Ancestors of Gary and Ardis Dahlstrom Morrison

We are fortunate to have the family history as laid down by Frances (Fanny) Forsyth for a 1904 Forsyth family reunion near Griswold, Cass County, Iowa.  A trascription of her history is found at the bottom of the family group sheet page.  The family history dates pre-date most records available in Northern Ireland that would provide family member names, family relationships and birth/death/marriage dates.  Because of the precision of birth dates, down to the day of the week, they must have come from a family bible and been recorded as they occurred.  While there are inconsistencies in some of the other information, that can easily be corrected, but the basic information would otherwise be hard to come by.

Northern Ireland is divided into several administrative districts, and the smallest and most essential division for genealogical purposes is the townland.  The townland is very similar to the township used in many American states.  The other administrative districts that can occur are County, Barony (now obsolete), Civil Parish, Church of Ireland Parish, and Roman Catholic Parish.  For example, John's birth place is Ballymageogh Townland, Barony of Mourne, Civil Parish of Kilkeel, and Roman Catholic Parish of Lower Mourne.  I have tried to use a consistent, non-ecclesiastic nomenclature - e.g. Ballymageogh Townland, Kilkeel Civil Parish, County Down, Northern Ireland.  Ballymageogh Townland is comprised of 1345 acres in the western part of Kilkeel Civil Parish at the foothills of the Mourne Mountains.  That land mass is a little more that 10 times the size of the farm John and Elizabeth Forsyth purchased in Wapello County, Iowa.  An excellent web site about Ballymageogh Townland, which also contains other great links to County Down information, can be found here.

The biographies and obituaries of several of the children, including Fanny, stated they were received in the Presbyterian church as youngsters.  Many continued in that faith the remainder of their life.  From the web site Ask about Ireland, and the article The Ulster Plantation by the Donegal Cultural Services, "As early as 1603, King James had granted confiscated lands in County Down to Scottich nobles James Hamilton and Hugh Montgomery.  This is how the colonisation of Counties Antrim and Down by mostly Protestant lowland Scots began.  It prepared the way for the later official plantation of Armagh, Coleraine, Cavan, Donegal, Fermanagh and Tyrone, an event known at the Plantation of Ulster."  With the Presbyterian faith, it is likely the Forsyth ancestors were among the transplanted Scots.  Within the Civil Parish of Kilkeel, there were 5 Presbyterian congregations in existence in the mid-1800s - Annalong, Kilkeel City, 1st Newry, 2nd Newry and 3rd Newry.  With the center of Ballymageogh Townland being only 3 miles as the crow flies from Kilkeel City, it is very possible this is the congregation attended by the Forsyths.  James' narrative below will give a further explanation as to why I think this might be a likely assumption.

Tithe surveys (applotments) were undertaken beginning in 1823 through 1838 in order to calculate the amount of tax payable,in money rather than in kind, by the landholders of Northern Ireland for the upkeep of the Church of Ireland.  With no census data available prior to 1901, these particular records constitute the closest thing to a census in this time period for Northern Ireland.  The applotment surveys identified every landholder with details such as name of townland, size of holding, land quality, and types of crops.  The tithe applotment list for Ballymageogh was done in 1830, and contained the names of George, James and John Forsythe as follows:

	Landholder	Amount of Survey	Quality	Amount of Tithe
	#18 George Forsythe	0 acres; 0 roods; 10 perches	Second	0 pounds; 0 shillings; 1 1/2 pence
	#19 James Forsythe	3 acres; 1 rood; 9 perches	Fourth	0 pounds; 3 shillings; 9 1/2 pence
	#20 John Forsythe	2 acres; 2 roods; 30 perches	Fifth	0 pounds; 2 shillings; 1 pence

The land measure used here is what is called Irish Plantation Measure.  John's 2 acres, 2 roods and 30 perches is the equivalent of approximately 4 1/3 acres American.  The quality value classified the quality of the land according to its fertility.  Thus land used for crops and that was fertile and produced excellent yields would be classified as first and so on down the scale.  There is no way to know for sure this is our John, but that is my assumption as well as it being my assumption that James and George are his brothers.  In the 1803 Live and Dead Stock records for Ballymeogh only James appears and with 1 pig, 4 barrels of oats and 6 sacks of potatos.  The above data and interpretations are thanks to volunteer Sheila Phillips in County Down.  With John being 15 years old in 1803, I guess James to be an older brother, and I guess George to be younger because of his small plot of land in 1830.

The family emigrated in 1843 arriving in Philadelphia 23 May 1843 aboard the Ship Georgiana, last from Liverpool:

	John Forsyth	50		Male
	Mrs. Forsyth	48		Female
	Mary Jane Forsyth	20		Female
	John Forsyth	18		Male
	Wm. Forsyth	16		Male
	Eliza Forsyth	14		Female
	George Forsyth	12		Male
	Thompson Forsyth	10		Male
	Fanny Forsyth	8		Female
	Archibald Forsyth	7		Male

All are generically listed as Farmers, Mechanics and Laborers.  After arrival in Philadelphia they migrated to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania where they settled for about 8 years.  Fanny's history states they settled in neighboring Allegheny County, and it is possible they started out there.  According to the John T. Forsythe biography, son of James and Sarah Perry Forsyth, he was born 24 October 1848 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania ("History of Wapello County", Harrison L. Watterman, Editor; S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1914).  In the John K. Forsyth biography, son of John and Ellen Perry Forsyth, it states the family first located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania before migrating to Iowa ("Compendium of History & Biography of Cass County, IA; Henry Taylor & Co., Chicago, 1906).  The John and Elizabeth Forsyth family are found in the 1850 census in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County (page 334B, October 21), which borders on Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County.

	Elizabeth Forsythe	60		F				Ireland
	George Forsythe	25		M				Ireland
	Elizabeth Forsythe	25		F				Ireland
	Thompson Forsythe	21		M		Far(mer)		Ireland
	Frances Forsythe	19		F		Far(mer)		Ireland
	Archibald Forsythe	17		M		Far(mer)		Ireland
	John Forsythe (Jun.)	30		M		Boat? Maker		Ireland
	John Forsythe (Sen.)	62		M		Far(mer)		Ireland
	Ellen Forsythe	24		M		1,300		Penn.

This is an interesting census entry for a couple of reasons.  First, Elizabeth is listed as though she is head of household, and the index is thusly built with her name, yet John Sr. is part of the household.  George is listed without occupation and Frances is listed as a farmer?  Ellen is listed with real estate valued at $1,300, which would be unheard of in that age.  John Jr. is listed here as what appears to be a boat maker, but careful scrutiny under magnification seems to show an "o" and then overwritten by an "a".  John and Ellen are also enumerated in 1850 in neighboring Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County (page 206A, September 27, see John below) and there he is listed as a shoe maker (his trade in Northern Ireland and his trade in the 1856 State of Iowa census).  Boot maker would seem to make more sense than boat maker given the other sources.

The 1856 State of Iowa Richland Township, Wapello County census shows John Forsythe, Jr. (page 359), George Forsythe (page 367), Archibald Forsythe (page 367), James Forsythe (page 379) and Frances Hayden (page 391) as having been in Iowa for 5 years.  According to the John K. Forsyth biography, son of John and Ellen Perry Forsyth, in the year of his birth (1851) the family "migrated to Iowa -- by boat, via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Burlington, and thence by team to Wapello county".  John and Elizabeth's arrival in Wapello County in 1851 is further supported by two land transactions whereby John Forsythe, Sr. of Wapello County purchased from John Baldwin of Wapello County in June 1851 the W 1/2 of SW 1/4 of Section 17 (80 acres) as recorded in Deed Book E, page 71 and in July 1851 the SW 1/4 of NW 1/4 of Section 17 (40 acres) as recorded in Deed Book E, page 72.  Fanny stated that Eliza and her husband (whom she erroneously identified as John) migrated to Wapello County, Iowa with her parents in 1851.  John Forsythe (Sr.), James Forsythe and John Forsythe (Jr.) are listed on page 7 of the 1852 State of Iowa Richland Township, Wapello County census, but no Joseph Morrison.  In the 1854 State of Iowa Richland Township, Wapello County census Joseph Morrison is shown on page 1, along with William Foresythe, John Forsythe, with Elizabeth Forsyth (widow) on page 2.  This is consistent with Joseph's entry in the 1856 State of Iowa Richland Township, Wapello County census (page 369) where it shows Joseph, Elizabeth and son Thomas being in Iowa 2 years.  Additionally, the obituary of son Thomas states he was born in Pennsylvania October 21, 1852.

Fanny records that father John died in November 1853.  John recorded his will May 5, 1853 and the children identified therein agrees with the list of children as recorded by Fanny.  On November 2, 1853 John recorded a codicil to his will and on December 15, 1853 his will was proven with the testimony of Henry Kirkpatrick and Dewitt Bennet (name has some importance for Archibald below).

Fanny's history states her mother was born in Camray, Parish of Clonduff, near Rathfriland, in County Down.  The Civil Parish of Clonduff adjoins the Civil Parish of Kilkeel immediately on the other side of the Mourne Mountains from the Townland of Ballymageogh.  The proximity to the townland of the Forsyths certainly provides opportunity.  There is no known location named Camray, but there is a Townland of Cabragh within the Civil Parish of Clonduff, which is approximately 3 miles east of Rathfriland.  More than likely this is the townland location of the McKinleys.  Cabragh means "poor land" and is roughly 267 acres, a little more than twice the size of the Forsyth farm in Wapello County, Iowa in 1851.  There was another McKinley linkage in the Forsyth family that will be spoken of in the Thompson Forsyth narrative.  Could the McKinleys be related?  There will be no conclusions, but information will be shared and suppositions put forth in some of the children narratives.

Elizabeth outlived John by 20 years.  In his will John tried to provide for his wife - "To my beloved wife one Cow and Pig ['and Pig' appears to be crossed out] of her own choice together with all my household and kitchen furniture also a sufficient support in sickness and health during her natural life in lieu of dower" (Wapello County Probate Book C, page 157).  In the accompanying codicil John directs "...that my will is that my loving wife shall have two fleeces of wool paid to her yearly so long as she lives, by my sons George and Archibald..."  Elizabeth is shown in her own residence in the 1854 State of Iowa Richland Township, Wapello County census, page 2, line 13 - 2 males; 2 females; 2 voters; 2 militia; 4 total.  The 2 males are likely George and Thompson, both unmarried at this point in time.  Archibald is probably already in Hocking County, Ohio at this point.  The other female is Fanny.  The 1854 census also gives the total population of all men, women and children as 506 for Richland Township, or approximately 14 individuals per square mile.  When the Forsyths settled in Richland Township in 1851 (2 adults and 6 children), there was probably one other family of an equivalent size in the same square mile.  Iowa became a state just five years before the Forsyths arrived, so it was truly still a frontier at that time.

In the 1856 State of Iowa Richland Township, Wapello County census, page 268, Elizabeth is age 54 (sic) and a widow, and living with the George Forsythe family.  It is noted that Elizabeth and George have resided in Iowa for 5 years.  The 1860 Federal Census for Richland Township, Wapello County, page 630B/631A shows Elizabeth living with the George Forsythe family.  In this census she is listed as age 74 (sic).  Elizabeth appears in her last census in 1870 Richland Township, Wapello County, page 256B and again is living with the George Forsythe family.  In this census she is listed as 80 (sic) years of age.  This wide variation in age has been noted with Joseph and Eliza Forsyth Morrison as well as with Elizabeth.  John's will charged George and Archibald with taking care of their mother.  George appears to have borne the brunt of this support.

John and Elizabeth are buried in Westview Cemetery, Kirkville, Richland Township, Wapello County, and share a stone.  Sharing the stone with John and Elizabeth is Emma Catherine Forsyth, daughter of son Archibald and wife Mary, who was born about March 1860 and died 1862.

There is no known link at this time between this Forsythe family and the John and Elizabeth McKinley Forsyth family above, other than through the marriage of William Forsyth of the above family and Mary Ann Forsythe of this family.  After his father died, Thomas, Jr. appeared to become rather restless.  He is found in Tyrone Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania in the 1810 census (page 235).  Although he comes of age in 1812, he is not found in the Tyrone Township tax lists until the tax years 1817, 1818 and 1819 (FHL film #1449318 - Fayette County, Pennsylvania Tax records of Tyrone Township, 1785-1855) and then disappears from the tax list again after those dates.  His entries identify him as a laborer, and a renter rather than land owner.  Each of the three years he is shown on a rented 40 acres with the 1818 entry showing him with a grist mill.  In 1820 he and family are found in Pleasant Township, Brown County, Ohio (page 383) where his brother John moved, probably immediately after his father's death.  In 1830, it appears he and family are located in Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (page 196).  In this census there is no son enumerated the age of John, but at age 17 it is possible he was apprenticed out to learn a trade (in the 1850 census, John is shown with occupation of potter).  In 1840 Thomas and his family are found in the next county to the east, Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (page 264).  It appears that son John is living with them, along with his wife and young daughter Eliza Jane.  In 1850 Thomas, Jr. and John are found in neighboring households in South Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (281A) where Thomas is identified as a farmer with real estate valued at $500.

The grave of Thomas, Jr. has a star identifying him as a veteran of the War of 1812.  It is very possible the listing found in the Pennsylvania Archives Series 6, Volume VII, Chapter: Miscellaneous Rolls, Fifteenth Division 1812-1814, page 790 contains Thomas in the roster.  Private Thos. Forsythe is among the returns of the "First Rifle Company Attached 125th Regt. Who Volunteered Their Service."  The unit consisted of 42 privates guided by Captain James Scott, Lieutenant John Cochran, and Ensign Petter Beddsworth.  A footnote to the listing stated "30 of the above Roll in uniform and Armed with Rifles & Tomahawks."  This association is confirmed by Thomas' War of 1812 pension application which identifies him as serving in James Scott's Company of the Pennsylvania Militia (pension application No. 24379).  A number of the members of the company had names found only in the Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County neighborhood in the 1810 Pennsylvania census, including Henry Bruce, Jesse Waddle, Arther Mullen, Zadock Wilson, Hugh Drennon, John Pangburn, Aaron Applegate and Petter Beddsworth.  This also is confirmed by his pension application where he states "... volunteered that he entered the Serves at Rounhill Alleghania Pa on the Twelth day of September A.D. 1812 for the term of Six Months ..."  Richard T. Wiley, in his book "Elizabeth and Her Neighbors", 1936, republished by Closson Press, Apollo, Pennsylvania wrote:

Thomas' pension application and this quote from "Elizabeth and Her Neighbors" clearly shows Thomas present in Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania at the time of his enlistment.  His pension application also states he married Elizabeth March 29, 1811 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, but unfortunately does not give her maiden name.  This explains why the family appears again in Elizabeth Township in the 1830 census as most likely Elizabeth's family is still living there at the time.  In 1840 they are found in Rostraver Township of Westmoreland County.  But the east border of Elizabeth Township shares the western border of Rostraver Township, so they did not move far.  By Black Hawk, I am certain the author in the above article meant Black Rock.  Thomas, in his pension application, does state "... and Capt the Serves at black rock in the State of New York ..."  Given a couple of names, Tannehill and Smyth, as well as the location in the pension application it was possible to find some information from various sources, sometimes with different points of view:

While previous acts of Congress had made bounty land warrants available to veterans of this war, the first act that extended to those of Thomas' rank and term of service was approved September 28, 1850.  While living in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Thomas applied for and received bounty land voucher number 48124 issued March 16, 1852.  Thomas had applied for an 80 acre voucher, but the Auditor approved only 40 acres, stating the he had served "a period that would only entitle him to 40 acres."  Again on March 3, 1855 Congress approved an additional offering of bounty lands to those engaged in the military service of the United States, which included volunteers, rangers, or militia, and included those who served in the War of 1812.  Thomas once again applied for a bounty warrant and received warrant number 90792 on November 11, 1856 from his home in Davis County, Iowa.  This new act of Congress allowed for more generous conditions and thus Thomas was awarded 120 acres, bringing his total awards to the maximum 160 acres.  The warrants were valid for lands set aside in Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois.  Since Thomas did not live in any of those locations, it must be assumed he assigned his rights to someone else, which he confirms in his pension application.  On April 19, 1872 he was awarded a pension of $8 per month effective retroactive to the date of the pension act, February 14, 1871.  There is no documentation in the file as to how the payments were handled as Thomas had died January 18, 1872 and his wife had died May 21, 1865.  It is possible the amount that would have accrued from February 14, 1871 until his death the following January 18 was paid to his surviving son, John, and daughter, Mary Ann.

The other thing this service in the War of 1812 shows us is that Thomas, Jr. was on the move shortly after his enumeration in the 1810 census to have married Elizabeth in Allegheny County in 1811 and shown up in the Elizabeth Township militia company.  It is possible his appearance in the 1817, 1818 and 1819 Tyrone Township tax lists indicate he returned to Tyrone Township, Fayette County because his mother's health was poor.  His appearance in the 1820 Brown County, Ohio census likely tells us that his mother has died, and he has chosen to move on with brother John (mother Nancy's narrative gives another reason for considering this possibility).  Possibly John came back to say goodbye to his mother and Thomas and family went back to Ohio with him?  Also, his "return" to the Elizabeth Township and neighboring Rostraver Township areas in the 1830 and 1840 censuses is understandable and may have been because his wife's family still lived there.

After their appearance in the 1850 census, they are next found in Marion Township, Davis County, Iowa in the 1856 census (page 451) where Thomas and Elizabeth along with John and his family are all living in the same household.  In the 1856 special Iowa census (10 years after becoming a state), Davis County, William Forsyth (the one that married Thomas, Jr.'s daughter Polly/Mary Ann) states he has been in the state 3 years (1853), while wife Mary Ann and daughter Elizabeth state they have been in the state 2 years (1854).  On the previous page of this census Thomas, Jr. and John and families are all living together and state they have all been in the state 1 year (1855).  It appears William went ahead and paved the way.  They had probably received word from his family who moved to neighboring Wapello County in 1851 about the productivity of the land and he decided to blaze the way for Thomas' family.  William appears in the 1854 State of Iowa census Richland Township, Wapello County, page 1, along with the rest of his family.  Where William's family lived (Richland Twp) and where Thomas' family and William/Polly settled (Marion Twp) are neighboring counties with the two family locations about 25 miles apart.  William did not start buying Davis County property until 1855, probably because Thomas and John went ahead and bought 160 acres of Marion Township, Davis County property, perhaps on his word that the move to Iowa was worth it.  I am sure that it did not hurt that Thomas' brother John was in neighboring Appanoose County and probably writing back about its worthiness.  On 5 August 1854 a deed was recorded in Westmoreland County where Thomas and John jointly paid $640 to Daniel W. and Mary Frick, also of Westmoreland County, for property in Marion Township, Davis County, Iowa.  This was not entered in the Davis County records until 28 January 1887.  John had started disbursing his land in 40 acre chunks and one 80 acre plot to his 4 surviving daughters, and evidently ran into trouble verifying ownership, so he had the county of Westmoreland verify in writing to Davis county his ownership.  Thomas, Jr., Elizabeth, John and Mary Ann lived out their lives in Marion Township, Davis County, Iowa.

Elizabeth's last name is unknown.  As quoted in the book "The Pioneer Forsythes of Fayette County, Pennsylvania and Their Descendants" by Glenn Luther Forsythe, "She was born in New York or New Jersey in 1797.  He may have met her while serving in the war of 1812 as there were no families from New York or New Jersey in the area.  The couple stayed in Fayette County and probably farmed until 1855 when they moved west with their whole family.  They settled in Davis County, Iowa."

He was correct about Elizabeth being born in 1797.  They did move to Davis County, Iowa, but in stages as discussed in the notes for Thomas, Jr. above, and they certainly did not stay in Fayette County until 1855.  In all censuses where birth location is identified and where Elizabeth could provide input (1850, 1856 and 1860) she is identified as being born in New Jersey.  To say that there were no families from New Jersey in the area is extremely misleading.  It may not lead me to who Elizabeth was because the source documentation just does not seem to be readily available, but there was a plethera of New Jersey immigrants in the Fayette County area to choose from, although I have not found one with an Elizabeth of the right age yet.  Some examples are Reuben Skinner, George Sleasman, Benjamin Phillips, Jonathan Hill, William Barton (born 1795 - of age to be her brother) and his parents, Ephraim Vansickle, Hope Shotwell, Thomas Herbert, Henry Lane, Joseph Page, Samuel and Beulah Taylor Brown family to name the few I have found so far.  Also, since Thomas seemed to be on the move after the 1810 census, I checked Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County and found in Richard T. Wiley's "Elizabeth and Her Neighbors" reference to an area called the Jersey Settlement.  "Starting in about 1766 a seemingly large number of folks from Monmouth County, New Jersy migrated to what is today Elizabeth, Pennsylvania (south of Pittsburgh, in the 'tip' of the county)."  At that time this area was then part of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and jointly claimed by Virginia as Yohogania County within the District of West Augusta.  Some of the New Jersey immigrant family names in the Jersey Settlement included Applegate (found in the roster of the Rifle Militia Company Thomas enlisted in), Wall, Dey/Dye, Nunro, Davidson, Halleday, Terry, Parker, Reed, Devore, Miller, McClure, Rodgers, Smith, Thompson, McConnell (also in the Rifle Company roster), Wilson (also in the Rifle Company roster), Neiley, Dunlap, Pearce, Warne, Pearse, Pangburn (also in the Rifle Company roster) and more.  While many of these immigrants arrived before Elizabeth was born, it identifies many people in the area who were from New Jersey.  And there is every expectation that this immigration continued through the time Elizabeth could have migrated, and beyond.  With Thomas' War of 1812 pension application confirming his marriage to Elizabeth in Allegheny County well before he entered the service, the notion above suggested in the Forsythe book is proven incorrect.  I suspect he met and married a girl from the Jersey Settlement although it is possible Elizabeth was a New Jersey girl living in Fayette County and they eloped and married in Allegheny County.

With Elizabeth born in August 1797 she would have been 13 when married in March 1811.  One wonders if she was self conscious about her age after checking out some census entries.  The Thomas Forsythe family in 1820 Pleasant Township,Brown County, Ohio, page 383 has 1 male 0 to 10 (John, age 7), 1 male 26 to 45 (Thomas, age 29), 1 female 0 to 10 (Mary Ann, age 8), and 1 female 26 to 45 (Elizabeth would be age 23 in 1820).  Assuming this is our Thomas Forsythe, could this mean that Elizabeth gave an infalted age, or did another person provide her age, or does it simply mean another census taker's error?  It is hard to know for certain because if you consider the 1830 Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania census (page 196) then Mary Ann is in the wrong age group.  In the 1840 Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania census (page 264) again it is Elizabeth who is in the wrong age group and in the 1850 South Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania census (page 281A), where Elizabeth is named and a defined age is given, she is 48 when she should be 53 based on her birthdate, which is the opposite direction from previous census entries.  By the time they are enumerated in the 1860 Marion Township, Davis County, Iowa census (page 695) it is Elizabeth who is very close to the correct age, and it is Thomas who has shaved off a number of years.  It is almost as if they worked to appear to be close in age to each other.

Thomas and Elizabeth are buried in Glassburner Cemetery, Marion Township, Davis County, Iowa.  Thomas' headstone says died January 18, 1872, aged 80 years, 26 days and Elizabeth's headstone says died May 21, 1865, aged 67 years, 8 months, 26 days.  While it is possible they had other children who did not survive to show up in any census records, they only had two children that I am aware of.  They worked hard to stay close as a family unit.

David is thought to be one of the sons under age 10 in the 1810 Cumberland County, Kentucky census for William Sidwell.  The Guthries and Sidwells resided in close proximity on Illwill Creek.  David and Mary were married between 1820 and 1823 based on the approximate birth year of their oldest child.  This family was part of the migration to Fayette County, Illinois in 1828/1829 along with William Sidwell, Isaac Denton Sidwell, George Guthrie families.  While these families moved to Fayette County and David's family first moved across the county line to Shelby County.  Adam Guthrie, Mary's brother, joined David's family in Shelby County in 1830 after marrying Mahala Sidwell, David's sister.

David's family had moved across the county line and were enumerated in Fayette County in the July 3, 1835 Illinois State census.  Comparing the 1830, 1835 and 1840 censuses shows potential children count discrepancies:

On January 21, 1837 David purchased 40 acres of Fayette County land at $1.25 per acre with his U.S. Land Office certificate #5970 issued on August 10, 1838.  They continued to make their home there for a few years.  It is likely his sister Polly and husband Jesse Carpenter helped to draw them to Davis County, Iowa.  From "A Pioneer History of Davis County, Iowa" by Federated Women;s Clubs of the County, published by Bloomfield Democrat, Bloomfield, Iowa, 1924, "Primitive Baptists - Most of the adherents to this denomination, who were early settlers in this County, came from the Southern states...There were four early locations in the County where meetings were held very much as other denominations met in homes or school house.  One was near Mark, another in Fox River Township, another in Savannah and another at Mars Hill.  The first churches of the Primitive Baptists were near Mark, near the Atwood's in Fox River Township, and later a Union church in Savannah...We can give the names of a few men who, with their families, kept alive the faith: John Hockersmith, Isaac Blakely, Isaac Sidwell, David Sidwell, John McCullough, Mason Atwood, Dewey Clark, Silas Coons, Thomas Coons, Eliazer Spurgeon, Wiley Spurgeon, Hiram Morgan, James Stogdill, Marion Hockersmith, Jacob Hockersmith, the Monroes, Swinneys, Kinmans, Cheethams and others."  According to information from The Primitive Baptist Library as provided by Elder Robert Webb, David and Mary, wife of David, were members of Oak Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Mark, Iowa.  Mark was a village in Wyacondah Township, Davis County.  This township is on the southern border of Iowa with Missouri, which facilitated their moves back and forth from Davis County to Schuyler County, Missouri.

The 1845 Illinois State census is not extant for Fayette County to check, but the family likely did not move to Iowa until circa 1846/1847 as their daughter Elizabeth married John David Enlow, Sr. in Fayette County, Illinois on August 23, 1846.  The family is recorded in the 1850 Davis County, Iowa census with 7 children, 4 sons and 3 daughters.  David and 3 sons are listed as being farmers.  It appears they were not in Iowa for the 1856 Iowa State census, a special enumeration to honor Iowa's 10 years as a state.  The family next appears in the 1860 Fabius Township, Schuyler County, Missouri census, with only one son left in the household.  David is again identified as a farmer, but in both the 1850 and 1860 censuses there was no response given for value of real estate.  This suggests he was a farm laborer for someone else in the area.  At the same time a couple of children remained in Davis County.  The last time David was found in any census was 1860, but wife Mary is found in the 1870 Green Township, Hickory County, Missouri census living in the household of daughter and son-in-law James Simpson Ball and Mary Sidwell Ball.  David's death date, death location and burial location are unknown.

The 1830 Shelby County, Illinois census shows David as age 20 thru 29 (born 1801-1810).  The 1835 Fayette County census has David as age 31 thru 40 (born 1795-1804).  Combining these two suggests his birth was ca 1801-1804.  The 1850 Davis County census has him as age 49 and born in Kentucky and the 1860 census is consistent by showing him as age 59 and born in Kentucky.  Thus I have him as born ca 1801.  The fact that he fits the male age groupings in the 1810 Cumberland County census for William and Mary and that he married a Guthrie (see Mary Guthrie narrative) whose parents migrated with the Sidwells to Fayette County, I have made the assumption that he is son of William and Mary Key Sidwell,  I have not yet found any document that spells out this relationship.

xxx

Mary's maiden name was identified in daughter Elizabeth Sidwell Enlow's Missouri death certificate.  Her parents were identified as David Sidwell and <unknown first name> Guthridge.  The information of the death certificates is only as good as the informant, in this case daughter Malinda Sidwell Snodgrass.  It is apparent that Malinda was not up to speed on her heritage for she had David's birthplace as Illinois, she did not know Mary's first name, and she answered "don't know" for Mary's birthplace.  There were no Gruthridge/Gruthrige families in Cumberland County, Kentucky in 1820, but there were several Guthries, all of the same family line.  In the 1820 census brothers Adam, James, George and Thomas are all contained within the top 7 lines of page 157.  Of those families, only George's family has a girl (actually 2 girls) in the 16 thru 25 age group, i.e. born 1795-1804.  Since Mary was born ca 1802, it would appear she was George's daughter and suggests one reason why George moved his family along with the Sidwells to Fayette County, Illinois.  One further note on name, most trees show her as Mary Ann, but I have not seen that name in any documents.  Therefore I have simply gone with Mary, and no middle name or initial.

The 1830 Fayette County census places Mary in the 20 thru 29 age group (born 1801-1810) while the 1835 Fayette County census places her in the 31 thru 40 age group (born 1795-1804).  Combining the two suggests she was born 1801 thru 1804.  In the 1850 Davis County, Iowa census she was enumerated as age 47 (born ca 1803) and in the 1860 Schuyler County, Missouri census she was 58 (born ca 1802).

After David's death, Mary went to live with her daughter and son-in-law, James Simpson and Mary Sidwell Ball.  In 1870 they were in Green Township, Hickory County, Missouri and she was shown as age 68 (born ca 1802).  In 1880 was still with the Ball family and they were living in Precinct 6, Montague County, Texas where she again was shown as born about 1802, age 78.  This is the last entry to be found for Mary Guthrie Sidwell

The final piece deals with where Mary was born.  The 1850 and 1860 censuses both have her birthplace as Kentucky, while the 1870 and 1880 censuses both have her birthplace as Tennessee.  It is impossible to know which is correct since I do not know who answered the questions of the enumerator in each instance.  The Guthries likely migrated to Cumberland County a little after the Sidwells based on the survey dates for their grants (1801 for Sidwell and 1805 for Guthrie).  For that reason I chose a probable location of Greene County, Tennessee for her birth location rather than Cumberland County, Kentucky.

The first recording of Lazarus Robertson by name is in the 1823 tax list for Campbell County, Tennessee ("Early East Tennessee Tax Lists", Mary Barnett Curtis; Arrow Printing Company; Fort Worth, TX; 1964) along with his father Stephen.  This would place Lazarus' birth year no later than 1802, and more likely 1801.  Fred Robertson (1899-1985) in his Robertson Family document, published in December 1956, stated that Lazarus and his family moved to Washington County, Indiana in 1826 after stopping first to visit relatives in Mercer County, Kentucky.  At this time no records have been found that show Lazarus and family to have been in Washington County.  No land transactions have been found in his name in Washington County, and he has not been found in the 1830 census.  Lazarus next appears in Brown County, Indiana with the patent of 40 acres in Section 5 of Township 10N, Range 2E likely in August 1835 with Federal certificate issued March 20, 1837.  This land was immediately east of the then east border of Monroe County, in an area not yet formed into a county.  The modern boundaries of Monroe and Brown counties were formed when Brown County was formed April 1, 1836.  According to Wikipedia describing Brown County in 1836, "The country was very wild in 1836.  Bears, panthers, and wolves were plentiful.  The wolves were so numerous and destructive to livestock that the Commissioners paid $1 for every wolf scalp brought to them.  Settlers lived a rugged pioneer type of life for many years.  Their cabins and small settlements were mere niches in the great forest that covered hills and valleys.  The men hunted deer, rabbits, squirrels, wild turkeys and pigeons for food.  As soon as enough land was cleared they planted corn, potatoes, wheat, hops for yeast, flax, and tobacco.  Women made quilts, wove wool and flax into cloth, made the family clothes, carried water from a well or stream, cooked food in open fireplaces, raised the children, and nursed them when they were sick."

Lazarus continued to purchase several parcels of land in the area as follows.  The first date is when the patent purchase was transacted with the date in parentheses being the date the Federal certificate was issued.  Lazarus purchased 26.39 acres in Section 5, Township 9N, Range 2E on September 16, 1837 (August 1, 1839); then 26.39 acres in Section 5, Township 9N, Range 2E on October 21, 1839 (August 1, 1844); then a third 26.39 acres in Section 5, Township 9N, Range 2E on December 17, 1844 (May 10, 1848) and finally 50.92 acres in Section 5, Township 9N, Range 2E on January 7, 1847 (May 10, 1848).  The last two purchases resulted in Federal certificates being delivered after Lazarus' death. 

Lazarus answered the call to arms issued by President Polk for the War with Mexico.  According to page 405 of "Indiana in the Mexican War", compiled by Oran Perry, Adjutant-General; Indianapolis, 1908, Lazarus is shown as mustered in the 3rd Regiment Company E of the Indiana Volunteer Infantry June 18, 1846 at New Albany, Indiana by Colonel Samuel Churchill.  This company consisted mostly of soldiers from Brown County, Indiana, called the Brown County Blues.  Page 703 of "Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana: Historical and Biographical" by Charles Blanchard; F. A. Battey & Co., 1884 says, "Company E, 3rd Indiana, ...had purchased bright uniforms of bright blue jeans and had styled themselves Brown County Blues, a name by which they were known all through the war."  In early July the company under command of Colonel James H. Lane reached New Orleans and a week later took ships to Mexico.  Blanchard states the deaths started right away, "While at New Orleans, Caleb Bidwell died of measles, his death being the first in the company, Reese Brummet and John Followell died of disease on the Gulf and were buried beneath the waves with cannon balls at their feet, Joshua Brummet and several other died at Brazos Island and were entombed in the sand ... The regiment occupied Matamoras, Marine, Saltillo, Nueva and various other points, doing guard or garrison duty and suffering severely from the peculiar Southern diseases."  The following February American forces numbering 5,000 were encamped at Agua Nueva when they discovered a huge Mexican force of 20,000 advancing.  The Americans withdrew to nearby Buena Vista because it offered a better defensive position and awaited the Mexican force.  The battle of Buena Vista took place February 23, 1847 and when it was over there were more than 3,500 Mexicans and 650 Americans dead.  After the battle the American force returned to camp at Agua Nueva, where Lazarus died on March 2.  When Lazarus died he was a Sergeant, evidently having been promoted in the field.  Blanchard goes ahead to report, "Just at the close of the battle, at almost the last fire from the enemy, while Company E was being thrown back, Capt. Taggart received a mortal wound from a carbine ball ... No other casualties occurred, and Company E, commanded by Capt. T. M. Adams, saw no more fighting."  Blanchard identifies some of the Company E wounded as "Elias Weddel, who was shot through the hips...Squire Stewart was prostrated by concussion from a howitzer ball...Matthew Mathews, was shot through the hand..."  In his book Perry corroborates this statement on page 147 by giving Captain Taggart as the only death and added to the list of wounded the names of J. Brown, S. Fred and J. G. Arter, but like Blanchard did not identify Lazarus among the wounded.  The assumption has to be that Lazarus died of disease.  For the entire war American casualties numbered approximately 13,000, all but 1,733 of which were caused by disease.  So it is not known if Lazarus was even able to participate in the battle.

Included in Perry, page 175, was the following from the June 5, 1847 Madison Courier newspaper "A meeting of the citizens of Jefferson County for the purpose of arranging a suitable welcome to our volunteers on their return ... Resolved, That we exult with pride at the gallant and intrepid conduct and bearing of the Third Indiana Volunteers at Buena Vista, the sole regiment which throughout that memorable struggle was not staggered by the shock of arms, always maintaining its front to the foe and its flag aloft, without retreat from its position and without confusion at any moment, and which by its well-timed junction with the Mississippi regiment at a perilous crisis, upon which the safety of the entire army was in hazard and suspense, restored the fortunes of our troups and turned the tide of battle into a triumph for our arms."  It is not uncommon for the local populace to embellish the actions of their "sons" in action.  Major General Zachary Taylor spoke more dispassionately of their actions in his report of the Battle of Buena Vista to the Secretary of War, "The Mississippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, were highly conspicuous for their gallantry and steadiness, and sustained throughout the engagement the reputation of veteran troops.  Brought into action against an immensely superior force, they maintained themselves for a long time unsupported and with heavy loss, and held an important part of the field until reinforced.  Colonel Davis, though severely wounded, remained in the saddle until the close of the action.  His distinguished coolness and gallantry at the head of his regiment on this day, entitle him to the particular notice of the government.  The Third Indiana regiment, under Colonel Lane, and a fragment of the Second, under Colonel Bowles, were associated with the Mississippi regiment during the greater portion of the day, and acquitted themselves creditably in repulsing the attempts of the enemy to break that portion of our line."  It is not known exactly where Lazarus is buried.

No marriage bond has been found for Lazarus and Jane.  I have Jane's maiden name because it has come down through the family history.  Jane was born February 2, 1800 in Tennessee.  This is an example of why it is important to try to locate corroborating evidence where possible.  Her death certificate information was evidently supplied by a not too savvy family member as Mahaska County (Iowa) Death Certificate Book 1, page 49, item #616 noted she died in 1886, at age 80 and was born in Pennsylvania.  This information would place her birth year as about 1806.  Yet her 1850 census entry says she is 50, 1860 census entry says she is 60, 1870 census entry says she is 70 and her 1880 census entry says she is 80 and all entries agree that her birth location was Tennessee.  The clincher is her headstone in Stewart Cemetery, Prairie Township, Mahaska County, Iowa which gives her birth date as February 2, 1800.

Little is known of Jane's origin, although some things can be surmised.  The 1880 census (Sugar Creek Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, page 642A) shows Jane living with son and head of household, Moses.  This census shows Jane as born in Tennessee and her mother and father both born in Pennsylvania.  However, Moses' entry shows he was born in Indiana and his parents as both born in Pennsylvania as well.  This does not make sense since Jane is listed as born in Tennessee yet according to Moses' entry she was born in Pennsylvania.  Multiple lines before and after their entries also show the parents as born in Pennsylvania.  Was this the case of a lazy census taker, or erroneous information provided by Moses/Jane, or correct at least for Jane?

There were Leepers in northeastern Tennessee during the time Lazarus was in Campbell County.  This family had its American beginning in Orange County, Virginia as noted by an oath of importation of himself and family from Ireland to America made by James Leeper (Orange County Order Book II, page 109).  Per Lyman Chalkley's "Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia", volume II, page 372 James is noted in a copy of "Hume's Old Field Book" with May 13, 1738 survey for James (Leap)er, beginning at Jinnings Cor., then May 13, 1738 for James Patton, cor. James Leaper, branch of Chrystie's Kreek.  This would be in the unorganized Augusta district carved from Orange County (Augusta did not become a county until 1745).  A patent dated June 25, 1747 in Augusta County bestows 400 acres "on the south Fork of the north River of Shanando" (Land Office Patents No. 26, 1747-1748, page 42) on John Smith "...for and in Consideration of the Importation of eight Persons to dwell within this our Colony and Dominion of Virginia whose names are James Leeper Margaret Leeper Nicholas Leeper Sarah Leeper James Leeper Andrew Leeper James (Jane) Leeper and Guine Leeper..."  James Leeper obtained a January 12, 1746/47 patent for 116 acres in Augusta County on a branch of Shanando called Naked Creek (Land Office Patents No. 24, 1745-1746, page 562) and a June 25, 1747 patent for 66 acres on a branch of Naked Creek (Land Office Patents No. 26, 1747-1748, page 20) as well as many other land transactions in the county.  On various land deeds, James is described as a blacksmith.  Son Guine Leeper appears in 12 Augusta County Court records between 1747 and 1779, identified variously as: Guine, Gawen and Gawin.  His last recorded transaction in Augusta County was dated January 19, 1779 where Gawin Leaper, late of Augusta, sold to John Oliver 66 acres patented to James Leeper, father of said Gawen, 5th June, 1747 (Augusta County Deed Book 22, pg 430).  Thus he had left that county.  James Leeper, son of Gawen, wrote his will April 13, 1826 in Hawkins County, Tennessee.  In the will he mentions land in Hawkins County given to him by his father, Gawen Leeper.  This gives us a place to look.  In 1782, Gawen received a North Carolina Land Grant (#1412) for Sullivan County, North Carolina.  In 1783 Hawkins County, North Carolina was created from Sullivan County, and in 1796 became part of Tennessee when that state was formed.  This son James had a daughter Jane who could fit the vitals to be wife of Lazarus, but no confirming documentation exists to prove this.  Additionally, William Brown wrote a will in Knox County, Tennessee dated August 6, 1803.  On August 21, 1803 James Brown and Felix Brown (son of William) along with Jos. McCulloch witnessed an addendum to the will.  Felix Brown was enumerated as one free poll with 200 acres in Captain Boyd's Company in the 1806 Knox County tax list ("Early East Tennessee Taxpayers" by Pollyanna Creekmore; Southern Historical Press; Easly, SC, 1980).  The reason for this digression is that Felix married Jane Leeper, daughter of Gawin Leeper of Hawkins County.  With Stephen in Knox County at the same time, it gave them opportunity to meet and for Robertsons to potentially get acquainted with Leepers.

This description would have the possibility of Jane's parents as born in Virginia.  What if the 1880 census is correct and her parents were born in Pennsylvania?  Researcher Tom Goldrup has done extensive research on the Leeper family of Augusta and, in trying to identify ancestry of that line, has done extensive research on a Leeper line in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  He states that the Leeper family originated in Scotland and moved to Northern Ireland, settling in County Donegal by 1610.  From there, the earliest known relative to come to America was Gawin Leeper who appeared on the 1719 New London, Chester County tax list.  The next Leeper to appear on tax rolls is Andrew in 1734 along with Gawin in New London.  Variously through 1758 Gawin, Andrew, James and Alexander Leeper appear in New London and West Nottingham, Chester County tax records.  Gawin's will dated June 13, 1741 identifies, among other items, that he has a "cousin" (Mr. Goldrup notes that this probably referred to a nephew as that term was commonly used that way in those days) James Leeper who had a son Gawin (Augusta County relative?).  His will also mentions his sister Jean Muckleduff.  A son, Joseph Muckleduff, wrote his will in September of 1750 which included articles left to Andrew Leeper of Nottingham (Chester County), and to his son James Leeper.  An additional stipulation that seems to tie this Chester County family to the Augusta family is "To James Lipard (Leeper) of Naked Creek in Virginia my beaver hat and wigs, and to his son Andrew my gun."  Mr. Goldrup also states that a Robert Leeper went from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, but stopped over a while in the Shenandoah Valley (Augusta County) and lived near his "kinsman" there.  Robert appears on the 1742 Augusta militia roll of Capt. John Smith's Company (the same John Smith who supported the importation of the James Leeper family) per Chalkley, Vol. 2, pages 507-508.  When he went to North Carolina, Nicholas Leeper, son of James of Augusta, followed to the same vicinity.  It seems there could be possibilities with these families to fit either a Virginia or Pennsylvania heritage.  These bear further investigation.

After Lazarus died in Mexico in 1847 Jane was left a widow with 7 children yet at home - Miriam, Rebecca, Stephen, William Tazewell, Moses, Andrew Jackson and Charles.  Miriam and Rebecca each married in 1849 and Stephen died of typhoid fever in 1849.  The 1850 Jackson Township, Brown County, Indiana census (page 210A) shows Jane at home with 4 children:

	Jane Roberson	50	F		TN
	Tazewell Roberson	17	M	Farmer	IN
	Moses Roberson	15	M	Farmer	IN
	Andrew Roberson	12	M		IN
	Charles Roberson	8	M		IN

Jane would have inherited the land Lazarus had purchased in Brown County prior to enlisting.  This would also include a patent for 40 acres in the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 33, Township 10, Range 2N issued June 10, 1848.  The application and money were actually submitted January 24, 1845.  The land was obviously purchased by Lazarus, but the grantee changed to Jane prior to issue.  Additionally, commencing March 3, 1852 Jane started receiving $6.50 monthly as a widows pension.

In the 1860 Jackson Township, Brown County, Indiana census (page 146) Jane Roberson is living in the Joel and Miram Richerson household.  This is her daughter Miriam and son-in-law Joel Richardson.  Jane is enumerated as age 60 and born in Tennessee. The 1870 census again finds her enumerated as Roberson but this time in the Charles Roberson household in 1870 Sugar Creek Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa (page 392A).  Charles is a son and the household also includes another son, Moses.  Jane is enumerated as age 70 and born in Tennessee.  In the 1880 census Jane is finally enumerated as a Robertson and is found living with bachelor son Moses in Sugar Creek Township (page 642A).  She is shown as age 80 and born in Tennessee.

William Sexton, Jr. was the third-born child William and Elizabeth Black Saxton and was born between March 1804 and April 1805 in Greenbrier County, [West] Virginia.  He is my ggg grandfather.  He was 4-5 years old when the family moved to Cabell County.  When old enough he began helping his father on the farm.  Sometime between 1822 and 1824 he married Mary Jarrett in Cabell County.  There is no record of William purchasing any land so he must have continued to help his father, or worked for others in the area.  Perhaps he was helping his father-in-law, David Jarrett, with his farming.  David had only one son in that timeframe old enough to be a good farm hand.  David Jarrett appeared in the Cabell County Land Book every year from 1817 through 1826, then in 1827 his entry read "David Jarrett's estate."  His death can be fixed as between April 1826 and November 1826 when his will was proved in Court.  There were 3 deaths of father figures in William Jr.'s life in a very short time span -

- father-in-law David Jarrett between April 1826 and November 1826,

- father William Saxton, Sr. between August 29, 1826 and February 1827,

- maternal grandfather Abraham Black in 1828, before May 26.

William Jr. was one of two people who, by oath, proved Abraham's will.  There was no estate to parcel out when his father died.  The land had already been sold to another party.  His grandfather Abraham wrote a will that left everything to his wife, so there was nothing for William Jr. there.  His father-in-law, David Jarrett, was a different matter.  David parceled out his land in his will to his children.  On May 12, 1827 a deed was registered in Cabell County that stated "... that they said Benjamin Swan and Betsey his wife and William Sexton and Mary his wife and Assena Jarrett have granted bargained and sold ... unto the aforesaid James T. Carrell (actually James T. Carroll husband of William's maternal aunt Margaret Black above) his heirs and assigns the three undivided sixth parts of a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being on Mud river ... contain about seventy four acres and also being the same tract that the said Benjamin Swan and William Sexton inheritted by their wives and the said Assena Jarrett inheritted from her father David Jarrett deceizd ..."

Shortly after William Jr. satisfied the needs of the court regarding grandfather Abraham's will William Jr. and Mary, along with Benjamin and Elizabeth Swan(n) and Catherine (another daughter of David Jarrett) and husband Elijah Ray and William B. Jarrett (a younger brother of the Jarrett sisters) all left for Sangamon County, Illinois, and settled west of the county seat Springfield.  (Note:  There is question about this timing and more is explained in the narrative of his son, James M. Sexton, below.)  With their close proximity to the Ohio River, it is likely they used that means of travel utilizing a flatboat of their own making.  They may have gone as far as southern Illinois and then trekked overland to Sangamon County.  Or they may have stayed on the Ohio River as far as the Mississippi River, then north to the Illinois River to within 30-40 miles of their final destination.  Many relatives from Cabell County had preceded them there and were among many who were discovering this virgin area of the newly admitted state of Illinois (December 1818).  But this area was still a frontier in 1828 and not without its difficult challenges.

For the Cabell County pioneers, used to mountainous and forested regions, it took everything they had to deal with the realities of unfamiliar and often hostile prairie territory.  In the winter, bitter winds swept across the open flat grasslands punishing people and livestock alike.  During the summer thousands of green-headed flies swarmed over the prairies east and west of Lick Creek, where the Cabell people settled, and their bites were so painful that horses bolted uncontrollably and threw their riders.  One pioneer of that time is quoted, "A journey across the big prairies was, in the summer time, undertaken only at night because on a hot summer day horses would be literally stung and worried to death."

In the fall, devastating prairie fires, with tall prairie grass as fuel and driven by high winds, were frightening spectacles.  One story from that area says, "In the fall of 1819, when the eight-foot prairie grass was as dry as powder, the Vancil family assembled around the deathbed of Samuel's daughter Elizabeth, only to be startled from their grief by the roar of an approaching fire propelled by a strong westerly wind.  All rushed out, soaked the house with buckets of water filled from the creek, beat wet blankets against the approaching flames, and succeeded in saving the cabin where Elizabeth lay; but they lost the winter supply of prairie hay curing in stacks on the grassland.  The exhausted fire fighters returned to find that the girl had died during the excitement."

The other challenge the early settlers faced was the land itself.  First, the settlers were faced with no forest crop of materials for tools, home building, furniture, fences, and fuel.  The only timber present was along streams and rivers, which consisted of saplings and small trees.  That was a far cry from the dense gigantic growth of virgin timber they were used to back east.  Secondly, we can look back on the soil conditions and realize the prairie soils were higher in organic content and natural fertility, and less prone to water and wind erosion, that the timber soil they had been used to in their prior locations.  But at that time most Americans believed that the soil fertility is revealed by the vegetation it supports - thus a land that could not support large forests must not be very fertile.  More importantly, they could not break the ground's surface with their plows.  The knot of ancient prairie grass roots, some as thick as a man's finger, extended several feet underground.  The root maze could only be cut with a heavy iron plow, and then only with a major effort.

Some early settlers even uncoupled one of their wagons, hitched four horses to the front wheels, and fastened the plow to the axle,  Still they could not force the plow to enter the soil.  Finally, they shaved the grass with sharpened hoes, and dug in their corn and pumpkin seed with chopping axes,  They were able to raise a good crop in the fertile soil, but not without a huge effort of labor.  Finally, the development of the heavy prairie plow in the late 1830s showed promise but it took a yoke of 5 to 10 oxen to drive it and the cost, even to hire it done, was too great for most farm families.  It took the development of John Deere's steel plow in the late 1840's and 1850's to begin to conquer the prairie.  You have to wonder what drove people to move west into such a hostile environment, but the migration continued unrelenting.

One small section of the 1830 Sangamon County census tells the story of how many Cabell County immigrants were found there (those with an *) -

* John Morris

* Montigue Morris

* Calvary J. Morris

John Reynolds, Jr.

* Achilles Morris

John Graff

* H. R. Morris

* William Sexton

* Benjamin Swann (William B. Jarrett, minor brother-in-law living with them)

* Elijah Ray

John Hodgerson

* William Morris

All of the Morris entries are related in one way or another and related to the Jarretts.  A second cousin to Mary Jarrett Sexton and her sisters, Jonathan Jarrett, immigrated to Sangamon County in 1826 and was on another page of the census.  The mass of people immigrating to frontier Illinois were of comparative poverty.  Jonathan, however, owned slaves in Virginia and brought 2 servants with the family when they immigrated; the wife of one of the men followed the next year.  According to family tradition, all were "content to work as they had done in slavery - some of them even better."  Family tradition always seems to have a way of looking at history with rose colored glasses.  One of the servants was a tanner, and Jonathan employed his talents to run a tanyard on his farm through the 1830s.

Achilles Morris, from the above census list, and 1st cousin to William Jr.'s wife and her sisters, served as a captain in the Black Hawk War of 1831-1832.  The roll for the troop mustered June 4, 1831 and discharged July 2, 1831 included privates Edmund Morris, William Sexton, Mordicai Jarrett, and Elijah Ray.  Interestingly Achilles Morris will appear again in the next generation when talking about Calvary T. Sexton.

Around the time William Jr. was serving in this engagement a newcomer had arrived in New Salem, about 18 miles straight north of William Jr.'s home on Lick Creek.  A gangly 22 year young migrant arrived there with no money in his pockets, looking for any work that would put food on the table - Abraham Lincoln.  If there had been one change in his family's history, Abraham's financial picture could have been quite different.  Samuel Lincoln emigrated from the County of Norfolk, England and settled in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1637.  A weaver in England, Samuel became a prosperous trader and businessman in the Colonies where he was a pillar of the church and begat eleven children.  Samuel's grandson Mordecai (1686-1736) was perhaps the most successful member of the family.  An ironmaster and wealthy landowner in Pennsylvania, he was a member of the 18th century economic and social elite.  Their son John (1716-1788) moved to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where he established himself on a large farm in fertile Rockingham County.  He was so successful he could afford to give his son, Abraham's grandfather (also named Abraham), 210 acres of the best soil in Virginia.  So, instead of being a unique success on an otherwise poor and barren family tree, Abraham belonged to the 7th American generation of a family with competent means.  So what happened?

Abraham's grandfather, Abraham, eventually sold his 210 acres in Virginia and went over the mountains to seek his fortune in the late 1770's.  They had heard much of the rich lands in Kentucky from their distant relative, Daniel Boone, about the opportunities to be found in the largely unsettled territory.  Within a few years the Lincolns owned at least 5,544 acres of land in the richest sections of Kentucky.

Unfortunately the wilderness was dangerous.  In 1786, while grandfather Abraham Lincoln and his 3 sons, Mordecai, Josiah, and Thomas (President Abraham's father), were planting a cornfield, Indians attacked the group killing grandfather Abraham instantly.  The 3 sons managed to survive the attack, but the laws at the time had dramatic impact on President Abraham's line.  Because grandfather Abraham died intestate, the state directed the dispersal of the estate.  The law in effect was the ancient rule of primogeniture which left the entire estate to the eldest son, Mordecai.  President Abraham's father, Thomas, was left penniless, as was his brother Josiah, and had to do manual labor to earn 3 shillings a day.

Abraham coming to Sangamon County in July 1831, at the same time William Jr. and his family were there, does not mean they knew each other or associated with one another.  Certainly the fact that William Jr. died not too many years later probably insures that he conducted no business with the general store in New Salem where Abraham worked.  Also, while Abraham served a 50-day engagement in the Black Hawk War, his service was April 21, 1832 - July 10, 1832 and Williams Jr.'s enlistment was in 1831.  It would have been exciting to be so close to someone who would become such a famous American, as did William Jr.'s children, including Calvary, my gg grandfather.

Sometime between 1835 and 1840 Benjamin and Elizabeth Jarrett Swann decided they had had enough of the Illinois prairie and they returned to Cabell County, where they lived out their lives.  William Jr. and Mary Jarrett Sexton, Elijah and Catherine Jarrett Ray and William B. Jarrett stayed in Illinois, determined to make a go of it there.  Perhaps the following incident contributed to Benjamin and Elizabeth deciding to return to western Virginia.  The book "Early Settlers of Sangamon County - 1876" contains a section headed Deaths in the Snow which includes, "Very many cases occurred of persons being lost in the snow, ending in death.  I will mention a few here, but others will be referred to in the succeeding parts of the work.  A man named William Saxton lived on Lick Creek, above Loami.  He went hunting, and failing to return, his friends and neighbors went in search of him, and found his body about one mile from his home, where he had sunk down, and appeared as if asleep."  This happened about 1833-1834.  I suspect 1832 as there were notices in October 1832 in the Springfield "Illinois Weekly State Journal" weekly newspaper that the post office was holding a letter(s) for William and they would be returned in not claimed in 3 months time.  Thus Mary was left a widow with a young family to care for in a rough frontier.  Why they did not return to Virginia with Benjamin and Elizabeth I do not know.

Mary was born to David Jarrett and Sallie Mitchell in the first decade of the 19th century.  Her family moved to Cabell County, [West] Virginia about 7 years after the arrival of the Sextons . She married William between 1822 and 1824.  It was her father's will that gave her young family the money to survive as they had no land of their own and, with her father's death, had no family lands to depend on.

Widowed Mary appears in the 1840 Sangamon County, Illinois census.  Census records before 1850 did not include the name of each family member so all I know is that Mary had -

1 son between 10 and 15

2 sons between 15 and 20

2 daughters between 5 and 10

and 1 daughter between 10 and 15.

Mary Sexton does not appear in the 1850 census and there is no indication of what may have happened to her.  The 6 children of William Jr. and Mary follow.

The Joseph Farr family is found in the 1830 St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania census, page 219.  This census identifies his age, as well as Catherine's, as being of 30 and under 40.  Thus his birth identified as between 1790 and 1800.

The 1880 Federal census listing for Joseph, Jr. and family identifies his birthplace as Pennsylvania as well as listing his father's and mother's birth states as Pennsylvania (page 210A, Prairie Township, Mahaska County, Iowa).

Joseph's death is first hinted at in the biography of son Joseph, Jr.  "He came with his parents, when seven years of age to Avendale (sic), Coshocton county, Ohio (which would place the date as circa 1834).  Soon after his father died, he and his eldest brother were then mothers only support."  Since the last child was born in 1837 and Catherine is listed as head of household in the 1840 Coshocton County census (page 383) his death must have been circa 1836-1837.

The obituary of Joseph Jr. that appeared in the "Coshocton Morning Tribune" of Wednesday morning, April 12, 1916, page 2 under the heading "Death of Mr. Joseph Farr, An Old Coshocton County Pioneer" gives a few details about his father Joseph Sr.  It goes ahead to state, "Joseph sr., was a stonemason by trade and in the year 1836, he with others laid the abutments of the Walhonding and Tuscarawas bridges.  When near completion, took with a fever from which he died, without receiving full payment, Sept. 15 of the same year."

The 1880 Federal census shows her living with son Joseph Farr and wife Ellen (page 210A, Prairie Township, Mahaska County, Iowa).  It identifies her birthplace as Pennsylvania and also lists her father's and mother's birth states as Maryland.

Quote from page 4 of the December 12, 1885 Oskaloosa Saturday Herald: "Old Mrs. Farr, who fell down stairs, was so badly hurt that she died. -- Peoria News"  Her birth and death information is taken from her tombstone in Appel Cemetery near Peoria, Mahaska County, Iowa.

A couple of notes regarding the identity and ancestry of Catherine and Joseph.  Many trees appear on the web showing Joseph as the son of Joseph Farr and Hannah Reed/Read and as the husband of Catherine Bowman.  I believe this is incorrect on both accounts. 

Updates as of July 12, 2013 follow:  Catherine's entry on the State of Iowa Death Register identifies her as Catherine Farr, a widow, born in Pennsylvania.  She died at 9:00 p.m. on December 3, 1885 at the age of 85 years, 11 months and 14 days.  Her cause of death was given as fractured ribs, consistent with the newspaper quote above.  According to the Register entry, she suffered from the injury for 36 hours before succumbing.  Unfortunately this tool did not ask for the names of the parents of the deceased until 1904.  In fact, it was not usual to even be collecting death certificate information yet in 1885.  Only 50% of the deaths were registered between 1880 and 1921, when registration was required.

Finding Joseph's death register entry from March 31, 1916 answered the question of who his mother was.  According to information supplied by son Jasper C. Farr, Joseph's parents were given as Joseph Farr and Kathern Caton.  Catherine had been living with Joseph and Ellen Funk Farr in Mahaska County, Iowa since at least the 1860 census.  That would mean that Catherine was always in the home during Jasper's lifetime until her death and he likely heard of the family history.  In fact, while the informant for Catherine's death register entry is not given, the fact that her age is given in years, months and days rather than simply in years suggests there was a family bible in existence.  Some of Jasper's Funk and Farr relatives still lived in Coshocton County, Ohio, where Catherine's Caton relatives also lived, and there were evidently some trips back to visit some or all of these relative since Jasper ended up marrying a girl from Coshocton County and moving to neighboring Licking County, Ohio.  Chances are extremely good that the information is reliable.

Updates as of July 24, 2013 follow:  I am fairly confident Catherine was born in Amwell Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, the neighboring county to Fayette County.  When Joseph and Catherine and family moved to Coshocton County, Ohio in the 1833/34 timeframe a Caton family from Washington County also moved to the current day Fresno area in Coshocton County.  According to Caton researcher Jane Curci this village used to be known as Avondale at the time these families moved there, but the name was changed when the postal service kept getting mail confused with another Avondale, Ohio near Cincinnati.  That village being larger got to keep its name and the one in Coshocton County was changed to Fresno.

The 1823 will of Susanna Caton in Amwell Township listed among the beneficiaries one Catherine Caton, granddaughter of Susanna and daughter of George Caton.   Page 166 of Will Book No. 4 for Washington County, Pennsylvania states "...Second I give and devise to my grand daughter Lucy Vankirke aforesaid daughter of my deceased child Priscilla Vankirk one hundred dollars to be paid to her in one year after my decease and I direct all my wearing clothes to be equally devided between her and Catherine and Susanna Caton Daughters of my son George Caton..."

In the 1800 Amwell Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania census, page 2 George's family has 3 children, including 2 daughters under the age of 10.  By 1810 George's family consists of 7 children with two being daughters ages 10 through 15 (Amwell Township census, page 62).  With Catherine's birth year of 1799, this supports the possibility that Catherine Farr is the daughter of George Caton fronm a birth year perspective.  The 1820 census (Amwell Township, page 229) has the George Caton family with 8 children, but the two daughters who were born prior to 1800 are no longer in the household.  It is right around this time that Catherine Caton would have married Joseph Farr.

Now we know that George Caton had a daughter Catherine and this daughter could possibly fit the same age as Catherine Farr.  The will referenced above ended with "Find probate on page (490)".  This turned out to not really be a probate, but a little over 2 pages of testimony before "Samuel Cunningham, Deputy Register for the probate of Wills and granting letters of Administration".  The reason for this questioning was the unusual terms in the will whereby "...to wit first I give and devise to my old friend & trusty inmate Gabriel Blackeney all my real and personal estate of whatever kind or nature soever during his natural life subject however to the payment of my funeral charges and the legacy to my grand-daughter Lucy hereinafter mentioned meaning thereby to give him the said Blackeney a complete life estate in my real property in Washington County or else where and an absolute right in and to all my personal property of whatever kind or nature it may be..."  Rather unusual in that for the life of Gabriel Blackeney it froze the family from receiving any of the estate other than potentially that which was specifically willed to a family member.  Susanna's will does state "...that after the death of the said Gabriel Blackeney I will and devise to my sons George Caton & Dorsey Caton and to my daughters Milcah Prawl Susanna Lackey and Anna Conklen all my real estate aforesaid to be equally divided between them to have and to hold the said real estate to them their heirs and assigns forever..."  According to Gabriel Blackeney's will (Book 4, page 316 of Washington County, Pennsylvania Wills), the slave Betsy was freed while all his possessions, real and personal, were given to his three illegitimate daughters.  It is assumed Susanna's property finally made it's way to her children as was her intent.

Hoping to find something relating to Catherine's surname I turned to the actual probate file - Probate Book C, Case File 33 for 1825.  While I did not find Catherine mentioned - the only distribution mentioned was that of the entire estate to Gabriel Blackeney - I did find some interesting entries.  First of those items encountered were two judgments to pay one Joseph Farr the amounts of $17.25 and $7.99.  This introduces Joseph Farr as being in the lives of the Caton family for the first time.  The inventory and appraisal documents give a little more information of interest.  Among the inventory are:

1 Hay Fork & 1 Dung Fork - appraised at $ .62 1/2

1 Plough & one Shovel Plough - appraised at $ 2.50

1 Horse (Bay) about seven years old - appraised at $25.00

1 Light Bay Mare about seven years old - appraised at $30.00

2 Collars - appraised at no value

2 Pair of Horse Geers - appraised at $ 4.25

1 Harrow - appraised at $ 2.55

1 inch Auger - appraised at $ .06 1/4

The probate shows that all personal property contained in the inventory were given to Gabriel Blackeney and no indication is given of Catherine's surname or if she and the other women ever received the clothing they were bequeathed.  However, Joseph Farr being possessed of Susanna's personal property seems to show a much more intimate relationship with Susanna, the kind that might occur between "family members".  The only other personal association noted on the inventory list was 1 Good Scythe that was said to be "George Caton's property".

Joseph Farr, Jr.'s biographical article states they moved to the Avondale, Coshocton County, Ohio area when he was seven years of age.  That is approximately 1834.  George Caton's family moved to White Eyes Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, near Avondale, in the same timeframe.  I have not located any Farr deed transactions, but several of George's sons purchased land located in the United State Military District (part of the land in the area reserved by Congress for Revolutionary soldiers) through the Zanesville, Ohio land office.  The following purchases are found in "Early Ohio Settlers; Purchasers of Land in East & East Central Ohio, 1800-1840" by Ellen Thomas Berry and David A. Berry; Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.; Baltimore, MD, 1989 and sre located in Range 05, Township 06, Section 04 (White Eyes Township, Coshocton County near Avondale/Fresno):

One more instance of proximity is worth mentioning.  The 1850 census finds a single 22 year old Joseph Farr Jr., prior to marrying Ellen Funk, living with his widowed mother Catherine and 3 younger siblings in Admas Township, Coshocton County (page 316, family 195/195, enumerated 18 November 1850) . Caton researcher Jane Curci pointed out that in that same census he is also shown as a laborer on the Daniel Caton farm in neighboring White Eyes Township (page 237, family 97/97, enumerated 5 October 1850).  This last entry has Joseph born in Ohio, but this is likely a census enumerator's error as there are no other Farr's in the county at that time.

While the data given here is circumstantial, there are enough relationships and interactions shown here to make a very strong case that the Catherine Caton identified as wife of Joseph Farr, Sr. in Joseph Jr.'s death register and the Catherine Caton identified as granddaughter of Susanna Caton and daughter of George Caton are one and the same.  The final piece came with the discovery of an obituary for Joseph Farr, Jr. that appeared in the "Coshocton Morning Tribune" of Wednesday morning, April 12, 1916, page 2 under the heading "Death of Mr. Joseph Farr, An Old Coshocton County Pioneer".  It goes ahead to state "Joseph Farr, son of Joseph and Cathern Caton Farr, was born in Fayett (sic) county, Penn., March 2nd, 1827, died at his home in New Sharon, Iowa, March 30, 1916.  Age 89 years and one month."

According to Waterhouse researcher and descendant of John and Sarah Reynolds Waterhouse, Bruce Schulz:

Sarah died on the plains in 1854.  The wagon train was on its way to California.  She died of cholera.  Her granddaughter, Louisa Loduska Mulkins, wrote a short biography that tells this story.  It appears that John, Sr. had already died in Scott County, Iowa before they left for California.  Sarah traveled with John Mulkins and his wife Sara Waterhouse.  John Mulkins also died of cholera on the plains in 1854/5.

Bruce has the bible John and Sara Mulkins carried across the plains.  It has their children's birth records.

According to the church register entry for Adam's birth and baptism, his father Joseph was a weaver and his mother was Elisabetha nee Weber.  The baptism was performed by Peter Edward Hepelbach, the chaplin in Schweigern.  The sponsors were Johannes Adam Gantner and his wife Elisabetha Zimmerman (unknown relationship, if any).

The marriage records state that Adam was single, a weaver from Massenbachhausen who was born on December 11, 1800.  His parents were Joseph Zimmermann, deceased citizen of Massenbachhausen and Elisabetha nee Weber.  Maria was a citizen of Massenbachhausen and single daughter of Joseph Leisle and Maria Elisabetha nee Farni who was born on October 14, 1800.  Witnesses to the marriage were Johann Adam Gartner and Augustin Merkle, both citizens of Massenbachhausen.

According to the church register entry for Maria's baptism, her father Joseph was a shoemaker and her mother was Elisabetha nee Farni.  The sponsors were Michael Geiger, a shoemaker, and his wife Maria Barbara Lock.  The record of Maria's death/burial states that she was a farmer's wife from Massenbachhause.  Her husband was Johann Adam Zimmermann.  Her parents were Joseph Leisle, a farmer from Hausen (Massenbachhausen) and Maria Elis. nee Farni.

Groom's Name: William Mckay

Bride's Name: Margret Loughry

Marriage Date: 13 May 1845

Marriage Place: Balteagh Parish, Londonderry, Ireland

Groom's Name: James Mc Kay

Bride's Name: Mary Loughry

Marriage Date: 25 Oct 1855

Marriage Place: Balteagh, Derry, Ire

Groom's Father's Name: Joseph Mc Kay

Bride's Father's Name: Samuel Loughry

LDS film #101370, Volume 9 of 1855 Marriage Records in the General Registry Office of Ireland

Groom's Name: Thomas Mckay

Bride's Name: Jane Jackson

Marriage Date: 12 Jul 1860

Marriage Place: Balteagh, Derry, Ire

Groom's Father's Name: Joseph Mckay

Bride's Father's Name: David Jackson

LDS film #101420, Volume 9 of 1860 Marriage Records in the General Registry Office of Ireland

The Griffiths Valuation (a survey of all property in Ireland for taxation purposes) of 1858 for County Londonderry shows a William McCay renting a house and garden in Lower Drumgavenny, parish of Balteagh, from William Loughry. (Note: spelling in the Griffiths Valuation depended on the enumerator, just as with the U.S. censuses).  On Google maps this area can be found just south of the village of Drumsurn.  It is not known for sure which William Loughery this landlord is.  Two of William McKay's sons, Joseph and William Jr., married a woman whose first father-in-law was a William Loughery.  Were they the same William Loughery and is that how the two McKay sons may have become first acquainted with their future wife?  This is not an easy question to answer as Loughery was a very common name in that area of Northern Ireland.

William died at his residence in Drumgavenny, County Londonderry on Thursday, April 11, 1889 at the age of 65.  He was buried at Lislane burial ground on Friday, April 12 at 3 o'clock p.m.

Margaret's obituary, combined with that of her daughter Elizabeth, shows that Margaret remained in Ireland and likely Scotland before coming to America likely in 1893.  Margaret's obituary states when William died, then "after which she and the family sailed for America".  However, the four oldest children had immigrated to Canada and son James had immigrated to America, all before their father died.  Son George never married, and likely lived with his parents.  George and Margaret seemed to live with Elizbeth and her husband Sam once in America, thus it is likely this is the family referred to in her obituary.

The obituary identified her birth as August 18, while her entry in the microfilm of "Keokuk County Death Register Transcripts" identified her full birth date as August 18, 1819.  This transcript also identified her father as Sam Lougher (sic) and mother as Anna McClosky.

Only two of Margaret's siblings are known at this time - Mary who married James McKay above, and Elinor who was born 15 May 1827 in Boveva Parish, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.  Nothing more is known of these sisters.

The death date for John comes from his tombstone in Aledo Cemetery, Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois.  The inscription says he was 75 years old at death, hence the estimated birth year of 1812.  The Illinois death registration for son William says his parents were born in "Drumhaply, Ireland".  I have not been able to locate such a place, however there is a Drumhappy in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland between Dungiven and Limavady, both of which play a role in the McKay family locations.  For that reason I use Drumhappy, but make you aware of the use of Drumhaply in the death register.  Between these same towns of Limavady and Dungiven is the townland of Mulkeeragh in the parish of Carrick.  In that townland in Griffith's Valuation is a Joseph Fleming renting 25 acres from the Marquis of Waterford and a John Fleming also renting 25 acres from the Marquis.  This may possibly be the same John Fleming.  That is also consistent with his oldest child, William, being born in Mulkeeragh according to the same death register (although it is misspelled as Mulkarigh therein).  Just as Mulkeeragh was misspelled, it is not unlikely that Drumhappy was misspelled.  Also within the parish of Carrick in Griffith's Valuation are such surnames as Loughry, Irwin, Christie, McQuiston, and Selfridge, all of which play a role in the McKay family.

The death date for Mary comes from her tombstone in Aledo Cemetery, Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois.  The inscription appear to say she was 78 years old at death (very difficult to make out the last digit), hence the estimated birth year of 1815.  John and Mary do not appear in any U.S. censuses that I can find.  Son William and daughter Elizabeth show in their 1910 and 1920 census entries that they immigrated in 1881.  It is possible their parents came with them and thus no census entry for them.