Census Sunday: Louise Sharp leaves more unanswered questions

Louis Sharp is one of my husband’s mystery women. She has a shroud of mystery and rumor that surrounds her. Family stories about her enthrall many and yet … who is she? In searching for Louise, I thought I would combine Census Sunday today with a timeline for her. I find timelines are often very helpful.

The 1850 Census

She first shows up in the 1850 Census, at age 12. She and 32 year old Sarah Sharp live in the Western Half 15^th Ward of New York State.  No occupation is listed for Sarah. Both ladies list New York State as their birthplace. The 1850 Census does not reveal much more, except that a 40 year old Richard Goddard, a merchant, and presumably his four year old son Thomas Goddard reside with them. Marital status is not asked on this census so it is unclear is Sarah Sharp is married, widowed or a single unmarried mother. Relationships are also not identified on this census so again Louise is presumed to be Sarah’s daughter and the Goddards are presumed to be boarders. In 1850 color choices were: white, black, or mulatto. All are listed as being white. 

The 1870 Census – a possibility

Born in 1838, she would have been 32 or 33 in the 1870 Census, depending on when it was taken. I did find a Louisa J. Sharp, age 33, who was born in New York. However, I found her “at home” in Decatur, Van Buren County, Michigan! She was living with a 56 year old Sarah Rogers, 17 year old Eva L. Rogers and a 12 year old Hattie Mae Rogers. Eva was also born in New York. Sarah was born in New Jersey and Hattie was born in Michigan. Color choices in 1870 were: white, black, mulatto, Chinese, or Indian.All four were listed as white. But if this IS Louise, why the move? And what happened to Sarah Sharp? 

The 1875 NY State Census

The New York State Census of 1875 reveals a bit more about Louise’s birthplace. It is listed as Delaware. This would be Delaware County, NY. She is now listed as Louisa Deyoe, 38. Her husband is Daniel G. Deyoe, 42, a farmer who was born in Greene County, NY. In 1880 color choices were: white, black, mulatto, or Indian. Both are listed as being white. 

The 1880 Census

Five years later the 1880 Federal Census lists Louise, Daniel and two sons. They still live in Lexington and Daniel still farms. Little Morgan is five. They also have now a nine year old adopted son, William Parker. All four were born in New York. In 1880 color choices were: white, black, mulatto, Chinese, or Indian. All four are listed as white. 

The 1910 Census

Louise shows up on River Road, Edgewater, Bergen County, NJ in the 1910 Census. She is a 64 year old widow by now and is living with her three sons: 33 year old Morgan, 30 year old James, and 28 year old Henry. She answers “Number of Years at Present Marriage” as 36 and states she has had four children and four are living. Knowing Walter died in 1874, it is possible she is counting her adopted son, William Parker, as the fourth living. All were born in New York and list their parents birthplace as New York. All the boys are boatmen. She is not working. All are white. 

Louise’s Timeline

1838 – Louise Sharp was born in Delaware County, NY

1850 – Lived in Western Half 15^th Ward, NY

1871 – Son Walter G. Deyoe is born 11 February.
1874 – Son Walter G. Deyoe passed away on 30 March at the age of three.
1877 – Son Morgan Gramelia Deyoe born 27 August.
1875 – Married now. Living in Lexington, Greene County, NY
1880 – Living in Lexington, Greene County, NY with husband and two sons.
Abt 1880 – Son James is born.
Abt, 1882 – Son Henry is born.
1910 – Living in Edgewater, Bergen County, NJ with 3 sons. Widowed.

Still unanswered:

• Assuming Sarah is her mother, who is her father?
• Was Louisa living in Michigan in 1870? If so, why and who were the Rogers?
• When did her husband Daniel pass away?
• Why the move to Edgewater, NJ?
• When did she pass and is she buried in Edgewater?

Louise seems to have created more questions than answered them. Perhaps once I find her birth or death certificate or even an obituary, I may know more!

Sources:

Ancestry.com. New York, State Census, 1875 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.

Year: 1850; Census Place: New York Ward 15 Western half, New York, New York; Roll: M432_552; Page: 13A; Image: 31

Year: 1870; Census Place: Decatur, Van Buren, Michigan; Roll: M593_706; Page: 326B; Image: 280; Family History Library Film: 552205

Year: 1880; Census Place: Lexington, Greene, New York; Roll: 836; Family History Film: 1254836; Page: 312B; Enumeration District: 086; Image: 0628

Year: 1910; Census Place: Edgewater, Bergen, New Jersey; Roll: T624_868; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0009; FHL microfilm: 1374881

 

 

Census Sunday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers.

© Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2014