Charles’ Genealogy

  I am a big genealogy buff and have been researching my family history for the past 18 years on and off.  At this point, I have been able to research back to the point that I know that I’m part of the 12th generation of Charles that have been in the United States.  My lineage follows this:1.  John Charles — Born in England in 1604 — Shows up in Charlestown in 1636 and then is a founding father of the New  Haven Colony in 1637.

Listed on October 26, 1635, “Mr. Benia[min] Hubberd was granted the houseplot next Geo[rge] Felch which John Charles should have had & left it” 

This referencing that John Charles was in Charlestown at least as early as 1635….. I still feel that John was in the United States before 1635, but i do not have any proof of this yet….

2.  John Charles (Jr.) — Born 1643 in New Haven

3.  John Charles III  –  Born in 1686 in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut

4.  John Charles IV — Born in 1713 in Brimfield, Massachusetts

5.  John Charles V — Born in 1745/46 in Brimfield, Massachusetts

6.  Solomon Charles — Born in 1776 in Fryeburg, Maine

7.  Russell Charles — Born in 1798 in Fryeburg, Maine

8.  Solomon Charles — Born in 1822 in Fryeburg, Maine 

1850 Census, Solomon is listed as a resident of Stow, Oxford County, Maine with his first wife Juliann  (Jack) and there first three children, Annette (5), Jason (2), Warren (10 months)

Listed in the Cambria Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania 1860 Census (age 37) along with Benjamin Charles (age 33), both being listed as Coopers as their occupations. 

Then in the 1870 Census, he is listed again as just S. Charles in the Chest Springs Borough (age 47) and Shank Maker as his occupation.  This time, there is a Sarah Charles listed under him (age 25) listed as a home maker.  It appears they have three children, Julia 8, Mary E. 6, and B.F 4.

In the 1880 Census, he is listed as Solomon Charles in Allegheny Twp  (aged 51 — Could have been 57,  just mis-read) and Shook Maker as his occupation.  This time, there is a Sarah Charles listed under him (age 35) listed as wife.  Then there are 7 children listed as, Julyann 18, Maryetta 16, Franklin 14, William 10, Nelson 8, Rosanna 5, Violla 1.

The 1890 Census was mostly destroyed by a fire at the archives, which left no data…

 The 1900 Census listed John Charles under Rodney Charles in Boom Township, Clearfield Co, Pennsylvania as a nephew.  This would make sense, because Solomon died in 1895 and Rodney and Solomon were brothers.   In an article wrote up in the History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, it listed that Rodney returned from the civil war and briefly worked in the shook industry (which was Solomon’s trade) and then settled in Bloom Twp.  I would assume that Solomon died when John Wesley was 12, so he took residence with Rodney, because they had a close relationship in the Shook business after the war.  This, of course, is only speculation; but it seems very logical.

9.  John Wesley Charles — Born in 1883 in Chest Springs, Cambria County, Pennsylvania  (Okay, I know what you’re thinking…  His dad was 61 when he was born??!!?  Solomon had two wives.  With the first wife, he had four children and then he was remarried and had an additional 10 children.  His first wife died in 1855…)

10.  Richard Kenneth Charles — Born in 1917 in Anita, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania

11.  Edwin Wesley Charles, Sr. — Born in 1950 in Punxsutawney, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania

12.  Me!