Crawford County, Pennsylvania


Courthouse
ADOPTIONS

    Adoption was unknown to the common law, and introduced into Pennsylvania only in 1855.1  Its primary purpose was probably to provide inheritance rights to those childern who were not the legitimate biological issue of their parents.  Previously, unless provisions were made in a valid will, such children could not inherit from their parents, nor from anyone with whom they lived, without a special act of the state legislature.

    The procedure instituted was for the adopting parent or parents to present a petition to the county court.  The 1855 act did not specify which court, and hence petitions can be found in both the orphans' and common pleas court records.

    Following is a list, in chronological order, of all nineteenth century adoption cases filed in Crawford County.  Most of the earlier cases were abstracted in the journal Crawford County Genealogy at Volume 12 (1989), pages 1-12, ending with the 1881 adoption of Charles Smock.  The Smock papers were erroneously reported there as missing, due to an incorrect case number, and hence the abstracts provided here commence with that adoption.  Cases from the 1890s have also been abstracted, and will be added at a later date.

    Omitted in the abstracts are all boilerplate phrases, such as "that he will perform all the duties of a parent toward the said minor"; parental consents, however, are printed verbatim.  All petitions and affidavits were acknowledged in Crawford County unless otherwise noted.

Case # App. Dk. Adopting Parent(s) Child(ren) New Name
#98 Aug. T. 1859 30:317 Aaron Sutton Ruth Sutton
#13 Feb. T. 1863 34:7 Stephen A. & Thankful T. Nichols Edis Henrietta Metcalf Edis Henrietta Nichols
#8 April T. 1863 34:98 Cyrus Hills Eva M. Tryon Eva M. Hills
Orphans'Court
#22 Feb. T. 1867		   John Johnson J. Ann Mickle Frankie Johnson
#32 Feb. T. 1867 39:17 Layfatte Edson Morris Oles Harris Edson
#66 June T. 1867 40:36 F.M. Robinson Williard Teasdale Williard Sewel Robinson
#209 Sept. T. 1867 40:443 Joel N. & Sarah E. Angier Minnie Hale Minnie Angier
#33 Jan. T. 1868 41:24 M. F. McLean Mary Darnhefer/Dorneifer Mary McLean
#9 April T. 1868 41:405 W.H. Merrick Allice Bell Allice Bell Merrick
#12 April T. 1868 41:406 A.D. White Martha Jane Ortore Martha Bell White
#53 June T. 1868 42:38 James E. & Catharine Holly Mary Elen Sears Mary Elen Holly
#13 Jan. T. 1869 43:11 O.D. Haven Eleanor Bertha Wilton Bertha Dunreath Brown Haven
#14 Jan. T. 1869 43:12 E.W. Luce Mary Rice Mary Luce
#15 Jan. T. 1869 43:13 Geo. Long Hattie Johnson Hattie Long
#102 Jan. T. 1869 43:88 John McKelvey Elizabeth Wilson Elizabeth Wilson McKelvey
#35 April T. 1869 43:461 E.W. Luce Frank Thompson Frank Thompson Luce
#59 April T. 1869 43:483 Hugh McClintock Emma Bird Curry Emma Bird McClintock
#62 Sept. T. 1869 44:309 George Hower Anna Maria Messenger
#105 Sept. T. 1869 44:345 Charles E. Tracy Katie Palmer Katie Tracy
#31 Jan. T. 1870 45:27 John & C./Rety A. Mooney Ida Orn Ida Orn Mooney
#118 Jan. T. 1870 45:108 Charles S. Stopp Hugh Doutt Hugh Doutt Stopp
#134 April T. 1871 47:507 John D. Bates Ina Viola Bates Ina Viola Bates
#16 Nov. T. 1871 48:448 Joseph Hembry Joseph, child of Wm. Clay Joseph Hembry
#17 Nov. T. 1871 48:449 Mark Murphy Mary Murphy Mary Murphy
#12 Jan. T. 1872 49:12 Naham R. & Sarah A. Golden Jennie May Ames Jennie May Golden
#39 April T. 1872 49:405 Samuel Peterson Hattie Nickerson Hattie Peterson
#210 April T. 1872 49:525 Wm. W. & Laura K. Bloss Independence Foley Violet Bloss
#70 Aug. T. 1872 50:55 James B. & Angeline A. Pastoris John Swift Dorsey Pastorius
#151 Aug. T. 1872 50:115 Joel & Harriet E. Hites John William Peterson John William Hites
#25 Jan. T. 1873 51:25 Adrian A. & Arethusa F. Burrows Harriet May Compton Eva Arethusa Burrows
#211 April T. 1873 51:557 James Flynn Farn Grant Klingensmith Frank Grant Flynn
#66 Nov. T. 1873 52:535 Peter Shaffer Frances Hope Frances Shaffer
#85 Nov. T. 1873 52:545 John D. Bates Minnie Betsy Boyle Minnie Betsy Bates
#102 Jan. T. 1874 53:100 J. N. & M. A. Kerr John Atwell John Atwell Kerr
#42 April T. 1874 53:468 John & Margaret Wormald Sarah E. Crider Sarah E. Wormald
#128 April T. 1874 53:521 Jason T. Waid Jason Edgar Winton Jason Edgar Waid
#139 Nov. T. 1874 54:622 Charles M. Johnson Edith E. Dunlap Edith E. Johnson
#25 April T. 1875 56:25 Joseph Gerlach Emma Geckel Emma Gerlach
#113 Aug. T. 1875 57:113 James E. & Elvira N. Davison Charles H. and Flora A. Seeley Charles H. Davison and Flora A. Davison
#65 Jan. T. 1877 63:65 Homer M. Sackett Jesse Lee Jesse Lee Sackett
#75 Jan.. T. 1877 63::75 Henryt W. Gross William Henry Martin William Henry Gross
#192 April T. 1877 64:192 W. F. & Ann M. McLean Edward Oakley Edward Oakley McLean
#106 Aug. T. 1877 65:106 John Wesley Baker Maggie E. Pettegrew Maggie E. Baker
#55 Jan. T. 1878 67:55 C. A. Lowrey Lutie W. Cobb Lutie W. Lowrey
#89 Nov. T. 1878 70:89 John Schick Henry Harley Wilkinson Henry Harley Schick
#90 Nov. T. 1878 70:90 Thomas Robinson Emma Wilkinson Emma Robinson
#145 Feb. T. 1879 71:145 Henry Foust male child, parents unknown Elmer Ellsworh Foust
#84 May T. 1879 72:84 John F. & Anna S. Teige Harry/Harvy Laughlin Harry/Harvy Teege
#138 May T. 1879 72:138 John J. & A. P. Young Hattie Deichman Hattie Young
#9 Feb. 1880 75:9 Wm. Wirt Chase Ethel Hoff Ethel Hoff Chase
#30 May T. 1880 76:30 C. N. Daniels Floy Hills Floy Daniels
#57 May T. 1880 76:57 J. C. Wilcox Rosa C. Henry Rosa C. Wilcox
#77 Sept. 1880 77:77 Charles & Elizabeth Cannell Frankie M. Harris Frankie M. Cannell
#89 Nov. T. 1880 78:89 Geo. F. Ellis Ethel Smith Ethel Ellis
#50 Feb. T. 1881 79:50 Homer E. & Laura A. Powell Ernest Sinclair Ernest G. Powell
#51 Feb. T. 1881 79:51 Charles W. Todd Henry W. Miller Henry W. Todd
#76 Feb. T. 1881 79:76 Simon J. & Delilah Peters Charles Smock Charles Peters
#1 Sept. T. 1881 81:1 David Fordyce & wife Grace Woodworth Grace Fordyce
#2 Sept. T. 1881 81:2 Robert & Almira Isaacs Almira Melvin Almira Melvin Isaacs
#72 Sept. T. 1881 81:72 David Nelson & Nancy S. Steiner David Carson Pattan David Carson Steiner
#9 Nov. T. 1881 82:9 John J. Smith Arnold Ammond John Arnold Smith
#85 Nov. T. 1881 82:85 James Baker Rollin Messenger Rollin Baker
#86 Feb. T. 1882 83:86 Ulisses Oscar & Sarah S. Bunting Annie Elizabeth Schot Annie Elizabeth Bunting
#87 Feb. T. 1882 83:87 Byron S. & Emiline B. Childs Maud L. Hyatt Maud L. Childs
#7 May T. 1882 84:7 Ezra I. & Harriet A. Smith Frederic Alfred Sutley Frederick Alfred Smith
#58 May T. 1882 84:58 Henry J. Dewey Walter Smith Walter Dewey
#59 May T. 1882 84:59 George H. & Delila Day Nellie Post Nellie Day
#60 May T. 1882 84:60 Thomas W. & Emily J. Henry Charles Brion Charles Henry
#19 Nov. T. 1882 86:19 George R. Joslin Myrtie Emory Myrtie Jocelyn
#42 Nov. T. 1882 86:42 A.C. Carpenter Bertha A. Dunlap Bertha A. Carpenter
#4 Feb. T. 1883 87:4 Daniel & Prescilla Weikal Gertrude Zimmerman Gertrude Weikal
#49 Feb. T. 1883 87:49 C. J. & Martha J. Dennington Hattie Grace Wilder Hattie Grace Dennington
#100 Feb. T. 1883 87:100 James & Susan Knappenberger Lilly Lowell Lilly Knappenberger
#84 May T. 1883 88:84 Walter L. & Harriet S. Davis Maggie H. Hancock Aggie H. Davis
#28 Sept. T. 1883 89:29 James M. & Hannah McElhaney Robert A. McMichael Robert Archibald McElhaney
#6 Nov. T. 1883 90:6 Charles H. & Sarah L. Davison Nora Ralston Davenport Nora Davison
#16 May T. 1884 92:16 H. M. Cutshall Gertrude J. Kennedy Gertrude J. Cutshall
#25 May T. 1884 92:25 Michael & Catherine Condon infant male Joseph Raphael Theodore Condon
#14 Sept. T. 1884 93:14 Wellington Cummings Edith Cummings Heron Edith Herron Cummings
#15 Sept. T. 1884 93:15 Horace W. & Christine C. Canfield Lettie Smith Mattie Canfield
#7 Nov. T. 1884 94:7 Nicholas W. Shrivers Bessie M. Collins Bessie M. Showers
#16 Nov. T. 1884 94:16 Wm. A. Davenport Blanche Palmer Blanche Davenport
#14 Feb. T. 1885 95:14 Arthur C. & Lucy A. Gorton Orlando [Morris] Orlando Gorton
#50 Feb. T. 1885 95:50 Wellington S. Brown Oland Holeman Oland Brown
#9 Nov. T. 1885 98:9 John S. Bell Louis Miers Louis Ball
#12 Nov. T. 1885 98:12 Hillora & Elizabeth Newhard Maggie Elizabeth Vicker Maggie Elizabth Newhard
#8 Feb. T. 1886 99:8 Joseph B. Butler Frank Gilliland, Jr. Frank Clemons Butler
#9 Feb. T. 1886 99:9 Enos C. & Dorcas Brown Estella Cox Estella Brown
#29 Feb. T. 1886 99:29 Oliver Saeger Dora -- Laura Darrie Saeger
#43 May T. 1886 100:29 L. G. Waldo & wife Harry N. Neagley Harry N. Waldo
#131 May T. 1886 100:116 Everett H. Ketchum Nellie F. and Lewis K. Abbott [Nellie F. and Lewis K.] Ketchum
#3 Sept. T. 1886 101:3 Wm. & Margaret Breene Annie Ryan Annie Breene
#30 Nov. T. 1886 102:30 Willie Philander & Nellie Wood [male] Loper William Philander Wood
#36 Nov. T. 1886 102:36 Thomas J Patterson Virginia Z. Lemon Virginia Z. Patterson
#4 Feb. T. 1887 103:4 George E. Fish Lizzie Capers Lizzie Fish
#53 May T. 1887 104:53 John Myers Cass Lowman [Cass Myers]
#87 May T. 1887 104:87 M. P. Foreman Donald C. Foreman Donald C. Foreman
#64 Sept. T. 1887 105:64 Joseph W. Fogle Joseph Arthur Wagoner Joseph Arrthur Fogle
#38 Nov. T. 1887 106:38 George May Alice Theresa Groves Alice Theresa May
#6 Feb. T. 1888 107:6 Francis D. & Charlotte Menold Charlotte Rose Charlotte Menold
#7 Feb. T. 1888 107:7 G. D. Hall Bruce W. Wells [Bruce W. Wells?]
#19 Feb. T. 1888 107:19 Solomon & Louisa Goldstine Charles S. Wolstein Charles S. Goldstein
#138 Sept. T. 1888 109:138 George B. Conover Buna Belle Plue Buna Belle Conover
#6 Nov. T. 1888 110:6 Jackson Clark & wife George Henry George Henry Clark
#4 Feb. T. 1889 111:5 Solon E. Hubbard Ernest Glenn Hubbard Ernest Glenn Hubbard
#15 Feb. T. 1889 111:15 Clark R. Heliker Elwin Lester Young Edwin Lester Helleker
#91 Feb. T. 1889 111:91 William M. & Catharine Wallace Helena Gallagher Helena Wallace
#3 Sept. T. 1889 113:3 Jesse Jones Mattie Vandervort Mattie Jones
#9 Sept. T. 1889 113:9 Peter Kline Adda Viola Perrette [Ada Viola?] Kline
#18 Sept. T. 1889 113:18 J. C. Munger Charles Munger Charles Munger
#87 Sept. T. 1889 113:87 William J. Jackson Sylvester Ladd Sylvester Ladd Jackson
#88 Sept. T. 1889 113:88 William Dietrich Samuel Lafayette Dietrich Samuel Lafayette Dietrich
#89 Sept. T. 1889 113:89 John M. Strong William J. Strong William J. Strong
#29 Nov. T. 1889 114:29 Austin A. & Rose Fowler Adalaide Francis Johnston Adalaide Francis Fowler
#41 Nov. T. 1889 114:41 John W. Oakes Mabel Beabont Maude Pearl Oakes
#2 May T. 1890 116:2 W. S. Struble Lillian Grace -- Lillian Grace Strubble
#22 Sept. T. 1890 117:22 Jonathan L. Kingsbury Grace Sibley Grace Kingsbury
#23 Sept. T. 1890 117:23 Jonathan L. Kingsbury Hattie Burgess Hattie Kingsbury
#23 Nov. T. 1890 118:23 George W. & Phebe A. Brown Clara C. Thomas Clara C. Brown
#6 Feb. T. 1891 119:6 David A. Marley John Smith [John] Marley
#55 Feb. T. 1891 119:55 John M. Chapin Mary Hazel DeLo [Mary Hazel] Chapin
#56 Feb. T. 1891 119:56 Geo. S. Bancroft Leo Stowell Fahey [Leo Stowell] Bancroft
#13 Sept. T. 1891 121:13 Stiles L. & M. Jennie Miner Myra Blashke Leah Charline Miner
#93 Sept. T. 1891 121:93 Bradford & Cora Bell Carr Ruth Hamilton Ruth Carr
#5 Nov. T. 1891 122:5 Hulbert J. Keenan Floy Etta Ralya Floy Etta Keenan
#8 Nov. T. 1891 122:8 C. W. Mickle Calla Irene Lee Calla Irene Mickle
#9 Nov. T. 1891 122:9 F. L. Page James Milliman James Page
#17 Nov. T. 1891 122:17 John Francis & Ida Mary Weaver Kate DeLawder Goldie May Weaver
#23 Nov .T. 1891 122:23 Amos W. & Adda Birch Pearl M -- Bessie Pearl Birch
#36 Nov. T. 1891 122:36 George W. Green Emma Headley Emma H. Green
#46 Feb. T. 1892 123:46 John K. & Libbie Hurst Helen Hoffman Hellen May Hurst
#52 Feb. T. 1892 123:52 Wilhelm G. Koessling Maria Koessling Maria Koessling
#56 Feb. T. 1892 123:56 A. M. & Sarah Peebles unknown female infant Ethel Peebles
#99 Feb. T. 1892 123:100 John & Mary Jane Graham Miss Elsie Platt Elsie Graham
#86 May T. 1892 124:86 Joseph B. Butler Grace Johns Grace Butler
#4 Sept. T. 1892 125:4 Gregor Loeslein John and Mary Guenther [John and Mary] Loeslein
#8 Sept. T. 1892 125:8 Thomas J. Blystone Harry B. Hackett Harry B. Blystone
#14 Nov. T. 1892 126:14 James Johnson Ray Corey James Johnson, Jr.
#43 Nov. T. 1892 126:43 John G. McFeeters Milo Cameron Crowe Milo Cameron Crowe McFeeters
#64 Nov. T. 1892 126:64 James G. & Clara Holden Clair [Clais?] E. Hofius Clair E. Holden
#9 Feb. T. 1893 127:9 T. H. Baker Hattie R. Dudley Hattie R. Baker
#100 May T. 1893 128:100 Wilson S. Smith Alice C. Erickson Alice C. Smith
#17 Sept. T. 1893 129:17 Joseph H. & Lydia L. Garwood infant dau. of Irene Owen Ruth Garwood
#18 Sept. T. 1893 129:18 G. H. Koessling Calvin Roan Calvin Koessling
#35 Sept. T. 1893 129:35 William Johnson Maggie Ayton Maggie Johnson
#36 Sept. T. 1893 129:36 Henry Smallenberger Dauphine Eloise Carson Dauphine Eloise Smalenberger
#51 Feb. T. 1894 131:51 J. C. Leslie infant Gwendolin Leslie
#29 May T. 1894 132:29 J. S. Bradley May Shellito May Bradley
#56 Sept.T. 1894 132:56 James T. & Martha J. Reed infant Nellie Georgia Reed
#81 Sept.T. 1894 132:81 Stephen F. Locke Claude Eugene Calkins [Stephen F.] Locke
#1 Nov. T. 1894 134:1 Homer D. Trace Arthur Storey Pulford Arthur Storey Trace
#92 Feb. T. 1895 135:92 Morgan S. Lewis Nellie Annie Fisher Nellie Annie Lewis
#119 Feb. T. 1895 135:119 John Morrow Myrtle Peck Slater Myrtle Mildred Morrow
#42 Nov. T. 1895 138:42 Mary Shellito Lizzie Robinson [Lizzie] Shellito
#43 Nov. T. 1895 138:43 Edith M. Gussmann Kenneth Paul Wagoner [Kenneth Paul] Gussmann
#85 Nov. T. 1895 138:85 Mary C. Condon Loretta Roberts Loretta Roberts
#11 May T. 1896 140:11 J. F. & Martha J. Wingate Frances Monell Frances Wingate
#18 Sept. T. 1896 141:18 Martin W. & Jennie R. Black Robert Addison McKee Robert Addison Black
#28 Sept. T. 1896 141:28   Linsey Cleveland Efaw Linsey Cleveland Potter
#114 Sept. T. 1896 141:114 Martin G. Bentley Martin Clark Shellito [Martin Clark?] Bentley
#115 Sept. T. 1896 141:115 Jeremiah B. & Mary J. Smith Harriet Celestia Robinault Harriet C. Smith
#6 Nov. T. 1896 142:6 Thomas G. & Dell McFeeters Nelly May Anderson Nelly May McFeeters
#107 Feb. T. 1897 143:107 Allen O. Trace Pearl M. McQuiston Pearl M. Trace
#7 May T. 1897 144:7 Sanford Hammon son of Celestia Murphy Clinton DeWitt Hammon
#69 May T. 1897 144:69 Miles Mickle Hazel Allere Hathaway Hazel Allene Mickle
#2 Sept. T. 1897 145:2 Ferris Wilcox Alice Elizabeth Johnson Anna Elizabeth Wilcox
#126 Sept. T. 1897 145:126 Charles Allen Josephine Tolbert Josephine Allen
#3 Feb. T. 1898 147:3 Ancil Hurlburt Hattie Goldie St. John Goldie Marguerite Hurlburt
#8 May T. 1898 148:8 Truman W. Walker Denver Greenfield Denver Walker
#1 Nov. T. 1898 150:1 M. E. Monroe Mabel Ruth Hatch Mable Ruth Monroe
#5 Nov. T. 1898 150:5 James H. & Mary Maxwell Mearl Eaton Merle Mazwell
#97 Nov. T. 1898 150:97 Andrew Appel Bell Sherred Bell Appel
#1 Feb. T. 1899 151:1 Isaac Onspaugh Victor Allen Crane Victor Allen Crane
#58 Feb. T. 1899 151:58 Charles & Margaret Dupont Dudley J. Dupont Dudley J. Dupont
#105 Feb. T. 1899 151:105 John Mosier Lester J Acker Lester J. Mosier
#137 May T. 1899 152:137 Gustouf Herman Koessling & Louise Ethel May Davis Henrietta Koessling
#14 Sept. T. 1899 153:14 Wm. H. Landon Clare Raymond [Landon] [Clare Raymond] Landon
#19 Sept. T. 1899 153:19 Jesse E. Parker Ethel May Dewey Ethel May Parker
#42 Sept. T. 1899 153:42 Wm. H. Landon Lillian Landon Lillian Landon
#57 Sept. T. 1899 153:57 Nancy Burns Susie McNamara Susie Burns
#81 Nov. T. 1899 154:81 Charles H. Morgan Bessie Gay Bessie Morgan
#97 Feb. T. 1900 155:97 Henry & Sabra Langley Lena May Birchard  
#107 Feb. T. 1900 155:107 Julius & Lida Merriam Margarite Gibbens Helen Margarite Merriam
#108 Feb. T. 1900 155:108 Henry J. & Anna Abel Johanna Sophia Knecht Johanna Sophia Abel
#3 May T. 1900 156:3 Arthur S. Pears Thomas Todd Gay Thomas Todd Pears
#22 Sept. 1900 157:22 Elizabeth Carr Willie and Jessie Merchant [Willie and Jessie] Carr
#48 Sept. 1900 157:48 B. S. Waid Merle E. Holmes [Marie E.] Waid
1 Section 7, Act No. 456, "Relating to certain duties and rights of Husband and Wife, and Parents and Children," 1855 Pa. Laws 430 (approved 4 May 1855).   RETURN