Person Page 3,944

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ann Parks was born on 21 January 1878 in Hope, Warren, New Jersey.^1,2 She died after 6 June 1900.¹

Clara Parks was born on 3 December 1880 in Hope, Warren, New Jersey.^1,2 She died in 1966, at age ~86.² She was buried in Free Union Methodist Cemetery, Great Meadows, Warren, New Jersey.²

Ruth Parks was born on 3 October 1891 in Franklin, Sussex, New Jersey.^1,2 She and Charles Sutton were married in 1908 in Franklin, Sussex, New Jersey.³ She died in February 1974, at age 82, in New Hampton, Orange, New York.² She was buried in Branchville Cemetery, Branchville, Sussex, New Jersey.²

Frank Garrison was born in 1881 in Franklin, Sussex, New Jersey.^2,3 He died in 1961, at age ~80.² He was buried in Free Union Methodist Cemetery, Great Meadows, Warren, New Jersey.²

Charles Sutton was born on 5 January 1886 in Hope Township, Warren, New Jersey.^1,3,4 He and Ruth Parks were married in 1908 in Franklin, Sussex, New Jersey.² He died in February 1960, at age 74, in Newton, Sussex, New Jersey.^3,5 He was buried in Branchville Cemetery, Branchville, Sussex, New Jersey.³

Charles Sutton was a Silk Weaver.⁶

Frank Sutton was born in February 1911 in Franklin, Sussex, New Jersey.^1,2 He died in 1963, at age ~52.² He was buried in Branchville Cemetery, Branchville, Sussex, New Jersey.²

Norma Garrison was born in 1907 in Franklin, Sussex, New Jersey.^1,2 She died on 25 January 1942, at age ~35.^1,3 She was buried in Free Union Methodist Cemetery, Great Meadows, Warren, New Jersey.¹

Norma Garrison was a Nurse.

John Peter Garrison was born on 28 September 1905 in Sussex County, New Jersey.^1,2 He and Gertrude Elida Bowman were married on 14 May 1932 in Orange County, New York.³ He died on 11 April 1980, at age 74.² He was buried in Branchville Cemetery, Branchville, Sussex, New Jersey.²

John Peter Garrison was a Self Employed.⁴

Gertrude Elida Bowman was born on 22 October 1907 in Franklin, Sussex, New Jersey.^3,2 She and John Peter Garrison were married on 14 May 1932 in Orange County, New York.¹ She died on 7 January 1995, at age 87, in Newton Town, Sussex, New Jersey.^3,4 She was buried in Branchville Cemetery, Branchville, Sussex, New Jersey.³

Sarah E. Steinmetz was born on 27 September 1857 in Pennsylvania. She died on 22 August 1861, at age 3.

Oliver Weir was born on 6 October 1896 in Pennsylvania.¹ He died on 8 May 1913, at age 16, in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.² He was buried in Clausers Cemetery, Branch Township, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.

Poor young Oliver Weir, age 16, died far from his home in Branchdale/Minerville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, but when I initially found record of his death in Philadelphia, I thought he might be part of my Philadelphia Weir clan.

I made his acquaintance on paper when I was researching death certificates of Weir family members. One of my Weirs was Henry Weir whose wife was Florence Bantom Weir of Philadelphia. When I came across Oliver's death certificate indicating his parents were Henry and Florence, I wondered if he was family I did not yet know about. Still, I wondered why they would do as the death certificate said- bury their child in Schuylkill County if they were from Philadelphia. Did they perhaps send him "home"?

Calling a local funeral home in Schuylkill County, I was directed to a Weir descendant. She did not know of Oliver or Henry and Florence, but had me call her Aunt Ruth, who she felt sure would know.

Aunt Ruth, a charming, lively 88 year old lady did know, because Oliver was her cousin, who died before she was born. She knew of him and his family, and that is the info I am relating here for any Weir descendants who might visit this grave.

Oliver was the son of two cousins who married each other- Henry Weir and Florence Weir. His siblings were Arthur (who died young or at birth), Henry, Clyde, and David, who was mute, and known as an excellent shoemaker and repairer, called "brilliant" by his cousin Ruth. Oliver's one sister was Janet, who married Elvin Snyder and lived at Minersville and later Upper Darby Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia.

Oliver's ancestors came to Pennsylvania from Scotland. His father Henry, was the son of David, who made the journey. David came with or came around the same time as his 7 or 8 brothers. They also had a sister, but she stayed in Scotland.

Once Ruth and I compared notes, it was clear that our Weirs were not the same, because her Florence Weir was always Florence Weir, while mine had been Florence Bantom, daughter of Winfield Bantom.

From the death certificate, I surmised Oliver's family was probably well-off. Their 16 year old son was cared for at University of Pennsylvania Hospital so they were willing and financially able to send him to the big city. Further, his funeral arrangements (to be sent to Branchdale via Minersville) were handled by Oliver H. Bair, a well-known funeral home in Philadelphia. Ruth confirmed that indeed, Florence and Henry were well-to-do, having inherited from family.

If you examine the death certificate to the right, you'll see young Oliver had a lot to contend with. The doctor indicates that Oliver died from sarcoma (cancer) of the prostate gland, and dilation of the heart. He noted the contribution of the cancer spreading to the lungs as contributory.

Ruth knows where Oliver's grave is. She said it is in Clauser's Cemetery in Llewellen, and she spelled it for me. On Find a Grave there is Clouser's Cemetery in Schuylkill County, but it's in Ashland, so not the same. On the internet I found out that Clauser's is also known as Frieden's Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church Cemetery but again, can find nothing with quite the same name, and none in Llewellen. Until I get that detail untangled, will list Oliver's resting place as unknown.

So while this young man is not my kin, I feel for him and know his family to some extent, and with his cousin Ruth's blessing, establish this online memorial to him. RIP, Oliver Weir.

Henry Weir, Jr., was born on 15 September 1899 in Branchdale, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.¹ He died on 17 June 1992, at age 92. He was buried in Mount Peace Cemetery, Minersville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.

US Army- WWI- 10 Oct 1918- 16 Dec 1918.² Henry Weir, Jr., was a High School Teacher.³

David Weir was born on 9 April 1903 in Branchdale, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.^1,2,3 He died on 18 September 1988, at age 85.²

David Weir was a Cobbler.⁴

Janet M. Weir was born on 29 January 1907 in Branchdale, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania.^1,2 She died on 27 September 2008, at age 101.²

Clyde Weir was born on 1 October 1909 in Pennsylvania.^1,2,3 He died on 24 March 1992, at age 82.^2,3 He was buried in Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville, Schuykill, Pennsylvania.²

Clyde Weir was a Highway Inspector.⁴