George Wright FAN Club, 1850 census, Brown County, Ohio

George Wright appears in the 1850 census of Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio in dwelling 1556, family 1561.  The census lists George as a 69 year-old farmer, born in Pennsylvania, along with his wife, Elizabeth, age 68, also born in Pennsylvania.

In focusing on his FAN (Friends, Associates & Neighbors) club, I’ve looked into the neighboring ten households before and ten households afterwards to ensure that I’m covering all of his close neighbors.  What I’ve discovered is that, as expected, many of these families are inter-connected through marriage and have been part of the same network for several years.

In this analysis, I started with George’s household and then moved to through the ten households prior before picking up and working on the ten households after his enumeration.

Living in the same household as George and his wife, Elizabeth, are four other Wrights, including Samuel P., age 33, farmer, born in Ohio.  This is George’s known son. [His middle name was Pangburn, a potential clue to another family relationship.]  Samuel’s wife, Rebecca R., age 24, born in Ohio and their two children: Elizabeth S., aged 4, born in Ohio and George H., age 2, born in Ohio complete the household.

Next door is the family in dwelling 1555, family 1560 headed by John Wright, age 35, farmer, born in Ohio.  This is also George’s known son.  John’s wife, Anne, age 34, born in Ohio and their five children : Elizabeth J., age 14, born in Ohio; Joseph, age 12, born in Ohio; Nancy, age 9, born in Ohio; Mary, age 7, born in Ohio and Maxamelia, age 4, born in Ohio complete the household.  [These names all match the 1883 sketch of John Wright’s family in the History of Brown County, Ohio.  I descend from John’s son, Joseph.]

The family in dwelling 1554, family 1559 is headed by John Robbins, age 52, farmer, born in Pennsylvania.  Living in the household are Mary, age 23, born in Ohio; William, age 20, born in Ohio; Elizabeth, age 19, born in Ohio; Sarah, age 17, born in Ohio; George, age 14, born in Ohio; Cecilia, age 12, born in Ohio; Amos, age 6, born in Ohio; and Lydia, age 4, born in Ohio. [Could this be a brother to George's wife, Elizabeth Robins/Robbins?]

The family in dwelling 1553, family 1558 is headed by William P. Hindman, age 24, born in Ohio.  Living in the household are Amanda, age 25, born in Ohio and Caroline A., age 2, born in Ohio.

The family in dwelling 1552, family 1557 is headed by Allen Hendrixson, age 33, farmer, born in Kentucky.  Living in the household are Sarah, age 30, born in Ohio; Elizabeth, age 9, born in Ohio; George, age 8, born in Ohio; William M., age 5, born in Ohio; Nancy, age 2, born in Ohio and Susana, age 6 months, born in Ohio. [Allen Hendrixson married Sarah Ann Wright on October 24, 1839 in Brown County, Ohio.  Sarah was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Robins) Wright]

The family in dwelling 1551, family 1556 is headed by William Hindman, age 62, farmer, born in Kentucky.  Living in the household are Nancy, age 58, born in Pennsylvania;  William, age 7, born in Indiana; as well as Martha J. Huggins, age 32, born in Ohio; Vilena Huggins, age 8, born in Ohio; and Eveline Davis, age 15, born in Ohio.   

The family in dwelling 1550, family 1555 is headed by Mary Robins, age 50, born in Ohio.  Living in the household are John, carpenter, age 26, born in Ohio; Josiah, carpenter, age 25, born in Ohio; Samuel, carpenter, age 19, born in Ohio; Lucinda, age 17, born in Ohio and William M., farmer, age 15, born in Ohio.

The family in dwelling 1549, family 1554 is headed by Jonathan W. Riley, age 26, miller, born in Ohio.  Living in the household are Olive, age 29, born in Ohio; John O., age 4, born in Illinois and Rosella, age 2, born in Ohio.

The family in dwelling 1548, family 1553 is headed by John W. Riley, age 60, miller, born in North Carolina.  Living in the household are Sarah, age 58, born in Kentucky; Elizabeth, age 24, born in Ohio and Thirza, age 17, born in Ohio.

The family in dwelling 1547, family 1552 is headed by Thomas Purdy, age 28, farmer, born in Pennsylvania.  Living in the household are Lucinda, age 24, born in Ohio, and William T., age 2, born in Ohio.

The family in dwelling 1546, family 1551 is headed by William Wilson, age 50, farmer, born in Virginia.  Living in the household are Sarah, age 49, born in Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, age 22, born in Ohio; Sarah A., age 16, born in Ohio; Martin, age 14, born in Ohio; Josiah, age 9, born in Ohio and Letty J., age 7, born in Ohio.

This ends the enumeration of the ten households prior to George Wright in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio in the 1850 census.  Next I will focus on the ten households afterwards.

The family in dwelling 1557, family 1562 is headed by John T. Reeves, age 38, farmer, born in Ohio.  Living in the household are Eliza, age 39, born in Ohio; Frances, age 19, born in Ohio; William R., age 16, born in Ohio; Rebecca, age 14, born in Ohio; John R., age 7, born in Ohio; Daniel Smith, age 19, laborer, born in Ohio and Sybil Jacobs, age 81, born in Virginia. [John T. Reeves married Elizabeth Jacobs, daughter of William & Sybil (Little) Jacobs - another branch of my family.]

The family in dwelling 1558, family 1563 is headed by James Calvin, age 39, farmer, born in Ohio.  Living in the household are Matilda, age 30, born Ohio; David, age 12, born in Ohio; Mary J., age 8, born in Ohio; Christena, age 6, born in Ohio; Martha J., age 4, born in Ohio and John T., age 2, born in Ohio.

The family in dwelling 1559, family 1564 is headed by Jane Calvin, age 66, born in Virginia.  Living in the household are Albert, age 32, farmer, born in Ohio; Robert, age 30, farmer, born in Ohio; Luther, age 28, farmer, born in Ohio and Jane, age 26, born in Ohio. [Believe this is the Jane Wardlow who married Joseph Calvin January 12, 1805 in Clermont County, Ohio.  Jane was the daughter of Robert & Janet (Downey) Wardlow.]

The family in dwelling 1560, family 1565 is headed by Morris Vance, age 33, farmer, born in Ohio.  Living in the household are Nancy, age 33, born in Ohio; Margaret, age 10, born in Ohio; Jane, age 9, born in Ohio; James H.P., age 5, born in Ohio; John, age 3, born in Ohio; Joseph, age 1, born in Ohio and Abraham S., aged 1 month born in Ohio.  [Morris Vance married Nancy Calvin, daughter of Joseph & Jane (Wardlow) Calvin.]

The family in dwelling 1561, family 1566 is headed by Margaret Wardlow, age 44, born in North Carolina.  Living in the household are Elizabeth J., age 17, born in Ohio; Catherine S., age 14, born in Ohio; Jacob W., age 12, born in Ohio; Margaret, age 9, born in Ohio;  James, age 7, born in Ohio and Thomas G., age 3, born in Ohio. [Believe this is Margaret (Hoss) Wardlow, who married Philander Wardlow on December 26, 1822 in Brown County, Ohio.  He died August 25, 1847 and was the son of William and Isabel (Nesbit) Wardlow.]

The family in dwelling 1562, family 1567 is headed by Matilda Wardlow, age 30, born in Ohio.  Living in the household is Isabella, age 70, born in Virginia and David, age 17, born in Ohio.  [Believe this is Matilda, daughter of William and Isabel (Nesbit) Wardlow.]

The family in dwelling 1563, family 1568 is headed by Ellis M. Dye, age 41, farmer, born in Ohio.  Living in the household are Margaret, age 38, born in Ohio; Sarah J., age 16, born in Ohio; James H., age 14, born in Ohio; Matilda A., age 12, born in Ohio; David G., age 9, born in Ohio; Noah E., age 7, born in Ohio; Mary A., age 5, born in Ohio; Mary A., age 5, born in Ohio; John R., age 3, born in Ohio and Henry P., age 1, born in Ohio.

The family in dwelling 1564, family 1569 is headed by Patrick Vance, age 43, farmer, born in Ohio.  Living in the household is Rebecca, age 43, born in Ohio; Ruth, age 20, born in Ohio; John, age 18, born in Ohio; Elizabeth, age 16, born in Ohio; David, age 12, born in Ohio; Daniel, age 10, born in Ohio; McKea, age 8, born in Ohio; William W., age 5, born in Ohio and Jesse H., age 2, born in Ohio.

The family in dwelling 1565, family 1570 is headed by William Vance, age 46, farmer, born in Kentucky.  Living in the household is Margaret J., age 25, born in Ohio; Joseph C., age 23, farmer, born in Ohio; Lydia A.M., age 19, born in Ohio; Mary M., age 17, born in Ohio; Sysena, age 15, born in Ohio; Sophrona, age 12, born in Ohio; William H.H., age 10, born in Ohio; Thomas C.H., age 6, born in Ohio; Lafayette S., age 4, born in Ohio; and Hanson L.P., age 1, born in Ohio.

The family in dwelling 1566, dwelling 1571 is headed by Hysom Moler, age 34, farmer, born in Kentucky.  Living in the household is Nancy A., age 27, born in Ohio; Thomas S., age 8, born in Ohio; James L., age 6, born in Ohio; Matilda A., aged 3, born in Ohio; Henry H., age 1, born in Ohio and Margaret, age 16, born in Ohio.

I will be adding these names and family members to my spreadsheet of George's FAN club and begin searching for additional clues that might tie them to George, either through marriage or land records.  

If you have any connection or are related to any of these families, I would love to hear from you.

Brothers, Neighbors and Friends

John Wright household, 1850  U.S. census, population schedule, Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio, USA, dwelling 1555, family 1560; National Archives micropublication M432, roll 662.

The John Wright household was enumerated in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio in the 1850 census on September 18th.  They were dwelling 1555 and family 1560, nestled in between the families of John Robbins and George Wright.  George Wright was John's father, John Robbins has not yet been identified, but may be John Wright's uncle.  John Wright was my maternal 4x great-grandfather.


In 1850, John Wright was a 35 year old farmer, born in Ohio.  The census lists no real estate, so he may have been renting from his father.  John's wife, Anne, was 34 years old, could not read or write, and was also born in Ohio.  The couple's children were listed as Elizabeth, aged 14 born in Ohio; Joseph, aged 12 born in Ohio; Nancy, aged 9 born in Ohio; Mary, aged 7 born   in Ohio; and Maxamila, aged 4 born in Ohio.  Elizabeth, Joseph and Nancy had all attended school within the year.


Right next door was John's father, George Wright.  In 1850, George Wright was a 69 year old farmer, born in Pennsylvania.  The value of his real estate was listed at $ 2500.  George's wife, Elizabeth, was 68 years old, and was also born in Pennsylvania.  Also in the household was the Samuel P. Wright family - son of George and brother to John, above.  Samuel was a 33 year old farmer, born in Ohio, with real estate valued at $ 20.  Samuel's wife, Rebecca R., was 24 years old and born in Ohio.  The couple's children were listed as Elizabeth S, aged 4 born in Ohio; George H, aged 2 born in Ohio; and John R., aged 8 months born in Ohio.


The makeup of these families was known to me for several years, as I've had them in my database, yet until today I hadn't entered source data from the census and looked at the family dynamics.  By 1853 and 1857, respectively, both George and Anne [or Anna] Wright would have passed away.


Next door to George Wright was the household of John T. Reeves.  In 1850, John T. Reeves was a 38 year old farmer, born in Ohio.  The value of his real estate was listed at $ 800, and he could not read or write.  John's wife, Elizabeth, was 39 years old and was likewise born in Ohio and could not read or write.  The couple's children were listed as Frances, aged 17 born in Ohio; William R., aged 16 born in Ohio; Rebecca, aged 14 born in Ohio; and John R., aged 4 born in Ohio.  A boarder, Daniel Smith, aged 19 born in Ohio and a laborer was also listed in the household.  Finally, Sybil Jacobs, aged 81 born in Virginia was also listed.  Sybil (Littell) Jacobs was my 6x maternal great-grandmother.


The next two families are the Calvin families, which I believe to be related to the Wardlow/Wardlaw families - another line from which I am descended.


It is interesting to see how these families and neighbors were close together.  Though the Wright's and Jacobs lines were not related, a few years later when Joseph Wright [listed in the John Wright household above] married Rebecca Heaton [Sybil Jacobs' great-granddaughter], the two families were connected.  Joseph and Rebecca were my 3x great-grandparents.

Family Milestones: April 7th

My paternal 4th-great granduncle, Jesse C. CHEW, married on this date in 1806 to Martha DRIVER.  Jesse was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (SPRINGER) CHEW, and the younger brother of my Rev. Nathaniel CHEW.  Jesse was born September 3, 1788 in Gloucester County, New Jersey.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Martha, nor her parentage.  Jesse died April 18, 1846.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Mary CHEW, married on this date in 1825 to Joseph MOON.  Mary was the daughter of Andrew and Anna Marie (BARTHUS) CHEW, and the younger sister of my Elizabeth CHEW.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Joseph, nor his parentage.  Elizabeth died March 9, 1859.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Janet WARDLAW, was born on this date in 1784 in Virginia.  Janet was the daughter of Robert and Janet (DOWNEY) WARDLAW, and the younger sister of my Samuel WARDLAW.  Janet married January 12, 1805 in Clermont County, Ohio to Joseph CALVIN.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Joseph, nor his parentage.  They had 10 children.  Janet died October 1851 in Brown County, Ohio.

My paternal 6th-great grandaunt, Judith DAVIS, was born on this date in 1731.  Judith was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (MAXSON) DAVIS, and the younger sister of my Thomas William DAVIS.  Judith was born April 7, 1731. Judith married in 1749 to Thomas BABCOCK.  Thomas was born March 7, 1710 in Westerly, Rhode Island.  I do not have his parentage.  They had at least 1 son.  Thomas died in 1785.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Matilda JACOBS, was born on this date in 1824 in Warrington Township, York County, Pennsylvania.  Matilda was the daughter of David and Barbara (BYERS) JACOBS, and the older sister of my Susan JACOBS.  Matilda married on April 27, 1847 in Wayne County, Ohio to George COOK.  George was born June 11, 1818 in York County, Pennsylvania.  I do not have his parentage.  They had 5 children.  George died September 14, 1887 in Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio.  Matilda died May 27, 1892 in Hiawatha, Brown County, Kansas.



© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Family Milestones: January 12th

My maternal 4th-great granduncle, Jackson Conrad CROCKETT, married on this date in 1843 in Monroe County, Indiana to Clarinda GRIFFITHS.  Jackson was the son of David and Mary Ann (NOSLER) CROCKETT, and the older brother of my Mary Ann CROCKETT.  Jackson was born February 7, 1823 in Owen County, Indiana.  Clarinda was born October 6, 1819 in North Carolina, of unknown parentage.  They had 4 children, later moving to Jasper County, Missouri.  Jackson died November 5, 1860 in Sarcoxie, Jasper County, Missouri.  Clarinda died May 28, 1888 in Bourbon County, Kansas.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Janet WARDLAW, married on this date in 1805 in Clermont County, Ohio to Joseph CALVIN.  Janet was the daughter of Robert and Janet (DOWNEY) WARDLAW, and the younger sister of my Samuel WARDLAW.  Janet was born April 7, 1784 in Virginia.  I do not have dates of birth and death for Joseph.  They had 10 children.  Janet died October 1851 in Brown County, Ohio.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Rebekah RAINS, was born on this date in 1792, probably in Randolph County, North Carolina.  Rebekah was the daughter of Anthony and Nancy (GRAHAM) RAINS.  Nothing further is known.

Will of George Wright (1853), Brown County, Ohio

Source : Brown County, Ohio Probate Court, Georgetown, Ohio, Will Book 3, page 99.


This day the last Will and Testament of George Wright late of Brown County Ohio deceased was produced in open Court and was duly proved by the oath of James Crawford one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and John J. Gregory and Joseph T. Gregory the other subscribing witnesses to said Will having departed this life their hand writing was duly proved by the oaths of William Tatman and James Crawford which testimony was reduced to writing and signed and it appearing from the Testimony that said Will was duly attested and executed and that said testator was at the time of executing the same of full age and of sound mind memory and sight and under no legal restraint it is ordered by the Court that said Will and Testimony be recorded. And Samuel P. Wright and Joseph Wright two of the Executors named in said Will declines to accept the trust of executing said Will and John Wright the other Executor having signified his acceptance of the trust of Executing the said Will. It is therefor ordered that Letters testamentary be issued to him on his giving bond in the sum of six hundred dollars, with Samuel P. Wright and Joshua Bratten his secure & conditioned according to law. The Court appoint Lewis Calvin, Noah Hite and Joseph McFadden appraisers of the personal estate of the said Testator.


Will: In the name of God, amen.
I George Wright of Washington Township Brown County Ohio being in health of body and sound mind and memory calling to memory calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and the possible suddenness of death do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say principally and first of all I do recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to the Earth and touching such worldly interest wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with this life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form first it is my will that my wife Elizabeth shall have possession of one of the rooms of the house that I now reside in so long as she remains my Widow also I bequeath unto her all the household furniture to dispose of as she thinks proper and shall also draw sufficient rent of my farm for her support during her natural life or so long as she shall remain my widow lest if she marry she shall relinquish her claim to the room and rent all lands that I possess at my death I give unto my two sons John Wright and Samuel P. Wright to be equally divided between them Samuel is to possess the house in which I now live and Samuel to own the wagon that I bought of James Higgins. I bequeath my two daughters all the personal property that I have at my death it is also my will that my two sons shall pay my daughter Susanna ten dollars a year for three years which will make her thirty dollars. It is also my will that my two sons shall pay my daughter Sarah ten dollars a year for two years which will make her twenty dollars. Lastly I constitute and appoint my two sons John and Samuel and my brother Joseph Wright Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke and disavow all former Wills by and made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and seal this 12th day of August A.D. 1845. George Wright


Signed and published and pronounced by the said George Wright as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have set our names
John J. Gregory
James Crawford, his mark
Joseph S. Gregory


Proof : State of Ohio Brown County:
This day came into open Court William Tatman who being duly sworn says that he was well acquainted with John J. Gregory in his lifetime and that he departed this life in the month of December 1850. He states that he was and is acquainted with the handwriting of said Gregory both by seeing him write and from instruments of writing acknowledged to be the genuine hand writing of said Gregory and as a witness to the last Will and Testament of George Wright deceased and from his knowledge of the handwriting of said Gregory he believes the signature of said Gregory as a witness to said Will to be his proper and Genuine hand writing and further says not. Wm. Tatman


Sworn to and ascribed before me this the 22nd day of August 1853
John J. Higgins, Probate Judge


State of Ohio Brown County :
This day came into open Court James Crawford one of the subscribing witnesses to the last Will and Testament of George Wright, deceased, who being duly sworn says that George Wright subscribed the paper writing purporting to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of this affiant and in the presence of John J. Gregory & Joseph S. Gregory the other subscribing witnesses thereto who are now both dead, that at the time he acknowledged the said papers writing to be his last Will and Testament, and was over twenty one years of age was of sound mind memory & judgement and under no restraint whatever and that this affiant and John J. Gregory and Joseph S. Gregory subscribed the said Will as witnesses thereto in the Presence of each other and in the presence of the said Testator and at his request James Crawford, his mark
Sworn to and ascribed before me this the 22nd day of August 1853
John J. Higgins, Probate Judge