The Tuttles in Carrington History - Part 3

Sorry...I simply can't resist continuing this saga. Where were we...Oh yes, my 8th great grandfather, John Tuttle had all of these siblings. There definitely were some problems. Today I'll related some of the life of his sister Elizabeth. Again, I have much more information about this subject and will be glad to relate it to interested readers. Just let me know!

Elizabeth was born 1645 in New Haven and married Richard Edwards in 1667. Again quoting my websource, "The branch of the Tuttle family from which Elizabeth Tuttle came, was erratic to the degree of insanity. Mrs. Richard Edwards'(Elizabeth) brother was found guilty of slaying his sister and executed and another sister was found guilty of killing her own son. I'll try write about that later.

Elizabeth early on showed sins of an impetuous nature. Her husband Richard learned that he was not the father of the first child, Mary and he filed a petition to divorce her. Some of this document is a bit confusing but it looks like her father, William Tuttle brought up the child. Richard lived with Elizabeth eight or nine years when she 'obstinately refused conjugal communion with him, and deserted his bed; and her conduct was so intolerable that by advice, he traveled abroad, hoping by his absence she would relent. On his return, for a while, she behaved herself, but soon, in answer to some question, she said she had committed folly with another man, whome she named, and he renounced her as a wife. She has caused him intolerable and insupportable afflictions. She is guilty of adultery and he prays a release."

Edward's plea for divorce was denied despite the fact that Elizabeth's two eldest children by Edwards, Timothy and Abigail, testified against her. Two years later Richard made a second plea. by then he was calling himself an attorney, though he was self taught. He needed to be free to marry Mary Talcott, "with whom he had lain already." In fact this Mary had been fined for formication with him.

On top of that Mercy Brown, Elizabeth's sister, had killed her son the previous spring and her brother Benjamin had murdered Sarah, and it became clear that Elizabeth was not in her right mind and often "threatened to murder her husband while he was asleep". Edwards was granted the divorce and eventually married Mary Talcott, with whom he had six children.

There is no record of Elizabeth ever marrying again nor was the date of her death recorded. She may have been leading a marginal existence by the time she died. It is possible that she committed suicide. Suicide was a grave sin in those times.

Elizabeth was the ancestor of a family that included Jonathan Edwards and Aaron Burr. Her son Timothy, wrote a colorful description of his father Richard Edwards at the time of his death. Richard and Elizabeth had 7 children. I wonder if the Mary Edwards, b. 1668 is the child that William cared for.

Their son Timothy and wife Esther Stoddard were the parents of Jonatha Edwards. I'll need to write tomorrow about this famous relative.

The Tuttles in Carrington History - Part 2

This has been an interesting review for me. I do have to remember to keep my names straight, as this whole Carrington branch uses the same first names over and over again.

Here's that bit about Sarah Tuttle, sister of John Tuttle (my 8th great grand aunt). Sarah was born in 1642 and was "merely a flirt". At a court held in New Haven in 1660, she and a Jacob Murline were prosecuted for 'sinful daliance'. They were accused of 'sitting down on a chest together, his arm about her waist and her arm upon his shoulder or about his neck, and continuing in this sinful position about a half an hour, in which time he kissed her and she kissed him, and they kissed one another', according to the witness testimony. This complaint was made by Sarah's father under a law that "whosoever should draw away the affections of any maid or maid servant for himself or others, without first obtaining the consent of her parents or guardians, should pay, besides all the damages the parent might sustain, 40 shillings for the first offense and for the second towards the same person, 4 pounds and for the third, fined, imprisoned and corporally punished, as the Plantation court may direct."

Note: There were cases in which a young man charged with this offense had done nothing more than walk with a girl on a country road.

There is much more to this story. I have the entire manuscript It's much too long for a blog but I'll be glad to share it, if any reader is interested. There is an amazing change in moral interpretation over the years.

Anyway, Sarah was characterized by the court as a 'bold virgin' who had better mend her ways. On Nov. 17, 1676 her 29 year old brother Benjamin Tuttle began quarreling with her. They may have been arguing about the division of their dead father's considerable property, or perhaps Sarah made "a disparaging remark about their sister, Elizabeth, who was showing signs of an impetuous nature and lack of decorum which was quite at odds with the Puritan standards of the day." Benjamin may have reminded Sarah that she was no angel; she had scandalized the town in her youth by publicly exchanging kisses with a Dutch sailor, for which she and the sailor were fined."

Whatever the quarrel...Benjamin went to the barn, got an ax, returned to the house and struck Sarah on the head, "maulling & mashing her head to many pieces in a barbarous and bloudy maner." Benjamin ran away and hid in the woods but was later apprehended and tried and convicted for the murder in 1677.

Wait! There is more...next time the history of John, Benjamin, and Sarah's sister, Elizabeth. Stay tuned!

The Tuttles in Carrington History

I've got a dusty notebook at the bottem of a shelf that I haven't looked at for awhile. It includes some information of the family of my 6th great grandmother, Hannah Tuttle (born 1697 in New Haven, Conn.) who married Daniel Carrington, gggrandfather of Lucius Carrington. Daniel was Hannah's second husband and they were the parents of Timothy (my 5th great grandfather), Daniel & Sybil.

I'm going to quote another writer (not sure who but the site was home.earthlink.net/~herblst/tuttle-family) "The Tuttles are probably the most "colorful" of all of my ancestors. In this family are found murderers, some insanity, great immorality and deceit, and great knowledge and achievement. Wow...everything needed for a movie script. It is through the Tuttle family that the connection to Aaron Burr can be found, the third great grandson of William Tuttle. Note: my 9th ggrandfather - Judy. Eli Whitney, inventor of the Cotton Gin, married Henrietta Edwards a 6th cousin in this family. Another famous man, was Johnathan Edwards, known as 'the Divine', because of his Calvinistic preaching methods. He was a strict Presyterian minister, both loved and hated by his congregation. He entered Yale University at the age of 13 and graduated at 17, at the head of his class. He was the third president of Princeton, succeeding his son-in-law, Aaron Burr, Sr. Jonathan's grandson was Aaron Burr, the Vice President under Jefferson. The family were Quakers and Calvinist Presbyterians. Note to self...need to find out these relationships as they effect our family.

The family (Tuttle or earlier, Toothill), has been well known in several parts of England and many of its members have held positions of honor and distinction. The family claims very ancient descent in Ireland. Between the years 1629 and 1640 many families left England on account of the conditions existing there. In the year 1635 there were three distinct familes by the name of Tuttle who came to America in the ship 'Planter'. Of those who came in the 'Planter", John Tuttle settled at Ipswich, Richard in Boston and William (my branch) in New Haven."

I found it very interesting that the land William purchased in 1656, has had 5 proprietors in the 243 years from the first purchase of it from the Indians. Among these was Joseph Atwater, who William purchased it from, and Yale College for 166 years. William was one of two first owners of land in East Haven.

My ancestor,(my 8th ggrandfather) John Tuttle was the oldest of 12 children. He was born in 1631 in Northhamptonshire England and died in 1683 in New Haven, CT. He had a brother Benjamin, who murdered their sister Sarah, "by smiteing her with an axe or some other instrument of death, which according to the law of God & the laws of this colony thou deservest to dye. This court appoynts that execution to be done upon the prisoner according to sentence the 13th of June next (1677)." Somewhere I found more details of this murder and will share them when found.

It was John and Catherine Lane's 5th child (of 8), Daniel, born 1664 that continues our Carrington line.

The Making of Prairie Roots - Part Two

While laying in bed early this morning I got to thinking that I really missed several people on yesterday's blog who have helped make Prairie Roots Newsletter so important. Today I'm adding to my list and will also make mention of some directions that I'd like to go for subject matter.

My continuation of people that have been positive writers have been; nieces, Kendra Swanson and Karissa Swanson Moore, and Serena Hostvet; Linda Daugherty Marcus; Bob Wakefield; Johnson cousins Gwen Cleveland, Leigh Slayden, Shelly Saffer & Pam Rounseville; Deanne Rowen, brother Marlin Hostvet and sister-in-law Kay Brathol Hostvet; Norma DeHaven; Jackie McNeil Merrell; Lorne DeLong; Aunt Maria Daugherty; Juanita Pesicka; Col. Jack Stevens; Robert Enkey; Marilynn McNeil Hershly; Jan Hostvet Creps; Nina Moller Wynia; Verna Runge Yarnall; Linda Keehner; Charlotte Paulson; Lisa Hostvet LaVang; and Gayle and Scott Klar. I'm sure I've missed many contributors, but you get the idea...there are quite a few people represented here and in yesterdays blog. It's rather nice to know that interest in Prairie Roots is so extensive.

Here is my "want list", of people and historical events that I'd like to know more about. I'm hoping that writers will come forward that can share some light on these subjects.
I want to hear from the son of Elizabeth DeHaven Burton
Hoping that Ernest Meier will call again and that his son will also contact me, opening up a whole family of Carringtons
Would like to hear from Pat Stirret and enoy her information on Lizzie Carrington's famiy.
Hoping to hear from Clarence McGirr's children.
Would like Linda Marcus to write an article on her father, Ivan Daugherty.
Need an article on Uncle George Daugherty
Need to include the partial autobiography by Irene Carrington Daugherty.
Hoping that someone will write about Virginia Daugherty Perzynski.
More about Hugh Carrington's family.
Need a Parmely family member to update us on that family.
Someone to send informatin on Doris Deaver (Mildred Carrington's daughter).
Someone from Dorothy Daugherty's family to write some history.
The same for Gladys Carrington Phillips and Charlie Daugherty.
Would like a letter from Gen DeHaven Travis's son.
Hoping that Jackie McNeil Merrell will share memories of her mother, Helen.
A bit about Frank Daugherty would be great.
More information on Mamie Wilson would make an interesting story
More letters concerning the DeLong family.
Any correspondence on the Pepper family.
Publish Uncle David's memoirs.
More Pesicka history.
Really early Daugherty history.
Update on the newest generations of children in all families.
Memories of the Enke family.
Correspondence with Nedra Daugherty Springer's children.
Correspondence with relatives of William Henry Daugherty's siblings.
Lots more Wilson history,

This are just a few ideas that I can come up with at the moment. I'll be adding more later. Are there any readers out there that can assist me in these endeavors?

The Making of Prairie Roots

I've not posted a blog for a few days as I've been working on Prairie Roots, a newsletter that I send out four times a year. It is primarily about the Daugherty and Carrington family. Three Carrington sisters married three Daugherty brothers. One of these marriages, that of Charles Daugherty and Mildred Carrington Deaver ocurred later in life, however there were several double first cousins, my mother, Helen Daugherty Hostvet, being one of them.

I write this newsletter for several reasons. First I want to assist my mother in becoming more involved with her family. She can no longer travel very far and her siblings, only Kenneth and David survive, are also unable to travel. Secondly, I really have become close with this family made up of so many differing peoples and involved in so many important times in American history. All of Mom's family have been in America since the 17th and 18th century. They are downright interesting! And I've learned to love history by following the succession of ancestors. Thirdly, I have yet to meet ANYONE in this family that I haven't had total respect and love for. Yes, there are so many yet to meet, but I do it with joy. Kindness (grandpa Fred is a prime example of this quality), warmth, creativity, curiosity, great fortitude and dedication to dreams come to mind when thinking about these families.

I spend an awfully lot of time putting out Prairie Roots. This last one, sent out today, is the start of the third year of publication. I started it with the above challenges as well as wanting to know more of my family members. The Carringtons/Daughertys are really a dispersed family...many of them haven't seen each other since childhood. There are several first cousins that I don't know and one that I've never met.

Besides time and energy, publishing this family newsletter takes a lot of money. I assumed this responsibility when I first began, so that's alright. I didn't want to do a subscription type newsletter, as my goal was to reach as many people as possible. Even if the receiver has no interest in family history, they still have the newsletter in hand and know that our family is there for them someday when that interest does occur. I didn't want to do it via E-Mail, as I wanted a black and white copy for all to read...adding a more personal attribute. It takes about $125 each quarter to print, stamp, and use labels, etc. to finally see the newsletter on its way via the postman.

I have about 107 mailings at this time. Some of these mailings I know are being looked forward to with excitement. Most of these readers are older. I must mention a second cousin, Linda, whose husband is a postmaster. He puts the newsletter on her pillow at night. Things like that make me almost cry (positively). And there are Mom's cousins Gen and Clarence that never fail to give me joy. Uncle Al often gives me a warm phone call. And it is for these readers that I love to write. This explains the 12 pt. print. My first Prairie Roots, I printed in 8 pt. and dear uncle Ken complained about not being able to read it. So it people like him that I try to help with the reading of the newsletter. There are many people that I hear from ocassionally, and that's good. I know that they are reading and enjoying the mailing. I receive a bit of money from some of these people...some being very generous.

Then there are the mailings that I never know for sure are appreciated. These are many. I've made the assumption that they want to receive the mailing. They've never asked for it, so I can't complain. Maybe they'll get bit by the family bug. I really don't want to give up on them. If I couldn't financially afford this effort, I would probably would stop mailing to about 1/3 of my listing. Maybe some of the joy would also diminish. I'm not ready to do this.

Prairie Roots copies are kept in a loose-leaf notebook. Any letters, E-Mails, or pictures I receive go into my many family notebooks. I save everything!

Improvements for Prairie Roots are...more letters from readers!!! I seldom hear of day to day happenings of these families. There are a lot of writers in our famly, now and in the past, so I've got that pretty well taken care of. It's the modern-day letters that I need. Someday I'm going to run out of photos. And the gems of all...manuscripts, news articles, and notes/scraps/handwritten ideas, I can't get enough of them.

I'll continue writing Prairie Roots until it is no longer a joy to do. I love writing it, though it is very exhausting. Perhaps when Uncle Ken and David, Mom, and all her first cousins are gone, I may have a different attitude.

I'm trying to draw from several families: Daugherty, Pepper, Powell, DeLong, Carrington, Wilson, Enke, Bartholomew and more. When I am gone, my children, Nate and Elisabeth will care for all my files.

I want to thank Uncle Ken, Randy & Clarence McGirr, my deceased aunts Lori and Beulah, Aunt Lori's four daughters, cousin Peggy Daugherty, Gen Travis, Bonnie Runge, Aunt Helen June, Gail Fischer, Barb Goehring Geidel and Curt Goehring, Loni Teachout, Uncle Al Goehring, Helen Gould Herrmann, Gladyse Gould Cody, my mom Helen Daugherty Hostvet, my sisters and brother, our Canadian families, and so many others for encouraging me on this adventure...an adventure that I really passionately love.

William Bartholomew's son, William

We were "discussing" William Bartholomew, direct ancestor of Mary Bartholomew my second ggrandmother, married to Lucius Carrington. Now we'll go on to he and Anne's son, William. I'm strictly using a cousin of Irene Carrington's information for this blog.

William (Jr.)was born abt. 1640 in Ipswich, MA. He married Mary Johnson in Roxbury, MA, 1663. Mary was the daughter of Captain Isaac and Elizabeth Porter Johnson and granddaughter of John Johnson who held the title of "Surveyor of all Ye King's Armies in America." Both the grandfather and father of Mary represented Roxbury many years in the General Courts and held high social rank. Captain Isaac Johnson was killed in 1675 in the famous Narragansett Fort Fight leading his men over the bridge (a fallen tree) into the fort. Note to self...This needs to be a subject for future blogs. l

William died in the spring of 1697. Mary was born in 1642 and was living in 1705 in Branford, Conn. Lt. William Bartholomew "seems to have early taken a practical view of life as is shown by his learning the carpenter's trade. In 1662 he received his first experience in the mill business under his father. He may have subsequently assisted his Uncle Henry in building the Old South Mills in Salem. This needs to be researched...are these mills still standing? Just in case I ever get to visit the East again.

At the time of the noted raid of the Indians on Hatfield, Sept. 19, 1677 (another field of reseach)he was there with his family and probably assisted in the erection of the buildings then being raised. His daughter Abigail, aged four, was taken with twelve others and carried through the forests into Canada and kept 8 months, but finally ransomed Mary 23, 1678, with others by the payment of 200 pounds! Note: I just found a website: History of Hatfield in three parts...by Daniel White Wells and Reuben Field Wells. Make sure to get back to it sometime.

The town of Branford, MA gave William land on which he erected a mill. They later gave him more land. In 1663 William was chosen and appointed to "Keep ordinary in Branford." Only the best men received such appointments. He was appointed surveyor of the town twice. in 1685 the town of Woodstock (New Roxbury) was anxiousto obtain his services and gave him land for building a corn mill.

It is supposed that William's remains lie buried in Woodstock Hill Cemetery, adjoining the graves of his sons Joseph and Benjamin. Two rough stones, unmarked, at the head of the graves probably show his and his son John's last resting places. He died at the age of 57 and judging by the age of his fathers and descendants, his death must have been greatly hastened by some cause, possibly exposure during his trying times in the Indian Wars.

There's quite a few sources out there for more information on this family. I've got years of work ahead for me. Note: There is a Montgomery, NY. I've been wanting to know where Mary Bartholomew got her middle name of "Montgomery". I I wish I could find some photos or paintings of these ancestors.

Robbie Daugherty on Horses

One reason for having this blog is that I can share information with readers that I don't have room for in Prairie Roots. The following is from a Dec. 1961 article from Wessington Times (SD). The article was contributed by Robert Leslie Daugherty. I remember Robbie and his house and horse. I've heard so many positive comments concerning this brother of my grandpa Fred I. Daugherty.

"To those who were fortunate enough to be raised on the farm and who recall the days before the tractor and the automobile, the horse was the most faithful and essential animal on the farm - and next to the dog, the most human. Horses responded to kindness and good treatment and when properly trained would do the right thing at the right time. The loss of a horse was almost a calamity to the early pioneers.

Well-treated horses seemed to enjoy a good day's work and they knew and understood how much was expected of them. On a cloudy day, and without a watch to tell the time, all a person had to do was watch the team to see if the horses were willing to make another round. When it was necessary to work an hour or two extra to finish a distant field, it took a little convicincing to get the horses started on the last rounds. Once they sensed that the end was in sight, they speeded up their pace.

The day's work done, the horses would file into the barn in single column. There they stood patiently waiting to have the harnesses taken off their often sweaty bodies. As the harnesses' were pulled off and placed on the pins on the cement wall to the rear, they shook their bodies with great relief. On warm summer nights after their evening oats, they were sometimes turned out for relaxation. The first thing they did was to find a level spot where they would lie down on the ground and then roll over back and forth several times.

It would take too much space to tell about the "horse sense" of horses. Many of the early settlers owed their lives to the horses who knew how to find their way home in a storm when the driver didn't. Horses were even an aid to romance, as many a team of horses walked home on a star-lit night with the reins wound lightly around the buggy whip stand.

It is with mingled sadness and regret that we old-times view the passing of the horse from the farms of the Upper Northwest. The empty stalls and in so many cases the old harnesses, now covered with cob webs and grime is all that is left. Is it distance that lends enchantment to the view? We old-timers think not."

Wow...Robbie said it all! I know you'll enjoy this picture of him and his horse.