French Canadians Living in Ferrisburgh, VT in 1850: #15 Abraham Sorrell

vermont 2016

Abraham Sorrell is listed in the 1850 US Census for Ferrisburgh. He is referred to as Abram Sorell on Page 198 (left-stamped), Line 23, Household 58, with the following persons listed, respectively, on lines 19 to 22:

Continue reading

Abraham Sorrell(5)—What the 1850 US Census for Ferrisburgh Doesn’t Tell

vermont 2016

Abraham Sorrell, who lost his life from injuries sustained in the Civil War’s Wilderness Battle in May 1864, had married three times. His Civil War pension file offers an incredible portrait of people living in Ferrisburgh in 1850 and beyond.

This very entertaining pension file is coming to an end. After having read the testimony left by his first wife, Eliza Sears, his second wife, Eliza Carpenter, his sister-in-law, Catherine Palmer, Eliza Carpenter’s sister, and his cousin, Oliver Sorrell, it’s now time to read the conclusion reached by the Pension Office.

As promised, in about two weeks, I will publish a short biography of each person concerned in the last post of this series. Enjoy!

Continue reading

Abraham Sorrell(4)—What the 1850 US Census for Ferrisburgh Doesn’t Tell

vermont 2016

Abraham Sorrell, who lost his life from injuries sustained in the Civil War’s Wilderness Battle in May 1864, had married three times. His Civil War pension file offers an incredible portrait of people living in Ferrisburgh in 1850 and beyond.

After having read the testimony left by his first wife, Eliza Sears, and by his second wife, Eliza Carpenter, by his sister-in-law, Catherine Palmer, Eliza Carpenter’s sister, let’s now read my favorite one, the testimony of Abraham’s cousin, Oliver Sorrell. This affidavit is so full of details. As I mentioned before, I am fascinated by this story. I feel like a census page is coming to life!

I will publish a short biography of each person concerned in the last post of this series. Enjoy!

Continue reading

Abraham Sorrell(3)—What the 1850 US Census for Ferrisburgh Doesn’t Tell

vermont 2016

Abraham Sorrell, who lost his life from injuries sustained in the Civil War’s Wilderness Battle in May 1864, had married three times. His Civil War pension file offers an incredible portrait of people living in Ferrisburgh in 1850 and beyond.

After having read the testimony left by his first wife, Eliza Sears, and by his second wife, Eliza Carpenter, let’s take a look at what Eliza Carpenter’s sister, Catherine Palmer, had to say about the two lovebirds.

I will publish a short biography of each person concerned in the last post of this series. Enjoy!

Continue reading

Abraham Sorrell(1)—What the 1850 US Census for Ferrisburgh Doesn’t Tell

vermont 2016

About a year ago, while doing some sleuthing on people listed in the 1850 US Census in Ferrisburgh, I came across one of the most baffling Civil War Pension Files I have seen in years.

The name is Abraham Sorrell. In 1850, he was living on a farm in Ferrisburgh, working as a labourer (although his family was living elsewhere in the same town). Of course, without any information on his civil status, we can assume this 17-year-old young man was still single, right? Continue reading

French Canadians Living in Ferrisburgh, VT in 1850: #8 Marie Cognac

vermont 2016

Mary Sorrell (née Cognac) is listed in the 1850 US Census for Ferrisburgh. She is referred to as Mary Sorell on Page 306 (stamped), Line 18, Household 190, with the following persons listed, respectively, on lines 17 and 19 to 21:

Continue reading

French Canadians Living in Ferrisburgh, VT in 1850: #7 Oliver Sorrell

vermont 2016

Oliver Sorrell is listed in the 1850 US Census for Ferrisburgh. He is referred to as Oliver Sorell on Page 306 (stamped), Line 17, Household 190, with the following persons listed, respectively, on lines 18 to 21:

Continue reading