Ancestor # 64

Elizabeth Porter (1740-1808)

Elizabeth Porter was born in Mansfield, Windham (now Tolland), Connecticut, on 30 June 1740[1] and died there on 13 March 1808[2]. She was baptized in the Mansfield Church on 6 July 1740[3]. She is the youngest daughter and fourth child of John and Abigail (Arnold) Baldwin. She married Joseph Baldwin on 16 November 1757[4] in Mansfield. Joseph was born in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts on 20 October 1728[5] and died in Mansfield on 9 January 1808[6].

            Elizabeth is a descendant of John and Anna (White) Porter, one of the founding families of Windsor, Connecticut. Her great grandfather, Samuel Porter, was one of the inhabitants of Hartford who had a falling out with the theology of the Hartford Church and moved up the Connecticut River to Hadley, Massachusetts. Her grandfather, Experience Porter moved to Mansfield, Connecticut about 1724 bringing his children with him.

            I have 2 DNA matches where the most recent common ancestor is Joseph and Elizabeth. Both of these matches are through son Thomas. One match is through his daughter Aurora who married Daniel Beattie. The second is through his son Silas whose daughter married Burdette Dewitt. In both cases, I have identified that my matches and I are fifth cousins. According to the Shared cM Project undertaken by Blaine Bettinger[7], the average shared cMs (centimorgans) for fifth cousins is 17 and the range is 0 – 42. One of my matches and I share a segment 14.3 cMs and with the other I share a segment 31.22 cMs. Both are good representatives for fifth cousin matches.

           

Children of Joseph and Elizabeth (Porter) Baldwin, all born in Mansfield:

                    i.            Silas Baldwin b. 6 Sep. 1758, d. 13 Jan 1837 in Dorset, Bennington, Vermont, m. 8 Feb 1781 in Dorset, Priscilla Cary.

                  ii.            Elizabeth Baldwin, b. 13 Apr 1761, d. 2 Aug 1827 in Hinesburg, Chittenden, Vermont, m. in 1779 Daniel Barnum, b. 1761 in Vermont. This couple had no children.

                 iii.            Anna Baldwin, b. 12 Jan 1764, m. a man named Doane.

                 iv.            Joseph Baldwin, b. 4 Jul 1766, d. in Cooperstown, Otsego, New York, m, Elizabeth Suce b. about 1765, died before 1840.

                  v.            Keturah Baldwin, b. 5 Feb 1772, never married.

                 vi.            John Baldwin, b. 19 Mar 1774, twin of Thomas, d, 26 Sep 1846 in Mountain, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, m. about 1803 Asenath Buck b between 1778 and 1784 in Sorel, Quebec, Canada and died after 1824 in Mountain.

               vii.            Thomas Baldwin, b. 19 Mar 1774. twin of John, died 4 Jul 1854 in Dorset, m. 14 Apr 1807 in Connecticut, Polly Lanfrere, b. Jan 1788 in Connecticut and d. 26 May 1862 in Dorset.

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[1] Dimock, Susan W., Births, Baptisms, Marriages and Deathsfrom the Records of the Town and Churches in Mansfield, Connecticut, 1703-1850 (Baker and Taylor Co., New York: 1898), p. 143.

[2] “Second Congregational Church, Mansfield, Connecticut”, Marriages and Deaths, 1737-1824, death of Joseph Baldwin’s wife, 1808, p. 52; digital images, FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 17 Jan 2019), film 1,010,746.

[3] “Connecticut Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920”, Baptism of Elizabeth Porter, Mansfield, Vol. 65, p. 86; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 Jan 2019), citing Connecticut State Library records.

[4] Dimock, p. 207.

[5] “Massachusetts Vital Records, 1621-1850”, birth of Joseph Baldwin 1728; database, AmericanAncestors.org (http://www.americanancestors.org : accessed 15 Jan 2019), citing Billerica town records.

[6] “Second Congregational Church, Mansfield, Connecticut”, p. 244.

[7] https://thegeneticgenealogist.com/2017/08/26/august-2017-update-to-the-shared-cm-project/

Ancestor # 63

Joseph Baldwin (1728-1808)

Joseph Baldwin was born in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts on 20 October[1] 1728 and died on 9 January 1808[2] in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut. He is the second son and fourth child of Thomas and Dorothy (Kidder) Baldwin[3]. He married Elizabeth Porter on 16 November 1757[4] in Mansfield. Elizabeth Porter was born in Mansfield on 30 June 1740[5] and died there on 13 March 1808[6].

            Joseph moved to Connecticut with his family about 1736 (his father’s first land transaction was dated 19 February 1736). This Baldwin family descends from John Baldwin, one of the original settlers of Billerica.

            Joseph’s father died in 1750 and left a detailed will with his sons receiving land and his daughters money. Joseph was granted 42 acres[7], part of the homestead farm his father originally purchased from Peter Caudell. Joseph’s land was on both sides of Spring Hill Road in Mansfield. Spring Hill Road is still visible on Google Earth and land along the road is still being farmed. Joseph bought 10 acres of land from his brother Eleazar Baldwin in 1753[8]. He traded land with Jonathan Dimock in 1793[9] and sold to Uriah Hanks in 1801[10]. In 1802 he and his sons John and Thomas sold land to Benjamin Hanks[11]. It is significant that all three signed the sale agreement indicating that this piece of property Joseph had designated as the inheritance for his youngest sons.  In 1802 John was either married or had contracted to marry Asenath Buck and to settle permanently in Ontario, Canada. I am sure that he asked his father for his inheritance so he could establish himself in Dundas County and begin to raise his own family.

            Joseph was enumerated as head of household in the 1790 US census[12]. In his household he had 3 males 16 and over and 3 females 16 and over. The males were probably Joseph and his two youngest sons, Thomas and John, and the females likely were his wife Elizabeth and daughters Anna and Keturah. In 1800, son Thomas is head of household[13]. He has one male under 10, 2 males 16-25 and 1 male over 45. There are also 1 female 16-25, 1 female 26-45 and 1 female over 45. The male and female over 45 are most likely Joseph and Elizabeth. The female 25-45 is probably Keturah and one of the males 25-45 is Thomas. The other inhabitants have not been identified.

            There are stories that Joseph was a Loyalist during the American Revolution and both he and his wife were detained at Fort Ticonderoga for a time. I have not been able to verify this story, but it could be true. His eldest son was definitely a Loyalist and spent several months in jail in Bennington before being released.

Joseph did not leave a will[14]. This is not unusual for this time period especially for individuals who lived a full life. It was practice in this time period to give children their inheritance when they reached their majority or married. Many children moved away from their parents looking for cheaper land they could purchase. All of Joseph’s sons moved to Vermont or New York except for John who went to Canada.

            I have 2 DNA matches where the most recent common ancestor is Joseph and Elizabeth. Both of these matches are through son Thomas. One match is through his daughter Aurora who married Daniel Beattie. The second is through his son Silas whose daughter married Burdette Dewitt. In both cases, I have identified that my matches and I are fifth cousins. According to the Shared cM Project (Version 3) undertaken by Blaine Bettinger[15], the average shared cMs (centimorgans) for fifth cousins is 25 and the range is 0 – 94. One of my matches and I share a segment 14.3 cMs and with the other I share a segment 31.22 cMs. Both are good representatives for fifth cousin matches.

           

Children of Joseph and Elizabeth (Porter) Baldwin, all born in Mansfield:

                    i.            Silas Baldwin, b. 6 Sep. 1758, d. 13 Jan 1837 in Dorset, Bennington, Vermont, m. 8 Feb 1781 in Dorset, Priscilla Cary.

                  ii.            Elizabeth Baldwin, b. 13 Apr 1761, d. 2 Aug 1827 in Hinesburg, Chittenden, Vermont, m. in 1779 Daniel Barnum, b. 1761 in Vermont. This couple had no children.

                iii.            Anna Baldwin, b. 12 Jan 1764, m. a man named Doane.

                 iv.            Joseph Baldwin, b. 4 Jul 1766, d. in Cooperstown, Otsego, New York, m, Elizabeth Suce b. about 1765, died before 1840.

                   v.            Keturah Baldwin, b. 5 Feb 1772, never married.

                vi.            John Baldwin, b. 19 Mar 1774, twin of Thomas, d, 26 Sep 1846 in Mountain, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, m. about 1803 Asenath Buck b between 1778 and 1784 in Sorel, Quebec, Canada and died after 1824 in Mountain.

              vii.            Thomas Baldwin, b. 19 Mar 1774, twin of John, died 4 Jul 1854 in Dorset, m. 14 Apr 1807 in Connecticut, Polly Lanfrere, b. Jan 1788 in Connecticut and d. 26 May 1862 in Dorset.

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[1] “Massachusetts Vital Records, 1621-1850”, birth of Joseph Baldwin 1728; database, AmericanAncestors.org (http://www.americanancestors.org : accessed 15 Jan 2019), citing Billerica town records.

[2] “Second Congregational Church, Mansfield, Connecticut”, Marriages and Deaths, 1737-1824, death of Joseph Baldwin, 1808, p. 244; digital images, FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 17 Jan 2019), film 1,010,746.

[3] Baldwin, Charles Candee, The Baldwin Genealogy from 1500 to 1881 (Cleveland:1881). Stafford, Morgan Hewitt, A Genealogy of the Kidder Family (Tuttle Publishing Co., Rutland, VT:1941), p. 13.

[4] Dimock, Susan W., Births, Baptisms, Marriages and Deathsfrom the Records of the Town and Churches in Mansfield, Connecticut, 1703-1850 (Baker and Taylor Co., New York: 1898), p. 207.

[5] Dimock, p. 143.

[6] Second Congregational Church, death of Joseph Baldwin’s wife, 1808, p. 52.

[7] “Probate file collection, early to 1800”, Probate packets Babcock, N. – Bass, Ebenezer, 1719-1880, probate packet #206, Thomas Baldwin, Mansfield 1750, Windham District; digital images, FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 23 Jan 2019), film 1,032,530.

[8] “Mansfield, Connecticut, Land records, 1702-1900”, Eleazar Baldwin to Joseph Baldwin, 1753, Vol. 5, p. 484; digital images, FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 15 Jan 2019), film 4,872.

[9] Mansfield, Connecticut, Land records, Jonathan Dimock to Thomas Baldwin and Thomas Baldwin to Jonathan Dimock, Vol. 12, p. 151 and 152, film 4,872.

[10] Mansfield, Connecticut, Land records, Joseph Baldwin to Uriah Hanks, Vol. 14, p. 261, film 4,873.

[11] Mansfield, Connecticut, Land records, Joseph, John and Thomas Baldwin to Benjamin Hanks, 1802, Vol. 14, p. 288, film 4,873.

[12] 1790 US Census, Windham, Connecticut, population schedule, Mansfield, page 262, line 25, Joseph Baldwin; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 Feb 2016), citing National Archives and Record Administration microfilm M637, roll 1.

[13] 1800 US Census, Windham, Connecticut, population schedule, Mansfield, page 860 (written), page 721 (stamped), line 14, Thos Baldwin; ; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 Aug 2016), citing National Archives and Record Administration microfilm M32, roll 2.

[14] “General Index to probate records; all districts in Connecticut 1641-1948”, no entry for Joseph Baldwin, Mansfield, 1808 was located; digital images, FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 23 Jan 2019), film 166,002.

[15] https://thegeneticgenealogist.com/2017/08/26/august-2017-update-to-the-shared-cm-project/

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Ancestor # 63

Joanna Livina De Beir (1778-1846)

Joanne Livina De Beir was born in Eeklo, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium on 19 May 1778ⁱ and died there on 8 Nov 1846ⁱⁱ. She married Jan Francis De Vriese about 1805 born about 1778 in Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium, d. on 16 September 1820ⁱⁱⁱ in Kaprijke, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium. She was the daughter of Petrus Jacobus and Joanna Livina (De Pauw) De Beir.

She was a spinner. Her husband died in 1820, 2 months before her daughter Antonia was born. At this time she had 4 other children to raise, Maria 14, Victoria 7, Jan Baptist 5, and Sophia 2. It is likely that Maria was already working outside the home and helping to support the family. My grandfather brought this idea with him when he moved to New Jersey. As soon as the children completed 8^th grade, they were expected to get a job and contribute to the family finances. My aunts, Mary and Martha, went to work in the silk mills in Paterson. By the time my mother and her sister Margreth came along, my grandfather was doing well enough that they both were allowed to finish high school before finding a job. My mother went on to post-graduate education in nursing and became an RN.

Children of Jan Francis and Joanna Livinia (De Beir) De Vriese, all born in Kaprijke:

1. Maria Theresa De Vriese. b. 1 Apr 1806, d. 24 Nov 1846 in Eeklo, m. on 11 May 1838 in Kaprijke, Jacobus Francis Van Den Berge, b. 6 Jan 1803 in Eeklo.
2. Jan Baptiste De Vriese, b. 23 Jan 1811, d. 23 Oct 1812.
3. Victoria De Vriese, b. 13 Mar 1813.
4. Jan Baptiste De Vriese, b. 22 Aug 1815.
5. Sophie De Vriese, b. 10 Jun 1818 and d. 1 Jan 1857 in Eeklo, m. 6 May 1846 in Eeklo, Jan Baptist Cobert, b. 19 May 1817 in Eeklo and d. 30 Apr 1890 in Lembeke, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium.
6. Antonia Francisca De Vriese, b. 3 Dec 1820.

i Eeklo Parochial Registers, 1609-1875, "Dopen,1755-1778, Begraven 1759-1770"; Baptism of Joanne Livina De Beir, 1778, p. 1785; FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 Jan 2019), FHL film #290,081.

ii Eeklo Municipal Records, 1796-1870; "Overlijden 1842-1850", death of Joanne Livina De Beir, 1846, entry #254; FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 8 Jan 2019), FHL film #771,953.

iii Kaprijke Municipal Records, 1796-1870, “Overlijdens 1802-1822”. Death of Joannes Franciscus De Vriese, 1820, entry #66; FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 8 Jan 2019), FHL film #784,185.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Ancestor # 62

Jan Francis De Vriese (1778-1820)

Jan Francis De Vriese was born in Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium about 1778ⁱ and died in Kaprijke, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium on 16 September 1820. He was the son of Engel and Maria Cornelia (Heligeer) De Vriese. He married Joanna Livinia De Beir about 1805. She was born on 19 May 1817ⁱⁱ in Eeklo, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium, and died there on 8 Nov 1846ⁱⁱⁱ.

Jan Francis was a weaver. He died at the age of 42, 2 months before his youngest child was born. I do not know where he was born. His death record gives the location but I cannot read it. One of the challenges of doing research in Flanders is finding locations. Although Family Search.org has digitized church and vital records, very few of them have been indexed so far. So it is difficult to find records without knowing the location where your ancestor lived. And I do not know where Engel De Vriese was living when his children were born.

I also have been unable to locate a marriage record for this couple. I have checked Eeklo and Kaprijke with no luck. Joanne De Beir could have been living and working and in any number of little towns in the area and that would have been a likely location for the marriage. If anyone can help me solve these mysteries, I would be grateful.

Children of Jan Francis and Joanna Livinia (De Beir) De Vriese, all born in Kaprijke:

1. Maria Theresa De Vriese. b. 1 Apr 1806, d. 24 Nov 1846 in Eeklo, m. on 11 May 1838 in Kaprijke, Jacobus Francis Van Den Berge, b. 6 Jan 1803 in Eeklo.
2. Jan Baptiste De Vriese, b. 23 Jan 1811, d. 23 Oct 1812.
3. Victoria De Vriese, b. 13 Mar 1813.
4. Jan Baptiste De Vriese, b. 22 Aug 1815.
5. Sophie De Vriese, b. 10 Jun 1818 and d. 1 Jan 1857 in Eeklo, m. 6 May 1846 in Eeklo, Jan Baptist Cobert, b. 19 May 1817 in Eeklo and d. 30 Apr 1890 in Lembeke, OostVlaanderen, Belgium.
6. Antonia Francisca De Vriese, b. 3 Dec 1820.

i Kaprijke Municipal Records, 1796-1870, “Overlijdens 1802-1822”. Death of Joannes Franciscus De Vriese, 1820, entry #66; FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 8 Jan 2019), FHL film #784,185.

ii Eeklo Parochial Registers, 1609-1875, "Dopen,1755-1778, Begraven 1759-1770"; Baptism of Joanne Livina De Beir, 1778, p. 1785; FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 Jan 2019), FHL film #290,081.

iii Eeklo Municipal Records, 1796-1870; "Overlijden 1842-1850", death of Joanne Livina De Beir, 1846, entry #254; FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 8 Jan 2019), FHL film #771,953.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Ancestor # 61

Caroline Theresa Van De Velde (1786-1850)

Caroline Theresa Van De Velde was born in Eeklo, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium on 14 September 1786ⁱ and died there on 25 May 1850ⁱⁱ. She was the daughter of Jan Baptist and Christina Joanne (Standaert) Cobert. She married (1) on 5 September 1816ⁱⁱⁱ in Eeklo as his second wife Bernard Cobert, born 16 October 1779^iv and died 14 July 1832^v and (2) on 30 Jun 1837^vi Jacob Mortier b. on 15 December 1775 and died on 4 December 1841.

Bernard was a weaver and Caroline was a spinner. She had 6 children in her first marriage and acquired several step children by her second.

The name Van De Velde, I believe denotes a feature of the landscape. Veld is the Dutch word meaning field or open ground. We have Van De Veldes on both the Van De Veire and the Dobbelaere side of the family. I do not know if they are closely related or not but it is not inconceivable that more than one family group might have chosen Van De Velde as a surname.

Children of Bernard and Caroline Theresa (Van De Velde) Cobert, all born in Eeklo:

i. Jan Baptiste Cobert. b. 19 May 1817, d. after 1876, m. (1) on 6 May 1846 Sophie De Vriese b. 10 Jun 1818 in Kaprijke, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium, d. 1 Jan 1857 in Eeklo and (2) Seraphina Siffain, b. 11 Jan 1824 in Adegem, Oost Vlaanderan, Belgium.

ii. Angelus Cobert b. 27 Dec 1818, m. on 14 May 1848 Amelia Decoeyer, b. 23 Apr 1823 in Lovendegem, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium.

iii. Bruno Cobert b. 8 Feb 1821, d. 2 Nov 1821.

iv. Antonia Cobert b. 17 Jan 1828, m. on 2 Jul 1845 Joannes Baptiste Driessens, b. 1820 in Winerschool, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium.

v. Seraphinus Cobert, b. 18 Feb 1825, d. 1 Dec 1829 in Eede, Zeeland, Netherlands.

vi. Franciscus Cobert, b. 29 Dec 1827, m. about 1854 Sophia Francisca Vervact, b. 2 Nov 1823 in Bouchaute, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium.

i Eeclo Parochial Registers, Dopen 1786-1796; Baptism of Caroline Theresa Van De Velde. 1786, p. 449; FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 9 Aug 2018), FHL film # 290,082.

ii Eeclo Municipal Records, Overlijden 1842-1850; death of Caroline Theresa Van De Velde. 1850 #93; FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 9 Aug 2018), FHL film # 771,953.

iii Eeclo Municipal Records, Huwelijken 1816-1826; Cobert – Van De Velde marriage 1816 # 32, film # 786,552.

iv Eeclo Parochial Registers Marriages, Baptisms, Burials, 1609-1875, Dopen 1770-1796; baptism of Bernard Cobert, 1779; film #290,082.

v Eeclo Municipal Records,, Overlijden 1821-1832; Death of Bernardus Cobert, 1832 #167; film #771,951.

vi Eeclo Municipal Records, Huwelijken 1827-1838, Mortier – Van De Velde marriage 1837 # 41, film # 786,553.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Ancestor #60

Bernard Cobert (1779-1832)

Bernard Cobert was born in Eeclo, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium on 16 October 1779ⁱ and died there on 14 July 1832ⁱⁱ. He was the son of Francis and Marie Jacoba (Noe) Cobert. He married (1) on 15 June 1815 in Eeclo Livinia Musscheⁱⁱⁱ, born 14 July 1779 and died 16 March 1816^iv and (2) on 5 September 1816 Caroline Theresa Van De Velde^v born on 14 September 1786^vi in Eeclo and died there on 25 May 1850^vii.

Bernardus was a weaver and his wife was a spinner. Their youngest son, Francis, had at least 2 children who moved to the United States; Charles who settled in Moline, Rock Island, Illinois and August who settled in Villard, Pope, Minnesota. August had a large family so it is likely we have Cobert cousins somewhere in the US.

Children of Bernard and Caroline Theresa (Van De Velde) Cobert, all born in Eeclo:

i. Jan Baptist Cobert. b. 19 May 1817, d. after 1876, m. (1) on 6 May 1846 Sophie De Vriese b. 10 Jun 1818 in Kaprijke, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium, d. 1 Jan 1857 in Eeklo and (2) Seraphina Siffain, b. 11 Jan 1824 in Adegem, Oost Vlaanderan, Belgium.

ii. Angelus Cobert b. 27 Dec 1818, m. on 14 May 1848 Amelia Decoeyer, b. 23 Apr 1823 in Lovendegem, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium.

iii. Bruno Cobert b. 8 Feb 1821, d. 2 Nov 1821.

iv. Antonia Cobert b. 17 Jan 1828, m. on 2 Jul 1845 Jan Baptist Driessens, b. 1820 in Winerschool, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium.

v. Seraphinus Cobert, b. 18 Feb 1825, d. 1 Dec 1829 in Eede, Zeeland, Netherlands.

vi. Francis Cobert, b. 29 Dec 1827, m. about 1854 Sophia Francisca Vervact, b. 2 Nov 1823 in Bouchaute, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium.

i Eeclo Parochial Registers Marriages, Baptisms, Burials, 1609-1875, Dopen 1770-1796; baptism of Bernard Cobert, 1779; FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 9 Aug 2018), FHL film # 290,082.

ii Eeclo Municipal Records, “ Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand, 1796-1870”, Overlijden 1821-1832; Death of Bernardus Cobert, 1832 #167; ; FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 9 Aug 2018), FHL film # 771,951.

iii Eeclo Municipal Records, Huwelijken 1795-1821; Cobert – Mussche marriage 1815 #23, film #786,551.

iv Eeco Municipal Records, Overlijden 1809-1820; death of Livinia Mussche, 1816, #67, film # 771,950.

v Eeclo Municipal Records, Huwelijken 1816-1826; Cobert – Van De Velde marriage 1816 # 32, film # 786,552.

vi Eeclo Parochial Registers, Dopen 1786-1796; Baptism of Caroline Theresa Van De Velde. 1786, p. 449, FHL film 771,984.

vii Eeclo Municipal Records, Overlijden 1842-1850; death of Caroline Theresa Van De Velde. 1850 #93, FHL film 771,953.