Harriet Newell AUSTIN

Notes:

From burials at St. Michael's, Bristol, RI: Mrs. Harriet N. Chafee, 29 July 1856.

Her death record at Bristol names her as Harriet N. Austin, and identifies her father as Samuel Austin. Neither her married name nor her mother are mentioned. This is probably a clerk's oversight or due to the confusion of the informant.

Harriet Newell Austin was named after a young American missionary who died in her first year of service, at age 19. She died of consumption at Isle of France, after giving birth prematurely, in 1812. Many girls were named after her.

Harriet married George Tew Barker CHAFEE 18 Mar 1839, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI. George (son of Stephen CHAFEE, Jr. and Deborah USHER) was born 27 May 1816, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died 11 Apr 1891, Middletown, Middlesex Co., CT; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Chafee, Stephen B. (Co. I. 7th Rhode Island Vols. Inf.), died Sept. 15, 1910, age 70 yrs. (Civil War Flag).
(source: http://dunhamwilcox.net/ct/indian_hill_1.htm)

Stephen married Elizabeth Dane Shaw 1 Jan 1868, RI. Elizabeth was born 11 Apr 1835, England or Ireland; died 22 Oct 1894; was buried , Indian Hill Cemetery, Middletown, Middlesex Co., CT. [Group Sheet]

Stephen married Julia A. Douglass 15 Jun 1897. Julia was born Aug 1852, New York City, NY; died Aft 1 Jun 1900. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

George owned the Chafee Hotel in Middletown, CT.

In the front of my grandmother's old Bible there is this notation, written in her handwriting: "Lest I forget, I must write down the Chafee family motto -- 'As we journey through life, let us live by the way.' It is above the large fireplace in the Chafee Hotel in Middletown Conn. made in the masonry."

George married Matilda Pitt 23 Nov 1864, Middletown, CT. Matilda (daughter of John R. Pitt and Elizabeth Reading) was born Dec 1840, England; died 16 Dec 1900. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Lucinda had a twin sister who died six days after birth.

William A. & Lucinda Manchester are living at Bristol, RI, in the 1860 Federal Census. He is 26 and she is 18. They are in the household of Martha Manchester, probably William's mother.

In 1870 William & Lucinda are still at Bristol. In the household is their young son Walter, age 3. Also there is Lucinda's first cousin, Emma J. Chafee, 16. (Their fathers are brothers.)

Lucinda married William A. Manchester 20 Mar 1859, RI. William (son of Martha J. Unknown) was born Abt 1834, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1870 Federal Census, Samuel R. Chaffee, 25, is a bootmaker, living at Bristol, RI. His wife, Laura A., is age 26. They have two young sons, Raymond & Samuel.

In the 1880 Federal Census, the family is living at Middletown, CT, where Samuel is a saloon keeper -- probably at the Chafee Hotel.

In 1900, Samuel & Laura are living on Congregational St. in Bristol, RI, age 54, with three of their children -- Lena, Cora, & William. They have been married 34 years, according to the census figures. Samuel is a cutter in the rubber mill.

In 1910 Samuel & Laura are both age 65, still living on Congregational St., and have been married 42 years, according to census data.

In the 1930 Federal Census, Samuel is a widower, age 86, living in Bristol, Lincoln Co., ME, with his married daughter Cora Martin and family.

According to the gravestone inscription, Samuel was in Co. G Second Regt. RI Vols. The gravestone has been photographed.

Samuel married Laura Anne MUNROE 24 Apr 1867, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI. Laura (daughter of Jeremiah William MUNROE and Elizabeth BARRINGTON) was born Abt 16 Mar 1844, Bristol, Bristol; Co., RI; died 20 Oct 1911, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1870 census, he is listed as George T. B. Chafee, age 1. I have not researched his birth record.

in 1900 he is George A. Chafee, 33, and is living at Troy Ward 10, Rensselaer Co., NY, with his wife Clara.

In 1910 & 1920 he is in Providence, RI, with his wife Josephine.

George — Clara Unknown. Clara was born Sep 1875, NY. [Group Sheet]

George — Josephine C. Unknown. Josephine was born 28 Oct 1881, CT; died Feb 1963. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the June 1900 Federal Census, Stephen B. & Lillian "Chaffe" are living on Main St., Middletown, Middlesex Co., CT. They have three children: Lillian 8, Jairus 5, and Elizabeth 2. Stephen is a bar tender.

In 1910 the family is living on Hotchkiss St., Middletown, CT. In the household with Stephen & Lillian Chafee (ages 39 & 38) are: daughter Lillian Roe 18, son-in-law Fred Roe 19, daughter Elizabeth 12, and son Jairus 15.

Stephen married Lillian May Evans Abt 1890. Lillian was born Aug 1872, Chatham, CT; died Aft Apr 1930. [Group Sheet]

Charles married Minnie Belle Scovill 29 Sep 1909. Minnie was born 1882, Middletown, CT; died 1911. [Group Sheet]

Charles married Bertha Luvinia Truax Abt 1920. Bertha was born 14 Nov 1889; died 1981. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1920 Federal Census, Samuel A. Chafee is age 49, and is a boarder on Church St., Bristol. The census says he is married, and a laborer at the rubber company.

By 1930 Samuel has died; see notes for Sarah.

Samuel married Sarah "Sadie" E. Cheetham Abt 1897. Sarah was born 1876, MA; died 1947; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Eva's birth record at Bristol says she is the third child born to Samuel & Laura.

Notes:

Frank's birth record is on a 3 x 5 card in a file cabinet in the Bristol Town Hall.

Frank & Mary's 50th wedding anniversary celebration was at Cousin Lida's house in Graniteville. (Lida Jenckes was Mary's niece.)

In the 1900 Federal Census, Frank & Mary "Chaffee" are living in Bristol, RI. With them are children Frank, 2, and Laura, 1.

In 1910, Frank & Mary E. "Chaffe" are living at Coventry, RI. In the household are: John 13, Frank 12, Laura 11, Ruth 9, Hattie 7, & Charles 4 months (?). Who is John? I think he may have been a child who died in infancy. Also, Hattie has already died by 1910. Perhaps the census taker listed all the children, past and present, born to the family.

In 1920, Frank P. & Mary E. Chafee are living at 357 Atlantic Ave. in the Longmeadow section of Warwick, RI. In the household are Ruth A., 19, and Charles A., 10. Frank is a foreman at the freighthouse. Daughter Ruth works as a jeweler in a factory.

In 1930 the family is at 632 Heights Ave. in the Riverview section of Warwick. Son Charles, 20, is the only one of the children still at home. Frank is a brakeman on the electric railway.

According to Frank's obituary, he moved to California only two months before he died (of metastic carcinoma). Formerly he had lived at 184 Potters Ave., Providence, RI, and had been a resident of Providence for 22 years. He was employed at the Davol Rubber Co. for 20 years.

I can remember seeing off my Great-grandfather and Great-grandmother Chafee on the train when they left Providence for California. I was just four years old.

Frank died at 1506 Imperial Ave., Jacumba, CA.

Frank married Mary Elizabeth ANDREWS 17 Jul 1896, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI. Mary (daughter of William ANDREWS and Eliza Jane EDWARDS) was born 13 Nov 1870, Lymansville, North Providence, RI; died 20 Mar 1959, Sunland, CA; was buried 23 Mar 1959, Mt. Hope Cemetery, 3751 Market St., San Diego, CA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Harriet's birth record says she is the fifth child born to Samuel & Laura.

Harriet married DeWitt E. Bolster Abt 1899. DeWitt was born Mar 1866, NY; died Aft 1 Jan 1920. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1900 Federal Census, Lena is age 19, living at Bristol, RI, with her parents and two siblings. In the 1905 RI census she is age 24, still living with her parents at 19 Congregation St., Bristol.

Lena (Chafee) Stairs died in her 75th year at her home, 2425 21st St., Santa Monica, CA. She died at 7:02 pm on 7 July 1957.

Lena and her husband were active in the Salvation Army.

Lena married Cleve Earl Stairs Aft 1904. Cleve was born 8 May 1882, ME; died Mar 1969, CA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Cora's birth record says she is the 9th child born to Samuel R. & Laura A. Chafee, but I believe it should say 7th.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Cora is age 17 and living at Bristol, RI, with her parents and two siblings.

In the 1905 RI census she is age 22, still living with her parents in Bristol at 19 Congregation St.

Cora and her husband moved to Pemaquid Point, Maine.

Cora married Elmer Martin Abt 1905. Elmer was born Abt 1884, ME; died Aft 1 Apr 1930. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

William is age 15 (almost 16?) in the 1900 Federal Census, living at Bristol, RI, with his parents and two older sisters. In 1910, he is still living at Bristol, but now is married to Eva and has two children.

The gravestone has his birth year as 1885.

William married Eva A. Dow 25 Dec 1904, RI. Eva was born Abt 1882, Canada; died Abt 1975. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Chafee, Cleveland, son of S. B. & L. M., died July 29, 1891, age 2 mos. 5 das.
(source: http://dunhamwilcox.net/ct/indian_hill_1.htm)

Lillian — Frederick Fred Roe. Frederick was born Abt 1891, CT; died Aft 1 Jan 1920. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the January 1920 Federal Census, Jairus & Emma Chafee, ages 25 & 22, are living on Berlin St., Middletown, CT. They have two young daughters: Marjorie & Dorothy.

In 1930 Jairus M. & Emma C. Chafee, ages 36 & 33, are living on Cottage St., Middletown, CT.

Jairus — Emma Johnson. Emma was born 9 Aug 1897, CT; died Abt 16 Dec 1990; was buried , Pine Grove Cemetery, Middletown, CT. [Group Sheet]

Elizabeth — Mr. Smith. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Philip's biological father was Bertha's first husband, Samuel E. O'Donnell. Philip was adopted by Charles Austin Chafee.

Philip — Ellen Veronica Evans. Ellen was born 10 Aug 1913; died 21 Apr 1988. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

After Sarah (Sadie) died, her sons were brought up by their Aunt Isabelle (I called her Cousin Belle) and their grandmother Sarah (Sadie) Cheetham. The daughter was brought up by her great aunt(s)
in New Bedford, MA.

Gordon went on to become a dentist, and was our family dentist when I was growing up (1950s - 1960s). He retired some years after I was married. His daughter, Donna Morgan, graduated from high
school in my class, Warwick Vets 1969.

Sarah married Ralph M. Morgan Abt 1916. Ralph was born Abt 1898, MA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Isabel's birth record at Bristol says she is the second child born to Samuel A. Chafee (29) & Sarah E. Cheetham (24).

Isabel, or "Cousin Belle" as we called her, raised her two nephews after her sister died. She never married, and for many years did not cut her hair. After becoming a member of the Salvation Army, she had vowed never to cut her hair, but always wore it in a braid wound around her head. When I was a child in the 1950s and later in the 1960s, we used to visit her every 4th of July. She lived in a duplex right on Hope St. in Bristol. My mom would cut a bouquet of flowers -- red, white, & blue -- from our garden early in the morning of the holiday, and we would arrive at Belle's to find chairs already set up for us on the sidewalk. After the big parade, we would have lunch inside, usually with Merton & Estelle Morgan and their son and daughter. After I was married, a few times I took my children to visit her where she was living at the time, in the Benjamin Church apartment complex for senior citizens further up on Hope St. She always wanted to give the children a little gift. One time she gave Laura a small doll, which I later used in the center of a doll birthday cake for Laura. In the early 1980s she came to stay with my parents while recovering from either surgery or a fall, and since we lived next door, we got to see her more. She came to our house for Ben's birthday party, and raved about the homemade clam chowder and clam cakes I had made.

She was just about the same age as my Grandmother Laura (Chafee) Remington. We kids always laughed when they got together, because they tried to out-talk each other, getting louder and louder, each one expressing (or pressing) her own train of thought.

We went to her last birthday party, held at the home of a relative in Bristol. Her funeral was at St. Michael's in Bristol, but at the time I didn't realize that one of our common ancestors had been the second rector there for many years back in the 1700s.

Russell married Grace Battcher Aft 1 Apr 1930. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

John is not in the Bristol births, but is listed in the 1910 census along with Hattie who had also died. Perhaps John was their name for a baby that was prematurely born.

Notes:

In the 1920 Federal Census, Frank is age 24 and living at Brooklyn, New York, working at the Kings Co. Hospital.

In the 1930 Federal Census, the family is living on Plain St. in Providence, RI. Frank, the father, is noted as "absent."

Frank left his family in Rhode Island and moved to southern California, where he became a bus driver for Greyhound Bus Co.

The birth record at Bristol says he is the first child of Frank & Mary Chafee. It may be that he was the first child who lived, since I believe there was an earlier child, perhaps a miscarriage or death in very early infancy.

Frank married Mae Agnes Johnston Abt 1920. Mae was born Abt 1893, Canada; died 1956; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI. [Group Sheet]

Frank married Dorothy Wyman Aft 1930. Dorothy was born 22 Nov 1903; died Apr 1975, San Diego Co., CA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I have very happy memories of my grandmother, which is one reason why I named my older daughter after her. We would often visit her on Heath Avenue in Warwick. Once I even got to spend the night with her. The next day we walked a couple of miles to the shopping center across from Aldrich Junior High. I wanted to buy some doll clothes, but she said, "I can make those for you, Dear." And she did -- beautiful ones, for our baby dolls and grown-up dolls. She did lovely embroidery, too, which she gave as gifts in the form of pillows, table and bed linens, and framed pictures. In later years, when she moved to Ashland, MA, we would usually ride up to see her on Sunday afternoons. After I learned to drive, one summer day I borrowed my dad's car and drove up there with my cousin Barbara, and we took her to the seashore for lunch. Another time I rolled her hair up for her. In the early 1970s, Rich and I would drop in on her, and get her talking about the old days. Once she got started, the stories followed one after another. She'd get out the photographs, laugh about this or that event, and often give her opinion in no uncertain terms. More than once she said she had married too young, on her 18th birthday. But I'm glad she did, because my dad was born a little over a year later, the first of six sons. What a life! I'm sure her marriage, and her whole life, had its ups and downs. At one point their farmhouse burned down, and the family had to move into a little shanty for a while. My grandparents certainly set an example of hard work and determination for generations to follow. While I never met my grandfather, I know he was proud of his children and grandchildren. My grandmother was very much a part of our family, and I only wish she had lived to be a part of the lives of my children, too.

I have copies of Laura's birth, marriage, and death certificates, plus a copy of the page from the 1900 Census at Bristol which shows her family when Laura was one year old. Also, her gravestone has been photographed.

The birth record at Bristol says she is the second child born to Frank & Mary Chafee.

Laura married Chester Philip REMINGTON, Sr. 28 Apr 1917, Coventry, Kent Co., RI. Chester (son of John Allen REMINGTON and Angeretta Williams WHITFORD) was born 10 Feb 1894, Anthony Village, Coventry, RI; died 9 May 1948, Providence, Providence Co., RI; was buried 11 May 1948, Woodland Cemetery, Washington & Knotty Oak Sts., Coventry, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The birth record at Bristol says she is the third child born to Frank & Mary Chafee.

Ruth married George Wesley Hubbard Jul 1922; divorced 1958. George was born Oct 1903; died 3 Mar 1997, Jefferson Co., KY. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She was known as Hattie. She died of "nasal diptheria" at age 4 1/2.

Notes:

In 1940 the family is living at 19 Barton Ave.: Charles A. Chafee 30, Hazel M. 29, Ronald A. 3, and Austin J. 1 month; also Charles B. Lake (father-in-law) 53 and Jennie M. Lake 46. Charles is a pressman at the rubber factory.

I have pictures from Charlie & Hazel's 50th anniversary celebration.

Charles married Hazel Muriel Lake 28 Dec 1931. Hazel (daughter of Charles Burnside Lake and Jennie Margaret Dillon) was born 19 Jul 1910, Providence, RI; died Aug 1994. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I am wondering if shoe could be Mary E. Grant 27 RI (NY/RI) in the 1930 census, single and boarding at Providence, occupation stenographer?

Mary married Harold Thomas Sylvester Abt 1922. Harold was born 29 Apr 1900, RI; died 1980; was buried , North Burial Ground, Bristol, RI. [Group Sheet]

Guy married Myra A. Unknown Abt 1929. Myra was born Abt 1909, ME. [Group Sheet]