The 2nd Family Of John Barclay

From the 1853 appearance of John Barclay in the Eagle Creek area, I am able to follow him to his death in Minnesota in 1897.  It is in Minnesota that he starts his second family. 

We first see this when we view the U.S. Federal Census for 1860 .  I found this entry under the name “Bartley.” 

John Barclay appears with his two sons Alexander and George and the beginning of his second family. 

1860 U.S. Federal Census, Minnesota

 

Minnesota, Eagle Creek, Scott Co., pg. 97, P.O. Shakopee, enumerated 15 July, 1860 by M. P. Clark – Dwelling 838, Family 838, John Bartley, age 48 (born about 1812), male, farmer, born in Scotland. Ellen Bartley 30 (born about 1833), female, born in Norway. Charles Bartley 7/12 mos old, born in Minnesota, Alexander Bartley 20 years old (born about 1840), farm labor, born in Connecticut. George Bartley age 17 (born about 1843), farm labour, born in Connecticut.   

One fact about my Barclay family is the ages will keep changing over the years.  According to other documentation Alexander was born in 1842 and George was born in 1844.  A two-year difference is not necessarily a big difference especially when you do not have an actual birth record.  What I do know is taken from military records.  To really know the true birthdate you need the parents acting as the informants.    

Their father John’s birth year as given here had him born about 1812.  I have an obituary and tombstone picture which puts his birth year at 1801 and that is an 11 year difference.  John’s age will change a lot over the years to come, so I really don’t know exactly how old he was. 

There is a bit of confusion about his 2nd wife’s name.  I have finally settled on the fact that it is Helen and not Ellen as this census has indicated.  Her surname maiden name is also a little confusing it could be Stevenson or Iverson.  It might imply she had been married before?  I will go over the documentation I have on Helen in future posts. 

As we see here Alexander and George are listed as being born in Connecticut.  Going back to the 1857 Minnesota State census (May 15, 2010 post) we see that they are also listed as being born in Connecticut.  So you can see why I have focused on Connecticut as their birthplaces. 

The other interesting point is the spelling of the name Barclay.  It has come down in my family as “Barclay.”  However, as you see here is it listed as “Bartley.”  I have seen other spellings.  Of course, this could be the enumerator’s take on the spelling of the name.  My great-grandfather and mother both spelled it “Barclay.”