George Fraser of Jersey City

Mary Frazier (1835-1875) married John Calverley in the earlier 1850s. They had a son, George Frazier Calverley, around 1858 in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey.

In the continued search for the family of origin of Mary Frazier, I came across an article in the Jersey Journal from 1895. George Frazier or Fraser committed bigamy by marrying Lydia Dennison in 1894 while still married to his first wife, Margaret Cannon.

     "Fraser's first wife charges him with bigamy. She was Margaret Cannon, of Yonkers, before her marriage. She produces a certificate showing that she was married to George Frazier June 14, 1882. He left her December, 1892, and came to Jersey City about two years ago. One child, the result of the union, died several years ago.

     "Frazier spelled his name Fraser in this city. He was for some time in the employ of the Griffin Iron Works. The county records show that he was married June 12, 1894, to Lydia Dennison, of this city, by Rev. D. R. Lowrie.

I did not see a pertinent entry in the index for marriages in New York and New York City for Margaret Cannon and George Fraser or Frazier. I did find the record for the marriage in 1894 of George Fraser, Jr and Lida Denison in Jersey City.

George's address was 612-58th Street in New York City. He was 35 years old (year of birth circa 1859). His parents were George Fraser and Margret Stewart of Scotland.

Lida's address was 98 Jackson Avenue in Jersey City. She was 25 years old (year of birth circa 1869). Her parents were Stephen Denison and Martha Bouker.

This was the first marriage for both of them.

A few years after the newspaper article about George's first wife, this couple was enumerated in the 1900 federal census in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With them was a daughter, Edith M Fraser, born in March of 1888. On this record, Edith's birth predates the marriage of George and Lyda by six years. As such, Lyda's age was modified from 30 to 39 on the census form and the years of marriage were listed as 12.

In the 1910 census, George, Lydia, and Edith were back in Jersey City, living with Lydia's mother, Martha Dennison. Lydia's age, 40 years, was more consistent with prior records. Even though Edith was 18 years old, the length of marriage for her mother and George was correctly given as 15 years.

Martha died in 1911.

Mrs Martha J Denison

     The death of Mrs Martha Jane Denison, a lifelong resident of Jersey City, which occurred on Sunday at her home, 34 Jewett Avenue, is mourned by a large number of relatives and friends. She was born Oct 31, 1830. Before her marriage she was Martha Bourker, a member of one of the oldest families in this city.

     Mrs Denison is survived by three children, Mrs Lydia Fraser, Charles Denison, and Mrs Lillie Watson, and four grandchildren. Her death leaves but one of Obadiah Bourker's family of five boys and two girls, Andrew Bourker.

In the 1930 census in Jersey City, Lydia Fraser was living with her sister and family. George was not with Lydia, even though her marital status was married and not widowed or divorced.

Who was the father of Lydia's daughter, Edith? On her birth certificate, she was named Edith May Denison. She was born on March 2, 1889 at 111 Union Street in Jersey City. Her father was "O.W." or out of wedlock. Her mother was Lida Denison, age 20.

In 1912, Edith May Fraser married Henry Christopher Heilshorn at 30 Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City. Her parents were listed as George Fraser and Elida Denison.

Edith died in 1967. She had children and grandchildren. If her descendants tested their DNA, it may be possible to ascertain if her biological father was George Fraser; if so, this may yield clues as to the origin of Mary Fraser/Frazier.

HEILSHORN

     Mrs Edith M, 78, of 1618 66th Ave S. Died Thursday Nov 2, 1967. Born in Philadelphia, Pa, here 14 years from Newark, N.J. she is survived by her husband Henery C; 2 sons Howard S, St Petersburg, and Henery C Jr, Kearny, N.Y., and 2 grandchildren. Friends may call from 7-9PM today at c. James Mathews Funeral Home 2025 9th St S where funeral services will be held at 10:30AM Monday Nov 6 with the Rev Jimmy S Jones officiating. Interment in Memorial Park.