Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop is my fifth great grandfather, through his daughter Hannah Bishop. Hannah married Enoch Townsend and they had Hannah Townsend who married William Harmon. William and Hannah Harmon were the parents of Nancy Harmon and twelve other children. Today I found Joseph's will at Family Search.

In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Bishop Senior on Mulberry Creek Claiborne County E Tennessee being now in the eightieth year of my age common health and of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial in the graveyard at the Mulberry Gap Baptist meeting house at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And is touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

Mulberry Gap Baptist Church. Photo posted to the Find-A-Grave website for
Mulberry Gap Cemetery. Used here by permission of Phil Cheek.

            First I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first monies that shall come into the hands of my executors from any portion of my estate either real or personal.

            Secondly, I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Lucy Bishop whom I make and ordain an executrix of this my last will and testament my dwelling house, kitchen barn stable or stable houses out houses all except those erected by my son Lewis Bishop and my soninlaw William Edwards and the lots on which they stand which have been erected by them of late on my premises together with all the household furniture beds goods chattels thereof and as much of the live stock and the produce which is raised on my present farm out of the rents arising therefrom as will be sufficient for a comfortable and decent support for her during her lifetime without being liable at any time to become chargeable to the county or state by a county levy and the remainder of the live stock and grain which is the overplus of her support I direct to be equally divided (p112) amongst the ten of my following heirs viz Elisha Bishop, Joseph Bishop jr., Elijah Bishop, Jonathan Bishop, Rebecca Adams, William Bishop, James Bishop, Lewis Bishop, William Edward, and Hannah Townsend, share and share alike in every respect But because Hanna Townsend has been dead some years past I therefore direct that her share or portion be equally divided amongst her own born children that shall be living at the time of making this said division which must be done by three Judicious citizens of the County Share and share alike amongst them. As it respects the out standing debts that are owing to me either by notes of hand Bonds or accounts of any kind I direct that my executors collect them or cause them so to be done and after deducting all proper and lawful costs and charges thereof then divide them equally amongst my ten mentioned heirs in the same manner as before stated. As my son Lewis Bishop and my soninlaw William Edwards of late have cleared and put into culture some new lands I allow them to have the said new lands another year yet rent free. But I give and bequeath to my son Lewis Bishop fifteen acres of land in the Southeast corner of the tract on which I reside to be laid off in a regular foursided figure to be freely enjoyed by him his heirs and assigns forever. As my son Lewis and soninlaw William Edwards have of late erected several houses and other kinds of buildings on my premises I direct that the buildings and the lots of which they stand be rent free to my son and soninlaw as long as they reside in them but when they move from my present farm and premises then the houses and other buildings and lots shall revert to my personal and real estate. But from the time of my decease to the death of my beloved wife I direct that the land which is not reserved be rented to the best tenant that can be obtained on it and the overplus of the rent after taking what will be sufficient for the support of my wife in every (p113) respect to be divided amongst my heirs in the same manner as aforesaid.

Photo taken by Phillip Walker and posted to Picasa.
To see more of Phillip's photos click the link below.

Photos of the Mulberry Gap Area Today

            And finally after the death of my wife I direct that the tract of land on which I reside (except the reserves before mentioned) the dwelling house kitchen and all the other houses and buildings with the household furniture beds and goods and chattels be equally divided amongst my ten heirs as aforesaid. And the tract of land on which my daughter Rebecca Adams lives known by the name of the Grassy Spring place I direct that Rebecca Adams reside on it as heretofore till the death of my wife then I direct that the land with all the house outhouses and other buildings and its appurtenances be equally divided amongst my ten heirs as aforesaid. And I do hereby make and ordain the following ones of my sons and heirs with my beloved wife the executors and executrix of this my last will and testament viz Elijah Bishop Johnathan Bishop William Bishop, James Bishop, Lewis Bishop, my soninlaw William Edwards and my beloved wife Lucy Bishop executors & executrix of this my last will and testament written on one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this 28^th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three

Signed sealed and delivered

In the presence of us who

have subscribed in the presence of each other

Joseph Bishop X his mark (seal)

Thomas Vandeventer X his mark

John Jones

Obediah Riley

Levi Nave

SOURCE: Will found at familysearch.org. 
Tennessee, Probate Court Books, 1795-1927 Claiborne Wills, 1844-1850, Vol. B, Images 63 and 64

            

James Humphrey Sprott, RAF, OBE

In my last post, I wrote about a cousin of my great-grandfather who served in the Royal Air Force during World War I. James Humphrey Sprott flew in 218 Squadron until April 12, 1919. On January 1, 1919, James was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. I've now learned more about his life after the Great War.

According to a newspaper article, James went to Coorg, India, to manage his father's coffee plantation. However, at the outbreak of World War II, he volunteered to serve again.

In January, 1931, James and his family returned to England, traveling 
on the Barrabool, of the White Star Dominion Shipping Line. 

James was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his service as Acting Squadron Leader during the Dieppe raid, an attempt by Allied Forces to seize and hold the German-occupied French port of Dieppe. Losses were very heavy, and most objectives were not met, but the Allies learned from the failures and used the experience to prepare for later invasions.

Gloucestershire Echo, October 3, 1942

Badge and ribbon of an Officer of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire 

(Military Division) & OBE

Learn more at the Imperial War Museum.

In Memory of Alfred William Sprott, British Royal Navy

“Your Uncle Will has two sons. One was in the Navy and was sent to Singapore but his fate is not known, though his wife got back to England. The other son was in the R.A.F. in the last war (he was decorated) and he is the one who has received the order of G.B.E. for his service at Dieppe. He is of course, too old to fly.” 

Letter from Walter E. Sprott to Louise V. Stong

January 21, 1943

My great-great-grandfather, Walter Edward Sprott, immigrated to America as a young man, while his sister and four brothers all remained in England. One of his brothers, William Hugh Sprott, born in 1857, served as a major in World War I. I am still searching for official records of his service.

William and his wife Louisa (Dansey Green-Price) had two sons - and both also served in the military. Their youngest son, James Humphrey Sprott (born in 1899), was a squadron leader in the Royal Air Force during World War I. According to his service record, he trained at Manston Flying School from October 1917 to March 1918. James served in 218 Squadron until April 12, 1919. On January 1, 1919, James was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned to civilian life after the war, married Lena Gordon Grant in 1927, and died in Devon in 1964.

Alfred William Sprott, James' older brother served in both World War I and World War II. Alfred, born in 1893, began his career May 15 1906. He worked his way up through the ranks, becoming a midshipman in 1911, a Lieutenant in 1915, and a Lieutenant Commander in 1923. He was highly regarded, and retired with the rank of Commander in 1936. But his record has these surprising final notes: "Missing," then "Presumed dead 14th February 1942."

During World War II, Alfred's command was reactivated and he was captain of HMS Aberdare, a Hunt class minesweeper, from Sep 24 1939 to October 1939 in Singapore. He later captained HMS Dragonfly, a Royal Navy river gunboat on the Yangtse River. The HMS Dragonfly sailed in the early hours of 14 February for Australia - the day that Singapore surrendered. Later that day, in the Riau Archipelago, they were attacked by bombers and hit three times. The ship sunk within ten minutes. A few of the crew and passengers were able to evacuate and became prisoners of the Japanese.

HMS Dragonfly

Alfred Sprott was 48 when he died on 14 Feb 1942, with about 50 members of his crew. He was survived by his wife, Winifred Denison (Hall) Sprott, and remembered on a War Memorial in Ugborough, Devon, England, where they made their home. 

Eyewitness Accounts of the Sinking of HMS Dragonfly

Seeking Parents of Benjamin Conaway

My third great-grandfather Benjamin Conaway was born in 1817. He was probably raised in Coshocton Co., Ohio and is believed to be related to John and/or Charles Conaway who both lived in Coshocton County from about the 1820s to about the mid-1830s, when they all moved to Knox County, Ohio.

Benjamin married Nancy Horn (daughter of Hartman and Hannah Horn) on Oct 1, 1837 in Knox Co., Ohio. He is found on the census for Miller Township, Knox Co., in 1840.

1840 Census Miller Township, Knox Co. OH, page 271

Benjamin Conaway

1 male age 20-30

1 female under 5

1 female age 20-30

In 1841, on August 13, Benjamin took on an apprentice. Joshua Conaway (son of John) “placed and bound his ward named Joseph M. Riggs as an apprentice to the said B. D. Conaway to learn the art trade mystery or occupation of carpenter and hande joiner which he the said B.D. Conaway now follows . . . the said Joseph M. Riggs shall well and faithfully dwell with a serve the said B. D. Conaway as an apprentice . . . until he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years.” This was recorded at Knox County court on Nov. 6 1841.

Curiously, Charles Conaway owed a debt of $200 to Benjamin Conaway. The dates June 1, 1843; July 3, 1844; June 1, 1846 were on the note. What is the cause of this debt? There is no evidence that Benjamin owned any land that he could have sold to Charles, and his inventory of possessions at his death was fairly meager, so I can't imagine that he loaned Charles $200. The debt was unpaid at the time of Benjamin's death in 1846.

In 1844, Benjamin Conaway paid $280 for 114 acres in Wells Co., Indiana. He didn't move to Wells County, although perhaps he intended to do so eventually. I wonder where Benjamin got the money for this purchase. 

On Feb 16, 1846 in Knox Co., Benjamin died (possibly of typhoid fever) leaving his wife Nancy and their four children - Malana, Adolphus, Phytama and Alexander. Another curiousity - Benjamin's father-in-law Hartman Horn was the administrator of Benjamin's estate.

For many years, I thought that John Conaway was Benjamin's father, but John's will lists his children and makes no mention of Benjamin or Benjamin's children. Also, there is no mention of John in any of the probate documents for Benjamin's estate. The only Conaway mentioned in those documents is Charles. He purchased a few items from the estate, owed (and paid) the debt of $200 plus $21 interest to the estate, and was owed by the estate  $2.51 1/2 cents for sugar and corn Nancy "bought" from him shortly after Benjamin died.  

John Weaver and Anna Maria Weaver at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

What a fascinating time to be involved in genealogy research. The tools and databases available online are amazing in their breadth and depth, and many are completely free.

Today, on Google Maps, I located the cemetery where my fourth great grandparents, John and Anna Maria Weber aka Weaver, are buried in Manheim, Pennsylvania. I can even see the approximate location of John's gravestone. I believe it is the third one from the church directly above the top of the fountain.

John died January 3, 1877. Anna Maria preceded him in death, dying between 1840 and 1850. When John died, he stipulated the following in his will:

I direct that my body be buried in the Lutheran graveyard at Manheim in a Christian manner and that a common tombstone shall be erected to my memory. Also a tombstone shall be erected to the memory of my wife . . .

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Manheim, Lancaster, PA

John and Anna Maria were the parents of 9 known children:

Henry Weaver (born about 1814) who married Christina Susannah Tshudi or Judda

Rosanna Weaver (1818 - 1910), who married John Weaver

Sarah Weaver (1820 - 1915) who married David E. Frey

George Weaver (1823 - ?)

Elizabeth Weaver (1826 -1917) who married Jacob Flaud

John G. Weaver (1828-1898) who married Sarah (last name unknown) and Maria S. Hoffert

Magdalena G. Weaver (1830-1890) who married Abraham E. Kover

Frederick G. Weaver (1833 - ?) who married Catherine (last name unknown)

Susanna Weaver (1834 - ?) married (first name unknown) Landis

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1772. The present building, built in 1891, is the congregation's third house of worship.

To see the current neighborhood around this church, check out the link below and select the street view.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church