Re: Wesley Mudgett's Bible
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In reply to:
Re: Wesley Mudgett's Bible
Diane Kaye 2/03/01
Dear D.Kaye
I am the owner of Wesley Mudgetts Bible. I also have both editions on the Thomas Mudgett of Salisbury, Mass. Genealogy. The first Ed. by Bruce Mudgett(1961, my G-Grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Mudgett was listed as born in Waukesha, Wisc. in 1858, married Adeline Houghtelling (Hotelling)1875, and died in Maplewood Twp., Ottertail Co., Minnesota. He was listed as gen.(7) and gen.(6)(His father) was Benjamin L. Mudgett, son of Benjamin H. Mudgett (5). Benjamin L. was born in Castine, Me. 1836, "went west" probably to Waukesha, Wisc. where he married Lois??? and died in late 1850's.My G-grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Mudgett was listed as the only child. I always thought there was more to the story. Benjamin L. Mudgett (6) had a brother Luther Mudgett (6), who was born in Castine,Me 1836, and "went west". Luther was not listed with a wife or children, nor any further information about him. I would have thought that he and Ben L. were one and the same if not for a census in which they were both listed. When Everett F. Mudgett published the 2nd Ed. of the Thomas Mudgett Genealogy,(1996) he changed it so that Luther is the one who married Lois??? and Benjamin Franklin was only child listed, and his birthdate became 1853, d. 1889,married Adeline Houghtelling (correct spelling should be Hotelling.)
As far as I know, Benjamin Franklin (known as Frank) was the only Mudgett in Ottertail Co., Mn. and most of his children were born there, although he may have lived in Martin Co., Mn. for a while, as one daughter, Ruth, was born there.Other children, Malinda,(died as infant), Ida, and Thomas Franklin were all born in Maplewood or Friberg Twp. of Ottertail Co., Mn. I believe Thomas was born after his father was killed in the well accident on the Ben Grant (step-father-in law's farm.My own research has found Ben Franklin Mudgett's birth and deathdates as 14 March,1857, and 7 March,1889. I can visit the graves in the Maplewood Cem. of Ben Grant, wife Malinda Aldrich Hotelling Grant, Benjamin Franklin Mudgett, and my grandfather, Wesley Benjamin Mudgett.
When Everett came out with 2nd Edition Mudgett Genealogy, he had Ezra Mudgett in it, (not in 1st Ed.), but I had learned about Ezra from the census many years ago, and always wondered about the child Frank, whether he was my G-grandfather Frank. I have never actually personally traced him back to any parents. He may have been fostered in a Brock family. Either the birth certificate for Melinda or the death certificate for Nicoline show the parents as Frank and Adeline Brock.Of course, one time the courthouse was in a tornado, and I think some of the old records may have had to be reconstructed. Even the babys name changed from the time she was born, by the time she died ten months later. She was still a Mudgett but her first name was different from her birth certificate.
But yes, I do think it is possible that the Frank listed on census with Ezra may have been a grandson or visiting relative. Ezra's wife, Mathilda died, as did son, William H. In ABSTRACTS FROM OBITUARIES PUBLISHED IN WAUKESHA,WISCONSIN NEWSPAPERS, 1863-1881, I find the following:MUDGET In the hospital, at Columbus, Ky, Sept.3rd, 1863 of diarrhoea and typhoid fever, William H. Mudget, in the 19th year of his age. Also, in Vernon, Mar.11th,of consumption, Mathilda A., wife of E.Mudget, aged 49 years.(June14,1864).