My Tree

Deeply Rooted

Sources

Source 036 – Personal Letter by Eaton Branch

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Author: Eaton Branch
Title: Letter to “Son” [Elam Branch Sr]
Date: 16 October [illegible; perhaps 1870]
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Lawrence, MI
16 October –70 [1870]

[difficult to read]
Dear Son, I will attempt to write again. We are now all on foot. Mother has just got up again. She has been as sick a person as ? generally life. She had as ? the collary as could be. She was taken vomiting and purging clear blood if we had not had the doctor near and ? or at least help ? I think she would not had lived. But she is up again. Frank called for help yesterday morning a little before sunlight and we cared him to the gates in a chair. Bell gave birth to a fine girl weight is 6 lb, 10 oz. Bell is quite smart and if nothing sets in will soon git up again. My health is not very good, but so I am to work the most of the time. We are gathering apples. I have but a few to spare. Less than I have had in my years and that with all other disappointments it makes me hand up I can’t pay my debts at present. Now in the mater in hand I was a delegate to the call at your place and was again to take Mr …

Source 032 – Personal Letter by Nancy J. Nelson

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Author: Nancy J. (Draper) Nelson age 56
Title: Letter to Helen [age 24]
Date: October 1870
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Lawrence
October 1870

Dear Helen (age 24),
Although you do not write to me I suppose for some good reason I doubt not you will be glad to know how we are getting along so this eve the sixth anniversary of your wedding day and the 9th since we last saw our beloved Marcus, I am alone as your Pa [Moses Nelson Jr] has gone to Wills so to commence work early in the morning. He has sowed three acres of wheat there on shears, he finished sowing Saturday but had not time to finish dragging in, as it was a prospect of rain it seamed very necessary for him to go to night, though alone I feel I am not alone for my beloved Shepherd is near. I heard an excellent sermon to day from Br Havens from these words – contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, not for creeds, he said but alone for this faith it is a feast to hear him preach for all that love the truth we had a good lodge meeting last evening though our number was but eight, Sister Squires thought best to give up but was opposed by nearly all the rest she could not see what good the Lodge was doing, I was stirred up by such a speech, I told them by the same rule we might say as individuals we could not any see good we were doing so we would do nothing more, I told them I thought instead of being discourage it would be better for all that had an interest at the throne of grace to pray for our cause your Father intended to give you the pass word but for got it.

Now about your peaches. Your father Branch [Eaton Branch] got six two quart cans (as we had no means to get them) and I have caned them to the best of my ability he did not bring the word in about a week he was very much drove and forgot it, but we had saved yellow peaches expecting to hear from you, they were our late peaches but very rich flavored they were smaller than the early ones but I cut them in halves so they look nice tell Jesse and Amanda [age 3] that we have got a calico kitty and to night she catched a mouse though she is a very little kit. I did not dry many peaches for I was so lame I could not, we sold them at a dollar per bushel very readily.

My ankles are improving some, so I do not suffer as much pain as I did. I have been taking Ayers Sarceparilla is the cause of improvement, I suppose you missed Jesse’s N gowned. It hung in the chamber. It has been very sickly in Lawrence and vicinity. Uncles folks have all been sick but Frank, but we have been highly favored not having to call a physician this summer. It is after ten so I must close pleas write soon if but a short letter.

With love and good wishes I remain your ever loving mother,
NJ Nelson [age 56]

Source 150 – Abstract of Title for James Morrill

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3 Jan 1867 – Allegan, Mich., Kellogg & Butler, Land Agents

Abstract of Title
Grantor: United States [in connection with the Land Grant to James Morrill from 1852]
Grantee: James Morrill
Instrument: Patent
Date of Inst: Nov 1, 1852
Date of Record: Jan 4, ’67
Vol: 35
Page: 402
Con’s.
Description & Remarks: S1/2, NE 1/4, sec 5….

Grantor: James Morrill & Electa
Grantee: Thomas A. Morrill
Instrument: ??
Date of Inst: 22 Sept ’56
Date of Record: 19 Dec ’56
Vol: 16
Page: 205
Con’s.
Description & Remarks: S1/2, NE 1/4

Grantor: Thomas A. Morrill & wife
Grantee: Geo. S. Thomas
Instrument: ??
Date of Inst: 13 Nov. ’61
Date of Record: 19 Nov. ’61
Vol: 23
Page: 584
Con’s.
Description & Remarks: S1/2, NE 1/4

Grantor: United States Marshall
Grantee: United States
Instrument: MD
Date of Inst: 29 May ’45
Date of Record: 06 Dec ’45
Vol: 5
Page: 195
Con’s.
Description & Remarks: S1/2, NE 1/4, and other lands sale on execution of US vs. Lucius Lyon.

Grantor: United States by Ransom ..Gillet … of the Treasure
Grantee: Wm. W. Coconan?
Instrument: QD?
Date of Inst: 28 Dec ’47
Date of Record: 10 May ’48
Vol: 6
Page: 386
Con’s.
Description & Remarks: S1/2, NE 1/4, and other lands. In the two last these must be some error as the land was located by James Morrill in 25 Oct 1851. This Patent in 1852.

Grantor: George S. Thomas & Julia
Grantee: Sarah Friend
Instrument: Mont.
Date of Inst: 27 June ’64
Date of Record: 21 June ’64
Vol: 10
Page: 352
Con’s.
Description & Remarks: S1/2, NE 1/4

Source 191 – Pension Certificate for George S. Thomas

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Department of the Interior, Pension Office
15 June 1866

Sir:
Mr. George S. Thomas whose application for an invalid pension, No. 104.064, under the act of July 14, 1862, is pending in this office, must report himself for examination to Dr. E.R. Ellis of Grand Rapids, MI.

Respectfully yours,
Joseph H. Barrett, Commissioner

P.R.L. Pierce, Grand Rapids

Source 112 – Land Tax for George S. Thomas

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Record: Land Tax – $11.89
Date: 12 December 1865
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Received of George Thomas upon the following described Tract of Land, the sum stated below, for taxes assessed in said Township for the year 1865.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12, Acres 80)
N pt SW¼, NW¼ (Section 4, Town. 4, Range 12, Acres 25)

Record: Land Tax – $17.91
Date: 11 December 1866
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Received of George Thomas upon the following described Tract of Land, the sum stated below, for taxes assessed in said Township for the year 1866.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12, Acres 80)
N pt SW¼, NW¼ (Section 4, Town. 4, Range 12, Acres 25)
Personal

Record: Land Tax – $18.15
Date: 1867
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Received of George Thomas the sum stated below for taxes assessed upon the following described tracts of land, in said Township for the year 1868.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12, Acres 80)
N pt SW¼, NW¼ (Section 4, Town. 4, Range 12, Acres 25)
Personal

Record: Land Tax – $22.43
Date: 27 December 1869
Name: George Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Received of George Thomas the sum state below, for Taxes, assessed upon the following Tracts of Land, in said Town of Dorr for the year 1869.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12, Acres 80)
N pt SW¼, NW¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12, Acres 25)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)

Record: Land Tax – $26.41
Date: 1874
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1874.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
N pt SW¼, NW¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)

Record: Land Tax – $28.51
Date: 15 January 1876
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1875.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
N pt SW¼, NW¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)

Record: Land Tax – $27.22
Date: 21 December 1876
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1876.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
N pt SW¼, NW¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)

Record: Land Tax – $23.99
Date: 15 January 1878
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1877.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
N pt SW¼, NW¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)

Record: Land Tax – $62.03
Date: 1 July 1884
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1883.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
SW¼, NW¼ (Section 4, Town. 4, Range 12)
NW¼, SW¼ (Section 4)
NE¼, SW¼ (Section 4)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)

Record: Land Tax – $46.96
Date: 31 December 1884
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1884.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
SW, NW¼ (Section 4, Town. 4, Range 12)
NW¼, SW¼ (Section 4)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)

Record: Land Tax – $40.76
Date: 21 December 1889
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1889.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
SW, NW¼ (Section 4, Town. 4, Range 12)
NW¼, SW¼ (Section 4)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)

Record: Land Tax – $37.98
Date: 30 December 1892
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1892.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
SW, NW¼ (Section 4, Town. 4, Range 12)
NW¼, SW¼ (Section 4)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
Dog

Record: Land Tax – $50.87
Date: 31 December 1902
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1902.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
SW, NW¼ (Section 4, Town. 4, Range 12)
NW¼, SW¼ (Section 4)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)

Record: Land Tax – $48.93
Date: 11 December 1908
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1908.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
SW¼, NW¼ (Section 4, Town. 4, Range 12)
NW¼, SW¼ (Section 4)
NE¼, SW¼ (Section 4)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)

Record: Land Tax – $71.37
Date: 11 December 1913
Name: George S. Thomas
Location: Dorr Township Treasurer’s Office, County of Allegan, State of Michigan

Statement of the Taxes due on the following described Lands for the year 1912.

S½, NE¼ (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)
SW¼, NW¼ (Section 4, Town. 4, Range 12)
NW¼, SW¼ (Section 4)
NE¼, SW¼ (Section 4)
Personal (Section 5, Town. 4, Range 12)