Our Roots

Our family history consists of many different branches that make up our roots. In my quest I have contacted and met many new cousins from various branches.

Our family names include: Clark, Miller, Hanson, Mendenhall, Mildenhall, Porter, Romberger (various spellings), Maris, Dixon, Palmer, Rataj, Matter, Motter, Dixon, Kreider, Stroude, Arnick, Walker, Burch, Carlin, Hurl (Hural), and the list goes on.

I am attempting to do a blog a day on different Family members. I will not be doing in any particular order but will make them as complete as possible.

As I add more I will try to add a link for parents, siblings, spouse and children to the bottom of that blog.

Who knows you may be related.

Jacky

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Thomas Mildenhall 1630-1682

Thomas Mildenhall was born in 1630 in Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England.
He died in 1682 in Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England. his death is recorded in the parish registers of the county of Wiltshire
                                                         

He married Joane Stroude, daughter of Anthony Stroud Jr and Margery Barley, on 12 Aug 1649 in Wiltshire, England.Thomas Mildenhall's marriage on Aug 12, 1649 to Joan Stroude in the Aldbourne church is recorded in the parish registers of the county of Wiltshire





Name Notes: Mildenhall, Mynol, Mendenhall there are various spelling as the name evolved through the ages

". Thomas was reported to the authorities in 1662 and 1664 as a recusant, one refusing to take
communion in the Church of England. He is not listed in Quaker records as having been
imprisoned and therefore may have conformed as far as paying tithes to the Church, which was the
subject of Quaker passive resistance."1

Only "Five children of Thomas and Joane Stroud Mildenhall emigrated to the Pennsylvania Colony
in the years ca. 1682-1685,: John, Benjamin, Margery (Mendenhall) Martin, Mary who married
Nathaniel Newlin, and Moses. Moses returned to England ca. 1686 after only a few months in
Pennsylvania."2

 John, Benjamin, and Mary used the surname Mendenhall upon arrival in America. It is at this point
the surname for them changes to that spelling.



These links lead to more Information:

Thomas Mildenhall

WikiTree/Mendenhall-98

Mendenhall.org

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Jacob Sebastian Arnick 1859-1938

Jacob Sebastian Arnick
1 Oct 1859 – 4 Oct 1938
picture provided by Amy6, Harris Francis 5 Aungst, Edna May4 Chambers, Harriet "Hattie"3 , Jacob Sebastian2, Sebastian1 Arnick

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Second born son of Sebastian Arnick and his first wife Maria Antonia ‘Mary’.

Now Jacob was difficult to trace. In all my searching I kept coming back to Sebastian and Mary, however there was not a son named Jacob. Their son Sebastian had the same year of birth as Jacob. he showed in the 1860 and 1870 census but no records of a Sebastian Arnick after that and Jacob shows up on the 1880 but I could not find a Jacob prior to then. I was drawn back constantly to Sebastian and Mary as the parents of Jacob. I knew his middle initial was S  but not what that S stood for.  I went on my gut feeling that I had the correct parentage for Jacob.

Like his father before him he married three times.
1879 - Anna Walker   1859-1900
1908 - Suzan E Shultz 1887-1913
1916 - Violetta Nellis           -1917

And also like his father he had children with 2 of his wives Anna mother of 7 daughters who we descend through and Suzan the mother of Ruth who unfortunately died in infancy.

From what I have learned Jacob was a carpet-weaver then a driver/teamster. We descend through his second born daughter Frances.
His daughters with Anna: Harriet, Frances, Ella, Margaret, Rachel, Alma and Edith.
Jacob Arnick with 2 of his granddaughters Edna and Ethyl Chambers children of Harriet about 1913



Jacob, son in law Thomas Chambers. Grandson in law Amos Aungst and great grandson Allen Aungst in 1931



























all above pictures courtesy of Amy6, and Harris Francis 5 Aungst, Edna May4 Chambers, Harriet "Hattie"3 , Jacob Sebastian2, Sebastian1 Arnick

I recently met with Harriet's grandson Harris and his children. The information and pictures they shared confirmed all my findings.
Edna's notes 1990
Edna daughter of Harriet his first born started to do some research. The above confirms that the S is for Sebastian. I learned that Jacob means second son so his name at birth is actually Sebastian. I believe he may have been baptized at St Anns where his mother and siblings Johann and Hanna are buried. They also shared many family pictures and the picture of Jacobs father Sebastian that is on another blog.

These links lead to more Information:



Mark Edward Clark 1961-1991

Mark Edward Clark
17 Mar 1961-07 Dec 1991 


This is Mark my "kissing cousin" we shared the chicken pox when we were young and we were always kissing as children. It is unknown who gave who the chicken pox. By far my favorite of my male cousins.




I recall many family parties and picnics with Mark and how much fun he was to be with.

                                  


Mark and his then girlfriend Ginny (she became his wife) stood for My wedding back in 1979
Ginny, Mark, me and Allen 1979



Mark was in an accident with a frontloader rolling on him and never fully recovered.

he married Ginny in 1987
Rear; Lon, Mark and Aunt Geri
Front; Steven, Ginny, Uncle Jack and Johnjohn



Mark with his son Danny





These links lead to more Information:


















Sebastian Arnick 1824-1887

Sebastian Arnick
1824-1887
picture provided by Amy6, Harris Francis 5 Aungst, Edna May4 Chambers, Harriet "Hattie"3 , Jacob Sebastian2, Sebastian1 Arnick

I have been able to find very little information. Sebastian pictured above is my 3rd Great Grandfather and he is a far as I have been able to trace our Arnick line to date.

We know he emigrated around 1854 from Bayern, Baveria. I assume with his first wife Maria Antonia, or they married after he arrived here but we have limited information. 

With Maria he had 4 children 3 sons and 1 daughter. Josesph, Sebastian (Jacob), Johann and Hanna. Johan and Hanna died in infancy.

He was a brakeman I assume for the railroad and then a watchman.

He married 3 times and we descend through his first wife Maria.

His second wife was Francesca and with her he had 4 sons and 1 daughter. William, Frank, Henry, Lawrence and Frances.

His 3rd wife was Helena Fritz, no children.

These links lead to more Information:








Sunday, August 31, 2014

John Henry Clark Jr 1933-2006

John Henry Clark Jr
26 Oct 1933-16 Nov 2006


First born son of John and Ethel Clark, the eldest of six, 3 boys and 3 girls.

This is my fav pic of my Dad (on the right) and his brother Robert

Back row: Raymond, Robert and Geraldine
Bottom: Dad holding Patricia

My dad told us the story of having an alligator when he was younger and keeping it in the bathtub. That is until the day PopPop went to take a bath not knowing the gator was there. In short Dad was told the gator had  to go and he gave it to the Philadelphia Zoo.  You know we all hear the stories and wonder if they are true or embellished to entertain us.
I found this in some papers
He was in the Navy and served on the USS Toledo.
There is  a sketch of him in uniform with his curly hair visible but unfortunately it has been lost we believe somewhere in Bremerton,Washington, along with some photo albums. He always kept it in a red cylinder tube.








He married Rose Anna Rataj 24 March 1956.  I am the second born. There is Roseanne, myself, John III, Joseph and Barbara. My parents divorced and he had  custody of myself and my younger siblings.

That's my Dad, me and my Mom at my Aunt Pats wedding
My dad worked in his fathers business Clarks repairing Washing machines and appliances.


Dad and his brother Robert


I remember going to the Arena in Philly where my dad worked setting up and breaking down the track for the Roller Games for the Philadelphia Warriors. He also skated.

Worked also for Midvale Steel in Nicetown. And was an electrician like his father and worked at Norristown State Hospital until his retirement.

               






Saturday, August 30, 2014

Ethel Elizabeth Miller 1912-1978

Ethel Elizabeth Miller
23 Mar 1912-31 Dec 1978




See that beautiful lady above? That is my MomMom. Daughter of Reuben Franklin Miller and Frances Mary Arnick.  I was born or her birthday and every year until she went on ahead we had a cake together. Now for some reason MomMom did not want any of her granddaughters named for her. So I carry Ethel as my middle name and when I was confirmed I chose Elizabeth as that is her middle name. 

This is my MomMom with 2 of her sisters. MomMom is the 2nd from left.
My cousin Sandra Herion provided this picture.
To me she was just MomMom but I learned that she lost her mother at 10 years of age. she is 1 of 7 children, 5 girls and 2 boys.  I remember that MomMom was worried about any of us getting Tuberculosis but until I started my research I never understood why. I learned that that is what took her mother from Her and her siblings.

Mother to 3 sons; John, Robert and Raymond, and 3 daughters Geraldine, Patricia and Judith. My dad is her eldest son John.
At one time she was a singing waitress at the Manayunk Club.
I know she loved wrestling and use to go to the Arena in Philly to watch. I was told of a time by my cousins Ruth and Sandra, she climbed into the ring and went after a wrestler with an umbrella hitting him, and that afterwards he would not leave the dressing room unless she was gone.
My MomMom loved to go to the board walk in Jersey and play skeeball. It was not until I was much older I found out the significance of that and the parlor door being closed for a period of time.
Every Christmas we would go to our grandparents and that door was open. It was like a wonderland with wall to wall dolls, trucks, tea sets, etc. all items that she had won for her grandchildren playing skeeball.


In the above pictures you can see some of her many grandchildren with prizes she won for us. I am the tall girl in the back.
After her passing my dad gave me some jewelry that he had given her and  is inscribed on the back " to Mom from Jack".  It is a cloisonne pendant with matching earrings. All my daughter in laws have worn the necklace on their wedding day. Now I cannot be positive, but in the top picture it does appear that she is wearing this jewelry.
My cousin Bob shared a story of a time during a big snow storm and MomMom could not get home. She flagged down a garbage truck to get home. Up in front the shop it pulls and there comes MomMom home safe and sound. Bob told me My PopPop would often say, You never know with Ethel. MomMom made the best German Potato salad in the world.
Her heart is bigger than the universe and she loves us all equally. Family is of importance to both her and PopPop. I still feel her presence to this day.



These links lead to more Information:

Ethel Elizabeth Miller

WikiTree/Miller-19194

Spouse: John Henry Clark
Children: John Henry Clark Jr

Friday, August 29, 2014

Samuel Burnham McClennen Hanson 1842-1938

Samuel Burnham McClennen Hanson
15 Mar 1842 - 03 Dec 1938 
My 3rd Great Grandfather

Father to 11 Children, 6 sons: Charles, Warrick, Joseph, Samuel. Lewis and John and 5 daughters: Mary, Sarah, Luetta, Catherine and Margaret. Warrick, Lewis, and Catherine died in infancy.

Son of Joseph Maitland Hanson and Mary Ann Mendenhall

At my last count there were well over 300 of us that descend through Charles his first born. Our branch comes down  through his daughter Martha.


around 1943-44 a Hanson gathering of Samuel s Descendants


He along with his father Joseph and four brothers, Joseph, John, Warrick and George all served in the Civil War. His brother Warrick was KIA,

Went to war in a cattle car and as a young man of 21 was captured during the Civil War and held prisoner by the Confederate Army for more than seven months.

He participated in the Tennessee and Mississippi campaigns. Saw action in the fighting at the battle of Shiloh, TN, siege of Corinth, Miss., Buell’s march on Louisville, KY, campaign of Murfreesboro, TN, battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Tullahoma, TN, Hoover’s Gap, Garrison’s Creek and Chickamauga, GA

Enlisted, volunteered in Union as Private of Captain Jesse Fulmer Company “E” of the 2nd Battalion. Some records show 1st Battalion), 15th Regiment of the United States Infantry August 12, 1862 to serve for three years. Given under the hand of P.T. Swain, Captain, and 15th Infantry Commanding at Lookout Mountain. Served with excellent character and honorably with his company in the battle of Chickamauga 1863 September 19th and 20th, where he was taken prisoner on the 20th. He was taken to a tobacco warehouse at Richmond, VA. Later he was sent to Libby Prison at Danville, VA where he was held until May 8, 1864.



He was then refitted at Camp Parole, Maryland May 11, 1864 and then sent to the hospital. Returned July 1864, sent to Camp Chand, Ohio [could be camp Chase] September 14, 1864 where he reported September 17, 1864 and sent to “PRO” [could be Prospect abbreviated] near Columbus, Ohio to December 3, 1864. He rejoined his regiment, served until the end of his term March or April shows him present for duty at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee where he was honorably discharged August 12, 1865
by John J Heine(Elizabeth4 Shields, Sarah Ritter3 Hanson, Samuel Burnham McClennen2 Hanson, Joseph Maitland1 Hanson) 

Phila veterans make valiant Gettysburg Unit.
Excerpts from Inquirer Staff Reporter , Gettysburg, Pa June 29, 1938
Philadelphia came to Gettysburg today only six strong, but a more valiant six you never saw before in your life.
Samuel B. Hanson, 96 year old veteran “I went to war in a cattle car” he said as he stepped off of the train at 3 P.M. “and I wouldn’t mind riding in a cattle car again to come to Gettysburg. But it was no cattle car this time. No, sirree. Nothing was good enough but a special car. We sure could have used a special car in “63”.
It was the fifth time at Gettysburg for Hanson. He attended a G.A.R. national encampment here twice; visited the battlefield once; came to the 50th anniversary celebration of the big battle in 1913, and here he is again as chipper as ever.
He is accompanied by one of his two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Shields. “She’s my bodyguard” he said “She is going to keep the girls away from me.” Hanson remembers that in 1913 the Philadelphia contingent of boys in blue numbered about 700. “We had a good time then, all right”, he said. “But you just watch me this time, provided I can get away from my bodyguard.”
Mrs. Shields who is used to that sort of talk, just smiled. “His legs aren’t any good,” she confided “He’s not going to do much running around.”
Later that day Samuel Hanson suggested a pinochle game, and they all gathered in his tent for an hour of social pastiming.
Hanson looked up from his dealing and gave a broad wink. “This reminds me of a meeting of Gen George Meade Post No. 2 G.A.R, Philadelphia.” He said
Others in the Philadelphia delegation were Samuel S, Fowler, 94 of 501 W. Hortter St., Germantown; William Ritter, 92 of 152 W. Queen La., Germantown; Allan T. McFarland, 92 of 2226 S. 67th St., Zachary T. Kirk, 90, of 1619 Fillmore St., Frankford, and James Burns, 92 of Upper Darby.
Fowler, quartermaster general of the Grand Army of the Republic. Arrived with his sergeant major’s sword, and his daughter, Mrs. Mae Carter.
The only two Philadelphia veterans who actually took part in the battle of Gettysburg had not yet arrived. They are William J. Baker, 90, of 22nd and Fitzwater sts., who was a drummer boy in the famous battle, and William Jackaway, 97, of 2621 N. Hutchinson St., who saw action against Pickett’s division in that Pickett’s charge that will be long remembered.
Jackaway is one of the very few survivors of that charge on either the Northern or Southern side who is still living. He was a member of the 72nd Pennsylvania Volunteers, a Philadelphia regiment, and was with the company which defended Cemetery Ridge on July 3, 1863. His name is carved on the monument marking the site of the Cemetery Ridge battle.
The other Philadelphians who have not arrived, although their tents have been assigned and are waiting, are Frederick J. McWade, 98, of Cottage and Decatur sts., Holmesburg, and John G. Tillett, 94, of 2513 S. 3rd St.
 transcribed by John J Heine(Elizabeth4 Shields, Sarah Ritter3 Hanson, Samuel Burnham McClennen2 Hanson, Joseph Maitland1 Hanson) 

These links lead to more Information:


From my cousin Jacklyn (Jackie) (John Ruppert4, John Winpenny3, Samuel Burnham McClennen2, Joseph Maitland1)