Emily's Name Origin Story: Barrett Line Research
Emily with her maternal great-grandmother, Ruth Dorothy Longley, 1995.
Emily's name has a fun story, which came to be related to my genealogical pursuits. A few months before she was born, I visited a psychic. One of the things the psychic told me was that I had a spirit guide who was a Native American woman. At that point in my life, I hadn't given much thought to the idea of spirit guides, so I thought, "That's interesting," then promptly forgot about it.
John and I had decided on the name Elizabeth if we had a girl. About a month before Emily was born, I had a very vivid dream where our daughter was born and she was called Emily. Now, I was, and still am, very into dreams and their meanings. When I told John about it, we agreed she should be called Emily.
Fast forward to shortly after Emily's birth. We brought my Grandma Ruth to our house for a visit to meet Emily. While we handed her the baby and said, "Her name is Emily," Ruth said, "Oh, my grandmother was called Emily. She was an Indian."
My matriarchy. I miss them all!
At this point in time, I'm not even sure I knew Ruth's parents' names, let alone her grandparents. But, I immediately thought of what the psychic had said, and I thought, "Oh, that would be cool if the spirit guide was an ancestor." Then life got busier, and I didn't think much about it.
Fast forward several years later. I took the Ancestry DNA test and immediately became obsessed with genealogy. After a couple of years of building our tree, I did identify that Ruth's maternal grandmother's name was indeed Emily! (She also has a maternal great-grandmother possibly named this.)
Ruth's tree to her 2nd great-grandparents (my 4th great-grandparents). The line circled in red is the focus for this blog post.
I've made good progress tracing Ruth's paternal line branches and have found so much interesting information. I wish Ruth and my mom Shirley were alive to see my work. The Longley / Langlois line extends back to France and includes the original settlers of "New France" (including Filles du Roi). Those were some adventurous people! Because this small group of settlers has been well-researched, there is a good amount of information available, and I have many famous cousins. Maybe I'll write about that one day?
Monument to French ancestors who were original founders of Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec, Canada. Pierre Tremblay + Ozonne Achon and Noel Simard + Madeleine Racine are two sets of 10th great-grandparents in Ruth's line. I hope to explore this area some day.
For the Wright line, I was excited to be able to trace these ancestors back to a specific part of England, a small village called Fishlake. Emily was able to visit there a few years ago, and she had the opportunity to meet up with one of our distant cousins who lives nearby.
Emily having tea with our distant cousin Paula (5th 1x removed for me).
There is also a good amount of research on the Sackett line available. They even have their own website! This line has Revolutionary War heroes, which qualifies me to join Daughter's of the American Revolution, should I be interested. Most fun for me in this line was discovering my distant cousin Shannon. She helped me a lot at the beginning of my research, and we've had the opportunity to meet up in person. Hopefully, more in the future!
Meeting up with cousin Shannon (4th cousins) and her daughter Megyn in California, 2021. Such a fun day!
Unfortunately, Ruth's maternal line has proved more challenging. When I started working with her line, I again remembered the "Emily" connection and was interested in learning more. Frustrated by a lack of records, I ordered and paid for a copy of James Snyder's and Emily Barrett's marriage record.
I was hoping the record would have their parents' names, but it did not. However, knowing their ages and residence at time of marriage was useful. As well, it was helpful to see that Emily was sometimes called Emma.
Unfortunately, James Snyder has remained elusive. There are too many James Snyders with similar dates to ascertain which might be mine (and, therefore, to confidently identify his parents). As well, I don't have any potential DNA matches through the Snyder line to help give me much-needed clues. Maybe in the future? Genealogy is a waiting game.
I was able to confirm, however, more information about Emily, including the names of her parents, Ransom Barrett and Ellen Demerest. I was pretty much stuck here, though, because Barrett is a very common name. Looking at other family trees, it seemed like Ransom could be from the line of an Eleazer Barrett. The problem is that there are a lot of Eleazer Barretts, all related to each other, and I had no way of sorting them out. Also, the trees I was looking at did not have supporting records for their claims.
That line stayed in limbo until this year, when I found a book by a researcher who sorted the records of the various Eleazer Barretts. Yay! Over the past few months, after reading the book, and inserting the relevant information in my tree, a wealth of information unlocked for me to explore and confirm. The DNA matches via Eleazer and Trial Barrett also helped me feel confident
Here is the tree I was able to build for the Barrett line. The tree begins with the father of Ransom Barrett, William Barrett. I'll be sharing the interesting information and records I found along the way, as well as some DNA and family tree matches in this line. While many of the places were colonies at the time, I'm using the contemporary names of the places.
As you can see from the tree, I was able to successfully trace back to my 10th-great-grandfather in the Barrett line, Thomas Barrett (Sr.)! Before sharing my discoveries about him, I will share what I found about the Barretts in the generations leading up to Thomas Sr., beginning with Eleazer Barrett, my 5th great-grandfather (father of William).
Eleazer Barrett (5th great-grandfather)
Eleazer Barrett was born about 1755 in Salisbury, Litchfield, Connecticut, but his family relocated to Berkshire County, Massachusetts when he was a child. He spent most of his life in Berkshire County, where he held several offices, in addition to being a blacksmith and a farmer. Some of the office names are fun: Sealer of Weights and Measures, Surveyor of Highways and Pound Keeper, and Fence Viewer. He also served more than once as Constable and Tax Collector. As well, he served several times in the Berkshire County Militia during the Revolutionary War. Eleazer appears in several censuses and property records.
Around 1782, Eleazer married a woman named Trial. Nothing is known about her surname, and it is thought that she may have been a member of the nearby Stockbridge Indian tribe. (Perhaps that's where the oral history of a Native American originates?) Sadly, I don't think I'll be able to learn much more about her.
In 1780, Eleazer was co-executor of his father Bartholomew's will, along with his uncle Eleazer (!). He is also mentioned in the 1814 will of his brother Ephraim. These are excellent documents for my research, particularly in terms of establishing and confirming family relationships.
Eleazer mentioned, "the son of my mother, Eleazer," in Ephraim Barrett's will,
In 1800, Eleazer and Trial sold their property in Berkshire County and relocated to Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York. Presumably this was to be closer to two of his sons who were in this area.
Here Eleazer appears in the 1820 census in New York, with his son Ransom (not be be confused with my 3rd great-grandfather Ransom) listed in the next plot.
Eleazer died some time in 1822, before September 5. This is the date on the first probate record. Probate was completed by mid 1823. On 16 September 1822, the household inventory was presented.
It seems like this family did quite well. The household inventory is multiple pages. Above, one of the pages, as an example. They got very specific! Note how some of the items are described as "old."
Before going on to talk about Elezaer's father Bartholomew, I wanted to share what I learned in terms of matches through this line. First is a DNA / Family Tree Match via our original couple, 2nd great-grandparents James Henry Snyder + Emily Barrett.
William and Gayle, siblings, 3rd cousins. William's family tree matches mine, and Gayle is a DNA match. We share 26 cm across 2 segments.
William Homan (father of William and Gayle, above) and his sister Mary Eleanor Homan, 2nd cousins 1x removed.
I was able to connect with DNA match Gayle Homan, and she kindly shared a photo of her grandmother, Gladys Rogers. Gladys and my grandma Ruth were first cousins.
Here is a photo comparing them (Ruth, at different ages, on each side). I wonder if they ever met?
I'm so happy that Gayle shared this. I have very few pictures from this branch. I see a resemblance.
Further back in the Barrett line, I have two DNA matches, 6th cousins, via 5th great-grandparents, Eleazer and Trial Barrett. I wasn't able to find any pictures of the DNA matches, but I found some photos of people in their branch.
Here is Eleazer's tree, with my line circled in blue and the DNA matches' line circled in red.
This is the Edwin Herrick, father of one DNA match, and Robert Herrick, brother of the other. The DNA matches are cousins, and I share 8 and 12 CM on one segment with each. I see resemblance between Edwin and my grandma.
These are ancestors further back in this line. William Francis is the 2nd great-grandson of Eleazer and Trial, and his daughter, Cora Francis, is their 3rd great-granddaughter. They are my 3x3 and 4x2 cousins, respectively. Cora was of the generation of Grandma Ruth.
Bartholomew Barrett
My 6th great-grandfather was born in 1736 in Plainfield, Windham County, Connecticut. By the time he married my 6th great-grandmother, Mehitable Rood, he was living in Salisbury, Connecticut.
Bartholomew Barrett + Mehitable Rood, married 6 March 1755 in Salisbury.
By 1762, they were living in Alford, Massachusetts. However, at that time, this area was part of the New York colony. Therefore, Bartholomew's military service was with the New York militia, where he served as a Captain.
Bartholomew's will was made on 2 June, 1788 in Alford, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. It lists his children, and mentions his brother Eleazer (not to be confused with his son Eleazer). The will was probated 7 October 1788, so his death was some time between these two dates.
Bartholomew Barrett Will. After making himself right with God and stating any debts should be paid, he makes plans for the care of his wife (unless she dies or remarries). He gives to his 4 oldest sons (Bartholomew, Ephraim, Eleazer, and Alexander) the larger portion of his land and livestock. His younger sons (Philander, Elanada, and Erastus) are to split the remainder of the land and the house and its goods. The two daughters (Wealthy and Sabra), upon reaching maturity, each receive a cow and 4 sheep! He also names his son Eleazer and his brother Eleazer as Executors. This was fun to read and to see all of the unusual names. You can also see why they are difficult to sort out, as the same names appear again and again.
While I was working through the Barrett line, I also tried to research the wives in each generation. I was hopeful that Mehitable Rood would lead somewhere, as her name seems so unusual, and many family trees have several generations back for her (leading to Myles Standish!). But, believe it or not, there are more than one Mehitable Rood! I couldn't verify the accuracy of the other trees. She remains a mystery for now.
Eleazer Barrett (7th great-grandfather)
This Eleazer was born in 1708 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. By 1729, he was employed as a mill operator in Plainfield, Windham County Connecticut. This is where he married my 7th great-grandmother, Catherine Williams, in 1730.
There aren't many good photo records for this couple. Here, they appear in Massachusetts Vital Records as the parents of Abigail Barrett Nickells, who died 9 February, 1759. Since Abigail's daughter, also Abigail, was born on 3 February, 1759, I think it's fair to assume she died from childbirth complications. Sad.
Eleazer purchased property in Cornwall Township, Connecticut in 1739, then relocated there with his family around 1742. He purchased additional acreage in 1745. Catherine Williams died in Cornwall the following year on 8 May. There is no evidence of her origin, surname, or parents, so her line is at its end.
Eleazer remarried in 1748. There are records of additional property purchases in Connecticut, but he eventually relocated in 1769 to an 11-acre farm near his oldest son, Ebenezer. Located in Alford, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, this is where Elezaer died in 1800. I haven't been able to find a will for him.
Eleazer Barrett headstone (along with second wife Hannah) at Osborne Cemetery in Alford. He died 25 June 1800.
My 8th great-grandfather was born in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts about 1669. One great image I found for him was his signature.
From his father-in-law James Hildreth's probate papers, 1695.
Joseph married my 8th great-grandmother, Abigail Hildreth, on 15 December 1696 in Chelmsford. They lived in Chelmsford all of their lives, and they had 8 children.
Note: This image has their marriage date incorrectly listed. In the Massachusetts Vital Records, their marriage date is 15 December 1696.
Joseph died 15 April 1740, and Abigail died 30 December 1729, both in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
Joseph Barrett death record.
Abigail Hildreth Barrett death record.
The Hildreth Line
Abigail was the only female I was able to find additional records on. I identified her parents and her paternal grandparents.
Below are some of the interesting records and information I found on this family.
Abigail Hildreth, daughter of James and Margaret, was born 30 October 1673 in Chelmsford.
Abigail's father, James Hildreth (9th great-grandfather), was born in England, specific date and place unknown. However, in a deposition of 30 September 1651, he stated his age as 20 years. This puts his birth year around 1631, and I know that he came to the Colonies before that date, since the deposition was made in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. James married Margaret Ward (9th great-grandmother) in 1659. No information is known about her birth date, place of origin, or her parents. Margaret died in 1693, and James died in 1695, both in Chelmsford. Probate of his will extended from May 1695 to November 1696.
James Hildreth and Margaret, his wife, were married at Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1 June 1659. This is a good example of how sloppy people can be with their research. Almost every tree lists their place of marriage as Chelmsford. I think this is because the record is listed in the town records of Chelmsford, where they lived. However, a quick look at the record reveals the place of marriage as Dorchester. This also provides a potential clue for the future. Maybe Margaret was born in Dorchester?
Margaret Hildreth, wife of James, died the last of August 1693.
James Hildreth deceased 14 April 1695. He is listed as Lieutenant, suggesting military service. However, I didn't find any records for this.
Household inventory of James Hildreth, 21 May 1695
James' father, Richard Hildreth (10th great-grandfather), was born in England about 1604, specific place and date unknown. He married Sarah (10th great-grandmother) in England some time before 1628, which is the year of birth of their first child, a daughter named Jane. I can ascertain he came to the Colonies some time between 1631 (estimated year of birth for James, in England) and 10 May 1643, when Richard was admitted as a Freeman in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. In 1645, he served as a town officer in Cambridge. Sarah Hildreth died in 1644, and Richard remarried an Elizabeth.
Sarah, wife of Richard Hildreth, died the 15th of the 4th month of 1644.
In 1645, Richard was one of the original petitioners for the establishment of Chelmsworth. There are many property records establishing his residence here, including an interesting one in 1664 where he petitioned for, and received, 150 additional acres because he lost his right hand, presumably in military service of some type.
Richard made his will on 11 February 1686, and he died on 23 February 1693 in Chelmsworth. The will was probated on 26 May 1693, after the household inventory was submitted on 19 May.
Richard Hildreth death record.
Richard Hildreth Will and Household Inventory. The will mentions my direct ancestor, "my oldest son James." Another researcher transcribed the household inventory:
Inventory of Estate was valued at £17:3:6, and included:
"Two Cows: one Calf: one feather bed: one straw bed: one feather bolster, 2 pillows: 2 old bolsters: I coat and hatt: 1 pr Breeches: two Pewter platters & 1 candlestick: Iron Mortar and Pestle: 2 Cleavers & a Flesh Hook: 1 Axe and 2 Pease hooks: 1 Frammell: 1 churn: 1 Iron Gridiron: 1 Wicker basket: 1 skill: one old Gun barrell (value 10 Shillings). A Wain Scott Chest: 1 Cubboard: 1 chest: an old bedstead a Table chaire: 8 chaires and a little Horn: a dough trough and 1 old chest: 2 Trays and an old Paile: 1 Jar and Chees tongs: four books: a dry cask."
Richard is buried at the Forefathers Burial Ground in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
My 9th great-grandfather came to the Colonies from England as a child, probably some time between 1635-1640. His exact origin and date of birth is unknown, but the year is estimated around 1625. The surname and other identifying information for his wife, Sarah (9th great-grandmother), is unavailable. As well, I was unable to find their marriage information. Their third child was born in 1659, so some time prior to that.
In 1659, John was given a land grant in Chelmsford, being one of its first settlers. He went on to obtain additional properties there and lived in Chelmsford for the remainder of his life. John was a mill owner and served as Selectman in Chelmsford multiple times. He additionally had military service as a Lieutenant. I don't have any interesting documents for these, only summaries from books. Sarah's death date is unknown. Her last appearance in any records is a transfer of property to their son-in-law 28 June 1698. John Barrett died 18 May 1706, as indicated in the Massachusetts Vital Records index below.
Thomas Barrett (Sr.)
My 10th great-grandfather was born in England (exact location and parents' names unknown) around 1609. This date is an estimate from his death record that listed his approximate age at time of death. He was married in England to a Margaret (10th great-grandmother, unknown surname, parents, birth date, and place of origin) some time before 1625.
Thomas and Margaret, along with son John (and maybe their daughter Mary), are estimated to have arrived in the States, Massachusetts Colony, between 1635-1640 as part of the Great Puritan Migration. (This migration covers the period 1621-1640 and is primarily associated with the Puritans.) Thomas was made a Freeman of Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts in 1645. He purchased property here in 1651. Thomas made his will in 1662.
Will of Thomas Barrett, 1 May 1662. The will mentions his wife Margaret and his three sons, John, Joseph, and Thomas. John is my direct ancestor, and he was unmarried at the time of the will, which is mentioned in the will. There was also a daughter, Mary, who died just a few years after marrying in 1654 (I imagine in childbirth); she was deceased before the will was prepared.
Along with his son Thomas Jr., Thomas purchased a home and property in Chelsmford, Massachusetts 10 April 1663. This homestead is where Thomas is believed to be buried. Called the Barrett-Byam Homestead, it currently houses the Chelsmford Historical Society.
Ancestral homestead. Cool! Maybe I will visit some day?
Thomas died in 1668, and Margaret in July 1681. His will was probated in 1668.
Thomas Barrett Sr. died 6 October 1668.
Margaret, the late wife of Thomas Barrett, died 8 July 1681.
Household inventory of Thomas Barrett (part of probate papers in 1668). A couple of the items I can make out are: 2 bushels of barley malt, 1 muskett and ammunition. If anyone else can decipher any more, please leave a comment.
England Roots
When I started this project, I was hoping to identify some specific places in England from which my ancestors came. I thought this line might shed light on mine and Emily's ancestry estimates from the circled area.
There is one Thomas Barrett sketch in these books, but he cannot be my Thomas Barrett, based on the established ages of my Thomas Barrett's children.
Since Thomas Barrett is believed to have immigrated between 1635 - 1640, I am out of avenues to explore (outside of joining an expensive genealogical society, which may or may not have information summarized on this ancestor). So, as always with genealogy, I wait and see if some new information presents. However, I am very pleased with the progress I made in this line with this project.
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