D4- African DNA on Chromosome 11 Traced to 1755 Scotland

“Were sub-Saharan Africans part of the court of James IV, King of Scots?”

Mairi Cowan, a lecturer at the University of Toronto raised this question in 2013.1 Her question and study helped answer my own question, “Where did my 0.1% sub-Saharan African DNA come from?”

Using a 23&me program, and Family Search, I traced my small fragment of African DNA on my chromosome 11 to my fifth great-grandmother, Jean Mitchell, born in 1755, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. The story of how my African ancestors arrived in Scotland began centuries earlier.

War on the high seas

In 1476, Capitan John Barton and his crew were voyaging from Flanders, homeward bound toward Scotland. His merchant ship, the Juliana, was laden with valuable cargo. Suddenly, two armed Portuguese vessels launched an attack upon them. Barton and his crew put up substantial resistance. Nevertheless, the pirates captured the ship.2 Some of the crew were killed and many were wounded. They thrust Barton and other survivors into a fishing boat and cut it adrift.3

Barton went to Lisbon to seek redress for his losses.2 The court trifled with or evaded the matter.  John persisted in the effort and was murdered.3

Privateers

King James III, also made attempts to persuade Alfonso V, King of Portugal in the case. These efforts also were unsuccessful. The king, therefore, granted a letter of marque to John Barton’s three sons, Andrew, Robert and John Jr. Thus granting them authority to seize Portuguese vessels and cargoes until they had made good their father’s losses valued at £6,000.2 Today (2021), about £4,485,000 or $5,750,000.4

Andrew was the most active brother capturing richly laden Portuguese ships returning from India and Africa. Of course, the Portuguese were quick to retaliate and for years, a war on the high seas ensued between the Barton privateers and the Portuguese.2

“Moor Taubroner” an African drummer taken from a Portuguese ship

The Barton brothers imported into the port at Leith, damask cloth, timber and other valuable cargo for King James IV.5 Their raids on Portuguese ships built their reputation as famous privateers.

Historians believe that the privateers captured Peter the Moor during a raid of a Portuguese cargo ship.6 The earliest reference to “the Moreyn” in Scotland was in 1501.1 “Moore Taubroner”, an African drummer, is often mentioned in the accounts of James IV. Historians believe he is Peter the Moor.7

King James IV

King James IV was a fun-loving, enthusiastic king with numerous interests. He welcomed and enjoyed the company of popular artists and singers. His official records provide accounts of “lively entertainment” that took place in the royal court.6 The drummer travelled with the king to provide entertainment at various locations in the country. The shows also included fiddlers, lutists and four Italian “menstrales”.1,5

Peter the Moor was free to travel. At one time he was given five French crowns, at the king’s request, for a journey to France. Moor Taubroner had a family, and records mention a payment to the his wife and child.5 They also paid a doctor 35 shillings to attend to his needs for two weeks. Peter the Moor continued to appear in royal records until August 1504, when he received a large and final payment of £3, presumably to go find work elsewhere.1,6  (£3 has a 2021US equivalent of about $2875.)4

“Moorish lasses” presented to King James IV in 1506

In 1506, the Barton privateers created quite a sensation when they arrived a Leith with their prize. Some historians believe that within their capture were two negro maids carried off from the west coast of Africa to be sold as slaves.2 According to contemporary records, they had been “rescued” from a Portuguese ship.5 The two “Moorish lasses”, as they were called, were presented to the king. Though considered slaves, in keeping with other European courts,1 a much more kindly destiny was in store for them.2

King James IV accepted them as a gift and took great interest in their welfare. They were incorporated into the queen’s household, converted to Christianity and baptized as Margaret and Hellen. One of the women, (Hellen it is believed), became an attendant of the queen described as the “Quenis blak madin”.5

The exotic lady then won a position reserved for the most beautiful member of the court. She won the leading role in the medieval play, “The Justing of the Wild Knight for the Black Lady”.  The king himself played the part of the Wild Knight.1,5 He overcomes the opposing forces to win her hand. The kings tournaments were magnificent and expensive spectacles held in June 1507 and again in May 1508.5

The Moors at Stirling Castle, 1549

The Bread Book tells of Moors at Stirling Castle in 1549

Kings, James IV, V and VI of the Stewart Dynasty constructed Stirling Castle between 1490 and 1600. James IV died in battle and his successor, seventeen-month-old James V, was crowned in 1513.

James V grew up in Stirling Castle under the guardianship of Lord Erskine. He also died young, and his widow, Mary of Guise continued the unfinished work. Their infant daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots, was brought to Stirling Castle for safety. She was crowned queen there on 9 September 1543. In 1548, the five year old queen was sent to France while Scotland was ruled by regents.8

Sterling Castle

The “Morys”, (Moors) were living at Stirling Castle in 1549. Historian John Harrison studied “The Bread Book” at Stirling Castle. The book tells how white rolls “pain de bouche” and light brown wheaten rolls “pain commun” were made daily by the queen’s baker. They distributed bread loaves to lords and ladies, military officers, servants, muleteers and the palace cleaner. Records show that they often granted a loaf of bread to the Moors.9

In a 2010 article, Harrison said he believed these Moors were black Africans or Arabs from North Africa. He said that historians dismissed previous hints of Africans in Scotland’s pageants as Scots just costumed and blacked up. “Just who the Moors were, and what they were doing is difficult to say. They were quite low in the court hierarchy, but were part of the household and getting bread at royal expense”.9

Earl of Mar became hereditary governor of Stirling castle in 1566.

Queen Mary returned to Scotland in 1561 and married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. They had a son, James VI in 1566. John, Lord Erskine, the Earl of Mar became hereditary governor of the castle in 1566.

After the death of Darnley in February 1567, Queen Mary married James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. Many believed he orchestrated Darnley’s death which caused an uprising against the couple. On July 24, 1567 Mary abdicated in favor of her son, James VI.10

Lord Erskine, the Earl of Mar became guardian for the infant king. When Mary escaped from Lochleven Castle in May 1568, they ordered the Earl to step up security at Stirling around the king and expel from the castle all but his closest friends and relatives.10 It is likely the Moors had to leave Stirling Castle at this time. Even though there was a Moor associated with the royal household in the 1590s during the reign of James VI.9

James Frazer, “of a black complexion”, Alloa, 1777

Stirling Castle is six miles from Aloa, Clackmannanshire. John Erskine, born in Alloa in 1675, was the 6th Earl of Mar. He created industrial Alloa, developing the town as a coal-mining center. Erskine, a leader of the failed Jacobite uprising of 1715, died in exile. His brother later purchased the forfeited estates and restored them to the Erskine family.11

Evidence that descendants of the Moors of King James IV lived in Alloa Clackmannanshire showed up in an ad in the Newcastle Courant, September 6, 1777. The ad offered a reward of two guineas for information leading to the apprehension of James Frazer. Frazer, a twenty-two-year-old black man, was a valuable pitman, “belonging to John Francis Erskine, Esquire of Marr” He had run away from the Alloa Colliery.12

“Run Off, from Alloa Colliery, Clackmannanshire, North Britain, belonging to John Francis Erskine, Esq., of Marr.”

“James Frazer, abound pitman, aged about 22, wore his own hair, of a black complexion, stout made, very much in-kneed. Whoever gives any information, so as to apprehend the said James Frazer, either to Mr Nelson, the Black Bull and Post-Boy, or William Ritchie, at the Edinburgh Tea Warehouse, Newcastle, shall have two guineas reward.” [Newcastle Courant 6 September 1777]12

23&me Advanced DNA Comparisons

Advanced DNA Comparisons, a 23&me program, compares and matches your DNA with  your relatives. It will show exactly where on your chromosomes you match. When two or more people match at the same location, they have a certain ancestor in common.

Advance DNA Comparisons showing three relatives with matches to my Chromosome 11 that includes DNA from Western Africa. (23&me)

My West Africa DNA came from Agnes Izatt Adams

My 23&me test results show that 99% of my DNA is from Great Britain and Scandinavia. No surprise. However, the small segment of sub-Saharan African DNA on Chromosome 11 was very interesting. Where did it come from? Was my African ancestor from my father or my mother’s line?

Red area on chromosome 11 shows location of my Western Africa DNA. (23&me)

One day while exploring my chromosome 11, I found a relative who matched with the same chromosome location and same 0.1% Western African DNA. My relative listed his family surnames, so I recognized immediately that he was my third cousin. Our common ancestors are Alexander S. Izatt and Jeanette Williamson. This means that I inherited this DNA segment from their daughter, my great-grandmother Agnes Izatt Adams born in 1866.

My family tree in FamilySearch showed that all ancestors in my Izatt-Williamson lines were born in Scotland. There were no hints of any African ancestry. After months of useless speculation, I knew I had to find a more distant ancestor.

John Dick Thomson and Agnes Izatt (4th cousins), share common ancestor.

By comparing all of my relatives who also have DNA matches with my third cousin, I found two more matches on chromosome 11. They were a brother and a sister who are my fifth cousins once removed. Their father and grandfather were born in Scotland. Their grandfather was John Dick Thomson.

John Dick Thomson is Agnes Izatt’s fourth cousin

There was no family tree connection between myself and John Dick Thomson. However, from the DNA matches, I was 100% certain there was a family connection somewhere beyond my second great-grandparents Izatt-Williamson. The connection was not known, so I had to find it.

John Dick Thomson’s mother was Mary Paterson. I found that my fifth great-grandmother, Jean Mitchell, had a sister, Janet. Janet Mitchell married James Paterson and they had two sons, Alexander Paterson and William Paterson.

Bingo! I then knew our common ancestors were Jean and Janet’s parents, Alexander Mitchell and Agnes Michie.

Now, all I had to do was prove it!

My task was to connect either Alexander Paterson or William Paterson with an apparent granddaughter, Mary Paterson. After several grueling hours of Scottish genealogical research, I was able to present a well documented connection.

FamilySearch diagram shows common ancestors Alexander Mitchell and Agnes Michie

Two hundred years in Alloa, Clackmannanshire

An act of Parliament in 1606 bound coal miners in Scotland, and their families, to the owner of the colliery in which they worked. This act made coal miners and their families virtual slaves to the land owners.12 It stated that:

“no person should fee, hire or conduce and salters, colliers or coal bearers without a written authority from the master whom they had last served”. Therefore, a collier lacking such written authority could be “reclaimed” by his former master “within a year and a day”.

This law was class slavery and applied to all races. It continued in Scotland until 1799 when an Act was passed that all colliers were “to be free from their servitude”.12

Coal mining began in Clackmannanshire about 1710, which explains why our family remained in Clackmannanshire for two hundred years. Our common ancestors, Alexander Mitchell and Agnes Michie were born in 1727 and 1729. Alexander married Agnes on September 1, 1741 in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland.

Genealogical records show these two families had lived in Alloa for many generations. The Michie paternal line goes back four more generations to Alexander Mitchie born 1605. He married Margaret Wardlaw in 1626, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. The record of the Mitchell paternal line goes back five generations to John Mitchell. He was born in 1591 in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, near the foot of Stirling Castle during the reign of the Scottish King James VI.13

King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England on March 24, 1603.

Summary of our African ancestors

23&me Ancestry Composition for Dennis Chamberlain and his third cousin.

DNA evidence presented by The Chamberlain Story website confirms historical research findings that suggest sub-Saharan Africans were members of the royal court of James IV, King of Scotland.

In the early 1500s, our African ancestor was kidnapped in Africa and sold to Portuguese slave traders . According to 23&me this person was from West Africa, either Senegambian & Guinean or Nigerian.

Scottish Privateers, the Barton brothers, attacked the Portuguese ship.  They captured the Africans, and took them to Scotland, and presented them as a gift to King James IV.

In the king’s court, they served as entertainers, traveling and interacting with the king. The king paid them were and treated quite well. After their employment with the king, they and their families lived in Stirling Castle for about two generations, where they were likely employed as servants.

The queen’s mother, Mary of Guise, was very inclusive and interacted with the commoners. The “Moors” knew and possibly cared for Mary Queen of Scots at Stirling Castle until she was five years old. The Regents sent Mary off to live in France in 1548.

Eventually, the “Moors” left Stirling Castle, probably during a time of the turmoil in 1568, and made their home in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. The Erskine family and the Earls of Mar owned the land.

Coal mining began in Clackmannanshire about 1710. Our ancestors had to work in the coal mines under the harshest conditions. Bound to the Erskine family, men, women and children had to work the mines six days a week.

Jean Mitchell was about ten generations from her ancestor kidnapped in Africa. Undoubtedly, her DNA was a blend of both black and white races.

Connection to the Izatt family line

On August 8, 1778 William Izatt married Jean Mitchell in Alloa. They were the first generation to leave Clackmannanshire. Their grandsons, William and Andrew Izatt, were Scottish coal miners. A mining explosion killed Andrew in 1850. William and his family went to America in 1862. See their story beginning with  Chapter E13.

Other Links:

Summary Page 4- Alexander Spowart Izatt Family History

Summary Page 3- Other DNA Studies

Dr. Catherine Mills’ research project about the legacies of coal mining in Clackmannanshire.

© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, All rights reserved. The Chamberlain Story, 2021.

References

1- Mairi Cowan, Moors at the Court of James IV, King of Scots, https:www.medievalists.net/2013
2-Leith’s Sea-Dogs: The Fighting Bartons, https://electricscotland.com/history/leith/17.htm
3- Barton Historical & Genealogical Society Database, Capt. John Barton, https://www.bartondatabase.com
4- Measuring Worth.com
5- Jennifer Melville, Africans at the court of James IV, https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/
6- King James IV of Scotland, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_IV_of_Scotland
7- Africans in the Scottish Royal Court
8- Stirling Castle, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_Castle
9- History of Stirling Castle becomes a little Moorish, The Herald, 26 Jan 2010
10- Mary Queen of Scots, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_Queen_of_Scots
11- The Bobbing John, https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/
12- http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/8.html Early Mining History
13- Familysearch.org

D3- DNA of John and the Sons of Thomas Chamberlain

Ancestry DNA results confirm John is son of Thomas Chamberlain of Westmoreland

Six DNA matches of Spencer Chamberlain with his uncles, Jedediah Sr and Increase Sr confirm that John Chamberlain is their brother and therefore, Spencer Chamberlain’s father. John is the son of Thomas Chamberlain and Abigail Pierce of Westmoreland, New Hampshire. Thomas is the grandson of William Chamberlain who immigrated to America in 1635. Thomas’ grandmother is Rebecca Chamberlain, who died in Cambridge prison in 1692 during the Salem witch trials.

Ancestry DNA “Thru Lines” connects Spencer Chamberlain with his father John and grandfather Thomas Chamberlain of Westmoreland.

The DNA evidence for Thomas Chamberlain as my 5th great grandfather is very strong. My DNA has a match with six others who are also 5th great grandchildren of Thomas of Westmoreland. All of these matches are my 6th cousins, who descend from two children and five different grandchildren of Thomas.

Fourteen DNA Matches with Spencer Chamberlain and Millie French

I have 14 DNA matches with descendants of Spencer Chamberlain, 11 through Amanda Chamberlain Warren and 3 through John H and Harry E Chamberlain.

14 DNA matches with Spencer Chamberlain and Millie French

It is not surprising that I have 14 matches with descendants of Spencer Chamberlain and Millie French. Records and family knowledge are very clear that he is my third great-grandfather. Eleven of the matches are through Amanda Chamberlain Warren and three matches are through John H. Chamberlain and Harry E. Chamberlain.

The problem in our genealogy line is with Spencer’s Chamberlain’s father and mother.

 

Zero DNA Matches for John and Winona

0 DNA matches with John Chamberlain and Winona

My Ancestry shows no DNA matches with John or Winona, because there are no other Ancestry public trees with linked DNA that trace their Chamberlain line to Thomas of Westmoreland.

The reason for this is that my information is very new. It was not known before 2017, and most Ancestry’s Spencer Chamberlain lines were filled in before this time.

The only thing we knew about Spencer’s father before 2017 is that his name was John Chamberlain who married an Indian woman named Winona, and that their son Spencer was born in Westmoreland, New Hampshire.

Some of the Spencer Chamberlain family held a tradition that Spencer’s father John was a son or grandson of the legendary Paugus John Chamberlain. We all tried hard to prove this connection but it never quite fit. Also, there is no evidence that Paugus John, or any of his family ever came to Westmoreland where Spencer was born.

Others of the Spencer Chamberlain family chose the only John Chamberlain known to live in Westmoreland as the father of Spencer. This John Chamberlain married Eunice Edson and is the son of Henry Chamberlain and Susannah Hinds. However, what appears to be a complete record of the births of John and Eunice’s eight children from 1768-1788 is available.1 These do not include Spencer.

Also, it has been proven by Y-DNA that Spencer is a descendant of one of the brothers, Thomas, Edmond or William Chamberlain. John, the son of Henry, is from the Henry Chamberlain immigrant line, and therefore, cannot be the father of Spencer Chamberlain.

Ancestry DNA “Thru Lines”

ThruLines shows possible ancestors based on your DNA matches. Green silhouettes turn blue or pink when you evaluate and enter information.

I am very impressed with the feature ThruLines for those who have Ancestry DNA and a publicly available Ancestry family tree. When your public family tree and your DNA analysis are linked together, it has the ability to predict your other relatives by your DNA matches and their tree information.

My family tree was filled out only to my second great grandparents. However, based on my DNA matches, Ancestry DNA ThruLines was able to predict 114 of my 128 fifth great grandparents!

Unfortunately, Ancestry DNA ThruLines was not able to provide information on Spencer’s Indian mother Winona. This maybe because, currently, Spencer’s progeny do not follow the correct biological genetic path from Spencer through John and his father, Thomas of Westmoreland. Nor, therefore, through Winona to her unknown parents.

Filling in the true known biological information is necessary to solve the unknown part of the puzzle. If Winona’s parents are in the Ancestry DNA database through one or more of Winona’s siblings, the progeny of Spencer Chamberlain should provide enough DNA matches to find Winona’s parents. Winona’s parents are my fifth great-grandparents and would, therefore, show up on my Ancestry DNA ThruLines.

Are you a descendant of Spencer Chamberlain?

If so, here is how you can help:

1- Read the rest of this post to see if you agree with the new information published by The Chamberlain Story. If you do, please go to step two.

2- Update your Ancestry family tree from Spencer Chamberlain to his parents John and Winona, and through John Chamberlain to his parent’s Thomas Chamberlain and Abagail Pierce. If you wish, you may use my Ancestry public tree Dennis Dean Chamberlain, The Chamberlain Family (working).

3- Be sure your Ancestry DNA and Ancestry family tree are linked, and that your family tree is public.

4- Be patient. It will take a full 24 hours for Ancestry to calculate the DNA matches and new information for ThruLines.

5- Please contact me through this post or by my email when you update your information. Let me know any DNA matches that connects you to Thomas Chamberlain.

Click here if you would like my referral for an Ancestry DNA test kit.

Chronology of the new information, published in 2017.

My daughter, Lara, and I worked on the new information about Spencer Chamberlain’s family for seven years before we published it in 2017 in my blog The Chamberlain Story. I have been filling in the new information into my Ancestry family tree The Chamberlain family (Working).

We found numerous, documents, books, letters and emails containing information not found on the internet. This new information unlocked the mysteries from the confusing history of the John Chamberlains of Westmorland and of the census records for the household of Increase Chamberlain Jr.

Westlook Cemetery, Glover Historical Society

In June, 2010, I attended The Runaway Pond Bicentennial Celebration, (watch 5 min. video). There, I bought a copy of Glover, Vermont Westlook Cemetery, Gravestone Inscriptions & Other Genealogical Data, Glover Historical Society. This book, which was not on the internet, had tons of information about Spencer Chamberlain’s family.

At the bicentennial, I became acquainted with Joan Alexander, secretary of the Glover Historical Society. She had previously helped me to find information for my book Run Chamberlain, Run! Solving the 200-Year-Old-Mystery of Runaway Pond.

In October 2014, Joan Alexander emailed me a mysterious note from an 1810 Glover town meeting about a “widow Chamberlain” in Glover, VT. Lara and I finally figured out she was the widow of Increase Chamberlain Jr. Joan sent me more notes from town meetings about Increase and Spencer Chamberlain before 1810.

On March 9, 2017, the Historical Society of Cheshire County in Keene NH sent me a packet full of letters and document copies. These had answers to many of my questions about the Chamberlain families of Westmoreland and specifically Increase Chamberlain Jr and John Chamberlain.

The data and references for Spencer Chamberlain’s descendants are not as simple as reading a birth record or grave inscription. It is puzzle with dozens of pieces that fit together.

John Chamberlain was born in Newton, Massachusetts

On June 9, 2017, The Chamberlain Story reported that there were two distinct Chamberlain families in Westmoreland, New Hampshire in 1790. Thomas Chamberlain’s family lived on the west side of town, belonged the Congregational Church and came from Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Henry Chamberlain’s family lived on the east side of town, were Baptists and came from Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Both families had a son named John Chamberlain.

However, the historic record had combined information about the two John Chamberlains, as if they were the same person. By separating the two Johns, new important information was revealed. A decoded paragraph in the1885 Cheshire County, NH Gazetteer should read:

“Thomas Chamberlain was one of several who united in signing the church covenant, September 26, 1764, the first step taken towards forming a Congregational church in Westmoreland. John Chamberlain, one of the original grantees of this town, was born in Newton, Massachusetts.”2  (see chapter 10)

Thomas Chamberlain signed the covenant of the new Westmoreland Congregational Church on September 26, 1764 and officially transferred his membership to the new church on April 7, 1765 from Newton.3

The existence of Thomas’ son John is confirmed in a letter written by Ella E. Abbott to a “Mrs Chamberlain”. She listed John among the other the children of Thomas Chamberlain, It was members of Thomas’ family, that were the grantees of Westmoreland. Referring to the Thomas Chamberlain family she wrote:

“William Chamberlain1 first of Woburn, settled in Billerica, wife Rebecca. Daniel2 b. 1671, lived in Billerica, wife Mary. Thomas3 b. 1703, 4th child of Daniel lived in Newton. Was grantee of Westmoreland as well as some of his children. His Children were Isaac, Josiah, Joshua, Jedediah, John and Abigail, and perhaps Job and Increase”.- March 21, 19324

There is no record of John’s birth because of “the destruction by fire of the records of the first church at Newton, Mass. in 1770”5  However, Thomas lived in Newton immediately prior to his move to Westmoreland. Therefore, John is his sixth son, born between Jeremiah and Increase. This places John’s birth in about 1739. (not 1734 as previously guessed)

The search for Spencer and his father in Westmoreland

In 1934, my grandfather, Harry Chamberlain hired a genealogist to help find Spencer and his parents in Westmoreland, New Hampshire.  Spencer Chamberlain’s army enlistment papers stated that he was born in Westmoreland.

Merton T. Goodrich studied the 1790 U. S. census record and compared it with known birth records. No records of Spencer nor his father John in Westmoreland could be found. His twenty-two page report came to this conclusion:

“All of these records prove these points. Spencer Chamberlain may have been the son of Amos, Increase Jr., or Job Chamberlain. The name of his father cannot be limited to one of these three until we can prove that his parents remained in Westmoreland until after 1790. It seems most reasonable to assume that they did. If so, Spencer’s father nor grandfather was a John Chamberlain”.6

Spencer Chamberlain’s father’s name was John

Harry Chamberlain, knew Spencer’s father’s name was John because he lived with his grandfather Alonzo (Spencer’s son) until he was 14. Also, A. C. Phillips, who lived with his grandfather, recorded in Westlook Cemetery, Glover, Vermont record that Spencer Chamberlain died in 1853 and was the “Son of John E. & Winona”.7

What they did not know, however, was that in 1790, Spencer was living in the household of Increase Chamberlain, Jr., his older cousin and stepfather. He was the head of a six member household in Westmoreland NH. The census record showed for his household: (males 16 & over = 1), (males under 16 = 2), and (all females = 3).8 This is an impressive family for Increase and his wife Susannah who were both 24 years old. None of these members are known to be their children.

Thomas Chamberlain’s family moved to Stockbridge, Vermont

Thomas Chamberlain’s family left Westmoreland and a large group of them moved to Stockbridge, Vermont sometime between 1795 and 1800.

Mrs Ella Abbott wrote in her letters that the Thomas Chamberlains “were prominent while they lived in Westmoreland but all moved away, left not a vestige behind them.… and after his wife died (Thomas) might have gone to Vermont to live with some of his sons who lived in Stockbridge.4

The 1800 census in Stockbridge, Vermont shows eight Chamberlain households. These are Jedediah Chamberlain Sr, his sons Jedediah Jr., and Josiah; and Increase Chamberlain Sr., and his sons Amos, Thomas, Isaac and Increase Chamberlain, Jr.

The 1800 census for Increase Chamberlain, Jr., in Stockbridge Vermont  shows that Spencer Chamberlain, age 14, could be one of the males, and a 45+ female could be his mother. Increase Jr and his wife Susannah were 34 years old and their parents were living in a different household. If Spencer’s mother Winona was still living, we would certainly expect her to be with her young son.

 Increase Chamberlain Jr’s family moved to Glover, Vermont by 1802

Joan Alexander, secretary of the Glover Historical Society, helped me find records about Increase Chamberlain and Spencer Chamberlain in Glover town meeting records. They show that Increase Chamberlain Jr and Spencer Chamberlain lived in Glover, Vermont.

Dickerman family records show that Increase and Susannah’s daughter Tryphena Chamberlain Dickerman was born in Glover, Vermont on June 10, 1802.9 Increase Chamberlain took the Freeman’s Oath in Glover in September 1806. And in March, 1808 he was voted in as a Surveyor of the Highways.10

Increase Chamberlain Jr died in Glover Vermont in June, 1810. In notes from a Glover town meeting held on June 18, 1810 a vote was taken “that there be  a committee of three chosen to take care of Widow Chamberlain and take measure to remove her to Stockbridge if she will go.”10

Widow Chamberlain was Susannah Chamberlain, the wife of Increase Chamberlain Jr and the daughter of Jedidiah Chamberlain Sr who still lived in Stockbridge, Vermont. She returned to Stockbridge to live with her family after her husband died.

Spencer moved to Glover with Increase Chamberlain Jr.

Spencer Chamberlain was living in the household of Increase Chamberlain Jr in 1790 and 1800, and was 16 when Increase moved from Stockbridge to Glover in 1802.

He took his freeman’s oath on September 1, 1808.10 The age of 21 was required. Glover town records show that on  March 28, 1809, five men including Spencer Chamberlain were chosen town Haywards.10

In the packet of information and documents sent from the Historical Society of Cheshire County, New Hampshire in 2017, the most informative were the letters of Ella Abbott to a Mrs Chamberlain and an 1896 letter from Pamela S. Cutler of Randolf, Vermont written to her niece. In this letter Pamelia Cutler wrote:

“Your grandmother Dickerman’s (Tryphena Chamberlain Dickerman’s) father (Increase Chamberlain, Jr.) was my father’s (Jotham Chamberlain’s) oldest brother. He married my grandfather’s (Jeddediah Chamberlain, Jr’s) sister Susan (Susannah Chamberlain). She was my mother’s aunt. They (Increase Jr & Susannah Chamberlain) had five children; Lottz (Charlotte), Spencer, Tryphena, Vilors (Villars) and Milly.”11

Tryphena, Villars and Milly are the children of Increase and Susannah Chamberlain. However, Spencer is not. He is the son of John and Winona Chamberlain. Charlotte may be Spencer’s older sister.

However, it is now certain that Spencer was living with them in Westmoreland when he was four years old as recorded in the 1790 census, and at age 14 in Stockbridge, in 1800.  Pamelia Cutler, in her letter, proves she is speaking of our Spencer Chamberlain when she added: “Spencer married and lived in Glover, Vt.“11

The family of Thomas Chamberlain

*My DNA matches in bold

*Thomas Chamberlain was born August 9, 1703 in Billerica, MA and his wife *Abigail Pierce was born 18 May 1706 in Woburn MA. died 18 May 1769, Westmoreland, NH. They married 10 June 1730 in Concord, Middlesex, MA.12

I have done an extensive search for the source records of Thomas and Abigail’s children, their birth order and birth dates. Therefore, there are some differences in my record when compared with the prevailing records on internet genealogies. Joshua was born about 1734, Job about 1736, and John about 1739.

1- Josiah Chamberlain b. 27 June 1731, Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts,13 d. 1782.

2- Isaac Chamberlain b. 30 October 1732, Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts,14 d. 1783 Westmoreland, Cheshire, New Hampshire.

3- Joshua Chamberlain baptized 22 Sept 1734 at First Church of Lynnfield, Essex, Massachusetts. (This christening date places Joshua, not John, born in 1734)5

4- Job Chamberlain born about 1736, location unknown. (I have found no information on the birth of Job. I chose this birth order because he was old enough to sign the petition of Jan. 30, 175015 and was considered an “adult male citizen of the town”, as was his 12 year old brother Jedediah.)15 d. 22 March 1825 Brewer, Penobscot, Maine.

5- *Jedediah Chamberlain Sr christened 12 June 1737 Stoneham, Middlesex, Massachusetts,5  d. 1828, Stockbridge, Windsor, Vermont.

6- *John Chamberlain was the sixth son of Thomas, born about 1739, Newton, Middlesex, Massachusetts.4 However, a fire in Newton destroyed church records in 17705 and no birth records for John have been found. His father Thomas moved from Newton to Westmoreland, placing his birth order between Jedediah and the youngest brother Increase. John did not sign in 1750 but apparently was old enough (12-years-old) to become a grantee of the Westmoreland charter by 1752.

7- *Increase Chamberlain Sr b. 1741 in Westmoreland NH, d. 24 August, 1813, Stockbridge, Windsor, Vermont. (He was claimed to be the first white male child born in Westmoreland.)4

8- Abigail Chamberlain b. 31 July 1748 in Harvard, Massachusetts. She was the youngest child and only daughter of Thomas and Abigail.5 She married Henry Chamberlain in the Westmoreland Park Hill Congregational Church on February 26, 1767. They had fourteen Children. Abigail died at Panton, Addison County, Vermont in August 1819.16

Family of Jedediah Chamberlain Sr.17

*Jedediah Chamberlain is the son of Thomas Chamberlain , b. 1703 and Abigail Pierce b. 1706.17a Jedediah was christened at Stoneham Congregational Church 12 June 1737. He married Ester Clark b. 4 May 1739. Jedediah and Ester were married about 1758.

Children of Jedediah Chamberlain and Ester Clark:17

1- Sibel Chamberlain, b. 3 April 1759, Westmoreland, NH.
2- Josiah Chamberlain, b. 20 May, 1760, Westmoreland, NH.
3- Ephraim Chamberlain, b. 23 Sept 1762, Westmoreland, NH.
4- Jedediah Chamberlain, Jr., b. 20 March 1764, Westmoreland, NH.
5- Susannah Chamberlain, b. 8 April 1766, Westmoreland, NH.
6- *Eunice Chamberlain, b. 29 March 1768, Westmoreland, NH. m. E. Twitchell
7- Hudah Chamberlain, b. 9 July 1770, Westmoreland, NH.
8- *Isaac Chamberlain, b. 31 Aug 1772, Westmoreland, NH.
9- Sally Chamberlain, b, 28 Sept. 1774, Westmoreland, NH.
10- Ester Chamberlain, b. 28 March 1776, Westmoreland, NH.

Children of Jedediah Chamberlain and Submit Osgood, b. about 1763. They were married about 1800, Stockbridge, VT.17

Correction: Some genealogists believe that these children belong to Jedediah, Jr. However, the census records show these are the children of Jedediah, Sr. Also, these were listed as children of Jedediah Sr. by Pamila S. Cutler in her 1896 letter. Her mother told her that Jedediah Sr. had 19 children by his two wives.11

1- Abner Chamberlain, b. about 1801, Stockbridge VT.
2- Daniel Chamberlain, b. 10 January 1802, Stockbridge VT.
3- Asa Chamberlain, b. 15 December 1803, Stockbridge VT.
4- Roxy Chamberlain, b. 1 January 1807, Stockbridge VT.
5- Elijah Chamberlain, b. Stockbridge VT.11

Family of Increase Chamberlain, Sr.18

Increase Chamberlain, Sr  b. 1741 in Westmoreland, NH, d. August 24, 1813, m Rachel Davis b. 1739, d. 20 March 1813 Stockbridge, VT. Children of Increase Chamberlain Sr., and Rachel Davis:

1- Rachel Chamberlain- b. 15 July 1764, m. Samuel Dean
2- Increase Chamberlain, Jr. b. 22 January 1766 Westmoreland, d. June, 1810 Glover, VT. Married his first cousin Susannah Chamberlain, date unknown.
3- Amos Chamberlain b. 10 December 1767, d. 4 July 1844.
4- Abigail Chamberlain b. 15 September 1769, d. 16 April 1819, m Joseph Packard
5- Thomas Chamberlain b.29 March 1772
6- Elizabeth Chamberlain b. 17 May 1774, m. Nathaniel Whitcomb
7- Benjamin Chamberlain b. 5 April 1776
8- *Azubah Chamberlain b. 10 April 1778, m. Lot Whitcomb
9- *Jotham Chamberlain b. 28 Aug 1780, d. 15 Aug 1847, m. Susan Chamberlain
10- *Isaac Chamberlain b. About 1781, m. Arvilla Bailey

Links:

June 6, 2021 is the 111th Anniversary of Runaway Pond.

Summary Page 3- Other DNA studies

© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, All rights reserved. The Chamberlain Story, 2021.

References:

1- Willard Bill, History of Westmoreland, received from Alan Rumrill, Historical Society of Cheshire County.

2- Hamilton Child, 1736-1885 Gazetteer, Cheshire County, N. H., 1885 Syracuse, N.Y., p.519 (This is my correction of the paragraph, original paragraph.

3- Westmoreland Congregational Church (Park Hill) records. Email from Alan Rumrill, Historical Society of Cheshire County.

4- Ella E. Abbott, Letters to Mrs. Chamberlain, copies sent to Dennis D. Chamberlain by Alan Rumrill director of the Historical Society of Cheshire County.

5- Mrs Grace E. Chamberlain, Thomas Chamberlain (3) Daniel (2), William (1), Born at Billerica, Mass. Aug. 1703; died in Vermont. (Type written, 7 page document, undated) from The Historical Society of Cheshire County.

6- Merton T. Goodrich, Genealogist, Search for Spencer Chamberlain’s Ancestry, To Harry Chamberlain, November 3, 1934.

7-  Glover, Vermont Westlook Cemetery, Gravestone Inscriptions & Other Genealogical Data, Glover Historical Society, Glover, VT 05839, 2nd Edition, 2002, p46. Remarks from Phillips family records, compiled by Dick Brown, based on information from various family members, Phillips family Bibles, and vital records, etc., unpubished. p.240

8- 1790 U. S. Census, Westmoreland, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

9- Edward D. Dickerman, Descendants of Thomas Dickerman, New Haven, 1897

10- Early town notes of Glover, Vermont. Email from Joan Alexander, Secretary of the Glover Historical Society, October 31, 2014

11- Pamelia S. Cutler of Randolf, Vermont,  A letter to her niece, 1896, Type written copy provided by Miss Etta Chamberlain. From The Historical Society of Cheshire County.

12- James Parker, Thomas Chamberlain’s wife Abigail Pierce, http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/chamberlain/2676/

13- Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Town Records, 1626-2001, Image 156 Familysearch.org

14- Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Town Records, 1626-2001, Image 207 Familysearch.org

15- History of Westmoreland, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, www.nh.searchroots.com

16- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33292999/abigail-chamberlain

17- Jedediah Chamberlain, http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com  Updated 2005-02-05.

17a- CORRECTION of a correction! Source #17 gave a “correction” to the parents of Jedediah Chamberlain which is wrong. It states: “Jedediah’s father was Thomas b. 1714 and his mother was Loes Waters”, yet it gives no explanation, reason or source for this information. Jedediah was the son of Thomas b. 1703 and Abigail Pierce who lived in Westmoreland. Jedediah was with his father and brothers when they signed the petition for the NH grant January 30, 1750. He was about 13 years old, so he should be still living in the same town as his father. Ella E. Abbott knew the Chamberlain’s of Westmoreland and confirmed in her letters that Jedediah was the son of Thomas Chamberlain and Abigail Pierce. (For more information, see Chapter 10 The Chamberlain Families of Westmoreland, NH.)

18- Increase Chamberlain, Sr. Find a Grave Memorial, www.findagrave.com

*DNA matches

E15- Alexander Spowart Izatt, Part 3- Cache Valley

Alexander and Jeanette, in Cache County, 1864-1869

The beautiful Cache Valley extends fifty miles from Paradise, Utah, north to Preston, Idaho. Alexander and Jeanette moved to Logan, Cache County, Utah about the time of their marriage in February 1864. He began at once to build a log cabin for his new bride where they were very happy in their humble home. They were both lovely singers and would sit and sing together by the light of the fireplace.34 Alexander bought one of the first stoves in Logan for Janetta. She gladly shared it with her neighbors to bake bread.2

Cache Valley, Utah-Idaho

In 1865, priesthood leaders created the LDS Logan 5th ward. Members of the ward, including Alexander and the Izatt families, built a ward community center during the winter of 1865-66. Even school boys helped the men get logs from the canyon. The center consisted of one room sixteen by twenty feet. It served as a church meeting house, amusement hall and school. It was soon too small, so in 1868, they doubled it’s size.2

Jeanette gave birth twice in 1866. She had a baby boy in February who died at birth. Later that year on December 21, 1866 their first daughter, Agnes Izatt, was born. On November 4 1868, their son Alexander Williamson Izatt was born, but he died just two days later. Their second daughter, Ellen Spowart Izatt, was born on October 21, 1869.

Jeanette contracted tuberculosis and died on December 9, 1869. It was devastating for Alexander to lose his sweetheart, and the need to care for a new baby and a three-year-old child was overwhelming.

The Angel of Providence

William W. Low moved to Providence, Utah in 1868. He became the Postmaster there. Jane Angus moved to Providence with the Low Family.36  There, she reacquainted with her old friends from Scotland, Little Sandy Izatt and Jeanette Williamson Izatt. They lived in Logan, just a few miles north.

When Jeanette died, Alexander’s health declined. He had heart problems, leaking heart valves, believed to be caused by the trauma of crossing the plains and working many years in the coal mines. It became so bad, he could not do a days work.5 Jane consoled and comforted him.

Alexander S. Izatt

Jane Angus Izatt

He told Jane he had to regain his health so he could take care of his two girls, and that he didn’t want to have his neighbors carry his responsibilities. He didn’t give up, and soon became strong enough to go back to work.5

Little Ellen Spowart Izatt was seven weeks old when her mother died. It was a constant struggle to find the proper foods for her. She would not eat and at one time they thought she had died. However, under Jane’s constant nursing and care she was restored to health and gradually grew stronger.5

Alexander Izatt and Jane Angus were married in Salt Lake City, on January 31, 1870. He told his family many, many times how grateful he was that Jane accepted him in his poverty, and the two small babies.1,8

Alexander’s dream of the Logan Temple

In 1860, the population of Cache County was recorded at 2,605. More than 800 of those were children who were born in Utah.35b Hundreds more children, who were living in the county, arrived in Utah with their parents between 1847 and 1860. Therefore, close to half the population of the valley at that time was under the age of 13.

Logan Utah Temple

During a visit by President Brigham Young, on August 22, 1863, Elder Wilford Woodruff spoke to the young people of the valley. He told them that “the day will come… when you will have the privilege of going into the towers of a glorious Temple built unto the name of the Most High, east of us upon the Logan bench, and from there “your eyes will survey this glorious valley filled with cities and villages, occupied by tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints”.37

One day Alexander S. Izatt told his wife that he saw the Logan Temple in a dream “built on a sandhill”. He saw the plan of the structure and the brethern laying out the plans, many years before the temple was begun.8

Building the Cache Valley Tabernacle

In December 1864, Apostle Ezra T. Benson called a special meeting to discuss the proposed construction of a tabernacle. Benson pledged $1,200 himself, and others in attendance pledged $26,450. In 1865, the apostle authorized the project and work began on the 60 foot by 106 foot building. The basement was soon dug and a cobblestone foundation completed. Then, for reasons unknown, the project was suspended.35a

When Logan was connected by the railways in 1873, Brigham Young believed it was time to resume work on the tabernacle. However, he wanted the foundation enlarged to 65 feet by 130 feet. He also wanted the railroad extended from Smithfield, Utah to the sandstone rock quarries in Franklin, Idaho.35a

In the winter of 1873-74 teams and sleighs brought rock from Green Canyon, and the Utah Northern Pacific Railroad brought sandstone from Franklin. Work on the Tabernacle began again in 1874. They removed the old foundation and built a larger one.35a

A mission to Saint George

Alexander was a master stone mason and church leaders called him on a service mission to build a temple in Southern, Utah. His group arrived in Saint George, Utah on November 23, 1874. The first thing they asked them when they arrived was: “Are there any masons along with you?”  They were happy to hear that there were quite a few stone masons in the company.

They worked for five months on the Saint George Temple. Alexander, in a letter to his wife Jane said he liked the work well, and that he believes it will be a beautiful building when completed. He liked the winter weather but thought it was not a good place to to live because of alkali soil, lack of water and poor water quality.

After he finished his assignment, he received $12 and a pair of half-soled shoes. When he arrived home, his clothes were worn out and his family was in need. He got some work and received for pay a large piece of cloth big enough to make him a coat.8

Working on the Cache Valley Tabernacle

Cache Valley Stake Tabernacle, 1881-1886

They then asked Alexander to work on the tabernacle for pay of donation furniture or store script. One day he went for his pay and found there was nothing at the store for him. So, he did not return. Instead, he went to Logan Canyon to work on getting ties for the railroad. They soon offered to pay him if he would return to work on the tabernacle.8

They completed the basement and outer walls of the tabernacle in 1876. The tabernacle was excellent training for a larger project- building the temple.

In August 1878, before there were seats for the choir or in the balcony, the church held its first conference in the building. In 1881, the uncompleted tabernacle tower was roofed over and work ceased so work could go forward on the temple.35a

The Logan Temple

The temple was the Church’s highest priority. Once the stone work of the tabernacle was finished, the temple excavation began May 28, 1877.

On September 17, 1877, they laid the cornerstones under the direction of President John Taylor.38 Alexander S. Izatt played in the band for the cornerstone laying occasion.8

He worked with the masons until the temple was built up to a square. Brother Card then placed him in charge of building the temple annex and cook rooms. The names of masons who worked on the temple were placed on the cornerstone.8

When the temple was completed, it measured 171 feet long by 95 feet wide and 86 feet high at the square. The east tower was 170 feet tall, which was five feet taller than the west tower. True to the prophecy of 1863, it had four octagonal cornered “towers” crowned with battlements. The towers were 100 feet tall.35c

The Logan Temple was an amazing pioneer achievement. The temple district made up of Cache Valley, Bear Lake, and Box Elder Stakes provided a work force of 144 men and 45 teams. This number included masons, carpenters, quarrymen, tenders, teamsters and lumbermen.

Most of these men were also farmers, who had to balance their immediate family survival with the promised riches of eternity. Some of their labor was donated, other times they received compensation in goods or wages.35c

Numerous members of the Shoshone nation from Washakie, near the Utah-Idaho border, also helped build the temple. They worked in the rock quarry at Franklin, or with the Box Elder crews living in a camp near present day Romney Stadium.35d

President John Taylor dedicated the temple on May 17, 1884.38

Completing the tabernacle

After their work on the temple was completed, the skilled carpenters and wood craftsmen returned to finish the intricate and ornate interior of the tabernacle.

Brother Erastus and brother Cole built four steeples. The first one went on the courthouse, the next two went on the temple while the last one completed was placed on the tabernacle tower in 1886.

They then made dramatic changes to the exterior. The outside flights of stairs were removed and enclosed passages constructed. Twenty-six years after the first foundation was laid, the tabernacle was finally completed. President Wilford Woodruff dedicated the structure on November 1, 1891.35e

Cache Valley Stake Tabernacle, Logan, Utah

Cache Valley Stake Tabernacle Interior

Alexander “Big Sandy” Izatt, “The hardest thing I ever had to do”.

Alexander Izatt (Big Sandy)

“Big Sandy” Izatt was also a stone mason who worked on the temple and tabernacle and many other projects.  When building didn’t provide enough work during the winter, he worked in the coal mines in Wyoming.

One winter, he had only been working in the mine for two days when he was strongly impressed to leave his work and go out of the mine. He stopped his work but then thought, “How foolish, I need this money to support my family.” He went back to his work. Once more a voice came to him and told him to leave the mine. “No, I cannot go!” he protested. The third time, it seemed he had no power to resist until he got out of the mine. He went to the cabin where he was staying. An explosion that night killed every man in the mine.39

In 1886, there was an explosion at the Almy #4 mine in south-western Wyoming. The Deseret Evening News, very accurately describes the event Alexander told about to his family.

The night of January 12 about 25 minutes to 12, the people of the vicinity were startled by a loud report as of thunder, and for a few seconds the sky was illuminated for miles like a bright-yellow sunset. The noise and light, proceeding from the No. 4 mine, was caused by an explosion of gas, the force of which was so terrific as to blow all of the building’s above-ground into kindling wood, sending great timbers and rocks three-quarters of a mile. Miners’ houses were’ struck and pierced, but the people in them were not seriously injured. Two miners riding down the slope in a trip of empty cars had got down to the 3d level when the explosion broke the cars into fragments and shot them out as from a cannon. The two bodies were blown to pieces and were found a considerable distance from the portal. Eleven men and two boys were said to have been in the mine, and all were killed.40

Alexander often said, “The hardest thing I ever had to do was to leave that mine”.39

“This house was not built right!”

In addition to Big Alexander’s work on the temple and tabernacle, he worked on the old ZCMI, the First National Bank in Logan, the meeting house annex in Paradise, the McMurdy Dairy and various homes. He was also superintendent, for a while of the Green Canyon rock quarry.6

These projects kept him very busy and often took him away from Logan. It seemed to his wife Elizabeth that Alexander was always prompt enough when he worked on other people’s houses, but could never get around to build his own house. It was during one of these absences that Elizabeth lost her patience and had the house built.

Their grandson tells the story: “There were words, grandfather never got it out of his system. To his dying day there was nothing right about the stairway to the foundation, not to mention a few other things. Personally, I think he had some justice on his side too.”6

Cache Valley Square Dance

Elizabeth loved to dance. Alexander (big Sandy) didn’t dance, but that did not stop Elizabeth at all. They went to dances in the old rock school house, church, and community center. Alexander would have to carry one child on his back and one in his arms and Elizabeth would pack the baby.27

Some dances started at sundown and lasted through the night. They opened and closed with prayer. A violin, an accordion and harmonicas struck up the music as the caller called out the square dance instructions.  The women served dinner at midnight and the left overs were put out for breakfast. Children slept through the din on benches lined against the walls. Christmas and New Years were always celebrated with a dance.2

Alexander and Elizabeth had ten children, 2 boys and 8 girls. They were Mary 1866, Grace 1868, William Boyle 1870, Elizabeth 1871, Jeanette 1873, Margaret 1875, Jane 1877, Annie 1879, Alexander George 1881, and Georgina 1883. The first two died in childhood.

Alexander Spowart Izatt, Sr.

Alexander S. Izatt (Little Sandy)

Alexander Spowart Izatt, Jr. described his father as dark complexioned, wore a chin beard, medium height and weighed about 145 pounds. He was cheerful and jovial and people loved to have him at parties. Alexander and Jane were part of a group in the Fifth ward that had a party at each other’s house almost every week.5

In the 1870s, Bishop Hyde called him to be Sunday School Superintendent. He didn’t have any nice clothing, so he used money he was saving to buy a horse and bought a large piece of cloth to make a beautiful suit.8 He served in that calling for about twenty years.

Music was dear to his heart and he loved to sing. He had a beautiful voice and was often invited out in the community to sing and was very popular. His favorite church calling was leader of the ward choir.

One night he was not feeling well and stayed home to rest. Because of his absence, the bishop ask him to resign as choir leader. Alexander was hurt and offended and would not attend church for a while. Jane persuaded him to attend meetings at the tabernacle. Several other men tried to lead the choir but were not successful. Finally, the bishop came to Alexander and told him he was needed for the choir. He happily accepted the position.8

They taught their children to be industrious to obtain and enjoy the necessities of life. And to have a spiritual home, to keep the commandments of the Lord and to take an active part in church. They were also very civic minded. Alexander was elected to the city counsel for a while.5

Alexander “Little Sandy” Izatt returns to coal mining

In addition to his work on three temples and the Logan Tabernacle, Alexander S. Izatt helped build the rock mill at Franklin, Idaho and many concrete and rock homes in Cache Valley. He built his own home at 331 North, Fourth East for his growing family. It was made of the same stone as the temple.8 He often had to leave home for work during the winters to provide clothing and other needs for the family.1

In November, 1883, he once again braved the dangers of coal mining in Rock Springs, Wyoming. In a letter to his wife he told her he had not seen daylight for a week. He said the work there was a sudden change “but all right if I can accomplish what I came here for, praying our Father in Heaven to preserve us all in good health, also from accident and danger.” He also advised her of his health condition, “My breast had not grumbled since I came here although the work is pretty hard for new comers.”41

At home in the winter

Ellen Izatt wrote the about family life in the Izatt home

In the winter of 1883, Jane cared for the small children at home. Alex was 10, Jeanette 6, Margaret 5, and Catherine was a baby. They had a three room home and all the children slept in one room with chairs placed in front of a couch or sofa for part of a bed.1

The three oldest girls had to arise early in the morning to help with the work before going to school. Agnes was 17, Ellen 14 and Mary 13. They would feed and care for the animals and chop wood in the cold, deep snow of Cache Valley winters. They washed and prepared the wool and took it to the carding mill so they could make their own fancy dresses and stockings. Ellen liked to knit, so her assignment was to knit stockings for the smaller children.

Nevertheless, it was a happy time when families worked together. They had parties in the homes to sew carpet rags, pop corn, make homemade molasses candy and play games. They had about one hour a day to skate or sleigh ride. Oh how happy they were when their father brought them a new, home made sleigh so they could coast down the hills with the other children.

All the children looked forward to Christmas and the night Santa Clause would come. They always hung up their stockings by the old chimney. In the morning, they found in them a nickel, an apple, an orange and a small bag of candy and nuts. Each of the girls also received one new dress and a new pair of shoes which had to last the entire year.1

Sugar Cane production in Cache Valley

Molasses Gauge, Franklin, Idaho

Molasses Gauge, Franklin, Cache Valley, Idaho

Alexander and Jane Izatt owned twenty acres and had a team of horses, a cow, chickens and other small animals. They had a huge garden with fine soil where they grew vegetables, berries and fruit trees.5,8 They were blessed with good crops each year.1

At planting time, the children would drop the seeds in the furrows while their father did the plowing. Then came the hoeing, weeding and watering. This was followed by the picking of cherries and berries and harvesting of the wheat. “Then the cutting of sugar cane and hauling the bundles to the mills for grinding into molasses.”1

Sugar was scarce in Utah in the 1880s and molasses was the substitute. Many settlers had a small cane patch. They squeezed the juice from the sugar cane to make molasses.42 Samuel Clark, Sr. made hundreds of gallons of molasses in the Cache Valley every year.43 His horse walked around and around to power the mill.44 Fruit was dried or boiled and stored in five-gallon jars without sugar but sweetened with molasses.43

Grandmother Williamson

Agnes Leatham Williamson Lawson

Agnes Leatham Williamson Lawson owned a small notions store in Wellsville. Little Agnes and Ellen called her Grandmother Williamson. When Ellen was about thirteen, she went to live with her and help her in her store.

In the winter months, many men made her store their headquarters where they would gather around the warm stove, smoking and telling stories. They often left a mess which Ellen had to clean up. She asked her grandmother why she put up with such things. Grandmother Williamson told her that they bought candy and nuts and other things which helped her business. She said she preferred being independent and wanted no charity.1

Children of Alexander and Jane Angus Izatt

Jane Angus Izatt

Alexander and Jane Angus Izatt had nine children: Mary M. Izatt 21 November 1870, Alexander S. Izatt Jr. 16 March 1873, Jeanette W. Izatt 8 July 1877, Margaret A. Izatt 18 March 1878, John Izatt 2 September 1880 (died at birth), William R. Izatt 10 February 1882 (died at birth), George J. Izatt 17 April 1887 and Angus J. Izatt 6 January 1890.

When Angus Izatt was born Jane became very ill and was not expected to live. Alexander worried about her as he was trying to finish the home he started building for his family during the summer. It was bitter cold in the Cache Valley and he caught a cold. Jane recovered, but Alexander died two weeks later.8 He was 45 years old.

Jane outlived all her Scottish peers

William Izatt died in Logan in 1873 and his wife Grace lived with her son Alexander for a while. She died in 1890. Their daughter Janet and James B. Gallacher had marital problems. Judge Elis Snow granted Janet custody of the children in 1881. James Gallacher died in SLC in 1885. Janet Izatt Gallacher in Logan in 1895.

Grandma Agnes Leatham Williamson died in Wellsville, Cache Valley, Utah in 1888. She was 81.

Elizabeth Boyle Izatt, Alexander (Big Sandy’s) Izatt’s wife,  died in Logan December 20, 1887. Her eight children were between the ages of 4 and 19. Alexander raised the children by himself and they later wrote that he was a wonderful father and took good care of them.27 He married Mary Legg in 1904. Alexander lived well into the twentieth century. He died in Logan on January 21, 1913 at age 69.

Jane lived for almost another quarter century.

The match maker

House Built by Alexander Spowart Izatt, 331 N. 4th East Logan, UT.45 Mary Izatt McNeil, Jane Angus Izatt and Jeanette Izatt Beers.

When her husband Alexander Spowart Izatt died in 1890, Jane was left to raise the young children by her self. Her oldest son, Alexander Jr, finished the house and she used her beautiful new home to take in students attending the Agricultural College as a source of income.

The home that A. S. Izatt built at 331 N. Fourth East45 was a great match maker. Many students lived there with the family and studied in the Izatt home. Some of them married into the family.

One of her boarders, William Beers, married Jeanette Izatt in the home parler on Christmas in 1902. Catherine (Kate) Izatt, who was a singer and soloist like her father, married boarder David Edmond Stevens on June 9, 1906, and George Izatt married Charlotte Stevens, also a boarder and David’s cousin, on September 27, 1908.30

Charlotte Stevens met George while boarding with the Izatt family. Top: Alexander G. Izatt, George J. Izatt, Charlotte Stevens Izatt, Edwin S. Izatt, David E. Izatt. Bottom row: Myrtle M. Izatt, Eva Faye Izatt, Alice M. Izatt, Margaret J. Izatt.

When Jane was about sixty-five she returned to her native Scotland. She came back to Logan with names of her family, parents, brothers, sisters cousins, aunts and uncles. Unfortunately, she was unable to find many names in her direct ancestor line of her own family. For many years she enjoyed walking from her home up the hill to the temple. She served there regularly as long as her health would allow.30

She was mindful of her community and served in numerous ways and was an assistant to Dr. Budge on many of his calls to the sick and assisted in the delivery of many babies.

Women could vote in Utah in 1870 and she always exercised her privilege. Even when she was blind at age 86 she found a way to vote. She requested her son George come from his work out of town to give her a ride to the voting place.30

A tribute by her granddaughter

Jane Angus Izatt

When her Aunt Mary was away. Eva Faye Izatt would often care for and read to her grandmother. The following was taken from a tribute written by Jane’s granddaughter, Eva Faye Izatt.

Jane Angus Izatt at 86 years old is a sweet, white haired woman whose countenance radiates the love, understanding, hardship, friendliness, and mirth that has accompanied her through the years. She is small in stature but stalwart of character, brave and valiant all the days of her life.

She now sits quietly, either knitting stitches into a sock for one of her grandchildren or just twiddling her fingers over the arm of her favorite old Morse chair. Her eye sight, now dimmed with cataracts, she needs a reader. She loves to have one of her family read from the Bible, and also certain sections of the daily news paper.

Those who know her can recall many pleasant hours spent listening to her deep and thoughtful philosophy, her rambling tales of old Scotland and her early girlhood, or best of all her love of the Gospel and the Bible. She speaks with a quick, concise, yet lilting Scottish brogue of her native land, delighting us all and we love her dearly.30

Jane Angus Izatt died on January 17, 1937. She was 91-years-old.

James and Agnes Izatt Adams

James and Agnes Adams home in 1918 (photo 2004). 603 E. 500 North, one block from campus. Where Archie Barney met Livonia Adams.

Alexander and Jeanette’s oldest daughter Agnes married James Hugh Adams in Logan on January 7, 1885. His father James Adams and uncle Hugh Adams also joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland before their trek to Utah.

Their children were: James I. Adams 1885-1955, Jeanette (Netty) Adams Williamson 1887-1962, Margaret (Gretta) Adams Christensen 1890-1966, Alexander I. Adams 1893-1910, Livonia Adams Barney 1898-1951, George L. Adams 1903-1973, Lyle I. Adams 1904-1968, Jessie I. Adams Ross 1907-1972, and Ernest I. Adams 1913-1977.

They build a home and raised their family at 603 E., 500 North in Logan one block from Agricultural College campus. Like Jane Izatt, they also boarded students in their home.

Ernest I. Adams and Agnes Izatt Adams

James Hugh Adams and Fay Barney

Archie and Livonia Adams Barney and the birth of Fay Barney

Three generations: Livonia Adams Barney, Fay Barney, Agnes Izatt Adams

Archie F. Barney came to the Cache Valley to the Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University). There he found board and room in the Adams home. He there met 18-year-old Livonia Adams. They were married in Logan on September 26,1917.

Agnes Fay Barney

The great war was in progress in Europe and Archie Barney was enlisted and left for Camp Lewis, Washington on May 25, 1918. He was on his way to France on July 11, 1918 when their first daughter Agnes Fay Barney was born in the back bedroom of the Adams home in Logan.

The family cut a lock of the baby’s long black hair, tied it with a pink ribbon and sent it in the letter announcing the birth of his daughter. As he was sitting in a park reading the letter a young girl snatched the pretty pink ribbon off Archie’s knee before he had a chance to enjoy it.46

Argonne offensive, September 26, 1918

Archie F. Barney

It was Archie and Livonia’s first anniversary, the morning  of September 26, 1918. The great Argonne offensive in France had begun. A heavy artillery barrage had ousted the enemy from their trenches. Archie, with his comrades were waiting for the order to go “over the top”.

The order given, they scrambled out of their trenches through the barbed wire entanglements toward the enemy trenches. Their business was to locate and eliminate or drive back German machine gunners concealed in the trees and brush.

Thinking they could make better time, they entered a large opening in the brush and woods. The lieutenant with Barney and three others went a head. A gunner, hidden in the brush, opened fire. They immediately dropped to the ground for cover. There was little protection to be had, however, as the machine gun spit several hundred balls per minute toward them.

Argonne offensive in France, September 26- November 11, 1918

Only a moment on the ground and one slug hit Archie in the left side of his neck.  It coursed its way down between his spine and his lungs. It was quite an injury. He was stunned and completely paralyzed below his arms. The bullet remained inside below his right arm pit. “In an instant more, (he wrote) my throat and lungs started to rattle. My breathing came hard and I thought perhaps it was my turn to fertilize the poppies. Within a few moments more, however, I had overcome the first shock of my experience and had perfect confidence in a speedy recovery from my injuries”.47

This assurance came to him as he lay helpless on the ground, still under fire from the machine gun. He distinctly remembers several balls striking the dirt near his head and of others cutting the blades of grass near by.

They were not held for long under this intense situation, however, before some of the Americans located and silenced the machine gun. Upon being relieved the boys of his company jumped up to continue their pursuit of the enemy.

He was injured at about 9 am and laid there on the muddy ground through the day. As he listened, he could hear the noise of battle receding into the distance as the Americans continued their advance. He laid there with the dead all night. The next day some medics collected the wounded together and covered them with blood-stained German garments to keep off the evening autumn chill. The following morning Archie was taken to a field hospital where he received excellent care from the doctors and nurses.47

After being in several hospitals in France he sailed for the USA, debarking at Ellis Island on November 18, 1918. He was sent to a hospital in Cape May, New Jersey, where by February, 1919, he had recovered sufficiently to walk in the halls. After November 11, 1919 (Armistice Day) he was discharged from the Army.47

Archie and Livonia Barney Family

Archie’s disability rating at the time of his discharge was 75% permanent disability. However, he persevered until he could walk with a cane and he was able to drive an automobile.

He returned to Logan and graduated from the Utah Agricultural College in the class of 1920. That autumn he moved with his family to Ithaca, New York and registered in the graduate school. He studied genetics, plant breeding, plant physiology and soil technology and received his Doctorate Degree from Cornell University.

They moved back to Utah and he got a job on May 1, 1925 as a field agronomist at American Smelter and Refining in Salt Lake City. It was satisfying work with a very good salary. He worked there for 30 years and retired in 1955.

Archie Barney was born on July 4, 1892. This year (2021) his grandchildren and their families will gather to continue the tradition of celebrating his fourth of July birthday, Granddad Barney’s 129th birthday.

Archie and Livonia had four children: Fay born in Logan, Utah, July 11, 1918; Ellen born at Ithaca, New York, October 4, 1921; Dean was born at Logan, Utah, on February 12, 1925; Carol born in Salt Lake City, Utah, January 11, 1928.

The Barney family top row: Ellen. Fay, Dean, Carol. Bottom row: Archie F. Barney, Livonia Adams Barney

Dennis Chamberlain and Martin Chamberlain with their great-grandmother Agnes Izatt Adams (photo taken 1944)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CChapter 27- Fay Barney Chamberlain: Dating and Marriage  (Fay Barney is a great-granddaughter of Alexander Spowart Izatt)

Summary Page 4- Alexander Spowart Izatt Family History

© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, All rights reserved. The Chamberlain Story, 2021.

References:

1- Ellen Izatt Stoddard, A Brief Sketch of My Life. Personal family record

2- Marva Lawrence, History of William Izatt (1812) and Grace Adamson Izatt (1811) Familysearch.org, memories.

5- Jane Angus Izatt, My Dear Children, A History of Our Coming to Utah, Familysearch.org.

6- Early Mining History, http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/8.html

8- Jeanette McNeil, A Sketch of the Life of Alexander Spowart Izatt, Familysearch.org, memories.

34- Jeanetta Adams Williams, Grandmother and Grandfather Izatt, Handwritten by granddaughter, 1952.

35- F. Ross Peterson, The History of Cache County, Utah State Historical Society, 1997.

35a pages 109-112
35b page 40
35c page 114-115
35d page 116
35e pages 112-113

36- Providence History Committee, Providence and Her People, Keith W. Watkins and Sons, Inc, 1974

37- Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Logan Utah Temple, https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/logan-utah-temple/

38- Latter-day Temples. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1972/01/

39. Alexander Izatt, Compiled by Marsha Ann Lloyd Howell

40- Almy Wyoming, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almy,_Wyoming Deseret Evening News.

41- Letter from Alexander S. Izatt to wife, Jane Izatt, December 2, 1883, Rock Springs, Wyoming Territory.

42- Franklin and Whitney Idaho, http://docshare04.docshare.tips/files/4147/41475065.pdf

43- Samuel Clark, Sr, (1798-1885) https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Clark-30879

44- Whitney, Idaho, http://franklin.idgenweb.org/franklin_county_towns.htm

45- Obit. of Jane Angus Izatt, Memories, FamilySearch.org.

46- Ernest & Fay Chamberlain Personal Histories, Recorded 25 June 1984 in England by Lyle Brent Chamberlain.

47- Selected Journals of Archie F. Barney, compiled by Deanna Fay Chamberlain Grant, pages 20-22.