Richard Henry Lee Introduces a Resolution for Independence

Richard Henry Lee

"That these United Colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; that measures should be immediately taken for procuring the assistance of foreign powers, and a Confederation be formed to bind the colonies more closely together." Richard Henry Lee to the Continental Congress June 7, 1776 in Philadelphia.

His resolution was seconded by John Adams. During the ensuing debate it became clear the Congress and public at large needed a document codifying why breaking with England was necessary and just. The document, the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson was presented to the Continental Congress on June 28^th and was passed unanimously on July 2, 1776. 

So who was Richard Henry Lee? He was a public servent from a distinguished Virginia family of public servants. There is a interesting biographic sketch on the American History site. The 1776 musical also delves into the Lee Family in this fun song. 

Morristown Festival of Books Launches its One Community, One Book Initiative with the announcement of Providence by Lisa Colozza Cocca as the 2014 Featured Book

In this inaugural season, the Morristown Festival of Books introduces One Community One Book (OCOB) and its 2014 selection of Morris County resident’s YA novel, Providence.  The One Community, One Book committee, co-chaired by Roxbury resident Kim Armstrong and Morristown resident Michelle Russo, considered a wide variety books, before settling on Ms. Cocca’s Providence. The OCOB initiative encourages curiosity, dialogue and discovery by engaging community book groups, high school students and teachers, library patrons and the public at large in discussions using a single book that appeals to a diverse readership.  The One Book selection needs broad appeal to all ages of readers. Providence touches on loss and abandonment, the challenges of the elderly and keeping small communities vibrant. “As a member of the sandwich generation, I can easily relate to the multi-generation aspects of Providence and believe others will as well.” says Armstrong.

Lisa Colozza Cocca

“New Jersey is celebrating its 350 anniversary, so showcasing a local author was high on our wish list” continues Armstrong. Lisa Colozza Cocca, a Flanders resident, is a freelance writer and editor in educational publishing.  She is the author of numerous nonfiction titles for children and young adults, including Reconstruction and the Aftermath of the Civil War, Marquis de Lafayette: Fighting for America’s Freedom, and the Understanding Graphs series. When the sun goes down, Lisa is back at the computer writing. She is most excited about her debut YA novel, Providence (Merit Press/F&W Media). Lisa can be found at www.lisacolozzacocca.com.

Providence will be a recommended summer reading selection for Pingry and other area schools. Book clubs throughout the county will join in the discussions in the months surrounding the festival. Other events around the area include a June OCOB Kickoff at Kemmerer Harding Library and an in-depth panel discussion on the themes addressed in Providence. The Morris County libraries, which strengthen our communities by connecting people with ideas and information, are solidly behind the OCOB initiative and are participating in the planning of activities and events. Providence will be available at your local library and through the Bookworm in Bernardsville, the official bookseller of OCOB for the Festival.

The Morristown Festival of Books will take place on Sept 26-27 on South Street. As described by the event’s chair Linda Hellstrom from Morristown," it is designed to celebrate the power of the written word to challenge, transport and transform us, while bringing together our community in conversation." The festival model has been used successfully by communities around the world.

Lisa Colozza Cocca will be one of the 17 authors participating in the Friday – Saturday Festival.  The full author line-up and the schedule for Saturday will be published in June. For more information on One Community, One Book and the Morristown Book Festival, visit us on the web at: www.morristownfestivalofbooks.org, like us on Facebook at: Morristown Festival of Books and follow us on Twitter: @MorristownBooks

Questions? Go to info@morristownfestivalofbooks.org

Honoring Our Mothers Ferro-Monte Chapter, NSDAR

Saturday May 10th the Ferro-Monte Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will be touring the historic sites of Ledgewood in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Mother’s Day. They will be visiting the King Canal Store and Homestead. The Daughters will honor Gold Star and Blue Star mothers as well as their own at a tea in the Silas Riggs Saltbox House. 

Ferro-Monte Chapter meetings are held at Roxbury Township Free Public Library 103 Main St, Succasunna, NJ at 10am the 2nd Saturday of the month from October - April. Prospective members are always welcome. If you have an interest in learning about your family tree, we can help you; maybe we can even find a Patriot among your leaves. For information, email: NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com. 

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org.

Morristown Festival of Books Announces Keynote Speaker

 Morristown Festival of Books kicks off Sept. 26 - New Jersey Hills Media Group: Randolph Reporter News: William D. Cohan, author of "The Price of Silence" about the Duke lacrosse scandal, will be the keynote speaker for the inaugural Morristown Festival of Books at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26 at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, South Street, Morristown.

Friends of Roxbury Library Book Sale Starts Today

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Among-Friends.html?soid=1104907686970&aid=pT7x94O_o1w

Conflicting Sources

Sarah Shelly Obit

Last week I waited impatiently for the release of Pennsylvania death certificates on Ancestry.com. This week, I am pondering a discrepancy between one of those death certificates and a marriage license as to who is Sarah Ann Shelly's parents. The first clue I found was Sarah's obituary which names her parents as Abram & Hannah Shelley. While obituaries can provide wonderful clues they can also be filled with erroneous details and family tales. My search then took me to investigating her marriages. The wonderful History of the Woodcock Family from 1692 to September 1, 1912 which has a family tree from my grandpa Clinton Burket back thru Patriot ancestor Bancroft Woodcock, beginning with my immigrant ancestors Rachel Bancroft and Robert Woodcock has given me many leads. Unfortunately the information on Sarah is of limited help. It states Milton Woodcock married Sarah A. Shelley 9 Aug 1865, but does not name her parents. 

After Milton’s death, Sarah remarried in 1886 to Isaac Steele. Here on their marriage application, Sarah’s parents are Jacob & Anna Shelly. Only husband to be Isaac provided the information to the clerk, so did he know his wife’s parents? 

Isaac Steele and Sarah Shelly Woodcock Marriage License

Fast forwarding to last week, I found her death certificate on Ancestry.com. The family information was filled out her son-in-law David Burket whom she was living with at the time of her death. He declared Sarah’s parents were Abraham Shelley and Hannah Brown. So who really was Sarah’s parents and where should I search from here? 

Sarah's Death Certificate

8 Nov 1837 – born to _____________; parent info conflicting

9 Aug 1865 – married Milton Woodcock; Source: History of the Woodcock family pg 34; no parents mentioned

3 Apr 1867 – daughter Elizabeth Catherine born

1 Jul 1868 – daughter Virginia born

4 Jul 1870 – son John born

1870 census – 32, living with Milton and 3 children in Holmesville, Ohio

12 Dec 1871 – son William born

6 Feb 1872 – son William died

2 Jul 1873 – daughter Susan born

10 Feb 1875 – husband Milton Woodcock died; Source: will names Sarah as wife; Sarah’s obit

1880 census – 43, widow, 4 of her children living with her; sharing property with Hannah Shelly in Hopewell, PA

1886 – Married Isaac Steele Source: marriage license; parents listed as Jacob & Anna Shelly

1900 census – 65, married, living with daughter and son-in-law (Mock), not husband

24 Sep 1904 – husband Isaac Steele died; Source: findagrave.com

1910 census – 69, widow, living with daughter and son-in-law (Mock)

1920 census – 84, widow, living with daughter and son-in-law (Burket)

19 Aug 1921 – died at home of daughter and son-in-law (Burket) Source: obit & death cert; obit lists parents listed as Abram & Hannah Shelly; info provided by son-in-law (Burket) parents Abraham Shelley and Hannah Brown

Friends of Roxbury Library Begins Book Collection

Time to donate your gently used unwanted books and DVDs to the Roxbury Library

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Among-Friends.html?soid=1104907686970&aid=LxtVkPIdKDg