RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => United States of America => US Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Andrew K on Wednesday 17 February 10 09:50 GMT (UK)
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Good morning and I hope someone may be able to help me.
In 1848 my great, great, great grandfather Francis Boston died in Liverpool, England, just a few months after his daughter Lourina was born.
Family legend and physical appearance throughout generations, confirmed by the research I have done so far, suggest strongly that Francis (who was listed as a boarding house keeper on his marriage and death certificates) was black.
On his marriage certficate from 1847 it states that his father's name was Cato and that he was a livery worker.
We also know from his death certificate that he was born in 1807 but there is no suggestion as to where he was born.
A google search from Cato Boston finds several mentions from the USA, mostly as slaves but some as free men, but all do seem to be black.
I would absolutely love to be able to find out where and when Francis was born and who exactly Cato was.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Andrew
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Gosh, looking at the number of replies most posters get on this fantastic forum I have done well to go for three days without even one. So I thought I would reply to myself.
Even after 29 views no-one seems to be able to let me know if they have found information on Francis Boston, born 1807 the son of Cato Boston.
I suppose this could indicate that no records exist so it could be the end of my search, which is a shame. Perhaps he wasn't born in the US after all.
Anyway, for those who have looked and probably tried to help, thanks.
Andrew
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You can probably rule out the Cato Boston who was living in Vermont in 1812. In a book found on the internet, Cato (whose real name was Christopher Melbone) worked in Dr. Power's family for many years. In 1812, Cato enlisted in the military and was never heard from again. There is no mention of his family.
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Another internet search shows that the above Cato apparently is not on 1812 lists.
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Thank you.
I guess it is just going to be a piece of luck that someone stumbles across a Cato who has a son called Francis in 1807 - oh and then knows that I am looking for him of course.
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The reference to Christopher Melbone above is from the History of Woodstock, Vermont, by Henry Swan Dana, 1889. The 1790 U.S. Census shows a Cato Boston in Woodstock with 3 members in his household. Since I live in Woodstock, perhaps I can check the Vital Records at the Town Clerk's Office to see if there was a Francis Boston born in 1807.
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That would be excellent thank you.
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Link to information on a Cato Boston aka Christopher Malbone/Melbone which gives a bit of background and appears to show he was in Berkshire, Franklin County, Vermont on 21 Oct. 1813.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/08ju/
dollylee
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Thanks again, this will be very interestiong if I can link it to Francis Boston.
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I checked the Vital Records in the Woodstock Town Clerk's Office today. There was no listing in either Births, Deaths, or Marriages for anyone named Boston. Sorry.
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Thanks for looking. I am not sure I will ever get to the bottom of this one.
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I know this is a very old thread but hopefully the original poster will still be on the site as I am interested in Cato Boston as well as he is my 4th Great Grandfather.