OMG -- I finally found it

In a previous post about  Minerva Favorite I wrote about the mystery of Minerva and her family.  Yesterday at the Family History Center here in Prescott I found, at last, a huge piece in the puzzle.  Of course, as with all genealogy, the more we know, the more questions we have, but for now I'm not going to think about those other questions.  I am going to celebrate this find.

Just a little background for you, I have been searching for the bits and pieces of the life of Joseph Favorite and his wife Sarah, parents of Minerva for five to six years.  About three years ago I discovered a Creditors Notice publication in the Frederick Town Hearld newspaper (online) dated 27 Aug 1831 naming George Kuhn as administrator of Joseph Favorite's estate.  Now just a note to others researching, I searched for Favorite and found nothing relevant, only things like "favorite game" or "favorite son"... but since I knew Sarah's maiden name was Kuhn I thought well why not search that and see what comes up.  What came up was George Kuhn which lead to Joseph Favorite.  Favorite might have come up normally but in the article, Favorite was hyphenated: Favor-ite. 

Anyway, now I had a date to start checking probate records so off I went to the FHL catalog to find the film numbers II would need.  The next step was ordering the first two films (only two at a time for various reasons) and then the waiting.  You know that feeling, right?  It should take maybe a week to get the film, those always seem to be the longest weeks.  The call finally came from the FHC and off I went, certain of success.  And success I had, initially finding the Administrator Bonds in the first film, but no luck in the second film which was the actual Administration Accountings 1828-1831, just a little too early.  Next step, order the next two films and wait... again....finally the call came and off I went to the FHC, very hopeful.  This time I got really lucky and found the Inventory to Joseph Favorite's estate.  Three pages listing everything this young family owned, all with a dollar value placed on it.  For me as a family historian, the value of seeing these belongings was priceless but it's hard to imagine something like "2 old scythes" being valued at 50 cents.  So many of the articles were valued at a dollar or less  There were some things I needed to search for on Google to figure out what they were; most ended up being different types of farming implements.  It was apparent Joseph was a farmer but he apparently rented land as no real estate was listed in the inventory.  Again the second film did not provide any additional information but I figured if I continued to bat 500 I would be happy. 

It was time for two more films so I ordered the next two on the list, knowing for sure one of them would be the one, it would have that Final Accounting I was looking for, it would list the heirs, if there were any of Joseph, it would list Minerva.  That was what I really wanted, to see Minerva's name listed there in the official document as his daughter, the final overriding proof.  Another week went by and no word from the FHC, then another.  Finally the call came, the films are in.  By now the dates I was looking at were 1834-1836 and 1836-1840. The Inventory was dated August 1831 so even with a reasonable time delay, the final accounting should occur by 1836 right?   Wrong, as I checked out the index in the first film, nothing, no reference to Joseph Favorite or any other Favorite.  "That's ok", thought the second film will have it for sure.  As I wound the film on the microfilm reader I was sending up silent prayers to the genealogy angels, "please let it be there".  I always check the other letters in the index for other names I,m interested in and found nothing but as I approached the "F" page I was holding my breath....[whoose, air out] not one Favorite listed.  The list is short so it's was over quick, but not painlessly.  As a small consolation, I did find a reference to "the estate of Rebecca Flack" who I knew was a sister of Sarah Kuhn so at least I was rewarded with a little tidbit, not what I wanted but we take what we can get right?

So it was back to the order form and two more films  By this time was looking at 1839-1848 and 1840-1845.  I know, strange numbering sequence but I was just taking them in order.  I couldn't figure out why his estate wouldn't be there, what was I missing?  It had been almost 8 years since his death and still no estate settlement. 

You know the drill as well as I by now, and the waiting game.  Again after about 10 days, the call came from the FHC but this time only one of the films had come in, the other was on back order.  The older of the two, the 1839-1848 had arrived.  I wan't really very excited about these two films, this one in particular; it was too late.  My theory was somehow I had missed Joseph in the previous films; most likely the indexing wasn't accurate and he had simply been overlooked.  I put the visit to the FHC off a couple days just out of spite really, I didn't want that disappointment, again, but finally I had a couple minutes, and knowing it wasn't going to take long to just read the index, so I  stopped by and sure enough it only took about 5 minutes and I was done.  Nothing there, no Favorites listed and certainly not Joseph. 

Since I was still waiting on one more film I didn't want to order any more, so back I went to the waiting game.

Last week, on Friday, I came home and notice a message on the answering machine; my last film had come in.  "Whoppee" I thought sarcastically, "no hurry here, it's the Memorial Day weekend, the library will be closed and there won't be anything on this film either."  Finally yesterday I decided to just go ahead, go to the library, get it over with and check out the film.  There wasn't any excitement (well maybe just a little), just put the film on and be done with it.  As I got to the "F' page in the index, the second name from the top is "Sarah Favorite, 1st accounting p. 11".   WHAT, OMG could it possibly be?  chills all over, "I think I've found it, not Joseph, but Sarah his wife"... further down the page there she is again "Sarah Favorite 2nd and Final Accounting, page 470".   A Final Accounting, could it possibly be?   Quickly I forwarded to page 11 and started reading.  Again, as with Joseph's estate, George Kuhn is acting as Administrator in the estate (he is her brother).  She died before 17 April 1839, the date of this 1st Accounting.  The accounting indicates how much the personal property in her estate sold for, a payment made by a "George Favorite", (nice clue here, perhaps a brother-in-law?) and interest received on the sum.  Secondly the administrator prays for an allowance to pay for some things including to "Christian Beahcy for making coffin".  Total value of the estate was $507.84 1/2.  Can't wait now, I have to get to that final accounting so I zoom through the microfilm to page 470 and find that final, wonderful clue, the final accounting of Sarah Favorite dated 25 Jan 1842 where at the bottom of the page it reads,
Amount for distribution brought forward, $808.69
Distribution according to law as follows To Wit
To Minerva Favorite a daughter of the Intestate     $404.34 1/2
To Casandra Favorite a daughter of the Intestate     $404.34 1/2

I DID IT.... I FOUND THAT LONG HIDDEN ELUSIVE CLUE.  I wish I had better words but I think other genealogists will understand the feelings I was experiencing; we have all had these moments.  They are what make all the disappointments worthwhile.  So apparently what happened is before Joseph's estate could be finalized with the proceeds going to his wife, Sarah, she died which must have complicated things even more.  The one major question I have is why would the court distribute to two minor females.  These girls were only 12 and 10 years old.  There is no mention anywhere of a guardian, however, I realized while writing this that I checked guardianship records up to 1839.  Perhaps I just didn't go far enough.  I will be ordering those films immediately.

So the lesson to all of you who take the time to read this LONG post, is NEVER, NEVER give up.  The term Exhaustive Search as stated in the GPS means exactly that.  I am still so excited about this find, I had to share and my geneablogging buddies are the ones I wanted to share with.  Thanks for being there.  

Amanuensis Monday - Letter from a Friend

While reading Joan's blog Roots'n'Leaves I noticed her Monday posts called Amanuensis Monday which were transcriptions of family diaries or other material.  I wondered what this word meant so I went googling.  I found the definition: one employed to write from dictation or to copy manuscripts.  Further research into the origins of this prompt idea lead me to John Newmark at TransylvaniaDutch. Since I am of that certain age (retired), and no longer "employed"  I will "volunteer" and  join in the fun of Amanuensis Monday.

So here is my first Amanuensis post.  This is a letter in my possession, dated July 8, 1860 from Mary Eliz. Heliner of Emmitsburg, Frederick county, Maryland to her "friend", Minerva Louise Favorite Douglass of Ottumwa, Iowa.  Minerva is my gt gt grandmother. The letter is quite difficult to read in some places and impossible in others.

Dear Friend,
I received your very welcome letter and you can hardly imagine what joy it gave me for when I wrote I had the wrong direction. I had to guess the place. I was sorry to hear of your ???? affliction. I hope brighter days are in store for you. When you move east perhaps you will regain your nice happy ??? ????. …I am glad one of your children is a ???? ahead of mine although the name is not pretty yet I like to have some of my friends call there children that name. There was a gentleman in town yesterday from Mercer, a Mr. Fleming. Sis ??? requested him to call to see Laura Smith, I did not see him so told Laura that Sis was to be married soon perhaps it is ??? . we have very cold and unpleasant weather. Cold enough to wear shawls in evening and morning, it certainly is very unhealthy. On the fourth I was at a fishing party, Danners girls, Brooks girls, myself and Maria were the girls. Pierce Danner and James Helman were the boys. We had a great deal of fun. We rode out and back.  I was at very large picnic last week but did not enjoy myself very much. There were too many at it for any pleasure. Ellen Weltz is married. She married a man in Baltimore. You remember her, she always lived next door to you. I will now answer the questions you asked. Mary E. Eichelbarger is not married nor any of the family. Your Guthrie is living in Davenport Iowa. She has been there nearly three years. She is not married but Jane is married to George Beam, they are living near town. Mr. Guthrie is dead nearly two years. Mrs. Shiles and William are both dead. The rest of the family are living in St. Joseph Missouri, moved out this spring. Charlie Bow is married to a Mis Maxwell. He is living in the country. Sarah Troxel sends her best love. She says she would like to see you. She is living with her father ever since Charles is married, she is the same lighthearted creature she ever was. Josh and Eli are still single. Isaiah Bow is married to Miss Bushman. Cal Zimmerman is very delicate. She does not go out much since she had her child which is a little girl. Joseph Weltz has been living in Virginia five years, they are very much pleased. Jeminas mother is out with them now. She will be home this week. All the girls send their love to you. Every person appeared glad to hear of you. I told a great many persons that I had a letter from you. They would all like to see you. Philomena Pittinger and Victoria are coming home. Phil is not well, she thinks the country will do her good. Your Aunt Marg. Jones lives in Iowa City you are not far from her, they are doing well. Fishers are in the same place. I would like to see all of them. I wrote to Jim that he was coming in but he has not made his appearance yet. Smalee was in but did not come to see us. I think it very hard he might have called if only for a few moments. There has no doubt been a great many changes since you left, a great many have died, some have married and moved off. Frank Eysler is living in St. Joseph. She has two children. She does not like it out there, but she is one of these discontented creatures. If nothing happens I expect to go to Virginia in a few weeks. I hope I will enjoy myself. Pearsons are living in Westminster. Mary is to be married soon. Aunt Molter is dead this two years. Sam bought her house and is married and has two children. He married a lady from Pittsburgh. Rev. Mr. Senham is also married again. He is living near Philadelphia. Annie Diven is married to Harry McDivim. He is living in Kansas. Julia Shark has grown to be a very fine lady, very sociable and pleasant. Kate Geets is still single. She is keeping house for George since his wife died. Susan is married and is living in Hanover. What I have not told you please remind me when you write again. All the family join with me in love to you and your family, remember me to your husband, answer very soon and believe me ever your true friend. Good bye hope you are all well, Mary Eliz Heliner

 

Poem at the end of letter

 

Oft in tender recollection

Call to mind thy absent friend

Cherish for her that affection

Which shall never ever end

Minerva Louise Favorite 1 April 1830 - 2 Feb 1890

My 2nd gtgdmother on my mother's maternal side is Minerva Favorite.  She has been one of those ancestors who is so elusive, you just about think you've caught her and then away she goes, lost in the records of the past.  Minerva seems to keep reaching out to me, asking me to tell her story, so let me tell it here. 

Minerva was born in Baltimore, Maryland on 1 April 1832, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Kuhn Favorite. She was christened in Graceham, Frederick county, Maryland on 9 June 1830. Sometime in 1832 another daughter, Sarah Catherine was born.  Then something happened to this young family.  I'm not sure what, except that the two young sisters apparently were separated from each other when very young.  A letter written in 1883 from Sarah addressed to Minerva as  "Sister" talks about how unfortunate it was they were separated at such a young age and did not develop a "sisterly bond".  In the 1840 census of Frederick county, neither Joseph Favorite nor Sarah Favorite can be found. By the 1850 census Minerva is found living with Eliza Nickum and her daughter Margaret Nickum who later is referred to as a cousin of Minerva's.  It appears the parents of these two young girls, Minerva and Sarah died, leaving them alone in the world. It also appears the girls were fostered out to family members, although I have found no evidence in the court records.  A marriage record again from the Family Record in the family bible states the marriage between Minerva and John Milton Douglass of Mercer county, PA took place 23 Jan 1855.  Minerva must have been so happy to finally have a family she could call her own.  A husband to love and protect her, with the expectation of children to love and cherish.  The family bible provides the births of two children in Pennsylvania and then by 1860 the family has moved to Ottumwa, Iowa.  Three more children are born between 1860 and 1866.  In the midst of the turmoil of the Civil War, I image that Minerva remains content.  She has her family; her children, a husband, a new home in a new town.  But disaster looms. By 1871, Minerva has lost two of her children and her husband to consumption.  She is again alone in the world with only herself to count on. She must be strong for her remaining children, but how unfair must she have thought her life. First to never know the love of her parents and then to lose the love of her husband and children. She did not give in to the fates however, as she lived another 20 years, raised her remaining children, provided for herself and saw the birth of two grandchildren. 

I believe our ancestors watch over those of us who try to remember them and I hope Minerva realizes how much I appreciate her sacrifice and her life.  Without her I would not be here. Thank you Minerva for your strength.