Author Archives: Ron Elder

Ivan Elder spent the decade of his 80s writing the story of his life. He had in front of him as aids to his remarkably clear personal memories a collection of the appointment diaries which he had used to keep … Continue reading →

On 11 Feb 1867 Samuel Carr left New York on the Henry Chauncey bound for Panama with his three children and accompanied by Mary Jane Burpee, recently employed by him as a housekeeper at the New London Hotel.  His wife … Continue reading →

Arrival in New Zealand  1867 The San Francisco Chronicle of 28 April 1887 quoted an 1867 report from the Superintendent of Police in Wellington, New Zealand saying that “Carr and family arrived at Wellington on 11th April (1867) On that … Continue reading →

Samuel Murray Carr (aka Henry Wade Kurtain) B:  19 Nov 1834 in New London, New Hampshire, USA D:  21 Sep 1909 in Alameda County, California, USA There is a mystery lying not yet fully explained in the dual identities of … Continue reading →

The History of New London gives this brief summary of Samuel Murray Carr’s military career in an individual biographical sketch: “… enlisted Eleventh N.H.V., Aug 11 1862; mustered in as captain of Company F; discharged disabled Jan 29 1863 …” … Continue reading →

I have recently discovered an online family tree for the Kellers – the internet links are given below. I have been in contact with one of the family historians, Ken Kalloch who turns out to be a 4th-cousin through the … Continue reading →

The San Francisco Chronicle reported in 1877 that Mrs Eunice Carr had come to San Francisco in search of her absconding husband Samuel Murray Carr and their three children: A Sorrowing Mother I have discovered that Eunice Carr remained in … Continue reading →

Eunice Keller had a sister called Orinda. The Chronicle reports of 1887 had mentioned a brother George who was a merchant sea captain and who had assisted her in the search for Samuel Carr in 1867. They had also mentioned … Continue reading →

One of the San Francisco Chronicle articles refers to “a young woman called Burpee” and says “She claimed to be divorced from her husband but no one knew anything about her.” This was not true. Her husband was Arthur Elbridge Burpee who came from … Continue reading →