There is a family story that my ancestor Mehetable Wells (b. about 1814 in Maine) was married to a Mr. Stockweather and he left her after they had 2 children. The story says that after that she married Francis Stockman. That same story was known by descendants of both the Stockweather and the Stockman families. But we always wondered if it was true.

After 40 years of searching nobody has proven Mr. Stockweather’s first name. He and Mehetable had George (1847 – 1938) and my ancestor Almeda Angeline Stockweather (1849 – 1900). By the 1850 census Mehetable is married to Francis (Frank) Stockman who was a stone mason born in England. They had a son Franklin Pierce Stockman (1853 – 1926).

I have my DNA on a few websites. Recent on 23andMe, a new  genetic relative showed up, Peggy M. from Texas. In her list of surnames are Wells and Stockman. It also says we are 3rd cousins. I descend from Wells and Stockweather. It turns out that the family story is true.

I don’t know if the part of the family story that Mr. Stockweather left the family is true. Maybe he died. I also never have found death dates nor burial locations for Francis Stockman and Mehetable (Wells) Stockweather Stockman. I think that they don’t have tombstones. Neither are listed in any census records after the 1855 NY census.