Jane Angeline Dunham 1823-1906, parents William F Dunham & Sarah Metcalf

Green Bay Press-Gazette. 10 August 1893. Newspapers.com

William F Dunham and Sarah Metcalf have been connected as the parents of Jane Angeline Dunham 1823-1906. WE now have a paper trail and DNA trail. The reason I choose “WE” is because it has taken many years and many “cousins.” This hunt started in about 1990 with several photos from a 1900 Christmas album gift to my grandmother, Nettie Couch, 1884-1965. The hunt never ends. Now, I am looking for more cousins and more information on Jane’s parents. Along the way, I have found the names of DNA matches with every one of the siblings, several other Dunham families and several Metcalf families.

Special thanks to:

• Dunham’s of Rome including Ann Eldred (1935-2003), Phyllis KItson, P.C. Alger, and Bill Wood, these people put my original question, “Dunham by birth or by marriage?” to rest with many photos and family group sheets
• Beth for sharing a family group sheet from her research, especially on the Hickok line
• Rich for all his DNA hours and for answering my basic DNA questions
• Christina for this wonderful newspaper clipping that finally joins OUR family, for meeting me in Wisconsin several years ago, for introducing me to her sister, for sharing their family stories
• Jane Wilcox, Forget-MeNot Ancestry, for guiding me in my searches
• MyHeritage and Ancestry for DNA match suggestions
• NGS research trips, especially a full packed week in Madison, Wisconsin
• Gratia for sharing her vast knowledge of the Dunham family and her hours of research
• Many, many friends and family who have listened to me whine for 20+ years because I could not find Jane’s parents 

Jane A Dunham Couch

Jane Angeline DUNHAM (1823 - 1906)
2nd great-grandmother

Eugene Deloss COUCH (1851 - 1925)
Son of Jane Angeline DUNHAM

Nettie Ethel COUCH (1884 - 1965)
Daughter of Eugene Deloss COUCH

Mildred Louise SCHULER (1919 - 2008)
Daughter of Nettie Ethel COUCH

Selma Ethel KAMPE
You are the daughter of Mildred Louise SCHULER

Now, more questions:

• How come family Bible and all censuses except 1900 census list New York or Rome, New York as birth?
• How come the 43 year lack of family contact?
• How come migrated to LaSalle County, Illinois instead of Wisconsin?
• Who are Jane’s grandparents?

View my Roots_Digger tree on Ancestry and Roots_Digger Related on MyHeritage. Join me in our search for more family members, stories, photos. Contact me a sbgenealogy@gmail.com

Lindsey William Dunham (1820-1899) what and how do I know it?

Name: Lindsey William Dunham, most records provide either Lindsey W or L. W.; his death certificate reads “Lindsey Wm Dunham.” The microfilm record may be found in the Wisconsin Pre-1907 Records Collection at the Wisconsin Historical Society Library, Madison, Wisconsin. Specific information: Oconto County, Volume 1, page 327, microfilm reel 101, index volume 1 and sequence number 90131.

Birth date and place: 26 March 1820, Pomfret, Windsor County, Vermont, see name record.

Father: William F Dunham, my main connecting record is testimony at Lindsey’s divorce case. “. . . the plaintiff is my son. . .”  Wisconsin, Manitowoc County. Court Records. CF16 #2189. "Lindsey W. Dunham plaintiff vs Esther A. Dunham defendant" 26 October 1858 granted 23 April 1861. 23 pages. Archives and Area Research Center #2401, Cofrin Library, UW Green Bay, 2420 Nicout Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311-7001.

Mother: Sarah Metcalf, this information is derived from her marriage to William F on 21 January 1819 in Pomfret, Windsor County, Vermont. "Vermont, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1732-2005," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8R8-8Z8 : 6 April 2016), William F Dunham and Sarah Metcalf, 21 Jan 1819; citing Marriage, Pomfret, Windsor, Vermont, United States, town clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 28,665. Accessed on Ancestry.com.

First marriage: Esther Ann Baldwin and Lindsey were married about 1 April 1847. This estimate comes from Lindsey’s divorce testimony. It is written that he stated the year as 1857, but one son had been born and the divorce was already in process. This is probably a misunderstanding. The divorce testimony states they were married by Pastor Lewis. Research by a hired certified APG person has identified a Pastor Lewis as the pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist church of Verona, Oneida County, New York about 1844-1848. After a trip to the church archives in Janesville, Wisconsin, at this time, no records are available verifying this marriage date. Several land deeds from New York for purchase of land by Lindsey and his wife, Esther, from Norman Baldwin are dated 1844 and 1847.

First marriage ended in divorce: In 1856, Lindsey published a notice for non-payment of others debts in the Manitowoc Herald newspaper. See Roots Digger tree on Ancestry for digital image with source. For divorce filings see the source for relationship of father above.

Second marriage: Esther James’ marriage to Lindsey date unknown at this time. The 1870 US census reads that Rebecca James “lives with daughter.” Rebecca and Esther are enumerated in the household with Lindsey Dunham.  Year 1870, Howard, Brown County, Wisconsin. Roll M593_1703. Page 274A. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. 

Child: Jay Forrester Dunham was born 1 December 1852. In 1852, Jay’s biological mother would be Esther Baldwin and NOT Esther James.

There is no evidence that Lindsey William Dunham had any other biological children.

Death: 20 February 1899 see the death certificate source above with Name. Look at the Find a Grave Site, there are other Dunham family members buried in the Mill Centre cemetery, Howard, Brown County, Wisconsin.

My connection to Lindsey, at this time I have DNA matches to his siblings. Lindsey and Jane A, my maternal second great grandmother, worked together in 1844 in Rome, Oneida County, New York. Help me! I want to find this family connection!

As of this writing, I have recently found a DNA match for Metcalf, possibly Lindsey’s mother's line. 

Currently I do not know the parents of William F. Dunham.

Please send any comments or questions to sbgenealogy@gmail.com. Thank you.

Ruhama RAYMOND born about 1771 died 1853

   Ruhama RAYMOND born 17 January 1771 in New York, source Find A Grave. Her maiden name? She Married Joshua RAYMOND 1760-1839. My search is for documentation of death date. Also, I would to find her maiden name with documentation.

   According to Find a Grave and several Ancestry.com trees, Ruhama died in 1832. Other Ancestry trees have her death date as 26 January1853. Which is correct? After finding Joshua's will and probate on Ancestry, the 1850 US census on Ancestry, my conclusion was that Ruhama was alive after 1850. Continue my search. My find for today!!! St. Mathews Episcopal Church, Bedford, Westchester County, New York, Record of Burials in churchyard page 14. This clue was transcribed in 1952 by Natalie M Seth. Thank you Natalie! Copied from the Westchester County Historical Society records. The digital form accessed on FamilySearch.org. Several other RAYMOND family members buried in same churchyard. Someday, hopefully, the original records will be digitized too! Another great source used in my searching is Our Family Tree both their website and Facebook page.


   My connection 4th great-grandmother of 1st cousin1x removed, explanation, Fitch 1791-1882 (son of Ruhama) has a daughter also named Ruhama 1821-1894, daughter marries William Riley SMITH 1815-1877. Their son Arthur Albert SMITH 1855-1937 has a son Earl Leroy. Earl Leroy SMITH 1885-1957 has a son Arthur Clayton SMITH 1922-2007. Arthur's daughter married my cousin. Long trail, but somewhere the family may have records to match my biological and DNA family. Also, Joshua's will is about 14 pages long and full of wonderful information. See my tree Roots Digger on Ancestry.com.

Ruhama Raymond born about 1771 in New York

Who is Ruhama or Reuhuma Raymond born about 1771 in New York? She was married to Joshua Raymond date unknown. They apparently lived their life in Bedford, Manchester County, New York. Their children are Alanson, Alexander, Sally, Edwin and Jane.

Sorry, no photos or wonderful documents to share. Ruhama is in the 1850 census. Her husband, died in December 1839 according to his probate. At the time of his death, his wife and children are mentioned in the probate with Samuel L Smith husband to Sally as executor.

According to many online trees, Ruhama has various death dates. All seem to be without documentation. Was this erroneously taken from Joshua's probate? Even a grave marker has the date of 1832, but the stone is too faint to read. If she is in the 1850 census with her son and mentioned in the February 1840 probate, I doubt the reading on the grave marker is correct.

 The probate can be read on Ancestry.com. Wills and Letters, 1777-1983; Author: Westchester County (New York). Surrogate's Court; Probate Place: Westchester, New York. page 98.

Another site,  "Our Family Tree, " offers 1853 as a death date. But again, no sources! I must apologize, as many of my tree items have no sources. That will be my project this next year. It is embarrassing to be asked, "Where did that come from? or, How do you know that?" and have to answer, "I don't know."

My interest in this family is the given name Alanson and New York. My Dunham research has Alanson Hickok married into the Dunham family. Alanson Hickok moved to northeast Wisconsin in the mid 1800s.

Happy tree climbing and roots digging,
Selma
 

Jane Angeline DUNHAM (1823-1906)

 

Attempting to verify Jane A DUNHAM COUCH birth and parents always brings more questions than answers! 

Name:	Jane Angeline DUNHAM
Sex:	Female
Individual Facts
Birth	26 Nov 1823	Rome, Oneida County, New York, United States
Land	bet 1849 and 1856 (between about age 26 and about 33)	Verona, Oneida County, New York, United States
Census-wife	1850 (about age 27)	Elisha Tomkins COUCH; , Oneida County, New York, United States
Census-wife	1855 (about age 32)	Elisha Tomkins COUCH; Verona, Oneida County, New York, United States
Census-wife	1860 (about age 37)	Elisha Tomkins COUCH; Brookfield Township, Lasalle County, Illinois, United States
Census-wife	1870 (about age 47)	Elisha Tomkins COUCH; Crotty, LaSalle County, Illinois, United States
Census-wife	1880 (about age 57)	Elisha Tomkins COUCH; Crotty, LaSalle County, Illinois, United States
Residence	1896–1899 (about age 73–about 76)	230 Locust, Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois, United States
Obituary-wife	1896 (about age 73)	Elisha Tomkins COUCH
Census	1900 (about age 77)	Crotty, LaSalle County, Illinois, United States
Misc	27 May 1905 (age 81)	Eugene's birthday; Seneca, LaSalle County, Illinois, United States
Illness	Apr 1906 (about age 82)	Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois, United States
Death	27 Apr 1906 (age 82)	Seneca, LaSalle County, Illinois, United States
Burial	29 Apr 1906 (age 82)	Mt. Hope Cemetery, Seneca, LaSalle County, Illinois, United States
Obituary	4 May 1906 (age 82)
Death-mother	10 Mar 1925 (age 101)	Eugene Deloss COUCH; Cerebral Hemorrhage; home, Seneca, LaSalle County, Illinois, United States
Alt. Name		Jane A. HICKOCK
Alt. Name		Jane Angeline COUCH
Marriages/Children
1. Elisha Tomkins COUCH (1820-1896)
Marriage	24 Dec 1846 (age 23)	, Oneida County, New York, United States
Children	Harriet S. COUCH (1848-1848)
	Lewis Augustus COUCH (1849-1937)
	Eugene Deloss COUCH (1851-1925)
	Charles COUCH (1855-1857)
	Carrie S. COUCH (1856-1927)
	George H. COUCH (1859-1928)

Who is the mother of Sarah Caroline Couch (1856-1927)?

According to the death certificate received as a digital image from Family Search, Sarah Caroline Couch born 2 October 1856, Rome, N.Y. died 4 July 1927, Joliet, IL.Further information lists her father as Elisha T. Couch, N.Y. and her mother as Angeline Hempton, N.Y. The informant is Mrs. W.J. Schuler (Nettie Couch). Carrie is the informant's aunt. The purpose of this search is to verify the name of Elisha's wife and the mother of Carrie. 

• WI, Eau Claire County. Marriage certificate. George H. Couch and Mrs. Mary E. Fish. Volume 2, page 59.  10 December 1883. George names his father as Elisha Couch and mother Jane Denham. 
• IL, LaSalle County, Probate for Sarah C. Couch, alias Carrie S. Couch. Started 4 June 1928 filed 5 March 1929. In the will, Eugenia Couch Woodin, states that Carrie's parents were Elisha T. Couch and Jane A. Couch. Neither of her parents were married more than once. 
• IL, LaSalle County. Death Certificate for Eugene Couch. 4704. Father's name is Elisha Couch of Hartford, CT. Mother's name is Jane Dunham of Rome, N.Y. informant Mrs. Eugene Couch (wife).
• IL, LaSalle County. Marriage certificate. Lewis A. Couch and Susannah R. Kimberk. 655. 31 October 1883. Lewis names his father as Elisha T. Couch and mother Jane A. Dunham.
• IL, Will County, Death Certificate for Lewis Augustus Couch. 46886. Father's name Couch of New Haven, CT. Mother's name Jane Angeline Dunham of Rome, N.Y. Grace Couch is informant and daughter.

Hempton connection:

William Hempton (1826-1904) married Louisa Dunham (1834-?). I am unable to connect them to my direct line.

After completing the request form to Family Search for Sarah Caroline Couch (1856-1927), I received the digitized copy of her death certificate. According to family records, her mother’s name is Jane A. Dunham Couch. The index name is Angeline Hempton. The death certificate name is Angeline Hempton. The informant in 1927 is my maternal grandmother, Mrs. W.J. Schuler or Nettie Couch Schuler, the niece of the deceased. Carrie went into the hospital for an appendix and gall stone operation and died of a heart attack. This one document has started the search for other family documents. After searching land records, marriages, death certificates and other family records, the only conclusion at this time, is that Nettie was under stress due to Carrie’s unexpected death on 4 July 1927. Only the complete record will reveal all the information. Only the comparison with other records has led me by analysis to conclude that Angeline Hempton is not the mother of Sarah Caroline Couch. Aunt Carrie’s mother is Jane Angeline Dunham, the same mother for all children of Elisha T. Couch.