NOTE: Headstone photo is incorrect, this is not Solomon & Fanny, it's a child OF Solomon & Fanny mistakenly posted to both Solomon & Fanny's memorials; ks.
~~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: This is not a person photo of Fanny Custer; rather is Helen M. (Kimball) Whitney (1828-1896); verified by digital archive of the original photograph at the Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah:
https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/7c963fdb-2a00-4451-a502-a97103925738/0/0?lang=eng
--thanks to David (51160981) for info 4-26-23.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Bio by Carl upon creation of Fanny's memorial in 2009:
The following obituary was found in the Adolphus Barnes Family Bible (also known as the Stephen Barnes Family Bible). Spelling and punctuation are uncorrected.
"Fanny W. Custer, wife of the late Solomon Custer, was born in northern Ohio, near Cleveland, on September 30, 1817, and passed from this life at her son's home in Indianapolis, on the evening of November 29th, at the age of 72 years, 1 month, and 29 days.
"Aunt Fanny, as all her long time friends and acquaintances of Dublin called her, was one of the earliest settlers of this locality, having come to Dublin, then a scattering hamlet with a hut here and there, that spoke of the advance of civilization, when this part of the country was looked upon as but the borders of the great wilderness to the westward -when the forests that abounded on every side were as nature formed them, and through whose inaccessable depths roamed the Indian, and the bear; and which were, at that time being gradually, but surely, pressed toward the setting sun, by that toward tide of civilization, that has at last covered the vast territory lying between the two oceans, lakes and gulf. The deceased was untied [united] in holy wedlock to Solomon Franklin Custer, in this place, at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town, on Nov. 16th, 1838. As the result of this union, she had born to her nine children, two of whom survive her. With the exception of a very short period at two different times, aunt Fannie had made "Dublin her home, since first coming to the settlement; then just forming, away back in the 20's. She was generally beloved by all who knew her, and was noted for her benevolence of spirit and generous-heartedness; being known as one who would share her last crust with whosoever should need it.
"She joined the Universalist church on the evening of the 10th of Octrober, 1874, and until her last, held to that belief. She passed away peacefully and resignedly, with an abiding faith in the justice and love of an All Powerful and Supreme Being, and with joy in the full belief that she would meet with dear ones gone before.
"Having fulfilled the duties of life, with a conscientious regard for the welfare and happiness of those who were compelled to lean on her in her middle and early life, she passed away, fully trusting that the welcome applaudit summons, "well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord," would greet her on the other side. Funeral services were held at the Universalist church in Dublin, on Sabbath morning, Dec. 1, 1889, Rev. P.S. Cook and C.T. Swain, officiating"
Fanny Alger was allegedly the first plural wife of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. Alger's parents were neighbors of the Smith's, and Alger lived with the Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma. Chauncey and Ann Eliza Webb later recalled that rumors had been whispered while Alger lived with the Smiths about Smith and Alger. Alger stopped living with the Smiths as a result of a fallout with Emma and was dismissed as their housekeeper. Alger then lived with relatives in Mayfield, Ohio until she moved with her relatives to Indiana. On November 16, 1836 she married Solomon Custer in Dublin, Wayne County "at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town" With Solomon she had nine children. When later asked about her relationship with Joseph Smith after his death, she is reported to have said: "That is all a matter of my own, and I have nothing to communicate." (for quote see, Richard Lyman Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005), 327)
Fanny and Solomon had lived on Jackson St in Dublin, near the railroad tracks.
NOTE ON DATES, PLACES AND PARENTS:
Alt. Birth date- 30 Sept. 1816. Alt. Birthplace- Cleveland, Ohio. (see above obituary) Have used 1817 date from obituary calculation "72 years, 1 month, and 29 days." Ancestry.com also notes, "Born in Middlefield, Connecticut, USA on 7 Mar 1814 to Eleazer Augur and Abigail Church. Fanny married Newton Edward Northam and had 2 children. She passed away on 15 Feb 1875."∼Daughter of Samuel & Clarissa (Hancock) ALGER. Legally married Solomon Franklin Custer on November 16, 1836, in Wayne County, Indiana. They had the following children (9 total): Orrison Smith, Maria Clarissa, Lewis Alger (Margaret Barnes), Saphronia Alice (Vickers), Benjamin Franklin (Anna Rebecca Overholtz), and Lafayette Paul (Hannah E. Mason) CUSTER.
Fanny is famous for possibly being the first polygamist wife of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter-day Saint movement. There is a lot of debate outside and within the modern Latter-day Saints movement as to whether or not Fanny and Joseph's relationship was an early plural marriage, a secret sexual affair, or both. Please research Fanny's story to discover how this lady endured her scandalous teenage years to become a generous woman in later life!
~~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: This is not a person photo of Fanny Custer; rather is Helen M. (Kimball) Whitney (1828-1896); verified by digital archive of the original photograph at the Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah:
https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/7c963fdb-2a00-4451-a502-a97103925738/0/0?lang=eng
--thanks to David (51160981) for info 4-26-23.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Bio by Carl upon creation of Fanny's memorial in 2009:
The following obituary was found in the Adolphus Barnes Family Bible (also known as the Stephen Barnes Family Bible). Spelling and punctuation are uncorrected.
"Fanny W. Custer, wife of the late Solomon Custer, was born in northern Ohio, near Cleveland, on September 30, 1817, and passed from this life at her son's home in Indianapolis, on the evening of November 29th, at the age of 72 years, 1 month, and 29 days.
"Aunt Fanny, as all her long time friends and acquaintances of Dublin called her, was one of the earliest settlers of this locality, having come to Dublin, then a scattering hamlet with a hut here and there, that spoke of the advance of civilization, when this part of the country was looked upon as but the borders of the great wilderness to the westward -when the forests that abounded on every side were as nature formed them, and through whose inaccessable depths roamed the Indian, and the bear; and which were, at that time being gradually, but surely, pressed toward the setting sun, by that toward tide of civilization, that has at last covered the vast territory lying between the two oceans, lakes and gulf. The deceased was untied [united] in holy wedlock to Solomon Franklin Custer, in this place, at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town, on Nov. 16th, 1838. As the result of this union, she had born to her nine children, two of whom survive her. With the exception of a very short period at two different times, aunt Fannie had made "Dublin her home, since first coming to the settlement; then just forming, away back in the 20's. She was generally beloved by all who knew her, and was noted for her benevolence of spirit and generous-heartedness; being known as one who would share her last crust with whosoever should need it.
"She joined the Universalist church on the evening of the 10th of Octrober, 1874, and until her last, held to that belief. She passed away peacefully and resignedly, with an abiding faith in the justice and love of an All Powerful and Supreme Being, and with joy in the full belief that she would meet with dear ones gone before.
"Having fulfilled the duties of life, with a conscientious regard for the welfare and happiness of those who were compelled to lean on her in her middle and early life, she passed away, fully trusting that the welcome applaudit summons, "well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord," would greet her on the other side. Funeral services were held at the Universalist church in Dublin, on Sabbath morning, Dec. 1, 1889, Rev. P.S. Cook and C.T. Swain, officiating"
Fanny Alger was allegedly the first plural wife of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. Alger's parents were neighbors of the Smith's, and Alger lived with the Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma. Chauncey and Ann Eliza Webb later recalled that rumors had been whispered while Alger lived with the Smiths about Smith and Alger. Alger stopped living with the Smiths as a result of a fallout with Emma and was dismissed as their housekeeper. Alger then lived with relatives in Mayfield, Ohio until she moved with her relatives to Indiana. On November 16, 1836 she married Solomon Custer in Dublin, Wayne County "at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town" With Solomon she had nine children. When later asked about her relationship with Joseph Smith after his death, she is reported to have said: "That is all a matter of my own, and I have nothing to communicate." (for quote see, Richard Lyman Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005), 327)
Fanny and Solomon had lived on Jackson St in Dublin, near the railroad tracks.
NOTE ON DATES, PLACES AND PARENTS:
Alt. Birth date- 30 Sept. 1816. Alt. Birthplace- Cleveland, Ohio. (see above obituary) Have used 1817 date from obituary calculation "72 years, 1 month, and 29 days." Ancestry.com also notes, "Born in Middlefield, Connecticut, USA on 7 Mar 1814 to Eleazer Augur and Abigail Church. Fanny married Newton Edward Northam and had 2 children. She passed away on 15 Feb 1875."∼Daughter of Samuel & Clarissa (Hancock) ALGER. Legally married Solomon Franklin Custer on November 16, 1836, in Wayne County, Indiana. They had the following children (9 total): Orrison Smith, Maria Clarissa, Lewis Alger (Margaret Barnes), Saphronia Alice (Vickers), Benjamin Franklin (Anna Rebecca Overholtz), and Lafayette Paul (Hannah E. Mason) CUSTER.
Fanny is famous for possibly being the first polygamist wife of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter-day Saint movement. There is a lot of debate outside and within the modern Latter-day Saints movement as to whether or not Fanny and Joseph's relationship was an early plural marriage, a secret sexual affair, or both. Please research Fanny's story to discover how this lady endured her scandalous teenage years to become a generous woman in later life!
NOTE: Headstone photo is incorrect, this is not Solomon & Fanny, it's a child OF Solomon & Fanny mistakenly posted to both Solomon & Fanny's memorials; ks.
~~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: This is not a person photo of Fanny Custer; rather is Helen M. (Kimball) Whitney (1828-1896); verified by digital archive of the original photograph at the Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah:
https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/7c963fdb-2a00-4451-a502-a97103925738/0/0?lang=eng
--thanks to David (51160981) for info 4-26-23.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Bio by Carl upon creation of Fanny's memorial in 2009:
The following obituary was found in the Adolphus Barnes Family Bible (also known as the Stephen Barnes Family Bible). Spelling and punctuation are uncorrected.
"Fanny W. Custer, wife of the late Solomon Custer, was born in northern Ohio, near Cleveland, on September 30, 1817, and passed from this life at her son's home in Indianapolis, on the evening of November 29th, at the age of 72 years, 1 month, and 29 days.
"Aunt Fanny, as all her long time friends and acquaintances of Dublin called her, was one of the earliest settlers of this locality, having come to Dublin, then a scattering hamlet with a hut here and there, that spoke of the advance of civilization, when this part of the country was looked upon as but the borders of the great wilderness to the westward -when the forests that abounded on every side were as nature formed them, and through whose inaccessable depths roamed the Indian, and the bear; and which were, at that time being gradually, but surely, pressed toward the setting sun, by that toward tide of civilization, that has at last covered the vast territory lying between the two oceans, lakes and gulf. The deceased was untied [united] in holy wedlock to Solomon Franklin Custer, in this place, at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town, on Nov. 16th, 1838. As the result of this union, she had born to her nine children, two of whom survive her. With the exception of a very short period at two different times, aunt Fannie had made "Dublin her home, since first coming to the settlement; then just forming, away back in the 20's. She was generally beloved by all who knew her, and was noted for her benevolence of spirit and generous-heartedness; being known as one who would share her last crust with whosoever should need it.
"She joined the Universalist church on the evening of the 10th of Octrober, 1874, and until her last, held to that belief. She passed away peacefully and resignedly, with an abiding faith in the justice and love of an All Powerful and Supreme Being, and with joy in the full belief that she would meet with dear ones gone before.
"Having fulfilled the duties of life, with a conscientious regard for the welfare and happiness of those who were compelled to lean on her in her middle and early life, she passed away, fully trusting that the welcome applaudit summons, "well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord," would greet her on the other side. Funeral services were held at the Universalist church in Dublin, on Sabbath morning, Dec. 1, 1889, Rev. P.S. Cook and C.T. Swain, officiating"
Fanny Alger was allegedly the first plural wife of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. Alger's parents were neighbors of the Smith's, and Alger lived with the Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma. Chauncey and Ann Eliza Webb later recalled that rumors had been whispered while Alger lived with the Smiths about Smith and Alger. Alger stopped living with the Smiths as a result of a fallout with Emma and was dismissed as their housekeeper. Alger then lived with relatives in Mayfield, Ohio until she moved with her relatives to Indiana. On November 16, 1836 she married Solomon Custer in Dublin, Wayne County "at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town" With Solomon she had nine children. When later asked about her relationship with Joseph Smith after his death, she is reported to have said: "That is all a matter of my own, and I have nothing to communicate." (for quote see, Richard Lyman Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005), 327)
Fanny and Solomon had lived on Jackson St in Dublin, near the railroad tracks.
NOTE ON DATES, PLACES AND PARENTS:
Alt. Birth date- 30 Sept. 1816. Alt. Birthplace- Cleveland, Ohio. (see above obituary) Have used 1817 date from obituary calculation "72 years, 1 month, and 29 days." Ancestry.com also notes, "Born in Middlefield, Connecticut, USA on 7 Mar 1814 to Eleazer Augur and Abigail Church. Fanny married Newton Edward Northam and had 2 children. She passed away on 15 Feb 1875."∼Daughter of Samuel & Clarissa (Hancock) ALGER. Legally married Solomon Franklin Custer on November 16, 1836, in Wayne County, Indiana. They had the following children (9 total): Orrison Smith, Maria Clarissa, Lewis Alger (Margaret Barnes), Saphronia Alice (Vickers), Benjamin Franklin (Anna Rebecca Overholtz), and Lafayette Paul (Hannah E. Mason) CUSTER.
Fanny is famous for possibly being the first polygamist wife of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter-day Saint movement. There is a lot of debate outside and within the modern Latter-day Saints movement as to whether or not Fanny and Joseph's relationship was an early plural marriage, a secret sexual affair, or both. Please research Fanny's story to discover how this lady endured her scandalous teenage years to become a generous woman in later life!
~~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: This is not a person photo of Fanny Custer; rather is Helen M. (Kimball) Whitney (1828-1896); verified by digital archive of the original photograph at the Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah:
https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/7c963fdb-2a00-4451-a502-a97103925738/0/0?lang=eng
--thanks to David (51160981) for info 4-26-23.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Bio by Carl upon creation of Fanny's memorial in 2009:
The following obituary was found in the Adolphus Barnes Family Bible (also known as the Stephen Barnes Family Bible). Spelling and punctuation are uncorrected.
"Fanny W. Custer, wife of the late Solomon Custer, was born in northern Ohio, near Cleveland, on September 30, 1817, and passed from this life at her son's home in Indianapolis, on the evening of November 29th, at the age of 72 years, 1 month, and 29 days.
"Aunt Fanny, as all her long time friends and acquaintances of Dublin called her, was one of the earliest settlers of this locality, having come to Dublin, then a scattering hamlet with a hut here and there, that spoke of the advance of civilization, when this part of the country was looked upon as but the borders of the great wilderness to the westward -when the forests that abounded on every side were as nature formed them, and through whose inaccessable depths roamed the Indian, and the bear; and which were, at that time being gradually, but surely, pressed toward the setting sun, by that toward tide of civilization, that has at last covered the vast territory lying between the two oceans, lakes and gulf. The deceased was untied [united] in holy wedlock to Solomon Franklin Custer, in this place, at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town, on Nov. 16th, 1838. As the result of this union, she had born to her nine children, two of whom survive her. With the exception of a very short period at two different times, aunt Fannie had made "Dublin her home, since first coming to the settlement; then just forming, away back in the 20's. She was generally beloved by all who knew her, and was noted for her benevolence of spirit and generous-heartedness; being known as one who would share her last crust with whosoever should need it.
"She joined the Universalist church on the evening of the 10th of Octrober, 1874, and until her last, held to that belief. She passed away peacefully and resignedly, with an abiding faith in the justice and love of an All Powerful and Supreme Being, and with joy in the full belief that she would meet with dear ones gone before.
"Having fulfilled the duties of life, with a conscientious regard for the welfare and happiness of those who were compelled to lean on her in her middle and early life, she passed away, fully trusting that the welcome applaudit summons, "well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord," would greet her on the other side. Funeral services were held at the Universalist church in Dublin, on Sabbath morning, Dec. 1, 1889, Rev. P.S. Cook and C.T. Swain, officiating"
Fanny Alger was allegedly the first plural wife of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. Alger's parents were neighbors of the Smith's, and Alger lived with the Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma. Chauncey and Ann Eliza Webb later recalled that rumors had been whispered while Alger lived with the Smiths about Smith and Alger. Alger stopped living with the Smiths as a result of a fallout with Emma and was dismissed as their housekeeper. Alger then lived with relatives in Mayfield, Ohio until she moved with her relatives to Indiana. On November 16, 1836 she married Solomon Custer in Dublin, Wayne County "at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town" With Solomon she had nine children. When later asked about her relationship with Joseph Smith after his death, she is reported to have said: "That is all a matter of my own, and I have nothing to communicate." (for quote see, Richard Lyman Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005), 327)
Fanny and Solomon had lived on Jackson St in Dublin, near the railroad tracks.
NOTE ON DATES, PLACES AND PARENTS:
Alt. Birth date- 30 Sept. 1816. Alt. Birthplace- Cleveland, Ohio. (see above obituary) Have used 1817 date from obituary calculation "72 years, 1 month, and 29 days." Ancestry.com also notes, "Born in Middlefield, Connecticut, USA on 7 Mar 1814 to Eleazer Augur and Abigail Church. Fanny married Newton Edward Northam and had 2 children. She passed away on 15 Feb 1875."∼Daughter of Samuel & Clarissa (Hancock) ALGER. Legally married Solomon Franklin Custer on November 16, 1836, in Wayne County, Indiana. They had the following children (9 total): Orrison Smith, Maria Clarissa, Lewis Alger (Margaret Barnes), Saphronia Alice (Vickers), Benjamin Franklin (Anna Rebecca Overholtz), and Lafayette Paul (Hannah E. Mason) CUSTER.
Fanny is famous for possibly being the first polygamist wife of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter-day Saint movement. There is a lot of debate outside and within the modern Latter-day Saints movement as to whether or not Fanny and Joseph's relationship was an early plural marriage, a secret sexual affair, or both. Please research Fanny's story to discover how this lady endured her scandalous teenage years to become a generous woman in later life!
