One of my early blog posts referred to Jacob Dunham as being our connection to President Barack Obama. In that post, I promised that I would write later of Jacob Dunham and Catherine Goodnight, the common ancestors of the Beeks, Aldridge, and Obama families. This post fulfills half of that promise, to write about Jacob Dunham. Of course, much of Catherine's story is told by telling Jacob's story.
Jacob Dunham was born on July 1, 1795 in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia) to Samuel Dunham and Hannah Ruble. Actually, there are some differences in opinion in the genealogy world as to whether Hannah was Hannah Ruble or whether she was Hannah Chenoweth. From the records and discussions I've seen, I lean toward Hannah Ruble but I am still looking for definitive documentation on this. Jacob was one of 11 children, so he was probably never lonely, but he may have had a rather hard-scrabble life. His father was a farmer, and as far as we know had no other means of support. Jacob would have learned to work hard at an early age.
Jacob married Catherine Goodnight on October 21, 1819 in Berkeley County, Virginia (W. V., now). She was the daughter of Samuel Goodnight and Magdalena Berkheimer, both families of German descent. The Dunhams were of English descent and came through New England and New Jersey, so this would have been considered a bit of an anomaly. Most persons of German descent during this time period were marrying others of German descent. I wonder what their parents thought? Was this hard for them?
Jacob and Catherine had six children. The first was an unknown daughter. Their surviving children were Jacob Mackey (the President's ancestor), Amos, Samuel (the Beeks/Aldridge ancestor), Mary Ellen, and David. There were two four year gaps between children, so it is possible there were other infants who died early.
In 1820, Jacob and Catherine are in the census in Middletown, Berkeley County, Virginia (W. V.), and they are still in Berkeley County in 1830. At that time, the census shows 2 males under the age of 5 (Amos and Samuel), one female aged 5-9, and a female aged 15-19. The older girl may have been the unknown daughter born in 1822, but I don't know who the younger female was. Perhaps there is another "missing" daughter.
Jacob and Catherine sold their land in Berkeley County in 1835 and moved to Concord Township, Fayette County, Ohio by 1836. They lived there for about 12 years. The 1840 census shows 1 make under the age of 5 (David), two males between 10 and 14 (Amos and Samuel), and one female aged 5-9 (Mary Ellen). Jacob apparently had already left home, and the two daughters from the 1830 census are gone, if indeed they were daughters. It is possible that they were other relatives living with the family temporarily. The 1840 census indicates that there was one adult in the family who could not read and write, and also indicates that Jacob was employed in agriculture. (In the 1870 census, Catherine could read and write so either Jacob was the one who couldn't read and write, or Catherine educated herself later).
About 1848, the family moved again to Tipton County, Indiana. Jacob by this time would have been 53 years old, and Catherine one year older. He apparently made two purchases of land from the General Land Office in Indianapolis, one of 80 acres and one of 120 acres, both in 1849. This land was rather swampy and poorly drained, but by hard work became good farmland. In the 1850 census, Jacob and Catherine are shown in Prairie Township, Tipton County, Indiana. This is in the area of Kempton, Indiana. The five children, from Jacob to David, are all living with them at this point. 10 years later, in 1860, the two elder Dunhams are by themselves for the first time since their marriage.
Jacob died on July 20, 1865 in Tipton County. He had written his will 9 years earlier, in 1856, so he may have been in failing health for some time. I haven't been able to determine a religious denomination for him. His father was apparently Baptist, and most of his children were Methodists, but I've not located church records for Jacob. I also have not located military records for him, though it is possible that he was involved in the War of 1812 as a young man.
I'd like to clarify the religion and the military issues, and of course I'd love to hear stories of the life of this man. He has my admiration, for making two major moves in his life, the second as he was approaching an age when many would have been content to slow down a little and let the children take over.
The line of descent is:
Jacob Dunham-Catherine Goodnight
Samuel Dunham-Eliza Reese
Mary Catherine Dunham-Harvey Aldridge
Gretta Cleo Aldridge-Wilbur Beeks
Beeks children, grandchildren, great grand children, etc.
Showing posts with label Indiana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indiana. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Allen line: Vincent McCoy
Vincent McCoy was born in 1807 in Shelby County, Kentucky, the son of James McCoy and Nancy Lane. His parents were Baptists, and his grandfather, William McCoy, was a Baptist minister in Clark County, Indiana. It's hard to pinpoint when the McCoy's came to Indiana, because for several years William crossed the Ohio River from Kentucky to preach on Sundays, but didn't settle in Indiana until sometime after 1800. I haven't located him in the 1810 census, but by 1820 James and Nancy were in Washington County, Indiana. Sadly, James, Nancy, and at least one of their children died in a cholera epidemic there in 1833.
Vincent left home prior to 1831. He may be the male aged 20-29 in the 1830 census for James McCoy, but he may have already left home by this time and I just haven't located him yet in the 1830 census. He was commissioned a Captain in the Indiana State Militia on 3/30/1830. serving in the 40th Regiment. It appears that the 40th Regiment marched from Marion County, Indiana to at least as far as Lafayette, Indiana, some remaining in Lafayette, some marching as far as the South Bend area, and some going some distance west of the Wabash River, all in response to reported Indian uprisings during the Black Hawk War of 1832. Perhaps this is when Vincent saw the land in northern Indiana for the first time.
He married Eleanor Jackson in Marion County, Indiana on February 24, 1831. It appears that he moved about a good deal, or at least bought property in several counties, including Miami, Kosciusko, and Fulton. The land he bought in Kosciusko County was entered July 13, 1836, and was sold to Lewis Mitchell in 1838 or 1839. He was a treasurer of Kosciusko County for a short time period. It is likely that Vincent and Eleanor traveled what is known as the Michigan Road from Marion County to Fulton County. This was not yet what we would consider a "road" but it was at least a marked wide path. I have read various estimates of how long the trip would have taken, but it would have been measured at least in days and possibly in weeks, camping along the way.
By 1840 he and Eleanor were in Union Township, Fulton County, Indiana, where they stayed for the rest of their lives. He was a justice of the peace there, and a farmer. Vincent and Eleanor had at least 10 children; they were James, Catherine, Nancy, Isaac, William Henry, John, Eliza, George, Sarah, and Nelson. Nelson was only 4 years old when his father died. There are two gaps of 4 years in the birthdates of the children, so it is possible that there were additional children who did not survive.
Vincent died on September 30, 1857 in Fulton County and is buried at Moon Cemetery, aka Sharon Cemetery there. I have visited this cemetery. It is directly across the road from a home that obviously at one time was a church. Perhaps Vincent and Eleanor attended services there, but that is only speculation.
I have a great deal of admiration for Vincent, and for Eleanor. Vincent lived on the frontier for all of his life, possibly excepting the time he spent in Marion County. Frontier life was not easy, for anyone. He lost his parents when he was still a young man, but that did not stop him from living a good life. He must have been highly respected to have been the captain of his military unit, the treasurer of the county, and a justice of the peace at different times in his career. I would like to know more about the church he attended, and I'd like to know more about his experiences in providing a living for his large family.
Our line of descent is:
Vincent McCoy-Eleanor Jackson
Nancy McCoy-George Allen
Edward Allen-Edith Knott
Richard/Edith/Corinne/Tessora/Vernon
Their children, grandchildren, great, and great great grandchildren
Vincent left home prior to 1831. He may be the male aged 20-29 in the 1830 census for James McCoy, but he may have already left home by this time and I just haven't located him yet in the 1830 census. He was commissioned a Captain in the Indiana State Militia on 3/30/1830. serving in the 40th Regiment. It appears that the 40th Regiment marched from Marion County, Indiana to at least as far as Lafayette, Indiana, some remaining in Lafayette, some marching as far as the South Bend area, and some going some distance west of the Wabash River, all in response to reported Indian uprisings during the Black Hawk War of 1832. Perhaps this is when Vincent saw the land in northern Indiana for the first time.
He married Eleanor Jackson in Marion County, Indiana on February 24, 1831. It appears that he moved about a good deal, or at least bought property in several counties, including Miami, Kosciusko, and Fulton. The land he bought in Kosciusko County was entered July 13, 1836, and was sold to Lewis Mitchell in 1838 or 1839. He was a treasurer of Kosciusko County for a short time period. It is likely that Vincent and Eleanor traveled what is known as the Michigan Road from Marion County to Fulton County. This was not yet what we would consider a "road" but it was at least a marked wide path. I have read various estimates of how long the trip would have taken, but it would have been measured at least in days and possibly in weeks, camping along the way.
By 1840 he and Eleanor were in Union Township, Fulton County, Indiana, where they stayed for the rest of their lives. He was a justice of the peace there, and a farmer. Vincent and Eleanor had at least 10 children; they were James, Catherine, Nancy, Isaac, William Henry, John, Eliza, George, Sarah, and Nelson. Nelson was only 4 years old when his father died. There are two gaps of 4 years in the birthdates of the children, so it is possible that there were additional children who did not survive.
Vincent died on September 30, 1857 in Fulton County and is buried at Moon Cemetery, aka Sharon Cemetery there. I have visited this cemetery. It is directly across the road from a home that obviously at one time was a church. Perhaps Vincent and Eleanor attended services there, but that is only speculation.
I have a great deal of admiration for Vincent, and for Eleanor. Vincent lived on the frontier for all of his life, possibly excepting the time he spent in Marion County. Frontier life was not easy, for anyone. He lost his parents when he was still a young man, but that did not stop him from living a good life. He must have been highly respected to have been the captain of his military unit, the treasurer of the county, and a justice of the peace at different times in his career. I would like to know more about the church he attended, and I'd like to know more about his experiences in providing a living for his large family.
Our line of descent is:
Vincent McCoy-Eleanor Jackson
Nancy McCoy-George Allen
Edward Allen-Edith Knott
Richard/Edith/Corinne/Tessora/Vernon
Their children, grandchildren, great, and great great grandchildren
Friday, October 4, 2013
Harshbarger line: William A Withers, Civil War veteran
As usual, I wish I knew more about this man, but I think it's important to share what I know at this point, always hoping that I will learn more about him "tomorrow". Most of what I know about William comes from his obituary, which was published in an unnoted Whitley County newspaper. We know that he died on Saturday, October 5, 1912, and the obituary was published shortly after that, possibly Monday. This is what it says.
"WILLIAM A. WITHERS PASSED AWAY SATURDAY MORNING AT THE HOME OF HIS DAUGHTER, MRS. HENRY KEISER, ON THE SOUTH SIDE."
William A Withers civil war veteran and for many years one of the well known residents of west Columbia township, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on Chicago street at 10:15, Saturday morning, after an illness of less than a week's duration. He had been enjoying good health and last Monday started to Ft. Wayne with a load of potatoes, but before reaching his destination was taken sick, and he was unable to return to this city that night. Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Keiser went to Wayne and brought him to his home on the south side as it was felt that better care could be given him here than at his home, 3 miles west of town, and every effort was made to restore his health but without success.
The deceased was born in Illinois April 2, 1840, and at the time of his death was 72 years, 6 months, and three days old. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. C, 15th Ohio regiment. After the close of the war he came to this country and June 16, 1867, was united in marride [sic} to Miss Barbara Cook, [note: she was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Whetstone Cook) and to this union four childfren were born two of whom survive. They are Mrs. Henry Keiser, of this city, and William H Withers, of Goshen, who is now employed in Illinois on a dredge.
Mr. Withers was a member of the Church of God in former years but later became a Seven Day Adventist. He was a member of the G..A.R. and was prompt and regular in attendance of the meetings of that order.
The funeral will occur Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on East Chicago Street, Rev. L. A. Luckenbill officiating; interment in the South Park cemetery. The G.A.R. post will have charge of the funeral."
There are so many mysteries here that need further research. The only William Withers I have found in the 1850 census was a William Withers, son of Joseph and Mary Withers, who is indicated as having been born in Ohio. I haven't yet found him in an 1860 census. In 1870, he says he was born in Ohio, and in 1880, that line is blank (he is William Whithers in that census). In 1900, his birthplace is listed as United States. In 1910, he is shown as being born in Ohio. I think he was probably born in Ohio, and that the obituary is incorrect. But I'll keep looking!
As I'm writing this, I realize I don't have his death certificate, which may mention his parents. I will make it a point to get that during the next week.
We do know that his four children were Wilson, born 1869, Willie, born 1871, William H, born 1875, and Della.
If William was the son of Joseph and Mary, who were in the 1850 census in Marion, Iowa, we don't know how it happened that William enlisted in the 15th Ohio Infantry. We do know that he enlisted August 30, 1861 and was mustered out on September 20, 1864. The 15th Ohio Infantry was first organized as a three months regiment, but mustered out August 27-31, 1861. It was reorganized at Mansfield, Ohio in September, 1861. Wikipedia has a good listing of the battles this unit was involved in, and they involved very heavy fighting. No wonder William left at the end of his three year enlistment. I think it's safe to say the memory of William A Withers should be honored in our family.
Here is the line of descent:
William A Withers-Barbara Cook
William H Withers-Della Kemery
Goldie Withers-Grover Harshbarger
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Margaret Beeks
I've used census records found on Ancestry.com, the Wikipedia article about the 15th Ohio regiment, and the US Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles found on Ancestry.Com, along with the obituary, for this posting. I'd love to hear from someone who knows more about William!
"WILLIAM A. WITHERS PASSED AWAY SATURDAY MORNING AT THE HOME OF HIS DAUGHTER, MRS. HENRY KEISER, ON THE SOUTH SIDE."
William A Withers civil war veteran and for many years one of the well known residents of west Columbia township, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on Chicago street at 10:15, Saturday morning, after an illness of less than a week's duration. He had been enjoying good health and last Monday started to Ft. Wayne with a load of potatoes, but before reaching his destination was taken sick, and he was unable to return to this city that night. Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Keiser went to Wayne and brought him to his home on the south side as it was felt that better care could be given him here than at his home, 3 miles west of town, and every effort was made to restore his health but without success.
The deceased was born in Illinois April 2, 1840, and at the time of his death was 72 years, 6 months, and three days old. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. C, 15th Ohio regiment. After the close of the war he came to this country and June 16, 1867, was united in marride [sic} to Miss Barbara Cook, [note: she was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Whetstone Cook) and to this union four childfren were born two of whom survive. They are Mrs. Henry Keiser, of this city, and William H Withers, of Goshen, who is now employed in Illinois on a dredge.
Mr. Withers was a member of the Church of God in former years but later became a Seven Day Adventist. He was a member of the G..A.R. and was prompt and regular in attendance of the meetings of that order.
The funeral will occur Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Keiser, on East Chicago Street, Rev. L. A. Luckenbill officiating; interment in the South Park cemetery. The G.A.R. post will have charge of the funeral."
There are so many mysteries here that need further research. The only William Withers I have found in the 1850 census was a William Withers, son of Joseph and Mary Withers, who is indicated as having been born in Ohio. I haven't yet found him in an 1860 census. In 1870, he says he was born in Ohio, and in 1880, that line is blank (he is William Whithers in that census). In 1900, his birthplace is listed as United States. In 1910, he is shown as being born in Ohio. I think he was probably born in Ohio, and that the obituary is incorrect. But I'll keep looking!
As I'm writing this, I realize I don't have his death certificate, which may mention his parents. I will make it a point to get that during the next week.
We do know that his four children were Wilson, born 1869, Willie, born 1871, William H, born 1875, and Della.
If William was the son of Joseph and Mary, who were in the 1850 census in Marion, Iowa, we don't know how it happened that William enlisted in the 15th Ohio Infantry. We do know that he enlisted August 30, 1861 and was mustered out on September 20, 1864. The 15th Ohio Infantry was first organized as a three months regiment, but mustered out August 27-31, 1861. It was reorganized at Mansfield, Ohio in September, 1861. Wikipedia has a good listing of the battles this unit was involved in, and they involved very heavy fighting. No wonder William left at the end of his three year enlistment. I think it's safe to say the memory of William A Withers should be honored in our family.
Here is the line of descent:
William A Withers-Barbara Cook
William H Withers-Della Kemery
Goldie Withers-Grover Harshbarger
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Margaret Beeks
I've used census records found on Ancestry.com, the Wikipedia article about the 15th Ohio regiment, and the US Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles found on Ancestry.Com, along with the obituary, for this posting. I'd love to hear from someone who knows more about William!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Beeks: Folsom brick wall
On many Tuesdays, I'll be writing about brick walls. There are a lot of them in our tree, and I've been told that some may stay brick walls forever. I would at least like to "find" ancestors who were born in America after 1750. It doesn't seem like that should be so very difficult. The gentleman I'm writing about today was born sometime around the year 1795, because when he married on July 24, 1815 (date of license) his father (unnamed) gave permission.
The marriage record of Jeremiah Fulsom and Sally Lock is the first solid evidence we have of his existence. This was in Switzerland County, Indiana. Sarah was the daughter of William Lock or Locke and Elizabeth Teague. William's family originally were Slots and their trail went from Shelby County, Kentucky to Mercer County, Kentucky to Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Amsterdam, Holland, and even to Protestant France at a time that being Protestant in France was not politically acceptable, nor even safe. That family history is fascinating and I'll write more about it another time.
There is, however, no indication of where the Folsoms came from. Most Folsoms in America trace back to the New Hampshire and Massachusetts Folsoms, and there are plenty of Jeremiah's there to study. So far, none that I have found seem to indicate a close connection to "our" Jeremiah. If he was a New England Folsom, it is possible that he came overland to western Pennsylvania or Virginia and then came down the Ohio River, possibly landing at Marietta, where there were some Folsoms in the early 1800s. Folsom names don't start showing up on Indiana land records until about 1819, although of course they could have lived there without owning land prior to that time.
Jeremiah "and family" were settled in Manchester Township, Dearborn County, Indiana by 1820. He and Sally are each listed as being between the ages of 16-25, and there was one male under the age of 10, presumably their son . Since they had been married almost 5 years by then, having only one child makes one wonder if there were other pregnancies that ended prematurely, or if one or more children died very young.
Jeremiah himself died young, because in 1835 and later there were court records with the minor children choosing Austin Clark (who was married to Sally's sister Leah) as their guardian. The children listed as minor heirs of Jeremiah Folsom were Rachel Corn, Ella Baxter Folsom, Hannah Folsom, Jane Folsom, Leah Folsom, Mary Ann Folsom, and Richard Folsom. Austin bought land for himself as well as the Folsom heirs in Decatur County, Indiana. The land purchase may have been in process in 1835, and Jeremiah may have died before it was completed.
There were at least two other Folsom men in the same general area (Switzerland, Dearborn, Ripley Counties, Indiana). One was Richard, and one was James. I suspect that these men are brothers or cousins, although it is possible one was the father of one or both. James shows up on a petition signed in 1813, which means he would have been at least 21 by then. Richard was married in the 1820 census, and was listed as 26-45 years old, with 4 males in the household under the age of 16, and one female 16-26. A Richard married Elizabeth Overturf in 1823, and children by his first wife are noted to have been named Jeremiah and James.
I can trace most of the orphaned Folsom children forward, and three of them married Aldridges, including Leah who married Darlington D Aldridge. They were my husband's great great grandparents.
I'd dearly love to know who Jeremiah was, and who his parents were. Did his father come directly from New England, or did he come from the Folsoms who had gone south, to Georgia and Mississippi, and married Indian women? Who was his mother? I'd love to hear from anyone who has any thoughts or knowledge, or suggestions about where I could look for clues.
The marriage record of Jeremiah Fulsom and Sally Lock is the first solid evidence we have of his existence. This was in Switzerland County, Indiana. Sarah was the daughter of William Lock or Locke and Elizabeth Teague. William's family originally were Slots and their trail went from Shelby County, Kentucky to Mercer County, Kentucky to Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Amsterdam, Holland, and even to Protestant France at a time that being Protestant in France was not politically acceptable, nor even safe. That family history is fascinating and I'll write more about it another time.
There is, however, no indication of where the Folsoms came from. Most Folsoms in America trace back to the New Hampshire and Massachusetts Folsoms, and there are plenty of Jeremiah's there to study. So far, none that I have found seem to indicate a close connection to "our" Jeremiah. If he was a New England Folsom, it is possible that he came overland to western Pennsylvania or Virginia and then came down the Ohio River, possibly landing at Marietta, where there were some Folsoms in the early 1800s. Folsom names don't start showing up on Indiana land records until about 1819, although of course they could have lived there without owning land prior to that time.
Jeremiah "and family" were settled in Manchester Township, Dearborn County, Indiana by 1820. He and Sally are each listed as being between the ages of 16-25, and there was one male under the age of 10, presumably their son . Since they had been married almost 5 years by then, having only one child makes one wonder if there were other pregnancies that ended prematurely, or if one or more children died very young.
Jeremiah himself died young, because in 1835 and later there were court records with the minor children choosing Austin Clark (who was married to Sally's sister Leah) as their guardian. The children listed as minor heirs of Jeremiah Folsom were Rachel Corn, Ella Baxter Folsom, Hannah Folsom, Jane Folsom, Leah Folsom, Mary Ann Folsom, and Richard Folsom. Austin bought land for himself as well as the Folsom heirs in Decatur County, Indiana. The land purchase may have been in process in 1835, and Jeremiah may have died before it was completed.
There were at least two other Folsom men in the same general area (Switzerland, Dearborn, Ripley Counties, Indiana). One was Richard, and one was James. I suspect that these men are brothers or cousins, although it is possible one was the father of one or both. James shows up on a petition signed in 1813, which means he would have been at least 21 by then. Richard was married in the 1820 census, and was listed as 26-45 years old, with 4 males in the household under the age of 16, and one female 16-26. A Richard married Elizabeth Overturf in 1823, and children by his first wife are noted to have been named Jeremiah and James.
I can trace most of the orphaned Folsom children forward, and three of them married Aldridges, including Leah who married Darlington D Aldridge. They were my husband's great great grandparents.
I'd dearly love to know who Jeremiah was, and who his parents were. Did his father come directly from New England, or did he come from the Folsoms who had gone south, to Georgia and Mississippi, and married Indian women? Who was his mother? I'd love to hear from anyone who has any thoughts or knowledge, or suggestions about where I could look for clues.
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