Samuel Baxter McKenrick-He Lived with Two Women, Got kicked out of the Church, and was a Great Bee Man

Samuel Baxter McKenrick (1829-1914)

Here we go...back to my Maternal side.  I want to talk about my Mother's Father's Family-the McKenricks.  You will remember that we have discussed Andrew McKenrick and his unknown Parentage.  I now want to look at the next generation-my Great Great Grandfather Samuel Baxter McKenrick.  our McKenrick line of descent is my Mother, Barbara Carolyn McKenrick Wright, 1928-2009 (1), my Grandfather, William Francis McKenrick, 1896-1964  (2), my Great Grandfather,  Francis Henry McKenrick, 1864-1961(3), my Great Great Grandfather, Samuel Baxter McKenrick, 1829-1914 (4) and my Great Great Great Grandfather, Andrew McKenrick 1794-1870 (5).

Samuel Baxter was born to Andrew McKenrick and his wife Rachael Baxter on 25 August 1829.  His family is listed on the 1830 Census as living in 1830 in Menallen Township, Adams County, PA.  He is one of 6 children to be enumerated for this family in 1830.  The birth dates may be a bit off for these children because it doesn't quite jive with the Census.  On this Census, there were 3 daughters, Margaret (b. 1820), Theresa Rachael (b. 1822) and  Mary Ann (b. 1824).  There were 4 boys, Charles (b. 1818), John (b. 1827), Andrew (B. 1828) and Samuel (b. 1829).  James was not on this Census as he was born in 1833.  I also have no idea who the other male  is that is listed as over 30 and under 40.  

Andrew McKenrick family on 1830 Census (spelled McCandricks)

Andrew McKenrick married his 2nd wife Anna Brady Bart, widow of Jeremiah Bart on 3 Sept 1849.  She had 5 children by Jeremiah, 3 of whom were living when she married Andrew.  When Andrew and Anna married, Andrew's son Samuel Baxter was 20 years old and Anna's daughter Susan was 12.  Samuel B. McKenrick married his Step-sister Susan Bart reportedly in 1854 (Their 1st child was born in 1855. )  Although their parents married at the Conewago Chapel, I cannot find a Marriage record for Sam and Susan at that Church.    One 3rd cousin who has worked extensively on the McKenrick Genealogy, says that they married at St. Ignatius in Buchanan Valley.  Perhaps the records were lost in one of the fires suffered by that Church.

Susan Bart McKenrick

Sam was born in 1829-he would have been in his early 30's during the Civil War.  I have not been able to ascertain whether or not he actually served.  I have a US Civil War Draft Registration Record 1863-1865 record that states he "Was drafted and never reported"..This was on June 4, 1863.  I also have a US Civil War Draft Registration Record 1863-1865 for the month of June 1863 that makes no mention of the note seen in the other.  Somewhere I believe I saw a record that said he was fined for not reporting-however I cannot seem to locate it.

Sam is Number 12

Sam filed for compensation for 2 horses and their bridles which were taken by Rebel Soldiers.  As they were only miles from Gettysburg, there were obviously rebels in the area.

Transcription of Handwritten portion:  Two horses, one about 10 years old the other 9 years, and worth one worth $125, the other $50...................$175
Two Bridles worth.......6.00
The above property was taken from my premises by two Armed Rebels on or about the first of July AD 1863 and never yet returned                                                                              Samuel B McKenrick

Sam and Susan McKenrick had  12 children that we have documented.

The eldest was Helena born in 1855.  She married John Snyder and removed at some point to Maryland.  They had 9 children.  She died in 1913, in Keyser, Mineral County, West Virginia.

Helena McKenrick Snyder 1855-1913

The eldest son, John Aloysius (Lew) was born in 1856.  He married Luzern Rhone; they had 6 children.  He died in Moline, Rock Island County, Il. in 1937. 

John Aloysius McKenrick  1856-1937

Charles Andrew McKenrick , born in 1859, married Elizabeth Louise Baker; he died in Menallan Twp, in 1923, Adams County PA.  They had 16 children with 2 infant deaths noted.  

Charles Andrew McKenrick  1859-1923

Mary J. McKenrick died in Buchanan Valley, Adams County, PA at 1 year of age in 1862.  

Mary J. McKenrick 1861-1862

Samuel Francis, born in Adams County, PA in 1862,  married Die  (Dinah) Willis in Camanche, IA.  They had 6 children.  Sam died in 1923 and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Camanche, Clinton County, IA

Samuel Francis McKenrick 1862-1932 with son Willis (Pete) working their Bees

James Mead McKenrick , born 1865 in Adams County, married Ida Rhone and died in Clearfield County, PA in 1944.  He and Ida had 8 children.

James Mead McKenrick (1865-1944)

Joseph Henry McKenrick, born in  1867 in Adams County, married Susan Baker in Buchanan Valley, sister of Elizabeth Baker listed above (married Charles Andrew).  They had 1 son.  After her death in 1911, he and his son joined brothers in Camanche, Clinton County, IA and remarried.  His 2nd wife was Eva Mae Andrews-they had 5 children.  Joe died in 1931 in Camanche, Clinton County, IA.

Joseph Henry McKenrick (1867-1931)

Susan Jane McKenrick, born in Adams County in 1869,  married Francis X. (Frank) Clapsadl.  They had 16 children and she died in 1964, at the age of 96 in Fairfield, Adams Co., PA

Susan Jane McKenrick (1869-1964) and husband Francis Clapsadl 

Thomas Robert McKenrick, born in Adams County in 1871,  married Nora Wood.  They had 5 children.  Thomas died in Grampian, Clearfield County, PA in 1935

Thomas  McKenrick 1871-1935, wife Nora Wood 1881-1967

Francis Henry (Frank) was born in Adams County, PA.  He removed to Camanche Ia with three brothers to help their Uncle Andrew with his Bee Keeping Business.  There he married Sarah (Sadie) Duncan.  They had 4 children Alice who died young, William Francis  (1896-1964), our Grandpa Mac, Orlo and Roy.   Frank died in 1961, in Moline, Rock Island County, IL.  He is buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Camanche, Clinton, IA with his wife and infant Daughter Alice.  

Francis Henry (Frank) McKenrick (1874-1961 and wife Sarah (Sadie) Duncan 1877-1949

William Martin McKenrick was born in Allegheny County in 1875, in Maryland when his mother Susan traveled there to assist her eldest daughter Helena with the birth of Helena's 2nd son, David.  He married Clara Bell McElwee, had nine children and died in 1931 in Buchanan Valley, PA.  

Charles Flavius (Flav) McKenrick, the youngest of the McKenrick children also removed to Camanche Ia.  There he had a relationship with Jesse Huginin which resulted in 1 daughter.  He then left the US.  Family legend had him fighting in the Spanish Civil War but this is doubtful.  No one has been able to locate any military records for him.  He married a Russian woman with one daughter; they had a son and daughter together and lived in British Columbia.  I do not know if he had any contact with his siblings.  The above mentioned  3rd Cousin who has done extensive work on the Family History has been in contact with  Flav's daughter. 

Charles Flavius (Flav) McKenrick   1879-1962

Passenger ship log listing Flav, his wife and children

Samuel 1st shows up on the 1850 Federal census as a 19 year old living in his Father, Andrew's home.  His father has remarried and his 14 year old Step-sister and future wife is also living there.  This is also the Census that shows Margaret Starner living with the family.  If you recall-she is my candidate for being Andrew's Mother.  (see previous post-A Mother and Child Reunion)   On the 1860 Census we have Samuel and Susan married with 3 children, Helena, Aloysius and Andrew.  

Samuel's wife Susan Bart McKenrick died in 1894.  On the 1900 Census, Sam is alone with a 22 year old "Housekeeper" and her 2 illegitimate children.  This is actually written below the entry for Ms. Nagle; her children are on the top of the next page-2 boys, ages 4 and 2.  I can only guess that the comment about the children being illegitimate is to explain why the Census taker did not put in the number of years she was married.  I have never seen this before on a Census form.   

Apparently Samuel had quite a reputation in his later years as a Ladies' man.  A couple years ago, I went to Adams County for the Annual Church Picnic, where the McKenrick Clan reunites each year.  One of the 3rd cousins and his wife graciously invited me to stay with them.  He gave me the following paper about Samuel that he had found among his Dad´s genealogy papers.  He has tried to track down the woman, Louise Miner,  who signed the sheet-with no luck.  I have tried to trace the 2 children listed and their mother and have some possibilities but have not definitely located them on subsequent Censii.  I  really think that the fact that Sam was 76 when the oldest of Lucinda's sons was born pretty much rules him out as the Father.  (altho it is an improbable possibility) 

Transcription:  1900 PA. Census (Adams County) Franklin , Township
McKenrick, Samuel (Age)   66
Nagle, Lucinda                      22
(Children are Illegitimate) Having No Married father
Nagle, Nord                         4
Nagle, Francis                    2

Lived with two women
Kick out of Church
Made wiskey    still house swamp named after
him
Great Bee man
Grafted Apple Trees in 50 mile area
Took cow to West VA
Walk over to sister
took dog to W VA on Train  came back
Apple tree near Geo Bream
and McKibbon grafted by him
History proved by Louise Miner

Samuel died 13 Jan 1914.  He and Susan are buried in the Churchyard of St Ignatius Church, as are many of their descendants.  

Our Great Grandfather Francis (Frank) is listed as living in Missouri-he never did to the best of my knowledge.  He lived in Camanche Iowa and the Silvis/Watertown area in Illinois (out by East Moline State Correctional Facility, the old State Hospital)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/McKenrick/

The Wrights of Bucks County...Chapter 2

All Wrighty then...I hope everyone had a lovely Holiday Season. We shall continue with the Wright Family. Joshua (1748-1818) and his son Joshua (1787-1863), my 4 Great grandfather and 3 Great Grandfather respectively. To refresh your memory, the Wright line of descent goes (with the addition of my new Grand Nephew! Yay and Congrats to Mom and Dad!) My Wright surnamed Grand Nephew (1), My Brother's sons (2), My Brothers (3), My Father Robert Wayne Wright (1927-1978) (4), My Paternal Grandfather Robert Burns Wright (1898-1975) (5), My Great Grandfather Traverse Rock Wright (1859-1940) (6), My Great Great Grandfather James Monroe Wright ( 1834-1912) (7), My 3 Great Grandfather Joshua Wright (1787-1863) (8), My 4 Great Grandfather Joshua Wright (1748-1818) (9), My 5 Great Grandfather James Wright (Abt 1715-1761) (10) and my 6 Great Grandfather Anthony Wright ( Abt. 1685-1749) (11) our most distant proven Wright Ancestor. We will start with Joshua Sr; many on ancestry.com have given him the middle name of Henderson. I do not know who started this, but do not believe it is correct. We are just going to call him Joshua Sr.

Joshua Sr. (1748-1818) was the son of James and Mary Stackhouse Wright. I also believe he was the step-son of William Burroughs. This is the entry I came across which lead me to believe that his Mother Mary remarried after her husbands death in 1761. She had 5 children, Elizabeth (1746), Joshua (1748), Jonathan (1750), Thomas (1752) and Charles (1754). It would have been common, even essential for her to remarry to provide for her children.

Vol B # 342 - WILLIAM BURROUGHS of Bristol in Bucks
County, Pa., Yeoman... 9 September 1763... obtained license of marriage for

himself and for MARY WRIGHT, also from Bristol in Bucks County, Pa., widow.

 files.usgwarchives.net/pa/bucks/vitals/marriages/njbucksmar.txt

I have not been able to discover much about any of the other children of James and Mary.  Elizabeth
 married Thomas Cheston and she is buried in Bristol, Bucks, PA.  The 3 boys, Jonathan, Thomas
 and Charles are listed as Tax payers in bucks Co. but I have no idea whom they married or if they
left children.   

 Joshua Sr. was our Revolutionary War Ancestor.  He was a member of  The 1ST BATTALION BUCKS 
COUNTY  MILITIA.  My Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Membership was accepted on my Lineage to Joshua Wright Sr.  His Daughter Elizabeth  Penelope Wright  who married Samuel Cabeen and removed from Bucks County to Ohio and then to Mercer County, Illinois (about a 20 -30 minute drive from where I now live) was what is known in DAR as a "True Daughter" since her father was in the Revolutionary War.

Lineage Book of the Charter Members of the DAR Vol 074

There is a discrepancy of 3 years between what the DAR shows and what I have as a Birth Date for Joshua.  As there were no Birth Records at this time-a three year difference is not unusual.

 Joshua Sr. married at St Mary's Episcopal  Church in Burlington New Jersey as did his parents.  It is
 possible that they are buried in that churchyard also.  His wife was Sarah Mitchell; they married in 1770.  
The following is an excerpt about the Mitchell Family of Bucks County:  I have marked our direct Mitchell ancestors in 

purple

[The Mitchells, early settlers of Middletown, were descendants of Henry 
Mitchell, Marsden Lane, Lancashire, England, carpenter by trade, who 
married Elizabeth Foulds,3d month, 6th, 1675. Both were members of the 

Society of Friends and he was imprisoned for his religious conviction, 
1685. On 12th month, 16th, 1699, Marsden monthly meeting gave a 
certificate to Henry Mitchell, wife and four children; they embarked in 
the Britannica for Pennsylvania, and arrived in the Delaware August 25, 
after a voyage of fourteen weeks. The vessel was overcrowded and there was 
great sickness on board, fifty-six dying at sea and twenty after landing, 
among them being Henry Mitchell and one son. The widow and three children 
settled near the head of tide water on Neshaminy, and Middletown has been 
considered the home of the family. Of the children, Richard built and run 
the first grist mill in Wrightstown, and became a prominent man; the 
daughter Margaret married Stephen Twining; Henry remained at the 
Middletown homestead, and married Sarah, a daughter of Richard Gove, 
London. Elizabeth Mitchell, widow of Henry, the immigrant, died in 
Middletown, where her death is recorded in the Meeting record. Pierson, 
son of John, married Rebecca Allen, daughter of John Allen, and also 
remained at the homestead. In 1804, Gove Mitchell, son of Pierson, bought a 
farm in Moorland, Montgomery county, at the intersection of the York road 
and county line, half a mile above Hatboro. He studied medicine and spent 
his life here practicing his profession. At his death the farm passed to 
his eldest son, George Justice Mitchell, and from him to his son J. Howard 
Mitchell, who lives there with his children and grand children. The late 
Pierson Mitchell, Middletown, was a descendant of Henry Mitchell.*]

http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/bucks/history/local/davis/davis11.txt

Our Grandmother, Sarah Mitchell  who married Joshua Wright Sr. was the Grand-daughter of the above Henry and Sarah 
Gove Mitchel.  Her parents were Henry Mitchell and Mary Bessonett.  The Bessonetts were French Huegenots 
and proving descent from them would qualify for Membership in The Huguenot Society as they are
qualifying ancestors.  

 Mary Bessonett was the
Granddaughter of Claude (Charles) Bessonett, owner of the popular King George II Inn in Bristol,  Buck Co, PA.   This, 
originally called the Delaware House, it is  the oldest continuously running inn in the United States.  My 
sister and I had dinner there this past summer  and thoroughly enjoyed our meal and our postprandial
 stroll along the Delaware River , watching kids catch Pokemon! 

King George II Inn from the River Walk, Taken by  me August 2016.  Bristol, Bucks County, PA

Enjoy the King George II Inn website at http://www.kginn.com/our-history/   Scroll down on the Our History page for a neat early map of Bristol, PA.  (Lots of Wrights!)


The following is the story of our 7th Great Grandfather, the Huguenot, French Immigrant Claude (Charles) Bessonett, taken from http://www.livingplaces.com/PA/Bucks_County/Bristol_Borough/King_George_the_Second_Hotel.html

George the Second Hotel. [Still operating in 2009 as King George II Inn.] In 1765, Charles Bessonett built the George the Second Hotel, now the Delaware House [in 1911], on the site of the Ferry House, and was kept by him for many years. After his death his son John succeeded him, of whom it is said he was never known to drink a glass of liquor. This was a famous house in its early days. It had the reputation of being one of the best hotels between Philadelphia and New York. In the summer season it would be taxed to its utmost capacity to accommodate the people who came to Bristol from all parts of the country for the benefit of the Bath spring waters.

During the Revolutionary War, a company of Yankee troops arrived in Bristol and encamped in the wood on the farm owned by James Rogers. It was afterwards called the Yankee woods. The next day they marched into town; when they came to the King of Prussia at the corner of Mill and Pond streets, they gave three cheers. The landlord called them in and treated, being pleased with the compliment. They marched down the street to Bessonett's Hotel, and seeing the sign of King George the Second, they commenced to fire at it, and did not stop until it fell out of its frame. After the war Mr. Bessonett erected a new sign representing a fountain. It was much admired in its day. This is the oldest public house in Bristol.

Charles Bessonett. — Mr. Bessonett came from France and settled in Bristol as early as 1730. He was a bricklayer by trade and built many houses in Bristol, making his bricks on the lot now occupied by the Leedom mills. He built the George the Second Hotel, now the Delaware House, in 1765, and in 1773 started a stage coach line between Philadelphia and New York. In his advertisement to the public he says: "Unparalleled speed. From Philadelphia to New York in two days, fare $4.00. Comfort and safety assured." The return of the assessors for the year 1785, show that he was assessed for one building, sixteen horses, two cattle, one bound servant, three Negro slaves, two stage wagons, one ferry and his occupation, upon which he paid a tax of £3 1 shilling, being the largest taxpayer in the borough. His three slaves were valued at £100. At the time of his death he left five children, John, James, Charles, Daniel and Mary, with a large and valuable real estate, not a foot of which is now in possession of any of his descendants.

1. Doron Green, A History of Bristol Borough in the County of Bucks, State of Pennsylvania, Anciently Known as Buckingham, C. S. Magrath, Camden, printer, 1911

Grandfather Joshua Wright Sr appears on the 1st Federal Census of the new Unite States of America
in 1790.  He is listed as a Slave Holder, owning one Slave.  To learn more about Slavery in the Northern States, especially Pennsylvania, read http://slavenorth.com/pennsylvania.htm

1790 Census  The far fight hand column lists the number of Slaves

On the 1800 and 1810, there is still a column for Slaves, again the far right hand column. Joshua has none listed on either form.

Joshua Sr and Sarah Mitchell Wright had 11 children.  I have met cousins online who descended from some of the children of Joshua and Sarah Mitchell Wright.  Joshua Sr died on  22 Sept 1818; his wife had died about 10 years earlier.

Page from the Bible of my Great Grand Half Aunt Melissa Gazelle Wright Duvall showing the Family of Joshua and Sarah Mitchell Wright

Joshua Wright, Junior was the eighth child, third son of Joshua and Sarah.  He was born in Bristol Township, Bucks County, PA on 21 March 1787.  This Joshua married Bathsheba Rue, (1791-1875) Bathsheba's name is often found as Barsheba, Batsheba and on her Tombstone, it is Ebathsheba.  She was the daughter of Matthew Rue and Mary Weaver.  The Rue Family is another Huguenot family.  I would love to delineate the descent from the Immigrant Ancestor, but as it seems every man in each Generation was named either Matthew or Lewis-I long ago gave up trying to sort out this family.   

Excerpt from Genealogical and Memorial History of the State of New Jersey A Record of the Achievments of her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation   Complied by
Francis Bazley Lee

Joshua Jr first shows up on the 1820 Census-on 1810, he is enumerated under his Father.  His first child was born in 1811-so I am assuming that his marriage took place after the 1810 Census was taken.  I have not found a Marriage Record for this couple.  I do believe they were married at St, James Episcopal Church in Bristol, Bucks PA.  The next time I get out that way, I want to spend time in Bucks doing research. Joshua appeared on every Census from 1820-1860.   He was in the Public Records frequently-he was named as a Guardian to many  children.  This was a bit different than it is in our time-he was charged to look out for the child's interests in the Court System rather than being a Parental surrogate.  Sometimes the child's parents were living but a guardian was needed to protect the interests of the child.

Joshua Jr and Bathsheba  had 11 children.  Two of the younger boys Lewis Rue and James Monroe  Wright ended up following their Aunt Elizabeth Cabeen, mentioned above, to Mercer County,. IL.
  The page below, calls Sarah Mitchell, Joshua's Sr's "1st wife".  I have never found a 2nd wife although Sarah died many years before Joshua so it is possible.
This is one reason I love Genealogy so much...always something to ponder on...

Family of Joshua and Bathsheba Rue Wright from Aunt Gazelle's Bible

Transcription of a letter from Joshua Jr to his Brother-in-law Samuel Cabeen-from Bristol, Bucks Co PA to Mercer County, IL

Mimeo of the Original letter-very difficult to read.  I do not have the original.  I obtained the copy and the transcription from a 2nd Cousin

Joshua died in 1863 and is buried in St. James Episcopal Church yard.  His will lists all of his children by name (this is what gave me the clue I needed to find Maria Watson Wright's family)  His wife died in 1875 and is buried with him.  His Will also mentions his Grandchild Elizabeth and Franklin, Wright, children of his son Joshua. Joshua died in 1855 at about age 30 so he predeceased his father who died in 1863.  1863 was also the same year his Daughter-in-Law Maria Watson, my Great Great Grandmother died.  As I do not know the Cause of Death for either of them, I  cannot say for certain that their deaths were related or not...I am assuming not.  (See previous Post regarding Maria Watson Wright)

Will of Joshua Wright d. 1862

We have had the Y DNA tested for the Wright Line.  As I mentioned in a previous post, the DNA results have definitely ruled out any connection to the Oyster Bay Wrights.  We have matched several men named Wright, however, all from the Bucks County, PA, Lycoming County PA and Burlington County, NJ. Some of them, we have connected easily to our line...there are still a couple of  men that we know are from our Line but the exact connection has not yet been made.   Interestingly, there is one man who is a near perfect match at a high number who does not have the surname Wright, but does have a family story of an adoption during early US historical times and that the birth father was a Wright. You can visit the Wright DNA Project at http://www.wright-dna.org/ and if you are a male Wright or have a male Wright cousin, brother, uncle or father please consider donating DNA  to this project.