Another Herring Patriarch: Henry C. Herring

The Family of Henry C. and Mary Ann Wells Herring. From L to R: John B., Henry C., Jane Ann and Mary Ann.

Through the very generous assistance of Cheryl McConnell and Pat Wisz we have been filling in information about the fates of more of the children of Jonathan Herring and Frances Howlett.  Henry C. Herring was born May 2, 1833 in King’s Lynn, the second youngest child of the couple.  Henry appears as an eight year old Harry in the 1841 Census.  At this time Frances has moved the family out to Terrington St Clement, presumably to regroup after the death of her husband Jonathan the year before.

1841 Census Record showing the Family of Frances Herring in Terrington St Clement

According to Cheryl, each of Jonathan’s children received an inheritance and Henry C. used the proceeds to apprentice as a boat’s carpenter.  He immigrated in 1852, as according to his death certificate he had resided in the US for about fifty years when he passed.  He settled in New London, Oneida County, New York an lived there with his wife Mary Ann Wells whom he married in 1856.

Here is his Obituary.

Henry C. Herring

NEW LONDON, March 11, 1901 – The death of Henry C. Herring occurred at his home in this village at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Deceased was in his usual health at 3 o’clock on that day when he sustained a stroke of apoplexy, and from that time failed rapidly till death ensued. Mr. Herring was born in England on May 2, 1833, and came to this country when a young man, taking up his residence in the vicinity where his death occurred. About two years ago he suffered a similar shock and never fully recovered from it, although he had not been confined to the bed during any of the intervening times. There survive, besides his wife, four sons and three daughters. Walter B., Gordon J. and Alvin of New London, and Roger V. Herring of Oswego; Mrs. George Eckhardt, Michigan; Mrs. Frank Schuler, Rome, and Mrs. John Lewis, New York; also one brother, Benjamin Herring of Kansas City. The deceased was a member of the New London Lodge. F. and A.M. (Masonic Lodge). During his long residence in this vicinity Mr. Herring had made many friends who will ever hold his memory in respect and esteem.

Death Notice:

New London

Henry Herring died at his home Saturday evening very suddenly. He had a shock at 3 p.m. and died at 8. He leaves a wife, three sons, and three daughters. The funeral will be held at the M.E. Church Wednesday at one o’clock.

taken from: The Rome Citizen Newspaper, Rome, NY, US, Tuesday, 1901-03-12, page 4.

A photo believed to be of Henry C. Herring taken from a damaged tinotype.

Funeral Notice:

The funeral of Henry C. Herring was held at the M.E. Church last Wenesday and was well attended. A beautiful wreath of hyacinths adorned the casket, and his four sons acted as bearers. Rev. Mr. Williams preached an excellent sermon. The remains were interrred in Rathbunville cemetery.

Alvin and Gordon Herring were called here from New York on account of their father’s death. Alvin has returned, but Gordon will remain with his mother until spring, and Rodger of Oswego Center will work the place the coming season.

taken from The Rome Daily Sentinel Newspaper, Rome, NY, US, Monday, March 18, 1901, page 3.

It does beg the question, though, what does the “C” stand for?

Many thanks to Cheryl McConnell and her research partner Pat Wisz for sharing the photos and the Obituaries.