Notes:

Anecdotes abound concerning three of the children of Edmund E. Boots and Lucy Bonzo. Samuel Howard Boots, known as "Cy", James Boots, and Edna May Boots, none of whom ever married, lived together, and were, to say the least, somewhat eccentric.

James Boots never passed beyond the third grade in school, but was reputed to be a willing and hard worker all of his life.

Edna May Boots was hunch-backed, and was noted for baking bread and offering it to all and sundry. One of her cousins recalls visiting her and remarking about a cat seen on the premises. Edna May replied that it was not her cat, merely a stray that had wandered into the yard. When asked how long ago this had happened, she replied "twelve years ago".

Cy Boots, as he was known, only owned one suit of clothes, which he never removed, preferring to wear them until they became so threadbare they had to be replaced. He was an expert carpenter, but only worked when he needed money. His working habits were in keeping with his other eccentricities - he would spend the first two or three days on a particular job doing nothing but measuring lumber and sawing it. Then, and only then, he would bring his hammer and other tools to the site and start assembling the finished project. Needless to say, that must have taken a great deal of skill. It is also said, by those who remember him, that sometimes after measuring and sawing the lumber he chose not to come back - for reasons not explained.

The house in which the three siblings resided had no electricity and no indoor plumbing. It stood where Brush Creek Park is today, and its exterior was unpainted, the siding having blackened with age, except for the white streaks down the sides caused by the two men's habit of relieving themselves out of the nearest window.

Edmund married Lucy Bonzo on 12 Jun 1890 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Lucy was born in 1864; died in 1935; was buried in North Sewickley Cemetery, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Samuel Howard Boots was born in 1891; died in 1969; was buried in North Sewickley Cemetery, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
2. Nellie Boots was born in 1892; died in 1923; was buried in North Sewickley Cemetery, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
3. Emma Boots was born in 1900; died in 1941.
4. James Boots was born on 24 Jun 1902; died in 1960; was buried in North Sewickley Cemetery, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
5. Edna May Boots was born on 17 May 1904; died in 1957; was buried in North Sewickley Cemetery, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
6. Earl Parkerson Boots was born on 17 May 1904; died in 1908; was buried in North Sewickley Cemetery, Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

Notes:

The Last Will and Testament of Samuel C. Boots dated 28 January 1891, registered 12 March 1897, mentions his sons Edmund E. Boots and James P. Hart Boots, his daughter Eliza Ann Boots, wife of S. O. Caven, and his wife, Sarah Boots.

Samuel married Sarah Hart WFT est 1854-1881. Sarah (daughter of Richmond Hart and Mary Eliza Alleman) was born about 1839; died WFT est 1875-1934. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Edmund Boots, whose full name is said to have been Edmund Ambrose Boots, was born 12 October 1811, in Sussex County, England. He was baptized 22 December 1811, in the Wesleyan Chapel at Rye, Sussex County, England. The baptismal entry reads:

"Edmund, son of Ambrose Boots of the Parish of Ewhurst, Sussex & of Eliz. his wife was born on the 13th day of Octr. 1811 and christened on the 22 day of Decr. 1811 by B. Leggett."

There is a conflict between the birth date given in the baptismal record and the birth date cited in his obituary, but since the baptismal record is so much nearer the event, it is more likely to be correct. Edmund Boots died 27 December 1890, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He married 1st, in 1831, Eliza COLEMAN, daughter of William COLEMAN, who died a few months later, in 1832. In 1834, he married Mrs. Eliza Dean Caldwell JONES, daughter of Samuel CALDWELL, who was born in 1803 in Pennsylvania, and died 4 May 1881 in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Edmund Boots and his second wife are buried in the North Sewickley Cemetery, North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Four children were born of this second marriage.

From the (1907) memoirs of Mary J. Belles, contained in the Concord Church Booklet:

"Edmund Boots and his wife, Eliza, were good and faithful members for many long years, he being class leader for 21 years. He reared four sons, two of whom are living. He died in a good old age, always humbly claiming that he was a 'sinner saved by grace.'"

The Obituaries of Edmund and Eliza Boots are also contained in the Concord Church Booklet:

OBITUARY of Edmund Boots: "ADVOCATE March 12, 1891. Edmund Boots was born Oct. 12, 1811, in Sussex County, England and died in North Sewickley Township, Beaver Co., Pa., Dec. 27, 1890. He was a member of the Wesleyan Society, in England. He came to America in 1830 and united with the M. E. Church. He was twice married. In 1831, to Eliza COLEMAN, who lived but a few months and in 1834 to Mrs. Eliza Jones, who died about nine years ago. He was a member of the church for 60 years, and sustained the relation of steward, trustee and class leader for a number of years. The last five or six years of his life were spent in great feebleness of body. He leaves a large connection of relatives who are comforted with the thought that he has exchanged the afflictions of life for the rest of heaven."

OBITUARY of Eliza Boots: "ADVOCATE, June 9, 1881. Sister Eliza Boots was born in 1803, and died in North Sewickley Township, Beaver Co., May 4, 1881. She was early taught to fear God, and entered the communion of the Presbyterian Church under the pastorate of Rev. Wm. McClain, which relation she sustained until her marriage in the year 1834, when she united with the M. E. Church. She was a firm believer in the merits of Jesus Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit, striving on her part 'to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.' Having been deprived of natural sight for nearly 12 years, she was patient and thankful that her spiritual vision was still granted unto her. She ever had humble views of herself, conscious of her weakness and inability to meet the trials and afflictions of life without Divine help. The last two years of her life were almost unendurable, causing her to express a desire to 'depart and be with Christ'. Her record is on high.
J. E. Williams"

From a History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, published in 1888, comes the following account of Edmund Boots:

"Edmund Boots, wagon maker, P. O. North Sewickley, was born in Sussex, England, Oct. 13, 1811, son of Ambrose and Elizabeth (Bull) Boots, the former of whom, a carpenter by trade, came to America in 1830, and Oct. 13th of the same year settled on Brush creek, North Sewickley township, this county, here remaining until his death. He had four sons, all born in the mother country, three yet living: John is deceased. Edmund was married in 1831 to Eliza, daughter of William Coleman. She died in 1832, and in 1834 Mr. Boots married Eliza, daughter of Samuel Caldwell. By this union there are four children: Samuel C., James D., Ambrose and Edmund R. Mr. Boots owns the property, consisting of seventy acres, where he has resided since 1830. He has been secretary of the school board of his township for eight years, and has held the office of supervisor two terms. He and Mrs. Boots are members of the Methodist Episcopal church; in politics he is a Republican."

The careful reader will note a couple of discrepancies in the forgoing account, as to birth date and number of sons. Biographical data provided by these early county histories was generally derived as much from oral tradition as from source documents, and often only as reliable as the memory of the person (or persons) who supplied the information.

The Will of Edmund Boots is found in Will Book "I", Page 61, public records of Beaver County, Pennsylvania:

"Last Will and Testament of Edmund Boots, Late of North Sewickley Twp., Registered Jan'y 8, 1891.

"I Edmund Boots of North Sewickly Township Beaver County and State of Pennsylvania Being weak in body but of sound mind memory and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revokeing and making void all former wills by me at any former time made

"And first I direct and order my body be intered in a plain decent manner and that my just debts be paid and satisfied by my Executor hereinafter named as soon as conveinantly may be after my decease I dispose of my property in the following manner I give devise and bequeath to my son Ambrose Boots his heirs and assigns my farms of land forever consisting of about sixty two acres known as the Clark land also a piece of land containing four acres and one half known as the McDanel Lot situated in the above named Township, County and State I farther will order and direct that my son Ambrose Boots shall pay to my son James D. Boots Five hundred Dollars and also to my son Edmund R Boots Five hundred Dollars in one year from my decease but who nevertheless is to have three years from my decease to pay the above legacies by paying four per interest for the same after one year I proceed farther I give devise and bequeath to my Niece Harriet Caldwell her heirs and assigns forever the farm or lot on which I reside containing about seven and one half acres the purchase being made formerly from Coleman and Wilson as the deeds will show being in the township county and state above named I also Will give and bequeath to the aforesaid Harriet Caldwell all my household and kitchen furniture consisting of beds and beding tables chairs sewing machine and cc the discresionary power to be with my Executor wether the personal property be appriased or not I further will give and bequeath to the aforesaid Harriet Caldwell the choice of my Cows.

"I further will and direct that the remainder of my personall property shall be equality divided among the above named legates share and share alike

"I hereby ordain constitute and appoint Edmund R. Boots to be the Executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I Edmund Boots the testator have to this my will written on one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this tenth 10 day of September A.D. 1888.
Edmund Boots (Seal)

"Signed sealed and published and declared by the above named Edmund Boots as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said testator and of each other.
Daniel W. Swick

M. C. Smith
"The State of Pennsylvania
Beaver County

"Be it remembered that on the 8th day of January A. D. 1891, Daniel W. Swick and M. C. Smith personally appeared before me the Register for the Probate of Wills etc, in and for said county, they being the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Edmund Boots late of North Sewickly township, deceased, and after being duly sworn according to law did depose and say that they were present and saw the said Edmund Boots sign the foregoing instrument of writing and heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament and that at the time of his so doing the testator was of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of deponents' knowledge, observation and belief, and that they signed the same as witnesses thereto at the request of the said testator.

"And now, the testimony of the above named witnesses being sufficient, I do hereby admit the foregoing Will to Probate, and order the same to be recorded as such. Given under my hand the date last above named.
Orin H. Mathews
Register."

The foregoing Document is quoted exactly as it appears in the public records, quaint spelling and all. Of particular interest is the almost total lack of punctuation.

United States Census Records of 1840 for Beaver County, Pennsylvania, show the following:

North Sewickley Township - Page 67:
Head of family - Edmon Boots. Members of family, including head of family:
3 males under 5
1 male aged 20-30
1 female aged 20-30
Two of the three males under 5 would have been Ambrose Boots, born in 1839, and Samuel Boots, born in 1835; the third male under five may have been either a child who did not survive or a visiting relative; the male aged 20-30 was Edmund Boots; the female aged 20-30 was Eliza Boots.

United States Census Records of 1850, for Beaver County, Pennsylvania, show the following:
Name of Individual Age Sex Occupation Value of R/Est Birthplace
North Sewickley Township - Page 166B, Family No. 145
Edmond Boots 39 M Wagon Maker 1500 England
Eliza Boots 46 F Pa
Samuel Boots 15 M Farmer Pa
Ambrose Boots 11 M Pa
James Boots 9 M Pa
Edmond Boots 7 M Pa.

United States Census Records of 1860, for Beaver County, Pennsylvania, show the following:
Name of Individual Age Sex Occupation Value of R/Est Birthplace
North Sewickley Township, Page 563, Family No. 1035:
Edmund Boots 47 M Wagon Maker 2800 England
Eliza Boots 56 F Penna
Ambrose Boots 21 M Farmhand Penna
Edmund Boots 17 M Farmhand Penna.

Rye, Sussex, England

Edmund married Eliza Dean Caldwell in 1834 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Eliza (daughter of Samuel Caldwell) was born in 1803 in Pennsylvania; died on 4 May 1881 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania; was buried in North Sewickley Cemetery, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Richmond Hart was born 17 February 1813, in Pennsylvania, where he died 15 May 1870. He married Mary ALLEMAN, daughter of Henry ALLEMAN, who was born 19 October 1818, in Pennsylvania, where she died 7 November 1893. They are buried in the North Sewickley Cemetery, North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and had six children.

A Genealogy of Beaver County residents contains the following reference to Richmond Hart:

[John W. Jordan, LL. D., Editor, Genealogical and Personal History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914), pages 747-748.]

"Richmond Hart was one of the early settlers in North Sewickley township, where he was a land owner and a carpenter, and where he died. He married Mary Fink, who died in West Virginia, where she was living with one of her sons. They had children: Mary Jane, married Russell Wilson.....; Sarah, married Samuel Boots, and lives in North Sewickley township; Annie, married Amos Boots, and also lives in North Sewickley township; John, who died in early boyhood; Richard, a farmer in Indiana; James, married Annie Whisler and lives in North Sewickley township; Edward, a blacksmith, lives in West Virginia."

The foregoing account seems to have confused Mary Hart, nee' Alleman, with her sister Eliza Fink, nee' Alleman. In the Office of the Register of Wills for Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Register's Docket 1, Page 60, is the following:

"4th March 1846. The Register of Beaver County is hereby Certified & Requested not to grand Letters of Admn with the Will Annexed of Henry Alleman decd. proved the 18th of June 1836 without notice to the next of kin, as the subscriber claims a preference over certain of the said next of kin, March 4, 1846.
" John Alleman
One of the sons of
Henry Alleman

"7th March 1846. Citation issued at the Instance of Washington Alleman to John Alleman, Sampson Alleman, Henry Alleman, Eliza Fink, Mary Hart, Margaret Ecoff, Susannah Barnes and Nancy Jane Alleman to appear on the 17th instant, to accept or renounce their right to administer upon the estate of their Father, Henry Alleman, decd."

The foregoing seems to establish that Mary Hart was, in fact, the daughter of Henry Alleman, which coincides with the long-held tradition among the descendants of Richmond Hart that his wife's name was Mary Alleman. It also makes it clear that Eliza Fink and Mary Hart were two separate individuals.

The above account also raises a contradiction concerning the names of two of Richmond Hart's sons. His sons Richmond and Edmund Hart are sometimes referred to as Richard and Edward Hart. The Will of Richmond Hart refers to sons James, Richmond and Edmund. There is also a deed recorded in Beaver County, Pennsylvania between several of the heirs of Richmond Hart:

"This Indenture made the twenty third day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy between Samuel C. Boots and Sarah his wife and James R. Wilson and Mary Jane his wife all of North Sewickley township Beaver County Pennsylvania, of the first part and James P. Hart, Richmond F. Hart and Edmund B. Hart, all of the same place of the second part.

"Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Two hundred and fifty dollars lawful money of the United States of America unto themselves and truly paid by the said parties of the second part at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt where of is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained sold aliened enfeoffed released conveyed and confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain sell alien enfeoff release convey and confirm unto the said parties of the second part their heirs and assigns All their interest being the one undivided third of in and to the following described piece of land lying and being situate in said North Sewickley Township Beaver County Pennsylvania bounded and described as follows to wit:- On the North by land of Henry Alleman on the East by John Boswell on the South by land of Robert Ferguson and on the west by land of Joseph McDanel Containing twenty-six acres more or less Being the same premises whereof Richmond Hart late of said North Sewickley Tp. was seized in his lifetime and the same interest devised to his two daughters Sarah and Mary Jane parties of the first part by and under his last will and testament dated 3rd day of May 1870 since his death duly proved approved and remaining on file in the Registers Office of said Beaver County. And the said parties of the first part for the consideration above mentioned hereby assign transfer and set over to the parties of the second part any and all legacies or bequests to them made or given under or through above recited Will of Richmond Hart. Together with all and singular the buildings improvements etc.

"Signed by Samuel C. Boots; Sarah Boots; J. R. Wilson; Mary J. Wilson."

Whatever other sources may say, the evidence of the Deed just cited, and the Will cited below seems conclusive that Richmond Hart's sons were James, Richmond and Edmund.

The Will of Richmond Hart is recorded in Will Book "E", Page 234, public records of Beaver County, Pennsylvania:

"Last Will & Testament of Richmond Hart. No 36. Registered June 13, 1870.

"North Sewickley. May 3rd, 1870. I Richmond Hart of the County of Beaver State of Pennsylvania being of sound mind memory and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time made heretofore and first I direct that my Body be decently intered according to rights and ceremonies of the Methodist Episcopal church and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corrisponding with my estate and situation in life, as to such estate as it hath pleased God to intrust me with I dispose of the same as follows First I direct that my just debts be paid as soon as conveniently can be after my death, and to this end I direct that my Executor collect all debts due to me and that he also sell all unnecessary artickley about the place and convert the same into money for the purpose of paying my debts I also will and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary Hart all my household Furniture and other personal property together with house in which I now reside together with the land containing twenty six acres with the understanding that she give my Daughter Anne the same outfit that Sarah and Mary Jane got when they ware married to have and to hold the above premises for and during her natural life. I further direct that at the death of my beloved wife Mary Hart that the property left be eaquely devide between my Sons James Richmond & Edmond with the understanding that in case James pays any debts or makes any improvements on the premises that he be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of the property and the balance be then eaqueley devided between the boys James Richmond & Edmond on further consideration I direct that instead of James and Richmond and Edmond getting the balance of the property I direct that after the death of my beloved wife the balance of the property be eaqueley devided between James Richmond Edmond Anne Mary Jane, and Sarah with the above understanding that James be paid first for any debts he may pay or any improvements he may make I further direct in case James uses any of his own money that he is to receive interest for the same up to the time of the death of his mother and until the estate is finally settled.
"I hereby constitute my son James my Executor to carry out my intentions in the above will.
"Witness Richmond Hart (Seal)
Joseph McDanel
Casper Denhart
John H. Bughley

"Beaver County ss. Be it remembered that on the 13th day of June AD 1870 personally came before me Darius Singleton Register for the Probate of wills &c in and for said county Joseph McDanel & Jn H. Bughly subscribing witnesses to the last will and Testament of Richmond Hart dec'd (afore written) who being duly sworn according to law depose and say that they were present and saw said Hart sign & heard him publish pronounce and declare said foregoing instrument as and for his last will and testament and at the time of so doing said testator was of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of deponents knowledge observation and belief.
D. Singleton"

Richmond married Mary Eliza Alleman WFT est 1832-1858. Mary (daughter of Henry Alleman and Marie Graefert) was born on 19 Oct 1818 in Pennsylvania; died on 7 Nov 1893 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania; was buried in North Sewickley Cemetery, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ambrose Boots was born in Sussex County, England, circa 1770. He was baptized in St. Mary's Church, Rye, Sussex County, England, 25 February 1770. He died in Beaver County, Pennsylvania about the year 1840 (the obituary of his widow, who died in 1847, says, in part, "and seven years since was called to follow his mortal remains to the tomb...").

He was married twice, but we do not know the name of his first wife, nor the number (if any) of their children. He married, 2nd, on 25 November 1809, in St. James Church, Ewhurst, Sussex County, England, Elizabeth BULL. The Marriage Register of this church reads:

"Ambrose Boots Widower of this Parish and Elizabeth Sharp widow of the same, were Married in this Church by Banns this twenty-fifth day of November in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Nine By me Henry Hoager Rector of Beckley."

Elizabeth BULL had married previously, 10 June 1803, in St. James Church, Edward SHARP, who died two years thereafter (the Burials Register of St. James Church lists his burial, 25 March 1805). She had only one child by this marriage, presumably the "Mrs. Mary DENNIS" referred to in her obituary, q.v.
Elizabeth BULL was born 17 February 1777, in Sussex County, England, and died 22 November 1847, in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Thus far, research in England has not revealed the names of her parents. Ambrose and Elizabeth resided in the hamlet of Staple Cross, in Sussex County. Staple Cross is only a mile or two from Ewhurst, where St. James Church is located.

Ewhurst Green village, as it is now known, has existed since medieval times, and is mentioned in the Domesday Book of William the Conqueror. This rural community is largely agricultural. A church history provides theh following:

[Gwen Jones and John Martin, The Parish Church of St. James the Great, Ewhurst, Sussex, 1981]:

"The vast majority (of residents) owned or tenanted small farms and combined small scale subsistence agriculture with another trade or craft. The two major stand-bys were cattle raising and timber.....Some small-holders managed to make a profit from cheese and butter making. More recently hops became a mainstay of many farmers and in our own century many have turned their land over to fruit. In addition, a great many people over the years must have practised those trades and crafts necessary to keep a self-sufficient community going. They became blacksmiths, millers, millwrights, wheelwrights, saddlers, carpenters, sawyers, brickmakers, glaziers, basket-makers, coopers, ropemakers, clockmakers, grocers, butchers, bakers, brewers, weavers, tailors and schoolteachers - all of them trades and occupations mentioned in the church registers (of Ewhurst Parish)."

The Church of St. James the Great, Ewhurst Green, Sussex County, England dates in part to the twelfth century, and today is little changed from the way it must have looked in 1809 when Ambrose Boots and Elizabeth Bull were married.

"The tower clearly reflects the two major periods of building which are discernible in many features of the architecture of this church. Traces of iron are visible in the stonework of the lower portion which together with the west doorway dates from the late twelfth century. The upper part and stair turret are fourteenth century. The windows are of the latter date with the exception of the topmost one which was inserted during the fifteenth century.

".....The west and north walls of the aisle are fourteenth century. The east wall has been rebuilt.....Part of the fourteenth century north wall again shows signs of rebuilding. The reconstruction of this wall and of the east walls of both aisles is known to have been carried out in 1769."

----------

Ambrose and Elizabeth had their oldest son, John, baptized in St. James Church in 1810, but by the time their second son, Edmund, was born in 1811, they had been caught up in the upsurge of nonconformity which had been taking place in the area since the late 1700's, and had apparently joined the Wesleyans (Methodists), because Edmund was baptized in the Wesleyan Chapel at Rye, and Samuel was baptized in the Wesleyan Chapel at Sandhurst in the County of Kent. Both of these baptismal records indicate that Ambrose and Elizabeth continued to reside and Staple Cross and were "of the Parish of Ewhurst."

In 1830, Ambrose and Elizabeth Boots and their three sons emigrated to America, along with her daughter Mary Sharp, settling in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Tradition states that in addition to the three sons, John, Edmund, and Samuel, there was a brother of Ambrose named Benjamin Boots, who came along, and who settled in Virginia or Maryland. As yet, no research has been done to locate any record of Benjamin Boots in the United States. We do know that Ambrose had an older brother named Benjamin and at least one nephew named Benjamin.

A History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, published in 1888, contains an account of Samuel Boots [J. Fraise Richard, Levy S. Richard, and Thomas Henry, Hisroty of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, 1888, pages 750-751] which says, in part:

"......His (Samuel Boots') parents, Ambrose and Elizabeth (Bull) Boots, came to America in 1830, and settled in North Sewickley Township. The father was a carpenter until coming to Beaver county, when he carried on farming, with his eldest son, up to his death in 1844; his widow died in 1852. They had four children: Mary, John, Edmund and Samuel."

This same History of Beaver County contains an account of Edmund Boots which says, among other things:

"Edmund Boots, wagon maker, P. O. North Sewickley, was born in Sussex, England, Oct. 13, 1811, son of Ambrose and Elizabeth (Bull) Boots, the former of whom, a carpenter by trade, came to America in 1830, and Oct. 13th of the same year settled on Brush creek, North Sewickley township, this county, here remaining until his death."

Interestingly, although the former account has the wrong date for the death of Elizabeth Boots, it does place the deaths of Ambrose and Elizabeth eight years apart (her obituary says "and seven years since....."). The daughter Mary referred to is, of course, Mary Sharp, daughter of Elizabeth Boots and her first husband.

Ambrose Boots and family did not arrive in Beaver County in time to be enumerated in the 1830 Census of the United States. A search of the 1840 Census for Beaver County reveals no record of Ambrose Boots - evidently he died before the Census was taken. The 1840 Census does, however, list Samuel, Edmund, and John Boots as heads of families. With the family of John Boots is listed one female between the ages of 60 and 70, presumably, his widowed mother. It is unfortunate that Census Records prior to 1850 do not list the names of every individual resident in a particular household.

Although Ambrose and Elizabeth arrived in Beaver County in 1830, a search of the public records does not reveal that they purchased any real estate. The earliest record of land being purchased by any member of the Boots family is a Deed from Jacob Piersol to Samuel Boots dated 5 October 1835 conveying land on Brush Creek in North Sewickley Township. Ambrose Boots does, however, appear in the Beaver County Tax Records for 1833, which is the earliest record found of him in the Public Records of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He does not appear on the Tax Rolls in subsequent years.

It has not been possible to determine with 100% certainty where Ambrose and Elizabeth Boots are buried. The Concord M. E. Church, which their sons helped to found, did not establish a cemetery until more than fifty years after Ambrose and Elizabeth died, and none of the early generations of Boots relatives are buried there. All, or very nearly all, of the Boots family who died prior to 1900 are buried in the North Sewickley Cemetery. Ambrose and Elizabeth either lie in an unmarked grave in this cemetery, or possibly, in some small plot near their original home. The marker for the graves of John and Sylvia Boots is located in one of the oldest sections of the North Sewickley Cemetery, and is in the form of an obelisk of the kind that commonly had names on all four sides. All four sides of this monument, although badly eroded, clearly contained inscriptions at one time. Two of those inscriptions are definitely for John and Sylvia Boots. The other two could have contained the names of Ambrose and Elizabeth. However, they could just as easily have contained the names of two of the children of John and Sylvia Boots. We know that their son Richmond Boots died between 1850 and 1860, and the 1840 Census indicates that there was another child as well. The plot containing this marker is a large one, containing no other headstones except those of two of the children of Samuel and Harriet Boots, and could very easily contain any number of unmarked graves.

An anniversary booklet published in 1926 by the Concord Methodist Episcopal Church contains, among other items of interest, many obituaries of early members of the church including many of the Boots family.

The Obituary of Elizabeth Boots reads as follows:

"Departed this life Nov. 22, 1847, at the house of her son, Rev. John Boots, in Beaver County, Pa., Elizabeth Boots in the 71st year of her age. Sister Boots was born in Sussex County, England, Feb. 17, 1777, and emigrated to America in 1830. In the 24th year of her age she was united in the bonds of matrimony to Edward Sharp; in two short years she was left a widow with one child. In her 28th year, she was married to Ambrose Boots, and seven years since was called to follow his mortal remains to the tomb, and soon after her daughter, Mrs. Mary Dennis. She has left three sons, members of the M. E. Church; two are local preachers and one a class leader. A funeral sermon was preached by the writer of this notice, from a text that she had selected 30 years ago, viz: 'Oh death, where is thy sting; oh grave, where is thy victory? but thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Advocate, Dec. 29, 1847.-G. McCaskey."

Another mystery remaining to be solved is why Ambrose and his family wound up in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. A clue may be the fact that by 1816 the family had become caught up in the Wesleyan movement. The family of Harriet Wilde, who became the wife of Samuel Boots, was involved with the Wesleyans as well. It is known that both the Boots family and Harriet Wilde were in transit from England at roughly the same time, although they were not acquainted. The link between the two families and their arrival in Pennsylvania will no doubt one day be found to be the Wesleyan Movement.

Rye, Sussex, England

Ambrose married Elizabeth Bull on 25 Nov 1809 in Ewhurst, Sussex County, England. Elizabeth (daughter of John Bull and Cary Darby) was born on 17 Feb 1777 in Sussex County, England; was christened on 9 Mar 1779; died on 22 Nov 1847 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania; was buried in North Sewickley Cemetery, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ewhurst, Sussex, England

Notes:

Daniel Hart was born 6 March 1778, probably in Cumberland Township, in what was then Washington County, Pennsylvania, and is now a part of Greene County, Pennsylvania. He died 11 August 1815, in Sackets Harbor, Jefferson County, New York, where he is buried. Sackets Harbor, New York, is located a few miles West of Watertown, New York, on Lake Ontario.

"In the war of 1812 Sackets Harbor, important strategic point for the Americans, was the base for naval operations on the Great Lakes. In July 1812 it was attacked by a Canadian provincial squadron and again in May 1813, by a British squadron....on both occasions unsuccessfully."

The War of 1812, in which Daniel Hart served, officially ended with the treaty signed at Ghent, 24 December 1814. "The slowness of communications at that period was responsible for the continuation of hostilities for several months thereafter." A Death and Separation Report from the National Archives, dated 11 August 1815, states:

"Daniel Hart, a private in the late Captain (illegible) Company, the late twenty second Regiment of United States' Infantry Commanded by Colonel Hugh Brady, said Daniel Hart has served with fidelity for, and during the term of one year, ten months, twenty-three days, his term of service expiring on this eleventh day of August eighteen hundred and fifteen by Death........The said Daniel Hart was born in the town of (blank) in the county of (blank) in the state of (blank); is about thirty-seven years of age; is five feet six inches high; dark complexion, brown eyes, black hair, and is, by occupation a Farmer; was enlisted at (blank) the sixteenth day of September eighteen hundred and thirteen by Capt. (illegible) for the period of five years. Given at Sackets Harbor, this eleventh day of August 1815. Wm. Morrow, Capt, Late 22 Infty (illegible)."

Whether Daniel Hart died from wounds inflicted prior to the official end of hostilities or from wounds received during the continuation of hostilities mentioned above, is not clear. He resided in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and was married to Sarah . They had several children.

The United States Census of 1810 for Beaver County, Pennsylvania, lists the following:
First Moon Township:
Head of family - Daniel Hart. Members of family, including head of family:
2 males under 10
1 male 16-26
1 male 26-45
2 females under 10
1 female 26-45
1 female 45 and over.

The above record certainly indicates that there were a number of other children, concerning whom no information is presently available.

There is a very strongly held tradition among the descendants of Daniel Hart that he was the son of John Hart, one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, and a number of Daniel Hart's descendants seem to have accepted this without question. John Hart, the Signer, did in fact have a son named Daniel Hart, but this Daniel Hart was born 13 August 1762, at Hopewell, New Jersey, and died 13 September 1848, at Beverly, West Virginia. Also, the wife of John Hart (the Signer), Deborah Scudder, died at Hopewell, New Jersey, 20 October 1776 (two years prior to the birth of our Daniel Hart).

Other descendants of Daniel Hart have put forth the claim that he was a grandson of John Hart, the Signer, but once again, not only is documentation lacking, but available records and data lend absolutely no credence to this theory. The Biography of John Hart, "the Signer", details all of his children, and to a large extent, their children, q.v.

Daniel married Sarah ? WFT est 1792-1813. Sarah was born WFT est 1765-1791; died WFT est 1817-1879. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry married Marie Graefert on 27 Oct 1809. Marie was born in 1791 in Of Middletown, Swarta Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; died WFT est 1831-1886. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]