Last night over at Geneamusings, Randy Seaver had for his Saturday Night Genealogy Fun a game of ancestor roulette. The ancestor he landed on was his great-grandmother about whom he had this to say:

I called her “Nana” – as did my mother. She was the earliest born person that I remember being with.

She was born in 1868, so I was impressed by that. The earliest born person I remember is my Great-Uncle Milt who was born in 1900. I had some great-uncles born in the 1890’s whom I probably met but don’t remember. My Uncle Milt had no other family living besides us. He never had children and his only brother, my grandfather, had only my mother. So, Uncle Milt would join us for Thanksgiving and other holidays. When he passed away, I went with my mom to his house and it was like stepping into another time. I came away with a penny from 1919, an old fountain pen and three old 78 records. None of those things have survived to present day, I am sad to report.

Compared to 1868, 1900 is not that long ago. My grandmothers were born in 1904 and 1905 and I knew them better than Uncle Milt. Through the stories of my grandmother Naomi Carman Garrison especially, the early twentieth century was not so far removed.

What about my grandmother? Who was the oldest person she knew? My mind went immediately to her grandmother Catherine Hornef Carman. This was not likely the oldest person in her family my grandmother ever met, but she is the only one my grandmother told me about. It is not much, but this may be all that is ever “remembered” about my 2nd great-grandmother. My grandmother told me she remembered her grandmother as a large, happy German woman and remembered her cooking in the kitchen. My grandmother was only seven years old when her grandmother passed away, so one can forgive the vagueness.

Some things I have learned about Catherine Hornef Carman since:

• She was born 1 July 1845 in Otterberg, Germany to Jacob Hornef and Katharina Faber.
• She was christened at the Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche in Otterberg shortly thereafter.
• They immigrated to Philadelphia when she was a baby and they left Germany “secretly.”
• She had two sisters Eva Amelia who married Andrew Mahla and settled in Marcus Hook and Mary who has proven elusive.
• Her sisters were both born in Pennsylvania.
• She was married in 1862 to Elon Carman at the First Independent Christian Church in Philadelphia.
• She died 9 April 1913 and is buried in Mt. Moriah cemetery in Philadelphia¹

Rebecca Coleman Death Certificate

From 1812 Pension File of Jacob Coleman available on Fold3.com
Transcribed by Alexander Conrad

1. Full name of deceased: Rebecca Coleman

2. Age: 97 Years 6 Months 14 Days
3. Color: white

Occupation: ~~~~~~

4. Single, married, widow or widower {Cross out all but right one} [none crossed out]
5. Birthplace: New Jersey

6. Last place of residence: Camden

7. How long resident in this State: Life
8. Place of death: #112 Nth 6th street, Camden, N.J.
9. Father’s name: Arthur Venable
County of Birth: U.S.

10. Mother’s name: Rebecca

Country of Birth: U.S.
11. I hereby certify that I attended the deceased during the last illness and that she died on the 28th day of Sept 1885; and that the cause of death was Old Age.
Length of sickness: Seven days
[signed] C.J. Cooper
Medical Attendant
Residence: Camden
Name of Undertaker: F.P. Middleton
Residence of Undertaker: Camden
Place of Burial: ~~~~~

[The following handwritten letter attached to the above]

I [L] Cooper Carman Clerk of the City of Camden do hereby certify that the annexed certificate is a true copy of the Death of Rebecca Coleman as recorded in my said office.
In Witness whereof I have herewith set my hand and caused the corporate seal of the City of Camden to be herewith affixed this first day of April A.D. 1887
[L] Cooper Carman
Clerk of the City of Camden

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