Maternal Line of Robin Pyatt Bellamy
William Simpson [Parents] was born in 1832 in Alburg, Grand Isle Co., Vermont. He died on 29 Jan 1883 in DuPage co., Il.. He married Delia Almina Ferry on 3 Dec 1863 in (Naperville), DuPage Co., Il..
He, and his wife, one son (Edgar), and Etta Ferry (visiting child), showup together in the 1870 census of Naperville, DuPage co., IL. (see FHCfilm #545, 716, page 486). William is listed as a "farmer" with $7000worth of real estate and $1200 of personal property then. His parents,George and Tamar, are living two houses away.
He was listed as the owner of several acres of farmland in sections 9 and10 in the Warrenville Township, DuPage co., IL. in the 1874 LandOwnership Maps found on the Internet. His land adjoined that of GeorgeSimpson (his brother?).
He shows up as a 48 yr old VT. born (both parents listed as being born inEngland) "farmer" in the 1880 census of Naperville, DuPage co., IL. (seeFHC film #1254204, page 305D). He had living with him then his wife andtheir three children.
In the same area was also a Thomas Simpson family, and a George Simpsonfamily. In both of these families, the parents were also England born,as were William's parents. We think these Simpsons could all bebrothers.
This Thomas Simpson's family was the following:
Thomas - age 50, England born, Farmer
Lucretia - wife, age 40, IL. born
Robert D. - son, age 20, IL. born
George B. - son, age 18, IL. born
Nettie Viola - dau., age 14, IL. born
Annie May - dau., age 13, IL. born
Josie Rae - dau., age 2, IL. bornThe above mentioned George Simpson family is our George and Etta (Ferry)Simpson.
On FHC film #1,036,525 Item #4, "Index of Wills in Du Page County (IL.)"it shows his will being in box #264 and being filed on April 21, 1884.
Delia Almina Ferry [Parents] was born on 17 Jul 1846 in Naperville, DuPage Co., Illinois. She died in 1936. She married William Simpson on 3 Dec 1863 in (Naperville), DuPage Co., Il..
BIOGRAPHY: Was born on Melancthon Ferry farm, per a letter from BerthaSimpson to Mr. & Mrs. Allen T. Russell, dated Dec. 21, 1939.
BIOGRAPHY: She used the name "Delia".
BIOGRAPHY: In the 1860 census of Naperville, DuPage county, IL. (see FHCfilm #803,175, page 1), she is listed as "Cordelia A. Ferry".
BIOGRAPHY: In 1900 she is living with her son, Frank Simpson, in MiltonTownship, DuPage county, IL., per the census there (see FHC film#1,240,298 page 246B, dated June 9-11, 1900). She is widowed and heroccupation is listed as "Capitalist."
BIOGRAPHY: They had 3 children as of 1927. Her first name may have been"Adelia".
BIOGRAPHY: She sent a post card to her half-sister, Minnie Ferry, whileshe (Delia) was in Mobile, AL. on May 1, 1936.
Found a DuPage county death record of a Delia A. Simpson, born July 18,1849 and died on Nov. 20, 1914, w/o Willaim (Jr.) on the Internet. Don'tknow if this is our Delia.
They had the following children:
M i Edgar Grant Simpson F ii Carrie V. Simpson M iii Frank Oscar Simpson
George Simpson was born on 1 Jan 1800 in England. He died on 17 Mar 1857 in DuPage co., Il.. He was buried in Big Woods Cemetery, Naperville, DuPage co., Il.. He married Tamar Bell in 1828 in England.
From the biography of their son, George: George and Tamer (Bell) Simpsonwere natives of England ; they were married there (England), and came tothe United States about the year 1831, and settled in Vermont, where theyfarmed until 1837, when they moved to Clinton County, N.Y., and farmedthere until about the year 1852, when they came to Illinois and settledin DuPage County, where they farmed until their death - he in 1857 andshe in 1875.
Tamar Bell was born in 1799 in England. She died on 2 Feb 1875 in DuPage co., Il.. She was buried in Big Woods Cemetery, Naperville, DuPage co., Il.. She married George Simpson in 1828 in England.
She may have went by the name Jemie.
She and George were natives of England and had eight children, per thebiography on their youngest, George (born abt 1837).
Tamar shows up in the 1860 census of Naperville, IL., dated June 4, 1860(see FHC film #803,175, page 9), without her husband (he had died in1857). She is listed as "farming", with $2050 worth of real estate and$1500 worth of personal property. At this time, she has the followingthree children living with her: 26 yr old William (laborer), 24 yr oldTamar (domestic), and 22 yr old George (laborer), all three born inVermont.
She shows up in the census of Naperville, IL. (see FHC film #545,716,page 487), dated 14 July 1870, as 70 year old English born Tamar Simpson,living with her 33 yr old farmer & son, George. Living with them, atthis time, is a 14 yr old IL. born domestic servant, Louisa Finch. Twohouses, or farms, away, is another son of Tamar's, William, and family.
Also found a record of a Tamor Simpson's marriage to a Francis P. Abbotton March 30, 1864 by a Rev. George W.S. Smith on the Marriage RecordIndex of Du Page County (FHC film #848,650). License #4013. This may beour Tamar, or a daughter of hers.
They had the following children:
M i William Simpson M ii George Simpson
Edgar Grant Simpson [Parents] was born on 19 May 1865 in Naperville, DuPage Co., Illinois. He married Elizabeth Lundy on 28 Sep 1887 in DuPage Co., Illinois.
He shows up in Milton Township, DuPage county, IL., per the census there(see FHC film #1,240,298 page 246B, dated June 9-11, 1900). It shows heand his wife, 35 year old IL. born Libbie, married 12 years then. He waslisted as a "farmer". Living with them is 19 year old PA. born"servant", Fredrick McCoy, and 74 year old Ireland born widowed,Elizabeth Lundy, who is Edgar's mother-in-law.
Elizabeth Lundy [Parents] was born in Dec 1869 in Il.. She married Edgar Grant Simpson on 28 Sep 1887 in DuPage Co., Illinois.
She went by "Libbie".
Found a 17 yr old IL. born Libbie (father born in Ireland, mother inEngland) living with her mother (54 yr old England born Elizabeth), andmany siblings, in Lisle, DuPage co., IL. in the 1880 census (FHC film#1254204, page 346C). This may be our Libbie. Looks like it is, whencompared to below.
Per the 1900 census of Milton Township, DuPage co., IL. (FHC film #1,240,298 page 231A), she was born in Dec. 1864, 35 years old, and the motherof 2 children then, both still living, even though they are not in theirhouse when this census was taken. Per this record, Libbie's father wasborn in IL. and her mother in Ireland.
Mr. Lundy was born in (Illinois). He married Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was born in Nov 1825 in Ireland. She married Mr. Lundy.
She shows up in Milton Township, DuPage county, IL., per the census there(see FHC film #1,240,298 page 246B, dated June 9-11, 1900). It shows herliving with her daughter, Libbie, and son-in-law, Edgar Simpson.
They had the following children:
F i Elizabeth Lundy
Truman Machaia Van Norman was born in 1870. He married Carrie V. Simpson.
Carrie V. Simpson [Parents] was born on 7 Nov 1870 in Naperville, DuPage Co., Illinois. She married Truman Machaia Van Norman.
Other marriages:Strong, Emmet M.
Emmet M. Strong was born in 1870. He married Carrie V. Simpson on 21 Sep 1892 in DuPage Co., Illinois.
His first name may have been spelled "Emmet".
Carrie V. Simpson [Parents] was born on 7 Nov 1870 in Naperville, DuPage Co., Illinois. She married Emmet M. Strong on 21 Sep 1892 in DuPage Co., Illinois.
Other marriages:Van Norman, Truman Machaia
Frank Oscar Simpson [Parents] was born on 28 Oct 1872 in Naperville, DuPage Co., Illinois. He married Katherine Olive Richardson in 1888 in (Naperville), DuPage Co., Il..
Had 2 other children. Names unknown.
He shows up in Milton Township, DuPage county, IL., per the census there(see FHC film #1,240,298 page 246B, dated June 9-11, 1900). It shows hisbirth as 1871and being married 3 years then. He was listed as a"farmer". With him is his wife, 24 yr old IL. born Kate, mother of twochildren, daughters Edna and Blanch. His mother, Delia, is also livingwith them too. Two farms, or houses, away lived his brother, Edgar.Frank also had two "farm laborers" living with him; 28 yr old HermanSchnouk and 18 yr old Robert Schnouk. It appears they were brothersbecause they both were born in IL. and their parents came from Germany.
Katherine Olive Richardson was born on 24 Oct 1875 in Ben Franklin, Delta Co., Texas. She married Frank Oscar Simpson in 1888 in (Naperville), DuPage Co., Il..
They had the following children:
F i Grace Edna Simpson F ii Blanch Simpson M iii William Thornton Simpson F iv Bessie Katherine Simpson M v Oscar Richardson Simpson F vi Rhoda Mae Simpson F vii Delia Olive Simpson
Rhoda Mae Simpson [Parents]
James Ira Ferry [Parents] was born on 30 May 1848 in Naperville, Du Page Co., Illinois. He died on 1 Nov 1887 in Naperville, Du Page Co., Illinois. He was buried in 1887 in Warrenville cem., Winfield twp, DuPage co., Il.. He married Sarah Cora Briggs on 7 Dec 1870 in Du Page Co., Illinois.
BIOGRAPHY: Was born on Melancthon Ferry farm, per a letter from BerthaSimpson to Mr. & Mrs. Allen T. Russell, dated Dec. 21, 1939.
BIOGRAPHY: Per the book titled "Portrait and Biographical Record of DuPage and Cook Counties & Illinois" written in 1902, it reads: "James I.Ferry, deceased, was a well-known farmer of Du Page County. He was bornin Naperville Township on the 30th of May, 1848, and was a representativeof one of the pioneer families. His father was born in Whitehall, N.Y.,came to Du Page County at an early day, about 1840, but death soon tookhim from his new home (this may be referencing his grandfather,Sylvanius, who died right after arriving in Illinois, whereas Melancthondidn't die until 1888). The mother of our subject bore the maiden nameof Mariette Woodman, and her death occurred when her son was a youth ofsixteen years.
Upon the farm where his widow now resides, James I. Ferry was rearedto manhood, aiding in the labors of the farm through the summer months,and attending the district schools of the neighborhood through the winterseason. When he began to earn his own livelihood, it was by followingthe pursuit to which he had been reared, and throughout life he continueda farmer. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey, he chose MissSarah C. Briggs, who was born in England, July 19th, 1853. Her father,Thomas Briggs, was a native of the same country, and in 1855 crossed theAtlantic to America, locating in Dundee, IL., where he followed farminguntil 1856. He then came to Du Page County and now makes his home withhis daughter, Mrs. Ferry. He married Miss Eliza Malthouse, a native ofEngland, who died in 1866. They had two daughters, Mrs. Nellie Eleson,of Turner, IL., and Mrs. Ferry, the younger, who was only two years oldwhen the family came to America. Her father visited England and thescenes of his boyhood in 1893.
BIOGRAPHY NOTE: In the 1870 census of Naperville, Du Page county, IL.(see FHC film #545,716, page 483), Ira ferry (as he was called) shows upas a 22 year old "Farm Tenant", owning $2500 worth of real estate(probable his farm) and $625 worth of personal property. Ira, however,is living in and with the household of another "farm tenant", 23 year oldN.Y. born James Fredengall, with James' wife and two children. Living inthe same household is 19 year old Illinois born, Sarah Briggs, Ira'sfuture wife.
In 1870, was celebrated the marriage of our subject and his wife, andby their union were born six children, four sons and two daughters:George, at home; Lillie E., who visited England with her grandfather in1893; Ella M., who is engaged in teaching; Clarence E., Henry H., and IraW., all of whom are yet with their mother. The daughters have attendedthe High Schools of Aurora and Wheaton, and Lillie E. is a successfulmusic teacher, while Ella, who is only seventeen years of age, isemployed in teaching school. George W. attended the business college ofAurora, IL. Mrs. Ferry herself began teaching when only fourteen yearsof age, and although so young met with excellent success in her work.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Ferry was a Republican for manyyears, but prior to his death became a Prohibitionist. He served asSchool Director for many years, and the cause of education found in him awarm friend. In religious belief he was a Congregationalist. Those whoknew him, and his friends were many, esteemed him highly for his sterlingworth and many excellencies of character, and his death, which occurredNovember 1, 1887, was deeply mourned throughout the community. Mrs.Ferry was appointed administrator of the estate, and since her husband'sdeath has managed the farm, comprising two hundred and thirty-two acresof rich and valuable land, which yields a good income to the owner. Thefamily is widely and favorably known throughout Du Page County, and theFerry household is the abode of hospitality, its members ranking high inthe social circles in which they move.BIOGRAPHY: He went by Ira in the 1880 census of Naperville Twp., Du Pageco., IL. Ira was farming at the time. (See FHC film #1,254,204; ED #251,Sheet 8, line 16). This is the source for the ages of his childrenGeorge W., Ella, and Clarence E. It's also the source for the names ofElla & Clarence. Lillie's DOB came from another source.
There was also a 19 yr. old William Kenyon living with them in 1880; hewas listed as a "servant", even though he was "white". Could this Wm.Kenyon be related to Saphronia Kenyon, the wife of Joseph Ferry?
See note with his wife.
On FHC film #1,036,525 Item #4, "Index of Wills in Du Page County (IL.)"it shows his will being in box #277 and filed on Jan. 2, 1887.
Sarah Cora Briggs [Parents] was born on 19 Jul 1853 in Horshen, Sussex co., England. She died on 8 Jul 1931 in Wheaton, Du Page Co., Illinois. She was buried in 1931 in Warrenville cem., Winfield twp, Du Page co., Il.. She married James Ira Ferry on 7 Dec 1870 in Du Page Co., Illinois.
Other marriages:Grant, David J.
All the data on her parents, including the names of her siblings, camefrom the biography on Sarah's husband, James I. Ferry.
She began teaching school when she was only 14 years old.
She had 6 children, of which only 4 were living in 1927, per the FerryReunion Handout.
Her middle name came from the 1880 census of Naperville, IL. This censusalso shows her parents' birth place as England.
Found her death info on FHL film #848,585 (top page #886-887); DuPageCounty, IL. Cemetery records. On the same record, also found mention ofa Fred L. Ferry b. 2-22-1927, d. 7-19-1936 and a James Ira Ferry age 39yrs. 6 mos. Nov 1, 1887. Both were buried in the Warrenville Cemetery,Winfield Twp., DuPage co., IL.
Wm. E. Rohr found a 48 yr old England born Martha A. Briggs living inWinfield, DuPage co., IL. in 1880 (see FHC film #1254204, page 231B) withfour daughters, a son, and her mother (73 yr old England born FrancisBarker). Could this be related to either Sarah or her father?
In the "Early History of the Melancthon Ferry Family", it is indicatedthat maybe Sarah was married to a Grant, once. This record also had heryear of birth as 1852.
Yes, she did marry a Grant. In the census of Milton Township, DuPagecounty, IL., dated June 1, 1900 (see FHC film #1,240,298, page 217A),Sarah shows up as the wife of David Grant, a 65 year old "farm laborer"born in Conard, England (His father was born in Conn. and his mother inScotland, per this census). David owned their home, per this census.Sarah is listed as being born in England (as were both of her parents) inJuly 1852. This record shows them as being married 3 years and Davidcoming to the U.S. in 1859, while Sarah came in 1869. It further showsthat Sarah was the mother of 6 children, of which only 5 are stillliving. Also living with Sarah and David, at this time (1900), are fourof Sarah's children from her first marriage, to Joseph Ferry. They are:26 yr old "servant" Lillie, who was born in March 1874; 20 yr oldClarence E., who was born in July 1879; 18 yr old Edwin H., who was bornin August 1881; and 13 yr old Ira W., who was born in May 1887. All fourchildren were using the last name of Ferry, were single, and were born inIllinois. The youngest three were "at school."
A couple Ferry family recipes, that have been handed down from generationto generation, follows:
STEAMED CORN BREAD by Grandmother Ferry
3 cups sour milk or 1 tbsp. cooking molasses
buttermilk 1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup graham flour
1 tsp. soda 3 cups corn meal
Steam 2-1/2 hours; brown in oven 1/2 hourDOUGHNUTS
1 egg Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. soda
3 tbsp. melted lard 1 cup sour milk
Add flour enough to roll without sticking. Have lard
hot enough to brown immediately.
NOTE: No temperatures or detailed information on these recipes as theywere made on a wood cook stove.
They had the following children:
M i George Warren Ferry F ii Lillie E. Ferry was born on 23 Mar 1874 in Naperville, DuPage Co., Illinois. She died on 26 Mar 1904 in Warrenville, DuPage co., Il.. She was buried in 1904 in Warrenville cem., Winfield twp, DuPage co., Il..
Was born on Melancthon Ferry farm, per a letter from Bertha Simpson toMr. & Mrs. Allen T. Russell, dated Dec. 21, 1939.
She was a music teacher and her middle initial was "E", all per thebiography on her father.
The source for her complete name, DOB, and another for her death date,was the "Early History of Melancthon Ferry Family."F iii Ella May Ferry M iv Clarence Eugene Ferry M v Howard Henry Ferry M vi Ira Walter Ferry
David J. Grant was born in Oct 1834 in Conard, England. He died on 18 Apr 1903 in Wheaton, Du Page co., Il.. He married Sarah Cora Briggs on 17 Feb 1897 in Du Page co., Il..
The census of Milton Township, Du Page county, IL., dated June 1, 1900(see FHC film #1,240,298, page 217A) indicated that his his father wasborn in Conn. and his mother in Scotland.
He was a Civil War soldier, per information Wm. E. Rohr received fromElaine Ferry in February 2002.
Sarah Cora Briggs [Parents] was born on 19 Jul 1853 in Horshen, Sussex co., England. She died on 8 Jul 1931 in Wheaton, Du Page Co., Illinois. She was buried in 1931 in Warrenville cem., Winfield twp, Du Page co., Il.. She married David J. Grant on 17 Feb 1897 in Du Page co., Il..
Other marriages:Ferry, James Ira
All the data on her parents, including the names of her siblings, camefrom the biography on Sarah's husband, James I. Ferry.
She began teaching school when she was only 14 years old.
She had 6 children, of which only 4 were living in 1927, per the FerryReunion Handout.
Her middle name came from the 1880 census of Naperville, IL. This censusalso shows her parents' birth place as England.
Found her death info on FHL film #848,585 (top page #886-887); DuPageCounty, IL. Cemetery records. On the same record, also found mention ofa Fred L. Ferry b. 2-22-1927, d. 7-19-1936 and a James Ira Ferry age 39yrs. 6 mos. Nov 1, 1887. Both were buried in the Warrenville Cemetery,Winfield Twp., DuPage co., IL.
Wm. E. Rohr found a 48 yr old England born Martha A. Briggs living inWinfield, DuPage co., IL. in 1880 (see FHC film #1254204, page 231B) withfour daughters, a son, and her mother (73 yr old England born FrancisBarker). Could this be related to either Sarah or her father?
In the "Early History of the Melancthon Ferry Family", it is indicatedthat maybe Sarah was married to a Grant, once. This record also had heryear of birth as 1852.
Yes, she did marry a Grant. In the census of Milton Township, DuPagecounty, IL., dated June 1, 1900 (see FHC film #1,240,298, page 217A),Sarah shows up as the wife of David Grant, a 65 year old "farm laborer"born in Conard, England (His father was born in Conn. and his mother inScotland, per this census). David owned their home, per this census.Sarah is listed as being born in England (as were both of her parents) inJuly 1852. This record shows them as being married 3 years and Davidcoming to the U.S. in 1859, while Sarah came in 1869. It further showsthat Sarah was the mother of 6 children, of which only 5 are stillliving. Also living with Sarah and David, at this time (1900), are fourof Sarah's children from her first marriage, to Joseph Ferry. They are:26 yr old "servant" Lillie, who was born in March 1874; 20 yr oldClarence E., who was born in July 1879; 18 yr old Edwin H., who was bornin August 1881; and 13 yr old Ira W., who was born in May 1887. All fourchildren were using the last name of Ferry, were single, and were born inIllinois. The youngest three were "at school."
A couple Ferry family recipes, that have been handed down from generationto generation, follows:
STEAMED CORN BREAD by Grandmother Ferry
3 cups sour milk or 1 tbsp. cooking molasses
buttermilk 1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup graham flour
1 tsp. soda 3 cups corn meal
Steam 2-1/2 hours; brown in oven 1/2 hourDOUGHNUTS
1 egg Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. soda
3 tbsp. melted lard 1 cup sour milk
Add flour enough to roll without sticking. Have lard
hot enough to brown immediately.
NOTE: No temperatures or detailed information on these recipes as theywere made on a wood cook stove.
