Thomas Dudley (Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony)

Thomas Dudley, my 10th g-Grandfather, was born on October 12 1576 in Yardley, Northhampton, England to Roger Dudley and Susanna Thorne.
Thomas was one of the originators of The Massachusetts Bay Colony and arrived in the New World on the ship Arbella on June 22 1630 as the Colony's Deputy Governor. He built the first house in Newtowne (present day Cambridge), which was supposed to be the capitol of the new Colony.
Thomas served as Governor Four times between 1635 and 1651. Thomas also served as Deputy Governor Thirteen times. As Governor, he signed the charter that established Harvard College, under which Harvard still operates to this day.
Thomas died on July 31 1653 in Roxbury Massachusetts and is buried in the Eliot Burying Ground in Roxbury.
For further reading see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Dudley

Nancy White Worley (A hard life on the prairie?)

My 3rd g-Grandmother, Nancy White Worley, was born in Westford Vermont on September 12 1817 to Aldrich Worley and his wife Hannah Nye. She was named in honor of her father's first wife, Nancy White.
On New Years Day 1840, Nancy married a Stephen Reynolds of Burlington Vermont, and the newlywed couple went west to farm in Booneville Missouri. While in Booneville Nancy gave birth to their first three children.
Around 1847 supposedly over the political climate of slavery in Missouri, the family moved again, this time to Forestville, Richland Township Iowa near present day Dundee Iowa. Here another nine children were to be born between 1847 and 1861.
Life must have been hard on the prairie as Nancy's mother came to live with her and passed away in 1853, two children died in 1854, and three more died in 1862 and 1863. Nancy lost six family members at the homestead in an eleven year period.
Nancy died on December 6 1900 at the homestead and is buried, along with her husband and other members of the family who died on the farm, in a family cemetery on the homestead.
See the Reynold's Family Cemetery at:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2302118&CScn=reynolds&CScntry=4&CSst=14&CScnty=574&

Francois Xavier Graton and Esther Dubreuil (Homesteaders)

My 2nd g-Grandparents, FX Graton and his wife Esther Dubreuil, married on October 4, 1870 in Saint-Anicet Quebec. This union produced, first six daughters and then two sons, all born in Saint-Anicet between 1872 and 1886.
In March 1888, Francois, Esther and their children immigrated to the Unites States, and settled in Aitken Minnesota on homestead land. They proved their claim and were awarded the land in 1903. (see pictures of original home and land grant)
The family applied for US Citizenship in 1890 and became United States Citizens in 1901
Francois and Esther remained in Aitken the rest of their lives, Francois dying on January 6 1912 and Esther dying on February 16 1910. Esther and Francoise are buried at St Thomas Cemetery in Aitken Minnesota (see pictures)
For furthur information on this family see:
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=m-leblanc&id=I596

My Irish Ancestors to the New World

1. John Cogan, my 10th g-grandfather mentioned in an earlier blog, arrived in the New World in 1633 and setteled in Boston MA

2 Unknown Reynolds, my 6th g-grandfather, arrived in the new world in the early 1700's and setteled in MA.

3. Patrick Powers and his wife Nancy Kiley, my 3rd g-Grandparents, immigrated to the New World from County Cork Ireland in 1853. They first setteled in NJ, moved to Fond du Lac WI, then permantly setteled near Fort Dodge Iowa.

4 Patrick Hartnett, my 2nd g-Grandfather, came from County Cork Ireland in the mid 1850's and setteled in Fort Dodge Iowa marrying the daughter of #3 above.

5 John Smith, my 2nd g-Grandfather, came from County Tiperary Ireland around the mid 1850's and setteled in San Francisco CA

6 Susan Corcoran, my 2nd g-Grandmother, came from County Roscommon Ireland around the mid 1850's and setteled in San Francisco CA marrying #5 above

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY

Cpt Samuel Ruggles

My 9th g-Grandfather, Samuel Ruggles, was born March 14 1629 in Nazing England. He served as a Captain of the Militia in the revolt and overthrowing of the Royal Governor of New England in 1689. Samuel served as a special guard of Joseph Dudley, who would later be appointed Royal Governor of Massachusetts Colony.
Samuel operated a tavern in Roxbury MA and speculated in land. On December 27 1687, Samuel along with eight others including his sons, purchased land from the Indians which was to become the towns of Pomfret Connecticut and Hardwick Massachusetts.
On 25 May 1667, a horse and oxen cart Samuel was driving, was struck by lightning. The horse and two oxen were killed. Samuel was thrown from the cart, his shoes were blown off, but he survived with only minor burns.
Samuel was active in Colonial affairs, serving for 14 years as a Selectman, assayer, and a Colonial Representative to the King.
Samuel died in Roxbury Massachusetts on August 15 1692
For further reading on the Boston Revolt see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1689_Boston_revolt

From "Lebeau" to "Caza"

A "Dit Name" in French surnames, could be considered a second surname used to differentiate between families of the same surname. My 7th g-Grandfather Pierre Lebeau, was born in Paris France about 1700. He immigrated to New France in the early 1700's and took the name "Pierre Lebeau dit Lajeunesse". His children were born under the surname "Lebeau dit Beaufils".
My 6th g-Grandfather, Pierre Etienne Lebeau dit Beaufils, named the 6 children from his first wife "Lebeau dit Caza" the "Caza" probally coming from the childrens maternal grandmother "Cazabaun" He named the 8 children from his second wife "Lebeau dit Beaufils"
I decend from the "Lebeau dit Caza" line. Parrish records in the 1800's might list an individual under the "Lebeau" surname in one entry and under the "Caza" name in another entry for the same person.
Sure makes it intresting in researching a family when the surname changes often