January 29, 1874 BirthBakerton
Thomas and Annie's youngest son, William Franklin, was born on a Thursday in the vicinity of Bakerton. William was likely the couple's youngest daughter, Katie's, twin. A birth record has not been found for William nor Katie, however the two siblings list the same birthday on various other records.
March 15, 1874 BaptismHarpers Ferry
According to William's marriage certificate (original records for this time period were stolen from the church rectory), he was baptized at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church on Sunday, March 15th, at a little under two months old.
March 11, 1875 Death of Family MemberBolivar
At only one years old, Billy loses his father, Thomas, to a bad bout of pneumonia. The family buries him in St. Peters Cemetery beside his older brother, Martin.
June 11, 1880 CensusBolivar
A 5 year old William is enumerated in his mother's household in Bolivar District (likely near Bakerton). His three older brothers are working to support the household, with John and Thomas likely working in the quarries, and Patrick as a farm laborer. All three of the employed brothers were probably working for the Flanagan family during this time period. Interestingly enough, Annie lists William's likely twin, Katie, as being one year older than William.
June 21, 1900 CensusHarpers Ferry
25 year old William is enumerated in his brother's, Patrick's, household alongside his widowed mother, Annie. It is noted that William, born in January of 1875, was employed as a Cooper. He was not unemployed at any time during the past year. His brother, Patrick, was only unemployed for one month out of the year, and he was currently working as a laborer in the stone quarry. Annie notes that although she is now a widow, she would have been married for 40 years.
April 20, 1910 CensusBakerton
In 1910, a 32 year old "Willie" is living in his brother, Patrick's, home, along with his 70 year old mother, Annie. William notes that he is a Cooper at the Barrel Shop. His brother, Pat, is a laborer at the stone quarry.
September 12, 1918 Draft RegistrationCharles Town
A 45 year old William registered for the WWI Draft. He lists his birthday at January 29, 1874 (1875 was originally written, but a 4 was written over the 5). He notes that he is currently employed as a mason for Washington Building Lime Company, and that is closest relative his his mother, Annie G. Welsh, at Bakerton. The registrar notes that he is short, of a medium build, and has gray eyes and red hair.
January 30, 1920 CensusHarpers Ferry
In the 1920 census, a 50 year old William is living in his mother's household near Bakerton. Also in the household is his older brother, Patrick. Both brothers are listed as being laborers for the lime kilns. The brother's father's birthplace is listed as Ireland, with Irish as his native tongue. Annie lists that she was born in Maryland, but both of her parents were also born in Ireland with an Irish native tongue.
November 17, 1922 Death of Family MemberBakerton
William's mother, Annie Gertrude Murphy, died on a Friday in mid-November. Annie left William in charge of her small estate, including giving all of her children their $1 inheritance. William was also in charge of her burial. He chose to bury her beside his father in St. Peters Cemetery. In return for seeing to her needs, care, and proper burial, William received the remainder of any of her possessions.
September 21, 1926 MarriageHarpers Ferry
At 52 years old, William married Miss Dorothy Elizabeth Lloyd. 15 year old Dorothy was pregnant at the time of their marriage. As a condition of their marriage in the Catholic Church, Dorothy was baptized Methodist in 1925, prior to their marriage.
September 25, 1926 WidowedBakerton
Just four short days after their marriage, William's wife Dorothy died as the result of a double ear infection. Although the official cause of death on her death certificate was the ear infection, family lore states that Dorothy died during childbirth.
April 8, 1930 CensusHarpers Ferry
July 12, 1931 Death of Family MemberBakerton
William lost his older brother Patrick to pulmonary tuberculosis on a Sunday at 6p.m. in the evening. After his just debts and $10 to the Catholic Priest presiding over his funeral service, Patrick left all of his remaining possessions to William.
April 15, 1940 CensusHarpers Ferry
October 4, 1953 DeathMartinsburg
At about 80 years old, William died on a Sunday morning at his residence in Martinsburg, 511 Berry Street, at 8:20 a.m. He had been living with his nephew and his wife there for about 3 years. William was a retired kiln brick mason at the lime kilns in Bakerton.
October 6, 1953 BurialHarpers Ferry
William was buried on a Tuesday in St. Peters Cemetery with his young wife and his older sister, Mary, who died in infancy.
October 22, 1953 Will ProvedCharles Town
William's will was proven about two weeks after his death. William appointed Robert W. Ingram, his sister's, Annie Ingram's, son as executor. He left any of his remaining possessions to Robert and his wife Cora for allowing him to live with them and taking care of him in the last years of his life.
