The dates on the deeds give more clarification of just when the James McGinnis family left Seattle city life for a farm life in Florence. It does not really reveal if the family moved north while the house was being built or if Mary Ellen and the children remained in Seattle until a home was available. This is about the time of the marriage of Sarah Donahue and James Hall so perhaps there was some temporary living accomodations next door as the construction went on.
Since Uncle John was born in Seattle in 1892 it is quite possible that James might have preceded the family to Florence in order to have a home ready. Another possibility is since Mary Ellen's sister, Catherine, based on the deed for the Hugh McGinnis property, was still living in Seattle meaning that perhaps Mary Ellen returned to stay with her sister and her husband during the final stages of the pregnancy.
Forgive my nit-picking but I really do become wrapped up in details sometimes. Sometimes it pays off when one small question opens up another even larger question with more information eventually being found.
Overall 1911 Plat Map for Northwest Snohomish County 
An Enlargement of the Locations of the Florence Farms There is no indication of the owner of the small lot in Florence where the Hevly family maintained a store for so many years.
Original Deed for the James McGinnis Land, a Farm of Seven Acres
Robert Ferguson's Deed,
Ten Acres
The deeds for Robert Ferguson and James McGinnis, although originally transacted about a month apart, were filed with the county on the very same day in March of 1891. All three of these parcels were purchased from the same owner.
As stated on the Ferguson deed, Robert was residing in Port Blakely on Bainbridge Island at the time of his land purchase. It is interesting how this small mill town enters into other future family details. That's another subject for another time though.
Approximately Eight Years Later,
in 1899, Hugh McGinnis Filed His Deed,
A Five Acre Tract
No comments:
Post a Comment