SIMMONS: Sylvanus Simmons was mentioned briefly in yesterday's post. He was the son of John William and Dolly [Jennison] Simmons. Nothing came easy in piecing together his story!
Birth: Years range from 1823 - 1829. His death in 1901 at 76 would agree with an 1823 birth.
Marriage: For some time I was unable to locate Sylvanus' marriage. Census records showed his wife's name as Herietta. The death certificate for his youngest daughter cleared, or muddled the issue.
Children: Two daughters: Henrietta [b. c1846] and Ada [b. c1848] - if indeed those were their names!
Death: For Mrs. Henrietta Simmons - 1881; for Sylvanus - 1901; for daughter Henrietta - probably between 1860 and 1870; daughter Ada - 1930.
Still with me? Here's where weird enters the picture!
Ada's death certificate gives her mother's name as "Kate van Loo." Sylvanus Simmons married Catherine van Liew in 1845 in Cincinnati. The couple had two daughters by 1850: Sarah A. [b. 1846] and Margaret J. [b. 1848].
By 1860, Catherrine had become Henrietta, Sarah was Henrietta and Margaret was Ada!
Mrs. Simmons' 1881 obit gives her first name as Henrietta. She died at the home of her son-in-law, whose surname was Bateman. Ada's husband was Edward Bateman.
So, Sylvanus married Catherine van Liew, who became Henrietta. The daughters, Sarah and Margaret became Henrietta and Ada. Apparently the names stuck until Ada's death, when Henrietta became Catherine again.
Could middle names come into play, you ask. Henrietta P. [Catherine], Henrietta [Sarah A.], Ada J. [Margaret J.] A glimmer of hope!
That's the story!
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