Monday, May 25, 2020

Blake Family from Harpswell, Maine in Manuscript Genealogy of William Willson of Harpswell, Maine, and St. George, Maine


Pages 134-136 relating to the Blake family of Harpswell, Maine, in a manuscript genealogy of William Willson (about 1750-1801), also seen as Wilson, his descendants and related families of Harpswell and Saint George, Maine.

The genealogy was handwritten by Willson's great grandson William Blake Josephs (1854-1918) of Portland, Maine, in 1901 [with later entries by both himself and others].

The manuscript is discussed in installments, as noted below.

The manuscript measures approximately 7-1/2" by 5"and contains 201 numbered pages, with pages 182-183 and 199-200 missing.  William Blake Josephs wrote the vast majority of the information.

Note: most of the entries are unsourced, but information may have come from people with direct knowledge. Take all with a grain of salt, knowing there may be nuggets here not found anywhere else.

Be aware: the compiler used very little punctuation, including periods at the end of sentences, and was not careful about pronoun antecedents and spelling.  All of this makes some of his information difficult to nail down.

Toward the end are a few pages of entries in a more contemporary hand, perhaps entered by Joseph's widow Mary Jane (Blair) Josephs or one of their children. The missing pages are in this section.

Preface 

Page 3
Having some family records and
wishing to preserve them is what led 
me to prepair this Book the early trad-
itions of the family herein quoted
have been handed down to me and
are Know doubt correct the principle
part of this work is the Military His-
tory of my great grand Father William
Willson his record of service in the Am-
erican Revolution i got from the 
Secretary of the State of Mass. (Maine
Was a part of Mass until 1820) this rec-
ord was taken from the Revolutionary
Archives of the State of Mass. The accou-
nt of the Battles he passed through
Was taken from the best works in pr-
int on the Revolutionary War Viz
Carringtons Battles of the American
Revolution, Lossings Field Book of
The Revolution. Paul Allen's History
of the American Revolution (Published
in 1819). Dr. Thatchers Military Jour-
nal. The part that relates to the 
Penobscot Expedition was taken from 

Page 4
Williamsons History of Maine also
Nathan Goulds History of Col Jona-
than Mitchells Reg. of Cumberland Co
The experience of the Regts to which Will-
iam Willson was attached was also his 
Experience so I have given the Battles
In detail which is very interesting rea-
ding especially that part which has refer-
ence to Cap Enos Stones Journal in
These few extracts it shows what beca-
me of the Prisoners taken by the British
in the Battle of Hubbardton Vermont it
can not be found in any history that
I ever saw. our Ancestor William Willson 
was one of the Prisoners


Contents
Chapter I - Ancestry - Early Wilson Familys
Chapter II - William Willson and Descendants
Chapter III - The Militia Co and enlistment into Continental Army
Chapter IV - Advance of Burgoyne
Chapter V - Evacuation of TiconderogaBattle of Hubbardton
Chapter VI - Capt. Enos Stones Journal
Chapter VII - Penobscot Expedition
Maine Historical Soc Safe [ page 174
Additional entries



Pages 134 and 135

Blake Family of Harpswell

This family was connected with the 
Wilson family by marriage.
        _________________

Jacob Blake
Published to Thankful Baley 2d 
November 1776
        __________________

Simeon Blake (1)
married Mary daughter of William
Wilson
children - Catherine born 7th May 1804
        ___________________

John Blake
married 1st Oct 1759 Jenny daughter
of Waitsill Webber  [Waitstill ?]
Children
John born 10 Feb 1751
Susanna born 20 Feb 1764 died Dec 1828
Patience - born 10th March 1766
Jeremiah - born 12th July 1768 died April 1801 [or, less likely, 1861]
Samuel - born 9th June 1769 - died Jan 1842
Reuben - born 7th July 1771 
Catherine born 10th March 1773
William - born 8th Oct 1775 died 1825
Nathaniel - born Aug 11 - 1777 died [next page] 21st March 1845

(1) See page 19

Simeon born 10th Jan 1778 died 9th Nov 1832
Jenny - born 11 Aug 1781 died 1 May 1857
Jeremiah born 12th Feb 1783
          _________________

Capt John Blake died 1st April 1845
          __________________

Reuben Blake
married Thankful _____
Children
Rachell born 27 April 1797
Lemuel - born 15 Oct 1798
Reuben born 15th July 1800
           ___________________

John Blake Jr.
Published to Thankful Bray both
of Harpswell 11th July 1775 - Mrs. Blake died
12th April 1845
Children
Abigail born 22d May 1776
Hannah - born 25th April 1778
Jacob born 12th Aug 1780
Robert born 22d Sept 1782
Ezekiel born 26th Dec 1784
Mercy born 16th April 1786
Lucy b 5th July 1788
Robert born 13th Dec 1791
Betsey born 12th June 1793
Mary born 16th Oct 1795
Isaac born 8th Oct 1798
Mary born 24th June 1802


Page 136

Blake family of Harpswell

Samuel Blake
mar Abigail [penciled entry: Clark dau of Josiah 1795] who died
31st Dec 1827
Children
Priscilla - born 27 November 1795
William - born 13th Sept 1799
Jeremiah - born 19th Sept 1801
Charles born 9th July 1804
Clark - born 21st Oct 1806 - died 29 - March 1888
Samuel born 11th Jan 1809
     _______________________

If you notice errors or have information on any of the people mentioned above, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

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