Monday, April 26, 2021

Village Cemetery #AtoZChallenge2021



During the research process of my fourth mystery, Neshoto Junction Homicide, I visited several cemeteries in the eastern half of Wisconsin. When ancestors came to Wisconsin in the 1800s, from France and Ireland by way of Quebec, they settled along the rivers flowing to Lake Michigan. Some relatives bought land and built homes in the Town of Mishicot (the village was not incorporated until 1950.) Although a few relatives were buried in the cemetery behind Holy Cross Church, most are buried in the village cemetery.

Baugniet section of village cemetery
Gravestones for Frederick and Macila are front-right

One of my research projects on the internet uncovered an interesting unsolved Mishicot mystery recorded in the Town of Mishicot meeting minutes. One entry shows that the town paid a Mr. Baugniet about $3 monthly to care for a "Mrs. Mishicott" at the Mishicot Poor House, which had been built in 1870 to care for those who couldn't care for themselves. Potawatomi officials say their chiefs could have had up to four wives. So the question remains: did one of them stay in Mishicot after Chief Mishicott left the area in 1862?

Later, according to another entry in the minutes, Mr. Baugniet was paid $7 for a casket to bury Mrs. Mishicott. But where was she buried? Speculation is that she was buried in the village cemetery, in a part that was often called potters field.

As for Mr. Baugniet, the only male Baugniet living in Mishicot at the time who would have been age-appropriate to care for the woman was my great grandfather, Frederick Baugniet. He and his wife, Macila, are both buried in the village cemetery.


Frederick
1855 - 1931
Macila
1861 - 1934





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10 comments:

  1. Research can unearth such interesting stories. Your findings are intriguing.
    The blooms are gorgeous.

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    1. Thank you, Arti. The blooms are Hawaiian, the research is Wisconsin rooted.

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  2. For followers of Hindu religion like me , the practise is to cremate the dead ... so no way to trace roots like this ha ha

    https://pagesfromjayashree.blogspot.com/2021/04/v-for-veritaserum.html

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    1. Cremation is more prevalent here now also, Jayashree. Thanks for visiting today.

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  3. Intriguing. Looks like a lovely peaceful cemetery. I think it's lovely you got to visit your great grandfather's grave along with his wife. I doubt many people are able to do that.

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    1. I agree, Deborah, visiting the gravesites of great grandparents is a privilege not everyone has the opportunity to enjoy.

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  4. Fascinating. I wonder who Mrs Mishicott was, and what was her story? And interesting that your great grandfather was involved.
    Black and White: V for Valhalla, Vaikuntha

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    1. It's these kinds of mysteries that make genealogy research so enticing, Anne. And the details make for interesting stories.

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  5. That is an intriguing mystery. Was there a town newspaper that might help solve it?

    My “V” song for the day:
    http://tao-talk.com/2021/04/26/a2z-2021-jethro-tull-songs-day-22-velvet-green-from-songs-from-the-wood-1977/

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    1. The village of Mishicot had no newspaper, Jade, only town minutes.

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