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Sunday, March 11, 2012

Timothy Walker Charles

Timothy Walker Charles is my 4th Great Grand Uncle.  Timothy was born in 1796 either in Carroll County, New Hampshire or Oxford County, Maine.  The distance between the locations is very small but I have seen accounts by other researchers listing both.  He is the eldest son of Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott.

Timothy is mentioned in the book, "History of Wyoming County, NY".  In this book it mention that Timothy is one of the first settlers in the town of Wethersfield, New York.  He is said to have arrived in Wethersfield in the year 1815 coming from the state of Maine. In 1815 the town would have been known as Orangeville as Wethersfield came into existence in 1823 when it split from Orangeville. Other Charles' mentioned as moving here at or around the same time is his father, Joseph, and a cousin, Samuel.  Since the first known child of Timothy isn't born until 1823 we can assume that he was most likely single at the time of his arrival.

At some point Timothy marries Miranda Langdon.  Miranda is believed to be the daughter of Paul Langdon and Mary Kimball.  Timothy isn't the only person in his family to marry into the Langdon household.  His brother, Nehemiah, and his sister, Dorothy, do as well.

I can't seem to locate Timothy in the 1820 Federal Census in Orangeville, New York, even though I can find his father Joseph, and his father-in-law, Paul Langdon, living next door to each other there.  By 1823 Timothy and his wife, Miranda have their first born child, Caroline Charles.  By 1830 we find the first record for Timothy.  He is listed as head of household in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  His household consists of two sons under the age of 5, two daughters between the age of 5 and 9, and his wife.

The Charles' family add another son to their family in 1831.  Unfortunately Miranda passes away in 1833 in Wethersfield, New York.  We find the family intact, minus Miranda , in the 1840 Census, still living in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.

We find Timothy, a widower, in the 1850 Federal Census.  He is still living in Wethersfield, now Wyoming County, New York.  Three of his children are living with him, Caroline, Homer and Joseph.  His profession is listed as a farmer and the value of his real estate is $1400.

Timothy is still in Wethersfield in the 1860 Federal Census.  Caroline is still unmarried and living with him.  His son, Joseph, is now married with two children and living in Timothy's household.  No profession is listed for Timothy but Joseph is farming.  The value of real estate is also listed next to Joseph, $1250.

The last record found for Timothy is the 1870 Federal Census, where he is still living in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  The single Caroline is still residing here.  Joseph is still running the farm but has remarried after his first wife passed away.  The two grandchildren still reside here as well.

Timothy can be found in the U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedule, 1850-1885.  He dies in April of 1880 in Eldred, McKean County, Pennsylvania.  Timothy had moved to McKean County with his son, Joseph, who appears to have been supporting his father for the last few decades.  The cause of death was listed as old age.

Timothy Walker Charles and Miranda Langdon had the following children:

1. Caroline Charles - born about 1823 in Genesee County, New York.  Dies about 1874 in Wyoming County, New York.
2. Unknown daughter (possibly Mary Ann) - born about 1824 in Genesee County, New York.
3. Homer Charles - born about 1825 in Genesee County, New York. Dies about 1880 in Wyoming County, New York.  Marries Levana Witherell.
4. Joseph Charles - born July 1828 in Genesee County, New York.  Dies 1904 in Eldred, McKean County, Pennsylvania.  Marries (1st) Jerusha unknown.  Marries (2nd) Caroline Blakeley.
5. Henry Charles - born 6 January 1831 in Genesee County, New York. Dies 1815 in Wyoming County, New York.  Marries Laurana Witherell.