Daniel CokerCorporal, (promoted from Private in Oct 1865)
Company C,
25th Pennsylvania Infantry,
also known as 25th U.S. Colored Infantry
Pension #WC 474-311
1st Wife Hester's death record Hester Ann "Hetty" Sockum Coker Find-A-Grave entry - wife Hester 2nd Wife Sarah's death certificate Sarah Jane Ridgeway Coker Find-A-Grave entry - wife Sarah Find-A-Grave entry - Daniel Coker (Sarah's 2nd husband, her 1st having been Alfred Wilbank Ridgeway) Alfred W. Ridgeway's pension abstract
Photo taken Aug 2001
Photo taken Mar 1988
Plaque B-41, illustrating Daniel Coker's name.
Photo taken at the African American Civil War Memorial, Washinton, DC Aug 2002
(Sarah Coker's photo taken Aug 1991
ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM THE PENSION RECORDS:
Enlisted 07 Jan 1864.
Honorably discharged 06 Dec 1865, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co, PA.Daniel's residences as noted in the pension records:
Townsend, New Castle Co, DE (as of 13 Aug 1881).
Camden, Kent Co, DE (as of 24 Aug 1889) (and as of 25 Jul 1890).Occupation listed (1870-72): at a sawmill. (in Aug 1881): Brickmaker.(The 1870 census also lists his occupation as "molding bricks").
Daniel Coker:
Date of birth: ca 1840 at [not given]
Date of death: 05 Mar 1898 at Dover, Kent Co, DE
Married first to: Hester Ann SOCKUM. Her date of death was 28 Sep 1884, and she was buried on 30 Sep 1884 at Manship Cemetery (now known as Immanuel Union). Cause of death: consumption (now known as tuberculosis). Her age at time of death was 45, and she was born in Milton, DE.
Daniel is described in military records (at age 23) as being 5 ft. 10 inches tall, yellow complexion, black eyes and hair.
Daniel was afflicted with Scurvy while in the service (Jun 1864) to such a degree that he had to be carried by stretcher to Fort Pickens in west Florida, where he remained stricken for "at least three months," according to an affidavit by one of the men who carried his stretcher.
Daniel's date of death had been given as 05 Mar 1898 in one of the documents in the abridged pension file. However, at least two other documents in the full pension file (an affidavit from his widow as well as an official certified document from the Kent County Recorder of Deeds) state that he died on 14 Mar 1898. In her affidavit, Sarah stated that Daniel died of consumption (now known as tuberculosis).
Sarah notes her middle name as "Jane" in one of the affidavits.
Sarah's date of birth according to her death certificate was 15 Apr 1847. However, in one affidavit in the pension records she gives her birthdate as 10 Apr 1847.
In providing the dates of birth for her younger two children, Sarah stated that their births had been recorded in the family Bible by "Moses Coker, a brother of the soldier."
Additional affiants or witnesses:
1. Alfred Johnson, age 51 as of 30 May 1898; age 52 as of 13 Jan 1899. He was the husband of Rebecca Ridgway, sister of Daniel's 2nd wife, Sarah. (also a Civil War veteran, Company A, 25th PA Infantry, aka 25th U.S. Colored Infantry) 2. Ellen [N.?] Grinage, age 31 as of 22 Aug 1898. 3. Sylvester Ridgway 4. Oscar b Morris 5. Joel Durham, age 79 as of 27 Dec 1898. 6. Robert b Jackson 7. Zedock Munce, age 63 as of 22 Dec 1898 (also a Civil War veteran, Company E, 30th MD Infantry, aka 30th U.S. Colored Infantry) 8. Susy Ridgway 9. Sadie Ridgway Their children: [none listed] (see OTHER ITEMS PERTAINING TO DANIEL COKER, NOT FROM THE PENSION RECORDS, below).
Married second to: Sarah J. Ridgway Ridgeway, widow of Alfred W. Ridgeway** on 17 Mar 1885 at Fork Branch, Kent County, DE
Her date of birth: ca 1843 (according to these records) at [not given]. Her date of death: 22 Apr 1919 at [not given]
Their children:
1. Alfred W. R. Coker, b 07 Mar 1887
2. Alonzo Coker, b 28 May 1890 ** (See separate posting for info from the pension records of Alfred W. Ridgeway).Sarah's residences during the pension period: Dover, Kent Co, DE (as of 06 Apr 1898) 104 N. Queen St., Dover, Kent Co, DE (as of 04 Mar 1919)
Among the affiants or witnesses for Daniel and or or Sarah:
Rebecca Johnson, age 43 as of 30 May 1898Linda Goldsborough, age 36 as of 25 Jul 1898; and age 50 as of 06 Jun 1919. (named herself as Sarah's daughter).Wilhelmina Moore, age 27 as of 25 Jul 1898
OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE:
On 06 Jun 1919, Sarah's daughter Linda Goldsborough submitted a claim for reimbursement of burial expenses for Sarah. She stated that there was a life insurance policy, which paid $101.00 to beneficiary Susie Harmon, but that the money had been paid to herself (Linda).
OTHER ITEMS PERTAINING TO DANIEL COKER, NOT FROM THE PENSION RECORDS:
Daniel is listed as age 9 in the 1850 census, Little Creek Hundred, Kent Co, DE, making him b ca 1841.Daniel is listed as age 26 in the 1870 census, Kent Co, DE, making him b ca 1844.
* Although the pension records do not give the name of Daniel's first wife, it is mentioned that he had been married previously, and that his first wife had died. It is known from the 1870 census record, Kent Co, DE, that his first wife's name was Hester _______. She is listed as age 27, making her b ca 1843. Three children are listed in the household:
Daniel, age 6; Eliza, age 2; Isaac, age 1.
The elder Daniel's occupation is listed as "molding bricks."Based on information from other sources along with the pension records, following is a complete list of Daniel's & Sarah's families, from both their first and second spouses:
Daniel Coker (son of James Coker and Eliza Jackson) b ca 1841 d 05 Mar 1898; married 1, on (before ca 1864?): Hester _______ b ca 1843 d between 1870 - 1885
Their children:
1. Daniel Coker, b ca 1864
2. Eliza Coker, b ca 1868
3. Isaac Coker, b ca 1869
- - - - -
Married 2, Sarah J. Ridgway (d Tilghman Ridgway, Sr. and Sina Mosley) b 15 Apr 1847, d 22 Apr 1919, Dover, Kent, DE.
Sarah married 1, on 18 Jan 1860: Alfred Wilbank Ridgway or Ridgeway, (s William Ridgway or Ridgeway, Sr. and Deborah Handsor) b ca 1838, Sussex County, DE, d 25 Aug 1883.
Their children:
1. Elizabeth Ridgway, b ca 1860 2. George Ridgway, b ca 1861 3. Charles H. Ridgway, b ca 1864 (married Emily Miller) 4. Melinda "Linda" Ridgway, b ca 1867, d 27 Dec 1921 (headstone gives birth date as 02 Mar 1864) (death certificate gives birth date as 15 Mar 1865). (married ______ Goldsborough or Goldsboro) 5. Walter Proctor Ridgway, Sr., b 23 Sep 1867, d 02 Jul ???? (married Rhoda E. Palmer) 6. Wilhelmina or Wilhemina Ridgway, b 25 May 1871, d 13 Jun 1948 (death certificate gives birth date as 25 May 1883). (married ______ Moore) 7. Rose Ella or Roseannah Ridgway, b 02 Apr 1875 8. Anna Elizabeth Ridgway, b 08 Jul 1877 9. Susan Ridgway, b 11 Apr 1880 (married Fred Harmon) 10. Estella Ridgway (twin), b 25 Jun 1882 11.. Sadie Bell Ridgway (twin), b 25 Jun 1882
- - - - -
After Alfred's death and Hester's death, Sarah & Daniel married on 17 Mar 1885:
Their children:1. Alfred Wilbank Ridgeway Coker, b 07 Mar 1887, d 1935 (married Margaret A. Carney)
2. Alonzo Coker, b 28 May 1890, d 06 May 1957 (married Rebecca Carney)
It is interesting to note that the first child born of Sarah and her 2nd husband, Daniel Coker, was named after her first husband, Alfred Wilbank Ridgeway.
Daniel is buried at Whatcoat Cemetery, Dover, Kent Co, DE. Scanned image of his tombstone at top of this page.
Articles about Whatcoat Cemetery, specifically mentioning Daniel's grave:"The Dover Post," Dover, DE Wednesday, 01 Aug 2001, page 1 of Community Living section."The News Journal," Wilmington, DE Thursday, 26 Jul 2001, page B3.
Sarah is buried at Fork Branch Cemetery, Cheswold, Kent Co, DE Scanned image of her tombstone at top of this page.
On the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC, Daniel's name is displayed on Plaque B-41
QUERY ITEMS:
1. Does anyone know the maiden name of Daniel's first wife, Hester? Who were her parents?
2. Does anyone have any further info on the children of Daniel and Hester? (exact birth dates, death dates, spouses, etc). Were there any other children besides the three listed above (Daniel, Eliza, and Isaac)? Did they live to adulthood and have any children themselves?3. What was the exact date of death of Hester (who died after the 1870 census, but prior to Daniel marrying Sarah in 1885), and where is she buried?
4. Does anyone have the exact date of death (in the year 1935) of Daniel & Sarah's son, Alfred W. R. Coker?
5. Does anyone know the names of the parents of Daniel's mother, Eliza Jackson?
6. Does anyone have any further info on Alfred & Sarah's children's spouses? In particular, what was the first name of Melinda or Malinda "Linda" Ridgway's husband, ______ Goldsborough or Goldsboro? The informant on her death certificate was a Benjamin Goldsboro--was this her husband or a son? An 80-year-old widowed Benjamin Goldsboro died on 29 Apr 1939--born 11 Feb 1858--who was buried at Fork Branch, according to his death certificate--same cemetery as Melinda's burial. Is this her husband? Is he buried next to her at Fork Branch? By the way, Melinda's death certificate lists her parents' names as Alfred Ridgway and Sarah TILLMAN. Why would Sarah's father's FIRST name be listed as her maiden name? And, just to make matters as confusing as possible, Linda's sister Wilhelmina Ridgway Moore's death certificate lists the parents' names as Alfred Ridgway and Sarah MOSLEY. Mosley was Sarah's MOTHER'S maiden name, not Sarah's.
7. Does anyone have any further info on Alfred & Sarah's children's death dates or locations? (Other than Linda and Wilhelmina). The Susie Harmon who was listed as a beneficiary on Sarah's life insurance policy (per the claim submitted by Linda Goldsborough on 06 Jun 1919) was undoubtedly Sarah & Alfred's daughter Susan Ridgway Harmon. Although it seems odd that the life insurance was paid out to Linda instead of the designated beneficiary, Susan, this was probably to reimburse Linda for various funeral expenses. At any rate, it would seem safe to assume that Susan was still alive as of 06 Jun 1919, and that she therefore lived well into the period when death certificates were the norm. Does anyone know when or where Susan died?8. A notation in Alfred Ridgeway's pension records (in an affidavit given by Thomas H. Howell, the court-appointed guardian of the minor children after Alfred's death), states that Sarah Ridgway & Alfred Ridgeway were actually second cousins prior to their marriage. This is valuable info, as it points toward a connection between Tilghman Ridgway (Sarah's father) (aka Tilghman Jack) (born ca 1815-19) and William Ridgeway (Alfred's father) (born ca 1804). I have long been eager to discover this connection, but it has remained elusive. Does anyone have any information which would explain how Alfred and Sarah were "second cousins" prior to their marriage?
As I noted in a post on this subject to the group a few years ago:
The exact connection depends on Sarah's, Thomas', and or or the writer's interpretation of "second cousin." Growing up, I was taught to refer to my parents' first cousins as my second cousins, whereas later in life I learned that by genealogical definition they were my "first cousins once removed." A true second cousin would be of the same generational level as oneself (i.e., two second cousins would be the respective children of two first cousins). But who knows if people of Sarah and Alfred's era abided by the precise definition of "second cousin." (Of course, there also remains the possibility that their second-cousin relationship was not through the Ridg(e)way line at all, but rather through one or both maternal lines. Although there would presumably be no necessity of listing the "second cousin" status down for any reason other than to explain why Sarah's maiden name was the same surname as her husband's). Another unsolved mystery is why Tilghman & some of his family members have occasionally been noted in various records with the last name of "Jack" instead of Ridgway.
9. Does anyone know of a photograph of Daniel? Or of Sarah?
Reply to JCC's questions from Don Fisher dwfgen@charter.net 3 Sep 2005
Sarah J. Ridgway (daughter of Tilghman Ridgway, Sr. and Sina Mosley) b 15 Apr 1847. d 22 Apr 1919, Dover, Kent Co, DE. --
1900 census has Sarah with 5 children 5 living, though this seems to mean 5 children still living with her.
1910 census has Sarah with 14 children 8 living. I have the names of 13. The only death date I have before 1910 is for daughter Rosannah. Perhaps Eliza Jane and George had passed also (presumption from not finding later references to them). It is clear that Melinda, Charles, Walter, Wilmina, Susan, Alfred, and Alonzo were alive in 1910. I don't know who the eighth one was, but this means one of the twins died before 1910 (assuming this census listing is accurate).
Sarah m 1 on 18 Jan 1860: Alfred Wilbank Ridgway or Ridgeway, (son of William Ridgway or Ridgeway, Sr. and Deborah Handsor) b ca 1838, Sussex Co, DE. d 25 Aug 1883.
Their children:1. Elizabeth Ridgway, b ca 1860
2. George Ridgway, b ca 1861
3. Charles H. Ridgway, b ca 1864 (married Emily Miller). Died after 1930 (in 1930 census). 1870 census has him as 4 years old (ca 1866?). Perhaps the earliest reference here is more reliable, avoiding later memory lapses and confusions.
4. Melinda "Linda" Ridgway, b ca 1867, d 27 Dec 1921 (headstone gives birth date as 02 Mar 1864) (death certificate gives birth date as 15 Mar 1865). (married ______ Goldsborough or Goldsboro). -- Aka Mary Malinda Ridgway. Married Benjamin Goldsboro[ugh], but if the 1910 census can be believed, he was her second husband. She had three children, two living in 1910 (but not living with her), unclear as to which husband was the father. 1910 suggests that Linda and Benjamin were married ca 1890, but I have not found them in the 1900 census. 1870 census suggests that she was older than brother Charles (age 6 in 1870, while Charles was 4). I have nothing that indicates who the first husband was. She was not in the 1880 census with her parents (age 16 or so) - perhaps she was married to first husband by then. See 1910 census (under Benjamin). See 1920 census (under Lynda). See 1930 census (Benjamin a widower age 64). Malinda's cousin Tilghman or Timothy Ridgway, son of Sylvester and Anna, married Anna Mary Goldsborough. Her relationship to Benjamin unknown to me.
5. Walter Proctor Ridgway, Sr., b 23 Sep 1867, d 02 Jul ???? (married Rhoda E. Palmer) -- Apparently Walter died between 1920 and 1930. He was in the 1920 census, his wife is called widow in the 1930 census. I have names of 10 children.
6. Wilhelmina or Wilhemina Ridgway, b 25 May 1871, d 13 Jun 1948 (death certificate gives birth date as 25 May 1883). (married ______ Moore) -- Married George L. Moore ca 1894, son of Sewell and Sarah E. Moore. Wilhelmina had at least four children: Amanda, Clara, George Jr., Nancy (1900 and 1910 censuses).
7. Rose Ella or Roseannah Ridgway, b 02 Apr 1875 -- Fork Branch tombstone. d 4 Aug 1906. Bright's disease (1880 census). Apparently did not marry.
8. Anna Elizabeth Ridgway, b 08 Jul 1877
9. Susan Ridgway, b 11 Apr 1880 (married Fred Harmon) -- Susan and Fred were alive in the 1930 census. Fred is probably (cannot confirm it) the son of Mitchell Harmon.
10. Estella Ridgway (twin), b 25 Jun 1882
11. Sadie Bell Ridgway (twin), b 25 Jun 1882 - - - - -QUERIES:4. Does anyone have the exact date of death (in the year 1935) of Daniel & Sarah's son, Alfred W. R. Coker?Death certificate: 22 Mar 1935 at Dover, East Dover 100, Kent. Wife or informant listed as Margarett Coker. Birth given as 7 Mar 1887. Burial at Fork Branch.
6. Does anyone have any further info on Alfred & Sarah's children's spouses? (In particular, what was the first name of Melinda or Malinda "Linda" Ridgway's husband, ______ Goldsborough or Goldsboro?) (The informant on her death certificate was a Benjamin Goldsboro--was this her husband or a son?) (An 80-year-old widowed Benjamin Goldsboro died on 29 Apr 1939--born 11 Feb 1858--who was buried at Fork Branch, according to his death certificate--same cemetery as Melinda's burial. Is this her husband? Is he buried next to her at Fork Branch?)
Can't tell you for sure about his death and burial, but this is very likely Benjamin, husband of Melinda. There was census confusion about his age, too. 52 in 1910, but 54 in 1920 and 64 in 1930. 52 in 1910 suggests b in 1858.(By the way, Melinda's death certificate lists her parents' names as Alfred Ridgway and Sarah TILLMAN. Why would Sarah's father's FIRST name be listed as her maiden name?) (And, just to make matters as confusing as possible, Linda's sister Wilhelmina Ridgway Moore's death certificate lists the parents' names as Alfred Ridgway and Sarah MOSLEY. Mosley was Sarah's MOTHER'S maiden name, not Sarah's).
Communicating or reporting issues might make things fuzzy due to both parents being born Ridgway. On Tilghman or Tillman, possible scenario: "What was her maiden name?" "Ridgway" "No, what was her father's name?" "Tillman". Similarly, the confusion of Sina Mosley and Sarah Ridgway may have been some sort of disconnect, perhaps due to the double-Ridgway. Possible scenario: "What was her mother's maiden name?" "Ridgway" "No, her mother's maiden name" "Mosley"
7. Does anyone have any further info on Alfred & Sarah's children's death dates or locations? (Other than Linda and Wilhelmina). The Susie Harmon who was listed as a beneficiary on Sarah's life insurance policy (per the claim submitted by Linda Goldsborough on 06 Jun 1919) was undoubtedly Sarah & Alfred's daughter Susan Ridgway Harmon. Although it seems odd that the life insurance was paid out to Linda instead of the designated beneficiary, Susan, this was probably to reimburse Linda for various funeral expenses. At any rate, it would seem safe to assume that Susan was still alive as of 06 Jun 1919, and that she therefore lived well into the period when death certificates were the norm. Does anyone know when or where Susan died?After 1930.
Subj: [Mitsawokett]
RE: Civil War veteran or Daniel Coker
Date: 9/4/2005 From: spiff@atlantic.netComments regarding your quotes, below:
"Died after 1930 (in 1930 census). 1870 census has him as 4 years old (ca 1866?). Perhaps the earliest reference here is more reliable, avoiding later memory lapses and confusions."
-- Not 100% sure who you're referring to here. Prior to this was the listing for the first three children of Sarah & Alfred. I assume you're referring to Charles, since he was the last child in that part of the list...? That appears to be the format you follow afterward, with the rest of the list of children. (Perhaps your formatting appeared differently in the version of your sent-email vs. the version of my received-email).
"Malinda's cousin Tilghman or Timothy Ridgway, son of Sylvester and Anna, married Anna Mary Goldsborough. Her relationship to Benjamin unknown to me."
-- I did not previously have a Tilghman as a son of Sylvester and Anna. So that makes at least four Tilghman Ridgways, right? (Tilghman Sr., Tilghman Jr., Tilghman d the son of John Henry Sr., and now this Tilghman the son of Sylvester).
"Apparently Walter died between 1920 and 1930. He was in the 1920 census, his wife is called widow in the 1930 census. I have names of 10 children."
-- I have the names of 12 children: Sadie, Walter Proctor "Nuke" Jr., Alberta, Benjamin Franklin Sr., Mabel C., Myrtle V., Elizabeth Isabelle "Flossie," Elsie, Howard, Mary, Harry, & Carlton.
Subj: Re: [Mitsawokett] RE: Civil War veteran or Daniel Coker Date: 9/4/2005 From: dwfgen@charter.net
Thanks for the Greenage death certificate. I did not have that data previously.
First quote below refers to Charles Ridgway. There must be some confusion about dates from various sources. 1870 census has five children of Alfred and Sarah: Eliza J. 10, George A. 8, Mary M[elinda presumed] 6, Charles H.W.F. 4, and Walter P. 8 or 12 bSep [1869] Evidently some sources report Charles's birth as early as 1861. This census listing implies 1866. When there is such confusion, I usually rely most on the citation closest to the time of the event, which would be the 1870 census listing in this case. It's pretty reasonable that the children would be in the correct order and pretty close to the correct ages. Memory lapses (or the practice of adjusting age to suit the situation) often cause mistakes about birth dates when reported on death certificates and tombstones.
Second topic below - Tilghman Some of the confusion comes from the use of Timothy rather than Tilghman or Tillman. With Sylvester, his marriage was ca 1879, which leaves the possibility that the first couple of children might be born after 1880 but married or out of the home by 1900. Tilghman or Timothy was born ca Sep 1881 and was Tillman in 1900, a lodger in the household of John and Eliza Riggins. By 1910, he was married and had become Timothy for 1910 and 1920. But in 1930 he was Tilghman again. Wife, kids, etc., but especially closeness with brother Brady make it pretty apparent that it is the same fellow. I don't have a death record, but he was still living in 1930, as was wife Anna Mary Goldsboro.
Sylvester's brother Tilghman was also a cross between Tilghman and Timothy. He was Timothy Jack in 1850 (with parents) and again in 1860 (living with Isaac and Prudy [Rhoda] Sammons). He was Tilghman married to Louisa Sammons in 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and Tillman in 1920. Death certificate has Tilghman. There was back and forth in the use of Ridgeway and Jack also. But the beginnings as Timothy correlate well to records for Tilghman or Timothy, son of Sylvester. The use of "Timothy" and "Tillman" suggests that perhaps the "gh" and maybe the "l' also weren't pronounced.
So, I'm showing the same four Tilghman's that you list: Tilghman Jack or Ridgeway m Sina Mosley, his son Tilghman or Timothy m Louisa Sammons, Sylvester's Tilghman or Timothy m Anna Mary Goldsboro, and Tillman or Tilghman son of [John] Henry.
Topic three below - Walter's children. I have: Howard (1893-1951) Walter Jr. (ca 1897-??) Mary A. (1898-1969) m Robert Amos Carney Harry W. (ca 1900-??) Elsie (ca 1904-bet 1924 and 1930) m Benjamin Denney Miller Alberta (ca 1906-2002) m Howard Pritchett Benjamin (ca 1908-1976) m Dorothy Morgan Myrtle (ca 1910-11-??) - is Myrtle in 1920 census (no Mabel in 1920), so probably is the same as Mabel (from delayed birth certificate issued in 1964) Elizabeth (1913-1979) no record of marriage Carlton (1916-1991) no record of marriage, called single on death certificate I have nothing about a Sadie. Could there be some confusion with Walter's little sister Sadie?
From: "Carter, John C." <spiff@atlantic.net
To: <Mitsawokett@yahoogroups.com 9/4/2005Don, comments regarding your quotes, below:
"Died after 1930 (in 1930 census). 1870 census has him as 4 years old (ca 1866?). Perhaps the earliest reference here is more reliable, avoiding later memory lapses and confusions."
-- Not 100% sure who you're referring to here. Prior to this was the listing for the first three children of Sarah & Alfred. I assume you're referring to Charles, since he was the last child in that part of the list...? That appears to be the format you follow afterward, with the rest of the list of children. (Perhaps your formatting appeared differently in the version of your sent-email vs. the version of my received-email).
"Malinda's cousin Tilghman or Timothy Ridgway, son of Sylvester and Anna, married Anna Mary Goldsborough. Her relationship to Benjamin unknown to me."
-- I did not previously have a Tilghman as a son of Sylvester and Anna. So that makes at least four Tilghman Ridgways, right? (Tilghman Sr., Tilghman Jr., Tilghman d the son of John Henry Sr., and now this Tilghman the son of Sylvester).
"Apparently Walter died between 1920 and 1930. He was in the 1920 census, his wife is called widow in the 1930 census. I have names of 10 children."
-- I have the names of 12 children: Sadie, Walter Proctor "Nuke" Jr., Alberta, Benjamin Franklin Sr., Mabel C., Myrtle V., Elizabeth Isabelle "Flossie," Elsie, Howard, Mary, Harry, & Carlton.
"Communicating or reporting issues might make things fuzzy due to both parents being born Ridgway. On Tilghman or Tillman, possible scenario: "What was her maiden name?" "Ridgway" "No, what was her father's name?" "Tillman". Similarly, the confusion of Sina Mosley and Sarah Ridgway may have been some sort of disconnect, perhaps due to the double-Ridgway. Possible scenario: "What was her mother's maiden name?" "Ridgway" "No, her mother's maiden name" "Mosley""
-- Good point(s)!
Subj: [Mitsawokett]
RE: Civil War veteran or Daniel Coker
From: spiff@atlantic.net
To: Mitsawokett@yahoogroups.comRegarding Sylvester's son Tilghman, you wrote:
"Tilghman or Timothy was born ca Sep 1881 and was Tillman in 1900"
|
I show that Sylvester's son Brady was born 13 Dec 1881, so the birthdate of one of these two sons must be adjusted one way or another. This was posted by Betty & Ray Terry to the list on 13 Apr 2002:
Delaware death cert. 1960 #436. Brady Ridgeway, DOB 13 Dec 1881, Del; DOD 3 Feb 1960, Dover RFD, Kent, Del; male, colored, widowed, age 78 years. Father Sylvester Ridgeway, mother Ann Harmon. Informant Florence Watkins, Dover, Del. Occupation laborer, domestic. SSN none. Did not serve in armed forces. Osteolytic lesion of lt hip, malignant with probable metastisis and contributory problems. Buried Fork Branch Cemetery, Dover, Del 8 Feb 1960. Howard C. Stevenson, undertaker, Dover, Del. Reg. 8 Feb 1960.
Of course, as you mentioned, birthdates can get skewed over the years. This birthdate was given at the time of his death, 78 years later, so it is very possible Brady's birthdate is incorrect. (Interesting note: Brady's mother's name is given as Ann Harmon instead of Ann Burton).
Regarding Walter Proctor Ridgway & Rhoda E. Palmer, you wrote that you showed the following children:Howard (1893-1951) Walter Jr. (ca 1897-??) Mary A. (1898-1969) m Robert Amos Carney Harry W. (ca 1900-??) Elsie (ca 1904-bet 1924 and 1930) m Benjamin Denney Miller Alberta (ca 1906-2002) m Howard Pritchett Benjamin (ca 1908-1976) m Dorothy Morgan Myrtle (ca 1910-11-??) - is Myrtle in 1920 census (no Mabel in 1920), so probably is the same as Mabel (from delayed birth certificate issued in 1964) Elizabeth (1913-1979) no record of marriage Carlton (1916-1991) no record of marriage, called single on death certificate I have nothing about a Sadie. Could there be some confusion with Walter's little sister Sadie?
Here is what I show:
1. Sadie (1894 - 1968) m George Sammons, Sr. & Clarence "Tubsy" Morris (I show Walter's little sister Sadie Bell to be born 25 Jun 1882). 2. Walter Proctor Jr. "Nuke" (1896 - 10 Nov 1966) m Viola Pierce 3. Alberta (10 Apr 1901 - 05 May 2002) m Howard "Pop" Pritchett (Another source gave her bdate as 10 Apr 1907. But her obituary reads as follows: "Mrs. Pritchett died Sunday, May 5th, 2002, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. Her legal age was 95, but it is believed through family research that she was actually 101"). 4. Benjamin Franklin Sr. (16 Feb 1907 - 09 Oct 1976) m Dorothy Morgan (1920 census would indicate he was born ca 1909) 5. Mabel C. (01 Jun 1910 - 22 Mar 1984) m John Addison Reed, Jr. 6. Myrtle V. (1913 - 1971) m James Hartley Durham (1920 census would indicate she was born ca 1911) 7. Elizabeth Isabelle "Flossie" (ca. 1914 - ????) m Leon Loatman, Sr. 8. Elsie (???? - ????) m Dennie Miller 9. Howard (???? - ????) m _______ Mosley (not actually married, but had a child by her) 10. Mary (???? - ????) m Robert "Dukes" Carney 11. Harry (???? - ????) m Teda Mosley 12. Carlton (ca. 1916 - ????)
Subj: Re: [Mitsawokett]
RE: Civil War veteran or Daniel Coker
Date: 9 or 5 or 2005
From: dwfgen@charter.netOn Tilghman or Timothy and brother Brady in 1900 census: Tillman was living with John and Eliza Riggins in East Dover 100, listing says age 18, b Sep 1881. Brady was living with Sylvester and Sallie Tarbert in Murderkill 100, listing says age 17, b May 1883.
I haven't an absolute identification for Brady in 1910, but Timothy was 27, married 3 years, though listed separately from his wife who was a Ridgeway but still with her parents with daughters Emily and Clara. Timothy was living with Fred Ridgeway, 25, who is called his brother. I believe this is actually Brady, with the enumerator misunderstanding the name (heard as Freddy, not Brady). They live next door to Joshua and Annie Dickson, soon to be Brady's in-laws, a significant physical relationship. The ages here coordinate more or less with 1900, though a little on the young side.1920 - Timothy and Brady are on the same page in the census. Timothy is married to May or Mary (handwriting problem). Brady is already a widower. Timothy age 39. Brady age 40. From 1900 to 1920, Timothy aged 20-21 years. Brady aged 23 years. This is where I think the memories began to blur somewhat. Confusion continues later.1930 - Brady, Tilghman, and their father are all on the same census page. Ages get even more confused. Tilghman or Timothy is 45, Brady is 44. I guess the years between 1920 and 1930 weren't as long as the years between 1910 and 1920.
There's no record suggesting that Tilghman or Timothy was born earlier than 1881. And three out of four times he is older than Brady in the census.
I really wish there was a census listing shortly after these boys were born. Again and again I tear my hair about the lost 1890 census. If we had a report of their ages from their mother or father in the 1890 census, that would probably be the best record. Again, I suggest riding with the record closest to the time of birth, even though it isn't as good as a real childhood record. These boys left their parents' home at a relatively young age, later leaving their wives and families to pass down the information as best they remembered it. I do think Brady's death record as passed down through his daughter is more likely erroneous.
On Walter's children: I have not found a 1900 listing for Walter. In 1910, there is no Sadie listed, at a time when she would be about 16 based on your birth date. Finding the 1900 listing might clarify this, if the listing exists. Walter's sister Sadie is living with George and Wilmina Moore in 1900. In 1910, George Sammons age 31 is newly married (zero years) to Sadie age 18. They have a son George age 1 9 or 12. Sadie's estimated birth from this is 1892. But I have nothing to connect this Sadie with Walter and Rhoda. If this Sadie was really born in 1894, it suggests that she had son George at age 14 or so.
Death certificate for Howard: b 3 Nov 1893, d 2 Nov 1951 in Cheswold. Says he was single. 1920 census has him living with Clara Mosley (mother of Elva, Luther and John Wesley Mosley in the household). There is no Ridgway child in the household, but LeRoy Mosley age 7 might be Howard's son. Clara was evidently Clara Johnson Mosley, the former wife of John Mosley (see 1910 census with sons Luther[bad handwriting] and John Wesley Moseley). John Mosley was remarried to Sallie by the 1920 census.
SSDI on Mary Ridgway Carney: b 7 Mar 1898, d May 1969 in Dover.Harry born ca 1900 (1910 census).Elsie born ca 1904 (1910 census). I misspoke earlier about her death. Her last child that I know about was born in 1924. She was not with her husband Benjamin Denney Miller in 1930 census, though he was listed as still married.Alberta was age 4 in 1910 census, age 24 in 1930 census. That's pretty convincing. Obituary may have confused data about her early years, especially when it says she was the youngest child in Walter's family, an obvious mistake.Myrtle's age in 1920 was 9. This would be correct if she were born 1 Jun 1910 (census taken Apr 1920). Hence, possible confusion with Mabel. There is a Myrtle Durham married to James H. Durham in the 1930 census, but they are too old and live in Georgia and both of them and their parents were born in Georgia. Myrtle or Mabel either Durham or Reed or Ridgeway don't seem to appear in the 1930 census. Are you sure about Myrtle's and Mabel's marriages? I don't have enough source data to figure this out. I found nothing in the SSDI to help out here. Where was Mabel in 1920 at age 9-10?
SSDI on Elizabeth Ridgway [Loatman]: b 25 Oct 1913, d Mar 1979 in Bridgeton, NJ. Age jibes with census. In 1930, she was living with Howard and (sister) Alberta Pritchett. Father of daughter Eveline unknown. Married a Cuff and later Leon Loatman - see obituary. This birth date doesn't leave much room for sister Myrtle to have been born in 1913. And the children in this family seem to be born 2-3 years apart as a rule.Birth certificate on Carlton gives birth date as 2 Sep 1916 in Cheswold. SSDI gives death as Sep 1991 in Lakewood, NJ.
Subj: [Mitsawokett]
RE: Civil War veteran or Daniel Coker
Date:9/4/2005
From: spiff@atlantic.netReply-to:I have completed a review of Daniel's full pension file. (At the time of the previous post, only the abridged file had been reviewed). JCC
Additional information is as follows:
The full name of Daniel Coker's first wife, Hester, was Hester Ann SOCKUM. Her date of death was 28 Sep 1884, and she was buried on 30 Sep 1884 at Manship Cemetery (now known as Immanuel Union). Cause of death: consumption (now known as tuberculosis). Her age at time of death was 45, and she was born in Milton, DE.
Daniel is described in military records (at age 23) as being 5 ft. 10 inches tall, yellow complexion, black eyes and hair.Daniel was afflicted with Scurvy while in the service (Jun 1864) to such a degree that he had to be carried by stretcher to Fort Pickens in west Florida, where he remained stricken for "at least three months," according to an affidavit by one of the men who carried his stretcher.
Daniel's date of death had been given as 05 Mar 1898 in one of the documents in the abridged pension file. However, at least two other documents in the full pension file (an affidavit from his widow as well as an official certified document from the Kent County Recorder of Deeds) state that he died on 14 Mar 1898. In her affidavit, Sarah stated that Daniel died of consumption (now known as tuberculosis).
Sarah notes her middle name as "Jane" in one of the affidavits.
Sarah's date of birth according to her death certificate was 15 Apr 1847. However, in one affidavit in the pension records she gives her birthdate as 10 Apr 1847.
In providing the dates of birth for her younger two children, Sarah stated that their births had been recorded in the family Bible by "Moses Coker, a brother of the soldier."
Additional affiants or witnesses:
Alfred Johnson, age 51 as of 30 May 1898; age 52 as of 13 Jan 1899. He was the husband of Rebecca Ridgway, sister of Daniel's 2nd wife, Sarah. (also a Civil War veteran, Company A, 25th PA Infantry, aka 25th U.S. Colored Infantry)Ellen [N.?] Grinage, age 31 as of 22 Aug 1898.
Sylvester RidgwayOscar b MorrisJoel Durham, age 79 as of 27 Dec 1898.Robert b JacksonZedock Munce, age 63 as of 22 Dec 1898 (also a Civil War veteran, Company E, 30th MD Infantry, aka 30th U.S. Colored Infantry)Susy RidgwaySadie Ridgway
Note: The following info has been extracted from the abridged pension file. The complete file has been ordered and received but not yet reviewed. An addendum with any additional info will be posted once it has been reviewed. JCCDaniel Coker Corporal, (promoted from Private in Oct 1865) Company C, 25th Pennsylvania Infantry, also known as 25th U.S. Colored Infantry Pension #WC 474-311
To view some of the other Civil War pension extractions, as well as an explanatory note, please see the following page of the Mitsawokett site:
http://www.mitsawokett.com/MilitaryService/DelmarvaAreaCivilWarPensions.htm(Once on the page, scroll down below the Index to see the Overview).
Please let me know if anyone has any questions: John C. Carter
"The History and Genealogy of the
Native American Isolate Communities
of Kent County, Delaware, and
Surrounding Areas on the Delmarva Peninsula
and Southern New Jersey"
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