Person Page - 3

     Mary Francis was born in November 1822 in New Jersey.^1,2 Conflicting evidence states that Mary was born circa 1819 in New Jersey.^3,4 She married Henry Francis from 1 June 1859 to 1 June 1860. Mary Francis and Henry lived in 1860 in Philadelphia, 1st ward, 5th precient, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.⁵ Mary Francis married George Vessels Copes, son of Charles Copes and Louisa Wessells, on 21 February 1867 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The wedding ceremony was a Baptist service conducted by the Rev. Mr. William Wilder.^6,7 As of 21 February 1867, her married name was Copes.⁶ Mary Francis and George lived in 1867 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.⁷ Mary Francis was a seamstress in June 1870.⁸ She lived in March 1898 in Methodist Episcopal Home for the Aged, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, This is only a probable identifacation. It both agrees with, and disagrees with, certain information known to be about the wife of George Copes, which information is sometimes in conflict.^9,10 She died on 27 August 1900 in Methodist Episcopal Home, Belmont and Edgely Avenues, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 77 years and 9 months.¹¹ Her obituary appeared The Philadelphia Inquirer on 29 August 1900. It read:
On August 27, 1900, Mary Copes, aged 78 years. Funeral services at the Methodist Episcopal Home, Bellmont and Edgeley avenue on Wednesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock. Internment at Lafayette Cemetery..
The obituary also appeared the previous day in the same newspaper. A death notice appeared in the same newspaper at that time, and it read: Copes, Mary 77, 27 Bellmont and Edgeley.¹² She was buried on 29 August 1900 in Lafeyette Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.¹¹
     Mary Francis was listed as a resident in the Henry Francis census report in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, on 30 June 1860. She was recorded as being a 37 (or maybe 31) year old female who had been born in New Jersey. She had been married within the past year¹³. Mary was listed as a household member living with George Vessels Copes on the 1870 Census in Philadelphia, 2nd ward, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. She was recorded as being a 47-year-old white female who was born in New Jersey, her father being of foreign birth. She could not write but she could read. She was employed as a seamstress¹⁴. Mary Francis appeared in the census enumerated on 2 June 1880 at 223 Fredorae Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, living with George Vessels Copes as a daughter. She was recorded as a 60-year-old married white female who was born in New Jersey to parents both of whom were born in New Jersey. It was recorded that she could not read or write. She was employed as keeping house.¹⁵ Although she is listed as his daughter by the census enumerator, she was the wife of the head of household. Mary Copes appeared in the census enumerated on 1 June 1900 in Methodist Episcopal Home, Belmont Avenue and Monument Road, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. She was listed as an inmate, and was recorded as a 77-year-old widowed white female who was married for 32 years. It was recorded that she was born in November 1822 in New Jersey to a mother who was born in New Jersey and to a father whose birth place was left blank. She was the mother of three children, one of whom was living. She could speak English and read, but she could not write.¹⁰

     Baltis Stone also had his name recorded as Bolltus It appears as such in recording his birth in the family Bible.¹ He was born on 7 June 1747.² He was also listed as being born, according to several different published authorities which recorded his age at death as 103 years, 16 days, on 6 October 1743.^1,3,4 Conflicting evidence states that Baltis Stone was born in October 1744.⁵ He served in the military as a private in the Pennsylvania Continental Militia during the Revolutionary War in 1776.⁶ He fought in the battle of Long Island in New York 27 August 1776. He was taken prisoner by the enemy and was exchanged once his enlistment had expired.⁷ He fought in the battle of Brandywine 11 September 1777.⁷ He fought in the battle of Germantown 4 October 1777.⁷ He was the presumed father of Hannah Stone. I have not seen any documented evidence stating the specific relationship between Baltis and Hannah. He was either 57 or 62 years old at the time of Hannah's birth, and although it is not impossible for him to be her father it is more likely for him to be her grandfather. We know that Baltis lived with Hannah and her husband, and his name is in the family Bible, but without statement as to his relationship. Baltus Stone was illiterate, having made his mark in June 1818.⁷ He was a day labourer in June 1818 in Philadelphia.⁸ Baltis applied for a military pension in District Court, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, on 6 June 1818. This was for his service in the Revolutionary War, under the act of 18 March 1818, which authorized pensions for veterans in need.⁷ Baltis Stone was also known as Baltus Stone. He died of senile mortification on 22 October 1846 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 99 years, 4 months and 15 days.^9,10,11 He was buried in Union Cemetery, 6th Street below Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.^12,11 He was reburied in 1906 in Arlington Cemetery, Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.¹³
     Baltis Stone appeared on the census enumerated on 1790 in Mojamensing & Passyunk Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Baltis is recorded as the head of the family, the only free white male over the age of sixteen years. He lived with two free white males under the age of 16 years and two free white females.¹⁴ He appeared on the census of 1810 in East Southwalk, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. In his household, consisting of five persons, there was one free white male under the age of 10 years, one free white male over the age of 45 years, two free white females under the age of 10 years, and one free white female over the age of 45 years.¹⁵ Baltis was listed as the head of a family on the 1830 Census in East Southwalk, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He was likely the free white male, aged at least 70 and under 80 years old. Two others were living with him, a free white male at least 20 years and under 30, and a free white female at least 20 years and under 30 years of age.¹⁶ Baltis was probably a free white male, age 90 and under 100, in George Vessels Copes's household, on the 1840 Census in Southwark, 2nd Ward, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He was named as a 96-year-old pensioner for Revolutionary or miltary service. The unususal thing about this is that he appears on line 4 of page 63 of the census, in the household of Phelix Hill, who does not have anybody living with him who was at least 90 years old; George Copes, on page 62, did..¹⁷

     Charles Copes was also known as ? Copes. He was born circa 1767 in Accomac County, Virginia.¹ Conflicting evidence states that Charles Copes was born in England. This is from a census report and is probably an error. Somebody gave false information to the census enumerator.² He married Louisa Wessells, daughter of Elijah Wessells and Sophia Clark, circa 1799.¹ Charles Copes was the probable father of Charles Copes and George Vessels Copes. I have no proof that Charles Copes the surgeon was the older brother of George Vessels Copes, but who else could he be? They both were born in Virginia and moved to Southwalk, in Philadelphia County. Charles is recorded in the Family Bible which is in our possession. Why would he be recorded in there if he wasn't George's brother? Would a cousin be included? Doubtful--there were others who were probably cousins already in Southwalk. Presume they are brothers. Charles Copes, the husband of Louisa, is a heir to his mother-in-law and she gives him the suffix of "Sr." in her will. It indicates there is a younger Charles in the same area. It usually, but not necessarily refers to his son. The Charles who later became a Navy surgeon had just been born. The mother's maiden name is WESSELLS which could become VESSELLS in some records. That is carried as George's middle name. Charles was listed as the head of a family on the 1820 Census in Accomac County, Virginia. He was the one listed as a free white male aged 45 years or more. It was a five member household all of whom were free white persons. There were two males under the age of ten years, a female age 10 and under 16 and a female age 26 years and under 45..³

     Carl Valdemar Thomsen was born on 14 December 1861 in Fredericia, Elbo herrad, Vejlo amt., Denmark.^3,4,5,1,2 Conflicting evidence states that Carl was born erroneously, on 14 December 1861 in Copenhagen, Copenhagen (Københaven), Denmark.⁶ Carl Valdemar Thomsen was also known as Carl W. Thomsen. He was baptized in infancy on 26 December 1861 at age 12 days in home, in Trinitias parish, Fredericia, Elbo herrad, Vejlo amt., Denmark. He was presented to the church community, with the remainder of the christening rite completed, on 13 May 1862, at four months 30 days old.^2,7 (see also for an image of his christening record.) He was vaccinated against the smallpox on 19 July 1866 in Ngborg, Denmark, at age 4 years, 7 months and 5 days.⁸ He lived with his parents Carsten Thomsen and Henriette Catherine Harder between 1863 and 1876 in the Fred section of Trinitias parish, Fredericia, Elbo herrad, Vejlo amt., Denmark.^9,10,11 Carl Valdemar Thomsen was confirmed on 23 April 1876 in Trinitatis parish church, Fredericia, Elbo herrad, Vejlo amt., Denmark, at age 14 years, 4 months and 9 days.¹² He did very good on both parts of his confirmation examination.¹³ He married Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky, daughter of Jörgen Zerakitzky and Johanne Lauridsen, on 7 June 1889 in the church, Skjern, Bølling, Ringkøbing, Denmark.^1,14,15,16 Carl Valdemar Thomsen and Johanne emigrated in 1889 from Hamburg, Germany. The story I received is that they left immediately after their marriage for the United States, leaving from the port at Hamburg.^17,18,19 As of 1890, Carl Valdemar Thomsen was also known as Carl Thomsen. He and Johanne were Lutherans before 1890 in Denmark. When they came to this country, they resolved that English would be spoken. They attended a Lutheran Church once they came here--and the preacher said from the pulpit that it was their duty, in order to uphold the Commandment that you honor your parents,--the congregation being Danish Lutheran--for the people to speak Danish and to give support to the Danish government, to preserve their Danish heritage and embrace all things Danish. It did not go over well with them, especially not with Johanne. They did not come to this country to speak Danish or support the Danish nation, but to be Americans and to speak English. They soon after started attending the Presbyterian Church. Carl Valdemar Thomsen and Johanne were Presbyterians in United States. Carl Thomsen declared his intent to become a citizen of the United States on 15 November 1890 in Courts of Oyer and Terminer and Quarter Sessions of the Peace, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.²⁰ He and Johanne lived in 1893 in 1937 Cayuga Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.^21,22,23 Carl Thomsen was naturalized on 2 June 1896 in Courts of Oyer and Terminer and Quarter Sessions of the Peace, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Conrad Hutt (or Hutli) supported this application for naturalization by swearing that he was well acquainted with Carl Thomsen and that he was a man of good moral character and supportive of the constitutional principles.²⁰ On 20 June 1900 his name was also recorded as Charles Thompson.²⁴ He was a carpenter in 1905.^25,26 He was a cabinet maker.^27,28,29 In June 1915, Carl was also recorded, in the census, as Carroll Thompsen.³⁰ He and Johanne lived after 1937 in 17 North Wyoming Avenue, Ventnor, Atlantic County, New Jersey.^27,31,32,33 Carl Valdemar Thomsen died at 12:30 a.m. on 26 December 1945 at 17 North Wyoming Avenue, Ventnor, Atlantic County, New Jersey, at age 84 years and 12 days.^34,27 The cause of Carl's death was given as arterosclerosis, otherwise known as heart disease, with a secondary cause of carcinoma of the prostate. The burial record records it as certerio sclerocis.^27,32 The duration of the illness is not recorded. John F. Perez, M.D. of 3403 Pacific Ave., was the attending physican and was his doctor from August 1943 until death.²⁷ He was buried on 29 December 1945 in section M, lot 687 center left Greenmount Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.^27,32,35 There was no administration for the estates of either Carl or Johanne. They both died interstate and nobody applied to the Surrogate for proceedings from his office.³⁶ Charles was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census at 4545 Bouvier Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He was recorded as being a 36-year-old white male born in December 1863 in Denmark to paents both of whom were born in Denmark. He was married and had been for 11 years. He was a naturalized citizen, immigrating to the United States in 1890 and been here for ten years. He was a carpenter by trade and had not been unemployed during the past year. He could speak English, read and write. He rented the dwelling in which he lived²⁴.
     Carl Valdemar Thomsen appeared in the census enumerated on 5 June 1905 in 28 Marshall Avenue, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, as the head of the household. Carl was recorded with the surname Thompson, as a 43-year-old married white male born in December 1861 in Denmark. Both of his parents were recorded as born in Denmark. He had lived in the United States for 16 years, and he was naturalized. It was recorded that he could speak English, read and write. He was employed as a carpenter. He was recorded as renting his dwelling³⁷. He and Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky appeared on the census enumerated on 16 April 1910 at 115 North Georgia Avenue, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Enumerated with them were their children Henry, Carl, Henrietta, Johanna, Elsie and Esther Mae Thomsen. Carl was recorded as a 46-year-old married white male. He was recorded as being married 21 years and as being born in Denmark, as were both of his parents, and the native language of all three of them was given as Swedish. He was recorded as being able to speak English, read and write. He had immigrated to the United States in 1889 and was naturalized a citizen. His occupation was given as a cabinetmaker, employed by the Lumber Company. He was employed on April 10, 1910 and had been employed every week of 1909^28. Carroll Thompsen appeared on the state census enumerated on 16 June 1915 in 113 North Georgia Avenue, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Carl was recorded as a 54-year-old white married male born in December 1861. He had lived in the United States for 26 years, and was naturalized. He was employed as a mechanic, and he owned his own home, which was mortgaged.³⁰. A Philip and Margaret Koaft were renting the other apartment at that address. Philip was a 28-year-old married white male born September 1887 in Jersey, while Margaret was a 30-year-old white married female born in Ireland, as were both of her parents. Margaret had been in the United States for 14 years. Philip's father was born in Germany and his mother in the United States^38. He appeared on the census enumerated on 17 January 1920 in 113 North Georgia Avenue, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, as the head of the household. His wife Johanne and their children Carl and Esther Mae Thomsen were recorded as living with him. Their daughter Elsie and her husband Cecil Shockey were living as a separate family in the same dwelling. Carl was recorded as a 59-year-old married white male who was born in Denmark to parents both of whom were born in Denmark. Their native language was Danish. He could speak English, and could read and write. He was recorded as having been naturalized a citizen in 1900, having immigrated to the United States in 1889. He was employed as a cabinetmaker, working for the Lumber company. He owned his own home, and it was mortgaged^39. Carl Valdemar Thomsen appeared in the census enumerated on 11 April 1930 in 111 North Delanny Place, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, as the head of the household. He was recorded as a 67-year-old married white male who was married for the first time at the age of 27. He was recorded as being born in Denmark to parents both of whom were born in Denmark. He owned his home, which had a radio set, and the property was valued at $14,000. He immigrated to the United States in 1888, was naturalized as a citizen, and he spoke Danish at home before he immigrated. He could speak English, read and write. He was employed as a cabnietmaker, was classified as a worker, and had not been at work the previous day. He worked in a mill²⁹. Carl was listed as the head of a family on the 1940 Census in 17 North Wyoming Avenue, Ventnor, Atlantic County, New Jersey. He was recorded as being a 78-year-old married white male who was born in Denmark. He had been a citizen of the United States for four years. He was not attending school and he had completed the eighth grade. He was living in the same place he lived in 1935. He owned his own business and was a carpenter. He had worked five hours the previous week and had worked five weeks. He no other income and made $110 from his employment. He owned his own home, which was not a farm, and it was valued at $2700.⁴⁰.

     Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky was born on 19 May 1866 at home³ in Ensig, Skjern sogn, Bølling, Ringkøbing, Denmark.^{4,5,6,7,8,9,10} Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky was named for her elder sister Johanne Frederikke Zerakitzky. The elder Johanne died four months before the birth of her younger sister. It was a custom to name younger children after deceased older siblings. Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky was baptized in infancy on 3 June 1866 at age 15 days in the church, Skjern, Bølling, Ringkøbing, Denmark.¹¹ (see also to see an image of her christening record.) She was a Presbyterian. She was confirmed on 4 April 1880 in the church, Skjern, Bølling, Ringkøbing, Denmark, at age 13 years, 10 months and 16 days.¹² She married Carl Valdemar Thomsen, son of Carsten Thomsen and Henriette Catherine Harder, on 7 June 1889 in the church, Skjern, Bølling, Ringkøbing, Denmark.^13,14,15,16 As of 7 June 1889, her married name was Thomsen.¹⁴ Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky and Carl emigrated in 1889 from Hamburg, Germany. The story I received is that they left immediately after their marriage for the United States, leaving from the port at Hamburg.^17,18,19 Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky and Carl were Lutherans before 1890 in Denmark. When they came to this country, they resolved that English would be spoken. They attended a Lutheran Church once they came here--and the preacher said from the pulpit that it was their duty, in order to uphold the Commandment that you honor your parents,--the congregation being Danish Lutheran--for the people to speak Danish and to give support to the Danish government, to preserve their Danish heritage and embrace all things Danish. It did not go over well with them, especially not with Johanne. They did not come to this country to speak Danish or support the Danish nation, but to be Americans and to speak English. They soon after started attending the Presbyterian Church. Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky and Carl were Presbyterians in United States. Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky and Carl lived in 1893 in 1937 Cayuga Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.^20,21,22 On 20 June 1900 her name was also recorded as Johanna Thompson.²³ Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky and Carl lived after 1937 in 17 North Wyoming Avenue, Ventnor, Atlantic County, New Jersey.^24,25,26,27 Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky died at 8 p.m. on 25 October 1958 in 17 North Wyoming Avenue, Ventnor, Atlantic County, New Jersey, at age 92 years, 5 months and 6 days. The attending physican was Carl A. Surran, M.D.^28,29 She was ill for two weeks before her death.²⁹ The cause of Johanne's death was acute myocarditis, due to cerebral palsey and chronic arthritis. She had suffered from cerebral palsey for three years, and from arthritis for ten years.^29,25 She was buried on 29 October 1958 in Greenmount Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.^29,25 There was no administration for the estates of either Johanne or Carl. They both died interstate and nobody applied to the Surrogate for proceedings from his office.³⁰ On 9 July 1975, Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky was also recorded incorrectly on her daughter Johanna's death certificate as Johanna Sirsinski.³¹
     
Johanna was listed as Charles Thompson's wife on the 1900 Census at 4545 Bouvier Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. She was recorded as being a 34-year-old (the number 33 being crossed out) married white female who was born May 1866 in Denmark to parents both of whom were born in Denmark. She had been married 11 years and was the mother of seven children, four of whom were then living. She had immigrated to the United States in 1890 and had been here for ten years. She could speak English, read and write.³². Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky appeared in the census enumerated on 5 June 1905 in 28 Marshall Avenue, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, in the household of Carl Valdemar Thomsen. Johanna was recorded as a 39-year-old married white female born in May 1866 in Denmark. Both of her parents were also recorded as being born in Denmark. She was recorded as being able to speak English, read and write. Also, she had resided in the United States for 16 years.³³ Johanne Frederikke Zerakitsky appeared in the census enumerated on 16 April 1910 in 115 North Georgia Avenue, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, as the wife of the head of the household. Johanna was recorded as a 43-year-old married white female employed in the home. She was married 21 years and as being the mother of nine children, six of whom were living. She was recorded as having been born in Denmark, to parents both of whom had also been born in Denmark. Her native language, as well as the native language of both of her parents was recorded as Swedish. She was recorded as having immigrated in 1889. She could speak English, read and write³⁴. She appeared in the census enumerated on 16 June 1915 in 113 North Georgia Avenue, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, as the wife of the head of the household. Johanna was recorded as a 49-year-old white married female born in May 1866. She also had been in the United States for 26 years, and was a housewife. They could both speak English, read and write. They were both born in Denmark, as were their parents³⁵. She appeared in the census enumerated on 17 January 1920 in 113 North Georgia Avenue, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, as the wife of the head of the household. Johanne was recorded as Johanna, a 54-year-old married white female born in Denmark to parents both of whom were born in Denmark. Their native language was Danish. She could speak English and could read and write. She was naturalized an United States citizen, and immigrated in 1889. Her occupation was given as "none"³⁶. She appeared in the census enumerated on 11 April 1930 in 111 North Delanny Place, Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, as the wife of the head of the household. She was recorded as a 63-year-old married white female who had been married for the first time at the age of 23. She was born in Denmark to parents both of whom were born in Denmark. She immigrated to the United States in 1888, was naturalized as a citizen, and she had spoken Danish at home before she immigrated. She could speak English, read and write, and had not attended school since the previous September 1st. Her occupation was given as "none"³⁷. Johanne was listed as Carl Valdemar Thomsen's wife on the 1940 Census in 17 North Wyoming Avenue, Ventnor, Atlantic County, New Jersey. She was recorded as being a 73-year-old married white female who was born in Denmark. She had been a citizen of the United States for four years. She was not attending school and had completed the eighth grade. She was living in the same place she lived in 1935. She did not have a job, was not seeking work and was not otherwise occupied. She also had no income.³⁸.