 21 Nov 1811; d. 10 Nov 1897.

                  ii.    REBECCA FLAUGH, b. 17 Jul 1818, Saegertown, Crawford, Pennsylvania; d. 18 Jun 1895, Harmony, NY.

6.  MATTHIAS⁵ FLAUGH, JR (JOHANN MATTHIAS⁴ FLACH, PHILLIP³, WILHELM², PAUL¹) was born 24 Jun 1787 in Eagleton, PA, and died 29 Aug 1831 in Crawford County, PA.  He married JOHANNA HANNAH ENGELHAUPT 1810, daughter of JOHN ENGELHAUPT and EVA STUMPF.  She was born 07 Mar 1795 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and died 22 Mar 1861 in Green Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.

       

Children of MATTHIAS FLAUGH and JOHANNA ENGELHAUPT are:

                  i.    SARAH⁶ FLAUGH, b. 31 Dec 1811, Eagleton, Pennsylvania; d. 22 Apr 1892, Woodcock Twp., Crawford County, Pennsylvania..

                  ii.    MARIA MAGDALENA FLAUGH, b. 24 Jul 1814, Pennsylvania; d. 20 Apr 1883, Hayfield Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania..

                  iii.   LEAH FLAUGH, b 24 Jul 1818, Pennsylvania; d. 31 Oct 1860, Altoona, Polk, Iowa

                  iv.  JUDAH FLAUGH, b. 11 May 1820, Pennsylvania; d. 08 May 1903, Williamsfield, Ashtabula, Ohio (4th Great Grandmother)

                  v.   HANNAH FLAUGH, B. 05 Feb 1821, Pennsylvania; d. 17 Feb 1854

                  vi.  AMOS MATHIAS FLAUGH, b. 09 Apr 1822, Pennsylvania; d.?

                  vii. ELISABETHA ANNA FLAUGH, b.  23 May 1823, Pennsylvania; d. 17 Mar 1901, Iowa

                  ix.  FAYETTA SALOME FLAUGH, b. 26 Jun 1825, Pennsylvania; d. 1910, Mercer Pennsylvania

                  x.   DANIEL FLAW, b. 25 Oct 1827, Pennsylvania; d. 1 April 1913 

The Will of Mathias Flock

In the name of God amane, I Mathias Flock being weak in body but of perfect mind and menory do make this my last will and testament. I order that my beloved wife Mary Flock shall keep one bed and one milk cow and her maintenace shall be out of my real estate and at her death my real and personal shall be sold and divided as follows, my son George Flock the sum of ten dollars, my son Samuel Flock the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, my daughter Barbara Minium the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, and my daughter Elizabeth Brown on hundred and fifty dollars that piece of land which I own part of a tract know by the name of the McClure tract on Muddy Creek seventy five acres I do leave and bequeath unto David Carr my daughters Elizabeth's son now living with me, if he should live until he is of age that said David Carr shall be supported out of my estate and schooled as if I was living, the residue of my estate if shall be divided equal among all my heirs.  I do here by appoint and ordain Jacob Flock and Mathias my two oldest sons executors of this my last will and testament.  Given under my hand and seal this fifth day of August in the year of our Lord on thousand eight hundred and twenty nine.

In presents of

George Long,                          Mathias Flock seal

David Carr

    This codesil of the written will I do make and alter and in place of the ten dollars to George Flock he shall have on hundred and fifty dollars the money I have paid David Wadsworth for his lands shall be considered as part of the hundred and fifty dollars and also David Carr son of Elizabeth Flock formerly now Elizabeth Brown shall considered as one of my heirs and to receive an equal sixty dollars of being money as the rest of my heirs, I also do appoint Daniel Brown his quardian if I should be called of in his minor years.

August 3 1831

George Long                                   Mathias Flock

Daniel Watring

                               In consequence of the death of my son Mathias Flock one of the executors in the foregoing will I do nominate and appoint in his name and sted my son-in-law Daniel Brown with Jacob Flock.

July 22 1833 Attest

George Long                                   Mathias Flock

Crawford County Personally appeared before me George Long and David Carr the two subseribing witnesses to the witten unting purported to the the last will and testament of Mathias Flaugh (now deceased) being duly sworn doth severally dispose and say that they saw the said Mathias Flough sign the same of his own free will and accord and at the time of so doing the said testator ws of perfect sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief.  The said George Long further deposeth and says that he was present and saw the said testator sing the codisil and the second codisil at the respective times of the execution and that he signed his at the request of the testator.  That the testator was of sound mind memory and understanding at the execution of the respective codisils.

Sworn and subseribed this 22 day of January 1834.  H.H. Laughlin depty

Wm W. White Reg               George Long

                                            David Carr

    Crawford County: Daniel Watring one of the subseribers of interpes to the above writing purporting to be a codisil to the will and testament of Mathias Flaugh (now deceased) being duly sworm deposeth and saith that he signed the foregoing codisil or instrument of writing at the request of Mathias Flaugh whose name is subseribed there  unto that he acknowledged the same to a codisil to the within will and testament that he was of sound mind memory and understanding at this time.

Sworn and subseribed the 22 day of January 1834

H.H. Laughlin depty

Wm W. White Reg                     David Watring

Family Treasures...Grandma Jane's Jewelry Box

Grandmother Jane's wooden jewelry box.

This is such a treasured item. It sits on my bedside table and I think of Jane each time I see it.

Trusting Family Stories...Ernest and Marriane Kent

We ask family members questions...

Family members tell us stories...

And it's our job, as a family historian, to doubt all information until proven. I'm sure many of us all have stories we've been able to prove and disprove.


My grandmother once told me she believed her grandmother, Marriane, was really in love with Phillip, her sisters husband, but her sister was older and in those days marriages in the "upper class" were always arranged. So Marriane had to marry Ernest the younger brother. Marriane had 2 sisters, one older, Cecilia Agnes Brown (April 13, 1870) and one younger, Helena Cathrine Brown (1879). If the story is true then Cecilia would have married Phillip. However, the documents I've found show Cecilia as marrying a man named Pascal Deslauriers (when she was 25). Now maybe she married a Phillip earlier, but I have no proof of that.

The other part of the story is that Ernest was the "younger brother"...now Ernest did have a brother Phillippe Kent (1885, which would make him younger then Ernest)...but again the records I've found show he married Marguerite Renaud in 1906 when he was 21.

I'm not sure whether to disregard the story my grandmother told me...but as of now I'm unable to prove it.

Besides, Ernest sounds like he was a doll! He'd sit at his piano and sing "Silver Threads Among The Gold" to her and to the grand kids when they were there.

Marriane Brown and Ernest Kent

Ernest Edonard Kent is my 2nd great grandfather. He married Marriane (Marie Anne) Brown on November 7th, 1898.

Marriane was a painter. She'd sign all her painting "MOTHER", which I think is so clever. I have one of her paintings hanging in my bedroom. Another treasured heirloom.

Marriane's painting

Ernest was born in Quebec, Canada on June 25, 1874.

Marriane Brown was born in Quebec, Canada on November 20, 1877.

They had 7 children:

• Norma Kent (My great grandmother), July 19, 1902

Norma Kent

• Edonard Kent, May 9, 1901
• Bernadette Irene Kent, 1905
• Margaret Agnes Kent, May 1907
• Marie Helene Kathleen Kent, Dec 1909
• Leonard Ernest Kent, Nov 6, 1898
• Mary Ruth Kent, Dec 31, 1908

Ernest Kent's Family Tree:

Marriane (Marie Anne) Brown's Family Tree: