This is a copy of the lecture given on Christmas Morning by Dr. James C. Jackson on Christmas morning, December 25, 1866 at “Liberty Hall” (wherever that is).   It’s more like a sermon from a protestant church than a lecture.  ~ CCJ Transcription — “Christmas Morning Lecture” by Dr. James C. Jackson, “Liberty Hall,” Dec. […]

Cranston Household Food Preparation Plans Dated July 27th, 1892 About These Lists These two documents form a weekly household meal plan kept by the Cranston family, dated July 27th, 1892. The first sheet sets out a breakfast for each day of the week, Sunday through Saturday; The second sets out the corresponding dinner (the main […]

In the autumn of 1815, John Cranston gathered his daughter, five sons, and a band of twenty-four New England souls and set out from Rice City, Rhode Island, for the far West. This account, written by a descendant looking back across more than eighty years, follows them over near-impassable mountains, across a flooded creek they […]

This is the certificate signed by Illinois Governor John M. Palmer making Charles Edward Cranston Justice of the Peace for the town of Chestnut, IL in the county of Knox.  1 May 1869

Here are the documents that record the homestead information for Bess and Chris. Also shown is the detailed survey map showing Bess’s land and a “Google Earth” image of where these homesteads were located relative to the little town of Haley, the Jett Ranch (now where the Bowman-Haley Dam is located) and Bowman, North Dakota. […]

Janice Opsahl provided the link to this information about Ephraim Cranston, the brother of Chistopher Cranston and the family member who led the Cranston’s to Oregon on the Oregon Trail in 1850.  The information came from “History of Oregon Illustrated,” Vol. 3 by Charles H. Carney, The Pioneer Historical Publishing Company, Chicago – Portland 1922 […]

Josephine (Josie) Parke Cranston was the daughter of Charles Edward Cranston and Christopher (Doc) Cranston’s older sister by twelve years.  The “Parke” is correct – not to be confused with her aunt – Josephine Park Cranston.  “Parke” was the maiden name of Charles’s wife and Josie’s mother, Keturah Taylor Parke Cranston. Helen, Marion, Bill and […]

This is a War of 1812 military bounty land patent — a printed form with manuscript fill-ins, signed (or secretarially signed) by President James Monroe. This is a War of 1812 military bounty land patent — a printed form with manuscript fill-ins, signed (or secretarially signed) by President James Monroe. The engraved vignette and printed […]

Christopher Cranston, Charles Edward Cranston’s father, died on November 8, 1858 at age 55.  This is the record of the probate of his estate.  The estate, after expenses, contained the amount of $7,044 for distribution.  In today’s dollars, that would be approximately $201,000.  His wife (Irene) received a distribution of $2414.66 or $68,990 in today’s […]

This is a COPY of John Cranston’s will.  John was Charles Edward Cranston’s father – died on August 25, 1825 in Woodstock, OH.  I don’t know who made the copy. _________________ Last Will and Testament of John Cranston Wayne Township, Champaign County, Ohio · March 22, 1823 Manuscript “Copy of Will” · Document W in […]

This is the commissioning document for Charles Edward Cranston (Chris’s father) in the Ohio Militia as a 2nd Corporal.  15 August 1863 Ohio Volunteer Militia appointment of Charles E. Cranston as Second Corporal, Aug 15, 1863 (Woodstock, Champaign Co., OH) (A partly-printed Ohio Volunteer Militia commission/appointment form with manuscript fill-ins. Engraved eagle vignette with banner […]

This 1824 deed records John Cranston acquiring a 300-acre tract (the east half of Virginia Military District Survey No. 3689) from William Lytle of Cincinnati for $500. It is not John Cranston’s first Ohio land. John came to Ohio as the family pioneer in 1815, and by the time he made his will in March […]

Grandma (Bess) Melby is famous!