Catherine Jane Buzzard [b264] (1827-1878) Genealogy Catherine Jane Buzzard

Born: 25 Nov 1827 in PA
Married: Benjamin Franklin Ullman 4 Jan 1846 in East Vincent, PA
Died: 9 Feb 1878 in St. Joseph, MO
Father:
Mother:
Religion: possibly Lutheran
mtDNA haplogroup: likely X2c
Border area of Chester and Montgomery counties. 
Schuylkill was formed in 1826 from Charlestown; East Vincent in 1832 from Vincent; and Phoenixville in 1849 from Schuylkill.

Children

Discussion

Catherine Jane Buzzard's parents and relatives have yet to be identified. She had given her birth place as near Reading, but is discussed in St. Joseph, Missouri, obituaries as having come from Philadelphia and her announcement of her marriage in an East Vincent church showed her origin as Charlestown, which is a mile south-southwest of Phoenxiville. The numerous alternative spellings are also an issue, although her 1842 sampler has Buzzard [see picture at bottom].

The most famous Buzzard in the area was Samuel Buzzard, who was involved in the Revolutionary War. His farm was located less than a mile from the home of the Ullmans, although separated by at least 80 years.

The following section discusses possible families for Catherine Jane. The map above helps understand the relative location of the various families discussed below.
 
  • {UNLIKELY} John and Hannah Buzzard (both born ~1793) of Upper Providence, Montgomery Co., PA, appear in the 1850 census on page 312, only 4 pages after Philip Ullman and John Ullman, Benjamin Franklin Ullman's father and brother, respectively. In the 1860 census in Upper Providence, widow Hannah is within a few families of Andrew Buzzard, discussed below. In the 1830 census, John Buzzard has a daughter of the right age. However, this is likely Mahelah who with brother Theodore are the only ones listed for John Buzzard of East Vincent in the Chester County Children of the Poor for 1837, when Catherine Jane would have been 10. Therefore, it is likely John was part of Andrew's family but not father of Catherine Jane.
     
  • {UNLIKELY} The Ullmans were living in Phoenixville in the 1880s & 90s close, within two blocks, to the Simeon Buzzard family. Thus, there's the possibility that Catherine Jane came from their family. Also, upon his arrival in the area in 1842, Simeon bought land from Matthias High in Schuylkill township that bordered land owned by Jacob Vanderslice (Ellen Vanderslice is Lewis' Ullman's wife). However, Simeon Sr. is discussed in considerable detail in the Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pa comprising a Historical Sketch of the County by Samuel T. Wiley, revised and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, 1893. It states that he came to Schuylkill in 1840 from Hampshire county, Virginia (now West Virginia), where he was born on February 18, 1806, and that he married Elizabeth High in April 1833, too late to be Catherine Jane Buzzard's father. There is no mention of an older brother who might have accompanied him. However, Frederick Buzzerd, the founder of the American branch of the family, was born in Hesse Cassell, Germany, from which he came to Schuylkill township prior to the Revolutionary War. He was a well read and thoroughly posted bible student, and died in 1811, at 92. His children were: John, Frederick, Jacob, Esther Kiter, and Elizabeth Mauzzy.
     
Andrew Buzzard (var.) census entries in Montgomery & Chester Co., PA
Census CountyTwp. Father's
birth
Wife's
birth
Sons'
birth years
Daughters'
birth years
1790Mont. - <1774 <1791 <1774
<1774
1775-1790
1775-1790
1775-1790
1775-1790
<1791
1810Mont. Norriton <1765 1765-17841 1800-1810
1800-1810
1792-1794
1792-1794
1795-1800
Conclusion Andrew Sr
<1765
Elizabeth
6 Feb 1766
Andrew 1785  
1820Mont. Norriton 1775-1794 1794-1804 1810-1820
1810-1820
 
1820Phila.N. Mulberry <1765 <1765 1795-1800
1792-1795
1785-1792
1766-1785
1785-1792
1785-1795
1820ChesterCoventry 1775-1795 1775-1795 1810-1820 1810-1820
1810-1820
1830ChesterVincent 1780-1790 1780-1790 1824-30
1824-30
1815-20
1824-30
1824-30
1820-25
1815-1820
1815-1820
1840ChesterE. Vincent 1780-1790 1790-1800 1824-1830
1820-1825
1824-1830
1810-1820
1810-1820
1850ChesterE. Vincent 1785 1790 William 1828
Amos 1816
Mary 1831
1860Mont.Up. Providence 1785 1790  -  -
1870Mont.Up. Providence 1785 [1806]  -  -
Conclusion Andrew
1785
Catherine
1790
William 03/1828
Jonas 01/1824
Amos 03/1815
Mary 1831
Hannah
Lydia 09/1818
Leah 11/1813
1 - Based on Montgomery Co. Tombstones entry (Elizabeth, w/o Andrew Bossert, d. 20 Jan 1850 83-11-14; Methacton Mennonite Church, Fairview Village, Worcester Twp, PA) it is likely that the wife of this Andrew was Elizabeth.
  • {POSSIBLE, but not being listed in Mary Bossert's will is an issue.} An attempt to reconstruct the family for Andrew Buzzard is shown in table [see below for Andrew Boshart and Andrew Boshart junr in Philadelphia]. Born in 1785 with high certainty, an Andrew Buzzard is indicated in Coventry in 1814 and 1821 (PA Septennial Census). Andrew Buzzard lived in Vincent (East Vincent) Twp. by 1826, when he is listed as a grantee, and is shown there in the 1828 PA Septennial Census and the 1830 (1840) federal census with at least one as yet unidentified daughter the right age. While all of Andrew's three sons (based on the 1830 census) have been identified, only four of the possible six daughters have been [see discussion of Mary Bossert's will below]: Lydia (born 1818), Amos (1816 or 1820), Leah (1815-1820), Jonas G. (1825), William (1828), Hannah (1820-1830), and Mary G. (1831). Although Andrew's wife is Catherine, there is no identified daughter Catherine, unless she might be Catherine Jane, but why she then is not listed in Mary Bossert's will is an issue. Still, Andrew always used the spelling Buzzard, consistent with Catherine Jane's sampler.
         Andrew Buzzard may be the husband of Catherine Grubb (born 14 April 1790), daughter of Conrad Grubb. See Catherine Grubb page. This seems likely, since Andrew Bossert (b. 10 Feb 1785; 20 May 1872) and Catherine Bossert (d. 19 Feb 1866) are both buried at Green Tree Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Oaks, Montgomery Co., which is also the resting place of Philip and Ann Ullman. Andrew was co-executor for Conrad Grubb in 1821. This Andrew is likely the witness to John Baugh's will in Coventry, proved 1819.
         Who is the Andrew who shows up in the 1820 Montgomery Co. census in Norriton? Births in Montgomery Co., PA include: 11 Mar 1790 - Andreas, s/o Jacob and Eva Bossert, sponsor Andreas Bossert. Also, Advertisements and Notices from the Norristown, PA Herald lists: 22 Jan (30 Jan) 1839 - Andrew Bossert died in his 47th year. This appears to be a fairly good match with the census entry: Andw Bossart, 1 male age 25-44, 2 0-10, wife 16-25. Thus, it appears that the younger Norriton Andrew is Jacob's and Eva's son for whom an adult Andrew Bossert is a sponsor.
         Presuming the Andrew showing up in the 1790 (1810) census in Montgomery Co. (Norriton Twp.) was the 1785 Andrew's father, then Andrew junior had up to five brothers and one sister, and Andrew Senior died after 1810 at an age of at least 45. The elder Andrew Bossert is listed in the 1790 Census with Adam and Jacob Bossert in same section of list, making it likely they are part of the same family (Adam and Jacobina Bossert were parents of a family including Johann Frederick (1741 - ), J. Adam (1758-1807), and Jacob Bossert (~1750 - ) who was probably the h/o Eve & f/o Andrew noted above). This makes the above tie of the elder Andrew to Jacob's son Andrew plausible. Elder Andrew's wife is likely to be Elizabeth, who is listed as wife of Andrew Bossert, d. 20 Jan 1850 83-11-14, buried at Methacton Mennonite Church, Fairview Village, Worcester Twp, PA. She could be the female age 60-70 listed in 1830 with Jacob Bosserd (age 30-39) in Pottsgrove, who could be one of elder Andrew's sons.
     
  • {NO} Mary Bossert left a will in 1841 in East Vincent Twp. Her will lists a son George, but it is unclear if Bossert is her married or maiden name. She leaves clothing to sister Elizabeth, sister Sarah, and brother Andrew's daughters Leah, Lydia, and Hannah (Andrew's youngest daughter Mary - and possibly second youngest Catherine - are not mentioned, perhaps because they were not of the right age/size). Andrew Bossert is named executor and one witness is Amos Bossert, who is also the back-up executor. The estate sale includes purchasers Andrew, Lydia, Leah, Amos, William, and Samuel Bossert. Based on this, it is likely Mary was part of the junior Andrew's family (i.e., brother Andrew with children Leah, Lydia, Hannah, William, and Amos). That would make two of the unidentified daughters from the census Leah and Hannah, and leave Samuel Bossert to be placed [who may be Samuel L. Buzzard of Charlestown, son of John W.].
     
  • {POSSIBLE} Jacob Buzzard married Maria Elizabeth Miller on 12 Nov 1826 and Maria Bussart married Peter De Friedrich on 19 Oct 1823 at Vincent Reformed Church, East Vincent Township, Chester County, PA. The timing and location makes is plausible that Jacob was a brother of Andrew. Catherine Jane Buzzard was married at Ev. Luth. Church in East Vincent Chester Co., PA, in 1844. In the 1870 census for Pottstown, Montgomery Co., Jacob and Mary Bossert are both age 70, and shown as born in PA. It is possible Jacob and Maria were an uncle and an aunt, or even than Jacob was Catherine's father.
     
  • {POSSIBLE} According to the Chester County Archives Poor House Admissions & Discharges, John and Elizabeth Buzzard of Charlestown were ordered brought in on 26 Nov 1844. In the 1830 (1840) census, there is a John Buzzard in Charlestown (and Vincent) with one (two) daughter the right age. However, the census listings are likely John & Hannah Buzzard,
     
  • {UNLIKELY} Deborah Buzzard of Charlestown, who died at age 63 in 1848 [i.e., born 1785], appears to have only had two children, based on the 1830 census where she has two daughters age 5 to 9. According to the Chester Co. Children of the Poor, they were Mary Ann and Patience, ages 8 and 6 in 1830. They are not enumerated with Deborah in the 1840 census (although a male in his 20's has appeared). Deborah is likely related to John Buzzard born 1760-1770, since they appear within three lines (one page) of one another in the 1830 (1840) census of Charlestown. Since Deborah was born in 1785 and had children, she is likely wife of one of John Buzzard's sons.
     
  • {UNLIKELY} Samuel Bussart, who was born about 1800, lived in Shuykill Co. PA, and married to Catharina Wetzel, had a daughter Catherine. However, according to C. W. Stormer [see http://genforum.genealogy.com/buzzard/messages/777.html] she was born 19 Aug 1834 and married Joseph Stormer.
     
  • {NO} Andrew Boshart and Andrew Boshart junr appear in Philadelphia in the 1790 Philadelphia census, and it is likely the 1820 Philadelphia census entry is related. From early Philadelphia birth entries, it appears Andrew Sr. shows up as Andreas Boshart with wife Christina Catharina. They have the following children: Maria Barbara, 15 Jan 1750; Maria Barbara, 2 Feb 1752; Sophia Christina, 23 Jan 1754; Andreas, 24 Oct 1755; Jacob, 1 Nov 1757; Johnannes, 5 Dec 1759; and Christina, 31 Dec 1768. Andrew Sr. could be the Andreas showing up in 1747; in any case, he must have been born before 1730 to have children starting in 1750. Andrew Sr. and Jr. appear in the Philadelphia tax lists from 1769 & 1774 (Sr. only) and in 1779 and 1783. Andrew Sr. died 4 Feb 1796, leaving a will in Philadelphia dated 22 Oct 1793 (codacil 26 Oct 1793, proved 8 Feb 1796) listing wife Christina Catherine; children Andrew, Jacob, Barbara Geyer; step-daughter Catharine Cooper, and step-son Matthias Gensel. [This will is the subject of a case, Boshart v. Evans, that went to the state Supreme Court dated March 2, 1840, regarding a proprerty on the west side of Third Street, between Vine and Sassafras streets in Philadelphia.] In the will, son Andrew is noted as deceased with children Catharine, George and John Boshart. Andrew Jr. died 23-26 Oct 1793 and Andrew Sr's wife died 31 Oct, as a result of the yellow fever epidemic. Also, the will would imply that children Sophia Christina and Johannes, had died or been separated from the family by that time. Andrew Jr. shows up with his father in the 1791 Philadelphia directory at 136 N. Third. Andrew Boshart, cordwainer, disappears from the directory in 1793 (consistent with the will). Andrew Boshart, shoemaker, appears in 1795 and 1796, at the same address 136 N. Third St., but his relationship is unclear. At that address in 1801 [a directory with names by address], are Andrew Geyer and Matthias Gensel who were son-in-law and step-son, respectively, of Andrew Boshart, Sr. {Matthias Gensel's will in 1806 lists children of Andrew Boshart deceased as Kitty Boshart, George Boshart, John Boshart.} Then, there are no Andrew Bos-anythings until about 1816, when Andrew Bossert, tavernkeeper, shows up at 4th & Race, which is very close to 136 N. Third. By 1819, George Bossert appears at 352 N. Third, moving to 125 Race in 1820.
She also went by the name Besard.

Supporting Information

Census

Marriage

Marriage Certificate, This is to certify that Mr. Benjamin Ullman of Phoenixville and Miss Catharine J. Buzzard of Charlestown were lawfully joined together in holy wedlock on the Fourth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six.
- C. F. Weldon, Pastor of Ev. Luth. Church in East Vincent Chester Co., PA.

Cemetery

Mt. Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph, MO - first road to left after entering, plot on inside of first curve and has railing. Tall tombstone.

Obituaries

St. Joseph Gazette 2/1878 -
    A SUDDEN DEATH
    Mrs. Catherine Jane Ullman Dies of Congestive Apoplexy

       The readers of the Gazette will be pained to learn of the sudden death of Mrs. Catherine J. Ullman, wife of Major Ben Ullman, at the family residence on Fourth street at 10 o'clock yesterday morning. Her health had been regarded as very good up to Tuesday evening. She ate a hearty supper then, but shortly afterwards complained of having a severe headache, which was followed by dizziness. She was soon compelled to lie down, and Dr. Doyle was called in . He soon saw that the attack was a serious one, being nothing less than congestive apoplexy. Drs. J. D. Smith and A. V. Vanes were sent for, and the three physicians did all in their power to save the lady's life. But their efforts were of no avail, and continuing to grow worse, she died, as stated before, at 10 o'clock yesterday morning.
       Mrs. Ullman was born in 1827, and was in the fifty first year of her age at the time of her death. She was married to Major Ullman in 1846. Her maiden name was Buzard. She had three children living in the city - John Louis, William, and Emma - and three dead. She was a woman of rare endowments, prominent among which was that of benevolence, a faithful wife, a loving mother and a kind neighbor. Her loss ..."
Obituary (ibid)

Gazette -

Other Researchers

Compilation of various Buzzard / Buzard / Buzzerd / Bossard / Bossart inquiries and info.

Other References

  • Buzzard and Alt Families by Monte Buzzard - Compilation of a varied Buzzard information.

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