| Title: | J. J. Bowen, Pennsylvania to George Graham, Co. Londonderry. |
|---|---|
| ID | 256 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Bowen, John S/22 |
| Year | 1848 |
| Sender | Bowen, John S. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | solicitor |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Pennsylvania, USA |
| Destination | Co. Derry, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Graham, George |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | business |
| Source | D 3666/D/12: Deposited by Mr G. Mawhinney. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9102097 |
| Date | 06/09/1848 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by JM 26:11:1993 |
| Word Count | 902 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Dear Sir, West Chester, Pennsylvania September 6th 1848 Mrs Annes Greenleaf, of this county (Chester county), the daughter of Mrs Martha Stewart, formerly Martha Charles, now living with her daughter Annes, but formerly of the parish of Ballynascreen in the county Londonderry in Ireland [?] me to address you with a view to solicit your kindly services in procuring proof of her relationship to Andrew Ferguson; formerly of the same vicinity. It appears that a person named Andrew Ferguson recently died in this county after having resided here a number of years unknown to Mrs Stewart or her friends. He was a man of considerable age (about 70 to 75 years it is said) from Ireland and it is believed from the neighborhood of Cookstown, which is in an adjoining county to Derry. Having left some little property (amounting perhaps to around £500 to £800) which in default of heirs will escheat to the state. Circumstances, not amounting the best proof, however, show very strongly that he was a cousin of Mrs Martha Charles. We desire therefore to prove - 1st that George Ferguson and Janette his wife (formly Janette McCullough) residing in the county of Londonderry in Ireland had two children, born in wedlock, namely Robert Ferguson and Martha Ferguson. 2nd that Robert Ferguson residing in the same district was married to Isabella McCullough and by her had issue two children namely, Thomas and Andrew. That Thomas died unmarried and without issue. That Andrew Ferguson, his brother, resided in the neigborhood for some time and then sailed to America stating the time at which he sailed, his age, if he was unmarried and all other circumstances of any importance known about him, especially describing his person and showing to what port in the United States of America he sailed and whether he has been heard from since, where he was, whether he ever wrote that he was married &tc, &tc 3rd that Martha Ferguson the daughter of George Ferguson & Janette McCullough, married Joseph Charles and had by him in lawful wedlock four children namely, Robert, Jane, John, and Martha. 4th that Robert Charles was married to - Hayburn, and had - children, and died, naming #PAGE 2 the time and place of his death or such [?] matter as will show that he is not now living. 5th that Jane Charles died unmarried showing time and place of her death if known. 6th that John Charles was married and had children and died at such time & place as can be shown 7th that Martha Charles resided in the same vicinty and being unmarried sailed for America showing when she sailed and her age at the time she sailed, what port the ship was bound for, giving any description of her person that is known, and stating whether she has since been heard from - where she was in this country - and particularly if you can find any one now in Ireland who knew her when there and has seen her here. 8th add any additional testimony showing the relationship of Martha Charles (now Martha Stewart) to Andrew Ferguson, and any facts showing that the Martha Stewart now in Sailsbury [Salisbury?] township, Chester County, Pennsylvania and Andrew Ferguson deceased, late of Bradford township in the same county are the same persons known formerly to have been residents of your vicinity and related in the manner described. Among the means of proving these facts you will at once see that living persons so far as their knowledge goes are the best witnesses The parish or church records and registers will give probably the whole family relationship - copies of these certified will be important proof. The family bibles of various members of the old family may be found, containing the record of births marriages and deaths, sworn copies of these will be useful. The Ferguson family were of the Presbyterian church, the Charles family probably Episcopalian or Church of England. Perhaps some members of the Charles family (or others connected) may have the old Ferguson family bible or other evidence of pedigree. I suppose that at this distance and with the limited information I have received that much of direct importance has been omitted. This you will readily supply from your intimate acquaintance with the customs and probably the old families of the country. #PAGE 3 It is earnestly desired that you will give all necessary attention to this matter and send such proof and information generally that you can procure as soon as possible. The aged mother Mrs Martha Stewart and her daughter Annes and her husband are very excellent and deserving people, much esteemed by those who know them and this intestate property small as it is for it cannot reach £1000 and the expenses will reduce it - will be of great importance to them in their present circumstances. Should more certain testimony be required or more regular certificates of proof we will prepare the forms accompanied by full directions and send them to you in the meanwhile it is hoped that the evidence you can send at once will be sufficent to prevent a contest . You will either communicate directly with Mr Jacob Greenleaf, Black Horse Post Office, Sailsbury [Salisbury?], Chester County, Penn sylvannia [Pennsylvania?] or to yours very respectfully John S. Bowen West Cheter [West Chester?] Geo [George?] Graham Esqr. Chester County care of John Stevenson Esqr. Pennsylvania Fort William [Fortwilliam?] America near Tobermore Parish of Ballynascreen Londonderry Ireland P.S. A letter from the daughter will accompany this giving you additional information. Will you please give your address as distinctly as possible. |
