This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Author: JudeA04
Surnames:
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.chain/73.2/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
I found this and thought it might help you. I'm descended from Hugh's probable
brother William. Other possible brothers were Alexander, Isiah (Isaiah), Mathew, and
John.
MOCALDWE-L Archives
Archiver > MOCALDWE > 2000-10 > 0970708055
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ZacPaul(a)aol.com
Subject: [MOCALDWE] Chain Surname Rollcall
Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 21:07:35 EDT
The following is what I have on Hugh H. Chain and his family who were
residents of Caldwell County. Any further biographical information would
certainly be welcome!!
HUGH H. CHAIN, born 4 April 1807 son of William Chain Jr. and Nancy and MARY
ROSEBURG born 1 August 1812 daughter of Thomas Roseburg and Margaret Fife.
Hugh H. and Mary Roseburg were married about 1830 or 1831. Both were born in
Ohio, and they were married in Ohio. They had 11 children: Calvin J. born
1831, Martha Jane born 1833, Alpheus C. born 20 January 1835, Nancy born
1837, Thomas Jefferson born 18 March 1840, Samantha Margaret born 1842,
Newton William born 1845, Mary Ellen born 22 December 1847, Emma Frances born
31 July 1849, Sarah Hester and Elizabeth Rebecca (twins) born 18 February
1852.
In 1859, the family moved to Kingston, Caldwell County, Missouri during the
construction of the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad. New towns along the
railroad had created a building boom, and Hugh, being a carpenter had a good
trade. He would often be absent from home for weeks on jobs, sometimes
traveling as far as Hannibal (approximately 160 miles) to build houses.
Early pioneers that came to Caldwell County had to follow trails rather than
roads. Three brothers who settled there named Lyon founded the town of
Kingston in 1833. A road from Richmond to Gallatin which passed through
Kingston was eventually built and was the only thoroughfare connecting
Caldwell County to the Missouri River. In 1855 a stage coach line was
established along this route which made access to Kingston easier. The stage
coach line was established just four years before Hugh and his family came to
Kingston.
Hugh had a narrow escape from death during the Civil War. He was captured by
the Thrailkill (Confederate) Force in 1864, (this was the same year your
great-great grandfather William Newton was born) and was in extreme peril,
along with four other men, of being killed. A party of marauders, under the
command of Major Thrailkill, entered the area killing three people because
they were Union men, and shooting at others. In Hamilton, they broke open the
vaults and safe in the court house and got about $8,000 belonging to the
school fund, and destroying all papers pertaining to the enrolment of the
militia while leaving other papers undisturbed. One of the other captives,
Aaron Pfost, was a Mason and threatened the Thrailkill force with Masonic
enmity if the harmed any of the captives. They were, as a consequence, set
free. The purpose of Thrailkill's raid was to obtain plunder and recruits for
the rebellion, and to punish the people in Caldwell County for taking a stand
against the rebellion. Many horses and other property were taken from the
citizens, but the greatest loss was that of the school fund.
As near as can be determined, the Chains were Union sympathizers during the
Civil War. Everything found either indicates they were shocked or distraught
over the activities of Confederate Soldiers in the area. In an interview with
Sarah Chain in 194, she recounts the story of a notorious store in the 1860s
where "Southern" soldiers gathered to organize. No evidence has been found to
suggest that any of the Chains of this era fought in the Civil War.
Sarah (sister of Alpheus) remembers, as a child, small bands of Indians
wandering into the town of Kingston, scaring the children to death. Actually
all they wanted was some food. Another story she tells is about a store,
called the Northup-Lewis Store which the Confederate Forces under Thrailkill
"rifled" the store, and created quite a sensation in the town of Kingston.
By the 1860s, sons Alpheus and Thomas Jefferson were helping Hugh as
carpenters, and a third son, Newton, was learning to be a "tinner", working
for his brother-in-law Charles Davis (Samantha Chain's husband). Another son
Calvin J. was listed in Ohio census records, but not in Missouri. Calvin was
the eldest son, and last known place of residence was Summitville, Ohio, so
it is assumed that he remained in Ohio when the rest of the family moved to
Missouri.
Sarah Chain taught school in Caldwell County, Missouri for over 30 years
beginning in the 1870s. In those days, you got a teacher's certificate by
going up for examination on appointed days. There were 3 grades lasting one,
two and three years. Later, in the 1880s, the Summer Teachers Normal was held
for four weeks ending with examination. Passing the test was a rigorous
ordeal, but a fair one, in the words of Sarah Chain.
Hugh Chain was also the owner of two different hotels. In Kingston in the
late 1850s, he owned and operated the Kingston House, later called the Cadmen
Hotel, and in 1881 he built the Chain House at Hamilton, Missouri (later
named the Snyder Hotel which was still standing in 1934). Hugh died in 1884,
after which his three unmarried daughters Mary Ellen, Emma and Sarah ran the
hotel.
Hugh Chain (died 7 April 1884), his wife Mary (died 9 February 1890) and
three daughters, Mary Ellen (died 24 May, 1900), Emma Frances (died 26
January 1922) and Sarah Hester (died 3 July 1940) are all laid to rest in the
Highland Cemetery, Section N ½ 5, Hamilton, Caldwell County, Missouri.
I am a direct descendant of Hugh and Alpheus Chain, and Alpheus' son William
Newton Chain. The birthplace of William Newton is unknown at this time, I
would be interested in knowing that also! Thank you, Lynette Chain Lawrence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This thread:
[MOCALDWE] Chain Surname Rollcall by ZacPaul(a)aol.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RootsWeb is funded and supported by
Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community. Learn
more.
About Us | Contact Us | Acceptable Use Policy | PRIVACY STATEMENT | Copyright
Copyright © 1998-2008,
MyFamily.com Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Important Note:
The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply
to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.