The McKelvey Family of Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County and Wheatfield Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania

While looking for the parents of Mary McKelvey, my third great grandmother, I accumulated a large amount of information on the McKelvey family that purchased property in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County and later moved into Wheatfield Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The progenitor of this family was James McKelvey who moved with his family to Westmoreland County prior to 1802 when he and his son, Joseph McKelvey, purchased 272 acres of land known as May hill from James McCurdy and Nancy his wife on 3 September 1802 for $1634. The deed states that James McKelvey and Joseph McKelvey of Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County were living on the land at the time they purchased it. (see Westmoreland County deed book 6:299). This family supposedly moved from Lancaster County but I can find no supporting documentation for this.

Joseph McKelvey of Wheatfield Township, Indiana County then sold the 272 acres of land in Fairfield County, Westmoreland County to his brother, William McKelvey on 28 September 1815 for $400. The deed states that this land was purchased from James McCurdy in 1802: "...this said purchase made by us was made by us with the intent and for the use of the family to which we were then attached, that is to say my Father, James McKelvey, my Mother, my brothers James, Samuel, William and Lewis and the consideration money given for the said parcel or piece of land was collected from and paid by the said persons of this family..." (see Westmoreland County deed book 23:502). 

The above deed names the sons of James McKelvey: Samuel, Joseph, James, William, and Lewis. James McKelvey, Sr. and James McKelvey, Jr. were living in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County in the 1810 census. Samuel McKelvey and Joseph McKelvey were living in Wheatfield Township, Indiana County in the 1810 census. Samuel McKelvey and Joseph McKelvey also appear in the early tax lists for Wheatfield Township in Indiana County. Joseph McKelvey died prior to 1818 since Joseph McKelvey's heirs are taxed for his land in 1818. William McKelvey appears in 1819 on the Wheatfield Township tax list and on the 1820 census for Wheatfield Township in Indiana County.

James McKelvey (Junior) and his wife Sarah sold 101 acres for $952.50 in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County to David Fellon on 6 November 1819 (see Westmoreland County deed 14:248-249). The deed states "This tract is part of a larger tract purchased by James and Joseph McKelvey from James McCurdy on 2 September 1802 and by deed of conveyance from Joseph McKelvey to William McKelvey dated 28 September 1815 and by deed of conveyance of release from William McKelvey and wife to James McKelvey dated 6 November 1819." James McKelvey married Sarah Lawson, a daughter of James Lawson (see Westmoreland County will book 2:128 for the will of James Lawson). James McKelvey appears in the 1820 and 1830 censuses in Toby Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania where David Lawson and John Lawson, two of his brothers-in-law, were also living. Mary McKelvey, James McKelvey's daughter, was living in Toby Township when she married Jacob Bash of Redbank Township, Armstrong County (The following  marriage notice appeared in the Kittanning Gazetter on 12 September 1827: Marriage...On the 23rd ult. by George Means, Esq., Mr. Jacob Bash, of Redbank Twp. to Miss Mary M'Celvy, of Toby Twp.).

Four of James McKelvey, Sr.'s  children married children of Ephraim Wallace: Samuel McKelvey married Ann Wallace, Joseph McKelvey married Sarah Wallace, William McKelvey married Margaret Wallace, and Jane McKelvey married Samuel Wallace (see Indiana County will book 1:56 for the will of Ephraim Wallace and the Genealogy of the Wallace Family). Ephraim McKelvey's will written in 1809 names his two sons-in-law, Samuel and Joseph McKelvey. According to Ephraim Wallace's will, Samuel McKelvey was already living on land in 1809 that Ephraim leaves to his three daughters. His daughter, Margaret, was single at the time his will was written.

Samuel McKelvey and Ann (Wallace) McKelvey (born 1782) had the following children: Jane McKelvey (1806-1892) married to James McKelvey (1806-1891), Mary McKelvey (born 1808) married to Samuel Moore, Ephraim McKelvey (1811-1871) married twice, Robert McKelvey, and Margaret Ellen McKelvey married to George Hopkins (see Indiana County OC 2-148 and Indiana County deeds 11:67 and 21:260). They also had a daughter Ann McKelvey (1812-1831) who is not named in the above records since she had already died.  Samuel McKelvey's daughter, Jane, married her first cousin, James McKelvey, a son of James McKelvey (Junior). There are no grave stones for Samuel and Ann (Wallace) McKelvey. Ann died about 1839. Samuel McKelvey does not appear in the 1840 census.

Joseph McKelvey (died before 1818) and Sarah (Wallace) (born 1782) McKelvey had a daughter that died young. Sarah Wallace and her first husband, John Skiles, had a son, Eprhraim Skiles (1802-1871).

William McKelvey (about 1777-1847) and Margaret (Wallace) McKelvey (1787-1853) had the following children: Jane (born about 1812) married to Archibald Devlin, Ephraim W. McKelvey (1813-1865) married three times, Ellen McKelvey (died 1899) married to William Tomb, Mary McKelvey (1818-1888) married to Peter Seib, Lewis McKelvey (1821-1849), Robert McKelvey (1825-1841), James McKelvey (1826-1848), and Sarah McKelvey (1828-1841). The names of William McKelvey's wife, Margaret, and their daughter Mary Seib, are on a large grave stone at the Armagh Old Presbyterian Cemetery, in Armagh, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The grave stones for William McKelvey and the last four children listed above are in front of the large grave stone for Margaret McKelvey and Mary Seib. Ellen Tomb's obituary states she was a daughter of William McKelvey. She and her husband are also buried at the Armagh Old Presbyterian Cemetery. E. W. (Ephraim W.) McKelvey is living with his mother, Margaret McKelvey, in the 1850 census.

Lewis McKelvey (born about 1780) does not appear in any early censuses but appears in deeds in Westmoreland County and later on in deeds in Indiana County. He appears in the 1850 census living in Wheatfield Township, Indiana County. He probably never married since he is single when he appears as a grantor in deeds.

Samuel Wallace (1784-1860) and Jane (McKelvey) Wallace (1782-1852) had the following children: Mary Wallace (born 1808) married William Liggett, Ephraim Wallace (born 1809) married Anne Graham, James McKelvey Wallace (1811-1881) married Ruth Graham, Jane McCullough Wallace (born 1814) married James Crawford, and Margaret M. Wallace (1817-1900).

If anyone is related to this family and has additional information, please contact me. I am willing to share whatever information I have on this family.

 

 

Some Information on the Daughters of Daniel McCoy and Their Spouses

The documented children of Daniel McCoy include Charles (1779-1829), Mary (1781-after 1854), Daniel (1788-1829), Joseph (1791-1866), and John (1799-1828). Other children of Daniel McCoy in undocumented online trees include John (1777-1793), Margaret (1785-1830) married to James McCain/McKean/McLean, William (1793-1813), and Nancy (1796-1825) married to Nicholas Jordan/Jordon/Gordon. Some of the following birth and death dates for the children of Daniel McCoy are from undocumented online trees. Since we know Daniel McCoy had a family Bible, I believe that the birth and death dates are from his missing family Bible.

 

Children of Daniel McCoy and Deborah Norris:

John born 21 December 1777-died 16 February 1793

Charles born 1 November 1779-died 16 September 1829

Mary born 4 November 1781-died after 1854

Margaret born 8 March 1785-died 29 June 1830 married to James McCain/McLean/McKean

Daniel born 20 June 1788-died 27 February 1829

Joseph born 10 January 1791-died 16 May 1866

William born 17 May 1793-died 23 June 1813

Nancy born 4 February 1796-died 23 October 1825 married to Nicholas Jordan/Jordon/Gordon

John born 12 June 1799-died 10 July 1828

 

The three daughters of Daniel McCoy were Mary, Margaret, and Nancy. Mary is the only daughter for which there is documentation. There is a baptismal record for her at St. Joseph’s Church in Philadelphia that gives her date of birth and her parent’s names. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia holds a box of papers for Augustus Drum who was an attorney from Greensburg, Pennsylvania and served one term in Congress (March, 1853-March, 1855).  There were two letters to Augustus Drum asking for his help since the surviving children of Daniel McCoy believed there was money owed to their deceased father from his Revolutionary War pension.  The first letter was from James McCreay, Shelocta, Indiana County, Pennsylvania and was dated 30 June 1854.  He stated in his letter that there were two surviving children of Daniel McCoy: his mother, Mary McCreay, and Joseph McCoy.  The letter also stated that there was a family Bible but no further information is available regarding it.

 

The other daughters of Daniel McCoy, Margaret and Nancy, are from undocumented family trees. However, there is indirect evidence to support the existence of these other daughters and their spouses.

 

Daniel McCoy was living in Armstrong Township, Westmoreland County in the 1800 census with the following household composition:

Free white males under 10-2 (William and John)
Free white males 10 thru 15-2 (Daniel and Joseph)
Free white males 16 thru 25-1 (Charles)
Free white males 45 and over-1(Daniel, Sr.)
Free white females under 10-2 ( Margaret and Nancy)
Free white females 10 thru 15-1 (Mary)
Free white females 45 and over-1(Deborah)

 

Daniel McCoy was living in Armstrong Township, Indiana County in the 1810 census with the following household composition:

Free white males 10 thru 15-1 (John)
Free white males 16 thru 25-3 (Daniel, Joseph, William)
Free white males 45 and over-1 (Daniel, Sr.)
Free white females 10 thru 15-1 (Nancy)
Free white females 16 thru 25-1 (Mary)
Free white females 45 and over-1 (Deborah)

 

Daniel McCoy was living in Plum Creek Township, Armstrong County in the 1820 census with the following household composition:

Free white males 45 and over-1
Free white females 45 and over=1
Number of persons engaged in manufactures-1

 

James McCain/McKean is living near Daniel McCoy or his children in the 1810 through the 1830 censuses.

Jas Kean was living in Armstrong Township, Indiana County in the 1810 census next to Daniel McCoy with the following household composition:
Free white males 26 thru 44-1
Free white females 16 thru 25-1

James McKean was living in Plum Creek Township, Armstrong County in the 1820 census where Daniel McCoy and his sons were living with the following household composition:
Free white males under 10-2
Free white males 45 and over-1

Free white females under 10-3
Free white females 26 thru 44-1
Number of persons engaged in agriculture-1

James McCain was living in Plum Creek Township, Armstrong County in the 1830 census near Nicholas Jordon/Gordon, Samuel McCreay, and Nancy McCoy (widow of Daniel McCoy, son of Daniel McCoy) with the following household composition:
Free white males 5 thru 9-2
Free white males 15 thru 19-2
Free white males 50 thru 59-1
Free white females under 5-1
Free white females 10 thru 14-2
Free white females 15 thru 19-1
Free white females 40 thru 49-1

Nicholas Jordin/Gordon was living in Plum Creek Township, Armstrong County in the 1820 census where Daniel McCoy and his sons were living with the following household composition:
Free white males 16 thru 25-1
Free white females 16 thru 25-1
Number of persons engaged in agriculture-1

Nicholas Jordon/Gordon was living in Plum Creek Township, Armstrong County in the 1830 census near where Samuel McCreay, James McCain, and Nancy McCoy, (widow of Daniel McCoy, son of Daniel McCoy) with the following household composition:
Free white males 5 thru 9-1
Free white males 30 thru 39-1
Free white females under 5-2
Free white females 5 thru 9-1
Free white females 30 thru 39-1

 

The History of Armstrong County Pennsylvania that was written in 1883 by Robert Walter Smith lists the following tracts to originally have been surveyed within Plum Creek Township: John Levyzy/ Livezey, seated by McCain and Jordon; and Bartholomew Mather, seated by Samuel McCray.  These two tracts were adjacent to each other.  The tract for John Livezey was warranted to him on 7 February 1776 and was patented to John Hacket (in trust) on 27 May 1816 for 324.40 acres.  The tract for Bartholomew Mather (known as Matherton) was warranted to him on 20 August 1776 and was patented to Mary and Joseph Paul on 17 May 1784 for 329.120 acres.  Both Bartholomew Mather and John Livezey were living inL Philadelphia County when they obtained the warrants. 

 

The warrantee map for Armstrong County on PA-Roots (pa-roots.com) shows the tracts in Armstrong County warranted by John Levyzy/Livezey, seated by McCain and Jordon, and Bartholomew Mather, seated by Samuel McCray. Seated indicates that they were living on the land and had improved it. The warrantee map also shows the tract warranted by Charles McCoy in Indiana County where Daniel McCoy and his son, Charles McCoy, were living after the death of the warrantee, Charles McCoy, about 1794-95 (see previous blog post, Relationship between Daniel McCoy and Charles McCoy). The above three tracts are within several miles of each other according to the scale used for the warrantee map.

 

The early censuses for Daniel McCoy, James McCain, and Nicholas Jordan as well as their close proximity to each other on the warrantee map for Armstrong County prove that Margaret and Nancy were daughters of Daniel McCoy.  

 

 

George "Big George" Helman of East Mahoning Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania

I have had two requests recently for information on George "Big George" Helman of East Mahoning Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. There was a blog post in February, 1816 on the "Two George Helmans of Indiana County, Pennsylvania." I had given information in that blog post on the George Helman who lived in Washington Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. These two men by the same name were first cousins.  Both were born in the 1780's in Franklin County, Pennsylvania to sons of George Sebastian Helman.  George Helman who eventually settled in East Mahoning Township,  Indiana County, Pennsylvania was a son of John Daniel Helman.  John Daniel Helman left Franklin County, Pennsylvania and moved to Somerset County, Pennsylvania where he was living in the 1810 census. 

George Helman who settled in Washington Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania was a son of George Sebastian Helman, Jr.  George Sebastian Helman, Jr. remained in Franklin County, Pennsylvania where he died in 1832.  Estate records in Franklin County, Pennsylvania give the names of his children.  Among them was the George Helman of Washington Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. See the previous blog post for more information about him. 

The George Helman who settled in East Mahoning Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania was known as "Big George" and his son was known as "Little George". George "Big George" was born from about 1780 to 1781 since he was 79 years old in the 1860 census. He was married twice but the name of his first wife is not known. The Helman family newsletter gives her name as Catherine Seese. However, the death certificate for George Helman's son, David, from his first marriage gives her name as Elizabeth Platz. To complicate matters, there is a baptismal record at the German Reformed Church in Stoyestown, Somerset County for a John Helman born in 1799 to George Helman and Susanna. Could this be the same George Helman? George Helman was living in Shade Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania in the 1830 census with his children but there is no adult female so his first wife must have died prior to 1830. The following children were born to George Helman and his first wife:

1.  Adam born 15 November 1812-died 31 January 1894 in Newberry Township, Miami County, Ohio married to Mary Fry

2.  Elizabeth born about 1818-died between 3 August 1850 and Janurary 1851 married to George Washington Shaffer

3.  George "Little George" born 11 May 1818-died 4 September 1905 in Shelby County, Ohio married to Eve Anna Shaffer 

 4.  David born September, 1820-died 23 May 1902 in Goshen, Elkhart County, Indiana married to Catherine Rarick

 5.  Catharine born estimated 1824 to 1825-died before 1878 married to Robert Beatty McMillen

George Helman had one female 5 thru 9 and one female 10 thru 14 in the 1830 census. George Sheaffer and Beaty McMillen were living next to each other in Plumcreek Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania in the 1840 census. George's wife Elizabeth was 20 to 29 years old in the 1840 census. Beatty's wife Catharine was 15 to 19 years old in the 1840 census. Therefore, Elizabeth was the oldest daughter and Catharine the youngest.

George Helman married Mary Miller sometime after 1830. She was born 5 May 1802 and died 10 March 1889. The following children were born to George Helman and Mary Miller. 

1.  Mary born May, 1835-died 5 September 1905 married to Daniel Repplogel, Irwin Cooper Brady, and Abraham Milliron 

2.  Josiah "Jesse" born 9 April 1837-died 11 September 1908 married to Ann Margaret Deijarmin

3.  Sally born about 1838-died after 1870

4.  Jane born about 1840

5.  John A. born 9 September 1844-died 20 August 1899 married to Martha J. Rowe

The death certificate for Josiah Helman gives his parent's names as George Helman and Mary Miller.

George Helman was living in Shade Township, Somerset County in the 1820 and 1830 censuses; Washington Township, Indiana County, in the 1840 census; and East Mahoning Township, Indiana County, in the 1850 and 1860 censuses. He died after 7 June 1864.

George Helman was in Indiana County by 1837 when he provides an affidavit for John Sell's application for a Revolutionary War pension. John Sell was married to Susannah Helman, the sister of Daniel Helman, George Hellman's father. Daniel Helman was married to Elizabeth Sell, a sister to John Sell. This affidavit helps to establish that he was a son of Daniel Helman although it does not give their relationship. John Sell's daughter, Magdalena, was married to Moses Miller.

There are four letters written during the Civil War from Daniel Helman and I. S. (Isaac S.) Helman, sons of Samuel Helman to their cousin, Josiah Helman, son of George Helman and Polly Miller. These letters help to prove that Samuel Helman and George Helman, sons of Daniel Helman, were brothers. The letters also mention Daniel Repplogel, husband of Mary Helman, a daughter of George Helman; Jacob Helman, a brother of Daniel and I. S. Helman, sons of Samuel Helman; and Amos Miller, related to them through their grandfather, John Daniel Helman, who married Elizabeth Sell, a brother of John Sell. The letter dated 7 June 1864 from Daniel Helman to Josiah Helman asks about "uncle" (Josiah's father, George Helman). This gives a date that George Helman was still living. The Civil War letters are available online at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania library in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

George Helman's son, Adam Helman, was a Church of the Brethren minister. Adam Helman performed the marriage ceremony for Mary Helman and Daniel Repplogel, according to his affidavit in the Civil War pension file for Mary Reploggel, widow of Daniel Repplogel. The affidavit helps to support the relationship between Adam Helman and Mary Repplogel since they were half siblings.

The book, Two Centuries of the Church of the Brethren in Western Pennsylvania 1751-1950 states that "among the first brethren to settle  here (Manor congregation in Indiana County at Purchase Line) were Christian Fry and wife, Barbara (Shultz); David Fyock and wife, Mary (Hoffman); Adam, George, and David Helman. They came from Shade Creek, Somerset County."  Adam, George (Liitle George), and David Helman were sons of George Helman (Big George) and his first wife. 

George Helman may have belonged to the Church of the Brethren as did his sons. There are no baptismal records for any of George Helman's children in the existing German church records in Somerset County. The only records he appears in are census records. There are no deeds for him in Somerset or Indiana Counties nor are there any probate records for him. There is no known tombstone for him. Family records state he died in 1865. We know he was still living in June, 1864 when the Civil War letter was written. Information given in the Helman family newsletter is supported by that given in census and the other records listed above.

If anyone has any other information regarding George "Big George" Helman, please contact me at fowler1947@gmail.com. I am always willing to share whatever information I have.

 

Who is the Father of Mary McKelvey, Wife of Jacob Bash?

My third great grandparents are Jacob Bash (1805-1863) and Mary McKelvey (1804-1886). I have been trying to determine the father of Mary McKelvey. Online trees give her father as William McKelvey or James McKelvey but do not give any further information. Some of the trees are obviously wrong.

 

I decided to try to identify the father of Mary McKelvey. Jacob and Mary Bash's daughter, Isabella, is living with James and Jane McElvy [McKelvey] in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio in the 1860 census. That seemed like a good place to start.

 

An Orphans Court record in Indiana County, Pennsylvania (book 2, page 240) lists the children of Samuel and Ann McKelvey as Jane McKelvey married to James McKelvey, Mary McKelvey married to Samuel Moore, Ephraim McKelvey, Robert McKelvey, and Margaret McKelvey. Samuel McKelvey married Ann Wallace, a daughter of Ephraim Wallace, who left his daughter Ann land that was to go to her children when she died (see Indiana County will book 1:56 for the will of Ephraim Wallace). After the death of Ann (Wallace) McKelvey, one son, Ephraim McKelvey, purchased his other siblings’ interest in the land (see Indiana County deed books 11:67 and 21:260 for deed releases). Three of the other siblings (Jane and James McKelvey, Mary and Samuel Moore, and Margaret Ellen McKelvey) were all living in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio when they sold their interest.

 

Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio, is where Isabella (Jacob and Mary Bash's daughter) was living with James and Jane McKelvey in the1860 census. James and Jane McKelvey, husband and wife, were listed as cousins in the 1880 census in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. Their son, James, was listed in the 1880 schedule for defective, dependent, and delinquent classes in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio since he was blind. The cause of his blindness was listed as his parents being cousins.

 

Now I had to find the father of Samuel McKelvey. Since Wheatfield Township in Indiana County was a part of Fairfield Township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, at one time, I looked at deeds in Westmoreland County for McKelvey families. There are numerous McKelvey families in this area of Westmoreland County but I got lucky. Samuel McKelvey was a son of James McKelvey (see Westmoreland County deed book 23:502-503). This deed names James McKelvey and his sons: Samuel, James, Lewis, Joseph, and William. James and Joseph McKelvey bought land from James McCurdy in 1802 in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County (see Westmoreland County deed book 6:299-300). 

 

Another Samuel McKelvey (perhaps a relative) bought land next to James and Joseph McKelvey from Cornelius Clawson (see Westmoreland County deed 7:537-538). This Samuel McKelvey died in 1816 in Westmoreland County and Lewis McKelvey, Andrew Boyer, and Anthony Ruff were named administrators of his estate. Lewis McKelvey brought suit in Indiana County regarding Samuel McKelvey's estate (see Indiana County deed book 8:569-570).

 

Several of the children of James McKelvey (Senior) married children of Ephraim Wallace (see Indiana County will book 1:56). They lived in Wheatfield Township in Indiana County near the Conemaugh River. Samuel McKelvey married Ann Wallace, Joseph McKelvey married Sarah Wallace, William McKelvey married Margaret Wallace, and Jane McKelvey married Samuel Wallace.

 

It was a process of elimination to determine the father of Mary McKelvey, wife of Jacob Bash. The sons of James McKelvey (Senior) mentioned in Westmoreland County deed 23:502-503 were Samuel, James, Lewis, Joseph, and William. Lewis McKelvey never married since he is single when he appears as a grantor in deeds.  Joseph McKelvey's only child died young. All the children of Samuel McKelvey are mentioned in the Indiana County Orphans Court record 2:240.

 

William McKelvey had the following children: Jane married to Archibald Devlin, Ephraim W. McKelvey, Ellen married to William Tomb, Mary McKelvey married to Peter Seib, Lewis McKelvey (died 1849), Robert McKelvey (died 1841), James McKelvey (died 1848), and Sarah McKelvey (died 1841). The names of William McKelvey's wife, Margaret, and their daughter Mary Seib, are on a large grave stone at the Armagh Old Presbyterian Cemetery, in Armagh, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The grave stones for William McKelvey and the last four children listed above are in front of the large grave stone for Margaret McKelvey and Mary Seib. Ellen Tomb's obituary states she was a daughter of William McKelvey. She and her husband are also buried at the Armagh Old Presbyterian Cemetery. E. W. (Ephraim W.) McKelvey is living with his mother, Margaret McKelvey, in the 1850 census.

 

Westmoreland County deed 23:502-503 names James McKelvey (Senior) and his sons: Samuel, James, Lewis, Joseph, and William. The only son who is unaccounted for in later records is James McKelvey (Junior). He and his wife appear in the following deed in Fairfield Township in Westmoreland County in 1819 (see Westmoreland County deed 14:248). James McKelvey and his wife Sarah sold 101 acres for $952.50 in Fairfield Township to David Fallon on 6 November 1819. The deed states "This tract is part of a larger tract purchased by James and Joseph McKelvey from James McCurdy on 2 September 1802 and by deed of conveyance from Joseph McKelvey to William McKelvey dated 28 September 1815 and by deed of conveyance of release from William McKelvey and wife to James McKelvey dated 6 November 1819."

 

There is no deed or will naming the children of James McKelvey (Junior). I believe two of his children are James McKelvey (the husband of Jane McKelvey, a daughter of Samuel and Ann McKelvey) and Mary McKelvey (the wife of Jacob Bash). Remember that Jacob and Mary Bash's daughter, Isabella was living with James and Jane McKelvey in the 1860 census. James and Jane McKelvey were cousins according in the 1880 census and schedule for their son James McKelvey. Jane McKelvey's father was Samuel McKelvey. Her husband and cousin, James McKelvey, is not a son of Joseph, Lewis, Samuel, or William. Therefore, he must be a son of James McKelvey (Junior). Also, Jacob Bash and Mary McKelvey named their oldest son, James Madison McKelvey.

I have deeds, estate records, censuses. county and family histories, newspaper articles, and cemetery records for this McKelvey family. I have much information on this family which is too extensive to include here. If anyone would like further information on this family, please contact me at fowler1947@gmail.com

Relationship between Daniel McCoy and Charles McCoy

Daniel McCoy was taxed on 150 acres of land in Armstrong Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania from 1808 to 1816. The tax lists indicate the title to the land was by warrant but it does not say to whom it was warranted.  There is no record of Daniel McCoy taking out a warrant for land in Westmoreland or Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The tax records begin in 1808 but give total valuation of the property he was taxed on in 1805 and 1807.  His property was valued at $356 in 1805 and at $364 in 1807.  He was taxed on 150 acres of land between 1808 and 1816 but the number of horses and cows he was taxed on varied from year to year but was never more than a couple of horses or cows.

According to a biographical article on Benjamin Walker in the 1880 History of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, a Charles McCoy was killed in 1795.  "There is an apple tree standing in his (Benjamin Walker's) garden, twelve feet and eight inches in circumference. It was planted in 1786 by Charles McCoy, who was killed by the Indians in 1795, and is still bearing fruit."  Stewart's History of Indiana County, Pennsylvania relates that Charles McCoy, a single man, was killed by the Indians in the spring of 1794 while accompanying Andrew Sharp and others on the Kiskiminetas River on their way to Kentucky. "When all his (Andrew Sharp's) arrangements had been completed, he placed his family and effects in his boat, and on the 30th of May, 1794, launched it on the waters of Black Lick, at Campbells mill, and bid adieu to his friends and neighbors who had assembled to witness his departure. He was joined by Taylor and Connor with their families, and Charles McCoy, a single man. They reached a point on the Kiskiminetas near the mouth of the Roaring Run before sunset. The boat was fastened to the shore, and some horses on board were taken out; while these were being tied to trees by their halters the men were fired upon by a band of Indians, who had been lying in wait with fifteen yards of the landing. Taylor escaped unharmed; but McCoy and Connor's son were killed and Connor and Sharp severely wounded, the latter having received a ball in his left side and another through his body, and had his right eyebrow carried away." Letters of administration were filed for Charles McCoy by Daniel McCoy on 12 December 1796 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.  The bondsmen were Absolum [Absalom] Woodward and Alexander Black.

Charles McCoy took out a warrant for 200 acres on the 11 August 1786 and it was surveyed to Charles McCoy on 24 August 1787 for 315 acres. It was "situate on the north side of the Conemaugh including his improvement and a white oak tree marked CM at the head of a spring in Westmoreland County." Alexander Sharp, John Barr, George Keihmell [Kimmell], John Latta, Alexander McCausland, and John Findlay's land adjoined Charles McCoy's land. A later survey dated 10 May 1828 stated the land is now in the occupancy of Benjamin Walker and Thomas and Joseph Benkley [Buckley]. The land was patented on 9 January 1817 by Absalom Woodward.

There are two deeds at the Indiana County Courthouse in Indiana, Pennsylvania regarding this land.  The first is from Absolom Woodward to Benjamin Walker and the second is from Absolom Woodward to Thomas Buckley and James Buckley, administrators of John Buckley deceased. Both are dated 6 July 1818 and state that it was part of the tract of land warranted to Charles McCoy on 11 August 1786 and surveyed on 24 August 1787 for 315 acres. Both deeds state  that Charles McCoy by deed dated 2 April 1816 sold the tract of land to Absalom Woodward.

There is a Charles McCoy living in Armstrong Township in Indiana County, Pennsylvania near Daniel McCoy in 1810 that is probably his son with the following household composition:

Free white males 26 thru 44-1
Free white females under 10-1
Free white females 26 thru 44-1

The 1810 tax records for Armstrong Township in Indiana County show that  Daniel McCoy was taxed on 150 acres of land and Charles McCoy 165 acres of land. The amount of acres that Daniel and Charles McCoy are taxed on is 315 acres, the same amount of land that was surveyed for Charles McCoy in 1787. The two Indiana County Histories both state that Charles McCoy was killed by the Indians about 1794 or 1795. Daniel McCoy applies to be administrator for him on 12 December 1796. Absalom Woodward to whom the land was patented in 1817 was one of the sureties. There are no deeds in Westmoreland or Indiana Counties showing Daniel McCoy selling this land as the administrator of Charles McCoy. Absalom Woodward and Isabella his wife sell 153 acres of this land in 1818 to Benjamin Walker for $800. Absalom also sells 100 acres to Thomas and James Buckley, administrators of John Buckley, for $620. Benjmain Walker and Thomas Buckley  are mentioned as residing on this property in a survey of this land done in 1828. The only conclusion that can be reached is that Daniel McCoy as administrator for Charles McCoy did not sell Charles'  land but lived on it himself with his son Charles McCoy. This is  based on the amount of acreage in the tax records. The Charles McCoy who later sells the land to Absalom Woodward is not the Charles McCoy killed by the indians prior to 1796 but the son of Daniel McCoy who had the same name.

According to a biographical sketch for his grandson, Church Smith McCoy, in the Indiana County History by Arms and White, Daniel McCoy was "an early settler on Crooked Creek" and "at one time resided on what is now the Benjamin Walker farm.

The relationship of Daniel McCoy and Charles McCoy for whom he was administrator is not known but they may have been brothers. Charles McCoy was single and probably young if he was making a trip down the river to go to Kentucky.

Samuel and Mary Helman of Indiana County, Pennsylvania-Two Couples with the Same Names

When I am working on a surname, I do the siblings of my ancestors as well as their descendants for one or two generations.  I find that I tend to spend more time on a person when there is a story waiting to be told.  Such was the case when I started to look at Mary Ann Shaffer, a daughter of George Washington Shaffer and his first wife, Elizabeth Helman.  Elizabeth Helman was a daughter of George "Big George" Helman who lived in East Mahoning Township in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.

Mary Ann Shaffer married Washington Wilhelm who died in 1871.  She then appears in the 1880 census as the wife of Samuel Helman who is 62 years old.  This is where it gets interesting.  An article in The Indiana Progress dated 14 September 1892 states "Mary Ann Wilhelm, by her next friend [her son-in-law], John A. Bothel, vs Samuel Helman; divorce proceedings.  The parties were duly married and after living together for several years in White twp., the petitioner discovered her husband had another and former wife still living.  They then separated, and now she wants a legal decree of separation."  An article in The Indiana Weekly Messenger on the same date states ..."divorce decreed."  Why did she wait until 1892 to ask for a divorce when she was married to Samuel Helman prior to 1880?  Since her son-in-law was acting for her in the divorce, her children may have wanted her to get a divorce.  I believe that the Samuel Helman who married Mary Ann Shaffer was the Samuel Helman married to Sarah Custer.  This Samuel Helman was a son of Daniel Helman, Jr.  Samuel Helman was born in 1814 and died in 1898 according to his tombstone at the McGregor Cemetery in Somerset County.

While looking for newspapers articles on Mary Ann Shaffer who married Samuel Helman, I came across newspaper articles dated June, 1890 and June, 1891 for a Mary A. Helman who divorced Samuel J. Helman since he deserted her.  He then moved to Cambria County where he had another wife and family.  Now I was really confused.  It appeared there was another Samuel Helman married to a Mary.  I knew that Samuel J. Helman was a son of John Helman and Martha Layton.  John Helman was a son of John Daniel Helman who moved to Somerset County after 1800 from Franklin County.  I knew that Samuel J. Helman had married Sarah Ann Jones about 1872 and that they lived in Adams Township, Cambria County in the 1900 census.  Was Samuel J. Helman married to a Mary A. before he married Sarah Ann Jones?  According an article in The Indiana Gazette dated 10 June 1891, "Mary A. Helman sued Samuel J. Helman on the ground of desertion.  The parties to this suit were married in White township, during the time of the war.  In 1871 they moved to near Johnstown, in Cambria county, and lived there about six months.  On their way back to Indiana county, the husband started back to attend to something he had neglected.  The wife and family came on to Indiana county.  Mr. Helman never made his appearance again, having left the country with another woman, and, according to the testimony, he is now a resident of Cambria county and has a family over there.  Divorce granted."  Samuel Hellman was living in Rayne Township, Indiana County in the 1870 census with Mary and three daughters.  Mary A. Helman married John F. Piper in Reynoldsville, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania on 18 June 1891.  This must be why she filed for divorce in 1890 after all those years since Samuel J. Helman deserted her in 1871.  She wanted to get married again.  Her marriage license application gave her parents' names as Peter and Sarah Menges.  She died in 1897 in Jefferson County where she is buried.  

Many times I find that trees on Ancestry.com confuse people with the same name in the same area.  It is important to find out all you can about each person with the same name to help you place someone with the same name into the right family.  That is where doing extended research rather than just ancestor research helps.  It also uncovers buried family stories.  I will be going to the National Archives in August and will request Washington Wilhelm's and Samuel J. Helman's Civil War pension files to see they give any more information.  Also, I will request the divorce files from the Prothonotary's Office in Indiana County, Pennsylvania the next time I am there.

Alexander Barr ( before 1752-1785) of Derry Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Alexander Barr was the father of Jane Barr.  Jane Barr was the mother of Elizabeth Fulton. (see previous blog post "Who was the father of Elizabeth Fulton dated April 14, 2020 for background). When the State of Pennsylvania opened Westmoreland County for settlement, Alexander Barr took out a warrant on 3 April 1769 for 300 acres of land that was located in Derry Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The land (called Barr's Choice) was surveyed on 10 June 1769 and contained 351 acres (see New Purchase Register, number 1630, Alex'r Barr) that is available on the Pennsylvania State Archives website (http://www.phmc.state.pa.us). The survey is also available online at this website.

Alexander Barr was taxed as a single man in 1773 in Armstrong Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (see Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Volume XXII, pages 21-22). The Pennsylvania Archives are available for free on Fold3.com. Since Alexander had to be at least 21 to be taxed, he was born before 1752. His father was Thomas and Jennet Barr from Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The Barr family will be discussed in a future blog post.

Alexander Barr was in the Westmoreland County militia from 1776 to 1778. He was a captain in September, 1776 in the Westmoreland County militia according to the declaration in Martin Funk's Revolutionary War pension application and was a major in December, 1776 according to Martin Funk's and Adam Maxwell's Revolutionary War pension applications. Colonel Alexander Barr commanded a detachment of Westmoreland County militia that was ordered by Brigadier General Edward Hand on an expedition to the "Indian Country" from 10 February 1778 to 12 March 1778 during the Revolutionary War. The payroll signed by Colonel Alexander Barr is available on Fold3. The published Pennsylvania Archives, Series 6, Volume II, pages 299-310 gives the officers of the Westmoreland County Militia for 1777 and 1778. Alexander Barr is the colonel of the First Battalion of the Westmoreland County Militia. Alexander does not appear in any Westmoreland County records again until 1783 when he was taxed in Westmoreland County on 300 acres, two horses, and two cows (see Pennsylvania tax and exoneration lists for Westmoreland County on Ancesty). He was also elected a commissioner in 1783 in Westmoreland County. He was a signer on an indenture as one of the judges for the elections in 1784 in Hannastown, Westmoreland County. 

Alexander Barr was in what later became Jefferson County, Kentucky, in the spring of1779. James Welch, his brother-in-law, gave a deposition on 11 February 1804 in Jefferson County, Kentucky in a land dispute that stated "about the last of April or the first of May, 1779, he in company with James Guthrie, Alexander Barr, ...set out from the Falls of Ohio to make improvements...Further, that at the time of building the aforesaid cabin at this place, he saw the letters a. b. marked on the aforesaid oak by Alexander Barr..." James Guthrie, a brother-in law of Alexander Barr's wife, gave a similiar deposition naming Alexander Barr also. Alexander Barr, James Guthrie, and James Welch were also listed as members of Captain William Harrod's Company in 1780 at the Stations near the Falls that are now Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

A biographical sketch of Rev. Thomas Barr, Alexander Barr's son, (see The Plan of Union or A History of the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches of the Western Reserve by William S. Kennnedy, pages 41-54, biography of Rev. Thomas Barr based on his autobiography) states "When about two or three years old, his father, Colonel Barr, was called to serve in the Revolutionary struggle, and took his family to his wife's father's [place], near Fort Loudon, Franklin County." An Alexander Barr is taxed in Cumberland County (later Franklin County) from 1778 to 1782 but it is not known if this is the same Alexander Barr. Alexander Barr is not in any records from 1779 to 1782 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

According to the biography of Rev. Thomas Barr, Alexander Barr was killed in 1785 near Wheeeling, Ohio Country, Virginia (now West Virginia) by the Indians while on an expedition down the Ohio River with Richard Wallace (see The Plan of Union referred to above). Alexander Barr died sometime prior to 2 November 1785 when his wife, Margaret Barr, and others were appointed administators of his estate.

Alexander Barr married Margaret Welch/Welsh. Her parents were John and Susanna Welch/Welsh, also from Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Her family will also be discussed in a future blog post. Margaret Barr was listed as widow Barr on the tax and exoneration list in 1786, and was listed as Margaret Barr on the tax and exoneration list in 1787, 1788, and 1789 in Derry Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. She married Uriah Matson after Alexander Barr's death, probably about 1790 since she does not appear in the 1790 census.  She died 3 September 1812 according to her tombstone in the Old Salem Church Cemetery, aged 58 years. She was born from 1753 to 1754 according to her tombstone.  She and Uriah Matson had the following children:  Samuel (eldest son); Margaret married John Peoples, Ohio; Uriah; Mary married John Robison; Joseph; Rebecca married Hugh Robison (Petition Docket 5:307). Uriah Matson died 5 June 1826 and is also buried in the Old Salem Church Cemetery. After his wife Margaret's death, Uriah Matson married Rebecca Sterling Robison (a widow of William Robison). Two of their children married two of Uriah and Margaret's children.

Thomas Barr petitioned the Orphans Court in 1799 to partition/value two tracts of land of Alexander Barr (Partition Docket 3:404). The petition names the widow, Margaret, and four children, three of whom are minors, John, Jennet, and Susannah.  Jennet was also known as Jane and was born about 1784 since she was 76 in the 1850 census.  John and Susannah were born after 1778 and before Alexander Barr's death in 1785 since they were were minors and under 21 in 1799 when the petition was filed.

Each of Alexander Barr's children received a portion of his land. The following distribution is for the larger tract. His son Thomas received 207 acres. He received a double portion as the eldest son. It was surveyed for him on 23 April 1799 and patented on 4 February 1806 to Uriah Matson, Thomas' stepfather. Alexander's son John received a patent for 87 acres on 4 February 1806.  His daughter Jane and her husband, Robert Thompson, received 107 acres.  It was surveyed on 16 March 1833 and patented on 10 April 1834.  8 1/2 acres was surveyed on 23 April 1799 and patented on 29 December 1808 to John Craig and his wife Susanna. 

The original survey on 10 June 1769 was for 351 acres but Alexander owned two tracts of land according to the petition, one for 350 acres and another for 110 acres. A warrant for the 110 acre tract was granted on 12 September 1787 to William Guthrie and John Pumroy in trust for the heirs of Alexander Barr (no. 111, Westmoreland County, Derry Township). It was surveyed on 4 June 1789 for William Guthrie and John Pumroy in trust for the heirs of Alexander Barr for 111 1/2 acres. A patent was granted to them on 1 February 1806 for 16 acres after it was surveyed. They transferred this land to John Barr on 30 November 1806. A patent was granted to John Craig and Susannah his wife for 95 acres on 29 December 1808. The final distribution to Alexander Barr's children was about 520 acres.

More information is available on Alexander Barr and others near him in Derry Township if anyone is interested. Some of this information may be included in future blog posts.