Treasure Chest Thursday - Letis E. Littrell, 2nd Pension Letter

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Bessie Beatrice Landers - Angeline Henrietta Littrell - Letis Ellen Knox (Littrell)

 

In May 1890, my 3rd great grandmother, Letis Ellen Littrell had a 2nd pension letter written on her behalf from Saunders County, Nebraska. She is probably with her son William who was living in Wahoo, Saunders, Nebraska in the 1800 census. This letter is written 28 years after the first letter. She would have been 60 years old. I wonder why it took so long to send a second letter and did she ever get a pension.

 Source: 

Federal Military Pension Application, Letis E. Littrell, widow's pension, service of John H. Littrell (unassigned recruit, 12th regiment of infantry, civil war); pension file no. 11 273, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1st Pension Letter

The CUMBERLAND Journey

Me - Maurice Cumberland Paterson - Johnston Cumberland Paterson - Francis Paterson - Catherine Muirhead - George Muirhead - Christian Reid - her brother (Cumberland Reid)

 

What is in a name? In family history, a name can lead you on a journey. Since the Scottish like to bequeath their children with names of significance, I just knew there had to be a story in my dad's and grandfather's middle name, Cumberland. When researching this unique name, I've unearthed fascinating family members and a wee bit of Scottish history. 

My eureka moment was when I decide to approach my research by searching for the first name Cumberland in Scotland. Cumberland is not a common name. It always makes sense to find those unusual names. This search yielded me with some interesting results. The one that jumped out at me was "Cumberland Reid" born in 1746. It just happens that I have a fourth great grandmother, Christian Reid. She married a William Muirhead, and they named one of their sons (wait for it) Cumberland Muirhead, born in 1791. Now, this just couldn't be a coincidence. I located Cumberland Reid's will on the ScotlandsPeople's website and purchased it, with my fingers crossed. I love Cumberland Reid; he left a fantastic will.  Cumberland never married and was a man with wealth. In his will, Cumberland names brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, servants, and a housekeeper. A genealogist dream. Of course, he included his sister (Christian Reid), her husband (William Muirhead) and their two children, George and Sara. I assume poor little Cumberland Muirhead didn't survive.

Cumberland's will lead me to discover intriguing cousins, who bear the Cumberland name. I'm quite sure this is where my dad, Maurice Cumberland Paterson, and my grandfather, Johnston Cumberland Paterson,  got their middle name. Now how did my fourth great granduncle get a name like Cumberland? Cumberland Reid was the son of George Reid and Sarah Laurie, born August 28, 1746, in Ratho, Midlothian, Scotland, U.K.  When doing my search for the first name Cumberland, I thought it was quite odd that there were quite a few people born with the first or middle name Cumberland in 1746. The Cumberland name doesn't appear before 1746. Since reading a little Scottish history, I knew the battle of Culloden took place in April 1746. William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland was in command of the government forces against the Jacobite army. My theory is that the Duke of Cumberland had something to do with George Reid naming his son Cumberland in 1746. But could I ever find out why?

My answer came in the Linlithgowshire Gazette dated April 17, 1903, on the website Find My Past. Thanks to the old residenter, Mr. Thomas Scott, giving an account of the old folks in the area. Mr. Scott states that a Reid was a guide for the Duke of Cumberland at Culloden. The guide named his son Cumberland. Amazing! It all fits. My fifth great grandfather George Reid must have been the guide.

"Kirkliston and The Days O' Auld Lang Syne," Linlithgowshire Gazette, 17 April 1903, "Cumberland name"; online archives (https://www.findmypast.com:accessed 29 March 2017); p 6 of 8.

I'm not sure how I feel about my family bearing the name Cumberland after the Duke of Cumberland. From what I have read, The Duke of Cumberland is known as the butcher for the deeds done after the battle. I would like to think my fifth great grandfather knew him as a different man.  But my dad and my grandfather would have been thrilled to know where the name came from and how I traced it back to an epic battle in Scottish history. It was a captivating journey. In genealogy, sometimes there is history in a name.

 

The Battle of Culloden, oil on canvas, David Morier, 1746.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Letis E. Littrell, 1st Pension Letter

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Bessie Beatrice Landers - Angeline Henrietta Littrell - Letis Ellen Knox (Littrell)

Quite a few years ago, I ordered the  Civil War pension application for my 3rd great grandmother, Letis E. (Knox) Littrell from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. I remember it was quite exciting to see these records when I finally received them. A cousin recently contacted me about the Littrell family after reading my blog. So now may be a good time to share these records. There are eight pages and one title page, so I'll split them up. The first letter is dated December 31, 1862, about a month after her husband dies from lung disease contracted during his service. She states that she married John H. Littrell on September 20th, 1852, which matches their marriage record. Margaret Robinson and Mr. Kyne, residents of Dubuque, are character witnesses for Letis. My 3rd great grandmother signs her name at the bottom of the first page. It's amazing to see your ancestors script from 155 years ago. 

 

 Source: 

Federal Military Pension Application, Letis E. Littrell, widow's pension, service of John H. Littrell (unassigned recruit, 12th regiment of infantry, civil war); pension file no. 11 273, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

More about the Littrell Family:

Letis Ellen Knox (Littrell) Obituary  

John H Littrell

My Ethnicity

My ancestry is neatly divided into three clusters and one melting pot. The three tidy groups are:

SCOTTISH -  my paternal grandfather, Johnston Cumberland Paterson

ENGLISH -  my paternal grandmother, Dorothy Eleanor May Warry (Paterson)

FINNISH - my maternal grandfather, Fidjof Jaakko Waldemar Makie

Then there is my hodgepodge:

AMERICAN - my maternal grandmother, Ruby Alberta Belknap (Makie) This line goes back to the start of immigration to America.

Based on Family Tree DNA Autosomal Test known as Family Finder this is what my ethnic makeup looks like:

  

30% BRITISH ISLES - mostly from my Dad who had a Scottish Father and English Mother and perhaps a little from my Mother's American side.

25% FINLAND - probably all from my Mother's Dad ancestry.

20% SCANDINAVIA - could be from both my Mother and Dad. The Vikings were all over the map.

14% WEST & CENTRAL EUROPE - probably my Mother's American heritage, as I found some German.

7% IBERIA - no clue. I'm thinking part of my hodgepodge.

4% EAST EUROPE - probably my Mother's American side.

Trace of CENTRAL ASIA for fun.

  

Population Cluster Description - Family Tree DNA

To find out more about the autosomal test:

International Society of Genetic Genealogy Wiki

Gone Fishing - Family Search

Workday Wednesday - Needlewomen

Me - My Dad - Dorothy Eleanor May Warry - Alfred William Warry - Emily Worthington - Sarah Swain

In the Victorian era, I've discovered a family of needlewomen living in London on my Dad's maternal side. This family has been a challenge to research and I'm still searching for information. Looking through the census records, I've found a mother and her daughters using their needle skills to help contribute to their family income.

The earliest census I found for my 3rd great grandmother, Sarah Swain (Worthington), is 1871. Sarah was living in St. Pancras, Middlesex, England with her children Emily, Jane, and Alfred. Her occupation was a needlewoman. Sarah marital status was married, but her husband, William, is not listed in the household. This would not have been unusual as William is listed as a servant in all his daughter's (Jane Elizabeth, Emily, and Jane) marriage records. He could have been living at his place of employment.

Skipping to the 1891 census I found two of Sarah's daughters employed as needlewomen. My 2nd great grandmother, Emily Worthington (Warry), is living with her husband and her four children at 59 Campsbourne Road in Hornsey, Middlesex, England. Her sister, Julia Elizabeth Worthington (Fitch), is a few doors down at 29 Campsbourne Road with her husband. I can imagine these two sisters getting together for needlework.

Sources:

1871 England Census, St. Pancras, London, household 450, Sarah Worthington; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 March 2017); citing: ED 20; Piece: 228; Folio: 39; Page: 73.

1891 England Census, Hornsey, Middlesex, household 255, George Augustus Warry; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 March 2017); citing: ED 5; Piece: 1060; Folio: 27; Page: 45.

1891 England Census, Hornsey, Middlesex, household 229, George Fitch; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 March 2017); citing: ED 5; Piece: 1060; Folio: 25; Page: 41.

Irish in the Family

Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

Robert's family tree definitely has more Irish than mine. All of Robert's grandparents seem to have a sprinkle of Irish heritage.                                            

 ֎His paternal grandfather's line goes back to Joseph Neily and his wife Mary Gossard, who came to Nova Scotia in 1764. (5th great grandparents).

 ֎His paternal grandmother's goes back to Mark Patton and Ann McGowan (7th great grandparents). They left Ireland in 1761 for Nova Scotia and settled near Fort Cumberland. 

 ֎His maternal grandfather's side, Maurice Stoddart's line goes directly back to Robert Stoddart (4th great grandfather) from Ireland. See post - 52 Ancestors - Robert's Roots - Robert Stoddart - Irish Sergeant

 

 ֎His Mom maternal grandmother's line goes back to John McKinley and  Annie Althom (4th great grandparents) who sailed from Ireland to New Brunswick in 1859. See post about their daughter - 52Ancestors - Robert's Roots - Fannie McKinley (Mapplebeck)

In my family tree, I've found a wee bit of Irish on my maternal grandmother's side. There is a story of William Cantwell and Margaret O'Brien (6th great grandparents) being from Cork, Ireland. They were young lovers who sailed away to America to marry due to disapproving parent.

Sunday's Obituary - J. R. Landers

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Bessie Beatrice Landers - James Robert Landers

Funeral of J.R. Landers

Held Sunday Afternoon

J.R.Landers

The funeral of the late J.R. Landers, who passed away in this on his 70 birthday, February 21, 1929 was held from the Methodist church at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon, Rev, Harvey O. Cooper, officiating at the services.  A large assemblage of devoted friends packed the edifice to pay their last respects to a departed friend and neighbor.

A male quartette composed of Messrs, J.T. Lucy, F.M. Cook, Jack and A.F. Duntach rendered two numbers,  “I’m a Pilgrim,” and “Abide With Me,” with piano accompaniment by Mrs. C. Wimpenney, and J.W. Hartzell sang very impressively “In My Father’s House Are Many Mansions,” as a baritone solo, with piano accompaniment by Mrs. Hartzell.

Following the services a large concourse of friends formed a cortege accompanying the remains to the cemetery where brief services were held. 

Pall bearers were:  George Lampson, Nels J. Holmberg, J.M. Garriott. A.T. Brown, Wm. Cain and J.P. Lacy.  Funeral arrangements were under the directions of E.E. Davis of the Davis Mortuary.

Obituary

James Robert Landers was born at Danville, Ind., February 21, 1859 and died at Riverton, Wyo., February 21, 1929 at the age of 70 years.  He moved to Keithburg, Ill. In 1870 and there started to master the carpenter’s  trade.  He was married to Laura B. Bauguess, December 30 1889 at Aledo, Ill.  He moved his family to Cody, Wyo., in November 1901, later coming to Riverton at the opening of the townsite, filing on lots here.  Later he moved to Nebraska for a few years, returning to Riverton in 1917 and spent the remainder of his life here.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, Mrs. Laura Landers of this city and five sons, Floyce David and Harvey J. Of the city; Earl R and Floyd W of Denver:  Albert J. Of Casper.  Four daughters-Mrs. Pearl M. Binder and Mrs. Ruby Allen of Rapid City, So Dakota; Mrs. Cynthia R. Temple of Riverton; Mrs. Bessie Belknap [my great grandmother] of Talta [should be Alberta], Canada.

Two sons and one daughter preceded the father in death: Fred Landers of Platte, So. Dak., Sept. 15, 1915; Glenn Landers, Feb. 6 1909, Riverton and Mrs Murl B. Tripplett, Nov. 21, 1924 at Gordon Neb. Fifteen grandchildren and one great grand son also survive him.

Page 1  The Riverton Review on February 22, 1929 

Riverton, Fremont County, Wyo.

State Archives

Find A Grave Memorial

More on the Landers Family

52 Ancestors - John William Landers - Greenbacker (His father) 

52 Ancestors - Bessie Beatrice Landers (Belknap) (His daughter)

Lest We Forget – Men who served in the (CEF) WW1

Remembrance Day is a day to remember those men and women who have served and those who are serving today. Here are some of the men in Robert’s and my families who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WWI. I’ve included links to the Library and Archives Canada website where the personnel records are being digitized These are the names of the ones that have been digitized with a PDF file where you can find more information.

Sydney Wedford Black (married my grandaunt, Frances Edlora Belknap)

Sydney was drafted under the military service act of 1917. He signed a declaration of recruit in Calgary, Alberta on May 21, 1918 at the age of 23. He served as a private in the 2nd Canadian War Graves Detachment. Regimental # 3211766. Sydney was discharged on August 19, 1919. Sydney married my grandaunt in 1936 and had a large family of nine children. He died on April 10, 1980 at the age of 84 and is buried at the Northwood Baptist Cemetery in Saint-Lina, Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada.

Canadian War Diaries - Miscellaneous Diaries
WW1 personnel records
Find A Grave

Henry Archibald Danskin (my 2nd cousin twice removed)

Henry enlisted on July 16, 1915 in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 25. He served as private in the Field Ambulance Depot. Regimental # 322659. Henry was discharge on June 2, 1919. He married later as his death registration in 1958 lists his wife as May Ellen Hutchinson. Henry died on January 16, 1958 at the age of 68 in the Provincial Mental Hospital in Coquitlam, B.C. Canada. He is buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

Canadian War Diaries - Medical Units
WW1 personnel records
Death Registration
Find A Grave

Arthur William Danskin (my 2nd cousin twice removed)

Arthur’s military service was very brief. He was a private in the 84th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). Regimental # 163261. He died at the age of 34 on December 22, 1915 in the Brantford General Hospital at Brantford, Ontario of bronchitis, typhoid and pneumonia. He never even made it overseas.

WW1 personnel records
CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission)
Find A Grave

Seward Cephus Foster (Robert’s great granduncle)

Seward enlisted on April 4th, 1916 in Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada at the age of 31. He served as a sapper in the 219 Battalion. His regimental # 283381. He was discharged on April 5th, 1919 with the war service badge. Seward returned home to his wife Annie Creemer. He died at the age of 51 on 26 April 1937. He is buried in the Aylesford Union Cemetery in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, Canada.

WW1 personnel records
Find A Grave

Andrew Graham (married my grandaunt, Edith Greenlees Paterson)

Andrew enlisted 16th December, 1914 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada at the age of 19. He served as a private in the 32nd Battalion and 10th Battalion. Regimental # 81330. Andrew was honorable discharge on May 19, 1919 with the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He married my grandaunt on July 2, 1927 and had three children (one passing away young). He died on February 5, 1982 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and is buried at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

The Story of the Tenth Canadian Battalion 1914 -1917
WW1 personnel records
Find A Grave

Allan James Levy (married Robert’s grandaunt, Emelia Alberta Stoddart)

Allan enlisted on July 13, 1915 at the age of 27 in Valcartier,Quebec. He served as a Lance Corporal in the 60th Battalion. Regimental # 415512. Allan was killed in action on June 15, 1916 while in the trenches at Sanctuary Wood. He left behind his wife and four small children. He has a memorial at Ypres (Memin Gate).

60th Canadian Overseas Battalion
WW1 personnel records
CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

George Outhit Lutz (Robert’s 1st cousin 3 times removed)

George was drafted under the military service act of 1917. He signed the declaration of recruit on June 14, 1918 in Aldershot, Nova Scotia at the age of 29. He served as a private in the 17th Reserve Battalion. His regimental # 3189848. George was discharge on July 18, 1919. He returned to his wife, Annie Lamb, whom he married just months before his enlistment. He died on July 13, 1961 at the age of 72. He is buried in the Morristown cemetery in Morristown, Nova Scotia, Canada.

WW1 personnel records
Find A Grave

Lest We Forget – Fred of the 58th Battalion CEF

Fred is a mystery to me, but he wasn’t a mystery to my grandmother, Dorothy Warry. My aunt and I discovered this postcard hidden behind one of my grandmother’s photos. On the front is a photo of the officers of the 58th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The postcard is stamped Niagara Falls, August 28, 1915 at 9 am. It’s addressed to Miss D. Warry 14 Thorold Ave. Toronto, Ontario and a note to my grandmother.

  Dear Dorothy, Many thanks for letter. I hope to be home for Sunday. I will phone Saturday anyway. Just getting ready to go to Queenstown. So Goodbye hoping you are well. Yours Fred

Fred may have been a sweetheart of my grandmother before my grandfather, Johnston Paterson. Sadly, many young men never made it back to their sweethearts.

So, who was Fred? We know his first name was Fred or Frederick, he was probably in the 58th Battalion, and he probably didn’t make it back. I’ve tried looking over the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 58th Battalion members who died overseas, but there seem to be quite a few possibilities. So maybe he will always be a mystery to me. Even my grandmother is entitled to a secret. 

CEF 58th Battalion Members Who Died Overseas 

52 Ancestors - Dorothy Eleanor May Warry (Paterson)

Happy Mother's Day

Mother’s day is the perfect time to write a new post to highlight a few of the mother’s in Robert's and my families. These busy Moms are a few that had over 10 children.  

Florence Odessa Palmer (Lutz) Robert's great grandmother had 16 children.
Florence married Azie Elvison Lutz at Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1915 at the age of 16. She had her 1st child at the age of 16 and last at the age of 48. All of her children survived to adulthood.

Margaret Ann Nichols (Palmer) Robert’s 3rd great grandmother had 13 children.
Margaret married Thomas Richard Palmer in 1850 at Aylesford, Nova Scotia, Canada at the age of 17. She had the 1st child at the age of 17 and the last at age of 42.

Matilda Gates (Randall) Robert’s 3rd great grandmother had 12 children.
Matilda married Christopher Randall in 1830 at Aylesford, Nova Scotia, Canada at 18. She had her 1st child at 19 and last at the age of 44.

Catherine Muirhead (Paterson) Jacqueline’s 2nd great grandmother had 12 children.
Catherine married Johnston Paterson in 1837 at Glasgow, Scotland at the age of 18. She had her 1st child at age 18 and the last at the age of 42. Tragically few of her children would reach adulthood. Only two would have children.

Agnes Findlay (Danskine) Jacqueline’s 2nd great grandmother had 12 children.
Agnes married William Danskine in 1837 at Cumbernauld, Scotland at the age of 21. She had her 1st child at 21 and her last at the age of 44. Sadly, most of her children didn’t make it to adulthood.

Rebecca Taylor (Foster) Robert’s 3rd great grandmother had 11 children.
Rebecca married Isaac about 1829 in Nova Scotia, Canada at the age of 20. She had her 1st child at  the age 20 and last at the age of 47.

Margaret Clem (Lutz) Robert’s 3rd great grandmother had 11 children.
Margaret married Rufus Lutz in 1854 at Nova Scotia, Canada at the age of 24. She had her 1st child at the age of 24 and last at the age of 48.

Betsey Ann Bristol (Belknap) Jacqueline’s 3rd great grandmother had 11 children.
Betsey married Martin Seymour Belknap about 1831 in New York, United States when she was about 17. She had her 1st child at the age of 18 and last at the age of 43.

Frances George (Fiddler)  Jacqueline’s 3rd great grandmother had 11 children.
Frances married Henry Fiddler in 1846 in Richland Ohio, United States when she was 21. She had her 1st child at the age of 22 and last at the age of 42.

Some of the other mother's in our families:
Sentimental Sunday - Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Friday Faces from the Past - John E Kaira

Another one of my mysterious photos with Finnish on the back. I can make out the name E. Kaira John, but I'm not sure how he fits into my tree. 

Looks like a peaceful lake.

More Finnish photos:

Friday's Faces From the Past - Derik Lackello

Friday's Faces from the Past - California 1949

Wordless Wednesday - Rock Lake

Sunday's Obituary - Lydia Elzina Knox (Brown)

Lydia Elzina Brown

      Dies At Keithsburg

   Special To The Hawk-Eye.

  Keithsburg, Ill., March 22 - Mrs.

Lydia Elzina Brown died at her home

in Keithsburg Saturday March 19, af-

ter an illness of about four weeks.

  Lydia Elzina Knox was the daughter

of Asa and Elmira Knox, pioneer set

tlers in Mercer county.

  She was born Oct. 24, 1851 and her

entire life was lived in the county ex

cept one year spent in Iowa.

  In January 1869 she was married to 

David A. Brown. To this union were 

born 16 children, eight boys and eight

girls. Her husband and five children 

preceded her in death.

  Those who live to mourn her pass-

ing are Rose Kilsey of Washington, Ia.,

William Brown of New Boston, Ill.,

Mina Knox of Gilchrist, Ill., Glen

Brown of Elizas,  Clint, Dan, Clem,

Clive, Louis, Earl and a sister Mrs.

Fern Robbins, all of Keithsburg and

one brother Van Knox of Keithsburg.

  There are 68 grand children, 40  great

grandchildren. Funeral services will

be heald Tuesday, March 22 at 1 p. m.

at the Christian church. Rev. Leslie

J. Ross preaching and burial will be

in Brink cemetery near Joy, Ill.

 The Burlington Hawk-Eye

(Burlington, Iowa)

23 March 1932 • Page 9 

Newspapers.com

Lydia Elzina Brown would be my 1st cousin 5x removed

Find A Grave Memorial# 54018824

 

More on the Knox family:

52 Ancestors - George Knox

Sunday's Obituary - Lettis Ellen Knox (Littrell)

Friday's Faces from the Past - Fred

This an appropriate photo for Remembrance Day week. Like the other photos I posted from my Finnish side, I'm not sure who Fred is. But this photo is mostly in English, with just a little Finnish along one side.

 More photos:
Friday's Faces from the Past - Derik Lackello
Wordless Wednesday - Rock Lake 
Friday's Faces from the Past - California 1949

 

The Belknap Brothers - Not Forgotten

Me - My Mom -Ruby Alberta Belknap - Donald Francis Belknap - his brother, Martin Henry Belknap - his sons, Gordon Bernard Belknap and Robert Martin Belknap 

As we get closer to Remembrance Day I've been thinking of those many brave men and women who served their countries. Many of those heroes are in our families trees. I thought it was time to find them and make a point of acknowledging them. Two of those young men are brothers who never had the chance to grow old. Gordon Bernard Belknap and his younger brother, Robert Martin Belknap are two of the fallen sailors who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. They are the sons of Martin Henry Belknap and Matilda Anne Krekofsky. Both were born in Sterns County, Minnesota, United States. Gordon Bernard Belknap on September 1st, 1919 and Robert Martin Belknap on  May 7 1925.  Gordon enlisted at the young age of 17 on May 4th, 1937. He went missing when his ship the U.S.S. Pecos was sunk by a Japanese aircraft on March 1st, 1942. Gordon was just 22 years old. His younger brother, Robert turned 17  just after Gordon went missing. Robert followed Gordon by enlisted at 17 on March 31st, 1942. At 20 years old, Robert is listed as missing when his ship the U.S.S. Luce is sunk by Japanese aircraft.

 The brothers are listed on page 2 of Minnesota in the "World War II Navy, Marie Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945" right next to each other.

 Timeline of Gordon and Robert from the Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 on Ancestry

• 1937-May-04 Gordon enlisted in the navy at Minneapolis
• 1939-May_15 Gordon received from USS Chicago FFT Asia
• 1939-May-29 Gordon  on Muster Roll USS Henderson sailing from San Francisco to Honolulu
• 1939-Jul-09  Gordon transferred from USS Augusta to USS Henderson
• 1939-Jul-10  Gordon on Muster Roll USS Henderson sailing from Tsingtao, China to     Shanghai, China
• 1940-Dec-24  Gordon received on board USS Pecos                 
• 1940-Dec-31 Gordon on Muster Roll USS Pecos
• 1941-Mar-31 Gordon on Muster Roll USS Pecos
• 1941-Jun-30 Gordon on Muster Roll USS Pecos
• 1941-Aug-05 Gordon appointed Water Tender 2nd Class
• 1941-Aug-08 Gordon on Muster Roll USS Pecos
• 1941-Sep-30 Gordon on Muster Roll USS Pecos
• 1942-Mar-01 Gordon is listed as missing in action when the USS Pecos was sunk by Japanese aircraft south of Christmas Island

• 1942-Mar-31 Robert enlisted in the navy at Minneapolis
• 1943-Jun-21 Robert received on board USS Luce from R/S Lido Beach, L.I., N.Y.
• 1943-Jun-21  Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1943-Dec-31 Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1943-Dec-31 Robert transferred to USNH Dutch Harbor, Alaska
• 1944-Feb-07 Robert received from NOB Dutch Harbor
• 1944-Feb-29 Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1944-Mar-31 Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1944-Jun-30  Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1944-Sep-30  Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1944-Dec-31  Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1945-Mar-31 Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1945-May-04 Robert in listed as missing on Muster Roll with the sinking of the USS Luce

Gordon B Belknap is memorialized at Tablets of the Missing, Manila, Philippines 

Find-A-Grave

.

Robert M Belknap is memorialized at Courts of the Missing, Court 5 at Honolulu, Hawaii, UnitedStates

Find-A-Grave

More about USS Pecos AO-6:

Wikipedia

The History of Navy Oilers

More about USS Luce DD-522:

Wikipedia
Kamikaze Images 
WWII Database

Wedding Wednesday - Miss Frances Hanson, R.T. Belknap Wed

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Donald Francis Belknap - his brother, Martin Henry Belknap - his son, Russell Thomas Belknap

The Bismarck Tribune, "Society News," notice, The Bismarck Tribune, 6 April 1932, p. 5, column 1, Russell Thomas Belknap and Frances Helen Hanson marriage; Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 13 January 2014).

 "Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F33Y-6L6: accessed 4 November 2015), Russell Thomas Belknap and Frances Helen Hanson; citing Marriage, Glendive, Dawson, Montana, county courthouses, Montana; FHL microfilm 1,905,434.

More on the Belknap family:

52 Ancestors - Donald Francis Belknap

52 Ancestors - Thomas Jefferson Belknap