Seamen’s Certificates of Protection

While searching various records for my STILL line, I am looking for some specific information regarding my Margaret Still, her parents and the father of her children. Margaret's father is Charles Still (1760 - 1820). One of her brothers is a Charles (1779-1889).

Upon searching for her father, I came across a US Seamen's Protection Certificate for a Charles Still born in 1779. I have never seen one of these before so I was very excited at the prospect of a "new" record. The year fit her brother so it would be related just not a lineal relationship.

Well ... I do not think this Charles is her brother Charles. In this 1807 document, this Charles Still is described as "Charles Still, a free Black five feet four 1/4 inches high" man. The document records his scars and states he was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

Margaret's brother was born in Chester County, PA.

Now on the bright side, this gave me an idea for another line! My husband's grandfather - Morgan Gramelia DEYOE - was supposedly a tugboat captain. He was born on 27 August 1877 in New York but settled down in Philadelphia, PA. The database on Ancestry.com is the "U.S., Seamen's Protection Certificates, 1792-1869" so obviously Morgan will not be there. However ...

I found a William H. Deyoe. He is from Kingston, NY, where many Deyoes are known to have lived. In this 1860 document he describes himself as a 30 year old five feet seven 3/4 inches tall, light complexion, light hair and blue eyes. He notes he has a scar over his right eye.

While we do have a William H Deyoe, this is not him. The dates are simply off but the reference seems to be an interesting one to keep ahold of for future use.

The Seamen’s Certificates of Protection were issued to protect U.S. sailors from being pressed into service on British ships. Ancestry.com includes in its repository a database from six ports. Each port could require additional requirements for the Certificate. The ports are: Bath, Maine; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Comments

Coatesville's First Serial Killer

Young Alexander Meyer was a disturbed and angry young man with some major issues. He had failed sixth and seventh grade, and instead of having to repeat eighth grade again, he finally gave up on school. At age 16 he quit Downingtown Junior High. Meyer is not a relative, nor are his victims (that I am aware). I stumbled upon young Alex while reading Tortured Minds: Pennsylvania's Most Bizarre - But Forgotten - Murders by Tammy Mal. On 11 February 1937 Alexander Thweatt Meyer killed young Helen Moyer as she walked home from school in Coatesville along Modena Road. She was not his first. The jury was out only three minutes after hearing Dr. Michael Margolis' testimony on the death of Helen Moyer. The jury determined Meyer had murdered Moyer and should be held for first degree murder. The jury also condemned the parole system which had released Meyer back into the public, after having served just 14 months in Huntingdon Reformatory, for the murder of two other girls - Anna Blasc...

Thaddeus Stevens at the Lancaster Convention Center

Within the Lancaster Convention Center (Lancaster, PA) is a small section dedicated to Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith. The section is known as the Stevens & Smith Historic Site. It is scheduled for development this year. At the moment one can only get a glimpse of it through the Convention Center or by peeking in from the outside. Here at Queen and Vine Streets in Lancaster City, Pennsylvania, Thaddeus Stevens had his law office. Stevens was an abolitionist. An abolitionist is a person who favors the abolition of a practice or institution, especially capital punishment or (formerly) slavery. Stevens was born 4 April 1792 to Joshua Stevens and Sarah (Sally) Morrill in Danville Vermont. One of four children, he attended Vermont University from 1810 to 1812 when the War prompted its closure. He then went to Dartmouth, where he graduated in 1814. He then studied law and found himself set up in Gettysburg, PA in 1816. He practiced law there until 1828 when he...

52 Ancestors: Remembering the King

Today is Elvis’ birthday. He would have been 80 today. I was only eight when he died so obviously I am too young to have seen Elvis perform. However, when I hear his music, I go back in time. I am once again that young girl dancing in the living room to Elvis and other greats with my father. Back then girls learned to dance by dancing with their fathers not some video of scantly dressed people doing all sorts of things young ladies should not be doing in public! What is YOUR favorite memory - either of your father or of Elvis? 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is a weekly genealogical challenge issued by Amy Johnson Crow, of No Story Too Small . Look for my weekly posts each Thursday! © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015

Genealogical Gems

Search This Blog