Please note:  I have had surgery and my mother is in hospital so for now I thought this information would be helpful to those who are interested.  When I have more time I want to get with Leroy and see what information he has that would benefit those who are researching this area of history and correct some errors that have been made with time.  Wanda
 

Hi Wanda,

I think we both may benefit from some data exchange.  I would guess that you
live in Texas (your email address) and have some connection with the Lyman
Wight group (your transcription of the FC 1850 Zodiac).

I was born in California and live in San Diego but am the only non-Texan in
my family.  I am a retired physicist, University of Texas, 1948.  I have
been collecting family data for many years and am in contact with a number
of cousins that either still live in Texas or at least share ancestors that
date back in Texas to more than 200 years.

Regarding my line that is part of the Lyman Wight group, Ezra Chipman was my
2ggrandfather and his second "wife", Jennett Sutherland, was my
2ggrandmother.  Although I prefer primary sources, I have had to rely on
secondary sources in a few cases.  I trace Ezra back to John Chipman who
married Hope Howland and through her to the Mayflower.  I trace Jennett back
to Edinburgh, Scotland where that family was "recruited" by Orson Pratt to
join the LDS.  I have just returned from a month in Salt Lake City doing
research in the Family History Library where I was able to add two
generations of ancestors back from Jennett's parents, David and Jane Menzies
Sutherland.

Incidentally, the LDS Ancestral File and the IGI are full of errors on this
line and I have copies of primary sources to disprove a lot.  Unfortunately,
the internet has allowed these errors to propagate.  When I discussed this
with the folks at the FHL they agree but have given up trying to verify
anything.  Whatever is sent to them they just add it to the computer files.

Let me know how deep you wish to get into this.  If all you want are some
references and data of the Lyman Wight group, I can provide easily.  If you
want to exchange more, please let me know your line.

Leroy
 

Subject:  Re: [Fwd: FC 1850 Zodiac, TX]
 Date:     Tue, 5 Jun 2001 17:56:10 -0700
 From:    "Leroy Riggs" <leroyriggs@prodigy.net>
 To:        "Sloan" <bspoint@cmn.net>

 References:  1

Mary Lee Gussen Sloan said,

> Where do you live?  I'm up here in Colorado -- used to be off Culebra Road
> in San Antonio

I live in San Diego

> Do you have the Chipman Indian fighting story?  I have it.   I don't know
> which Chipman it was.  It was most likely H. Ebin Shipman unless he died in
> the floods before coming to Medina River.

Your H. Ebin Shipman, shown in the FC 1850 Zodiac, was actually Heber
Nathaniel Chipman, the first child of Ezra and Malinda Porter Welcher
Chipman, born in Nauvoo, IL  There is a memorial marker in the Bandera, TX
Cemetery which reads:  "Heber Chipman born June 16, 1842, died February 12,
1875. C. S. A.".

I don't know what "Indian fighting story" you are talking about.  Maybe it
has something to do with the fact that the second child of the above
marriage, Ezra Porter Chipman, born in Crawford County, WI on 29 November
1844 was killed by his half-uncle on 17 March 1868 when he was returning to
camp and was mistaken to be an Indian.  His half-uncle, Joseph Lyman
Sutherland (brother to Ezra's second "wife", Jennett) was a deputy sheriff
in Bandera, TX at the time.

> I didn't know if it was Chipman or Shipman.
> Did the Chipman's leave when Wright left?

You obviously know little of the Lyman Wight group's history.  I could
suggest several well written books if you are really interested.  You
mention that you are doing your family history and I applaud your effort.
By the way, many secondary sources, such as the History of Bandera, contain
many errors.  I am in contact with a number of "cousins" in TX and we work
together to share primary source data.

> Where do you think Wright died?  I think someplace between St. Mary's
> University and Our Lady of the Lake.  Most likely closer to St. Mary's
> University.

I believe that his son, Levi Lamoni Wight, told the truth in his diary.
They carted the body 70 miles and buried him in the cemetery in Zodiac.

> There was Turner Family members with the Mormons.  Do you have anything
> about them?  Dan Turner was with my Great Great Grandfather John Hoffmann
> when he was killed right below Mormon Camp.

I have nothing on a Turner Family.  Perhaps they joined later.  I assume
your John Hoffman is a son of Andrew Hoffman but I haven't traced that line.

> Do you have any of the Chipman history -- I will include it in family
> history booklets.
> Also hope to publish a book in a few years.

Since the Chipman line is mine I have a lot of information, including
primary sources.  Ezra's father, Heman, is Mayflower #46,134.  His father
Ammi Chipman, Mayflower #46,097, is buried in Leeds, Ontario, Canada.  I
have been there and have photos of the cemetery and the headstones of Ammi
and his wife, Sarah Evarts Chipman.  Ammi was born in VT, fought in the Rev.
War and migrated to Canada.  This could go on for pages.  Much has been
published on this line and I doubt if you could step in now and add much to
the Chipman history.

> I'll be out of town for a week -- hope to hear back from you

I'm sending a copy to your friend, Wanda Qualls, so she will know what I
have said.  I hope you don't take my comments in the wrong way.  I
appreciate your desire to obtain and share historical facts and I will be
happy to work with you to add to your family history.

Regards,

Leroy

Subject: Re: FC 1850 Zodiac, TX
Date:     Sun, 3 Jun 2001 18:29:00 -0700
From:    "Leroy Riggs" <leroyriggs@prodigy.net>

 References: 1 , 2

Hi Wanda,

As you know there are 160 individuals listed in that census.  Would you
believe that there are 74 with their names wrong!  I realize you wanted to
transcribe the original as it was written by the enumerator; however, too
many people think if they see it on the internet it must be true.

I have already heard from your friend, Mary Lee Gussen Sloan.  In fact, she
sent you a copy so you know what she had to say.  Since she will be out of
town for a week I'll postpone an answer to her for a few days.  You will
note that she refers to H. Ebin Shipman.  I agree the census record has him
as H. Eber but his name was Heber Nathaniel Chipman.  He was Ezra Chipman's
first child with Malinda Porter Welcher Chipman (listed as Malinda Shipman),
his first of three wives.  Malinda had four children, his second "wife" was
Jennett Sutherland (Janette Southland in the census record).  She had nine
and her sister, Marion Sutherland (listed as Marion Curtis, which was
correct) had two.

Mary Lee also refers to Lyman Wight as Wright.  I guess she got that
spelling from the census record.

If you are interested in publishing a correct census record I would be happy
to provide some proven information.

Regards,

Leroy

Subject:  FC 1850 Zodiac, TX
Date:       Fri, 1 Jun 2001 14:09:51 -0700
From:      "Leroy Riggs" <leroyriggs@prodigy.net>

On page 265 Ezra Chipman and family are all written down with the last name
of Shipman.  Everyone knows this was the error of the enumerator.  On the
same page the Sutherlands are written down as Southerland.  This error has
been repeated in too many places to count.  If you can somehow get people to
use the correct names it sure would help genealogists.

Thanks,

Leroy Riggs