A long line of family
Friday, January 30, 2015
Line 21.1 Robert McArthur, The Scot-Irish
I am pretty sure that the McArthurs were Presbyterians. They were Scotts and the Scotts prided themselves in being disciples of John Knox, the protestant preacher who blasted Mary Queen of Scots for her Catholic faith and whose brother and later her son followed into the Presbyterians church. The Scots were hardy peoples. They lived in a cold rugged land and were highly independent.
Rosemary Bigwood's book "The Ancestry of John McArthur" mentions that "Robert was a tanner in Pollockshaws." I'm sure just where this Pollockshaws was but there is one in Ireland which would have made the McARTHUR family Scot-Irish at least for a few years. I don't know a lot about Robert. His wife's name has disappeared from history but if family histories can be trusted, Robert and his wife had at least one son, John, born in Glenlyon, Portingall, Scotland about 1742. This family needs more research. I am sure there are genealogist who have discovered more then I have, especially now with the Internet but for me that will have to wait for another time.
Robert and his family ended up Chelsea, Orange, Vermont sometime after 1742. I'm not sure when Europeans began to settle in Chelsea but the town under the name of Turnersburgh was not chartered until 1781. The name was changed to Chelsea sometime later. I have second-hand information that both Robert and his son, John, were buried there but haven't been able to locate a grave site for either.
****SOURCES***
1. [RB] "The Ancestry of John McArthur" by Rosemary Bigwood
2. [BJC] B. J. Clement
3. [RA] Roxann McArthur
4. [PP] Mrs. Paul Peterson
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Line 20.3 MARGARET AIKEN, mother of many reglious roads
Margaret Aiken McArthur was the daughter of Scot-Irish parents. She was probably raised in the Presbyterian and married into it as well. While her life isn't well documented a lovely letter written by her daughter, Roxann, provides an unexpected view into a large family that spread out in New England and out into the West.
Margaret Aiken was born 10 February 1759 in Chester, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. She was the daughter of James AIKEN and his wife Mary McFarland.
She married John McArthur 24 Dec 1775 in Chelsea, Orange County, VT
Their children were:
1. Catherine McArthur born 29 Dec 1776 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire. She married David Bartlett Jr. and died in Rochester, New York on 16 Oct 1822
2. James McArthur born 2 Dec 1778 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire. He married Polly Church on 20 March 1806 and died in Allegany, Orange Co., Vermont on 24 Aug 1848.
3. Mary McArthur born 10 Jan 1781 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire married Josiah Maltby probably in Orange Co., Illinois. She died 18 Aug 1848 in Sangamon, Illinois
4. John McArthur was a twin of Mary McArthur. He married Sally Fuller on 31 March 1811 and died in Holland, NY on 24 August 1827.
5. Andrew McArthur was born 11 Feb 1783 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire, married Sarah (who was called Sally) Cheney on 9 Feb. 1807 and died 24 Feb 1812 in Chelsea, Orange, Vermont
6. Samuel McArthur was born 25 April 1785 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire and died at sea in 1814.
7. Margaret McArthur was born 2 Feb 1786 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire. She married Thomas Keyes on 16 June 1807 and died 15 August 1853 in Newbury, Orange, Vermont.
8. Salley McArthur was born 25 February 1789 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire. She married Phiny Dwight 24 October 1810. She died 01 July 1865 in Barre, Washington Co., New Hampshire.
9. Janet McArthur born 04 September in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire
10. Moses Little McArthur born 28 February 1794 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire, married Mary Salisbury 06 July 1820 and died 12 Feb 1879
11. Duncan McArthur born 22 May 1789 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire died 20 Oct 1866 in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah. He was a polygamist who married 1. Susan McKeen 1 Jan 1818 in Holland, New York; 2. Cynthia Nickola and 3. Eliza Rebecca Scovil. He died in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah on 20 Oct 1866.
12. Roxana McArthur born 27 July 1798 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire. She never married and died 19 Jan 1879 in Vershire, Orange, Vermont.
Margaret Aiken McArthur died 31 Oct 1842 at Vershire Center in Vershire, Orange County, Vermont.
Margaret Aiken McArthur died 31 Oct 1842 at Vershire Center in Vershire, Orange County, Vermont.
Margaret Aiken was born 10 February 1759 in Chester, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. She was the daughter of James AIKEN and his wife Mary McFarland. although some sources list her birthplace as Newbury, VT. Most likely she was raised a Presbyterian and her husband John McArthur, being a good Scots, probably was Presbyterian as well. Margaret didn’t leave a lot of records but a letter written to her grandson by her youngest daughter, Roxann has survived and creates of wonderful history of Margaret, her husband John McArthur
Roxanne wrote the following undated letter to her nephew, Duncan McArthur after he joined the the Church of Latter Day Saints (also called Mormans) and moved to Utah. Since the Mormans are very interested in genealogy for religious reasons, Duncan most likely asked for the information just for that reason. But whatever the reason behind the letter, it is a wonderful piece of genealogy wealth and information about the McArthur family.
The undated letter reads as follows:
Dear Nephew
I commernced writing this more than a year ago but eye sight and lame wrist put a stop to things. You will see by the words that I am an old woman to write much. Helen Rogers what lives near your aunt Morrow wrote me that you had gone to Scotland and would be back this winter. Your uncle Rev. Dr. Silas McKeen died more then a year ago. I will send the sermon that was preached at his funeral to Mrs. Morrow and she will send it to you. When you receive it please write me and I will send you my picture that was taken tenyears ago and I would like one of yours in returen. You speak of a gold mine near you. I hope you will be benefited by itif so I wish you would send me a bit if no larger than a pins head. It would be such a treat to have some of oru own gold right from the mine. Did you see any McArthurs Cousins in Scotland? After yourself ggive much love to your wife & children & brothers & sisters. When I first heard you had moved to Salt Lake they said some of the children did not go there. Now if so please tell where they are and what their names. May we all have our sins washed away int eh blood of the Land that was slain on Calvery & be forever with him and with the dear ones that have gone before us in the wish of Aunty Roxanna McArthur. I feel as if this may be perhaps the last letter I may writ. May God’s will be done--. I am always thinking I shall live to be as old as my mother was Live is very uncertain how many sudden deths we hear of.
John McArthur was born in Scotland Glenion Parish of Fortingall 1742 Emigrated to America 1772
Margaret Aikin in Chester N. H. Rockingham County Feb 10 1759. They were married Dec 24, 1775 the births of their children are as follows.
Catherine McArthur Dec 29, 1776
James McArthur Dec 2, 1778
John and Mary McArthur Jan 10, 1782
Andrew McArthur Feb 11, 1783
Samuel MacArthur April 25, 1785
Margaret McArthur Febuary 2, 1787
Sally McArthur Feb 23, 1789
Jannet McArthur September 4, 1791
Moses McArthur Feb 28, 1794, Still lives in Holland N. York
Duncan McArhtur May 22, 1796 died 63
Roxana McARthur Feb 23, 1789
We were all born in Thornton N. Hampshire County of Grafton. My father moved to Chelsea Orange County State of Vermont in 1802. After Father died Mother and I went to Vershire & lived with Sister Keyes. He [brother-in-law] died in 1850. He left her well off for property. They had 4 sons all dead but one Horace t. Keyes lives here his health is not good. Henry was President of Topeka Atchkison & Santifee R. Road died six years ago. Freeman five years ago. I live in one of their house another family in the house. John McArthur died in Chealsea Vt Orange Ct Dec 20, 1816. My Grandfathers name was Robert McArthur his wife Jannet.
Margaret McArthur died in Vershire Orange County Oct 31 1842. Her Fathers name was James Aiken he & 3 sons went into the army of the revolution. He & one son were killed in Ticonderoga and other 2 were wounded they are all dead.
C. Barlet [of] Rochester N.Y. [died] Oct 161822. Her husband died soon after
Jas [of] Allegany Pen., Orange Vt. [died] August 24, 1848. His wife died next year.
Joh [died] Holland Ny 1832; Mary Ill 1827
Andrew Chelsea Vt. Feb 23, 1812
S was on a vessel lost at Sea in 1814
M Keyes Newbury Vt. Orange Ct August 15 1853
Sally Dwight at Barre Vt Washington Ct July 1, 1865
Jannet Baily Essex N.Y. August 4,1 839. Her husband is dead. Her son Keyes a. Bailey was living the last I heard of him in N York City. She had one daughter married Amherst Stone. She is dead but he lives in Denver City Colorado in Supreme Judge of the State. James had a son John & Noble they both went to Mich. Or Wis, they must be old [as] me if living. Mary Maltby had one son Alonso who went to Arkansas & John went to Iowa to the lead Mines.
"The family moved here [Chelsea, Orange, VT] in 1802." [RM] "After father died Mother and I went to Vershire and lived with Sister Keyes." [RM]
***SOURCES****
1. Olive Connary
2. DAR Applications of B. Mae Kimball Collins and Leah McArthur Moellmer,
3. Roxana McArthur, letter
4. Olive M. Peters, McCook Nebraska (Per info from June Knaack and Margery Peterson)
5. The Maltby Family Genelogy by Dorothy Maltby Verril and Prof. Fred A. Molby
6. "History of Old Chester, From 1719 to 1869" by Benjamin Chase, 1869
7. "Descendants of Andrew McFarland" by Lewis L. Gregory Jr., 2002
Friday, June 20, 2014
Line 20.2, James AIKEN, Oh, my Aiken Heart
Oh, James, oh, James, you left too many records.
Records of James AIKEN born 1 June 1731, married Molly McFARLAND and died. 27 July 1817 and buried in Antrim,
New Hampshire. On page 6 of Vol I of the
DAR Patriot Index, two James Aikens both
married to Molly McFarland. are named. James the second (or was he the first as
well?) was born in 1736 and died July
1780. (Other genealogist put his death as 12 May 1787 in Londonderry,
Rockingham, New Hampshire.) Both had patriotic service in NH. It has been
suggested that Molly or Mary McFarland married first our James and then a
cousin of his also named James. To add to this later genealogist add even more
confusing information regarding our dear James. More on that later in this
post.
Most
genealogist agree that James and Molly Aiken were the parents of
1.
Andrew AIKEN born 1755 in Chester,
Rockingham, NH, married Margaret ?, died 06 March 1835 in Bradford Center,
Bradford, NH and buried there
2.
William AIKEN born about 1757
3.
Margaret AIKEN McArthur born 10 Feb 1759 in Chester, Rockingham, NH; She
married John McArthur and died 31 Oct 1842 in Vershire, Orange, VT and buried
at Vershire Center.
4.
Samuel AIKEN born 9 Jan 1761 in Chester, Rockingham, NH. He married Martha
Graham.
5.
James AIKEN born 1762 in Chester Rockingham, NH and died 2 July1777
6.
John AIKEN was born 1762 in Chester, Rockingham, NH and died 28 July 1777.
7.
Mary "Molly" AIKEN was born
1774(?) in Chester, Rockingham, NH and married Stephen Heath.Heath
8.
a possible Mary AIKEN b. 1760 who married Ebenezer KIMBALL.
It is obvious that more research needs to be done on
our James. His birth date and death dead could possible indicate that we are
dealing with more then one James AIKEN who married a Molly What we do know
about James is that he is listed in the 1776 Chester, Rockingham, New
Hampshire, census of men who were of the right age to service in the Revolutionary
War. There is also a James Aiken listed in the 1790 US Census that reads:
US CENSUS:
1790, New Hampshire, Hillsborough County, Antrim Town James AIKEN, 3 free white males 16 years and
upward (including head of house), 5 free
white females including heads of families This James may be a son or grandson
of our James. Benjamin Chase who wrote a wonderful book about the populations
of Chester, New Hampshire says our James was killed in the Revolutionary War
along with his son James. However, Chase also notes that a James AIKEN died
July 1780, hence the confusion. Maybe, Molly MacFarland just liked married men
named James AIKEN or she just wanted to confuss future generations of
genealogists.(1) James (all of them) AIKEN certainly needs to have more
research done on him! It is believed that three of James sons fought in
Revolutionary War, young James being killed at Ticonderoga and the other two
wounded there. The DAR book (2) lists James the elder as being a soldier at
both Bunker Hill and Benhington.
1. "History of Old Chester, From 1719 to 1869" by Benjamin Chase, 1869
2. Roxann McArthur
3. "New Hampshire State History of Daughters of the American Revolution" complied and edited by Elizabeth Knowles Folsom
4. Olive M. Connary
5. Microfiche of the Maltby Family Genealogy by Dorothy Maltby Verril and Prof. Fred A. Molby
6. New Hampshire Census, 1776 (for or against the War) by Jay Mack Holbrook 1976, Holbrook Research Institute, Census NH, 1776-7
7. A Map of the Original township of Chester, NH, drawn by Benjamin Chase for his history of Chester
8. DAR Lineage book, Vol 104, pgs 284 & 285
9.. "Descendants of Andrew McFarland" by Lewis L. Gregory Jr., 2002
NOTE:
The Ancestral File, Ver. 4.02, Carson FHC,
1992---lists Jane AIKEN, b. 1769, Antrim Hillsbr., NH as a daughter of this
James AIKEN. Needs checking. In fact this whole family needs checking out!
Per Ancestral File, ver 4.15: Family Group Sheet lists
two (2) James (1) b. 1762 (2) b. 1772. Also gives the first James and John's
wives names are Betsey McDUFFEE. This record also adds a daughter named Jane
born in Antrim. I feel Jane is someone else's child, not from this family.
Folsom [3] adds a second daughter named Mary who married Ebenezer KIMBALL
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Line 20.1 Samuel Aiken, Scots-Irish American
You’ve
got to love the fierce bravery of the early settlers in the far North New
England states. They were facing a frontier that was days, if not weeks from
the ocean and an escape back to civilized Europe. On the other hand, they were
facing an adventure that would lead to more religious freedom and thought. The Scot-Irish
Presbyterians found a haven in Chester where they could build a church and
create a community. And on the other hand (I know that makes three hands) there
is also the sense of loss where the “native” population is concerned too. I’ve
done a poor job of determining the effect of the building of a Scot-Irish
community in the wilderness might have done to the Indians of the area. But I
still have to admire a people group that would pick up and leave the familiarity
of Ireland (even if they were transplant just a generation or two before) for a
totally foreign place.
Samuel
Aiken was born about 1708 in Ireland, probably the son of John AIKEN although
William Aiken and Janet Wilson have also been suggested as Samuel’s parents
He
married a woman whose surname may have been YOUNG.
The
children of Samuel AIKEN and his wife were:
1. William
AIKEN born about 1730 in Ireland. He married Rebecca FOWLER. They drowned
together at Passamoquaddy. His two sons, James and Robert died at the Battle of
Bunker Hill
2. James
AIKEN born 1 June 1731 in Ireland or in Chester, NH and died 13 May 1787 in
Londonderry, Rockingham, NH. He married Mary “Molly” McFARLAND
3. Peter
AIKEN born 1736 at sea and died 21 October 1806 in Canada. He married Rebecca
Fowler the daughter of Thomas FOWLER (obviously a different Rebecca Fowler from
the one who married Peter’s brother William.)
4. Sarah
AIKEN was born about 1740 in Chester, Rockingham, NH. She married Robert
WITHERSPOON and had at least four sons
5. Samuel
AIKEN was born about 1749 probably in Chester, New Hampshire. He died there 4
January 1825. He married Isabella MCMCDOLE 17 April 1738 in Gofftown,
Hillsborn, New Hampshire.
6. Sarah AIKEN
possibly born about 1736 and died young as a second daughter named Sarah was born
about 1736.
Samuel AIKEN died in 1786 in Chester, New Hampshire and was
buried there.
These early AIKENs in New Hampshire were a bear to research.
Records were sparse and they, as was the English and Scottish tradition, name
their numerous children names that were repeated by the many branches of their
family tree. In one source (1) Samuel is listed as the son of John AIKEN; in
another William and AIKEN and Janet Wilson (5) are named as his parents. I
think Benjamin Chase just got the generations mixed up as Samuel is not
mentioned in John AIKEN’s will and Chase in his book on Chester, New Hampshire
mentions that he Samuel) was a young brother of John Aiken. Chase writes that
He took the scenic route stopping at Portsmouth and Greenland where they might
have lived for a short while before continuing on to the America colonies. The
Scots-Irish who settled in Chester were early settlers although not the
earliest European settlers. However, they soon became the largest group of
settlers there. Samuel purchased one half of lot No. 32 in Chester on 22 June
1738. He later bought the other half for his sons, James and Peter. Samuel is mentioned
in the town and church records but not as often as his older brother.
The Rev. John Wilson became the minister of the First Presbyterian
Church in 1734. They worshiped in private homes until 1749 when the church was
built. Samuel was one of the men in a committee to “examine the collector’s
list” in 1743/4 and 1745 and again in 1749.
The Presbyterian Church seemed to be the center of this
community, made up mostly of Scots-Irish immigrants. The government of the
church was led by the Pastor but controlled by the elders. There must have been
a very strong sense of democracy in this little town. Many of the Aikens and
their cousin participated in the Revolutionary War. I imagine (and this is just
my imagination) strong preachers who emulated the fierce image of John Knox of
Scotland and the independence of pioneers in a new world.
Samuel AIKEN died about 1788. His wife survived him nine years
and died in Chester in 1797. Only daughter, Sarah and son Samuel seemed to have
remained in Chester until their deaths.
***SOURCES***
1. "History of Old Chester, From 1719 to
1869" by Benjamin Chase, 1869
2. "Probate Records of the Province of New
Hampshire" Vol. 4, 1750-1753 State Papers Series Vol 34, Edited by Otis G.
Hammond, 1933, 974.2 Rec 21.2-4
3. "History of Chester, New Hampshire" a
Supplement to the History of Old Chester," compiled and published by John
Carroll Chase, 1926; 974.22 CHE 3.60
4. Internet http://www.redrock.net/sjones/d0006
5.
http://hstsearches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ifetch2?/u1/texindices... Roots Web
surname searches "CNIDR I search -cgi 1.20.06" Akin Family by Marci
6. Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History
Saturday, May 31, 2014
A friend on Facebook began posting about her resent interest in her family's history. That reminded me that with the death of both of my parents in the past year, I've neglected posting on my blog. So with some renewed energy, I am going to start back on my journey through my family's "religious" history with a Presbyterian Scots-Irish line.
Line 20
Edward AIKEN
IRISH OR SCOTS-IRISH
I’ve
been dealing with Southern ancestry and am now returning to my New England
ancestors. Edward Aiken was born in Londonderry, Ireland of Scottish ancestry,
which of course makes him Scots-Irish. Further evidence of his ancestry is that
he was connected, as you will see, with the Presbyterian Church. My source for
this, puts his birth as 1618 so unless he married very late in life, he may
have been the grandfather of the following children rather than the father.
Edward
Aiken was born about 1716 in Londonderry, Ireland, his parents’ names being
lost to history as are his death date and place.
He
married a woman whose name has not been discovered.
The
children of Edward Aiken were:
1. John Aiken
born about 1689 in Ireland and died 1 Dec 1750 in Chester, Rockingham, New
Hampshire. He married Mary Karr born about 1700 and died after 1750.
2. Samuel
Aiken born about 1700 in Irland and died about 1688 in Chester, Rockingham, NH.
He married a woman from the Young family who died in Chester, New Hampshire in
1797
3. William
Aiken born about 1702, died before 1736 in Ireland. William was an educated clergyman.
Edward Aiken probably died sometime in the early 1700s.
Little is known of Edward Aiken. I am not sure where my source
got her information on Edward but we can be fairly sure that Edward was among
the people who were sent to Northern Ireland from Scotland by James I of the
United Kingdom (England, Scotland and Ireland) to keep an eye on the rebellious
Irish in the seventeenth century. Many
of the Scotch-Irish, including two of Edward’s sons, (a term that originated in
the American colonies to distinguish them from the Catholic Irish American)
became disenchanted with Ireland and migrated to the colonies.
This family was Presbyterian. Son, William Aiken was known to be
not just a clergyman but a well-educated one too. It is likely that his
brothers had a better than average education as well. This marks the Aikens as
probably middle-class, although the protestant lower classes tended to teach
their children to read as their version of the Bible would have been printed in
English or Scotch rather than Latin as the Catholic Bible was at that time. The
Presbyterians came from the reformed Protestantism movement in the British
Isles, begun in Scotland by John Knox a follower of the Calvinist theology founded by
John Calvin. The name of the church comes for the “Presbyterian” form of church
government which is represented by an assembly of elders. Their theology is
built on the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures and salvation
through grace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
***SOURCES***
1. "History of Old Chester, From 1719 to
1869" by Benjamin Chase, 1869
2. http://hstsearches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ifetch2?/u1/texindices...
Roots Web surname searches "CNIDR I search -cgi 1.20.06" Akin Family
by Marci
3. Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History
Friday, March 21, 2014
Line 19.3, Margaret Sellman; the lesser part of the family
Margaret Sellman
Margaret
Sellman was born about 1742 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, the daughter of Charles
Sellman and his wife Elizabeth Gassaway.
Married
Joshua Hobbs, the son of John and Elizabeth Hobbs
The
children of Margaret Sellman and Joshua Hobbs were:
1. Eli
Hobbs born about 1761 in Frederick Co., MD, married Elizabeth Hamilton on 4
October 1782 and died 1830 in Nelson Co., Kentucky
2. Elizabeth
Hobbs born 31 December 1765 in Frederick, Frederick Co.,MD, married Christopher
Frederick Burkheart 16 November 1780 in Frederick, MD and died 22 October 1844
in Clinton, Henry County, MO.
3. Anna
Hobbs, also known as Nancy, born about 17666 in Maryland. She married 1. George
Burkheart on 10 March 1838 in Nelson County, KY and 2. Aaron Bridges. Nancy
died 18 May 1840 in Nelson Co., KY
4. Ezekiel
Hobbs born about 1767 in Frederick Co., MD, married Nancy Read 4 August 1830 in
Nelson Co., KY.
2. Joshua
Hobbs born about 1768 in Frederick Co., MD, married Rachel Hobbs and he died
about 1846 in Nelson C., KY
3. John
Hobbs born 1770 in Frederick County, MD, married Cassandra Briscoe 28 Feb 1787
in Nelson Co., KY and died there in 1840.
4. Nicholas
Hobbs born about 1773, married Kate Shelton in Nelson Co., KY and died 5 July
1830 in Hardin Co., KY
5. Vachel
Hobbs born 31 October in Frederick Co., MD, married 1. Mary Scott. 2. Sallie,
3. Celia Helm on 17 April 1799 in Nelson Co., KY, 4. Eleanor Marshall15 Oct
1817 in Nelson Co., KY and 5. Amelia ?
on 3 March 1823. Vachel died 26 April 1847 in Mt. Pleasant, Howard Co., MO
6. Peggie
Hobbs born about 1778 and probably died young.
7. Hennie
Hobbs born about 1780 and married Samuel Brown on 22 May 1799.
8. Sarah
Hobbs born about 1782. She married twice 1. Stephen Compton Briscoe in Nelson
Co., KY on 15 November 1799 and 2. Also in Nelson co., John Rogers on 20
January 1806.
9. Lydia
Hobbs born 22 December 1786 who married William Jones Bayne on 8 January 1801 in Nelson Co., KY
Family
tradition names Margaret Sellman as the mother of all of Joshua Hobbs children.
In 1784 Joshua Hobbs and his wife Margaret sold their land in Frederick County,
Maryland. Land deeds for Joshua Hobbs are found near the Sellmans in both Anne
Arundel County and Frederick County, Maryland which makes the probability even
higher that the family remembered correctly. Joshua sold land in 1785 and 1786
that set next to a John Sellman. Another family story, first reported by George
N. Hobbs says that John married Margaret’s sister Ann first and had several
children George reports she died giving birth to Vachel and then Joshua Hobbs
married Margaret. However George also reported some family “facts” that can be
proved incorrect. Also, Eli Hobbs, the eldest son of Joshua named his first
daughter, Margaret and had several other daughters, none named “Anne”. Since it
was common for the eldest son (as well as younger children) to name their first
daughter after the father’s mother, the second after the mother’s mother, it would
make since that Eli would have named a daughter Anne, which he did not.
There is a good chance that Margaret and her family were practicing Baptists or maybe just nominal ones. Moving to the "wilderness" took faith and strength. Margaret must have been one busy woman with nine children born in 19 years as well as leaving her home in Maryland and moving to the frontier.
***SOURCES***
- Bob Moore,
“Joseph Hobbs of Md. And KY” GenForum, 5 March 2000
- George N.
Hobbs, 25 June 1940 (Great-grandson of Vachel) to Anna M. Grisez
- Familysearch.com
Ancestral File v. 4.19
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Line 19.2, Charles Sellman, An Enigma
Little is known of Charles Sellman apart from
the fact that he did own land in Maryland, a slave state. Southern records
aren’t as meticulous as the ones kept in the Puritan controlled New England
states. Church and state records were kept half hazardly in the South or often
not preserved. Gravesites on farms and plantation weren’t always kept up and
often just disappeared or the stones were damaged beyond repair or just
disappeared. If “Bible” records were
kept, the book itself had to have been preserved over the centuries by the
family and more often than not just disappeared.
Charles
Sellman was born 5 August 1722 in Accomac, Accomack Co., Virginia, the son of
William Sellman and his wife, Ann West
Married
Elizabeth Gassaway the daughter of Nicholas Gassaway and his wife Elizabeth
Hawkins, in 1745 probably in Accomack Co., Virginia
The
children of Charles Sellman and Elizabeth Gassaway were:
1
Margaret Sellman born 1740 in Anne Arundel Co.,
Maryland. She married Joshua Hobbs.
2. Anne
Sellman, born 1741 at Anne Arundel, Maryland.
3. Gassaway
Sellman born about 1745 in Anne Arundel
Co., Maryland and died in Frederick Co., Maryland on 27 May 1823. He married
Francis Davis’ widow, Catherine and they had six children.
4. John
Sellman born about 1748 in Anne Arundel
Co., Maryland. He married Elizabeth (Betsy) Phelps. They had six children. He
died October 1816 in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland.
Charles Sellman died 20 December 1770 in Anne Arundel Co.,
Maryland
Charles Sellman grew up on his father’s plantation in Anne
Arundel County, Maryland. He inherited “residue” of land at “Crosses Forest”
according to his father’s will. “Sheep” were willed to his children, Margaret
and Ann. Gassaway and John must have been born after their grandfather’s 1743
will. Elizabeth Gassaway Sellman inherited “clothing” from the will. He was
also left land from his father-in-law’s will. Slaves were left to Charles’ brother Thomas
and to a sister and brother-in-law in their father’s will but not to Charles so
it is very possible that Charles did not own slaves. But he was a land owner
and he did live in Maryland where the practice of slavery was common among land
owners. However I have not been able to find a will so it’s impossible to know
for sure. Since he was not the elder son, his portion of land holdings was
probably small and he may not have had to buy slaves. I also know little about
Gassaway and John, Charles’ sons so if they didn’t owned slaves then the
practice may have ended with Charles in
that line. Daughter Anne probably [see more on Margaret Sellman] died young and
Daughter Margaret’s family was in Kentucky by the early 1770s. While Kentucky
was a slave state I haven’t found evidence that the Hobbs were slave owners.
***SOURCES***
1. Will of Nicholas Gassaway of Anne Arundel Co.,
dated 18 Feb 1757
2. Will of William Sellamn of Anne Arundel co.,
dated 11 Feb 742/3 / 31st March 1743
3. Early
Families of Southern Maryland, Vol 2,”the Lawrence Family”
1.
Anne Arundel Gentry Vol 1 “The Gassaway Family.”
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