Research Highlights

[CLIENT] Carroll1804 IW1804308mh 26 July 2018

Research Highlights

GOALS

Research John Carroll, born 1818 in New York to determine his immigrant ancestor.

PROGRESS

Located John Carroll in the 1850 federal census in Montgomery County, New York, which indicated he and his presumed wife Jane were born in Massachusetts. Examined John Carroll’s enumeration in the 1855 New York State Census, which stated John was born in Schenectady County, New York, and his presumed wife Jane was born in Massachusetts. Noted the 1855 census stated his presumed daughter Harriett was born in Montgomery County, New York. Determined Aaron Carroll was the only Schenectady County head of household with that surname from 1820 to 1840 old enough to have fathered John Carroll. Learned Aaron Carroll resided relatively close to John Carroll in Glenville, New York, as enumerated in the 1860 federal census. Using census records and Find A Grave memorials, found Aaron Carroll and his presumed wife Cynthia were likely born in Massachusetts in the 1780s. Learned Cynthia’s maiden name was Dresser, per the image of her headstone found at Find A Grave. Searched for probate and land records for John and Aaron Carroll in Schenectady and Montgomery County, New York, but found none. Discovered the marriage record of Aaron Carroll and Cynthia Dresser in 1803 in Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Learned several men surnamed Carriel, a likely variant of Carroll, were enumerated in Sutton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the 1800 federal census. Their given names were Nathaniel, Aaron, Timothy, John, and Henry. Reviewed the client’s DNA matches and noted her father matched many men surnamed Carroll who claim descent from Nathaniel Carriel, reportedly born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1638.

Located online family trees that included many men by the name of Carriel who lived in Sutton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and who allegedly descended from Nathaniel Carriel, born in 1638. Determined Aaron Carrol and Cynthia Dresser were most likely the parents of John Carroll, and that the client probably descends from Nathaniel Carriel, born in 1638.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Search for church records, newspaper articles, and other private records, such as diaries, in Schenectady and surrounding counties in New York that might directly state the relationship between John and Aaron Carroll. 2. Examine records in Worcester County, Massachusetts, that might do the same, and could also establish the parentage of Aaron Carroll of Glenville, New York. 3. Seek military service and pension records for Aaron Carroll in the War of 1812 that could provide genealogical or biographical details and possibly more evidence of his connection to John Carroll. 4. Research the Dresser family in Worcester County, Massachusetts, to establish the ancestry of Cynthia Dresser Carroll. Tracing her family might shed more light on Aaron Carroll’s life and ancestry.

Research Report

For this session, we were asked to research John Carroll, born 1818 in New York, to determine his immigrant ancestor. We began by examining the documents provided by the client directly and those attached to her Ancestry family tree. Those documents included a compiled descendancy report for John Carroll; images from John’s enumeration in the 1855 New York state census, as well as his appearances in the 1860 and 1870 federal censuses; and an 1863 draft registration for John in Joliet, Will County, Illinois. None of these documents provided information about John’s parentage. We thus sought additional records in Schenectady County, New York, that might do so.

John Carroll

Prior to the record of his appearance in the 1855 New York State census, as provided by the client, John Carroll was enumerated in the 1850 federal census. He was counted in Montgomery County, New York, which adjoins Schenectady County to the west. John’s later town of residence, Glenville, was only a short distance east of the Montgomery County line.1 John, 35, was reportedly a carpenter born in Massachusetts. His presumed wife, Jane, was 25 and also said to have been born in Massachusetts. Their household also included a presumed son, Alexander Carroll, age 10 and born in New York.2 Due to the calculated age of Jane at Alexander’s birth, she might have been John’s second wife. Also, Alexander could have been a relative of John, such as a much younger brother, cousin, or nephew. U.S.

1 Google Maps, http://maps.google.com, accessed July 2018. 2 1850 U.S. Census (population schedule), Montgomery County, New York, dwelling 180, John Carroll household, http://myheritage.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 1.

Census enumerators were not required to note relationships between members of a household until 1880, though they sometimes did so anyway.

Comparison of John’s 1850 household with his household as enumerated in 1855 in the state census of New York, a copy of which was attached to the client’s Ancestry tree, indicated Alexander Carroll had either died or moved away. John had reportedly only aged one year in the intervening five years, but his presumed wife “Jane Abigail” was 29 in 1855, consistent with her reported age of 25 in 1850. In 1855, Jane Abigail was said to have been born in Massachusetts, as “Jane” had been in 1850. However, John was described as being born in Schenectady County, New York, in the 1855 census. This is consistent with 1860 and 1870 census returns, provided by the client, which indicate a New York place of birth for John. Finally, the 1855 census reported Montgomery County as the place of birth for presumed daughter Harriett. She was born there about 1851. Presumed son Richard was said to have been born in Schenectady County about 1854.3

The combined evidence from the 1850 and 1855 censuses indicated John and Jane Abigail had married in or before 1850, possibly as early as 1840. John had either been born in Massachusetts or Schenectady County, New York, between 1814 and 1819. Jane had been born in Massachusetts around 1824–1826. John had been working as a carpenter in 1850, but had become an innkeeper in Glenville, New York, by 1855.4

Examination of John’s household in 1860 and 1870, using images provided by the client, showed John was still an innkeeper in Glenville in 1860. His and Jane’s places of birth were listed as New York and Massachusetts, respectively. By 1870, John and his family had relocated to Joliet, Will County, Illinois, where John was once again working as a carpenter,

3 Documents provided by the client. 4 Documents provided by the client.

while his and Jane’s places of birth were by then reported as both being in New York.5 Overall, the evidence pointed to a Massachusetts origin for John and Jane, or their recent ancestors, due to the patterned inconsistency of their reported places of birth.

Aaron Carroll of Schenectady County

Operating under the assumption that John Carroll was likely born in Schenectady County, and that his family had probably come from Massachusetts previously, a search was made for Carroll men heading households in Schenectady and Montgomery Counties prior to 1850. Only one man was found who was old enough to have been John’s father—Aaron Carroll of Glenville, New York. Glenville was the same town in which John Carroll also lived between 1855 and 1863. Aaron first appeared in Schenectady County in the 1820 federal census, as “Aaron Carl” in Glenville. His household included three white males aged less than ten years. John was born 1814–1819, so would have been of the right age to have been Aaron’s son in 1820.6

Aaron was not found in the 1830 census, but in 1840 his household in Glenville included two white males age 20 to 29. John Carroll would have been about 25 in 1840 and thus could have been one of the white males in Aaron Carroll’s household that year.7 The presence of Revolutionary War veteran Andrew Seaman in Aaron’s household is unexplained, as a consultation of Andrew’s pension file revealed no mention of Aaron Carroll or anyone of a similar name.8

5 Documents provided by the client. 6 1820 U.S. Census (population schedule), Glenville, Schenectady County, New York, p. 120A, Aaron Carl household, http://myheritage.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 2. 7 1840 U.S. Census (population schedule), Glenville, Schenectady County, New York, p. 316, Aaron Carl household, http://myheritage.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 3a–b. 8 Revolutionary War Pensions, Andrew Seaman, private, Hoyt’s Company, Col. Bradley’s Regt., Connecticut Line, pension no. S.28872, 1838, National Archives and Records Administration, http://fold3.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. Copy available upon request.

In 1850, Aaron Carroll was enumerated in the town of Rotterdam, Schenectady County, New York. He was said to be age 67 and born in New York. He was working as a cooper. His presumed wife Cynthia was also said to be 67 and born in New York.9 Rotterdam is about 13 miles south of Glenville.10

Aaron was not found in the 1855 New York state census. In the 1860 federal census, however, Aaron was reportedly age 79 and born in Massachusetts. He was a farmer living in Glenville. His presumed wife Cynthia was 76 and also born in Massachusetts.11 They were enumerated only four pages from John Carroll, the client’s ancestor.

In the 1865 New York state census, Aaron was reported as being 84 and born in Massachusetts, while his presumed wife “Synthy” was 82 and born in Massachusetts, also. The census that year included the information that he and Cynthia were the parents of twelve children. Aaron and Cynthia’s ages seem to have been exaggerated, as they should have been in their late seventies; age inflation of the elderly is a common occurrence in older records.12

In 1870, Aaron was working as a farmer in East Glenville, Schenectady County. He was said to be age 89, and his presumed wife “Synthia” was 87. Both were born in Massachusetts. Living two dwellings away from Aaron in 1870 was Chandler Carroll, born in

9 1850 U.S. Census (population schedule), Rotterdam, Schenectady County, New York, dwelling 287, Aaron Carroll household, http://myheritage.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 4. 10 Google Maps, http://maps.google.com, accessed July 2018. 11 1860 U.S. Census (population schedule), Glenville, Schenectady County, New York, p. 20, Aaron Carroll household, http://myheritage.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 5. 12 1865 New York State Census (population schedule), Glenville, Schenectady County, p. 5, Aaron Carroll household, http://ancestry.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 6.

Massachusetts about 1804, according to the census enumeration. Chandler was of the right age to have been a son of Aaron and Cynthia.13

Aaron Carroll/Carl was the only man of that surname to head a household in Schenectady County between 1820 and 1840 old enough to have been John Carroll’s father. If John Carroll had been born in that county about 1814 to 1819, as reported by the 1855 census, then Aaron Carroll would then be the only known candidate to have been John’s father. However, a search of Schenectady and Montgomery County probate and land records, which might have stated a relationship between the two men, located no documents mentioning Aaron or John Carroll.

Aaron Carroll and Cynthia Dresser

Find A Grave memorials were located for Aaron and Cynthia Carroll in Glenville, New York, including a headstone image. They were buried in the cemetery of the Reformed Dutch Church of Glenville. Aaron reportedly died on 19 July 1872 at the age of 91 years, 1 month, and 20 days.14 If accurate, this would mean Aaron was born on or about 29 May 1781. This is consistent with his various ages as reported in his census appearances. Atypically, Cynthia’s maiden name is included on the headstone inscription—Dresser. She was said to have died 28 July 1871 at the age of 87 years, 4 months, and 6 days, thus making her born on 22 March 1784.15 A search was made of a database containing the records of the First Reformed Dutch Church of Glenville, but no mention was found of John Carroll. Marriage

13 1870 U.S. Census (population schedule), East Glenville, Schenectady County, New York, p. 16, Chandler and Aaron Carroll households, http://myheritage.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 7. 14 Find A Grave (images and transcription), First Reformed Dutch Churchyard, West Glenville, Schenectady County, New York, headstone and memorial for Aaron Carroll, 1781–19 July 1872, memorial no. 173458577, http://findagrave.com, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 8. 15 Find A Grave (images and transcription), First Reformed Dutch Churchyard, West Glenville, Schenectady County, New York, headstone and memorial for Cynthia Dresser Carroll, 1784–28 July 1871, memorial no. 173459029, http://findagrave.com, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 9.

records were found in that church for Chandler Carroll, probable son of Aaron, and for Aaron’s daughter Abigail in 1826 and 1832, respectively.16

Headstone of Aaron Carroll and Cynthia Dresser Carroll, courtesy of Find A Grave.

Additionally, a memorial was found for a Richard J. Carroll in the same cemetery as Aaron and Cynthia Dresser Carroll, stating he was born in 1823 and died on 1 June 1847, and that he was their son. However, no image of his headstone was included.17 Find A Grave memorials are contributed by volunteers and vary in their accuracy. While they should be

16 U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639–1989, Glenville (NY) Church, Consistory Minutes, Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths, 1812–1876 (image and transcription), First Dutch Reformed Church, marriage register entry for Chandler Carrol and Ann Maria Egleston, 18 May 1826, p. 29, Glenville, Schenectady County, New York, http://ancestry.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 10; and U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639–1989, Glenville (NY) Church, Consistory Minutes, Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths, 1812–1876 (image and transcription), First Dutch Reformed Church, marriage register entry for Abigail, daughter of Aaron Carrol, and Lansing Ostrom, 12 January 1832, p. 32, Glenville, Schenectady County, New York, http://ancestry.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 11. 17 Find A Grave (images and transcription), First Reformed Dutch Churchyard, West Glenville, Schenectady County, New York, headstone and memorial for Richard J. Carroll, 1823–1 June 1847, memorial no. 168958501, http://findagrave.com, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 12.

confirmed with original source documents, they are also an invaluable source for headstone photographs and clues to an ancestor's family ties. The possible naming of a son Richard by Aaron and Cynthia is significant because John Carroll named a son Richard Norton Carroll, according to the client.

As Aaron and Cynthia were usually reported as having been born in Massachusetts, a search was made in the town vital records of Massachusetts. A match was found in the record of Aaron Carol and Cynthia Dresser, who married at Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, on 11 December 1803.18

In the 1800 federal census, several “Carriel” households were found in Worcester County in the town of Sutton, which lies 13 miles east of Charlton.19 Carriel was likely a phonetic variant of Carroll. The Carriel heads of household were Nathaniel, Aaron, Timothy, John, and Henry. As the Aaron Carroll who married Cynthia Dresser in 1803 was reportedly only 19 in 1800, he likely did not yet head a household. Of the men mentioned above, only Nathaniel, Aaron, and John were old enough to have a son born in 1781, and each did indeed have at least one white male in the 16–25-year-old age bracket enumerated in their households.20 Additional research will need to be conducted in Worcester County to determine if any of these men was the father of Aaron Carroll who married Cynthia Dresser in 1803 and relocated to Glenville, New York, by 1820.

18 Massachusetts, “Charlton Marriages,” marriage register entry for Aaron Carol and Cynthia Dresser, 11 December 1803, p. 133, Charlton, Worcester County, Family History Library microfilm no. 253254, viewed digitally, http://familysearch.org, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 13. 19 Google Maps, http://maps.google.com, accessed July 2018. 20 1800 U.S. Census (population schedule), Worcester County, Massachusetts, p. 151, Nathaniel, Aaron, Timothy, John, and Henry Carriel households, http://myheritage.com, subscription database, accessed July 2018. DOCUMENT 14.

DNA Evidence

An analysis of the DNA results provided by the client at Family Tree DNA indicated the client’s father matches several men with the surname Carroll who claim descent from Nathaniel Carriel, a man reportedly born in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, around 1638. Though the client had indicated in her initial correspondence that she did not think John Carroll descended directly from Nathaniel Carriel, the evidence presented above indicates he is likely to have been Nathaniel’s descendant. A great many Carriels lived in Worcester County, Massachusetts, prior to 1800, according to preliminary checks of online family trees.21 These included men named Nathaniel Carriel who were reportedly descended from the man of that name born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1638. A man of that name also appeared in the 1800 census living next to a man named Aaron Carriel, as described above. The next project could also focus on connecting the Worcester County Carriel family to Nathaniel Carriel of Essex County, Massachusetts, using traditional paper records, such as land and probate documents.

Conclusion

Based on the combination of evidence presented above, it appears likely that John Carroll of Glenville, New York, and later Joliet, Illinois, was the son of Aaron Carroll/Carl/Carriel and his wife Cynthia Dresser, who married in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in 1803, and were living in Glenville, New York, by 1820. Though no will, deed, or other document directly stated that relationship, the remaining evidence found indicated this was the most likely scenario. Additionally, genetic evidence supported this conclusion by demonstrating the client was likely a descendant of Nathaniel Carriel of Salem, Massachusetts, whose descendants appear to have migrated to Worcester County.

21 See “Nathaniel Carriel (1724–1816),” WikiTree, http://wikitree.com, accessed July 2018.

The next project should focus on the records of Worcester County, Massachusetts, including town vital records and land, probate, court, and church records, in an attempt to establish a firmer paper trail to Schenectady County, New York. For now, we very much enjoyed the challenge presented by researching the elusive John Carroll family in nineteenth-century upstate New York. We look forward to working on this project again in the near future.