Re: Peter Gonsalus and Abigail Faunce
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In reply to:
Peter Gonsalus and Abigail Faunce
Carmelita Kammann 4/28/09
I think you may be looking at two different people.
Peter Gunsolley was born in New York about 1799, married Abigail (possibly maiden name Faunce) in Phelps, Ontario County NY and migrated to Huntsburg, Geauga County OH about 1827-1829.Although the surname has many spellings it is consistent with Gunsolley or Gonsolley, but never with Gonsalus.
I could not locate Peter and Abigail Gunsolley in 1840, but they may have been in Jo Daviess Co., IL.That is where they were in 1850 (Ward's Grove), surname spelled Gunsalley.In 1860 they were in Richland Twp., Delaware County Iowa, surname spelled Gunsolley.I cannot find them in census records after that date but several of their children remained in Iowa for decades.
On the other hand, the Peter Gonsalus you found in Texas appears to have had children who were born in Texas prior to 1860, when Peter Gunsolley was still living in Iowa with his wife Abigail (both born NY).See the two sons, William Preston Gonsalus, age 13 in 1870 Lynchs Ranche, Stephens Co TX census; John Alexander Gonsalus, age 11 same census. They were both born in Texas.
John Alexander Gonsalus in the 1870 census might be John Gunsolus in the 1880 census for Shackelford County TX, who is age 22 and says his father was born NY and his mother was born KY.That is close, but not conclusive.Peter Gonsalus' wife Susanna was said to be born Tennessee in the 1870 and 1880 census.
I have not been able to find Peter Gonsalus in the 1860 census.Although a person's age in successive census records can vary,Peter Gunsolley was age 50 in 1850 and age 60 in 1860, while Peter Gonsalus was age 66 in 1870 and age 77 in 1880.Again, not conclusive of course, but something to consider when making assumptions with so little to go on.
If you think the Peter Gunsolley you are researching is the one I have traced from New York to Geauga County OH to Illinois to Iowa, I have more information and will be glad to share.But contact me via e-mail, off the boards, please.
I would love to see the bible record you spoke of.Would you be willing to e-mail it to me please?
Thank you.