Hello all:
Sorry to reply so long after your postings. I've been out of town without internet access.
This is all very, veeeeeerrrrrrryyyyyy strange and interesting.
Never saw that application for a marriage license but do have a copy of May and John's marriage record from John's church. Maddeningly, unlike all the other marriage records, theirs does not record the names of John and May's parents. I had been told previously by someone with a family tree on Ancestry about that marriage licensence application, but couldn't give it credit until now.
As I said in my initial post, I have positively tracked Esther Oliver in the Williams Cincinnati Directory, and the Census. In the WCD, from 1887 to 1915, she is consistently listed as "widow of Nathan B. Oliver", often living with her son Albert Ellsworth and other Olivers. In the 1900 and 1910 Census, she is living in the John and May Schaff household, (Esther is shown as mother in law to John).
My research has definetly shown a connection to Wentworth in the 1905 and 1906 WCD listing. In 1905 the WCD lists TWO Esther Ann's listed at the same address as John and May Schaaf. One is Esther Ann Oliver (widow Nathan B.), the other is Eshter Ann Wentworth (widow William). In 1906, only Esther Ann Wentworth is listed at John and May's address. THEN, no more WCD listings for Esther Ann Wentworth, and a break of four years before the WCD shows Esther Ann Oliver at the Schaaf's address. THen, from 1910 to 1915, it's Esther Ann Oliver ("widow Nathan B.) living at the Schaaf address.
THe most likely explanation for the two Esthers that I could imagine was that Esther Ann Wentworth could have been a daughter of Esther Ann Oliver. But with the info you all are digging up, I am reconsiddering.
So much more to think, research and write about, but I'm going to just post this for now.
Thanks. I think.
Joe
