RAWLING, James William

Other Events and Attributes:

• Physical Description: Medium height, medium build, blue eyes
• Health / Medical: Some indication of dementia or similar in later years.
• Obituary: From Berkshire Eagle, April 17, 1950: James W Rawling James W. Rawling, 77, formerly of Pittsfield, died Saturday at the Odd Fellows Home in Trenton, NJ. Mr Rawling, for many years, was a carpenter and contractor in Pittsfield, until 1918 when he moved to New Jersey. Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Emil Fugman of Pittsfield and Mrs. Bertha McCulloch of Florida. Also three brothers, Robert J. of this city, Thomas W. of Richmond and Tracy W. of Hoags Corners, N.Y., and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held yesterday in Chatham, N.J.
• Occupation: Carpenter / Contractor
• Residence: 1918, New Jersey, USA
• Residence: 12 Sep 1918, 203 S Grace Ave, Belcoville, Atlantic, NJ USA
• Census: 9 Jan 1920, 219 4th Ave, Mt. Vernon, Westchester, NY USA
• Residence: 1930, Chatham, Morris, New Jersey
• Census: 10 Apr 1930, 90 Main Street, Chatham, Morris, NJ USA
• Residence: Jun 1947, Chatham, Morris, New Jersey USA

Notes:

Was married twice: First to Lillie Lester, then Laura Trapnell. No record found of divorce (to date), and when Lillie died in 1948, she is referenced as widow of James Rawling, even though he did not die until 1950.

Residence:
Mr Rawling, for many years, was a carpenter and contractor in Pittsfield, until 1918 when he moved to New Jersey.

Census:
Living with first wife and her Lester kin (younger brother) Census info: Name: Rawling, James / Relation: Lodger / Sex: M / Race: W / Age: 45 / Marital: M / ... / Birthplace: Massachusetts / Fathers Birth: England / Mothers Birth: Scotland-

Census:
Name: Rawling, James / Head / Renting Home / $50-mo rent / Has Radio / Sex: M / Race: W / Age: 55 / Married: M / Age at first marriage 52 (possibly 32) / Attending school: N / Can read-write: Y / Birth: Mass / Father's Birth: England / Mother's Birth: Scotland / Occupation: Carpenter - contractor -

James married TRAPNELL, Laura Kennedy on 26 Dec 1926 in New York, NY, USA. Laura (daughter of TRAPNELL, Joseph IV and KENNEDY, Laura Virginia) was born on 21 Aug 1896 in Jefferson County, WV, USA; died on 5 Feb 1981 in Hoboken, Hudson, NJ, USA; was buried on 9 Feb 1981 in Zion Cemetery, Charles Town, Jefferson, WV, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Something looks off about circumstances in which James & Laura were married. James has married Lillie Lester in 1896, when both were 21. They are shown as still living together married in 1920 census in Mt. Vernon NY. But in 1930 census, James gives his age when first married as what appears to be 52, which coincides with his 2nd marriage to Laura. When Lillie dies in 1947, she is noted to be widow of James Rawling, though he did not actually die until 1950.

It’s not clear whether James divorced Lillie before marrying Laura. It’s also not clear how long marriage to Laura lasted, as she was not living with him by the 1940 census, and her death/obituary have her as Laura Trapnell, with no mention of marriage to James.

From Chatham Press, Jan 9 1927:

RAWLING-James Rawling-Laura Trapnell-Marriage-1926-NY

Announcement is made of the marriage of Miss Laura Trapnell of 18 North Hillside Avenue and James
Rawling of Massachusetts on December 26, 1926 at New York. Rev H Pierson performed the ceremony.

James married LESTER, Lillie I on 8 Aug 1896 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Lillie (daughter of LESTER, Herman and KELLY, Sarah Jennie) was born on 5 Mar 1875 in Troy, NY; died on 2 Mar 1948 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married THOMPSON, Jane E. Jane was born in Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]