3rd Great-Grandparents?? How many can you name?

When I think of the early 1800s, I know it’s a long time ago but it doesn’t feel like 200 years! This is the time (within a 20 year timeframe) that my 3rd great-grandparents were born. Who were they, when and where did they live and die? Every once in a while, I have time for the Saturday Night Challenge sponsored by Genea-Musings and it is something that I think my readers might be interested in. This week, we were asked to list our 32  3rd great-grandparents with as much information about them that we have. 

Did you know that you have “32” 3rd great-grandparents?! They add up quite quickly when they double each generation! How many of your 3rd great-grandparents can you name? How about your 2nd or even 1st great-grandparents? And do you have any photos of a 3rd great-grandparent, someone born in the early 1800’s and lived until photography was available to the common folk in the 1860’s?

My 3rd Great Grandparents: 

Well, here is the list of 28 of my 32 3rd great-grandparents. I haven’t found 4 of them. The list was generated using the Ahnentafel Report option in Ancestry. They are numbered beginning with 32 because there are 31 ancestors of mine between me and them (16 great-great grandparents, 8 great-grandparents, 4 grandparents, 2 parents, and me=31) and from the top begin with my father’s father’s father’s father’s father down to my mother’s mother’s mother’s mother’s mother’s mother.

32: Dominico Vespia was born in 1801 in Italy and died on 11 Jan 1880 in Villa San Giovanni, Reggio di Calabria, Calabria, Italy.

33: Catarina Malerba was born in May 1804 in Cannitello, Reggio di Calabria, Calabria, Italy and died in Sep 1867 in Villa San Giovanni, Reggio di Calabria, Calabria, Italy.

36: Giuseppe Mortelliti was born in 1805 and died on 10 Jan 1886 in Scilla, Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italia.

37: Antonia Lofaro was born in May 1813.

38: Guiseppe Stefano Morabito was born on 5 Nov 1819 in Scilla Reggio Calabria, Italy and died on 15 Jul 1878 in Scilla, Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italia.

39: Dominica Nicolo

#47 Christina Dunker

was born on 13 May 1824 in Scilla, Reggio Calabria, Reggio di Calabria, Calabria, Italy and died on 17 Nov 1886 in Scilla, Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italia.

40: Joannes Szedlák

41: Catherine Liplak was born in April 1814 in zsebes, Kosice, Košice, Slovakia.

42: Janos Szabo Kristof was born on 31 May 1816 in Garadna, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Hungary.

43: Theresia Kotsis was born in Sep 1815 in Garadna, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Hungary.

44: Johann Herman Hillman was born on 27 May 1824 in Syke, Diepholz, Lower Saxony, Germany and died on 2 Oct 1871 in Bremen, Bremen, Germany.

45: Johanne Caroline Elisabeth Druckhammer was born in abt 1831 in Germany and died on July 9, 1902 in Bremen Germany.

46: John Heinrich Sackman was born on 31 Aug 1811 in Jork, Hannover, Preußen and died in 1870 in Abbotts, Potter, Pennsylvania, United States.

47: Christina Dunker was born on 29 Apr 1827 in Elmshorn, Pinneberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany and died on 19 Aug 1898 in Brooklyn, New York, USA.

48: George W. (Washington ?) Tubbs was born on 3 APR 1802 in Bristol, Addison Co., VT and died on 7 SEP 1854 in Scio Twp., Washtenaw Co., MI.

49: Rebecca Sophronia Walter was born on 5 OCT 1807 in Norfolk, Litchfield, Connecticut, USA and died on 13 MAY 1855 in Scio Twp, Washtenaw, MI.

#48 George W. Tubbs

50: Timothy Castle Randall was born in ABT 1806 in Geddes, Onondaga, New York and died in abt 1849 in Cobourg, Canada.

51: Julia Ann Chapin was born on 8 JUL 1806 in Burlington, NY and died on 20 APR 1880 in Scio Twp., Washtenaw Cty, MI.

52: Harvey A Orcutt was born on 4 MAY 1802 in Pittstown, NY and died on 15 OCT 1858 in Cambridge, NY.

53: Elizabeth Walker was born on 17 JAN 1808 in Pittstown, Renn Cty, NY and died on 7 November 1885 in Thornapple Township, Barry County, Michigan, United States of America.

54: George Dolan Bailey was born in 1805 in On ship when parents came from N. Ireland to America and died on 16 MAR 1849 in Ann Arbor, MI.

55: Mary Ann Mosher was born on 18 JUL 1810 in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York, USA and died on 30 OCT 1887 in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan, USA.

58: William Croft was born in 1827 in Canada West, Canada and died on 15 Jun 1856 in Carlton, Ontario, Canada.

59: Margaret Carmichael was born on 28 NOV 1832 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland and died on 14 Dec 1905 in Hancock, Houghton, Michigan, USA.

60: Rodman Stoddard was born on 4 JUL 1797 in Woodbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut, USA and died on 13 MAY 1853 in Detroit, Wayne, MI, Michigan, USA.

#55 Mary Ann Mosher

61: Mary Matteson was born on 25 JUN 1809 in Genesee Co, NY and died on 21 DEC 1893 in Reed City, Osceola County, Michigan.

62: George W. Bedell was born in 1798 in Dutchess Co., N. Y. and died on 17 Jun 1869 in Nankin Twnshp, Wayne Co, Michigan.

63: Anna Samuels was born in 1809 in New York and died on 8 Mar 1887 in Nankin Township, Wayne, Michigan.

#61 Mary Matteson

#62 George W. Bedell

#63 Anna Samuels

 If you have been following my blog, you know that I’m all about photos. I was curious, how many photos do I have of my 3rd great-grandparents? Remember, they were born over 200 years ago! It turns out that I have 6 photos of my great-great-great-grandparents, one even of someone born in 1798!

My Husband’s 3rd Great-Grandparents:

For my husband’s family, I have found ALL of his 3rd great-grandparents. Here’s his 32:

#32 Jacob Breyfogle

32: Jacob Breyfogle was born on 1 OCT 1805 in , Berks, Pennsylvania, United States and died on 30 Aug 1871 in Briggsville?.

33: Elizabeth Keen was born on 11 SEP 1811 in Pennsylvania and died on 7 Dec 1876 in Briggsville, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States of America.

34: William Santee was born on 11 FEB 1811 in Pennsylvania and died on 11 FEB 1852 in Bradford, Pennsylvania.

35: Sarah McCafferty was born on 12 DEC 1816 in Pennsylvania and died on 9 FEB 1858 in Bradford Co., Pennsylvania.

36: George Pealer was born on 14 AUG 1818 in Fishing Creek, Columbia, Pennsylvania, United States and died on 9 DEC 1897 in Fishing Creek Twp, Columbia, Pennsylvania, USA.

37: Rebecca Boyd Hampton was born on 2 FEB 1820 in Bloomsburg, Columbia, Pennsylvania and died on 7 MAR 1876 in Fishing Creek, Columbia, Pennsylvania, USA.

38: Benjamin Miller Stephens was born on 13 JAN 1815 in Huntington, Luzerne County, PA and died on 9 JUN 1890 in Huntington, Luzerne County, PA.

39: Mary Ann Fellows was born on 29 MAY 1815 in Huntington, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States and died on 20 FEB 1892 in Luzerne, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States.

40: Pieter Joostz den Boer was born on 28 Dec 1804 in Elkerzee, Schouwen-Duiveland, Zeeland, Netherlands and died on 2 July 1848 in Duivendijke, Netherlands.

41: Lena Marinnusses Stoel was born on 28 June 1816 in Elkerzee, Schouwen-Duiveland, Zeeland, Netherlands and died in 1860 in Grand Rapids (Kent, Michigan, USA).

#33 Elizabeth Keen

42: Dingenus MOERDIJK was born on 12 Jun 1806 in Baarland, Borsele, Zeeland, Netherlands and died on 20 Jul 1845 in Baarland, Borsele, Zeeland, Netherlands.

43: Cornelia Huijzen was born in 1812 in Baarland, Borsele, Zeeland, Netherlands.

44: Jan Jurjines Van Dam was born on 3 APR 1803 in Eenrum, De Marne, Groningen and died on 11 DEC 1888 in Plainfield Township, Kent, MI.

45: Frouwke Wickers Rijpenga was born on 17 JUL 1803 in Loppersum, Groningen, Netherlands and died on 24 May 1898 in Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, USA.

46: Harm Pieters van der Veen was born on 8 JUN 1811 in Oosterwijtwerd, Loppersum, Groningen, Netherlands and died on 20 AUG 1889 in Wyoming, Kent, Michigan, USA.

47: Aafke Heikes Kamp was born on 16 SEP 1814 in Oldenzijl, Eemsmond, Groningen, Netherlands and died on 28 NOV 1862 in Garsthuizen, Loppersum, Groningen, Netherlands.

48: John Bachar was born on 7 January 1787 in Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States and died on 24 September 1858 in Ohio, United States of America.

49: Julianna Judith Rough was born on 24 Feb 1798 in Pennsylvania and died on 2 Mar 1832 in Franklin County, Ohio, USA.

50: John Monroe Fenstermacher was born on 23 Jun 1805 in Northumberland, Northumberland, Pennsylvania, United States and died on 1 Aug 1873 in Amanda, Hancock, Ohio, United States.

51: Mary Catherine Beck was born on 28 Mar 1806 in Nazareth Township, Northampton County, PA and died on 4 Sep 1887 in Ridge, Van Wert, Ohio, United States.

#36 Jacob Pealer

52: Simeon Maxson Howell was born on 9 Apr 1817 in Turtle Creek, Shelby, Ohio, United States and died on 9 NOV 1900 in Santa Fe, Auglaize, Ohio, United States.

53: Hannah Mahala Horner was born in March 1821 in Thirsk, Yorkshire, ENGLAND and died on 10 AUG 1862 in Washington, Auglaize, Ohio, United States.

54: Thomas Cochlin was born on 2 FEB 1825 in Maryland and died on 1 Jan 1881 in Ohio, United States.

55: Mary Elliott was born on 17 JUL 1829 in Licking, Co., OH and died on 27 Aug 1909; her mother died in 1838, so she was raised by Richard's 2nd wife, Sarah Howell d/o David 1777 in Auglaize County, Ohio, United States of America.

56: Samuel G. Conklin was born on 16 OCT 1808 in Livingston County, NY and died on 29 APR 1877 in near Tecumseh.

57: Lucetta Brazie (or Beazie) or Bresie was born on 25 FEB 1813 in Livingston County, NY and died on 12 AUG 1877 in Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Michigan, USA.

58: Anson Bennett Webster was born on 15 AUG 1809 in Sheldon, Franklin, Vermont and died on 11 OCT 1854 in Darlington, Montgomery, Indiana.

59: Harriet Mariah Spofford was born on 16 JAN 1816 in Hopkinton, Merrimack, New Hampshire, United States and died on 30 JUL 1898 in Tecumseh, Lenawee, Michigan, United States.

60: Joseph Howell was born on 5 MAY 1803 in Covert, Seneca, New York, United States and died on 18 MAR 1888 in Macon, Lenawee, Michigan, United States.

61: Lutitia Van Duyn was born on 19 OCT 1803 in Ovid, Seneca County, New York, USA and died on 30 APR 1876 in Macon, Lenawee, Michigan, United States.

#52 Simeon Maxson Howell

62: James Leonardo Remington was born on 2 JUN 1814 in Hancock, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States and died on 26 MAY 1894 in Tecumseh, Lenawee Co, MI.

63: Elizabeth Ann Wheeler was born on 18 NOV 1823 in Alleghany Co, NY and died on 6 SEP 1900 in Tecumseh, Lenawee Co, MI.

And how many photos do I have from his 32 3rd great-grandparents? TEN!!

#56 Samuel G. Conklin

#57 Lucetta Brazie

#59 Harriet Spofford

#60 Joseph Howell

#62 James L. Remington

#63 Elizabeth Wheeler

What blows my mind to think is that my daughters can now name 60 of their possible 64 4th great-grandparents and have photos of 25% of the known 4th (!!) great grandparents. How many people do you think can say that?!

Sometimes You Really Luck Out!

Me at Tecumseh Historical
Society Museum

 For nearly 35 years, Jim and I have lived every summer about 10 miles from Tecumseh, Michigan (where lots of Jim’s ancestors are buried). I have visited Brookside Cemetery often where 14 of his direct ancestors are in their final resting place (from grandparents through great-great-great-grandparents) and spent hours in the History Room of the Tecumseh Public Library, but for whatever reason I never knew that there was a Tecumseh Historical Society with a Museum! Last week in my Facebook feed, I saw a posting about Memorial Day activities sponsored by the Society and it dawned on me that I should stop by. It is open once a week on Saturdays from 10:30-3pm. So, last Saturday I stopped in, not knowing what I would find, I was expecting to only spend about 30 minutes to an hour there. Well, 4 hours later I was smiling and so very excited by my finds and looking forward to going back! Let me give you a little perspective and background about Tecumseh and Jim’s ancestors before I share my finds!

Bi-centennial or Semiquincentennial?!

When I think of bicentennial, I think of 2nd grade and wearing a colonial outfit that my friend’s mother made for me (Thanks, Mrs. Wennerberg!), and this year as part of a DAR Meeting someone brought up that we need to start preparing for the 250th celebration of the Constitution. What? How is it possible that we’re already at 250 years when I swear it was just the bicentennial?! (I guess you now know how old I am.) Yep, 2026 the US will be celebrating its Semiquincentennial!

Michigan is a little younger, though, it wasn’t given its statehood until 1837, so we have a little while before even its bicentennial. In 1824, it was a territory and towns were popping up all over and Tecumseh was founded, when Musgrove Evans, a surveyor, arrived to the area. Tecumseh will be celebrating its Bicentennial anniversary this summer and I’m delighted to be here!

According to Clara Waldron’s One Hundred Years: A Country Town (1968) another man arrived that year with his family, an Abner Spofford, who traveled with livestock from Jefferson County, NY to Tecumseh. Note that the Erie Canal did not fully open until 1825, so they could not take it, and as long as the ice was cleared on Lake Erie they could take boats to Buffalo. For Abner, his route was to travel by land from Jefferson County along the southern shore of Lake Ontario to Buffalo. At Buffalo, they took  a ship across to Detroit. Since he had livestock, he herded them from Detroit to Tecumseh along the Sauk Trail. His wife and their 8 children made the same trip to Detroit, but they then boarded a schooner named the Firefly to Monroe. The last leg was a 29 mile journey from Monroe to Tecumseh that took them almost 2 full days with carriages and oxen with a stop in Macon. I can’t even imagine! Abner is Jim’s great-great-great-great-grandfather and lived 1778-1859.

Lenawee County

Dr. Joseph Howell

Tecumseh is in Lenawee County, which includes a few other important towns for my husband’s family, all within 7 miles of Tecumseh. They are Macon, Ridgeway, and Raisin Township. To these towns 5 important early settlers came between 1824 and 1837 and a “latecomer” in the late 1840’s. They were Abner Spofford (4th great-grandfather) in 1824, Dr. Joseph Howell (3rd great-grandfather) in 1831, James Wheeler (4th great-grandfather) in 1833, Anson Bennet Webster (3rd great-grandfather) in 1834, James L. Remington (3rd great-grandfather) in 1837 and Samuel Conklin (3rd great-grandfather) sometime between 1840 and 1850. You should know by now how important photographs are to me and I’m pleased to say that I have photos of 4 of these 6 men.

Samuel Conklin 

Why am I so lucky?

Well, as I was perusing the Memoirs of Lenawee County (1909) again, a book that I have read and known about for decades with a fresh view keeping in mind these various settlers. I found a few tidbits that were new. I also reviewed the Atlas from Lenawee County (1893), and found a few maps of homesteads. There was a 3rd resource I was provided and that was the Directories of Tecumseh from 1869. I knew that Dr. George Howell, son of Dr. Joseph Howell was a Dr. in Tecumseh, but it was fun to see his office information and also Samuel Conklin(g) now retired and living at the “s e cor Pearl and Pottawatamie st” and a map that shows where that was! Here’s a rendering from 1868 of the houses in Tecumseh.

"Scary Woman"

But the really lucky thing was that I went into the research room and found a binder (actually many) filled with cabinet cards and other photographs, some unlabeled and others labeled. It’s needles in haystacks, but once you find one needle you can’t help yourself from going back again and again. And sometimes it pays off, like today! I didn’t find photos for people I didn’t already have photos, but I did end up with numerous photos representing different times in people’s lives. I only need one photo to hang on our family tree wall, but having a variety of photos provides insight into people’s lives, one photo just doesn’t capture a life. (I’ve written about this before, see A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words)

Ella, Harriet, and Virginia

Harriet Spofford, 1897

The first new photo to me is this one with three women. The mother in the photo is Harriet Spofford Hoag Webster. She is the daughter of Abner Spofford who moved his family to Tecumseh with the original settlers in 1824 at the age of 8. She outlived 2 husbands (Milton Hoag & Anson Bennett Webster) and lived as a widow for over 30 years. My daughters are very delighted to have a new photo to put on the wall because the only photo I had of her they used to run by fast down the hall fearing the “scary woman”. That “scary” photo was a photo I had found as part of a collage of early settlers to Tecumseh in the Tecumseh Library. This photo shows Harriet with her two of her three children, probably about 1880. Harriet had 3 daughters, one with her first husband and two with her second. The eldest daughter died in 1874, so this is a complete family photo of her immediate family with daughters Eleanor (Ella) on the left and Virginia on the right. Eliza Virginia Webster was married at this time to Myron Henry Conklin. In the same album a few pages later is an older Harriet Spofford in July 1897, a year before she died. 

I couldn’t stop at just one binder, so I searched through another and was rewarded by what appears to be the engagement photos for Eliza Virginia Webster and Myron Henry Conklin when they were married in 1870. I love these photos for two reasons-the first is that while I have several wonderful photos of Myron and Eliza, they are all taken in their older years and I love seeing them as young newlyweds (See Close to Home for a beautiful family photo). And the second has less to do with the photo and more to do with who took the photo. 

Eliza Virginia Webster, 1870

Myron Henry Conklin, 1870

Back of Virginia, taken by
Cynthia Spofford Bissell

Famous Tecumseh Resident

Virginia’s photo was taken by her aunt (Harriet’s sister), Cynthia Webster Bissel Tilton. Cynthia was famous in Tecumseh for being the first white woman to be married in the town, when she wed Theodore Bissell in 1827! She was a celebrity in the town, so much was written about her and also by her. She appeared to be a force to be reckoned with. She went with her husband (Bissell) to Texas but didn’t enjoy the lifestyle so she left him and returned to Tecumseh and became a photographer! She owned her own studio and as you can see from the photo of Virginia touted her award winning photography prowess in 1869. She owned her own house and made her opinion known in the newspaper. If she had lived long enough to be suffragist, I’m positive she would have been.

I’m not sure why it took me so long to go to the Tecumseh Historical Society Museum but you better believe that I have learned that sometimes the treasures are right under our noses!