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Hi, Rita,
This is very exciting news to hear that we are both researching the same branch of the Soule family!
We had no problem being accepted by the Mayflower Society. My father became a member several years ago and I will get around to doing so one of these days!
My problem is that I have been asked to join the Colonial Dames and their requirements are far more stringent than those of the Mayflower Society. The glitch, for them, is that there is no actual document such as a will or birth acknowledgment from the Quakers linking Benjamin and Ebenezer. It appears to have been passed down orally. They do not accept Ridlon's research and I have to admit that even there they use the word "probable" when they mention the Benjamin-Ebenezer link. I don't think there's any doubt about it, but to prove it with documents is turning out to be problematical.
We are talking about the same Benjamin and his line of descent has already been proven by the Dames. So I'm only looking for father-son proof. Benjamin was apparently married twice. According to Rootsweb, under the contact: Garland DeCourcy, Benjamin and Abigail Howland had 8 children (of which Ebenezer was their 3rd born) and he and wife #2, Elizabeth Dabbs or Davis, had 9 more including a set of twin girls.
I have been to Spencertown and visited the graves of Ebenezer and Mercy and I have been to the house he built in 1783 and walked on Joseph Foote's property (Mercy's father) just across the road from Ebenezer's! I got to know the local historian in Spencertown and I have lots of information from her that I would love to share with you. How can we do that? Mrs. Kern was her name and I've visited her 3 times (I think she has since died). She predicted I would have trouble with the proofs but suggested I go up to Albany and do a search. I have not done so. My 1st cousin and I are willing to go out to NY to try to do more sleuthing. Perhaps we could coordinate our efforts. I am working with the Dames' historian and when I hear back from her regarding how best to go forward, I will let you know.
Its in Ridlon that there is mention of an "old family bible" owned by Ebenezer and at the time of writing in the possession of a granddaughter of Ebenezer's living in Los Angeles, CA. In it, Ebenezer writes about his 57th birthday when he was joined by all 12 of his children and their spouses save one! (I feel as if I knew the man) and my hope is that in said Bible, Ebenezer mentions his father. If it is an old family bible owned by Ebenezer, it would have to mention his father!
The farm itself is incredibly beautiful and the property appears to be intact. The house is large but unfortunately was remodeled in 1929 and the windows are all wrong but at least the rest of it appears authentic. Huge stone chimney's at either end of the house and a stone barn attached at one side - everything painted white. I've actually met the owners. Very crabby and certainly were not going to invite me in! So disappointing. I have lots of photos of the house and fields surrounding it which I would love to send you.
From which of Ebenezer's children are you descended? I am descended from Isaac.
Thank you for writing. I think we could have a lot of fun with this.
Sarah
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