Jane Anne Billups

Birth Name Jane Anne Billups
Gender female
Age at Death 79 years, 3 months, 19 days

Narrative

Jane Ann Billups was born, probably at home, in Yeagertown near Lewistown, Pennsylvania, "at 10 minutes past one, June 15" 1874, according to her parents' letters home to relatives. (Letters, # 12 and 13, June 14, 1874 and June 24, 1874, posted from Freedom Forge, PA.)

Her mother died when she was six and her father was forced to break up the family. Jane is said to have been raised by a Quaker family, possibly somewhere in eastern Pennsylvania. Her daughter-in-law Lucy Hamilton remembered Jane lapsing into "Quakerisms" like "thee" and "thou" in her speech from time to time. She kept her own surname and is not mentioned in the index to Quaker records for Pennsylvania.

When she was married on June 18, 1896, she was living at 4936 Harrison St. in Lawrenceville, the address of her father's sister Naomi Jackson and Naomi's husband Joseph. (Image of civil marriage license and record at Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885 - 1950, familysearch.org, accessed July 11, 2012.)

Later in life, seemingly when her sons were adolescents, Jane re-established contact with her two surviving brothers. Thomas may have been in Pittsburgh, since he was with his aunt Naomi Jackson's household there in 1880, or he might have been already working in Norristown. John Henry was likely in Philiadelphia, where he appears on the 1910 census with a wife and child. Jane's son Charles remembered going with her to eastern Pennsylvania. The locations of Norristown and Lewistown, PA, and Salem, NJ, all figured in the story somehow.

One of her obituaries says incorrectly that she was born in Salem, New Jersey. She died of sub-acute myocarditis on October 4, 1953. The granddaughter has a copy of Jane's death certificate also.

 

Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth June 15, 1874 Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, United States   1 2a
Census (Daughter) June 25, 1880 Yeagertown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, United States   3a
Event Note

1880 Census, Derry Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania
Village of Yeagertown
June 25, 1880

Henry Billups, 35, widowed, axe grinder, born in England, parents also, was out of work 1 month this year
Mary E Meredith, 19, single, domestic, housekeeper, born in Pennsylvania, parents also
John H Billups, 8, son, born in Pennsylvania, parents in England
Jane A Billups 5, daughter, born in Pennsylvania, parents in England
James W Billups, 3, son, born in Pennsylvania, parents in England

Baptism November 30, 1890 St John’s Episcopal Church, Salem, Salem County, New Jersey, United States   4a
Event Note

St John's Episcopal Church, Salem, Salem County, New Jersey

Baptisms
Advent
November 30, 1890, Church 7.30
# 125

Jennie Billups, born Louisville, KY, June 10, 1873, parents: Harry and Agnes Billups.
sponsors: Sara Harlan and Emma Biddle
signature of clergyman: C. M. Perkins

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/2451/40355_267577-00176/6266194
image 177 in book

Confirmation April 13, 1890 St John’s Episcopal Church, Salem, Salem County, New Jersey, United States   4b
Event Note

St John's Episcopal Church, Salem, Salem County, New Jersey

Confirmed
April 13, 1890
Jennie Billups
Baptism: #125
Bishop and Rector: Bp Scarborough

Communicant from 1891 to 1892 St John’s Episcopal Church, Salem, Salem County, New Jersey, United States   4c
Event Note

St John's Episcopal Church, Salem, Salem County, New Jersey
Communicants
3 Sunday after Easter, April 19, 1891
Jennie Billups
Whence received: blank
Removed to Pittsburgh, 1892

Arrival 1892 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States   4c
Event Note

The record of St John's Episcopal Church in Salem, NJ, said Jane was dismissed to Pittsburgh in 1892.

Social Event (Guest) March 6, 1896 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States    
Event Note

The Pittsburgh Press, March 10, 1896
A surprise party given by The Friday Night club in honor of Mr Walter Rowe, of Federal street, Allegheny, proved quite a success. ... The following guests were present: Mr and Mrs Rowe ... Misses Jennie Billups ... Mssrs ... J Hamilton ...

Census June 1, 1900 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States 159 38th Street 5
General

1900 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny Co., 15th Ward of
Pittsburgh.
Series T623, Roll 1360, page 118

Renting at 159 38th St.

Hamilton, James M., Jan 1872, 28, M3, PA PA PA, Machinist
----------, Jennie, June 1874, 25, 2 children 2 alive, PA ENG ENG
---------, Louis K., Nov 1897, 2, PA PA PA
---------, James M., Nov 1899, 2/12, PA PA PA

Census April 15, 1910 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States 159 38th Street 6
General

1910 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny Co., 6th Ward of
Pittsburgh.
Series T624, Roll 1301, page 178, Enum. Dist 304 or 354, Sheet 17A.

At 159 38th St.

Hamilton, James M., 37, M1, 13yrs, machinist, steel works, 4 wks unemployed
---, Jennie A., 35, M1, 13, four children, four alive
Said her birthplace was Pennsylvania.
---, Louis K., 12, S
---, James M. Jr, 10, S
---, Barrett E. , 8, S
---, Charles El., 6, S All four children in school.

Residence October 4, 1910 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States 159 38th Street 7a
General

living on 38th St on October 4, 1910, when their twin daughters were born and died.

Residence September 12, 1918 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States 278? Main St 8
General

278 Main Street was the address on Louis K and James M's WWI Draft Registration. Both listed their mother at the same address as their contact person.

Census January 1, 1920 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States 270 Main Street 9
General

1920 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny Co., 9th Ward of Pittsburgh. Enum. Dist 460, Sheet 9A.
January 13, 1920
at 270 Main St.

Hamilton, James M., 47, born in Pa, parents also, machinist, pipe shop
-------, Jenny, 43, born in Pa, parents in England
------, Louis, 22, S, clerk, pipe shop
---------, James, 20, S, draughtsman, forge and knife company
-------, Barrett, 18, S, monotyper, print shop, had not attended school since Sept 1, 1919
---, Chas. Elmer, 16, S, no occupation, had not attended school since Sept 1, 1919
Weaver, Elizabeth, 16, Roomer, born in PA, father in Switzerland., mother in England., worked in a candy factory, had not attended school since Sept 1, 1919

All Hamilton children were born in Pa.

"United States Census, 1920," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MFBQ-QBG : accessed 13 Feb 2014), James Hamilton in household of James Hamilton, Pittsburgh Ward 9, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing sheet , family 180, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821520.

Property (Witness) March 14, 1927 East Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States 1374 East 141st 10a
Event Note

March 14, 1927
Anna Hamilton to Henry Hamilton
sublot 53 etc [1374 East 141st]
witnesses 28 February 1927: Jennie A Hamilton, Herbert H Tow [he was the notary public on the document]

Census April 1, 1930 Shaler Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States 102 Seel Street 11a
General

1930 Federal Census, Pennsylvania, Allegheny Co., Shaller Twp.
Series T626, Roll 1990, ED 2-789, Sheet 8B

owned the house at 102 Seel St. Worth $13,000. Owned a radio.

Hamilton, James A., 58, born in Pa, parents also, age when first married: 26, occupation: machinist, machine shop
-------, Jennie A., 54, born in Pa, parents in England, age when first married: 22.

Residence from 1938 to 1939 Etna Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States 102 Seel Street 12a
General

1938 and 1939 Pittsburgh Directories
Barrett Earle was working as a monotype operator for Graphic Colortype Corp and living with his parents at 102 Seel St., Etna.
I don't think the 1940 to 1943 Pittsburgh Directories included Etna. At any rate, I didn't find James in those years.

Census (Wife) May 13, 1940 Shaler Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States on Seel Street 13a
Event Note

1940 Census, Shaler Twp, Allegheny County PA, ED 2-494, Family 307, sheet 16B
May 13, 1940
indexed as Hamleton at myHeritage.com, haven't yet found it at familysearch.org or ancestry.com
owns the house worth $12,000 on Seel Street

James M Hamilton, head, 65, married, 5 years of school, born in Pennsylvania, lived in the same house in 1935, foreman, machine [something], worked 40 hours last week, worked 52 weeks in 1939 for $1920
Jennie Hamilton, wife, 63, married, 5 years of school, born in Pennsylvania, lived in the same house in 1935
Tressa Hamilton, daughter, 38, married but living apart from her husband, 2 years school, born in Pennsylvania, occupation: maid, hotel, worked 40 hours last week, worked 52 weeks in 1939 for $624
Dorothy Hamilton, granddaughter, 18, 3 years high school, born in Pennsylvania
Betty Hamilton, granddaughter, 15, 1 year high school, born in Ohio
Ruth Hamilton, granddaughter, 13, 7 years school, born in Ohio

Tressa and her daughters were living in New York state in 1935

Jennie Hamilton provided the information.

indexed as Hamliton at familysearch.org and ancestry.com

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQXK-8C9

Residence (Wife) 1945 Etna Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States 102 Seal St 12b
Event Note

1945 Pittsburgh Street Directory
James (Jennie A) Hamilton foreman Pittsburgh Piping and Equipment, resides 102 Seal (Etna). Seal St is not in the 1944 Pittsburgh Directory

Census (Wife) April 4, 1950 Shaler Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States 102 Seel St 14a
Event Note

1950 Census, Shaler Township, Allegheny County, PA ED 2-735
April 4, 1950
102 Seel St
Pgh 23 [as distinguished from Etna, I think]

James M Hamilton, 78, unable to work
Jane A Hamilton, 74, unable to work
Thresa B Hamilton, daughter in law, 49, separated, [widowed crossed out], chambermaid, hotel business
all born in Pennsylvania

Death October 4, 1953 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States   15
General

The Pittsburgh Press
October 5, 1953

HAMILTON--On Sunday afternoon Oct 4, 1953, at her residence, 264 Melwood St, Jane A Hamilton, wife of James M Hamilton, mother of Louis K. of Pittsburgh, Barrett of Buffalo, N.Y., and Charles E. of Cleveland, Ohio. Friends received at H Samson's 537 Neville St, (Oakland Civic Center) where services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Please omit flowers.

----------
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, October 6, 1953 page 9

Mrs Jane Hamilton
Services for Mrs Jane A. Hamilton, 78, of 264 Melwood St., Oakland, will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow in H. Samson's, 537 N. Neville St. Burial will be in Homewood Cemetery. She died Sunday in Salem, N.J.

Born in Salem, N.J., Mrs Hamilton was a member of the Church of the Ascension and the Order of Eastern Star, Augusta V Mendel Chapter 454.

She leaves her husband, James M.; three sons, Louis K. of Pittsburgh, Barrett of Buffalo, and Charles E., of Cleveland; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

-------------
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 6, 1953
... Sunday at her home, 264 Melwood Street, will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at H Samson's, 537 North Neville Street. She had been ill for two years. Mrs Hamilton, who was born in Salem, N.J., was a member of the Church of the Ascension and the order of Eastern Star, Augusta V Mendel Chapter 454. She is survived by her husband, James M Hamilton; three sons, Louis K of Pittsburgh; Barrett, of Buffalo; and Charles E of Cleveland; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Burial will be in Homewood Cemetery.

------------
There was also an obituary in the Pittsburgh Press, October 6, 1953. No information other than what is included in the above.

Burial   Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States   16
General

Hamiltons in Homewood Cemetery
Section 9, Lot 743
Grave 1: Joseph Hamilton, 1898
Grave 2: Elizabeth E (Kiel) Hamilton, 1931
Grave 3: Mildred (Kaiser) Hamilton, 1934
Grave 4: Jane Scott Hamilton, 1917
Grave 5: James M Hamilton, 1956
Grave 6: Jane (Billups) Hamilton, 1953

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father Henry “Harry” BillupsSeptember 29, 1845between September 29, 1891 and September 29, 1892
Mother Agnes GrattonApril 4, 1845March 13, 1880
    Brother     John Henry Billups between October 1, 1871 and December 31, 1871 December 3, 1916
         Jane Anne Billups June 15, 1874 October 4, 1953
    Brother     James William Billups August 11, 1876 April 27, 1882
    Brother     Thomas Franklin Billups September 9, 1879 July 18, 1945

Families

Family of James Morris Hamilton and Jane Anne Billups

Married Husband James Morris Hamilton ( b. January 13, 1872 d. August 18, 1956 )
   
Event Date Place Description Sources
Social Event March 1896 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States dancing party  
Event Note

Pittsburgh Press, March 10, 1896, page 2
A surprise party given by The Friday Night club in honor of Mr Walter A Rowe, of Federal street, Allegheny, proved quite a success. Dancing was the feature of the evening. The following guests were present: Mr and Mrs Rowe ... Misses Jennie Billups ... Messrs. ... J Hamilton ...

[Walter Rowe was James' best man. Frances Sykes, Jennie's maid of honor, was not listed as a guest.]

Marriage June 18, 1896 Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States   17 2a
General

Civil marriage license and record

Transcribed from image 219 at Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885 - 1950, at familysearch.org, accessed July 11, 2012.
Page 405, Marriage License Docket, Series C, Number 5712. Their source: County Clerks. Pennsylvania County Marriages. County courthouses in Pennsylvania.

James M. Hamilton, born in Johnstown Pa on the 13th day of Janu A. D. 1872, residing at 3038 Penn ave. Pittsburg, Penna, occupation Machinist, not related by blood or marriage to the person whom he desires to marry, has not been married before.

Jane A. Billups, born in Lewistown Pa on the 15th day of June A. D. 1874, residing at 4936 Harrison st. Pittsburg, Pa, occupation [blank], has not been married before.

Marriage License issued June 17, 1896

Married June 18, 1896 By T.J. Dunner. Duplicate certificate returned June 23, 1896.

--------------------
Transcription of the church marriage certificate for James Morris Hamilton and Jane Ann Billups.

June 17, 1896, in St. John's Episcopal Church married by Jefferson Danner, and witnesses were Walter A. Rowe, and Frances Sykes.

  Narrative

Family Bible Record of James M. and Jane A. (Billups) Hamilton

This is to certify that James M. Hamilton and Jane A. Billiups were united by me in Holy Matrimony at Pittsburg, Pa, on the 17 day of June in the year of our Lord 1896 in presence of Walter E. Rowe and Frances Sykes. Signed T. Jefferson Danner.

 

[Column Headings]
Name, Place of Birth, Date of Birth, Date of Marriage

James Morris Hamilton, Johnstown, Pa, January 13, 1872, June 17, 1896

Jane Ann Billiups, Lewistown, Pa, June 15, 1874, June 17, 1896

Louis Keil Hamilton, Pittsburg, Pa, November 18, 1897

James Morris Hamilton, Jr., Pittsburg, Pa, November 27, 1899

Barrett Earle Hamilton, Pittsburg, Pa, November 3, 1901

  Children
Name Birth Date Death Date
Louis Kiel HamiltonNovember 18, 1897July 22, 1976
James Morris HamiltonNovember 27, 1899August 6, 1941
Barrett Earl HamiltonNovember 3, 1901September 4, 1966
Daughter HamiltonOctober 4, 1910October 4, 1910
Daughter HamiltonOctober 4, 1910October 4, 1910

Source References

  1. Her parents' letters home to relatives. Letters, # 12 and 13, June 14, 1874 and June 24, 1874: "at 10 minutes past one, June 15." Posted from Freedom Forge, PA.
  2. Pennsylvania County Marriages, 1885 - 1950
      • Page: Allegheny Co, 21 Feb 1894, Clarke-Jackson
  3. 1880 United States Census
      • Page: Derry Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, Village of Yeagertown, ED 173, sheet 102B
      • Citation:

        "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWNV-FJT : 16 July 2017), Harry Billups, Derry, Mifflin, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district ED 173, sheet 102B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,156.

  4. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records
      • Page: St John's Episcopal Church, Salem, Salem County, New Jersey, baptism #125, image and page 177
      • Page: St John's Episcopal Church, Salem, Salem County, New Jersey, Apr 13, 1890
      • Page: St John's Episcopal Church, Salem, Salem County, New Jersey
  5. 1900 United States Federal Census
  6. 1910 United States Federal Census
  7. Pennsylvania Death Certificates
      • Page: Infant Hamilton, Oct 4, 1910, file number 105210, registered number 7958
  8. World War I Draft Registration Cards
  9. 1920 United States Census
  10. Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer: Cuyahoga County Deeds
      • Page: Mar 14, 1927, sublot 53 etc, 1374 East 141st, E. Cleveland, Anna to Henry
  11. National Archives and Records Administration: 1930 United States Census
      • Page: Pittsburgh, ED 0224, family 274
      • Citation:

        "United States Census, 1930," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XCCD-7YJ : accessed 14 Feb 2014), Louis K Hamilton, Pittsburgh (Districts 1-250), Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0224, sheet , family 274, NARA microfilm publication .

  12. City Directories
      • Page: 1927 Dayton City Directory, page 630, image 322
      • Page: Pittsburgh, 1945
  13. 1940 United States Census
      • Page: James Hamilton, Shaler Twp, Allegheny County PA, ED 2-494, Family 307, sheet 16B
  14. 1950 United States Federal Census
      • Page: Shaler Township, Allegheny County, PA ED 2-735
      • Citation:

        https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/237581107:62308?_phsrc=tFw65&_phstart=successSource&gsfn=james+m&gsln=hamilton&ml_rpos=1&queryId=abbeaf4033d779ef34d12d76d2dce84d

  15. Copy of death record in possession of descendant.
  16. Family information
  17. Family information, copy of church marriage record