Category: Brown Family

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Gr. Gr. Gr. Grandma Emily Morse Packard’s Rocking Chair

Cousin Bob Seelye had been a treasure trove of information for the Brown side of the family. I could depend on him to remember people from long ago and explain their connection. Over time he has given me photos, letters and Gr. Gr. Gr. Grandma Emily Morse Packard’s Rocking Chair.

Bob had talked about the chair on a number of occasions, that he wanted me to have it, but passed away before we could get together. Some months ago his daughter Brooke, met me in Horseheads, NY to give me the chair. The rockers had been removed as well as the reed seat, but it is an adorable chair with an interesting history and worth saving.

I found a wonderful person, Brian Kilmer at Next Generation Funiture Refinishers who restored the chair to it’s original beauty. He matched the rockers with old wood and replaced the reed seat as it would have been.

The story goes that the chair belonged to Emily Morse Packard. “During the 1820’s , around 1825 or 26, perhaps, Ziba Morse and family including the four or five year old daughter Emily, emigrated from Connecticut to Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Several other families also made the journey overland and Emily sat in the chair, placed in a wheelbarrow and was wheeled thru New York City on her way to Bradford County.”1

“It is my understanding that the settler brot (brought) cattle, horses and what household possessions and farm implements they were able to carry as well as seed for planting.”2

“Great grandmother, Emily Morse never forgot this wheelbarrow trip thru New York City and often mentioned it during her later years. She married Jerome Bonaparte Packard who passed away in 1896. Emily Morse Packard died in 1902”3

Reference:

  1. Letter written May 11, 1967, probably by Ruth Brown Seelye, mother of Bob Seeyle
  2. Ibid
  3. Ibid
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Delbert Brown, Son of John and Vivian Passes

I have been very late in posting that Delbert Brown, brother of Martha Brown White, too passed away just a month and a day after her. Uncle Delly died October 12, 2020, 83 years old. As we all know, due to Covid-19 funeral services are private so no one could attend. This is a very sad time to not be able to support the family, but when Covid is behind us maybe we can all celebrate their lives.

“Delly” as known by most, was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting on his farm in East Troy, fishing and camping with family and friends. Delly was a very talented woodworker, crafting a variety of items. He took great pleasure in maintaining his immaculate yard, gardens and canning what he harvested. Everyone has a good story to share about Uncle Delly. When the nieces and nephews were young, he bought an old car with a jump seat that he enjoyed taking us for a ride in and occasionally the older girls were allowed to drive it. He also enjoyed scaring us half to death with a ride on his motorcycle. What great memories and he will be missed by so many family, friends and neighbors.

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Martha B. White Passes at 90 years young

It is with sadness that I share that my Mom, Martha B. White passed away on Friday, September 11, 2020 at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA. She moved to Elizabethtown 5 years ago, so I have had the privilege to share her last few years. She has been such a trooper, always ready for a shopping trip, a visit with cousins or just coming to my house for Sunday pizza and Americas Funniest Home Videos.

Her last major trip was to Hudson OH to celebrate nephew, Bill and Kathy McCord’s 50th anniversary. What a great time we had.

Mom was still very sharp to the end and always ready for a good argument about politics. She was a journaler and kept them for the majority of her life. I have them now and will enjoy reading them for years to come to see her view on current events and her trips.

We will miss her so much, but hope she is now at peace with Dad and Barb.

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Shirley Brown RIP

We had a wonderful Brown reunion on the mountain at Shirley Brown’s cabin, this year.  Great food, fun and fellowship.  It is now with sadness that I share the passing of Shirley this month, September 19, 2018.  She was getting ready to go camping and passed away.  It is hard to believe when we were all together just a couple of weeks ago.  Just a reminder to make every minute count and tell the people around you how much they mean to you while you can.

Rest in peace, Shirley, keeper of the Brown family party.

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John Sanford & Harriett (McCarty) Brown Family Reunion Aug. 12, 2018

It’s that time of the year again when the Browns gather at Shirley Brown’s Oak Knoll cabin on Carnright Mountain Rd, Troy, PA.  The Brown reunion is the descendants of John Sanford and Harriett (McCarty) Brown.  This year it will be on Aug. 12th starting at Noon.  Bring a large dish to pass, drinks and/or a dessert.  I know the Browns are all good cooks, so I am looking forward to the wide variety of foods.

Bring your family updates and invite those who just never get around to coming to this annual event.  Bring a lawn chair and any lawn games your children like to play.  The kids have fun in the woods, just running around the mountain, but would also enjoy a game with their cousins.

The children of John and Harriett are as follows:  Effie, Delbert, Allen, Bertha Cook, Lucetta, Elizabeth Bown, Charles, Clarkson, and Francis.  If you are descended from any of these children, you are invited.

If you have questions about the reunion, you can leave a message on this blog.

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Another Revolutionary War Patriot Approved – Thomas Sanford

I have had another Patriot approved by The Daughters of the American Revolution.  Thomas Sanford through his daughter, Polly was approved this past week.  That makes 9 and I have two or three more in the queue to be approved.  Those I’m waiting for approval are Adam Shafer through his grandson, Payne Shoemaker and two for Thomas White through his grandchildren William and Sarah.  These grandchildren of Thomas married each other.  I have already had Adam Shafer approved through his grandson, Malachi.  For you who have similar situations, you can get credit for one patriot twice.

Thomas Sanford fought in the 6th Regiment, Connecticut Line, under Captain Barker and Cols. Douglas and Meigs.  I first found out about the Sanford’s while I was taking a course – Coming Home to New England at the New England Historic Genealogical Society a couple of years ago.  This explains why my grandfather, John Sanford Brown has his middle name.  I was always curious because we never heard about this family.

Thomas’ daughter, Polly, sometimes referred to as Molly married William Beardsley.  They were the parents of Ruth Beardsley who married Ziba Morse.  Ziba’s grandfather also is an approved patriot – Obadiah Morse.  Ruth and Ziba were both born and married in Connecticut, but then migrated to Pennsylvania.  This was probably during the time that Connecticut thought they owned the upper portion of PA.  They stayed on in Bradford County, PA and have many descendants who still live there.

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Found a new cousin, Gerry Veley

When you are looking for information about your ancestors, it is good to get the word out there in any outlet you have available.  That is how I found “cousin” Gerry or more correct, he found me.  He is related through the Packard family, which has caused me hissy fits for years.

Who are the parents of Joel Packard and Ebenezer Avery?  I spent a week at the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston looking for their parents.  I know that Joel Packard was born in Massachusetts or Connecticut, depending on what you read.  I know he died in Bradford County, PA and came to this county with his brothers, Silas and William.  He may have a sister, Millie who came with them also, but have found no further record about her.  I did not find anything that proves the parents of Joel, but worked through wills that NEHGS has on microfilm and other records to see if I could locate any record that mentions the three brothers.  The next time I visit Boston, I’ll be looking at any court records beyond the wills and estates for mention of parents.  Any suggestions from my readers would be appreciated.

Some researchers say that Joel’s father was Daniel, some Samuel and from my research at NEHGS, the most likely person is Jonathan.  So what next?  Gerry sent me a copy of a letter he recently acquired that tells of Joel, Silas and William, their children and grandchildren, but doesn’t mention anything about the parents of the original three brothers.  Research in Bradford County helps me fill in the blanks from Joel, Silas and William on down the line, but not going back to place of origin.

I’ll keep working on this brick wall until I locate something that definitively proves their parentage, then I’ll work on Ebenezer.  Do you know how many Ebenezer Avery’s there are in Connecticut?  More than you would think, same with Joel Packard.  Well, until my next blog.

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Thomas Sanford, Revolutionary War Patriot

I have found another Revolutionary War ancestor to prove for NSDAR.  Thomas Sanford fought in the war and I am a direct descendant through the Morse and Beardsley families.  I’m always on the look out for another ancestor.  This one I initially located on my trip to the New England Historic Genealogical Society “Coming Home to New England” program last August.

If you ever would like a wonderful experience, attending the “Coming Home” program in Boston can’t be beat.  Gary Roberts, the NEHGS treasure, astounded me by taking my pedigree charts and advancing me numerous generations on many lines.  I spent the remainder of the week proving many of the lines through records and histories held by the Society.  Gary was spot on for so many families.  Thank you, Gary for all of the assistance.

My grandfather, John SANFORD Brown was named for this family.  I was always puzzled by the middle name, but now know this famous name.

Thomas Sanford b. 3 Mar 1732 in Newtown, Fairfield Co., CT married to Lydia Clark in 1755.  They had daughter, Polly Ann Sanford who married William Beardsley.  Their daughter, Ruth Beardsley, b. 16 Feb 1806 in Redding, CT married Ziba Morse.  Ruth died, according to some records, in a fire.

I will be submitting this application soon, so keep your fingers crossed that I have the proper documentation to connect my family lines.

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Shoemaker Packard Book

I am very pleased to say that I am selling my book on the Shoemakers, Averys, Browns, Duarts and Packards, etc.  It’s great to see what a little advertising will do for sales. I may even have to have a second run of the book.   Thank you.

This week I met with the Executive Director Emeritus, Dr. Ralph Crandall, from the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston and they were glad to get a copy of this book as well as the Harrisburg Chapter, NSDAR book ” Revolutionary War Patriots’ Historic Houses of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania”.  This was compiled by our Historic Preservation Committee of the Harrisburg Chapter.

Dr. Crandall is interested in family records or books from anywhere, that you would be willing to donate.  They are branching out to cover more than just the New England States, as many of the settlers moved south and west from Boston.

If you would like to have a wonderful week of genealogical research,  “Coming Home to New England” is a great time.  I went last August and can’t wait to return.  I advanced my family to the Mayflower on two lines and connected with Princess Diana, with the help of resident expert Gary Boyd Roberts.   Gary is an incredible scholar, author and NEHGS treasure who took my family lines back many generations, all from his abundant knowledge of New England genealogy.

All that research was great, but it still didn’t confirm what I went to find, the parents of Ebenezer Avery and Joel Packard.  If you are reading this and are researching either of these lines, HELP!