Tombstone Tuesday 15 Dec 2009 [Peleg & Hannah]

Peleg E. CHAMPLIN
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

John Almeron CHAMPLIN's parents: Peleg E. CHAMPLIN and his wife Hannah BURDICK.

This four sided granite monument in River Bend Cemetery in Westerly, RI can be found in Section 23 quite close to my own ancestors Jabez Champlin GARDINER and his wife Eliza BICKNELL. I have not found out why my ancestor bears the name Champlin for his middle name. When I first discovered Jabez's grave, I made note that the other gravestones very close to his are all of the surname CHAMPLIN (and not Gardiner). I'd love to solve this naming convention mystery.

Peleg Everett CHAMPLIN and his wife Hannah BURDICK are one of my aunt Hannah's set of grandparents. Obviously, Hannah is named for this grandmother. This monument is clearly read and contains the persons buried here exact dates of birth and death.

Peleg was born 22 March 1872 in Westerly, Rhode Island. The RI Vital Records do not contain any records for him so I turned to the LDS Web site to see what is recorded there. The dates match and his places of birth and death are listed. The 1900 federal census lists this couple and states they were married in 1895. They live on Seventh St. in Providence, RI with their son John A. CHAMPLIN. This census gives month and year of birth which matches the gravestone. John is 4 years old. Peleg died 19 Apr 1930 in Cranston, RI [LDS record]. As of today, I have not found him in the 1920 census.

Hannah BURDICK was born 12 Jan 1872 in Westerly, RI. She is listed as the granddaughter of Mary BURDICK in the 1880 census along with another granddaughter in a household of Mary's single sons. Who were Hannah's parents? Can we assume that both were dead by 1880?

Apparently, John was the only child that Peleg and Hannah had. She died 7 June 1912.

There's still much work to be done on this couple?

Alpheus A. BURDICK

Alpheus A. BURDICK
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Alpheus A. BURDICK was the second husband of Eliza C. VIBBER SCHOLFIELD. He was born 25 March 1802 in Westerly, RI. and died 8 Feb 1889 leaving Eunice a widow for the second time.

An unverified source lists Alpheus as being born in Rockville, RI, son of Deacon Alpheus Burdick (1770-1841) and his wife Phebe Larkin. He married first, Tacy CARPENTER, daughter of John and Esther. She was born 14 Feb 1804 in Hopkinton, RI and died 11 Dec 1858. They had 4 children.

Alpheus is listed as being a Seventh Day Baptist.

Any verification of this information would be appreciated!

Eunice C. VIBBER

Eunice C. VIBBER
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Eunice C. VIBBER was the daughter of William VIBBER and Elizabeth LYON. She married (1) Joseph Arthur SCHOLFIELD and (2) Alpheus A. BURDICK.

Eunice4 (William3, Nathaniel2, John1), was born 2 Sept 1817, in Montville, CT, daughter of William VIBBER and his second wife Elizabeth LYON. She was the last child born to William. She married Joseph Arthur SCHOLFIELD 27 Sept 1835 and when he died she married Alpheus [date unknown]. She died 15 May 1902 [age 84 years and 9 months] at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth Scholfield MANN. She lived in Westerly from 1851 until she died of a stroke ["shock"].

In addition to her son Joseph and daughter-in-law Sarah, Eunice is buried with both husbands and two of her children.

Eunice was one of my third great-grandmothers.

Sources:
The History of Montville, p.233 #32
Westerly Sun Obituary, 15 May 1902 [source: B. Fallon]