Stories from a Stony Land - Reuben II Gets Political

After an inexcusably long hiatus, I am committed to returning to my Dad's writings and collected genealogical information.  Follow all stories labeled Stories from a Stony Land to get up to date.

Meanwhile, I finally resume with Generation 7, represented by my great-great grandfather, Reuben Strait.  He's the second Reuben in the generational chart.  It's a family name.  I'm not sure why.  It's not a name recent generations have decided to recycle.

  

Ignore the keyboard.  I'm an idiot in trying to copy pictures.

The rest of these words are my Dad's unless in italics.

This photo was probably taken in the 1880s.  Left to right standing in the back row; Levi Silas Strait [Levi], Thomas Jefferson Strait [Jeff], William H. Strait [Bill], Eugene Bonhariis Strait [Gene], and DeWitt Clinton Strait [Clint].  Left to right seated; Jennie [Strait] Conklin, Reuben Strait, Ralph Wado Emerson Strait [Ralph], Mary Ann Clapp [Strait]. and Joseph [Strait] Buchanan.  I don't think my Dad identified the young boy seated in the front.  It may be one of Reuben's grandsons.  Reuben Strait and Mary Strait are my Great-Grandparents and Eugene Strait is my Grandfather.

Reuben Strait, the son of Thomas Strait and Miria [Powell] Strait, was born October 27, 1834, in Tyrone Township, Steuben County, NY.  When he was three years old he moved with his parents to Bloomfield, Butler County, Ohio.  When he was 8 they moved to Jennings County, Indiana, and when he was 13 they moved again to Macedon Center, Wayne County, NY.  At age 18, on June 30, 1853, he married Mary Ann Clapp, also 18.  They lived in Macedon Center until moving to Sec. 31, Hanover Township, Jackson County, Michigan in 1857. Jackson County becomes the base for the Strait family from this generation through my Dad's.

Reuben Strait was a good and successful farmer and at one time owned over 645 acres in central southern Michigan.  He was a school officer for many years.  He was Highway Commissioner for 9 years.  He was elected as Justice of the Peace serving for many years.  In 1882, he was nominated by the Democratic Party to run for the State Senate.  He was not elected.  He was nominated in 1884 by both the Democratic Party and the Greenback Party to run for the State House of Representatives. Again he was not elected.  Yeah, the connection of Straits to Democrats goes at least that far back! It's also to note that the birthplace of the Republican Party is often considered their first meeting held in Jackson, Mi on July 6, 1854.   So, even thirty years later, he might have been facing some heavy headwinds.  And although the positions of the parties have switched over the decades, unlike the Southern Democrats, I don't think you can conclude that racist feelings were a dominant part of Michigan Democrats.  Since Greenbacks are mentioned, I would think it would have more to do with securing the place of farmers and creating a sounder currency not subject to as much speculation.

He was a member of the Pomona Grange and through the chairs in the Moscow Grange where he became the Worshipful Master. Per Wikipedia, the Grange "is a fraternal organization in the United States that encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well-being of the community and agriculture."  Moscow is the name of a town in Jackson county - no commie connotations.  Reuben Strait died Feb. 9, 1918, at the age of 84 years 3 months.

Stories from a Stony Land - Thomas Jefferson the First

I am finally resuming my Dad's writings and research on our family history.   Although some entries will be verbatim in my Dad's writings, some will require a great deal of adaption and interpretation.

Such is the case with poor Thomas Jefferson.  Little is written about this representative of the sixth generation, but I will tell what I can derive from my Dad's notes.

Thomas Jefferson Strait is a unique name in the annals of Strait history.  It's the only name I can find to have a second, and even a third.  Our line is notorious for not having Juniors, and a line of inherited names.

I suppose I could have been Thomas Jefferson Strait the Fourth, but gratefully, I was named instead Thomas Martin Strait.  And although I have had three sons, there is not a Junior in the bunch.

Thomas Jefferson Strait, date of birth unknown, the first born son of Reuben, is an important figure in Strait history, even though my Dad did not write much about him.  He married Maria Powell, and that becomes an important name as generations progressed, as for decades, family reunions were known as the Strait/Powell reunions.

Thomas moved.  He moved quite a bit before he settled.  They were in Tyrone Township in Steubens County of New York.  In 1837, he was "removed" (my Dad's word) to Butler County, Ohio.  This is depressing, as no right-thinking Strait would settle in Ohio.  Thankfully, in 1842,  they moved to Jennings Col, Indiana (Dad probably meant County rather than Col- at least that's what my googling turned up...and who can argue with google?).  Indiana was better than Ohio, but still not quite right.

In 1847, he made the big move.  That's right.  The Strait clan had finally come to the stony land - Jackson County, Michigan!

They are listed as having seven children:

Sarah Ann (1833 - 1905) marrying Otis Dillingham Finch in 1852.  The notes on this are funky, but I believe she had six children, including another Thomas Jefferson!

Reuben (presumptuously named after his grandfather), born 1834.  More on him in the Generation 7 post!  Hey, you don't want me to spoil everything, do you?

Joseph, who died at 2.

Thomas Jefferson (another one), who died at 7.

Evaline, who died at 4.

Frances, who married Henry Thomson, but died at 21, childless.

Louisa (1850 - 1927) married Thomas Powell in 1839.  Is this Powell connected to Louisa's mother, who's maiden last name was Powell?  Shades of Game of Thrones!  There is nothing in my Dad's notes to indicate if there was a relationship.  Mary Powell's family was from New York, and Thomas Powell was from Michigan (presumably), so I don't know.  Intriguing, to say the least. Louise had two children, Frances Leone (1871 - 1943) and Clayton Adelbert (1875 - 1940).

That's a wrap for now on Generation Six!  Well, at least we're finally in Michigan!

Stories from a Stony Land - Reuben Gets Sandwiched

I am finally resuming my Dad's writings and research on our family history.   Although some entries will be verbatim in my Dad's writings, some will require a great deal of adaption and interpretation.

Such is the case with poor Reuben.  Little is written about this representative of the fifth generation, but I will tell what I derive from my Dad's notes.


Oh, Reuben!

Born in the year of our Declaration of Independence. 1776, at least he probably was,  according to my Dad's best determination. We'll go with that.  Sounds more patriotic.

He was born in Coventry, Rhode Island.  That's right.  Five generations in, and we hadn't made it to Michigan.  Still not yet at the Stony Land.

He was married to Susanna Berry.  Did that make her a Strait?  Oh, yes.  I think it made her a very, berry Strait.

They had nine children.  Bravo.  If Straits had continued to proliferate at that rate, you would know a heck of a lot more of us.

Of course , children were needed for farm labor.  And the infant mortality rate was pretty high,  There no notations, however, of infancy deaths among Reuben's children.

The oldest daughter was Sarah.  She did have one of her eight children die in infancy.  She also had two boys that served in the Civil War.  Dad doesn't say which side, but I think I can guess.  His description of her marriage and moving is pretty cool - "m. in N.Y. State, Thomas Rustins, and removed to Mich."  REMOVED!  That is such an awesome word choice!

Other Reubenites, listed in what is presumably birth order - Deborah (who lived to 80, was married to Phillip Stickler, and had three children), Thomas Jefferson (who will be the designated rep for Generation 6 - being the first born dude and all), Diadama (who married Amos Goodwin, lived in Ohio - no plan is perfect - and had two sons that fought in the Civil War -and yeah, probably with the Union), Samuel (born 1814), Amamda (another one moving to Michigan, living in Battle Creek, married to Hiram Hoag, and had five children, none of them named Boss), William C. (born 1823), Melissa (married Abraham Croat, lived in NY State, and had four children), and James (by that time everyone was exhausted recording things, and there is nothing listed about him).

Isn't this exciting?

Bet you can't wait to hear about Thomas Jefferson and Generation 6!

Uhh, hopefully I can find that page in my Dad's notes.

We Forget

The above is a picture of Lillian Gish, one of America's greatest film actresses.

Her film career ran three quarters of a century, from silent shorts in 1912, to The Whales of August in 1987. She lived 99 years.

As you might can tell from the above photo, she specialized in playing the innocent waif, someone who was buffeted by strong forces, whether by nature or by evil men.  She often found an inner strength that would allow her to survive and grow, where others might surrender.

Some of you may dimly recognize the name.  A few may be film buffs who treasure movies and famous performers, particularly from the silent era.   But many of you are probably going, "Lillian who?"

Here we have this great invention, film, and it should allow us to preserve and cherish the memory of performances past, and somehow, for the most part, it just gets discarded like everything else.

One film out of a hundred survives into the next era.  I don't just mean in film preservation, I mean in ones that are watched and cherished.  Many times, the film is remade, and we associate it with more current actors.

But it's not just celebrities we lose.  We lose our own family.  Many are familiar with their parents and grandparents, but how many are familiar with those before that?  If you're lucky, someone in your family of a genealogical bent, may have preserved and/or reconstructed a lineage that goes past the last two or three generations.  But even when they do, many of the other family members simply ignore it, or have very little interest in it.

I try, but ultimately, I am as guilty as everyone else.  It's not easy encompassing the scope of the past. I realize how important it is to know who we are and where we came from.  And even though we have the means to preserve it (film, photographs, film, video, books), we still let it slip away.

I was given a gift, and I have failed to follow up on it.  I have over a half-dozen binders, filled with hundreds of pages, crammed with special words and photos from my father, crafting a history of our family, going back over thirteen generations.  After his passing in 2013, I started to log these stories under the title Stories From a Stony Land, with the intent of assembling a book.  Life charged forward, and after a few months, I stopped posting those stories.

Now I am semi-retired from accounting.  And I hope to soon renew my efforts in reading, posting and collating my Dad's stories.

Memory is a fragile thing, particularly in trying to pass it from one generation to the next.  Pushing against the rushing tide of the present, and the anticipation of future waves,  it may seem like a daunting task, but it is something important to me, and whether successful or not, I have to try.  Because to do otherwise is to concede certain defeat.

If Lillian Gish can fight the forces of nature and indifferent people, why can't I?

Embrace the past.  Cherish the present.  Dream the future.






 

Stories from a Stony Land - The Revolutionary Generation

We have come to the fourth generation of the Strait clan in America, and the question is...do we have our first soldier?  Did a direct line descendant fight in the Revolutionary War?  Maybe.  My Dad's notes are somewhat mixed.

Samuel Strait, the designee for Generation number Four, has a birth date listed as sometime in 1750.  The death date is unknown.  I don't think this means he is a vampire.  Dates don't become completely solid until the 7th generation.

His name does not appear in the Rhode Island census of 1774, but is in the military census of 1777 as residing in Coventry, and that he was between 16 and 60, and able to bear arms (wow, that would make me still eligible if the same standard existed today).  In the United States census of 1790 he is listed at Coventry as 1-3-2 (no, I'm not quite sure what that means).

On May 20, 1784 he had a deed from his father of 25 acres in Coventry adjoining Fones Potter, Spink Tarbox and Thomas Strait.  On September 28, 1787 he was deeded five more acres from his brother Thomas.

On January 12, 1795, with his wife Patience releasing her dower rights, he sold to Thomas Nichols of Coventry "two thirds of the land where I now live."

The next part is what is uncertain.  My Dad lists it as part of the information he discovered, but a Gerald Strait has a note on the page disputing that is referring to OUR Samuel Strait.  Gerald's note is dated December 13, 1987.

The History of Rensselaer County, NY (1880) p. 436, states Samuel was a Revolutionary soldier, and a schoolfellow of Nathaniel Greene.  Confirmation is lacking, except for his name as a private in Captain Samuel Wall's Rhode Island alarm company dated at July 1, 1778, as shown in military papers at Rhode Island History -see reference 2-325.

The only reference to his death is some division of his lands that occurred in 1852.  Did he live that long?  I doubt it.  It was probably some division of his lands after more immediate family had passed, possibly including his children,

There are six children mentioned, but the order of birth is uncertain.  Three of them are listed as triplets!  The triplets were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, with Abednego passing very young, but with Meshach living to the age of 94!  The designated heir to the fifth generation is established as Reuben, born sometime in 1776.

Stories From a Stony Land: Third Generation Scramble to a John

My father's second and third generation records are slightly confusing,  It is clear the first generation was the indentured servant, Henry Straight, arriving in Rhode Island in 1667.  Then there are two sons, born within a year of each other, one named Henry and one named John.  It is unclear from the records which one my father was following into future generations.   It is clear that the third generation name that he followed was John, and the following is what I could piece together about him:


John Straight was born on September 27, 1707.  He appears to have lived his life in the area of  Rhode Island that the first two generations lived.

On January 13, 1747, John Straight Jr of Exeter, purchased from Henry Straight of West Greenwich, eight-six acres in West Greenwich, bounded W by John Tillinghast, S by highway, N by swamp lots, and to extend E, to make above quantity.  This was part of a three-hundred acre tract his brother Henry had purchased of Daleb Carr on June 26, 1744.

On February 6, 1764, John Straight of West Greenwich, yeoman, purchased of Silas wood of Conventry, with wife Jane Wood releasing her dower rights, forty-eight acres in Coventry.

On March 12, 1784, John Strait of West Greenwich, sold to his son Thomas Strait (my first name's first appearance!) of same, yeoman, two pieces of land in Coventry, one of twenty-five acres adjoining Stephen Potter, and Spink Tarbox (I am definitely swiping that name for one of my fiction stories!), and the other of five acres.

Please note that this is the first time that my father started using Strait as the last name instead of Straight.  I have not yet found what provoked this change.  It is interesting that it occurred around the time of the revolution and the formation of our new country. 

On May 20, 1784, John Strait of West Greenwich sold to his son, Samuel Strait of Coventry, twenty-five acres in Coventry adjoining Fones Potter, Spink Tarbox and Thomas Strait.  Sounds like a group of characters in an English fantasy novel.

In the Rhode Island census of 1774, he is listed at West Greenwich as 3-0-2-1, implying himself and two sons over 16, his wife and one daughter over 16, and one daughter under 16.

In the U.S. census, also at Greenwich, he is listed as 2-1-6, implying himself and one son over 16, one son or grandson under 16, and six females.   Awesome...apparently all the women were thrown into one category.

His will, dated June 2, 1791, proved April 30, 1972, names his wife, Mary, eldest son David, sons John, Samuel and Thomas, eldest daughter Mary Logee, daughters Rebecca Rathburn, and Dorcas Wood and grandson John Blanchard, son and heir of Rose Blanchard, deceased.  The homestead farm is divided between the sons David and John, John to have the west half.

Although some of the documents refer to David as the eldest son, others say the birth order is uncertain.  All I can say is that my father resumes the generational line with Samuel Strait,  as the lead son of the fourth generation.

John Strait would be the first generation to go through the Revolutionary war period.  There is no record of what he did, or how he felt about the conflict.  He would have been 68 at the time of the Declaration of Independence.  Although not a Mayflower family, the Straights had arrived in the colonies some 109 years before the Declaration of Independence.

Stories From A Stony Land: Second Generation - Henry Again

It wasn't until much later that the Strait line's aversion to Juniors emerged.  So for Henry Straight, the first American generation, it was only natural to name his son...Henry Straight.  As usual with these early generations, most of what my Dad knew, he obtained from public records.

Henry Straight was the first born son of Henry Straight, born in 1677.  His first marriage, on February 13, 1696 was to Hannah Tolman of Waterton, Massachusetts.

On March 18, 1698 Henry Straight Sr. of East Greenwich, gave a deed to his son Henry Straight Jr., of his right to the following; a house, barn, orchard, shop or hovel, with ten acres of land in East Greenwich adjoining George Vaughn on one side and William Allen on the other side and butting on a highway.

On December 5, 1702 Henry Straight Jr., of East Greenwich sold the ten acres to George Vaughn,

On October 22, 1713 Henry Straight Sr., with his wife Mary releasing her dower rights sold to his son Henry Straight Jr. one half of his remaining lands in East Greenwich.

On February 13 1696, Henry Straight married his second wife (my Dad makes no direct reference as to what happened to the first wife), as shown by the following Warwick records -

"These are to signify unto all Ministers of Justice that Henry Straight Jr. of East Greenwich in ye colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, took Mary Webb of ye town of Warwick in ye colony aforesaid, widow in only a shift and no other garment, in ye presence of Avis Gorton Mary Collins and Presillah Crandall, witnesses, and was lawfully married in said Warwick August 1, 1725, by me, John Warner, Justice."  I am told this form of marriage was to save the new husband from any liability for debts of the widow's former husband. (Shift and no other garment?  I wander if that is what my Dad is referring to as part of the 'form'.)

Henry Jr.  had two children with his first wife, Henry, who died early (thus ending the Henry line before having to have a third, or as Southerners say - 'Trey') and Rebecca (1719).  There was a veritable army by the second wife.  The children with Mary were Samuel, John, Thomas, Joseph, Elizabeth, Hannah (bold name choice there!), Mary, Sarah, Abigail and Henry (again!) and lastly, Mercy (which I am sure is what the wife was saying by that time).

His will was dated October 21, 1732, and since no wife is mentioned, it is assumed that she had died before that date,  The inventory of his personal estate amounting to L 172-19-6 (no, I don't know what my Dad meant by that notation), was taken October 26, 1732, so his death must have occurred between the 21st and 26th.  The will was proved November 4, 1732.  He bequeathed to his eldest son Samuel a double portion or one third of his estate after debts and legacies to the seven daughters had been paid; to his four sons John, Thomas, Joseph and Henry each one-sixth of the estate, Henry to be brought up and educated from his own part; to daughter Rebecca Bailey, 5 shillings; to daughter Elizabeth Straight, 5 shillings; to daughter Hannah Waistcoate, 5; to daughter Mary Straight,  L 5 in two years; to daughter Abigail Straight 5, when 18; to daughter Mercy, L 35 for her bringing up and education; son Thomas to be executor, and guardian of Henry and Mercy, and to have estate to pay debts, legacies and his four brothers' portions,  Witnesses were Mary Sweat, Nicholas Whitford, Jonathan Picher, and John Jenkins.  (Will information from East Greenwich Probate records).

I'll have to keep researching, but I think 13 will hold up as a record number of children from one of the direct line descendants.  And not only did Henry Jr. have two marriages like his father, but both second wives were named Mary.

Stories from a Stony Land: The Last Will and Testament of Mary Long Straight

The Last Will and Testament of Mary (Long) Straight

My father continues his research into our early family with more court documents.  It is a natural consequence of reaching that far back, but is revealing of the differences and similarities of that time with ours.  This was written in 1750, seven years before her death in 1757.  I have tried to preserve my father's recording of it as accurately as possible.

In the name of God, Amen, the fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord God One Thousand Seven Hundred & Fifty, I, Mary Straight of East Greenwich in the county of Providence in the colony of Rhode Island, & a widow being weak in body by reason of age, but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God; therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, have made this to my last will and testament, that is to say principally and first of all, I recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it; and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion my Executor hereafter named, nothing doubting but I shall receive the same the same a gain; at Resurrection at the last day, and as for the earthly estate where with it pleased God to bless me with, in this life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form ------------

First I will that me debts that I engrtght (??? - not able to translate word here from my Dad's notes) or conscience owe any person or persons; with my funeral charges be paid and discharged in convenient time after my decease ---------

Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved grandson John Straight now residing in Coventry my feather bed and coverhead and bolster and piller and bedstead; and one puter platter marked N.S. and one pair of tonges to him my said grandson John Straight his heirs and assigns forever-----------likewise  I give and bequeath unto my aforesaid grandson John Straight my iron kittle to him and his heirs and assigns forever--------------

Item: I give and bequeath unto my cozen Thomas Shippey my iron pot to him his heirs and assigns forever-------------

Item: I give and bequeath unto my cozen Sarah Bentley my two quart puter bayson, to her, her heirs and assigns forever-------------

Item: I give and bequeath to my cozen Anne Spink my three pint puter bayson to her, her heirs and assigns forever-------------

Item: I give and bequeath to my sister Shippey widow my clothes box, to her, her heirs and assigns forever--------------

Item: My will is that my loving cozen John Tarbox sell my cow after my deceased and pay to my grandson John Straight's seven children: ten shillings apeice (VIZ)  (my Dad wrote in notes here to indicate that a pound was roughly 20 shillings, and that one shilling was 12 pence (pennies)): to Thomas, to Phebe, to William, to Hannah, to Henry, to John and Job: to each ten shillings as aforesaid, and the rest to defray my funeral; with all the rest and residue of my estate I give and bequeath to: aforesaid cozen John Tarbox, whom I make and appoint whole and sole executor of this last will and testament; utterly revoking all other and former wills and bequests whatsoever ratifying and confirming & no other be my last will and testament:

In witness wherof I have hereunto set my hand seal ye day and year above written------------

Signed sealed published pronounced and declared in the presences of us

Here follows names of witness and the county clerk, and finally Mary Long Straight.  As mentioned earlier, Mary lived a long life, dying in 1757 at 92.  Whether this was truly the final will or not, I don't know.  It is the one in the records that my father was able to find.

Stories From A Stony Land: Last Will and Testament of Henry Straight

This is recorded by my Dad from original court documents.  As you can see, the document was in Olde English, and of low quality, so he had some difficulty with translation.  Henry Straight was the first generation Strait, living from 1652 to June 4, 1728.  This will was recorded only a few weeks before his passing.

In the name of God Amen this fifteenth day of May in the year of our Lord, Seventeen Hundred Twenty and Eight I Henry Straight of East Greenwich in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England in America, yeoman being sick and weeke in Body but in perfect mind and memory and understanding, thanks be given to God.  Therefore Calling to mind that mortalyty of my Body and that it is appointed for all men once to Die I do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament (that is to say) Prinsepally and first of all I Give and Recommend my soul into the hands of God that Gave it, and my Body I recommend unto the Earth from whence it was taken to be Buried in Decent Buraill at the Descression of my Executorex here after named on thing Doubting but at the Glorious Resurrection I shall Receive the same again by the might Power of God: and Touching such Temporal Estate as it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life, I Give Demise Dispose of the same in the following manner and form as followeth

Impri:  My will is that in some Resonable time after my Decese all my Just Debts and funerall Charge be Duly and truely Paid-

Itim:  I Give and bequeth unto my son Henry Straight five shillings, he having had his portion in full in Lands and moveables already Received before the Date of these Presents--

Itim:  My Will is and I Do Give to my son John Straight the one halfe of my farm whereon I noLive at the Ensealing of these Presents butted and bounded Eastward on the Land of Robert Voughaun north-ward on a highway westwardly to a maple tree thence south-ward to a white oke tree and is mentioned more plain in a Deed of Gift Drawn by Thomas Spenser Juont bearing Date April the 30:1726: Reference their unto being had the said Land I have Given to my aforesaid son John Straight after the Decese of my wife Mary Straight of marriage which shall first happen I say I Do give the said Land to him and his heirs and assigns forever---

Itim:  I Give and bequeth unto my beloved wife Mary Straight all my moveable Estate, Chatles beds Goods Household st uf (Eriton kiolos?)  my Dad notes here - GARBLED  - whatever to her and her heirs and assigns forever whom I Do Constitute and ordain and appoint my whole & sole Excutorex to this my Last Will and Testament further my will is and Doe Give unto my beloved wife Mary Straight my hous and Housing Barn Crib fensis orchard or orchards and Land to be Used occupied and Quietly and Injoyed and Peaceably Possesed During the time she remains my widow and then to Return to my son John as afore said and here by I Doe Revoke and Disalow and make void all my former Wills and Testaments, and Do ratifie and Confeirm this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament as Witness my hand and seal the Day and year above written.

As I do not have an original document, it is hard to say how much above represents mis-spellings in the original, or errors my father made in translation.  I chose to present as he did, with the exception of a few additional commas.

The document, particularly the first paragraph, appears to be written by some strange mixture of lawyer and preist.  Mary Straight survived a good long while after Henry, living until 1757 and reaching the age of 92.  This is the same age my father's mother, Florence, lived to, and my father lived one year less, passing at 91.

Stories from a Stony Land: The Divorce of Mary Long Adams from Peter Adams

As stated in the story "Henry Straight: The First Generation", Henry Straight married his second wife when he was 32 and his wife, Mary Long Adams, was just 19.  Mary was a "divorced woman", even at that young age. I have found in my Dad's records the actual request for divorce made by Mary's mother, Mary Lane Long Litchfield, to the Governor.  It is unexpectedly lurid and detailed for a request made in 1684!

The following request was submitted by Mary Lane Long Litchfield to the Governor of the Provence in Boston.  It asks for the granting of a divorce for her daughter, Mary Long Adams, from a Peter Adams.  Mary long Adams was 19 years old at the time and must have been only 15 or 16 when she married Peter Adams.

"The Humble petition of Mary Litchfield to the Right Honorable Simon Bradstreet, Governor, to the Honorable Thomas Danforth, Deputy Governor, and to the Worshipful Assistants now assembled in Boston.

This is to humbly showeth that whereas your poor petitioner in the time of her late Captivity, with the Barbarous Turks, did leave several young children in Boston and Dorchester, where of my Daughter Mary was one.  In the time of my absence, with fair promises and deluding words, she was deluded by one Peter Adams.  So much so that her affections were so engaged that she disposed herself in marriage unto him.  Since that time god had so left the said Peter Adams that he fell into many terrible crimes and wicked practices in a special manner, and in breaking that Commandment of the Lord (Thou Shalt Not Steal).  For these transgressions, our Honorable and Godly Rulers did see just cause to prosecute the law provided for Delinquents in such cases, to the said Peter Adams.  He was transported out of the country about two years ago.

Before this time he carried on so wickedly to my Daughter, and so infidel like, that instead of providing for her, he took from her wearing apparel and left her almost naked, more like an Indian than a Christian.  Swearing most abominably, threatening to split her open, calling my Daughter Mary a Dam whore, commanding her to give him his hat, and several times beating and abusing her.  Since that time he has never come near my Daughter nor provided for her, neither for meat, drinks, clothing nor lodging.  My Daughter had no way to subsist but what she earned by hard work for a considerable time.

For about a year my Daughter has received kindness from Henry Straight in Narrowganset by being entertained in his family.  At this time the said Straight and my Daughter Mary have declared to your humble petitioner that they desire to be married.

In order thereto the aforesaid Straight has now come to us, and left my Daughter in Rhode Island Colony, and upon my Daughter's Request to me, your humble Petitioner, causeth me Humbly to request your Honors on behalf of my said Daughter, to grant her a bill of Divorce.

This being done shall cause your Humble Petitioner as a duty she is bound for your Honors long life and everlasting happiness hereafter.  And I shall pray for your Honors in all humilities and submission.

March 5, 1684

Mary Litchfield by her mark"

Wow!  Mama, apparently back from her captivity with the barbarous Turks (!), made a successful enough appeal that, even in that day and age, it was quickly granted.  Henry and Mary were married in May 1684, just two months later.  Mary lived 92 years.

Stories From a Stony Land: Henry Straight - The First Generation

   My father's information gathered about the very first generation of Straits, one Henry Straight.  What my Dad wrote is fascinating for not only what it says but what you can read into it.  The indenture statement is straight from public records that my Dad found.  The indentured servant status seems to be a step up from outright slavery, but still pretty subservient and humiliating.  My Dad's records do not make it clear what exactly Henry Straight was apprenticing in.

The first recorded information about any ancestor of mine is of one Henry Straight of Portsmouth, Rhode Island.  Henry's birth date is unknown but is believed to be about 1652.  Henry's ancestors were Welsh.  His passage to the colonies was financed at least in part by his becoming an indentured servant upon his arrival in Rhode Island.  Official records of Portsmouth show that on December 20, 1997, one Henry Straight indentured himself to one Greshom Woddell.  Henry was believed to have been about 15 years old at the time.  A copy of Henry's indenture statement is included here:

Henry Straight Indenture Statement

This indenture withnesseth that I Henry Straight of Rhode Island in New England of my own free will and voluntary will put my self in apprentice of and with Greshom Woddell of said Rhode Island.  To serve him and/or his assigns from this day until the full term of six years from this date, during which time the said apprentice shall serve his master faithfully, shall keep his secrets, his lawful commands he will gladly do. He shall do no damage to his said master, nor allow damage to be done by others. He shall not waste the goods of said master nor lend them unlawfully to others.  He shall not play at cards, dice tables, or any other unlawful games.  He shall neither sell nor buy anything without his master's license, He shall not haunt taverns or alehouses nor absent himself from his master's service day or night.  He shall in all things be a faithful apprentice and shall behave himself towards said master during the entire term of his Indenture.

Greshom Woddell binds himself unto his said apprentice, to find and allow him meat, drink, clothing, lodging, and all other necessities during the term of this apprenticeship.  He shall, at the first Spring, give the apprentice one Ewe lamb and the keeping of it with the increases during term of apprenticeship, if said apprentice performs with all assigns.

At the end of six years, Greshom Woddell shall provide to said apprentice, one new coat, one new pair of bretches, and all of his wearing clothes.

Signed December 20, 1667

Six years and you get some clothing?  Gee whiz, released convicts get more than that.

Shortly after the end of his apprenticeship on December 20, 1673, he went to stay at the home of the widow Rebecca Cornell of Portsmouth.  One day ha and Thomas Cornell, Rebecca's son discovered that Rebecca had been "strangely killed at her own house."  The son, Thomas, was accused of murdering his mother.  He was tried, condemned and executed.  Henry was a witness at the trial.

I have to say, as an amateur fiction writer, I probably could make a whole book from that paragraph alone.

Henry married and had two sons, Henry Jr. and John.  John was born March 1, 1678.  I am a direct descendent of John.  There is no information that I know of about Henry Jr. or about Henry's first wife.

Okay, the book idea gets better and better.

On November 10, 1679 Henry was granted Homestead land in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He built on this land and lived there with his first wife and two boys.  In 1683 and again in 1684 he purchased additional land adjoining the property.

It is not known what happened to his first wife but in May of 1684 he married as his second wife, Mary (Long) Adams, a divorced woman of 19 years old.  Henry would have been 32 at the time.  They did not have any children.

A divorced woman of 19.  Fascinating.

In 1703 Henry was elected to the town council.  In 1704 he resigned, stating that he was unwilling to serve any longer.  In 1705 and again in 1709 he was elected Grand Juryman.

In 1718, he deeded to his son Henry, a blacksmith of East Greenwich, one half of his lands, his wife releasing her dower rights.  On April 30, 1726, he deeded to his son John the east half of his homestead farm of 163.75 acres.

Henry Straight died at East Greenwich June 4, 1728, about 76 years of age.  His second wife Mary survived many years and died in East Greenwich in 1757.  Her birth record shows she was born June 9, 1665.  She was 92 years of age at death.

O Henry!  What an interesting start to our family history!  More of my father's wonderful research to come!

Stories From A Stony Land: Clyde's Letters to Flossie

Unlike my Dad's six week whirlwind engagement, my father's parents had a very long courtship.  I love how the letters reflect a kindness and patience sort of lost now, but also so a very clever and self-deprecating sense of humor.  And please notice the slight quickening of their relationship from the first letter to the second. Flossie was my Grandmother's nickname.  Her name was Florence Snow. The rest of the words in this post are my father's and my grandfather's.

The following two letters are copied directly from two letters my Dad sent to my Mother three years before they were married.

                                                                   March 6, 1912

Dear Flossie

          Well Flossie I will try to answer your letter I received last week.

I got home all right monday morning.  I guess I went through seventy five fields or less or more going home. Mr. Folks was not at home until the last of the week.  It was lucky for me I guess.

Mertie has got all over the chicken-pox.  She was the only one who got it around here.

Tuesday night we went over to Alfred's home to a card party.  I was not very lucky.  I lost the first five games.  I won only five out of fourteen.  Of course I called it luck.

Have you heard that Frank West was married?  I heard last night that he was.

Saturday night we are going to have a domino party.  We want you to come.  If the roads are so I can, I will be over after you. I will call you up saturday and see what you have to say about it.  You had better stay until sunday.

Well I have been cutting wood this week so I guess I had better stop writing and go to bed or I will be to tired to cut tomorrow.

Your friend,

          Clyde

                                                                  

                                                                   April 1, 1912

Dear Flossie,

I suppose you are teaching school this week.  How many scholars have you this spring?  You must have a few new ones to start in.

I think you must of enjoyed last week better than I did.  I thought it was the longest week that I ever spent.  Some of the days seemed like a week to me.  It was so lonesome.  No one came in except Gus and he just stoped a few minutes as he was taking a pleasure trip.

Don't you think this is a regular April day?  It looks good to see it rain once more, and I am always glad to see April, if it isn't a very pleasant month.

I have got about over the mumps.  They were not very bad with me.  Every body says I was to ugly to have them hard.  I told them that ugly people did not have them at all.

Gus said there was going to be a school play to Hanover the sixth.  I think we had better try and  go.  Don't you think so?  I was sorry that I had to stay to home from the other one.

Guess I will have to close.

With love,

          C.S.

(I copied these letters using the spelling, punctuation, etc, that my Dad had used in his longhand letters,) E. Strait

Stories from a Stony Land: The Strait Family Lineage by Eugene Strait

Written by Eugene Strait, with my additions in italics.

I am a direct descendant of a Henry Straight who immigrated to Rhode Island in 1667 as an indentured servant to one Gresham Waddell.  Following is a linage record from Henry Straight to me and my children and grandchildren.  Dad does not say here, but Henry Straight was from Wales, making our direct line of descendancy Welsh.

1st GENERATION:  Henry Straight, born about 1652, died June 7, 1728 (76                                             years).  First wife unknown, second wife Mary Long, a                                 divorced woman. Divorced!  Starting early with                                                           scandal!

2nd GENERATION: John Straight I, born March 1, 1678, died 1758 (80                                                       years).  First wife Rose Smith, second wife Elizabeth                                  Sutherland.

3rd GENERATION: John Straight II, born September 27, 1707, died 1792                                 (85 years), wife Mary.

4th GENERATION: Samuel Strait, born 1750, died unknown, wife Patience.

5th GENERATION: Reuben Strait, born 1776, died unknown, wife Susanna                                 Berry.

6th GENERATION: Thomas Jefferson Strait, born unknown, died                                                               November 22, 1872, wife Maria Powell. Powell is an                                                     important name in the connection of the Strait family.                                                    for years reunions for the two families were done,                                                        called the Strait/Powell Reunion.

7th GENERATION: Reuben Strait, born October 27, 1834, died February 9,                                1918 (83 years), wife Mary A Clapp.

8th GENERATION: Eugene Bonharris Strait, born August 10, 1857, died                                January 6, 1916 (58 years), wife Nellie Shepard.                                                           Eugene was the first grandparent I remember my Dad                                                talking about, even though he passed before my Dad was                                            born.  His wife Nellie, lived with my Dad's family as he                                             grew up, and suffered some from dementia problems.

9th GENERATION: Clyde Strait, born September 23, 1885, died November                                 17, 1956 (71 years), wife Florence Snow.  Clyde died                                                   while trying to start or repair the tractor he had been                                                driving,  The last picture taken of him was with him                                                    holding me as an infant.

10th GENERATION: Eugene Everett Strait, born June 29, 1922, died September                                           22, 2013(91 years).  Wife Peggy Martin.

11th GENERATION: Thomas Martin Strait, born June 9, 1955.  1st wife                                   Retta Rountree, 2nd wife Alison Aldridge.

12th GENERATION:  Gregory Rountree Strait, born October 23, 1981.                                    Unmarried as of 2013.  I have three sons.  Which, if                                                   any, will bridge us to the 13th generation, is                                                  any body's guess.

I am able to find only a very limited information about the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th generations.  The people listed above are only the father to son descendants.  There are probably tens of thousands of people whose ancestry goes back to the same Henry Straight I do.