[1] Joseph Soule death/burial, July 25, 1735, St. Michael, Barbados – “Barbados Church Records, 1637-1887,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKDS-L3DX : 9 August 2017), Joseph Soule, 25 Jul 1735; citing Burial, St Michael, Barbados, Department of Archives, Blackrock; FHL microfilm 1,157,923.
[2] Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Davis
Wills, Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, Etc., 1787-1902; Author: Albany County (New York). Surrogate’s Office; Probate Place: Albany, New York
Source Information
Ancestry.com. New York, Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Original data: New York County, District and Probate Courts.
[3] Last Will and Testament of Jeremiah Davis
Wills, Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, Etc., 1787-1902; Author: Albany County (New York). Surrogate’s Office; Probate Place: Albany, New York
Source Information
Ancestry.com. New York, Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Original data: New York County, District and Probate Courts.
[4] Library and Archives Canada; British Military and Navel Records (RG 8, C Series); Microform c-4219; pages 524-5; http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/mass-digitized-archives/british-military-naval-records-documents/Pages/item.aspx?PageID=1844951
[5] Laphams in America : thirteen thousand descendants including descendents of John from Devonshire, England to Providence, R.I., 1673, Thomas from Kent, England, to Scituate, Mass., 1634, and genealogical notes of other Lapham families / compiled and written by Bertha Bortle Beal Aldridge. pages 31 and 62
[6] American Ancestors.org: Dutchess Co, NY: The Settlers of the Beekman Patent Volume: 7; page 848
[7] American Ancestors.org: Dutchess County, NY: The Settlers of the Beekman Patent Volume: 6; page 337
[8] American Ancestors.org: American Genealogist, The Volume : 24 (1948); page 242
[9] Gravestone of Howland Soules; Tapleytown Cemetery, Tapleytown, Hamilton Municipality, Ontario, Canada
[10] A contribution to the history, biography and genealogy of the families named Sole, Solly, Soule, Sowle, Soulis: (2 vol. 1926) by Rev. G. T. Ridlon, Sr.
*Ridlon’s published work contains some credible information, mostly of dates as written down by family. Other details of families are embellishments of their lives as stories were passed down through time, whether it was what the families were told or how they imagined them to be.
Howland Soules’ parents were NOT Benjamin and Dorcas (Ward) Soule. The dates of birth and marriage for Benjamin and Dorcas are evidence of that. As can be seen in land transaction documents [11], Howland did not receive a Crown Grant of land, but purchased said land from Ebenezer Jones, who DID receive a land grant for being a Loyalist. It is not known what Howland’s exact position would have been during the American Revolution, considering he was a child at the time. I believe family stories confused father and son. (Father) Howland Soule died in a Loyalist camp while serving as a Private [1], but details of his association are currently lacking. He was a Lieutenant in what may have been an American Militia unit [12] and had also given his Oath of Allegiance to the State. [12, page 230]
[11] Land transactions Saltfleet Township, Canada with maps
[12] Minutes of the Committee and the First Commission for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York
December 11, 1776-September 23, 1778 and
Minutes of the Council of Appointment State of New York
April 2, 1778-May 3, 1779
Volume I
New York
Printed for the Society
MDCCCCXXIV
[13] Gravestone of Mary Condon; Tapleytown Cemetery, Tapleytown, Hamilton Municipality, Ontario, Canada
[14] “United States Census, 1810,” Howland Soles, Benton, Ontario, New York, United States; citing p. 674, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 33; FHL microfilm 181,387. This document has been proven to be of a different Howland Soules and not the Howland Soules, subject of this Mayflower Lineage.
[15] I believe the date of birth indicated on Rachel’s death certificate and gravestone to be off by one year [16] [17]. I determined her year of birth to be 1808 by the following factors.
Rachel’s brother, Jeremiah, was born July 27 1806. [10] In order for Rachel to be born February 26, 1807, her mother would have had to become pregnant almost immediately after giving birth to Jeremiah and given birth to Rachel 2 months premature. Therefore, it is my conclusion that the year of 1807 is incorrect.
The Canadian censuses of 1851, 1871, and 1881 give a better clue of Rachel’s year of birth.
The 1851 census for New Brunswick and Nova Scotia was completed in 1851, but Canada West and Canada East did not start their collection of data until the following year. Therefore, for Canada West and Canada East, what is known as the Census of 1851 officially began on January 12, 1852. The census inquires the age at the NEXT birthday. Rachel gives this information herself (as indicated by the X next to her name) as 44. Depending on when the census was taken (before or after her birthday in February), her year of birth would calculate to 1808-1809. [18]
The 1871 Census officially began April 2, 1871. It asked for current age. Rachel’s age is given as 63. She had already had her birthday, so year of birth calculates to 1808. [19]
The 1881 Census officially began April 4, 1881. It again, asked for current age. Rachel’s age is given as 73, which would calculate year of birth to be 1808. [20]
[16] Gravestone of Rachel Corman Penfold; Stoney Creek Cemetery, Stoney Creek, Hamilton Municipality, Ontario, Canada
[17] Death record Rachel Penfold – Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series: MS935; Reel: 56
[18] 1851; Census Place: Saltfleet, Wentworth County, Canada West (Ontario); Schedule: A; Roll: C_11758; Page: 79; Line: 9
[19] 1871; Census Place: Saltfleet, Wentworth South, Ontario; Roll: C-9923; Page: 46; Family No: 175
[20] 1881; Census Place: Saltfleet, Wentworth South, Ontario; Roll: C_13255; Page: 49; Family No: 236
[21] Gravestone of Alpheus Corman; Stoney Creek Cemetery, Stoney Creek, Hamilton Municipality, Ontario, Canada
[22] Source: Archives of Ontario – Wentworth County Surrogate Court Indexes – 1816 to 1968 (RG 22-201) (name) CORMAN, Alphens, (Country)Wentworth, (Number) 1120, (Year) 1853; MS 638, Reel 18
[23] Information from the Apsey Bible; shared by Diana Apsey (dianaapsey1) on Ancestry.com, 05 May 2013. *I have been in contact with Diana and requested a photo or scan of the Bible’s publishing page and actual page the information is written on. While she responded back to me, I have yet to receive my request.
[24] Email from Elizabeth Mathew; Reference Services; United Church of Canada Archives – No marriage records for 1856. Records begin starting year 1897.
[25] Michigan Death Record for Susan Apsey; SeekingMichigan.org
[26] Michigan Death Record for John Apsey; SeekingMichigan.org
[27] Obituary Grand Rapids (Michigan) Herald; 16 Feb 1911, page 6
[28] Gravestone of Susan Apsey; Oak Grove Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA
[29] Gravestone of John Apsey; Oak Grove Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA
[30] Malachi Apsey – 1841 census – Class: HO107; Piece: 280; Book: 4; Civil Parish: Chardstock; County: Dorset; Enumeration District: 11; Folio: 18; Page: 10; Line: 23; GSU roll: 241337
[31] Malachi Apsey – 1851; Census Place: Saltfleet, Wentworth County, Canada West (Ontario); Schedule: A; Roll: C_11758; Page: 67; Line: 41
[32] John Apsey – 1870; Census Place: Cascade, Kent, Michigan; Roll: M593_681; Page: 145A; Family History Library Film: 552180
[33] John Apsey – 1880; Census Place: Paris, Kent, Michigan; Roll: 587; Page: 119B; Enumeration District: 128
[34] John Apsey – 1894 Michigan census; SeekingMichigan.org
[35] John Apsey – 1900; Census Place: Paris, Kent, Michigan; Roll: 723; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0099; FHL microfilm: 1240723
[36] John Apsey – 1910; Census Place: Paris, Kent, Michigan; Roll: T624_655; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 0133; FHL microfilm: 1374668
[37] Jennie Bush – Year: 1880; Census Place: Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan; Roll: 598; Page: 264D; Enumeration District: 194
[38] John E Apsey – 1900; Census Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan; Roll: 723; Page: 2; Enumeration District: 0092; FHL microfilm: 1240723
[39] John E Apsey – 1910; Census Place: Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan; Roll: T624_655; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0124; FHL microfilm: 1374668
[40] John E Apsey – 1920; Census Place: East Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan; Roll: T625_779; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 93
[41] Jennie Apsey – 1930; Census Place: East Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan; Roll: 999; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 0147; FHL microfilm: 2340734
[42] Marriage – John E. Apsey and Jennie Bush, 05 Nov 1884; citing Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, v 1 p 156 rn 2724, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,342,474.
[43] John E Apsey death record – SeekingMichigan.org
[44] John E Apsey obituary – Grand Rapids Herald (Michigan), September 17, 1926, page 3
[45] Gravestone of John E Apsey; Oak Grove Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA
[46] Kent County, MI Probate record for John E. Apsey showing names/signatures of his children
[47] Jennie Apsey death record – SeekingMichigan.org
[48] Jennie Apsey obituary – Grand Rapids Herald (Michigan), April 25, 1930, page 3
[49] Gravestone of Jennie Apsey; Oak Grove Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA
[50] Letter from Kent County, Michigan Clerk regarding Hattie Apsey birth record
[51] Grand Rapids School District #3 School Census, 1916
[52] Death certificate for Hattie Apsey Roetman
[53] Funeral memory card for Hattie Roetman
[54] Marriage – John Roetman and Hattie Apsey, 06 Dec 1919; citing Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, v 4 p 221 rn 9593, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,342,731.
[55] Letter from Kent County, Michigan Clerk regarding John Roetman birth record
[56] Johannes (John) Roetman baptism card
[57] John Roetman driver’s license
[58] United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm. Michigan; Registration County: Kent; Roll: 1675765; Draft Board: 1
[59] Death certificate for John Roetman
[60] Funeral memory card for John Roetman
[61] Gravestone Blythefield Memory Gardens, Rockford, Kent County, Michigan, USA
[62] Birth Certificate for Susan Ellen Roetman
[63] Death Certificate for Susan Ellen Jager
[64] Birth Certificate for Kenneth Dale Jager
[65] Marriage Certificate for Kenneth Dale Jager and Susan Ellen Roetman
[66] Birth Certificate for Susan Lynne Jager
[67] Birth Certificate for John Leighton Straw
[68] Marriage Certificate for John Leighton Straw and Susan Lynne Jager
[69] Marriage Certificate for John Leighton Straw and Sandra Chubb
[70] Divorce for John Leighton Straw and Sandra Chubb
[71] All the censuses from 1841-1920 indicate that John Apsey was born in 1833. I believe the year of birth on his death record [26] and gravestone [29] are off by one year. The 1900 census [35] gives his birth as Dec. 1833.
[72] Certification of John Straw/Sandra Chubb Straw Divorce by Lisa Posthumus Lyons, (Kent County, Michigan) County Clerk.
