ANCESTRY OF MY FAMILY QUILT

By Ora T. Clark Jr.

INTRODUCTION

Surnames used:  BRUDLEY, CLARK, DOW, GARBER, HOYT, INGALLS, MILLS, MONTGOMERY, OSGOOD, SHAVER, SMITH, ROWLEY, THOMPSON, WILDER

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DIAGRAM OF CHARACTERS

   AND

         RELATIONSHIPS                       

                                                                                 Asa MONTGOMERY-----Barbara KENNEDY

                                                                                                                |

                                                                                              Susan MONTGOMERY-----Enos ROWLEY

                           _________________________________________________________|_______________________________________

            |                               |                          |                                |                                |                             |

       John                                       Martin                                  Sylvia                         Cornelia               Charles            One other son

    ROWLEY                  ROWLEY              ROWLEY                  ROWLEY                  ROWLEY          Five other daughters

                                  m 1850                        m 1839

                               William INGALLS             John THOMPSON

                                                                                                                        |                                                                      

                                                                                                                      Lovina                                                                                                                                                                                                                       m 1859                                                       

                                                                                                                William INGALLS     

                                                                                        ____________________|___________________                     

                                                                                       │                                                            │                        

                                                                             Lana Jane INGALLS                                Lillian INGALLS

                                                                                      m                                                           m

                       CLARK                                                              GARBER

                       |                                                             |

                    son CLARK                                   Alberta GARBER MILLS

              ________________|_______________

              |                                                  |

                         son CLARK                     Mildred CLARK DOW

              |

             Melodie Anne CLARK SHAVER

Unfortunately, no one ever recorded any details of when the Quilt was handed to the next generation and to whom until my cousin, Alberta GARBER MILLS, left notes about 1965 of what she knew.  Following is what she had recorded on a 3x5 file card

“This quilt was appliqaed (sic) and quilted when one of our ancestresses (sic) was waiting for her lover to come back from the War of 1812.  There was no history written so all information is lost until it came into the possession of Lovina Thompson Ingalls who passed it on to her eldest daughter, Lana Ingalls Clark.  Lana had no daughters so it was passed to her sister, Lillian Ingalls Garber who passed it to her daughter Alberta Garber Mills.  Alberta has no daughters so is passing it to Ora Clark’s (a son of Lana’s) daughter, Mildred Clark Dow who has a daughter Nancy Moore Salyer.”

Mildred CLARK DOW gave the Quilt to my daughter, Melodie Anne CLARK SHAVER, who has two daughters and a granddaughter when it became evident that Mildred’s daughter Nancy would not have a daughter.  From the time Lana received the Quilt, sometime between 1880 and 1900, until 1993 it resided in Steuben Co., IN. and Columbus, Ohio.  Since then it has been in King Co., WA.

INGALLS/THOMPSON FAMILY

I’ve always known that William and Lovina THOMPSON INGALLS were my great grandparents but nothing more than what was contained in a bio of William from “1885 History of Steuben County”¹. (The reader is invited to read this bio at this point in the end note cited.)  I never really paid much attention to it until commencing this endeavor.  Lana and Lillian are listed as his children in this bio.  The sketch also lists his wife as Lovina and her parents as John and Cornelia THOMPSON.  As Alberta said, Lana received the Quilt from her mother, Lovina, and Lovina most probably (following the tradition) received it from her mother, Cornelia. 

According to the tradition, Cornelia probably received the Quilt from her mother, but who was she?   Without William’s bio and the mention of Lovina’s parents, I would never have been able to begin this search to answer that question. 

                                                                                THOMPSON/ROWLEY FAMILY

For months I had no idea what Cornelia’s maiden name was.  It was only in April 2008 that I found a marriage record for John THOMPSON and Cornelia ROWLEY on FamilySearch.org².  From the census reports, I had already determined that John and Cornelia lived in Wood Co., Ohio from 1840 to at least 1860³.   The census reports also indicated that Cornelia was only 15 when they were married.  From the age of the two younger children and recorded birthplaces in the 1870⁴ census, they must have lived in Indiana for 2-4 years before moving to Branch Co., Michigan for the 1870 census.  I later learned that John passed away the month following that census. 

Locating obituaries and death records for John and Cornelia turned out to be a simple task.  Branch Co., Michigan has a death record index available online.  I was thus able to quickly determine the date of death for Cornelia (3 Jun 1901) and John THOMPSON (28 Jul 1870).  A request was sent by e-mail to the Heritage Room, Coldwater Branch District Library for their obituaries.  Cornelia’s obituary⁵ stated that she was born in Onondaga Co., New York.  Census records always listed her birth state as New York but this was the first that I learned specific location.  It meant little since New York state kept no records of births that early.  However, it became a very meaningful bit of information as my search for the creator of the Quilt progressed.

                Now the search could really begin for Cornelia ROWLEY’S parents and perhaps the producer of the Quilt.   Since Cornelia was so young when married, I made the assumption that John and her father were possibly good friends and/or neighbors.  With this in mind, I searched the 1860⁶ census in Ohio for any possible ROWLEY (older than about 55 since Cornelia was born in 1824 from census reports) as a parent in hopes that they still resided in Ohio.  A number of possibilities, turned up but too many to be of any use.  Another later, useful source has been a web site called ROWLEY RESEARCH.⁷   I should point out that I have updated the information contained on this web site as my research continued and new data was uncovered. 

A fellow researcher suggested checking the Ohio land patents to see what might turn up.  The results were almost miraculous.  Doing so revealed that John THOMPSON and an Enos ROWLEY filed patents⁸ in Wood County, Ohio on the same date, 18 April 1837, on parcels of land only a mile apart.  This tended to confirm my theory that John and Enos (if Enos is Cornelia’s father) were acquainted, if not close friends.  Going back to the 1860⁶ census shows an Enos and Mary ROWLEY with a 16 year old son, Charles.  I did find an Enos at the Rowley Research^7a site; however, his wife is listed as Susan MONTGOMERY and shows a later marriage to Mary BRUDLEY.  A son, Charles, is also listed whose age would be 16 in 1860.  These records being consistent, it would appear that Susan had died prior to 1860 and Enos had remarried.  I did learn later that Susan did die in a buggy accident in 1852, Enos place of residence in 1860, while living in Ashland Co., Ohio.

Since Enos’ patent shows that he was located in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio at the time the patent was filed in 1837, I took a look at the census return for 1830⁹ which shows the presence of a 5-10 year old female, Cornelia’s age bracket.  While not positive in itself, this is another piece of evidence for Enos being Cornelia’s father and Susan her mother, the potential creator of the Quilt.

So far Susan looks like a good bet for the creator of the Quilt but can I determine anything more about her, or Enos?  I located Enos in the 1850¹⁰ census with his wife Susan and several children; I then found some of the same children and Susan listed on ROWLEY RESEARCH.  FamilySearch.org did not return any marriage information for Enos and Susan although they must have been married at least by 1818 since the oldest child, Elizabeth, was born in 1819 according to ROWLEY RESEARCH.   However, the FamilySearch.org web site did return a birth date for Susan¹¹.  Remember that the tradition stated that the Quilt was made during the War of 1812.  This information, together with the birth date of 29 Jul 1795 from ROWLEY RESEARCH for Enos, places Susan MONTGOMERY ROWLEY in the correct time frame to have created the Quilt.  But was she Cornelia ROWLEY’S mother?

Before going further I should mention that I tried to find Enos, 25 years old, in the 1820 census anywhere in the country without any luck.  Since ROWLEY RESEARCH gave his father as Seth ROWLEY I tried locating him in the 1820 census¹².  Reviewing the enumeration numbers for this census show a 16-25 male and a 16-25 female living with Seth’s household.  It is possible these might be Enos and Susan living with Seth.  On the other hand, there is no one year old baby as required by the ROWLEY RESEARCH showing that Susan’s eldest daughter was born in 1819.  Perhaps they were with Seth and the enumerator failed to list the baby.  Or perhaps they lived elsewhere and were simply overlooked by the census enumerators.  So we really don’t know where Enos and Susan were living in 1820.

Other researchers had listed Enos death as 6 Mar 1884 in Ada, Hardin Co., Ohio.  Submitting a request to the public library there returned a copy of his obituary¹³.   According to this obituary, Enos and Susan had 12 children.  Enos’ obituary also stated that Susan was killed in a buggy accident in the year 1851.  This would have most likely occurred in Ashland Co., Ohio according to the census records.  Her obituary might go a long way to proving Cornelia’s parentage.  I have therefore devoted a great deal of time in that direction.  The clerk of Ashland Co. did a search of the county death records but found nothing.  This was not surprising since she reported that most records of that era were destroyed in a fire.

I have just made contact, Nov 2008, with another researcher of the Enos Rowley family, Tere Dare.  She was kind enough to provide a biographical sketch¹⁴ of Charles ROWLEY, a younger son of Enos and Susan.  It mentions that his mother was killed in a buggy accident in 1852 while going to visit a daughter in Summit Co. who was ill.  There is one intervening county between Ashland County, their place of residence in 1850, and Summit County.  Thus her death could have occurred in any of the three counties.  Considering the timing and reliability of the two sources, I believe the 1852 date is most probably correct for the death of Susan MONTGOMERY ROWLEY.  It also mentions that Charles was born in Warren Co., Ohio indicating their return from Illinois was much earlier than the 1850¹⁰ census in Ashland Co. infers.  This is one more documented move that Susan had to make with her brood of young children.  (See Appendix A)

There is a web site, http://www.findagrave.com, which claims that both Enos and Susan are interred in the Old Sullivan Cemetery in Ashland Co.  The DAR has published a list of tombstone inscriptions¹⁵ in all cemeteries in Ashland Co.  Still trying to find a clue to lead to an obituary for Susan, I have gone through this list and find that there is no Old Sullivan Cemetery.  There is a South View, formerly known as Sullivan Cemetery.  Combing the list I fail to find an inscription for either Enos or Susan.  There was an inscription, however, for Alfred ROWLEY who died in 1853 at the age of 12 years 26 day, also for Charles Alfred, son of Alfred and Lucia ROWLEY INGALLS, born 21 July 1851 died 30 March 1852.  (Lucia was a daughter of Susan ROWLEY.)  The 1850 census¹⁰ documents a son of Enos and Susan 9 years old by the name Alfred.  If Alfred is interred there, it would seem that Susan, at least, should be also since she died within a year or so of her son.  I just recently obtained this information so I must still contact the local chapter of the DAR who put the project together for further information.

ENOS ROWLEY vs. MYRON ROWLEY

Cornelia’s death record from the Branch Co., Michigan County Clerk¹⁶ provided some rather disconcerting information.  This gave her parents names as Myron Rowley¹⁷ and Margaret Montgomery.  Amazing that it listed the same surnames I had been working with but different given names.    The ROWLEY RESEARCH site⁷ does reveal a Myron ROWLEY (13 Oct 1805-1 Jul 1897) but the marriage date (about 1857) would rule out Myron being Cornelia’s father.  Since Cornelia’s obituary was written 30-50 years after the last known contact with a member of the ROWLEY family, the memory of the person providing the obituary information could have been confused regarding names.  For the record, Myron was a fourth cousin, once removed, of Enos.

MONTGOMERY/KENNEDY FAMILY

Long ago I learned the importance of never making assumptions.  That is a very important lesson in life as well as genealogy but even at my advanced age I still often forget, much to my chagrin.  Tere suggested that perhaps Barbara, Asa MONTGOMERY’S wife, may have made the Quilt.  I should have checked this possibility when I first looked at the census records for Asa MONTGOMERY.  Looking again, both the 1800 and 1810 census¹⁸ listed the age of Asa and his wife as over 45.  This would make Asa a bit old, over 57 for the War of 1812; not impossible but not very likely.  For that reason I initially rejected Asa’s wife as a possible maker of the Quilt.  Taking another look at the census records, I found both an Asa MONTGOMERY and an Asa MONTGOMERY JR. listed in the 1820 census¹⁸.  The listing for an Asa (Sr.?) shows him in the age group over 45 as originally noted.    The other listing was for Asa Jr. in the age group 26-44 with 8 youths under 25 but there seems to be no listing for Barbara (Susan’s mother).  (From a web site¹⁹ giving vital statistics for the Montgomery family, Asa Sr. would be 73 in 1820 and Asa Jr. 39 years)  No listing was found for Asa Jr. in the 1800 and 1810 census although other sources place him in Vermont sometime during the period 1800-1820.  (Perhaps Barbara had passed away during the intervening years.)

From the web site¹⁹ mentioned above, we find the marriage of Asa Jr. to Barbara KENNEDY on 1 May 1801 as well as the birth of Susan MONTGOMERY recorded.  It is interesting to note that only 4 months elapsed between the marriage of Asa Jr. with Barbara KENNEDY and the birth of Susan MONTGOMERY.  The birth date for Asa Sr. would be 1747 calculated from his age at the date of his death.  That would indeed make him 65 in the year 1812.  Asa Jr.’s date of birth was given as 25 Jan 1781 making him 31 in 1812.  As I said previously, Asa Sr. would seem a bit old for the War of 1812 but Asa Jr. would be an appropriate age.  Barbara could very well have make the Quilt while waiting for her husband, as opposed to her fiancée as the tradition says, to return from the War.  Word of mouth often embellishes fact so that husband easily becomes fiancé.

                                                IS THE TRADITION REGARDING THE QUILT CORRECT?

  The investigation continues.  At the beginning of the War of 1812 Susan was only 11 years old and 14 when it ended in 1815.  That seems a bit young to us today to accomplish such a project but not unheard of in that day.  If it was a product of Barbara’s labors, it could easily have been a shared labor with Susan.  Also to be affianced, especially since Susan’s home and Enos’ are separated by a distance of about 150 miles, would seem to be a problem for them.   What could have brought them together over that distance and at such a youthful age?  On the other hand, the ladies did marry quite young in those days.  They must have married about 1818 or before since the oldest daughter was born 13 Jun 1819 according to ROWLEY REAEARCH.  No trace of service during the War of 1812 by Enos or Asa Jr. has been found. 

So where do we stand?  The basis for the relationship between Cornelia and Susan is still circumstantial, although very, very strong.  We would still like to have positive proof that Susan is Cornelia’s mother.  The relationship between Susan and Barbara is well documented.  If the evidence that Susan is Cornelia’s mother holds up then either Susan or Barbara could have made the Quilt.  The search for service during the War of 1812 by Enos or Asa Jr. must continue by contacting National Archives and Records Administration.

                                                                                QUILT DATED

                I had completed the above investigations when I learned that it was possible in many instances to date fabrics.  If I had followed that line of investigation earlier, it would have saved a lot of work.  On the other hand, if I had dated the quilt earlier I might never have attempted this investigation and thus never uncovered the ancestral connections with the Rowley and Montgomery families.

 I contacted Bette G. Bell of Guildmark Appraisal Service who provided a report²⁰ dated March 12, 2009 of her investigation regarding the quilts age.  According to her report, the most probable date that the quilt was made would have been 1830-1860.   One piece of evidence for this date range is the use of Turkey red calico.  This fabric first appeared at the beginning of the 19^th century and became the characteristic fabric for appliquéd quilts around 1830-1840.  The use of an over-dyed green applicable to the quilt was most common in the period 1840-1875.  The brightness of the reds is a clue that the quilt was made after the period 1830-1840.  The report points out that the quilt is made of purchased fabric, not scraps, indicating a family of some stability and availability of discretionary income.

So the chance of the quilt having been made during the War of 1812 according to the family tradition would appear to be remote.  So has this whole thing been an exercise in futility?   I don’t believe so. 

Let’s make a list of what I have learned or can deduce.

1. There is a compelling array of circumstantial evidence that the ROWLEY family is amongst my ancestors, so compelling that I am willing to accept it as fact even though I will continue to search for hard evidence.  This family can trace its roots in this country to about 1633 in Plymouth Colony.  Evidence that Cornelia THOMPSON is the daughter of Susan MONTGOMERY ROWLEY and that the ROWLEY’S are therefore my ancestors can be summarized as follows.

a. Cornelia ROWLEY’S obituary gives her place and date of birth as Onondaga Co., New York in 1824.

b. Enos and Susan ROWLEY sold property in Onondaga Co., NY in 1829.  

(What are the odds of the two events occurring within 5 years of each other in the same location if not within the same family?)

c. The 1830 census for Enos ROWLEY lists a 5-10 year old female, Cornelia’s age bracket. 

d. Enos ROWLEY and John THOMPSON obtained land grants on the same day, 18 Apr 1837, for pieces of   property located only a mile apart.  John and Cornelia subsequently married about 2½ years later.

e. The bio¹ of William INGALLS states that he and Sylvia Rowley were married in Ashland County, Ohio; the home of Enos and Susan ROWLEY at the time.

f. Two of Sylvia’s brothers were neighbors of William and Sylvia INGALLS during the 1850’s and 1860’s.  After Sylvia’s death, William married Lovina THOMPSON, daughter of Cornelia ROWLEY THOMPSON in 1859.

    John THOMPSON and Cornelia were living in Indiana from about 1862-1865, probably Otsego Township near Cornelia’s daughter, Lovina INGALLS, and her brothers John and Martin

ROWLEY.

   These relationships are all just too interwoven to be coincidence.  The presence of John and Martin ROWLEY in Otsego Township, Steuben Co., Indiana is compelling evidence that Sylvia ROWLEY is a daughter of Enos and Susan ROWLEY, thus a sister of Cornelia who would therefore also be a daughter of Enos and Susan.

2. The evidence cited in #1 above will hold true for the Montgomery family also.  This family came to Massachusetts about 1730-1750 and seems to have come from Ireland.  No attempt has yet been made to trace this family.

3. The movements of John Thompson and his family are well documented except for Lovina’s appearance in the household of William Ingalls.  I am theorizing that perhaps Sylvia had become ill and Lovina went to help care for her aunt?  See item 1.f above.

4. The appraisal report mentions that the maker of the Quilt was probably from a family with of some discretionary income.  Looking at the value of real estate reported on the 1860 and 1870 census returns, Cornelia would probably best fit this criterion and still keep at least this part of the tradition.  Susan would be a close second while Lovina would be a distant third choice. 

5. Here are several things I’ve learned (relearned?) and are good reminders for all researchers.

     THOU SHALT NOT ASSUME:  This probably is one of the first rules brought to my attention when I first embarked upon my career 60 years ago.   Because I fail, I am still chagrined every once in a while, I call it to your attention in hopes that you will benefit by being reminded once again.

SPELLING:  Census enumerators were noted for taking license with the spelling of names.  But care must be exercised even with other documents, often taken as gospel.  In this exercise, Cornelia’s name was spelled Correilia on her death certificate while John THOMPSON’S was spelled Tompkins.  The problem was sorted out using probate court records.

COUNTY WEB SITES:  Googling the name of a county can be extremely rewarding.  Many counties have extensive histories on line.  These may refer to an individual you are researching.  Or bio sketches may be available as I found in  Steuben Co., IN.  Some counties have volunteers who will do lookups in their home areas.  The list of potential information is almost endless.

GOOGLE NAMES:  Googling the name of an individual you are researching will frequently lead you to other researchers.  This can also lead you to documents mentioning the individual.

LAND PATENTS:  As my example reveals, these can very helpful in locating persons when you are otherwise up against a brick wall.  To learn more about land patents and what is available, visit the web site http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/land/

VERIFY WEB SITES:  Always verify information; even from those which appear to be well founded.  Also always document any source you take information from.  This is one of my downfalls.  I become excited and forget to register where I found a bit of interesting data.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

                I was born in Indiana but have lived in the PNW for the past 38 years.  I was a Metrology Engineer and have been retired from The Boeing Company for 22 years.  Comments or questions will be welcomed.  I can be reached at 253-435-5827 or baror@comcast.net just about anytime.

                After retiring I took a course in genealogy.  The first thing the instructor asked us to do was to write a monograph of childhood memories if for no other reason than to leave a legacy to your grandchildren.  This I did and finished with over 100 pages.  I found that while preparing this monograph, one memory would trigger several more.  This forced me to make a list before I forgot them.  At one point I had a list of over 80 memories to write about.  If you haven’t already done a similar project; please, I urge you to do it now.  You will be leaving a legacy of untold value to your children, grandchildren and g grandchildren.  If you don’t feel that you can write then use a tape recorder.

If anyone is wondering, yes, I am related to Laura INGALLS WILDER (author of “Little House on the Prairie” books).  She is my 7^th cousin, once removed, with our common ancestor being Henry INGALLS I and Mary OSGOOD who were born in England and came to Massachusetts sometime during the 1630’s with their parents when children.

        ENDNOTES        

1     “History of Steuben County, Indiana”; pp 829-830, Inter-State Publishing Co, Chicago,1885

“William R. Ingalls was born in Rochester, Windsor Co., Vt., on March 27, 1827. He was about four years of age when his parents, Jeremiah and Lance (Carpenter) Ingalls, moved from Vermont to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, there joining the Shakers, a community of whom was established in that county. His mother became dissatisfied and left there, and afterward married Alonzo Hancock. Her death occurred Oct. 15, 1843, in Summit County, Ohio. The father remained with the Shakers until his death, as did also his son George W. He died in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls have had six children - Effie C., Lana J., Willie E. and Lillie (twins), Albert T. and Germ W.  Lana J. married William Clark and resides in Douglas County, Dakota. The subject of this sketch, William R. Ingalls, has been the architect of his own fortunes. He has taken care of himself since he was fifteen years of age. He had good school advantages which he well improved, although, having to earn his way, he was not able to give his youth entirely to study. Most of his boyhood life was spent on a farm.  He was married in Ashland County, Ohio, in 1850, to Sylva M. Rowley. Two children were born to them - Charles A., now a resident of this county, and Susan, wife of Prof. A. W. Long, of Angola. Mrs. Ingalls died in 1859.

Mr. Ingalls was again married Nov. 14, 1859, to Lovina J. Thompson, daughter of John and Cornelia Thompson, of Wood County, Ohio. Her father came from Scotland when seventeen years of age, and died in Branch County, Mich., July 28, 1870. Her mother now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Hattie Legge.   Mr. Ingalls first came to this township in 1847, employed by Everitt Farnham, chopping, on land now owned by Mr. Ingalls. He was engaged in this work five months, then returned to Ohio, still in the employ of Mr. Farnham, who lived there. Mr. Ingalls knowing the value of this land was ready to buy it if opportunities offered, and the purchase was effected in 1850, and in the fall of 1851 he moved his family here. He now owns one of the best farms in the township, containing 200 acres. Mr. Ingalls fitted himself for the practice of law and is a member of the Steuben County bar. Though he has had some practice he does not care to make it his business. By industry, energy and frugality he has placed himself and his family beyond want, and by his upright, square dealing life he has earned the good-will and confidence of all who know him. He is a member of Angola Lodge, No. 236, F.& A.M., and to the teachings of the ancient and honorable Masonic order he "squares" his life.”

2.    FamilySearch.org,  International Genealogical Index

Marriage extracted for locality listed in record.  John Thompson and Cornelia Rowley, 26 Dec 1839, Wood County, Ohio

3    1840, 1850, 1860 Census from HERITAGEQUEST

                THOMPSON, JOHN

OHIO, WOOD CO., MILTON TWP.

                Series: M704 Roll: 434 Page: 432

THOMPSON, JOHN

OHIO, WOOD CO., MILTON TWP.

 Series: M432 Roll: 741 Page: 132

THOMPSON, JOHN

OHIO, WOOD CO., MILTON TWP.

                Series: M653 Roll: 1053 Page: 223

4     1870 Census from HERITAGEQUEST

                THOMPSON, JOHN

MICHIGAN, Branch Co., Ovid Twp.,

                Series: M593 Roll: 665 Page: 257

5     Heritage Room, Coldwater Branch District Library, 10 E. Chicago St., Coldwater, MI, 49036.

          Dear Ora,  
          Here is the obit for Cornellia Thompson:

              Coldwater Courier, Coldwater, Michigan, June 10, 1901, p-7
               

“Mrs. Cornellia Thompson"
                     "The above named estimable lady died at the home of her son-in-law, Mr. Henry Legge, in Ovid Township, last Monday evening, after an illness extending over several years.
       Mrs. Thompson was born in Onondaga County, New York, in 1824, and had resided in Branch County since 1865.  She was the mother of ten children, five still living, Mrs. Carrie Teachout, of this city, Mrs. McGee and Mrs. Kenyon, of Ovid (Township), Mr. John Thompson, of Kalamazoo, and Mr. Austin Thompson, of Girard (Township).
       The funeral was largely attended at the Centennial schoolhouse in Ovid (Township), Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Wilson conducting the services, and four of her grandsons acting as bearers.  The interment was in the Sorater Cemetery.
       She was highly respected lady and her death will not only be regretted by the immediate relatives but also by a large circle of acquaintances."

 “I did not find a death record or obit for John for the date indicated, there are 6 or 7 John's in the death record index.  I did find John in the cemetery book with Cornellia and the following children:
Emma A., daughter of John and Cornellia, died Feb. 28, 1873
Edwin M., son of John and Cornellia, who died Oct. 23, 1866, age 24 years, 6 months, 21 days
Albert M,  son of John and Cornellia, who died Sept 11, 1870, age 24 years, 6 months, 14 days
Alice A.,  born Nov. 27, 1845, died Aug 29, 1877
    The burial lot is in row 4, rows running north to south”

Following is an e-mail message from the librarian.

                Dear Ora,  

“The only thing I could find on John is the probating of his estate notice found in the Coldwater Republican, October 8, 1870, p-4.  It states that Cornella Thompson was the surviving widow, no other names are given.  The hearing date was set for October 31, 1870 in Probate Court.  I checked for any mention of his death in the papers of August 6 and 13, 1870, the next papers after his death.  The Probate Court should have the records concerning the settling of the estate.
    I found a record of burial being made for John who died July 28, 1870, age 53 years, 8 months, 13 days.”

6     1860 Census from HERITAGEQUEST

ROWLEY, Ohio

7       http://www.flint.com/rowley/

7a    The following address leads directly to the branch of the family of Enos ROWLEY.

http://www.flint.com/rowley/Records/censuses/1860/Charts/Branch01/BR1-7.0485.htm

8     http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/Logon/Logon_Form.asp?

9   1830 Census from HERITAGEQUEST

ROWLEY, ENOS

Ohio, Cuyahoga, Royalton Twp.
Series: M19 Roll: 129 Page: 132

10   1850 Census from HERITAGEQUEST

                ROWLEY, ENOS

Ohio, Ashland, Sullivan Twp.
                Series: M432 Roll: 658 Page: 470

11     From FamilySearch.org, International Genealogical Index

                birth information from statewide indexes for Vermont and Connecticut

SUSAN MONTGOMERY

                                Birth:  12 SEP 1801             Sterling Twp, Windham, Connecticut

                                Father:   ASA MONTGOMERY

                                Mother: BARBARA

12    1820 Census from HERITAGEQUEST

ROWLEY, SETH

New York, Otsego, New Lisbon
Series: M33 Roll: 74 Page: 125

13      MLJ Hardin County District Library, 325 East Columbus Street, Kenton, OH  43326

“Old Ada Death and Marriage Notices”, Vol. IV, Ada News/Ada Herald

                Dated March 6, 1884, Hardin Co., Ohio

14      History of Hardin Co. 1883, Liberty Township, Page 1024--

Found at the Hardin Co., Ohio web site:

http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Hardin/HarLiberty.htm

15      Family Search.org; Family History Center Film #317319

                EARLY VITAL RECORDS OF OHIO,

Authors, Daughters of the American Revolution. Sarah Corpus Chapter, (Ohio)

“Tombstone Inscriptions, Ashland County, Ohio, Volume I, 1939”

16    Branch Co. Clerk, 31 Division St., Coldwater, MI 49036

17       http://www.flint.com/rowley/Charts/Branch01/BR1-7.0043.htm

18   1800. 1810, 1820 Census from HERITAGEQUEST

MONTGOMERY, ASA, (1800 U.S. Census)
CONNECTICUT, Windham, Sterling
Series: M32 Roll: 2 Page: 837

ASA MONTGOMERY, (1810 U.S. Census)
CONNECTICUT, Windham, Sterling
Series: M252 Roll: 3 Page: 277

MONTGOMERY, ASA   (1820 U.S. Census)
CONNECTICUT, Windham, Voluntown
Series: M33 Roll: 3 Page: 461

MONTGOMERY, ASA JR, (1820 U.S. Census)
CONNECTICUT, Windham, Canterbury
Series: M33 Roll: 3 Page: 445

19    http://www.ctgenweb.org/county/cowindham/records/barbour/barboursterlingmtoz.htm

20    Appraisal Report

                Guildmark Appraisal Services

PO Box 952
Edmonds, Washington 98020

info@guildmarkappraisal.com

21   1840 Census from HERITAGEQUEST

ROWLEY, ENOS; Illinois, McDonough, no twp listed
Series: M704 Roll: 65 Page: 215

22   1860 Census from HERITAGEQUEST

JOHN D. ROWLEY, 1860, Indiana, Steuben Co., Otsego Twp.

Series: M653 Roll: 298 Page: 473

MARTIN ROWLEY, 1860, Indiana, Steuben Co., Otsego Twp

Series: M653 Roll: 298 Page: 471

23   http://www.flint.com/rowley/Charts/Branch01/BR1-Chart.htm

24   The Fuller Family in America—Page19, 24, 34-36

                http://persi.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/books/results/image?urn=urn:proquest:US;glhbooks;             Genealogy-glh47066845;25;-1;&polarity=&scale=

25    Genealogy of some descendants of Edward Fuller of the Mayflower—Page 12

                http://contentdm.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/FH11&CISOPTR=68501&REC=8

APPENDIX A

A TRIBUTE TO THE PIONEER WOMEN

I must pause for a moment  to pay tribute to the women of that era.  From the records found so far, Enos must have suffered from wanderlust since he moved his growing family a major distance at least four times.  He seems to have settled in Onondaga Co., New York shortly after being married.  He then moved to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio about 1829 with 3 toddlers under 5 years in the family (see the 1830 census⁹).  They move to McDonough Co., Illinois between 1838 and 1840 (from the birth date of Artissa¹⁰, the last child born in Ohio) but most likely just after Cornelia’s marriage in December, 1839.  At that time there were 2 toddlers under 5 and three children 5-10 years old.  They returned to Warren Co., Ohio less than a year and a half later in 1841 based on the birth dates of Alfred and Charles¹⁰.   While Enos remained in Ohio the rest of his life, he is found in a different county or township at the time of each census.  Three of the daughters, Elizabeth, Elvira and Cordelia married and remained in Illinois. 

What kind of rigors did she go through each day to prepare a meal?  How difficult it must have been when it came time to do a laundry?  Did she gather wood to build a fire to heat a large cauldron of water or did she use the nearest stream of water?  Then she set up a new household practically in a wilderness with no shopping malls to call upon for help.  Yes, they were indeed strong, resourceful and redoubtable women in those days.  If she made the Quilt which is the subject of this monograph then I have my doubts if she ever had the time to make another one!

APPENDIX B

OTSEGO TOWNSHIP, STEUBEN CO., INDIANA

A study of the ROWLEY RESEARCH⁷ site has revealed some rather interesting information.  This page lists the names of 4 sons and 4 daughters of Enos and Susan.  Obtaining Enos obituary¹³ later revealed that they had a total of twelve children leaving 4 children unidentified.  Two of the sons; John, born 1827, and Martin, born 1833; were found in the census returns for 1860²¹ living in Otsego Township, Steuben Co., Indiana, the same township where William INGALLS and his first wife had been residing.  William’s bio¹ also states that Sylvia’s maiden name was ROWLEY and that they were married in Ashland Co., Ohio in 1850.  While the record does not agree with the marriage in Ashland Co. statement, the statement does ring bells.  The 1850 census shows Enos and his family to be living in Ashland Co. in 1850.¹⁰   Coincidence?  While Sylvia is not listed as a daughter of Enos on the ROWLEY RESEARCH⁷ site, remember there are four children not named.  Why would John and Martin ROWLEY decide to live in Otsego Twp., Steuben Co. for only a few years?  Could it be to be near a favorite sister, Sylvia?  Coupled with William’s mention of Ashland Co., as the place he and Sylvia were married, it would certainly seem to be a logical explanation.   In that case, if my theory is correct, then Cornelia and Sylvia are sisters and Lovina, William’s second wife, my g grandmother and a holder of the Quilt, was a niece of Sylvia’s.  Perhaps Sylvia had become ill and Lovina had gone to Indiana to help care for her aunt?  Not out of reason since Wood County is only about 55 miles away.  While so involved, her Uncle William fell in love with her and they decided to get married after her aunt died?  This is another bit of circumstantial evidence that Cornelia and Sylvia were daughters of Enos and Susan, and siblings of John and Martin ROWLEY.  (Incidentally, Lovina, Cornelia’s daughter and the second wife of William INGALLS, consistently reported in the census records that her mother was born in New York, in agreement with Cornelia’s obituary.)

According to census records my gg grandparents, John and Cornelia THOMPSON, moved from Wood Co., Ohio to Branch Co., Michigan sometime between 1860 and 1870.  From the census records, two children were born to them in Indiana during the period 1863-1865⁴.    Why would they sojourn in Indiana for a period of time if not to be near relatives?  If what I proposed in the above paragraph is true, then Cornelia would have been neighbors of her daughter and two brothers.   Branch Co. is just across the state line, near enough to permit Cornelia to visit her daughter and brothers occasionally. 

This is truly amazing!  I was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on 29 July 1925.  After the Crash of ’29, my parents moved back to Otsego Twp., Indiana in 1930.  I always knew that my father, mother and grandmother Clark were born in the township and lived most of their lives there.  What started as a search for the creator of the Quilt suddenly reveals that I not only had g grandparents but possibly gg grandparents, probably two gg grand uncles and a gg grand aunt who lived in the same township 65 years before I was born!

APPENDIX C

ONONDAGA CO., NEW YORK

I later discovered that a Charles HOYT of Hemet, CA had done some research on the family of Enos and Susan ROWLEY.  Contacting him revealed that he did not have much more information regarding the family members than I did.  But the interesting bit he did have, however, was that Enos and Susan ROWLEY had sold two pieces of property in Onondaga Co. on August 12, 1829, apparently just before moving to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio.  He identified these as Lot #3, Block 34 and Lot #3, Block 35 in the village of Salina.  The property records of the village of Salina do not go back that far.  The Onondaga County Clerk has verified this information and I have a copy of the deed for this sale.  Unfortunately, the property records of the county are completely blank concerning the acquisition of any property by Enos and Susan at any time so I’ve drawn a blank as to when they may have settled in Onondaga County.  It would seem then that the deed for the acquisition of their property was never recorded?  I have also gone through mortgage records for the county during the years from 1820-1830 with no results.  It would have been ideal to verify that Enos and Susan were living in the county prior to Cornelia’s birth in 1824.

For Enos and Susan to be in the same county as Cornelia’s birth and within 5 years of her birth is the strongest bit of circumstantial evidence yet uncovered for her parentage.  At this point I am willing to accept Enos and Susan as her parents.  A side advantage of accepting Enos as an ancestor is that I have added another line to my pedigree which extends back to a Henry Rowley.  There is no record of when Henry first came to this country but he is mentioned in the records of the Massachusetts Plymouth Colony in 1632 on the tax rolls and 1633 when he married Ann, widow of Deacon Thomas Blossom. 

                                                                                    APPENDIX D

                                                                 UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES

                A person is always gratified with the success of a project such as this; i.e., the identification of the potential creator of the Quilt.  It is even more gratifying to add another ancestral line to ones pedigree going back to the 1630’s as in this case with the ROWLEY family⁷.   It is probable that the MONTGOMERY family is another ancestral line to be added to our pedigree.  This remains to be checked out.

                Checking the distaff lines of the ROWLEY family we discover that we are also descended from a Mayflower passenger, Edward FULLER.  Edward’s granddaughter, Elizabeth, (Matthew, Edward) married Moses ROWLEY on 22 Apr 1652^{7a, 23, 25}.   Edward’s great granddaughter, Deborah, (John, Samuel, Edward) married John ROWLEY on 11 Sep 1716^{7a, 23}.  Edward’s son Matthew, Elizabeth’s father, did not arrive in America until 1640, becoming very active in the affairs of Plymouth Colony. 

                Checking even further we find that we have a second Mayflower passenger among our Rowley ancestors, totally on the distaff side.  Seth Rowley’s (1759-1836) ancestry can be traced through the distaff side (starting with his mother) as Rebecca Hurd Brainard, Rebecca Higgins, Hannah Rogers, Joseph Rogers, Thomas Rogers.  Thomas died during that first winter leaving his 18 year old son, Joseph who was also a passenger.  Thomas’ wife, Alice, and three other children had remained behind in Leiden, Holland.  The children did come over later but the record says nothing about Alice.