Who Took Care of Baby Henry?

My third great-grandparents Mathias Stephani and Eva Schuh married in 1826 in Confeld, Merzig, Trier, Rheinland, Preussen (Prussia), when Mathias was 24 and Eva was about 19. 

Children followed quickly - John was born in 1827, Peter in 1829, and Nicholas in 1831. Their last child Henry was born on December 24, 1833. Henry was my great-great grandfather.

According to a family story, Eva died a week after Henry was born. Parish records for Confeld confirmed this story - Eva died nine days after giving birth, on January 2, 1834 when she was 27 years old. 

Death Record of Eva Schuh

When Henry was born, John was six, Peter was four, and Nicholas was two. Who took care of Henry and his brothers when Mathias was farming? Confeld was a small community of a few hundred people and family members were nearby, so the likely candidates are grandmothers and aunts. Mathias married again, but not until December, so the brood was motherless for almost the entire year. 

Mathias Stephani of Confeld, Prussia

In January, I once again visited the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. I was eager to take a look at the Confeld (aka Konfeld) Parish Registers from Prussia (now Germany). 

A few years ago, I found an immigration record showing that a family of eight, headed by Mathias Stephany, a 40-year old farmer, immigrated in 1843 from Konfeld, which is about 20 miles from Trier, Prussia. I thought this might be my great-great-great-grandfather, who emigrated in 1843 and went by "Mathias Stephens" in the U.S.

Confeld, Merzig, Trier, Rheinland, Preussen

The Confeld Catholic Parish Registers showed that the Mathias Stephany who lived in Confeld is the same as the one who emmigrated to America and settled in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Here is what I found in the registers:

On February 2, 1826, Mathias Stephani, son of Joannis Stephani and Catharina Ruhl, and Eva Schuh, daughter of Nicolas Schuh and Eva Huorst, were married in Confeld. 

Joannes, son of Mathias Stephani and Eva Schuh was born and baptized January 25, 1827. Godparents were Joanne Schuh and Susanna Stephani.

Petrus, son of Mathias Stephani and Eva Schuh was born and baptized February 25, 1829. Godparents were Peter Schutz and Maria Katz(?).

Nicolaus, son of Math. Stephani and Eva Schuh was born and baptized November 26, 1831. Godparents were Nicol. Shuh and Magd. Stephani of Confeld.

Joan. Petrus Stephani, parents Mathias Stephani and Eva Schuh, was born and baptized December 24, 1933. Godparents Joan. Petrus Schuh and Eva Sritz(?). I believe this child is my great-great-grandfather, Henry Stephens, based on the birthdate, and the death of his mother about one week later, which matches the family story passed down about the sad circumstances of Henry's birth.

Eva Schu, wife of Matthias Stephani of Confeld, age 27, died January 2, 1834 and was buried January 4, 1834. 

On December 16, 1834, Mathias Stephani, widower of Eva Schu of Confeld, married Barbara Hubschen, widow of Joannis Schmitt of Thailen.

Barbara Stephany, daughter of Math. Stephany and Barbara Hubschen was born and baptized August 24, 1835. Godparents Joan. Kohr of Thailen and Barbara Lernhoffe of Confeld.

Mathias Stephany, son of Mathias Stephany and Barbara Hubschen was born February 10, 1837, baptized February 11, 1837. Godparents Mathias Besker? of Confeld and Margaretha Haas of Thailen. 

Joannes Stephany, son of Mathias Stephany and Barbara Hubschen was born September 22, 1838, baptized September 23, 1838. Godparents Joannes Lauer of Thailen and Susanna Stephani of Confeld. 

Matthias Stephany, son of Mathias Stephany and Barbara Hubschen was born March 3, 1840, and baptized March 4, 1840. Godparents Mathias Spanier and Theresa Becker of Confeld.


SOURCES

Kirchenbuch, Katholische Kirche Confeld (Kr. Merzig): Heiraten [Marriages] 1801-1903 items 11-12.: Tote [Deaths] 1810-1876. FHL Microfilm # 466486 (International Film Collection), Family History Library, Salt Lake City.

Kirchenbuch, Katholische Kirche Confeld (Kr. Merzig): Taufen [Baptisms] 1798-1895. FHL Microfilm # 466485 (International Film Collection), Family History Library, Salt Lake City.

Note: If you are related to any of these people, I'd be happy to share images of the parish register pages with you. 

My Ethnic Heritage According to Three DNA Companies

I was talking with someone recently about autosomal DNA tests and their value to the person who simply wants to learn more about their ethnic origins and isn't necessarily trying to make genetic matches to other people or solve a lineage-related family mystery.*

My experience learning about my ethnic origins via three DNA companies was fascinating.

According to Ancestry.com, my origins are 89% in the British Isles.

My ethnic heritage according to Ancestry.com

I take these results with a grain of salt as they don't match my paper-trail research about my heritage. Granted, I should show a significant connection to the British Isles. But what's missing here is the fact that I should show a higher percentage of Western European roots. Several lines in my ancestry came from what is now known as Germany. My Ancestry.com results don't reflect this.

According to Family Tree DNA, my roots are more varied. This seems more reasonable until I notice that western Europe is pretty much missing from these results as well.   

My ethnic heritage according to Family Tree DNA

So you can see why I sprang for yet another DNA test - this one from 23 and Me. I was fortunate to purchase this test when 23 and Me was battling it out with the US government about what kind of health information they would be allowed to provide. At that time, they had a discount on autosomal DNA tests in order to keep money coming in. (Now that they've resolved the issues with the FDA, their test prices are significantly higher.)

My ethnic heritage according to 23 and Me

These results are much more in line with what I expected to see based on my research. A very strong British/Irish connection combined with a significant French/German connection.

Although each company explains how their ethnic results are determined, clearly the companies are using different methods. If they were all using the exact same method, my results would look the same across all three companies.

In any case, I mainly took the tests to find genetic matches and further my research since as you can see, I have a strong sense of my ethnic origins. I have a huge number of matches across these companies, including my parents, an aunt, a sister, and thousands of cousins!




*All three companies provide genetic matches, though the tools each one offers for connecting with and making sense of those matches vary significantly.

Walter Sprott, Landholder

The will of my 4th great-grandfather Walter Sprott, who died in 1844, included a very lengthy list of property:

My real estates situate and being at Crowborough Common in the Parish of Rotherfield in the County of  Sussex and now in the several tenures or occupations of William Farris and Thomas Izzard yeoman

My freeholds messuages or tenements  and the gardens thereto belonging situate and being on Cumberland Cottage at Tunbridge Wells aforesaid and known by the name of Marine House the cottage behind the same and  Marine Cottage

My freehold accoutraments and premises at New Romney in the County of Kent

My freehold cottages or tenements and gardens to the same severally belonging situate and being in the Parish of Lamberhurst in the County of Kent and now in the holding of Stephan Goad and others as my tenants

The leaseholds messuage or tenement at Tunbridge Wells in which I now reside together with the several pieces or parcels of meadowlands and the roadhouse stable and coach house to the same belonging and held by me under a lease from the late honourable Catherine Scovill the honourable George Henry Scovill and the late Earl of Abergavenny

My freehold  Cottage situate at Beeding in the County of Sussex unto my said wife Mary Sprott absolutely I give to my said wife all that the annuity or clear yearly sum of ten pounds per annum to which I am entitled during the life of Mrs. Sarkin

For her own use I give her four leasehold cottages at Tullys Village in the Parish of Frant now in  several occupations of [blank] Cushman and others

Also all those my four leasehold cottages situated at Pembury in the County of Kent which I sold under lease from the late Marquis of Camden unto and equally between my said wife and my said daughter Sophia Sprott their respective executors administrators and assigns

I give and devise all that my freehold messuage or tenement farm lands hereditaments and previous situate and being in the Parish of Brenchley in the County of Kent and now in the tenure or occupation of George Bull Yeoman

Also all that my freehold farm and lands situate and being in the Parish of Tonbridge in the said County of Kent and now in the occupation of Richard Twort Yeoman

Also all that my cottage or tenement and the piece or parcel of meadow land thereto belonging to Richard Strange but now in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Skinner Esquire

Also all that freehold estate situate and being at Tunbridge Wells aforesaid and known by the name of the Chapel House Estate and the piece or parcel of ground thereto belonging and which is reserved for the erection of one or more Villa or Villas and the necessary appendages to the same

Also my two fifth parts or shares of and in a certain freehold estate situate and being on Mount Ephraim at Tunbridge Wells aforesaid and lately divided between the other proprietors and me by a Deed of Partition and which said two fifths parts or shares comprise two pieces of land so allotted and awarded to me for my share in the said estate are adapted as sites for building one or more Villa or Villas and the necessary appendages for the same

Also all those several pieces or parcels of freehold land containing by admeasurement seven acres two roods and twenty two perches situate and being at or near Dorset Green in the Parish of Speldhurst in the County of Kent aforesaid together with right of common to the same belonging and within the freehold manor of Rusthall and which in or about the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen or the following year I agreed to purchase of Thomas Skinner of Tonbridge and the other three proprietors of the same and was then put into possession and in receipt of the rents and in the quiet and peaceable possession and in receipt of the rents and profits thereof

Also all that my freehold messuage or tenement and garden with the roadhouse and stable and the freehold land and also the piece or parcel of copyhold land containing two acres or thereabouts to the same belonging and which piece of copyhold land is holder of the Manor of Frant in the County of  Sussex and which is intermixed with the said freehold land and contain together six acres or thereabouts and said messuage land and premises are now in the holding of Robert Gebben Esquire

Walter Sprott, Solicitor of Tunbridge Wells, Kent

The given name Walter runs down through our Sprott family line, generation after generation. My great uncle was Walter Huggins Sprott, my great grandfather was Walter Keith Sprott, my great great grandfather was Walter Edward Sprott, and my 4th great uncle was Walter Sprott. Plus there are several distant cousins whose given name includes Walter. The progenitor of all these men is my 4th great grandfather, Walter Sprott, who born about 1780.

I haven't yet found a christening record so I am unsure who Walter's parents were. But I surmise they had some means since at the age of 28, Walter was contracted to serve as an apprentice clerk to Richard Jones, an attorney of Frant, Sussex, who agreed to train him in the ways of the profession. The articles of clerkship for Walter were found at Ancestry.com. They appear to have been originally signed in 1808, and a duty of 108 pounds paid by Walter Sprott at that time. The term was five years, and a second document was read in court in 1813, confirming that the apprenticeship had been completed.

From the articles:

Walter Sprott should well and truly serve the said Richard Jones as his clerk in the business profession and practice of an attorney of his majesty’s court of Kings Bench and as an attorney or Solicitor in his Majesty’s other courts at Westminster for and during the term of five years commencing from the day of the date of the said in part recited articles. . .

Tunbridge 14 Sept 1808

The year after Walter completed his clerkship, in 1814, he married Sophia Chapman. In 1817, their daughter Sophia was born. Infant Sophia was christened on May 13, 1817 in Tunbridge Wells. Three years later, in 1821, Walter was left a widower when his wife Sophia died. Sophia was buried at St. Mary the Virgin, Speldhurst, Kent.

It was three years before Walter married again, which means little Sophia was motherless from the age of four to about seven (though I think its safe to presume a nursemaid or nanny cared for her during this time). Walter's second marriage, in 1824, was to Mary Caven, the second daughter of Peter Caven of Brighton. Mary was 14 years Walter's junior. A year later, their first son, Walter was born in Tunbridge Wells, and in 1826, their son James was born. Walter and James were both christened at King Charles the Martyr in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Walter Sprott was a successful solicitor and a business man. During the three decades that followed the completion of his apprenticeship, he was involved in several partnerships, was the master to several apprentice clerks, and was involved multiple land leases. In 1834, Walter is listed in the Tunbridge Wells Guide as "Mr. Walter Sprott, Master Extra. in Chancery, Com. in King’s Bench, Common Plea, and Exchequer, Abergavenny Place."

Walter Sprott's signature and seal

The 1841 Census provides a personal glimpse of Walter's family.

1841 Census Kent, England

Civil Parish: Tonbridge

Hundred: Tonbridge Lowery

1 Abergavenny Place

Walter Sprott, 55, Solicitor, not born in county

Mary Sprott, 45, not born in county

Sophia Sprott, 20

Mary Davis, 25, F. S.

Harriet Lindley, 25, F. S.

Hannah Jarrett, 30, F. S.

Henry Woodhomes, 25, M. S.

Sons Walter and James were attending school so were not living at home. Both graduated from the University of London.

Walter Sprott died in 1844, while his sons were young men. His will contains a long list of properties, which were bequeathed to his wife, daughter and two sons.

Eastward Bound: The Marriage of Ruth Lovis and John Scott

I love writing about my 19th century ancestors who were American pioneers, moving west as the country opened up, homesteading in places like Minnesota and Colorado, and working hard to claim their portion of the American dream.  But I have at least two ancestors who went east, instead, from the shores of the Atlantic coast back to the British Isles. And when they made their homes in England and Scotland, and married natives of the British Isles, they added another dimension to my heritage that I find equally fascinating.

I'll start with the story of Ruth Lovis, my fifth great-grandmother. I first learned of her in the memoirs of my great-great-grandmother Mary (Huggins) Sprott. Mary wrote "John Scott’s wife was an American, Grannie said her name was Lovelace. She was a young widow and came to England about some lawsuit. John Scott was her lawyer, won the case and the widow. Grannie said she came from Boston . . ."

It took a while for me to identify Ruth since her surname was Lovis, not Lovelace. I found that she was indeed from Boston, with deep colonial roots that go back to early days in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Her parents were Thomas Lovis and Ruth Mansfield. In 1789, when Ruth was about 21, she married Alexander Moore, a ship's cargo master. Barely two weeks later, Alexander embarked on a lengthy shipping voyage from which he never returned. In 1791, while still on the journey, he died.

The Independent Chronicle, Nov 24, 1791, Vol XXIII, Issue 1204, page 3, Boston

Alexander Moore’s estate was administered both in Boston and in Canterbury, England. Apparently, Ruth did go to London since on October 1, 1794, Ruth Moore, a widow, married John Scott at St. Pancras parish church in London, England. Ruth was of the parish of St. Pancras, while John was of the parish of St. Mildred Poultry.

London Metropolitan Archives, Saint Pancras Parish Church, Register of marriages, P90/PAN1, Item 055. Ancestry.com. 

Saint Pancras Parish Church (now known as St. Pancras Old Church)

John Scott operated a law practice and was said to be a King's Counsel, a barrister of the highest rank. In 1794, he was 31 years old and listed in Kent's London Directory as an attorney at 6 St. Mildred's-court, Poultry. St. Mildred's Court was a short dead end lane just east of St. Mildred's Church, located in the heart of London in an area known as "the City." The Bank of England, the Mansion House, and the Exchange are in the immediate vicinity. The Scott law offices remained at this address for about 50 years, well into the 1840s. I assume they also had living quarters here.

1795 St. Mildred's Court is left of the Bank of England.

1872

St. Mildred's Church was demolished in 1874. Here's how the area looked in 2007, when I visited.

 St. Mildred's Court is the alley between the two buildings. A close up view of the alley:

This sculpture is on the building that stands where the church was, a reminder of the medieval history of the location as the center of the poultry market.

Notes and Sources:
1) The Memoirs of Mary Constance (Huggins) Sprott, privately published, are in our family's personal library.

2) In the second paragraph, "Grannie" is a reference to Sarah Hamer (Scott) Clarkson, a daughter of John and Ruth (Lovis) Scott.

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