Joseph M. Flora1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 20439, (abt 1810 - 1877)
FatherGeorge Flora4 (12 Apr 1784 - 25 Jan 1861)
MotherRebecca Simpson5 (10 Apr 1790 - 17 Feb 1873)

Key Events:

Birth: about 12 Sep 1810, Pennsylvania6,7,8
Marriage: Naomi Catherine Shilling (16 Apr 1835 - 9 May 1918)9,10
Death: 1 Jun 187711
Burial: 3 Jun 1877, Funkstown, Maryland12
ChartsDescendants of David Dutt/Toot
AncestryThe Dutt/Toot Family

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Joseph M. Flora was born about 12 Sep 1810 in Pennsylvania.6,7,8
     He was probably the male age 20 to 30 listed in the household of his father, George Flora, in the 1840 Federal Census of Air Twp., Bedford Co., Pennsylvania.13
     Joseph appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Ayr Twp., Fulton Co., Pennsylvania, enumerated 8 Aug 1850, in the household of George McCullough, a farmer, and his family. He and another man, John Glen, are shown as laborers presumably working on the farm.14
     Joseph married Naomi Catherine Shilling, daughter of David Shilling and Nancy Siderstick.9,10
     Joseph was named executor and an heir in the will of George Flora, his father, dated 19 Jan 1858, to receive, after the death of their mother, an equal share with his brother Elias of the proceeds from the sale of all their father's property.4
     Joseph moved across the state line to Maryland by 1860, presumably some time before as it appears he married there.
     Joseph and Naomi appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Funkstown, Washington Co., Maryland, enumerated 23 Jun 1860, reporting real estate valued at $600 and personal estate of $200.15
     Joseph and Naomi appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Funkstown, Washington Co., Maryland, enumerated 25 Jul 1870, reporting real estate valued at $1,900 and personal estate of $350.16
     Joseph and Naomi sold to his brother Elias his interest in the property inherited from their father in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, on 27 Feb 1873. The property included four lots of one-quarter acre each at Market and 3rd Sts., as well as any personal property belonging to the estate. Joseph also released his claim against the estate for "a large sum of money" for debts he had paid. He received $400 from his brother in payment.17
     He was a laborer, sometimes working on a farm, and unable to sign his name. Nevertheless he managed to accumulate significant assets for the time.18,19,20,21
     Joseph left a will dated 29 May 1877, in which he appointed his friend Victor H. Newcomer as executor. After payment of his debts, he directed that all the rents and profits from his estate, and some of the principal if needed, be paid to his wife Naomi for her life or widowhood. At her death or marriage he gave to his brother George all his real property in Funkstown, consisting of a brick house on a half lot, and a full lot with a log house. He left $50 to the Lutheren Church in McConnelsburg, Pennsylvania, and the same to the Methodist Church in Funkstown. All the rest of his property that remained after the death or re-marriage of his wife was to be shared equally by his sisters Catherine and Margaret.22
     Joseph died on 1 Jun 1877.11 He was buried on 3 Jun 1877 in Funkstown, Maryland.12 His estate was probated on 17 Jul 1877 in Washington Co., Maryland.23
     An inventory of his estate was authorized by the court on 24 Jul 1877 and filed by the appraisers on 28 Aug 1877. The total value was set at $155.57 consisting of household furnishings, kitchen equipment, and garden tools.24 His executor filed his accounting of the estate with the court on 30 Apr 1878. He reported collecting over $2,000 for notes due Joseph from six individuals. They included one for $250 from his brother George and $400 from his brother Elias. He had paid out $723, including $85 for the coffin, $120 for the tombstone, $201 for his own fee, and $136 in interest paid to the widow since her husband's death. This left $1,362 in cash and the value of the household goods in the estate.25

Children:
     Children with Naomi Catherine Shilling:

Bunderman shows Joseph and Naomi with a daughter Emma, with no further information. No child appears with them in the 1860 or 1870 census, and in 1900 she reported having had no children. His will left his property after the death of his wife to his brother and two sisters. More likely "Emma" was actually Naomi, who appears to have been known by that nickname. She is listed by that name in the 1870 census, and in the deed she and her husband wrote in 1873.26,27,28,29,30

Citations

  1. [S6653] Will Books, Fulton Co., Pennsylvania, 1:155, will of George Flora, 1861, shows name as Joseph.
  2. [S6469] Bunderman, Flory Flora Fleury Family History 1948, pg 126, shows name as Joseph M. Flora.
  3. [S6654] George McCullough household, 1850 U.S. Census, Fulton Co., Pennsylvania, shows name as Joseph Flore.
  4. [S6653] Will Books, Fulton Co., Pennsylvania, 1:155, will of George Flora, 1861.
  5. [S6469] Bunderman, Flory Flora Fleury Family History 1948, pg 126.
  6. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 82957850, Joseph Flora, shows date, as 12th, and includes tombstone photo showing age 66 yr 8 mo 20 days at death 1 Jun 1877.
  7. [S6469] Bunderman, Flory Flora Fleury Family History 1948, pg 126, shows date, as 1st.
  8. [S6654] George McCullough household, 1850 U.S. Census, Fulton Co., Pennsylvania, shows age 38 and state.
  9. [S6655] Joseph Flory household, 1860 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Maryland, shows them apparently living as husband and wife.
  10. [S6656] Joseph Flora household, 1870 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Maryland, shows them apparently living as husband and wife.
  11. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 82957850, Joseph Flora, shows date and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  12. [S6469] Bunderman, Flory Flora Fleury Family History 1948, pg 127.
  13. [S6651] George Flora household, 1840 U.S. Census, Bedford Co., Pennsylvania.
  14. [S6654] George McCullough household, 1850 U.S. Census, Fulton Co., Pennsylvania.
  15. [S6655] Joseph Flory household, 1860 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Maryland.
  16. [S6656] Joseph Flora household, 1870 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Maryland.
  17. [S6689] DeedsFulton Co., Pennsylvania, , 7:443, dated 27 Feb 1873, Joseph M. Flora and wife Naomi C. to Elias Davidson Flora.
  18. [S6654] George McCullough household, 1850 U.S. Census, Fulton Co., Pennsylvania, shows occupation as laborer.
  19. [S6655] Joseph Flory household, 1860 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Maryland, shows occupation as farm laborer.
  20. [S6656] Joseph Flora household, 1870 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Maryland, shows occupation as laborer.
  21. [S6664] Will Books, Washington Co., Maryland, F:804-5, will of Joseph Flora, 1877, signed with a mark.
  22. [S6664] Will Books, Washington Co., Maryland, F:804-5, will of Joseph Flora, 1877.
  23. [S6664] Will Books, Washington Co., Maryland, F:805.
  24. [S6665] Inventory of Appraisement Books, Washington Co., Maryland, Y:228-230, inventory of Joseph Flora, 1877.
  25. [S6666] Executor and Administrator Accounts Books, Washington Co., Maryland, 28:465-7-230, accounting of Joseph Flora, 1878.
  26. [S6469] Bunderman, Flory Flora Fleury Family History 1948, pg 126, shows a daughter Emma.
  27. [S6656] Joseph Flora household, 1870 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Maryland, shows her name as Emma C. Flora, no children.
  28. [S6655] Joseph Flory household, 1860 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Maryland, shows no children.
  29. [S6660] William South household, 1900 U.S. Census, Washington Co., Maryland, shows her as the mother of 0 children.
  30. [S6689] DeedsFulton Co., Pennsylvania, , 7:443, dated 27 Feb 1873, Joseph M. Flora and wife Naomi C. to Elias Davidson Flora, shows her signiture as Naomi C. Flora, but in two places in the text she is shown as Emma, crossed out and replaced as Naomi C.