William Pulsifer (abt. 1804 - abt. 1874)

Born about 1804 in Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts, United States [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Betsey C (Smith) Pulsifer — married 17 Nov 1828 in Gloucester Massachusetts

Descendants

Died about 6 Nov 1874 at about age 70 in Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jedidiah Whitten [send private message]

Biography

Update by Lori Curtis Downs, Feb 20, 2019:

Recent research finds William in several Census records of Gloucester indicating that he was born around 1804 therefore I have corrected his birthdate.

Based on additional research, the parentage of William points to Samuel and Betsy Pulcifer who were married on 28 Mar 1801. Gloucester vital records of births to Samuel Pulcifer at or after 1801 include: "Samuel,s.Samuel,bp.Nov___, 1801" and "William,s. Samuel, bp.May 13, 1804".

A death certificate which very likely corresponds to William based on Birth year and widowed status (his wife died in 1870) indicates his death as 06 Nov 1874. It lists his parents as Samuel Pulcifer and Betsey.

William Hunter, who had been listed as this William's father is married to Mary Parsons Davis. William Hunter was born 1792, married 1815, did NOT have a child named Abby, and died in 1835, 12 years before Abby would've been born. Thus, I have disconnected this profile from William Hunter.

Regardless, it will remain that William is highly likely is a direct descendant of Bendict Pulcifer Pulsifer-120 of Ipswich 1640, born in England and founder of the Pulcifer name in Massachusetts.

The Ancestry line being: Benedict and unknown first wife>John Pulcifer and Joanna Kent>Thomas Pulcifer and 2nd wife Hannah Woodward>Nathaniel Pulcifer and Abigail Proctor>Samuel Pulcifer and Betsey>William Pulcifer who married Betsy Cline Smith>Abbie Pulcifer.

The children of William and his wife Betsey C. Smith are: Nancy Oct 5 1829-Nov 5 1828; Elizabeth Sep 9 1831; Eliza Ann Mar 5 1836; William May 25 1838; Benjamin Jan 30 1842; Infant born and buried May 1843; ______ born Apr 6 1847 (most likely Abby since an 1847 birth year lines up with Census data and she appears with the above listed siblings and parents).

Another fun tidbit: Barbara Bush and her son, George W Bush are also decendants of Benedict Pulcifer hence cousins to this Curtis line.

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This profile is a collaborative work-in-progress. Can you contribute information or sources?

Sources

1. ↑ MassachusettsVital Records to 1850, Gloucester, Birth and Marriage records

See also:

• Add sources here.
• The Ancestry of George W. Bush, b.1946, http://www.wargs.com/political/bush.html
• Massachusetts vital records 1620 to 1850, Gloucester
• "Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NWWV-4D8 : 10 March 2018), William Pulcifer, 06 Nov 1874; citing Gloucester, Massachusetts, v 265 p 185, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 960,204.
• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD9P-3GV : 12 April 2016), William Pulcifer, Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing family 569, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

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