| Dear Reader, Season’s Greetings Firstly, the Dalton Genealogical Society wishes all readers of “Daltons in History” a happy and peaceful Christmas and much good fortune in the New Year. All the officers of the Society, and members of the committee, join me in the hope that this website has brought you interest, stimulation and enjoyment throughout the past year, and we trust that it will continue to do so in 2006. Avid readers of this monthly web newsletter will have spotted that, during the past three months, I have written about our Gathering and AGM held in Ireland, about the research work in hand to discover more about Irish Dalton ancestry, and about the Dalton International DNA Project. I am not going to reiterate the detail of these pieces here, so if you want to see them click on “Dalton in History Archive” on the homepage. What I am going to do is to bring you all fully up to date on the most recent developments, and share with you the exciting plans that the DGS now has in place. Irish Dalton Ancestry The undoubted highlight of 2005 was our very successful Ireland Gathering at the end of July. Amongst the many delegates in Dublin were descendants of no less than 13 separate Irish Dalton lines and I set a challenge to identify missing links between these and other Irish Daltons. Already we have had considerable success and it is most encouraging to see the momentum that has been built up in the pursuit of Irish Dalton ancestry. We are making connections and finding missing links between these lines. We are adding more Irish Daltons to the Dalton Data Bank. We are arranging additional DNA testing to assist our research and we are planning another gathering in Ireland for the summer of 2008. The Dalton International DNA Project Last month I reported that we have been in discussion with a potential consultant to assist us with our DNA project and, in particular, to provide us with informed interpretation of the DNA results, set in the context of known Dalton family history. These discussions have now been concluded and I am absolutely delighted to announce that Chris Pomery has been appointed as consultant to the project. Chris is very well known in the field of genetic genealogy, having started his own Pomeroy DNA study back in 2000. Last year he published a book entitled “DNA and Family History”, which has become an essential companion to anyone participating in a DNA project. His book explains in layman’s terms how DNA testing can assist family history research and reviews all aspects of setting up and running a successful project. It is a recommended read and further details can be found on the associated website www.dnaandfamilyhistory.com. Chris’s work will be very important to us and we will be working closely with him and using his advice and guidance on interpreting genetic distance in the context of a number of our groupings, and on determining the value of particular avenues of genealogical research. Equally we need advice on the groupings where we should seek further participants to strengthen our genetic knowledge, or where we should extend the test of an existing participant, from 25 to 37 markers for example. Such judgements are difficult to make, but Chris has already made them for his own and other one-name projects and he will help us to move forward more quickly and also to present the results more effectively. With this added dimension to our DNA project, we are entering a very exciting phase in the history of the Society – genetic genealogy opens up many possibilities for furthering our knowledge of Dalton family history and discovering those elusive missing links. I am looking forward with eager anticipation, as the story of these discoveries unfolds over the coming months and years. Forthcoming Events and Meetings As a Society, we are now planning gatherings three years ahead. With the success of Cambridge, Pickering, South Wales, Lancashire and Dublin over the past five years, our numbers have grown and the programmes have been extended and become more ambitious. In order to sustain this, and ensure that we continue to satisfy what is perceived as an ever increasing demand, we have to plan ahead. A full diary of what is planned for 2006 to 2008 is included below and “Daltons in History” will carry further details of all these activities as they are announced. Over these next three years we look forward to the opportunity of meeting many more people who share that common interest in Dalton family history DGS Officers and Committee There are some important changes to the Society’s committee that have taken place since the AGM in July 2005. Sadly Lucy Slater’s health has not been good recently and she has decided that the time has come for her to retire from the committee. I know that you will all want to join me in thanking Lucy for her massive contribution to the Society over a period of 22 years. She became a committee member in 1983 and her energetic and enthusiastic work for the DGS will long be remembered. As Secretary of the Society from 1992 to 2000, she worked very hard keeping in touch with enquirers and members and helping them with their genealogical queries. Alongside all this, she has been a member of the editorial team for the Journal and written a formidable number of articles about Dalton family history. She also organized two very successful gatherings in Cambridge in 1993 and in 2001. We all wish Lucy well. Howard Dalton has indicated his wish to stand down as Treasurer and to retire from the committee. The committee has appointed Mel Irwin as Acting Treasurer until the 2006 AGM, when his name will be proposed formally for election to the position. I want to thank Howard for all the work he has done, mostly behind the scenes, during the past seven years as Treasurer, and prior to that as Assistant Treasurer. He has steered the Society’s finances through a period when our underlying position has steadily improved. Apart from being Treasurer, Howard, who joined the DGS committee as long ago as 1988, organized two excellent Yorkshire Gatherings, one in Scarborough back in 1992 and the second in Pickering in 2002. The committee has invited Sir Geoffrey Dalton to become a committee member and he has been co-opted until the 2006 AGM, when he will be formally proposed and elected. Geoffrey has had a long and distinguished career in the Royal Navy and readers of the Journal may remember an article about him by Pamela Richards published in 1995 (DGSJ Vol 23 pp 34-37). The DGS committee looks forward to having the benefit of Geoffrey’s background and experience. Geoffrey and his wife Jane are hosting the 2006 AGM at their home in the village of Catherington, near Portsmouth and full details will be found elsewhere in this month’s web newsletter. We have also been reviewing how to improve the management of several aspects of the committee’s work. We have re-assigned some responsibilities with Elizabeth Cameron taking over from Millicent Craig as editor of this “Daltons in History” monthly web newsletter, and Michael Cayley joining the editorial team for the Journal in addition to his librarian and archivist duties. Finally I must make mention of Howard J Dalton, our minutes secretary, who has taken on the task of coordinating the arrangements for the 2007 Gathering and AGM, now booked for the weekend of Fri/Sat/Sun 27/28/29 July 2007 in Worcester. You can see that we have been and continue to be very busy on your behalf and I know that you will want to join me in thanking all the committee for undertaking the work that they do for the Society – without their commitment and support, we would be unable even to contemplate many of the ambitious programmers that we now have in hand. The DGS and 2006 2006 promises to be a very busy year for the Society. We have the first ever American DGS Gathering to look forward to in October 2006. This is taking place in Newburyport, Massachusetts and nearby Hampton, New Hampshire. We anticipate large numbers of our North American members being present together with members visiting from the UK, Ireland and other parts of the world. Before that, on Saturday 3 June, 2006 we are holding the Society’s AGM at Catherington, near Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, as already referred to above. In addition the Journal, this monthly web newsletter, the Dalton Data Bank and the regular reports on the DNA project, will all keep you in touch with the Society, and informed about our many activities and events. Altogether an exciting prospect and I am much looking forward to these next 12 months. I hope to meet many of you – old faces and new – in June or October 2006 (or both!) In the meantime, it remains for me to send my best wishes to you all and to reiterate my greetings at the beginning of this letter for Christmas and the New Year. Michael Neale Dalton |
| Venue: Farm Cottage, Catherington, Hampshire Programme for the Day
From 10.45 am Delegates arrive – coffee is served 11.15 am Annual General Meeting – see agenda overleaf 1.00 pm Buffet Lunch is served 2.30 pm Daltons and The Drapers Company – a talk by Geoffrey Dalton 4.00 pm Tea It is hoped that many Society members and their families will be able to attend. In addition to the Annual General Meeting and the talk by Geoffrey Dalton, there will be plenty of opportunity during the course of the day to meet the officers and committee informally, to meet other delegates and to have discussions about Dalton family history. There will be a Dalton Family History display set up, which will be available for viewing throughout the day. A charge of £5 per head will be made for the buffet lunch. This will be collected on the day. Please return the attached slip to Geoffrey Dalton to indicate your intention to attend as soon as possible, and no later than 15 May 2006. Agenda Commencing at 11:15 am 1. Welcome and opening remarks by the Chairman 2. Apologies for absence 3. Minutes of the 2005 Annual General Meeting and matters arising 4. Chairman’s report 5. Treasurer’s report 6. Secretary’s report 7. Election of Officer and Committee 8. Editorial Team report 9. DNA sub committee report 10. Australian Secretary’s report 11. American Secretary’s report 12. Forthcoming Gatherings and AGMs 13. Any other business 14. Close |
| From Millicent V. Craig The Massachusetts Bay Colony Members are cordially invited to attend the AGM to be held in Hampton, NH on October 6, 7, 8, 2006. Our first Dalton colonists from England settled in Hampton in 1635. This line of Daltons was from Suffolk. Philemon, his wife Hannah Cole and their son Samuel, were followed by Philemon’s brother Rev. Timothy, his wife Ruth Leete and their son Timothy. Rev. Timothy had lived for a few months in Watertown, Massachusetts before moving on to Hampton. Numerous articles about this line have been published in the DGS Journals. Registration and a get-acquainted hour will take place on Friday evening for those who can arrive early. On Saturday, historians/speakers from the Hampton Historical Society will present a glimpse of early life in the colony. Philemon through his only child Samuel is the ancestor of virtually all early Daltons who settled in New Hampshire, Maine and northeastern Massachusetts. Also on Saturday there will be a special speaker and the details will be announced at a later date. That evening dinner will be served in the Goody Cole room so named after an unfortunate woman who was tried for witchcraft in the sinking of a ship in the Hampton River and the death of Rev. Timothy’s nephew Emmanuel Hilliard. On Sunday, October 8, the group will motor south about 25 miles to Newburyport, Massachusetts near the mouth of the Merrimac River. The port city thrived with boat building, trading ships, and became the home of wealthy mariners. The town and mansions of the sea captains have been restored and is a charming historical site. There are a few remaining historical sites of Dalton interest. The Dalton House on State Street was the home of the merchant captain, Michael Dalton and his son Tristram a Senator to the First Continental Congress of President Washington. The 1695 home of a Little relative is the earliest preserved homestead in the general area. At the time of writing (November 1, 2005) we await commitments from the Historical Society of Olde Newbury. As soon as a program has been scheduled it will be announced in the DGS web newsletter, "Daltons in History". For those who have never visited New England, you may want to extend your visit with side trips to nearby sites of Pre and Revolutionary War interest. October is a foliage month and tourism in New England is quite heavy. Our AGM will take place on Columbus Day weekend, a three day holiday that includes Monday, October 9, 2006. U.S. members will have an extra day to return home for their work schedules. Accommodations have been secured for all 30 rooms at Lamie’s Inn and Tavern located at 490 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH 03842. The Inn is an historical clapboard residence and the guest rooms are furnished in colonial period. It’s history and photos may be viewed at: http://www.oldsaltnh.com. A group rate of $115.00 per room per night includes ample continental breakfast and queen size or two standard beds per room. Overflow will be arranged at an Inn less than half a mile away. The full announcement with specific details will appear in the February 2006 issue of the DGS newsletter, "Daltons in History" and in the Spring DGS Journal. This is an opportunity for members from all parts of the world to become acquainted and to share their ancestral histories. You may direct your queries to: Millicenty@aol.com |
| From Millcent Craig During the month of November 2005, another 1800 surnames were added to the Dalton Data Bank by DGS member and extractor Mike Dalton of Oregon. There are some important highlights in the files of Westmeath and Meath that can add to the overall knowledge of Irish Daltons plus some observations from your editor. The files are located under the Republic of Ireland. Notes on Westmeath This Dalton Data Bank file is a most valuable source for identifying 17th Century Daltons in the County of Westmeath. Property records and original survey maps were destroyed by fire in 1771. A 1647 Civil Survey of Land Proprietors was compiled from surviving records by James C. Lyons in 1852. Also compiled by Lyons was the forfeiture of estates. In 1653, a Cromwellian edict divided Ireland into two parts. Irish landowners of Catholic or Gaeilc descent were to be transplanted west of the Shannon River in County Clare and the less arable province of Connaught. Lands east of the river were for landlords and colonists who were of English or Scottish origin. Small landowners in what is now Northern Ireland fared better. In the County of Westmeath, Daltons forfeited 8,000 acres of land. The Down Survey of 10 September 1662 details to whom the lands were to be deposed or forfeited. Certificates indicate the profitable lands deposed or forfeited to Cromwellian adventurers, soldiers and their assignees per 1653 ordinances from 1666 to 1668. Others were in fee by Decree and a 1663 Certificate of Innocence deposing lands in favour of restoration to the original proprietor. Some of these lands were later forfeited or lost. Unprofitable plantations or bog lands were exempt from the transactions. In the transactions 2650 acres were forfeited to James Stuart, Duke of Yorke. By reading the transactions, one begins to understand why Daltons suddenly appeared in places such as County Clare or Galway without a prior history of Daltons in the area. One recognizes the Daltons of Umma More and perhaps a descendent of the “Old” Dalton relative of the Magans who was immortalized in “A History of an Ancient Family and their Country” by William Magan and published in 1993. Two hundred years later in Griffith‘s Valuation of 1851, there were very few Daltons with more than 100 acres; most had under ten acres and several had a house only. Daltons had begun to leave prior to the potato famine for Canada, Australia, Argentina and the U. S. Virtually all Argentinian Daltons have roots in Westmeath. More and more with Westmeath root are surfacing in the U. S. Notes from Meath On a tour of Ireland last summer, the search for the earliest Daltons led to Meath. Sir Hugh de Lacy was the first governor of Meath and later Governor of Ireland. Sir Walter de Aliton followed as governor of Meath although the exact year has not been discovered. Hoping that there would be a connection between these two men that would add to our knowledge, I visited Trim Castle, the home of the de Lacys. This unusual castle, now restored, was built in the shape of a cross. On the extensive lands, were the ruins of many large stone buildings, but there was no indication of their purpose nor who may have occupied them. A stop at the Historical Society in Trim and a meeting with the historian yielded little more information although he did provide the names of Daltons who were registered in the 1225 Dublin Guild Rolls. He is working on a history of the de Lacys and it will require another two years to complete his work. Perhaps there will be some de Aliton/Dalton clues in it. A visit with an elderly shopkeeper yielded a bit of information about the lands of the castle prior to the 20th Century. The castle estate had comprised some 12, 000 acres and the shopkeeper’s ancestors had been serfs on the land. I asked about Daltons in the area and only one was known. When perusing the file of Meath Daltons it was surprising to see so many Daltons who were living on the Castle acreage in the 19th Century and yet only three appeared in Griffiths Valuation of 1851 with a house but no acreage. There were also numerous Daltons in the Navan area, the ancestral home of many of our American Daltons. Old, detailed maps show a Daltonstown listed east and south of Navan. Locals in the area had no knowledge of it. One shopkeeper made some telephone calls and gave directions to a secluded lane a few miles away. Tucked down the lane and obscured by the growth of tall, thick bushes was a very large brick house that had obviously been restored. There probably were 100 or more acres of farmland and forest One historical reference stated that a Dalton Castle had occupied the lands and all that remained was a pile of stone rubble. We have yet to find more information on this site but will keep searching in our never ending quest to learn more about the Irish Daltons. Queens or Laois This file contains about 200 surnames in 19th Century entries. The list of Tithe Applotments combined with the birth and marriage information, give a clear picture of the exact location of many Daltons and their families. |
| In the course of researching her Peter Dalton, DGS member, Theckla Constable Ledyard has extracted mentions of other Peter Daltons who may be one of your relatives. These extractions give a glimpse into the social and political life of the times. Our appreciation is extended to Theckla for her thoughtfulness.. Aug 6, 1868 Claims against Peter Dalton, late of the City of Brooklyn by Charlotte Dalton, Administratrix – Dated Mar. 4, 1868. Jun 18, 1872 Yachting – Jersey City Spring regatta – 2nd Class – the Sophie, owned by Peter Dalton. Jan 27, 1882 Peter Dalton, professed to be a stranger in the country, was employed by a Van Brunt Stree junk dealer and robbed him of a $60 gold watch and chain, is held for Grand Jury May 14, 1882 Reception by Young Men’s Catholic Library Assoc. Floor committee: Patrick H. Dalton. Reception: Peter F. Dalton. Officers are: Peter F. Dalton, Treasurer. Aug 11, 1882 Peter Dalton – guest at Clarendon Literary Union 2nd annual beach party. Dec 27, 1882 Most Imortant Arrests of the Year: On Jan 26 (1882) Peter Dalton, age 18 yrs. For stealing gold watch and chain, sent to House of Refyge. Aug 8, 1885 Sixthe annual beach part of the Clarendon Literary Union. Attending: P. H. Dalton. Gentleman in charge: Peter F. Dalton. Jan 11, 1887 Annual Ball of the Daniel J. Kelly Assoc. – Peter Dalton – President. Also, Peter Dalton floor manager for the ball. Jan 11, 1887 At the meeting of Court Sympathy No. 7,576 A. O. F., Past Chief Ranger Brother, Peter D. Dalton addressed the meeting. Sep 24, 1888 Tenth Ward Hill Men – delegates elected to the Troy convention were: Peter F. Dalton, etc. Oct 20, 1888 Peter T. Dalton at a meeting of Democrats was chosen Secretary. Dec 8 1888 Tickets named by Democrats. Tenth Ward Financial Committees: Peter J. Dalton, Third District Jan 6, 1889 Tenth Ward Democrats make Merry – Peter T. Dalton Presiden of Young Men’s David B. Hill Club of Tenth Ward. July 16, 1889 United Marble Workers Annual Picnic at Bay View – Peter T. Dalton – President of United Marble Workers (Brooklyn) Nov 19, 1889 Peter D. Dalton on reception committee and also arrangements committee for Court Sympathy, A. O. F, of A., annual reception at Saengerbund Hall. Dec 21, 1893 National Assn of Marble Cutters and Settlers of America closed it’s 3 day Annual convention. Peter T. Dalton was on Committee in Charge. Jun 17, 1896 Reform Delegates elected – Peter F. Dalton elected delegate from 8th District to go to Chicago. Mar 4, 1899 Manhattan Ave. e. s. 150 ft. n. Box St. 25x 100 h. & l Peter Dalton and Josephine O’Mara to Daniel and Richard O” Mara Jr. – nom. Mar 17, 1899 Kent St. n. s. 350 ft. e Manhattan Ave. 25x100 h & 1 John A. Sherwood to Peter Dalton Apr 30,. 1899 Favot for Brave Prisoners – Blackwell Island Hospital Fire – Governor may restore citizenship to some (prisoners). List of others forward to Governor, Peter Dalton on list (unclear from article whether he was among the prisoners helping pull patients from hospital, or a citizen helper). Feb 8, 1900 Conveyances on Feb 7: Bergen St. n s, 53 ft. w Grand Ave., runs w 22 x n 110 x e 1.7 x s 57.7, Peter F. Dalton, to his wife Ellen, all liens - gift. Feb 18, 1900 Peter T. Dalton. Peter T. Dalton, a life long resident of the Tenth Ward, died at his home, 346 Baltin St., Wed. in his 44th year. He was an active Democrat and a member of the Irioquois Club of the Tenth Ward; prominent in the Marble Cutters Union, connected with St. Agnes’ Church. His wife and three children survive him. 1901 – Peter J. Dalton died in New York City. |
| Our appreciation is extended to DGS Archivist, Michael Cayley for the following entries of Daltons who were associated with the medical profession. Dalton, Henry Neale, 203 Selhurst Rd, South Norwood, SE - MD London 1873,
MB Dalton, Henry Charsles Fitzgerald, c/o Eastern Telegraphic Co, Winchester Dalton, Norman, 4 Mansfield Street, Cavendish Square, W - MD London 1882,
MB |
| After nine years of editing the monthly DGS Newsletter, "Daltons in History", it is time to move on to other things. As you well know, in addition to secretarial duties, answering queries, coordinating the Dalton International DNA Project, and being responsible for the content of three web sites, I have taken responsibility for the first Annual Gathering and Meeting of Daltons in America on October 6, 7, 8, 2006 to be held in Hampton, NH and in Newburyport, MA. We are in the process of putting together an interesting and enjoyable week-end for all Dalton members and their friends. Details will be announced in the February 2006 issue of "Daltons in History". Through these nine years the success of this newsletter and its continuing growth in readership can be attributed to all DGS members (and non-members) throughout the world who have made and continue to make contributions to its content. Please continue doing so with your new editor of "Daltons in History", Elizabeth Cameron of Perthshire, Scotland. Liz has been a member of the editorial team of the DGS Journal and looks forward to hearing from you. You may contact her at: lizathope@aol.com. My daughter, Mary Louise Weber-Elias will continue as your web master for the coming year. I expect to continue contributing items of interest to "Daltons in History" and will remain in contact with our increasing membership in North America. If you have not sent your membership renewal, please do so as I close the books for 2005 on December 15. For now I wish you a very happy Christmas with your Dalton families and trust that the professional guidance afforded by the DNA project will open new doors for family research. |