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!

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.

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.

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.

Elizabeth Walker Charles

Elizabeth Walker Charles was born 21 February 1799 in Fryeburg, Maine or Carroll, New Hampshire.  The locations are close and other researchers have noted both as the birth location of Elizabeth.  She is the eldest daughter of Joseph Charles and Dorthea Abbott.

Elizabeth married Daniel Curtis on 27 December 1818 in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  This marriage date can be found on the War of 1812 Pension Application that Elizabeth filed after the death of Daniel.  A copy is pasted here.  This document also notes the company Daniel fought with, his service dates, as well has his death date.

The first record found for Elizabeth is the 1850 Federal Census.  Elizabeth is residing in Java, Wyoming County, New York.  There are five other Curtis' living in the household other than Elizabeth and Daniel, all presumably children.  They are Oliver, Sarah, Emily, James and Annette.  Daniel's profession is listed as farmer.  It's noted that Elizabeth's birth state is listed as Maine.

The next Federal Census of 1860 finds the family living in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  Daniel is still farming.  His eldest son, Oliver, is living in the household with his wife Huldah. The value of real estate is noted as $4200 and personal belongings are valued at $1250 - these values are next to Oliver's name, not Daniel.  It appears that Oliver and Huldah also have two children living in the household, Effa and Estella.

Elizabeth's husband, Daniel, passes away in December of 1865.  He is buried in the Wethersfield Cemetery.  In the next Federal Census of 1870 Elizabeth is living with her son, James, and his wife and children.  James' profession is listed as a cheese maker.  The family is still residing in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  This is the last known record for Elizabeth.  She passes away 9 December 1879 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  She is buried in the Wethersfield Cemetery.  Photo of headstone below.

Elizabeth Walker Charles and Daniel Curtis had the following children:

1. Oliver Perry Curtis - born 17 Aug 1819 in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  Dies 1872 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  Married Huldah Saxton.
2. Sarah Curtis - born about 1824 in New York.  Death unknown.
3. Emily Curtis - born 2 October 1828 in New York.  Dies 1 November 1916 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  Marries Enoch Ikeler.
4. James Curtis - born about 1832 in New York.  Death unknown. Married Lanny (surname unknown).
5. Annette Curtis - born 21 April 1834 in Java, Wyoming County, New York.  Died 26 April 1891 in Seward, Winnebago County, Illinois. Married Hervey Seymour Cleveland.

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.

Joseph Charles

Joseph Charles is my 5th Great Grandfather.  He believed to be the 2nd eldest son of Abner Charles and Sarah Walker.

Joseph is believed to have been born on 7 April 1773 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine.  Joseph's father, Abner Charles and Abner's brother, John Charles, are mentioned in the Town History of Fryeburg, Maine as some of the original settlers.  There were some accounts that list the place of birth of Joseph as Concord, New Hampshire.  Part of the reason for that could be that the original plot of land for Fryeburg was mistakenly in New Hampshire.  Once that was discovered the lines for the town were redrawn.

There are three census records that are believed to belong to Joseph Charles.  These census records find Joseph and family all in the state of New York.  The first census record, the Federal Census of 1820, finds the family in Orangeville, Genesse County, New York.

In Orangeville the Charles' household consisted of 1 male age 16 to 18, 3 males 16 to 25, 1 male 45 and older, 4 females under the age of 10, 1 female age 26 to 44,  and 1 female age 45 and older.  The 3 males age 16 to 25 were Timothy, Joseph and Nehemiah - with Nehemiah also being the male listed as age 16 to 18.  Joseph senior would be the male age 45 and older.  The four females under the age of 10 were Lucy, Susannah, Olive and Miranda.  The female age 26 to 44 would be Joseph's wife, Dorothy Abbott.  It is hard to assume who the female over the age of 45 is.  It could be Joseph's mother - as her death date is not known.  She would have been in her 70's.  Dorothy's mother had already passed away.  It could also have been a servant helping the large family.  There are four children unaccounted for in this census.  They are Elizabeth Charles, age 21, Sarah Charles, who would have been 15 years old, Dorothy Charles, age 13 and Perry Charles, age 9.  Elizabeth first child was born in 1819 so she was most likely living with her husband.  I'm not sure why Sarah and Dorothy would not be listed.  I've never found any records for Perry Charles so I could assume that he died young before the census was taken in 1820.

The second census for the Charles' family is the 1830 Federal Census taken in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  The town of Wethersfield was made from part of the town of Orangeville so the Charles family may not have moved since the 1820 Census.

In 1830 the family consisted of 1 male age 5 to 9, 1 male age 50 to 59, 2 females age 10 to 14, 1 female age 15 to 19, 1 female age 20 to 29, 1 female age 50 to 59. The male age 5 to 9 is John Joseph Charles. The male age 50 to 59 is Joseph Charles senior.  The two females age 10 to 14 are Lucy and Susannah and the female age 15 to 19 is Olive Charles.  The female age 20 to 29 could be either daughter Miranda or Dorothy.   The female age 50 to 59 would be Dorothy Charles, wife of Joseph.

The last census for Joseph Charles is the 1840 Federal Census taken in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.

The Charles' family in 1840 consisted of 1 male age 10 to 14, 1 male age 15 to 19, 1 male age 60 to 69, 2 females age 20 to 29, 1 female age 60 to 69. It's hard to determine who the youngest male is in this household, unless it is an unknown child.  The other male age 15 to 19 is John Joseph Charles.  Joseph Charles would be the male age 60 to 69.  The two females age 20 to 29 could still be daughters, possibly Lucy, Susannah, or Olive.  The female age 60 to 69 would be Dorothy Charles.

It should be noted that Wethersfield, New York is no longer in Genesee County.  The County lines were redrawn in 1841 and Wethersfield is now in Wyoming County, New York.

Joseph Charles died in February of 1846 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  He is buried in the Wethersfield Cemetery.

The children of Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott are:

1. Timothy Walker Charles - born 16 September 1796 in Chatham, Carroll County, New Hampshire, died April 1880 in McKean, Erie County, Pennsylvania.  Married Miranda Langdon.

2. Elizabeth Walker Charles - born 21 February 1799 in Chatham, Carroll County, New Hampshire, died 9 December 1879 in Wethersfield, Wyoming County, New York.  Married Daniel Curtis.

3. Joseph Charles - born 13 March 1801 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, died 28 January 1828 in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  Married Mary Gordon.

4. Nehemiah Charles - born 18 April 1803 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, died 23 September 1888 in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  Married Anna Mariah Langdon.

5. Sarah Walker Charles - born 13 April 1805 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, died 22 January 1890 in Palo, Ronald Township, Ionia County, Michigan.  Married Chauncey Conkey.

6. Dorothy Charles - born 17 July 1807 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, died 31 August 1888 in Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.  Married Benjamin Franklin Langdon.

7. Miranda Charles - born 5 February 1810 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, died 12 November 1901 in Ionia County, Michigan.  Never married.

8. Perry Charles - born 24 December 1811 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, death unknown but most likely before 1820.

9. Olive Charles - born about 1814 in Orangeville, Genesee County, New York.  Death unknown.  Marriage unknown.

10. Susannah Charles - born about 1816 in Orangeville, Genesee County, New York.  Death unknown.  Married Jacob Herrick.

Orangeville, Genesee County, New York. Death unknown.  Marriage unknown.

12.  John Joseph Charles - born 7 August 1823 in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York, died 23 September in Montcalm County, Michigan.  Married Mariah - surname unknown.

Sarah Walker Charles

Sarah Walker Charles is my 4th Great Grandmother.

Sarah was born 15 April 1805 in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine. Sarah is the daughter of Joseph Charles and Dorothy Abbott.  Sarah appears to have been named after Joseph's mother, Sarah Walker.  Since females were not listed in any Censuses until 1850 - we have to make some assumptions on where we first find Sarah.  So - we can find a Joseph Charles living in Orangeville, Genesee County, New York.  I assume this would be the earliest record for Sarah.  Although - the record for Joseph does not list a female in his household of her age range.  She would have been 15 years old in 1820.  Joseph lists 4 females under the age of 10, 1 female age 26 to 44 and 1 female over the age of 45.  So, Sarah may have been living with another relative at that time or the census may not be accurate.

We next find Sarah, most likely, in the 1830 Census in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  Wethersfield, living with her husband Chauncey Conkey.  So by this we also can assume the Sarah marries Chauncey Conkey prior to 1830.  Also living with them is another male age 15 to 19.  I'm not sure who this male would be.  We find Sarah again, presumably, in the 1840 Census in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  As noted in previous blogs - Wethersfield is now in Wyoming County, New York.  Next door to Chauncey Conkey is Joseph Charles, Sarah's father.  Living in Sarah's household were 2 males age 5 to 9 and 1 male under the age of 5.  We know the younger male to be Eli Theodore Conkey and one of the older males to be Giles B Conkey.  The other male is not known.  This is most likely another child of Sarah and Chauncey.  There is also 1 female age 20 to 29 - it is unknown whom this is either.  Of course there is also a male and female ages 30 to 39 listed also - Sarah and Chauncey.

We know that this Conkey family leave Wethersfield in the year 1840 and travel westward ending up in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  This information can be found in the History of Ionia County.  The unknown male listed in 1840 may have passed away on the journey from New York to Michigan.  Sarah has another son, Ira Porter Conkey, in 1844 in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  The family is found in the 1850 Census living in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  Also living in North Plains is Sarah's brother, Nehemiah Charles.  Nehemiah's family came to North Plains in 1844.

By 1860 the family has moved to Ronald, Ionia County, Michigan.  Sarah's husband, Chauncey, is active in the church.  In the 1860 Census in Ronald we find the family, son Giles has moved out, but Sarah's sister, Miranda Charles, is living with them now. 

Sarah and Chauncey become grandparents in 1861 with the birth of Giles eldest daughter, Alice Conkey. Their second grand child, Emily (Emma), is born the following year.

Sarah and Chauncey are still found living in Ronald, Ionia County, Michigan in 1870 and 1880.  Miranda remains with them.

I have recapped the children of Sarah and Chauncey on the blog for Chauncey.

Sarah Walker Charles dies 22 January 1890 in Ronald, Ionia County, Michigan. I have attached her obituary and a picture of her headstone.

Ira Porter Conkey

Ira Porter Conkey is the brother of my 3rd Great Grandfather, Eli Theodore Conkey.

Ira is the son of Chauncey Conkey and Sarah Walker Charles.  Ira was born 23 Sep 1844 in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  He was the youngest born child to Chauncey and Sarah.  He can found as a young boy in the 1850 Census in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.

There is not much of interest to say about Ira.  He eventually bought the family property originally settled by Chauncey in Ronald, MI.  Ira marries a woman named Sarah in 1888 but I haven't been able to determine what her maiden name was.  Ira remains a farmer his whole life living on the same property until his death.  It is not know if Ira and Sarah had any children - no children are found in any of the Censuses for Ira.  His wife Sarah was the mother of 6 children - as noted in the 1910 Census. They all are presumably born before her marriage to Ira. Sarah's age at her first marriage was 38 years old - that would have been 10 years prior to marrying Ira. Ira is found living in the same place in 1860 through 1910.

At some point the road surrounding Woodard Lake is named Conkey Drive.  I have not found when the road was named this.  The property had been owned by Chauncey, Eli, Ira and then George Conkey.  George is Eli's son.  The property was in the Conkey family from about 1852 to 1948 when George passed away.  Below is a picture of where Conkey Drive is located.

Ira passes away 4 June 1915 in Ronald, Ionia County, Michigan.  Ira is buried in the Woodard Lake Cemetery in Ionia County, Michigan. Below is his headstone and hid death certificate.

Eli Theodore Conkey

Eli Theodore Conkey is my 3rd Great Grandfather.

Eli was born 28 July 1836 in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  This city is now in Wyoming County, New York.  Eli is the son of Chauncye Conkey and Sarah Walker Charles. We find Eli first in the 1840 Census as one of the males identified in the census for Chauncey Conkey.  The family moved from New York to Michigan in the year 1840.

We find Eli next in the 1850 Census in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  Next we find him in Ronald, Ionia County, Michigan.  His occupation in 1860 is a farmer.  On 3 December 1868 Eli marries Amanda Phillips in Ionia County, Michigan.  Amanda was the daughter of Andrew Phillips and Sabina Mathmer.  Below is the marriage record.

The newly married couple can be found living with Eli's parents in the 1870 Census in Ronald, Ionia County, Michigan.  Amanda would have been pregnant at the time of the Census with twin children, Albert and Lucy.  Albert and Lucy are born 6 July 1870 in Ronald, Ionia County, Michigan.  Their third child, George, is born in 1872.  At some point Eli purchases the land south of Woodard Lake next to his parents land as shown on the Ronald map below.  Look south of the big lake on Western edge - that property belongs to Eli.  Next door is his father's property. This is from the 1875 plot map for Ionia County.

We find the family still living here in the 1880 Census.  Next door is still his father and mother.  Eli is still farming his land.  By the 1900 Census, where we still find Eli and his family farming, both his parents have passed away.  The land next door is now being farmed by his brother, Ira.

Eli Conkey and Amanda Phillips have the following children:

1. Albert Seth Conkey - born 6 Jul 1870 in Ronald, Ionia County, MI, dies 6 Nov 1940 in Ellsworth, Grafton County, NH.  Marries Olive Heth.
2. Lucy Conkey - born 6 Jul 1870 in Ronald, Ionia County, MI, dies 7 Jan 1905 in Ronald, Ionia County, MI.  Lucy never marries.
3. George Conkey - born 9 Aug 1872 in Ronald, Ionia County, MI, dies Jan 1948 in Ronald, Ionia County, MI.  Marries Myrtle Smith.

Eli passes away 22 August 1908 in Ronald, Ionia County, Michigan.  I have attached some copies of death notices and the death record.  Eli is buried in the Woodard Lake Cemetery.  I will post a picture when I can find one.  Update, I have posted the picture of Eli's headstone below.

Giles B Conkey

Giles B Conkey is the brother of my 3rd Great Grandfather, Eli Theodore Conkey.

Giles was born 25 January 1835 in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  Wethersfield in now in Wyoming County.  He was born to Chauncey Conkey and Sarah Walker Charles. 

Giles is one of the male children listed in the 1840 Census in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York in 1840.  The family relocated from New York to Michigan in the year 1840 - as found in the History of Ionia County, Michigan book.

We next find Giles in the 1850 Census in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan.  He is living with his parents and two brothers, Eli and Ira.  Sometime between 1850 and 1859 Giles moves to Kent County, Michigan.  We know this because Giles marries his first wift, Eliza Morton on 6 April 1859 there.  Witnesses were Byron Morton and Theodore Rathbun.  Byron could be Eliza's father or at least a relative. This information was found on Ancestry.com but there was not a copy available.

Giles and Eliza can be found living in Ionia, Ionia County, Michigan in the 1860 Census.  His occupation is livery stable.  His two daughters are born soon after this, they are Emma and Alice. Alice is born in 1861 and Emma is born in 1862.  Giles can then be found in the US IRS Tax Assessment List for the year 1862, his occupation is now listed as Retailer of Liquor.  He was taxed $20.

Giles in mentioned in the Michigan reports: cases decided in the Supreme Court of Michigan; volume 10.  The name of case he is mentioned in is In The Matter Of John Morton in the year 1862.  I do wonder if John Morton is the father of his wife Eliza.  I have inserted the case below.  To sum it up it appears John Morton refused to testify against Giles for selling liguor illegally.  One would assume it was either a close friend, relative, Giles was being falsely accused.  The allegation comes from the Justice of the Peace for Ionia, Michigan.








We find Giles in 1866 again in the US IRS Tax Assessment list but this time in the town of Orleans, Michigan.  He pays taxes on two items this time; retail liquors for $25 and hotel for $10.  I can't quite read what the word after hotel is...I've pasted it below.

In 1870 we find Giles with Eliza and both daughters in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan.  His occupation at this time is saloon keeper.  His bar tender appears to be living with him, Frank Poppenan.  We find Giles referenced in another book that puts him in this area in the early 1870's also. The book is History of the City of Grand Rapids.  I have placed the article in which he is in below.

In 1875 and 1877 we can find Giles in the City Directory for Grand Rapids.  He has a saloon on 78 Waterloo.

By 1880 we find Giles and Eliza and daughter Emma still in Grand Rapids.  His occupation at this time is R.W. Postal Clerk.  I'm not sure what R.W. stands for.  His daughter, Alice, married sometime before 1878 as she has a daughter, Blanche Trowbridge, in 1878, with her husband, Jacob Trowbridge.  So by 1880, Giles is a grandparent.  Alice passes away in 1886 when her daughter was only 8 years old.. Emma does marry but passes away in 1894. It is not known if this daughter has any children. Her husband's name was John Dunn.

Sometime between 1880 and 1898 Giles and Eliza either divorce or Eliza passes away.  We know this because the next record we find for Giles is another marriage record.  He marries Amelia Clarissa Houghton 4 May 1898 in Grand Rapids.  This is Amelia's 2nd marriage also.  His occupation at this time listed as commercial traveler.  The record is below.

Giles and Eliza have the following children:

1. Alice Conkey - born 1861 in Ionia County, MI, dies 21 Jun 1886.  Marries Jacob Trowbridge.  Marries Holden Spink.

2. Emma Conkey - born 1862 in Ionia County, MI, dies 5 Nov 1894. Marries John Dunn.

I can't find Giles in the 1900 Census.  Giles passes away 13 January 1908 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan.  His death notice from the newspaper is below.  His Death Certificate is below that.  Giles is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  I have requested a photo of the headstone.  I will add to this post when I get it.

Chauncey Conkey

The Conkey line is from my Grandmother, Virginia Dorthea Conkey.  The farthest back I can take this line is 1808 in New York.

Chauncey Conkey is the oldest of the Conkey line.  Chauncey is my 4th Great Grandfather. He was born 1 July 1808 in New York.  The earliest we can find Chauncey is in the 1830 Census in Wethersfield, Genesee County, New York.  In these old censuses it did not list the family members - but only counted them.  This census says that there was one male and one female ages 20 to 29.  There was also one male age 15 to 20.  It is unknown whom this male is - the female is most likely his wife, Sarah Walker Charles.  It is not known what year Sarah and Chauncey are married, based on this record it would be before 1830.

In 1840 we still find Chauncey living in Wethersfield.  At this there are 3 other males living in the household, 1 between the age of 5 and 9, and two males under the age of 5.  The two youngest males are Giles and Eli.  The male between 5 and 9 is unknown.  This is most likely the first born child of Sarah and Chauncey.  This male is not seen in any further censuses.  Living next door to Chauncey is Joseph Charles and his family.  Joseph is the father of Sarah.  It is this year, 1840, that the Conkey family leaves New York and heads West.  They travel with Sarah's brother, Nehemiah Charles, and his family.  We know it to be the year of 1840 because of the book History of Ionia County, Michigan which lays out this timeline. 

Chauncey arrives in the North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan area in 1840 and purchases land from his brother Amos Conkey.  This information comes from the book mentioned above. So we know that Chauncey had at least one brother.  In researching Amos Conkey - there are records from Greene County, Wisconsin that list an Amos Conkey that moved there from Michigan - it could be Chauncey's brother.  If the Amos Conkey that ended up in Greene County, Wisconsin is Chauncey's brother - that would mean the father of Chauncey is also an Amos Conkey and the mother is a Clara - that is the parental information from the marriage record in Wisconsin for Amos Conkey.  There was also a Philena Conkey living in Ionia County during this time frame as well.  Philena married a Silas Arnold.  On Philena's death record it listed her father as Stephen Conkey and her mother as a Miss Parker.  So Chauncey's father is either a Stephen or an Amos.  Chauncey and Sarah's third known son, Ira, is born in Ionia County, Michigan in 1844.  Also in the book mentioned above it states that Chauncey is voted in as a Justice of the Peace for the town of North Plains in 1844.

In 1850 the family is in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan. Chauncey's occupation is a farming.  Chauncey and his family move in 1852 from North Plains to Ronald Township, Ionia County, Michigan.  Chauncey purchases land South of Woodard Lake.  This property will stay in the family for the next 100 years.  In 1859 Chauncey becomes a deacon of the Church of Christ in Ronald Township.

The family is in Ronald Township in the 1860 Census.  Giles is no longer here but living with them is Sarah's sister, Miranda Charles.  They are farming.  Chauncey and Sarah are still in Ronald in the 1870 and 1880 Census, Miranda Charles and son, Ira continue to live with them.  In the 1870 Census son Eli is living with them with his wife, Amanda Phillips.

Chauncey and Sarah have the following children:  (it is assumed they had one other male child that was born in New York before Giles, most likely this child dies while they were traveling to Michigan or shortly after they arrived)

1. Giles Conkey - born 25 Jan 1835 in Wethersfield, Wyoming, New York, dies 13 Jan 1908 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan.  Marries Eliza Morton.  Marries Amelia Clarissa Houghton.
2. Eli Theodore Conkey - born 28 Jul 1836 in Wethersfield, Wyoming, New York, dies 22 Aug 1908 in Ronald, Ionia, Michigan.  Marries Amanda Phillips.
3. Ira Porter Conkey - born 23 Sep 1844 in Ronald, Ionia, Michigan, dies 4 Jun 1915 in Ronald, Ionia, Michigan.  Marries a Sarah.

Chauncey's wife, Sarah, passes away in 1890 at the age of 85 years.  Chauncey passes away 3 years later in 1893, he is also 85 years old when he dies.  Both are buried in the Woodard Lake Cemetery.  You can see more information on Chauncey and Sarah on Find A Grave.  Below is his obituary as it was reprinted 100 years after his death.

This is a picture of his headstone in the Woodard Lake Cemetery.