In 1865, at the time of the Massachusetts State Census, Irving V. Cobleigh was 4 months old living with his mother at the home of his grandparents in Hubbardston. His father Merlin was not listed on this cenus - where had he gone? We know he lives until 1872 from the family headstone.
In 1880, Irving, the only child of Merlin and Sarah born after the epidemic wiped out five of their children, was fifteen. I don't have results on an 1890 Census. Twenty years on, in 1900 we find the 35 year old living as a boarder in Pleasantville, Westchester, New York in the home of Martin V. Austin. That same year on September 19, 1900, he married Elizabeth L. Cone, (born 1866) daughter of Zachariah Cone and Eliza Parsons, in Norwich, New London, Connecticut.
Fast forward twenty years - 1920, we find him living as the head of the household, age 55, with his wife, Elizabeth Cobleigh, 54 and their two daughters, Helen and Ira, 17 and 16 respectively. Much smaller families these days.
What happened to Sarah Underwood's husband, Merlin between 1863 and his death in 1872?
In that same state Census in 1865, Merlin C. Cobleigh shows up in the town of Templeton, Worcester County Massachusetts - not terribly far away. He is listed as a member of a household that (possibly an apartment building?) lists 30 to 40 people, including his son Amos, now 16. The census lists Amos as a "Tin Worker". Merlin, 45 years old, is listed as a "Tin Peddler". Were there tin companies in Templeton, near Gardner (furniture capital of the world?)
It is possible that farming was not producing the income they needed. Another baby arrived and Sarah and the baby moved in with her parents while Merlin and Amos went looking for work in town? Templeton did not look to be a large urban or even growing urban area, like nearby Gardner.
So much changes and so much remains the same over time. Sickness, economy, family.
There is probably more to this story in New Hampshire and New York. Perhaps a roadtrip.
No comments:
Post a Comment