Van Bibber Pioneers Electronic Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 8 · June 1997
Van Bibber Pioneers Electronic Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 8 · June 1997
Greetings from the editor: My apologies to the subscribers.
This issue is extremely late due to closing of the school year
and a vacation right after school was out. Teachers are happy
about getting out of school too and I just didn't have time to
put the newsletter together before my wife and I went on vacation.
I hope this tardiness did not cause any genealogical withdrawal
symptoms.
I want to begin a new type of column with the next issue and I need your assistance to start and continue it. The column will be concerned with answered queries from our subscribers. In order for me to have the column you will have to send a carbon copy of your answer to any query from the newsletter. I will then publish it in a future issue. In this manner other subscribers to our newsletter can see the results
We now have 86 subscribers.
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Contents:
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NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the newest subscribers to the Van Bibber Pioneers.
Jonathan Van Bibber <[email protected]>
Gary R. Hawpe <[email protected]>
Diane White <[email protected]>
Judy Hopkins <[email protected]>
Paula Uthe <[email protected]>
Paul Hanson <p&[email protected]>
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Chuck Schafer <[email protected]>
Christopher Handisides <[email protected]>
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DIARY OF ISAAC VAN BIBBER CONTINUED
By Michael Armfield Van Bibber <[email protected]>
March 15, Friday. Immediately after breakfast. I took a long walk without my great coat, without being aware, before I left the house, how cold it had become. This, I imagine, gave me a bad cold, which made its appearance towards evening. It commenced raining about 10 o'clock and continued during the remainder of the day. At first, I called upon Mr. Winslow, who insisted upon subscribing $5.00, although I told him I was not begging from the clergy. He told me that the best way of inducing his parishioners to subscribe was to set them the example; and recollecting Chaucer's description of the good curate, I yielded to his generous motive. I then called upon Mrs. Harwood, and afterwards. her daughter, Mrs. Tilten, both of whom declared themselves unable to give me any assistance. They received me, however, with politeness and Mrs. Tilten was very pressing for me to dine with her. I next called in succession upon Mr. Cornelius McLane, who could give me nothing, upon Mr. Thomas Franklin, who also declined contributing. upon Dr. Humphfries of St. John's College, who sent me a dollar by the servant and upon Mr. A. Randall who first declined but afterwards induced to give me $5.00. It rained so hard during the remainder of the day, and I felt so badly, in consequence of my cold, that I kept to my room, where I occupied myself in reading and writing. With the exception of Mrs. Harwood and Mrs. Tilten , I am a total stranger in the place-and strangers appear to be so common here that very little notice is taken of them. Even the landlord and bar-keeper, by their reserved and business-like manners seem to look upon strangers as not exactly what they are cracked up to be.
Saturday, March 16. My cold being somewhat increased, and the rain continuing to fall even faster than it did yesterday I thought it more prudent to keep the house during the forenoon, which in one respect was a great pity, as the barber in brushing my hair, had made me look considerably sprucer than usual. My mind was greatly agitated to know in what part of my book to insert Dr. Humphrie's dollar. If I put it down in my list which contained no sum less than $5.00, it would considerably prejudice my future prospects-not to insert it at all, in the proper place, would perhaps be somewhat insulting to the Revd and learned President. After long and painful deliberation, I came to the conclusion to leave a line for the Dr., but not to fill it up until the $5.00 charm was dissolved, or, if that continued unbroken until the end of my journey, not to insert it until I reached home. I may remark, however. in passing, that I did not call upon the Doctor with any intention of begging, but having pinned my visiting card upon the Bishop's letter, I generally sent it in to make known my business at the same time that I announce my name: my object in calling was to see the college. In the evening I took a walk, but felt so badly and so little in the humour for begging that I dispensed with that highly agreeable occupation. After reading and writing until quite late, I retired.
Sunday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day. Although travelling on horseback is not exactly like travelling in a banbox, still a man may be neat, if he's only clean, and I feel proud to say that I never had a nicer feel about me than when I came out of the barber's hands this morning. To be sure I was obliged to snuffle a good deal now and then. but that only afforded me an opportunity of displaying my snow white silk handkerchief, as upon tiptoe, like a french dancing master, I tript up to the venerable looking brick church at the head of the street, The building is immensely large in proportion to the ordinary size of the congregation: although it may do very well during the session of the Legislature. Mr. Winslow has an excellent voice, read the service very effectively, and preached a very sensible sermon. He appears to be an excellent man. In the afternoon I took a stroll over the whole town, seeing the garrison, the Governor's house, the house which formerly belonged to Charles Carroll of Carrollton, where at one end of the garden are to be seen what is very rare in this country, some interesting relics of antiquity in part of a ruinous building, in which a handsome marble doorway and the remains of a marble balustrade, seem almost tumbling into the water. There are a great many fine old houses in the town; some of them, no doubt, built during the colonial government. They have an English and aristocratic air about them. such as is seldom seen in our more modern structures. " I like them much." On my return from walking, while waiting in my room for the supper bell, the servant entered and announced Dr. Hurmphfries. I flew down to welcome my dollar friend, and brought him immediately to my room. It seems he had some how or other, conceived that I must be a clergyman, and I was very sorry that I felt myself conscientiously bound to undeceive him. In the account he gave me of his misconception, he had me so intimately blended up with Mr. Buel and Dr. Risteau, that at the conclusion of it, I felt hardly certain of my own personal identity. Feeling. however, pretty much as I always did, and not at all like either of those gentlemen, I concluded the mistake lay upon the side of the Rev. and learned President, and then proceeded to explain to him the precise nature of my undertaking. To this he listened with commendable patience. At last I produced my book, and apologized to the Dr. for my omission to insert his name, honestly avowing that I did not wish to dissolve the $5.00 enchantment, which seemed to have taken possession of my list, whereat the Dr. very generously handed me 4 dollars more, and then inscribed his name before the necromantic figure. The bell now rang for tea, to which I hospitably invited my guest, but learned President had supped; he said he had taken coffee. but in saying so he made such a rye [sic] face that I was compelled to suspect the genuineness of the article. having myself, at one time been accustomed to college fare. In return, the Dr. very politely invited me to visit him tomorrow. a little after 9 o'clock. when he promised to take me over the institution. With this hopeful prospect before me, I shall retire to bed with a light and happy heart.
Monday, March 18. I arose this morning with a determination to proceed with energy; and accordingly, immediately after breakfasting and barbarizing, I dashed out, list in hand, to make an attack upon the social circles of Annapolis, The first lady upon whom I determined to make an impression was Miss Brice, without knowing what sort of a lady I should meet, whether old or young, handsome or homely. It was sufficient for my purpose to know that she was thought wealthy, and that she was the possessor of an immensely large house, which only required a little paint for to be converted into a sumptuous palace. In my own mind, I determined to furnish the paint at my own expense, as well as any little carpenters work that might need repair; and it was in the full glow of such generous schemes that I was ushered into the parlour, and requested to wait until Miss Brice made her appearance. This she did in about three quarters of an hour, during which. there being no fire in the room, I was enabled to contemplate with perfect coolness the paneled walls, and admire the antique fashion of the furniture. With this last the lady's appearance corresponded to a nicety. If society were geologically stratified, she might be considered as belonging to the primitive formation, with, however, a few fossiliferous remains of a nearly extinct species of calcareous shells in the upper region. Slender, bland and seductive. she appeared bearing the Bishop's letter and a five dollar note clasped tightly upon her bosom. a spot which, under such circumstances, even "Jews might kiss and infidels adore." Being neither one nor the other, I contented myself with keeping a tight eye upon the ragged but tempting prize-, while in tones which for their blended rapidity and sweetness. deserve, perhaps, to be called quick-silvery, she apologized for not being able to bestow more for so noble a purpose. Having seen this much of Miss Brice, I felt a longing and irresistible inclination to see Miss Chase. The former lady pointed out her residence to me from her back windows, and thither I immediately repaired, in a condition which resembled more than anything else. the appearance of an extinct volcano. Before I reached the large and venerable house, however. I was all ablaze and again carried an imaginary paint pot in my hand and an imaginary carpenter's rule in my pocket. Ample time was allowed for my fervor to cool in a room destitute alike of volcanic, solar, or artificial heat, until at length the elder Miss Hester Chase swam into the apartment. At first sight, it appeared as if one of the old portraits hanging around had gently sunk into the wall, made a slight change of costume. silently reappeared, and gracefully descended from the frame. She was a lady who seemed to blend in the happiest manner the most contradictory elements, she was dignified, though short; intellectual, though fat; motherly, although a maiden. She, too, even in the strictest keeping with her furniture, the low but stately chairs, the pursy but elastic sofa. In her fair hand she bore a coin of virgin gold-the quarter of an eagle. Alas! my game of fives was at an end. I had striven long to keep the ball in motion, but Miss Chase's authoritative name as the donor of two dollars and fifty -cents was indelibly emblazoned upon my book. You might have seen the gold enter 'into my soul, as with smiling lips but quivering chin, I thanked the fair contributor and bowed myself away. I entered next the enclosure of the garrison, a beautiful place, most beautifully kept. Here, I presented my papers to Major Gardiner, the Commandant, a fine looking man of pleasing manners, who appeared very sorry that he could not afford to give me anything. As a justification he even went so far as to commence revealing some causes of pecuniary embarrassment, which I was so considerate as to interrupt. He appears to be a very amiable man, and is no doubt, like his namesake, of historical memory (the Colonel), a brave but generous, a firm but tender soldier. From the garrison I directed my steps to the opposite quarter of the city and there made my first application to a Mrs. Captain Voorhees whose appearance and environment suggested to my mind the idea of lovely flowers, her person with the most unlovely robes. It was evidently her husband who followed the water -nor she, It was also evident that she expended all the soft soap she had to dispose of in her conversation-the hand article she kept treasured in her bosom. She gave me her kindest wishes in words of honey and of treacle. but could not bear to part with so congenial a companion as filthy lucre. From Mrs., Voorhees I proceeded to the house of Mrs. Ray, whom I found sitting with dishevelled locks, in a most interesting and disconsolate state of widowhood. Although no longer young, she was still handsome, and finding that the maiden ladies whom I had visited were no longer to be thought of, I began to turn my attention to widows. Having presented my letter, I watched her until she had finished it; and then commenced a long and eloquent address, to which she appeared to listen with the most intense attention; smiling at times as though she were equally pleased with the matter and manner of my discourse. With rising hope, my heart began to expand. I drew my chair closer, and infused into my tones a tenderness sufficient to dissolve a glacier. The answer came at last-and with it came a death blow to my hopes. The lady was evidently (deaf )-she hadn't heard a word I uttered. And what was still worse-notwithstanding the lady failed to discover a particle of humour, she kept me in a roar during the whole time I was conversing with her. I roared, however, to some purpose, for the lady responded to my call to the tune of five dollars. The next gentleman I visited was Col. Manadier, an octogenarian gentleman of the old school, very courtly in his manners, and, after the manner of old men, highly loquacious in his conversation, He seems to have been a first rate man in his day and generation. He introduced me to a lady (without naming her) as his niece I had no means of ascertaining, therefore, whether she were married or single. As, however, she had quite a large face and quite a little turban over it, I felt but little curiosity about the matter. The Colonel at length, ponied up to the $5.00 notch, and I left the house fully determined in my own mind, whatever sacrifice it might require, never to attempt unravelling the interesting ambiguity which hung over the condition of his (to me) nameless niece. I next went into the store of George E. Franklin whom I found behind the stove, engaged in the contemplation of a very ingenious and beautiful windmill, in miniature, which, when in operation, alternatively elevated and depressed a number of lilliputian personages. who, to judge from their countenances, seemed highly delighted with the sport. Whether or not it was the influence of this invaluable machine, the fact is he found no difficulty in raising the wind, and I left his store with $5.00 more than when I entered it. Nothing could exceed the delight with which Dick Gill gave me five dollars, and Mr. James Iglehart, though ordinarily hard of hearing. was not at all deaf to the Bishop's appeal. In the afternoon. I rode out to the residence of Richard McKubbin. about two miles from town. This young gentleman resides in a beautiful situation beyond College Creek, his house being situated upon the summit of a lofty hill, and commanding a view of Annapolis, the adjacent country and the distant bay. The house is old, however and the room into which I was ushered almost destitute of furniture. There was a bottle upon the table, at which my host seemed to have been occupied (I mean the table, not the bottle), containing some dark colored liquid, which I charitably supposed to be molasses. He gave me five dollars without a murmur. During the day I had called upon one or two persons who declined contributing, but as Dante says: " Non parliam di lor, ma guarda e passa." On my return from Mr. McKubbins I visited Mr. Winslow, to tell him of my success and to take leave of him. He was very polite to me. I then visited and took tea with Mrs., Harwood, where, also, I met with Mrs. Tilten. These ladies treated me with all the politeness and civility I forced out of them and with no more. I retired early and slept till late.
On Tuesday morning, March 19. 1844. At the breakfast table I sat opposite to an old man, very coarsely clad. whom I took to be a rustic. When he left the room, however, the servant informed me that it was lawyer Macgruder, the father of a young man whom I had seen lounging about the tavern ever since my, arrival.... The old man returned quite opportunely, in a few minutes and putting on his spectacles seated himself very deliberately to read the newspaper. I thought the Bishop's letter would be as new to him for departure. My bill was enormous, so much so that I was induced to look over the items and found mistakes to the amount of nearly $5.00 which I compelled the book-keeper to rectify, I firmly believe the imposition was designed. The morning was exceedingly cool as I bounded over the hills in the direction of South River ferry. Scarcely a stone, except now and then a few rounded pebbles, was anywhere visible. The soil between Annapolis and the river appeared to be very poor. The ferry is more than half a mile wide, and the three colored oarsmen were at the same time drunk, noisy and talkative. One of them dug up for me upon the beach a little shell fish called a mannenose, highly esteemed in these parts as a table luxury. Its place is indicated by a small hole in the sand, beneath which it lies to the depth, generally. of about half a foot. It resembled very much in appearance the clam. After crossing the ferry I pursued a public road, interrupted at least every quarter of a mile by a gate, frequently crossing a field without a fence upon either side, but more frequently having a fence upon one side of the way, but rarely upon both. It was in this neighborhood that I met a procession of negroes, about 14 or 15 in number, men. women and children, all bearing pieces of wood, nicely balanced upon their heads. The first two or three who passed had very moderately sized turbans, and although my mare once or twice started back aghast, she bore it upon the whole like a heroine; but when the coiffure was augmented to several yards in length, beautifully decorated with knots and branches, the sensitive animal could stand it no longer, she whirled suddenly round and fled precipitately away. I succeeded, however, in rallying her at last, and charged gallantly by the black headed phalanx in the direction of Mr. Brande's house where I arrived about 12 o'clock. That gentleman recognized me immediately, invited me in showed me several literary curiosities. gave me an excellent dinner, and accompanied me about two miles on my way in the afternoon. He may without exaggeration. be called an oddity. Before dining he invited me upstairs to wash my hands and showed me little frames for hanging towels of his own workmanship - decidedly the ugliest things of the kind I had ever seen.
His wife and sister were absent on a visit in the neighborhood. To this place he also rode in the afternoon with a valise behind his saddle, stuffed perfectly full. Knowing that probably he did not intend to remain longer than a few hours - certainly not longer than the next morning, I asked him the reason of this. He told me he thought it would be a saving of time to take his clean clothes with him, instead of waiting at home until he could put them on. Not one word of encouragement did he give me to make a collection among his parishioners. I therefore passed through, shaking off the dust of my feet, whenever said dust interfered with the brightness of my boots. I arrived at Mr. Morsell's about 4 o'clock. This gentleman's hospitable reception amounted almost to ecstasy. When I mentioned my object, he jumped into it to the tune of $100.00 assuring me that I would not pick up among his parishioners a cent more or less than that specific amount. He gave me an account also of numerous extinct volcanoes, all of which were formerly to have blazed forth for the glory and prosperity of Westminster. What a blessed privilege but to peep into their silent craters! Mr. Morsell is an excellent man amiable, kind and hospitable, and withal excitable and benevolent. It is dangerous, however, to attempt to fire him in favor of any cause whatsoever, by reason of his having one of the very finest hairtriggers ever touched in behalf of benevolence. Such precipitancy gives rise to sudden professions which are seldom realized and often repented of. I think indeed that Mr. Morsell began to repent -before he sought his pillow for finding me somewhat of a churchman in my speculative views (would I could say my religious ones!) his fervor in our behalf seemed gradually to relax. As Mr. Morsell has stepped exactly into old Mr. Chesley's shoes (having married the daughter of that reverend gentleman, the former rector of the parish) he knows exactly where they pinch. Far be it for me to presume to point out the tender spot. Mrs. Morsell appears to be a very lively, amiable woman, who laughs at nothing and at everything. She seems to look upon the bright side of very much like Sally Owen in her loveliest moments might be expected to look if viewed through a pane of exceedingly uneven glass. Mr. Morsell thinks there is a great likeness between his wife and Mrs. J. Brune. The resemblance would indeed be perfect if Mrs. Morsell could be viewed through the medium of a two . inch pine plank. Mrs. Chesley, poor woman, is very deaf, and her son, the Doctor, very dumb-I mean taciturn; otherwise he appears to be a very sensible and amiable young man. Another son had chills; otherwise he too, appeared to be a very sensible and amiable young man. In fact I was highly pleased with the whole family. Morsell and I talked till a very late hour. Indeed. the length of that gentleman's tongue may be looked upon as a natural curiosity.
Wednesday. March 20. With the assistance of a map made by the fair hands of Mrs. Morsell. I set out immediately after breakfast, upon a begging expedition. Mr. Ed. Hall, upon whom I first called, not being at home and the young lady who spoke to me seeming to look upon all introduced gentlemen as dangerous and perfidious monsters, I was obliged to pursue my route to the residence of Mrs. Waters. This fair but portly widow tempted me with an apple, "and I did eat." She seemed to have some indistinct notion that Carroll County was situated somewhere within the bounds of Anne Arundel, a prejudice which I was very glad to have it in my power, by the exhibition of my travelling map, to disabuse her of. After searching a long time for writing materials. she at length requested me to make her a pen wherewith she subscribed five dollars to our church. I next visited the house of Mr. Jas. Kent. whose wife received me in the absence of her husband. If possible, her manners were colder than her parlour. She heard what I had to say. and seemed to think it likely she would mention it to her husband. She has entire a beautiful set of teeth of the most approved manufacture-so says the parson's wife. At first I thought they were the product of her own gums. The next person I visited was Mrs. Gott, an elderly lady, who wore about her neck a rappee colored handkerchief to correspond with what she seemed to be in the habit of inhaling. With such a beautiful display of harmonious adjustment, it will readily be concluded that the lady was up to snuff. The consequence of which was that instead of five I received another split ticket of two dollars and a half. From this place I rode to Dr. Cheston's. who being unwell Mrs. Cheston received me, with becoming warmth in a cold parlour. She took my book and the Bishop's letter upstairs, and kept them at least three quarters of an hour. When she returned. however, I was amply compensated to perceive an addition of $10.00 to the column. Mrs. Cheston very much resembled Kitty Sullivan, but as Kitty has a very sour and Mrs. Cheston a very sweet face, the similarity may be illustrated by the resemblance which a lemon in its natural state bears to one beautifully encrusted with sugar. From this place I cantered over to Mr. Harry Hall's. This gentleman's "house is seated on a rising ground." commanding on one side an extensive inland view, and on the other a prospect of the Chesapeake, and even of the Eastern Shore. Mr. Hall, an elderly man of genteel appearance with light colored hair half sandy and half gray, is very deaf. In reference to myself and my mission he exhibited himself as, at once, open handed and close fisted. He very politely insisted upon my remaining to dine with him, but seemed principled against subscribing his name to any donation. He promised to give something but I doubt if he ever recollects it. Mr. Wilson, whom I next called to see, was away from home. I therefore returned with all haste to Mr. Morsell's, arriving at the same moment that Mrs. Kent and her daughter drove up to the door. They came to attend prayermeeting and a lecture, which takes place every Wednesday evening at Mr. M's residence. A number of persons were assembled, and Morsell Methodized without being at all in rule. During the day I collected about $30.00. The evening we spent in sociable chit-chat.
Thursday. March 21. As soon after breakfast as I conveniently could I took an affectionate leave of Morsell and his family and mounted upon my cantering Rosinante, proceeded in the direction of Mount Pleasant ferry over the Patuxent on the way to Upper Marlborough. The morning was cool, and the air exceedingly raw. When I had gone about three or four miles, I met a countryman walking along the road, from whom I requested directions for my onward route. These he gave me with all the politeness imaginable, until at last a sudden idea seemed to strike him, and giving me a significant look he said he knew I was from the City, and that he was well aware what sort of a character I was. When I begged him to explain, he said, "you're one of those Collectors." I acknowledged the compliment. I felt conscious that I was a collector. I told him so. Without waiting for any further explanation, he bolted off, and all my entreaties could not induce him to return and complete the direction he had commenced. I presumed he thought me one of the collectors of the direct tax, and knowing himself to be a defaulter, made off as rapidly as possible. I then dismissed the matter from my thoughts. After riding forward a mile or two, I happened to look around and discovered a man on horseback with a very ferocious aspect, and carrying a gun upon his shoulder, who was gaining rapidly upon me. The thought instantly struck me, how imprudent I had been in giving the countryman to understand that I was a collector. I felt convinced that he had hurried away from me to apprise one of his confederates of the fact; and that this man now riding in pursuit was intent either upon robbery or vengeance. I felt no particular desire to be made an actor in either the one or the other of these sanguinary transactions especially as the great solitude of the place would render it exceedingly uninteresting as a "tableau vivant" and the idea of a "dead picture" was even worse. Actuated by all these considerations, I put spurs-or rather heels, to my horse-for spurs I had none and galloped off in the most gallant style imaginable. Looking around in a short time I perceived my pursuer rapidly gaining upon me: I urged my horse to the top of her speed: the horse behind seemed to have reached its maximum velocity. It would have been an intensely interesting question in simple equations to have set down the speed of my horse at 40 (for she was going precisely like that often quoted and popular number) and the speed of my pursuer's horse at 40 + X and then to have to have calculated how long it would have taken his horse to have overtaken mine. But I felt very little inclination for cyphering at the moment, although the quantity of fine sand in the road would have rendered it a charming spot for an ancient mathematician. Onward we went, helterskelter, up hill and down hill through lonesome pines, which uttered a dirge-like sigh as I passed along, and every few minutes through a lumbering gate which I always tried to shut after me as tightly and securely as possible. At last I came to a famous gate. It closed in the middle of a deep mud puddle. Fortunately, it was slightly open when I reached it, so that I had very little difficulty in passing through. But as I am always conscientious about shutting gates, so I particularly attended to that duty upon the present occasion. What was my delight to perceive that the gate when closed could not possibly be opened by a person upon horseback and with great difficulty, at any rate. Now was my time to fly, depend upon it. I made the best use of it, and when at last I reached a distant eminence and looked behind. I had the satisfaction of seeing my unrelenting pursuer dismounted from his horse, and still tugging away at the obstinate and faithful gate. I never saw him again. for shortly afterwards I reached the ferry, was pushed across by a stoical colored man and pursued my way through a gatey but still a fertile looking country in the direction of Upper Marlborough. This place I reached about 2 o'clock. This town is very curiously as well as very beautifully situated. It is surrounded in all directions except the Southeast by high hills. and appears to lie in a basin which must formerly have served as a reservoir of water. The idea struck me the moment I cast my eye over the prospect, and what was my surprise to find it verified in a high marl-bank quite close to the town where the innumerable remains of extinct species of shell fish were distinctly visible. This to me was very curious, as I had never before seen a marl-bank. After a late dinner I shaved, read and wrote until tea-time, after which I visited the Rev' Mr. Trapnell whom I found sitting with his wife, a very pretty woman, as plump and as round as a cherry. Trapnell gave me every encouragement and afforded me every facility in making my application among his parishioners. He is a very agreeable man in his conversation, and shows a remarkably fine set of teeth when he laughs, I retired to bed at an early hour.
(To be concluded in the next issue)
Michael Armfeld Van Bibber
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FAMILY OF CHARLES WESLEY VAN BIBBER
By Harold R. Lowder <[email protected]>
With additions by Bruce Logan <[email protected]>
Charles Wesley Van Bibber, b. 31 Aug. 1868, Greenup Co., KY, d. 22 Aug. 1946, Greenup Co., KY, s/o James and Sarah (Bradburn) Van Bibber.
m. Emma Lee Lowder, b. 22 Apr. 1874, KY, d. 10 Oct. 1916, KY,
buried in the Felty No. 2 Cemetery, Greenup Co., KY, d/o George
Washington and Josephine L. (Thomas) Lowder.
m. Avis Mariah English
4. Matilda Ellen Van Bibber, b. 28 Oct. 1895, d. 1975
m. (2) ???? Hamilton
m. (2) ????? Carter
m. (3) Herman Webb
(Charles Wesley Van Bibber m. (2) Telitha Madden 17 Nov. 1918,
Greenup Co., KY)
Harold R. Lowder
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RECORDS OF PRISCILLA VAN BIBBER
By Anna L. Lutz <[email protected]>
Marriage record : VAN BIBBER, PRECILLA - to ELIJAH JOHNSON -
6 July 1832, LAWRENCE COUNTY, KY. The bond was co-signed by JOSEPH
R. WARD.
In the 1850 Census for LAWRENCE COUNTY, they are listed in Household
#200:"
JOHNSON, ELIJAH 40. Virginia
PRECILLA 34. Kentucky
JOHN 16. Kentucky
SARAH 14. Kentucky
JEREMIAH 12. Kentucky
GEORGE 10 Kentucky
PRICY 8 Kentucky
MARTHA A. 6 Kentucky
MANERVA 3 Kentucky
SILVESTER 6 Mos. Kentucky
Anna L. Lutz
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CENSUS RECORD OF NOAH VAN BIBBER
By Anna L. Lutz <[email protected]>
VANBIBBER, NOAH - 1880 - U.S. Census for LYON COUNTY, Kansas
The 1880 Soundex, LYON COUNTY, Kansas, Agnes City Township, Enumeration District #104, Sheet #2, Line #12, shows the following:
VANBIBBER, NOAH 53 Kentucky
ELIZABETH 45 Indiana
RUTH 18 Indiana
WILLIAYI L. 16 Missouri
VARLENA 13 Missouri
ORMSBY M,. 10 Missouri
JAMES E. 6 Missouri
Anna L. Lutz
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FAMILY OF PETER VAN BIBBER
By Bruce Logan <[email protected]>
Peter Van Bibber, b. 25 May 1695, Cecil Co., MD, d. ca. 1770, s/o Isaac Jacob and Fronica "Frances" Schumacher
Children and Spouses
Bruce Logan
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THE WORST SOURCES AND WHY
By Zella Londigan <[email protected]>
FAMILY TRADITIONS AND STORIES
Every family wants to present itself in the best light and almost everyone stretches things a little. some family members are born storytellers, but born storytellers don't always stick to the truth.
If you ignore family traditions, you may miss some vital clues
though, so write these stories down. But don't keep insisting
that they have to be true. If you find information that conflicts
with the stories you have been told, be willing to accept the
proven result.
FAMILY HISTORIES
Family histories have the same problems as family stories, but with a difference--they are in print. But being in print doesn't make anything true. If it wasn't right to start with, it still wont be right. If the line goes back to Adam or even past the 1700's, demand proof. And be sure that the proof is from primary sources, not from other family histories. There are very few totally correct family history books in print. If the book is a recent one, you might like to write to the
author to see if there are any updates. Use them, because they
do provide clues, but check them carefully and document your findings.
Because if you do prove a family history wrong, you will be called
upon to show why your version is more correct than the printed
one.
DAR LINEAGE BOOKS AND OTHER COMPILED GENEALOGIES
Such as COMPENDIUM of AMERICAN GENEALOGY--These records were never verified by the publishers. And the papers that were turned in to the DAR and SAR and even the Mayflower Society weren't as well scrutinized as they are now. Most of them were based on family histories which are already listed as one of the worst sources. Many of the lines have subsequently been disproven. If you have any question about your line, write the organization involved if it was work submitted for membership. If the work was turned in like the Compendium, then you may have
difficulty tracking anyone down. But you might be able to find
the children given in entry in WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA or a similar
work with their address.
DEATH CERTIFICATES, OBITUARIES, AND TOMBSTONES
These are only as good as what information the informant had and
sometimes the informant wasn't even related. Sometimes the relatives
didn't know the truth, and sometimes they wanted to cover it up.
And if they didn't know, they would make it up.
CENSUS RECORDS
Census records provide clues, but the information doesn't come with a guarantee. Sometimes a person didn't know the information, and sometimes the informant was a neighbor or a child. And sometimes the census taker wrote down what he thought, without leaving home. Sometimes, the census taker spelled the name like it sounded to him. And sometimes the ages of the children are off, especially the ages of the sons, because the parents came from areas where conscription was practiced, and they weren't sure what would happen here. (By the way, Abraham Lincoln was the
first president to use the draft and first to impose income taxes).
FAMILY GROUP SHEETS
Such as those compiled by societies and libraries and those sent
to you by other people are only as good as the research that has
been done. Don't go by the reputation of the person who gave you
the sheets. Check very carefully to find out about he sources
and then do some further checking and proving on your own. Recheck
all of the sources given, because there are some sheets going
around with fraudulent sources listed.
REFERENCE BOOKS OF COMPILED RECORDS
These records are only as good as the compiler was able to make
them. If some records weren't available to the author, there may
be gaps in the information.
COUNTY HISTORIES
Entries in a county history were paid for by the families included, and you don't think they would list anything detrimental do you? Also these are really just family stories and family histories in a different form with all the problems of the others, so use them with the same cautions as you would the others. County histories do have some additional features which will help you in your research. When you are looking for county histories, and you should, even with the cautions,
remember that there are probably more than one or two county histories
in existence for every county. Do not give up after locating just
one. Even if the conflicting information in the different versions
will help you in tracking down what is right.
************************************************************************
RECORDS TO WATCH OUT FOR
FAMILY BIBLES
Check the date of the Bibles publication. If it is after the date
of the entries, they were probably made long after the event.
Check the handwriting. If it is all the same, it may have been
recorded long after the events occurred. In this case, it can
not be considered a primary source. It may even have been written
from memory, which can be really bad.
PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE
For some events, the only record you may have will be personal knowledge. But always try to back it up with additional records if possible. It is very difficult to remember when things have happened, even major events. And relatives may have reasons to cover up the correct information. Find out if relatives have sort of documentation to back up the information they have given you. But be very diplomatic about this, as they may think that you think that they are lying. Let
them know that you would like to put copies of the documents in
a family history book you are writing.
NATURALIZATION PAPERS
Especially for those who arrived in this country at an early age,
you should get further proof. Dates of arrival, the name of the
ship, and even the age at arrival are in serious doubt.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Have some very good information in them, such as anniversary parties,
marriages, family-get-togethers, lists of out of town visitors.
But many names and places get misspelled. Sometimes the wrong
caption ends up beneath a picture.
Zella Londigan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VISITING CEMETERIES
By Zella Londigan <[email protected]>
Check the following in advance:
Is there any safety problem?
Should you notify someone that you will be there?
Is it only open at certain hours?
Are there gates?
Is it available to the public?
If it is a private cemetery, you may have to show why you are there.
Is there a staff and an office?
Should you check in with them first?
Do they have maps available to help you locate grave sites?
Are there records in the office to compare with the tombstones?
Have the records been copied and are the copies available?
Remember to:
Wear long trousers, closed shoes, long sleeves, and gloves if there is any question of potential problems. If you are prone to twisted ankles, wear ankle braces also. Cemeteries have holes in strange places.
If you will be out for any length of time at all, wear a hat.
Take a flashlight to older cemeteries.
You may want to take a camera, and a supply of film. It is better to use black and white film for taking pictures of tombstones, or you may want to take a video camera.
Even if you take a picture of the tombstones, have a note book and several pencils for copying down the information.
Before you do any tombstone rubbings, be sure that the stones are in good enough condition and won't be damaged. Try to avoid rubbings unless you can't read the tombstone. Check to see if it is permissible before you try it.
Write the information on each family on a different page so that the notes can be filed when you get home.
Be sure to label each page of your notes with the name of the cemetery.
Keep track of the people who are buried nearby as they may be relatives.
Some people may not have tombstones, but the office might be able to tell you where they are buried. If there is no office, check with the library and the Chamber of Commerce to see if they know of someone who might have the records. In Iowa, try the Parks and Recreation
Department.
Do not rip pages out of any spiral-bound notebook while you are in the cemetery. And do not litter.
Always ask if there are additional cemeteries nearby. There may be some that you don't know about. There may even be an overflow cemetery of the place you are in now. The cemetery may be able to tell you of graves on private farms also, especially if someone has asked about them before.
Look around and ask about country-wide indexes of tombstones. You may be surprised where they are. There is one for Person Co., NC in the city clerk's office. Some of these indexes include tombstones that have been found in people's garages or backyards.
In an older cemetery, you may wish to take some tools to clean up the area around a tombstone, so you can see it clearly: shovel, crowbar, weedcutter. And if you find a cemetery in very bad condition, find out who is responsible for the cemetery and see if it can be cleaned up. You
may have to get your relatives to help contribute to this. A judge
in South Dakota has declared that an abandoned cemetery is no
longer to be considered sacred ground and can be removed or destroyed.
So keep an eye on your family plots.
ASSUMPTIONS TO BEWARE OF..................IN A CEMETERY
That a person buried in that cemetery died nearby. Many people, even in the "old days" were transported back to another location for burial. And many were reburied because cemeteries were moved, the family sold the original farm, or someone just wanted the graves moved. Sometimes a
whole family were brought together from several locations to one cemetery, years after some of them had died.
That the person really was buried at all: Many people were lost at sea and a tombstone erected at home. Some burned and there was nothing to bury. Some were lost in the wars. A person may have disappeared and a tombstone put up as a memorial after several years. Many times a
surviving spouse will put up a stone for the deceased partner and include themselves on the stone. It was cheaper this way. And then they may have been buried somewhere else.
Tombstones are not guaranteed accurate. They are erected by the survivors, not the deceased. The stones can only include what they have been told is correct. If someone lied about their age all their life, the stone is going to lie also. And stonecutters made mistakes and left
them, because it was too expensive or impossible to replace the stone.
A tombstone may have been erected years later. and who knows what may happen to the information. If it is a replacement stone, the original stone may have been impossible to read correctly.
That everyone in the same plot must be related, or isn't related.
Don't make assumptions either way till you have checked carefully.
They may be in-laws or cousins, or someone there was no place
else to bury.
Zella Londigan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ANCESTORS
By Zella Londigan <[email protected]>
If you could see your ancestors
all standing in a row,
Could you be proud of them or not
or don't you really know?
Some strange discoveries are made
in climbing family trees
And some of them, you know, do not
particularly please.
If you could see your ancestors
all standing in a row,
There might be some of them, perhaps
you wouldn't care to know
But here's another question
Which requires a different view
If you could meet your ancestors
Would they be proud of you?
Zella Londigan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ODDS AND ENDS
By Darrell Smith <[email protected]>
Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files
Volume III: N-Z, Abstracted by Virgil D. White
page 3581
Vanbibber, James, VA Line & also served in 1785-88, R18641,
sol was b. 8 May 1766, sol lived in Greenbriar Co., VA at enl
& srv under Capt. John Van Bibber (no Kinship given), in 1803
sol moved from KY to MO & in 1818 settled in Callaway co,
MO where he applied 20 May 1833.
page 3582
Vanbibber, Peter, VA Line, S32566, sol was born on 05 Aug 1757
in Botetourt Co, VA and he lived in Greenbrier Co., Va at enl
and he moved from there to OH where he lived for "many yrs"
then moved to Ripley Co, IN where he applied 11 Nov 1832, sol
d 08 Oct 1838.
Maryland Marriages, 1634-1777
page 184
Van Bebber, James, son of Hendrick Van Bebber of Utrecht, 1730 Anna Laroun
3 CE-17
Van Bebber, Matthias, 17 Nov 1705, Haramontie Peterson, dau. of Adam
Peterson of Newcastle Co., Pa.
3 CE-3
Van Bibber, Isaac, son of James and Ann of Bohemia Manor, 27 Nov 1768,
Ann Chew, dau. of Benjamin and Sarah.
1 CE-318
Cecil County
3 CE - St. Stephen's Parish; copy made in 1892 by Harrison, at
MHS.
1 CE - St. Mary Ann's (North Elk) Parish; copy made in 1891 by
Harrison, at MHS.
Heads of Families
First Census of the United States-1790, Maryland
All were in Baltimore County
Name of Head of Family FWM+16 FWM-16 FWF AOF SLAVES
Van Bibber, Abram 1 3 12
Van Bibber, Abraham 2 1 3 16
Van Bibber, Andrew 3 2 4
Van Bibber, Isaac 1 2 4 7
Darrell Smith
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INTERNET SITES
From Judy Hopkins <[email protected]>
Virginia Land Records
<http://image.vtls.com/collections/index.html>, and go to land records. You will
have to download a tiff viewer described on the main page, if you want to view the
actual document.
Judy Hopkins
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
QUERIES
From Paula Uthe <[email protected]>
Dennis Uthe [email protected]
My great grandmother, Martha Emily VANBEBBER , married Robert Samuel BOYD on
1/4/1880 in Holt County, MO. I only have source knowledge of her lineage. Her parents were Calvin VANBEBBER , born 1/1/1824 in Clairborne TN and Barthena VANBIBBER , born 1832 in TN. They were married 1/17/1850 in Oregon Ray Co, MO. Calvin's parents were Jacob VANBEBBER, born 1786 who married Catherine Ann Guthrie in 1815/1818 in Clairborne, Tn. Jacob's parents were Peter VANBEBBER , born 8/5/1757 in Botetourt, VA and Eleanor VANBIBBER, born 5/8/1776. They were married in 1785 in Rockingham VA. Peter's parents were Capt Rev. Isaac VANBIBBER, born 1725 in Strasburg, PA and Sarah DAVIS. Cap't
Rev. Isaac VANBIBBER died at the battle of Point Pleasant.
I am seeking actual documents that show the linkage of Calvin - Jacob-Peter-Isaac. Does anyone have copies of any documents that show any of these lineages?
After 1880 , Calvin VANBEBBER moved to Mendicino County, CA. I am searching
for any of Calvin's descendants in CA.
One last request, as previously stated, Martha Emily VANBEBBER married Robert
Samuel BOYD. Robert's father was Abner Boyd who married Catherine
Sponenburgh. Abner moved to Oklahoma and died in Stillwater,
OK about 1906. I am trying to locate any of Abner's descendants.
Dennis Uthe
8129 Stone Ridge Dr
Frederick, MD 21702
DAUTHE @aol.com
Paula Uthe
Editor of the Van Bibber Pioneers Electronic Newsletter:
Bruce E. Logan Jr.
321 Spring St.
Wheelersburg, OH 45694
[email protected]
[email protected]
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