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Author: dbreynolds4
Surnames: Blain, Blaine, Nye
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
James and Mary Barr Blain are my third great-grandparents on my mother's side. My
mother did genealogy the old fashioned way in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, going to libraries,
visiting cemeteries, writing to archives, etc.
If you haven't yet, I suggest Googling and downloading "Maxwell History and
Genealogy", published in 1916:
On page 327: "According to Mr. Armstrong, William B. Blaine was appointed April,
1838, with two others, to select and buy a tract of land for a cemetery for Leesburg. This
was the 'sikly season', when the prospersoous settlement of Leesburg was stricken
with such a sickness that hardly enough well people were left to bury the dead. The
securing of a burial ground became the need of the hour. This was the origin of the
present beautiful cemetery."
On the contribution list are the names of James Blain and John R. Blaine. [The brothers
opened the first dry goods store in Leesburg.]
Their younger brother Wilson Barr Blain reportedly established the first Presbyterian
Church west of the Rocky Mountains, in Linn County, OR in 1850.
For some reason, I'm thinking my late mother searched for the Leesburg Cemetery and
learned it was flooded out.
My mother's research showed William buried at Kirk Cemetery in Brownsville, OR.
Also, my mom's research shows Rachel and Hannah's parents as John Nye, b. 1783 in
PA, d. 1888?, and Catherine Bonesteel, b. 1803 in NJ, d. 1896. John's parents as
Andrew Nye Jr. and Rachel MacDonald (both from PA). Andrew Jr's parents as Andrew Nye
(Neu) Sr. and Sarah Ross (Cecelia Roos) both born in Palatinate (Germany).
I don't have pics of any of these, except a portrait of Rachel Nye.
Best of luck.
Dave Reynolds
Spokane, Washington
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