Stella, Have you tried contacting the Graves Family Association? Their web site is www.gfa.org. They publish a quarterly newsletter that prints queries. Contact Kenneth Vance Graves, 20 Binney Circle, Wrentham, MA 02093. I am descended from the Whately Graves, although not through your Oliver. Kearby Parker Easton, MD

Debbie, According to Schweitzer, Becket (one "t"), Berkshire County, was established 1765 from a plantation called Number Four. Land split off to form part of new Town of Middlefield, 1783. Published Vital Records. Library, Becket Athenaenum, Inc. Library, Main St, 01223, (413-613-8740). There is a History of, but Schweitzer does not give the title or author. Carl Hommel hommel@sundial.net ----- Original Message ----- From: <DPrattCamp@aol.com> To: <MAHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2000 10:54 AM Subject: [MAHAMPSH-L] BECKETT, MA > Does anyone have or know of a town history for Beckett, Berkshire, MA. It > was originally part of Hampshire Co. I was looking for the names of the > original proprietors. > Thanks > Debbie

Does anyone have or know of a town history for Beckett, Berkshire, MA. It was originally part of Hampshire Co. I was looking for the names of the original proprietors. Thanks Debbie

Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Biographies Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Ma/HampshireBios/4 Surname: wedge ------------------------- hampden

I am interested in Vital Records from Williamsburg, Hampshire Co. I understand that they have not been published in book form, but are available in microfilms from the Corbin Collection. Unfortunately, my small town (about 75 registered voters) does not have a library to allow an Interlibrary Loan, now do I have access to microfilm reader. Will the Town Clerk or the Town Library do lookups? Are there any charges for this service? The Deerfield Vital Records show a marriage, in Williamsburg, between Mercy Wells of Deerfield and Eliphalet Bangs of Williamsburg, on July 26, 1795. Mercy's birth date is with six weeks of the birth date of my ggg grandmother, close enough for me to wonder if Eliphalet Bangs died, and she remarried. My ggg grandfather was Jeremiah Olmsted/Olmstead, of West Stockbridge. He removed to Hope, Hamilton Co., NY (then Wells, Montgomery Co.), and later to Spafford, Onondaga Co., NY, where they both died in the middle 1850's. I believe that Jeremiah was a g grandson of Jabez Olmsted/Olmstead/Omsted,of Brookfield and Ware, MA. Carl Hommel hommel@sundial.net

Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ma/Hampshire/445 Surname: Wells, Bangs, Olmsted, Olmstead, Omsted ------------------------- The Deerfield Vital Records show a marriage, in Williamsburg, Hampshire Co, between Mercy Wells of Deerfield and Eliphalet Bangs of Williamsburg, on July 26, 1795. Mercy's birth date is with six weeks of the birth date of my ggg grandmother, close enough for me to wonder if Eliphalet Bangs died, and she remarried. My ggg grandfather was Jeremiah Olmsted/Olmstead, of West Stockbridge. He removed to Hope, Hamilton Co., NY (then Wells, Montgomery Co.), and later to Spafford, Onondaga Co., NY, where they both died in the middle 1850's. I believe that Jeremiah was a g grandson of Jabez Olmsted/Olmstead/Omsted,of Brookfield and Ware, MA.

Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ma/Hampshire/442 Surname: MANN ------------------------- No vital records have been published for South Hadley, Hampshire County. Some records for South Hadley are in The Corbin Collection: Genealogical and Historical Material Relating to Central and Western Massachusetts, 1650 - 1850. Microfiche of South Hadley handwritten records are available from Archives Publishing also known as the Holbrook Institutite.

Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ma/Hampshire/441 Surname: BURKE, HURLBURT ------------------------- I am looking for a birthrecord for Salome Burke born 1766 at Westhampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Husband: Amos HURLBURT. I need a record to document her birth in order to join the Society of Mayflower Descendants. If you can help me, write to me.

I have for several years trying to find the parents/birthplace of Mercy Wells. According to her gravestone in Spafford, Onondaga Co., NY, she died on April 29, 1861. Calculating back from her age at death, she was born July 16, 1763. She married Jeremiah Olmsted (b. Jan 6, 1762-d. Dec. 18, 1846), of West Stockbridge, MA. (He was a descendant of Capt. Jabez Olmsted, of Ware, Hampshire County.) I have not found a record of the marriage. They removed first, before 1790, to Hope, Hamilton Co, NY (then Town of Wells, Montgomery Co.), where they were among the first settlers. They later removed to Spafford before 1840, where they both died. I have not found a Mercy in the Wells family for whom the Town of Wells was named. They evidently came from Long Island, NY. I have found a Mercy Wells, born in Deerfield, MA, June 1, 1768, daughter of Ebenezer and Mercy Wells. She is noted in her father's will and in three or four probate records after her father's death. But there is too big a discrepancy in birthdates for this to be the same Mercy. I have not found a record of the marriage or death of this Mercy. Is the name Mercy a variation of Mary? Should I be also looking for Mary Wells? The youngest daughter of Jeremiah and Mercy was also named Mercy. Carl Hommel hommel@sundial.net

Thought this might be of some interest to the list. Journal of Jonathan Belcher, the First- Known, American-Born Freemason David Crockett. 1992 Jonathan Belcher (1681/2- 1757) was born the son of a Massachusetts tavernkeeper. Jonathan set sail in 1704 to England where he first spent time researching his family history. He then traveled through Holland and Germany, keeping a journal, which is published herein. The latter part of the book tracks his successes and shortcomings as the Royal Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 267 pages, index, softbound, Special order. 3-6 weeks delivery, Please note: sometimes these titles go out of print suddenly Broad View Books <http://broadviewbooks.com> jcrossley@broadviewbooks.com I have no connection with the author or with Broad View Books. Pat

I am looking for information on Josiah Davis who was born in Ware in 1757, the son of Abijah Davis and his wife, Elizabeth, surname unknown. He married Ruth Graves of Whatley, dau. Oliver Graves. He was in Hatfield a number of years, in Buckland by 1790, and died in Savoy in 1834. I would like to be able to prove that he was the father of John Davis Sr. (m. Harriet Flower) of Buckland, but unfortunately the Buckland records were destroyed in a fire. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Stella

Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ma/HampshireObits/10 Surname: Charette, Rogers, Grenier, Biela, Desmaris, Morin, Pichette, Landry ------------------------- Rosalba Leria Rogers Charette b. 26 Sept 1893, Northampton, Hampshire County, MA; d. 6 Oct 1955, Northampton, Hampshire County, MA -------------- Obituary Daily Hampshire Gazette, 6 Oct 1955, Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA MRS. ROSE CHARETTE Mrs. Rose (Rogers) Charette of 37 Finn St. died in Cooley Dickinson Hospital this morning. She was the widow of Albert Charette, who died on Sept. 24. The family lived in Holyoke for many years before returning to Northampton. She was born in this city, daughter of the late Peter and Adele (Grenier) Rogers. She leaves two sons, Harry J. of Manchester, Conn., and Norman A. of Florence; one daughter Mrs. John Biela of Arizona; three brothers, Edward and Louis, both of this city and Obie of Springfield; one sister, Miss Selnda Rogers of this city five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was a member of the St. Anne's Society of Sacred Heart Church. The funeral will be held from the Reynolds funeral home Saturday morning at 8:15 followed by a high Mass of requiem in Sacred Heart Church at 9. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home tonight from 7 to 10 and on Friday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 10. The St. Anne's Society will meet at the funeral home tomorrow night at 8 to recite the rosary. ----------------------- Funeral Announcement Daily Hampshire Gazette, 8 Oct 1955, Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA Funeral of Mrs. Rose Charette The funeral of Mrs. Rose (Rogers) Charette of 27[37] Finn St., who died at Cooley Dickinson Hospital Thursday, was held from the Reynolds funeral home this morning followed by a high Mass of requiem at Sacred Heart Church. Rev. Henry Auger, pastor, was celebrant. Honorary bearers were Mrs. John Desmarais, Mrs. Alfred Bibeau, Mrs. Exilda Bourdeau and Mrs. Romeo Morin. A large delegation from St. Anne's Society also attended, headed by its president, Mrs. Isidore St. Pierre. Active bearers were Louis and Gilbert Rogers, William Pichette and Bernard Landry of this city. Bruce Rogers of Springfield and Ernest Charette of South Hadley Falls. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, with Rev. Jules Betournay, assistant pastor, conducting prayers at the graveside. ----------- Please contact Sue Downhill sudown@cwnet.com with any information, thank you. Link: GenConnect BIELA Queries URL: <http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/surnames/b/i/BIELA/queries/2>

Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ma/Hampshire/440 Surname: Charette, Biela, Rogers, Gagnon ------------------------- CHARETTE, Adele Irene b 27 Feb 1920 Northampton, Hampshire Co MA married John S. BIELA, Holyoke, Hampden Co MA c1941; divorced c1955 Northampton. Possibly married another; unknown if she is alive; not on SSDI under Charette or Biela. Last known location Arizona when her father died in Sept. 1955, (see obit link below) possibly could be in nursing home Arizona or Massachusetts. 5 gchn & 2 ggchn that she has never seen. Dec from Mathieu CHORET d.1690 Québec CAN. Her mother was Rosalba Rogers, her grandmother was Malvina Gagnon. Placed on Genealogy Most Wanted Website ~ August 2000 ~ http://www.citynet.net/mostwanted/ceck.htm Please contact Sue Downhill sudown@cwnet.com with any information, thank you Link: CHARETTE Obituaries URL: <http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/surnames/c/h/CHARETTE/obituaries/3>

Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ma/HampshireObits/9 Surname: Charette, Gagnon, Pichette, Fortier, Beaudoin, Rogers, Biela, Laprie, Veal ------------------------- Funeral of Albert J. Charette The funeral of Albert J. Charette, who died at his home at Finn St. on Saturday, was held from the Reynolds funeral home this morning followed by a high Mass of requiem in Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Jules Berournay, assistant pastor, as celebrant. Bearers were Eddie Pichette of this city, Romeo Fortier of Leeds and William Pichette of Florence, all nephews. George Beaudoin of this city. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery with Rev. Henry Auger, the pastor, offering up the prayers at the gravside. ---------------------------------- Daily Hampshire Gazette, Monday 9/26/55, Northampton, Hampshire County, MA Albert J. Charette Albert J. Charette of 37 Finn St. died Saturday in his home. Born in Canada, son of the late George and Melvina (Gagnon) Charette, for many years he was a resident of Holyoke. He was a mechanic by trade. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Rose (Rogers) Charette; two sons, Harry J. of Manchester, Conn., and Norman A. of Florence; a daughter, Mrs. John Biela of Arizona; two brothers, Edward of South Hadley Falls and Edmund of Bay State; three sisters, Mrs. Elvina Pichette of Northampton, Mrs. Laura Laprie of Winchendon and Mrs. Bedelia Veal of Springfield; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 8:15 from the Reynolds funeral home with a high Mass of requiem in Sacred Heart Church at 9. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home today from 2 to 5 and 7 to 10. ---------------------------------- Please contact Sue Downhill sudown@cwnet.com with any information, thank you. Link: GenConnect BIELA Queries URL: <http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/surnames/b/i/BIELA/queries>

Thomas Holton was killed in Indians in Northfield, 13 August 1723. He died intestate. In addition to the information prevously posted regarding the estate of Thomas, on 18 Jan. 1739/40 his estate was distributed to Mindwell Holton, now Chapin, and Joshua and Thomas the two surviving sons, both of Northfield, and to Mindwell and Hannah the two daughters of Thomas Holton. Mindwell Holton is now Mindwell Chapin the wife of Josiah Chapin of Springfield, blacksmith, and Hannah is not married, also lives in Springfield. Joshua is designated as the eldest son, Thomas, the younger son, and Hannah Holton, the younger daughter. Son Ebenezer has died and his portion of his father's estate is divided among the others. Joan A. Hunter, MLS, Certified Genealogist Massachusetts Genealogy, specializing in Franklin, Hampden & Hampshire. Member Association of Professional Genealogists http://www.apgen.org CG is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license after periodic evaluations by the Board. http://www.bcgcertification.org

Correct email address is <benson@acm.org> this has been corrected on the GenConnect Webpage listed below. Sue Downhill, sudown@cwnet.com Hampshire County GenConnect Board Admin -----Original Message----- From: Mabry Benson <benson@qcm.org> To: MAHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com <MAHAMPSH-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, September 03, 2000 9:25 AM Subject: [MAHAMPSH-L] Thomas Holton d 1723 Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Wills Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ma/HampshireWill/7 Surname: Holton, Allen ------------------------- Hampshire Co Probate Records Vol 4, p 84 6 May 1723. Letters of administration for the estate of Thomas Holton of Northfield were granted to Mindwell Holton & Samuel Allen of Northampton. Vol 4, p 116 4 Dec 1724, Inventory of the estate of Thomas Holton of Northfield totalling £46=11=10 was presented. vol 5, p 212 27 Mar 1736. Jonathan Holton & Thomas Holton & Hannah Holton minors above 14 years of age & heirs of Thomas Holton have chosen their Uncle Deacon Sam'l Allen of Northampton as their guardian. Vol 5, p 212b 4 Mar 1736. An apprizal of estate of Thomas Holton of Northfield. Vol 6, p 48b 15 May 1739. Hannah Holton, heir of Thomas Holton, chose David Chapin of Springfield as her guardian.

Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Wills Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ma/HampshireWill/7 Surname: Holton, Allen ------------------------- Hanpshire Co Probate Records Vol 4, p 84 6 May 1723. Letters of administration for the estate of Thomas Holton of Northfield were granted to Mindwell Holton & Samuel Allen of Northampton. Vol 4, p 116 4 Dec 1724, Inventory of the estate of Thomas Holton of Northfield totalling £46=11=10 was presented. vol 5, p 212 27 Mar 1736. Jonathan Holton & Thomas Holton & Hannah Holton minors above 14 years of age & heirs of Thomas Holton have chosen their Uncle Deacon Sam'l Allen of Northampton as their guardian. Vol 5, p 212b 4 Mar 1736. An apprizal of estate of Thomas Holton of Northfield. Vol 6, p 48b 15 May 1739. Hannah Holton, heir of Thomas Holton, chose David Chapin of Springfield as her guardian.

Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Wills Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ma/HampshireWill/5 Surname: Brooks ------------------------- Hanpshire Co Massachusetts Probate Records Vol 7, p 308b Will made 27 Nov 1750, proved 14 May 1751. In the name of God Amen The Twenty Seventh of November One Thousand Seven hundred and fifty I Joseph Brooks of Ware river precinst in the County of Hampshire & province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England Hus bandman being very sick & weak in bocy but of perfect mind & memory Thanks be to God therefor Calling unto mind the mortality of my Body & knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make & ordain this my last Will & Testament & that is to Say principally & first of all I give & recomend my Soul in the hands of God that gave it & my body I recomend to the Earth to be buried in decent & Christian Burial at the Disertion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurection I shall receive the Same again by the mighty power of God And as touching Such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless one in this Life I give demise and dispose of the Same in the following Manner & form - First of all I constitute & appoint Samuel Bliss of Western & Samue Brooks of Spring field as my Sole Executors of this my last Will & Testament to make Sale of all my Estate Real & Personal excepting the moveables in the house first of all out of my Estate to make Payment of all my Just Debts to all my Creditors. Imprimis I give & bequeath to my dear & well beloved wife Mercy one third part of all my Estate after my Just Debts are paide with all my moveables in the house Item I give & bequeath to my eldest son Joseph Brooks Thirteen pounds Six Shillings & Eight pence over & above their Equal Share with the rest of my Children I likewise Give & bequeath to my Second Son Isreal Brooks Four pounds out of my Estate over & Above his equal Share with the rest of my Children. I Likewise order my Executor to distribute all my Estate what is left after my Just Debts are paid and what I have given to my two Eldest Sons equally to Joseph Brooks my eldest son to Isreal Brooks my Second Son & to Silas Brooks my Third son & to Jonathan Brooks my youngest Son & to Chloe my eldest Daughter & to Eunice Brooks my Second Daughter & to Anne Brooks my Third Daughter and to Thankful Brooks my youngest Daughter. I likewise constitute & appoint Mary my well beloved wife and Ichabod Bliss of Brimfield as Administrators to my Children which are under age to choose their Guardians and I do hereby utterly disanull revike & disallow all & every other former Testaments Wills Legacies & Bequests & Executors by me in any way before named willed & bequeathed ratifying & Confirming this & no other to be my last will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal the day & year above written. Vol 7, p 323 20 Aug 1751. Mary Brooks widow & relict of Joseph Brooks late of Ware river appointed guardian of Silas Brooks, Chloe Brooks, Eunice Brooks, Anne Brooks Jon'n Brooks, Thankful Brooks minors under 14. Vol 7, p 325 29 Aug 1751. Inventory of the estate of Joseph Brooks taken at Ware River 21 May 1751, totalled £385 s4 d1. Vol 7, p 339 12 May 1752. Isreal Brooks, a minor above fourteen years & one of the heirs of Joseph Brooks late of Ware River, chose Samuel Bliss of Western, Worcester County, to be his guardian.

Posted on: Hampshire Co. Ma Wills Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ma/HampshireWill/4 Surname: Edwards ------------------------- Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Probate Book 3, p 294 I Sam'll Edwards Sen'r of the town of Northampton in the County of Hampshire in the Province of the Massachusets Bay in New England & Husbandman being in Years & also weak in body & Aoorehensive of my Approaching End but in sound understanding memory Do make Constitute & appoint this to be my Last Will & Testamente Imp'eis I Give up my Sout into the hands of God my Creator & of Jesus Christ my Redeemer desiring that it may be accepted not upon the account of any? of mine but on the Account of the Righteousness & Sacrifice of Christ and my body I Commit to decent burial in hope of A blessed Resurrection at ye last Day & As for that Outward Estate which God hath mercifully bestowed on me I Doe dispose of it after ye discharge of my dur Debts & fineral Expenses in manner and form following First I Give to my beloved Wife Sarah ye thirds of my housing and landsduring her natural life & the thirds of my moveable Estate to be at her free disposal for Ever. It'm: I Give to my Eldest son Sam'll my lot on thee plain with the house that is thereon my lot alsoe by Mr Dwights on ye other side of the Mill River & my two lots by the Hogs bladder & my lot in the middle of Munhane? together with one half of my woodlands to him & to his he's for Ever It'm I Give to my Second Son Nath'll my house & homestead with all that appertains thereunto both upland & meadow my lot in Old Rainbow my lot at Munbane ditch & my lot by the Pound together with the half of my Wood lands to him & his heirs for Ever. It'm to my three Eldest daughters who are Married Vi? Sarah Abigail & Hannah I Give besides what they have & to Ruth my youngest daughter who is yet unmarried hath Received no portion I Give fifty pounds in pay Received from me already Ten Pounds A Piece in Pay And I Order my Executors to pay what is assigned to my Daughters with Speed they can Conveniently at the furthest with half a year after my decease of my Wife & Lastly I do appoint my Two Sons Sam'll & Nath'll to my Executors In Testimony that this is my Last Will & Testam'te I have hereunto Affixed my hand and Seal this Eighth day of April An Com One Thousand Seven Hindred and twelve & Anno Reg'ee Magn Britt ? & Hib Undecimo Sam'll Edwards. Proved 10 May 1712

Greetings, I have the following detailed Genealogical Biographies transcribed on my site: Jenkins-Jeffries-Lee Family Page http://www.geocities.com/geojenk/ Western Pennsylvania Family Groups. These are groups of families that settled in the W. Pa. area from other parts of the world and the US. The genealogies are quite detailed! The info provided is very detailed. Some of them have photos plus there are more than these in that section as I am still working on it. Gorham Family Rose Family Densmore Family Wigman Family Mayer Family Lovett Family Dorleman Family Burkman Family Diehl Family Sherwin Family Brennan Family Wagner Family Butler Family Holosnyay Family Ball Family Lippert Family Herbel Family Adams Family Boyle Family Kennedy Family Walker Family Speer Family Spillman Family Augustin Family Englehardt Family Morgan Family Rothrauff Family McGreevy Family Hissrich Family Koughan Family Knox Family Wagner Family White Family McWilliams Family Longmore Family Flanagan Family McCombs Family Porter Family Maurhoff Family Edgar Family Leard Family Dunbar Family Morris Family King Family Gephardt Family Jones Family. I just completed 40 more additions. There is also a very large collection of old pics of McKeesport circa 1930s My site is not commercial. This is info I have come across while doing research on my hometown that I want to share. These are located in my "All Things McKeesport" Section This is a onetime post to let listers know my resource material is available and constantly being added to. Please bookmark and check often. Ya never know :) Good Luck!! George Jenkins