“When They Began Coming Home”
“These were their
settlements. And they kept good family records.”
Don’t forget to
look for the title which is embedded in the chronicle.
GRATITUDE
Thanks to Jeanni, Grace, and Mary. Grateful to know I have readers,
and fellow lovers of baked beans and brown bread accompanied by mustard relish.
FAMILY ALBUM
I think:
Back row: Steve Holmes, Michael Holmes, Wes Hagmann,
Bailey Hamblin, Jon Morey , Mason Hamblin
Third row: ?, Jeff Yee, Kristin Holmes, Peyton
Hamblin, Michelle Morey, Eric Holmes
Second row: Winona Holmes, Jennifer Yee, Lyndsay
Brady, Aun Holmes, Trish Yee
Front row: Diago Holmes, Thomas Holmes, Taj Brady,
Tiga Brady, Abigail Holmes, Andrew Holmes
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS
Judy Philip says, with her photo of October 12:
“View of the Mediterranean Sea from Alexandria,
Egypt.” I think I spied her in Turkey as well.
Judy is in the Charles R Holmes line.
Methinks
Doug and Deb Holmes of the William Holmes line are still in Europe, as well.
Just caught a glimpse of a photo of Spain.
Christa
Booth of the Charles R Holmes line is on a mission trip as a nurse in Tanzania.
1924 to 1928
Those are the years that
our great or great-great grandparents spent renewing relationships that had
somehow fallen by the wayside but with organization, letter writing, and
challenging travel – by hook or by crook – they managed to come together again.
They reacquainted and rediscovered their family ties. And then, one by one,
they died, and many of those ties died with them.
2024 to 2028
We just celebrated Thanksgiving and Columbus
Day. At my house, we celebrated quietly, with a sharp yelp in the background
every now and then - just the two of us and a dog and a cat. I enjoyed singing
our choir selection and singing the old familiar Thanksgiving hymns – one of
which was new to me. Odd how priorities change as we age, eh.
Elizabeth
Steeves has been posting old photos on Facebook, so I’ll share her recent post
about her Aunt Louise.
“Found this photo at the Lincoln Historical Society yesterday, thanks to a donated collection of old photos by Norma Dill. This is my aunt, Louise Elizabeth Steeves, b. 9/11/1915 in Roxbury MA, and she was my favorite aunt, the "Auntie Mame" in our family at the time. She went to Mattanawcook Academy (1932), then the U of ME; she was a teacher and journalist, then was voted a member of the Maine Legislature and served several years there in the 1950s. She had an early marriage that didn't work out, then later in life she moved to Miami and married Lester Preu of that city. She was a handsome, talented woman and someone superbly interested in her family, keeping everyone in touch with one another, always offering visits and encouragement to her favorite nieces and nephews, of which very luckily I was one. She'd circulate our personal notes and letters to her around to all the relatives to make sure we were all up on the news. She died in January (14th) of 1987. This photo may have been her high school graduation or prom dress. Her lively interest and enthusiasm are greatly missed.
MUM’S MEMOIRS
I’ll share a few war stories leading up to November
11. Mum was engaged to Austin for a time. They both married others and had good
marriages.
It was so exciting when they began coming home. Bryce came home on a
hospital ship. He had had jaundice (skin turns yellow) was in the hospital for
awhile. The train stopped here (from Halifax) on its way to Fredericton. He had
lost most of his hair. Austin had been home earlier – after he finished a tour
of operations. He was supposed to be an instructor here but he was called to return
to active service again. We girls were going home for the weekend and on the
train & who did we run into but Austin on his way back. We weren’t supposed
to know. I remember one time when I was boarding at Carters (H.G.) going for
the mail, a troop train was going through so I walked over to the station. It
stopped and Harold Chapman got off (he had worked at my Uncle Freds). He was on
his way overseas then.
News From Holmes
Hearty congratulations to Christopher Neel, whose ancestors married
into the Steeves line a few years back. He hit a milestone – one year cannabis
clean. I’ve followed along on Facebook until he stopped posting the monthly
updates, and I’m so relieved to read this:
“Today marks exactly 1 year since I quit smoking
cannabis. Since quitting: I've been promoted at work, no longer have surprise
ER visits because of dealing with gastrointestinal attacks from cannabis
hyper-emesis syndrome, happen to have a few more dollars in my pocket, can
pretty much eat all the spicy foods I desire, but my memory still hasn’t
returned. Sobriety is boring but it's become normal. Honestly never thought I'd
enjoy boring this much.”
I hope the memory issue resolves itself, Chris,
but whether or not, enjoy making new ones, and don’t ever forget how much
better you feel now.
FAMILY HISTORY LESSON(S)
This chronicle has several history lessons. The first
is borrowed from my acquaintance and Facebook friend, Leah Grandy. She saw my
interest in Samuel Ketchum and shared this article about Jonathan Ketchum that
she wrote for a project she did as an employee of the University of New
Brunswick. Samuel Ketchum is a brother to Mary Ketchum, daughter of Jonathan
Ketchum. I was confused about that Samuel Ketchum and Samuel Ketchum, son of
Isaac Ketchum. Maybe you are confused now too, but don’t let that stop you from
reading this well-written, interesting part of our history.
Are we related to Jonathan Ketchum? Those of us who
descend from Daniel and Charlotte are.
Charlotte Hoyt (m. Daniel Holmes) – Frances Ketchum
(m. James Hoyt III) – Mary E Ketchum (m. Isaac Ketchum) – Jonathan Ketchum (m.
Hannah Quintard).
~~~
And since Jane Williams is interested, I transcribed
part of the sale of land by Samuel Holmes Jr to his brother, James Holmes. I
did not complete it due to lack of time, but I will. You can read it at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3Q2-P9YV-Y?i=84&cat=25350 Samuel and James are brothers.
Film # 008558419, Image 85 – 86; pages 149 – 150.
Dictionary: Definitions
from Oxford
Languages
en·feoff
/inˈfēf,enˈfēf/
verb
- (under
the feudal system)
give (someone) freehold property
or land in exchange for their pledged service.
"he
enfeoffed trustees with the lands"
You can google for more definitions and
descriptions if interested. You can also read more about land transfer words at
this website: https://amerisurv.com/2018/08/20/vantage-point-ancient-verbosity/
“This indenture made the twenty first day of
May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven,
Between Samuel Holmes of Cape North in the county of Cape Breton in the
Province of Nova Scotia Yeoman of the one part, and James Holmes of Cape North
in the County and Province aforesaid Yeoman of the other part Witnesseth that
the said Samuel Holmes for and in consideration of the sum of twenty pounds of
lawful money of Nova Scotia to him in hand paid by the said James Holmes at and
before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged hath granted bargained and sold aliened enfeoffed released and
confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell alien enfeoff
release and confirm unto the said James Holmes his heirs and assigns for ever,
all that certain lot or tract of land with the premises situate lying and being
at the middle Barrasois on the South side of Aspy Bay in the County aforesaid .
. . boundary of a lot granted to James Holmes . . .
Entd
on Record at half past Seven O’Clock in the afternoon on the Twenty second day
of June 1829 . . .”
~~~
And
the last is my discovery of the Deed of the sale of the Ketchum/Snider property
to Harvey Doull. Note that Mr. Doull purchased the property from The Diocesan
Synod of Fredericton, not William O Snider. This may have meaning to two
recipients of this chronicle, Sandi and Cliff. It relates back to the will of
Peter Snider, who left the property to his siblings, and after their death, to
William O Snider; thereafter it was to go to the Episcopal Church. I have not
located a transfer from Peter Ketchum to William Snider or The Diocesan Snyod. Perhaps that is why the will was in the land
records. This is the sale of the Ketchum property, which now appears to be in
the possession of the Anglican church, to Harvey Doull. Still a WIP; I have not
verified my transcription yet, and I am missing a couple of words. And, by the
way, William Snider died intestate – or at least without registering a will. I
had Roger check it out at PANB. What I think I need is a deed, changing hands
from Peter Ketchum to the Diocesan Synod of Fredericton. I suspect maybe
William Snider never received a deed for it at all. I could be wrong.
Dictionary: Counterminous: Oxford – sharing a common boundary, or
having the same area, context, or meaning.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9NZ-4R1B?i=362&cat=1469005
FamilySearch microfilm 004225735, Images 363 – 366
The Diocesan Synod of Fredericton and Harvey Edward Doull, Deed #
73039.
This Indenture
made the twenty second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand and
nine hundred and seventeen Between The Diocesan Synod of Fredericton a Body
Corporate under the Laws of the Province of New Brunswick, of the first part,
The Right Revend John Bishop of The Diocese of Fredericton (which Diocese is
counterminous with the said Province of New Brunswick) of the second part and
Harvey Edward Doull of Elgin in the County of Albert in the said Province of
New Brunswick, Farmer of the third part. Witnesseth that the said, The Diocesan
Synod of Fredericton for and in consideration of the sum of Twelve Hundred
Dollars to the said The Diocesan Synod of Fredericton well and truly paid by
the said Harvey Edward Doull at or before the ensealing and delivery of these
presents Do grant bargain sell alien release convey and confirm unto the said
Harvey Edward Doull his heirs and assigns All that parcel of land conveyed
by Isaac Ketchum to Peter Ketchum by Deed dated July thirteenth A.D. 1919 and
registered in Kings County Registry office in A No. 1 of Records page 274 and
in such deed described as “All that certain tract or parcel of land situate
lying and being on the upper part of Salmon River in Sussex aforesaid and known
and distinguished by being part of a tract granted to the said Isaac Ketchum
and others, bounded as follows: - On the North, South, and West by granted land
and on the East by land owned by Samuel Ketchum Senior and containing two
hundred and fifty acres be the same more or less” reserving therefrom the land
known and used as the Church of England Burial Ground. Together with all
buildings erections and improvements thereon being and the rights members
privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any manner appertaining
and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders rents issues and
profits thereof and also all the estate right title interest use possession
property claim and demand either at law or in Equity or otherwise howsoever of
the said The Diocesan Synod of Fredericton of in to or out of the same and
every part and parcel thereof with the said appurtenances. To Have and To Hold
the said lot piece or parcel of land and premises hereby granted bargained and
sold or meant mentioned or intended so to be and every part and parcel thereof
with the appurtenances unto the said Harvey Edward Doull his heirs and assigns
to the only proper use benefit and behoof of the said Harvey Edward Doull his
heirs and assigns forever. And this Indenture further
witnesseth that the said Right Reverend John Bishop of The Diocese of
Fredericton aforesaid approves of this sale of the said Lot piece or parcel of
land unto the said Harvey Edward Doull his heirs and assigns. In
Witness whereof the said The Diocesan Synod of Fredericton have caused their
Corporate Seal to be hereunto affixed and the hand of their Secretary to be set
and the said Right Reverend John Bishop as aforesaid his hand and seal hath set
the day and year first above written.
Signed Sealed and Delivered
By the said Synod in
presence Obadiah
S. Newnham L.S.
Of Lewis F. Mills Sec.
Dio. Synod of Fredericton
And by the said Bishop of
Fredericton in presence of John
Fredericton L.S.
T. Carleton Allen
Province of New Brunswick
County of Charlotte
Saint Stephen I, Obadiah S.
Newnham of Saint Stephen in the county of Charlotte and Province of New
Brunswick, Clerk for Holy Orders make oath and say: - 1)
That I am Secretary of the Diocesan Synod of Fredericton the parties in the
within on foregoing Deed or Instrument named. 2)
That the Seal affixed to the said Deed or Instrument purporting to be the seal
of the said The Diocesan Synod of Fredericton is the Corporate Seal of the said
The Diocesan Synod of Fredericton and was so affixed by me as such Secretary by
order of the said Corporation. That the signature Obadiah S.
Newmham, Secretary of The Diocesan Synod of Fredericton subscribed to said deed
in instrument, is the proper hand writing and signature of me the said Obadiah
S. Newnham as Secretary as aforesaid and that I am the authorized officer of
the said The Diocesan Synod of Fredericton execute the said deed as Instrument
Sworn at
Saint Stephen in
the County of
Charlotte this Obadiah
S. Newnham
13th
day of April A.D. 1918,
Before me
Lewis F. Mills
A Notary Public in and for the Province of New Brunswick duly
appointed commissioned and sworn residing and practicing in said Province. In
Testimony Whereof and to Certify the same I the said Notary have hereunto set
my hand and L.S. affixed my Official
and Notarial Seal the day and year last aforesaid at Saint Stephen aforesaid.
City of Fredericton
Province of New Brunswick
Be it
remembered and I hereby Certify that on this Eleventh day of April in the year
of our Lord One thousand nine hundred and Eighteen. Before me T. Carleton Allen
a Notary Public in and for the Province of New Brunswick duly appointed
Commissioner and sworn, residing and practicing in said Province personally
appeared at Fredericton aforesaid The Right Reverend John Bishop of The Diocese
of Fredericton the party of the second part in the within or ____ deed or
instrument executed and deliver the same, as and for his act and ____ to and
for the uses and purposes therein expressed and contained. In
Testimony whereof I the said notary have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
Official and L.S. Notarial seal the day and year last aforesaid at
Fredericton aforesaid. T.
Carleton Allen Notary
Public
Rec’d and Registered September 6th, A.D. 1918 at 10 A.M. Signature,
(can’t make it out) Deputy
Registrar
Next comes a mortgage to look at.
It is easier to read in an email.
Phew! This ends week forty-four of our centennial virtual celebration.
