Re: Whittier Serl Chessman
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In reply to:
Re: Whittier Serl Chessman
Claudia Alberico 8/19/11
Hi Claudia,
Email me so that we can establish contact.I have a good bit of information on the Weathman and Griffeth ancestory. I would be very happy to pass it on to you.
Abel Griffeth, the father of Lydia Griffeth Chessman, according to histories written in DuPage county, may be our ancestor who served in the Revolution. I have been able to trace back the history of Hanna Weathman (Waithman, Wethman are other spellings) who was the wife Abel Griffeth.Her ancestors can be traced back to Quakers who came to NJ around 1680 and Puritans who came to Massachusetts around 1630, and then traced back into England.
I have not been able to make the Welsh connection, although that is what my Grandfather Grant always said our ancestory.
George Chessman, who served in the Civil War enlisted in the 8th Illinois Cavalry early in the war and fought with it throughout in the eastern theater. They may have been the only unit from ILL serving in the Army of the Potomac as most Ill troops fought in the West.The 8th Illinois fought at Gettysburg and the first shot fired in the battle was fired by a soldier from it. They played a very important role in the 1st days battle, repulsing the first confederate advances.They also were detailed to fight guerillas in Northern VA that were harassing Grants supply lines in 64 and 65.G. Chessman was wounded fighting Guerillas.Being in that area when the war was closing they were in position to take part in the hunt for Booth and were part of the search.
I too have been curious as to why the first child of William and Lydia was named Ellis Ayers Chessman.William had lived in Alloways where and Ellis Ayers was a prominent citizen.I suspect that he mentored William in some way.The Ayers family has a long history in southern NJ.
There are a group of us who are descendents of William and Lydia who are interested in family history.We would enjoy making contact with another "cousin".Please do email me.
Jim
More Replies:
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Re: Whittier Serl Chessman
Claudia Alberico 10/19/11
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Re: Whittier Serl Chessman
Alba Arboleda 3/09/12
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Re: Whittier Serl Chessman
Claudia Alberico 3/09/12
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Re: Whittier Serl Chessman
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Re: Whittier Serl Chessman