My Tree

Deeply Rooted

Nelson, Valeria L.

Source 001 – Family Record: Drapers by Valeria Nelson

by

Author: Valeria Louise (Nelson) Nelson
Title: Family Record of the Drapers
Date: undated
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: eight pages; found in family papers of Helen J. (Thomas) Hoorn of Byron Center, MI

Deaths:
23 May 1877 Draper, Amos P age 87
03 August 1889 Draper, Orvilla age 89
21 August 1868 Brooks, Charles
13 December 1788 Draper, Harry
13 August 1803 Draper, Polly
10 May 1848 Draper, Eleazer
03 July 1848 Draper, Hannah Palmer
30 December 1860 Draper, John
31 August 1868 Brooks, Eliza D.
04 February 1876 Draper, Lawton

page 1
“Gideon Draper [Gideon Draper Sr] the first to found our part of the family. He married at Roxbury, MA, on April 22, 1713. Abigail Aldis. He had 10 children, one of whom was the Gideon [Gideon Draper Jr] that we think founded our branch of the family. Our Gideon was born in Dedham, MA, August 25, 1722 , and died at Dover, NY, 1778.

The first Gideon’s father was James Draper who was born at Roxbury, MA, 1654, and died there April 30, 1698. He married February 18, 1681. Abigail Whiting. This James was a son of James Draper who came from England, about the year 1647. His wife was Miriam Stansfield. He and she were both born in the village of Heptonstall, Yorkshire, England.

page 2
He was born in 1618, and she was born November 27, 1625, and both died in Roxbury and their graves and gravestones are well preserved. James Draper Sr, born 1618, wife Miriam Stansfield born November 27, 1625, in Heptonstall, Yorkshire, England. James Draper Jr born 1654 at Roxbury, MA, and died there April 30, 1698. He was married to Abigail Whiting, February 18, 1681.

Gideon Draper Sr birth unknown, was married at Roxbury, MA, April 22, 1713, to Abigail Aldis. Gideon Draper Jr born in Dedham, MA, August 25, 1722, and died at Dover, NY, 1778.

page 3
Great-great-grandfather Ebenezer Draper born January 21, 1747.
Hannah Spicer born October 29, 1751.
Ebenezer Draper and Hannah Spicer were married March 10, 1767

Mary Draper born May 11, 1768
John Draper born July 1, 1770
Lemual Draper born January 17, 1773; d December 15, 1776
Hannah Draper born January 15, 1775
Ruth Draper born May 16, 1778; d September 14, 1779
Benj Draper born August 10, 1779
Millie Draper born September 21, 1781
Elizabeth Draper born December 16, 1788
Oliver B. Draper born February 26, 1786
Sarah Draper born May 20, 1788
Caty Draper born June 24, 1790

Nancy Draper born February 15, 1792

Barrett Draper born July 22, 1794

page 4
John Draper (great grandfather) born July 1, 1770
Hannah Palmer Draper (great grandmother) born November 15, 1767
Harry Draper born December 28, 1787 (Dutchess Co, NY)
Ebenezer Draper born Sept 17, 1789
Amos P. Draper born June 22, 1791 (Dutchess Co, NY)
Polly Draper born June 22, 1794
Eleazer Draper born January 23, 1797 (Connecticut) – Twins
Eliza Draper born January 23, 1797 (Connecticut) – Twins
Orvilla Draper born May 2, 1800 (Connecticut)
Lawton Draper born January 19, 1803 (Connecticut)

Deaths:
30 December 1860 Draper, John Westmoreland 90 yrs
02 July 1848 Draper, Hannah P [Valeria listed 3 July 1848 earlier]
3 December 1788 Draper, Harry
13 August 1803 Draper, Polly
10 May 1848 Draper, Eleazer
31 August 1868 Draper, Eliza (Brooks)
04 February 1876 Draper, Lawton
23 May 1877 Draper, Amos P
03 August 1889 Draper, Orvilla 89 years
21 August 1868 Brooks, Charles (husband of Eliza Draper)

page 5
Draper, Ebenezer b 17 September 1789; d 05 August 1867; m 06 January 1814
Draper, Sarah Beckwith b 27 May 1787; d 13 July 1852

Draper, Nancy J b 28 September 1814

Draper, Joseph b 26 July 1817; d 27 July 1817
Draper, Mary b 26 July 1817; d 29 July 1817

Draper, John F. b 08 April 1819; m 06 August 1893 (Harriett N. Howe) [Harriet died in 1868, though]
Draper, Hannah P. b 07 October 1821
Draper, Nelson B. b 13 December 1823; m 21 November 1855 (Sarah Spencer)
Draper, Nathan C b 24 February 1828 (twins); m 08 January 1854 (Julia Longfit)
Draper, Esther Ann b 24 February 1828 (twins)

Draper, Nancy J m 28 January 1834 (Moses Nelson)

page 6
Draper, Barrett d 27 October 1815
Draper, John d 30 December 1860 90 years

Draper, Hannah Spicer d 27 October 1817
Draper, Ebenezer d 29 March 1825

5 boys Joseph, Ebenezer, Harry, Lenica, and Jesse Brownell. (Polly-nickname) Mary Brownell. Joseph Brownell and Hannah. Hannah Baker. 3 children…(confusing…)

Gideon Draper great-great-great-great grandfather, father of Ebenezer and Gideon, died October 1799. Wife of Gideon great-great-great-great-grandmother (name unknown) died March 1814.

Millie drowned in a well.

page 7
Nelson, Nancy J. d 03 March 1903 (Paw Paw, MI) 88 years
Draper, Esther Ann d 17 May 1843 (Westmoreland) 15 years
Draper, Nelson B d 25 October 1880 (Appleton, WI) 57 years
Draper, John F d 01 February 1897 (Taberg, NY) 78 years
Draper, Nathan C d 15 December 1903 (Merrifield, VA) 75 years

page 8
When our trials are all ended
Our mistakes are in the past
And the glories comprehended
When we reach our home at last.

We shall have the satisfaction
Jesus knows our hearts the best
Knows our thoughts and every action
Takes our sins and gives us rest.

We shall know as Jesus knows us
Numbered in that blood-washed throng,
We shall shout glad hallelujahs
To our king in praise and song.

Source 021 – Personal Letter by Valeria L. Nelson

by

Author: Valeria Louise Nelson
Title: Letter to “Niece” Iva [Iva M. Cooper]
Date: 13 January unknown year
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: Since Valeria references Iva’s father, Lyman Cooper, it is presumed that the letter was written prior to his death 12 February 1906…when Iva was approximately 22.

13 January
Dear Niece Iva,
Had so much to do yesterday forenoon and afternoon went to aid society. Could not write to you so held your mothers letter till I could write to you. I was slightly surprised, but not in the least shocked by your announcement. I was wondering why you did not take to nursing. Why you was a odity among us, but answered with the thot that it was your timidity and lack of self-reliance. You have chosen a hard calling; but if it is a call from God, He will go before you, and you need not fear to follow where he leads. I believe that it is, from the way it has come to you, and you do well to answer so cheerfully and hopefully Here am I. May you, as you lay your life upon his altar, a living sacrifice rejoice in the life more abundant and receive of his fullness grace for grace and find in His presence fullness of joy. While you await his call to come up higher where there are pleasures forever more. From my view point, I am looking on at God’s dealings with you all. I know He doeth all things well although somethings look so hard, and are so hard to bear. I am sorry for your poor father because he wrongs his own soul by his wrong doing to which he is led by his wrong thinking, putting too high a value on self the things of time which perish with the using or are left to curse others often. He is so chocked by the cares of this life and the deceitfulness riches. May he come to himself before he starves on husks. I am sorry too, for your mother to be left by you, under existing circumstances, but sympathy is about all you can give her at present, and you can give that across the State, as I can here. My one longing cry to God for her is that she may hold firmly to the path of duty. Let who will go wrong, be saved from sin, and used for righteousness to his praise and glory.

I will send Fannie Harris last letter to you. There are points in it you will see without a pointer. There are items only of interest to her sister, but she let me read it and I asked her if I might send it to you and she said I might but her sister may want to see it so send it back when you write. Fannie has been a nurse for some years in Springfield Mass. Had from $20 to $25 per week as private nurse. She was here on her vacation two weeks this summer and she told me there was a matter she had got to decide within six months, but she was not sure of the mind of the Lord then. Ray and Anna told me what it was. She decided to go to China, with results as you see. She expects to go later. She is a blond about your size and make up. Is near 30 years old. Entered hospital for training when between 21 & 22. Commit your way unto the Lord. Trust also in Him and he shall bring it to pass. Love to all, your aunt Valeria (Valeria Louise Nelson)

Aunt sends love and would write but is having a sneezing cold and don’t feel able to keep her nose clean and write. Helen is asleep in her chair while she makes her call, and aunt has been naping yester a thay??? today skating. VLN

Source 003 – Personal Letter Regarding Branch/Lawton Genealogy by Dorothy Lawton

by

Author: Dorothy Lawton
Title: Letter to Helen J. (Thomas) Hoorn regarding Branch/Lawton Genealogy
Date: 09 June 1982
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: Sent from Mayer, AZ, to Grand Rapids, MI

09 June 1982
Grand Rapids, MI

Dear Helen:
This is the darnedest letter. First I’m not seeing so good. Second its a darnedest mix up trying to write about the family. and then I’m such a poor writer. But Frank says if you really study the papers in the last box, you’ll probably be able to figure it out for yourself. And then you can write and ask anything you don’t understand. So here goes:

Valeria L Nelson’s sister Helen E. Nelson – who married Elam Branch, Frank’s grandfather. There was three children: EE Branch (Uncle Elam), Jesse Branch (died in early life, was married and had two children. He died up in the thumb area of typhoid pneumonia and we lost track of his children. And Amanda Branch – Frank’s mother. After Elam died Helen E Branch later married Lyman Cooper (your [Helen’s] grandfather). But Helen was both yours and Franks grandmother.

After Helen and Lyman Cooper were married they had one daughter, Iva May Cooper – your mother.

Valeria L Nelson, sister of Helen E Nelson maried Elam Branch. They had 3 children: EE Branch, Jesse Branch, and Amanda Branch. After Elam Branch died Helen E Branch later maried Lyman Cooper. Had one dawter: Iva May Cooper. You asked if Aunt Valeria had been maried. She maried William Nelson. I do not know if he was a cousin or not. Grandmother Branch-Cooper buried in Hillside Cemetery, Lawrence, MI

Helen Branch-Cooper, Valeria Nelson, and Frank H Lawton and Amanda B. Lawton are all buried on the same large lot. If you were to go to the Lawrence Cemetery and look up the large lot and maybe look up the manager and he’ll tell you about who buried there.

Does Martin belong to the Mason’s? You remember Uncle Elam was a 32 (?) mason and we have a couple of rituals
My goodness I was going to copy this out a little better, but didn’t get it done.

My sister Vera and her husband (Clark William Hill) are having their 50th anniversary at their sons in Owosso next month. Hope you have a nice time sorting this out.
Love,
Lawtons (Frank and Dorothy), Mayer AZ

Source 086 – Personal Letter by Dorothy Lawton

by

Author: Dorothy Lawton of Mayer, AZ
Title: Letter to Helen Hoorn
Date: 6 May 1982
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: this letter was included in the box of ancestor photo albums

Dear Folks: Sorry I haven’t written sooner, but seems that time gets away. I’m going to start answering some of your questions right off. Great Aunt Valeria was a sister to your grandmother Cooper. As for the pictures, the small album has most of the pictures named.

About the Indians. Aunt Valeria wrote about them in of all places the cookbook which we are sending to you. We’re getting to the age that we’d better get things done. However, we’re both quite well. We both have to be very careful of our eats. We have birthdays this month. Frank’s 77, my 76. But we’re hoping for many more. Frank is having a terrible time boxing your albums. Couldn’t get the right boxes so far he hasn’t said any bad words. I have a church cook book that I should send to Dorothy. It’s from people all about the territory. That is if she still is working out of Boyne City. I’m wondering if they still have the ferry across the lake to Irontan or if its been bridged. We still have some very good friends around the territory. Frank has your package about ready, so will close for now. Why don’t you come out this way sometime. But we do have hot weather so because of Mr. it should be early spring or late fall. We do have hot weather (110) but we have refrigeration both in house and car. Love, Dot.

Source 004 – Family Record: Moses Nelson and Cherry Valley Massacre by Valeria L. Nelson

by

Author: Valeria L. Nelson
Title: Account of Moses Nelson, Cherry Valley Massacre (NY)
Date: 03 October 1913
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: this account is recorded in a cookbook

Had 4 half-brothers named Dunlap, all in the service of their country.

11 November 1778 – Cherry Valley (Otsego Co, NY) destroyed. Hid with widowed mother on Lady Hill, east of the village (age 14).

March 1779 (20 March 1779 – s24) – enlisted for 10 month term on Hudson River rendezvousing at Fish Hill (Private under Captain John Denny, Batteau services – s24).

Around January 1780 – returned to Cherry Valley to live with his mother.

24 April 1780 (s24) – captured by indians, mother killed.

18 days later – arrived in Canada, Niagara (about 12 May 1780). Adopted as indian (Stockbridge). Sold into forestry service of British.

Spring 1782 – taken with prisoners to rebuild Ft. Oswego.

Winter 1782-83 – remained at Ft. Oswego.

Spring 1783 – peace proclaimed. Returned via Ticonderoga and Ft. Edward. Visited Montreal, was paid for labor done in British service.

NOTE: webroots. org – 24 April 1780, 79 indians and 2 tories completely destroyed the village, killing 8 [one being Moses’ widowed mother] and capturing 14 [one being Moses].
Washington visited Cherry Valley in fall of 1783.

Source 039 – Postcard by Lucy A. McEnter

by

Author: Lucy A. McEnter of Westmoreland, NY
Title: Postcard to Mrs. VL Nelson of Lawrence, MI [Valeria L. Nelson]
Date: 22 March 1913
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: postcard

March 22, 1913

Mrs. V.L. Nelson
Lawrence, Mich
RFD 3

Thanks for your Easter card. Everything here is usual. Lucy A. McEnter [Westmoreland NY]