PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS SERIES:
Sarah Maria (Pemberton) Morrison Jones (1851-1941)Well, I'm finally getting around to posting about another of Jeremiah and Susanna (Jermyn) Pemberton's children. I'm still cleaning up the source citations and events in my database for Jeremiah and Susanna's children. My last post was about Sarah Maria (Pemberton) Morrison Jones. This time I'm writing about Sarah's older sister, Eliza. Eliza Jane Pemberton was the fourth child of Jeremiah and Susanna. They are both younger sisters of my 3rd great-grandfather, John Pemberton. I'm going to do this post in a slightly different format than Sarah's post because it seemed to take forever to write that one VERY LONG post about Sarah and her descendants. Also, because Eliza had several children (unlike Sarah, who only had one child that survived to adulthood), I'll save the details about them for another post.
Birth Date/Place of Eliza Jane (Pemberton) Finkle
The only piece of direct evidence I have for Eliza's birth date is her death record. According to Eliza's death record, she was 82y 7m 4d when she died in 1927. This would put her birth date at 16 Sep 1844. This seems to be supported by a couple of other sources, including the 1860 census (age 15) and the 1870 census (age 25). However, after 1870, her age moves around like crazy on the remaining census records. She is 33 in 1880, 52 in 1900, 62 in 1910, and 74 in 1920. These would put her born anywhere between 1845 and 1848. Her marriage record from 1865 gives her age as 19, making her born around 1845-1846. A transcription of the 1894 State of Michigan census gives her age as 43, making her born around 1850-1851 (I need to view the original to verify, esp. since this is so far off from other sources).At least the sources are more consistent on her birthplace: Canada. The only sources that seem to waiver on this are the 1870 census, which gives her birthplace as New York, and the 1894 State of Michigan census, which gives her birthplace as Michigan. Some vital records and census records of Eliza's children also give her birthplace as Michigan.
Marriage to David Finkle
 |
| St. Clair County, Michigan, Marriage Book 2: 476, Fincle-Pemberton, 1865; FHL microfilm 976,870. |
Recorded July 4th 1865
Geo. F. Collins, Clerk
State of Michigan
St. Clair County
I hereby certify that on the 27th day of April 1865, at Clay, I did join in marriage, David Fincle of this township of Clay aged 20 years, and Eliza Pemberton of the same place aged 19 years, in presence of two witnesses (to wit) Sylvester Sumners and Isaac Combs of Clay, St. Clair County Mich.
Isaac Klein
Justice of the Peace
David Finkle, age 20, and Eliza Pemberton, age 19, were married 27 Apr 1865 in Clay Township, St. Clair, Michigan. Witnesses were Sylvester Sumners and Isaac Coombs. Isaac Coombs was a farmer and the stepfather of Eliza's future brother-in-law, Joseph Phelps. In fact, Isaac may have also been the maternal uncle of David Finkle (more research for another post). Sylvester was a laborer who was born about 1820 in New York (1870 census - Clay, St. Clair, Michigan). I don't know of any relation between Sylvester and David or Sylvester and Eliza. The marriage was performed by Isaac Klein, Justice of the Peace.
Children of David Finkle and Eliza Pemberton
David and Eliza had seven children, five boys and two girls.- William Finkle (1866-1948)
- Burton Finkle (1868-1909)
- Eva Finkle (1870-????)
- Jeremiah M. Finkle (1871-1927)
- Hayes Wheeler Finkle (1877-1953)
- Frances E. Finkle (1879-????)
- Roy David Finkle (1885-1963)
David and Eliza in the Census
1870 U.S. Census
In 1870, David and Eliza, along with their three oldest children, appeared in the household of Eliza's parents, Jeremiah and Susanna Pemberton, in Algonac, Clay Township, St. Clair, Michigan. |
| 1870 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Clay Township, Algonac, p. 12, dwelling 94, family 94, Jeremiah Pemberton household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 December 2007); citing NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 698. |
Susanna Pemberton 50 F W Keeps House Ireland
Samuel Pemberton 22 M W Sailor New York
William Pemberton 20 M W Sailor New York
Sarah M. Pemberton 19 F W At Home New York
Ella Pemberton 15 F W At Home New York
Charles Pemberton 13 M W At School Michigan
David Finkle 27 M W Sailor Michigan
Eliza J. Finkle 25 F W At Home New York
William Finkle 4 M W Michigan
Bertis Finkle 2 M W Michigan
Eva Finkle 2/12 F W Michigan Mar
1880 U.S. Census
In 1880, David and Eliza were again in Clay Township, but this time in their own household with six children and a servant. |
| 1880 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Clay Township, enumeration district (ED) 370, p. 17, dwelling 98, family 98, David Finkle household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 December 2007); citing NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 604. |
Eliza Finkle W F 33 Wife M Keeping House Canada/New York/England
William Finkle W M 14 Son S Labors on farm Michigan/Michigan/Canada
Burton Finkle W M 11 Son S Labors on farm Michigan/Michigan/Canada
Eva Finkle W F 10 Daughter S Michigan/Michigan/Canada
Jeremiah Finkle W M 7 Son S Michigan/Michigan/Canada
Hays Finkle W M 3 Son S Michigan/Michigan/Canada
Francis Finkle W F 1 Daughter S Michigan/Michigan/Canada
John Watson W M 36 Servant S Farm laborer Ireland/England/Scotland
It seems like David gave up his sailing days to become a farmer. I have searched for further information on John Watson, but he appears to disappear from Clay Township after 1880.
1894 State of Michigan Census
Below is a transcription of the Finkle household in the 1894 State of Michigan Census for St. Clair County:42 17 Plank Rd. 166 175 Finkle David 43 M W Husband M N 9 8 MI MI MI ~ N N ~ Sailor
42 18 Plank Rd. 166 175 Finkle Eliza 43 F W Wife M N ~ ~ MI unk Eng ~ ~ ~ 9 Housewife
42 19 Plank Rd. 166 175 Finkle Wm. 26 M W Son S N ~ ~ MI MI MI ~ ~ ~ ~ Sailor
42 20 Plank Rd. 166 175 Finkle Burt 23 M W Son S N ~ ~ MI MI MI ~ ~ ~ ~ Sailor
43 1 Plank Rd. 166 175 Finkle Eva 22 F W Daughter S N 0 0 MI MI MI ~ N N ~ At Home
43 2 Plank Rd. 166 175 Finkle Jerry 21 M W Son S N ~ ~ MI MI MI ~ ~ ~ ~ At Home
43 3 Plank Rd. 166 175 Finkle Haze 17 M W Son S N ~ ~ MI MI MI ~ ~ ~ ~ At Home
43 4 Plank Rd. 166 175 Finkle Francis 14 F W Daughter S N ~ ~ MI MI MI ~ ~ ~ ~ At Home
43 5 Plank Rd. 166 175 Finkle Roy 8 M W Son S N ~ ~ MI MI MI ~ ~ ~ ~ At Home
By 1894, David and Eliza had relocated about 10 miles north of Clay Township and were living on Plank Road in Marine City. David was once again listed as a sailor. All seven children were enumerated in the household.
1900 U.S. Census
By 1900, David and Eliza had moved 20 miles further north to Port Huron. All children but their oldest child, William, were enumerated with them. |
| 1900 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Port Huron Ward 8, enumeration district (ED) 105, sheet 3A, dwelling 54, family 55, David Finkel household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 December 2007); citing NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 742. |
Eliza J. Finkel Wife W F Sep 1845 52 M 35 8 7 Canada Eng/Canada Eng/England 1852 47
Bert Finkel Son W M Mar 1869 31 S Michigan/Michigan/Canada Eng Sailor
Eva Finkel Daughter W F Nov 1871 28 S Michigan/Michigan/Canada Eng
Jerry Finkel Son W M Dec 1873 26 S Michigan/Michigan/Canada Eng Sailor
Hayes Finkel Son W M Jun 1877 22 S Michigan/Michigan/Canada Eng Sailor
Frances Finkel Daughter W F Dec 1879 20 S Michigan/Michigan/Canada Eng
Roy Finkel Son W M Jun 1885 14 S Michigan/Michigan/Canada Eng
1910 U.S. Census
In 1910, David and Eliza were living on River Road in Port Huron Township. Both daughters, as well as a son-in-law and grandson, were living with them. |
| 1910 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Port Huron Township, enumeration district (ED) 121, sheet 16A, dwelling 345, family 345, David Finkle household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 December 2007); citing NARA microfilm publication T624, roll 673. |
Eliza J. Finkle Wife F W 62 M1 40 8 6 CanEng Unk Unk 1858
Thomas P. Leslie Son-in-Law M W 37 M1 9 CanEng Scot Scot 1888 Na Engineer Lumber Boat
Eva Leslie Daughter F W 38 M1 9 0 0 MI MI CanEng
Frances Downing Daughter F W 30 Wd 1 1 MI MI CanEng Dressmaker Dress Shop
Ray Downing Grandson M W 4 S MI CanSco MI
Looks like David had taken back to farming.
1920 U.S. Census
In 1920, the widowed Eliza had moved from the farm and was living in the household of her youngest son, Roy, at 2015 Stone St. in Port Huron. Her son Hayes was also enumerated there. |
| 1920 U.S. census, St. Clair County, Michigan, population schedule, Port Huron, Ward 7, enumeration district (ED) 123, sheet 8A, dwelling 177, family 182, Roy Finkle household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 December 2007); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 795. |
Eliza Finkle Mother F W 74 Wd 1887 Na By Mar CanEng CanEng Eng
Hays Finkle Brother M W 44 S MI MI CanEng Carpenter Contractor
David and Eliza in County/City Directories:
1883 St. Clair Co: Finkle David, o, Harsen's Island, Algonac1885 St. Clair Co: Finkle David, f, Harsen's Island, Clay, Algonac
1887 St. Clair Co: Finkle David, O, Algonac
1893 Marine City: Finkle David, vessel captain, res n e cor Sixth and Plank road
1899 Marine City: Finkle David, sailor, res Plank rd
1901 Port Huron: Finkle David, carp, res --- 32nd s of Tunnel Sta
1902 Port Huron: Finkle David, carp Jenks S Co, res 32d
1904 Port Huron: Finkle Mrs Eliva, res 1419 Wills [Wells]
1907 Cleveland, Ohio: Finkle David carp r 3707 Clinton av NW
1908 Cleveland, Ohio: Finkle David carp r 1864 W 48th NW
1921 Port Huron: Finkle Mrs Eliza, h 1804 Scott av
1924 Port Huron: Finkle Eliza J (wid David) h 1804 Scott av
1926 Port Huron: Finkle Eliza J (wid David) h 1804 Scott av
Interestingly, David and Eliza seemed to briefly live in Cleveland during the early 1900s. I suspect that David had moved there without her in 1904, which may be why Eliza was listed in the household of her son-in-law, Otto Downing, without David.
Death Date/Place of Eliza Jane (Pemberton) Finkle
Eliza's death record states that she died 20 Apr 1927 from endocarditis. Below is a transcription of the record:Decedent: Eliza Finkle
Date of death: 20 Apr 1927
Sex: F
Race: W
Marital Status: Widow
Age: 82 y, 7 m, 4 d
Cause of death: Endocarditis
Birthplace: Canada
Occupation: None
Father: John Pemberton
Father's birthplace: Canada
Mother: Susanna German
Mother's birthplace: Canada
Source: St. Clair County, Michigan, Death Book 6: 195, Eliza Finkle, 1927; County Clerk, Port Huron.
I forgot to transcribe the place of death, but her obituary states that she died at the family residence at 1804 Scott Ave. in Port Huron.
 |
| "Mrs. Eliza Finkle," obituary, The Port Huron (Michigan) Times Herald, 21 April 1927, p. 7. |
Mrs. Eliza Finkle, 81, died at the family residence, 1804 Scott Avenue, on Wednesday afternoon.
She is survived by three sons, Hayes W. Finkle, this city, William K. Finkle, Tashmoo Park, Roy D. Finkle, Saginaw, two daughters, Mrs. Harry Knight, Lansing, Mrs. Thomas Leslie, Sandusky; a brother, Charles Pemberton, Algonac, two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Jones, this city, Mrs. Agnes Phelps, Algonac; one grandchild and one great-grandchild.This concludes my post about Eliza. I still need to search land and probate records, as well as city directories not available online, for Eliza. My next post in this series will focus a little more on Eliza's husband, David Finkle.
