Darrell Brent Kitchen Family Manuscript - Preface
A History and Background of the Kitchen Family
Chapters 8 through 14
@ Copyright 1997 by Darrell B. Kitchen
This is a continuation of a document written by Mr. Darrell Kitchen on the history and background of the Kitchen Family. It offers a wonderful glimpse into the past, dating back to England and Ireland in the early 1600's, and is an excellent reference source for genealogical research. Chapters 8 through 14 are included in this web page and Chapters 15 is in the process of being written. In permitting the document to be published, Mr. Kitchen asked that we convey his desire that it be used for personal use only and that it not be copied for commercial purposes. He also ask that it be viewed as a "work under construction...that is, it contains many grammatical errors, also a few mistakes and some assumptions made that I now am challenging...in other words, a working draft it is."
Mr. Kitchen can be reached by eMail at ([email protected] )
Chapter 8
The Canby Family:
Quakers from Yorkshire
The Canby family collateral is related through the marriage of
Edward Kitchen and Ann Canby. By researching the history and background
of the Canby family there will hopefully be a better understanding and
record of this Kitchen family collateral. The story begins in Yorkshire,
England, an area familiar to many members of the Kitchen family.
In area, Yorkshire is the largest county in England. It is also one
of the most northerly. The Yorkshire eastern shore fronts on the North
Sea and the western border nearly reaches the Irish Sea, where only a few
miles of Lancashire lay as a barrier. Yorkshire is divided into three
areas, or Ridings. They were established during the Viking occupation of
Yorkshire in the ninth century. The West Riding is 2,777 square miles
and is, by itself, larger than any other English county. The Pennine
Chain runs north to south along the western border of the West Riding.
This is a turbulent mass of interlocking hills covering over two-thirds
of the land mass. The cold, rainy and rocky moors were often covered
with purple heather. There fish called lings, blueberries and many
grasses which were used for grazing sheep. The moors fall in elevation
as they run to the east. This area of lower elevation was the site of
many streams, tumbling briskly down through the rocky hills, and a drier
climate. The River Don rises in the Pennines and falls into the River
Ouse, which flows into the North Sea.
Lincolnshire, which borders Yorkshire on the south, is in the second
largest county of England. The fen of Lincolnshire is an extensive tract
of very low land. The area was originally an extremely shallow but wide
bay formed by the inlet to the sea and the great rivers of the Pennines.
The Anglo-Saxon invaders soon found the Fen an impregnable swamp and the
Romans had made attempts at draining the area. There was actually little
progress until the seventeenth century. Many of the villages today in
the area of the Fen, are products of this land reclamation which became
an extremely fertile and productive area.
It was this Fen country of Yorkshire where an early ancestor, Thomas
Canby was born. His birth and early boyhood years took place in Thorne.
Henry Seidel Canby, the author of a history of the Canby family called
"Family History," traveled to Thorne in July 1918. He said, that:
"Thorne lies about ten miles to the east of Doncaster in the West
Riding of Yorkshire, close to the Lincolnshire border. It is a small
town of a few thousand inhabitants and is built chiefly of charming red
brick, with carved stone forming the cornices of the older houses. I
found it a little dingy and run-down, but it had been prosperous. It
lies in a vast low country through which the Don, the Trent and other
rivers with such appropriate names as the Idle, used to wander, and is an
island spot on the edge of the great turbary or waste of Hatfield Chase.
Thorne itself was built close to the channel of the Don until the river
was diverted by an enterprising Dutchman, who had skill enough to carry
out Hotspur's desire to straighten the Trent where it cut a cantle from
his lands. Near the Dutch bank, which turned the river away from Thorne,
was Pinfold House, the residence of Thomas Canby the Elder. Thorne was
an island capital of this Fen and waste country. This Yorkshire region
in the days of my earliest known ancestors was a network of waterways,
mires, and marshes, with islands of firm ground. A great forest once
covered the levels of Hatfield Chase to the west of Thorne."
From Thorne, a person can look across the level lands to Epworth,
where the Wesleys were born about the same time that Thomas Canby was
getting ready to emigrate. Thorne possessed an ample square and there
are ruins of a Norman castle. The castle dungeons were used by Thomas
Canby, a cousin of my ancestor Thomas, as a cellar. The most pleasant
place in the area is Stonegate. This is the site of the church and of
the old house and garden where Edward Canby once lived. This Canby
house, with its garden, was a very pleasant place. The old Canby house
lies near to the church and next to the rectory. On a second visit to
England in 1925, Mr. Canby said, that:
"I found the name Caenby of Lincolnshire on a country map and took
the train for Lincoln. The next day, on a bicycle, I pushed north for
fifteen or twenty miles on a highway laid on the straight line of the old
Roman road of the second or third century. Caenby had once been a
village important enough to be registered in the Domesday Book. From its
name, the dean of the local church and I judged that Caenby had been a
Scandinavian settlement of the eighth and ninth centuries. There were
also three Caenby manors in the neighborhood, however no Canbys had ever
lived in them. The name was not a personal name, but the name belonging
to the village, or area of Caenby. Later, I discovered that Caenby was
only fifteen miles from Thorne."
A further description of Thorne, which appeared in an official
journal, was quoted in the "Collection of Charles F. Jenkins". It stated
that:
"Thorne, a market town, about two miles from Hatfield in a point
just between the branches of the River Don. On the north side of the
church in Thorne stood a castle which was the prison for offenders in
Hatfield Chase. This castle has a large ditch around it. The mount
where the castle stood is very high, but the castle has long ago been
demolished. The dungeon was yet in being, and was used by the late Mr.
Thomas Canby of Thorne. The above mentioned Mr. Canby was said to have
been old in 1641. He therefore probably lived from 1565 to 1645."
Invaders came early to the eastern part of England. Traces of man
were found scattered throughout the area from invasions and frequent
rebellions. There were Britons, Romans, Angles, Danes, and French
Normans. The Roman occupation of England, which was started by Claudius
around 43 A.D., lasted into the fifth century. The last Roman troops
were recalled in about 410 A.D. There was extensive construction for
defense and the visible remains can still be found today. The Roman
roads ran straight between the towns. The most impressive site is
supposedly the north to south stretches of these old roads from Lincoln.
The Vikings arrived in the ninth century and sailed up the Ouse
River to establish a kingdom which lasted nearly one hundred years.
Words and sounds peculiar from these Danish invaders still remain in our
language today, such as the characteristic that many of their names ended
in "by". Some of the villages today were founded by these invaders and
carry their Scandinavian names. The towns with names ending in "ing" or
"ingham" and are preceded by a man's name are most often Anglo-Saxon.
The Norman invasion of the eleventh century was primarily a
military and political occupation and not so much for the invasion or
migration of the Norman people. Life, for the most part, continued as it
had previously for the average Englishman. These French Norman barons
merely constructed castles for their families, maintained them with
soldiers and built retainers for their security.
Lincoln, a chartered borough by the time of the Norman invasion, was
founded in about 92 A.D. as a Roman colony of "Lindum Colonia". It was
converted to Christianity about 627-31. In 942 it was annexed as a
Danish borough and as a city which was listed in the Domesday Book of
1086. The Domesday Book, ordered by William the Conqueror, was the
earliest publication which gave factual information about each county.
At that time, nine out of ten persons still resided outside the towns.
With 90,000 inhabitants, Lincolnshire was the second most populated
county recorded in Domesday times. Yorkshire, which had strongly
resisted the Norman invasion and experienced a loss of lives accordingly,
had fewer than 30,000 inhabitants. There was less than two adults per
square mile in Yorkshire, compared to over eight adults to each square
mile in Lincolnshire. Doncaster, in Yorkshire, was founded in 1194 by a
Charter of Richard I and incorporated in 1467.
England is principally a land of villages and a majority of them
have existed since the early Anglo-Saxon times. Nothing seems to
distinguish the English scene as much as the "patchwork" of the yellow,
green or brown fields, divided by hedgerows or dry-stone walls. There
are also the brick, stone and timber framed dwellings in the many
villages that provide England with its' unique image.
England has also been a country of "ranks and privileges". Every
person seems to have been born into their station in life. A person who
made a lawful claim to a coat of arms would be addressed as an "Esquire"
or "Gentleman". These people were the backbone of English country life
and they performed many duties, often acting as judge and jury in
settling disputes. They also had the responsibility of caring for the
local needy. It seems that "Gentlemen" did not use their hands for a
living, only their minds, and they directed others in the use of their
hands. A Yeoman, as discussed in a previous chapter, owned a small
portion of land, usually twenty to forty acres, which they worked upon
themselves. Their work not only benefitted their family, but also the
crown. The Yeomen took part in parish government and were often called,
"Goodman". During these times, the poor seemed to exist for the purpose
of working the land of their masters and performing duties similar to
those of a servant or slave. They owned neither a home or land and their
lives depended solely on their master's wealth and goodness.
The eldest son received the inherited land and the titles of his
father. A father could not disinherit him, even if he wished that he
could. Lands that had been acquired or purchased by a father could be
left to his younger sons and daughters but in the normal situation, a
younger son would never own any land himself. All of the estate would go
to the elder brother so that he and his wife and children would be able
to maintain their appropriate status in English life. If the younger
sons remained on the land and worked for the older brother, their
descendants ranked lower and lower on the social scale with each passing
generation. They could quite possibly descend to a "Commoner's" level.
As far as Yorkshire is concerned, there were some well-known names
associated with the shire. The three Bonte sisters were raised in the
West Riding. Their homeland was used as the setting for their many
stories. The celebrated Captain Cook was from the seaport of Staithes
and the Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood is also set in Yorkshire.
Today, Caenby in Lincolnshire, would be seven miles west of Market
Rasen which is fourteen miles northeast of Lincoln near Gainsborough.
Thorne would be found in Yorkshire, eight miles south-southwest of
Goale. The village of Moorends is only one mile north-northeast of
Thorne. Today, Doncaster, which is east of Thorne, is a city of over
100,000 people.
Family, or last names in England were late in arriving. The common
man's name often illustrated his occupation, as a baker, cook, smith,
miller, or carpenter. When surnames did appear in England, the greatest
number of them were taken from the lands on which they lived. This is
clearly the origin of the Canby name. The Canby ancestors were farmers
residing at or near Caenby and as their social position improved they
move to Thorne, in Yorkshire. When they moved, they retained Caenby, or
Canby as their surname.
The Thorne Parish register in Yorkshire dates back to 1565. The
first Canby name appears in 1581. This registry records the name in the
various spellings of: Canbye, Canbie, Caneby, Caenby, Canbe, Cambi, as
well as Canby. The York registry of wills and administrations, lists no
Canby business prior to 1514. This was the era of explorations.
Perhaps, the most notable explorer was Christopher Columbus. It was also
a time of religious rebellion. This period marked the beginning of
Calvinism, Dutch Reformation, German Reformation, the English Puritans
and Anglicanism which was established by Elizabeth I, as a compromise
between the Catholics and Protestants.
A biographical record of Dr. Joseph Canby, presents a family legend
that the Canbys were lineal descendants of the Duchess of York, Mary
Canby having become the wife of the Earl of Clarendon. There are a
number of people who have forged the history of the Canby family from
these beginnings and their record serves as an invaluable tool for the
future. Without the work of Henry S. Canby, Mrs. Forest (Janice) Arnold
of Seattle, Washington, John Canby of Wilmington, Delaware and Charles F.
Jenkins, this family history would not be as complete.
George Canby, probably born about 1545, was a church warden in
Eckington in Derbyshire. This county adjoined the southwest of Yorkshire
in 1601. He was a trustee at Doncaster in 1607 for the education of a
child. After his death, his widow Janet Canby, remarried. As Janet
Briggs, her will was recorded on September 25, 1629. The document set
forth that she was from Sykehouse, north of Thorne and the names of her
children. The children of George and Janet Canby were:
Edward Canby;
Thomas Canby;
William Canby;
George Canby; and
Ann Canby
These names are proven to be very common in the Canby family
throughout the many subsequent generations.
My direct ancestor and the ancestor of Ann Canby Kitchen is Edward,
the eldest son of George and Janet Canby. Edward married and his wife's
name was Jane. Edward and Jane Canby were named in a lawsuit in
September 1595. They were recorded as "deforciants", who were one of
those who withheld wrongfully the possession of lands or tenements or who
would eject others by force. The plaintiffs in the matter were Cotonus
Horne and James Greene. The suit involved a transfer of a "messuage", or
dwelling house with adjacent buildings, and land located in South Hyndley.
Thomas, the brother of Edward, seems to have been an individual of
some importance. It is believed that Thomas was the recipient of the
family arms, granted by Charles I. He was an officer of Hatfield Chase,
and was called "Master of the Game". Thomas supervised a huge wild area
and employed numerous keepers who were stationed at various villages
throughout the area. On two occasions, Charles I passed through the area
of the Chase. It was neither prudent nor safe to attempt passing through
the Chase without a guide who was knowledgeable about the area. On one
trip, he traveled from Hatfield to Whitgift Ferry and later to
Gainsborough. Besides being such a dangerous and wild crossing, a
feeling was running against the Monarch and any loyalty to him took great
courage. The family arms were likely granted to Edward for his service
and loyalty. They were clearly bestowed and they appear in a manuscript,
"The Arms of Yorkshire Families", by Francis Hougham and written in the
early seventeenth century. In 1731, the manuscript belonged to John
Warburton of Somerset Herald. He was the author of the map accompanying
the arms book. Warburton also had a list of prospective subscribers and
"Edward Canby, Gentleman" had paid for a copy. The book was never
published and only the manuscript remains.
Arms passed from father to son, or if there were no children, to the
closest male relative. Thomas, the nephew of Thomas, who was the
"Officer of the Chase", appears to have used the arms. He even sealed
his will with them in 1667 and called himself, "Gentleman". Perhaps
there is no other explanation other than the fact that Thomas, Officer of
the Chase, died without male heirs, and the arms descended legally to his
closest heir who would have been his brother Edward, or Edward's son
Thomas. In any event, the arms, described as a fess ermine, azure, was
passed to the line of Edward Canby.
These first two generations of the Canby family are somewhat
confusing and obscured by the passage of ages. It is not until the
third generation that more complete and information is found on the
family of my great great great grandmother, Ann Canby Kitchen.
Thomas Canby, the "Elder", was the son of Edward and Jane Canby and
was born about 1590. He became married to a woman named Mary and also
was the owner of property. They possibly lived in Thorne, overseeing the
cultivation of their own land. Mary Canby was buried September 13,
1650. Thomas, the "Elder of Thorne and Gentleman", wrote his will on
October 17, 1667 and it was proven on March 6, 1668. It was sealed and
impressed with the family arms and deposited at York. The will provided
that the eldest son, Edward, would have thirty acres of land near
Wroote. His son John received the lease from Sir Thomas Abdy's
ninety-eight acres near Wroote and seventeen acres in West Moore. His
son, Thomas, his daughters Mary, Phebe, Anne, and Hester, and his
youngest son Benjamin were mentioned in name only. He mentioned his
dwelling house on Reedum Lane, which was called "Pinfold House", near the
Dutch Bank. His son Edward was named executor. As the eldest son and
heir, Edward inherited the dwelling house and market rights which Richard
Cromwell had granted to the town. The children of Thomas and Mary Canby
were all born at Thorne, in Yorkshire, and were named as follows:
Edward, who was born about 1630 and was married about 1663, died in
1702. He was married Elizabeth Elmhurst. She was the daughter of
Richard Elmhurst of Houndhill Parish, Warsborough. Their children, who
were born and lived in the house adjoining the Thorne Church in
Yorkshire, were as follows:
Mary Canby who was baptized in 1664;
Thomas Canby who was baptized in 1667;
Joan Canby;
Elizabeth Canby;
John Canby;
Theopilus Canby;
Phebe Canby;
Samuel Canby;
Anne Canby;
Richard Canby;
Susannah Canby; and
Mary Canby.
These children were born and lived in the house adjoining the Thorne
Church in Yorkshire.
John Canby;
Thomas Canby, who was buried on September 2, 1709. He was married
in about 1662 to Jane. Jane Canby died on June 17, 1686. They had
children, who were;
Elizabeth Canby, who was baptized on April 22, 1663,
Charles Canby, who was baptized on September 4, 1664;
George Canby, who was baptized on August 4, 1666;
Henry Canby, who was baptized on May 11, 1672;
Mary Canby, who was baptized on August 19, 1673;
Phebe Canby, who was baptized on April 8, 1676;
Edward Canby, who was baptized on May 9, 1678; and
John Canby, who was baptized on June 17, 1686.
Benjamin Canby, who was born on September 6, 1637. Benjamin died
in 1682 and is the direct ancestor of Ann Canby Kitchen
.
Mary Canby, who married John Atkinson;
Phebe Canby, who married Samuel Mackwith;
Anne Canby, who married James Stainton;
Hester Canby, who married Richard Starkey of Thorne Parish on
September 24, 1658, and;
Sara Canby, who was buried at Thorne in August 1644;
Benjamin Canby, the direct ancestor of Ann Canby Kitchen, was the
youngest son of Thomas Canby, the Elder, and was born on September 6,
1637 at Thorne, Yorkshire, England. He died in 1682 in Liverpool. He
married Mary (Elizabeth) Baker in about 1663. On March 26, 1678, he
entered into a second marriage to Jane Elton at Thamworth, Warwickshire.
This marriage is recorded in the Hardshaw West Friends of Lancashire. At
the time of this second marriage, Benjamin Canby was a distiller in
Liverpool, England.
Benjamin Canby apparently remained in Thorne during the time of his
first marriage. The births of all his children and their deaths are
recorded in the Thorne Parish Record. Since his second marriage is
recorded under the care of the Hardshaw Quaker Meeting of Lancashire,
either he had joined the Society of Friends or did so at the time of his
marriage to Jane Elton. He had probably felt that he could not make his
fortune or livelihood in Thorne, and being the youngest son, he had
little opportunity to succeed. The administration of the will of
Benjamin Canby, the distiller of Liverpool, was dated October 24, 1681
and was granted by the Consistory Court at Chester on January 31, 1682 to
Peter Allen, who was a blacksmith, also from Liverpool. In his will,
Benjamin requested that,
"My body be buried in Friends Burying Place in Flintshire in Whitford
Parish, at the discretion of my endeared Friends, the people of God
called Quakers, to my son Thomas Canby, all my land being situate in the
Parish of Thorne in the County of York and in the Parish of Roote in the
County of Lincoln. And it is my will and desire that my son, Thomas, be
tutored and brought up during his minority by my wife, Jane Canby, and by
and as a Friend of Lancashire, it is my will and desire that my brother,
Edd Canby do concern himself to see that my aforesaid lands during said
minority be well managed, for the use of my son, Thomas Canby. Witness:
Abel Kershaw, Joseph Hobson, Tho. Wynne, Daniel Foster."
The Canby family members were very early followers of the Quaker
precepts and discipline. Benjamin Canby, through his first marriage to
Mary (Elizabeth) Baker, had the following children, who were all born at
Thorne:
Edward Canby, born on April 9, 1663 and baptized on May 16, 1664;
Elizabeth Canby, who was baptized on May 16, 1664 and died on May
20, 1664;
Henry Canby, baptized on May 24, 1666, died on September 9, 1666;
Thomas Canby, who was baptized on April 9, 1668 and died on
September 29, 1742 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Thomas is the
direct-line ancestor of Ann Canby Kitchen;
Henry Canby, baptized in 1669 and died in March 1669; and
Katherine Canby, who was baptized on March 29, 1671 and died in
August 1671.
As a result of Benjamin Canby's second marriage to Jane Elton, there
is a record from the Liverpool Friends Meeting, regarding the birth of:
Benjamin Canby, born on March 30, 1681. He died prior to October
24, 1681 and he was not mentioned in his father's will.
Thomas Canby, the direct ancestor of Ann Canby Kitchen, was the only
child of Benjamin Canbys that lived past infancy. Thomas, baptized on
April 9, 1668, was about fourteen or fifteen years old when his father
died. He came to Pennsylvania in 1684 with the Henry Baker family and he
died in Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 1742. He was devoted and committed
to long term service to his beloved Friends and to their causes and the
community in which they lived. Thomas Canby is the ancestor to all Canby
family members in America today
Almost every reference to the parentage of Thomas Canby, the
family's emigrant ancestor, names his mother as Mary Baker, sister of
Henry Baker. Thomas was indentured to Henry Baker on his voyage to
Pennsylvania. Charles F. Jenkins, in his manuscript on Thomas Canby,
identifies Thomas' mother as Elizabeth, and states that no records
"prove" her to be a sister to Henry Baker. The fact remains, that the
majority of references have identified the mother of Thomas Canby as Mary
Baker, sister of Henry Baker.
Thomas was born in 1667. As previously stated, he was baptized on
April 9, 1668 at the Thorne Parish in Yorkshire, England. He died at his
home at Solebury, Bucks County, Pennsylvania on September 20, 1742. He
is buried at the Buckingham Meeting House. His first wife was Sarah
Jarvis (Jervis). They were married on September 2, 1693 under the
auspices of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting House, Pennsylvania, at the
home of Richard Walls, where the Friends meetings were held prior to the
construction of the Abington Meeting House. She died on February 8, 1708
at their home in Abington, Philadelphia County, now Montgomery County.
They had nine children.
Thomas Canby then married Mary Oliver on April 2, 1709 at the
Abington Meeting House. She was born on October 9, 1677 at Radnor, Wales
and died on January 26, 1721 at Solebury, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
She was the daughter of Evan and Elizabeth Lloyd Oliver, who had arrived
in Pennsylvania in 1682 from Wales. She and Thomas had eight children.
His two marriages had resulted in the birth of seventeen childen. Thomas
then married a third time to Jane Deyn Preston. The marriage took place
on August 9, 1722 at the Buckingham Meeting House in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. She was the widow of William Preston of Bucks County and
survived Thomas Canby.
Thomas spent the early years of his life at Thorne, at least until
August 1671, when at the time of his sister Katherine's death, he was
noted as a resident. Katherine and her grandfather, the "Elder" Thomas
Canby, had died about the same time and were buried at Thorne. Thomas
had many cousins in Thorne who were similar in age. For example, his
Uncle Edward had a son Thomas, also born in 1667, the same year as my
Quaker emigrant, Thomas Canby. When his father remarried in 1678,
Benjamin and Thomas were both living in Liverpool.
According to the will of his deceased father, Thomas came under the
care of the Lancashire Meeting in England and was raised as a Quaker. He
remained a devoted Quaker throughout his entire life and gave service to
them, as well as his community. His education advanced sufficiently to
prepare him as a successful businessman. Only further searching of the
probate and land records of York and Lincolnshire would disclose the
final disposition of the land holdings of Benjamin Canby. This search
would reveal how well "Brother Edd" managed the assets that were intended
for use by Thomas. Even though Thomas' stepmother, Jane Deyn Preston
Canby, was living in 1681, records of 1684 show that he was apparently
orphaned. He became an indentured apprentice of Henry Baker of the
Lancashire Meeting.
Henry Baker has been described as an adventurer who had previously
sailed to America, exploring the Pennsylvania and New Jersey territory.
He decided on the lands in Bucks County of Pennsylvania and oversaw the
construction of a home. The Quaker records of the Lancashire Quarterly
Meeting state that Henry Baker was from Newton, England and was married
to in 1667 under the auspices of the Hardshaw Monthly Meeting to Margaret
Hardman of Asput, Lancashire, England. The record also states that they
had eight children born at Hendley, or West Derby. There is no record of
the parentage of Henry Baker, or the ancestry of his family. The
certificate of removal for Henry Baker, wife and children was issued from
Hardshaw Monthly Meeting on March 27, 1684 to the Philadelphia Friends.
They sailed to America on a ship called, "The Vine". It sailed from
Dolgelly, Wales and arrived at Philadelphia on June 17, 1684. According
to the ship register, they were accompanied by ten indentured servants,
who included "Tho Candy". The name appeared in the register and was
probably written by the ship's captain. The Bakers, along with Thomas
Canby, settled ten to twelve miles from Philadelphia. The settlement was
on three hundred acres purchased from William Penn, at Makefield, now
Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, on the Delaware River. It is
believed that the Baker home stood by the present day Taylorsville Lane,
at the Canal Bridge.
William Penn had many dreams for his city of Philadelphia and for
his colony. He was a Quaker with a deep sympathy for all needy and
oppressed people. His colony was to be a place of refuge where they
could start new lives. The "old country" had many who needed such a
place at this time. Thousands of people were suffering from religious
persecution, harsh rule, and the cruelty and destruction of war. There
was also some very bitter poverty.
Penn did careful planning before any building was built. He laid
out big streets which crossed one another in a pattern of squares.
Between them he left spaces for parks and public buildings. He was
trying to develop a green and open country town. Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania was to become one of the finest cities in America.
Philadelphia's early builders developed an architecture of their own.
They built houses of brick, simple straight lines and little
ornamentation. Little stone steps led to the front door, each house had
a small square of grass in the front yard and each house had a little
garden. As the years passed and the colonies prospered, Georgian
architecture came into popularity as, it did elsewhere. Many stately
buildings, usually mansions, churches and public buildings, were
developed along the streets of Penn's town. Philadelphia also became a
leader in education and welfare. It had the first medical school and
hospital in the entire colonies. It also had the first circulating
library and organization for fighting fires. Many colony "firsts" were
established and maintained in Philadelphia.
In 1690, the American colonies had five towns which were clearly on
their way to becoming cities. They were all seaports and included New
York, Newport, Charleston, Philadelphia and Boston. At the time of
Thomas Canby's arrival in America, New York was only sixty-five years
old. They had only 3,900 people, and as presented in the Kitchen-Voorhis
family family, it was primarily a Dutch settlement. Philadelphia was
only eight years old and had 4,000 residents. Philadelphia was the
fastest growing city in the American colonies.
As skilled craftsmen continued to settle in Philadelphia, they began
to lead in the advancement of the colony's economy. They were
responsible for rifles, wagons, shoes, glass, food products, and
countless other items which required skill to produce. The advancement
of their economy led to a very busy marketplace. It was at these
marketplaces that the "well-to-do" Quakers would meet in their plain dark
or gray conservative clothing. The traders, in their buckskins, would
marvel at the ability of these early Quakers from Philadelphia.
In a book, "The Tavern at the Ferry", by Edwin Tunis, a story is
told about the Henry Baker home and the founding of a ferry service
across the Delaware River near Philadelphia. From the late Fall of 1693,
the story follows the development of his ferry service. It was
constructed originally of two "dugout" canoes which were hollowed out by
the Indians. They were then planked over with a deck fourteen feet long
and eight feet wide. The service was started because a road ended at
that point on both sides of the Delaware River. One dock was near
Philadelphia and the other in New Jersey. Thomas, or Tom, Canby had
often paddled many travelers across the river in his canoe and the
numbers were increasing with each year. Tom Canby became the first area
ferryman, pulling the craft across the river from shore to shore, which
was two-hundred and eighty yards. The Baker home was converted into a
tavern that provided beds, food and drink for the weary travelers. Over
the years, the ferry and tavern were both enlarged and modernized. In
1774, Sam McConkey bought the Baker Ferry from the estate of Samuel
Baker. At the McConkey ferry crossing on Christmas Day 1776, General
George Washington embarked his troops for the famous Delaware River
Crossing and the successful invasion of Trenton.
At the time of his 1684 arrival in Pennsylvania, the length of time
and service that Tom Canby should serve Henry Baker had not yet been
determined through any indenture agreement. It was referred to the Bucks
Quarterly Meeting. They recorded Tom as, "the son of Benjamin Canby,
late of Liverpool". On June 5, 1685, the reply of the Bucks Quarterly
Meeting was made and stated,
"Henry Baker hath brought in an account of disbursement about the
bringing of Thomas Canby into this country and they both , Henry Baker
and Thomas Canby, have referred the length of time the said Thomas Canby
shall serve the said Henry Baker and it is the said agreement and
judgement of this meeting, that the said Thomas Canby shall serve the
said Henry Baker five years from this day and at the expiration of the
said term, the said Henry Baker shall allow apparel and corn and what
other things are allowed bylaw to minors so brought in"
The agreement expired in June 1690. When free of the indenture, Tom
moved to Philadelphia County, in Oxford and Cheltenham townships, under
the care of the Abington Meeting. He was taxed there as a free man in
1693. He was appointed to a committee on January 25, 1700, to
investigate and consider the building of the Abington Meeting House. The
house was apparently completed in June 1700 and Tom continued as a
Trustee of the Meeting House until 1720. In 1718, a certificate of
removal was issued to him so that he could move to the Buckingham
Meeting. In 1707, he was also appointed as an "overseer" and beginning
in 1714, he was elected to attend the Quarterly Meetings. The minutes of
the Falls Meeting of May 12, 1695, disclosed that the home of Tom and
Sarah Jarvis (Jervis) Canby had burned and at that meeting, the Friends
collected money for their assistance.
The parentage of Sarah Jarvis (Jervis), Thomas Canby's first
marriage, is actually unknown. She has been called the daughter of John
Jervis of Riscon, Kings County, Ireland and later of Cape May, New
Jersey. It was also noted that the wife of John Jervis was Elizabeth
Baker, a sister to Henry Baker. Charles F. Jenkins, in his history of
the Canby family, further stated that Henry Baker remembered Sarah Canby
in his will as a "cousin, meaning niece", and named Tom Canby as his
friend. Henry S. Canby, in his "Family History", stated that Sarah was
Irish, a sister to Charles Jarvis (Jervis) of London who was an artist
for the King of England. Thomas Canby and Sarah Jarvis were married in
Philadelphia on August 27, 1693.
The Oliver family, from the second marriage of Tom Canby, were from
the parish of Glascomb, Radnorshire in Wales. This is true despite the
fact that their certificates of removal, dated June 26, 1682, were issued
from Bristol, England. The record states that, "We came out of
Radnorshire about the beginning of the ye 6 months 1682 and arrived at
Upland in pencilvania ye 28th of ye 8 month 1682". Although the Oliver
family was thought to have been shipmates of William Penn on board "The
Welcome", this family legend seems now to have been proven false. Evan
and Jean Oliver and their children sailed on the "Bristol Factor",
arriving at Upland, either the same or next day after the arrival of "The
Welcome". Evan Oliver, Gentleman, was the son of Evan Oliver, Gentleman
of the same place. Evan became a forester for the Proprietor in
Pennsylvania and acquired land in the original grant of the Welsh tract
The third marriage of Tom Canby, created a relationship with the
family of Deyn. Jane Deyn, married Tom Canby as Jane Preston, the widow
of William Preston. William, and his wife Jane, were from Bradley, in
the parish of Huthersfield, England and arrived in Pennsylvania in 1718
with a November 17, 1717 certificate of removal from the Monthly Meeting
in Yorkshire, England. The family settled in Bucks County and the date
of death for William Preston was not given. Several minor children of
the Preston and Canby families intermarried, just like the widow, Jane,
and Thomas Canby did.
At Abington, near Philadelphia, Tom Canby was a miller as well as a
farmer. He purchased two-hundred and fifty acres of land for his home.
It was located at the southwest corner of Abington Township on the
Pennyback Creek. It was purchased on July 2, 1695. A trust agreement,
dated April 19, 1708, with three associates, established a water, corn
and grist mill, on a site of ten and one-half acres on Pennyback Creek,
with Tom Canby contributing fifty acres to the overall development. The
mill operated for nearly two centuries. Tom's one-fourth interest was
sold in April 1711 when he then entered into a partnership with Anthony
Morris. They had purchased two tracts of six and one-half acres on
January 30, 1711 and on August 6, 1712, they purchased another thirty
acres. They later sold one-third of their interest in these tracts to
Richard Martin. On May 23, 1717, Tom Canby sold his remaining one-third
interest to his partner, Anthony Morris. Other land investments in
Cheltenham Township were sold to Anthony Morris on November 8, 1717.
Tom moved his interests and residence to Bucks County.
Richard Heath obtained a grant of one-thousand acres in Bucks County
in the year 1700. It was located up the river from Penn's Manor in the
Highlands and beyond what is now known as Buckingham and Solebury
Townships. The land was patented to him on November 2, 1710 by William
Penn in two contiguous tracts of five-hundred acres each. A series of
land transactions enabled Tom Canby to acquire a mill and two-thirds of a
mill tract, as evidenced by a deed executed on December 3, 1717. It was
acquired from Jacob Holmcomb. On the same day, Holmcomb sold Tom a tract
of four-hundred and forty-four acres which had been purchased by John
Scarborough. Two of the Canby sons built homes on the Scarborough
tract. A deed dated in 1731 shows Thomas Canby, yeoman of Buckingham,
selling to Thomas Canby for five shillings lawful money, two-hundred and
fifty acres of the Scarborough tract.
Tom operated the Heath Mill in partnership with Anthony Morris of
Philadelphia and it became known as Canby's Mill. It was situated in a
swift stream flowing from the Great Spring. The spring was a wonder,
gushing out of the ground at thirty feet in diameter, running into a
large natural lake from which flowed the Aquetong Creek. In turn, the
Aquetong fell rapidly into the Delaware River with exceptional force to
power the water wheels.
Thomas Canby purchased part of the one-thousand acre Lundy tract in
Centerville in 1729, where the Bristol Road crosses the York Road. He
constructed a stone house which became a part of the General Green Inn.
The Inn was named after General Green who occupied the facility during
the Revolutionary War.
The Canby Mill had no competition in either Pennsylvania or across
the river in New Jersey for the first half of the eighteenth century.
Wells' Ferry was a portion of the Heath tract known as the ferry tract.
John Wells had obtained a license in 1718 from the General Assembly of
Pennsylvania to establish a ferry for the passage of travelers. It was
located about three and one-half miles downstream from Reading's
landing. Both the Canby Mill and the Well's Ferry were influential in
deciding to terminate the Pennsylvania-York Road at Well's Ferry instead
of Reading's landing. The inhabitants in Jersey apparently preferred the
lower crossing, so they built their road, connecting to New York, at the
"Landing at Well's Ferry", now Lambertville, New Jersey. This caused a
road to be useless at Reading's Landing.
After the Canby family had sold the Abington business interests,
they settled at Solebury, Buckingham Township, in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania in the jurisdiction of the Falls Monthly Meeting. A
certificate of removal was dated January 31, 1718. The Buckingham
Monthly Meeting was established in 1720. The stone meeting house, built
in 1731, was near the Canby home. Thomas was appointed the first Clerk
and held the office until he requested replacement in 1739. His
son-in-law, John Hill, was appointed as his replacement. In the
Buckingham records Thomas Canby recorded the births, deaths and marriages
of his children and wives. John Hill, as clerk, added the notation upon
the death of Thomas Canby which read, "For years of service devoted to
his faith, Thomas Canby is listed in Pedigrees of Descendants of Colonial
Clergy".
Besides his successful business and church duties, Thomas was
involved in community activities. He served as Justice of the Peace for
Bucks County from 1719 to 1741, with only slight interruptions. He was
elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly for 1721, 1722, 1730 and
1736. He is a qualifying ancestor of the Society of Colonial Wars for
his service as a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, and the National
Society of Daughters of the American Colonists.
When most men would be slowing down in the autumn of their life,
Thomas set forth on a new adventure. A certificate of removal was issued
to him and his wife, Jane Canby, on February 5, 1742. It was addressed
to the New Work Meeting (Newark in Chester County, Pennsylvania). The
move was to Wilmington, in New Castle County, one of the three lower
counties that is now the state of Delaware. At that time, Wilmington had
no monthly meeting and was under the care of the Newark-Kennett Meetings
of Chester County. His son, Oliver Canby, was issued a certificate the
same day. Other members of the family had preceded them to Wilmington.
So Tom Canby was still surrounded by part of his family.
By a deed of 1742 from Hannah Stalcross, Tom Canby purchased a
pasture and mill property on the Brandywine Creek in Wilmington. Four
generations of Canby men followed him as millers on the Brandywine in
Wilmington. They remodeled and enlarged the mill through the years. The
pasture land was located above the present Orange Street in Wilmington
and included the rapids which fell swiftly to tidewater that generated
power of great magnitude.
Perhaps to be with other members of his family or merely to rest in
familiar surroundings, Tom returned to his Solebury farm in the late
summer of 1742. He died on September 20, 1742 at the age of about
seventy-five. He was buried at Buckingham Meeting House in Bucks
County. His will was probated in Bucks County in 1750, although it was
dated September 18, 1742. Benjamin was left the real estate, mill, and
the sawmill that was owned in partnership with Anthony Morris. The sons,
Benjamin and Oliver, were appointed executors. By the time of probate,
Benjamin was deceased and Oliver was living in Wilmington, a non-resident
of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Letters were granted to William Hill,
William Yardley and Thomas Yardley, Jr. to be executors of the estate of
Benjamin Canby.
A biographical sketch from "The Friends" summarized Thomas Canby's
life as follows:
"As he grew in years, he manifested that he was a Quaker,not only in
profession, but by convincement; and by faithful attention to the light
of Truth, he became a very useful and valuable member of the religious
Society of Friends".
Dr. John Watson, a neighbor to Thomas Canby and a historian of Bucks
County wrote of Thomas, as follows:
"He was a lively, active man of plain, sound understanding, a good
constitution and qualified to carry on business. He maintained a strict
discipline in his family. It is remarkable that nearly all his children
were happily matched, and that many reputable families have sprung from
him as an original ancestor."
In order to set forth the names of the seventeen children of Thomas
Canby, and the second generation in America, the following list is
presented in order of birth. Thomas and Sarah Jarvis Canby had nine
children who were born at Abington, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
They were:
Benjamin Canby, born on July 24, 1694 and who died very young;
Sarah Canby, born on August 23, 1695 and married John Hill;
Elizabeth Canby, who was born September 24, 1696 and was married to
Thomas Lacey;
Mary Canby, born on October 14, 1697, became the wife of Joseph
Hampton;
Phebe Canby, who was born July 19, 1699 and was first married to
Robert Smith and later to Hugh Ely;
Esther Canby, born on December 16, 1700, was first married to John
Stapler and later to John White;
Thomas Canby, who was born on December 3, 1702 and was married to
Sarah Preston;
Benjamin Canby, born on July 18, 1704, was first married to Martha
Preston and later to Sarah Yardley. This marriage of Benjamin and Sarah
Yardley Canby is the direct ancestor of Ann Canby Kitchen;
Martha Canby, born March 9, 1705 and was married first to James
Gillingham and a second to Joseph Duer.
The second marriage of Thomas Canby was to Mary Oliver. They had
eight children, seven of whom were born at Abington. The last child was
born at Solebury, Pennsylvania. The children were:
Jane Canby, who was born April 12, 1710 and became the wife of
Thomas Paxson;
Rebecca Canby, born on July 16, 1711, was married to Samuel Wilson;
Hannah Canby, who was born on November 3, 1712 and died on August
25, 1722;
Joseph Canby, born January 1, 1714 and died July 4, 1718;
Rachel Canby, born July 8, 1715 and went to Newark-Kennett Monthly
Meeting in 1743 and died unmarried in Philadelphia on May 9, 1771;
Oliver Canby, born November 24, 1716 and became married to
Elizabeth Shipley;
Ann Canby, who was born May 26, 1718 and died unmarried in
Philadelphia on November 7, 1763.
Benjamin Canby, the direct ancestor of Ann Canby Kitchen, was born
on July 18, 1704 at Abington, near Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania. He
died at Solebury, Pennsylvania in Bucks County on October 17, 1748. He
first married Martha Preston on March 26, 1724 at the Buckingham
Meeting, Bucks County. She was born on July 30, 1700 at Bradley,
Huthersfield, England and died in Bucks County on September 1, 1729. She
was the daughter of William and Jane Deyn Preston. Benjamin married a
second time to Sarah Yardley on September 5, 1734 at the Buckingham
Meeting. She was born on July 30, 1712 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania,
the daughter of Thomas and Ann Biles Yardley. As the widow of Benjamin,
she married David Kinsey in 1751 at the Buckingham Meeting.
The Preston family was from Bradley, Yorkshire, England and
emigrated in 1718. They settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. As
stated earlier, these two families had several intermarriages.
William Yardley was born in 1632 and arrived in Pennsylvania on
September 28, 1682 form Banclough, near Leeds in Straffordshire,
England. He purchased a tract of five-hundred acres on the present site
of Yardley, in Bucks County. Accompanying him was his wife, Jane, and
their three sons, who were: Enoch, Thomas and William. Thomas Yardley,
who was William's nephew, arrived in Pennsylvania in 1694 and settled on
the Yardley estate. He married Ann Biles in 1707, which was contrary to
the Friend's discipline.
Benjamin's early years were spent at Abington. He no doubt received
his early education while living on the mill that was owned by his
father. He was a young teenager when his family moved to Bucks County
and his father purchased the mill property at Solebury on the Delaware
River. Both he and his brother Thomas built homes on the Scarborough
Tract, consisting of four-hundred and forty-four acres, which their
father had purchased in 1716.
Upon the death of his father, Benjamin Canby gained an interest in
the real estate, mill and saw mill which his father, Thomas, had owned in
partnership with Anthony Morris. Benjamin was also making extensive
purchases of property. In 1731, he bought two-hundred and fifty acres
which he sold in 1734. In 1745, he purchased a ferry tract from John
Wells. He also purchased all the land adjacent to the Delaware River.
This tract, comprised of two-hundred and fifty-six and three-quarter
acres, and it included the ferry tavern. He operated both the ferry and
the tavern until his death. Benjamin also became interested in an iron
works and purchased an irregular shaped tract between the great Spring
and the York Road. On the latter property a forge was built between 1745
and 1748. A mill was not constructed until 1761, long after the death of
Benjamin.
The inventory of the estate of Benjamin Canby was filed as of
February 16, 1748, at $1,475.60. This was a sizeable sum during these
times and perhaps sheds some further insight into his business
successes. He also owned a Negro, in partnership with Sarah Corvell, and
two other Negroes also owned in partnership. He also owned the
appropriate equipment and supplies used in running an iron forge. In his
will, his son Benjamin was left fifty acres with the house and
improvements and all profits associated with them. His wife, Sarah, and
his children by her, were to inherit, "share and share alike", all the
remainder of his estate. He did mention a defect in an agreement
between himself and George Ely. The will, written on October 16, 1748
and proved on February 16, 1749, asked that his executors "make a
Discreet Tryall of the Ironworks".
George Ely had purchased an interest in the ferry tract and tavern,
operating both until 1751. Sarah Canby, widow of Benjamin, remarried in
February 1751 to David Kinsey, who became the proprietor of the ferry and
tavern. Joseph and Anne Canby Wetherill sold a portion of the ferry
tract and ferry to John Coryell in 1765, but retained the ten acre iron
forge lot. All through the various ownerships between 1745 and 1765, the
area was known as Canby's Ferry. After 1765, when John Coryell made his
purchase, it went by the name of Coryell's Ferry. This lasted until 1791
when it became known as the town of New Hope, Pennsylvania. Today, New
Hope is known as a free spirited community for the arts.
Benjamin Canby and his family were members of the Buckingham
Meeting, where the births of their children were registered. There home
was in Solebury. Benjamin had three children by his first marriage to
Martha Preston. They were all born at Solebury, in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. They were:
Thomas Canby, who was born on January 26, 1725 and who died on June
11, 1728;
Joseph Canby, who was born on August 20, 1726. Since he was not
mentioned in his father's will of 1748, it is presumed that he also died
young; and
Benjamin Canby, born May 31, 1728, and married to Martha Whitson in
1752.
Benjamin Canby's second marriage was to Sarah Yardley. They had
seven children, all born at Solebury, who were:
Sarah Canby, born on August 4, 1735 and died on October 24, 1748;
William Canby, born February 6, 1737;
Anne Canby, born September 1, 1738, who in 1764 married Joseph
Wetherill;
Thomas Canby, born November 26, 1739 and in 1771 married Beulah Cary;
Zaccheus Canby, born June 16, 1743 and died on June 14, 1747;
Samuel Canby, who was born on April 6, 1746 and was first married
to Elizabeth Hough. In 1779, he entered into a second marriage to Ann
Shinn. Samuel and Ann Shinn Canby are my great great great great great
grandparents and in the direct lineage of Ann Canby Kitchen; and
Charles Canby, born on August 26, 1747 and died in September 1748,
one month prior to the death of his father.
Samuel Canby, the ninth of ten children of Benjamin Canby and the
sixth child of the Benjamin and Sarah Yardley Canby family, was born on
April 6, 1746 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His mother, Sarah Yardley,
who was the second wife of Benjamin Canby. Samuel died in 1823 in
Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio. His first marriage to Elizabeth Hough
occurred on February 28, 1770 at the Fairfax Monthly Meeting, Virginia.
She was born on July 24, 1746 in Virginia. She was the daughter of John
and Sarah Hough of Loudoun County. John Hough had been appointed an
Elder of the Fairfax Meeting in 1758. The Hough family was originally
from the Falls Meeting, Bucks County, Pennsylvania before going to
Virginia in 1743. Elizabeth died young.
Samuel Canby's second marriage was to Ann Shinn on September 1, 1779
and occurred at the Fairfax Meeting House, Virginia. Ann Shinn was born
in Virginia, the cousin and adopted daughter of Israel Thompson and Ann
Richardson. Israel and Ann Richardson Thompson were married at the West
River Meeting, Maryland on April 2, 1754. Ann Richardson was associated
with the West River Meeting. Ann Shinn had been received in membership at
the Fairfax Meeting on request of her adopted parents on March 30, 1771.
As a young man, wander-lust took hold of Samuel "Sam" Canby. Sam
obtained a certificate from the Falls Meeting to Barbados on March 4,
1767. He returned on a certificate from Barbados on September 17, 1768.
Another certificate was issued by the Falls Meeting for Sam to Fairfax,
Virginia on April 5, 1769 and he was received at the Fairfax Monthly
Meeting on July 29, 1769. His children were all born in that location.
The minutes of the Goose Creek Monthly Meeting, Loudoun County,
Virginia, for May 2, 1816, read that,
"Samuel, who many years past, removed from this meeting into a
situation in Kentucky, too remote from any settlement of Friends, to be
joined to any meeting in that quarter, having stated in a letter
addressed to one of our members, that he has again lately removed to and
settled in Cincinnati in the State of Ohio and requesting a certificate
to the Cincinnati Monthly Meeting. It was considered from the great
lapse of time that has occurred since he could have had a part in any
transaction here, usual inquiry may be omitted. We hereby certify that
he is a member of our Society and as such we recommend him to your
religious care and oversight."
He was received by Cincinnati on July 18, 1816. Two sons, Israel
and Joseph had requested a certificate for the Miami Monthly Meeting,
Warren County, Ohio in 1807. The minutes of Fairfax said that they had
moved with their father when they were very young. They were accepted
and received at the Miami Monthly Meeting in 1807 and 1808.
Sam had a deed in 1785 and 1789 in Monongalia County, Virginia, now
West Virginia. He also had one in 1787 in Harrison County, now West
Virginia. The latter for three thousand acres. He was in Hampshire
County, Virginia, now West Virginia, when he purchased eighty-two acres
from John Rowles. This was recorded on a deed dated October 9, 1794.
The record reveals that, Samuel Canby and his wife Anna, previously from
Loudoun, Virginia, made a deed with William Hartshorne of Fairfax,
Virginia on May 23, 1796 for 230 Pounds, selling land in Nelson County,
Kentucky, which had been a part of the patent land granted on May 1, 1790
to Canby by Beverly Randolph, the Virginia Governor. The tract was
one-thousand acres, being two undivided equal third parts. Samuel had
obtained patents on several different properties, entitled Jefferson
Entries. They included the one-thousand acres, entry date May 31, 1784,
other land with entry dates in 1782 and 1783 for Buck, Hardens, Brashears
Creek, and Rolling Fork. In 1807, he sold property in Maysville,
Kentucky. Samuel was then residing in Washington, Mason County,
Kentucky. Samuel was reported as a miller in Kentucky and was being
assisted by his sons.
The 1790 Census of Kentucky, (list of taxpayers), has no Canby
names. Samuel appears in 1800 in Mason County. In 1810, he is shown
living in Lincoln County, Kentucky with his wife, over forty-five years
of age, one female 10-16 years old, and a slave. It appears probable
that he and Ann were included in the home of their son, Benjamin H.
Canby, in 1820, in the Boone County, Kentucky census.
Family records of the Charles G. C. Canby family state that Samuel
had ten children, but did not name them. A biography of Dr. Joseph Canby
of Logan County, Ohio said that his father was Samuel of Virginia, and
the historical sketch named three brothers and two sisters. The other
brothers and sisters had died young and were excluded from this sketch.
These same records state that the birth of Samuel was in 1745 and that he
died in Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio in 1823.
The first marriage of Samuel Canby to Elizabeth Hough resulted in
the birth of two children, both born in Loudoun County, Virginia. They
were:
Benjamin Hough Canby, who was born on February 16, 1771 and was
married to Sarah Taylor in 1792; and
John Hough Canby, who was born on April 27, 1772 and died on
February 8, 1844 in Marion County, Indiana. He had no children and had
moved from Boone County, Kentucky to Marion County, Indiana in 1837. He
retired with "ample means" and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. There was no mention of a wife in his will.
The second marriage of Samuel Canby was to Ann Shinn, and the
following eight children were born:
Israel T. Canby, who was born in 1779 in Loudoun County, Virginia.
He married Betsey Piatt in 1817;
Joseph Canby, who was born on April 14, 1781 in Loudoun County,
Virginia. He first married Lydia Pedrick in 1808. In 1817, he married
Margaret Haines. Dr. Joseph and Lydia Pedrick Canby is the direct
ancestor of Ann Canby Kitchen and me;
Samuel Canby;
Sarah Canby, who was born in 1783 in Loudoun County, Virginia and
died at the age of eighty-six in Missouri. She did not marry and lived
with her brother, Israel, after the death of his wife. She then lived
with Israel's son and her nephew, Charles C. G. Canby, who assumed
responsibility for the family after the death of his father;
Beulah Canby, who died in Ohio;
Ann Canby;
Elizabeth Canby, who was thought to have become married with children;
Thomas Canby.
Before the presentation of information about Dr. Joseph Canby, the
direct ancestor of Ann Canby Kitchen, there is certain information about
Joseph's brother, Israel, that is worth noting.
Israel T. Canby came out of Upper Marlboro, Prince George's County,
Maryland into Kentucky. He was a medical doctor and unmarried. He
traveled with his spinster aunt, Miss Sprigg. The couple moved into the
area of Belle Vue, on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. Miss Sprigg
remained there even after Israel moved. The location is approximately
twenty miles southwest of Covington, Kentucky, at a small peninsula known
as East Bend. It is three and one-half miles in length and from one to
four miles wide. It is formed by a meander of the Ohio River almost east
from a southwest course. The land mass is comprised of several thousand
acres of rich fertile bottom land on a terrain of gentle slopes. One
thousand acres of this land belonged to the spinster, Miss Sprigg.
This part of the country was only partially settled when this young
physician, Israel, arrived to build a home for his aunt and himself. In
accordance with the custom of the frontier, a house raising took place
and a log structure was completed. Before Miss Sprigg joined Israel in
their new home, he traveled back east again on horseback. This horseback
journey took place in March 1815, and in Israel's possession was a letter
of introduction directed to James Madison, President of the United
States. The letter had been written by General James Taylor, founder of
Newport. The letter read:
"Dear Sir:
This will be handed you by Doctor Canby who has been good enough to take
into you the horse I have done myself the honor to purchase for you; I
beg leave to introduce you the Doctor who is an amiable young man. He is
in connection of Miss Sprigg who lately moved from Prince Georges County
to this part of the country."
General James Taylor
Dated March 27, 1815.
In 1816, Israel married Elizabeth Piatt, whose father Robert Piatt
owned equally extensive acreage on the Ohio River just above the Sprigg
lands. From this marriage a son was born. At Piatt's Landing, on
November 9, 1817, Edward Richard Sprigg Canby was born. Within a year,
his father, Israel, sold the Sprigg estate which had been willed to him
by his Aunt. He then moved his family further down the Ohio River to
Madison, Indiana.
Israel engaged in pursuits other than his medical practice. There
is some doubt wether or not he continued his practice after he began his
movement west. In 1818 and 1823, he purchased eleven-thousand acres of
land in Illinois for Eighteen-thousand dollars. He also had acquired
canals in Indiana and was a merchant of goods, purchased in Baltimore,
and sold as if he was a one-man Chamber of Commerce in Madison,
Indiana.
In the 1821-22 session of the Indiana State Assembly, Israel
represented Jefferson County in the lower house. He became one of eight
Trustees listed in the Act to Incorporate Madison, Indiana. Israel was
also appointed to the Platform and State Central Committees for the
Indiana Convention for Andrew Jackson. In 1826, Israel was elected to a
three year term as a State Senator. On July 4, 1828, he resigned his
seat in the Senate to run for Governor, announcing his candidacy only one
month before the election. He lost his bid by only three-thousand
votes. The new Governor was James Brown Ray. Dr. Israel T. Canby was a
very prominent Hoosier Democrat, and was treated accordingly.
Israel and Elizabeth's son, Edward Richard Sprigg Canby, became a
West Point graduate and a Major General in the United States Army. He
was involved in numerous military affairs, including the Civil War.
According to "The Bicentennial Almanac", by Calvin D. Linton,
" Mobile, Alabama was the only major city still in Confederate
hands. On April 12, 1865, it was taken without a fight by troops under
Union General Edward R. S. Canby". On May 4, 1865, the book states
that, "General Edward R. S. Canby takes the surrender of the Confederate
Department of Alabama, Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana from General
Richard Taylor of Cotronelle, Alabama".
There is a three-hundred and eighty-eight page book written
exclusively about General Edward Richard Sprigg Canby and his life in the
military. It is called, "The Prudent Soldier, A Biography of Major
General E. R. S. Canby, 1817 - 1873", by Max Heyman, Jr. The book was
published by the Arthur Clark Company, Glendale, California, in 1959. In
order to have relevant facts and a family keepsake, In 1980, I purchased
a copy of this book from an available supply.
.
The Major General, Edward Richard Sprigg Canby was killed by
Keintpoos, or "Captain Jack", Chief of the Modoc Indians. The killing
took place in the Lava Bed country of Northern California, while the
General was engaged in peace talks with the Modoc tribe. The event took
place on April 11, 1873, when "Captain Jack' raised to his feet and shot
the general below the left eye, breaking his jaw. As the General
staggered to his feet to run, a rifle from another Modoc, Ellen's Man,
struck him down. General Sherman, under instructions from the President
of the United States, ordered Canby's subordinate, Colonel Gillem,
"to make the attack so strong that their fate may be commensurate
with the crime. You will be fully justified in their utter
extermination".
On April 14, 1873, the New York Times recorded,
"Seldom has an event of such a character created so deep a feeling
of horror and indignation as the assassination of General Canby".
As a note of interest, on May 5, 1834, Wabash College of
Crawfordville commenced the second semester of their existence as an
institution of higher education and of the twenty-six scholars enrolled,
there appeared Edward R. S. and Charles G. C. Canby. The tuition was
seven dollars and fifty cents per term. A statue, in honor of the
General is erected in Indianapolis, Indiana.
In addition, a history of Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota reveals
that their county name was nearly changed to Canby County. It was
proposed in 1878-79 and their governor approved the legislation on
February 27, 1879. It was then subject voter approval. The votes of
Yellow Medicine County were in favor of the change, however, the county
of Lincoln which was to be combined, defeated the initiative. There is,
however, a Canby, Minnesota which is located in Norman Township. It was
platted in the summer of 1876, three years after the building of the
Northwestern Railway. It was incorporated as a village in 1879 and as a
city on March 1, 1906. The city history established the following record:
"The city was named in the honor of General Edward Richard Sprigg
Canby. He was born in Kentucky in 1819, was graduated from the U. S.
Military Academy in 1839, served during the Mexican War from 1846 to
1848, and the Civil War from 1861 to 1865; was commander in Louisiana,
and of the United States Army Departments west of the Mississippi in
1964; captured Mobile, April 12, 1865; was promoted to Major General of
Volunteers and in 1866 became a Brigadier General in the regular army;
was treacherously killed by the Modoc Indians during a conference in
Siskiyou County, northern, California, April 11, 1873."
The location of the assasination of General Edward Richard Sprigg
Canby is in Modoc County, California at the junction of State Routes 139
and 299, The name of the city at this location is Canby, California.
Dr. Joseph Canby was one of the pioneer physicians of Logan County,
Ohio, and his name is connected with the early history of this section of
the state. He arrived in Logan County in 1826 and throughout his days
was a practitioner of medicine in that general locality. As previously
stated, he was born in Loudoun County, Virginia on April 14, 1781. His
father, Samuel Canby, a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania was the
first generation in America to leave the Eastern shore to pioneer
westward. Joseph's mother was a native of Kent County. The Miami
Monthly Meeting, Warren County, Ohio, received a certificate of transfer
from Goose Creek Monthly Meeting, Virginia on November 12, 1807. His
brother, Israel, had a similar certificate dated September 10, 1808.
This indicates that Joseph may have preceded his brother in their
westward movement. The marriage of Dr. Joseph Canby took place in Warren
County, Ohio. Joseph, whose family was closely aligned with the precepts
of the Quakers and William Penn, left the Quakers and identified himself
with the Swedenborgian denomination. According to the minutes of the
Miami Monthly Meeting, dated December 30, 1812, Dr. Canby was disowned by
the Society of Friends, for his service in the military. On December
30, 1818, his brother, Israel, was disowned for holding slaves for
marrying contrary to discipline.
Joseph Canby pursued his early education in the schools of Loudoun
County, Virginia, and graduated from one of the oldest medical institutes
of Philadelphia. In his early years, he assisted his father, Sam, who
was engaged in the milling business in Kentucky. He later moved to
Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio. Warren County's first bank was organized in
1814 under the name of the Lebanon Banking Company. Among the prominent
men who contributed the capital investment of $50,000 and one of those
who served on the first Board of Directors was Dr. Joseph Canby. Their
cashier was Phineas Ross. Politics also tempted some of the early
physicians away from their professional life. Dr. David Morris was sent
to theState Legislature and from 1810 to 1830, Dr. Joseph Canby was
appointed by the State Legislature to the State Board of Censors. His
responsibilty included examing the licensures and the establishment of
medical practices in Ohio. He was clearly respected and had the support
and confidence of those around him and his medical practice.
The minutes of the Miami Monthly Meeting, Warren County, Ohio show
that Samuel was issued a certificate of transfer from the Goose Creek
Monthly Meeting on July 18, 1816. On page 238 of the 1820 Federal Census
Record, Joseph appears in Turtle Creek Township, Warren County, Ohio.
This is the township for the city of Lebanon. He then moved to Piqua, in
Miami County, before his settlement in Logan County in 1826. In Logan
County, amid pioneer conditions, he assumed the responsibilities
associated with his practice of medicine, which were quite difficult as a
result of the environment and circumstances. He is recorded on Page 61
of the 1830 Federal Census record as a resident of Miami Township, Logan
County, Ohio There were many Indians in Logan County at this time, but
Joseph found that they were better in paying their bills than the white
settlers. One Indian brought him a deer with the remark, "medicine man
no pay no come".
Joseph built a very large practice which continued up to the time of
his death. When he was unable to leave his own bed, patients were
brought to him on cots so that he would diagnose their case and make
prescriptions for them. He was a deep and earnest student of his
profession and kept abreast of the progress that was being made by the
medical community during these early days.
Joseph was also a very progressive citizen and interested in
everything pertaining to the welfare and improvements of his community.
The cause of education was important to him and he sent his children away
to school so that they could enjoy better educational opportunities than
those available in their own community. This caused considerable talk
and jealousy among the neighbors. His political support was given to the
Whig party and fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order,
having been raised a Master Mason at Lebanon, Ohio. He continued his
affiliation with the Swedenborgian Church.
Dr. Canby was married twice. On January 10, 1808, he wed Lydia
(Lida) Pedrick at the Miami Monthly Meeting and they became the parents
of three children. Lydia was the daughter of Isaac and Hannah Pedrick.
They were Quakers from Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio and can be referenced
within the minutes of the Miami Monthly Meetings. Isaac Pedrick was born
March 3, 1754 and Hannah on December 13, 1757. They had eight children,
as follows
:
Hannah Pedrick; who died before the birth of their last child, who
was also named Hannah;
Benjamin Pedrick;
Lydia Pedrick, who married Dr. Joseph Canby;
Margaret Pedrick;
Isaac Pedrick;
Ann Pedrick;
Mary P. Pedrick; and
Hannah Pedrick, who was buried at Caesar's Creek in Warren County,
Ohio on May 13, 1846 at the age of eighty-eight years.
The three children of Dr. Joseph and Lydia Pedrick Canby were:
Richard Sprigg Canby, the eldest child and son, was born on
September 30, 1808 and served as a member of Congress from the Eighth
Ohio District. He was also a judge in Springfield, Illinois for one
term. He would not accept a second term because he had a disease
referred to as "consumption". He died in Olney, Illinois at the
advanced age of eighty-six years.
Anna C. Canby, who became the wife of Edward Kitchen and died in
Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Hannah Canby, who married Dr. John Evans, who was the founder of
Evanston, Illinois. As a result of his health, he moved west to
Colorado. He was elected Governor of the State of Colorado and died
there in about 1900.
When Joseph lost his first wife, Lydia, he remarried on September 4,
1817. This marriage was to Margaret Haines, of Warren County, Ohio.
They had eight children, who were:
Baby Canby, who died in infancy;
Robert H. Canby, who died on February 22, 1897 in Bellefontaine,
Ohio. He was the father of Edward Canby, a multi-millionaire of Dayton,
Ohio. In 1908, when a family biography was being written, Edward and his
family were making a trip around the world. It is noted that Edward was
a generous and benevolent man. He provided at least ten young men with a
college education. This is not only an indication of his benevolence,
but also shows the value he placed on higher education. There have been
Canby family representatives associated with Dayton progress through the
years. Frank L. Canby, was President of the Miami Valley Hospital Board
of Trustees in 1925. There is also a Robert C. Canby family residing in
Oakwood, in Dayton, Ohio. Contact with this family would reveal a
connection to Edward and Robert H. Canby and would certainly add more
information.. A letter to Robert C. Canby on January 20, 1980, received
no response so I made no further attempts to communicate.
John Canby, who died with paralysis on May 24, 1894 at the age of
seventy-one years; seven months; and twenty-one days. He was
superintendent of the Big Four Railroad for fourteen years;
Mary Canby, who became the wife of Harry Drake;
Sarah B. Canby, who died in 1860;
Israel Canby, who was a member of the Legislature in Michigan for
one term, and who would not consent to another term;
Noah H. Canby, the proprietor of a fruit farm near
Toledo, Ohio; and
Lydia C. Canby who resided at home with her brother John's widow in
Bellefontaine. Lydia was one of the principal stockholders of the
Bellefontaine National Bank and the Union Telephone Company of Logan
County, Ohio.
Margaret Haines Canby, Joseph's second wife, resided on the line of
the Big Four Railroad. She was the only person between Bellefontaine and
Sidney who would give the railroad men anything to eat. In consideration
and thanks, the company bought her a farm of nine-hundred acres and gave
her a life pass to use the railroad lines.
Joseph Canby passed away on February 18, 1843 near Canby Street, in
Quincy, Miami Township, Logan County , Ohio at the age of sixty-two
years. He was laid to rest in the Bellefontaine City Cemetery. His wife
survived him until her death on August 7, 1862. Joseph's will is on file
in the Logan Courthouse. It shows that the estate was valued at
$11,114.56 as of October 14, 1847. This was a very sizeable estate in
the middle nineteenth century. In addition, it shows that his son,
"Attorney" Robert H. Canby, served as executor.
There were many other members of the Canby family represented in the
Logan County, Ohio area. An indication of their presence is clear in the
Federal Census of 1860. The following is a list of some of the family
members:
Margaret Canby, age 65, property value of $7,000, born in Virginia;
Sarah Canby, age 30, property value at $1,800, born in Ohio;
Lydia Canby, age 25, property value at $1,800, born in Ohio;
John Canby, age 37, Railroad Superintendent, property value at $12,000;
Israel Canby, age 35, Miller, property value at $5,500;
Noah Canby, age 29, Miller, property value at $2,000;
Robert Canby, age 39, Miller, property value at $20,000;
Katherine Canby, age 29;
Joseph Canby, age 17;
Edward Canby, age 9;
Maggie Canby, age 11; and
Caine Canby, age 6.
The Doctor's good name is inseparably connected with the early
history of Logan County. He came to this area, in the State of Ohio, in
the pioneer days when all was unknown and wild. He soon became
recognized as the beloved family physician for many of the pioneer
households. The practice of his profession necessitated the endurance of
many hardships and trials at a time when there were few roads and the
homes were widely scattered. He never failed to respond to a call of
suffering and did much work in Logan County during this early epoch in
the area's history.
As stated before, Anna C.(Ann) Canby was the second child and eldest
daughter of Dr. Joseph and Lydia Pedrick Canby. At the age of
twenty-six, in the city of Bellefontaine, Ohio, she married Edward
Kitchen, the son of Richard and Margaret Voorhis Kitchen. This
background of the Canby family hopefully offers background into one of
the Kitchen's collateral family relationships.
It is unfortunate that plans to hold a reunion and tri-centennial
celebration of the landing of Thomas Canby were not fruitful. In the
fall of 1983, invitations were mailed to various family members all over
the world in an effort to secure interest in such an undertaking. Alan
Wood, born around 1950, living in West Chester, Pennsylvania, discovered
that his great-grandfather compiled and wrote the book "William Canby of
Brandywine" in 1883, as a centennial project. He then set forth plans
for a reunion at the site of the landing. There seemed to be more
interest on the west coast than from those living closer. The event did
not take place, though it was helpful in finding many of the family
members.
The only direct contact I have had with a Canby family member from
the east coast is with David Canby. During the years 1984 to 1990, our
family vacationed in the summer on Rehoboth Beach, in Delaware. In our
second or third year there, we found a great roast beef restaurant. It
was the Canby Roast Beef and our many visits that caused us to meet and
become acquainted with Dave canby. He rarely, if ever, allowed us to pay
for our meal, a treat I clearly remember and appreciated, but one which
caused me to feel very uncomfortable. I mailed him a shirt and a few
clothing items from the Wittenberg University Bookstore, hoping to
reconcile his generosity. When we returned the following year, he had
custom printed polo shirts that he gave us. I still have the green one
and would wear it more often if I was still the same size as I was then.
Dave was originally from Baltimore, Maryland and had been employed, but
laid off, from the Continental Can Company. Hoping to avoid this another
lay-off, he opened this enterprise on the east coast and worked very hard
during the 100 day season. On a return trip in 1990, we learned that
Canby Roast Beef, though still called by that name, had been sold and
that Dave was living in St. Michaels's on the Chesapeake Bay. He was
enjoying his hobby of sailing. He was a really nice guy and I hope to
see him again someday.
Chapter 9
The Children of Edward and Anna C. (Ann) Canby Kitchen
Joseph C., Edward Jr., Charles, and Richard Sprigg
Edward Kitchen was the twelfth child and seventh son from a family
of thirteen children. The family included eight sons and the parents
were Richard and Margaret Voorhis Kitchen. He was born in Adams County,
Pennsylvania in July, 1802. Ann Canby was the second child and eldest
daughter of Dr. Joseph and Lydia Pedrick Canby. The Joseph and Lydia
Pedrick Canby family consisted of a son and two daughters. As presented
in the preceding chapter, Joseph married a second time, after Lydia's
early death. This marriage, to Margaret Haines, resulted in eight
children who were half brothers and sisters to Ann. Ann was born on
October 31, 1810 in Lebanon, Ohio. On May 23, 1837, in Bellefontaine,
Ohio, Reverend Alvah Guian married Edward Kitchen and Ann Canby.
Edward Kitchen was born the son of an English emigrant and
Pennsylvania farmer. Though the exact date is not known, it is clear
that Edward left his home in Adams County, Pennsylvania before 1820 for
the Miami Valley in Ohio. His brother, Henry Kitchen, had left in 1818
and traveled on horseback and foot from Adams County to Piqua, in Miami
County, Ohio. Since Edward and Ann lived in Miami County for a period of
time during their married years, it is possible that Henry and Edward
made the journey together. It is also possible that Edward could also
have either traveled west with other brothers or sisters. Equally
possible is that he made the journey alone. Other family members also
associated with this westward movement included John Kitchen, a brother
who pioneered west to Butler County, Ohio and settled near Monroe. His
eldest brother, Stephen Kitchen, had settled in Warren County, near
Lebanon, Ohio at the early date of 1808. Richard Kitchen, another
brother, had left Adams County and pioneered west. According to the
1820 census, he first located in Green Township in Clark County, Ohio but
later settled in Moorefield Township in Clark County, Ohio. Edward's
sister Esther, who married Isaac Bercaw, also settled initially in Warren
County, Ohio as well as his sister, Hannah, who had married William
Bercaw. Sarah Kitchen, whose married name was Sarah King, had an early
presence in Cincinnati and Margaret, who married Isaac Patterson was in
the Brookfield area, near Youngstown, Ohio.
It is sufficient to say that the Miami Valley in Ohio was well
represented by members of the Richard and Margaret Voorhis Kitchen
family. There were four brothers and two sisters clearly present in the
Miami Valley landscape during these early formative years of
development.
Edward was therefore not alone in this new territory and certainly
was able to connect with his brothers and sisters. His marriage to Ann
Canby in 1837 occurred in Bellefontaine in Logan County., Ohio. There
were no Kitchen brothers or sisters in this area and it seems likely that
his movement there was associated with the relocation of Dr. Joseph
Canby, who had moved the Canby family from Piqua to Bellefontaine in
1826. His move from Lebanon, Ohio, where Ann was born, to Piqua, Ohio
occurred after 1820, making it probable that Edward met his wife, Ann
Canby, in either Lebanon or Piqua, Ohio. Therefore, this Canby family
move is the only reason a Kitchen family ever existed in Bellefontaine,
Logan County, Ohio.
As a man following the trade of a merchandiser, Edward's work
required frequent travel and relocations. It is, therefore, more
difficult to track his various residences during this early period in
Ohio history. It is known, however, that after their marriage in 1837,
Edward and Ann Canby Kitchen, moved to Piqua, Ohio, where Henry was
residing. In 1845, Edward's` work as a merchandiser led the family to
Indianapolis. He was the first member of the Kitchen clan to settle in
Indianapolis. They returned back to Logan County,Ohio in 1855 and
established a home the Rush Lake farm which was later owned by his son,
Joseph. Today, this farm is a recreational site known as "Mountain Lake".
Many of the relocations would have been more clear had the Monthly
Meeting minutes of the Society of Friends included their activities.
This was not possible, however, because Ann was disowned by the Society
because she had married out of unity. This entry was recorded on May 22,
1839. Edward was not a Quaker.
Joseph Canby Kitchen
On May 5, 1839, Edward and Ann Canby Kitchen had their first child,
a son Joseph C. Kitchen. According to a biographical record, Joseph
"Canby" Kitchen was born near DeGraff, Ohio which is located in
Southwestern Logan County, between Bellefontaine and Piqua. Another
source states that his birthplace was in the north part of Jefferson
Township on a road from Zanesfield to Harper in Logan County. Though I am
not sure, I suspect the location is near DeGraff where the family of Dr.
Joseph Canby lived.
Joseph Canby Kitchen married Martha McCarrel on June 9, 1869. She
was born on March 20, 1841 in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Joseph
was a farmer and lived for several years with his parents on the farm in
Miami County, Ohio, where the family had temporarily settled. In 1845,
he moved with his family to Indianapolis, Indiana and remained there with
them until their return in 1855. It was during this period that his
father, Edward was actively engaged in the merchandising business.
Joseph was provided with favorable school advantages and a good
education. In 1859 he became a Bookkeeper for the R. S. Canby Company.
When the Civil War began, Joseph enlisted in the 45th Ohio Volunteer
Infantry (OVI). He was a Quartermaster and in 1864 was commissioned as
an Assistant Quartermaster with the rank of Captain. He served on
General Kimball's staff where he remained until 1865 when he was
reassigned to General Weitzel's staff. This reassignment took Joseph to
service on the Rio Grande until 1866. He was mustered out and returned
home where he became engaged in stock trading. He purchased a Logan
County farm known as the "Old Patrick Farm". This transaction was
referred to in the 1872 History of Logan and Champaign County, Ohio. The
first person to settle on this land was Stephen Marman. Marman had
settled on the farm, which is just west of Rush Lake, in 1815. His
parents, Edward and Ann, were the first in the Kitchen family to live on
this land. The next owner was Mr. Johnson Patrick. As stated earlier,
this farm and lake are used today, as a recreational park and retreat
known as Mountain Lake.
Joseph and Martha McCarrel Kitchen reared three children on their
two-hundred forty acre farm in Jefferson
Township. The children were:
Harvey S. Kitchen, who was born on January 26, 1872;
Effie L. Kitchen, who was born on January 20, 1874; and
Jessie Kitchen, who was born on November 5, 1877.
Edward Kitchen
On July 22, 1841 in Piqua, Ohio, the second child of Edward and Ann
Canby Kitchen was born. He was named Edward Kitchen, Jr. He also became
a farmer in Logan County, near Bellefontaine, Ohio.
On April 7, 1870, Edward Kitchen, Jr. married Mary W. Ansley. Mary
was a native of Logan County, Ohio and the marriage was solemnized by
Reverend John Williamson. The marriage resulted in the birth of at least
five children. All of the children were born on their farm, which was
located in Rushcreek Township in Logan County. The old home place was
still standing in 1980 and is located on the Harper-Zanesfield Road next
to the Harper Cemetery. It was a very attractive and fine dwelling.
Supposedly this was the second home built on the farm by Edward and is
not the same structure where the children were born. The original house
was still standing on the original site near the new farmhouse.
The children of Edward, Jr. and Mary Ansley Kitchen were:
Cora Kitchen, who was born on March 31, 1871, in Rushcreek Township;
Ann M. Kitchen, who was born on April 10, 1872, in Rushcreek Township;
Orrah (Ora) Lloyd Kitchen, who was their first son and was born on
September 19, 1877, in Rushcreek Township;
Edward Kitchen, who was born on March 1, 1880, in Rushcreek
Township; and
George Kitchen, who was born on May 15, 1883, in Rushcreek Township.
During the Fall of 1981, I had several conversations and exchanged
correspondence with Mary Elizabeth Kitchen Briggs of Bellefontaine,
Ohio. A few points of interest were revealed through this exchange.
First, she stated that to the best of her knowledge, she was the lone
descendant of the Edward and Mary Ansley Kitchen family. She also stated
that she thought Edward and Mary had six children as opposed to the five
known and documented. She could, however, only account for five
children. She recalled from childhood, conversations stating that all
of the children had died very young from diphtheria. Only her father,
Orrah Lloyd Kitchen, survived.
Orrah Lloyd Kitchen married Bertha Cordrey. He was raised on the
old homestead and became an active Logan County farmer, as his father and
grandfather had done. His farm was located on Rushylvania Pike in Logan
County. Orrah died in Logan County in 1933 at the age of fifty-five
years. According to Mary Elizabeth, his death was caused by a bee sting
on his neck. Whether this was a primary cause of death due to an
allergic reaction or a secondary cause is not known.
Mary Elizabeth Kitchen Briggs was one of four children. Two of the
children died before her birth. She ssaid that she was also raised on
the Kitchen homestead in Harper, but that her knowledge of the Kitchen
family was minimal. She said,
"her family was the type that really kept to themselves".
To the best of her understanding, that was a "Kitchen trait". It
seemed to her that the Ansley family maintained the same lifestyle
characteristic. During her years in Logan County, there were never any
family reunions or gatherings. There was also very little, if any,
neighboring. She could recall as a child driving by the other farms
which were owned by friends and family and merely waving as they passed.
She cannot recall ever stopping to just chat. As a young girl, she
remembers wondering if this was not somewhat peculiar.
Though Mary Elizabeth lived in Logan County her entire life, she
recalls only a few Logan County Kitchen family names. They were:
Alvin, a farmer;
Roy, who she knew only by name, and
Earl, who was a musician.
She also recalled that she was related to some Kitchen's in the
Logan County Home and a Kitchen family in the Daytonview area of Dayton,
Ohio. Her recollection is that this Daytonview Kitchen family had
children who attended Steele High School and that her last contact was
around 1929. As an added note regarding physical characteristics, all of
the Kitchen people she knew had dark wavy hair.
Edward Kitchen, Jr., who died from brights disease on June 5, 1905
at the age of sixty-three years, and Mary Ansley Kitchen, who died on
January 22, 1937, are buried together next to their farm and homestead in
the Harper Cemetery in Logan County, Ohio.
Charles Kitchen
The third child of Edward and Ann Canby Kitchen was Charles.
Charles was born in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio in 1844. His wife was
Delilah W. Kitchen, whose maiden name is unknown. They are buried
together in the Kitchen burial plot in the Bellefontaine City Cemetery.
She was born in 1848 and died in 1930. Charles Kitchen died on August 7,
1918.
There is nearly no information available regarding Charles and
Delilah. There is no indication of their presence in the 1870 and 1890
federal census records for Ohio, therefore, it is quite probable that he
lived out of state. In the 1880 Federal Census record, he is shown as a
single man, thirty-five years of age, residing with his brother, Richard
S. Kitchen, and Richard's family. He also was reported as a farmer. In
the 1900 Federal Census record, Charles and Delilah are shown as living
in Jefferson Township, Logan County, Ohio. A nineteen year old man
named Hardin Miller was shown living with them. This would suggest a
marriage between 1890 and 1900. There seems to be no available obituary
record, marriage license, death certificate or certificate of birth for
Charles or Delilah Kitchen. There is no indication that any children
were born as a result of this union and their connection to any
activities of the family were apparently remote. Nevertheless, there
rightful position in the Kitchen family plot seems to suggest that a
certain family closeness must have existed.
In a September 1979 letter from Forest Bell, the Sexton of
Bellefontaine City Cemetery, he stated that the Kitchen plot contains the
following known burials and information:
Ann Kitchen, buried December 10, 1868;
Edward Kitchen, buried February 25, 1884;
child of Dick, no date;
Miss Jessie Fichthorn, buried May 25, 1900;
Eliza Fichthorn, buried December 20, 1905;
grandchild of R. Kitchen, buried April 29, 1908;
Earl Kitchen, buried May 26, 1908;
Charles Kitchen, born 1844 and died 1918;
Delilah Kitchen, born 1848 and died 1930;
Sue Kitchen, buried March 18, 1912;
R. S. Kitchen, buried July 3, 1922;
Matilda Kitchen, no date; and
Mary Fichthorn, buried March 21, 1917.
Mr. Bell also stated that, "there is ground left on the plot for
more burials but the endowment would have to be paid which is $240.00, or
$20.00 for each grave."
Richard Sprigg Kitchen
The fourth and youngest child born to the family of Edward and Ann
Canby Kitchen was another son, Richard Sprigg Kitchen. As established in
the preceding chapter, "Sprigg" is a Canby family name. Specifically,
this surname was associated with the spinster aunt of Dr. Joseph Canby.
Richard Sprigg, or "Dick" as he was known, was born in Piqua, Miami
County, Ohio on August 8, 1845. Dick Kitchen is in the direct line of
ancestry associated with this research and compilation. Reverend John
Williamson married Dick Kitchen and "Sue" Ann (Susanna) Fichthorn on
October 12, 1871 in Logan County, Ohio. The Kitchen-Fichthorn union is
the subject of further study and is presented in a following chapter.
Dick and Sue Kitchen are my great great grandparents.
Ann, or Anna C., Canby Kitchen died on December 10, 1868 in
Bellefontaine, Ohio. She was fifty-eight years of age and was a victim
of marasmus, which is a form of wasting away from vitamin deficiency or
malnutrition. Ann's will was probated in Logan County and is index as
B-146, in the Logan County Courthouse. On December 21, 1868 Joseph C.
Kitchen, the eldest son was named executor of her estate. I have often
wondered why her surviving husband, Edward would not have represented her
probate affairs. The estimated valuation was five-thousand dollars, a
significant amount as measured by relative valuations during the end of
the 1860's decade. All four sons, which included Charles, Edward Jr.,
Joseph, and Richard Sprigg, and Sue A. Kitchen signed as witnesses.
There was no mention of her husband, Edward Kitchen. It is likely that
this is because of a predetermined distribution for the benefit of only
the children.
Edward Kitchen died on February 25, 1884, a victim of brights
disease, a kidney failure. He was eighty-three years old at his death
and had lived a long and full life. The last record available to support
this research, other than his certificate of death, is an 1880 Federal
Census record for Bellefontaine, Ohio. This record shows Edward residing
in a hotel in Bellefontaine. At this time he was seventy-seven years of
age, a retired farmer and merchandiser. It was also noted that his
father was born in England and that his mother was born in New Jersey.
It recorded his birthplace as Pennsylvania. The name of the Hotelkeeper
was J. M. Dickinson.
Of Pennsylvania nativity, Edward came to the wilderness of the Miami
Valley in Ohio. This was a very early period in the formation of
civilization in this wilderness and Indian inhabited territory. He
pursued farming and merchandising. The merchandising trade was certain
to have caused travel and risk and required a great deal of
determination, during this frontier era. Though many questions may still
be unanswered, it is evident that he was a man of energy, drive and
courage. His body rests with Ann, his wife, in the Kitchen plot, in the
Bellefontaine City Cemetery.
Chapter 10
The Fichthorn Family Collateral
German Reformationists to Berks County, Pennsylvania
As stated earlier, Richard (Dick) Sprigg Kitchen married Susanna
(Susan or Sue Ann) Fichthorn on October 12, 1871. This marriage forged a
connection between the Kitchen family and the early German emigration
movement that occurred in the middle eighteenth century.
In 1751, Andreas Fichthorn came to America from Germany. According
to immigration records, he departed from Zweibrucken and was accompanied
by his wife and one child. Zweibrucken is located in southwest Germany
near the border of France. They were very much German in their beliefs
and traditions. The town name, "Zweibrucken", literally means "two
bridges" and the nearest city is Saarbrucken in Saarland. Zweinbrucken
is in the political subdivision or state of Rhein-Pfalz. This is the
Palatinate area of Germany.
According to early family biographical sketches, the actual family
roots of the Fichthorn clan are located in Durlach or Durich, near
Mannheim, in Rhein-Pfalz, West Germany. This is supposedly very close to
their point of departure in Zweibrucken. According to a written account,
Durlach is a rugged mass of highlands which rise into plateaus and
mountains. The terrain dips down into rich and beautiful valleys. The
location is known as the Rhine River Valley. I have never seen the
location of Durlach or Durich on any map or atlas. Maybe the information
is incorrect or maybe I need a new atlas.
Research performed at the New York City Public Library revealed a
slightly different nativity. The eighteenth century German records
available show that the Andreas Fichthorn family was residing in Bavern,
Pfalz, Winterbach. The records also show earlier family members in
Bavern, Mittelfranken, Windsheim. In all cases the Evanglische, or
religion, was "Reformiente". The Reformation movement in Germany
surfaced through the work of Martin Luther. Some of the early family
records in Germany include:
A marriage on July 2, 1743 in Bavern, Pfalz, Winterbach, Germany
between Andreas Fichthorn and Maria Agatha Kneehers. They were noted
as Reformationists;
Catharina Charlotta Fichthorn married Friedreich Wilhelm Grief in 1850;
Hans Fichthorn married Maria Magdalena Goessen on February 26, 1656
in Bavern, Mittlefranken, Windsheim, Germany;
Johann Hennrich Fichthorn, the son of Andreas and Maria Barbara
Fichthorn, was Christened on November 17, 1743 in Bavern, Pfalz,
Winterbach, Germany, as a Reformationist;
Andreas Jacob listed in the a registry in Bavern, Pfalz,
Winterbach, Germany;
Andreas Fichthorn, the son of Andreas and Catharina
Fichthorn was Christened on May 4, 1749 in Bavern, Pfalz,Winterbach,
Germany;
Andreas Fichthorn married Catharina Steffens on October10, 1747 in
Bavern, Pfalz, Winterbach, Germany and were listed as Reformationists;
The people of the Rhine River Valley tended to be shorter and darker
than their North German neighbors. The Northern Germans are typically
taller people with lighter hair color and they resembled the blue-eyed
Teutonic warriors that were described by Caesar. In the Rhine River
Valley the people spoke High German. These highland folks were very
close to their German traditions especially relating to their dress and
lifestyles. The area is a vast resource for lignite, iron ore and salt.
The people of this area were noted as being hardworking, thrifty and
methodical in their lifestyles.
As long as two-thousand years ago Germans lived west of the Rhine
River. Their ancestors, like the Fichthorns, probably came from the
grasslands of Southern Russia. They pushed back the rugged Celts to make
provisions for themselves. They were Barbarians who soon began to
organize into groups, such as the Goths, Franks, Saxons and Vandals.
These Southern German people were converted to Christianity very early in
recorded German history. This was the work of the early Irish monks.
Also, Charlemagne had forced many of them to become Christians.
Soon after the Fichthorn family left their home for America,
Frederick the Great was amassing power and taking land from Austria and
Poland and enlarging the State of Prussia. He was preparing to make
Germany a united power in Europe and the world.
Andreas Fichthorn was probably born around 1725. He was also
probably a descendent of Hans and Maria Magdalena Goessen Fichthorn who
were married on February 26, 1656 in Bavern, Mittelfranken, Windsheim,
Germany. A void in the records makes it difficult to know the actual
connection. The assumption that Andreas was their grandson is certainly
not unreasonable.
As noted before, Andreas Fichthorn was married on October 10, 1747
to Catharina Steffens. The Steffens family appears to have been from the
Netherlands. Their marriage took place in Bavern, Pfalz, Winterbach,
Germany. Even though there is not much information available on
Catharina Steffens' family, the Steffens surname was widely represented
in numerous record books of eighteenth century Netherlands.
As a matter of curiosity, it would be interesting to research the
relationship, if any, to Lincoln Steffens. Lincoln, who was born in
1866, was a visible American Journalist during the Theodore Roosevelt
years. He was partly responsible for developing the investigative style
of journalism which is more commonplace today. President Roosevelt
stated that,
"the vigorous investigative reporting of L. S. Steffens was
counterproductive and actually undermining reform". He also called him,
"the man with the muck rake".
On May 4, 1749, Andreas and Catharina Steffens Fichthorn had their
first child who was a son named Andreas, or Andrew. In 1751 Andreas,
Catharina, and their infant son, left their native land and came to
America. Andreas was one of the many early German immigrants to locate
in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Berks County was first settled by the Swedes, but in 1710 the first
Germans began to appear at the settlement. It was located along the
Manatawney, in Oley. To the east of the Schuylkill River, the migration
trail proceeded north from Philadelphia. To the west, however, the first
colony of Germans began entering the area from New York. They proceeded
south from New York and followed the Sesquehanna River east into the
Tulpehoken Valley. The total number of Germans in this region cannot be
accurately estimated but they were recognized as being much more numerous
than all other nationalities combined. In 1747, Governor Thomas stated
that the Germans of Pennsylvania comprised three-fifths of the entire
population, or about one-hundred and twenty thousand people. Many of
these inhabitants became known as the Pennsylvania Dutch.
Many of these early Germans were redemptioners, or people who had
bound themselves or their children to the masters of a vessel. Upon
their arrival in America, they would pay the cost of their passage to the
vessel master by serving them for a number of years. The usual
arrangement and terms of sale depended on the age, strength and health of
the person being sold. Young boys and girls normally served from five to
ten years or until they reached an age of twenty-one years. Many parents
were compelled to sell the services of their children in order to satisfy
their safe passage. If they did not sell their services, the passengers
were not released from the vessel and they would be returned to the land
of their origin. Children under the age of five could not be sold for
service. Therefore, if Andreas and Catharina Fichthorn were
redemptioners, young Andrew, their two year old son, would not have been
sold.
The young children would be disposed of gratuitously to people who
agreed to raise them. A condition was normally established that would
give them complete freedom when they attained the age of twenty-one
years. As a result of these arrangements, the redemptioners occupied
very humble positions during this early period in the history and
development of Pennsylvania. It was from these humble beginnings, that
many of these German emigrants became wealthy and reputable inhabitants
of the state. The redemptioners were generally those who arrived in
America after 1727.
There are specific years documented for the arrival of these
Germans. The years include 1728, 1729, 1737, 1741, 1750, and 1751. If
this is the complete list of the specific years, the Fichthorn arrival in
1751 places them as one of the last early German settlers. Though most
of these early settlers were farmers, many were also mechanics, who
brought with them a knowledge of many useful and necessary arts.
Occupations that were associated with these special arts included
carpenters, builders, weavers, tailors, tanners, shoemakers, smiths,
butchers, papermakers and clockmakers. Many of these artisans became
perfectionist though their custom of "peregrination" or "wanderschaft".
This custom set forth a requirement that the young men would carry out
an apprenticeship. At the close of their apprenticeship period, they
would carry on for one or more years in other arts. This would make them
more proficient in a variety of skills and trades. This was required of
the young men before they could establish a business of their own.
Through this apprenticeship process, many business opportunities became
available. They gained a knowledge that books could not provide. These
perfectionists in their arts and trades were called "Handswerk-Bursch",
or "Travelling Journeymen".
This best describes the class of people who settled along the
Schuylkill and its' tributaries. They were clearly a valuable addition
for William Penn and his sons as this great new province developed. They
were just what a new country needed and their work aided in the material
progress of the region. Their labor, economy, perseverance and stability
added a great increase to the wealth of the new America.
The Germans settled along every stream in Berks County,
Pennsylvania, except the Wyomissing, Allegheny, and Hay Creek in the
southern section. They lived in the valleys and on the hills rather than
along the Schulkill River. This selection of localities was not
accidental. They had found the best quality land and developed some of
the most productive farms in this new country. Their communities
included Olney, Maxatawney, and Heidelberg. In these communities today,
there are still descendants of these original German settlers.
This is also true of the Fichthorn family. In Reading,
Pennsylvania, there are several Fichthorn families still present. I had
very pleasant conversations in the early 1980's with James Fichthorn and
his son, James. They knew very little about their genealogical
background but were very sure of their German origin and traditions. In
an area around Adamstown, Pennsylvania, there are at least two other
Fichthorn families. One includes Mr. William Fichthorn, who is a hat
maker in Denver, Pennsylvania. He said that he thought the Fichthorns
had always been primarily involved in business endeavors and not
agriculture. He also stated that they were people with dark hair,
"stocky" builds, and were close to their German roots. They seemed to
be very aware and proud of their Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. In regard
to lineage, William Fichthorn knew the names of his ancestors through his
great-grandfather, Philip Fichthorn. He also knew that he was distantly
related to the Fichthorns in nearby Berks County, but did not know the
lineage or connection. The most interesting and significant family
history information received from William was his confirmation that the
family's origin was Durlach, Rhein-Pfalz, West Germany; that the correct
pronunciation of the Fichthorn surname was "Feek-torn"; and that the
Fichthorn family had maintained their Lutheran religious practices.
These three nuggets of information were pointed out quickly and clearly
without any prompting or suggestion. These conversations were very
pleasant and helped to document the research found regarding the
Fichthorn clan.
One of the first Fichthorn familys in America was Andreas and
Catharina Steffens Fichthorn and their two year old son, Andrew.
According to the census of 1790, there was only one Andreas, or Andrew,
residing in the borough of Reading, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It
was stated that Andrew was born prior to 1750 and had a wife, two sons
over sixteen years of age, and one daughter over sixteen. This would be
the family of the infant, Andrew Fichthorn, the son of Andreas and
Catharina Steffens Fichthorn.
In addition to Andrew and his family, the 1790 census records also
show that there were other Fichthorn families. These families are listed
as Catharine, Jacob, and Michael Fichthorn. They were all over forty
years of age and residing in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Catharine was
shown as a head of household with two other females living with her. It
seems very likely that these two females were her daughters and that she
was Andreas' widow, Catharina Steffens Fichthorn. She did not appear in
the census records of 1800 or beyond. This would establish her death as
occurring during the 1790's with an approximate age in her seventies.
The census records show that her husband, the immigrant Andreas, must
have died prior to the 1790 census at an age less than sixty-five years.
The records also reveal that there was a family of two daughters and
three sons for Andreas and Catharina Steffens Fichthorn.
Jacob Fichthorn was shown as having a wife and one son over sixteen
years, one son under sixteen years, and one daughter. The other 1790
family record belonged to Michael Fichthorn. Michael had a wife, two
sons over sixteen years, and four sons under sixteen years. These
families were all residing in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Through this
census, the first two generations in America are established and may very
well represent the only Fichthorns in the United States. Jacob and
Michael, brothers of German born Andrew, would have been the first
Fichthorn males born in America and actually represent the first American
generation for this family. Their two sisters were also born in America,
but since records of their marriages have not been found, the family
connections and genealogical progression stop with this census of 1790.
In 1800, the census records reveal two families of Andrew Fichthorn
and Michael. Both Andrews were between the age of 26 and 45 and they had
families as follows:
Andrew (1): 1 male between the age of 10 and 16;
1 male between the age of 16 and 26;
1 female under age 10;
1 female between the age of 16 and 26; and
1 female between the age of 26 and 45, which
was most likely his wife.
Andrew (2): 1 male between the age of 10 and 16;
1 male between the age of 16 and 26;
1 female under age 10;
1 female between the age of 16 and 26; and
1 female between the age of 26 and 45, which
was most likely his wife.
Michael: 2 males between the age of 10 and 16;
1 male between the age of 16 and 26;
2 females under age 10; and
1 female between the age of 26 and 45, which
was most likely his wife.
In the 1810 United States Census, Reading was still the residence of
the two Andrew Fichthorn families. In addition, there was now a Henry
Fichthorn. In 1820, the census records show the following family members
in Berks County, Pennsylvania: Allen, Shanor, Andrew, and Daniel. In
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, there was a Philip Fichthorn.
The 1830 census shows George, John and Daniel Fichthorn in Berks
County. Mifflin County, located northwest of Harrisburg was the
residence reported for another Daniel Fichthorn. Michael was in Lebanon
County. In 1840, Lebanon was the site of two Michael Fichthorn
families. George, Peter and Jacob Fichthorn were in Berks County and
Isaac, Elizabeth and William were in Lancaster. Mifflin County was the
residence of A. S. and Daniel Fichthorn.
The growth of the Fichthorn family in Pennsylvania is documented
through the 1850 census records.
The list that follows is from those reports:
First Name County First Name County
Abraham Berks Michael Union
Andrew Perry Michael Lebanon
Catherine Berks Rebecca Berks
Charles Berks Reuben B. Berks
Effenger Berks William Berks
Elizabeth Lancaster William S. Berks
John Berks Daniel Mifflin
Louisa Berks
In the Berks County public records there are wills and probate
records for: Lewis Fichthorn, whose executrix was Catharine Fichthorn;
Mary C. Fichthorn, whose executor was James L. Fichthorn; and Reuben B.
Fichthorn, whose executor was Franklin B. Fichthorn. In addition, the
following wills are recorded in Berks County:
Year Name Executor Volume Page
1822 Andrew Jr. Beirneville, Ki 5 400
1829 Andrew John Haliu 6 310
1853 Catharine William Arnold 40
1899 Charles Susanna B. 275
Fichthorn &
Benjamin B. Sonday 2
1899 Catharine Gertrude
Kunkle 20 352
1903 Andrew Andrew R.
Fichthorn 22 27
1883 Hannah John Obald &
James L.
Fichthorn 15 691
1902 Franklin B. The Reading
Trust 21 308
1906 Hannah E. Clara C.
Fichthorn &
Martha E.
Yocum 23 300
1907 Effenger R. Blanche
Fichthorn 23 670
1872 Jonas Martin and
Eliza
Fichthorn 12 466
1911 Jacob Frank H.
Fichthorn &
Charles B.
Berger 26 63
The Ohio census records show John Fichthorn in Caesars Creek, Greene
County in 1820. There was a Samuel Fichthorn in Wayne Township, Fayette
County, Ohio in 1830. In 1840 there seemed to be a new crop of Fichthorn
families blooming in Fayette County, Ohio. They included the homes of
Philip, Samuel, Henry and Solomon Fichthorn. The Fichthorn presence was
now being seen in the Ohio Valley during the middle nineteenth century.
As an added notation, the War of 1812 records reveal the names of
two Samuel Fichthorns who both served in the 6th Series. There is no
indication from these records if they were the same Samuel Fichthorns who
were residing in Ohio.
In an effort to help in understanding the Fichthorns as an early
Berks County and Pennsylvania Dutch family, a few biographical sketches
are presented. These sketches, found in several old Berks County History
books, show the development of a few family members. First is the
historical record of James L. Fichthorn.
James L. Fichthorn, near the end of the nineteenth century, was a
businessman in Reading, Pennsylvania. He was also the owner of a one
hundred and twenty-nine acre farm in Berks County, where he did a little
farming and stock raising. He was born on November 14, 1848 in Reading,
the son of George and Hannah Lutz Fichthorn. The grandfather of James
was a native of Reading and received his education in the public schools
of the city. After completing school, he engaged in farming, which he
pursued for the rest of his life. He married Miss Rapp and they had the
following nine children:
John,
Daniel,
William,
Lewis (Louis),
Andrew,
George,
Charles,
Catharine, (who married Adam Fasig), and
Susan, (who married William Call).
The family members were Lutheran and belonged to the Old Trinity
Lutheran Church of Reading. In politics, James L. Fichthorn was a
Democrat.
George Fichthorn, one of the children noted in the preceding list,
was also born, raised, and educated in the city of Reading,
Pennsylvania. When he was a small boy, he learned the trade of a
blacksmith, and he followed that occupation for his entire life. He was
a powerful man and was known far and wide for his great physical
strength. He married Hannah Lutz and they had seven children. The names
for six of the children were:
Mary C., who married another William Call;
Catharine E., who married Jacob Miller;
Susan, who married James Obold;
Ellen, who married Aaron Wright;
Ann, who married Daniel Ruth; and
James L., the subject of this biographical sketch.
James L. Fichthorn, when just a young boy, was hired by William
Call, who was a railroad contractor. He drove a horse and cart for Mr.
Call for six or seven years prior to starting his own contracting
business. He engaged in the contracting business for his entire life and
specialized in the development of railroads and "stripping" coal. The
majority of his work stripping coal was in Carbon County, Pennsylvania,
near Summit Hill. James was very successful in his business endeavors.
On July 8, 1871, Mr. James L. Fichthorn married Mary A. Heller who
was the daughter of Frederick Heller of Boyerstown, Pennsylvania. They
had three children, who were named Anna, Charles, and Ella. Ella married
a gentleman named John Roy and they had one child, Alma. Anna married
Benjamin Hanser and they had three children, who were James, Ruth and
George. In political matters, James was a Republican. In religious
matters, he was a member of the St. James Lutheran Church.
Another representative member of the early Fichthorn family was
George L. Fichthorn. He was the son of Andrew Fichthorn, who had a
brother George and a father named James. George L. Fichthorn was born in
Reading, Pennsylvania on April 18, 1852 and died in his home on May 26,
1902. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were named Andrew
Fichthorn.
Andrew, George's father, attended the common public schools of
Reading. He was born on November 22, 1822 and died on June 25, 1903. He
learned the carpentry trade, which he practiced for a short time, but
soon began his lifetime work as a tanner. His tannery and saddle shop
were located in Reading, Pennsylvania on Penn Street, near Fourth. The
tanning business later moved to a new home on Chestnut, below Third
Street. The firm name was Fichthorn and Company. In 1865 he moved his
business to Sinking Spring, but in 1870 was back in Reading. After his
return, he developed a real estate company which occupied much of his
attention until his death in 1903. He also had acquired the trade of a
gunsmith during his years. According to one record, he married Rachel R.
Reiff, a daughter of Jacob Reiff of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
There is also a record of a marriage to Catharine Hartman. If there were
two marriages, the order and circumstances are certainly not clear. The
marriage of Andrew and Catharine supposedly produced the following
children: George L., John, Daniel, Charles, William, Louis, Susan,
Catharine and Andrew.
These names are so similar to those used by James L. Fichthorn's
grandfather and grandmother, Miss Rapp, that they appear to be in error.
The marriage to Rachel Reiff, who died in April 1905 at the age of
seventy-nine years, resulted in the birth of the following children:
Clara C., who in 1909 was residing at the old homeplace at 30 South
Eighth Street, Reading, Pennsylvania;
Andrew R.;
Anna M., who married Samuel Yeoman of Reading, Pennsylvania;
J. Walter D., a Clerk of Reading, who married Miss Rosa Selig, and
had two children who were named Emma E. and Mary A.;
Hannah E., who was a teacher in Reading for twenty-three years;
Grace V.;
Mary M.;
Daniel C., who died young; and
George L.
Any confusion in the Fichthorn lineage is generally the result of
the repeated use of certain given, or first names. There were several
Andrew Fichthorns, all related, and it seems that George L. is probably a
descendant of Andrew and Rachel. It is also possible there were two
George L. Fichthorns, both with fathers named Andrew who had married a
Rachel and a Catharine. In any event, the family used the same first
name many times and this does contribute to a certain amount of confusion.
George L. Fichthorn was educated in the public schools of Reading,
Pennsylvania. He also became involved in his father's tannery business.
When his father died, there was a large estate and George spent a long
time managing those affairs. The tannery business was eventually
purchased by the Kerper family and George became employed by the Haubner
family until his death.
George married Susan Matilda Wentzel on October 16,1873. She was
the daughter of George and Mary Ann (Fillman) Wentzel. They had the
following children:
George A., who married Lottie Hilbert, and had two children named
George A. Jr. and Catharine;
Harry L.;
William, who was a tinsmith;
John;
Florence M.;
Estella M.;
Edith E.; and
Ralph.
George L. Fichthorn was a Lutheran and a Republican. Fraternally he
was associated with the Knights of Friendship and the Red Men.
Another representative of the Fichthorn family who appears in early
Pennsylvania history is Effenger R. Fichthorn. He was born in Reading in
1840, the son of William B. Fichthorn. His grandfather, Daniel H.
Fichthorn, was from Reading, Pennsylvania and was born on April 26,
1787. Daniel was a hatter by trade, but also was involved in the hotel
business and a mercantile operation in Reading. He died on February 13,
1869 at the age of eighty-one years. He is buried in the Charles Evans
Cemetery in Reading.
Daniel had married Margaret Boyer who was the daughter of George
Boyer, a Reading hotel man. Daniel and Margaret had the following
children: Frank B., Rueben B., Henry B., Charles B., William B., Daniel
B., George B., James, Joseph, Amos B., and Caroline B. The children
seemed to all have the same middle initial of "B", which probably
suggests the Boyer family name was carried through their children.
William B. Fichthorn, the father of Effenger, was a tailor. He was
born in January 1820 and died in 1847. He had married Mary A.
Aulenbach. They had three children who were named Ellen, Philip, and
Effenger R. Fichthorn. Ellen married a man named Mr. Huber and moved to
Philadelphia.
Effenger received the advantages of a good education in
Philadelphia. He became a box maker and specialized in the manufacture
of cigar boxes. His factory occupied 143-145-147-and 149 Pearl Street in
Reading. The operation employed twenty-five to thirty people. Effenger
also owned and operated a grocery business which was located at Fourth
and Buttonwood Streets in Reading. Effenger married Miss Sallie A. Ubele
of Norristown, Pennsylvania and they had two children who were named
Blanche H. and William B. He was also a member of the Eagles, Red Men,
Reading Consultory Number 3, Knights of Friendship, and was a veteran of
the Civil War, having served in Company B of the 20th Pennsylvania
Militia.
Effenger and Sallie's son, William was born in 1872, and was
employed by the Reading Iron Works where he became the Superintendent.
He married Alice Bush, who was the daughter of Levi and Ann (Dehart)
Bush. They resided at 528 North Ninth Street in Reading.
As shown by these biographical records, the Fichthorn family was not
famous or extremely wealthy. They were, however, an excellent example of
people who used education, integrity and hard work to forge a strong and
secure family and they certainly added to the development and growth of
this new Pennsylvania region. They were certainly confronted with many
challenges, but saw a much different kind of development than my
forefather, John Fichthorn.
John Fichthorn was evidently not content to remain in the comfort of
his family and Pennsylvania countryside. I believe that John, who was
born around 1775 or 1780, was the son of Andrew who had made the voyage
to America in 1751 as an infant. He was therefore, the grandson of
Andreas Catharina Steffens Fichthorn. There is a last will and testament
probated in Berks County for Andrew that would prove helpful in making
this connection. It was probated in 1822 and is recorded on page 400 of
volume 2. The actual reason or nature of John's call to travel west is
not known. It is likely, however, that there was a sense of adventure
and opportunity that many of these early wilderness pioneers shared.
Census records show John in Berks County in 1810. Therefore he
obviously left for the west after that date. He must have travelled
through and settled briefly in Virginia. This fact is based on census
records that show Virginia as a place of birth for his wife, Susanna, and
some of their children. There are, however, no other records regarding
his expeditions and settlement in Virginia.
John and Susanna Fichthorn had six children. According to the 1820
United States Census data for Caesars Creek Township, Greene County,
Ohio, the family included two sons and two daughters born between 1810
and 1820. Also included were two daughters born between 1804 and 1810.
One of their two sons was my great great great grandfather, Isaac H.
Fichthorn, who was born in Virginia on December 9, 1812.
It is a matter of historical record that John and Susanna
Fichthorn's family settled in Ohio in 1819. They constructed their
pioneer home in Caesars Creek Township, Greene County, Ohio. In 1826, at
the young age of forty-six, John died and left his widow and six children
to survive the wilderness and pioneer conditions of the Ohio Valley.
The surviving children of John and Susanna Fichthorn included:
Isaac H.;
John;
Elizabeth, who married David E. Long on June 26, 1833;
Mary Ann, who married John McClane on March 31, 1846;
Susanna, who married George C. Clemens on August 3, 1843; and
one daughter whose name is not known.
My direct ancestor, Isaac H. Fichthorn, met Miss Elizabeth Hardy
while living in Greene County, Ohio. On April 20, 1837, they were
married by Reverend Andrew Heron. He was a Greene County resident and a
Presbyterian Minister.
Elizabeth Hardy was the daughter of William and Isabella Buick
Hardy. William Hardy and Isabella Buick were both born in 1790,
educated and raised near each other in Scotland. The location was Perth,
in Tayside, and was very near to the Firth of Tay. The closest city to
their homeplace is Dundee. They were married and had a daughter,
Elizabeth, who was also born in Scotland. At their age of thirty, they
made the voyage to America and arrived in Belfast, Maine in 1820 with
their infant daughter, Elizabeth. This is reminiscent of Andreas and
Catharina Steffens Fichthorn's voyage from Germany with their infant son,
Andrew.
William Hardy was a weaver by trade and pursued that occupation in
Scotland and Ohio for a number of years. He then acquired a small tract
of land in Xenia Township, Greene County and began farming. In 1833, he
acquired one-hundred twenty-six acres of land in Caesars Creek Township,
where he continued to pursue farming. William retired in Xenia, Ohio and
died on November 24, 1860, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife,
Isabella, survived him. Both William and Isabella were loyal to the
Presbyterian, or Associate Church, and to the Whig political party.
In addition to the Scottish born Elizabeth, William and Isabella
had the following children in America:
Jane, who was born in Ohio in 1822 and married John Galloway;
James, who died at the age of fifteen;
William, who was born in Ohio in 1825;
Margaret, who was born in Ohio in 1828, who married
James Miller; and
Mary Ann, an Ohioan born in 1831, married to Samuel Findley, or
Finley, of Akron, Ohio. The marriage took place in Greene County on
March 29, 1853 and was solemnized by Reverend Cyrus Cummins.
In 1850, William Hardy, Sr. was a farmer with real estate holdings
valued at more than $15,000. Needless to say, this was a significant
value in 1850. This substantial Scottish family remained in Greene
County and farmed their land for many years. Other than Elizabeth, the
whereabouts of the Hardy clan and their descendants have not been a
subject of this cmpilation.
The German-Scot family of Isaac H. and Elizabeth Hardy Fichthorn was
rooted in Greene County, with other Fichthorn family members living in
nearby Fayette County in the middle nineteenth century.
Isaac and Elizabeth had children who included the following:
Eliza Jane , who was born on July 12, 1837 in Greene County, Ohio.
She remained single her entire life and was a housekeeper by occupation.
She died in Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio on December 18, 1905 at
the age of sixty-eight. The cause of her death was a ruptured blood
vessel;
Amanda , who was born in Greene County in 1839;
John A. Fichthorn, who was born in 1840 in Greene
County, and whose will was probated in May 1894 in Logan
County. He was the husband of Margaret A. and the father of Anna
Maude Fichthorn;
Isabella, who was born in Greene County in 1843 and
was married Harvey Nesbitt. Belle, as she was known,
spent her entire life in Greene County and resided in the town of
Cedarville, Ohio;
Susanna or Susan Ann (Sue), was also born in Greene County. The
date of her birth was July 7, 1845. Sue, as she was known, was a school
teacher in Cedarville and later in Bellefontaine and Logan County. She
married Richard Sprigg Kitchen and is my great great grandmother.
Accordingly, she is the subject of further study;
Mary Elizabeth, was born in Greene County on July 31, 1849. She was
known as "Mame" and like her sister, Eliza Jane, remained single her
entire life. She was a dressmaker by occupation and died in
Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio on March 19, 1918 at the age of
sixty-eight years. Her death was caused by brights disease which was
diagnosed six months prior to her death. A heart valvular insufficiency
was noted as a secondary cause on her official certificate of death. The
informant on the certificate was her sister, Mrs. Andy Koons. She is
buried in the Kitchen burial plot in the Bellefontaine City Cemetery.
Her undertakers were the Kennedy Brothers and at the time of her death
she was residing 322 Sandusky Street, Bellefontaine, Ohio. It seems from
various accounts and records that she was very close with members of the
Kitchen family. This was probably the result of her ties with Sue;
James E., a farmer who was born in 1860 and died in
1930;
Stella, who died on September 22, 1868, at the age of
two years. The cause of death was typhoid fever.
Though the names above do not "exactly" match those presented in the
various obituaries of Elizabeth Hardy Fichthorn and Sue Fichthorn
Kitchen, it is the common use of nicknames and married names that offers
the confusion here. On September 22, 1903, a local newspaper called "The
Bellefontaine Republican", printed the obituary of Elizabeth Hardy
Fichthorn. It was written as follows:
THE REAPER DEATH
Swings His Sickle Wide
Mrs. Elizabeth Fichthorn died Sunday shortly after noon at her home,
322 East Sandusky Avenue, after an illness from general debility dating
from last February, and which had rendered her unconscious a few days
before her death came.
Mrs. Fichthorn would have been 85 years of age next month. Her
maiden name was Elizabeth Hardy and she married Isaac Fichthorn in Union
County, Ohio, and had lived in this city several years. Mr. Fichthorn
died in June 1894. The family home for many years was on a farm east of
Bellefontaine.
Deceased was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and a
faithful attendant at the services there when her health permitted. She
was a devoted mother and nine children survive and all call her blessed.
They are Mrs. Emma Moody, Alabama; Mrs. Joseph Bull, Louisiana; Mrs.
Belle Nesbitt, Cedarville, Ohio; William Fichthorn, Idaho; Mrs. Alice
Koons, Mrs. Susanna Kitchen, Miss Mary, Miss Eliza and Edward Fichthorn,
of Bellefontaine.
Domestic and industrious of habits Mrs. Fichthorn was essentially a
home woman and devoted to the interest and comfort of her family. Kind
and neighborly she made friends and kept them to the last and her life
was useful and abounded in good deeds
.
The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 at the family
home in charge of Dr. E. C. Simpson. Interment was made in the city
cemetery.
In the Bellefontaine City Cemetery there are records confirming
Elizabeth Hardy Fichthorn's burial. She shares a grave with her husband
Isaac, who died on June 16, 1894. His age was eighty-one years; six
months; and seven days and he had died of "old age". The grave is located
in Section 4 of the cemetery in lot 475. Also in Section 4 of the
cemetery are Edna Fichthorn, buried March 13, 1967 in lot 1484-4; Eliza
Fichthorn, who was buried December 20, 1905 in lot 137; J. E. Fichthorn,
who was buried September 26, 1930 in lot 1484; Miss Jessie May Fichthorn,
who was buried on lot 137 on May 25, 1900, having died from brights
disease at the age of 24, and whose mother was Mary Fichthorn; and Mary
Fichthorn, who was also buried on lot 137 on March 21, 1918. The lots
designated as number 137 are those of the Kitchen burial plot which has
been shared among the some of the Kitchen and Fichthorn family members.
As mentioned before, Cemetery Sexton, Forest Bell, confirmed that there
are still twelve remaining graves available on the plot. They can be
secured at a cost of $20.00 each. This payment to the endowment would be
for the perpetual care of the graves.
It was Isaac H. Fichthorn who first left Greene County and settled
in the developing wilderness of Logan County, Ohio. As a wainwright, or
wagonmaker, he must have seen an opportunity to be secure in his work and
helpful to his community. His mother and most of his children followed
his trails to the Bellefontaine area. Their relocation to Logan County
occurred after 1850 and prior to the Civil War. During this period in the
Ohio Valley, they saw civilization, culture and growth being cut out of
the wilderness.
In this middle ninteenth century period, Logan County had seen the
formation of the Kitchen and Canby family union and during this period,
that Sue Fichthorn met and married Richard Sprigg Kitchen, the son of
Edward and Ann Canby Kitchen. Sue and Dick Kitchen are my great great
grandparents and form the Kitchen-Fichthorn family of Logan County,
Ohio.
Chapter 11
The Children of Richard Sprigg and Susanna (Susan or Sue Ann) Fichthorn
Kitchen
Henry Earl, Alvin Sprigg, William Burrette, Amanda Belle, and Frederick J.
Logan County derived its name from General Benjamin Logan. The
county was formed from an area previously known as Champaign County on
March 1, 1817. The County was actually not organized until 1818. The
courts were ordered to be held in the town of Belleville, at the house of
Edwin Matthews, until a permanent seat of justice could be established.
The territory was the favorite abode of the Shawnee Indians, who had
several villages on the banks of the Mad River. These Indian villages
were known as Macacheek, Pigeon Town, and Wappatomica. Macacheek was
located near West Liberty on land later owned by Judge Benjamin Piatt.
The Pigeon Town location stood three miles northwest of Bellefontaine on
a farm later owned by George Dunn. The last Indian town of Wappatomica
was just below Zanesfield.
As the Kitchen and Fichthorn clans were raising there families, the
area was blooming from recent Indian tradition and the wilderness.
Though many of the old Indian towns and villages were destroyed by the
forces of General George Rogers Clark and General Benjamin Logan in the
late seventeen hundreds, they saw a culture deeply rooted in the rugged
fight and toils associated with building a new territory. They also saw
the waters in the northwest region of the county form a reservoir at the
site of the Miami River. This body of water, now called Indian Lake, was
a favorite childhood spot for me. As a young child, our family traveled
their many weekends for recreation. These are fond memories. At the
time, I knew very little of my family's connection with this area and the
many developments. If I would have known, I probably would not have
allowed that knowledge to interfere with my recreation.
Richard, or Dick Kitchen, was a successful farmer and businessman.
He was born in Piqua, Miami County and died in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The years betwen were spent in Logan County, where he had acquired land
at two different locations. He had also found time to invest in fig
lands and oil in Texas. I have no obituary or estate papers from which to
gather an assessment of his financial success, but they would certainly
be available in Marion County, Indiana.
Sue Kitchen was respected and cherished by her friends. Perhaps the
best way to communicate this, is by quoting the contents of hwer obituary
on March 15, 1912. The article read as follows:
MANY FRIENDS
Will Grive to Hear of Mrs. R. S. Kitchen's Death
RUPTURE OF A BLOOD VESSEL
Deceased was born in Greene County in 1845 and was a lady of splendid
Christian character - member of the United Presbyterian Church
The wide circle of friends of Mrs. R. S. Kitchen, residing on the
O'Connor Farm near Indian Lake, were startled Saturday to learn of her
sudden death which occurred Friday night at 10:30 o'clock. While Mrs.
Kitchen had not been in the most rugged health during the past winter she
was feeling well when she retired Friday night.
She was awakened by an attack of coughing and before a physician
could be secured she had passed away, death being due, it is thought, to
the rupture of a blood vessel.
Mrs. Kitchen was one of Logan County's best known and highly
respected ladies. She was born in Greene County, Ohio in 1845, the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac H. Fichthorn. When a young woman she
moved with her parents to Logan County and in 1872 was united in marriage
toRichard S. Kitchen.
In the days of her girlhood, Mrs. Kitchen taught school, being
employed in that capacity in Greene County before moving with her parents
to Logan County and teaching various country schools in this county. At
the time of her marriage she was engaged in teaching in the public
schools of Bellefontaine, being regarded as a successful educator and a
woman of refinement and culture.
For many years, Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen resided on the Rushcreek Lake
Farm northeast of Bellefontaine, but after rearing a fine family they
moved to the John R. Emery farm at McGraw Chapel north of Huntsville.
Last September, Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen moved to the O'Connor Farm;
nearby where Mrs. Kitchen's death occurred. The childen who survive with
the husband and father are Dr. W. B. Kitchen of Indianapolis; Alvin of
Belle Center; and Fred at home.
The following brothers and sisters are living: J. Edward Fichthorn,
Miss Mame Fichthorn, and Mrs. Minnie Bull of Bellefontaine: Mrs. Emma
Moody of Alabama; Mrs. Belle Nesbit of Cedarville, and Mrs. Andy Koons
residing west of Bellefontaine.
Mrs. Kitchen was a lady of splendid Christian character and was
known far and wide for her unselfish nature and her willingness to do
kindly acts for those in sickness or in need. She was a mother whom
husband and sons loved and in her death those in the family circle feel a
blow which bows them low in grief.
Mrs. Kitchen was a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church
at Huntsville.
Funeral services Monday at 12 o'clock sun time from the late home 1
miles west of McGraw Chapel. Rev. Gordon of Huntsville, officiating.
Burial in city cemetery.
It is clear, that this may have been one of the finest families
where a person could be raised and live. Dick and Sue had five children.
The following is a sketch of their lives:
Henry Earl Kitchen
The oldest child of the Richard Sprigg and Susan Fichthorn Kitchen
family was Henry Earl Kitchen. He was born in Jefferson Township, near
Bellefontaine, in Logan County, Ohio on August 8, 1872. There is a
history book written in 1872 about the first settlers of Logan County.
An excerpt from this book reads as follows: "Old Johnson Patrick settled
on what was once known as the Patrick Farm, now owned by Joseph Kitchen.
Stephen Marmon was the first settler on the Kitchen farm immediately west
of the lake, in 1815. The 'Tine Bullar' farm now owned by Dick Kitchen
was first settled by Moses Reams and David Norton, in 1815." Therefore,
Henry Earl's place of birth is marked as the "Tine Bullar" farm, in
Jefferson Township. In my research and conversations, I have not been
able to determine what the title, "Tine Bullar" actually meant. The
location is very near many of the other Kitchen farms of Logan County
and was slightly southeast of the Rush Lake and the Joseph Canby Kitchen
homeplace. In 1875, their neighbors included A. G. Henry, P.
Wickersham, B. Shoots, Jacob Arbegast, and A. Boden to name a few. The
road today is County T-135, south of Route 47 a few miles. The homeplace
is located on both sides of Road T-135 and the house is on the east side
of the road.
On July 13, 1893 Reverend A. R. Stowbert married Mary E. Marshall
and Henry Earl Kitchen. Mary was born on October 29, 1875 in Logan
County. They had eight children and their oldest son is my grandfather,
Pap.
Henry Earl is my great grandfather, and I have taken a special
interest learning more about him and his family. His alliance with the
Marshall family, his short life as a livery hand and musician have become
the work of another chapter. The Kitchen -Marshall family resided in
Logan County, Ohio for less than twenty-five years and was somewhat
"broken" when the children were sent to their grandparents and the Logan
County Children's Home to be raised.
William Burrette Kitchen
The second child of Richard Sprigg and Susan Fichthorn Kitchen was
William Burrette. Bert, as he was known, was born on September 15, 1873
in Jefferson Township, Logan County, Ohio. I was told information about
his family by his son, John Milton Kitchen. In a 1979 letter, John
confirms his date and place of birth. His father, who practiced medicine
in Indianapolis, died from a stroke on June 20, 1923. He was only
forty-nine years of age.
Bert was raised on the Kitchen farm in Logan County, Ohio and in his
younger and formative years, he attended the country schools of that
area. He graduated from high school in Bellefontaine and became a
teacher of a country school in Logan County. He taught for several years
before entering Indiana University in Bloomington. In the 1880 census
record, W. B. Kitchen was twenty-six years of age and was residing with
his aunt, Miss Mary Fichthorn, at 322 Sandusky Avenue.
John Milton Kitchen was the son of Bert's great uncle, Henry Kitchen
of Piqua, Miami, County, Ohio. John, the subject of the short biography
presented earlier, was the doctor who had established his medical
practice in Miami County, Ohio, but ultimately moved to Indianapolis,
Indiana.. Because Richard Sprigg and several members of his family were
born in Piqua, in Miami County, and had resided there prior to planting
their roots in Logan County, it is safe to assume that Edward Kitchen,
Bert's grandfather, and Henry must have formed a close-knit bond. It was
Henry's son, Dr. John Milton Kitchen who sponsored Bert Kitchen in his
entrance to the Indiana University Medical School. It is interesting to
recall that it was Edward and Ann Canby Kitchen who first located in
Indianapolis. Their movement there dates back to 1845, when Edward was
pursuing the work of a merchandiser. In 1912, after the death of his
wife, Susan Fichthorn Kitchen, Richard Sprigg Kitchen left Logan County
and returned to Indianapolis, where he remained until his death. He died
from complications of angina pectoris, chronic nephritis and arterio
sclerosis. He was seventy-six years of age and died on August 1, 1922.
During his tenure in the Medical School, William "Bert" Kitchen was
also a pitcher for the Indiana University Baseball team. As a doctor, he
received numerous updates in the medical practice, including a 1920
graduation from Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia for work in
Dermatology. This was less than three years prior to his death. There
is an Indiana Historical Society book regarding the Eli Lilly regiment of
the Civil War. It contains an article and picture of the Civil War
doctor, John Milton Kitchen.
Dr. William "Bert" Kitchen was known as a superb diagnostician and
was noted as being dignified and dedicated. He married Edith Scott, who
died in 1968. She was from Holton, Kansas and a member of the Daughters
of the American Revolution.
Bert and Edith had only one child, John Milton Kitchen, who was
named after Bert's medical school sponsor and friend. John Milton was
born and continues to reside in Indianapolis. He graduated from Wabash
College in Crawfordsville, Indiana in 1933. He then attended the Harvard
University School of Law, where he received his law degree. He has
managed a very reputable and successful law practice, most recently at 20
North Meridian in Indianapolis. I have spoken with John several times
and my niece, Kami Kitchen Parker, who now resides in Fishers, North of
Indianapolis, has visited him. He is in failing health at this time.
John married Jane Rauch of the Rauch-Schnull family. Their ancestry has
been well documented and researched. Jane Rauch Kitchen's grandfather,
John G. Rauch, published a book entitled "A Family Chronicle". There is
a chapter in this book about the Kitchen-Rauch Alliance which describes
John M. Kitchen through the eyes of his father-in-law. This book is
available through the Indiana Historical Society.
John Milton and Jane Rauch Kitchen had four children. They are
named as follows:
Louise Kitchen, who was born around 1951 and married into the
Stewart family;
John Scott Kitchen who was born about 1947;
Marjorie Kitchen, born about 1946 and married a Fitzsimmons; and
Jeanne Kitchen, the oldest child, who was born around 1944 and
married to Burton R. "Randy" Hanson.
I have had the pleasure of exchanging information with the Hansons.
Specifically, Burton R., or Randy Hanson has some interest in family
history and has completed research on his own ancestors. During our last
exchange he said their two children, Erik and Jennifer, were both
students at Harvard University and that his wife, Jeanne, had just
returned to their home in Edina, Minnesota from visiting her father, who
was ill.
In general, the family of Bert Kitchen seems to have the blessings
of success and happiness. They are still a very thriving line of the
Kitchen family
.
Alvin Sprigg Kitchen
The third child of Richard Sprigg and Susan Ann Fichthorn Kitchen
was Alvin Sprigg. Alvin was born on February 13, 1876 in Rushcreek
Township, Logan County, Ohio. To the best of my knowledge, Alvin was the
last person to carry the "Sprigg" name forward. He was also the only
member of his immediate family to pursue a career in farming. Though his
father was a successful and prominent farmer, his brothers followed other
pursuits including those of a livery hand, musician, doctor and
salesman. Alvin's farm was located near Belle Center, Ohio.
Alvin was married twice. He was first married to Jessie A. Murphy
who was born in 1890. Their only child was Harold Edgar Kitchen who was
born on August 6, 1905 in Huntsville, Logan County, Ohio. Jessie died
when Harold was only three years of age. Alvin lived in Texas for
several years, having moved to that area around 1900. His purpose in
moving was to aid Jessie's poor health condition which was caused by the
dreaded disease of tuberculosis. While in Texas, he obtained the able
assistance of a registered nurse, Mabel Stafford. Their efforts proved
fruitless and he returned home to Belle Center, Ohio.
Harold Edgar Kitchen married Vera McCann on June 10, 1927. Harold
died on March 15, 1978 and Vera on January 28, 1975. On May 27, 1976, he
married Margaret Croft-Corwin who born in 1906. At this time, she is
still alive and residing in Bellefontaine, Ohio. I spoke with her
numerous times and received letters during the late 1970's and early
1980.s. She was a very nice person to speak with and was very helpful in
passing along family information.
According to Margaret Croft-Corwin Kitchen, a "step-mother"
situation helped to drive Harold away from his family and Logan County.
He attended the University of Cincinnati and was an Electrical Engineer.
He stayed in Cincinnati from his age seventeen until 1975, when after
attaining the age seventy, he returned home to Bellefontaine, Ohio. He
was employed by Cincinnati Gas and Electric and later by the Square D
Company. Harold and Vera had one son who was born in 1930. His name was
David Hugh Kitchen and he married Jean Albers, who is a teacher in the
Cincinnati area. They have three children who are as follows:
Thomas J., who was born in 1950, is married and is involved in
athletics, coaching and teaching in the Norwood area, north of
Cincinnati. There is an address for a Thomas and Karen Kitchen on
Templeton Drive in Cincinnati;
Robert, who was born in 1956 is married and also a teacher or coach
in the Cincinnati area; and
Jane, who was born in 1961 and was attending high school in
Cincinnati when I last spoke with Margaret.
It is very likely that this family is well established and growing.
Several attempts to write David H. and Jean at 4049 Taremore Drive,
Cincinnati, Ohio, have gained no reply. It may be that they take no
interest in family history or are merely more private people. Either
conclusion is understandable and fine with me. I do recall hearing,
however, that there was not a close relationship with this branch of the
family. For some reason, there was a known distance established. This
story seemed to touch several branchesof the family.
After Jessie Murphy Kitchen's early death, Alvin returned to Aldine,
Texas and on September 21, 1910, married the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Marshall S. Stafford. The Staffords were originally from Ohio and their
daughter was the registered nurse, Mabel, who had helped Alvin in caring
for his wife and Harold's mother, Jessie. Mabel was born in Fayette
County, Ohio on December 21, 1887. It appears that Alvin's earlier stay
in Houston, Texas nurtured more than medical relief for his wife Jessie
Murphy Kitchen.
Alvin Sprigg and Mabel Stafford Kitchen had two children. They were
Richard M. and Helen Kitchen who were both born in the Bellefontaine,
Ohio area. Richard was born on July 3, 1912 and married Phyllis Blair, a
native of Columbus, Ohio. Richard was a Vice President of the Broadview
Savings and Loan, and lived and conducted his business affairs in the
Cleveland, Ohio area. His office, on West Ridgewood Drive, and
residence, on Pearl Street, were located in Parma, Ohio at the time of
his May 11, 1979 death. Richard and Phyllis had two children, who are:
Richard, who is married and residing in Houston, Texas and has two
children; and
Barbara, who is married to Jim Siegfried and is residing in
Frankfort, Indiana, north of Indianapolis with their two children.
I have had no contact with this branch of the Kitchen family through
the course of my inquiries and research.
Alvin and Mabels's second child was a daughter, Helen. She was born
in 1919 in Logan County, Ohio where she was reared and received her
education. She married Roy Emerson Cummins and resided in Narvon,
Pennsylvania, which is three miles from the Morgantown exchange on the
Pennsylvania Turnpike in the midst of Amish country. In 1980, Helen and
I shared many telephone conversations and letters. She sent copies of
newspaper articles from their family Bible, obituaries, pictures,
(including the only known picture of my great great grandfather, Richard
Sprigg "Dick" Kitchen), and other interesting items and stories. She was
extremely pleasant and we spoke of visiting each other someday. Needless
to say, this did not happen and I have now lost contact with her. I do
not even know if she is still living. This is a shame.
In responding to my earlier contacts, Helen wrote the following,
"It's strange, as I think of it now, that there wasn't more interest in
the Kitchen family. (I have all of my mother's family history so that I
could be a DAR member if I cared to.) We Kitchens are somewhat a
reserved lot (at least the ones I have known). We have deep feelings and
feel warmly but are not particularly demonstrative, and while we have
great pride we also have humility, I believe, and don't talk about
ourselves too much or our backgrounds. What I did hear through the years
is not very helpful for your purposes." This letter, dated January 17,
1980, seems to say exactly what I have observed throughout my years. It
is strange, our family lines have never made contact, yet these
characteristics seem firm.
Helen also said she knew my grandparents, Roy and Hattie Kitchen.
She said she really did not know why there had not been a close contact
through the years but had the feeling that what there was, occurred
because of Hattie and her mother, Mabel. Roy and Hattie were trying to
raise a large family during the lean years and were living in Springfield
while Helen's family was in Bellefontaine. Travel was not as commonplace
as it is now. Helen remembered Emerson Kitchen and his wife Naomi when
they lived in Bellefontaine before departing for Springfield. In that
case, the contact was broken because her conservative Methodist family
could not accept that Naomi had converted to become a Jehovah's Witness.
Helen, a Presbyterian, found that understanding this was also difficult
for her. She also remembers her father's brothers as Earl, Bert and
Fred. She knew Fred very well and knew that Earl was the musician. She
also said that she heard that, " Earl's son Forest, was sort of a black
sheep, and left the area for Texas or Arkansas".
She said, " Roy and Hattie were 'good people' raising a 'nice
family' and taking in other members of the family to help them also."
She recalls a visit to Springfield once and being surrounded by members
of the Kitchen family. She was so shy and overwhelmed that she spoke
only a few words. She did not, however, forget the visit.
It was Helen and her sister-in-law, Margaret, who also spoke of
Richard Sprigg Kitchen's fig and oil well investments. Helen, while
attending the 1975 wedding of her nephew Richard Kitchen in Houston, went
down to Brazoria County, Texas to research the records and visit the
investment site. The Texas land created interest in the 1940's with the
Phillips Petroleum Corporation. They wanted everyone to sell their
mineral rights. Helen's father, Alvin Sprigg, had paid the taxes on the
land for everyone all through the years, hoping that it would produce oil
someday. It did and it came at a very good time for Alvin and his
family. They had just left their farm and moved to Bellefontaine and the
Great Depression came. Alvin had to go back to farming, but this time on
rented land. When Dick Kitchen's oil wells began producing, he was able
to quit farming. He returned to Bellefontaine, purchased a home, and
only went out to help his friends farm, because he did love the soil.
The income also gave Mabel some independence after Alvin's death. Helen
and her family were still receiving monthly checks as late as 1980. They
said that the wells were supposed to produce for about fifteen years, but
three wells were still producing and there was more activity reported on
the land in 1979. Alvin appeared to serve as the business manager for
this investment. I have copies of letters he wrote to my grandfather
regarding the mineral rights, which my grandfather and his brothers
sold. Helen also recalls hearing that her grandfather was well-to-do and
that he travelled to Florida in the winters to meet with his fishing
buddies. He had obviously travelled through areas leading him to Texas,
where he placed his investments in fig lands and oil.
Helen Kitchen married Roy Emerson Cummins and they had only one
child, Janice Cummins. Janice married Charles Greene and they have one
child, Jeffrey Alan Greene. In terms of coincidences, Helen had a first
cousin named Roy and one named Emerson. It is strange to think that she
married a Roy Emerson. Her daughter married a Charles and her first
cousin, Roy, was also a Charles Leroy. Further, Janice and Charles son,
Jeffrey Alan, shares the same middle name as our son, Darren Alan
Kitchen. The spellings are identical. The more we seem to change; the
more we remain the same.
After a three week bout with leukemia, sixty-nine year old Mabel
Stafford Kitchen died. It was October 3, 1957 and her burial took place
at the Fairview Cemetery in Belle Center. Though she was residing in
Bellefontaine, her death actually occurred at the Cleveland Clinic.
Mabel also had two brothers, Lawrence and Harry who preceded her in death.
Alvin Sprigg Kitchen died on January 30, 1953. He had been
admitted to the Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine the previous day
after he had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. He had not been ill and
his death was a shock to his friends and family. He was a member of the
First Methodist Church, Harrison Grange and the Farm Bureau. His burial
took place at the Fairview Cemetery in Belle Center, Ohio.
I have especially enjoyed the exchanges with Helen and hope that
someday, her contribution and this family history will be of some
interest to a descendent from her family.
Belle Kitchen
The fourth child of Richard Sprigg and Susan Fichthorn Kitchen was
Amanda Belle Kitchen. She was born in Jefferson Township, Logan County,
Ohio on August 25, 1877. Unfortunately, she contacted spinal meningitis
and died in Jefferson Township on August 23, 1878. She was only eleven
months and twenty-eight days old.
Frederick J. Kitchen
The fifth and last child of the Dick and Sue Kitchen family, was
Frederick J., or Fred Kitchen. He was born in April 1884, just two
months following the death of his grandfather, Edward Kitchen. He too,
was born in Jefferson Township in Logan County, Ohio.
Fred was a salesman for most of his life. For a long period of
time, he sold farm equipment and his territory included the southern
states. According to family recollections, he travelled alot and always
checked the telephone directories in the various hotels for other Kitchen
families. It was through this habit that he talked with other Kitchen
family members and learned that one of the families had originated in
America through the emigration of three Kitchen brothers from England.
Though this family was probably not in his lineage, it does reflect his
curiosity and interest in his family and background.
His next endeavor involved working as an insurance adjustor in
Columbus, Ohio. While performing these duties, he decided to sell his
father's mineral rights in Texas. With the proceeds from this
transaction, he quit his job and open a restaurant in the Ohio State
University campus area in Columbus. Unfortunately, the venture was not
successful and he began his life of sales again. This time, he worked
for a man selling Beltone hearing aid products. This man and his family,
actually began to treat him as a member of their own family.
Fred married a woman named Matilda, who spent her career working in
an insurance office in Columbus, Ohio. It was a second marriage for
Tillie and Fred which was somewhat unusual for that day, but much more
common today. Recollections of Fred and Tillie's "fun-loving" stories,
many of which were from his travels, entertained friends and family
alike.
Tillie Kitchen died about 1963 in Columbus and was buried in the
Kitchen burial plot at the Bellefontaine City Cemetery. At the time of
her burial, Fred also had thought he would be buried with her. Fred had
spent every cent he had ever acquired, providing medical treatment and
care for Tillie during the period of her illness prior to her death. The
family gravesite, having no cost, was very helpful to him. What he did
not know, was that other family members had been told that there were no
more sites available in the Kitchen plot after Tillie's burial. No
family member ever told Fred this information because they knew he needed
the financial relief.
After Tillie was buried, Fred was really alone in Columbus and was
"adopted" by the family for whom he was working. He continued to sell
Beltone products until his death in the fall of 1965. This family never
contacted any Kitchen family member and they took complete charge of the
activities associated with his death. Though the information would
surely be in the Certificate of Death or a Columbus Dispatch obituary, no
family member knows exactly when or where Fred is buried. Presumably, he
is buried somewhere in Columbus. The sad part of this story is that Fred
could actually have used one of the twelve gravesites still available in
the Kitchen plot at the Bellefontaine City Cemetery. As stated earlier,
there is ample space available.
This concludes a review of Earl, Bert, Alvin, Amanda Belle, and Fred
Kitchen. These children of Richard Sprigg and Susan Ann Fichthorn
Kitchen, have helped color the tapestry of the Kitchen name. The many
stories of happiness, sadness, hard work, business ventures, winter
fishing trips in Florida, relocations, fig lands, and oil have added to
the essence of what this American family is and how they survive, despite
the presence of an economic depression and the many social changes.
Chapter 12
The Marshall Family Collateral
The oldest child and son of Richard Sprigg and Susan Ann Fichthorn
Kitchen was Henry Earl. On July 13, 1893, he married Mary E. Marshall.
Earl and Mollie, as they were known, had a family of eight children.
The eldest son of this family is my grandfather, Charles Leroy Kitchen.
Roy, as he was known by friends and family, was "Pap" to his
grandchildren. Through tradition and family stories, he is still "Pap"
to his great, great great, and great great great grandchildren, that he
was unable to meet during his life. He is also, still "Pap" to me.
The Marshall-Kitchen alliance was forged in Logan County, Ohio.
Both families have roots to the early pioneers and settlers of the new
west. The Marshall family probably dates to an emigration from England
in the early to middle 1700's. From the records reviewed to date, their
first presence in Pennsylvania dates back to 1790, when Michael Marshall
was recorded in the Cumberland County, Pennsylvania census. It is
interesting to note that there is a small town in that county named
"Marshallton". It seems quite likely that there is a connection between
the town name and the Marshall family.
Cumberland County is located north of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and
west of the Susquehanna River. This area around Carlisle is comprised of
hilly or mountainous terrain. Migration to this area could have occurred
from the south by using the Susquehanna River or its' banks. Obviously,
migration from the east shore near Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York
are equally probable. The exact migration trails of Michael Marshall are
not clear.
What is evident is his migration to Crawford County, Pennsylvania
which is located in the northwest corner of the state. The county seat
today is Meadville and the area has an abundance of lakes, including:
The Pymatuning Reservoir; Tamarack Lake; Conneaut Lake; Sugar Lake;
Canadohta Lake; Clear Lake; and Woodcock Lake. Today, it is also the
site of several ski areas and colleges. This location and the beauty of
the area would have attracted many early settlers and pioneers. For
many, the migration would probably have occurred through the state of New
York or along the Great Lakes of Erie and Ontario. Crawford County is
nestled in an area lying west of the Allegheny National Forest. This
would have made migration from the east or southeast more difficult. In
Michaels Marshall's case, the migration trail would have followed the
rivers and valleys through rugged wilderness and mountains, and likely
traversing by foot or horseback from the southeast.
As with most areas this far west, there was a considerable
wilderness and the pioneer conditions would have created many obstacles.
Michael Marshall was recorded in 1790, residing with two males over
sixteen years of age, perhaps one was a brother; one male under sixteen;
and three females who could have included a wife, sister-in-law, and
daughter(s), or niece(s). One thing for sure, the census record is not
detailed enough to clarify who may have travelled with Michael Marshall
on his pioneer journey west. It does seem certain, that he and his wife
moved a family consisting of children through this early wilderness to
Crawford County, prior to 1790. The census records show him still
residing there in 1810 and 1820. There is also a Michael Marshall,
whose age in the 1830 census, suggests that he was probably the son of
the pioneer, Michael Marshall who was also the head of a household.
A summary of the census records of Crawford County will demonstrate
the growth of the Marshall family in this region and reflects the names the townships, or area where they lived. The origin and migration of
the Marshall family presented in this work, is largely dependent on
conclusions from information found in the federal census reports and
court records of Pennsylvania. Please remember, Michael was the only
Marshall present in Crawford County in 1800 and 1810. The following is a
comparative summary of the Marshalls from the 1820 and 1830 census report:
1820 Crawford County 1830 Crawford County
David Meade David South Shenango
Michael Shenango Michael South Shenango
Nathaniel Mead Nathaniel Summerhill
Nelly Fairfield
Willard Mead
David Summerhill
Isaac P. North Shenango
Joseph Fairfield
Joseph South Shenango
Samuel South Shenango
From this comparative census record it appears that Michael Marshall
must have enjoyed the presence of other Marshall family members. It is
worth noting, that the use of identical first names is present, but not
in the same township. It is possible that Michael and Nathaniel Marshall
were the westward pioneers of the Marshall clan.
In 1840, another Marshall appeared in Summerhill. His name was
Daniel. He would have been at least sixteen years of age to appear in
this record which would set his birth in Crawford County before 1825.
The following is a summary of the 1850 census reports for the
Marshall family in Crawford County, Pennsylvania:
David Marshall of Sadsbury Township; born in 1798 in New Hampshire;
was a lumberman with a wife, Mary who was born in 1815 in Pennsylvania;
children included: Catharine, born 1830; Helen, born 1832; Franklin, born
1834; David, born 1837; Mary, born 1840; Willard, born 1841; Elizabeth,
born 1845; and George, born in 1850.
David Marshall of South Shenango Township; born in 1804 in
Pennsylvania; was a farmer with a wife, Mary, who was born in
Pennsylvania in 1801; children included: Scott A., born 1830; John W.,
born 1932; James P., born 1835; William, born 1838; and Agnes who was
born in 1841.
Michael Marshall of South Shenango Township; born in 1811 in
Pennsylvania; was a farmer with a wife, Jane, who was born in 1810;
children included: James, born 1840; Mary, born 1841; Wallace, born 1843;
A. C., born 1845; and Samuel H., who was born in 1848.
Joseph Marshall of South Shenango Township; born in 1798 in
Pennsylvania; was a farmer with a wife, Nancy, who was born in 1803;
children included: Andrew, born 1833; Robert, born 1940; Nancy, born
1842; Perry, born 1843; Mary, born 1844; Dianah, born 1845; and Sarah E.
who was born in 1850.
James Marshall of South Shenango Township; born in 1810 in
Pennsylvania; was a farmer with a wife, Catharine, who was born in 1822;
children included: Jefferson, born 1845; Ellen Irene, born 1846; Evaline
who was born in 1848.
Paden Marshall of South Shenango Township; born in 1806 in
Pennsylvania; was a farmer with a wife, Margaret, who was born in 1822;
children included: Joseph, born 1841; Thompson, born 1843; Samuel W.,
born 1845; Mary A., born 1847; and James O. who was born in 1850.
James Marshall of South Shenango Township; born in 1796 in
Pennsylvania; was a carpenter with a wife, Mary, who was born in 1806;
children included: David, born 1829; Elizabeth, born 1832; Washington,
born 1834; Mary, born 1836; Elvire, born 1838; Anderson, born 1840;
Lucinda, born 1842; Caroline, born 1845; Clementine, born 1848; and Sarah
A. who was born in 1849. Other Marshall family heads in Crawford County,
Pennsylvania included:
John Fairfield
Joseph Fairfield
Joseph North Shenango
Nathaniel Summerhill
Russell North Shenango
William Meadville (a saddler; 20 years old)
The only Marshall remaining in Summerhill was Nathaniel. Daniel was
no longer recorded because he had obviously left the area. In 1850,
Daniel Marshall, the farmer who was born in 1810 in Pennsylvania, now
appeared on the census report in Logan County, Ohio. He was married to to
a Maria, or Mary W. Gable, who was also born in Pennsylvania in 1808.
Daniel and Mary are my great great great grandparents. There was also a
Gable family who resided in Crawford County, Pennsylvania and in 1850 a
John Gable was still reported at that location. At this time, it is
difficult to make the actual connection to Michael Marshall or the
specific clan in Crawford County. It is, however, very certain how the
Marshall family lineage connects with the Kitchen family, beginning with
Daniel and Mary Gable Marshall.
There is a book entitled, "The History of the Gable Family",
compiled by Frank Allaben for Percival K. Gable, proprietor of the Rambo
House in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Though I have not researched a
connection with his work, I suspect there may be a linkage. He reports
that a John Phillip Gable was born in 1698, the son of Johan Jacob and
Maria Margaret Gabel of Rabach, in Zweibreucken, Rhine-Pfalz, Germany.
He married Elizabeth Catherine Cullman, daughter of Heinrich and
Maria Barbara Cullman, in 1735. They had six children, two of whom were
born in Germany. They came to America in 1739 and settled in Upper
Salford Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. John Phillip Gable
died between 1774 and 1779. In 1766, his son, Captain John Phillip
Gable, (1739 to 1809), married Margaret Bittel Gouckler, (1724 to 1802),
who was a widow and a mother with eight children. They had one son who
was born in 1768. Captain Gable was with the First Battalion of the
Philadelphia County Militia during the Revolutionary War. Though I
reviewed this and other Gable research at the New YorkCity Public
Library, I have made no direct connection to Mary Gable of Crawford
County. The Pennsylvania line of Gables may include more than one family
but the repetition of Christian or given first names and locations seem
to make the linkage probable.
As reported in the Logan County, Ohio census, Daniel and Mary Gable
Marshall had children that included:
Daniel D.Marshall, a laborer who was born in Pennsylvania in 1830;
Rebecca Marshall, who was born in Ohio in 1832;
Joseph Marshall, who was born in Ohio in 1834;
William M. Marshall, who was born in Ohio in 1837, and is my great
great grandfather;
Conrad Marshall, who was born in Ohio in 1839;
Mary A. Marshall, who was born in Ohio in 1842; and
John Marshall, who was born in 1845 in Ohio.
Another early Logan County Marshall family included Conrad Marshall,
who was born in 1799 in Pennsylvania and was a farmer. His wife was Anna
C. Marshall who was born in Pennsylvania in 1795. There were two
children at this time. One was a farmer, Conrad, who was born in Ohio in
1833 and the other child was a son, William Marshall. William was born
in 1835 in Pennsylvania and was a laborer. The Conrad given name, being
somewhat unusual, caused me to do a little additional research. I
confirmed through the Ohio census records that there was a Conrad who was
born in Pennsylvania in 1799. I believe he is probably Daniel's
brother. Daniel, who was born in 1810, seems to be either near or with
him on their migration west. In 1820, no Daniel or Conrad existed in
Ohio. However, in 1830 Conrad was in Montgomery County, Clay Township,
which is located northwest of Dayton, Ohio in the Miami Valley. There
were three Daniel Marshalls in Ohio in 1830 with locations as follows:
Stark County; Columbiana County; and Lemon Township in Butler County,
near Middletown. This Middletown location is in the Miami Valley and is
located about thirty miles south of the Clay Township location in
Montgomery.
According to the "History of Logan County", there is no certainty
regarding the establishment of taverns prior to 1830. At that time, and
probably for several years prior to that, Job Garwood kept a tavern in a
one story wooden building on Lot 24 in Bellefontaine. In 1832, he sold
the business to Jacob Gross. Mr. Gross sold the tavern one year later to
Conrad Marshall, who, assisted by his son-in-law, Jeremiah Fisher, kept
the house and business until 1840. He then sold the facilities to John
Sloan and his son-in-law, William S. Vaughn. Conrad Marshall had built a
two story addition on the south end of the building and added a second
story to the original structure. This work had added comfort to the
accomodations and in 1839, he had the pleasure of entertaining Kentucky's
distinguished and honorable Henry Clay. When Sloan and Vaughn had left
the house, Marshall and Fisher moved back in and remained through 1848.
In correspondence from C. W. Fisher in 1996, at [email protected], I
learned that John Fisher and Conrad Marshall were from Berks County,
Pennsylvania. Also, their children intermarried as follows: Jeremiah
Fisher married Catherine Marshall and John Fisher married Elizabeth
Marshall.. His records also noted that they settled in Logan County,
Ohio between 1830 and 1840.
It appears likely that the Marshall family of Logan County, Ohio and
Crawford County, Ohio had beginnings in Berks County. Specifically,
there is a strong presence in the Conewago Valley, where at the
Schwartzwald Reformed Church Conrad Marschall married a Catharina
Fernstler of Heidelburg on September 10, 1793. Heidelberg is located near
Pittsburgh.
Among the earliest Marshalls in Pennsylvania are Charles, in 1682;
John, in 1700; and William in 1713. There were land transactions
recorded in Lancaster County for James Marshall on January 10, 733; in
Chester County for Samuel Marshall on May 22, 1734; in Lancaster County
for John Marshall on February 13, 1734; and Dietrich Marshall of
Lancaster County on February 28, 1750. Since Berks County was created
out of Chester and Lancaster County in 1752, these land transaction are
actually located in present day Berks County. The earliest Marshall
seems to be Dietrich, who is listed among the "Thirty Thousand Names of
Immigrants", by Rupp. He came to the port of Philadelphia on September
16, 1736 on a ship called the "Ship Princess Augusta" from Rotterdam
through Cowes. The various spellings of Marshall have been Marshall,
Marshal, Marschal, Mareschal, Marischal, Mareschald, and others. As a
testator of his will, dated June 6, 1782, Dietrich signed his name as
"Didier Marchal". The will was registered in the court following his
death on May 8, 1784.
His wife's name was Margaret, but it was not mentioned in the will.
The childen were recorded as follows:
John; Deitrich; Jacob; David; Mary, Catherine, and Sarah.
In 1779 Dietrich had "sold his plantation" and distributed a
considerable portion of his money to his children. He established a trust
fund for his widow and directed that the principal as well as any residue
from his estate, be divided equally among his children. Unfortunately,
he did not mention the names of those with whom his children intermarried.
According to Berks County records, Dietrich, Jr. died without a will
in 1814 and John died, leaving a will in 1818. Jacob owned property in
Berks County as late as 1804 when he made a purchase from his brother,
John. David appears to have moved east to New Jersey.
Other early Marshall familes included those of Frantz and Peter of
York and Berks County, Pennsylvania. The Marshall brothers, James and
William, who settled in Shrewsbury Township, York County, Pennsylvania
also had a presence during this early period of history. James' will was
recorded on October 6, 1802 and his brother was the executor. William's
will was recorded on August 14, 1818, with Ann Hendix and his wife as
co-executors. William made bequests to his daughter, Elizabeth Marshall,
and two brothers who were John and Joseph and were residing in Ireland.
The Irish Marshalls are also represented by James, a Presbyterian
Minister who settled in Hamilton Township, Adams County,in the vicinity
of Fairfield, Pennsylvania. He was born in Ireland and had childen who
were named:
James,
Samuel,
John,
Andrew, and
Elizabeth.
This family is the subject of a special history on page 442 of the
"Histoy of Adams County" published by Warner, Beers, and Company in 1886.
There is not evan a remote chance that these Marshalls of Ireland are
related in any way to the Marshalls of Germany, but they shared the Berks
County landscape together and have formed a large presence of Marshalls
in Pennsylvania. Accordingly, I have presented both. I strongly suspect
that my ancestors were those of German descent, yet this not yet proven
beyond doubt.
In 1840, I found no Conrad or Daniel Marshall and suspect this could
have been an error in the census or the census index. Obviously, it
could also be a shortfall in my talents as a researcher. In 1850 there
are two Conrad Marshalls, including one in the Fourth Ward of Cincinnati
in Hamilton County, Ohio and the other near Bellefontaine in Jefferson
Township, Logan County, Ohio. There were then, seven Daniel Marshalls in
Ohio, but only one was in Jefferson Township, Logan County, with
Conrad. The Federal Census of 1860 shows a Conrad in Milford Township,
Butler County, Ohio which is north of Cincinnati, again within the region
of the Miami River Valley. In addition, there was a Conrad Marshall,
age twenty-six, who was residing in Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio with a
twenty-three year old wife, Mary J.; a son Herbert, age two; a son
George, age eight; and another resident names James Covenaugh. Conrad
and Mary J. Marshall were born in Pennsylvania and the children in Ohio.
Covenaugh was thirteen years of age and was born in Ireland. There was
still one more Conrad Marshall in Logan County, Ohio. At this time he
was residing in Bokes Creek Township.
In 1860, there were ten Daniel Marshalls and two were in Logan
County, Ohio. One of them was in Bokes Creek Township who I believe to
be Conrad's brother and my great great great grandfather. The other was
in Pleasant Township and one Daniel D. Marshall was located in Roundhead
in nearby Hardin County, Ohio. By reading the estate papers of Daniel
Marshall, I was able to confirm that Daniel D., of Roundhead in Hardin
County, was his eldest son. By 1880, there were no Conrad Marshalls in
the area and the only Daniel was in McArthur Township, Huntsville, Logan
County, Ohio. He was operating there as one of two area blacksmiths with
a business line also concentrating on wagon repair.
At the time of Daniel Marshall's death he was about sixty-two years
old. Estate papers that included the "Appointments for Appraisement"
were dated February 10, 1872. The estate was administered by D. D.
Marshall and was signed on the court appointment by him as, Daniel D.
Marshall. The estate inventory shows a listing of goods associated with
being a farming family with modest means. The ability to connect Daniel,
the Huntsville blacksmith in 1880, to Daniel D. of Roundhead has been
difficult. It is possible that they are only distantly related and are
probably not the person.
The one thing this research of Conrad and Daniel Marshall revealed
was a clear migration trail to Logan County, Ohio. If they were related
to Michael Marshall and the Crawford County, Pennsylvania families, they
must have travelled by flatboat or other means on the Ohio River. There
was sufficient water access from Crawford County to Pittsburgh, where the
Ohio would take them around the state of Ohio to Cincinnati. At
Cincinnati, the Miami River was a migration trail for many early settlers
to follow. Without a connection to the Michael Marshall family, this
premise is only a guess. It also fails to link their possible connection
to Berks County, Pennsylvania.
There is a certificate of death for my great great grandfather,
William M. Marshall. It records his date of birth as, April 5, 1837, in
Ohio. The certificate also reports that Daniel and Mary Gable Marshall
were his parents. His death, on September 15, 1912, was caused by a
three year battle with arterio sclerosis. William is buried in the
Bellefontaine City Cemetery with his wife, Mary and other Marshall family
members. He has a recognition marker on his grave for his service in the
Civil War.
The next family alliance was the Marshall-Burkhart family. The
Burkharts, probably of German origin, had also established early roots in
Bellefontaine, Ohio. Mary Jane Burhart was born in Logan County, Ohio in
1844 and died in 1922.
A review of early colonial records shows the following following
information concerning the name of John Burkhart:
John Burkhart, born Januray 21, 1779 in Reading, Berks County,
Pennsylvania, was married to Christiana Vaught;
John Burkhart, born in 1783, with parents named George and Catherine;
John Burgert, born 1785 in Pennsylvania, with wife Elizabeth;
John Burckert, born 1789, with parents named Henry and Elizabeth
Musser Burkhart;
John Burkhart, born 1792, with parents named George and mary Kepley
Burkhart;
John Burkhart, born September 20, 1797, in Berks County,
Pennsylvania and married Sarah Good;
John Burckhardt, born 1798 in Baden, Germany, and married to Rosa
Neumeyer;
John Burgert, born in 1803, with wife named Susanna Hollinger;
John Burkhard, born 1810, with parents named Nathaniel and
Elizabeth Kessler Burkhard;
John Burkhart, born on November 10, 1812 in Germany and married to
Magdalena Stiner;
John Burkhart, born in 1815 and married to Christinia Pears;
John Burkert, who was born in 1816 and married Elizabeth Dulhaver;
John Burkhart, born in 1825 and married to Sarah Bridges;
John Burkhart, born on March 11, 1833 in Spencer, Indiana, with
parents named Christopher and Sally Crawford Burkhart;
John Burkhard, born on November 28, 1834 in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, with parents named Christian and Anna Gehman Burkhard, and
married to Lydia Sensenig;
John Burkhart, born in Pennsylvania in 1835, whose parents were
John and Sarah Good Burkhart, and who married Sarah Clevenger.
Burkhart was originally a German name, with many of the ancestors of
Berks County, Pennsylvania using various spellings, such as , Burghart
and Burckhardt. In a book, "History of Berks County, Pennsylvania", a
sketch is presented of Joseph Burkhart, who was born on March 19, 1800 in
a log house in in an orchard in Bern Township in Berks County. His
father was John Burkhart and his mother, who died when he was a few days
old, was a Jennings. John was a Chair Maker in Bernsville, Pennsylvania.
Joseph married Catherine Fuchs, who was born in Reading, of Berks
County, on March 11, 1803, was a daughter of Christian and Catherine
Clemens Fuchs. The Clemens were of English lineage. Joseph pursued the
vocation of a Chair Maker and he and catherine first lived in a house
owned by Henry Filbert Today, the house has been torn down but a few
cherry trees mark the location. These trees probably planted to supply
the cherry wood needed to construct quality chairs. He died in
Bernsville as a Chair Maker and operator of a confectionery store on
April 23, 1874 at the age of seventy-four years. Catherine died on July
16, 1876 at the age of seventy-three years. They are both buried in
their Northkill Church Cemetery. They left six sons and four daughters,
who were:
John F.;
Daniel F.;
Rebecca, who married William E. Huber and lived in Reading;
Enoch F., of Lykens;
Henry F., a twin of Enoch, and dying at Shartlesville;
Matlida, who married John Fritz of Birdsboro;
William F., who died in Shoemakersville;
Sarah, who married Benjamin Lins and lived in Reading;
Sybilla, who married Harry Laut, and died in Germantown; and
Cyrus F. Of Philadelphia.
It is interesting to note the middle initial "F." in each of the
male names. This may have been a measure to pass the Fuchs name forward
into future generations. It is not really known if this family is the
beginning of the Pennsylvania Burkharts who were located in Logan County,
Ohio in the 1850's, but it is certainly representative of the type of
family from which the roots are planted.
The census records reflect the following migrations of Burkharts in
Ohio. The head of households, for each family, and their locations were
as follows:
Barbara, Montgomery County, Mad River Township, 1820;
George, Perry County, 1820;
George, Fairfield County, 1830;
Andress, Belmont County, 1830;
Matthais, Huron County, 1830;
William, Jefferson County, 1830;
Jacob, Hamilton County, near Milton, 1830;
Frederick, Coshocton County, 1840;
Gus V., Coshocton County, 1840;
John, Butler County, 1840;
Phillip, Coshocton County, 1840;
George F., Butler County, (deceased), 1840;
William, LoganCounty, Liberty Township, 1850;
Frederick, Montgomery County,1860;
William, Logan County, Liberty Township, 1860;
Daniel, Logan County, Bellefontaine, 1860;
Eli, Logan County, Harrison Township, 1860;
John, Logan County, Harrison Township, 1860;
William F., Logan County, Liberty Township, 1860;
John, Logan County, McArthur Township, 1880;
William F., Logan County, Liberty Township, 1880;
Charles, Logan County, Lake Township, 1880;
David, Logan County, Rushcreek Township, 1880; and
John, Logan County, Rushcreek Township, 1880.
According to the 1860 census records for Logan County, Ohio, Mary
Jane was one of seven children. The parents were farmers and their names
were John and Martha Burkhart. They were both born in Pennsylvania in
1815 and 1807 respectively. Their children were:
Eli, who was born in 1836;
Jacob, who was born in 1838;
John, who was born in 1840;
Elizabeth, who was born in 1842;
Mary Jane, who was born in 1844;
Barbara, who was born in 1848; and
David, who was born in 1850.
John Burkhart and his family were located in Harrison Township, west
of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Other Burkharts recorded in the census records
of 1860 included:
Liberty Township:
William F., who was born in Ohio in 1832;
Mary, the wife of William, who was born in 1836;
Sarah R, a daughter, born in 1857.
William, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1801;
Elizabeth, the wife of William, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1800;
Jane, a daughter, born in Ohio in 1839;
Frances, a daughter, born 1843;
Sarah Catherine, who was born in 1845;
George, who was born in 1847;
Malinda, who was born in 1852;
Eliza; who was born in 1853;
Charles, who was born in 1856; and
Dola, who was born in 1857;
In Bellefontaine, there was a shoemaker, Daniel Burkhart who was
born in Maryland in 1804. His wife was Eliza, who was born in
Pennsylvania in 1810. Their children were:
Charles F., a Carriage Painter, who was born in Ohio in 1837;
Napolean, a Carriage Maker, born in Ohio in 1839, and
Marinelle, who was born in 1841.
John and Martha Burkhart, my great great great grandparents, natives
of Pennsylvania, were probably linked to the Berks County area and to the
German Reforamtion movement. They would have been in the area at the
same time as the Fichthorn family, who later intermarried with a Kitchen
descendant. On January 22, 1865, John and Martha's daughter, Mary Jane
Burkhart , married William M. Marshall. They were both natives of Logan
County and both appeared to have Berks County, Pennsylvania origins.
Their wedding was performed by a Justice of the Peace, Thomas Turner.
Both William M. and Mary J. Burkhart Marshall were reared and
educated in Logan County, Ohio. After leaving school, William M. "Will"
Marshall took up farming, working by the month until the time of his
marriage. After his wedding, he rented a property and continued to carry
on general farming operations until the time of his retirement. He was
reported in a Logan County historical sketch as a man of integrity, who
was plain and unassuming. He was willing to confine himself to the
duties of his vocation and citizenship. He had no desire to pursue
commerce or finance or the doubtful honors of public life. William and
Mary had four children who were:
James Albert, who was born in 1868, was married to a woman named
Emma C. Emma lived from 1873 to 1929 and is buried with her husband in
Section 8 of the Bellefontaine City Cemetery. He operated a Livery
Stable on Detroit Street in Bellefontaine, Ohio where Earl, Roy, and
Forest Marshall Kitchen worked and drove wagons. My grandfather, Roy,
and his brother Forest, stayed with Albert and their family when they
were working for their Uncle Albert Marshall, during their early teen
years. Albert died in 1944. Albert and Emma Marshall had three children:
Mary Florence, who married into the Daum
family. Even though I have met, talked and exchanged
information with Florence, though I secured no information on
her specific family;
Harold Albert; who died on August 16, 1945 at the
age of 31 years. He had undergone an operation at
University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and was employed by the
New York Central Railroad. There was a private
funeral service conducted by Rev. Earl V. Willetts and
it was held in his residence in Bellefontaine. According to
family legnd, his death was actually supposed to have
been caused by a suicide or suicide attempt on either
Lawrence or Sullivan Street in Bellefontaine.He was buried
in the City Cemetery in Bellefontaine and left a wife,
Annabelle, and one young son, John Marshall.
John Lincoln, a barber with a business in
Bellefontaine, Ohio, and
William, of Mount Vernon, Ohio. His location in
Mount Vernon was the result of his tuberculosis. I was told
that they lived in crudely constructed cottages at the
TB facility and were left in the cold to "clear" the
tuberculosis from their lungs. This was certainly not much of
a treatment program.
Mary E. Marshall, who was born on October 29, 1875 in
Bellefontaine, Ohio. She died in Bellefontaine on March 18, 1917 at the
age of forty-one years. She married Henry Earl Kitchen and is my great
grandmother. She is also the subject of more research and history in the
next chapter.
Emma S., who married Fred Joslin of Bellefontaine and was born in
Loagan County in 1870.. The Joslins were also an established clan of the
Logan and Shelby County areas. I know they had one daughter, Anna Belle
Joslin, and I was told by my Uncle Harold Kitchen, that he thought there
were two girls. I have a picture of one of the daughters whose name was
also, Emma. She is pictured with Forest Marshall Kitchen on the lap of
their grandma Marshall.
Cora Ella, born in Logan County in 1876 and was a daughter for whom
I have no information or knowledge. I only learned of her name from her
niece Florence Daum and the 1880 federal census records, she was shown
living with her parents, William and Mary Jane Marshall; her brother,
James Albert; her sisters, Emma S. And Mary E.; and her grandfather, John
Burkhart; and her uncle, David Burkhart..
.
In a letter from Floence Marshall Daum on September 7, 1979, she
said that the eldest son of Earl and Mary Marshall Kitchen kept in touch
with their family through the years, driving back to Bellefontaine and
visiting at least annually until his death. This eldest son was my
grandfather, Pap. This is just anothert example of his desire to hold
and nurture these precious family relationships. In a visit at
Florence's home at 504 Linden Street in Bellefontaine, I learned that the
older generations of Marshalls were light in their complexions, blond,
"freckle-ish", with hazel eyes. The Kitchens, on the other hand, donned
black hair, dark ruddy complexions, dark eyes, big and healthy looking.
She also said that Mary was called Mollie because of the confusion with
her grandmother's name of Mary Burkhart Marshall. She also knew that both
Earl and Mollie were buried in the Bellefontaine City Cemetery. She
remembers Earl as a musician, who played the fiddle throughout the area.
His violin, or fiddle, was passed down to my grandfather and then to his
eldest son Forest Leroy Kitchen. In a burglary that occurred at Forest
and Glenna Kitchen's home on the Old Troy Pike, the violin was taken from
the attic and was never found. Little did these theives know, that a
special family emblem was being removed from the line. The bow is still
in the possession of the family.
Darrell B. Kitchen FAX: 513 327-7023
Wittenberg University Telephone: 513 327-7025
Post Office Box 720 E-mail: [email protected]
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Subject:
14 14 14 14 14 14
Date:
Fri, 28 Feb 1997 16:49:02 -0800 (PST)
From:
Darrell Kitchen
To:
[email protected]
Despite my Christian upbringing and my belief associated with
Christainity, I cannot avoid a little superstition...The WILL BE NO
Chapter 13. The next is 14...that is we skip 13...here 'tis...
Chapter 14
The Children of Henry Earl and Mary E. Marshall Kitchen
Hazel, Charles Leroy, Forest Marshall, Emerson, Lester Hagler, Lucille,
Edith and Harold Mitchell
Earl, best known by family and friends as a musician, was born on
August 8, 1872 in Logan County, Ohio. On July 13, 1893, he married
Mollie Marshall. The ceremony was performed in Bellefontaine, Ohio by
Rev. A. R. Stowbert. Earl was born on his parent's farm near Rush Lake
in Jefferson Township. This was referred to earlier as the "Tine Bullar
Farm". He was raised at this location and later moved to a more northern
location in Logan County, in Richland Township. The farm location was
between Belle Center and the Lewistown Reservoir, later renamed Indian
Lake. Their location was much closer to the lake area and was owned by
the family until they moved to O'Conner's Landing on Indian Lake. It was
at their O'Conner's Landing home, that Earl's mother died. His father
later relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana.
His mother, Sue, was a teacher and insured that he received
sufficient educational opportunities. His father, Dick, though most
closely associated with farming, also engaged in numerous other business
ventures. His grandfather, Edward, also a farmer, had led a commercial
life and resided in Indianapolis, Indiana fom 1845 to 1855, conducting
affairs as a merchandiser. This somewhat diverse background certainly
provided Earl with exposures and ideas not solely derived from
agricultural pursuits. Perhaps it was this exposure that led him to seek
a livlihood as a musician.
I know of no contact between the Kitchens and the Marshalls prior to
Earl and Mollie's marriage. Perhaps it was his performances in the
various show houses and theaters that first sparked their relationship.
Anyway, at Earl's age of 21 and Mollies's age of 17, the Kitchen-Marshall
alliance was formed and the union resulted in the birth of eight
children. Earl worked for his Uncle Albert Marshall in the livery
stable. This livery was located on Detroit Street in Bellefontaine, Ohio
and his work included caring for the horses and wagons and leading the
teams on work projects. His work as a musician was probably a somewhat
natural evolution. In a Robeson family diary which I found in the State
Library in Columbus, there are notations showing how the neighbors in
this farming community would "go over to Dick Kitchen's house for some
singing and sweet discoursing". If their source of entertainment and
relaxation was derived from singing, music, and conversation, then what
better vocation to follow if given the choice.
The opportunities to seek employment as a musician were primarily
linked to the theaters and and stages of the area. In these days before
automobiles, there were more theaters and stages. This would enable
families to attend without long horseback or wagon rides. Also, this was
obviously before the technology of recording and amplification.
Therefore, all the entertainment was live. Earl's instrument was the
violin, or fiddle, and he was recognized solely as a "musician" by the
people of his family and within this Miami Valley community. The only
people who have told me that he ever worked in a livery was Pap and
Earl's niece, Florence. Everyone else spoke of, "Earl Kitchen, the
Musician."
Earl's life was cut extremely short. On May 26, 1908, at the age of
thirty-five he died from complications caused by Quinsy. This is
something I have never heard about in illnesses today. It is a sore
throat, with an abcess of tonsil capsule that is due to a bacterial
infection. Today, the treatment and control is quite simple through the
use of medications that wee unavailable during that period. These
abscesses often rupture on their own, if not, surgical incision may be
required. In Earl's case, surgical incision was required. According to
the stoies I have been told, the doctor lanced the abcess in his home on
the kitchen table. Poison or fluid from the abcess entered his system
and he began to suffer from a sickness and fever. After over one month
of serious illness and fever, he died. While on his own death bed, he
was told by family members that his baby daughter, Edith, had just died.
Earl would have been crushed, but he was in so much pain that he could
not even show an emotion. His pain ended, and he left a widow and seven
children.
There is also some indication that his marriage may not have been
going so well and that he and Mollie were actually separated prior to his
early death. The several people who have shared this information, have
done so with no malice, but only to present a proper setting for events
to follow.
Earl Kitchen is buried in the Kitchen burial plot, Section 12 and
Lot 137, in the Bellefontaine City Cemetery. His grave is located with
his parents, grandparents, daughter, and other family members. There is
a clear record of his burial and location, however, there is no marker.
It is really not absolutely clear where Mollie and her children were
following Earl's death. After only two years, however, the next major
family event took place. On June 8, 1910, Applications for Admission
were completed by Mollie for the Logan County Children's Home. The
applications were set forth to place four children; Forest, Agnes,
Emerson, and Harold, into the County Home. The applications were approved
and on June 9, 1910, orders were rendered by the Board of Trustees to the
Superintendent, that accomodated Mollie's voluntary surrender of her
childen. The children became subjects of home on June 9, 1910. I have
received the records of this transfer and the resulting legal adoptions
of all four children. I have included copies of a few documents from the
surrender and adoption files as information.
At this time, Hazel, the eldest child and daughter supposedly
remained with her mother and, from time to time, stayed with her aunt,
Emma Marshall Joslin. Lester, at age ten, was sent to his grandfather's
farm. In the 1910 Federal Census record, he is shown living with his
maternal grandfather, William M. Marshall. This was slightly before his
brothers and sister were surrendered to the Logan County Children's
Home. In this census record, the rest of the children were shown living
in Bellefontaine with their mother, Mary E. Kitchen.
Grandpa, Will Marshall, died on September 15, 1912. For several
years he had battled with arterio sclerosis and he finally lost the fight
in his seventy-fifth year. Grandma Marshall certainly remained active and
Les probably stayed there until his maturity.
Charles Leroy, or Roy, at the age of fourteen years, was forced to
quit school and began working for wages in the Bellefontaine area. At
times, he was employed by and lived with Albert Marshall, who managed the
Livery Stable on Detroit Street in Bellefontaine. Roy, or Pap, also
worked at the Oak Restaurant in the Hotel, which was located in downtown
Bellefontaine. For a longer period of time, he worked and lived on his
grandfather's farm. Most family members recall that the farm was owned by
his grandfather, Richard Sprigg Kitchen. Richard, or Dick, also had his
six year old grandson, Harold Edgar, living with him in 1910. There was
one person who thought Pap had also worked and lived with his
grandfather, William M. Marshall, where his brother Lester was residing
in 1910. If this is true, it was probably a temporary measure prior to
Will Marshall's death in 1912. Regardless of the specifics, it is
sufficient to say, that Pap and his brothers and sisters faced inordinate
adversity in their young and formative years. Pap, who watched his
father, Earl Kitchen, die in 1908, began his adulthood at the age of
fourteen, in 1910, and probably before that !
On November 24, 1910, Mrs. J. R. Renick, the Matron of the Logan
County Children's Home, replied to a letter written by Mary, or Mollie
Kitchen. This was close to Thanksgiving and perhaps emotions were
emerging. The letter was written on a County Home postcard and read as
follows:
Mrs. Mary Kitchen
Dayton, Ohio
General Delivery
Mrs. Kitchen:
Your card rec'd will say the children are well and happy and growing
to beat everything. They are very good and obedient. Baby is the pet of
the house hold; you ask why they haven't written. They have no idea
where you were. We had heard through the officials where you were but of
course we didn,t tell them anything about it. They seem contented and
happy. The less writing they do to the outside world the better for them.
Children in school all the time. Plenty to eat and wear and good
place to sleep and kept clean and healthy.
Mrs. J. R. Renick, Matron
Needless to say, this letter of reply leaves a few stones unturned,
and so be it.
Pap went to work for the New York Central Railroad. At the time,
there were well established routes in the Miami Valley area, and
specifically between Bellefontaine and Springfield. The tracks followed
the present day Route 68 and were in active use. Among other labors, Pap
was a cook on the railroad which led him to Springfield on a regular
basis.
At sometime, probably around 1910, Mary E. Marshall Kitchen married
a teamster, Alva Graham. It is possible that this marriage or
relationship took place prior to Earl Kitchen's death. My great aunt,
Viola Stewart Hostetler, said she remembers that Pap's mom had left Earl
and the children prior to his illness. In 1907, there is a Mary "I."
Graham in Springfield, Ohio, residing at 22 East Mulberry Street. In
1908, she moved to the King Building and in 1909 was at 133 East Grand
Avenue. There is no indication of a Mary Kitchenor Graham in
Springfield between 1909 and 1915. We do know, however, that she was in
Dayton in 1910. Whether this Mary I. Graham is Mary E. Kitchen, is
really not known for sure.
In 1915, she does appear as Mary E. Graham, residing at 910 Summer
Street in Springfield. In 1916, Alva Graham and his wife Mary, are shown
living at the Haag Apartments. These apartments were owned by Mamie Haag,
a grocer, and were located at 122-26 West North Street. Also living at
the "Haag Flats" at the time was Erv and Georgianne Stewart. Erv, a
nickname for his real name of Ereligah or Elijah, became a porter durimg
the latter part of 1917 and roomed at 25 West Washington Street in
Springfield. Georgianne had taken her children to the Haag Flats and
later to 135 East Grand Avenue, the same address as Mary I. Graham in
1909. Though they had also lived briefly at 712 Tibbetts, it was at the
Haag Apartments that Pap met Harriettie Greenville, or Hattie, Stewart.
Pap was listed in the 1916 City Directory as, Leroy, a Waiter, of 126
West North Street. Hattie had first shown an interest in Pap's brother,
Forest, who ultimately left the area after an argument and fight with his
stepfather, Alva Graham. Anyway, the Stewarts actually took Pap into
their home at 135 East Grand Avenue, where he was listed in 1917, as a
welder. He had left the railroad, became a waiter and then embarked on a
long career as a welder for the International Harvester Comany, currently
Navistar. In 1917, his mother moved to 32 South Center Street. Though
there is no record of a divorce in Clark County, Ohio, Alva Graham seemed
to be out of the picture.
In 1917, Mary returned to her sister's home at 309 Ludlow Street in
Bellefontaine. On January 21, she was diagnosed as having carcinoma of
the uterus, involving the lower pelvis, and she died at Emma's house on
March 18, 1917 at the age of 41 years; 4 months; and 19 days old. Her
mother, who survived her, saw that she was buried in the Bellefontaine
City Cemetery. There is no marker, but the records reveal that she is
buried with her daughter, Hazel Kitchen McConnell, in the Marshall plot.
Even if Mollie had waited until after Earl's death to make her new
life, it seems clear that she was no longer well received by the
conservative Kitchen clan. Remember, Dick had a burial plot with open
gravesites, where Earl and Edith were both buried. There was plenty of
space for her and Hazel in the plot.
On November 13, 1916, Charles Leroy Kitchen who was twenty-one years
old, and Harriettie Greenville Stewart, age eighteen, were married. The
marriage was performed by Reverend F. W. Hoffman at the Grace Reformed
Church on the Northeast corner of Plum and West Main Streets. Harold,
Pap's baby brother, had told me he remembered the wedding very well and
said he was allowed to leave the County Home to attend the occasion. Pap
was listed as a welder and Hattie, or Mom, was a cashier. She worked as
employed at a ticket booth at a local theater.
Before entering into a special chapter about Mom and Pap's family,
there was one event that took place prior to the birth of their first
son, Forest Leroy. Pap become seriously ill with a fever and was near
death. He was taken to the City Hospital, on Hospital Hill, located on
Selma Road in Springfield. A nurse was assigned to care for his needs,
as he was expected to die as his father had. The nurse became ill and
developed the same symptoms and fever that Pap was experiencing. This
was likely the result of the communicable nature of his illness. Thanks
to God, Pap survived, but unfortunately, the nurse did not. This was a
sacrifice beyond belief to me.
Mom and Pap remained in Springfield for their entire lives and
raised a wonderful and loving family of six children.
As previously stated, Earl and Mollie had eight children. The
following is an overview of their lives and families:
Hazel
The oldest child and daughter of Henry Earl and Mary Marshall Kitchen
The oldest child and daughter of Earl and Mollie was born in
Jefferson Township, Logan County, Ohio on November 20, 1893. Hazel was
supposedly a beautiful girl and young woman. Through her years, she
remained close with her mother and lived near her throughout most of her
life. She was married to a Mr. McConnell. Though the McConnell name was
very common in the Logan County area at the time, I have not found a
record regarding this man's specific family. There were also a number of
McConnells living in Springfield, Ohio, where Hazel Kitchen McConnell was
listed in the City Directory beginning in 1916. She was reported at a
residence in the rear of 559 East Columbia and in 1917, at 122 North
Fisher Street in downtown Springfield.
.
Both of these areas were near downtown and were certainly not good
neighborhoods. I do not know when Hazel married McConnell, but suspect
it was between 1910 and 1915. Whether Hazel separated from McConnell
while living in Springfield is certainly not known to me, but if they did
live together, it was for a very short time, as there is no mention of
him in the City Directories of Springfield. Hazel did not have any
children.
On Tuesday morning at 11:00 A.M. on October 16, 1917, Hazel was
found dead in her home at 122 North Fisher Street. The informant was
also a resident of 122 North Fisher Street and was a man named Wilbur J.
(Roy) Holland. Holland had lived at that address since 1912 and remained
there until he entered the United States Armry in 1919. He returned to
Springfield in 1924 and moved to 112 North Fisher Street. An account
written in the Bellefontaine Weekly Examiner states that she had died
from an illness of tuberclulosis and asthma which had lasted several
months. It said she was the daughter of Earl Kitchen and his wife,
deceased, and had resided in Bellefontaine until she was near twenty
years of age. It also stated that she was a housekeeper and a member of
the Bellefontaine Church of Christ. Her funeral services were conducted
by Rev, Traverse Harrison and the body was returned to the home of her
aunt, Emma Joslin, on Ludlow Road in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
This obituary in the Springfield Newspaper, and the Bellefontaine
Weekly Examiner, listed her survivors as her brothers and sister. Their
locations in Springfield, Bellefontaine and Toledo were noted. For her
brother, Forest, the residence was listed as "USA", or unknown.
The connection with the Church of Christ stems from the Marshall
family and the fact that she was brought to her aunt Emma Marshall
Joslin's home is some indication of some closeness with the Marshall
family. Florence Marshall Daum had told me several times, that Hazel and
Mollie were her mother's favorites. Her mother saw them as full of life
and as very pretty women.
She was buried on October 19, 1917, in an unmarked grave in the
Marshall plot in the Bellefontaine City Cemetery. The location is in
Section 3 and Lot 34. Whether her lifestyle or family choices were an
issue for the Kitchen family will never be known for sure. It is,
however, clear that her alignment was much stronger with the Marshalls
and a distance had been created with the Kitchens.
Charles Leroy (Roy)
The second child and oldest son of Henry Earl and Mary Marshall Kitchen
Charles Leroy, or Roy Kitchen, was born on September 12, 1895. His
birthplace was Jefferson Township, Logan County, Ohio. As presented
previously, his father died when he only thirteen years of age and the
need to work took some priority over any preference for a complete
education and a normal childhood. The world of responsibilty came to him
adruptly and he embraced the challenge with diligence. Roy is my
grandfather, and I have always called him, "Pap".
His grandfather, Dick Kitchen, who supposedly helped in raising him,
was a stern man with high expectations. Pap had even commented that he
was mean, and that he used to take off in the Winter months to go fishing
with friends and stop through Texas to check on his land and investments,
leaving his wife, Sue at home to manage the farm and family. The fact
that Pap even said this is astounding, because he did not speak about his
family too much. Maybe that is why my curiosty was aroused. This
research would hopefully be pleasing to Pap and I pray he would find
nothing but a positive approach and a very genuine sense of bringing a
history and understanding to this grand clan.
************** IN PROGRESS***********************
Forest Marshall Kitchen
Lester Hagler Kitchen
Emerson Kitchen
Agnes Louise Kitchen
Edith Kitchen
Harold Mitchell Kitchen
Chapter 15
The Children of Charles Leroy "Roy" and Harriettie "Hattie" Greenville
Stewart
Forest "Fory"Leroy, Julia Lavada (twin), Helen Navada (twin), John "Jack"
Lester, James "Jim"Harold, and Georgia Evelyn "Midge"
I am Jack's son! (and yes I have more writing to do ***********)
To Be Continued
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