Mary Keziah (Chew) LeMasters (1847-1927) was my paternal 2nd-great grandmother. What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical facts I've discovered about her.
1. Vital Records
1.1. Birth certificate
Mary was born February 13, 1847 in Mt. Holly, Burlington County, New Jersey. One source has her place of birth as Camden County, New Jersey1. The State of New Jersey did not require birth registration at this time.
1.1.1. Birth notice in newspaper
I have not located any contemporary newspaper accounts of Mary's birth.
1.1.2. Bible record
Though I have not viewed the actual Bible record, the Ezekiel Chew Bible does exist and was found at a Salvation Army years ago. I attempted to obtain a copy from the new owner, but they were more interested in auctioning it off for money.
A transcription of this Bible record appears here, and lists Mary as Mary Theresa Chew born February 13, 1847.
1.1.3. Baptismal record
The Chew family were historically Quakers who converted to Methodism around the Revolutionary War period. I am not aware of any baptismal records for Mary.
1.1.4. Adoption record
There is no indication that Mary was adopted.
1.2. Marriage license
Mary was married October 2, 1864 in Versailles, Darke County, Ohio to Luman Walker LeMasters1,2. One source reported that the marriage took place at Port Jefferson, Ohio3. Have added obtaining a copy of this record to my "to-do" list.
1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper
I have not searched Ohio newspapers to see if Mary and Luman's nuptials were mentioned. Will add this to my "to-do" list on any research trip to the area.
1.2.2. Anniversary notice
I have not searched Jay County, Indiana newspapers for mention of Mary and Luman's anniversaries either. Their 25th would have been October 2, 1889. Their 50th would have been October 2, 1914. Have added this to my "to-do" list on my next research trip into Jay County.
1.2.3. Divorce decree
There is no indication that a divorce ever occurred, and a recent search of court records during the time period did not turn up a divorce record.
1.3. Death certificate
Mary died on December 22, 19274. Her obituary states that she died in Jay County, Indiana, though I do not have a copy of her death certificate. Will add obtaining a copy to my "to-do" list on my next research trip to the Jay County Health Department.
1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper
Mary's obituary appeared in the February 22, 1927 edition of the Commercial-Review in Portland, Indiana5. The obituary listed the year of her marriage incorrectly as 1865, and the initials of her father as C.E. rather than E.C. Chew. An additional funeral notice appeared in the February 23, 1927 edition of the Commercial-Review6.
1.3.2. Funeral home record
The Jay County library has some records from the Williamson funeral home in Portland, Indiana. Will add this to my "to-do" list on my next research trip into Jay County.
1.3.3. Tombstone photograph
Mary's tombstone in the Salamonia cemetery has been photographed7. The tombstone spells the surname "LeMasters". It lists her as "Mary K. 1847-1927" and also lists husband, Luman.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1920 Federal Census
On January 12, 1920, Mary was enumerated in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana8, in the Luman Lemasters household as Mary K. Lemasters, married female, age 72, born in New Jersey. Both her parents were born in New Jersey. She was able to read and write and support herself, though no occupation was listed. This was the last federal census she appeared in.
2.1.2. 1910 Federal Census
On April 25, 1910, Mary was enumerated in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana9, in the Noman W. LeMaster household as Mary K. LeMaster, married female, age 63, born in New Jersey. Both her parents were born in New Jersey. She had been married for 46 years, and was the mother of 11 children, 10 of whom were still living. No occupation was listed.
2.1.3. 1900 Federal Census
On June 4, 1900, Mary was enumerated in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana10, in the Luman C. Lemasters household as Mary K. Lemasters, married female, age 53, born in New Jersey. She had been married for 35 years, and was the mother of 11 children, 10 of whom were still living. Both her parents were born in New Jersey. She could read and write and speak English. No occupation was listed.
2.1.4. 1880 Federal Census
On June 5, 1880, Mary was enumerated in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana11, in the Walker Lemasters household as Mary Lemasters, married female, age 33, born in New Jersey. Both her parents were born in New Jersey. Her occupation was listed as "keeping house".
2.1.5. 1870 Federal Census
On June 15, 1870, Mary was enumerated in Allen Township, Darke County, Ohio12, in the Luman Lemasters household as Mary Lemasters, female, age 23, born in New Jersey. Her occupation was listed as "keeping home".
2.1.6. 1860 Federal Census
On August 2, 1860, Mary was enumerated in Neave Township, Darke County, Ohio13, in the Ezekiel Chew household as Mary Chew, age 13, born in New Jersey. She had attended school within the year.
2.1.7. 1850 Federal Census
On September 2, 1850, Mary was enumerated in Jackson Township, Montgomery County, Ohio14, in the Ezekiel Chew household as Mary Chew, age 3, born in New Jersey.
2.2. State Census Records
The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931. These however, were merely for the purposes of determining legislative apportionment.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what information might be shed on the Lemaster family farm.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft registration
Not applicable, as Mary was female.
3.2. Pension records
Mary's husband, Luman, did receive a pension for his service during the Civil War. I need to make the records of this pension the subject of a future blog post.
3.3. Service records
Not applicable, as Mary was female.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly researched in Jay County, Indiana as well as Darke County, Ohio.
4.2. Plat map / County map
Jay County published a plat map in 1874, 1881, 1887, 1901, 1910 and 1920 that may be relevant to my search for Mary. I have access to copies of the 1887 and 1901 plat maps in Jay County, and need to see what information they might have regarding the family.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records available to research for Mary include county/city directories, court records and will and probate records. Searching these items will be on my "to-do" list on my next research trip into Jay County.
Sources:
1. Jay, Milton T., History of Jay County, Indiana: including its World War Record and Incorporating the Montgomery History. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: Historical Publishing Company, 1922, page 196.
2. Lemaster, Howard M. & Margaret Herberger, Lemasters U.S.A., 1639-1965. Carlinville, Illinois, 1965, p. 196.
3. Rummel, Merle and Madelaine Ott, comp., Three Sons of Steffan Petry, 1729-1977. Gateway Press, Baltimore, Maryland, 1977, p. 385.
4. Franklin, Phyllis (Strock). Salamonia Cemeteries: Salamonia, Madison Twp., Jay County, Indiana. Portland, Indiana, USA: The Jay County Genealogy Society, 2000, p. 19.
5. Mary K. LeMaster obituary, Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, USA, February 22, 1927, p. 1.
6. Mary K. LeMaster obituary, Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, USA, February 23, 1927, p. 4.
7. Mary K. LeMasters tombstone, Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana, transcribed by writer, 19 May 2009.
8. Luman Lemasters household, 1920 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison Township, ED 72, SD 84, sheet 5, dwelling 103, family 103; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 440.
9. Noman W. LeMaster household, 1910 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison Township, ED 67, SD 8, sheet 5, dwelling 95, family 96; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 358.
10. Luman C. Lemasters household, 1900 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison Township, ED 62, SD 67, sheet 3, dwelling 59, family 60; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 380.
11. Walker Lemasters household, 1880 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison Township, ED 161, SD 6, page 4, dwelling 47, family 48; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 287.
12. Luman Lemasters household, 1870 U.S. census, Darke County, Ohio, population schedule, Allen Township, North Star P.O., sheet 21, page 12, dwelling 79, family 79; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 1194.
13. Ezekiel Chew household, 1860 U.S. census, Darke County, Ohio, population schedule, Neave Township, page 164, dwelling 1166, family 1128.
14. Ezekiel Chew household, 1850 U.S. census, Montgomery County, Ohio, population schedule, Jackson Township, dwelling 901, family 901; National Archives micropublication M432, roll M432.
This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.
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