All in the Family ... Providence, Rhode Island's First Citizens

My husband and I visited Providence, Rhode Island this week, and stopped in at the Roger Williams National Historic Site.  On the wall was a map of the first settlers of Providence.  Going down the list, I found a number of my ancestors:

John Greene, Jr.  - most likely my 3rd cousin 12x removed, who served as Deputy Governor of Rhode Island from 1790 until 1800.

John Greene, Sr. - the father of John Greene, Jr., my 2nd cousin 13x removed.

Roger Williams, who is more of an ancestor-in-law.  His granddaughter, Mary Sayles,  married my 11th great uncle, John Holmes.

John Throckmorton was likely the father of Patience Throckmorton (b. 1640 in Providence), who married my 9th great uncle, John Coggeshall.

Alice Daniels who married my 2nd cousin 13x removed, John Greene, Sr. after the death of his wife, Joanna.

John Sweet is likely related to the John Sweet who married my 3rd cousin 12x removed, Mary Greene.

Thomas Olney, whose grandson, Thomas Sayles, married my 1st cousin 10x removed, Esther Scott.


Also, two of my 11th great grandfathers were part of the beginning of Providence:


Chad Brown and Richard Scott.

Eva Ursula Johnson 1896-1971

Chuck's grandmother, Eva Ursula Johnson, was born November 23, 1896 in Grafton, Illinois.  She was the tenth of 13 children born to Edward K. Johnson (1855-1915) and Ermina Rebekah McCauley (1856-1926).

On September 26, 1917, Eva Johnson and Albert Auston were married in Alton, Illinois by Judge Lessner.

Eva and her children

Eva and Albert had five children:
Bernadine Beatrice (1914-2011), married Franklin Fosha;
Benjamin Clarence (1918-1982), married Mildred Vinson;
June Marie (1920-2006), married Walter Ketchum;
Louis Antone (1925-1997), married Alma Forbes;
Sue Ann (1930-1999), married Valgene Harmon.

Alton Evening Telegraph, Oct 25, 1950

Alton Evening Telegraph, Oct 27, 1947

Eva was active in various organizations in Grafton, including the Busy Bee Club, the Bean Bag Club, the Order of the Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, Royal Neighbors of America, and the VFW Auxiliary.  She was frequently mentioned in the Alton newspaper for her activities.  She often hosted  gatherings at her home, including birthday celebrations.  

Alton Evening Telegraph, Oct 10 1956

Auston family picnic

Alton Evening Telegraph, November 5, 1953

After her husband died in 1953, she remodeled her home into apartments and rented them out to workers at Pere Marquette Lodge, where she also worked in the kitchen.

In 1965, she sold her home to her daughter, Sue and her husband, Gene Harmon.  According to the newspaper article, Eva planned to move into a trailer.

Alton Evening Telegraph, Sep 4,1965

Eva died on December 24, 1971 at the age of 75.  She was buried at Scenic Hill Cemetery in Grafton.