Date: Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:57:59 +0000 From: Steven.Lake One never knows what may be found if one looks. I looked about ten years ago and concluded that so many records were destroyed by the British that finding anything is impossible. On the other hand, more records are being digitized from a variety of places that may not have been apparent when looking in physical places. The given name Cornelius and his cause of death, killed by a colt, is only family history. There is only an 1811 Essex County NJ marriage record for Nancy Ann Lake and George Groom that indirectly proves the existance of her first husband of the Lake surname. The other evidence is Cornelius and Nancy Ann's only son named Joseph Lake (1809-1834), who is in the 1830 census in Coshocton, Ohio. Other family history and records for other family members helps solidify the existance of Cornelius, such as descendants named Cornelius. Nancy Ann had two children with George Groom, who may have been killed by Indians, then she had four children with her third husband, William Walker, who was executed by the British for desertion. She had no children with her fourth and last husband. Nancy Ann's family entered the US at New York and were in that city for several years. Her father left the family to scout out opportunties and never returned. A man named James Florentine sponsored the Fletcher family, comprised of the mother and three children under age 20, Nancy Ann and two brothers, Joseph and Adam. Joseph took up carpentry and real estate speculation and remained in NYC. The rest of the family went to Ohio. There may be a better chance of finding Cornelius in New York or Pennsylvania, than NJ. Ten years ago I hadn't filled in the details on Nancy Ann's brothers to have a broader context and this only occurred to me just now. I did study several Lake family lines in NY & NJ, such as Egg Harbor, and really couldn't find a possible fit. Steve Lake