No Story Too Small has issued a New Year’s Challenge: “Have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.”
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A few weeks ago I blogged of Eva (Myers) Stone (HERE), a very young neighbor and heir of my step g-g-grandfather, Franklin Morven Shipman. As a child, Eva called him “Pa Shipman”, and suspected that Franklin might be her biological father, a notion that I am excited to prove/dis-prove through DNA testing. This week’s blog will document Franklin’s life, in the hopes to locate descendants of his brothers, who would be willing to participate and perhaps solve this mystery for Eva’s descendants. Either way, it is clear that Mr. Shipman had a special place in his heart for this little neighborhood girl.
Franklin was born about 13 Jun 1863, son of Silas Hubbel Shipman and Mary A. Nolan. and was the third husband of my g-g-grandmother, Kittie (Perry) Hughes Clough Shipman.
PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS
(I) Franklin’s g-g-grandfather was likely Daniel Shipman, Sr., originally from the Hartford, Connecticut Colony, born 13 March 1733, resettled in Elizabethtown, at the time of the American Revolution [see “The Shipman Family of English Origins in America” by Ken Shipman] and was a United Empire Loyalist (click here for Daniel Sr. at the UELAC Association or here for a SHORT HISTORY of the UELAC). He married about 1759, Kezia Horton, born abt 1739 in Hebron, New London, Connecticut Colony, the daughter of Ebenezer Horton. She died on March 21, 1807 in Augusta Township. He died in Augusta Township, April 27, 1809.
In 1778 Daniel was living in Albany County, NY. A list of names, of Tories and Protection Men, in the papers of Governor Clinton dated 23 February, 1778 that the “Cambridge White Caps” went out to correct and chastise contains Daniel’s name. A deposition to the British Authorities,containing Governor Clinton’s list, filed 7 Feb 1786, by Daniel seeking compensation for his losses namely his land and chattels reads as follows:
“…attempting to go into General Burgoyne’s camp in August 1777, was taken prisioner and carried to General Gates, from there to Albany. Lay prisioner abord the Guard ship fourteen days from thence to Toppice where I lay six days before that place burnt, then carried to a meeting house on the way to Hartford but obtained a parole to go to my family. After arriving was taken by thirty men in the Mob and Abused, Strypt me and whipt me Severly….The spring after was taken to be guarded to Albany but got released. After this came four men with their arms and a rope intending to kill me or hang me but I concealed myself under the floor. I then fled my house and quit my land and escaped to the State of Vermont”
The deposition then lists his losses but was rejected by the authorities. It appears he relocated to Canada about June 1784. Daniel and his children received numerous grants of land as loyalists and children of loyalists mainly in Elizabethtown and Augusta Townships, near Brockville, Leeds-Grenville Co, Ontario, Canada.
(II) Franklin’s g-grandparents were likely Ezekiel Shipman (son of Daniel Shipman Sr. and Keziah Horton) and Nabby/Abigail (unknown). A will registered in the Leeds County Register Office, #147 S. General Registry reads:
“In the name of God Amen, I Ezekiel Shipman of Elizabethtown in the District of Johnstown in the Province of Canada, yeoman, being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding blessed be all mighty God for the same on this twenty third day of August in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight-hundred and forty two make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in form following to wit – After the payment of all and just debts and funeral expenses
Firstly, I give and devise unto my beloved wife Nabby Shipman all those acreage tenements lots and parcels of land whereon I now live known by the south or front-end of lot number two and the west-half of the south or front-end of lot number one in the third concession of Elizabethtown aforesaid containing 100 and fifty acres more or less as long as she remains a widow. And I do hereby give and bequeath to my wife Nabby Shipman all my household furniture farming implements and stock of cattle that may remain after all and just debts are paid while she remains a widow.
Secondly I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto my son Ebenezer Shipman to his heirs and assigns forever after the decease and widowhood of my wife Nabby Shipman or when she ceases to be my widow the South or front half of the lot number two in the third concession of Elizabethtown aforesaid containing by admeasurement one hundred acres of land by the same more or less with all houses wood and wastes thereon……
(III) Franklin’s paternal grandparents were likely Ebenezer (Ezekiel and Nabby’s son) and Marinda (Cole) Shipman. Ebenezer was born in Elizabethtown, Ontario, Canada; Marinda was born in New York State. Her origins are unknown. Franklin descends through their son Silas and his wife Mary Nolan.
(IV) Silas, a 15 year old laborer, appears, with his parents, a 12 year old brother and a 9 year old sister, in the 1851 census of Elizabethtown (now Brockville, known as the “City of the 1000 Islands”). It is located on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River, directly opposite Morristown, New York, and roughly a 50-minute drive from Ottawa.
Mary Nolan has not been located in the 1851 Canadian census; her parents are unknown.
Silas, 25, a farmer, and Mary, 26, married in 1855. Their family appears in the 1861 census in Elizabethtown, a town which had grown to population 5,000 and has become a stop on the Grand Trunk Railway. They were living in a stone home; and belonged to the Church of England. Children, include Charlie (4), Elisha (2), Sylvas (1). All were born in Upper Canada. Next door resides Ebenezer (58), Marinda (54), Franklin’s grandparents, and Daniel Shipman (80), likely a relative.
EARLY YEARS
An eight year old Franklin first appears in the 1871 census of Elizabethtown. The census declares that all family members were Methodists; Silas, 34, was a farmer of English descent; Mary, 35, of Irish descent. Other children, all students, include Charlie (14), Elisha (12), Sylvas (10) and William (4). Grandparents, Ebenezer and Marinda reside next door.
Franklin and his brother William and his parents were not found in the 1881 Canadian census or the 1880 US Federal Census. It is believed that they relocated to Potsdam, Saint Lawrence, New York about 1875. In 1880, Charlie and Elisha were in Stockholm, St Lawrence, New York and Sylvas was in Potsdam. It is likely that Franklin had a sister, Sylvia, born after 1870, who died before 1900, leaving a daughter Mabel Pierce. No record has been found that mentions Sylvia other than Shipman’s probate records.
Grandparents 78 year old Ebenezer and 74 year old Marinda were found in Elizabethtown in 1881. Ebenezer died 22 Jan 1888 of old age and Marinda on 14 Dec 1894 both in Elizabethtown.
A BACHELOR
By 1886, Frank and his brother Sylvas had relocated to Lowell, Massachusetts where they were boarding together at 144 Suffolk. Frank was working as an “operative”, likely in the Lowell Mills which was the primary industry in that time period.
By 1890, Frank had become a machinist. His brother William had also relocated to the area.
By 1892, Frank had started his own business in Lowell called “The Shipman Spa”, a confectionery and cigar shop.
The business venture lasted only a year; Frank and Sylvas have relocated to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, by 1893. Frank is a night clerk at the American House where he also resides. It is possible that he ran the hotel in later years [based on his obituary; city directories have not been searched].
MARRIAGE AND LIFE IN ESSEX COUNTY
Frank and Sylvas remained in Fitchburg until about 1897, Frank then relocated to Lynn, Massachusetts while Sylvas removed to Warren.
By 1899 Franklin was residing with his future wife, we don’t know how or when they met (Kittie was previously living in Lowell). The Lynn City Directory reads: Kittie E Clough, widow of Frank D, house 73 Centre and Frank Shipman machinist boards 73 Centre. (Kittie claims to be a widow, but in reality, she was still married to Frank D. Clough; his whereabouts were unknown to her).
In 1900, Frank, a machinist, likely for General Electric, was listed as a boarder in Kittie’s rented home, at 25 North Common Street, in Lynn with several other boarders.
Although not included in the census, Kittie’s 18 year old daughter, Georgianna (my g-grndmother), in 1900, had relocated from New York (where she had been living with her grandmother and aunt) to live with her mother and Shipman.
The three continued to reside at 25 North Common together for a few years. Kittie, in early 1902, divorced Clough, (read his story HERE) on the grounds of desertion, and married Shipman on Saturday, 4 October 1902; her third marriage and his first. They were married by Reverend Herbert A. Manchester, Presbyterian Clergy.
The Shipman’s moved frequently and Franklin had many careers (see photos of city directories at the end of the blog). The threesome relocated to 108 South Common by 1903. On 19 June 1904, Georgianna married Charles Milton Hall and moved to Malden, Massachusetts. By 1905, Franklin, then a furniture dealer, resided on 740 Western Ave, Lynn. By 1907, he had started a restaurant at 979 Western Avenue, Lynn and lived next door. In early 1909, they resided at 63 North Common, Lynn. Later that year they moved to 93 Lafayette in Salem, where Shipman owned a lunch wagon, positioned on New Derby near Lafayette.
The 1910 census again places them on 93 Lafayette in Salem (Franklin still owns the lunch wagon).
Later that year, the city directory indicates that the Shipman’s moved back to Lynn.
By 1912, the Shipmans purchased property, valued in 1919 at about $500, on 917/919 Western Avenue, Lynn, where he also ran a restaurant.
In 1920, Franklin and Kittie were at the same address (living next door to four year old Eva). They owned the property mortgage free, had eleven boarders and continued to run the restaurant (they resided in this same home until their deaths and Frank retired from the restaurant only a year before his passing).
Based on ads placed after Shipman’s death, the restaurant appears to be in a lucrative location, opposite one of the town’s largest employers, The GE (General Electric). It had 7 glass top tables, bentwood chairs and a lunch counter with stools. Frank owned a National cash register, ice chest, 2 steam tables and a coal range.
CLUBS
No known photos exist of Mr. Shipman, but he was a big, burly guy, weighing in at about 365 pounds at his death. He was quite active in “The United States Fat Men’s Club” which was formed in the early 1900’s. Frank served as director on their board and participated in many of their events. In July 1925, the group got together for some fun at Natasket Beach, where Frank won the 50 yard dash!
One outing in 1915 included a visit to the White Mountains of New Hampshire [where I currently reside!]
Frank’s brother Charles was also a member. The Reading Times, on 19 Dec 1922, reports: Charles H. Shipman, 663 pounds, sent his regrets (for the annual banquet in Boston) from Leesburg, Virginia.
Mr. Shipman was a member of New England Order of Protection, a fraternity organized in Boston in 1887. According to a Cambridge newspaper on 1887, it was “based upon equity, benevolence and charity, and is akin the the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and has been organized by members of that body who have found the annual death assessments, owing to the Southern mortality, too great to hear.” Essentially it is a fraternal benefit society with a regional flavor that served the New England States. In 1968, the Woodmen of the World and the New England Order of Protection of Boston, Mass. merged into one. Today, Woodmen is one of the largest fraternal benefit societies with more than 845,000 members who hold nearly one million life insurance, hospital supplement and annuity certificates.
He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I. O. O. F) of Malone, New York (about 38 miles from his parent’s home).
His obituary also mentions membership in a Nasheba or Nosheba Lodge [an organization which I have been unable to identify, but was likely a Mason Lodge, since his wife Kittie was part of The Woman’s Relief Corps which required having a spouse who was a Mason].
EVENTS
On May 16, 1919 the Town of Lynn held a”Welcome Home Celebration” for WWI soldiers. It is likely that the Shipmans attended [and the Myers and my husband’s g-grandparents and grandmother, the Whites/LeBlancs, who also resided in Lynn at that time].
OBITUARY AND BURIAL
Kittie predeceased her husband. She passed away, after a lengthy illness, on 8 November 1922 [more in a future blog post].
Franklin died on Tuesday, in the afternoon, on 4 Jan 1927. He was 63 years, 7 months. Funeral services were held at J. M. Blaisdell and Sons undertaking rooms on Thursday, burial in Potsdam, N.Y.
His obituary in the Lynn Item reads:
Recent Deaths; Franklin M. Shipman; 62 years of age of 921 Western avenue for many years a second hand furniture dealer and later proprieter of a West Lynn Restaurant, died Tuesday afternoon after an illness of more than a year. He was born in Brocksville, Ont. and came to Lowell in 1888. His next residence was in Fitchburg where he conducted a hotel. From there he came to Lynn 35 years ago and found employment at the General Electric Company. He continued to make his home here. When the United States Fat Men’s Club of Boston was organized he became a member and was one of the few members of the organization from this city.
Up until 18 months ago, he conducted a restaurant at 119 Western avenue. He was a member of the New England Order of Protection and Nosheba Lodge, I. O. O. F. of Malone, N.Y. His wife died about two years ago. He leaves three brothers, Elisha C. of Lowell, Sylvas C. of Lynn and William H. Shipman of Potsdam, N.Y.
A second obituary published in the Boston Globe reads:
“Lynn’s Fattest Man” F. M. Shipman, Dead; Lynn, Jan 5 – Franklin M. Shipman, 63, known as “Lynn’s Fattest Man”, tipping the scales to 365 pounds died today at a local hospital after a long illness.
Mr. Shipman who served as director on the United States Fat Men’s board was prominently identified in civic and fraternal circles of Greater Lynn and for several years conducted a restaurant on Western av, retiring from the business a year ago. He was born in Brockville Ont. and came to this city 30 years ago. He was a member of the Nashesba Lodge, I. O. O. F. of Malone, N.Y., and New England Order of Protection.
He leaves three brothers Elisha C Shipman of Lowell, Sylvas C. Shipman of Lynn and William H. Shipman of Potsdam, N.Y.
A portion of the third obituary reads:
Body of F.M. Shipman to be Buried at Potsdam; Potsdam, Jan 15 – The body of Franklin M Shipman was brought here for burial the past week. Mr. Shipman died at Union hospital, Lynn, Mass where he had been a patient since last July.
He was born in Brockville Canada in 1863. He has been a resident of Lynn for the past 30 years.
He is buried with several relatives in Garfield Cemetery.
Potsdam
St. Lawrence County
New York, USA
Plot: Section 17, Plot 130
PROBATE
On 24 February 1923, several months after Kittie’s death, Franklin penned his last will and testament. His bequests included:
(1) $1,000 to Eva Myers, daughter of Fred, in trust with Augustus B. Tolman, to be used for her education at the age of eighteen; any remainder not used for that purpose would be distributed when she reached age twenty-five.
(2) To Roy Shipman, “son of my brother Elisha Shipman” the sum of $500.
(3) To “Mabel Pierce, daughter of Frank Pierce, of Marcy, New York” the sum of $500 [his niece].
(4) To “my brother Charles H. Shipman of Leesburg, Virginia” the sum of $500.
(5) “I intentionally omit to make any bequests to my brothers Elisha C. Shipman and Sylvas C. Shipman”
(6) The residue to Wallace A. Shipman of Lynn, Massachusetts, Addie Shipman daughter of William H. Shipman of Lagubrook, New York [?], and Charles G. Hall of Malden, Massachusetts [my grandfather], share and share alike.
(7) If Charles G. Hall is not living, the bequest should go to his mother Georgianna, if she is not living, the amount goes back to the estate. [Georgianna wrote to her sister in 1918 describing Christmas: “We had a nice day. Mamma and Mr. Shipman were up. Ma came up yesterday about noon and Mr. S. today. We all received our share of gifts.” – the extent of their relationship is unknown].
(8) Augustus B. Tolman of Lynn is appointed as executor; if he shall be unable to serve, then Wallace A Shipman is appointed.
Three years later, on 28 July 1926 (likely when he was admitted to the hospital, several months before his death), Franklin crafted a codicil to his will. It reads:
(1) Eva Myers bequest is increased to $1,800 to be used for her education, especially her musical education.
(2) I revoke the bequest to Ray Shipman.
(3) I revoke the bequest to my brother Charles H. Shipman “he having deceased” and bequest $500 to his widow Julia Shipman.
(4) I bequest to Walter Shipman the sum of $500. I bequest to Wallace A. Shipman 250 shares of Education Biscuit stock.
(5) I revoke the bequest to Charles G. Hall, the residue will go to Wallace A. Shipman and Addie Shipman share and share alike.
The probate documents list the following heirs:
Sylvia Pierce is named as a deceased sister to Shipman. She is not found in any census (or other records). Mabel’s death notice lists her parents as Frank and Lois (Schipman) Pierce. In 1900 and 1910, Mabel resides with her father and step-mother Lizzie G., Sylvia/Lois likely died prior to 1900.
Roy Shipman unsuccessfully objected to the codicil.
The estate was valued at $20,864.64 (about $275K in 2014 buying power), from the sale of real estate (his possessions were deemed worthless). Shipman owned three adjoining lots on Western Avenue and Albion Street at the time of his death [land records have not been examined yet, but are on my “to do” list], described as follows:
Payouts were made as follows:
NATURALIZATION
Brother, Sylvas naturalized in 1906, denouncing his allegiance to Great Britain, which perhaps adds credence to the Shipmans likely descent from the family of United Empire Loyalist of the Hartford, Connecticut Colony.
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS
Silas Hubble Shipman
On 30 August 1914, Franklin’s father passed away. His obituary reads:
Potsdam Courier & Freeman, Wednesday Sept 2, 1914
Silas H. Shipman died at the home of his son, W. H. Shipman, near this village Sunday afternoon after an illness of about nine months. Mr. Shipman’s death was due to hardening of the arteries.
Mr. Shipman was born in Brockville, Ont, 79 years ago. He removed to this country about 38 years ago, during which time he has operated farms in Parishville, Madrid and Potsdam. He has made his home with his son for the past six years. The funeral services will be held from the home this afternoon at 2. Rev. S. T. Dibble will officiate and interment will be at Garfield. Mr. Shipman is survived by one brother, Samuel of Dundas, Ont, Canada, and by five sons, William H., with whom he lived; Charles of Leesburgh, Penn; Elisha C. of Potsdam, and Sylvas and Frank of Lynn Mass.
Descendants of brother Charles H. Shipman (no known living):
(I) Charles, who died in 1924, married Julia (unknown) and had no known children.
Descendants of brother Elisha Cole Shipman:
(I) Elisha married first Frances Delealy/Delell/Deleal (?) and had five known children; Elisha married second Isabel Roberts with whom he had no known children.
_(A) Eva Shipman, b. abt 1885 in Potsdam, who married twice in Lynn, Massachusetts; (1) Walter Douglas whom she divorced and (2) Gilbert Parker with whom she had one known child.
_____(1) Arthur Parker b. abt 1912 in Lynn;
_(B) Grace Shipman, b. abt 1887 who m. Eugene Lucier in Lynn in 1904 and had five known children:
_____(1) Eva Beatrice Lucier, b. abt 1905; m. Arthur Hamilton Duvall, d. 1994 Hudson, NH, one known daughter, Marcia Duvall.
_____(2) Ralph Lucier, b. abt 1909; m. Hazel Lowd; d. Dec 1986 Hudson, NH ; three known sons: Ralph Lucier jr. d. 1992, Robert Lucier and Russell Lucier – (1955 all three sons living in Nashua, NH)
_____(3) Robert Lucier, b. abt 1910, m. (unknown),living 1955 in Washington DC, and had one known son Robert Lucier jr.
_____(4) Eleanore Grace Lucier, b. abt 1912 m. (1) William Edward McDuffy and m. (2) Michael John Alfonso Dell Isola; one known son William Edward McDuffy jr (1934-2005, 1955 living in Nashua, NH)) who married Nancy Breen (1937-2005)
_____(5) Elaine Frances Lucier, b. abt 1914; m. Capt. John Frederick Moran, d. 1998; in 1943 she was living in Jonesboro, Arkansas; in 1955 living in Germany; no known children.
_(C) Anna Shipman, b. 22 Mar 1889, in Potsdam, and m. Arthur C Doyle in Lynn in 1909, she died 9 Nov 1913, no known children.
_(D) Hazel Shipman, b. abt 1891 in Norwood, New York; m. (1) Fred William Rowell in Dover, New Hampshire in 1914; m. (2)(unknown) Ereckson. She had one known child with Fred: Robert William Rowell (1914-1974).
_____(1)Robert William Rowell b. 15 Sep 1914, Chelsea, Massachusetts; d. Apr 1974, Lynn
_(E) Roy Spencer Shipman b. 9 Dec 1899, m. Lillian Cresswell (1955 living Hialeah, Florida) and had two known children:
_____(1) Patricia Francis Shipman (1925-2009) m. Martin G. Recio and had six known children: Hildreth Ann m. _____Whitt (deceased), Martin G., II (deceased), Faith B., Ana C., and Olivia C., Stephen J., grandchildren as of 2009 included: Christopher R. Whitt, Martin G. Recio III, Valerie A. Recio, Alexandra C. Recio, Estevan J. Recio, Patricia M. Recio, and David M. Recio-Mata, along with several great grandchildren.
_____(2) Barbara Ann Shipman (1927-2005) m. George A Rebakas; they had three known children George A. Rebakas Jr. of FL, Paula A. Rhodes (George H.) of Brentwood, NH, Constance A. Fisher (Thomas M.) of Leicester and four grandchildren in 2005 George Paul Rhodes (Julie), Ashley M. Rhodes, all of NH, Kasey S. and Holly L. Marks of MA, one g-granddaughter, Kathleen Barbara Rhodes of NH.
Descendants of brother Sylvas Shipman:
(I) Sylvas m. Sylvia S. Branch and had two sons, she died during childbirth in 1885.
_(A) Walter Hubble Shipman, b. Sept. 18, 1882, lived with his uncle, Charles Shipman, in Madrid, N. Y.and Charleston, West Virginia. In 1907 Walter entered service with the Young Mens Christian Association, in Washington, D. C. He married Julia DeWitt Phillips on July 12, 1910. He died Dec 1971, in Arlington, Virginia.
He had three known children:
_____(1) Sylvia Mae b. 6 May 1911, m. Thomas Donaldson Alward, d. Apr 1985, in Arlington, Arlington, Virginia; she had at least one son, Walter Eugene Alward b. abt 1939
_____(2) Dewitt Phillips b. 25 Dec 1912, m. Emily M. Pisapia and had one known son: ______ Shipman, m. Carol Shaw, their children are: David Shipman of Frederick, MD, Debora Shipman-Schneider (Gary) of Amity, PA, Gregory Shipman (Connie) of Frederick, MD, and Bryan Shipman (Terri) of Lusby, MD; their grandchildren as of 2012 include: Caston, Jessica, and Xaris Schneider.
_____(3) Ola Audrey b. 8 Jan 1922, d. about 1946; no known descendants.
_(B) Irving Shipman b. 31 Jul 1885, d. in infancy
(II) Sylvas m. second Anna Delia Lockling and had two known children:
_(C) Sylvia Louise Shipman b. 21 May 1892, Fitchburg; m. Henry F. Keightley, 14 Jan 1912, Lynn, Massachusetts
_(D) Wallace Alfred Shipman b. 25 June 1889,Lowell; m. first Eunice Ferguson 23 Oct 1911, Lynn, Massachusetts (she m. second, Charles Grant), he m. second Edna B Rundle, 22 Jan 1936, Manchester, New Hampshire. Wallace and Eunice had two known children:
_____(1) Wallace Ferguson Shipman b. 16 July 1912, Lynn, Massachusetts; m. Beatrice M; d. 29 Aug 2000 in Florida, buried in Lynn.
_____(2) Kempton Fifield Shipman b. 08 Nov 1915, Lynn, Massachusetts; m. Dorothy; d. 20 Jul 1984, Lynn, Massachusetts.
Descendants of brother William Shipman (no known living):
(I) William married Grace (unknown) and had two known children, Addie, and another who died in infancy; Grace died in 1900; he then married Mildred Selleck and had no known children.
(A) Adelaide “Addie” m. Carl Selleck (her step-mother’s brother), and had no known children; she died in 1945, in Potsdam, New York.
Descendants of sister Sylvia Shipman (no known living):
(I) Sylvia m. Frank Pierce and had one known child:
(A) Mabel. After Sylvia’s death, Frank remarried and had another daughter named Delta. Mabel became a registered nurse and died without Shipman descendants (her nephews were blood related through her father).
Descendants of uncle Samuel Shipman (of Dundas, Ont, Canada)
(I) Samuel married Maria (unknown) and had two children:
(A) Florence b. 11 Aug 1870
(B) Norman b. 28 Sep 1883
FRANKLIN M. SHIPMAN CITY DIRECTORIES
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