Johannes "John S." Wehrly (1802-1876) was my paternal 3rd-great grandfather. What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.
1. Vital Records
John was born June 4, 1802 in York County, Pennsylvania1.
1.1. Birth Certificate
Though Pennsylvania did not record births at this time, I need to search to locate a baptism record. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
If John's birth was mentioned in a local newspaper, it has been lost to time.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I am not aware of any surviving family Bible that would record the birth of John. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes of locating one.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
According to the Wehrly history1, John was baptized at St. Jacob's church in York County, Pennsylvania. I need to seek out the actual records of this church and verify the information. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that John was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
John married Barbara Petry. My database has the date as 1821 in Stark County, Ohio, but I've been unable to find a source to verify this fact. This may have come from the Wehrly history1. If true, they would have been 19 at the time of their marriage. A search of Stark County marriage records has been unable to turn up a marriage record. Barbara was born May 28, 1802 in York County, Pennsylvania1. They raised 9 children in Preble County, Ohio before moving in 1854 to Jay County, Indiana. Barbara died August 27, 1880 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana1.
1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if their nuptials were mentioned.
1.2.2. Anniversary Notice
John and Barbara's 25th wedding anniversary would have been in 1846 and their 50th would have been in 1871. Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if there was any mention of anniversary celebrations.
1.2.3. Divorce Decree
There is no indication that John was ever divorced.
1.3. Death Certificate
John died November 10, 1876 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.1,2. I do not yet have a copy of his death certificate. Will need to obtain one on my next research trip.
1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper
I have not been able to locate a mention of John's obituary in local newspapers. Will continue to search in hopes that one can be located.
1.3.2. Funeral Home Records
I will need to search the local funeral home records of the time to see if they might have a record of the funeral. Will add this to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.
1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph
John is buried in the Salamonia Cemetery in Salamonia, Madison Twp., Jay County, Indiana2. I do not have a photograph of his tombstone. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1870 Federal Census
On August 2, 1870, John was enumerated as head of household in Salamonia, Madison Twp., Jay County, Indiana3, as John S. Werly, age 68, retired farmer. He was born in Pennsylvania and was a U.S. citizen. The value of his personal estate was $100 and the value of his real estate was $1200.
2.1.2. 1860 Federal Census
On June 9, 1860, John was enumerated as head of household in Salamonia, Madison Twp., Jay County, Indiana4, as John S. Whorley, age 59, farmer. He was born in Pennsylvania. The value of his personal estate was $150 and the value of his real estate was $2000.
2.1.3. 1850 Federal Census
On July 18, 1850, John was enumerated as head of household in Monroe Township, Preble County, Ohio5, as John S. Wehrly, age 49, farmer. He was born in Pennsylvania. The value of his real estate was $700.
2.1.4. 1840 Federal Census
On June 1, 1840, John was enumerated as head of household in Monroe Township, Preble County, Ohio6, as John S. Werley. A total of 8 persons listed in the household. 2 white males under 5, 1 white male 20 thru 29; 1 white male 50 thru 59; 1 white female 5 thru 9; 1 white female 20 thru 29; 1 white female 30 thru 39; 1 white female 60 thru 69.
Some of the ages don't quite add up for the household, but right now that is the closest record unless there was another John Wehrly in Preble County at the same time.
2.1.5. 1830 Federal Census
On June 1, 1830, John was enumerated as head of household in Twin Township, Preble County, Ohio7, as John S. Whirley. A total of 3 persons listed in the household. 1 white male 20 thru 29; 1 white female under 5; 1 white female 20 thru 29.
If my data is correct on the ages, the male 20 thru 29 is John, the female 20 thru 29 is his wife Barbara, and the female under 5 is daughter Susannah. However, my family group sheet currently shows a son Frederick (b.1827) and son Jacob (b. 1830). Neither of their birth dates have been sourced in my database, so they may have been born after 1830.
2.2. State Census Records
Ohio state census records are not known to exist.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what light they might shed on the Wehrly family.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
I have not located any records indicating military service for John.
3.2. Pension Records
Not applicable.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Preble County, Ohio and Jay County, Indiana to see what records might mention John. Will add this to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Plat maps in Preble County, Ohio and Jay County, Indiana need to be searched to see what information they might shed on John.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records available for research on John include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
Sources:
1. Wehrly, Blaine & Gladys, "Wehrly & Smith Family History." Report to Wehrly Reunion, New Castle, Indiana, 16 August 1970. Photocopy held by author.
2. Phyllis (Strock) Franklin, Salamonia Cemeteries : Salamonia, Madison Twp., Jay County, Indiana (Portland, Indiana, USA : The Jay County Genealogy Society, 2000), page 3.
3. John S. Werly household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Madison Twp., Jay Co., Indiana, page 27, Salamonie P.O., dwelling 198, family 201; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 327, page 87.
4. John S. Whorley household, 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Madison Twp., Jay Co., Indiana, page 9, Salamonia P.O., dwelling 59, family 59; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 269, page 9.
5. 1850 US Census, Preble County, Ohio, population schedule, Monroe Township, dwelling 71, family 71; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 August 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
6. 1840 US Census, Preble County, Ohio, population schedule, Monroe Township, digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 September 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
7. 1830 US Census, Preble County, Ohio, population schedule, Twin Township, page 132(penned); digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 September 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.
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