A Hanging in Salem

NURSE & TOWNE: Francis Nurse and Rebecca Towne were married in Salem, Massachusetts in 1644 and reared a family of four sons and four daughters in Salem Village. In 1688, Francis was appointed to the committee to select a new minister for the church. Samuel Parris was selected, but by 1691 the Nurses and other families began to mistrust Parris. They stopped attending church and refused to contribute to the reverend's salary.

The Putnam family led the supporters of Rev. Parris. The Nurses were part of the anti-Parris faction led by the Porters. The Putnams and Porters had been at odds for nearly 20 years.

When several girls in the village, including Parris' daughter and niece, started behaving strangely in January of 1692, accusations of witchcraft were made. Over the next few months several citizens were accused of being witches. Among them were 71 year-old Rebecca Nurse and two of her sisters. Rebecca was hanged as a witch on 19 July 1692.

Many of those accused and executed were opponents of the Putnams and Rev. Parris. Parris was finally removed as minister in 1697.

Most of the Nurse family remained in Salem Village. Francis died there in 1695.

The McHugh Migration: West then Back East

MCHUGH: My McHughs had one of the more interesting migration patterns of the ancestral families. John McHugh and his elder brother Daniel came to the US from County Donegal, Ireland during the early 1830s. They found work in the coal mines near Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., PA. John married Sarah Hickey and started a family while Daniel added to his.

The brothers decided to head to west and north to the Galena, Illinois area during the early 1840s. The McHughs then moved north to Lafayette Co., Wisconsin, just across the state line, before 1850. The families would reside in the town of Gratiot and then Shullsburg.

John and Sarah died in Gratiot and were buried in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. Daniel and his wife, Francis were buried at St. Matthew's Catholic Cemetery near Shullsburg.

Of John's children, all but one remained in Lafayette Co. Son Charles caught gold fever and headed to California in 1878. A cousin had him declared dead in 1914. Most of Daniel's brood stayed put as well. Eldest son, John went to Nebraska.

Two of John's grandsons by son Daniel went to Iowa. Charles was a farmer, railroader and plumber. He became Plumbing Inspector for Cedar Rapids. Cornelius eventually ended up in Cedar Falls, where he was mayor for several years.

John's son James fathered six children who lived to adulthood. They moved to Chicago with their mother, Louisa, in 1904. John was a cigar maker in Galena, IL, but moved back to Chicago, William worked in the steel industry in Joliet, George was a machinist for a tool company,  Frank was a tool maker and salesman, Josephine married a meat inspector and Charles was a tool and die maker. He moved to Indianapolis when his father-in-law was transferred there by the federal government in 1911. [see yesterday's post for his story.]

The latest generation of the McHugh clan is well scattered. Georgia, Texas, Florida and Indiana have been stops for us.

The Putt-Putt Boat & the Tool & Die Business

MCHUGH: Very few of you are old enough to remember the "Putt-Putt Boat." It was a power propelled toy boat that gained popularity after 1915.  Here is how it came about. Charles J. McHugh, owner of Universal Tool and Die in Indianapolis, Indiana, designed the toy and applied for a patent on 8 February 1915.

The "Putt-Putt Boat" was made of thin sheet metal and a pipe to allow steam to escape. The invention consisted of "a conduit having one open end to be immersed in water and another open end inclosed in a steam boiler whereby the water is alternatively drawn into the conduit and forcibly expelled therefrom to produce power..." The patent [#1,200,960] was issued 10 October 1916. The "Putt-Putt" was produced by the H-K Toy and Novelty Co. of Indianapolis. The boat became a tremendously popular item in the years after World War I.

A second patent was applied for on 25 June 1924 by Charles McHugh and Durward Rivers. The second patent called for modifications and improvements in the original design of and method of propulsion for the "putt-putt" boat. Patent # 1,596,934 was issued by the U.S. Patent Office for the power-propelled boat on 24 August 1926.

The toy boat brought the McHugh family a nice profit. Unfortunately, the Depression hit and Universal Tool and Die was lost. Charles got back into the tool and die business in 1937. He started Indianapolis Tool and Die and ran it until 1942. McHugh and his two eldest sons then started Craftsman Tool and Engineering Co., which they operated until the end of WWII. Charles opened a small tool and die shop behind his house during the early 1950s. He also taught his son-in-law the business.

My Dad was co-owner of Van All Tool and Die for many years.

Deutchlanders

LAUBSCHER -WAGNER: Tracking these two families was an interesting Problem Solving project. I knew that they hailed from Pennsylvania and emigrated from Baden thanks to census records. There were a lot of blanks to fill in. Quite a few remain, but I have part of the story of John Wagner and Catherine Laubscher pieced together.

The first part of the mystery was figuring out Catherine's maiden name, which was given on her son William's death record. The handwriting was not the best and determining the surname was difficult. Lansher, Lancher, Laubacher and Laubscher seemed the most likely candidates. My Problem Solving consultants and cohorts determined 'Laubscher' was it. [That had been my vote as well.]

Catherine Laubscher and John Wagner, German Catholics, were married in Pennsylvania about 1842. A son, Henry was born in 1844. By 1845 they were in Missouri, evidently attracted by the lead mining opportunities around Madison County in the southeastern part of the state. William and Louisa were born there.

The 1850 census offered a surprise. A George Laubscher, miner, was indexed in Madison Co. In the same householder was a Wagner family, Margaretha and her three children John, Henry and Mary. The ages and birthplaces were a match for Catherine, Henry, William and Louisa. Had the enumerator erred? Were the names given the baptismal names? John and Catherine Wagner and George Laubscher were involved in land transactions in Lafayette Co. The Wagners in 1860 were exactly 10 years older than the 1850 family. Wisconsin in 1851. Catherine and Margaretha had to be the same person.

The 1855 Wisconsin State census showed Catherine as head of household with 2 males and 2 females. John had died between 1851 and 1855.

George and Lewis Laubscher served the Union Army with Company C of the 2nd Missouri Light Infantry that was assigned to defend the forts around St. Louis. Lewis was discharged in 1863 due to medical problems and returned to Pennsylvania. He died in 1878. George was injured while helping to lower a drawbridge and was discharged in 1862. Like Lewis, he returned to Pennsylvania, where he died in 1886. George was living with Charles Laubscher in 1870. It is believed that Lewis, George, Charles and Catherine were siblings.

Catherine remained in Lafayette Co., Wisconsin until her death. The only clue to the year of Catherine's death came from a petition to the Probate Court in 1892. Lester Metcalf , the petitioner, stated that he was residing on 40 acres that had belonged to Catherine Wagner, who had "died 10 or more years ago." Her husband, John, had "died many years ago." That placed Catherine's death around 1882. She was still living in 1880.

You never know! As I was confirming that Catherine was indeed in the 1880 census, another item popped up on Ancestry.com: 21 July 1841 German Reformed Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
marriage of Johannes Wagner to Catharina Laubscher, both of the city! Holy Cow!!
TDP -3/12/15

Perhaps It Was A Matter of Family Honor: A Tale of the Old West

JERRELL: Once again, a collateral family takes the forefront. In 1866 the Reno Brothers Gang of Jackson Co., Indiana introduced a new concept to American outlawry - the train robbery. Among the local boys who joined the Renos was a young house painter named Henry Jerrell. Henry was the eldest of eight children born to Henry and Serepta Jerrell.

Henry and other gang members fled to Illinois after an aborted train robbery in 1868. Young Jerrell wrote his girlfriend in Louisville how to contact him under an assumed name. There was a problem, the girl was illiterate and had to have the letter read to her. A Pinkerton agent was within earshot and Henry and his confederates were arrested two days later.

A wagon carrying Henry and the other gang members to Brownstown, Indiana was stopped by 200 masked vigilantes. The outlaws were lynched. Henry Jerrell was 22 years old.

Now for the rest of the story......

Henry's younger brother William left Indiana about the time of Henry's death. William headed west and settled in Las Cruces, Dona Ana Co.,New Mexico Territory. There he settled, raised a family, ran a grocery and a saloon. In 1884, another Las Cruces merchant was held up. A deputy was sent after the thief, but wired that he had run out of funds. A townsman was enlisted to deliver more money to the deputy, but gambled it away. William Jerrell was then appointed a Deputy Sheriff for Dona Ana and sent after the robber.

William was on a stagecoach bound for San Angelo, Texas when the driver was warned by another stage that  hold-up men awaited them. Jerrell and a Texas Ranger onboard the coach shot it out with the outlaws. William Jerrell was wounded and died at the San Angelo Hotel that night. He had been killed in the line of duty as a Deputy Sheriff.

Who was George Gulley?

GULLEY: Every once in awhile a record pops up that is just out and out confusing! Such is the case of a DAR application for one George Gulley.

My ancestor Enoch Gulley had two brothers Richard and John who served in the Revolutionary War. There is no record of Enoch having served, however.

A DAR application was filed in 1916 and accepted for a descendant of a George Gulley. This George Gulley served as a private in the 3rd Virginia Regiment. He was born in England in 1750 and died in 1814 and married to Frances Franklin. The application was filed through the lineage of daughter Frances [1792-1878] who married David Pruitt. Also named as children were George, Betsy, and Sally.

Enoch Gulley was born in 1750, married Frances "Franky" Franklin, had a daughter Frances who married David Pruitt, and had children named George, Betsy, and Sally. He was, however, alive and well in 1814. Enoch Gulley died about 1829 in Indiana.

The DAR has since declared the 1916 application for the George Gulley line an "error in lineage."

Was George Gulley actually Enoch?

George's Right-hand Man

GREENE: The collateral lines can provide some fascinating "cousins." This is one of my favorites!

Nathanael Greene, "The Quaker General", was born in 1742. His father was described as "an anchor-smith, a Quaker and a fanatic, who brooked no compromise with the world, the flesh and the devil, whose broad brim and cut-a-way, high-collared and stiff, were always of the most sanctimonious fashion - the lines of whose life had no softening save as found in the gentle 'thee' and 'thou' of Quaker speech. Unsparingly severe toward himself, he scorned and pitilessly scourged all self-indulgence in his bright, gay-tempered son, who evaded the iron rule of his sire for his own conscience sake, whenever occasion presented itself." The same person described Nathanael as "a brave, ingenious strategist long before George Washington found him out! The youngsters of that day called him 'Natty,' but to the Quakers he was known as Nathanael, though not 'without guile,' as despite his collarless, spike-tailed drab coat, Nathanael was a sad dandy at heart and a worldling Quaker!"

In 1740 Nathanael's father and uncles became owners of the mill properties. They opened a second mill at Coventry in 1741. The Coventry mill maintained over one hundred families. The mill village was called "Greenville."

The elder Greene believed that his sons should receive a limited education and be trained to work at the family "Forge Mill." Nathanael, like his brothers, worked as "blacksmiths" at the family business. Nathanael and his brothers established a successful forge on the southwest branch of the Pawtuxet River in Coventry near the Warwick town line.

In spite of his father's beliefs, Nathanael managed to study mathematics, history, and law. He was described as an involuntary member of the Society of Friends. As was the rule of the society, the parents were Quakers, therefore the children were also members.

In 1769 an agreement was made by Nathanael, Griffin, John, and Benjamin Greene for the management of the Coventry facility. With the move to Coventry, Nathanael was out from under his father's stern rule. He was able to pursue his self-education and help organize the first public school in the town. Nathanael was elected Deputy to the General Assembly from Coventry in April 1770 and held the office almost continuously until he was promoted to Major-General in the Continental Army.

The fever of independence overtook the colonies into the early 1770s. In 1773 Nathanael attended a military meeting with his cousin, Griffin Greene, and took an active part in military drills. The Quaker authorities made clear their displeasure and eventually excluded Nathanael from the Society.

He was influential in forming the Kentish Guards military unit at East Greenwich in 1774. Ten of the thirty-seven charter members of the outfit bore the surname Greene. That December, Nathanael and four others of high military rank were appointed by the General Assembly to revise the militial laws of Rhode Island.

Nathanael had married Katharine "Kitty" Littlefield in July of 1774. Kitty's family had settled in New Shoreham, Block Island in 1721. The marriage took place at the home of his third cousin, William Greene, who would become Governor of Rhode Island. William's wife, Catharine Ray was the bride's aunt. The births of Nathanael's and Kitty's children coincided with the winter encampments during the war.

On 8 May 1775, Nathanael was chosen Brigadier-General of the Rhode Island Army of Observation. He was at Boston on 24 March 1776, to begin his distinguished career in the American Revolution. General Greene was assigned to the defense of Long Island, arriving on 17 April 1776. His command was transferred to the Jerseys in October. He was actively involved in the disastrous Battle of Long Island and retreated with Washington across the Jerseys into Pennsylvania in December. By this time Brigadier-General Greene was Major-General Greene.

Nathanael's loyalty and dedication to General Washington was rewarded with his appointment as Quartermaster-General of the Army on 2 March 1778. It was not a job he enjoyed. Greene longed to serve his country in the field. He was assigned to the Rhode Island Expedition in August of 1778.

1780 proved to be an eventful year for Nathanael Greene. On 26 July he resigned as Quartermaster-General. After Benedict Arnold's failed attempt to turn the plans to West Point, New York over to the British, Greene served as president of the Courts Martial at British Major John Andre's trial on 29 September. Andre, General Arnold's co-conspirator in the West Point Incident, was hanged as a spy. Greene was next put in command of West Point on 6 October, replacing Arnold.

Washington had long lobbied Congress for Greene's promotion. The failures of Charles Lee and Horatio Gates finally earned him the opportunity.

Gates was placed in command of the Army in the South by Congress, without consulting with Washington. Gates suffered a humiliating defeat at Camden, South Carolina and fled to safety, leaving his troops in the field.

On 14 October 1780 Nathanael Greene was appointed Commander of the Army in the Southern Department. This made him second in command to the Commander-in-Chief. He assumed command of Gates' shattered army and began the task of running British commander Lord Cornwallis to ground.

Following Daniel Morgan's brilliant victory at Cowpens, North Carolina, Greene met Cornwallis at Guilford Court House. Although the battle was technically a British victory, the Americans soundly thrashed Cornwallis' troops. Cornwallis retreated from the Carolinas to Yorktown, Virginia on 19 March 1781. The British claimed victory over Greene at Hobkirk's Hill, near Camden, on 25 April. Greene laid siege to Ninety-Six from 22 May - 19 June. He defeated the British at Eutaw Springs on 8 September. Meanwhile the combined forces of the Americans under Washington and the French under Rochambeau laid siege to Yorktown, forcing Cornwallis to surrender on 18 October. After Hobkirk's Hill, Greene wrote, "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."

General Greene marched his army triumphantly into Charleston, South Carolina to reoccupy the city on 14 December 1782.

For his service in the war, Greene was awarded with two pieces of captured ordinance, a British standard, and a gold medal. On 18 January 1782, the South Carolina General Assembly voted the General 10,000 guineas. The North Carolina Legislature voted him 5000 guineas and 25,000 acres of land on 13 April of that year. From the Georgia Legislature, on 1 May 1782, Nathanael received 5000 guineas and 24,000 acres of land. Part of the Georgia grant was the confiscated plantation of Lieutenant-Governor John Graham, who had remained loyal to the Crown. The plantation, known as "Mulberry Grove", was located on the Savannah River, about twelve miles from Savannah and consisted of about 2171 acres. Cumberland Island, near Georgia's southern border, was also part of the grant.

Major-General Nathanael Greene had received frequent praise from General Washington and Congress for his actions in the Southern Campaign. He had been a loyal and trusted officer under Washington's command. After Greene was appointed to command the Army in the South, he became second in command to General Washington. Had Washington died in battle, Greene would have been at the head of the Continental Army.

After the war, the Greene family settled at Mulberry Grove. On 19 June 1786, Nathanael Greene died suddenly from "a congestive chill induced by exposure to the hot sun when unprotected." He was 44 years old. On 8 August of that year, Congress resolved that a monument to General Greene's patriotism, valor, and ability be erected. The people of Georgia erected a statue of Greene in Savannah's Johnson Square on 21 March 1825. The corner-stone was laid by the General's friend, the Marquis de Lafayette. When the states were invited by Congress to furnish two full-length marble statues for the old Hall of the House of Representatives in 1864, Rhode Island submitted a statue of General Greene. In 1877 an equestrian statue of Greene was erected in Sherman Square, east of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Kitty Greene remarried 28 June 1796 at Philadelphia to Phineas Miller. Miller had served as a tutor to the Greene children and was eleven years Kitty's junior. The couple lived at Dungeness, Cumberland Island, Georgia. Kitty died there 2 September 1814.