Lucy Collier Foster

 New year. New blog post!

January 6 was in the news a lot this week. For our family, January 6 has a different meaning. For on January 6, 1838 Lucy Collier married Archibald Foster in Lorrain, Ohio. Archibald Foster and Lucy Collier were the parents of Loretta Foster. Loretta married David Bellinger of Allegan, Michigan after he returned home from fighting in the Civil War. David and Loretta were the grandparents of Mildred Bellinger Strand. 

Lucy Collier was born in most likely New York to unknown parents. I've seen some names mentioned by others, but I don't have records yet to prove who her parents really were. She may also have been born in Vermont. Most records state her birth as New York, though. At some point, with her family I assume, she moved to Ohio. At the age of 20 she married Archibald Foster. Archibald was born in 1799 in New York and moved to Lorrain, Ohio. At the age of 29, in 1828 he married Eliza Mann and began his family. They had 4 children over the next 9 years. Eliza died in August of 1837. Just 3 months after giving birth to a daughter.  On January 6, 1838, Archibald married Lucy Collier, who was just 20 years old. 

A son was born next March, 1839. Loretta was born May 24, 1841. All together, 5 children were born to Archibald and Lucy in Ohio. The 1850 census finds the entire family living in Ohio. Archibald is listed as a shoemaker. With 9 children living with him and Lucy, it's probably a good thing he can make their own shoes. 

 

For some reason, new opportunity perhaps, the family moves to Michigan. In 1855 Son Franklin is born in Michigan. In 1857 the youngest child in the family, Eva, is born. The 1860 census finds them living in Trowbridge. Archibald is listed as a farmer with $50 personal estate. His son George is married and lives nearby.

 Most of the older children are living on their own, including Loretta. Loretta is working as the servant of a merchant in Allegan. A Mr. John Jones and his family. Jones has a personal estate worth $4000.

The 1870 census finds Archibald and Lucy living by themselves in Trowbridge. Archibald's real estate is estimated to be worth $200 and his personal wealth is listed as $150.

Archibald passes away September 11, 1872 from unknown causes. He was 73 years old. Lucy passes away on May 18, 1873. Just less than a year later, at the age of 55. Her cause of death was listed as spinal fever. I'm not sure but it's probably what we call spinal meningitis today. Spinal fever was listed quite a bit as a cause of death. 

As with most women, I haven't been able to find much on Lucy herself. All the stories and records are told through the men. I did recently come across a picture of Lucy though. Lucy and one of her sisters. Lucy is on the right.

Lucy and Archibald are my 4x great grandparents. One of my goals this year is to find more information on this branch of the family tree. Hopefully to trace Archibald and Lucy back to their immigrant ancestors.