Jan Vidito and Jannetje Jaspers ~ Life in New York In The 1600s

Last December I wrote about the Vidito branch of my family tree. I am connected to this line through my great grandmother, Leafy May Vidito, the mother of my maternal grandfather, Angus Grant. In that post I traced the line back to Jean Vittiteau, the first of this line to immigrate to the American colonies in the mid-1600s. He was a Huguenot who fled France due to religious persecution, first to Holland and then to New Amsterdam. According to the information I have been able to piece together I believe he is my 10^th great grandfather.

In last December’s post I gave a brief overview of each Vidito ancestor. Today I am going to focus on Jean Vittiteau and his family. One thing is for certain, there is a large variety of spellings for Jean’s name. First of all, there is the obvious variation of spellings for his first name: Jean, John and Jan. I am going to refer to him as Jan through the remainder of this post because most of the records refer to him as such. Then there is his surname, which there is a slew of spellings/misspellings for: Vittiteau, Vittito, Vittitoe, Videt, Vidette, Vedito, Vedette, Videtto, Vidithe, Widelte… and so on. This certainly makes it challenging to search for him, and in some records his surname was missing completely! Thankfully Alice L. Priest’s book: Vidito, John Vidito of New York City and His Descendant, A Huguenot Founder of an American Family; the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s database, americanancestors.org; and ancestry.ca have all been helpful in piecing together information on Jan and his family.

Below is a timeline for Jan and his family, and I’ve included notable events that would have had an impact on them, based on the time frame and location:

·        March 3, 1656:  Jean and Jannetje were married in New York, NY in the Reformed Dutch Church. The transcription reads “Jan Widelte, Van Condom in Vranckryck, en Jannetje Jaspers, Van Amsterdam”. This translates to Jan Widelte, from Condom in France, and Jannetje Jaspers, from Amsterdam. This is fantastic because it confirms they were both in New York by 1656.

·        Jan 21, 1657: Jannetje Jaspers is a witness to the baptism of Marie, child of Carel Margen and Cathalyntie Hendricks. The other witnesses were Jan and Marie Pceck, and Claes Pauluszen.

·        Apr 11, 1657: Daniel Teneur appears in court requesting to build on the lot granted him by the city “but as it is understood he has sold the lot to Jan Videt contrary to order and also that the present middle door is regulated ‘tis finally received to inspect it.” (Alice L Priest’s book, p.23) I think Daniel’s last name may be misspelled because there are records for a Daniel Terneur in New York, NY during the same time as Jan Vidito.

·        Apr 13, 1657: Jan Videt is admitted to be a Small Burgher. He is the 20^th name on the list; one copy has him listed as “Jean Videt, Frenchman” and the other has him listed as “Jean Videt, French Tailor”. This confirms he is French, and that he is a Tailor.

·        Apr 26, 1657: Jan Videt’s request to build on Daniel Teneur’s lot is rejected because “’tis decreed as the lot is cut in two, and a corner house is to be on it, that such little houses cannot be placed there.” (Alice L Priest’s book, p.23)

·        Jan 27, 1658: Baptism of Jan Vidette and Jannetje Jaspers’ daughter, Anna Marie in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Mattheus de Vos, Marie Polet and Anna Bayard.

·        Aug 4, 1660: Baptism of Jan Vidette and Jannetje Jaspers’ son, Jasper in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witness was Francois Allard.

·        Jun 13, 1662: “in the City Hall. Peter de Rymer, plaintiff v/s Jan Videt, defendant. Deft. in default”. (Alice L Priest’s book, p.23)

·        Jun 20, 1662 (Tuesday): “In the City Hall. Pieter de Rymer, ptf, v/s Jan Videt, deft. Pltf, demands from deft, seven guilders and costs. Deft. acknowledges the debt; says he shall pay, as soon as he receives money. The (illegible) Court order deft. to pay pltf.” (Alice L Priest’s book, p.23) This gives us insight into his financial situation, which appears to be a little grim.

·        Aug 28, 1662: Baptism of Jan Vedite and Jannetie Jaspers’s son, Francois in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Francois Velyn and Roose Nelle.

·        Aug 29, 1663: Baptism of Jan Vedette and Jannetie Jaspers’ son, Francois in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Francois Selyn and Marie Dopsen. As there are two Francois with very similar birth dates, it is possible there has been an error in the recordings of the event, and they are one and the same person. However, it is also possible, that the first Francois died within his first year, and they bestowed the same name on their next born child.

·        Sep 8, 1664: New Amsterdam is seized by the British and the name is changed to New York in honour of the Duke of York.

·        Oct 21^st, 22^nd, 24^th, 26^th, 1664: Jan Videt is one of the “Names of the Dutch who swore Allegiance after the surrender of New York”. (Alice L Priest’s book, p.23)

·        Apr 19, 1665 (Wednesday afternoon): “List of Burghers and Inhabitants of this City that are Assessed:” (to supply/pay for lodging of soldiers) “…The Cingel or City Hall; (Ten names, Jan Videt the third, 1 (illegible)orin.)”

·        May 20, 1665: Baptism of Jan ----- and Jannetie Jaspers’ son, Pieter in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Nicolaes Dupu and Annetje Abrahams.

·        Oct 15, 1666: Jannetje Jaspers was a witness to the baptism of Johannes, son of Hendrick Vandoesenburg and Marritje Hendricks. The other witnesses were Pieter Janszen Van Werckendam and Evert Duicking.

·        Oct 24, 1666: Baptism of Jan (blank) and Jannetje Jaspers’ daughter, Jannetie in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Jan Gerdyn and Hester Vincent.

·        Dec 7, 1667: Baptism of Jean Vedette and Janneken’s son, Hester is baptized in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Jan Gerdyn and Hester Vincent.

·        Oct 12, 1670: Baptism of Jean Vidithe and Janneken Jaspers’ son, Thene in the Reformed Dutch Church. The witnesses were Thene Gayneau and Lydia Metrou.

·        1673: The Dutch briefly regained the city

·        Nov 1674: The Dutch relinquished control of the city to the English in accordance with the Second Treaty of Westminster.

For those of you who like me, hadn’t heard the term Small Burgher before, it is part of a system New Amsterdam had between 1657 and 1668 to guard the citizens’ commercial interests against non-resident trade. The two titles were Great Burgher and Small Burgher. It basically created an aristocracy since the title Great Burgher was hereditary, and awarded them access to the highest public positions in the colony. That being said, it is viewed as having been built on democratic principles because any citizen could become one, depending on a few rules and the payment of a fee. In 1657 there were 20 Great Burghers and 216 Small Burghers. Over time these numbers grew.

Unfortunately, this is where the document trail ends for Jan and Jannetje. I know their son, Jasper, who is my 9th great grandfather was living in Greenwich, Connecticut by 1686, but as to whether he moved there on his own or with the rest of his family is unclear. As per usual, I don’t feel done, and wish I had been at least able to find documentation of their deaths, to confirm if they had stayed in New York or not.

Until next time, happy hunting fellow gene geeks!

Sources:

New England Historic Genealogical Society (americanancestors.org):

·        The American Genealogist, Record 1933, Vol. 10, p.42

·        New York, NY: Parents and Witnesses at Baptisms in the Reformed Dutch Church, 1639-1801, pp. 44, 48, 57, 66, 70, 79, 84, 89, 99

·        New York, NY: Marriages in the Reformed Dutch Church, 1639-1801, p.20

Vidito, John Vidito of New York City and His Descendants: A Huguenot Founder of an American Family, by Alice L. Priest

Ancestry.ca

Wikipedia.org

iloveny.com

Sidney Adams, Canadian Expeditionary Force, WWI

Today, as we remember and express our gratitude to the men and women who have courageously and sacrificially served our country, I would like to honour my Great Grandfather, Sidney Adams, by writing this year’s Remembrance Day post about him. I always struggle writing posts about family members I didn’t have the chance to know. I love searching for information. When I find a document it feels like Christmas morning, but the truth is, I am always left wanting more. There are always unanswered questions. It feels all the more so when war is involved. With that being said, I will do my best to do his life, his time here, and his service to our country, justice.

My Great Grandfather, Sidney Adams was born in Botwood, Green Bay, Newfoundland on March 19, 1898 to his parents Abraham Adam Adams (for real) and Matilda Jenkins.

Sidney enlisted on December 28, 1916 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He had moved to N.S. some time prior to this date, and had been working as a Miner in the Reserve Mines in Sydney prior to enlisting. There were two locations at the Reserve Mines Sidney could have worked at: Dominion Colliery No. 5, which opened on the Phalen Seam in 1872 and closed in 1938, or No. 10, which opened on the Emery Seam in 1905 and closed in 1942. Before it closed, No. 5 produced 350 tons of coal per day; No. 10 produced 1,470 tons per day.

Dominion Coal Company's Reserve Mines Colliery, Sydney, Cape Breton, N.S. ca. 1900
Source: Cape Breton at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century,
Toronto; Nation Publishing, 1903, Author: C.W. Vernon

In the Summer of 1916, while Sidney was working at the Reserve Mines, the 246^th Battalion, a unit of the Canadian Expeditionary Force based in Halifax, Nova Scotia began recruiting throughout the province of Nova Scotia. Spoiler alert: Sidney enlisted.

He signed up on December 28, 1916. He was 18 years old at the time, and according to his medical exam from that day he had a dark complexion with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He was 5 feet 2 ¾ inches tall (no short jokes today, we’re honouring him…besides now I know what I inherited from him). Also, his religious denomination was Salvation Army. This is the first branch of my family I’ve come across that were members of the Salvation Army. I found that interesting since I worked for the Salvation Army for a while.

Sidney’s Regimental number was 1060284, and his rank was SPR (Sapper). His commanding officer was N.H. Parsons, Lieut-Col., Commander of the 246^th Reserve, [N.S. Highlanders]. 

The unit sent two drafts to England, both of which were absorbed into the 17^th Reserve Battalion, CEF upon arrival. The first group left on March 28^th, 1917 aboard the S.S. Metagama, arriving in Liverpool on April 7, 1917. The second group left June 2, 1917 aboard the S.S. Olympic, arriving at Liverpool on June 9, 1917. On June 10, 1917 they were reunited and absorbed by the 17^th Reserve Battalion under C.R.O. 1462. Their role was to provide a reinforcing battalion for the Canadian Corps in the field. To quote the Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group: The Matrix Project, “as of October 15, 1917 the 17^th Reserve Battalion became the sole reinforcing unit of the Nova Scotia Regiment”. They made their final move from Bramshott to South Ripon on January 23, 1919, however, it appears by this point, Sidney was no longer with them.

I have very few treasures passed down to me from my ancestors, but I am incredibly blessed to have been given two Pay Books that belonged to my Great Grandfather. I like to hold them, knowing he held them too. They have also been a source of some key information in tracking his movements during WWI. In the first Pay Book it states he was transferred to the No. 2 Tunnelling Company (Engineers) C.E.F., Canadian Engineers Training on May 15, 1918. According to Library and Archives Canada this company “ceased to exist 6 July 1918: personnel to 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th Battalions, Canadian Engineers.” This information from LAC seems to expand on a note, handwritten in pencil, in Sidney’s Pay Book. Underneath where it states he was transferred, someone has written “1^st Bn. C.E.” with no date. I wonder if this was pencilled in when No. 2 Tunnelling Co’y ceased to exist, and he was transferred to the 1^st Battalion, which would line up with the information from LAC!  Also written in this Pay Book is another piece of important information: “Leave to Brussels”. It is handwritten and I had some trouble deciphering the date, but I think it reads: “Mch 2 to 4-3-1919”. Could that mean March 2 – 4, 1919? Another lead to follow up on!

 

Sidney Adams' Pay Books, 1918-1919

Unlike in the previous Pay Book, there are only entries for one day in the later one: April 14, 1919. It states his English Balce (I’m assuming “Balance”) was $340.93, his pay and allowance was $31.90, his civilian clothing allowance was $35.00 and his 1^st payments W.S.G. was $70.00. There were also some in the charges column: $9.73 (unspecified), Boat Expense Money:  $4.87, Train Expense Money: $5.00, and a cheque, No. 1446 for $458.23. His total balance was $477.83. That would be $5, 902.00 today. And a shout out to the Bank of Canada Inflation Calculator for doing the math for me on that one! 

Here is a timeline for Sidney during WWI:

December 28, 1916:          

Enlisted, was working at Reserve Mines, Sydney, NS

January 8, 1917:                 

Was approved and joined the 246^th Reserve Battalion, CEF

April 7 or June 9, 1917:     

Sailed to England

June 10, 1917:                    

246^th Reserve was absorbed into 17^th Reserve Battalion, CEF

Aug 15 – 25, 1917:           

Engaged in the Battle of Hill 70

Oct 26 – Nov 10, 1917:     

Engaged in the 2^nd Battle of Passchendaele

May 15, 1918:                    

Was transferred to No. 2 Tunnelling Company (Engineers), CEF

July 6, 1918:                        

No. 2 Tunnelling Co'y ended, transferred to 1^st Battalion, Cdn Engineers

Approx. March 1919:        

Leave to Brussels

April 26, 1919:

Board ship to sail home

I’ve read a few pages of the War Diary for the 1^st Battalion, Canadian Engineers, and although I haven’t found an entry of his battalion going to Brussels, there are a series of entries that seem to show the tail end of their time overseas, and preparing to come home:

On March 24^th they marched to Huy Station, and amongst the group was the 1^st Battalion. What followed was a detailed account of the group travelling by train, stopping along the way for tea or a hot meal. On March 26^th they arrived at Le Havre at 1590 hours and marched to the Canadian Embarkation Camp. They had a hot meal and were directed to their quarters. The following day “All men were bathed and clothing deloused”. On March 28^th they “paraded at 2030 hours with Group 23 (Winnipeg) and marched to the Docks where they embarked on the S/S Devonshire at 1145pm…Accommodation was very poor and the sea rather rough”. On March 29^th they arrived at Weymouth, travelled again and arrived at Liphook at 1615. After tea, they marched to the Canadian Corps Camp. The following day the whole group participated in a Muster Parade and documentation was carried out. From this day on the schedule seems pretty relaxed and many were given leave. On April 18^th it states they were in Bramshott, the weather was warm and bright, there was a Pay Parade and Last Certificates were signed. On April 21^st they were preparing for sailing. On April 23^rd the sailing rolls were closed. On April 24^th auditors checked all the documents, and finally on April 25^th, 1919 Arrangements were made for sailing on the 26^th. That is all the information I was able to find (for now), but it is probable that Sidney was back in Canada soon after. Wherever he landed, it appears he didn’t go back to Nova Scotia or Newfoundland for very long, if at all.

By August, Sidney had moved to Hespeler, Waterloo, Ontario, married Maggie Brown Williamson and his occupation was “Scouring at Woolen Mills”. When thinking of why he would move to Ontario instead of back to Nova Scotia or Newfoundland, I should tell you a bit about his mother, Matilda. She had gotten remarried to Elkanah Sheppard/Shepherd on January 10, 1914 in Botwood, and they had moved, first, to Grand Falls, NFLD some time prior to Sidney enlisting, and second, to Ontario in 1918. As of June 1, 1921 Matilda and Elkanah were living in Welland, ON. So the fact that he moved there and married Maggie within months of the war ending may imply that his mother was a connection in both accords.

Shortly after Sidney and Maggie married they moved from Waterloo to Hamilton. Then some time before or about 1924 they moved to Welland, ON., where Sidney helped build the Welland Canal. He eventually became Bridge Master.

They had many children, thirteen by my count, including my Grandmother. Sadly, two of their children died very young. Their son, Arthur drowned in the Welland Canal when he was 7 years old. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born with Down Syndrome and died about a year and a half later due to health complications.

Sidney’s wife, Maggie died on July 26, 1958.

Sidney died in 1978. Although I don’t have documentation for Elizabeth, Maggie or Sidney’s deaths, I learned this information from my Grandmother, and being their daughter and sister, I’m confident the information is accurate.

How do you sum up a person’s life in a few pages? You can’t. Or at least I can’t. I do hope, however, that this gives a good overview of his life, and touches on some important events in his life.

May we honour them today and hold them in our hearts always.

Happy hunting, my fellow gene geeks!

Sources:

• Ancestry.ca (www.ancestry.ca) – Marriage Registration, 1919 & Voters List, 1949Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group “The Matrix Project” 
• Canada History (www.canadahistory.com) 
• Canada War Museum (www.warmuseum.com) 
•  Canadian Great War Project (www.canadiangreatwarproject.com)
• History of Coal Mining in Nova Scotia (www.mininghistory.ns.ca)
• Library and Archives Canada (www.bac-lac.gc.ca) – Attestation Paper, 1916; War Diaries of the First World War
• National Defence and the Canadian Forces (www.forces.gc.ca)
• Newfoundland and Labrador in the First World War (www.heritage.nf.ca)
• Newfoundland Grand Banks (www.ngb.chebucto.org)
• Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org) – 246^th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), CEF

The Risteen and Sparling Branches of My Family Tree

In my last two blog posts I’ve written about my Sabean ancestors in Nova Scotia and New England. Today, I will connect the Sabean branch to the Risteen and Sparling branches, beginning with my 4^th great grandfather, Davis Sabean, who married my 4^th great grandmother, Catherine Risteen.

Catherine was born in 1806 in Nova Scotia. Her parents are Joseph Risteen and Catherine Sparling. There are numerous records supporting that Joseph Risteen was a Loyalist who settled in New Brunswick after the American Revolution:

1.     Joseph Ristine, Wheelwright, The Pennsylvania Line. Source: Journals and Diaries of the Revolution With Lists of Officers and Soldiers, 1775-1783,

2.     “RISTINE, Joseph. Wheelwright and Pilot for the King. Came alone. Born in 1750 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died 6 August 1839 at Shelburne. Admiral Digby recommended that he receive land for services rendered. Recommended by Captain Dole.” Source: Names Submitted To Be Part Of The Port Roseway Associates Group Of United Empire Loyalists Evacuated From New York to Shelburne, Nova Scotia, 1783, globalgenealogy.com

3.     He is also listed in the Minutes Of The Proceedings Of The Port Roseway Associates 1782, globalgenealogy.com

4.     “Ristine, Joseph. Port Roseway Associate (408:48)” Source: Nova Scotia Immigrants to 1867, Vol. I

5.     “Ristine, Joseph. Wheelwright; Port Roseway Associate (6:17)” Source: Nova Scotia Immigrants to 1867, Vol. II

6.     “Joseph Risteen, residence about 1784, New Brunswick, Canada, Comments: Loyalists to Britain”, Source: New York, Genealogical Records, 1675-1920

7.     Joseph Risteen, wheelwright, origin: Pennsylvania, family: 0, servants: 0, remarks: New Brunswick. Source: Fort Havoc (Wallace Hale), Loyalist Reference Documents: Shelburne, Nova Scotia Loyalists, Provincial Archives of New Brunswick

8.     Died 1839 in Carlton, New Brunswick, age 90. Source: Loyalists of American Revolution, p214

As mentioned above, Joseph Risteen was born in 1750 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and arrived in Shelburne, Nova Scotia in 1783. He and his wife, Catherine Sparling left Nova Scotia some time after 1806, to settle in New Brunswick. We know this because Catherine was born in Nova Scotia in 1806. Joseph died August 6, 1839, in Carleton County, New Brunswick. He is buried in Jacksonville Community Cemetery, Carleton Co. Also buried in the same cemetery are:

RISTEEN, Catherine, b. 1764, d. 1841 (on same headstone as Joseph)

RISTEEN, Jacob, b. 1804, d. 1844

RISTEEN, Eliza Camber, b. 1812, d. 1887 “relict of Jacob RISTEEN”

RISTEEN, Ruth A, b. Jan 1836, d. Jul 1883, “d/o Jacob”

Joseph’s wife, Catherine Sparling, was born in 1764 in New York City, New York. Her parents are Peter William Sparling and Margaret Fissell. Catherine has eight siblings:

1.     Ann Sparling, b. 13 Nov 1760, NY; m. Bartholomew Musgrave, 27 Sep 1778

2.     Mary Catherine, b. abt. 1762, NY

3.     William Peter, b. 1769, NY; m. Eleanor Leaver, 30 Oct 1791, Sydney, NS

4.     Jacob, b. 31 Oct 1770, NY

5.     Philip, b. abt. 1775; d. 1848

6.     Margaret, b. 1 Nov 1776, NY; m. Adam Moore, 14 Nov 1793; d. 29 Aug 1838

7.     George, b. 30 Jun 1782, NY; m. Ann Jefferson, 30 Jul 1811; d. 1817

8.     Margaret Ann, b. 1786, Sydney, NS; m. William Averns, Sep 1820

Catherine’s father, Peter Sparling, was born in 1732 in Ireland. He and his wife Margaret Fissell were married in 1754, in Ireland, prior to emigrating to New York. They were on board the ship “Pery”, departing from Limerick and arriving in New York in 1760. Peter was also on the list of names submitted to be part of The Port Roseway Associates group of United Empire Loyalists evacuated from New York to Shelburne, Nova Scotia 1783. It states he arrived in Shelburne with a woman and 6 children, and that he later settled in Sydney. Peter died on February 4, 1820 in Nova Scotia. He was 89 years old. His wife, Margaret, was born in Killiheen, Ireland (date unknown) and died on February 15, 1820 in North West Arm, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

The challenge for me with writing this blog is that in genealogy there is no end. There are always more records to find, more stories to suss out. I find it extremely difficult to end a post. It probably seems simple and concise (or at least that’s my goal) but in reality, there are many trails I could follow all the time, and individual stories for each name mentioned. My hope is that if you happen upon this blog and find someone you are connected to it’ll give you a springboard to discover more about your ancestor. After all, the true joy in genealogy is finding discoveries for yourself!

Until next time, happy hunting, fellow gene geeks!

Sources:

1.     New Brunswick Cemeteries, Provincial Archives of New Brunswick

2.     Bio Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution, Vol. 2, p. 214

3.     Names submitted to be part of The Port Roseway Associates group of United Empire Loyalists evacuated from New York to Shelburne, Nova Scotia 1783, globalgeneaology.com

4.     Minutes Of The Proceedings Of The Port Roseway Associates 1782, globalgenealogy.com

5.     Journals and Diaries of the Revolution With Lists of Officers and Soldiers, 1775-1783

6.     Fort Havoc (Wallace Hale), Loyalist Reference Documents: Shelburne, Nova Scotia Loyalists, Provincial Archives of New Brunswick

7.     Loyalists of American Revolution

8.     New York, Genealogical Records, 1675-1920

9.     Nova Scotia Immigrants to 1867, Vol. I

    10.  U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s

My Sabean Ancestors In Nova Scotia, Part II: Finding Roots In Massachusetts

I have been trying to uncover information about my 4^th great grandfather’s parents to no avail. I am still stuck with the only record being his death registration, listing his parents as Jeremiah and Sarah Sabean. The other information, which is from family trees on ancestry.ca has his parents listed as Jeremiah Sabean and Margaret Lewis.

The informant on the death registration for Davis Sabean is Jacob Sabean, and on the same page in the book of recorded deaths, Jacob Sabean is also the name of the informant for Davis’ wife, Catherine, as well as an Eleanor Sabean (35yrs), Martha M Sabean (23yrs) and (blank) Sabean, a female infant. At first, I thought Jacob was the son of Davis and Catherine, but as I continued searching for more information on him it led me in a different direction. I found a marriage registration for a Jacob Sabean and Martha Maria Condon, and on the death registration for the infant Sabean, her parents are listed as Jacob and Martha Sabean. This seems to line up with the informant being this Jacob Sabean, their husband and father. However, according to Jacob and Martha’s marriage registration and their son, Elmer’s birth registration, Jacob is a Mariner/Fisherman, whereas on the infant girl’s death registration, her father’s occupation is listed as Farmer. Even so, the other information seems too strong to ignore, and I have found other ancestors who were both fishermen and farmers, so this is not out of the realm of possibility. Jacob and Martha were married Dec 7, 1867 in Parker’s Cove, Annapolis, Nova Scotia; their son, Elmer was born abt 1869 in Port Lorne, Annapolis, NS; their daughter was born and died on June 16, 1873 in Port Williams, Annapolis, NS; and Martha died June 24, 1873 in Port Williams, Annapolis, NS. According to Jacob and Martha’s marriage registration Jacob is 23 years old (therefore born about 1844), that he was born in Port Williams, Annapolis, NS, and his parents are David and Susanna. It seems likely that although this Jacob is not the son of Davis and Catherine, he and the deceased that he was the informant for are related. I hoped to link Davis and David in the hopes of confirming who Davis’ parents are through a possible sibling or a misspelling of his name, but was unable to find further information on David and Susannah.

Although I cannot confirm with records at this time who Davis’ parents are, there is one thing I am certain of through historical documentation, and that is that the Sabean line in Nova Scotia traces back to William Sabin of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. If the line is correct, William is my 9^th great grandfather. In learning about William I came across some shocking information. William Sabin was the foreman of the jury that convicted three Native Americans for killing John Sassomon in 1675. The men were hanged, which triggered the start of King Philip’s War. William’s mill was burned to the ground and his son, Nehemiah, was killed. Approximately 3,000 Native Americans and 1,000 Colonists died in the war.

William’s son, Benjamin, had a son, Jeremiah (I), who had a son Jeremiah (II), who was the Sabean ancestor that first settled in Nova Scotia.

Jeremiah Sabean Junior was born February 17, 1717 in Pomfret (formerly Woodstock), Windham County, Connecticut. He married Susanna La Vallee of Quebec, and emigrated to Argyle, Queen’s county (now Yarmouth), Nova Scotia in 1762. He was a fisherman, and in 1765 he made his way west along the Atlantic coast with Jonathan Strickland, Moses Morrell, Borden Thurber, Christopher Strickland and Robert Morrell, and they decided to stop at the mouth of the Sissiboo River. They built a log building on the west bank of the river, on the southeast side of St. Mary’s Bay. In 1766, Jeremiah crossed the Sissiboo River and settled on Lot 17, division letter R. He is also described as helping to clear Lot 18 with a mention of it being “much improved”. Along with the above information, the book A Geography and History of the County of Digby, Nova Scotia, also lists Jeremiah and Susanna’s children, who they married, and some information on their children’s children. It is here I found Jeremiah and Susanna’s son, also named Jeremiah (III) who married Margaret Lewis. So, although I haven’t found direct information linking my 4^th great grandfather, Davis, to Jeremiah III and Margaret, I now know this couple is documented in historical literature, making it more plausible that this is my ancestral line, and that Jeremiah also had a wife, Sarah, that we just can’t find further documentation for, or possibly that the informant wrote down an incorrect name for Davis’ mother on his death registration.

I am still not satisfied with the information I have found and will continue to look for more substantial documentation. However, I am very happy to have found books and records that confirm my Sabean line connects to William Sabin in Massachusetts. This is the connection leading back to England, which I look forward to following up on in the future.

Until next time, happy hunting my fellow gene geeks!

Sources:

A Geography and History of the County of Digby, Nova Scotia
A Genealogy and History of the Hute (Chute) Family in America
Soldiers In King Philip’s War
Wikipedia.org