Genealogical Caveat

Genealogical Caveat Hannah Benner Roach* A MATEUR GENEALOGISTS, in spite of frequent exhortations not to believe everything they find in print, too often are inclined to accept as truth data culled from published works. Unaware of the many steps and persons involved in transferring genuine data to the printed page, the searcher is so delighted at finding long sought information that he fails to question its accuracy. What he apparently does not know is that the printer has no obligation to check the correctness of his copy, and that the accuracy of the information in the copy is dependent on the diligence of the reporter in checking his facts. That newspaper reporting is often incorrect is well known. This is not a new phenomenon peculiar to the twentieth century, as is evidenced by the subjoined extracts from papers published well over a century ago. The first of these “lifted” from a local newspaper, appeared in Samuel * Editor’s note; Hannah Benner Roach (1907-1976) was editor of the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine for fifteen years. “Genealogical Caveat,” written during Mrs. Roach’s tenure as editor, first appeared in PGM 26, no. 3 (1970): 162-66. Though the article was unsigned when published, it can be assumed that Mrs. Roach re¬ searched the material and wrote the article, an assumption based on writing style as well as the obvious caring and caution exerted and the thoroughness of the work trademarks of her success as a genealogist. “Genealogical Caveat” is indispensable reading matter for the novice embarking on his or her early genealogical journies. Perhaps even more important, it is a “must read” for those who have been tracking ancestors for many years. As such it serves as a powerful reminder to check and recheck the accuracy of all kinds of published material. Hannah Benner Roach missed the speed and convenience of the In tenet many of us take for granted, but if she were here today she would be especially cautious -even suspicious about information obtained from computer web sites. Caveat lector! For further evidence of Hannah Benner Roach’s meticulous expertise, see the recendy published volume, Colonial Philadelphians, available by contacting the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania phone, fax, or e-mail. — — — — 133 134 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Hazard’s Register of Pennsylvania, Volume VII, No. 23, issue of 4 June 1831:1 JOHN AND JACOB REDLION VS. THOMAS WOOLVERTON Michael Redlion, by his last Will and Testament, bequeathed to his son Christian Redlion, a considerable sum of money, the issues of which were to be paid him during his life, and at his death the principal to go to his children. If he died without lawful issue, then the principal was to go to the other children of Michael Redlion. Christian Redlion, son of Michael, was married to Catharine Stout in the spring of 1825, and died on the first day of November 1825. His widow, Catharine (Stout) Redlion, was married to Thomas Woolverton, the Defendant in the case, on 16 March 1826, and on 14 September 1826, the said Catharine had a son born who is now living. The question for the jury was: Who was the father of the child, the first or second husband of Catharine. Christian Redlion, the first husband, committed suicide, and from his death to the birth of the child, was ten months and fourteen days. From the marriage of his widow to Woolverton, to the birth of the child, was six months, The Plaintiffs, John and Jacob Redlion, were brothers of the deceased Christian, and entitled to the aforesaid principal, in the event of Christian’s dying without issue. Many curious and ancient authorities were cited by the counsel on both sides, H. Chapman for the Plaintiff, and M’ Dowell for the Defendant. The Court charged the Jury in favor of the Plaintiffs and against the child, and the Jury brought a verdict accordingly. On the face of it, the facts in the case appear to be clear cut. An examination into them, however, reveals at least one discrepancy. The will of Michael Redline, yeoman, of New Britain, Bucks County, was written 21 July 1812, and proved in Bucks County 2 September 1812.2 In it Michael devised to his “loving wife” Elizabeth one half of all his real and personal estate for life, including the amount of four bonds he had given to Christian Swartz, bearing date 1 April 1812. She was to have the The item first appeared in the Doylestoum Intelligencer, date of issue not given. As printed in Hazard’s Register; VII, 363, it has as a sub-heading "Feigned Issue.” The present version is not entirely verbatim; minor additions have been inserted in the interest of clarity. 2 The will is recorded in Bucks County Will Book 8, 301, at Doylestown, Pa. Genealogical Caveat 135 right to will them to whom she pleased at her death, provided she out¬ lived their son Christian. To Christian, Michael devised £25 to be paid him within one year of Michael’s decease, and the clear yearly income of all the estate after the decease of Elizabeth, together with as much of the principal as Michael’s executor, Philip Miller, might think Christian stood in need of for his support. If Christian died leaving lawful heirs, they were to enjoy Christian’s inheritance share and share alike, but if he died without issue, then half o: Michael’s estate was to go to “my two Brothers John and Jacob Redline,” the other half to be divided among the children of Michael’s wife’s brothers and sisters. From the evidence of the recorded will, it is quite plain that Jacob3 and John Redline (Redlion the name was variously spelled in contem¬ porary documents) were brothers and nofsons of Michael. Furthermore, since Michael mentioned no “other children” in his will, and he died less than two months after executing it, he had no children subsequent to its execution. Moreover, under the will, only half of Michael’s estate was to revert to his brothers in the event of Christian’s dying without issue; the other half was to go to Michael’s brothers- and sisters-in-law. It seems that either the lawyers were negligent in presenting their case, or, more likely, the reporter who covered the case was careless in report¬ ing it. — The second item appears to be a classic example of a family assuming an unfounded relationship on the basis of similarity of names. It was printed in the New York Tribune, issue of 12 September 1857, as the obituary of a native Philadelphian. AN ARTIST GONE. The funeral of Jacob A. Dallas, an artist of no little celebrity, took place yesterday at 9 o’clock, from the resi- Jacob married Anna Margaret Reed, eldest daughter ofJacob and Magdalena (Leidy) Reed, according to W. H. Reed, History and Genealogy of the Reed Family (Norristown, 1929), 154. See also the will ofjacob Reed in Bucks Co. Will Book 9, 122, probated in 1820. Jacob, John and Michael Redline appear to have been sons ofjacob and Margaret Redline of New Britain Township, Bucks Co. Administration in 1784 on the elder Jacob’s estate is recorded in Bucks County Administration Book A, 54. Michael, probably the youngest son, first appears on Bucks County assessment lists as a single man in 1787 in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, where his mother had removed after the father’s death. See Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, XT1I, 58, 561, 782. 136 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine dence of his father-in-law in Fifty-first street, near Tenth avenue. The ceremonies on the occasion were in accordance with the wishes of the deceased. His literary and artistic brethern [sic] , to the number of about 50, assembled at the house, and Col. Thomas B. Thorpe, the author, and Editor of Frank Leslie’s Newspaper, delivered a feeling and appropriate eulogium upon the character of their deceased brother, after which the body was conveyed to the New York Bay Cemetery, below Jersey City, for interment. Mr. Dallas was the son of a merchant in Philadelphia, where he was born in 1825 being 32 years old at the time of his death. The Hon. George M. Dallas, now British Minister, was his cousin. At an early age he removed to the West with his parents, where he received a liberal education. At the age of 18 he returned to Philadelphia to commence the study of Art, for which he had early manifested a decided genius. Prof. Otis, the distinguished portrait painter, was his instructor, and under his tutelage made rapid progress in draw¬ ing. Having achieved a decided success as a student, he launched out into Art, and his progress toward the attainment of a high position was rapid. His advent in New York was in 1848, His artistic efforts were mostly with the pencil, and as a designer and draughts¬ man he had but few equals, while in allegory he stood preeminent. His drawings were elaborated with exquisite skill and fine effect, and are among the finest specimens in this country. Harpers, Putnam’s, Mrs. Stephens and Frank Leslie often availed themselves of his talent; and some of the best illustrated books owe their artistic excellence to his pencil. Nearly two years since, Mr. Dallas was married to Miss Mary Frances Kyle, herself an artist of promise, and the daughter of Mr. Joseph Kyle, one of the leading portrait painters of this city, to whom was born a child now eight months old. The disease which occa¬ sioned Mr. Dallas’s death was the consumption of the viscera, resulting from chronic dysentery. Mr. Dallas enjoyed high popularity among all who knew him, and especially was he regarded with favor among artists and literary men. — In the above, the statement that the Hon. George M. Dallas (17921864) then British Minister, was the cousin of Jacob A. Dallas, is open to question. George Mifflin Dallas was the son of Alexander James Dallas (1759-1817) who was born in Jamaica, came to Philadelphia in 1783, and in 1814 was Secretary of the Treasury. He was a son of Robert Dallas, Genealogical Caveat 137 M.D., of Dallas Castle,Jamaica, who died in 1769. Reference to the History of the Family of Dallas And their Connections and Descendants from the Twelfth 4 reveals no evidence that the other sons of Robert had Century offspring who sired a Jacob A. Dallas. Nor does the name “Jacob” appear in any other of the numerous branches of the family reported in that work. The question then arises, “What were the antecedents of this talented young artist who died at the early age of 32?” A check of Philadelphia City Directories, beginning in 1825, the year of Jacob’s birth, shows that there was more than one Dallas family living in the city. In addition to George M. Dallas and his brother Captain James Dallas, USN, in 1825 there was another Alexander James Dallas, shoe¬ maker, listed at 2 Carpenter Street above Moyamensing. In 1829, this shoemaker was listed on Christian below 6th Street, and continued there through 1835-6. To further confuse matters, in 1828 an Alexander Dallas at 209 Sassafras (Race) Street, was listed and continued at that address through 1833. Possibly that was his residence, for in 1829, 1830, and 1831 an Alexander Dallas, boot and shoemaker, was listed at 14 Mary. While he might possibly qualify as the alleged merchant” father of Jacob A. Dallas, no known connection with the family of the U.S. Naval captain and his brother George M. Dallas has been found. There seemed to be a more likely possibility ofjacob’s connection with the Jacob Dallas and Matthew Dallas who appear in the Directories from 1829 through 1833 as weavers. Significantly, they both disappear after that, the year Jacob A. Dallas is reported to have left with his family for the West. Both of the weavers were listed at Second near Master, in Kensington, presumably in the same household. However, in 1837jacob and Matthew Dallas reappear in the Directories and continued to be listed in the following years. Biographical dictionaries of American artists give no clue as to Jacob A. Dallas’s parentage, though they do add a little to his history. The New-York Historical Society ’s Dictionary of Artists in America, 1564—1860 states that the family went to Missouri in 1833, taking the young Jacob — ,5 4 The work of the late James Dallas, it was published posthumously in Edinburgh in 1921. It is chiefly concerned with the various branches of the family in Scotland and England. The family and antecedents of Robert Dallas, M.D., however, are in the secdon entided “Dallas of Jamaica and America,” 343, 347ff. 5 This work was compiled by George C. Groce and David H. Wallace and published in New Haven and London in 1957. For the reference to Jacob A, Dallas see p. 162, JIU t 138 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine A. Dallas with them. He attended Ames College and was graduated in 1843. He then returned to Philadelphia and studied with Bass Otis at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. From about 1850 on, Dallas was in New York. A list of his works is found in Early American Book Illustrators and Wood Engravers, 1670-1870 (Princeton, N.J., 1958). The brief bio¬ graphical sketch in that work calls him the "son of a wealthy Philadelphia merchant”! Although his father-in-law, Joseph Kyle (1815-1863), appears in the New York Directories much earlier, Jacob is listed only once in 1857, the year of his death. Apparently he had a studio at 80 Nassau, and lived at 8th Avenue, corner of W. 48th Street. His father-in-law was listed at 874 Broadway, with residence at 177 W. 48th Street, certainly not the address given in the obituary. The latter, however, is confirmed by Jacob Dallas’s death certificate in New York City/ On this his residence is given as 51st Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, his date of death as 8 September 1857, and his age as 32 years, 11 months, 28 days, putting his year of birth in 1824, not 1825. Interestingly, his place of burial is given as Greenwood Cemetery, which is in Brooklyn, not in New Jersey near Bayonne where the New York Bay Cemetery is located. And although the certificate gives his occupation as “artist,” and his birthplace as Pennsylvania, his parentage is not noted. Trows New York City Directory for the year ending 1 May 1857. Copy, dated 3 February 1970, of his death certificate, obtained from the Municipal Archives and Records Center, 23 Park Row, New York, N.Y., 10038, where death records for this period are now on file.