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History of Marion County, Ohio
CONTAINING
A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY; ITS TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, CHURCHES,
SCHOOLS, ETC.; GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS; MILITARY
RECORD; PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT MEN;
HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY;
HISTORY OF OHIO; MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS, ETC. ETC.
~ILLUSTRATED~
CHICAGO:
LEGGETT, CONAWAY & CO.
1883.
PART III.
CHAPTER II.
INDIANS AND
EARLY SETTLEMENTS
Pg. 230
PREHISTORIC. F. C. RUEHRMOUND'S
COLLECTION OTHER COLLECTIONS
HISTORIC OR MODERN INDIANS THE TRIBES OF THIS
VICINITY THE BURNING OF COL. WILLIAM CRAWFORD
THE WYANDOTS AND DELAWARES THE GREENVILLE TREATY
CAPT. BECKLEY'S REMINISCENCES OF INDIAN LIFE LAST
EXODUS OF THE INDIANS
[PORTRAIT OF JACOB SEABURN] THE WYANDOT'S FAREWELL SONG
EARLY WHITE OCCUPANTS OF OHIO EARLY SETTLEMENT OF
MARION COUNTY The first
settlers of Marion County upon the territory as at present
defined were those located south of the treaty line in portions
of Waldo and Prospect Townships. The Brudiges, the
Drakes, the Wyatts, of Waldo Township, and
Ephraim Markley, Evan Evans, and others, of Prospect
Township, as will be noted by reference to the township
histories in those pages located at dates from 1805 to 1814,
near by, and, in some instances, in contact with the treaty
line.
The early settlement of Delaware County was secured by
the work of 1792, and a wave of immigration flowed into the
county, beating strong against the imaginary line that seemed as
a Chinese wall, impregnable to assault, for more than fifteen
years. Noting the long period of time from 1804, when many
locations had been made in Delaware, to 1819, the year that the
Government offered for sale the lands north of the line, Marion
County was retarded in settlement for a period of at least ten
years by the operations of the treaty indicated; but of course,
in common with all, benefited ultimately by Wayne's victory, as
war brought peace. Up to 1812, but few attempts were made
to invade the country thus still reserved, except as the
restless hunters and traders sought the fine game reserves of
the plains for "meat" or peltries. The bee hunters, a
venturesome, vagabondish set, who preferred to "line" a
"bee-tree" to any other pursuit, brought back rich treasures of
sweets that the wild bees had stored in the woods along the
border of the plains beyond the line of settlement. Their
trail came in from the eastward from Knox, or up the valley of
the Scioto from Delaware.
The war of 1812 led to a large acquaintance with our
county. Several trails or "war roads," so called, led
directly through Marion County - military roads for the
transportation of supplies to the armies of the Northwest,
operating along the lakes, and to the chain of forts and
block-houses that protected this base of supplies. The
most clearly defined war road led up through the valley of the
Scioto, to a point in Pleasant Township, to lands entered by
G. H. Griswold in a fractional section called Rocky Point.
From thence the road bore away from the river and crossed the
Little Scioto at or near what is now known as the Rayl Bridge in
the Congress land district of Green Camp; thence the route was
northward toward Little Sandusky. This road, worn deep by
the heavy trains and wash of rainfalls, remains to-day in many
places, distinctly defined in the remaining wooded districts
through which it passes. A common camping or halting point was
formed at Rocky Point, where during low water a fine spring
gushed forth, affording pure water, while game was very
plentiful in the magnificent forests, the vestiges of which are
to this day a source of admiration to all who study forestry and
who can realize the immensity of the wood product of this
section of Ohio.
Teaming over the war road in the Government employ was
a source of revenue readily taken advantage of by the settlers
of the lower counties. Hence it was that many residents of
Fairfield, Franklin, Delaware, and other more southern districts
became acquainted with the resources of this region. Among
these teamsters were G. H. Griswald, of Worthington,
Benjamin Morris and others. Mr. Griswold was a
man of sagacity, and he became captivated by the beauty of the
valley and "second bottom" lands near Rocky Point. The
river, sweeping in comes through arches of over hanging maples;
the immense walnuts, cherry, oak, and other hard woods that
attained here their finest development, the plentiful game
supplies, the springs and "runs" all seemed to him to make up an
ideal tract. As a result of his inspection, he secured the
first tract of land entered in Delaware District and Entry No. 1
within the confines of Marion County north of the treaty line
was this fractional section at Rocky Point.
During this period, detachments of troops frequently
passed through these borders; and larger bodies after the
fashion of the times, considered and styled "armies," left he
impress of their campaign marches and bivouacs upon the early
traditions. An encampment of troops under Gen. Green,
at Rocky Point, gave rise to the name of "Green's Camp," now
become Green Camp Township. That Gen. Harrison
marched northward, halting on the hill south of Marion, is a
well-known fact, made historical by the episode so frequently
called up, known as "Jacob's Well."
Nathaniel Wyatt and Nathaniel Brundige
were probably the first settlers of what is now Waldo Township,
Marion County, though at the time their settlement was in
Franklin County, afterward Delaware. It was in Marlborough
Township, which mostly was thrown into Marion County on the
formation of Morrow County in 1848. They felled the first
tree and built the first log cabin in the spring of 1806.
Ruth Wyatt, born in 1807, was the first white child born
here, and William Brundige, born in 1808, was the first
white male born in the county. It is, however, not
determinable who was the first white child born within the first
limits of Marion County after its organization. The first
pioneer in what was at first Marion County was probably
Ebenezer Roseberry, from New Orleans, who settled in Grand
Prairie Township in 1812.
Among the first settlers of Marion County may be
mentioned John Williamson, Jotham Clark and William
Irwin.
- At what was called "Clyde," were the Packarts and
Plotners, all in Tully Township.
- In Scott were the Hipshers, Lees, Larabees, Millers,
Latimbres, Hills, Johnsons and Kerrs.
- In Grand Prairie were the Caldwells, Swinertons, John
Claggett, and John Page.
- Salt Rock had Enoch Clark, Richard Hopkins, Hugh V.
Smith, Col. W. W. Concklin, John Green, the Martins,
the Thompsons, the Rhoadses, McElvoys and
Gillespies.
- Grand had Seaburn, the Stevensons, Neal Sworden,
Marriman and the Terrys.
- In Montgomery Township were William LaRue, McMurray,
Johnsons, Carters, Virdens, Cranmers and Albert Bryant.
- In Big Island Township were the Joneses, Nortons, Brittons,
Bradys, Alcotts, Messengers, Robert Hopkins, Woods and
Smith Frame.
- In Marion Township were the Bakers, Berrys, Holmes,
Tiptons, Fickles, Hillman, Barks, Hinton, Busby, Fish, Bennett
and Bartram.
- In Claridon were Clarks, Douces, Hinds, Gloyds, Hornbys,
Wildbahms, Thews and Miles.
- In Richland Township were Jacobys, Osborns, Warlines,
Emerys, Waddels and Kings.
- In Pleasant were the Idlemans, Boyds, Wyatts, Joneses,
Drakes, Williamses, Davids, Goodings, Farnam, Freeman and
Courts,
- In Green Camp were the Markleys, Jenkins, Walkers,
Sullivans, Essex, Porters, Johnsons, Lognes and Shaws.
At this time there were no townships named Bowling
Green, Prospect or Waldo in this county.
CAPT. WILLIAM S. DRAKE settled in Franklin
County (now Marion) on what was known as the "Daniel Stockman
farm," a half mile south of Waldo. In 1813, the family
moved upon the farm a mile north of Waldo. His military
experience in the war of 1812 is alluded to in the war chapter,
and a further sketch of him is given in the history of Waldo
Township.
Eber and George Baker, Benjamin Davis,
Alexander Berry, James Bower and others settled at Marion,
1820 to 1823. (See history of Marion village.) (For a
sketch of Eber Baker, see political chapter.)
REV. GEORGE BAKER was the eldest son of Eber
Baker, the founder of Marion, and was born in Litchfield,
Me., Oct. 22, 1803. He was married to Louisa D. Davis
Jan. 6, 1825. Soon after his marriage, he and wife
professed religion and joined the Free-Will Baptist Church.
In about five years, he entered upon the ministry. His
opportunities for acquiring an education were limited,
notwithstanding which, he was remarkably successful. He
was a successful pastor of churches, and not less so as an
evangelist, 3,000 or more having professed religion under his
labors. He was noted for his honesty, his simplicity of
manners and for his ardent faith and devotion to the good of his
fellow-men. He died in Marion Oct. 11, 1881. He had
six children, Rev. "Oscar E. Baker, of Marion; Allen
O. C. Smith, of Toledo; and Mrs. William Clark, of
Van Wert, who died several years ago.
REV. OSCAR E. BAKER, son of Rev. George W.
Baker, was born in Marion, Ohio, Jan. 9, 1826. He
entered the ministry of the Free-Will Baptist Church at the age
of eighteen years. He was married to Miss Jane,
daughter of Esquire Samuel Powell, of Marion, in the year
1850, and to Mrs. Augusta Wilson in the year 1870.
He has labored chiefly as pastor of churches and mostly in Ohio.
Lived in Iowa some fifteen years; devoted there a part of the
time to the building of an institution of learning. He
returned to Marion, his native place, in April, 1881, to care
for his aged parents, and in answer to a call to the pastorate
of the Free-Will Baptist Church of this city.
"DEACON" JOHN BALLANTINE was born in
Rensselaer County, N. Y., and came to Columbus, Ohio, in 1818,
and to Marion in the fall of 1820, settling two and a half miles
north of what is now Marion, on Limestone Ridge, where he
continued to reside about thirty-eight years. He then
purchased another farm, two miles east of the former on, where
he remained until 1864, when he located in his last residence in
the northeast part of the city, on what is known as the old
Copeland place. For awhile he kept a store about a
mile north of town in company with his brother Ebenezer.
He and his brother Ebenezer came down the Allegheny
and Ohio Rivers to Wheeling, Va., in a skiff from Olean, and
thence in one of Richard M. Johnston's old coaches from
Wheeling to Lancaster, Ohio, and footed it to Columbus.
His father had been a Revolutionary soldier and owned 300 acres
of beech land in the county of Delaware, which he and his
brother expected to improve; but when they reflected upon the
labor, concluded to try the plains of Marion instead. He
was one of hte first members of the Presbyterian Church of
Marion, and most of the time was a Ruling Elder. He was
quiet and unobtrusive, but did much to improve the town.
Was three times married. Jan. 15, 1879, he died of
apoplexy occasioned by climbing over a fence at the stockyards
of the Alton & Great Western Railroad, at Marion. He was
in his eighty-first year.
CALVIN BARNETT came to Marion in the spring of
1820, resided here all his life and died a few years ago, very
poor.
NATHAN PETERS, who was born at Manchester,
Baltimore Co., Md., June 20, 1799, came to Lancaster, Fairfield
County, Ohio, in 1812, and to Marion in April, 1826, and died
Sept. 22, 1881. He married Miss Alice Wilson in
January, 1825, near Lancaster. She was born in December,
1798 and died Oct. 14, 1838. Their children were
Harvey, deceased; Charlotte, wife of Alonzo Baker;
Pauline, wife of S. A. Hummer; and June,
deceased. For his second wife he married Mrs. Mary C.
Russell, and their children were Mary E., wife of
William M. Camp; Irene, wife of S. T. Beerbower,
and Alice L., wife of James Williams. Mr.
Peters himself belonged to a family of great longevity.
His brothers and sisters, eleven in number, were living last
year, aged from sixty-three to eighty-five years. Mr.
Peters was a cabinet-maker by trade, following that trade
until 1838. For two terms he was county Commissioner.
His late residence he built in 1856. He was known to
almost every resident of Marion; was a quiet, unobtrusive man,
but one of very decided opinions, thinking for himself and
acting upon his own convictions of right; was a charitable man,
and yet his charity was bestowed quietly, as such acts should
be; was an industrious, economical man, accumulating by his own
exertions a large property, so that he was abundantly able to
spend his last days in the quiet of his home, free from care for
his earthly comfort. In his early life he was a friend of
the oppressed and down-trodden slave, and adhered to his
opinions, and for years he had the gratification of seeing the
slaves free and the reproach of slavery removed from our nation.
CAPT ELISHA HARDY was born in Essex County, N.
J., July 4, 1795, and died May 13, 1877. He was a
prominent citizen of Marion from the time of his arrival here in
1828. He followed mercantile business and accumulated
considerable wealth, but he lost the most of his through the
weakness of "friends." At his death he left a widow, but
no children.
JOHN CLARK came from the State of Delaware to
Ohio about 1803, and to Marion County in 1831, settling upon a
farm west of Marion. He died about 1862, a wealthy man.
His sons are W. E. Clark, now a Constable in Marion;
R. M., in Indiana; Riley P., in Iowa; and John,
who died about six years ago.
ELISHA BOWDISH, a resident of Marion County for
forty-five years, died Nov. 28, 1873, in the eighty-fifth year
of his age.
DR. ALSON NORTON was a pioneer of Big Island and
died an aged man.
MAJ. WILLIAM LaRUE, one of the most prominent
pioneers and enterprising citizens of Marion County, is notice
more at length in the history of Montgomery Township.
For sketches of Messrs. Eber Baker, George H. Busby,
Hezekiah Gorton, etc. see close of political chapter.
WILLIAM GARBERSON, who settled on what is now
known as the Ludwig farm near Caledonia, in 1823, was
born in Westmoreland County, Pen., Dec. 20, 1797, and died June
25, 1880. He was an exemplary member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church for nearly sixty years, industrious, honest and
social, and a man of good taste, keeping his residence and farm
in fine trim. He was an admirer and keeper of very fine
stock, especially in the lines of horses and poultry. Of
novel and rare breeds he had many, and took great pleasure in
exhibiting them. During his life, he met with several
accidents with a team of spirited horses, crippling him somewhat
and causing much suffering.
NEWTON MESSENGER was born in Litchfield County,
Conn., Dec. 7, 1804; came to Washington County, Ohio, in 1812,
and thence to Marion County in 1831. Dec. 11, 1831, he
married Patience Bigford, and of their eleven children,
ten survived him, and of forty-two grandchildren, thirty-seven
survived. He resided upon the same farm fifty years and
three months. He died Mar. 18, 1882, a member of the
Christian Church. He had also been County Commissioner,
Land Appraiser and Justice of the Peace for thirty-six years.
COL. EVERETT MESSENGER, was born in Connecticut
Aug. 1, 1811, came with his parents to Marietta, Ohio, and from
there to Marion County in 1825 or 1826, where his parents
settled, in Big Island Township. Here he lived the rest of
his life. He dealt largely in live stock, and became one
of its most honored and wealthy citizens. He represented
this county in the Legislature from 1864 to 1866, rendering good
service. He was prominent in agricultural matters and was
President of the Marion County Agricultural Society for several
terms. He died in January, 1880.
WILLIAM THEW, one of the most prominent pioneers
of Claridon Topwnshp, was born in Lincolnshire, England, Apr. 1,
1791, and immigrated to America in 1823, coming to Claridon with
a number of other English families, all of whom became
industrious and thrifty farmers and useful citizens.
Mr. Thew, in particular, was a model farmer, a discreet
counselor and a charitable Christian philanthropist. He
and his estimable lady for years kept an asylum for the helpless
and needy, and sometimes their house seem more like a hospital
than a private farmer's dwelling. Mrs. Thew died
some fifteen years ago, or more, and Mr. Thew died in
July 1883, in his ninety-third year.
ROBERT KERR was also among the early settlers,
and although of very limited education, became the largest
landholder and wealthiest citizen of the county. A very
complete sketch of Mr. Kerr will be found among the
biographies of Scott Township.
The first church organized within what was the limits
of Marion County from the time it was named to 1848, was the
Methodist Episcopal society at Judge Jacob Idleman's,
about Apr. 20, 1820, with the following members: Jacob
IDleman and wife and Christian Staley and family -
eight in all. The minister was a local preacher named
Stewart, residing at Radnor. In 1822, Rev. Bacon
became the preacher in charge, then Revs. Roe, Erastus
Felton, etc.
The next church was the Free Will Baptist, in 1821.
Elder Dudley settled in what was known as Southwick's
neighborhood, Bit Island Township, and in the winter of 1821-22,
organized a church there, with the following members:
Elder Dudley and wife, L. Southwick and wife, Mrs.
A. Wheeler, F. Wheeler and wife, P. Wheeler and wife,
John Bates, Sr., and wife, John Bates, Jr., and
wife, Dexter Bates. Mrs. J. F. James, Robert
Hopkins and wife, Col. H. Gorton and wife, Asa
Davis and wife, and probably a few others.
The first church edifice in Marion Village was erected
by the Methodists. These people increased so rapidly in
numerical strength that they soon had to erect another building
for a house of worship. They accordingly put up another
building, which they have also outgrown. That building is
now a part of the Huber machine works. Both these churches
were built of stone.
The next church building was of brick and was erected
by the Presbyterians, where their present church stands, in
1828. It was very plain, but the seats had backs, an
advantage which the first Methodist Church did not have.
It was subsequently partially blown down by a hurricane.
The first Presbyterian Church in the county was organized at
Marion in 1827, by Revs. A. Jenks and H. Van Deman,
one of whom preached every four weeks alternately, until some
time in 1828, when Rev. Barbour, a missionary, became
pastor. Among the first members were Adam Uncapher
and wife, William Bain, and wife, John
Ballentine and wife, Mrs. Samuel Bowdish, Joseph
Boyd and wife, Samuel Waddel and wife, D. Oborn
and wife, Joseph Oborn and wife, Mrs. Gruber, Mrs. J.
P. Smith, Mrs. Edward Kennedy and Mrs. Crosby.
FIRST MARRIAGES
Licenses for marriage were issued by the Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas from the organization of the county until after
the adoption of the constitution of 1851, when this duty was
transferred to the office of the Judge of Probate. The
first Clerk commenced to number the licenses on the record, but
on reaching No. 106, Sept. 7, 1826, he dropped the practice.
The numbering was not again resumed until May 1, 1855, when it
was commenced with 1, by George Snyder, Probate Judge.
A new volume was then opened containing forms of affidavit of
applicant for license and of certificate of return. The
numbering then ran until it reached 1,238, Dec. 17, 1867, at the
close of the sixth volume of the records Volume VII commences
with No. 1 again, and closes with 1,008, in October, 1873, since
which time until the present year, the numbering was omitted.
The number of licenses issued from December 6, 1873, to Dec. 6,
1882, a period of nine years, was 1,750, being an average of
about 193 per year.
|
1824. |
| May 7. - |
Seldon Field and Lydia Kethum (Ketchum?) |
| May 15. - |
Joshua Bearss and Susannah Wade. |
| May 16. - |
David Allen and Polly Hazelet. |
| May 22. - |
Seth Allen and Eve Cline |
| June 5. - |
James Ford and Elizabeth McElvane. |
| June 5. - |
Sylvester Gooding and Eliza Love. |
| June 12. - |
Barnett Falttery and Nancy Aye. |
| June 29. - |
William Penny and Elizabeth Salmon. |
| June 13. - |
James Stewart and Elizabeth Steen. |
| June 7. - |
Alanson Packard and Nancy Fickle |
| July 7. - |
John Parcle (Parcel?) and Mercy Manley. |
| July 21. - |
John McGown and Susannah Showers. |
| September 4. - |
George M. Fickell and Margaret Beckley |
| September __. - |
Peter Long and Hiley Darland. |
| October 8. - |
John Sidner and Polly Delly |
| October 30. - |
David Baughman and Elizabeth Neal. |
| November 8. - |
Luke A. Hamman and Mary Ann Jones |
| November 18. - |
Henry Milizer and Elizabeth Berry |
| December 3. - |
Henry Hinkle and Susannah Wine |
| December 16. - |
Henry Miller and Magdalena Wolf. |
| December 22. - |
Martin Dickens and Elizabeth Stealy |
| December 22. - |
John Jones and Rhoda Barr. |
| December 28. - |
Jesse Longwell and Sarah Winslow |
| December 28. - |
Zachariah Barrett and Hannah Darling |
| December 29. - |
Robert Rice and Eliza Ann Caldwell |
| December 29. - |
Joseph Leonard and Nancy Longwell. |
|
1825. |
| January 5. - |
George W. Baker and Louisa Davis. |
|
January 10. - |
Charles Merriman and Susan Carey. |
| January 10. - |
Joseph Peirce and Mary Carey |
| January 16. - |
Andrew Ridgley and Rebecca Hattan. |
| January 19. - |
Simeon Smith and Louisa Gleason. |
| January 22. - |
Jesse Foust and Mary Lowder. |
| January 30. - |
Benjamin Meeker and Susan Smith. |
| February 5. - |
Israel Clark, Jr., and Laurie Bearss |
| February 10. - |
Isaac Wood and Hannah Baker |
| February 15. - |
Henry Barnes and Abigail Felly |
| February 19. - |
Conrad Deel and Elizabeth Rawles |
| February 24. - |
Andrew Stroub and Priscilla Crawford |
| February 26. - |
Jacob Butt and Mary Mutchler. |
| February 26. - |
George Garret and Nancy Walker |
| March 9. - |
Antony Comines and Rachel Rodgers |
| March 10. - |
Asa Howard and Polly Garver |
| March 11. - |
Abraham Brown and Fonica Coon. |
| March 11. - |
John Croy and Peggy McIntyre. |
| March 25. - |
Isaac Fickle and Eliza Tipton. |
| March 26. - |
Joseph Winslow and Phebe Smith. |
| March 29. - |
Joseph Harper and Mary Copperstone. |
| April 5. - |
Hugh McCrackin and Martha Moore |
| April 5. - |
Joseph McCamb and Rebecca Kimble |
| April 5. - |
Joseph Whiterd and Clarinda Beedle |
| April 9. - |
Jacob Shafer and Mary Ann Smith. |
| April 9. - |
Dexter Baker and Sarah Kimble |
| April 12. - |
James Ranney and Sally Vesey |
| April 28. - |
Eli Odell and Asenath Parcher. |
| April 29. - |
Phineas Packard and Elizabeth Fickle |
| April ___ - |
Joel Lee and Jane Parker |
| May 3. - |
William D. Parcel and Harriet Humphrey |
| May 16. - |
John Kline and Sally Thorn. |
| May 20. - |
Jonathan James and Elizabeth Lust |
| June 7. - |
George Tiper and Laura Gleason |
| June 8. - |
Jonathan Soult and Eve Tockhover. (These were
married as John Stull and Eve James!) |
| June 22. - |
James Hughey and Ann Maria Drake. |
| July 16. - |
John Winslow and Elizabeth Long |
| July 16. - |
Moses E. Messengr and Rachel Jury. |
| Aug. 8. - |
Elihu Daud and Polly Ketchum |
| September 3. - |
Dawd Kellogg and Amelia Eaton. |
| September 12. - |
William M. Baker and Elizabeth B. Tompkins. |
| September 14. - |
Horace Pratt and Esther Bucklin. |
| September 21. - |
Samuel C. Straw and Catharine Stealy. |
| September 20. - |
Thomas Bounds and Sophia Berry |
| September 29. - |
George Lock and Anna Morland. |
| October 15. - |
Samuel Wilkins and ___ McIntyre. |
| October 24. - |
Samuel Holmes and Eliza W. Concklin. |
| November 1. - |
Samuel Hazlett and Zila Spurgeon. |
| November 5. - |
E. H. Crosby and Elizabeth Washburn. |
| Novmber 20. - |
Abraham Sims and Susan Bain. |
| November 24. - |
Michael Alspach and Molly Heimote |
| November 28. - |
Isaac H. Fickle and Nancy Young. |
| November 29. - |
David Tipton and Sally Kent. |
| November 29. - |
Jesse Foos and Rachel Blackman. |
| December 9. - |
John Depue and Eliza Court. |
| December 19. - |
John Walters and Lilian Ridgley. |
| December 29. - |
James Darland and Eunice Daud. |
Alanson Packard,
a Justice of the Peace, was on one occasion somewhat poetical,
as he entered upon the record the following: "Marriage
license was granted to Norton B. Royce and Eunice M.
Dexter, March 14, 1832.
"I certify - that is to say,
This present March, the 18th day,
Eunice Dexter, Norton Royce,
As did your license authorize -
An Awkward, ungainly, long-legged pair -
By me in marriage joined were.
By sages wise, it has been said
That matches all above are made.
If so, these ones in heaven have been:
God knows they'll never go again." |
THE FIRST DEED
The first deed recorded in this county conveys
land, Mar. 9, 1821, in Township 5, Range 14 (Big Island), from Samuel and
Lydia Jones, "of the county of Marion," to William Foster. THE FIRST WILL
The first will on record
in the Recorder's office of Marion County is dated and worded as
follows, which, for comparison with modern phraseology, is given
here:
I, Samuel Ferrel (in the name of God, amen!),
being of sound mind and memory, and calling to mind the
certainty of death and the uncertainty of life, do constitute
and appoint this my last will and testament, revoking all other
wills, deeds or testaments made by me.
And in the first place, I do will and bequeath my soul
to God, who gave it, and my body to dust, from whence it came,
in hope of a glorious resurrection.
And in the second place, I do will and bequeath unto my
beloved mother, Martha Ferrel, all my money and goods, to
be at her disposal as the said Martha may think proper,
excepting so much as will defray all my funeral expenses; also
contracts and agreements, as it relates to the real estate, to
stand firm and sure as they have heretofore been made and
mutually agreed to by her, and said Martha Ferrel, and
myself.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
seal this nineteenth day of august, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and twenty-five.
SAMUEL FERREL [L. S.]
In presence of us:
BENJAMIN JEFFREY.
JONATHAN SMITH.
It appears on record that Mr. Ferrel died shortly
afterward and that his widow had the above will admitted to
Probate May 29k, 1826. There being no executor named in
the will, she was appointed administratrix, James Nail
and William Moore being accepted as her securities.
The recorded wills following the above are signed by Abraham
Berry, Simon A. Couch, Israel Clark, etc.
For comparison with the quaint introduction to the
wills of olden time notice the following language as used at the
present day: "In the name of the benevolent Father of All.
"I, W _______ H_______,m of lawful age and sound mind,
do make and declare the following to be my last will and
testament:
"First, that at my death I be buried in a
Christian-like manner and that all my just debts be fully paid,
etc."
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