Puffer Genealogy

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There is no proof that Asa and Polly Maynard were his parents. He is put here because Asa and Polly are the only Puffers that fit the timing and area of his birth and residence. More research is needed. 
PUFFER, William H. (I21446)
 
2


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Ancestral File Number: GTGL-HP 
FOSS, Thomas\Walter (I11752)
 
3

She was from Indian River, according to Hazel Bradeen. 
FARNSWORTH, Melissa A. (I19217)
 
4
Drowned in Lake Quinnebaugh, Burt County, NE 
PUFFER, Francis Elwyn (I14439)
 
5
http://wiki.whitneygen.org/wrg/index.php/Family:Whitney%2C_Theodore_(1824-%3F). Enjoy!

>From the Mexican War Pension File of Theodore Whitney

Company E, 3rd Indiana Volunteers

Susan Whitney, Widow

Invalid's Application #6973, Certificate #9067

Widow's Application #15926, Certificate #14443

The National Archives Building,

Washington, D.C.

On 16 February 1887 from Cowley County, Kansas Theodore Whitney signed a Declaration for Pension of Officer, Soldier, or Sailor of Mexican War. He is 62 years old and a resident of Arkansas City, Cowley Co., Kansas. He is married to Susan Puffer, to whom he was married at Montgomery Co., IA on 18 January 1863. He had served one year in the U.S. military in the War of 1846 to 48. He enlisted at Georgetown, Indiana on 15 June 1846 as a private in Company E, 3rd Indiana Regiment commanded by Captain James Tigart and Captain L.M. Adams. He was discharged at New Orleans, Louisiana on 14 June 1847. In a supporting affidavit he states that he was born on 25 December 1824. Theodore was granted a pension of eight dollars per month commencing 29 January 1887.

On 6 June 1900 from Jasper Co., Missouri Susan Whitney signed a Claim of Widow for Service Pension, Mexican War. She is sixty years old and the widow of Theodore Whitney. At the time of entering the war her husband was 21years old; 6 feet 4 inches in height; with dark eyes, black hair, a dark complexion, and was by occupation a farmer. He was born at Richland County, Ohio. After leaving the service he resided for 8 years at Nashville, Indiana; Read Oak (sic), IA for 30 years; Arkansas City for 5 years; and Stillwater, Oklahoma for 10 years. She was married to him under the name Susan Puffer on 18 January 1863 at Read Oak (sic), IA by J.H. Patterson, J.P. He had been previously married to Miss Isabella Quinn. Her husband died at Clayton, Oklahoma on 17 September 1889, and she has not since remarried. She is 60 years of age, and was born on 27 April 1840 at St. Joseph, Missouri. She has been disabled since April 1875 by typhoid fever. Since then she has been dependent on her children for support, as she has no income. Her post office address is Carterville, Jasper Co., Missouri. J. Welch of Carterville and Martin Widner of Jasper County witness the declaration. They have known her for 25 and 27 years respectively.

My review of the pension file did not reveal to me the event which instigated a special investigation of the widow's claim, but it may be in the file. It was the largest pension file I have ever reviewed, and 95% or more of the file concerns the investigation of the widow's claim. In this abstract I will review the major points of the case and then single out only pieces of the testimony which have genealogical or historical significance. Those interested in further knowledge of this family are encouraged to review the file first hand.

J.A. Cuddy, Chief of the Law Division of the Bureau of Pensions provided a review of the case and an opinion on the legalities involved in Theodore and Susan's marriage. I will draw from that summary the story of the dispute.

Susan's marriage to Theodore Whitney is established by record evidence, which shows that she was married under the name of Susan Puffer. In her original declaration she said that she had never previously been married. She subsequently admitted that she had previously married Richard Puffer, but she denies the validity of the marriage because at that time he had a wife, Sarah Wilder, living and not divorced. This brings into doubt the validity of Susan's marriage to Theodore.

Susan's marriage to Richard Puffer appears in the records of Cass County, Nebraska on 3 November 1857. (They were married in Plattsmouth, NE, and they lived between Rock Bluff and Plattsmouth.) After they had lived together for two years, Susan learned of the existence of the previous wife, Sarah Wilder. (Testimony reveals Richard left her in Keene, NH.) Susan alleges that she brought him to task over the matter, and he admitted it, but assured her that he had expected to receive a divorce decree, and he would secure it within a short time. They agreed to separate until he could show her the divorce decree, and she returned to her previous home in IA. Richard subsequently joined her there, and they returned together to Nebraska to settle and dispose of certain real estate interests. She then returned to IA with the understanding that Richard Puffer would send for her when he secured the divorce. Since then she has heard neither from nor of him. She claims that she secured a paper signed by her previous neighbors in Nebraska stating that Puffer had a former wife living and not divorced when he married her, and that this paper was accepted by the magistrate who officiated at her marriage to Theodore Whitney as satisfactory evidence of her capacity to marry Theodore. This paper was not preserved, and the only existing evidence of Puffer's previous marriage is testimony by various witnesses, which is based on the rumor started by Susan's remarks after her separation from Puffer.

Susan was married to Theodore and they resided together, all as previously described. No trace of Puffer subsequent to 1859 has been discovered, although and exhaustive search has been conducted. No divorce of Susan and Richard Puffer has been discovered in any records. Subsequently, a legal opinion is required as to whether Susan is entitled to recognition as the lawful widow of Theodore Whitney.

The marriage ceremony of Susan to Richard Puffer is established by recorded evidence, and no competent evidence has been secured to show that Richard Puffer did not have the legal capacity to contract in this marriage. Therefore, the marriage is assumed valid. The question remains as to whether or not this marriage was dissolved prior to her marriage to Theodore Whitney. There is no evidence that the marriage was dissolved by divorce or by the death of Richard, and there is little evidence upon which to assume that it was dissolved in this manner. Therefore, the law in the State of IA which governs the presumption of the dissolution of a marriage prevails, and that law is very liberal. Without a discussion of the intricacies of the law, since Susan conducted herself in accordance with the assumption that her previous marriage was dissolved, that marriage under IA law is thought to be legally dissolved. Her ceremonial marriage to Theodore and her lifetime cohabitation with him as his wife, with no word from her previous husband during that whole period are circumstances which weighed heavily in her favor in determining the presumption her capacity to legally marry Theodore. Therefore, it was the legal opinion that the dissolution of the marriage of Susan to Richard Puffer should be presumed prior to her marriage to Theodore, and she is entitled to recognition as the lawful widow of the soldier.

The testimony of many witnesses was elicited, recorded, and preserved in the pension file. The following facts of genealogical or historical interest have been extracted from that testimony.

The Clerk of the Court of Cass Co., Nebraska provided the following certified copy of the record of marriage: "I, John H. Craig, a Justice of the Peace of said county, certify that I did on the 3rd day of Nov. 1857 join in matrimony Mr. Richard Puffer of Cass Co., N.T. to Miss Susan Beazely (sic) of said place. Witness my hand on this 3rd day of Nov. 1857. John H. Craig"

H.G. Barnes, Clerk of the District Court, Montgomery Co., IA provided the following certified copy of the record of marriage: "State of IA, Montgomery, Co, ss. I certify that on the 18th day of January, A.D., 1863 Theodore Whitney and Susan Puffer were by me lawfully united as husband and wife. Jan. the 15th, 1863. John W. Patterson, Justice of the Peace."

Much of Susan's testimony concerned the circumstances and dissolution of her marriage to Richard Puffer. In addition, we learn in the testimony of 1905 that she resides in Trenton, IA. Theodore Whitney had first been married to Isabella Quinn, who died in Montgomery Co., IA sixteen miles northeast of Red Oak, and she was buried in a cemetery near Bean Schoolhouse. She left three children: William, Mary, and Margaret. Margaret Welch is now the only child still alive, and she resides in Jefferson City, Missouri. The other children lived with Susan and Theodore until they died. The fact of the death of Isabella can be corroborated by Jim Whitney, who lives near Villisca, IA or Seiola, IA. Susan had known Theodore less than a year before they were married, and Isabella had been dead less than a year before they married.

James Whitney also testified in 1905. He is 72 years old and a resident of Villisca, IA. Theodore Whitney was his brother, and they were born in Richland Co., Ohio. With their parents they later moved to Indiana, close to Nashville in Brown County. He now has no brothers living, and has two sisters: Sarah Parr, residing in Oskaloosa, IA; and Miranda Redman, wife of Francis Redman, residing in Elliott, Montgomery Co., IA. He and Theodore came to IA in 1855. The sisters first settled in Poweshiek Co., IA, and Miranda came to Montgomery County about four years later. Theodore first married Isabella Quinn in Brown Co., Indiana, and she died seven or eight years after they came to IA in 1855. He thinks it was about four years later that Theodore married Susan Puffer. James knew Susan's father, Charles Beasley, before she married Theodore. She had a brother named Isham Beasley who enlisted in the Civil War. Susan's father deserted the family, and James never heard of him again. When James first knew Susan she had a child named Mary Puffer, about two years old, and a younger child had died. (Other testimony reveals she became Mary E. Robertson, who resided in Newton, IA.)

On 18 June 1906 Ella Gamble, who lives 10 miles northeast of Arkansas City, Cowley Co., Kansas, testified concerning members of the Whitney family. She is the widow of William J. Gamble, and is the daughter of Susan and Theodore Whitney. She lived at home until 1892, when she married. Susan and Theodore had together her and one son, Walter, who ran the family farm and supported his parents, whose only income was his pension. The children of Theodore by his first wife, Isabella, were:

Martha J. Dwyer

James Whitney

Arthur E. Whitney

Eva Snyder

Austin Birtie "Bert" Whitney

In 1906 Susan testified that she now resides near Meehan, Payne Co., Oklahoma Territory with Eva Snyder. Arthur Whitney lives in Sand Point, Idaho, and he went there in the spring of 1906. Birt lives in Guymon, Beaver Co., Oklahoma.

On 29 September 1910 the Commissioner of Pension was informed that Susan Whitney was last paid at twelve dollars per month to 4 May 1910, and has been dropped from the rolls due to her death, date not given.

Ken Whitney,
Silver Spring, MD 
BEASLEY, Susan (I34852)
 
6
It's not proven this the correct Helen Ruth 
HOWARD, Helen Ruth (I24368)
 
7 five children. WILDER, Charles Denise (I33220)
 
8 Sec Y 24 16 BODDINGTON, Alice Elizabeth (I37628)
 
9 This town was Volpersdorf, Germany prior to 1945 PRAUSE, August Franz Jr. (I9078)
 
10 !940.455 bARDWELL, SUFF, ENG BAPT AND MG RECS BURIAL AND DEATH RECS. HARVEY, Dinah (I2851)
 
11 !BIRTH DATE AND LOCATION RECEIVED FROM TEMPLE READY, APPROXIMATED BY TH E COMPU TER. THAVE, Sarah (I15582)
 
12 !BROOME HAS AN ACCENT OVER THE E ' BROOME, Jannika Maria (I21043)
 
13 !CHECK LAST NAME JOHANSON, Samuel Pihlstrom (I3471)
 
14 !DEATH DATE MAY BE WRONG? TEMPLE WORK WAS DONE BUT CHILD WAS ONLY FEW MONTHS OLD HERTZMAN, Eva Eleanora (I3747)
 
15 !DIED AT AGE 61 BIRTH DATE IS REALLY BAPTISM DATE BENNETT, Diana (I2857)
 
16 !HE WAS A COMMINISTER HERTZMAN, Peter Olof (I3742)
 
17 !HE WAS SEXTAN OF PARISH GAYRS HARVEY, James (I2858)
 
18 !I ONLY HAD MANS WRITTEN ON PEDIGREE CHECK LAST NAME MANSSON, Anders (I3736)
 
19 !NOTE SAYS WAS UNMARRIED GRAYSTON, Charles Henry (I6703)
 
20 !ONE SHEET LISTED BIRTH AS 1839? ONE SHEET LISTED BIRTHPLACE AS SHUDY CAMPS GRAYSTON, George (I5912)
 
21 !ONE SHEET LISTED BIRTH AS 30 SEP 1841, HAD BEEN CROSSED OFF CAWLEY, Cecilia (I5911)
 
22 !SARAH IS JAMES GRAYSTONS SECOND WIFE

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SARAH IS JAMES GRAYSTONS SECOND WIFE 
THURSTON, Sarah (I1018)
 
23 !UNMARRIED..HAD ILLEGITIMATE CHILD AMELIA CHAROLTTE BORN 5 OCT 1826, CHR. 8 OC T 1826 HERTZMAN, Anna Charlotta (I3746)
 
24 !WIFE NAMED EMILY CAWLEY, John (I2859)
 
25 !WILLIAM'S FUNERAL SERVICE WAS TYPED AND IS IN POSSESION OF GAYLE GULLIVER TOBLER, HIS GREAT GRAND-DAUGHTER AND HIS GRANDDAUGHTER MELBA JENSON GULLIVER. GRAYSTON, William John (I23578)
 
26 " as a private in Captain Joseph McNall's Company, then in Colonel Edward Wigglesworth's Regiment and last with General Washington's army at Valley Forge Although he was "of Machias," he was not born there since Machias was settled in 1763, organized in 1770 and incorporated in 1784 MCGEE, Peter (I36626)
 
27 " .. she was devoutly religious, and of a mild and trusting disposition; a true and noble mother, and much given to generosity; was optimistic and believed that "to them that love God all things work together for good." While on the way to class meeting, the horse took fright, ran, and threw her and her husband from the carriage, resulting in her death." CARY, Priscilla Pineo (I37208)
 
28 " A native stone without inscription marks his grave in the cemetery on the hill at Readsboro." "Descendants of George Puffer of Braintree Mass 1639-1915", Charles Nutt, 1915, page 115. PUFFER, Tisdale (I13692)
 
29 ".. who lived down by the iron bridge on way to Epping Corner." Roberta Puffer PUFFER, Catherine Redman (I36937)
 
30 "...and, like his father, became a man of influence and substance...during the Indian troubles which accompanied the wars between the English and French powers, his house was strongly fortified and called Varney garrison house, and history states that it frequently afforded safe refuge for the families of the locality against the incursions of marauding Indians..." VARNEY, Ebenezer (I20154)
 
31 "A curious document was the will of Miss Caroline A. Puffer, which was filed In the office of the Kings County Surrogate yesterday by William L. (Ed: this is William Lord Puffer) Puffer, of No. 333 West Nineteenth St., Manhattan, a grand-nephew. Miss Puffer was a spinster, who died on March 3 at her home in President St. , near Sixth-Ave., Brooklyn. She was eighty-three years old. There is no schedule of the estate filed, but it included a large amount of personal property. Miss Puffer had many relatives, and each one Is remembered by the gift of a silver spoon, a walking stick, Chinese vase or something of that description. The enumeration of these legacies occupies four typewritten pages. Mr. Puffer, the executor of the will, is directed to go to the home of the testator and "turn the face of each picture toward the wall." On the back of each picture, the will says, will be found the name of the person to whom it is to be given.

Miss Puffer directed that all the money found in a certain black bandbox should be divided between St. Martin's Protestant Episcopal Church and the Rev. Dr. Frederick W. Davis, rector of the church. It was not stated how much money was in the box.

Instructions are also given as to the burial of Miss Puffer. Among other things she directed that she should be buried in Green-Wood Cemetery beside Captain Holmes. Captain Holmes was the husband of Miss Puffer's favorite sister. Upon the tombstone the executor is ordered to have placed the name and age of the testator and the words, "Entered Into Rest.""

NY Tribune, Saturday, Mar 22, 1902 
PUFFER, Caroline Augusta (I40658)
 
32 "a sweet Christian character" MILES, Martha Gertrude (I16408)
 
33 "About 1760 two brothers, Thomas and Samuel Leighton, came from Falmout h, Me., to the Narraguagus river." (Centennial Historical Sketch of the T own of Columbia, by Levi Leighton, Esq.) He was with his father and with him settled first at Gouldsboro. Shortl y after, he was the pioneer settler at Columbia, then No. 12 and 13 During the Revolutionary War, and he was in Capt. Francis Shaw's Co. fo r four months defending the coast; then under Capt. Thomas Parritt in J une 1777; in Capt. Henry Dyer's detachment in Aug. and Sept. 1777, serv ing at Machias; in Capt. John Hall's Co. at Majabagaduce in Aug. 1779 a nd again under Capt. Henry Dyer in 1780 LEIGHTON, Samuel (I18190)
 
34 "Always as boy and man he has been known to be trustworthy and strictly honest. His word needed no bond. He had worked for various mechanical firms and making their interests his own was popular with employers and his fellow workmen. He also was an amateur farmer and fruit grower and the flowers that greeted you from his lawn showed his and his wife's love for the beautiful. His was a model home. With his devoted wife and two exemplary sons their home life was an ideal object lesson. But just as they were prepared to enjoy the fruits of their toil in comfortable leisure he was stricken with malignant disease. *** Four brother Masons bore him to his last resting place". (newspaper obituary) PUFFER, Henry (I17080)
 
35 "Bessie was average height, slim, light complexion, a very nice person, liked by all who knew her." She died in the Will Grant house (so called) about half way down Saco Hill on the right according to a letter to Hazel Bradeen from "Bertha" (Roberta Puffer).

She died as a result of childbirth a few months earlier. 
DORR, Bessie Graham (I37275)
 
36 "By the bark Warwick, we send you a factor to take care of the trade goods; also a soldier for discovery." "This soldier," says Mr Potter, "was doubtless Darby FIeld, ..." -- from "Joy Family Tree" Family: FIELD, Darby / ROBERTS, Agnes (F10947)
 
37 "Co. H 39 Reg Iowa Vol; KILLED July 4, 1863; Aged 41 ys 2 ms 15 ds"
Gravesite Details
 George was actually captured on July 7, 1863, at Corinth, Mississippi, and was never heard from again 
NOEL, George W. (I14188)
 
38 "Cupid Disturbs Slumber Peter S Chronowski Indiana Harbor justice of the peace didn't get much peace last night after retiring A Clarence L Puffer and Roberta A Kelly hauled him out of bed to perform a marriage ceremony" Article of the Hammond Times, Mar 12 1946 KELLY, Roberta Ann (I24695)
 
39 "Dadone" MANCINI, Dominic (I10136)
 
40 "Dadone" MANCINI, Diomede (I74101)
 
41 "FORTUNE PASSENGER" -- Taken by father to Leiden, Holland, shortly after baptism; age 10 sailed to Southampton, England, with stepmother on the Speedwell; sailed on Speedwell (with Mayflower), 1620, for New World, with father (stepmother?), but abandoned voyage when vessel put back 3rd time; arrived at Plymouth, MA, on the Fortune in late November 1621; father returned to England leaving Thomas as ward of Governor Bradford. "He settled in that part of Plymouth now Kingston, and in 1635 was on the Jury. He was appointed successor to Elder Brewster in 1649, continuing in the office until his death, Dec. 11, 1691. More than 43 years. He, for several years, was assistant to the Governor, and went to London five times in the interest of the Colony. He spent the latter part of his life in New Haven, CT where he died. CUSHMAN, Elder Thomas (I15877)
 
42 "Frankie's life was not easy. Money was always scarce, but after her mother Maggie was widowed she took her in and cared for her even after Maggie had several strokes and was a complete invalid. This led to an estrangement between the Puffers and Frankie's family who rightly thought Maude (her sister) should help, at least financially." Ruth La Bounty Puffer WARREN, Frances Lenora (I47848)
 
43 "He followed the sea when a boy and was in Gloucester when the War of 1812 broke out. He served three months in the militia. He did not like the service on land and, when the privateer Basilisk, was fitted out, he enlisted and went to sea. After taking some prizes, he and five others were put aboard one of them, but they were captured by a British man-of-war. An Irishman swore that he knew John Puffer as an Irishman. John was asked to pronounce the name Blair. His accent was decided to prove that he was Irish and he was impressed in the British Navy. He had his "protection" and kept it secreted until he reached Halifax, when he appealed to the authorities, and proved that he was an American. He was then made a prisoner of war and later transferred to the war prison at Dartmoor, England. While there he kept a diary, which is now in possession of one of his grandchildren, while another has the "protection box". Another grandson has a chest which John had when he moved to Maine, and a copy of the will of Robert Redman (date 1760), an ancestor of his mother. In 1822 he was living at 29 Pleasant Street, Boston. About 1823 he moved from Boston to Frankfort, Me on the Penobscot River, 13 miles below Bangor, but a year later moved to Columbia, Me., where most of his children lived. He was a carpenter by trade, and a lumberman in the forests of eastern Maine at the time when ship building was a prominent industry in the coast towns. He was living in 1876."

According to the Reed genealogy, ".. and when they were fired upon by the guards, in the prison-yard, a ball grazed his jacket, and killed a fellow prisoner."

His gravestone reads
"I am now at rest weep not for me
From sin and death I now am Free
Transplanted to my home above
I dwell where all is peace and love."

in 1823 moved to Frankfort, ME
in 1824 moved to Columbia, ME

Before he served onboard the privateer Yorktown, he served in Capt Lemuel Bradford's Co 21st US Inf during War of 1812
=========================================

According the British Admiralty records, he was a Lt. aboard the privateer Yorktown. This ship was capture
on 8 Jul 1813 at sea by the HMS Maidstone. He was "interned" at Halifax, NS, aboard a prison ship till 19 Nov
1813 (3-4 months). On that date, he was shipped to England aboard HMS Nemesis bound for England.

He remained in Dartmoor Prison for 2 years and five months. He came to Columbia in 1825, and bought the betterments of the place at Little River, so called, of Moses Leighton, where his son John and daughters, Taphenus and Arabella now live. He was active in town affairs and took an interest in building up society. "They came from Braintree in 1824 or 1825 and settled at Little River Corner. He built a big farm house up by The Rips (in our pasture and 2nd field where the big rock is)." Elizabeth Roberta Puffer

=========================================

ED NOTE: In 1986 I took a trip to Columbia to locate the "diary" and "protection box". After a long and suspenseful search, on my last day there, I learned that the "diary" had been in the possession of Elizabeth Roberta Puffer, a cousin of my grandfather Charles K.W. French. She had died two years prior. The "diary" was given by her to the State of Maine Archives. I drove to Augusta to view the "diary".

I had a chance (about an hour or two) to examine the contents. Its not a "diary" in the strict sense. It doesn't record daily activities. Its a large, burlap covered book with many different types of entries in two distinct sections.The first section contains mostly mathematical questions and solvings. The second section contain some poems (sea shanties?) about the war and some of the battles as well as small drawings of ships. One page lists the names of men killed and wounded in the massacre of prisoners that happened at Dartmoor at the close of the war when the Americans were about to be repatriated in a prisoner swap. The conditions at the prison were abominable. Barely one in 10 men survived a year. I postulate that "Dartmoor" John used the "diary" as a textbook to teach fellow prisoners mathematics to pass the time and to keep his sanity. His name is written on the book cover in his own hand. It is a priceless piece of family history and it is too bad that it transferred out of family hands to the State of Maine. It can be viewed at the State Archive in Augusta.

According to a letter from Roberta Puffer "It was there that he continued to keep the journal which we still have. It is in a safety box in a bank. It is getting old. It covers 1820-1870 and is crumbling with age . There are about 70 pages". According to family history, "John Sr. was put in Dartmoor prison in England as a political prisoner 1812-1814. He was taken off the clipper ship The Basilisk by an English vessel in 1812. They were going to impress him into the British Navy but he had his protection papers which he showed to the authorities in Halifax, where he was declared to be an American citizen from Boston. However the English vessel took him to England and he was put in Dartmoor until the end of the war of 1812." This is a mystery still. The book I saw was not a diary nor did it cover the period stated. Could there be another? Further investigation of Dartmoor Prison records show no John Puffer listed as a prisoner. Another mystery. Did he use an alias?

"John Puffer Sr also brought up two other boys, Ira Barney and John Page who did well in life." Roberta Puffer

ED NOTE: 8/24/05

What a great week for discovery this has been. After searching online for years to locate information about Dartmoor John (Puffer) perhaps our most illustrious ancestor, I was able to make contact with a man in England who is an historian on Dartmoor Prison. He provided me with information about Dartmoor John's capture, and subsequent imprisonment.

I had begun to doubt his story of ever being in prison because I was unable to find any outside information to verify the family history (as related in the Puffer Genealogy).

There is no record (that I can find) of any ship by the name of Basilisk during the War of 1812, either American or British. There was no record of his name in the lists of prisoners that I was able to find.

In fact, the ship he was on was the Yorktown, a well-known American privateer. HMS Nimrod took the Yorktown as a prize in 1813 off the coast of Nova Scotia. John Puffer was sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he spent some time in prison there, before being shipped to Chatham, Kent, England where he spent almost a year in prison there. Finally he was shipped to Dartmoor Prison in Devonshire, where he spent the rest of the war. He survived the 'massacre' there in December of 1814 (a well documented historical event). He was released from Dartmoor in 1815.

One of the frustrations of this search is that his 'diary' has only one brief mention of anything to do with the prison. It is a short list of names of wounded or killed men. Since I now have a source I can check those names against the prison list and see if he's accurate. For a man who spent the better part of 2.5 years in prison you might expect a bit more biographical writings of that experience.
(2016) listed below are the names that appear in the "diary" and the injury they suffered.:
Robert Willet left left thigh, amputated
Thomas Finley in the thigh
William Appleby in the arm
George Campbell dead
John Peach in the thigh
Cornelius Garrison head and hand
John Geir left leg amputated
William Lane in the eyes
Pain Perry in the shoulders

A month ago I doubted his story was true. I even suspected that he fabricated the story based on what he had heard of other prisoners' true-life stories of impressment and imprisonment. Many books of the time were written by former prisoners about this most notorious of English prisons. I thought John Puffer had taken those verbal and written stories and made them his own.

I am relieved to know that he, in fact, was a prisoner, even if some of the facts were wrong in the family history.

Prison number 3431 2791
By what ship or how taken British Squadron British Squadron
Time when (taken) 26 July 1813 13 July 1813
Place where (taken) Halifax off Halifax
Name of Prize Yorktown Yorktown
Man-o-war/Privateer/ MV Privateer Privateer
Prisoners name John Puffer Jonathan Puffer
Quality (rank) Seaman Seaman
Time received into custody(at Dartmoor) 13 September 1814 7 Jan 1814
From what ship or whence received HMS Niobe from Chatham from Halifax
Place of Nativity (where born) Cantor (Canton, MA) Cantor (Canton, MA)

Age 20 20
Stature (height) 5`6" and a half inch 5`6" and a half inches
Person stout(means muscular) Stout
Visage/ complexion oval/fresh oval /fresh
Hair brown
Eyes brown hazel
Marks or wounds none

Date of supply (bedding etc) Chatham Feb 18 14
Exchanged/Discharged/Died or escaped Discharged Discharged 8 Sept 1814 to Dartmoor by HMS Niobe
Time when 28 May 1815
Whither and by what order Released Boards Order 16 March 1815
end of Dartmoor record

So a short synopsis of his war experience:
He was captured off Halifax, Nova Scotia, and taken to the HMS Niobe, a prison ship or hulks (ships used as prisons in Halifax, NS) on 26 July 1813, he was kept there until he was taken in at the Chatham hulks (County of Kent, England) on 7 Jan 1814. (A period of 5.5 months). He was kept there (Chatham) until 8 Sept 1814 when he was sent to the Dartmoor War Prison. ( A period of 8 months)

He arrived at Dartmoor Depot on the 13 Sept 1814, this was a fast trip of about 250 miles sea voyage to Plymouth, then the last 17 miles was a severe march up to 1500 feet above sea level to the prison carrying his bedding etc. He was not supplied at Dartmoor, but at Chatham, so he carried his bedding up to Dartmoor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On June 13, 1873 his wife sold land to John Puffer (her father-in-law) for $1500. On Nov 14th, 1863 she bought 34 acres+- of land for $425 from Levi W. Ingersoll. (David M. Caranci has the original deed.)

The 1870 Census shows him as John PUFFIN. He is 76 YO and is a farmer. He lives with his wife Catherine who is 72 years old and a housewife.

"He enlisted in the navy in the war of 1812 and was taken prisoner soon after and lodged in Dartmore prison, where he remained two years and five months. He came to Columbia about the year 1825, and bought the betterments of the place at Little River, so called, of Moses Leighton, where his son John and daughters Taphenus and Arabella now live. He was active in town affairs and took an interest in building up society."

=========================================
June 12, 2011
Another week of great discovery by my contact with another great grandson of Dartmoor John, Homer Morrison.

He has been able to fill in many (if not all) of the missing pieces regarding how John Puffer came to Dartmoor prison. He has the records of the English Admiralty of his capture and transfer from Halifax, NS to Chatham, England to Dartmoor.

American Prisoners of War Held at Halifax During the War of 1812 by Harrison Scott Baker

Below is Baker's summary for John Puffer, Volume II, p. 327. This was the key:

Puffer, John Prisoner 3619 Rank:Seaman From: Manchester RC, Privateer
Captured: 11 July 1813 at sea by HMS Maidstone Interned: 28 July 1813 Discharged: 09 November 1813
Belongs to Yorktown Privateer. Received from Recruit. Nemesis for England per order of Adml Sir J B Warren. 
PUFFER, John Sr. (I34847)
 
44 "He moved to Bar Mills (ME ca 1915) and had a big farm with pigs and chickens. She (Mary) and her brother Carol were punished by him for feeding the pigs. They had to sit by a big stove in the house." Mary Edith French ( step-grand daughter). SMITH, Harvey Holly (I13777)
 
45 "He turned out to be meanly and corruptly dispositioned - indolent, dissipated, improvident, a whoremonger. So vilely did he behave, and such was the unconscionableness of his neglect of his family, that his wife sought her greatest good in an effort of dissolve or dissever the nuptial tie that bound her to him - it was dissolved - they were disunited by decree of divorce." What became of him is unknown, "only that he is said to have gone to Vermont." PUFFER, Elisha (I20392)
 
46 "He was a forestry worker in MI, following the lumber industry, moving to new areas as the timber gave out in worked-over forests. They lived back and forth across the border between Ontario, Pennsylvania, and New York State. All 4 children were born in Ontario, but most of their growing up was in Cross Fork, PA, a community no longer in existence. Maude mentioned going to school in Comber, Ontario, so they must have lived there before Cross Fork. The timber gave out, the town caught fire and so the family returned (1910-1911?) to Windsor, where William found employment building the new Ford plant. When that was completed, he worked in the factory till April 12, 1929, he came home from work, sat down and immediately died from a heart attack." Ruth La Bounty Puffer. WARREN, William Alexander (I41656)
 
47 "He was awakened and converted, it is believed, by a sermon, preached at Worcester, by Rev. George Whitefield." Watertown, Mass Genealogies and Histories, page 251.

(Note: George Whitefield was a great revivalist preacher and, among Jonathan Edwards, Gilbert Tennent and Samuel Davies, led what is called the "1st Great Awakening" in the US. during the 1730s and 1740s, when passion for personal faith had grown stale. DMC 11/17/19) 
GODDARD, Daniel Sr. (I46577)
 
48 "He was for many years engaged in the manufacture of shoes. He is now (1915) living at Athol, MA, retired." (Nutt)

He was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in Company E, 18th N.H. Vols. at the age of 17 years, and served to the end of the war, when he was honorably discharged. His regiment fought a battle at Fort Stedman, VA on 25 + 29 Mar 1865; then Petersburg, VA on 2-3 Apr 1865.

According to the 1910 Census he was an inspector in a shoe factory. The "Lynn Directory" (1875-1880) shows him in partnership with Alvah H. Hill as a 'boot and shoe manufs. 14 State Street, House 24, Prospect'. (see page 459)." The 1916 Athol, MA street guide has him living at 119 Liberty Street.

(Ed Note: DMC has the Bible that he carried with him during the Civil War). 
PUFFER, Simon Edgar (I16276)
 
49 "He went to pay for the mortgage on the Ranch when "Grandma Lacy" (Matilda Solomon Lacy) was 12 and never returned.  In the 1940's or 50's they found human bones in the basement of the hotel in Green River, but without any DNA evidence they could never be certain it was him." SOLOMON, George Delbert (I22174)
 
50 "His life was marked by Christian sympathy, choosing to bear a portion of other's sorrows, courteous in his demeanor, devout in his affections, humble in view of a pardoning Redeemer, given to hospitality ..." HOSMER, Deacon Silas (I32930)
 
51 "His whole life has been spent in Cedar County, (IA) where he as been an enterprising farmer, a worthy citizen, a kind and obliging neighbor. * ** Several years ago he suffered from a very severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism, form which he never fully recovered, the same being complicated with heart disease which finally proved fatal. Mr. Puffer was held in high esteem by those who knew him best. He appreciated the friendship of those who were truly his friends and was most fondly attached to his home and the loved ones there" (newspaper obituary). The funeral was at the Methodist Church and was largely attended. Interment at Mechanicsville cemetery. PUFFER, Authernial George Washington (I33431)
 
52 "I only know Naomi had two children Betty and Emma Bowers. Each were married to Eugene Baldwin and Edwin Clauser. Each had adopted children. Richard Puffer was Naomi second husband. Richard lost his arm in WWII and his occupation was RE appraiser in the LA area. Naomi I think was from the South. The reason the girls did not have natural children was they were afraid they may be black. There is some black history in either Naomi or Fred Bower, her first husband. It was just part of their generation thinking." (From Ancestry member berg775) BEDDOW, Naomi Elizabeth (I14875)
 
53 "If Mr. Joseph Hawley, who hath married Lydia my grand child & is now living at Northampton, see cause to settle there and build an house, I give him Land which lyeth between Elder John Strong's Homelott and my own, provided he build on it and live there four years, then it shall be to him and his wife and their heirs forever," from the Will of Lt. David Witton, of Northampton, who died 5 Feb. 1677/78, will dated 25 Dec. 1677. HAWLEY, Joseph (I13844)
 
54 "In memory of Richard Puffer son of Mr. Richard Puffer & Mrs Jemima his wife Deceased Novbr 20 1756 Aged 2 yrs 11ms & 24 days." PUFFER, Richard (I20478)
 
55 "It was at her house that I walked after the nail in my foot episode to see my first auto. She was a teacher." Roberta Puffer. PUFFER, Alice H. (I37190)
 
56 "John was the son George C BURPEE who married Jennie (Dingman) Putney on 28 April 1875 at Winchester, NH. It's unknown what happened to George Burpee. In 1878 Jennie married Gilman Raymond and John G took Gilman's name." RAYMOND, John G. (I41637)
 
57 "Mr. Sunday School" to the Southern Baptist Convention KILBRETH, Leon Raymond (I42708)
 
58 "Mrs Abigail Puffer, aged 85 yrs., was buried at his side, was presumably his wife. His will mentions no wife nor children" - Descendants of George Puffer of Braintree, Massachusetts 1639-1915 by Charles Nutt, page 66" Abigail (I16150)
 
59 "Mrs. Nutt had lived in Natick for forty years and, for one who seldom c ared to leave her home, she had a wide acquaintance and many friends. S he was absolutely devoted to her family. She was, however, interested i n public matters, especially temperance work and in her younger days be longed to temperance organizations; she was interested in the schools a nd often voted when there were contests for school committee. She too p art in the various forms of work of the loyal women of the North during t he Civil War, making uniforms, sewing for the soldiers, preparing lint a nd bandages for the wounded and gathering other supplies and comforts t o send to the front." - Natick Bulletin PUFFER, Abigail Prentice (I18796)
 
60 "Much beloved in life, she was greatly lamented. *** a woman of estimab le qualities of mind, heart and character." PUFFER, Lucy Ann (I16403)
 
61 "On Wednesday last a sorrowful accident happened at Stoughton, as a number of persons were raising the spire of the meeting-house there, some of the tackling gave way, when one Mr. Isaac Fenno, jun'r fell to the ground, and was killed in an instant. He has left a widow and 4 children." FENNO, Isaac (I42768)
 
62 "Phebe was killed by indians while returning from worship July 4 1697 and John was wounded" [Pike's Journal]. The pioneers of Maine and New Hampshire, 1623 to 1660; a descriptive list, drawn from records of the colonies, towns, churches, courts and other contemporary sources (1908) by Charles Henry Pope p. 92  LITTLEFIELD, Phebe (I48472)
 
63 "Puffer Genealogy" book shows marriage date as 10 Aug 1842. This is probably the intention date. Family: PUFFER, Edward Aldrich / HOAR, Almira Zernah (F8195)
 
64 "Rec. of the Second Church of Scituate", NEHGR Vol. 58, p. 390: Sarah F arr ow daughter of Benjamin & Leah Farrow was baptised June 19,1726. FARROW, Sarah (I7032)
 
65 "Rec. of the Second Church of Scituate", NEHGR Vol. 59, p. 137: Tamar F arr ow daughter of Benjm Farrow was Baptized by ye Rev. Mr. Bourn of th is To wn August 11,1734. FARROW, Tamar (I7034)
 
66 "Rec. of the Second Church of Scituate", NEHGR Vol. 59, p. 309: Christian Farrow, a Child of Benj. Farrow, was baptised Aug. 20,1738. FARROW, Christian (I7033)
 
67 "Rec. of the Second Church of Scituate", NEHGR Vol. 59, p. 78: Rachel F arr ow daughter of Benjm was baptized by Mr. Bourn July 18,1731. FARROW, Rachel (I2838)
 
68 "Rec. of the Second Church of Scituate", NEHGR Vol. 60, p. 176: membe r s of the church on Nov. 13,1751, Jemima Farrow, wife to Mr. Thomas F. FARROW, Thomas (I3604)
 
69 "Rec. of the Second Church of Scituate", NEHGR, Vol. 58, p. 267: Leah Farrow daughter of Benj Farrow & Leah his wife was baptized Nov. 24, 1723. FARROW, Leah (I369)
 
70 "Records of the Second Church of Scituate", NEHGR Vol. 59, p. 134: Abigail Farrow daughter of Benjm & Leah was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Bourn April 23, 1732. FARROW, Abigail (I20135)
 
71 "Richard Tucker, "gentleman", came very early to the coast of Maine and New Hampshire; probably lived near Saco. He bought, about 1630, Richard Bradshaw's patent to lands at Spurwink, in Maine; in partnership with George Cleve had a patent for Gorges Jan. 27, 1627, of land in that vicinity; another deed from Alex Rigby, May 23, 1643."

He resided in Portsmouth, NH where he died in 1679 at the age of 85. Through his landed properties, however, he retained an interest in the development of Maine. He was one of the Selectmen of Portsmouth; a Commissioner of the General Court; and while at Casco was one of the Grand Jury. In 1665 he stood strongly for the jurisdiction of MA for the control of Maine and against the Royal Commissioners.

Margaret survived him for several years. She may have been a passenger on the ship "Abigail" which left London 1 Jul 1635. If so, she was born abt. 1612.

A monument in Portland erected by Payson Tucker commemorates the landing of George Cleeves and Richard Tucker. It was unveiled 4 Jul 1883 with Masonic Honors. It is located on the eastern promenade near the spot where they landed. Their landing was on the beach now covered by the "make land" of the Grand Trunk Railway, at a point a little east of the foot of Hancock Street where a small brook made its way into the bay. 
TUCKER, Richardus (I6811)
 
72 "She fell a'bleeding at the nose about 36 hours afore she died, which bleeding ceased not (if at all intermitted) till her death." (Hanover town records). COBB, Deborah (I60877)
 
73 "Sister of Mary, wife of Dwight W. Ellis, .. She was modest and unobjectionable in appearance and demeanor, marked with unostentatiousness in every lineament and movement; evidently of placid, serene temper and disposition, and apparantely fashioned precisely to suit her husband, not improbably from a rib of his. Pity all could not be as well coupled." Family Records of Wales, MA PUFFER, Abigail (I14037)
 
74 "St. John's Burying Ground used to occupy the space which is now James J. Walker Park, between Leroy, Hudson and Clarkson Streets. In a sense it still does since the old stones were buried in place and few of the 10,000 occupants were moved. The only stone remaining is one dedicated to three firemen who gave their lives in the line of duty over 150 years ago." As the centaph states, Cornelia and her infant son are still interred in that place. STAGG, Cornelia Depeyster (I18495)
 
75 "that after being burnt out in Maine by the Indians three times, he moved first to Clark's Island in Boston Harbor, and next to Rochester, Massachusetts, where he changed land with Samuel Hammond, and that his house was about two miles north of Mattapoisette Village." Killed and scalped by Indians after 1713 at Dyers Neck, MA. BOLLES, Samuel (I7333)
 
76 "The Complete Book of Emigrants 1607-1660" by Peter Wilson Coldham, 198 8 lists, "Examinations of those intending to embark in the ship "John a nd Dorothy" of Ipswich Eng, Mr William Andrewes, and the ship "Rose" of Y armouth Eng, Mr William Andrewes, for New England:among those listed ar e Michill Metcalfe of Norwich, dornix weaver aged 45 and his wife Sarra h aged 39, and 8 children Michill, Thomas, Marey, Sarrah, Elizabeth, Ma rtha, Joane and Rebeca;
and his servant Thomas Comberbach aged 16 to Boston to inhabit (PRO:E15 7/21)"

"I was persecuted ", he writes " in the land of my fathers sepulchres, f or not bowing at the name of Jesus, and observing other religious cerem onies, forced upon me at the instance of Bishop Wren of Norwich and his C hancellor Dr. Corbet, whose violent measures troubled me in the Bishops C ourt, and returned me to the High Commissioners Court. Suffering many t imes for the cause of religion, I was forced for the sake of liberty of m y conscience to flee from my wife and my children, to go to New England , taking the ship voyage at London, 17th of Sept. 1636, being by tempes ts, tossed up and down the seas til the Christmas following, then veeri ng about to Plymouth in Old England, in which time I met with many sore a fflictions. Leaving with the ship I went down to Yarmouth, in Norfolk c ounty, whence I shipped myself and my family, to come to New England; s ailed 15 April 1637, and arrived 3 days before midsummer, with my wife n ine children and a servant. ". The name of the servant seems to have be en Thomas Comherbach, aged 16. [Manuscript of Hen. Tames Savage] The ab ove extracts were taken from a from a copy of a letter written in Plymo uth Eng. Jan 13 1636, on his voyage hither; directed, " To all true Pro fessors in Christ's Gospel within the City of Norwich". In a postscrip t he remarks, "my enemies conspired against me to take my life, and som etimes to avoid their hands, my wife did hide me in the roof of the hou se, covering me with straw."

History informs us, that one of the charges brought against Bishop Wren , by a committee of Parliament, was, that during the term of two years, f our months, while he held the See of Norwich, " 300 of his Majesties su bjects, many of whom use trafes, spinning, weaving, knitting, making cl oth stuff, stockings and other manufactures of wool, some of them setti ng one hundred poor people at work." " transported themselves to Hollan d and other parts beyond the sea " in consequence of his " superstition a nd tyranny" [See appendix to Dr. Lamson's Historical Discourses]

When he was hauled before the Ecclesiastical Court he expertly quoted a gainst the judges, their own theologians and the Bible itself,but to hi s disgust, "their learned and invincible arguments to refute their asse rtions were these: Blockhead, old heretic, the devil made you, I will s end you to the Devil." Frustration gave way to fear. " Having become a m arked man he had no choice but to flee to America. He counseled with le ss known fellow Puritans to remain in Norwich if they possibly could, a dvising them not to be discouraged --- be chearly --- have patience --- abidith the will of God who worketh all things best for you." A " lovin g brother in exile persecuted for Christ's verity." Michael Metcalf wou ld go out alone and unwilling to the savage land of MA. He w ent with his eyes on England. not America: " O Norwich, The beauty of m y native country, what shall I say to thee". Taken from A New England T own by Kenneth A. Lockridge W.W. Norton and Co 1985 
METCALF, Michael (I1716)
 
77 "The descendents of Elias Clark say Robert drowned while crossing the Neosho River on ice & that was somewhere near Parsons, Kansas . But an old letter from Garrett Reasoner Jr.'s Granddaughter, Mary Rachel said it was a town up near St. Joseph, Missouri" CLARK, Robert Perry (I42173)
 
78 "They lived in half way to Columbia Falls in the 1st house after the R. R. track down in the woods towards the river." Hazel Smith Bradeen

"Served in the war of the rebellion and was promoted from captain to major for meritorious service." Co. H., 1st Maine Heavy Artillery Regiment. Wounded 18 Jun 1864 during a charge in the 2nd Battle of Petersburg in the head and arm.

He was a Pensioner of the state of Maine Certificate Number 88,674 for " chr. diarr." (chronic diarreha?) $5.00 per month.

The 1860 Federal Census lists his occupation as a Master mason. 
SMITH, Maj. Harrison Gray Otis (I18267)
 
79 "used to come down from Boston to visit his mother's grave. He was a j eweler from Boston. He wore a tall silk hat and carried a gold headed c ane. He also wore a diamond necktie pin." Roberta Puffer to Charles K .W. French Benjamin Alonzo Shute acquired his education in the public schools of B oston, and began his business career as clerk in a cutlery establishmen t. By capable and faithful service he gradually worked his way upward u ntil he became the head of the establishment, which he managed successf ully until his retirement from active pursuits in 1870. In 1887 he purc hased a residence in Malden, the home of some of his early ancestors, a nd has since resided here, a respected citizen. On September 12, 1852, M r. Shute married Sophia Drisko, of Addison, Me., a daughter of Haskell a nd Hannah (Cole) Drisko. Mr. and Mrs. Shute have three children — Mary H elen, .Sophia, and Martha Anna. Sophia is the wife of Alfred J. Thompso n, and has three children — Marion, Leonard, and Gordon. Martha Anna ma rried Frederick Drisko, and they have one son, Stanwood Drisko. SHUTE, Benjamin Alonzo (I33073)
 
80 "Was probably born in the Windsor, MI area and had at least three siblings: Luella (Aunt Lou), Lillian (Aunt Lil) who died in 1924, and Jane (Aunt Jennie) who married Harold Horning. They had no children. Aunt Lou, unmarried, always made her home with the Hornings, living mostly in the Chicago area." WARREN, William Alexander (I41656)
 
81 "We know very little about her family except that they were 'poor', as Maude said." VANAVERY, Margaret S. (I41657)
 
82 "While my grandmother, Beulah Faye Barrett, was the daughter of Charlotte Julianna Puffer, She was born in 1913, four years before George Barrett married Charlotte. Grandma didn’t know she wasn’t George’s biological daughter until she was retiring and trying to apply for US Social Security pension and couldn’t find her birth records. She contacted her mother’s sister, Cora (Cora Augusta Puffer), who informed her that the government building containing the birth records had burned in a fire and that George Barrett was not her natural father so that side of the family would not likely be able to assist her. My grandma told my mum that she thought she had remembered her parents wedding but chalked it up to the fanciful imaginings of youth, quite a surprise to get in your 60s!" (Ed Note: As told to me via email from Clarissa Thompson, granddaughter of Charlotte Julianna Puffer Barrett. DMC 1/19/20) BARRETT, Beulah Faye (I41107)
 
83 "widow of Bolen Green Chitwood" PUFFER, Mary Smith (I34386)
 
84 "William Ingersoll, the first Ingersoll settler, known as Governor Ingersoll, came to Columbia in 1779 from Yarmouth, Me. He married Elizabeth Knowles; built a house in Epping, then so called, but in the town of Columbia, a little southeast of the corner on what has been known as the Ingersoll farm. ... He with others built a mill which was burned, and the place where it was located is now known as the "Burnt Mill Rips." Was listed in a census he was living there with his daughter Rebecca (Ingersoll) Drisko and her family in 1784 SOUR: @S62@ PAGE: p. 257 SOUR: @S310@ PAGE: p. 129, 141 INGERSOLL, Gov. William (I1952)
 
85 "William W. Puffer may have been the earliest white settler on Schneider Prairie Peninsula, Olympia, WA. He filed a donation land claim for this acreage on April 17, 1855. Field notes from the original survey of the Griffin area on August 4, 1855 noted Puffer's land claim, with 10 acres under cultivation, and a house. The house was located at about the corner of Sexton Road and Steamboat Island Road. The cultivated area was west of the cabin. However, the Puffer claim was rejected by the Federal Government and not successful." https://steamboatisland.org/schneider-prairie-history

No other records of this William W. Puffer can be found in Washington State records. It's possible that this is William Warren Puffer who died in 1856 in California. ED Note: 5/2/2022 
PUFFER, William W. (I37627)
 
86 (1,875 items) is comprised of business letters, personal letters, legal documents, and financial records related to an extended family with business and agricultural interests in Massachusetts, New York, Michigan, and South Carolina Source (S277)
 
87 (Bible records from Sidney W. Puffer, Saxtons River, VT.) PUFFER, Sally (I23518)
 
88 (Ed Note: According to family history, Colonel James Merritt was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War. I can find no mention of this man in any history of Bunker Hill or the Revolutionary War. You'd think a Col. in the Continental Army who was killed at the most famous battle of the Revolution would be mentioned somewhere? The "History of the town of Bernardston, MA" lists a James Merrett as being a 'six month man' (enlisted for 6 months). DMC ) MERRETT\ MERRITT, Col. James (I9097)
 
89 (Ed. Note - G.S. reads "Died Sept 15, 1850 Aged 17 Yrs." this would make her birth 1833.) PUFFER, Julia Seville (I19191)
 
90 (Ed. Note) This is the biological father of Charles Kimball Worcester French. He raped Mamie French then refused to acknowledge the child. As payback, Mamie named him after his father so everyone would know whose son he was. WORCESTER, Charles Kimball (I36864)
 
91 (Ed. Note: He wrote a letter of condolences to Charles Kimball Worcester French on the death of his mother. Ansel was living at 124 Denver St., Pawtucket, RI at the time. CKW French was living at Bar Mills, ME at the time- DMC) ALLEN, Ansel Willis (I37194)
 
92 (Ed. Note: I visited with Leslie in the mid 1980s when I visited Columbia to do some research. She was very helpful and kind. Her husband allowed me to look at and copy many very old Columbia records of some of my ancestors - DMC)
(Ed Note: The Columbia Town was burned to the ground and all the old records kept there were lost.) 
SMITH, Leslie Elvira (I36969)
 
93 (Ed. Note: It is supposed she is a daughter of George, but no proof exists)

"JONATHAN BLISS (1626-1687) was the son of Thomas and Dorothy (Wheatlie) Bliss of Braintree and Rehoboth, Mass. The oft-repeated claim that his wife was MIRIAM HARMON is false. She was, in fact, neither a Miriam nor a Harmon; there is no record of a Miriam Harmon in New England during this period. Jonathan Bliss's wife was almost certainly a daughter of George PUFFER of Braintree, Mass., probably named RACHEL. For a complete discussion of the factors that led to this misidentification and the evidence supporting its correction, see NEHGR 151(1997):32-37." 
PUFFER, Rachel (I1297)
 
94 (Ed. Note: page 1660 of the N.J. Civil War Record listing "Officers of the United States Navy During the War Period. Appointed from New Jersey." shows an Alfred E. Puffer with the rank of "Landsman" enrolled Sep 17, 1864 and mustered out the same date. He had an enlistment for 2 yrs and shows he deserted June 30, 1865, from a U.S. Receiving Ship at New York. A Landsman was the lowest rank in the US Navy reserved for unskilled labor. After 2 years service a Landsman could be promoted to Seaman. Is this the Alfred E. Puffer?) PUFFER, Alfred Edgar (I16307)
 
95 (Ed. Note: It is believed that this is the "Timothy" son of Timothy & Elizabeth Cady Puffer found in the Puffer Genealogy book, page 77. As no records exist for a Timothy and he is not mentioned in his father's will I believe he is Elias Timothy.) Accordingly, he is buried at a small farm cemetery in Cranesville, NY, near Amsterdam. PUFFER, Elias (Timothy) (I22500)
 
96 (Ed. Note: she is put in this family because it is the only Puffer family that fits both dates and places. No record of her birth/parentage can be found.) DMC 08/23/17 PUFFER, Lucy Ann (I43051)
 
97 (Ed. Note: The 1870 Federal Census for Merrimack, NH shows a Joel Puffer, aged 48, in the county jail. Is this the right Joel?- DMC) The 1850 & 1860 Federal Census for Merrimack, NH shows a Joel Puffer, living on the "Poor Farm" as a laborer. PUFFER, Joel (I20401)
 
98 (Ed. Note: the Puffer Genealogy book is incorrect in her lineage. It should be William, William, William, William, RICHARD, James, George.) PUFFER, Molly\ Polly (I21623)
 
99 (Editors note: A John Puffer served in the Maine State Militia, in Capt Nathan Ellis, Jr.'s Company of infantry. They served "for the protection of it's Northern Frontier, from the twentieth day of February, 1839, the time of its rendezvous at Bangor, Maine, to the twenty-second day of April, 1839, when discharged or mustered. " This John is the only Puffer that fits the timeline as to age and location.) (archives.mainegenealogy.net) PUFFER, John (I23527)
 
100 (Nathaniel3, Israiel2, Thomas Alger1) ALGER, Abraham (I11695)
 
101 (page 323, Whitney Gen.) WHITNEY, Sally Durant (I33062)
 
102 (Published in The Enterprise, Friday September 21, 2012)
Phyllis W. Puffer, 80, of Norfolk, formerly of Craig, died on Monday, September 17, 2012, at Heritage of Bel Air in Norfolk. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, September 22, at the Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah. There is no visitation. Interment will be in the Craig Cemetery. Phyllis W. Ray was born September 2, 1932, in Tekamah to Irvin and Margaret (Cox) Ray. She received her education in a country school and Tekamah High School. On June 8, 1949, Phyllis married Marion E. Puffer in Tekamah. They lived in Blair and North Platte, in Idaho and then Craig, where they retired. Mr. Puffer worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. She worked for Dr. James Thone, a veterinarian in Blair, for many years. She also worked at the Cinderella Home in North Platte. She had lived the past four years in Norfolk and as a resident of Heritage of Bel Air Nursing Home for the past three years. She was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Blair on May 9, 1965. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jo Ann M. and Dennis Hintz of Norfolk; three step-grandchildren and their spouses; 21 step-great-grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law, Dorothy Goddard of California and Elaine and Gary Ross of Lincoln; brother- and sister–in-law, Russ and Phyllis J. Puffer of Herman, sister- and brother-in-law, Rosemond and Jim Sell of Mondamin, Iowa; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion, on February 3, 2005; sister, Inez (Bruce) Sibert; brothers- and sister-in-law, Robert Goddard, Linton and Ruth Puffer; and stepbrother, Chet Watkins 
RAY, Phyllis W. (I4180)
 
103 (Recorded Emma Elizabeth) Resided in Worcester and a summer home at Monument Beach. WESBY, Emma Elizabeth (I32724)
 
104 (See p. 1801, Boston and Eastern Mass. Lewis) PUFFER, Marion Brackett (I20782)
 
105 DEMOSH, Claude (I23957)
 
106 1. !BIRTH & MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI fi le. MARSTON, Sarah (I16344)
 
107 1. !BIRTH & MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI fi le. MARSTON, Mary (I16345)
 
108 1. !BIRTH & MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI fi le. 2. Date of death fr History of N.H. MARSTON, Caleb (I3390)
 
109 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and IGI file. MARSTON, Mary (I19836)
 
110 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. MARSTON, Elizabeth (I3391)
 
111 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. MARSTON, Hannah (I3440)
 
112 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. MARSTON, Elizabeth (I4442)
 
113 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. MARSTON, Bethia (I4446)
 
114 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. MARSTON, John (I4973)
 
115 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. MARSTON, Sarah (I5928)
 
116 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. MARSTON, Mehitable (I18176)
 
117 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. MARSTON, Bethiah (I21245)
 
118 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. MARSTON, Abigail (I4445)
 
119 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. 2. !DEATH: data fr Marston Fam Hist MARSTON, Caleb (I1420)
 
120 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. 2. !DEATH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston. MARSTON, Isaac (I3388)
 
121 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. 2. !MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist and in IGI file. MARSTON, Lydia (I19839)
 
122 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. 2. !MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist and in IGI file. MARSTON, Mary (I21246)
 
123 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in the IGI file. MARSTON, Tryphena (I8358)
 
124 1. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston. 1. EMIGRATED TO ALSO SEE RIN 500 FOR CONFLICTING DATA MARSTON, Prudence (I18912)
 
125 1. !Farmer & Brewer--wealthy & in politics, d of cancer MARSTON, Ephraim (I21247)
 
126 1. !MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI file. EASTOW, Mary (I1421)
 
127 1. !Master Mariner died at age 48 MARSTON, John (I21249)
 
128 1. 1st wife Jerusha Smith died 13 Nov 1739,Marr 13 Mar 1737 2. Paul S Marston possibly by 1st wife 3. !BIRTH & MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI fi le. MARSTON, Caleb (I19837)
 
129 1. 1st wife unknown 2d wife RIN498 (Sabrina Page) 2. EMIGRATED TO 3. All except last child was by 1st marr Nathaniel Marston Genealogy 4. !BIRTH & MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston. 5. !DEATH: data fr Marston Fam Hist 6. William came to Salem, Mass in 1634. He lv in Salem until 1636. He h ad land granted to him in Hampton, N.H. 30 Jun 1640. First 5 ch by 1st wif e. She d. in England was bur there. Hist of N.H. MARSTON, William Sr (I2175)
 
130 1. 2d wife Ann Philbrick marr ca 1675 2. EMIGRATED TO 3. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston. 4. !MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist and in IGI file. MARSTON JR, William Jr (I18911)
 
131 1. data fr Hampton N.H. history by Dow. John was first of his fam born i n this country. He was baptised a Newbury 16 Mar 1638. MOULTON, John (I2172)
 
132 1. data fr Hist of Hampton,N.W. by Dow. EASTOW, Sarah (I17686)
 
133 1. data fr History of Hampton N.H. by Dow GREEN, Anne (I3829)
 
134 1. data fr History of Hampton,N.H. by Dow MOULTON, Anna (I3389)
 
135 1. Data fr the Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and NH. WALKER, Sarah (I18167)
 
136 1. DIED YOUNG MARSTON, Anne (I2173)
 
137 1. EMIGRATED TO 2. !BIRTH: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston. MARSTON, John (I18910)
 
138 1. EMIGRATED TO . SOME REC SHOW BORN IN 1615 2. !BIRTH & MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston and in IGI fi le. 3. !DEATH: fr Marston Fam Hist MARSTON, Thomas (I1422)
 
139 1. Fam data fr Hist of Hampton, N.H. by Dow. Emigrated ca 1635. 2. He was one of the original Planters in Hampton, N.H. 3. Thought to have come over on The Elizabeth 17 Apr 1635 fr London

"John Brown was born in London, of Scottish parents, in 1589. He came to Massachusetts in June, 1635. He married Sarah Walker. He was one of the first company who settled in Hampton, and was married before he came. There is some uncertainty in respect to the place of his abode before he came here, but it is presumed that he came from Watertown, where a person of his name was admitted freeman in 1635, and had a son John born in 1636.

He had a grant of four acres by his house lot, April 30, 1640, and also owned one of "The farms" and had two shares in the commons besides. December 23, 1645, he drew three shares of the ox commons, Nos. 11, 17, and 24. The first share of said commons was to be on the east side of the salt marsh, at John Brown's Point. What is now known as Brown's river was named for him, and also John Brown's river, which ran up to his "farm." He built the first "barque" ever built in Hampton in 1641 or 1642, at the river near Perkin's mill. He became one of the largest land owners in the town. In 1653 he stood third on the tax list, his tax being L2 3s. 1d., in a rate of L53 2s 10d. He and his sons were engaged in raising cattle. In 1673 and 1674 he and his sons brought suit against the town for not causing a road to be built to his farm. The court decided in his favor and the road was built. December 4, 1663, he was chosen to see that the boys did not play in the gallery. He was one of the selectmen in 1651 and 1656. March 3, 1670, he drew share No. 18 in the commons, containing one hundred acres. He died in 1686, aged about ninety-eight years. His wife Sarah died June 6, 1672. 

Their children were: Sarah, born in 1643, married John Poor; Jacob, born 1645, married Sarah Brookin; Benjamin, born in 1647, married Sarah Brown; ELIZABETH, married ISAAC MARSTON; John, died unmarried; Mary, born in 1655; Stephen, born in 1659, killed at Black Point." 
BROWN, John (I18168)
 
140 1. father was Robert Page, mother Lucia
2. !MARR: data fr Marston Fam Hist by N. Marston 
HEMINS, Sabrina (I18909)
 
141 1. He was made a freeman 22 May 1639, chosen as a 1st deputy of the to wn to the General Court in Boston. His will is date 1 Oct 1650. He died ca 50 y rs of age. MOULTON, John (I3830)
 
142 1. Place of birth fr Hist of N.H. REMICK, Sarah (I19841)
 
143 1. Ref:f510866 2. A Genealogy of the Rand Fam in the U.S. by Florence Osgood Rand 189 8. RAND, Mary (I5248)
 
144 1. Baptised 1 Mar 1667 Hampton, NH, First Congregational Chu rch of Hampton along with her child. TAYLOR, Lydia (I2171)
 
145 1. Baptisted Sep 1675 Hampton, NH with her children. TAYLOR, Martha (I22228)
 
146 1. He was a feltmaker, tavern keeper, selectman, constable as occupati ons TAYLOR, Anthony (I5252)
 
147 1/2 American indian (tribe unknown) WRIGHT, Rose (I57567)
 
148 1/2 Cherokee CRAWFORD, Elwood Randolph (I47653)
 
149 1/2 Choctaw Indian LEFLORE, Matilda Elizabeth (I23197)
 
150 1/2 Choctaw indian. He migrated from Mississippi to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears journey. A half brother to Greenwood LeFlore, a famous Choctaw chief. LEFLORE, Forbis Francios (I23196)
 
151 1/4 Choctaw Indian

-- MERGED NOTE ------------

A Native American of the Choctaw tribe.

-- MERGED NOTE ------------

1/4 Choctaw Indian 
MANNING, Forbis (I19922)
 
152 1/8th Chocktaw Indian MANNING, Judith Elizabeth (I11936)
 
153 134 Calhoun Street, Torrington, CT Family: ANDREWS, Charles Benjamin / TRUMAN, Harriet Bertha (F21095)
 
154 134417495 PUFFER, Elizabeth Louisa (I20607)
 
155 136698916 BIGELOW, Mary (I60230)
 
156 142549053 BAILEY, Charles (I54678)
 
157 15th NY Calvary PUFFER, Archibald M. (I8469)
 
158 16 Dec 1773 - Gideon French was a tallow chandler in Boston and one of the youngest men who participated in the Boston Tea Party.

1786 - 1787 Shays Rebellion- Boston tallow maker Gideon French, rather than just producing wares needed by family and neighbors, made candles, rushlights, and soap day after day for sale in the marketplace. 
FRENCH, Gideon (I18591)
 
159 1633-1718, Dorchester, Mass. Soldier in the Troop under command of Quar termaster Thomas Swift of Milton, King Philip's War, 1675. THOMAS TOLMA N, JR. m. ELIZABETH JOHNSON, Nov. 4, 1664, dau. of Richard Johnson, of L ynn. She died Dec. 14, 1720, age 82. He was made a freeman, 1678, and d ied Sep. 12, 1718, age 84. "Thomas Tolman's wife was dismissed to the C hurch in Milton, July 18, 1671." (Church Rec.). TOLMAN, Thomas Jr. (I5230)
 
160 1756 Sudbury, Middlesex Co, MA; Alarm List RICE, Matthias Solomon (I31629)
 
161 17th Vermont Volunteers. BLISS, William Azro (I52257)
 
162 1800 Fed Census KETTLE, Ephraim (I728)
 
163 1850 census shows her are age 23 WELBORN, Isabella (I18311)
 
164 1860 Federal census - Forsyth Co., NC lists William as a 25 yr old Male f armer, his wife, Eli zabeth, is 22, Mary L. is 1/2. William Jasper McKaughan was a farmer, A Moravian and a Civil War Veter an. He changed the sp elling of his name to McCoin about 1870. In 187 4 he moved his family from Kernersville, NC t o Goddard, Sedgwick Co., K s. MCKAUGHAN, William Jasper (I19889)
 
165 1867 is when his wife Hulda married again. PUFFER, John Jr. (I23526)
 
166 1870 United States Federal Census Record for Winterport, Waldo, Maine - 3 June, 1870
Clara, age 24, was the mother of one child, Eva, age 2, and was keeping house for her husband, Thomas, a seaman.
1880 United States Federal Census Record for Winterport, Waldo, Maine - 3 June, 1880
Clara, age 33 and a nurse, was now a widow with two little girls. She lived with her brother, David Eaton, age 30, single and a sailor. David was head of the household and his mother, Joanna (now a widow) and his brother, Benjamin, age 20, also lived in the home.
1900 and 1910 Federal Census for Orrington, Penobscot, Maine
Clara had married her sister's husband, Ezra Whelden II. Ezra had a son and a daughter and Clara took over the role of mother for the children.
1920 U. S. Federal Census for Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts
Clara Whelden, age 73, was again a widow and now lived with her daughter Eva and Eva's husband, Robert Roland Bayard.
1930 U. S. Federal Census for Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts 
Family: WHELDEN, Ezra Rodden Jr. / EATON, Clara J. (F15476)
 
167 1891 census in Trenton, Hastings, Ontario, Canada
1900 census in West Greenwich, RI.. weaver in a cotton mil
1910 census in West Greenwich, RI.. laborer on macadam roads
1920 census in Scituate, RI.. chauffeur for a shoe string factory 
FECTEAU, Archie (I5227)
 
168 1900 Federal Census she is a servant in the house of Prescott Wesley Puffer ALTMANN, Anna (I823)
 
169 195403559 SLANGA, Ernest John (I58998)
 
170 1st appeared as early as 1664, received a land grant in 1682. Teague is a nickname given to Irish immi DRISKO, Timothy Teague (I10603)
 
171 1st cousin to Wild Bill Hickock's mother MACKEY, Mary Jane (I2482)
 
172 1st Lt. Ill Vol Killed in battle of Perrysville, KY, age 20 BROWN, Manly E. (I19299)
 
173 217 New Harwinton Road, Torrington, CT ANDREWS, Charles Benjamin (I2916)
 
174 25 Oread Pl., Worcester ADAMS, Joseph Oliver (I33204)
 
175 250100788 PUFFER, Baby Boy (I15805)
 
176 2nd cousins Family: PUFFER, Jacob Wilson / PUFFER, Margaret J. (F10111)
 
177 30 May 1913 is the date of marriage from Nutt's Puffer Genealogy. It is incorrect. Puffer/Warren Family Histories says 12 Apr 1913. Family: PUFFER, Raymond Wilford / WARREN, Clara Maude (F8129)
 
178 36 Pythian Avenue ANDREWS, Charles Benjamin (I2916)
 
179 36 Pythian Avenue Family: ANDREWS, Charles Benjamin / TRUMAN, Harriet Bertha (F21095)
 
180 41'b054'30.91"N, 91'b015'31.72"W is her grave site COLTON, Patricia (I33435)
 
181 423rd Infantry Regiment, 1942-1945 CARANCI, John Antonio (I40061)
 
182 43.608949, -70.539350 FRENCH, Norma Imogene (I2)
 
183 43845341 MANNING, Dr. Thomas Jeffereson Sr (I62991)
 
184 44.6837142, -67.7866323 BENNER, Chester Ezra (I51509)
 
185 44.737003146659, -79.364147213136 SCRIVER, James Bryant (I45050)
 
186 46413931 YORK, Robert (I126257)
 
187 48666515 WEED, Minerva (I57136)
 
188 5' 4", grey eyes, dark brown hair, a pale complexion.

She was traveling in Europe extensively at the time of her husband's death. 
EDGERLY, Cora E. (I35206)
 
189 520 W. 131st St., Manhattan, a chauffeur Family: PRAUSE, August Franz Jr. / STENDER, Milanny Luiese (F10856)
 
190 5th great-grandaughter of William Bradford, first Gov. of Mass. ARTHUR, Lucy (I47389)
 
191 5th Regt., Indiana Calvary and the 90th Regt. Indiana Volunteers. He deserted at Indianapolis, IN, 11/22/1862 PUFFER, Garrett H. (I32684)
 
192 8 children ALDRICH, Barlow (I22482)
 
193 818 - a Cleric 820 - abbott of Luxeuil 823 - Bishop of Metz 834 - Archchap. Drogo (I2190)
 
194 818 - cleric 822/3 - abbott of St. Quentin 834 - Archchanc. Hugh (I1432)
 
195 9 children ALDRICH, Luke Sheldon (I22485)
 
196 9 children. DARBY, Ezra (I34527)
 
197 94291726 TAYLOR, Rebecca (I59638)
 
198 A harness maker. JOHNSON, George (I34275)
 
199 An electrician.
 
PUFFER, Leonard Reuben (I15259)
 
200 Boudica (Latinised as Boadicea or Boudicea /bo?d??si??/, and known in Welsh as Buddug [?b??ð???])[1][2] was a queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60 or 61, and died shortly after its failure, having supposedly poisoned herself. She is considered a British folk hero. Boudicea Queen of The Iceni (I8323)
 

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