Did you ever wonder what your ancestors were up to on any given date? I know often times your ancestors were attacking my ancestors, or my ancestors were attacking yours. Or everyone was fending off disease, starvation, or a myriad of problems that bedevil mankind. Yet, it is nice to think that they enjoyed the occassional peaceful day in which they milked their cows, tilled their fields, savored a leisurely country drive, entertained friends, or were able to relish a beautiful April day.

     In the case of poor Jefferson Haines, he had to ensure charges stuck against persons who had forged his name to bank notes at Farmers National Bank of Oxford, Pennsylvania. And Avondale Bank. And Rising Sun National Bank. 

     

     The culprits, William and Lydia Brown, went on their crime spree earlier in the year. They forged bank notes, willy-nilly, with Haines name in various parts of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately for Haines, the case against the Browns came to fruition in April. I suspect at this time of year, most people would prefer to enjoy spring weather as opposed to fixing messes caused by a couple of forgers (identity thieves).  

      Haines was lucky in that the pair quickly confessed after Officer Robert Walker produced one of their forged notes as evidence. The defendant, William Brown, received $500.00 bail by Charley Harley of Oxford Bail for his appearance at next court.* Lydia's name was not mentioned again. The transcript of the case was approved by Justice of the Peace, Thompson Hudson Jr. (1851-1919). 

     Haines, presumably, went on with his life after wasting time and facing the headaches visited upon him by the Browns. Hopefully, he was able to enjoy at least one April day. 116-Years-Ago in April. Best, Pat**

*Even though I had no success locating Harley or Oxford Bail, I found the following website about the Harley Family and wanted to make readers aware of it. The Harley Surname Website

**With the exception of Hudson, I could not find the others mentioned in the transcript. Of course, looking for a Brown is akin to looking for a Smith or a needle in a haystack. Walker is not much better, but I did find an Officer Robert Walker, also of Hopewell Township, who died of a heart attack two days before Christmas in 1971. He was too young to have been the same Officer Robert Walker, but may be a descendant of the Walker on the document? Long stretch, perhaps. The only Jefferson Haines found, Thomas Jefferson Haines, died three years prior to this event.