Some interesting tidbits we found along the way...
FAMOUS COUSINS
Colonel Timothy Matlack1st Cousin, 7x Removed Colonel Timothy MatlackTimothy Matlack (c. March 28, 1730 – April 16, 1826) was a merchant, surveyor, architect, statesman, and patriot in the American Revolution. A delegate from Pennsylvania to the Second Continental Congress in 1780, he emerged during the Revolutionary period as one of Pennsylvania's most provocative and influential political figures.
"As a clerk to the Secretary of the Continental Congress, Matlack was chosen to inscribe the historic document that now rests on display in the National Archives." That historic document? The Declaration of Independence. Modern computer fonts have been made in the likeness of his script. He also served as a witness during the court martial of Benedict Arnold. That's just a little bit of what he accomplished in his life. His grandparents, William Matlack and Mary Hancock, are my 7th great grandparents. His father Timothy Matlack is Mary Matlack's brother. His mother was Mary Haines, daughter of Richard Haines, brother of our two 7th great-grandfathers, making him our 1st cousin, 7 times removed. (Five of William and Mary's nine children married a Haines.) See his grave and historic marker plus more info on US Find a Grave and wikipedia |
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White Matlack
White Matlack (7 Oct 1745 - 7 Jan 1824), brother of Timothy Matlack above.
Was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey and died in Bayside, Queens County, New York. He was a watchmaker and silversmith in New York City and in 1790 had a brewery on Queen Street (now Pearl Street) near the famous Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan. Both he and his brother Timothy were disowned by the Quakers because of their support of the Revolution. Together they started the Society of Free Quakers .White was active in the New York Manumission Society which founded the African Free School. He was a member of several societies and was an officer in some along with very notable New Yorkers, future Governor of NY John Jay, and Robert Troup, a colleague of Alexander Hamilton. He lived on Queen Street in Manhattan at the same time that Alexander Hamilton lived on Wall Street, right around the corner. His father-in-law (Hawxhurst) also was a clock maker on Queen street so it's quite probably that's how he met his wife Mary Hawxhurst. I'd say it's a pretty good bet that he knew Hamilton very well and probably Aaron Burr too. White Matlack and his miniature portrait of George Washington were featured as the 2nd story in Season 7, Episode 7 of the History Detectives. Wikipedia page for White Matlack lists his many accomplishments. |
Another Famous Relative?
Its seems we may have another famous person who we share an ancestor with. If this is accurate, George W. Bush may share an ancestor in the Haines line! He would be descended from Richard Haines as well.
http://www.wargs.com/political/bush.html
Helen's "Haines Quilt"
A few years ago, when George & I first moved to the Shamong area, we went to an antique flea market at Atsion Lake. While walking around, I came across a quilt top lying on the ground at one of the vendors, I asked the price and paid it, to my surprise, it cost $5.00.
I knew it was old, and it smelled a little musty. So I called my favorite Quilt Shop, and asked how to clean it. I was advised not to wash it in the machine as it was not quilted, it is only a top. Also I was trying to find out what pattern it was, so I took it to my favorite shop, and I found out that it is called an album block or friendship block, which means that the center of each block can hold a signature, esp. if it is presented to someone who is leaving the area. It has 48 album blocks, one block is the letter H, so I said that I was meant to have it, meaning my name. But now, I think of all the Haines that were in this area, it could be possibly be from one of them, at least that is what I like to think.
I had it appraised back in 2009, it is from C. 1885, some of the fabrics date back to 1865. And it was valued at $200. To me it is priceless.
After reading the poem about the sewing machine (below), I now realize why I don't like to mend. I am a quilter, and that's the only sewing I want to do.
And yes, I am a Jersey Haines.
Helen Flynn ( Grossmick )
A few years ago, when George & I first moved to the Shamong area, we went to an antique flea market at Atsion Lake. While walking around, I came across a quilt top lying on the ground at one of the vendors, I asked the price and paid it, to my surprise, it cost $5.00.
I knew it was old, and it smelled a little musty. So I called my favorite Quilt Shop, and asked how to clean it. I was advised not to wash it in the machine as it was not quilted, it is only a top. Also I was trying to find out what pattern it was, so I took it to my favorite shop, and I found out that it is called an album block or friendship block, which means that the center of each block can hold a signature, esp. if it is presented to someone who is leaving the area. It has 48 album blocks, one block is the letter H, so I said that I was meant to have it, meaning my name. But now, I think of all the Haines that were in this area, it could be possibly be from one of them, at least that is what I like to think.
I had it appraised back in 2009, it is from C. 1885, some of the fabrics date back to 1865. And it was valued at $200. To me it is priceless.
After reading the poem about the sewing machine (below), I now realize why I don't like to mend. I am a quilter, and that's the only sewing I want to do.
And yes, I am a Jersey Haines.
Helen Flynn ( Grossmick )
The Concessions and Agreements of West Jersey in
America - (commonly called the West Jersey Constitution) - Along
with William Penn, two of our ancestors signed this historic document
in London in March 1676/77 (March was the beginning of the new year
then). John Paine, our 8th great-grandfather, and John Borton, our 7th
great-grandfather.
John Haines, our 7th Great Grandfather, is said to have been the first recorded farmer in Medford history to be able to sign his name (as opposed to a mark).
Dr. Phoebe Haines Sharp
- First white settler and doctor in Logan County, Ohio. Interesting
story of her life and she's from our Haines family in Burlington
County. Of particular interest is that she mentioned one of her
ancestor's portraits hanging in Independence Hall! I am unable to find a
list of portraits hanging there but if someone wants to take a trip
across the bridge and have a look, let me know!
Further Proof I Would Never Have Survived...
I came across this 1858 poem while combing through a compilation of the "Friends Itellingencer," a newsletter from the Quakers of Philadelphia. This further illustrates to me that I would have never survived in those times! It was reprinted in the Intelligencer from the Springfield Republic.
I came across this 1858 poem while combing through a compilation of the "Friends Itellingencer," a newsletter from the Quakers of Philadelphia. This further illustrates to me that I would have never survived in those times! It was reprinted in the Intelligencer from the Springfield Republic.
My Sewing Machine
Dear Cousin Jane:—Such a change has passed
O'er my earthly lot since I saw you last, That I cannot rest till my pen extends The joyful tidings to all my friends. My burden is gone, and my sky is bright, My mind is calm, and my heart is light; I'm a happier mother, and wife, and self, And I owe it all to a little elf, The usefulest fairy that ever was seen -- My Wheeler and Wilson's Sewing Machine. As I said just now, I'm a happier wife, My husband's shirts were the plague of my life ; They were sometimes made, but were never done, Bless me ! the trouble was only begun ! It was always, " My dear, this shirt is not right," The neck was too loose, or the wrist was too tight; They always were needing a button or stitch, Were too large or too small, I could never tell which. If I made twelve as like as twelve leaves on one tree, Though the first might be right, yet no other would be. When I think of a shirt, from beginning to ending, Of the fitting, and stitching, and starching and raend Of the shirt that don't fit the disconsolate man, Of the shirt that Does fit him, so spick and so span, So stiff"and ungraceful, and yet the sole gain From so much of labor, of time, and of pain, I almost am tempted my thoughts to express, Men had better keep still on the matter of dress. Could I make but one speech like a Webster's or Wirt's, I think it would be on the subject of shirts. But to come to the point, I had almost forgot, I would now quite as lief have a husband as not. He timidly, last week, brought me a pile Of shirts to be made, which I took with a smile, The first of the kind which he ever had seen,— I thought he would kiss my Sewing Machine. I have six young children—dear little ones, Three little daughters, and three little sons,— Six little children, all to be dressed In school day clothes and in Sunday best; |
Six pairs of pants and nine pairs of shirts,
Two dozen collars, and two dozen skirts ; Six little jackets, and twelve little sacks, Outside garments for six little backs; 'Kerchiefs to hem, and garments to mend, And many another stray odd and end ; This was the work to be done this fall, But then, dear me ! it was nothing at all! I gave it all, with a brow serene, To my all-sufficient Sewing Machine. And as for myself,—what with children and spouse, What with visitors, servants, and market and house, It was nothing more than might well be eqpected, That my own private wardrobe was somewhat neglected. I sewed up holes, and I ran up slits, I put on patches, and I put in hits, I went without button, and hook, and clasp, I wore old things till their very last gasp ; But now I'm thoroughly fit to be seen— Thanks to my good little Sewing Machine. It would do you good to open the door Of my linen closet, and see the store For bed and table, of piles and tiers, Enough to last us for twenty years. So far as such things are concerned, I can say I am perfectly ready to die today; Though it would seem a pity to quit the scene So soon after buying a Sewing Machine. You'll think me extravagant, I'll engage, But, my dear, 'tis the subject of the age! The world is divided 'twixt those who have got Sewing Machines, and those who have not. Poor, benighted beings are they Who sit and sew the old-fashioned way. Now, Cousin Jane, don't you want to see What these wonderful things may be? Come,—and your duties you need not shirk,— But come with an extra trunk full of work. You will never go back to your home, I ween, Without taking with you a Sewing Machine. |
Anyone Remember this?
Dudley Grange
Thomas Haines Dudley - His efforts as a delegate at the Republican national convention were said to have been "greatly instrumental in the nomitation of Abraham Lincoln" and was later appointed Counsel of Liverpool by President Lincoln. We mostly know of his name by Dudley Street and Dudley Grange. We walked through the park to get to Woodrow Wilson High School and we ate our lunch sitting on the wall by the sidewalk. His mother was Ann Haines, a descendant of William Haines, brother to our John and Thomas Haines (7th great grandparents) and makes him our 1st cousin, 7 times removed.
The picture was taken in 1928. I was sad to read that the building was destroyed by fire in 1980 after the Camden Free Public Library abandoned it. I remember finding a book years later that I'd taken out of there!
The picture was taken in 1928. I was sad to read that the building was destroyed by fire in 1980 after the Camden Free Public Library abandoned it. I remember finding a book years later that I'd taken out of there!
Recipe for Washing Clothes
- Anonymous note (c. 1900) on display at the Whistler Museum and Archives in Whistler, British Columbia.
- Build fire in back yard to heat kettle.
- Set tubs so smoke won’t blow in eyes if wind is pert.
- Shove one whole cake of lye soap in boiling water.
- Sort things. Make 1 pile coloured, 1 pile white, 1 pile breeches and rags.
- Stir flour in cold water to smooth. Think down with boiling water. Starch.
- Rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard then boil. Rub coloured but don’t boil. Just rinse and starch.
- Take white things out of kettle with broom handle. Then rinse, blue and starch.
- Spread tea towels on grass; others on fence.
- Put rinse water on flower beds.
- Scrub porch with soapy water.
- Turn over the tubs to drain.
- Go put on a clean dress. Smooth hair with side combs. Brew tea. Sit and rest. Rock a spell. Count your blessings…
- Anonymous note (c. 1900) on display at the Whistler Museum and Archives in Whistler, British Columbia.
Don't Name Anyone Filmore!