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WILLIAM     II.     BROWN 


FAMILY  HISTORY 


OF 


Jeremiah  Fenton 

(1764-1841) 


O  F 


Adams  County,  Ohio 


and 


His  Descendants 


BY 

WILLIAM  B.  BROWN 

DES  MOINES,  IOWA 
1910 


B NEW  YORK 

;LIC  LIBRARY 

483531 

*EH  FOUNDATION 


To  the  Memory  of  My  Mother 
Rachel  Fenton  Brown 


This  Book  is  not  Copyrighted 

\n\   One  May  Copy  Freely  Herefrom  With 

or  Without  Credit 


^^P'HE  Fentons,  especially  the 
\m  former  generations,  have 
been  farmers.  They  have  been  rep- 
resentative of  the  best  citizenship  of 
the  Republic.  They  have  been  loyal 
to  the  country's  flag-  and  have  been 
on  the  right  side  of  all  great  moral 
questions.  If  they  have  not  acquired 
great  riches  they  have  as  a  rule  been 
well-to-do  people,  honest,  indus- 
trious and  true." 

Lucien  Jerome  Fenton. 


PREFACE. 

The  writer  spent  four  years  of  his  boyhood  life  at  Win- 
chester, Ohio,  and  came  to  know  intimately  many  Fentons; 
and  came  in  time  to  learn  of  and  appreciate  the  many  ad- 
mirable characteristics  of  the  Fentons  generally.  Among 
these  characteristics  may  be  noted,  honesty,  frankness,  hos- 
pitality, generosity,  piety,  industry,  amiability,  decent  con- 
duct and  right  living.  And  while  few  Fentons  have  "set  the 
world  on  firev  or  won  very  conspicuous  success,  some  have 
inscribed  their  names  high  on  the  walls  of  fame.  One  sat 
in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  for  two  terms,  and 
another  won  world  fame  as  a  journalist.  Several  offered 
their  lives  to  save  the  Union  in  the  great  war  of  the  Rebel- 
lion, and  many  of  them  have  achieved  moderate  success. 
So  far  as  is  known  To  the  writer,  none  have  been  convicted 
of  crime  or  even  charged  with  crime.  The  rank  and  file  of 
Fentons  have  not  been  ambitious  for  political  office  or  fame, 
too  much  Quaker  blood  in  their  veins,  but,  as  good  farm- 
ers, they  have  lived  tin1  simple  life  close  to  nature,  paid 
their  debts,  worshipped  as  Methodists  and  kept  themselves 
free  and  unspotted  from  the  world. 

Three  years  ago  by  chance  the  writer  came  upon  a  family 
record  of  his  paternal  ancestry  prepared  by  Dr.  Andrew 
Brown,  of  Eustis,  Florida,  extending  back  to  1625.  This 
suggested  the  need  of  such  a  history  of  Fentons  and,  being 
anxious  to  know  more  of  his  maternal  ancestry,  the  writer 
determined  to  prepare  this  family  record.  The  work  lias 
taken  more  or  less  time  out  of  nearly  every  business  day 
for  three  years  and  has  cost  some  money  to  collect  male- 
rial  which  will  not  come  back,  except  in  the  appreciation  of 
the  book  by  those  who  really  prize  such  things;  but  that  is 
pay  enough.  The  book  was  not  written  to  make  money,  but 
to  perform  a  pleasant  duty. 

A  work  of  this  kind  cannot  be  prepared  without  a  greal 
deal  of  help  from  others  and  the  writer  here  and  now  ex- 
presses his  gratitude  to  all  those  who  have  kindly  complied 


VIII 

with  his  requests  to  furnish  information,  and  particularly 
to  Hon.  James  K.  Fenton  and  Hon.  Lucien  J.  Penton  for 
valuable  information  respecting  old-time  Fentons;  to  Hon. 
E.  B.  Stivers  for  permission  to  quote  from  his  History  of 
Adams  County;  to  Mr.  James  \Y.  Eylar  for  much  valuable 
help  in  connection  with  the  Eylar  family;  to  Miss  Mary 
McPherson  for  collecting  material  as  to  the  Jesse  Fenton 
family;  to  Earl  F.  Keyes,  Esq.,  and  Mrs.  Kosanna  I  lowland 
in  connection  with  the  Tolly  Baird  family;  to  Prof.  Wm. 
Stevenson  for  full  information  as  to  the  Catherine  Eck- 
man  family;  and  to  Henry  N.  Baker,  Esq.,  for  valuable 
papers  and  other  matter  in  connection  with  Jeremiah  Fen- 
ton (1764),  William  Fenton  (1790),  and  his  sister,  Delilah 
Fenton.  The  writer  has  gathered  material  also  from  the 
following  books:  "Steere's  Book,"  owned  by  James  L. 
Robinson,  Winchester.  Virginia,  which  includes  some  of 
the  Frederick  county,  Virginia,  Fentons;  L.  H.  Everts  & 
Company's  "History  of  Fayette  County,  Pennsylvania;"' 
and  Evans  &  Stivers  "History  of  Adams  County,  Ohio." 

Further  acknowledgment  must  be  made  of  financial  help, 

for  without  extra  contributions  of  money  the  book  could 
not  be  published.  The  writer  would  have  had  to  drop  the 
whole  matter  had  not  lion.  L.  .1.  Fenton  come  forward  vol- 
untarily with  generous  coin  ribut  ions  of  money.  Those  who 
receive  this  book  should  realize  their  debt  to  him  in  this 
matter.  Mrs.  Mary  II.  Liggett,  of  Blue  Springs,  Missouri, 
Mr.  A.  L.  Fenton,  of  Atchison,  Kansas,  and  his  sister,  Mrs. 
A.  ().  Delaney,  of  Leona,  Kansas,  have  also  been  generous 
in  contributions  of  money;  ami  to  all  those  who  subscribed 
for  one  or  more  copies  thanks  are  hereby  given. 

One  of  the  first  questions  which  will  come  to  the  reader 
is  whether  or  not  the  dales,  names  and  other  historical 
mailer  sei  forth  herein  can  he  depended  upon  as  accurate 
and  correct.  All  of  the  dales,  names  and  other  matter 
found  in  this  hook  have  been  twice  checked  over  with  the 
papers  furnished  by  representatives  of  the  differenl  fami- 
lies ami  are  correct,  ami  the  writer  believes  thai  all  of  the 
data  contained  in  this  I k  can  be  depended  upon.     Here 


IX 

and  there,  of  course,  an  error  will  be  found,  lmr  taking  into 
consideration  the  large  number  of  dates,  names,  etc.,  the 
errors  found  will  likely  be  very  few.  In  seeking  informa- 
tion respecting  any  family  the  writer  has  taken  pains  to 
communicate  only  with  those  competent  to  furnish  the  in- 
formation correctly. 

There  will  likely  be  dissatisfaction  among  some  because 
their  picture  or  the  picture  of  some  one  or  more  of  their 
friends  is  not  given  herein,  and  the  writer  has  found  a 
great  deal  of  difficulty  in  deciding  upon  what  pictures 
ought  to  be  put  in  tht1  book.  All  will  understand  that  il- 
lustrations greatly  add  to  the  cost  of  the  publication  and 
thai  their  number  necessarily  must  be  limited.  The  Wil- 
liam Feuton  family  is  favored  above  all  others,  as  the  pic- 
ture of  each  of  his  sons  and  daughters,  except  one.  is  given, 
but  it  must  be  remembered  that  his  family  and  descend- 
ants outnumber  each  of  the  other  families  of  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  Jeremiah  Feuton;  and  furthermore,  the  writ- 
er, being  a  member  of  the  William  Feuton  family  ami  being 
out  a  great  deal  of  money,  time  and  labor  in  preparing  the 
book,  has  felt  that  it  is  no  more  than  right  to  make  an  ex- 
ception in  this  case.  Others  will  notice  that  the  Benjamin 
Feuton  family  has  been  favored  in  respect  to  pictures. 
However,  they  are  entitled  to  this  favoritism,  for  the  reason 
that  they  have  subscribed  for  far  more  copies  of  the  book 
and  paid  more  extra  money  besides  than  any  other  family, 
and  not  only  this,  they  have  also  splendidly  helped  in 
collecting  material  and  constantly  encouraged  the  writer 
to  go  on  with  the  work. 

In  most  other  cases  where  photographs  of  living  persons 
are  inserted  it  is  because  of  the  fact  that  the  parties  them- 
selves have  been  generous  with  subscriptions.  The  writer 
wishes  that  it  were  possible  to  insert  the  pictures  of  ali 
those  who  care  to  have  him  do  so.  This  being  impossible 
he  has  adjusted  the  matter  as  best  he  could. 

Aii'ain,  some  may  feel  that  they  or  t licit  friends  have  not 
received  enough  mention  in  the  reading  matter.  On  this 
point  the  writer's  conscience  is  entirely  clear.  All  have 
been  asked  to  furnish  the  writer  matters  of  interest  and  ab- 


X 

solutely  everything  tendered  him  has  been  printed.  Those 
who  failed  to  contribute  matter  as  requested  have  only 
themselves  to  blame. 

A  careful  count  shows  that  there  are,  living  and  dead, 
459  descendants  of  Jeremiah  Fenton  (1764  ).  Of  this  num- 
ber the  William  Fenton  family  leads  with  128,  composed 
of  (*><►  males  and  62  females:  the  Elizabeth  Eylar  family 
follows  closely  with  113,  58  males  and  55  females;  next 
comes  the  Folly  Baird  family  with  83,  41  males  and  12  fe- 
males; then  the  family  of  Jeremiah  Fenton  with  49,  21 
males  and  25  females;  next  the  Catherine  Eckman  family 
with  25,  8  males  and  17  females;  next  the  Jesse  Fenton  fam- 
ily with  21,  7  males  and  17  females;  next  the  Benjamin 
Fenton  family  with  16,  0  males  and  10  females,  and  last  the 
.John  Fenton  family  with  only  10,  1  males  and  0  females. 
It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  Benjamin  Fenton  family, 
although  next  to  the  lowest  in  point  of  numbers,  has  done 
more  than  all  the  others  combined  to  make  possible  the  pub- 
lication of  the  book.  It  is  strange  thai  not  more  than  three 
or  four  persons  outside  the  Benjamin  Fenton  family  have 
voluntarily  indicated  any  disposition  to  help  financially 
further  than  to  subscribe  for  one  copy  of  tin;  book. 

Attention  is  called  to  the  differences  in  the  names  now 
given  by  Fenton  parents  and  those  common  among  the 
early  Fentons.  In  the  family  of  Jeremiah  Fenton,  the  pio- 
neer, we  have  Jeremiah,  Benjamin,  Rosanna,  Polly,  Deli- 
lah and  others.  These  names  were  still  iu  common  use  in 
the  next  generation,  but  at  the  present  time  scarcely  one 
of  the  old-fashioned  names  is  iu  use.  Instead  we  have 
Grace,  Maud,  <Jladys,  May,  Helen,  Marjorie,  Evelyn,  Lot- 
lie,  Virginia,  Evalena,  .Mabel,  Kathleen  and  the  like. 

The  writer  has  noticed  one  other  tact  of  some  interest. 
Among  all  <>f  the  nearly  500  descendants  of  Jeremiah  Pen- 
ton  twin-  were  born  on  but  three  occasions;  tirst  to  Polly 
Baird   then  to  William  McColgin,  and  next  to  the  writer. 

Is  a  publication  of  this  kind  worth  while?  There  can  be 
inn  one  answer  to  the  question.  The  barest  record  of  151) 
human  beings,  with  births,  marriages,  deaths,  etc.,  when 


XI 


nil  arc  connected  by  tics  of  blood,  must  be  worth  preserving. 
Human  life  is  too  precious  to  allow  no  record  to  be  kept  of 
our  blood  relations. 

In  closing  the  writer  desires  to  acknowledge  very  val- 
uable help  from  his  good  wife  who  twice  read  the  proof  of 
this  hook;  and  whatever  excellence  it  may  have  in  freedom 
from  printers*  errors  is  due  in  part  to  her.  A  reward  was 
given  of  five  cents  for  each  error  discovered  on   the  final 

reading. 

WILLIAM  B.  BROWN, 
Des  Moines, 

Iowa. 
January,  1910. 


XII 


Of 

fee 


Michael  (?) 

Enoch  (?) 


B     JEREMIAH 


William     

(i 790- I 870) 


Elizabeth  I  m'l  Eylar 
(1792-1835) 


Delilah  (single) 
(1794-1883) 


Jnhn 


(1796-1855) 


Jesse 


I  1 7'  1'  1- 1 860  I 


(1764-1841) 

(111 )  Rosannah 

Law  rem  e 


1  I 


Catherine  (m1  Eckman 
1  [801-1872) 


Jeremiah 

1  [803-186]  1 


Mary  [Polly] 

1  in  i  Baird 
1  [804-1875) 


( leorge  1  single) 
1  ,  !o8  (86l) 


Benjamin 

( 1 8 1 0  1  170 


Joseph  (single 
(1815-1846) 


Samuel  Lawrence  11,:   92 

Ruhama  (m  1  Horner 1821  [848 

Rose  Ann  (1111  Horner  [823-1873 

Elizabeth  I  m  1  Skinner        [825 
Mary  Ann  (111)  McColgin    [827-1894 
Delilah  (m)  Fenton   ..   _.    [829-1907 
Caroline  im)  Baker  ..    .  .   [832-1907 

Jeremiah is.yS 

Rachel  (ml   Brown 1    :'■ 

lames  Kendall [838 

William   Baker___     [843 

Rose  Ann   ..  ._.  [815-1815 

Mary  Ann  (m)  Moore [816-1891 

Sarah  Ann  (m)  McNown  [818  1S77 
Allied  Allen  .  1820-1882 

I  Ruth  (m)  Cockerill  ...1822-1878 
Joseph  Fenton [824-1890 

I  John  __  [826-1866 

Benjamin  Franklin...     ___i828-i8 

I  David  Shafer...  __  1831-1897 

I  olivet-  Hazard        1834-1893 


Allied      .  .1838-1894 

Allen [840 

I  Elizabeth  Jane      [842 

I  John  Milton 1845 

[Louisa [836-1909 

Ruth  (m)  Kendall [837 

Turner [838-1904 

!  Ann  Elizabeth  ...      1842-1905 

I  Emma  1  m)  M01  row         ..   [843-1908 

Margaret 1845-1908 

I  [annah  I  m  1  M<  Pherson    .1848 
I  [arrison...     1850 

[  Ann  (ml  Van  Nest [827-1878 

J  Jeremiah  [828-1836 

John [830-1830 

George.  __  1831-1847 

William   __     1833-1839 

j  Rosanna         1836-1839 

I  Catherine    ..  [839-1849 

I  Emma  Sophia  1111) 

Stevenson [841-1890 

I  Maty  Jane ...1847-1848 

Nelson  1844 

I  Margaret  Ann  (m) 

Howard [845 

Mary  Jane  (nil  Ennis [848 

Elcena   I  m  I  Howard [851 

I  Russell [854 

LRufus. ..  1857-1858 

C  Jeremiah  _ 1833-1905 

George [835-1890 

Sarah  Ann    11111    Eyler [837-190] 

(  Rosanna  1  m  1  Howland     1    ,9 

1  Katherine 1839-1839 

John    [842 

Mary  (m)  West  [844-1898 

Rufus .  [849-1892 


I  Rosanna  Juliet  [839-1885 
I  Mary  Lydia  1  m  iMcKnight  [842 

j  I.ueien  Jerome  [844 

i  Allien  Washington  .          (846 

j  Emma  Catherine...  ...1848-1891 

Pi  iscilla  Adelaide 

I  111  I    lellel  \  s  [85] 

Martha     ....  ...1854 


XIII 


Partial  Chart 

Samuel  Fenton  Family 


('Jeremiah  (1779) 

("Stiller  Jerry") 
Wife,  Susanna 
Record^ 


I  Minerva — Alexander 
Elizabeth — Hughes 
Mary — Peterson 
John  Wesley     1812 
( )rpha — Rounds 
Maria — Andrew  s 
Susan — Hamilton 
Wilson   Jeremiah 

I  Rachel— Wil-on 

L  Sallie— Massie 


Samuel  Fenton  .J 

(Elder  brother    of 

Jeremiah  1764  | 


I  Alfred 

Enoch  Madison    1S22-1SS0 

John ^  Samuel  ("Big  Sam") 

(••Kentucky  John")  j  Elizabeth.  2nd 

wife  of  Judge  Joseph  Eylar 


Enoch  (drowned) 

TT  ,  f Elizabeth  (m)  Lafferty      1S21 

Hannah  01  o 

,       t-,..   ,     ,.    ...       ,  Samuel 1022 

m  Ehiah   Collins)  i,--n-  o  £. 

J  William 1020 

Sarah  ( 1802-1885). -  Martha  Ann  <m> 


(  m  Nicholas 
Burwell) 


I  Mary 

(m  Wm.  Craw- 
ford) 

Partial  Chart  of 
William  Horner  Family 

f  James 


Ephraim Bennet  Horner 

(m)  Catherine  rst  wife,  Ru- 

Lawrence 


Bottleman 1S30 

Edward  J. 1S34 

Michael  Henry ^39 

Mary — Lock  wood ^39 


/■■sue  of 
rst  Mm  1  iage 
j  Harriett 

i  m  1  Rees 
I  Nelson 


William  Horner    Hannah  <m 

\\  ill  probated 

Fayette  County, 

Pa..  June  13. 

1829. 

Wife,  Anne 


Sarah  (m)  Moore 
Thomas 

Huff 
Benedict 

Harriett(m  |  Preston 
Amos 


hama  Fen- 
ton. 2nd. 
Rose  Ann 


2d  Mm  1  iage 
Joseph 
William 
James 
John 
Catherine 


Elizabeth 

1  Bennett 

William  Horner,  the  pioneer,  was  a  close  friend  and  neighbor  oi  John 
Lawrence  and  Jeremiah  Fenton.  and  his  descendants  intermarried  with  both 
their  descendants.  He  settled  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  very  earlj 
at  the  solicitation  of  John  Lawrence,  and  bought  land  of  him  by  deed  dated 
March  3,  179S.  Many  Homers  yet  live  in  Luzerne  township,  Fayette  county, 
and  their  features  strongly  resemble  those  of  the  Adams  county.  Ohio. 
1  lorners. 


CHAPTER   ONE 


THE  FENTON  FAMILY. 

The  Fentons  are  a  very  old  family.  It  is  said  that  they 
originally  came  to  England  with  the  Normans  and  that 
the  name  is  North  German,  from  fen-ton  or  fen-toon, 
meaning  a  town  in  the  lowlands.  By  sonic  of  the  descend- 
ants it  is  said  the  home  of  the  Fentons  in  England  was  in 
Lincolnshire,  others  say  it  was  in  Cornwallshire.  Still 
ethers  say  in  Yorkshire  and  that  the  Fentons  came  to 
America  as  Quakers  with  William  Penn. 

TIME  OF  LEAVING  ENGLAND. 

The  writer  has  not  been  able  to  learn  with  certainty 
when  the  Fentons  left  England  and'  came  to  America; 
but  it  has  been  handed  down  through  some  of  the  older 
Fentons  that  it  was  in  the  year  1735.  .Air.  James  \Y. 
Eylar,  of  Bendena,  Kansas,  who  is  a  descendant  of  the 
Fentons,  and  well  posted  on  early  Fenton  history,  makes 
this  statement  to  the  writer: 

'"Jeremiah  Fenton  (Sr.)  came  from  England  in  1735  and  set 
tied  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  Virginia.     I  have  the  informa- 
tion from  the  older  Fentons." 

PLACE  OF  SETTLEMENT. 

Neither  is  it  known  definitely  jtist  where  the  Fentons 
located  and  settled  on  reaching  this  country.  Among  the 
descendants  of  Jeremiah  Fenton  it  has  been  always  under- 
stood that  they  tirst  settled  on  Apple  Pie  Ridge,  near  Win- 
chester. Frederick  county,  Virginia,  and  thai  some  few  set- 
tled in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia.  On  the  other  hand  the 
positive  statement  has  been  passed  down  among  the  de- 
scendants of  Samuel  Fenton,  brother  of  Jeremiah,  that  the 


1G  FENTON  FAMILY   HISTORY 

Fentons  first  settled  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
John  F.  Fenton,  of  Oxford,  Ohio,  son  of  .John  Wesley 
Fenton,  and  great  grandson  of  Samuel  Fenton,  says:  "My 
grandfather  ("Stiller  Jerry"  Fenton)  often  told  me  he  was 
born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania.'"  This  is  near  Phila- 
delphia. 

The  land  and  court  records  of  Bucks  county  disclose  the 
fact  that  many  families  of  Fentons  lived  in  that  county  be- 
tween 1700  and  1X00;  and  the  land  and  court  records  in 
Frederick  and  Loudoun  counties,  Virginia,  also  show  that 
numerous  families  of  Fentons  lived  in  those  counties  in 
the  eighteenth  century.  There  is  also  authority  for  the 
statement  that  the  Fentons  first  settled  in  New  Jersey. 
Hon.  Warren  S.  Ely,  professional  genealogist  of  Doyles- 
town,  Pennsylvania,  says:  "The  emigrant  ancestor  was 
Eleazer  Fenton,  who  came  to  New  Jersey  prior  to  the  grant 
of  Pennsylvania  to  William  Penn,  later  moving  to  Pucks 
county,  locating  five  or  six  miles  east  of  here." 

ENOCH  FENTON. 

It  is  well  known  among  the  descendants  of  Jeremiah 
Fenton  that  there  was  in  the  family  an  Enoch  Fenton,  who 
lived  in  Frederick  county,  Virginia,  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  James  Kendall  Fenton,  of  Locust  Grove, 
(  Miio,  has  this  to  say  : 

"I  heard  Uncle  George  Fenton.  and  my  father  (William 
Fenton,  oldest  son  of  Jeremiah)  and  brother  Sam  and  Dick's 
father  (Samuel  Fenton,  1809)  all  talk  about  Enoch  Fenton 
and  Samuel  Fenton,  (brother  of  Jeremiah)  being  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War.  They  would  talk  amusingly  of  Enoch  con- 
structing a  Trojan  Morse  and  declaring  death  to  all  of  the 
British." 

The  land  records  of  Frederick  county  show  that  Enoch 
Fenton  bought  land  there  in  1774  ami  in  1780.  His  will, 
dated  March  '2l\,  17S0,  was  proven  April  2,  1S05.  He  left 
;i  widow,  Sarah,  and  sons,  John,  Joseph,  Benjamin  and 
Enoch,  and  a  daughter,  Rebecah.  He  also  left  an  estate  of 
hinds,  negroes  and  money.  These  lands  are  situated  on 
Apple  Pie  Ridge,  where  .Jeremiah  Fenton  also  lived. 


FEXTOX   FAMILY   HISTORY  17 

Respecting  Enoch  Fenton  and  Samuel  Fenton,  James  K. 
Fenton  states  further: 

"I  am  inclined  to  think  they  were  brothers.  I  heard  my 
father  speak  of  his  cousin  Enoch  Fenton  being  the  best  looking 
man  he  ever  saw." 

Enoch  Fenton,  whose  will  was  proven  in  1805,  had  a  son 
Enoch,  ami  assume,  as  the  tradition  goes,  that  he  was  a 
brother  of  Samuel  and  Jeremiah,  then  his  son  Enoch  would 
be  a  first  cousin  of  William  Fenton,  eldest  son  of  Jeremiah, 
thus  making  tradition  and  record  agree.  It  may  be  men- 
tioned here  that  the  name  Enoch  has  been  carried  down  in 
the  Samuel  Fenton  family.  He  had  a  son  Enoch  who  was 
drowned  and  a  grandson  Enoch  Madison  Fenton,  and  this 
grandson  named  his  first  son  Enoch.  This  Enoch  Madison 
was  a  first  cousin  of  William  Fenton  1 1700 )  and  it  may  be 
that  he  was  the  good-looking  cousin  Enoch,  already  spoken 
of.  However,  he  was  quite  generally  called  "Mat"  Fenton, 
and  was  almost  never  called  Enoch.  That  Enoch  Fenton, 
whose  name  appears  in  the  Virginia  records,  belonged  to 
our  Fentons,  seems  stire;  and  in  all  probability  lie  was  a 
brother  of  Samuel  and  Jeremiah. 

BIRTHPLACE  OF  JEREMIAH. 

Since  the  traditions  respecting  the  Fentons  in  Frederick 
county,  Virginia,  coincide  with  the  official  records,  it  is 
practically  certain  that  Jeremiah,  Jr.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Virginia.  It  may  be 
equally  true  that  his  brother.  Samuel,  was  born  and  lived  ;i 
while  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania. 

The  writer  has  set  out  on  another  page  a  chart  of  the 
early  Fenton  family  of  Bucks  county,  prepared  by  .Mr.  Ely. 
It  will  surely  be  an  object  of  interest. 

Mr.  Ely  thinks  that  Jeremiah  Fenton.  Sr.,  was  a  son  of 
Jeremiah  Fenton  shown  on  his  chart,  who  was  born  in  L691, 
died  L732,  the  latter  being  the  eldest  son  of  Eleazer  Fen- 
ton i  L655-1704),  by  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth  Stacy.  lb' 
owned  no  land,  hence  the  record  does  not  disclose  his  chil- 
dren, if  any. 


SS  FENTON   FAMILY   HISTORY 

This  Jeremiah  Fenton,  of  Mr.  Ely,  was  poor  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  living  on  a  farm  of  his  brother,  Enoch, 
who  made  provision  in  his  will  for  Jeremiah  to  continue  to 
occupy  a  pari  of  his  land  without  rent  for  nine  years  after 
the  death  of  the  testator.  It  will  be  seen  hereafter  thai 
Jeremiah  Fenton,  Si\,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  hook, 
was  also  very  poor  and  did  not  own  land. 

It  is  known  among  the  descendants  of  Jeremiah  Fenton, 
Jr.,  that  while  most  of  the  early  Fentons  were  Methodists 
there  were  also  some  of  them  Quakers.  The  Fentons  of 
Mr.  Ely's  chart  were  Quakers.  The  Fentons  in  Frederick 
and  Loudoun  counties,  Virginia,  were  some  of  them  Meth- 
odists, some  Quakers. 

APPLE  PIE  RIDGE. 

In  passing  it  may  be  well  to  say  a  word  respecting  Apple 
Pie  Ridge.  This  is  an  elevation  of  ground,  of  ridge-like 

formation,  or  a  series  of  continuous  hills,  extending  lor  a 
distance  of  several  miles  out  from  Winchester.  This  ridge 
has  been  for  more  than  two  hundred  years,  and  is  to  this 
day,  famous  for  its  hue  apple  and  peach  orchards. 

In  July,  1908,  the  writer  made  a  visit  to  Winchester 
especially  to  study  early  Fenton  history  and  during  his 
stay  there  drove  out  on  the  toll  road  pike  to  the  residence 
of  dames  L.  Robison,  a  direct  descendant  of  Enoch  Fenton. 
lie  is  a  wealthy  farmer  and  fruit  grower.  He  says  all  of 
the  Fenton-  are  now  gone  from  Apple  Pie  Ridge  and  Fred- 
erick county,  hut  that  some  few  yet  live  in  Loudoun  county, 
lie  says  the  early  Fentons  lived  on  Bog  creek  or  Babb's 
urn,  about  eight  miles  out  from  Winchester,  and  that  some 
of  them  were  Methodists  and  many  of  the  same  family  were 
i  junkers. 

I  f  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sr.,  had  been  a  land  owner  in  either 
Frederick  or  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  it  would  be  com- 
paratively an  easy  task  to  carry  his  history  back  farther, 
Inn  as  shown  by  the  records,  he  did  not  own  any  land  id 
chin  r  of  i  hese  count  ies. 

The  writer  spent  considerable  lime  at  Winchester,  Vir- 
ginia, at  the  court  house,  trying  to  lind  some  trace  of  Jere- 


FENTON   FAMILY   HISTORY  19 

niiah  Fenton,  and  he  has  also  had  the  recorder  of  deeds 
make1  careful  search,  but  no  trace  of  the  name  can  be  found. 
Unfortunately  the  early  tax  records  of  Frederick  county 
are  not  accessible.  In  tin1  loft  at  the  court  house  are  .ureal 
bundles  of  old  tax  records  piled  up  and  covered  with  dust, 
and  while  these,  if  accessible,  would  be  of  the  greatest  value 
to  genealogists,  it  would  take  months,  and  would  be  prac- 
tically impossible,  for  private  parties  to  go  through  them  in 
their  present  condition.  Some  day  the  county  officials  may 
see  the  need  of  sorting  out  and  classifying  old  records,  and 
then  it  will  likely  be  possible  to  find  the  name  of  Jeremiah 
Fenton  among  the  early  inhabitants  of  Frederick  county. 

JEREMIAH    FENTON,    SR.— SETTLES    IN    FAYETTE 
COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Jeremiah  Fenton  usually  affixed  "Jr.'*  to  his  name,  and 
thereby  and  also  by  official  records,  do  we  know  that  his 
father's  name  was  also  Jeremiah. 

In  the  spring  of  1784,  joining  the  stream  of  restless  emi- 
grants from  Virginia  to  western  Pennsylvania,  Jeremiah 
Fenton,  Sr.,  with  his  sons,  Samuel,  Michael  and  Jeremiah, 
Jr.,  left  Frederick  comity,  Virginia,  and  settled  on  a  farm 
about  eight  miles  southeast  of  Redstone,  Old  Fort,  now 
Brownsville,  in  Luzerne  township,  Fayette  county,  Penn- 
sylvania,    Brownsville  is  on  the  Monongahela  river. 

Of  course  the  writer  cannot  speak  with  absolute  certain- 
ty of  this  date,  but  the  well  preserved  Fayette  county  rec- 
ords tend  to  confirm  him  in  the  belief  that  it  is  correct.  In 
the  court  house  at  Uniontown  there  is  on  tile  among  the 
court  records  a  petition  for  a  road,  dated  June  10,  iTS4, 
signed  by  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Samuel  Fenton,  and  by  more 
than  forty  of  their  neighbors.  It  is  not  likely  that  these 
new  settlers  waited  many  months  in  their  forest  home  he 
Ion  petitioning  for  this  road.  The  writer  has  lately  sei  a 
the  original  of  this  old  paper  now  yellowed  with  age,  and 
considered  it  of  such  value  as  to  have  it  photographed  and 
reproduced  in  this  book.     No  doubt  the  reader  will  he  m- 


20  FENTON  FAMILY   HISTORY 

terested  in  seeing  with  liis  own  eyes  a  picture  of  the  hand- 
writing and  signatures  of  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Si\,  of  Samuel 
Fenton,  his  son,  and  of  John  Lawrence,  whose  daughter, 
Rosannah,  became  the  wife  of  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Jr.* 

From  the  ''History  of  Fayette  County"  I  quote  as  fol- 
lows respecting  this  road:  "The  course  of  the  road  lay 
through  Luzerne  and  Menallen  townships  by  way  of  Mr. 
Lawrence's,  Mr.  Fentings,  and  l>ig  Meadow  Branch,  and 
so  on  to  Uniontown." 

The  carefully  kept  tax  records  of  Fayette  county  also 
establish  the  fact  that  Jeremiah  Fenton  lived  there  as  early 
as  list.  The  assessment  of  property  roll  of  Luzerne  town- 
ship for  1785  shows  Jeremiah  Fenton  assessed  that  year  as 
follows:  "Land,  none;  horses,  1,  value  5  pounds;  hogs  and 
cattle,  1,  value  2  pounds."  This  assessment  was  made  late 
in  the  fall  of  17S4,  and  these  are  the  earliest  tax  records  in 
this  county. 

On  another  page  is  set  out  extracts  from  the  fax  records 
of  Luzerne  township,  so  far  as  they  relate  to  the  Fentons, 
from  17S5  to  17i)7,  after  which  last  named  year,  the  name 
Fenton  is  no  longer  seen  on  the  tax  list.  These  records  will 
prove  interesting  to  students  of  Fenton  history.  They  dis- 
close several  important  facts;  among  them,  that  Jeremiah, 
Si-.,  did  not  own  land  and  owned  but  very  little  personal 
property;  that  Samuel,  his  son,  was  well  to  do  and  owned 
lands  and  horses  and  cattle  of  considerable  value  for  those 
days;  and  that  both  Jeremiah,  Sr.,  and  Jeremiah,  Jr.,  were 
"renters."  Samuel  may  have  received  his  land  for  his  serv- 
ices in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The    name   Jeremiah    Fenton,    "Single,"   and    Jeremiah 


*Said  petition  is  as  follows: 

"To  the  worshipful  the  Justicies  of  the  Peace  for  the  eountv  of  Fiatt  in 
the  state  ol  Pensylvania  at  there  next  court  of  quarter  sessions  to  he  Ilolden 
at  Beasons  Town  whereas  we  the  Petitioners  whose  Names  are  under  written 
do  Humblely  Request  to  have  a  Rode  Laid  out  from  James  Crawfords  ferry, 
the  Nearest  ami  hest  way  to  Beasons  Town  sd  ferry  Is  situated  on  Monon- 
galah  River  ami  aBout  one  mile  ami  a  half  below  "the  mouth  of  ten  mile 
crick,  sd  Roade  is  much  a  wanting  ami  would  he  Very  convinient  for  the 
[nhabitants  of  those  Parts  as  also  for  Travellers  the  Inhabitants  hereaways 
Labours  under  manv  disadvantagies  for  want  of  sd  Rode  as  we  the  Humble 
Petitioners  in  duty  bound  shall  Pray— this  ioth  day  of  June  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  Eightj    four  1784—" 


FENTON    FAMILY   HISTORY 


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22  FENTON   FAMILY   HISTORY 

Fenton,  "Junior,"  appears  along  with  the  father's  name 
on  the  tax  rolls  of  1788,  assessmenl  of  L787.  He  became 
twenty-one  in  1785  and  the  assessmenl  made  in  ITsT  was 
the  firsl  land  assessmenl  made  thereafter.  After  1  Tin;  the 
mime  of  the  father  no  longer  appears  on  the  tax  rolls  and 
as  it  is  thought  lie  did  not  go  with  his  sons  over  into  Ken- 
tucky, it  is  likely  that  lie  died  in  aboul  the  year  1  Tl>-~>  or 
1700.    He  was  horn  in  England. 

'Idie  tradition  is  thai  he  was  too  old  to  he  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  If  he  was  too  old  to  he  n  soldier  when  thai 
war  began  in  177(1,  and  if  he  came  to  America  in  1  T - > r> ,  he 
must  have  been  well  up  in  years,  and  probably  was  over 
65  or  70  when  he  passed  away. 

Thai  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sr.,  was  a  very  poor  man  when  he 
lived  in  Pennsylvania,  the  records  plainly  show;  for  he 
owned  no  land  at  a  time  when  hind  there  was  selling  Cot 
only  ten  pounds  per  100  acres;  or  at  the  rate  of  aboul  fifty 
cents  per  acre,  and  he  owned  hnt  little  personal  property, 
his  Fayette  county  personal  tax  assessment  not  exceeding 
in  any  one  year  one  hundred  dollars.  A  farmer  who  could 
not  own  any  land  at  fifty  cents  an  acre  and  who  was  taxed 
for  so  little  personal  property,  was  poor  indeed,  according 
to  these  times.  It  musl  he  reineinhered,  however,  that  in 
those  <lays  money  was  exceedingly  scarce.  From  L.  II. 
Everts  &  Company's  "History  of  Fayette  County/'  1882,  I 
<|inite  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  written  from  that 
county  in  1  7S4  :  "Money  we  have  not  nor  any  practicable 
way  of  getting  it  ;  how  taxes  will  lie  collected,  debts  paid  or 
U'rs  discharged,    I   do  not  know." 

MICHAEL  FENTON. 

From  the  Fayette  county  records  we  find  there  was  also 
a  Michael  Fenton,  whose  name  regularly  appears  on  the 
tax  rolls  along  with  Jeremiah,  Sr.,  and  Samuel.  Mr.  J.  K. 
Fenton  has  stated  to  the  writer  that  there  was  a  Michael 
Fenton  in  the  days  of  Jeremiah,  Si-.,  and  Samuel,  of  whom 
he  had  often  heard  the  older  Fentons  speak.  That  the 
Michael    Fenton   whose  name  is  on   those  tax   records  be- 


FENTON  FAMILY  HISTORY  23 

Longed  to  this  family  is  certain,  but  whether  he  was  a 
brother,  sou  or  some  other  near  kin  of  Jeremiah,  Si-.,  can- 
not be  told.  I  think  he  was  a  sou  and  of  an  age  between 
Samuel  and  Jeremiah,  Jr. 

The  story  is  handed  down  through  Samuel  Fenton 
(  1809)  that  Michael  Fenton  when  he  was  eighty  years  old 
plowed  in  one  day  live  acres  of  corn,  three  times  to  the  row. 

M  ichael's  name  disappears  from  the  tax  rolls  at  the  same 
time  as  that  of  Samuel,  brother  of  Jeremiah,  Jr.,  and  it  is 
likely  he  either  died,  or  went  to  Kentucky  with  Samuel  in 
about  17(.t4.  This  Samuel  Fenton  named  his  first  son 
Jeremiah,  after  his  father;  his  second  son  John,  perhaps 
after  John  Lawrence;  and  his  third  son  Michael,  likely 
after  the  aforesaid  Michael  Fenton,  who  was  no  doubt  his 
brother.  The  nana1  Michael  docs  not  appear  in  the  names 
of  any  of  the  descendants  of  Jeremiah,  Jr. 

The  names  of  Jeremiah,  Sr.,  Samuel,  Michael  and  Jere- 
miah, Jr.,  all  are  missing  from  the  tax  rolls  of  IT!)!!,  and  it 
was  in  this  year  that  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Jr.,  and  his  family 
left  Fayette  county  and  removed  to  Mason  county,  Ken- 
tucky. 

VISIT  TO  FAYETTE  COUNTY. 

The  writer  spent  three  very  pleasant  days  in  Fayette 
county  in  July,  1908.  Leaving  Pittsburg  in  the  morning  of 
July  4th  on  the  Pennsylvania  roilroad,  he  reached  Browns- 
ville shortly  after  noon.  The  road  runs  along  the  pictur- 
esque Monongahela  river  all  the  way  to  Brownsville.  Here 
he  had  pointed  out  to  him  the  famous  wharf  where  travel- 
ers from  the  east,  ending  their  land  journey,  embarked  on 
flat  boats  to  continue  their  journey  west  by  water,  on  the 
Monongahela  and  Ohio  rivers.  He  was  also  shown  here 
the  old  Methodist  meeting  house  and  graveyard,  but  found 
no  Fenton  monuments;  and  no  Fentons  in  the  church  rec- 
ords which  do  not  go  back  of  about  1800.  The  town  is  peo- 
pled mainly  by  Hungarians,  Slavs,  Poles,  Italians,  Negroes 
and  other  such  races.  A  century  before  not  one  of  these 
dark-skinned  races  was  seen  on  the  streets  of  Brownsville, 
but  plenty  of  English,  Scotch,  Irish  and  Germans  were 
there. 


24  FENTON   FAMILY   HISTOKY 

rriicii  from  Brownsville  the  journey  was  continued  to 
[Jniontown,  county  seat  of  Fayette  county,  where  very 
careful  persona]  and  expert  search  was  made  in  the  court 
house  records  for  traces  of  early  Fentons,  with  some  meas- 
ure of  success. 

The  writer  attended  church  at  the  Methodist  meeting 
house  there  and  tried  to  picture  the  early  Fentons  attend- 
ing the  very  same  church  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
years  previously.  Unfortunately  the  early  records  of  mem- 
bership in  this  church  have  not  been  kept,  hence  no  trace 
of  the  Teutons  could  be  had  in  the  [Jniontown  church 
records. 

The  writer  tried  to  liml  some  liles  of  early  newspapers, 
but  none  hack  as  far  as  lS(ll)  could  be  found.  Even  if  any 
had  been  found  it  is  not  likely  that  the  names  of  any  Fen- 
Ions  would  have  appeared  therein,  as  the  newspapers  in 
those  days  had  almost  no  persona]  items,  t  he  columns  of  t  lie 
papers  being  given  up  almost  entirely  to  discussions  of 
great  public  questions.  [Jniontown  is  a  very  interesting 
place  to  visit. 

From  CJniontown  the  writer  returned  to  Brownsville  and 
drove  out  in  a  buggy  to  the  land  once  occupied  by  the 
Fentons.     It  is  very  easy  to  locate. 

Almost  every  farm  from  [Jniontown  to  Brownsville 
and  on  out  to  the  Fenton  land,  has  on  it  great  coke  ovens 
burning  nighl  and  day,  with  the  result  that  the  air  is  filled 
with  coal  smoke  and  gases,  and  at  night  the  sky  is  lurid 
with  flame. 

Notwithstanding  this,  the  farms  all  seem  to  be  occupied 
and  the  land  tilled,  and  there  are  still  to  be  found  there 
maple  sugar  camps  as  in  the  olden  times  and  the  boys  go 
coon  hunting  nights  the  same  as  their  forefathers  did. 

The  writer  visited  the  Hopewell  Methodist  meeting  house 
out  iu  the  country  about  two  miles  from  the  Fenton  land. 
It  is  one  of  the  oldest  churches  in  the  county  and  there,  no 
doubt,  the  early  Fentons  worshipped  when  they  did  not 
go  to  (Jniontown,  twelve  miles  away.  In  the  old  grave- 
yard adjoining  the  meeting  house  are  the  graves  of  some  of 
the   Lawrences,  among  them   Thornton    Lawrence,   son   of 


FEXTOX   FAMILY   HISTORY  25 

William  and  Patience  Lawrence.  The  original  meeting 
house  was  a  one  and  one-half  story  structure  buill  of  logs 
and  aboul  30x30.  It  has  been  removed  and  a  new  one  erect- 
ed; hut  the  original  logs  can  he  seen  near  there.  Very  like- 
ly Jeremiah  Fenton,  Si-.,  and  John  Lawrence  were  buried 
in  the  graveyard  there.  Mos1  of  the  old  stones  are  too  dim 
to  read.  About  two  miles  from  the  Hopewell  M.  K.  Church 
and  cemetery  is  located  on  land  of  the  Homers  the  "West 
Bend"  cemetery.  It  is  a  later  one,  and  in  it  I  found  the 
graves  of  several  of  the  Lawrences,  including  Patience, 
William  and  John  Lawrence,  sister  and  brothers  of  Rosan- 
nah  Lawrence.  The  country  from  Brownsville  to  the 
Fenton  land  and  on  to  [Jniontown  is  much  like  thai  in 
Adams  county,  near  Winchester,  except  that  it  is  rougher 
and  more  hilly.  There  are  some  very  line  farms  and  well 
kept  houses  and  barns  in  that  part  of  the  country.  It  musl 
have  been  a  pleasant  place  to  live  in  in  the  early  days,  espe- 
cially before  the  heavy  timber  was  cut  down. 

FAYETTE  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA,  IN  THE 
EARLY  DAYS. 

It  mighl  be  well  at  this  point  to  give  a  little  space  to 
the  early  history  of  Fayette  county  during  the  years  the 
Lentous  lived  there,  from  17*4  to  1709. 

Uniontown,  formerly  Beesons'  town,  the  county  seat  of 
Fayette  county,  was  laid  out  in  177<i.  The  county  was 
organized  in  17S4,  hut  the  first  court  was  held  in  L783. 
The  first  meeting  house  was  built  in  1785,  being  a  log 
house  35x70;  the  first  postoffice  was  established   in    17!)4. 

METHODISTS  IN  FAYETTE  COUNTY. 

The  Redstone  Circuit  was  established  by  the  Baltimore 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  17S4;  it 
included  all  of  Pennsylvania  west  of  the  Alleghany  moun- 
tains. The  first  General  Conference  of  this  denomination 
was  held  at  Uniontown  and  the  First  M.  E.  Church  al 
Uniontown  was  the  first  .Methodist  Church  buill  west  of 
the  Alleghany  mountains.     It  was  one  of  the  five  ureal  cen- 


26  FENTON  FAMILY   HISTORY 

ters  from  which  Methodism  spread  forth..  Francis  Asbury 
was  the  Hist  bishop  of  the  .Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
this  country. 

On  July  7,  list,  this  great  man  preached  to  seven  hun- 
dred people  nt  Qniontown.  This  was  a  large  assemblage, 
considering  how  few  settlers  were  then  in  the  county.  In 
all  probability  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sr.,  and  all  of  his  family 
were  at  this  meeting,  for  they  were  fervent,  devout  Meth- 
odists and  lived  1ml  twelve  mi les  distant.  Nothing  bui  ab- 
solute inability  would  have  kept  them  away  from  hearing 
Asbury. 

BISHOP  ASBURY. 

In  the  present  Methodist  Church  at  Uniontown  there  is 
a  memorial  window  on  which  is  inscribed  as  follows: 
"Rev.  Francis  Asbury,  Pioneer  Bishop  of  the  M.  E.  ( 'hurch. 
Born  in  England  1745,  Missionary  to  America,  1784.  Died 
in  Virginia,  1816.  Traveled  270,000  miles.  Preached 
LG,500  sermons,  and  ordained  4,000  ministers." 

REDSTONE-BROWNSVILLE. 

At  Redstone  was  located,  on  an  eminence,  the  old  Indian 
fort,  and  at  this  point  the  government  kept  stationed  two 
gunboats.  The  first  home  in  Redstone  was  built  in  1770, 
but  there  were  a  few  settlers  near  there  as  early  as  1768. 

In  1785  Redstone  Old  Fort  was  platted  into  the  town  of 
Brownsville  by  Thomas  Brown.  Here  were  then  located 
whisky  distilleries.  They  are  still  there,  busy  making  the 
well-known  Monongahela  Rye.  In  those  days  and  for  many 
years  thereafter,  it  was  thought  the  harvest  could  not  be 
gathered  without  a  jug  of  Monogahela  ry<\  Nearly  every- 
one drank  a  little.  Very  appropriately,  one  of  the  streets 
in  Redstone  was  called  Grog  Lane,  and  one  Whisky  Path, 
it  was  here  that  the  whisky  insurrection  was  started 
against  the  government  in  1701.     It  terminated  in  1704. 

When  the  Fentons  settled  there  the  whole  of  Fayette 
county  was  a  dense,  interminable  and  almost  impenetrable 


FENTON  FAMILY   HISTORY  27 

natural  forest.  There  were  sugar  camps  galore  and  all 
kinds  of  the  very  finest  hardwood  timber.  The  land  being 
so  heavily  timbered,  formed  a  convenient  retreat  for  rob- 
bers, and  there  were  many  robberies  throughout  the  coun- 
try during  those  early  days. 

It  was  in  this  county  during  the  French  and  Indian  war 
that  Washington  won  and  lost  his  first  battles. 

During  these  early  days  slaves,  from  two  to  eighteen  to 
the  family,  were  owned  by  many  of  the  families  who  could 
afford  them;  and  manacled  slaves  were  frequently  taken 
through  Brownsville,  from  Virginia,  on  the  way  to  Ken- 
tucky or  Tennessee.  The  law  required  to  be  published  the 
names  of  those  holding  slaves.  The  writer  has  examined 
the  lists  and  found  no  Fentons  or  Lawrences  among  slave 
owners. 

In  the  days  when  the  Fentons  lived  there  many  of  the 
inhabitants  were  (dad  in  the  skins  of  animals.  In  the 
"History  of  Fayette  County"  is  the  story  of  a  boy  who  on 
the  appearance  of  two  travelers  at  the  gate,  the  Rev.  James 
Finlev  and  Philip  Tanner,  ran  forth  to  his  father  and  ex- 
claimed :  "Pap!  Pa])!  There  be  two  great  men  out  there. 
I  know  it  because  they've  got  their  boots  on."  This  story 
illustrates  pretty  well  how  simply  most  of  the  people  musi 
have  been  (dad  during  those  times. 

Great  interest  was  taken  in  all  religious  meetings  and 
the  .Methodist  Church  seemed  to  have  the  lead  over  other 
denominations.  Singing  schools  flourished  all  over  the 
county. 

Brownsville  was  one  of  the  important  points  west  of  the 
Alleghanies.  There  travelers  from  the  east,  carrying  their 
loads  with  pack  horses,  ended  their  hard  journey  over  the 
mountains;  and  there  they  embarked  on  the  Monongahela 
river  for  the  West — Ohio,  Indiana,  Kentucky  and  Ten- 
nessee. 

The  National  Pike  from  Washington  to  Columbus,  Ohio, 
passes  through  Uniontown  and  on  to  Brownsville.     Pari  o! 


28  FENTON  FAMILY   HISTORY 

it  was  surveyed  by  George  Washington  and  along  this  road 
for  many  years,  and  until  even  after  railroads  were  built 
across  the  mountains,  there  was  a  constant  stream  <>f  emi- 
grants  from  Virginia  and  other  eastern  stales,  bound  for 
the  West. 


CHAPTER     TWO 


JEREMIAH  FENTON,  JR.,  AND  FAMILY. 

JEREMIAH  FENTON,  JR.  (1764-1841).— The  writer 
has  gone  info  detail  to  show  the  character  of  the  times,  the 
conditions  and  the  environments  in  Fayette  county  under 
which  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Jr.,  lived  between  the  ages  of 
twenty  and  thirty-five,  fifteen  very  important  rears  in  his 
life. 

HIS  OCCUPATION. 

How  he  occupied  his  time  we  know  very  little.  However, 
he  wax  likely  busy  enough  chopping  down  the  heavy  timber 
and  farming  the  small  piece  of  land  which  he  rented,  no 
doubt  from  his  brother  Samuel  or  from  John  Lawrence, 
his  father-in-law. 

He  was  also,  during  this  rime,  an  exhorter  in  the  }Ieth- 
odist  Episcopal  Church,  being  inspired  to  this  work  in  all 
human  probability  by  the  eloquent  and  fiery  sermons  of 
Bishop  Asbury.  While  his  opportunities  for  obtaining  an 
education  were  meager,  still,  in  order  to  be  an  exhorter.  he 
must  have  been  a  fairly  well  educated  man,  with  a  good 
command  of  the  English  language,  and  a  considerable 
knowledge  of  the  Scriptures. 

HIS  MARRIAGE. 

In  about  the  year  ITS!)  he  married  Rosannah  Lawrence, 
daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  Lawrence.  She  was  his 
first  cousin,  which  is  a  fact  regretfully  recorded;  and  this 
means  either  that  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sr.,  married  a  sister 
of  John  Lawrence  or  that  John  Lawrence  married  a  sister 
of  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sr.,  or  that  the  wives  of  John  Law- 
rence and  Jeremiah  Fenton.  Sr.,  were  sisters. 

The  writer's  authority  for  stating  that  Jeremiah  Fenton. 


JEREMIAH    I'KXTOX,   JR.,   AND   FAMILY 

Jr.,  married  his  firsl  cousin  is  James  K.  Fenton,  a  man  of 
fine  memory,  thoroughly  posted  on  early  Fenton  history. 
!  1 1   say  s : 

"As  genera]  information  I  know  they  were  first  cousins; 
li,i\  ,•  heard  ii  spoken  of  by  i  he  older  members  of  our  family 

and  by  ■  relatives,  and  I  know  it  is  true  as  much  as  I 

Lii«>\\  anything  thai  I  cannol  swear  to.  Brother  Sam  was 
always  angry  aboul  grandfather  marrying  his  cousin." 

Hereinafter  is  given  a  short  sketch  of  Etosannah  Law- 
pence  and  i he  Lawrence  family. 

MOVES  TO  KENTUCKY  IN  1799. 

In  the  spring  of  L799  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Jr.,  gave  up  his 
residence  in  Fayette  county;  and  placing  himself  and  fam- 
ily, then  composed  of  his  wife  and  four  small  children, 
William,  Elizabeth,  Delilah  and  John,  and  his  few  be- 
longings upon  a  community  flat  boat,  he  embarked  ai 
Brownsville,  on  the  Monongahela  river,  upon  his  journey 
toward  a  new  home  in  Kentucky,  whither  his  brother  Sam- 
uel had  already  preceded  him. 

Slowly  and  peacefully  he  floated  down  the  Monongahela 
river  through  the  presenl  Pittsburg  iron  and  coal  district, 
now  called  "America's  [ndustrial  Empire,"  to  Pittsburg, 
thence  wesl  and  south  down  the  Ohio  river  to  Limestone, 
now  Maysville,  Kentucky,  where  he  and  his  family  disem- 
barked.    The   route  traversed   along  the  Monongahela   is 

said  1  o  1 1.-  ••  w  ii  1 1  exaggeration  the  mosl  interesl  ing  valley 

in  the  United  States.  On  all  sides  the  beautiful  green  hills, 
ever-changing  as  the  boal  winds  around  the  bend.  Words 
cannol  describe  the  beautiful  scenery."  The  pioneers  com- 
ing down  the  Monongahela  and  Ohio  rivers  musl  have  pre- 
sented ;i  grand  sight. 

1 1  w  mi  Li  be  interesting  to  know  the  thoughts  in  the  mind 
of  Jeremiah  Fenton  ;is  lie  proceeded  on  ins  way.  lie  may 
have  given  more  thought  to  the  experiences  of  a  pioneer 
awaiting  him  in  his  nrw  Kentucky  home  than  to  the  old 
home  he  was  leaving,  or  to  the  scenery  around  him.  Little 
did  hi'  think  ;is  lie  journeyed  on  his  way  that  beneath  all 
the  land  around   Brownsville  were  vast  quantities  of  o-as 


JEREMIAH   FEXTOX,   JR.,   AND   FAMILY  3t 

and  oil,  and  nine  and  ten  fool  veins  of  The  finest  coking 
coal;  or  that  within  a  century  the  coal  rights  alone  would 
be  sold  for  $2,000  an  acre;  or  thai  immense  coking  furnaces 
would  l>t"  burning  night  and  day  <>n  nearly  every  farm  with- 
in a  radius  of  ten  miles  from  Brownsville;  or  thai  the  citi- 
zens of  Brownsville  would  use  natural  gas  for  lighl  and 
fuel;  or  that  practically  every  foot  of  ground  of  the  fifty- 
seven  miles  from  Brownsville  to  Pittsburg,  along  both 
banks  of  the  river  wTould  be  covered  with  steel  mills ;  or  thai 
the  county  would  be  densely  populated  with  ignorant  Hun- 
garians, Slavs,  Italians  and  other  aliens.  Nevertheless  all 
of  these  things  came  to  pass  and  exist  there  today.  But 
even  had  he  known  of  the  rich  minerals  beneath  thai  land 
and  of  the  wonderful  future  for  thai  comity  he  could  nol 
have  availed  himself  of  their  value  at  that  early  date. 

The  story  is  handed  down  that  as  his  tlathoat  was  pro- 
ceeding down  the  Ohio  river  a  rude,  inquisitive  guy  stand- 
ing on  tin  hank  of  the  river  asked  Jeremiah  Fenton  whence 
he  came  and  whither  he  was  hound.  He  answered,  "Red- 
stone to  Limestone.*'  Thereupon  this  curious  stranger 
called  back:  "Well,  yon  are  a  devil  of  a  hard  set."  It  is 
likely  that  he  and  his  family,  and  goods,  did  nut  presenl  a 
very  attractive  appearance  at  this  time. 

Samuel  Fenton,  In-other  of  Jeremiah,  was  already  in 
Kentucky,  having  settled  there,  in  .Mason  county,  in  aboul 
L790,  and  this  is  likely  what  induced  .Jeremiah  to  leave  bis 
Pennsylvania  home  and  pioneer  it  in  Kentucky. 

Jeremiah,  Jr.,  with  his  family  disembarked  at  Limestone, 
now  Maysville,  Kentucky,  and  settled  in  Mason  county 
siboul  two  miles  from  Germantown  and  12  miles  from 
Maysville,  and  near  his  brother  Samuel.  Delilah  fenton. 
daughter  of  Jeremiah,  was  heard  to  remark  that  the  fan. 
ilv  lived  in  Bracken  county.  This  is  likely  a  mistake. 
Bracken  county  was  established  in  1T'.»T  and  from  then 
until  tiie  presenl  time  the  records,  which  have  been 
searched,  do  no1  show-  the  name  of  Jeremiah  Fenton.  <>n 
the  contrary  the  records  of  Mason  county  show  that  lie 
received  a  (\n'i\  to  so  acres  <»t'  land  from  Lewis  Craig  ami 
wife,   in   L809,  and   that    lie  and   his   wife.  "Rose"   Fenton, 


32 


JEREMIAH   FENTON,  JR.,  AND  FAMILY 


deeded  this  Land  to  William  Field,  December  13,  1815. 
Anyone  interested  in  seeing  just  where  he  lived  in  Mason 
county  can  gel  a  clue  from  the  description  of  the  land  in 
this  deed.  Of  course  i1  is  not  certain  he  lived  on  that  land, 
hut  it  is  more  than  likely  he  did,  because  he  was  not  well 
enough  off  to  own  more  than  this  80  acres,  which  he  likely 
boughl  on  payments  when  he  settled  there. 

The  writer  regrets  he  has  been  unable  personally  to  visit 
Mason  county,  Kentucky,  to  learn  something  more  of  the 

IVnloiis  1  here. 

ON  TO  ADAMS  COUNTY,  OHIO. 

At  the  time  when  the  Fentons  lived  in  Kentucky,  slavery 
prevailed  and  on  account  of  his  distaste  for  slavery,  and 
unwilling  to  raise  his  children  in  a  slave  state,  Jeremiah 
Fenton,  in  about  the  year  1806,  moved  with  his  family 
across  the  Ohio  river  and  settled  in  Adams  county,  Ohio, 
on  a  farm  of  about  200  acres,  near  Winchester,  now  known 
as  the  "Aunt  Lilah  Farm."  His  brother,  Samuel,  had 
preceded  him  also  to  Ohio  and  had  already  settled  on  Gift 
Ridge,  near  West   Union,  in  Adams  county. 

CLEARING  THE  FOREST. 

Practically  every  rod  of  the  land  on  which  he  settled  in 
Adams  county  was  then  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of 
heavy  limber.  We  of  the  present  day  can  have  little  con- 
ception of  the  hardships  and  difficulties  met  and  overcome 
by  pioneers  in  a  timbered  county.  Nothing  could  be  raised 
to  live  on  until  the  trees  were  cut  down  and  the  ground 
cleared.  To  cul  down  one  tree  would  be  a  difficulty  for 
some  of  the  presenl  day  Fentons,  bul  to  cul  down  hundreds 
of  giant,  hardwood  trees  would  seem  to  us  almost  impos- 
sible. Jeremiah  Fenton  with  the  help  of  his  boys,  particu- 
larly his  son  John,  chopped  down  many  hundreds  of  im- 
mense oak,  walnut,  ash,  beech,  sugar  maple,  hickory,  and 
other  trees,  and  cleared  perhaps  L50  acres  of  land  into  a 
beautiful  farm.  The  woods  must  have  been  ringing  for 
\  i;i  rs  with  i  he  sound  of  I  he  ax  as  acre  after  acre  of  ground 


JEREMIAH   FENTON,  JR.,  AND  FAMILY  33 

was  cleared  for  cultivation.  After  the  trees  were  mi  down 
there  still  remained  the  necessity  of  getting  rid  of  the 
timber  and  brush  to  clear  the  ground.  The  neighbors 
were  invited  in  and  immense  heaps  of  logs  were  rolled  to- 
gether and  burned.  This  was  called  a  "log  rolling."  Log 
rollings  were  common  in  those  days  and  there  was  plenty  of 
fun  along  with  The  work. 

Think  of  the  sheet  of  Haines  rising  into  the  heaven-  and 
die  ruddy  sky  at  night  when  those  log  heaps  were  burning 
brightly.  Think  of  the  immense,  untold  property  loss  when 
millions  on  millions  of  feet  of  the  very  finest  hardwood 
timber  were  reduced  to  ashes.  Benjamin  Fenton,  next  to 
the  youngest  son  of  Jeremiah,  stated  before  he  died  that 
the  timber  necessarily  destroyed  on  his  own  farm  might, 
even  while  he  yet  lived,  have  been  sold  for  $25,000. 

There  is.  in  Adams  county,  plenty  id'  rich  land,  especially 
in  tin-  creek  bottoms,  but  that  on  which  our  ancestor  set- 
tled was  rather  poor  land.  His  love  of  nature  likely  moved 
him  to  build  his  home  in  the  heart  of  a  mighty  forest,  ami 
in  a  hilly  country;  a  country  as  beautiful  to  the  eye.  per- 
haps,  as  any  on  which  the  sun  sheds  his  radiance.  Here 
was  at  hand  wild  fruit  and  berries,  and  plenty  of  game  for 
fond,  the  skins  thereof  for  clothing,  and  wool  for  fuel. 
All  that  was  lacking  in  order  to  live  was  bread  and  sail. 
The  bread  (corn  or'  wheat)  could  he  taken  out  of  the 
ground  ;  the  salt  was  not  so  easy  to  get  and  cost  eighl  to  ten 
cents  a  pound  at  the  nearest  place,  which  was  the  Scioto 
salt   lick. 

Farming  at  this  time  was  quite  different  from  today. 
Then  there  were  no  riding  plows,  self-binders,  telephones, 
rural  free  deliveries  of  mail,  pike  roads  or  automobiles,  li 
took  patience  and  skill  to  manage  the  old-fashioned,  nar- 
row plow,  winding  around  the  big  stumps,  running  into 
snags  and  roots,  up  hill  ami  down  liill ;  and  the  work  in  har- 
vest time  was  hard  indeed.  We  can  picture  k>  ourselves 
this  brave  man.  his  sons  dose  behind,  sweeping  down  the 
dewy  fields  with  the  old-fashioned  scythe  and  cradle,  in 
wade  swaths,  laying  low  t  lie  golden  grain. 


34  JEREMIAH   FENTON,   JR.,   AND   FAMILY 

HIS  NEW  HOME  A  PREACHING  PLACE. 

Be  built  for  himself  a  two-story  house  of  hewn  logs, 
ceiled  within  and  weatherboarded  without.  It  was  quite 
a  pretentious  and  comfortable  building  for  the  times.  For 
years,  as  early  as  1810,  and  earlier,  his  home  was  a  regular 
Methodisl  preaching  place.  Here  all  ministers  of  the 
gospel  passing  his  way  were  kindly,  lovingly  and  hospit- 
ably entertained,  lodged  and  fed.  The  table  was  tilled  with 
good  things:  wheat  and  corn  bread,  hominy,  honey,  maple 
syrup,  Irish  and  sweet  potatoes,  squirrel,  chicken,  wild 
turkey,  venison,  bear  meat  and  other  wild  game.  This 
region  in  these  early  days  abounded  with  game.  In  Evans 
and  Stivers'  History  of  Adams  county  is  found  this  state- 
ment :  "As  late  as  1820  bears,  catamounts,  wolves  and  wild 
cats  were  plentiful  in  this  region." 

RELIGIOUS  SERVICES. 

While  Ins  occupation  was  that  of  farming  Jeremiah  Fen- 
ton  found  time  for  spiritual  things.  lie  served  as  class 
leader;  was  a  splendid  singer  of  the  old  hymns  and  he  con- 
tinued as  an  exhorter  in  the  Methodist  Church. 

On  summer  days,  many  of  the  religious  services  must 
have  been  lield  in  the  open  air,  and  it  surely  was  an  inspira- 
tion, to  hear  that  sturdy  pioneer's  musical  voice  echoing 
through  the  woods  and  over  the  liills  on  Sunday  mornings, 
while  exhorting  or  leading  class  meeting,  as  he  expounded 
the  Scriptures  and  lined  out,  and  lead  in  singing,  the  good 
old  hymns,  h  is  said  he  knew  bv  heart,  and  could  sinjj; 
well,  even  hymn  in  the  Methoilisi  hymnal.  In  1830  he 
joined  in  as  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Winchester  Meth- 
odisl Church,  the  In-st  church  in  thai  town.  As  an  ex- 
horter he  had  the  fiery  zeal  of  the  true  preacher. 

PERSONAL  APPEARANCES— KEEPSAKES. 

From  the  little  we  know  of  his  personal  appearance,  he 
ninsi  have  made  a  commanding  figure.  He  was  tall,  mus- 
cular, and  spare  in  Mesh  ami  his  head  was  so  large  he  had  to 
have  his  hats  made  to  order.     From  Ids  son-in-law,  Joseph 


JEREMIAH   FENTON,  JR.,  AND  FAMILY  35 

Eylar,  it  is  handed  down,  that  he  looked  like  General  Wil- 
liam Henry  Harrison.  He  was  strong  and  industrious  and 
is  said  to  have  been  the  equal  of  any  three  men  at  chopping 
wood. 

As  far  as  known,  the  only  keepsakes  left  by  Jeremiah 
Fenton,  and  now  in  existence,  arc  his  large  fell  hat,  now 
in  the  possession  of  the  writer,  and  his  pack  saddle,  now  in 
the  custody  of  Henry  X.  Baker,  at  Winchester,  Ohio.  On 
this  saddle  it  is  said  he  carried  salt  over  the  mountains 
from  Baltimore  to  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania. 

Contented  with  his  lot  and  satisfied  with  his  place  of 
abode,  he  continued  to  occupy  the  identical  farm  on  which 
he  first  settled,  on  moving  to  Ohio,  until  the  time  of  his 
death  on  May  10,  1841.  The  world  was  better  for  his  hav- 
ing lived  in  it  and  he  surely  exerted  a  strong  influence  for 
good  in  the  community  in  which  he  resided.  He  was  buried 
in  the  graveyard  at  Winchester,  and  a  stone  marks  his 
grave.  On  the  stone  is  inscribed:  "Died  .May  10,  1841,  of 
the  age  of  77  years."  From  this  we  know  he  was  born  iu 
1704. 

ROSANNAH  LAWRENCE  (1768-1845),  WIFE  OF  JERE- 
MIAH FENTON. 

Concerning  Rosannah  Lawrence,  his  wife,  little  is  known. 
At  her  death  she  left  a  paper,  now  yellow  and  faded,  on 
which  was  written  the  following: 

"Rosannah  Laurence,  the  daughter  of  John  Laurence 
and  Catherine  Laurence,  his  wife,  was  born  October  3d  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  1768."  This  paper  was  very  carefully 
kept  by  her  son,  George  Fenton,  then  after  his  death  by 
her  daughter,  Delilah,  and  after  her  death  by  her  grand- 
daughter, Aunt  Cal  Baker,  and  is  now  in  the  custody  of 
the  hitter's  surviving  husband,  Henry  N.  Baker. 

The  name  is  generally  spelled  Lawrence,  but  occasion- 
ally, both  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  Laurence. 

JOHN  LAWRENCE,  FATHER  OF  ROSANNAH. 

Her  father,  John  Lawrence,  was  a  well  to  do  man.  He 
was  a  neighbor  in  Favette  county  to  the  Fentons  and  to 


36  JEREMIAH   FENTON,  JR.,   AND  FAMILY 

William  Horner,  whose  descendants  intermarried  with 
both  the  Fentons  and  Lawrences.  In  the  "History  of  Pay- 
ette County,"  page  638,  it  is  stated:  "In  1702,  John  Law- 
rence located  land  west  of  William  Hammond."  This  docs 
not  mean  he  first  settled  in  Fayette  county  in  17!>2,  for  he 
was  one  of  those  who  in  1784  petitioned  for  a  public  road, 
and  the  road,  as  laid  out,  passed  his  land.  Furthermore 
he  was  taxed  for  150  acres  of  land  and  for  valuable  persona] 
property  in  1785.  The  records  also  show  he  received  two 
land  warrants  from  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  dated  July 
11,  1792,  one  I'm-  218-1  '2  acres  and  the  other  for  I'll)'  \  acres, 
the  price  of  the  land  being  'Men  pounds  per  100  acres,  pay- 
able in  gold,  silver,  paper  money  of  this  state  or  certifi- 
cates." These  land  warrants  of  L792  are  no  doubt  the  foun- 
dation for  the  statement  in  said  history  that  he  located  in 
1 702. 

John  Lawrence  made  his  will  in  L809,  but  it  was  not  pro- 
bated until  March  10,  1818.  A  copy  of  this  will  is  set  out 
on  another  page  herein.  It  is  likely  that  he  died  bite  in 
1817  or  very  early  in   1818. 

We  learn  from  this  will  that  he  had  four  sons :  William, 
bom  October  23,  177.~>;  .John,  born  August  8,  177X;  George 
and  Samuel,  and  three  daughters:  Rosannah,  who  was 
married  to  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Jr.;  Catherine,  who  was  mar- 
ried to  Ephraim  Horner,  and  Mary,  who  was  married  to 
Amos  Frost.  The  records  do  not  show  the  maiden  names 
of  the  wives  of  the  sons,  but  deeds  of  record  do  show  their 

-iv('"  " es  as  follows:     Wife  of  William,  Patience;  wife 

of  John,  Elizabeth;  wife  of  George,  Sarah.  Samuel  Law- 
rence died,  intestate,  January  1,  1820,  and  there  is  no  rec- 
ord of  his  having  had  a  wife. 

'I'he  reader  may  wonder  if  .John  Lawrence  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  writer  believes  that  he 
was. 

'Idie  ceroids  of  nmt  wnr  show  that  John  Lawrence  was  a 
sergeant    in   Captain  Jack's  Company,   Eighth    Battalion, 

Cumberland  ( '< ty,  Pennsylvania,  Militia,  but  the  proof 

is  circumstantial  that  John  Lawrence,  soldier,  is  the  same 


JEREMIAH   FENTON,  JR.,  AND  FAMILY  37 

as    John    Lawrence,    ancestor.      Circumstances,    however, 
strongly  indicate  this  identity. 

In  the  first  place  John  Lawrence  was  related  by  mar- 
riage to  Jeremiah  Fenton,  father  of  Jeremiah,  Jr.,  and 
Samuel  Fenton.  We  know  that  this  Samuel  Fenton  was  in 
the  Revolutionary  War  and  the  records  show  that  a  Samuel 
Fenton  was  a  soldier  in  the  Cumberland  County  Militia. 

Shortly  after  the  (dose  of  the  war,  John  Lawrence  and 
Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sr.,  with  his  sons,  Samuel  and  Jeremiah, 
Jr.,  settled  in  Luzerne  township  in  Fayette  county.  Penn- 
sylvania. This  was  in  about  the  year  17S4.  In  this  same 
year  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sr.,  Samuel  Fenton  and  John  Law- 
rence signed  a  petition  for  a  road  and  their  names  appear 
(dose  together  on  said  petition. 

These  Fentons  and  John  Lawrence  were  (lose  neighbors 
in  Fayette  comity  at  this  time  and  their  land  joined.  On 
the  Fayette  comity  tax  roll  of  ITS."),  for  which  the  assess- 
ment was  made  in  1TS4,  taxes  are  assessed  against  John 
Lawrence  on  150  acres  of  land  and  against  Samuel  Fenton 
on  200  acres  of  land.  This  may  he  land  these  men  received 
for  war  service.  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sr.,  was  too  old  for 
Revolutionary  War  service  and  did  not  own  land  at  this 
time,  or  at  all  so  far  as  is  known. 

The  association  of  the  names  of'  John  Lawrence  and 
Samuel  Fenton  in  the  Cumberland  County  Militia  and  the 
known  relationship  between  John  Lawrence  and  Sainuej 
Fenton  in  Fayette  county  and  the  other  facts  herein  stated 
lead  to  the  conclusion  that  John  Lawrence,  soldier,  was  in 
deed  John  Lawrence,  ancestor.  In  this  connection  the  fol- 
lowing statement  from  George  Acklin,  of  Pittsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, who  is  a  student  of  such  matters,  is  of  interest: 

"I  have  conferred  with  a  number  of  descendants  ol  John 
Lawrence,  and  am  satisfied  that  the  Luzerne  John  Lawrence 
is  the  Cumberland  County  man.  but  am  unable  to  get  bold  oi 
any  documentary  proofs." 

John  Lawrence  must  have  been  an  ambitions,  clever  and 
respectable  man.  It  is  common  tradition  anion--  the  Hom- 
ers, many  of  whom  still  live  in  that  locality,  that  in  order 
to  have  a  good  neighbor,  he  sent  to  Baltimore  for  his  old 


^S  JEREMIAH  FENTON,  JR.,  AND  FAMILY 

friend,  William  Horner,  to  move  out  to  Fayette  county 
and  reside  beside  him.  In  new  countries  there  are  always 
many  undesirable  citizens,  and  it  is  greatly  to  the  credit  of 
.John  Lawrence  that  he  took  such  pains  to  insure  good 
neighbors  for  himself,  his  wife  and  children  to  associate 
with.  That  he  was  one  of  Fayette  county's  most  respected 
citizens  is  the  tradition  among  the  Homers  even  to  the 
present  day. 

The  records  show  that  John  Lawrence  deeded  pari  of  his 
land  to  William  Horner,  March  3,  L798,  and  the  "History 
of  Fayette  County"  recites  that  "William  Borner  was  an 
old  settler  on  the  river." 

It  is  also  known  among  the  Borners  that  John  Lawrence 
was  a  fine  grower  of  fruit.  He  specialized  in  cherries  and 
succeeded  so  well  that  one  kind  of  cherry  he  raised  was 
named  the  '-John  Lawrence"  cherry. 

CATHERINE  LAWRENCE,  MOTHER  OF  ROSANNAH. 

Rosannah  Lawrence  was  horn  in  this  country,  hut  her 
mother,  Catherine,  was  horn  in  Germany,  being  of  German 
descent.  The  story  is  told  that  when  her  mother  set  sail, 
peach  trees  were  in  hlooni,  and  on  her  arrival  in  this  come 
try,  so  slow  was  the  voyage,  peaches  were  already  grown 
and  ripe.  She  took  passage  on  a  sailing  vessel  with  live 
hundred  on  hoard.  One-half  of  the  passengers  died  on  the 
way  over  and  were  buried  at  sea,  and  the  vessel  landed  with 
only  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  her  human  freight. 

<  'at  herine  Lawrence  had  hut  little  education,  for  the  (\i^'i\ 
records  show  that  she  could  not  write  her  own  name,  and 
signed  by  mark.  She  died  some  time  after  the  death  of  her 
husband,  John  Lawrence,  and  prior  to  1822.  In  the  letter 
of  William  Lawrence  to  Jeremiah  Fenton,  of  January  4, 
L818,  set  <mi  hereinafter,  he  says:  "Our  aged  mother  is 
poorly,  she  has  a  sirk  spell  every  day  or  two."  In  a  letter 
written  October  30,  1822,  he  makes  no  mention  of  his 
mother.  Me  would  have  mentioned  her  name  had  she  been 
still   living. 

H   is  not   known  when  or  where  John  Lawrence  and  his 


JEREMIAH   FENTON,   JR.,   AND   FAMILY  39 

wife,  Catherine,  were  wed,  nor  is  her  maiden  name  known. 
It  is  supposed  he  also  was  of  German  descent,  but  there  is 
no  proof  of  this,  except  thai  his  name  is  sometimes  spelled 
the  German  way,  "Laurence." 

It  is  from  the  will  of  John  Lawrence  we  are  aide  to  locate 
the  land  occupied  by  the  Teutons.  In  his  will  he  gives  to 
his  son  William  thai  pari  of  his  lands  which  said  son  then 
occupied  which  was  called  "Fenton's  old  place."  This  land 
was  later  deeded  to  the  Homers,  and  their  descendants  are 
still  in  possession  thereof.  Anyone  can  easily  drive  to  the 
very  land.     It  is  aboul  eighl  miles  out  from  Brownsville. 

Rosannah  Lawrence  was  of  medium  heighl  and  very 
spare;  and  it  is  said  her  head  was  uncommonly  small.  This 
is  interesting,  taken  in  connection  with  the  further  fact 
thai  her  husband's  head  was  uncommonly  large.  She  was 
noted  for  her  industry  and  for  her  thrift  and  (dose  economy, 
which  the  times  required.  Her  pioneer  life  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, Kentucky,  and  Ohio,  must  have  been  one  of  constant 
toil  ami  hardship,  for  in  addition  to  the  labor  of  bearing 
and  raising  eleven  children  and  the  ordinary  domestic 
duties  pertaining  to  the  work  of  a  farmer's  wife,  it  was  nec- 
essary for  her  to  spin  and  weave  the  woolen,  linen  and 
cotton  (doth,  to  be  made  by  her  into  wearing  apparel,  etc., 
for  her  family.  Probably  the  only  real  outing  she  ever  had 
was  a  horseback  trip  of  herself  and  husband  from  Adams 
county,  Ohio,  to  Layette  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  she 
went  on  a  visit  to  her  own  folks.  This  was  after  her  father 
died  in  1818,  or  aboul  twenty  years  after  she  had  left  the 
old  home  iii  17!t(.».  Think  of  anyone  making  such  a  long 
horseback  ride  in  these  days  of  steam  and  electric  cars,  au- 
tomobiles and  even  air  ships. 

Although  aide  to  speak  it.  she  was  seldom  heard  to  con- 
verse in  the  German  language.  Her  son,  William,  has 
handed  down  an  anecdote  on  this.  When  he  was  a  boy,  he 
was  once  walking'  along  the  highway  with  his  mother  and 
they  met  a  German  woman  with  whom  she  talked  in  Ger- 
man. This  was  the  only  time  her  son  William  heard  her 
speak  in  that  language.  In  her  later  years  she  was  injured 
by  a  fall  from  a  horse  which  she  was  riding  behind  her 


40  JEREMIAH  FENTON,  JR.,  AND  FAMILY 

son  Jerry  and  she  remained  a  cripple  in  the  hip  joint  the 
rest  of  her  life. 

She  died  on  September  25,  1845,  in  her  seventy-eighth 
year  and  lies  buried  at  Winchester  beside  her  husband. 

ISSUE  OF  JEREMIAH  FENTON  AND  ROSANNAH 
LAWRENCE. 

1.  William,  born  October  IS,  1700;  died  January  21, 
IS  TO. 

2.  Elizabeth,  born  1702;  died  January  23,  1835. 

3.  Delilah,  born  July  22,  1701;  (single)  died  March  13, 
1SS3. 

4.  John,  born  July  17,  1796;  died  November  30,  1855. 

5.  Jesse,  born  October  0,  1700;  died  February  1,  1860. 

0.  Catherine,  born  December  11,  1801;  died  September 
25,  1872. 

7.     Jeremiah,  born  1803;  died  September  12,  1801. 

s.  Mary  I  Polly),  born  Novembers,  1801;  died  January 
11,  1875. 

0.  George,  born  September  1,  1808;  (single)  died  Feb- 
ruary 20,  1801. 

10.  Benjamin,  born  August  31,  1810;  died  August  13, 
IS  70. 

11.  Joseph,  born  1815;  (single)  died  April  9,  1810. 


CHA  PTER   THRE  E 


WILLIAM  FENTON  FAMILY. 

WILLIAM   FENTON  (1790-1870)  was  the  oldest  of  the 

children  of  Jeremiah   Fenton.     He  was  horn   in   Fayette 

county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  only  nine  years  old  when 

his  father  moved  to  Mason  county,  Kentucky,  and  sixteen 

years  old  when  the  settlement  was  made  in  Adams  county, 

Ohio.    He  married  .Mary  |  Folly  i  Kendall  October  S,  1818, 

carried  all  his  belongings  on  a  chair  and  settled  on  a  farm 

of  511/)  acres  adjoining  the  "Aunt  Lilah"  place,  which  he 

got  of  his  father  March  2,  1819.     When  a  small  hoy  he  was 

ruptured  shouldering  a  sack  of  wheat.     This  incapacitated 

him  for  wood  chopping  and  heavy  farm  labor.    Thus  he  had 

spare  time  to  read  and  reflect.     He  would  read  and  study 

the  Bible  several  hours  daily  and  having  an  exceptional 

memory  he  became  thoroughly  versed  in  the  Scriptures  and 

in  general  history.    He  knew  the  good  book  better  than  the 

ministers  there  knew  it  and   it    was  common   for  them   to 

say:     "Well,   Father  Fenton,  you  are  better  posted   in  the 

Bible  than  I  am.'    He  told  his  son  James,  when  the  latter 

was  a  boy,  that  one  might  recite  any  verse  from  the  Bible 

and  he  could   tell   in   what  chapter  and  book   it   could   be 

found.     He  knew  most  of  the  Methodist  hymns  by  heart  and 

had  a  good  voice  for  singing.     He  was  a  member  of  the  .M. 

E.  Church  for  sixty  years.     His  home  was  a  regular  stop 

ping  place  for  preachers.     Here,  preaching,  class  meeting 

and  prayer  meeting  were  often  held.     He  was  uncommonly 

kind  and  generous  and  never  charged  anyone,  not   even  a 

peddler,  for  meals  or  lodging.     He  was  never  heard  to  utter 

a  profane  or  unclean  word  and  was  strictly  truthful.     In  a 

mild  way  he  rebuked  those  using  profanity  in  his  presence. 

He  was  of  a  nervous  temperament,  quick  to  resent,  bul  slow 

to  give  an  insult.    All  his  Ion-:  lib'  he  studied  and  defended 

the  Christian  religion. 


42  WILLIAM    PENTON    FAMILY 

He  enlisted  for  military  service  in  the  war  of  1S12.  He 
weni  to  Upper  Sandusky  and  on  reaching  there,  peace  was 
declared.  He  served  only  twenty-six  days,  and  for  this 
received  a  land  warrant.  This  he  gave  to  his  son  Jerry 
for  faithful  service  on  the  farm. 

lie  was  six  feet  tall  and  erect.  In  his  prime  he  weighed 
about  ISO  pounds,  lie  died  January  21,  1870,  and  is  buried 
in  the  Winchester  cemetery.  The  fitting  words:  "1  know 
that  my  Redeemer  liveth"  are  on  his  gravestone.  One  of 
the  Fentons  says  of  him:  "His  life  was  in  keeping  with 
his  profession — entirely  blameless." 

Polly  Kendall,  his  wife,  was  one  of  twenty-four  children. 
She  was  horn  in  1802.  Her  father's  name  was  James 
Kendall,  her  mother's  maiden  name  Knhama  Moore.  Polly 
Kendall  had  the  pleasure  of  being  married  by  her  father, 
then  a  justice  of  the  peace.  She  was  only  sixteen  when  she 
wed.  She  had  a  bright  mind  and  was  good  looking.  She 
was  fair,  and  had  long,  heavy,  slightly  auburn  hair.  In 
addition  to  the  work  of  raising  and  helping  to  provide  for 
eleven  children  she  was  sent  for  from  all  over  the  neighbor- 
hood to  attend  confinement  cases.  Often  no  doctor  was 
present  and  she  had  the  entire  responsibility.  She  never 
charged  or  was  paid  anything  for  this.  She  spun  and  wove 
Max  and  wool  with  her  own  hands,  and  made  the  (doth  into 
sheets,  towels,  grain  sacks,  and  table  cloths.  She  made 
linsey  dresses  for  the  women  and  jeans  clothing  for  the 
men.  She  (\yci\  the  (doth  beautiful  shades.  Of  course  she 
knit  for  the  whole  family.  With  the  old-fashioned  fireplace 
she  did  her  cooking,  and  sin1  was  a  good  cook.  Through  all 
Ikm-  Ihisy  toiling  life  she  kept  a  sweet  and  lovable  disposi- 
tion. She  was  a  member  of  the  .Methodist  Church  as  were 
all  her  family.  She  died  May  17,  1848,  and  is  buried  beside 
her  In  i  si  land. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  while  William  Fenton  had 
seven  daughters  and  four  sons,  his  father,  Jeremiah,  had 
seven  sons  and  four  daughters. 


WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY  43 

ISSUE  OF  WILLIAM  FENTON  AND  MARY  KENDALL, 

HIS  WIFE. 

Samuel  Lawrence,  born  July  30,  1819;  died  February 

12,  1892. 

Ruhama,  born  May  12,  1821;  died  February  25,  1848. 
Rose  Ann,  born  June  13,  1823;  died  April  26,  1873. 
Elizabeth,  born  April  9,  1825. 
Mary  (Polly)   Ann,  born  March  28,  1827;  died  August 

13,  1894. 

1  )elilah,  born  May  3,  1829  ;  died  September  5,  1907. 
Caroline,  born  June  10,  1832;  died  February  7,  1907. 
Jeremiah,  born  April  26,  1835. 
Rachel,  born  December  26,  1836. 
James  Kendall,  born  May  12,  1838. 
William  Baker,  bom  October  18,  1843. 


44 


WILLIAM    PENTON   FAMILY 


SAMUEL  LAWRENCE  FENTON  AND  FAMILY. 

SAMUEL  LAWRENCE  FENTON  (1819-1892)  was  one 
of  the  best  and  highest  types  of  the  Fentons,  mentally, 
morally,  physically.  His  brother,  James,  says:  "I  believe 
he  was  the  best  man  I  ever  knew;  and  lie  was  the  most 
brilliant  of  the  Fenton  men  I  have  known."  Being,  as  he 
was,  the  oldest  of  the  children  of  William  and  Polly  Fen- 
ton. and  his  father  none  too  strong,  the  heavy  burden  of  the 
farm  work,  and  the  management  of  the  farm  and  family, 


SAMUEL  LAWRENCE    KENTON 


fell  on  his  broad  shoulders.  To  the  younger  children  lie 
was  almost  a  father.  Before  his  marriage  he  directed  and 
carried  on  all  the  work  on  his  father's  farm.  lie  abhorred 
a  lazy  man  and  required  all  with  him  to  work  and  keep 
busy.  However,  he  never  failed  to  take  the  lead  and  do, 
noi  (inly  his  share,  but  more  than  his  fair  share,  of  the 
work.  He  was  a  man  of  intense  grit  and  determination 
and  was  reputed  one  of  the  very  best  farmers  in  Brown 
county,  Ohio.  His  horses,  cattle,  slice])  and  hogs  were  al- 
ways fat   and  of  the  best.     He  was  one  of  the  most  promi- 


WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY  45 

nent  and'  faithful  members  of  the  Mount  olivet  M.  E. 
Church,  near  Winchester,  and  was  a  class  leader  and  Sab- 
bath school  superintendent.  Prosperous  himself,  nothing 
pleased  him  more  than  to  see  his  kin  and  friends  prosper 
and  maintain  respectability. 

December  4,  1850,  he  married,  at  the  home  of  her  parents, 
on  Eagle  Creek,  Brown  county,  Ohio,  Hose  Anna  McXown, 
who  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  March 
1,  1816,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Margaret  McXown. 
Her  mother's  maiden  name  was  McNight.  Her  parents 
were  Scotch-Irish.  She  was  a  sister  of  Samuel  and  Robert 
James  McXown.  The  writer  regrets  he  has  not  more  space 
to  tell  of  dear  "Aunt  Rosy."  She  was  one  of  The  sweetest 
and  best  of  women.  She  was  industrious  and  a  very  earn- 
est, sincere  woman.  Both  she  and  Samuel  L.  Penton  died 
and  are  buried  at  Winchester.  "Aunt  Rose*'  died  March 
22,  1807. 


ISSUE  OF  SAMUEL  LAWRENCE  FENTON  AND  ROSE 

ANNA  McNOWN,  HIS  WIFE. 

George,  born  May  10,  1852;  died  December  5,  1852. 
Mary  Ann,  born  December   13,    1853;   died   August   20, 
1879. 

Caroline,  born  July  25,  1855. 

MARY  AXX  FENTON-KEYES  (1853-1879)  was  mar- 
ried to  Rev.  Edgar  Danforth  Keyes,  September  10,  1S77. 
He  was  born  in  New  York  City,  April  11,  lS4:i.  lie  gradu- 
ated from  Irving  Institute,  Tarrytown,  X.  Y.,  and  from 
Drew  Theological  Seminary,  Madison,  X.  Y.,  in  1876,  and 
at  once  entered  the  Cincinnati  M.  E.  Conference  and  has 
continued  in  the  Methodisl  ministry  since  then,  lie  is  a 
good  preacher.  Mary  Ann  Keyes  was  a  beautiful  woman. 
upright,  honorable,  industrious.  sAveet-natured.  It  was  sad 
she  should  be  taken  away  when  her  only  child  was  a  babe 
in  arms.  She  died  at  New  Market,  Ohio,  bnl  is  buried  in 
the  Winchester  cemetery. 


4G  WILLIAM    FENTON   FAMILY 

ISSUE   OF   MARY   ANN   FENTON-KEYES   AND    HUS- 
BAND, REV.  EDGAR  DANFORTH  KEYES. 

Earl  Fenton  Keyes;  horn  September  30,  1878. 

EARL  FENTON  KEYES  married  October  l!.">,  1905,  to 
Junetia  Kirkpatrick,  daughter  of  Robert  Stewarl  Kirk- 
patrick  and  Sarah  Agnes  Laird.  Ear]  Keyes  is  a  success- 
ful business  man,  carrying  on  a  furniture  store  and  under- 
taking establishment  at  North  Liberty,  Ohio.  Be  married 
into  one  of  Cherry  Forks'  best  families. 

ISSUE  OF  EARL  FENTON  KEYES  AND  JUNETIA 
KIRKPATRICK. 

Robert  Edgar  Keyes;  horn  August  18,  1908. 

CAROLINE  FENTON-WILSON  (1855)  was  married 
at  the  home  of  her  parents,  November  28,  1878, 
to  Cornelius  Stevenson  Wilson,  son  of  John  Wil- 
liam Wilson  and  Harriet  Stevenson,  both  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  Cornelius  Wilson  is  a  grower  of  line 
tobacco  on  the  old  farm  once  owned  by  his  father-in-law  on 
Eagle  Creek,  five  miles  from  Winchester,  Ohio.  He  is  a 
genial,  kind-hearted  man.  Callie  Wilson  is  an  industrious, 
ambitious,  Lovable  woman.  Her  health  has  not  been  good 
of   late. 

ISSUE  OF  CAROLINE  FENTON-WILSON   AND   HUS- 
BAND, CORNELIUS  STEVENSON  WILSON. 

Belle  Fenton,  horn  December  4,  1880. 
Arthur  Lawrence,  horn  November  28,  1882  (single). 
Rosa  Lee,  born  October  15,  1885  (single). 
George  Henry,  born  October  19,  1892  (single). 

BELLE  FENTON  WILSON  (1880)  was  wed  to  Benja- 
min Kennedy  Kendall,  Augusl  :*>,  1904.  He  was  horn  Octo- 
ber 1  L  1X74,  a  son  of  -lames  Kendall  and  .Mary  Kennedy 
Kendall.     He  runs  a  harness  store  at  Winchester. 


WILLIAM    FEXTOX   FAMILY  47 

ISSUE  OF  BELLE  FENTON  WILSON  AND  HUSBAND, 
BENJAMIN  KENNEDY   KENDALL. 

George  Wilson;  born  August  20,  1905. 
Mary  ( 'arolyn  ;  born  November  8,  11>0T. 

ARTHUR  LAWRENCE  WILSON  (1882)  and  ROSA 
LEE  WILSON  (1885)  arc  both  school  teachers  and  single. 
They  arc  clever  and  bright-minded  and  live  with  their 
parents  near  Winchester.  Rosa  Lee  is  a  noted  Eagle  ("reek 
beauty,  and  an  unspoiled,  charming  gir]  as  well. 


4S 


WILLIAM    FENTON   FAMILY 


RUHAMA  FENTON-HORNER  AND  FAMILY. 

RUHAMA  FENTON-HORNER  (1821-1848)  was  a 
handsome  woman  with  beautiful  auburn  hair,  though  deli- 
cate in  body.  She  was  naturally  refined  and  of  a  lovable 
disposition.  She  was  industrious  beyond  her  strength. 
She  was  married  to  Bennett  Horner  January  1!),  1843.  He 
was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  10, 
ISO",  and  died  April  2,  1860.  He  was  a  son  of  Ephraim 
and  Catherine  Horner.  Ruhama  Fenton  died  when  but  26 
years  old.  On  her  death-bed  she  had  her  sister  Rachel  read 
to  her  from  the  llolv  word. 


ISSUE  OF  RUHAMA  FENTON-HORNER  AND  HUS- 
BAND, BENNETT  HORNER. 

Harriett;  born  March  12,  1844. 

Nelson;  born  October  8,  1846;  died  June  13,  1848. 


HARRIETT   HORNEB   REES 


HARRIETT     HORNER-REES     (1844)     was    married 
November  30,   1865,  in  Adams  county,  Ohio,  to  dames  M. 

,{l',,s<  s I"  Amos  and  Mary  Rees.     He  was  born  October 

7,  1837,  died  March  31,  1893.     Harriet  Rees  lives  at  Win- 


WILLIAM   FENTON    FAMILY  19 

Chester,  <)hi<>.  He  operated  a  flouring  mill  most  of  his  ac- 
tive life.  Harriett  Rees  is  no1  only  a  lovely,  Christian  wom- 
an, but  a  very  fine  cook,  also. 

ISSUE  OF  HARRIETT  HORNER-REES  AND  HUS- 
BAND, JAMES  M.  REES. 

Truman.;  horn  June  2,  1870. 

Luln  Elizabeth ;  born  October  26,  1873. 

Lida  Rose;  born  July  24,  1877. 

TRUMAN  REES  (1870)  married  -Mary  A.  Platter 
March  i*:'..  1891.  She  was  born  March  23,  1871,  a  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Ruth  Platter. 

ISSUE    OF    TRUMAN    REES    AND    WIFE,    MARY    A. 

PLATTER. 

James  Montgomery;  horn  June  13,  1893. 
Wenona  Louis;  horn  January  22,  1000. 

LULU  ELIZABETH  REES-McMILLAN  (1873)  mar- 
ried November  22,  L894,  to  Reuben  Arthur  McMillan,  a 
traveling  salesman,  who  was  horn  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
April  10,  1869.  lie  is  a  son  of  Edwin  McMillan  ami  Rachel 
Elizabeth  IVnnvw  in,  ami  now  lives  at  Little  Rock.  Arkan- 
sas. 

ISSUE  OF  LULU  ELIZABETH  REES-McMILLAN  AND 
REUBEN  ARTHUR  McMILLAN. 

Reuben  Rees;  born  January  13,  1896;  died  Nov.  8,  L904. 
Edwin  Merrill; born  December 24,  L898. 

LTDA  ROSE  REES-SHORT  ilSTTi  married  June  11. 
100.~>.  to  Ernest  Short,  born  November  L2,  L877,  ;i  son  of 
Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Short.     Mr.  Shorl   has  been  a  bank 

clerk  and  now  lives  at  Winchester,  Ohio. 


CO  WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY 

ROSE  ANN  FENTON-HORNER  AND  FAMILY. 

ROSE  ANN  FENTON-HORNER  (1823-1873).  The  fol- 
lowing sketch  of  her  life  is  furnished  by  James  K.  Fehton  : 
"I  never  saw  her  equal  for  ambition  and  industry.  She 
could  do  more  and  better  work  than  any  woman  I  ever  saw, 
without  exception.  She  was  a  Christian  woman,  a  good 
mother,  ami  lived  without  a  stain  on  her  character."  She 
was  married  to  Bennett  Horner,  at  her  father's  home,  Oc- 
tober 4,  1849.    She  was  such  an  excellent  butter  maker  thai 


ROSE  ANN   HORNEIi 

the  llillsboro  hole!  keeper,  Sparks,  drove  to  her  home,  a 
distance  of  twenty  miles,  to  buy  her  butter.  She  died  of 
blood  poisoning  in  her  hand,  the  result  of  cleaning  and  cut- 
i  ing  up  a  partridge. 

ISSUE  OF  ROSE  ANN  FENTON  HORNER  AND  HUS- 
BAND, BENNETT  HORNER. 

Joseph;  born  November  8,  ixr><);  died  July  3,  1856. 
William ;  born  October  31,  1852. 


WILLIAM   FENTOX   FAMILY  5J 

Janies;  born  September  10,  1854;  died  July  31,  1896. 
John;  born  January  4,  1857. 
Catharine;  born  April  16,  1851). 

WILLIAM  HORNER  (1852)  married  Jane  Baker, 
daughter  of  George  and  Rachel  Duffey  Baker,  December 
12,  1906.  She  was  born  September  23,  1857.  "Billie" 
Horner  lives  near  Winchester,  Ohio,  on  a  farm.  They  have 
nad  no  issue.  Mr.  Horner  lias  all  his  life  been  industrious, 
of  good  reputation  and  highly  respectable. 

JAMES  HORNER  (1854)  married  March  15,  1883,  to 
Flora  May  Kendall.  She  was  bom  August  10,  1861.  "Jim- 
mie"  Horner  was  a  farmer  and  a  genial,  honest  man.  He 
was  instantly  killed  in  a  runaway  accident  near  Denton, 
Kansas,  on  Friday,  July  31,  1896.  Mrs.  Flora  Horner  has 
remarried  and  is  now  Mis.  Flora  Porter  and  her  address. 
Arnett,  <  )klahoma. 

ISSUE  OF  JAMES  HORNER  AND  WIFE,  FLORA  MAY 

KENDALL. 

Edith  May;  born  February  2,  1884. 

William  Nelson  ;  born  June  23,  1887. 

Sarah  Rose  Ann;  born  March  12,  1890. 

Ethel  Bell ;  born  July  13,  1895;  died  January  30,  1897. 

EDITH  MAY  HORNER-JOHXSTOX  (1884)  married 
Joseph  L.  Johnston,  of  Enid,  Oklahoma,  January  25,  1904. 

ISSUE  OF  EDITH  MAY  HORNER  AND  HUSBAND,  JO 
SEPH  L.  JOHNSTON. 

Nelson  Sidney;  born  April  23,  11)0."). 
Maxwell  Lee;  born  August  2,  1907. 

JOHN  EORNER  (1857)  married  at  Atchison,  Kansas, 
June  16,  1886,  to  Alice  Meginity,  who  was  horn  March  L5 
1859,  a  daughter  of  William  Bodister  Meginity  and  SaraL 
Elaggard.    John  Horner  has  been  a  farmer  and  an  upright 


52  WILLIAM    FENTON   FAMILY 

citizen  all  his  life  and  now  lives  a(  Ilavihmd,  Kiowa  county, 
Kansas. 

ISSUE  OF  JOHN  HORNER  AND    WIFE,    ALICE    ME- 

GINITY. 

Nellie ;  born  January  S,  1888. 

NELLIE  HORNER-KENNER  (1888)  married  Frank 
Kenner,  November  21,  L905,  and  by  him  has  had  one  child  : 
Nellie  Irene  Kenner,  born  November  21,  190G. 

CATHARINE  HORNER-McCLURE  (1859)  commonly 
called  "Kittie,"  married  Samuel  Leslie  MeClure,  son  of 
Samuel  C.  and  Eliza  MeClure,  March  11,  LS86.  He  was 
horn  November  IT,  1852,  and  died  December  4,  1899.  .Mrs. 
MeClure  now  lives  at  Winchester. 

ISSUE  OF  CATHARINE  HORNER-McCLURE  AND 
HUSBAND,  SAMUEL  LESLIE  McCLURE. 

Jessie  Lee;  horn  May  8,  1888. 
Heber  Leslie;  horn  June  9,  1895. 


WILLIAM    FEXTON   FAMILY 


53 


ELIZABETH  FENTON-SKINNER  AND  FAMILY. 
ELIZABETH  FENTON-SKINNER  (1825)  was  twice 
married.  First  to  William  Kenned}7,  who  died  not  long  aft- 
er their  marriage  and  by  whom  she  had  no  issue.  I  lor  second 
husband  was  Alfred  Richard  Skinner,  to  whom  she  was  wed 
September  15,  1859.  He  was  horn  in  Virginia,  September 
i.5,  L815,  and  died  August  4,  1878.  Aunt  "Betty,"  as  she  is 
familiarly  called,  is  the  oldest  of  the  children  of  William 
Fenton  now  living.  She  has  always  been  a  woman  of  the 
strictest  pidy  and  industry  and  has  maintained  through  all 


CAROLINE   BAKETS    AND    ELIZABETH    SKINKEE 


the  tips  and  downs  of  life  a  sweet,  cheery  and  lovable  dis- 
position. She  lives  at  Seaman,  Ohio,  with  her  daughter, 
Sallie,  and  though  now  over  83,  keeps  herself  actively  em- 
ployed with  her  domestic  duties. 

ISSUE  OF  ELIZABETH  FENTON-SKINNER  AND  HUS- 
BAND, ALFRED   RICHARD   SKINNER. 

Margarite  Rosannah ;  born  July  11,  I860,  (single)  ;  died 
March  2,  L888. 

Rachel  -Fames;  horn  March  1,  L863. 
Alfred  Richard;  bom  Septembers,  L866. 


54  WILLIAM    FENTON   FAMILY 

Anna  Bell ;  born  July  11,  1868,  (single);  died  Septenr 
ber  28,  1898. 

RACHEL       JAMES       SKINNER-BRECKENRIDGE 

(1863)  was  named  after  her  aunt,  Rachel  Fenton-Brown 
and  uncle,  James  Kendall  Fenton.  Slit1  has  always  been 
called  "Sallie"  and  would  not  be  known  by  "Rachel."  She 
was  married  at  Greenfield,  Ohio,  the  then  home  of  her 
mother,  January  27,  1909,  to  Edgar  Steward  Breckenridge, 
a  farmer,  horn  February  20,  1871,  a  son  of  William  Porter 
and  Eliza  Anne  Campbell-Breckenridge. 

Prior  to  her  marriage  Mrs.  '"Sallie"  Breckenridge  carried 
on  a  tine  dressmaking  business  at  Greenfield,  Ohio,  and 
her  customers  were  among  the  best  folk  in  town.  She  and 
her  husband  now  live  on  a  farm  near  Seaman,  Ohio. 

ALFRED  RICHARD  SKINNER  (1866)  married  on 
September  10,  1886,  to  Frances  AM  Stivers,  born  June  28, 
180(5,  a  daughter  of  Judge  Barrier  Stivers  and  Nellie  Bor- 
den. 

"Dick"  Skinner,  as  lie  is  usually  called,  was  just  twenty 
when  he  married  and  undertook  the  support  of  a  family, 
lie  has  been  manager  of  the  large  oak  lumber  mills  at  Win- 
chester, Ohio,  and  it  is  such  a  position  as  docs  not  come  to 
incompetents,  lie  has  taken  good  care  of  his  large  family 
of  children,  all  of  whom  have  thus  far  been  spared' to  him. 

ISSUE  OF  RICHARD  ALFRED  SKINNER  AND  WIFE, 
FRANCES  ABI  STIVERS. 

Herman  Henry;  born  May  21,  1S87. 
Barley  Barrier;  born  dune  22,  1889. 
James  Franklin;  born  Tune  30,  1891. 
Alpha  Gladys;bom  August  21,  1892. 
Jennie  Lee;  born  April  30,  1898. 
Samuel  King;  born  June  9,  1000. 
Anna  Louise;  born  September  12,  1004. 


WILLIAM    PENTON    FAMILY 


55 


MARY    ANN    FENTON-McCOLGIN    AND    FAMILY. 

MARY  ANN  FENTON-McCOLGIN  (1827-1894)  was 
married  to  James  McColgin,  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry,  Jan- 
uary 24,  1856.  He  was  born  July  4,  1829,  at  Ash  Ridge, 
Brown  County,  Ohio,  the  son  of  William  and  Belle  McCol- 
gin, who  were  both  born  in  Virginia,  but  married  in  George- 
town, ( )hio. 

Aunt    "Polly"    Ann    McColgin    joined      the      .Methodist 


MARY  (  I'OIJ.V)   ANN   M  COLGIN 


( 'liui-ch  when  bin  i  wont  v  years  of  age  and  remained  ;i  fail  u- 
ful,  consistent  member  during  the  remaining  forty-seven 
years  of  her  Life.  She  was  ;i  kind,  patienl  and  devoted 
mother.  She  survived  her  husband  and  died  on  his  farm 
in  Nemaha  count  v.  Kansas. 


C6  WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY 

ISSUE  OF  MARY  ANN  FENTON-McCOLGIN  AND  HUS 
BAND,  JAMES  McCOLGIN. 

Belle;  born  November  21,  L858;  died  March  28,  1901. 

Cornelius  Calvin;  born  November  26,  1860. 

Mary;  born  October  2,  1862;  died  September  9,  1863. 

Harriett;  born  January  28,  1865. 

William ;  born  December  26,  1867. 

Samuel  Fenton;born  Dec.  15,  1869 ;  died  Oct.  31,  1897. 

James  Franklin ;  born  Augusl  30,  1875. 

BELLE  McCOLGIN  (1858-1901)  was  a  greal  comforl 
and  help  to  her  mother  and  the  res!  of  the  family.  After 
she  became  of  age  she  taughl  school  for  years.  She  did  not 
marry,  Inn  remained  single  i<>  her  death.  All  of  her  friends 
praise  her  life  in  high  terms. 

CORNELIUS  CALVIN  McCOLGIN  (1860)  was  mar- 
ried on  September  9,  1887,  to  Lydia  Clem  a1  Independent  •  ■, 
Kansas.  She  was  born  March  20,  1870,  a  daughter  of 
Aaron  and  Lydia  (Mem.  "Neal"  and  his  family  live  ai  S.. 
Joseph,  Missouri.     lie  is  in  the  insurance  business. 

ISSUE  OF  CORNELIUS  CALVIN  McCOLGIN  AND 
WIFE,  LYDIA  CLEM. 

Edward;  born  September  18,  1888. 
Calvin  Clem  ;  born  Dec  26,  1890;  died  Sept.  8,  1904. 
Samuel;  Lorn  July  2,  1892;  died  December  20,  1892. 
Charles;  born  April  27,  1007. 

BARRIET  McCOLGIN  (1865)  is  a  worthy  daughter  of 
her  good  mother.  She  teaches  school  at  Whiting,  Kansas, 
and  thus  far  has  insisted  on  remaining  single.  She  is  a 
sweet-tempered,  ambitious  juirl  and  lias  done  well.  She 
has  i  raveled  considerable. 

WILLIAM  McCOLGIN  (1867)  was  married  April  17, 
1891,  at  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  to  Maud  Fletcher,  who  was 
born  January  iM>,  1865.    They  live  at  St.  Joseph,  Missouri. 


WILLIAM    PENTON    FAMILY  57 

They  have  had  grief  enough  in  the  loss  of  six  of  their  eighl 
children,  all  dying  al  quite  a  tender  age.  He  is  in  the  in- 
surance business. 

ISSUE  OF  WILLIAM   McCOLGIN  AND  WIFE,  MAUD 

FLETCHER. 

Warren  Fletcher;  borD  April  1.  1892;  died  Feb.  10,  1893. 

Helen;  born  Sept.  9,  1894;  died  Sept.  3.  1895. 

Edith;  borD  March  13,  1896. 

Katherine;  born  Augusl  20,  1898;  died  May  10,  1901. 

Margaret  ;  born  Augusl  27,  1899. 

Dorothy;  born  Augusl  27,  1899;  died  May  1.  1901. 

.Mien  ;  born  December  1.  190]  ;  died  February  20,  1902. 

Dudley;  born  Dec.  24,  1903;  died  on.  25,  1904. 

SAMUEL  FENTON  McCOLGIN  (1869-1897)  was  a 
young  man  full  of  promise.  He  did  not  marry  and  died  in 
his  twenty-eighth  year.  October  31,  181)7. 

JAMES  FKANKLIN  McCOLGIN  (1875)  was  married 
December  25,  1896,  at   Bolton,  Kansas,  tit  Emma  Bryant, 

who  is  related  to  the  poet,  William  Cullen  Bryant.  She  is 
a  daughter  of  Peter  Bryant,  born  in  Illinois,  and  Henrietta 
Bryant,  horn  at  Boston,  Massachusetts.  "Jimmie''  travels 
as  a  represent  at  ive  of  a  correspondence  school  and  has  done 
well,     ile  lives  at  Ilolton,  Kansas. 

ISSUE  OF  JAMES  FRANKLIN  McCOLGIN  AND  WIFE, 
EMMA  BRYANT. 

Josephine;  horn  September  »i.  1897. 
Mary;  born  .May  :'>.  IS!)!). 
Cullen  Bryant;  born  June  is,  1901. 
Cyrus  Peter;  born  -Inly  ('»,  1905. 


RF,  WILLIAM    FENTON   FAMILY 

DELILAH  FENTON  AND  FAMILY. 

DELILAH  FENTON  (1820-1907)  was  married  Feb- 
ruary 24,  1860,  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  to  Samuel  Fenton, 
who  was  born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio,  near  West  Union, 


DELTIiA.II    KENTON 


June  28,  1809,  the  son  of  John  Fenton  and  Sarah  Field, 
lie  was  a  bright,  well-educated  man.  lie  settled  near  Atchi- 
son, Kansas,  before  the  Civil  War  and  became  a  very  rich 
farmer.    Aunt  "Lila"  joined  the  Methodist  Church  at  Win- 


WILLIAM    FENTON   FAMILY 


59 


chcster,  Ohio,  when  she  was  but  seventeen  years  old  and 
remained  a  loyal,  faithful  member  for  sixty-one  years  un- 
til her  death.  She  was  naturally  thrifty  and  a  splendid 
manager.    She  was  very  devoted  to  her  family  and  made  ii 


ALFRED   1..    FENTON 


the  rule  of  her  life  never  to  say  ill,  or  allow  others  in  her 
presence  to  say  aught  but  good,  of  her  kin  and  friends.  She 
died  at  the  ripe  age  of  seventy-eight,  ;it  the  borne  of  her 
daughter,  Elizabeth  Delaney,  Leona,  Kansas,  and  is  buried 

by  the  side  of  her  husband  at   Denton,  Kansas. 


60  WILLIAM    FENTON    FAMILY 

ISSUE  OF  DELILAH  FENTON  AND  HUSBAND,  SAM- 
UEL FENTON. 

Alfred  L.;  born  February  23,  1862. 

Mary  Ellen;  born  September  5,  1863. 

John  Madison;  horn  Tunc  !».  1865;  died  April  3,  1867. 

George;  born  September  1.  1868;  died  February  21,  1M'>:). 

Elizabeth  Caroline;  born  February  14,  1870. 

ALFRED  L.  FENTON  (1862)  lias  been  a  farmer  mosl 
of  his  life.  He  is  now  retired  and  lives  ai  Atchison,  Kan- 
sas. He  married  June  25,  1889,  Anna  M.  Shulsky,  who 
was  born  September  24,  1867,  a  daughter  of  Robert  P. 
Shulsky  and  Mary  E.  Lawhon,  who  were  wed  at  Colum- 
bia, Tennessee,  February  21,  1860.  He  (Koberl  P.  Shulsky) 
was  born  in  Wurtemburg,  Prussia;  she.  at  Columbia,  Ten- 
nessee. Alfred  L.  Fenton,  commonly  called  "Dick"  Fen- 
ton,  is  noted  as  a  first-class  farmer  and  a  raiser  of  line 
stork,  and  a  successful  man.     lie  has  had  no  issue. 

MARY  ELLEN  FENTON-STEELE  (1863-1905)  was 
married  November  13,  1889,  To  Oliver  Cromwell  Steel*,  of 
Dekalb,  .Missouri,  who  was  born  October  21,  1862,  a  son  of 
William  Thomas  Steele  and  Elizabeth  Dooley.  Mary  E. 
Fenton-Steele  died  October  28,  1905.  He  is  a  well-to-do 
farmer. 

ISSUE  OF  MARY  ELLEN  FENTON-STEELE  AND  HUS- 
BAND, OLIVER  CROMWELL  STEELE. 

Samuel  Fenton;  horn  August  7,  1890. 
Thomas  Christopher;  horn  April  29,  1899. 
Alfred  Charles;  horn  January  !),  1902. 

ELIZABETH  CAROLINE  FENTON-DELANEY  |  1870) 
was  married  at  St.  Joseph,  .Missouri,  to  Andrew  ().  Delaney, 
November  19,  1891.     lie  is  a  sun  of  John  ami  Catherine 

Delaney.  "Andy"  Delaney  organized  and  has  successfully 
managed  the  Farmers'  Lank  at  Leona,  Kansas.  It  is  a 
prosperous  institution  and  has  the  full  confidence  of  the 


WILLIAM    PENTON   FAMILY 


61 


community.  Elizabeth  Delaney  is  a  fine  musician  and  a 
devoted  mother.  Her  husband  is  the  most  influential  man 
in  Leona  and  deservedly  so. 


ELIZABE1  II    KKNliiN    HKI.AM.Y 


ISSUE     OF     ELIZABETH     CAROLINE     FENTON-DE- 
LANEY  AND  HUSBAND,  ANDREW  O.  DELANEY. 

Elizabeth;  born  September  L9,  L896. 
Andrew;  born  January  4.  L899. 
Bernice :  bom  I  December  8,  1 901 . 
Richard  :  born  March  L0,  L905. 


G2  WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY 

CAROLINE  FENTON-BAKER  AND  FAMILY. 

CAROLINE  FENTON-BAKER  (1832-1907)  was  twice 
married.  First  to  Matthew  Carpenter  Marshall,  a  farmer, 
February  1(1,  L857.  Jle  was  horn  December  4,  1829,  a  son 
of  John  Marshall  and  Mary  Campbell,  who  were  born  in 
Pennsylvania.  Matthew  C.  Marshall  was  a  sincere.  Chris- 
tian man  who  loved  to  attend  the  Methodist  Church,  of 
which  he  was  a  member.  Aunt  "Cal"  bore  him  one  child 
before  his  death  in  August,  1861.  After  remaining  a  widow 
for  nearly  five  years  she  again  married  on  Inly  111,  1866,  at 
the  home  of  her  sister,  Rose  Ann  Horner,  Henry  Nelson 
Raker,  a  farmer,  who  was  horn  at  West  Union,  Ohio,  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1838,  a  son  of  George  Raker  and  Mary  Re  Croix. 
They  are  of  English  descent,  although  horn  in  Maryland. 

Aunt  "Cal,"  like  all  of  her  sisters,  was  of  gentle  nature 
and  sweet  disposition.  When  quite  young  she  was  kicked 
in  the  forehead  by  a  stable  horse.  Her  capable  mother, 
wit  h  no  doctor  to  help,  sewed  np  the  gash  with  silk  thread  ; 
it  was  a  cut  of  several  inches,  hnt  after  a  time  it  healed 
nicely  and  left  hnt  a  slight  scar,  not  enough  to  mar  her 
beauty  of  face.  Aunt  Cal  was  an  uncommonly  tine  garden- 
er. She  and  Uncle  Henry  bougb.1  out  the  heirs  and  then 
lived  on  the  old  homestead  of  her  father,  William  Fenton. 
She  was  a  devoted  mother  and  a  faithful  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  She  died  and  is  buried  at  Winchester, 
Ohio.  Her  husband  still  lives  on  the  old  Wm.  Fenton 
home  place. 

ISSUE  OF  CAROLINE  FENTON-MARSHALL  AND 
HUSBAND,  MATTHEW  C.  MARSHALL. 

Mary  Ann  ;  horn  December  25,  1859. 

MARY  ANN  MARSHALL-HORNER  (  1859 ),  commonly 
called  "Coosa"  Marshall,  was  married  September  29,  1880- 
to  William  Rewis  Horner,  who  was  born  March  14,  1S52, 
a  son  of  Ephraim  and  Drnsilla  Horner,  who  were  horn  in 
Pennsylvania.  "Coosa"  Horner  and  her  husband  and  fam- 
ily live  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 


WILLIAM   PENTON   FAMILY 


63 


ISSUE    OF    MARY    ANN    MARSHALL-HORNER    AND 
HUSBAND,  WILLIAM  LEWIS  HORNER. 

Campbell  .Marshall ;  born  Oct.  2,  1881  ;  died  May  27,  1882. 
Arthur  Corboy;  born  April  25,  1883. 
Espa  Caroline;  horn  February  28,  1885. 
Edith  Tillie;  horn  Juno  10,  1889. 
Georgia  Hazel;  horn  April  17,  1892. 

ISSUE    OF    CAROLINE    FENTON    BAKER   AND    HUS- 
BAND, FIENRY  NELSON  BAKER. 

George  Washington;  born  December  2,  18(57. 
.Martha  (Mattie)  Jeremiah ;  born  July  19,  1869. 
James  William;  born  March  13,  1871. 
Lucy  Jane;  horn  Sept.  1(1,  1873;  died  June  18,  1902. 
Sarah  Jane;  born  April  10,  1875;  died  July  30,  1875. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  BAKER  (1867)  lives  with 
his  father  on  the  old  home  place  of  William  Fenton  near 
Winchester.  His  friends  would  not  know  him  by  the  name 
of  George  Washington,  as  he  has  always  gone  by  the  name 
of  "Dick."     He  is  unmarried,  and  is  quite  a  traveler. 

.MATTIE  JEREMIAH  BAKER-ENNIS  (1869)  mar- 
ried on  December  12,  1S!)7,  to  Willis  Edgar  Ennis,  horn 
November  27,  1871,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  Jane  Ennis. 
His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Fenton.  II  is  father  was 
born  near  Sugar  Tree  Ridge,  Highland  county,  Ohio,  and 
his  mother  near  Winchester,  Mattie  J.  Ennis  and  husband 
have  had  no  issue.    They  now  live  ai  Bellevue,  Kentucky. 

JAMES  WILLIAM  BAKER,  (1871)  is  married  to  Lsa 
Augusta  Baker.  She  was  born  March  4,  1870,  a  daughter 
of  Daniel  Wesley  and  .Martha  Ellen  Sheperd.  Wcr  moth- 
er's maiden  name  was  McCall.  James  William  Baker, 
commonly  called  "Hype"  Baker,  is  a  first-class  farmer  and 
stock  raiser  and  lives  on  and  farms  the  identical  land  near 
Winchester  on  which  his  great-grandfather,  Jeremiah  Fen- 
ton, settled  in  about  1806.    Being  of  a  happy  disposition  as 


6  i  WILLIAM    PENTON   FAMILY 

a  boy  he  was  called  "I  [appy"  and  this  the  childreD  contract- 
ed into  "Hype."     He  is  very  industrious  and  provides  well 

for  his  family. 

ISSUE  OF  JAMES  WILLIAM  BAKER  AND  WIFE,  ISA 
AUGUSTA  BAKER. 

Mary  Nellie;  horn  November  7.  1895. 
Lucy  Gladys;  born  April  10,  1899. 
William  McCall;  born  February  IT.  L9Q1. 
Ralph;  born  July  22,  L903. 
Edith  Alice;  born  July  30,  L906. 

LUCY  JANE  BAKER-KENDALL  i  L873-1902)  married 
October  20,  L895,  to  Benjamin   Kennedy  Kendall,  son  of 

•lames  and  Mary  Kennedy  Kendall.  He  was  horn  near 
Winchester,  October  1  1.  1874.  He  is  a  harness  maker  and 
runs  a  harness  goods  si  ore  al  Winchester. 

Lucy  Jane  Kendall  was  a  sweet-tempered  Christian  wom- 
an and  a  good  housekeeper  ami  homemaker  and  she  made 
friends  wherever  she  went.  She  died  wilhonl  issue  June 
18,  1902. 


WILLIAM    FENTON   FAMILY 


65 


JEREMIAH  FENTON. 

JEREMIAH  FENTON  (1835)  has  been  a  hotel  keeper 
at  Locust  Grove,  Ohio,  for  many  years.  When  he  was  a 
young  man,  on  account  of  his  bright  mind,  it  was  said  of 
lii  111,  thai  wiih  education  he  could  have1  made  a  president  of 
the  United  Slates.  He  was  naturally  witty  and  the  fun- 
maker  of  i  he  family.  He  is  a  Civil  War  veteran,  having  en- 
listed in  Company  II,  70th  Ohio,  V.  V.  1.  This  company 
was  mustered  into  service  at  Camp  Ripley,  Ohio,  December 


JEREMIAH    FENTON 


28, 1861.  He  was  honorably  discharged  with  the  rest  of  his 
company  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  August  14,  1865.  His 
regiment  was  then  ordered  to  Camp  Dennison,  Ohio,  and 
most  of  the  return  journey  was  made  by  boat.  The  steamer 
which  carried  the  soldiers  from  Cairo,  Illinois,  was  called 
the  "Argosy."  It  encountered  a  severe  storm  at  Cave-in- 
Rock,  Indiana,  about  eighty  miles  from  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, which  caused  the  mud  drum  of  the  boat  to  hurst  and 
scald  twentv-three  of  the  soldiers,  and  some  nine  or  ten 


66  WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY 

were  drowned.  Jeremiah  Fenton  was  himself  precipitated 
into  the  middle  of  the  Ohio  river,  and  although  he  was  a 
good  swimmer  lie  had  extreme  difficulty  reaching  shore  be- 
cause of  two  or  three  <>f  his  comrades  clinging  l<>  his  feet. 
He  finally  managed  to  save  himself  and  those  holding  on  to 
him.  One  of  those  he  saved  was  a  German,  who  clutched 
Uncle  Jerry's  coat  with  a  death  grip,  so  that  he  could  not 
he  shaken  loose.  On  reaching  hind  he  said:  "Mein  (loll, 
thai  was  der  firsl  time  I  ever  did  swim."  Uncle  Jerry  an- 
swered:   "Von  didn't  swim  any  that  time." 

His  brother,  James,  characterizes  him  thus:  "lie  is  a 
friendly,  social,  honesi  man;  generous  almost  to  a.  fault; 
has  many  friends  and,  I  think,  no  enemies."  lie  is  a  faith- 
ful member  and  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  Methodist 
Church.  He  married,  July  4,  1867,  Adeline  Shepherd, 
who  was  horn  at  Old  Fincastle,  Ohio,  September  -  — , 
1838,  a  daughter  of  Roberl  Shepherd  and  Debbie  Darling- 
ton Shepherd.  Uncle  Jerry  has  had  no  issue.  Aunt  Addie 
died  in  1909  and  Uncle  Jerry  lives  alone  at  Locust  Grove. 


WILLIAM    FEXTOX   FAMILY 


67 


RACHEL  FENTON-BROWN  AND  FAMILY. 

RACHEL  FENTON-BROWN  (1836)  was  the  youngesl 
of  the  seven  daughters  of  William  Penton.  She  was  named 
after ''Granny"  Rachel  Bailey,  who  assisted  at  her  birth. 

She  is  the  writer's  mother  and  it  is  largely  to  honor  hei 
he  has  undertaken  this  work.  Whatever  measure  of  suc- 
cess lie  lias  had  in  tins  world  is  due  to  her. 

She  is  and  always  was  of  a  cheerful  nature,  very  indus 
Irious  and  full  of  fun.    A  wooden  man  would  have  to  laugh 


KACIIEI,   KENTON    BROW\N 


MAJOK  JAMES   BROWN 


ai  her  witty  sayings.  When  a  child  she  and  her  brother, 
James,  were  kept  busy  driving  the  squirrels  out  of  the  corn 
field  and  carrying  water  and  lunches  to  the  hands  in  the 
field.  She  used  to  enjoy  the  old-fashioned  spelling  bees 
and  frequently  spelled  down  the  school. 

She  tilted  herself  to  teach  at  Zenia  Female  Seminary  and 
at  the  Lebanon  Normal  School,  but  instead  of  teaching  she 
married  Major  James  Brown,  during  the  Civil  War.  on  the 
15th  dav  of  February,  L864.     It  was  a  brillianl  wedding  for 


Go  WILLIAM    FLNTON    FAMILY 

the  times,  her  father's  house  near  Winchester  being  filler] 
with  soldiers  and  officers  who  were  among  the  guests  al  the 
wedding. 

James  Brown  was  born  on  a  farm  on  Ash  Ridge,  near 
Carlisle,  Brown  county,  Ohio,  July  2,  L835.  Be  was  well 
educated  for  his  times,  having  studied  nol  only  in  the  coun- 
try schools,  bu1  also  at  Zenia,  Ohio,  and  al  Lebanon,  Ohio. 
Before  the  war  broke  out  he  taughl  several  terms  of  coun- 
try school  iii  Brown  and  Adams  counties,  Ohio,  and  al  l'»ol- 
ivar,  Missouri.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War  he 
enlisted  iii  a  company  organized  by  his  brother,  Col.  Wil- 
liam It.  Brown,  who  lost  his  life  at  the  battle  of  Atlanta. 
The  hardships  of  army  life  helped  to  break  down  the  health 
of  -lanies  llrown.  who  was  called  many  years  before  his 
time.  In  matters  of  religion,  politics  and  on  moral  prin- 
ciples he  w;is  firm  and  conscientious  for  the  righl  as  he  saw 
the  right,  lie  was  thoughtful  and  a  good  provider  for  his 
family;  he  was  a  devoted  husband  and  father  and  it  was 
hard,  indeed,  for  him  to  have  to  leave  his  little  family  to 
battle  with  the  world.  He  was  successful  as  a  teacher,  as  a 
superintendent  of  schools,  and  as  a  lawyer,  hut  he  took  no 
greal  interest  in  farming  which  he  followed  for  a  lew  years. 

In  his  historical  record  of  the  Brown  family,  Dr.  Andrew 
L.  Brown,  of  Eustis,  Florida,  gives  the  follow  inn,  sketch  of 
James  Brown  : 

"James  Brown  enlisted  in  Company  A.  70th  Ohio  Veteran 
Volunteer  Infantry.  October  to,  [861,  and  was.  October  [8, 
iS'.i.  appointed  orderly  sergeant,  lie  was  commissioned  sec- 
ond lieutenant,  July  14,  1862;  first  lieutenant.  February  7, 
1863;  captain,  March  11.  1864;  major,  November  18,  1804,  and 
was  honorably  discharged  August  14,  [865.  He  was  wounded 
in  the  knee  and  had  the  end  of  his  finder  shot  off  at  the  battle 
m|"  Shiloh,  April  6,  r8f)2;  and  he  received  a  serious  wound  in 
the  forearm  at  the  battle  of  Peachtree  Creek,  enroute  to  At 
lanta,  July  22,  1864.  He  then  received  a  furlough,  came  home, 
and  as  soon  as  his  wound  would  permit  returned  to  the  front 
and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea. 
lie  believed  himself  to  have  been  the  first  man  in  fort  at  the 
storming  of  Fort  McAllister  near  Savannah.  He  frequently 
received  commendation  for  bravery. 

In  1865  he  removed  to  Ford  County.  Illinois,  first  to  Piper 
City.  then  to  Paxton,  and  while  living  in  this  County  taught 
school,  farmed,  and  was  for  two  terms  County  Superintendent 


WILLIAM   FENTON  FAMILY  69 

of  Public  Instruction.  Me  was  also  elected  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  1867.  He  removed  to  Chicago  in  September,  1871, 
just  two  weeks  before  the  great  fire  and  in  November,  1871, 
was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law 
at  Chicago  until  the  date  of  his  death,  May  13,  1876.  At  the 
time  of  his  death  he  was  a  member  of  and  an  elder  in  the  First 
United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Chicago." 

He  was  a  son  of  William  Brown  (1784-1852),  born  at 
Big  Spring,  Pennsylvania,  and  wife,  Mary  Fitzgerald, 
(1797-1873),  and  he  was  a  grandson  of  William  Brown 
(1757-1789),  who  was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
The  latter  was  killed  by  the  Indians,  as  will  appear  from 
I  he  following  account  written  by  Dr.  Andrew  Brown: 

"They  (William  Brown  and  Frances  Lamond,  his  wife,)  re- 
sided ten  years  in  Cumberland  County  and  removed  then  to 
Lexington,  Kentucky,  in  1789,  where  Mr.  Brown  purchased  a 
tract  of  land  and  settled  his  family.  In  the  fall  of  1789,  Mr. 
Brown,  together  with  two  companions,  started  to  Cincinnati, 
(  )hio,  to  pay  for  some  land  bought  at  North  Bend.  They  were 
waylaid  by  the  Indians  and  while  at  supper  were  fired  upon 
and  two  killed,  one  of  whom  was  William  Brown.  This  oc- 
curred at  Eagle  Hills,  Scott  County,  Kentucky,  November  29, 
1789." 

James  Brown  was  a  direct  descendant,  in  the  sixth  gen- 
eration, of  John  Brown  (1626-1685),  of  Priesthill,  Aviv- 
shire,  Scotland,  known  in  Scottish  history  as  the  "Chris- 
tian ( 'airier." 

John  Brown  was  a  Christian  martyr  and  his  cruel  mur- 
der by  Claverhouse  is  narrated  in  practically  every  history 
of  Scotland.  The  following  sketch  of  him  was  written  bj 
1  >r.  Andrew  Brown  : 

"John  Brown  was  twice  married  ;  by  his  first  wife  there  was 
at  feast  one  daughter,  Janet,  but  the  name  of  his  wife,  and 
whether  or  not  there  was  further  issue,  will  probably  never  be 
known.  His  second  marriage  occurred  in  April,  1682,  to  Isabel 
Wier  (one  author  calls  her  Marion),  a  native  of  the  neighbor- 
ing parish  of  Sorn.  She  was  of  a  lively,  cheerful  disposition, 
and  a  woman  of  true  piety.  According  to  tradition  the  cere- 
mony was  performed  in  a  mountain  glen  by  the  Rev.  Alc> 
Peden,  a  prominent  actor  in  covenanting  times,  and  who  was 
renowned  for  his  spiritual  sagacity.  It  is  said,  that  after  the 
ceremony  had  been  celebrated,  he  took  the  young  wife  aside 
and  said" to  her  in  solemn  tones:  'You  have  got  a  good  hus- 
band, value  him  highly;  keep  linen  for  a  winding  sheet  beside 


70  WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY 

you;  for  a  day  when  you  least  expect  it,  thy  Master  will  lake 
him  from  thee.  lie  follows  his  Lord  too  fully  to  be  passed  over 
by  those  who  drive  the  chariot  of  persecution  so  furiously  over 
the  length  and  breadth  of  poor,  bleeding  Scotland.' 

"John  Crown  was  a  Presbyterian,  and  had  subscribed  to  ilie 
Covenant,  lie  lived  a  pure  and  consistent  life.  Though  he 
had  taken  no  active  part  in  the  uprisings  of  the  Covenanters, 
which  occurred  from  time  to  time,  he  felt  that  he  had  a  right  to 
live  in  peace  in  his  own  home  without  sacrificing  his  prin 
ciples ;  he  therefore  would  not,  and  did  not  attend  the  Episco 
pal  curate,  a-  the  law  at  that  time  required  all  to  do.  I  Ms  name 
was  placed  on  the  list  and  given  to  the  public  authorities,  for 
not  attending  public  service. 

"After  the  death  of  Charles  the  Second,  and  the  accession 
of  his  brother,  James  the  Second,  to  the  throne,  in  February, 
[685,  the  fires  of  persecution  burned  with  greater  fierceness, 
and  one  of  John  Brown's  religious  character  could  no  longer 
go  abroad;  and  at  times  he  was  forced  to  seek  refuge  from 
the  relentless  foe  in  obscure  places,  where  he  felt  the  chill  ot 
the  winter's  wind,  as  well  as  the  blasts  of  persecution,  IV- 
den's  prophecy  was  soon  to  be  fulfilled. 

"Garrisons  of  soldiers  were  placed  in  the  western  comities, 
and  one  of  these  was  established  at  Lesmahago,  at  which  place 
John  Graham,  of  Claverhouse,  who  had  been  appointed  to 
command  the  troops  of  the  district,  arrived  on  the  last  nigh* 
in  April.  Early  the  next  morning  he  started  for  Priesthill, 
where  he  arrived  before  six  o'clock.  John  Brown  had  arisen 
early,  and  after  engaging  in  religious  worship  with  his  family, 
went  to  the  hill  above  his  house  to  cut  peat  or  turf  for  fuel. 
The  morning  was  misty,  and  he  was  surrounded  ami  captured 
before  he  could  make  any  effort  to  escape,  and  was  brought 
down  to  his  own  door,  llis  little  daughter,  Janet,  now  about 
seven  years  old,  who  had  been  at  the  door,  informed  her  moth- 
er, that  her  father  and  some  soldiers  were  coming.  The  poor 
woman  exclaimed.  'That  which  I  have  so  long  feared  is  come 
upon  me,  O  give  me  grace  for  this  hour."  and  hastily  taking 
her  boy  in  her  arms,  and  Janet  by  the  hand  she  went  out  to 
meet  them.  He  was  rapidly  examined,  having  been  asked  why 
he  did  not  attend  the  Curate,  and  if  he  would  pray  for  the  king, 
he  replied  that  he  only  acknowledged  Christ  as  the  supreme 
head  of  the  church,  and  could  not  attend  the  curates,  because 
they  were  placed  there  contrary  to  His  law.  Claverhouse  then 
told  him  to  go  to  his  prayers,  as  his  last  hour  had  come. 
Brown,  inspired  by  the  near  prospect  of  eternity,  knelt  down 
and  prayed  loud  and  fervently,  in  words  that  appalled  the  sol- 
diers, but  neither  his  fervent  supplications,  nor  the  tearful 
pleadings  of  his  wife,  touched  the  obdurate  heart  of  Claver- 
house. Having  prayed,  with  great  composure  he  arose  and  bid 
farewell  to  his  family,  he  turned  towards  Heaven,  and  implored 
'all  promised  blessings  to  be  multiplied  on  his  wife  and  chil- 


WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY  71 

dren.'  Claverhouse  then  ordered  his  men  to  fire,  but  they 
would  not,  and  in  a  rage  he  drew  his  own  pistol  and  shot  him 
dead.  Turning  to  the  newly-made  widow,  he  asked  what  she 
then  thought  of  her  husband.  'I  ever  thought  meikle  of  him, 
hut  never  so  meikle  as  1  do  this  day,'  was  her  brave  reply. 
Twere  but  justice  to  lay  thee  beside  him,"  said  Claverhouse. 
'If  you  were  permitted,  you  would  do  so;  but  how  will  you 
answer  to  God  for  this  morning's  work?'  she  said.  'To  man  I 
can  be  answerable;  as  for  your  God,  I'll  take  him  in  my  own 
hands,'  and  the  murderer  rode  off  'to  seek  others  whom  he 
might  destroy.' 

"Alone,  remote  from  neighbors,  in  an  unfrequented  place, 
left  to  contemplate  the  horrid  deed,  the  poor,  stricken  widow, 
placing  her  fatherless  child  on  the  ground,  ties  up  her  hus- 
band's head  with  her  apron,  tenderly  composes  his  limbs,  cov- 
ers his  body  with  her  plaid,  clasping  her  children  to  her  agon- 
ized breast,  sits  down  and  weeps  long  and  bitterly." 

Left  a  widow  in  187(5  witli  three  small  children,  Rachel 
Brown  quit  Chicago  and  took  her  little  flock  to  her  old 
home  town,  Winchester,  Ohio.  There  she  remained  until 
1880,  when,  desirous  of  educating  her  children  in  city 
schools,  she  removed  to  lun*  former  home,  Chicago.  Tt  took 
Yerj  able  management  for  her,  entirely  unaided  by  others, 
to  make  both  ends  meet  in  that  big  city;  hut  she  succeeded 
in  this  and  kept  her  children  all  together  with  her  and  got 
for  them  an  education. 

In  1884  she  received  from  the  government  a  small  \ ten- 
sion with  back  pay.  She  determined  at  once  to  give  up  the 
strenuous  city  life  and  as  soon  as  possible  removed  her  fam- 
ily to  the  small  town  of  Leona,  Kansas,  near  where  lived 
her  brothers,  James  and  William  Baker,  and  her  sisters, 
Delilah  and  Polly  Ann.  Here  she  secured  a  home  of  her 
own  and  resided  until  1895,  when  she  removed  to  Des 
Moines,  where  her  son,  the  writer,  had  begun  the  practice 
of  the  law. 

There  never  lived  a  kinder-hearted  or  more  generous 
woman  than  Rachel  Brown.  It  is  impossible  for  her  to 
cherish  enmity  against  any  human  being.  She  is  the  soul 
of  honor  and  the  foe  of  shams,  humbugs  and  deadbeats. 
She  has  been  a  sincere  Christian  all  her  days  and  daily 
reads  and  studies  the  Holy  word.  She  was  intensely  am- 
bitious for  her  children  to  do  well  and  succeed  ami  ;i1  greal 


72 


WILLIAM   FENTON  FAMILY 


privation  to  herself  helped  them  to  a  right  star!  in  life.  In 
qualities  of  energy,  courage  and  determination  she  strongly 
resembles  her  brother,  Samuel.  She  now  takes  life  easier 
and  lives  in  the  companionship  of  her  children  and  grand- 
children. She  has  many  times  expressed  the  wish  that 
when  she  is  called  by  her  Master  she  may  be  laid  away  iu 
the  old  Winchester,  Ohio,  cemetery  beside  her  parents  and 
brotliei-s  and  sisters  now  there;  and  she  has  been  promise:] 
that  this  wish  shall  be  gratified. 


KACIIEL  FENTON    BROWN 


OHIO. 

"The  hills  of  Ohio!  how  proudly  they  rise, 
And  seem  in  their  granduer  to  blend  with  the  skies; 
With  fair  azure  outline  and  tall  towering  trees, 
Ohio,  my  country,  I  love  thee  for  these. 

"The  streams  of  Ohio!  how  grandly  they  go, 
Or  seem  in  their  stillness  but  dreaming  to  flow; 
Like  bright  gliding  sunbeams  they  march  to  the  sea? 
Ohio,  my  country,  I  love  thee  for  these. 


WILLIAM   FEXTON   FAMILY  ,.J 

'The  homes  of  Ohio!  free-fortuned  and  fair. 
How  many  a  heart's  treasure,  or  sister's  love  there; 
Even  more  than  thy  mountains  and  streamlets  they  please; 
Ohio,  my  country,  I  love  thee  for  these. 

"'God  shield  thee,  Ohio!  dear  land  of  my  birth. 
And  thy  children  who  wander  afar  o'er  the  earth  ; 
My  country  thou  art  where're  my  lot's  cast; 
Take  then  to  thy  bosom  my  ashes  at  last." 

— Selected  from  the  United  Presbyterian. 


ISSUE  OF  RACHEL  FENTON-BROWN  AND  HUS- 
BAND, JAMES  BROWN. 

Mary  Fitzgerald;  born  Nov.  18,  1S(J4;  died  Dec.  27,  1804. 

Albertine  Fenton;  born  April  1,  1800. 

William  Bartholomew;  born  November  17.  1867. 

Lucy  Jane;  horn  November  26,  1870. 

•James  Kendall  ;  horn  Feb.  2,  1872;  died  .March  3,  1872. 

ALBERTINE  FEXTON  BROWN-SCHOCK  (1866) 
graduated  from  the  Marquette  School,  Chicago,  and  being 
highest  in  scholarship  in  her  class,  she  was  awarded  the 
Foster  Silver  .Medal.  She  attended  the  West  Chicago  High 
School  for  two  years.  Then  she  taught  school  for  one  year 
at  Leona,  Kansas,  where  on  November  22,  1887,  at  the  home 
of  her  mother,  she  was  married  to  Elmer  Ellsworth  Schock. 
He  was  born  November  2.  1  s ( '» : 5 ,  near  Flat  Rock,  Seneca 
county,  Ohio,  the  son  of  Jacob  Schock  and  Hester  .Maria 
Cherry.  Jacob  Schock  was  horn  January  12,  1837,  ai  Flat 
Rock,  Ohio.  Hester  Maria  Schock  was  horn  near  Wooster, 
Ohio,  January  24,  1835.    They  married  March  27,  1856. 

Elmer  E.  Schock  was  engaged,  after  his  marriage,  in  the 
lumber  business  at  Horton,  Kansas,  and  Parnell  City,  Mis- 
souri, and  later  pioneered  it  in  the  Indian  Territory,  now 
Oklahoma,  where  he  engaged  in  the  natural  oil  and  real 
estate  business.  In  1907  he  was  elected  the  firsi  county 
treasurer  of  Okmulgee  county,  being  the  only  republican 
on  the  county  ticket  to  he  elected.  Albertine  Fenton 
Schock  is  his  first  deputy  treasurer.  She  has  been  a  faith- 
ful wife,  a  devoted  mother  and  an  earnest  <  'hrist  ian  work*  r 


74  WILLIAM    FENTON   FAMILY 

ISSUE    OF    ALBERTINE    FENTON    BROWN-SCHOCK 
AND  ELMER  E.  SCHOCK. 

James  Jacob;  born  May  9,  1889. 

Grace  Brown;  born  November  3,  1S90. 

William  Orran;  born  July  10,  1893. 

David  Elmer;  born  January  S,  1899. 

Rachel  Albertine;  born  Feb.  L2,  1904;  died  July  26,  1904. 

('barles  Fenton ;  born  August  7,  1905. 

WILLIAM  BARTHOLOMEW  BROWN  (1867)  was  ed- 
ucated in  the  Winchester,  Ohio,  and  Chicago  public 
schools;  attended  Washburn  College,  Topeka,  Kansas,  thrcy 
years,  graduating  from  the  preparatory  department  in 
L892  and  taking  part  of  the  college  course;  studied  law  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Topeka,  Kansas,  in  1894;  atten  1- 
ed  Yale  Law  School,  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  and  grad- 
uated in  1895  in  a  class  of  95  members  with  honors  cum 
laudej  lias  practiced  law  successfully  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa, 
since  1895.  lie  is  an  elder  and  a  trustee  in  the  Westmin- 
ster Presbyterian  Church  at  Des  .Moines;  he  is  a  Blue- 
Lodge  Mason  and  a  Hereditary  ( lompanion  of  the  first  class 
in  the  Loyal  Legion  by  inheritance  from  a  deceased  officer, 
namely,  bis  father,  Major  James  Brown,  and  is  eligible  to 
membership  in  the  S.  A.  R.  through  three  great  grandfath- 
ers, Brown,  Fitzgerald  and  John  Lawrence.  He  is  a  home 
man  and  life's  greatest  pleasures  for  him  come  through  the 
family  circle.  He  married  Susan  Higgins  Van  Liew  at  Des 
Moines,  Iowa,  October  15,  1902.  She  was  born  at  Three 
Bridges,  Hunterdon  county,  New  Jersey,  February  14, 
IN"!',  coming  as  a  very  precious  valentine  to  her  parents, 
John  D.  Van  Liew  and  Elizabeth  Bellis  Kuhl.  They  were 
both  born  in  New  Jersey,  of  good  Holland  stock.  At  least 
two  of  Susan  Van  Liew  Brown's  great  grandfathers  were 
in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Prior  to  her  marriage  she  was 
a  capable  law  clerk  for  one  of  the  large  law  firms  of  Des 
Moines,  and  she  found  it  a  pleasant  experience  to  change 
from  her  active  duties  in  an  office  to  the  duties  of  house- 
wife. She  is  a  very  devoted  mother  and  lias  had  plenty  to 
do  attending  to  the  wants  of  her  young  children. 


WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY  75 

ISSUE  OF  WILLIAM  B.  BROWN  AND  WIFE,  SUSAN 

HIGGINS  V.  L.  BROWN. 

Susan  Van  Liew;  born  July  5,  1903. 

William  Bartholomew;  born  August  15,  1904. 

Elizabeth  Kuhl ;  born  February  27,  1007. 

Rachel  Fenton;  born  November  11,  1009. 

Son,  (unnamed  i;  born  Nov.  LI,  1909;  died  Nov.  11,  1909. 

LUCY  JANE  BROWN  ( 1870 ),  youngest  child  of  Rachel 
Fenton  Brown,  is  the  devoted  companion  of  her  mother. 
She  began  teaching  a  country  school  near  Leona,  Kansas, 
when  but  sixteen  years  of  age.  Some  of  her  male  students 
in  her  first  school  were  full  grown  men,  none  too  studiously 
inclined;  but  somehow  she  managed  to  preserve  good  order 
and  taugh!  her  full  year.  She  then  took  charge  for  several 
years  of  the  primary  department  of  the  Leona  school  and 
was  a  success  as  a  teacher,  and  particularly  so  in  kindergar- 
ten work.  Her  school  entertainments  and  exercises  were 
noted  for  their  excellence  and  originality  of  program.  It  is 
no  exaggeration  to  say,  as  the  County  Superintendent  said, 
that  she  was  the  best  primary  teacher  in  Doniphan  county, 
Kansas. 

As  a  teacher  she  regularly  attended  the  annual  teacher's 
institutes  at  Troy,  Kansas,  and  was  prominently  identified 
with  the  work  done  there;  the  County  Superintendent  fre- 
quently called  upon  her  to  read  difficult  selections  before 
the  assembled  teachers  and  also  to  explain  to  the  grammar 
teachers  sentences  of  complex  construction.  On  moving  to 
Des  Moines  she  gave  up  teaching  to  spend  her  entire  time 
with  her  mother. 


WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY 


JAMES  KENDALL  FENTON. 

JAMES  KENDALL  FENTON  (1838)  is  one  of  "Nat- 
( urc's  noblemen,"  a  man  of  warm  impulses  and  not  such  a 
one  as  the  Bible  speaks  of  as  "neither  hot  nor  cold."  The 
writer  does  not  know  of  any  finer  specimen  of  manhood 
among  the  Fentons.  lie  spent  his  youth  on  his  father's 
farm  and  shortly  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War 
enlisted,  July  4,  1861,  in  Company  I,  39th  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry,  lie  saw  plenty  of  fighting,  having  been  in  twelve 
big  battles  and  many  smaller  engagements.  His  regiment 
marched  and  moved  by  rail  or  steamer  10,303  miles  and  lost 


JAMES   KENDALL    FENTON 


500  men,  killed,  wounded  or  sick.  .Many  a  time  he  was  com- 
pelled  to  clear  off  the  snow  to  sleep  on  the  ground.  He 
waded  rivers  in  winter  and  once  went  two  months  without 
change  of  clothes.  He  lived  three  days  under  a  pine  tree 
with  but  a  shirt  for  a  covering.  Uncle  Jim  tells  in  an  in- 
teresting way  of  some  of  his  army  experiences  as  follows: 

"As  a  rule  we  had  plenty  to  eat,  such  as  it  was,  but  some- 
times we  were  put  on  half  or  cpiarter  rations  and  for  many 
days  at  a  time  we  would  be  hungry.  I  remember  once  we  drew 
three  days'  rations  and  went  after  Forests'  Rebel  Cavalry  and 


WILLIAM    FENTON   FAMILY  77 

we  did  not  get  another  bite  from  the  quartermaster  for  twelve 
days.  To  take  the  place  of  coffee  I  pulled  up  sassafras  stubs 
and  made  tea  of  the  roots,  while  one  corn  cake  the  size  of  the 
bottom  of  a  pint  tin  cup,  one-half  an  inch  thick  did  us  twenty- 
four  hours.  The  burden  of  my  thoughts  was  how  to  get 
enough  to  eat. 

"I  have  seen  nearly  all  of  the  Generals  excepting  those  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac;  I  did  not  see  one  of  them  show  any 
sign  of  cowardice  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy.  In  one  battle 
our  regiment  had  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  men  killed  and 
wounded  in  just  a  few  minutes,  and  the  man  at  my  right  el- 
bow was  mortally  wounded.  I  have  seen  awful  carnage.  Por 
a  while  our  division  commander  was  General  Stanley,  a  brave 
man.  He  was  always  found  where  the  battle  raged  the  hot- 
test and  he  would  say,  'Men,  1  don't  want  you  to  go  where  my 
hat  won't  go.'  I  served  in  General  Grant's  command  for  a 
while,  but  did  not  see  him  under  fire.  When  he  rode  by  us,  I 
never  heard  him  speak  a  word  to  anyone.  He  was  as  mum  as 
an  oyster.  General  Sherman  was  talkative  and  always  had 
something  cheery  and  saucy  to  say  whenever  he  came  about. 
General  Thomas  was  another  of  the  silent  Generals.  He  had 
nothing  to  say  when  he  came  round.  General  McPherson, 
mounted  on  his  fine  black  horse  with  his  sword  in  hand  was 
the  finest  looking  General  I  ever  saw  and  was  a  real  inspira- 
tion to  the  troops  wherever  he  went. 

Just  a  day  or  two  after  I  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  At- 
lanta, July  22,  1864,  the  70th  Ohio  regiment  passed  the  hospital 
where  the  wounded  lay,  with  your  Uncle  William  B.  Brown 
in  command  and  that  was  the  last  time  I  saw  him.  poor  fellow. 
He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Atlanta.  I  served  as  a  private, 
corporal  and  sergeant  and  I  was  never  reprimanded  while  in 
the  sen  dee.    I  was  honorably  discharged  July  9.  1865." 

Uncle  -Tim  would  make  an  artist's  model  for  the  fig- 
ure of  a  soldier.  He  was  measured  frequently  by  army  of- 
ficers and  pointed  out  as  almost  perfect  in  form  and  bail  i 
for  a  soldier.  Through  all  the  temptations  incident  to  army 
life  he  kepi  himself  (dean  and  unspotted;  he  did  not  play 
cards,  gamble,  drink,  use  tobacco  or  profanity.  Ho  lived 
in  the  army  the  decent  life  he  had  always  lived  at  home. 
Uncle  Tim  has  a  vivid  imagination  and  a  tine  How  of  lan- 
guage and  is  one  of  the  best  of  story  tellers  known  ;  but  tie 
is  never  heard  to  utter  an  unclean  thought.  Be  has  always 
been  industrious  and  thrifty,  yet  generous  to  charity  and  a 
liberal  giver  to  the  Methodisl  <  'hurch,  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber, and  the  Lord  lias  prospered  him.  After  the  war  was 
over  and  on  November  1G,  1865,  he  married  Sarah  Serfinn 


78  WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY 

Bayless  at  Winchester,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  James  Osman 
Bayless  ;m<l  Julia  Tolle.  Her  brother,  Alonzo  Bayless, 
was  a  very  handsome  man;  he  was  a  member  of  the  liMs! 
()hio  Regiment  ami  was  killed  in  the  service  at  Benwood 
Station,  Virginia.  Her  great-grandfather,  ('apt.  Leonard 
Bean,  served  seven  years  in  the  Revolutionary  War  and 
wason  Washington's  staff.  He  escorted  General  Lafayette 
from  this  country  to  France. 

Soon  after  their  marriage,  Uncle  Jim  ami  Aunt  Sallie 
moved  to  northeastern  Kansas  ami  settled  on  a  farm  near 
Leona.  After  several  years  of  pioneer  farming  in  Kansas 
lie  sold  his  farm  ami  thereafter  engaged  in  what,  mighl  be 
called  the  private  banking  business,  at  Lancaster  and  Ef- 
fingham, Kansas.  Recently  he  returned  to  southern  Ohio 
ami  expects  to  spend  his  remaining  days  at  Locust  Grove 
near  his  brother,  Jerry.  The  writer  wishes  he  had  space 
for  Aunt  Sally,  a  lovely,  true  woman.  She  has  always 
helped  Uncle  dim  to  manage  and  save  and  been  a  real  help- 
ineel  to  him.  She  has  been  a  lifelong  ami  faithful  member 
of  the  .Methodist  Church. 

If  James  K.  Fenton  could  only  have  spent  his  four  years 
of  army  life  in  college  it  seems  certain,  on  account  of  his 
brillianl  mind,  he  would  have  become  a  great  leader  of  men. 
lie  has  the  natural  ability  for  a  greal  orator;  and  he  knows 
a  good  poem  when  he  sees  it.  He  is  especially  fond  of  the 
poetry  of  Robert  Burns  ami  can  recite  with  effect  many  of 
his  poems.     lie  has  had  no  issue. 

The  writer  asked  .Mr.  Fenton  to  write  down  his  recollec- 
tions of  the  amusements  and  lighter  occupations  of  the 
young  folks  and  tin*  older  folks  in  the  early  days  in  Adams 
county,  and  he  has  furnished  this  interesting  sketch  : 

"As  a  rule  all  had  to  work  and  toil  hard  to  make  a  bare  liv- 
ing". The  term  'amusements'  was  not  in  general  use,  'fun'  was 
what  they  called  it.  Big  families  were  the  rule  and  they  had 
frolics,  singing  schools  and  spelling  matches.  There  were  no 
baseball  games,  but  what  was  similar  or  nearly  the  same  was 
called  'Bullpen.'  The  young  men  were  fond  of  displaying 
physical  strength  in  wrestling  and  jumping.  The  young  wom- 
en would  have  quilting  parties  and  the  old  women  would  have 
wool  pickings,  and  nearly  every  one  of  them  would  smoke  a 
pipe.  There  were  no  matches  in  general  use,  nor  stoves,  and 
they  would  take  their  pipes  to  the  fire  place  and  light  them 
with  coals  or  hot  embers.     The  young  people  began  to  have 


WILLIAM   FENTON   FAMILY  79 

picnics  about  the  time  I  was  twenty  years  old,  everybody 
walking-  to  them  or  riding  horseback,  and  man}-  times  the  yi  tung 
man  had  his  best  girl  on  behind  him.  I  don't  think  there  was 
one  buggy  for  every  five  hundred  people.  As  a  rule  everybody 
went  barefooted  in  summer  time;  could  not  afford  shoes;  just 
can't  tell  you  how  poor  the  people  were.  I  think  when  I  was 
ten  years  old,  there  was  not  a  bridge  over  any  stream  in  Ad- 
ams County.  The  public  roads  were  simply,  dreadfully  bad. 
For  some  years  there  was  but  one  wagon  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  that  was  Grandfather  Fenton's." 


SO  WILLIAM   FENTON  FAMILY 

WILLIAM  BAKER  FENTON  AND  FAMILY. 

WILLIAM  BAKEB  FENTON  (1843)  was  the  youngest 
of  the  children  of  William  Fenton.  He  was  too  young  to 
enter  the  army  service  in  the  Civil  War,  but  found  plenty 
to  do  around  the  farm  in  the  absence  of  his  brothers,  James 
and  Jerry.  When  he  was  a  young  boy  he  came  near  being- 
gored  to  death  by  a  bull,  but  saved  himself  by  crawling 
back  of  a  fence  post  at  the  corner  of  the  fence,  when  his 
brothers  and  sisters  came  to  his  rescue  with  pitchforks  ami 
drove  away  (he  infuriated  beast.  After  the  war  was  over 
he  moved  to  Doniphan  county,  Kansas,  where  on  March  1(1, 
1876,  he  married  Amanda  Ann  (Mem.  She  was  born  in 
Randolph  county,  Virginia,  March  27,  1853.  Her  parents' 
names  are  Sarah  and  Aaron  Clem  and  they  were  both  horn 
and  wed  in  Randolph  county,  Virginia. 

"Baker"  Fenton,  as  he  is  commonly  called,  has  been  a 
farmer  all  his  life  nut  il  recenl  ly,  when  he  left  his  tine  farm, 
near  Atchison,  Kansas,  in  charge  of  his  son,  Arthur,  and 
removed  to  Atchison,  where  he  now  lives.  Uncle  Baker 
has  always  been  an  honest,  industrious,  upright  citizen  ami 
a  sincere.  Christian  man.  lie  is  greatly  beloved  by  his 
brothers  and  sisters  and  those  who  know  him  well. 


ISSUE   OF   WILLIAM    BAKER   FENTON    AND    WIFE, 
AMANDA  ANN  CLEM. 

William  Arthur;  born  April  1.*"),  1879. 
James;  born  Feb.  1(1,  1SS4;  died  July  10,  1880. 
Caroline;  horn  October  7,  1887,  (single). 

WILLIAM  ARTHUR  FFXTON  is  a  worthy  son  of  his 
father.  He  married  Edna  Myrtle  Wynkoop  at  the  home  of 
her  parents  near  Atchison,  Kansas,  April  15,  1903.  She 
was  born  January  24,  1880,  a  daughter  of  John  Hoover 
Wynkoop  and  Nan  Robertson  Wynkoop.  They  have  had  no 
issue. 


WILLIAM    FENTON    FAMILY 


81 


CHAPTER  FOUR 

ELIZABETH  FENTON-EYLAR  FAMILY. 

ELIZABETH  FENTON-EYLAK  (1792-1835).  Unfor- 
tunately, very  little  is  known  respecting  Elizabeth  Fenton, 
second  born  of  Jeremiah  Fenton  and  Rosannah  Lawrence. 
Even  the  year  of  her  birth  is  nut  definitely  known.  How- 
ever, we  do  know  she  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, between  William,  October  18,  1790,  and  Delilah. 
July  22,  1704,  so  the  year  of  her  birth  is  set  down  as  17J)2, 
which  is  doubtless  correct.  She  is  said  to  have  been  a  very 
religious  woman. 

Mr.  James  K.  Fenton  is  the  only  person  who  has  been 

aide  to  tell  anything  at  all  of  her  personality.    He  writes  of 

her  as  follows : 

"She  was  dead  before  1  was  born,  but  from  what  I  have 
heard  I  think  she  was  just  a  plain,  honest,  hard  working,  good 
sort  of  woman.  She  was  a  splendid  wife  and  helpmate  to  her 
husband;  and  the}-  got  rich  for  the  times  in  which  they  lived. 
Two  little  negro  boys  came  to  her  one  day  and  the  older  told 
her  that  'Jerry'  wanted  a  piece  of  bread  and  butter,  but  that 
he  didn't  want  any  and  so  to  rebuke  him  for  lying  she  gave 
Jerry  a  piece  and  the  older  boy  none." 

When  she  was  quite  young,  and  likely  just  about  twenty, 

she  was  married  in  about  the  year  1814  to  Judge  Joseph 

Eylar;  and  on  account  of  the  distinction  and  success  won 

by  some  of  their  descendants  it  seems  fitting  to  devote  some 

little  space  to  the  Eylar  family. 


SKETCH  OF  JUDGE  EYLAR'S  FATHER. 

In   the  Evans   &   Stivers   "History   of  Adams   County, 

Ohio,"  ( 1900),  is  given  the  following  interesting  sketch  of 

Joseph  Eylar,  the  father  of  Joseph  Eylar,  who  married 

Elizabeth  Fenton : 

"Joseph   Eyler.   the  pioneer,   was  born   in   the   Kingdom   of 
Wurtemburg,  Germany,  September  22,   1759.     He  was  a  son 


ELIZABETH   EYLAR  FAMILY  83 


of  George  and  Catherine  Eyler,  who  lived  and  died  in  that 
country.  In  1777  he  ran  away  from  home  to  escape  service 
in  the  army,  and  after  walking  800  miles  to  the  coast,  shipped 
for  the  United  States,  arriving  at  Baltimore  in  the  autumn  of 
that  year.  From  that  time  until  the  period  of  his  marriage 
little  is  known  of  him  except  that  he  was  engaged  as  a  wag- 
oner and  accumulated  enough  to  own  a  four-horse  team  and 
a  "Cannestoga"  of  his  own.  In  1787  he  married  Mary  Ann 
Rosemiller,  a  daughter  of  John  George  Rosemiller.  living  in 
the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia.  The  Rosemillers  were  wealthy 
Tories,  and  objected  to  their  daughter's  marrying  the  un- 
known and  poor  wagoner;  an  elopement  followed,  and  Mar}" 
Ann  Rosemiller  became  Mary  Ann  Eyler. 

"The  breach  in  the  domestic  life  of  the  Rosemillers  made  by 
the  clandestine  marriage  of  Mary  Ann  remained  until  her 
death.  Her  sisters  had  married  well,  and  they  never  lost  the 
opportunity  to  remind  her  of  the  fact,  so  that  she  and  her  hus- 
band shortly  after  the  birth  of  their  first  child,  the  late  Judge 
Joseph  Evler,  of  Adams  County,  removed  to  Bedford,  Pennsyl- 
vania, then  a  frontier  town,  from  which  goods  were  distrib- 
uted to  the  settlements  in  western  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  It 
was  a  point  where  the  young  wagoner  found  ready  employ- 
ment. 

In  1705.  Joseph  Eyler  and  his  little  family,  in  company  with 
others,  came  down  the  Ohio  river  by  keelboat  and  landed  at 
the  "Three  Islands"  where  Nathaniel  Massie  had  founded  die 
town  of  Manchester.  Eyler  tended  a  patch  of  corn  on  the 
lower  island  that  summer,  and  the  following  winter  bnilt  a 
cabin  on  a  tract  of  three  hundred  acres  purchased  near  Killins- 
town. 

"He  cleared  away  the  forest  and  soon  possessed  one  of  the 
best  farms  in  that  portion  of  the  country.  He  was  industrious 
and  economical  and  accumulated  considerable  wealth  for  those 
times.  He  was  frequently  called  on  to  serve  in  local  official 
positions  such  as  'lister'  of  property,  being  a  man  of  good  judg- 
ment and  a  great  deal  of  common  sense.  From  Killinstown  he 
moved  to  a  farm  near  Winchester,  on  what  is  now  known  as 
the  "Massie  Farm."  He  resided  there  a  few  years  and  then 
bought  a  farm  near  Berryville,  in  Highland  County,  where  he 
conducted  a  distillery.  He  remained  there  until  i8,u.  when 
he  disposed  of  his  property  and  removed  to  Brown  County,  on 
a  farm  now  owned  by  his  grandson,  Carey  C.  Eyler,  north  oi 
the  village  of  Fincastle.  Here  he  died  July  29.  [839,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Wilson  cemetery  about  one  mile  east  of  the  vil- 
lage of  Fincastle.    His  wife  survived  until  March  [3,  [841. 

"In  personal  appearance  Joseph  Eyler  was  strikingly  pecu- 
liar. He  was  five  feet,  five  inches  in  height  and  weighed  over 
three  hundred  pounds.  His  complexion  was  very  fair,  hair 
dark,  and  eves  steel  blue.  He  spoke  English  tolerably  we  1, 
but  preferred  to  use  his  native  language  when  possible  to  do 


84  ELIZABETH    EYLAR   FAMILY 

so.  I  lis  household  language,  until  his  family  was  grown,  was 
the  German,  and  he  always  read  and  prayed  in  that  tongue. 
J 1  was  the  rule  in  his  Ik  iusehi  >ld  t<  i  read  a  pi  irl  ii  in  i  if  *  rod's  1  I  <  ily 
Word  every  evening,  followed  with  a  simple  family  worship 
in  the  way  i  if  prayer. 

"A  strong  trail  of  Joseph  Eyler  was  his  love  of  good  horses, 
of  which  he  always  kept  a  number  of  the  'largest  and  fattest.' 
In  pleasant  weather  he  would  turn  them  out  to  pasture,  and  as 
they  galloped  over  the  fields  they  fairly  shook  the  earth.  It 
was  a  common  remark  among  his  neighbors  when  it  thun 
dered,  that  "Joe  Eyler's  horses  were  having  a  romp." 

Attorney  E.  B.  Stivers,  who  wrote  the  foregoing  sketch 
of  Joseph  Eylar,  has  written  to  the  writer  thai  the  name 
should  be  spelled  "Eyler"  instead  of  "Eylar;"  Imt  those  de- 
scendants who  have  corresponded  with  the  writer  having 
used  Eylar,  thai  spelling  is  adopted  in  this  record. 


JOSEPH  EYLAR  II. 

Concerning  the  son,  Joseph  Eylar,  who  married  Eliza- 
beth Fenton,  Mr.  .lames  \Y.  Eylar,  of  Bendena,  Kansas,  has 
furnished  a  paper  containing  the  following  sketch  : 

"Joseph  Eylar,  eldest  son  oi  the  American  head  of  Eylar 
family,  was  horn  in  Pennsylvania,  lie  resided  at  Winchester, 
Adams  County,  (  )hio,  the  principal  part  of  his  life  and  (]' vd  and 
is  buried  there,  lie  carried  on  the  tanning  business  at  that 
point,  in  connection  with  farming,  lie  was  a  man  oi  promi 
nence  in  his  community,  acting  as  Associate  Judge  of  Adams 
County  from  [835  to  1849.  Under  the  system  of  two  Associate 
Judges  appointed  by  the  Governor,  he  sat  with  a  member  oi 
the  Supreme  Court,  on  a  bench  afterward  supplanted  by  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas.  The  Associate  Judges  were  not  nee 
essarily,  or  usually,  attorneys.  They  were  selected  because 
of  their  recognized  character  for  honesty,  and  disposition  to 
deal  justly  in  all  controversies  arising  between  man  and  man 
submitted  to  them  for  adjudication.  Judge  Joseph  Eyler  was 
a  short,  stoutly  built  man,  of  a  swarthy  complexion,  very  firm 
in  his  convictions,  frank  in  his  expressions,  yet  kind  and  char 
itable  withal.  He  died  of  paralysis,  after  an  illness  of  severai 
months.  He  was  in  Cincinnati  when  the  first  symptoms  ap- 
peared. It  was  noticed  by  those  with  whom  he  transacted 
business  that  he  was  ill  and  he  was  urged  to  return  home  at 
once.  This  he  did,  and  shortly  after  his  arrival  suffered  his 
first  stroke." 

Elizabeth  Fenton  Eylar  died  January  23,  1835,  and  is 


ELIZABETH  EYLAR  FAMILY  85 

buried  in  the  Winchester,  Ohio,  cemetery,  where  a  stone 
marks  her  grave. 

Thereafter  Joseph  Eylar  married  another  Elizabeth  Fen- 
I on.  a  daughter  of  "Kentucky  John"  Feuton,  and  second 
cousin  of  bis  tirst  wife. 

The  Eylar  family  Bible  is  in  the  possession  of  his  son, 
James  \Y.,  by  bis  second  wife.  He  lives  at  Bendena,  Kan- 
sas. 

By  bis  first  wife  he  bad  ten  and  by  bis  second  wife  seven 
children. 

ISSUE  OF  ELIZABETH   FENTON-EYLAR   (FIRST 
WIFE)    AND   JOSEPH   EYLAR. 

Rose  Ann  ;  born  .May  29,  1815;  died  June  — ,  1815. 
Mary  Ann;  born  July  5,  1816;  died  April  29,  1891. 
Sarah  Ann  ;  born  March  20,  ISIS;  died  May  29,  1877. 
Alfred  Allen  ;  born  Jan.  31,  1820;  died  Oct.  23,  1882. 
Ruth;  born  April  10,  1822;  died  August  6,  1878. 
Joseph  Fenton;  born  April  27,  1824;  died  June  15,  1890 
John;  born  July  C».  1826;  died  September  7.  1866. 
Benjamin  Franklin;  born  December  25,  1828;  died  18 — . 
David  Shafer;  burn  July  L0,  L831;  died  March  11,  1897. 
Oliver  Hazard;  born  Augusl  23,  1834;  died  Nov.  4.  1893. 

ROSE  ANN  EYLAE  (1815-1815)  was  the  tirsi  born  of 
Elizabeth  Fenton-Eylar ;  of  her.  nothing  is  known,  except 
that  she  died  young,  and  is  buried  at  Winchester. 


86  ELIZABETH  EYLAR  FAMILY 

MARY  ANN  EYLAR-MOORE  AND  FAMILY. 

MARY  AXX  EYLAR-MOORE  (1816-1891)  was  of  ro- 
bust appearance  and  fine  bearing,  and  of  ;i  very  genl  le,  lov- 
able disposition.  She  was  well  educated  for  her  time,  and 
was  a  greal  reader,  of  an  exceedingly  industrious  nature, 
she  instilled  habits  of  industry  in  her  children.  She  was  a 
lifelong  member  <>f  the  Methodisl  Church.  She  was  buried 
in  the  family  cemetery  near  Russellville,  Ohio.  She  was 
twice  married.  Firsl  to  James  l\  Young  and  then  to  James 
B.  Moore.  By  her  firsl  marriage  she  had  the  following 
issue:  James  Lucien  Moore,  a  saddler  of  Pontiac,  [llinois, 
and  Joseph  Elmore  Young,  a  farmer  of  Stanley,  Kansas, 
late  deceased.  This  is  the  only  information  the  writer 
after  diligent  efiforl  has  been  aide  to  gel  respecting  the  is- 
sue of  t he  lii-si  marriage. 

SECOND    MARRIAGE    OF    MARY    AXX     EYLAR. 

Mary  Ann  Eylar's  second  marriage  was  to  James  B.  Moore, 
March  10.  1844.  He  was  born  and  lived  his  entire  life  on  a 
farm  in  Brown  county,  Ohio.  11k  parentage  was  Scotch- 
Irish. 

ISSUE  OF  MARY  ANN  EYLAR  AND  JAMES  B.  MOORE. 

Matilda  Elizabeth;  born  February  22,  1845. 

John  Randolph;  born  September  2,  1846. 

Oscar  Buchanan;  horn  Oct.  20,  L848;  died  Tune  15,  1000. 

William  Carey;  horn  Aug.  11,  1850;  died  Dec.  0,  1853. 

Aaron  Eylar;  born  June  23,  1853,  (single). 

Emma  Theodosia;  horn  December  7,  L855,  (single). 

James  Monroe;  horn  October  12,  1857. 

MATILDA  ELIZABETH  MOORE-HAMILTON  (1845) 
was  married  to  James  Hiner  Hamilton,  a  farmer,  on  the 
20th  day  of  September,  1868.  He  was  horn  December  27, 
1838;  Ids  occupation  is  farming.  They  live  at  Russelville, 
Ohio. 


ELIZABETH  EYLAR  FAMILY  87 

ISSUE  OF  MATILDA  ELIZABETH  MOORE  AND  HUS- 
BAND, JAMES  H.  HAMILTON. 

Florence;  born  July  13,  1869,  (single). 
Mary  Elizabeth;  born  September  5,  1872. 
Alexander;  born  August  23,  1876;  died  Feb.  11,  1877. 
James  Lucien;born  December  13,  1S77,  (single). 
Eva;  bom  October  22,  1888;  died  August  17,  1889. 

MARY  ELIZABETH  HAMILTON-BLAIR  (1872)  was 
married  to  Wilber  R.  Blair,  a  merchant,  of  Knoxville,  Ten- 
nessee, June  1,  1903.     He  was  born  May  11,  1872. 

ISSUE  OF  MARY  ELIZABETH  HAMILTON-BLAIR 
AND  HUSBAND,  WILBER  R.  BLAIR. 

Mildred  Elizabeth;  born  July  5,  1905. 
Wilber  Hamilton;  born  November  21,  1908. 

JOHN  RANDOLPH  MOORE  (1816)  was  married  on 
May  10,  1871,  to  Elizabeth  McKibben,  who  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1848,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Ilervev  McKibben  and 
wife,  Mary  J.  Young. 

John  R.  Moore  was  born  and  spent  his  boyhood  days  on 
his  father's  farm,  near  Russellville,  Ohio.  He  is  well  edu- 
cated, having  graduated  from  Miami  University,  of  Oxford, 
Ohio,  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  in  the  class  of  1869.  After 
Leaving  college  he  taught  a  private  school  and  fitted  boys 
for  college,  some  of  them  entering  Dartmouth  College  and 
Hamilton  College.  He  then  took  up  the  study  of  law. 
spending  part  of  his  time  in  the  law  office  of  his  uncle,  Col. 
J.  K.  Cockerill,  at  West  Union.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1871  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  has  enjoyed  a  good 
practice  for  many  years.  He  has  held  public  office  as  fol- 
lows: Comity  School  Examiner  and  Prosecuting  Attorney 
for  Brown  county  for  four  years.  He  lives  at  Georgetown, 
Ohio. 


8S  ELIZABETH  EYLAR  FAMILY 

ISSUE   OF  JOHN   RANDOLPH   MOORE   AND   ELIZA- 
BETH McKIBBEN,  HIS  WIFE. 

Mary  Hervey;  born  .May  13, 1874. 

Nellie  Eylar;  born  July  29,  L878;  died  October  !»,  L890. 

John  Randolph,  Jr.;  born  May  19, 1882. 

MARY  HERVEY  MOORE-LYON  (1874)'was  married 
to  J.  I).  Lyon,  February  4,  1S!>7.  They  Live  al  Cincinnati, 
lie  is  a  sou  of  Louis  Lyon  and  Rachel  A.  J  >augherty. 

ISSUE  OF  MARY  HERVEY  MOORE-LYON  AND  J.  D. 
LYON,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Dorothy  Moore;  born  December  L6,  1  Sl>7. 

JOHN  RANDOLPH  MOORE,  JR.,  (1882)  is  married 
to  Sarah  Ellis,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Ellis  and  Georgia  A. 
Drake,  his  wife.  They  live  ;ii  Georgetown,  Ohio,  and  have 
had  no  children. 

OSCAR  BUCHANAN  MOORE  (1848-1909)  was  mar- 
ried to  Zorelda  Clifton  in  the  hist  of  August,  L874.  She 
was  horn  in  L842.  They  had  no  children.  Mr.  .Moore  was  a 
farmer  all  his  life,  near  Russellville,  Ohio,  where  lie  died 
and  is  buried.  His  widow  survives  him  and  still  lives  at 
Russellville. 

AARON  EYLAR  MOORE  (1853)  is  unmarried  and 
lives  at  Georgetown,  Ohio.  He  is  a  lawyer,  but  is  not  now 
in  the  active  practice.  To  him  the  writer  is  indebted  for 
much  genera]  information  respecting  the  Eylar  family,  and 
he  regrets  to  have  to  record  that  Mr.  Moore  has  not  been 
permitted  to  enjoy  the  best  of  health  for  the  last  few  years. 

He  was  too  modest  to  give,  as  requested,  a  sketch  of  him- 
self; hnt  it  is  well-known  that  he  is  one  of  Brown  county's 
most  respectable  cil  izens  and  a  wori  hy  member  of  t  he  Eylar 
family,  who  is  proud  of  his  ancestry,  and  one  who  takes 
pleasure  in  keeping  up  the  family  name. 


ELIZABETH  EYLAR  FAMILY 

EMMA  THEODOSIA  MOORE  (1855)  lives  at  Glencoe, 

Illinois.    She  is  unmarried. 

JAMES  MONROE  MOORE  (1857)  is  a  farmer  and 
lives  near  Russellville,  Ohio.  He  was  married  on  Decem- 
ber 4,  lS!)r>,  to  Mary  Ann  Taylor,  daughter  of  Samuel  R. 
and  Martha  A.  B.  Taylor,  by  the  Rev.  James  II.  Cooper,  of 

Red  Oak,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  JAMES  MONROE  MOORE  AND  MARY  ANN 
TAYLOR,  HIS  WIFE. 

Ruth;  born  October  30,  1896. 

Ernes!  Taylor;  horn  May  27,  1808. 

Frank  Eylar;  born  August  15,  1901. 

Mary;  born  January  4,  11)04. 

James  Monroe;  born  September  10,  100(5. 

Son  not  yet  named ;  born  December  18,  1908. 


91 


ELIZABETH   EYLAR  FAMILY 


SARAH  ANN  EYLAR-McNOWN  AND  FAMILY. 

SARAH  AXX  KYLAK-.Mi  NOW  X  (1818-1877)  was 
married  at  Winchester,  Ohio,  on  .March  H>.  1844  to  Sam- 
uel McNown,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  who  was  born  .Ian- 
nary  <>,  1810,  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  lie 
was  one  of  the  besl  farmers  in  Brown  county,  Ohio.  In 
politics  he  was  a  prominenj  Democrat,  and  was  twice  elect- 
ed a  Commissioner  for  Brown  county.  lie  was  a  man  of 
his  word,  and  his  word  was  as  good  as  his  bond,     lie  lived 


SAKAII      ANN     Ml'  NOW  N 


on  a  lino  farm  on  Eagle  Creels  near  Winchester,  on  which 
he  erected  a  beautiful  home,  and  his  was  one  of  the  best 
kept  up  places  in  Brown  county.    He  died  March  28,  1881. 

SARAH  AXX  EYLAR-McNOWN  was  a  woman  of 
strong  character,  a  model  housewife  and  worthy  helpmate 
to  her  husband;  aud  she  educated  her  children  into  habits 
of  industry,  thrift  and  piety.  She  was  nearly  all  her  life 
a  devoted  member,  and  regular  attendant,  of  the  Methodist 
Church. 


ELIZABETH  EYLAR  FAMILY  yi 

Both  she  and  her  husband  are  buried  in  the  Winchester 
cemetery. 

ISSUE  OF  SARAH  ANN  EYLAR-McNOWN  AND  HUS- 
BAND, SAMUEL  McNOWN. 

Margaret  E. 
William  Edgar 
Ruth  A. 
( Catherine 
Esther  Belle 

MARGARET  E.  McNOWN,  RUTH  McNOWN 
and  ESTHER  BELLE  McNOWN  have  not  married. 
After  the  death  of  their  parents  the  girls  continued 
to  occupy  the  old  home  place  together  and  since 
then  have  been  in  actual  charge  of  farming  it;  and  they 
have  managed  so  well  they  have  not  only  kept  it  up,  but  ac- 
tually improved  the  place,  and  added  to  their  lands,  since 
their  parents'  death.  Their  farm  products  are  always  of 
the  best,  and  their  fine  blooded  cattle  as  good  as  any  in  the 
county.  "Mag"  deserves  much  of  the  credit  for  their  suc- 
cess, for  she  has  steadily  remained  at  home  overseeing  the 
work  of  the  farm. 

Belle,  Ruth  and  Catherine  fitted  themselves  for  teachers, 
and  all  taught  school  quite  successfully  for  some  years. 

The  girls  are  all  good  business  women  and  careful  savers, 
and  instead  of  having  to  borrow  money  of  the  bank,  they 
loan  their  money  to  the  bank,  and  are  always  well  "pre- 
pared for  the  rainy  day." 

CATHERINE  McNOWN-COPPEL  (1900)  was 
married  on  February  28,  1884,  to  John  Donaldson  Coppel, 
a  farmer,  near  Ripley,  Ohio.  He  was  born  at  Manchester, 
Ohio,  and  was  a  graduate  of  Lebanon  University.  Mrs. 
Coppel  was  buried  at  Ripley,  Ohio.  The  following  sketch 
of  Mrs.  Coppel  was  written  by  a  friend: 

"Catherine  McNown  Coppel  was  a  woman  of  more  than 
ordinary  ability.  In  early  life  she  pursued  a  normal  course  oi 
study,  after  which  she  became  one  of  the  most  popular  and 
successful  teachers  of  her  native  comity.     She   married   hap- 


92  ELIZABETH  EYLAR  FAMILY 

pily,  but  was  soon  after  left  a  widow.  Her  devotion  Id  the 
young  took  her  again  into  the  profession  of  teaching.  Recog 
nizing  her  good  influence  over  children,  the  authorities  of 
Brown  county  asked  her  to  become  matron  of  the  Children's 
Home  at  Georgetown.  She  accepted  the  position  and  was 
eminently  successful  in  her  work.  From  Georgetown  she  was 
called  to  a  similar  position  in  the  great  Odd  Fellows'  Home  at 
Springfield,  Ohio.  Here  the  value  of  her  services  became 
widely  known  over  the  state.  In  the  management  of  the 
affairs  of  her  department  she  developed  executive  ability  of  a 
high  order. 

"In  the  midst  of  a  most  useful  career  death  overtook  her. 
She  was  a  most  lovable  woman,  optimistic,  affable  and  kindly. 
She  died,  as  she  lived,  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church." 


ISSUE  OF  CATHERINE  McNOWN   AND  JOHN  DON 
ALDSON  COPPEL,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Samuel  Carey;  born  Dee.  30,  1884;  died  April  8,  1886. 


ELIZABETH   EVLAR  FAMILY  93 

ALFRED  ALLEN  EYLAR  AND  FAMILY. 

ALFRED  ALLEN  EYLAE  (1820-1882)  was  married  in 
1843  or  1S44  to  Rebecca  Ann  Cockerill,  daughter  of  the  fa- 
mous Gen.  Daniel  Cockerill  and  sister  of  the  equally  well- 
known  Gen.  Joseph  Randolph  Cockerill.  Daniel  Cockerill 
was  horn  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  in  17(.>_.  and  moved 
Lo  Adams  county,  Ohio,  in  L837.  lie  was  a  Lieutenanl  from 
Virginia  and  a  Major-Genera]  of  the  Ohio  Militia,  lie  was 
in  the  war  of  1812  and  was  one  of  Adams  county's  most 
prominent  and  patriotic  citizens. 

On  October  3,  1855,  Mr.  Eylar  and  his  wife  with  another 
family  by  the  name  of  Best  started  out  on  a  journey  by 
wagon  to  Pontine,  Illinois,  where  they  settled  on  a  farm. 
The  trip  was  slow,  lasting  for  several  weeks.  Mr.  Eylar 
was  a  worthy  citizen.  In  religious  matters  he  was  known 
to  he  liberal.  His  wife,  Rebecca  Ann,  was  horn  April  s, 
1822,  and  died  February  24,  L864.  Both  are  buried  at  rou- 
tine, Illinois. 

ISSUE  OF  ALFRED  ALLEN  EYLAR  AND  REBECCA 
ANN  COCKERILL,  HIS  WIFE. 

Townsend  Randolph;  horn  May  '.\,  lS-t.~>;  died  June  23, 
184o. 
Daniel  Calhoun;  horn  September  26,  1S4<>. 
Alfred  Randolph;  born       — ,  1S41> ;  died  Augusl  7,  L886. 
Esther  Alverda  ;  horn  <  October  30,  1851. 

DANIEL  CALHOUN  EYLAR  I  1846  j  has  been  a  promi- 
nent citizen  of  Pontiac,  Illinois,  for  many  years.  The  fol- 
lowing sketch  of  him,  written  by  a  friend,  is  taken  from  the 
"History  of  Adams  ( 'ounty,  <  )hio  :" 

"Mr.  Eylar  is  a  man  of  the  strictest  integrity,  a  warm  and 
sympathetic  friend,  a  good  citizen,  having  decided  political 
opinions,  but  seldom  expressing  them,  and  with  no  desire  For 
office,  a  capital  business  man  as  attested  by  his  long  connec- 
tion with  and  now  at  the  head  of  one  of  our  strongesl  financial 
institutions,  the  Livingstone  County  National  Bank.  l,(-'_ils 
highly  respected  by  our  people  and  loved  by  his  intimate-. 

He  was  married  to  Alice  A.  Bornberger,  of  Pontiac,  li- 


94  ELIZABETH  EYLAR  FAMILY 

linois,  on  October  5,  1870.  She  was  born  February  22, 
1850,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Anna  K.  Horn- 
berger.  She  died  of  consumption  on  May  28,  1874.  He 
has  not  re-married. 

ISSUE  OF  DANIEL  CALHOUN  EYLAR  AND  ALICE  A. 
HORNBERGER,  HIS  WIFE. 

Mary;  born  February  25,  1872;  died  June  11,  1873. 

ALFEED  RANDOLPH  EYLAK  (1849-1886)  remained 
single  throughout  his  life.  He  was  a  resident  of  Las  Vegas, 
New  .Mexico,  during  the  latter  years  of  his  life  where  lie 
was  a  ranchman  and  stock  raiser.  lie  was  buried  by  the 
side  of  his  father  and  mother  at  Pontiac,  Illinois. 

ESTHER  ALVE1M)A  EYLAR-FILLMORE  (1851)  was 
married  January  3,  1877,  at  Pontiac,  Illinois,  to  Millard 
Fillmore,  a  son  of  Elijah  Fillmore  and  Abigail  Chase,  his 
wife.  He  was  born  at  Bennington,  Vermont,  January  31, 
1849.  He  is  a  nephew  and  namesake  of  Millard  Fillmore, 
once  President  of  the  United  States.  He  was  formerly  in 
the  dry  goods  business,  but  is  now  retired  and  lives  at  Los 
Angeles,  California. 

ISSUE  OF  ESTHER  ALVERDA  EYLAR-FILLMORE 
AND  MILLARD  FILLMORE,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Alice  May;  born  Dec.  15,  1877;  died  Feb.  15,  1880,  at 
Chicago. 

Millard  Eylar;  born  Jan.  8,  1889,  at  Pomona,  California. 


ELIZABETH  EYLAR  FAMILY  95 

RUTH  EYLAR-COCKERILL  AND  FAMILY. 

RUTH  EYLAR-COCKERILL  (1822-1878)  was  married 
to  Joseph  Randolph  Cockerill  in  the  year  1840.     Be  was  a 

son  of  Gen.  Daniel  Cockerill  and  Esther  ('raven,  and  be- 
came one  of  Adams  county's  distinguished  citizens.  From 
1840  to  1846  he  was  a  surveyor  and  teacher.  Thereafter 
he  was  clerk  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas;  and  then  was 
elected  to  the  50th  General  Assembly  of  Ohio.  In  1856  he 
was  sent  to  Congress  from  the  6th  Ohio  District.  After  he 
split  teaching  school  lie  practiced  law  and  was  one  of  the 
best  lawyers  at  the  West  Union  bar.  He  was  a  Democrat, 
but  was  also  intensely  patriotic   When  the  <  Mvil  War  broke 

out  he  was  commissioned  by  the  Governor  of  Ohio  t •- 

ganize  the  Tilth  Ohio  infantry  Regiment  as  its  Colonel. 
General  Sherman  said  of  him  at  Shiloh  that  "he  behaved 
with  great  gallantry  and  kept  his  men  better  together  than 
any  Colonel  in  my  (hist  division  and  was  with  me  i  him) 
from  first  till  last."'  He  died  August  23,  1875.  Practically 
all  of  the  foregoing  facts  respecting  Mr.  Cockerill  have 
been  taken  from  the  Evans  &  Stivers  "History  of  Adams 
County."  wherein  he  is  characterized  as  follows: 

"He  was  a  born  soldier.  As  a  courtier  and  diplomat  he 
would  have  been  successful.  As  a  soldier,  lawyer,  statesman. 
citizen,  he  was  successful  and  merited  the  approbation  of  his 
contemporaries  and  will  merit  that  of  posterity." 

Ruth  Eylar-Cockerill  and   husband   are  both   buried  ai 

West  Union,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  RUTH  EYLAR-COCKERILL  AND  HUS- 
BAND, JOSEPH  RANDOLPH  COCKERILL. 

Armstead  Thompson  Mason;  born  1841  ;  died  L870. 

Esther  Elizabeth;  born  1843. 

John  Albert  ;  born  December  4.  1845;  died  April  L0,  1896. 

Surah  Mary;  born  1S47;  died  1871. 

Oliver  Oscar;  born --;  died,  age 3  years. 

ARMSTEAD  THOMPSON  MASON  COCKERILL 
(1841-1870)    entered   the  24th   Ohio   Volunteer    Enfantry, 


%  ELIZABETH   EYLAR  FAMILY 

Company  "D,"  as  a  private,  when  twenty  years  of  age;  was 
promoted  and  finally  mustered  out  June  -4,  1864,  as  Col- 
onel of  the  regiment.  After  the  war  he  lived  at  Hamilton, 
Ohio,  and  served  as  Assessor  of  Internal  Revenue  in  the 
6th  Ohio  District  by  appointment  of  President  Johnson. 
Later  he  moved  to  West  Union  and.  his  health  impaired  l>y 
military  service,  he  died  at  the  early  age  of  28  years  and  is 
buried  beside  his  father  at  West  Union,  Ohio,  lie  left  a 
son  named  for  himself,  who  is  a  machinist,  and  lives  at 
Hamilton,  Ohio. 

ESTHER     ELIZABETB     COCKERILL-CAMPBELL, 

better  known  as  "Hattie"  Campbell  was  married  to  I>r. 
.John  Campbell,  October  13,  1869.  Dr.  Campbell  was  born 
February  9,  L828,  graduated  from  Washington  and  Jeffer- 
son College  with  A.  B.  in  1 S 47  and  later  received  from  that 
college  the  degree  of  M.  A.  He  then  removed  to  Adams 
county,  Ohio,  and  practiced  medicine  at  Tranquility  until 
the  <  'ivil  War  began.  I  Ie  became  <  aptaiu  of  <  'ompany  "1" 
of  the  70th  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  and  was  discharged 
November  1,  L864.  After  the  war  he  practiced  medicine  at 
West  Union  and  Delhi,  Ohio,  until  1885,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed Medical  Referee  in  the  Pension  Department  at 
Washington.  In  1889  he  became  Inspector  for  the  Equit- 
able Life  Insurance  ('ompany  of  New  York  with  headquar- 
ters at  Philadelphia,  which  position  he  held  until  his  death. 
Most  of  the  foregoing  facts  were  taken  from  Evans  &  Stiv- 
ers '"History  of  Adams  County,  Ohio."  Dr.  Campbell  was 
a  member  of  the  Loyal  Legion.  He  died  at  Philadelphia, 
February  4,  1909;  but  Mrs.  Campbell  is  still  living.  She 
resides  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  with  her  daughter,  Helen. 

ISSUE  OF  ESTHER  ELIZABETH  COCKERILL-CAMP- 
BELL AND  HUSBAND,  JOHN  CAMPBELL. 

Mabel;  born  1870;  died  1878. 

Joseph  Randolph;  born  March  12,  1872;  died  May  30, 
1898. 

Helen  Moore;  born  1878. 


ELIZABETH   EYLAR   FAMILY  97 

JOSEPH  RANDOLPH  ( CAMPBELL  ( 1872-1898) .  The 
following  sketch  is  taken  from  the  Evans  &  Stivers  "His- 
tory of  Adams  County." 

JOSEPH  RANDOLPH  CAMPBELL. 

"Joseph  Randolph  Campbell,  son  of  Dr.  John  and  Esther  C. 
Campbell,  was  born  in  Delhi,  Ohio,  March  12,  1872.  His  edu- 
cation was  commenced  in  the  Home  City  and  Delhi  public 
schools  and  continued  at  Washington,  D.  C,  until  September 
29,  1888,  when  he  entered  the  U.  S.  Naval  Academy  at  An- 
napolis, Md.,  as  a  naval  cadet,  under  appointment  by  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Navy  to  fill  a  vacancy  from  Wyoming  Territory. 
He  graduated  from  the  academy  June,  1892,  with  first  honors, 
and  was  assigned  to  the  Newark,  then  about  to  sail  for  Euro- 
pean waters  as  the  representative  of  the  United  States  navy  in 
the  Spanish  and  Italian  Columbian  celebrations.  About  a 
year  later  he  was  transferred  to  the  San  Francisco,  and  was  in 
the  harbor  of  Rio  Janeiro  (hiring  the  exciting  times  of  the  Bra- 
zilian revolt  of  '93  and  '94.  In  June,  1894,  he  returned  to  the 
naval  academy  for  final  examination,  preceding  his  commis- 
sion as  ensign.  He  came  through  this  ordeal  with  distinction, 
standing  at  the  head  of  the  line  division  of  his  class,  and  was 
duly  commissioned  as  an  ensign  to  date  from  July  1,  1894.  I  le 
was  assigned  to  duty  on  the  New  York,  then  the  finest  cruiser 
in  the  new  navy  ami  about  to  sail  as  our  nation's  representa- 
tive in  the  grand  marine  pageant  of  the  opening  of  the  Kiel 
Canal.  While  at  Kiel,  he  commanded  the  boat  of  the  New- 
York  which  gained  one  of  the  races  given  by  the  German  Em- 
peror's Yacht  Club,  and  received  as  the  prize  two  silver  cups 
from  Kaiser  William.  After  serving  on  the  New  York  the 
usual  term,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Alliance,  training  ship 
for  naval  apprentices,  for  two  cruises  across  the  Atlantic  and 
through  the  West  Indies.  Then  followed  duty  at  the  War 
College  and  Torpedo  Station  at  Newport,  R.  1.,  until  he  was 
transferred  to  the  Katahdin  at  the  commencement  of  the  re 
cent  war  with  Spain.  In  April,  1898,  while  at  Hampton  Roads, 
he  was  attacked  by  a  sickness  which  later  developed  into  an 
exceedinglv  severe  typhoid  fever.  His  reluctance  to  be  oil  his 
post  under  the  war  excitement,  until  absolutely  prostrated, 
added  greatly  to  the  intensity  of  the  disease,  and  possibly  the 
overtaxation  of  his  constitution  by  the  efforts  of  continued 
duty,  gave  the  disease  its  fatal  direction.  However,  alter  Ins 
impaired  health  had  lasted  nearly  a  month  under  greal  -Irani. 
his  ship  having  reached  Boston,  he  was  taken  to  the  Naval 
Hospital  on  May  4,  and  died  May  30,  [898,  al  noon,  while  a 
company  of  marines  were  decorating  the  graves  ol  departed 
heroes  in  the  cemetery  in  the  hospital  grounds  adjacent.' 


98  ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY 

HELEN  MOORE  CAMPBELL-ADRIANCE  (1878) 
was  married  at  the  home  of  her  parents  in  Philadelphia  on 
July  6,  1905,  to  Walter  Maxwell  Adriance.  He  was  born 
April  lM>,  1STS;  was  graduated  from  Vale  University  in 
1900  ami  is  now  teaching  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  being 
a  professor  in  Princeton  University.  They  have  had  no 
issue. 

JOHN  ALBERT  COCKERILL  (1845-1896)  was  per- 
haps the  most  brilliant  of  the  descendants  of  Jeremiah 
Fenton.  lie  was  the  only  one  to  win  no1  only  national,  1ml 
world-wide  fame.  Jlis  father  told  Hon.  L.  J.  Fenton  thai 
his  son  .John  was  a  "real  Fenton."  The  writer  regrets  his 
total  lack  of  personal  acquaintance  with  his  history. 

The  following  sketch  is  taken  from  said  "History  of 
Adams  ( 'onnt  v  :" 


"JOHN  A.  COCKERILL, 

also  known  as  Joseph  Daniel  Albert  Cockerill,  was  born  De- 
cember 4,  [845,  at  Locust  Grove,  Ohio,  and  died  April  10, 
[896,  at  Cain >,  Egypt. 

"I  lis  grandfather,  Daniel  Cockerill,  was  a  lieutenant  of  ar- 
tillery in  the  War  of  1812,  and  was  engaged  at  Craney  Island. 
His  brother,  Armstead  Thompson  Mason  Cockerill.  was  First 
Lieutenant,  Captain,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Colonel  of  the 
24th  O.  A'.  T.  His  uncle,  Daniel  T.  Cockerill,  was  Captain  of 
Battalion  I\  First  Ohio  Light  Artillery,  and  was  promoted  to 
Captain  of  Battalion  D,  March  [6,  1864.  He  was  mustered 
out  March  16,  1864. 

"His  father,  Joseph  Randolph  Cockerill.  was  Colonel,  70th 
O.  V.  I.,  October  2.  1861,  and  resigned  April  23,  1864.  lie 
was  breveted  Brigadier  General  for  gallantry  on  the  field. 

"John  received  such  education  as  the  common  schools  af- 
forded, but  his  tastes  ran  to  geography  and  history.  He  en- 
listed in  the  24th  O.  A'.  I.  as  a  member  of  the  band  at  the  age 
of  sixteen,  on  July  18,  1861,  and  was  mustered  out  September 
10,  1862,  by  order  of  the  War  Department,  for  discharge  of 
Regimental  Bands.  He  fought  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  with  a 
musket.  He  was  Colonel  on  the  Staff  of  Governor  William 
Allen  in  1872.  He  learned  to  set  type  in  the  office  of  the 
Scion,  at  West  Union.  He  was  Journal  Clerk  in  the  Legisla- 
ture from  1868  to  1871,  and  after  that  was  an  editor  in  Day- 
ton and  Hamilton.  He  accepted  a  reportorial  position  under 
J.  !'».  McCullough  on  the  Cincinnati  Enquirer,  and  later  be- 
came its  managing  editor.  I  [e  was  special  correspondent  from 
flic  scenes  of  the  RllSSO-Turkish  War  in   1877. 


ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY 

"He  was  editor  of  the  Washington  Post,  Baltimore  Gazette, 
and  St.  Louis  Post-Dispatch.  Then  he  assumed  the  place  of 
managing  editor  of  the  New  York  World  and  built  that  paper 
up.  He  next  became  editor  of  the  New  York  Morning  Adver 
tiser  and  the  Commercial  Advertiser,  and  afterwards  accepted 
the  position  of  special  war  correspondent  for  the  Mew  York 
Herald  to  report  the  Chinese-Japanese  War  in  1895,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  service  of  the  Herald  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
He  was  stricken  with  apoplexy  April  10,  1896,  a1  Sheperd's 
Hotel  in  Cairo.  Egypt,  and  died  in  two  hours,  without  regain 
ing  consciousness.  His  body  was  brought  home  and  buried  in 
St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

"He  was  a  man  of  unusually  kind  disposition.  No  appeal 
by  a  friend  was  ever  made  to  him  in  vain.  His  goodness  of 
heart  and  generosity  of  nature  are  attested  by  innumerable 
acts  of  kindness,  which  keep  him  in  loving  remembrance  by 
all  who  knew  him  in  friendly  intimacy, 

"His  sterling  qualities  as  a  man.  as  an  editor,  and  as  a  friend 
secured  his  election  as  President  of  the  Xew  York  Press  Club 
four  times  successively. 

"He  was  a  writer  of  great  force  and  vigor,  keen,  witty,  and 
an  adept  in  the  use  of  argument  or  satire.  Xo  opening  in  the 
mail  of  an  adversary  escaped  the  polished  shaft  of  his  wit. 

"His  keen  perception  of  character  in  others  was  so  accurate 
that  he  was  always  sustained  by  an  editorial  staff  of  unusual 
ability. 

"His  letters  from  Japan  are  among  the  finest  examples  oi 
English  composition.  The  character  of  the  people,  their  civil- 
ization, the  genius  of  their  institutions  and  government,  are  so 
accurately  set  forth  as  to  be  almost  a  revelation  to  the  people 
of  the  western  world.  While  there  he  undertook  a  hazardous 
mission  to  Corea,  on  behalf  of  the  Japanese  government.  1  >n 
his  return  from  which,  in  recognition  of  that  service,  and  of 
the  high  esteem  he  had  gained  among  that  people,  as  a  faith- 
ful historian  and  journalist,  the  Emperor  conferred  on  him 
"The  Order  of  the  Sacred  Treasure."  Only  two  other  men. 
other  than  Japanese  noblemen,  had  ever  received  this  mark  oi 
distinction.  The  name  of  the  first  one  is  unknown  to  the  writ 
er.  Sir  Edwin  Arnold  was  second,  and  John  A.  Cockerill  the 
third. 

"He  had  been  a  Democrat  until  the  administration  of  L 
dent  Harrison,  when  he  became  a   Republican  and  continued 
devoted  to  that  party  during  his  life." 

SARAH   MARY    EYLAR-STEWART   wis   married    to 

Captain  William  P.  Stewart,  an  officer  in  her  father's  regi- 
ment, and  afterward  an  adjutant  in  one  of  ili<-  regiments 
of  Hancock's  Veteran  Corps.     Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stewarl 

arc  dead. 


j«qe;21 


100  ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY 

ISSUE   OF   SARAH  M.   EYLAR-STEWART  AND   WIL- 
LIAM  R.   STEWART. 

John  A.  (  \  Stewart,  born . 

JOHN  A.  C.  STEWART  went  to  New  York  City  to  study 
navigation.  One  night  while  his  vessel  was  rounding  Cape 
Horn  he  was  swept  overboard  and  lost  forever. 

The  foregoing  facts  in  relation  to  the  family  of  Sarah 
M.  Stewart  are  taken  from  a  paper  furnished  by  James  \Y. 
Eylar,  of  Bendena,  Kansas. 

OLIVEE  ( >SCAR  EYLAR  died  at  the  age  of  three  years, 
live  months  and  six  days  and  is  buried  at  West  Union. 


ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY  L01 

JOSEPH  FENTON  EYLAR. 

JOSEPH  FENTON  EYLAR  (1824-1890)  was  married 
to  Sallie  Judith  Edwards  at  Corsicana,  Texas,  October  14, 
1874.  She  was  burn  at  Elkton,  Kentucky,  August  24,  1846. 
He  died  and  is  buried  at  Corsicana,  Texas.  His  widow  sur- 
vives him  and  lives  at  Corsicana.    They  had  no  issue. 

A  friend  gives  the  following  sketch  of  him  : 

"Mr.  Evlar  came  to  Texas  when  he  was  a  middle-aged  man. 
He  first  settled  in  Dallas  and  was  in  the  saddle  and  harness 
business  there  for  several  years.  Selling  out  his  business  he 
came  to  Corsicana  in  1872  and  continued  in  the  same  business 
until  a  few  years  before  his  death.  He  was  a  member  of  no 
church,  but  was  a  kind-hearted  man  and  had  entirely  too  much 
confidence  in  everyone  for  his  own  good.  He  was  rather 
small  of  stature  with  brown  hair  and  grey  eyes,  lie  was  a 
democrat  in  politics." 


102  KLIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY 

JOHN  EYLAR  AND  FAMILY. 

JOHN  EYLAR  (1826-1866),  commonly  called  "Jack" 
Eylar,  was  married  to  Ami  A.  Wilkins  at  Winchester,  ( )hi<>, 
March  iNl,  1S4<;,  where  they  lived  until  L848;  then  they  live-' 
at  Youngville  until  1856;  and  in  I860  removed  to  tlici. 
permanenl  home  at  West  Union.  Mrs.  Eylar  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  P.  Wilkins  and  Susan  B.  Wood- Wilkins,  both 
lawyers  at  the  West  Union  bar.  She  descended  from  (len- 
eral  Daniel  Wilkins,  of  New  England,  from  whom  also 
descended  General  .!<>lin  A.  Dix,  Win.  Wilkins,  United 
Slates  Secretary  of  War  under  President  Buchanan,  and 
Eldridge  Eastman,  of  the  Atlanta  Constitution.    She  died 

December  I'd,  1S!)7. 

John  Eylar  served  in  the  Union  Army  as  wagon  master 
in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  He  was  spare  of  build,  had 
blue  exes.  Mack  hair  and  a  fair  complexion.  He  was  a 
harness  maker  by  trade,  and  was  a  man  of  firm,  honest, 
industrious  habits.  He  connected  himself  with  no  church 
and  his  religion  was  charity  and  kindness  to  others.  He 
did  not  believe  in  the  army  triumphant,  but  in  the  army 
militant.  He  died  at  West  Union  of  Asiatic  cholera,  the 
dreaded  scourge  which  had  in  previous  years  at  West 
Union  taken  away  so  many  lives. 

ISSUE  OF  JOHN  EYLAR  AND  ANN  A.  WILKINS,  HIS 

WIFE. 

•Joseph  Wilkins,  born  March  11,  1S4T;  died  August  28, 
1906. 

Oliver  Alfred,  born  August  27,  1X4!);  died  September 
5,  11)01. 

Samuel  Randolph,  born  July  9,  1852;  died  June  27,  1897. 

John  Alfred,  born  February  1(5,  IS."). 

Daniel  Putnam  Wilkins,  born  July  2,  1858. 

Louella  Barker,  born  February  2,  1861  (single). 

Albert  Sidney  Johnson,  born  August  -,  1866. 

JOSEPH  WILKINS  EYLAE  (1847-1906)  was  married 
in  March,  1889,  to  Mary  Ellen  Oldson,  daughter  of  James 

11.  Oldson,  of  West  Union,  Ohio. 


ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY  103 

The  following  information  respecting  him  is  gathered 
from  the  History  of  Adams  County,  Ohio: 

"In  1862  he  went  with  his  father  in  the  army,  acting  as  team- 
ster and  forage  master,  lie  was  with  Burnside's  Army  in  east 
Tennessee  in  1863.  Me  carried  dispatches  from  General  Burn- 
side  and  once  narrowly  escaped  capture  by  the  rebels,  in  1865 
he  walked  over  Adams  County.  Ohio,  canvassing  lor  sub- 
scribers and  on  the  19th  day  of  January,  1866,  he  launched  the 
People's  Defender  on  the  troubled  sea  of  journalism.  A-  a 
newspaper  it  was  a  success  from  the  start.  In  1876  and  in 
1878  he  was  elected  a  representative  from  Adams  County  to 
the  Ohio  legislature.  lie  made  a  record  as  an  efficient  legis- 
lator. In  1890  after  publishing  the  People's  Defender  for  24 
years  he  sold  it  and  moved  to  Georgetown,  Ohio,  where  lie 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  News-Democrat  and  continued 
to  be  its  editor  and  publisher  until  he  died.  .Mr.  Eylar  was  a 
democrat  in  the  intensest  sense  of  the  word.  lie  was  a  good 
friend,  a  good  neighbor,  a  bad  enemy,  and  a  good  citizen.  He 
believed  in  the  broad  religion  of  humanity  and  practiced  it 
every  day  of  his  life." 

One  of  his  brothers  has  furnished  the  following  sketch 
of  him  : 

'"Joseph  W.  Eylar  died  at  Georgetown,  Ohio.  When  a  boy 
of  18  years,  he,  together  with  four  brothers,  established  at 
West  Union,  Ohio,  a  newspaper  named  by  his  mother,  Ann 
A.  Wilkins  Eylar,  the  "People's  Defender."  After  publishing 
the  'Defender'  for  24  years,  he  removed  to  Georgetown  and 
became  editor  of  the  'XewsM)emocrat.'  Joseph  W.  Eylar  was 
a  brilliant,  virile  and  versatile  writer.  A  contemporary  paid, 
at  his  bier,  the  following  tribute: 

"'He  wielded  a  facile  pen  and.  in  the  days  of  his  youth,  a 
caustic  pen;  but  always  against  the  wrong  and  in  advocacy  of 
the  right.'  " 


ISSUE  OF  JOSEPH  WILKINS  EYLAR  AND  MARY  EL- 
LEN OLDSON-EYLAR,  HIS  WIFE. 

Margaret  Ann. 
William   Allen. 
Jaines  Norton. 
Lotta  Sinclare. 

OLIVER  ALFRED  EYLAK  (1849-1901)  served  in  the 
Union  Army  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  with  his  father 
and  brother  Joseph.    After  the  war  was  over  he  Learned  I  he 


101  ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY 

printer's  trade  and  located  at  Dallas,  Texas,  where  he  en- 
gaged also  in  handling  real  estate,  lie  married  Anna  Kea. 
They  had  no  issue.  One  of  his  brothers  has  very  kindh 
furnished  the  following  sketch  of  him. 

"Oliver  A.  Eylar  departed  this  life  at  Georgetown,  Ohio, 
September  5,  1901.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Dallas,  Texas,  where  he  had  located  many  years  prior, 
lie  was  at  Xew  Orleans  at  the  time  of  the  fight  between  the 
'McEnery  Legislature'  and  the  'Rump  Legislature'  and,  also, 
the  first  'Mardi  Gras'  pageant  after  the  close  of  the  'Great 
Civil  War.'  lie  contributed  descriptions  of  both  to  the  news- 
papers, lie  established  the  first  daily  paper  in  Dallas  and 
which  is  now  known  as  the  'Dallas  News."  lie,  also,  estab- 
lished the  daily  and  weekly  'Corsicana  Courier,'  Corsicana, 
Texas.  From  boyhood  he  was  noted  for  his  modesty  and  con- 
servatism, lie  was  a  writer  of  great  force  and  power  ami 
brilliant  descriptive  qualities.  A  fellow  printer  paid  the  fol- 
lowing tribute  to  his  name:  'lie  was  of  a  modest,  retiring  dis- 
position, jealous  of  his  honor  and  striving  to  lead  a  life  of 
purity,  in  every  respect.  His  whole  ambition  was  to  help 
others.'  " 

SAMUEL  RANDOLPH  EYLAB  (1852-1897)  did  not 
injury  and  left  no  family.  One  of  his  brothers  has  written 
of  him  the  following: 

"Samuel  Randolph  Eylar  was  given  the  Christian  name  of 
two  of  his  uncles,  namely,  General  Joseph  Randolph  Cockerill, 
of  West  Union,  Ohio,  and  Samuel  McNown,  of  Russellville. 
Ohio.  He  was  of  a  buoyant  and  optimistic  temperament  and 
artistic  in  his  tastes  and  became  what  is  known  to  the  craft 
as  a  'job  printer.'  He  departed  this  life  at  Brenham,  Texas, 
on  the  27th  day  of  June,  A.  D.,  1897,  where  he  was  buried.  A 
contemporary  speaking  of  him,  after  his  death,  wrote  'He  was 
acknowledged  by  the  craft  to  be  the  finest  job  printer  the  coun- 
try afforded."  " 

JOHN  ALFRED  EYLAE  (1855)  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  bar  of  Waverly,  Ohio.  He  married  Lucy  A. 
Douglas,  daughter  of  John  Patterson  Douglas,  clerk  of 
courts,  and  Adaline  .McLaughlin  Douglas,  on  February  ll», 
1887.  She  was  born  July  27,  1865,  at  California,  Ohio,  and 
is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  .Mr.  Eylar  is  a  Democrat.  He 
served  several  years  as  prosecuting  attorney  of  Pike  coun- 
ty, Ohio.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1876  anil  has 
made  a  tine  record  as  a  trial  lawyer.  As  prosecuting  attor- 
ney only  one  of  over  four  hundred  indictments  drawn  by 


ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY  105 

hiin  was  held  defective.  Be  is  now  in  the  general  practice 
of  law  and  is  said  to  be  in  the  front  ranks  of  his  profes- 
sion. In  addition  to  the  office  of  prosecuting  attorney  he 
has  also  hold  the  very  honorable  post  of  presidenl  of  the 
Waverly,  Ohio,  school  board. 


ISSUE  OF  JOHN  A.  EYLAR  AND  WIFE,  LUCY  A. 
DOUGLAS. 

Kathleen,  b.  . 


Melville  Fuller,  b. . 

Alverda  Louise,  b. . 

Helen  Douglas,  b. . 

DANIEL  PUTNAM  WILKINS  EYLAR  (1858).  The 
following  sketch  of  him  is  copied  from  the  History  of 
Adams  ( !ounty,  being  the  only  informal  ion  obtainable. 

"He  was  educated  in  the  West  Union  public  schools  and  at 
the  age  of  17  became  a  teacher  in  the  common  schools,  lie 
early  learned  the  printer's  art  and  after  teaching  for  several 
years,  he,  with  E.  B.  Stivers  and  W,  F.  Trotter,  began  the  pub 
lication  of  the  Index,  afterwards  the  Democrat-Index,  at  West 
Union,  in  1889.  He  became  the  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
last  named  paper,  in  1891,  and  continued  its  publication  untii 
1896,  when  it  was  disposed  of  to  the  publishers  of  the  'Defend- 
er.' In  politics,  Mr.  Eylar  is,  as  he  puts  it,  'Independently 
democratic  without  any  aspirations  for  official  preferment. 
He  is  an  active  worker  in  and  one  of  the  best  informed  mem 
bers  of  Crystal  Lodge  No.  114,  K.  of  P.,  West  Union." 

This  is  all  the  information  obtainable  respecting  Mr. 
Eylar.  The  writer  received  a  letter  from  him  from  Clifton, 
Arizona,  in  March,  1909. 

LOUELLA  BARKER  EYLAR  <  1861  )  has  chosen  to  re- 
main single  and  to  teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot. 
Slie  has  been  a  successful  instructor  in  first-class  public 
schools  for  many  successive  years.  She  has  v^'iy  kindly 
furnished  considerable  information  respecting  the  Eylar 
family.     She  lives  at  West  Union,  Ohio. 

ALBERT  SIDNEY  JOHNSON  EYLAR  (1866)  is  a 
lawyer  by  profession.     He  has  held  the  office  of  assistanl 


106  ELIZABETH   EYLAR    FAMILY 

city  solicitor  of  El  Paso,  Texas,  and  is  now  on  the  bench, 
being  county  judge  of  El  Paso  county,  Texas. 

In  the  recent  historical  meeting  at  El  Paso,  between  the 
president  of  the  United  States,  William  11.  Tal't,  and  the 
president  of  Mexico,  Porfirio  Diaz,  Judge  Eylar  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  executive  committee  in  charge  of  the  event.  He 
was  graduated  at  the  Ohio  State  University. 


ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY  107 

BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  EYLAR  AND  FAMILY. 

BENJAMIN  FKANKLIN  EYLAE  (1828-18—)  was 
married  to  Martha  J.  Elgin.  He  became  insane  from  relig- 
ious excitement  and  died  in  an  asylum  while  yet  young. 
He  is  buried  near  Hillsboro,  Adams,  county,  Ohio.  All  of 
this  family  is  now  dead  and  this  is  about  all  that  can  he 
learned  at  present  concerning  them. 

ISSUE    OF   BENJAMIN    FRANKLIN    EYLAR    AND 
MARTHA  J.  ELGIN,  HIS  WIFE. 

Mary  Fletcher,  born  -        — ;  died  -        — . 


108  ELIZABETH   EYLAR    FAMILY 

DAVID  SHAFER  EYLAR  AND  FAMILY. 

DAVID  SHAFER  EYLAR  (1831-1897)  was  married  to 
Martini  ( 5annon,  daughter  of  Martha  and  Jerry  Cannon,  at 
the  home  of  her  parents,  at  Locust  Grove,  Ohio,  May  30, 
1858.    She  was  horn  ( >ctober  24,  1834. 


DAVID   SHAFER   KYI. A  If 


Mr.  Eylar  was  educated  at  Winchester,  Ohio,  and  in 
1856  was  elected  sheriff  of  Adams  comity,  Ohio,  and  held 
office  for  four  years,  two  terms.  He  was  Justice  of  the 
Peace  <>f  Franklin  Township  for  twenty  years  and  no  de- 
cision by  him   as  such  officer  w;is  ever  reversed  by  any 


ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY  109 

higher  court.  He  was  a  man  of  varied  Talents.  He  was  a 
tanner  by  trade,  and  he  also  found  time  to  carry  <>n  a  hotel 
business  at  Locust  Grove.  He  had  no  connection  with  any 
church,  but  held  to  the  Christian  faith.  He  was  a  charter 
member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  Locust  Grove,  ( )hio,  which 
was  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Toledo,  <  >hi<>,  <  October 
17,  1866.  lie  died  and  is  buried  at  Locust  Grove,  Ohio. 
and  is  still  survived  by  his  widow,  who  is  now  very  feeble, 
having  some  time  ago  fallen  and  broken  her  hip;  and  this 
injury  makes  her  now  almost  helpless. 

ISSUE   OF   DAVID    SHAFER   EYLAR    AND    MARTHA 
CANNON,    HIS   WIFE. 

Jennie,  horn  Inly  28,  1859. 

Oliver  Rodney,  horn  May  8,  L861. 

Hettie,  horn  December  3,  1862;  died  June  2,  L890. 

Elizabeth,  horn  April  8,  1865. 

Oscar  Coleman,  horn  May  4,  1867. 

Ella,  horn  January  13,  1870. 

Ruth,  born  April  12,  1872. 

Alverda,  horn  June  14,  1S74;  died  November  L2,  L878. 

John  Randolph,  horn  February  27,  1S7C>. 

JENNIE  EYLAR  COPELAND  (1859)   was  married  al 

Locust  Grove,  Ohio,  November  16,  1876,  to  James  ( !.  Cope- 
land  who  was  born  January  !),  1852,  a  son  of  <  lhambers  and 
Salome  A.  ( Jopeland. 

James  Copeland  was  a  school  teacher  for  many  years, 
but  at  present  is  a  stock  dealer  and  farmer'  at  Locusl 
Grove,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  JENNIE  EYLAR-COPELAND   AND  JAMES 
C.  COPELAND,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Laura  Blanche,  born  March  21,  L878. 

LAURA  BLANCHE  COPELAND-REARICK  (1878) 
was  married  on  August  4,  1900,  at  the  hoi E  her  parents, 


HO  ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY 

Locusl  Grove,  Ohio,  to  Oriu  .Moody  Rearick.  Be  was  born 
January  4,  1876,  a  son  of  Isaac  L.  and  Margarel  J.  Beltz- 
Rearick. 

Mr.  Orin  M.  Moody,  through  his  own  efforts,  acquired 
a  good  common  school  education  and  then  taught  school 
for  live  years.  He  then  attended  the  Ada  College  of  Law, 
of  Ada,  Ohio,  covering  three  years'  work  in  two  years  and 
he  graduated  first  in  his  class.  Se  is  now  a  successful 
practitioner  at  Eaton.  Indiana. 

ISSUE   OF   LAURA   BLANCHE   COPELAND-REARICK 
AND  ORIN  MOODY  REARICK,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Helen  Virginia,  horn  January  8,  1  i M > 7 . 

OLIVER  RODNEY  EYLAR  (1861)  was  married  to 
Lillie  Belle  Newland,  of  Peebles,  Ohio,  Augusl  26,  L885. 
She  was  born  September  24,  1862,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  l\ 
and  Lamira  Newland.  .Mr.  Eylar  gol  his  early  education 
in  the  village  school  at  Locust  Grove.  At  nineteen  he  be- 
gan teaching  school  and  continued  in  that  occupation  for 
sixteen  successive  years.  lie  then  went  to  the  Starling 
Medical  College  for  four  years  and  graduated  as  a  physi- 
cian in  April,  1900.  He  began  the  practice  of  medicine  at 
Cynthiana,  Ohio,  and  remained  there  nine  years.  lie  is  at 
present  located  and  practicing  medicine  at  Rainsboro, 
Ohio. 

ISSUE    OF    OLIVER    RODNEY    EYLAR    AND    LILLIE 
BELLE  NEWLAND,  HIS  WIFE. 

Leo  Beryl,  born  July  9,  L886. 

Ernest  Coleman,  horn  September  22,  1891. 

LEO  BERYL  EYLAR  |  1886)  was  married  to  Margarel 

May  Cameron.  She  was  horn  July  29,  1885,  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Nellie  Foulke  Cameron. 

Leo  1>.  Eylar  is  well  educated,  having  attended  the 
Waverly  high  school,  Wooster  University  and  Ohio  Univer- 
sity. He  fitted  himself  to  teach  and  is  now  superintendent 
of  schools  at  Cynthiana,  Ohio. 


ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY  111 

ISSUE  OF  LEO  BERYL  EYLAR  AND  MARGARET  MAY 
CAMERON,  HIS  WIFE. 

Robert  Ernest,  born  September  I'l',  1906. 
Oliver  Rodney,  born  March  28,  1908. 
John  Cameron,  born  August  0,  1909. 

HETTIE  EYLAR-McCLURE  (1862-1890)  was  married 
to  Robert  Denny  McClure,  at  Locust  Grove,  Ohio.  October 
7,  1885.  He  was  horn  June  7,  1859,  a  son  of  Thomas  Wil- 
son McClure  and  .Martha  McCague,  who  arc  both  dead. 
R.  D.  McClure  is  a  successful  business  man,  being  the  vice- 
president  and  manager  of  the  Welton  Grocery  Company, 
wholesale  grocers  at  Washington  C.  II.,  Ohio.  lie  has  re- 
married. 

ISSUE  OF  HETTIE  EYLAR-McCLURE  AND  ROBERT 
DENNY  McCLURE,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Margaret  Lorena  McClure,  horn  September  10,  1886. 

MARGARET  LORENA  McCLURE  i  1886)  is  a  tine  mu- 
sician, being  an  instructor  in  the  Indianapolis  Conserva- 
tory of  Music.  This  is  an  important  position  for  one  so 
young.    She  is  unmarried. 

ELIZABETH  EYLAR-ZILE  (1865)  was  married  to 
Jacob  Randolph  Zile,  at  Locust  Grove,  Ohio,  April  L5, 
L885.  He  was  horn  May  22,  1850,  and  is  a  son  of  Caroline 
and  Louis  Zile.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacob  R.  Zile  have  Lived  on 
a  farm  near  Locust  drove  ever  since  their  marriage. 

ISSUE  OF  ELIZABETH  EYLAR-ZILE  AND  JACOB 
RANDOLPH  ZILE,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Mary  Kathleen,  born  October  L5,  L886. 
Evalena,  born  June  28,  L888. 
Florence  Lillian,  born  March  1.  1890. 
Verda  Eylar,  born  July  in.  L901. 

MARY    KATHLEEN    EYLAR-SHOEMAKER    (1886) 


112  ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY 

was  married  1<>  Arva  M.  Shoemaker,  son  of  George  M.  and 
Mary  Newman-Shoemaker,  December  20,  1905.  He  was 
born  July  20,  1882,  and  is  a  farmer  near  Marshall,  Ohio. 

ISSUE   OF   MARY   KATHLEEN   EYLAR-SHOEMAKER 
AND  HER  HUSBAND,  ARVA  M.  SHOEMAKER. 

Alfred  Lawrence,  born  .May  29,  L907. 
Mary  Blanche,  born  October  9,  L908. 

OSCAR  COLEMAN  EYLAE  (1867)  was  married  at 
Locust  (J rove,  Ohio,  on  March  21,  L893,  to  Laura  Dell 
Rearick,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  L.  and  Margaret  Rearick.  Slie 
was  born  April  28,  L868.  Oscar  Coleman  Eylar  farmed  for 
six  years  and  meeting  with  an  accident  had  to  go  on 
crutches  nearly  four  years.  Thereafter  he  conducted  a 
hotel  and  livery  business  at  Sinking  Springs,  Ohio,  for 
seven  years;  but  he  has  recently  sold  out  and  is  now  living 
at   Peebles,  Ohio. 

ISSUE    OF    OSCAR   COLEMAN    EYLAR   AND    LAURA 

DELL  REARICK,  HIS  WIFE. 

.Mabel  Rearick,  born  October  22,  L894. 
Edward  Glenn,  born  February  9,  L896. 
Martha  Margaret,  bom  October  23,  lsi)7. 

ELLA  EYLAR  (1870)  ami  RUTH  EYLAR  (1872)  are 
both  single.  They  live  with  and  keep  house  for  their  moth- 
er at  Locust  drove,  Ohio,  and  are  both  industrious  girls  of 
the  highest  standing  in  their  community. 

JOHN  RANDOLPH  EYLAR  (1876)  was  married  to 
Bertha  Geddes,  at  Kansas  City,  .Missouri,  June  21,  1907. 
She  was  born  at  Marietta,  Ohio,  April  23,  1885.  He  has 
been  employed  in  the  Eylar  Bros,  livery  and  undertaking 
business  at  Kansas  City,  .Missouri.  His  present  street  ad- 
dress there  is  271b  Wabash  avenue. 

ISSUE  OF  JOHN  RANDOLPH  EYLAR  AND  BERTHA 
GEDDES,  HIS  WIFE. 
Ralph  Waldo,  born  July  21),  L909. 


ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY  113 

OLIVER  HAZARD  EYLAR  AND  FAMILY. 

OLIVER  HAZARD  EYLAR  (1834-1893)  was  married 
November  24,  1857,  at  Winchester,  Ohio,  to  Elma  S.  Bunn. 
She  was  horn  June  !),  1840,  and  died  February  7.  L888. 
Both  she  and  her  husband  arc  buried  in  the  Elmwood 
cemetery,  Kansas  City,  Missouri. 

Oliver  Hazard  Eylar  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  serv- 
ing both  as  private  and  officer.  The  following  sketch  of 
him  is  in  part  from  a  hook  entitled  "Ohio  in  the  War,"  and 
in  part  from  a  sketch  furnished  by  Samuel  Dryden,  one  of 
his  comrades : 

"He  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  in  the  jlh  Ohio 
Volunteer  Cavalry,  September  4,  1862,  by  the  Governor  of 
Ohio.  Promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  June  3,  1863.  Promoted 
to  Captain  October  12,  1864,  and  was  assigned  to  and  took 
command  of  Company  'I'  and  served  with  his  company  until 
our  'muster  out,'  July  4,  1865.  I  don't  think  it  is  out  of  place 
for  me  to  say  he  was  regarded  by  the  entire  regiment  as  one 
of  the  best  company  commanders  we  had. 

"As  to  courage  there  was  not  an   officer  in   the   Regiment, 
Brigade,  Division,  or  Corps,  who  would  go  further  and  no  bet 
ter  officer  ever  drew  a  saber  or  straddled  a  horse." 

The  7th  Ohio  Cavalry  took  part  in  32  engagements  and 
Mr.  Eylar  was  in  most  of  them.  During  the  siege  id'  At- 
lanta, lte  served  as  commissary  of  his  brigade.  He  had 
the  honor  to  command  the  detachment  that  guarded  Jeff 
Davis  from  Atlanta  to  Augusta,  Georgia,  and  he  had  other 
posts  of  honor  in  that  war. 

ISSUE  OF  OLIVER  HAZARD   EYLAR  AND   ELMA  S. 
BUNN,  HIS  WIFE. 

William  Edward,  born  December  1,  1858;  died  February 
3,  1908. 

Mary  Belle,  born  Augusl  28,  1860;  died  August  14.  L862. 

Ruth  Elma,  born  July  26,  1862. 

Walter  Bunn,  born  November  14,  1868. 

Alverda,  born  March  20,  1872. 

Sallie  Ann,  born  January  11,  187<'>. 

Oliver  Hazard,  born  January  2,  L879. 

Lucy  Mav,  born  July  16,  1882. 


114  ELIZABETH    EYLAR    FAMILY 

WALTEE  BUNN  EYLAR  I  L868)  is  the  only  one  of  the 
issue  of  Oliver  Hazard  Eylar  to  marry.  The  writer  has 
been  unable  to  get  the  details  of  his  marriage  or  family 
except  that  lie  has  two  children. 

ISSUE  OF  WALTER  BUNN  EYLAR. 

Samuel  Leon,  born  August  2,  1897. 

.John  Oliver,  horn  July  LMI,  L904. 

Respecting   the  sons   and   daughters   of  Oliver    Hazard 

Eylar,  Miss  Ruth  Lima  Eylar  has  furnished  the  following: 

"Win.  E.  Eylar  and  Oliver  II.  Eylar  were  the  firm,  'Eylar 
Brothers,'  undertakers  and  liverymen.  Since  the  death  of  Win. 
E.  Eylar,  it  has  continued  under  that  name;  Waller  B.  Eylar 
managing  the  livery  business.  Sallie  A.  is  associated  with  her 
Brother  Oliver  II.  in  the  undertaking.  Ruth  E.  Eylar  is  as 
sistant  principal  of  the  Kensington  School.  Alverda  is  head 
of  the  primary  department  of  the  Ashland  School." 

Ruth,  Walter,  Alverda,  Sallie  Ann,  Oliver  and  Lucy  all 

live  at   Kansas  City,   Missouri.     Their  street    address   is 

2523    Park   avenue,   except    Walter's,    which    is    Sixty -tirst 

street  and  Wahlron  avenue. 


CHAPTER    FIVE 

DELILAH  FENTON. 

DELILAH  FENTON  (1794-1883)  was  bora  in  Fayette 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  only  twelve  years  old  when 
tier  father  settled  in  Adams  comity.  Ohio.  She  did  no1  wed, 
having  been  unfortunate  in  her  Love  affair.  Sin-  was  en- 
gaged to  one  Shriver,  who  owned  a  flatboa!  which  he  ran 
between  Cincinnati  and  New  Orleans,  carrying  logs,  grain 
and  provisions.  At  the  time  of  his  last  trip  down  to  New 
Orleans,  that  city  was  afflicted  with  an  epidemic  of  yellow 
fever.  Fearing  lie  might  not  return  alive  he  gave  her  a 
silk  reticule  and  a  pair  of  yellow  silk  stockings  and  told 
her  if  anything  happened  he  did  not  gei  back  she  tnighi 
be  buried  in  the  stockings.  He  did  not  get  back  alive  from 
his  trip,  but  died  of  yellow  fever.  Aunt  Delilah  mourned 
her  loss  and  preserved  the  stockings  throughout  the  long 
years  of  her  spinster  life  and  remained  true  to  her  firsl 
love,  although  there  were  many  other  suitors  for  her  hand. 

Delilah  Fenton  was  a  very  generous-hearted  woman. 
She  always  kept  a  supply  of  gold  on  hand,  hut  was  never 
aide  to  refuse  a  request  for  a  loan;  and  she  lost  many  hun- 
dreds of  dollars  on  accounl  of  the  failure  id'  some  of  the 
people  who  borrowed  of  her  to  pay  hack  their  loans,  sin- 
was  very  industrious  and  her  garden  of  flowers  an  1  vege- 
tables was  always  among  the  besl  in  the  neighborhood. 
She  was  so  cleanly  she  swepl  her  garden  walks  every  day. 

After  tlm  diath  of  her  parents  she  continued  to  live  in  the 
old  home  and  kept  house  for  lief  In-other  George.  Her 
home  was  always  a  delightful  place  to  visil  on  accounl  of 
her  hospitality.  She  always  kepi  on  hand  the  fiuesl  honey 
and  the  hist  maple  sugar  and  the  excellence  of  the  meals 
sin-  cooked  was  something  long  to  he  remembered.  Sin- 
was  a  kind,  honest,  free-hearted  woman,  without  an  enemy 


116  DELILAH   FENTON. 

in  the  world.     She  joined  the  Methodist  Clinch  at  Win- 
chester, late  in  life. 

After  the  death  of  her  brother  George  she  moved  to  tin- 
old  place  of  her  brother  William  Fenton  and  spent  the  rest 
of  her  days  there  with  her  niece,  Caroline  Fenton-Baker. 
She  felt  nearer  to  Mrs.  Baker  than  to  anyone  else,  because 
the  latter  had  lived  with  her  a  long  time  before  her  mar- 
riage. At  her  death  she  gave  her  lands  and  properly  to 
Mrs.  Baker  for  her  splendid  care  of  her  in  her  feeble  years. 
She  is  buried  at  Winchester,  Ohio. 


CHAPTER    SIX 


JOHN  FENTON  AND  FAMILY. 

JOHN  FENTON  i  1796-1855)  was  born  in  Fayette  coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania.  He  married  Ruth  Corns,  of  Scioto  coun- 
ty, Ohio.  She  was  horn  in  L819  and  died  March  1!>,  L88T. 
He  is  buried  at  Winchester,  Ohio,  and  she  ai  Springfield, 
Ohio.  John  Fenton  was  over  six  feet  tall,  weighed  aboul 
190  pounds  and  had  a  tine  physique.  He  was  a  powerful 
help  to  his  father  in  clearing  out  the  heavy  timber  of  the 
old  home  place.  He  also  was  a  successful  hunter  and  farm- 
er. James  Kendall  Fenton  lias  furnished  the  following  in- 
terest ing  sketch  of  him  : 

"In  comparison  with  the  Fenton  men  today  it  would  he 
about  like  King  Saul  to  the  rest  of  his  family  or  tribe,  llis 
strength  was  very  great,  llis  form  was  as  near  perfei 
that  of  any  man  I  ever  saw.  lie  surpassed  everybody  a-  a 
wood-chopper,  lie  was  a  model  farmer  and  with  all  his 
strength  he  was  as  gentle  as  a  refined  woman.  \\\>  natural 
wit  was  the  finest  I  ever  saw.  lie  was  the  sort  of  man  you 
would  like  to  honor.  lie  newer  united  with  any  church,  bill 
was  a  believer  in  Christianity,  llis  face  and  expression  was 
about  like  that  of  John  Quincy  Adams,  which  is  a--  near  a-  i 
can  describe  it.  He  had  no  book  learning,  hut  was  a  beautiful 
talker.  He  was  called  'Boone  John'  because  he  was  similar  to 
Daniel  Boone  in  that  he  loved  to  hunt  wild  game  in  the  prim 
eval  forests.  He  was  the  kind  of  man  that  Burns  says  fulfills 
great  nature's  plan.     He  was  a  friendly,  social,  honest   man.' 

ISSUE  OF  JOHN  FENTON  AND  WIFE,  RUTH  CORNS. 

Alfred,  born  Mayo,  1838;  died  August.  1894. 

Allen,  horn  January  17,  1840. 

Elizabeth  Jane,  born  November  27,  1842  (single). 

John  .Milton,  born  May  1:1,  1845. 

ALFRED  FENTON  (1838-1894)  married  late  in  life 
Margaret  Smittle.  lie  was  a  fine  mechanic  and  was  one  of 
the  best  jewelers  and  watchmakers  in  the  State  of  Ohio. 


US  JOHN   FKXTo.X  FAMILY 

They  had  one  child  who  died  « 1 1  birth.  1 1  is  surviving  widow 
married  ;i  second  time  to  Will  Miller,  of  Stromsburg,  Ne- 
braska, where  she  lived  until  her  death  ;il>oni  three  years 
ago. 

ALLEN  FENTON  (1840)  has  not  married.  He  enlisted 
twice  or  three  times  as  ;i  soldier  of  the  Union  Army  in  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion  and  was  for  a  shorl  time  a  resident  of 
an  Ohio  Soldiers'  Home.  lie  is  a  lover  of  the  green  fields 
and  running  brooks  and  has  spent  most  of  his  life  in  the 
open  aii-  going  about  in  Adams  county,  Ohio. 

ELIZABETH  JANE  FENTON  (1842  -  -)  did  no. 
marry.  She  was  admitted  to  the  Athens,  Ohio,  State  Hos- 
pital, October  30,  1867.  The  superintendent  on  September 
s.  1909,  says:  "She  still  remains  at  the  institution  ami 
enjoys  good  physical  health.  She  is  usually  cheerful  and 
well  contented.  Ber  mind  has  reached  the  stage  of  ter- 
minal dement  ia. 


JOHN   FENTON  FAMILY  119 

JOHN  MILTON  FENTON  AND  FAMILY. 

JOHN  MILTON  FENTON  (1845)  is  a  fruit  grower  ami 
lives  near  Catawba,  Ohio.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Ann 
Shoup  on  November  13,  L883.  She  was  born  in  Nancy 
county.  North  Carolina,  April  8,  1855,  a  daughter  of 
Sarah  and  David  Shoup.  He  is  a  very  industrious  ami 
kind-hearted  man  of  good  repute,  and  lias  furnished  the 
writi r  some  valuable  information  respecting  the  Fentons. 


JOHN   MILTON    FENTON   AND   WIFE 
MAIiY    SHOUP 


He  enlisted  Augusl  11.  L862,  in  the  91sl  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry  and  served  in  the  Civil  War  for  three  years.  In 
L868  lie  made  a  trip  to  New  Orleans  and  I'm-  three  months 
worked  upon  cotton  and  sugar  barges.  He  then  returned 
home  and  later  spent  three  months  in  Kansas  and  finally 
returned  to  Adams  county,  Ohio.  1 1 « -  removed  to  Clark 
county.  Ohio,  in  ls74.  For  twenty-five  years  he  was  u 
fence  builder,  but  for  the  last  twelve  years  has  been  in  the 
berry  business,  cultivating  strawberries  and  blackberries. 


120  JOHN  FENTON  FAMILY 

ISSUE   OF  JOHN   MILTON    FENTON   AND   MARY 
SHOUP,  HIS  WIFE. 

Nettie  Mae,  horn  September  7,  1884  (single). 

Florence  Lorelle,  born  March  6,  1886. 

Mary  Alice,  born  May  23, 1887. 

Margarei  Elesta,  born  November  2,  1891    (single). 

FLORENCE  LORELLE  FENTON-McMAHAN  (1886) 
was  married  to  Arthur  Willis  McMahan  June  2,  1906.  He 
was  born  in  (Mark  county,  Ohio,  on  a  farm  near  South 
Charleston,  April  4,  1884.  Be  is  a  son  of  Alymer  and 
Eliza  McMahan.  His  present  address  is  South  Vienna, 
Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  FLORENCE  LORELLE  FENTON-McMAHAN 
AND  ARTHUR  WILLIS  McMAHAN,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Irnia  Louise,  horn  April  4,  1007. 

John   William,  born  January  13,  1009. 

MARY  ALICE  FENTON-PEARSON  (1887)  was  mar- 
pied  to  Carl  Leonard  Pearson,  the  son  of  George  and  Serep- 
ta  Pearson,  on  June  11,  1008.  He  was  horn  in  Catawba, 
Ohio,  on  June  16,  L884,  and  his  present  address  is  ( 'atawha. 
They  have  no  issue. 


CHA  P  TER  SE  VEN 


JESSE  FENTON  AND  FAMILY. 

JESSE  FENTON  (1799-1860)  was  horn  in  Mason  coun- 
ty, Kentucky.  He  married  Mary  (Polly)  Lawrence  in 
Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  13,  1835.  She  was 
horn  December  26,  1806,  and  died  January  17,  1885.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  John  Lawrence  and  wife,  Elizabeth. 
John  Lawrence  was  a  brother  of  Rosannah  Lawrence- 
Fenton  and  of  Catherine  Lawrence-Horner,  wife  of 
Ephraim  Horner.  John  Lawrence  died  June  1,  1854,  of 
the  age  of  To  years,  9  months  and  23  days,  and  his  wife, 
Elizabeth,  died  August  1,  1850,  of  the  age  of  69  years,  6 
months  and  28  days.  Both  are  buried  in  the  Horner  burial 
ground  near  Brownsville,  Pennsylvania,  and  stones  mark 
their  graves.  Annt  Polly  was  a  mighty  good  woman  and 
extremely  popular  witli  all  of  the  Fentons.  A  friend  of 
the  family  has  furnished  the  following  interesting  article 
respecting  Jesse  Fenton : 

"Jesse  Fenton  was  a  very  sensible  and  industrious  man.  lie 
was  a  man  of  great  perseverance,  was  cleanly  in  his  person 
and  provided  well  for  his  family,  lie  was  a  great  worker  and 
never  allowed  himself  to  become  discouraged,  but  fought  the 
battle  of  life  to  a  finish.  He  was  a  splendid  farmer  and  his 
habits  were  the  most  orderly  of  all  the  men  f  ever  knew.  lie 
always  lived  well  and  was  highly  respected  by  his  neighbors 
and  friends  and  beloved  by  his  wife  and  children.  He  always 
honored  those  to  whom  honor  was  due.  He  was  well  in- 
formed on  all  topics  of  general  interest  and  was  a  kind,  help- 
ful neighbor.  In  short,  he  was  far  superior  to  most  of  the  or- 
dinary men.'' 

Jesse  Fenton  owned  and  occupied  a  finely  kept-up  and 
well-improved  farm,  which  joined  that  of  his  brother  Wil- 
liam, and  was  just  across  the  road  from  that  of  his  brother 
Benjamin  and  near  the  old  home  place  of  his  father,  Jere- 
miah Fenton.  Both  Jesse  Fenton  and  his  wife  are  buried 
in  the  Winchester,  Ohio,  cemetery. 


L22  JESSE   FENTON   FAMILY 

ISSUE  OF  JESSE  FENTON  AND  MARY  (POLLY) 
LAWRENCE,  HIS  WIFE. 

Louisa,  born  January  17,  1836;  died  April  14,  1909. 
Ruth,  born  .May  7,  1837. 

Turner,  born  October  IS,  1838;  died  October  10,  1004. 
Ann  Elizabeth,  born  February  6,  1842;  died  August  12, 
L905. 

Emma,  born  .May  28,  1843,  died  April  311,  1908. 
Margaret,  born  August  28,  184.");  died  December  15,  L908. 
Hannah,  born  February  22,  1848. 
Harrison,  born  .May  IS,  1850. 

LOUISA  FENTON  (1836-1909),  ANN  ELIZABETH 
FENTON  (1842-1905)  and  MAEGAKET  FENTON  <  184.",- 
1908)  all  remained  single  and  lived  together  on  the  old 
home  place  of  their  father  until  their  death.  They  were 
conscientious  Christian  women  and  were  highly  respected 
by  all  who  knew  them.  They  are  all  buried  in  the  Win- 
chester cemetery. 


JESSE    FENTON    FAMILV 


123 


y.    -     ri 

O     g     N 


124  JESSE   FENTON    FAMILY 

RUTH  FENTON-KENDALL  AND  FAMILY. 

RUTH  FENTON-KENDALL  (1837)  was  married  to 
Hosea  Moore  Kendal]  on  March  31,  1861.  He  was  a  son  of 
Benjamin  Kendall  and  Christine  Moore  and  a  grandson  of 

Jesse  Kendall,  in  whose  home  the  First  .Methodist  Chinch 
of  Winchester  was  organized,  and  this  is  where  all  of  the 
Teutons   worshipped.      Hosea   Moore   Kendall   died    April 

19,1880.    Ruth  Kendall  is  still  living.    She  spends st  of 

her  time  on  her  old  home  place  with  the  family  of  her  son 
James. 

ISSUE  OF  RUTH  FENTON-KENDALL  AND  HUSBAND, 
HOSEA  MOORE  KENDALL. 

Emma  Alice,  born  .May  3,  1864. 
Edith  Laura,  born  February  5, 1867. 
-lames  Henry,  horn  September  'M),  L871. 

EMMA  ALICE  KENDALL-SHORT  (1864)  was  mar- 
ried to  Nathaniel  Parker  Short,  April  L6,  1890,  and  they 
live  at  Winchester,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  EMMA  ALICE  KENDALL-SHORT  AND  HUS- 
BAND, NATHANIEL  PARKER  SHORT. 

Truman  Moore,  born  January  l'i',  1891. 
La nra  .Mary,  horn  November  19,  1892. 
William  Harrison,  born  March  31,  1894. 
Minnie  Irene,  horn  March  5,  1904. 

EDITH  LAURA  KENDALL-SHORT  (1867)  was  mar- 
ried to  Ira  T.  Short  on  February  L5,  L893;  and  they  also 
live  at  Winchester,  Ohio. 

ISSUE    OF    EDITH    LAURA    KENDALL-SHORT    AND 

HUSBAND,  IRA  T.  SHORT. 

Jesse  Ralph,  horn  December  26,  1893. 
Ruth  Elizabeth,  born  April  29,  1899. 
Mary  Edna,  horn  .May  4,  1901. 
Lmy  Evelyn,  horn  September  22,  1904. 


JESSE    FEXTOX    FAMILV  125 

JAMES  HENKY  KENDALL  1 1871  I  married  Annie  Lee 
Edwards  in  L902.  He  is  a  farmer  and  lives  on  his  father's 
old  home  place  near  Winchester.  Ilis  mother  lives  with 
him  a  part  of  the  time. 

ISSUE    OF   JAMES    HENRY    KENDALL    AND    ANNIE 
LEE  EDWARDS,  HIS  WIFE. 

Louis  W'iliner.  horn  May  28,  1903. 
Clara  Hester,  horn  January  25,  1905. 
Dorothy,  horn  September  6,  1906. 


126  JESSE   FENTON   FAMILY 

TURNER  FENTON 

TURNER  FENTON  (1838-1904)  was  a  farmer  all  his 
life  and  lived  and  died  near  Winchester,  Ohio,  where  he  is 
buried.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Mattie  A.  Mr- 
Clanahan,  Novembers,  lstil.  She  died  April  6,  L891.  His 
second  marriage  was  to  Margaret  A.  Kelley,  whom  he  mar- 
ried .May  IT,  1894.  She  still  survives  him.  He  had  no 
children  by  either  of  his  marriages. 


JESSE   FENTON   FAMILX"  127 

EMMA  FENTON-MORROW  AND  FAMILY. 

EMMA  FENTON-MORROW  (1843-1908)  married  Al- 
bert Morrow  in  1872.  Her  husband  is  a  farmer  living  on 
Eagle  Creek,  near  Winchester,  Ohio,  and  has  made  a 
specialty  of*  fine  sheep  raising.  Mrs.  Morrow  is  buried  at 
Winchester,  ( )hio. 

ISSUE  OF  EMMA  FENTON  MORROW  AND  ALBERT 
MORROW,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Laura  Edna,  born  September  26,  1873. 

LAURA  EDNA  MORROW-HOWLAND  i  1873)  married 
Benjamin  How  land  September  26,  1904,  and  he  lives  on  a 
farm  near  Winchester,  Ohio.    They  have  had  no  issue. 


128  JESSE   FENTON    FAMILY. 

HANNAH  FENTON-McPHERSON. 

HANNAH  FENTON-McPHERSON  (1848)  was  mar- 
ried on  March  23,  L880,  to  Milton  Campbell  McPherson,  a 
prosperous,  hard-working  farmer.  He  was  an  elder  in  the 
Red  Oak  Presbyterian  Church;  a  man  of  strict  piety  and 
retiring  disposition.  He  Lived  near  Russellville,  Ohio,  and 
died  Augusl  L3,  L904,  and  is  buried  ;u  Russellville.  His 
wife  survives  him  and  with  her  daughter,  Mary  Elizabeth, 
lives  in  i lie  town  of  Russellville. 

ISSUE  OF  HANNAH  FENTON-McPHERSON  AND  MIL- 
TON campbell  Mcpherson. 

Mary  Elizabeth,  born  .March  5,  L885. 

MARY  ELIZABETH  McPHERSON  (1885)  is  a  finely 
educated  young  woman  and  a  lirsi  rate  musician.  She 
lives  with  and  is  the  companion  of  her  mother.  She  is  yery 
smart,  jolly  and  refined,  and  has  contributed  valuable  in- 
formal ion  respecting  the  Jesse  Fen  ton  family. 

HARRISON  FENTON  (1850)  was  married  to  Ian. la 
Rhoton  on  October  L3,  L887,  and  they  have  had  no  issue. 
Ilo  is  an  excellent  farmer  and  now  lives  on  the  old  home 
place  of  his  father  near  Winchester,  lie  has  also  been 
quite  active  in  politics  and  is  a  man  of  good  repute  in  his 
community,  a  worthy  descendant  of  his  father. 


(  IIM'T/iK  BIGHT 


CATHERINE  FENTON-ECKMAN  AND  FAMILY. 

CATHERINE  FENTON-ECKMAN  (1801-1872)  was 
born  in  Mason  County,  Kentucky.  She  w;is  married  to 
Benjamin  Eckman  December  23,  L824.  II*-  svas  born  June 
16,  1798,  on  the  Eckman  farm,  two  miles  north  of  Decatur, 
and  died  in  Decatur,  Ohio,  January  24, 1858.  A  friend  fur- 
nishes the  following  sketch  <>r  trim  : 

"At  the  time  of  his  marriage  he  was  a  school  teacher,  but 
soon  after  he  bought  property  in  Decatur  and  opened  a  genera] 
store.     He  was  a  man  who  was  respected  and  loved  by  all. 

The  Benjamin  Eckman  family  Bible  is  in  the  possession 
of  Professor  William  Stevenson,  Ripley,  Ohio. 

Mr.  James  K.  Fenton  has  furnished  the  following  sketch 
of  ( 'at  herine  Fenton-Eckman  : 

"She  was  an  exception  to  the  Fenton  women  in  thai  she 
married  a  merchant.  She  was  a  woman  of  refinement  and  re- 
spectability; was  a  line  housekeeper  and  a  splendid  cook.  She 
was  smarter  than  the  average  woman.  She  was  the  mother  ol 
two  children,  girls,  both  smart  and  handsome.  She  was  a 
widow  several  years."' 

Sin-  had  her  full  share  of  grief,  for  out  of  the  nine  chil- 
dren to  whom  she  gave  birth  only  two,  Anna  and  Emma, 
lived  to  become  of  age ;  most  of  them  died  when  quite  young. 
She  died  nt  the  home  of  Professor  William  Stevenson,  her 
son-in-law,  in  Decatur,  Ohio.  She  and  all  her  family  were 
Methodists. 

ISSUE  OF  CATHERINE  FENTON-ECKMAN  AND  HUS- 
BAND, BENJAMIN  ECKMAN. 

Ann.  horn  February  24,  1827;  died  September  27,  L878. 
Jeremiah  fenton,  horn  September  23,  1828;  died  Augusl 
19,  1836. 
John,  horn  August,  1830;  died  September,  1830. 
George,  born  October  1.  1831 ;  died  July  24,  1847. 


130  CATHERINE    ECKMAN    FAMILY 

William,  born  November  1,  1833;  died  April  lb,  1839. 
Rosanna,  born  March  3,  183b;  died  April  22,  1839. 
Catherine,  born  January  9,  1839;  died  July  5,  1849. 
Emma  Sophia,  born  August  26,  1841  ;  died  August  11, 
1890. 

.Alary  Jane,  born  June  10,  1847;  died  February  13,  1848. 

AXX  ECKMAN-VAN  NEST  (1827-1878)  was  married 
to  John  Van  Nest  October  8,  1851.  Her  parents  opposed 
the  marriage,  so  she  slipped  out  one  evening  and  went  to 
the  home  of  Dr.  Burse,  at  Decatur,  and  was  married  by  the 
Reverend  E.  II.  Field.  John  Van  Nest  came  to  Decatur 
in  about  1S49,  a  stranger.  lie  was  a  tailor  by  trade  and 
but  very  little  was  ever  known  aboul  his  ancestry.  They 
had  no  children. 


CATHERINE    ECKMAN    FAMILY 


131 


EMMA  STEVENSON  AND  FAMILY. 

EMMA  SOPHIA  ECKMAN-STEVENSON  (1841-1890) 
married  Professor  William  Stevenson,  at  Georgetown, 
Ohio,  September  28,  1801.  He  was  horn  at  Decatur,  Ohio, 
August  8,  1839,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  Geeslin-Steven- 
son.  He  attended  the  village  school  until  he  was  about 
fifteen  years  old,  and  then  he  was  prepared  to  enter  the 
Ohio  Valley  Academy  at  Decatur  where  he  attended  until 
he  completed  the  course  of  study,  prepared  to  enter  college. 


EMMA   SOPHIA  STEVENSON 


He  desired  to  lie  a  teacher  and  went  to  the  normal  school 
at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  conducted  by  Professor  Alfred  Holbrook. 
He  there  took  the  mathematical  course  of  that  institution 
and  also  took  the  teachers'  course.  He  taught  33  years, 
beginning  in  a  country  district.  He  went  step  by  step  to 
teaching  in  graded  schools.  The  last  ten  years  of  his 
teaching  was  in  Augusta  (Kentucky)  College,  and  in  the 
Male  and  Female  College  at  Sharpsburg,  Path  county, 
Kentucky.     In  September,  1861,  he  volunteered  in  the  59th 


132  CATHERINE    ECKMAN    FAMILY 

Regiment  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  for  three  years  during 
the  war. 

The  writer  was  a  student  under  Professor  Stevenson 
when  he  was  principal  of  the  Winchester  school  and  gladly 
pays  tribute  to  Professor  Stevenson  as  an  efficient,  kind- 
hearted  teacher  and  good  man.  He  now  lives,  in  poor  health, 
at  Ripley,  Ohio.  He  has  quit  teaching  on  account  of 
asthma,  from  which  he  is  suffering. 

ISSUE  OF  EMMA  SOPHIA  ECKMAN-STEVENSON 
AND  WILLIAM  STEVENSON,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Maggie  Irene,  born  July  2,  1863. 

Mary  Lulu,  born  October  28,  1865;  died  April  :5,  1906. 

Maud,  born  October  12,  1867. 

Flora  Planch,  born  October  22,  1869;  died  March  26, 
1870. 

Eddie  Truman,  born  February  12,  1871;  died  April  30, 
L879. 

Anna  Eckman,  born  June  22,  1879. 

MAGGIE  IRENE  STEVENSON-JENNINGS  (1863) 
was  married  to  James  Wilford  Jennings  at  Augusta,  Ken- 
tucky, January  (i,  1892.  lie  is  a  son  of  Robert  Anderson 
and  Francis  Catherine  Wilford,  and  they  live  at  Augusta, 
Kentucky. 

ISSUE   OF   MAGGIE    IRENE   STEVENSON-JENNINGS 
AND  HUSBAND,  JAMES  WILFORD  JENNINGS. 

Roberl  Stevenson,  born  November  28,  1892;  died  April 
25,  L893. 

Frederick,  born  June  1,  1895. 

Richard  Sylvanus,  born  December  6,  1896. 

Mabel,  born  April  2,  1900. 

MARY  LULU  STEVENSON-NORTON  (1865-1906) 
was  married  to  William  Dee  Norton,  at  Decatur,  Ohio, 
October  28,  L886.     He  is  a  son  of  Dnrem  Kinir  Norton  and 


CATHERINE   ECKMAN    FAMILY  133 

Virginia  McDonald.    lie  is  a  business  man  at  Cincinnati, 

Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  MARY  LULU  STEVENSON-NORTON  AND 
HUSBAND,  WILLIAM  DEE  NORTON. 

Edna  Lee,  born  September  24,  1887. 
Emma  Eckman,  born  October  18,  1889. 

MAUD  STEVENSON-HOWLAND  (1867)  was  married 
on  September  15,  1886,  at  Decatur,  Ohio,  to  Morton  How- 
land,  who  was  born  May  12,  1863,  a  son  of  David  Kobe 
Rowland  and  Sarah  Ann  Lawrence,  his  wife.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Morton  1  low  land  now  live  at  Warren,  Indiana. 

ISSUE  OF  MAUD  STEVENSON-HOWLAND  AND  MOR- 
TON HOWLAND,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Florence  Die,  born  June  6,  1887;  died  August  2,  1SS8. 
Infant  daughter,  born  September  5,  1888;  died  Septem- 
ber 5,  1888. 

Gertrude  Pauline,  born  June  17,  1890. 
Georgiana,  born  June  17,  1901. 

ANNA  ECKMAN  STEVENSON-BLAIR  (1879)  was 
married  at  Ripley,  Ohio,  on  October  5,  1901,  to  Earl  C. 
Blair,  who  was  born  September  1,  1880,  a  son  of  Frank  G. 
and  Lola  A.  Blair.  They  live  at  Carthage,  a  suburb  of 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  they  have  had  no  children. 


CHAPTER  NINE 


JEREMIAH  FENTON  AND  FAMILY. 

JEEEMIAH  FENTON  (1803-1861)  was  born  in  Mason 
county,  Kentucky.  He  married  Eliza  Crozier,  a  daughter 
of  Christopher  and  Margarel  Hall-Crozier,  ;ii  her  father's 
home  near  Winchester,  <  >hio,  April  27,  lS4:i.  She  was  born 
in  March,  1816,  in  Tyrone  county,  [reland,  and  died  Febru- 
ary L,  1SSS.  Both  she  and  her  husband  died  at  their  old 
homestead  near  Winchester  and  are  buried  in  the  Win- 
chester cemetery. 

Like  nearly  all  of  the  Fentons,  Jeremiah   Fenton  was  a 

farmer  all  his  life.     He  owned,  and  kepi  up  well,  a  tine  farm 

near  Winchester  not   far  from  his  father's  old   place.      He 

was  a  devout  Methodist,     lie  was  (all  and  slender  and  was 

a  jolly,  good-natured  man.     A   relative  of  the  family  has 

furnished  the  following  sketch  of  him  : 

"He  was  an  honest  man  and  a  good  father,  lie  was  a  good 
neighbor  and  a  splendid  farmer.  He  had  some  ability  to  con- 
verse on  history,  more  so  than  the  average  man  of  his  day  and 
generation;  he  was  just  an  all  around  good  citizen.  He  loved 
and  indulged  a  great  deal  in  jovial  conversation  and  was  a 
lover  of  hospitality.  He  was  an  old  line  whig  as  were  all  his 
brothers.  His  last  vote  was  cast  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He 
was  loved  1>y  li is  neighbors  and  was  helpful  where  there  was 
sickness." 


ISSUE  OF  JEREMIAH  FENTON  AND  ELIZA  CROZIER, 

HIS  WIFE. 

Nelson,  born  February  26,  1S44. 

Margarel  Ann,  born  November  25,  1845. 

Mary  .lane,  born  November  23,  1X48. 

Elcena,  born  February  28,  1851. 

Russel,  born  duly  24,  1854. 

'{iil'us.  born  March  13,  1857;  died  dune  13,  1858. 


JEREMIAH  FEXTOX  FAMILY  135 

NELSON  FENTON  (1844)  was  married  on  June  15, 
1871,  to  Demaris  Wallace,  at  the  home  of  her  parents  near 
Winchester,  Ohio.  She  was  born  February  11,  1849,  a 
daughter  of  <  teorge  and  Rebecca  Swearengen-Wallace. 

Nelson  Fenton  is  a  farmer  and  lives  near  Winchester, 
Ohio,  on  the  old  home  place  of  his  father,  Jeremiah  Feu  ton. 
He  is  a  very  industrious  farmer  and  keeps  his  place  up  in 
good  condition.  lie  is  a  typical  Fenton  and  a  man  of  the 
strictest  piety.  He  is  somewhat  active  in  politics  and  is 
said  to  have  more  political  influence  than  any  other  man  in 
his  township.  He  has  raised  a  large  family  of  children  and 
his  home  is  a  very  pleasant  place  to  visit,  as  he  and  his 
family  are  always  hospitable  and  extend  a  cordial  welcome 
to  all  visitors. 

ISSUE  OF  NELSON  FENTON  AND  WIFE,  DEMARIS 
WALLACE-FENTON. 

Ida  Albertine,  born  July  29,  1872;  died  July  13,  1891. 
Eva  Leora,  born  April  27.  1874. 
Leona  Eliza,  born  December  16,  1875* 
Anna  Rebecca,  born  March  lb,  1877. 
Walter  Wallace,  born  May  22,  1878. 
Charles  Elmer,  born  November  5,  1880. 
George  Edgar,  born  March  20,  1882. 
Earl  Crozier,  born  September  15,  1885. 
Mary  Emma,  born  February  14,  1887. 
Rena  Matilda,  born  January  18,  1889. 
Infant  son,  born   September  10,   1891;  died  September 
10,  1891. 

Maggie  Blanche,  born  October  10,  1892. 

EVA  LEORA  FEXTOX-<  KISSMAX  (1874)  was  mar- 
ried October  7.  1895,  at  the  home  of  her  parents  near  Win- 
chester, Ohio,  to  Horace  Compton  Crissman,  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Ann  <  !rissman.  His  occupation  was  farming,  and 
he  died  in  March,  1898.  Mrs.  Crissman  lives  at  Win- 
chester. 


136  JEREMIAH  FENTON  FAMILY 

ISSUE  OF  EVA  LEORA  FENTON-CRISSMAN  AND 
HUSBAND,  HORACE  COMPTON  CRISSMAN. 

Selena,  born  July  31,  1896. 

ANNA  REBECCA  FENTON-ILLY  (1877)  was  married 
;it  Covington,  Louisiana,  on  March  10,  1904,  to  Fred  Illy,  a 
son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Illy.  lie  is  a  clerk  in  the  office  of 
the  New  Orleans  and  Northeastern  Railroad  Company,  at 
Slidell,  Louisiana.    They  have  had  no  issue. 

WALTER  WALLACE  FENTON  (1878)  is  a  student  at 
the  Stale  University  of  Boulder,  Colorado,  in  the  second 
year  of  the  medical  course,     lie  is  unmarried. 

CHARLES  ELMER  FENTON  (1880)  was  married  to 
Dell  O'Brien,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Jane  O'Brien,  at 
Greenfield,  Ohio,  November  11,  11)08.  He  is  a  machinist 
and  lives  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

ISSUE    OF    CHARLES    ELMER.    FENTON    AND    DELL 
O'BRIEN,  HIS  WIFE. 

George  Edwin,  born  duly  IS,  L906. 

GEOKGE  EDGAR  FENTON  (1882)  was  married  May 
:'>,  1007,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  to  Eva  Dunham,  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Margaret  Dunham.  He  is  a  machinist  and  lives 
at   I  >a\  ton,  <  >hio. 

ISSUE  OF  GEORGE  EDGAR  FENTON  AND  EVA  DUN- 
HAM, HIS  WIFE. 

Margarel  La  Vonne,  horn  January  is,  L908. 

LLOXA  ELIZA  FENTON  (1875),  EARL  CROZIER 
FENTON  (1885),  MARY  EMMA  FENTON  (1887), 
RENA  .MATILDA  FENTON  (1889),  and  MAGGIE 
BLANCHE  FENTON  (1892)  are  all  unmarried  and  live 
with  their  parents  at  Winchester,  Ohio. 


JEREMIAH  FENTON  FAMILY  137 

MARGARET  ANN  HOWARD  AND  FAMILY. 

MARGARET  AXX  FENTON-HOWARD  (1845)  was 
married  at  her  parents'  home,  near  Winchester,  Ohio,  to 
Cyrus  Washington  Howard,  January  23,  1868.  He  was 
born  April  5,  1841,  a  son  of  Charles  A.  and  Elizabeth  AVil- 
kins-IIoward. 

Mr.  C.  W.  Howard  is  a  retired  farmer  and  president  of 
the  Farmers'  Hank  of  Seaman,  Ohio.  He  was  a  soldier  of 
the  Civil  War,  enlisting  August  22,  1802,  in  the  15th  West 


MARGARET    AXX    HOWARD 


Virginia  Infantry,  as  private;  he  was  mustered  out  June 
14,  1865,  as  first  sergeant  of  the  company,  lie  never  was 
sick;  never  missed  an  engagement,  of  which  Ids  discharge 
shows  twenty-one,  until  July  IS,  1864.  lie  was  wounded 
and  captured  ai  Lynchburg,  Virginia;  was  taken  prisoner 
and  remained  so  until  able  to  go  on  crutches.  He  was 
paroled  at  Richmond,  Virginia  in  April,  1865,  and  he  joined 
his  regiment  at  or  near  Petersburg,  Virginia,  and  was  en- 
gaged every  day  until  the  surrender  of  General  Lee  to  Gen- 


L3S  JEREMIAH  FENTON  FAMILY 

era!  Grant  at  Appomattox,  Virginia,  April  9,  1865.  Bis 
regiment  had  the  honor  to  do  the  last  fighting  the  morning 
of  the  surrender  under  General  Sheridan. 

ISSUE  OF  MARGARET  ANN  FENTON-HOWARD  AND 
HUSBAND,  CYRUS  WASHINGTON  HOWARD. 

Era  Curtis,  horn  August  8,  1871. 

Lyda,  horn  .May  2,  1875. 

Cyrus  Kelly,  horn  November  1,  1881. 

1KA  CURTIS  HOWARD  (1871)  was  married  to  Lelia 
May  Vandeman  at  the  home  of  her  parents,  near  Seaman, 
Ohio,  September  3,  1899.  She  was  born  May  2,  1X77,  a 
daughter  of  Sylvester  and  Elizabeth  Jane  Foster-Vande- 
man.  Mr.  Howard  is  engaged  in  scientific  farming  and 
stock  raising,  near  Seaman,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  IRA  CURTIS  HOWARD  AND  LELIA  MAY 
VANDEMAN,   HIS   WIFE. 

Margaret  E.,  horn  April  20,  1901. 
Dorothy,  horn  March  19,  1906. 

LYDA  BOWARD-VANDEMAN  (1875)  was  married 
to  Dr.  Adelhert  X.  Vandeman  at  the  home  of  her  parents, 
near  Seaman,  Ohio,  December  26,  1902.  He  was  born 
December  L3,  1879,  a  son  of  Sylvester  and  Elizabeth  Jane 
Foster- Vandeman.  Dr.  Vandeman  is  a  graduate  of  Star- 
ling Medical  College,  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  practices  his 
profession  in  Stanton,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  LYDA  HOWARD-VANDEMAN   AND   HUS- 
BAND, ADELBERT  N.  VANDEMAN. 

Howard,  horn  October  L3,  1903. 

CYRUS  KELLY  HOWARD  (1881)  is  single  and  lives 
al  Sapulpa,  Oklahoma.  He  is  a  civil  engineer  and  a  gradu- 
ate of  Ohio  Nor! hern  University,  at  Ada,  Ohio.     He  served 


JEREMIAH  FEXTOX  FAMILY  139 

for  two  years  as  civil  engineer  on  the  Southern  Pacific  rail- 
road, in  Old  and  New  Mexico.  Ho  is  now  city  engineer  of 
Sapulpa. 

MAKY  JANE  EEXTOX-EXXIS  £L848),  now  of  Green- 
field, Ohio,  was  married  at  her  home,  near  Winchester,  to 
Henry  Ennis,  a  coal  and  feed  merchant,  -Time  3,  1869.  He 
was  born  July  16,  1848,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Sarah  Long 
Ennis.  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Ennis  and  her  family,  like  most  Fen- 
tons,  are  Methodists. 

ISSUE   OF   MARY  JANE   FENTON-ENNIS   AND   HUS- 
BAND, HENRY  ENNIS. 

Charles  Russell,  born  March  27,  1870. 
Willis  Edgar,  born  November  27,  1871. 
Myrta  Ree,  born  March  5,  1874. 
Bertha  Blanch,  born  June  10,  1882. 

CHARLES  RUSSELL  EXXIS  |  1870  i  was  married  Jan- 
nary  s,  1896  To  Bertha  Belle  Pinkerton,  at  the  home  of  her 
parents,  Greenfield,  Ohio.  She  was  born  January  2,  1878, 
a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Martha  Pinkerton.  Mr.  Ennis 
lives  at  Greenfield,  Ohio,  where  he  is  telegraph  operator 
and  assistant  express  agent.  He  is  also  a  breeder  and  ex- 
hibitor of  high-class  poultry. 

ISSUE   OF   CHARLES   RUSSELL   ENNIS   AND    WIFE, 
BERTHA  BELLE  PINKERTON. 

Raymond  Edwin,  born  February  2,  1898. 

WILLIS  EDGAR  ENNIS  (1871)  was  married  to 
Martha  Jeremiah  Baker  at  the  home  of  her  parents,  Henry 
and  Caroline  Fenton-Baker,  near  Winchester,  December 
12,  1897.  She  was  born  July  19,  1869.  He  lives  at  Belle- 
vue,  Kentucky,  and  his  occupation  is  that  of  laundryman. 
They  have  had  no  issne. 

MYKTA  REE  ENNIS-HUMES  (1871)  was  married  al 
the  home  of  her  parents,  Greenfield,  Ohio,  to  Charles  Yeo- 


140  JEREMIAH  FENTON  FAMILY 

man  Humes,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Emma  Humes.  He  was 
born  April  18,  1869,  and  is  a  street  ear  motorman,  at 
Springfield,  Ohio.  His  street  address  is  834  West  Jeffer- 
son street. 

ISSUE     OF    MYRTA    REE     ENNIS-HUMES     AND 
CHARLES  YEOMAN  HUMES,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Ruth  Leontine,  born  .May  8,  L897. 
Ralph  Ennis,  born  December  6,  1S!)!>. 
Doris  Grace,  born  June  8,  1901. 

BERTHA  BLANCH  ENNIS-SLAGLE  (1882)  was  mar- 
ried to  Charles  Rufus  Slagle,  son  of  Clinton  and  Emma 
Slagle,  June  10,  L902.  He  was  born  December  7,  1880. 
They  live  al  Lyndon,  Ohio.  Mr.  Slagle  is  a  farmer,  and  a 
breeder  and  exhibitor  of  pure-bred  slock  and  poultry. 

ISSUE  OF  BERTHA  BLANCH  ENNIS-SLAGLE  AND 
HUSBAND,  CHARLES  RUFUS  SLAGLE. 

(linlon  Ennis,  born  August  22,  1905. 
Rosalie  Grace,  born  September  29,  1907. 


JEREMIAH  FENTON  FAMILY 
ELCENA  HOWARD  AND  FAMILY. 


141 


ELCENA  FENTON-HOWARD  i  1851)  was  married  to 
John  Wilkins  Howard,  son  of  Charles  Allfree  and  Eliza- 
beth Wilkins-Howard,  at  the  home  of  her  parents,  near 


ELCEXA   HOWAKI)   AM)  GRANDSON,   HOWARD   IRWIN  I'LUMMEI! 


Winchester,  Ohio,  September  3,  1873.  He  was  born  July 
11,  1842;  died  March  24,  1897,  and  is  buried  at  Old  Mounl 
Zion  Cemetery,  near  Seaman.    His  occupation  was  that  of 


142  JEREMIAH  FENTON  FAMILY 

farming.  He  was  a  soldier  all  through  the  Civil  War  and 
was  a  good  Methodist.  Mrs.  Elcena  Howard  now  lives  at 
Seaman,  Ohio. 

ISSUE   OF  ELCENA   FENTON-HOWARD    AND   JOHN 
WILKINS  HOWARD,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Charles  Allfree,  horn  September  5,  1878. 
Mary  Elizabeth,  born  June  11,  1881. 
Wait  man  Fenton,  born  March  23,  1886  (single). 
John  Paul,  horn  August  23,  1889  (single). 

CHARLES  ALLFREE  HOWARD  (1873)  was  married 
February  7,  1905,  to  Lulu  Francis,  a  daughter  of  James 
and  Maria  McManis-Francis,  at  the  home  of  her  parents,  in 
Brown  county,  near  Winchester,  Ohio.  She  was  horn  Jan- 
nary  7,  1S7S,  and  for  a  few  years  before  her  marriage  was 
a  milliner.  Mr.  Howard  lives  at  Seaman,  Ohio,  where  he  is 
now  engaged  in  farming.  He  tried  city  life  in  several 
states,  hut  took  to  farming  from  choice,  and  he  is  proud  of 
his  occupation. 

ISSUE  OF  CHARLES  ALLFREE  HOWARD  AND  WIFE, 
LULA  FRANCIS. 

Mabel,  horn  April  28,  1907. 

MARY  ELIZABETH  HOWARD-PLUMMER  (1881) 
was  married  to  Charles  Edwin  Plummer,  a  son  of  Henry 
and  Sarah  ( Jrissman-Plummer,  December  '27,  11)04.  He  was 
born  February  7,  1881.  He  is  a  farmer  and  thrasherman 
and  lives  at  Seaman,  Ohio.  His  parents  are  farmers  and 
are  good  Presbyterians. 

ISSUE  OF  MARY  ELIZABETH  HOWARD-PLUMMER 

AND  CHARLES  EDWIN  PLUMMER, 

HER  HUSBAND. 

Howard  Irwin,  horn  September  3, 1908. 


JEREMIAH  FENTON  FAMILY 

RUSSEL  FENTON  AND  FAMILY. 


Ui 


RUSSEL  FENTON  (1854)  was  married  at  Emerald, 
Ohio,  February  26,  1879,  to  Nancy  Anna  Smith,  who  was 
born  January  17,  1855,  a  daughter  of  Squire  Smith  and 
Sarah  McDaniells  Smith. 

Russel  Fenton  lias  been  a  farmer  all  his  life  and  he  is 
a  good  one.  His  farm  is  always  well  and  neatly  kept  up 
and  in  order.     His  land  joins  his  brother  Nelson's  near 


RUSSEL   KENTON 

their  father's  old  homestead  near  Winchester,  Ohio.  He  is 
a  good  neighbor,  a  Christian  man  and  a  good  citizen.  He  is 
active  in  polities  in  his  township. 

ISSUE  OF  RUSSEL  FENTON  AND  NANCY  ANNA 
SMITH,  HIS  WIFE. 

Harry  ('art  is,  born  October  17.  1881. 

Mamie  Blanch,  born  August  15,  1884. 

William  Smith,  born  May  3,  1886  (single — farmer  i. 

HARRY   CURTIS    FENTON    (1881)    was   married    to 
Grace  Hanna  at   the  home  of  her  sister,   Mrs.   Kerns,  at 


144  JEREMIAH  FENTON  FAMILY 

Piqua,  Ohio,  June  18,  1907.     She  is  a  daughter  of  Reuben 
Hanna  and  Nancy  Drusilla  Hanna. 

Harry  C.  Fenton  is  a  special  adjuster  of  accounts,  repre- 
senting Powell  &  Howell,  a  prominent  linn  of  lawyers  ar 
Dayton,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  HARRY  CURTIS  FENTON  AND  GRACE 
HANNA,  HIS  WIFE. 

Russel  Reuben,  born  September  30,  1908. 

MAMIE  BLANCH  FENTON-REIGHLEY  (1884)  was 
married  at  the  home  of  her  parents,  Winchester,  Ohio,  to 
Henry  Herbert  Reighley,  November  30,  1905.  He  is  a  son 
of  James  II.  Reighley  and  .Alary  J.  Kirkpatrick,  his  wife. 
He  is  a  graduate  of  Miami  University  and  is  a  teacher  of 
Mathematics  in  the  East  High  School,  at  Columbus,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  MAMIE  BLANCH  FENTON-REIGHLEY  AND 
HENRY   HERBERT   REIGHLEY,   HER  HUSBAND. 

Dorothea  Ermintrude,  born  October  3,  1906. 
Mary  Anna,  born  January  26,  1908. 


CHAPTER   TEX 


MARY  (POLLY)  FENTON-BAIRD  AND  FAMILY. 

MARY  (POLLY)  FENTON-BAIRD  (1804-1875)  was 
born  in  Mason  county,  Kentucky.  She  was  married  on 
May  IT,  1832,  to  John  Baird,  a  well-to-do  farmer,  living 
near  Russellville,  Ohio,  a  son  of  George  and  Jane  Baird. 
He  was  born  May  9,  1807,  and  died  March  10,  1881.     Both 


MARY  (  POLLY)    FENTUN    BAIRD 

are  buried  in  the  Baird  graveyard  near  Russellville. 

"■Polly"  Baird  was  an  honest,  cheery,  industrious  wom- 
an; was  a  model  housewife  and  a  lifelong  member  of  the 
Methodist  <  !hureh.  To  her  came  the  honor  of  being  a  m  oili- 
er of  twin  daughters. 

A  friend  of  hers  has  written  of  her  as  follows  : 

"She  was  a  likeable,  old-fashioned  woman,  whose  like  is  seen 


I  It, 


POLLY    BAIRD    FAMILY 


no  more;  honest,  but  unassuming",  a  hard  worker  all  her  life. 
Her  home  was  one  of  great  plenty  and  she  helped  to  make  hei 
husband  a  rich  man.  She  raised  a  large  family  of  children  ; 
but  1  don't  know  how  many.  She  died  in  a  good  old  age.  i 
think  her  children  could  well  call  her  'blessed.'  ': 


ISSUE  OF  MARY  FENTON-BAIRD  AND  JOHN  BAIRD, 
HER  HUSBAND. 

Jeremiah   Fenton,  born   March    10,   L833;  died  October 
is,  L905. 
George,  born  March  3,  1835;  died  November  28,  1890. 
Sarah  Ann,  born  March  12,  ls:ST ;  died  June  2.~>,  11)01. 
Rosanna,  born  April  11,  1839. 
Katherine,  horn  April  11,  1839;  died  July,  1839. 
John,  horn  February  23,  1842. 
Mary,  horn  April  6,  1S44;  died  November  22,  1898. 
Rufus,  born  May  29,  1849;  died  April  20,  1892. 


JEREMIAH  KENTON  BAIRD  AND  WIFE,  NANCY  SHAW 

JEREMIAH  FENTON  BAIRD  (1833-1905)  was  mar- 
ried lo  Nancy  Shaw  at  Decatur,  Ohio,  April  26,  1860.  She 
was  horn  June  11,  1839,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Shaw  and 
Nancy  Hamilton  Shaw. 


POLLY    BAIRD    FAMILY  147 

Mr.  Baird  moved  to  Blue  Springs,  Missouri,  in  January, 
L865,  where  his  occupation  was  that  of  farming',  stock  rais- 
ing and  bee  keeping  until  the  time  of  his  death,  at  which 
time  he  owned  a  whole  section  of  fine  land.  He  and  his 
family  belonged  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  was  active  in  temperance  work  and  considered  secret 
societies  enemies  to  both  church  and  individuals.  The  min- 
ister in  preaching  his  funeral  sermon  said:  "  His  was  a 
noble  life;  he  hated  sin  in  all  its  forms."  He  was  indus- 
trious and  well  informed;  and  he  was  liberal  in  his  chari- 
ties. His  widow,  Nancy  Shaw  Baird,  still  survives  him  and 
lives  at  Blue  Springs,  Missouri. 

ISSUE  OF  JEREMIAH  FENTON  BAIRD  AND  NANCY 
SHAW,  HIS  WIFE. 

Mary  Hamilton,  born  February  21,  1861. 
Elizabeth  Fenton,  born  August  22,   1862;  died  August 
20,  1880. 

MARY  HAMILTON  BAIRD-LIGGETT  (1861)  was 
married  to  John  Alonzo  Liggett,  at  Oak  drove,  Missouri, 
December  8, 1881.  He  was  born  January  25,  1858,  a  son  of 
James  Walker  Liggett  and  Sophia  Crow  Little.  He  died 
July  25,  1901).  His  widow,  Mrs.  Mary  II.  Baird-Liggett, 
survives  him  and  lives  at  Blue  Springs,  Missouri.  Mrs. 
Liggett  is  a  very  superior  woman,  a  devoted  mother,  and 
she  has  shown  much  interest  in  and  helped  greatly  with 
this  book. 

ISSUE  OF  MARY  HAMILTON  BAIRD-LIGGETT  AND 
HUSBAND,  JOHN  ALONZO  LIGGETT. 

Walter  J.,  born  June  9,  1883. 
Fred  AY.,  born  December  23,  1885. 
Henry  Hughes,  born  April  20,  1887. 
Baird,  born  December  4,  1889. 
Nadaine  Elizabeth,  born  July  25,  1894. 
Edith  Elsa,  born  December  7,  189G. 


148  POLLY    BAIRD    FAMILY 

WALTER  J.  LIGGETT  (1883)  is  unmarried.  Be  is  a 
farmer  and  lives  at  Blue  Springs,  Jackson  county,  Mis- 
souri. 

FRED  VV.  LIGGETT  (  1885)  married  Delia  May  Shrout, 
August  22,  1!)07.  She  was  born  duly  13,  1879,  a  daughter 
of  dames  Monroe  Shrout  and  Sarah  Katherine  Shrout. 

FRED  VV.  LIGGETT  is  a  farmer  and  accountanl  and 
lives  at  Line  Springs,  Missouri.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Liggetl  have 
hail  no  children. 

HENRY  HUGHES  LIGGETT  (1887)  married  Ger- 
trude I  telle  Shrout,  October  1(1,  1908.  She  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 7,  1890,  and  is  a  daughter  of  James  Monroe  ami 
Sarah  Katherine  Shrout,  being  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Fred  \V. 
Liggett. 

HENRY  II.  LIGGETT  is  a  farmer  and  lives  ai  Blue 
Springs,  Missouri.     He  has  had  no  issue. 


POLLY    BAIRD    FAMILY  149 

GEORGE  BAIRD  AND  FAMILY. 

GEORGE  BAIRD  (1835-1890)  was  married  on  April 
10,  1873,  to  .Mary  A.  Smith,  at  Decatur,  Ohio.  She  was 
born  September  19,  1841.  George  Baird  was  a  farmer  and 
lived  and  died  near  Russellville,  Ohio.  His  surviving 
widow  lives  at  Winchester,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  GEORGE  BAIRD  AND  MARY  A.  SMITH,  HIS 

WIFE. 

John  Pearl,  born  January  1,  1874. 

Frank  Otis,  born  June  22,  1876. 

Grace  Ruth,   born    December  24,   1877;   died   December 

1,  1879. 

Bessie  Blanch,  born  May  11,  1884. 

JOHN  PEARL  BAIRD  I  1S74»  was  married  September 

2,  189(5,  at  Russellville,  Ohio,  to  Mattie  Mefford,  who  was 
born  April  1 1,  1876,  a  daughter  of  Reverend  W.  \Y.  Mefford 
and  Martha  Mefford.  Mr.  Baird  is  a  farmer  and  lives  near 
Winchester,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  JOHN  PEARL  BAIRD  AND  MATTIE  MEF- 
FORD, HIS  WIFE. 

Grace  Ruth,  born  May  30,  1897. 
Marjorie  Lmy,  born  July  2,  1900. 

FRANK  OTIS  BAIRD  |  1870  )  was  married  at  Washing- 
ton C  II.,  Ohio,  to  Osa  Job,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Sarah 
Job,  September  2,  1902.  She  was  born  November  3,  1878. 
He  is  a  farmer  and  lives  near  Winchester,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  FRANK   OTIS   BAIRD   AND   OSA  JOB   FIS 

WIFE. 

Paul  Ervin,  born  June  6,  1903. 
Dorothy,  born  October  2,  1907. 

BESSIE   BLANCB    BAIRD-POTTS    (1884)    was   mar- 


150  POLLY    BAIRD   FAMILY 

ried  at  Georgetown,  Ohio,  to  Charles  Potts,  son  of  J.  T. 
Tottx  and  Margaret  Potts,  on  March  30,  1905.  He  was  born 
January  24,  1880,  and  his  occupation  is  farming,  near  Win- 
chester, Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  BESSIE  BLANCH   BAIRD-POTTS  AND 
CHARLES  POTTS,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Ralph  Baird,  horn  Dec.  12,  1908. 

His  Grandma  Baird  says:     "He  is  the  prettiest  hoy  in 
(lie  whole  connection." 


POLLY    BAIRD    FAMILY  151 

SARAH    ANN    BAIRD-EYLER. 

SARAH  ANN  BAIRD  EYLER  (1837-1901)  was  mar- 
ried at  tlif  home  of  her  parents  near  RusselMlle,  Ohio,  De- 
cember 29,  IS."):',,  to  Joseph  Eyler,  a  farmer,  who  was  born 
December  1(1,  1829,  a  son  of  Aaron  and  Elizabeth  Eyler  and 

a  nephew  of  Judge  Joseph  Eyler.  She  died  near  Emerald, 
Adams  county,  Ohio.  Her  husband  survives  her  and  lives 
at  Hillsboro,  Ohio.  Unfortunately  four  of  her  six  children 
died  before  becoming  of  age;  three  died  in  infancy. 

ISSUE  OF  SARAH  ANN  BAIRD-EYLER  AND  JOSEPH 
EYLER,  HER  HUSBAND. 

John,  born  October  is,  1854;  died  August  12,  1855. 

Mary  Elizabeth,  born  July  5,  1856;  died  April  30,  1875. 

Franklin  Lewis,  born  March  17,  1859;  died  October  !), 
18(31. 

Aaron  Rufus,  born  October  24,  1861 ;  died  May  2,  1864. 

( reorge  Baird,  born  March  5, 1864. 

Henry  Cornelius,  born  April  15,  1867. 

Lucien  Perry,  born  January  6,  1870;  died  March  28, 
1870. 

Louella,  born  June  23,  1873. 

Minnie,  burn  January  24,  1876;  died  January  24,  1876. 

OxEOROE  BAIRD  EYLER  1 1864  I  was  married  to  Anna 
M.  Borden,  daughter  of  Nicolas  and  Mary  Borden,  on 
October  25,  1803.  He  lives  near  Hillsboro,  Ohio,  and  his 
occupation  is  that  of  farming.     They  have  had  no  issue. 

HENRY  OORNELIUS  EYLER  (1867)  was  married  on 
September  21,  1803,  to  Lizzie  J.  Shaw,  a  daughter  of  W.  A. 
and  Nancy  Shaw.  He  lives  near  Sabina,  Ohio,  and  his  oc- 
cupation is  that  of  farming. 

ISSUE  OF  HENRY  CORNELIUS  EYLER  AND  LIZZIE 
J.,  HIS  WIFE. 

Lou  Erne,  bom  July  12,  1894;  died  June  30,  1896. 
Lola  May,  born  October  17,  1807. 


152  POLLY    BAIRD   FAMILY 

Clarence  Albert,  born  September  7,  1899. 
Bessie  .Marie,  born  September  1,  1901. 
Gladys  Isla,  born  February  23,  1901. 
Arthur  Willard,  born  September  22,  1905. 
Son,  born  August  11,  1909. 

LOUELLA  EYLEK-WOODS  (1878)  was  married  on 
June  15,  1895,  to  Joseph  J.  Woods,  son  of  Joseph  and 
Rachel  A.  Woods.  They  live  at  Jamestown,  Ohio,  and  his 
occupatioD  is  that  of  farming. 

ISSUE  OF  LOUELLA  EYLER-WOODS  AND  J.  H. 
WOODS,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Alva,  born  April  25,  1896. 

Wilber,  born  July  24,  1897. 

Ethel,  born  November  20,  1899. 

Walter,  born  September  25,  1902. 

Goldie,  born  January  20,  1905;  died  February  20,  1905. 


POLLY    BAIRD    FAMILY 

ROSANNA  BAIRD-HOWLAND. 


153 


ROSANNA   BAIRD-HOWLAND    (1839)    was  married 
to  John  I  lowland,  near  Russellville,  Ohio,  May  12,  1870. 


ROSANNA    IIOWLAXI) 


He  was  born  Angust  25,  1818,  and  was  a  son  of  Ezatus 
and  Sarah  Howland.  He  was  a  farmer  near  Russellville, 
Ohio,  and  accumulated  considerable  wealth.  He  died  April 
15,  1896.     The  writer  is  much   indebted  to  Mrs.  Rosanna 


154  POLLY    BAIRD    FAMILY 

Howland  for  valuable  information  respecting  her  mother's 
family.  She  now  lives  at  Ripley,  Ohio,  although  she  is  at 
present  visiting  friends  at  Redlands,  California.  She  has 
only  recently  recovered  from  an  attack  of  pneumonia. 

ISSUE  OF  ROSANNA  BAIRD-HOWLAND  AND  JOHN 
HOWLAND,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Flora  Dell,  born  December  31,  1872;  died  November  1G, 
1885. 


POLLY    BAIRD   FAMILY  155 

JOHN  BAIRD  AND  FAMILY. 

JOHN  BAIRD  (1842)  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Eden- 
field,  near  Carlisle,  Ohio,  February  7,  1867.  She  was  born 
November  23,  1S4(>,  a  daughter  of  Richard  and  Rachel 
Eyler-Edenfield.  Mr.  Baird  is  a  well-to-do  farmer,  living 
near  Cherry  Fork,  Adams  county,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  JOHN  BAIRD  AND  ELIZABETH  EDEN- 
FIELD-BAIRD,  HIS  WIFE. 

George  Lewis,  born  January  18,  1868. 

Irene,  born  June  15,  18(59. 

Rachel  Anna,  born  February  22,  1871. 

Rnfns,  born  June  5,  1871;  died  November  17,  1875. 

Albert,  born  October  23,  1876. 

Frank,  born  April  F.I,  1880  (single),  Cherry  Fork,  Ohio. 

Oma,  born  October  18,  1882. 

Grace  Maud,  born  January  6,  1880. 

Erie  Gladys,  born  July  23,  1888. 

GEORGE  LEWIS  BAIRD  (1868)  was  married  to  Mag- 
gie May  McCormick  by  the  Reverend  S.  W.  Campbell,  at 
West  Union,  Ohio,  April  13,  1802.  She  was  born  November 
28,  1873,  a  daughter  of  William  Stewart  McCormick  and 
Elizabeth  McFarland-McCormick.  Mr.  Baird  lives  at  An- 
thony, Kansas,  where  he  is  employed  in  a  flouring  mill. 

ISSUE  OF  GEORGE  LEWIS  BAIRD  AND  MAGGIE  MAY 
McCORMICK,  HIS  WIFE. 

Avis  Fay,  born  March  4,  1894. 

Ferrell  Novlyn,  born  September  20,  1006. 

IRENE  BAIRD-ROBISON  (1869)  was  married  al  the 
home  of  her  parents,  North  Liberty,  Ohio,  February  28, 
1804,  to  William  Vane  Robison,  who  was  born  .May  6,  L866, 
a  son  of  Wade  Hampton  and    Z^r>miah  Ellis-Robison. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  V.  Robison  live  near  Winchester,  Ohio, 
and  are  engaged  in  farming. 


156  POLLY    BAIRD    FAMILY 

ISSUE  OF  IRENE  BAIRD-ROBISON  AND   HUSBAND, 
WILLIAM  VANE  ROBISON. 

Earle  Baird,  bom  July  7,  1898. 
Ruth  Marie,  born  February  10,  L902. 

RACHEL  ANNA  BAIRD-CHAMBERS  (1871)  was 
married  at  West  Union,  Adams  county,  Ohio,  on  May  9, 
L894,  to  .John  Spencer  Chambers,  a  son  of  George  and  Mary 
Burns-(  hambers.  lie  was  born  January  .3,  1862,  and  his 
occupation  is  that  of  guard  at  the  Ohio  Penitentiary.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Chambers  live  at  28.  Hayden  avenue,  Columbus, 
Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  RACHEL  ANNA   BAIRD-CHAMBERS   AND 
HUSBAND,  JOHN  SPENCER  CHAMBERS. 

Charles  Cordon,  born  March  30,  1902. 

ALBERT  BAIRD  (187(5)  was  married  to  Dora  Adams, 
in  Jackson  county,  Missouri,  in  December,  1903.  She  was 
born  in  1X79.  Mr.  Baird  is  a  farmer  and  lives  at  Bluff  <'ity, 
Kansas. 

ISSUE  OF  ALBERT  BAIRD  AND  DORA  ADAMS,  HIS 

WIFE. 

Ray,  bom  October  — ,  1901. 

Grace  Maud,  born  December — ,  1900. 

Boy,  nol  yet  named,  born  June  — ,  1909. 

OAIA  BAIRD-ROUSH  (1882)  was  married  to  Nathan 
Sherman  Roush,  by  the  Reverend  \Y.  W.  Montgomery,  at 
Seaman,  Ohio,  May  11,  1905.  Be  was  born  September  13, 
1S79,  a  son  of  Nathan  Ballard  Roush  and  Rebecca  Anna 
Swearengen-Roush.  They  have  had  one  child,  born  and 
•  lied  January  1,  1907.  Mr.  Roush  lives  at  West  Union, 
Ohio,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming. 

GRACE  MALI)  BAIRD-SHELL  (1886)  was  married  at 
Seaman,  Ohio,  duly  14,  1905,  to  William  Oscar  Shell,  who 


POLLY    BAIRD    FAMILY  157 

was  born  July  12.  1870.  a  son  of  .Tames  Shell  and  Sarah 
Anna  Young.  Mr.  Shell  is  a  farmer  living  near  Wesi 
Union,  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  GRACE  MAUD   BAIRD-SHELL  AND   HUS- 
BAND, WILLIAM  OSCAR  SHELL. 

William  Everett,  horn  May  21,  L906. 
James  Howard,  born  August  4,  1908. 

ERIE  GLADYS   BAIRD-WAGNEE    (1888)    was  mar 
l-icil  to  John  Lepley  Wagner,  at  Decatur,  Ohio,  August  9, 
1906.    He  was  born  March  23,  1886.  a  son  of  David  Wagner 
and  Martha  Belle  Williams-Wagner.     He  is  a  farmer  and 
lives  near  Decatur.  Ohio. 

ISSUE  OF  ERIE  GLADYS  BAIRD-WAGNER  AND  HUS- 
BAND, JOHN   LEPLEY   WAGNER. 

Alberta  Mae.  born  March  5,  1907. 


158  POLLY    BAIRD    FAMILY 

MARY  BAIRD-WEST  AND   FAMILY. 

MARY  BAIRD-WEST  (1844-1898)  was  married  to 
John  West  on  November  15,  1860.  She  died  near  Decatur, 
Ohio.  He  was  born  April  10,  1882,  a  son  of  John  and 
Lavinia  West.  His  occupation  was  that  of  farming.  He 
died  July  15,  1873. 

ISSUE   OF   MARY    BAIRD-WEST   AND    JOHN    WEST, 
HER  HUSBAND. 

George  Baird.  born  July  14,  1862. 
Levina,  born  December  5,  18(54. 
Joseph  Ellis,  born  January  22,  1807. 
.Mary  Helen,  born  July  28,  1869. 
William  Rufus,  born  March  3,  1872. 

GEORGE  BAIRD  WEST  |  1862)  is  engaged  in  farming 
near  Ripley,  Ohio,  and  is  not  married. 

LEVINA  WEST-EDENFIEL1)  (1864)  was  married  to 
Samuel  Edenfleld,  a  son  of  Richard  Hart  and  Rachel 
Edenheld,  at  the  home  of  her  parents  on  Eagle  ('reek,  Oc- 
tober 18,  1883.  He  was  born  November  20,  1858,  and  lives 
near  Ripley,  Ohio,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming. 

ISSUE    OF    LEVINA    WEST-EDENFIELD    AND    HUS- 
BAND, SAMUEL  EDENFIELD. 

Mary  Maud,  born  September  16, 1884. 
Annie  Dell,  born  January  5,  1887. 
William  McVey,  born  August  20,  1890. 
Clara,  born  June  5,  1892. 
Oren  Lee,  horn  August  18,  1899. 

JOSEPH  ELLIS  WEST  (1867)  was  married  to  Tiara 
Lucas  al  Unadilla,  Nebraska,  on  February  20,  1890.  She 
was  born  January  21,  1867,  a  daughter  of  Fred  and  Fanny 
Pell-Lucas.  Mr.  West  is  engaged  in  farming  near  Unadilla, 
Nebraska. 


POLLY    BAIRD   FAMILY  159 

ISSUE  OF  JOSEPH  ELLIS  WEST  AND  WIFE,  CLARA 
LUCAS-WEST. 

Harvey  Macvay,  born  December  3,  1890. 
George  Bryan,  born  June  2,  189G. 
Marjorie,  born  November  2,  1898. 
Nellie  Evelyn,  born  June  17,  1903. 

MARY  HELEN  WEST-  BEASLEY  (1869)  was  married 
to  John  Beaslcy,  at  Decatur,  Ohio,  December  2,  1891.  He 
is  a  farmer  near  Ripley,  Ohio,  and  was  born  May  18,  1859, 
a  son  of  Alfred  and  Nancy  Beaslcy. 

ISSUE  OF   MARY   HELEN   WEST-BEASLEY   AND 
HUSBAND,  JOHN  BEASLEY. 

Alma  Grace,  born  February  7,  1891. 
Nellie  Jane,  born  September  29,  1897 ;  died  December 
8,  1905. 

WILLIAM  RUFUS  WEST  ( 1872  )  was  married  to  Ada 
Blanche  Work,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Ellen  Work,  on 
February  21,  1901,  at  Russellville,  Ohio.  Mr.  West  is  en- 
gaged in  farming  near  Ripley,  Ohio.  They  have  had  no 
issue. 

RUFUS  BAIRD,  YOUNGEST  CHILD  OF  POLLY  BAIRD. 

RUFUS  BAIRD  (1849-1892)  did  not  marry.  He  was 
born  a  cripple  and  died  at  Blue  Springs,  Missouri.  His  oc- 
cupation was  teaching  school. 


CHAPTER  ELEVEN 


GEORGE  FENTON. 

GEORGE  FENTON  (1808-1861)  was  born  in  Adams 
county,  Ohio.  He  did  not  wed.  He  was  quite  attentive 
to,  and  became  a  good  friend  of,  Hannah  Moore,  a  maiden 
lady,  but  remained  single  to  take  care  of  his  maiden  sister, 
Delilah,  and  his  brother  Joseph,  who  lost  his  mind.  He 
was  a  farmer  and  occupied  the  old  home  place  of  his  father 
until  his  death.  He  was  a  fine  looking  man  and  had  beau- 
tiful bine  eyes.  He  was  dressy  for  his  time  and  often  wore 
a  tine  silk  hat.  He  was  a  great  fun-maker  and  was  quite 
witty.  He  is  buried  at  Winchester,  Ohio.  The  following 
sketch  has  been  furnished  by  one  who  knew  him  well  : 

"He  was  of  a  lovely  disposition  ;  never  saw  him  angry  or 
sullen;  was  a  fine  historian  and  a  fine  conversationalist.  He 
loved  to  have  company  about  his  house  and  he  knew  how  to 
make  them  feel  they  were  entirely  welcome.  The  most  of  the 
lime  f  knew  him  he  was  a  man  of  leisure  and  had  plenty  of 
money.  When  in  his  prime  he  was  a  fine  looking  man.  The 
last  years  of  his  life  he  was  much  afflicted,  having  had  a  speli 
of  a  fever.  The  doctor  salivated  him  very  badly  from  which 
lie  never  recovered." 


CHAPTER   TU'EL  VE 


BENJAMIN  FENTON  AND  FAMILY. 

BENJAMIN  FENTON  (1810-1870)  was  born  in  Scott, 
now  Winchester,  township,  Adams  county,  Ohio.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Smith  at  Winchester,  Ohio,  in  April,  1838. 
She  was  born  at  Smithiield,  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania, 
December  13,  1813,  a  daughter  of  Barnabas  Smith   and 


BENJAMIN   FENTON 


Elizabeth  Bees  Smith,  and  died  at  Winchester,  Ohio,  No- 
vember 5,  1892.  She  was  very  industrious,  upright  and 
benevolent  and  of  great  decision  of  character. 

Like  all  of  his  brothers,  Benjamin  Fenton  was  a  farmer. 
His  farm  adjoined  that  of  his  brothers,  Jesse  and  William, 
and  was  very  near  his  father's  old  place.  It  was  one  of 
the  best  kept  up  farms  in  Adams  comity  and  his  dwelling 


162 


BENJAMIN    FENTON    FAMILY 


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BENJAMIN    FENTON   FAMILY  163 

was  one  of  the  best  owned  by  any  of  the  sons  or  daughters 
of  Jeremiah  Fenton.  He  lived  a  pure  and  pious  life;  spent 
all  his  days  near  Winchester,  and  left  no  spot  or  blemish 
on  his  good  name  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the 
Winchester  cemetery.  The  following  sketch  of  him  was 
furnished  by  one  of  the  Kent  on  family: 

''Benjamin  Fenton  was  a  life-long  farmer  of  more  than  av- 
erage prosperity.  lie  was  industrious,  painstaking  and  frugal. 
Habits  as  nearly  correct  as  could  be  found.  lie  was  never 
known  to  use  tobacco  or  strung  drink,  or  to  indulge  in  pro- 
fane or  unchaste  language.  He  was  very  religious  and  main- 
tained family  worship  regularly  in  his  household.  In  politics 
he  was,  in  early  life,  a  whig,  with  strong  anti-slavery  proclivi- 
ties, but  when  the  time  came  for  disintegration  of  that  party 
he  became  an  ardent  republican.  He  was  a  great  reader  and 
kept  himself  well  posted  on  the  current  events  of  It's  time." 

ISSUE  OF  BENJAMIN  FENTON  AND  ELIZABETH 
SMITH,  HIS  WIFE. 

Rosanna  Juliet,  born  October  18,  1839;  died  September 
11,  1885. 

Mary  Lydia,  born  January  7,  1842. 

Linden  Jerome,  born  May  7,  1844. 

Albert  Washington,  born  July  7,  1846. 

Emma  Catherine,  born  November  21,  1848;  died  July  16, 
1891. 

Priscilla  Adelaide,  born  July  20,  1851. 

Martha,  born  November  13,  1854. 

ROSANNA  JULIET  FENTON  (1839-1885)  did  not 
wed.  She  assisted  in  the  household  duties  at  the  old  home 
and  was  especially  kind  to  everyone  and  very  conscientious. 

MARY  LYDIA  PENTON-McKNIGHT  I  1842  I  was  mar- 
ried to  John  Ellison  McKnight  at  the  home  of  her  parents, 
near  Winchester,  Ohio,  August  27,  1868.  He  was  born  May 
2,  1841,  a  son  of  John  McKnight  and  Sarah  Moore. 

Mr.  McKnight  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  being  in 
Company  "A"  70th  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  After  the 
war  he  taught  school  for  a  few  years  and  then  fitted  himself 


164 


BENJAMIN   FENTON   FAMILY 


for  the  law;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  he  had  taken  rank  as  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of 
his  section  of  the  state.  lie  died  at  St.  Joseph,  Missouri, 
June  11,  1870. 


MARY  I.VDIA   MCKNIGHT 


Mis.  McKnight,  prior  to  her  marriage,  received  a  good 
common-school  education,  attended  normal  school  at  Leb- 
anon,  Ohio,  for  ;i  brief  period,  and  taught  school  for  sev- 


|:K\'.IA.\I1.\    FKXTON    KAAliM 


165 


era!  years.    She  lia.s  been  active  in  church  and  temperance 

work.    She  has  recently  stated: 

"My  aim  has  been  and  will  henceforth  be  to  try  to  make  the 
world  better  by  my  having  lived  in  it.  I  want  my  greatest 
thought  from  this  time  onward  to  be  that  I  may  never  lose  an 
opportunity  of  winning  souls  for  Christ's  Kingdom." 

Mrs.  McKnight  lives  at  L903  Illinois  avenue,  Sioux  City, 

Iowa. 

ISSUE   OF  MARY   LYDIA   FENTON-McKNIGHT   AND 

JOHN  ELLISON  McKNIGHT,  HER  HUSBAND. 

Maud,  born  May  Id,  1869. 

Albert  Percy,  born  March  23,  1871. 

Lucie,  born  February  16,  1874;  died  August  20,  1874. 

Sarah  Katherine,  born  September  19,  1875. 


MAUD    MCKNIGHT 


MAID  MCKNIGHT  <  L869)  and  ALBERT  PERCY  MC- 
KNIGHT (1871)  are  both  single.  The  former  lives  at 
1103  East  Liberty  Avenue,  Spokane,  Washington,  where 
she  is  engaged  in  teaching.  The  latter  lives  at  L903  Illinois 
Avenue,  Sioux  <  'ity,  low  a. 


166  BENJAMIN   FENTON   FAMILY 

SARAH  KATHEEINE  McKNIGHT-KEX  V(  >\  (  1ST.)) 
was  married  April  7,  1903,  at  Maitland,  Missouri,  to  Clyde 
M.  Kenyon,  a  son  of  Monroe  Kenyon.  He  was  a  bookkeeper 
for  his  father  in  the  mercantile  business  and  died  at  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  October  10,  1905.     They  had  no  children. 


BENJAMIN   FENTON   FAMILY  167 

LUCIEN  JEROME  FENTON  AND  FAMILY. 

LUCIEN  JEROME  FENTON  (1844)  was  married  to 
Belle  Manker  May  i'i*,  1872,  at  Maysville,  Kentucky.  She 
was  born  February  11,  1S47,  at  Hillsboro,  Ohio,  a  daughter 


LL'CIEX   .JEKOME   FENTON 


of  William  W.  and  Ann  Leggett-Manker.  Her  father  was  a 
native  of  Ohio  and  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  busi- 
ness man  ami  manufacturer  of  Ripley,  Ohio,  and  at  Mays 
ville,  Kentucky. 


Ifi8  BENJAMIN   FENTON    FAMILY 

Lucien  J.  Fenton  lias  been  a  student,  scholar,  teacher, 
statesman  and  successful  business  man;  a  combination 
rarely  found  in  any  one  man.  First,  after  many  hard 
knocks,  he  obtained  a  good  education.  Second,  lie  won 
complete  success  as  an  educator,  having  been  for  many 
years  a  teacher  of  prominence.  Third,  lie  took  an  active 
part  in  public  affairs  and  his  political  influence  became 
such  as  to  win  for  himself  a  seat  in  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States,  and  while  in  that  Congress  was  an  influen- 
tial member  of  the  important  Military  Affairs  Committee 
during  the  Spanish-American  War.  Fourth,  lie  organized 
the  Winchester  Bank  and  has  made  of  it  a  successful  bank- 
ing institution. 

It  is  an  achievement  for  one  man  to  win  success  in  any 
one  of  these  things,  but  to  win  success  in  nil  four  of  t  hem  is 
certainly  real  success  in  the  highest  sense  of  the  term. 

Thai  he  has  made  some  political  enemies  even  among  the 
Fentons  must  be  acknowledged;  but  it  should  be  remem- 
bered no  man  in  political  office  can  please  all;  and  invar- 
iably ami  necessarily  some  enemies  are  made.  All  Fentons 
should  feel  pride  in  Lucien  Fenton's  achievements  and  they 
should  also  cherish  the  fact  that  throughout  his  career  the 
terms  "grafter,"  "trickster"  and  "demagogue"  have  not 
been  and  could  not  be  applied  to  him. 

.Mi-.  Fenton  has  always  maintained  a  hospitable  home 
where  his  friends  and  all  Fentons  are  welcome.  One  fur- 
ther fad  should  be  noted:  he  has  always  stood  ready  to 
help  others,  and  especially  his  own  kin,  to  get  an  education 
ami  rise  in  the  world.  When  the  writer's  mother  was  left 
a  widow  in  1876  with  three  small,  young  children  to  rear, 
it  was  Lucien  Fenton  who  comforted  her  and  suggested 
ways  for  them  to  obtain  a  good  education — even  offering 
to  take  one  of  them  into  his  own  home  at  Manchester. 
While  iii  Congress  he  had  the  right  to  appoint  a  boy  to  at- 
tend school  at  West  Point,  an  appointment  of  great  polit- 
ical value  io  him,  and  he  named  for  the  post,  one  of  the 
descendants  of  the  Lentous,  thus  giving  that  person  a  gold- 
en  opportunity   for  the   very  finest   education   obtainable 


BENJAMIN   FENTON   FAMILY  169 

anywhere.  This  appointment  to  one  of  his  own  kin  could 
in  no  way  help  Mr.  Fenton  politically,  but  it  goes  to  prove 
his  great  desire  to  help  his  own  friends  and  relatives. 

As  a  banker  he  has  ever  been  ready  and  willing  to  coun- 
sel anyone  in  respect  to  financial  investments,  business 
propositions,  etc.,  and  it  is  safe  to  say  no  man  or  woman 
ever  lost  a  dollar  through  following  his  advice. 

Mr.  Fenton  is  much  traveled  ami  has  recently  made  a 
tour  abroad  and  has  written  for  the  press  a  series  u\'  papers 
describing  his  travels. 

Since  he  is  the  only  Fenton  to  win  high  political  office  it 
seems  hut  fair  to  give  him  this  extended  notice  and  also  to 
insert  herein  the  following  sketch  of  him,  taken  in  the 
main,  from  the  "Biographical  Cyclopedia  of  Ohio/'  which 
covers  his  life  more  in  detail: 

LUCIEN  JEROME  FENTON. 

"The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  the  common  district 
schools  when  a  boy — for  a  portion  of  the  time  in  a  typical  old 
log  schoolhouse,  subsequently  for  several  terms  he  was  en- 
rolled as  a  student  at  the  National  Normal  University,  at  Le- 
banon, Ohio,  and  finally  he  entered  the  Ohio  University  at 
Athens.  Until  his  eighteenth  year  he  was  employed  on  his 
father's  farm,  but  was  always  inclined  toward  a  business  or  a 
professional  life. 

"He  taught  a  district  school  in  Brown  County  during  the 
winter  of  1865-6;  clerked  in  a  store  at  Winchester  the  follow- 
ing summer;  and  again  taught  school  near  Eckmansville 
through  the  fall  and  winter  of  1866-7. 

"He  was  superintendent  of  schools  at  Winchester  from  1871 
to  1874;  at  West  Union  from  1874  to  1875;  and  at  Manchester 
from  1875  to  1881.  He  was  awarded  a  life  certificate  by  the 
State  Board  of  School  Examiners,  at  Cincinnati,  December, 
1878,  and  was  president  of  the  Adams  County  Teachers'  As- 
sociation from  1875  to  l%77-  He  enlisted  in  Company  I,  91st 
Ohio  Volunteers,  August  11.  1862.  and  was  discharged  on  ac- 
count of  a  gunshot  wound  May  20,  1865,  at  York.  Pennsyl- 
vania; was  at  the  battle  of  Lynchburg.  June  18  and  19,  1864; 
at  Stephenson's  Depot,  July  20th;  at  Winchester.  July  24th; 
at  Martinsburg,  July  25th;  and  at  Opequan,  September  19th. 
1864,  besides  numerous  minor  engagements  during  term  of 
service.  He  was  dangerously  wounded  on  last  mentioned 
date.  Mr.  Fenton  \va<  appointed  a  member  of  the  Board  oi 
School   Examiners,  for  Adams   County  in    1878,  and  resigned 


170  BENJAMIN   FENTON   FAMILY 

this  office  and  the  position  of  superintendent  of  Manchester 
schools  in  1881,  to  accept  an  appointment  to  a  responsible  posi- 
tion in  the  Custom  House  at  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,  by  Hon. 
|m1i,i  Sherman,  Secretary  of  the  United  States  Treasury,  Jan- 
uary, 1881;  was  transferred  to  the  Treasury  Department  at 
\\  ashington  by  the  same  official  in  March,  1881,  and  held  this 
position  until  October,  1884,  when  he  resigned  to  be- 
come cashier  of  the  Winchester  Bank,  of  Winchester, 
Ohio,  which  position  he  is  now  filling.  He  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  honorary  commissioners  of  the 
Ohio  Centennial  Exposition,  held  at  Columbus,  in  1888, 
and  received  the  appointment  from  Governor  McKinley,  Feb- 
ruary  19,  1892,  as  a  trustee  of  the  Ohio  University  at  Athens. 
He  became  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order  in  1868;  of  the 
order  of  Knights  Templar  in  1876;  and  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  in  1882.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Society  of  the 
Army  of  West  Virginia,  to  the  Phi  Delta  Theta  college  frater- 
nity, and  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

".Mr.  Kenton  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  since  1868.  In  politics,  he  has  always  been  a  Republi- 
can, and  was  the  candidate  of  that  party  for  clerk  of  the  court; 
of  Adams  County  in  [880,  but  was  unable  to  overcome  the 
large  Democratic  majority.  At  the  noted  Galliopolis  Congres- 
sional Convention,  1888,  he  received  the  unbroken  support  of 
his  county,  Adams,  through  820  successive  ballots,  after  which 
he  withdrew  his  name,  thereby  giving  the  nomination  to  Judge 
A.  C.  Thompson,  of  Portsmouth.  He  received  complimentary 
votes  from  each  of  the  six  counties,  then  composing  the  Elev- 
enth District  of  Ohio;  during  this  contest  Hon.  H.  S.  Bundy, 
Gen.  W.  If.  Enochs,  and  Hon.  W.  McCormick  were  also  can- 
didates before  this  Convention.  Pie  has  several  times  been  a 
delegate  to  State  Conventions,  and  was  chosen  one  of  the  dele- 
gales  to  the  National  Republican  Convention  at  Minneapolis, 
by  acclamation,  at  the  Convention  of  the  Republicans  of  the 
Tenth  District  of  Ohio,  held  at  Waverly,  May  3,  1892.  lie 
went  to  the  Minneapolis  Convention  as  an  ardent  supporter 
of  the  I  ton.  James  G.  Blaine  for  the  Presidency;  but  finally,  in 
common  with  forty-four  other  members  of  the  Ohio  delegation, 
casl  his  vote  for  Hon.  William  McKinley. 

'Mr.  Fenton  became  a  candidate  for  Congress,  for  the  sec- 
ond time,  before  the  fronton  Convention,  held  in  August,  1893, 
fo  nominate  a  sucessor  to  the  late  Gen.  W.  H.  Enochs.  After 
marly  eighteen  hundred  ballots,  he  requested  his  delegation 
to  casl  the  vote  of  Adams  County  for  Hon.  H.  S.  Bundy,  of 
Jackson  County,  thus  nominating  the  latter.  Mr.  Fenton  be- 
came a  candidate  again  for  congressional  honors  before  the 
I  onvention  of  the  Tenth  District  of  Ohio,  which  met  at  Ports- 
mouth. June  i<),  [894,  and  was  nominated,  June  21st,  on  the 
564th  ballot,  and  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Fifty-fourth 
Congress,    November   6,    1894,   by   a    plurality    of   more    than 


BENJAMIN   FENTON   FAMILY  171 

10,000,  the  largest  ever  given  any  candidate  in  the  district. 
I  [e  was  re-nominated  for  Congress  by  acclamation  in  1896,  and 
re-elected  as  a  member  of  the  Fifty-fifth  Congress  after  the 
memorable  campaign  which  resulted  in  the  election  of  William 
McKinley  to  the  Presidency  over  William  Jennings  Bryan. 
Having  been  appointed  by  Speaker  Reed  to  membership  on 
the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs,  his  service  thereon  covered 
the  period  of  the  Spanish- American  War,  and  since  this  com- 
mittee is  one  of  great  power  and  responsibility  in  time  of  peace. 
it  is  pre-eminently  so  in  time  of  war. 

"At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  with  Spain  it  became  necessary 
for  the  Military  Committee  to  formulate  legislation  prepara- 
tory to  the  reorganization  of  the  regular  army  and  also  to  the 
enlistment  and  equipment  of  a  large  volunteer  force.  The  ar- 
duous duties  and  responsibility  of  individual  members  of  the 
committee  in  this  connection  are  apparent. 

*" After  having  served  two  terms,  he  retired  to  private  life  in 
March,  1899,  and  resumed  his  position  at  the  head  of  Win- 
chester Bank.  Prior  to  the  close  of  his  last  term  in  Congress, 
he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Bushnell  a  member  of  the  Ohio 
Centennial  Commission,  which  was  authorized  by  an  act  of  the 
General  Assembly  to  formulate  and  execute  plans  for  a  great 
centennial  exposition  at  Toledo  in  1903,  to  commemorate  the 
admission  of  Ohio  into  the  Union  as  a  State. 

"The  commission  went  to  work  with  zeal  worthy  of  the  rep- 
resentatives of  a  great  state,  and  with  the  co-operation  of  the 
city  of  Toledo,  made  rapid  progress,  having  secured  a  pictur- 
esque site  for  the  exposition  on  the  lake  front:  a  large  appro- 
priation from  the  national  government,  and  the  active  co-oper- 
ation of  all  the  great  states  which  had  formerly  constituted  the 
Northwest  territory.  But  after  all  this  and  much  more  had 
been  accomplished,  the  jealousy  and  bitterness  growing  out 
of  factional  quarrels  in  the  party  in  power  during  the  admin- 
istration of  Governor  Nash  brought  about  legislation  which 
abolished  the  commission  and.  to  the  lasting  discredit  of  cer- 
tain political  leaders,  Ohio's  centennial  was  not  celebrated  by 
an  exposition." 

ISSUE    OF    LUCIEN    JEROME    FENTON    AND    WIFE, 
BELLE  MANKER. 

Alberta  Florence;  born  September  25,  1873. 
Clifton  Lucien;  born  February  2('»,  1S7('». 
Mary  Elizabeth;  born  August  13,  1880. 

ALBERTA  FLORENCE  FENTON  (1873)  is  single  and 

lives  with  her  parents  at  Winchester,  Ohio.     She  was  edu- 
cated at  Oxford  Female  College  at  Oxford,  Ohio,  and  al 


172  BENJAMIN    FENTON    FAMILY 

Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  Delaware,  Ohio.  She  was  sec- 
retary to  her  father  while  he  was  a  member  of  Congress. 

CLIFTON  LUCIEN  FENTON  (1876)  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  Gibson,  of  Rockbridge  Baths,  Virginia,  October 
25,  L905.  She  was  born  November  13,  1887,  and  is  a  great- 
granddaughter  of  General  Andrew  .Moore,  an  officer  of  the 
War  of  the  Revolution  ;  a  member  of  the  first  Congress  and 
a  Senator  of  the  United  States  from  Virginia  for  twelve 
vears.  Her  parents'  names  are  James  Samuel  Gibson  and 
Emily  Le  Mar  Moore. 

Clifton  L.  Fenton  served  on  the  General  Staff  of  the 
Army  as  Assistant  Quartermaster  with  the  rank  of  Cap- 
tain during  the  Spanish-American  War,  and  for  more  than 
;i  year  afterward.  He  was  appointed  by  President  McKin- 
Ley.  At  the  present  time  he  is  the  cashier  of  the  Winches- 
ter Bank.  lie  is  well  educated,  having  obtained  his  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools,  and  at  the  Ohio  Northern  Uni- 
versity at  Ada,  Ohio.  He  is  notable  for  his  kindly  disposi- 
tion and  integrity. 

ISSUE  OF  CLIFTON  LUCIEN   FENTON  AND  ELIZA- 
BETH GIBSON,  HIS  WIFE. 
Gibson  Lucien;  born  August  10,  1906. 

MARY  ELIZABETH  FENTON-LONG  (1880)  was  mar- 
ried at  the  home  of  her  parents,  Winchester,  Ohio,  to  Wil- 
fred Rudisill  Long,  June  4,  UM>2.  He  was  born  at  Win- 
chester, Ohio,  April  16,  1ST!),  a  son  of  Samuel  Newton 
Long  and  Louise  Elizabeth  Havens.  He  is  manager  of  the 
business  of  the  S.  N.  Long  Warehouse  Company,  of  St. 
Louis,  Missouri. 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  Long  attended  public  school  at  Winchester, 
Ohio,  and  Washington,  1).  C,  and  she  also  attended  Ohio 
Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware,  Ohio.  Her  present  ad- 
dress is  5015  Kensington  Avenue,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

ISSUE   OF  MARY   ELIZABETH   FENTON-LONG  AND 
WILFRED  R.  LONG. 
Wilfred  Fenton;  born  June  27,  1005. 


BENJAMIN    FENTON    FAMILY 


IT, 


1                                                        1 

SB*                                 <V 

' 

WILFRED   KENTON   LONG 


174  BENJAMIN   FENTON   FAMILY 

ALBERT  WASHINGTON  FENTON. 

ALBERT  WASHINGTON  FENTON  (1846)  has  re- 
mained single.  He  is  a  prosperous  farmer  living  near 
Winchester,  Ohio,  on  his  father's  old  place.  lie  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church  and  a  conscientious  Christian. 
Although  well  educated  and  of  bright  mind  he  has  pre- 
ferred the  quiet  of  farm  life  to  any  other  occupation.  He 
is  one  of  I  hose  men  of  whom  we  say,  "His  word  is  as  good 
as  his  bond." 

EMMA  CATHERINE  FENTON  (1848-1891)  did  not 
wed.  She  was  a  woman  of  excellent  mind  and  beautiful 
character.  She  took  a  course  of  music  al  the  Conservatory, 
Cincinnati,  and  afterwards  taugtil  music  with  success. 


PRISCILLA   FENTON    JEPFERYS 

PRISCILLA  ADELAIDE  FEXTOX  -  JEFFERYS 
(1851  i  was  married  to  Melker  Martin  Jerf'erys,  June  20, 
L895,  ;ii  Winchester,  Ohio.  He  is  a  sou  of  Lewis  Jefferys 
and  Catherine  Wallers.  He  served  in  the  Union  Army  in 
the   War  of   the   Rebellion   from    West   Virginia;   taught 


BENJAMIN   FENTON   FAMILY  175 

school  for  some  time  after  the  war  and  is  now  in  the  gov- 
ernment service,  being  in  charge  of  the  National  Cemeter}7 
at  Fredericksburg,  Virginia.  He  is  a.  genial,  clever  man 
lo  meet. 

Mrs.  Priscilla  A.  Jefferys  was  a  successful  teacher  in  the 
public  schools  of  Ohio  and  Kansas  for  some  years  before 
her  marriage.  The  writer  had  the  privilege  of  going  to 
school  at  Winchester  to  her  and  gladly  bears  tribute  to  her 
excellence  as  a  teacher.  It  is  safe  to  say  all  her  former 
pupils  remember  her  with  great  esteem  and  affection.    She 

has  had  no  issue. 

MARTHA  FEXTOX    (1834)    has  remained  single  and 

lives  with  her  brother,  Albert,  on  the  home  farm  near  Win- 
chester. She  has  considerable  artistic  talent  and  has  pro- 
duced some  paintings  of  merit.  She  has  many  valuable 
Fenton  relics  and  keepsakes  and  always  extends  a  hearty 
welcome  and  real  hospitality  to  visitors;  her  home  is  a  de- 
lightful place  to  visit. 


(  If  A  P  PER   THIR  TEEN 


JOSEPH  FENTON. 

JOSEPH  FENTON  (1815-1846),  the  youngest  child  of 
Jeremiah  Fenton,  was  born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio.  He 
did  not  marry  and  died  young.  As  a  boy  he  was  intensely 
active  and  was  quicker  to  learn  than  any  of  liis  brothers 
and  sisters.  He  was  of  a  nervous  temperament  and  was  a 
rapid  eater  and  these  causes  produced  dyspepsia;  and  lie 
eventually  lost  his  mind.  He  was  not  sent  away,  but  was 
kept  in  partial  confinement  at  home.  Be  upset  a  stove 
with  fire  in  it  once  and  narrowly  escaped  being  burned  to 
death.    lie  destroyed  the  Fenton  family  Bible. 


I CHAP  TEN    EO I TR  TEEX 


INTERESTING    MISCELLANY    OF   THE    LAWRENCE 
FAMILY,  FAYETTE  COUNTY  TAX  ROLLS,  ETC. 

'    George 

(wife  Sarah) 

William 177:5-18^4 

(wife  Patience  1807- 1868) 
John 1779-18^4 

»hn  Lawrence..  «  (wf.  Elizabeth  1781-1850) 

Died  .817  or  1S18         \    Samuel  __  d    1820 

I    Kosannah 1700-104:; 

Catherine  Lawrence,  wife.     I         (m.  Jeremiah  Fenton) 
Died  between  181S-1822    f    Catherine 

(m.  Ephraim  Horner) 
Mary  (m.  Amos  Frost) 

The  foregoing  chart  of  the  John  Lawrence    family    is  accurate  so 

far  as  it  goes. 

The  following  is  a  true  copy  of  the  will  of  John  Law- 
rence, father  of  Rosannah  Lawrence-Fenton : 

"Will  of  Will  Book  Xo.  1,  Volume  2,  pag-e  925. 

John  Lawrence, 
Deceased. 

In  the  name  of  God,  Amen.  I,  John 
Lawrence,  of  Fayette  County  and 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  being  in  perfect  health  of  body  and  01 
perfect  mind  and  memory  thanks  be  unto  God,  calling  into 
mind  the  mortality  of  my  "body  and  knowing  that  it  is  appoint- 
ed for  all  men  once  to  die,  do  make  and  ordain  this  my  last 
will  and  testament,  that  is  to  say  principally  and  First  of  all. 
I  give  and  Recommend  my  sou!  into  the  hands  of  Almighty 
God  that  gave  it  and  as  touching  such  worldly  estate  where- 
with it  has  pleased  God  to  bless  me  with  in  this  life.  I  give, 
demise  and  dispose  of  the  same  in  the  following  manner  and 
form.  First,  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  Catharine,  my  dearly 
beloved  wife,  one-third  of  all  my  real  estate  and  one-third  oi 
all  my  moveable  estate;  also  I  give  to  my  well  beloved  son-. 
William  and  John,  one-half  of  all  my  lands,  each  one  to  pos- 
sess his  part  where  they  now  live,  that  is  to  say  my  son,  Wil 
Ham,  his  part  which  was  called  Fenton's  Old  Place,  and  my 
-mi.  |ohn,  his  part  which  was  called  Reeve's  Place:  also  to  my 


178  LAWRENCE    MISCELLANY 

sons,  George  and  Samuel,  I  give  and  bequeath  to  them  jointly 
the  other  half  of  my  lands  which  is  my  home  place  to  be  be- 
tween them  equally  divided.  My  son,  George,  is  to  have  and 
possess  my  house  and  is  to  build  on  his  own  expence  on  my 
son,  Samuel's,  place  a  good  and  sufficient  lined  two-story  log 
house,  two  god  floors,  two  (lores,  one  stone  chimney  and 
shingle  ruff,  the  sise  of  said  house  shall  be  twenty-two  by 
eighteen  ;  and  to  my  daughters  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  them 
as  follows,  viz. :  To  my  Daughter,  Rosannah,  I  give  unto  her 
the  sum  of  Eighty  dollars  and  to  my  Daughter,  Catharine,  I 
give  unto  her  the  sum  of  eighty  Dollars,  and  to  my  Daughter, 
Mary,  I  give  unto  her  the  sum  of  eighty  dollars;  my  daughter 
legeses  shall  be  raised  out  of  my  moveable  estate  and  if  my 
moveable  estate  will  not  pay  sd.  ligses  the  ballance  wanted 
shall  be  paid  by  my  sons,  each  one  paying  an  equal  part  of 
sd.  money.  If  the  said  movables  do  overrun  the  payment  of 
the  legacies  to  my  daughters,  the  ballance  shall  be  divided 
equal  amongst  my  Sons;  my  Sons,  William  and  John,  I  like- 
wise constitute,  make  and  ordain  the  sole  executors  of  this,  my 
last  will  and  Testament.  I  do  hereby  utterly  disallow,  revoke 
and  disannul  all  and  every  other  former  testaments,  wills,  leg- 
acies, bequests  and  executors  by  me  in  any  wise  before  made, 
ratifying  and  Confirming  this  and  no  other  to  be  my  last  will 
and  Testament.  In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my 
hand  and  seal  this  14  day  of  November,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  nine  (T809). 

(Signed)  John  Lawrence. 
Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  in  the 
presence  <  >f  us  : 

William  Miller, 
Elijah  Staals." 

(This  will  was  probated  March  10.  ISIS,  and  letters  is- 
sued March  19,  ISIS.) 

(  'Idic  signature  to  said  will  is  in  the  testator's  own  hand 
writing  and  is  a  fairly  good  hand. ) 

The  following  are  two  interesting  letters  from  William 

Lawrence  to  his  sister,  Rosannah  Fenton: 

January  4th  1819  [1818] 
Mr.  Jeremiah  Fenton  my  Dear  Brother 
We  are  all  shadows  your  mortal  parent  [John  Lawrence]  hath 
passed  away  and  we  pass  away  after  him  Ides  ed  be  the  author 
-1  Every  good  and  Perfect  (lift  for  the  Shadow  of  his  Eternal 
paternity  Display-ed  to  us  in  our  1  )eceased  parent  wdiat  was 
Good  Loving  and  lovely  in  them  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God 
where  we  may  Still  Enjoy  it  I  now  Come  to  inform  von  that 
we  are  in  a  Reasonable  state  of  health  at  present  Except  our 
aged  mother  which  is  poorley  at  this  time  she  has  a  sick  Spell 
Every  Day  or  too  Hoping:  that  these  mav  fin  you  and  vours 


LAWRENCE    MISCELLANY  179 

all  well  we  have  nothing  in  particular  to  write  we  had  our 
vendue  on  the  ninth  of  Aprile  last  we  gave  nine  months  Cred- 
it we  Expect  to  have  your  money  Ready  By  Spring'  we  want 
you  to  write  us  an  answer  as  Soon  as  possible  to  let  us  know 
what  kind  of  money  to  Collect  for  you  we  want  you  not  to 
bevery  particular  a  bout  what  kind  to  (collect')  for  you  as  it 
is  a  verry  hard  matter  to  get  Good  money  at  this  time  you 
must  Expect  to  take  Some  kind  of  paper  for  Specie  is  out  of 
the  Question  at  this  time  as  all  the  Banks  have  Stoped  pay- 
ment I  want  you  and  Rhosanna  to  Come  up  in  the  Spring 
along  with  Samuel  [his  son]  as  I  Expect  he  will  be  with  you  in 
a  Short  time  he  has  been  making  some  prepation  for  that  but 
Set  no  Day  as  we  no  I  want  you  to  Select  a  Good  wife  from 
amongst  your  ohio  Lasses  as  he  Does  not  incline  to  get  one 
here  we  heare  from  Amos  Frost  [husband  of  his  sister  Mary] 
a  few  Days  ago  they  were  all  well  at  that  time  and  are  Doing 
well  Ephraim  Horner  [husband  of  his  sister  Catherine]  and 
family  are  well  and  are  Living  about  a  half  a  mile  below  us 
and  has  bought  a  saw  mill  from  his  Son  inlaw  Eli  Chandler 
he  has  moved  out  to  Stillwater  ohio  John  and  myself  have  had 
to  small  town  out  in  the  State  of  ohio  we  have  Bought  a  Quar- 
ter Section  of  Land  a  piece  and  have  it  paid  for  and  got  our 
Deeds  we  Bought  in  Rich  Land  County  five  miles  South  of 
the  town  of  mansfield  we  like  the  Country  well  I  Dont  Ex- 
pect to  move  out  til  I  get  more  help  we  have  three  Girls  and 
three  Boys  Matilda  Mary  and  Harriett  John  William  and 
Thornton  1  want  you  to  Give  us  a  Small  history  of  the  well 
fa;r  of  all  our  friends  in  Kentucky  and  Ohio  particular  from 
John  Fenton  T  Here  inclose  you  a  Copy  of  the  Last  Will  and 
testament  of  our  Lather  as  I  expect  you  would  Like  to  Know 
how  he  Disposed  of  his  little  property 

So  I  conclude  my  letter  with  Love  to  one  and  all  of  you  this 
from  us  William  and  Patiance  Lawrence  to  Jeremiah  and  Rho- 
sanna Fenton 

(Address) 
To  Mr.  Jeremiah   Fenton       Adams 
County      Westunion 

(Postmark) 

Brownsville     Jany  8 
Fayetta,  Fayette  County  (Pa) 

October  30,  1822 
Dear  friends  T  take  this  opportunity  to  inform  you  that  we  are 
all  well  at  present  hoping  that  these  may  find  you  all  in  the 
same  state  we  have  nothing  strange  at  present  we  got  Mr. 
Eylars  letter  about  the  14  of  Oct.  stating  the  accident  that 
happened  you  last  June  we  expected  some  of  you  up  this  fall 
1  would  have  wrote  to  you  before  now  but  money  is  very 
scarce  in  this  county  if  you  will  send  me  a  letter  stating 
when  you  will  be  up  T  will  try  to  have  it  ready  for  you  we 
had  our  settlement  on  the  23  of  July  it  appears  each  share  was 


ISO  LAWRENCE    MISCELLANY 

30  dollars  j~  cents  subject  to  further  expenses  as  the  business 
is  not  settled  up  and  there  is  something  due  yon  for  paster  I 
cant  tell  von  what  as  I  have  not  had  that  part  of  the  business 
to  settle  and  a  part  of  6  acres  of  corn  now  on  the  -round  we 
would  like  to  by  your  share  if  you  would  sell  at  a  fair  price 
which  is  better  than  \il/2  acres  our  crops  are  very  lite  and 
money  very  scarce  agreeable  to  the  will  there  is  something 
coming  from  George  I  sent  you  a  copy  of  the  will  when  1  rote 
to  you  before  I  should  be  very  glad  to  see  you  both  in  this 
county  once  more  for  I  dont  know  that  1  ever  shall  get  that 
far  into  your  county  I  have  been  3  times  in  your  state  twice 
at  mansfield  where  my  land  lise  1  expect  if  ever  I  move  there 
to  come  to  see  you  we  have  7  children  3  girls  and  4  boys  I 
want  you  to  write  how  our  friends  in  Kentucky  are  doing  as 
we  never  get  to  hear  from  them  we  have  had  a  very  dry 
somer  our  crops  of  hay  oats  and  corn  are  very  lit  I  dont  know 
that  there  could  be  a  ton  of  hay  bought  at  any  price  so  no 
more  at  present  but  >till  remain  your  loving  friends 

William  and  Patiance  Lawrence 
To  Jeremiah  and  Rhosanna   Fenton 


FAYETTE  COUNTY  TAX  ROLL 


181 


Extracts    From    Assessment   Property    Roll    of 

Luzerne  Township,  Fayette  County,  now 

on   File   in  the   Court  House   at 

Uniontown,  Pennsylvania 


YEAR 


OWNER 


HOGS&PATTLE 


No.     Value 


HORSES 


No. 


Value 


LAND 


Acres       Value 


Total  Value 


785  Jeremiah  Finton  . 
785  John  Lawrence 
785  Michael  Finton 
785  Samuel  Finton 

787  Jeremiah  Fenton  . 
7S7  Samuel  Fenton 
7S7  Michael  Fenton. 
787  John  Lawrence  _. 


7SS  Samuel  Finton 

788 Jeremiah  Finton 

788  Jeremiah  Fin  ton,  ••Single' 

7S8  Michael   Fenton 


789  Jeremiah  Finton 

7S9  Samuel  Finton 

7S9  Jeremiah  Finton. "Single" 
789  Michael  Finton     


791  Jeremiah  Finton 

791  Samuel  Finton 

791  Michael  Finton 

791  Jeremiah  Finton.  Jun'r 

793  Jeremiah  Fenton.  Sr.__ 
793  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Jun'r 

793  Samuel  Fenton 

793  Michael  Fenton 


795  Jeremiah   Fenton__  3 

795  Jeremiah  Fenton 3    4   10  s 


3 

3 

No 


3 
Na 


£  2 


9 
3 
3 

12 


1 
prope 


med  o  n  ta 

4 


£  5 

16 


None 
ICO 


200 


6     None 

6     None 

None 

10        200 

12 
8 
named  but  as 


£  7 

£56  5d.        8j   cd 


207 

15 

9 

3 
102 

H 

9 


80 


sessed 


6 

9        3°° 
x  roll    but  no  t  assesse  d  anvth" 

3  7 


S 

10 

6 


1  100 
1  300 


352 


6 

180 

6 


"7 


4 
12 

13.5 

10 


On  the    1795    tax  roll   and  ther  eat'ter    Samuel   &     Michael   Fenton's  names 

[are    not  foun  d 


796  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sen. 
796  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Jun. 

1797  Jeremiah  Fenton 


$20. 
3°- 

So. 


1    $  60. 


"Renter" 


$    20. 
90. 

180. 


Here  one  of  the  Jeremiahs  drop  out.  probably  the  senior. 

On  the  1799  tax  roll  and  thereafter  until  1S02  no  Fenton  name  is  found. 
The  name  of  William  Horner  "pioneer"  of  our  Homers  is  on  these  tax  rolls  from 
17S5  to  1S29.     No  examination  made  as  to  John  Lawrence  after   I7S7. 

The  above  matter  was  carefully  copied  from  the  original  tax  rolls  by  the 
writer.      The  spelling  of  names  is  exactly  as  on  said  rolls. 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 


The  following  is  a  chart  of  the  Quaker  branch  of  the 
New  Jersey  and  Uncles  county,  Pennsylvania,  Fentons.  It 
was  made  by  Hon.  Warren  S.  Ely,  professional  genealogist, 
of  Doylestown,  Pennsylvania,  after  several  days  of  careful 
search  of  records  and  study  of  the  subject.  Mr.  Ely  thinks 
thai  Jeremiah  Fentou,  father  of  our  Jeremiah  (1764),  de- 
scended from  Jeremiah  (1691-1732)  on  the  above  chart, 
who  was  the  first  son  of  Eleazer  Fenton,  the  pioneer,  (1655- 
1704),  by  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth  Stacy.  He  writes  as 
follows:  "1  have  no  doubt  whatever  that  Jeremiah,  Sr., 
on  your  (our)  chart  was  a  son  or  grandson  of  Jeremiah, 
of  Burlington  county,  New  Jersey,  who  died  in  IT^li,  but 
fear  there  is  no  absolute  proof." 


CHART— QUAKER  FENTONS 


THE  FENTONS  IN  NEW  JERSEY; 
IN  BUCKS  COUNTY,  PENNSYL- 
VANIA, AND  EARLY 
QUAKER  FENTONS 


Ephraim 

b.  in  Bucks 
Co.,  Pa. 
m.  1736   Han- 
nah Pearson 
d.  174S 

Mary 


O    O     -J 

Or-  b  <£  'A 

,  H  1-4    to  A3 

fe     =  -     -   ~ 

tf    §  « ■«    "   . 


pq  x  i?  »  = 


W 


-    •••-  ,g>  -r 


Fruits  of 

First  Marriage 
Ephraim 

Fenton 

b.  about  16S5 
in  Buck-;  Co. 
Pa.  Married 
1710  to  Mary 
Blackshaw. 
Died   1750. 

Fruits  of 
Second  Marriage 

Jeremiah 

Fenton 

b.   in  N.  J.  l 

1691 :  d.  in 
N.J.  I732; 
m  a  r  r  i  e  d 
Sarah  •■-  - 
Died  with 
no  will  and 
no  real  es- 
tate. 
N  o  t  h  i  n  g 

known     as 

to  issue. 
Elizabeth 

Fenton 

b.  N.  J. 

1693:   d. 

unmarried 

i732- 

Enoch 

Kenton - 

b.   N.  J. 
1695  :  d.N. 
J.  1732:  m. 
Rachel 
French 
Eleazer 
Fenton 
b.  N.  J.    d. 
unmarried 
1728 
1  Samuel 
Fenton 
b.  N.J. 
d.  x.j. 

1  767  :  m. — 
[Judith    Fenton 


Josiah 

b.  Bucks  Co., 

Pa.       m.  1739 

to  Sarah  

d.  17S} 


Eleazer 

b.   1740 
m.  Margaret 
i       Evans  1796 
J      d.  1S06 
j  Hannah 

m.  Wm.  (iil- 
bert  1 70 1 
lluldah 

m.  John  [ones 
1 796 
Judith 

died  young 
[  Mary 

died  young 
I  John,  single 
1790.      Left 
that  country 
Jane 
Eleazer 

Ephraim,  single 
1 790.      Left 
that  country 
Judith 
[  Sarah 
I  Randal 

Ephraim <j 


1S3 

Ephraim 

d.  unmarriec 
Mary 


Samuel    

b.  Bucks  Co. 
Pa.      m.  Ur- 
sula Day 
d.  i79r> 


*Samuel  Fenton 

*Eleazer 

*James 

*Randall 

*Ephraim 

*Charles  P." 

Samuel    Fenton 

Ephraim 

Jesse 

"Randal 

Elizabeth 

William 


Eleazer 

d.  N.  J.  17S9 
m.  Elizabeth 

— ,  1755 

Vashti  m.   Oba 

diah  Ireton 

1754 
Rachel 
Enoch 


Patrick  .  . 
Mary  m.  Wm. 
Gilbert  177  2 
Hannah,    d.  un-  I 

married  1833 
Thomas,    d.  un- 
married 1829 
j  Martha,  d.  un- 
married 1S30 
[Elizabeth  m. 

Jos.   Rich 
j  1  lannah  I  m  ) 
1777.  Jacob 
Shinn.  Jr. 
-<J  Eleazer 
;  John 

Samuel 
i  Elizabeth  E. 
Kinton 


*AU  living  in  Montgomery  county 
Pa.,  in    1833. 


Thomas 

Samuel 
Stacy  m.   Ab- 
igail Ivins 
Elizabeth 

Sarah 
Mar\ 


1§4  NEW  JERSEY  FENTONS 

NEW  JERSEY  FENTONS. 

At  the  special  request  of  the  writer,  Hon.  Warren  S.  Ely 
made  a  special  trip  to  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  to  look  up  the 
records  of  the  New  Jersey  Fentons  and  after  personal  ex- 
amination of  the  early  records  there  lias  prepared  the  fol- 
lowing paper : 

ELEAZER  FENTON,  an  early  settler  in  Springfield  town- 
ship, Burlington  County,  New  Jersey,  died  there,  in  1704.  Will 
dated  December  16,  1702,  probated'  July  24,  1704.  Liber  of 
Wills  in  Office  of  Secretary  of  State,  Trenton,  N.  J.     No.  T,  p. 

77-  *\ 

Eleazer  Fenton  was  one  of  the  Proprietary's  of  West  Jersey, 
and  there  was  surveyed  to  him  by  Thomas  Revel,  Surveyor 
General.  Sep.  30,  1680,  200  acres  of  land  on  the  Assincunck 
Creek,  adjoining  Robert  Stacy.  Liber  A.  West  Jersey  Deeds, 
or  Revel's  Book  of  Surveys,  p.  6. 

On  October  17,  1683,  Eleazer  Fenton  conveyed  to  Nathaniel 
\\  est,  100  Acres  of  above  survey  in  First  Tenth,  Liber,  p.  35. 

Mis  share  in  the  Lands  of  West  Jersey  was  evidently  1-16 
of  a  .Share. 

On  September  6,  1686,  Eleazer  Fenton,  of  Bird  Creek,  Bur- 
lington Co.,  conveyed  to  John  Shinn  a  River  Lot  and  House 
and  Lot  011  Burlington  Island,  part  of  1-16  Share,  &c.  Liber 
B.,  p.  197. 

On  February  10,  1683-4.  Mahlon  Stacy,  of  Falls  of  Delaware, 
Tanner,  and  George  Hutchinson,  of  Sheffield,  England,  distil- 
ler, conveyed  to  Eleazer  Fenton,  of  Neare  Assincunck  Creek, 
Burlington  Co.,  Wrest  Jersey,  yeoman,  1-16  share  in  "ye  First' 
Tenth — Marginal  Note — "ye  first  and  second  divedent  due  on 
tin's  deed  are  taken  up;  ye  later  300  acres  thereof  by  Warrt. 
dated  Feb.  17,  1698."     Liber  B.  Part  2,  p.  511. 

Deed  dated  March  22,  1683-4,  Eleazer  Fenton,  of  Springfield, 
near  Burlington,  to  Daniel  Leeds,  his  right  and  title  in  2  Acres 
part  oi  200  acres  where  he  now  dwells  adjoining  Grantee. 
I  .iber  P..   Part  2,  p.  481. 

Eleazer  Fenton  was  a  Quaker,  but  appears  to  have  been 
married  by  License  to  Elizabeth  Stacy,  February  2,  1690,  al- 
though their  marriage  also  appears  of  record  at  Burlington 
Meeting. 

She  was  probably  a  daughter  of  Henry  Stacy,  of  Spitle- 
lields.  Parish  of  Stepney,  County  Middlesex,  England,  Mer- 
chant, who  came  to  New  Jersey  in  1678,  but  returned  to  En- 
land,  died  there  as  did  his  wife,  Mary,  thougdi  the  wills  of  both 


NEW  JERSEY  FENTONS  185 

are  mentioned  in  New  Jersey  records.  They  had  a  son,  Sam- 
uel, and  daughters,  Alary  and  Elizabeth. 

It  is  claimed  by  some,  however,  that  Elizabeth  Fenton  was 
a  daughter  of  Robert  of  Hansforth,  Yorkshire,  who  was  a 
brother  of  Mahlon  Stacy. 

Elizabeth  (Stacy)  Fenton  married,  second,  Samuel  Gooldy, 
of  Burlington,  and  died  in  1708. 

The  will  of  Eleazer  Fenton  makes  his  wife.  Elizabeth,  sole 
heir  and  Executrix,  mentions  his  children,  but  not  by  name. 

On  the  death  of  Elizabeth  in  1708,  letters  of  Administration 
were  granted  on  her  estate  to  Samuel  Gooldy  and  Daniel  Leeds 
and  they  were  appointed  guardians  of  her  children,  as  follows: 

JEREMIAH  FENTON,  aged  about  17  years, 

Elizabeth  Fenton,  aged  13  years, 

Enoch  Fenton,  aged  about  14  years. 

Eleazer  Fenton  was  probably  married  before  his  marriage 

to  Elizabeth  Stacy,  and  had  a  son,  Ephraim  Fenton,  who 
came  to  Bucks  County  in  171 1,  and  died  there  about  1750, 
leaving  sons  Ephraim,  Josiah  and  Samuel,  and  two  grandsons 
named  Eleazer,  only  the  son,  Josiah,  has  left  male  issue,  but 
they  are  cpiite  numerous,  no  Jeremiah  in  this  line. 

The  family  both  in  Bucks  County,  Pa.,  and  New  Jersey  con- 
tinued to  be  Quakers,  but  the  records  of  Burlington  Meeting 
contain  little  mention  of  them.  The  record  of  the  marriage  of 
Hannah  Fenton,  daughter  of  Eleazer  and  granddaughter  of 
Enoch,  is  recorded  at  Burlington,  Nov.  6,  1777. 

And  Elizabeth  Fenton  is  reported  as  "Marrying  Out"  in 
175S  '■  sne  was  probably  the  mother  of  Hannah,  and  wife  of 
Eleazer. 

There  was  a  meeting  at  Springfield,  where  some  of  them 
may  have  belonged,  but  Enoch  lived  in  the  town  of  Burlington. 

The  Will  of  Eleazer  Fenton  mentions  his  home  farm  in 
Springfield  and  300  acres  bought  of  John  Ogborne,  adjoining 
Thomas  Douglass. 

JEREMIAH  FENTON,  eldest  son  of  Eleazer  and  Elizabeth 
(Stacy)  Fenton,  born  1691  (about  17  years  of  age  July  12, 
1798,  when  he  chooses  guardian),  died  intestate  and  letters  of 
administration  were  granted  on  his  estate  to  his  widow,  Sarah 
Fenton,  December  9,  1732,  The  Inventory  of  his  estate  made 
Dec.  1,  1732,  by  George  French  and  Joseph  YYoolston,  his 
widow,  Sarah,  "being  of  the  People  called  Quakers"  qualified 
by  affirmation. 

He  was  living  at  the  time  of  his  death  on  a  farm  in  North- 
ampton township,  Burlington  County,  belonging  to  his  broth- 
er, Enoch,  who  in  his  will  dated  May  16,  1732,  provided  that 
"llrother  Jeremiah  Fenton  to  enjoy  and  possess  the  plantation 


J86  NEW  JERSEY  FENTONS 

whereon  he  dwelleth  for  the  term  of  nine  years  without  rent 
and  after  the  expiration  of  that  term  my  executors  shall  rent 
the  same  until  son  Eleazer  be  of  age."  No  record  of  children. 
See  Will  Hook  3.  p.  226. 

Eleazer  Fenton,  Jr.,  son  of  Eleazer  and  Elizabeth,  died  un- 
married in  1728.  though  his  will  indicates  he  was  nearly  mar- 
ried to  Ann  Bullock.  The  will  dated  March  28,  1728,  and 
proved  April  13.  1728,  gives  his  residence  as  Springfield  town- 
ship, Burlington  County,  New  Jersey.  It  devises  legacies  to  his 
two  sisters.  Elizabeth  and  Judith  Fenton  ;  and  brothers  Enoch, 
Samuel  and  Jeremiah,  but  directs  that  the  bulk  of  his  estate 
go  to  "Friend  Ann  Bullock,  daughter  of  John  Bullock,  includ- 
ing the  proceeds  of  sale  of  a  farm  of  160  acres  in  Springfield; 
Titan  Eeeds.  Exr. 

Enoch  Fenton,  the  second  son  of  Eleazer  and  Elizabeth 
(Stacy)  Fenton,  was  ''about  14  years  of  age"  July  16,  1708, 
when  guardians  were  appointed  for  himself.  h:s  brother  ami 
sister,  and  was  therefore  born  in  1694.  He  married  Rachel 
French,  daughter  of  John  French,  Sr.,  of  Northampton  town- 
ship, Burlington  County,  as  shown  by  her  father's  will  dated 
Apr.  [3,  172a  and  proven  May  9,  1729;  and  by  the  will  of  her 
brother,  John  French,  Jr..  dated  March  28,  1729,  proven  May 
10,  1729. 

Fnoch  Fenton  was  a  butcher  in  Burlington  when  he  made 
his  will,  dated  May  16,  1732,  probated  September  2,  1732  ;  the 
Inventory  was  made  Aug.  31,  1732.  by  Silas  Crispin  and 
( reo  Eyre. 

To  youngest  son,  Enoch,  is  devised  all  Irs  lands  in  Spring- 
field township,  aggregating  350  acres,  -ubject  to  payments  to 
sisters  Vesta  and  Rachel  Fenton;  to  son  Eleazer  100  acres  in 
Northampton;  to  wife,  Rachel,  house  and  lot  where  he  dwelt; 
my  lirother  Jeremiah  to  possess  the  farm  in  Northampton  on 
which  he  resides  for  nine  years,  etc. 

Estate  I  am  to  receive  from  John  Finney  and  Mary,  his  wiie, 
under  Articles  of  Agreement,  including  certain  lands  in  Spring- 
field, to  son  Enoch  ;  my  sister.  Elizabeth  Fenton,  house  and  lot 
where  -lie  dwell-  Eor  life  with  three  acres  in  Springfield;  wife 
Rachel  and  friend  Samuel  Scattergood,  of  Burlington,  Inn- 
keeper, Exrs. 

'I  he    widow     Rachel    married    Nathaniel    Wilkinson,   Dec.    T. 


'//b- 


Deeds  show  that  the  estate  acquired  from  Finney  and  de- 
d  to  Enoch  was  purchased  by  her  and  conveyed  to  her  oth- 
er -'.n.  Eleazer,  Feb.  20,  1755:  it  was  158  acres  in  Springfield 
'■n  \ssincunck  ('reek.  Enoch  released  his  right  therein  to  his 
brother,  Eleazer,  March  4,  1758,  deed  recorded  in  Fiber  S.. 
page  -'4.  which  recites  the  date  of  purchase  by  Rachel  as  Apr. 


NEW  JERSEY   FEXTONS  187 

12.  1733,  before  her  marriage  to  Nathaniel  Wilson,  and  the 
subsequent  conveyance  to  Eleazer. 

Enoch  Fenton,  as  shown  by  deeds,  had  resided  until  1727  in 
Springfield  township.  His  -ens,  Eleazer  and  Enoch,  were 
minors  at  the  date  of  his  will. 

ELEAZER    FENTON,    the    son    of    Enoch      and      Rachel 

1  French)   Fenton,  married  Elizabeth ■,  probably  the 

Elizabeth  Fenton  who  was  dealt  with  for  marrying  "out  of 
unity'-  at  Burlington  Meeting  in  1755.  As  before  referred  to, 
his  mother  conveyed  real  estate  to  him  in  that  year.  158  acres 
in  Springfield,  lie  later  removed  to  Piles  Grove,  Salem  Coun- 
ty, Deed  dated  March  15,  1787,  Liber  AP,  p.  104,  Eleazer  Fen- 
ton and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  of  Pile--  Grove,  Salem  County.  Inn 
late  of  Springfield  township.  Burlington  county,  conveys  to 
their  sons,  Samuel  and  Eleazer  Fenton,  the  158  acres  in  Spring- 
field conveyed  to  him  by  his  mother  and  step-father,  Nathaniel 
Y\  ilkinson  and  Rachel,  his  wife. 

He  seems,  however,  to  have  returned  to  Springfield: 

Will  of  Lleazer  Fenton,  of  Springfield,  dated  Nov.  8.  1789, 
proved  Nov.  2y,  1789,  clevises  to  son,  Eleazer,  5  or  6  acres  in 
Salem  County,  purchased  of  Robert  Hubeson  ; 

To  son,  John  Fenton,  residue  of  land  in  Salem  county,  about 
300  acres. 

To  son.  Samuel  Fenton,  a  bed,  etc.; 

To  daughter,  Hannah  Shinn,  wife  of  Jacob  Shinn.  Jr.,  who 
was  married  at  Burlington  Meeting.  Nov.  6,  1777.)  100  pounds  : 

To  daughter,  Elizabeth  Fenton; 

To  wife,  Elizabeth,  all  residue  of  estate  and  she  to  sell  at 
her  discretion  two  tracts  of  land  in  Springfield  bought  of  John 
Vestan. 

The  will  of  Elizabeth  Fenton,  widow  of  Eleazer.  of  Spring- 
field township,  is  dated  Feb.  21,  1801,  and  was  proved  July  23, 
1802;  mentions  son,  Eleazer;  daughter,  Hannah  Shinn  ;  daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth  Elkinton,  and  her  children,  Fenton  and  Rebecca 
Elkinton ;  daughter-in-law.  Drusilla  Fenton;  granddaughter, 
Mary  and  Hannah,  daughters  of  son,  Eleazer;  and  Elizabeth 
Fenton,  daughter  of  son.  John. 

Letters  of  Administration  were  granted  March  8,  1750,  on 
the  estate  of  Enoch  Fenton.  late  of  Burlington  County,  Black- 
smith, to  Robert  Fenton. 

(This  could  hardly  be  the  brother  of  Eleazer,  as  he  make-  a 
iked  to  Eleazer  in  1758.  unless  I  have  made  a  mistake  in  the 
latter  date.) 

There  is  also  the  will  of  a  John   Fenton,  of  Freehold,  Mori 
mouth  County.  "Innholder,"  dated  August  4,  and  proved  '  >c 
tober  1,  1747,  who  does  not  fit  into  the  above  line,  unless  as  a 
son  of  Jeremiah.     It  mentions  son.   Robert,  daughter,   Rachel 
Johnston,  and  makes  wife.  Mary,  residuary  legatee  and    Exrx. 


188  NEW  JERSEY  FENTONS 

SAMUEL  FENTON,  son  of  Eleazer,  and  Elizabeth  (Stacy) 
Fenton,  died  in  Chesterfield  township,  Burlington  County; 
will  dated  January  9,  1762.  proved  September  28,  1767;  "Lov- 
ing wife"  mentioned  several  times,  but  not  by  name  ;  To  son, 
Thomas,  plantation  in  Chesterfield,  where  I  live,  for  life,  then 
to  his  eldest  son,  in  default  of  sons  to  daughters,  in  default  of 
issue  to  son  Samuel ; 

Son  Stacy  Fenton,  land  purchased  of  William  Miller,  he  pay- 
ing to  Ebenezer  Large  the  indebtedness  thereon  and  to  Exrs. 
of  Samuel  Large ; 

To  son  Samuel,  land  at  Bordentown; 

To  daughters  Elizabeth,  Sarah,  Mary  and  Elizabeth  Fenton, 

Son  Thomas  and  Thomas  Miller,  Exrs.  Proceedings  show 
they  were  Quakers. 

Will  of  Thomas  Fenton,  of  Freehold,  Monmouth  County, 
dated  March  4,  1777,  proved  May  24,  1777:  Son-in-law  John 
Story  my  lands  if  he  pay  incumbrance  .thereon  to  Amarr'ah 
Morris,  otherwise  to  be  sold  to  pay  same  ; 

Smith's  tools  and  other  personal  estate  to  be  sold,  and  pro- 
ceeds to  son  Lewis  and  daughters  Anna  and  Sarah. 

Letters  of  Guardianship  were  granted  to  Samuel  Fenton 
November  14,  1797,  on  estates  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Fenton, 
children. of  John  Fenton,  deceased,  of  Salem  County.  (This 
was  doubtless  son  of  Eleazer  and  Elizabeth.) 

A  deed  by  the  Sheriff  of  land  belonging  to  estate  of  Stacy 
Fenton,  late  of  Bordentown,  deceased,  dated  April  26,  1783, 
shows  that  he  had  purchased  lots  in  Bordentown,  of  Aaron 
Watson,  April  8,  1775. 

A  (\a;d  dated  March  27,  1767,  (Liber  AG,  p.  433),  Stacy  Fen- 
ton and  Abigail,  his  wife,  of  Chesterfield  township,  shows  that 
Abigail  was  the  widow  of  Thomas  Ivins,  before  her  marriage 
to  Stacy  Fenton,  prior  to  January  4,  1765.  It  conveys  the  land 
purchased  by  his  father,  Samuel  Fenton,  of  William  Miller, 
and  the  Exrs.  of  Samuel  Large,  September  26,  1750,  and  March 
14,  1752.  Samuel  Fenton  purchased  124  acres  of  the  Exrs.  of 
Samuel  Large,  who  conveyed  84  acres,  part  of  same  tract,  to 
William  Miller,  and  the  latter  conveyed  78  acres  to  Thomas 
l\ins,  and  5 '/>  acres  to  Samuel  Fenton.  On  December  21, 
1764,  Samuel  conveyed  to  his  son  Stacy  the  124  acres  and  by 
will,  1767,  devised  him  the  $y2  acres.  Then  the  78  acres  were 
sold  by  the  Sheriff  as  property  of  Thomas  Ivins,  deceased, 
and  purchased  by  his  widow  Abigail,  who  later  intermarried 
with  Stacy  Fenton,  and  on  January  4,  1765,  joined  him  in  con- 
veyance to  Jacob  Lawrence,  who  same  day  conveyed  to  Stacy 
Fenton,  thus  passing  the  title  to  whole  208  acres  of  Large  plan- 
tatii  in  t<  1  Staey  Fenton. 

Stacy  Fenton  could  not  have  been  a  young  man  at  this  date 
(1767);  his  wife,  Abigail,  or  at  least  her  former  husband, 
Thomas  I  \  ins,  had  a  daughter,  Sarah,  wife  of  John  Pancoast, 
who  released  their  interest  in  the  y^  acres  to  Stacy  Fenton. 


BUCKS  COUNTY  FENTONS  189 

THE  BUCKS  COUNTY  FENTONS. 

Mr.  Ely,  who  lives  at  Doylestown,  in  Bucks  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  who  knows  more  of  the  history  of  that 
county  than  anyone  else,  has  prepared  the  following  sketch 
of  the  Bucks  county  Pentons.  It  will  bo  recalled  that 
through  Mr.  John  F.  Fenton,  of  Oxford,  Ohio,  we  have  I  he 
definite  information  that  some  of  our  Fentous  came  from 
Bucks  county : 

EPHRAIM  FENTON,  the  pioneer  of  the  family  in  Bucks 
County,  came  from  New  Jersey  and  was  said  to  be  a  son  of 
Eleazer  Fenton,  one  of  the  Proprietors  of  West  Jersey,  who 
was  a  resident  of  Burlington  County,  New  Jersey,  as  early  as. 
1680  and  died  there  in  1704,  by  his  first  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  West. 

Ephraim  Fenton  married  about  1710,  Mary  Blackshaw, 
daughter  of  Randall  and  Alice  (Burgis)  Blackshaw,  of  Hoi1 
lingee,  County  of  Chester,  England,  who  with  their  children, 
Phebe,  Sarah,  Jacob,  Alary,  Nehemiah,  Martha  and  Abraham, 
embarked  for  America,  September  5,  1682,  in  the  ship  "Sub- 
mission," which  landed  its  passengers  at  Choptank,  Mary- 
land, October  30,  1682,  from  whence  the  Blackshaws  made 
their  way  overland  to  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania,  where 
Randall  was  the  purchaser  of  large  tracts  of  land. 

Ephraim  and  Mary  (Blackshaw)  Fenton  settled  in  the  ex- 
treme north  corner  of  Buckingham  township,  on  the  lines  of 
Plnmstead  and  Solebury  townships  on  a  500-acre  tract  of  land 
laid  out  to  Randall  Blackshaw.  Ephraim  later  purchased  the 
land  lying  westward  of  this  tract  which  descended  to  his  son-. 
The  original  tract  was  sold  by  him  in  his  lifetime,  lie  died  in 
1750,  leaving  a  will  dated  September  11,  1738,  proved  Decem- 
ber 24,  1750,  in  which  he  devises  to  his  eldest  son.  Ephraim 
Fenton,  180  acres  of  land  off  the  end  of  his  plantation  and  the 
remainder  of  his  estate  to  his  other  sons,  Josiah  and  Samuel, 
they  paying  certain  legacies  to  their  mother,  Mary  Fenton, 
and  their  sister,  Mary  Fenton,  who  was  a  minor  at  the  date  of 
the  will,  and  married  prior  to  1750,  James  Shaw,  Jr.,  (1724- 
1801). 

Ephraim   Fenton,  the  eldest  son,  died  before  his  father,  lei 
ters  of  administration  on  his  estate  being  granted  to  his  widow. 
Hannah  Fenton,  in  1748.     He  had  married,  by  Xew  Jersey  Li- 
cense, dated  April  12,  1736,  Hannah  Pearson,  daughter  of  Law 
rence  and   Ann   Pearson,  of  Plumstead,    Bucks   County,   who 
were  among  the  earliest  Quaker  settlers  in   Buckingham,   re 
moving  later  to  Plumstead  near   Point    Pleasant,  where    Law 
rence  died  in  1756,  at  an  advanced  age  and  his  widow,  Ann.  in 
1760.     Both  their  wills  mention  their  daughter.   Hannah    Fen 
ton,   and    that   of  the   latter   a   granddaughter,    Mary    Fenton. 


190  BUCKS  COUNTY  FENTONS 

Ephraim  and  Hannah  (  Pearson)  Fenton  had  children,  Eleazer, 
I  Inldah.  who  married  John  Jones  in  1705,  and  Hannah,  Eleazer 
married,  second,  late  in  life,  or  at  least  if  married  earlier  had 
110  children  by  first  wife,  lie  married  about  1796,  Margaret 
1  Brown)  Evans,  and  had  son,  Ephraim,  who  died  without  is- 
sue, and  daughter,  Mary,  who  married  Tench  C.  Kintzing. 

Eleazer  Fenton,  married  first  at  Buckingham  Friends  Meet- 
ing, November  22,  1709,  Martha,  widow  of  Stephen  Wilson 
and  daughter  of  William  and  Deborah  Preston,  hut  had  no 
issue  by  her. 

Eleazer,  son  of  Ephraim  and  grandson  of  Ephraim  the  first, 
was  for  many  years  proprietor  of  the  old  Cross  Jeys  Tavern  in 
the  west  corner  of  Buckingham  on  the  Doylestown  township 
and  Plumstead  township  lines.  Ilis  will  dated  April  iS,  1806, 
was  proven  November  11,  1S06.  Deeds  of  record  show  ab- 
solutely his  connection  with  the  pioneer  above  noted. 

The  Fentons  were  originally  Friends,  but  through  one  cause 
or  another  most  of  them  drifted  out  of  the  Society,  like  their 
cousins  in  Xew  Jersey. 

Josiah  Fenton,  second  son  of  Ephraim,  and  Alary  (Black- 
shaw)  Fenton,  was  disowned  from  Buckingham  Friends  Meet- 
ing in  [739,  for  being  the  father  of  two  illegitimate  children. 
In  tlie  same  year  his  father,  Ephraim  Fenton,  is  dealt  with  for 
attending  a  "disorderly  marriage  at  the  house  of  Thomas 
I  leed  ;"  that  is,  a  marriage  not  authorized  by  the  meeting.  This 
was  probably  the  marriage  of  Josiah,  though  Joseph  Pearson. 
a  brother-in-law  of  Ephraim,  was  charged  with  the  same  of- 
fense at  the  same  date,  but  the  date  being  three  years  after 
Ephraim's  marriage,  it  could  hardly  apply  to  that. 

The  will  of  Josiah  Fenton,  of  Buckingham,  dated  January 
[9>  >7°%  proved  March  12,  [783,  mentions  sons,  John,  Eleazer 
and  Ephraim,  to  whom  he  devises  his  lands,  Samuel  Shaw  and 
Eleazer  Fenton  to  divide  it  between  them.  Eldest  daughter, 
Jane  Fenton,  daughter  Judith,  youngest  daughter  Sarah,  a 
minor.  Son  John  and  James  Shaw,  Exrs.  All  three  of  the 
sons  sold  their  land  in  1790  and  apparently  left  the  county; 
Eleazer,  the  youngest,  was  a  minor  in  1784. 

Samuel  Fenton,  the  youngest  son  of  Ephraim  and  Mary 
(Blackshaw)  Fenton,  married  prior  to  1746,  Ursula  Day, 
daughter  of  Christopher  Day,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  01 
Plumstead  township,  just  over  the  line  of  Buckingham,  whose 
will  dated  September  1,  17-10,  proved  March  25,  1748-9,  men- 
lions  daughters  Abigail  Poe  and  Ursula  Fenton.  Abigail  was 
the  wile  oi  Patrick  Poe,  many  years  proprietor  of  the  Tavern 
ai   Brownsville,  now  Gardenville. 

Samuel    Fenton  died  intestate  and  on  November  7,  1796,  a 
petition    was  presented   to  the  Orphans   Court,   setting  forth 
thai  he  Kit  sons,   Randal,   Ephraim,  Patrick,  Thomas,  daugh- 
ters, Jiannah,   Martha  and    Elizabeth,  and  a  grandchild  "sup 
he  living  in  some  part   of   North  Carolina,  or  South 


X  ise< 


BUCKS  COUNTY  FENTOXS  191 

Carolina,  whose  name  is  unknown  to  the  petitioners,  but  ac- 
cording  to  the  best  information  obtainable  is  Lydia,  being  the 
only  issue  of  Mary,  daughter  of  the  said  Samuel  Fenton,  de- 
ceased, by  her  husband,  William  Gilbert,  which  said  William 
and  Mary  both  died  in  the  lifetime  of  said  Samuel  Fenton. 
The  name  of  this  girl  as  shown  by  later  records  was  Mary  Gil- 
bert. According  to  the  records  of  Buckingham  Meeting  Han- 
nah Fenton,  was  married  to  William  Gilbert,  of  Buckingham, 
at  Plumstead  Meeting  House.  November  25,  1761.  Witness 
signing  "Eleazer  Fenton."  He  may  have  married,  first,  Han- 
nah, daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Hannah  (Pearson)  Fenton, 
and  second,  her  cousin,  Mary.  lie  did  not  marry  Hannah, 
daughter  of  Samuel,  mentioned  above,  as  she  never  married, 
and  died  at  an  advanced  age  in  1838.  Her  will  mentions  her 
brothers.  Patrick  and  Ephraim,  and  the  children  of  the  former 
as  Samuel.  Ephraim.  Jesse.  Randall  and  Elizabeth.  And  of 
Ephraim  as  Samuel,  Eleazer,  James,  Randal,  Ephraim,  Charles 
P.  and  Thomas,  all  of  Montgomery  Count}-.  She  also  mentions 
her  nephew,  William  Fenton.  Esq.,  of  Buckingham,  and  his 
wife,  Mary.  A  daughter  of  this  latter  couple  is  still  living  in 
Buckingham  at  an  advanced  age.  She  it  was  that  presented  to 
the  Bucks  County  Historical  Society,  the  silk  sash  said  to  have 
been  worn  by  Lord  De-la-Warr,  and  had  come  down  to  her 
through  the  Fentons,  as  descendants  of  Lord  Delaware, 
through  the  mother  of  Ephraim  Fenton,  first.  Elizabeth  or 
Mary  West. 

Randal  Fenton,  son  of  Samuel,  died  without  issue  and  de- 
vised all  his  estate  to  his  brother.  Thomas,  whom  he  named 
as  executor. 

Mary  Fenton  and  William  Gilbert  were  granted  a  marriage 
license,  May  25,  1772. 

As  before  stated,  the  three  sons  of  Josiah  Fenton.  John. 
Ephraim  and  Eleazer.  after  dividing  their  father's  land  be- 
tween or  amongst  them,  each  sold  their  tracts  at  different  dates 
during  the  vear  170,0.  their  mother,  Sarah  Fenton.  joining  in 
the  deeds  to  clear  the  land  of  her  dower.  Nearly  all  this  land 
was  acquired  by  their  uncle  Samuel,  and  his  sons,  Randal.  Pal 
rick.  Ephraim  and  Thomas.  The  latter  in  earlier  deeds  being 
named  as  Tomson.  At  the  death  of  their  father.  Samuel  Pen- 
ton,  in  1796,  intestate,  partition  was  had  in  the  Orphans  Court 
and  the  whole  tract  or  tracts  comprising  about  250  acres  was 
adjudged  to  Randal  Fenton.  and  he  soon  after  conveyed  por 
tions  to  his  brothers.  Patrick.  Ephraim  and  Thomas,  finalhj 
making  a  deed  to  Thomas,  vesting  in  the  latter  a  one-half  in- 
terest, with  titles  of  survivorship,  all  the  residue  of  -aid  lands 
which  he  still  held.  He  further  made  his  will  in  [S07.  pr 
March  26.  1829.  by  which  he  devised  all  his  estate  to  Thomas. 
Thomas  and  Randal  Fenton  both  died  unmarried.  Thomas, 
a-  above  shown,  was  seized  of  the  greater  part  of  the  paternal 
real  estate  in  Buckingham,  and  at  his  death  in   1820.  the  same 


192  BUCKS  COUNTY  FENTONS 

year  his  brother  Randall  died,  partition  thereof  was  made  in 
the  Orphans  Court  on  petition  of  Samuel  Fenton,  son  of  Eph- 
raim, December  Term,  1829,  which  shows  that  his  brother, 
Ephrajm,  was  deceased,  leaving  children,  Samuel  (the  peti- 
tioner), Eleazer,  James,  William,  Randal  and  Thomas;  his 
second  brother,  Patrick,  was  still  iving,  as  were  his  sisters, 
.Martha  Fenton,  (  who  died  in  1830,  leaving  will  dated  January, 
1829,  by  which  devised  all  her  estate  to  her  sister,  Hannah, 
and  made  her  brother,  Thomas,  Exr.),  Hannah  who  died  in 
1838;  that  his  sister,  Mary,  and  her  husband,  William  Gilbert, 
were  deceased,  leaving  a  daughter,  Mary  Gilbert,  residing  in 
North  Carolina.  The  land  was  divided  and  adjudged  to  Pat- 
rick. Hannah  and  Samuel,  the  nephew. 

Hannah  Fenton  survived  all  her  brothers  and  sisters:  her 
will  was  made  in  1833,  a  codicil  added  in  1836,  and  proved 
August  25,  1838.  At  the  date  of  her  will,  her  nephews,  Samuel, 
Eleazer,  James,  Randal,  Charles  P.,  Ephraim  and  Thomas  i). 
Fenton,  sons  of  her  brother,  Ephraim,  deceased,  were  all  resi- 
dents of  Montgomery  County;  while  Samuel,  Ephraim,  Jesse, 
Randal,  William,  and  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  William  Rich, 
children  of  her  brother,  Patrick,  were  residents  of  Bucks. 
Ephraim,  son  of  Patrick,  had  died  before  the  date  of  the  cod- 
icil. 

Another  Fenton  family  was  founded  in  liucks  County,  in 
1743,  by  Joseph  Fenton,  "of  Brookland,  Kings  County,  Prov- 
ince of  New  York,  Weaver,"  as  he  is  named  in  a  deed  dated 
May  12,  1743,  by  which  Isaac  Van  Horn  and  Alice,  his  wife, 
convey  to  him  276  acres  of  land  in  Northampton  township, 
P. ucks  County. 

lie  married  at  about  this  date,  (certainly  prior  to  June  1, 
1745,  when  she  joins  him  in  a  mortgage  on  the  276  acres), 
Mary  Shaw,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Watts)  Shaw,  of 
Northampton,  and  granddaughter  of  Stephen  Watts.  Joseph 
Fenton  died  early  in  1782,  the  inventory  of  his  estate  being 
made  May  27,  1782.  His  will  dated  February  8,  1782,  proved 
.May  10.  1783,  mentions  his  wife,  Mary;  grandchildren,  Joseph, 
Tin  imas,  Mar;  and  Martha,  representatives  of  his  deceased  son, 
"Thias  ;"  Joseph  and  Mary,  representatives  of  his  deceased  son, 
Cornelius;  and  surviving  children,  Joseph,  John,  Benjamin 
Fenton,  and  Helena  Kroesen.  His  widow,  Mary,  survived  un- 
til April  27,  1789,  dying  at  the  residence  of  her  son.  Dr.  Joseph 
Fenton,  with  whom  she  had  resided  since  November  15,  1786, 
as  shown  by  his  settlement  of  her  estate.  On  September  21, 
1782,  she  joined  with  her  sister,  Rachel  Shaw,  in  the  convey- 
ance of  real  estate  inherited  by  her  father,  Joseph  Shaw,  from 
her  grandfather,  John  Shaw,  of  Northampton,  D.  B.  21,  p.  n. 

Note—It  is  just  possible  that  this  Mary  (Shaw)  Fenton 
was  the  wile  of  Cornelius  Fenton,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary. 
He,  Cornelius,  died  intestate  and  letters  were  granted  to  His 
widow,  Mary  Fenton,  April  8,  1782.     On  September  28,  1786, 


BUCKS  COUNTY  FENTONS  19b 

letters  of  Administration  were  granted  on  the  estate  of  Mary 
Fenton,  to  Dr.  Jos.  Fenton,  and  in  a  petition  to  the  Orphans 
Court  ask  for  appointment  of  guardians  for  her  two  minor 
children,  "the  eldest  not  exceeding  eight  years  of  age." 

The  children  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Fenton  are  named  in  his 
will  above  quoted. 

Dr.  Joseph  was  the  eldest  and  is  given  a  special  legacy  of 

10  pounds  for  his  birthright,     lie  married  Hannah 

and  died  in  1827.  leaving  only  one  child,  Maria,  wife  of  Joseph 
C.  Whitall.  He  and  his  brothers,  John  and  Cornelius,  were 
members  of  Northampton  Associated  Company  in  1775;  and 
he  was  Surgeon  of  Col.  Joseph  Hart's  Bucks  Count}'  Battalion 
in  the  Flying  Camp,  in  1770.  though  his  name  is  given  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Archives  as  "John  Fenton,  Jr.,"  instead  of  Jo- 
seph Fenton,  Jr.;  there  was  no  John  Fenton,  Jr.,  who  could 
have  been  more  than  a  mere  child  at  that  date. 

John  Fenton,  second  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Fenton,  mar- 
ried Sarah,  daughter  of  Richard  Leedom,  of  Richboro,  a  promi- 
nent merchant  and  innkeeper.  John  Fenton  was  a  member  of 
the  Associated  Company  of  Northampton  in  1775,  on  May  6, 
1777,  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  the  Eighth 
Company,  First  Battalion,  I  Wicks  County  Militia,  Captain 
Gawin  Adams,  First  Lieutenant  Garret  Dungan.  His  name 
does  not  appear  as  an  officer  of  the  same  company  in  1780.  I  le 
wa .'.  named  as  one  of  the  executors  of  his  father's  will,  and  the 
real  estate  of  his  father  being  sold  by  the  Sheriff,  he  purchased 
it,  and  after  deeding  a  small  portion  thereof  to  his  brother.  Dr. 
Joseph  Fenton,  conveyed  the  residue  to  his  father-in-law,  Rich- 
ard Leedom.  He  purchased  another  tract  in  Northampton  on 
which  he  1'ved  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  which  he  authorized 
his  wife  and  her  father,  Richard  Leedom.  as  Executors  to  sell, 
which  they  did.  His  will  dated  January  19,  1702,  proved  Feb- 
ruarv  14,  1793.  directs  that  his  sons.  Joseph.  John.  Benjamin, 
Richard  and  [esse,  be  placed  out  to  trades  at  suitable  age.  and 
mentions  two  daughters.  Sarah  and  Mary.  His  son.  Benja- 
min, died  unmarried  and  letters  of  Administration  were  grant- 
ed to  his  brother.  Richard,  February  4,  1809.  Richard  married 
March  10,  1808,  Elizabeth  Feaster.  Xo  effort  has  been  made 
to  trace  out  the  descendants  of  these  children,  as  they  are  oi 
too  late  a  date  to  be  ancestors  of  the  Virginia  branch. 

Cornelius  Fenton,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary,  died  intestate 
and  letter-  were  granted  to  his  widow  as  above  stated.  April 
8.  1782.  They  had  two  children.  Joseph  and  Mary,  "the  eldest 
not  exceeding  8  years  of  age,"  at  the  date  of  appointment  of 
guardians  for  them  on  petition  of  their  uncle.  Dr.  Joseph  Fen 
ton,  in  1787. 

Matthias  Fenton,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary,  married  at  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  North  and  Southampton,  Augusl 
2,S-  1770,  Rachel  Harding,  daughter  of  John  Thomas  Harding, 
of  Northampton.     They  purchased  the  famous  old   Red   Lion 


194  BUCKS  COUNTY  FENTONS 

Inn,  in  Bensalem  in  1779,  and  both  died  there  soon  after  leav- 
ing children,  Joseph,  Thomas,  Mary  and  Martha.  Letters 
were  granted  to  his  brothers,  Joseph  and  John,  October,  1781. 
On  September  8,  1783.  Abraham  Duffield,  who  had  a  three- 
years  lease  of  the  inn.  petitioned  the  Orphans  Court,  joined  by 
the  guardians  of  the  Fenton  minors,  for  a  reduction  of  the 
rent,  "being  hard  and  ruinous  owing  to  Peace  taking  place." 

Helena  Fenton,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Fenton, 
married  March  21,  1765,  Garret  Kroesen,  of  Northampton. 

Benjamin  Fenton,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Fenton,  does  not 
appear  of  record  here  other  than  in  the  will  of  his  father.  I  ie 
evidently  left  this  section  and  was  probably  the  Benjamin  Fen 
ton  who  married  Ann  Jackson  in  Frederick  County,  Virginia, 
in  j 7<J5-  I  Note. — Mr.  Ely  is  mistaken  here.  The  Benjamin 
Fenton,  husband  of  Ann  Jackson,  was  a  son  of  Enoch  Fenton. 
— W.  B.  B."| 

Who  the  Fenton  was  who  married  Ruth  Wright  in  Freder- 
ick County,  Virginia,  in  1779,  for  which  she  was  disowned 
(see  abstracts  of  records  of  Hopewell  .Monthly  Meeting  here- 
to attached),  I  am  unable  to  determine. 

Sidney  Wright,  a  widow,  of  Solebury,  Bucks  County,  mar- 
ried as  second  husband,  Isaac  Bickering,  a  widower,  born  1716, 
died  1798.  who  by  his  first  wife  had  several  children,  one  of 
whom,  Rachel,  born  1752,  married  Solomon  Wright,  son  of 
Sidney,  by  her  first  husband.  Solomon  Wright  and  Rachel 
Pickering  were  married  at  Buckingham  Meeting  of  Friends, 
June  13,  1787.  Hie  will  of  his  mother,  Sidney  Pickering,  of 
Solebury,  dated  June  10,  1800,  and  proved  June  24,  1812,  makes 
her  son,  Solomon  Wright,  executor,  and  mentions  children, 
John.  James,  Edward,  Nathan  and  Solomon  Wright;  daugh- 
ters, RUTH  FENTON,  and  Mary  Adams;  daughter-in-law, 
Rachel   Wright,  wife  of  Solomon. 

Can  it  be  possible  that  some  of  her  sons  and  the  daughLei, 
Ruth,  had  removed  to  Virginia  prior  to  the  marriage  of  Ruth 
to  -  —  Fenton?     I   can   find   no   Fenton   in   the   Bucks 

County  families  of  suitable  age  or  who  left  here  earlv  enough 
1o  have  married  in  Virginia  in  T779,  unless  it  was  Benjamin, 
and  lie  seems  to  have  married  Ann   Jackson. 

The  John  Fenton  who  petitioned  for  membership  nt  Hope- 
well in  1704,  might  of  course  have  been  the  son  of  Josiah,  of 
Buckingham,  but  it  would  be  rather  singular  if  representatives 
o!  three  distinct  families  of  Fenton  were  almost  simultaneou  - 
A  to  appear  in  that  section,  viz.:  — -  Fenton,  who  mar- 

ried Ruth  Wright  in  T779;  John,  who  asked  and  became  a 
member  of  Hopewell  Meeting  in  1794,  and  Benjamin,  who 
married  Ann  Jackson  in  1795.  Or  was  John  and  the  husband 
1  'i  Ruth  the  same? 


HOPEWELL   MEETING   RECORDS  195 

EARLY  QUAKER  FENTONS. 

While  Jeremiah  Fenton  (1764)  was  a  Methodist,  ir  is 
known  certainly  that  many  of  our  very  early  Fentons  were 
Quakers,  or  Friends,  particularly  those  in  Frederick  and 
Loudoun  counties,  Virginia.  Mr.  Ely  lias  taken  from  the 
early  church  records  the  following  informal  ion: 

TAKEN   FROM   HOPEWELL     MONTHLY     MEETING 
RECORDS,  FREDERICK  COUNTY,  VIRGINIA. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting-  held  4th.  Mo.  5th.  1779.  the 
women  Friends  inform  us  that  they  want  some  assistance  in 
drawing  a  Testimony  against  Ruth  Fenton.  Formerly  \\  right, 
James  Gawthrop  is  appointed  to  that  service. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  5th.  Mo.  3d.  1779.  the 
Friends  appointed  to  assist  women  Friends  in  drawing  a  Tes- 
timony against  Ruth  Fenton.  produced  one  to  this  meeting, 
which  was  read  and  signed. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  nth.  Mo.  5th.  1781. 
women's  meeting  informs  this  that  Ruth  Fenton  requests  to 
be  joined  in  membership  with  Friends,  Richard  Ridgway  and 
Isaac  Brown  are  appointed  to  visit  her  in  company  with  wom- 
en Friends. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  2d.  Mo.  4th.  1782.  the 
Friends  appointed  to  unite  with  women  Friends  in  visiting- 
Ruth  Fenton,  report  they  visited  her.  and  are  of  the  mind  she  is 
in  a  good  degree  sensible  of  her  misconduct.  She  producing  an 
acknowledgment  as  follows: 

"Whereas  I  the  subscribed  having  had  my  education  ec 
made  some  profession  of  the  truth  as  held  and  believed  by  the 
people  called  Quakers,  but  for  want  of  giving  heed  to  the  dic- 
tates of  Truth  in  my  own  heart,  hath  suffered  myself  to  be 
guilty  of  Fonication  with  him  that  since  that  hath  become 
my  Husband,  &  also  accomplished  my  marriage  by  the  assist- 
ance of  an  hireling  Teacher,  for  which  I  was  justly  disowned. 
for  all  which  misconduct  I  am  sorry,  and  desire  that  Friends 
would  Pass  it  by  and  receive  me  again  under  their  care,  as  my 
future  conduct  may  render  me  worthy.     Ruth  Fenton.' 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  7th.  Mo.  2d.  1792,  Back 
Creek  Preparative  Meeting  informs  that  Ruth  Fenton  re- 
quests for  her  children,  viz.:  Sarah.  Oudney,  Joseph,  Mary 
and  Joshua,  be  joined  in  membership  with  Friends,  James 
Steer  and  Mordecia  Walker  are  appointed  4.o  visil  them. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  8th.  M  1.  6th.   [792, 
Friends  appointed  on  request  <>i  Ruth  Fenton  with  respect  t  1 
her  children,   report   they   visited    them,  and   think   it    best    t  1 
grant  her  request,  with  which  this  meeting  concur-. 


196  HOPEWELL  MEETING  RECORDS 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  9th.  Mo.  29th.  1794. 
Back  Creek  Meeting  informs  that  John  Fentorj  requests  to 
be  joined  in  membership  with  Friends,  Win.  McPherson.  Win. 
Grubb  and  Abel  Walker  are  appointed  to  visit  him. 

At  lh.pewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  1st.  Mo.  5th.  [795,  the 
Friends  appointed  to  visit  John  Fenton,  to  inform  him,  and  lie 
being  present  is  received  into  membership. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  2d  Mo.  [St.  [796,  the 
women  Friends  appointed  in  Ann  Fenton's  case  report  they 
visited  her,  and  thought  her  not  in  a  di  position  to  make  sat- 
isfaction. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  3d.  Mo.  7th.  [796,  the 
Friends  appointed  produced  a  Testimony  againsl  Ann  Fen 
ton,  1  formerly  Jackson,  who  by  not  giving  heed  to  Truth  in 
her  own  heart,  so  far  give  way  as  to  Intermarry  with  a  man 
not  in  membership  with  us,  by  the  assistance  oi  a  hireling 
teacher.  For  which  we  disown  her. 

At    Hopewell    Monthly   Meeting  held    [2th.    Mo.   5th.    1S11, 
women  Friends  inform  that  Lydia  Horsman,  formerly  Lupton, 
has   accomplished    her   marriage    with    her    first    cousin.   John 
Fenton  and  Jonathan   Pickering  are  appointed  to  draw  a  tes 
timi  my  against  her. 

At  Hopewell  .Monthly  Meeting  held  10th.  Mo.  7th.  [816, 
women's  meeting  informs  that  Mary  Flowers,  formerly  Fen- 
ton, has  accomplished  her  marriage  contrary  to  discipline,  and 
is  desirous  to  retain  her  right  in  membership.  John  Wrighl 
and  Edward  Wilker  are  appointed  to  unite  with  women 
Friends  to  visit  her. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meet'ng  held  [2th.  Mo.  5th.  [816, 
Mary  Flowers  produced  an  acknowledgment  which  was  ac- 
cepted. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  2d.  Mo.  4th.  ['820,  Hope- 
well  Preparative  Meeting  informs  Joshua  Jackson  Fenton  re 
quests    to   be   joined    in    membership    with    Friends,    Richard 
George  and.  Mordecai  Taylor  are  appointed  to  visit  him. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  9th.  Mo.  7th.  1820,  the 
committee  appointed  on  the  occasion,  report  they  visited 
Joshua  Jackson  Fenton,  and  it  was  their  judgment  there  was  a 
good  degree  of  sincerity  in  him.  and  were  free  that  his  re- 
qu<  st  might  lie  granted,  which  was  concurred  with. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  7th.  Mo.  10th.  1823, 
women's  meeting  informs  that  Ann  Fenton  requests  to  be  re- 
instated in  membership  and  they  have  visited  her  and  are  free 
that  her  request  be  granted,  which  after  consideration  the 
meeting  was  willing  that  she  be  encouraged  to  make  an  offer- 
ing oi  ackm iwledgment. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  8th.  Mo.  7th.  1823.  Ann 
Fen1  in  produced  the  following  acknowledgment,  winch  was 
received  as  satisfaction  and  she  is  reinstated  in  membership, 
i  Acknowledgment    not    given.)       From    marriage    certifica'es, 


HOPEWELL  MEETING   RECORDS  197 

William  Tate,  of  Goose  Creek,  Loudon  Co.,  Ya.,  son  of  Levi 
and  Elizabeth  Tate,  and  Priscilla  Fenton,  daughter  of  Benja- 
min and  Ann  Fenton,  of  Frederick  Co.,  Ya.,  were  married 
ioth.  Mo.  15th.  1823,  at  Ridge  Meeting  House. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  4th.  Mo.  ioth.  1828,  this 
meeting  received  a  certificate  from  Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting 
dated  13th.  of  2d.  Mo.  last  for  Joseph  Fenton  and  Mary,  his 
wife,  with  their  children.  Joseph  S.  Fenton,  which  was  ac- 
cepted. 

MARRIAGE   CERTIFICATES. 

Josiah  J.  Fenton,  of  the  town  of  Gainsborough,  Frederick 
Co.,  Ya..  son  of  Benjamin  and  Ann  Fenton.  (deceased),  and 
Mary  Lovett,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Ann  Lovett,  (the 
Eormer  deceased),  were  married  nth.  Mo.  12th.  1833,  at  Hope- 
well Meeting  House. 

At  Hopewell  Meeting  held  7th.  Mo.  8th.  1841.  this  meeting 
informs  that  Benjamin  Fenton  requests  to  be  taken  into  mem- 
bership with  Friends,  which  request  was  granted. 

At  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting  held  5th.  Mo.  6th.  1847.  this 
meeting  appoints  Hugh  Sidwell,  Thomas  Wright.  Samuel 
Brown,  Jesse  Wood,  David  Walker,  Joel  Lupton  and  John 
Fenton  elders  of  the  meeting. 

At  Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting  held  3d.  Mo.  12th.  1823.  the 
Preparative  Meeting  informs  that  John  Fenton  has  made  ap- 
plication to  come  under  the  care  of  Friends. 

At  meeting  held  8th.  Mo.  ioth.  his  request  was  granted. 

MARRIAGE  CERTIFICATES  OF  FAIRFAX  MONTHLY 

MEETING. 

John  Fenton.  of  Loudon  Co.,  Ya..  son  of  Benjamin  and  Ann 
Fenton,  and  Mar}-  Steer,  daughter  of  Joseph  Steer,  of  Loudon 
Co.,  Ya..  were  married  9th.  Mo.  28th.  1825.  at  Fairfax  Meet- 
ing Flouse. 

At  Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting  held  1st.  Mo.  28th.  1828.  John 
Fenton  and  his  wife.  Mary,  and  son,  Joseph,  were  granted' 
certificates  to  Hopewell. 

In  order  to  get  anything  out  of  the  foregoing  extracts 
from  the  Frederick  county,  Virginia,  church  records  ir  will 
\h>  necessary  again  to  refer  to  Enoch  Fenton.  It  is  well 
known  that  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Si-.,  (father  of  Jeremiah, 
1704  i,  had  a  (dose  relation;  tradition  says  lit-  was  a  broth- 
er, in  Frederick  county,  Virginia,  of  the  name  of  Enoch 
Fenton.  The  official  records  of  Frederick  county  disclose 
a  great  deal  of  information  as  to  one  Enoch  Fenton. 


198 


ENOCH    FENTON 


On  August  11,  1774,  for  5  shillings,  and  on  Augusl  11*, 
1774,  for  20  shillings,  Darby  Reagan  conveyed  land  to 
Enoch  Fenton.  On  April  iM>,  1780,  Mordecai  Walker  deed- 
ed land  to  Enoch  Fenton  for  5  shillings.  At  the  limes  of 
all  of  these  transfers  of  land  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sr.,  and 
Jeremiah,  Jr.,  lived  in  Frederick  county. 

Enoch  Fenton's  will  dated  March  23,  1789,  was  proven 
April  2,  1805.  He  left  lands,  negroes,  money.  From  the 
contents  of  said  will  and  olher  Frederick  County  Court 
House  records,  the  following  char!   of  the  Enoch   Fenton 

family  is  made:  I  Mary    '"•  Rich'd  Flowers 

i  Rachel    in.  A.bel  Jackson, 

( )ct .  ii,  1S15  (1 795-1867) 

1  Ruth     111.  Win.   Pickering 

I  John  ^  Joseph  m.  Eleanor  — 

Will  proved  Sidney    (dau.)    m.   Benja- 

Feb.  1.  1836  niiii  Daniel 

Sarah  m.  Davis 
I  James 


Enoch  Fenton 

Died  about   1805. 
Will  allowed  April 
.:.  1805 
Wife.  Sarah    1  [annah  : 
will  proved  Feb.  .2S. 

lS2s 


Joseph 
Will    proved   Feb. 
4.  1833,   witnessed 
by  John  and  Enoch 

Fenton 


James 
John 

'Das  id 
Joseph 

Sarah   Ann 
I   Mary  Jane 


Josiah    Jackson 
John  111.  Mary   Steere 
Benjamin [  Benjamin 


m.  Ann  Jackson 
Jan.   13,   1795 
Will  proved  Oct. 

3=  1831 

Enoch 
Rebeckah 
^Daughter,  name  un- 
known   


Enoch 

[  Priscilla  m.Tate,  Loudoun 
County 


Sarah 


Comparing  the  names,  etc.,  on  the  Enoch  Fenton  charl 
with  the  names  and  other  information  in  the  Friends' 
Church  records  it  will  he  seen  that  every  Fenton  name,  ex- 
cept Ruth,  on  the  church  records  given  is  found  on  the 
Enoch  Fenton  chart. 

1 1  is  also  interest  ing  to  note  that  while  two  sons  of  Enoch 
Fenton,  aamely,  Joseph  and  John  Fenton,  were  Quakers, 
another  son,  Benjamin,  was  not  a  Quaker,  as  appears  from 
the  fact  that  Ann  Jackson  came  to  much  grief  in  the 
Friends'  Church  for  marrying  "a  man  (  Benjamin  Fenton) 
noi  in  membership  with  us"  (them).  Thus  the  tradition 
handed  down  in  our  own  family  that  some  of  our  Fentons 
were  Quakers  or  Friends  and  some  not  is  proved  to  be  a 
fact  bv  the  records. 


CONNECTION    BETWEEN    NEW    JERSEY    FENTONS 

AND  BUCKS  COUNTY,  PA.,  FENTONS  WITH 

FREDERICK  COUNTY,  VA,  FENTONS. 

The  writer  cannot  say  with  absolute  certainty  that  the 
descendants  of  Jeremiah  Fenton  are  connected  by  blood 
relation  with  the  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  Fentons 
of  Mr.  Ely's  chart,  but  he  believes  they  are  and  so  does  Mr. 
Ely.  We  know  that  Jeremiah  Fenton,  Sr.,  prior  to  settling 
in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  about  1784,  lived  in 
Frederick  county,  Virginia,  near  Winchester,  on  Apple  Pie 
Ridge.  We  know  he  was  related  to  Enoch  Fenton,  who  also 
lived  on  Apple  Pie  Ridge.  We  also  know  that  the  Enoch 
Fenton  whose  will  and  descendants  are  referred  to  in  this 
chapter  lived  on  Apple  Pie  Ridge  and  that  his  descendants 
were  part  Quakers  and  part  Methodists  as  our  Fentons 
were.  Indeed  the  very  name  of  the  meeting  house  where 
I  lie  early  Fentons  worshipped  in  Frederick  county,  Vir- 
ginia, and  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  is  the  same — 
"Hopewell."  And  being  the  only  Enoch  Fenton  of  record 
in  that  county  at  that  time,  we  believe  he  is  the  same  as  the 
Enoch  Fenton  to  whom  Ave  are  related.  We  know  some  of 
our  Fentons  came  from  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
that  the  Bucks  county  Fentons  came  originally  from  New 
Jersey.  We,  know  that  many  of  the  family  surnames  of  the 
descendants  of  Jeremiah  are  the  same  as  those  on  the  Enoch 
Fenton  chart  and  the  same  as  those  on  the  Ely  chart.  Here 
ace  a  few  found  on  all  three  or  on  two  of  the  three  charts: 
Jeremiah,  Samuel,  Enoch,  Benjamin,  John,  Joseph,  Sarah, 
Rachel,  Hannah,  Elizabeth,  Mary. 

Some  time  one  of  our  kin  with  the  t  ime,  money  and  incli- 
nation may  investigate  further  and  close  up  the  gaps. 
With  the  material  now  at  hand  this  should  not  be  difficult. 
Frequently  the  line  can  he  traced  by  the  aid  of  the  name  of 
the  spouse  of  an  ancestor,  and  this  can  often  be  ascertained 
by  a  careful  examination  of  the  deed,  will  and  other  pro- 
bate records.  The  writer  hopes  this  may  be  done  and  also 
that  some  one  may  then  trace  the  family  lineage  on  back  to 
England. 

199 


Private  Family  Register 


OF 


Births,  Marriages,  Deaths 


BIRTHS 


Fall  Name 

Date  and  Place  of  Birth 

Date  of  Baptism  and  Church 

• 

- 

MARRIAGES 


Date  &  Place  of  Marriage 

Names  of  Bride  and  Groom 

Name  of  Minister 

1 

DEATHS 


Full  Name 

Date  and  Place 

Place  of  Burial 

1 

APPENDIX. 

The  following  communication  respecting  other  Fentons 
from  Hon.  Win.  I).  Fenton,  a  very  prominenl  lawyer,  of 
Portland,  Oregon,  will  be  of  interest  and  may,  someday, 
lie]])  to  connect  our  Fentons  with  his  family. 

Portland.  Oregon,  May  21,  1908. 
Mr.  William  R.  Brown, 
403  Clapp  Block, 

Des  Moines,  Iowa. 
Dear  Sir : — ■ 

I  have  delayed  replying  to  your  letter  of  February  17th  un- 
til 1  could  gather  together  such  facts  as  are  within  our  family 
knowledge  here.  On  March  Mjth  I  received  a  letter  from 
Lucien  J.  Fenton.  of  Winchester,  Ohio,  and  1  am  sending  to 
him  a  copy  of  this  letter  to  you. 

As  I  understand  it,  the  Fentons  were  an  ancient  family  01 
England.  William  de  Fenton  was  Constable  of  Newcastle  in 
1255  in  the  reign  of  Richard  1 1.  The  families  lived  in  Stafford- 
shire and  Nottinghamshire.  The  tradition  of  our  family  is  that 
they  came  from  England  when  my  great-gran dfatfier,  Caleb 
Fenton,  was  a  youth,  with  his  father,  mother  and  two  broth- 
ers; the  father  was  English,  and  the  mother  Welsh.  We  have 
the  name  of  one  brother,  Joshua,  but  have  lacked  the  name  of 
the  other  brother,  who  tradition  says  located  in  Pennsylvania. 
It  is  the  belief  that  Joshua  was  the  oldest  of  the  three.  lie 
was  in  the  Revolution,  and  was  promoted  from  Ensign  to  Lieu- 
tenant. June  15,  1779,  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay  Regiment. 

Caleb  Fenton,  my  great-grandfather,  could  not  enter  the 
regular  service,  as  he  had  lost  one  eye  by  an  arrow,  and  could 
only  do  sentry  duty.  The  tradition  is  that  they  were  separated 
at  the  battle  of  Brandywine  in  1777,  and  that  Caleb  Fenton 
went  to  Virginia,  where  he  lived,  and  married  Lovey 
Etheridge,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Etheridge,  who  was 
French.  They  moved  from  Virginia  to  Maysville,  Ma- 
son count}-,  Kentucky,  date  not  known,  and  in  1820 
they  moved  to  Missouri,  where  Caleb  Fenton  died,  February 
20,  [840.  Their  son,  James  E.  Fenton,  was  born  in  Virginia, 
March  2,  [798,  and  died  at  Carthage.  Jasper  count}',  Missouri, 
February  20,  [861.  James  E.  Fenton  was  married  to  Susan 
I  licks  in  Boone  count}',  Missouri,  in  the  year  1822.  Their  son, 
James  Davis  Fenton,  my  father,  was  born  in  Missouri,  March 
29,  [832,  and  died  in  Yamhill  county,  Oregon,  February  8, 
[886.  James  Davis  Fenton.  my  father,  and  Margaret  Pinker- 
ion,  my  mother,  were  married  October  16,  1851. 

I  he  family  tree  of  my  immediate  famdy,  commencing  with 
my  ,-reat  -ram! father,  Caleb  Fenton,  is  as  follows: 

204 


fjane  E. 

Caleb  R.  f William   David 
Harriet  Amanda  Amanda  Francis 

Martha  James  Edward 

f  Caleb.  ]r.  i  Telitha  Francis  Washing'n 

Caleb  rentOIl      James  E.  ._  *j  James  Davis  ..  J  Jefferson  Davis 

and  Lovey  |'    wf.,  Susan  Hicks  |      wife,  Margaret  '  Henry  Lee 

Etheridge   .  j  Phoebe  Pinkerton  |  Charles  Robert 

I  Nancy  John    11.  ,  Mathew  Fountain 

|  Love'v  |  William  11.  !  Eli   Hicks 

[Joel  '  [Eliza  [Mary  Margaret 


Caleb  Fenton  and 
Jane  Boyer, 
(second  wife )    .. 


\  Joshua 

/  Andrew 


Enclosed  in  the  letter  of  Lucien  J.  Fenton  referred  to,  was 
an  extract  from  the  "Life  of  Richard  Fenton,"  by  his  grand- 
son, Ferrar  Fenton,  in  which  1  was  very  much  interested,  and 
I  am  writing  to  Lucien  J.  Fenton  requesting  him  to  procure 
a  copy  of  this  work.  Ferrar  Fenton  resides  at  Xo.  8  King's 
Road,  Metcham,  S.  E.,  and  is  the  author  of  the  "Life  of  Rich- 
ard Fenton,"  and  the  "Life  of  John  Fenton."  lie  was  burn  in 
Lincolnshire,  in  1832. 

In  the  book  entitled  "Who's  Who,"  1906.  published  in  Lon- 
don, I  m  dice  the  names  of  Henry  John  Horstman  Fenton,  19 
Brookside,  Cambridge,  born  in  Cambridge,  1854,  University 
Lecturer  in  Chemistry,  Cambridge;  also  the  name  of  Sir  Myles 
Fenton,  born  September  5,  1830,  residing  at  Redstone  Hall, 
Redhill,  Surrey.  In  the  American  Edition  of  this  work,  I  no- 
tice the  name  of  Hector  Tyndale  Fenton,  502  Commonwealth 
Building,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  born  August  6,  1850, 
residence  No.  3312  Spring  Garden  street,  Philadelphia,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  I  shall  send  him  a  copy  of  this  letter,  with  the 
request  that  he  give  me  any  information  which  he  may  be  able 
to  furnish  along  the  lines  of  our  common  ancestry.  \  do  not 
believe  there  is  a  family  of  Fentons  in  America  but  what  orig- 
inally sprung  from  the  common  source  indicated.  My  family 
are  all  of  dark  complexion,  the  men  large  and  tall,  all  black- 
eyed;  so  far  as  I  know,  the  women  large  and  dark-eyed;  they 
incline  in  later  years  to  overweight.  I  am  myself  six  feet 
in  height,  and  weigh  204  pounds.  My  father  was  about  the 
same  height;  he  died  February  8,  1880,  in  his  fifty-fourth  year, 
and  he  had  weighed  as  high  as  2<)X  pounds.  My  brothers^and 
sisters  are  all  living,  execept  one  brother.  Charles  Robert  hen- 
tun,  who  died  at  Spokane,  Washington.  October  22.  [893,  in 
his  twenty-ninth  year. 

The  only  living  cousin  of  my  father  that  I  know  of,  Caleb 
Fenton,  resides  at  Bloomfield.  Iowa,  a  man  about  seventy  years 
of  age.  who  visited  me  a  year  ago,  and  who  has  a  better  recol 
lection  of  the  family  history  in  Missouri  than  any  other  man 
of  the  name  living'.  My  uncle,  \Y.  II.  Fenton,  my  father's 
brother,  lives  at  Salem,  Oregon,  and  is  not  far  from  seventy 
vears  of  age.     All  of  my  father's  brothers  and  sisters,  1   think. 


105 


arc  dead,  with  the  exception  of  this  brother  and  John  I  I.   Fen- 
ton,  supposed  to  be  living  at  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  locate  the  family  in  Virginia,  where 
my  grandfather,  James  E.  Fenton,  was  .born,  but  1  am  in- 
clined to  think  that  he  must  have  been  born  in  Frederick 
county,  Virginia,  and  was  probably  a  near  relative  of  Jeremiah 
Fenton,  the  grandfather  of  Lncien  J.  Fenton,  who  was  born 
in  Frederick  county,  Virginia,  in  1764. 

I  enclose  the  list  of  questions,  with  such  answers  as  1  am 
aide  to  give,  and  I  believe  I  have  now  given  you  all  the  infor- 
mation within  my  knowledge,  and  1  await  with  a  great  deal  01" 
interest  your  book,  which  Lucien  J.  Fenton  tells  me  you  ex- 
pect to  publish. 

With  kind  personal  regards,  I  remain, 

Very  truly  yours, 
Encl.  Win.  D.  Fenton. 


206 


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