Thursday, November 25, 2010

Well, today I am on the chaise with my feet elevated and two cats curled up beside me while I transcribe the will of James Haworth written in 1826, using a laptop computer. In the background the computer is playing the 2nd movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 and in another window I am searching Probate Book #1 of Hendricks County for the years 1825-1835. And, in yet another window I am emailing records that I copied from that Probate Book to a computer in my library to print and then store on an external hard drive….. All of this and, I really don’t know how to operate a computer. This is all lucky point and click …and the persistence to keep pointing and clicking until something positive happens.

What ever happened to the typewriter and ditto machine?

I also realize that if I were suddenly transported back to the Massachusetts of the 1630s and 40s, I would be burned at the stake by my own relatives!

Friday, October 8, 2010







ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS:

In regards to the will of William Taylor, the father of Prudence Taylor Elmore Myers; I have received a copy of the original will of William Taylor along with his estate file from the Probate Court of Newberry County, South Carolina. The signature and seal above are from the original will and dates in the file papers indicate that a pre inventory was taken on March 21, 1789 and that the will was recorded on July 28, 1789. This means that William Taylor died prior to March 21, 1789. Another inventory was filed with the court on March 2, 1793. If you read the terms of the will posted on this blogsite on July 24, 2010, it states in part:

“………….The Residue & Remainder of All my Personal Estate I bequeath to my Wife Mary Taylor for & during her Widowhood to be by her possessed for her Use & the Maintenance and Education of my Said Children, but if she Should Marry before my Said Children Should Arrive at their Several Ages in Law that then in such Case my Execrs do take into their hands my Said Personal Estate for the Use above mentioned………….“

A sale of the items on the inventory was held March 15, 1793 and Mary (Taylor) Mills purchased a large number of the items.


Mary Pearson Taylor married John Mills on February 28, 1793 at Bush River in Newberry County.

Transcription of the will of Jonathan Taylor, Newberry County, South Carolina Will book A, p. 274. Proved May 18, 1795 Jonathan Taylor was William’s father and Prudence’s grandfather.
In the name of God, I Jonathan Taylor of Newberry County in the State of South Carolina, farmer being weak in body but sound in senses and Memory and being Dissatisfied about my Worldly affairs calling to Mind the Mortality of my Body Knowing that it is Appointed for all Men to die do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say Principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul t Almighty God who gave it me and my Body I Recommend to the Earth to be Buried in a Decent Christian Manner amongst friends at the Discretion of my Executors as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, My Will and Desire is that all the Expenses of my funeral and all my just debts are pain, I give and Devise & Dispose of the Remainder of my Estate in the following Manner and form first of all I give and bequeath to Mary my well beloved Wife the third part of all my Moveable Estate with the third part of all my Lands during her Widowhood Also I give and bequeath to the heirs of my son William Taylor decd the whole Tract of Land whereon his Widow now Lives and Also five Shillings Sterling to be paid to Mary Taylor the Widow of the said William Taylor decd out of my Estate After my Decease Also I give and bequeath unto Mary Taylor Widow of Richard Taylor decd five Shillings Sterling to be paid to her out of my Estate after my Decease, Also I give and bequeath unto my son Jonathan the tract of Land whereon I now live I also Give and bequeath unto Isaac my Son a Tract of Land Situate on the waters of Indian Creek Reserving fifty Acres of the said Tract for John Thomas my son in law & his son William which said land his son William and his heirs is wholly to Enjoy for ever and the Said Land is to be Run Square across the End of the said land belonging to my son Isaac next to Indian Creek, mare & colt which he calls his and one book called Bartleys Apology I also give & bequeath unto my son Jonathan the remainder of my moveable estate and he is to pay each of my daughters five pounds sterling out decease Also my will and Desire is that the Part which falls to Ann Chandler be for the use of Jonathan and Israel her sons – I also constitute Ordain and appoint Richard Leavell and Joshua Reeder my sons in law and Jonathan my son to be the executors of this my last Will and Testament I do Also appoint William Niles Junr as a Trustee to see this my Last Will and Testament fulfilled I do hereby Ratify and Confirm this & no other to be my Last Will and Testament, In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety three, and further Also I will and Desire that after my decease that all my moveable estate be appraised by men chosen and qualified before a Magistrate for that purpose and I do hereby confirm this to be my Last Will and Testament In witness I have set my hand & seal the day and year above written. Signed Sealed Published, Pronounced, and Delivered by the said Jonathan to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence each other have hereunto subscribed our names.

Jonathan (X) Taylor (seal)
Abraham A. Large
mark
Rhoda Taylor

I have underlined the interesting bit about William Taylor’s widow and children. Jonathan Taylor’s will was written several months after her marriage to John Mills but he still refers to her as Mary Taylor and gives her “….five Shillings Sterling to be paid to Mary Taylor the Widow of the said William Taylor decd….” It also gives to:, “….the heirs of my son William Taylor decd the whole Tract of Land whereon his Widow now Lives ….” which means that Prudence owned one fourth of the tract of land and, I assume, one fourth of the house in which she lived. Prudence would have been fourteen years old at the time her grandfather’s will was recorded.

Prudence’s first husband was Ridgeway Elmore. I did not find an exact date of the marriage however, in the estate papers of William there are three receipts signed by Ridgeway Elmore, dated June 29, 1797 (pictured above), August 2, 1797 and August 7, 1797 in which he acknowledges the receipt of funds which are part of his wife‘s “laguace” from the estate of William Taylor. Prudence would have been seventeen years old at the time (well sixteen an a half).

Friday, September 17, 2010






Above will for Joseph Brown.

The will for Thomas Brown was originally posted online by Mandyg at a RootsWeb site and, to make it easier to understand, I corrected some of the spelling. Since I have a limited knowledge of the Chenoweth family I also changed the spelling of the name. My direct relative is Joseph Brown, son of Thomas and Ruth, who would have been about ten years old when his father died.



Will of Thomas Brown Sr.


In the name of God Amen I Thomas Brown Sen of the County of Frederick and colony of Virginia Yeoman being at present though weak of body yet of perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say first and principally I recommend my soul into the hands of almighty God who gave it hoping through the merits death and passion of Jesus Christ my Savior to obtain remission of all my sins and to inherit everlasting life and my body I do commit unto the earth to be decently buried at the descration of my executors hereafter named, and as touching the disposition of all such personal estate as it hath pleased almighty God to bestow upon me in this world I leave and bequeath as followth. First I will that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid and discharge

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my wife Ruth Brown sixty acres of present dwelling plantation or beginning at the Creek and from thence by a straight line including the dwelling house thence by the barn and taking in the field on the other side of the barn and part of the woodland ground on the south side of the said barn as also the use of part of the barn during the term of sixty years or during her natural life, lot which of the two be expired first.

ITEM I leave unto my said wife Ruth Brown the 3rd part of the orchard during the term aforesaid except in the Nursery shall be at the disposal of my said wife and sons Thomas, Samuel and Joseph for their own planting and the remainder to be disposed of by my executors of the benefit of maintenance of the widow and the rest of my children.

ITEM I leave and give and bequeath unto my said wife Ruth Brown a mare, Brt. and Saddle and two cows which she shall see cause to take, my best feather bed and furniture a large pot, 3 plates, 2 dishes, 1 new tankard, 2 porringers, 1 warming pan, 1 frying pan a pair of hand irons one broad iron, pot rack notched, 1 baking grid and 6 ewes as shall make her choice all at her disposal forever.

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Brown 200 acres of my present plantation lying and adjoining upon Simon Moon's survey and Thomas Thornburgh's survey and twenty shillings currency to him his heirs and assigns forever.

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my two sons Samuel Brown and Joseph Brown the whole remaining part of my present plantation to be equally divided betwixt them and that Samuel have the whole of the improvements at present or the said 800 acres to him their heirs and assigns forever.

ITEM I leave unto my said son Samuel Brown a sorrel mare called Trim, 1 horse colt, 1young cow 1 horse punch and plough irons and belonging to him his heirs and assigns forever.

ITEM It is my desire and will that my executors enter as soon as my be 200 acres and more if it can be had upon the place I bought and my son William did some time ago live for his proper use his heirs and assigns forever at the cost of my movables estate and it is my will that my son William shall have the said land, paying what cost my executors may be at in clearing the said land or otherwise that the same shall be sold for the benefit of my three sons Thomas, Samuel and Joseph.

ITEM I leave and bequeath unto my grandson Thomas McIntire a whitemare Jewel his heirs and assigns forever.

ITEM I give and bequeath to my daughter Deborah a mare called Roscoe that my daughter Frances have the colt and said mare is now with if it live otherwise the first she bringth that shall live to them their heirs and assigns forever.

ITEM I leave unto my daughter Ruth Brown a gray mare called Tibb and my will is that daughter Elisa shall have the colt that the said mare is now with to them their heirs and assigns forever.

ITEM I give unto my granddaughter Elizabeth and Sarah McIntire to each a heifer calf and increase forever.

ITEM it is my will that if Joseph my son should died before of age that my son William shall have 200 acres be equally divided betwixt the widow and the rest of the children.


ITEM It is my will that the executors shall take care of the younger children while single.

ITEM It is my will and pleasure that my son Thomas division for his 200 acres shall begin at a white oak and the east of the creek thence running southwest by a straight line to one black hickory adjoining the survey above mentioned.

ITEM It is my will that the division line betwixt my son Samuels part and Josephs shall run by a straight course cross the creek from East to West.

ITEM All the remainder of my estate both Real and personal I desire be sold and the money of the sale to be equally divided betwixt my four daughters Deborah, Frances, Ruth and Elizabeth and lastly I do hereby constitute order and appoint my kind and loving wife Ruth Brown, Thomas Brown and Samuel Brown my sons sole and joint executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking making void all former wills, testaments, legacies or executors by one made given granted, appointed constitute or ordained, ratified, and conferring this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30 day Dec. in the year of our Lord 1749.

Thomas Brown

Signed sealed and acknowledged published and declared by Thomas Brown Sen. to be his last will and testament in presence of us.

Geo. Hobson, William Smith,
Hannah Hobson

at a court held for Frederick Co., on Tue. May 8, 1750.

This will of Thomas Brown Sen. dec'd. was proved in open court by the oaths of Geo. Hobson, Wm. Smith, and Hannah Hobson, the witness thereto and Ruth Brown, Thomas Brown and Samuel Brown the executors therein named having affirmed to the same according to Law it was admitted to record.

J. Wood

Know all men by these present that we Ruth, Brown, Thomas Brown, Samuel Brown, John Chenoweth, and Robert Cunningham are held and firmly bound unto Geo. Wm. Fairfax Esq. the first justice in the commission of the peace for Frederick Co. for and in behalf of the sale use and behalf of the Justices of the said county and their successors, in the sum of Five Hundred pounds current money. To be paid to the said Geo. Wm. Fairfax his exrs. and Adm. and assigns. To the which payment will and truly to be made we bind ourselves and every of us our and every of our Heirs exers. and adm. as jointly and severally firmly by these present.
Sealed with our seals dated this 8th day of My 1750.


The condition of this obligation is such that if the above bound Ruth Brown, Thomas and Samuel Brown, executors of the last will and testament of Thomas Brown deceased do make or cause to made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular and good chattels and credits its of the said deceased which have or shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of the said Ruth Thomas or Samuel or into the hand of possession of any other person or persons for these and the same so made do exhibit into the county court of Frederick at such time or they shall be thereunto required by the said county and the same goods chattels or credits and all other the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased which at any time after shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of the said Ruth, Thomas or Samuel or unto the hand and possession of any other person or persons for them. Do well and truly administer according to law and further do make a true and just account of their acting and doing therein when thereto required by the said court and also well and truly pay and deliver all the legacies contained and specified in the said testament as far as the said goods, chattels and credits will there unto extend and the law shall charge them this altogether to be void and of none effect or remaining in final force and virtue, sealed and declared in presence of court.

Ruth Brown
Thomas Brown
Samuel Brown
John Chenoweth
Robert Cunningham

At Court held in Frederick Co. on Tue. the 8 day of Mar 1750 Ruth Brown, Thomas Brown and Samuel Brown executors of Thomas Brown Sr., deceased together with Jno. Chenoweth and Robert Cunningham their securities acknowledge this their bond for the said Ruth, Thomas and Samuel Brown their true and faithful administration of the said deceased estate which was admitted to record.


For those of you who missed the link to the application National Register of Historic Places.

http://www.wvculture.org/shpo/nr/pdf/berkeley/86000202.pdf

2nd link to photograph of Brown house will not copy. If you want link, contact me.


Joseph Brown was the son of Thomas and Ruth. Joseph and Ann Jones Morgan Brown were the parents of Ruth Brown who married John Mendenhall who was the 2nd great grandfather of Ida Jane Mendenhall

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Okay, the last posting left off with a Ralph Miers in North Carolina in 1800 being mentioned in his father Nathan‘s will. Also, please recall that I stated that I had no proof that this Ralph Miers was our Ralph. You may also remember that I have stated in the past that you should not believe everything you see on the census or read in the newspaper (or my ramblings).

On the 1850 census, Nathan Myers (son of Ralph) lists his state of birth as Ohio. According to family records, Nathan was born on May 21, 1811. When I say “family records” here I mean that Nathan’s birth date matches information on his tombstone at Gray Cemetery.

The obituary for Samuel Myers (son of Ralph) published in the Anderson Morning Herald on February 13, 1895 stated, in part, “Mr. Myers was born eighty-two years ago the 4th of last November in Clinton county, Ohio.” In other words he was born on November 4, 1812 in Clinton County. However the obituary goes on to state that his parents were South Carolina Quakers which is extremely unlikely. Prudence Taylor Elmore Myers was a disowned Quaker from South Carolina. Prudence’s mother Mary Pearson Taylor Mills was a Quaker from South Carolina and close neighbor of Ralph’s in Ohio as were Mary’s sons Elijah and Enoch Mills and Mary’s step son John Mills Jr.. I underlined Elijah thinking that this might be where Herman Myers got the name Elijah Myers for his Myers family history essay.
1850 census Samuel Myers lists his state of birth as Ohio.
On Samuel’s 1880 census record his father (Ralph) was reportedly born in North Carolina.

Mary Myers (daughter of Ralph) is listed in family records as born in Clinton County on August 8, 1814.
Caesars Creek Monthly Meeting records.
1831, 10, 27. Mary [Miers] recrq (She joined the Quaker church on this date.)
1834, 1, 24. Mary [Myers] m Thomas Roberds (Married her 1st husband on this date.)
m. 2nd Levi Jessup 1843 Whitewater Monthly Meeting, Wayne Co. Indiana. (Quaker records say "Mary Roberds, a widow, dt. of Ralph and Prudence, both dec. m. Levi Jessup.” Information from Lora Jeffries.) I have underlined Prudence to confirm the name of Ralph’s wife.

No information on the fourth child, Ralph Myers.

William (T.) Elmore continued to live in Clinton County, owned property there, married, had children and died there and is buried in New Burlington Cemetery in the far northwest part of Chester Township. William Elmore is believed to have been a nephew of Prudence Taylor Elmore Myers.

Mahala Elmore (step-daughter of Ralph) married John Arnold.
1833, 2, 21. John & Mahala recrq (They joined Quaker church on this date.)
………Mahala b 1800,4,9 d 1845,4,30 bur Caesars Creek
Caesars Creek Monthly Meeting Record. ^

Okay, if Nathan was born in Ohio on May 21, 1811 (and I see no reason to think that he was not) that could mean that Ralph was married in 1810. Now, if you read the posting on Prudence Taylor Elmore Myers, you know that Prudence was in Ohio in 1809, so she could have been the mother of these children.

Our Ralph Myers first “officially” appears in Clinton County, Ohio, “…. this third day of fifth month one thousand Eight hundred and seventeen….” when he purchased 69 acres of land, from survey #777 adjoining survey #2231, draining into Caesars Creek from Henry and Sarah Fletcher for $345.00. In addition, he purchased an adjoining parcel of 175 acres from survey #2231 on December 29, 1818 from Benjamin and Jonah Farquhar for $525.00. Both properties were purchased with cash and both deeds were recorded on November 19, 1819. I can not explain the tax records that I have for Ralph in Clinton County for 1820 which list Ralph as owning 69 acres in survey 777 and 125 acres in survey 2231.

It should be noted that the copy of the will I have for Ralph Miers is a recorded copy and not the original will so there is no way to tell if the copy clerk actually spelled the last name as written in the original copy.
Pages 26 and 27, Will Book A, Clinton County, Ohio.
The last Will and Testament of Ralph Miers, deceased.
The last will and testament of Ralph Myers of Clinton County Ohio State. Be it known to all people whom these presents may concern that I Ralph Myers do make ordain and constitute my last will and testament in the following manner.
First, I desire that my body be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my friends, my funeral charges and just debts paid with all convenient speed after my decease all the rest of my estate both real and personal I will and bequeath to the management and disposal of my step daughter Mahala Elmore for the raising maintaining and schooling of my children, namely William Elmore, Nathan Samuel, Mary and Ralph Myers till my youngest son Ralph is twenty one years of age, then the remainder of my property and my land I desire should be sold and the money equally divided among my above named children (to wit) William Elmore, Nathan, Samuel, Mary and Ralph Myers but and if my step daughter Mahala Elmore should marry or decline the raising of my above said children or any occurrence happen that they disperse then I desire that my movable property be sold and my plantation rented out till my son Ralph comes of age, my children I desire to be under the care of Ceasars Creek Monthly meeting and at the time of my son Ralph’s maturity I will that my land be sold and the money therefore and all the remainder of my estate after raising and schooling my children be divided as above mentioned.
And lastly I nominate and appoint Jesse Arnold Executer Of this my last will and testament disannulling and revoking all other wills by me ?????? and ?????? This and this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I set my hand and seal this 24th day of the 4th month 1820. (Signed) Ralph Mires (Seal)

Signed Sealed published and declared by the testator to be his last will and testament in the presents of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presents of the Testator and of each other____
Josiah Farquhar, William Edwards, Saml’ Whitson.

No. 5 The foregoing last will and testament of Ralph Myers deceased Exhibited by Jesse Arnold Executor within named and firmed by Jonah Farquhar and William Edwards witnesses named and ordered to be recorded at September term 1820
Recorded 13th October 1820.
Isaiah Morris clt.

In addition to the name Miers and Mires, in the body of the will and the order to record, the spelling “Myers” appears five times. The will was recorded on “13th October 1820”. At this point you should be able to deduce that Ralph died between April 4, 1820 and October 13, 1820. The name Josiah Farquhar appears as a witness to the will, this is a mistake on the part of the copy clerk and should read Jonah Farquhar. Jonah Farquhar was a neighbor of Ralph’s and had sold property to him and is listed as a witness to the will in the order to record, so given those three facts and the fact that I can find no Josiah Farquhar in Clinton County at the time leads me to conclude that the copy clerk made a mistake. The executor of the will, Jesse Arnold, was a nephew of John Mills Sr.. Mills was Prudence Taylor Elmore Myers‘ step father. One of the most striking and unusual elements in this will (to my mind) is the total absents of any religious reference.

After a search of record indexes in Clinton County, no guardianship records for Ralph’s children were found. Perhaps since Ralph named Mahala Elmore as guardian in his will, and she indeed acted as guardian, no other records were required. No records were found that Caesars Creek Monthly Meeting was involved. I could not find an exact date that Mahala Elmore and John Arnold were married however, according to the terms of the will, “….. if my step daughter Mahala Elmore should marry or decline the raising of my above said children or any occurrence happen that they disperse then I desire that my movable property be sold and my plantation rented out till my son Ralph comes of age ….”. Jesse Arnold, the executor named in Ralph’s will, died early in 1832 and John Arnold was appointed executor on “….the second Monday of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty two….”. The court, at the same time, also ordered an inventory and settlement of the estate. This could mean, among other things, that Mahala and John were already married and that Ralph (the youngest child) had died.
I have been unable to find a record of any inventory being filed.

Other bits…………
Ralph named his first born son Nathan (perhaps Ralph’s father’s name), his second child is named Samuel (Samuel Pearson was Mary Pearson Taylor Mill’s father and Prudence’s grandfather), his third child Mary (Mary was Prudence’s mother’s name) and he repeats the family name Ralph with his fourth child.

Ralph Miers (or other versions of the last name) does not appear in the index of marriages of Bertie County, North Carolina.

Given that I feel that Ralph and family were in Clinton County by 1811, I will relate a few tales and history of the county around that date. From tax records and a map of part of Chester Township, given to me by Lora Jeffries, Ralph’s property was located very near Turkey Run, a creek draining into Caesars Creek.
The following stories and history are taken from The History of Clinton County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co. 1882. From a microfilm copy at the Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, Indiana.

First two excerpts from pages 649 and 650.
The Jay and Mills families (Which included Mary Pearson Taylor Mills, my 3rd great grandmother.) would have left South Carolina some time in 1804-5 traveling by wagon through “Tennessee and Kentucky, crossing the Ohio at Cincinnati on a flat-boat, the horses tied to it and swimming behind. They landed near the present site of Waynesville, and the family remained there in camp for some time, or until the husband and father could find a place of settlement. He finally took a lease on the lands of James Murray……”

When the quote says, “that they landed in Waynesville“, I am assuming it was meant that they landed on the Ohio side of the river and continued north by wagon until they reached the area now known today as Waynesville. The above mentioned James Murray had purchased the land from Horatio Gates in 1796. I think that the interesting part of the above story is that the Jay family had a lease on the property. I am assuming that Ralph Myers might have done the same thing, took a lease, and then purchased property in 1817 and 1818. Oh, by the way Cincinnati, at that time, was a village of maybe 15 to 20 homes or cabins.

“Their cabins were of unhewn logs, the bottom ones placed directly upon the ground,
with poles and clapboards overhead, and contained but one room. The floor was made of puncheons, or logs split and then hewn, so that the flat or uppermost side presented a tolerable flat surface, but which made a very substantial floor. The roof was of clapboards, held in place by large poles laid lengthwise. The chimneys were of sticks and mud, or clay. The fire-place was generally of large dimensions, often as wide as seven feet, and capable of taking in large sticks of wood……”.

The following are reminisces of John Jay, a grandson of John Mills Sr. and can be found on pages 650 and 653 of the above reference.

Wild life was abundant at this time, Turkey Run was named for the flock of turkeys in the area and a few miles north Buck Run was named for the large herd of deer, and in addition to squirrels and rabbits there were also wolves and bears. Also at this time, there were more friendly Indians than settlers. “ ’I well remember them coming to my father’s cabin,‘ said the venerable John Jay to the writer, ‘and sitting or standing around my father’s shoe bench until late bedtime. Jim Logan, a chief, and one of the number, could talk English some. I very well remember the rings suspended from their noses and ears, and vividly the night when Jim took an awl from my fathers bench, and, taking me by the ear, pretended he was going to pierce it. I screamed loudly, when he threw down the awl and pretended to feel very bad about it. Every night we could see the light from their camp-fires. I also recollect one evening when my father, one of my brothers and myself were out in the little clearing pulling turnips, we heard the Indians’ dogs coming through the wood, making a loud noise with their barking. My father said they were pursuing a bear, and for us to remain where we were until he could go to the house, get his gun and return, which he soon did. We then followed after the dogs and soon came up with them, and also with the bear, who had safely, as he thought, ensconced himself in the top of a tree. My father waited some time for the Indians to come up, when, fearing it would then be too dark to see, shot and killed it. The Indians soon after came up, and hastily removing the skin they cut the bear in twain gave my father half, and returned in a merry mood to their camp.’”

“The nearest trading place was where Waynesville now stands, and that a very small affair indeed. It was kept by David Halloway in a log cabin, and was the first and only one there at the time I speak of. His counter and his only shelf were puncheons, while his stock consisted of knives, forks, spoons, knitting-needles, weavers’ reels, awl blades, sewing thread, needles, powder, lead, tobacco, whiskey and a few other articles daily called for by the settlers.’”

The Jay family continued to live in this area until 1809 then moved to Darke County, Ohio where the father died in 1814 from the “milk sickness”. “ My mother then returned to Chester Township with her children to her father’s, John Mills, who then resided on Turkey Run.“

Other families…………
Their paths almost crossed.
1. In September 1813, Kentucky Governor Shelby raised a force of volunteers to join General Harrison to clear the British from Detroit and the upper Midwest. From the 9th to the 13th this force marched from the Cincinnati area to Urbana, Ohio, passing within 30 to 50 miles of Ralph and his family. The Lockhart side will remember that Charles De Pauw was a mounted volunteer in this group. De Pauw is my 4th great grandfather.

2. A few miles north of Ralph in Green County, John and Ruth Brown Mendenhall (4th great grandparents), their son and his wife Joseph and Ann Barnett Mendenhall and their son Jesse were living. Ann Barnett Mendenhall’s mother, Jane Hutchins Barnett, was also living in the area but I’m not sure where. Joseph and Ann’s son, Jesse, was born, probably in Green County, in 1809.

3. James and Mary Rees Haworth (4th great grandparents) and their son George moved to Warren County, Ohio in 1804-5. In 1810, that portion of Warren County became the western portion of Clinton County. George married Jane Thornburgh August 5, 1812 in Highland County and their daughter, Phoebe Rebecca was born in 1813. Jane
Thornburg’s father, Edward, was also in the area but I am not sure where.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

After about 10 years of searching family files, state records, Quaker records and every place that I could think of, I have finally found a Myers or Miers named Ralph who was alive before 1787 to after 1800 in North Carolina. I have no proof of any relationship to our family but there are several matching points.

A bit of digression here, I will start with the Myers Family History written by Herman Myers in 1968 in which he states that Ralph’s father was named Elijah. The problem here is that there were no references of any kind that could be checked. Well, try as I may, I could find no Elijah, Elias or Elisha Myers with a son named Ralph in North Or South Carolina, or for that matter, Pennsylvania. No Ralphs of the correct age anywhere in sight.

To be frank, I had given up on ever finding a solid link but a couple of months ago while researching the last two postings on Prudence Taylor I thought I would give it another try. Lo and behold, I click on a site and up pops a Ralph. Now I admit that his father’s name is not Elijah, (not even close) but there are two family names involved, Nathan and Ralph. I also admit that the last name is Miers but after looking at deeds, abstracts and other original documents over the years, this means very little and besides that, this family is listed as Myers on the 1800 and 1810 census for Bertie County, North Carolina. Okay, now that you are excited (yes, humor), this is what I found and remember that I am easily excitable.

Miers, Nathan, April 7, 1800; May Term 1800. Wife Elizabeth, daughters Patty Asbell, Mary Jernagan and Winney Jernigan, sons Samuel, Nathan, David and William, sons Miles and Ralph, daughter Elizabeth Hoggard, Wm. Watford and Wm. Morris Exrs. Test, James Barradail, Sarah Barradail.
The North Carolina historical and genealogical register. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co. Hathaway, J. R. B., Vol. II, No. 1, Jan, 1901, p. 528. ^

For those of you who don’t know what the hell you are looking at (and probably could not care less), the above is a transcribed abstract of a will filed in Bertie County, North Carolina in the May 1800 court term. Then this was also on the same web site:

Outlaw, Ralph, Jan'y 23, 1787; Nov. Term 1790. Eldest son David, sons Edward and George, my wife's former husband (not named) daughter Elizabeth Mires, Mary Ray, Priscilla Watford, grand-son Wright Frazier, grand-daughter Mary Watford, daughter Charity Alexander, grand-daughters Elizabeth and Mary Alexander, grand-son Ralph Outlaw (son of David), grand-son Jno. Ray, granddaughter Charity Frazier, grand-daughter Anna Outlaw (daughter of Edward), grand-son Ralph Miers (wife Mary, sons David and George and brother George Outlaw, Exrs). Test, David Standley, Hardy Lewis, Andrew South.
The North Carolina historical and genealogical register. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co. Hathaway, J. R. B. , Vol. II, No. 1, Jan., 1901, p. 349. ^

Okay, you got it this time….another will abstract from Bertie County, this time Ralph‘s grandfather. The important date being that the will was written on January 23, 1787 naming Ralph. Herman states that Ralph was born on March 6, 1785 (again, no references) and the date the will was written does not rule out this being our Ralph.

Herman states, “The Myers family are German Hugenots (Huguenots) stock, coming through France to North America and settling in North Carolina in 1768-9.” (Technically this is incorrect since the word Huguenot means French Protestant. The term does, however, include those French families that fled to other countries to escape Catholic persecution, including those who escaped to what is today known as Germany. An interesting aside here: On a list of names of Huguenot families that settled in Ireland both the name of Mire and Myer appears.) But here we hit another snag, this Miers family appears in North Carolina records in the 1720’s.

ABSTRACT OF CONVEYANCES.
(Original in Court House at Edenton, N. C.)
Nathan Miers and wife Marv to John Welch. 100 acres on North side of Poplar Run March 7," 1726-7. Test, John Parker, Paul Palmer.
The North Carolina historical and genealogical register. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co. Hathaway, J. R. B. , Vol. II, No. 1, Jan., 1901, p. 447. ^ Edenton, North Carolina is in Chowan County, a neighbor of Bertie County. This Nathan Miers appears to have been the father (or grandfather) of the Nathan Miers that was the father of Ralph.

** Bertie County Deed Book L - 1763-72
P. 90- 11 Jan 1767-Charles Hardie to Nathan Miers Sr. Wit: Robert Hardy & John Low.

** Bertie County Deed Book M 1772-85 Pt. 1
P. 139- 21 Nov 1773- Nathan Miers to James Sowell Wit: John Clifton & James Ward.
P. 215- 9 Nov 1772- Nathan Miers Sr. to James Sowell Wit: King Freeman & Nathan Miers Jr.
If you have the power to retain facts, you will remember that according to the will of Nathan Miers, he also had a son Nathan (III). However, the Nathan Jr. listed in the above deed would have had to have “of age” in 1772 and this could not have been the son of Nathan and Elizabeth Outlaw Miers.

ABSTRACT OF BERTIE COUNTY
MARRIAGE DONDS.
1764
Miers, Nathan and Elizabeth Outlaw, Sept. 15. Titus Edwards.
The North Carolina historical and genealogical register. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co. Hathaway, J. R. B. , Vol. II, No. 1, Jan., 1901, p. 314 ^ (Yes, it does say DONDS.) The above record along with the will abstracts above prove that Ralph Miers, son of Nathan, is indeed the grandson of Ralph Outlaw.

At this point, I have only been able to find the two references to Ralph Miers in North Carolina that I have listed above. There does not appear to be a will filed in Bertie County for his mother, Elizabeth Outlaw Miers, neither a record of a marriage for Ralph nor any record of property purchased by Ralph in North Carolina. Yes, this is a very thin evidence that Ralph Miers is our Ralph, but so far, it is the only link that I can find.

** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Jvosper489@cs.com Jim Vosper
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Transcribed from LDS Microfilm - Bertie Deeds

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Today is rather hot and humid with a heat index of 103 so I have decided to spread out in the air conditioning and start the following family tale.

And then there is this. Since I know that I have not confused anyone with my clear and concise outline of the Gabbert and Mendenhall families in Frederick County, Virginia, I will now cover families from the Myers side that spent a few years in Frederick County. So as not to confuse, I have placed a short outline of the direct connection at the beginning of each family. I would warn you that I have not done considerable research on this group of families but have done my best to follow them through Frederick County from what records that I could find. For the quick witted among you, you will know that all of these people are related to Prudence Taylor Elmore Myers who was covered in the previous posting.

Jonathan and Mary Merchant Taylor my 4th great grandparents.
His son, William Taylor my 3rd great grandfather, his daughter, Prudence Taylor Elmore Myers who married 2nd Ralph Myers my 2nd great grandfather. Yes, mentioning Prudence again is a bit redundant but I am just trying to keep things straight.
Jonathan and Mary Taylor seem to have appeared in Frederick County sometime in the 1750’s. His son William is believed to have been born there on March 16, 1751.
May 3, 1760 Fairfax land grant 400 acres "joyning Thomas Litller’s Patent"
Library of Virginia ^
May 18, 1761 Jonathan Taylor voted for Colonel George Washington and Colonel George Mercer as members of the House of Burgesses from Frederick County.
http://haygenealogy.com/hay/frederickvavoting.html
"6 6 1768 Hopewell (to) Bush River ( South Carolina) Jonathan Taylor, wife & children".
Hopewell Friends History ^

Robert and Mary Burtis Worthington my 5th great grandparents.
Their daughter, Martha Worthington, married Samuel Pearson my 4th great grandparents.
Robert and Mary Burtis Worthington were early land owners in the portion of Spotsylvania County that became Orange County that became Frederick County at a later date then Berkeley County and then in 1801 Jefferson County which, in 1863, became part of West Virginia.
The date of arrival of the Worthingtons in the Shenandoah Valley is not definitely known, however in some of the papers filed in the settlement of his estate recorded in Orange County is a disposition made by his widow, which states, in part, that she and her husband were married in Friend's Meeting at Burlington, New Jersey on " "13th of 6th month, 1729" and "quickly after the said marriage, removed to this country." Both of the Worthingtons appeared in person in a Philadelphia County Court on December 11, 1731 to acknowledge sale of land but had probably already moved to Virginia by that date. The land sold was probably a 191 ½ acre tract on the Delaware River that Robert had purchased in 1720, he was listed as an Innholder of Philadelphia County.

Robert received a 3000 acre land grant from Virginia Colony on October 3, 1734. Library of Virginia ^
Sometime about 1734 Robert built his home (link below) from which he seems to have operated his farming interests and operated some type of trading business.
Robert and Mary had three children Martha, Mary and Robert Jr..
Robert died in 1735; his will was filed in Maryland and later in Orange County. I have not personally read the court papers so I am going on other records that I have either seen or read the abstracts of sales of some of Robert’s assets.
After the death of Robert Worthington, his widow married 2nd Samuel Brittian. Samuel and Mary were appointed guardians about 1740 of the three Worthington children. Mary Burtis Worthington Brittian died about 1794 in what, by that time, was Berkeley County, Virginia.

Okay, this needs to be explained. If you go to the site below and open, look at the picture (on page 7 of the pdf) of the Georgian style home and look at the title on the application, you might think that Robert and Mary Burtis Worthington lived there. They did not. They lived in the part of the house peering around the right side of the grand house, the Georgian house was built at a later date.
http://www.wvculture.org/shpo/nr/pdf/jefferson/73001913.pdf

There are several informative paragraphs about the Worthingtons in Pioneers of old Frederick County, Virginia, O’Dell. Of course, you can also Goggle for additional information. If you have an interest, you can see the location of the 3,000 acre land grant in O’Dell’s book, tract 139, maps 3 and 4, pages 95 and 129.

Enoch and Mary Smith Pearson my 5th great grandparents.
Samuel and Martha Worthington Pearson my 4th great grandparents.
Mary Pearson Taylor Mills my 3rd great grandmother.

Although I could not find any property records for this Enoch, O’Dell mentions him in his book (mentioned above) as, "…owned land at present-day northeast of Winchester, Virginia." No references were given.
Enoch and Mary Smith Pearson were in Frederick County prior to 1744 when the following road order was issued.
6 March 1744 O. S., FOB 1, p. 275-276
This rather long order designates the location of a new road in the county and appoints Enoch Pearson, among others, Surveyor of the road.
5 May 1747 O. S., FOB 3, p. 239
….We present Enoch Pearson Surveyor of the Road from Vestals Gapp to the Long marsh for not Clearing Grubing & Keeping the said Road in repair according to Law within Six months last past….
10 February 1748 O. S., FOB 3, p. 39
The Grandjury v. Enoch Pearson Deft
The Deft failing to Appear & Answer Presentment agst him for not Clearing Grubbing & Keeping the Road from Vestals Gap to the long Marsh in repair according to Law - where of he is Surveyor, at the motion of Gabriel Jones Attorney for the King It is Ordered that he be fined for the Same fifteen Shillings Current Money & also pay Costs….
8 May 1750 O. S., FOB 3, p. 239
Zacchariah Valentine is appointed Surveyor of the Highway from the Long marsh Run to Vestals Iron works in the room of Enoch Pearson deceased…
In the road orders above the "Long Run Marsh" (or Worthington Marsh/Evitts Run) is mentioned along with "Vestals Gap" both of these areas are near the Worthington property.
Enoch is listed on several family sites as having died in Frederick County in 1749, the record above seems to confirm this.
Mary Smith Pearson married 2nd William Oglesby in Delaware on January 14, 1753.

Samuel Pearson, the son of Enoch and Mary Smith Pearson, married Martha Worthington, daughter of Robert and Mary Burtis Worthington, in Frederick County about 1749. On February 15, 1750 Samuel received his wife’s portion of the estate settlement of Robert Worthington, 333 1/3 acres on Evitts Run. Yes. I know….But in most cases, the husband of a married woman, at this time period, had title to her property. Frederick County Deed Book 2, pages 220 and 272.^

Mary Pearson, daughter of Samuel and Martha Worthington Pearson, was born in Frederick County 1750.
Martha Worthington Pearson died near an area called Worthington Marsh (also called Evitts Run) in Frederick County about 1752-1757.
Samuel married 2nd Christina Potts about 1757.
Samuel married 3rd Mary Rogers about 1762.
Samuel Pearson disowned by Hopewell Friends "married contrary to discipline" unknown date, Reinstated "6-6-1763". Hopewell Friends History^
Samuel is mentioned in four Frederick County road orders from 1755 to 1768. I copied the one of main interest.
8 October 1760, FOB 9, p. 191
Samuel Pearson is appointed Overseer of the Road from Jacob Hites Mill to the Main Road Leading from Winchester to Vestals Gap Near the Head of Worthingtons Marsh and it is Ordered that the Tithables three Miles on Each Side keep the same in repair According to Law
Now if you are wondering why I thought this order was of interest, go back and look where his wife Martha Worthington died.

Samuel Pearson is listed as voting in the following elections in Frederick County.
December 11, 1755.
July 24, 1758.
May 18, 1761 when he voted for Colonel George Washington.
http://haygenealogy.com/hay/frederickvavoting.html

April 3, 1771 Samuel Pearson sold his land near Worthington Marsh to Samuel Washington for 450 pounds. Frederick County Deed Book 14, page 543.^
5 8 1771 Hopewell (to) Bush River (South Carolina) Sam’l & children… Hopewell Friends History ^

Mary Pearson my 3rd great grandmother, the daughter of Samuel and Martha Worthington Pearson, was born in Frederick County in 1750 and later married William Taylor mentioned above. Again, if you follow the above, Prudence Taylor (Elmore Myers) was their daughter.
2 9 1771 Hopewell (to) Bush River (South Carolina) Mary Pearson Hopewell Friends History ^

SORRY about repeating so much of the information but some of you have complained that you were having a problem following the relationships. Well, I’m not sure if my solution (repeating myself) is a help or hindrance.

Just because I know that you like twists and turns and you deserve to be as confused as I am, I throw in the following.
1. Robert Worthington, Jr., was the son of Robert and Mary Burtis Worthington and brother of Martha Worthington Pearson my 4th great grandmother, Martha’s daughter was Mary Pearson Taylor Mills, my 3rd great grandmother.
2. Robert Jr’s son was Thomas Worthington, the "Father" and sixth governor of the State of Ohio. Robert's son-in-law was the first governor of Ohio, Edward Tiffin.
3. Okay, now follow me here………..
a. Thomas Worthington was a 1st cousin of Mary Pearson Taylor Mills.
b. Mary Pearson Taylor Mills was the mother of Prudence Taylor Elmore Myers who then would have been 1st cousin, once removed of Governor Worthington. And, I suppose, 1st cousin in law, once removed of Governor Tiffin.
4. Governor Tiffin served from 1803 to 1807 and Governor Worthington served from 1814 to 1818. Both were governor while Mary Pearson Taylor Mills was living in southwest Ohio and Worthington was governor while Prudence Taylor Elmore Myers was in Ohio.
If you would like to see a photograph of my 1st cousin, 5 times removed (I think), click on address below.
http://ohiohistorycentral.org/image.php?rec=422&img=227

If you visit the site below, please be aware that all of the facts are NOT correct. This is an account of the Worthington family written by Thomas Worthington, of interest in this letter is the first part relating information on Robert Sr. and Mary Brutis (Thomas’ grandparents) AND the last part where some information is corrected. If you do read this, MAKE SURE TO READ THE LAST PART.
http://search.ohiohistory.org/texis/search/context.html?query=hs&pr=public&prox=page&rorder=500&rprox=500&rdfreq=500&rwfreq=500&rlead=500&sufs=0&order=r&cq=&cmd=context&id=4aa9879f16b

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Okay, you probably won’t understand much in this next bit but I am looking for something to amuse me today while I wait for some documents for another story….so here we go. This bit follows Prudence Taylor Elmore Myers’ trials and tribulations from birth to her first marriage to her move to Ohio and her marriage to Ralph Myres. I don’t have enough documentation to prove all of this but it is fun looking through the bits and pieces and putting a story together…….WHOOOOO HAAAAAA!

Prudence Taylor was the daughter of William and Mary Pearson Taylor born in Berkeley County, District 96, South Carolina on 11th month, 10th day, 1780. I believe Prudence to be my 2nd great grandmother. She had three older siblings, Samuel, Martha and Jonathan.

Now for this twist in the plot….When she was either less than two years old, her father died on 10 12 1781 as is stated on almost all family sites OR, he wrote his will on 10 12 1781 and died in 1789 when there is some evidence that his will was entered in court records. (Yes, a bit of understatement on my part.)
Newberry County S.C. Estates
Box 361, Pkg. 36. 361-365
LWT 10 Oct 1781 Proven 28 Jul 1789 Bk. A, P. 70. Or, if that reference does not suit your fancy, try the next one.
Recorded in Will Book "A" Page 69
Proved March 4th 1789
Test. W. Malone Clk. Ct. (Original Will not in Files of Probate)
To whom it may Concern Know Ye That I William Taylor of Bush River Ninety six District in South Carolina being of Sound mind and Memory do this Tenth day of the 10th Month October in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred & and Eighty One; make and Publish this my Last will & Testament in Manner following, That is to say, First I Give to my son Samuel, the Plantation whereon I now Live Containing Two hundred and fifty Acres of Land, And I Give & bequeath to my son Jonathan Taylor one other Plantation or Tract of Land Containing One hundred Acres of Land & one other Tract of Land Containing One Hundred Acres of Land Originally Granted to Matthew Brooks and William Nelson, which sd Plantations or Tracts of Land as aforesaid I Give and bequeath to my said Sons Samuel Taylor & Jonathan Taylor to them their Heirs and Assigns forever, And to my Daughter Martha Taylor, I Give and bequeath the sum of Two hundred pounds of Lawful Current Money of South Carolina Aforesaid, I also Give to my Youngest Daughter Prudence Two Hundred pounds of Like Money, to be paid out of my Debts that will be due to me which said Debts, Bonds, Notes or Otherwise my Executors herein Named are to Collect & pay to my said Daughters when they Arrive & be of Age in Law, And Provided either of my Daughters Should Decease in her Nonage The sd Sum of Two Hundred pounds shall Revert and be paid the other as aforesaid The Residue & Remainder of All my Personal Estate I bequeath to my Wife Mary Taylor for & during her Widowhood to be by her possessed for her Use & the Maintenance and Education of my Said Children, but if she Should Marry before my Said Children Should Arrive at their Several Ages in Law that then in such Case my Execrs do take into their hands my Said Personal Estate for the Use above mentioned, & Lastly I do make and Ordain Samuel Pearson & Mercer Babb Executors to this my Last Will & Testament, In Witness Whereof I have to this my last Will & Testament set my hand & Seal the day & year above Written
William Taylor (Seal)
Signed Sealed and Delivered by the Said William Taylor as & for his last Will & Testament in the Presence of Us who where present at the Signing & Sealing Thereof
Samuel Kelley
Joshua Reeder
Samuel Ridgdell

Prudence’s grandfather, Samuel Pearson, died in Bush River on January 8, 1790.

Prudence’s mother, Mary Pearson Taylor married 2nd John Mills in Newberry County on 2 28 1793.
Prudence’s grandfather Jonathan Taylor died in the first part of 1795.
Will of Jonathan Taylor Newberry County, South Carolina Will book A, page 274. Proved May 18, 1795. While Prudence is not specifically named in the will, as an heir of William Taylor, she would have inherited part of the tract of land mentioned in his will.
"….I give and bequeath to the heirs of my son William Taylor decd the whole Tract of Land whereon his Widow not Lives…."

Prudence Taylor married Ridgeway Elmore sometime (probably) early in 1798. This MAY have been her second marriage, some family genealogists think that she was first married to a man named O’Sayle, however if she was there seems to be no proof. And, there does not appear to have been any persons with that last name in Newberry County at that time.
Prudence and Ridgeway were the parents of two daughters, Abigail born on an unknown date, probably died before 1821 and Mahala born April 9, 1800. Ridgeway died between January 17, 1803 when his will was written and March 15, 1803 when the will was probated.
On 9 May 1805 John & his wife Mary & children Enoch & Elijah Mills, & Ann Pearson received on certificate from Bush River MM, S. C. dated 23 Feb 1805 < Records Miami MM, Warren co, Ohio. If you were paying attention, you know that this is Prudence’s mother, step father an two half brothers….I have no knowledge of Ann Pearson.

Warren County was formed in 1803 and then Clinton County was formed in 1810 from part of Warren and part of Highland County.

"According to some estate records for Jonathan Taylor (Here I am assuming this Jonathan was her brother.), it indicates that Prudence Elmore was "about to remove to the state of Ohio in a few days" in a petition dated 21 Sept 1807. And in 1809, Prudence Elmore, Warren Co., Ohio was paid by the estate of Jonathan Taylor for "nursing him in his last illness, burial shroud"". Sue Appleton ^ There is no reference as to where these records are filed, but I’m looking for them.

And now for the next twist of the tale, William T. Elmore. William was apparently the son of Joseph and Martha Taylor Elmore, Prudence’s sister and brother in law. Joseph was also the brother of Ridgeway Elmore. William was born in South Carolina on February 24, 1807, about the time Martha Taylor Elmore died and was then (according to some family members) raised by Prudence and taken to Ohio in 1809. Another sub plot and twist; Joseph and Martha also had a daughter, Mary, born about 1806 who was raised by her father and accompanied him to Ohio a few years later. By this time, Joseph had a new wife and they lived about 4o miles from where William was living at the time but there is no record that there was ever any contact.

Children of Ralph Myers, all believed to have been born in Clinton County, Ohio.
Nathan born May 21, 1811.
Samuel born November 4, 1812.
Mary born August 21, 1814.
Ralph unknown birth date.

Caesars Creek Monthly Meeting started in 1810.

John Mills (Prudence’s step father) dies in Clinton County, Ohio on August 9, 1814. Death recorded at Caesars Creek MM, Ohio.

Guardianship for "Mahaly" (Mahala) Elmore apparently started 1816 in Newberry County, South Carolina.
Ralph Myers died in Clinton County between April 24, 1820 when he wrote his will and October 13, 1820 when his will was probated, Volume Q, page 27, Clinton County, Ohio Wills. His will states, in part:
"…..I will and bequeath to the management and disposal of my step daughter Mahala Elmore for the raising, maintaining and schooling of my children, namely William Elmore, Nathan, Samuel, Mary and Ralph Mires….." The will goes on to state that Ralph is the youngest son and that Ralph’s (Sr.) estate was to be managed until the son Ralph reached maturity, then sold and the money divided equally between the heirs. The executor of the will was Jesse Arnold who managed the estate until his death in 1832 then John Arnold (who married Mahala Elmore) managed the estate. The will also states that if Mahala can not care for the children, that they are to be placed in the care of Caesars Creek Monthly Meeting. There is no record that the children were placed in the care of Caesars Creek.
There is no mention of his wife in the will confirming (to me) that Prudence had died prior to April 24, 1820.
The will is signed, "Ralph Mires".
On various estate papers the name appears as Mires, Myers, Miars and Miers and sometimes two or three on the same document.

The earliest Clinton County land tax record that I have is for 1820. The record shows that Ralph owned two parcels of land totaling 194 acres in Chester Township near Turkey Run (a creek) that drains into Caesars Creek, the tax bill appears to have been $3.18 total for both parcels. Two of his neighbors are Elijah Mills, Prudence’s half brother and John Mills, either the estate of John Mills Sr. or John Mills Jr..

And to confuse, just a bit more, there is this parting shot. Since there does not seem to be much written history of Ralph’s family, nor my relative Nathan, I will include a few lines from the obituary of Samuel Myers, brother of Nathan and son of Ralph.
Anderson (Indiana) Morning Herald, February 13, 1895.
"……Mr. Myers was born eighty-two years ago the 4th of last November in Clinton County, Ohio. His parents were South Carolina Quakers, and from them he inherited that love for truth and honesty which were chief characteristics of the man."
"When but eight years of age he was bound out to a firm of weavers and learned the trade at the loom. At seventeen he went to Cincinnati and was soon toiling for a dairy firm, and there spent the season of the famous cholera epidemic of 1832."

One other thing, there is no record of the Myers family being Quaker in Clinton County until 1831, 10, 27. Mary (Miers) recrq
Yes, I am aware of the 1969 Myers Family History written by Herman Myers shortly before his death. In that history he lists Ralph’s first wife as Prudence Baker and his second wife as Mrs. Elmon. I could find no evidence that Ralph was married twice. If you use a bit of whoooo haaaaaa here you transfer Elmon to Elmore and transfer Baker to candle stick maker to Taylor. Of course you need to be versed in children’s rhymes for that last bit.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010




Left: Land office at Greenway Court.
Right: Greenway Court, Virginia home of lord Fairfax.
Since I have made some effort at telling the tale of the Gabbert (Lockhart) family in the Frederick County area, I thought it only fair to cover some of the Mendenhall side of the family in Frederick County as well.
I have stated this before but you are probably a relative of mine…..SO, I will go through it again. Frederick County was formed from part of Orange County in 1738 and the administration started in 1743; Berkeley County was formed from part of Frederick County in 1772; 1863 Berkeley County became part of West Virginia.
And now, before I start with the family, a little history….well, very little. This area was subject to Indian raids during the 1750’s and 60’s. Basically the entire county was claimed by lord Fairfax who had a royal patent. Today we would consider the county’s most famous resident during this time period to have been George Washington.
Those entries that credit Hopewell Friends History:
Hopewell Friends history, 1734-1934, Frederick County, Virginia; records of Hopewell Monthly Meetings and meetings reporting to Hopewell; two hundred years of history and genealogy, John Walter Wayland; Joint Committee of Hopewell Friends; Hopewell Monthly Meeting (Society of Friends).
It appears that the first of this side of the family to arrive in what was then Orange County (later Frederick County), Virginia Colony were my 7th great grandparents Richard and Charity Grubb Beeson.*
A Richard Beeson was in Orange County (later Frederick County) when he attended a marriage ceremony at Hopewell on December 11, 1735.
1736, 2 mo. 24 Richard Beeson, wife, and family at New Garden ( Pennsylvania) (Certificate to Hopewell, then Orange County.).
Hopewell Friends History. ^
"One of the large, land-owning Quaker families to come into the present Berkeley County was Richard Beeson, born in 1684, who had married Charity Grubb in 1706. George Robinson and John Poteate had received a king’s patent from the Lt. Gov. Gooch for 1,650 acres of land laying on both sides of the Tuscarora Creek on Nov. 12, 1737 (1735). They sold this tract of land to Beeson for 70 pounds on Sept. 28, 1737. This tract of land was of excellent quality and ran on both sides of the present Tuscarora Creek from Martinsburg to just west of Nollville."
On Beeson property a "……meeting house called "Providence" was established by 1738. There were 249 acres there that were sold by Richard Beeson and his wife, Charity, to Richard Beeson Jr. on December 1745, when the meeting house and cemetery had been established. This early cemetery, one of the oldest known in the state, now belongs to the Berkeley County Historic Landmarks Commission."
http://journal-news.net ^
In the above quoted article I have corrected the patent date to match the copy of said patent in the Library of Virginia. I have a copy of the above land grant and it is made out to George Robinson only. If you use Google Maps to search for Nollville, West Virginia and use the zoom-in, you can find the location of Providence Quaker Cemetery; the Beeson property was north of the cemetery, stretched out along the Tuscarora (the blue line north of the area).
It is believed that the first meetings of Providence Meeting were held in the home of Richard Beeson.
Hopewell MM issued a certificate to Richard Beeson and wife on 1754, 9, 2 and they were received at New Garden MM, North Carolina on 1754, 11, 30.
Hopewell Friends History ^
1736, 9 mo. 27, Mordica Mendenhall and wife, at New Garden.( Pennsylvania) (Certificate to Hopewell, then Orange County.).
Hopewell Friends History. ^
Mordecai and Charity Beeson Mendenhall, my 6th great grandparents, migrated to what was to become Frederick County with Charity’s parents and settled on 200 acres of land purchased from the Beesons for 20 pounds on October 28, 1743. The property seems to have been on both sides of Tuscarora Creek adjoining Charity‘s brothers and parents.
Frederick County Deed Book 1, page 20. ^
Richard Mendenhall, son of Charity and Mordecai, my 5th great grandfather was born in what was to become Frederick County on November 1, 1737.
Mordecai Mendenhall, wife and children were received on certificate at Cane Creek MM, North Carolina on 1752, 3, 7. The certificate was issued by Hopewell MM on 1751, 3, 6.
Hopewell Friends History ^
Mordecai’s parents, John (Jr.) and Susanna Pierson Mendenhall, my 7th great grand parents, also moved to the area in about 1747.
John Mendenhall (Mendinghall) is on the list of voters December 11, 1755. He voted for the winning candidate, Mr. Hugh West. Poll taken in Frederick County, Jul 24, 1758, which elected two members to the House of Burgesses from Frederick County, again voted for West and Captain Thomas Swearington, both appear to have lost.
http://haygenealogy.com/hay/frederickvavoting.html
Susanna Pierson Mendenhall died in Frederick County April 30, 1765. John died in Berkeley County, Virginia in 1773. If you read the formation of counties above, you will see that Berkeley County was formed in 1772 so both John and Susanna probably died at the same place. It is possible that both John and Susanna Mendenhall are buried in the "old" Providence Meeting Cemetery.
William and Mary Reese (Rees) Dillon my 6th great grandparents were in what was to
become Frederick County by November 9, 1739 when William purchased 219 acres from John Littler for 7 pounds.
Frederick County Deed Book 7, page 65. ^
I could not find a record of the marriage of William and Mary. Some genealogy sites say they were married prior to their arrival in Frederick County, others say they were married in Frederick County, but none cite any records.
"10 February 1743/44 O. S., FOB 1, pp. 29-30
John Littler & William Dillon having made their return on the Order for Viewing & laying of the Road from John ffrosts Mill to the main Road between John Littlers & John Milbourns plantation in these Words, We have laid off the Road from Capt ffrost’s Mill thence to Buffler lick thence to the Backside John Bossers field, thence to David Springers thence to the Usual ford thence on the East Side Wm. ffrosts plantation thence along a good Ridge by a Course of Marked Trees to Mathias Elmores thence along the said Elmors Creek to the head, the best Convenientest Way that can be had by Widow Dillons thence by the said Marked Trees to the main Road Leading to Rappahannock between John Littlers & John Milbourns which includes the whole, Its Ordered that the said Road be cleared by the Petrs. and Joseph Burkham & Wm. ffrost are hereby Appointed Overseers of the said Road & its further Ordered that they clear the same According to Law --"
Frederick County, Virginia Road Orders ^
No, I don’t know any thing about the "Widow Dillons" .
Charity Dillon, my 5th great grandmother and daughter of the above, was born in Frederick County on October 14, 1743.
3 June 1746 O. S., FOB 2, p. 102
William Dillon is hereby Appointed Overseer of the Road from Captn Frosts Mill to the Main Road between John Littler & John Milburns in the Room of William Frost & it is Ordered that the Tithables living within Two Miles on Each Side the said Road work on the same And it is further Ordered that the said Wm Dillon cause the said road to be kept in good repair According to Law -
Frederick County, Virginia Road Orders ^
November 15, 1752 purchased (rented) from lord Fairfax 400 acres on both sides of Back Creek.
November 16, 1752 purchased (rented) from lord Fairfax 398 acres on both sides of the dividing ridge of Opeckon and Back Creeks. (See sale below on April 2, 1762.)
November 16, 1752 purchased (rented) from lord Fairfax 384 acres on the drains of the Opeckon. Total 1182 acres.
Land Grants, Library of Virginia.^
It seems that William sold most of these properties within a few years after he purchased them.
William Dillon is on the list of voters December 11, 1755. He voted for the winning candidate, Mr. Hugh West. On a poll taken at the Election of Burgesses, Frederick County, May 18, 1761 he voted for the two winners, Colonel George Washington and Colonel George Mercer. (Yes, that George Washington.)
http://haygenealogy.com/hay/frederickvavoting.html
"At a Court martial Held for Frederick County on Fryday the 9th Day of October 1761..."
"William Dillon (of Capt Lewis Moores Company on the Motion of said Captain) be discharged of further duty at Muster"
Frederick County, Virginia Militia Records, 1755-1761, Little.
On April 2, 1762, William Dillon and Mary his wife sold 398 acres to Joseph Thompson for 500 pounds.
Frederick County, Virginia Deed Book 7, page 65.
William Dillon died between October 13, 1762 when he made his will and November 3, 1762 when his will was proved in Frederick County Court.
Frederick County Will Book 3, page 96. ^
Mary, wife of William, had remarried to Joseph Bridges before May 1, 1764 when Joseph and Mary Bridges, widow of William Dillon, sold 200 acres (appears to have been part of William Dillon’s estate).
Frederick County Deed Book 9, page 195. ^
Mary Bridges (Dillon) was disowned by Hopewell 2, 7, 1764, married contrary to discipline.
Hopewell Friends History ^
Joseph and Mary Reese Dillon Bridges had one son, Dillon Bridges born December 5, 1764. Some time around 1800 after the death of Joseph, Mary is said to have taken her feather bed and rode horse back to Kentucky to live with Dillon Bridges and his family. Now then, this last bit could be a family tale or a more scholarly, technical term for this would be whoooo haaaaa.
"November 7th 1767, FOB 14 Part 1, p. 185
Mercer Babb is Appointed overseer of the Road from Joseph Bridges Mill to William Dillons Plantation Ordered that the usael Tithables work thereon under him"
Frederick County Road Orders ^
I included the above to show how Joseph Bridges may have met our Mary Reese Dillon…By hot footing it down the road?

James Haworth, my 5th great grandfather, seems to have migrated to Augusta County, Virginia in 1739.
"1739, 5 mo(nth), 2 (day) James Haworth requests certificate to Opeckon Monthly Meeting, whither he intends to remove."
"1739, 6 mo(nth), 6 (day) Report concerning James Haworth favorable, and he was granted certificate."
Buckingham MM Records, Pennsylvania.^
Okay, WAKE UP! This next bit is complicated and you may need to read it several times. I have been reading it for about a month and think that I finally understand. It appears that James and his brothers John, Stephanus and Absalom joined their uncle Robert Scarborough near a settlement of Friends on Smith Creek when they moved to Virginia in 1739. Uncle Robert’s property was located on Smith Creek about a mile from the Meeting (Smith Creek) and about five miles southwest of present day New Market, Virginia. New Market is located in present day Shenandoah County and the Scarborough property is in present day Rockingham County. This area was first part of Orange County, then Augusta then Shenandoah and then Rockingham was formed from the northern part of the remains of Augusta County. I have taken some time with this because most family sites (and the Haworth Association) claim that James settled in Frederick County on Apple Pie Ridge when he first moved to Virginia. He did not.
We know that the Haworth brothers were in this area in 1742 because they appear on a military roster of Captain Peter Scholl (and for the quick witted, it does not appear that he is related to the Lockhart Scholls) for Augusta County. Peter Scholl was also a resident on Smith Creek.
"Heare followeth a list of all the Muster (?) of Augusta County under their respective officers and Captains: ……..
Capt. Peter Shoull's List: Peter Shoull, Captain; And. Burd, Lieutenant; Math. Skeens, Ensign; Abram Harden, John Hill, Johnath Burley, John Harison, Georg. Clemens, Wm. Halimes, Zebulun Harrison, Jno. Davis, Jno. Taylor, Joseph Burley, William White, Isaac Lotos, Wm. Sherral, Valante Severe, John Cumberland, Jacob Jacobs, Thos. Moor, (Stephanes Haveworth, Jas. Haveworth), John Beeson, Steph. Howard, Absolom Howard, Joseph Howard, John Benson, Benj. Hames (Haines), John Harrison, Thos. Lowker, Griffiths Thomas, John White, Adam Sherral, Rob. Caldwal, John Miller, Will Brizes (Briges), Wm. Carrel, John Hodg, (Absolom Haveworth, John Haveworth.)"
Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement of Virginia, Vol. 2, pages 508-509.^ This list seems to have been copied from, "The Preston Papers, Copies of Musters of Augusta County, 1742."
My mark, Haworth brothers ( ).
James married Sarah Wood at the Smith Creek Meeting in Augusta County November 3, 1743. (There are no records from this Meeting still in existence. James was married to Sarah Wood but the exact date can not be proven.)
My 4th great grandfather, James Haworth, son of James and Sarah, was born January 2, 1752. Since James and Sarah did not purchase property on Back Creek in Frederick County until November, I assume James (the son) was born while the parents were living on Smith Creek.
Absalom (James’ brother) Haworth’s will was probated June 2, 1752 naming James as one of the executors.
James Hayworth, November 17, 1752 purchased (rented) from lord Fairfax 227 acres on both sides of the Great Spring Branch of Back Creek and under North Mountain. (Frederick County, several miles north of Smith Creek)
Land Grant, Library of Virginia. ^ Land surveyed on April 26, 1751.
James and Sarah sold this property to Thomas Doster for sixty pounds on August 4, 1755.
Frederick County Deed Book 4, page 53.^
James and Sarah then settled in Back Creek Valley, where James Haworth bought land (183 acres) from Isaac Thomas in 1755. The farm was located near the fork of Isaac's Creek and Back Creek about two miles below Gainesboro.
"Settlement and Some First Families of Back Creek Valley" ^
James Haworth (the father) died October 10, 1757.
The area in which the Haworths lived was known as Apple Pie Ridge and was located about 5 miles north of Winchester. "This was the area that suffered from Indian
depredations in 1756/57; although no Friends were killed, many lost their livestock, including "Sarah Haworth widow" who received 3 of the 35 pounds sent for relief by the Philadelphia QM" (Hopewell Friends History).
Sarah (Wood) Haworth, disowned, widow of James. 24 (day), 12 (month), 1759.
Hopewell MM Records, Book 1.^
Sarah Wood Haworth married 2nd Peter Ruble, 1759. I did not find a record of this marriage but it is stated on the Haworth Family Association web site and in the following document.
A copy of the account of the estate of James Hayworth was filed in Frederick County court on November 4, 1767 naming Peter Ruble and his wife Sarah (Wood Haworth Ruble) as administrators of the estate. The first item listed: "1759 To the Funeral Charges - - - 4-10-0" or 4 pounds, 10 shillings. The oddest item (in my mind) "To cash paid Thomas Dostor for clearing the land out of the Propriators (Proprietor’s) Office - - - 13-1-4" or 13 pounds, 1 shilling, 4 pence." Here, I am assuming, they do not mean with a shovel and broom.
http://www.haworthassociation.org/Family-Notes/Will_Perry/page_60_insert.htm ^
Sarah (Wood Haworth) Ruble issued a certificate from Hopewell to Bush River (South Carolina) 1, 2, 1768 with children Jemima, James, George and Elizabeth.
Hopewell Friends History, ^
I did not find any information about Sarah’s membership being reinstated but since she was issued a certificate from Hopewell, obviously she was.
Thomas and Margaret Bowen Rees, my 6th great grandparents, appear to have settled in Frederick County in 1743 when on January 30th they purchased 224 acres from Thomas Littler for 22 pounds, 11 shillings.
Frederick County Patent Book 1, page 31 ^
A man believed to have been his father in law, Henry Bowen, purchased an adjoining 224 acre property from John Littler on January 25, 1743 for 45 pounds.
Frederick County Patent Book 1, page 34. ^
If the above Henry Bowen was in fact Margaret Bowen’s father, Henry Bowen and his wife Jane (Joan) Carter are my 7th great grandparents. Death dates for this couple range from before 1755 to the late 1750’s in Frederick County.
William Rees married Charity Dillon on August 1, 1763 in Frederick County, they are my 5th great grandparents. William was the son of Thomas and Margaret Bowen Rees and Charity was the daughter of William and Mary Reese Dillon. William Rees and Mary Reese Dillon were probably related as distant cousins but this has not been proven.
Mary Rees, daughter of William and Charity Dillon Rees, my 4th great grandmother was born in Frederick County April 12, 1767.
Certificate from Hopewell to New Garden, North Carolina 6, 4, 1772, Wm, Rees, wife, & children.
Hopewell Friends History ^
Thomas and Ruth Large Brown, my 6th great grandparents, moved to Frederick County in 1741.
1741, 1 mo. 2, Thomas Brown requests certificates for himself, wife, and children except his eldest daughter, to the monthly meeting at Hopewell in Orange Co., Va. In order to remove there.
1741, 2 mo. 6, a favorable report on Thomas Brown.
1741, 3 mo. 4, certificate for Thomas Brown to Hopewell.
Buckingham MM Records, Pennsylvania.^
I include the following because in concerns two direct relatives. Thomas Brown’s property was on both sides of Middle Creek. I know that the first order does not specify the road but the second one does.
1 April 1746 O. S., Fob 2, p. 72
Thomas Brown & Mordecai Mendenhall are hereby Appointed Overseer of the Road in the Room of Patrick Gillaspy & John Bails & its Ordered that they cause the said Road to be kept in Good Repair According to Law --
3 March 1746 O. S., FOB 2, p. 204
John Mills is hereby Appointed Overseer of the Road from Middle Creek to Mill Creek in the Room of Thomas Brown & its Ordered that the said John Mills cause the said Road to be kept in good repair According to Law --
Frederick County, Virginia Road Orders ^
Historic Thomas Brown house near Inwood, West Virginia.
http://www.wvculture.org/shpo/nr/pdf/berkeley/86000202.pdf
Thomas died between December 30, 1749 when he signed his will and May 8, 1750 when the will was probated.
Although Thomas Brown (Sr.) had purchased his property in 1741, lord Fairfax now claimed all of the land in Frederick County. So after Thomas (Sr.) died, on November 18, 1752, sons Thomas (Jr.), Joseph and Samuel bought a land grant from Fairfax for "1056 acres on Middle Creek whereon they live".
Library of Virginia ^.
In the following year, most of the property was sold and only Joseph remained in Frederick County.
Certificate for "Ruth Brown & son Samuel 1753 8 6" from Hopewell to Cane Creek, North Carolina "received 1753 11 4."
Hopewell Friends History ^
Joseph Brown, son of Thomas and Ruth Large Brown, my 5th great grandfather owned and lived in his parents house until the 1760‘s. He sold the home property, 428 acres and the house, to Thomas Ellis on September 12, 1766. Joseph lived in Rowan County, North Carolina at the time of the sale.
Frederick County, Virginia Deed Book 11, page 219 ^
I did not find a certificate of removal for Joseph however he married Ann Jones Morgan, widow of Henry Morgan, at Cane Creek MM, North Carolina on October 27, 1763.
John and Sarah Bowater Beals, my 6th great grandparents, MAY HAVE BEEN in the far northeast part of Frederick County for a short time and members of Fairfax MM. It appears that John died there in 1745/46. After John’s death, Sarah married Alexander Underwood on February 16, 1748 and removed to Pennsylvania on April 25, 1748.
* A possible exception to this statement is the Wood family. Sarah Wood is listed as being born in Frederick County in 1720. The problem with this is that there was no Frederick County in 1720, the area was Spotsylvania County and then Orange County after 1734. And while several sites list her parents, there is no proof who her parents were.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Email from Kelly today.

Don't know if I told you or not, but I am going to Berlin on Wednesday night to see a friend of mine from school. We're going to drive down either thru the Swiss Alps, or Austria to Florence Italy, and then on thru Tuscany and Rome. I am beside myself excited to see everything. (especially that the plane ticket is only about $400- compared to about $1200-1500). She has driven there before, so I feel better about that.

I bought a new camera, since mine was really old, so I'll have lots of pictures of gardens, and beautiful architecture to send you.

Saturday, May 1, 2010



Some recorded events in the life of Johann Frederich Gebert and his son Mathias Gabbert and George Gabbert, son of Mathias.
(Also Gabert, Gabbard, Gabbart, Gabbord, Gabhart, Gybert, etc.)

Johann Friedrich Gebert born April 10,1699 in Schwaigern, son of Peter and AnnaBarbara Macthlin Gebert.

Johann Federich married Susanna Catharina Boger Reiner on April 12, 1723. Susanna was a widow and the daughter of Hans Michael and Anna Dorothea Müller Boger.

heir son Mathias was baptized February 24, 1728 in Schwaigern, Württemberg (now Baden-Württemberg, Germany).

Johann Friedrich Gebert and his family left their home in 1731 and made their way north to the port of Rotterdam where they boarded the ship Pennsylvania Merchant. The ship first stopped at Dover, England where they cleared customs and took a loyalty oath and then sailed on arriving in North America at Philadelphia with his family on Tuesday, September 11, 1731.

The records for Frederich in North America are difficult but with persistence and using a variety of spellings for the last name I have been able to piece a few events together. I have not found any record between the years 1731 to 1735 nor after 1750.
" Early Lutheran baptisms and marriages in southeastern Pennsylvania", by John Caspar Stoever, page 19.
"Frederich Gebert, (Shenandoah.)
Gebert-Susanna Catarina, b. June 27,1736; bap. Aug. 29, 1736. Sponsor, Clara Strubel."
John Caspar Stoever was pastor of Hebron Lutheran Church (Same church that the Zimmerman and Tanner family belonged.) in an area that was, to begin with, Spotsylvania County, Virginia and then Orange County was formed and took in part of the area and then Culpeper County was formed and took in part of the area and then Madison County was formed and took in part of the area. To complicate this matter, Frederick and Augusta County were formed taking parts of Orange County (This is actually a simplification of the formation of the counties, see notes at end to see actual formation.) . Okay, Frederich was located in the Shenandoah area of Orange County, Virginia in 1736 (and this area became part of Frederick County in 1743) and not in southeastern Pennsylvania. (Oh by the way, Susanna Catarina was the sister of Mathias Gabbert.) It appears that Frederich then moved further south in the Shenandoah area in early 1738.

Okay, now for a quote or two from "The planting of New Virginia: Settlement and Landscape in the Shenandoah Valley", written by Warren R. Hofstra, page 138. This quote is taken from a deposition made in 1789 or about fifty one years after the event. In other words, the date of 1738 could be somewhat suspect it may even have been as early as 1736. "Gabbard and his family arrived at Opequon from Pennsylvania (Perhaps Mr. Hofstra did not find the baptism above or did not know about the change in spelling.) in spring 1738 and found Jacob Funk. Gabbard asked if Funk "knew of Any Land to be Sold?" To Funk’s reply that there was "none for Sale at this time," Gabbard lamented that "he did not know what he shou’d do, if he could Get no Land." Funk volunteered that "he would let some Ground to make a Spring Crop," and Gabbard "went to work on it Seven or Eight days." Then John Parrot came down from the North Mountain tract and told Gabbard that he "knew a tract of Land for him (there) which was called the bear Spring tract." The land had already been surveyed so Gabbard went home with Parrot to view it. The following day Gabbard went to see Hite (Jost Hite) and made arrangements to pay for the land. Gabbard then set off with his wagon, team, and family to take possession of his new holding."
And then on page 221 of the above reference. "Although servants constituted an often troublesome population, their skills helped run the exchange economy. Masters traded their labor much as they would flour, horses, linen, or any other good, as Thomas Gray did when he debited Frederick Gabbard three pounds for "30 days work of Patterick Morain My Servt., a Mason."
Both of these quotes have footnotes mentioned and while I am searching for copies of the records, I have not been able (yet) to find them.
The above mentioned book by Hofstra is an extremely valuable tool in learning about the day to day life of the settlers in this area and is readily available online in both soft and hard covers. NO, I do not receive a commission.

Johann Ferederich signed a road petition on 3 Feb 1742/3, in the Shenandoah region of Orange Co., as Frederick Gabbart (Germanna notes). I have searched the published Road Order Books for this date and could find no reference to this petition. However I was able to find mention of several petitions from another source that did not mention Johann Frederich by name, "it often appears that they (German Lutherans) entered the Valley from different points, one of these being Funk's Settlement near the site of the present town of Strasburg. They were struggling to have a road from their Settlement to Orange Court House; and later for a ferry across Sherando River, and also a road to the county seat of Frederick County." Page 189, Shenandoah valley pioneers and their descendants : a history of Frederick County, Virginia (illustrated) from its formation in 1738 to 1908, T. K. Cartmell, 1909. See map for location of Strasburg.

I have had a problem in obtaining copies of pages and clerk’s copies. I have marked some entries X to indicate that while I have found footnotes or references to specific pages and or deeds or wills, I have been unable to receive copies of same.

X "Abstracts of Virginia’s Northern Neck Warrants and Surveys Orange & Augusta Counties", volume 1, Joyner, page 57.

Frederick County, Virginia Road Orders, 1743-1772, By Virginia Genealogical Society.
"Frederick County (Virginia) Order Book 2 (1745-1748)
4 March 1745 O. S., FOB 2, p. 28
George Dellener is hereby Appointed Overseer of the Road from Ceedar Creek to Funk’s Mill & also Frederick Gabbert is hereby Appointed Overseer of the road from the said Funk’s Mill to the County Line & its Ordered that the Tithables living within three miles of the said Road Work on the same And its further Ordered that the said George Dellener & Frederick Gabbert Cause the said Road to be Kept in good repair According to Law --"
"Frederick County (Virginia) Order Book 3 (1748-1751)
14 February 1749 O. S., FOB 3, p. 205
John Funk Junr is hereby appointed Overseer of the Road from from Funks Mill to Augusta Line in the room of Frederick Gabbert and it is Ordered that the Tithables that worked under the sd Gabbert work under him and that the sd Funk Keep the sd Road in Repair according to Law." See map for location of Funk’s Mill and Augusta County line.

The following records marked with an * are from, Northern Neck Warrants and Surveys,Volume 2, Frederick County, Virginia, Peggy Shomo Joyner. (My comments.)

*p.149-Wolrick Stoner, surveyed 25 Apr. 1750; 183 a. where he lives on TomsBrook; adj. Mary Little, John Huddle, Christopher Wandell, Frederick Gabbord. CC: Augustine Wandell and Rynard Bauden. (Well, in this survey, we have another spelling for the last name, Gabbord. I have included this note to show that Frederich did indeed live in the Toms Brook area and, I assume, was alive in 1750.)

It seems apparent to me that Mathias was also in the Toms Brook area as an adult.
*p.160- Philip Wendal, assignee of Christopher Wandall, 17 Feb. 1751-25 Apr.1751; 220 a. on Toms Brook. CC (chain carrier): Valentine Wendall, Ulrick Stoner, Mathias Gabbert.

*p.79-Charles Huddle of Augusta Co., surveyed 17 May 1751, 346 a. on Tom'sBrook, a branch of the North River of Shannandoah, adj. Christopher Windel,Abraham Denton. CC (chain carriers): Caleb Odle and Mathias Gabbert.

A warrant, February 17, 1752, of the Northern Neck Proprietary of Virginia, issued to Robert Rutherford to survey four hundred acres in Frederick County, Virginia, for Mathias Gabbert. The warrant is signed by William Fairfax and states in part, "….Whereas Mathias Gabbert of Frederick County hath informed that there are about Four Hundred Acres of Waste and ungranted land where he Lives in the said County, bought of Jost Hite ……….." I believe that this warrant and the following entry are for the same property.

I had a vigorous debate with myself (a habit of mine which seems to be occurring more frequently as I age) about whether I should try to explain some of the terms and procedures used in 18th century land sales in Virginia and mention a very lengthy lawsuit in which Jost Hite sued lord Fairfax. In the end I decided it probably would not be within my limited mental capacity to do so. If you have an interest, you can always GOOGLE.


*p.131-Jacob Rife, assignee of Mathias Gabbord/Gabbert; no warrant, survey17 Feb. 1752-25 April 1752; 300 a. on Toms Brook including where he lives;adj. land surveyed for widow and orphans of Thomas Little (Toms Brook named after this man), Ulrich Stoner, Christopher Wendall, Charles Huddle, Rinard Borden. CC: Ulrich Stoner, Michael Gabbert, Christopher Wandall

*p.104- Peter Mauk, surveyed 14 April 1755; 400 a. where he lives on drs. ofToms Brook, branch of North River (Shenandoah), adj. (property adjacent to property owned by) Charles Huddle, Mathias Gabbert, Rynard Boddin (Borden), Henry Fravel. CC: Henry Fravel and Conrad Sox. Markers: Peter and John Mauk.

Mathias’ son George was born about 1757 and most family trees say that he was born in or near Lexington, Virginia. Well, the city of Lexington, originally known as Gilbert Campbell's Ford, was established as the town of Lexington in the Spring of 1778. The name chosen by the Virginia Legislature for the new county seat (Rockbridge) was in honor of the first great battle of the Revolutionary War, the battle of Lexington, Massachusetts, which had occurred three years earlier. The property records that I have been able to locate place Mathias close to Toms Brook from 1751 to 1767 therefore, George was, more than likely, born in Toms Brook (see items above). Toms Brook is located quite a bit north and east of the Gilbert Campbell’s Ford area.

12 Sept. 1766- Mathias (x) Gabart to Rife; adj. land surveyed for widow and orphans of Thomas Little, Ulrich Stoner, Christopher Wendall, Charles Huddle, Rinard Borden and Peter Mauk.
A "deed" for 410 acres from lord Fairfax to Peter Mauk of Frederick County states, in part, the following:
"…. to Mathias Gabberts survey, then with Gabberts line …..to three hickorys Gabberts Corner……….given at my office in the County of Frederick under my hand & Seal dated the 3rd of Aug. AD 1767______" This "deed" may be connected to the survey listed above dated 14 April 1755. Above from Library of Virginia.

The following records marked with + were found in "Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745-1800. Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County" by Lyman Chalkley. The entire three volume set can be found on the web.

Book No. 14, Augusta County (Virginia), page 326. January 29, 1768.
John Henry Eastminger, blacksmith, to Mathias Gabert, £40, blacksmith's tools, cows, iron stove and all the articles in the house belonging to me; mortgage. Teste: Simon Robinson, Margaret ( ) Clotzhine, Elizabeth ( ) Sasinger. (I had at first thought that this was a deed for land and property but it is a mortgage or loan from Mathias to John Henry Eastminger to be repaid "on the first day of December next". I have a clerk’s copy.)

+April 6, 1768 Mathias Gabert witnessed a deed of sale, Samuel McNabb to Jacob Gabhart, in Beverley Manor, Augusta County.

+15th August, 1768. John Brown and Margaaret to James Brown, £100, 295 acres in Beverley Manor on both sides of the Creek on which Gabert's Mill stands, conveyed by Samuel Young to John, adoining William McCintage and others. Delivered: James Brown, June, 1769. (If you are wondering why I included this entry, check May 14, 1770 below.)

+Mathias Gabbert Date: 17 Oct 1769 Location: Augusta Co., VA Property: 150 acres in Beverley Manor; corner Samuel Young, William McClintock's line. Notes: Remarks: Property transferred to grantor by his father Robert by deed of gift. Agness Young, widow of Robert, release dower in above. Delivered to Mathias Gabbert, 1780. Description: Mentioned Book_Date: 16-139

+May 14, 1770. Mathias Gabbert and Christian ( ) to James Brown, £35, 7-1/2 acres, part of a tract bought of James Young. Delivered: Jas. Brown, April, 1783.
I had wondered why this property with only 7 ½ acres would sell for 35 pounds when properties with much more acreage sold, comparatively, for much less per acre. The answer COULD be that this property contained a mill.

+Mathias Gabbert Date: 26 Nov 1771 Location: Augusta Co., VA Property: 105 acres in Beverley manor, corner Wm. McClintock in James Young's part of said 550 acres, Samuel Young's line. Remarks: Robert is formerly of Augusta County. Property conveyed to grantor by his father, and part of 550 purchased by Robert's father from Beverley. Deed Book 18 page 72.
The approximate location on all of the Beverley Manor property can be found on maps of the original grants to James, Samuel and Robert Young. www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vaaugust/bevnwmap.html

Dunmore County was formed in 1772 from parts of Frederick and Augusta Counties and named for an English Governor but the name was changed to Shenandoah in 1778. Toms Brook is now located in Shenandoah County, Virginia.


The name of George Gabbard of Augusta County appears in an index to the names of Virginia citizens or soldiers from the counties of Augusta, Bedford, Botetourt, Culpeper, and Fincastle who were compensated in 1775 for supplies and service during Dunmore’s Expedition in 1774. "Lord Dunmore’s Little War" was a conflict between the Colony of Virginia and the Native Americans of the Ohio Valley. In George’s case, the compensation was for 17 days service. Original pay book in the collection of the Library of Virginia.


http://www.valleyconservation.org/2-MBC-Historic.PDF
Germans In the Middlebrook-Brownsburg Corridor (Augusta County-Rockbridge County)
In addition to the Scots-Irish, small numbers of Germans who migrated from the Rhineland and Palatinate also settled in the upper Valley, as did a few English who traveled across the Blue Ridge and up the James River drainage. By 1769, families with German names (Hanger, Gabbert, Olinger) had purchased land on Eidson Creek (a few miles north and west of Staunton). Enough German families came to the Dutch Hollow Branch area that this tributary to Walker Creek was named for them. By 1789, a sufficient German community was established so that a log Meeting House (used by Lutheran and Reformed congregations) was constructed near the present-day St. John's United Church of Christ in Middlebrook. The families of German heritage maintained their identity in their tight-knit settlements, such as the one located at Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Virginia 'Publick' Claims Augusta County, Compiled & Transcribed by Janice L Abercrombie & Richard Slatten. Copied from original Revolutionary Claims in the Library of Virginia, Page 15. "Mathias Gabert 85 bu corn." (Listed in Library of Virginia index as Gabbart, Mathias Note at end about claims. This does muddy the water about the location of Mathias at this time. Was he still in Augusta or was he in Rockbridge as stated in the tax levy for 1779?"

Microfilm, Augusta County Court Martial Records, 1756 - 1783, Library of Virginia.
Gabbart, George 1778: pages 107, 108 1779: pages 127, 128, 157
It seems that it took five entries on five pages to "find" George five shillings for "….not appearing at one private Muster 25th Oct 1777."
During this period Virginia counties had militias for defense of the county and state. If you missed a muster, you could face court martial and be fined.

+Delinquents, Augusta County (tax) Levy for 1779…………Mathias Gabert, removed to Rockbridge.

16 May 1780 in Augusta County, Virginia "Mathias Gabbert and his wife Christian" (Augusta Co. Deed Book 23, p.244) for the sum of 165 pounds sold a parcel of land containing 205 acres. (The parcel was located about 2 miles east of the town ofMiddlebrook and 9 miles southwest of Staunton on the waters of Christian's Creek. I have a clerk’s copy of this deed and it shows that Mathias signed the deed. His wife, Christian, (Christina) signed with her mark.)

I have decided to transcribe parts of this land grant because it is unusual.
"Matthias Gabort
116 acres
Examined
Thomas Jefferson Esquire Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to all to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know ye that in consideration of the Ancient Composition of fifteen shillings sterling paid by Matthias Gabort into the Treasury of this Commonwealth there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said Matthias Gabert, as assignee of Nathaniel Evins, who was assignee of James Edmiston a certain Tract or parcel of Land containing one hundred and sixteen acres by Survey bearing the date the fifth day of March one thousand and seven hundred and sixty two lying and being in the County of Augusta upon the Buffelo Hill opposite to the Mouth of Buffelo Creek …………….."
The above land grant is dated, "the first day of September in the year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty….". The grant is unusual because there are two different assignees, the length of time between the survey and the grant and when the land was surveyed (1762) it was located in Augusta County but when the grant was made (1780), the land was located in Rockbridge County.

X September 4, 1781, Rockbridge County, Deed Book A, page 321. Nathaniel Evins and Mary his wife sell to Mathias Gabbert, 104 acres.


X September 4, 1781, Rockbridge County, Deed Book A, page 323. Mathias and Christina his wife sell to George Gabbert, 116 acres.

X May 21, 1787 Mathias filed a bond to secure title to 800 acres that his father Frederick purchased from Jost Hite in 1745.


X April 6, 1790, Rockbridge County, Will Book 1, pages 363-364. I believe this to be the settlement of the bond and title action directly above. One of the witnesses was "George Gaberts".

Another partial land grant transcription.
"Mat^thias Gabert
249 Acres
Rockbridge
Exd
……………by virtue of a Land Office Treasury Warrant, Number fourteen thousand three hundred and ninety eight issued the twenty fifth day of September one thousand seven hundred eighty two there is Granted by the said Commonwealth unto Matthias Gabert a certain Tract or parcel of Land containing two hundred forty nine Acres by Survey bearing date the nineteenth day of December one thousand seven hundred and ninety two lying and being in the County of Rockbridge on the waters of the North River adjoining the Lands of ……..George Gabert, Peter Whittenhall and his own….".
The above grant is dated October 7, 1795. Of interest, George Gabert, Mathias’ son and Peter Whittenhall, husband of Catherine Gabbert, so Mathias’ son in law. Of course, "his own" means this property also bordered on Mathias’ property. Both of the above grants, Library of Virginia. Regarding the Virginia Land Office Warrant no. 14398. This warrant was issued to James Mason in September 25, 1782 for over 1,000 acres. Mr. Mason later assigned (sold) the rights to parcels of land to other individuals. Matthias Gabert was one of those individuals and he obtained a grant for 249 acres of land in Rockbridge County in 1795.

+September 1795, Mathias Gabbert vs. Jacob Bailor. Eject. 105 acres in Beverly Manor formerly Robert Young's. (See notes below.)

On or about September 6, 1796 George Gabbert sells 105 acres to Peter Gabbert and John Gabbert, all the above land in Rockbridge County.

September 6, 1796, George Gaberts and Michal Gaberts sell 100 acres in Rockbridge County.
Mathias dies June 1, 1798.


X Mathias Gabbert will proved June 5, 1798 (or July3, 1798) with codicil dated February 14, 1798. Rockbridge County, Will Book 2, pages 83-86.

X Estate inventory April 2, 1799.

X April 6, 1807, Rockbridge County, Deed Book F, pages 131-132,

+Page 112-113 Chalkley-Scotch Irish Settlement of Virginia, Augusta Co., Vol. II
Bailer vs. Gabhart--O. S. 110; N. S. 38--Bill, 1st December, 1805. Orator is George Baylor, executor of Jacob Bailer, his (George's) father. Jacob bought land of Mathias Gabhart in Augusta. Conveyance was not made. Mathias is dead testate, but intestate as to his land, leaving children viz: George, Michael, Peter, John, Hannah, Sally, Catherine, since intermarried with Peter Wittinghill. Elizabeth, since intermarried with Jonathan Intsminger. Peggy, since intermarried with Benjamin Hart. Christina, since intermarried with Peter Gabhart. Bill in name of Jacob Baylor says the purchase was in 1780. Jacob was a German lately removed from Pennsylvania. (This is bill 1795, filed in Richmond.) Jacob Baylor's will recorded in Staunton District Court. Mathias Gabhert's will of Rockbridge, dated 179_, proved in Rockbridge 5th June, 1798. Codicil 14th February, 1798. Wife, Christina; eight children, viz: Hannah, Michael, Rebecca, Peter, Elizabeth, John, Sarah, Christina; son George, daughter Catherine have received advancements. (See notes below.)

+Affidavit 23d March, 1809, that George, Michael, John Gabhart and Peter Witlinghill and Catherine, his wife, are non-residents.
I have tried to obtain copies of this court case from Augusta County and they informed me they do not have the records. Augusta County did, however, send some information about the settlement.

And now, for fun, I have transcribed (as close to exact as I could) a printed form from (and I am guessing here) the Chancery District court. I also assume that some of you will put two and two together and figure out that the following transcription concerns the "Eject" of Jacob Bailor in 1795 and the law suit filed in 1805. Since I could not find any records pertaining to our George who had "removed to Kentucky", I included his brother’s records.

KNOW all men by thefe Prefents, That we Peter Gabhart and James Mitchell are held firmly bound unto George Bailor Executor of Jacob Bailor dcd in the juft and full fum of one hundred & fifteen Dollars twenty five cents to be paid unto the faid Geo. Bailor Exc of Jacob Bailor Dec and his attorney, his heirs, executors, adminiftrators, or affigns ; to which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves jointly and feverally, and each of our joint and feveral heirs, executors and adminiftrators, firmly by thefe prefents. Sealed with our feals, and dated this 24th day of February 18-10
The Condition of the above Obligation is fuch, That whereas George Bailor Executor of Jacob Bailor dcd hath fued out of the Chancery^District court - holden at Staunton a writ of Fieri Facias against the Goods and Chattles of -----------Geo Gabhart Michael Gabert Peter Gabhart Jno Gabhart Hannah Gabhart Sally Gabhart Peter Wilenghill & Catharine his wife Jonathan Intsminger & Eliizabeth his wife Benjamin Hart & Peggy his wife & Peter Gabhart & Christina his wife heirs at Law of Matthias Gabert------------upon a judgment obtained in the faid court ; which writ with the legal cofts attending the fame amounts to the fum of fifty seven Dollars & sixty three cents
And directed to the Sheriff of Augusta County And whereas John H, Hyde deputy for Alesir Nelson Sheriff of the faid County of Augusta by virtue of the faid writ, hath taken the following property belonging to the faid Peter Gabert to fatisfy the fame, to wit : one bay mare & four Caves (I am not sure but I assume it should be calves.)
And the faid Peter Gabhart being desirous of keeping fame in his poffeffion until the day of fale thereof, hath tendered the above bound James Mitchell as fecurity for the forthcoming and delivery thereof, on the day, and at the place of fale. Now if the above bound Peter Gabhart and James Mitchell or either of them, do and fhall deliver the aforefaid property to the faid Sheriff ----------------at the Widow Chambers Tavern in Staunton on the 10th day of March next then and there to be fold to fatisfy the faid George Bailor Execution, then the above obligation to be void, elfe to remain in full force and virtue.
Signed in the presence of
John H. Hyde Peter Gabert seal
James Mitchell seal

It appears that wherever Peter Gabert was on the 10th day of March of 1810, he was not at Widow Chambers Tavern in Staunton to deliver his "bay mare and four caves". Accompanying this lot of papers are two notices of forfeiture on the bond, one dated "16th day of May 1810 and one dated "8th day of February 1811". I assume that you have figured out that this Peter Gabert is our George’s brother and that the second Peter Gabhart (and Christina his wife) mentioned in the above bond is George’s brother-in-law.

I am digressing a bit here to follow George and include some deeds for George from Lincoln County, Kentucky and other information. Sorry if you find it confusing but I thought it best to finish the Bailor law suit before following George to Kentucky.

Sometime between 1803 and 1807 George Gabbert and family moved to Kentucky.
Peter Gabbert of Augusta County, son of Jacob Gabbert, signed a bond to marry George’s sister Christina (mentioned above) on November 20, 1803. She is listed as daughter of Matthias, deceased, and John Gabbert swore that his sister was over 21. The bond was witnessed by George Gabbert proving that George had not yet departed for Kentucky. It seems unlikely to me that George and family would have left Virginia until the following spring.


You may have to read these twice (or thrice) but it seems to me that George purchased farm fields from one person and, on an adjoining property, a house and buildings from another person. The dates may pose a problem with this theory but I always say, "Charge ahead anyway!". These first two properties are located between Danville and Hustonville in Lincoln County. I do not think that this is not the first property that George owned in Kentucky but it is the first that I could find. Ira Gabbert had always maintained that the Gabbert homestead was near Kings Mountain which is located several miles to the southeast of this area. Some of you may remember that Thomas Gabbert, son of George, was in Kentucky by April 27, 1807 when he received permission to marry Polly De Pauw from her father Charles.


Deed Book F, pages 27 (double page) & 28. Transcribed in part:
"This Indenture made this thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and seven Between Thomas Ball and Mary his Wife of the County of Lincoln of the one part and George Gabbart of the said County of Lincoln of the other part witnesseth, that for and in Consideration of the sum of Eighty Six Pounds Current Money of Kentucky ………. Unto the said George Gabbert, a Certain tract or parcel of Land lying and being in the County of Lincoln on the waters of the Hanging Fork of Dicks River, containing by Survey Eighty Six and three fourth acres and bounded as follows (to wit) Beginning in the big road Leading from Danville to Carpenters Station, in William Warrens Preemption line …………"
The indenture was acknowledged on "the 14th day of September 1807" and ordered to be recorded. In the left hand margin, "Exd. & deld to - Gabbert".


Deed Book F, Page 54 and 55 (double page). Transcribed in part:
"This Indenture made this tenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Seven Between William Warren of the County of Lincoln on the one part and George Gabbert of the Said County of Lincoln on the other part._______ Witnesseth that for and in Consideration of the sum of fifty Dollars …………. Unto the Said George Gabbert A Certain tract or parcel of Land lying and being in the County of Lincoln on the Waters of the Hanging Fork of Dicks River being part of the tract of Land Whereon the Said Warren now resides Containing fifteen and one half Acres and bounded as follows (to wit) Beginning at two dogwoods trees near the East side of said George Gabberts field ……"
The indenture was acknowledged on the 13th day of July 1807 and received to be recorded.
Some of you may have figured out that this property was a few miles south, down the "big road", from the De Pauw home.


X Deed Book F, Page 67, Heirs of Thomas Montgomery to George Gabbert 500 acres




NOTES;
Frederick County was created from Orange County by an Act of the Virginia Burgesses in November, 1738. It was named for Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales and eldest son of George II. However, because the new county lacked sufficient tithables to support itself, the Governor and Council did not authorize the formal establishment of Frederick until November Court, 1743. In the interim, the first significant group of new settlers had arrived from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and other states north of Virginia. They followed the well-worn Indian trail along the Opequon Valley which became part of the later "Great Valley Road." Other settlers from the Piedmont and Tidewater areas of Virginia soon joined them In its original configuration, "Old" Frederick County encompassed the present counties of Frederick, Clarke, Berkeley (WV), Jefferson (WV), Morgan (WV), and portions of Warren, Hampshire (WV), and Hardy (WV). Frederick grew in size in 1754 when all of Augusta County's land within the boundaries of the Northern Neck were added to it. This brought most of Shenandoah and part of Page County within its jurisdiction. That same year Hampshire County was divided from Frederick. In 1772 Berkeley and Dunmore (later Shenandoah) counties were separated from Frederick. The final division of Frederick's lands came in 1836 with the creation of Clarke and Warren counties. This left Frederick in its present configuration (nine square miles of Frederick's land was annexed to the city of Winchester in 1970). http://www.genealogyresources.org/Frederick.html ^

Virginia 'Publick' Claims Note: The certificates issued by the commissioners of the provision law include date, a description of the item impressed including its value, and the name of the owner of the item. Court booklets and lists compiled by the county courts contain excerpts from the court proceedings and lists of authenticated certificates. The commissioner’s books recorded the date payment was authorized, the name of the claimant, and a description of the property. Biog./Hist. Note During its session begun in May 1780 the General Assembly passed an act authorizing the governor to impress supplies needed by the American army. The governor appointed commissioners of the provision law in each locality to carry out the terms of the act. The commissioner, when he impressed property, gave the owner a certificate describing what was taken. Between 1781 and 1783 county courts held special sessions at which certificates were presented and authenticated, and booklets listing authenticated certificates were compiled and sent to Richmond for settlement. Two commissioners appointed to settle the claims recorded those for which they authorized payment, and warrants were issued by the auditor of public accounts.
Library of Virginia. ^
The above map is based on The Planting of New Virginia by Hofstra, mentioned above, pages 137 and 147 and map 11-A from Pioneers of Old Frederick County, Virginia by O’Dell, page 372.
It shows the approximate location of some of the properties of the North Mountain community. All of these names are mentioned in deeds and warrants included.