Monday, February 6, 2012
Ed.
Here is some information I want to share with you, about the connection between Sweeney’s, Phillips and Bear families.
The emails are from a fellow genealogist, who has been working on the Jennings family line. Rebecca Jennings married my gg grandfather, Edward Sweeney. Rebecca had a brother named Morgan. Morgan is in Kathryns family line.
I will send my family tree as soon as I can find a little time.
From Kathryn Knewson
email address knewson@erie.net
Sent via email on
Dear Ed,
Edward and Rebecca Jennings had nine children. Of those, I have only been able to find where three of them, Mary, Juliett and Edward, married. Juliett married a Civil War veteran, Chester Phillips and had three children. The boys were Jonathan and Edward Phillips. The only girl, Sarah Phillips married John Bear. I am unsure of exactly how many children they had but they did have a son, Henry who served in the Spanish-American War. I have a copy of the pension record which states that Henry who was married and evidently had several children, was committed to a VA Mental Institute where he died more than 25 years later, never having gotten well enough to return home.
I came across the Bear family connection when I found Henry living with his grandparents, Chester and Juliett Sweeny Phillips in the 1900 census.
Mary Sweeny married a James Anderson on December 2, 1861. I believe they had at least one child, Amanda Anderson who I found living with the Sweeny's in the 1880 census. Amanda was age 15.
What does idiotic mean in the census? I am not sure. The census taker would not be a mental health professional nor was their much understanding of mental health. It is possible that they were just a little different or maybe only marginally retarded or it is possible that they had a physical handicap. Idiotic in the 1800's did not mean then what it needs know. Venango County does have an institute for mentally retarded children but I have not been able to get any records. I talked to a woman who worked there and she stated that while she was there, part of her job was burning old patient records. These orders to destroy these records means that there would be no record of any of the
patients from long ago. I do not know at what year they were to stop burning records.
1850 census - only Jonathan is listed as being idiotic
1860 census - none are listed as being idiotic
1870 census - only Jonathan is listed as being idiotic
1880 census - There parents are deceased. Sarah is listed as head of household.
Jonathan, Martha, Jemima and Rebecca are listed as being idiotic
There are many questions on this family that I do not have. I know no one to ask so I have to dig for the information.
I have never been able to find where the Sweeny's are buried. (Chester Phillips is buried at Cooperstown. There is no
stone for his wife but that doesn't mean that she's not buried there. I find no record of any of their children being
buried there or anyone with the surnames Sweeny, Phillips, or Bear). The Sweeny's lived in Cooperstown. It is
possible that Edward and Rebecca Jennings Sweeny were buried at the old Pioneer Cemetery in Cooperstown which I
have not gone through but it does not explain where their children are buried.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Newson
The following is from Kathryn Newson, sent via email on Feb 1, 2000. This is the will of Chester Phillips son in law of Edward Sweeny Sr.
I, Chester Phillps of Jackson Township, Venango County, PA being of sound mind but weak of body and believing that my departure from this life near at hand and that I may be better prepared to pass from this time to Eternity,do make this my last will and testament. Revoking or making dead all or any former wills by me made. First I, command my soul to Almighty God my Creator my body to be berried in Keas Graveyard and to my daughter Sarah Culbertson I do give and bequeath all I own or possess in personal property and real estate on the following conditions that she gives me a pleasant berrial and pay what little bills I may be owing and gives each of my boys John and Edward $5.00 and I do constitute and appoint H.A Bear, my grandson sole executor of this my last will and testament.
signed Chester Phillips May 1909.
From Kathryn Knewson
email address knewson@erie.net
Sent via email on 1/30/2000
Ed,
I do not have that much more information on the descendants of Edward and Rebecca (Jennings) Sweeney. You always refer to him as John instead of Edward. Why? I have never found his name given as John.
Sarah Phillips who m John Bear on 16 Dec. 1875 had 3 children that I have been able to find but there may be more. 1) Henry Alfred b 9 Nov. 1878; 2) Manda E. who according to the census records was born about 1878 which either means that Henry and Manda were twins or the census record is wrong; 3) Leona b ? m ____ Nelson who is the only sibling listed in Henry's military record.
1) Henry Alfred Bear whom I found in the census records at least once to be living with the Sweeney's, d 2 Nov. 1952 at the VA Hospital at Chillecothe, Ohio, buried Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, PA., m Sara Gertrude McGruff on 12 April 1905 in Olean, NY. They had 5 children: a) Charles, b) Isabelle, possibly never married; c) Robert; d) Donald; e) Chester. Henry served in the Spanish-American War. I have a copy of Henry's pension record. The VA Hospital that he died in and where he had been a patient for many years, was a hospital that the VA used for "Mental Illness". I don't remember if the record ever gave a diagnosis or not. I have never had a military record that was so large.
As far as the Jennings family, Jacob was the youngest of 5 surviving children of Zebulon (Jr.) and Joanna/Johanna (Little) Jennings. Zebulon Jr. was b 26 Nov. 1735 in NJ, d 16 Oct. 1776, buried at Westfield, NJ. Zebulon (Jr.) served in the Revolutionary War with the 1st Regiiment of Minute men of Suffolk Co., NY. I have been told that Zebulon supposedly died as a result of injuries sustained at the Battle of Long Island but I have never been able to confirm this. Several people have entered the DAR through Zebulon Jennings (Jr.). Zebulon married 17 June 1762 in the Presbyterian Church, Westfield, NJ. Joanna/Johanna was b 15 Sept. 1746. I have seen her first name spelled both ways and I'm not sure which way is correct. In his will, Zebulon bequeathed his elder dau, Sarah, 5 pounds, & his younger dau Susannah, 3 pounds. To his 3 surviving sons, Henry, Jonathan, & Jacob, he gave 3 pounds & all of his lands. After Zebulon's death, his widow m Ephraim Woodruff & had at least 1 child, a dau. Sometime between 1785 & 1790, this family left NJ and came to Fayette Co., PA. Jacob was the only one of the children who came north. The rest went west and are found in Washington Co., Ohio (Marietta area).
Zebulon Jennings (Sr.) was b 1709 d 1777, buried at Westfield, NJ. He m 1st Sarah _____ d 31 March 1770, buried at Westfield, NJ. (I have been told that Sarah was supposedly b in 1724 but I find that difficult to believe since her son Zebulon (Jr.) was b in 1735. She would only have been 11 years old). I have only found reference to them having one child, Zebulon. Zebulon (Sr.) m 2nd Rebecca Squire. Zebulon's will was proved in Trenton, NJ in 1777. In it he bequeathed all of his property to his wife Rebecca during her lifetime & at her death it was to go to his 3 grandsons, Henry, Jonathan, & Jacob. (Zebulon Jr. was already dead). Zebulon (Sr.) was an elder in the Westfield Presbyterian Church.
Zebulon (Sr.) was one of the 7 brothers although some think that perhaps they were no closer than cousins. They were: Joseph; Zebulon b 1709; Jacob b 1711; Benjamin b 1716; Jonathan, John, and David. At least the father of Benjamin has been proven to be Benjamin. It cannot be proven who was the emigrant ancestor. Therefore the American history begins with Benjamin who was probably either a son or grandson of the emigrant.
Kathryn Newson
1880 Federal Census. Jackson Township, Venango County, PA. Enumerated June 2 &3. 1880. Sheet 3; Line 30; House 30; Family 30.
Born Where Father Mother
Name Age Relation About Born Born Born Occupation
Chester Phillips 50 Head 1830 PA PA PA Farmer
Juliet Phillips 53 Wife 1827 PA Ireland PA Keeping House
Jonathon Phillips 24 Son 1856 PA PA PA At Home
Edward Phillips 22 Son 1858 PA PA PA At Home
1880 Federal Census Notes.
1. The curse continues as both Jonathon and Edward are Idiotic (mentally Challenged), just as their
aunts Martha Sweeney (1001-2.05), Jemima (1001-2.06), and Rebecca (1001-2.08) and their uncle Jonathan Sweeney (1001-2.04) were.
Living Next to Chester in 1880, was his mother. Sheet 3; Line 19; House 28; Family 28.
Born Where Father Mother
Name Age Relation About Born Born Born Occupation
Sarah Phillips 65 Head 1815 PA PA PA Keeping House
Jacob Phillips 28 Son 1852 PA PA PA Farmer
Michael C. Baugher 62 Border 1818 PA PA PA None
Lawrence Baugher 15 Son 1865 PA PA PA Farm Labor
Living next to Sarah Phillips in 1880 was her grandaughter Sarah R. (Phillips Bear). Sheet 3; Line 15; House 27; Family 27.
Born Where Father Mother
Name Age Relation About Born Born Born Occupation
John Bear 26 Head 1854 PA PA PA Farmer
Sarah R. Bear 20 Wife 1860 PA PA PA Keeping House
Meanda Bear 2 Dau 1878 PA PA PA At Home
Henry C. Bear 7-mo. Son 1879 PA PA PA At Home
1880 Federal Census Notes.
1. Sarah R. (Phillips) Bear is the daughter and youngest child of Chester and Juliet Phillips.
2. She is living next to her grandmother Sarah Phillips, who is living next to her son Chester and his wife Juliet.
1900 Federal Census. Jackson Township. Enumerated on June 6, 1900. Sheet 10; Line 12; House 65; Family 65.
Approx.
Month Year Where Father Mother
Name Age Relation Born Born Born Born Born Occupation
Charles Phillips 71 Head Oct 1828 PA PA PA Farmer
Hanliett Phillips 73 Wife Jun 1826 PA Ireland PA None
John Phillips 35 Son Nov 1864 PA PA PA Farm Labor
Edward Phillips 32 Son Mar 1868 PA PA PA Farm labor
Sarah Sweeny 65 Servant Nov 1837 PA Ireland PA Servant
Jemima Sweeny 65 Sis in law Feb 1835 PA Ireland PA None
Henry A. Bear 20 Grand Son Nov 1880 PA PA PA Machinist on Lathe.
1900 Federal Census Notes.
1. Charles is Chester Phillips.
2. Hanliett (Should be) Juliet (Sweeney), Phillips. Census Taker did poor job of taking this census.
3. Chester and Juliett have been married for 48 years at this time.
4. Sarah Sweeny is employed as the Phillips family servant.
5. Jemima has no occupation as she is Idiotic (mentally challenged)
6. Apparently Jonathon, Martha, Rebecca have all died since the last census report of 1880. The 1890
federal census for PA was destroyed by fire.
7. Henry went on to fight in WWI. After the war he suffered from Post Tramatic Stress Diorder and ended up living out his final years in a Veteran's home, where he died.
8. Chester was a veteran of the Civil War.
9. Jonathon and Edward are both idiotic (mentally challenged).
1910 Federal Census. For Connellsville Township, Ward -5, Fayette County, PA, Taken On 1910 that On Page , at House ; and Family Shows: Approx. Approx.
Month Year Where Father Mother
Name Age Relation Born Born Born Born Occupation
Sarah G, Bear 31 Wife 1879
Charles M. Bear 3 Son 1907
Mary Isabel Bear 2 Dau 1908
Catherine Gales 23
1910 Federal Census Notes.
1. Sarah is shown as a wife.
2. They are renting this house.
3. Henry A. Bear, husband was a Railroad Engineer and was probably on a run somewhere.
1920 Federal Census: West Newton (Ward 1) Township, Westmoreland County, PA, Taken On that On Page , at House ; and Family Shows: Approx. Approx.
Month Year Where Father Mother
Name Age Relation Born Born Born Born Born Occupation
Henry A. Bear 40 Head 1880 PA PA PA Railroad Engineer
Sarah Bear 39 Wife 1881 PA PA PA Keeping House
Charles Bear 13 Son 1907 PA PA PA Not Working
Isabel 12 Dau 1908 PA PA PA Not Working
Robert Bear 9 Son 1911 PA PA PA
Donald Bear 7 Son 1913 PA PA PA
Chester Bear 5 Son 1915 PA PA PA
1920 Federal Census Notes.
1. Sometime after this Census, Henry was committed to the VA hospital for Mental issues. He was in hospital for 25 years before he died. He died at VA Hospital.
1930 Federal Census: Franklin (3rd Ward) Township, Venango County, PA, Taken On April 10, 1930 that On Page 11-A and 11-B, at House ; and Family Shows:
Year Where Father Mother
Name Age Relation Born Born Born Born Occupation
Sarah Bear 52 Wife 1881 PA PA PA Keeping House
Isabel 22 Dau 1908 PA PA PA Teaching School
Robert Bear 19 Son 1911 PA PA PA
Donald Bear 17 Son 1913 PA PA PA
Chester Bear 16 Son 1915 PA PA PA
1920 Federal Census Notes.
1. Sometime after this Census, Henry was committed to the VA hospital for mental issues. He was in hospital for 25 years before he died. He died at VA Hospital.
