James Lawson of Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and His Family

A previous blog post gave information on which James Lawson in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania was my ancestor. Although James purchased land with John Alexander in Fairfield Township in 1788, James may not have settled here with his family until later. James Lawson's naturalization dated 20 June 1805 states he was living here prior to 29 January 1795. His youngest son Hugh Lawson was born about 1792 and his birth place is listed as Ireland in the 1850 through the 1870 censuses. Family information states that they were from County Donegal in Northern Ireland and that James Lawson was born in 1747. 

James Lawson wrote his will on 18 February 1825 and named his sons, Joseph and Hugh, as his executors. It was probated in Westmoreland County on 12 April 1825. He names his wife Sarah and the following children in his will: Thomas, deceased, Robert, William, David, John, Catharine Clifford, Jane Snodgrass, Sarah McKelvey, Elizabeth Smiley as well as Joseph and Hugh to whom he leaves his land. He does not have a tombstone but his wife Sarah's tombstone gives her name as Sarah Fleming Lawson (1751-1839). She is buried in Lawsonham Cemetery in Clarion County, Pennsylvania where her sons David and Robert are buried. 

James and Sarah Lawson had the following children: 

1. Thomas Lawson (b. about 1775–1776, d. 1819) married to 1) ?Clarke (1 son) and 2) Esther Moore (5 children). Lived in Westmoreland, Indiana, and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. 

2. Robert Lawson (b. est. 1775–1784, d. aft. 18 Apr 1825) was a teacher near Lawsonham in Armstrong County (now Clarion County), Pennsylvania. 

3. William Lawson (b. est. 1775–1784, d. 1826) married Mary Johnston. Lived in Westmoreland and Indiana Counties, Pennsylvania. They had 3 known children, but early censuses indicate they had additional children. 

4. David Lawson (b. 1777, d. 1839) married Isabella Dickey (11 children). Lived in Westmoreland and Armstrong Counties, Pennsylvania. He served in the Pennsylvania State Legislature and worked as a land agent selling property. 

5. Catharine Lawson (b. about 1780, d. 1855) married Thomas Clifford (10 children). Lived in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. 

6. Jane Lawson (b. about 1781–1782, d. 1865) married Joseph Snodgrass (8 children). Lived in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. 

7. John Lawson (b. 1786, d. 1854) married Elizabeth Stewart. Lived in Westmoreland and Armstrong Counties, Pennsylvania, and Decatur County, Indiana. They had 4 known children, but early censuses indicate they had additional children. 

8. Joseph Lawson (b. 1787, d. 1872) married Rebecca McLaughlin (8 children). Lived in Westmoreland, Indiana, and Armstrong Counties, Pennsylvania. 

9. Sarah Lawson (b. about 1787, d. aft. 1850) married James McKelvey. Lived in Westmoreland and Armstrong Counties, Pennsylvania, and Fountain County, Indiana. They had 9 known children, but early censuses indicate they had additional children. 

10. Elizabeth Lawson (b. est. 1785–1790, d. unknown) married William Smiley. No further information is available.

11. Hugh Lawson (b. about 1792, d. 1872) married Nancy Murphy (10 children). Lived in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania; Decatur County, Indiana; and Keokuk County, Iowa. 

I recently returned from a trip to Pennsylvania where I obtained naturalization records for James Lawson and two of his sons at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Naturalization at that time was a two step process requiring applicants to file a declaration of their intent to become a citizen before applying for final naturalization. Aliens residing in the United States before 29 January 1795 were able to naturalize without a declaration under early naturalization laws. James and his sons were able to naturalize under this exemption. James' wife as well as his children that were under 21 became citizens as a result of his naturalization. All of his sons over 21 were naturalized in Westmoreland County except for Robert. James Lawson was naturalized on 20 June 1805, William on 2 May 1798, David on 22 September 1802, and Thomas on 20 March 1804. 

The above is a brief summarization of my research on this family. Please contact me at fowler 1947@gmail.com if you would like more information or if you have any information to share.

Which James Lawson of Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Was My Ancestor?

There were two James Lawsons living in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. One had a wife Isabella and was in the Revolutionary War, for which he received a pension. According to his pension, he was living in York County, Pennsylvania at the time he enlisted in 1776 in the Revolutionary War. There are three grantor deeds in Westmoreland County in which James Lawson and his wife Isabella sell property (see Westmoreland County deeds 1:410,1:492, and 2:35). He was living in Mount Pleasnt Township in Westmoreland County on 8 June 1788 and in Fairfield Township by 8 March 1793. This James Lawson appears in the 1798 direct tax and in the 1800, 1810, and 1820 censuses for Fairfield Township in Westmoreland County as Captain James Lawson. 

A James Lawson received a warrant for 300 acres in Fairfield Towship, Westmoreland County dated 9 March 1789 and patented it on 25 July 1817 for 330 acres and 134 perches.  He sold it to Alexander Love about 1817 according to the deed from Samuel Guthrie to Alexander Love dated 1821 (see Westmoreland County deed 15:69). The description of the land in deed 15:69 and for the survey that was completed after he obtained the warrant (see survey 131-31 online at the Pennsylvania Archives) said it adjoined land of Edward Halferty. The land taxed to Captain James Lawson in the 1798 direct tax also said that his land adjoined that of Edward Halferty. The James Lawson that patented 330 acres and 134 perches on 25 July 1817 is the same person as Captain James Lawson based on this. The published Pennsylvania Archives list members of Captain James Lawson's Pennsylvania Militia in 1794 (see Series 6, Volume 5, pages 781 and 785). This is believed to be him.

The other James Lawson living in Fairfield Township, who is my ancestor, died in 1825, and left a will naming his wife Sarah and his children. He and John Alexander received a warrant dated 7 Feburary 1788, for 400 acres that was surveyed on 10 December 1788 for 302 acres and 54 perches. It was patented on 17 February 1806 by James Lawson and his son, Thomas Lawson. James Lawson and Sarah his wife and Thomas Lawson sold 206 acres for $826 to Harry Tolbot on 5 May 1806 and 123 acres for $246 to Joseph Snodgrass on 15 July1807 (see Westmoreland County deeds 7:666 and 11:371). Joseph Snodgrass was the husband of Jane Snodgrass, a daughter of James Lawson. The above survey for 400 acres adjoined Nicholas Lute as did the 1798 direct tax for 400 acres owned by James Lawson and Co.

Samuel Findley and Mary his wife sold 303 acres and 51 perches (for 106 pounds, 11 shillings, and nine pence) to James Lawson on 6 January 1795 (see Westmoreland County deed 2:387). Samuel Findley received a warrant for 300 acres dated 20 December 1786 that was surveyed on 22 November 1787 for 303 acres and 51 perches (see survey A60-61 online at the Pennsylvania Archives).. It was patented on 7 September 1791 to Samuel Findley. James Lawson left this property to his two youngest sons, Joseph and Hugh, and his grandson, James Barber Lawson, in his will. His sons and grandson sold this property after his death.The above Westmoreland County deed (2:387) adjoined that of of James Updegraff as did the 1798 direct tax for James Lawson, Jr.

James Lawson wrote his will on 18 February 1825 and named his sons, Joseph and Hugh, as executors. The witnesses to his will were Thos Pollock and Charles Clifford. It was probated in Westmoreland County on 12 April 1825. He leaves 150 acres to his son Joseph Lawson and 30 acres to James Barber Lawson, the reputed natural son of his son, Hugh Lawson. He leaves the remainder of his land to his son, Hugh Lawson. He specifies in his will the items that his sons, Joseph and Hugh, are to provide for their mother who can live with one of them. His son, Robert, is to receive his wearing apparel. He leaves two dollars to each of his other children: the representatives of Thomas, deceased; Robert; William; David; John; Catharine Clifford; Jane Snodgrass; Sarah McKelvey (my ancestor); and Elizabeth Smiley. See the two previous blog posts for more information on Sarah who married James McKelvey (Junior): "Who is the Father of Mary McKelvey, Wife of Jacob Bash?" and "The McKelvey Family of Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County, and Wheatfield Township, Indiana County".

Joseph Lawson sold 25 acres for $214 to John Ramsey on 9 March 1828 (see Westmoreland County deed 17:199). Joseph Lawson and Rebekah his wife sold 125 acres for $600 to Henry Noble on 20 April 1832 (see Westmoreland County deed 20-191). Hugh Lawson and Agness his wife sold 182 acres for $2,184 on 22 July 1837 to Charles Ramsey (see Westmoreland County deed 23:304). James Barber Lawson, the son of Hugh Lawson, sold 30 acres for $360 to Charles Ramsey on 13 August 1844 (see Westmoreland County deed 27:473). This 30 acres was included in the 182 acres his father had previously sold to Charles Ramsey.

James Lawson had two grandsons named James Barber/Barbour Lawson. Hugh Lawson, named a son, James Barber Lawson and David Lawson, named a son, James Barbour Lawson. Online family trees give James Lawson name as James Barbour Lawson. The tombstone for James Lawson's son, Robert, states he  is a son of J. B. and S. F. Lawson. He appears as James Lawson in deeds and signs his will as James Lawson. 

Online family trees show that James Lawson with wife Sarah is a son of Captain James Lawson and Isabella with both James Lawsons being named James Barbour Lawson. This is incorrect since there is no evidence that the two James Lawsons living in Fairfield Township in the early 1800's were related. 

George Platz, A Revolutionary War Veteran, and the Father of Elizabeth Platz, First Wife of George Helman, known as "Big George"

George Platz applied for a Revolutionary War pension on 6 September 1832, when he was 69 years old and living in Allegheny Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. According to his pension papers (S23845), he enlisted in August, 1781 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania as a drummer under Captain Patten in the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment and after seven months was then transferred to Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he was a drummer at the Carlisle barracks under Fife Major Stacke until the end of the war. Seven years after the war he moved to York County where he lived for twelve years before moving to Somerset County.  

George was born about 1763 according to his pension papers and died on 15 May 1843 according to the pension ledger on Ancestry.com. The 1840 census for Allegheny Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania gives his age as 75 years making him born about 1765. He moved to Holmes County, Ohio after 1840 where some of his children lived. He names his wife Rachel and the following children in his will that was written on 14 November 1842 and probated on 20 May 1843 in Holmes County, Ohio: Daniel, Elizabeth, David, Polly [Mary], Nancy, Lyde [Lydia]. Peter, George, Jacob, John, Joseph, Delila, and William. 

The Chancery Court Records for Holmes County, Ohio on Family Search (see previous blog post) list his children, the husbands of his married daughters, and the children of his daughter, Elizabeth Helman, who was deceased. They also give the known county of residence for most of his children. The Helman grandchildren were living in Pennsylvania. 

There are baptismal records for some of George's children. His first wife was Catharine or Catharina according to the baptismal records for an unnamed daughter born in 1794, his son, David, born in 1795, and his daughter, Maria, born in 1798, all born in York County, Pennsylvania. His second wife was Maria according to the baptismal records for his sons, John and Joseph, born in 1814 and 1815, both of whom were born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The baptismal record for his daughter, Delila, born in 1819 in Somerset County lists his wife as Catharina. 

There is a will for Barbara Rough dated 1835 that names her six Knop children from a previous marriage, one of whom was her daughter, Catherine, deceased, married to George Platz. The problem is which wife is this Catherine. 

John Knab and Anna Barbara had a daughter, Maria Catharine, baptized at Christ Lutheran Church in York County, in 1785. John Knob died intestate in Somerset County in 1803 where Barbara was named administratrix of his estate. She married George Rough after John Knob's death. She names her six children in her will in 1835, one of whom is her daughter, Catherine, deceased, married to George Platz.

Since Maria Catharine was born in 1785, she would have been too young to be the mother of George Platz' older children since his eldest son, Daniel, was born in 1790. Maria Catharine, born in 1785, is George Platz' second wife and the mother of his younger children.

William Platz was the youngest son of George Platz. A SAR application for a descendant of George Platz contains names and birth dates for his children from the George Platz Bible that was in the possession of William Platz.

According to A History of the Platz, Mitten and Related Families by Gayle Platz, the fly leaf of the old German Hymn Book that belonged to George Platz contained a list of the names and birth dates of his children. The above book contains an exact transcription of the page from the hymn book.

I contacted a descendant of William Platz who was not aware of any family Bible. He was aware of the hymn book but did not know if it was still in existence.

Since there are some differences between baptismal records, the family Bible, and the hymn book, I am including the names of George's children and their birth dates with the birth date from the baptismal record being used if there is one.

Daniel born December, 1790 married Nancy Troyer

Elizabeth born 25 February 1793 married George Helman

David born 24 December 1795 married twice

Mary "Polly" born 22 October 1798

Nancy born 23 April 1800 married Adam Hoop

Lydia born 27 March 1803 married Jacob Willaman

Peter born 19 April 1805 married Mary Deeter

George born 16 April 1807 married twice

Jacob born 16 April 1810 married twice

The above children were born to George's first wife, Catharine.

John born 2 November 1814 married Julia Ann Shaffer

Joseph born 1 November 1815 married twice

Delila born 1 September 1819 married three times

William born 24 April 1823 Elizabeth Ellen Mitten

Sally born 16 May 1825 and died 5 June 1828

John and Joseph's mother was Maria according to their baptismal records. Delila's mother was Catharina according to her baptismal record. George Platz was married to Catherine Knop, a daughter of John Knop and Anna Barbara. They had a daughter, Maria Catharine, born 6 February 1785, She is believed to be the Maria, mother of John and Joseph, and Catharina, mother of Delila. 

George Platz' third wife was Rachel whom he names in his will. He also names his step daughter, Mary Ann Shafer, in his will. Rachel was married to a Shaffer prior to her marriage to George Platz. 

I have spent months researching George Platz and his children. The information given here is only some of what I have on this family. I will share whatever I have with anyone that is interested. If anyone has any information on George Platz' family Bible or or hymn book, I would love to hear from you.

 

 

 

 

  

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

I had never been able to determine who the first wife of "Big George" Helman was since the Helman newsletter gave her name as Catherine Seese. The death certificate for David Helman, George Helman's son, gave his parents' names as George Helman and Elizabeth Platz. (see previous blog post for George "Big George" Helman of East Mahoning Township, Indiana County,Pennsylvania). George Helman lived in Shade Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania in the 1820 and 1830 censuses prior to moving to Indiana County. Elizabeth Platz' father, George Platz, lived in Allegheny Township, Somerset County from 1813 until 1840 (see tax assessments on FamilySearch for Somerset County) and then moved to Holmes County, Ohio where he died on 15 May 1843. He wrote a will naming his daughter, Elizabeth, but the will does not give her married name (see will book A:141 for Holmes County, Ohio on FamilySearch). I decided to try the Full Text Search on FamilySearch using "George Platz" and searching Holmes County, Ohio. I hit the jackpot.

This is where I finally found a record naming Elizabeth Platz' children as heirs of George Platz. This is the proof needed to prove that George Platz' daughter, Elizabeth, was married to George Helman. This record names George Platz' heirs and the Helman children are named since Elizabeth had died. 

George Platz and his third wife had taken out a mortgage from the county to purchase land in Holmes County, Ohio but George Platz died before the mortgage was satisfied. His heirs were sued in Chancery Court in Holmes County on 9 May 1844 for the amount of the mortgage and court costs. These records list his children and the children of his daughter, Elizabeth Helman, who was deceased. Elizabeth Helman's children were Adam Helman, Elizabeth Helman, George Helman, David Helman, and Catharine Helman. The Chancery Court record also gives the known residence for George Platz' children. The Helman grandchildren were living in Pennsylvania. Pages 55 and 56 of the Chancery Court records lists George Platz' heirs and their locations. These records can be accessed on Family Search.

Chancery Court Record Holmes County Ohio page 55

Chancery Court Record Holmes County Ohio page 56
 

George Helman and Elizabeth Platz are my third great grandparents.The only records where Elizabeth Platz is named is in her son, David Helman's death certifcate and her father, George Platz' will. The Chancery Court records only name her children. These three documents together prove that she was married to George Helman.

The next blog post will give more information about George Platz, Elizabeth's father. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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, (Junior) married Sarah Lawson, a daughter of James Lawson (see Westmoreland County will book 2:128 for the will of James Lawson). James McKelvey (Junior) 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 Wallace'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 (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 in 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 are indirect evidence that Margaret and Nancy were probably 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, 2016 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.