Hello cuz,
Isaac's wife's first name has been a little fuzzy to us for just that reason - it was verbal.
My grandfather, Samuel Elijah COUNTRYMAN, used to entertain us with family history tidbits occasionally. He referred to Isaac's wife (his grandmother) as Sarah. Also, one of his nephews, Sam NORTH, said the same.
And one of my information contributors, David Sloan, lists her as S. VOORHEES.
I'm happy to learn from you that there is at least one document mentioning the elusive Ms. VOORHEES. If her name is listed as Elen on Betsey's death certificate, I'm thinking it likely that Sarah is her middle name and that she may have chosen to use it in everyday life because she liked it better.
As for her surname of VOORHEES, we have that listed on George Washington COUNTRYMAN's application for Civil War pension benefits. I have a photocopy of the document written in his own hand.
Since she seems to have died around 1840, we have believed it possible her death may have been due to complications of childbirth. George W. was her youngest, born 21 Dec 1838 at Varick, Seneca Co, NY, and died 23 Mar 1917 at Kinsley, Edwards Co, KS.
George W. married Amelia Alice KNISELEY on 1 Jul 1863 at Ovid, Seneca Co, NY. Their first six children were born in NY then they moved to near Garfield, Pawnee Co, KS, where they had two more children.
Another big question I have is: Who was Isaac's father? I've had a lot of information shared with me about the original emigrants but we have a gap where Isaac ties in. Some have posted information that I suspect is an effort to fit a square peg into a round hole but I've not yet seen anything that convinces me enough to include in my own chart just yet.
Regards,
Bonnie