Ohio – Family Finds

Strength – Family Finds

While researching my ancestors I sometimes wonder at the personal strength they must have had to face the many adversities in their lives. Particularly when I discover the death of a spouse or child, I consider, with admiration, how the rest of the family carries on. I suspect many found strength through their faith, and the practical aspects of their lives. My farming ancestors would need to continue to care for their livestock and crops. Additionally, most these farming families were large and a widow or widower must find a caretaker or provider for young children. This week I consider the case of my great-great grandmother, Elizabeth Ellen Hammond.
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Unexpected Shock

Some unexpected family history was uncovered while I was researching one of my genealogy brick walls. And, at first, it came as a bit of a shock. Now, though, I am not certain I have all the information to form the correct conclusion. The shock, or at least surprise, indirectly involves the brick wall I was researching. The surname of my brick wall, McBride, led to finding this unexpected bit of family history. The person at the center of the revelation had the surname Shock, so, you see, it aligns well with this week’s prompt.
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Groups – Family Finds

Among my archive of old photos are several featuring groups of school children. A few have the names of the children written on the backs, although not necessarily in any order. I am sharing these group photos in an attempt to connect with descendants of the children. And, for the photographs that have no names, I am hoping someone will be able to identify one of their ancestors from the information I do have about the schools, or their date and location. Please share these group photos with anyone having ancestors from the places identified.
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Probate of Jesse King 1868

Jesse King was born in Ohio (probably in the vicinity of Chillicothe) in 1805, he was a son of Philip King and Mary Leah Wright, both of Pennsylvania.

Jesse King, 1805-1868

Jesse King was born in Ohio (probably in the vicinity of Chillicothe) in 1805, he was a son of Philip King and Mary Leah Wright, both of Pennsylvania. Philip King was a farmer, he married Leah Wright in 1801 in Somerset, PA, they had six children, of whom Jesse was the third. The King family emigrated to Fairfield County, OH, when Jesse was a small boy. During the War of 1812, Jesse’s father, Philip King, served as a soldier in Capt. James Taylor’s company from Ross County, OH. In 1831, Jesse married Catherine Sivey in Fairfield County. After their marriage, they removed to Franklin County, OH where Jesse’s parents and many siblings were already living and farming. Jesse and Catherine were the parents of six sons, the four oldest born in Franklin, the other two in Mercer: William, Solomon, John, Philip, Henry, Jesse and Franklin, who died in infancy. After Philip King’s death in 1846, much of the King family, including Jesse and Catherine, removed to Van Wert County, to farm the 200+ acres she had previously purchased and the 40 acres of bounty land granted for Philip’s war service. Jesse purchased 160 acres in Mercer County, erected a log cabin, cleared his land and became a prominent farmer and citizen. Jesse filled the office of justice of the peace for eighteen years, was township trustee a number of times, and also held other offices in the county. Four of Jesse and Catherine’s sons served in OH units during the Civil War. One son, Philip, died of wounds received at the battle of Nashville, in December, 1864. Jesse was an active member of the United Brethern Church, holding at different times all its offices, he died at his home after contracting typhoid fever in 1868.

What is Typhoid Fever? Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection, spread by consuming food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Symptoms include a gradual onset of high fever, weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, and headaches. People may carry the bacterium without being affected; however, they are still able to spread the disease to others. Deaths from typhoid among soldiers in the Civil War exceeded those of any other cause.

Probate Record

Jesse King was a 3rd great grandfather on my maternal line, I found his probate record online at Ancestry.com, ‘Ohio, Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998’, Mercer County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Record of Wills, Vol 1-4, 1825-1886, Case #1200. It consists of nearly 60 pages and covers 4 years of settlement, Jesse’s wife Catherine Sivey King was the executrix. There are several pages of particular interest:

Pages 4 and 5 are his will, item 4 of the will is a legacy for his granddaughter Susan Candice King, the daughter of his deceased son Philip who died in action at the battle of Nashville.
Page 18, the credits to the estate totaling nearly $5000, most of which are sale of land to the heirs.
Page 24, purchase of burial clothes.
Page 30, value of the estate totaling $4000 for the 160 acres of land and $99 for 3 horses and 24 sheep. (what about the cows and hogs?)
Page 31, debts due the estate, cash and gold on hand equaled about $2000.
Page 34, expenses or payments made by the estate totaling about $1200.
Page 54, $50 for grave stones.
Page 60, the estate ‘donates’ $600 to Henry H. King to make him equal to the other heirs with respect to money he gave prior to the death of his father Jesse.

Here are the 60 pages of documents relating to the probate of Jesse King’s estate in 1868 collated into a PDF file.

Jesse King 1868 Probate