Saturday, October 31, 2015

Happy Halloween


It's interesting to think about how our ancestors may have thought of Halloween in the past. There are numerous histories of Halloween that can be found on the internet. This is an excerpt from the book  "The Book of Hallowe'en" by Ruth Edna Kelley. It's a book all about Halloween history, and beliefs and customs in different countries.



Friday, October 16, 2015

Friday's Faces From the Past - Derik Lackello

This is another photo from my Finnish side. I not sure who these people are or how they fit into my family. The man in the uniform I assume, is Derik Lackello. The photo is dated September 15, 1944.


Derik Lackello, Front



Derik Lackello, Back



More Finnish Photos:

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Thriller Thrusday - A Wicked and Felonious Conspiracy

Me - My Dad - Johnston Cumberland Paterson - Francis Paterson - Johnston Paterson - his brother (Francis Paterson)

This intriguing case in 1859 involved my 2nd great granduncle, Francis Paterson, turning the tables on a group of conspirators trying to entrap him for assault to extort money.. Francis was a writer(solicitor) and  house factor (one who manages property) for his uncle, George Hunter of Renfrew. The trouble began  in February of 1859 when Francis took John Boyle to small-debt court in Glasgow for not paying rent at McAlpine Street. This is when John Boyle, his wife (Margaret Gallocher), James Boyle, Charles Kerr, John Stewart, and others devised a wicked scheme to  entrap Francis for assault on Mrs. Boyle. They lured Francis to the shop with suggestion that some of the amount owed would be paid, then asked him to go to the back room to check on a faulty water pipe. Mrs. Boyle was waiting for him in the dark room and pulled him down while exposing herself. The police were summoned and Francis was taken to the police office. He was charged with alleged assault, with intent to commit rape and disorderly conduct. Francis was tried at the police court where the charges were dropped due to discrepancy in the evidence. The perpetrators were then charged with conspiracy to extort money , for assault, and perjury.


The trial was conducted in October of 1859 in the autumn circuit court and received a lot of attention. It appeared in numerous newspapers in England and Scotland. The Glasgow Herald had the whole trial in the paper on October 7, 8, and 10th. During the trial, Francis had many people vouch for his good character.


  • His cousin (Henry Spence) a draughtsman states he’s a man of good moral character and has been married for two years past in August.
  • Sarah Vass or Watt whom house is right above Mr. Boyle’s kitchen said that Mr. Paterson was a nice modest man that she wouldn’t expect that he would assault a woman.
  • Jessie Beatton or McDougal had a shop next to the Boyle’s. She affirmed that Mr. Paterson was a respectable man.
  • William D. Hall (writer) declared that he had known Mr. Paterson for the last 15 years and that Mr. Paterson had a first-rate moral character both professionally and otherwise.
  • William Burns (writer) affirm that Mr. Paterson’s character was excellent. Mr. Burns had known Francis professionally.
  • Jane (Francis Paterson’s wife) spoke that they had been married for two years.


Francis finally got his justice at the end of the trial when the jury came to an unanimous verdict, finding the perpetrators guilty of the crime of conspiracy as libeled, to extort money, or found a false claim for damages against Mr. Francis Paterson, by means of a false accusation of a criminal offense knowing it to false, and by means of perjury. John Boyle and his wife, Margaret were sentenced to seven years of penal servitude. James Boyle, Charles Kerr, and John Stewart to five years of penal servitude.

You can read the case before the high court from google books


More about the Patersons:
52 Ancestors - James Paterson - Glasgow Spirit Dealer
Sympathy Sunday - The Patersons in Scotland
Workday Wednesday - Bank Treasurer 


Sources:


"Autumn Circuit Court - Oct. 6," The Glasgow Herald, 7 October 1859, page 4 of 8; digital image, Find My Past (http://www.findmypast.com : accessed 10 October 2015).
Not available on Google News.


"Autumn Circuit Court - Oct. 7," The Glasgow Herald, 8 October 1859, pages 3 & 4 of 4; digital image, Find My Past (http://www.findmypast.com : accessed 10 October 2015).
 
"Autumn Circuit Court - Oct. 8," The Glasgow Herald, 10 October 1859, page 6 of 8; digital image, Find My Past (http://www.findmypast.com : accessed 10 October 2015).

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Sunday's Obituary - Harry L. Littrell

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Bessie Beatrice Landers - Angeline Henrietta Littrell - her brother - Harry Lincoln Littrell

  Thanks to my cousin Jo for sharing this obituary. 

HARRY L. LITTRELL PASSES                                           

           AWAY.
  Harry Lincoln Littrell, son of John
and Ellen Littrell, was born near
Keithsburg, January 11, 1864, and de-
parted this life, at his home, July 26,
1920, at the age of 56 years, 6 months
and 15 days.
  He was united in marriage the 20th
day of September 1904 to Mrs. Linnie
M. Burch. To this union was born a
daughter L. June Littrell.
  He began his duties as a man in
early years, as a teacher, afterwards
moving to Chicago with his mother
where he was connected with the Chi-
cago postoffice for a period of 15
years. After his marriage he again
began to teach in which vocation he
continued until his late illness.
  He became a member of the Metro-                                                    
politan lodge No. 860. A. F. & A. M.,
being initiated January 19, 1904, pass-
ed February 23, 1904, and raised
March 29, 1904. He was an enthus-
iastic and consistent worker in the
order and a firm believer in its prin-
ciples.
  He became a member of the M. E. 
church at an early date and after-
wards affiliated with the Disciples of
Christ with when he walked the re-
mainder of his days.
  He leaves to mourn his departure,
his wife, Mrs. Linnie M Littrell, his
daughter, L. June, two sisters, Sadie
E. Hyfield of Burlington, Iowa, and
Lucinda Herson of Fonda, Iowa; two
brothers, Charles and William H.
Littrell, two step children, Everett M.
Burch of St. Paul Minn., and Mrs. 
Mary E Kemp of this city. Besides
these many other dear ones and a
host of friends.
  He was wholesoled and heartily
fervent in his profession, a great
brother in his order, a true disciple of
his Christ, a loving husband, a fond
parent and a loving friend. 
  Funeral services were held Wednes-
day afternoon, July 28, at the Chris-
tian church, Rev. J. M. Dawson of
ficiating under the direction of Ro-
bert Burns Lodge No. 213 A. F. & A.
M.
 
The Times Record
Aledo, IL
Vol. XXXVII, #7, 29 July 1920
Part 2, p. 13, "Keithsburg Happenings"
 
 
More about the Littrell family:
 

Friday, October 9, 2015

Friday's Faces From the Past - Smith & Company


I've been very lucky to have relatives share photos with me. One of my cousins have a wonderful album of her father's mostly taken during WWII when he was an airplane mechanic. While stationed in England it looks like he had a chance to visit family. This photo is labeled Smith and company in  Bournemouth, England. This would have been my great grandmother's, Edith Elinore Smith (Warry), family. It would be nice to have names to the faces.

More on the Smith family:

52 Ancestors- John William Smith - Dorset Carpenter & Joiner
52 Ancestors - Edith Elinore Smith (Warry) -Unconventional Great Grandmother
Amanuensis Monday - John William Smith's Will