The Bushong United Family Tree Website

The Quaker Bushongs and Sallie Gilbert's Photo Album 
   
The Front Page
The Bushong Family History
The Bushong United Family Tree
Published Bushong Articles
Bushong Photographs
The Bushong DNA Project
Submit History to the Bushong United Family Tree
About the Bushong United Project
Send a Comment - Read the Comments
The Bushong United Digital Reference Library




   		       

The Quaker Bushongs of Lancaster County

and

The Sallie Gilbert Photo Album


By Rick Bushong
October 4, 2014
Updated: May 26, 2016
Photo Album provided by Carol Sneddon


Page by Page
    Previous Image Next Image

 


What an exciting find and rare opportunity! Forty-nine newly rediscovered photographs. All in an original and untouched, Civil War era photo album. Also, it's fully identified with a total of 23 surnames! In this world, there are so many old photos without names and so many ancestors, who've never been seen. But this album changes that, at least for the 49 chosen and placed in its now yellowed pages. And when the album is viewed as a whole, it can add depth and perspective to what life, in this tight knit community, might have been like.

So in order to learn about this album, of course, the album's original owner needs to be determined. But aside from the individuals, many family members and friends, it's possible to view them as a whole community. What set them apart from everyone else? Their beliefs, the events in their lives, as well as their day to day routine. Because this community was indeed unique and lived in a fascinating and tumultuous period of history. As you will see they were Quakers and Abolitionists. Not just any abolitionists, but those who were actually doing something about it, operating major stations for the Underground Railroad, and who as a community probably helped rescue hundreds if not thousands of runaway slaves. They were also at virtually the center of a riot that helped to undermine the authority of the Runaway Slave Act. And then, through the photos in the album and adding diaries going back over 150 years, it provides a glimpse of a family and community caught up in a world of Spiritualism. Spending much of their time trying to communicate through the aether, with their dead relatives and even dead presidents. Ultimately, gaining that understanding the individuals can be considered including, where possible their relation to the album's owner - the person who created this time capsule. But first the album.

The Photo Album

The Sallie Gilbert Hagee photo album.
         The Sallie Gilbert Hagee photo album was discovered in an auction, online, and purchased by Carol Sneddon, who has generously shared it. Originating in Pennsylvania it is an old and very well used Carte de Viste (CDV) album, leather bound, and weak in the bindings. But,it has 50 CDV style photographs, from the 1860s era, that with the exception of two, every single one was clearly identified. In the end, excluding the General Butler CDV, who is not related, there are 23 different surnames: Bean, Bolton, Bushong, Cooper, Eavenson, Gilbert, Hagee, Heidelbaugh, Hunter, James, Jones, McCammon, Peart, Pyle, Reath, Roberts, Scott, Shouse (sp?), Stafford, Thirk (sp?), Valentine, Webster, and Williams.

The only thing identifying the album's owner was a couple of CDVs addressed to Sallie, or cousin Sallie. But by tying into known Bushong genealogy, person by person, along with a few good identifiers, like the uncle, aunt, and grandmother, it was fairly easy to come up with Sallie's family. As for the rest of the people, she so carefully named and placed in her album? With the exception of the CDVs with the Bushong surname, little was known. So, using every available resource, including census records on FamilySearch.org, Find s Grave, Google search, and RootsWeb, an attempt was made to try and identify the people and their families, as well as to determine how they related to Sallie.

Who was Sallie Gilbert

Sallie Gilbert Hagee was born Sarah Gilbert, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Jun 27 1839. She married Benjamin Franklin Hagee, December 11, 1866, in Philadelphia. Sallie died May 18, 1917, possibly in Kennett, also in Chester County, where she was enumerated in the 1910 census. She was buried in the Homeville Friends Burying Ground, in Homeville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Joshua Gilbert and Elizabeth Valentine, and was a granddaughter of the storied Jesse Gilbert and Sarah Harding Gilbert family, who were captured by Indians, during the Revolutionary War. It was in 1780 that a war party of 11 Indians from the multiple tribes of the Mohawk, Cayuga, Delaware, and Seneca who were fighting for the British, took them. They captured many in the Gilbert family, as well as others, and force marched them to Canada, where they were held captive for two years. Jesse and Sarah Gilbert's first child, Abner, was actually born in Canada during their captivity and died there, not quite eight months later.[1] Links to Sarah Gilbert Hagee Sources: 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, 1900 Census, 1910 Census, Sallie,s memorial on Find a Grave.

A Note About the Changing Boundaries

The geographic boundaries as well as the townships in the area changed several times as the area grew. Lancaster County was part of Chester County, Pennsylvania until May 10, 1729, when it became the fourth county in the state.[2] At the time, the township of Sadsbury, was split into East and West Sadsbury, with West Sadsbury being established in the new Lancaster County. Then, in 1744, West Sadsbury Township was split again, and the western part was organized as the Bart Township and the eastern part remained the Sadsbury Township. In 1854, Bart Township was split into two, with the western part organized as Eden Township, and the eastern part remaining Bart Township. [3] So, what is now Bart Township actually originated in Sadsbury, Chester County,
       
Sallie Gilbert original owner of the album. From an album found in Columbus, Ohio.

The Quakers
Elias Hicks, 1748-1830. Quaker, abolitionist, originator of the Hicksite Meetings.
         Sallie grew up in the Quaker community, in Lancaster County. Among other traits, Quakerism is noted for trances and a convulsive-like shaking. Hence the derogatory term "Quakers". They preferred the name the Religious Society of Friends, or shortened, the Society of Friends, but usually referred to themselves as simply "the Friends". Many of them are buried in the area's Friends cemeteries, including Bart Meeting and Sadsbury Meeting cemeteries. [4]

Members of this faith are convinced that God resides in everyone (the light of God); that is why Quakers believe in human equality, religious tolerance, social betterment and peace.[5]

The Society of Friends, experienced a schism in 1827, caused by Elias Hicks, one of their ministers, who had been espousing a radical concept. He preached an emphasis on "obedience to the light within," as the foundation of authentic Quakerism and de-emphasized the importance of the Bible. At the yearly meeting, in New York, following a particularly strongly worded sermon by Mr. Hicks, his followers and the rest of the attendees, realized that there was nothing else to do, but separate into two branches. The group retaining the old doctrine, were there after called Orthodox Quakers and the other Hicksite. The Gilberts attended the Bart Meeting House in the nearby town of Christiana, which was Hicksite, although a few of them remained Orthodox and attended the Sadsbury Meeting House, also in Christiana.[6] Elias Hicks' Memorial on Find a Grave.


The Abolitionist and the Underground Railroad

The Friends were ardent abolitionists, especially the Hicksite. It was Elias Hicks, who played a big part in the state of New York, emancipating its slaves and outlawing slavery in 1827.[7] Sallie and the communities near the Friends Meeting houses were virtually all abolitionists, and over the years they sheltered and assisted many run-away slaves. But as the years went on, more and more came, along with the slave-catchers and bounty-hunters. A system of transporting and sheltering the run-aways was needed, and this gave rise to the Underground Railroad.

The Underground Railroad evolved into a series of regularly spaced safe-houses, with guides, and transportation to the next house. Known as "Conductors," they helped run-aways as they fled northward, on the path to freedom. With Lancaster County so close to slave state borders, thousands came. Many of them were "forwarded" by conductors, such as Daniel Gibbons, six miles East of Lancaster. Mr Gibbon's home was a principle station and he forwarded countless escapee's. Some were sent to Bart Township, where stories, of the stations and conductors, from as early as the 1830s, have survived. Sallie's uncle Henry Bushong and her aunt Esther Valentine Bushong as well as their sons, including Jacob, pictured in the album, figure prominently in the railroad, and they were all conductors. Their place was a major station on the route, and conductor, John Neal Russell, of Drumore, Lancaster county, about nine miles away, forwarded the greater number of his passengers to Mr. Bushong. Mr. Russell's station, was well known throughout Lancaster and the adjacent counties as one of the regular and prominent stations on the slaves route toward the North Star. Even Sallie's father, Joshua Gilbert is noted as taking in run-aways, as early as 1831, and so did much of the community. They did so at risk to themselves and their families.[8]

The Christiana Riot

On September 18, 1850 the Fugitive Slave Act was passed, It was to set up an event that would thrust the abolitionist Quaker community into the National spotlight. Just less than a year after it took effect, on September 11, 1851 the abolitionists openly defied the law in what became known as the Christiana Riot or Christiana Incident.

It happened when a Maryland slave owner Edward Gorsuch, and several of his relatives, touting the new law, came to Christiana and attempted to capture four fugitive slaves at freed slave, William Parker’s house. In the ensuing melee, Gorsuch was killed and several members of his party, including his son, were wounded. The peace-loving Friends rallied to their neighbor and the slaves support. Parker, and the four fugitive slaves were spirited away on the Underground Railroad and successfully escaped to Canada.[9][10][11]

According to the law all who helped, could have been arrested. In the end, over 140 men were arrested and 38 were charged with treason, but when the case against the first defendant fell apart, the charges for the rest were dropped.[9] Many, including Fredrick Douglas, believed that the incident heralded the end of the law, which they believed was untenable. The Christiana community and the surrounding communities were rocked by the event, but were all the more committed to the cause of ending slavery. Following the events, the Friends' gatherings at both Bart Meeting and Sadsbury Meeting, must have been electrified as well as bolstered that, through their actions, the Fugitive Slave Law was openly defeated.

       
Freed slave, William Parker's house in Christiana, where the riot began.
Quakers in the Civil War

One of the core beliefs of the Friends was pacifism and this went back to the so-called "Peace Testimony" issued by George Fox, to King Charles II in 1660. It was a foundation of the Society of Friends.

We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fighting with outward weapons for any end or under any pretence whatever; this is our testimony to the whole world. George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends, 1660. [12]

When the Civil War started many a Pennsylvanian joined the fight, and some of Sallie's friends and neighbors went with them. The Quakers stood by their beliefs against the war and all but a few of them stayed at home. Those that did join the war effort, worked with the displaced slaves (contraband) or in hospitals. Gilbert Bushong paid a $300.00 commutation fee in lieu of service, calling it an unjust tax. However, many Friends considered paying this fee as nonobservance of the testimony against military service. Some who paid or went in the service, later sought forgiveness for their violations of the peace testimony.[13][14]

The Gilbert and Edith Bushong Diaries

No in depth look at Sallie, her family and her community is possible without considering the diaries written by Gilbert Bushong and later his wife, Edith Kinsey Paxson. There are numerous diaries - books filled with their daily observations, starting at least as early as 1850 and continuing as late as 1897. [13]

Gilbert Bushong, 1836-1911, born in Lancaster County is the son of Henry Bushong and his second wife, Esther Valentine, (of the album), He was Sallie's first cousin. In 1855, he married Edith and they had four children. They were prolific diarist and the pages are filled with comings and goings, of marriages, illnesses, deaths, family moving away, the war, and séances. Lots of séances. Some of the diaries are partially excerpted on line at the LancasterHistory.org website here: Bushong Diary Collection, 1850-1853, 1858-1869. It should be mentioned that the diaries are difficult to follow, because so many family members are mentioned often by first name only, but utilizing the photos from the album, it becomes more understandable as many are identified.

The Beginning of Spiritualism and the Séances
The Fox sisters, Leah, Katie and Maggie, the creators of Spiritualism.
        
Sallie, as well as many of her friends and family, believed in Spiritualism which is a belief that spirits of the dead have both the ability and the desire to communicate with the living. The birth of American Spiritualism and its practice of séances, is attributed to three young sisters, Katie, Margaret, and Leah Fox of Rochester, New York, who in 1848, started hearing "rappings". These were attributed to the spirits of the dead, and the girls soon became known as "mediums," who could channel the spirits.[15] Once they started holding séances, it soon became extremely popular. The Friends, already known for their trances, shaking, speaking in tongues, and visions, found the new Spiritualism easy to believe. It was first introduced to the Quaker community by Amy and Isaac Post, who were considered radical Quakers. The Posts who were also from Rochester, were immediately convinced of the genuineness of the phenomena, and helped to spread the word among their radical Quaker friends, who became the early core of Spiritualists. From this, began the association between Spiritualism and radical political causes, such as abolition, temperance, and equal rights for women. [15]

In Lancaster County, many became involved including Sallie Gilbert's friends and family who held séances in Bart Township and the area. They are first noted in the Gilbert and Edith Bushong Diaries April 20,1853, but could have started earlier.[13] They were in good company, because many notable people attended séances, including President Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, who held them in the White House.[16] The style of séances that they are thought to have had, in Lancaster, is the "Leader-assisted Séance."


Leader-assisted séances are generally conducted by small groups of people, with participants seated around a table in a dark or semi-dark room. The leader is typically asserted to be a medium and he or she may go into a trance that theoretically allows the spirits to communicate through his or her body, conveying messages to the other participants.[16]


Over the years, the séances, which they called "circles" continued. There are references to around 60 circles or communications with the dead, in the diaries of 1850-1853, and 1858-1869. With five years, between 1854 to 1858 unaccounted for, there are likely many more. Often the séances occurred at Jacob Bushong's house, with his wife, Margaret acting as medium. But some were impromptu and some with other mediums. Sallie, and her father, Joshua and her sister, Mary are noted, in the diaries, as attending. During the séances, they spoke with many dead family members, and notable personalities such as William Penn, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington, often about abolition. Some times their communications came in the form of "auto-writing". Possibly the spirit they spoke with the most was Frankie Bushong, who had died in 1861 at age 3, (see photo below).[13] He was Gilbert and Edith Bushong's son. The séances went on for years, at least 15, with the last reference of them in the diaries, on Jan 28 1868. It wasn't until 20 years later when one of the Fox sisters confessed that their rappings had been a hoax and publicly demonstrated their methods. But for many, Spiritualism continued as if Fox sister's revelation of the hoax didn't matter.[15]        
An early leader assisted séances.

The Ancestors in the Album

The Bart Meeting House, in Christiana. Photo courtesy of Eliz Davis Hanebury, all rights reserved.
         The community Sallie lived in stayed very close to each other, between their religious meetings, work, school, and visits, they were in touch with each other regularly. That included friends, too. The Heidelbaugh family, including Milton, a future state senator, appear to be friends and school mates. As Milton and his brothers were growing up in the community, it is interesting to see how they interacted with each other. Milton is mentioned in Gilbert Bushong's diaries a couple of times, in school. One entry, in the diaries relates's how Milton tried to "steal a kiss". He was around 16 or 17, when he tried kiss Mary, (possibly, Mary Gilbert or Mary Bolton), while at school. Trying to steal another kiss, John Hunter at about the same age, used a similar tactic with Sue Bolton (see photo).[13] Contrast such innocent play, with the future in store for them, in the Civil War, and it is a very moving image. Milton Heidelbaugh served for the entire Civil War and saw a lot of action, including fighting in the Battle of Gettysburg.[17] John Hunter was captured twice, and imprisoned in Confederate Prisons, Belle Isle and Andersonville, for many months, and each time he rejoined his unit to fight. John's brother, died in Andersonville.[18] The Hunters were friends, and John Hunter, was living with Jacob Bushong when the 1850 Census was taken, possibly since his father had died in 1841. Yet later, John's sister and Sallie's brother were married, making them family. Deborah Hunter and Jesse Gilbert were married in 1861.[19]

Sallie collected photos of her family and friends, and details about them are below. Looking through the album, two of the photos were of her sister (Mary) , 17 are of her cousins or related to cousins, four, as mentioned, were uncles and aunts, and one is a grandmother. The rest were friends and or if related, the specifics have yet to emerge.

Further studying the CDVs, it's interesting, one of Rebecca Bean, has a photo album placed on the table beside her, opened to a photo of a woman. Rebecca is also making a distinct gesture, pointing down, with one finger. The meaning of which is unknown, possibly symbolizing, one death? Many of the subjects have a book with them, presumedly a Bible. In the photo of aunt Esther Bushong, resting on the table, along with her Bible, is her bonnet, a dress bonnet, proudly displayed. The photo of grandmother Mary Valentine, has been determined to be an 1860's era copy of an older Daguerreotype, taken before her 1856 death. Then there's Mary Robert's CDV, which has a larger book, and she's holding on to an older and plain chair. The chair is in contrast to all the fancy chairs the photographers used as props, did she bring a family piece in along with her oversized Family Bible? These things and many more can only be speculated.

Some Final Questions

In the end, there are still many questions, such as, where's the rest of the photos and who has those albums? Because it's easy to see Sallie and her family definitely had portraits made. And as meticulous as she was in gathering and identifying these photographs, she surely did the same with CDVs of her new Hagee family, when she was married, as well as her parents and her children. So here's looking forward to the day, when those photos of Sallie, her husband and the rest of her family emerge. Optimistically, it's only a matter of time. 		       
The Sadsbury Meeting House in Christiana.



Finally, here's the photographs, with any details, that have been located...


Photograph
Click to enlarge


Biographies

Name, Biography, Relation to Sallie, Album page, Sources


Any person in the album shown as related to Sallie, is charted in the Bushong United Family Tree

Search the Family Tree
In Album
Hugh B. Webster 1838-1908, husband of Sallie E, Maitland, son of Jesse Gilbert Webster and Sarah Williams. In the Civil War, he was a Sgt. in the 71st Pennsylvania Infantry, Co. I. Buried Beechwood Cemetery, Hulmeville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Hugh's father was a participant with the Underground Railway. Hugh is a grandson of David Webster and Elizabeth Gilbert (daughter of Benjamin Taylor Gilbert and Elizabeth Walton Peart). Relation to Sallie Gilbert: Undetermined. Sallie's Album page 1. Sources: Civil War Record, 1860 Census, 1880 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave, Websters and Underground Railway, Charted on Rootsweb
Ivan & Girtie Gilbert about 1833-___, husband of first, Nancy Marsland, and second Phebe. Son of Benjamin Gilbert and Hannah Gilbert, sitting with his daughter, Gertie, born about 1861. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin. Sallie's Album page 2. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census.
Burney Thirk (Yerkes ?) Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 3.
Harding Gilbert - Joseph Harding Gilbert, 1824 1893, husband of Hannah Mercer Whitson. son of John Gilbert, grandson of Jesse Gilbert and Sarah Harding. When he was 11 years old, he became Henry Bushong's step-son. Always known as Harding, he is buried in Bart Friends Meeting (Cemetery), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin. Sallie's Album page 4. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave.
Joseph H. Gilbert, father of Edwin M, died in 1893 in Eden township, where he was a farmer and had a tannery. Hannah H. Whitson, his wife, was the daughter of Micah Whitson, of a noted Quaker family. This union was blessed with seven children, five of whom are living Mary W., the wife of A. Walton, a farmer of Bart township: Amos. in the creamery business at Quarryville; Edwin M, of Lancaster; Hugh W, the postmaster at Quarryville, where he has a livery business; and Joseph H, a laundryman in Chester county. Source: Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania page 533
Hannah Gilbert wife of Harding Gilbert, Hannah Mercer Whitson, 1828-1914, daughter of Micah Whitson. Buried in Bart Friends Meeting (Cemetery), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: wife of first cousin. Sallie's Album page 5. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave
George Heidelbaugh, 1813-1877 Neighbor of Harding Gilbert, Henry Bushong and Jacob Bushong - three households away. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: neighbor. Sallie's Album page 6. Sources: 1850 Census, 1850 Census scan, Memorial on Find a Grave , Rootsweb
Tacy James Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 7.




John Roberts 1832-1890, husband of Mary Valentine. Served as a Lt. in the 34th and 129th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Buried in the Morris Cemetery, Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: husband of a first cousin. Sallie's Album page 8. Source: 1870 Census, 1880 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave.


Mary Roberts, 1842-1913, wife of John Roberts, daughter of Joseph Valentine and Hannah Parker Laurer. Buried in the Morris Cemetery, Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin. Sallie's Album page 9. Sources: 1850 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, 1900 Census, 1910 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave.
James Reath Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 10.




Thomas Peart (Sarah Harding's first husband was Peart) There's a mention of Thomas Peart part of the Underground Railway, is this a son? Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 11. Sources: Underground Railway?






Milton Heidelbaugh 1843-1908, Pennsylvania State Senator, son of John Jacob Heidelbaugh and Elizabeth Bender, husband of Harriet Elizabeth Thompson. Served in the 50th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company C. Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined - family friend? Sallie's Album page 12. Sources: Civil War Service, page 194, 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, 1900 Census.

The 50th Penn. Inf.
Milton C Heidelbaugh was a veteran of the Civil War having served in the Union Army in Company C, 50th Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry. He served under Colonel Emlin Franklin during the Civil War and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. From 1885 to 1901 he was a member of the State Legislature and was elected as State Senator in 1901. He died while serving in the Pennsylvania Senate. Source: Memorial on Find a Grave

The ancestors of the Heidelbaugh family came to America from the northern part of Germany early in the eighteenth century. The great-grandfather of Milton Heidelbaugh, who was a farmer, settled in the Octoraro valley, among the Quakers. Henry Heidelbaugh was a farmer, and owned a large tract of land in Bart township, which at his death was divided among his children, who were: John (mentioned below), Henry, Mary Ann (who married Peter Pickel) and George, all now deceased. John Heidelbaugh, son of Henry, was well educated, and in his early life taught school, and again after several years intermission
followed the teachers ‘profession. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and prominent in party work, but cared nothing for the holding of public office. He died in 1873. He was twice married. Mary Pickel, his first wife. was a daughter of George Pickel, who lived near Octoraro Church, and by that union there were four children. only one of whom is now living, Susan, widow of John E. Draucker, a farmer of Bart township. For his second wife John Heidelbaugh married Margaret Bender, daughter of Nathaniel Bender, a trader and a hotel keeper of this county; she died in 1863. To this union were born five children, four of whom are living: Albert, a farmer living on the old place at Octoraro; Milton, of Lancaster: Rachel Ann, wife of Michael Scott, a farmer of Bart township; and Henry, a farmer of Chester county. James Edwin died in 1892, unmarried. Source: Biographical Annals of Lancaster County




Albert Heidelbaugh, 1841-1902 son of John Jacob Heidelbaugh and Elizabeth Bender, husband of Barbara Annie Scott. Served as a Private in the 50th Pennsylvania, Company C. Buried Middle Octorara Cemetery, Quarryville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined - family friend? Sallie's Album page 13. Sources: Civil War Service, page 194, 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, 1900 Census, Gilbert Bushong Diaries, November 1869, Memorial on Find a Grave

The 50th Penn. Inf.
Barbara A. {Scott}, born Oct. 13, 1850, is the wife of Albert Heidelbaugh, of Bart township and their seven children are thus named: Jessie, Alice, Emma, Clyde, Forest, Earle and Lenore. Source: Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania page 542



Jones Bean - Jones V. Bean, 1838-1905, son of Nicholas Bean and Mary A Vanderslice, husband of Rebecca Peart. Capt., Co I 129th Pennsylvania Infantry. Buried in the Morris Cemetery, Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: brother of the wife of a first cousin. Sallie's Album page 14. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, 1900 Census, Personal Memoirs of Chester County, page 310, Memorial on Find a Grave
Jones V. Bean, one of the energetic, progressive and prosperous agriculturists of Schuylkill township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, was born on the old Bean homestead near the village of Pawling, July 29, 1839, the son of Nicholas and Mary A. Bean.

Jones V. Bean, son of Nicholas and Mary A. Bean, attended the common schools of the town ship, wherein he acquired a practical education. Since the completion of his studies he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, this occupation proving most profitable and the best suited to his disposition and inclinations. He takes an active interest in local affairs and was chosen to serve as supervisor of the township in 1881, and this position he held up to the year 1891. He was elected on the Republican ticket, but his convictions are in favor of the Independent party. Three of his brothers served during the Civil War, Benjamin F., George W. and Lewis U. Bean, the farmer named being the captain of Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Regiment. On February 28, 1868, Mr. Bean married Rebecca Peart, a native of Schuylkill township, Chester county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Bean is a member of the Society of Friends, and is a regular attendant at their meetings. Source: Personal Memoirs of Chester County, page 310


Rebecca (Peart) Bean, 1840-1926 - wife of Jones. Buried in the Morris Cemetery, Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: wife of the brother of a first cousin. Sallie's Album page 15. Memorial on Find a Grave




Gen. Benjamin Butler 1818–1893, no relation, was a Major General in the Union Army. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: none found. Sallie's Album page 16. Memorial on Find a Grave




Frankie Bushong - Frances Ellwood Bushong 1858-1861, son of Gilbert Bushong and Edith Kinsey Paxson. Buried in Bart Friends Meeting (Cemetery), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin once removed. Sallie's Album page 17. Sources: Bushong United Family Tree, Memorial on Find a Grave



John Gilbert - John V. Gilbert, 1850-1872, son of Joseph Harding Gilbert and Hannah Whitson Gilbert. Buried in the Bart Friends Meeting (Cemetery), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin once removed. Sallie's Album page 18. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave
Mary Gilbert - Mary Whitson Gilbert, 1852-1903, wife of Alban Walton, daughter of Joseph Harding Gilbert and Hannah Whitson. Buried in the Bart Friends Meeting (Cemetery), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin once removed. Sallie's Album page 19. Sources: 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave
Sue Bolton, born about 1837-____. Sue was a friend of the family, and was living in the household of Henry Bushong in 1850 and Jones Eavenson in 1860. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined family friend? Sallie's Album page 20. Sources: 1850 Census, with Henry Bushong family, 1860 Census, with Jones Eavenson, and his daughter, Mary C. Eavenson.
Mary Gilbert - Mary G. Owens, same as 39, 1832-1916, wife to John Owens, daughter of Joshua Gilbert and Elizabeth Valentine, and sister of Sallie. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: sister. Sallie's Album page 21. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1900 Census, 1910 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave.


George Hunter 1833-1914, Husband of Ann, son of Alexander Hunter and Mary Parke. One of the Hunter brothers. Buried Fawn Grove Methodist Cemetery, Fawn Grove, York County, Pennsylvania.Relation to Sallie Gilbert: brother of a sister-in-law. Sallie's Album page 22. Sources: 1850 Census  1860 Census  1880 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave
Mrs. {Jesse} Gilbert had four brothers in the Civil war, namely: 1, George Hunter served six 2. Joseph Hunter, 3. John A. Hunter, 4. James McCammon Hunter. months, Source (extracted):History of York County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2, page 773.
Harry Jones Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 23.





Jacob Bushong 1813-1889 husband of Margaret Hobson son of Henry Bushong and Sarah Gilbert. Underground Railroad participant. Buried in the Bart Friends Meeting (Cemetery), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin. Sallie's Album page 24. Sources: Bushong United Family Tree, 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave Personal Memoirs of Chester County, Pennsylvania, page 540-541.


Margaret Bushong 1818-1902 wife of Jacob Bushong, daughter of Francis Hobson and Ann Johnson. Buried in the Bart Friends Meeting (Cemetery), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: wife of a first cousin. Sallie's Album page 25. Sources: 1850 Census, , 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1900 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave.
Jacob Bushong, third son of Henry and Sarah (Gilbert) Bushong, was born July 9, 1813, married Marget Hobson, a daughter of Francis and Ann (Johnson) Hobson, the former named having been born February 14 1768 and the latter, December 15 1775. Mr. and Mrs. Hobson were the parents of the following named children: Elizabeth born March 17 1799; Martha, born November 20 1800; Benjamin, born April 17, 1803; Joseph, born June 23 1810; Thomas, born January 9 1814, died November 12 1853 and Margaret, wife of Jacob Bushong, born November 6 1818. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bushong: Henry, born Feb 20 1844, and Edwin born March 27, 1848. [6]Source: Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania, Volume 2, 1904, By Gilbert Cope, Henry Graham Ashmead
Hannah Scot Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 26.
Sue Williams Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 27.




Harry Williams Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 28.
Frank Williams Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 29.




Harry House?? Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 30.




Harry StaffordRelation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 31.
Jacob Hagee - Jacob Rice Hagee, 1846-____, husband of Mary, son of George Hagee and Sarah Ann Rice. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: brother-in-law. Sallie's Album page 32 Sources: 1870 Census, 1880 Census, 1900 Census, 1910 Census
William Hagee - William George Hagee, 1842-1926, husband of Lizzie Helms, son of George Hagee and Sarah Ann Rice. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: brother-in-law. Sallie's Album page 33. Sources: 1870 Census, 1900 Census
Uncle Henry Bushong 1783-1870, father of Jacob Bushong, husband of 1st Sarah Gilbert and 2nd Esther Valentine. Son of John Bushong and Eve Dorothea Eckman. Participant in the Underground Railroad. Buried in the Bart Friends Meeting (Cemetery), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.Relation to Sallie Gilbert: uncle. Sallie's Album page 34. Sources: Bushong United Family Tree, 1850 Census, 1860 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave.

Aunt Esther Bushong - Esther Valentine Gilbert Bushong, 1799-1867 wife of Henry Bushong daughter of John and Mary Taylor Valentine. Buried in the Bart Friends Meeting (Cemetery), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: aunt. Sallie's Album page 35. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave.

Aunt Hannah Valentine - Hannah Laurer Valentine, 1814-1855, wife of Joseph Valentine, daughter of George Parker Laurer and Mary Fisher. Buried in the Sadsbury Meeting House (Cemetery), Christiana, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: aunt. Sallie's Album page 36. Sources: 1850 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave.

Uncle Joseph Valentine, 1805-1880, husband of Hannah P. Laurer, son of John and Mary Taylor Valentine. Buried in the Morris Cemetery, Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: . Sallie's Album page 37. Sources: 1850 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave


Grandmother Mary Valentine, - Mary Taylor Valentine, 1770-1856, wife of John Valentine, daughter of Francis Taylor Sr. and Eva Fisler. Burried in East Sadsbury Friends Graveyard, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: maternal grandmother. Sallie's Album page 38. Source: 1850 Census. Memorial on Find a Grave



Mary Gilbert - Mary G. Owens, (same as #21), 1832-1916, wife to John Owens, daughter of Joshua Gilbert and Elizabeth Valentine, and sister of Sallie. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: sister. Sallie's Album page 21. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1900 Census, 1910 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave.






Joseph P. Hunter - Joseph Parke Hunter, 1834-1864, son of Alexander Hunter and Mary Parke. Sergeant of Company C Pa. 5th Calvary in the Civil War. Captured at the last siege of Richmond, taken to Andersonville where he was confined for several months and died. Assumed buried at Florence National Cemetery, Florence, Florence County, South Carolina. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: brother of a sister-in-law. Sallie's Album page 40. Sources: 1850 Census  1860 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave, Rootsweb, Civil War Record, Photo of 5th Cavalry

Camp of the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry
Near the Battlefield – Near Fort Burnham, VA, October 29, 1864.
Joseph Hunter, sergeant of Company C, 5th Pa. Cav., was captured at the last siege of Richmond, and taken to Andersonville prison, where he was confined several months. Sick and emaciated — a mere skeleton of his former self — he was removed to the hospital at Florence, where he died Oct. 4, 1864. Source:History of York County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2, page 773.





John A. Hunter, 1936-1916, husband of Phebe Melissa Matson, son of Alexander Hunter and Mary Parke. Served in 7th Regiment Pennsylvania Vol. Infantry., Co, K. Unit was officially 7th Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry but was derived from the 36th Volunteers. Buried in the West Nottingham Presbyterian Cemetery, West Nottingham, Cecil County, Maryland. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: brother of a sister-in-law. Sallie's Album page 41. Sources: 1850 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, 1900 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave, Rootsweb (temporary link)
John A. Hunter served four years as a private of the 7th Pa. Reserves, belonging to Company K. He was captured in the first fight before Richmond and taken to Belle Isle, where he was detained six months, until he was exchanged. At the second fight before Richmond he was again captured, being in Andersonville prison from July until December, at which time he was again exchanged. He reached home a total physical wreck. John A. Hunter still survives, in spite of his terrible experiences, and lives at Rising Sun, Md., where he is known as one of the best millwrights in the country. Source:History of York County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2, page 773.





Josiah Pyle - Josiah W. Pyle, 1842-1913, husband of Lydia Elma Rakestraw, son of James T. Pyle and Hannah H, Way. Stated buried Longwood Meeting House Cemetery.Relation to Sallie Gilbert: husband of a niece. Sallie's Album page 42. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census,
Josiah W. Pyle, a member of the well known firm of Rakestraw & Pyle, who are conducting an extensive trade in the nursery business at East Marlborough township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, is a man of good business qualifications, and during the many years that he has been actively and prominently identified with this line of industry has won and retained an enviable reputation among his associates in commercial circles. He is a representative of the old and honored Pyle family of Chester county, the ancestors of whom were among the pioneer settlers of this section of the state. His grandparents were John and Amy (Pennock) Pyle, and his parents were James T. and Hannah H. (Way) Pyle.

James T. Pyle (father) was born in Marlborough, Chester county, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1816. He was a man of strong convictions, clear judgment and unimpeachable character, and in all the relations of life fulfilled his duties in a faithful and conscientious manner. On March 14, 1839, Mr. Pyle married Hannah H. Way, who was born September 20, 1820, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Jackson) Way, and the issue of this union was six children — Josiah W., mentioned at length hereinafter ; Amv, born in Kennett township. March 4, 1846, became the wife of Thomas Whitson. an attorney of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of three children — Hannah, Alice, and Jennie Whitson : Clara, born in Kennett township, March 20, 184S : J. Howard, born in Lancaster county, August 3, 1855, married Sallie E. Gordon, daughter of Franklin and Mary A. (Truman) Gordon, and they are the parents of two children ; James Ellsworth, born in Lancaster county, July 17, 1861 ; and Homer Way, born in Lancaster county, January 29, 1864.

Josiah W. Pyle was born at the Anvil, Chester county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1842, and his educational advantages were obtained in the common schools of that neighborhood and Lancaster county. His first business experience was gained as a teacher, in which capacity he served for two years, and he then entered into business as agent with Lukens Pierce in the nursery business, which connection continued until 1866. During that year he located in East Marlborough township, Chester county, and established his present business, which is conducted under the style of Rakestraw & Pyle, and since that date the trade "has steadily increased both in volume and importance. They are now one of the most extensive dealers in nursery stock in the locality, "their greenhouses comprising fifteen thousand feet of glass. In religion Mr. Pyle adheres to the doctrines of the Society of Friends, and in politics he firmly supports the principles of Republicanism. For several years he served as a director on the school board of East Marlborough township.

On December 27, 1866, Mr. Pyle married Lydia Elma Rakestraw, who was born in Bart, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1841, a daughter of William L. and Sarah (Sugar) Rakestraw. of East Marlborough, Chester county. Their children were : i. Willard R., born November 24, 1868, married Maria James, and they are the parents of one child. 2. Mary, born June 2, 1870, died October 21, 1894. 3. Alice W., born September 1, 1871, died November 2, 1894. 4. Lindley, born April 20, 1879, unmarried, and is now engaged as a teacher in Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, as "instructor in physics. He was a graduate of the class of 1901 at the University of Maryland. Willard R. is an instructor in physics at the High School at One Hundred and Sixty-sixth street. New York City, and a graduate of the University of Maryland, class of 1892. Source: Personal Memoirs of Chester County, Pennsylvania, page 328




Milton Webster, about 1844-____, husband of Clara, son of Jesse Gilbert Webster and Sarah Williams. Buried Beechwood Cemetery, Hulmeville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Served as a 71st Penn, Co. I, Sgt. in the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, Co. I. Father was Underground Railway. The grandson of David Webster and Elizabeth Gilbert (daughter of Benjamin Taylor Gilbert and Elizabeth Walton Peart)Websters and Underground Railway. Hugh's brother, Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined. Sallie's Album page 43. Source: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1880 Census, Civil War Record.
Anna Valentine - Anna Valentine Hood, 1846-1885 wife of James P. Hood, daughter of Joseph Valentine and Hannah Parker Laurer. Buried in the Goshen Friends Burial Ground, West Chester, Chester County., Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin. Sallie's Album page 44. Sources: 1850 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave


Mary C. Eavenson - Mary C. Eavenson Davis, 1842-1918, wife of Lorenzo F. Davis, daughter of Jones Eavenson and Emily Valentine. She's a granddaughter of John Valentine and Mary Valentine. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin. Sallie's Album page 45. Source: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1880 Census.


Isaac B. Gilbert 1838-1923 -son of Benjamin Gilbert and Hannah Gilbert. Buried in Bart Friends Meeting (Cemetery), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Grandson of Jesse and Sarah Gilbert. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin. Sallie's Album page 46. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1900 Census, 1910 Census, 1920 census, Memorial on Find a Grave .


James McCammon about 1842-____, husband of Rachel E. Davis. James was likely adopted or a at least a member of the Hunter family, as he is called a brother by D. Anna Hunter Gilbert in the History of York County. Served as Sgt. in the 107th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company I, and the 5th Pennsylvania Artillery. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: adopted brother of a sister-in-law. Sallie's Album page 47. Sources: 1890 Census, 1900 Census, History of York County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2.
Mrs. {Jesse} Gilbert had four brothers in the Civil war, namely: 1. George Hunter served six months. 2. Joseph Hunter, 3. John A. Hunter, 4. James McCammon Hunter, of Clarion, Pa., was first a private of Company I, 107th P. V. I., and was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks. He re-enlisted in the 5th Artillery, was again wounded and was sent to the hospital, from which he again joined his regiment, serving until the close of the war. He carries two bullets to this day, one in the right shoulder, and the under his left arm. Source (extracted): History of York County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2, page 773.
Pheby Cooper - Phebe A Cooper, 1844-1936, wife of Reese Eavenson. Daughter of Morris Cooper, and Pheby Cooper, (who was daughter of James and Ann Barnaby.) Relation to Sallie Gilbert: a sister of a wife of a cousin. Sallie's Album page 48. Sources: 1860 Census



Rachel Heidelbaugh - Rachel Ann Heidelbaugh Scott 1844-1917, wife of Michael Scott, daughter of John Jacob Heidelbaugh and Elizabeth Bender. Buried: Middle Octorara Cemetery, Quarryville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relation to Sallie Gilbert: undetermined - family friend? Sallie's Album page 49. Sources: 1850 Census, 1860 Census, 1870 Census, 1880 Census, 1910 Census, Memorial on Find a Grave.


Isac Gilbert - see 46 son of Benjamin Gilbert and Hannah Gilbert Relation to Sallie Gilbert: first cousin. Sallie's Album page 50.







    References
  1. Incidents of Border Life... page 215
  2. Wikipedia: Lancaster County
  3. Wikipedia: Bart Township
  4. Quakerism
  5. Finding Dulcinea
  6. History of Chester County, Pennsylvania" By J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Cope 1881 Sadsbury, page 239
  7. Wikipedia: Elias Hicks
  8. History of the Underground Railroad in Chester and the Neighboring Counties of Pennsylvania, Published 1883, By Robert Clemens Smedley, page 71
  9. Wikipedia: Christiana Riot
  10. Blog Divided Christiana Riot
  11. History of the Underground Railroad in Chester and the Neighboring Counties of Pennsylvania, Published 1883, By Robert Clemens Smedley, begins page 107
  12. George Fox's 1660 Declaration
  13. Gilbert and Edith Kinsey Paxson Bushong's Diary Excerpts
  14. Quakers in the Civil War
  15. Wikipedia: Fox Sisters
  16. Wikipedia: Séances
  17. Milton Heidelbaugh Civil War Service, page 194
  18. History of York County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2, page 773
  19. The Bushong United Family Tree Find Deborah Hunter




Bushong United is Copyright ©2016, 2023 by Rick Bushong any Commercial Use is Prohibited.
Non-commercial use is allowed with permission or only if entire copyright is included.

To Direct Search the Bushong United Family Tree click hereSee it on Bushong United