This post is a follow-up to Ancestor Description.

In my post yesterday I shared a description of my 4th Great-Grandfather Orsamus Braman. This post will focus on his wife Mercy Pomeroy who was my 4th Great-Grandmother.

Mercy Pomeroy was born in Verona, Oneida County, New York in May 1803.

Here descent is entered as English. I know quite a bit of her ancestry and I can trace multiple branches back to different locations in England.

Her parents were Oliver Pomeroy and Alta Day. I know much more about her father’s family than for her mother’s. Hopefully someday I will know more about the Day family. If anyone knows more about the Day family of Connecticut, especially an Ithamar born in the mid 1700’s, please let me know.

Mercy has one brother, one half-brother, two sisters and four half-sisters. I have not found out any more information about them, but know that the half-siblings must be younger than her as her father died at about 30 years of age and her mother did not die until 50 years later.

On to her education. Orsamus had Collegiate in this entry, but Mercy has Grammar School.

Her occupation is listed as Housekeeper, which was common for that era.

Politics was listed as Democrat which is the same as her husband Orsamus. We know that they agreed here.

However, her Religion is listed as Methodist whereas his is listed as Spiritualist. Orsamus may have been a Methodist before the death of Mercy, as often a couple will have the same religion.

The first page of the register ends with their Date of Marriage – 1819.

The second page starts off with Mercy’s Stature which is 5 feet 3 inches. Orsamus was 11 inches taller than Mercy.

Her weight is listed as 115 lbs, but I am not sure what the word following is. Perhaps it is an indication that this was her weight when she was healthy.

Her Habit is Good, I am glad that she was well thought of.

She had a fair complexion with auburn hair and blue eyes.

Mercy’s Health was listed as medium and she died on July 17, 1837 at the age of 34. She died in Dunkirk, New York and was buried in Fredonia, New York which is just south of Dunkirk.

The Disease is a bit cryptic. The first part is marked out and the second part looks like it might be Consumption. My thought is that she probably died due to complications from child birth. Her last child was born in 1837. I do not have a birth date for Katherine, only the year and no other details. However, the previous child was born on August 31, 1836.

Mercy had seven children, three boys and four girls. Some of the youngest were adopted out after her death.

Sometimes learning more about an ancestor brings up many more questions that you want to find answers to. But, with genealogy does the research on a family ever end?

Oh, one last thing. If you thought that Orsamus was an interesting first name,  you will like the name Eltweed Pomeroy who immigrated from England to Connecticut in 1630.

Do you have any interesting first names in your family history?

Steven