HAWLEY - CLEGHORN Family Letter
by Shelley & Tomas Cardiel
I've "rescued" an old family letter written by Thressa HAWLEY "Sister" of
Spring Garden, Florida to Jabez HAWLEY "Brother" of Syracuse, New York. The
letter was dated February 24 1879 and includes a number of clues to the
identity of this family including:
During the 1880 census I find Nathan HAWLEY and Thresia HAWLEY living in
Kenosha, WI in a boarding house. Nathan is listed as age 71, born in VT, a
retired Merchant and his wife Thresia is age 48, also born in VT. I believe
that Nathan HAWLEY was b. 22 Dec 1808 in Kenosha, WI, the son of Nathan
HAWLEY and Electa PURDY. Nathan married Maria F. TOWSLEE on the 19th of Jun
1850. I'm not sure based on this if Thresia or Thressa is his first or
second wife.
* Mentions their move from Kenosha to Florida.
* Talks of Nathan who I believe is her husband, indicates his health
is poor.
* States that Nelson & Cornelia and four of the girls are living in
town with Towslee.
Guessing that Towslee is a son since that was Nathan's wife's maiden name.
* Ellen is living in Racine, keeping house for a friend.
* Wolcott has bought land in Texas and will start a vineyard.
* George is in Boston with two children.
The 1880 census of Winchester, MA includes the HAWLEY Family. George HAWLEY
age 42, born in NY, a Druggist living with his wife Harriet N. age 38, born
in MA, a daughter Bessie P. age 11, and son Francis N. age 3, both children
born in MA. George's sister-in-law, Mary W. PAGE age 45 is also living with
the family. Additional records indicate that George Francis HAWLEY was b.
31 Jan 1836 in Skaneateles, NY to parents Major Nelson HAWLEY and Cornelia
FRANCIS and that he married Hattie Northy RUSSELL on the 16th of Oct 1867.
Major Nelson HAWLEY b. 8 Jun 1801 in Kenosha, WI was the son of Nathan
HAWLEY and Electa PURDY, his wife Cornelia FRANCIS was b. 16 Oct 1814 in
Skaneateles, NY, the daughter of Samuel FRANCIS and Anna TODD. Nelson &
Cornelia had 9 children: Ellen; George Francis; Cornelia Ann; Butler
Wolcott; Emma Elizabeth; Nelson; Julia Mallory; Laura Horton; and Anna
Kellogg HAWLEY all born in Skaneateles or Troy, NY between 1834 and 1853.
* Ralph and family are wintering with Mrs. CLEGHORN (Sarah HAWLEY) in
Madison, Wisconsin.
I believe this is Ralph HAWLEY b. 19 Mar 1808 at Kenosha, WI to parents
Nathan HAWLEY and Electa PURDY. Ralph married Julia F. MALLORY on the 12th
of Oct 1836.
* James is preaching.
* J. Hawley hasn't been heard from was last on the way to Chicago.
* Talks about Mary's children.
* Caroline sent a letter recently.
Based on limited research I was able to locate the family of Jabez HAWLEY
living in Syracuse, NY during the 1880 census. Jabez HAWLEY was 76 years
old at the time, born in NY, a Cabinetmaker whose parents were born in VT.
His wife Dorcas was 60 years old, born in NY to NY born parents. Their
daughter Irene was living with them at the time of the census, her age
listed as 20 years, a School Teacher, also born in NY.
Jabez HAWLEY was b. 1 Nov 1803 to parents Nathan HAWLEY and Electa PURDY and
married his first wife, Elizabeth GUNN on 25 Jan 1843. His second marriage
was to Dorcas SHERWOOD on 3 May 1848. I'm hoping to locate someone from
this family so that this wonderful piece of family history can be returned
to family for safekeeping. If you are a member of this family, or know
someone who might be, please contact me.
Thanks,
Shelley