THOMAS RESIN GALT AND SISTER SARAH

© Kathy Duncan, 2013

Thomas Resin Galt and sister Sarah Rachel Galt c. 1865

Thomas Resin Galt and his sister Sarah Rachel were the children of James Junius and Mary Ann (Brown) Galt.

Sarah Rachel Galt was the eldest of the Galt children and called "Sadie" by the family. She was born 30 July 1858 in Farmington, Sangamon County, Illinois. As the eldest daughter, she was named after both of her grandmothers: Sarah (Happer) Galt and Rachel (Earnest) Brown.  She married Aemesiah Howard DeWeese. She died 8 January 1933 and is buried next to her husband in the Appleton City Cemetery in Appleton City, St. Clair County, Missouri.

Thomas Resin Galt was one and a half years younger than Sadie. His death certificate states that he was born on 7 February 1860 in Springfield, Illinois. More than likely, he was also born in Farmington, which was only a few miles from Springfield. As the eldest son, he was named after both of his grandfathers: Rev. Thomas Galt and Resin D. Brown. At the age of 30, Thomas R. Galt married Florence May Brown, age 21, on 24 September 1890 in Weldon, DeWitt County, Illinois. He died on 25 May 1953 in Hale Center, Hale County, Texas.

Probates and Wills: Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1774 - 1896 Book Review

© Kathy Duncan, 2013

Probates and Wills: Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1774 - 1896 by Henrietta M. Christmas and Patricia S. Rau is a little gem. With an every name index, its 102 pages contain about 73 wills abstracted from Book E of Santa Fe County, New Mexico located in the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The few early wills contained in it were probated in a later period from 1877 - 1896 when families needed to deed land in their own names. The bulk of the wills are from the 1877 - 1896 time period. Still, this book will make a fine addition to your New Mexico genealogy collection. If purchasing from Amazon, go to Amazon through the New Mexico Genealogical Society's webpage and use their Amazon Books link at the top of the page. When you do, a percentage of your purchase will go to NMGS. They, in turn, donate the proceeds to the Special Collections Library in Albuquerque, which houses a wonderful collection of New Mexico genealogy. The volunteers at the Special Collections Library are friendly and helpful. I am now making all of my Amazon purchases that way.

If you are searching for earlier New Mexico wills, do not despair. Instead, visit Henrietta M. Christmas's blog. She is steadily adding abstracts of early wills there. They make delightful reading.

SARAH (HAPPER) GALT obituary

© Kathy Duncan, 2013

The tombstone of Sarah (Happer) Galt, wife of Rev. Thomas Galt of Farmington, IL, clearly shows her birth date as Sep. 11, 1809. Her death date, however, is not easy to decipher. Fortunately, her obituary was published in the Daily Illinois State Journal along with a touching, poetic tribute:

DIED.--In Farmington, in this county, on the 25th ult., Mrs. Sarah H. Galt, wife of Rev. T. Galt, in the 39th year of her age.

The deceased has left a husband and five children, to rejoice in her exit from this world, to enter that other, and blessed world; him also, to feel his want of a beloved companion; and them, theirs, of an affectionate and dutiful mother.

Again, Oh Death! the orphan's moan,

The widowed heart, thy power attest,

And many a head with grief bowed down,

As thy shalt quivered in her breast.

Yet, kindly was the warning given--

Gently thy mission was fulfill'd,

But like a pure and gentle flower

She slowly faded from the earth.

Quenched was the light of her fair home,

When childhood's minist'ring angle fled;

Yet rests a sainted mother's prayer,

A circling halo o'er each head.

Farmington, Feb. 3, '49 M.H.B.

[Source: Daily Illinois State Journal; Springfield, IL; Tues., Feb. 13, 1849]

Dr. Hutchins Burton Obituary

© Kathy Duncan, 2013


Died. ---In Granville, very suddenly, Dr. Hutchins Burton, son of Col. Burton.
[Source: Star; Raleigh, NC; Thurs. March 28, 1811]

ILEY N. SELPH, Signal Corps

© Kathy Duncan, 2013


The following newspaper announcement traces the military posting of Iley Nunn Selph, my husband's grandfather:

The United States Army
War Department Orders

Washington, Oct. 15 -- The army orders issued today are as follows: Sergeant Walter G. Cooper, signal corps, U.S.A., now on furlough at Fort Sill, Ok., will report on or about the expiration of his furlough to the commanding officer of that post for duty.

First Class Private I. N. Selph, signal corps, U.S.A., now supposed to be at Fort Sill, Ok., will upon being relieved by Sergeant Cooper, be sent to Fort Reno, Ok.
[Source: Kansas City Star; Kansas City, MO; Sat., Oct 15, 1898]

SELPH Wedding Photograph

© Kathy Duncan, 2013

Left to right: Tomas Montoya, Eliza Montoya, Lillie (Selph) Montoya, Jose Leandro Montoya, Carolina (Sandoval) Selph, and Iley Nunn Selph in Ranchos de Taos, NM

This wedding picture of Lillie Selph and Jose Leandro Montoya was taken at the home of the bride's parents, Carolina (Sandoval) and Iley N. Selph of Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico in the 1920s. They are standing on the east side of the house. The big window full of geraniums on the left is the eastern facing window for the kitchen, and the window on the right is the eastern facing window for the two front rooms of the house. In later years, these rooms were empty. They were then used by various family members who returned to the family home to live or were rented out. Beneath their feet is a brown and white striped rug that was kept in Carolina and Iley's bedroom. It was brought out and used whenever Carolina wanted to protect the family's finery.

AGATHA BURTON's Obituary

© Kathy Duncan, 2013

It is a pity early obituaries like that of Agatha (Keeling aka Williams) Burton's are so brief. Still, it is rare to find an obituary for a woman in the early periods.

DEATHS.--Near Williamsborough, in Granville county, (N.C.) on 31st ult. Mrs. Agatha Burton, relict of the late Col. Robert Burton, aged 73 years.
[Source: Charleston Courier; Charleston, SC; Tues., Feb. 15, 1831]