It has been almost a week since 15" of snow fell in West Brokfield, and many homes are still without power. Snow covered trees and branches, with leaves still on them, are laying across power lines and roads. Some power and phone lines were even ripped from homes. Patience is wearing very thin for even the hardiest of folks blame the power company for not trimming the tree branches which were hanging over the lines.
Those familiar with the area know that cell phones do not work in some locations due to the lack of cell towers and the hilly terrain. Communication is difficult, if not impossible.
Snow is beginning to melt slowly, and businesses along Route 9, where there is power, are open. Gas stations and restaurants, especially, are doing a booming business. I would imagine that people who cut and sell wood are doing well, too.
Schools remain closed. Quaboag Regional High School is still operating as a shelter for people who need a warm place to sleep, or perhaps a warm shower.
Today's Quaboag Current does have some storm related stories and photos. You may view them online at http://quaboagcurrent.com/
Friday, November 4, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
James Dillon - born Nov. 2, 1807 in Ireland
Ancestry.com has a database called, Selected U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1966. A couple of years ago I was fortunate enough to find an entry in Vol. 3-468, Worcester Superior Court, for James Dillon of West Brookfield. The index card gave Nov. 2, 1807 as his date of birth, and Ireland as his place of birth or allegiance. His naturalization date was January 1, 1860. This source is the only one I have found which gives a date of birth. James' death record , [Massachusetts, Worcester, West Brookfield Deaths, 1860, Vol. 140: Pg. 258,] does not give his age at death, nor does it name his parents. It does say that he was born in Ireland. Census records seem to indicate that 1807 certainly could be the correct birth year for James.
I know that James came from Ireland sometime between 1846 when his son, John was born or baptized in County Galway, Ireland, and 1849, when a daughter Honora, was born in West Brookfield. James and his wife Honora (Liddy) had a least four children when they came to the United States from Ireland. The first known child, was a daughter Sarah, born or baptized in Galway in 1839. Sons Patrick, John, and James, also were born or baptized in County Galway. West Brookfield vital records reveal five children born to this couple in that town.
James worked as a laborer in town, possibly on the railroad. The 1850 census indicates that he was unable to read or write. He died on April 16, 1860 of Dropsey, according to West Brookfield records. He was a storekeeper at the time of his death. The 1860 Federal Mortality Schedule has an entry for James Deland, of West Brookfield who died of "Consumption Blood." This James Deland's age was noted as 56, and birth place was given as Ireland. He was a day laborer who had been ill for 11 months. Burial was in St. William's Cemetery in Ware.
Three sons of James and Honora Dillon, Patrick, John, and James, fought in the Civil War.
More about the family of James and Honora (Liddy) Dillon may be found on the West Brookfield Genealogy Website http://westbrookfieldgenealogy.org/genealogy/ This is a free site, and no log in is needed in order to search the site.
The County Galway birth/baptismal records may be purchased from http://www.rootsireland.ie/ Three of them are from the civil parish of Oranmore in County Galway. The fourth says, " St. Nicholas Combined N&E," on the Parish/District Line. Witnesses are noted on all four records.
I know that James came from Ireland sometime between 1846 when his son, John was born or baptized in County Galway, Ireland, and 1849, when a daughter Honora, was born in West Brookfield. James and his wife Honora (Liddy) had a least four children when they came to the United States from Ireland. The first known child, was a daughter Sarah, born or baptized in Galway in 1839. Sons Patrick, John, and James, also were born or baptized in County Galway. West Brookfield vital records reveal five children born to this couple in that town.
James worked as a laborer in town, possibly on the railroad. The 1850 census indicates that he was unable to read or write. He died on April 16, 1860 of Dropsey, according to West Brookfield records. He was a storekeeper at the time of his death. The 1860 Federal Mortality Schedule has an entry for James Deland, of West Brookfield who died of "Consumption Blood." This James Deland's age was noted as 56, and birth place was given as Ireland. He was a day laborer who had been ill for 11 months. Burial was in St. William's Cemetery in Ware.
Three sons of James and Honora Dillon, Patrick, John, and James, fought in the Civil War.
More about the family of James and Honora (Liddy) Dillon may be found on the West Brookfield Genealogy Website http://westbrookfieldgenealogy.org/genealogy/ This is a free site, and no log in is needed in order to search the site.
The County Galway birth/baptismal records may be purchased from http://www.rootsireland.ie/ Three of them are from the civil parish of Oranmore in County Galway. The fourth says, " St. Nicholas Combined N&E," on the Parish/District Line. Witnesses are noted on all four records.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Eli M. Converse - West Brookfield Merchant - born October 31, 1850
Eli M. Converse was born in Brookfield on October 31, 1850. His parents were James, a shoemaker, born in North Brookfield, and Mary, born in Brookfield.. Eli spent his boyhood in Brookfield and married Nancy M. Prouty there on May 1, 1878. Nancy died on October 14, 1883. On December 20, 1887 Eli married a school teacher from Brookfield named Lucy Maria Dunton. They moved to West Brookfield probably the following year. A daughter Elsie was born in 1889 and a son Robert came along in 1891.
Eli was engaged in commerce in West Brookfield, owning and operating a general store in the Wheeler-Conway Block, first with Frank Blodget and then by himself. The business was sold to Charles O. M. Edson in 1914.
Eli served the town of West Brookfield as a selectman and school committeeman. He also served in the Massachusetts Legislature in 1911. He died in his home on School St. on February 24, 1936 after a long illness. His obituary appeared on page four of the Springfield Daily Republican on February 25, 1936.
Sources: A History of West Brookfield :1674 - 1990 by Jeffrey H. Fiske
Obituary of Eli M. Converse; Springfield Daily Republican, Feb. 25, 1936; p.4
Vital records of Brookfield and West Brookfield, MA
Eli was engaged in commerce in West Brookfield, owning and operating a general store in the Wheeler-Conway Block, first with Frank Blodget and then by himself. The business was sold to Charles O. M. Edson in 1914.
Eli served the town of West Brookfield as a selectman and school committeeman. He also served in the Massachusetts Legislature in 1911. He died in his home on School St. on February 24, 1936 after a long illness. His obituary appeared on page four of the Springfield Daily Republican on February 25, 1936.
Sources: A History of West Brookfield :1674 - 1990 by Jeffrey H. Fiske
Obituary of Eli M. Converse; Springfield Daily Republican, Feb. 25, 1936; p.4
Vital records of Brookfield and West Brookfield, MA
Weekend storm leaves 15" of snow - downed trees, no electricity or phone
Word from family is that there is 15" of snow on the ground, along with many trees and branches. Power is not expected to be restored until at least Thursday.
Although I remember snow flurries once on Halloween, I do not remember ever having any significant amount of snow in October when I was growing up in West Brookfield.
Although I remember snow flurries once on Halloween, I do not remember ever having any significant amount of snow in October when I was growing up in West Brookfield.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Orianna Tyler and Eugene Kirkland married Oct. 28, 1891- Updated 12 November 2021
Orianna Tyler was born in West Brookfield on April 13, 1863. She was the daughter of George F. and Caroline (Pepper) Tyler. Orianna married Eugene Kirkland, son of Charles and Elizabeth on October 28, 1891, according to The Tyler Genealogy: The Descendants of Job Tyler, of Andover, Massachusetts, 1619-1700. No location is given for the marriage, and no record has been located in Massachusetts vital records.
Eugene was born in Huntington, MA on Nov. 14, 1857, according to the Tyler Genealogy. Huntington vital records show the birth of an unnamed male Kirkland on that date.
The 1880 census has Eugene living with a brother in Washington State, and the 1900 census has Eugene, Orianna and daughters Helen and Eva living in Colfax, Whitman County Washington. Daughter Eva died in 1925, Eugene died in 1926, and Orianna lived until Dec. 13, 1954.
Eugene was born in Huntington, MA on Nov. 14, 1857, according to the Tyler Genealogy. Huntington vital records show the birth of an unnamed male Kirkland on that date.
The 1880 census has Eugene living with a brother in Washington State, and the 1900 census has Eugene, Orianna and daughters Helen and Eva living in Colfax, Whitman County Washington. Daughter Eva died in 1925, Eugene died in 1926, and Orianna lived until Dec. 13, 1954.
*Update*
Helen married Thomas Addison Gallauger on 4 September 1924 at the Congregational Parsonage in Colfax, Whitman, Wahington. Rev. F. O. Wyatt was the officiant..
She died 30 March 1972 in Spokane, Washington. Thomas died 2 June 1964 in Colfax, Washington.
Source : Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854-2013 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.Whitman> Washington>Marriage Affidavits, page 12
Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008 [database online] FamilySearch.com; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9TM8-9Q4V ; Accessed 12 November 2021.)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Alonzo Edmond Gilbert - Born Oct.26, 1846; married Oct. 26, 1871
Alonzo Edmond Gilbert was born in Brookfield on October 26, 1846. His parents were Nathaniel and Lucy S. (Rich) Gilbert. Alonzo grew up in West Brookfield and worked in the shoe industry as a young man. He married Annie May Handy, a native of Readville, ME, on October 26, 1871. Their marriage is recorded both in Brookfield and West Brookfield vital records. Since both Alonzo and Annie lived in West Brookfield at the time of the marriage, I suspect that they were married in Brookfield.
Alonzo and Annie had a son, Eugene Alonzo Gilbert, said to have been born in Dover, New Hampshire in 1873. [no record found] By 1900 the family was back in West Brookfield where Alonzo was employed as a grain and coal dealer. Annie died in 1910, and Alonzo moved with Eugene's family to Wilbraham sometime between 1910 and 1920. Alonzo's Death was recorded in Springfield in 1925 in Volume 73, page 434 of Springfield Vital Records. Eugene and family are found in the 1930 census in Springfield.
Alonzo and Annie had a son, Eugene Alonzo Gilbert, said to have been born in Dover, New Hampshire in 1873. [no record found] By 1900 the family was back in West Brookfield where Alonzo was employed as a grain and coal dealer. Annie died in 1910, and Alonzo moved with Eugene's family to Wilbraham sometime between 1910 and 1920. Alonzo's Death was recorded in Springfield in 1925 in Volume 73, page 434 of Springfield Vital Records. Eugene and family are found in the 1930 census in Springfield.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Lillian Nancy Gilbert - born October 25, 1866
Lillian Nancy Gilbert, daughter of David Wait Gilbert and his wife Sarah Jane (Bush), was born in West Brookfield on Oct. 25, 1866. The family moved to Boylston by 1869 and to Worcester by 1880.
Lillian married Artliff F. Dunkerton in Worcester on March 15, 1888. The couple had three children. Artliff died in Leicester in 1918, but Lillian was was enumerated in the 1930 census with the family of her son Charles in Auburn. She died in Paxton in 1948.
Lillian married Artliff F. Dunkerton in Worcester on March 15, 1888. The couple had three children. Artliff died in Leicester in 1918, but Lillian was was enumerated in the 1930 census with the family of her son Charles in Auburn. She died in Paxton in 1948.
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