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From: Jane Yeager <>
Subject: [FREEMAN-L] Bernice/TX-Houston/Giddings?
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2003 16:26:44 -0400


Hi
I've exhausted myself researching/reading online and in the state
library here in NC, so will ask this list. My ggrandfather, Wm E
HITCHINGS (b. 1867, Newton co IN) and Bernice FREEMAN (b. 1854,
OH/MI/TX?) married in 1888. I have no documentation on her - all my
dates, her name, and info come through family and some newspaper obits
(Wm and children - not her!) As a young man, Wm traveled - spent time
in CA and TX before marrying Bernice. We don't know if he met her in IN,
CA, TX or somewhere inbetween. Her children's census records all report
that their mother was born in OH, MI or TX. The family has always said
that they went to Giddings, TX - before or after their marriage? - where
she had "family". I have what may be a wedding photo done by Anderson's
photographers in Houston with their address (when?) listed on the back
as 19 Union St, Houston - in my ggrandfather's handwriting.

Bernice supposedly died in August1899 (some say 98) and my ggrandfather
headed back with 4 of 5 children (we guess one died?) - Leroy, Delmer,
Clair, Hilda(h?) to IN. Through 3 of their obits I have learned that one
child claimed to be born in Giddings, 2 near Houston. I won't list all
the research I have done - mostly online for TX, on the spot in Newton
co. Unfortunately, Wm and Bernice were married and Wm widowed between
the 1880 and 1900 censuses. And all 4 of their children died before
1986. Most of the family knows less than I do at this point. It looks as
though my next step may be to find the time to get to Houston!

There is a chance that Freeman may be Bernice's married name - or that
she may have married a second time under the Freeman name through a
previous marriage. If the birth date is correct, she would have been
around 34 when they married - awfully late for a first marriage.

An older relative also seems to remember the "DENISON" name having
something to do with Bernice. Thought I'd add that just in case it rings
a bell. I've found no connection yet.

Hoping someone sees something familiar in all of this!

Thanks
Jane - in NC

(the "l" before the 7 is a lower case "L")


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