OF A CERTAIN PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY. 51 



VIII. LINE E. 



This line was founded by 11-14, born 1805, youngest son of Aaron 

 and Mary Rufer. He was recognized by his father as grossly defective, 

 and provided with a guardian who had strict injunctions not to let 

 him marry. He could never learn to count beyond 25 or spell his name 

 properly, or tell a peck from a bushel. He had a comical drawl and 

 was very proud of his accomplishments (?) in singing, which made him 

 a sort of village clown. Because his father had left him a good farm, 

 a marriage was arranged for him in order to provide for 11-15, who was 

 the weakest member of her fraternity. She was very simple-minded; 

 a condition brought on, she said, by having a ''long fever." One of 

 her children, too, is said to have been illegitimate. Neither she nor her 

 husband knew enough to raise much on the farm, or ''to do with" 

 what was earned at the direction of strangers. They lived, however, 

 on short rations, and made shift not to sell any of their land. Their 

 children numbered five, of whom three died unmarried. Those who 

 died were: 



III-45 had no abiUty to figure; was never able to learn anything 

 at school; could, however, perform simple tasks about the house. At 

 14 was scalded to death through her own carelessness. III-46 was 

 unable to understand figures ; went to school but little ; stuttered. Was 

 capable in housework. III-52 was suppositively illegitimate. His 

 father was mentally able, and he is said to have been as like him as a 

 "near twin." Was able to progress at school. Industrious; raised 

 fair crops on his little farm, and usually had a fine team of horses. At 

 30 was kicked to death by a horse. The remaining two children in 

 this fraternity married into the second network, which will now be 

 considered. 



