2019 New Jersey Research Trip: Newark

The New Jersey Historical Society in Newark holds the trial notes for an ongoing New Jersey court case that started in 1844 that may involve this researcher’s ancestors. Time for a research trip.

Dawn at the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark, New JerseyFacade of New Jersey Historical Society, 2019
New Jersey Historical Society, 2019.

I have been researching my New Jersey Carson family origins as best as I can from my home in the Pacific Northwest, in earnest, for two decades or more. I had vague hopes of visiting New Jersey to do on-site research for years, but no firm plans. This was the year that everything came together for me, and I was finally able to put my loafers on the ground in a two-part research trip to Newark and Trenton. I planned to visit libraries, archives, and graveyards and otherwise explore the area that my maternal ancestors once called home.

The first part of my trip centered on a visit to the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark. A friend and I flew cross-country to Newark, touching down on a Tuesday afternoon. We spent the remainder of the day getting our bearings and found that the historical society was housed in a lovely old building once known as The Essex Club. The next day, theater tickets in hand, we took the train into NYC for a wonderful matinee production of Hadestown, and dinner at Sardi’s. It was then back to our hotel before nightfall to further prepare. We chose to stay at TRYP by Wyndham, because of its proximity to the New Jersey Historical Society, which was just a short walk around the corner. A Starbucks is located conveniently across the park, too, as well as a Whole Foods.

The research objective that caused me to travel more than 2,400 miles was a case file within the manuscript collection of the Peter D. Vroom (1791-1873) papers. Vroom was a U.S. Congressman and Governor of New Jersey. He also was the attorney who represented a client named Daniel Carson in an 1844 lawsuit (Daniel Carson v. Aaron Eldridge). I have long been interested in New Jersey men named Daniel Carson; John Wesley Carson (1846-1925), eldest son of my 3rd-great-grandfather Charles Carson (1824-1863) stated in a Civil War pension deposition that his grandfather was named Daniel Carson.1 It is the only clue we have as to the origins of the parents of Charles Carson. He offered no proof and did not elaborate in any way. He made no mention of his paternal grandmother.

Since my research to date had only uncovered two men named Daniel Carson of the correct age and roughly the right place in New Jersey to have potentially been the father of Charles, this was a lead that in my mind had to be followed up on as part of a reasonably exhaustive research plan. Recall that reasonably exhaustive research is the first tenet of the Genealogical Proof Standard.2

This case had been on my radar ever since I had first run across an entry on noted New Jersey author Richard S. Hutchinson’s website in 2004. His website is now offline, but at one time said this in regards to the land and property of Abraham Rogers: “The estate, which ought to have been considerable, was chiefly absorbed in a lawsuit between Aaron Eldridge and Daniel Carson, claiming under different wills, which suit Carson eventually won.”3

In 2010, I learned papers from the trial were held at the New Jersey Historical Society, and I reached out to them several times through email as I recall. When my inquiries went unanswered, I hired a New Jersey genealogist the following year to see if a local contact could make any inroads. The local researcher was successful, and she ultimately visited the library on my behalf to examine the case file. Mostly, I wanted to know whether the file warranted a trip by me. Yes, she said, as it contained hundreds of pages and had testimony from numerous parties, including information about various relations among the parties to Abraham Rogers, and to each of the claimants.4 No photographs or photocopies were permitted back then, so the genealogist was forced to review the file and make notes that she thought could be relevant. In her limited time with the file, she found no mention of my ancestor, Charles Carson, but did make note of several clues about another child of Daniel Carson. My curiosity was piqued, and I resolved to visit at a future date.

That date finally arrived on a sunny Thursday morning in September 2019. I had an appointment, set up by emailing the library about a month in advance. I was most eager to get started with my research but library hours were limited to 12pm-5pm. We were able to have a leisurely coffee break while we waited for the library to open. After registering and paying the daily $5.00 non-member fee, we locked our backpacks in the lockers downstairs and took the elevator up to the fifth floor with our laptops, where we were enthusiastically greeted by James Amemasor, the Library Research Specialist. He quickly pulled the box containing the case file so I was able to get to work after a brief orientation. The small library contains both open stacks and an archive, but sadly, no guest wireless access. Fortunately, cell phones are permitted, so I was able to use that to set up a hotspot to access my files and Evernote.

Unlike some other repositories I have visited, this private facility has a restrictive policy on taking photographs of items in their collection. However, it should be stated this policy has thankfully evolved in the past few years to permit at least some photos. Whether an image from a collection is permitted at all and how many images from the collection are allowed appears to me to be at the discretion of the Executive Director, Steve Tettamanti. He graciously allowed me to photograph about a dozen images for my personal use only from the case file. He completed a permission form for each request which we both signed off on. A large watermark was placed over each page, and I was allowed to take a snapshot with my cell phone. A donation of $1.00 per page was suggested. Because of the agreement I signed, I am unable to illustrate any of my findings on this blog, although a few general images that do not reveal specific content were permitted without the above conditions.

We spent three days at the New Jersey Historical Society in all, roughly 15 hours of research time. It may sound like a lot, but I know I barely scratched the surface of what this research library has to offer. Having a few digital photographs of the attorney’s notes was invaluable. I was able to go back to my hotel room in the evenings, and become familiar with the handwriting, which was very difficult to read and transcribe, even for someone experienced in using historical documents from this time period.  Literally, with about 20 minutes to spare, I found a mention of a previously unknown relationship that could break this line open. I remain guardedly optimistic that in the future I will be able to get a complete digital copy of the file that may further illuminate the relationships of the people in this community in the early 1840s.

I will cut to the chase here and not leave my readers in suspense. There was not a single mention among the many pages that I read of my ancestor, Charles Carson. Nothing. Perhaps it’s there and I just need more time with the file. Sometimes genealogy research is like that. I now need to move on and consider other hypotheses for the parents of my 3rd great-grandfather, Charles Carson.


Sources

1 Deposition of Claimant, 20 Apr 1921, John W. Carson (Pvt., Co. K, 35th N. J. Inf., Civil War), pension no. S.C. 218,816 (invalid), Case Files of Approved Pension Applications…, 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

2 Genealogical Proof Standard, Board for Certification of Genealogists (https://bcgcertification.org/ethics-standards/ : accessed 30 Nov 2019).

3 Charles Robbins Hutchinson with additions by Richard S. Hutchinson, “John and Elizabeth (Pearson) Hutchinson Line,”  The Website of Richard S. Hutchinson, (http://www.richardshutchinson.com/JohnHutchinsonPearson.htm : accessed 29 Nov 2004).

4 Elizabeth Pellicane, New Jersey [(email address for personal use),] to Dawn Bingaman, email, 30 Jul 2011, “Transcription and notes”; personal papers privately held by Bingaman, Washington.

Mueller, Mills & a New Approach to Pension File Transcriptions

Inspiration often strikes when and where you least expect it.

I was reading part of the redacted Mueller Report earlier this week when I had an epiphany, inspired by Appendix B of the report, the Glossary. In it are listed persons and entities referenced within the report, in alphabetical order. Alongside each name are a brief description and the role they played in the investigation conducted by Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller into the 2016 Presidential Election and Russian interference into our democratic process.

Read the full text of this important document here.

But this article really isn’t about politics per se. Rather, it is about the insight I gained into how an experienced investigator organizes his information and reports on his research, an important process whether investigating crime, genealogy, or really any other topic that generates a volume of paperwork and digital files.

You see, I am in the position of having acquired two very lengthy and detailed Civil War pension files, one for John Wesley Carson (1846-1925), and the other for his maternal uncle, George Henry Carson (1834-1903), both of whom served in New Jersey regiments. These files combined are over 500 pages in length because a Special Examiner was appointed to investigate the validity of the pension claim in each case, likely due to a suspicion of a fraudulent claim. The Special Examiner himself compiled an index while conducting his investigation which is included with the file. The index briefs I have seen appear to be more in order of appearance and therefore are not as useful to me for my genealogy research. I need a more efficient way of managing the information contained within these files.

Dealing with such large files has left me a bit stymied. I have started and stopped my transcriptions more times than I can count, using various types of software tools to assist me in the capturing of the content of the files. Until very recently, I had settled on a combination of Microsoft Word and Excel, with Excel functioning as a table of contents and Word containing the transcribed text. Although this does work to a certain extent, there still are so many individual files that I struggle to manage them all. I aspire to the Elizabeth Shown Mills method as exhibited on her website Historic Pathways, where she has many examples of written research reports and research notes. In a nutshell, she puts everything pertaining to a single individual or an ancestral couple into a master report she calls “Research Notes”. It seems to me there is incredible value in writing up the research in this fashion and having it available in a single document, along with the source citation for each assertion of fact. Of course, I still will extract information and add it to my localized genealogy database, with various excerpts to accompany each referenced event.

Mills provides a framework, but the mechanics of tracking everyone mentioned, basic biographical facts and salient testimony about persons of genealogical interest eluded me. Until now. Where this all comes together is, with Mueller’s report as inspiration, I am now thinking that I can add an appendix to my transcription that briefly lays out in tabular format all of the people interviewed or otherwise mentioned within the many pages of the pension file, including the names, ages, addresses, and dates that the interview by the Special Examiner was conducted. When compiled, this table will ultimately represent the cluster or nexus of family, friends, associates, and neighbors, aka the “FAN Club”, a term popularized by Millsto be researched further to help resolve my genealogical questions about these Carson families.

Who knew that the report on a current criminal inquiry could aid me in my genealogical research? It was not an outcome that I predicted by any stretch of the imagination.


Sources:

1 Elizabeth Shown Mills, “QuickLesson 11: Identity Problems & the FAN Principle,” Evidence Explained: Historical Analysis, Citation & Source Usage (https://www.evidenceexplained.com/content/quicklesson-11-identity-problems-fan-principle : accessed 21 Apr 2018).

 

Obituary of a Pony Express Blacksmith

Samuel Gideon Mozingo was a wanderer who traveled far and wide in the course of his life. He was a blacksmith, described as a man who was once affiliated with the short-lived Pony Express mail service. He was an early resident of San Francisco, California, and a prospector who sought his fortune in western mining towns in Nevada and Washington state. More importantly, he is the only known sibling of my 3rd great-grandmother Jane (Mozingo) Rice to have survived to adulthood. In an effort to learn the identity of their parents I have attempted to research his life in as much depth as her life. His 1913 obituary tells part of his life story. I imagine his nephews thought him the consummate frontiersman and undoubtedly enjoyed tales of his many adventures.

A Pony Express Man Dead

Samuel G. Mozzingo Shoed Horses—Early Plainsman.

Death Occurred Tuesday at Home of a Nephew, George L. Rice, in Brownell—Funeral at Baldwin.

  The funeral of Samuel G. Mozzingo, a pioneer of Kansas, and once connected with the pony express department of Uncle Sam’s business, occurred yesterday in Baldwin City. The death of the former Douglas County man occurred at the home of one of his six nephews, G. L. Rice of Brownell, Kans., near Ness City. He was 72 years old and had been ill for several weeks before his death on last Tuesday.

  Mr. Mozzingo was a blacksmith when a young man, and when he first came to this part of the state his headquarters were at Black Jack near where now is Baldwin City. He was a horseshoer for the pony express stations along the way and was well acquainted with the famous John G. Slade of whom Mark Twain has written in “Roughing It,” and who was one of the prominent pony express men.

  He came here in 1857 and after a time he followed the gold call and went to the mountains. At one time he was wealthy but mine speculations lost most of his money before he moved back here. He lived twenty years in the West, then returned and after a few years he went again and remained almost twenty years longer.

  The six nephews of Mr. Mozzingo are: George L. Rice, of Brownell, C. L. Rice of Garfield, W. H. Rice of Olpe, C. E. Rice of Le Loup, and S. V. Rice and G. N. Rice of Pomona.

  The two nephews from Western Kansas were in Ottawa today visiting with many of their friends in town.


Source:  “A Pony Express Man Dead,” The Evening Herald (Ottawa, Kansas), Sat., 11 Jan 1913, p. 1, col. 3; Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 6 Mar 2019).

Josephus Bingaman, Kansas Farmer & Inventor

According to his hometown newspaper, my 2nd great-grandfather, Josephus Bingaman of Kansas, had achieved “signal success as an inventor”

We all know that physical traits run through a family, but what about aptitudes or things like creativity or mechanical ability?

My father often talks about his father (my grandfather Bingaman) as being a life-long tinkerer with mechanical things. He claims that when in the service in WWII, his father was one of the inventors of the early turbo engine but got no credit because he worked on this when employed by the United States government. I do not know whether there is any truth to this assertion, but it is a story that my father has relayed to me on numerous occasions and certainly believes to be true.

It is not surprising, then, to learn that my grandfather’s grandfather was also a tinkerer. Josephus Bingaman (also called Joseph or Joe) created mechanical things as well. He successfully patented several of his inventions, so that is how we know of them today.

The following article appeared in the Garnett Journal newspaper on 17 Jan 1908 and tells of his improvement for a plow attachment.

[transcription begins]

A New Invention

  Joseph Bingaman, of Garnett, was up today to interest the Ottawa parties in his latest patented invention, an attachment to the rear of a lister, which puts the ground in better condition[.] The attachment consists of a wheel suspended from a long axle, which packs the ground and breaks up clods. A patent was received by Mr. Bingaman for his article December 31st of last year. “With the patent came a huge pack of letters from eastern parties, wanting terms of sale for the patent right of the invention,” said Mr. Bingaman, “but I have not disposed of it yet.” In the past few years, Mr. Bingaman, who formerly lived in Franklin county, has had signal success as an inventor. In 1892 he invented a pruning hook or tree trimmer, for which he received a neat sum. In February 1907 he received a patent on a much better and handier tree trimmer. Off the sale of one-half of the patent right to this Mr. Bingaman received $4,100. “My latest idea is a modern manure spreader. The machine for which I have a model,” says Mr. Bingaman, “will lift 500 pounds of manure seven feet high and dump.” A model will be sent of this machine to the patent office at Washington soon. —Ottawa Herald.1

[transcription ends]

Another news item in another newspaper in an adjacent county tells a bit more of the story:

[transcription begins]

Has a New Patent

Joseph Bingaman Hopes to Interest Kansas City Implement Men.

  Joseph Bingaman of Garnett, was here over Sunday visiting his sons, Frank and Fred Bingaman. He was enroute to Kansas City, where he goes to consult with representatives of an implement concern with reference to a recent invention of Mr. Bingaman. He has invented a rolling packer attachment for listers that is attracting the attention of manufacturers. Mr. Bingaman has evolved a number of practical implements of value. In 1892 he patented a tree trimmer, which was put on the market by George W. Lawrence and sold readily. An improved cutter was brought out by Mr. Bingaman in February last.2

[transcription ends]

With the information from these historic news articles, it was easy to find the patent using the Google Patents search engine. My search resulted in an image submitted in support of the patent application and the text of the application itself. For his efforts, he was awarded United States patent number 875,407.3

US patent 875407
Detail of the invention of a plow attachment by Josephus Bingaman, U.S. patent 875,407.


“A New Invention,” Garnett Journal (Garnett, Kans.), Fri., 17 Jan 1908, p. 4, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com), accessed 12 Jan 2019.

“Has a New Patent,” The Ottawa Daily Republic (Ottawa, Kans.), Mon., 13 Jan 1908, p. 1, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com), accessed 12 Jan 2019.

3 U.S. Patent No. 875,407, issued 31 Dec 1907 to Josephus Bingaman; digital image, Google Patents (https://patents.google.com), accessed 30 Jan 2019.