Eli Hart

Summary of this family.

Eli is baptised in Newick in Dec 1829 on the same date as his younger brother, but is 2-3 years older (shown to be so in the 1841 Census).

He moves up to London at some point, where he marries Jane Court Stanway, about 19 years older than he is, in 1853. (She is later recorded as J.C. Hart as a widow - the circumstances of their parting are not known.)

Eli emigrates to America with Mary Ann Hart c.1857, who is named as his wife (no marriage record found) with their daughter Emily (born in England 1856-7, but no birth record found as yet). A second daughter, Ellen/Eleanor, is born in Rochester, which is in the northern part of NY state in Aug 1858). [One could speculate whether they were actually married and/or whether Eli's marriage to Jane was ever annulled.]

They all return from a visit to England in May 1871, just missing the April 1871 Census. Emily disappears off the radar after this date, when she is recorded as aged 14.

Eleanor has a child out of wedlock aged 18 in 1877, Bertha (Hart, later Smith), marries first James. A. Clark, who is a wastrel, divorces him and marries Frank A. Clark (not known if related). She has a son with Frank, Leonard Clark, who marries Katherine Martie and has a daughter, Elizabeth.

Bertha Smith is shown as daughter of Eli and "Ann" in one of the 1880 Census records, but in the 1900 census, grand-daughter (b.c. 1877, mother born NY, father Virginia). It looks as if Eli and Mary Ann raise Bertha, and that Mary's name and age were deliberately incorrectly recorded to make it plausible that they were the parents and not grandparents of Bertha, to cover up her illegitimate birth.

Bertha possibly marries (? no record found but her name changes to Smith) and has a son, Laurence N. Smith. His only record is as a baby on the 1900 Census, with grandfather Eli and mother Bertha. Bertha dies young (25) of tuberculosis.

Mary Ann dies in December 1883 of cancer. Eli remarries Lucy Bryant in 1886 but is again widowed by 1900. [The 1890 Census records were apparently mostly destroyed by fire - nothing for this family remains available.]

In Feb 1887 Eli and Eleanor are running a successful variety store, when Eleanor's husband James Clark shoots Eli in the abdomen after an argument because James has not been supporting his wife. He is not expected to live, but pulls through.

A burial record shows a probable son of Lucy, William Bryant, aged 9, buried in Eli's burial plot. He dies on 26 July 1887 of "fracture at base of brain". Address on William's burial record is 928 22nd St NW - but it is not known if William and Lucy lived at this address.

At this point (Mar 2018), no further offspring have been found (of g-grandchild Elizabeth, or grandchild Laurence) - but not completely ruled out yet either.

Eli's burial plot, at the time of his death in 1904, also accommodated Bertha, Frank Clark (Eleanor's 2nd/3rd husband), Mary Ann Hart, George Clark (Eleanor's first child), and a William T. Bryant (prob. child of Eli's 3rd wife Lucy). Eleanor is later buried with Frank.

Further details of each family member can be found on their profiles.

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Eli's records

Eli HART Father Thomas HART Mother Sarah HART
Baptised 07:12:1829 s Born Parish reference PAR428 [same day as younger brother Abraham, but they don't appear to be twins on census documents]
Abode Newick Occupation Bricklayer
Church St. Mary Parish Newick County East Sussex
Notes T B Powell rector

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Aged 14 (b.c.1827?) at the time of the 1841 census, in Newick, apprentice bricklayer. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7SV-NJ4 (See attached under Sources.)

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Marriage record to Jane Court Stanway (see under Sources) at St Olave's in Southwark.
"England Marriages, 1538–1973 ," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NJ9F-97R : 10 February 2018), Eli Hart and Jane Court Stanway, 20 Feb 1853; citing St. Olave'S, Southwark, Surrey, England, reference p 199, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 254,564.

A later census record shows her as a widow, so it's unknown how they parted. This marriage is confirmed by the matching of Eli's signature with a later bank record, as well as his father named as Thomas and both of them being bricklayers. She is about 19 years older than Eli when they marry.

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No marriage found for Eli's marriage to Mary Ann, and as yet no record in England for the birth of their daughter Emily c.1856

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No record found of marriage to Mary, but she's recorded as mother of daughters Emily and Ellen/Eleanor.

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1 June 1860 US Census (Image available)
Ward 19 District 3 [in Brooklyn, New YOrk]
Eli Hart 38, mason, born England
Mary Hart 28 born England [c.1831-2]
Emily age 3 born England [c. 1856-7]
Ellen age 1 born New York [c.1858-9; later referred to as Eleanor and Elnora]
"United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCW9-TT3 : 12 December 2017), Eli Hart, 1860.

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On 9 May 1871 they arrive back in New York from a visit to England, ship American Union.
Eli Hart 43 Plasterer
Mary Hart 40 [b.c. 1831]
Emili 16 (Emily)
Ellen 4 [I think this should be 14]

Has in description - Living in the U.S. for 15 years [i.e. since c. 1856].

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17 December 1873. Record of Eli opening a bank account at Freedman's Bank (see under Sources). It shows their address as 622 New York Avenue (unfortunately not whether NW or NE, which are two distinct addresses), his occupation as bricklayer, age as 48, complexion fair. Mary Ann "can draw" on the account and the account number is 20165. Importantly, the document also has Eli's signature, which matches that of his first marriage, to Jane Court Stanway. [Currently showing mistranscription of Mary's surname as "Lod" - reported.]
"United States, Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NSTZ-QWP : 9 March 2018), Eli Hart, ; citing bank District of Columbia, United States, NARA microfilm publication M816 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1970); FHL microfilm 928,575.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYFQ-M28?i=314&cc=... (record)

The bank has a somewhat interesting history - set up for Afro-Americans after the Civil War. Most other account holders' complexions seem to be noted as "brown" or "dark" (if at all). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedman%27s_Savings_Bank

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US Census, June 1880 - two records recording Eli and Ann(ie), one showing 4-year-old "daughter" Bertha and the other not, and Eli's age different in each. However, Mary Ann is still alive at this point and this is almost certainly a deliberate attempt to create the misleading impression that Bertha is actually Eli's and Mary's daughter, when in fact she is the (illiegitimate) daughter of their daughter, Eleanor.

4 June 1880, ED 41 (SD 17), Washington City. 631 Massachussetts Avenue.
Eli is shown as a plasterer, with wife Annie :
Eli Hart Self M 52 England [c1827-8]
Annie Hart Other F 40 [1839-40] - "keeping house" England
"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6CW-K7M : 24 August 2017), Eli Hart, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, United States; citing enumeration district ED 41, sheet 407A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0122; FHL microfilm 1,254,122.
AND
11 June 1880, ED40 (SD 17), Washington City. 517 11th St NW.
Eli Hart Male 45 b. England (plasterer) [c.1835 - wrong age]
Ann Hart Wife Female 40 b. England [c.1839-40]
Bertha Hart Daughter Female 4 b. District of Columbia, United States [c.1875-6]
(Image available) "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6CW-VFG : 24 August 2017), Eli Hart, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, United States; citing enumeration district ED 40, sheet 401D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0122; FHL microfilm 1,254,122.

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From forum member:
18 February 1886: Eli Hart married for a second time to Mrs. Lucy M Bryant; she was 36 [b.1848-9] and he 56 [b.1828-9], in Washington D. C.
No image available or found yet.

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Alexandria Gazette (DC), February 07, 1887, Image 1 "Tragedy in Washington" (see attachment under Sources). This article tells in some detail the story of Frank A. Clark, printer, shooting his father-in-law Eli (who is thought to be dying, but apparently survives this) on Pennsylvania Avenue. Eli has characterised James as a "worthless, shiftless sort of fellow", and the article states that although Clark had moved to Charleston, SC for work, had not sent any money home and had not supported his wife (Eleanor). Eli and Eleanor had in the meantime set up a successful confectionary business. Eli's wife (this must be his 3rd wife, Lucy) had been ill in hospital for some time, and Eleanor had also recently had to be admitted to hospital with an illness. (It says that Eli is 65, but he must have been younger than this at the time.)
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85025007/1887-02-07/ed-1/...

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The Washington Critic., February 25, 1887, Image 4: "Eli Hart's Assailant Held" (see also under Sources). This is a follow-up story to the shooting (see above), which states that Eli has recovered enough to appear in court, where his son-in-law James is being held on a charge of assault to kill. The Court allowed the case to proceed to Criminal Court.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82000205/1887-02-25/ed-1/...

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US Census, 1 June 1900, Washington DC, ED101, Washington City, age 73, widowed. Address 529 M St. (image is available here https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6SZ3-1XZ?i=18&cc=1...):
...
Birth Date May 1827
Birthplace England
Immigration Year 1857
Father's Birthplace England
Mother's Birthplace England
Widowed
- with granddaughter and her son:
Bertha Smith Granddaughter F 23 District Of Columbia, b. June 1877 (fa born Virginia, ma NY)
Laurence N Smith Great-grandson M 1 District Of Columbia, b. June 1899 (parents both DC)
- Also says that Eli immigrated in 1857 (no. of years in US, 43).

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMF7-8HY : accessed 9 March 2018), Eli Hart, Washington city, Washington, District of Columbia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 101, sheet 10B, family 196, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,162.

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Death record for Eli:
Name Eli Hart
Event Type Death
Event Date 20 Feb 1904
Event Place District of Columbia, United States
Gender Male
Age 74
Marital Status Widowed
Occupation Bricklayer
Birth Year (Estimated) 1830
Birthplace England
Burial Date 22 Feb 1904
Cemetery Glenwood Cemetery
Frame Number 1861
(Actual image only available at LDS FHC.) "District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7YH-R4M : accessed 9 March 2018), Eli Hart, 20 Feb 1904, District of Columbia, United States; citing reference ID 153378, District Records Center, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 2,115,158.

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Grave:
Death 20 Feb 1904
Burial Glenwood Cemetery, Washington, District of Columbia, District Of Columbia, USA
Plot Section O, Lot 117, Site 4
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150214823

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Burial card from Glenwood Cemetery (currently misfiled under "Harts" shows Eli's details as well as others who have been interred in his plot: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99D6-N9ND-J?i=2070...
They include Bertha Smith, Frank A. Clark (Eleanor's 3rd husband, who predeceased her), Mary A. Hart (Eli's wife), George Clark (a child of Eleanor's?) and William T. Bryant (son of Eli's 3rd wife Lucy?). Eli died of nephritis (kidney failure) on 20 Feb, interred on 22 Feb 1904. Was resident of Garfield Hospital before his death.

This record from the Glenwood Register of Interment gives similar information about his death and burial:
"District of Columbia, Glenwood Cemetery Records, 1854-2013," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89DT-7DC4?cc=2170640&w... : 21 May 2014), Register of interment B, 1903 Jan-1915 Mar > image 19 of 209; The Glenwood Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

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Cited in daughter Eleanor's death record:
"Elnora" Clark, widowed, died aged 66 in Washington DC, 30 Dec 1924 - recorded as born in England on 25 Aug 1858 (which tallies with other records, born NY)
"District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7RP-XTR : accessed 9 March 2018), Eli. Hart in entry for Elnora Clark, 30 Dec 1924, District of Columbia, United States; citing reference ID cn 288932, District Records Center, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 2,116,023.

And she is also interred in his plot, in the same grave as her husband Frank. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/142645695/elnora-clark

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Additional notes

A migration card for the US dated dated 1 Aug.1850 for E. Hart, age 22 (est. DOB 1828) + family (including original document). Entry is to New Orleans.
"United States Index to Passenger Arrivals, Atlantic and Gulf Ports, 1820-1874," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD5G-6PY : 4 December 2014), E Hart, 1850; citing Immigration, NARA microfilm publication M334 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 418,234.
But could this be Eli?

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To follow up sometime - some free passenger lists here: https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Free_Online_New_York_Passenger...

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