Not The Daughter of Thomas Reed and Mary Russell So Cannot Be The Granddaughter of Charles Russell

Back in 2009 someone uploaded a PDF file to Ancestry.com about Charles Russell and his will. However, they titled the PDF upload with an insinuation that the Eliza Reed, named as a granddaughter of Charles Russell in his will, is the same Eliza Reed who married Blaney Palmer. This would have her mother being a daughter of Charles Russell, Mary, who married a Thomas Reed.

Problem is that the Eliza Reed mentioned in the will has a paper trail which conflicts with the assertion hinted, by the pdf file's title, that she and the Eliza Reed, who married Blaney Palmer, are one in the same person. They are not. The only way to have it work out that Eliza Reed, who married Blaney Palmer, was Charles Russell's granddaughter mentioned in the will would require Blaney Palmer Sr's wife, Eliza, to commit bigamy plus manage to live in two different areas, with both husbands, the rest of her life.

I know, so far this is a confusing read, but that's the part of the problem as the association is confusing because it appears, somewhere along the line, someone mistakenly thought that there was only Eliza Reed born in Ohio or something like that - and not open to the possibility there could been more than one or consider that Eliza/Elizabeth was a popular name.

Here is my breakdown of what discrepancies I noticed in the claim:
· · Eliza Reed, daughter of Thomas Reed and Mary Russell, is said to been born in Gallia County, Ohio. Eliza Reed, who married Blaney Palmer, is said to been born in Butler County, Ohio.
· ·: Eliza Reed, daughter of Thomas Reed and Mary Russell, married in Gallia County. Ohio. Eliza Reed, who married Blaney Palmer, married in Butler County, Ohio.
· · Eliza Reed, daughter of Thomas Reed and Mary Russell, is listed in the 1850 US Census for Gallia County, Ohio with her husband and two Russell cousins - no children for the primary couple listed. Eliza Reed, who married Blaney Palmer, is listed in the 1850 US Census in Ripley County, Indiana, with Blaney and their daughter, Mary.
· · Eliza Reed, who married Blaney Palmer, is listed in the 1860 US Census in Ripley County with Blaney and three additional children (so up to 4 children in the household). In 1860 Eliza Reed, daughter of Thomas Reed and Mary Russell, is listed in 1860 US Census with her husband, John, in Indiana - but not in Ripley County area.

As interesting as the children of Thomas Reed and Mary Russell were and all, and it would be nice to list parental names as well as siblings for Eliza A. Reed Palmer ... Mary Russell and Thomas Reed appears to being the wrong couple to attach Eliza A. Reed Palmer being their daughter; and, in doing so, would only have the tree, for her, go off track and be incorrect with listing her with the wrong parents and grandparents.

Goodness knows there were a lot of Reeds in Ohio in the early to mid-1840s and the hash-mark style of earlier US census reports doesn't make it easy to narrow down to just one particular Reed. However, we have the information, from Eliza's "In Memory Of" that one of the children wrote after her death and marriage records, that contain references to Butler County, not Gallia County, in Ohio as to being the main area likely of more interest. Eliza Reed who married Blaney Palmer married him in Butler county, Ohio in 1848 and there were other Reeds living in the general area of Butler county of where she married Blaney. Using personal research of the officiator of their marriage, and where the officiator resided at in the 1840s, I have it narrowed down to two possible prospects, and I am leaning more toward one couple as to being the likely parents, who lived in the same area of Butler county for the US census in 1850 (2 years after she married) and also in Butler County for the 1840 census. I have them listed as potential parents of her, with the phrase "possible - not proven" included as part of their names to make it clear, to others, that a piece of the puzzle is not yet been confirmed or verified, just that it is possible. Could that other male Reed be related somehow to Thomas Reed? Possible, but as I said - there were a lot of Reeds, from Pennsylvania and Virginia, who went to Ohio between 1810 and 1840s, and many were siblings or cousins.

The problem is, on Ancestry, if you search or look through the 'hints' shared by Ancestry's side for Eliza Reed - that 2009 PDF pops up near the top of those search results. Which means people see her and/or Blaney's name in the title of the PDF file and just click to attach it to (the wrong) Eliza Reed ... which only helps to continue having it pop up (erroneously) in the results for Eliza Reed Palmer. Therefore resulting in quite a few people who, based upon the 2009 pdf file "as a source", list Thomas and Mary Russell Reed to being her parents ... which means they naturally then add Charles Russell to being her grandfather. All this primarily seems due to that pdf file's title thoughts.

So the naming thoughts/false "research" shared only helps to continue sharing the incorrect information. Kind of similar to, as an example, on how people continue to list Blaney and Eliza Reed Palmer to having a son named James due to a census taker error in the 1860 US census where their daughter Jane was mistakenly listed to being a son named James - and they will even list that James as to passing away prior to 1870 versus just removing non-existent James as a child of the couple and correctly putting the 1860 census to Jane; even though they will tell you "I know" that James never existed. Why? I don't know. The only excuse I can think of to keep the fictional child on the family tree is to only continue the theory that " since Blaney and John both had sons named James, then their father must've been named James ..." and citing Irish naming tradition thoughts as the basis. Which that theory doesn't really pan out, since both men did not have a son named James ... but then you have people using one baptismal record to create a set of twins (therefore create a James William Palmer) for Sandford Palmer to say they have found the parents and grandparents for Blaney and John, but the only evidence being a "one size fits all" baptismal record and a marriage record for a William Palmer marrying and nothing else to even remotely connect Blaney to Sandford Palmer's family tree - and nothing, on Sandford Palmer's side, to connect him to being the father of a William James Palmer either (in terms of any later records or him every being said to have a son named William or James, born around 1803 or 1805, attributed to him)

Oh well, I digress ...

---

As a side notation, I have purposely chosen to not link the pdf file shared on Ancestry.com within this article. I am hoping that what I shared here will help shed a little light and prompt others to double check/research on their own (to see if their conclusions match mine when it comes to Eliza Reed of Gallia county, Ohio) and to, possibly, hopefully, edit their trees accordingly and perhaps, eventually, have the person, who titled the pdf file to include Blaney Palmer's name as part of it on Ancestry's site, to rename the pdf file.

Alexander Wampler (1812 - around 1845) and children born after his death

Had an error pop up in the family tree program I use saying I had a couple kids in the tree listed being born after the death of a parent.

So, sure enough I had this gal listed as being born 2 years after her father died. Which would be impossible - even if the mother was pregnant at the time the father passed "around 1845".

Found the gal's FindAGrave memorial page, it has her birth info being 4 Jul 1846. Which theoretically works with the father passed "around 1845" thoughts. Her FindAGrave has her name as Lee Ann - However, in other online trees and such, I've seen her more often listed as Leanna J. and listed with a birth year of 1848.

Alexander Wampler (son of Christopher Wampler and Elizabeth Kettering) was born 3 Sep 1812 in Wythe county, Virginia. He married a Matilda Brown in 1835 in Smyth county, Virginia ... I don't have her parents, yet, and she is said to been born around 1819.

In the 1850 US Census in Smyth county Matilda Wampler, per how the census taker listed the people, is recorded as to living two other women and their children. Matilda is listed with 3 children transcribed (from the handwritten census) as to being: Mary (F-6), Stephen (M-5) and Sander Wampler (M-3). Matilda is marked in one column as to being over 20 years in age and cannot read or write.

This appears to be the first census error shared for Matilda Brown Wampler and/or her children. The transcription is correct in some aspects. However, if looking at the image of the census page itself, we notice that Nancy has a " shared for her last name which means she shared the same surname as the person above her ... which we see an older male, Billingsley Roberts, is listed on the line above her, as shared in the screenshot below, who probably should been listed as the Head of the family instead:

No Lee Ann/Leanna J. Wampler listed with Matilda there. However I think Sanders may been a mistaken transcription of the handwriting, and what is thought to be an "S" is an "L" - and so maybe the census taker had written Leande(r), which could actually be Leanne and she is miss-marked as being a male child? Possible that is what happened as it has happened before. Recall that census takers did not take the large form around with them, but would take notes and then add that info from their notes to the form itself. So if he had sloppily written Leanne and just her age, then later on - when looking over the notes, he may thought he wrote Leander or something, which would been a male name.

Between the 1850 and 1860 US Census Matilda apparently remarried to a John Anderson (b. around 1804/9 time frame in Virginia) and the family is now living in Tazewell county of Virginia. Mary Wampler (the oldest daughter I have for Alexander Wampler and Matilda Brown) married Andrew J. Gillespie in Jan 1860, so she wouldn't appear in the mid-summer taken US census with her mother. Stephen is listed to being around 15 - which works with his paper trail info on him being born in 1844. No Sander Wampler listed, and he would been around 13 if he was 3 in 1850). Leanna J. Wampler is listed being around 11 (but her FindAGrave has her being born in 1846, which would had her being 13/14 years old - which would match up to the missing Sander/Leander Wampler's age and also help tilt the scale she was a daughter of Alexander Wampler, maybe born within a few months of his death if he passed in last half of 1845, with her being in the 1850 and 1860 US Census with Matilda). So I am going with the 1846 birth year for Lee Ann/Leanne J. Wampler in the family tree. although some online trees list her birth year as 1848.

The above image is a screenshot of John and Matilda Anderson's portion of the 1860 Census, but also shares census taker error number two? After Alexander's death and between 1850 and 1860, Matilda had at least three more children who are listed on the 1860 census as well: Emily (F-8), John (M-2), and America (F-under the age of 1) - all listed with the surname of Wampler. Which Alexander has been passed away for well over a decade by now - but apparently he nor Matilda Brown didn't have real good luck with census taker folks, in relation to how census takers handle recording their kids. Emily is probably a daughter of John Anderson (unless Matilda had a marriage between Alexander and him that Emily was a child of). The younger two are very likely children of John Anderson and _not_ Alexander Wampler, but .... they are being listed in family trees, by others, as Emily Wampler, John Anderson Wampler and America F. Wampler to being post-mortem children of Alexander Wampler due to a census taker in 1860 giving all the children in John Anderson's household the surname of Wampler.

In John and Matilda Anderson's 1870 US Census, taken in Tazewell county, they only have three children in the home: John A. and America F. Anderson, so that helps clear up the 1860 US Census error that had them listed with the surname of Wampler. Emily C. is still in the household, and she is listed with the same estimated birth year of 1852 and with surname of Wampler. If Alexander Wampler was her biological father, this would have his death thoughts change from "around 1845" to "around 1851/52". Emily C. never married and passed away 6 Sep 1882 in Smyth county, Virginia - on her death records she is listed as Emily C. Anderson and that her father was John Anderson. This record doesn't help explain why in 1860 and 1870 US Census she was listed both times with the surname of Wampler, even after Mary, Stephen and Leanna/Lee Ann were no longer with their mother.

With Matilda, I have seen her listed as to passing away in 1860s or 1870s, either in Wythe county or in Indiana. Appears neither of those thoughts are correct, but Matilda Anderson (nee Brown) passed away later, in 1888 in Smyth county.

Now that I got Lee Ann/Leanna J. figured out to being a child of Alexander Wampler, which started off this confirmation trek of sorts, and that the last two children (John and America) are not Wamplers but Andersons - where was Sarah Elizabeth (Jan 1841 - 1924) who is oft-listed in online trees being a child of Alexander and Matilda? She's not listed with Matilda Brown Wampler Anderson in the 1850 nor 1860 census. As images share, can't rely on online trees' info since majority of those, including the FamilySearch one world tree one, gave Alexander 3 children well after his death date thoughts ... and without the birth years of those later children raising the question, by folks' willingly sharing it, of how Alexander could have been the father. The only child, listed on paper, that is "up in the air" on being Alexander's biological child is Emily C. who is listed with an estimated birth year of 1852.

George W. Wampler 1838-1915

[hg4-8] George W, WAMPLER
b. 1838
d. 1915
m. Mary WILSON
l. [he1-8]Hans->[hg2-2]John->[hg3-1]Jeremiah=>
Source: Wampfler/Wampler Database

On my side of family tree researching, I have George W. Wampler's birth info as 24 Novermber 1838 in Indiana. I haven't pegged down what town and/or county.

For the death information I have George passing away 8 January 1915, most likely in Putnam county in Indiana. He is buried in Bainbridge, Putnam, Indiana in the Bainbridge Cemetery.

To fill in the middle, George W. Wampler married Mary Elizabeth Wilson on 8 November 1868 in Putnam county, Indiana. Mary was the daughter of Abraham P. (1821-1859) and Mary E. (1823-1915) Wilson. Mary Elizabeth Wilson was born 20 November 1843 in Lawrence county, Indiana. I have her listed as to passing 31 August 1881 and buried in Bainbridge, Putnam Indiana.

George W. Wampler is said to have served in the Civil War, but to date, I have not located information about dates or other details.

George is listed in his father's household for the 1850 US Census for Gosport, Owen, Indiana. In the 1880 US Census, for Bainbridge, Putnam, Indiana, Jeremiah P. Wampler is recorded with George's household. I have not located George's censuses for 1860 and 1870.

I have George W. and Mary E. (Wilson) Wampler having 5 children: Martin Tilman Wampler, Dora A. Wampler, Mary Emeline Wampler, Otto Wampler, and Grace Wampler. Grace Wampler passed away around the age of 13 and is buried in Bainbridge, Putnam, Indiana.

Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson 1827 - 1905

Samantha Nancy GRAY DICKERSON^1,A was born on 12 March 1827, in Mixerville, Bathe Township, Franklin, Indiana, United States, to Mr. Unknown^2,B and Elizabeth "Liz" GRAY².

Samantha's younger sister, Julia A. Gray², is said to been born in Butler County, Ohio. This would seem to hint that Samantha Gray also lived, for a short period of time, in Butler County, Ohio, United States before she, her mother and sister start appearing in United States Census reports as to residing in Ripley County, Indiana, United States.

The United States Census, 1850 on 9 October 1850, in Otter Creek Township, Ripley, Indiana, United States, at age 23, Samantha and her infant son, David L. Gray^3,C, are listed in her mother's household. No occupation listed for Samantha Gray Dickerson (nor her mother).

In the United States Census reports for 1860, 1870, and 1880 for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana, Samantha is listed as Samantha or Nancy Palmer. Her occupation was generally one assigned for house wife thoughts. Samantha was listed to not being able to read or write.

Samantha Dickerson^A,B and John Palmer⁴ married 28 February 1873 in Versailles, Ripley County, Indiana. Prior to the civil service it is unclear about their marital status, but they may possibly been in a common law marriage. John Palmer passed away in 1885.

Court Report. April Term.
... Samantha Palmer vs Peter Maschino, receivership. Report of receiver approved. Receiver discharged.
Source: Versailles Republican; 27 May 1886 - Page 5

In the United States Census reports for 1900 in Center Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana, Samantha Palmer, aged 73, is listed as Head of Household.

Samantha died on 9 September 1905, aged 78, in Center Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana, United States. Robert Martin Palmer³ was the informant for the State of Indiana death certificate and he listed "Nixerville, Franklin"^D as her place of birth. Cause of death was said to be due to an abdominal tumor.

Samantha Nancy Gray he was buried on 10 September 1905 in Otter Creek Cemetery (also known as Tanglewood Cemetery)^E in Ripley, Indiana, United States. Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson and John Palmer were the parents of six or seven children: David L. [Gray] Palmer, James Sylvanus Palmer³, John Palmer^3,F

William Jesse Palmer³, Robert Martin Palmer, and Sarah I. Palmer³.

Samantha's brother-in-law, Patrick Michael McCormick^2,G, and Robert Martin Palmer handled her will and estate^H.

... Michael McCormich, of Osgood, was in town the first of the week and probated the will of Samantha Palmer deceased.
Source: Osgood Ripley Journal; 20 September 1905 - Page 8

Notations of Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:

A Samantha Gray appears on census reports and some earlier citations as to going by Samantha Gray. It is later, such as her 1873 marriage to John Palmer, where she starts appearing to list her maiden name being Dickerson. Presents a bit of a conundrum on how to list her name in the family tree since she went by Gray for over 20 years before she went by Palmer, even prior to the civil marriage, then Dickerson. I list her, on my side, with Gray and Dickerson both as her maiden names, which may seem a bit unwieldy, but given the circumstances, accurate in terms of how Samantha used the names while alive.
B First appearance of her father's name, in documents, is in 1873 when she lists a John Dickerson being her father on a marriage record. John Dickerson is also listed as her father on her later death certificate.
C David L. Gray appears in 1860 and 1870 census reports, for John and Samantha [Gray Dickerson] Palmer, as David L. Palmer. It is unclear if John Palmer was the birth father or "adopted" him.
D This is the first mentioning of exactly where she was born at in Indiana. Mixerville was an informal, unincorporated, area in Bathe Township, Franklin, Indiana area.
E Find A Grave memorial page, for Samantha Gray Dickerson Palmer, shares her grave site is not marked.
F Child's existence may be questionable.
G Husband of Julia A. Gray
H Robert Martin Palmer is said to inherited the bulk of the estate due to him taking care of Samantha after John Palmer's passing.

Relationship to Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:

1 Maternal 3x Great-aunt through marriage
2 Indirect, through marriage
3 Maternal Cousin 3x removed
4 Maternal 3x Great-uncle

Resources for Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson:

·   United Staes Census for Otter Creek Township, Osgood, Ripley, Indiana
· United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripey County, Indiana
·   United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana
·   United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana
·   United States Census for Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana
·   copy of marriage record, not yet digitized by the county or state, shared on Ancestry online family tree by a descendant of John Palmer and Samantha Nancy Gray Dickerson.
· &nsbp; State of Indiana death certificate for Samantha Dickerson Palmer; Record No. 131.
·   Will of Samantha Palmer
·   Find A Grave memorial pages for Samantha, her husband, and children.
·   Osgood Ripley Journal
·   Versailles Republican
·   Ancesty message boards and online trees
·   Rootweb forums
·   Genealogy forums

John Palmer 1826 - 1885

John PALMER^[1] was born in 1826^A, in Ireland, to [FNU] PALMER^{2, A} and [FNU] [LNU]^{2, A}. He is stated to been a brother of Blaney Palmer³.

On 23 May 1843, aged about 17, he immigrated from Ireland to Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States on the ship named [Bark] John Kerr^C. In 1843, aged about 17, John Palmer was naturalized^C in Indiana, United States.

In the United States Census taken on 9 October 1850, aged about 24, in Otter Creek Township, Ripley, Indiana, John Palmer is listed in the household of William H. Smith⁴ and with the occupation of Cooker.

United States Census for 1860, 1870, and 1880 John Palmer is listed to be living in Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana. Each of these census reports has John listed with the occupation of farmer and being able to read and write. Blaney and John Palmer were also neighbors.

OTTER VILLAGE.
... John Palmer wants to buy two good horses to work in his stone quarry.
Source: Osgood Ripley County Journal; 14 April 1881 - Page 2

John Palmer is listed with Samantha Nancy Gray [Dickerson]^5,E as his spouse on the 1860 through 1880 US Census reports. They did not marry until 28 Fe 1873 in Versailles, Ripley, Indiana, United States. They may have been in a common law marriage prior to 1873 and had a civil marriage for other, perhaps legal, reasons later.

John died 15 April 1885, aged about 58, in Ripley, Indiana, United States. According to his death notice, in the local newspaper, he died from paralysis (a stroke).

CZ.[??]
John Palmer died at his home Saturday morning, April 15; was buried Sunday, the 16th, at 3 o'clock p.m.
Source: Osgood Ripley County Journal; 23 April 1885 - Page 2

John Palmer, after a short sickness, paralysis, died Saturday morning at 8 o'clock and was buried Sunday afternoon on his farm^E. Mr. Palmer was an old resident of Center township, locating here in the sixties, since then engaged in quarrying stone^G with Peter Maschino⁴. His age was 58 years.
Source: Versailles Republican; 23 April 1885 - Page 6

John Palmer was buried on 16 April 1885 in Ripley, Indiana, United States^E. John and Samantha Nancy Gray [Dickerson] Palmer were the parents of six to seven known children: David L. [Gray] Palmer⁶, James Sylvanus Palmer⁶, John Palmer^6,H, William Jesse Palmer⁶, Robert Martin Palmer⁶ and Sarah I. Palmer⁶.

Notations of Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:

^A People often cite a christening record for a John Palmer, born 22 Dec 1822 in Larne, Antrim, Ireland to a William Palmer and Jane Morton for the above John's birth. John Palmer, however, has consistently been listed, starting with his immigrating to America, with an birth year of 1825 or 1826. His age, shared in his death notices, also help support the 1825/1826 birth year. Therefore I, on my side, do not officially cite the particular christening record for Blaney's brother and broadly listed him to being born in Ireland. Vania Howell (vaniahowell76 on Ancestry) has an online family tree where she listed John Palmer to being to born in Larne and shared the basis of that was "Per the Violet Tophe Papers, Ripley County Historical Society, Versailles, Indiana". Interestingly a John Palmer immigrated from Londonderry to New York, in 1843, aboard the Superb and his birth year was estimated to being 1822 ... could that been the Antrim John Palmer? Hm.
^B Parents remain, technically, as "unknown", although the more popular theorized couple, often listed as "being" his, and Blaney Palmer's, parents are William Palmer and Jane Martin. The 1822 christening record mentioned in the prior notation has some wondering if the handwriting transcription was in error or something and the mother's maiden name being Martin versus Morton. Blaney Palmer Sr.'s post, on this site, I shared about the theories, and theorized names, for the brothers. I also have two separate blog posts, about Sandford Palmer and Mary Ann Davies being their paternal grandparents and, when I revisited the Sandford Palmer Sr. thoughts, how the brothers did not appear to follow Irish naming tradition when it came to their children, which has it hard to say if William Palmer and Jane Martin were their parents or not..
^C There were several John Palmers who immigrated to the United States. The John Palmer, arriving in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, is closer in age thoughts to the John Palmer in my family tree.
^D Have to double check to make sure this is the correct John Palmer. This would have him preceding Blaney in going to Indiana and, in fact, making pretty much a straight beeline to Indiana, whereas it is a known Blaney went to Butler County, OH area between 1843 to 1848 as Blaney married Eliza Ann Reed⁷ in that area then they went to Ripley County, IN where John Palmer would also be residing at.
^E Samantha Nancy Gray [Dickerson] listed her maiden name as Dickerson and father's name for the first time, in terms of a paper trail I have comes across for her, on the marriage record, John Palmer did not list his parents.
^F A memorial page for him, on Find A Grave, states John Palmer was buried in Otter Village Cemetery (also known as Tanglewood Cemetery) and that there is not a headstone or marker for his grave site. I am not certain if part of the family farm is included in the cemetery OR if his remains were later moved to the cemetery after Samantha or some of his children's passing OR if it is assumed he was buried there, since Samantha was, but he is still buried somewhere on what used to be part of his land.
^G Although John Palmer was consistently listed, in the United States Census reports, to his occupation being "Farmer", the newspaper advert from 1881 I came across help support he had been in the quarrying business as shared in his death notice and also family stories about him.
^H Child's existence could be questioned?

Relationship to Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:

1 Maternal 3x Great-uncle
2 Maternal 3x Great-grandparent
3 Maternal Great-great-grandfather
4 None to my knowledge
5 Maternal 3x Great-aunt through marriage
6 Maternal Cousin 3-times removed
7 Maternal Great-great-grandmother

Sources for Research on Blaney Palmer Sr.:

·   Supplemental Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Atlantic and Gulf Coast Ports (Excluding New York), 1820-1874
·   Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving atPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 1800-1906
·   Record about Naturalization on Ancestry
·   Find A Grave memorial pages for John Palmer, his wife, and children
·   United States Census in Otter Creek Township, Ripley County, Indiana; Occupation: Cooker
·   United States Census in Center Township, Ripley County, Indiana; Occupation: Farmer
·   United States Census in Center Township, Ripley County, Indiana; Occupation: Farmer
·   United States Census in Center Township, Ripley County, Indiana; Occupation: Farmer
·   Osgood Ripley County Journal
·   Versailles Republican
·   Ancestry.com online message boards and family trees
·   Rootweb forums
·   Genealogy forums

Updated in May 2018 to share ancestry links as I did not have those in 2016 to share and to also include a notation about one of the children. Links to the two articles about Sandford Palmer were added in the notations about John's parents.

Elizabeth Gray and the Mysterious John Dickerson

Even though I am not directly related to her, Elizabeth Gray somehow deserves a blog post to help possibly explain, or shed a little light, on things when it comes to her daughters.

Elizabeth Gray was born 1801 in Nelson County, Kentucky to David L. Gray (b. ~1751, d. 1859) and Nancy Ann Blackburn (b. ~1769, d. 1823). Nancy Ann Blackburn, who is also said to been born in Nelson County, Kentucky, possibly was the 2nd wife of David L. Gray after he left Pennsylvania and went to Nelson County, Kentucky area. I have seen David L. Gray listed with a wife named Agnes and having some children with her in Pennsylvania - but I am not certain enough to state for sure. David L. Gray, originally from County Antrim, Ireland, was in a militia during the American Revolutionary War so could consider one day looking to see what the Daughters or Sons of the American Revolution may have in terms of information on David L. Gray and/or his family.

Speaking of family, Elizabeth was the 3rd child of twelve children that David L. Gray and Nancy Blackburn had during their marriage:
·: &nsbp; Isabel Gray (1796), m. Leonidas Peter Clem
·   Matthew Gray (1799), m. Nancy Dickerson
·   David L. Gray Jr. (1803), m. Nancy Knotts
·   Elinor Gray (1804), m. Martin Rhinehardt (or Rinehart, Rhinehart, or other spelling variatives of the surname)
·   Nancy Gray (1806)
·   Whitford F. Gray (1808), m. Sarah McCarty
·   William Gray (1810), m. Rose Ann Hansel
·   Susan Gray (1812)
·   John Gray (1814), death year unknown - only said to have died at a young age as a result of an accident. The wording has it sounds as though he did not live to his teens and/or adulthood,
· &nsbp; Martha Gray (1816)
·   Mary Gray (1819)

David L. Gray and Nancy Ann Blackburn moved from Marysville area of Nelson County, Kentucky to Bathe Township, Franklin County, Indiana between 1811 to 1814 time frame. I don't have a birth location for Susan, but John and the younger two daughters are said to been born in Franklin County, Indiana.

In 1827 Samantha Nancy Gray [Dickerson] was born in Mixerville, Bathe Township, Franklin County, Indiana to Elizabeth Gray, aged 26. This is where the mysterious John Dickerson starts making his in and out appearances in the story as, in her 50's, Samantha Gray lists him to being her father and switches her maiden name from Gray to Dickerson. Samantha's middle name is a nod to her maternal grandmother, Nancy Ann Blackburn.

Could Samantha's father been related to Nancy Dickerson who married Elizabeth's brother, Matthew Gray? Maybe. AFter Nancy married Matthew Gray, they - along with her parents, went to southern Indiana and lived the rest of their lives there. Nancy, to my knowledge, did not have a brother named John attributed to her parents. So the theory is John Dickerson may been a cousin of Nancy who did not live in Franklin County area, but may went there (with his family) to visit her family - and that helped lead him and Liz Gray to meeting.

Sometime between 1827 to 1838 Elizabeth Gray and her daughter, Samantha, were residing in Butler County, Ohio. Liz or Elizabeth Gray is not listed as Head of Household, with 1 or 2 young children, for the 1830 or 1840 US Census. This may be due to Elizabeth had some sisters who, after marriage, resided in that county so Liz may have lived with one of her sisters; families. Hard to say for sure since the pre-1850 United States Census only listed the Head of Household by name, and the rest of the household were hash marks divvied up by age, gender, and citizenship status then added up to get a total number of persons within the household.

How it is known that Liz Gray was in Butler County, Ohio is due to the birth of her second daughter, Julia Ann Gray, in 1838 when Elizabeth was 36 years old. Julia's middle name, as like with Samantha's middle name, may been a nod to her maternal grandmother, Nancy Ann Blackburn. Again, John Dickerson tries to weave into the story as some speculate he was also the father of Julia A. Gray ... and some say it was a John Dickerson who fathered Julia,but a different John Dickerson who was from Kentucky and his family later resided in Ohio ... and then there is the story that it was cousin, or brother, of John Dickerson (who came to live in Ohio). On Julia's death certificate her son listed her father to being "unknown" and, unlike Samantha, Julia is not known to name her father while alive.

In 1850 Elizabeth Gray is residing, with her two daughters, in Otter Creek Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana by the time of the United States Census. Her family tree helps to explain how she probably came to residing in that area, as her brother, Whitford Gray, and his family are listed to residing nearby to Elizabeth. She may have followed her brother to Ripley County, Indiana, as it is theorized, while she lived there, he helped support her and her children as she didn't own a lot of property. Another story, however, for why Liz Gray goes to Ripley County, Indiana is that she followed that ever elusive John Dickerson ... as there is a John Dickerson who lived in that same area of Ripley County with his wife and children. Coincidence? Some don't think so. I personally lean to the thought she followed her brother to the area due to it makes more sense that he would help her get a small house/small bit of property for herself and her children more so than John Dickerson.

Within the 18%0 United States Census there is a male infant, David L. Gray, listed in Elizabeth's household. Some list that child to being the son of Elizabeth despite she would been 48 years old at the time of his birth, but she did have two children out of wedlock so she could possibly had a 3rd. However the wee one named David L. Gray, whose age is listed in number of months, is actually the son of Elizabeth's oldest daughter, Samantha and John Palmer, whom Samantha later marries, is regarded - by those who have him in their family tree - to being the child's father. As one may have already easily guessed, David L. was named after Samantha's maternal grandfather.

For the 1860 United States census Elizabeth is listed to residing in Center Township, Osgood, Ripley County, Indiana. Samantha Gray is living with John Palmer and they have had more children together by this time. So Elizabeth Gray's consisted of herself, Julia A. Gray, and Julia's two children: a son named Andrew Gray (b. 1855) and a daughter named Irville Gray (b. 1858). Irville Gray is listed as Irvin Gray and, in some online family trees, erroneously to being a male, or a son, versus female.

Elizabeth Gray never married. Last record I have come across for her is the 1860 United States Census in Ripley County, Indiana. To date I have not come across a death notice for her in local papers for that area. After the death of his wife, Sarah McCarty, in 1876 in Ripley County, Indiana, Whitford Gray and some of his children left Ripley County and headed west. Whitford Gray died 25 Aug 1888, aged 80, in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas, United States. His obit did not mention any of his siblings. Could it be that Liz had also passed away before Whitford Gray decided to leave the Ripley County area?

Burial location for Elizabeth Gray is left blank on my family tree. Given that her daughters were buried in Otter Village Cemetery (also known as Tanglewood Cemetery) it may be that Liz Gray was also buried in that cemetery? Or perhaps, like John Palmer was said to been in his 1885 death notice, she was buried on john and Samantha's family farm?

John Dickerson was never listed to living with her and/or her children. It is unknown if John Dickerson ever acknowledged, in any way, that Samantha was his child or if she ever had any kind of relationship with him (even in her adult years).

Before closing this post, there is more to share about Elizabeth's daughter, Julia Ann Gray, and Julia's children. I cannot locate Julia or her children for the 1870 United States census, but she was likely still residing in Ripley County. By the 1880 United States she is listed to being married to Patrick Michael McCormick (b. 1826), she would been his second wife. I later found information that the marriage was in January of 1878 in Ripley County. No children resulted from their union.

Michael McCormick appears in earlier newspaper articles, prior to his marriage to Julia, as Pat or Patrick McCormick. It is after he is married ot Julia that he is going by Michael McCormick. Patrick Michael McCormick immigrated from Ireland in 1852. Michael McCormick passed away 1 August 1906 , aged 80, in Ripley County, Indiana. Exact burial location, on my side, not known.

Old Resident Dead.
Michael McCormick, an old resident of this place, died at his home here Wednesday night from a complication of diseases. Mr. McCormick was a well known character about town, having been a resident of Osgood for sixty years and served as Justice of the Peace for several terms. Funeral services were held in the Catholic church Friday morning by Father Tovil[?] and the remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery here.
Source: Osgood Ripley Journal; 8 August 1906 - Page 1

Julia Gray McCormick passed away 14 May 1914, aged 70, in Ripley County, Indiana. She was buried in Otter Creek Cemetery (also known as Tanglewood Cemetery) in Ripley County, Indiana.

Deaths.
NcCORMICK[sic] - Mrs. Julia McCormick, aged 73, died Thursday of cancer of the stomach. Funeral Saturday morning at the home by Rev. Sheldon, burial at Otter Village. Mrs. McCormick leaves one son.
Source: Osgood Ripley Journal; 20 May 1914 - Page 1

Julia Gray McCormick's obit shares her daughter, Irville Gray, died before 14 May 1908. I can't peg it down more than that as I cannot find her, or her mother, for the 1870 US Census and by the 1880 US Census she could been married as an explanation for why she is not listed in her mother's husband's household. So this leaves anytime between the 1860 US Census to prior to the death of Julia Gray as to when Irville Gray passed away.

Andrew Roland Gray married Fannie F. LNU, and they had two sons and two daughters. Andrew R. Gray passed away 11 July 1937 in Ripley County, Indiana. His youngest son, William David Gray, was the informant for Andrew's death certificate and listed a Rollen Gray being Andrew's father. Andrew Gray was buried in Otter Village Cemetery (also known as Tanglewood Cemetery in Ripley County, Indiana.

And there we have the story, as known or theorized about to date, about Elizabeth Gray and the Mysterious John Dickerson. Although his 'true' identity (in terms of which John Dickerson or if that was his actually his name, as some wonder if a John Dickerson was Samantha's father) is still a puzzle some work on periodically, it is hard to deny he did play a large role in the story as he, in one way or another, even in theories only, managed to pop in and out through the years. And to this day people still wonder about him. Elizabeth Gray could be viewed as to being in so in love with John Dickerson that she would follow him to Ripley County even if he married another woman. She could also be viewd as to being bit headstrong and that she didn't follow him to Ripley County out of love, but to be near enough to him that he would be, or his family, would sometimes have to cross paths with her and/or her daughters. It could be that she went to Ripley County more due to her brother than anything, or anyone, else. Those who could share hints or more insight, or even secrets, are long gone now.

Elizabeth Ann Reed 1818 - 1893

Elizabeth Ann REED^1A was born on 16 September 1818^B, in Butler County, Ohio or possibly Pennsylvania. Her parents names are unknown.^{2, B, C}. Elizabeth became known as Eliza.

Blaney PALMER Sr.³ married Eliza A. Reed on 18 November 1847 in Butler County, Ohio.

By 9 October 1850 Eliza and Blaney Palmer Sr. are living in Otter Creek Township, Ripley County, Indiana. Eliza and Blaney Palmer Sr. can be found in subsequent United States census reports for 1860, 1870, and 1880 enumerating Center Township, Ripley County for those years. According to those same census reports Eliza Alma (Reed) Palmer's occupation was that of housewife. The 1870 and 1880 United States Census share Eliza could read, but could not write.

Hendrick's Crossing.
(Two miles south of Osgood.)

... Blaney and Eliza Palmer visited friends in Jeffersonville a few days last week.

-- Sourcee: Page 2 of the Ripley Journal from 9 August 1883

Family lore, within my family, was Eliza died as a result of a copperhead bite. I located a citation about her being bitten by a copperhead at least two years before her death^D.

As Mrs. Blaney Palmer stepped out on the porch bare-footed at her home west of town last Wednesday evening, she returned to the home with the remark that something had stung her. Investigation proved that a huge copper-head snake had crawled upon the porch and aggravated by Mrs. Palmer stepping on it, fastened its fangs on her toe. Her foot and leg swelled horribly, and a physician was called, but she is now out of danger. His snakeship was killed.

-- Source: Page 8 of the Ripley County Journal from 27 August 1891

Eliza A. Palmer died on 14 March 1893^G, aged 74, in Ripley County, Indiana.

On the Death of Mrs. Blaney Palmer

Eliza H.[sic] Reed was born in Butler county, Ohio, September 10, 1817; she was married to Blaney Palmer in 1845[sic]; to them were born 7 children>sup>F - five daughters and two sons. One daughter^E passed to the spirit world June 5, 1875. She leaves a husband and 6 children to mourn her loss; she had been in failing health for the past 5 years, but was not confined to her bed, and on March 24[sic], 1893, the death angel gave the summons and the mother went from us to join her daughter on the other shore. When home we go to see the father. mother is not there; her voice is silent in the tomb. Her funeral service was conducted at the residence by Rev. Guthrie. on Monday, March 17, after which her remains were laid to rest in the Versailles cemetery. The Good Lord saith when the hour cometh the reaper of death shall fell us; it is come and took from us one that has been near and dear to us all, he has called mother home while the body lies mouldering in the tomb, Her spirit is high up in heaven with our Saviour on his throne; she has bid adieu to a tender husband, she has left a loving family, she has sought for a happier place, we all will meet her if we fill our hearts with God's good grace. Mother is gone but not forgotten, her likeness will always be in our minds.

DAUGHTER ISABELLE CONNELLY[sic]⁴

-- Source: Page 4 of the Ripley County Journal from 18 May 1893,

She was buried in Cliff Hill Cemetery on 17 March 1893 in Versailles, Ripley County, Indiana. Eliza Alma REED and Blaney PALMER Sr. were parents to seven children: Mary Elizabeth PALMER⁴, Jane PALMER⁴, John PALMER⁵, Eliza Ann PALMER⁴, Mariah PALMER⁴, Isabelle PALMER⁴ and Blaney PALMER Jr.⁶.

Notations of Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:

^A Middle name taken from marriage record image that listed the couple as "Plenny Parmer" and "Eliza Ann Reed".
^B Birthdate from her headstone, which differs from date shared in obit.
^C Basis on a set of names, for Eliza Alma Reed's parents, is supported through the will of her maternal grandfather, Charles Russell. Eliza Alma Reed, who was born in Springfield Township, Gallia County, Ohio, is not the same Eliza Ann Reed who married Blaney Palmer in Butler County, Ohio. On Ancestry.com a PDF file is shared, titled to the will referring to Eliza who married Blaney, however Charles Russell's granddaughter, Eliza, married a John Guy/Grey in Ohio, and is listed in Ohio for the 1850 US Census whereas Blaney and Eliza [Reed] Palmer were already living in Indiana by the time of the 1850 US Census. Currently, I am leaning to a William and Mariah (or Mary) Reed, who lived within Fairfield Twp, Butler County, Ohio area for the 1840 and 1850 US Census as potential parents for Eliza Ann Reed ... however there was also a Samuel Reed who also lived in Butler County, Ohio around the same time frame.
^D It is hard to say if the snake bite in 1891 played a role in her death in 1893. The family lore had it sound it was almost immediate.
^E Reference to Mariah Palmer.
^F Confirms number of children to being 7 and not 8. This helps support that the couple did not have a 3rd son named James.
^G Her death date is often listed, including on the Find A Grave Memorial page for her, as 24 Mar 1893. Which the 24th would work for the funeral being held on a Monday, as stated in the obituary notice. However, the obituary written by Isabel about her mother was published on 18 Mar 1893, which is six days prior to March 24th. Using the publication date of the obituary had me using 14 Mar 1893 date for Eliza's passing, which would had the funeral being on Friday, 17 Mar 1893.

Relationship to Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:

¹ Maternal Great-Great-Grandmother
² Maternal 3x Great-Grandparents
³ Maternal Great-Great-Grandfather
⁴ Maternal Great-Aunt
⁵ Maternal Great-Uncle
⁶ Maternal Great-Grandfather

Sources for Research on Eliza(beth) Ann Reed:

·   United States Census on 9 October 1850 in Otter Creek, Ripley County, Indiana
·   United States Census on 19 June 1860 in Center Township, Ripley County, Indiana
·   United States Census on 11 July 1870 in Center Township, Ripley County, Indiana
·   United States on 3 June 1880 in Center Township, Ripley County, Indiana
·   Newspaper/Publication - Ripley County Journal - August 1883, August 1891 ·   Newspaper/Publication - Ripley Journal May 1893
·   Find A Grave memorial pages for spouse and children
·   Rootsweb Archives
·   Ancestry Message Boards
·   Genealogy Forums

Additional Citations:

21 Apr 2018 Blog post was updated to share theorized [not confirmed] set of names for Eliza parents. I also correctly edited her birth place to being Butler County, Ohio, due to forgetting to that before when originally posting, due to establishing, on my side of the research, that Thomas Reed and Mary Sarah Russell to not being her parents, but the parents of another Eliza Reed who married a John Guy/Grey. I also added additional notations, to the above alphabetical listing of notations from my side, during the Apr 2018 update about the number of children and death date thoughts for Eliza(beth) Ann Reed.

26 Mar 2021 Blog post updated to remove the names of William and Mariah I had listed as Eliza's theorized parents. Which takes me back to having her parents' names currently Unknown.

Blaney Palmer 1820 - 1899

Blaney Palmer Sr.¹ was born on 10 September^A 1820^B, in Ireland^C, and the names of his parents are, if wishing to be accurate, unknown despite the many individual and one world tree sources sharing a loosely theorized thought his parents possibly were William PALMER^{2, D} and Jane MARTIN by using a debunked "Irish naming tradition" theory that someone has shared across multiple places that others have copied as "fact" versus unproven^{2, D}.

In 1842 or 1843 Blaney is said to have immigrated to the United States with his brother, John Palmer³. Most online tree owners cite Blaney Palmer listed on passenger list of the "Rob Roy" with last name spelt as "Parmer"; and disembarked in New York^E on 31 May 1842^F. On 3 September 1850, aged 29, he was naturalized^F.

Blaney Palmer Sr. married Elizabeth Ann REED⁴. Her parents' names are currently Unknown^{2, G} and she is said to been born on 18 November 1847 in Butler County, Ohio, however she may been born in Pennsylvania and her family later moved to Butler County, Ohio where she would meet then marry Blaney Palmer Sr.

By 9 October 1850, when he appears in his first United States census, Blaney Palmer Sr. is living in Ripley County, Indiana. Blaney can be found in subsequent United States census reports for 1860, 1870, and 1880 enumerating Ripley County for those years. According to those same census reports Blaney Palmer Sr. occupation was that of farmer and he could read and write.

According to the same census reports, Blaney Palmer increased the value of his property. In 1850 the reported value of his real estate was said to be $800. By the time the census taker came around in 1860 he had increased his real estate value to $2000 with the personal estate at $400. In 1870 the reported value was $4000 and personal estate at $500. With this steady increasing, the following cited offer for his holdings may been reasonable?

... Blaney Palmer refused an offer of $6,000 for his farm and stock from a Louisville man.

--Source: Page 2 of the Ripley County Journal from 20 October 1883

Before April of 1891 Blaney Palmer Sr. was diagnosed with cancer.

Blaney Palmer, west of town, who was recently treated by E. W. Hicks, the cancer doctor, was in town Monday and shows his face almost entirely well. Robt. Cornelius, who is also being treated, is improving rapidly.

Source: -- Page 8 of the Ripley County Journal from 16 April 1891

After Eliza (Reed) Palmer’s passing, in 1893, Blaney Palmer Sr. moves in with one of his daughters and her family. The newspapers from the area help chronicle this happening through notices of property for rent, real estate transfers and a public sale of household goods and stock.

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.
... Blaney Palmer to Coy Palmer⁵, 1 acre in Center tp., $350

--Source: Page 1 of the Batesville Democrat Herald from 4 October 1894/p>

... Blaney Palmer to John T. Welch⁶, 79 acres in Center tp, $2,000

--Source: Page 8 of Ripley County Journal from 10 September 1896

... Blaney Palmer, Sr. has sold his farm to his son-in-law, John Welsh, of Illinois.

--Source: Page 1 of the Versailles Republican from 16 September 1896

He died from cancer on 1 October 1899, aged 79, in Ripley County, Indiana.

... Blaney Palmer, Sr., an old resident of this county, died at the home of his son-in-law, Leatherwood John Wagner⁶, on Sunday evening, after great suffering from cancer on the face. He was buried at Versailles on Tuesday.

Source: -- 5 October 1899, Page 8 of the Ripley County Journal

Blaney Palmer was buried in Cliff Hill Cemetery on 5 October 1899 in Versailles, Ripley County, Indiana. Blaney Palmer and Eliza Alma Reed were the parents to seven children: Mary Elizabeth PALMER⁷, Jane PALMER⁷, John PALMER⁸, Eliza Ann PALMER⁷, Mariah PALMER⁷, Isabell PALMER⁷ and Blaney PALMER Jr.⁹.

Notations of Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:

^A Month and day of birth is obtained from Blaney Palmer’s grave marker.
^B Birth year may be around 1823 range according to the 1850, 1860 and 1880 U. S. Census reports information. The only sources which share his birth year as 1820 or earlier to that specific year is his headstone and the 1870 U. S Census report.
^C Exact birthplace is technically not known. Blaney is most often listed, on online shared family trees or within forum posts, as being born in Coleraine, County Londonderry, Ireland or County Londonderry, Ireland – which may be where he departed Ireland from and not actual birth location. His brother, John, is listed as being born in Northern Ireland, Larne, County Antrim, Ireland or County Antrim, Ireland however his exact birth location is not known either.
^D One of the three or four theories about whom his parents may have been. To date, his parents’ identities remain a mystery. I cannot stress it enough that William Palmer nor Jane Martin or anyone else has not been linked or somehow confirmed/verified to being Blaney nor John Palmer's parents - which also means that [Robert] Sandford Palmer [Sr] and, his wife, Mary Ann Davies, has not been verified, or confirmed, to having a son named William nor James and/or William James Palmer either. The names of William Palmer and Jane Martin are listed, within this blog post, as "working theory" but a theory that has not been able to provide one piece of documentation, or any link, whatsoever between the couple to Blaney or to his brother, John.
^E Blaney and his brother are said to have traveled together. However, I have not come across a passenger list transcription that has the two of them listed together. John Palmer is often cited as to being on a passenger list of another ship that landed in Philadelphia or New York.
^F Need to locate documentation for this beyond him stating, on a US Census, that he was naturalized in 1850.
^G Per the passenger list transcription, Blaney Palmer is listed to being 29 years old when coming to New York in 1842. That age would give him an estimated birth year of 1813/1814. However he is listed, in 1850, when being naturalized to being 29 at that time - which would match up more to the 10 Sep 1822 birth date.
^H William Reed and Mariah are listed as theorized parents for Eliza Ann Reed. This has not been confirmed as "fact" on my side, it is a theory I am still working on. William Reed's household appeared in the 1840 US Census in Butler County and William and Mariah Reed, with some of their children, is recorded in 1850 US census in the same area. However there was also a Samuel Reed around the same area in 1840.

Relationship to Carol A. Wells-Perlaky:

¹ Maternal Great-great-grandfather
² Maternal 3x Great-grandparent
³ Maternal Great-great-uncle
⁴ Maternal Great-great-grandmother
⁵ Maternal Grandfather
⁶ Indirect; through marriage
⁷ Maternal Great-aunt
⁸ Maternal Great-uncle
⁹ Maternal Great-grandfather

Sources for Research on Blaney Palmer Sr.:

·   United States Census in Otter Creek Township, Ripley County, Indiana; Occupation: Farmer
·   United States Census in Center Township, Ripley County, Indiana; Occupation: Farmer
·   United States Census in Center Township, Ripley County, Indiana; Occupation: Farmer
·   United States Census in Center Township, Ripley County, Indiana; Occupation: Farmer
·   Newspaper Publication: Ripley County Journal - October 1883, April 1891, September 1896
·   Newspaper Publication: Batesville Democrat Herald – October 1894
·   Newspaper Publication: Versailles Republican – September 1896
·   Find A Grave memorial pages for spouse and children
·   Rootsweb Archives
·   Ancestry Message Boards
·   Genealogy Forums

Additional Citations:

21 Apr 2018: Blog post updated to 1. share age for Blaney from a transcribed record of a passenger list, 2. to change Eliza's middle name from Alma to Ann, and 3. list theorized parents for Eliza. Also re-addressed the notation above in regard to thoughts about Blaney's parents to stress the names listed in the blog post are theorized parental names only and not to be taken as "fact" or that the couple was somehow proven to being his and/or John's parents and/or to being related, in any manner, to Blaney and/or John Palmer.

26 Mar 2021: Blog post updated to remove the theorized parental names, of William and Mariah, I had shared prior for Eliza Reed on 21 Apr 2018. Also amended wording for sentence about Blaney Palmer Sr's parents names, which are still currently shared within the post, to help further stress those names are only theorized potential names to wher some are even ignoring that Blaney has oft been mentioned/shared as to being the older brother to John Palmer, yet are moving John to older brother status to try to make "things work" even if it means ignoring the past information handed down about the two brothers or what is shared in those own men's paper trail here in the United States.