A New page...

First, I'd like to announce that a new page has been added to this blog: The Teeters: PA to CA to IA. On this page I will be exploring the story of the family as they moved from Pennsylvania to Canada and finally, to Iowa. Until today, clues about the last leg of that journey have eluded me. A further exploration of a book entitled A genealogical sketch of the descendants of Andrew and Anna Christina (Palmer) Cook, 1769-1970 has helped me to crack the case! This book contains the will of Jacob Cook, Anna Christina's father, which clearly states that he owned property in Iowa and had left some to his daughter. I am not yet sure why he owned property in Iowa, but having this piece of the puzzle in place is a relief.

Also, to my great and emotional surprise, this book contains photos of Jacob Cook (which I had already encountered) as well as his daughter, Anna Christina, and her son (my 4x great grandfather), Jacob Clarke Teeter. I can see a family resemblance in Jacob...

Diary for October 31st, 1871

We washed two weeks washing to day. Minnie washes all forenoon, then cleans & mops all up stairs. Afternoon a pedler Mr Riley comes is here to Tea. We Buy 3 muslin Skirts, 2 Table Cloths, White damask, &9 pocket handkerchiefs, 10 yds Insertion & a whole piece of Lace for pillow Cases for 10 dollars & his Bill over night. Minnie is taken Sick at 9Ocl to night. Berty gets ready after 10 Ocl to go for the Doctor But is called Back up stairs. Minnie is better has had miscarriage. This is the 3rd time. She seems quite comfortable now. after 12 Berty goes to bed. I lie down after 2, up and down 5 times before day light. Minnie Still Resting.

An interesting account of my 5x great grandparents and my 4x great grandparents dealing, at home, with a miscarriage.  Anna's words are so calm, so matter of fact or what must have been a very stressful and emotional event.

Reflections March 2012

I'd like to take some time to reflect on this experience so far. It's been interesting and surprising in ways that I did not expect. Which, in a way, I DID expect. Or perhaps just hoped. In terms of the timeline of the diary, I have only read entries for a few days but because I am reading it slowly, feel like the story of it is a constant in my life. The decision to take my time was, I think, a good one. At some point early on in the process, I decided to seek information about Anna Christina's immediate family and it is here that the results have been particularly interesting. Both in what I've found and also what remains elusive.

It is because of my initial research through Ancestry.com that the diary even came to me. But it wasn't until I had the book in my hands that I decided to look in earnest at other resources on the internet. It is through various genealogy websites and a few homemade ones, that I encountered researchers and living, distant relatives connected (mostly) to Moses Spafford Teeter Sr. and his father Adam Michael (aka Michael) Teeter. No doubt because these individuals were involved in the War of Independence (Michael), the War of 1812 and the settlement of a Toronto area township (Moses Sr.) there is more information available and I've learned the most about these individuals over the last three months.

People have also been very generous. I've received maps, pictures, stories and documents that have helped to flesh out the story of these men. Once I discovered that Moses Sr. was an early settler of Toronto Township (now Mississauga, ON) I decided I needed to focus my efforts and attempt to answer some specific questions:

1. Why did the family leave Pennsylvania for Canada?
2. Why did the family (Anna Christina and Moses Teeter Jr.) leave Canada for Iowa?

With the help of some resources and one of my distant relatives in Canada, I think I've found the answer to the first question - or at least a very plausible hypothesis! Question two is yet to be answered.  I have other questions too. But I'll leave those for another post.

I intend to add a separate page to this blog titled: The Teeters: PA to CA to IA. I hope to be able to follow the story from Adam to Anna. Stay tuned!

Diary for October 30th 1871

1) Berty & Minnie went to church here last Eve heard Mr. Hazeltine Preach. Minnie & Netty both have their heads tied up with head ache. We take Breakfast again at home 11Ocl. Mr Simkins comes to Dinner. he is going to *Grand Meadow.

2) I go this Eve to see Mrs. G OThout. find her much better.  Mrs Billcock is washing there. I go to Mr. Ramshaven store & get Clothes for *Rapper are $3-5. It is 9 yds *Reps at 30 per yard $2.70 (4 Spools thread) 35cts also 9 yds Calico for lining at 12 1/2 per yard. $1.18. Coming home I go round to Mrs Ramshaven. Pa comes over after I get there Borrows 2 woolen Blankets for a fewe days until Mr R gets Some in his Store. three Boys help Berty husk corn today.

"Rapper" in middle of the image near the far right margin

 I sit outside today and read the Diary. Good lighting is key to transcription. Normally the indoor light is sufficient but as you can see above there are a number of new words and names to figure out. I am guessing that "Rapper" is probably Ralph or Ralphie but the letters are not clear. It could be a last name, or two words instead of one (I am pretty sure I see an arrow pointing to the cost of the cloth). And, because of the as yet undetermined decision-making process for Capitalization, I am not 100% sure it is, in fact, a name. It may be an archaic term. "Rapper" may also be some sort of event or type of garment. But I am just making wild guesses here at this point. Any and all ideas are welcome.

*Reps or Rep is a fine cloth made from wool, cotton or silk and used in the making of dresses
*Grand Meadow was a township in Iowa

Victorian Dress for Housework

*Update: Two friends have contributed some suggestions. One said that this was likely a "wrapper" which was a type of semi-fitted dress. Women would wear them in the mornings or evenings over their nightclothes or over their underpinnings. I consulted another friend who is a seamstress and has a particular interest in 19th century dress who said "If it’s 9 yards for the ‘Clothes’ or cloth, then it is probably an overdress, especially if it’s to be made from wool and lined with calico.  Your friend probably has the right of it."

Well! There you go!