The Speary Family of Sullivan County, Pa.

Generation No. 1

1. Miles⁸ Speary (Sperry) (Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr., Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)¹ was born October 10, 1778 in Litchfield, Canaan, CT.², and died November 17, 1859 in Sullivan County, Pa.³. He married (1) Sophia Earl³ November 12, 1800³, daughter of James Earl and Susan Love. She was born September 01, 1781³, and died December 10, 1818 in Luzerne County, Pa.³. He married (2) Hannah Bennett³ April 16, 1829³. She was born Abt. 1795.

ophia Earl’s sister is Susannah Earl Edgar Converse. These two sisters are grandmothers to many of the families of Sullivan County. They are the earliest connections between the Edgar, Converse, Speary, King, Glidewell, Little, Horn and Pennington families.
 

Exactly how or why our Miles came to live out his life in Pennsylvania we do not know yet. His father - a Revolutionary War soldier - died when Miles was not yet 4 years old. Four years later his mother remarried & by 1788 she & her new family were residing in New York.

From Connecticut to Pennsylvania

According to an early Speary letter Miles wrote that he arrived in Huntington, Luzerne County in a party that included his father-in-law James Earl & his Uncle Tom Tubbs. Except for Miles' letters there is no link establishing Thomas Tubbs as his uncle - yet many of the personal letters sent to Miles by his siblings refer to him as " your Uncle Tubbs".

Miles' mother, Anna Lawrence & Amy Lawrence, the wife of Thomas Tubbs, were distant cousins. It is also believed that Elizabeth Earl, wife of Nathaniel Tubbs was Sophia’s aunt. However, this makes Nathaniel Tubbs Miles uncle ( through marriage) but not Thomas.
 

The arrival of both Thomas Tubbs & James Earl is in connection with the Connecticut/Pennsylvania land disputes in the Wyoming Valley. James Earl is shown to be in Luzerne County as early as 1784 and Bradsby's "The History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania" lists both men as taxable inhabitants of Huntington in 1796.

Miles first appears in Luzerne County in the 1800 census.  His neighbors are Thomas Tubbs & James Earl. Miles would have been too young to be listed as a head of household in the 1790 census. If he did indeed arrive with one or both of these men he would have been counted as part of their households that year.

The Speary Bible

All dates for Miles Speary, Sophia Earl & Hannah Bennett, as well as those for all children except Emily (see notes for Emily) are from hand recorded entries in an old family Bible. The date of birth for Miles in the Bible appears to be 1779 - it may just be a sloppy 8. Families of Ancient New Haven (FANH) show his year of birth as 1778. The Bible also lists Oct 8 rather than Oct 10. Both FANH & Miles grave marker list October 10, 1778 as his date of birth. Why the bible entry is off is anyone's guess.

I am not sure whom this Bible originally belonged to. There is no indication in the Bible itself. It only recently came in to my possession. Previously it was in New Mexico with a family by the name of Robbins. They are descendants of both Robbins & Eveland families-originally from Luzerne County & Fishing Creek Twp. I don’t think it is by accident that Miles' daughter Permelia is listed in the Fishing Creek Twp. Census of 1850 living just a few doors away from several families with both of those surnames.

Miles’ birth & death dates were the only dates that did not exactly match the records I already had.  It gives his death as occurring on December 21, 1862. Again, I have no idea why there is a discrepancy.  My "guess" is that the person writing the entries in the Bible quite possibly received notice of Miles death by mail.  These were war years & mail was slow.  If, as with Miles own papers, the letter was not dated the reader simply has to guess.  One of Miles letters from his step father simply states "Your uncle Asa passed away 2 months after your grandfather Lawrence". When I check the letter regarding his grandfather Lawrence's death it reads "your grandfather Lawrence died last year". No exact dates are given in either case. The same occurs when he is notified of his mother's death.  Apparently, people in those days were not as interested in times & dates as we are today.

It is interesting to note that there is no date of birth or death recorded for Hannah Bennett – just a marriage date. For this reason, I do not believe it belonged to any of her children.

We do know that the Miles in the Bible & the one in Families of Ancient New Haven are the same person. This information is found in Miles personal papers including letters that refer to his Grandfather Lawrence's death and others from his step father - Barnabus Rice, his sister Charlotte Sperry & his half sister – Lucy Rice.

A Third Wife?

Several letters received from Alice Brown (GGgrandaughter of Miles) in 1976 mention that Marguerite Cox (Ggranddaughter of Miles) had in her possession part of an old "secret love letter" that suggests Miles had a third wife. It is signed Sophia Love. Although there is an 11-year period between the death of Sophia Earl & the marriage to Hannah Bennett, there is no recorded evidence to support another marriage in between the two recorded wives.  All children are accounted for in the family Bible as children of either Sophia Earl or Hannah Bennett and it is highly unlikely that a "middle" marriage would have produced no further children. Those researching the Speary family in the 1960s & 1970s did not know the name of Miles first wife, Sophia Earl. They certainly did not know that her mother's maiden name was Love. It is far more likely that Sophia Earl's middle name was Love & she is the person who signed the ""secret love letter" than it is that Miles had a another wife.
 

Notes of Eudora Jane (Speary) Sick

Eudora Sick's (Miles' granddaughter) notes read at a Speary family Reunion in 1937 & much information written about the history of Sullivan County state that Miles was born in Huntington, Luzerne County, Pa. In fact he was born in Canaan, Connecticut which is well documented in The Families of Ancient New Haven, in the census information that notes his birth place as Connecticut & in the mentioned family letters which connect him to Anna Lawrence, Wooding Speary & Barnabus Rice.

Eudora Sick's notes also tell a story that while several of his children from his first marriage were young they became ill from a fever epidemic & died after eating foods that they could not digest in their weakened state (peaches). All children listed in the family Bible are accounted for and either grew to maturity & married or died in infancy several years apart (not as a group as this story suggests). By the dates of his marriage to Sophia Earl & the date of her death there is no room in which to fit additional children. Their first child Anna was born 10 months after their marriage & Sophia died one day after giving birth to twins Miles & Sophia. 

This story does not fit in to the facts of Miles Speary's life. However, Miles was named for his Uncle Miles Sperry and when examining his life you see that all of his children die & Miles himself passes away within a few weeks time. Eudora had not made the connection to Connecticut at this time & I believe she may simply have retold a story she had heard while growing up & attached it to the only Miles Speary she knew of.

From Luzerne to Sullivan

By 1826 Miles was in Davidson Township, Sullivan County, Pa. Several accounts say that he was there 5 years before marrying Hannah Bennett. If these accounts are true then this places him in Sullivan in 1824 since he married Hannah on April 16, 1829. One note from Alice Brown mentions a lady living in Sullivan County finding a record that places Miles in Sullivan County in 1823. However, there is no mention of what the document was or where that document is today. Additionally, there are several accounts of Miles' sons Christopher & Samuel arriving in Sullivan County in 1826 & stating that their father had arrived a year or so earlier.

Regardless of when, at some point after Sophia's death he found a ridge of maple timber in & around Nordmont, Sullivan County. An old family story tells that these early settlers came from Huntington over the "north mountain" & that Nordmont is an abbreviation for north mountain. True? I don't know.

Miles sold off the 400 acres he owned in Huntington Township & bought 440 acres in Davidson Township for the purpose of making maple sugar. Maple sugar was a major source of income in the area at that time. Of these 440 acres, 40 acres was allowed for road ways. The land included what would later become known as the Frank Speary property, the Asa Speary farm & the Flick, King & Horn tracts.

Twins Permelia & Emelia kept house for their father while he set up a sugar camp. He made hand-hewn spiles & sap troughs & cleared timber in order to prepare the land for farming. His first potato crop was planted around tree stumps left after clearing.

In the early days, when there were no real roads Miles and other men from this area transported the maple sugar in pails suspended from a neck yoke. There are notes, again read at the Speary Family reunion in 1937, which tell a story about Miles walking down Fishing Creek - during his first spring in Sullivan County. He has his maple sugar pails & his neck yoke and is heading for market in Danville. Along the way he met a stranger & asked directions to Danville. He realizes quickly that the stranger is deaf .  The two men  continue on together but end up in Catawissa where they sell the sugar for "a shillin' a pound".

When you have so many children, sooner or later the matter of schooling becomes a problem.  Taking the bull by the horns, Miles set up the first school in the area (Elk Lick Settlement) in his very own home.  Classes were taught by Miles' oldest daughter Anna Speary. Miles was on the board of directors.  It would be some time yet before Hiddleson school was built.

Miles and his son Samuel were also trustees of the Cherry Grove Church - even though there was no actual church building at the time & services were often held in a cherry grove - hence the name. It was many years later that Miles' son Christopher provided in his will the money needed for construction of the actual church.

Miles Speary served in the War of 1812 with the 2nd Brigade, 9th Division of the Pa. Militia under the command of Captain Peter Hallock. He was mustered in at Huntington, Luzerne County on June 12th , 1814 & was honorably discharged at Danville, Pa on November 24th, 1814.

Miles died of "consumption" and is buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Sullivan County, Pa.. His grave is marked with a War of 1812 grave marker. The original marker long ago disintegrated & illegible. The 1812 marker shows his date of death as Nov 17, 1859.
 

From Sperry to Speary

Children of Miles Speary and Sophia Earl are:

Children of Miles Speary and Hannah Bennett are:

Children of Mary Speary and Benivel Horn are:

Generation No. 2

9. Samuel⁹ Speary (Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)³ was born March 03, 1811 in Huntington, Luzerne County, Pa.³, and died May 02, 1887 in New York. He married Mary Colley Pennington, daughter of Jesse Pennington and Rebecca Colley. She was born 1809 in Columbia Co., Pa., and died 1893 in New York.

Samuel Speary was born in Huntington, Luzerne County, Pa & first arrived in Davidson Township, Sullivan county with his brother Christopher in 1826 at the age of 15. His father, Miles, had arrived earlier. 

Wilbur Flick age 3 is noted in the 1860 Pa. census as residing with Samuel Speary. Flick is the married name of Samuel's sister Sophia. She died in 1856. I believe this may be her son.

Samuel & Mary do not appear in the 1870 Pa census but show up again in an 1875 Census record for the town of Orange (East), Schuyler co., NY. It reads as follows: Head of household Samuel Speary aged 64 born in Luzerne Co., Pa. married to Mary age 66 Born in Columbia Co., Pa. His occupation is farmer. Also living in the house are: Amos W. Flick age 18 listed as his adopted son born in Pennsylvania single. This would be the same age as the Wilbur Flick noted in the 1860 Pa census. The W. is probably for Wilbur. Rosetta Brown age 9 listed as his granddaughter born Sullivan Co., Pa.

Samuel & Mary Colley Pennington Speary are buried at Sugar Hill Cemetery, Schuyler Co, NY

Children of Samuel Speary and Mary Pennington are:

Christopher Speary was born in Huntington, Luzerne County, Pa & first arrived in Davidson Township, Sullivan county with his brother Samuel in 1826 at the age of 13. His father, Miles, had arrived earlier. He returned to Huntington, Luzerne County, at the age of 25 and married Rachel Jane Benscoter.

Christopher & Rachel left Huntington in a buggy drawn by 2 horses & were headed for Illinois when they stopped in Davidson Township to visit Christopher's father Miles. While there Miles offered them 50 acres of land as a gift if they would settle & farm there rather than continue on to Illinois. They accepted.

Christopher originally built a 2-story log house on the property. The first floor contained a kitchen, bedroom & buttery while the second floor held 2 bedrooms.

In total, Rachel & Christopher had 14 children. Their first 2 children were twins born in 1839 - both died as infants - no further information (names, dates, etc.) is available.

As their family grew, their farmhouse had another bedroom & kitchen added but in 1873 a new house was built on the Christopher Speary homestead. In 1937 Frank Speary - Christopher’s grandson, owned this farm.

Elk Lick had never had a church & held their services in the Elk Lick School or outdoors in a cherry grove in good weather. Although land had been deeded & a board of trustees elected in 1858 the citizen's could never afford to build a church. In 1893, Christopher Speary left in his will $300.00 for use to build the Cherry Grove Church. Because the labor & lumber were donated the $300.00 was enough to pay for construction. It took an additional 2 years to complete as the citizen's could only work on the church in the time they could spare away from their farms.

Rachel Jane Benscoter remains somewhat of a mystery. According to the notes read by Eudora Jane Speary Sick - daughter of Dorson Speary & Rachel's granddaughter - at a Speary Family Reunion in 1937:
 

A man & his wife - a Mr. & Mrs. Brown - were passing through Huntington & spent the night of August 5, 1818 at the Benscoter home. During the visit, Mrs. Brown gave birth to Rachel Jane. The notes state that because the Benscoters had no family of their own they wanted to keep the baby and that the Browns gave their consent. 

In a letter dated July 29, 1978 from Alice Brown - granddaughter of Lucy Ann Speary (Rachel's daughter), Alice recounts a story told by her mother how Rachel's older brothers (3 or 5 of them) would carry her over puddles on the way to school. Obviously one story or the other is not completely accurate. If Rachel had older brothers then the story of the Benscoters having no family of their own is inaccurate. Perhaps they simply had no girls & that is why they desired to keep the Brown's baby.

In yet another letter dated 1978, Mrs. Lynn Cerveris - descendant of Christopher Speary & Rachel Jane Benscoter - tells how her Grandmother Sally (Sarah Eliza - daughter of Christopher & Rachel) stated that her mother was an Indian. While this may be a first hand story told by Rachel's daughter there is no evidence to support it. In fact, both Mrs. Cerveris & Alice Brown state in letters, again dated 1978, that Rachel Jane was noted as having bright red hair, deep blue eyes & fair skin (not exactly traits anyone has ever associated with any Indian tribe that I am aware of).

Rachel Jane was also noted for being left handed & a family story tells that she hired a woman to teach her daughters how to sew because she felt that she would be holding the needle in the "wrong hand" while teaching & would confuse the girls. According to Eudora Jane Sick's notes, Rachel Jane was a very efficient woman who also raised, spun & wove flax & wool, dried berries, fruits & pumpkin and made clothes for her large family.

Searches of the Van Benscoter book owned in the 1970s by Mr. Floyd Tubbs of Shickshinny, Pa showed no mention of a Rachel Jane.

Searches of the Benscoter book in 2001 showed no mention of Rachel.

There is a connection to the surname Gregory – Benscoter step children – who are also witness on legal documents pertaining to Miles service in the War of 1812 that show friendship between these 2 families. However, the original family records for that particular Benscoter family burned with their homestead around 1850.

Christopher & Rachel Jane are buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. 
 

Please click images to view full size
Christopher Speary Family Plot

Note that Rachel's tombstone (which is also Christopher's stone) reads:
Rachel
Wife of 
C.B. Speary
Died
July 28 1890
Aged
72 Yrs 11Ms
& 28 Day
This makes her birthday July 30, 1817 - which does not match the Aug. 5, 1818 story involving the Brown family.

Children of Christopher Speary and Rachel Benscoter are:

27 i. James¹⁰ Speary, born July 12, 1840 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA; died May 03, 1863 in Chancellorsville, Va..

Union soldier in the Civil War. Served with the 141st Regiment, Company K of the Pennsylvania Volunteers as a Private. Mustered in August 27, 1862 (with his brother Dorson). His service records shows he was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863 at age 23.

According to the 141st Regimental History book written in 1886 by Regimental Chaplain David Craft, page 91:

"James Sperry and his brother Dorson were residents of Davidson township, in Sullivan County, and both member of the same company. In the assault upon the enemy's position in the oak woods James was mortally wounded in the back, and as the Regiments was compelled immediately to fall back he was left on the field. He was unmarried and about 24 years of age. He seemed to have premonition of his death, for in col. Watkins' diary was this entry: -"James Sperry, Company K, shot by a ball in the back in the spine, Chancellorsville, VA. His fathers name is Christopher Sperry - resides in Davidson, Sullivan County, PA. 'He died a soldier and a Christian. If he never meets you on earth, will meet you in heaven.' "

"Oliver G. King, a cousin of the Sperrys, and also of the Penningtons, and Converse, of the same company, enlisted from Laporte township, was a son of William King, a single man, and about the age of 20."

Of the four hundred and nineteen officers and men with which his company entered the battle of Chancellorsville, two hundred and thirty-four were either killed or wounded.
Note that his tombstone shows 5-19-1863 as his date of death. I don't know if this is a burial date or if James' body was ever actually brought back home.
 

This image shows James' side of the main family stone.		This image shows James' individual stone.
Please click images to view full size

James was most likely named for his Uncle James - who also died young. He is buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.

+ 28 ii. Rosanna Melinda Speary, born October 15, 1842 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA; died July 13, 1912.
+ 29 iii. Dorson Minard Speary, born July 10, 1844 in Sullivan County, Pa.; died October 02, 1905 in Sullivan County, Pa..
30 iv. Austin Wilbur Speary, born August 15, 1846 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA; died September 07, 1875 in Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa..

Nickname Bill. Never married. No children. Buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.
 

Photo shows the simple individual head stone for Austin.  Unfortunately, the photo showing his side of the main family stone did not develop well enough to show here.  better luck next year, I guess.

Please click image to view full size

+ 31 v. Zachariah Taylor Sperry, born February 17, 1848 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA; died 1926.
+ 32 vi. Henry B Speary, born December 30, 1849 in Nordmont, Sullivan, PA; died August 18, 1910 in Luzerne Co., Pa.
+ 33 vii. Samuel Elifas Speary, born July 26, 1851 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA; died October 1923.
+ 34 viii. Sarah Eliza Speary, born July 13, 1853 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA; died March 31, 1942.
+ 35 ix. Almina Rosetta Speary, born January 31, 1855 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA; died 1930.
+ 36 x. Lucy Ann Speary, born December 15, 1857 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA; died March 1919.
+ 37 xi. Chester Barney Speary, born November 05, 1859 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA; died 1906.
+ 38 xii. John Wesley Speary, born April 06, 1863 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA; died February 24, 1924.

11. Susan9 Speary (Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)³ was born May 29, 1815 in Huntington, Luzerne County, Pa.³, and died January 04, 1853 in Troy Township, Bradford County, PA.³. She married Benjamin Beach May 13, 1847. He was born January 18, 1818 in Bradford County, Pa., and died March 08, 1870.

Also known as Susannah. Likely named after Sophia's mother & sister. Susan is buried at Hilton Cemetery, Troy Township, Bradford County, PA. Her tombstone reads:
Beach
Susan
Jan. 28, 1853
37y7m29d
wife of Benjamin
daughter of Miles S. and Sophia Speary

The family Bible lists her date of death as Jan 4, 1853 (2 weeks earlier). Her stone was probably transcribed wrong in the 1980s. When visiting her grave in August of 2001 her stone can no longer be read AT ALL.

I have seen 8 other children noted as children of Benjamin Beach & Susan Speary. However, Susan didn’t live long enough after their marriage to have all of those children. Additionally I have seen their birth dates given as several years AFTER Susan's death. I believe these are from a second marriage of Benjamin.

Child of Susan Speary and Benjamin Beach is:

17. Asa⁹ Speary (Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)³ was born June 07, 1833 in Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa., and died February 16, 1905 in Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.. He married Mary Jane Fiester December 27, 1855⁴, daughter of Benjamin Fiester and Mary. She was born 1836, and died October 03, 1924.

The Sullivan County Democrat Jan. 18, 1856
Asa Sperry, of Davidson married to Miss Mary Jane Feister, of Shrewsbury, on the 27th ult, by Rev. Alvah R. Jones.

Asa was a farmer & served in the civil war as a Private in Company A, Regiment 50, Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry. Mary Jane was called Jane. Asa & Mary Jane Fiester Speary are buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.
 

Please click images to view full size

Children of Asa Speary and Mary Fiester are:

19. Fletcher¹⁰ Speary (Samuel⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr., Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born Abt. 1836 in Sullivan County, Pa.. He married (1) Esther Ann Edgar, daughter of Andrew Edgar and Dinah Glidewell. He married (2) Rosetta Taylor Bef. 1870.

The 1860 Pa. census show his father Samuel age 50 residing with him even though Samuel is also shown as head of household for his own family.

Listed on the 1870 Pa census is a Monroe Hiddleson- no age given - residing with Fletcher Speary & wife Rosetta. There is no indication who Monroe is however, I believe he is Rosetta’s son from her first marriage to John Hiddleson.

Children of Fletcher Speary and Esther Edgar are:

21. John W.¹⁰ Speary (Samuel⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born Abt. 1838^6. He married Matilda Abt. 1855. She was born Abt. 18446, and died Bef. 1900.

Served as a private in the PA. Infantry with Company B of 84th Regiment Pa. Volunteer Infantry during the civil war. Mustered in 12-11-61 with his brother Benjamin.

The Sullivan Review November 8th, 1883
A Post of the G. A. R. was instituted at this place on Saturday evening. At a meeting of the veteran soldiers of the late war held in Croll’s Hall, Saturday, Nov. 3rd, a Post of Grand Army of the Republic was organized, composed of sixteen members by Post Department Commander C. T. Hull, assisted by A. D. ALBERT of Post 68, Towanda; R. H. Richards of Post 72, New Albany, and Alexander Keefe, of Post 202, Athens. The utmost good feeling prevailed. The Post starts off with good prospects of success. The following were the officers installed for the present year: Daniel Schoonover, Commander; Green Henley, G. V. C.; Alfred Cole, J. V. C.; E. N. Keller, Surgeon; Charles Schock, Chaplain; Jerry Deegan, Quartermaster; Robert Kshinka, Officer of the Day; Wiliam Mosier, Officer of the Guard; John Mosier, Adjutant; J. W. Sperry, Sergeant Major, James Thorpe, Q. M. Sergeant
The night of meeting was fixed at once a month

The Sullivan Review Jan. 16, 1896
G.A.R. installation: Regular meeting of Sullivan Post 388 installed the following officers for the coming year: J. W. Speary, Commander; A. Cole, S. V. C.; Josiah Hembury, J. V. C.; John Mosier, Quartermaster
Henry C. Haley, Adjutant; William Junk, Surgeon; William Kisner, Chaplain; W. H. Williams, Q.M.S.
Josiah Sick, Sergeant of the Guard; A vote of thanks was extended to Swarts Post 72, New Albany, for their friendly visit; Commander Joseph Hested was installing their officers.

The Sullivan Review November 29th, 1883
Mrs. John W. Sperry is visiting her sister, Mrs. Joseph Gansel, at Muncy Valley.

The Sullivan Review Jan 10th 1884
Mr. and Mrs. John Auman, of Cherry, who are 82 years of age, ate their Christmas dinner with their granddaughter, Mrs. J. W. Speary, in this place.

1900 census shows him living alone on Railroad Street in Dushore, Sullivan County. Age 62 working as a carpenter.

Children of John Speary and Matilda are:

28. Rosanna Melinda¹⁰ Speary (Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born October 15, 1842 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa., and died July 13, 1912. She married Tom Edgar, son of Andrew Edgar and Dinah Glidewell sometime between 1860 & 1870 - either right before or right after the war. He was born May 31, 1839 in Davidson Twp, Sullivan Co., Pa..

Rosanna Melinda Speary & Tom Edgar’s grandmothers are half sisters – Sophia Earl & Susannah Earl.  According to Alice Brown's research, they raised Lea Belle, who married William Hess of Benton, Pa.
Tom Edgar served in the Civil War with Company B, 84th Regiment of the Pa Volunteer Militia.

Children of Rosanna Speary and Tom Edgar are:

29. Dorson Minard¹⁰ Speary (Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born July 10, 1844 in Sullivan County, Pa., and died October 02, 1905 in Sullivan County, Pa.. He married Liberty Glidewell January 05, 1868 in Sullivan County, PA, USA, daughter of John Glidewell and Agnes Bennett. She was born February 13, 1847 in Sullivan County, Pa., and died July 02, 1898 in Sullivan County, Pa..

Served as a Private in the Civil War with 141st Regiment, Company K, Pennsylvania Volunteers as a Private. Mustered in August 27, 1862 (with his brother James) Mustered out with company, May 28, 1865 in Washington, DC

Letter sent by Dorson Speary during the civil war to his Uncle Barnard Sutliff in Luzerne County. 

According to the 141st Regimental History book written in 1886 by Regimental Chaplain David Craft, "Dorson Sperry, wounded at Chancellorsville, mustered out with the Company"
Dorson was also at the Battle of the Wilderness.

The 1900 census shows a sister-in-law Rebecca Dent age 59, widow and a niece Dora Campell age 10 residing with him.
Dorson Minard & Liberty Glidewell Speary are buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.
 

Child of Dorson Speary and Liberty Glidewell is:
 

31. Zachariah Taylor¹⁰ Sperry (Christopher B⁹ Speary, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born February 17, 1848 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA, and died 1926. He married Sarah Ellen Michael 1875 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa.. She was born 1857, and died 1947.

Please click image to view full size

Used the name Taylor. Notice he spells his surname Sperry

Went west to Norton County, Kansas in 1880. Homesteaded near Cawker City, Kansas for several years & then settled in Edmond, Kansas.
Had a total of 8 children (6 boys & 2 girls - 1 boy & 1 girl did not survive).
Zachariah Taylor & Sarah Ellen Michael Sperry are buried in Edmond, Norton County, Kansas

Children of Zachariah Sperry and Sarah Michael are:

32. Henry B¹⁰ Speary (Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born December 30, 1849 in Nordmont, Sullivan, PA, and died August 18, 1910 in Luzerne Co., Pa. He married Lucretia Lamoreaux. She was born 1845 in Jackson Township, PA, and died 1895 in Luzerne Co., Pa.

Children of Henry Speary and Lucretia Lamoreaux are:

33. Samuel Elifas¹⁰ Speary (Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born July 26, 1851 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA, and died October 1923. He married Harriet E Speary, daughter of Asa Speary and Mary Fiester. She was born October 13, 1858 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA, and died August 12, 1942.

Also called Sam. Had a total of 8 children (5 boys & 3 girls - 1 girl died before maturity). Wife Harriet is daughter of Asa Speary (their fathers are half-brothers).

I have two notes regarding the Speary Family reunions - which to the best of my knowledge did not exist after the 1960s. One states that Asa Speary started the family reunions. The other states that Hat (Harriet) started them. Hat is daughter of Asa Speary. 1900 Census shows her born in 1856

Samuel Elifas & Harriet E Speary are buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.

Children of Samuel Speary and Harriet Speary are:

34. Sarah Eliza¹⁰ Speary (Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born July 13, 1853 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA, and died March 31, 1942. She married Henry Irvin Green Abt. 1875. He was born June 1848, and died September 15, 1926.

Was known as Sally & her tombstone is marked Susan. The 1900 census lists her as Sussie E. It also shows that she was the mother of 5 children with only 4 alive at that time. Henry Irvin Green is listed in the 1900 census as a Day laborer. It also shows he owned his home free of any mortgage.
Henry Irvin & Sarah Eliza Speary Green are buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.⁸

Children of Sarah Speary and Henry Green are:

35. Almina Rosetta¹⁰ Speary (Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born January 31, 1855 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA, and died 1930. She married (1) William H Converse July 04, 1874 in Hughesville, Pa. He was born 1852 in Lycoming County, Pa, and died 1900. She married (2) John Ryan Aft. 1900. He died 1926.

Also called Elmina and Minnie and Mina - had 3 children (2 boys & 1 girl) with 1st husband William Converse. She had no additional children with her second husband John Ryan.
Almina Rosetta Speary, William H Converse & John Ryan are all buried at Ellentown Cemetery, Lycoming Co., Pa.

Children of Almina Speary and William Converse are:

36. Lucy Ann¹⁰ Speary (Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born December 15, 1857 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA, and died March 1919. She married John Henry Green August 04, 1877 in LaPorte, Sullivan County, Pa.. He was born December 12, 1853 in Sullivan County, Pa., and died December 23, 1912.

had 12 children including 7 girls & 4 boys. 1 still birth. 2 boys & 2 girls didn't live to maturity. Grandparents of Alice Brown.

Children of Lucy Speary and John Green are:

37. Chester Barney¹⁰ Speary (Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born November 05, 1859 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA, and died 1906. He married Rose Hess. She was born 1863, and died 1935.

Chester as a farmer and resided in Benton, Columbia Co., Pa. Sold produce in the Wilkes-Barre, Pa area. He is buried at Ravens Creek Cemetery, Benton Twp., Pa.

Children of Chester Speary and Rose Hess are:

38. John Wesley¹⁰ Speary (Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)¹⁰ was born April 06, 1863 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA, and died February 24, 1924. He married Lizzie Bell Wilson¹⁰ May 04, 1885, daughter of Elias Wilson and Mary Hill. She was born October 20, 1863, and died March 03, 1919.

	Please click images to view full size
Original Christopher Speary homestead		John Wesley Speary Family

The Christopher Speary farm was left to John Wesley in his father's will. He resided on the farm all his life. His daughter Mary & son Frank lived there afterwards. Mary's daughter Marguerite Speary Cox & her husband John were the last resident of the Christopher Speary Farm as of 1969. To the best of my knowledge they are both still living & still live on the original homestead.

All information regarding John Wesley & his family was gathered in a personal interview of Marguerite Cox conducted by Alice Brown in 1969.

The Sullivan Review 10 Jan 1884
Mr. and Mrs. John AUMAN, of Cherry, who are 82 years of age, ate their Christmas dinner with their granddaughter, Mrs. J. W. SPEARY, in this place.
Lizzie Bell Wilson was also known as Lizzie or Lizabel. John Wesley & Lizabel Wilson Speary are buried at Hillcrest Cemetery, Sonestown, Pa.

Children of John Speary and Lizzie Wilson are:

40. Harriet E¹⁰ Speary (Asa⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born October 13, 1858 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA, and died August 12, 1942. She married Samuel Elifas Speary, son of Christopher Speary and Rachel Benscoter. He was born July 26, 1851 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa. USA, and died October 1923.

Husband Samuel is son of Christopher Speary (their fathers are half-brothers).

Children are listed above under (33) Samuel Elifas Speary.

41. Charles WATSON¹⁰ Speary (Asa⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born August 1859¹¹. He married Rosetta Idella Phillips 1882, daughter of John Phillips and Susan Sones. She was born February 1864¹¹.

Used the name Watson. Rosetta was also known as Rose. They had 5 children & lived near Sonestown. He is listed as Township Tax Collector in 1903.

The Sullivan Review (newspaper) 11 January 1883
C. Watson Speary married to Miss Rosetta J. Phillips, both of Davidson Twp.; married at the residence of the bride’s parents, Dec. 27th, 1882, by Rev. A. P. Wharton

Children of Charles Speary and Rosetta Phillips are:

43. Marriette¹⁰ Speary (Asa⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born July 1864 in Sullivan County, Pa., and died 1952. She married Charles Wright Little¹² 1880¹³, son of Thomas Little and Ann Pennington. He was born April 28, 1859, and died 1942.

Also sometimes shown as Mary Etta. Charles & Marriette Speary Little are buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.

Children of Marriette Speary and Charles Little are:

45. Cora Jane¹⁰ Speary (Asa⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born 1869, and died 1944. She married Charles A Lease 1887. He was born February 1864, and died 1944.

I have had information provided to me that show Cora Jane & Charles as also the parents of Anna Lease b.1889, d.1979, Ceciel Lease b. 1891, d.1952 & William b. 1917, d. 1918 However, the 1900 census shows Cora & Charles as parents only to Brady & Ernest. It further states that Cora has had only 2 children at that point in time & that both are living. Clearly, Anna & Ceciel are not listed as their children even though according to the birth dates provided for them they would have been only 11 & 9 years old & living with their parents.
It is far more likely that Ceciel & Anna are WIVES of Ernest & Brady and that William was a child to one of these couples. There are graves for all of the above at Cherry Grove. Even if these girls WERE daughters of Cora & Charles, is it likely that they would have never married & changed their last names?

Children of Cora Speary and Charles Lease are:

47. Ernest¹⁰ Speary (Asa⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born November 1873, and died December 11, 1939. He married Lillian Alta Smith¹⁴ Abt. 1896¹⁴. She was born April 1881.

Private First Class 311 M G BN 79 Division. He is buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.
There is a grave at Cherry Grove cemetery for Leota Speary with date of death as 1912. She is marked: Daughter of E & L Speary. I believe she is daughter to Ernest & Lillie.

Children of Ernest Speary and Lillie are:

48. Charlotte V¹⁰ Speary (Asa⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born September 1865. She married Francis Hummel Abt. 1882. He was born October 1860.

Known as Lottie. Shown in the 1900 census as living in the East Scott District of Columbia County, Pa. Eventually resided near Wilkes-Barre, Pa. This census shows Francis to be a boat builder.

Children of Charlotte Speary and Francis Hummel are:

60. Eudora Jane¹¹ Speary (Dorson Minard¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born October 06, 1868 in Sullivan County, Pa., and died May 30, 1951 in Endicott, NY. She married Julius John Sick December 24, 1889. He was born December 30, 1861 in Sullivan County, Pa., and died August 15, 1946 in Endicott, NY.

Some of the notes here are from her original records read at a Speary Family Reunion in 1937.

History of Sullivan County gives her marriage date as 9-2-1889. I have it on record from her daughters, Adona & Emmabelle, as 12-24-1889 (Christmas Eve). Julius John Sick was born in Cherry Mills, Sullivan County, Pa. Owned a farm at what was known as "The Corners". He purchased the original Elk Lick School building sometime in 1929 & the last record I have shows the building used for a storage facility in the 50s.

Julius John & Eudora Jane Speary are buried at Cherry Grovel Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa.

Children of Eudora Speary and Julius Sick are:

62. Alvah Eugene¹¹ Sperry (Zachariah Taylor¹⁰, Christopher B⁹ Speary, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born 1879 in Cawker City, Ks., and died 1965. He married Atha Markham 1908. She was born 1887, and died 1920. He is buried in Edmond Cemetery, Edmond, Ks.

Children of Alvah Sperry and Atha Markham are:

69. James L¹¹ Speary (Henry B¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born November 12, 1874 in Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa., and died February 28, 1935 in Luzerne Co., Pa. He married Eva Medley June 10, 1898. She was born July 10, 1879.

Birth in the 1900 census is recorded as May 1872. This is a year & 1/2 off from family records. Obviously one or the other is not correct. He was a druggist & is buried at Fern Knoll Cemetery, ?, Pa.

Children of James Speary and Eva Medley are:

72. Edward¹¹ Speary (Henry B¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born July 22, 1882 in West Nanticoke, PA, and died September 22, 1953 in West Nanticoke, PA. He married Margaret Thomas. She was born February 25, 1887, and died June 09, 1944 in West Nanticoke, PA. Edward & Margaret are buried at Edge Hill Cemetery, West Nanticoke, Pa.

Children of Edward Speary and Margaret Thomas are:

74. Ada Jane¹¹ Speary (Samuel Elifas¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)¹⁵ was born 1876, and died 1950. She married William L Anderson¹⁵. He was born 1873, and died 1955.

William L & Ada Jane Speary Anderson are buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.

Child of Ada Speary and William Anderson is:

76. Bessie Elverna¹¹ Speary (Samuel Elifas¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)¹⁵ was born January 1881. She married William Little¹⁶, son of Amos Little and Eliza Glidewell. He was born September 28, 1875, and died 1958.

William Little is buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.

Children of Bessie Speary and William Little are:

91. Mary A.¹¹ Green (Lucy Ann¹⁰ Speary, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born 1879, and died 1918. She married Clyde Probst.

Resided in Trenton, NJ, had 3 sons. Both Mary & Clyde died during the influenza epidemic of WW I.

Children of Mary Green and Clyde Probst are:

94. Nelson J.¹¹ Green (Lucy Ann¹⁰ Speary, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born 1885, and died 1975.

Resided in Geneva, NY. He was married.

Child of Nelson J. Green is:

97. Josephine¹¹ Green (Lucy Ann¹⁰ Speary, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born 1891, and died 1974. She married Mr. Emmerich.

Resided in Baltimore, MD. She was married (names & date not available).

Children of Josephine Green and Mr. Emmerich are:

99. Orma¹¹ Green (Lucy Ann¹⁰ Speary, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹) was born October 11, 1894 in Lycoming County, Pa, and died 1965. She married Willis Berton Brown. He was born December 04, 1894 in Morgan County, Mo..

Children of Orma Green and Willis Brown are:

106. Stina Grace¹¹ Speary (Chester Barney¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)¹⁷ was born 1889, and died 1965. She married Edward Eckhart May 08, 1908. He was born 1888, and died 1962.

Stina Grace Speary & Edward Eckhart celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on May 08, 1958. They had 6 children & resided in Hunlocks Creek, Pa. Edward was a woodsman.

Child of Stina Speary and Edward Eckhart is:

118. Alvin Elias¹¹ Speary (John Wesley¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)¹⁸ was born August 16, 1885 in Nordmont, Sullivan County, Pa., and died April 27, 1958 in Rochester, Pa. He married Frances Emerick¹⁸ April 01, 1909 in Beaver, Pa.. She was born 1888, and died in Rochester, Pa.

Appears to be listed as Elias in the 1900 census. Visited his uncle Taylor in Kansas in 1909 & married when he returned.

Children of Alvin Speary and Frances Emerick are:

119. Thomas B¹¹ Speary (John Wesley¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)¹⁸ was born April 17, 1887 in Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa., and died 1935. He married Jessie Edna Little¹⁸, daughter of John Little and Marey Edkin. She was born August 09, 1893, and died June 21, 1924.

Thomas B Speary is buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.

Children of Thomas Speary and Jessie Little are:

120. Mary Malinda¹¹ Speary (John Wesley¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)¹⁸ was born March 29, 1889 in Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa., and died 1950 in Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa..

Mary Malinda Speary is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery, Sonestown, Pa. She never married. Resided in the original family homestead all of her life.

Child of Mary Malinda Speary is:

121. Clara Vern¹¹ Speary (John Wesley¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles⁸, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles⁶, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)¹⁸ was born June 1891 in Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa., and died 1930. She married Vincent Miller.

Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery, Sonestown, Pa.

Children of Clara Speary and Vincent Miller are:

122. Dora Maude¹¹ Speary (John Wesley¹⁰, Christopher B⁹, Miles^8, Wooding⁷ Sperry, Charles^6, James⁵, Richard⁴Sperry, Jr, Richard³ Sperry, John², John¹)¹⁸ was born September 21, 1892 in Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa., and died August 29, 1960. She married Roland Ralphard Horn. He was born 1887, and died 1968.

Roland Ralphard & Dora Maude Speary Horn are buried at Cherry Grove Cemetery, Nordmont, Sullivan Co., Pa.

Children of Dora Speary and Roland Horn are:

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