Wednesday, April 28, 2010

APHGA Report for the Month of April 2010

The Great A. A. Pomeroy Book Update Project

Several new members have joined the APHGA, each sharing their research for later publication of an updated genealogy of the descendants of Eltweed Pomeroy. Based on our extensive US and Canadian Pomeroy research we also expect to publish books on other large Pomeroy families who are not descended from Eltweed. One large family that settled early on in the colonies is that of Richard Pomeroy, who settled on the Isles of Shoals (then MA, now NH) by 1670. Other Pomeroys connected with that area are Leonard Pomeroy, a merchant in Plymouth, England and a Thomas Pomeroy who was also an early settler of the Isles of Shoals. Nancy, Ed, and several APHGA members are researching these early settlers to identify whether they were related.

One family previously identified by Albert A. Pomeroy in his genealogies “The History and Genealogy of the Pomeroy Family...” as descendants of Eltweed Pomeroy seem more likely descended from Richard Pomeroy of the Isles of Shoals. This is the family of Benjamin Pomeroy and his wife Anne. According to A.A. Pomeroy, Benjamin was born in 1724, the son of Eldad Pomeroy and Sarah Wait. Benjamin and Anne had at least 4 children: Richard, b. 5 Aug 1750; Deliverance, b. 11 Mar 1753; Anna, b. 14 May 1755 and Margaret, b. 22 May 1758. According to A.A. Pomeroy, Benjamin “settled in Georgetown, Me.”

Other records associated with the history of Maine, identify a Benjamin Pomeroy, born in 1707 in ME who married “Ann” and had at least five children: Benjamin, b. 24 Jan 1741; Richard, b. 5 Aug 1750; Deliverance, b. 17 Mar 1753; Ann, b. 14 Mar 1755 and Margaret b. 22 May 1758. This Benjamin is identified as the son of Richard Pomeroy and Deliverance Berry.

Benjamin, son of Eldad would have been rather young to have been married and to have had a child by 1741. Additional research will be done, including a review of the Church of Christ, Congregational (Northampton, MA) records which were microfilmed and available through the Family History Library. We are hoping to find birth and/or baptismal records for the children of Eldad Pomeroy and Sarah Wait. We are also pursuing a search of early Maine vital and Church records.

We would love to connect with Plymouth, England Pomeroy descendants who may be related to Leonard, Thomas or Richard Pomeroy, to learn more about these families.

Mary Ann identified some new Pomeroy researchers who are descended from William Pomeroy, b. 13 Aug 1801 in NY State, who married Sarah L. Gleason on 31 Mar 1828 in Wayne County, NY. William died in 1866, probably in Van Wert, Van Wert County, New York. Sarah was b. 10 Dec 1808 in Manchester, Ontario Co., NY and died about 1842 in Brantford, Province of Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Bazaleel Gleason and Abigail Howland. William and Sarah had at least six children: Henry, b. 10 Nov 1829; Francis Cole, b. 26 Jan 1830; Carlos, b. 16 Feb 1832; Eliza Ann, b. 12 Aug 1834; Clarissa, b. 26 Jan 1836; and Sarah Jane, b. 30 Jul 1839. It is likely that the elder five children were all born in New York, while the youngest, Sarah Jane, was born in Canada.

Other researchers identify this William as the son of Phineas Pomeroy (Phinehas, Medad, Joseph, Medad, Eltweed) and Rebecca Sarah Spaulding, but our research leads us to believe that this is unlikely. According to Phineas Pomeroy’s Revolutionary War Pension, his son William was born 29 Jan 1781. We believe that William Pomeroy, son of Phineas, married Polly Yeomans and settled in Roulette, Potter County, Pennsylvania. So, the question remains, who were the parents of William Pomeroy, b. 13 Aug 1801 in NY, who married Sarah L. Gleason? Based on proximity Nancy feels it is possible that William was a son of Rev. Francis Pomeroy (Timothy, Daniel, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed), but more research needs to be done. Is anyone else researching this family?

Also, has anyone done any research on Ralph Gordon Pomeroy, b. 26 Apr 1893 in Cleveland, OH, resided at 113 South St., in Lockport, Niagara Co., NY on 5 Jun 1918 (WWI Draft Registration). Mary Ann found an obituary in the Chicago Tribune, dated 3 Oct 1918: “Ralph Gordon Pomeroy, aged 26 years, at Marine hospital Oct. 1 [1918] beloved son of Jessie M. Cutler of 4326 Lake Park av. Funeral from chapel at Forest Home cemetery, Thursday at 2 p.m. Services by Landmark lodge, No. 422, A.F. and A.M.”

Is this Ralph the son of Irving L. Pomeroy (Luther, Milton, Titus, Ebenezer, Eldad, Caleb, Eltweed) b. Apr 1868 in Lockwood, d. 13 Feb 1941 in Chicago, who was living with his mother in Lockport in 1900 and 1910, and identified as a widower in the US Federal Census. If so, was Irving divorced, not widowed?

Barb continued her review of Pomeroys found in early newspapers and continued her research of the life of Marcus Mills Pomeroy (Hunt, Hosea, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, Eldad, Caleb, Eltweed) for an article she will be writing. She is also continuing to review and transcribe Pomeroys in the 1865 NY State Census – she’s currently reviewing Kings County.

Barb continues to enter Eltweed descendants with missing information into a spreadsheet so we can keep track of what research needs to be done for the upcoming book. Barb has entered over 1500 records so far. Barb will be working with Betty to better identify where research still needs to be done, by family and by place. Barb also attended the Association of Public Historians of New York State Conference in Buffalo, NY this past weekend. If you are doing genealogical research in New York State, you’re lucky. Did you know that in 1919 NY State passed legislation to create officially appointed historians in every town, village, city, borough and county across the state? These historians can be very helpful in researching the communities in which your ancestors lived. For a listing of NY State Historians, check out the APHNYS website at http://www.aphnys.org/index.cfm . (Barb can be found in the Lake Ontario Region directory!)

Betty continued her review of Pomeroys in Northampton, MA census records that were previously unmatched. Betty has also been entering early CT vital records from the Barbour Collection. Betty has also been researching female Pomeroys whose married names are identified in these records by collecting census information for these families and entering that information into our databases. Betty has also been working to connect the many Parsons in our database to identify relationships between these people. Betty traced the Joseph Lathrop family. Joseph, b. 23 May 1815 in West Springfield, MA, married Abigail Alexander Pomeroy on 16 Oct 1838. Abigail, b. 16 Sep 1815 in Warwick, MA was the daughter of Medad Pomeroy (Medad, Seth, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) and Jerusha Alexander. Betty was able to trace these families through the 1850 to 1870 US Federal Census records. She also researched the James Leander Pomeroy family. James was b. Nov. 1845, in New Gloucester, Cumberland Co., ME, son of Edward Pomeroy (Warham, Enos, Caleb, Samuel, Caleb, Eltweed) and Ann A. Rogers. Betty has been able to bring this line forward two generations based on Census record research. James and wife Laura settled in Gloucester, Essex Co., MA. If anyone else is connected with this family, we’d love to compare notes!

Betty also went to the Onondaga County Public Library with Lee and Ed and helped Lee to review and transcribe Pomeroys and collateral lines in the New York State Vital Records index. She and Lee also reviewed the Parsons vertical file at the library. Betty also continued her review and transcription of Pomeroys in the 1865 NY State Census. She is currently working on Poughkeepsie, NY records.

Lee continued to match Pomeroys found in 1911 Canadian Census records and British Columbia Marriages and Death records indexed on Ancestry.com. She was able to identify a “Honna Purmoy” as Hannah, the spouse of Oliver Pomeroy, son of George A. Pomeroy (Silas, Abner, Caleb, Samuel, Caleb, Eltweed) and Rebecca Palmer. Lee also organized a research trip to the Onondaga County Public Library to review Pomeroys in the NY State Vital Records index and Maine and Onondaga County records. Lee has been keeping a spreadsheet of the transcribed vital records for later data-entry.

Lee connected with a Pomeroy family when she was in Roscoe, NY on Saturday, April 20th. This family descends from Eltweed. Lee has contact information and has handed it over to Nancy. She also reviewed Pomeroy information in the Cortland Library, in Cortland, NY that same day.

Lee contacted the Sr. Managing Editor at the Syracuse Post Standard to clarify our understanding of their copyright practices and spoke with Pat and Barb about articles being planned. She prepared a report on the publication project for Project Roots department members.

Ed continued to research and data-enter information found on Pomeroy families who lived in Stark County, OH and later moved to Dekalb County, IN. Ed will be reviewing Hancock County, ME grantor/grantee indexes at the Family History Library this week. Although these deeds are available online, they early books are not indexed, so he will be copying Pomeroy, Lunt and Coffin entries to identify which books and pages the deeds are on. Ed is also planning a trip to the Onondaga County Library in Syracuse with Lee and Betty. Ed will continue his review of the Maine Vital Records CD collection available at the library. Ed’s previous visit turned up some very useful information, including the marriage information for William Pomeroy and Nancy Grant, and Samuel Pomeroy and Lydia Gatcomb.

Ed identified a new Canada/Maine Pomeroy family that was living in Catalina, Newfoundland. This was George Pomeroy, b. abt 1816 who married Elizabeth (maiden name unknown). He died 1 May 1905 in Catalina. Elizabeth, b. abt 1822, d. 18 Oct. 1898 also in Catalina. The couple had at least one child, William James Pomeroy b. abt 1816 who d. 1 May 1905 in Catalina. William married Emily Sharp on 1 Mar 1890 in Catalina, and the couple had at least four children, all born in Catalina: Mary Ann Pomeroy, b. 11 Dec 1890; Jessie Pomeroy, b. 1 Sep 1894; George Pomeroy, b. 2 Dec 1897; and Rene Pomeroy, b. 30 Sep 1900. Does anyone descend from this family? If so, please contact us!

Pat researched an interesting record that Nancy found in Ancestry.com’s U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798 – 1914, database. Thomas Pomeroy, (according to this record) was born abt 1799 in Pompey, Onondaga Co., NY and enlisted 2 Sep 1813 (at the age of 14!) into the U.S. Army Artillery. He joined in Greenbush, NY under Capt. Barker for service of five years. Other records in this same database identify Thomas as being born in Onondaga Co., NY and being a musician in the army at the tender age of 9. We would love to figure out who this Thomas was. There were no Pomeroys listed in the 1800 US Federal Census in Pompey, NY. There were Pomeroys who settled early in Otisco, but no Thomas that matches the description above. Who is this young man?

Nancy checked our blog’s web statistics and was pleasantly surprised. We are averaging 200 unique visits to our blog site per month, since the blog was started just six months ago, with a record 256 visits in March 2010!

The Pomeroy Collection

Nancy scanned, conserved and organized the archive of letters associated with the Frederick Lawrence Pomeroy (James Clark, Stephen, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, Eldad, Caleb, Eltweed) family which was added to the collection recently.

Nancy has accessioned several genealogy and historical society newsletters, journals and magazines. Nancy also purchased and received the book “Local Color, Stories of Westhampton’s First 225 Years”, edited by Jacqui Hickey LaFrance, James E. Bridgman and Sarak K. Mulvehill and published by the Westhampton Historical Society. This is a reprint of the book that was published originally in 2003.

Two new and interesting additions to the collection are large felt advertising pennants for Pommery Champagne. Our facilities team has just hung one on the outside wall of the Project Roots Office. Nancy feels like celebrating! (Well, Nancy always feels like celebrating...)

The Pomeroy Anvil Trail


Work is well underway on the Pembroke, Maine, Pomeroy Anvil Monument dedicated to Thomas W. Pomeroy, a very successful clairvoyant physician who was born in Pembroke. Thomas lived and practiced in New York City from 1880 to 1926, but he and his wife returned to Pembroke every summer where they built a lavish summer home. Thomas was a Master Mason and member of the Crescent Lodge 78 for 73 years. The Town of Pembroke and the Pembroke Historical Society are planning a dedication ceremony on July 4, 2010 after the parade. The monument will be installed at the American Legion on Front Street. Now’s the time to get your hotel reservations if you plan on coming to the dedication – Nancy, her husband Jerry and Bill and Sandra Pomeroy have their reservations and are looking forward to the event. Nancy was so impressed with the people of Pembroke when she and Jerry went on a scouting visit to Pembroke last July. She and Jerry are looking forward to their return visit.

The Mary Ann Coe Project


Nancy has started to write the Mary Ann Coe book. This has been a very rewarding and eye-opening endeavor so far. It’s incredible how the simple act of writing a narrative makes you think of additional research and helps you to see the subject of your research in a different light. Nancy is compiling research done on the Coe family in the towns of Durham, CT; Granville, MA; Ballstown, NY; Paris, NY; and Pompey, NY, and would love to talk with other people researching the Coes or the towns listed above.

Pat continued her research on Carlos C. Coe, a relative of Mary Ann who was an early balloonist in New York State. Pat took a field trip to Rome, NY and visited the Jervis Public Library, the Rome Historical Society and the Rome Cemetery, as part of her Carlos Coe research. While not much was found on Carlos, Pat did collect information on Pomeroys from the Rome and Utica area, including the family of Daniel C. Pomeroy (Silas, Nathaniel, Noah, Noah, Joseph, Medad, Eltweed). Pat is also researching the Adam Junkins family in Cadiz, OH. Adam was the brother of Benjamin Junkins, Mary Ann’s second “husband”. Pat also researched NY State’s insolvency laws for an article we hope to have published soon.

In between packing and moving, Judy has continued to transcribe articles in the Firelands Pioneer Journal and has made some great headway in entering Pomeroy vital records.

We have added 320 new people, 165 new sources and 2686 new citations to our genealogy databases over the past three weeks.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

APHGA Bi-Weekly Report 4/7/2010

The Great A. A. Pomeroy Book Update Project

Ed, Betty, Barb and Nancy have been busy reviewing the research on the book that has been completed to date, and accessing and organizing the work yet to be done in order to set a publication date for the book update project. Nancy is considering publishing in phases, starting with the first five generations down from Eltweed, in 2011, with additional publications of three to five generations in length, dependent on the number of families this encompasses. As the generations go forward, the number of people in the family tree increases exponentially, so we may need to publish at three generation intervals after the initial book containing the first five generations is published.

Barb is identifying what information is missing from our Eltweed database and tracking it on a spreadsheet. Betty has organized the vital records that need to be matched and entered by priority (pre-1850 being the highest priority, 1850-1930 is medium priority, 1930 forward is low priority.) Ed has prioritized all NewEnglandAncestor.com databases by the above mentioned priorities. Nancy is organizing the many, many files of research on her desk by priority and will be handing the highest priority research on to Betty, Ed and Judy to enter. Barb also continues her review of Pomeroys in “America’s Historic Newspapers” database.

Judy and Betty are entering high priority vital records. Judy is focusing on MO marriage records and Quebec Vital and Church Records and Canadian Soldiers of the First World War. Betty is currently working on the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records available on Ancestry.com. She is matching and entering Pomeroys and collateral lines. Betty has also been reviewing the Gerald A. Parson’s book on the Parsons lineage to see if she can connect any of the various Parsons identified in the A.A. Pomeroy books. Betty also prepared a list of NY Pomeroys and Collateral lines by priority, for a field trip to the Onondaga County Public Library. She will be helping Lee finish transcribing the NY State Vital Records index.

Ed continues to enter Maine and Canadian records into our Unlinked Pomeroy database. Nancy handed off a large Long Island Plantation and Tremont, ME Pomeroy/Lunt file which Ed is entering. Ed also prepared for his visit to the Onondaga County Public Library and will be reviewing their large selection of Maine vital records on CD.

Ed and Lee have been working on the Jeremiah Pomeroy family of Starks, Somerset County, ME, and Nancy had been corresponding with a genealogist and his client, who is a descendant of this family. Jeremiah Pomeroy was b. 10 Oct 1774 in ME, and married Elizabeth Parker (b. 10 Jul 1786, ME) by 1800. The couple had the following children: Betsey, b. 21 Nov 1801; Joshua P. b. 2 Sep 1803; Benjamin b. 1 Aug 1805; Polly, b. 26 May 1809; Nehemiah, b. 2 Apr 1811; Elizabeth, b. 27 Feb 1813; Phebe H. b. 17 Mar 1815; Eunes H (Eunice?), b. 26 Feb 1817; Jeremiah, b. 9 Feb 1819; Simeon Goodin, b. 7 May 1822; Rebecca Jane, b. 9 Mar 1824; and Richard H, b. 3 Oct 1826, all children born in Starks. Of these children, Nehemiah moved to Mercer County, Illinois by 1857; Jeremiah moved to Mercer Co. by 1850, then to Iowa by 1880; Simeon moved to Boston, MA by 1850 and later to Worcester Co., MA; while Richard, the youngest child, stayed in Somerset Co., ME. Is anyone else working on this family? We would love to know who Jeremiah’s parents are!

Ed and Nancy are also trying to identify the parents of an Albion Pomeroy, b. abt 1826 in ME, who married Betsey (last name unknown), who was b. abt 1832 in Canada, East. Albion was living with the William Ward family in Fort Winnebago, Columbia County, WI when he was enumerated on 5 Sept 1850 in the 1850 US Federal Census. By the 1860 US Federal Census he was living with his wife and children in Beloit, Rock Co., WI. By the 1870 US Federal Census he was living with his wife and children in Cass, Clayton Co., IA, and by the 1880 US Federal Census he was living in Precinct A., Seward Co., NE, where he was still living when the 1900 US Federal Census was taken. Albion and Betsey had the following children: Clinton Henry, b. abt Aug 1855, in WI; Lysander F., b. abt 1860 in WI; Nancy Jane, b. abt 1863 in IL; Minnie L., b. abt 1867 in IL; Ellen, b. abt 1872 in WI, and Frank, b. abt 1874 in IA.

Other Pomeroy families found in Beloit, WI were brothers Nathan H. and Alonzo Pomeroy, sons of Richard and Elizabeth “Betsey” (Daggett) Pomeroy. Richard was b. 1771 in ME and married Elizabeth (b. abt 1775 in MA) by abt 1796. Their children include: Catherine, b. 7 Jul 1797, d. 26 Sep 1800 in Starks, ME; Hiram, b. 6 Nov 1799 in Starks, John, b. 13 Jul 1802 in Starks; Robert L., b. 22 May 1804 in Starks; Nathan H., b. 22 May 1804 in Somerset Co., ME (possibly Starks); Alonzo, b. abt 1807 in ME, (possibly Starks); and Betsey Pomeroy, b. 5 Sep 1809 in ME (possibly Starks).

Nathan H. Pomeroy married Mary (last name unknown), date unknown. Mary was born abt 1806 in ME. The couple may have had two daughters, based on the 1840 US Federal Census, but we can’t be sure as yet. By the 1850 US Federal Census Nathan and Mary were living in Beloit, WI with Nathan’s parents and Elizabeth and Andrew Hunt, both born about 1834 in ME. Are these children related? By the 1860 US Federal Census Nathan and Mary are living in Shirland, Winnebago Co., IL. Also in the household was Nathan’s mother. Nathan may have married twice.

Alonzo Pomeroy married Sarah K (last name unknown) by 1832. Sarah was b. abt. 1812 in ME. By the 1860 US Federal Census, the two were living with their children in Beloit, WI. Their children include: Francis B., b. abt 1833 in ME; Lydia E., b. abt 1839 in ME; Atwell W., b. abt Nov 1842 in ME; Alonzo Franklin, b. abt Oct 1846 in ME; and Lillian, b. abt Jul 1859 in WI.

The fact that Nathan, Alonzo and their father Richard Pomeroy were all in Beloit, WI around the same time that Albion Pomeroy was, makes us wonder whether these families were related. Is anyone else researching these lines?

Lee continues to abstract Pomeroys in the New York State Vital Records Index at the Onondaga County Public Library. She has also been leading the Publication Project and has been finding out about copyright issues related to publishing articles in local papers. Judy wrote a short piece on finding Spencer Pomeroy’s Insolvency Papers at the Onondaga County Courthouse. Pat is working on a follow-up piece explaining the NY State Insolvent Debtor laws. The proposed third piece will be an abstract of Spencer’s Insolvency papers. Lee has also been matching Pomeroys in the 1911 Canadian Census. Lee also reviewed Pomeroys in the British Columbia Marriage Index, 1872-1924, which has been made newly available on Ancestry.com

Barb, Rick and Caryn continue to review and transcribe Pomeroys in the 1865 NY State Census. Barb has offered to start the one county that had not been reserved by the other researchers... Kings County! We wish you the best of luck Barb!

Rick helped with a filing project as part of his work writing applications for various lineage societies for Bill. Rick is currently working on Bill’s application to the National Society of the Sons of American Colonists.

Barb and Nancy also attended the second planning meeting of the Central New York Genealogical Society’s 50th Anniversary Conference Committee. The conference will be scheduled for October 2011 in Syracuse, NY. Nancy is on the vendor and speaker sub-committees.

Caryn and Nancy continued to research Edwin Guilford Pomeroy (Francis A., Francis W., Spencer, Pliny, Daniel, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) and the McKeen Motor Car Company for a article being written on the subject by a local free-lance writer. Nancy started to look at early residents of Tiffin, OH (where Edwin grew up), and noted that many were also early residents of Norwalk, OH. This information may prove useful in our ongoing research of Mary Ann Coe (former wife of Spencer Pomeroy, and great-grandmother of Edwin).

Nancy also checked the Pomeroy message board on Ancestry.com and reviewed recently posted messages. One of particular interest concerns the parentage of a John P. Pomeroy, b. abt 1794 in possibly CT, who settled in Saint Lawrence Co., NY by 1830. He married Narcissa Henderson in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence Co., abt 1819 and the couple had the following children: David, b. abt 1819 in Hopkinton; Chester, b. between 1820 and 1825 in Hopkinton; Jesse Henry, b. Oct 1821 in NY (probably Hopkinton), Eldridge G, b. Aug 1833 in Hopkinton; Delia b. between 1825 and 1830 in Hopkinton; Lucretia, b. abt 1825 in Hopkinton; Earl, b. abt 1827 in Hopkinton; and John Willard, b. abt 1831 in Hopkinton. According to the author of a message on the Pomeroy board, John P. Pomeroy was the son of Josiah Pomeroy, who was the illegitimate son of Josiah Pomeroy and Lavina (or Lavinia) Phelps. Josiah the son was b. 11 Nov 1772 in Hebron, Tolland Co., CT. His alleged father, Josiah Pomeroy, was b. 18 Jun 1745 in Hebron and d. Jul 1812, the son of Rev. Benjamin Pomeroy (Joseph, Medad, Eltweed) and his wife Abigail Wheelock. We are currently been doing research to see whether we can prove a connection between Josiah (son of Lavina Phelps) and John P. Pomeroy. Our research has led us to Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA, where early on are found several Josiah Pomeroys working and living in the area. According to Pittsfield history books, Lemuel Pomeroy (Lemuel, Seth, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) the well known arms manufacturer and miller, went into business with Josiah Pomeroy, also a miller and distant relative. Prior to pursuing this research, we believed that Josiah Pomeroy, Sr (Benjamin, Josiah, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) b. 5 Jan 1778 in Northampton, MA who married Ruth Thayer, Charlotte Smith and Phebe (last name unknown) was the Josiah who was in business with Lemuel Pomeroy, but now we are wondering if the miller in Pittsfield was really Josiah, son of Lavina Phelps. Two Josiah Pomeroys show up in early census records for Berkshire County, MA. One is living in Hinsdale and the other in Pittsfield. The headcount of people living in the Hinsdale Josiah Pomeroy family seem to match Josiah Pomeroy, Sr., husband of Ruth Thayer. This Josiah died 11 Jun 1861 in Leverett, Franklin Co., MA, while the miller, Josiah Pomeroy of Pittsfield apparently died in 1851.

Lavina Phelps married Capt. Daniel Pepoon in Hebron, Tolland Co., CT on 28 Dec 1780. The couple had three children, Nancy, b. 9 Aug 1783; Joseph, b. between Sept 1781 and Nov. 1785; and Lavinia, b. abt 1785. Lavina (Phelps) Pepoon d. 1 Nov 1785 in Hebron. Daniel had moved with his children to Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., MA by 1790. He was for a time the proprietor of a coffee house in Pittsfield, and one of the incorporators of the Berkshire Bank. We are wondering whether Josiah, son of Lavina, grew up in this family. If so, it would put him in the right place at the right time to be the miller Josiah who went into business with Lemuel Pomeroy. If anyone else is researching this family and can provide insight on which Josiah was in business with Lemuel, we would love to hear from you!

The Pomeroy Collection

Just added to the collection is a group of about fifty letters, notes, telegrams and other ephemera associated with Frederick Lawrence Pomeroy (James Clark, Stephen, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, Eldad, Caleb, Eltweed) and family. Frederick was born 15 Jan 1855 in Cortland, Cortland Co., NY, and as a young man of sixteen worked as a clerk for the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad. He married Ophelia Taylor Williams on 9 Jun 1880 and continued his career in the railroad business. IN 1897 he was the general manager of the Nickel Plate Fast Freight Line in New York City, and in 1901 was the Assistant Traffic Manager of the New York Central Railroad. His family lived in Brooklyn, on President St. In Oct. 1906 he and several other NY Central and Hudson River Railroad workers were indicted for granting freight rebates to the Sugar Trust. Frederick died of heart disease on 26 Nov. 1906 before the case was settled. His wife continued to pursue Frederick’s interest in the case until it was dropped. The collection includes several letters of condolence to the widow and the couple’s only child, Fred Lawrence Pomeroy, along with extensive correspondence from Rev. A. J. Lyman, the minister of the South Congregational Church of Brooklyn, NY, and a handwritten letter from F.E. Harriman, on Grand Central Station letterhead. This was a bit of a mystery to us, as we are familiar with Edward Harriman, president of the N.Y. Central Railroad, but are not familiar with F.E. Harriman. Nancy found on Google Books, the journal “Freight, The Shippers’ Forum” Vol X, No. 11, published in NY in November, 1909, which mentions F.E. Harriman on page 335. According to the article “Traffic Club of New York” F.E. Harriman was at that time the Coal Traffic Manager of the New York Central Lines. Was he related to Edward Harriman?

The Pomeroy Anvil Trail

Work continues on the Pembroke, ME monument.

The Mary Ann Coe Project

Judy continues to transcribe and enter articles from the Firelands Pioneer that relate to early residents of Huron County, OH. Pat continues to research early residents in Huron County, OH in an effort to identify where these settlers came from, prior to settling in Huron County. She has found many links to Western and Central New York, Hampshire and Berkshire Counties, MA and Tolland County, CT. She is also working on filling in the Coe line, especially those who settled in the Central New York area, including the eminent balloonist Carlos C. Coe.

Pat has been researching the family of Major Joseph Strong, who married second wife, Lucy Elderkin, in Manlius, NY on 24 Oct. 1799. Lucy was the sister of Mary Ann Elderkin. Mary Ann married twice, first to a Henry Clark and second to a James Jackson, and she was a member (as Mary Ann Jackson) of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Manlius when Sarah L. (Allen) Pomeroy was a member. Lucy and her husband Major Joseph Strong and their family moved to Lyme, Huron County by 1813. Major Joseph Strong descends from Justice Joseph Strong, b. 2 Dec 1672 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA, who married Sarah Allen. We have not yet traced whether Sarah Allen, wife of Joseph Strong, was related to Sarah L. Allen, wife of Pliny Pomeroy.

We have added 540 new people, 183 new sources and 3499 new citations to our genealogy databases over the past three weeks.

Friday, March 19, 2010

APHGA Bi-Weekly Report 3/19/2010

The Great A. A. Pomeroy Book Update Project

We’ve been getting a lot of e-mails from Pomeroy descendants or people who know Pomeroys, it’s been really exciting. I can’t help but think that the show “Who Do You Think You Are” may have something to do with the increased interest in genealogy!

APHGA Members Jeannie Y and Diane L have been helping Nancy read through several volumes of Hancock County, Maine deeds, which have been digitally scanned, but the early books are not indexed, so it’s a matter of looking page to page to identify Pomeroys, Lunts and Coffins. What we’re trying to do is find some record that connects William Pomeroy, b. 9 Jul 1789 in Trenton, Hancock Co., who married Nancy Grant, to a William Pomeroy (b. between 1750 and 1774) who is living in Orphan Island, Hancock County, with a small family according to the 1790 US Federal Census. Other possible children of William Pomeroy are Hannah Pomeroy who married John Gatcomb, Samuel Pomeroy b. abt 1789 who married Lydia Gatcomb, and John Pomeroy, b. abt 1790 who married Rachel Grant, sister of Nancy Grant. Jeannie gets a gold star for having read the largest number of deed books!

We heard from a West Virginia Eltweed Pomeroy descendant just this week and she’s been sending lots of great information. We’re curious to learn why Daniel Pomeroy (Hiram, Daniel, John, John, Noah, Joseph, Eltweed), b. May 1848, in NY (probably Pendleton, Niagara Co.), left New York state, after serving as a Private in Company I, of the 2nd Mounted Rifles Regiment of NY and settled in Missouri for a time (where he married Harriet “Hattie”) only to move again to Lincoln, Tyler County West Virginia by 11 Jun 1900 (according to the US Federal Census). Is anyone else researching this line? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Another researcher contacted us about Jeremiah Pomeroy, b. abt 1777 in ME and found in 1820 in Starks, Somerset County, ME. Also in Starks according to the 1820 US Federal Census were John Pomeroy, of 45 years and upwards, Richard Pomeroy, of 45 yrs of age and upwards, and Benjamin Pomeroy, aged between 26 and 45. It seems likely that these heads of household are related, and we have certain information about each separately, but would like to connect them. In an interesting coincidence (Hank Jones would laugh if he read this), we were contacted about a Pomeroy family living in Economy, Indiana in the 1930s. It would appear, from our research that this family connects to the Richard Pomeroy found in Starks in 1820. There is also a connection to the Daggett family, Elizabeth Daggett married Richard Pomeroy and her nephew married a Lydia Pomeroy. A Lydia S, Daggett, 30, b. ME, was found living with the Albion Pomeroy family in Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin according to the 1860 US Federal Census. Albion Pomeroy was the father of Clinton H. Pomeroy who settled in Economy, Indiana.

Judy and Ed have been entering Canadian Census records into our various Pomeroy databases. Judy as also been entering Pomeroy related Drouin records that Lee has translated and matched. When Betty is not entering vital records and related Parsons found in the Parsons Family Genealogy written by Gerald Parsons, she has been continuing to organize vital records that need to be entered, based on a priority system that we recently came up with. She has gone through the majority of files and is also matching the records in those files. She, Ed and Judy will be entering those records based on their priority.

Barb continues to review the Eltweed database and identify descendants with missing information. This is being stored in a spreadsheet so that we can sort by time period, place, or name to help us identify where further research is needed. She also continues to research Pomeroys found in America’s Historic Newspapers online. She, Betty, Caryn and Rick also continue to review, transcribe and match Pomeroys found in the 1865 NY State Census.

Lee is completing her match of Pomeroys in the 1911 Canadian Census, she has also started to organize our Publication project, identifying possible articles and publications of interest.

Caryn continues to research Edwin Guilford Pomeroy’s friends, family and acquaintances found in his two address books, and Nancy has been entering that information; and other early Tiffin settler information into our databases. Nancy met with Richard Palmer to hand over research done on Edwin and the McKeen Motor Car Company for an article that Richard will be writing.

The Pomeroy Collection

Nancy processed a number of journals, magazines and newsletters from various genealogical and historical societies, which have been donated by Bill Pomeroy. Nancy just received a copy of a reprint of the book “Local Color, Stories of Westhampton’s First 225 Years” edited by Jacqui Hickey LaFrance, James E. Bridgman and Sarah K. Mulvehill, originally published in 2003 and out of print for 7 years. Contact the Westhampton Historical Society (Westhampton, Massachusetts) for a copy before they sell out!

The Pomeroy Anvil Trail

Nancy is working with members of the Pembroke Historical Society in Maine to install a Pomeroy Anvil Monument dedicated to Thomas W. Pomroy this coming summer. The dedication is scheduled for the morning of the 4th of July and will immediately follow the parade, which ends at the American Legion Hall.

The Mary Ann Coe Project

Judy and Pat continue to research early Huron County, Ohio to identify where the early settlers of this county came from. As suspected, many came from Hampshire County, Massachusetts via Onondaga County, New York. It must have been extremely frustrating to keep running into old neighbors, especially when one took such measures to leave them behind! Judy continues to transcribe and enter research found in the Firelands Pioneers into our database, while Pat has been entering 1820 US Federal Census records for the county and researching those settlers to see if there were any familial or geographical ties to Mary Ann (Coe) Pomeroy Junkins Powers.

Rick continues to abstract the Bela Coe probate records (over 300 pages!). He has transcribed the will, and the inventory and has also created a spreadsheet of names found in the probate file with pertinent information and page numbers.

We have added 1399 new people, 182 new sources and 4498 new citations to our genealogy databases over the past two weeks.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

APHGA Report for Month of February 2010

The Great A. A. Pomeroy Book Update Project

Over these past few weeks Nancy and Caryn continued to research Edwin Guilford Pomeroy (Francis Austin, Francis W., Spencer, Pliny, Daniel, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed), and his connection with the McKeen Motor Car Company. We have branched out and are looking at co-workers and friends in order to find as much information about Edwin as we possibly can. Caryn found a wonderful website hosted by the Greater Omaha Genealogical Society that has indexes of vital records. Additional information can be obtained through the Society for nominal costs. We encourage you to visit their website at http://omahamarriages.wordpress.com/.

We’ve also been looking at what we’ve accomplished this past year, and have set goals for this year. We’ve broken the goals up into several projects which will be led or co-led by our researchers.

Lee will be heading up the Publication Project. Our goal is to publish articles in local newspapers and genealogical and historical society newsletters and journals relating to the research we’ve been doing. Our goal is to increase the awareness of the APHGA and to spotlight some of our researchers’ writing skills.

Betty and Ed will be reviewing research we’ve already gathered that has not previously matched any of the many families in our various Pomeroy databases. They will be doing additional research to connect these as of yet unconnected people.

Barb is taking a closer look at our Eltweed database to identify where we are missing information on Pomeroys and where we need to fill in additional information along collateral lines. She’s created a spreadsheet to keep track of this information and Betty and Ed should find this helpful as they are going through unmatched records.

Rick is heading up the Lineage Society project. He will be learning the ins and outs of successful lineage society applications, while applying for Bill’s membership to these societies. As Rick gains knowledge in this area he will be able to help guide other APHGA members as they navigate these often tricky waters.

Caryn will be taking over the data-entry of the George Pomeroy genealogy into its’ own database.

Lee continued to review and transcribe Pomeroys in the NYS Vital Records index at the Onondaga County Public Library. She also copied various Pomeroy, Ball, and Coe records found in the vertical files at the library. She also reviewed and copied Pomeroys in Border Crossings through Canada/Maine, and re-examined the Drouin Vital & Church Records, 1621-1967 for additional matches.

Rick, Barb, Caryn and Betty continued reviewing the 1865 NY State Census available through FamilySearch.org. Betty and Ed continue to add matched US and Canadian vital records, military records and border crossings to our various databases. Ed has been entering a large Pomeroy family who settled in Cobourg, Province of Ontario, Canada. Barb continued to review Pomeroys in America’s Historic Newspapers.

Rick copied several Erie County, NY probate records including James W. Higgins, Thomas A. Pomeroy, Oliver Pomeroy and Ralph M. Pomeroy. Nancy has been researching a Pomeroy family from Maryland and has linked them to Chuck Pomeroy’s Front Royal, Virginia family.

Have you been watching “Faces of America” hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on PBS? If so, don’t miss “Who Do You Think You Are” airing this Friday night at 8pm on NBC. We’re interested to see whether the NBC show is using autosomal DNA testing as “Faces of America” is. FamilyTreeDNA will be launching their own autosomal DNA testing in March. For a great explanation of the different types of DNA tests available and what they mean, check out the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation’s website at http://www.smgf.org/education/animations/intro.jspx .


The Pomeroy Collection

Nancy transcribed the address books of Etta May (Stansberry) Pomeroy. Etta May was married to Edwin Guilford Pomeroy (Francis Austin, Francis W., Spencer, Pliny, Daniel, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed). Etta May was the daughter of James Harvey Stansberry and his first wife Rebecca Jane Burtlow. Etta’s siblings were Albert, Charles, William Taylor, Alphia Armintta, and Martha Ellen. Etta May also had half siblings Sarah M, James Arthur, Rebecca, Samuel Earl and Glen Stansberry, through her father’s marriage to Isaphena Wall. A letter in the Etta May Stansberry collection also indicates that Etta May may have had another half sibling, Edith (Stansberry) Harter. We are researching to identify who Edith’s mother was. One of the last notations in a small address book written in Etta May’s handwriting has shed some light on the final resting place of Etta May’s sister Alphia Armintta. We have traced Armintta to the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Queens, NY. Nancy has ordered a death certificate to verify that the Armintta Clark buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery is indeed Etta May’s sister. Nancy was able to get the death certificate number thanks to the efforts of Italian Genealogical Group. This organization has posted NY City and surrounding area vital records indexes on their website, free of charge. You can visit them at http://www.italiangen.org. Our hats off to these researchers!

The Pomeroy Anvil Trail

Nancy has been communicating with Arthur Carter of the Pembroke Historical Society in Pembroke, ME regarding the installation of a Pomeroy Anvil Monument dedicated to Thomas W. Pom(e)roy, the Clairvoyant Herbalist. Arthur, a member of the New Brunswick Genealogical Society, has offered to bring our Pomeroy research up at the next meeting. We’re trying to confirm that Thomas’ father David and Uncle Benjamin were the children of Richard Pomeroy and were baptized at St. Stephen. If so, does this family descend from Richard Pomeroy of the Isles of Shoals?

The Mary Ann Coe Project

Pat and Judy will be co-leads on the Mary Ann Coe Project. They will be assessing the Huron County, Ohio research that remains to be transcribed and entered into our databases. We have been combing the Firelands Pioneer back issues to better familiarize ourselves with the early settlers in the communities where Mary Ann, her Coe uncles and husbands lived. We’re working to identify where these early settlers came from to see if there are relationships we have been previously unaware of. We’re hoping that these relationships give us further insight into Mary Ann’s life and also identify new areas for additional research.

Rick has finished copying the Bela De Cost Coe probate file and has started to transcribe the will, and inventory and has started to create an every name index.


We have added 1150 new people, 258 new sources and 5512 new citations to our genealogy databases over the past month.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

APHGA Weekly Report 2/2/2010

The Great A. A. Pomeroy Book Update Project

Barb continued her review of Pomeroys or variant spellings in America’s Historic Newspapers. She is up to the Civil War era and has been totally immersed in “Brick” Pomeroy’s newspapers.

Barb, Rick and Betty continue to review and transcribe Pomeroys and Coes in the 1865 NY State Census.

Caryn and Nancy continue to research Edwin Guilford Pomeroy (Francis A., Francis W., Spencer, Pliny, Daniel, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) and his work with the McKeen Motor Car Company. Nancy transcribed Edwin’s daybook for the year 1915 in which he noted the work that he did for McKeen, including places he traveled and business contacts. This information has helped us to further pinpoint which McKeen Motor Cars Edwin actually worked on (either building or repairing). Nancy contacted several railroad historical societies and the Army Air Force Historical Association (the Army Air Services purchased a McKeen Motor Car in 1917, also we have a pass that was issued to Edwin from the Aeronautical Experimental Station at Langley Field in Hampton, VA for a period ending 20 Jul 1918). Nancy also learned that the McKeen Motor Car Company also manufactured a gasoline powered windlass for the United States Army Balloon School (date unknown). Caryn located Edwin at the Oak Ridge Sanitarium/Hotel in Green Spring, OH in 1899. She found an obituary for Julia (Horalek) Tressler, Etta May’s co-worker and friend when she was a nurse living in Omaha, NE. Julia’s obituary identifies her as a graduate of the Bethany Hospital School of Nursing. This hospital is no longer in operation in Omaha, and Caryn is researching to see if records for the school may exist at another repository. Caryn also located an obituary for Julia’s brother Edward that lists their parents and siblings. Caryn found census records for Harry Tressler (Julia’s husband and Edwin’s friend) living with his parents in Liberty OH, and living as a boarder in Bucyrus, OH in the 1900 US Federal Census. Caryn is now searching for Harry’s obituary. Nancy transcribed a listing of addresses of friends and relatives of Edwin Pomeroy which was undated, and entered research into our Pomeroy database.

Betty continues to enter matched Canadian vital records research which Lee has found into the Unlinked Pomeroy database. She has also been filing entered WWI Draft Registration records and entering matched Social Security Death Index records. These records often lead to additional research as Betty checks to make sure that all census records have been identified and entered for these individuals.

Lee worked with Ed to sort out Canadian Pomeroys, Pomerleaus and Pommerois in Quebec. She also re-examined several of the Drouin Records for the Acadia/New Brunswick areas and Border Crossing records to see if any additional matches could be found in our databases, several connections were made to our Unlinked Pomeroy database. Ed continued to review Maine city directories and enter matched records. This week he concentrated on Portland, Livermore, East Livermore and Livermore Falls.

The Pomeroy Collection

Nancy organized and filed items that were donated by Paula Miller, the Director of the William G. Pomeroy foundation.

The Pomeroy Anvil Trail

Rick located and requested a copy of the deed for the Religious Society of Sodus (the forerunner of the Lyons Presbyterian Church) from the Ontario County Records and Archives.

Nancy updated the Lyons, NY Pomeroy Anvil webpage at http://americanpomeroys.org/Lyons.html .

The Mary Ann Coe Project

Pat continued to add 1820 Huron County, OH heads of household to our database, this week she concentrated on Ridgefield, Lyme, and Vermillion. By doing this, Pat has found connections between early residents of Huron County and Onondaga County. A Robert Barber was listed as a head of household in Huron County in 1820 census. Was this the father of Sarah Barber (b. 1812 in Onondaga Co., NY) who married Judge William Grove Pomeroy (Grove, Grove, Phinehas, Medad, Joseph, Medad, Eltweed)? If anyone is researching this family, please contact Nancy!

Pat found another possible connection to the Pomeroy family and early settlers of Huron County, OH. One of the heads of household for Huron County in 1820 was a Benjamin Munn. Is this the brother of Dorothy Munn who married Ralph Mosely Pomeroy (Daniel Jr, Daniel, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed)?

Pat also researched the most interesting Edward Bela Coe, son of Chauncey H. Coe and heir to his uncle Bela DeCost Coe’s estate. When his uncle died in Nov. 1852, Edward could not be found and the family advertised in an 1856 whaling newspaper, offering a $200 reward for information about him. An 1871 newspaper stated he had been arrested in Skaneateles for forgeries in the amount of 416,000 to $18,000.

Rick continued his research into the availability of purchasing microfilmed copies of Ohio court, real property and probate records. He reviewed the Stark County website to identify records of interest including cemetery records. These cemetery records are the transactions for plots in various county cemeteries. Rick also spent time at the Family History Center reviewing and making copies of probate records for Erie County, NY, including the file of James W. Higgins, Henry, Oliver, Ralph M, Robert and Thomas A Pomeroy and Bela DeCost and Edward B. Coe.

We have added 264 people, 57 sources and 1,257 citations to our genealogy databases over the past week.

Monday, January 25, 2010

APHGA Weekly Report 1/25/2010

The Great A. A. Pomeroy Book Update Project

Nancy and Caryn researched Edwin Guilford Pomeroy (Francis Austin, Francis W., Spencer, Pliny, Daniel, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) and his wife Etta May (Stansberry) Pomeroy and their tenure in Omaha, Nebraska, where Edwin was working for the McKeen Motor Car Company (a division of the Union Pacific Railroad). Caryn and Nancy have been pouring over Edwin and Etta May’s extensive correspondence to find clues to where Edwin was working and which McKeen Motor Cars he was servicing. Based on an inventory of McKeen Cars built between 1905 and 1917 in the book “Interurbans Without Wires”, written by Edmund Keilty (1979, Burbank, CA); a listing of “Some Motor Car Services Now Established” found in the 1912 McKeen Motor Car Company Catalog and Edwin’s letters to Etta May when he was on the road servicing cars, Nancy has been able to identify 4 cars that she can prove Edwin worked on, and 18 other cars that it is possible that Edwin worked on. Nancy is entering facts abstracted from Edwin and Etta May’s correspondence into our Eltweed Pomeroy genealogy database.

Caryn found an article in the 9 Jan 1908 edition of the Elyria Republican (Elyria, OH) that notes that E.G. Pomeroy was in Elyria visiting friends. We have a postcard in the collection that was sent to Edwin congratulating him on the birth of his first child in December 1913 by an R.B. Rhinehart, postmarked Elyria, OH. Caryn is researching R.B. Rhinehart to see if we can connect him with the Pomeroy or Bowe family. Caryn also found a 1909 Machinists’ Monthly Journal online that listed Harry Tressler (Edwin’s friend and co-worker) as a member of the Machinist Committee for the McKeen Motor Car Company.

Caryn spent part of her week filing a large stack of research. Rick, Barb, Caryn and Betty reviewed and transcribed Pomeroys in the 1865 New York Census. Betty continued to enter matched Social Security Death Index records into the various Pomeroy databases and continues to enter matched Canadian records into the Eltweed Pomeroy database.

Barb continued her review of America’s Historical Newspapers. She found an article that described Marcus Mills (Brick) Pomeroy’s wedding trip to Salt Lake and the Pacific Coast with his second wife, Mrs. Louisa M. Thomas. She also found an article about a Reverend Samuel Pomeroy of Pittsfield. Another interesting article discussed Senator Samuel Clarke Pomeroy’s endowment of a Pomeroy Chair for Women at Howard University. He contributed $10,000 to the endowment and asked that women contribute $5,000.

Ed continued to review, abstract and data-enter Pomeroys found in directories in Maine. He spent this week concentrating on Portland directories. This directory research has been very helpful in identifying family members based on shared residence. Ed found information about William Pomeroy, born 17 Mar 1884 in ME who married a Mary T (last name unknown), born about 1888 in Northern Ireland. The couple had at least three children: Dora M. Pomeroy, born about 1915 in ME; Alva L. Pomeroy, born about 1917 in ME, died 11 Mar 1967 in ME; and Robert William Pomeroy, born about 1918 in ME. William lived with his parents in East Livermore, Androscoggin Co., ME in 1900. He was found in Portland on New York St., in 1916, then on Pillsbury St., in South Portland in 1917 and 1918. Between 1919 and 1912 he was a caretaker for Charles Dunn Jr in Scarboro, Cumberland Co., ME and on 14 Jan 1920 he was a manager of a sheep farm, living with his wife and children on Black Point Rd., in Scarboro, ME. From 1922 to 1925 William was living with his wife Mary on Allen St. in Portland, ME and employed as a driver. The 1925/1926 Portland Directory identifies William as a caretaker, living in Portland. The 1927 Portland Directory lists William as removed to Berlin, NH. William and Mary are found in the 1930 US Federal Census living in Livermore, Androscoggin Co., ME. William was the son of Augustus Pomeroy, born about 1846 in Canada, and Eugenia Marie (or Mary) Dustie, born about 1846 in Canada. William’s siblings include: Mary E. Pomeroy, born about 1871 in ME who married a Mr. Gagnon before 1910; Lena E. Pomeroy, born about 1875 in ME who married Fred K or H Severy on 5 Jul 1897 in East Livermore, ME; Charles Pomeroy, born about 1877 in ME; Eddie Pomeroy, born about Dec 1879 in ME; Rose D. Pomeroy, born about Jun 1881 in ME who married Charles A. LeBreque about 1902 in ME; Paul E. Pomeroy, born about May 1886 in ME; Minnie E. Pomeroy, born about 1888 in ME who married James Fredrick “Fred” Dunn on 8 Jun 1914 in Livermore Falls, ME; Aurelia Pomeroy born about Jan 1890 in ME; Eva L. Pomeroy born about 1894 in ME; and Ola Pomeroy, born before 1906 (probably in ME). If anyone is researching this family, please contact Nancy. We would love to identify who Augustus Pomeroy’s parents were!

Lee continued to organize and review Canadian Pomeroy research she has been conducting. This week she worked on the John Pomeroy and Georgina White family, whose children included Clayton, Gertrude and Herbert from Cramahe Township, Province of Ontario. This is the John Blake Pomeroy (George, James, Silas, Abner, Caleb, Samuel, Caleb, Eltweed) family. John was born about 1872 in Cramahe and married Georgina G. White (born about 1878 in Forest, Province of Ontario), on 25 Dec 1896 in Northumberland County, Province of Ontario. Our information regarding the children of John Blake and Georgina is as follows: Clifford Wilford Pomeroy, born 21 Jul 1898 in Northumberland County; William Herbert Pomeroy, born 15 Jun 1900 in Northumberland County; Essie Gertrude Pomeroy, born 28 May 1902 in Northumberland or Durham County; and Clara Marjorie Pomeroy, born 14 Sep 1908 in Castleton. Was Clifford known as Clayton? Is anyone else researching this family? If so, please contact Nancy!

Nancy, who is a member of the Central New York Genealogical Society, has been asked to participate on the committee to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the CNYGS in 2011. The committee is planning a genealogy conference for October 2011 in the Syracuse area. The Central New York region was in the middle of several major western migration routes during the 19th century, and is a great place to do genealogical research. Several top rate Historical Societies and Archives are available to researchers from Albany to Buffalo. We’re excited to participate in the planning of the conference and will update our blog readers as more information becomes available. Mark your calendars for October 2011!

The Pomeroy Collection

Nancy organized and filed items that were donated by Paula Miller, the Director of the William G. Pomeroy foundation.

The Mary Ann Coe Project

Rick reviewed Bowling Green State University’s historical records holdings at their Center for Archives Collection. It is possible to purchase certain microfilmed Ohio court, probate, tax and real property records.

Pat and Judy continued to review articles about Huron County in “The Firelands Pioneer” and are entering information about early settlers into our Eltweed Pomeroy database. Pat identified an early settler of Norwich, Huron Co., OH, named Augustus Cook[e] who was born in Onondaga County and settled in Norwich in 1818. He married Martha Fletcher, born in Otsego Co., NY in 1819 in Norwich. Pat also identified Nathan Strong who married Harriet Underhill, the daughter of Major David Underhill of Ridgefield, Huron Co., OH. Nathan Strong’s father, Major Joseph Strong, came to Lyme/Groton from Manlius, Onondaga County, NY in 1811. Did Mary Ann know the Strong family?

We have added 308 people, 222 sources and 2,134 citations to our genealogy databases over the past two weeks.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

APHGA Report for Months of December 2009 and January 2010

The Great A. A. Pomeroy Book Update Project

Barb, Rick, Pat, Betty, Ed, Pat and Caryn searched and transcribed Pomeroys and variant spellings in the 1865 US Federal Census which is available on the Family History Center’s pilot website at http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#r=0;p=allCollections . These records are not indexed yet, but if you’re looking for family in New York, they’re a great resource.

Nancy learned about the online availability of West Virginia Vital Records from Dick Eastman’s blog, and gathered all Pomeroy, Pomroy, Pumroy and Pumray records. Many of these records connect with Chuck P’s VA Pomeroy family, Don P’s WV Pomeroy/Pomroy family, and the Daniel Pomeroy family (Hiram, Daniel, John, John, Noah, Joseph, Eltweed). Daniel was born about May 1848, probably in Niagara County, NY. He married Harriet (last name unknown) Nov. 1869 in MO. The couple had at least four children: William T. Pomeroy, b. abt 1871 in Clinton Co., MO; Cora Pomeroy, b. abt Mar 1875 in NY; Daniel Edward Pomeroy, b. abt 1878 in Erie Co., NY; and Jennie Hellen Pomeroy, b. abt Mar 1880 in NY. Both William T and Daniel Edward Pomeroy married in WV. William married Anna Henderson 11 Jun 1894 in Mannington, Marion County, WV and Daniel Edward married Bertie Emma Lawson 21 Jan 1903 in Weston, Lewis County, WV. Daniel and Bertie were the parents of Robert Edward Pomeroy, b. abt 1903 in Lewis County, WV who married Marianna Simon 25 Oct 1936 in Clarksburg, Lewis County, WV. To view these records yourself, go to: http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/ .

Judy continued to enter Canadian Census records into our various Pomeroy genealogy databases. Betty has also been entering research found by Lee regarding a family descended from Eltweed who settled in Canada. She continued to enter matched Social Security Death Index records for New York State. Betty also entered a newspaper clipping found by Barb that detailed the Cutting-Pomeroy wedding of October 1869, published in The Pittsfield Sun on 14 Oct 1869. Colonel Walter Cutting, born 9 Apr 1841 in NY married Maria Center Pomeroy (Robert, Lemuel, Lemuel, Seth, Ebenezer, Medad). The couple had at least four children: Juliana, born 18 Aug 1870 in Dalton, Berkshire County, MA; Mary Cutting, born 28 Sep 1873 in Pittsfield, Berkshire County, MA; Walter Livingston Cutting 2nd, born 17 Aug 1875 in MA; and Madeline Cutting, born 28 Dec 1877 in MA. Betty was able to follow this family through US Federal Census records.

Betty researched Florence Bird Pomeroy (William McKenzie, Daniel, John Patrick, Daniel, Daniel, Noah, Joseph, Medad, Eltweed). Florence was born about 1888 in the Province of Ontario, and married Robert W. Johnston, born about Mar 1853, in MO, on 25 Nov 1913 in Maidstone, Essex County, Province of Ontario. The couple had at least one child: Grace Johnson, born about 1916 in South Dakota.

Lee organized and drafted an outline of primary USA to Canada emigrant Eltweed Pomeroy descendants. She also started to match Western Land Grant Records for Canadian Pomeroys in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia and reviewed Pomeroys found in the Ontario (Canada) Genealogy Database. Lee also saved and transcribed research on additional descendants of Wilkinson Pomeroy (George A, Silas, Abner, Caleb, Samuel, Caleb, Eltweed). Wilkinson was born 11 Sep 1825 in Cramahe Township, Northumberland County, Province of Ontario. He married Lucretia Richards about 1855 in Cramahe Township (she was born about 1835 in Cramahe). The couple had at least four children: George Vernon Pomeroy, born about 1859 in Cramahe, Eliza O Pomeroy; born about 1861 in the Province of Ontario; Oliver Church Pomeroy, born 7 Dec 1861 in Haldimand, Northumberland County, Province of Ontario; and John R. Pomeroy, born about 1864 in the Province of Ontario. George Vernon Pomeroy married Margaret Elizabeth Battisby 26 Sep 1894 in Northumberland, Northumberland County, Province of Ontario, and they had at least one child, Lancelot Vance Pomeroy, born 10 Sep 1895 in Cramahe. Lancelot married Ruby Albertina Leach 1 Oct 1919 in Cobourg, Northumberland County, Province of Ontario. Ruby was born about 1900 in Oakville, Province of Ontario, to parents John L and Bella (Cross) Leach. Lee also researched Oliver Pomeroy, brother of Wilkinson Pomeroy, born about 1827 in Cramahe, who married Hannah and had at least four children, all born in Upper Canada: Andrew Pomeroy, born about 1853; William Pomeroy, born about 1855; Jane A. Pomeroy, born about 1857; and Victoria Pomeroy, born about 1859. Lee also completed her review and transcription of Canadian Pomeroy death records available through Ancestry.com. Lee has been passing on her matched research of Eltweed descendants to Betty for data entry.

Ed entered matched 1865 NY State Census records into the Unlinked Pomeroy database and continued his review and data entry of Pomeroys and variant spellings found in city directories in Maine. Ed has also started to review and enter Massachusetts vital records for Maine Pomeroy families who moved to Massachusetts. Ed has also been entering matched Canadian Census records into the Unlinked Pomeroy database. Ed matched US Federal Census records of descendants of John Pomeroy (Benjamin, Benjamin, Richard, Richard who settled on the Isles of Shoals) and Mehitable Tufts. Many of John and Mehitable’s children are identified as having been born in St. Stephen’s Parish, Charlotte County, Province of New Brunswick, Canada. Nancy has a hunch that this family is somehow related to Thomas W. Pomroy, the Clairvoyant Herbalist of Pembroke, ME. Records indicate that Thomas’ father David may have been baptized in St. Stephen’s Parish, and a possible brother of David, Benjamin Pomeroy, appears also to have been baptized in St. Stephen’s Parish, a son of Richard Pomeroy. We would love to be able to connect these two families, please contact Nancy if you have done any research on this line!

Barb continued her review of America’s Historical Newspapers, and is fast becoming an expert on Marcus Mills “Brick” Pomeroy and the Honorable Samuel Clarke Pomeroy. She found an interesting article about a John N. Pomeroy who had at one time suffered from alcoholism and been a patient of the New York Inebriate Asylum, and who later lectured on the effects of alcoholism. This brings up the curious question regarding two John Norton Pomeroys that we have been researching. One, born 12 Apr 1828 in Rochester, Monroe County, NY, was the son of Enos Pomeroy (Enos, Stephen, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) and Sarah Strong Norton. This John Norton Pomeroy married Anna Rebecca Carter 21 Nov 1855, in Savannah, Chatham County, NY and died 25 Feb 1885, in San Francisco, San Francisco County, CA. The couple had at least four children: Howard Norton Pomeroy; Carter Pitkin Pomeroy; Harriet Howard Pomeroy; and John Norton Pomeroy Jr, who would become a Professor of Law and author. Our other John Norton Pomeroy was born 27 Sep 1792 in Vermont, son of Doctor John Pomeroy (Francis, Francis) and Mary Porter. This John Norton Pomeroy married Lucia Loomis 25 Mar 1819 in Burlington, Chittenden County, VT and the couple had at least one child, Mary H. Pomeroy, born
about 1835 in VT. Albert A. Pomeroy gives a short description of the life of Doctor John Pomeroy in his book “The History and Genealogy of the Pomeroy Family” but is unable to connect this family as descendants of Eltweed. If anyone has been researching this family, we’d love to hear from you!

Nancy did some preliminary research on the family of Lebbeus (or Libbeus) Stannard and Eunice Pomeroy (Medad, Medad, Joseph, Medad, Eltweed) which needs to be entered into our Eltweed database. Jessica F, a descendant, has been tracing this line.

Caryn has been helping with filing and matching Pomeroy vital records, and will be helping Nancy do research on Edwin Guilford Pomeroy (Francis A., Francis W., Spencer, Pliny, Daniel, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) and the McKeen Motor Car Company (see The Pomeroy Collection).

The Pomeroy Anvil Trail

Rick contacted Ontario County, NY Records and Archives to see if they had a copy of the incorporation papers for the First Presbyterian Church in Lyons, and inquired and located the old tax assessment books for Lyons. Rick transcribed the 1849 contract to build the First Presbyterian Church of Lyons. Slips (pews) were sold upon completion to absolve subscribers and defray the cost of the building. The church was built on the existing Presbyterian Church Burying Grounds. Rick put together a proposed itinerary for a visit to Lyons, NY to further research Reverend Francis Pomeroy, his land connections with the building of the Erie Canal, and property adjoining the current First Presbyterian Church, his cousin Robert Ashley and a new Pomeroy found while checking census records, Pomeroy Alford. If you know who Pomeroy Alford is, please contact Nancy!

Nancy has been entering research done on the Ashley/Pomeroy/Williams/Williston families found during her research of Lyons, NY.

The Pomeroy Collection


Nancy accessioned and itemized various genealogy and history journals, magazines and newsletters donated by Bill Pomeroy. Nancy also spent time working on the Edwin Guilford Pomeroy, Etta May (Stansberry) Pomeroy and Bertha (Bowe) Pomeroy collection of photographs, letters and postcards. Edwin was the son of Francis Austin Pomeroy (Francis W., Spencer, Pliny, Daniel, Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) and Bertha (Bowe) Pomeroy. Edwin was born 12 Aug 1886 in Sandusky, OH, and lived as a child in Columbus and Tiffin, OH. From what we can piece together from photographs and correspondence, E.G. worked as a machinist in Elyria, OH when he was 19 years old. He also apparently worked for a time in Pocatello, IA, when he was 21, before moving to Omaha, NE to work for the McKeen Motor Car Company. The earliest record we currently have of E.G. in Omaha is a letter he wrote to his then fiancĂ© and later wife, Etta May Stansberry. This letter was dated 21 Feb 1909, but based on the contents of the letter the couple had obviously known each other prior to this date. Nancy made a connection with the grandson of E.G.’s and Etta May’s best friends in Omaha, Harry and Julia (Horalek) Tressler. Julia was a nurse as was Etta May, and according to an article written by grandson Mike Tressler in the Toledo Blade, on 21 Jun 1990, Harry and his best friend (who turned out to be E.G.) came from Ohio to Omaha to work at the McKeen Motor Car shop. Harry and E.G. took rooms in a rooming house next door to where Julia and Etta May boarded, in fact, according to Mike Tressler, Harry and E.G. took their meals at the boarding house where Julia and Etta May boarded! We are working with Richard Palmer, a free-lance writer, to put together a piece on E.G. and his career at McKeen Motor Car Company.

The Mary Ann Coe Project

Judy and Pat continued to review articles about Huron County, OH in The Firelands Pioneer; and Huron County, OH tax records and census records. They are entering names of early Huron County residents into our genealogy database. Of particular interest was a find by Pat, regarding Major Frederick Falley. Born in Westfield, MA in 1765, he would later help Elisha Whittlesey and Platt Benedict select Norwalk, OH as the Huron County seat. His father, Captain Richard Falley, was the first government gun manufacturer during the Revolutionary War and was the great grandfather of President Grover Cleveland. The Falley family was related to the Allen family of Westfield.

Also of interest, found by Judy, was Caleb Palmer who married Alvin Coe’s wife’s sister, Harriet Smith. Johnny Appleseed lived for a time with Caleb and his family in New Haven, OH. Judy also found a connection to the Coe family and Reverend John Seward. His mother was Ann Coe, daughter of Ephraim Coe. Alvin Coe studied under Reverend John Seward and Reverend Harvey Coe, a cousin of Alvin, in Ohio.

Rick has contacted Ohio county clerks’ offices regarding the purchase availability of court and deed records on microfilm. So far it appears that the best resource for this material is through Bowling Green State University.

We have added 1315 people, 136 sources and 5,782 citations to our genealogy databases over the past month.