October 16, 1847 BirthJefferson County
James was born to James and Frances Magdalena Griggs Flanagan on a Saturday, He was the fifth child and second son of the couple, taking the name of his father and the maiden name of his paternal grandmother.
July 24, 1850 CensusHarpers Ferry
James was enumerated as five years old in the 1850 census. His father lists himself as a boatman, probably working for the Flanagan farm and quarry. James' three older sisters attended school within the year.
August 13, 1856 Death of Family MemberBakerton
James' was only almost 9 years old when his father was murdered by one of his own employees on a Wendesday near Bakerton. James' father had inherited his grandfather's empire only a year earlier.
June 29, 1860 CensusHarpers Ferry
By 1860, an 11 year old James is enumerated in his recently widowed mother's household in Harpers Ferry district (near Bakerton). James and three of his siblings, William, John, and Alice, had all attended school within the year.
September 2, 1869 MarriageJefferson County
On a Thursday, James married Miss Mary Ellen Caton, daughter of George Walter and Margaret Ann Hunter Caton. Mary's father consented to the marriage in person. The couple was married by the Rev. William Gwynn Coe, a Presbyterian minister.
June 7, 1870 Birth of ChildBolivar
James and Mary Ellen's first child, Martha Lee, was born on a Tuesday. A birth record has not yet been found. A few records favor an 1869 birth year, which would put Martha as being born before her parent's marriage in September. According to the 1870 census, she was just one month old and went by the name of Lucy.
June 28, 1870 CensusBolivar
A 22 year old James and a 21 year old Ellen were enumerated in the 1870 census on a Tuesday, alongside their one month old daughter, Lucy [Martha Lee]. James is currently working in the stone quarry. Neighboring his household is his soon-to-be son-in-law's father's household, Thomas Welsh, and his grandmother, Martha Flanagan.
January 10, 1872 Birth of ChildJefferson County
James and Mary's second child, Annie Frances, was born on January 10th, sometime between 1871-1873. Given the birth years for the previous and next children, Annie was most likely born in 1872. A birth record has yet to be found.
October 14, 1873 Birth of ChildBolivar
James and Mary's daughter, Margaret "Maggie" Virginia, was born on a Tuesday in Bolivar district, near Bakerton. James lists his occupation as farmer.
October 21, 1873 EventBakerton
Determined to quit farming and solely operate the Flanagan Quarry, James holds a public sale of his farm equipment and livestock at his residence on the Daniels (old Flanagan) farm.
July 5, 1875 Birth of ChildBolivar
On a Monday, the couple's fourth daughter, Essie Katherine, was born.
1877 Birth of ChildBolivar
James and Mary's first son, Charles William, was born in October of 1877 in Bolivar district, near Bakerton. James lists his occupation as laborer.
June 12, 1880 CensusBolivar
A 32 year old James and his small family are enumerated in Bolivar district on a Saturday. James lists his occupation as both farmer and laborer, likely working both the Flanagan farm and Flanagan quarry.
July 13, 1880 Birth of ChildJefferson County
On a Tuesday, the couple's second son and sixth child was born. They named their son Walter Jerome.
October 13, 1883 Birth of ChildJefferson County
On a Saturday, James and Mary's seventh child and third son was born. They named their son James Alvey.
1886 Birth of ChildJefferson County
Sometime during the month of March, 1886, Mary gave birth to a son, whom they named John Griggs.
1888 Birth of ChildJefferson County
The couple's ninth child was born in September of 1888. They named the little girl Berna A.
August 2, 1889 Death of ChildHarpers Ferry
On a Friday, the couple's youngest daughter, Berna, died from an alleged cold. She was only one year old.
July 20, 1892 Birth of ChildBakerton
James and Mary's tenth child, Oscar, was born on a Wednesday near Bakerton.
April 9, 1896 Death of Family MemberBakerton
James' mother, Frances, died on a Thursday at the home of his sister, Alice. Her health had been failing for many years, however it appears that she never recovered from an illness that she was stricken with early of that year.
September 9, 1897 EventBakerton
The Shepherdstown Register reports a break-in at James' residence. The thief appears to have stolen his grandfather's, William Flanagan's, pocket watch -- an old-fashioned silver watch with the initials W. F. engraved upon the case. Also stolen were about 5 dollars, a half dozen fine handkerchiefs, a various other items. It was noted that a reward would be given for return of the watch, however nothing was ever reported about its return.
October 21, 1897 EventBakerton
The Shepherdstown Register reports that James' wife and daughters surprised him with a 50th birthday feast. Some 60 or 70 persons were in attendance. The paper reported that the dinner was fit for a king and included chicken, turkey, being extremely bountiful. After dinner, Rev. J. L. Kibler rounded up the children and baptized several of them. It is noted that James' was asked several times to celebrate his birthday much more often, and that the guests wouldn't have objected to celebrating it monthly.
February 9, 1898 EventCharles Town
James' name was drawn from a list of petit jurors to appear on Wednesday, the second day of the February term.
June 1, 1899 EventBakerton
The Shepherdstown Register reports that James entertained Mr. A. Young and Mr. H. Shaffer of Middletown, Maryland, and many Harpers Ferry friends.
November 29, 1899 WidowedJefferson County
James was widowed on a Wednesday, after his wife was quickly stricken with apoplexy. According to reports in the Shepherdstown Register, she died surrounded by her family. James buried his beloved wife in Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown.
June 21, 1900 CensusHarpers Ferry
52 year old James was enumerated in Harpers Ferry District (near Bakerton) on a Thursday. He lists himself at married, having been married 30 years, and his occupation as farmer. His son, John Griggs, is attending school.
January 31, 1901 Land TransactionBakerton
Martha Daniels Link and Cora Daniels Moler appear to have sold their interests in the Flanagan Quarry to Washington Lime. The interest totaled about 36 acres. Martha and Cora were James' cousins, daughters of Ann Rebecca Flanagan Daniels, a sister to James' father.
August 8, 1901 EventBakerton
James gifts the Register office with a basket of "Abundance" plums. George Duke must've said that his plums were better in taste or appearance, as the office asked him for samples as proof.
December 24, 1903 EventBakerton
A Bakerton resident wrote to The Shepherdstown Register, believing that Bakerton should carry the prize for large hogs. James killed two very large hogs, one weighing 505 and the other 415 pounds. Other residents mentioned were John Welsh, G. T. Trundle, Albert Rice, G. Newton Moler, Arthur Moler, Issac Kidwiler, and Robert Duke.
July 27, 1905 EventBakerton
It is reported in The Shepherdstown Register that James' son, John Griggs Flanagan, killed 80 snakes while working James' farm. Neither the size, nor type, of snakes were mentioned.
July 19, 1906 EventBakerton
The aid society of Bethesda Church held a silver tea (fundraiser) at the home of James.
December 20, 1906 EventBakerton
James is named as having butchered the largest hog in the Bakerton neighborhood, at 587 ½ pounds.
July 16, 1908 EventBakerton
James is named as a newly appointed trustee of the Bakerton sub-district of Harpers Ferry. Other appointees named are: D. R. Houser, Keller, A. M. Best, B. Edwell Maddox, and N. V. Engle.
December 10, 1908 EventBakerton
James butchered 10 hogs, averaging about 272 pounds each. The heaviest was 492 pounds. James' son-in-law, Thomas Welsh, was considered the boss butcher.
January 8, 1909 EventBakerton
On this Friday night, James lost a horse he considered rather valuable, when she hung herself with her halter chain. He states that this is the second horse who has died in the same manner in the same stall.
February 28, 1910 EventBakerton
James notes that his three cows yielded 68 pounds of butter during February, 1910. He says this is after feeding two calves and providing milk for a pet lamb.
April 10, 1910 CensusBakerton
May 1, 1911 EventCharles Town
James served as a juror during the May, 1911 term of the circuit court.
May 16, 1911 Land TransactionBakerton
When James' father-in-law, George Caton, died intestate, James was a legal heir to his property. Caton's real estate was located east of Shepherdstown bordering the Cement Mill Lot on what is now River Road. This property was sold by James and other heirs to Robert Miller in consideration of $600.
January 25, 1912 EventBakerton
James tells the Shepherdstown Register that he believes he could challenge the weight records for young hogs. The register reports that James butchered six Duroc and Poland China hogs, which weighed 137, 140, 169, 118, 128, and 151 pounds
July 4, 1912 EventBakerton
Mr. M. M. Burke, of Washington D.C., and his three daughters, Katie and Irena Burke, and Mrs. Hannah Knox are visitors of James.
May 7, 1914 EventBakerton
James rode aboard the engine to make the first trip across the new railroad track which was laid to carry the output of the old Flanagan Quarries to the Bakerton Quarry of Standard Lime and Stone. D. R. Houser, Daniel Lee Moler, and Albert Rice were also present.
December 10, 1914 EventBakerton
The Shepherdstown Register reports that James killed two unusually large hogs -- the weights of which were 468 and 452 pounds. James supplied the register office with a generous supply sausage as a gift.
July 29, 1915 EventBakerton
James' son, Walter Jerome Flanagan and his wife and son, of Strasburg, visited James at his home the past week. Miss Nellie Hunter, of Stephens City, was also a guest. Nellie was likely a relative of James' late wife.
July 29, 1915 EventBaltimore
James makes the trip to Baltimore to visit his son, John Griggs Flanagan and family, who is living there.
June 25, 1916 EventBakerton
It is reported that Mr. D. Sidney Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Smith and their daughter, Mary, of Frederick, drove to Bakerton on a Sunday to spend the day with James. Could this Smith family be of relation to James' grandmother, Martha Smith Flanagan?
July 13, 1916 EventBakerton
The Shepherdstown Register reports that Mr. and Mrs. James Knock and Mrs. Hannah Knock, of Washington D.C., are guests of James Flanagan.
December 4, 1916 DeathJefferson County
James died on Monday, December 4, from a "compilation of diseases that baffled the skill of all physicians", according to his obituary. He had been in failing health for one year and confined to his room for 2 months. Rev. Absalom Knox officiated his funeral. He was buried beside his late wife in Elmwood Cemetery at Shepherdstown.
