John Joseph Charles

Ahhh....finally the last of the Charles' children!  Big family!  John Joseph Charles is the youngest child born to Joseph Charles and Dorthea Abbott.  John was born 7 August 1823 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.

It is assumed he can be found in both the 1830 and 1840 Federal Census's, not by name, but by age and gender, living at home with his parents.  They resided in Wethersfield, New York.

John's whereabouts during the next two federal census's is unknown.  He eldest daughter, Clara, was born in the State of New York in 1856, so we know he remained in New York through that time period.  His second eldest child, Ida Lucy Charles, was born in Michigan in 1859.  So, like many of the Charles', John moved his family West to Michigan.

The first record with John's name on it is the 1870 Federal Census.  This record finds the family living in Antwerp, Van Buren County, Michigan.  John is a farm laborer.  His married to Maria (surname unknown), and has 5 children living at home.  They were Clara, Ida, Eleanor, Augustus and Eddie.  John is land owner, his property is valued at $400, and her personal property is valued at $150.  in the next census record of 1880, except for the addition of two more children, Louis and Willard, everything remains the same.

John Joseph Charles dies 23 September 1907 in Montcalm County, Michigan, of old age.  Copy of his death certificate is below.

John Joseph Charles and Maria (unknown) had the following children:

1. Clara Charles - born 1856 in New York.  Death unknown.  Marriage unknown.

2. Ida Lucy Charles - born 1858 in Michigan.  Died 1951 in Calhoun County, Michigan.  Married Jesse Milks.

3. Ellen Charles - born about 1862 in Michigan.  Death unknown.  Marriage unknown.

4. Augustus H Charles - born May 1864 in Michigan.  Died 1950 in Reynolds, Montcalm County, Michigan.  Married Minnie Engelman.

5. Eddie A Charles - born October 1866 in Michigan.  Died 1943 in Montcalm County, Michigan.  Married Millie Engelman.

6. Louis J Charles - born 14 August 1872 in Van Buren County, Michigan.  Died 1956 in Calhoun County, Michigan.  Married Wilma Trubey.

7. Willard J Charles - born about 1876 in Michigan.  Death unknown. Marriage unknown.

After creating this blog I can see that I have no real proof that John Joseph Charles is the son of Joseph Charles and Dorthea Abbott, at least no paper proof.  His age fits with the 1830 and 1840 census records for Joseph's household.  If anyone can provide any paper proof, please contact me!

Sophia E Brown

Sophia E Brown is the 2nd Great Grand Aunt to my wife.  She is the daughter of Odin Brown and Sally Stevens.

Sophia was born 2 Mar 1848 in Boone County, Illinois.  She was the 6th born child to Odin and Sally.  Odin would go on to father 10 more children from two wives.  Sophia was the first child born in Illinois.  The next seven children would all be born here.  In the first record for Sophia, the 1850 Federal Census, the family is farming and living in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.   The 1860 Census is much the same, it does note that Sophia is attending school at that time.

By 1870 Sophia is married to Silas Durkee and has two children.  She is residing in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.  The eldest child, Gordon, is two years old and is noted as being born in the State of New York.  So the family has been there at least the previous two years.  I can't make out the profession of her husband. I'll post it below.

Sophia's sister, Carrie, is living with them.  Her profession is dress maker.

Sophia and Silas are still residing in Buffalo, Erie County, New York during the next Federal Census of 1880.  Silas's profession at that time is Drug Clerk.  Makes me think his earlier profession is most likely 'clerk in store'.  They now have three children.  By 1884 Sophia is remarried.  It is unknown whether her and Silas are divorced or if he has passed away.  Silas most likely died before 1884.  Her second husband's name is Albert Frederick Hoge.

The next available census, the 1900 Federal Census, finds Sophia and second husband, Albert, living in Sundance, Crook County, Wyoming.  Sophia's oldest brother, Hubbel, has been living here since at least 1888.  This is what most likely brought her to Wyoming.  Her husband's profession is farming.  She has one son living with her.  It is noted that she is the mother of three children, and all are still living at the time of the census.  Living next door is her daughter, Carrie, with her husband and children.

Sophia passes away the following year, 1901, on June 22nd.  She was 53 years old at the time of her death. She is buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Sundance, Crook County, Wyoming.  Inscribed on her headstone was the following, "She was a kind and affectionate wife, a kind mother, and a friend to all".

She is buried next to her second husband, Albert Hoge, and her son, Gordon.

Sophia E Brown and Silas Durkee had the following children:

1. Silas Gordon Durkee - born 2 March 1868 in New York.  Died 3 October 1923 in Sundance, Crook County, Wyoming.  Never married.

2. Charles L Durkee - born in December of 1869 in New York.  Death unknown.  Married Adelaide, surname unknown.

3. Carrie Gertrude Durkee - born 15 November 1876 in New York.  Died 8 November 1963 in San Diego, San Diego County, California.  She married Thomas Hawken.

Dorothy Charles

Dorothy Charles is my 4th Great Grand Aunt, the sister of the my 4th Great Grandmother, Sarah Walker Charles.

Dorothy was born 17 July 1807 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.  She is the daughter of Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott.

Dorothy married Benjamin Franklin Langdon some time before 1832, the year her oldest child was born.  The first record found that would include Dorothy is the 1840 Federal Census.  Even though the 1840 census only lists the head of household, no spouses or children, we can assume the female listed is Dorothy.  The place of the census is Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  The head of household is listed as Franklin Langdon.  Residing with Franklin are 1 male under the age of 5, 2 males between 5 and 9, 1 female age 30 to 39 and 1 female aged 70 to 79.  This older female was most likely the mother of Benjamin as Dorothy's parents are residing next door.

The next record, the 1850 Federal Census, we find Dorothy without her husband, still residing in Wethersfield, now Wyoming County, New York.  She still has her three sons living with her as well as a younger sister, Miranda.  The owned real estate is valued at $2800.  Her profession is listed as farming.

Like several of the other Charles' children we next find Dorothy in Michigan.  The census year is 1860 and she is residing in Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, with her oldest son Samuel Langdon and his wife, Emily Woods.  Also living with them is her youngest son, and his father's namesake, Benjamin Franklin Langdon.  Dorothy has personal belongings valued at $60.

In 1870 Dorothy still resides in Richland but this time she is living in the household of her youngest son, Benjamin.  She has real estate valued at $2800.  Her son is farming.  Next door is her son, Samuel (widowed with two children).  In the 1880 Federal Census the situation is nearly the same except Samuel is no longer next door.

Dorothy dies 31 August 1888 in Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.  She is buried in the Wethersfield cemetery in Wethersfield, New York with her husband.

Dorothy Charles and Benjamin Franklin Langdon had the following children:

1. Samuel C Langdon - born 22 January 1832 in New York.  Died 24 July 1915 in Paris, Kent County, Michigan.  Married (1st) Emily Wood, (2nd) Amanda Talman, (3rd) Minnie Munshaw.
2. Richard Langdon - born 4 June 1834 in New York.  Died 9 June 1895 in New York.  Married Nancy Morgan.
3. Benjamin Franklin Langdon - born 2 September 1840.  Died 29 June 1904 in Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.  Married Mary Gortner.

Brown children: Caroline, Frederick, Ellen, Alvah, Rosa, George and Daisy

The following Brown relatives are all 2nd Great Grand Uncle/Aunts of my wife.  They are the children of Odin Brown and Sally Stevens or Odin's 2nd wife, Helen Chamberlain.

Caroline Brown

Caroline can be found living with her parents in the 1850 and 1860 Federal Censuses in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.  She was born about 1844 in New York. The only other record found for Caroline is the 1870 Federal Census in which she is living with her sister, Sophia, in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.  In the 1870 record it is noted that her occupation is a dress makes.  No other known records exist for Caroline.

Frederick Brown

Frederick can be found living with his parents in the 1850 and 1860 Federal Censuses in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.  He was born about 1846 in New York. No other known records exist for Frederick.

Ellen Brown

Frederick can be found living with her parents in the 1850 and 1860 Federal Censuses in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.  She was born about 1850 in Illinois. Ellen is buried in the Russellville Cemetery in Boone County, Illinois. No other known records exist for Ellen.

Alvah R Brown

Alvah can be found living with his parents in the 1860 Federal Census in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.  He as born about 1852 in Illinois.  Alvah died 20 October 1860 and is buried in the Russellville Cemetery in Boone County, Illinois.

Rosalinda Brown

Rosalinda can be found living with her parents in the 1860 Federal Census in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.  She as born about 1854 in Illinois.  Rosalinda died 2 November 1861 and is buried in the Russellville Cemetery in Boone County, Illinois.

George C Brown


George was born about 1864 in Illinois.  He died 19 November 1864 and is buried in the Russellville Cemetery in Boone County, Illinois.  George was the youngest child of Sally Stevens.  His father, Odin, when remarry after Sally's death in 1867.

Daisy Brown

Daisy Brown was the first born child to Odin Brown and his 2nd wife, Helen Chamberlain.  Daisy was born 2 August 1873 in Capron, Boone County, Illinois.  Daisy died 28 March 1875 in Sterling, Johnson County, Nebraska.  She is buried in the Sterling Cemetery there.

Nehemiah Charles

Nehemiah Charles was born 18 April 1803 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.  He was the fifth child born to Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott.

We know that Nehemiah was married in the year 1830 because of the obituary of his wife, Anna Maria Langdon, in the state of New York.

The first record found for Nehemiah is the 1850 Federal Census taken in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  Mr. Charles has real estate valued at $400 and he is farming.  From this record we confirm his birth state of Maine.  We can also ascertain approximately when he moved from the state of New York, where he wed Anna, to Michigan by the birth states of his children.  His youngest in this record, Albion, was born in Michigan and is 4 years old.  His next youngest child, Wallace, is 7 years old and was born in New York.  So the Charles' moved sometime between 1843 and 1846 to Michigan.  I believe I read that Nehemiah and his family moved to Ionia County in the year 1844 with his sister Sarah Walker Charles' family (husband Chauncey Conkey).  I can't find the article that I believe I read this in.

Note: The eldest child found living in the 1850 Federal Census is Paul Charles, born 1832, in New York.  I make note of this for two reasons.  First, is that birth date confirms the obituary account of the approximate marriage year of Nehemiah in 1830.  Second, it is believed, from the information from another researcher, that Nehemiah's eldest son was actually Abner, born about 1823 in New York.  In order for Abner to be the son of Nehemiah would mean that Abner is not the son of Anna Maria Langdon.  Anna's obituary makes no mention of Abner.  I have not been able to find an obituary for Nehemiah - or of Abner, his supposed son.  I have not been able to confirm Abner's relation either way - if we look at paper proof (census records, obituary) it would lead one to assume that Abner is not related as he is never mentioned.

The 1860 Federal Census still finds the family farming in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  The real estate is now valued at $2000 and personal belongings at $800.  The 1870 Federal Census also finds the family in a similar situation.  It's interesting to note in the 1870 record that the eldest son, Paul, is still residing with his parents at the age of 38.  It's also interesting to note that both Nehemiah and his son, Paul, are noted with real estate values, yet residing together.  Nehemiah's value is $3500 and Paul's real estate value is $5400.  Living next door in 1870 is another son, William, on his own farm valued at $3200.

The family is still farming and living in North Plains in the next census of 1880.

Nehemiah passes away 23 September 1888, he is 85 years of age when he dies.  He is buried in the North Plains Cemetery.  No photo available at this time.

Nehemiah Charles and Anna Maria Langdon had the following children:

1. Abner Charles (mother unknown) (possibly not related) - born about 1823 in New York.  Marries first Charlotte (surname unknown) and second Jane (surname unknown).  Death date unknown but would be after 1880.
2. Paul Langdon Charles - born 16 February 1832 in New York. Dies 15 November 1911 in North Plains, Ionia County, New York.  Marries Addie Wilder.
3. Miranda L(Langdon?) Charles - born 9 November 1833 in New York.  Dies 11 March 1917 in Ionia County, Michigan.  Marries Dolphus Kneeland.
4. Mary Ann Charles - born 15 March 1835 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New  York.  Dies 1 June 1911 in Muir, Ionia County, New York. Marries John Henry Stevens.
5. Jane A Charles - born October 1837 in New York. Dies after 1910.  Never married.
6. William F Charles - born July 1840 in New York.  Dies 29 February 1924 in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  Marries Nancy Dalzell.
7. Wallace Charles - born September 1843 in New York.  Dies after 1920.  Marries Mary Elizabeth Marsh.
8. Albion Charles - born November 1846 in Michigan.  Dies after 1910.  Never married.

Morton Brown

Morton Brown is the 2nd Great Grand Uncle to my wife.  Morton is the second eldest male born to Odin Brown and Sally Stevens.  He was born 5 February 1842 somewhere in Michigan.

The first record found for Morton is the 1850 Federal Census.  In this census the family is living in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.  Morton is 8 years old at the time and it is noted in the census that he is attending school. The family is farming.

Not much different to report at the next Federal Census of 1860.  Morton is again living at home in Boone, Boone County, Illinois and the family is still farming.

Sometime before 1870 Morton marries Helen Smith.  In the 1870 Morton and his new wife are still found residing in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.  They have two children living at home, Eva and Henry.  Morton is still farming.  He owns his property valued at $3000 and his personal property is valued at $1100.

1880 Federal Census again finds the family farming and living in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.  His daughter, Eva, has passed away so the only child living at home is Henry.  They do have a servant living with them at this time, Clara Scougal.

I cannot locate the family in the 1900 Federal Census.  Morton's wife, Helen, passes away in 1898.  Morton dies 5 March 1909.  He, along with his wife, daughter and son, are all buried in the Russellville Cemetery in Boone County, Illinois.  The headstone picture is below.

Morton Brown and Helen Smith had the following children:

1. Eva Brown - born 6 January 1867 in Boone, Boone County, Illinois.  Died 18 April 1872 in the same location.  Buried in the Russellville Cemetery, Boone County, Illinois.
2. Henry Brown - born about 1869 in Boone County, Illinois.  Death date is unknown - he has a headstone in the Russelville Cemetery but no dates are on it.  Unknown if Henry ever married.

Charles' children; Joseph, Miranda, Olive, Susannah, Perry, Lucy,

This blog will be about several of Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott's children.  These children have very little known about them.

Several researchers have documented that there was a daughter born to Joseph and Dorothy in 1797 in Maine but a name cannot be found.  The daughter is believed to have died young.

Joseph Charles was born 13 March 1801 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.  He died 28 January 1828 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York. No known documents exist for Joseph.  It is believed the Joseph married a Mary Gordon. There is a photo (below) that is believed to be his headstone.  This picture was found on the findagrave website.  This is from the Wethersfield Cemetery where Joseph's father, Joseph, is also buried.

Miranda Charles can actually be found in several census's living with other family members.  She is found in the 1850 Federal Census living with her sister Dorothy Langdon in Wethersfield, New York; in the 1860, 1870 and 1880 Federal Census living with her sister Sarah Conkey in Ronald, Ionia County, Michigan; in the 1900 Federal Census living with her nephew, Eli Conkey (son of Sarah).  Miranda dies at the age of 90 in Ionia County, Michigan.  This death certificate (below) shows the maiden name of her mother, Dorothy, when other researchers have noted as being different than shown on this document.  It shows that she died of old age with complications of heart disease.

Perry Charles was born 24 December 1811 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.  He cannot be found in any records, nothing else is  known about Perry.

Olive Charles was born about 1814 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  She cannot be found in any records, nothing else is known about Olive.

Susannah Charles was born about 1816 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  It is believed she married Jacob Herrick around 1848 in New York.  Susannah and Jacob are found in the 1850 Federal Census living in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  This is the only record found for Susannah.

Lucy Charles was born 7 February 1820 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  She can found in the 1850 Federal Census living with her sister, Susannah Herrick, in Wethersfield.  No other records or information is known for Lucy.