Map of 1858 property owners in St Joseph, Michigan

The Three Rivers Genealogical Society published an Index to Map of St. Joseph County, Michigan 1858. This record is available at the Family History Library, book 977.4 A1 no. 139. This index is an alphabetical listing of all property owners, businesses, villages, churches, cemeteries, etc., which appeared on the original 1858 wall map for St. Joseph County. By this time our Curtis family was already gone and back in New York. The Curtis families that remained in St. Joseph might be relatives they left behind:

• A. Curtis - Mottville 13
• D. Curtis - Flowerfield 17
• N. Curtis - Constantine 6
• S. Curtis - Constantine 10
• T. M. Curtis - Constantine 8
• T. M. Curtis - constantine 9

Newspapers in St. Joseph, Michigan

The Western Chronicle; First Newspaper Printed in St. Joseph County, Michigan alphabetical listing, by Maryella Bowdish. (Lansing, Michigan: Michigan Genealogical Council, 19--.) FHL fiche 6332812.

• The following names were found in this index: David W. Curtis; Friend Curtis; Melissa Curtis, Northrop Curtis, Norton S. Curtis, Seth Curtis, T. M. Curtis, Cyrus W. Card, William P. Card, Sarah Carl [could be Card], A. J. Schoonmaker, E. T. Schoonmaker, foster (Centerville), Rev. Herschel Foster, James Foster, plus others with tsurname Foster.
• Note that William Fuller Card, the father of Sarah Lavantia Card, died in 1846, but his probate notice was printed in the newspaper on 9 Nov 1850.
• I hired a genealogical researcher in St. Joseph Co., Michigan to search the microfilm of this newspaper and she sent the following copies:
• 12 June 1850 - Seth Curtis notice about lost steer
• 9 November 1850 - Friend Curtis and William Fuller Card probate notices
• 21 December 1850 - Northrup Curtis married Helen Shellhouse notice
• 4 January 1851 - Wm F. Card probate sale notice
• 18 January 1851 - Friend Curtis commissioners notice concerning probate
• 3 March 1851 - Wm. F. Card notice of administrators sale
• 1 January 1857 - Melissa Curtis notice selling land

St. Joseph County, Michigan Curtis Marriage Records

Record of Marriages, 1832-1925, for St. Joseph County, Michigan. Recorded by the County Clerk. Are on microfilm at the Family History Library. I searched the groom index for 1832-1886 on film 1295527, items 2-3 and found several Curtis marriages. Unfortunately, nothing was recorded for Benjamin Curtis and Sarah Card. The marriages recorded in volumes A, B, and C are closer to the time period that Benjamin and Sarah were living in St. Joseph county. If any of the following marriages are related to our Curtis family, it is unknown at this time:

• Amaiah Curtis & Mary A. J. Buch; vol B, p 50
• Henry V. Curtis & Elma Comstock; vol E, p 121
• Henry R. Curtis & Jessie F. Oakes; vol E, p 321
• Levi H. Curtis & Diantha Beaterson; vol D, p 146 (26 April 1866)
• Lyman Curtis & Adaline Hill; vol E, p 34
• Lester Curtis & R. A. Myers; vol E, p 35
• Marcus Curtis & Patty M. Runyon; vol E, p 40
• Philander Curtis & Catherine Neilson; vol A, p 269 
• Northrup Curtis & Helen Schellhous; vol B, p 106 (10 December 1850; note that this is about the same time period that Benjamin and Sarah were married. Therefore, I would expect to see a record of marriage recorded close to this record. Unfortunately, nothing was found.)
• Orange D. Curtis & Mary Ann Jones; vol C, p 85 (8 March 1855)
• Nelson Curtis & Julia A. Brown; vol C, p 464 (25 June 1864)
• Wilham Curtis & Catherine Paine; vol A, p 173
• Wilson J. Curtis & Mary F. Bailey; vol E, p 163

The St. Joseph County birth, death, marriage records. Department of Education, Michigan State Library (FHL film 927440, item 5) listed the following marriages (note that some are duplicates of those listed in the record above):

• Northrup Curtis of Colon, married Hellen Schellhous, 10 December 1850
• Amariah Curtis of York, Elkhart Co., Indiana, married Mary A. J. Beach, 8 Oct 1848
• Philander Curtis of White Pigeon, married Catharine Malison, 2 March 1845
• William A. Curtis, 22 Batavia, Branch Co., married Catharine Baine, 12 June 1841

St. Joseph County, Michigan Biographies & Histories

The following biographies have been searched:

Portraits and biographical album of St. Joseph County, Michigan: containing full pages portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county.  (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1889.) FHL Book 977.419 D3s and Film 1000247 item 4.

• Searched 8 June 1993. No Curtis surname biographical sketches. Did not check for Card surnames. Could go back to the record and check for the Card family names. Perhaps within a Card history there is mention of Benjamin Curtis, etc.

History of St. Joseph County, Michigan: with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories from original sketches by artists of the highest ability, 1827-1877. Philadelphia: L. H. Everts, 1877.  (FHL film 1295532)

• Searched 15 Nov 1989 and 8 June 1993. Book includes township histories of Park, pg 214-220 and Mottville, pg 86-94. Histories include biographical sketches for Mottville: Andrew Thompson, Aaron Brooks, Joseph Miller, John Hartman, Halsey Caskey, Jacob S. Smith, David Ebi, Stephen M. Nash, and Samuel R. Wiley. Biographical sketches from Park: Richard Dougherty; John Lomison; and James Hitchinson. This history also mentioned “Prairie Ronde,” but in what context I don't have notes. If needed, should probably go back to see why this locality was mentioned in the history. The names I extracted from the index with the details from respective pages include:
• E. Curtis, pg 76 & 146: Rev. E. Curtis of Baptist Church, Three Rivers, for 6 months in 1873.
• Thomas M. Ortis, Pvt, pg 127: The name Ortis was in the index with the Curtis names, and found spelled Curtis on pg 127. Battery G, 1st Light Artillery. Discharged for disability.
• Shepherd Curtis, Pvt., and Samuel Curtis Pvt. Pg 126: Company D, 19th Infantry, Mustered out.
• S. W. Curtis, Maj. Pg 54: of the 7th Michigan Infantry. Led the regiment on May 5, 1864 in battle of Wilderness. Co. K was the St. Joseph Co. in the regiment.
• Jay S. Curtis, pg 162: Elsie Lodge No. 3 Daughters of Rebekah, I situated 18 May 1869. Lodge named in honor of wife of Grand Master Jay S. Curtis.
• I. Curtis, pg 119: Listed as one of the first carpenters and joiners in Constantine.
• H. W. Foster, pg 96, 100, 103: Dry goods trade 
• Benjamin Kingman Curtis served in the Civil War, but was mustered into service at Ottawa county. Since Benjamin lived in St. Joseph county during 1850's it is possible that some of the Curtis residents were related to Benjamin and their service or pension records might be helpful. The following Regiments and Companies were from St. Joseph County:
• 1st Reg Infantry; 2nd Reg Infantry, Company G from Constantine Twp; 4th Reg Infantry; 6th Reg Infantry, Co. C; 7th Reg Infantry, Co. K; 11th Reg Infantry, Co. A, C, D, E, F, G, and I; 13th Reg Infantry; 15th Reg Infantry, led by Capt. John A. Waterman of Burr Oak; 19th Reg Infantry, Co. D and E; 25th Reg Infantry, Co. D & G; 1st Light Artillery, Battery D, F, and G

French St. Joseph: Le Poste de la Riviere St. Joseph, 1690-1780, by Mildred Webster. (FHL book 977.419 H2w)

The Curtis and Card families were not in St. Joseph during this time period. Could go back and search the record for other Card or Curtis families that might be related.

St. Joseph in Homespun: a Centennial Souvenir, by Sue Imogene Silliman. Tucson: W.C. Cox, 1974. (FHL film 1000247)

No Curtis surnames in the index. Did not check for Card surnames.

Curtis family marriage and death records in Utah and Idaho

I got this from a distant cousin. The note at the bottom said it was obtained from "Lg Lib - Early to 1904 - US Utah Cache V2cen" I think this means, Logan Library, and the rest is likely a partial title and catalog number. The entries refer to the "Journal" which is likely the Logan "Journal" newspaper. The Family History Library does not have this record. The Utah Digital Newspapers for the Logan Journal newspaper only goes up to 1898 and all Curtis entries for our family were dated 1901 and 1902. Further research is still needed to find a copy of this newspaper. The following is a transcription and notes about each of the Curtis entries on this photocopy:

• Curtis, Dair (Clair) dau. of A.J. Curtis died 24 Aug 1896, Logan Jrnl 25 Aug 1895:8:4. I don't know how this child fits into our Curtis family.
• Curtis, Benjamin died in Preston, formerly of Logan Jrnl 18 Dec 1902:5:2. The fact that this record states Benjamin was formerly of Logan and that he died in Preston is good evidence that this record is for our Benjamin Kingman Curtis. If this record is only an index, then perhaps the original newspaper entry has more details.
• Curtis, D.E. 27 of Preston & Etta Brown, 21 of Lewiston; Jrnl 26 Mar. 1901 Mar. Lic. This is the marriage license notice of DeWilton Emory Curtis and Audeca Etta Brower. DeWilton is Benjamin's son. Four years later Etta died and was buried in the Preston City Cemetery in Preston, Idaho. Her headstone simply reads "Etta"
• Curtis, Dau of Charles Curtis of Logan, died. Jrnl 27 June 1901:-:2. Benjamin had a son named Friend Charles Curtis, but he was not living in the Logan area at the time of this child's death.
• Curtis, Ethan, Hyrum, Utah death Jrnl 25 Sep 1902:8:2. I don't know who this is and I don't think he is connected to our Curtis family.
• Curtis, 3 year old child of Mr. & Mrs. George Curtis formerly of Logan second ward. died 25 June 1901 Jrnl :8:3. I believe this is George Leslie Curtis and his wife Emily Faith Ash. They had two daughters who died young. One died the same day she was born on 9 October 1890, her name was Sophia. The second daughter, Cora Emily, was born 24 Sep 1898, died almost three years later on 22 June 1901, and was buried 24 June 1901. This record is likely the notice of her death.
• Curtis, Lehi W. b 27 May 1856 Springville, Utah d. 5 May 1885 Blacksmith Fork Canyon, Ut. I don't think this person is connected to our Curtis family.

Mortgage records in Ottawa County, Michigan

Yesterday I discovered there was an 1855-1878 index to mortgage records in Ottawa Co., Michigan. The index was found at the USGenWeb site for Ottawa County, Michigan in the Tallmadge Township section. Two entries in the index appear to be for our Curtis family:

1. Mortgager was Sarah L. Curtis and mortgagee was Miner Hedges. The date of mortgage was 16 November 1863. The mortgaged amount was $15.00 - yes, it's fifteen dollars!!! Benjamin was serving in the Civil War at the time this mortgage was taken out.
2. Mortgager was Benjamin Curtis and mortgagee was Charles Pitman. The date of mortgage was 23 Jun 1871. The mortgaged amount was $275.00

The Family History Library has the mortgage records on microfilm - yea! The index to the mortgages will have to be searched because the online index did not give the volume. Several volumes cover the 1863 and 1871 time periods, so without going back to the original index, there is no way to know which volume the mortgages were recorded in. Plus, by searching the original index I will be sure there are not other mortgages than the two found listed in the online index. I will update this post after I have searched the original mortgage records.

Hunters of History

During the past 50+ years many have documented and researched this Curtis family. I have located five record keepers whose work is now available on microfilm. The first two digits of the submission number represent the year they submitted their papers, 1983:

• Blair James Glancy - FHL film 1394075; Submission 83-014965
• https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/film/008212122?cat=30353&i=0
• Reed Josiah Curtis - FHL film 1394104; Submission 83-020639
• Gary Lenord Berglund - FHL film 1394139; Submission 83-029591
• Jack Curtis Brown - FHL film 1394276; Submission 83-063565
• Joyce Runyon - FHL film 1394348; Submission 83-084301

Cyrus Jerome Curtis Land Patent

Cyrus J. Curtis received a land patent for a homestead. The information about this land patent, including the original certificate can be found on the BLM website. A transcription of the certificate is as follows:

Homestead Certificate No. 3032
Application 4396

Whereas, There as been deposited in the General Land Office of the United States a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Bozeman, Montana, whereby it appears that, pursuant to the Act of Congress approved 20th May 1862, "To secure Homesteads to Actual Settlers on the Public Domain," and the acts supplemental thereto, the claim of

Cyrus J. Curtis

has been established and duly consummated, in conformity to law, for the north half of the southeast quarter and the south half of the northeast quarter of Section thirty-one in Township one north of Range fifteen east of the Montana Meridian, Montana, containing one hundred sixty acres, according to the Official Plat of the Survey of the said Land, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General:

Now Know Ye, That there is, therefore, granted by the United States unto the said

Cyrus J. Curtis

the tract of Land above described: To have and to hold the said tract of Land, with the appurtenances thereof, unto the said Cyrus J. Curtis and to his heirs and assigns forever; subject to any vested and accrued water rights for mining, agricultural, manufacturing, or other purposes, and rights to ditches and reservoirs used in connection with such water rights, as may be recognized and acknowledged by the local customs, laws, and decisions of courts, and also subject to the right of the proprietor of a vein or lode to extract and remove his ore therefrom, should the same be found to penetrate or intersect the premises hereby granted, as provided by law. And there is reserved from the lands thereby granted, a right of way thereon for ditches or canals constructed by the authority of the United States.

In testimony whereof, I, Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the twenty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seven, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and thirty-second. By the President: signature Theodore Roosevelt By F. M. M. Kean, Secretary.

Two other records are listed for Cyrus J. Curtis on the BLM index and are in the process of being digitized and added to the website: 30 March 1900, for 80 acres; and 21 Aug 1907 for 160 acres.

Clues in a name

One research method that is often used when conducting family history research is evaluating the names of the children because they were often named after family members. Naming patterns have been documented for different periods of time and localities. One typical naming pattern is:

1st son - named after father's father
2nd son - named after mother's father
3rd son - named after father
4th son - named after father's oldest brother
5th son - named after mother's oldest brother
1st daughter - named after mother's mother
2nd daughter - named after father's mother
3rd daughter - named after mother
4th daughter - named after mother's oldest sister
5th daughter - named after father's oldest sister

(see http://www.allcensus.com/namesys.html for this naming tradition)

Maybe the names of Benjamin and Sarah's child hold clues to the names of Benjamin's parents and siblings. I will compare this naming pattern to the names of the Curtis children:

Cyrus Jerome was the first son. If he was named after his father's father, then we would expect that Benjamin's father was named either Cyrus or Jerome. What we know so far is that Sarah, the mother, had a brother named Cyrus William and he was the oldest son in his family.

Friend Charles was the second son. If he was named after his mother's father, his name would have been something along the line of William Fuller CARD. So the tradition or naming pattern doesn't hold true with this child. What we do know is that the mother Sarah had a brother named Charles who was the second son in the family and he died when he was 15 years old. We also know that there was another Curtis family living in the same locality where Benjamin and Sarah were married. The father of that family was Friend Curtis, who was born in 1797. We do not know if there is a relationship between Benjamin and this older man named Friend. (see the other blog post that discusses this possibility.

Sarah Ellenor was the first daughter. Both the mother and the grandmother were named Sarah, so the naming pattern holds true in this case. We do not know if Ellenor is a family name on Benjamin's side.

Oscar Benjamin was the third son. The naming pattern is partially affirmative because we would expect this child to be named after the father. In this case, the father's name is Benjamin Kingman, so the middle name for this child likely was the father's namesake. The name Oscar is not on Sarah's side of the family and we do not know if the name comes from Benjamin's side of the family.

Cora Belle was the second daughter. Based upon the naming customs, we would expect that she might be named after Benjamin's mother. Since Sarah doesn't have the name in her ancestry, we expect that someday we will find the name in Benjamin's genealogy. We also have records stating that Cora's name was Clara, so either of those names might appear in her father's ancestry.

George Leslie was the fourth son and would expect that he was named after Benjamin's oldest brother. Sarah does not have any family members that this name, so perhaps the naming customs will hold true and this name will be found among Benjamin's side of the family.

William Rushmer was the fifth son and the naming patterns state that this child is typically named after the mother's oldest brother. When looking at the genealogy we find that Sarah's oldest brother was named Cyrus William Card. So the naming pattern is true.

John J. was the sixth son in the family. The naming tradition for this child is that they are typically named after the father's second oldest brother. The name John does not appear in Sarah's family, so perhaps this will eventually be found to be true.

Mary Lavantia was the third daughter in the family. We would expect that she would be named after her mother. In this case, the naming custom holds true because Lavantia is the mother Sarah's middle name. It is also interesting to note that Sarah had a sister named Mary who was the third daughter in the CARD family.

DeWilton Emory was the seventh son in the family. Naming customs and patterns for this child are unknown. We do know that DeWilton is a family name on Sarah's side, because her third oldest brother was also named DeWilton.

In summary, when we find the names of Benjamin's parents and siblings, don't be too surprised if some of their names are: Jerome, George, Friend, Leslie, Rushmer, Oscar, John J., Emory, Ellenor, Cora, Clara, or Belle.

Letter stating Benjamin's full name

Mary Hobbs, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Curtis wrote a letter to the National Archives in 1938. She wanted to find out if her father's Civil War military records contained information about the names of her grandparents. Today, we might assume that everyone knows who their grandparents are, but such is not the case. I feel very blessed to have spent lots of time with my grandparents when I was a child. I knew them. I knew their names, where they lived, and I know where they are buried. I can't imagine what it would be like to not know anything about my grandparents. In this letter that Mary wrote, we have the only record known to exist that is at least partially official that states Benjamin's full name. Some descendants have questioned his middle name, thinking the wrong name had been recorded in our family records. I am glad that I found this letter, because if anyone would have known what was Benjamin's full name, it would have been his wife or his children. Thank you Mary for writing this letter to ask if the military service records had record of the parent's names for "Benjamin Kingman Curtis," your father.

Military Service in the US Civil War

I visited the National Archives in Washington D.C. and conducted original research on Benjamin's Civil War service. Every record about his service and pension that was available at the National Archives was searched. Several records were restricted from being photocopied due to record deterioration. When photocopies were not permitted, every detail was hand-copied. Two different places of birth were recorded on two different documents among his files. No document in either the military service file or the military pension file recorded the names of his parents or siblings.