Sep 02

Zion Lutheran Church Building in Chatt a Century Old

Last year Zion Lutheran Church in Chattanooga, Ohio, celebrated its 160th anniversary.

This year, although no celebration is planned, we recognize that fact that the current church building was built 100 years ago.

Zion Lutheran Church, 2015.

Zion Lutheran Church, 2015.

The congregation of Zion Chatt was formed in 1855 and for the first five years members worshiped in their homes. In 1860 they purchased a 100 x 85 foot parcel of land on the corner of State Route 49 and Tama Road from Jacob and Charity Deitsch for $5. They built a frame church there that same year for $325.

Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga. Frame church 1860-1917. (Photo c1912)

Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga. Frame church 1860-1917. (Photo c1912)

Zion Lutheran, Chattanooga. Frame church. (1860-1917)

Another view of the frame church, c1917.

The frame building was used by Zion’s members as well as the Evangelical worshipers for seven years, until the Evangelicals sold their interest and organized and built their own church east of Chatt on Tama Road, the building we know today as the old Grange Hall.

Over the years Zion purchased a little more land to make the church lot the size it is today. Discussions and plans for a new church building began as early as 1911 but it was not until 1916 that the building project was finally started.

Zion’s members decided to fashion the new church after the brick M.E. Church in Convoy, Ohio. The architect for the new church was Robert Gotwaldt and the building contractor was Christen & Mann of Decatur, Indiana. Charles N. Christen built several other churches and was the mayor of Decatur in 1913. The cost of Zion’s new church was $13,795.

Zion Chatt's cornerstone.

Zion Chatt’s cornerstone.

The church cornerstone was laid 2 July 1916, during the pastorate of the Rev. W.F.H. Heuer. Rev. B.F. Brandt and Prof. R.V. Schmitt presided at the cornerstone dedication with Rev. Heuer.

Cornerstone dedication, 1916. Rev. R.V. Smith, Rev. W.H.F. Heuer, Rev. B.F. Brandt.

Cornerstone dedication, 1916. Rev. R.V. Smith, Rev. W.H.F. Heuer, Rev. B.F. Brandt.

Nearly a year after construction began the church building was completed and it was dedicated on 13 May 1917. What a grand dedication it must have been. Three days of events with services in English and German!

The following article announcing the dedication was published in The Standard on 11 May 1917:

DEDICATION
Of Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at Chattanooga to Take Place Sunday, May 13, With Elaborate Program for the Day–

Next Sunday May 13th, the new church edifice of Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran congregation will be dedicated to the service of the Triune God. The members of the congregation desire to extend a cordial invitation to all their friends and acquaintances to come and rejoice with them in the fact an undertaking which presented many difficulties and required many sacrifices has, by the blessings of God been successfully finished and that the members of Zion’s congregation at last possess a worthy and beautiful house of worship.

The following is the order of the dedicatory services:

9:30 a.m.—A brief farewell service in the old church.

9:45—Formal opening of the new church. German sermon by Reverend J.F.C. Sollar of Youngstown, O., and an English sermon by Rev. H.J. Schuh of Anna, O.

2:00 p.m. afternoon services–Rev. George Haas, of Napoleon, O., will preach the German sermon and Rev. Paul Brockhaus, of Oak Lawn, Ill., the English sermon.

6:00 p.m. evening services—Rev. Lochre of Montra, O. and Rev. W.N. Emch of Ft. Recovery, O, will be the speakers. Besides the congregational singing which is in itself an essential feature, there will be special singing by various choirs, viz. the mixed choir and the male choir of Zion’s church, the male sextet of St. John’s church, Celina, and the male Liberty township.

The time designated is sun time.

Dinner and supper will be served in the basement of the new church for the nominal cost of 25 cents a meal. Additional services will be held on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Rev. F.G. Reitz of Celina will preach on Monday evening and Rev. H.N. Brobst of Coldwater on Tuesday evening. The organist Miss Bernice Haffner, will be assisted at the organ by Miss Clara Sunderman of Ft. Recovery and by Mrs. Rev. Brobst, of Coldwater.

May God grant his blessings in these services to all who may be present.

Initially, subscriptions were taken to pay for the new church and a five-year payment plan was adopted. Later “The Dollar Plan” was adopted to cancel the building debt. Members owning land would pay $1 per acre and members who did not own land would pay in proportion to what they had.

Zion's south window, given in honor of Henry and Mary Baker. (2011 photo by Karen)

One of Zion’s many beautiful stained-glass windows. The south window, given in honor of Henry and Mary Baker. (2011 photo by Karen)

The two churches were side by side for a short time, until the frame church was moved to the north end of Chattanooga and used as a garage for years.

The old frame church and new brick church.

The old frame church and new brick church.

The old frame church, used as a garage, 1980.

The old frame church, used as a garage, 1980.

Zion was extensively remodeled in 1968, using money from the Minnie Wilson estate. The upper balcony was made into three Sunday School rooms, the first floor under the balcony was made into two offices and a Sunday School room, and basement was remodeled and paneled. The sanctuary was redecorated in the late 1960s and again redecorated by Henry Husmann of Portland, Indiana, in 1992.

It is still a beautiful church, still in very good condition, with an active congregation.

 

 

 

 

Aug 30

Tombstone Tuesday–William P. & Katie (Schaadt) Becher

William P & Katie (Schaadt) Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

William P & Katie (Schaadt) Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of William P. and Katie (Schaadt) Becher, located in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

BECHER
William P.
1872-1938
Katie
1877-1955

William Philipp Becher was born in Mercer County, Ohio, on 2 March 1872, the son of John and Anna Maria (Becker) Becher. His father was born in Bavaria and his mother in Pennsylvania.

William was baptized 7 April 1872 at Zion Chatt with John Philipp Becker and his wife serving as his sponsors. William was confirmed at Zion Chatt on Palm Sunday, 18 April 1886. His father John had died about three years before.

William Becher grew up in Liberty Township and married Susanna Katherine “Katie” Schaadt on 8 September 1898 in Mercer County. They were married by Rev. S. Egger. [1]

Katie was born 19 September 1877, the daughter of Adam and Marie “Mary” (Koch) Schaadt. They lived in Liberty Township, Mercer County, and their address was shown as Brehm in 1895. [2]

Two years after their marriage William and Katie had set up housekeeping in Liberty Township and had one child. In their household in 1900: William P, 28; Catherine, 22; and Louisa W, 1. The couple had been married 2 years and William farmed. Katie had given birth to one child, who was living. They lived near Henry Becher, George Becher, John Roth, and Michael Schott. [3]

In 1910 William, Katie and their five children still lived in Liberty Township. In their household in 1910: William, 38; Catharine, 32; Marie, 11; Leana, 9; Matilda, 7; Lesta, 5; and Bertha, 3. William was a farmer. They had been married 11 years and Katie had given birth to five children and all five were living. [4]

William and Katie remained in Liberty Township, where they were enumerated in 1920: William P, 47; Catherine B, 42; Marie l, 21; Leona L, 19; Matilda, 17; Leslie, g, 15; Bertha H, 12;, and Bernice, 4 years and 7 months. William was still a farmer. [5]

By 1930 most of their children had left home. Only three family members were in the William Becher household: William, 58; Katie, 52; and Bernice, 14. William was described as a general farmer and their name was spelled “Becker” in this enumeration. [6] 

According to Zion Chatt’s records, William had a heart attack and died suddenly in his field on 4 February 1938.  He was 65 years, 11 months, and 2 days old and was buried on the 6th. He was survived by his wife, 1 son, 5 daughters, 1 brother, 1 sister, and 2 grandchildren.

Katie (Schaadt) Becher died of old age on 1 March 1955, at the age of 77 years, 5 months, and 12 days. Her death record at Zion Chatt provides a lot of information about Katie: She was one of nine children born to Adam and Marie (Koch) Schaadt, born 19 September 1877, baptized by JC Reinert, and confirmed 22 March 1891 by Rev. Karl Mueller. She married William Philip Becher in September 1898 and he died 4 February 1938. She died at home and was buried on the 4th. She was survived by her son Leslie; daughters Mrs. Marie ( Hugo) Willrath, Leona, (Buress) McBride, Matilda (Alger) Eley, Bertha (Harold) Stephenson, and Bernice (Harold) Stetler; 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 4 sisters: Mrs. Otto Wendel, Mrs. Lewis Alt, Mrs. Gust Fliescher, Mrs. Otto Fickert, 2 brothers: David and Adam.

William P and Katie (Schaadt) Becher had the following children, all who were baptized at Zion Chatt:
Lavina Maria (1899-1970), married Hugo John Willrath
Leona Louise (1900-1962), married Buress B McBride
Matilda Rosina Philippina (1902-1978), married Alger M “Peck” Eley
Leslie G (1904-1982)
Bertha Helen (1907-1995), married Donald Stephenson
Pauline Emma (1912-1912)
Infant daughter, stillborn (1914-1914)
Berneice F (1915-2008), married Harold Stetler

 

[1] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 27 Aug 2016), William P. Becher and Katharine Schaadt, 8 Sep 1898; from Mercer County Marriages, Vol. 7, p.338, from FHL microfilm 914957.

[2] Probate Case Files and Indexes 1852-1900, Mercer County, Ohio, Ohio Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998, Adam Schaadt, file no. 3716, 1895; database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 Aug 2016); from Ohio County District and Probate Courts.

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 85, p.9B, dwelling 174, family 179, Calvin P Becher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 Aug 2016); from FHL microfilm 1241304, from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1304. [note: William’s name is indexed as Calvin P on Ancestry.com.]

[4] 1910 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 119, p.18A, dwelling 397, family 348, William Becher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 Aug 2016); from FHL microfilm 1375227, from NARA microfilm T624, roll 1214. [note: I wrote the names as they were indexed on Ancestry.com]

[5] 1920 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 140, p.11B, dwelling 226, family 245, William P Becher; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 Aug 2016); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 1418.

[6] 1930 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 20, p.11A, dwelling & family 259, William Becker; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 Aug 2016); from FHL microfilm 2341584, from NARA microfilm T626, roll 1850.

Aug 26

Wildcat School No. 9, Mercer County, Ohio

School is back in session and summer vacation is over for students and teachers. The school schedule is so ingrained in me that I always have to remind myself that there is still a lot of summer left even though school has started.

I grew up on Wildcat Corner, where a two-room brick school once stood, reportedly the only two-room school in Black Creek Township. Wildcat School was located on the corner of what is now State Route 49 and 707, a mile north of Chatt. Below are the few photos I have of Wildcat School.

A few of the students’ names are written on the photos but those names are very difficult to read.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone that can identify more of the students in the photos or correct any who are not identified correctly. I will add additions or corrections to this blog post.

The oldest photo I have of Wildcat School, 1897-98:

Wild Cat School, Mercer County, Ohio. Undated photo.

1897-98 Wild Cat School, Mercer County, Ohio.

Back row, tallest girl in plaid dress, left of the shutter: Christena Rosena (Byer) Gappa. [Thanks to Andy Gappa for providing this information. Since this photo was passed down in the Miller family, I wonder if one of my Miller ancestors was also one of the students.]

Wildcat School, 1911:

1911 Wildcat School, Mercer County, Ohio.

1911 Wildcat School, Mercer County, Ohio.

None of these students are identified in the 1911 photo, but the girl standing at the far left in back row sure looks like my great-aunt Clara (Miller) Reef.

Wildcat School, 1925:

1925 Wildcat School, Mercer County, Ohio.

1925 Wildcat School, Mercer County, Ohio.

Front: Frank Leistner; Becher?; Eugene Caffee; ? Becker; Lawrence Witter ?; ?; Bollenbacher.

Row 2: B Pfifer;?; ?; Ruth Miller; Fern Caffee; Ruth ?; ?; Vernon Caffee.

Row 3: Not identified.

Wildcat School, 1926:

1926 Wildcat school

1926 Wildcat School, Mercer County, Ohio.

Row 1: ?; ?; ?; Eugene Caffee; ?; Bollenbacher; ?; Paul Leistner?.

Row 2: ?; Fern Caffee; ?; ?; ?; ?; Ruth Miller; Eileen/Jolene Oakley; Ruth Leistner?.

Row 3 & 4: Not identified.

My Aunt Ruth, the oldest sibling in my dad’s family, is in both the 1925 and 1926 photos and will be 97 years old this year.

Aug 23

Tombstone Tuesday–Jacob B. Germann

Jacob B Germann, Evangelical Protestant Cemetery, Ohio City, OH. (2014 photo by Karen)

Jacob B Germann, Evangelical Protestant Cemetery, Ohio City, OH. (2014 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Jacob B. Germann, located in row 2 of the Evangelical Protestant Cemetery, Ohio City, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Jacob B.
1850-1926
1 Cor. 15. 12-23
GERMANN

Jacob Germann was born 4 September 1850, the son of Peter and Catherine/Katherine (Dietrich) Germann.

It appears that his parents Peter and Catherine Germann were not members of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, but one of their children was baptized there, their daughter Maria Catharine. She was born 29 December 1858 and was baptized at Zion Schumm on 23 January 1859, with GP Germann, Heinrich Germann, Mrs. Dietrich senior, and Mar. Stamm serving as her baptismal sponsors.

The Peter Germann household in 1860, the first census Jacob appears in: Peter, 37, born in Ohio; Catharine, 28, Hesse-Darmstadt; Jacob, 10, Ohio; Elizabeth, 6, Ohio; and Catharine, 2, Ohio. [1] Other records indicate that the father Peter Germann was born in Germany.

In 1870 Jacob’s father Peter Germann farmed and Jacob worked on the family farm. Their household in 1870: Peter, 47, Hesse/Hamburg; Catherine, 38, Hesse/Hamburg; Jacob, 19, Ohio; and Catherine, 11, Ohio. [2]

Jacob Germann married Sophia Becher on 14 November 1873 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chattanooga. Sophia was the daughter of John and Anna Maria (Becker) Becher. Witnesses to the Germann-Becher marriage were Carl Stamm and Maria Sechor. The groom’s name was recorded as Jacob Peter but nearly every other record, including his tombstone, shows his middle initial as B.

In 1880 Jacob and Sophia Germann lived in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, Ohio. In their household: Jacob B, 29; Sophia, 24; Richard T, 4; Rudolph A, 2; and Julia AC, 1. Jacob was a farmer and Sophia kept house. [3]

The 1900 census indicates that Jacob Germann was born in September of 1850 in Ohio. This enumeration also indicates Jacob and Sophia had been married 26 years and that Sophia had given birth to 9 children, all of whom were still living. Jacob farmed and son Richard was a carpenter. Their household in 1900: Jacob, 49; Sophia, 54; Richard T, 24; August R, 22; Julia A, 21; Wm F, 18; Hugo J, 16; Walter L, 14; Lydia T, 10; Oscar E, 7; and Esther L, 5. [4]

Jacob and Sophia were still living in Harrison Township in 1910: Jacob B, 59; Sophia, 54; Walter, 24; Lydia, 20; Oscar, 17; and Esther, 15. Jacob farmed and this enumeration indicates Sophia had given birth to 9 children and all 9 were living. [5]

The Jacob Germann household in 1920: Jacob B, 69; Sophia, 64; Lydia, 30; Oscar, 27; and Esther, 24. This enumeration was taken on 4 February 1920, less than two weeks before Sophia died. [6]

Sophia (Becher) Germann died 24 February 1920 in Van Wert County, Ohio. She was buried on the 27th.

Jacob B. Germann died of lobar pneumonia 4 April 1926 in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, Ohio. He was buried one row away from his wife on the 7th. His death certificate indicates he was born on 4 September 1850. WL Germann of Van Wert was the informant for the information on the death certificate.  [7] [8]

Jacob and Sophia (Becher) Germann had the following children:
Richard Theodore (1876-1940), married Mary G Reidenbach
Rudolph August (1878-1942), married Julia A Bolander
Julia Katharine (1879-1936), married Daniel Jacob Gunsett
William Frederick (1882-1943), married Fredona Baker
Hugo John (1884-1959), married Maude Elizabeth Berger
Walter Leo (1886-1951), married Margaret E. Saam
Lydia Theresa (1889-1958), married Arthur J Buechner
Oscar Edwin (1892-1970), married Laura L Merkle
Esther Leonora (1895-1989), married Albert Edgar Miller

 

[1] 1860 U.S. Census, Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, p.442, dwelling 1322, family 1316, Peter German; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Aug 2016); from FHL microfilm 805045, from NARA microfilm M653, roll 1045.

[2] 1870 U.S. Census, Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, p.267A (stamped), dwelling/family 221, Peter Germann; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Aug 2016); from FHL microfilm 552774, from NARA microfilm M593, roll 1275.

[3] 1880 U.S. Census, Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 148, p.304C, dwelling 59, family 60, Jacob B Germann; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Aug 2016); from FHL microfilm 1255073, from NARA microfilm T9, roll 1073.

[4] 1900 U.S. Census, Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 79, p.27A, dwelling 281, family 284, Jacob B Germann; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Aug 2016); from FHL microfilm 12411329, from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1329.

[5] 1910 U.S. Census, Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 90, p.16A, dwelling 281, family 290, Jacob Germann; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Aug 2016); from FHL microfilm 1375251, from NARA microfilm T624, roll 1238.

[6] 1920 U.S. Census, Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 122, p.9B, dwelling 201, family 215, Jacob B Germann; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 Aug 2016); from NARA microfilm T625, roll 1446.

[7] Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-2007, database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Aug 2016); from Ohio Division of Vital Statistics Death Certificates & Index 1908-1953, Series 3094, OHS, and ODH Index to Annual Deaths, 1958-2002, ODH, Columbus, OH.

[8] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 20 Aug 2016), Jacob B Germann, 4 Apr 1926; from Harrison, Van Wert, Oh, no. 28563; from FHL microfilm 1984303.

Aug 19

Christian Whiteman’s Articles of Agreement

It has been quite a while since I have worked on my own family genealogy, but this past week, after receiving an e-mail from someone whose research connected with the Christian Whiteman family, I am doing a little of my own family research again.

Christian Whiteman is my 5th great-grandfather and he served in the Revolutionary War. He was married twice and I descend from Mary, a daughter from his marriage to his second wife Hannah Huey.

Christian had two children from his first wife, believed to be Catherine Greiner:
Jacob (1795-1859), married Nancy A. (possibly Nancy A. Gallagher)
Sarah (1796-?), married Nathan Hughey/Huey

Christian and Hannah (Huey) had seven children:
James E. (1799-1873), married Mary North
Elizabeth (1800-1854), married Jacob Ekelberry
John (1803-?) married Sarah Smith
Mary (c1805-1855), married Isaac Huey
Christian (c1806-c1846), married Mary (Polly) Neigh
Henry (1809-1864), married Sarah Wilson
Anna (1811-1838), never married

While looking through some Whiteman records I have accumulated I noticed the copies of the Articles of Agreement that Christian Whiteman made in 1826 in Fairfield and Pickaway Counties in Ohio, a year before he died. Articles of Agreement are drawn up for two or more parties who agree on what is recorded. These are very interesting land deed records that contain some good family genealogical information.

Christian Whiteman did not leave a will. He didn’t have to. And he left enough records in the deed books that contain as much good information as a will would have. He divided his land among his children before he died and left these wonderful records in the process.

A few years ago I heard the late John Humphrey speak at an OGS conference about this same type of deed, used by his Wiedman ancestors in Berks County, Pennsylvania. They used these deeds to pass on their land to their children and as a way to support themselves their old age. I found this fascinating for several reasons. My ancestor Christian Whiteman also came from Berks County and I believe Wiedman is another spelling variation of Whiteman. Plus I had my own copies of Christian’s deed records, which sounded just like the ones John talked about, created by his family. John said these deeds were rather unusual and pretty much confined to that area of Pennsylvania. I asked John about the possibility that our Wiedman/Whiteman families might be connected but he did not seem to think so. But I still wonder… Christian Whiteman likely got this idea to divide and pass on his property because it was they way they did it back in Pennsylvania.

My ancestor Christian Whiteman purchased over 300 acres of land in Fairfield County, Ohio, during 1804-1805 [1] and he probably moved his family there soon afterward. Christian was among the taxpayers in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, in 1806. [2] In 1810 Christian paid the Fairfield County Resident Tax, which indicates he was living there at that time. He owned 315 acres of land in Section 30, Township 13 [Amanda Township] and his Resident Tax was $3.15. [3]

While in Fairfield and Pickaway Counties a few years ago I found at over 10 deeds that transferred land from Christian Whiteman to his children and provided for Christian and Hannah in their old age at the same time.

These Articles of Agreement, written and recorded in 1826, are land deeds made in agreement with their children who lived in Fairfield and Pickaway Counties, Ohio. In Fairfield County: to daughter Sarah (Whiteman) Hughey [Huey], 68 acres; to son Christian Whiteman Jr, 81 acres; to son-in-law Jacob Ekelberry [husband of Elizabeth nee Whiteman], 81 acres; to son John Whiteman, 92 acres; and to son-in-law Isaac Hughy [Huey], [husband of my ancestor Mary Whiteman], 81 acres. In Pickaway County: to son Jacob Whiteman, 83 acres; to son James Whiteman, 83 acres. [4]  

All of these Deeds of Agreement said the same thing: The Article of Agreement made between Christian Whiteman and Hannah his wife of Fairfield County, Ohio, and [name of specific child], for a specified piece of land, with the expressed agreement between both parties: that [name of Christian and Hannah’s child or son-in-law] “shall annually pay or cause to be paid unto the said Christian Whiteman and Hannah his wife during their natural life and the life of the survivor of them the sum of $12 and also pay or cause to be paid to his brother and sister Henry Whiteman and Anna Whiteman the sum of [specified amount] each to be paid when they become of age that is to say when the said Henry shall arrive to and be of the age of 21 and the said Anna at the age of 18, which is to be a lease on said land until paid as aforesaid…” [4]

Interesting stuff! I have also heard these documents referred to as Maintenance Deeds, because in return for Christian and Hannah giving the land to their children, each of their children was to give them $12/year as long as either of them survived. What a clever way of having security in your old age while at the same time passing land on to your children. Christian was one clever fellow.

And, since Christian and Hannah had two minor children [Henry and Anna] who did not receive land in these deeds, their older children were to give their two minor siblings a specified amount of money when they legally became adults. The sum of money to be given to Henry and Anna varied among the siblings: Sarah (Whiteman) Huey was to give siblings Henry and Anna $7.985/each; Christian Whiteman Jr was to give $29.46/each; Jacob Ekelberry was to give $29.46/each; John Whiteman was to give $48.845/each; Isaac Huey was to give $$29.46; Jacob Whiteman was to give $32.77/each; and James Whiteman was to give his sister Anna $32.75 by 18 July 1829 and his brother Henry $32.75 by 5 June 1830, the dates they came of age. [4] Christian specified the dates for James to pay Henry and Anna and with that information I can calculate their birth dates.

Married women could not own property back then, so one deed was made out to Christian’s son-in-law Jacob Ekelberry and another to son-in-law Isaac Huey. Single women could own property and since daughter Sarah’s deed was in her name it indicates her husband Nathan was deceased by 1826.

Relationships in the early 1800s can be difficult to prove. In an indirect way the agreement with Isaac Huey shows that Isaac’s wife Mary was the daughter of Christian and Hannah (Huey) Whiteman. I already had the marriage record of Isaac Huey and Mary Whiteman and the Article of Agreement says that Isaac was Christian’s son-in-law. I descend from daughter Mary (Whiteman) Huey, wife of Isaac. Mary and Isaac, along with some other members of Christian’s family, moved to Jay County, Indiana, a few years after Christian’s death.

Christian died the next year, on 23 December 1827. I suspect the he was in failing health when he had all those deeds written. Christian was buried on or near the family farm but was moved to Reber Hill Cemetery about 60 years later. Christian’s widow Hannah (Huey) Whiteman died in 1850 and is buried in Cheshire Cemetery, Delaware County, Ohio.

Yes! These deeds certainly contain a lot of very good information.

Thanks to Rene’ for sharing some very good Whiteman information with me and for getting me back into Whiteman research again.

 

[1] Tract Book and Entries, Congress Lands 22 Ranges and U.S. Military Lands, Vol. 1, Auditor of State [Ohio], LOV 230:476, 480, microfilm #GR8285, Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio.

[2] Esther Weygandt Powell, compiler, Early Ohio Tax Records (1971; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland : Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1985), 102.

[3] Resident Duplicate for Fairfield County, Ohio, 1910, microfilm #GR2343, p. 1, Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio.

[4] Whiteman Deeds, 26 May 1826, Fairfield County, Ohio, Recorder’s Office, Vol. P:85-90 and Whiteman Deeds, 10 June 1926, Pickaway County, Ohio, Recorder’s Office, Vol G: 206-8.