The Family of David Test and Ann Middleton
by Richard Thayer
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richardthayer1947 at gmail.com
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When my grandmother Vera Bovard Thayer died in 1975, I inherited an old photo album that contained 18 photographs. Some were identified with handwritten names on the back and others contained very sketchy information. I have worked to better identify these photographs over the years and now know more about most of them.
The photos are predominantly of the children of David Test (1771-1852) and his wife Ann Middleton Test (1771-1861). Most of the photos were taken in the 1860's in Philadelphia and some were taken in Ohio and Illinois as the family moved west.
David Test Sr. was born 22 September 1771 in Pilesgrove Township, Salem County, New Jersey to Benjamin Test and his wife Sarah Dunn Test. David Test Sr. married Ann Middleton on 5 January 1797 in Gloucester County, New Jersey. She was born 17 January 1771 in Haddonfield, Camden County, New Jersey.
There were at least 9 children born to this marriage with some born in New Jersey and others born in Philadelphia. It is not known when the family moved to Philadelphia but they were apparently there by 1805 when their 6th child David Jr. was born. David Sr. was a tanner and currier living at 257 Sassafras Street Philadelphia in the early 1800's.
The oldest child was John Middleton Test born 27 December 1797, married Eliza Goldson 18 January 1820. John died 25 February 1873.
The next children were the twins Benjamin and Mary Middleton Test born 25 November 1799. Benjamin lived to adulthood but no record of a marriage for him has been found. Mary died at age 6 on 17 May 1805 and is buried in Kensington Quaker Burying Ground.
Thomas Test is apparently the fourth child born on 6 October 1801. His picture is in the photo album but he is strangely absent in entries of the David Test family bible, which is owned by Carol Shipilov.
The fifth child was Hannah Test born 18 August 1803 who married Anthony McKeever on 23 February 1826.
The sixth child was my 3rd great grandfather David Test Jr. who was born 20 November 1805 in Philadelphia (probably Bustleton area) and married Sarah Ann Heritage 22 April 1832 in Abington Presbyterian Church, Montgomery County Pennsylvania. Sarah was born in Bustleton Pennsylvania on 20 February 1805. David died 12 August 1887 in Kewanee Illinois and is buried in the Wethersfield Cemetery next to his wife who died 21 September 1882.
Edward Test was born 7 March 1808 and died 26 November 1829. He married Catherine McMullen 22 March 1829.
The eighth child was Alexander Test born 8 January 1810 and died in 1888. Alexander married Eliza Corrigan or Carrigan in 1833.
Last known child was Middleton Test born 22 September 1811 and died 23 March 1890. He was apparently married twice, first to Mary Stevens who died about 1870 and second to Sarah Campbell. The photo in the album labeled Middleton Test's wife is probably Mary Stevens since the photo is dated as being taken on 23 September 1861.
I feel very fortunate that these 140-year-old photographs have been preserved and to have inherited this album since it had to come to me through so many generations of ancestors. David Test Jr. to Elizabeth B Test (Good) to Clara Alice Good (Bovard) to Vera Alice Bovard (Thayer). I am happy to share this information and these photographs with other Test cousins.
Richard Thayer
Billings, Montana
September 2005
Posted 9/27/2005
