Thankful Thursday - Aunt Mary

Today I am thankful that I knew a wonderful lady - my Aunt Mary Kern.

Jean Marie "Mary" Goris was born on 23 April 1926 in Bingham Canyon, Utah to William and Jean (Bennie) Goris.

She married James Richard "Dick" Kern on 5 November 1951 in Reno, Nevada.  He was my father's half-brother.

They moved to Toledo, and later, Sylvania Ohio where they raised four children: Dorothy Jean, Kathleen, Craig and Timothy.

Aunt Mary died on 27 November 2012 and will join her husband and son Craig in heaven.

April 1953 - Bill Watkins, Mary Kern, Don Vail and Ruth Ormsby (spouses of Kern/Ormsby siblings)

April 1953 - Mary & Dick Kern, Vic Ormsby, Ruth Ormsby

Most of my memories of Aunt Mary make me feel warm and cozy.  She was a gracious hostess, and it was a tradition on Christmas Day to have dinner at her house.  In addition to her children (and later her grandchildren), and my immediate family, who would go every year, there were always other cousins, friends, and neighbors around the table.  Mary would open her doors to whoever wanted to stopy by - for appetizers, dinner, dessert, or just to visit.

Christmas 1967 - Don Ormsby, Shirley Kern, Mary & Dick Kern

Christmas dinner was something of a tradition as well.  Aunt Mary made the best lamb roast I have ever tasted - and have never been able to duplicate.  Another favorite dish was "Greek Macaroni" - noodles with butter and cheese.  This has become a tradition in my family as well - I taught my daughter Donna how to make it last Christmas, and am planning to have it on my table again this year.

Christmas 1985 - Uncle Dick and Aunt Mary

Dick and Mary spent a lot of time at their lake house on Cub Lake in Michigan.  Again, anyone who stopped by was welcomed with open arms.  Dick would entertain guests on his pontoon boat and Mary would be sure they were well fed before they returned to their homes.

July 2011 - Shirley Kern, Wimp Hill, Ruth Ormsby and Mary Kern

One of Mary's hobbies was painting.  She liked to paint landscapes - mostly for relaxation, I think.  I am honored to have one of her paintings hanging in my bedroom.

1968 painting by Jean Marie "Mary" Goris Kern

 

Goodbye, Aunt Mary.  I will miss you.

Society Saturday - Lincoln's Watch

The Lac des  Illinois chapter of Colonial Dames of 17th Century recently had a wonderful program.
Doug Stiles presented a true "detective story" he participated in.

He recalled a family story that his great-great-grandfather, Jonathan Dillon was a watch repairman in Washington DC and happened to be cleaning Abraham Lincoln's pocket watch on the day that the Civil War began.  He placed an engraved notation about that including that date and "thank God for our government" inside the watch.

Mr.Stiles set out to determine if the story was true and told us how he tracked the watch to the Smithsonian. The curator didn't believe him at first, but was ultimately convinced to open the watch after reading a 1906 NY Times article quoting the watchmaker.

On March 10, 2009, during a televised event, a master watchmaker opened the watch and found, the engraving behind the dial!!!!

It was a fascinating story, wonderfully told by a descendent of that watchmaker.

Society Saturday - Happy Birthday Isle a la Cache

Our Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter turned 2 today.  Isle a la Cache chapter had its organizing meeting in November 2010 with 12 members.  Today we have 37 members with four more applications waiting for approval. 

Two brand new members were present and were welcomed and given Gift Bags of DAR goodies.

Some of our projects during those 2 years are:

• Honoring a Junior ROTC cadet at Romeoville High School
• Sponsoring DAR Good Citizens at Romeoville and Bolingbrook High Schools
• Decorating a Patriotic Christmas Tree at Rialto Theater in Joliet to aid in its preservation
• Donating to the DAR-sponsored schools
• Donating time and money to "Feed My Starving Children"
• Placing wreaths at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery for Wreaths Across America
• Welcoming home WWII veterans from Honor Flight
• Working closely with the Children of the American Revolution

We had a lovely luncheon at Francesca's in Bolingbrook to celebrate these accomplishments.  

http://ildar.org/chapters/islealacache/

Society Saturday - "Coffee, Tea, or... Girdle Checks?"

Our DAR chapter had a regular meeting today with a guest speaker.

Shari Kelley Worrell was a Stewardess for 35 years with United.  She gave an interesting and entertaining program about her experience as a Stewardess, especially when she started in the 60's.

Some tidbits from her program were:

• Stewardesses had to be between 5'2" and 5'8" tall and 105-118 pounds. 
• They couldn't be married, because the airline didn't want husbands calling if they were late getting home to make dinner.
• Before every flight, they had an "appearance check" to be sure there were no runs in their hosiery, the seams in the hosiery were straight, and that they were wearing their girdle.
• In addition to learning about the planes, the routes, and emergency procedures in "Stew School", they learned the proper way to extinguish a cigarette, and how to gaze into a man's eyes when he helped them put a coat on.
• They had to wear a skirt or dress at all times, even when picking up their paycheck.
• The only times they could wear pants in school was during the emergency preparedness lesson or if they were going bowling.
• It was illegal to serve alcohol when flying over Utah.

She also told us some stories about various passengers she had - both famous and infamous. 

It was a very enjoyable program.

www.ildar.org/chapters/islealacache

Military Monday - Henry Critser

My Fourth War of 1812 Ancestor is Henry Critser.

Henry Critser was born on 8 July 1793 at Harrison Co., (West) Virginia.  His parents were George and Hester (Moore) Critser.  He moved to Warren Co., OH sometime between 1805 (when his father sold his land in VA) and 1812.

On 1 May 1812, Henry volunteered at Dayton, OH as a substitute for his future brother-in-law John Robinson.  He joined Capt. John Sheeets' Company but was taken prisoner by the British on 16 August 1812.  He was released 2 weeks later at Detroit, MI.  A year later, on 1 November 1813, he again volunteered at St. Mary's, OH as a substitute for John Ferrel and served under Capt. Timothy Titus.  He was discharged on 4 March 1814.

Henry returned to Warren Co., OH where he married Abigail Robertson on 15 September 1816.  She was the daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Moore) Robertson - and Henry's cousin.  Abigail was born on 11 November 1787 at Allegany Co., MD, and her family had moved to Warren County in 1797.  Abigail was the widow of Josiah Edwards who died in 1814.  They had four children: Elizabeth Edwards, Joseph Edwards, John Edwards and Nancy Edwards.

Henry and Abigail settled down to a life of farming.  They moved to Decatur Co., IN sometime before 1834 when he bought 80 acres of land there.  Henry also built one of the first mills in that county, in 1838, just south of Milford, IN.

They had three children:
1. William Critser, born 1817 in OH.  He married Sarah Todd.
2. Hester Critser, born 5 November 1818 in OH, and married Thomas Wiley - they are my 3rd-great-grandparents.
3. Henry Robert Critser, born 7 March 1828 at Franklin Co., IN.  He married Lucinda Yeley.

Abigail died on 12 December 1863 at Decatur Co., IN, and is buried in the Milford Cemetery there.

Henry married again, on 18 February 1864 at Decatur Co., IN, to Martha Scontz.  She was born 2 March 1837 at Jefferson Co., IN.  They had one child:
4. George B. McClellan Critzer, born 17 January 1865 at Milford, IN.  He married Elizabeth Barnes.

Henry died on 15 January 1877 at Milford, IN and is buried next to his first wife.

Martha (Scontz) Critser died on 17 December 1924 at Johnson Co., IN

Society Saturday - a tour of Chicago

The National Board meeting of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America was held in Chicago this week.  Illinois Chapter President, Sheila Aszling, planned a very enjoyable 3 days for the visiting board members; even the weather cooperated.

The meeting began with a "meet and greet" at the hotel.  Ladies traveled from California, Florida, and Maine, as well as points in between.  They relaxed and socialized the first evening.

The second day was full of touring in Chicago.  Ladies (and a few men) boarded a bus for a guided tour of Chicago.   We are all gathered in the hotel lobby.

The tour guide was a retired history teacher and he was quite knowledgeable.  We spent a few hours at the Chicago History Museum, followed by lunch.  One of our stops was a Planetarium Point for a photo op.

Then back on the bus for a driving tour of Chicago and a walking tour of Millenium Park.

No trip to Millenium Park is complete without a picture in the "bean".

Day 3 consisted of the actual business meeting of the Board, followed by a farewell lunch.  All ladies went home tired, after another enjoyable October Board Meeting.  We are looking forward to seeing each other again at General Court in April.

www.nationalsocietydfpa.com

Military Monday - Henry Miller

My third 1812 Ancestor is Henry Miller.

Henry Miller was born on 23 December 1793 in Virginia.  He was the seventh of 14 children born to Peter and Mary (Miller) Miller - yes they were cousins!

Henry was a Private in Capt. John Lantz's Co. 118th Regiment of Viginia Milita from 20 February - 4 March 1815.  He was at the camp in Morgantown, VA where his place of residence was listed as 20 miles distant.  He was discharged at the goor of Blue Ridge near Kingwood.  He received $3.35 pay for his service.

Henry married Rebecca "Betsy" Jackson on 3 June 1817 in Fairmount, Monongalia Co., (West) Virginia.  She was the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca "Permelia" (____) Jackson.  She was born 18 January 1795 in Pennsylvania.

He was living in Monongalia County in 1821 when he bought 100 acres of land in Knox Co., OH.  While in Knox County, he served as Justice of the Peace for Berlin Township in 1845.  The 1862 History of Knox county, OH states:  "We can not but commend the character of Henry Miller, Esq., the upright man".

Rebecca died on 20 February 1855 and Henry died on 9 April 1858.  They are buried at the Berlin Cemetery in Knox County Ohio.

 Shortly before his death, Henry applied for bounty land.  The application was granted on 19 April 1859 and his daughter Melvina inherited the land.

Henry and Rebecca had 5 children:

1. Elmina M. Miller, born 24 June 1818 at Fairmont, Monongalia, VA.  She married Jacob Leatherman Baker.
2. Ariana Miller, born 8 September 1819 at Fairmont, Monongalia, VA.  She died 1 July 1835 at Knox Co., OH.
3. Avery Melvin Miller, born 23 December 1821 at Fairmont, Monongalia, VA.  He married Rosanna Heiple.  He was a twin.
4. Melvina E. Miller, born 23 December 1821 at Fairmont, Monongalia, VA.  She married Joseph Thompson McGowan and was my third great-grandmother.
5. Zilpha Miller, born 26 July 1833 at Knox County, OH.  She married William H. Phillips.

Those Places Thursday - Whitehouse School

My mother, Ruth Steinbrecher Ormsby grew up in Whitehouse, Ohio.  Whitehouse is a small village just southwest of Toledo in Lucas County, Ohio.

She went to Whitehouse School and graduated in  1942.  While she recently celebrated at her 70th reunion, the school itself will turn 80 years old on October 5, 2012.

photo from anthonywayneschools.org

My mom was interviewed for the "Maumee Mirror" article about the school anniversary, so I thought I'd interview her a little as well.

She was one of the first students at Whitehouse school, attending 5th grade there the year it opened, and continuing on until she graduated in 1942.  At that time all twelve grades were in the same building and each class was in its own room. 

She tells me that there were 34 students in her graduating class, about 22 of whom had been in the same class throughout all 12 years.  Of those 34 students, 11 are still alive and most get together every September for a class reunion.  They even had a former teacher attend the reunions until she died just before her 100th birthday!

She had daily recess in lower grades and a study hall in high school.  Lunch was a hot meal for 15 cents in the cafeteria.  If students misbehaved, they had to stand in the hall.  If a teacher caught a student chewing gum, they would make the student stand in front of the class with the gum on his nose.

Classes included English (which included public speaking), Various Mathematics, Various Sciences, Latin, Home-economics, Shorthand, Typing and Bookkeeping.  She hated public speaking but loved Latin.  She thought she wanted to be a nurse and Latin was required.  Even though she won district medals for Latin, she decided to focus on practical courses so she work as a secretary when she graduated.

Mom in her prom dress - ordered from the Sears catalog

There was a prom during her junior and senior years.  It was normal to go with your friends, and not with a date.  The prom was held in the school gym.

Graduation was a fairly small ceremony for students and their families in the gymnasium/auditorium.  Mom's parents, younger sister and Aunt Mamie came to hers.  The graduates sat in 3 rows - the first row wore blue gowns, the second row wore white and the third rom wore red.  This was because she graduated in 1942 at the beginning of World War II.

Mom in her blue graduation gown

Graduation parties were unusual, but my mother was treated to an Ice Cream Soda at the Drug Store Soda Fountain - something very special!

I really enjoyed talking to my mother about her school memories.

Senior Portrait

Here is the link to the newspaper article Whitehouse School's 80th Birthday Calls for Celebration, Recollection

Military Monday - John Forester

The second of my War of 1812 Ancestors is John Forester.

He was born in 1775 in Maryland or Pennsylvania.  His name is also spelled Foreacre.  He had a brother William Forester/Foreacre, but I don't know who his parents were.

He married Hannah Adams, probably in Bedford Co., PA.  She was born in PA ca 1782.  They moved to Muskingum County, OH around 1810.

He served in Capt. William Wilson's Co., Collier's Regiment of the Ohio Militia, Major Dawson's Odd Battalion from 29 August -9 Sept 1812 and again from 5 March - 15 August 1814.

In 1820 he received bounty land of 176 acres, and an additional 80 acres in 1856 - all in Muskingum County.

Hannah died on 19 January 1857 at Muskingum County, OH.  John died a few weeks later on 15 February 1857.  They are buried at Roseville Cemetery in Muskingum Co., OH. 

This is the military tombstone for John Foreacre

This is John and Hannah's tombstone

John and Hannah had 6 children:

1. Elijah Forester, born 3 March 1806 at Bedford Co., PA.  He married Ann (Hedges) Decier.

2. Sallie/Sarah Forester, born 7 March 1809.  She married William Rosser.

3. John C. Forester, born 31 October 1810 at Muskingum Co., OH.  He married Mary Ann Stover and is my 3rd great-grandfather.

4. Ann Forester, born ca 1812 at Muskingum Co, OH.  She married Theophilus Eveland.

5. Hannah Forester, born 1816 at Muskingum Co., OH.  She married Samuel Jasper.

6. Mary Forester, born 12 March 1818 at Muskingum Co., OH.  She married David Phillips.



Society Saturday - Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum!

See, we do have a lot of fun at our meetings :-)

"Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum" was the title of the talk given by author and food historian Cynthia Clampitt today at our State Daughters of American Colonists meeting.

Cynthia gave a lively, well-researched talk about the history of rum - from its beginnings as a molasses by-product of sugar production, through present-day rum facts.

Some interesting facts I learned were:

• Sailors on Naval ships were allotted 2 "tots" of rum per day
• To make the rum more palatable, British sailors would add lime juice - thus the origin of the term "limeys"
• Not all pirates spoke with a cornish accent - just the ones in literature and the movies
• The term for the method of barbecuing in the caribbean is the origin of "buccaneer"
• British Captain Sir Vernon began diluting the (160 proof) rum the sailors would drink to cut down on their intake - he wore a grosgrain cloak and was nicknamed "Old Grog" - the origin of the term "Groggy"
• One of the inciting factors of The Revolutionary War was restriction of the rum trade

Oh, and what about the title of the talk - "Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum" was coined by Robert Louis Stevenson almost 100 years after the Golden Age of Piracy when he wrote "Treasure Island"

Pictured are Sue Erlick, hostess for the meeting, State Regent Jane Schleinzer, 

and our speaker Cynthia Clampitt

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ildac/

Military Monday - Samuel Stover

This is a series that I have been thinking of doing for several months - my ancestors who fought during the War of 1812.  I have 4 that I know of.

Samuel Stover was born 29 December 1785 at Shenandoah Co., VA.  He was the third child (and a twin to Daniel) of David and Elizabeth (Strickler) Stover.

He married Mary Dieterick on 3 September 1807 at Muskingum Co., OH.  She was the daughter of Johann Balser and Sarah Elizabeth (Strickler) Dieterick.  She was born 20 December 1786 at Adams Co., PA.

Samuel Stover served in Captain James Downings' Co. of Ohio Militia Infantry from 30 March 1812 - 28 February 1813.  He transferred to Captain Walkers' Co. and was discharged at Fort Sandusky on 26 March 1813. 

House built by Samuel Stover


In 1814 he purchased land in Muskingum County, OH from the Zanesville land office.  According to the county history, in 1813  he dammed Brush Creek in order to build a sawmill.  He added a grist mill in 1819.

As one of the prominent citizens of the new town, it was named Stovertown in his honor in 1832. 

He died at Zanesville, OH on 27 August 1837 and was buried in the family plot at Stovertown.  Mary died on 12 February 1839 at Stovertown and is buried with him.

Samuel and Mary had 12 children, all born in Muskingum Co.:
1. Elizabeth Stover, born 2 June 1808, married John Crooks
2. Sarah Stover, born 23 December 1809, married John Baughman
3. Baltser Stover, born 15 May 1811, died in 1838
4. David Stover, born 9 March 1813, married Elizabeth Russell
5. Mary Ann Stover, born 24 January 1816, married John C. Forester (my 3rd great-grandparents)
6. Catherine Stover, born 15 January 1818, married Adam Baughman
7. Mary Magdalene "Polly" Stover, born 31 March 1820, married Abraham Snyder
8. Susanna Stover, born 25 May 1822, married William Cole
9. Ann Margaretta Stover, born 9 March 1824, married David Mauk
10. William T. Stover, born 26 February 1826
11. Lucinda Stover, born 19 January 1828, married Richard Reed
12. Samuel Stover, born 26 November 1829

Stover tombstone - Samuel and Mary are buried with their son Balzer

Society Saturday - Antebellum Planters

The National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters had its first marking today at Stagville Plantation near Durham, NC.

The society members trace their lineage to a planter who owned more than 500 acres of land prior to 1861.

President General Carla Whitehurst Odom chose to mark Stagville because it was one of the largest plantations in North Carolina.  It is one of the NC state historic sites and has an active ongoing mission to preserve the physical structures, the community stories, and the genealogy of the people, both free and enslaved who live there.

www.antebellumplanters.com



Society Saturday- DAR all over the world.

Many people don't realize that the DAR has chapters around the world.  There are over 800 members in 26 chapters located in England, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, and Australia, to name a few.  The newest Units Overseas (UO) chapter is the Mariana Islands chapter in Guam. My daughter Donna is an organizing member.

The Mariana Islands Chapter was confirmed in April 2012 and it was exciting to see the Guam flag included in the processional during opening night of Continental Congress.  I snuck onto the stage after the meeting to pose with the flag.

The Chapter was unable to send a representative to Congress this year, so I offered to help out.
One of the annual functions is the UO luncheon. Representatives from each chapter give an annual report, sell items as fundraisers, and offer associate memberships.

Here I am with my friend Teri as we sold lapel pins and told ladies about Guam.
I was happy to have helped this new chapter and I hope they can send a representative to enjoy Congress next year.

Society Saturday - NSDAR Continental Congress

Daughters of the American Revolution from across the USA gathered in Washington DC this week for our annual meeting. Here we meet up with our friends to exchange ideas and celebrate accomplishments.
The outside temperature today is over 100°, but Constitution Hall is air conditioned.
This photo is the Illinois Vice Regent Shirley Fish reporting for our state.

Giving Back

Having benefitted from the labors of many people who indexed prior censuses as well as other records on Family Search, I try to give back when I have a chance -

I helped index the first half of the 1940 US census - haven't found any of my family, but I've been working my way through Illinois and Ohio...

Society Saturday - Huguenots in Illinois

The Illinois chapter of the National Huguenot Society met in Northbrook, IL for our semi-annual meeting.  The room had a lovely view of the DesPlaines river - too bad it was pouring rain outside.

Members of the National Huguenot Society descend from a Huguenot - a French Protestant who, due to religious persecution, was forced to flee France to other countries in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Our speaker at this meeting was Jeannine Sheldon Kallal, former Registrar General for the Society.  She spoke on the history of the Huguenots beginning with the Protestant Reformation in 1517 and continuing until the Edict of Toleration in 1787.  It was a well-researched and interesting talk.

http://www.huguenot.netnation.com/

Society Saturday - The "Witch Book"

I've been terrible about keeping up with my blogging lately, but I have a good excuse.  Every evening has been devoted to finishing my book.  It is the "Associated Daughters of Early American Witches Roll of Ancestors".  I have compiled genealogical information on over 300 people who were accused, tried, or convicted of witchcraft in 17th century America.  They are all eligible ancestors for ADEAW.  I finished the book just in time for the 25th Anniversary celebration of the society on April 14.  Since that time, I have been busy collecting orders and shipping the books.

Writing this book has been quite an experience - I started about 5 years ago when I was the Registrar of the organization.  I have spent quite a lot of time in libraries and online researching their accusations as well as three generations of their lineage.  Then came the editing, decisions on formatting, etc.  Of course, the editing, indexing, adding the forword, etc. all took longer than expected.  Next came time to pick a publisher and apply for copyright.  All in all, it was worth it - now I just need to get the books out of my foyer and to the post office.

Did I mention that since the book was sent to the publisher, we found two more eligible ancestors?  I have already started a file for the second edition - but I need to catch up with every thing else in my life first :-)

If you are interested in more information about Associated Daughters of Early American Witches or our Roll of Ancestors, our website is http://www.adeaw.us/.

Military Monday - The Steinbrecher Brothers in World War I

My grandfather and his brothers contributed to the American Cause during World War I. 

They were the children of John William Steinbrecher who immigrated from Russia in 1892.

My grandfather was:
John Steinbrecher, born 22 June 1894 at Wauseon, OH.  He enlisted in the Army on 24 June 1918 as a Private in the 336th Infantry.  He was honorably discharged at Camp Sherman, OH on 9 December 1918.

John Steinbrecher in 1918

His older brother Henry Steinbrecher was born 10 September 1890 at Saratov, Russia.  He enlisted in the Army at Wauseon, OH on 2 October 1917.  Prior to going overseas he married Rosa Kaiser on 24 March 1918 at Fulton Co., OH.  He was part of the American Expeditionary Forces beginning 6 June 1918, first joining Compay A 329 Infantry until 29 July 1918, then Company B 38 Infantry.  The 38th Infantry fought in the Second Battle of the Marne, one of the turning points of the war in Europe.  He died of wounds on 17 October 1918 in France.

Henry and Rosa (Kaiser) Steinbrecher in 1918

His younger brother Lorenz Louis Steinbrecher was born 18 September 1898 at Fulton Co., OH.  He was living in Hammond, IN but joined the Army at Defiance, OH on the same date his older brother died.  He was at the Student's Army Training Corps at the College at Defiance until his honorable discharge on 20 December 1918. 

The Students Army Training Corps was a program started by the U.S. War Department during WWI that was designed to use existing colleges and universities to train new military personnel.  In addition to the usual college courses, there was daily instruction in military procedure.

An ad from The Herald of Gospel Liberty, published by Defiance College

Their oldest brother was William Steinbrecher, born 13 August 1882 in Russia.   He registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 while living at Lenawee Co., MI.  He was 36 years old and was not called upon to serve.

Their youngest brother was Arthur E. Steinbrecher, born 25 May 1906 at Wauseon, OH.  He was only 12 years old when the Great War ended.

Military Monday - Nathaniel Ormsby

I would like to pay tribute to one of my Revolutionary War Ancestors, Nathaniel Ormsby.

Nathaniel Ormsby who was born on 7 November 1734 at Norwich, CT, the son of Samuel and Dinah (Fisher) Ormsby.  He married Elizabeth Perkins on 7 May 1759 at Norwich, CT.  She was born 28 March 1740 at Norwich, CT to Robert and Lydia (Bushnell) Perkins. 

Nathaniel served as an Ensign in the French and Indian War.

Nathaniel and Elizabeth had 8 children:
1.  Nathaniel Ormsby
2. Lydia Ormsby, born 24 February 1761 at Norwich, CT
3. Anne Ormsby, born 11 January 1763 at Norwich, CT
4. Salle Ormsby, born 15 September 1765 at Norwich, CT
5. Elizabeth Ormsby, born 1 September 1768 at Norwich, CT
6. Samuel Ormsby, born 10 November 1770 at Norwich, CT and died there 3 April 1771.
7. Eunice Ormsby, born 26 November 1772 at Norwich, CT and married Ezra Phillips, Jr.
8. Samuel Ormsby, born 30 August 1775 at Norwich, CT and married Rachel Day.

In 1776, Nathaniel moved his family to the "far west", now known as Hampshire Co., MA.  The following year, he volunteered in the Continental Army.   He served as a Private in Col. Nixon's Sixth Regiment from 15 May 1777.  He was captured by the British and died at Albany, NY while captive on 25 October 1777.

After his death, Elizabeth married Deacon William P. Miller on 24 September 1778 at Huntington, MA and had two more children.

Nathaniel was one of thousands who were held captive by the British during the Revolutionary War.  Approximately 80% of those POW's died in captivity.