Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Samuel G. Brewer

Samuel G. Brewer was born May 1859 to George W. Brewer and Julia A. Rikert in New York.

1870: At the age of 11, Samuel and his family were living in New York Ward 19, District 8 according to the Federal Census.

1880: At the age of 21, Samuel married Mary Adelaide Wainman (1865-1939). The 1880 Census cites that Samuel is a milkman.

1885: Robert Melvin is born to the couple. Robert will marry his second cousin, Mabel Baines (1889-1982) and they will have the following children: Howard W. (1910-1986), Dorothy (1912-unknown), Muriel (1915-unknown), Thelma (1921-1998), Adelaide (1924-unknown), Robert (1925-2007), and Evelyn (1926-2006). Robert will also be a milkman. He dies on April 11, 1927.

1887: Their next child, Arthur Brewer is born on July 1887. Arthur will become a checking clerk according to the 1910  Federal Census. He will marry his second cousin (sister of Mabel Baines), Martha C. Baines on March 15, 1913. They will have three children: Arthur (1915-unknown), Hazel (1923-unknown), and Charles (1928-unknown). By 1920, he is a clerk for the electric company. It is unknown when he dies, but it is after 1930.

1893: Born on October 12, 1893 to Samuel and Mary, Adelaide does not seem to marry and have children, but instead she is a milliner and makes hats. She does not seem to marry, but she will support her mother through 1930.

1899: Edith is born in March of 1899 to the couple. In 1920, she is working, but the handwriting on the census is so illegible, it is impossible to tell what she is doing. She disappears from the records at this point. It is unknown if she marries, has children, or when she dies.

1900-1920: It is known that Samuel becomes the manager of the milk company he works for in New York. It is also known that the Brewer and Wainman family were neighbors on the same street in the Bronx: Boston Road. This may account for the close relationships that formed between the cousins.

1922: Samuel dies from chronic heart disease on November 27, 1922 and is buried on November 30, 1922 in Cypress Hill Cemetary in Brooklyn.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Edward Baines>> Edward Baines

Edward Baines was born in England in about 1831. It is not known what part of England he was from at this time.

1842: It seems that Edward arrived in New York City at the age of 11.

1858: Sometime around 1858 it is likely that Edward married Margaret Wainman. It is unknown the exact marriage date, but their first child came the next year and given the number of pregnancies the couple had, this seems to be a good guess.

1859: Son William Edward is born to the couple on September 25, 1859. He will marry a woman named Louisa Oster (1857-1926) in 1882 and the two will have five children: Charles (1884-1901), Lillian (1887-1973), Mabel (1889-1982), Martha (1892-unknown), and William (1897-unknown). William Edward is a machinist.

1860: The 1860 Census lists the family living in the 2nd Division of the 13th Ward of New York City. Edward is listed as a saw grinder. In addition to the small family, a boarder, Catherine J. Dillon is living with the small family at this time.

1861: Mary Jane Baines is born to Edward and Margaret in 1861. It is not known if she marries, has children, or when she dies.

1862: The next son, Edward, is born sometime in 1862. In the 1880 Census, Edward is listed as a printer. Little else is known of his life.

1864: James is born to the couple in about 1864. By the 1880 Census, he is listed as a printer. On March 18, 1888, he marries Laura C. Abrams. The couple have the following children: Edward H. Baines (1889-unknown), John A. Baines (1894-unknown), Laura A. Baines (1896-unknown), William W. Baines (1897-unknown), and George W. Baines (1900-unknown). The 1900 US Census shows him living in Brooklyn and he is still a printer (pressman). The 1910 Census shows that both he and his son, Edward, are working as printers. In 1915, the New York State Census proves that James continues to be a printer, but two of his sons, Edward and John are chauffers. The 1920 Federal Census tells us that James is still a printer, his son John is still a chauffer, William is a bookkeeper in a printing firm, and George is an apprentice machinist. The state census from 1925 confirms that the family continues to reside in Brooklyn. James is still a printer. His son John has now become a confectionary and his younger son George is now a fully fledged machinist. The 1930 US Census shows the 65 year old James as a printer for a book company. Several of the children live with the family- John now owns a confectionary shop, George is a monotype machinist, and their daughter Laura returns with her small family. Her husband Henry Tiedemann is butcher and owns his own shop. In the 1940 US Census, James is no longer working. His daughter Laura and her family still live with him and son George as well. George continues to be a machinist. James dies on July 9, 1944.

1867: John Baines is born to Edward and Margaret in 1867 as is his brother Lewis. Only one child shows up in the 1870 Census- John.  Lewis shows up in the 1880 Census as being at school. Are these children the same person? Or, as the family becomes a blended family around 1880, is Lewis a child from the other family?

1869: Susan is born to Edward and Margaret sometime in 1869. In 1884, she seems to marry John A. Abrams. It is possible that this is a relation of her sister-in-law, Laura Abrams. She dies on March 27, 1909. It is not known if the couple had children.

1870: The 1870 US Census shows Edward as a machinist.

1880: The Federal Census shows that Edward has remarried at this time to a woman named Sophia Chinn. He is still a saw grinder.

1883: Edward dies in 1883 at the age of 52.  

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>>William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles>> Hannah Moss>> Elizabeth Hoson>> John Hoson AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles>> Hannah Moss>> Elizabeth Hoson>> John Hoson

John Hoson lives in Darley in 1681, the year his unknown wife gives birth to his daughter Elizabeth Hoson. Elizabeth will go on to marry Elias Moss and the two will have a number of children together. He is Thelma Brewer's 7th great grandfather.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles>> Hannah Moss>> Elizabeth Hoson AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles> John Knowles>> Hannah Moss>> Elizabeth Hoson

Elizabeth Hoson was born in 1681 in Darley to John Hosson and an unknown mother.

1702: On May 17, 1702, Elizabeth married Elias Moss (1677-1737) in Darley. The two would have a number of children together: Hannah (1702-unknown), John (1704-1755), Elizabeth (1707-1731), David (1711-unknown), and Elijah (1714-1714).

1730: She died on January 26, 1730.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles>> Hannah Moss>> Elias Moss AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles>> Hannah Moss>> Elias Moss

Elias Moss is born in 1677 in Darley, Derbyshire. It is unknown who is parents are.

1702: Elias marries Elizabeth Hoson (1681-1730) on May 17, 1702 in Darley. Later that year, their first child, Hannah is born to the couple on December 17, 1702. It is clear that Elizabeth is already pregnant at the time of marriage. Hannah will go onto marry Joseph Knowles and the two will have a number of children together.

1704: The second child born to the couple is John Moss (1704-1755). He is born on October 26, 1704. John is known to die on July 22, 1755. It is unknown if he marries or has children.

1707: Elizabeth Moss is born to Elias and Elizabeth in 1707 and will die on December 8, 1731 at the age of 24.

1711: David is the next child born to the couple in 1711. It is unknown if he has children, marries, or when he dies.

1714: The last known child of the couple is Elijah Moss who is born in 1714 and known to die on February 8 of that year.

1734: In 1734, the poll book records Elias owning land in Darley.

1737: Elias is known to die on February 8, 1737 at the age of 60.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles>> Hannah Moss AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles>> Hannah Moss

Hannah Moss is born in Darley, Derbyshire on December 17, 1702 to Elias Moss (1677-1737) and Elizabeth Hoson (1681-1730).

1724: On February 28, 1724, Hannah marries Joseph Knowles in Darley. They will have a number of children together: Elizabeth (1724-unknown), Alice (1726-unknown), Hannah (1730-unknown), John (1733-unknown), Mary (1736-1737), Mary (1739-unknown), and Sarah (1743-unknown).

It is not known when Hannah dies.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> Hannah Wood>> Hannah Morley>> Hannah AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> Hannah Wood>> Hannah Morley>> Hannah

Hannah is known to have married William Morley sometime before 1711. She had one daughter with him in Chatteris in 1711, Hannah Morley. Nothing else is known about her life.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> Hannah Wood>> Hannah Morley>> William Morley AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> Hannah Wood>> Hannah Morley>> William Morley

William Morley is a very elusive figure in our family tale. He is known to have lived in Chatteris, England, which is located in the district of Cambridgeshire in 1711. He is also known to have married a woman named Hannah. The two had at least one child between them, Hannah Morley (1711-unknown), who would marry Abraham Wood.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> Hannah Wood>> Hannah Morley AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> Hannah Wood>> Hannah Morley

Hannah Morley was born on July 6, 1711 to William Morley and his wife, Hannah, in Chatteris, England.

Hannah is known to move north, from the Fens of England in Chatteris to Sherwood Forest and the village of Calverton when she marries Abraham Wood sometime before 1734. The two have at least one child together. Unfortunately, there are no records to follow her trail to know how she moved. However, one can speculate that as Chatteris was a market town and Calverton produced woven goods and other handicraft items that Abraham may have met her by attending the market held in her hometown. As weaving seems to be a passed on occupation within the family, it may be that Abraham's family were weavers. It is known that a man from Calverton, William Lee, invented the frame knitting machine. This is the same type of machine that generations of this family used and passed the knowledge of this use to their children and grandchildren, as well as apprentices.

Abraham and Hannah produce one child, Hannah Wood (1734-unknown). Hannah Wood will marry John Knowles and they will have a daughter, Ruth.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> Hannah Wood>> Abraham Wood AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> Hannah Wood>> Abraham Wood

Abraham Wood was born in 1707 in Calverton, Nottinghamshire. It is unknown at this time who his parents were.

Sometime before 1734 it is presumed that he marries Hannah Morley (1711-unknown). It is very possible that they are married in Calverton, as both Abraham and their known child, Hannah Wood (1734-unknown) are born in the parish. Hannah Wood will marry John Knowles (1733-unknown) and their union will produce at least one child- Ruth Knowles (1781-1848).

Calverton is a small forest village within Sherwood forest. The Kings Highway passed nearby to this village. Here is an account written about this village by Maurice Pugh, the curate for the village in response to an inquiry by the Archbishop of York during the time the family would have likely resided in the village in 1743, when Abraham is 36, his wife Hannah is 32, and their daughter Hannah is 9:

"I. We have about eighty Families in Our Parish we have but two Families Dissenters, one of them Presbyterian, one Quaker.

II. We have a licensd Meeting House in Our Parish for the Presbyterians, but it has not been made use of these 5 or 6 Years

III. We have a Charity School, but not endowed, to teach fourteen Children to read english at the Direction of Mr: Abel Smith, Trustee to the late Mr. Labray of this Town. the Children are instructed as the Canon requires.

IV. We have no Alms House, but have land given to the Poor, by Mrs. Jane Pepper late of this Parish and others the Rent of which is 2 : 7 : 0 per An. The Vicar and Parish Officers dispose of it jointly to the Poor, we know of no abuse in the management of it.

V. I reside upon My Vicarage of Calverton.

VI. I do the Duty Myself—

VII. I know of no such Persons. (Non-baptised churchgoers)

VIII. I read the publick Service once every Lords Day in My Church Morning & Evening alternately I am obliged to do Duty in the Church of Woodborough that is joined with Calverton, I presume the small allowance from the Church of Southwell has been the Reason that Service could not be performed according to Canon

IX. I catechise the Children and Servants during the time of Lent, and all the Summer from May to Michaelmass, and spend some time every Sunday Evening in instructing the Youth in the Principles of the Christian Religion during that time.

X. I administer the Sacrament four times in Year at least. I have about a hundred and fifty Communicants they all receive two or three Times in the Year, about three score last Easter.

XI. I give open and timely Warning of the Sacrament before it is administred, My Parishioners give Me Notice when any Young persons design to communicate, or new Servants, but the elderly People I have not called upon to do so but will for the future. I have had no Reason to refuse the Sacrament to any Person. Calverton May 21. 1744 MAURICE PUGH Vicar" (Wikipedia entry on Calverton, cited on 12/29/2013)

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> Hannah Wood AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> Hannah Wood

Hannah Wood was born to Abraham Wood (1707-unknown) and Hannah Morley (1711-unknown) in 1734 in Calverton, Nottinghamshire.

1757: Hannah maried John Knowles on April 25, 1757 in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

1781: The only child that is known of that the couple had was Ruth Knowles. She was born on June 20, 1781 in Nottinghamshire. Ruth married William Wainman (1780-1853). The couple would have a number of children: William (1804-1876), Harriet (1806-unknown), James (1808-1813), Catherine (1811-unknown), Mary (1817-unknown), Eliza (1819-1883), and Sarah (1822-1898).

It is unknown when Hannah Wood died.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles>> Joseph Knowles AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary. A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles>> Joseph Knowles

Joseph Knowles was born in Darley, Derbyshire, England in 1700. There seem to be two Joseph Knowles with a similar birthdate within the records- one in Darley and the other in Mackworth. The Joseph Knowles that seems to be the progenitor of this line lives his life in Darley, Derbyshire.

Remnant of Darley Abbey
This building was a left in ruins following the dissolution
of the monastery during the reign of Henry VIII, but
would have been left in the village.
It was restored in the 1920s and is now a local pub.

1724: Joseph was married to Hannah Moss (1702-unknown) on February 28, 1724 in Darley, Derbyshire. Prior to their marriage, the couple had a child, Elizabeth on January 6, 1724. It is unknown if Elizabeth, married or had children or when she died.

1726: Alice is born to the couple on October 19, 1726 in Darley. It is unknown if she married, had children or when she died.

1730: Hannah will be the next daughter born to Joseph and Hannah on July 19, 1730 in Darley. It is not known if Hannah marries, has children, or when she dies.

1733: The next child born to Joseph and Hannah was John Knowles on about October 6, 1733 in Darley. He will marry Hannah Wood (1734-unknown) and they will have one child, Ruth (1781-1848) that we know about.

1736: The couple's next child, Mary, will be born on August 15, 1736, but she will not live through the year. She dies on July 17, 1737.

1739: In 1739, the couple will have another daughter who they name Mary, as well. She is born on November 4, 1739 in Darley. It is unknown what happened to this daughter.

1743: The next child born to the couple is Sarah. She is born in Darly on March 9, 1743. Nothing is known of Sarah's fate.

It is unknown when Joseph died. Within the records, there seems to be another Joseph, perhaps one generation later who begins to have children around the time that the last child, Sarah, is born. At this time it is not believed that they are a part of this family, but may be a close relation (like a nephew's family, or a cousin).  

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles>> John Knowles

John Knowles was born in Darley, Derbyshire in 1733 on October 6 of that year to Joseph  Knowles (1700-unknown) and Hannah Moss (1702-unknown).

1757: On April 25, 1757, John marries Hannah Wood (1734-unknown) in Sutton in Ashfield in Nottinghamshire.

1781: He and Hannah have one known child, Ruth, that is born when he is about 48. (His wife is about 47. It is not likely that Ruth is their only child, but it is likely that she is their last child. Ruth will marry William Wainman (1780-1853). They will have a number of children: William (1804-1876), Harriet (1806-unknown), James (1808-1813), Catherine (1811-unknown), Mary (1817-unknown), Eliza (1819-1883), and Sarah (1822-1898).  She will die in September 1848.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary A. Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Ruth Knowles

Ruth Knowles was born on June 20, 1781 in Nottinghamshire to John Knowles (1733-unknown) and Hannah Wood (1734-unknown).

1803: Ruth married William Wainman in Nottingham at St. Mary's Parish on July 3, 1803 at the age of 22.

1804: Ruth and William have their first child William in 1804. He is baptized on May 27, 1804. William marries three times: Mary Bright (in England), Mary (in New York), and Harriet Preston (in England). William emigrates to New York in 1827 and is a weaver. He has the following children with his second wife Mary: James A. (1839-1911), Margaret (1842-1880), William G. (1848-unknown), Harriet (1852-unknown), Charles E. (1855-1905), and Mary E. (1859-unknown). William is known to have left his youngest children in the care of his daughter Margaret and returns to England sometime after 1860, even though he is a Naturalized US Citizen at this stage. He marries Harriet Preston and they have one child, John George Wainman in 1874. He dies in Nottingham in 1876.
1806: Ruth and William have a daughter named Harriet in 1806. She is born in Nottingham, but nothing else is known of this daughter.

1808: The next child born to the couple is James. James dies quite young. His death is recorded on May 25, 1813- he was probably 4 or 5 years old.

1811: Catherine Wainman is born to Ruth and William in Nottingham. Nothing else is known about this daughter.

1817: On March 10, 1817, Mary is born. She is known to marry a man named William Clayton (1816-unknown). They have two children, Edwin Clayton (1838-unknown) and Emma Clayton (1841-unknown). She is known to live only a couple of houses from her family on Stanhope Street in Nottingham according to the 1841 English Census. Her husband is listed as being a silk stocking maker and they are also housing what seems to be an apprentice, Thomas Wright, who is working as a cotton stocking maker. In the 1851 Census, they are listed as living on 36 Stanhope Street. Now, her father, William, a framework knitter is living with the family. She and her husband are also listed as framework knitters and the daughter, is a lace drawer. The 1861 Census places the family at 83 Alma Terrace. William is still listed as a framework knitter of stockings. Mary is now a dressmaker and their daughter Emma is a Lace Carder. The 1881 Census has the couple living at 13 Wat St. William is a silk weaver still, but Mary is not listed with an occupation at this time. It is unknown when she or husband dies.

1819: Eliza is born on November 23, 1819 in Nottingham. She marries John Rose (1812-1885) in Radford in 1838. They have two children Eliza Harriet (1841-unknown) and William Walter (1842-1923). It is known that Eliza and her husband do not live together long, as he can be found in the census records from 1851 on, but he is living as a boarder. Eliza seems to have taken on boarders to pay her way. She dies in February 1883.

1822: Sarah is the last child born to Ruth. Sarah marries Richard Hinde in June of 1841 who is a mechanic. They have a number of children together: Sarah Ann (1844-unknown), Harriet (1847-unknown), William (1850-unknown), Eliza (1853-unknown), George (1856-unknown), John (1859-unknown), and Agustus (1860-unknown). Though she began her life in Nottingham, Sarah and Richard will move to Yorkshire in their late twenties- Kimberworth and then Brightside Bierlow. She will die in September 1898 in Riding, Northumberland.

1841: The 1841 Census shows Ruth living with her husband, William and her daughter Sarah and son-in-law Richard on Stanhope Street, just two houses from her daughter Mary and son-in-law William. Her husband William is a stocking maker.

1848: Ruth dies in September 1848 in Nottingham.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Ann Wooer>> David Wooer>> Jane Dalby AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Ann Wooer>> David Wooer>> Jane Dalby

Jane Dalby was born in 1685 to unknown parents. It is interesting to note that she has the same last name that we have already explored in our family tree: Dalby. Could she have been a relative of the Dalby's: Agnes, James, William, and James? It is a mystery as no record has been found of her birth as of yet.

1707: She was married to Robert Wooer on May 27, 1707 in Barton on Humber, Lincolnshire.

1708: Jane and Robert have a child, David, in 1708 in Bottesford.

Nothing else is known of Jane Dalby from this point forward. She was about 23 at the time of her son's birth, but the record is gone at this stage.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Ann Wooer>> David Wooer>> Robert Wooer

Robert Wooer was married to Jane Dalby on May 27, 1707 in Barton on Humber, Lincolnshire. It is unknown when he was born.

1708: One child is known to have come from their marriage, David Wooer. He was born in 1708 in Bottesford, Lincolnshire.

1711: Robert is known to have died in Coulby, Barton, Lincolnshire in 1711. There is a will that Robert left behind, but at this time, I cannot access this information.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Ann Wooer>> David Wooer AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Ann Wooer>> David Wooer

David Wooer was born in 1708 in Bottesford, Lincolnshire to Robert Wooer (unknown-1711) and Jane Dalby (1685-unknown).  He is known to have married Elinor Revill (1710-unknown) sometime before 1730. They had at least one daughter, Ann Wooer (1730-1794). It is unknown when he died.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Ann Wooer>> Elinor Revill AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Ann Wooer>> Elinor Revill

Elinor Revill was born in 1710 to unknown parents. She married David Wooer sometime before 1730. The only known child of their union was Ann Wooer (1730-1794) and was born in Owston, Lincolnshire. It is unknown when Elinor died.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Ann Wooer AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Ann Wooer

Ann Wooer was born in 1730 to David Wooer (1708-unknown) and Elinor Revill (1710-unknown) in Owston Ferry, Lincolnshire. She was likely baptized in St. Martin's Church in Owsten Ferry.

St. Martin's Church
Owsten Ferry

1749: Ann marries Charles Sewell in Scotter, Lincolnshire on August 1, 1749 at the age of about 19.

1750: Ann and Charles have their first child just over a year later, Eleanor (1750-1792) in Wintringham, Lincolnshire. Eleanor is likely named for Ann's mother, Elinor. Eleanor will go onto to marry John Wainman (1749-1837) and have a number of children with him: John (1777- 1842), Charles John (1780-1780), William (1780-1853), James (1783-1853), and Mary (1785-unknown). Eleanor will die at the age of 41 on January 17, 1792.

1753: Born on September 8, 1753 in Wintringham, Agnes will live until July 21, 1795. It is unknown if she married or had children at this time.

1755: Charles Sewell is born on September 6, 1755 to Ann and Charles in Wintringham. He dies at the age of 81 on March 17, 1837. It is unknown if he marries or has children.

1757: Also born in Wintringham to the couple, James is born in August of 1757. He is known to have died on October 24, 1793 in Wintringham, but it is unknown if he marries or has children.

1760: Living less than one year, Ann gives birth to a daughter named Ann on March 13, 1760 in Wintringham. She dies on November 2 of the same year.

1761: Wooer Sewell is born to Ann and Charles on October 13, 1761. Wooer is clearly named for Ann's family. Wooer is known to have married Mary Wright in York on February 10, 1788. They have two children together: Ann (1790-1857) and John (1792-1792). Wooer dies at the age of 32 in 1793.

1765: John is born to Ann and Charles in September of 1765 in Wintringham. He marries a woman named Mary Barratt  and they have a number of children together: Ann (1797-1868), Mary (1799-1869), John (1801-1869), Sarah (1803-1823), Charles (1805-1887), James (1806-1876), Barratt (1809-1879), and Ellen (1813-1885). John dies on February 9, 1834 in Wintringham.

1769: Born on July 14, 1769, Thomas did not live more than one year. His mother, Ann, is about 39 years old when he is born. He died on June 20, 1770 in Wintringham.



Ann Wooer Sewell's Tombstone

 1794: Ann preceeds her husband in death at the age of 64. She dies in Wintringham on April 20, 1794. Her tombstone has been found and it is a very touching testiment to the relationship between herself and Charles. It says: "In Memory of Ann the Wife of Charles Sewell of Wintringham who departed this life the 20th of April 1794, aged 64 years. I lost my wife and bosom friend whom Gods pleased to call to her end. The loss was great whom I did adore longer she lived I loved her the more. A good wife and faithful friend died in peace and to her peace did end.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dolby>> James Dalby>> William Dalby>> Alice AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dolby>> James Dalby>> William Dalby>> Alice

We have now come to the end of the line for two of Thelma Brewer Moffett's lines with Alice. To put Alice in perspective, she was Thelma's ninth great grandmother, my mother's tenth great grandmother, and my eleventh great grandmother. We do not know who Alice's family was, but we do know she was born likely sometime between 1550-1560 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. We also know that she married James Dalby before 1576.

1576-1582: Alice and James will have three children that we know about: William (1576-unknown), Elizabeth (1579-unknown), and Mary (1582-unknown).  She is known to have lived in the vicinity of Hemingbrough and Howden in East Yorkshire. These villages are about 7 miles apart and both were close to York.

1615: Alice is believed to have died in 1615. She would have been in her fifties or sixties at the time of her death.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dolby>> James Dalby>> William Dalby>> James Dalby AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dolby>> James Dalby>> William Dalby>> James Dalby

James Dalby was born in East Yorkshire in 1550 to unknown parents. He married a woman named Alice sometime before 1576. Between his birth and his marriage, James lived through the end of the reign of King Edward VI (King Henry VIII's only son), the reign of Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth I. This was a time of religious and political instability throughout the kingdom.

1576: William Dalby is born to James and Alice in 1576 in Hemingbrough, Yorkshire. William will go onto marry Marie Street (1580-unknown) and have at least four children with her: Dorothy (1613-unknown), Thomas (1616-1679, James (1621-1698), and Elizabeth (1624-unknown). It is unknown when William dies.

1579: The couple have another child, Elizabeth. Born in Howden on April 17, 1579, it is unknown if she married or had children. It is also unknown when she died.

1582: The last child the couple is known to have is Mary on May 20, 1589 in Howden. Mary marries a man named Thomas Apthrop on July 7, 1601 in Howedn at the age of 19. It is unknown if Mary had children or when she died.

It is unknown when James Dalby died.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Brewer>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dolby>> James Dalby>> Marie Street AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dolby>> James Dalby>> Marie Street

Marie Street was born in 1580. It is unknown where or who her parents were.

1600: On May 29, 1600, Marie married William Dalby in Howden, Yorkshire.

1613: Dorothy Dalby is born to the couple in Haxey on August 6, 1613. It is unknown if the couple had children at an earlier time. Dorothy married a man named Thomas Phillips (1610-unknown) on June 1, 1632 in Haxey. It is unknown if the couple had children.

1616: Marie's second child is Thomas. He is born on February 13, 1616 in Haxey. He dies on February 26, 1679 at the age of 63 in Haxey. It is unknown if he married or had children.

1621: James Dalby is born to the couple on June 29, 1621 in Haxey. He marries Grace Kent (1620-unknown) sometime before 1650. He has two children with her, James (1650-1707) and Faith (1662-unknown). After Grace dies, sometime around 1679, he marries Ann Raithby in Lincoln. They have three children William (1680-unknown), Anne (1682-1688), and Agnes (1682-1729). It is believed that Ann dies because of childbirth. He then quickly marries Jane Clark (1650-unknown) in 1683. He dies at the age of 77 in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire in 1698.

1624: The final child that we know of is Elizabeth born on September 23, 1624 in Haxey. It is unknown whether or not Elizabeth married or had children. It is also unknown when she died.

It is not known when Marie Street died.


The ruins of Howden Minster
The likely marriage site for
Marie Street and William Dalby



Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dalby>> Ann Raithby AND Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dalby>> Ann Raithby

Ann Raithby was born in 1640 to unknown parents.

1679: At the age of 39, Ann was wed to James Dalby, a widower with two children in Lincoln. Following the English Civil War, the City of Lincoln did not fare well as it did not have any industry or a seaport. At the time of this marriage, the city was economically struggling.

1680: Ann and James had their first child William on September 9, 1680 in Roxby cum Risby, Lincolnshire. It is unknown if William married and had children or when he died.

1682: February 27, 1682, Ann gave birth to her second child, Anne Dalby in Roxby cum Risby. Anne died at the age of six on October 16, 1688. Ann also gave birth to another child, Agnes, in 1682. It is unknown if these children were twins or whether Agnes was born in December 1682. Agnes would marry Samuel Sewell (1680-1759) in 1706 in the village of West Halton. They would have a large family: Jaine (1708-1763), Thomas (1710-1729), Elizabeth (1712-1793), Sarah (1713-1750), James (1716-1724), Ellin (1718-1800), Mary (1720-unknown), John (1723-1763), James (1725-1788), Charles (1726-1803), Agnus (1729-1729). There are some interesting facts associated with Agnes- she and her husband had two sons names James. The first James died just before the birth of the second James; presumeably, the family wish to retain the memory of the first child by naming the second for him. Secondly, it is clear that Agnes died as a result of the birth of her last child, Agnes, as she has died on the birthdate of the child.

1683: It is probable that Ann died giving birth to her last child, Agnes, or as a result of too many pregnancies too close together at an advanced age. She is 42 or 43 at the time of her last childbirth. Sometime in 1683, her husband has remarried, Jane Clark. It is presumed that she dies in Roxby cum Risby, the site of her children's birth.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>>William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dolby>> James Dalby>> William Dalby AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dolby>> James Dalby>> William Dalby

William Dalby was born in Hemingbrough, Yorkshire in 1576 to James Dalby and his wife, Alice. England is in the Elizabethan Age, with Queen Elizabeth having become queen in 1558.

1600: William marries Marie Street on May 29, 1600 in Howden, Yorkshire.

1613: The couple have their first child, Dorothy on August 6, 1613 in Haxey, Lincolnshire. Dorothy marries Thomas Phillips (1610-unknown) in Haxey on June 1, 1632. It is unknown if Dorothy has children or when she dies.

1616: Their second child, Thomas is born on February 13, 1616 in Haxey and dies on February 26, 1679. It is unknown if he marries or produces children.

1621: Marie and William have a second son, James on June 29, 1621. James is also born in Haxey. He marries Grace Kent (1620-unknown) and they have two children James (1650-1707) and Faith (1662-unknown). He marries a second wife, Ann Raithby (1640-unknown) on October 9, 1679 in Lincoln. They have three children: William (1680-unknown), Anne (1682-1688), and Agnes (1682-1729). It is presumed that Ann dies giving birth to Agnes. James marries a third woman, Jane Clark in 1683. He dies in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire in 1698.

1624: A fourth child, Elizabeth, is born to William and Marie on September 23, 1624 in Haxey. It is unknown if she marries, had children, or when she died.

It is not known when William Dalby died.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dolby AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Agnes Dolby

Agnes Dolby (Dalby) was born is 1682 in Roxby cum Risby in Lincolnshire, England to James Dalby and Ann Raithby. Roxby cum Risby is a civil parish that is made up of two separate villages Roxby and Risby. The parish church is St. Mary's.

St. Mary's Church
Roxby cum Risby

1706: At the age of 24, Agnes married Samuel Sewell in West Halton, Yorkshire.

1708-1729: Agnes and Samuel had a number of children: Jaine (1708-1763), Thomas (1710-1729), Elizabeth (1712-1793), Sarah (1713-1750), James (1716-1724), Ellin (1718-1800), Mary (1720-unknown), John (1723-1763), James (1725-1788), Charles (1726-1803), Agnes (1729-1729). She is known to have lived in the vicinity of Flixborough and Frodingham because of parish records held in both villages. The villages are less than four miles apart.

1729: At the age of 47, on October 28, Agnes died either in childbirth, or directly following the birth of her last daughter, Agnes.  

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Samuel Sewell AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell>> Samuel Sewell

Samuel Sewell was born in 1680 in Flixborough, Lincolnshire to unknown parents.

1706: At the age of about 26, Samuel marries Agnes Dolby (Dalby) in West Halton, Yorkshire.

1708: Their first child, Jaine Sewell, is born on December 10, 1708 in Flixborough. She dies in 1763. It is unknown if she married or had children.

1710: Their son, Thomas is born on February 23, 1710 in Flixborough. He dies at age 19 in 1729. It is unknown if Thomas married or had children.

1712: Another daughter, Elizabeth, is born to Samuel and Agnes on February 2, 1712 in Flixborough. She is known to have died in 1793 in Lincolnshire. It is unknown if Elizabeth married or had children.

1713: Sarah was born to the couple on February 2, 1713 in Flixborough. She dies in 1750 in Frodingham. It is unknown if Sarah had children or married.

1716: Agnes and Samuel have son, James, on January 8, 1716. He dies on June 17, 1724 before his ninth birthday.

1718: Born on April 14, 1718, Ellin Sewell was born to the couple in Flixborough. She lived until she was 82 and died in Lincolnshire in 1800. It is unknown if she had children or married.

1720: Mary Sewell was born in 1720 in Frodingham. It is unknown when Mary died and if she married and had children. This is the first record of the family in Frodingham. These villages, Flixborough and Frodingham are less than four miles apart, next to the River Trent. It may be that the baptisms are being registered in another church for some reason.

1723: John is born to the couple in Frodingham in 1723. He dies in 1763 in Frodingham. It is unknown if he married or had children at this time.

1725: Son James is born on January 25, 1725 in Flixborough. It is unknown whether he had a spouse or children. He dies at age 63 in 1788.

1726: Samuel and Agnes have son Charles on February 19, 1726 in Flixborough. He marries Ann Wooer (1730-1794) in 1749. They have the following children: Eleanor (1750-1837), Agnes (1753-1795), Charles (1755-1837), James (1757-1793), Ann (1760-1760), Wooer (1761-1793), John (1765-1834), Thomas (1769-1770). Charles dies on March 16, 1803.

1729: Daughter Agnus is born to the couple on October 18, 1729 and dies less than a month later on October 29, 1729 in Flixborough.

1759: Samuel is known to have died on April 28, 1759 in Frodingham, Lincolnshire at the age of 79.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell>> Charles Sewell

Charles Sewell was born in Flixborough, Lincolnshire, England on February 19, 1726. His parents were Samuel Sewell and Agnes Dolby (Dalby). This is a small village in Lincolnshire that dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period.

1749: Charles marries Ann Wooer on August 1, 1749 in Scotter, Lincolnshire, England. Both Flixborough and Scotter are near the River Trent.

1750: Charles and Ann have their first child, Eleanor on about December 23, 1750. Please see Eleanor and her husband John Wainman for a description of their life and children. By this date, the couple are living in Winteringham.

1753: The couple have their next daughter, Agnes Sewell on 8 September 1753 in Winteringham. Agnes dies at the age of 41 on July 21, 1795. It is unknown if she married or produced children.

1755: Charles, Charles and Ann's first son, was born on September 6, 1755 in Winteringham. He is known to have died by March 17, 1837 at the age of 81. It is unknown if he marrier or produced any children.

1757: The next son, James, was born in August 1757 in Winteringham. He dies in the same village by October 24, 1793 at the age of 36. It is unknown if he married or had any children.

1760: Their next daughter died before she was one year old. Born on March 13, 1760 in Winteringham, Lincolnshire to Charles and Ann, baby Ann died on November 2, 1760.

1761: The next child born to Ann and Charles was a soon, Wooer. Wooer was given his mother's maiden name as her name. He was born October 13, 1761in Winteringham. In 1788, Wooer married a woman named Mary Wright (1768-unknown) in York at St. Micheal le-belfrey on February 10. They had three children together Mary (1789-1870), Ann (1790-1857), and John (1792-1792).

1765: John and Ann have their next child in September 1765 in Winteringham, John. John married Mary Barratt in Winteringham on January 25, 1798 at the age of 32. The couple have a number of children together: Ann (1797-1868), Mary (1799-1869), John (1801-1869), Sarah (1803-1823), Charles (1805-1887), James (1806-1876), Barratt (1809-1879), and Ellen (1813-1885). John dies on February 9, 1834 in Winteringham.

1769: Thomas is the last child born to Ann and John. Like his sister Ann, he lived less than one year- he was born on July 14, 1769 and died on June 20, 1770.

1803: John dies on March 16, 1803 in Winteringham at the age of 77. From a contemporary account of Winteringham, it was a beautiful village, bordered by the Humber River and it was in sight of Yorkshire.

 

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvn Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> Eleanor Sewell

Eleanor Sewell was born on December 23, 1750 in Winteringham, Yorkshire, England to Charles Sewell and Ann Wooer. The parish church, St. Peter's dates to twelfth through fifteenth centuries. The church in this village would have looked as it did presumeably when Eleanor and her family attended services there.
1774: Eleanor wed John Wainman on December 15, 1774 by the Vicar, R. Crochley in Cantley. The witnesses to the marriage were James Smith and John Thomas.

1777- 1785: Eleanor and her husband are known to have five children: John (1777-1842), Charles John (1780-1780), William (1780-1853), James (1783-1853), and Mary (1785- unknown).

1792: It is believed that Eleanor died on January 7, 1792 in Nottinghamshire at the age of 41.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> John Wainman>> Hannah AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>>Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> John Wainman>> Hannah

Hannah is born in 1713 in or around Doncaster, Yorkshire, England to unknown parents.

1732: In March of 1732, at the age of 19, Hannah marries Richard Wainman.

Typical 18th Century Yorkshire Farming Scene

1733-1757: Hannah gives birth to a total of ten children. Only a few of her children are known to have survived infancy. Consider the difficulty of trying to raise a large family during the 18th Century on a rural Yorkshire farm. The infant mortality rate was very high during this time period- how would that have affected the family life? Hannah's children were: Richard (1733-unknown), Mary (1736-1787), John (1736-unknown, but suspected to have died in infancy), Elizabeth (1737-1737), Hannah (1741- unknown), Ann (1744-1770), Martha (1747-unknown), John (1749-1837), William (1752-unknown), and Dorothy (1757-1757). For a full family history of the lives of these children, please refer to the entry for Hannah's husband, Richard Wainman.

It is unknown when Hannah died, but she lived at least until 1757, when her last child, Dorothy was born.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> John Wainman>> Richard Wainman AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> John Wainman>> Richard Wainman

Richard Wainman was born in 1713 in Yorkshire, England. His parents are unknown at this time.

1732: He married a woman named Hannah in 1732 at the age of 19.

1733: In 1733, Richard and Hannah's first child, Richard is born. Richard was baptized on September 16, 1733. He is known to have married Ann Peaker in Doncaster, Yorkshire on May 19, 1761. They have three children: Richard (1763-unknown), Anne (1769-1849), and Dorothy (1771-1851). It is not known when Richard dies.

1736: The next child born to Richard and Hannah is Mary Wainman. Mary is born in Cantley, Yorkshire and baptized on May 20, 1736. She is known to have married John Topcliff on November 26, 1771. They have one child, John Topcliff (1772-unknown). She dies at the age of 51 in 1787 in Yorkshire.

1736: John Wainman is born to the couple on December 15, 1736. As there is another John that the couple produce in 1749, it is possible that this John died early.

1737: The next child, Elizabeth, also did not live long. She is listed as Richard's daughter and she was buried on March 31, 1737.

1741: Hannah Wainman was born to Richard and Hannah in 1741. At the age of 20, on November 24, 1761, she married John Wright in Fishlake, Yorkshire. It is unknown her death date.

1744: Baptized on August 12, 1744, Ann Wainman was born to the couple sometime that year in Doncaster. She married Jonathan Battie (1740-1786) and they had a child William Batty (1770-unknown). Ann is known to have died in Doncaster on June 30, 1770, about six months after her son's birth.

1747: Martha was born to the couple and baptized in Doncaster on June 8, 1747. Nothing is known of this child past her baptism.

1747: John Wainman (1749-1847) is born. He is baptized on October 8, 1749 in Yorkshire. He marries Eleanor Sewell and has five children: John (1777-1842), Charles (1780-1780), William (1780-1853), James (1783-1853), and Mary (1785-unknown). John lives his life as a Yorkshire farmer and dies at the age of 88.

1752: The couple have another son, William, who is baptized in Doncaster, Yorkshire on April 26, 1752. The couple are living at a place called Wilby and Richard is identified as a farmer in the baptismal record. Nothing more is known of this son.

1757: Richard and Hannah have a final child, Dorothy, who is born and dies in the same year. Her baptism is held on May 4, 1757 in Doncaster.

1773: It is believed that Richard dies in 1773 at the age of 60.  

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> John Wainman AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman>> John Wainman

John Wainman was born in 1749 in Cantley, Yorkshire, England to Richard Wainman and Hannah. His siblings include: Richard (1733-unknown), Mary (1736-1787), John (1736-unknown), Elizabeth (1737-1737), Hannah (1741-unknown), Ann (1744-1770), Martha (1747-unknown), William (1752-unknown), and Dorothy (1757-1757). He was baptized on October 8, 1749.

1774: John married Eleanor Sewell in Doncaster, Yorkshire on December 15, 1774 at the age of 25 by R. Crochley, Vicar. The witnesses to their marriage were James Smith and John Thomas.

1777: Their first child, John Wainman is born. John lives from 1777-1842. He marries a woman named Ann Pymm and they live their life in Yorkshire. The 1841 British Census records him at the age of 63 as a farmer. He dies in December of 1842.




Typical 18th Century Yorkshire Family farm house

 1780: John and Eleanor's second child, Charles does not live a year and is buried on May 16, 1780. It is noted that John Wainman is a farmer in the burial record.

1780: William Wainman, a silk stocking maker, is born to the couple. He lives a long life (1780-1853). He marries Ruth Knowles and has a total of seven children: William (1804-1876), Harriet (1806-unknown), James (1806-1813), Catherine (1811-unknown), Mary (1817-unknown), Eliza (1819-1883), and Sarah (1822-1898).

1783: James Wainman is born to John and Eleanor. He is baptized on November 3, 1783. It is unknown what becomes of James.

1785: The couple has their last child, Mary in 1785. She is baptized in Carlton in Lindrick, Nottinghamshire on October 21, 1785. The next time she appears in the record in on May 11, 1804 when she marries James Staniforth in Rotherham, Yorkshire. It is possible that she was captured in the 1851 Census. She is listed as the head of the house at 842 Union St. in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. She has a lodger living with her. It is absolutely plausible that her husband has died by this point and she has to let rooms to make ends meet. It is not known when she died.

1837: The last we can find of the Yorkshire farmer, John, is his death record. He died in September 1837 at the age of 88.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman>> William Wainman

William Wainman was born in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England in 1780 to John Wainman and Eleanor Sewell. His siblings include: John (1777-1842), Charles John (1780-1780), James (1783-1853), and Mary (1785-unknown).

1781: William was baptized on July 2, 1781 in Carlton in Lindrick, Nottinghamshire, England.

1803: William married Ruth Knowles on July 3, 1803 at St. Mary's in Nottingham.

1804: William and Ruth's first child, William Wainman is born and baptized at St. Mary's in Nottingham. William will go onto become a stocking weaver and immigrant to New York. He will have three marriages, two in England and one in the US. He fathers seven children in his long life.

1806: Their second child, Harriet is born. Nothing has been discovered at this time regarding Harriet's fate.

1808: Their third child, James Waiman lives only about five years. He dies on May 25, 1813 in Nottinghamshire.

1811: Catherine is the fourth child born to William and Ruth. She is born in Nottingham, but nothing is known about her life past her birth.

Stocking Frame Knitting in the Home

1817: Born on March 10, 1817, Mary Wainman is the first female child of William and Ruth where there is further evidence of her existence. She marries William Clayton, a silk stocking maker, sometime before 1841. According to the 1841 Census, she has a son named Edwin Clayton that is 3 years old at the time. She gives birth to Emma Clayton in that year and Emma is only four months at the time of the 1841 English Census. In addition to their small family in the home, it may be that William Clayton had an apprentice or boarder living with the family. The 1841 Census records a 15 year old cotton stocking maker in the home, Thomas Wright. In the 1851 Census, her family is still residing in the same place, but her father, William has moved in with the family, presumeably because his wife died in 1848. At the age of 44, we find Mary living in Nottingham in the 1861 Census. Her husband, William Clayton and daughter Emma are still living with her. We also see Mary in the 1881 Census living with her husband William Clayton in Nottingham, both seem to still be employed as silk weavers. Her death date at this time is unknown.

1819: William Wainman and Ruth Knowles had another daughter, Eliza, on November 23, 1819 in Nottinham. It is very possible that this daughter went on to marry a man named John Rose in 1838 in Radford District, Nottinghamshire. Their union produced two children- Eliza Harriet Rose (1841- unknown) and William Walter Rose (1842-1923). The 1841 Census lists John as a turner, or a lathe worker. In the 1851 Census, John is not living with the family, however, they have taken in three people who are listed within their household- James Brazier (42) a laborer, Catherine Hutchinson (20) a servant, and Catherine's daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Hutchinson (1). It is unknown what the circumstances were, but it is possible they were boarders. Eliza is believed to have lived until February 1883.

1822: Sarah Wainman is born to William and Ruth in Nottingham. Sarah marries Richard Hinde in June 1841 at the age of 19. At the time of the 1841 Census, Sarah and Richard are living with her parents William and Ruth in Nottingham with a 15 year old woman, presumably a lodger or apprentice, Matilda Talbot. Richard is a baker. In the 1851 Census, they seem to have moved to Kimberworth in Yorkshire with three children - Sarah Ann Hinde (7), Harriet Hinde (4), and William Hinde (1). Richard is now listed as a mechanic. In the 1861 Census, Richard (41) and Sarah (38) now have six children at home: Harriet (14), William (11), Eliza (8), George (5), John (2), Agustus (4 months). They are still living in Kimberworth and Richard is now listed as an iron turner and fitter. Kimberworth is still the Hinde family home in the 1871 Census. The children now listed at home are: Harriet (25), William Wainman Hinde (21), George Hinde (15), John Henry Hinde (12), and Agustus Edwin Hinde (9). By 1881, the family has moved to Brightside Bierlow in Yorkshire. Their street address is 46 Clun Road. Richard is still an iron turner and fitter at the age of 61. Sarah is 58. Their children who are at home include: George Hinde (25), Eliza Hinde (29), John Hinde (22), Augustus Hinde (20), and two grandchildren: Florence (2) and Frank (8 months). George and John have also become an iron fitters and Augustus is a plumber. The family is again in Brightside Bierlow in the 1891 Census. Richard and Sarah live with George and John. Richard is now working as a coal agent (someone who sells coal) and the boys continue their work as iron turners and fitters. Sarah seems to die in September 1898. It is unknown when her husband Richard dies.

1841: William and Ruth are living with their youngest daughter Sarah and her husband according to the 1841 Census. They are still in Nottingham and he is a silk stocking maker.
1851: William Wainman is listed in the English Census as living with his daughter Mary and son-in-law William Clayton and their two children. William is listed as a framework knitter, as are both his son-in-law and daughter. His grandson, Edwin (12) is listed as a scholar and his granddaughter, Emma is listed as a lace drawer. This description may have meant that she made lace underwear for ladies.

1853: William dies in September 1853 in Nottingham at the age of 73.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> Mary AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> Mary

Mary was born on about 1816 in England. We do not know much about her life except that she married William Wainman at about the age of 25 years old in New York City. She had a number of children: James A. Wainman (1839-1911), Margaret Wainman (1842-abt1880), William G. Wainman (1848-unknown), Harriet Wainman (1852-unknown), Charles E. Wainman (1855-1905), and Mary E. Wainman (1859-unknown).

1850: Mary shows up as living in New York Ward 13 in the 1850 US Census with her husband, William Wainman, a weaver, and three of her children- James (11), Margaret (8), and William (2).

1860: The US Census shows the family living in Brooklyn Ward 14, District 1 in the 1860 Census records. She is living with her husband, William and five of her six children: James (21), William (12), Harriet (8), Charles (5), and Mary (6 months old). Her daughter Margaret is living with her husband and son in their own home. At this stage, this is the last record we can find for Mary at this point. Her husband, William leaves the US before 1870 and returns to England. Daughter Margaret and her husband take in the remaining children- William, Harriet and Charles, along with their own children by the 1870 census.

Thelma Brewer's family has two lines that are linked to this Mary:
                                                                                                   Mary
                                                                      Margaret Wainman
                                               William Baines
                       Mabel I. Baines
Thelma Brewer
                       Robert M. Brewer
                                                Mary Wainman
                                                                      James A. Wainman
                                                                                                    Mary

Margaret Wainman and James A. Wainman were siblings.
William Baines and Mary Wainman were first cousins.
Mabel I. Baines and Robert M. Brewer were second cousins.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman>> William Wainman AND Thelma Brewer>> Robert Melvin Brewer>> Mary Wainman>> James A. Wainman>> William Wainman

William Wainman was born in 1804 in England. Baptised on May 27, 1804 at St. Mary Church in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, William was born to William Wainman and Ruth Knowles. William was the oldest of seven children.

1825: William married a woman named Mary Bright at the same church, St. Mary, in Nottingham on April 3, 1825. Mary may have died by 1826, or it is possible that she stayed in England when William left for America. This is a difficult thing to trace, as the records do not seem to exist for Mary Bright after 1825 and he disappears from English records at this time.

1827: William Wainman arrives in New York City on July 6, 1827 on board the ship Hercules.

1830: William appears for the first time in the US Census in 1830 in New York City, Ward 12.

1840: William's place of residence on June 1, 1840 in the Federal Census is defined as the Town of Williamsburgh in Kings County. That is now a section of Brooklyn within New York City. It is around this time that William would have married who is believed to be his second wife- another woman by the name of Mary. We know this is not the same person as the first wife because the census records a great difference between the women's ages: the first wife having been born in 1806, the second Mary in 1816. They begin having children starting in 1839 with James A. Wainman. The rest of their children are: Margaret Wainman (1842), William G. Wainman (1848), Harriet Wainman (1852), Charles E. Wainman (1855), and Mary E.  Wainman (1859). 

1850: In the 1850 Census, William is called a weaver and he is living with his wife Mary and three children, James (11), Margaret (8), and William (2) in New York City's Ward 13. Both James and Margaret are listed as attending school in the last year.

1852: William Wainman attains US Naturalized Citizenship on May 28 1852 at the age of 48.

1860: William, at 56, is still living in Brooklyn, New York. He is listed as a stocking weaver and his personal estate is valued at 500 dollars. His wife Mary is now 45. His eldest son James, listed as a machinist, is 21 years old. His daughter Margaret is now married and living with her husband and young son elsewhere. His son William (12) and daughter Harriet (8) are in school. Charles (5) and baby Mary (6 months old) are at home with their mother.

1870: By the 1870 Census, William is no longer living in the United States. The next records we have for him are back in England. It is believed between 1860 and 1870 that his wife, Mary died and William returned to England. This would explain why in the 1870 US Census, William, Charles and Harriet are living with their older sister, Margaret and her husband Edward. The youngest daughter Mary, is not to be seen again in a census record. There is a record that she may have married someone named Daniel Brewer in 1884, however, this record with all of the available data has not been reviewed yet to prove this is the same Mary Wainman.

1873: William Wainman seems to have returned to Nottingham, his initial home, and married a woman named Harriet Preston. Harriet was born in 1833, and was 40 when she married the 69 year old William. The couple had a son, John George Wainman in 1874.

1876: William Wainman died in 1876 at the age of 72 years. He left a number of descendents both in the United States and England.

It should be noted that two lines of Thelma Brewer's family trace their lineage to William Wainman. Thelma's mother and her father seem to have been second cousins. This was not uncommon back in the early twentieth and late nineteenth centuries. This is how the family tree works for this line:
                                                                                                            William Wainman
                                                                             Margaret Wainman
                                                    William Baines
                          Mabel I. Baines    
Thelma Brewer
                          Robert M. Brewer
                                                     Mary Wainman
                                                                             James A. Wainman
                                                                                                             William Wainman

William Wainman was the father to both Margaret and James A. Wainman.
William Baines and Mary Wainman are 1st Cousins.
Mabel I. Baines and Robert M. Brewer are 2nd Cousins.
   

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Baines>> Margaret Wainman

Margaret Wainman was born in about 1842 to William Wainman and a woman named Mary in New York City. William Wainman is a weaver or stocking maker from England who has a number of children, both in New York and in England. Mary's parents are unknown, but we do know that she is also from England.

1850: The first record of Margaret (8 years old) is in the 1850 US Census. She is listed living in the 13th Ward of New York City on August 28, 1850. She and her brother, James (11) are currently attending school. She also another brother, William (2), who is at the home. Her mother Mary is 34 years old and her father, William is 46 years old.

1860: Margaret is listed to be about 20 years old in the census. She is now living with her husband, Edward Baines, a saw grinder, and her nine month old son, William. They live in the 2nd Division of the 13th Ward of New York City. In addition to the young family, a boarder named Catherine Dillon, a book folder, is living with them.

1870: The 1870 National Census shows that Margaret is living in the Ninth Election District of the Thirteenth Ward of New York City. She is now 28 years old and lives with Edward Baines, who is notated as being a machinist. She has five children by this point in her life: William (10), Mary Jane (8), James (5), Susan (4), and John (2). In addition, three siblings are living with their family: Harriet (18), Charles (14), and William (22). William was the little two year old in the 1850 Census; he is now a machinist and clearly helping to contribute to the welfare of this large extended family. It is interesting to note that neither Wainman parent is listed in this census, but we will come to that rather complicated story later....

1880: It is believed that by 1880, and before the age of 38, Margaret has died because her husband Edward has remarried by this point and the family consists of children from both families. There is no evidence as to why Margaret has died so young as of yet as a death certificate has not yet been found for her.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Edward Baines>> Edward Baines

Edward Baines was born around 1831 in England. His parents are unknown.

1842: Edward Baines arrived in New York City in 1842 when he was eleven years old.

1860: The 1860 National Census cites Edward Baines and his wife Margaret Wainman in New York City. Edward is a saw grinder. Their son William was 9 months old. They had a boarder named Catherine Dillon who lived with them.

1870: In the 1870 US Census, Edward Baines and his wife are supporting themselves, their five children: William (10), Mary Jane (8), James (5), Susan (4), and John (2), as well, as his wife Margaret's three siblings: Harriet (18), Charles (14), and William (22). Both Edward and William work as machinists.

1880: By 1880, in the National Census, Edward is listed as having married a woman by the name of Sophia Chinn. His first wife, Margaret Wainman, has died by this point. They live at 181 8th Street in Manhattan. The children still at home include: William (21), Edward (18), James (16), Lewis (13), and Susan (11). The names and ages of some of the children seem to be different than the previous census; however, both Edward and William are listed as machinists, which seems to point to the families matching. Edward and James are both printers, and Sophia Chinn's family also had a printer in it. There is an Edward in her family in the previous Census that matches the age of the Edward listed here. Perhaps, Edward was a child she had out of wedlock? It is very possible that this a blended family...

1883: Edward Baines died at the age of 52 in New York.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> William Edward Baines

William Edward Baines was born on September 25, 1859 in New York to Edward Baines and Margaret Wainman.

1860: The US Census records that the nine month old William Baines was living in the 2nd Division of the 13th Ward of New York City on June 20, 1860. His father, Edward, was a saw grinder originally from England. His personal property was estimated to be 200 dollars at that time. His mother was 20 years old and they also had a lodger in their apartment, Catherine Dillon.

1870: The 1870 Federal Census shows a number of siblings and extended family members are part of their household. They are living at the 9th Election District in the 13th Ward of New York City on June 28, 1870. His father is listed as a machinist and his mother is keeping house for himself (10 years), his siblings: Mary Jane (8 years), James (5 years), Susan (4 years), John (2 years) and his mother's siblings: Harriet (18 years), Charles (14 years), and William (22 years). William Wainman is listed as a machinist, so with the help of his sister and brother-in-law, they are able to provide for the very large family.

1882: At the age of 23, William Baines married Louisa Oster on November 29, 1882 in New York City. At this point, William was a machinist. His younger brother James was his best man.

1900: William was captured again in the 1900 Federal Census. He lives 556 Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn with his wife, Louisa, and his children: Charles (16), Lillian (13), Mabel (10) and Martha (8). He continues to be employed as a machinist. His son Charles is working as a cloth cutter.

1910: The Federal Census shows that William was still living at 556 Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn and he was continuing to work as a machinist. His children Lillian (23), Martha (18) and William (11) were still living with him and his wife Louisa. Lillian was employed as a working at a printing press and Martha was working as a book binder.

1915: The New York State Census shows that the family moved to Halsey St. in Brooklyn sometime between 1910-1915. William (16) and Lillian (28) are still living with William and his wife Louisa.

William Edward Baines
1859-1932

1916: William is issued a passport on October 27, 1916 for company business. He needs the passport to travel to Canada on company business.

1920: William (21) and Lillian are still living at home with their parents William (53) and his wife Louisa. William, Sr. is working for the Foundry as a machinist. His son, William is now a lithographer and daughter Lillian is a secretary for a book company.

1925: The family is still living together in the 1925 New York Census at 1135 Halsey St. in Brooklyn. William, Sr. is still a machinist and his children continue with the same occupations.

1930: The US Census shows that William Baines is now retired and his wife has passed away. He is 70 years old and he is living with his daughter, Lillian, who continues to work for a book company. They continue to live on Halsey St., but their new address is 1170.

1932: William Edward Baines passed away on December 24, 1932 due to a stroke and a heart attack. He was buried on December 28, 1932 at Lutheran Cemetary, now called All Faiths Cemetary in Brooklyn, New York.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> Louisa Oster>> Joseph M. Oster

Joseph M. Oster was born on April 30, 1830 in the Kingdom of Prussia. It is unknown who his parents were.

1853: He arrived in New York City on August 8, 1853 at the age of 23. In the records, it shows that Joseph traveled without his family on the ship the "A Z". Its point of departure was Liverpool, England. His occupation is already listed as a shoemaker at this time period. In looking through the historical record, a new constitution was adopted in Prussia in 1850 following a period of famine and riots that devistated the economy of the region. A large number of immigrants left for the new world at this time because of the socioeconomic conditions that followed this period of time.

1856: At the age of 25, Joseph married Martha Elizabeth Disher at the First German Presbterian Church on Rivington St. in New York City on March 23, 1856.

1860: The United State Census records that Joseph, along with his wife and two children,  Louisa (3 years old) and Lewis (Louis) (2 years old) were living in New York City. Joseph was working as bootmaker.

1870: The Federal Census in 1870 records that Joseph is still a shoemaker in New York City with his wife, Martha, and now three children, Louisa (13), Louis (12), and Josephine (5).

1880: The US Census reveals that Joseph and family are still living together. They live at 40 Lewis St. in New York City. Joseph continues to work as a shoemaker. His daughter, Louisa, is a dressmaker and son, Louis, is a cutter.

Joseph's death date is not known, but we think that he dies before the year 1891.   

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> Louisa Oster>> Martha Elizabeth Disher

Martha Elizabeth Disher was born in about 1834 in either Prussia or Hesse-Kassel. It is unknown who her parents were. Both of these regions were German-speaking kingdoms in the 19th century. It is unknown at this time how or when Martha came to New York City, but it is not surprising that she would have ended up there by her early twenties. Through research about the area of Hesse-Kassel in the 1830s through the 1840s, this land bordered the land of Prussia and was known to be a very poor kingdom. Mainly agrarian, this region was deeply affected by revolutionary sentiment and was unstable politically for a number of years. There was an influx of immigration out of the country due to the instability of the region and lack of food and other resources.

1856: The next record of Martha Elizabeth Disher is her marriage to Joseph M. Oster, a Prussian immigrant bootmaker, on March 23, 1856. The ceremony was held at the First German Presbyterian Church on Rivington St. in New York City. Martha was 22 years old at the time.

1860: The United State Federal Census shows "Eliza" living in the Second Division of the 13th Ward of New York City with her husband, Joseph Oster, the bootmaker and her two young children Louisa (3 years old) and "Lewis" (Louis) (2 years old).

1880: The Federal Census identifies Martha as as keeping home for her family at 40 Lewis St. in New York City. Her husband Joseph continues his trade as a shoemaker and her daughter Louisa, now 22 years old is a dress maker. Her son, Louis, is 21 years old and a Cuter. She has a 15 year old daughter, Josephine, who is at home.

1893: Martha E. Disher Oster died in New York at the age of 59 on July 20, 1893.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines>> Louisa Oster

Louisa Oster was born in December 1857 in New York to parents Joseph M. Oster and Martha Elizabeth Disher.

1860: The 1860 Federal Census shows a picture of Louisa's life at the age of three. She is one of two children, her younger brother, Lewis, is two years old. Her father is a boot maker and is from Prussia. Her mother is from the kingdom of Hessen Cassel. Both would have been German-speaking immigrants to New York. These earlier records do not clearly indicate what part of New York City they lived in, but they are in the 2nd Division, 13th Ward of the city. They are in number 386, which houses a total of four families. As a boot maker, Joseph estimated the value of his personal estate to equal about 500 dollars. Much of this was likely inventory and supplies for his trade.

1870: The thirteen year old Louisa is portrayed in the 1870 Federal Census. She is still living in New York City, but is now in the 10th Election District, 13th Ward. Her father Joseph is still a shoemaker and her mother is keeping house while she and her brother Louis (Lewis) are in school. Louisa now also has a five year old sister Josephina.

1880: The Federal Census shows that Louisa is still living at home with her parents and siblings at the age of 22. They live at 40 Lewis Street in New York City. Louisa is a dressmaker; her father is still a shoemaker; and her brother Louis is now a cutter. Both mother and younger sister, Josephine are at home while the other three family members work.

1882: Louisa marries William E. Baines at the age of 24 on November 29, 1882. Her younger sister Josephine was the bridemaid and William's brother James was the best man.

1900: Louisa can be found in the 1900 Census with her family. It is interesting to note that while her husband is a machinist, her oldest son is a cloth cutter. This is the same occupation her younger brother had and is closely related to her own trade from her youth as dressmaker. At this time, Louisa has five children at home  ranging from the age of 16 to the age of 1. The census records two more children who are living, but are not living at home at this time. She is herself 42 years old. Her known children are: Charles (16), Lillian (13), Mabel (10), Martha (8), and William (1). They are living at 556 Wythe Ave. in Brooklyn.

1910: At the age of 52, Louisa appears again in the Federal Census. Her husband William is still working as a machinist and the youngest three children are still living at home at 556 Wythe Ave. in Brooklyn. Lillian and Martha are working in the publishing field. Lillian works on a printing press and Martha works as a book binder.

1915: The New York State Census shows the family living at 1135 Halsey St. in Brooklyn. William is again still working as a machinist; Lillian is still working in publishing and the young son, William seems to be working at an office (handwriting is a bit obscured).

1920: William and Louisa are still living with their two children, Lillian and William. William works as a machinist at the Foundry. Lillian is working as a secretary at a book company and William is a lithographer for a printer. They live at 1135 Halsey St. still.

1925: The family is still living in the same place with all of the members still working at the same jobs according to the New York State Census.

1926: Louisa died of chronic myocarditis (a type of inflammatory heart disease) on March 30, 1926. She was 68 years old when she died. She was buried on April 2, 1926 at the Lutheran Cemetary, now called All Faiths Cemetary in Brooklyn, New York.

Thelma Brewer>> Mabel I. Baines

Mabel I. Baines
1889-1982

Mabel I. Baines was born on July 20, 1889 in New York. Her father was William Edward Baines and her mother was Louisa Oster.

1900: Mabel shows up in the 1900 Federal Census at the age of ten. She is living with both of her parents and her brother, Charles and two sisters, Lillian and Martha in Brooklyn. Her address was 556 Wythe Avenue. This home housed not only her family, but also a second family that additionally took in boarders. Her mother is stated to have had a total of seven living children on the census, so Mabel's family was quite large. Her father was a machinist and her older brother, Charles is listed as a cloth cutter. All three girls were currently at school. The census also states that they rented, rather than owned their Brooklyn home.

1909: At the age of 20, Mabel married Robert Melvin Brewer at her parent's home, 556 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn on October 14, 1909. Her younger sister, Martha was her bridemaid and Robert's brother Arthur was the best man.

1910: The 1910 Census shows Mabel and Robert living in the Bronx at 683 East 138th Street on April 15, 1910. Due to the large number of people living at this address, this may have been a larger apartment building. In addition to Mabel and Robert, their one month old son, Howard W. Brewer is living their. If one were to do some quick math, Howard is born in March 1910 and they are married in October 1909- Mabel was  somewhere between two and three months pregnant at the time of her marriage. Robert is listed as a truck driver- in fact, he is a milk delivery man.

1915: The New York State Census shows us a picture of Mabel at the age of 25. Robert is still a milk delivery man, but now, Mabel, listed as the housewife, has two more children in addition to Howard (5 years old) - Dorothy (3 years old) and Muriel (1 year old). They are now living on East 139th St., at number 699, in the same building as Robert's brother, Arthur.

1940: We don't get a historical record of Mabel again until 1940 at the age 50. She is captured in the 1940 Federal Census. At this point, Mabel is now widowed. She rents a house at 631 St. Annes Ave. in the Bronx. Her children, Thelma (18 years old), Adelaide (16 years old), Robert (14 years old), and Evelyn (12 years old) are still at home. The older three children have fled the nest at this point. The only person earning money for the family seems to be Thelma Brewer, who was working as a silk worker in a silk company. In the previous year, Thelma worked 48 weeks and earned a total of 606 dollars. From the record, this seems to be the only income the family had- although the older children may have been sending money home for their mother and siblings.

I do know that Mabel remarried a man with the last name Powers after Thelma left the home.

1982: The last record of Mabel is her death in July 1982. Mabel lived to be 93 years old. I know I got the opportunity to meet her as a young child, but I do not remember her much. Any stories about her life or about her personality are much welcomed from family members.

Generations: An Introduction to this Family Story Project

Ever since I could remember, I have always been intrigued by family trees and genealogical research. I remember standing on tip-toe to look in detail at the family tree that hung on the wall at my mother’s parents’ home in East Norwich, a village just outside of Oyster Bay, New York. I was fascinated that the names on that wall were people, with real lives. I had an ambitious dream starting when I was about ten—I wanted to be a professional genealogist. I wanted to know who those people were and be able to share their stories; not just for me, but for everyone. I felt a deep connection to this past, as I felt somehow it could help define me as a person.

This connection to the past has shaped so much of the professional I have become. No- I did not become a professional genealogist, but instead a musician, performer, and practical musicologist. I am interested in telling stories through music, but particularly those stories that help to identify and shape humanity. My research began to center on the idea of Nationalism and the use of traditional music within the Classical art medium at the end of my undergraduate degree. I have delved into the music of Romanian and British composers; I have recorded the music of the Czech, Mexican, Spanish, British/Irish, and Russian people. As I have continued to search for personal meaning in music, and a sense of “home”, I have simultaneously explored my own historical story and roots.



"Nana"
Thelma Brewer Moffett

When I was about eleven or twelve, I remember talking to my Nana, Thelma Brewer Moffett, who was my mother’s mother. She was very interested in learning more about her history, but as she did not have a very close-knit family, the history was not preserved. Her father had died when she was a young woman and she married early. She sat me down and wrote down the last names of her grandparents and asked that I try to do research for her. I promised her I would find out about her roots, and as an adult that is what I set out to do.

My father’s mother, my Granny, Ellen Therese Harrington Placilla, also wanted to know more about her background and asked me as an adult to do some research before she passed away. For some reason, the women in my family had not had the opportunity to save their history. My Granny was bit estranged from her mother and her father died when she was just a baby. At times I wonder if our society has set women up for this loss of self and history—for years, women sacrificed their familial identity to take on the name of their mates and thereby, their family history and stories.

"Granny"
Ellen Therese Harrington Placilla

Both of my grandmothers were very strong women with remarkable, yet ordinary, precious lives. Each woman was blessed with five pregnancies, but, unfortunately, my Granny had to suffer the loss of her fourth child, Ellen within 24 hours of Ellen's birth. They worked in a time when women did not work- my Nana worked at a department store in the men's department and was such a good saleswomen that they had to take her off commission simply because she was so good at her job. My Granny worked as a waitress and later as a secretary. They both tried very hard to be stylish, my Nana famous for her hats; Granny was a habitual Avon purchaser. Both were raised by women who were left with young children to care for when their husbands died before their time.

Both of my grandmothers, in essence, chose my grandfathers for love. Both were very capable young women, who through their intelligence and hard work could already provide for themselves.  When Pops joined the military, and during his training, Nana followed Pops to North Carolina in order to get married when he enlisted to serve in the Army Air Corps during WWII. After the Thursday, December 24, 1942 wedding in Goldsboro, North Carolina (in a small church that still stands today just off base, across the street from the city offices), Nana returned to New York within days to continue working at her job, as Pops was set to deploy to England as an airplane mechanic for the Army Air Corps.

My Granny met my Gramps while she was working for her older brother, I believe. He moved to Long Island, New York from Lowell, Massachussetts; with Granny's devout Catholic upbringing, this was the only way she could have left home- under the watchful eye of her big brother. This is when she was charmed by my Gramps.

Both women were absolutely smitten with their husbands throughout their lives, even when they fought. Both of their husbands could tell a great story, were very engaged in civic participation and church participation, and had continued ties with family in Ireland. Both women spent a bulk of their life on the North Shore of Long Island, sent their kids to the same Catholic school- St. Dominics, and lived just outside of Oyster Bay.  
As this journey continues, I feel obliged to protect my living relatives and their identities, so therefore, I will not be giving out too much detail on those that are currently living, and will instead begin my journey by looking at my grandparents parents. In deference to my Nana and the promise I made her so many years ago, we will start with her family and work through the direct lines of descent as I have been able to uncover them so far. I hope that by looking at documents and by talking with my family members, I can share a sense of who these folks were and make them real through story.