An unusual name, Lebbeus Booth

Week 3 - 52 Ancestors 52 Weeks (Jan. 15-21): Unusual Name
#52 Ancestors

When different cultures merge, many times there are unusual names from one to another.  I like one that was popular in the 16th through 19th centuries in several ancestors, women named Kesiah.  But I think it may have originally been Native American.  So for them, it wouldn't have been unusual.

So I'm going to do the "throw the pin at the map" kind of selection...just log onto one of my three lines of ancestors, and find a name that sounds unusual, then figure out how they are related to me.  It's pure chance.

I had many ancestors with Bibical names, from many different faiths.  So I dare say that one of them would be my choice.

But here's a Booth cousin, and a name I've never run into before. Lebbeus Booth. I find it was also Bibical, a name for one of the appostles named Jude Taddeus.

The 1850 NY Census states Lebbeus Booth was 60 years old, thus born in Connecticut around 1790. Actual birth date was June 25, 1789. This census also lists his wife (?) and children.

He is living with a woman, younger than he was, age 46, named Laurietta, Lucretia.   The others listed in his household also have unusual names. A 22 year old man named Moss Pant  Kent Booth.  Then a woman, Marthy H Booth, age 20. 18 year old male has a common name of John C. Irrebela G Booth comes next (though she may have been Isabela) at age 11, as well as Lecretia, while Susan E. Booth is just 6.  Mary Johnson is 25, and may be a servant, who has a daughter, Adaline, age 1.  This census was taken in Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, NY.

He is listed as a student in Union College of New York in 1817 as being from Ballston Spa, New York (published in 1833).  (Catalogue of the fraternity of [Phi] B K, Alpha of New York. Union College, Schenectady, 1827.)

In 1818 he is in the Albany NY City Directory, in Montgomery.  Upon checking, Montgomery is about an hour away from Albany, so he may have had interests in both areas.  

He is again listed in Union College of New York in 1845 as being on a committee to organize the 50th anniversary of the college, being listed as class of 1813.  

His death listing happened on 16 Dec, 1859, when he was 70 years old, with his occupation as a retired gentleman.  His cause of death was marasmus (wasting disease). He was still married at that time.

He had written a will, in 1856 leaving his possessions to his children and wife. He was survived by Martha Booth Seely, John C. Booth, daughters Lucretia Booth and Susan E Booth, the last 2 being considered minors, so they were given a  male guardian. His wife also was named Lucretia (rather than the garbled name the 1850 census taker gave her.)

Oh, who is he to my ancestors? His father, Silas Booth (1758-1835) was the brother of Isaac Booth Sr, (1755-1841), who was my 5 times great grandfather.  So we have a 6 times great grandfather in common, and I think that makes him my 2nd cousin 6 times removed.  Please let me know if I've got that wrong.  I always scratch my head on that cousin stuff.

Amy Johnson Crow continues to challenge genealogy bloggers and non-bloggers alike to think about our ancestors and share a story or photo about them. The challenge is “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.”

More notes by writer:

"Lucretia Foot(e) ...married Lebbeus Booth, a banker who helped establish the Ballston Spa National Bank.  (probably in Roerig, Ruth W. The History of Ballston Spa National Bank, 1838-1988: A Story of “The Old Bank,” Its Community, and Its People. Ballston Spa, NY: Ballston Spa National Bank, 1988.)

Lebbeus was 2nd Principal of Female Academy, 1815-1824, founded by Ebenezer Foote, whose only daughter was Lucretia Foote Booth, Lebbeus' wife.

Had private school in Ballston several years.

Source: http://dunhamwilcox.net/ny/ne_albany_bio1.htm

Ancestry finally posted his relationship to writer...1st cousin 6 times removed!