52 Ancestors - David Bristol - Nonagerarian

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Donald Francis Belknap - Thomas Jefferson Belknap - Betsey Ann Bristol - Justus Bristol - Simeon Bristol (David is son of Simeon)

David Bristol is the brother of my 4th great grandfather, Justus Bristol. He's a great example of why you should look into siblings of your ancestors. Just after David's 90th birthday in 1888,  he was interviewed by The Daily Times of Troy, New York about the story of his life. It's a great wealth of information about his family and the history of the area during his lifetime. He mentions his parents, Simeon Bristol and Abigail Faulkner. David, also, mentions his siblings including Justus and their unsuccessful venture in farming. My 4th great granduncle lived to be just shy of one hundred. 

Articles about David Bristol can be found on the great website, Old Fulton New York Post Cards: http://www.fultonhistory.com/fulton.html

 

A Nonagenarian - Sixty Years In Troy, column 2 

  

David Bristol - oldest living Tojan, column 3 midway down

 

Almost A Century Old, column 6

  

Souces: 

Thomas M. Tryniski, "A NONAGENARIAN," The Daily Times, Troy, NY, Saturday Afternoon, Nov. 24 1888, David Bristol - Story of his Life; Old Fulton NY Post Cards (http://fultonhistory.com : accessed 29 December 2012); Troy NY Daily Times 1888-1889-0373.pdf.

Thomas M. Tryniski, "Wayside Whispers," The Daily Times, Troy, NY, 19 July 1890, David Bristol - oldest living Trojan; Old Fulton NY Post Cards (http://fultonhistory.com : accessed 28 December 2012), Troy NY Daily Times 1889-1890-1135.pdf.

  

Thomas M. Tryniski, "Almost A Century Old," Hudson, NY Evening Register , 30 September 1898, death of David Bristol; Old Fulton Post Cards (http://fultonhistory.com : accessed 28 December 2012). Hudson NY Evening Register 1898 Grayscale - 1867.pdf.

52 Ancestors - Mary Elizabeth Fiddler (Belknap)

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.

My 2nd great grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Fiddler, was truly an American. She was born, raised, married, gave birth, and died in United States. She was the daughter of pioneer stock, born December 2, 1856 in Hardin County, Iowa. Mary's parents, (Henry Fiddler and Frances George), and grandparents, (Jacob George and Martha Cantwell), were one of the earliest settlers in the area. 

When Mary was 19 she married the youngest son of Martin Belknap and Betsey Bristol, Thomas, in Iowas Falls. Thomas's and Mary's children, Martin Henry in 1877 and Birdie Eldora Leona in 1880, were born in Eldora, Iowa. I guess that is where the Eldora in Birdie's name comes from. Later, one of Mary's great granddaughters would be named Eldora. My great grandfather, Donald Francis, was born in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1882. 

By the 1885 Minnesota Census, Mary and her family has moved to Ransom, Nobles County,  Minnesota, along with some of her in-laws: Thomas' father, (Martin and his family), his brother, (Richard and his family), and his sister, (Sarah Scott and her family). 

The Belknaps seemed to be a family on the move. In the U.S. City Directories Thomas can be found living in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1892 to 1898. This is were Mary dies at the age of only 41 on July 26, 1898. She buried at the Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis. She left behind her three children, Martin 20, Birdie 17, and Donald 16. I've not found any evidence that her husband, Thomas, ever remarries. He leave Minneapolis shortly after her death.

More posts on Mary's family:

Workday Wednesday - Water Witch - her son, Donald

Matrilineal Monday - Birdie Eldora Lenora Belknap - her daughter, Birdie

Sunday's Obituary - Henry Fiddler - her father, Henry

Sunday’s Obituary – Martin S Belknap

This is an obituary for my 3^rd great grandfather Martin S Belknap, he is the spouse of Betsey Ann Belknap (nee Bristol).  

          M. S Belknap Dead                           

A Former Resident of the Town of

   Algoma Dies in Minnesota.

  Word was received in this city Sat-

urday announcing the death at  Big-

low, Minn., M.S. Belknap for-

merly of the town of Algoma.  The

deceased was about eighty-six years

old and was a highly respected resi-

dent of the town of Algoma for many

years.   The family moved to Minne-

sota about eighteen years ago.  Mr

Belknap was the father of Mrs. J.

W. McWilliams of this city.  The re-

mains will be brought here for burial.

“M.S. Belknap,” obituary, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, 13 Feb 1893, p 4

                  Short Notes                                 

                        

   The remains of Martin S. Belknap

arrived in the city last evening and

were taken to the home of Mrs. J.

McWilliams on Oregon Street where

the funeral was held this mooring at

ten o’clock.  The remains were

interred at Elmwood cemetery.

“Martin S. Belknap,” short notes, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, 15 Feb 1893, p 4

 Find A Grave Memorial# 113903560

Sunday Obituary – Betsey Ann Belknap

This is an obituary for my 3^rd great grandmother Betsey Ann Belknap (nee Bristol).  Betsey was the daughter of Justus Bristol and Catherine Lockwood born 16 November, 1814.  She married Martin Seymour Belknap in 1831 in New York.  One of her 11 children was my 2^nd great grandfather Thomas Jefferson Belknap.

                DIED IN OLD AGE                            

Mrs. Betsey Ann Belknapp Passes  Away at 
106  Oregon Street This   Morning.

 Mrs. Betsey Ann Belknapp died this

Morning of general debility at her home

106 Oregon street.  She was the mother of Mrs. Job Mcwiilliams, with whom she resided.  The interment will take place at two o’clock Monday afternoon

at Ellenwood cemetery.

                                                                                                                                                                           

“Mrs. Betsey Ann Belknapp,” obituary, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern,  15 April 1899 , p 1

She is buried at the Ellenwood Cemetery in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, USA.  

Interesting obituary right below this one:

     MAX THOM’S FUNERAL                      

  The funeral of Max Thom, the young             

man who was drowned Friday near the

railway bridge while running on the

logs, will be held at one o’clock Sunday

afternoon from St. Mary’s Catholic

church.

Another interesting announcement just above the Obituaries:

 Edward Thomas was granted a di-

vorce from Minnie.   Thomas on the

ground that his wife treated him in a

cruel manner and refused to wash and

mend his clothing and get his meals.

the parties to the suit reside in Osh-

kosh.     

Find A Grave Memorial# 113903957