Moses and Jane Fleming Culbert

MOSES AND JANE FLEMING CULBERT FAMILY

Compiled By: James H. Culbert (Descendant 6.3.4.1 from Moses)
Last Revised: 27 Mar 2007

Family Origins

For information on this family's origins click here: Click Here

Moses Culbert was born 30 July 1804 in Letterkenny, Donegal County, Ireland. ¹ [NOTE: cemetery records give Moses' birth date as 31 July 1804. ² ] Family tradition has it that his brother was James John CULBERT of Wilmington, Delaware. This tradition is supported by evidence that descendants of Moses and James did get together for family reunions, and descendants of Moses were named as heirs from the Wilmington Estate originating with James' branch. See James John Culbert

Moses left Ireland alone at the age of 24, on 8 May 1828 from Londonderry on the British Barque Asia, one of 211 passengers under the command of William WARD, arriving in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 24 June 1828. ²² ²⁷ [Note: On the passenger list he is shown as Moses CUTHBERT ¹⁶ See footnote below.]

Nothing is known about Moses' time in the U.S. from his arrival until 1830. He migrated to Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and on 10 Aug 1830 he declared his intention to become a U.S. citizen (see declaration of intention ³) before the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. His petition for naturalization (see petition ⁴) before the Mayor's Court of Philadelphia was signed on 27 September 1833, along with Florence SULLIVAN [male], a citizen, who also signed verifying that Moses had resided in the United States for five years, with the last year being in Pennsylvania, and that Moses had "behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of our Constitution, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same." Moses' citizenship certificate (see certificate) was issued that same day.

Moses was not listed in the 1830 Philadelphia business directory, nor has he been found in the 1830 federal census. He was obviously not a head of household at that time. However, an unknown John CULBERT household was found in Nether Providence Township. ³² A search for Florence SULLIVAN in Delaware County also resulted in no head of household in the 1830 federal census by that name, although both a Joseph SULLIVAN household ³³ and a Sarah SULLIVAN household ³⁴ were found in Nether Providence Township.

It must have been about 1831 or 1832 that Moses met Jane Fleming in Delaware County. They were married in a private ceremony before a Philadelphia alderman on 15 November 1832. ¹ ⁵ Jane was born on 25 Nov 1815 in Ridley Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, ¹ the only child of Thomas FLEMING and Hannah BENNET. ⁶

The Culbert family first lived in Nether Providence Township. In late 1835, Moses opened a general store. His advertisement follows:¹⁷

"NEW STORE

The Subscriber has received a general assortment of FALL AND WINTER GOODS, which he is about placing in order in his New Store, in Nether Providence. He invites his friends and the public generally to call and see for themselves, as he intends to dispose of them on reasonable terms, having laid them in to advantage by paying cash. MOSES CULBERT. Nether Providence. Oct. 29, 1835."

The children of Moses and Jane were:

1. Hannah Bennett CULBERT; (b. 24 Sep 1833, Nether Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.; ¹ d. 1901); m. Isaac W. WEAVER.
2. Thomas Fleming CULBERT; (b. 13 Jun 1835, Nether Providence Township; ¹ d. bet. 1880-1900 ³⁰); m. 24 May 1855, Martha C. CLEGG. ¹

3. Margaret Campbell CULBERT; (b. 31 May 1837, Nether Providence Township; ¹ d. 1894); m. 2 Apr 1857, Thomas B. MACE. ¹

4. John Snowden CULBERT; (b. 26 Jun 1839, Nether Providence Township; ¹ d. 1 Jan 1904); ¹ m. (1st) 29 Oct 1861, Ellen Jane SMITH; ¹ m. (2nd) 10 Nov 1892, Annie E. SMITH SPENCER. ²⁰

5. Martha Morrison CULBERT; (b. 18 Nov 1841, Nether Providence Township; ¹ d. 10 Aug 1894); m. 13 Jan 1869, William H. EVES.

6. Robert Fleming CULBERT; (b. 2 Dec 1844, Nether Providence Township; ¹ d. 12 Dec 1919); m. 15 Jun 1875, Matilda B. VAN HORN.

7. James C. or Fleming CULBERT; ³¹ (b. 22 Dec 1847, Nether Providence Township; ¹ d. 20 or 21 Dec 1918); m. 16 Jun 1885, Sarah Louise EVANS.
8. Henry Irvin CULBERT; (b. 10 Nov 1853, Chester Township, Delaware County; ¹ d. 10 Nov 1881). ² Never married.

The family was listed in the 1840 census living in Nether Providence Township. ²³

In 1842, Hannah Bennett FLEMING purchased 54.5 acres in Chester Township, Delaware County, PA from John and Mary SLAWTER. ⁷ This property is shown on an 1848 map in the name of Moses Culbert. ⁸ It is also shown on an 1870 map ⁹ as 60 acres owned by Mrs. CULBERT in what is now known as Brookhaven Boro. It is found along the west side of Ridley Creek and adjoins Brookhaven Road to the north. The property is also shown on an 1875 map. ¹⁰ In 1998 I drove by this property and noted it is a residential subdivision, Jewish synagogue, and cemetery.

On 13 Nov 1847 an advertisement was placed in the Boston Pilot newspaper that has a connection to Moses:

"Mrs. Nancy BARRETT, formerly Nancy McGRAW, of Litter Renny (sic), Co. Donegal. When last heard of some 10 years since she was living in Troy, N Y. Any further intelligence concerning her will be thankfully received by her father, Patrick McGRAW, to whom a letter may be addressed, in care of Moses CULBERT, Chester Township, near old Chester, Delaware Co., PA." ²¹

In the 1850 census for Chester Township, Delaware County, ¹¹ Moses is listed as a farmer with a real estate value of $5,000. His mother-in-law, Hannah Bennett FLEMING, lived with the family, was born in New Jersey, and was age 56.

In the 1860 census for Chester Township, Delaware County, ¹² Moses is still listed as a farmer, having a real estate value of $10,000 and personal property valued at $1,150. The children Thomas, Margaret and John are no longer living in the household, and neither is Jane's mother Hannah Bennett FLEMING. Hannah is listed separately in the 1860 census, living alone. ¹³

Moses died on Monday, 8 Oct 1860 at the age of 56 at his residence in Chester Township, Delaware County, PA. ¹ ¹⁸ The following notice was placed in the local newspaper: ¹⁸ ²⁴

"Death Notice SUDDEN DEATH - MOSES CULBERT, an esteemed citizen of Chester township, died suddenly in one of the fields on his farm, on Monday afternoon last. He was about to repair a panel of fence, and left home, carrying a heavy rail, for that purpose. He was found shortly afterward, life being entirely extinct. It is the opinion of a physician in the neighborhood, that he died of a disease of the heart. He was of a kind and genial disposition, and much respected by his many acquaintenances."

Moses was buried in plot 628 of the Middletown Presbyterian Church cemetery located in Elwyn, PA. ² His gravestone, photographed in 1997, can be seen here: Gravestone.

Moses died without a will, and the following ad was was placed in the local newspaper about one year after his death: ¹⁹

"Real Estate ORPHANS' COURT SALE OF REAL ESTATE. By virtue of an order of the Orphans' Court of Delaware county, will be sold at public sale, on the premises, on Saturday, the tenth of November, 1861, at two in the afternoon, all that certain messuage or tenement and tract of land, situate in the township of Chester, in said county, bounded by lands of Hugh SHAW, John BEATTY, Charles BOOTH, and by Ridley Creek, containing 4 ACRES, 3 RODS and 4 PERCHES, more or less, late the estate of Moses Culbert, deceased. The improvements consist of a FRAME DWELLING HOUSE, 18 by 30 feet, two and a half stories high, with cellar kitchen, one room on the first floor, two on the second, and two in the attic; frame stable, fifteen feet square, stone spring house over an excellent spring, convenient to the house, and also a frame building, 12 by 16 feet, which has been used as slaughter house, all in good order. There is a fine stream of water running through the premises. The land is in excellent condition, well fenced, in a good neighborhood, convenient to places of worship, schools and mills, about two miles and a half from Chester and Media, and one mile from Wallingford station in the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad. Terms cash. JOHN BEATTY, Trustee to make sale."

In the Delaware County American, dated 30 April 1862 was the following notice:

"Estate OFFICE OF THE REGISTER & CLERK OF ORPHANS' COURT, Media, Delaware County, April 28, 1862... The account of John Beatty, trustee appointed by the Court to settle the real estate of Moses Culbert, late of the township of Chester, deceased."

In the 1870 census ¹⁴ the family household consisted of Hannah Bennett FLEMMING [Note different spelling], Jane CULBERT, Jane's daughter Hannah Bennett CULBERT, her sons Robert Fleming CULBERT and Henry Irvin CULBERT, and David BOWEN. Hannah is listed with a real estate value of $2000 and a personal estate value of $2500. Robert is listed as a farmer, and he probably managed the family farm after his father died. David is shown as a 16 yr. old laborer, born in New Jersey, who probably also worked on the family farm.

In the 1880 census, the Jane CULBERT household is found in Chester Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Her son, Robert, is listed as a farmer, Matilda, his wife, is keeping house, and grandchildren, Warren and William, are at home. Also in the household are Frank THOMPSON, age 25, a farm laborer, George CLEGG, age 15, a laborer, and Lizzie ALLISON, age 12, a domestic servant. George CLEGG might be related to Martha CLEGG CULBERT, wife of Thomas CULBERT, the son of Jane CULBERT. ²⁶

Jane died 9 Nov 1882 ¹ or 12 Dec 1882 ² at the age of 66 or 67. She is buried in the Middletown Presbyterian Church cemetery. Her gravestone, photographed in 1997, can be seen here: Gravestone. Jane's will is dated 22 April 1881. ¹⁵

Other Family Information

A cedar chest that was owned by Moses and Jane is now in my possession. It was in the home of William (Bill) Eves CULBERT, Sr. (descendant 6.3) and was passed down to Jane CULBERT YOUNG (descendant 6.3.1) before my father acquired it. My father refinished the lid and reattached it with the words now on the inside, and with the hinges on the opposite side. Click Here to see a picture of this chest.

Notes

¹ From the Family Record in the Moses CULBERT family bible. A handwritten note in the margin, probably in the hand of Anne Culbert BOURNE SCHULZ (descendant 6.4.2), says, "From the Bible of Moses CULBERT. The Holy Bible... By Late Rev. John BROWN, Minister of Gospel at Haddington. New York, T. Rinnersley". The significance of this reference is unknown. There is a Haddington in East Lothian, Scotland. This bible was last in the possession of Anne, and was lost after her death. I have a photocopy of two pages showing marriages, births, deaths, and memorandums. According to Anne, the bible was given by Moses to his daughter Hannah in 1839. The original entries in the bible are likely to be Hannah's.

² W.P.A. Project No. 13191, Vol. 2, Sec. 3, 1937, List of Grave Markers Additional to Project No. 4889, has a map and grave plot listing for the Middletown Presbyterian Church cemetery near Elwyn, PA. Moses Culbert is listed as buried in plot 402, Jane in 403. Current burial records have changed these plot numbers so that they are now both plot 628. The referenced document is available from the Delaware County Historical Society, 85 North Malin Road, Broomall, PA 19008-1928. Tel. 610-359-1148. The Middletown Presbyterian Church cemetery address is 273 Old Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063. Tel. 610-565-4080. Cemetery records are maintained by: Jane Evans, 410 Hidden Valley Road, Aston, PA 19014. Tel. 610-485-9747. [Note: Anne Culbert BOURNE SCHULZ said she looked at the church records of members and those baptized, and did not find any CULBERT or FLEMING.]

³ From the Declaration of Intention of Moses CULBERT to become a naturalized citizen of the United States, dated 10 August 1830, recorded in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

⁴ In general, naturalization proceedings were conducted as follows: a person visited a court possessing the authority to conduct naturalization proceedings to swear his, or sometimes her, intention to renounce his allegiance to his native country and monarch. After waiting a period of three years, later reduced to two, s/he could enter any court in the country, produce the copy of his prior declaration of intent, prove that s/he had resided in the U.S for a period of not less than five years, have a person vouch for her/his character, and present a petition for full citizenship. If all of these obligations had been fulfilled the court would issue her/him a certificate of citizenship.

⁵ Marriage certificate of Moses CULBERT and Jane FLEMMING. [Note different spelling] An inquiry was made as to the possible existence of a marriage license application, and I was informed that none was in use until 1860, when the city of Philadelphia began keeping systematic records of marriages. ²⁵

⁶ Based upon census records.

⁷ BAKER, Chester Forest - excerpts relating to CULBERT family from his historical volumes of Delaware County, PA - Vol. 21, page 115. Reference is made to chain of title to the Moses CULBERT family farm from 1811 to 1842.

⁸ ASH, Joshua W., 1848, maps of Delaware County, PA. I have a copy of only a portion of the Moses CULBERT property, obtained from the Delaware County Historical Society.

⁹ Delaware County Atlas, 1870, G.M. HOPKINS and Co.

¹⁰ EVERTS and STEWART, 1875, map of Chester Township, Delaware County, PA.

¹¹ 1850 census taken 15 Aug for Chester Twp. (Aston), Delaware Co., PA, page 80A.

¹² 1860 census taken 6 Jun for Chester Twp., Delaware Co., PA.

¹³ 1860 census taken 6 Jun for Chester Twp., Delaware Co., PA. Page 58A.

¹⁴ 1870 census taken 04 Aug for Village Green, Chester Twp., Delaware County, PA, page 32.

¹⁵ Jane's will was recorded 4 Jan 1883 and available from the Historical Society of Philadelphia, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

¹⁶ Record Group M425, Roll No. 42, Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Philadelphia, PA, 1800-1882, National Archives and Records Administration, Lists 1-171 for the first half of the year 1828, for the ship Asia, dated 25 Jun 1828. I have transcribed this list for the Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild, and the list can be seen at: ISTG Website. Then navigate to volume 2, for the 1800s, and find file "asia18280625.html". In addition, two small portions of the list, including Moses' name, can be seen here Passenger List. [Note: on the ship's roll Moses' surname is clearly spelled CUTHBERT. A ship's passenger list was typically prepared by the ship's captain or his representative before the ship left port. This list was created from the documents and other information supplied to the captain by the traveler. These documents were created when the immigrant purchased his or her ticket. Also, required exit visas and other paperwork had to be examined by ticket agents before a ticket would be sold. Thus, it was highly unlikely for a person's name recorded on a ship's passenger list to be incorrect. This would indicate that Moses changed his surname after he arrived in the U.S.]

¹⁷ Delaware County Democrat, November 26, 1835, Advertisement, New Store.

¹⁸ Delaware County Republican, October 12, 1860, Death Notice, Moses CULBERT.

¹⁹ Delaware County Republican, October 18, 1861, Real Estate, Orphans Court Sale of real Estate.

²⁰ Registration Department Health Office copy of marriage certificate issued 21 Jul 1904, for John S. CULBERT and Annie SMITH SPENCER, in Civil War pension record, Invalid Pension Claim No. 463797, Certificate No. 882149 for John S. CULBERT, located at the National Archives and Records Administration.

²¹ "The Search For Missing Friends," 1831-1920, in eight volumes, regarding Irish immigrant advertisements placed in the Boston Pilot, Vol. I, pg. 236.

²² Poulson's American Daily Advertiser, Marine Intelligence Section, Port of Philadelphia, Notice of Arrival for 24 Jun 1828 shows the arrival of the ship Asia with J. Welsh, Captain and 210 passengers after a trip of 37 days. This would indicate that the ship left Cowes, England on 18 May 1828.

²³ 1840 census, Nether Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It shows:
a boy and a girl under age 5
a boy and girl aged 5-10
a female aged 20-30
a male aged 30-40, and
a female aged 40-50.
This is consistent with the ages of the members of the Moses CULBERT family. The oldest woman is probably Hannah Bennett FLEMING. The household listed just before the CULBERT family in this census is that of Peter WORRALL. This family had a boy and a girl under age 5, a female aged 15-20, a female aged 20-30, a male aged 30-40, and a female aged 40-50. As there was a WORRALL ancestor to the FLEMINGs, this family might be cousins to Jane FLEMING CULBERT.

²⁴ Deaths, 1833-1885, from the Delaware County Republican, p. 149

²⁵ Emails received Nov 2002 from the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

²⁶ 1880 U.S. Census for Chester Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania; FHL Film 1255126; National Archives Film T9-1126; Page 239A, Census Extract viewed 2 Mar 2003 at: www.familysearch.org. The record shows: Name; Relationship; Sex; Marital Status; Race; Age; Birthplace; Occupation; Father's Birthplace; Mother's Birthplace
Jane CULBERT; Self; F; W; W; 66; PA; Works In W. Mill; Fa: PA; Mo: PA
Robert CULBERT; Son; M; M; W; 35; PA; Farmer; Fa: PA(sic); Mo: PA
Matilda CULBERT; Wife; F; M; W; 34; PA; Keeping House; Fa: PA; Mo: PA
J.[Joseph] Warren CULBERT; Grandson; M; S; W; 4; PA; ---; Fa: PA; Mo: PA
William E.[Eves] CULBERT; Grandson; M; S; W; 5M; PA; ---; Fa: PA; Mo: PA
Frank THOMPSON; Other; M; S; W; 25; PA; Farm Laborer; Fa: PA; Mo: PA
George CLEGG; Other; M; S; W; 15; PA; Laborer; Fa: PA; Mo: PA
Lizzie ALLISON; Other; F; S; B; 12; PA; Domestic; Fa: PA; Mo: PA

²⁷ The ship Asia remained in service after it transported Moses to America in 1828. It arrived at New York City on 29 Jul 1829 with master William WARD and passengers from Londonderry. ²⁸ It also arrived in Philadelphia from Londonderry on 18 Jun 1832, with Captain William Ward and 195 passengers. ²⁹

²⁸ David Dobson, 2004, Ships From Ireland to Early America, 1623-1850, vol. II, Clearfield Company, Inc., ISBN: 0-8063-5252-3, p. 11, which refers back to U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group M237.

²⁹ David Dobson, 1999, Ships From Ireland to Early America, 1623-1850, vol. I, Clearfield Company, Inc., ISBN: 0-8063-4943-3, p. 14.

³⁰ Neither Thomas nor Martha was found in the 1900 U.S. Census.

³¹ Although Source: ¹ gives James' middle name as Fleming, he is consistently named James C. CULBERT in newspaper accounts and city directory listings.

³² John CULBERT household, 1830 U.S. Federal Census, Roll 150, page 298, Nether Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with males aged under five and 30-40, and a female aged 20-30.

³³ Joseph SULLIVAN household, 1830 U.S. Federal Census, Roll 150, page 296, Nether Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with males aged under five, 10-20, and 20-30, and females aged under five and 20-30.

³⁴ Sarah SULLIVAN household , 1830 U.S. Federal Census, Roll 150, page 298, Nether Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with no persons of any age marked.

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