Henry B. Jenkins, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth, was born about 1788 in Vernon River, Lot 49, PEI, never married, and died about 1870. His father’s will left Henry with the farm in Pownal, Lot 49, providing he looked after his mother (who died about two weeks after Nicholas), and paid 40 pounds in currency or the equivalent in produce within three years.
George Jenkins, was born about 1789 in Vernon River, Lot 49, PEI. A conveyance of land from John Cambridge, of 100 acres from Mill Lot (49) "now and for some time in possession of George Jenkins," was recorded 1 August 1809. [PAPEI, Queens County Conveyances, Liber 33, Folio 162]. He was killed, possibly on 30 October 1836, when a hemlock tree being felled by son John and friend Elisha Weatherbie landed on him. "An Island Refuge" says this happened 23 August 1836, Ludlow Jenkins wrote that it happened before George's son Donald was born. He was reported to have been buried in Alexandra Baptist Cemetery, Lot 49, but no headstone now exists.
He married about 1809, possibly in Mount Albion, Lot 48, Margaret Acorn, born 5 November 1790 in Lot 49, daughter of John Acorn and Eleanor Williams, baptized 14 November 1794 by Rev. Theophilus DesBrisay, died 16 October in either 1855 or 1866 in PEI, and probably buried with her husband. They had 11 children as follows:
1. Eleanor Jenkins, born about 1810, died 8 November 1892. She married John Wood 4 October 1831 (by marriage license of 27 September 1831), and had 15 children.
2. John M. Jenkins, born about 1812, died 12 February 1894. He married Charlotte Sophia Murray 21 March 1838 (by license of 16 March 1838), and had 12 children.
3. Mary Jenkins, born about 1814. She married first William Brown 25 July 1842. She married second James Robertson 26 September 1862. No record of any children.
4. Eleanor Magdalene (Layner) Jenkins, born about 1816, died 18 February 1892. She married Donald (Red) Martin, and had 11 children.
5. Margaret Jenkins, born 20 August 1819, died 1880, buried in St. Davids United Cemetery, Georgetown, PEI. She married Elisha Weatherbie 11 April 1838 (by license of 7 April 1838) and had 6 children.
6. Elizabeth Anne Jenkins, born 2 April 1821, died 1874. She married Archibald MacIntosh (Tosh) Munn 5 September 1848 and had 12 children.
7. Nicholas (Curly Nick) Jenkins, born 23 June 1822, died 20 July 1892. He married Ann Brown 9 October 1855 and had 6 children.
8. George Ewen Jenkins, born about 1830, died possibly in Danforth, ME. He married Jeannette (Jane) MacEachern 30 November 1854 (by license of 23 November 1854) and had 9 children.
9. Jane Jenkins, born about 1830, died 1919. She married Daniel Singleton 7 April 1851 and had 8 children.
10. Samuel James Jenkins, born about 1833, died 22 October 1889, buried in Greenswood Cemetery, Jonesport, ME. He married first Margaret Thornton and had 3 children. He married second Lois Mansfield Sawyer 12 December 1866 and had 6 children. He married third Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Kelley 12 June 1880 and had 6 children.
11. Donald Jenkins, born 22 March 1836, died 1915, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Matilda Coady Sealey 18 January 1865 (by license of 12 January 1865), and had 8 children.
As usual, if you have any corrections or additions, please let me know by email at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Monday, November 19, 2007
Nicholas’ Son William
William Jenkins, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Jenkins, in answering a questionnaire in 1876 said that he was born "At Mr. Thomas Beer’s Lot 50" in 1783. He said they sailed "In ‘1783' in the Polly - From the United States of America", that they landed in 1783, that "Mary Jenkins Died on the passage", named his father, Nicholas Jenkins, as being the first shoemaker in their area, and said the oldest wayside tavern he knew of belonged to Nicholas Jenkins. But he also said that his brother, James Jenkins, was the first born in their settlement after coming there, possibly meaning that James was the first born in Pownal after relocating from their original home in Vernon River, Lot 49. [Source: PAPEI, Acc. 2702, Series 20, Vol. 296-317, William Jenkins.] [No birth or christening record for William Jenkins has been found. Could it be that William mixed the story of the "Polly" with that of the troop transport ship from Charlottetown to Quebec? Or was the "Polly" the ship that brought the family from New York about 1787 after their arrival back from Germany?] Next door neighbour Peter Praught, born in Lot 50, PEI in 1796, in answering the same questionnaire as William Jenkins in 1876 said the old men and women he remembered were "Nicholas Jenkins and his wife. He was born in Germany. And she was born in New York". [Source: PAPEI, Acc. 2702, Series 20, Vol. 296-317, Peter Praught.]
William Jenkins died in 1880. The Examiner of 1 March 1880 says he died aged 92, which would have him born about 1787. This is about the year of Nicholas and family arriving on the Island from Germany, and is considered possible. Some time before 1810 William married Eleanor Acorn. They lived in Birch Hill, Lot 49, PE on land where the Birch Hill Church of Scotland now stands, and next door to Peter Ballem. A deed dated 20 Feb 1855 transferred 50 acres to son Joseph, William signing and Eleanor marking an 'X'. Another deed dated 1862 signed by William, Eleanor and Benjamin covered sale of land to the Church of Scotland for a church. William and Eleanor had 11 children as follows:
1. Elizabeth Jenkins, born 6 March 1810, died 7 April 1905, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married Martin Myers 12 March 1831 and had 11 children.
2. Margaret Ann Jenkins, born 20 August 1811, died 1905, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married James B. Roberts 5 August 1835 and had 7 children.
3. James Gray Jenkins, born 1815, died 6 August 1900, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Jane J. Burhoe and had 9 children.
4. William (Billy Dundas) Jenkins, born 1 August 1819, died 15 September 1900. He married Mary Burhoe 18 December 1839 and had 10 children.
5. Henry J. Jenkins, born 28 July 1820, died 23 February 1882, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Hannah Jones 30 July 1846 and had 11 children.
6. John Jenkins, born 24 December 1824, died 6 March 1909, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married first Elizabeth (Betty) Ballem 16 September 1845 and had 10 children. He married second Anna Maria MacLean 21 November 1891 and had 2 children.
7. Joseph Jenkins, born 17 February 1826, died 7 March 1907, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Anne MacPherson 7 March 1849 and had 9 children.
8. Sarah Jane Jenkins, born July 1827, died 25 January 1914, buried in Murray River Cemetery, Lot 63, PEI. She married Thomas M. Jenkins 21 November 1848 and had 12 children. Sarah and Thomas were half first cousins (their fathers were half brothers).
9. Benjamin Jenkins, born 4 April 1832, died 19 October 1919, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Mary Jane Gay 30 November 1859 and had 13 children.
10. Elinor (Leonore) Jenkins, born 4 June 1835, died 31 March 1929, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married William Bishop Ballem 31 July 1856 and had 10 children.
11. Nicholas Jenkins, born about 1837 in Birch Hill, Lot 49, PEI.
William Jenkins died in 1880. The Examiner of 1 March 1880 says he died aged 92, which would have him born about 1787. This is about the year of Nicholas and family arriving on the Island from Germany, and is considered possible. Some time before 1810 William married Eleanor Acorn. They lived in Birch Hill, Lot 49, PE on land where the Birch Hill Church of Scotland now stands, and next door to Peter Ballem. A deed dated 20 Feb 1855 transferred 50 acres to son Joseph, William signing and Eleanor marking an 'X'. Another deed dated 1862 signed by William, Eleanor and Benjamin covered sale of land to the Church of Scotland for a church. William and Eleanor had 11 children as follows:
1. Elizabeth Jenkins, born 6 March 1810, died 7 April 1905, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married Martin Myers 12 March 1831 and had 11 children.
2. Margaret Ann Jenkins, born 20 August 1811, died 1905, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married James B. Roberts 5 August 1835 and had 7 children.
3. James Gray Jenkins, born 1815, died 6 August 1900, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Jane J. Burhoe and had 9 children.
4. William (Billy Dundas) Jenkins, born 1 August 1819, died 15 September 1900. He married Mary Burhoe 18 December 1839 and had 10 children.
5. Henry J. Jenkins, born 28 July 1820, died 23 February 1882, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Hannah Jones 30 July 1846 and had 11 children.
6. John Jenkins, born 24 December 1824, died 6 March 1909, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married first Elizabeth (Betty) Ballem 16 September 1845 and had 10 children. He married second Anna Maria MacLean 21 November 1891 and had 2 children.
7. Joseph Jenkins, born 17 February 1826, died 7 March 1907, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Anne MacPherson 7 March 1849 and had 9 children.
8. Sarah Jane Jenkins, born July 1827, died 25 January 1914, buried in Murray River Cemetery, Lot 63, PEI. She married Thomas M. Jenkins 21 November 1848 and had 12 children. Sarah and Thomas were half first cousins (their fathers were half brothers).
9. Benjamin Jenkins, born 4 April 1832, died 19 October 1919, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Mary Jane Gay 30 November 1859 and had 13 children.
10. Elinor (Leonore) Jenkins, born 4 June 1835, died 31 March 1929, buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She married William Bishop Ballem 31 July 1856 and had 10 children.
11. Nicholas Jenkins, born about 1837 in Birch Hill, Lot 49, PEI.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Nicholas’ Daughter Susannah
As previously stated, family tradition has said that Nicholas’ daughter Susannah was born about 1778/1779 in Hanover, Germany. The only documentation for this date is in the 1881 Census of Lot 49, PEI where she was listed as aged 102, born in Germany. A search of all church baptismal records at the Stadtarchiv, Hanover for the period 1775-1782 turned up no record for either John or Susannah, in fact for no Henckel at all during that period. [Source: Letter of 31 Aug 1979 from Stadtarchiv, Hanover to Beryl (MacDonald) Barrett] Either her assumed age or place of birth (or both) is probably incorrect, as her father had left home before 3 Mar 1776 for America when only 20 years old.
On 18 December 1785 a daughter, Susanna, was born in Treysa, Germany to Nicolaus Henckel, master shoemaker and his wife Elizabeth nee Robinson, born in New York. One of the witnesses was Susanna Beckmerin. Although Susanna's birth date has been shown to be later than had been previously thought, family lore has said she was born in Germany, and this was recorded in the same town in Hessen Cassel where her father Nicolaus had been born. Thus she would be a product of Nicholas’ second marriage, not his first. Susannah died aged 98 on 14 May 1884, possibly in Greek River, and was buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49. Her plot was reportedly surrounded by a wrought iron fence with grave markers attached, which was removed for maintenance in the 1930s and subsequently lost. She is the only child of Nicholas whose date of birth has been found. Susannah was known as "Aunt Sukey" or "Sookey".
Susannah was married some time before 1808 to Thomas Robertson, believed born about 1780, with date of death and parents unknown. They lived in Mount Albion, Lot 48, PEI, and later moved to Greek River, Lot 63. He was a Carpenter and Teacher. When they moved, the house they had built in Mount Albion was used as the first school in the community. They had four children as follows:
1. Nicholas Robertson, born 26 February 1808, died 17 October 1885, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Maria MacPherson 27 December 1831 and had 14 children.
2. Thomas Robertson, born about 1810. He married Sarah Hume 4 March 1840 and had 1 child.
3. James Robertson, born about 1812, died 1895. He married first Mary Murray 1841 and had 7 children. She died 11 August 1857, and James married second Mary Jenkins 26 September 1862, with no issue from this marriage.
4. Eleanor Robertson, born about 1815, died before the 1881 Census. She married James Bishop 30 December 1834 and had 7 children.
As usual, if you have any corrections or additions, please let me know by email at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca
On 18 December 1785 a daughter, Susanna, was born in Treysa, Germany to Nicolaus Henckel, master shoemaker and his wife Elizabeth nee Robinson, born in New York. One of the witnesses was Susanna Beckmerin. Although Susanna's birth date has been shown to be later than had been previously thought, family lore has said she was born in Germany, and this was recorded in the same town in Hessen Cassel where her father Nicolaus had been born. Thus she would be a product of Nicholas’ second marriage, not his first. Susannah died aged 98 on 14 May 1884, possibly in Greek River, and was buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49. Her plot was reportedly surrounded by a wrought iron fence with grave markers attached, which was removed for maintenance in the 1930s and subsequently lost. She is the only child of Nicholas whose date of birth has been found. Susannah was known as "Aunt Sukey" or "Sookey".
Susannah was married some time before 1808 to Thomas Robertson, believed born about 1780, with date of death and parents unknown. They lived in Mount Albion, Lot 48, PEI, and later moved to Greek River, Lot 63. He was a Carpenter and Teacher. When they moved, the house they had built in Mount Albion was used as the first school in the community. They had four children as follows:
1. Nicholas Robertson, born 26 February 1808, died 17 October 1885, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Maria MacPherson 27 December 1831 and had 14 children.
2. Thomas Robertson, born about 1810. He married Sarah Hume 4 March 1840 and had 1 child.
3. James Robertson, born about 1812, died 1895. He married first Mary Murray 1841 and had 7 children. She died 11 August 1857, and James married second Mary Jenkins 26 September 1862, with no issue from this marriage.
4. Eleanor Robertson, born about 1815, died before the 1881 Census. She married James Bishop 30 December 1834 and had 7 children.
As usual, if you have any corrections or additions, please let me know by email at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Nicholas’ Oldest Son from His first Marriage
As previously stated, family tradition has said that Nicholas’ oldest son John was born in Hanover, Germany about 1777. A search of all church baptismal records at the Stadtarchiv, Hanover for the period 1775-1782 turned up no record for either John or his sister Susannah. In fact for no Henckel at all during that period in Hanover. [Source: Letter of 31 Aug 1979 from Stadtarchiv, Hanover to Beryl (MacDonald) Barrett]. As Nicholas had left Ziegenhain, Germany 3 March 1776 at age 20, it is highly unlikely that John was born in Germany, but more probably in New York or Pennsylvania. No birth or christening records have been found to date anywhere.
According to Ludlow Jenkins, John lived for a short while in Mount Albion, Lot 48, PEI before moving to Seal River, Lot 49 and finally to Alberry Plains, Lot 50. A land conveyance of 70 acres on Township #49 from David Gay to John Jenkins was dated 2 May 1808 and registered 3 May 1808. [Liber 13, Folio 419] There must have been some animosity between John and his father, for when Nicholas died John was left only "five shillings should he demand it". The "Examiner" of 16 July 1866 said John died 20 June in Lot 49 after some years illness aged 89 years.
John married Christene Anne MacGregor, born 1788 (probably in Nova Scotia), daughter of John MacGregor, and died 1866 in PEI. Their burial place is unknown. They had 8 children as follows:
1. Catherine Jenkins, born about 1811, died 2 October 1883, and buried in Murray Harbour South Cemetery, Lot 64, PEI. She married Obediah White 24 December 1831 and had 9 children.
2. John J. Jenkins, born about 1816, died 29 January 1883, and buried in Union Cemetery, Union Road, Lot 51, PEI. He married Mary Mellish 24 February 1842 and had 7 children.
3. Elizabeth Ann Jenkins, born about 1817, died 19 May 1879, and buried in Murray Harbour South Cemetery, Lot 64, PEI. She married John Hooper 4 July 1839 and had 8 children.
4. George E. Jenkins, born 5 August 1819, died 9 April 1898, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Susannah Marie Hawkins 9 October 1850 and had 8 children.
5. Thomas M. Jenkins, born 28 January 1821, died 28 January 1892, and buried in Murray River Cemetery, Lot 63, PEI. He married Sarah Jane Gray Jenkins 21 November 1848 and had 12 children. Thomas and Sarah were half first cousins (their fathers were half brothers).
6. Caroline Hayden Jenkins, born 1822, died 9 May 1919, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She never married, lived with her brother George, and died at the home of nephew Giles Jenkins in Millview.
7. William Jenkins, born about 1824. He reportedly left PEI to possibly go to New York or out West.
8. Isabella Jenkins, born 13 April 1831, died 30 October 1898, and buried in Lower Montague United cemetery, Lot 59, PEI. She married James I. Phillips 4 March 1861 and had 3 children.
As usual, if you have any corrections or additions, please let me know by email at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca
According to Ludlow Jenkins, John lived for a short while in Mount Albion, Lot 48, PEI before moving to Seal River, Lot 49 and finally to Alberry Plains, Lot 50. A land conveyance of 70 acres on Township #49 from David Gay to John Jenkins was dated 2 May 1808 and registered 3 May 1808. [Liber 13, Folio 419] There must have been some animosity between John and his father, for when Nicholas died John was left only "five shillings should he demand it". The "Examiner" of 16 July 1866 said John died 20 June in Lot 49 after some years illness aged 89 years.
John married Christene Anne MacGregor, born 1788 (probably in Nova Scotia), daughter of John MacGregor, and died 1866 in PEI. Their burial place is unknown. They had 8 children as follows:
1. Catherine Jenkins, born about 1811, died 2 October 1883, and buried in Murray Harbour South Cemetery, Lot 64, PEI. She married Obediah White 24 December 1831 and had 9 children.
2. John J. Jenkins, born about 1816, died 29 January 1883, and buried in Union Cemetery, Union Road, Lot 51, PEI. He married Mary Mellish 24 February 1842 and had 7 children.
3. Elizabeth Ann Jenkins, born about 1817, died 19 May 1879, and buried in Murray Harbour South Cemetery, Lot 64, PEI. She married John Hooper 4 July 1839 and had 8 children.
4. George E. Jenkins, born 5 August 1819, died 9 April 1898, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. He married Susannah Marie Hawkins 9 October 1850 and had 8 children.
5. Thomas M. Jenkins, born 28 January 1821, died 28 January 1892, and buried in Murray River Cemetery, Lot 63, PEI. He married Sarah Jane Gray Jenkins 21 November 1848 and had 12 children. Thomas and Sarah were half first cousins (their fathers were half brothers).
6. Caroline Hayden Jenkins, born 1822, died 9 May 1919, and buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Lot 49, PEI. She never married, lived with her brother George, and died at the home of nephew Giles Jenkins in Millview.
7. William Jenkins, born about 1824. He reportedly left PEI to possibly go to New York or out West.
8. Isabella Jenkins, born 13 April 1831, died 30 October 1898, and buried in Lower Montague United cemetery, Lot 59, PEI. She married James I. Phillips 4 March 1861 and had 3 children.
As usual, if you have any corrections or additions, please let me know by email at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca
Monday, September 3, 2007
Another Go At Births and Ages
The following appeared in the newspaper Examiner, Charlottetown, PEI, in the 1 March 1880 edition [adjacent to the obituary of Catherine (Jenkins) Mutlow]
"A long lived family. - a notice of a death which appears in our column has induced us to make enquiries respecting a family remarkable for their great age to which its members have attained. Nicholas Jenkins and his wife emigrated to this Island from Germany about the year 1782 with three children. They settled first at Vernon River and removed after a short stay to Cherry Valley, from which place they came to Pownal, where they resided to the day of their death. After coming to the Island seven children were born to them, some of whom are still living. Nicholas Jenking [sic] the father died at 76. His wife 75, John Jenkins 90, George accidently killed 51, Susannah is still alive aged 100, William died at 92, Nicholas 90, Catherine 91, James still alive aged 88, Henry died at 81, Elizabeth 86 and Leanor 72."
This article, obviously taken from hearsay, appears to contain many errors. For instance: Nicholas Jenkins and his wife emigrated to this Island from Germany about the year 1787 with three children [John and Susanna (Henckel) Jenkins and Peter (Baum) Ballem].
Nicholas Jenkins the father, born 28 March 1755, died 15 July 1823, would have been aged 68 years 3 months 18 days.
Elizabeth his wife, birth date unknown, died 29 July 1823, was probably not 7 years older than Nicholas.
John Jenkins, birth date and place unknown, died 20 June 1866, if born about 1777 would have been 90.
Susannah, born 18 Dec 1785, died 14 May 1884 aged 98 years, would have been 94 in 1880, not 100.
George, birth date unknown, was accidently killed 30 Oct 1836, but if at age 51 would have been born about 1785 when the family was still living in Germany.
William, birth date in PEI unknown, if died at 92 earlier in 1880 would have been born about 1787, about the year of their arrival on the Island. Considered possible.
Nicholas, birth date in PEI unknown, died 1877, if died aged 90 would have been born about 1787. Considered possible.
Catherine, birth date in PEI unknown, died 10 Feb 1880, if died aged 91 would have been born about 1788. Considered possible.
Henry, birth date in PEI unknown, died about 1870, if died at 81 would have been born about 1789. Considered possible.
James, birth date in PEI unknown, died 24 Feb 1877, if aged 88 in 1880, would have been born about 1791. Considered possible.
Many of you have wondered before about the ages in that newspaper article. Has anybody thought of how it should have read? What are the actual birth dates of Nicholas' children? How old were they really at death? Can anyone help? If you don't wish to post a comment for everyone to see, perhaps you might email me on any of the postings at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca . Look forward to hearing from you.
"A long lived family. - a notice of a death which appears in our column has induced us to make enquiries respecting a family remarkable for their great age to which its members have attained. Nicholas Jenkins and his wife emigrated to this Island from Germany about the year 1782 with three children. They settled first at Vernon River and removed after a short stay to Cherry Valley, from which place they came to Pownal, where they resided to the day of their death. After coming to the Island seven children were born to them, some of whom are still living. Nicholas Jenking [sic] the father died at 76. His wife 75, John Jenkins 90, George accidently killed 51, Susannah is still alive aged 100, William died at 92, Nicholas 90, Catherine 91, James still alive aged 88, Henry died at 81, Elizabeth 86 and Leanor 72."
This article, obviously taken from hearsay, appears to contain many errors. For instance: Nicholas Jenkins and his wife emigrated to this Island from Germany about the year 1787 with three children [John and Susanna (Henckel) Jenkins and Peter (Baum) Ballem].
Nicholas Jenkins the father, born 28 March 1755, died 15 July 1823, would have been aged 68 years 3 months 18 days.
Elizabeth his wife, birth date unknown, died 29 July 1823, was probably not 7 years older than Nicholas.
John Jenkins, birth date and place unknown, died 20 June 1866, if born about 1777 would have been 90.
Susannah, born 18 Dec 1785, died 14 May 1884 aged 98 years, would have been 94 in 1880, not 100.
George, birth date unknown, was accidently killed 30 Oct 1836, but if at age 51 would have been born about 1785 when the family was still living in Germany.
William, birth date in PEI unknown, if died at 92 earlier in 1880 would have been born about 1787, about the year of their arrival on the Island. Considered possible.
Nicholas, birth date in PEI unknown, died 1877, if died aged 90 would have been born about 1787. Considered possible.
Catherine, birth date in PEI unknown, died 10 Feb 1880, if died aged 91 would have been born about 1788. Considered possible.
Henry, birth date in PEI unknown, died about 1870, if died at 81 would have been born about 1789. Considered possible.
James, birth date in PEI unknown, died 24 Feb 1877, if aged 88 in 1880, would have been born about 1791. Considered possible.
Many of you have wondered before about the ages in that newspaper article. Has anybody thought of how it should have read? What are the actual birth dates of Nicholas' children? How old were they really at death? Can anyone help? If you don't wish to post a comment for everyone to see, perhaps you might email me on any of the postings at demacdonald@pei.sympatico.ca . Look forward to hearing from you.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Nicholas’ Wife Elizabeth Was Mother of Peter Ballem; But Who Was Her First Husband?
To begin, the surname Ballem (or Ballum) was probably originally spelled Baum, which is German for tree. Correct pronunciation is indicated by the most common early spelling variation as Bollum. Since the name was changed from Baum to the contrived forms Ballem or Ballum by Peter Baum following his arrival in Prince Edward Island (PEI), it has been assumed in the past that all of that name are descended from him. While the name Ballem is relatively uncommon, there are some by that name who do not appear to be descended from our Peter. Massachusetts Vital Records contain a number of families with spellings Ballem, Ballum, and Ballam. Places of birth include Boston, Duxbury and Cambridge (MA), Arichat (NS), Ireland and Russia. In PEI the name has predominantly been spelled Ballem in Queens County, while two of Peter's sons, George Malcolm and John, relocated to western Prince County where John's descendants use the spelling Ballum.
As to the identity of Peter's father and his place of birth, family tradition has been as follows. Young Peter arrived in PEI with his mother and her new husband Nicholas Henckel in the 1780's. An October 1937 letter from Priscilla Jane (Ballem) Loring to her son Malcolm says that her father William Bishop Ballem, age 39 years when Peter died, "used to tell that his great grandfather's name was Charles Ballem, Captain of an American Army. His men all got in behind the wall, the gate was closed; he climbed the wall and was shot by a British sentry." In a December 1937 letter to Priscilla from George Wallace Ballem, age 8 years when Peter died, he said Peter's father was "William Ballem, born in Amsterdam, Holland, don't know his age, was shot in the Battle of Brandywine, 1777. He was a sharpshooter in that battle" during the American Revolution. The Battle of Brandywine was fought 11 September 1777 at Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, about 40 km southwest of Philadelphia, and involved 18,000 British against 11,000 Americans. It has also been said that Peter’s father was Lt. Col. Friedrick Baum, who died at the Battle of Bennington on the New York/Vermont border in August 1777. Peter’s mother Elizabeth, maiden name unknown, was thought to have been born about 1747. She, young son Peter, and a daughter possibly named Mary, were said to have sailed from Amsterdam to New York to join him, but upon arrival found that he had recently been killed in battle. She reportedly took out a land grant, available to those who were loyal to the Crown, and arrived at the Island of St. John (now PEI) to settle about 1777. The daughter is believed to have been sent back to Germany to live with relatives as nothing more is known about her.
From these conflicting stories based on family tradition, we turn next to German and American Revolutionary War source documents. The possibility that Peter's father was the Hessian officer Lt. Colonel Samuel Frederick Baum who died as a result of the Battle of Bennington in August 1777 has been dismissed by Mrs. Beryl (MacDonald) Barrett, a Certified Genealogist. Research in Germany has found that Lt. Col. Baum had both wife and mistress who, along with his daughters, vigorously contested his will in Germany for many years. This resulted in many public documents, none of which establishes any link with either a son Peter or a wife Elizabeth. Also, except for Lt. Col. Baum, there were no others of that name at the Battle of Bennington. However, records list a Lt. (later Captain) Jacob Baum, a Sergeant Bernhard Baum, a Grenadier Johannes Baum, and a Private Henrich Baum. Not enough is known about any of them at this time, but this gives us possible leads for future research. There has yet to be found any mention of a Charles or William Baum which might provide a link with those names mentioned in family tradition.
The possibility exists that Elizabeth’s first husband, Peter’s father, had arrived in America prior to 1776 and the beginning of the Revolution. He could have been among the German settlers of Pennsylvania or New York. However, to date no record of marriage or birth to provide a link to our Peter has been found. A book titled Descendants of Frederick Baum of New York State by Mrs. Clayton C. Baum of Cortland, NY says this Frederick Baum was born 24 October 1758 in Oppenhein, Montgomery County, NY and died there 16 October 1843. A Phillipp Baum, born in Holland and believed to be Frederick's brother, arrived in the United States aboard the ship Hampshire on 7 September 1748 and settled near what is now Canajoharie, Montgomery County. L. Frank Baum, born in the same area and a descendant of Phillipp, was the author of Wizard of Oz and other books. This indicates there were others by the name Baum living in New York state before, during and after the American Revolution.
Can anyone help add to this? It is a great puzzle which has not yet been solved.
As to the identity of Peter's father and his place of birth, family tradition has been as follows. Young Peter arrived in PEI with his mother and her new husband Nicholas Henckel in the 1780's. An October 1937 letter from Priscilla Jane (Ballem) Loring to her son Malcolm says that her father William Bishop Ballem, age 39 years when Peter died, "used to tell that his great grandfather's name was Charles Ballem, Captain of an American Army. His men all got in behind the wall, the gate was closed; he climbed the wall and was shot by a British sentry." In a December 1937 letter to Priscilla from George Wallace Ballem, age 8 years when Peter died, he said Peter's father was "William Ballem, born in Amsterdam, Holland, don't know his age, was shot in the Battle of Brandywine, 1777. He was a sharpshooter in that battle" during the American Revolution. The Battle of Brandywine was fought 11 September 1777 at Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, about 40 km southwest of Philadelphia, and involved 18,000 British against 11,000 Americans. It has also been said that Peter’s father was Lt. Col. Friedrick Baum, who died at the Battle of Bennington on the New York/Vermont border in August 1777. Peter’s mother Elizabeth, maiden name unknown, was thought to have been born about 1747. She, young son Peter, and a daughter possibly named Mary, were said to have sailed from Amsterdam to New York to join him, but upon arrival found that he had recently been killed in battle. She reportedly took out a land grant, available to those who were loyal to the Crown, and arrived at the Island of St. John (now PEI) to settle about 1777. The daughter is believed to have been sent back to Germany to live with relatives as nothing more is known about her.
From these conflicting stories based on family tradition, we turn next to German and American Revolutionary War source documents. The possibility that Peter's father was the Hessian officer Lt. Colonel Samuel Frederick Baum who died as a result of the Battle of Bennington in August 1777 has been dismissed by Mrs. Beryl (MacDonald) Barrett, a Certified Genealogist. Research in Germany has found that Lt. Col. Baum had both wife and mistress who, along with his daughters, vigorously contested his will in Germany for many years. This resulted in many public documents, none of which establishes any link with either a son Peter or a wife Elizabeth. Also, except for Lt. Col. Baum, there were no others of that name at the Battle of Bennington. However, records list a Lt. (later Captain) Jacob Baum, a Sergeant Bernhard Baum, a Grenadier Johannes Baum, and a Private Henrich Baum. Not enough is known about any of them at this time, but this gives us possible leads for future research. There has yet to be found any mention of a Charles or William Baum which might provide a link with those names mentioned in family tradition.
The possibility exists that Elizabeth’s first husband, Peter’s father, had arrived in America prior to 1776 and the beginning of the Revolution. He could have been among the German settlers of Pennsylvania or New York. However, to date no record of marriage or birth to provide a link to our Peter has been found. A book titled Descendants of Frederick Baum of New York State by Mrs. Clayton C. Baum of Cortland, NY says this Frederick Baum was born 24 October 1758 in Oppenhein, Montgomery County, NY and died there 16 October 1843. A Phillipp Baum, born in Holland and believed to be Frederick's brother, arrived in the United States aboard the ship Hampshire on 7 September 1748 and settled near what is now Canajoharie, Montgomery County. L. Frank Baum, born in the same area and a descendant of Phillipp, was the author of Wizard of Oz and other books. This indicates there were others by the name Baum living in New York state before, during and after the American Revolution.
Can anyone help add to this? It is a great puzzle which has not yet been solved.
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