DON CARLOS WILMOT’S grandfather, also Don Carlos Wilmot, lived on Archibald’s (a relative) place. There is a hill named after him called “Don Carlos Wilmot Mountain” better known today as “Wilmot Mountain” in Thetford, Va. He was a 49er in the California Gold rush, having gone off to adventure with his cousins. “
He married Lucina A. Graham and lived in the house in which he was born in 1826,” {Gazeteer).
Don Carlos, the son of Joseph & Mary (Freeman) Wilmot, saved enough money to build his house in East Thetford, Vermont in which more than three generations of Wilmots were born. He always lived on the ‘Timothy Willmot’ farm. (From FindAGrave website added by Roscoe Wilmot in 2009)
A LITTLE EXPLORATION OF NAMES
DON CARLOS So where did the name “Don Carlos come from…Hmmm” 1) DON CARLOS, Prince of Spain by John Otway (1676) “…Elizabeth Barry was the mistress of JOHN WILMOT, Earl of Rochester, the poet to whom OTWAY dedicated “Don Carlos”, a heroic tragedy, his first success.” 2) A story I heard in Vermont is that there was a particularly bad year when the only sheep that survived had been gifts of DON CARLOS of SPAIN. Many children were thus named in his honor. Vermont records of the time reveal at least seven Don Carloses born between 1789 and 1823: Barrett (1789 Norwich), Mather (1800 Jericho), Hatch (1800 Brookfield), Hunt (1801 Norwich), Wilmot (1811 Thetford), Hawley (1811 Cambridge), Luce (1823 Stowe). None of these have a known relationship to DON CARLOS WILMOT. If we take the locations, they appear to be in two clusters: Norwich(A), Thetford (B) and Jericho (C); AND Jericho (D), Stowe(E), and Cambridge(F) .
One reads in the Vermont Visitor of 1845, that Don Carlos (infante Carlos 1788-1855) abdicated his thrown in honor of his son. This would mean the first Don Carlos was born about roughly the same time so could not have been named after the Infante, but could have been named after his father, Carlos IV, who ruled until 1808.
Introduction of the Merino probably occurred in 1793. In 1801, a Merino sheep called the “Don Carlos” was bred along the Hudson. Apparently, one William Jarvis of Vermont, US consul to Portugal in 1809/1810 shipped more than 4000 merino sheep to the US and a mania for Merino sheep began to develop (Livestock production and marketing-Google Books).
So, this sheep connection cannot explain everything. It could be that Hunt, Wilmot, Hawley and Luce are actually named after the 1801 sheep came to the US (thus popularizing the junior Don Carlos. But the naming of Barrett before 1793, when the first Merino sheep cam to the US does not fit.
ARABELLA KINGSBURY “Kingsbury” is a family name that followed on the Moor side. Kingsbury Moor (see http://adupree.com/wp/g/getperson.php?personID=I818&tree=adupree ), Arabella’s great aunt (uncle?), is the first I have found to fit the name. But I have found little about his life to show why the name would merit repeating. Arabella’s cousin William Kingsbury Moor (see http://adupree.com/wp/g/getperson.php?personID=I397424&tree=adupree ) is another to hold the name.
JOSEPHINE MONTAGUE ???
HERBERT G No known Herberts in family. G could stand for Graham?
HAVILAND GEORGE There are Havilands in Danville. Charlotte, for example, married there Joel Sanborn and named her daughter Charlotte Haviland Sanborne. Is there a link to this family of Wilmots?
CHARLES SOUTHWICK In 1855 (census) a certain Kimball T Howe (b 1828 NH s of Nathaniel & Rachel Coburn) and his wife Levinia/Valina (b 1836 MA)were living in Middlesex county, Massachusetts. Living with them was 18-year old CHARLES SOUTHWICK a bootmaker from Connecticut. Since Don Carlos and Lucy certainly worked in Lowell, Massachusetts, is it possible that this is the namesake of CHARLES SOUTHWICK WILMOT?
It is intriguing that there Kimbell Howe also has a daughter JOSEPHINE (1856) and a son HERBERT (b 1867) and a Lucinda (b 1854). Kimball was a greenhorn crew member about the Triton a whaler bound for the pacific in 1849. What is, if there is any, the relationship to Don Carlos Wilmot and Lucy Graham?
The accepted but not proven parents of Cassandra Burnell Southwick are Humphrey and Ann Burnell of Bearley, Warwickshire. This has seemed problematic to me for a number of reasons, primarily that Cassandra names none of her children Humphrey or Ann.
I started on a path to question this lineage by noting that the second known son of Cassandra and Lawrence Southwick is born in Kingswinford, not surviving to adulthood, and is named Ananias Southwick. Anianias is baptized 1 Sep 1627 and buried 17 Sep 1627. This unusual name will then reappear on one of the few early records of Lawrence Southwick in Salem when Ananias Conklin, Obadiah Holmes and Lawrence Southwick set aside 2 acres of land for one of the first glassworks in 1639.
Ananias Conklin is also from Kingswinford, where he baptizes the children in his family (Mary, Jeremy and Cornelius). The last baptism is in 1637, two years before the Salem record. We do not know the parents of Ananias, although some suspect he is the son of a William Conklin or it could be a George Conklin.
This uncommon name “Ananias” only appears on a few records in the Kingswinford region, which includes the town of Old Swinford:
C1617 Ananias Southwick s of Lawrence and Cassandra C1618 Ananias Henslee s of Josua, glassblower Oldwinsford C1613 Ananais Arche son of Thomas Arche C1637 Cornelius Co[nu]clen son of Annumus
This region is the site of glassmaking, where the Henzey family plays a significant role. Joshua Henzey is the son of one Ananias Henzey from the Lorraine region of France, whose family would feature. While Ananias’ son is clearly there, he leaves his will in 1660, his father Ananias is not found in any extant records. But I believe he is the possible father of Cassandra.
Cassandra Burnell marries Lawrence Southwick of Kingswinford in 1623 in
Tracing the history of William H McNalley and his brother Thomas in Cleveland, Ohio, the following analysis of McNalley (McAnnelly, McNally, McNeil, McNelly, McNelley) addresses may suggest that most of the McNalley families from the 1830s to the 1860s in Cleveland are related to each other. It points to two early McNalley progenitors — Thomas and Henry McNelley. They have a close relationship that could be as siblings. The Thomas and William I am tracking seem likely to be sons of the elder Thomas and nephews of Henry McNalley. Examination by address follows here:
A Thomas McNelly lived on 53 Parkman from 1845 until he died around 1856.
It is likely that Charles who is listed in 1848 is his son (but, of course, could be another relation). We might also suggest that Thomas McNelley, Jr in 1857 and, perhaps 1849 is his son. Following this logic, we might suggest that Wm McNalla on 32 Parkman in 1853 could be his son as well. We conjecture this is Thomas’ brother, Capt. William H. McNalley who is married the same year. More below on both Thomas and William.
After 1856, his widow is listed on 61 Parkman.
Thomas McAnella
1845
Laborer
53
Parkman
City Directory
Thomas McNelley
1845
Laborer
53
Parkman
City Directory
Thomas McNelley
1846
Laborer
53
Parkman
City Directory
Charles McNelly
1848
Laborer
53
Parkman
City Directory
Thomas McNalley
1849
50
Parkman
Tax Assessment
Thomas McNalley
1852
Parkman
Tax Assessment
Wm. McNalla
1853
Beef, pork on Canal
32
Parkman
City Directory
Ann McNally
1856
Wid of Thomas
53
Parkman
City Directory
Thomas McNelley
1857
59
Parkman
Tax Assessment
Mrs McNalley wid Thomas
1859
61
Parkman
City Directory
Mrs McNelley
1861
Widow
61
Parkman
City Directory
This Thomas could have been the same man who is on a tax record with Inad Kelley in 1837 on Bank Street. The name with Irad looks like Thomas McNelley… but it could also be Thomas M Kelley, which seems more likely.
In 1840 Mrs. E McNelly is listed in the census with 8 males (1 under 5, 1 15-20 and 6 20-30). I think it is most likely that this is a boarding house
Clearly William (who would have been 11) does not fall in this age range. But there are also an interesting 3 members of the family who are engaged in Lake, River or Canal navigation according to the census. Is it possible that Thomas Sr and some of his boys are not accounted for because they are not in Cleveland but are on ships?
Between 1849 and 1863, it is likely that Thomas Jr lives on Parkman, Orange and Cross. There are no other McNelley’s at Orange or Cross. The 1857 tax assessment on Kinsman is interesting because it links Thomas to Peter McNalley, perhaps another son of Thomas Sr who would be Thomas’s brother.
There are at least three William McNelly (and variants) living in Cleveland in the time period. It looks like William (brother of Thomas) is found first with his brother in the hotel of George Thompson on (perhaps) Union Lane. He might be the Wm. McNella found at 32 Parkman, but this does not identify him as a Sailor, so I think it is unlikely. He seems to be found next at 329 St Clair and then 435 St Clair. St Clair is connected with the family of Henry McNally. Henry’s son William was born in 1820 and I have not been able to track him. So it looks to me like William is living in the same region as his Uncle? Henry McNelly. He then moves to his permanent address at 38 Fulton by 1863.
William McNelley
1850
Sailor
Hotel Ward 3
Census
William McNelly
1851
Tax Assessment
Wm. McNalla
1853
Beef, pork on Canal
32
Parkman
City Directory
Wm McNelly
1856
Seaman
329
St Clair
City Directory
William H McNalley
1859
435
St Clair
City Directory
William H McNelley
1859
Captain
435
St Clair
Newspaper
William H McNalley
1861
435
St Clair
City Directory
Wm. McNally
1861
Sailor
34
Fulton
City Directory
William H McNalley
1863
Fulton
Tax Assessment
William H McNally
1863
Sea Captain
38
Fulton
City Directory
We have already looked at the Parkman McNalley’s, we move now to look at St Clair.
Tracking St Clair McNalleys
Henry McNalley is found from 1848 to 1852 on St Clair. The actual address is not listed. He apparently died before 1857 when Catherine McNally is found at 147 St Clair. However, Catherine is only listed as a widow in 1864, so it could be that Henry is not living at home.
Joseph McNalley is not listed in the 1850 Census that names the children of Henry and Catherine (Wm/1820, Daniel/1824, Henry/1826, Samuel/1828, Jane/1830, John/1833, Mary Ann/1834 and Patrick/1837). However, Joseph shows up at St Clair 1845/1853. He is a Drayman (someone who delivers beer). This could be interesting since 1850 Thomas (above) works in a bar.
Henry in 1856 could be the child of Henry and Catherine. He may be the H. McNeil, sailor, which would add another McNalley to the Great Lakes shipping business. Samuel on St Clair is also likely to be a son of Henry and Catherine.
William McNelley on St Clair from 1856 to 1861, is most certainly not the William son of Henry and Catherine. That William was born in 1820. The William on St Clair is verified by an 1859 newspaper article about the kidnapping of Oscar the son of Capt McNalley. William is not living at the same address as any of the Henry and Catherine McNalley family but he is on the same block with them. This could be a coincidence of course, but it does seem to suggest a close connection. I am surmising it is a good bet that Henry is William’s uncle…or close cousin.
Joseph McAnella
1845
Drayman
St Clair
City Directory
H. McNalley (w J Murray)
1848
St Clair
Tax Assessment
Henry McNelly
1848
Laborer
St Clair
City Directory
J McNelley
1848
25
St Clair
Tax Assessment
Joseph McNelly
1848
Drayman
189
St Clair
City Directory
H McNalley (w J Murray)
1849
St Clair
Tax Assessment
Joseph McMalley
1850
Drayman
St Clair
City Directory
Mr. McAnnelly
1850
St Clair
City Directory
Child of Joseph McNelley
1852
St Clair
Death
H McNeilly (w J Murray)
1852
St Clair
Tax Assessment
H McNeil
1853
Sailor
St Clair
City Directory
Joseph McNally
1853
Carriage Driver
187
St Clair
City Directory
Henry McNelly
1856
St Clair
City Directory
Wm McNelly
1856
Seaman
329
St Clair
City Directory
Catherine McNalley
1857
147
St Clair
Tax Assessment
Samuel McNalley
1859
Grocer
428
St Clair
City Directory
William H McNalley
1859
435
St Clair
City Directory
William H McNelley
1859
Captain
435
St Clair
Newspaper
Catherine McNally
1861
147
St Clair
Tax Assessment
William H McNalley
1861
435
St Clair
City Directory
Mrs C McNally
1864
Widow
401
St Clair
City Directory
There are more records that track Henry and other families on Kinsman
Autosomal DNA – that which identifies cousins – has proved particularly useful to me in adding verification of family members that I have researched based on records, family stories and more. Since there is always a possibility that a child listed in the census or baptized is not actually the child of the recorded parents, it does seem to add a level of certainty to the mythic past.
While DNA evidence is pointing in the direction of the Proulx family, I find no supporting records to back it up. I would be gobsmacked if it were wrong, however, the link is not proven.
But I have also made forays into finding parents of dead-end ancestors. This is, I believe, dangerous because one relies on the accuracy of other family trees and it is always possible that any conclusions are incorrect. That said as a disclaimer. I am relatively confident that I have identified the family of Felix Perew — for whom I have very few records and mostly the word of his children.
Felix Perew and his wife lived in the Plattsburgh region of New York. Both died before their son Frank was 16 years old, leaving young children who stayed in the region. Census records capture them later on as does the will of Frank Perew. They are, however, hard to find in the 1800 through 1840 censuses that, of course, only list heads of families. Frank Perew became a steamship captain and even launched a ship called the Mary Elizabeth Perew. The ship could have been named after his sister Mary E Perew who married William McNalley, also a steamship captain. Or it could have been named after his mother — I think more likely and so I have suggested that Felix Perew’s wife was likely a Mary Elizabeth.
Now here is where DNA becomes interesting. I have recorded 29 DNA tests that point to the family of Jean-Baptiste Seguin dit Laderoute and Marie Marguerite Leduc. This raises the probability that Felix Perew’s wife was from this family, and, hence, with the name Marie Elisabeth Seguin (Perew). At the same time, 24 DNA tests suggest a strong link to the family of Jean-Baptiste Proulx and his wife Marie Felicite Lecompte dite Lafleur. I believe these are probably parents of Felix Perew – Proulx.
In each of these cases, DNA tests identify cousins with all the intermarried families. In the numbers listed above, some are descendants each generation back. While it does seem that there is significant inter-marrying among the French Canadians, the DNA seems to converge in a way that is highly suggestive. But, a caveat, not proof. Here are the Generations and linking tests (identifying cousins among the descendants of each family. I start with Mary Elizabeth Seguin.
Mary Elizabeth Seguin – b about 1797 in Quebec province.
Gen 1
Jean Baptiste Sequin dit Laderoute and Marie Marguerite Leduc
Matches to descendants of 4 children: Jean Baptiste, Josephte Robillard, Thomas Seguin, Joseph Seguin.
M1 – 5th- 8th Cousin (15cm) – is a 5th Cousin Once Removed (of test taker)
M2 – 5th-8th Cousin (11cm) – is a 5th Cousin Twice Removed
M3 – 4 associated tests: 1 – a 5th cousin (27cm), 2 – a 5th cousin (28cm), 3 – a 5th cousin (30cm), 4 – a 5th cousin (26cm)
M4 – 2 associated tests: 1 – a 4th cousin once removed (32cm), 2 – a 5th cousin twice removed (30cm)
Gen 2
Jean Baptistie Seguin dit Laderoute and Marie Josephte Lemadeleine
Matches to descendants of 1 child: Therese Seguin dit Laderoute Bray. 6th Cousin once removed (14cm)
Joseph Leduc and Marguerite Brigitte Lalonde
Matches to descendants of once child: Marie Josephte Leduc Pilon: 6th Cousin (34cm)
In fact, matches continue going back two more generations and more, albeit becoming weaker as one would expect. Full ancestor chart for Mary Elizabeth Seguin Perew is shown here – https://adupree.com/wp/g/verticalchart.php?personID=I386895&tree=adupree&generations=
I have found no baptism record or any other mention that clearly places Mary Elizabeth in this family. But I have discounted other Mary Elizabeth Seguin’s born around that time. Although they are related, they do not continue to relate going back. The only baptismal record for a Marie Elizabeth Seguin I have found is the child of Hyacinthe Seguin and Mary Louise Roulou. See link. While many ancestors of this Marie Elizabeth Seguin are the same – there is much less to point to this family. Still, since there is evidence of a Marie Elizabeth… I will keep looking.
Felix Perew/Proulx b 1780/1790 Quebec
Gen 1
Jean Baptiste Proulx and Marie Felicite Lafleur (and his first wife)
Matches to descendants of 4 siblings: Jean Baptiste, Michel, Joseph and Antoine
Joseph Lecompte dit Lafleur and Marie Ursula Louise Chevalier dit Marquet dit Perigord
Matches to descendants of 2 siblings
M1 1 test: 6th cousin once removed (9cm)
M2 1 test: 6th cousin once removed (8cm)
***
Because there were so many matches I choose to not record the second matches to the same families. So there is at least double what is listed here. There are a few descendants who can also be tracked to upstate New York, such as Jean-Baptiste Seguin (son of Thomas, son of the Jean Baptiste Sequin above), who died in Ogdensberg, New York in 1906. But besides the happenstance inferences, I can find no paper trail to PROVE this DNA line. Nevertheless, I think it is highly probable.
*** The Journal was kept by Haviland Wilmot and records daily events on the family’s move from Vermont to Colorado. After his death in 1912 it was probably kept by his wife, Florence, and then by his granddaughter Eleanor. Records of births, deaths and marriages are kept on pages with no connection to the dates. I have consolidated these at the end. More anecdotal notes I have moved to an appropriate date to make it easier to follow the 1883 narrative.
1-31-83
Description of my timber claim in Nebraska
SoWest quarter, section 84 in township 25 of range 31
Receipt in Spencer *** Sloan, IA
3-27-83
Helped Charlie draw wood we *** very good luck had to break a road the snow was very deep Went to school meeting this evening was a moderator hope the next time I am moderator it will be in a better or worse crazed, ramming tonight.
3-28-83
HP Cummings settled our business for us to day Priced the stock as follows:
Went to Thetford Centre to mill got a shot set on the horse had the sleigh shoes fixed Bauchs bottle of chamfirated oil and a bottle of seat oil to take west with me, said goodbye to all the friends I saw I trust I shall see them all again, Charlie chaired wood with Sa. Fletchers oxen.
3-30-83
Tagged 39 sheep and helped Charlie saw the wood he has got the wood all up to the door a handsome pile of 9 cords and a good year’s stock. Went up to the depot and got a letter from Florence. I probably should go to the depot again before I go west Went down to Kings this evening.
3-31-83
I went down to Hartland Charlie carried me down 1 1/2 miles below Pampa I went a foot the rest of the way to the J- had my hair cut there payed the barber 20 bought 2 lbs of new maple sugar payed 18 cents pound When I go to H – took Berts Tram and went to Windsor after Florence sleighing poor signed the deeds tonight Bought this diary tonight payed 80 cents.
4-1-83
Spent the day at Berts Weather cold and pleasant. F and I went to church, Bert preached on the journey of the children of Israel, first rate discourse Florence and Jule have gone to bed the children. Berts children are making making noise enough to distract a saint. Bert has gone to *** to preach this evening I shall go home tomorrow and Flossie will go back to Windsor.
4-2-83
Clear and pleasant a good day *** sap the first one we have had this year Left Berts for home 1 pm Flossie went to Windsor at the same hour. Met fields at H and fixed business all night Bought my ticket of EM Lewis paid 30,50 first class to Sioux City Iowa Walked up on Pampa took supper at Kinneys.
4-3-83
Bright and pleasant left HR for the west 2:10 pm. Arrived at Montreal 8:50 pm Left there at 10:10 pm on the Ed Enright & MB Hart were my *** I did not take a sleeper and consequently did not rest any I have not been homesick yet. Canada is a pretty rough country but I liked it very much I mailed a postal to Charlie and Florence at Montreal.
4-4-83
Clear and pleasant. I did not get much rest last night feel pretty well today Wer are going down through C. at good speed. Have seen Coke, Ontario it is as large as the whole state of Vermont I am not homesick but all am ***. I took a sleeping car there payed 15 cents are expecting to *** Michigan.
4-5-83
Had a good nights rest last night and the weather is rainy but warm. We are crossing the NOWest corner of Indiana Arrived in Chicago 1 pm ***west until 9:30 pm I have looked the city over some saw the Palmer House which is the nicest in the country Mailed a postal to Florence and Charlie. I am tired but not homesick.
4-6-83
Cloudy took a sleeper last night, had a good rest. Paid *** a piece. Arrived to the V*** 5:30 pm the sky is clear and in my pleaant took supper at the *** and have arrived at Sloan 11:30 tonight. Put up at the hotel. Did not see Mr. Clough ** I have got the ***
4-7-83
Mr. Clough took us out to a Asise this morning We had a splendid time. The weather is warmer and pleasant every one is very friendly to me. I am well pleased with Sloan.
4-8-83
Clear but very windy Fires are burning on the prairie. Clough took us to a drive. Went out on the prairie. Had a good time. I wrote Charlie and Flossie a letter to day. Homesick tonight. We went to the organizing meeting I don’t like such preaching as we heard.
4-9-83
Clear and windy. I have been to work for Clough today and dreadful homesick. Want to see little girl and mother and Charlie. I am not sorry I came here. I *** dreadfully Charlie and Flossie’s letters and on their way Chas gone to Chicago.
4-18-83
Commenced work for HH Clough this day am to work 4 or 5 yearly months $2300 per month and board.
7-22-83
Thursday noon July 23 Went to walk from JL. Oakes and here I am with nothing but my health and ambition. My dear wife and boy are looking at me for a home and I pray god that I may be able to get them one soon I find them the best anyone one can ***.
7-21-1891
Tuesday, July 21/91 Left *** for Pueblo, Colorado
Wednesday 22 arrived at Denver walked down to Oakes 7 miles South.
10-3-1891
Denver Colorado Monday Oct. 3, 1891 went to work for the Summit Fuel and Feed Co.
10-7-1891
Wednesday, Oct 7, 1891 Florence and Carl came to Denver.
2-28-1897
WK McCole came to Denver the 28th day of February 1897
Died in Denver Oct 15 before 9 + 10 am 1898
11-1900
Thanksgiving 1900 evening 6pm. We are well and happy have much to be thankful for. Florence sewing in fancy needle. Carl sending. May we always be as well and happy on future Thanksgiving eves.
HG Wilmot, Florence Wilmot, Carlos A. Wilmot.
This has been a perfect day no snow on the ground.
8-19-1902
Tuesday August 19, 1902 bought 7 room modern house lots 50 x 125 feet se corner 4201 Forest Street Denver Colorado of Patrick Rudgers consideration 3000.00 paid 1800.00 Rudgers holds note 200 payable June 1 1903 benman Boston Building Note $1000 due in three years interest payable semiannually of 6 percent Insured for 1500. Van Camp add lots 18 and 19 blk 2.
8-25-1902
Monday August 25, 1902 moved in our new home.
2-7-1903
Florence left for Vermont Feb’y 7, 1903 her Father died March 5th. She came home May 16th.
9-1904
Carl A. Wilmot married September 1904
Carl A. Wilmot commenced May 6 for FC Ayers Mer Co as Mgr 6 months June to Sept 6th 1909.
12-6-1910
Sunday June 12, 1910 Left on Rock Island for Vermont.
5-21-1913
I left Denver May 21, 1913 on 11:30 Rock Island train for Chicago. Left Chicago May 27 reached Kinneys 4:30 May 29
11-1914
Came back to Denver Nov. 1914
Marriages and Births (interspersed throughout)
Don Carlos Wilmot, Born July 12, 1816, Died March 18, 1875 – Haviland’s father
Lucy A. Graham, Born August 29, 1821, Died Sept 3 1892 – Haviland’s mother
Herbert, Born July 21, 1854, Sept 17, 1855 – Haviland’s brother
Annabel K. Wilmot, Died Dec. 15 1873, Lowell Mass – Haviland’s sister
Grandpa Joseph Wilmot, Died March 25 1862, Aged 76 Years 4 months
His Wife Mary D. Freeman, Died May 31 1861, Aged 77 years 1 month
Laura L, Died April 28 1879, In the 60th year of age – Haviland’s paternal aunt
Uncle Joe Died Monday August 24th 10 pm, 1896 Born Dec 7, 1826 – Haviland’s paternal uncle
Aunt Siri, Died April 20 1900 – Haviland’s aunt Lucina Graham Wilmot
Sunday, July 8th AM 1903, Jude, rest in peace, You was faithful and we loved you
Carl Haviland Wilmot born April 3rd 1906, Married September 20, 1929 Ruth Ditter (Oct 8) – grandson
Clifford Graham Wilmot, Born May 30, 1907, Married Bernice Warner Nov 28, 1937 – grandson
Kenneth V. Wilmot, Born July 14, 1909, Married June 6, 1919 Betty Poshir
*** Born Wednesday, am Nov 23, 1910, Married Wilma Lawson Nov 25, 1933 – refers to grandson Norman Wilmot
Haviland G. Wilmot Died Mar 4, 1912 2:45 AM – Haviland’s death entered probably by his wife
The pivot around which my own research turns is Frances Theresa Vallillee; of earlier generations, I have assembled many clues but little certainty.
It is not clear even when Frances was born. Following the census record she seems to get younger and younger as time goes on; one suspects this may have been an intentional obfuscation. Through these records, however, it is possible to determine that she was born between 1864 and 1869 in Cleveland, Ohio. She lived with John Buckley and his wife, her mother, Elizabeth Lyons as shown by the 1870 and 1880 censuses. Her father was probably Edward Vallillee who died in Cleveland in 1864. As the name Vallillee was quite uncommon in Cleveland and we know that Frances’s parents were both from Canada, it is possible that this Edward Vallillee was the child of George Vallillee and Ann O’Hanlan born in Grenville Township, Quebec. His death record in 1864 gives his age as 31, which fits rather well. John and Elizabeth Buckley also had an older daughter named Margaret and a younger son Joseph. It would seem likely that Margaret is the daughter of Elizabeth Lyons by Vallillee or someone else.
The father of Frances’ first child, Myrtle, was Oscar McNalley, whom the state of Ohio later sued on her behalf for support. This Oscar was the from a Great Lakes shipping family — William McNalley and his wife Elizabeth Perew, about which there is considerable information. A vessel called the Mary E Perew, pictured at right, was built in 1869 and plied the Great Lakes until 1905. It was either named after Mary or her mother, whose name I have not found.
Sometime before October 1886, Frances married Charles Barnard from Rome, New York. Charlie was a switchman on the U.P. Railroad and they moved for a short time to Barrington, Illinois, where they had their first child. Frances and Charles divorced by 1900 (on grounds of desertion). She remarried to George P. Lare, a paper hanger. He adopted her younger children in Denver Colorado. She lives on 25th street in Denver in 1900, but then moves to 4249 Umatilla. She stays there, at least until 1920 and then moves to Oakland, California, probably with her son Carl Barnard Lare, where she died and is buried in 1927 in a “pauper’s grave.”
According to the Surname Database, Wilmot is of English with Germanic pre 7th century origins. It is a diminutive of the personal name “Wilhelm”, plus the diminutive suffix ‘et(t) or “ot(t)” meaning ‘little’ or possibly ‘son of’. In fact this surname is also used frequently as a woman’s first name.
Tracing back further than Benjamin Wilmot is and will probably continue to be difficult until a new set of records is discovered or DNA evidence comes to light. I have tentatively linked him to Harry and Ann Wilmot of Northill, Bedfordshire as this is the only extant record I find that makes sense. This link should be taken for what it is, a shot in the dark unsupported by what we know.
On the 2nd of May 1648, “Old Goodman Willmote and Samuel March took the oath of fidellitie” in New Haven, Connecticut. His son, Benjamin, had been in New Haven since, at least 1641. On May 1, 1654, “Old Goodman Willmot desired the court that his son may be freed from training which was considered, and with reference to his own age, his wife’s weakness, and their living on a farm, his son was freed.” He was about fourscore when he died in 1669.
This Wilmot family is the root of many families in New England.
My own branch passes through Benjamin’s great-grandson Timothy Wilmot. Timothy enlisted in the Revolutionary Army on May 20, 1777 and was a bombadier in Capt. John’s Company of the batallion of the artillery commanded by John Lamb. He deserted March 4, 1780. A deserter’s list from West Point notes: “light complexion, light hair and eyes, 5’9″ height, 23 years old.” Before the war was over he moved to Thetford, Vermont and married Mary/Polly Copp. Pay stubs at the National Archives indicate where he was for each payment. Timothy settled in north-west corner of Norwich, VT as early as 1782. Many of his family moved to Thetford, VT.
My line continues in Vermont for most of the next century. Timothy’s great grandson, Haviland George Wilmot moved to Denver, Colorado and married Florence McColl. (see McColl Family Page) He worked at Summit Fuel and Feed in Denver. Haviland and Florence had one son, Don Carlos (Carl) Wilmot (named after his grandfather, named after a King of Spain who sold sheep to farmers in Vermont). Carl became a Denver policeman.
A vessel called the Mary E Perew, pictured at right, was built in 1869 and plied the Great Lakes until 1905. It was either named after Mary or her mother, whose name I have not found.