Phebe Jane MCDOUGALL (ID #I20224)
(female)- BIRTH: 26 SEP 1843, Newcastle, Durham, Ontario, Canada
- DEATH: 10 JAN 1926, Marengo, McHenry Co., Illinois [7408]
- BURIAL: 13 JAN 1926, Marengo Cemetery, Marengo, McHenry Co., Illinois
Mother: Elvira URAN (b. 11 JUN 1812, d. 26 FEB 1900)
Family 1 : Nelson Day STRICKLAND (b. 28 JUN 1844, d. 20 JUN 1919)
- MARRIAGE: 05 OCT 1879, McHenry Co., Illinois [14883]
- +Hardie Alexander STRICKLAND (b. 5 JAN 1880, d. 19 AUG 1948)
- +Alice Belle STRICKLAND (b. 25 JAN 1882, d. 06 FEB 1930)
1900 census of McHenry Co., IL (ED 161, p 6, l 29), shows birthplace as "Canada England" and birthdate May 1844. Since her brother William was born at Lisbon, NY, only a few miles from Canada, it is not impossible that the family actually strayed into Canada. However, this is contradicted by the 1850 census (with the McDougall family), which indicates she was born in New York. The 1880 census shows "Canada", and implicit birthdate 1847 (parents b. NY). Children listed in 1880 include Harriet age 12 b. NY, parents b. NY/CAN, and Minnie M. age 9 b. IL, parents b. NY/CAN. These children are presumed to belong to Nelson Strickland by a prior wife.
The IGI shows Hardy Strickland b. 05 aug 1880 son of Nelson Day Strickland and Phebe Jane Dickerson. This could be taken as evidence that Phebe McDougall first married a Dickerson, and could explain why she has not been located in censuses between 1850 and 1880. The birthdate of Hardy Strickland appears as January, not August, in the 1880 and 1900 censuses. Source of IGI entry appears to be an LDS member (confidential temple records). Cemetery and other records have helped to piece this story together. The marriage is listed as Day Strickland to Jennie Dickerson.
So far, there is no clear indication of how Phebe spent the years from the mid-1840's until 1879. A Phebe Dickerson, wife of Albert, is found in the area in the 1870 census, but the same family is in Chicago in 1880, while the real Phebe is with her new husband Nelson Strickland in Marengo the same year. Another possibility, not yet ruled out, is a Jennie M. Dickenson age 37 in the 1870 census of Joliet, Will Co., IL, living as "housekeeper" with Richard Dickenson age 48. There are no children in the household and no marriage record has been found for this couple (who were not necessarily married!).
What little we know of Phebe Jane would be even more scant, were it not for a newspaper clipping that our cousin Lorraine Wallace obtained from the Hullinger family of Clinton Co., IA. Dating from November, 1911, the clipping bears the by-line "Clinton Herald":
A Family Reunion.
The residence of William S. Hullinger, West Fifth Street, DeWitt, was the scene of an enjoyable gathering on Thanksgiving day. Besides the family of Wm. Hullinger, consisting of Mrs. Henry Koin of Maquoketa, Mrs. Will Meyer of Charlotte, Mrs. J. R. Anderson of DeWitt, Mrs. C. S. Hullinger living west of Clinton, and Dr. J. D. Hullinger of this city, and their families, who were home to partake of Thanksgiving turkey and other dainties , four of Mrs. Wm. Hullinger's sisters were present: Mrs. W. T. Neville of Lake View, Iowa; Mrs. N. D. Strickland of Marengo, Ill.; Mrs. Mary Lamb, formerly of Clinton, now of Lawrence, Kansas; and Mrs. B. I. Grunday of Climax, Kansas. Two of these sisters had not met for sixty years and the oldest had left home before the youngest was born, consequently had never met before in their lives, although one was 58 years old and the other 68 years.
The joy of a meeting of own sisters at that age for the first time can better be imagined than described. All of the sisters of Mrs. Hullinger are living and were all present except one, Mrs. J. J. H. Reede of Denver, Colo. Wm. S. Hullinger and wife are well known here, having lived in this county, at DeWitt, for 59 years.
At this family gathering, all of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Hullinger were present except Engineer W. E. Hullinger of Stockholm street.
Twenty-five were present at this family gathering and a very pleasant day was enjoyed by all.
This clipping proves that Mrs. N. D. Strickland of Marengo, IL was indeed a McDougall. But we have been unable to pick up the trail of her descendants. Does anyone know her story?
Even more intriguing is her death record in McHenry Co., IL, which confirms that her father was John "Mcdougal" (from Canada!) but gives her mother's name as Harriet Dickerson. This record says that Phoebe was born 26 sep 1843 in Canada, but it also says (as indexed on the FamilySearch.org site) that her mother was born in Iowa, probably a result of a faulty transcription or indexing. The death record on the FamilySearch web site comes from FHL microfilm #1613169, certificate number 1944 (not yet examined).
The 1860 census of Kane Co. includes the household of Russell Dickerson b. 1810, Harriet b. 1813, Jane b. in "Canada W" 1844 (this probably means Ontario), and Chester b. in Canada 1852. Jane is presumably our Phebe Jane McDougall. We have not yet located this family in Canadian records. There is also another entry in the same county and year for the same couple, this time with the additional son (?) Jerome age 22 born in NY, and this time indicating that Chester, listed out of order, was born in Illinois instead of Canada. Russell and Harriet are also found in 1870 (no children) and 1880 (McHenry Co.). Russell was charged in a perjury action in Kane Co., in 1857. He died in Elgin, Kane Co. 31 may 1884, buried at the Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin. Harriet died in Elgin 28 sep 1898. Russell enlisted in Company F, 141st Illinois Volunteer Infantry (100 days' service) on 15 may 1864. He was transferred to non-commissioned staff at the regimenal headquarters as Principal Musician on July 5, 1864 (there were two "Principal Musicians", the other was Leveritt Hannegan), and mustered out on 10 oct 1864. This regiment apparently saw limited action at Columbus, Kentucky. In the 1859 directory of Elgin, Russell Dickerson resides on Prairie Street north of the Fox River Railroad. Probate documents for both Russell and Harriet are noted in the collections of the Elgin Area Historical Society. Russell applied for a pension for his military service (application #483496) and Harriet applied for a pension as his widow (application #519412), but it does not appear that a pension was actually granted in either case. Land in Kane Co. was patented to Russell Dickerson 10 apr 1848. It had been purchased at the Chicago Land Office. Russell Dickerson of Kane County, Illinois also received a patent for land in Crawford Co., Wisconsin in 1858. Another patent in the same area in 1857 calls him Russel Dickerson of Crawford County, Wisconsin. There is a civil court case in Kane Co., Russell Dickerson v. Jerome Dickerson et al., 1868 (box 75, case #9386). This Jerome ("Jarome") married Susan Geary ("Gerry) 19 jul 1866 in Kane Co.; they settled in Springfield, MO. Jerome may have come from Lockport, Niagara Co., NY and was supposed to have been in the timber business in Michigan before coming to Illinois. Their son Rollin Dickerson was born in 1869 at Sand Lake, Kent Co., MI. On the 1870 census, this family is at Ensley, Newaygo Co., MI (Jerome "Dickison", born about 1837 in NY; his first child Jerome was born in IL about 1867). One problem with this scenario is that the 1850 census shows the Russell "Dickenson" family in Kane Co. with daughter Jane age 7, while our Phebe Jane is enumerated with the John McDougall family that year in Grundy Co. However, as we know already from the 1860 census readings for the same family, duplicate listings are not unprecedented. Jane might have been shuttled back and forth between the two families. How can we determine the truth in this situation? The identity of her father is already clearly established by the newspaper clipping, the 1850 census for the McDougall family, and her death record. The remaining problem is to verify that her mother was Harriet, wife of Russell Dickerson, and not some other Harriet Dickerson. The most obvious next step is to look for obituaries of Phebe and her supposed mother, and to examine the probate records of Russell and Harriet Dickerson. The court case of Russell Dickerson vs. Jerome Dickerson et al. might also mention her, if the action involved property that Russell's children would stand to inherit.
With the assistance of the Elgin Genealogical Society, an answer can be proposed: Russell Dickerson and Harriet Walbridge had no children of their own; they adopted four or five children, but without formal legal proceedings. This is made clear in a deposition of Harvey A. Matteson, one of the executors of the estate of Russell Dickerson, dated 29 dec 1896:
State of Illinois, Kane County.
In the County Court of Kane County.
Estate of Russell Dickerson, deceased.
Proof of Heirship.
Harvey A. Matteson being duly sworn in open court on oath deposes as follows:
My name is Harvey A Matteson. May age is fifty four years. I live in Burlington, Kane County, Illinois. I am one of the Executors of the Will of Russell Dickerson deceased. I knew said Russell Dickerson and have known his wife now his widow, my Coexecutor, since the year 1856, and have known both of them intimately.
My knowledge of the family history of said Russell Dickerson has been gained from my acquaintance with him and his said wife for over forty years and from often hearing them him speak of his relatives and friends, from inquiries I have personally made and have caused to be made by correspondence of the Attorney of said Estate. I know of no person, certainly of no one within the jurisdiction of this Court who can give more information regarding the heirship of said Russell Dickerson than I can as the result of my said acquaintance and inquiries and correspondence. My Coexecutrix Harriet Dickerson is advanced in years and unable to give any more information than is here given. From such long, intimate acquaintance with the family and from the information gained as I have stated, I state that I verily believe the facts of said heirship so far as I know or have learned them to be, as follows:
Said Russell Dickerson was married once only and then to Harriet Porter who survives him as his widow Harriet Dickerson. No children were ever born of said marriage. They brought up or had several children live with them for considerable periods but none of them was ever formally or legally adopted so far as I have been able to learn. Both the decedent and his wife have so told me frequently.
Said Russell Dickerson was the son of Nathan Dickerson and Prudence Dickerson (before marriage Prudence Drinkwater) his wife, each of whom was married only once and then to the other.
As the fruits of said marriage fifteen children only were born. Ten of said children died when very young, all unmarried and without issue and all before said Russell Dickerson.
The remaining five children were Nathan Dickerson, Archibald Dickerson, Robert Dickerson, Matilda Dickerson and Julia Dickerson.
- Said Nathan Dickerson lived at Branchport, Yates County, New York, was married once only and had some children whose names and addresses if living are unknown to me. He died before Russell Dickerson's death. I do not know if he left a widow. His heirs are unknown to me, but I have understood that some of the family at one time lived at Naples, Ontario County, New York, or Naples Hall, New York.
- Said Archibald Dickerson has died since the death of said Russell Dickerson. He was married but I do not know whether his wife survived him, but I think not. The said Archibald Dickerson has two sons and three daughters only:
- Charles A. Dickerson of 632 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, N.Y., living.
- William Dickerson, who is dead leaving one child only, viz. John Dickerson living at Fairport, Monroe County, N.Y.
- Hannah Dickerson who became the wife of a Mr. Jones and died, leaving George Jones of Rochester, N.Y. and Hariett Jones Thorne of Rochester, N.Y. as her only children and heirs-at-law, both living. I do not know whether Mr. Jones survived his wife.
- Susan Dickerson who became the wife of M. S. Northrop and is still living at Fairport, Monroe County, New York.
- Mary Dickerson who is still living at Fairport, Monroe County, New York.
- Robert Dickerson who is still living so far as I can learn at Sprecker's Basin, Pa or Spraker's, Montgomery Co., N.Y. [This is Sprakers, in the town of Root, Montgomery Co., N.Y.] If he is dead, his heirs and their residences are unknown to me.
- Matilda Dickerson married a Mr. Scott and died before Russell Dickerson. I do no know whether her husband survived her. Her heirs and their residences are unknown to me.
- Julia Dickerson was said to have married. Her husband's name is unknown to me unless it was William Smith. Said Julia Dickerson lived at Copper Harbor, Keweenaw County, Mich. or Copper Falls Mine, Keweenaw County, Michigan. She is still living so far as I know.
I therefore say that said Russell Dickerson died leaving Harriet Dickerson as his widow, and leaving:
- The unknown heirs of Nathan Dickerson his brother deceased;
- Charles A. Dickerson, son; John Dickerson, son of William Dickerson a deceased son; George Jones and Harriet Thorne, children of Hannah Dickerson Jones a deceased daughter; Susan Dickerson Northrop (wife of M. S. Northrop) a daughter; and Mary Dickerson a daughter, all of Archibald Dickerson a deceased brother of said Russell Dickerson the decedent;
- Robert Dickerson a brother;
- The unknown heirs of Matilda Dickerson Scott a deceased sister, and
- Julia Dickerson (alias Julia Dickerson Smith perhaps) his sister.
[Signed] Harvey A. Matteson.
Subscribed and Sworn to before me this 29th of Dec. A.D. 1896. [Signed] Charles A. Raymond, Clerk.
Further inquiries for the whereabouts of these heirs were made in 1921, with the result that some addresses and additional names were discovered. Russell's will, dated 30 jan 1883, bequeaths his farm in Marengo, McHenry County, Illinois to "my daughter, Jane Strickland". There are several other specific bequests, but no residual heirs are named. Hence, after the specific bequests (some only for the life of the legatee), the ultimate disposition of the estate is not resolved in the will. No other children, adopted or otherwise, are mentioned.
The obituary of Harriet Dickerson mentions an adopted son William Dickerson of Elgin. Russell's obituary says there were "four or five adopted children", and names as one of them Jerome Dickerson, "now a very wealthy Michigander". "Willie" Dickerson of Elgin was the informant for Harriet's death record. "Willie" also testified in 1901 as to the heirs of Harriet, apparently one of eight children. The seven siblings were: Marie Pease, Minerva Newell, Robert Walbridge, Increase Walbridge, George Walbridge, James Walbridge, and Loyal Walbridge. Hariett herself was listed in one or two places in other records as Harriet Porter, but from Willie's very clear deposition, it seems most likely that Harriet's full name was Harriet Porter Walbridge. This deposition also states clearly that Harriet had no children of her own, apart from those raised without formal adoption proceedings.
Phebe Jane's obituary appeared in the Daily Register Gazette (Rockford, Illinois) on 11 jan 1926: "Mrs. Strickland of Marengo, Summoned. (Special to the Register-Gazette.) Marengo, Ill., Jan. 11. — Mrs. Jane Strickland, 83, a well known resident of this city, died at 9 o'clock last evening after a few days illness of pneumonia at the home of a daughter, Mrs. John Smith, North Taylor street. She is survived by a son, Hardie, a daughter, Mrs. Alicia Smith, both of Marengo, and a step-daughter, Mrs. Hattie Bennett, of Rockford. Funeral services will be Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Methodist church, Rev. M. S. Freeman officiating." Similar obituaries appeared in at least two other newspapers in Rockford.
Another group of obituaries appeared in Belvidere, Boone Co., Illinois. By far the most extensive, and the one that finally mentioned some specifics of her life, was in the Belvidere Daily Republican (Belvidere, Illinois), appearing 19 jan 1926, nearly a week after the funeral: "Obituary. Mrs. Phoebe Strickland. Marengo, Jan. 15— Mrs. Phoebe Jane Strickland, daughter of Russell and Harriet Dickerson, was born in New Castle, Canada, Sept. 26, 1843, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Smith Sunday, Jan. 10, 1926, following a four day illness of pneumonia. Her marriage to Nelson Day Strickland occurred in Union, Ill., Oct. 5. 1878. She is survived by one son, Hardie Strickland, a daughter, Mrs. Alice Smith, which whom she has resided; a step daughter, Mrs. Hattie Bennett of Rockford, eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren and four sisters, who reside in Clinton and DeWitt, Iowa. Her husband and a step daughter, Minnie Hill, preceded her in death. Mrs. Strickland has been a resident of this city for fifty years. She was a member of the Marengo Presbyterian church and a charter member of the W. R. C. and the Royal Neighbors and was active in the work of each organization. Five granddaughters acted as flower bearers, namely Mrs. Caroline Kennedy, Eva Strickland, Alma, Eleanor, and Gladys Smith. Funeral services were held from her late home, the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Smith, on North Taylor street Wednesday afternoon. Rev. M. S. Freeman, pastor of the Marengo M. E. church officiated. Beautiful vocal selections were sung by Mrs. J. M. Adams and Mrs. Chas. Redpath. Pallbearers were Ed Ward, B. H. Miller, Ed Pierce, Steve Sheahan, Frank Shearer and Henry Bremer. Burial was in the city cemetery by the side of her departed husband. Relatives and friends from away to pay their respects to the departed were Mrs. Hattie Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Strickland, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kennedy, Mrs. Ernest Barston and daughter, Marion, Mrs. Chris Stevens, Misses Elma and Eleanor Smith of Rockford and Mrs. John Lambert of Belvidere."
Whether this information will lead to a birth record seems doubtful. There seems not to be an entry for this birth in the index to the Wesleyan Methodist baptismal registers for Ontario, the only significant collection of birth records we could find.
Until 1974, most of what is now Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada, was called Durham County. Within the Durham Regional Municipality, one of the subdivisions is the Municipality of Clarington, formerly known as the "town" of Newcastle. Within the Municipality of Clarington, there is a village called Newcastle, and that is apprarently where Phebe Jane was born. Before the village of Newcastle was part of the new Municipality, it was part of Clarke Township within the old County of Durham. In other words, the John McDougall and Edward Town families were apparently both in Clarke Township around 1843.
[7408] In 1920 census, she is living alone on Hales Street in Marengo.
[14883] 1900 census indicates married 20 years, 2 children, both living. Possibly the 1880 census is simply in error when it attributes parentage of 2 children, or else the FIRST wife (Mary) was also b. Canada.
_Ronald MCDOUGALL __________________+
| (.... - 1821)
_Robert MCDOUGALL ________________|
| (1785 - 1860) |
| |_Euphemia (Effie) _____ ____________
| (1740 - 1822)
_John MCDOUGALL _____|
| (1810 - 1884) |
| | ____________________________________
| | |
| |__________________________________|
| |
| |____________________________________
|
|
|--Phebe Jane MCDOUGALL
| (1843 - 1926)
| _Jonathan URAN _____________________+
| | (1732 - ....) m 1755
| _Jonathan URAN ___________________|
| | (1774 - 1843) m 1807 |
| | |_Abigail HODGKINS __________________+
| | (1736 - 1842) m 1755
|_Elvira URAN ________|
(1812 - 1900) |
| _Nathaniel HAVEN ___________________+
| | (1766 - 1847)
|_Sarah (Sally) J. Smith HAVEN(S) _|
(1789 - 1882) m 1807 |
|_Elizabeth (Betsey) (widow) SNYDER _
(1760 - 1835)