Hi,
I am new to this list, I am currently researching my PEW relatives,
who originally lived in Grand Rapids, eventually branching out (but
most stayed in Kent cty). I would be happy to share my information
with anyone interested. I believe that the earliest family member to
live in G.R. was George H. PEW, b. 1826, Cheltenham, Gloucester parish,
ENG, s/o George PEW & Mary ALDRIDGE/ The family immigrated from ENG to
NYC on ship John and Margaret, arr 28 Aug 1832 with 3 children,
youngest was a dgt Sarah Jane, b. at sea, who eventually marries
Charles A. HOLADAY. Their father George PEW disappeared bef 1850 at
which time I find Mary with 5 children living in Rochester, Monroe Cty,
NY. George H. and family appear in G.R. CEN in 1860, 4th ward. He
married Margaret Ann SCRIBNER 8 Dec 1853. George H. and his family are
all buried in the Greenwood CEM in Kent cty..
The following info is all from the G.R. City Dir. and I am looking for
any information about a company named PEW BROS & CO in Grand Rapids,
Michigan (according to 1859-60 City Directory). The description of the
company given was Planing, Floor Dressing Mill, and Wool Carders; it
was also listed in business directory under Carpenters. Location
given: east side river, Canal between Hastings and Trowbridge. Owners:
John Pew, Jas. Pew, George H. Pew, and C. D. Blakeslee.
My relatives were the PEWs: George Henry (married to Margaret Ann
SCRIBNER), res. on Turner bet 1st and 2nd (west side); little info
about rest, Dir. showed the following names, all boarding w.s. Ionia
bet Lyons & Bronson): John PEW James PEW, Alfred PUGH, Jas. PUGH,and
John PUGH. It is confusing, because I have found the name spelled
either way (PE/PUGH) and I am not sure if the same person was just
listed twice or these were different people. I did find a James A. PEW
(PUGH on death cert) buried in the Fulton Street CEM next to his Mother
(Mary) and her 2nd husband (Benjamin PAYLISS). I also found him in the
1870 census in G.R. (just before his death) listed as PUGH.
I believe the owner of the house on Ionia was Albert COY (COYE) who
married Mary PEW (dgt of Mary PEW and her first husband George PEW
[who disappeared]). Albert was an Awning manufacturer (a company which
still exists today and was family owned for a long time). The dir.
showed an Alfred COYE working for PEW BROS but gave no address. I
believe he may have been the brother of Albert.
The most confusing part of all this is that there was also a Jas. A.
PUGH, finisher at C. C. COMSTOCK - the Fulton St. Cem. lists Jame A.
PEW but the death cert. showed him as James A. PUGH, but gave parents
as Mary and George. Therefore, I am not sure which (city dir. result)
is mine.
Information about any of these people or companys would be HUGELY
helpful. I have also posted this message on the Kent cty list.
Thanks so much.
Linda, Hermosa Beach, CA
e-mail: lmshook(a)earthlink.net