One of my most elusive Female Ancestors of all time is this
4x Great-Grandmother.
Philanda Elkins (or could it be Perkins?) was born sometime
in the later 1810s, I think circa 1816-1818... probably in Vermont? In
addition to not knowing her last name for certain – the spelling of her first
name has nearly never been spelled the same way twice – though for the time
being and for the sake of space, I’ve adapted Philanda… She did have a
granddaughter born with that spelling, so it seems a likelier option than
Filinda or other variations.
She was married sometime prior to 1835 to Harley (Harla) Risdon, probably someplace in Vermont... They would go on to live in various places, but were in Erie, New York for a time.
By 1860, the Risdon family had relocated to Putnam County,
Illinois and their children included, but are not lmited to, Harl, Caroline
“Carrie” Bruce, Almond, George (died in Civil War), Leroy (died young?),
Henrietta Ross, Lydia Buckingham, Oscar & Susan Lemira “Lea” Walker.
Incidentally, in the 1860 census, Harley Risdon is listed as
“pauper” – I assume this to mean there was little money – and by 1870 Harley is
no longer with the family – at 70 years of age, I assume him to be deceased.
At this time the Risdon children are found in various places…
some married and on their own, others living with siblings and some as
“servants” in other households. Others, like George & possibly Leroy are
deceased.
To add to the mystery, in 1870 there is a second
Philanda Risdon of similar age living in a neighboring county! This second
Philanda eventually married Elijah Pomeroy and remains living in LaSalle County,
at least through 1880.
My Philanda is gone from Putnam County after 1870. I’ve tried
to trace the origins of the second Philanda Risdon, but she appears to have dropped from the
sky.
It’s possible that my Philanda was incorrectly
included in the 1870 Putnam County Census – or was visiting at the time – and
then also made the same census for neighboring LaSalle County as well—stories such as
this are certainly not unheard of.
I’ve traced the Risdon descendants forward – in hopes of
finding fellow descendants—it seems only Harl, Carrie, & Lea made it to “old
age”, as they are the only ones living beyond 1900… though I don’t have proof of
death for most of them – so anything is possible.
Who was Philanda Risdon? Was she an Elkins or a Perkins? Are
the two 1870 Philanda’s actually the same person? And regardless, what happened
to either of them after 1870/1880?
After 20 years of research, I have more questions than
answers – I’d love to connect with any Risdon researchers out there and anyone
familiar with the Elkins name.
From 1927 to 1930 she lived in Fond du Lac, WI where she worked at a J.C. Penney store. After returning to Fairmont, she began working at the J.C. Penney store there, where eventually she became the manager of the drapery department... until retiring in 1965. After the death of her Father in 1932, she remained in the home of her Mother and helped care for her in her later years.
I recently purchased this postcard at an antique shop... interesting that it was found in Minnesota... a long way from Maryland, where it was sent 101 years ago!
