The Coffin Plates Of Jonathan Abrams And Mary Abrams

Jonathan Abrams 

Died April 28th 1918

Aged 64

Mary Matilda Abrams 

Died April 27. 1924

Aged 66 years 10 mons

This group of Coffin Plates is for a husband and wife. I am told Jonathan Abrams was from Ontario Canada.

Submitted by Brad Abrams

View more Coffin Plates at http://ancestorsatrest.com

The Coffin Plate Of Elisha Caleb Cary

Elisha Cary

Elisha Caleb Cary

AGED

13 years 2 mo 6 days

It is hard to tell from this photo if Elisha was 13 or 73. More research is needed.

For more Coffin Plates go to ancestorsatrest.com

The Coffin Plate Of Frank Brown 1899

Frank Brown 1881~1899

Frank Brown

Died Nov 11. 1899

AE 18Yrs 10Mos 10Dys

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Coffin Plate Of Hannah Parent 1899

The Coffin Plate Of Hannah Parent

Hannah Parent

Died April 6th 1899

Aged 65 Years

I had a look around and found the following info. Not sure if its the right Hannah as the dates are off a bit but its worth a little investigating. For more Coffin Plates see Ancestorsatrest.com

Name:	Hannah Parent
Birth Date:	1833
Age at Death:	66
Death Date:	8 Apr 1899
Burial Place:	New Brunswick, Canada

The Hunt For Robert Evans 1845~1877

This Coffin for Robert Evans is a rather interesting one as it has a photo of Robert glued to the back. It is also a nice example of this particular design as it is in good condition. The engraving is perhaps not the best quality but it has a nice look to it all the same.

Died

Dec 15th 1877

Robert Evans

Aged 32 Yrs

The first thing I did was go and have a look in the death records on Ancestry.com but I could not spot Robert. Then I went and had a hunt in the 1870 United States Federal Census as this would have been the last census that Robert would have been in before his death in 1877. I found about 25 Robert Evans in the census but of course I had no idea if one was my Robert. Now most coffin plates are from the North East United States. The custom of keeping them after the funeral was most common in States like Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Maine. The farther away from the North East you get the less common they become. So with this in mind I discarded all the Roberts from States that the custom of keeping coffin plates was not that popular. Of course we have no guarantee Robert was not from the one of the States I discarded but statistically its unlikely.  This resulted in a list of about 16 candidates.

1870 United States Federal Census     

Robert Evans, Union, Porter, Indiana abt 1844 Ohio 

Robert Evans, Fair Haven, Rutland, Vermont abt 1844 Wales 

Robert Evans, New York Ward 8 District 10 (2nd Enum), New York, New York abt 1844 Ireland 

Robert Evans, Israel, Preble, Ohio abt 1844 Ohio 

Robert Evans, Buffalo Ward 4, Erie, New York abt 1845 Ireland 

Robert S Evans, Hempstead, Queens, New York abt 1845 New York 

Robert Evans, Lincoln, New Hanover, North Carolina abt 1845 North Carolina 

Robert Evans, Allegheny Ward 3, Allegheny, Pennsylvania abt 1845 Pennsylvania 

Robert M Evans, Centre, Union, Indiana abt 1846 Ohio 

Robert H Evans, Marion, Hamilton, Iowa abt 1846 Indiana 

Robert Evans, Pottawatomie, Pottawatomie, Kansas abt 1846 Pennsylvania 

Robert Evans, Lyons, Ionia, Michigan abt 1846 Ireland 

Robert Evans, Washington, Osage, Missouri abt 1846 Missouri 

Robert Evans, Marshall, Saline, Missouri abt 1846 Missouri 

Robert Evans, Rockfish, Cumberland, North Carolina abt 1846 North Carolina 

Robert Evans, Portsmouth Ward 1, Scioto, Ohio abt 1846 Wales 

 I then went and had a look in the 1880 United States Federal Census. As the Robert I am looking for died in 1877 I can subtract any of the Roberts who are on the 1880 Census from the 1870 Census.

Robert W. Evans Jemima Marshall, Oneida, New York abt 1843 Wales Self (Head)
Robert Evans Elizabeth H. Meigsville, Morgan, Ohio abt 1843 Ohio Self (Head)
Robert Evans Harriett Fair Haven, Preble, Ohio abt 1843 Ohio Self (Head)
Robert Evans Martha Floyd, Oneida, New York abt 1844 Wales Self (Head)
Robert W. Evans Mary Kirkland, Oneida, New York abt 1844 New York Self (Head)
Robert Evans Jennie Sidney, Montcalm, Michigan abt 1844 Ireland Self (Head)
Robert M. Evans Bellevue, Grand Forks, Dakota Territory abt 1844 Canada Brother
Robert B. Evans Nancy E. Cartecay, Gilmer, Georgia abt 1845 North Carolina Self (Head)
Robert Evans Lower San Miguel, Ouray, Colorado abt 1845 Michigan
Robert M. Evans Minerva J. Monroe, Miami, Ohio abt 1845 Ohio Self (Head)
Robert Evans Zanesville, Muskingum, Ohio abt 1845 Wales Self (Head)
W. Robert Evans Robert, Elizabeth MT Pleasant, Racine, Wisconsin abt 1845 Ireland Son
Robert Evans Joanna Salt Springs, Saline, Missouri abt 1845 Missouri Self (Head)
Robert Evans Margarite Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts abt 1846 England Self (Head)
Robert Evans Pottawatomie, Pottawatomie, Kansas abt 1846 Pennsylvania
Robert H. Evans Elisibeth Medicine, Rooks, Kansas abt 1846 Indiana Self (Head)
Robert M. Evans Ellena Buffalo, Erie, New York abt 1847 Ireland Self (Head)
Robert J. Evans Mary B. Johnstown, Fulton, New York abt 1847 New York Self (Head)
Robert Evans Mary A. Murray, Clarke, Iowa abt 1847 Iowa Self (Head)
Robert G. Evans Mary Jackson, Maries, Missouri abt 1847 Missouri Self (Head)
Robert L. Evans Jennie Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey abt 1847 New York Self (Head)

So a quick comparison brought the list down to 13 candidates. No guarantee that the Robert I am looking for is on this list but its a start.

Robert Evans, Union, Porter, Indiana abt 1844 Ohio
Robert Evans, Fair Haven, Rutland, Vermont abt 1844 Wales 
Robert Evans, New York Ward 8 District 10 (2nd Enum), New York, New York abt 1844 Ireland 
Robert Evans, Israel, Preble, Ohio abt 1844 Ohio 
Robert S Evans, Hempstead, Queens, New York abt 1845 New York 
Robert Evans, Lincoln, New Hanover, North Carolina abt 1845 North Carolina 
Robert Evans, Allegheny Ward 3, Allegheny, Pennsylvania abt 1845 Pennsylvania 
Robert M Evans, Centre, Union, Indiana abt 1846 Ohio Male
Robert H Evans, Marion, Hamilton, Iowa abt 1846 Indiana 
Robert Evans, Lyons, Ionia, Michigan abt 1846 Ireland 
Robert Evans, Washington, Osage, Missouri abt 1846 Missouri 
Robert Evans, Rockfish, Cumberland, North Carolina abt 1846 North Carolina 
Robert Evans, Portsmouth Ward 1, Scioto, Ohio abt 1846 Wales

If you are interested in looking at more Coffin Plates I have about 500 more on my Ancestorsatrest website. 

Coffin Plate Of Ruth Jones 1800~1871

I found 2 Ruth Jones in the 1870 United States Federal Census. Ruth Jones of Pine Grove, Warren, Pennsylvania and Ruth Jones of Berlin, Rensselaer, New York. So not knowing who is the right Ruth Jones I went and had a look in 1880 Census. I found the Ruth Jones of Warren, Pennsylvania was still alive in 1880 so it looks like Ruth Jones of Berlin, Rensselaer, New York is our best candidate so far.

I have 500 more Coffin Plates at AncestorsAtRest.com

The Coffin Plate Of John F Rebstock

This coffin plate for John F Rebstock is fairly standard for the time. It is constructed from silver plated cast metal. Before about 1890 most coffin plates were constructed from thin plate metal.

I went and had a look for John in the 1900 United States Federal Census.



1900 United States Federal Census

Name: John F Rebstock
Age: 11
Birth Date: Sep 1888
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1900: Tonawanda, Erie, New York

Relation to Head of House: Boarder
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's Birthplace: New York

The Coffin Plate Of Rebecca Starkie 1797~1868

Today I am adding the coffin plate of Rebecca Starkie 1797~1868. From what I can find it looks like Rebecca lived in Keene, Cheshire, New Hampshire. She is living with Benjamin P Starkey age 53. This Benjamin is probably her husband but he is 10 years younger so one would need to look for more info.

1860 United States Federal Census

Name: Rebecah L Starkey
Age in 1860: 63
Birth Year: abt 1797
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Home in 1860: Keene, Cheshire, New Hampshire
Household Members: Name Age
Benjamin P Starkey 53
Rebecah L Starkey 63

I then went and had a look at the 1850 United States Federal Census
and found them in Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts.

1850 United States Federal Census

Home in 1850: Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts
Household Members: Name Age
Benjamin P Starkie 44
Rebecca L Starkie 53
Eliza A Starkie 11
Simeon S Page 25

I have more Coffin Plates on AncestorsAtRest.com

Coffin Plate Of The Week Mary A Holden 1812 ~ 1874

Mary A Holden Died Sept 29 1874 at the age of 62. This would give Mary a date of birth of around 1812. I say around 1812 as its important to remember that who ever gave the info to the engraver of this plate may have gotten her age wrong. Its really important to keep that in mind when looking at death records of any kind they can often be wrong for a number of reasons.

#1 Mary may not have known her correct date of birth. People did not always know years ago what their birth year was. Now we have drivers licences and birth certificates and all kinds of documents but in the1800s they did not. Its also much more important now to know your birthdate. Years ago you did not need to know your birthdate and no one would know if you got it wrong.

#2 Mary may have lied. Just like today ladies often want to be younger than they are.

#3 It was not Mary who gave the info on her coffin plate. The person giving it may have gotten it wrong for a number of reasons. Stress at the death of a loved one. May have just gotten confused or remembered it wrong.

So I went and had a look in the 1870 United States Federal Census for Mary.  I found a Mary A Holden in Dover, Ocean, New Jersey. Not sure if its her but its a start.




 Name: Mary A Holden
Age in 1870: 58

Birth Year: abt 1812

Birthplace: Vermont

Home in 1870: Dover, Ocean, New Jersey

Post Office: Toms River

Household Members: Name Age

William J Holden 60

Mary A Holden 58


Take a look at my Coffin Plate index.

Coffin Plate Of The Week. Steven Tyler 1798 ~ 1868

Steven Tyler Died Feb 26 1868 at the age of 70 years.


I went and had a look in the 1860 United States Federal Census and I think this is the man we are looking for.

Name: Stephen Tyler
Age in 1860: 63
Birth Year: 1797
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1860: Virgil, Cortland, New York

Post Office: East Virgil

Household Members: Name Age
Stephen Tyler 63
Margart Tyler 55
George Tyler 25
Emeline Tyler 20
Margaret N Tyler 20
William Tyler 18
Celestia Tyler 14
Anna Tyler 2
Infant Tyler 1/12

I cant say 100% that this is the Steven Tyler that this coffin plate belongs to but as it was with the coffin plate of Margaret Tyler who died in 1885 at the age of 80 I would say its a good bet.

This is a fairly common Coffin Plate for this time period but it may be possible to make some educated guesses that will tell us a little something about the family. The fact that the plate was purchased tells us that the family was not dirt poor. A coffin plate was a luxury. However it is a middle of the road plate as far as quality goes so they were probably not a rich family. Also the quality of the engraving is poor. This tells us that they probably lived in a more rural setting or small town. Coffin plates from a larger town or city generally have a better quality engraving.

Coffin Plate Of Ann A Smith

I have just added the coffin plate of Ann A Smith. Ann died October 23rd 1877 at the age of 17 years.

Thanks to Anns great-granddaughter for submiting this Coffin Plate. She tells me Ann was from Wells Maine and Ann was born ANNIE A. LITTLEFIELD.

If you want to see more Coffin Plates try Ancestors At Rest Coffin Plates

Coffin Plate of William Hall and Mary Jane Hall

Thanks to Karen Linley for submiting the coffin plates of William Hall and Mary Jane Hall.

William Hall
Aged 83 Years 9 Months
Died Aug 19 1921

Mary Jane Hall
Died June 22 1922
Age 74 years

William Hall born 15 June 1843 in Yorkshire England died 13 Aug 1921 in Gordon twsp, Manitoulin Island, Ont Canada married Mary Jane Griffith 08 Jan 1872 in Bondhead, Simcoe Co, Ont Canada she was born 30 May 1848 in Tottenham, Simcoe Co, Ont Canada died 22 Jun 1922 in Gordon twsp, Manitoulin Island, Ont canada.

500 NAMES IN THE COFFIN PLATE INDEX

Coffin Plate of George W Benson 1820 ~ 1864

I just added the Coffin Plate of George W Benson 1820 ~ 1864 to the index on AncestorsAtRest.com

George W Benson
Co K Thirtieth Maine Vols
Mustered At Augusta
Jan 11 1864
Died at New York
Sept 5th 1864
Aged 44 years

This is a really interesting and rare Coffin Plate as it has a photograph of George on it. It also contains a rather large amount of information about the military service of George in the Civil War. This plate is also mounted in a wood frame. This was done for display purposes and is not part of the coffin plate.

Coffin Plate of Sue E Smith 1852 ~ 1882

I just added the Coffin Plate of Sue E Smith 1852 ~ 1882.

Coffin Plate Index

Coffin Plate of Ester G Webster 1827 ~ 1865

I have just added the coffin plate of Ester G Webster 1827 ~ 1865. It looks like Ester was from Rockingham, New Hampshire.Ester G Webster 1827 ~ 1865

Coffin Plate of Livonia Hodsdon 1807~1868

I have just added the Coffin Plate of Livonia Hodsdon 1807~1868. I had a look in the 1850 United States Federal Census on Ancestry.com. I did not find a Livonia Hodsdon but I did find a Livonia Hodgdon.

1850 United States Federal Census

Livonia Hodgdon
Age: 35
Estimated birth year: abt 1815
Home in 1850 (City,County,State):
Tremont, Hancock, Maine
Household Members:
Name, Age

Enoch Hodgdon 37
Livonia Hodgdon 35
Enoch Hodgdon 9
John W Hodgdon 8
Thomas Hodgdon 5
Cordelia H Mayo 16
Livonia Ann Mayo 17
Joshua C Mayo 13
Warren H Hodgdon 1

Not sure if this is the Livonia we are looking for. It will take a little more reasearch.

Featured Coffin Plate: Joshua woodman 1807-1876

The featured coffin plate today is for Joshua Woodman 1807~1876 from Maine.