Memory Lane: Sarah Jobe and James R. Trimble Descendants


A PERSONAL STROLL THROUGH THE PAST

Sarah Job and James R. Trimble Descendants

Reminiscing Through Old Writings
(Actually written by Jobe Descendants)

Last modified 20 Sep 2006

Many of our family have left us a legacy of personal writings (Bible entries, diaries, letters, memoirs), which help us to visualize their daily lifes. We have attempted to collect as many of these letters as possible. By strolling downward, you may slowly linger over each one or quickly jump to a particuliar group - click on category below. Have a letter to post, please e-mail Freida Wells or myself, Ann Brown.

(In memory of our Jobe ancestors whose writings appear here.)


Writings

  1. 1979 Centennial Speech by the Hon. Curtis G. Shake, Atty and later Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court
    ----in honor of Maurice Rees Trimble (1796-1862)

  2. 1860 Letter, Rev. Maurice Trimble to son, William Trimble

  3. 1877 Letter, James Trimble to William H. Trimble


1979 Centennial Speech by the Hon. Curtis G. Shake, Atty and later Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court
In honor of Maurice Rees Trimble (1796-1862)

(s/o Sarah Job and James R. Trimble, gs/o Archibald Job and Margaret Rees, gt gs/o Thomas Vernon Job and Elizabeth Maxwell, gt gs/o Andrew Job, Jr. and Elizabeth Vernon)

Shared with us by Elizabeth Scanlon Gotschall Lorenzini, a descendant of Mauriece Reese Trimble

1976 Centennial

"We have met today to celebrate a centennial. From the standpoint of an individual a hundred years seems a long time but in the broader view it is but as a moment in the history of the world."

--skipping to page 3-

"The one man, above all others to whom we are most indebted for bringing the Disciples of Christ into Southwestern Indiana and Southeastern Illinois was Maurice Rees Trimble. . . .

We know that Maurice R. Trimble was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania , in 1796, and we are able to trace his ancestry back for four generations. William and Mary Trimble were English people living in Ireland in 1700. In 1711 there was born to them a son, Joseph Trimble, who migrated to America in 1729. After he established a home for himself he sent for his parents but the ship on which they sailed was lost at sea and they never heard of again. The second wife of Joseph Trimble was Ann Chandler. They were married February 27, 1753, at London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania. They had a son named James Trimble born April 20, 1762, and who died May 12, 1831. He was the father of Maurice Trimble. The mother was Sarah Job, a Quaker girl.

As to the boyhood and education of Maurice Trimble I have been able to learn nothing. The first trace of him, following his birth, that I have been able to find was after he had attained the age of thirty-five or six years. In the meantime, he had acquired a good education and had been ordained a minister of the gospel."

(the next page and half talks about the establishment of the old Mariah Creek Baptist Church which was organized on May 20, 1809 and where the founders adopted a lengthy document called "Articles of Faith". Section 10 dealt with slavery and the church.

"It is recorded in history that about the first of the year 1832, Maurice Trimble began preaching in this county at Bruceville. On February 17, 1832, William Bruce and a number of his associates asked permission from the Maria Creek Church to withdraw and establish a Church of Christ at Bruceville. It is apparent from the records that the matter of the Articles of Faith, as well as the location of the members held a controlling influence in this movement. Permission was granted and on March 4, 1832, the Bruceville Christian Church was established. It think it fair to presume that this came about through the preaching of Maurice Trimble, during the preceding winter."

"On December 9, 1832, there was an important and significant meeting of the Bruceville Church. The Church appointed Maurice Trimble, a "Messenger of the Churches, to travel among them, proclaim the word of life, the message of God's philanthropy to all who hear it." This was really the beginning of the Christian Church movement in the Wabash valley. Trimble accepted the appointment and on the next day started out on his labors preaching, as he recorded, " in the sectarian and infidel town of Vincennes."

"For fifteen years he went up and down the Wabash Valley preaching and organizing churches. I am not sure just how many churches he organized but we have a record of nine Christian Churches living today that were instituted by Maurice Trimble. while serving as a Missionary of the Bruceville Christian Church."

the speech goes on to name the churches and their locations continuing with the speech:

"Concerning the last years of Trimble's life we are able to gather together a considerable amount of data. He lived on a farm near Bruceville at the time of his death, but had previously lived at Palestine and at Russellville. He was twice married. His first wife was Jeanette Houghton, a cousin of the late Judge Houghton, a respected member of our local bar. Reverend Trimble and Miss Houghton were married at the old Town of Hindustan Falls in Martin County, Indiana, in 1834. She died in 1838, survived by two children, William Houghton Trimble and Celia Janette Trimble."

"In later years Brother Trimble married Amanda W. Threlkeld of Knox County, who likewise preceded him in death. They left surviving three children, Harlan Mantle Trimble, who is said to have died in the Boor War, Sallie Hauley Trimble, who was an invalid and never married and Maurice Reed Trimble who lived in Vincennes and is survived by two granddaughters, . . ."

"Trimble is described as a strong and robust man of the pioneer type. He was six feet in height and had a fine face and a high forehead. He was dark complexioned, weighed from 180 to 190 pounds and had a wonderful knowledge of the scriptures. It was said of him, "quote a passage and was able immediately to tell you where to find it."

"In the early forties there was a band of outlaws that overrun several counties in Southern Illinois. An organization styling themselves 'Regulators' formed to crush them. However, the Regulators soon became as lawless as the outlaws. Civil anarcy was rampant. Mr. Trimble continued his ministry in the midst of these disturbances, publically denouncing the wrong doers. On one occasion he was baptizing some converts in the Ohio River when some of the outlaws made a murderous attack upon him. Trimble defended his life and wounded two of the outlaws, after which the baptizing was resumed."

"Trimble spent the last years of his life living on a farm belonging to the late Major Wilis near the town of Bruceville. In July, 1862, he took ill of Dropsy and died in October of that year. His physician was Dr. William Fairhurst, one of the physicians of Knox County. Three days before his death, made a will naming John H. Bruce, Moses H. Threkeld and William D. Piety as his executors. In this instrument, which is recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Knox Circuit Court, he called himself "A preacher of the Gospel of Christ."

(a photocopy of this actual will was also sent to me and will be posted to our records album - after it is transcribed)

"At the time of his death he owned 160 acres of land in Sullivan County. His estate inventoried $6870.00 of which $2184.00 was cash, a Gray Mare at $50.00, three land warrants at $160.00 and a bed at $5.00. The balance of his estate consisted of notes drawing 10% interest. . . ."

"A few items relative to his burial may be of interest. W. C. Steffy furnished the coffin for $15.00 and Hugh Barr conducted the funeral for $22.05. His executors placed a marker over his grave, which is located in the old Johnson Cemetery, two miles west of Oaktown, at a cost of $75.00. On this simple marker appears the following inscription.

ELDER
MAURICE R. TRIMBLE
DIED
October 28, 1862
AGE 66 YEARS
HIS LIFE WAS A TRIUMP OF VIRTUE
HIS DEATH A TRIUMP OF FAITH" 


1860 Letter by Rev. Maurice Reese Trimble

(s/o James R. Trimble and Sarah Job, gs/o Arcibald Job and Margaret Rees, gt gs/o Thomas Vernon Job and Eliabeth Maxwell)

Written to William Trimble, son

I have typed copy of letter and actual scan of this 4 page letter

Shared with us by Elizabeth Scanlon Gotschall Lorenzini, a descendant of Maurice Reese Trimble

EXACT LETTER FOLLOWS:

Write soon again
address as before
Russellville

Palestine Ills. Decmr 7th/ 60

Wm. H. Trimble

Dear Son, I rec'd your letter of Nor Inst. safe a week ago and now essay to answer as best as I can. I am truly glad to hear from you once more. I almost began to think you were getting as lazy about writing as I am myself. Of some of the gentlemanly Texans had hunt you up for a B. R. abolitionist. But your very welcome letter has dispelled my fears and I breathe easier again. You say you are a Bell man. Good. You in that do not disgrace your Father nor the pure old Whig principles. If I should ever visit Texas could I pass free under that flag. From your enquiry about your and my ancestry I at first thought that maybe some men cub had - had, - but I won't write it. You however relieve my fears by saying that you hear of many of the name - and would like to know what kin. Just tell them that your Father has not a drop of blood in his veins but pure Welch (sic), a king to Victoria Sir, What do you think of that(?). No great credit you may say - Well that is just as you take it. But we are of the Glorious old mountains of Wales, and allied some way, according to family tradition, to some of the old Barron's (sic) - who had to leave on account of their Liberty principles Civil and religious. The tradition runs that my two great grand uncles left for America, came into England, could not stay there, so to Ireland, staid (sc) there several years - one of them married there, other had his family with him. Afterward they came to America one settled at Old Springfield, PA 14 miles from Phila. - from whom the Ohio Trimbles descended (the old Ex Gov.) The other who married the Irish 'Gal' settled in Virginia and scattered into Kentucky - of these you will find Robert one of the supreme Count KY. When these first left Wales (William) your Great Great Grandfather was but a child. When he grew up and married he set out to follow his older brothers, first to England, then to Ireland, but not finding them, he came direct to America.

Not long afterward he and his wife died leaving your great grandfather (Joseph Trimble) Father as yet but a child. When he grew up he bought and settled the old homestead where I was born and raised. He married into the famous Bond family of Maryland also pure Welch. He raised a large family of boys and two girls. My Father the youngest but one. At Grandfather's death bought out the heirs and retained the old homestead. My father, "James' married Sarah Job, also pure Welch and also connected to the Bond family by blood. The Job Family are also of Maryland and of some repute in the revolutionary struggle - all of these families **** king more or less in it. The old **** (J. family mansion built of solid stone one part two stories high, with basement cellar underneath,some 40 feet square, the wing some 28 by 30 ft or more all the whole. Was the headquarters of Gen Small Wood (sic) when Gen. Howe landed at Elkton (then head of Elk) from his way to Chadds Fore Brandywine - my old home. Two of your Uncles, Job and Thomas bore their part in the war of 12. Job was with Perry at the battle of Lake Erie. Let this suffice for the present. Your family and name is pure without a criminal or dishonourable spot upon it. See that you keep it so. If you can trace your Mother's side as well into the pure Scottish stock of which they are you will have no reason to blush for or to be ashamed of either. The old Family mansion (now passed to other hands) stands 10 miles north of Elkton East Nottingham Township Cecil Co. Maryland within a few rods (half mile) of Mason & Dixon line. Your elder uncle Joseph if alive live sin Delaware on the interest of his money.

Your uncle James the youngest of the family lives somewhere in Chester Co., Pa., in the same way. Your uncle Job if all lives or did the last I heard of him somewhere on Rock River Illinois. Your uncle Thomas died some 2-3 years ago near Washington Tazewell Co., Ills. he was well off and left a very respectable family, you Aunt Ann my only sister married Wm. Phillips. They were well off. She died in Chester Co., PA several years ago leaving a very fine family. Your uncle Joseph never married. James did but at last account had no children.

Job left one son "James' (when he came west) somewhere in the country of the old home. The family have always been Aristocratic, pound and particular in their family Character and relations very moral and none one of them charged with a mean or dishonourable action but I fear that in scattering abroad and mixing with other less gentle Blood they will not always remain so. The children were well a week or ten days ago. They are at and in the neighbourhood of Burkeville Knox Co. Ind. I fear Sallie will never recover fully from her affliction. The boys show their stock considerably and I shouldn't wonder if one of them if not both (phrase no legible, possible reads: "came to be President" someday. I was out to Mount Pleasant (poor old place) last October and bye the bye that Ozro A. is a pretty clever fellow -- he calls Celia 'Duck" they are getting along first rate - and with their two boys Horace & Everett - their company is quite bearable - "very". I know you would like to see them, - all well - Uncle Aaron & Folkds - Uncle Hillary & folks _ and Grandma. Bless her dear old soul - and Aunt Eliza (Whew) - what a company and uncle Barney & folks and George V. B. & folks, well, ever to Uncle Jack (Sack?) and all the rest (I even saw old Uncle Force) but from them you hear all the particulars. But see here, the next time you write if you don't tell me more about that smart, fine, sweet wife you've got away down there in Texas - you'd better - you brad considerably - please just let us know her name and something of her family stock. I am much pleased with your account of yourself and of your habits and morals - 'cept that old stinking pipe and cigars...'

The next time you write, tell me something of the religion in & of your country. Remember nothing but the Bible. My kind and Fatherly respects to your wife & friends, and may God in mercy bless you all,

Your father

M. R. Trimble


1877 Letter from James Trimble of Chester Co., Pennsylvania

(s/o James R. Trimble, Sr. and Sarah Job, gs/o Archibald Job and Margaret Rees, gt gs/o Thomas Vernon Job and Elizabeth Maxwell)

Written to William H. Trimble, nephew, of Fannin Co., Texas

I have typed copy of letter and actual scan of this 8 page letter

Shared with us by Elizabeth Scanlon Gotschall Lorenzini, a descendant of Maurice Reese Trimble

EXACT LETTER FOLLOWS:

Fairville Chester County Penn'a
New Years morning 1877.

William H. Trimble
Valued Nephew

As the years pass on, it seems well to keep in view the more important events, lest time, the all absorbing element of human memory, may obliterate even the ties of consanguinity, and dissolve the sympathies that ought to bind mankind together.

For ourselves we are getting along in our quiet way with reasonable comfort, having good housekeepers with whom thy Aunt Hannah and I board.

I think I promised to furnish thee with a history of the Trimble family and having since I saw thee, traveled considerably among the Quaker Churches about Philadelphia, examining their ancient records. I have I believe secured most of the information on the subject that is now extant.

The most remote point to which I can trace our ancestry is to Andrew Job, an intimate friend and companion of William Penn the founder of Pennsylvania. Their friendship had commenced in England, and being subjected alike to the religious persecution of the period they sought amid savage society in the forests of America, the toleration denied them in their native land. In 1682 William Penn landed on the shores of the Delaware with a large company mostly Quakers, but whether Andrew Job came at that time is now clear, but in 1687 his name begins to appear in public documents of church and state, served on the Provincial Assembly in 1702, and was sheriff of Chester County from 1697 to 1700. In 1692 he married Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Vernon. Their children were Benjamin, Jacob, Thomas, Mary, Enoch, Abraham, Caleb, Joshua, Hannah and Patience. A number of these emigrated to various southern states. Andrew Job die din 1722, the tradition of the family is that he was born in Scotland about the year 1640, was kidnapped when quite young by a party of English marauders and carried to England, where he lost all trace of his parentage and family.

His son Thomas married the famous English runaway girl Elizabeth Maxwell, niece of Daniel DeFoe in 1725 at a Quaker church in Cecil County Maryland. The latter died a widow in 1782 leaving among other child a son Archibald Job, who inherited the homestead in Cecil county. This Archibald when the English Army under Lord Howe landed at the head of Elk in 1777 ten miles distant from his residence, offered his services to Washington as a scout - and being well acquainted with the country it is said that the American Chief often modified his plans, by the information brought him by our ancestor. After the war he served several terms as sheriff of Cecil County, and died at an advanced age in 1805. I remember seeing him once, a tall dark visaged man with a brusk offhand way of talking.

On the "30th of the 7th mo 1752, he married Margaret, the daughter of Maurice and Sarah Reese, (a full blooded Welsh family who afterwards removed to Virginia). Among other children of Archibald and Margaret Job was Sarah born in 1760 died 2nd Mo 7th 1807 who married James Trimble at East Nottingham "Friends meeting" the 20th or 3rd mo 1788. Their children Joseph, born 3d mo 7th 1789, died 1st mo 31st 1872. Job, born 27nd mo 23d died in DeCalb County Illinois 11th mo 19th 1866. Thomas born May 5th mo 5th 1793, died in Tazewell Co., Illinois 3d mo 6th 1856. Ann born 2nd mo 20th 1795 died the wife of William Phillips in Chester Co., PA. 5th mo 25th 1848. Maurice Reese born 1st mo 10 1797, died near Bruce Indiana 10th mo 1862. James, born 2nd mo 23d 1799, still living in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The family were all raised in Nottingham Hundred Cecil County Maryland.

William & Mary Trimble were said to be English people but were living in Ireland in 1700. Their son Joseph born in 1711, came to America in 1729, married and settled at Nottingham in 1741, Had a son John who removed to Kentucky in 1775 where his son Isaac R. Trimble later General (sic) in the Confederate service was born (now living in Baltimore). James Trimble who married Sarah Job as above mentioned, was by a second marriage of the above Joseph Trimble, born 4th mo 20th 1762, died 12th mo 5th 1831.

When the emigrant Joseph Trimble acquired a home in this country, he wrote to his parents in Ireland to come and share it with him. The tradition of the family is that they set sail, but the vessel was never heard of afterwards. His first wife as mentioned above was Sarah Churchman born at Nottingham 9th mo 17th 1716, and died 8th mo 2d 1750. Their children were William, born 10th mo 1st 1745,died in Baltimore leaving three sons, 5th mo 30th 1819. John Trimble (son of Joseph the emigrant) born 12th mo 16th 1746. Married Catharine Wilson 12th mo 10th 1772. His children by this marriage were Ann, William, and David, the latter served as an officer in the war of 1812, went through the hardest battles in Canada, and served in Congress from 1817 to 1828. By a second marriage John Trimble had six children, Isaac R. Trimble (the Confederate General) still living being the youngest. He was wounded and taken at Gettysburg, was exchanged but I believe was not in active service again.

I turn back to the second marriage of Joseph Trimble the Emigrant, which took place like all other marriages of the family, according to the "Good Order of the Society of Friends" 2d mo 22d New stile 1753, with Ann, daughter of William Chandler of London Grove, Chester County Pa. From this union, the Trimble line of our side of the house is descended. The children were Joseph, born 10th mo 29th 1754. Thomas, 5th mo 4th 1756, Jacob, 2d mo 27th 1758, Sarah 5th mo 23d 1760, James 4th mo 20th 1762, Elisha 3d mo 18th 1765.

Such is a brief outline of our family history; I think however if well enough, of preparing a more elaborate biographical sketch of our race, including the personal characterises (sic) of different individuals among the wide spread branches of our kinsman.

There is an article (sic) going the rounds of the newspapers of the country, entitled "The Defoe family in America", Taken from Scribner's Monthly Magazine, published in New York City, for May 1876 which if thee can obtain it will give thee quite an interesting notice of some of thy ancestors, including thy uncle Joseph and myself. We were much gratified to have Ray Piety with us a week during her centennial visit including a choice young Lady companion Anna Lillie from Illinois. We have had letters from Maurice who has become quite a farmer, but no account from Harlan for some years. We are now having pretty severe winter weather and good sleighing. We often talk about thee and thy family, and wonder what kind of a country you live in. They aunt Hannah sends particular love to thee, they wife and children.

Thy uncle James Trimble

(top of page - upside down added sentence)

Martha Way has recovered her health and sends her kind remembrance to thee, and intends writing sometime.

continuing 9 days later

1st mo 10th

At the date of the foregoing, our country was snowed up to the extend of interrupting travel, so that it seemed useless to commit a letter to the mails. Have you ever snow and sleighing in Fannin Country? Are there running springs sufficient for stock on a farm? Is there woodland or Prairie? What kind of fruits flourish best? What kind of a country have you along the shores of Red River, is it settled up and occupied in farms? and other characteristics peculiar to Texas would be interesting. I suppose the water shed of Fannin County runs principally into the head branches of Trinity River.

We have lately heard of the death of they cousin William H. Trimble of Healdsburg Sonoma County California. He was one of the six children of my brother Thomas, raised in Tazewell county Illinois, he left a family and an excellent character behind him. We have a nephew named Luther Mendenhall, now visiting with his family among us, who live at Duluth in Minnesota (sic) on Lake Superior. They came to the Centennial in the fall, and have not thought it sage yet to venture on the rail road on account of snow and frost. Luther is a lawyer (sic) by profession, served three years in the Northern army of the Potomac. The duty assigned him was the charge of the guard of the ammunition train attached to Mc Call's division. In this capacity he was present at Antietam, Gettisburg (sic), and all the principal Battles on the north of Richmond. He has since been Attorney and Agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad and is traveling almost continually in its behalf.

We have find spring like weather now, and the snow and ice are fast disappearing (sic), but our climate is so changeable we look for more frost and snow throughout next month.

We have often thought we would like to pass a winter in Florida. They Aunt H. has a great dread of our severe winters, and were we a little younger, I should not wonder if we undertook the exploit, in which case we might attempt the navigation of the Red River, with better success let us hope, then General Banks.

Again wishing well to thee and thine, I remain as ever they uncle

2nd mo 5th 1877

James Trimble


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