Category: Family

Witmer Family, ca 1911

Kris Hocker on 14 Mar 2011

Witmer Family circa 1911

It’s amazing what you find when you go looking. I was rescanning some photos that are already on the site at a higher resolution to send to a cousin and came across this photo.

Witmer Family circa 1911

Witmer Family circa 1911

It features the following family members: (seated) Henry and Saraphine (Witmer) Snyder, Lillian (Snyder) and Russ Greulich, Lydia (Kline) and Edward Witmer; (standing) Gertrude Witmer, Horace and Mary (Breish) Witmer. I don’t know who the two girls are or the woman and teenager behind and to their left (our right). But it does clear up a question I had about the following photos:

Russ Greulich

Russ Greulich 1911

Witmer Great Grandchildren 1911

Witmer Grandchildren circa 1911

I’ve always wondered who these children were and how they fit into the family. Now I know that the infant in the middle is my grandfather Russ Greulich. I still don’t know who the two girls are, though. Do you?

Fearless Females: How Did They Meet?

Kris Hocker on 5 Mar 2011

William and Ruth Hocker

Today’s entry to celebrate Women’s History Month in the blog meme Fearless Females is:

How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?

My parents both went to Pennsylvania State College in Centre County, Pennsylvania. My father was in a fraternity and my mother in a sorority. They met, I believe, through those groups.

William and Ruth Hocker

The Hockers, 1941

When my paternal grandmother was eighteen, she left Pine Glen and took a job as domestic help, looking after the children, the house, etc. for the Bogar family in Harrisburg.  (She’s still friends with Mrs. Bogar!) My grandfather was working with his father, a carpenter, who was doing some work on the Bogar’s house when they met. My grandfather told us that he took one look at grandma and knew she was the woman he’d marry. She made him wait, however, until she was twenty-one and could get her mother’s blessing on the marriage.

I don’t know how my maternal grandparents met. They never talked about their families. I do know that the Greulichs and Wieders lived in neighboring communities in northern Montgomery County. My maternal grandparents were even cousins-by-marriage. My grandfather’s Aunt Katherine Greulich married my grandmother’s Uncle John William Wieder. Perhaps they met through the family. My grandfather’s parents, however, were not keen on the marriage. Apparently, E. J. Wieder, my grandmother’s father had “gone through a fortune” and that somehow made my grandmother a less than stellar match for their only son. Edwin J. Wieder was a jeweler for 30 years in Pennsburg—a business he opened shortly before his marriage in 1905. He was a postmaster for Pennsburg for nine years and a town burgess for eight years. He also served on the town council and as an auditor. It’s quite likely that he lost the jewelry business during the depression (1932-1935).

My grandmother was a physical education teacher by vocation, but a musician—a violinist—by avocation. My grandfather once told my mother that grandma’d turned down a career as a violinist to marry him. She likely got her passion for music from her mother Mary Catharine “Mae” Waage, who was a “successful and well liked music teacher” before her marriage.[1 “A Pretty Home Wedding,” Town and County, Apr 1905] Grandpa was also a amateur musician. He played trombone and one summer played in a shipboard band for his passage to Europe. My maternal grandmother also made my grandfather wait for marriage. They waited two years until she got her teaching certificate.

Fearless Females is, a blogging meme, presented by Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog in celebration of National Women’s History Month.

Fearless Females: Marriages

Kris Hocker on 4 Mar 2011

Elmer and Lillian (Snyder) Greulich (c 1901)

Today’s entry for Fearless Females is about family marriages:

Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.

Elmer and Lillian Greulich marriage record

Elmer and Lillian Greulich marriage record, 21 Sep 1901

My great-grandparents Elmer Calvin Greulich and Lillian Witmer Snyder were married on 21 Sep 1901 in East Greenville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvnia.1 Elmer, born 6 Aug 1880, was the son of immigrant Karl Philipp (Charles Philip) Greulich and his second wife Caroline Krauss Wolf. Elmer was a cigarmaker. Lilliam, born 26 Oct 1879, was the daughter of Henry D. and Saraphine K. (Witmer) Snyder. She was a teacher.

My great-grandparents Edwin Joshua Wieder and Mary Catharine “Mae” Waage were married on 19 Apr 1905 in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.2 Edwin, born 29 Mar 1880, was the son of Emanuel and Alavesta Esther (Dillinger) Wieder. Edwin was a jeweler, then a baker and postmaster at Pennsburg. Mae, born 27 Oct 1877, was the daughter of Dr. Charles Theodore and Lydia S. (Eshbach) Waage of Pennsburg.  She was a music teacher and later a postal clerk in Pennsburg. Coverage of their wedding stated:

E.J. Wieder and Mae Waage Marriage Record

E.J. Wieder and Mae Waage Marriage Record

“A Pretty Home Wedding. Amid Profuse Decorations in the Presence of a number of Relatives and Invited Guests Two if Our Young People are Married.

A pretty wedding was solemnized at 3:30 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon at the residence of Dr. C. T. Waage, of Pennsburg, when his only daughter, Miss Mae C. was united in marriage to E.J. Wieder Jr. of Pennsburg. The ceremony was performed by two uncles of the bridge, Revs. O.F. Waage, of Pennsburg, and Rev. Kehm, of Sellersville…

…The bride was attended by Miss Stella Troxell, cousin of the bride, of Philadelphia, and Charles W. Keely, of the firm Dotts & Keely, of Philadelphia, was best man. Miss Gertrude Anders, of Lansdale, presided at the piano, and Dr. Fred Waage, cousin of the bride, was usher…

…The guests present were Dr. and Mrs. C. T. Waage, parents of the bride, Mr. and Mars. E. J. Wieder, parents of the groom, John Wieder [brother], Miss Cora Wieder [sister], Miss Lizzie Bobb [cousin of the bride], Miss Ada V. Waage  [aunt], Mrs. and Mrs. M. K. Gilbert, Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Hunsberger, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Steckel, Misses Vinnie Mensch [cousin’s F.O. Waage soon-to-be bride], Nora Kneule, and Florence Dyson, of Pennsburg; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ott [groom’s cousins], and Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Moyer [groom’s aunt and uncle] and daughter of Limeport; Mrs. Frank [Dillinger] Heller [groom’s aunt] of Standard; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Anders, of Landsdale; Miss Alice Welker, of Red Hill; John Hillegass and Miss Bertha Raudenbush, of East Greenville; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jacoby, Mr. and Mrs. Cressman, Mrs. Dr. Ritter, Harry Kehm [bride’s cousin] and Miss Tillie Cressman, of Sellersville, and George Welker, Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Huber, Mrs. C. F. Schoenly, George Day, Frank Haring, Misses Sarah Weil and Nora Keller, members of the St. Mark’s choir.”3

William and Isabella (Smith) Hocker

William and Isabella (Smith) Hocker

My great-grandparents William Howard and Isabella Aitken (Smith) Hocker were married 13 Oct 1914 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania by Rev. H. Everett Hallman.4 Will, born 17 Aug 1890, was the son of Albert Curtin and Lillian Ainsley (Leedy) Hocker. Will was a carpenter. Isabella, born 4 Apr 1893, was the daughter of William and Eliza Craig (Bonnington) Smith. She was telephone operator in Harrisburg.

Clyde and Nora (Houdeshell) Hoover

Clyde and Nora (Houdeshell) Hoover

My great-grandparents Clyde L. and Nora Melinda (Houdeshell) Hoover were married 16 Apr 1908 in Dubois, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.5 Clyde, born 30 Oct 1886, was the son of Samuel Thomas and Victoria (Walker) Hoover of Pine Glen, Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Clyde was a lumberman. Nora, born 26 Oct 1891, was the daughter of George W. and Lovina Caroline (Force) Houdeshell. Nora, aged 16, was a cook at a lumber camp. Her father apparently told all his daughters at age 16 to either get married or get a job. Nora, I’m told, refused to give her consent to a marriage for any of her daughters who didn’t wait until they were 21 years old.

 

Fearless Females is, a blogging meme, presented by Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog in celebration of National Women’s History Month.

Fearless Females: Sharing First Names

Kris Hocker on 3 Mar 2011

Anna (Frantz) Hocker

I’ve always been told that I was named after a German actress. So, I’ve never had any expectation that it was a family name. Until my family moved to New England when I was 10, I’d never even met anyone with the first name Kristen and even then it was more often spelled Kristin.

There are actually two others—Kristen and Kristin—in my family tree. One from my father’s side, the other from my mother’s side. Both were born after 1900. It is unlikely that either of my parents even knew about either—the relationship was that distant.

However, I have seen related names in my family history. In my research I’ve most often seen the name as Christina or Christiana. My eldest, direct immigrant ancestors Christopher and Anna Margaretha (Jock) Hacker had a daughter named Christina. She married Johann Michael Lang (Long here in the U.S.) in Rußheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany on 8 Nov 1746. This couple came to the U.S. in 1752 with Christina’s parents. They had children: Johann Michael Jr. and Anna Christina. Their daughter married Johan Wilhelm Stober in Lancaster County circa 1777. This couple moved to Centre County, Pennsylvania.

Christopher’s son Johan Adam, my ancestor, and his wife Maria Elisabetha Weidman had two daughters named Christiana. The eldest died as a child. The younger girl married Henrich Fetter on 26 Jun 1781 at Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Berks County, Pennsylvania. They had children: Catharine, born 4 Jun 1782;  George, born 10 Aug 1785;  John, born 19 Sep 1789;  Anne Marie, born 18 Sep 1791; and Elisabeth, born 2 Feb 1794.

The name isn’t found again in my direct line until me.

Fearless Females is, a blogging meme, presented by Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog in celebration of National Women’s History Month.

Happy Anniversary, 3G Grandpa & Grandma!

Kris Hocker on 25 Feb 2011

Witmer Family photo

157 years ago on 25 Feb 1854, Edward J. Witmer, son of John and Rachael (Jones) Witmer, married Lydia Amanda Kline, daughter of Philip and Lydia (Markly) Kline.

Witmer Family photo

Witmer family portrait, ca 1904?

CELEBRATED GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

“A pleasant surprise was tendered the aged couple, Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. WITMER, of Malborough, near Finland, on last Thursday, February 25th, by their children and grand-children. It being the 50th anniversary of their wedding day. The children arrived at their parents home, at [an] appointed hour, and at the noon hour the old folks were invited into the dining room, where a sumptuous collation was prepared for them, to satisfy the inner man. The day was spent pleasantly and at the departure they wished the old folks many more years of married life. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. W.W. STYER [Willoughby and Emma (Witmer)], of East Greenville, Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. SNYDER [Henry and Saraphine (Witmer)], of East Greenville and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer C. GREULICH [Elmer and Lillian (Snyder)], of East Greenville, Mr. and Mrs. Horace K. WITMER [Horace and Mary (Breish)], of Marlborough and children Wilmer, Maurice and Gertie, Mr. and Mrs. Milton K. WITMER [Milton and Cora (Gussman)], of Quakertown and Milton B. NASE [wife Elmira (Witmer), deceased], of Tylersport and sons Herbert W. and Lawrence NASE, of East Greenville.”1

Are We Related?

Kris Hocker on 10 Feb 2011

I received an email a while back from a woman who was looking for information on a Jacob Hoover of Maryland and wondered if we were related. The short answer is “Yes,” but not as initially thought.

She had found my site by searching for “Jacob Hoover Maryland.” I believe, she found my information on the family of Andreas Hoover (1723—1784) of Frederick (now Washington) County, Maryland and Fayette County, Pennsylvania and Andrew’s son Jacob (ca 1746—1800). She was searching for the father of Jacob Hoover of Garrett County, Maryland. She had information going back from a John Hoover (1860—1929) to his parents Jacob and Mary (Bittinger) Hoover. She had no dates for Jacob and Mary, but believed Jacob’s father was also named Jacob. Looking at information online, she had found two possibilities, both sons of two Andrew Hoovers.

From my research, I knew that Andrew Hoover’s (1723—1784) son Jacob had only one son—George Hoover who moved from Fayette County, Pennsylvania to Ohio County, Kentucky. George did have a son named Jacob, but he lived in Kentucky, dieing there sometime between 1840 and 1850. Based on this information, I knew that her Jacob Hoover [Sr.] was not a son of Andrew Hoover, nor a grandson through his son Jacob. It was possible that he was the son of one of Andrew’s other sons, but if so, I had no information on him.

The other possibility was Andrew Hoover (1724—ca 1794) of Frederick (now Carroll) County, Maryland and Randolph County, North Carolina. He, too, had a son named Jacob (1754—1821). However, I believe, he went to North Carolina with his family and died there in 1821.

Based on the birth dates of these Jacob Hoovers—1746 and 1754, respectively, I knew it was unlikely that either of them were the grandfather of John Hoover, born in 1860. If her Jacob, Jacob, and John were related to either of these men, then there was a missing generation. More information was needed on both Jacob Sr. and Jacob Jr. before their ancestry could be determined.

Curious, I started looking at John Hoover in the census records, starting with the most recent and working backwards:

  • 1920: John married to [Anna] Savora and living in Grantsville, children: Della E. (b. ca 1904), Zelda M. (b. ca 1907), Orval (b. ca 1910), Dora V. (b. ca Mar 1915), Claton E.(b. ca Jul 1918)1
  • 1910: John (2nd marriage) married for 7 years (ca. 1903) to Annie S. (1st marriage) and living in Grantsville, children: Della E. (b. ca 1903),  Zelda (b. ca 1906), Orval (b. ca Feb 1910), Burly (b. ca 1895)2
  • 1900: John, born April 1860, living in Grantsville, widowed, children: Clara (b. Mar 1891), Burly (b. Nov 1894), Harry (b. Feb 1897) and Allie E. (b. Jun 1899) 3
  • 1880: John, born ca 1860, living in Grantsville at home with parents Jacob & Mary Hoover, siblings: Jefferson (b. ca 1849), Lydia (b. ca 1851), Ellen (b. ca 1855), Mary (b. ca 1862), Daniel (b. ca 1866), Elizabeth (b. ca 1869), Jacob (b. ca 1872), Sarah (b. ca 1875) 4
  • 1870: John, born ca 1860, living in Grantsville at home with parents Jacob & Mary Hoover, siblings: Jefferson (b. ca 1850), Lydia (b. ca 1853), Ellen (b. ca 1855), Mary (b. ca 1863), Daniel (b. ca 1866), and Elizabeth (b. ca 1869) 5
  • 1860: John is not listed, instead Jacob Jr. & Mary Hoover’s household includes: Jefferson (b. ca 1846), Lydia (b. ca 1848), Ellen (b. ca 1858), and Daniel (b. ca Jan 1860); It’s possible that this “Daniel” is actually John 6

The 1860 census lists Jacob Hoover as Jacob Jr. Junior can often be interpreted to mean that the father shared the same given name. However, it can sometimes mean “the younger” with no familial relationship attached.

However, an examination of Maryland deeds through MDLandRec.net showed that Jacob Hoover Sr. and his wife Mary sold 25 acres in Allegany County to their son Jacob Hoover Jr.7 Jacob Hoover Jr. sold this land to his wife Mary in 1874.8 Both deeds refer to lots 2138 and 2139. Additionally, Jacob Hoover and wife sold 25 acres of their property “Shylock War” to Jacob Hoover Jr. in 1862.9 Other pieces of this property were sold to Carlisle and William Hoover, their other sons.10,11 This establishes, to my mind, that Jacob Hoover Jr. was most likely the son of Jacob Hoover Sr. and his wife Mary “Polly.”

Jacob and Mary Hoover Sr. were alive and living in the third district (Grantsville) in 1860 and 1870.12 Their son William (b. ca 1834-1837) was living with them in both census enumerations. Both enumerations also list Jacob and Mary as being born in Pennsylvania. In 1850, they’re living in district 10 with their daughter Sarah.13

Based on these census records, Jacob Hoover Sr. was born about 1790-1797 in Pennsylvania. Given the location of Grantsville, Allegany and Garrett counties, it’s likely that Jacob came from Bedford, Somerset, Fulton or Adams counties in Pennsylvania.  There were several Jacob Hoovers in the Casper Hoover family of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, so I contacted another researcher who knows much more about this family than I do on the off chance that this Jacob was possibly related.

He wrote back:

“The Jacob Hoover who married Mary “Polly” Eckenberger was the son of George and Elizabeth (_____) Hoover of Somerset County, PA. George Hoover was the son of Casper and Catherine (Ernst) Hoover of Somerset County, PA, as described in my NGSQ article (vol. 91 (December 2003), pgs. 298-313). Jacob Hoover was born in Somerset County on or about 25 March 1797 and moved to Garrett County, MD, around the year 1820 with his wife Mary “Polly” (Eckenberger) Hoover. They remained in Garrett County the rest of their lives. This family is reasonably well described in Wayne Bittinger’s book “The Bittinger, Bittner, Biddinger, and Bidinger Families and their Kin of Garrett County, Maryland” (McClain Printing Co., Parsons, WV, 1986, pgs 609-611). Some information is also given in the same book regarding Jacob “Ecenbarger/Akenberger”, Jr., the brother of Mary “Polly” Ekenberger Hoover (pgs. 551-553).”

So, yes, we are related through Jacob Hoover Sr.’s grandfather Casper, brother to my presumed ancestor, George Hoover of Lancaster, Bedford, Westmoreland and Armstrong counties.

Not So Wordless Wednesday: Class Photo

Kris Hocker on 26 Jan 2011

William Penn High School Class Photo, circa 1936
William Penn High School Class Photo, circa 1921/22

Junior High School Class Photo

Update: I’ve learned that this is not a high school class photo, but a junior high class photo, probably taken circa 1921/22.

My grandfather, Bill Hocker, is in the third row, third from the right. Do you recognize anyone?

Surname Saturday: Deysher

Kris Hocker on 25 Dec 2010

Judith Snyder Death Certificate

I just recently got the death certificate for the last of my direct ancestors who died after 1906—the year Pennsylvania started registering births and deaths at the state level, as opposed to the county level. Her name was Judith (Deysher) Snyder.

Judith Snyder Death Certificate

Judith (Deysher) Snyder Death Certificate

Judith was the widow of Joseph Snyder.1 She died of paralysis on 17 May 1906 and was buried on the 24th at the New Goshenhoppen Church Cemetery in East Greenville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was born on 15 Aug 1830 to Peter Deischer and Maria Trump in Pennsylvania.

Judith married Joseph Snyder circa 1855 and had children:

  1. Irwin Oscar Snyder, b. 13 Jan 1856, d. 27 Oct 1919
  2. Mary Jane Snyder, b. ca 1857/8
  3. Henry D. Snyder, b. 3 Mar 1859, d. 30 Sep 1931
  4. Clement D. Snyder, b. 8 Mar 1862, d. 23 Aug 1911
  5. Mahlon Snyder, b. 16 Sep 1865, d. 4 Jan 1921
  6. Amandus D. Snyder, b. 15 Aug 1868, d. 20 Sep 1932
  7. Mary Snyder, b. ca 1871
  8. Ida D. Snyder, b. ca 1876, d. ca 1938

An examination of 1850 census records showed a Peter and Maria Deisher, ages 55 and 56, in Hereford Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. 2 Presuming this is the correct Peter and Maria, then Judith likely had a brother Charles and a sister Amanda. The household was:

  • Peter Deisher, age 55, M, Farmer, $1700, Pennsylvania
  • Maria Deisher, age 56, F, Pennsylvania
  • Amanda Deisher, age 17, F, Pennsylvania
  • Elmire M. Schuby, age 3, F, Pennsylvania
  • Charles Deischer, age 31, M, Farmer, Pennsylvania
  • Barbara Deischer, age 25, F, Pennsylvania
  • William Deischer, age 10, M, Pennsylvania

Peter Deischer can be found in Hereford Township in the 1820, 1840, 1850, and 1860 U.S. census records. He likely died sometime between 1860 and 1870 as Maria shows up in the 1870 census in Charles Deysher’s household.

I’m looking for more information on the family of Peter Deischer and Maria Trump, their children and their parents.

Blood of my blood…*

Kris Hocker on 24 Jun 2010

I‘ve recently been reading An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, the latest in her series which started with Outlander. If you haven’t read the series, one of its main characters is James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, a dashing young Scottish highlander. Once I’d managed to pull my head out of the book and back into the present, I started thinking about my Scottish ancestors—surprisingly enough I actually have some ancestors that weren’t German!

It’s been a while since I’ve done any research on them or posted anything to the blog. So, I thought I’d share what I have in case anyone out there is looking for the same people.

William Smith and Eliza Craig Bonnington

William Smith (25 Sep 1851—23 Feb 1905) and his wife Eliza Craig Bonnington (2 Oct 1866—18 Oct 1946) immigrated to the United States from Scotland in the 1880s. They were originally from the Edinburgh area. William had been an engineer with the White Star shipping line. He was discharged from his ship as 3rd engineer on the 22nd of January, 1882, after a voyage to Calcutta, India. He filed a declaration of intention to become a US citizen in Berks County, Pennsylvania on the 20th of September, 1886. He became a US citizen on the 12th of January in 1893 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. William owned and operated an icehouse in Harrisburg.

William and Eliza Craig (Bonnington) Smith were married 12 Dec 1882 at The Manse in Uphall parish, Linlithgow, Scotland. 1 William was the son of James and Isabella (Aitken) Smith; and Eliza was the daughter of Peter Purvis and Elizabeth (Buchanan) Bonnington.

They had children:

  1. Elizabeth “Lizzie” Smith, born and died 17 Jun 1884, Liberton Parish, Lasswade, Edinburgh, Scotland 2
  2. James Smith, born 22 Jun 1885, Straiton, Liberton Parish, Edinburgh, Scotland 3
  3. Elizabeth “Bess” Marian Smith, born 31 Oct 1887, No. 3, Straiton, Liberton Parish, Edinburgh, Scotland and died 3 Jan 1973 in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 4 5
  4. William M. Smith Jr., born 28 Mar 1892, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and may have died in France during or after World War I, under the name John Norwood 6
  5. Isabella Aiken Smith, born 4 Apr 1893 and died 21 Jul 1962 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 7 8
  6. Robert “Bobby” Thomas Alexander Smith, born 7 Apr 1899 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and died 12 Nov 1970 in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 9 10

James Smith and Isabella Aitken

James Smith (ca 1812—8 Feb 1856) and his wife Isabella Aitken (ca 1810—1 Dec 1856) lived in Whitburn, Linlithgow, Scotland. The banns were proclaimed 13 Dec 1840 and they were married 25 Dec 1840 in Carnwath, Lanarkshire, Scotland.11 James was the son of Thomas and Agnes (Nimmo) Smith; and Isabella was the daughter of William and Marion (Brown) Aitken.

In 1851, the family lived at 51 Crossroads in Whitburn and James was listed as a coal miner. James’ 1756 death record lists his occupation as engine worker. 12 Isabella also died in 1856, leaving their children to be raised by James’ brother William and sister Margaret.13

James and Isabella had children:

  1. Thomas Smith, born ca 1844 in Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland and died 9 Apr 1909? in Fauldhouse, West Lothian, Scotland 14
  2. Marion Smith, born ca 1844-1846, Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland and died 11 May 1857, age 13, in Greenburn, West Lothian, Scotland 15
  3. William Smith, born 25 Sep 1851, Greenburn, West Lothian, Scotland and died 23 Feb 1805 at 1314 Howard Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 16 17

Peter Purvis Bonnington and Elizabeth Buchanan

Peter Purvis Bonnington (ca 1844—16 Sep 1891) and his wife Elizabeth Buchanan lived in Edinburgh, Scotland. They married on 17 Jun 1864 at Bloomyhall, Junipergreen, Colinton, Midlothian, Scotland.18 Peter was the son of William and Margaret (Purves/Fairborn) Bonnington; Elizabeth was the daughter of James and Sarah (Craig) Buchanan. Peter worked as a carpenter or joiner.

Peter and Elizabeth had children:

  1. Eliza Craig Bonnington, born 2 Oct 1866, Colinton, Midlothian, Scotland and died 18 Oct 1946, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, married William Smith on12 Dec 1882 19 20
  2. Margaret Bonnington, born 3 Nov 1868, Colinton, Midlothian, Scotland and died 16 Jun 1943, Prestonpans and Cockenzie, East Lothian, Scotland, married David Simpson on 31 Jan 1890 21 22
  3. William James Bonnington, born 3 Dec 1871, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland and died 8 Mar 1945, Hillhead, Glasgow, Scotland, married Robina Wait 23 24
  4. Peter Bonnington Jr., born 2 Oct 1873, Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland and died aft 1939, married Christina Isabella Graham Law 25 26 27
  5. Alexander Bonnington, born 16 Aug 1875, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland and died Feb 1964 in Nebraska, married Christina Peace and Martha Krich 28 29 30
  6. Robert Bonnington, born 30 Nov 1878 and died 7 Oct 1879 in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland 31 32
  7. Robert Bonnington, born 20 May 1881, Bathgate, West Lothian Scotland and died 1 May 1939, Canongate, Midlothian, Scotland, married Jessie Hunter Crawford Alexander 33 34 35
  8. Craig Bonnington, born 10 Sep 1885, Liberton, Midlothian, Scotland and died ca 1959 in Edinburgh, Scotland, married Isabella Mason Kinghorn 36 37

Thomas Smith and Agnes Nimmo

Thomas Smith (?—bef 1856) and Agnes Nimmo (?—bef 1856) were married sometime prior to 1804, quite possibly in West Lothian, Scotland. He was a farm laborer according to his son James’ death certificate and a farmer according to Margaret’s death certificate.

Thomas and Agnes had children:

  1. Margaret Smith, born ca 1804-1807, Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland and died 26 Aug 1875 in Fauldhouse, West Lothian, Scotland 38
  2. William Smith, born ca 1806, Whitburn, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland and died 7 Jun 1877 in Fauldhouse, West Lothian, Scotland 39
  3. James Smith, born ca 1812 and died 8 Feb 1856 in Whitburn, West Lothian, Scotland, married Isabella Aitkin 40 41

William Aitken and Marion Brown

I don’t have much information at all about this couple. William Aitken and his wife Marion Brown may have been married 29 May 1769 in Renfrew, Scotland. It seems a trifle early considering the children I have for them are two daughters: Isabella, born ca 1810 and baptized 24 Mar 1816 in Carnwath, Lanarkshire, Scotland; and Helen, born bef 19 Aug 1819 and baptized 19 Aug 1819, both in Carnwath, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

William Bonnington and Margaret Purves/Faiborn

William Bonnington (ca 1816—11 Jun 1885) and his first wife Margaret Purves/Fairborn (ca 1821—bet 1844-1847) apparently lived in Galashiels, Selkirk, Scotland. They likely married about 1838. Her surname is given as Purves on their son Peter’s marriage certificate and daughter Anne’s birth record and as Fairborn on William’s second marriage certificate and his death certificate. William married twice more after her death, first to Mary Reavely on 9 Jul 1847, and second to Elizabeth Thomson 16 Jun 1857.42 43 William was a Master Joiner and at one time an undertaker.

William and Margaret (Purves/Fairborn) Bonnington had children:

  1. Anne Bonnington, born 5 May 1839, Galashiels, Selkirk, Scotland 44
  2. Robert Bonnington, born 30 Mar 1841, Galashiels, Selkirk, Scotland
  3. Peter Purvis Bonnington, born ca 1844, Galashiels, Selkirk, Scotland and died 16 Sep 1891, Mayburn, Loanhead, Lasswade Parish, Edinburgh, Scotland 45

James Buchanan and Sarah Craig

James Buchanan (ca 1812/22—17 Apr 1888?) and his wife Sarah Craig (ca 1809—bet 1851-1861) lived in Cambusnethan Parish in Lanarkshire in 1851, living at 9 Barnhall Row.46 James was a coal miner. According to the record, James, his wife Sarah, two daughters Elizabeth and Sarah, as well as his mother were all born in Ireland. James may have married after Sarah’s death Margaret Tatlock and lived in Shotts, Lanarkshire. If so, he was the son of John Buchanan and Mary Irvine.47

James and Sarah had children:

  1. Elizabeth Buchanan, born ca 1845/47 in either Ireland or Chapellhall, Lanarkshire, Scotland and died 13 May 1928 in Crown Terrace, Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland, married Peter Purvis Bonnington.4849
  2. Sarah Buchanan, born ca 1847, possibly in Ireland50 51

* From a Scottish marriage rite: “Ye are the Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone. I give ye my Body that we Two might be One. I give ye my Spirit, ’til our Life shall be Done.” [from Outlander]