Rounsefell Genealogy Notes

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Rounsefell

Typewritten notes probably made by Mabel H (Rounsefell) Staples (1884-1948), based on the references to "our brother" and "Aunt Cassie". Probably done in 1938.

Page 1

GRANDFATHER – John Rounsefell –– Tailor and minister (Methodist)

Born–Jan 14 12th or 18th, 1810 in St. Columb, Province of Cornwall, England, near the town of Bodman.

Married – –Mary Ann McGorman, Jan. 22, 1830 or 1832

Died – –Sept. 15, 1891 in Wolfvile, N. S., Canadaa

Buried – –Grand Pre, N.S., Can.

Parents – –?

GRANDMOTHER – –Mary Ann McGorman

Born – –March 10, 1808 of Presbyterian Irish of North of Ireland

Married – –Jan. 22, 1830 or 1832 to John Rounsefell of Wolfville, N.S. , and settled there.

Died – –Oct. 12, 1884 in Wolfville, N.S. Canada

Buried – –Grand Pre, N.S.

Parents – –? They were tenants on the Montrose Estate somewhere in North of Ireland.

CHILDREN––	BORN––	DIED––
(1) John	May 1, 1833
(2) Annie Jane (Rand)	Aug. 17, 1834
(3) James	July 8, 1836
(4) William	July 9, 1838	Jan 1915
(5) (Samuel) Alfred	May 29, 1840
(6) (David) Henry	May 26, 1843	1912
(7) (Margaret) Ellen (Smith)	Jan. 23, 1846
(8) Harriet (Hattie)	Dec. 14, 1848
(9) Mary Keziah	Feb. 13, 1850
(10) Charles (adopted)	1863	June 12, 1922 at Tracy, Calif. age 59

(son of James R. and grandson of grandfather John)

GRANDFATHER'S BROTHERS– – Both born in Province of Cornwall, England

James– –married Esther-(?) and settled in – – New Hampshire (perhaps Concord)

children (1)––Phoenie (not Phoebe)

William– –married a widow Phoebe–(?) and lived at 18 Blodgett St. Manchester, N.H.

children (2)––Minnie––married Charles Page, dentist and they had a son Pearlie Page who married and had a family

William––Married Carrie Parker and lived at 18 Blodgett St., Manchester, N.H. at the old homestead of Phoebe and William and now occupied by Carrie's niece, Frannie Adams Smith

step-child by Phoebe––Areanna, known to us as Anna, step-sister to Minnie Page and Will R. of Manchester, N.H.

GRANDFATHER'S SISTERS––both born in the Province of Cornwall, probably at the town of St. Columb, near Bodmin

Hannah––1st married–––(?) [NB: I have found no evidence of a first marriage Rounsefell-5 16:22, 21 September 2023 (UTC)]

2nd married––Harry Northey and lived in St, Columb, Cornwall, England. Our brother Harry named after him. Aunt Cassie Rounsefell said he was a very influential man and well to do.

Jane––married a widower with one daughter and lived in England

Page 2

GRANDMOTHER'S SISTER

two manes[sic]––?

One settled in Sussex, N.B.

One settled in Buffalo N.Y.

GRANDMOTHER'S BROTHERS––

William McGorman––married Ellen––––?

David McGorman––died a bachelor

Mary Ann McGorman Rounsefell "In Memoriam" (copied by me from a clipping in Aunt Cassie Rounsefell's Bible and which was cut out of a Nova Scotia Paper)

"There passed away from our midst and from this sphere of being on Sabbath the 12th inst. (1884) Mrs. Mary A. Rounsefell, one of our most aged and honored citizens. Mrs. Rounsefell's life was long in goodness, as well as in years, for not those who live the most years that 'live long on the earth.' Her life was serene and unostentatious and those who linger miss the gentle, quiet of her presence.

"She was an 'Israelite indeed in whom was no guile,' and was a member of the Methodist Church for over half a century––a long while to hold fast to the unseen in this world of trial and uncertainty. But those who live aright the longevity see the clearest.

Her aged husband, who also draweth near the river, and her children have this assurance, which is worth much, that the Master called her to that labor which is eternal rest."

"Com."

REGARDING THE NAME ROUNSEFELL

Our brother, Fred Rounsefell, make inquiries as to the origin of the name and as far as he could find out, it was always spelled Rounsefell–––always English but it was thought possible it might have been at one time spelled "Roun se ville" and if so, it was French. Some of the French Hugenots went to England and settled and for reason of protection they changed their names and it is thought possible that Rounseville may have been changed in England to Rounsefell.

Aunt Cassie Rounsefell of Los Angeles wrote Grandfather Rounsefell's sister Jane (or Hannah Northey) of St. Columb, Province of Cornwall, England. (I believe it is Hannah Northey because Aunt Cassie in my list made years ago––1915––quoted Hannah married Mr. Northey, whereas in the last year––1938––she spoke of Jane and had forgotten the other name––which evidently was Hannah. I prefer to go by my record of year 1815 when Aunt Cassie was more likely to have remembered correctly.)

Aunt Cassie wrote and asked what she knew of the origin of the name and she replied that as far as she knew it was thrououghly English and not German.

Page 3

A Mr. Sleep came from New Brunswick to Wolfville, N.S. and married a servant of William DeWolf in Wolfville, N.S. This Mr. Sleep had a tin shop in Wolfville, and saw either Jane or Hannah Northey and had a nice visit. When he returned he told Aunt Cassie about it. I presume this was when she lived in Wolfville. I don't know. He may have been out here, I rather think so.