I got to thinking about the legend of Harry Houdini and his death and subsequent haunting linked to Halloween — it might be because I live in metropolitan Detroit where Harry died and subsequently is supposed to have come back to say some final farewells.  This got me wondering which of my ancestors might have shared the Halloween departure date with Harry?

My 10 times great grandfather, Samuel Fuller, was the first to come to mind!  Grandfather Fuller arrived in America aboard the Mayflower in 1620  as a 12 year old child and was left an orphan a year later.  He was raised by his aunt and uncle and married Jane Lothrop on 8 April 1635.   They had 9 children, all born in Barnstable, Massachusetts.  This included my 9 times great grandfather Samuel Fuller (1638).  Samuel the elder, passed away on 31 October 1683.

Next was my second cousin, 8 times removed, [ya, that stretches the relationship chart just a bit!] Ebenezer Benton, III.   Cousin Eb was born on 29 April 1728, in Litchfield, Connecticut to Ebenezer Benton II and Esther Cruttenden. I have no record of him ever marrying or having issue.  He died 31 October 1813.

And lastly, was my great grandaunt, Elizabeth Jane Weaver.  Aunt Elizabeth was born to Gottlieb Weber [changed to Goodliff Weaver] and Anne Lane on 23 February 1842.  She was the sister of my great grandfather, Lemuel Weaver.  I have no record of Aunt Elizabeth marrying.   She passed away on 31 October 1874 in Perry County, Ohio.