Mary Ann (Johnson) Ford (abt. 1852 - abt. 1928)

Born about 2 May 1852 in North Berwick, York, Maine, United States [uncertain]

Wife of Albion Ford — married 1 Jan 1876 (to 25 May 1888) in Somersworth, Strafford, New Hampshire, United States

Descendants

Died about 1 Jan 1928 at about age 75 in Sanford, York, Maine, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Pamela Belanger [send private message]

Biography

Birth: Mary Ann Johnson was born about 2 May 1852 in the Bauneg Beg area of North Berwick, Maine. She was the daughter of William and Mary (Brown) Johnson. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

1860 - 1870 US Census, North Berwick, Maine: Based on neighbors, Mary's family stays in the same home during this period. She is attending school at the age of 8. At 18 years old, she single, still attending school, and not working. Her brother Henry, and her brother Albert have been attending school. However, Albert, at age 16, is working as a farmer as well, perhaps for or with her father who is a farmer and owns real estate. At age 22, Mary's sister Mariah is working as a m. f. operator, and by 1870 neither she nor their brother Henry are living in the home. 25-year-old Albert is single, remains at home, and he is neither attending school nor working. On both the Census, Mary's mother is not working outside their home. ^{[6] [7]}

Marriage: Mary A Johnson, age 22, married Albion Ford on 1 Jan 1876 in the Great Falls Village of Somersworth, New Hampshire. The marriage was solemnized by D. H. Stoddard, clergyman. This is first marriage for both of them. Both were born and are living in North Berwick, Maine. Albion was an 18 year-old farmer. ^[1]

Children: Mary and Albion had 3 children all born in Maine. ^{[8] [9]}

• Daisy M Ford, born between 1877 and 1878.
• Roscoe Henry Ford , born 6 Aug 1880.
• Chester W Ford, born 3 May 1883.

1880 US Census, North Berwick, Maine: ^[8] Mary is reporting her age as 28 and Albion is reporting his age as 23. They have two children and Albion continues to farm.

Divorce: Application of Mary A Ford in said cause became absolute and the final decree was entered in this 25th day of May AD 1888 Final degree in Mary's favor given May 1888. Certificate Issued 25 June 1888.

Mary A. Ford of North Berwick filed libel for divorce 26 Apr 1886. In her application, Mary stated the starting 5 years prior to 1886 Albion had been guilty of habitual drunkenness "in the use of hard cider and other kinds of intoxicating liquors." During that period he used to her and in the hearing of their children their children, "obscene, threatening and profane language." Mary stated that by using liquor in the presence of and giving to their children, "they are in great danger of being ruined by acquiring an appetite for intoxicating liquors and becoming drunkards." Starting three years prior to 1886, she stated Albion, "constantly ill treated and abused" her and threatened to do her bodily harm. She stated Albion owned real estate and personal property in North Berwick; and as the divorce was his fault, "that she may have dower in his real estate and that the court will decree her a reasonable alimony out of the estate" . . . "and that the custody and education of her three children" be decreed to her. Libellant, Mary, "avers that said divorce would be reasonable and proper, conducive to domestic harmony and consistent with the peace and morality of society." The libel at the May term, of the court, 1886. Albion was duly served from term to term to May 1887. Albion was called but did not appear in court. It was the opinion of the court that the allegations of the libel were satisfactorily proved. Custody of the minor children were given to Mary. ^[10]

Land Ownership:

In 1878 Stephen Ford sold to Mary and Albion for $700, "jointly and equally; one half in common and undivided of my [Stephen’s] homestead estate in which I [Stephen] now reside situate property in North Berwick, Maine" This property was comprised of about 85 acres. The deed required the estate is to "remain undivided unless by mutual consent a division agreed to." ^[11]

On 10 June 1887, after Mary and Albion's final divorce degree was entered In May of 1887, Albion pays Mary $700 to buy the same property they owned jointly as part of Albion's father's homestead, thus removing Mary from title to the property and keeping his father's homestead undivided. ^[12]

On 24 Sep 1887, Mary purchased land in Sanford, Maine from W Samuel Nowell and George J Nowell both of South Sanford. In consideration of $250 paid by Mary A Ford of Sanford, she received all rights to land located, "in the village of Sanford on the Northeasterly side highway leading . . . to Shapleigh and bounded as follows. Beginning . . .highway at the corner of a private way; thence Northeasterly by said private way eighty feet [+/-] to a stake, eighteen inches. Northwesterly of the {fourth tree?} inside the limits of the highway; thence Northwesterly in a direct line to a stake driven by the eighth stone post in the division fence between the grantors and the John Horer/Horas place the post counted from the highway; thence by Southwesterly by said division fence to said highway; thence Southwesterly by said highway to place began at."

Note: the description does not mention buildings. ^[13]

This property was located at the corner of Main and Pleasant Street and Mary lived there for the rest of her life. ^[14]

A map showing Mary's property can be found here. in an 1889 Bird's- eye-view, looking east, on the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets. ^[15]

“Sons Given Estate of Mary Ford," Per the 12 Jan 1928 edition of the "Biddeford Daily Journal," "The will of Mary Ford, who died in Sanford, was presented for the January term of the probate court, . . . the estate is estimated at $7,000 of which $6,000 is real estate. Personal property which is estimated at $1,000 is given to her son Roscoe Ford, while the real estate is divided Roscoe and Chester Ford, the later also being a son of the testatrix. Roscoe is nominated as executor." ^{[16] [17]}

Mary's daughter Daisy (Ford) Thwing was not named in Mary's Will; she predeceased Mary on 26 Mar 1926. ^[18]

1900 US Census, Sanford, Maine: ^[9] At age 48, Mary has no mortgage on her home. She is working as a dressmaker. Mary lists herself as widowed and indicates she's been married for 19 years. She appears to be counting the number of years until ex-husband, Albion's 1898 death instead of number of years between the marriage and their divorce. (Albion did remarry prior to his death.) Both Mary's sons are single and living with her. Roscoe, age 20, is working as a laborer and Chester, age 17, is working as a machinist. There is a 24-year-old, single woman lodging with them, Mary Clark, who is working as a sales woman. Mary's daughter, Daisy, married Walter Emery in 1895 and the couple is living in Sanford with their son Ford Emery. ^[14]

In 1910, all three of her children are living in her house. Son Chester is listed as another head of hold and paying rent; whereas neither Roscoe nor Daisy are enumerated either as head of hold or as paying rent. Between 1900 and 1905 Daisy was divorced and has married Charles Thwing. She is still married to Charles, but neither Charles nor Daisy's son is enumerated as living in the home.

In 1918, both sons register for the World War I draft on the same day and place. Both list their Mary as their closest relative.

1920 US Census, Sanford, Maine: Mary remains widowed with no occupation. Son Chester, age 36, continues to live with Mary and work as a machinist. He is divorced and is no longer listed as a head of household. Roscoe, age 40, along with his wife, Carrie, and their daughter are living with her. Both Roscoe and Carrie are working at a woolen mill; he as a presser and she as a spinner. No one is listed as paying rent. Mary's granddaughter is now 18 years old. She has attended school since Sep 1919 and lists no occupation. Mary's daughter, Daisy, is not enumerated within Mary's home. ^[20]

Death: Mary Ann Ford passed away 1 Jan 1928 in Sanford, Maine. ^[3]

"Loved Woman Dies"

Death came on New Year's morning [1 Jan 1928] to take from our community a woman who has been loved and respected by all who came in contact with her the during the many years she resided in Sanford. On May 2, 1852, Mrs. Mary Ann Ford was born in the town of No. Berwick. There she lived for about thirty-five years, and then she came to Sanford, where she has made her home since at 98 Pleasant Street.

It is fitting and right that a few words of tribute be paid to the remarkable personality of the deceased, Mrs. Ford. Kind and congenial, pleasant and thoughtful, children and grown ups alike, all loved her in life and mourn her loss by death.

For four years she has been a cripple, but in spite of her affliction never (became) fretty or irritable. And she maintained her usual humor." ^[4]

Research Notes

• Birth record is required. Parents' names, date and place of birth are based on marriage record, Find a Grave, and newspaper accounts. It should not be assumed that Mary's mother's last name at birth was Johnson. Both newspaper reports and Find a Grave indicate her mother's maiden name was Brown. ^{[2] [3] [1]}
• Death record required. Date 1 Jan 1928 and place are taken from newspaper accounts and the fact the here will was probated on 9 Mar 1928. Find a Grave gives same place with date one year later on 1 Jan 1929, but contains no photograph or source reference. ^{[4] [17] [2] [16]}
• Birth records for Mary's children are required.
• A more legible version of the article concerning her death as published in the “Sanford Tribune and Advocate,” on 5 Jan 1928 would be appreciated as her as the last paragraph of the version sited in obscured and likely contains names of her survivors and possibly her parents. ^[4]
• It is possible, but should not be assumed that the Stephen Ford in the deed recorded to Mary and her husband Albion Ford is a Albion's father. There is more than one Stephen Ford living in North Berwick during Albion Ford's life time, and more than one in some way related to Albion. Albion is the grantor and on a deed selling the same property which was sold to Mary and Albion from Stephen Ford to Stephen Ford 2nd on 10 Jun 1887 recorded 5 minutes after Albion buys Mary's share in the property. On 4 Mar 1893, a deed (for a different property) is conveyed from Albion Ford and Stephen Ford to Stephen Ford 2nd. ^{[21] [22]}
• The 1920 Census indicates Mary had a mortgage on her property. A source is required. ^[20]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Marriage: "New Hampshire Marriage Records, 1637-1947"
   Film/folder: 004242912; FHL microfilm: 1000992;
   Image: 3621; Packet: H; Indexing batch: M02502-7.
   FamilySearch Record: FL6X-17R (accessed 18 March 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HY-DTPQ-PLJ; Strafford County, Somersworth, Great Falls:
   Mary A Johnson (22) married Albion Ford (19) on 1 Jan 1876.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} "Bauneg Beg" "Biddeford Daily Journal,"
   Published 7 Jan 1928, Page 6, Col 3; (accessed 25 Mar 2024)
   (https://biddeford.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=mary%20ann%20ford&i=f&by=1928&bdd=1920&d=01011928-01101928&m=between&ord=k1&fn=biddeford_daily_journal_usa_maine_biddeford_19280107_english_6&df=1&dt=5).
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Burial:
   Find A Grave: Memorial #96118562 (accessed 25 March 2024)
   Mary A "Johnson" Ford (1 May 1852-1 Jan 1929),
   Oakdale Cemetery, Sanford, York County, Maine,
   USA (plot: Sec 1 Lot 451 Site 3);
   Maintained by Jeff Hubbard (contributor 47361123). no image.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} “Loved Woman Dies,” “Sanford Tribune and Advocate,”
   Published 5 Jan 1928, in Sanford, Maine:
   Page 3, Cols. 6 & 7: (accessed 25 Mar 2024);
   (https://springvale.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=mary%20ford&i=f&by=1928&bdd=1920&d=01011928-01311928&m=between&ord=k1&fn=sanford_tribune_and_advocate_usa_maine_sanford_19280105_english_3&df=1&dt=10).
5. ↑ Parents William Johnson and Mary Brown, Marriage Intentions:
   "Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921;" Film/folder: 007724772;
   FHL microfilm: 000010553; Image: 152.
   FamilySearch Record: Q28Q-KBYH (accessed 25 March 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9BJ-JWMF; York County, Berwick,
   Page 257: Marriage Intentions are recorded on
   16 Mar 1826 for William Johnson and Mary Brown.
6. ↑ "1860 United States Census," North Berwick, York, Maine, ED ;
   U.S. National Archives and Records Administration;
   Publication: M653; Film/folder: 005170031; Image: 343; FHL microfilm: 803449; Packet: A; Indexing batch: N01729-8.
   FamilySearch Record: MDCS-MWR (accessed 25 March 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GB9V-74D;citing Page: 6; Lines: 8 - 13:
   Mary A Johnson (8) in head of household William Johnson.
7. ↑ "1870 United States Census," North Berwick, York, Maine;
   Affiliate: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration;
   Publication: M593; Film/folder: 004269447; Image: 168;
   FHA microfilm: 000552064; Packet: A; Indexing batch: N01446-9.
   FamilySearch Record: M6DH-YQJ (accessed 25 March 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HY-X48G-S9; Page: 24; Lines: 16 - ;
   Mary A Johnson (18) single under head of household William Johnson.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} "1880 United States Census,"
   North Berwick, York, Maine, United States; ED 201;
   The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration:
   Vol: 1; Publication: T9; Line: 91; Film/folder: 005160752; Image: 622;
   FHL microfilm: 1254491; Packet: A; Indexing batch: C56260-1.
   FamilySearch Record: MFQC-C23 (accessed 18 March 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GYBJ-9XZC; Sheet/Page: 439/6B; Lines 40 - 43:
   Mary A Ford, wife, in household of Albion Ford.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} "1900 United States Census,"
   (all north of P.&R. r.r.) Springvale village (pt.)
   & Sanford village, York, Maine, ED 262;
   The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration;
   Publication: T623; Film/folder: 004120203; Image: 422;
   FHL microfilm: 1240603; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N00826-6.
   FamilySearch Record: MMGW-LPH (accessed 19 March 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HT-63JY-GR; Sheet: 2A; Lines: 8 - 11;
   Mary A Ford (48), widowed head of household.
10. ↑ Divorce: "Supreme Judical [sic] Court records, Vol. 39, 1886-1887"
    "Maine, State Archive Collections, 1718-1957"
    (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-85DC-V?i=833&cc=1877829)
    FamilySearch Image: 939L-85DC-V (accessed 18 March 2024)
    Maine, York County;
    Images: 834 - 836; Pages: 806 - 808; Docket No. 136
    (Mary A) Ford Liblt v (Albion) Ford 25 May 1888.
11. ↑ Deed from Stephen Ford to Albion and Mary A Ford:
    York County Registry of Deeds, Alfred, Maine (accessed 27 Mar 2024)
    "Indexed Books:" 1750 - 1885; Grantor El – Gi:
    Ford, Stephen; Book 364; Page 238.
12. ↑ Deed from Mary A Ford to Albion Ford:
    York County Registry of Deeds, Alfred, Maine (accessed 27 Mar 2024)
    "Indexed Books:" 1886 -1905; Grantor: De – Hi:
    Ford, Mary A; Book 420; Page 104.
13. ↑ Deed to Mary A Ford from the Nowells:
    York County Registry of Deeds, Alfred, Maine (accessed 27 Mar 2024)
    "Indexed Books;" 1886 – 1905; Grantee E – Ke:
    Ford, Mary A; Book 417; Page 414.
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} Sanford, Maine: City Directory, 1901 - 1902, Pages 70 - 71.
    The Methuen Transcript Company, Massachusetts;
    "U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,"
    Ancestry Sharing Link-Ancestry Record 2469 #911221346
    (accessed 20 March 2024) Page 71: Mary A Ford, widow, homeowner
    Address: Pleasant cor Main; and at same address boards:
    Roscoe H Ford, mill operation;
    Page 70: at same address boards Chester W. Ford, bicycle repair.
15. ↑ Norris, George E, and Burleigh Litho.
    "Sanford, Maine; Birdseye View-Looking East; Map 1889"
    not to scale. Published: Brockton, Mass, 1889. Map.
    Available through Library of Congress Web site;
    Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington;
    (accessed 27 Mar 2024) Library control number 75694500;
    (https://www.loc.gov/item/75694500/).
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1} “Sons Given Estate of Mary Ford”
    “Biddeford Daily Journal,” Published 12 Jan 1928,
    Page 4, Col 4; (accessed 2 May 2024);
    (https://biddeford.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=mary%20ford%20roscoe&i=f&by=1928&bdd=1920&d=01011928-01311928&m=between&ord=k1&fn=biddeford_daily_journal_usa_maine_biddeford_19280112_english_4&df=1&dt=8).
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Abstract of Mary A Ford's Will:
    York County Registry of Deeds, Alfred, Maine (accessed 6 Apr 2024)
    "Indexed Books:" 1926 - 1935 Grantee;
    Ford, Roscoe &; Dev: Book 787; Page 57.
18. ↑ Daughter, Daisy (Ford) Thwing, Notice of Death: "Sanford Journal and Advocate"
    Published in Sanford, Maine on 1 Apr 1926, Page 1, Column 2.
    (https://springvale.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=daisy%20thwing&i=f&by=1926&bdd=1920&d=03011926-04301926&m=between&ord=k1&fn=sanford_tribune_and_advocate_usa_maine_sanford_19260401_english_1&df=1&dt=1)
    Newspapers Clip: 143656126 (accessed 3 May 2024)
    "The death of Mrs. Daisy Thwing, wife of Charles A. Thwing
    occurred last Thursday [26 Mar 1926]."
19. ↑ "1910 United States Census;" Sanford, York, Maine, ED 265;
    U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
    Publication: T624; Film/folder: 004971661; Image: 830;
    FHL microfilm: 1374561; Packet: A; Indexing batch: N03432-9.
    FamilySearch Record: MR3P-MX5 (accessed 20 March 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9RN6-Z5G; Sheet:3B; Lines: 68 - 74:
    Mary A Ford (57) head of household.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1} "1920 United States Census," Sanford, York, Maine ED: 133;
    The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration;
    Publication: T625; Film/folder: 004966028; Image: 872;
    FHL microfilm: 1820651; Packet: A; Indexing batch: N01951-4.
    FamilySearch Record: MF8C-HVJ (accessed 24 March 2024)
    FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRFH-PRS; Sheet: 6A; Lines: 30 - 35:
    Mary Ford (67) widowed head of household.
21. ↑ Deed from Albion Ford to Stephen Ford 2nd:
    York County Registry of Deeds, Alfred, Maine (accessed 27 Mar 2024)
    "Indexed Books:" 1886 -1905; Grantor: De – Hi:
    Ford, Albion; Book 419; Page 43.
    Includes as example does not enumerate Mary A (Johnson) Ford.
22. ↑ Deed from Albion Ford and Stephen Ford to Stephen Ford 2nd:
    York County Registry of Deeds, Alfred, Maine (accessed 27 Mar 2024)
    "Indexed Books:" 1886 -1905; Grantor: De – Hi:
    Ford, Albion & Ford, Stephen to Stephen Ford 2nd; Book: 455; Page: 414.
    Includes as example does not enumerate Mary A (Johnson) Ford.