Re: Charles Hubbs (1749-1813)
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In reply to:
Re: Charles Hubbs (1749-1813)
Beverly Julian 5/02/04
Hi Beverly, it was good to see your message.This is something which has been troubling to some family researchers for years.Your account is almost exactly word-for-word, an account written by my great-aunt Bessie Hubbs (1880-1967) many years previously, told to her by another of her relatives. (I actually have the original notebook, one of six, that Aunt Bessie wrote in the 1930's and '40's, in which this was written.) My Aunt Helen (Hubbs) Terry, who acquired all of Aunt Bessie's research upon her death, could not find any corroborating information from this story, and because of certain key dates of weddings and births, was able to discount this family tale.However, as you say, each story has a "germ" of truth to it, and it was to this that I wrote some additional information, which was posted on a family website.Here is an excerpt:
The following was recorded by Ms. Bessie Hubbs, and dated May 5, 1953 , at Kirkville,
New York. Keep in mind, at the time that this was a handwritten transcription of verbal
third-hand information from an aged relative, copied over by Bessie verbatim in her
records. (Bessie was Harry's sister; Elizabeth Hubbs, who had died in 1914, almost 40
years before Bessie transcribed this, would be Bessie's and Harry's cousin, once-removed.)
Afterwards, please look at Bio of "Charles Hubbs (1749-813)" posted in the "history"
section. I think that is closer to Aunt Helen's vision of the family story.
. . . . .
In Aunt Helen's writings and notes, and from much I've found in internet records, there are
no supporting facts to some of these recollections. For example, all historical records
indicate that Charles was probably born on Long Island, N. Y., and not Bath, England. . . .
but Bath IS near where the original emigrant Robert Hubbs was from in the mid-1600's.
And the records do indicate THREE brothers emigrating from England and settling in
New York. The 14 "years" as an impressed sailor was more likely 14 "months": the known
timeline of births, marriages, etc., just don't support a 14-year-long period. Faulty
memories, muddied stories? Our own family's "X-Files" . . . the truth is out there
Here is portion of Aunt Bessie's story, which picks up after yours ends. . .
Great-grandfather Charles Hubbs and Mariam Coffin Hubbs left the Island
in 1776, Mar. 25.Where they lived between that time and the time when
their youngest child William was born at Half Moon, Saratoga County, N.
Y. we do not know.May 6, 1795.
In 1802 Great-grandfather Hubbs moved to Charleston Four Corners,
Town of Root, Montgomery Co.,from Saratoga Co.
In 1809 Grandfather Charles Hubbs, then 17 years old, ran away
from home as stated in Great-grandfather Charles Hubbs’s letter.He left
home on the 17 of October 1809 saying he was going to the store and was
not heard from again until the fall of 1826.The story handed down was
that he went to sea ---
Great-grandfather Charles Hubbs died in 1813.Great-grandmother
Mariam Coffin Hubbs died in 1825. Nov. 12.
When first heard of Grandfather Charles Hubbs was living near
Philadelphia.He had married Margaret Hensey and had two children
William and Sarah.Two children were born before they were, David and
Samuel. (See Hubbs record) Evidently they died in infancy as there is no
further record of them.
In the fall of 1826 Charles Hubbs returned to his old home in
Montgomery Co. driving a fine team of horses.When people remarked
about them he said: “If you think this is a fine team you should see the
one I left at home.”He said he woulddrive them up the next fall but in
the meantimeA team of horses ran away& he was crushed against a tree
so that he died.
In a letter written Sept. 4, 1828 by David Coffin Hubbs to Jonathan
Thomas of Chester Springs, he tells Mr. Thomas that his brother William
intends to come and get “the widow and her little family.”
Aunt Lib House told me (Bessie Hubbs) that her mother did not
want to go to Montgomery County but one night as she was sitting on the
bed getting ready to retire her husband sat there bedside her, just as in life.
He told her that one of his brothers would come to take her to
Montgomery Co., and that she should go with him.A third child Charles
Hubbs was born Aug. 16,1828 in Pennsylvania. (This Charles was the
father of Ada Eugene, Carrie Taylor& Marshall Hubbs.)Aunt Lib in
telling me this asserts that her Mother was a very matter-of-fact woman,
not at all fanciful or imaginative.
At that time the letter, written to Jonathan Thomas by David Coffin
Hubbs, was in my possession.His younger brother William did go after
her and she went to Montgomery Co. with him.Later she married Allen
Hoag. Aunt Lib House was their only child of that union.
If you are interested, I would be pleased to send you copy of this notebook, Bessie's and Helen's notes, and whatever other information.I am interested in your research on the CAIN/Kane line (Thomas was Jane's husband), in Montgomery Co.(I believe that I have some photos of Cain gravesites in Charleston Four Corners area.) Also, if you're interested, please take a look at http://www.tribalpages.com/tribes/rmhubbs952http://www.tribalpages.com/tribes/rmhubbs952,
(and use the password "GROVE") for a portion of the information Aunt Helen had left, and I'm in the process of posting.
You can contact me thru my e-mail address, or post a message here. I look forward to hearing from you,
Richard Hubbs