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Silas Dooley

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Have you ever just stumbled upon a find for a FAN club member that may contain just the clue you need to expand your brick wall research. Well, that’s what happened to me when researching Moses Dooley. I consider Moses to be a SUPER FAN member of my Crawford FAN club.

  • Moses Dooley owned land in Garrard County, Kentucky near the land owned by both Mary Crawford and Rebekah Crawford. These three neighboring families likely all went to the ‘Old Sugar Creek Meeting House’ on William Miller’s land.
  • Moses Dooley is shown on the tax rolls of Barren County, Kentucky owning 200 acres of land on the middle fork of the Barren River.
  • Moses Dooley is on the tax rolls in Preble County, Ohio by 1816.

My ancestor, James Crawford, married Sally Duggins in Garrard County, Kentucky in 1799. While I need more documentation, I believe my James Crawford was living in Barren County, KY in 1803 with 50 acres on the Marrowbone. James Crawford, along with Moses Dooley, cast votes in the 1816 election in Preble County, Ohio. Since the migration path for Moses Dooley is similar to the migration path for my ancestor, I consider Moses Dooley to be a SUPER FAN.

Thus, when I found an obituary for Moses’ son, Silas that also discusses Moses’ life, I consider it a major find. The information about Moses’ life may provide the clues I need to learn more about James Crawford’s life and hopefully identify his parents.

Obituary

Dooley — At his residence near Eaton, Ohio, on Sabbath, July 8th, 1877, after a painful illness, Silas Dooley, Sr., aged 91 years and 4 months.
The death of this venerable pioneer is an event which must attract the attention of the thoughtful. It seems appropriate to furnish the public with a few of the leading incidents of his career.
Moses Dooley, the father of Silas, with his family emigrated in 1781 from Bedford county, Virginia, to Kentucky, a wearisome journey over the mountains. His mother carried her youngest child in her arms. On account of the barbarities of the Indians, the family for some time lived within a fort. Afterwards they settled in Madison Co., Ky., where Silas was born, March 8th, 1786. When he was 19 yers of age, in 1805, himself and his father and Jacob Railsback came to Ohio in search of permanent homes. They stopped at Springdale, Hamilton Co., O., (then called Springfield). Silas worked a month for Rev. Jno Thompson, the presbyterian minister. The company then travelled northward, Jacob Railsback located 160 acres in seven Mile, and Moses Dooley the same amount on Paint creek. While his father returned to Kentucky for his family, Silas worked a while at John Pottenger’s, at seven Mile. Becoming discouraged, he was about to go back to Kentucky, when david E. Hendricks hired him to clear six acres of land where Camden now stands. The deer were very numerous in the woods, as also were wild turkeys. Near the end of 1805 his father took possession of the farm on Paint creek and had to worked hard to build a cabin and clear enough ground to raise a little corn. A wonderful and total eclipse of the sun took place about noon, June 16th, 1806. A few days after this family held at a Thanksgiving meeting at James Crawford’s.
In the spring of 1807 Silas Dooley entered 160 acres of land on Paint creek, where he spent all the rest of his life. He was married May 5th, 1808, to Johannah Westerfield, daughter of Samuel Westerfield, daughter of Samuel Westerfield — probably this was the first wedding in Preble county, which about the time had been separated form Montgomery county. The wedding guests were Cornelius, Katy and Polly Vanausdal — Katy afterwards became Mrs. Campbell, and Polly, Mrs Hawkins; Sally Curry, wife of Judge Wm. Curry, was also present. Silas’ mother died January 7th, 1819. HIs father died of fever in the winter of 1822, while attending a “big meeting” at the house of his son-in-law, Richard Leeson, on Walnut Level. William Castor, at the present time perhaps the oldest man in Preble county, assisted in bringing the coffin from Silas’ home. His wife died much lamented, April 14, 1859. They had seven children, only on of who (Silas, Jr.,) services, who lives upon the old place. There are several grand-children living; also several great-grand-children. In 1812 he was a member of Captain David E. Hendricks’ rifle company, numbering 64 men.
The writer became acquainted with this venerable man only during the last years of his life. The infirmities of age were pressing heavily upon him and he was confined mostly to the house. Notwithstanding great deafness he could sing well — he might be styled “the Singing Pilgrim.” He loved the songs of Zion and to hear the Bible read — he loved the Savior and His people — his whole life was singularly honest and pure — he was never contaminated by vice. He was a fine example of a pioneer patiently toiling to make a home and always living in it. He never was possessed by greed for gain. He never held any office, yet he to the last had an intelligent understanding of his duties as a citizen, and took pains to vote at the last Presidential election.
How many changes have occurred in the world and in the United States durin the ninety-one years he lived. We will mention some of the great events n our own country. Silas Dooley was old when the Federal Constitution was adopted in 1787; he was three years old when Washington was elected president. The population of the United States was, at his birth about three millions; now it is forty millions. Then the population was just beginning to cross the Alleghany mountains and; not it extends tot he Pacific ocean. Then there were thirteen States; now there are thirty-eight. Then the great practical intentions were unknown, now the numerous applications of steam, the telegraph, the power printing press and many machines in various departments of industry were unknown.
The funeral services of Silas Dooley were held Monday, 3 p.m., July 9th, The friends gathered at the house, and then proceeded to the Friendship Church, where a funeral sermon was preached by the writer form 1 cr 15.58. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding the work of the Lord; for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Notwithstanding it was harvest time, a large number of persons were present, among whom were Job Jefferson and Judge William Curry. The remains of Silas Dooley were laid to rest among his kindred, and await a happy resurrection at the coming of the Lord.
The statements made in the foregoing obituary were drawn from an article in the Eaton Register, Feb. 20th, 1873, and also from conversations with William Castor and Judge Curry, and form personal knowledge.
A. J. Reynolds

“Obituary,” The Eaton Democrat (Eaton, Ohio), 19 July 1877, page 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 7 March 2023).

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun

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 Calling all Genea-Musings Fans: 

 It’s Saturday Night again – 

Time for some more Genealogy Fun!!

Come on, everybody, join in and accept the mission and execute it with precision. 

1)  Pick an ancestor, any ancestor.  What do you know about them?  What source type(s) do you have for each item? Answer the 20 questions below about your chosen ancestor.

2) Tell us about it in your own blog post, in a comment on this post, or in a Facebook post.  Please leave a link on this post if you write your own blog post.

Here’s mine:

1)  Ancestor’s birth name: 

2)  Ancestor’s parents: 

  • Unknown

3)  Ancestor’s birth date and place: 

4)  Ancestor’s baptism/christening date and place: 

  • Unknown

5)  Ancestor’s spouse birth name:

  • Sarah “Sally Smith Duggins (Find A Grave / Obituary Abstracts / Marriage Records)

6)  Ancestor’s spouse parents: 

  • Ann Shoemaker (Virginia, Amherst county. Register of Marriages, Amherst County, Virginia, 1763-1853. Film #30273 DGS 7578824. Alexander Duggins Jr, 1788 Jan 22; page 40; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 6 August 2022.)

7)  Ancestor’s spouse birth date and place:  25 Feb 1770, Virginia

8)  Ancestor’s spouse death date and place: 2 May 1856, Preble County, Ohio

  • 2 May 1856 (Find a Grave Memorial no. #8559179)
  • Preble County, Ohio (Obituary Abstracts 1850-1890 from Eaton Register & Eaton Democrat newspapers in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio)

9)  Children of Ancestor and spouse: 

  • Polly Crawford – two children named in will of James Crawford
  • Nelson Garret Crawford – named in will of James Crwaford

10)  Ancestor’s death date and place:  5 July 1854 – Preble County, Ohio

  • 5 Jul 1854 (Find a Grave Memorial 8559177 )
  • Preble County, Ohio (Obituary Abstracts 1850-1890 from Eaton Register & Eaton Democrat newspapers in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio)

11)  Ancestor cause of death: 

  • Unknown

12)  Ancestor’s burial location:  Mound Hill Cemetery, Eaton, Preble County, Ohio

13)  Ancestor’s occupation(s):

  • Farmer (1850 Preble County, Ohio Census)

14)  Ancestor’s  military service:

  • Unknown

15)  Ancestor’s residences: 

  • Virginia — place of birth (1850 Census)
  • Garrard County, Kentucky (Marriage Record, tax record)
  • Possibly Barren County, Kentucky (tax records – listed as James Jr or James (small) in record with James (big) Senr)
  • Preble County, Ohio (land records, tax records, 1850 census)

16)  Ancestor’s land records: 

  • 50 acres on Marrowbone (tax records for James Crafford Jr — but deed yet to be located)
  • NW 1/4 Section 14 Township 7 Range 2 East (Bureau Land Management Patent)

17)  Ancestor’s probate records: 

  • Will of James Crawford – 28 July 1854 – Preble County, Ohio (Preble County OH Will Book C page 389)

18)  How do you keep track of this information?:

  • RootsMagic 8 software

19)  What records do you need to find?: 

  • Anything identifying siblings
  • Anything identifying parents
  • Deed for 50 acres of land on the Marrowbone to James Crawford

20)  Have you written an ancestor genealogical sketch about this person?: 

DNA

Preble in the War of 1812

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Do you have War of 1812 ancestors? If so, have you found military records for them? Over the years I’ve searched for 1812 military records for several of my ancestors. I have yet to find any.

However, I recently found reviewed the book, History of Preble County, Ohio and found that it includes a recollection of Col. George D. Hendricks which discusses the formation of a volunteer corps in Preble County.

Preble in the War of 1812
The following is from the recollections of Col. George D. Hendricks:
“Captain James I. Nesbit, of New Lexington, Built a stockade fort seven miles north of New Paris, and was stationed at that place with a small detachment of Preble drafted men, and upon the siege of Fort Meigs, was ordered to that locality. This left the settlements at Eaton and about New Paris and Richmond, Indiana, exposed to Indian depredations from the northwest. The settlers, as a means of safety, built block-houses in many places. One of them was upon the Brookville road south of Robert Miller’s residence, then owned by John Hopkins.
“On Sunday, when many of the settlers had assembled for divine worship, and after the close of a very impressive service, one of the elders proposed to raise a volunteer corps (to be composed of men who were exempt from the draft because of their age), to guard the frontier against the mauranding bands of savages who had recently killed one man on Whitewater, and two men on Twin creek.
“The proposition met with general approval, and about twenty men volunteered. john Goldsmith was first on the list, and then came Silas Dooley, Sr., Moses Dooley, sr. James Crawford, Elihu Hopkins, William Sellers, Elder George Shidler, John Carter
“Rev. George Shidler was elected captain and Moses Dooley, lieutenant. They garrisoned Fort Nesbit until relieved by Captain Richard Sloan of Israel township. Lieutenant Black was stationed at Fort Black with one half of Captain Sloan’s company

History of Preble County, Ohio: with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches (N.p.: H. Z. Williams & Bro., Publishers, 1881), page 40; digital images, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 7 November 2022.

While this account not only identifies the citizens of Preble County that served but also the leader. Unfortunately, a search of Fold3 did not uncover any documents for George D. Hendricks or for Captain James Nesbit. Thus, it is difficult to conclude any of the records for a James Crawford from Ohio in the War of 1812 is the same James Crawford. I was able to find a record for William Castor who served under Captain James Nesbit. Unfortunately, the list in the Preble County book does not contain a William Castor.

William Sellers Family

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1. William David Sellers was born on 2 Jul 1771 in Cumberland, Pennsylvania, United States.1–2 He witnessed the marriage of James Sellers and Mary Crawford on 19 Dec 1791 in Lincoln County, Kentucky.3–8 He was listed on the tax rolls in 1792 in Lincoln, Kentucky, United States.9 William was listed on the tax rolls in 1794 in Lincoln, Kentucky, United States.10 He was listed on the tax rolls in 1795 in Lincoln, Kentucky, United States.11 He was listed on the tax rolls in 1796 in Lincoln, Kentucky, United States.12 William lived in Garrard, Kentucky, United States in 1800.13 He  was an early pioneer about 1810 in Washington Township, Preble, Ohio, United States.14 He filed land entry papers on 1 Jun 1816 in Preble County, Ohio.15–16 William lived in Washington Township, Preble, Ohio, United States on 1 Jul 1820.17 He purchased land being the NW corner of the SW 1/4 of Section 14, township7, range 2 comprising 40 acres from James and Martha Crawford for $80 on 11 Dec 1821 in Preble County, Ohio.18 He purchased land being the E 1/2 of the NW 1/4 Section 14 township 7, range 2 from James and Sally Crawford for $300 on 11 Dec 1821 in Preble County, Ohio.19 William sold land being the W half of the NW quarter of Section Number 14 in Township 7 Range 2 East on 11 Dec 1821 in Preble County, Ohio.20 He sold land being part NW 1/4 S14 T7 R2E containing 15 acres to Ortitis Roberts for $200 on 21 Jan 1830 in Preble County, Ohio.21 He lived in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio on 1 Jul 1830.22 William sold land being part SW and NW 1/4 S14 T7R2E containing 96 acres being same land conveyed to grantor by James Crawford Senr Esqr. and James Crawford Jun by their deeds dated Dec 11 1821 to John P. Acton for $1200 on 9 Sep 1843 in Preble County, Ohio.23 He signed a will on 10 Feb 1845 in Preble, Ohio, United States.24 He died on 13 Jan 1848 at the age of 76 in Ohio, United States.1–2 William had his estate probated on 17 Mar 1848 in Preble, Ohio, United States.25 He was buried in Preble County, Ohio.2

William David Sellers and Sarah Crawford were married on 2 Feb 1796 in Lincoln County, Kentucky.5,26–28 Sarah Crawford3, daughter of John Crawford and Rebekah Douglas, was born on 9 Oct 1778 in Pennsylvania, United States.1 She died on 28 Feb 1855 at the age of 76 in Liberty Mills, Kosciusko County, Indiana.1,29 She was buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Liberty Mills, Wabash, Indiana, United States.29 William David Sellers and Sarah Crawford had the following children:

11. _____ Sellers30 died about 1806 in Preble, Ohio, United States. .30

12. Nathan Douglas Sellers was born on 6 Jun 1797 in Garrard, Kentucky, United States.1,31 He witnessed the sale of land by William David Sellers  on 21 Jan 1830 in Preble, Ohio, United States.21 He lived in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio on 1 Jul 1830.32 Nathan lived in Preble County, Ohio on 1 Jul 1840.33 He lived in Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana on 1 Jul 1850.34 He lived in Chester Township, Wabash, Indiana, United States in 1860.35 Nathan lived in Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana on 21 Jun 1870.36 He died on 16 Feb 1874 at the age of 76 in North Manchester, Wabash, Indiana, United States.31,37 He had his estate probated in 1875 in Wabash, Wabash, Indiana, United States.38 Nathan was buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Liberty Mills, Wabash, Indiana, United States.31

Nathan Douglas Sellers and Susanna Hawk39 were married on 22 Sep 1818 in Preble County, Ohio.1,40–43 Susanna Hawk was born on 5 Jul 1802 in Pennsylvania, United States.1,39,44 She lived in Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana on 1 Jul 1850.34 She lived in Chester Township, Wabash, Indiana, United States in 1860.35 Susanna lived in Chester Township, Wabash, Indiana, United States in 1870.36 She died on 27 Feb 1879 at the age of 76 in Chester Township, Wabash, Indiana, United States.44 She was buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Liberty Mills, Wabash, Indiana, United States.44

13. Rebekah Crawford Sellers was born on 29 Mar 1799 in Garrard, Kentucky, United States.1 She died on 27 Nov 1799 at the age of 0.1

14. Nancy Sellers was born on 4 Feb 1801 in Garrard or Bourbon County, Kentucky.1 She lived in Clay Township, Miami, Indiana, United States in 1850.45

Nancy Sellers and John Scott Sellers were married on 11 Dec 1817 in Preble County, Ohio.46–47 John Scott Sellers, son of Joseph Sellers and Rachel Summers, was born about 1790 in Kentucky, United States. He lived in Clay Township, Miami, Indiana, United States in 1850.45

15. John Howard Sellers was born on 17 Jan 1803 in Barren, Kentucky, United States.1,48 He lived in Washington Township, Preble, Ohio, United States in 1830.49 He lived in Washington Township, Preble, Ohio, United States on 1 Jul 1840.50 John died on 22 Feb 1846 at the age of 43.1,48 He was buried at Chili Community Cemetery in Chili, Miami, Indiana, United States.48

John Howard Sellers and Catherine I. Auter were married on 8 Mar 1825 in Preble County, Ohio.51–52 Catherine I. Auter was born (date unknown).

16. Mary Polly Sellers was born on 6 Jul 1809 in Preble County, Ohio.1,53 She was appointed guardian of Nancy Margaret Swihart, William Adam Swihart, Frances Marion Swihart and Sarah Katherine Swihart on 24 Oct 1837 in Preble, Ohio, United States.54 She lived in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio on 6 Aug 1850.55 Mary lived in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio in 1860.56 She lived in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio in 1880.57 She lived in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio in 1900.58 Mary died in 1900 at the age of 91.53 She was buried at Mound Hill Cemetery in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio.53

Mary Polly Sellers and Jacob Swihart were married on 24 Jun 1830 in Preble County, Ohio.59–62 Jacob Swihart was born on 22 Oct 1804.1 He bought land  on 11 Sep 1829 in Preble, Ohio, United States from James Crawford.63 He bought land  on 11 Sep 1829 in Preble, Ohio, United States from William Allen Crawford.64 Jacob died before Oct 1837 at the age of 33.65

Mary Polly Sellers and Job Jefferson were married on 13 Feb 1839 in Preble County, Ohio.66–67 Job Jefferson was born on 25 Jan 1788.68 On 5 Apr 1844, he assumed guardianship of Nancy Margaret Swihart aged 12 yrs., William Adam Swihart aged 10 yrs., Francis Marion Swihart aged 8 yrs. and Sarah Catharine Swihart aged 7 yrs., children of Jacob Swihart, dec’d in Preble, Ohio, United States. He lived in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio on 6 Aug 1850.55 Job lived in Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio in 1860.56 He lived in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio in 1880.57 He died on 2 Sep 1884 at the age of 96 in Preble County, Ohio.68

17. Margaret Sellers was born on 2 Sep 1811 in Preble County, Ohio.1,69 She lived in Jefferson Township, Preble, Ohio, United States in 1850.70 She lived in Montrose Township, Lee, Iowa, United States in 1856.71 Margaret died on 27 Sep 1858 at the age of 47 in Sandusky, Lee, Iowa, United States.69 She was buried at Sandusky Cemetery in Sandusky, Lee, Iowa, United States.69

Margaret Sellers and Harry H. Wilson were married on 2 Feb 1832 in Preble County, Ohio.60,72–73 Harry H. Wilson was born on 3 Nov 1809.1 He lived in Jefferson Township, Preble, Ohio, United States in 1850.70 He lived in Montrose Township, Lee, Iowa, United States in 1856.71

18. Celia Amanda Sellers was born on 2 Sep 1818 in Preble County, Ohio.25 She lived in Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana in 1850.74 She lived in Wayne Township, Huntington, Indiana, United States in 1860.75 Celia lived in Pike Township, Warren County, Indiana in 1870.76 She lived in Plattsburgh, Clinton County, Indiana in 1880.77 She died on 25 Sep 1881 at the age of 63 in Clinton, Missouri, United States.25,78 Celia was buried at Old Plattsburg Cemetery in Plattsburg, Clinton, Missouri, United States.25

Celia Amanda Sellers and William Henry West were married on 3 Aug 1837 in Preble County, Ohio.60,78–80 William Henry West, son of Jeptha West and Polly Wise, was born on 28 Mar 1815 in Preble County, Ohio. He lived in Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana on 10 Sep 1850.74 He lived in Wayne Township, Huntington, Indiana, United States in 1860.75 William lived in Pike Township, Warren County, Indiana on 29 Jun 1870.76 He lived in Plattsburgh, Clinton County, Indiana on 2 Jun 1880.81

19. Jane Sellers was born on 17 Feb 1820.1 She died before 1845 at the age of 25.24

ENDNOTES:

1. Sellers, William David, William Sellers, his Bible, bought of David McDill (: , ); Linda Sellers Foster, , email from Mary Baker dated June 2001 (Sellers.OH.010)

2. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 29 October 2022), memorial for William David Sellers (1771-1848), Find a Grave Memorial no. 180353164, created by maintained by 47117651 / originally created by Anonymouse, citing Backbone Cemetery, Preble County, Ohio;, William David Sellers.

3. Dodd, Jordan R., Kentucky Marriages Early to 1800 (: Precision Indexing Publishers, ), p. 49.

4. Kentucky Pioneer and Court Records: Abstracts of Early Wills, Deeds and Marriages (Lexington, KY: Keystone Printery, 1929), Lincoln County Marriages page 119 (Crawford.KY.019)

5. Cook Michael L., compiler, Lincoln County Kentucky Records Vol. 1 (Evansville, IN: Cook Publications, n.d.), p. 18, 47, 349.

6. Kentucky, Lincoln. Marriage Records, 1781-1961.  Film #192262 (DGS 007899121. Mary Crawford to James Sellers, 19 Dec 1791; Loose papers, files 1-6 1781-1809: image 145; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online January 2019.

7. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7836/). Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 : viewed online 27 October 2022.

8. “Kentucky, Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2019), James Sellers.

9. KY, Bourbon. Tax Books 1787-1793, 1795-1806.  Film #7834472. Nathaniel Sellers, 1791; Image 234 and 235; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online April 2019.

10. Kentucky, Lincoln County. Tax Books, 1787-1875.  Film #7834472. Nathaniel Sellers, 1794; Image 325 and 326; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online April 2019.

11. Kentucky, Lincoln County. Tax Books, 1787-1875.  Film #7834472. James Sellers, 1795; image 345; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online April 2019.

12. Kentucky, Lincoln County. Tax Books, 1787-1875.  Film #7834472. James Sellers, 1796; Image 450; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online April 2019.

13. “Kentucky, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1810-1890,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : Garrard County, KY, viewed online (29 October 2022), William Sellers; Jackson, Ron V., Kentucky Census, 1810-1890.

14. History of Preble County, Ohio: with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches (N.p.: H. Z. Williams & Bro., Publishers, 1881), page 135; digital images, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 7 November 2022.

15. Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963.  Film #564919 DGS 8587969. William Sellers, 1816; Vol. 33: page 3; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 6 November 2022.

16. United States Bureau of Land Management, “General Land Office Records,” database with images, BLM.Gov (http://glorecords.blm.gov : viewed online March 2019), William Sellers and James Crawford.

17. 1820 U.S. Census, Preble County Ohio, population schedule, Washington Township, p. 106 Image 2 of 6, Wm Seller; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016); NARA microfilm publication M33.

18. Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963.  Film #8151054. James Crawford, 11 Dec 1821; Vol. 5: page 85; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online January 2019.

19. Ohio, Preble. Deeds, 1819-1824. James Crawford, 11 Dec 1821; 5: 86-87; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online June 2018.

20. Ohio, Preble. Deeds, 1819-1824.  Film #[FilmNumber]. Crawford James, 15 Jan 1822; Vol. 5: 98; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online June 2018.

21. Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963.  Film #564909 DGS 8587962. William Sellers, 21 Jan 1830; Vol. 10: page 254; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 6 November 2022.

22. 1830 U.S. Census, Preble County Ohio, population schedule, Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio Image 5 of 8, William Sellers; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online February 2018); NARA microfilm publication M19.

23. Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963.  Film #564919 DGS 8587969. William Sellers, 11 Sep 1843; Vol 33: page 1-2; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 6 November 2022.

24. Ohio, Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998, William Sellers, 17 March 1848; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 31 October 2022). Original Source: Ohio County, District and Probate Courts.

25. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 29 October 2022), memorial for Celia A. Sellers West (1818-1881), Find a Grave Memorial no. 134775399,

26. Kentucky Pioneer and Court Records, Lincoln County Marriages page 120 (Crawford.KY.019).

27. Kentucky, Lincoln. Marriage Records, 1781-1961.  Film #192262(DGS 007899121). Sarah Crawford – William Sellers, 2 Feb 1796; Loose Papers, files 1-6 1781-1809: image 485; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online January 2019.

28. Ancestry.com, Kentucky, Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997), William Sellers / Mary Crawford.

29. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 29 October 2022), memorial for Sarah Sellers (17787-1855), Find a Grave Memorial no. 32616103,

30. History of Preble County, Ohio, page 177.

31. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 29 October 2022), memorial for Nathan Douglas Sellers (1797-1874), Find a Grave Memorial no. 32616093,

32. 1830 U.S. Census, Preble County Ohio, population schedule, Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio, page 352 Image 7 of 8, Nathan D. Seller; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016); NARA microfilm publication M19.

33. 1840 U.S. Census, Preble County, Ohio, population schedule, Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio, image 23 of 32 Image 23 of 32, Nathan D. Sellers; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016); NARA microfilm M704.

34. 1850 U.S. Census, Wabash County, Indiana, population schedule, Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana, page 383 Image 23 of 38, household 158, Nathan D. Sellers; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016); NARA microfilm publication M432.

35. 1860 U.S. census, Wabash County, Indiana, population schedule, Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana, page 103 Image 13 of 66, family 801, Nathan Sellers; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 2 November 2022).

36. 1870 U.S. Census, Wabash County, Indiana, population schedule, Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana, page 19 Image 17 of 79, household 129, N. Seitler (N. Sellers); digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016); NARA Microfilm publication M593.

37. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online October 2016), memorial for Nathan D. Sellers (1797-1874), Find a Grave Memorial no. #32616093, created by v_f, citing Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Liberty Mills, Wabash County, Indiana; accompanying photograph by Dawn Comstock, Nathan D. Sellers.

38. U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918, N. D. Sellers (heirs), Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana, 1875; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016).

39. Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Rebecca Artamesia Sellers Collett, 28 March 1915; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016).

40. Preble County Ohio Marriage Records 1808-1842 Vol. A, Ohio County Marriages, 1789-2013, Nathan D. Sellers / Susanah Hawk, 22 September 1818; database with images, Family Search (www.familysearch.org : viewed online October 2016).

41. “Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 31 October 2022), Nathan D Sellar.

42. “Ohio, Compiled Marriage Index, 1803-1900,” , Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 31 October 2022), Nathan D. Sellars.

43. “Preble Count, Ohio Marriage Index, 1808-2000,” web link, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (: viewed online 31 October 2022), Nathan D Sellars.

44. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 2 November 2022), memorial for Susanna “Susan” Hawk Sellers (1802-1879), Find a Grave Memorial no. 3261637, created by v f, citing Pleasant Grove cemetery, Liberty Mills, Wabash County, Indiana; accompanying photograph by Retired Kent, Susanna “Susan” Hawk Sellers.

45. 1850 U.S. census, Miami County, Indiana, population schedule, Clay Township, Miami County, Indiana Image 13 of 14, family 1424, John Sellers; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 4 November 2022).

46. “Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : Preble County, Ohio, viewed online (4 November 202), Nancey Sellars.

47. “Ohio, Compiled Marriage Index, 1803-1900,” Nancy Sellers.

48. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 29 October 2022), memorial for John Howard Sellers (1803-1842), Find a Grave Memorial no. 63696721,

49. 1830 U.S. Census, Preble County Ohio, population schedule, Washington Township, Preble County, Ohio, page 356, , John Sellers..

50. 1840 U.S. Census, Preble County, Ohio, population schedule, Twin Township, Preble County, Ohio Image 59 of 82, John H. Sellers; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 4 November 2022); NARA microfilm M704.

51. “Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : Preble County, Ohio, viewed online (4 November 2022), John H Sellers.

52. “Ohio, Compiled Marriage Index, 1803-1900,” John H. Sellers.

53. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 29 October 2022), memorial for Mary Sellars Jefferson (1809-1900), Find a Grave Memorial no. 42037260,

54. Preble County Ohio Common Pleas Court Records 1810-1850 (Arcanum, OH: Ruth Bowers, 1970)

55. 1850 U.S. Census, Preble County Ohio, population schedule, Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio Image 10 of 23, family 572, Job Jefferson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 4 November 2022); National Archives Publication M432.

56. 1860 U.S. Census, Preble County, Ohio, population schedule, Gasper Township, Preble County, Ohio, page 130 Image 6 of 23, family 1038, Job Jefferson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 4 November 2022); NARA microfilm publication M653.

57. 1880 U.S. Census, Preble County, Ohio, population schedule, Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, ED 205, Page 41 Image 41 of 44, Family 473, Jove Jefferson; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 4 November 2022); NARA microfilm publication T9.

58. 1900 U.S. Census, Preble County Ohio, population schedule, Gasper township, Preble County, Ohio, ED 103, page 4B Image 8 of 14, family 93, Wm S Songneck; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 4 November 2022).

59. Sellers Family Information, online sellers-l@rootsweb.com, information from Preble Co. Ohio Marriage Records  by Audrey Gilbert in message by Carla .. griff2@netnitco.net (Sellers.OH.012).

60. Letter from () to ; (), Source: Preble County, Ohio, marriages 1808-1859 (Sellers.OH.018).

61. “Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : Preble County, Ohio, viewed online (4 November 2022), Mary Sellers.

62. “Ohio, Compiled Marriage Index, 1803-1900,” Mary Sellers.

63. Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963.  Film #8587962. James Crawford, 11 Sep 1829; Vol. 10: p. 282; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online January 2019.

64. Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963.  Film #8387962. William Crawford, 11 Sep 829; Vol 10: page 280; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online January 2019.

65. Sellers Family Information, online sellers-l@rootsweb.com, Preble Co. Ohio Common Probate Court Records by Audrey Gilbert (Sellers.OH.012).

66. “Ohio, Compiled Marriage Index, 1803-1900,” Mary Swihart.

67. “Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993,” database Job Jefferson.

68. Sellers Family Information, online sellers-l@rootsweb.com, Abstracts, Eaton Democrat, Preble Co. Ohio Vol 3 1883-87 — Sept 11, 1884 obituary of Job Jefferson (Sellers.OH.012.

69. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed nlne 29 October 2022), memorial for Margaret Sellers Wilson (1811-1858), Find a Grave Memorial no. 168574653, created by Karen K, citing Sandusky Cemetery, Sandusky, Lee County, Iowa; accompanying photograph by Joyce Young, Margaret Sellers Wilson.

70. 1850 U.S. Census, Preble County Ohio, population schedule, Jefferson Township, Preble County, Ohio, family 1416, Harvey H Wilson..

71. Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, Margaret Wilson, 1856; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 4 November 2022). Original Source: State Historical Society of Iowa.

72. “Ohio, Compiled Marriage Index, 1803-1900,” Margaret Sellers.

73. “Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : Preble County, Ohio, viewed online (4 November 2022), Margaret Sellers.

74. 1850 U.S. Census, Wabash County, Indiana, population schedule, Chester Township, Wabash County, indiana, page 379 Image 15 of 38, family 105, William H West; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 5 November 2022); NARA microfilm publication M432.

75. 1860 U.S. Census, Huntington County, IN, population schedule, Wayne Township, Huntington County, Indiana, page 118 Image 10 of 15, family 798, William West; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 5 November 2022).

76. 1870 U.S. Census, Warren County, Indiana, population schedule, Pike Township, Warren County, Indiana, page 56 Image 4 of 25, family 291, William H West; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 5 November 2022); NARA microfilm publication T132.

77. 1880 U.S. Census, Clinton County, Missouri, population schedule, Vil. of Plattsburgh, Clinton County, Missouri, ED 109, Page 6 Image 6 of 32, Family 52, Wm H West; digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : viewed onlin 5 November 2022).

78. Cemetery Inscriptions of Clinton County, Missouri Volume II (Gower, MO: Jimmie Lou Courtney, 1996), p. 193 (Sellers.MO.001)

79. “Ohio, Compiled Marriage Index, 1803-1900,” Celia Amanda Sellers.

80. “Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : Preble County, Ohio, viewed online (5 November 2022), Celia Amana Sellers; Various Ohio County Courthouses.

81. 1880 U.S. Census, Clinton County Missouri, Vil. of Plattsburg, Clinton County, Missouri, enumeration district (ED) ED 109, page 6, ; digital images,  (: accessed ).

Elder James Neal

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Do you ever come across information that seems to contradict other information you have found? That’s the case when I compare the biography of Elder James Neal of Preble County, Ohio with the John Crawford Sellers biography?

According to the NEAL biography, Mary Sellers was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in 1776. On contrast, the John Crawford Sellers biography indicates the Sellers family was in Virginia prior to their living in Kentucky.

following the trails of Daniel Boone and other Indiana warriors from Virginia into Kentucky, 

While further proof is needed, it is possible that both statements are true.

  • The Sellers family may have been in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania before migrating south thru Virginia to take the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky.
  • Since the area of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania was also considered Augusta County, Virginia in 1776, it is possible that the SELLERS family never lived in Virginia.

It is also possible that one of the statements is incorrect. Until I have further information, I plan to use the hints from both biographies.

ELDER JAMES NEAL
was born in Franklin county, Kentucky, May 7, 1808. His paternal great-grandfather emigrated from England, and his maternal ancestors came from Ireland. His grandfather, John Neal, settled in Kentucky at a very early day. His father, Benjamin Neal, one of seven children, was born in Kentucky in 1777. He grew up as farmer boy, and when quite young, was married in Kentucky, to Mary Sellers, the daughter of Nathan and Sarah Sellers. She was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1776. The young couple lived first in Bourbon, and then in Franklin county, Kentucky, and raised seven of their nine children. Sarah married William Duggins, and both are dead. Nathan is in Fountain county, Indiana. James was the next child. Jane, wife of Levi Fleming, is dead. Benjamin and John are in Eaton, as is also Mary A., the wife of George Wagoner.
When James was in his fourth year, in the fall of 1811, his parents, in company with his mother’s parents, emigrated to Preble county, where old Mr. Sellers entered land two and a half miles south of Eaton. Forty acres of this land were occupied by the Neal family. At the time of their emigration the journey was made by wagon, and was long and tedious. During two months after their arrival they lived in an open faced pole shanty. They moved into their round log cabin ere the puncheon floor had been laid. The chimney was of the “cat and clay” style, and the back wall and jams of the huge fire-place were of clay.
Mr. Sellers built an Indian proof block house, with bullet proof walls pierced by port holes at convenient distances apart. The predatory warfare of the Indians frequently caused the settlers to transfer their families to the block-house.
Mr. Neal well remembers how, one night, during an Indian alarm, he and his playmates were hastily concealed in the clay pit whence the material for the chimney had been taken. Happily the alarm was false, and the scared little prisoners were soon liberated.
Mr. Neal’s father was exempted from the War of 1812, on account of ill health.
Mr. Neal was early inured to pioneer hardships. Schools were few and far between. He attended for a time a school on Rocky fork, having to blaze his path through the woods in order to find the way home.
His father, after clearing and improving much of his land and living on it for ten or twelve years, sold it, and bought a lot, and built a house in New Lexington.
Mr. Neal removed with his father and worked on breaking bark in Nisbit’s tannery. After the death of his father in 1822, the family removed to a farm just northeast of Eaton. James’ oldest brother leaving home to learn a trade, left him with the management of the farm. Soon after this they moved into a hewed log house on Barron street, in Eaton. For two years Mr. Neal supported the family by day’s labor. Then his mother married Thomas Fleming, who took the family first to Darke county, and finally settled about three and a half miles south of Eaton. At this time Mr. Neal learned the blacksmith trade on the farm of George Leas, on the Camden pike. He finished his apprenticeship with Daniel Mack, of Somerville. While in Somerville, June 7, 1827, he married Ruth, the daughter of Courtland and Susan Lambert, native Kentuckians, who settled near Friendship church, near which Mr. Lambert had a little grist-mill. Their daughter was born in Kentucky, September 1, 1808.
Soon after Mr. Neal’s marriage he started in the blacksmith business on the south line of Dixon township, cooking in an old log schoolhouse, and living in the adjoining house erected for the use of the school-master. After two years removing to Vermillion county, Illinois, near Danville, the county seat, he remained there two years and twenty days, working at his trade and farming. Compelled by sickness and misfortune to return to Ohio, he found a home on Paint creek, on the southeast corner of Silas Dooley’s farm, where he built first a log shop and afterwards one of brick. While living here an incident occurred which illustrates the pluck and indomitable perseverance which has always characterized the actions of Mr. Neal. Having had ten cords of wood cut for conversion into charcoal, he dug a pit in the frozen ground from which to obtain the earth to throw over the wood before setting it on fire. So hard was the frozen ground that it had to be quarried in great chunks. After the wood had been fired, Mr. Neal remained for five days and nights without rest or sleep. At one time the fire penetrated the earth covering, and Mr. Neal in his anxiety to repair the breach, fell into the fire, which almost swallowed him up ere he could escape.
During all the time that he was attending to this work the weather

was intensely cold, and Silas Dooley was accustomed to come over every morning to see if his friend had survived the bitterness of the night.
After remaining on Paint creek for five years he removed to a farm of one hundred acres in Jackson township, on the Indiana line. After remaining there seventeen years he removed to Eaton, in the property on Cherry street, opposite Fulton’s blacksmith shop. In 1854 he removed to his present farm of one hundred and thirty acres, three miles east of Eaton, on the Dayton pike. When he first moved to this place only about thirty acres were cleared, and there were no improvements. At first he lived in a deserted frame school-house, which had been removed to the farm. The present house and barn were erected in 1855, the building of which was personally superintended by himself. This farm is now considered to be one of the best improved in the neighborhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Neal have nine children, seven of whom lived to years of maturity, six of whom survive. Benjamin died in infancy. Mary Ann, who was born in Illinois, where she now lives, is the wife of Jacob Johnson. Sarah is the wife of Aaron Brandon, of Illinois. Susannah died in Eaton in 1853, aged twenty-one years. John lives in Eaton. ( Johannah, the namesake of old Mrs. Dooley, died in infancy. Nathan W. and Elizabeth J., the wife of John Kitson, lives in Illinois. William C. anti family live on the home place.
Mr. Neal’s domestic life was saddened by the almost life-long derangement of his wife, whom he faithfully cared for until death released her, April 6, 1879.
Were the above the life history of Mr. Neal it would be creditable in itself, but a second and more important chapter remains.
In the year 1832, while living in Illinois, he was converted to Christianity, and joined the Christian church. Immediately after his conversion, feeling constrained to speak in public, he became an exhorter, much against his natural inclinations. After removing to Ohio he continued public speaking, and in 1834 attended conference as a licentiate. While attending conference at Bethel chapel, Warren county, he consented to become a regular minister, “and in 1835 was installed, and ordained pastor of the Paint church, by Elders David Purviance and Nathan Worley. During his twelve years pastorate at Paint he received but fifty-eight dollars cash for salary. For one year, being too poor to own a horse, he walked to and from his appointment, a distance of twelve miles, through all kinds of weather. He reorganized the Bank Spring church, and was pastor for eighteen years. Organizing the churches at West Florence and Union Chapel, he served the former seven years and a half in all, and the latter seventeen years. He preached one year in Eaton, and after 1854 was pastor of the Bethlehem church for twenty years. He preached in all five years at Phillipsburgh, Montgomery county. Not long ago he reorganized the New Westville church.
Above are noted the mile-stones in a faithful minister’s life. During the forty-five years of Elder Neal’s ministry he has received not less than one thousand members into the church, baptized eight hundred, preached eight hundred funeral sermons, and married seven hundred couples. His salary has averaged less than twenty-five dollars per annum. Pioneer preachers worked literally on the apostolic plan.
Next to the Purviances Elder Neal was the pioneer representative of his church in Preble county. To-day he alone is a living monument of the early ministry. Taking into consideration the vicissitudes of his life, his success is wonderful. Being well read in the Scriptures he never lacked the material, and only needed the art of discourse. In a series of twenty-four lessons in Greenleaf’s grammer he obtained mastery over the English language, and many a night he studied by the light of a bark torch, doing all this after beginning to preach.
Mr. Neal always speaks extemporaneously. In years gone by no man had a better voice for singing than he. Todav, though approaching four score years, he is as able to preach now as ever, and expects to die in the harness.

History of Preble County, Ohio: with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches (N.p.: H. Z. Williams & Bro., Publishers, 1881), page 279; digital images, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 7 November 2022.

1814 Preble County Voters

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While going back thru my notes for William Sellers, I re-looked at the book, History of Preble County, Ohio: with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches. That’s when I found (or refound) list of voters from 1814 that includes several people on my FAN club list, including TWO men named James Crawford.

The number of voters at the first election in Washington township is not recorded, but the poll book of the election of 1814 if given, and it may be a matter of interest to some readers to know who and how many were the electors at that time in the township, or at least how many cast votes. just forty votes were cast this year, and the names which appear upon the record are the following:
Thomas Ramsey
George Hardy
Alexander Mitchell
John Day
Richard Leeson
John Stevens
Andrew Frick
Abner Dooley
Nathan Sellers
James Crawford
Robert Rhea
Moses Dooley
Elisha Sutton
David Stevens
George Crous
George Maxwell
James White
William Custer
Phillip Largue
Thomas Harris
James C. McCamey
Walter Buell
Charles Hand
Daniel Washam
John Spacht
William Crane
William Sellers
Alexander C. Lanier
James Crawford
Daniel McCoy
William Salle
James Cuttler
John Hawkins
Jonathan Lyons
Samuel Ward
Jonathan Deniston
John Ward

History of Preble County, Ohio: with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches (N.p.: H. Z. Williams & Bro., Publishers, 1881), page 135; digital images, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 7 November 2022.

This list of 1814 voters was followed by information about the early settlement of Washington township in Preble County, Ohio. This information places several members of my Crawford FAN club in Preble county around 1806.

Early Settlement of Washington Township
The first settlement in what is now Washington township was made in the year 1805. Several entries of land were made the year previous, but no permanent settlements were made until that year. In 1804 there were no buildings standing within the limits of the township. Entries had been made, but the owners of these had not yet arrived. In 1805 several settlers arrived and proceeded to erect cabins.
…
In the following year, 1806, as many as twenty cabins were built in different parts of the township. Several entries had been made in the year previous, and their owners came in 1806. A few of those whose names can be ascertained are given below.
George and Andrew Dooley emigrated form Kentucky in 1806, and came to Ohio. George entered land in section eight, of township seven.
Joseph, William and Nathan Sellers, Kentuckyans settled either in section nine or ten, of township seven.
…
Henry Duggins was born in 1787, and in 1806 he moved to Ohio. In 1811 he married Jane Sellers, born in 1781. He first settled in Gasper township, and afterwards came to Washington township, where he settled in 1811, the same year as his marriage. His brother, William A., came to Ohio in the same year that he did. Mr. Henry Duggins had six children — Cornelius V., John F., Nathan, William, W. P. and Caroline (Miller), who lives in Eaton. The first four of these are deceased. Cornelius V. was born in Preble county in 1812. In 1834 he married Elizabeth daughter of Henry M. Monfort of Eaton, born in 1814. Five children were born to them, four of whom are still living. Mr. Duggins died in 1849 on the old homestead where his wife now resides. He left a farm of one hundred and sixteen acres. During his lifetime he had a printing office in Eaton, where the Register office is now located. His son, John F., was in the war, in the Seventy-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, and while in Florida was taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville, where he stayed for six months. W. P. Duggins was born in 1820, and in 1844 married Mary, daughter of Alexander Lugar, born about 1826. He has nine children. His farm contains about sixty-five acres.
Benjamin Neal and wife, Mary (Sellers) cam from Bourbon county, Kentucky, to this township in the year 1806, and settled in section two of township seven. After residing here for a few years, he moved to New Lexington where he died in the year 1818. His wife survived him for more than forty years, dying in 1858 at the age of eighty-seven. They had four children born tot hem in Kentucky, vix: Sarah, Nathan, James and Jane. Of these only Nathan and James survive. After

page 137
their arrival in this county, their family further was increased by the births of Benjamin, John and Mary Ann. Benjamin married Ann Kerlin, now living. He has been associate judge, and has held the office of postmaster at Eaton since the year 1871

History of Preble County, Ohio: with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches (N.p.: H. Z. Williams & Bro., Publishers, 1881), page 135-137; digital images, Archive.org, http://www.archive.org viewed online 7 November 2022.

William Sellers Will

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In 1848, the Court of Common Pleas of Preble County, Ohio approved the will of William Sellers.

page 177
William Sellers Will

296
The State of Ohio Preble County

Be it remembered that heretofore to wit at the March term of the Court of Common Pleas within and
for the county and State aforesaid to wit on the Seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and forty eight. The last will and testament of William Sellers, late of this county decd was this day
brought before the court and proved by the oaths of Eli Campbell & [Aramstead] Huffman the witnesses
thereto whose examinations were reduced to writing in the words an letters following to wit The State
of Ohio, Preble County ss Court of Common Pleas of the term of March AD 1848. Personally appeared in
open court Eli Campbell and Armstead Huffman of l awful age, who being duly sworn depose and
say that the paper writing now exhibited in Court is the last will and testament of William Sellers
late of Preble County deceased that they saw him sign and heard him acknowledge the same
that they signed the same as witnesses in his presence and at his request and at the time of executing
the same, he was of full age of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint. Eli
Campbel Armstead Huffman sworn and subscribed to in open Court March 17th 1848 R. S.
Cunningham Clk and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that the said William
Sellers, at the time of executing said will was of full age, of sound mind and memory and not
under any restraint. It was ordered that said will and proof be reduced to writing be recorded. And
thereupon on motion to the Court by Job Jefferson the executor in said will named by Haines his
Counsel, It was ordered that letters testimony be granted him upon the estate of the said William
Sellers decd who thereupon gave bond with Havey H. Wilson & Peter Ba[n]ta security be the acceptance
of the Court in the penalty of fifteen hundred dollars conditioned according to law whereupon
the court appoint Eli Campbell, Armstead Huffman & Jacob Shidelen to appraise the persona
property of said estate. Sarah Sellers widow of the said William Sellers, appeared in open court
and elected to take under the provisions of her deceased husband’s will in lieu of dower Said will
is in the words and figures following to wit “In the name of God Amen, I William Sellers of Preble
County & State of Ohio, being of lawful age & under to restraint do make this my last will & testament
As follows. to wit: First I give my soul to God who gave it me & my body. I recommend to the dust
from whence it was taken hoping it may be raised again in the general resurrection & be made like
unto the glorious body of Christ & as for such worldly property as it hat pleased Go to bless me
with in this life I give dispose of as follows: Item 1st I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Sarah
Sellers the use of all my property whether real or personal during her natural life & at her death my
will is that all of the estate not consumed & made way with Shall then be divided equally among
between my six children. Namely Nathan D. Sellers, Nancy Sellers, John H. Sellers, Polly Jefferson
Margaret Wilson & Celia Amanda West Item 2nd I give & bequeath to my daughter Celia Amanda
West the sum of one hundred & sixty two dollars & fifty cents. it being the amount for which I now
hold a note of [hand] against her husband for. to wit William H. west and as my said wife
should live to need a part or all of it I do hereby authorise constitute & appoint Job Jefferson
to be the Executor of this my last will & testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & seal this 10th day of Feby 1845
William (his mark) Sellers (seal)
Signed sealed & acknowledged by the said William Sellers as his last will & testament
In our presence & hearing who signed it as witnesses in his presence & at his request
Eli Campbell, Armstead Huffman

Ohio, Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998, William Sellers, 17 March 1848; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 31 October 2022). Original Source: Ohio County, District and Probate Courts.

Complicated Deed

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As I’m researching the William Sellers family, I’m trying to figure out how his wife, Sarah Crawford, is related to my CRAWFORD research. While I’ve yet to come across anything that helps solve that mystery, the deed where William Sellers sells his Preble county land is not only complicated but names both of my James Crawford men.

For background on these various families, see the following posts:

So, in 1843, William Sellers and his wife, Sarah, sell land being part of the southwest and northwest quarters of section 14 township 7 range 2 to John Acton.

Sellers to Acton present & Record d the 9th & Record 11 Sept 1843

Know all men by these presents that William Sellers
of the county of Preble and State of Ohio for and in considerat
ion of the sum of twelve hundred dollars to him in hand paid
by John P. Acton of the same place has bargained and sold
and does hereby grant bargain sell and convey unto the said
John P. Acton his heirs and assigns forever the following
premises situate and being in the county of Preble and state
of Ohio and bounded and discribed as follows that is to
say Being part of the South West and North West quar
ters of section No 14 fourteen in township No 7 seven and
Range two East and Beginning at the north west corner
of the said South West quarter which is a cross + on a
Boulder witness the center of the letter W on a boulder
S 53 1/2 W 47 links and a + on a line S 24 E 28 2/3 links thence
S 1/4 W 50 poles and 1 link to a + on a boulder witness the center
of the letter W on a sand stone N 11 1/2 E 42 1/2 links and a Black
Walnut tree 18 inches diameter S 87 3/4 E 19 links thence S 87 1/2 E
119 poles and 5 links to a + on a lime stone witness the center of
the letter W on a boulder N 57 1/4 W 18 2/3 links on the center of the
letter W on the W side of a boulder N 76 1/3 E 16 links thence
N 26 1/2 E 63 poles and 9 links to the center of + on a boulder on
the hill side Witness the center of the letter W on a boulder
N 31 E 19 links thence N 89 1/2 E 13 poles to a + on a boulder at
the foot of the hill witness the center of the letter W on a
boulder N 33 W 59 links and the center of the letter W on the
E side of a boulder S 5 3/4 W 43 2/3 links thence N 1/3 E 95 poles
and 10 links along the N and S middle line of the section to a
point at common water mark on the South side of the creek
and 62 poles form the North line of the section thence along
South South west and west side of the creek at common water
mark 95 poles and 21 links to a point on the N. line of the Sect
ion and 63 poles 10 1/2 links W of the NE corner of the West half
of the section thence S 89 3/4 W 16 poles 20 links to a notch on
the SW die of a Beech tree 12 inches diameter near the roots
witness a + on the W side of a crackley boulder S 33 1/2 E 64
links thence S 1/4 W 157 poles and 15 links through the cen
ter of the North West quarter North and South to a + on a
boulder on the E and W middle line of the section witness
the center of the letter W on a boulder S 10 E 43 1/2 links thence
S 89 1/2 W 80 poles to the place of beginning contain
ing 96 Ninety six acres of land be the same
more or less and being the same lands which was
conveyed to the said William Sellers by James
Crawford Senr Esqr and James Crawford Jun by
their deeds dated Dec the 11th 1821 and Recorded
in Book No. 5 pages 85-86 and 87 or Preble

page 2
county land records and also by a patent from the United States
dated the first day of June AD 1816 conveying the said
North West quarter of said Sec. No 14 to the said James Craw
ford Junr and the said William Sellers as tenants in common
and not as joint tenants
To have and to hold said premises with the appurtenances
unto the said John P Acton his heirs and assigns forever and
the said William Sellers for himself and heirs do hereby covenant
with said John P Acton his heirs and assigns that he is lawfully
seized of the premises aforesaid and that the premises and free
and clear from all incumbrances whatever and that he will
forever warrant and defend the same with the appurtenances
unto the said John P Acton his heirs and assigns against the
lawful claims of all persons whomsoever
In testimonies whereof the said William Sellers and Sarah
Sellers his wife who hereby relinquishes her right of dower
in the hereby conveyed premises have hereunto set their hands and seals
this ninth day of September in the year AD 1843
William Sellers (his mark) (seal)
Sarah Sellers (her mark) (seal)
Signed sealed and acknowledged
in presence of us
R S Cunningham
I Stephens

The state of Ohio Preble County
Before me Isaac Stephens a Justice of the Peace in and for
said county personally appeared the above named William
Sellers and Sarah his wife and acknowledged the above and
foregoing deed of conveyance to be their voluntary act and
deed and the said Sarah being at the same time examin
ed by me seperate and apart from her said husband and the
contents of said instrument made know to her by me she then
declared that she did voluntarily sign seal and acknowled
ge the same and that she is still satisfied therewith
This 9th day of September AD 1843
I Stephens JP

Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963. Film #564919 DGS 8587969. William Sellers, 11 Sep 1843; Vol 33: page 1-2; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 6 November 2022.

The next page of deed book 33 includes a transcription of the original patent as tenants in common for William Sellers and James Crawford.

Patent to Crawford & Sellers presentd & Recordd the 11th Sept 1843

James Madison President of the United States
of America
To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting
Know ye, that William Sellers assignee of George Harlan
and James Crawford in his won right having deposited in
the General Land Office a Certificate of the Register of
the Land Office at Cincinnati whereby it appears that
full payment has been made for the North West
quarter of section fourteen in township seven in
range two lying East of the meridian line of the
lands directed to be sold at Cincinnati by the act of
Congress entitled “an act providing for the sale of
the Lands of the United States in the Territory North
West of he Ohio and above the mouth of Kentucky River
and of the acts amendatory of the same There is granted
by the United States unto the said William Sellers and
James Crawford the quarter lot or section of land
above described to have and to hold the said
quarter lot or section of land with the appurtenances unto
the said William Sellers and James Crawford their heirs
and assigns forever as tenants in common and not as joint
tenants
In testimony whereof I have caused these Letters to
be made patent and the seal of the General Land
Office to be hereunto affixed Given under my hand
at the City of Washington the first day of June in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen
and of the Independence of the United States of Ameri
ca the fortieth
James Madison
By The President
Josiah
Meigs
Commissioner of the General Land Office

Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963. Film #564919 DGS 8587969. William Sellers, 1816; Vol. 33: page 3; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 6 November 2022

Sellers Land

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As I’ve been reviewing the William Sellers family in my tree, there are two deeds that connect William Sellers to my Crawford family research.

Based on my Kentucky research, I believe William Sellers wife, Sarah Crawford, is a sister to James Crawford, husband of Martha Knight. (See Sellers Mystery). However, William Sellers was a tenant in common with James Crawford, husband of Sally Smith Duggins.

Thus, when William Sellers purchases land from both James Crawford men, figuring out the relationship is even more complicated.

On 11 Dec 1821, William Sellers purchased the East 1/2 of the Northwest quarter of section 14, township 7 in range 2 from James and Sally Crawford.

James Crawford Junr Deed to Wm Sellers recorded 3 Jan 1822
This indenture made the eleventh day of December
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twen
ty one between James Crawford Junr of the county of Preble of
the one part and William Sellers of said county of the other
part witnesseth that the said James Crawford for and in cons
sideration of the sum of three hundred dollars to the said
James Crawford in hand paid the receipt of which is here
by acknowledge has granted bargained aliened conveyed and con
firmed and by these presents do grant bargain sell alien con
vey and confirm unto the said William Sellers his heirs and assigns
forever all the following described lot tract or parcel of
land lying in the county of Preble and State of Ohio
being the East half of the Northwest quarter of section
No 14 in township no seven of range two east
of the meridian line
To have and to hold the said granted and bargained premeses
with all the privileges and appurtenance to the same belonging or in
in any wise appertaining to the only proper use benefit and behoof
of the said William Sellers his heirs and assigns and the said James
Crawford for himself his heirs executors and administrators do hereby
covenant promise and grant to and with the said William Sellers his heirs and assigns that before the unsealing hereof he the said James
Crawford was the true sold and lawful owner of the above bargained
premeses and was lawfully seized and possessed of the same
in his own right as a good perfect and absolute estate of inheri
tance in fee simple and had in himself good right full
power and lawful authority to grant bargain sell convey and con
firm the said bargained premeses in the manner aforesaid
And that the said William Sellers his heirs and assigns
shall and may from time to time and at all times for
ever hereafter by force and virtue of these presents
lawfully peaceable and quietly have hold use occupy possess and enjoy
the said demised and bargained premeses with the appurtenances fee
and clear and freely and clearly acquitted exonorated and discharged
of and form all and all manner of former or other gifts grants
bargains sales or incumberances of what name or nature soever
that might in any measure or degree obstruct or make void
this present deed
Furthermore the said James Crawford for himself his heirs executors
and administrators doth covenant and engage the above demised
premises to him the said William Sellers his heirs and assigns against
the lawful claims of any person or persons whatsoever. Forever
hereafter to warrant secure and defend by these presents
In testimony whereof the said James Crawford and Sally his
wife have hereunto set their hands and seal the day and year first above written.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of us
Nathan D Sellers
Isaac Stephens

Signed by
James Crawford (Seal)
Sally (her mark) Crawford (seal)

The State of Ohio Preble County
Before me the undersigned a justice of the peace
in and for the said county came personally James Crawford and Sally
Crawford wife of the said James Craford the within named grantors she
being examined separate and apart from her said husband they acknowled
ged the within deed of conveyance to be their voluntary act and deed
for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal this 11th da of December 1821
Isaac Stephens, J.P.

Ohio, Preble. Deeds, 1819-1824. James Crawford, 11 Dec 1821; 5: 86-87; digital images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online June 2018.

On the same day, William Sellers purchased the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 14 township 7 range 2 from James and Martha Crawford.

James Crawford to Wm Sellers Deed Recorded 3 January 1822
This Indenture made the Eleventh day of December
In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one
Between James Crawford of the county of Preble and State of Ohio
of the one part and William Sellers of the county and State aforesaid
of the other part Witnesseth that the said James Crawford for and
in consideration of the sum of eighty dollars lawful money of
the United States to him in hand well and truly paid by the said
William Sellers the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has grant
ted bargained sold conveyed and confirmed and by these presen
ts doth grant bargain sell convey and confirm unto the said
William Sellers his heirs and assigns forever all and singu
lar the following tract or parcel of land It being a part of the
South West quarter of section No. Fourteen Township No.
Seven of Range two East in Preble county and begin
ning at the North west corner of said quarter and running thence
East five degrees north 147 poles to a stone on the side of the hill
thence south 20 degrees west 64 poles to a stone thence west four
degrees south 119 poles to a walnut thence north 5 degrees west
49 poles tot he place of Beginning containing forty acres
more or less And all the Estate right title interest
claim and demand of the said James Crawford of in and to the
said premises hereby granted and every part thereof Together with
all and singular the rights members privileges and appurtenances
to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining and the rents Issues
and profits thereof To have and to hold the premises afores
aid hereby bargained and sold or ment or intended so to be with the
appurtenances to the only proper use and behoof of the said William
Sellers his heirs executors and administrators doth covenant grant
and agree to and with the said William Sellers his heirs executors
administrators and assigns that he was the true and lawful owner
of the premises hereby granted and had good right full power and
lawful authority to sell and convey the same in manner and form
aforesaid And further that the said James Crawford his heirs exec
utors and administrators will warrant and forever defend
the aforesaid premises with their appurtenances and every part and par
cel thereof unto the said William Sellers his heir and assigns against
all persons claiming or to claim by from or under them or any of them or
by from or under any other person or persons whomsoever
In witness whereof the said James Crawford and Martha hi wife
has hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day and
year first above written.
James Crawford (seal)
Martha (her mark) Crawford (seal)
Isaac Stephens
James Sumers

page 86
The State of Ohio Preble County
Before me the subscribers one of the Justices of the peace within and for said
County came personally James Crawford and Martha Crawford his
wife the within Grantors and the said Martha being examined agreeably
to the act in such case made and provided acknowledged the
above Indenture to be their voluntary act and deed for the uses
and purposes therein mentioned and contained
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix
ed my seal this 11th day of December in the year of
our Lord 1821
Isaac Stephens JP

Ohio, Preble County. Deeds, 1805-1963. Film #8151054. James Crawford, 11 Dec 1821; Vol. 5: page 85; digital image, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online January 2019.

Underground Railroad

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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.