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.

Guy Bigley household, 1940, Marshall County, Indiana

Located the 1940 census record of the Guy Bigley household in Marshall County, Indiana.  Guy was Eileen's maternal 2nd cousin 3 times removed.  Their common ancestors were Daniel Fisher and Susannah Reeves.  Guy's parents were Thomas Jefferson Bigley and Sarah Jane Benedict.

1940 U.S. census, Marshall County, Indiana, population schedule, Union Township, enumeration district (ED) 50-18, SD 9, sheet 17A, household 342, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 January 2017); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, the family was living in Union Township. The census states that Guy owned his home and that its value was $1800 and it was a farm.  Guy was 63 years old and born in Indiana.  His wife, Mable A., was 54 years old and born in Indiana.  Their residence in 1935 was the same place.

The record shows that Guy had completed 4 years of college and his occupation was a farmer.  His wife, Eva, had completed 3 years of high and had no occupation listed.

If you have any additional information or are related to this family, I would love to hear from you.

Chester G. Bigley household, 1940, Marshall County, Indiana

Located the 1940 census record of the Chester Bigley household in Marshall County, Indiana.  Chester was Eileen's maternal second cousin three times removed.  Her common ancestors were Daniel Fisher and Susannah Reeves.  Chester's parents were Thomas Jefferson Bigley and Sarah Jane Benedict.

1940 U.S. census, Marshall County, Indiana, population schedule, Union Township, enumeration district (ED) 50-18, SD 2, sheet 17B, household 351, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 January 2017); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, Chester and his wife were living in Union Township.  The census states that Chester owned his home and it was valued at $1800, and was a farm.  Chester was 59 years old and born in Indiana.  His wife, Helen, was 35 years old and also born in Indiana.  In 1935, their residence was the same place.

The record shows that Chester had completed 1 year of college and Helen had completed 4 years of high school. Chester's occupation was listed as a painter, with building repair and Helen had no occupation listed.

If you have any additional information or are connected to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

On This Day : November 8

1721 - Margaret FESSENDEN born in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  Margaret was the daughter of William FESSENDEN and Martha WYETH.

1739 - Elizabeth FREEMAN married Oliver CLARK.  Elizabeth was the daughter of John FREEMAN and Abigail WITTER.

1747 - John MARIS died in Springfield, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.  John was the son of George MARIS and Alice ________.

1752 - Elizabeth ALLEN married Simon DIXON in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  Elizabeth was the daughter of John ALLEN and Amy COX.

1758 - Beleytie ANTONIDES born.  Beleytie was the daughter of Pieter ANTONIDES and Catherine VANDERVEER.

1789 - Susannah REEVES born.  Susannah was Eileen's 4x-great grandmother.

1809 - Richard STANLEY married Abigail FOSTER.  Richard was the son of Samuel STANLEY and Sarah WILLIAMS.

1818 - Joseph J. DAVIS born.  Joseph was the son of Nathan J. DAVIS and Keziah DAVIS.

1823 - Lucretia McPHEETERS born.  Lucretia was the daughter of Samuel McPHEETERS and Lucretia BARRETT.

1829 - Ann COMER died.  Ann was the daughter of John ALLEN and Phebe SCARLETT.

1832 - Hester WARDLAW born.  Hester was the daughter of James WARDLAW and Susanna GREEN.

1846 - Elizabeth F. HERVEY born.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Byram H. HERVEY and Octavia PIERCE.

1851 - James H. BALES died.  James was the son of Aaron BALES and Susannah RUSSELL.

1865 - Susanna PEABODY died in Salem, Connecticut.  Susanna was the daughter of John MAXSON and Darcis NILES.

1871 - Eva Dora WEHRLY born.  Eva was the daughter of John P. WEHRLY and Catherine E. LeMASTERS.

1883 - William Perry ALDERMAN married Mary Ellen SAPP in Greenville, Bond County, Illinois.  William was the son of James ALDERMAN and Martha CANTELL.

1887 - Blanche Bertha LEWIS married William Stevenson ASHCRAFT.  Blanche was the daughter of Albert Garrison LEWIS and Ermina PETRY.

1891 - Lee C. YOUNG born.  Lee was the son of Chauncey YOUNG and Ellen HUSS.

1892 - Aaron SWAFFORD died in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  Aaron was the son of James A. SWAFFORD and Elizabeth HALL.

1892 - James A. SWAFFORD died in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  James was the son of Aaron SWAFFORD and Eliza Jane TAYLOR.

On This Day : July 4

1677 - Hannah SEWALL died.  Hannah was the daughter of John SEWALL and Hannah FESSENDEN.


1713 - Peter CRANDALL born.  Peter was the son of Peter CRANDALL and Susannah TEFFT.


1758 - Andrew CALDWELL died in Frederick County, Virginia.  Andrew was my 8x-great grandfather.


1787 - Robert WRIGHT born.  Robert was the son of John WRIGHT and Sarah FLEMING.


1794 - Phoeba MOULTON born.  Phoeba was the daughter of John MOULTON and Avis HURLBUT.


1798 - Sally MOULTON born.  Sally was the daughter of John MOULTON and Avis HURLBUT.


1812 - Isabella PATRICK born.  Isabella was the daughter of John PATRICK and Janett McPHEETERS.


1831 - David MIZE died in Pike County, Illinois.  David was the son of Isaac MIZE and Elizabeth ________.  David was Eileen's 5x-great grandfather.


1832 - Heinrich Friedrich KAHRE born.  Heinrich was the son of Heinrich Wilhelm KAHRE and Marie Caroline Wilhelmina KORFF.


1843 - James C. LEE born in Tennessee.  James was the son of Burrell Russell LEE and Louhaney SWAFFORD.


1850 - Margaret Ann MILLS born.  Margaret was the daughter of Aaron MILLS and Catherine FARMER.


1857 - Jane C. PATTERSON born in Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio.  Jane was the daughter of James C. PATTERSON and Amanda Cassandra MAXON.


1872 - Magdalena PETRY died in Falls City, Richardson County, Nebraska.  Magdalena was the daughter of Stephen PETRY.


1875 - Joseph J. COCKE born.  Joseph was the son of William Jacob COCKE and Hannah Melvina BECKETT.


1875 - Josephine COCKE born.  Josephine was the daughter of William Jacob COCKE and Hannah Melvina BECKETT.


1888 - Elizabeth REEVES died in Wabash County, Indiana.  Elizabeth was the daughter of William JACOBS and Sibell LITTELL.


1895 - Maume Green THACKER born.  Maume was the daughter of Charles A. THACKER and Mary SWAFFORD.


1900 - Jessie Helen SWAFFORD born in Vibbard, Missouri.  Jessie was the daughter of Landon Marcellus SWAFFORD and Bertie Belle MARSH.


1920 - Montgomery GROENENDYKE died in Marion, Grant County, Indiana.  Montgomery was the son of James GROENENDYKE and Barbara BUCK.


1945 - John Reese WRIGHT died in Pike Township, Brown County, Ohio.  John was the son of Samuel Pangburn WRIGHT and Rebecca Ruth HALL.


1985 - Ada Bell AULT died in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  Ada was the daughter of Aaron SWAFFORD and Nancy Alice PATTON.


1993 - Jack Wandell MILLER died in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Jack was the son of Arthur MILLER and Hallie Marie CHIVLARE.

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.

Surname Saturday : Fisher

The FISHER surname is in Eileen's maternal line.  The origins are unknown at this time.


Stories and history :


Ahnentafel # 53: Patsey Fisher (1813-1850).  Patsey was born June 11, 1813, probably in Brown County, Ohio.  She married Hugh Allen Ballentine Peeples.  They raised 9 children, living in Miami County, Indiana and Marshall County, Indiana.  Patsey died March 19, 1850 in Marshall County, Indiana and is buried in the Washington-Lawson Cemetery in Union Township.


Ahnentafel # 106: Daniel Fisher (1790-1833).  Daniel was born July 7, 1790.  He married Susannah Reeves (1789-1855) on August 6, 1812.  Susannah was born November 8, 1789.  They raised 7 children in Brown County, Ohio.  After Daniel's death, the remainder moved to Indiana.  Susannah died October 26, 1855 in Marshall County, Indiana.  Daniel died December 7, 1833.


Ahnentafel # 212: George Fisher (1753-1833). George was born in 1753.  He married Mary ________ (1764-1852).  They lived in Byrd Township, Brown County, Ohio.  Mary died September 26, 1852 in Byrd Township, Brown County, Ohio.  George died 1833 in Byrd Township, Brown County, Ohio.

Tombstone Tuesday: Susannah (Reeves) Fisher

Eileen's maternal 4th-great grandmother, Susannah (REEVES) FISHER, is buried in the Washington-Lawson Cemetery, Union Township, Marshall County, Indiana.

Susannah was born November 8, 1789 in Virginia.  She married Daniel FISHER, son of George and Mary (________) FISHER, who died December 7, 1833, probably in Byrd Township, Brown County, Ohio.  They were the parents of 7 children.  Susannah came with her children first to Miami County, Indiana, and finally to Marshall County, Indiana, where she is listed in the 1850 census.  Susannah died October 26, 1855 in Marshall County, Indiana.

Source: Washington-Lawson Cemetery (Marshall County, Indiana), Susannah Fisher marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 4 September 2010.

Family Milestones: March 4th

My paternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Mary A. METZNER, married on this date in 1888 in Jay County, Indiana to Harvey A. HUEY.  Mary was born March 24, 1862 in Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, and the younger sister of my John Adam METZNER.  Harvey was born December 1866 in Indiana.  Harvey was a Baptist minister, and they lived in Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, Noble County, Indiana and Genesee County, Michigan.  Harvey died in 1947.  Mary died in 1925.  Both are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.

My maternal 2nd-great grandfather, William Francis PIERCE, married on this date in 1909 in Madison County, Indiana to Vida MADDOX, his second wife.  William was born July 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana the son of Edmund G. and Catherine (GROENENDYKE) PIERCE.  Vida was born October 6, 1886 in Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky, the daughter of Charles W. and Sarah (POWELL) MADDOX.  They raised 7 children in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Vida died November 19, 1968 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  William died September 21, 1950 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.

My paternal great granduncle, Andrew Frank HALEY, was born on this date in 1864 in Ashland County, Ohio.  Andrew was the son of George Washington and Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY, and the older brother of my Eli Weldon HALEY.  Andrew married November 3, 1887 in Jay County, Indiana to Emma C. LEONHARD.  Emma was born February 8, 1865 in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John P. and Christina (________) LEONHARD.  They had 2 children and resided in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.  I do not have their dates of death.

My maternal 5th-great granduncle, Ephraim JACOBS, was born on this date in 1802 in Fleming County, Kentucky.  Ephraim was the son of William and Sibell (LITTELL) JACOBS, and the younger brother of my James Thomas JACOBS.  Ephraim married October 7, 1824 in Brown County, Ohio to Elizabeth REEVES.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Elizabeth.  Ephraim died September 20, 1888 in Adams County, Ohio.

My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Harriet N. MOULTON, was born on this date in 1827 in Rutland County, Vermont.  Harriett was the daughter of Selah and Lydia (FENNEL) MOULTON, and the younger sister of my Albert MOULTON.  Nothing further is known at this time.