While at the Family History Library last month, I was finally able to get a copy of the 1726/7 map showing the division of George Lamphere’s property among his heirs. My goal in investigating the early Lamphere property is to seek evidence of the parents of my 5th-great grandfather Daniel Lamphere of Westerly, who died in 1808 and may have been born around 1735-1740. Given the timing, it’s likely that Daniel’s father was a grandson of George Lamphere.
View of Westerly and the Pawcatuck River. Westerly in a much busier era, 1888, from Picturesque Narragansett, p. 163.
The problem
The theory in The Lamphere Family Research Aid (1981) by Shirley Bucknum that the Daniel who married Eunice Wise was Daniel4 (Daniel3, John2, George1) was something I double-checked while in Salt Lake City; unfortunately THAT Daniel signed a receipt in his father Daniel’s 1788 probate record along with his wife, Wealthia. MY Daniel was married to Nancy at the time. I wanted to explore the whole probate record (my copies download here if you want to take a look – page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4) and when I did, sure enough, THAT Daniel really does seem to be the son of John2, because he names his wife, Cattern. So I am looking things over again, more broadly. This is an open question.
I consulted the only reliable compiled tree on the early Lampheres, Scott Andrew Bartley’s series of articles:
- Scott Andrew Bartley. “George Lanphear of Westerly, Rhode Island and his Descendants.” New England Historic Genealogical Register 153 (April 1999): 131-140.
- Scott Andrew Bartley. “George Lanphear of Westerly, Rhode Island and his Descendants, Part 2.” New England Historic Genealogical Register 159 (October 2005): 333-340.
- Scott Andrew Bartley. “George Lanphear of Westerly, Rhode Island and his Descendants, Part 3.” New England Historic Genealogical Register 160 (January 2006): 47-59.
- (–NEHGS articles are available to members on the NEHGS website, http://www.americanancestors.org, or in many genealogically-oriented libraries.)
Daniel and Welthia Lanpher signed a discharge on March 18, 1789 for their share from Daniel Lamphere’s estate.
George’s children
According to the articles (and also, more or less, according to Austin’s Genealogical Dictionary of R.I.), George’s children were:
- Richard
- Shadrack
- Mary m. Peter Button
- Patience m. Eber Crandall
- John
- Seth
- Theodosios
- Sarah m. James Covey
- Elizabeth m. James Pendleton
While we’re on the subject, I would note Mr. Bartley’s warning that there is no evidence for the name of George’s wife. People may “have” a name, they may “find” a name, but there is no evidence.
I found in Westerly Probate book 4, p. 181, “A Plot of the Land of George Lanphear & Divided According to the Order of Capt James Hill, Capt Oliver Babcock & Justice John Richmond Committee March 21 1726/7 – Christp: Champlin – Survey”
The names are found clearly on the map (get larger version here):
The map from p. 181 (printed numbering) of Westerly Probate Book 4 shows the division of George Lamphere’s land.
The names appear as follows:
- Top row: No. 9 Shadrack Lamphear 48 Acres
- Bottom row: No. 1 Ja. Covey, 27 A 58 R | No 2 Seth Lanphear 18 A 80 R | No 3 Richard Lanphear 20 A 00 R | No 4 Eber Crandall 17 A 64 R | No 5 Theodosias Lanphear 28 A 100 R | No 6 [Richard?] Lanphear 29 A 40 R | No 7 Mary Button 46 A 16 R | No 8 James Pendleton 34 A 78 R
Note that the corner landmarks are: A large white oak, large white oak tree, John Lanphear’s [Corner?], and [illegible]. Other landmarks mentioned are a stake, and a stake and stones.
Page 172. Copied in 1735. “The above draft is a true copy of the original entered April 15th 1734. William Babcock CC.”
Where is it?
I just don’t know where this land is. My guess about where MY Daniel Lamphere left land to his second wife and his many children is in this post: On Lanphere Road. The area I found was called “Lamphere Hollow” and there is a decent chance it represents the general area where George had his land, but I don’t know.
The 1774 Census transcribed in Rhode Island Roots (vol. 10, Dec., 20013, “The 1774 Census of Rhode Island: Charlestown and Westerly“, transcribed by Vera M. Robinson) shows the following interesting set of Lampheres and neighbors (p. 197):
- Joseph Clarke …………….. 1. ……… 1. ……….1 ……………………….. 1 ……………………….. 1 ……
- Elisha Clarke ……………..2. ….4 ….4 . … 1. ….1 ……………………….. 1 ……………………….. 1 ……
- William Brombly ………..3 . ……… 1. … 4 …..1 ……………………….. 1 ………………………..1 . …..
- James Pendleton ………… .3.. …..: ..I.. ……… I.. …………………… …I.. ……………………..I…. …
- James Pendleton Junr ….. 1. … 1. … 1 ….2 . …. 1 . ………………………1 ………………………..1 ……
- Nathan Lanpher.. … :. ….. ..2… . 3.. .. 2.. . .2… .. I.. …………………. …..I ……………………….. I.. ….
- Nathan Lanpher Jur …….. 1… . 2… . l .. .. 3… .. I.. ………………… ……I.. ………………… ……I.. ….
- Daniel Lanpher …………. .2.. ……. .3… . l … ..I.. ……………………… I.. ………………. ……..I.. ….
- David Lanpher Junr ……..1 . … 1. … 1 …. 2. ….1 ……………………….1 … ……………………… 1 ……
- David Lanpher …………… 1. … 3 …. 1. … 2. …. 1 ……………………….1. . ………………………. 1 ……
- William Vinsant …………. l .. . .5… . 3… . 2…. . I.. …………… …………I… …………………….. 1 ……
- Daniel Lampher Junr …… 1. .. .3.. .. I.. .. 5… .. I. ……………….. ……I ………………………. .I ……
- John Burdick ………………4 …. 2 …. 2. …3 ….. 1 ……………………….1. . ……………………… 1 ……
- William Babcock ……….. 2 ………. 3 …. 1 ….. 1 ……………………….. 1 ……………………….. 1 ……
- Samuel Brand …………….. 1. …2 …. 1. ………. 1 ……………………….. 1 ………………………..1 ……
The neighbors are some of the same names mentioned in the deeds of my Daniel’s widow, Nancy, as the property was sold off after 1808. Clearly, “Nathan” and “David” are huge clues since, at this early date, they are not Daniel’s sons. I think “Nathan” may be Nathan4 (Nathan3, John2, George1) who was married by 1774 to his third wife, Sarah Saunders and had about 10 children already.
The 1777 Military Census for Westerly, R.I. (Rhode Island Roots vol 10, Sept 1984, “1777 Military Census, Westerly, Rhode Island“) lists:
- (page 60) Daniel Lanpher 60+ and
- (page 63) Daniel Lanpher 3d 16-50 A and Daniel Lanpher Jr 16-50 A. (=”From 16 to 50 years and able to bear arms”)
This leaves me confused – I’m not even sure what the right number of Daniels should be. I need to go through the 1790 and 1800 census page by page – after all, one of the Daniels died in 1788. Maybe that will clarify things.
map of southern Rhode Island from History of Washington and Kent counties, Rhode Island, 1889, page 1. The Lamphere property that belonged to my family was just above the bold “Westerly”.
Next steps
- Can the old map help me? Can I find descendants of the Crandalls, Pendletons, Coveys, and Buttons still living near my Lampheres? – I wonder what happened to the properties inherited in this division.
- Names – Fortunately, my Daniel had a lot of children over the course of two marriages. I need to investigate the names more thoroughly. Unfortunately for this purpose, I still don’t know Nancy’s maiden name or family. Sources for information about the early families are unreliable after generations 1 – 3. I may just turn to deeds and vital records so at least I know the names I’m finding are real. An index to early Westerly deed volumes can be found on USgenweb here which is a useful starting place when planning to look at Westerly deeds.
- Rhode Island Roots – I explored these for Lampheres years ago when I probably just tried the index for certain names. There may be lots of subtle clues in there I could find today.
- Review what’s known – I plan to make a complete list of every fact related to my Daniel and his son Russell. Some names were mentioned in the probate that I explored extensively a while ago, but need to revisit.
- Census – re-analyze all existing census records looking for patterns of neighbors.
The post you are reading is located at: http://atomic-temporary-25588508.wpcomstaging.com/2015/03/18/the-land-of-george-lanphear/
From At Home Again page 36.
I believe my family goes back to the Westerly Lanphears too. Problem is I can only prove back to my 2 gr. grandfather, Lyndon Marshall Lanphear born 11 May 1816. He married Charlotte Garthwaite. I think he’s a son of Elisha and Elizabeth (Hammond) Lanphear, who had Elisha, Jared, Eunice, Lyndon, Vankert Palmer, and John. Can’t find proof yet. I connected with Drew Bartley several years back and purchased his three books plus have communicated back and forth with several Lanphear (and other spellings) researchers. I think the Elder Elisha’s parents were Nahor Lanphear and maybe Anna Lewis? I’ve been doing this since the time of paper and pencil, walking cemeteries, etc. and am 76 now. Sure would love to prove who my Lyndon Lanphear’s parents were, where they lived and were buried before I pass all my info onto my daughter for her to work on. I know many first names repeat a whole lot through the lines but Lyndon is rare. Anyone ever heard of him? Thank you in advance.
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Came across this blog as I was doing some genealogy work. I am related to an Everett Lamphear, who was born in Rhode Island and died in California. (1919 – 1985). George Lanphear was his 6x GG.
Everett has children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren living all around California now with the last name of Lamphear. Just wanted to share a bit of Lanphear genealogy from the west coast 🙂
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Hi!
Thank you for this information! I’m trying to find out who married my ancestor Isetta Pearl Wright, born in 1913—we just have “Lanphear” in our family tree and it’s very mysterious. Most of my ancestors were in Westerly Rhode Island, though, so I know that much. I’m going to keep digging, but if you know of any connections to that marriage please let me know!!
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The marriage is under 100 years ago so will be a private record at this point. The 1940 census may show her with a husband if she had married by that time. She has an unusual first name so Westerly city directories may tell you more.
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George is my 6G Grandfather and my line is thru his son John, born 1683, my 5G Grandfather. Your info is very interesting. John apparently got none of George’s property, but probably because he moved on to NY state.
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Paul Lanphear.
Have you ever used the Y-DNA test from FamilyTreeDNA? It links the paternal ancestry. I have taken it and matched two other, a Jack Lamphier and Earnest Lamphere. We are all trying to trace back to the Westerly RI Lanphears The furthers I can trace to is the Marriage of Joanna Deering to Capt. Samuel Lamphear of Westerly RI. I would like to confirm the connection if possible.
Thanks,
John Lanphar
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Hi John. I will leave your question here and perhaps others will find a connection.
In my family’s case, our last Lamphere ancestor was Emma, born in Alabama in 1854. She had two brothers who stayed down south when the family retreated back to Rhode Island after the civil war. I have no connection with thise southern relatives although I have found 2 genealogist among them who, sadly, had both passed away by the time I found them. So I have never had an opportunity to do Y DNA in my branch with regard to Lampheres.
For your issue, deeds and probate should be examined in their entirety, something that could only be done locally or through a Family History Library Affiliate.
I wish you much success.
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Hello Diane … This may be the first time I’ve commented on one of your blogs but I’ve enjoyed reading all of them. This one however struck a cord as I have written in early ancestral files by my aunt that Theodosias Lanphear (in her papers she wrote Theodosis Lanphere) was related to our line as his daughter Abigail married Joshua Burdick. While there has been some speculation as to whether our line does descend from Joshua son of Robert who was son of the first Robert Burdick and Ruth Hubbard of Westerly I am not certain. I am of the belief that they do but some believe our line comes down through Hubbard Burdick junior and senior. There is no proof to this either as the one I have worked back to does not name his father/ Joshua died without a will and Hubbard does not name a son James. There are however familiar names with the Lanphere’s such as Abigail. Do you know any more about this line? I look forward to following your study on this if you continue to write about it.
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I suspect this uncertainty about a connection back from Joshua Burdick to Robert, then back to the original Robert could be aided by a careful study of their deeds. Westerly’s old deeds are on FamilySearch microfilm (not sure if such a rental is possible in the UK). Perhaps a helpful reader could let us know someday if very early Westerly deeds are around for Joshua Budick, Robert Burdick, or Hubbard Burdick. I noted in my post a few transcriptions of deed index pages but I believe there are even earlier deeds out there. Good luck, thanks for reading, and yes, I will keep posting until I solve this one.
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Thank you for your response. It is difficult to get early American items at the Family Search centre near here. I do have a fellow Burdick descendant however (we both descend from James but different children) who lives in Utah.
I was wondering though if you had found more on Theodosis and his wife as it might also hold clues … names, places etcetera.
Looking forward to future postings!
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