John Thompson

John Thompson was born on 4 Mar 1797 in Kentucky. [1–4]

In Sep 1810, he was a  apprenticed to George Brown in Ohio County, Kentucky. [5]

In Nov 1810, he was a released from apprenticeship to George Brown in Ohio County, Kentucky. [6]

In May 1811, John was an apprenticed to John Taylor to learn the art of a blacksmith in Ohio County, Kentucky. [7–8]

He was listed on the tax rolls in 1820 in Ohio County, Kentucky. [9]

He married Sarah Iglehart on 1 Feb 1820 in Ohio County, Kentucky. [10–16]

He lived with 1 male 16-25 and 1 female 16-25 who was listed as John Thompson in Ohio County, Kentucky in Jun 1820. [17]

John was the father of William T. Thompson who was born on 29 Dec 1820 in Ohio County, Kentucky, [3,18–19]

He was listed on the tax rolls in 1821 in Ohio County, Kentucky. [20]

He was listed on the tax rolls in 1822 in Ohio County, Kentucky. [21]

John was the father of Jacob Thompson who was born on 17 Aug 1822 in Ohio County, Kentucky, [3,22–23]

He was listed on the tax rolls in 1823 in Ohio County, Kentucky. [24]

He was listed on the tax rolls in 1824 in Ohio County, Kentucky. [25]

John was the father of Benjamin Franklin Thompson who was born on 12 Mar 1824, [3,26]

He was the father of Levi I. Thompson who was born on 8 May 1826, [3]

He lost a child, Levi I. Thompson, on 4 Jul 1828. [3]

John was the father of Martha Jane Thompson who was born on 5 Dec 1828, [3]

He purchased land being the Northwest quarter of section twenty five in Township five south on 20 Sep 1829 in Warrick County, Indiana. [27]

He was the father of Andrew J. Thompson who was born on 10 Feb 1832, [3]

John was the father of Mary Elizabeth Thompson who was born on 7 Apr 1834, [3,28]

He was the father of John Lowe Thompson who was born on 6 Mar 1836 in Indiana, [3,29–37]

He made final payment of fifty dollars and cents being in full for the north west quarter of the south of range number nine west containing forty acres on 11 Apr 1836 in Warrick County, Indiana. [38]

John purchased land being the Northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section number twenty five in township number five South of Range number nine west estimated to contain fifty acres on 8 Sep 1836 in Warrick County, Indiana. [39]

He purchased land being the east half of the south west quarter of section twenty five in township five south of range nine west containing eighty acres on 3 Dec 1836 in Warrick County, Indiana. [40]

He filed certificate for the purchase of the Northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section twenty three in township five south of range nine west on 5 Aug 1837 in Warrick County, Indiana. [41]

John filed a certificate for the purchase of the Southwest quarter of section 25 in township 5 South of Range 9 West on 7 Nov 1837 in Warrick County, Indiana. [41]

He was the father of Francis Marion Thompson who was born on 16 Apr 1838 in Warrick County, Indiana, [3,29,42–46]

He was the father of Sarah Ellen Thompson who was born on 17 Feb 1841, [3]

John was the father of James Allen Thompson who was born on 17 Feb 1841 in Indiana, [3,47]

He lived in Wapello County, Iowa in 1844. [18]

He lost a child, Sarah Ellen Thompson, on 16 Jul 1844. [3]

John sold land being the West half of section number 25 and the Northwest quarter of Southeast quarter of section number 23 in township 5 south of range nine west containing 360 acres on 11 Apr 1845 in Warrick County, Indiana. [48]

He lived in Wapello County, Iowa in 1846. [49]

He lived in Wapello County, Iowa in 1847. [50]

John lost a child, Martha Jane Thompson, on 4 Apr 1848. [3]

He sold land being the West half of section no twenty five (25) and also the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section no twenty three all in township no five (5) South of Range No nine (9) west on 19 Jun 1850 in Warrick County, Indiana. [51]

He lived at District 13 in Wapello County, Iowa on 19 Oct 1850. [52–53]

John lived in Wapello County, Iowa in 1852. [54]

He lived in Competine Township, Wapello County, Iowa in 1854. [55]

He lived in Wapello County, Iowa in Jul 1856. [56]

John lived in Adams County, Iowa in 1857. [18]

He died on 14 Aug 1857 at the age of 60 in Adams County, Iowa. [1–4,18,34]

He was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Mount Etna, Adams County, Iowa. [1,3–4,57]

ENDNOTES:

1. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online November 2016), memorial for John Thompson (1797-1857), Find a Grave Memorial no. #27423393, created by Irish Eyes are smiling, citing Forest Hill Cemetery, Mount Etna, Adams County, Iowa; accompanying photograph by Cindy Baldogo, John Thompson.

2. Works Project Administration, “Iowa, Cemetery Records, 1662-1999,” database online, Graves Registration Project, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2016), John Thompson.

3. Adams County History Book Committee, History of Adams County, Iowa 1984 (Corning, Iowa: Corning Departmental Club and Civic Department, 1984), p. 554-555 John and Sarah Thompson.

4. The Adams County Iowa Cemeteries, Compiler, Adams County Iowa Cemeteries (Prescott, Iowa: The Adams County Genealogy Society, 1986), p. 64; digital images, FamilySearch, familysearch.org viewed online 11 May 2023.

5. Kentucky, Ohio County. Order Books 1799-1904.  Film #1912998 DGS 7646780. John Thompson, Sept 1810; Book 3: page 39; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.com : viewed online May 2023.

6. Kentucky, Ohio County. Order Books 1799-1904.  Film #1912998 DGS 7646780. John Thompson, Nov 1810; Book 3: page 50; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.com : viewed online May 2023.

7. Kentucky, Ohio County. Order Books 1799-1904.  Film #1912998 DGS 7646780. John Thompson, May 1811; Vol. 3: page 82; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.com : viewed online 30 April 2023.

8. Michael L. Cook and Bettie A. Cummings Cook Ohio County Kentucky Records Volume 1 (Evansville, IN: Cook Publications, 1986), page 242.

9. Kentucky, Ohio County. Tax Books, 1799-1845.  Film #Film #007834494. John Thompson, 1820; image 469; digitized microfilm, Family Search https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007834494?cat=156804 : viewed online December 2018.

10. Bettie Cummings Cook, Ohio County Kentucky Records Volume I (Evansville, IN: Cook Publications, 1986), p. 94 (Thompson.KY.004)

11. Dodd, Jordan, “Kentucky Marriages, 1802-1850,” database online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2016), John Thompson / Sarah Ingleheart.

12. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com). : viewed online 11 May 2023.

13. Kentucky, County Marriages, 1783-1965, Sarah Iglehart, 1 February 1820; database with images, Ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017).

14. Kentucky, County Marriages, 1783-1965, John Tomson, 1 February 1820; database with images, Ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.com.

15. Ohio, Kentucky, Marriage Bonds, V. A-F 1808-1865:Vol. A page 39, image 74, John Tomson – Sarah Iglehart, 1 Feb 1820; digital image, Clerk of the County Court, Morgantown, Kentucky. film 494956 DGS 6463424. digital image. Family Search (www.familysearch.org:  accessed Sept 2018).

16. “The Family Tree,” The Ohio County Times (Hartford, Kentucky), 6 April 1972, page 15; digital images, Ohio County Times News Newspaper Archive (tnh.stparchive.com : viewed online 8 June 2021).

17. 1820 U.S. Census, Ohio County, Kentucky, population schedule, Ohio County, Kentucky, page 126, Image 7 of 9, John Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2016); NARA Microfilm Publication M33

18. Portrait and Biographical Album of Wapello County, Iowa: Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887), page 479 – W. T. Thompson; Digital copy, Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/cu31924050414295/page/n5/mode/2up viewed online 27 July 2022.

19. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online June 2017), memorial for William T Thompson (1820-1898), Find a Grave Memorial no. #88989671, created by Donna Wells, citing Ottumwa Cemetery, Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa; accompanying photograph by llanggin, William T Thompson.

20. Kentucky, Ohio County. Tax Books, 1799-1845.  Film #Film #007834494. John Thompson, 1821; image 494; digitized microfilm, Family Search https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007834494?cat=156804 : viewed online December 2018.

21. Kentucky, Ohio County. Tax Books, 1799-1845.  Film #Film #007834494. John Thompson, 1822; image 533; digitized microfilm, Family Search https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007834494?cat=156804 : viewed online December 2018.

22. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online November 2017), memorial for Jacob Thompson (1822-1905), Find a Grave Memorial no. #45064652, created by tjvon, citing Burns Cemetery, Burnes, Harney County, Oregon; accompanying photograph by tjvon, Jacob Thompson.

23. “Harney County, Oregon, Cemetery Records,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 19 March 2023), Jacob Thompson.

24. Kentucky, Ohio County. Tax Books, 1799-1845.  Film #Film #007834494. John Thompson, 1823; image 568; digitized microfilm, Family Search https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007834494?cat=156804 : viewed online December 2018.

25. Kentucky, Ohio County. Tax Books, 1799-1845.  Film #Film #007834494. John Thompson, 1824; image 596; digitized microfilm, Family Search https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007834494?cat=156804 : viewed online December 2018.

26. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online September 2018), memorial for Benjamin Franklin Thompson (1824-1875), Find a Grave Memorial no. #17132974, created by Burt, citing Gowrie Township Cemetery, Gworie, Webster County, IA;, Benjamin Franklin Thompson.

27. Warrick County, Indiana, Book 2: page 96, Hinman to John Thompson; FHL microfilm Film #1443659 DGS #929115.

28. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online September 2018), memorial for Mary ElizabethThompson Evans (1834-1917), Find a Grave Memorial no. #9398861,

29. Adams County History Book Committee,  History of Adams County, Iowa 1984 (Corning, Iowa: Corning Departmental Club and Civic Department, 1984), p. 555; .

30. 1900 U.S. Census, Adams County, Iowa, population schedule, Washington Township, Adams County, Iowa, ED 11, Sheet 12A, Image 23 of 26, family 241, Tompson John L; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online September 2018)

31. “Iowa, Cemetery Records, 1662-1999,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (September 2018), John L Thompson; Works Project Administration. Graves Registration Project.

32. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online September 2018), memorial for John Lemmon Thompson (1836-1917), Find a Grave Memorial no. #28927349,

33. “Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990,” Family Search, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (September 2018), John L. Thompson.

34. “Death Honored Resident,” Adams County Free Press (Corning, Iowa), 15 December 1917, p. 4; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online September 2018).

35. “Obituary,” Adams County Free Press (Corning, Iowa), 19 December 1917, page 2; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online September 2018).

36. “Iowa, U.S., Armed Forces Grave Registrations 1835-1998,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (7 May 2023), John L Thompson.

37. Cemeteries, Adams County Iowa Cemeteries, page 53.

38. Warrick County, Indiana, Deed Book 5: page 549, Thompson final payment; FHL microfilm Film #1443660 DGS #8219116.

39. Warrick County, Indiana, Book 2: page 172.

40. Warrick County, Indiana, Book 2: page 262.

41. Warrick County, Indiana, Book 6: page 638-639.

42. Cemeteries, Adams County Iowa Cemeteries, p. 68.

43. “Iowa Civil War Soldier Burial Records,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : Sept 2018 (viewed online), Francis M Thompson.

44. “Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990,” Family Search, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : Nov 2017 (viewed online), Francis Marion Thompson.

45. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online September 2018), memorial for Francis M. Thompson (1838-1921), Find a Grave Memorial no. #27423472,

46. “Obituary,” Adams County Free Press (Corning, Iowa), 12 January 1921, page 2; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online September 2018).

47. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online September 2018), memorial for James A Thompson (1841-1868), Find a Grave Memorial no. #35201033,

48. Warrick County, Indiana, Book 6: page 348.

49. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, John Thompson, 1846; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2018). Original Source: State Historical Society of Iowa.

50. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, John Thompson, 1847; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com.

51. Warrick County Indiana, Deed Book 9: page 240, John Thompson and Sarah Thompson to Samuel C Bradford; FHL microfilm film 1443662 DGS 8219118.

52. 1850 U.S. Census, Wapello County, Iowa, population schedule, District 13, Wapello County, Iowa, Image 102 of 204, household 692, John Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2016).

53. 1850 U.S. Census, Wapello County, Iowa, Agriculture Schedule, District 13, Wapello County, Iowa, page 821, Image 8 of 24, John Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2018)

54. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, John Thompson, 1852; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com.

55. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, John B Thompson, 1854; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com.

56. 1856 Iowa Census, Wapello County, Iowa, Iowa state census, Dahlonega, Wapello County, Iowa, p. 155, Image 19 of 20, household 107, John Thompson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2016); State Historical Society of Iowa

57. Works Project Administration, “Iowa, Cemetery Records, 1662-1999,” database online, Graves Registration Project, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017), John Thompson.

Going in Circles

Have you ever researched one ‘bush’ or ‘floating tree’ in your file to discover a connection to a different ‘bush’ or ‘floating tree’? That’s what I encountered when going thru Ancestry hints for Sarah Sellers, daughter of James Sellers and Mary Crawford.

For background, Mary is thought to be the sister of the James Crawford who married Martha Knight. Mary’s father, James is a neighbor to my ancestor, James Crawford who married Sarah Duggins. Also living in Garrard County, Kentucky at the time is James Crawford who married Rebecca Anderson. Thus, I’ve been researching both James and Rebecca Anderson, James and Martha Crawford as well as Mary Crawford and her husband James Sellers.

James and Mary Sellers’s daughter Sarah married William Elder. In the research of the Elder family in Decatur County, Indiana, I stumbled across a biography of their son, Oliver Clay Elder, that names the children of Sarah and William Elder. Included in that list of children was Mrs. Mary Vawter.

Vawter is a surname that I’ve seen before connected to the James and Rebecca (Anderson) Crawford family. James and Rebecca’s daughter Elizabeth Crawford was married to Beverly Vawter. Their son, James Crawford Vawter, was married to Mary Crawford Elder — bringing me full circle. I believe Mary Elder, granddaughter of James Sellers and Mary Crawford is married to James Crawford Vawter, grandson of James Crawford and Rebecca Anderson.

While FamilySearch currently does not have the wife of James Crawford Vawter connected to the SELLERS family, I plan to do further research to prove or disprove the relationship.

Since the current theory regarding the CRAWFORD families of Garrard County, Kentucky is that Rebeka Crawford is the sister-in-law of James Crawford (wife Rebecca Anderson). This theory is supported by yDNA results. Thus, Mary Elder may be the second cousin once removed to James Crawford Vawter.

While the biography of Oliver Elder in the History of Decatur County, Indiana is the only source I currently have linking the Sellers / Crawford families, it is a hint I plan to pursue.

page 698

Oliver C. Elder

Oliver C. Elder, a retired farmer of Greensburg, Indiana, is a veteran of the Civil War and one who has an exceptionally splendid military record, even though he is very modest in accepting this record, a man still sturdy and strong for his age. On the first day of the battle of the Wilderness, while serving as orderly sergeant, he look the place of the lieutenant in command. All of the commissioned officers of his company, having been killed, he retained command of the company until just before the battle of Petersburg. One of four brothers who served in the cause of the Union during the Civil War, he is the grandson on his paternal side of a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His brother, James, was captured and held as a Confederate prisoner in Andersonville, Florence, Salisbury and Charleston for a period of nine months.
Oliver C. Elder, who is one of the highly respected older citizens of this county and a native of Washington township, was born on November 27, 1843, one mile south and two miles east of Greensburg, the son of William M. and Sarah S. (Sellers) Elder, natives of Kentucky, who moved to Decatur county in 1S2O, shortly after it was open for settlement. Born in January, 1802, William M. Elder entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Decatur county, after coming here in 1826 and later purchased an eighty acre tract from his brother. He had four brothers, Matthew, James, Andrew and Robert. Leaving the farm in 1863. he moved to Greensburg because four of his sons were engaged in the service of their country in the Civil War and he had no assistance with which to operate the farm. Of his ten children, three died in infancy and seven lived to maturity. Five of these seven children, Mrs. Mary C. Vawter, Mrs. America Gray, Mrs. Sarah Taylor, George and Henry are now deceased, and the living children are Oliver and James Marshall. The last four served in the Civil War. James Marshall resides at Highland Center, Iowa. The mother of these children having died in May, 1855, the father was married again to Eliza Ford and by this second marriage had two children, Mrs. Serena Hamilton, of Iowa, and Mrs. Zerura Griffey, of Indianapolis. The father died on April 8, 1875-
After living at home with his parents until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he was eighteen years old, Oliver C. Elder enlisted on August 25, 1861, in Company E, Seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Col. E. B. Dumont and Capt. Ira Grover, serving until Sep-

page 699
ember 20, 1864. He was in the principal Battles of 1861-62 in western Virginia and Shenandoah Valley and the Army of the Potomac during 1863-64.
After the war, Mr. Elder returned home and engaged in farming until 1903, when he moved to Greensburg. Beginning with two tracts of land, comprising two hundred and forty acres and one hundred and fifty-four acres, Mr. Elder now owns two hundred and thirty acres in one tract and sixty acres in another.
On January 28, 1868, four years after his return home from the army, Mr. Elder was married to Sophronia Cobb, the daughter of Dyer Cobb and a granddaughter of Joshua Cobb, one of the very first pioneers in Washington township, Decatur county, Joshua Cobb having settled in Decatur county in the fall of 1820 on the old Michigan trail, married Almira Tremain, of New York state.
Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Elder, two are deceased. The three living children are Orris Clifford, who lives on the home farm; Mrs. Edna Meek, the wife of Edmund L. Meek, of Clinton township, and Jessie A., who lives at home.
Mr. Elder is a Republican. He and his wife and family are members of the Christian church. He is a member of Pap Thomas Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Lester Harding, compiler, History of Decatur County, Indiana: It’s People, Industries and Institutions (Indianapolis, Indiana: B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 1915), pages 698-699; digital images, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 24 October 2022.

Underground Railroad

Do you ever try to find the source of a story hint for someone in your Ancestry tree? Well, today, I followed such a hint and it led me to a history of the Ochiltree family with many interesting stories and connections not only to my SELLERS research but to my CRAWFORD research.

One of those stories is about Nancy Sellers Hawkins and the underground railroad. Nancy Sellers was the daughter of Nathan Sellers (1753-1824). Thus, she is the sister-in-law to Henry Duggins (step-son of James Crawford). Nancy’s aunts would include Mary and Sarah Crawford, wives of her uncles, James and William Sellers.

Nancy married John J Hawkins in 1789 and lived in Preble County, Ohio prior to moving to Jay County, Indiana. It is in Jay County, Indiana where, according to the story, her home became a ‘station’ on the underground railroad.

page 312

Nancy Sellers; m. John J. Hawkins, b. 1789; moved to Preble Co., O., and
from there, were pioneers in Jay Co., Ind. They were among the first settlers. Mr. Hawkins met with an accident, while hanging a deer which he had killed, which resulted in his death within a year, on Mch. 15, 1832, ag’d 42 years. He was the first white man buried in Jay Co., Indiana.
Nancy (Sellers) Hawkins’ home was what was called a station on the “Underground Railroad.” Slaves escaping from Ky., to Canada, were given shelter at her house. Her sons, Samuel, and B. W. Hawkins, carried the mail by turns, from Winchester to Ft. Wayne, by way of Deerfield, Hawkins’ Cabin, New Corydon, and Thompson’s Prairie. One evening, in the month of Feb. 1834, Samuel reached his mother’s cabin on his re-turn from Ft. Wayne, while a heavy snow was falling. It was already ten inches deep. While the family were enjoying themselves around the fire, a rap was heard at the door, and, on its being opened, eight negroes, six men and two women, presented themselves, and begged for a night’s lodging. Their request was granted. They said they were going to work on the canal, which was being built at Fort Wayne. The next morning they started on their way, northward, and Samuel Hawkins went to Winchester, with his mail. There he learned that the fugitives were slaves, and there he met their pursuers, who asked him if he had “met” the slaves. He replied that he had not, which was technically, true, but misleading to the manhunters. The reward for their apprehension was one thousand dollars, and he could have had it, by reporting what he knew. He said, if they would undertake that long, dangerous, journey, on foot, and thro’ the deep snow, to gain their liberty, he could not find it in his heart to betray them, into bondage. When the pursuers were put on the wrong track, he returned, and found the negroes, and told them that their masters were after them, to run for their lives. One of the women, who was old and feeble, uttered a wild shriek, and fell in a swoon. The leader of the band said, “Look well to your priming boys,” as they were heavily armed. Then turning to the young mail carrier he said, “Young man, our blood may be poured out like water, but none of us will be taken alive.” Hawkins hastily relieved their fears, got off his horse, helped put the fainting woman on his saddle, aided her as far as his time would permit, and giving them directions, returned to his route, and never heard from them more.
Another similar anecdote, was told by B. W. Hawkins, Samuel’s

page 313

brother. In the fall of 1833, while he was carrying the mail, four ne-groes called at his mother’s, to stay all night. They were finely dressed, and had plenty of money; said they were from Richmond, and going to Ft. Wayne, to work on the canal. The next morning, Benjamin started to Fort Wayne, and the negroes started, also. When he got there, he found the master of the fugitives waiting for him. When he found who the young man was, he treated him very kindly, kept him in his room at the hotel, told him he was his cousin, and asked him all about his family. The man was Dr. Campbell, proprietor of the celebrated Hot Springs, of Kentucky. He told the mail-carrier of his loss, that they were his musicians at the Springs, played for his guests during the season, and the rest of the year went where they pleased, and were allowed to keep what they made. He told Benjamin, that there was a reward of $800.00 for them, and he could have it, if he would apprehend them, and report to him. Benjamin said nothing. The next day, on his return, he found the negroes, and told them they were runaway slaves, which they denied. But he told them who they were, and where they belonged; that he did not believe in slavery, hoped they would get away, and offered to show them another road, which would take them around Fort Wayne, which he did. Seven years afterwards, his uncle. Bird Hawkins, was discussing the slavery question, with Benjamin’s brother, Joseph, and told of the runaway musicians, how they reached Canada, joined the king’s army, and wrote to their master, that they would not have left him, but that they were afraid that when he died they would be sold. Dr. Campbell went to Canada, found them, offered to sign their freedom papers, and pay them more wages, if they would return. He was arrested, for trying to persuade the king’s soldiers to desert, the penalty of which was death. He sent to Kentucky for his lawyer, who finally got him clear, but it cost him $1,000.00. Benjamin heard the story, but never gave a hint that he knew anything about the case.

Clementine Railey, History of the House of Ochiltree of Ayrshire, Scotland: with the genealogy of the families of whose who came to America, and some of the allied families, 1124-1916 (Sterling, Kansas: Bulletin Printing Company, 1916), page 312-313; digital images, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 18 October 2022.

Sellers Biography

Do you remember GeoCities, RootsWeb, mailing lists, and many other ways genealogists shared prior to Facebook? One of those communities that I participated in was a Sellers Family website. This site offered a way for fellow researchers to share their findings.

Unfortunately, that website no longer exists. Fortunately, I have a ‘printout’ of some of the information posted on the site, including the transcription of a book about John Crawford Sellers, 1821-1921. Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate the source information for that little book. The book was shared by SSgt James Sellers from his military email address.

This is a small booklet from the Indiana State Historical Society
Library at Indianapolis, Indiana. It was probably made for a family
reunion that was held that year (1921). *There were a few of errors in the book. The first is the place where the family came from. Most other
sources say the family came from Ireland. **Another error is the mention of John C.’s father who was actually James Sellers. The last error I noticed was John C.’s War of 1812 service. According to his pension deposition, he served in Capt. James Davidson’s Company under Colonel Richard M. Johnson. He stated that he “did not take part in any battle,” but he was in many “long and hard marches.” The following booklet was copied exactly as it was published.

John Crawford Sellers
1821–1921

To whom these presents come, greetings:
It is my intention on this one hundredth anniversary of the
marriage of my grandfather, John Crawford Sellers, to write a brief history for the descendants of so good and reputable man as he, and trust that we may ever follow in the footsteps of our forefathers with the same true Christian spirit and true Americanism.
Hoping you may enjoy the same interest in reading it as I have in compiling it, with love and best wishes,
I remain,
W. M. Sellers

John Crawford Sellers
1821-1921

John Crawford Sellers was a descendant of a race of pioneers while this country was still a colony of Great Britain. His ancestors
came from the home country of *Bobby Burns, Scotland, into the land which was new and wild, following the trails of Daniel Boone and other Indiana warriors from Virginia into Kentucky, when younger generations ventured across the Ohio River and settled in Putnam County, Ind., and younger generations have moved on westward, yet old Putnam is a good place to come.

John C. was a son of **William and Mary Sellers, early settlers of Kentucky, was born March 26th, 1796, as we understand, in Garrard County, Kentucky. His father died when John C. was a boy, which left him as the mainstay for the help and support of his mother and some younger brothers. He followed freighting with a team in the absence of railroads till 1813, enlisted as a soldier under R.B. McAfee, Captain, in Richard M. Johnson’s regiment of Kentucky volunteers mounted infantry, which went to Canada and fought in the battle of the River Thames, October 5th, 1813, where the noted Indian chief, Tecumseh, was killed. John C.’s horse was killed in the battle, but he was not hurt. He was mustered out November 19th, 1813.

Josephine Throop, one of our Putnam County historians, quoted
-“In the battle at the River Thames Tecumseh, their great chief, was
killed and the Indians fled, filled with dismay and grief.”

John C. was married to Fanny Brown near Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky, March 1st, 1821, one hundred years ago last March. They came to Putnam County in 1822, settled on the land the old homestead where J.L. Sellers now lives. Their first log cabin was in the yard near where the third house built on this lot now stands, ninety-nine years after first settlement.

Moving from Kentucky a distance of 200 miles with one small horse, saddle and bridle and such bundles as they could carry, bought a piece of land of John F. Sellers, a cousin, who had preceded his coming and later entered other land. Worked at 28 cents a day and dinner waiting on brick masons, while building a brick house on the Dewees farm but not on the eight-hour system. Children born to them: Lucy, James W., William, Mary, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Nancy, Amanda, Sarah, John L., Fannie, Martha J., Joseph B. John L. is the only one now living. They were hard-working, saving, yet charitable and honest, loved and respected by all who knew them. Were members of the Presbyterian Church at Putnamville, Indiana, with dear old Dr. Layman, Worthington Williams, James Ingram, Wm. Walden, Jacob Hixon, John Beck, Wm. Grigsby, James Hester and others with their families, with the Rev. Ransom Hawley, pastor, for a period of thirty years.

Grandfather had four brothers, Harvey, Nathan, Nelsen and Perry, who lived in this vicinity in an early day. Perry moved to Iowa before the war. Two sisters, Mrs. John F. Sellers and Mrs. Sarah Elder, were early settlers in Putnam County. John F. Sellers was one of the first settlers of Greencastle, father of W. W. Sellers and grandfather of Charles Sellers, who now reside in Greencastle.

Mrs. Sellers, grandmother, had four brothers, early settlers in this county, Samuel, Thomas, Bentley and James Brown. James lived a bachelor with Aunt Polly and Matilda, about a mile from here over the
hill west, two as good old ladies as could be found. The other sister was Mrs. Greenberry Bryant, lived in Hendricks County and was mother of Z. T. Bryant, whose war record is mentioned in the items.

Lucy, the oldest, married Thomas Leech, had one child, Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Leech died in an early day. Sarah married Wm. Brown, one child, Eva, who years ago after her father’s and mother’s death married and moved to Muncie, Indiana.

William, the second son, cast his lot with the 1849 delegation to the California gold fields and died there. No railroad transportation in those days. Was buried there.

Elizabeth, after a short married life, left a daughter, Mary Etta, who lived after her mother’s death with her good old grand parents, until her marriage to Clinton Oneal.

A few years after her marriage they went west. Mary Etta died several years ago.

Nancy married Nathaniel Talbott in the 50’s as well as we can remember, as the old family Bible is not at hand. Children- Fanny, Mary, Lutisha, John W. and Mrs. Talbott. The three girls deceased, John W. in the west.

Nathaniel was a soldier for a time in the 10th Indiana Volunteers. Was in the Battle of Mill Springs in Kentucky, January 19th, 1862, where General Thomas defeated the Confederates and where General Zollicoffer, the Confederate general, was killed. Mr. Talbott was later discharged on account of failing health and only lived a short time after the war.

Mary, Fannie, Amanda and Sarah, children of grandfather and grandmother died while young.

Rebecca Sellers, was born May 20th, 1830, was married March 22nd, 1857, to Joseph Gilmore. Children: Elizabeth Young of Manhatten, Indiana; John Franklin of Chandler, Oklahoma; Josie Best of Putnam County, wife of Charles Best, living west of Greencastle. Children of a second marriage to Mr. Easter are George and Sallie of Searcy, Arkansas. Samuel Gilmore, who lived with Aunt Rebecca, was a son of Mr. Gilmore by a former marriage. Josie Best has a daughter Grace married to Jesse Sears. Josie Best has a daughter Katie married to Albert Houck. Mattie, deceased daughter, was married to Edwin Torr. All Living in vicinity of Greencastle, Indiana.

Joseph Gilmore gave his life for his country during the Civil war as a member of Co. I, 27th Indiana Volunteers. After surviving the battles of Winchester’s retreat, Cedar Mountains, Antiedam, Fredricksburg, Va., Chancellorsville, May 2nd and 3rd, 1863, he lost his life at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2nd and 3rd, 1863. A brave soldier and a good man.

Aunt Rebecca died at Copperton, Oklahoma, April 13th, 1906.

Lizzie, the oldest child married to Barzilla Young December 16th, 1875, at the age of 18 years at Reelsville, Indiana. Children: Albert, 45 years of age in 1921, married to Luella Wilson, November, 1894; Nellie, 43 years of age in 1921, married Oscar Brown November 2nd, 1895, later to Willie Brothers; Alice, married to Harry Ingraham, July 22nd, 1903, died January 22nd, 1919, at the age of 39 years; Jimmie, died February 12th, 1919, at the age of 36 years; Clarence, died February 27, 1886, at the age of IO months; Walter, 34 years of age in 1921, married to Cecil Mulinix July 19th, 1910; Florence, 26 years of age in 1921.

Barzila Young served time in the Civil War as a soldier of Co. _________ Regiment, was good trusty man and a hard worker. He died July 13th, 1913, at Manhatten, Indiana, 70 years of age.

Martha J. Sellers, the youngest daughter of J. C. S. and the next to the youngest child, was married to Harrison Ruark March 8th, 1870. Children: John Crawford, died at the age of 11 months; Daniel, age 49 this year, has been a railroad man for twenty-five or thirty years. Is yard master for the M. K. & T. Railroad Co. at Tulsa, Oklahoma, at this time.

Mary R. lives at Greencastle, Indiana, making good on her own resources since being left alone by the death of her parents, having a very responsible position with the firm of the King Morrison Foster Company at Greencastle which she is holding with much credit to her industry and faithfulness.

Mrs. Martha Raurk died at their home, one mile south of the old home, April 19th 1909.

Harrison Raurk was a soldier in the Civil War. Went from near Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky. Was a member of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, 45th Regiment. After the war closed came to Putnam County, lived in the community till death, which occurred March 29th, 1918.

James Washington Sellers was born April 24th. 1823, worked on the farm and taught school. Was married to Miss Nancy D. Fenley of near Stilesville, Hendricks County, Indiana, September 21st, 1848. Bought a small farm and settled just south of and adjoining the old homestead. Children were Lucy Ann, William M., Fanny M., Mary A., Sarah A. Mrs. Sellers and three youngest children, John, Aaron and Joseph, all died in August and September, 1863, within seventeen days. Lucy, the oldest, married Wm. W. Hodge March 26th, 1868, or 69. Lucy died about forty-two years ago, leaving three children, Carrie, James and Dora. All live in the West. Mrs. Carrie Pearcy lives at Los Angeles, California. Second marriage ofW. W. Hodge to Miss Emerine Mercer, one child. Mrs. Minnie Lewis of near Putnam ville, age 40 years. W. W. Hodge served three years in the Civil War in the 128th Regiment Indiana Volunteers.

W. M. Sellers was born April 22nd, 1851. His father, James W., died June 11th, 1865, W. M. was 14 years old with one sister older than him and three younger. They stayed at the old home till grown and married. W. M. was married to Miss Josephine Hutcheson December 20th, 1871. Children: James H., Clay C., Joseph M., Nannie A. James is 48 years old, Clay 46, J.M. 43, Nannie died November 9th, 1897. Two babies died in infancy. Josephine Sellers died April 19th, 1903. James married Mrs. Maggie Stevens of Indianapolis. Clay married Lelia Mae Black July 28th, 1912. Joseph married Miss Stella Heady of
Indianapolis. Joseph M. has one son by a former marriage, Roy K., 21 years of age, who lives at Terre Haute, Indiana.

James H., after passing through two train wrecks and being badly crippled, is again working in Pennsylvania yards at Indianapolis.

Clay is stationed at Indianapolis at Illinois Central Yards.

Joseph M. (or Pete) is in the employ of C.I. & L. road running from Chicago to Indianapolis.

Clay C. service in the 159th Regiment, Co. I. Wilbur Starr, captain, in Spanish-American War. The boys all live at Indianapolis at this date – 1921.

Fannie M. Sellers married Wm. M. Turner January 15th, 1872. Children: James W. married Miss Ollie Hutcheson and lives now four miles south of Brazil, Indiana. Ollie married Clifford Sutton and now lives
near Clay City, Indiana.

John R. died at hospital at Brazil after second operation. He had served two years as a soldier in World’s War, April 17th, 1921. He was highly recommended as a soldier, was a noble boy, had many friends, was 29 years old when he died, after every care and comfort money could buy or the love of true hearts could secure by his brother and family and his many friends. Was buried at Boone cemetery near Hamrick, Indiana. Mrs. Turner is living but in very poor health as result of a case of typhoid fever. W. M. Turner died about 1901. Children of James and Ollie Turner, Miss Edna, 24; Walter, 17 years of age and are present today, 1921. James is 48 years old.

Mary A. Sellers married Geo. W. McCray of a family of old Putnam County residents December 15th, 1873. Oran . McCray, the only child, was a prominent physician at Marshall, Missouri. Mrs. McCray living in that locality. She is 67 years of age this year. as at the reunion last year. Hope she comes this year.

Sarah A. married Andrew P. Kiser in 1877. Children: Minnie, Ray and Fred. They are located at and around Boise City, Iowa. Mrs. Kiser was 66 years old July 26th, this year, 1921, and we can’t pass without a compliment to these girls. How willing and ready they were at any time to help their brother with his work while they were passing the period from childhood to womanhood, after being left by the death of their parents. A pleasant memory by the brother for these dear sisters for their help and kindness.

John L. Sellers and a cousin, Z. T. Bryant, enlisted in Civil War September 4th, 1862, 3rd Indiana Cavalry, Col. Robt. 0. Cline, Capt. 0. M. Powers, 1st Lieut. George J. Langsdale. Did patrol duty in Indiana and Illinois, was in Morgan raid, was at the siege of Knoxville and in cavalry service in Tennessee in Battle of Severville Road and Carter Station and helped rid that territory of a band of Confederates that was buswhacking Union citizens in East Tennessee. Was in the raid made from Chattanooga over Lookout Mountain and a long term of cavalry fighting and raiding Confederate territory. Then was placed in the command of General Kilpatrick, which meant hard cavalry service and a sufficient amount of fighting, as General Kilpatrick’s division was busy and took desperate chances, until Sherman’s march to the sea was ordered. Followed General Hood from Atlanta to Rome. Georgia, and other service till they started on Sherman’ march. When that was completed was relieved and started for home in Putnam County, Indiana, the 21st day of July, 1865.

Z. T. Bryant, with the same record, was captured near Fayetteville, North Carolina, the 7th of March, 1865, served time in the notorious Libby Prison till Confederate Gen. R. E. Lee evacuated Richmond, Virginia, where the prison was located. Mr. Bryant was the last prisoner released from that deplorable pen. Mr. Bryant is living in the State of Oregon.

John L. Sellers was married December 11th, 1866, to Miss Mary Matkin, a daughter of Wm. Matkin, an old resident and citizen of Greencastle, Indiana, and a sister of Miss Mattie Matkin of Greencastle
at this time.

Children: Edward J., Katie, Nannie, Jennie (deceased), Sallie
(deceased), Minnie and Ida. Mrs. Sellers died 1878.

A second marriage August 3rd, 1880, to Miss Lizzie Wells, daughter of Levi and Catherine Wells, formerly of Madison Township, Putnam County, and the estimable lady is living and helping to make this reunion a very pleasant occasion. Children: William, Crawford, Mamie and Myrtle. Uncle John is 85 years of age today, August 25th, 1921.

Edward J. Sellers was married to Clara Silvers September 25th, 1891. Children: Arthur, 28 years old, married November 4th, 1920 to Miss Caroline Eubank, after serving time in late war in France; Lawrence, 27 years old, served his country in World War in Russia; Ethel, 24 years old, married to Harrold Jones; Joyce, 23 years old, married to Beatrice Baker; Louise, 18 years old; Harrold, 15 years old; Eddie, 13 years old. Clarence died in infancy in 1910. Edward and family live near Lake City, Michigan, and is 54 years old. His wife is 46 years old.

Katie, oldest daughter lives at Greencastle, is 52 years old, owns her own property and is a dressmaker.

Nannie Elizabeth married January 14, 1892. Children: daughter Hazel, 27 years old; Russ, deceased, address Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Minnie, 45 years of age this year, was married October 3rd, 1897, to Mr. Roy Grogan, who is 46 years old. Children: Grace Mae, 21 years old, was married to Frank Jones, September 17th, 1918. Live at Indianapolis. One daughter, Dorothy Mae, 2 years old.

Dorothy Florence, 17 years old.

Esther Alberta, 12 years old.

Charles, 10 years old.

Mr. Grogan lives at Indianapolis, Indiana, at this date and is a valuable man in the employ of Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

Ida May, 42 year, married to Hays Williams, October 4th, 1903. Children: Esta) Lenard, 17 years old; Hubert Layman, 13 years old.

Mr. Williams is station master at Union depot, Terre Haute. Address, 1719 Sycamore Street, Terre Haute, Indiana.

William Crawford Sellers is 40 years of age. Was married October 16th, 1906, to Miss Grace Edith Haymaker of Putnamville, Indiana. Children: John Riley, 14; Mary Bernice, 10; Charles Haymaker, 8; Edith Lucille, 5; Ethel may, born January 18th, 1921.

William Crawford is living on part of the old homestead and a help and comfort to his father and mother in assisting and looking after farming interests for them and a useful citizen to the community.

Mary Edith was married to Earnest C. Smith October 17th, 1910. Children Madlin Elizabeth, 10 years old; Joice Sellers, 8 years old; Mildred Olive, 6 years old; John Raymond, 3 years old.

Mr. Smith lives on the old Swartz farm, one mile west of Putnamville.

Myrtle Olive, the youngest child, married to Mack Brown of Warren Township, Putnam County, Indiana, May 19th, 1915. Mr. Brown died february 14th, 1917.

A second marriage to Ross Smithson of Harlem, Montana, 1918. P. at Sweetman. Child, Mary Elizabeth, born November 2nd, 1920.

August 25th, 1893, twenty-eight years ago:

Joseph Brown Sellers, the youngest of the family, was born February 8th, 1843. He enlisted in Co. I, 27th Indiana Volunteers, a regiment that went through much hard service and hard fighting during Civil war, was in the battle at Winchester, March 23rd, 1862, Cedar Mountain, August 9th, 1862, was wounded in right leg in Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2nd, 1864, at Resaca (New Hope Church), where he lost his left leg, May 15th, 1864. After being dressed, was loaded in an ambulance with another wounded soldier on a trip of forty miles to get to a railroad town laying side by side in the bottom of the wagon. The other soldier died on the way and a very rough road. Just imagine what
Uncle Joe had to pass through that long night, but his ever patient disposition was surely present on that trip. He arrived home about the 4th of July as we were cutting wheat.

Was married on September 27, 1868, to Miss Viola A. Kiser. Owned a farm and farmed in Warren Township, two miles west of Putnamville, several years, then moved to North Salem, Indiana. Engaged
in milling busines in 1901, located in Greencastle. Was a good faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, honored and esteemed by all that knew him. He died April 12th, 1914, at his home in Greencastle, Indiana, age 71 years.

Miss Cora Belle lives with her devoted mother at Greencastle.

Ulysses Grant, the oldest son, who is 49 years of age, lives near North Salem, Indiana. Was married to Miss Ada Catherine Hunt, December 30th, 1898. Children: Benjamin Franklin, 22 years old this year, married to Miss Lois Hazel Hicks August 20th, 1919. Mr. Sellers is present trustee of Eel River Township, Hendricks County.

Rhoda Katherine, 13 years of age.

Frank Crawford Sellers, 46 years of age, who lives at North Salem, Indiana, was married to Miss Daisy Page, November 15th, 1899. Children: Genieva, 20 years of age; Maxwell, 17 years of age; Dortha B.,
12 years of age; Hellen N., 10 years of age; Joseph Henry, 7 years of age.

Earnest Maywood, 44 years of age, was married August 7th, 1915, to Miss Flossie Brown and lives near Bainbridge.

Estella Grace, a dear little baby, died February 23rd, 1883, at the age of 9 months.

Homer Layman, the youngest child, 36 years old this year, was married January 13th, 1912, to Miss Mellessa Tompkins. Children: Edith Elizabeth, 9 years old; Alice Marie, 3 years old. Now lives at
Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mrs. Viola Alma Sellers, wife of Joseph B. Sellers, was a daughter of Mr. Eli and Mary Stillwagon Kiser, highly respected friends and neighbors of sixty and seventy years ago, living in this
neighborhood, the dear father and mother, sister and brothers have long since passed to their happy homes.

originally found on http://showcase.netins.net/web/sellerfamily/inputnam.htm

1812 Soldiers

While researching descendants of James Sellers and his wife, Mary Crawford, I came across the following newspaper article in the 27 July 1871 Greencastle Banner regarding veterans of the war of 1812. This paper is part of the Hoosier State Chronicles collection.

Soldiers of 1812 in Putnam County

The following list of the survivors of the war of 1812 residing in this county, is taken from the rolls of the Pension Agent at Indianapolis, through whom they draw their pensions:
Archibald Cooper, of Captain J. Brock’s Company, Tennessee Militia, Putnamville.
Joseph Denny, of captain Robert B. McAfee’s company, Kentucky Militia, Putnamville
Eliza Hill, of Capt. T. Metcalf’s company Kentucky Militia, Greencastle
Jacob McVay, of Capt. Benjamin Anderson’s company, Pennsylvania Militia, Groveland.
Jacob Pickle, of Capt. James Shelton’s company, Virginia Militia, Carpentersville.
John C. Sellers, of Capt. James Davidson’s company, Kentucky Militia, Putnamville.
John F. Sellers, of Capt. James Coleman’s company, Kentucky Militia, Greencastle
Jacob Snider, of Capt. Joseph Everet’s company, Tennessee Militia, Greencastle.
John Standeford, of Capt. J. Watkin’s company, Kentucky Militia, Greencastle
William Stokes, of Capt. John Crawford’s company, Kentucky Militia, Russellville.
There are a number in the county whose names do not appear on this list, among them Peter G. Applegate of this city. They are requested to send us their names.

“Soldiers of 1812 in Putnam County,” Greencastle Banner (Greencastle, Indiana), 27 July 1871, page 3; Digital images, Hoosier State Chronicles (newspaper.library.in.gov : viewed online 12 October 2022).

Another article in the April 14 1858 issue of the Greencastle Banner lists even more people who served in the War of 1812.

For the Putnam Republican Banner
The War of 1812
At a meeting of the surviving soldiers of the War of 1812, residing in Putnam County, held on the 27th day of March 1858, at Greencastle. Col. Alexander S. Farrow was called to the Chair and Joseph F. Farley was appointed Secretary.
Present: Joseph Denny, William Cooper, Elisha W. Fulton, Eli Brackney, Peter W. Applegate, Jessse Jones, John W. Jones, William Torr, Daniel Welker, George Black, Daniel Harrah, David Eller, Joseph Collier, Joseph F. Farley, Samuel taylor, John Standiford, Alexander S. Farrow, Hugh Reat, Isaac Mahan and William Atherton.
The object of the meeting being to ascertain the names of all the surviving soldiers of War of 1812, residing in Putnam County, the following names, in addition to those present as above, is believed to include the entire number:
Isaac Peck, Elijah Wilkinson, Elza Hill, Thomas Boswell, George Priest, John C. Wingate, John Allen, Eli Tarbutton, Charles Hunter, James Swinford, Lazarus Tilley, John C. Seller, Thomas Gilmore, Lenox M. Knight, Noah Harris, Thomas Lemon, John Cotton, Richard Bowen, James Shields, John F. Seller, Simpson Harris, Joseph Albin, John Reel, Henry Waln, Alexander Wilson, Jacob McVey, John F Gilky, William Stokes, William McElroy, Archibald Cooper, Robert Palmer, Henry Mills, George Justice, Alexander, Greenlee, Jacob Picket, Michael Moser, Thomas Tiffin, Robert Miller, James Torr, Scady Chandler, Daniel Chadd, Joseph Dunkin, William King, Joseph Lasley, James Gordon, Lewis Shell, John Boswell, Samuel Emerson and Wm. Aldridge.
Attest: A. S. Farrow, Chm’r
J. F. Farley, Sec’y

“The War of 1812,” Greencastle Banner (Greencastle, Indiana), 14 April 1858, page 2; Digital images, Hoosier State Chronicles (newspaper.library.in.gov : viewed online 12 October 2022).

Luna Seller

As I’ve been updating my data on the descendants of James Sellers and his wife, Mary Crawford, I came across a SELLER biography in Weik’s History of Putnam County, Indiana, Even though the surname is slightly different, there is a connection between the two families.

According to the Luna Seller biography, his grandmother was Rebecca Sellers. I believe this Rebecca Sellers is the daughter of James and Mary (Crawford) Sellers. [See the post for John L. Sellers for more information on the Sellers family.]

Not only did Luna Seller inherit CRAWFORD DNA thru his great-grandmother (Mary Crawford Sellers, mother of Rebecca Sellers Seller), but also thru his grandmother, Mary Crawford Seller, wife of Theophilus Seller.

According to the Luna Seller biography, Myra Crawford was the daughter of Moses and Melinda Crawford. The FamilySearch tree shows that Myra’s grandfather was English Crawford. While I haven’t encountered this branch of the CRAWFORD family in my research of Garrard County, Kentucky, there may be a connection since English Crawford was married in Botetourt county, Virginia before migrating to Knox County, Tennessee. Thus, the English Crawford family is going to be added to my Crawford fan club.

I doubt I would have uncovered this connection if I hadn’t been going back thru my research and using digital versions of the county history versus relying on my original photocopies!

Luna Seller

page 340

Luna W. Seller

In studying the interesting life histories of many of the better class of men, and the ones of unquestioned merit and honor, it will be found that they have been compelled, very largely, to map out their own career and furnish their own motive force in scaling the heights of success and it is such a one that the biography is pleased to write of in the following paragraphs.
Luna W. seller, whose fine farm is located in Jefferson township, Putnam county, Indiana, was born in the city of Greencastle, this county, on the 21st day of December, 1868. He is the son of Theophilus and Myra (Crawford) Seller. Theophilus Seller was born in Greencastle, January 21, 1827, the son of John F. and Rebecca (Sellers) Seller.
John F. Seller, one of the first settlers of Putnam county, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, February 22, 1791. In early life he removed to Garrard county, Kentucky, where he married Rebecca Sellers, July 24, 1817. She was a native of Garrard county, born November 12, 1797. In 1822 he came with his family to Putnam county, Indiana, and settled on section 27, Greencastle township, later removing to section 21 of that township. John F. and Rebecca Seller had twelve children, of which Theophilus, father of the subject was the fifth in order of birth. The others were: Delorians, born January 12, 1819; James W. P., born December 4, 1820; Milton H., born November 12, 1822; Columbus D., born October 11, 1824, and died October 4, 1853; Bainbridge B., born August 18, 1828, and died August 11, 1829; Louisa J., born February 14, 1830, and died August 25, 1845; John F., born September 28, 1831, and died September 27, 1858; Rebecca Ann, born July 20, 1833, and died May 11, 1843; Western W., born April 9, 1835; Elizabeth H., born February 1, 1838, and died May 17, 1843;

page 341
Tabitha C., born May 6, 1840, and Theophilus Seller, who became a physician and was well-known as a highly respected citizen. He died September 6, 1871.
The subject’s mother was born in 1838 in Hendricks county, Indiana and was the daughter of Moses and Melinda (Churchman) Crawford. Theophilus Seller received a good preliminary education and then studied medicine. He followed the active practice of his profession for a time, but finding that line of work detrimental to his health he gave up his professional work and thereafter applied himself to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1871. Sometime after his death, his widow married Wallace Johnstone, by whom she has a daughter, Minnie, the wife of Robert C. Schell, of st. Louis, where she now resides with them. To Theophilus and Myra Seller were born three children, Walter, Jennie and Luna. Walter is engaged in the grocery business in Greencastle, Jennie is the wife of William Randel, of Greencastle.
Luna W. Seller was reared by his parents and received his education in the public schools of Greencastle, also attending an academy in that city. After completing his education, he devoted himself to farming, with which he has been identified continuously since. In 1889 he located on the farm in section 15, Jefferson township, where he now resides. He had formerly owned one hundred and ten acres of the old home farm, but now his holdings in section 15 amount to one hundred and ninety acres, nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation and yielding bountiful crops. Mr. Seller carries on general farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country. He has also given some attention to the raising of live stock, with considerable success. In 1895 Mr. Seller built a substantial and attractive residence and the property is otherwise highly improved, its appearance reflecting credit on the owner.
On May 7, 1893, Mr. Seller married Nettie, the daughter of Francis M. and Sarah E. (Sandy) Allee, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. To this union has been born a son, Hubert, who is now a student in the high school at Greencastle.
Politically Mr. Seller is a Republican, while his religious affiliation is with the New Providence Baptist church. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, holding membership in the subordinate lodge at Belle Union. He is a man of splendid personal qualities and is public spirited in his attitude toward all movements for the advancement of the best interests of the community. Because of his genuine worth he enjoys the esteem of all who know him.

Weik Jesse W., Weik’s History of Putnam County Indiana (Indianapolis, IN: B. F. Bowen & Company, Publishers, 1910), pages 341-342; archive.org viewed online 7 October 2022.

Sellers

Do you have ‘bushes’ in your tree? For anyone looking at my Heartland Genealogy tree on Ancestry, they may easily stumble upon a ‘bush’ and not realize that they aren’t on my ancestral tree. My Sellers research represents one such ‘bush’. Over the years, I have acquired quite a bit of information about the family of Nathaniel Sellers. This family connects to my CRAWFORD research in several ways:

• His son, James Sellers married Mary Crawford in 1791 in Lincoln County, Kentucky. Mary is thought to be the daughter of Rebecca Crawford who owned land in Garrard County, Kentucky.
• His son, William David Sellers married Sarah Crawford in 1796 in Lincoln County, Kentucky. Sarah is also thought to be a daughter of Rebecca Crawford.
• His son, Nathan A. Sellers, migrated to Preble County, Ohio and lived near the two James Crawford families.
• His granddaughter, Jane (daughter of Nathan A. Sellers) married Henry Duggins, step-son of James Crawford (my ancestor)

As I’m starting to review my research of James and Mary (Crawford) Sellers, I came across a reference to Weik’s History of Putnam County, Indiana, on archive.org. Within that book is a very interesting article about John L. Sellers and his father, John Crawford Sellers (son of James and Mary).

page 472

John L. Sellers

Among the native sons of Warren township, Putnam county, who deserve a place in local history is John L. Sellers, who has spent his long life here and who has ever had the interest of his community at heart. His birth occurred August 25, 1836, the son of John Crawford Sellers, who was born March 26, 1796, in Garrard county, Kentucky. March 1, 1821, he married Fannie Brown and thirteen children resulted from this union, two of whom are living, John L. of this review, and Joseph B. whose death [should this be birth?]occurred in 1843; those deceased are, Mrs. Rebecca Gilmore, born in 1830, died in April, 1906; Mrs. Martha Ruark, born in 1838, died April 19, 1909; Mrs Lucy Ann Leach, born in 122, died May 6, 1846; James Washington, born in 1823, died June 11, 1865; William, born in 1824, died October 5, 1850; Mary, born 1826, died October 2, 1853; Elizabeth born 1828, died October 16, 1858; Amanda J., born 1832, died November 13, 1836; Mrs. Nancy Talbott, born 1834; died February 8, 1872; Fannie E. (twin sister of John L.) born 1836, died November, 1856; Sarah b., born 1840, died in infancy.
The father of these children arrived in Putnam county in 1823, having a capital of only two hundred dollars. He bought eighty acres of land in section 5, Warren township, all in the woods, ten acres of which had been deadened. the first spring after he came here he rolled logs and assisted to build cabins for thirty-one days in succession. His only horse being crippled, he was compelled to tend his first crop of corn with a steer. He laid the “worm” rail of his fence at night and his wife wold finish building the fence the next day while he was doing other work. From time to time he added other land to his home farm until he owned four hundred acres of valuable land, entering most of it from the government. When he started out he worked for twenty-five cents per day to get money with which to buy his first land. When he came here the county was practically a wilderness and

page 473

to get to Greencastle, then a hamlet composed of seven cabins, he was compelled to blaze his way through the heavy woods, composed principally of tall oaks and dense underbrush. School houses and churches were unknown then and the chances for an education were very limited, but he gave his children such as could be obtained. he was a soldier in the war of 1812, his regiment being organized principally in the northern frontier and he was in the famous charge when the Indian chief Tecumseh was killed at the battle of the Thames. Mr. Sellers was an industrious,, plain, honest man, who never sought or held office. For forty years he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church at Putnamville, he being an elder during the greater part of that time, giving liberally and cheerfully of his means for the advancement of the church’s interest, and he did much to develop the resources of the county. His death occurred November 1, 1874, at the age of seventy-eight years, his wife surviving until 1878, dying in her seventy-seventh year and they are buried at the old Putnamville cemetery.
John L. Sellers the immediate subject of this review, spent his youth on the home farm, having the advantage of a three-months subscription school each winter. September 4, 862, he enlisted in Company L. Forty-fifth Regiment, Third Indiana Cavalry, under Capt. O. M. Powers and Lieut. G. J. Langsdale and he served with credit until the close of the war.
On December 11, 1866, Mr. Sellers married Mary Matkins of Greencastle, and they went to live with his parents, with whom he remained during their lifetime — in fact, he has since made his home on the parental farm, devoting his attention exclusively to general farming and stock raising, being very successful in each.
Mr. Sellers very ably served his township as trustee for a period of four years. He is known as a very liberal man, generous and kind hearted, and he has thus been imposed upon, having frequently paid notes on which he was security. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and was an elder in the same for years, also a trustee for many years. Mrs. Sellers, was also a faithful member of the Methodist church. She died October 20, 1879, having borne her husband seven children, namely: Edward J., born September 11, 1867, married Clara Silver, and they are the parents of seven children: Arthur U., Lawrence L., Ethel V., Joyne M. Louisa A., Harold G. and Edward L. Katherine A. Sellers was born in November, 1868; she has remained single and is living at home. Jenni L., born in April 1870, died in November, 1882. Nannie E., born July 4, 1872 is the wife of Alonzo Day and they have two children, Hazel and Russell (deceased). Sarah F.

page 474
born in October, 1874, died may 20, 1879. Minnie B., born February 15, 1876, married Charles R. Grogan and they had four children: Grace May, Jennie (died October 22, 1902), Dorothy F., and Esther A. Ida M. Sellers is the wife of Hays Williams; she was born August 1, 1879, and they have two children, Estelle L. and Hubert L.
On August 3, 1880 John L. Sellers married a second time, his last wife being Elizabeth Wells, daughter of Levi and Katherine Wells of Greencastle, and this union resulted in the birth of three children: William C., born August 21, 1881, married Grace Haymaker, and they have one child, John Riley; Mary E., born January 17, 1884, and Myrtle O., born July 5, 1891, graduated from the Greencastle high school in the class of 1910.

Weik Jesse W., Weik’s History of Putnam County Indiana (Indianapolis, IN: B. F. Bowen & Company, Publishers, 1910), pages 472-474; archive.org viewed online 7 October 2022.

County History

Have you used county histories in your search for family information? When I first started, these histories were tremendous help to my research. I was aware that many genealogist referred to these histories as ‘mug books’ since people often paid to be included and may have enhanced their biographies.

As I was reviewing my sources for John Ricketts, I came across his biography in the book, History of Clinton County, Indiana published in 1886 by Inter-State Publishing Company. Not only does this biography contain a wealth of information about James and his family but there are other helpful biographies in the publication as well. The details from these biographies formed the backbone for my research of this family and helped me locate records for the family.

John Ricketts Biography

page 862 – image 1090
John Ricketts was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, November 22, 1812, a son of Edward and Sarah (Story) Ricketts, also natives of Fleming County. When he was eighteen years old his parents moved to Rush County, Indiana, and entered a farm from the Government. From Rush County our subject came to Clinton County, and entered 200 acres of Government land and cleared a spot where he built his house, but two years later moved to another part of the land which was part prairie. He has added to his first entry from time to time until he now owns 357 acres. In 1883 he built his present commodious frame house, and his other farm buildings are comfortable and convenient. He has always been a hard­working man and is rewarded by having a competency for his declining years. Mr. Ricketts was married December 3, 1846, to Orilda Matilda Reed, who was born in Jennings County, Indiana, January 20, 1828, a daughter of John and Mary (Buckles) Reed. They have had eleven children-James M., born November 28, 1847; Priscilla J., born October 10, 1849, is the wife of John Lonks, Mary A., born October 7, 1851, is the wife of James P. Bond; William L., born April 18, 1855; John E., born July 1, 1857; Nathan, born November 27, 1859, died July 5, 1862; Joseph H., born October 28, 1861 ; C. W., born June 30, 1863; Sarah, born July 7, 1865; Addie M., born March 18, 1867; Charles W., born October 9, 1869. Mr. Ricketts in politics is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Ricketts’s father was born in the State of New York in 1800, and when a young man accompanied his father’s family to Jennings County, Indiana. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, and died in the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, August 15, 1865. Her mother was born near Shepardstown, Virginia, December 6, 1792, and was first married to John H. Rodgers, who was born January

page 863
3, 1787, and died December 2, 1821, and she then married Mr. Reed, and to them were born six children—Cecilia F., Martha J., Orilda M., George W., Charles W. and Francis M. The mother died February 14, 1867.

History of Clinton County, Indiana: together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies and representative citizens, also a condensed history of Indiana, embodying accounts of prehistoric races, Indian wars and a brief review of its civil and political history (Chicago: Inter-state Publishing Co., 1886, ), page 862-863; FHL 1036812 item 6 DGS 7956702.

John C. Reed Biography

This biography is a little confusing since it indicates that John and his wife Mary had 11 children. In reality, some of those 11 children are from Mary’s first marriage to John Rogers and thus not the biological children on John Reed.

page 761 (image 1033)

John C. Reed, deceased was a native of New York State, born on the Genesee River in 1787. His father came to this country with a regiment of Hessians, who came in the interest of the Queen; but upon arriving here he joined the American army and served through the Revolutionary war. John came to the Territory of Indiana in 1812 with the family of James Buckles, settling in Jennings County and remaining there several years. He married Mary Buckles, a daughter of James Buckles, who came from England. He belonged to the nobility and brought a permit from the Queen to preempt any amount of land in Virginia, but being opposed to the curse of slavery he freed his slaves and emigrated to Indiana. Three of his slaves refused to leave him, and he provided them with a quarter-section of land in his new county. He preempted a township which is divided among his children, and he and his wife are buried upon the place he selected for his home. He will long be remembered as one of the enterprising early settlers of Indiana. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters; all were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. After his marriage John settled upon the land entered by his

page 762 (image 1034)
father-in-law, and lived upon it until 1844, when he came to Clinton Count y and entered 300 acres of Government land in Sugar Creek Township, and began to improve his future home. He hauled lumber from Indianapolis with which to build his house. The nearest mill was at Eagle Village. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were the parents of eleven children– Samuel (deceased), James M., George M., C. W., Francis (deceased), Ann, Mary, Elizabeth, Celia, Martha and Arrilda M. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. At the age of sixty-five years, when the country needed brave and true men, Mr. Reed went out in defense of his country. He enlisted in 1862 in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry. He died in the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, just after receiving an honorable discharge. His wife survived him two years. C. W. Reed, son of the preceding, farmer and stock-raiser, Michigan township, was born in Jennings county, Indiana, on the farm entered by his grandfather, June 23, 1833. When nine years of age, he came with his father’s family to Clinton County, where his youth was spent in assisting his father in clearing and improving his farm. He resided with his father until his marriage to Agnes W. Moncrief, of Jefferson County, Indiana, which occurred November 17, 1852. He then settled upon his present farm, which was entered by a man named Spencer. It was then a dense wilderness. He has cleared and improved it, and has a fine residence. They had five children — Willis r., William S., Frank S., Emma L. and Bird M. He lost his wife April 6, 1881, and was again married march 1882, to Miss Frances Smiley, who was born in Carroll County. Her father died when she was an infant and her mother afterward married R. S. Irwin. One child was born to this union. Mr. reed has a fine farm of 145 acres, well cultivated. He is a member of the Baptist church and his wife of the Presbyterian church. He affiliates with the Republican party.

History of Clinton County, Indiana: together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies and representative citizens, also a condensed history of Indiana, embodying accounts of prehistoric races, Indian wars and a brief review of its civil and political history (Chicago: Inter-state Publishing Co., 1886, ), page 862-863; FHL 1036812 item 6 DGS 7956702.

James P. Bond Biography

page 667 – image 975
Biography of James P. Bond

James P. Bond, an enterprising farmer of Kirklin Township, is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born September 24, 1854, a son of Elias J. and Margaret (Slagle) Bond. He was brought by his parents in early childhood to Clinton County, they locating in the northern part of Kirklin Township, and there grew to manhood, being reared to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Bond was united in marriage September 15, 1872, to Miss Mary Ann Rickets, who was born in Clinton County, in Sugar Cree Township, October 7, 1852, a daughter of John and Aurilda (Reed) Rickets. To Mr. and Mrs. Bond have been born two children — Lou Favre, born January 24, 1874, and Harry B., born September 28, 1881. Mr. Bond’s farm contains eighty-three acres of valuable land, eighty-two acres located on section 26 and one acre on section 23, his residence being on the line between the two sections. Mrs. Bond’s father was a native of Kentucky. He subsequently went to Rush County, Indiana, and later located in Clinton County, where he was married to Aurilda Reed, a daughter of John and Mary Reed, the father born in the State of Virginia, dying in hospital during the late war, and the mother dying in Clinton County, Indiana. Mrs. Bond, was the third child in a family of ten children. Mr. Bond in his political views, is a Republican.

History of Clinton County, Indiana: together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies and representative citizens, also a condensed history of Indiana, embodying accounts of prehistoric races, Indian wars and a brief review of its civil and political history (Chicago: Inter-state Publishing Co., 1886, ), page 862-863; FHL 1036812 item 6 DGS 7956702.

Samuel Christy

Samuel Christy was born on 11 Sep 1819 in Indiana, United States.^1–3

He lived in Jasper Township, Fayette, Ohio, United States on 21 Sep 1850.^4–5

He sold land on 9 Oct 1850 in Fayette, Ohio, United States.⁶

Samuel H. Christy is listed as a 31 year old farmer on the 1850 census in Jasper, Fayette County, Ohio. Acording to the census, Samuel owned $541 in real estate and was born in Ohio. Also listed in the census was a 26 year old female, Lydia; a 7 year old female, Emily J; a 5 year old female Elmidia, a 3 year old female Rhoda E and a 2 year old male, Eli S. All were born in Ohio.

Samuel lived in Jefferson Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States on 1 Aug 1860.⁷

Samuel Christy was listed as a 40 year old male born in Indiana on the 1860 census. Samuel’’s occupation was farming. He owned $1600 in real estate and $200 in personal estate. Also listed in the household was Lydia, aged 36 and born in Ohio; Emily, female age 17 and born in Ohio; Rachel E, female age 15 and born in Ohio; Shela M, female age 8 and born in Ohio; Ebenezer, male age 7 and born in Indiana; Samuel M, male age 5 and born in Indiana; Lydia A, female age 2 and born in Indiana; and Hester female age 6/12 and born in Indiana.

He registered for the military draft  in Jul 1863 in Indiana, United States.⁸

He lived in Jefferson Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States on 6 Jul 1870.⁹

Samuel Christy was listed as a 51 year old farmer born in Ohio on the 1870 census living in Jefferson, Tipton County, Indiana. According to the census, he owned $2000 in real estate and $200 in personal property. Also listed in the household was a 34 year old female, Mary S.; a 17 year old male, Ebenezer; a 14 year old male, Milton; a 12 year old female Lyda; a 10 year old female, Esther; a 3 year old female, Samantha; an 1 year old male, George and a 7/12 year old female, Nancy. All besides Samuel were born in Indiana.

Samuel lived in Jefferson Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States on 22 Jun 1880.¹⁰

Samuel H Christy is listed a a 53 year old farmer and cabinet maker who was born in Ohio on the 1880 census living in Tipton County, Indiana. Also listed in the census was his 49 year old wife, Maria; a 24 year old son, George, an 11 year old daughter, Nancy, an 8 year old son, Henry and a 76 year old mother, Rachael.

He signed a will in 1887 in Tipton County, Indiana.¹¹

He lived in Jefferson Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States in 1900.¹²

Samuel Christy was listed as an 80 year old male farmer on the 1900 census living in Tipton County, Indiana. According to the census, Samuel was born Sept 1819 in Ohio. Also listed in the household was his wife, born Dec 1830 in Indiana, a son, Henry, born Feb 1872 in Indiana; a grandson, Vern Plough born March 1888 in Indiana; a grandson Hurshel born Aug 1890 in Indiana.

Samuel died on 24 Mar 1904 at the age of 84 in Clinton, Indiana, United States.^2–3,13

He was buried on 25 Mar 1904 at Hills Baptist Church Cemetery in Pickard, Clinton, Indiana, United States.^2–3

He had his will proved on 30 Mar 1904 in Tipton, Indiana, United States.¹¹

Samuel had his estate probated on 23 Nov 1904 in Tipton, Indiana, United States.¹¹

1st Wife – Lydia Gallimore

Samuel Christy and Lydia Gallimore were married on 3 Mar 1842 in Fayette, Ohio, United States.^14–16

Lydia Gallimore¹⁷, daughter of Isom Gallimore and Judith Bentley, was born on 25 Mar 1824 in Ohio, Kentucky, United States.^1,17–18

She lived in Jasper Township, Fayette, Ohio, United States on 21 Sep 1850.⁴

She lived in Jefferson Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States on 1 Aug 1860.⁷

Lydia died on 1 Feb 1864 at the age of 39 in Clinton, Indiana, United States.^18–19

She was buried after 1 Feb 1864 at Hills Baptist Church Cemetery in Pickard, Clinton, Indiana, United States.²⁰

2nd Wife – Mary Amos

Samuel Christy and Mary Susan Amos were married on 18 Nov 1866 in Clinton, Indiana, United States.^19,21–22

Mary Susan Amos^2,19,23 was born on 1 Aug 1837 in Indiana, United States.^2,24–25

She lived in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States on 27 Jul 1860.²⁵

She lived in Jefferson Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States on 6 Jul 1870.⁹

Mary died on 21 Oct 1872 at the age of 35.^2,24

She was buried at Hills Baptist Church Cemetery in Pickard, Clinton, Indiana, United States.²⁴

3rd Wife – Mariah Burk

Samuel Christy and Mariah Burk were married on 14 Oct 1871 in Clinton, Indiana, United States.^26–27

Mariah Burk² was born on 27 Dec 1830.^2,28

She lived in Jefferson Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States in 1880.¹⁰

She lived in Jefferson Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States in 1900.¹²

Mariah died on 18 Dec 1907 at the age of 76 in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States.^2,28

She was buried.²⁸

Samuel and Lydia were the parents of

• Emily Jane Christy (1843-1864)
• Rachel Elmeda Christy (1845-1927)
• Rhoda Elizabeth Christy (1850-1851)
• Eli Salathiel Chirsty (1848-1851)
• Shelamiah Christy (1850-1861)
• Ebenezer Christy (1853-1941)
• Samuel Milton Christy (1855-1924)
• Lydia Alice Christy (1858-1888)
• Esther Christy (1860-1924

Samuel and Mary were the parents of

• Samantha Christy (1867-1873)
• George Christy (1868-1938)
• Nancy Christy (1869-1934)
• William Henry Christy (1872-1906)

ENDNOTES:

1. 1860 U.S. Census, Clinton County Indiana, population schedule, Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana, page 189, family 1384, Samuey H Christy; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 23 July 2022); NARA microfilm publication M653.

2. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online July 2017), memorial for Samuel Henry Christy (1819-1904), Find a Grave Memorial no. #13717296, created by Judy, citing Hills Baptist Church Cemetery, Pickard, Clinton County, Indiana; accompanying photograph by Judy, Samuel Henry Christy.

3. Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Samuel H St G Christy, 1904; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online December 2018).

4. 1850 U.S. Census, Fayette County Ohio, population schedule, Jasper Township, Fayette County, Indiana, page 156, household 1293, Samuel H Christy; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2017); NARA microfilm publication M432.

5. U.S. Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880, Samuel Christy, 20 September 1850; database with images, Ancestry.com (ancestry.com : viewed online 23 July 2022).

6. Ohio, Fayette County. Deeds, v. P 1850-1853.  Film #292618 DGS 8141941. Samuel H. Christy, 9 Oct 1850 Vol. P: page 51 (image 35); digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 24 July 2022.

7. 1860 U.S. Census, Tipton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana, page 189 Image 15 of 34, household 1425, Samuel H Christy; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication M653

8. “U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865,”Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com:  accessed July 2017), card for Samuel H Christy, Sub dist No 88,Tipton County, Indiana; citing Consolidated Listsof Civil War Draft Registrations, 1863-1865, NM-65.

9. 1870 U. S. Census, Tipton County Indiana, population schedule, Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana, page 15, household 110, Christy, Samuel; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication T132.

10. 1880 U.S. Census, Tipton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana, ED 135, page 44 Image 33 of 40, household 394, Samuel H Christy; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017)

11. Indiana, Wills and Probate Records, 1789-1999, Samuel H. St. G. Christy, 1887; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 14 December 2021).

12. 1900 U.S. Census, Tipton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana, ED 124, Sheet 6 Image 11 of 32, family 115, Samuel Christy; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 20 January 2022)

13. “By Star Special Service,” The Star Press (Muncie, Indiana), 26 March 1904, page 6; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 3 September 2020).

14. “Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017), Lydia Galimore – Samuel H. Christy.

15. Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016, Samuel H Christy – Lydia Galimore, 3 March 1842; database with images, (www.familysearch.org : viewed online October 2017).

16. Ohio, Fayette County. Marriage Records, v. A-C 1810-1855.  Film #292630 DGS 4016243. Samuel H Christy, 3 Mar 1842 Vol. B: page 197; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 23 July 2022.

17. Mrs. Rachel E. RIcketts, death certificate #2011237 (27 January 1917), Kansas State Board of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, Topeka, Kansas.

18. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online July 2016), memorial for Lydia Gallimore Christy (1824-1864), Find a Grave Memorial no. # 13717108, created by Judy, citing Hills Baptist Chruch Cemetery, Pickard, Clinton County, INdiana; accompanying photograph by Judy, Lydia Gallimore Christy.

19. 1870 U. S. Census, Tipton County Indiana, population schedule, Jefferson Township, Tipton County, Indiana, page 15, family 110, Samuel Christy; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 23 July 2022); NARA microfilm publication T132.

20. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online July 2016), memorial for Lydia Gallimore Christy (1824-1864), Find a Grave Memorial no. # 13717108,

21. “Indiana, Marriage Index, 1800-1941,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : County Court Records at Williamsport, IN, Clinton County, Indiana, viewed onine (5 January 2022), Samuel H Christy.

22. “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019,” database with images, FamilySearch (familysearch.org : viewed onine 23 July 2022), Samuel H. St. G (or Y) Christy.

23. Indiana Marriages, 1845-1920 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000), Book C-4, OS Page 524

24. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 5 January 2022), memorial for Mary Susan Amos Christy (1837-1872), Find a Grave Memorial no. #13717123, created by Judy, citing Hills Baptist Church Cemetery, Pickard, Clinton County, Indiana; accompanying photograph by Judy, Mary Susan Amos Christy.

25. 1860 U.S. Census, Clinton County Indiana, population schedule, Sugar Creek Township, Clinton County, Indiana, pae 143, family 1043, John C Amos.

26. “Indiana, Marriage Index, 1800-1941,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : County Court Records at Williamsport, IN, Clinton County, Indiana, viewed online (13 December 21), Samuel H Christy.

27. “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” digitized images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : viewed online 23 July 2022), Samuel H. Christy.

28. Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Maria Christy, 18 December 1907; .

Census Confusion

Have you ever encountered a census record where the family had an extra child that you were unaware of? Professional researchers will caution us to not make assumptions from those listed in a household when the relationship is not stated. However, it is very easy to look at that census record and think the household is one family.

My first encounter with a household on the 1850 census record not being a family unit was with the record for Jane Barnes Currey and her children. Jane’s husband, Thomas M. Currey, died in 1848. In 1850, Jane is shown still living in Carroll County, Indiana with the following in her household:

• James Currey age 26 and born in Indiana
• Elizabeth Currey age 21 and born in Indiana
• Amanda Currey age 19 and born in Indiana
• Helen Currey age 17 and born in Indiana
• Caroline Currey age 8 and born in Indiana
• Hiram Currey age 15 and born in Indiana
• Catharin Barnes age 15 and born in Indiana

Both James and Hiram have ‘Farm’ listed as their occupation. Based on this one record, it would be easy to assume that Hiram is a member of this family. However, a search of Carroll County Indiana Probate Records uncovers documents that identify the heirs of Thomas M. Currey.

Probate Order Book
Carroll County, Indiana
Book 2 page 520

May Term 1848 — 3rd Day May 10

Austin C Sheets Administrator
of the estate of Thomas M. Curry deceased
vs
Sarah C Sheets
James B Curry
Mary I Curry
Elizabeth J Curry
Easter A Curry
Helen M Curry
Caroline T Curry

Application to sell land

And now at this time comes
the said Administrator by M
Allen his atty and files his
petition in the words & figures
following (insert) praying for a sale of certain real estate
therein named and there upon he files in open court an
inventory and appraisement of the real estate in the words
& figures following (insert) and thereupon the said petitioner
files in open court the written consent of the said defendants
Sarah C Sheets James B Curry Mary I Currey who are of
lawful age [manning] the service of process herein arise
consenting that a decree shall be [entered]at the present
term of this for the sale of the lands described in said
petition and thereupon comes into open court James B
Curry who is the guardian of the persons and property of
said defendents Elizabeth J Currey Easter A Curry
Helen M Curry & Caroline T Curry who are minors under
the age of twenty one years and [bears the using] and service
of process herein and enters his appearance for the said
defendants & minors and consents that proceedings in this
cause may be had and the case heard at the present
term of this court and thereupon said Administrator
now files in open court his additional bond with John
Barr his security which is in the words & figures following
(insert) which is by the court approved and the court
after being fully advised in the [promises use after]
having heard the proof, and allegations of the parties
It is therefore ordered adjudged by the court now here
that the said Thomas M Curry deceased at the time of his
was seized in fee simple of the following lands situate in
said county of Carroll, State of Indiana to wit The west
half of the south west quarter of Section No (26) twenty six
Township No (24) twenty four Range No (1) one east Also
the East half of the south east quarter of section no (27)
twenty seven same township and range and that said
decedent at the time of his death held a title bond from
Martin Shinn for the south west quarter as the South
East quarter of section No (27) twenty seven same
Township and Range on which said last mentioned
land full payment had been mad by said decendant

page 521
in his lifetime that it is further ordered adjudged and decreed
by the court that said Administrator proceed to sell said
land at public sale at the court house door in Delphi on the
first Monday in June 1848 after having [adm?t?d] the time
and place of sale in Carroll express a newspaper of general
circulation printed and published in said county and by putting up
written notices in the Township where the land is situate
according to law that it is further ordered adjudged &
Decreed by the court that said Administrator sell the said
land on the following terms to wit eight hundred dollars
cash in hand and the balance in two equal payments
twelve and eighteen months from the day of sale the purchaser
giving good free hold security for the payment of said purchase
money and it is further ordered that said real estate shall
not be sold for less than two thirds of its appraised value after
subtracting all loyal incumbrances on the same and it is
further ordered ajudged decreed by the court that if said
Administrator shall fail to sell said land at public sale
as above directed that then he shall proceed to sell the
same at private sale to the highest bidder so that the amount
shall not be less than two thirds the appraised value
thereof after directing incumbrances as aforesaid [and
said Administrator as part his proceedings to the next
term of this court & this cause is continued.

Indiana, Carroll County. Probate Records, 1829-1913; indexes, 1844-1891. Film #2200813 DGS 7708858. Petition to sell Thomas Currey’s land, 10 May 1848 Vol. 2: page 520-521; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed before 2016.

Hiram Currey is missing from the probate document. That combined with the fact that he is listed after the other Currey children would suggest that he is NOT a child in this family. Without the probate record, I would likely have assumed that 15 year old Hiram was a child of Jane Currey.

Thus, I’m thankful that other researchers taught me to look beyond a single record and to collect as much information as I can on each member of a family.