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Benjamin Eggleston

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Samuel and Rebecca Eggleston family

When I began researching, family records only listed two children of Samuel and Rebecca Eggleston – Samuel Jr. and Ambrose.

Samuel Sr. and his wife Rebecca moved from Argyle, Washington County, New York to Marcellus, Onondaga County, New York early in the 1800’s. A deed shows that they sold their land in Argyle in February 1801. On July 22, 1801, Samuel bought land in Marcellus from Luther Manley. This land was 100 acres of Lot #52.

I found two other deeds, which turned out to be my discovery of two other sons of Samuel and Rebecca. March 16, 1809, Samuel deeded about one third of this land to Nathan Eggleston for 50 cents and “for and in consideration of the natural love and affection he hath and beareth to his son the said Nathan.” June 29, 1810, Samuel deeded the remainder of his land to Benjamin Eggleston for $300. There was no “love and affection” clause with this deed, but all indications were that Benjamin was also his son. Samuel Jr. had bought his own land nearby.

This is my abstract of the deed of land from Samuel to Benjamin:

29 June 1810 SAMUEL EGGLESTON of Marcellus sold to BENJAMIN EGGLESTON for $300 part of Marcellus Lot 52 bounded on the west by lands owned by WYLLYS MANLY and LUTHER MANLEY and on the north by land owned by NATHAN EGGLESTON containing 68 and 2/3 acres. Signed: SAMUEL EGGLESTON. Witness: DANIEL KELLOGG 29th June 1810. Recorded DANIEL KELLOGG. (Onondaga Deeds Book P p. 382-383 FHL film 0870719)

Searching for Benjamin Eggleston

Samuel Sr. was not listed in the 1820 Census, but that year Benjamin Eggleston had an extra male over 45 in his household. In 1830 this was an 80-90 year old, and in 1840, 90-100 years old. It appears that Benjamin took over his father’s farm and cared for him until his death.

1830 Census Skaneateles, Onondaga, New York
1840 Census Skaneateles, Onondaga, New York

Burial and Probate Information

The discovery of these land records led to more research which found burial and probate records. More information was found through research on Benjamin’s wife Elizabeth Wiltse.

I found in a History of Spafford, Onondaga, New York a bio of Deacon Benjamin Eggleston. It quoted from his and family members’ headstones. (His and his wife’s are shown below) Most of the information here seems to have come from his will, dated February 18, 1865 and probated March 23, 1868. Mentioned were his wife, Elizabeth and children: Myron; Rolfe; John; Theodore, who married Sarah A. Gardner; Delilah Goodridge; Adeline Wood; Catherine Coon; Rebecca, who married Austin Wyckoff of Navarino, NY; Mary, who married Augustin Vanderburgh, son of Stephen and Maria (Calkins) Vanderburg; Ruth M. Eggleston and Sarah E. Patterson. (Spafford, Onondaga Co, NY 974.765/S1 V3c FHL)

This gave me enough information to add Benjamin and his children to the family and fill in as many details as I could find in census and other records.

Discovery

After doing this research for some time and piecing together Benjamin’s family, I finally discovered something that had been under my nose – literally – for some time. As I was cleaning up my messy desk one day in early 2001, I discovered a note I had scribbled and the lights went on in my brain. Occasionally as I researched and made connections online, people would ask me about various Egglestons. This note was about a contact from Barbara about a Berry or Benjamin Eggleston. At the time I had been contacted by Barbara, this name meant nothing, so I just put the note with others. Now it all made sense.

I was able to contact Barbara and we shared information. She sent me copies of some correspondence from 1987, information that appeared to have been compiled by some local historian, and a copy of a “Family Record” written for a 1911 family reunion. This had wonderful information about Benjamin’s children, including a son I was not aware of because he had died as a child and was not listed in Benjamin’s probate record.

The 1911 Eggleston Family Record

The “Family Record” is a brief history of the family of Benjamin and Elizabeth written for a family reunion held in 1911 in Chautauqua County. by C. W. Patterson. His record begins and ends with these statements:

More than a century ago the great, great grand parents of some of this gathering were born. Berry Eggleston in the year 1783 and his wife, Elizabeth Wiltsie was born Jan 1, 1789. They were married in 1808 and came to Onondaga Co. where they took up and cleared their farm on which they lived until their death, Benj. in 1868 and Elizabeth 6 years later, 1874 . . .

All this family were all of the old New England type being large of frame, strong and robust, upright and honest of character, sober and industrious and God fearing people, an honor to any community. We can any of us be proud to be descendants of these honorable forefathers.

Correspondence

This is the letter Barbara received with information on this family, which references the above family history:

Barbara told me that she had gotten information from her uncle, Ralph Scott before he died. He was mentioned in this letter’s P.S. as being at a more recent family reunion. Ralph was the one who told Barbara that Benjamin’s son Franklin had died at age 3, which was obviously the reason he was not on other records. She mentioned that her uncle had in his basement in Detroit, family bibles, old letters, post cards, and pictures.

Interestingly a typed sheet, prepared by CNYGS (Central New York Genealogical Society) in Syracuse, included mention of the Administration of the estate of Thomas Tanner, among other details about various Egglestons. This note from “Memoirs of Phillipe Maton Wiltsie and His Descendants” by Jerome Wiltsie Sr. (1908) p 123 was in the middle of that sheet:

“Benjamin Eggleston m Elizabeth Wiltsie dau John & Polly (Burns) Wiltsie. She was b 1794, died in 81st year. Son: Theodore Eggleston, b 1830, res Sherman, Chautauqua Co.”

Benjamin’s Life

With this new information I was able to get a better picture of Benjamin’s life and family.

Benjamin was born in 1783. His birth place is different in different Census records: Washington County, New York, Connecticut or Rhode Island. Most likely he was born in the Stonington, Connecticut area.

Benjamin married Elizabeth Wiltse in 1808. Elizabeth was born January 1, 1789 in Vermont, a daughter of John Wiltse and Mary Burns. John Wiltse was one of the early settlers of Marcellus and was a neighbor of the Egglestons.

Information in a Wiltse history mentioned that Elizabeth and her husband Benjamin Eggleston resided in a house that her father built at Marcellus until 1865 when they moved to Sherman, Chautuaqua, County. It appears from census, land, and other records mentioning the “Eggleston farm near the Wiltse farm”, that the Wiltses were neighbors of the Egglestons. Benjamin bought his father’s land in 1810, when he had only been married a short time. Perhaps his father-in-law did build his house, but it likely was on his father’s land.

Benjamin did purchase some land in Chautauqua County, which he later sold to sons Myron and Rolfe. But it does not appear that he ever lived there himself. If he did, it would have been for a very short time. The Family Reunion sheet seems to say he lived in the same place until his death. Benjamin was buried in Marcellus, in the Thorn Hill Cemetery. Theodore however, though living with his father until 1865 at least, and possibly until his death, did move to Chautauqua County where he died and was buried.

It appears that Benjamin became quite a prosperous farmer and respected member of the community. A history of the town of Spafford listed Benjamin among the early settlers of the area. Since Benjamin was quite young at the time his father came to Marcellus, it is most likely he came with him. His brothers also probably came about the same time. The reason Benjamin was listed and not his father or brothers, is probably because he stayed and became a prominent member of the community, rather than that he came first. Benjamin also acquired a good deal of land in the area. He sold land in Marcellus to his sons Theodore and John.

In his later years Benjamin apparently lived with Theodore. Theodore and his wife Sarah did not have children for many years, so as Benjamin aged it would have placed a great burden on Theodore to farm his land. In the 1860 Census there appears to be hired laborers listed with the family. (This Census is very difficult to read and the names cannot all be made out). Benjamin’s daughter Ruth did not marry until she was quite old. She was living with them and probably helped to take care of her aging parents.

Marcellus Church Records

Benjamin and his wife Elizabeth were baptized and joined the Thornhill Baptist Church May 21, 1828. He would have been about 45 years old, so joined the Church at a much older age than his brothers had and after Samuel and Nathan had moved away. Why he was not baptized at a younger age is unknown. Perhaps his brother’s later experiences with being excluded from the church influenced him.

From the time of his baptism, Benjamin was very involved in the Church. In May 1837, he was chosen chairman of the board of trustees of the First Baptist Religious Society of Marcellus. In 1841, he and Stephen Vandenburgh were chosen trustees. He would have been involved in decisions and planning for the original church building and the present building, which was built in 1849. Benjamin was mentioned in Mortuary Notes and also in a newspaper notice of his daughter’s marriage as “Deacon”. As Deacon, Benjamin had many assignments to visit brethren and sisters, participated in meetings, and other activities.

Benjamin’s son Theodore married Sarah A. Gardner, whose father Sylvester Gardner, was the Pastor of the Thorn Hill Baptist Church at the time. This family was also a neighbor as they were listed next to each other on the 1850 Census.

In August 2001, I was able to visit this Church in Marcellus, New York. The Pastor showed my father and I the church records and allowed us to make some copies. We were also able to visit the graves of Benjamin and his wife Elizabeth in the cemetery there.

Death of Benjamin Eggleston

Benjamin died January 9, 1868 and was buried in the Thorn Hill Cemetery behind the Church in which he was an active member. His headstone inscription reads: “Our Father Dea Benjamin Eggleston left us January 9, 1868, in the full assurance of a blissful immortality, through Christ his Saviour, age 85 years.” The Spafford Mortuary Records published by the Onondaga Historical Association also added the line “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the Death of his Saint.”

Headstones of Elizabeth and Benjamin Eggleston
Headstone of Benjamin Eggleston behind the Church. Elizabeth’s stone is lying on the ground. (Photo taken in 2001)

Elizabeth died August 31, 1874. She was buried alongside her husband in the Thorn Hill Cemetery. Sadly upon our visit in August 2001, we found her headstone lying on the ground. The inscription reads: “Our Mother Elizabeth, wife of Dea Benjamin Eggleston Departed this life August 31, 1874, age 85 years, 5 months.” The Mortuary Records added the phrase “With a good Hope in Christ of a Blessed and glorious Resurrection to Eternal Life.” The 1875 New York Census listed deaths during the year ending June 1, 1875 and listed Elizabeth Eggleston age 85 died August 31 of old age. A Wiltse Family history gave Elizabeth’s birth as 1794 and indicated she died in her 81st year.

GATHERING THE FAMILY OF SAMUEL AND REBECCA EGGLESTON

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The Samuel and Rebecca Eggleston Family

When I started research, according to existing records, the family of Samuel and Rebecca Eggleston consisted of them and only two children: Samuel Jr. and Ambrose. These were the only two children listed in Orson Hyde Eggleston’s records of temple work done, and I am sure that his records were the source. I have always doubted that Ambrose was a member of this family. I have never found any other records showing that he existed. Maybe Orson had heard his father talk about “Uncle Ambrose” and placed him here? Orson’s father Samuel did have a brother Ambrose, most likely named after his mother Elizabeth’s father Ambrose Hill. Samuel Jr. and Elizabeth named many of their children after Hill family members. I haven’t seen other Ambrose in our particular Eggleston line, so the inclusion in Samuel’s family seems a mistake to me.

Finding Benjamin and Nathan through the Land

I started digging into land records after taking a class at our local Family History Center on “U. S. Migrations”. I poured through indexes and deed books on microfilm at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. This first page of a letter to Uncle Theron from a genealogists he hired, mentions a deed where Samuel sold land in Marcellus to Benjamin Eggleston.

This is my abstract of that deed:

29 June 1810 SAMUEL EGGLESTON of Marcellus sold to BENJAMIN EGGLESTON for $300 part of Marcellus Lot 52 bounded on the west by lands owned by WYLLYS MANLY and LUTHER MANLEY and on the north by land owned by NATHAN EGGLESTON containing 68 and 2/3 acres. Signed: SAMUEL EGGLESTON. Witness: DANIEL KELLOGG 29th June 1810. Recorded DANIEL KELLOGG. (Onondaga Deeds Book P p. 382-383 FHL film 0870719)

This deed hints strongly that Benjamin was Samuel’s son, which is further confirmed by Census records below.

Apparently however, this researcher or the people he contacted in Onondaga County missed this earlier and more enlightening deed:

16th March 1809 SAMUEL EAGLESTONE of Marcellus sold to NATHAN EAGELSTONE for and in consideration of 50 cents . . paid by NATHAN EAGELSTONE. . and more particularly for an in consideration of the natural love and affection he hath and beareth unto his son the said NATHAN EAGELSTONE part of Marcellus Lot 52 containing 31 and 1/3 acres. Signed: SAMUEL EAGELSTONE. Witness: DANIEL KELLOGG. Recorded 16 Feb 1836 A. EDWARDS, Clerk. (Onondaga Deeds Book 61 p. 35-36 FHL film 0869687)

Deeds don’t get better than this one for proving a relationship. Samuel Sr. had originally bought 100 acres of land in Lot #52 in 1801, so these two deeds split that land. Samuel Jr. had bought 52 1/2 acres of land nearby in Lot #59, which he sold in 1817 when he moved to Springwater.

Census Hints

When I looked at Census records, I found Samuel Sr. was no longer listed on Census records after 1810. There was no Samuel in Marcellus in 1820. Samuel Jr. had moved to Springwater, Livingston County, New York before 1820. But Benjamin had an extra male over 45 with him in 1820. In 1830 I found Nathan and Benjamin next to each other in Skaneateles, which had been created from the part of Marcellus where they lived. Benjamin had an 80-90 year old man living with him.

In 1840, Benjamin had a male in the 90-100 year age category. Samuel Sr. died June 20, 1840, apparently not long after this census was taken. I felt confident that Benjamin was his son. Benjamin, the youngest in the family who was living on land his father had purchased, was taking care of him in his old age.

Finding Phoebe and Karen Tanner

It was indirectly through this Nathan that I found two sisters. Settlers of the Beekman Patent by Frank J. Doherty, mentioned that a Nathan Eggleston had been granted guardianship of the children of Thomas Tanner of Marcellus. (Vol. 4 p. 678.) Doherty mistakenly attributed this record to Nathaniel, son of Samuel’s brother John. Being from Onondaga County Probate Records, (Onondaga Co LofA 3:23, 97) it appeared to me to be this Nathan of Marcellus. (The summary of Samuel’s family on p. 677 of Vol 4, is very brief and only lists son Samuel.)

This bio of Nathaniel Eggleston summarized, between mention of records from a variety of New York Counties, “Nathan (sic) Eggleston of the Town of Marcellus was appointed guardian 13 July 1819 over Amos Tanner, age 16 and Asa Tanner, age 16, sons of Thomas Tanner dec’d. He was also appointed guardian over Solomon Tanner, Phebe Tanner and Van Rensselaer Tanner on the same date, different document.”

In looking up these Tanner children, I benefited from work done by the Tanner family and posted on FamilySearch. They identified Thomas’ wives as Phebe Eggleston and Karen Eggleston. It was especially exciting for me to find Karen, since we share the same name.

Thomas had first married Phebe Eggleston, probably in Washington County, New York sometime before 1790. Thomas Tanner was on the 1790 Census of Argyle, Washington County, NY with 1 male over 16, 1 male under 16 and 1 female. He brought his family to Marcellus before the Egglestons all came, being one of the first settlers of the town. He was on the 1800 Census there, while the Egglestons were still in Argyle.

Phebe and Thomas had children:

Thomas Jr. who would have been the son in the 1790 Census. He died before December 22, 1814, near the time that his father did, and possibly in the War of 1812; Samuel Tanner who was born in 1792 and was the administrator of his father’s estate; Nathan Tanner, who would have also been an adult when his father died; Amos and Asa listed as 16 years old in the guardianship record may have been twins or the record may have been indicating that they were over 16 but still minors. Amos is the only one with a known birth date of 1800; Phoebe, listed in the guardianship record, was born in 1805; Solomon was born in 1808 and is also in the record; and other records list a Rebecca born about 1810, who apparently was no longer living when her father died. She may have been born around the time that her mother Phebe died, perhaps both dying during or shortly after childbirth.

The names of their children make sense considering that Thomas Jr. was named after his father Thomas; Samuel was named after Phebe’s father Samuel; Nathan was named after Thomas’s father Nathan Tanner (and Thomas’ brother); and Rebecca was named after Phebe’s mother Rebecca (and Phebe’s sister).

Karen Eggleston had married Peleg Cornell back in Washington County, New York. Peleg Cornell was in the 1800 Census of Hebron, Washington County with 2 males under 10, 3 females under 10, he a male 26-45 and she a female 26-45. I have not been able to identify all of their children. I suspect Peleg Cornell born in September 1795 who later lived near other family members in Chautauqua County, New York, was their son. He married Hannah Wiltse, sister of Benjamin’s wife Elizabeth.

Karen’s husband Peleg Cornell seems to have died around the same time that her sister Phebe died. Karen then married Thomas Tanner, who died in 1814.

Van Rensselaer Tanner, mentioned in the guardianship record was the son of Karen and Thomas Tanner. They apparently also had William born 1813 in Skaneateles and possibly an unnamed daughter who died as an infant.

Marcellus Baptist Church Records

The Marcellus Baptist Church records mention almost all of these family members, but not many relationships. Early members were Samuel Jr., Nathan, Thomas Tanner. Benjamin was baptized later, but then became a Deacon.

This was the family composition at the time I wrote the Eggleston book. I included Ambrose because he was on databases. I also mentioned the possibility that John Eggleston who was also in Marcellus early on, might be a son.

Adding Rebecca

One day while on FamilySearch I saw that Deborah, the wife of Winlock Eggleston now had a last name – Earll. Her parents were Nathaniel Earll and Rebecca Eggleston. There were no sources attached that would indicate where this information came from. I did find an email of someone who had submitted information and contacted her. She said that she had gotten information from an Ancestry database. This person remembered a handwritten family genealogy dated 1935. She found a note, but not a copy of this and I have not been able to find it attached to any of the Ancestry Trees. There are several of those which list a number of children for Nathaniel and Rebecca. Marcellus Deeds do have the name Rebecca as wife of Nathaniel Earll. Octogon School Cemetery Records give a death date for Rebecca, wife of Nathaniel Earll as September 7, 1847.

It all started to make sense. The 1790 and 1800 Census of Argyle had more females in Samuel’s family than were previously accounted for, so I had looked for another daughter. The 1810 Census of Marcellus paints a more complete picture. Nathaniel Earll was right in the middle of all the Egglestons on that Census.

1810 Census Marcellus, New York

In the center of this record can be found the whole family. On the left is Thomas Tanner, probably with wife Karen Eggleston Cornell and many children. Next to Thomas is Nathan Eggleston and then Samuel Eggleston Jr. (Simeon Skeels was the father of Isaac Skeels who later married Samuel Jr.’s daughter Anna).

On the right is Jno Eggleston Jr. and Joseph Eggleston. Joseph had a son John, but there was also another John Eggleston in early Marcellus. Next to Joseph is Nathan J. Eggleston, who probably also is a son of Joseph. (Putting together Joseph’s family was a bit more challenging and deserves it’s own post)

Nathaniel Earll is right next to Samuel Eggleston, his father-in-law. Benjamin is next to his father Samuel and next to Benjamin is his father-in-law John Wilsie.

The Children of Samuel and Rebecca Eggleston

Samuel Eggleston Jr. was born about 1770, possibly earlier. He died October 4, 1830 in Springwater, Livingston, New York. He married Elizabeth Hill.

Phoebe Eggleston was born about 1769 and died about 1810. She married Thomas Tanner before 1790 in Washington County, New York.

Karen Eggleston was born about 1771. She first married Peleg Cornell, probably in Washington County, New York. After his death, Karen married Thomas Tanner about 1810.

Nathan Eggleston was born about 1774. He died February 2, 1854 in Chautauqua County, New York. He married Mary.

Rebecca Eggleston was born March 24, 1781. She died September 7, 1847. She married Nathaniel Earll.

Benjamin Eggleston was born in 1783. He died January 9, 1868 in Marcellus, New York. He married Elizabeth Wiltse, daughter of their neighbor John Wiltse.

Building upon the Work of Past Genealogists

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As I have done genealogical research over the years, I occasionally find myself returning to the same families and records, and after a while things look familiar and I realize that I am doing work that I have already done. At one point, in my attempts to organize and clean out some paperwork, I happened upon some old research correspondence of my Great Uncle Theron. He apparently had paid a professional genealogist to do some research on the family of Samuel and Rebecca Eggleston. This letter was among the files I received from his daughter Ruth years ago and I am sure that I read through it then. I received it after I had already found the deeds and most of the documents mentioned. Through my research I had added children to the family.

Genealogy the Old-Fashioned Way

I began genealogical research before digital took over, but I am impressed by the information gleaned in 1961 by this researcher who had to hunt down records in different locations. This involved more work than my scrolling through microfilm at the Family History Library, and certainly more than done by clicking around on websites. This researcher likely contacted the Onondaga County Historian and requested all the information they had available. This included deeds, which I found at the FHL by searching indexes and deed books on microfilm and then making copies to take home and study. It is interesting to me that he found the deed where Samuel Sr. sold land to Benjamin, but not the deed where Samuel sold land to Nathan for “love and affection”. This would have been very helpful to Uncle Theron. That Benjamin was Samuel’s son wasn’t specified in the deed, but on page 3 of this letter, he suggests “there may have been a son Benjamin”.

He did present the possibility of a son Nathan on page 3: “there may have been another son Nathaniel, but we are not sure about this.” He gave detail about Benjamin’s family, but for some reason Theron didn’t add Benjamin to the family records. Records of the Rose Hill Baptist Church would also have been helpful if the Onondaga County Historian had searched them.

This researcher did determine through a Pension Record, that the Samuel Eggleston buried in Shaneateles was not the same one who served in the Revolution (bottom of page 1). He also pointed out an apparent conflict with a former researcher’s conclusion that the Washington County Eggleston’s were not ours. To clarify, he employed a researcher in Washington County, New York.

Also cited and discussed was the work of an earlier researcher, Frank E. Robbins, who wrote a paper in 1941 on The Egglestons. Robbins “Eggleston in the Michigan Census” published in Nov/Dec 1944, DSGR Magazine, has been very helpful to more current researchers. This researcher, however, didn’t just take Robbins word on the family as quoted on page 2. He sought to verify that information. The enclosed copy of notes accompanying this letter, consists of a nine page Research Log of his search of Connecticut records. It includes searches of deeds, probate records, Church records (what appears to be the Pendleton Hill Baptist Church provided more information that the Congregational Church records) and the well known sources of the Barbour and Hale Collections. These were sources that I also searched.

This researcher seemed to reference Henry R. Stiles work “the author of the Eggleston family in Windsor”. He concluded, as I and most everyone has, that Joseph of R. I. and Stonington could not have been the son of Bigot born in 1651, but could be a grandson. (page 2 ) He also concluded, as most early researchers did, that with the exception of Elisha, Isaac’s family all went to Washington County, NY.

It took much more study of deeds and other information not available at that time, to confirm that Isaac’s son Joseph stayed in Connecticut and it was Joseph’s son Joseph who went to Washington County with Isaac’s sons. (See my Article published in the Connecticut Nutmegger June 2005) Now we are pursuing a theory that some of Elisha’s sons may have gone there as well.

He mentioned a couple of marriage records that remain a mystery to me: Mary Eggleston in 1740 and Isaac in 1755.

Toward the end of the letter, he brought up Anna Browning, and mentioned the Rhode Island William Browning who married Mary Wilkinson, as a clue since Anna named a son Wilkinson. There seemed to be some confusion about Anna’s supposed birth date not fitting with the family. Many have been confused about the birth dates of this family. I have changed them back many times to my estimates on FamilySearch and others have changed back to some that I know can’t be right. I do think Anna belongs to this larger R.I. Browning family, but haven’t determined exactly where.

Earlier Eggleston Research

Also in Uncle Theron’s records were some letters from the 1930’s. The first addressed to his sister Florence, which referred to “instructions of your brother, Theron”, who apparently initiated the research. The intent seems to be preparing names for Temple work on both the Eggleston and Burgess families. There is not much detail given, but apparently the researcher felt confident in proceeding with Temple Work.

In 1933, Theron wrote to a researcher in Washington D. C. who he apparently found mentioned in “The Handbook of American Genealogy” as being connected to Egglestons. The information Theron gives in this letter obviously comes from the Temple work done by his father Orson Hyde Eggleston.

Theron suggests that dates may not correct. I eventually learned that some of the other information was not correct, or at least incomplete. Most dates are obviously estimates, and places as well. Orson may not have known that the family was in Connecticut before migrating to New York, where he and his father were born. These records do give us a good idea of what Orson knew, had been told, or assumed, and also what Theron knew and assumed.

Orson’s Temple Work

Orson Hyde Eggleston gathered genealogical information and went to the Logan Temple in 1914 to do proxy Temple ordinances for a number of ancestors. My father was given these handwritten sheets by a cousin. Later when I visited cousin Ruth, Theron’s daughter, she gave me similar sheets that her parents had apparently filled out for work that they had done. I found the microfilm of the Temple work done in the Logan Temple in 1914, handwritten in the margin of the pages as film #177873. These indicate that the work was done “instance of Orson Hyde Eggleston”, though others were proxy for some of the ordinances.

Compiled sheets of Temple Work done by Orson Hyde Eggleston – legal sheets folded to show relationships
Compiled sheets of Temple Work done by Orson Hyde Eggleston – legal sheets folded to show relationships
Pages from the Logan Temple microfilm showing corresponding men and women

The first sheet shows the Mr. Eggleston born 1700 – #27 with Orson’s relationship as 3rd great grandson. Mrs. Eggleston born born 1702 – #26, is the woman who corresponds with him. Isaac born 1723 is 2nd great grandson – #25, with Joseph next to him as 2nd great grand nephew – #26. Anna Browning corresponds as the wife of Isaac with relationship also as 2nd great grandson. She is #7 on the page, which doesn’t show in this image. It is interesting that wives are not listed in the far left column for these two as with many others. The woman who corresponds with Joseph’s relationship is #44 Karin Springer born 1727, 2nd great grand nephew-in-law. Samuel Eggleston #20, born 1748 is great grandson. There is no corresponding great grandson for a woman, except Mrs. Ambrose Hill, #31, who would be the mother of Samuel Jr.’s wife Elizabeth Hill. Rebecca Eggleston #29 born 1750 is listed as 4th Cousin.

The typed pages from the Logan Temple microfilm when placed with the men and women side by side seem to match up: Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston as 3rd great grandparents, Isaac and Anna Browning as 2nd great grandparents, Samuel and Rebecca as great grandparents/4th cousin, and Samuel Jr. and Elizabeth Hill as grandparents. In between are Joseph and Karin Springer 2nd great grand uncle and aunt.

My Conclusions

Through my research, I concluded that there probably wasn’t an Ambrose Eggleston, son of Samuel and Rebecca #20. I found no records for such a person, but have left him on FamilySearch because I know if I delete him, someone will add him back on. Samuel Jr. and Elizabeth Hill did have a son Ambrose, likely named after her father Ambrose Hill. I think Orson was confused and put an Ambrose in both generations when there was only one.

I concluded that Samuel’s wife Rebecca was Rebecca Eggleston. Orson’s record of Temple work and the genealogical information he submitted to the Utah Genealogical Society gives her name Rebecca Eggleston. I think Orson knew that was her maiden name, but Theron assumed her maiden name was unknown (in the letter) and that Eggleston was her married name.

Orson’s did Temple work for both Samuel’s father Isaac and his brother Joseph and who appears to be Joseph’s wife Karen Springer, but no other members of their father Joseph’s family. This raises the question of why he even knew that Isaac had a brother Joseph. I determined that Joseph and his wife Caron were the parents of Rebecca. That is why their work was done and Orson knew that. Theron didn’t mention Karen in this letter, probably because she is listed on the Temple record as Orson’s 4th cousin. She was his 4th cousin, because she was her husband Samuel’s first cousin. She was also Orson’s great great great grandmother. Further confirmation of this is the will of Joseph Eggleston which names his wife as Coran. It also lists daughters who would have all been married at the time, with the first one as Rebecca Eggleston.

Using Work of the Past to Create a More Complete Record

I have come to realize that part of my research must be looking at the work of previous researchers, taking another look at the same documents they saw, and asking questions about what they knew and how they came to certain conclusions. I feel that I have benefitted from partnerships with those who did research long ago and are now on the other side helping out.

We are fortunate to have the information Uncle Theron gathered. I have to wonder how many of younger generations are gathering information quickly online that has already been researched and compiled. Sometimes I wonder if we are all doing the same things over and over again, just with newer technology? And gathering data does not always result in coming to correct conclusions.

Early Eggleston Genealogical Research

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When I began serious Eggleston genealogical research, I learned to look to earlier research first. It is always a good idea to check what has been done, so as to not waste time and effort. Unfortunately, I found that some earlier work was not correct. Errors and false assumptions had been perpetuated by those who accepted earlier works without necessarily thinking things through or further checking.

Early Correspondence

My Great-grandfather Orson H. Eggleston gathered genealogical information while serving a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan in 1876-77. Apparently while there he corresponded with someone in New York City about the Eggleston family. He included this copy of a response with a letter to his father, seeking his father’s advice on how to respond. He seemed hopeful that this Nicholas would have helpful information. I am not sure what happened with this, but it does indicate how early Orson tried to learn more about the larger Eggleston family.

1876 Melville Eggleston genealogical research

In an earlier family letter Eliza Barron told her brother Samuel Eggleston about a letter she had received from Rev. A. Eggleston of Broome County, New York. He was requesting information about family members, including birth, death and marriage dates. Eliza seemed skeptical of his intentions and unsure of his address. It is not known what response Samuel gave her or if she ever sent any information to this person. This would have been the Ambrose mentioned in this letter from Melville, who apparently had been researching and collecting information on the Eggleston family.

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News and Insights from Old Family Letters

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Old family letters give some great information and wonderful insights into the lives and relationships of our ancestors.

Some family letters written to Samuel Eggleston were included on typed sheets I found with records of Theron Eggleston at the home of his daughter Ruth. With these letters were others with genealogical information that Orson Hyde Eggleston gathered while on his mission and genealogical correspondence. These had all apparently been transcribed by Theron or his wife. I don’t know what happened to the original letters.

I found this correspondence to be quite interesting. The family letters give some insights into personalities and family relationships as well as provided some genealogical clues which were helpful in my research.

The Family Letters – First from Eliza Barron

This earliest letter, dated 1862, was to Samuel Eggleston from his sister Eliza Barron. Samuel had recently migrated from Iowa to Utah. Eliza passed away in 1869. Eliza mentioned their brother Ansel, who was somewhat of a mystery – to us, and possibly to them. This letter provided clues to help me find him in records in Michigan, where he died in 1871. We also get a glimpse of personalities from the things Eliza said about her brother as well as the colorful way she expressed herself. I would like to have known Aunt Eliza.

Eliza also mentioned a letter from Rev. A. Eggleston, who would be the Ambrose Eggleston mentioned in later genealogical correspondence. This letter to Eliza may have begun that correspondence.

1862 family letters from Eliza Barron to Samuel Eggleston

 

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Elijah at Work on the Next Generation

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The Family History Challenge

I recently attended a meeting where a challenge was issued – Do something dealing with Family History that you have never done before. The initial challenge for me was thinking of something I had never done before.

After setting aside genealogy to make it through the holidays, I tried to get back into it at the beginning of the year by returning to some lines I had worked on previously. I became a little frustrated as I found myself banging up against the same brick walls again. I played around with my DNA results after being tested in December and I was introduced to the Relative Finder feature on FamilySearch which was a fun new tool. Then I added my husband to Relative Finder and learned that he was related to some pretty impressive people. Most of these were through his Stark line. This is his adopted line, which we knew little about, so curiosity got me looking into it. I also looked at his mother’s line which had been thoroughly researched by his aunt, but things were messed up on FamilySearch. All of this was interesting, but I didn’t feel like I was accomplishing much.

One thing I had always hoped to be able to do was to teach and inspire my children to get involved in Family History so they could carry on this work after I am no longer able to. This would seem a very worthy goal.

I have three daughters who throughout their adolescence and into adulthood often mocked me for my interest in dead people. I think they resented the time I spent seemingly obsessed with old records when I should have paid more attention to what they were doing. (I probably should have paid more attention to them) Their lack of respect for records and old things left me worried that they would toss out all those papers, binders, books and heirlooms after I was gone.

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The Family Archivist

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We are the chosen. In each family there is one who seems called to find the ancestors, to share the family story, to safeguard the family treasures. We are the storytellers of the tribe. We are the keepers of the records. We are the family archivists.

Inspiration from other Archivists & Researchers

As I got into serious research on the Eggleston family, I became aware of a wonderful book: Bygod Eggleston, Englishman & Colonist and Some of His Descendants, by Dr. Rosalie Eggleston & Linda Eggleston McBroom and published through the Mary & John Clearing House.

Bygod Eggleston by Dr. Rosalie Eggleston & Linda Eggleston McBroom

These two genealogists had done a tremendous amount of research on our immigrant ancestor. Theirs was a collaboration across the ocean: Rosalie lived in England and Linda in the U. S. Together they were able to put together a great early history of the family. Sometime later, additional research resulted in an article in The American Genealogist on the mother of Bygod Eggleston. Their research and documentation cleared up some errors which had been around for a long time. Continue reading →

Prepare a Book of Remembrance

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“Prepare a Book of Remembrance” – This was never an item to be checked off a to-do list, but rather the creation of a dynamic entity, ever expanding with new discoveries and evolving in format through technological advances.

“Prepare a Book of Remembrance” was counsel I was given as a young woman. My Book of Remembrance was actually already begun, but I had no grasp of its significance.

Book of Remembrance

Beginnings of My Book of Remembrance

I grew up being familiar with a “Book of Remembrance”, an expandable legal size binder full of pedigree charts and family group sheets, which my parents kept. This was kind of a requirement for faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.The earliest beginnings of my own Book of Remembrance was when my father gathered us kids at the kitchen table, showed us his Book of Remembrance and gave us blank charts to hand copy information on to. I also remember him telling us stories about the people whose names we wrote and showing us a few old photographs. I remember at least one time going to the local Family History Library with him and looking at microfilm. It was exciting to see our family name projected onto the screen, but it was all still rather abstract.

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