More Arms Confusion Abounds

I discovered two books published by members of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vital Records of Deerfield, Massachusetts to 1850 and Vital Records of Conway, Massachusetts to 1850. The first published by Thomas W. Baldwin in 1920 and the second in 1943. The Conway book has a † note next to the marriage of Thomas Arms and Hannah Boyden that states "Marriages marked with a † are recorded in the "Town Copy," pages 391-392, under the caption, "A Record of Marriages supposed to have been performed by Rev. John Emerson at the dates indicated in the margin." The marginal dates are the same as the first dates of corresponding intentions which appear as follows: "June 29th 1792 Marriage is intended . . . 20th July 1792 the above has been Published". The marriage is recorded "Thomas Jr. of Deerfield and Hannah Boyden of C, Oct. 3[sic, int. ent. Oct. 3 and pub. Oct. 18], I795†." in the book on page 121.  I have also found an entry for Mehitabel Arms' birth on 22 October 1786 and the parents are listed as Thomas and Hannah. I also found an index entry that states Thomas Jr. is the son of Thomas and Polly Coolidge.  If you look back at one of my previous posts, Find-A-Grave has a memorial that has Polly as the first wife of the Thomas who married Hannah Boyden.
I found images on familysearch.org:
"Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1627-2001," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-31531-4313-48?cc=2061550&wc=MX1D-XM9:353350001,353367901,353367902 : accessed 12 Oct 2014), Franklin > Deerfield > Births, marriages, deaths 1675-1844 vol 1.

The interesting thing about this book, is the index. 

Notice the column heading above the first set of numbers. Noted as O.B. in the left column and Old Book in the right column. This book is a transcription of the old book. Sigh.

I just hope the clerk who copied the books was careful to double and triple check her work. The images I found back up what is in the books I found. I still have a mystery to solve.

Arms are up, well, maybe not.

My previous post is a perfect example of not checking all possible sources before coming to a conclusion on the evidence.  A cousin sent me some links to online books written about the Arms and Alvord families. They all read pretty much the same and most likely came from the same source.

To prove the accuracy of any research requires some leg work.  First of all, how are the graves laid out in the cemetery?  Those buried next to one another could be a clue to their relationship. Finding a map of the cemetery plots would be most desirable.  Then there is the ever re-use of given names. For the Arms family, William and Thomas are repeated through the generations. These families were from Massachusetts and much research has been done on those who lived in the counties of this state. I ordered a roll of microfilm that has arrived at the local FHC that I will be viewing this next week, it is only open on Wednesday evening. 

The Arms were a side trip on my route to prove the line from myself back to Paul Hazelton. I will be exploring the Arms line more in the near future.

Thank you to my cousin for disagreeing with my conclusion and pointing me in another direction.

Stay tuned for more!

Up In Arms

One would believe that a unique name would make searching for information easier in the genealogical realm. I am quickly discovering that is not so.  In my search for proof of the parentage of one Mehitable Arms, I am coming up empty.  I have the research of two other genealogists that list her as the daughter of Thomas Arms and Polly Coolidge.  Searching on familysearch.org  I found two possibilities for Thomas Arms.

1.

Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, index, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FZ98-DFH : accessed 27 Sep 2014), Thomas Arms, 03 Aug 1759; citing DEERFIELD,FRANKLIN,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 186146.
Name:	Thomas Arms
Gender:	Male
Christening Date:
Christening Place:
Birth Date:	03 Aug 1759
Birthplace:	DEERFIELD,FRANKLIN,MASSACHUSETTS
Death Date:
Name Note:
Race:
Father's Name:	Thomas Arms
Father's Birthplace:
Father's Age:
Mother's Name:	Lydia
Mother's Birthplace:
Mother's Age:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:	C50172-2
System Origin:	Massachusetts-ODM
GS Film number:	186146
Reference ID:

AND

2.

"Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VQXL-XFM : accessed 28 Sep 2014), Thomas Arms, 22 Jun 1729; citing DEERFIELD,FRANKLIN,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 0873741 IT 3.
Name:	Thomas Arms
Gender:	Male
Christening Date:
Christening Place:
Birth Date:	22 Jun 1729
Birthplace:	DEERFIELD,FRANKLIN,MASSACHUSETTS
Death Date:
Name Note:
Race:
Father's Name:	William Arms
Father's Birthplace:
Father's Age:
Mother's Name:	Rebeckah
Mother's Birthplace:
Mother's Age:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:	C50172-1
System Origin:	Massachusetts-ODM
GS Film number:	0873741 IT 3
Reference ID:

Since I don't have any vital statistics on the Thomas Arms I am looking for, I am exploring all possibilities and then ruling out as I go.  I pasted this into an Excel spreadsheet, side by side.  That is the easiest way for me to do comparisons.  I then found the marriage records for the parents mentioned in the two results above.

1.

"Massachusetts, Marriages, 1695-1910," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FHT2-5HS : accessed 28 Sep 2014), Thomas Arms and Lydia Alvord, 12 Jul 1753; citing reference Vol. 1 Pg. 304; FHL microfilm 186146.
Name:	Thomas Arms
Birth Date:
Birthplace:
Age:
Spouse's Name:	Lydia Alvord
Spouse's Birth Date:
Spouse's Birthplace:
Spouse's Age:
Event Date:	12 Jul 1753
Event Place:	Sunderland, Franklin, Massachusetts
Father's Name:
Mother's Name:
Spouse's Father's Name:
Spouse's Mother's Name:
Race:
Marital Status:	Unknown
Previous Wife's Name:
Spouse's Race:
Spouse's Marital Status:	Unknown
Spouse's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:	M50052-8
System Origin:	Massachusetts-EASy
GS Film number:	186146
Reference ID:	Vol. 1 Pg. 304

AND

2.

"Massachusetts, Marriages, 1695-1910," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FC4H-H97 : accessed 28 Sep 2014), William Arms and Rebekah Nash, 28 Oct 1720; citing reference ; FHL microfilm 0873741 IT 3.
Name:	William Arms
Birth Date:
Birthplace:
Age:
Spouse's Name:	Rebekah Nash
Spouse's Birth Date:
Spouse's Birthplace:
Spouse's Age:
Event Date:	28 Oct 1720
Event Place:	Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts
Father's Name:
Mother's Name:
Spouse's Father's Name:
Spouse's Mother's Name:
Race:
Marital Status:	Unknown
Previous Wife's Name:
Spouse's Race:
Spouse's Marital Status:	Unknown
Spouse's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:	M50052-8
System Origin:	Massachusetts-EASy
GS Film number:	186146
Reference ID:	Vol. 1 Pg. 244

These I also pasted into my spreadsheet next to one another.  Another check for a marriage record for Thomas Arms revealed a record of his marriage to Polly Coolidge.

Massachusetts, Marriages, 1695-1910, index, (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FCMJ-6WG : accessed 27 Sep 2014),  MM9.1.1/FCMJ-6WL:, Thomas Arms and Lydia Alvord,12 Feb 1785; citing reference ; FHL microfilm 873740.
Name:	Thomas Arms
Birth Date:
Birthplace:
Age:
Spouse's Name:
Spouse's Birth Date:
Spouse's Birthplace:
Spouse's Age:
Event Date:	12 Feb 1785
Event Place:	Montague, Franklin, Massachusetts
Father's Name:	Thomas
Mother's Name:	Polly Coolidge
Spouse's Father's Name:
Spouse's Mother's Name:
Race:
Marital Status:
Previous Wife's Name:
Spouse's Race:
Spouse's Marital Status:
Spouse's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:	M50178-1
System Origin:	Massachusetts-EASy
GS Film number:	873740
Reference ID:

I went to Google.com and searched for "Thomas Arms Polly Coolidge Franklin Massachusetts" and found another source for a marriage record for them.  Polly was from Coleraine, Massachusetts.

Thomas (Arms), jr., of Deerfield [s. Thomas. P. R. 14.], and Polly Coolidge of C., int. Feb. 12, 1785.

http://dunhamwilcox.net/ma/colrain_ma_marrs.htm

PART I 

COLRAIN MARRIAGES TO THE END OF THE YEAR 1849 

Extracted From 

Vital Records of Colrain, Massachusetts 

To the End of the Year 1849 

Salem, Mass., 1934 (no copyright statement) 

[transcribed by Dave Swerdfeger]

I tried to find a digital copy of this book without success.  I would like to know the meaning behind the abbreviations in the entry.

Many years ago I corresponded with someone regarding the Rice connections to the Hazeltons.  Paul Hazelton married Mary Rice. Mehitable Arms married Royal Harvey Hazelton. Online I found the following:

Thomas Arms married Polly Coolidge.1 Thomas Arms was baptized on 6 August 1758 at Deerfield, MA.2 He was born on 3 August 1759 at Deerfield, MA, (sic).

Child of Thomas Arms and Polly Coolidge

Mehitabel Arms+

Citations

1 [S1351] Hupfer.

2 [S1114] Thomas W. Baldwin, Deerfield, MA, Vital Records.

© Copyright 2002, 2011 by the Edmund Rice (1638) Association                                [S1114] Baldwin, Thomas W.. Vital records of Deerfield, Massachusetts, to the year 1850. Boston, MA: Wright & Potter, 1920.  

http://www.george-king.com/Planter/p5.htm#i256767

Notice the two different birthdates and the corresponding sources.  I went back to familysearch.org and found this record:

Name: Thomas Arms Gender: Male Christening Date: 06 Aug 1758 Christening Place: DEERFIELD,FRANKLIN,MASSACHUSETTS Birth Date: 03 Aug 1759 Birthplace: Death Date: Name Note: Race: Father's Name: Thomas Arms Father's Birthplace: Father's Age: Mother's Name: Lydia Mother's Birthplace: Mother's Age: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C50172-1 System Origin: Massachusetts-ODM GS Film number: 0873741 IT 3 Reference ID: Citing this Record: "Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," index, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VQXL-XF3 : accessed 28 Sep 2014), Thomas Arms, 03 Aug 1759; citing , ; FHL microfilm 0873741 IT 3.

I don't know about you, but I find it hard to believe it is possible to christen a child who has yet to be conceived.  But you can clearly see where the two cited sources on http://www.george-king.com/Planter/p5.htm#i256767 found their information.  The question remains, which year is correct. 

An additional search on Find-A-Grave I found the following:

Birth:  unknown Death:  Sep. 12, 1756 Deerfield Franklin County Massachusetts, USA Thomas was the son of William Arms. INSCRIPTION: Thomas son of Mr & Mrs William Arms died September 12, 1756 aged ??  Burial: Old Deerfield Burying Ground Deerfield Franklin County Massachusetts, USA Created by: Geo Clinton Record added: Oct 04, 2007 Find A Grave Memorial# 21948755

Thomas Arms who married Lydia Alvord had a son, Thomas Arms, in 1759 and Thomas Arms, son of William Arms and Rebekah Nash, died in 1756. My conclusion is that they are not the same person.  Below is the Find-A-Grave memorial for Thomas Arms who died in 1808.

Birth:  1730 Death:  Aug. 17, 1808 On July 12, 1753, Thomas Arms married Lydia Alvord in Sunderland, Franklin County, MA.  Family links:  Spouse:   Lydia Alvord Arms (1736 - 1802)*  Children:   Eliphaz Arms (1754 - 1826)*   Thomas Arms (1759 - 1832)*   Lucy Arms (1774 - 1836)*  *Calculated relationship Inscription: Thomas Arms Died Aug. 17, 1808 AE 78 yrs.  Burial: Sugarloaf Street Cemetery South Deerfield Franklin County Massachusetts, USA Created by: acpflute Record added: Jul 13, 2012 Find A Grave Memorial# 93549255

I was still looking for Thomas Arms who married Polly Coolidge.  Find-A-Grave had a memorial, but I didn't believe it to be the same man.

Birth:  Aug. 3, 1759, Deerfield,Franklin County, Massachusetts, USA Death:  Jun. 2, 1832, Deerfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, USA Thomas Arms was the son of Thomas and Lydia Alvord Arms. Head of family  Family links:  Parents:   Thomas Arms (1730 - 1808)   Lydia Alvord Arms (1736 - 1802)  Spouse:   Hannah Boyden Arms (1774 - 1861)* Spouse #2  Sibling:   Eliphaz Arms (1754 - 1826)*   Thomas Arms (1759 - 1832) *Calculated relationship Inscription: Thomas Arms Died June 2, 1832 AE 73 yrs. Burial: Sugarloaf Street Cemetery , South Deerfield, Franklin County,  Massachusetts, USA Created by: acpflute Record added: Jul 13, 2012 Find A Grave Memorial# 93549176

This is my Thomas Arms, but who is Hannah Boyden??  One of the search results took me to an Arms family genealogy website where I found this:

ID: I1363 Name: Thomas ARMS Jr. 1 Sex: M Birth: 3 AUG 1759 Death: 2 JUN 1832 Change Date: 18 JAN 2003 Father: Thomas ARMS b: 1729 Mother: Lydia ALVORD Marriage: 1. Polly COOLIDGE b: 7 FEB 1765 in Weston, Massachusetts Child: Mehitable ARMS b: 22 OCT 1786 in Deerfield,Franklin,Ma Marriage: 2. Hannah BOYDEN Married: OCT 1795 Sources: Text: "A Genealogical Record of THE ARMS FAMILY in this Country" byEdward W. Arms. 1877.

I was able to find a digital copy of this book.https://archive.org/details/genealogicalreco00byuarms and under the heading, "Third Generation" is found this entry "9 Thomas, born 1729, married Lydia Alvord, South Deerfield" on page seven.  Then on page nine is this entry "16 Thomas Jr., born Aug 3, 1759, died June 2, 1832, married Polly Coolidge, died June 1794, married Hannah Boyden, Oct, 1795."  Finally on page 16 I find the entry for Mehitable Arms!

9 Children of Thomas, Jr., son of Thomas. Deerfield.

Mehitabel, born Oct. 22, 1786.

Polly, born Feb. 9, 1789.

Senv, born Oct. 22, 1791.

Dexter, born Oct. 29, 1797.

Harriet, born Sept. 3, 1799, married Aaron Dickinson.

Fidelia, born Nov. 26, 1801, married Squire Palmer, April 23, 1830.

Wealthy, born June 23, 1804, married Solomon Adkins.

John Boyden, b. June 15, 1806, m. Hannah Childs April 17, 1836.

Josiah Coolridge, born Sept. 23, 1808, married _________Bryant.

Thomas Alvord, born March 11, 1812.

Julia Alma, born Oct. 11, 1814, married Albert Clapp.

This book also says that Thomas Arms b. 1729 who married Lydia Alvord is the son of William 2nd and Rebekah Nash.  It states that William is "buried between his father and son in the old Deerfield burying ground."  The author does not cite his sources and the two Thomas Arms are buried in two different cemeteries. The book also doesn't state which son he is buried next to. 

Heartbreaking when someone's research is flawed and the author doesn't include a citation of sources.  As usual, another mystery to unravel.  I guess that's why I love genealogy!   

Royal Hazleton in Indiana?

I accessed a uncharted resource at www.familysearch.org.  Uncharted, for me anyway.  I usually Google for books but a post on another blog alerted readers to the digital books that can be accessed through FamilySearch.  I previously wrote about Royal's son Alpheus and the conflicting information regarding his birth location.  Some sources listed it as Iowa and others as Indiana. Searching on FamilySearch for Royal Hazelton, I found four books of interest.  One was "A Standard History of White County, Indiana." I later discovered a transcription on the White County, Indiana GenWeb Project Resources page.  The book was published in 1915.  In it is a paragraph that states:

Page 215 ROYAL HAZELTON, FIRST PERMANENT SETTLER

The first settlers in what is now Prairie Township do not appear in

its list of land owners. Royal Hazleton is credited with being the leader

of the procession of permanent residents in that section, and some claim

that Joseph H. Thompson, of Big Creek Township, must yield the honor

to him as the pioneer of the entire county. Mr. Hazelton settled upon

the southeast quarter of section 22, about a mile southeast of the present

site of Brookston, in the early part in 1829, and there erected a round log

shanty, with a roof of clapboards and a floor of puncheons, 16 by 14

feet in dimensions. He was elected a justice of the peace before White

County was organized, the returns for which are still on file at Delphi,

the county seat of Carroll County. Mr. Hazelton's name appears in the

list of voters who cast their ballots at the second election held after

White County was organized, in August, 1835; also as the second schoolteacher

in the township. Which is all that is of record regarding the

first housekeeper and permanent settler in Prairie Township.

It is said that about the time of Hazelton's coming, one John Ault

built a pole cabin in the northern part of the township, lived with his

family therein for about three months, and moved thence to Big Creek

Township.

"Brookston, Indiana Centennial 1853-1953" was another in the list of search results. The authors reiterated what was published in the earlier history of the county. 

The 1820 US Federal Census Index:

Name: Royal Hazeltine

Event Place: Rockingham, Windham, Vermont

Page Number: 286

Affiliate Publication Number: M33

Affiliate Film Number: 128

GS Film number: 0281249

Digital Folder Number: 004433259

Image Number: 00161

Citing this Record:

"United States Census, 1820," index and images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHLP-WQK : accessed 06 Sep 2014), Royal Hazeltine, Rockingham, Windham, Vermont; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," <i>Ancestry.com</i>; p. 286, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 128, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0281249.

Shows that Royal is still in Vermont.  So sometime between 1820 and 1829 they headed west. I would love to find a record of them joining a wagon train. Using Google maps, the modern route would have taken Royal through New York along the Great Lakes skimming the upper NW corner of Pennsylvania and traveling through Ohio. Going to Tippecanoe county would take your through Fort Wayne, IN.  That might be a good place to do some research.  Nine years and 926 miles allows for a lot of events along the journey.

The 1830 US Federal Census index:

Name: Rgal Hazelton

Event Place: Not Stated, Tippecanoe, Indiana

Page Number: 106

Affiliate Publication Number: M19

Affiliate Film Number: 31

GS Film number: 0007720

Digital Folder Number: 004410756

Image Number: 00214

Citing this Record:

"United States Census, 1830," index and images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHPB-CQ3 : accessed 06 Sep 2014), Rgal Hazelton, Not Stated, Tippecanoe, Indiana; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," <i>Ancestry.com</i>; p. 106, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 31, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007720.

This was prior to  the establishment of White County and Tippecanoe county lies on the south side of White county.  A transcription of this census shows males: 211101 and females 2011001. He is also transcribed as Regal instead of Royal.  I checked the Land Patents and didn't see an entry for Royal in Indiana.  His widow filed for a Land Patent in Iowa after his death based on Royal's 1812 war service.

White county was established in 1834 from Carroll county. I didn't find much in the Carroll county GenWeb pages. Royal's daughter, Sally, married John Luce in White County, Indiana in October 1834.  This is the only marriage record I could find for any of Royal's children. His son Alpheus was born in 1824 possibly in Tippecanoe county. 

By 1840, Royal and sons, Royal Harvey and Thomas, are in Greene County, Missouri. 

Name: Royal Hazleton

Event Place: Not Stated, Greene, Missouri

Page Number: 285

Affiliate Publication Number: M704

Affiliate Film Number: 223

GS Film number: 0014855

Digital Folder Number: 004409679

Image Number: 01283

Citing this Record:

"United States Census, 1840," index and images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHTF-X7G : accessed 06 Sep 2014), Royal Hazleton, Not Stated, Greene, Missouri; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," <i>Ancestry.com</i>; p. 285, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 223, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0014855.

Alpheus is thought to have married around 1844.  I have looked in the marriage books for Greene County, Missouri on microfilm at the Missouri State Archives and did not find an entry for his marriage. It could be they married in a neighboring county.  More research will be done in the next few days as I take a day to do research.  

John Brittain Probate

On my recent trip to the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City, I found an entry in the probate index for John Brittain.

Brittian, John 007135 Dec'd YR1843 00001308 0A14A/A347 *D8 A-11,B/9 112

The year is correct so I was sure this was who I was looking for.  The Probate Case File number is 1308.  I checked the Green County book of microfilm for that number and found it in film number C7894.  I downloaded the images to my flash drive and uploaded them to my laptop when I returned home.

The case is that of the Guardianship of John William Brittain, minor, son of the late Ophelia Brittain.

The date on this document is August 1928!

Not what I expected to find so obviously the index has an error in it.  

 The guardian is James Peck who has moved to Tulsa County, Oklahoma.  The judge is threatening to revoke the guardianship since Mr. Peck is no longer living in Missouri and has not filed an annual settlement.

I did a quick search on FamilySearch and found this family in the 1920 census.  John W. Brittain is 9 years old so this would indicate that Ophelia died shortly after?  The first entry in the probate case file states that John William Brittain is less than 14 years old which would make it 1924.  The guardianship is dated Aug 1928.  And the final settlement is 1929.  I didn't download all of the receipts in this file.
Here is the entry for the 1920 census:

Name: Ophelia Brittain
Titles and Terms: Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1920
Event Place: Springfield Ward 4, Greene, Missouri, United States
District: 35
Gender: Female
Age: 50
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Race (Original): White
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Relationship to Head of Household: Wife
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Wife
Own or Rent: Birth Year (Estimated): 1870
Birthplace: Missouri
Immigration Year: Father's Birthplace: Missouri
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Sheet Number and Letter: 5A
Household ID: 121
Line Number: 49
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: T625
GS Film number: 1820915
Digital Folder Number: 004312402
Image Number: 00647

Household         Role             Gender Age Birthplace
William J Brittain Head         M 56 Missouri
Ophelia Brittain         Wife                 F 50 Missouri
Hugh F Brittain         Son                 M 19 Missouri
Anna Brittian         Daughter         F 15 Missouri
Bessie Brittian         Daughter         F 12 Missouri
John W Brittian         Son                 M 9 Missouri


Citing this Record:
"United States Census, 1920," index and images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M842-6Q5 : accessed 30 Aug 2014), Ophelia Brittain in household of William J Brittain, Springfield Ward 4, Greene, Missouri, United States; citing sheet 5A, family 121, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1820915.

Neither Ophelia nor William are in the 1930 census. In 1940, John W is using the name William and is married and living in Springfield, Greene County, MO.  He is also listed in the SSDI.


The photo below was posted on FindAGrave in 2005.

Name: John W Brittain
Name (Original): BRITTAIN JOHN W
Event Type: Military Service
Event Date: 28 Apr 1945
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Event Place: Ft Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
Residence Place: Race: White
Citizenship Status: citizen
Birth Year: 1910
Birthplace: MISSOURI
Education Level: 2 years of high school
Civilian Occupation: Skilled painters, construction and maintenance
Marital Status: Married
Military Rank: Private
Army Branch: No branch assignment
Army Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source Reference: Civil Life
Serial Number: 37768644
Affiliate Publication Title: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946
Affiliate ARC Identifier: 1263923
Box Film Number: 12616.27


Citing this Record:
"United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," index, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KMFR-D7S : accessed 30 Aug 2014), John W Brittain, enlisted 28 Apr 1945, Ft Leavenworth, Kansas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, <i>The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD)</i> (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).

I am guessing there is a connection between the two John Britains.

I received a copy of a page with the heading "Greene County, Missouri Probate Records: Wills, Minutes, Bonds, Letters of Administration 1833-1871 compiled by Marsha Hoffman Rising." The information on this typed page states it is transcribed from Minute Book A 1843-1848.  John Britain had five sons who were bound out following his death: George W., Lafayette, Thomas J., James M. and Hugh.  Royal Hazelton was appointed administrator of the estate.   All of the sons were bound out until the age of 21.  George W to Royal Hazelton, Lafayette to Thomas Hazelton, Thomas J. and James M. to Henry Small, and Hugh to Isaac Redfearn.  Hugh was ordered to be bound to Thomas Hazelton five months later and in 1846 Thomas J. was released from his bond to Royal Hazelton.

I don't know of a connection between these families other than the men being of good esteem in Greene county.  I need to figure out why a 1928 Guardianship is in an 1843 Probate Case file.

This is one mystery that needs to be solved!

Probating Royal Hazelton

A couple of weeks ago I searched through microfilmed images of the entries for the probate court of Greene County, Missouri Volume D, film #C2543.  I found entries for Royal Hazelton on pages 127, 147, 177, 208-209, 220, 241, 340, 371-372, and 379.

The top of page 127 states "September Term Probate Court Sept. 1, 1851."  The entry for Royal is found at the bottom of the page. "This day exhibited was the bond of Thomas and Royal H. Hazelton Administrators with the will amended of Royal Hazelton dec'd and it is order that the same be appended and recorded. Now at this day comes Royal H. Hazelton one of the administrators of the estate of Royal Hazelton decd and files herein his inventory of said estate which is approved by the court and it is ordered that the administrators of said estate be charged with the sum of nine hundred thirty five dollars and eight and one half cents."

Page 147 - March Term of Probate Court March 4, 1852 second paragraph," $184.37½ Which amount is ordered to plaud to his credit  Ordered that Thos and Royal Hazelton administrators of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased repare the farm of said deceased and report the cost thereof to this court."

The story is that Royal, along with Thomas, left Missouri in 1849/50 to go to the gold fields in California.  Apparently the farm was in ill repair since no one had taken care of it in his absence. 

Page 177, June Term Probate Court June 12th 1852 is indexed as having an entry, but I couldn't see it on the page.  Can you?

Page 208, December Term of Probate Court Dec 7th 1852, bottom half of the page "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton er of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased sell the remaining personal estate of said deceased wither at public or private sale as may seem best." "Ordered that said exc rent the farm of said Royal Hazelton for the year 1852 for grain rent." "This day comes Thos Hazelton executor of the estate of Royal Hazelton and makes his settlement as follows: 

By Jas Arnolds fees $ 248 - By Tax for 1851 410 - By Newtin Recept 1312½  - By John Woods Do 525 - By William Clibourne Do  1625  - By Wm Victor 250 - By Tax 1852 300."

Page 209, "By Thomas Dodds Allowance $19.25 Amount $96.45" "Ordered that he be credited with the sum of ninety six dollars and 45 cents." "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton executor of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased loan out the money of said estate on a credit of twelve months that may be in his hands with good and sufficient security."

Page 220, "Saturday, December 11th 1852 Probate" "Ordered by the court that the inventory of the personal of Royal Hazelton deceased be approved and filed as the law directs."

Page 241,"March 7th 1853 Term of Probate Court" 

"M L Brittain vs. Estate of Royal Hazelton - Now at this day comes the Plaintiff and files his apt $15 and notice being legally served on the executor Thos Hazelton of said estate and the parties appearing and the testimony being heard and all and singular the premises fully understood it is ordered by the court that the Plaintiff have and receive of and from said estate the sum of Eleven dollars and 75 cents in the 6 class."  From: 

"Biographical Sketch of George W. Britain, Greene County, Missouri, Pond Creek TownshipFrom "History of Greene County, Missouri," St. Louis: Western Historical Company, 1883.     ***************************************************************************    This Gentleman is the son of John (W.) and Catherine (Hensley) Britain, and was born in McMinn County, Tenn., June 20, 1827. His parents were natives of that State, His father was a soldier of the War of 1812, and his grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. In 1836 his parents moved to Greene County, Mo., where his mother died in 1837, and in 1838 his father moved to Bates County, Mo. In 1840 his father died while on a trip back to this county, so George was left an orphan at the age of thirteen years. The children were brought back to this township, and George was bound out to Royal Hazelton, then of Brookline township. "

I don't know the connection of George W to M L cited in the probate record below. 

In the book "Rhea and Van Natta Families and Their Ancestors," the author wrote that Thomas Hazelton was given guardianship of the three Brittain boys. I need to do more research at the archives and find the court documents on this case.  I don't know what "6 class" means in the probate court entry above. Searches on Google led me to other transcriptions but I could not find a definition.

Page 340 "December Term of Probate Court Dec 12 1853" "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton one of the executors of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased be permitted to sell the rent corn and the estate wither at public  or private sale which ever seems best." "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton executor of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased rent the farm of said estate for the year 1854 at private sale." "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton executor of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased be charged with the amount of one hundred seventy seven dollars and 70 cents the amount of rents for the year 1852. "177.70"

Page 371-372, "March Term of Probate Court March 8th 1854" "Now comes this day Thos Hazelton one of the executors for the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased and shows to the court that he has administered as the law directs that he wood apply at this term of the probate court for a final settlement of his administrator in said estate and it appearing to the court that said estate has been fully administered on therefor it is ordered by the court that said executor be permitted to make his final settlement as follows:

By widows recapt $25 00 - By Peter L Anderson Receipt  2.75 - By John Woods receipt 2.00 - By Peter L. Anderson Do 8.00 - By H. Fulbright Sheriff fee 1.00 - By H. Graves receipt 2.50 - By L. M. Brittain allowance 11.75 - By Jno Dollison court fees 2.40 - By Exrs apt for labor done on farm 21.91 - By Exrs protem 66.92 - By court fees to date $1.15"

"It is ordered that he be credited with the amount of one hundred ninety five dollars and 38 cents and that he pay over to the widow of said deceased one thousand and forty six dollars and 62 cents the amount found due against him on his final settlement."

Page 371

 

Page 372

Page 379, "March Term of Probate Court March 11th 1854" "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton executor of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased be credited with the sum of One Thousand Forty Six dollars and 62 cents." Another sentence at the bottom of the page is illegible. 

Royal's widow, Mahetable Hazelton, moved to Iowa with Thomas and was granted a land patent, #96651 for 40 acres, as Royal's widow on the 1st of June in 1855.  The patent was for Royal's service as a corporal in Captain Meengers Company New York Militia in the War of 1812. I still have many more questions left to be answered.  Check back, I love the hunt!