Family Tale of Samuel H. Slater from Wayne County Pennsylvania Lost in Boston Fire- Part 1

I have always loved hearing family stories or family tales.  I was that kid that use to bug my elders to tell me stories of what life was like, something they did or family stories.  Often these stories conveyed to us are passed down from one generation to the next, and it is like playing telephone.  By the time it gets around to the last person, you are lucky if the original message was correct.  Well, today's family tale is about my Slater family branch from Wayne County, Pennsylvania and Sullivan County, New York.

Growing up my father was told that his 2x Great Grandfather, Samuel H. Slater, died in a hotel fire in Boston, and all that was left was a ring he wore on his finger.  My father searched for years trying to find some record or newspaper article about a hotel fire in Boston, Massachusetts in the early 1900's.  The searches always came up empty.

Though this event was very tragic, it is exciting to know that there may have been a historical event that my ancestor was involved with. Why was a man that remained in the same area of the country his whole life go to Boston and was he really killed in a hotel fire? 

In the mean time, I knew very little about Samuel H. Slater, and what I did know mostly came from US Federal Census Records.  Here is the condensed version...

He was the father of William Thomas Slater and grandfather of Helen Jane Slater.

In 1850, Saml Slater (age 11) resided in Lumberland, Sullivan, New York within the household of David Slater.

In 1860, Samuel H. Slater (age 22) resided in Tusten, Sullivan, New York within the household of David Slater.

By 1870, Samuel Slater (age 34) resided in Damascus, Wayne, Pennsylvania. In 1880, Samuel Slater (age 40) resided in Damascus, Wayne, Pennsylvania.

In 1900, Samuel Slater (age 62) resided in Manchester Township, Wayne, Pennsylvania. Samuel married Mary A. (_____) probably in 1863, and had six children, James, Jane, Charles E., William Thomas, Samuel C. and Grace M. 

In 1900, residing next door was Thomas Slater (aka William Thomas), wife Mary C. (____) and daughter, Helen J.

Samuel most likely died prior to 1910 because Mary A. (_____) is listed as Widow in the 1910 US Census.

To Be Continued...