Fourth of July More than Fireworks and Food

      I remember past fourth of Julys at my mother and dads home . We would gather early evening for a meal and visit with family members.  As the clock ticked away the excitement grew for the evening delight of fireworks. My parents had bought a house on the skyline in Duluth Minnesota. It overlooked Lake Superior harbor.  They had a beautiful view watching the big ships and sailboats on the lake and coming through the harbor.  The ariel bridge would go up for the ships to pass through. I know live on Park point and cross that bridge at least twice a day. I still get excited at seeing the big ships and the sail boats. 

     As the sky darkened we grew even more excited since soon the city would begin to set off the  fireworks over the harbor. Lots of yahs, oohs and wows were  said.  I have wonder memories with my family who now have passed on. Parents , uncle and aunts and a cousin. My children are grown and their children are grown. My husband has now passed on the glory of the universe. 

    I still get excited at seeing the fireworks but the fourth of July means so much more to me. Tonight I will gather down by the bay with residents in my apartment building to watch the fireworks. I am making friends and will not be alone. My view from the bay will be better than the view at my parents home but will be bittersweet because I am not with my family,

     Little did I know all those years ago that the fourth means so much more to me than the fireworks and a meal. Since starting my family research I have enjoyed tracing our history back the revolution and further.  I have now become a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and have four direct ancestors plus uncles or sons who fought along side of my grandfathers.  

     My main patriot is James Woodmansee born August 1732 New Jersey to Thomas Woodmansee and Mary Ware daughter of Thomas Ware. He married the 5th of October 1758 to Hannah Worden in New Jersey. They had nine children. 

     James resided at Cedar Creek , Monmouth, New Jersey. He assisted in establishing American Independence while acting in the capacity of Lieutenant for the state of New Jersey. He served under  Captain John Stout, 2nd Reg, Monmouth Co Militia. I am .busy reading about that time and the 2nd New Jersey Regiment. 

     After the war James and his wife moved to Liberty Township, Butler County , Ohio.  He died the 29th of January 1818 and wife hannah passed away 18th of April 1824. They are buried in their Butler County farm cemetery

     My other three patriots are Joseph Cheuvront paid Supply tax 1783 Virginia, Moses Ellsworth Furnished supplies Rockingham Co Virginia and Ebenezer Coleman who has just now been approved. I am waiting on his certificates. 

     I know I have more patriots to find and prove. Have a wonderful fourth of July and say a thank you to our past and present patriots. 

SENTIMENTAL SUNDAY Researching My Revolutionary War Patriot James Woodmansee

July 5th 2019 I was accepted into the Daughters of the American Revolutionary and will become apart of the Duluth chapter August 13th 2019.  I look forward to honoring my ancestor.
This next few weeks I will be working on the Woodmansee family line and researching the area my ancestor lived and fought in New Jersey Monmouth County.

Tonight I found a great timeline of the Revolutionary War era in Monmouth County.  This will help me get to know a little more hopefully about my ancestor. From the application to SAR by Leon William Chumley I learnt that James was a Lieutenant in the Monmouth County New Jersey Militia under Capt John Stouts Company, Col David Brearley's Second Regiment.

I will continue to prove other patriots in the next year.

James Woodmansee was born the 15th of August 1732 Cedar Creek, Monmouth County, New Jersey to Thomas Woodmansee and Mary Ware.
He married Hannah Worden daughter of Samuel Worden 111 and Abigail Mott.
Further research will tell me if there were 8 or 9 children.

James passed away 29th of January 1818 in Hamilton , Butler , Ohio where he and his wife were living with son Daniel.

Source is from Sons of American Revolutionary application by Leon William Chumley.

James Woodmansee Revolutionary War Soldier My Daughters of the Revolution Patriot

James Woodmansee Revolutionary War Soldier  my DAR patriot


The American Revolution was an event of sweeping worldwide importance. A costly war that lasted from 1775 to 1783, it secured American independence and gave revolutionary reforms of government and society the chance to continue. At its core, the war pitted colonists who wanted independence and the creation of a republic against the power of the British crown, which wanted to keep its empire whole. At certain times and in certain places, Americans fought other Americans in what became a civil war. From the family whose farm was raided, through the merchant who could not trade, to the slave who entered British lines on the promise of freedom, everyone had a stake in the outcome. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ah-revolutioncapsulehistory/

James Woodmansee 

1732 New Jersey  - 1818 Ohio

son of Thomas Woodmansee Sr and Mary ( Ware ) Woodmansee

My 6 times great grandfather

I am sharing it today to celebrate Independence day by telling the tale of one patriot who fought for our freedoms. This is the beginning of my story of one of my patriots.

James Woodmansee Revolutionary War soldier was born the 15th or 26th of August 1732 to Thomas Woodmansee and his wife Mary Ware, daughter of Thomas Ware. 

He married on the 5th of Oct 1758 in Monmouth County, Hannah Worden born the 18 Jan 1738 in New Jersey,  daughter of Samuel Worden the 3rd and and his wife Abigail Mott, and sister of Penelope and Silence Worden, who were married to James' brothers David and Gabriel. The three brothers and their families owned land and homes in Cedar Creek area in what is now Ocean County, New Jersey, and it is there where that James and Hannah's children were born.

Their children were James, b 31 Dec 1759, Asa b 5th Oct 1761, Phebe b 22 Feb 1764, James b 8th Aug 1766, Samuel b 4 Feb 1769, Job b 11 May 1771, Joseph b 2 Dec 1773 , Thomas b 13 Apr 1775, Daniel b 22 Sept 1777

David, Gabriel and James Woodmansee served in various offices in Dover Township following the Revolutionary Ware, which they also served.  James was commissioned Lieutenant, serving in the Second Regiment, Monmouth County, New Jersey Militia.

James and Hannah sold their New Jersey properties in 1789, and the family then made their home in Union Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  Twenty years later in 1809 James and Hannah sold the Union Township land and accompanied their son David and his family to Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, traveling via flatboat down the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers.  When they reached Cincinnati they were able to exchange hollow ware ( cast iron kettle, cooking utensils, etc) previously purchased, for necessities then needed in building a home in Liberty Township, Butler County, Ohio.
Within a few years their sons James, Samuel and Thomas came with their families to Ohio, as did their daughter Hannah, with her husband James Gray and their children. The Grays settled in Preble County, James Jr in Clermont County, Samuel in Darke County, and Thomas in Clinton County, Ohio.

James Woodmansee died 29th January 1818 at Liberty Township, Butler County Ohio  home.  Hanah died 16 April 1824.  They are buried in their Butler County farm cemetery that saw at least thirty burials of family and neighbors during the ensuing years.

This is the beginning of my Woodmansee family story.

Treasure Chest Thursday Will of Thomas Woodmansee 1670 - 1733

Treasure Chest Thursday ... The Will of Thomas Woodmansee Sr 1670 - 1733

Thomas Woodmansee Sr is my 7th great grandfather on my father side of the family.
He was born 17th of September 1670 in New London , Connecticut and passed away the 22nd of September 1733 in Shrewsbury , Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Thomas married Mary Ware and together they had at least 10 children according to his will.

I found his will on ancestry at New Jersey Abstract of Wills .

His will states Thomas of Shrewsbury, Monmouth co, yeoman, will of . Plantation where testator lives to be sold also interest in land in or near New London in New England Wife Mary children Thomas, John, David, Gabriel, James , Sarah, Elizabeth, Hannah and Margaret. Son in law Ephraim Potter, and daughter Leadea. Daughters Abigail and Ann. Executors John Littel and George Williams of Shrewsbury and testator's wife Mary. Witness Richard Higgins , John Woodmansee , David Woodmansee Piep Doan (?)  John Parker. Proved June 18 1737 Lib C p170 1737 Nov 26 Inventory made by Matthlas Venbrockel Jr and John Williams Witness Richard Compton.

It appears that Thomas was married to a Hannah Williams who died in 1699 before any of the children above were born. Unknown if they had any children at this time.  More studying of this needs to be done.

OBITUARY SUNDAY ~ JAMES W WOODMANSEE

Today for Obituary Sunday I am sharing the recently found obit. This is for James W Woodmansee. James is one of my third great grandfather's. His daughter Ann Woodmansee Millsap is my second great grandmother.

Decatur County Journal
May l9, l898
JAMES W. WOODMANSEE died Monday morning, about 9 o'clock, at the
residence of his son, JOHN WOODMANSEE, in this city, aged 8l years, 4
months and l5 days. Though a man endowed with a strong constitution he
had suffered the extremity of ill health for many months. He is
survived by six children--MRS. ANN MILLSAP of Hamilton County, Kansas;
JOHN WOODMANSEE of Leon, MRS. MARY MCLAUGHLIN of Decatur Township,
REUBEN S., of Indianola, GEORGE of Mt. Ayr, and MRS. SUSAN GRAYSON of
Ringgold County.
MR. WOODMANSEE was born in Clermont County, Ohio, December 3l, l8l6, the
youngest of six children of JAMES and AGNES (HAMMER) WOODMANSEE, natives
of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Ohio. In l820 they moved to Jackson
County, Indiana, where the mother died in l829 and the father in l847.
The deceased was married October 29, l835, to MISS RACHEL HAMMER, who
was born November l4, l8l9 in Jackson County, Indiana. In l849 he came
to Iowa and entered l60 acres of land on section 3l, Decatur Township,
and built a house l8 x 30. In March of the following year he occupied
the house with his family and thus became the first permanent settler in
Decatur Township. In l853 he built a grist mill and as it was the only
one in this section of the State, it was patronized by settlers within a
radius of fifty miles.
The deceased was an industrious and frugal citizen and had accumulated
considerable property during his life time. He was a good neighbor and
noted for his honesty. His departure has left us the example of a well
spent life and a good name. The funeral exercises were conducted at the
residence yesterday forenoon at l0 o'clock by ELDER STEVENS, after which
interment occurred in Woodmansee Cemetery, Decatur Township.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert  this was found on the internet

Thanks for stopping by Obituary Sunday. If you think we may be related I would love to hear from you . Grace

OBITURARY SUNDAY Remembering Anna Woodmansee Millsap Passed Away in 1904

This is the obituary of my great great grandmother on my father's mother's side.

The Lamoni Chronicle (Iowa)
July 28, 1904

MILLSAP. - Mrs. Ann MILLSAP died at her home at Syracuse, Kansas, July 2, 1904, aged 62 years, 11 months and 22 days.
She was the oldest daughter of James and Rachel WOODMANSEE, was born in Jackson county, Indiana, July 10, 1841. She came with her parents to Lee county, Iowa, remaining there one year. In the fall of 1849 they came to Decatur county and settled west of Decatur City, near the Woodmansee bridge, September 1.

She was married to Armeneous MILLSAP. To this union was born eleven children, the oldest dying in infancy. Five sons and five daughters are living; Mrs. Adam ZION, Wilton, Minn.; Mrs. Del FERGUSON, Hope, Idaho; George of Fellsburg,
Kan.; John of Wyonoka, Okla.; Mrs. Charles PFIESTER, Great Bend, Kan.; Frank, Arthur, Carl and Ora, all of Syracuse, Kan. She leaves a husband, twenty-two grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters. They are: John WOODMANSEE, Leon, Rebuen of Indianola, George of near Decatur, Mrs. J. W. MCLAUGHLIN of Decatur, and Mrs. W. H. GRAYSON of Redding.

She united with the Christian Church when quite young, and has lived a consistent Christian until death. The husband has lost a faithful companion of nearly forty-seven years, the children a kind and loving mother. She has been a great sufferer for several years, but has bore her suffering with patience and christian fortitude.

Loving mother, thy work's all done,
Beautiful soul into glory gone.
Beautiful life with its crown now son,
God giveth rest.
Rest from all sorrows and watching and fears,
Rest from all possible sighings and tears;
Rest through God's endless, wonderful years,
At home with the blest.

Beautiful spirit, free from all strain.
Ours they heartache, the sorrow and pain;
Thine is the glory and infinite gain.
They slumber is sweet.
Peace on the brow, and the eye-lids so calm;
Peace in the heart, 'neath the white folded palm;
Peace dropping down like a wondrous balm,
& gt;From the head to the feet.

It was so sudden, our white lips said.

How we will miss her, our darling dead;
Who'll take the place of the precious one fled?
But God knoweth best.
We know he watches the sparrows that fall-
Hears the sad cry of the grieved hearts that call.
Friends, husband, children,-he loveth them all-
We can trust for the rest.

Copied by Stacey McDowell Dietiker
June 9, 2003
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu

Thanks for visiting your friend in family research Grace

For Surname Saturday Woodmansee Family Line

For Surname Saturday I am sharing my Woodmansee Family Name using an Ahnentefel Report.
(1) Grace Zion
(2) Arthur Zion married (3) Muriel Day in 1943. Arthur was son of
(4) Perry Zion who married (5) Alta Hall
(4) Perry Zion son of (8) Jonathan Adam Zion and (9) Rachel Millsap.
(9)Rachel is the daughter of (18)Flavious Millsap and (19) Anne Woodmansee. Rachel was born 19 April 1862 and died 13 May 1945.

Flavious and Anne

(19) Anne Woodmanee born 10 July 1841 in Jackson Indiania. She married (18)Flavious September 1857. Anne passed away 04 July 1904.
(38 ) James White Woodmansee born 13 December 1816. He married (39)Rachel Burrell Hanner 29 October 1835 in Jackson Indiania. James passed away 16 May 1898 in Decatur, Iowa.
(76 ) James White Woodmansee born 07 February 1786 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He married (77) Agnes Hanner 16 May 1805 and passed away 19 May 1847 in Indiania.

James and Agnes
(152) James Woodmansee born 8 August 1766 in Ceder Creek New Jersey. Married about 1785 to (153) Hannah Sheppard. James passed away 5 March 1847 in Butler Ohio.
(304) James Woodmansee born 26 August 1732 in Ceder Creek, New Jersey. He married (305) Hannah Warden Worden 5 October 1758. James passed away 29 January 1818 in Hamilton Ohio.
(608) Thomas Woodmansee born 17 September 1670 in New London, Conn. Married (609 Mary Taylor. Thomas died 22 September 1733 in New Jersey.
(1216) Gabriel Woodmansee born about 1633 and married (1217) Sarah Ricks about 1667. James passed away about 1685.
(2432 ) Thomas Woodmansee born about 1595 Married ( 2433) Margaret Clement and passed away 13 August 1667 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope that you will take a moment and read some more of my sharings. Grace

Anna Woodmansee Milsap my Great Great Grandmother

I love searching for family on the Internet. Only if my aunt Alice was alive today, she would be amazed.
Last night I put in the name Zion and came up with different links. Many of them mine from my postings. I would click on the different links to see what I would find, coming up with nothing new. one link was for http://genforum.genealogy.com/zion/ There I saw questions and answers for the Zions. Then I spotted a post about the obituary for Mrs. Ann Millsap. She was married to Flavious Armenious Millsap. Her children were listed, one being Mrs. Adam ZION one my great grandmothers on my father's side.
I now have her obituary. The following was printed in The Lamoni Chronicle (Iowa)July 28, 1904
MILLSAP. - Mrs. Ann MILLSAP died at her home at Syracuse, Kansas, July 2, 1904, aged 62 years, 11 months and 22 days.
She was the oldest daughter of James and Rachel WOODMANSEE, was born in Jackson county, Indiana, July 10, 1841. She came with her parents to Lee county, Iowa, remaining there one year. In the fall of 1849 they came to Decatur county and settled west of Decatur City, near the Woodmansee bridge, September 1.
She was married to Armeneous MILLSAP. To this union was born eleven children, the oldest dying in infancy. Five sons and five daughters are living; Mrs. Adam ZION, Wilton, Minn.; Mrs. Del FERGUSON, Hope, Idaho; George of Fellsburg,Kan.; John of Wyonoka, Okla.; Mrs. Charles PFIESTER, Great Bend, Kan.; Frank, Arthur, Carl and Ora, all of Syracuse, Kan. She leaves a husband, twenty-two grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters. They are: John WOODMANSEE, Leon, Rebuen of Indianola, George of near Decatur, Mrs. J. W. MCLAUGHLIN of Decatur, and Mrs. W. H. GRAYSON of Redding.
She united with the Christian Church when quite young, and has lived a consistent Christian until death. The husband has lost a faithful companion of nearly forty-seven years, the children a kind and loving mother. She has been a great sufferer for several years, but has bore her suffering with patience and christian fortitude.

Loving mother, thy work's all done,
Beautiful soul into glory gone.
Beautiful life with its crown now son
,God giveth rest.
Rest from all sorrows and watching and fears,
Rest from all possible sighings and tears;
Rest through God's endless, wonderful years,
At home with the blest.

Beautiful spirit, free from all strain.
Ours they heartache, the sorrow and pain;
Thine is the glory and infinite gain.
They slumber is sweet.
Peace on the brow, and the eye-lids so calm;
Peace in the heart, 'neath the white folded palm;
Peace dropping down like a wondrous balm,
From the head to the feet.

It was so sudden, our white lips said.

How we will miss her, our darling dead;
Who'll take the place of the precious one fled?
But God knoweth best.
We know he watches the sparrows that fall-
Hears the sad cry of the grieved hearts that call.
Friends, husband, children,-he loveth them all-
We can trust for the rest.

Copied by Stacey McDowell DietikerJune 9, 2003 http://iagenweb.org/decatur/

I knew about her and had this picture of her thanks to http://www.ancestry.com/ but I know have this final piece of paper. Her obituary printed in the paper.

I know she was born in Indiana July 10, 1841, married Flavious September 01,1857 in Leon Decatur Iowa and had eleven children the first dying in infancy. Her last years were in Syracuse Kansas where she died. Flavious was a farmer, her task was taking care of this large family.

One last search was to see if I could find the grave of Flavious and Anne Millsap. Went to http://www.findagrave.com/ . First searched Kansas Anne Millsap nothing found. Next search was Flavious once again nothing found. Last searched just the last name of Millsap in Kansas and found a page of Millsaps buried in the Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse, Kansas. Flavious and Anne's tombstone is identified by F. A. and Annie.

Now I have their gravestone and know that some one called her Annie. They are buried side by side in the Syracuse Cemetery, Syracuse, Kansas.

There is so much more I want to know about her and will continue to search for information about Anne, Flavious and their family.

Tombstone Tuesday James and Rachel Woodmansee

Today for Tombstone Tuesday I am featuring my third grandparents James and Rachel ( Hammer ) Woodmansee. They are my great grandparents on my father's side.

James was born December 13, 1816 Felicity , Clemont, Ohio and Died May 16 1898 at the age of 81 years 16 day in Decatur , Iowa.

Rachel Hammer was born November14 1819 Jackson, Indiana and died December 9 1889 at the age of 70 years and 25 days Decatur, Iowa

They married October 29 1835 in Jackson Indiana.

The 1860 census reports him as a farmer and value of land at $4000 and estate at $2800 which seems to be a comfortable area in comparison to his neighbors on the census.

John and Rachel had 5 children listed in the 1860 census with my second great grandma Anne married and out of the house already.

In the 1880 census there is a young boy who is 7 year old listed by the name Willie Boil who census states is adopted.

Interesting what you find when looking at the census reports at http://www.ancestry.com/ Where did this young boy come from and why did they adopt him. They are in their early 60's and he is nine years old. Because of ancestry I not only am able to see the census but someone had shared this picture and their headstone that I now have in my family research book for future generations to see.
Thanks for stopping by... Grace