Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Reynolds

Nathaniel Reynolds v Phebe Burrass Reynolds

Beware of the Brother-In-Law, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1866

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

Nathaniel Reynolds, born 20 Feb 1822 in Bound Ridge, Westchester Co, NY, was the son of Hiram and Amy Palmer Reynolds.  Phoeba Burras, born 1818 in Scipio, Cayuga Co, NY, was the daughter of William and Abigail Jeffries Burras.  Apparently members of both the Burras and Reynolds families moved to Huron Co, OH.  Phebe’s father, William Burras died there on 7 Feb 1847 and was buried in the Olena Cemetery. The couple was married in Wms Co on 15 Apr 1848 according to Nathaniel Reynold’s divorce case, but the record showed the marriage date as 12 Mar 1848 (Marriage V2 p101).  Why this couple married in Williams Co, OH has not been determined; Phebe had a sister Nancy Burras who married John Barber and were residents of Springfield Twp in 1850, which could the reason for marrying in Williams County, but the pair was found in the 1850 Bronson, Huron Co, OH federal census p151, as Nathaniel 27 CT, Phebe 30 NY, and John Linn 11 OH.  The relationship to this John Linn is not currently known.  Sometime after the 1850 census the Reynolds moved to Williams County.

According to the 1860 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p71a, the Reynolds family was listed as Nathaniel 36 NY, Phoeba 42 NY, Louisa D. 9 OH, James A 7 OH and farmhand James Bettens 21 NS.

The reader should also know that Phebe’s younger sister, Rebecca Jane Burras, born 4 July 1826, had married Samuel Teed Huyck in Huron Co, OH on 27 Aug 1843.  Nathaniel’s claim for a divorce was found in the Williams County, OH Civil and Criminal Court Records (Journal 6 p536 - 6 Mar 1866; Roll 17 case number 142 - Mar 1866); he stated that Phebe had committed adultery in Springfield Twp with Samuel T. Huyck.  This man was most likely her brother-in-law. Phebe appeared in court to deny these charges but the court found her guilty and Nathaniel was granted a divorce. According to The Bryan Union, 15 Mar 1866 p3 the case of Nathaniel Reynolds v Phoebe Reynolds was settled with a divorce as prayed for by the plaintiff; Phoebe received $300 as allowed alimony. The couple had two daughters, Louisa b 1851 and Emma b 1860.  They also had a son, James A, b 1853, but he was not mentioned in the divorce record.  The Williams Co, OH Atlas for 1864 showed Nathaniel Reynolds held property in Springfield Twp, Sec 2, next door to Samuel B Reynolds.  By the 1874 Springfield Twp atlas Nathaniel’s property was in the domain of this SB Reynolds.

Nathaniel Reynolds married again in Norwalk, Huron Co, OH on 3 July 1869; the bride was Adeliza E. Robinson, born 4 Jan 1849 in Huron Co; she was the daughter of John and Catherine Holiday Robinson according to an Internet source. In the 1870 Fitchville Twp, Huron Co, OH federal census p291, the Reynolds were enumerated as Nathaniel 47 NY, Adeliza 20 OH, and Arney/Amey 2M OH.  Once again they were found in the 1880 Fitchville Twp federal census p45, as Nathaniel 56 NY, Addah 29 OH, Cora 10 OH, and George 4 OH.  The couple continued to live in Fitchville as evidenced by the 1900 Clinton, Fitchville Twp federal census p10A as Nathaniel 76 NY, Adeliza 51 OH, George H 24 OH, and Miles C 19 OH; the couple had been married 31 years with three children, all living. Nathaniel died in Fitchville Twp on 22 July 1910; his widow Adeliza died in Elyria, OH on 2 Jan 1926; both were buried in the Fitchville Cemetery.

Phebe Burras Reynolds, now a divorced lady, was found in the 1870 Fairfield Twp, Huron Co, OH federal census p268, living with her brother, Reuben Buras 58 NY; Pharbe Burras was listed as 51 NY insane.  She continued to live with brother Reuben as evidenced by the 1880 Fairfield Twp federal census p33D, as Reuben Burass 68 NY, Charles P 25 OH, Phebe Reynolds 61 NY sister, divorced, and John Trotter 16 OH servant. An Internet source stated that Phebe died on 28 Jan 1897, but that has not been confirmed. Her brother Reuben Burras was buried in Old North Fairfield Cemetery; perhaps Phebe was also buried there or with her parents in the Olena Cemetery in Huron Co, OH. Daughter Louisa Reynolds married a George Russell and daughter Emma Reynolds remained single and became a teacher.  Samuel Teed Huyck moved to Bloomer Twp, Montcalm Co, MI with his family in 1867 and died there on 20 Nov 1886.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Reed

Mary Ann Summers Reed v Thomas Reed (Journal 6 p146 - 26 Nov 1861; Roll 15 case number 50 - Nov 1861)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Bryan, Wms Co on 3 Mar 1860 (Marriage V3 p105).  Mary married Thomas as Mrs. Summers.   She charged Thomas with abuse.  On 8 Sept 1861 he kicked and beat her; he used a large knife to threaten her.  The case was dismissed.  From the 1860 Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p164, the Reid family was listed as Thomas 77 Ireland, Mary 57 PA, and Mary Lamers 14 OH. Thomas was married before to a Matilda, born c1789 VA, and they had one daughter Ann, born 1830 in OH as evidenced by the 1850 Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p 16B.  In that census there was also listed a Margaret Purtee 9 OH.  This Thomas Reid may be the husband of Matilda Dawson, who married on 22 Oct 1807 in Ross Co, OH.  Their granddaughter was Margaret Partee.  From the 1870 Dover Twp, Fulton Co, OH federal census p69B Mary A. Somers 66 PA resided with a Jennie Stoner 24 OH.  One of her neighbors was Martin Summers, possibly her son.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Raymond

Silas Scott Raymond v Effie Fisher Raymond

A Fraudulent Marriage Contract, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1884

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

A fraudulent marriage contract in the divorce cases usually meant either a discovered former marriage with a legal spouse still living or a discovered pregnancy not acknowledged as issue of the marriage by the husband.  This genealogical detailing is an example of the second type.

Silas Scott Raymond, b. 22 Sept 1860, Wms Co, OH, was the son of George and Sarah Stannart Post Raymond.  These parents were Wms Co settlers traveling from Richland Co, OH c1852.  The 1860 Millcreek Twp, PO Primrose, Wms Co federal census, p129a-129b, showed the family as George Raymond 36 OH, Sarah 33 OH, William 15 OH, Samuel 12 OH, John 8 OH, Harriet 6 OH, David 4 OH, and Lewis 1 OH.  From the 1870 Millcreek Twp federal census, p15, one finds the family as George 48 OH, Sarah 44 OH, John 21 OH, Jane 17 OH, Austin 15 OH, Lewis 13 OH, Silas 10 OH.  The 1880 Millcreek Twp federal census, p486D, had the Raymond family enumerated as George 56 OH-CT-CT, Sarah 53 OH-NJ-PA, Jane 26 OH, and Scott 19 OH.

Scott Raymond married Effie Fisher on 6 Mar 1884, Mansfield, Richland Co, OH.  Effie, born 12 Feb 1865 in Mansfield, Richland Co, OH, was the daughter of Joseph and Susannah Boals Fisher who resided and were listed in the 1870 Franklin Twp, Richland Co, OH federal census as Joseph 33 OH, Susan 35 OH, Effa Z or J 5 OH, Susan E 3 OH.  By the 1880 Weller Twp, Richland Co, OH federal census, the Fisher family was listed as Joseph 44 OH, Susan 45 OH, Effa Z 15 OH, Susan E 13 OH, Calvin M 8 OH, Mary L 10 OH.  There is the possibility that the Raymond and Fisher families knew each other before the Raymonds moved to Wms Co.

About five months after the marriage Scott S. Raymond appeared in the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court requesting a divorce (Journal 12 p378 - 29 Nov 1884; Roll 40 case number 1330 - 11 Aug 1884).  He stated that Effie had been pregnant by another man, unknown to him, at the time of their marriage and that Effie had falsely conned him into this marriage.  The records do not tell whether Scott knew Effie was pregnant before the marriage and believed himself to be the father or whether Scott discovered Effie was pregnant only after he married her.

The court granted the divorce about 3 1/2 months after the original filing or about 8 1/2 months from the marriage date.  Whether Effa Fisher Raymond had delivered a child and, if so, whether the child survived, is not currently known.  Also reference to Effie's residency at the time of the divorce is not known.  Did she stay with the Raymonds, move back to Richland Co with relatives, or go elsewhere?  The Wms Co, OH birth records do not list any birth for a child with the mother of Effa Fisher or Effa Raymond.  In the roster of the employees of the Children’s Home in Richland Co, OH, dated 8 Sept 1887, Miss Effie J. Fisher was hired as dining room girl and boys’ governess.

Since there was no surviving 1890 federal census for the Ohio counties in question, one must look forward in time.  The Joseph Fisher family still lived in Weller Twp, Richland Co, OH in both the 1900 and 1910 federal censuses.  Effa does not appear with them nor was she listed with her brother Calvin Fisher who does have another single sister, Mary, with him in 1910. 

So what happened to Effie?  On 8 Nov 1889 Effie married John S. McElroy, born 22 Feb 1861 in PA, the son of Henry McElroy. An announcement appeared in The Richland Shield and Banner, 9 Nov 1889 - “Mr. John McElroy and Miss Effie Fisher, daughter of Infirmary Director Joseph Fisher, were married at the Children's Home at 7 o'clock last evening, Rev. N.S. Albright, officiating”. From the 1900 Toledo Ward 13, Lucas Co, OH federal census p12A the couple was enumerated as John S. McElroy 39 PA and Effie 28 OH; she did not have any children.  Note that her birth date is listed as Mar 1872. They are found again in the 1910 and 1920 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH federal censuses.  Effie’s 1910 record stated that she had only been married once as did John’s records show. According to John’s death certificate, he passed away in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH on 21 Jan 1928 with burial to follow in Franklin Cemetery, Mansfield, Richland Co, OH; John was a carpenter.  Effie J. McElroy died on 9 Mar 1952 also in Toledo with burial in Mansfield, OH next to her husband.

Apparently Scott Raymond's marital experience was enough to last him a lifetime, as he did not become a bridegroom again.  He lived with his parents until his father's death on 21 Oct 1885 @ 64Y 4M 20D who was buried in the Primrose Cemetery.  Scott probably took care of the farm and his mother until his own death on 3 May 1900 @39Y 7M 11D in Wms Co (Deaths V3 p112); Scott was buried beside his father.  Later on 13 May 1911 Sarah Raymond, Scott's mother, died @87Y 3M 15D, and joined her husband, son, and young daughter Della H who had died on 13 Sept 1865 @10M 2D in final repose at Primrose Cemetery.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Radabaugh (Thomas)

Mary A.  Radabaugh v Thomas C. Radabaugh (Journal 6 - May 1866)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

Thomas C. Radabaugh, b 22 July 1821 in Jackson Co, Ohio, was the son of Samuel and Rhoda Jones Radabaugh; he first married Mary Elizabeth Dillman in Wms Co, OH on 3 May 1849 (Marriages V2 p109).  They were enumerated in the 1850 Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH Federal Census p33, as Thomas 29 OH, Mary 26 CAN, and Melvin 4M OH.  Mary died in 1855.  An Internet posting stated that Thomas and Mary E Radabaugh had four children, Melvin, Aetna, Clara, and Evaline. The next census that sheds light on this widower was the 1860 College Twp, Linn Co, IA where Thomas 39 OH carpenter was listed with his two children Melvin 10 VA and Aetna A 9 OH.  He married a second time to Mary A, surname unknown (possibly Mary Williams), on 20 Aug 1861 in Weston, Lucas Co, OH (now Wood Co).  It is this marriage that landed in the divorce records.  Thomas enlisted in Co D Second Michigan Infantry in 1863, which is about the time that Mary was “abandoned”, although Thomas’ obituary stated that he was a resident of Hillsdale Co, MI since 1861.

According to the Williams Co, OH Civil and Criminal Court Records (Journal 6 – May 1866), Mary wanted a divorce.  She claimed that Thomas had left her and their son Carlton, aged 3 years. Thomas had real estate in Wms Co, OH and she received this land in lieu of alimony.  Shortly after the divorce Mary A. Radabaugh married Andrew Craig Bigelow, SR, on 2 June 1866, Wms Co, OH (Marriage V3 p564). In the 1870 Center Twp, Wms Co, OH Federal Census, the Bigelows were listed as Andrew 62 PA, Mary 50 PA, Carlton Radabaugh 8 OH, and Stephen Bigelow 68 PA, a brother to Andrew. 

An interesting point should be made here.  Andrew Bigelow had property in Farmer Twp where he farmed and raised a family, but yet he lived on the newly acquired farm of his second wife, property that she gained through this divorce. Andrew Bigelow, born 1806 NY, was married to Eliza Margaret Hyde on 5 Sept 1827 in Ticonderoga, Essex Co, NY; they had eight known children; Eliza Bigelow passed away on 23 Mar 1866; Andrew died on 22 Mar 1875 and was buried in Farmer Cemetery next to his first wife, Eliza. According to the 1880 Center Twp, Wms Co, OH Federal Census p611C, Mary Bigelow was enumerated as 60 PA, a widow, along with son Carlton Radabaugh, 17 OH.

Thomas C. Radabaugh became a bridegroom a third time when he married Mrs. Nancy Johnson Martin, widow of Robert Martin, on 26 Sept 1866 in Hillsdale Co, MI.  Nancy, the daughter of John W and Abigail Hill Johnson, was born on 19 July 1829 in Seneca Co, NY. She and former husband, Robert M. Martin, lived in Hillsdale before the Civil War; Robert was killed in the war on 26 Feb 1862 @36Y 5M 19D and was buried in the Divine Cemetery, Woodbridge Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI.

The Radabaughs were found in the 1870 Camden Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI Federal census p269, as Thomas 49 OH, Nancy M 39 NY, Rosa E 2 MI, and Oliver Martin 12 MI.  By the 1880 Camden Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI Federal Census p61A, Thomas, a book agent, was listed as 59 OH along with wife Nancy 52 MI, Rosa 12 MI, and Gay F (Herbert) 10 MI.  Nancy died in 1895 and Thomas passed away in 1904, both in Hillsdale Co, MI and were buried in Divine Cem, Woodbridge Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Radabaugh (James)

Hannah Ann Gideon Radabaugh v James Milton Radabaugh (Journal 6 p299-300 - 5 June 1863; Roll 16 case number 54 - June 1863)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

Daniel Brownawell, JP, married the couple on 29 Dec 1862 in Wms Co (Marriage V3 p212).  James Milton, b1831, Jackson Co, OH, was the son of Henry and Lydia Henson Radabaugh, Jr.  They were enumerated in the 1850 Brady Twp federal census p13, as Henry 50 VA, John 22 OH, Lydia 50 NC, William 20 OH, James 19 OH, Lorinda 1* OH, Margaret 16 OH, and Catherine 13 OH.  The 1860 West Unity, Brady Twp federal census, p151b, listed the family as Henry 58 VA, Lydia 59 NC, Henderson 27 OH, James 25 OH, and Catherine 19 OH.  As a neighbor of the Radabaughs in the 1860 Brady Twp federal census, p151a, Hannah Gideon was 20 OH, and lived with the William Richardson family; Margaret Richardson was a sister to James M. Radabaugh.

Hannah charged James with gross neglect and abandonment.  She said on 11 Mar 1863 he left her.  James had a 1/6^th inheritance from his father Henry to property in Brady Twp; Henry had died c15 Nov 1862 (Probate #718).  The couple had a daughter, Ida M, born 1862.  According to the 1880 Crystal, Montcalm Co, MI federal census p70 Hannah Radabaugh was listed as Hannah 40 OH-PA-OH widowed.  She lived near her daughter, Ida.  In the 1900 Crystal, Montcalm Co, MI federal census p14B Hannah Radabaugh born Feb 1839 OH-PA-OH was enumerated as mother-in-law of Leonard Tissne; Leonard’s wife, Ida, born Jan or June 1861 OH, was Hannah and James’ daughter.  An Internet source stated that Hannah died c1902.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Queen

Catharine A. Harker Queen v James H. Queen (Journal 6 p460  - 28 Feb 1865; Roll 17 case number 64 - Feb 1865)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Rochester, Perry Twp, Noble Co, IN on 18 Feb 1856.  Catherine, b 3 Feb 1837, pos in Huntingdon, Huntingdon Co, PA, was the daughter of David Beaver and Jane Norris Harker.  The Harker family was listed in the 1850 St. Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p81B as David 39 PA farmer, Jane 35 PA, Jacob 15 PA, Catherine 14 PA, Amos 11 OH, John 9 OH, William 4 OH, David 2 OH, Sarah 7/12 OH, and Rebecca Norris 17 PA. The Queen couple was enumerated in the 1860 St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p112a, as James 25 OH, Catherine 23 OH, and David 1 OH.  James H. Queen was a Civil War soldier, who served in Co H 14^th OVI and rose to the rank of First Sergeant.  He may have been born on 29 Apr 1836.

Catherine stated that they had three children, David T. (7), Mary Jane (5), and John Bruff (3).  James was a habitual drunk for more than three years and was guilty of gross neglect.  He ran away to Nashville, TN where he was the keeper of a house of ill fame.  A legal notice was posted in the Union Press and a divorce was granted.  On 22 Feb 1866 Catherine had married a George Wanamaker and lived in Lincoln, Washington Co, Kansas as evidenced by the 1870 federal census p358B. Note than Catherine was listed as 33 OH.

Son John Bruff Queen was a premier auctioneer during the Oklahoma land rush and was given the honorary title of Colonel.  He also rode as a Pony Express messenger.  James H. Queen supposedly married a second time to Margaret Steen, a PA native.  They settled in Denver, Arapahoe Co, Colorado where he died c1900.  Catharine’s second husband, George Wanamaker, was murdered by his gold rush partner after an expedition to Colorado in the mid-1870’s.  

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Priest

Barbara Ann Kaufman Priest v Peter Priest

Taking In Washing, No Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1874

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

When the divorce court refused to grant an abused wife her request for action, sometimes the lady has to grin and bear it.  Whatever justice she can find is often after the abusive spouse dies and the widow is free from a bad marriage, but often she was reduced to such financial arrangements as taking in washing to make ends meet.  This genealogical detailing illustrates such a circumstance. 

John Kaufman was listed on the Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census in 1840; later he appeared on the rolls of the Bryan voters on 15 June 1849 and was enumerated in the 1850 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census p87B-88A, as John Cofman 55 PA, Mary 55 PA, Jacob 12 OH, John 10 OH. John was a builder of the early courthouse, the doorkeeper of that facility, and a veteran of the War of 1812, according to Stories of Fountain City, Van Gundy, 1975, p123. According to the Bryan Democrat, 18 July 1878, p5, Mrs. Kaufman, wife of John, died on 16 July 1878, of advanced aged.  She and her husband came to Wms Co c1838 from York, PA, and when the county seat was fixed at Bryan, they built a cabin on the land now owned by Dr. Graser (c1878).  They were the second family to do such.  In a newspaper article, Bryan Democrat, 31 Mar 1904, titled Bryan as It Appeared Fifty-Four Years Ago, there were several anecdotes about the Kaufman family.  John killed a deer while hoeing beans.  “The deer jumped into his garden and he ran the deer into a snow bank and killed it with a hoe.”  “John got a team and hauled lumber to his house from the mill.  But John liked to sleep and while he slept” area men loaded and stacked the lumber.  He never said a word about the lumber.  “John was an agent for the land (company).”

It is with Barbara Ann Kaufman that this story turns.  Barbara was born in PA on 22 Feb 1832.  She married Peter Priest, born on 21 Oct 1821, VA, on 2 Dec 1847 in Wms Co (Marriages V2 p99), and was listed with him and their daughter in the 1850 Pulaski Twp federal census p87, as Peter 28 OH no occupation, Barbara 18 PA, Sarah 2 OH, and Barbara's brother Joseph Cofman 39 PA carpenter.  From his obituary in The Bryan Democrat, Peter was born in Virginia but came to Wayne Co, OH as a youth.  Later he moved with his family to Williams County c1845.  As a young man he pursued the career of chair maker and later farmer and worker in a saw mill.

In the 1860 Washington Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p409 the Priest family, having moved, was enumerated as Peter 39 OH farmer, Barbara 29 OH, Sarah 11 OH, Rusilla 9 OH, Charles 4 OH, and Elizabeth 2 OH.  By the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p21, the family was enumerated as Peter 49 OH retired farmer, Barbara A 39 OH, Charles 15 OH, Elizabeth 12 OH, Clara 3 OH, and George 5/12 OH.  Peter was a Civil War veteran in Co B 6^th Reg OH Cavalry and Co M 9^th Reg OH Cavalry.

Barbara appeared before the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 8 p269 - 3 Nov 1874; Roll 26 case number 80), requesting a divorce from Peter.  She stated that on 28 June 1874 she had him arrested for extreme cruelty but he was found not guilty.  On 12 July 1874 he again threatened to kill her along with performing physical abuse which she graphically described. Peter struck, choked, and stomped on her with his boots before throwing her into a ditch. Peter, she stated, had refused to give her any money for clothing and care for their seven-year-old daughter Clara Jane.  Peter owned Lot 67 in Bryan valued at $150 and had a wide range of household property.  The court refused to grant her wishes for a divorce.  Barbara’s parents died in 1878 (Mrs. Mary M. Kaufman) and 1879 (John Kaufman).

Peter and Barbara were enumerated in the 1880 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census as Peter 58 PA no occupation, Barbara 48 OH, Charles 24 OH, and Jennie 18 OH. In July 1882 Peter applied for a Civil War invalid pension. On 11 Aug 1895 Peter died @73Y 9M 18D and was laid to rest in the Bryan Fountain Grove Cemetery.  Peter was a member of the Evans Post GAR.

In the 1900 Bryan federal census p167, Barbara, who had nine children with four surviving, was listed as a widow who took in washing at her home on E. Wilson St; she was born Feb 1832 (68) PA and lived with her daughter Jenny, born Apr 1867 (33) OH. The known Priest children were Sarah (1848-?), Charles H (July 1856 - 1922; m Lydia A __), Elizabeth (1858 - ?), Clara Jane "Jennie"(Apr 1867 - 1914), and George (1870-1897). On 3 Jan 1908 Barbara died and was buried beside husband, Peter Priest.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Poynter/Pointer/Bunker

Caroline Bunker Poynter v Henry Poynter/Pointer

Henry Poynter/Pointer v Amanda Pointer Poynter

Sarah Ann Gannon Bunker v William Bunker

What Goes Around Comes Around, Three Divorces in Williams County, Ohio, 1857, 1859, and 1863

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

What seems particularly interesting to me when dealing with these divorce cases based on adultery is that many of the cheaters end up being cheated on by the other man or woman.  It reminds me of the old saying, "what goes around, comes around."  The genealogical detailing of this initial couple has a few additional twists concerning marital relationships, which were acceptable in bygone times, but for the most part, are not today.

Henry Pointer, the son of Nathaniel and Catherine Webb Pointer, was born on 24 Sept 1823, probably Knox Twp, Columbiana Co, OH.  Nathaniel, a Virginia native, and his first wife Catherine were the parents of eight children, Lucinda, Levin, Henry, Elender Whitney, Anna Whitney, Barbara Bafley, Joseph, and Catherine Alverson.  Catherine, the mother, died and on 16 Apr 1849 Nathaniel married his sister-in-law, Sarah, the widow of brother Samuel Pointer.

Samuel and Sarah Pointer were the parents of eleven children, William, Robert, Samuel, Rebecca J. Snow Back, Benjamin, Matilda, Sarah Ann, Eunice, Mary Ann, Amanda, and Louisa Jane.  Samuel died sometime after his youngest daughter was born c1842, and his widow joined the other Pointer family as the stepmother.  In the 1850 Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p33, the Pointer family was enumerated as Nathaniel 52VA, Sarah 43 VA, with James and Anna Whitney and their family.

Brothers Nathaniel, Samuel, and Leminal are believed to be the sons of a William Pointer of Knox Twp, Columbiana Co, OH.  The brothers moved to Wms Co between 1835-1840.  Nathaniel and second wife Sarah were buried in the Floral Grove Cemetery, Pioneer, OH, as Nathaniel (2 Nov 1796-30 Oct 1880) and Sarah (6 Dec 1806-4 Apr 1885).

Son of Nathaniel, Henry Pointer, was listed in the 1850 Bridgewater Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p49, as a lodger in the household of his brother Levin; Henry was 21 years old.  Henry married in 1851, Hillsdale Co, MI (Marriages Book B p230) teenager Caroline Bunker (b.1836 OH), the daughter of John and Betsey Bunker.  The Pointers became parents of Ruth (1851/1854).  According to the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court Records (Journal 5, p317, 342, 517 - Apr 1854, Nov 1854, 20 Mar 1857; Roll 11 case number 114 - June 1858) Caroline sought a divorce on the grounds that Henry had committed adultery with an Amanda Pointer.  As it turns out this teenager Amanda was Henry's first cousin and the daughter of Henry's stepmother, Sarah.  Wife Caroline wanted custody of minor daughter Ruth plus $52 in alimony to be paid annually for nine years.  The court agreed to the divorce on 20 Mar 1857, but in June 1858 (Roll 11 case number 114) Caroline had to sue Henry for this money and asked for witnesses to testify to her need; these witnesses were William Bunker, Charles Bunker, and WA Smith.  Henry Pointer wanted his brother Levin to pay Caroline money because Henry said Levin owed him money.

Prior to her marriage, Caroline was found in the 1850 Superior Twp federal census p38B, as Caroline 14 OH living with her parents John Bunker 67 NJ and Betsey 58 NY.  Her mother died before the 1860 federal census for that township where her father was listed as John Bunker 77 NJ living with his son William Bunker 26 OH and his family.  Caroline and daughter Ruth were not enumerated with them. 

On 27 Mar 1857 in Woodbridge, Hillsdale Co, MI (Marriages Book B p475) Henry Pointer married Amanda Pointer, b1840, his first cousin. According to the 1860 Bridgewater Twp federal census p94B, Henry 35 OH and Qanies (m) 3 OH lived with Henry’s brother Levin and his family. Within the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court Records (Roll 16 - June 1863) Henry brought suit against his wife Amanda whom he stated had been willfully absent for at least three years.  He further told the court that in April 1860 Amanda committed adultery in the house of Amos Landford near Coldwater, Branch Co, MI and he wanted a divorce; apparently there were no children.  The court agreed with his suit and granted the divorce.  Nothing further is known of Amanda. 

About a year later in Hillsdale Co, MI, Henry married teenager Sarah Ann Morris (b1847) in 1864 (Marriages Book C p402).  As of the 1870 Madison Twp federal census p25, the couple was listed as Henry 45 OH teamster, Sarah 23 OH.  On 10 Oct 1876 Henry died near Hillsdale, MI but his place of burial and any further particulars about his widow are not currently known.  There was a Sarah Morris age 3 OH with perhaps a stepfather John Clyne and wife Sarah Clyne listed in the 1850 Madison Twp federal census, p33B.  Guardianship was granted for Sarah Ann Morris on 23 Dec 1852, Wms Co (Probate #260).  Whether this Sarah was the third wife of Henry Pointer needs to be verified.

There was another divorce that ties into the Bunker family for Caroline Bunker Pointer's brother William Bunker, b1834 OH.  He married Sarah Ann Gannon, 25 Dec 1856, Bridgewater Twp, Wms Co (Marriages V2 p174).  Sarah, b1837, possibly Livingston Co, NY, was the daughter of Bartholomew (8 May 1813, Livingston Co, NY - 2 Dec 1887, Seward, Nebraska) and Malila Adana McFall Gannon (1819 - 1862/1865, Wms Co).  William and Sarah Bunker became the parents of son George Willis Bunker, b.28 July 1857. 

According to the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 5 - Mar 1858; Roll 14 case number 12 - Mar 1860) Sarah Ann Bunker sued her husband for a divorce citing adultery on his part.  On 25 July 1857, 28 July 1857, and 20 May 1859 at the homes of Hiram Hilton of Steuben Co, IN and Nelson M. Bunker of Superior Twp, Wms Co, William committed adultery with Mary Taylor and as of 1 Aug 1857 William had sold his Superior Twp property, owed Sarah money, said farewell, and was living with this Mary Taylor and the Hiram Hilton family in Steuben Co, IN.

The tricky aspect of this case was that Sarah was abandoned by her husband on the very day she gave birth to their son, 28 July 1857; Sarah stated,  "I want this child to be declared William Bunker's child."  Since the minor infant was born during the impending proceedings, Sarah needed the court to accept satisfactory proof that the child was the issue of this marriage.  Evidently the court was satisfied by Sarah's parade of witnesses ready to inform the court of her wayward spouse's infidelities and plans to leave her destitute.  She called her father Bartholomew Gannon to give testimony as well as Hannah and Sarah A. Tingley, to name just a few witnesses.  The court granted Sarah a divorce.

As found in the 1860 Superior Twp federal census rolls William Bunker had married Mary Taylor; he was 26 and she was 20 years old.  They had a child Mina 5/12 OH.  In 1898 William Bunker died in Huntington Co, IN.  In the 1860 Bridgewater Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census, one finds B. Gannon 46 NY, Dana 42 NY, Sarah 22 OH, Joseph 20, Wilber 18, Samuel 16, Jerome 14, George 12, Myron 9, Frank 7, Charles 5, Marion 3, and George 3.  This young George was surely the son of Sarah and William Bunker. Nothing more is known of the other parties in this case.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Porter

Abraham Porter v Hannah M. Brooks Porter

Elizabeth Metzler Porter v Abraham Porter

Hannah M. Brooks Porter Porter v Samuel Porter

The Feuding Porters, Divorces in Williams County, Ohio – see Metzler

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 16 April 2012)

Once upon a time there were four Porter brothers, natives of W. PA, who traveled to Richland Co, OH. James Jasper Porter (b 2 Apr 1801) and wife Ruth Ferguson (b28 Mar 1806) migrated from Richland Co, OH to Wms Co c1840.  James' brother, William Porter, came too.  James and Ruth had six children, the oldest of whom was Samuel.  William Porter married  Margaret Ferguson, a sister of Ruth Ferguson Porter, and they had several children, one of whom was Abraham.  Our story deals with first cousins, Samuel and Abraham.

In the 1850 Superior Twp federal census p44, Margaret Porter 45 OH appeared with sons John 18 OH and Abraham 14 OH.  Nearby James 50 PA and Ruth 44 OH were listed with their children Samuel 8 OH, William 14 OH, Henry 11 OH, Jane 8 OH, John 5 OH, and James 3 OH. 

Samuel, b 22 May 1832, Richland Co, OH, married Elizabeth Dunlap in Wms Co on 9 Jan 1859 (Marriage V3 p40).  The couple was enumerated in the 1860 Superior Twp federal census p184B, as Samuel 27 OH, Elizabeth 24 OH, and Ellen 1 OH.  Samuel and Elizabeth's children were Ellen, Edward Laurence, and William Henry.  Elizabeth died in 1864 of complications during childbirth.  By the 1870 Superior Twp federal census p29, Samuel 38 OH engineer in a sawmill lived with his mother Ruth 64 PA, brother James 22 OH, and children Ellen 11 OH and Edward 8 OH.

Abraham, b Apr 1836 OH, married Hannah M. Brooks in Camden, Hillsdale Co, MI.  Hannah was born c1839 in Columbiana Co, OH. The couple was enumerated in 1860 Superior Twp federal census p185B, as Abraham 24 OH and Hannah 20 OH. By the 1870 Superior Twp federal census Abraham's family appeared as Abraham 35 OH, Hannah 32 OH, William 10 OH, Sarah 7 OH, and Ida Brooks 12 OH. According to the Williams County Civil and Criminal Court Record, Roll 26, Mar 1874-May 1875, Abraham Porter sued Samuel Porter for $625 in damages.  This suit stemmed from an earlier action over money that the court had granted Abraham on 20 Oct 1869; Samuel had not paid his debt to Abraham so Abraham sued Samuel again and won.

From the Wms Co Ohio Civil and Criminal Court Records Roll 27 case number 78 on 16 Nov 1875, Abraham Porter sued Hannah M. Porter for a divorce.  He stated that in Aug 1862, except between the fall of 1864-June 1865, he resided in Wms Co.  On 17 Oct 1870 Hannah abandoned him and left with Samuel Porter for Toledo, Lucas Co, OH, taking their daughter Sarah Jane; Abraham was visiting a relative in Mahoning Co, OH; prior to this in Apr 1869 and on 11 Oct 1869 Hannah committed adultery with Samuel Porter in Abraham's home.  Hannah now lived in Rockwood, Wayne Co, MI.  Abraham brought the following witnesses to corroborate his story: John Platt, Lewis Howell, William Fifer, and David Hawkins.  A legal notice appeared in the Bryan Press.  A divorce was granted; Hannah received $100 in alimony and $100 in two years.  If Abraham failed to pay, his property would be sold.

Fountain City Argus (Bryan, OH), 27 Feb 1879, p4

Under Durbins Corners info:

Mrs. Hannah Porter, near Montpelier, folded her tent and silently stole away.  She left her first husband some eight years ago and sojourned in Michigan a few years.  When she came back, she got a divorce from Abraham Porter, and then married Samuel Porter, cousin to Abraham, and has now left Samuel, and is sojourning at Montgomery, or some other town in Michigan.

From Roll 34 case number 644 in Nov 1879, Elizabeth Metzler Porter sued Abraham Porter for divorce.  The couple was married on 18 Nov 1875 in Amboy Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI and lived in Superior Twp, Wms Co.  They married two days after Abraham’s divorce from Hannah. Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Margaret Markle Metzler, was born in 1850, and charged that on 10 Mar 1879 Abraham abandoned her and went to Michigan to the house of Lucinda Murdich in Hillsdale and committed adultery with Hannah Porter, his former wife.  Elizabeth catalogued other dates when this happened (15 Mar, 20 Mar, 25 Mar, 30 Mar, and 20 Apr 1879).  Abraham had a wandering eye before this as Elizabeth told the court in the fall of 1876 he committed adultery with a Lucy Squires.  Elizabeth and Abraham had a son, Emmett Porter, b 22 June 1876.  She stated that Abraham had 40 acres in Superior Twp, valued at $1600 plus other land and property and she wanted a reasonable settlement.  The court granted her a divorce.  Later in Nov 1879 Elizabeth sued Abraham again for non-payment of a promissory note for $100 and other funds owed to her.  Elizabeth died in 1908 and was buried in Beaver Creek Cem close to her parents, Abraham (1814- 18 Apr 1891) and Margaret (1816 – 7 Aug 1891).

From Roll 36 case number 827 in June 1880, Hannah M. Brooks Porter sued Samuel Porter.  It seems that on 2 Mar 1876 in Wauseon, Fulton Co, OH, Hannah married Samuel (Marriage V3 p500). Hannah told the court that on 1 Feb 1879 Samuel was harsh and cruel to her, compelling her to perform household labors beyond her strength.  She wanted alimony based on Samuel's real estate in Superior Twp, valued at $6,000, plus livestock.  Hannah resided in Montgomery, Hillsdale Co, MI. The couple had children Sarah A (17) and William (20). She stated that 12 years before she married Samuel, he wanted to destroy the happiness that existed between her and her husband, Abraham.  Samuel wanted them to divorce so he could marry Hannah; he lived about a half mile from her.  In 1864 under a false guise of friendship Samuel told her of Abraham's infidelities.  He told her that Abraham had contracted a sexual disease and that he wanted to poison Hannah or "put her away".  Samuel promised her $1500 if she'd divorce Abraham and marry him.  She left for Monroe, MI with her daughter and did abandon Abraham.  She obtained the divorce and married Samuel. Now Hannah has learned the truth.  Abraham was always able to clothe her in fine and costly attire

Samuel borrowed $400 from her, which she had earned as a servant after leaving Abraham.  On 1 Aug 1878 Samuel was abusive, violent, and tyrannical.  Hannah told the court she was 43 years old and in feeble health. 

Samuel came to court stating that Hannah abandoned him for her ex-husband, Abraham Porter, his cousin. He also told the court that he did provide her with clothing, food, etc. He said she committed adultery with Abraham in Samuel's home between 1 Sept 1878 - 1 Feb 1879.  The court granted Hannah a divorce. Abraham married Hannah M. Brooks Porter on 12 Dec 1882 in Camden, Hillsdale Co, MI. In the 1894 Village of Montgomery, Camden Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI state census, p207, Abraham and Hannah lived together.  They were also in the 1900 Camden Twp, Hillsdale Co federal census, p66, as husband and wife.  By the 1910 federal census for that location Abraham lived alone; presumably Hannah had died.

In the 1880 Superior Twp federal census p12, Samuel 47 OH was listed with sons Edward 18 OH and William 16 OH, plus his first wife's sister, Lenore Dunlap 45.  In the 1900 and 1910 Superior Twp, Wms Co federal censuses, Samuel lived alone, identified as "divorced" in 1910. He died on 27 Dec 1912 and was buried beside his first wife Elizabeth in Riverside Cemetery. 

To recap the Porter marriages, Samuel was married to Elizabeth Dunlap and Hannah M. Brooks Porter.  Abraham was married to Hannah M. Brooks, Elizabeth Metzler, and Hannah Brooks Porter. The common denominator for the feuding cousins was Hannah.  

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Planson

Catherine Goll Planson v Frederick Planson (Journal 6 p54 - Nov 1860)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Wms Co on 1 Nov 1843 (Marriage V1 p72).  Frederick was born 7 May 1814 in France, parentage unknown; and Catherine, born 24 Jan 1824 in Charmond Dombs, France, was the daughter of George and Elizabeth Goll.  Frederick arrived in NY aboard the Lorena on 16 Apr 1833; he was 18 years old.  In the 1850 Springfield Twp federal census p94B, the couple was listed as Frederick 35 FR, Catherine 24 FR, Charley 1/12 OH along with her parents George and Cathrine Gall.  In the 1860 Springfield Twp federal census p60B, the family expanded to Frederick 46 FR, Catherine 36 FR, Charles 10 OH, Catherine 8 OH, Louisa 5 OH, George 2 OH, and Emily 6/12 OH; her parents lived next-door as George G. Gull 60 FR, Elisabeth 58 FR, Louisa 18 OH, and George 16 OH.

Catherine requested alimony but the case was dismissed.  In the 1870 Springfield Twp federal census p19, the couple appeared together as Fred 44 FR, Catherine 48 FR, Mary A 17 OH, and Louisa 15 OH.  By the 1880 Springfield Twp federal census p673D, Catherine 56 FR lived with daughter Mary and her husband Emil Siriet.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Pifer

Clarissa Diantha Tucker Pifer v Michael Pifer

Violent Craftsman with Three Wives Was Buried Alone, No Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1869

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

Michael Pifer, born 2 Feb 1829, Richland Co, OH, was a saddle and harnessmaker by trade.  He was the son of John E. and Charlotte Harner Pifer of Germany and PA/MD, respectively.  Michael married Caroline Esther Sellen/Celler, parentage unknown, in Richland Co on 11/13 Sept 1849 (Marriages Book A p198A); the couple traveled west to West Unity, Brady Twp, Wms Co where Michael opened a harness shop.  They were enumerated in the 1850 Brady Twp federal census p3B, as Michael 21 OH, Caroline 20 PA, and several others in the household, Linda Fifield 7 OH, James Elliott 17 OH harnessmaker, and George Pifer 25 OH blacksmith, Catherine Pifer 25 OH, Nancy Pifer 3 OH, John Pifer 1 OH, and David Stoner 17 OH.  Caroline and Michael's children appear to be Elnora M, Somerton, and Albert Elwood.

The Pifers were again listed in the 1860 Brady Twp federal census p155a, as Michael 31 OH, Ardelia 26 OH, Sommerton 7 OH, Albert 5 OH, William 2 OH, Elnora 1 OH, Eugene Mattison 10 OH, and Frank Mattison 7 OH.  A new wife was evident in the household since Caroline Pifer (24 Apr 1830 PA-28 July 1856) had been laid to rest in the Rings Cemetery, and Michael had remarried on 17 Sept 1856, Wms Co (Marriages V2 p171) to Mrs. Ardelia Mattison, the widow of Nathan Matteson of Madison Twp. 

She brought to the marriage her children, Eugene (23 Jan 1850 OH-aft 1873) and Frank (12 Jan 1854 OH-aft 1870).  There was a probate record for Nathan Matteson on 17 Oct 1854 (#1335) when Ardelia was named the guardian for her sons.  The Matteson sons are found in the 1870 Brady Twp federal census as Eugene Madison 18 OH harnessmaker, living in the household of Henry Shawley, and Frank Matteson 17 OH living in the 1870 Millcreek Twp household of the John Coleman family.  Eugene and Olena Loveless became the parents of daughter Della, b. 14 Sept 1873, Wms Co (Births V1 p61).  Little Della was probably named after her grandmother, Ardelia Matteson Pifer.

This story becomes confusing when one checks the dates for inaccuracies.  Unless the tombstone reading for the death date of Caroline Pifer is inaccurate, the next child born, William H. Pifer (24 Sept 1856 - 15 Dec 1877, buried Rings Cemetery) would be born several months after Caroline's death or seven days after Ardelia Matteson became the second Mrs. Pifer.  William H was buried between Michael's two wives as Ardelia died on 28 July 1864.  His death is documented in Wms Co, OH (Deaths V1 p45) as 21Y 2M 22D and his tombstone reads "son of M and A.” Other children born to Michael and Ardelia were Elnora Isora, Genora, and Minnie May Pifer.

The Pifer family was enumerated in the 1870 Brady Twp federal census p6, as Michael 41 OH, Clara D. 41 NY, Summerton 18 OH, Elwood 16 OH, William 14 OH, Isora 12 OH, Genora 10 OH, and Minnie 8 OH.  By this time Michael had married a third time, this being the marriage to Clarissa Diantha Tucker, on 13 Dec 1863, Pioneer, Wms Co (Marriages V3 p339).  Here’s where the mystery of Clarissa’s past comes in the detailing.  If she was Clara Tucker, as the sources claim, then the following family is hers: Clarissa, b. 19 Aug 1828, NY, was the daughter of William and Phila or Tilla Tucker, natives of NY and VT, respectively.  The Tuckers were found in the 1850 NW Twp federal census p53B; William died on 28 Jan 1860 @54Y 1M 3D and was buried in the Columbia Cemetery.  His widow Phila or Tilla Hulbert Tucker plus their children Emma, William, and Theron were enumerated in the 1860 NW Twp federal census with Tilla as a seamstress.  The History of Williams County, Ohio, Goodspeed, 1882, p416, stated that a Mrs. Tucker was a milliner in Pioneer c1882; the Tuckers had the following children: Henry, Diantha, Saprona, Orpha, Surbetus, Martha, Emma, William, and Theron.  They traveled from Chautaqua Co, NY to Cuyahoga Co, OH before settling in Wms Co before 1850. 

Now a second scenario must be looked at as well.  In the 1860 Madison Twp, federal census there was a Kelsy family enumerated on p203 as follows: Willard F 41 NY JP, Clarissa 44 NY, Almira Royce 61 NY, David Kelsey 25 NY and Clarissa 31 NY.  Upon Clarissa’s death in 1887 she was buried with the Kelsy family and Almira Royce in the Floral Grove Cem, Pioneer.  The burial records refer to her as Clarissa D. Kelsey Pifer.  Was she married to a Kelsy therefore she would be Clarissa Tucker Kelsey or was she married to a Tucker, thereby known as Clarissa Kelsey Tucker?  This needs to be investigated further.

By 1864 Michael owned property lots in West Unity and a portion of Section 31 in Brady Twp.  In 1867 he paid personal property tax in Brady Twp and by 1874 his Section 31 property was owned by HE and SF Pifer.

Clarissa D. Pifer, his third bride, appeared before the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 7 - Mar 1869; Roll 40 case number 1286 - 16 Dec 1868) and requested a divorce. Clarissa told the court that on 1 Nov 1865 Michael kicked her and threw her down 6-7 steps off the porch of their home.  She was unable to walk.  On 25 Aug 1867 he again assaulted her and dragged her by the hair out of the house.  On 2 Mar 1868 after assaulting her Michael refused her medical assistance while she was sick and disabled.  Someone alerted a physician and when the doctor came to the house Michael was insulting to the doctor.  On 29 June 1868 he beat her in his West Unity workshop so badly that she was unable to walk from the shop to their home.  She was carried by friends and neighbors to the home and confined there for two weeks.  On 15 Aug 1868 Michael assaulted her and by kicking her she suffered a sprained ankle and could not walk for three weeks.  On 25 Nov 1868 Michael chased her through the streets of West Unity with a butcher knife yelling, "I'll kill you."  That night he seized her by the hair and shoved her out of the house. 

Clarissa stated that Michael owned property in West Unity valued at $1,000 and had a great deal of personal property as well.  She feared he would try to dispose of this and leave her destitute.  The record showed that the case was dismissed which means no divorce for Clarissa.

The couple was enumerated in the 1870 as mentioned above and in the 1880 federal census p513C, as Michael 51 OH harness maker, Clarrie 51 NY, Genora 20 OH, Minnie May 18 OH, and Harvey Miller 19 OH harness maker/boarder. 

On 10 Nov 1881 Michael Pifer died at his home @52Y 9M 8D (Deaths V2 p12) and was buried in Floral Grove Cemetery, West Unity, Brady Twp.  On 22 May 1887 Clarissa Pifer died and was buried in Floral Grove Cemetery, Pioneer, Madison Twp.  Michael had three known wives, yet in death he was buried alone. If Clarissa's testimony as to Michael's character was accurate, one can see why Clarissa chose not to rest for eternity next to such a husband.

An interesting note on one of Michael's sons exists in the above-mentioned Goodspeed and in Stories of Fountain City, Van Gundy, 1975.  Elwood Pifer learned the harnessmaking business and continued it until 20 May 1882 when he decided to go into the hotel business and took over the Kenyon House in West Unity.  Three months later he purchased the McIntire House and ran that for a time.  At some point his wife, Mary Elizabeth Zigler, and baby lived in Manitoba, Canada and visited HH Miller and wife in West Unity (“Bryan Press”, 26 Sept 1895).  Elwood’s name was also linked with the fire bug panic of 1903-1907 period in both Williams and Fulton Cos.  Elwood spent a year in prison for this; he died on 17 June 1893 in Chadbourne, NC.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Phillis

Homer M. Phillis v Frances Hoover Phillis (Journal 9 p536 - 8 Jul 1878; Roll 32 case number 433 - June 1878)

No Happy Home for Homer

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Butler, DeKalb Co, IN on 26 Feb 1874 according to Homer; Early Marriages of DeKalb Co, IN, Harter, p218, stated a license was issued on 25 Feb 1874 but no return was recorded.  Homer told the court that he was a resident of Ohio for one year; there was an 18 year old Homer Phillis listed as a day laborer in the 1870 Delta, Fulton Co, OH federal census, p434.  Homer was born in Dec 1852 in Beaver Co, PA, the son of Thomas and Annie Bates Phillis. Frances could be the daughter of a Jacob and Louisa Hoover or Andrew and Frances Hoover who both had daughters named Frances in the 1860 DeKalb Co, IN federal census.  On 23 Oct 1877 Homer M and Frank Phillis had their property in Butler, IN foreclosed (Town Lot #159); it was sold on 17 Nov 1877 to Charles R. Wannamaker.

Homer charged Frances with adultery and abandonment as she left their home in Butler, DeKalb Co, IN on 28 Mar 1878 and went to Kansas to an unknown residence.  Homer had many witnesses who testified to Frances' lack of moral character and, in my opinion, their own. Cornelius Moore of DeKalb, a 21-year-old blacksmith in Butler, had known the couple for one year.  He stated that Frances committed adultery with Walter Gildersleeve, Boon Madden, Jerome Newcomb, Jack Gayhart, and himself in the old blacksmith shop on 4 Feb 1878 and at other times in a caboose on the railroad tracks and at the Long Home in Butler.  William Headley, 20 years old, a terra cotta manufacturer, stated that George Stoner, Curt McBride, Boon Madden, Byron Rank, and himself on 9 Mar 1878 committed adultery with Frances in a drugstore known as Kehrer and Stoner, a hotel barn owned by Haverstock, a paint shop owned by Curt McBride, and other places.  Frances had syphilis pox when she left Butler. 

Alonzo Wade, a 22-year-old farmer, characterized Frances as "a sporting woman."  JW Cox, a 33-year-old tinner, stated he had sex with Frances in Samuel Searight's hardware store.  James Byron Rank, a 20-year-old farmer, had sex with Frances in Haverstock's barn and also present were William Headley, Boon Madden, and George Stoner.  Bank characterized Homer as a "sober, industrious fellow." Ira Boon Madden, a 19-year-old farmer, stated on 22 Aug 1878 Frances was intentious of "getting crammed" and on 8 Mar 1878 he didn't sleep with her but "it went back on me." Ira said Frances had a reputation as a notorious prostitute before she left town. 

Homer also charged that on 14 Mar 1878 she was unfaithful with Alonzo Johnson and the same with Wallace Gildersleeve in the shed of the old blacksmith shop on 15 Mar 1878, just days before she left town.  A legal notice of divorce was posted in the Fountain City Argus.  Homer received an n annulment.  From the 1900 Smithfield Twp, DeKalb Co, IN federal census p4B Homer had married a Laura S c1892; he died after 1920.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Pew/McLain

Margaret Mary Clark Pew v Thomas Spafford Pew

Hester Conklin Pew McLain v William Harvey McLain

He Divorces, She Divorces, Two Divorces in Williams Co, OH, 1855, 1885 – see Back

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 13 January 2013)

Thomas Spafford Pew, b 1824, NY, married NY native Mary Margaret Clark in Bridgewater Twp, Wms Co on 16 May 1846 (Marriages V1 p88).  Mary was born in 1827.  The couple was listed in the 1850 NW Twp federal census, p51, as Thomas Piew 25 NY, Mary 23 NY, Malvina 3 OH, and Martha 1 OH.  Currently the parentage of this couple is unknown; there may be a relationship to an Elias and Judith DePiew, both from NY, who also lived in Wms Co (1850 Bridgewater Twp federal census, p48-48B) and a Hulbert and Mary Clark, both NY natives (1850 Bridgewater Twp federal census p47B).

According to Williams County Civil and Criminal Court Records (Journal 5 p370, 381 - April 1855; Roll 9 case number 66 - April 1854), Margaret M. Pew requested a divorce from husband Thomas S. Pew citing that in 1847 she had lived apart from him for six months because of his extreme cruelty to her.  On 24 June 1848 he committed adultery in Bridgewater Twp with women unknown to Margaret.  On 1 May 1851 in Bridgewater he committed adultery with Jane Norman.  For the last seven years he had been grossly neglectful of her and treated her cruelly.  The couple had three children, Mary M (b. 1847), Alvira P (b. 10 Apr 1849), and Thomas Perry (b. 25 May 1854).  Their father had personal property valued at $200 and real estate valued at $1,000.  The court granted a divorce and Thomas was to pay court costs.

Thomas S. Pew next married Hester Conklin between 1855-1857.  Hester or Esther was born in Oct 1838, OH, the daughter of Joshua and Ruth Irene Roberts Conklin.  Joshua and his family were listed in the 1850 Bridgewater Twp federal census, p48B, as Joshua 41 NY, Ruth 39 VT, William 28 NY, Phebia 18 NY, Philip 15 NY, Adaline 14 NY, Esther 11 OH, Henry 9 OH, D***tus (m) 8 OH, Elizabeth 6 OH, Hannah 5 OH, and George 3 OH.  Thomas Pew and his family were enumerated in the 1860 NW Twp federal census, p9A, as Stafford Pew 36 OH, Esther C 21 OH, Mary E 13 OH, Martha J 11 OH, Charles 3 OH, and Lydia 2 OH.  Note that in 1860 the first two children belong to Thomas' first marriage. 

In the 1860 Jefferson Twp federal census, p179B, there is an unusual household that could explain the whereabouts of his first wife and youngest son who were residing there but the ages do not correspond to their projected ages.  The household was enumerated as Wesley Clark 35 OH, Mary Pew 18 NY, GW Clark 7 MI, and Thomas Pew 51 OH.  In the 1870 Jefferson Twp federal census, p37, one finds Mary M. Pugh 45 NY, Pary 17 OH, and Lincoln Sinclair 3 OH. Further study of this group may enlighten the reader as to what happened to the first wife and son.

Heeding the call to arms during the Civil War, Thomas S. Pew joined the 3^rd Ohio Cavalry Co H, enlisting on 20 Aug 1861 and receiving a disability discharge on 31 Jan 1863.  The Wms Co, OH Atlas, 1864, showed a TS Pew owning property in NW Twp Sec 6.  Thomas died before 30 Apr 1869 when his estate was probated (#1289) and he was buried in Eagle Creek Cemetery, Superior Twp as TS Pew with an inscription on his tombstone as to his military service, but no dates of birth or death.

From the 1870 NW Twp federal census, p38-39, one finds Esther C. Pew 31 OH, Charles 13 OH, Lydia 12 OH, Eliza 9 OH, and Frances (f) 3 OH, all the known children of Esther and Thomas Pew.  Their particulars are Charles Edward (b. 1857), Lydia Samantha (b. 10 Mar 1858), Eliza Ellen (b.1861), and Frances (b. 1867).

Esther, the widow, next married William Harvey McLain on 8 Apr 1872, Hillsdale Co, MI (Lib E p106).  William H., b. 11 Apr 1824, Onandaga Co, NY, was the son of William and Mariah Nelson McLain.  This family left NY and settled first in Monroe Co, MI c1833.  William H. married Malinda Dennis, b 1829 Maine, on 1 Jan 1849, Whiteford, Monroe Co, MI; Malinda died in NW Twp, Wms Co on 7 Mar 1871 @41Y 7M 15D and was buried in the Nettle Lake Cemetery.  They were the parents of Jeremie, Alonzo, Eli Nelson, George Washington, Ralph C, Eulela B, Mary E, Andrew Jackson, William, Martha Malinda, Malissa Jane, and Arilla. 

By the time of Esther's marriage to William H. McLain the couple lived on Esther's farm of 40 acres.  According to the 1880 NW Twp federal census, p441A, the McLain family was listed as William 56 NY, Hester C 40 OH, James 7 OH, Ruth 4 OH, Frances Pugh 13 OH.  Esther and William H. McLain were the parents of James Harrison (23 May 1873 - 6 May 1897; buried in Nettle Lake Cem), Ruth Irene (25 July 1876 - ?), Thomas Jefferson (13 Apr 1879 - bef 1885), and Frederic W. (20 Sept 1880 - ?).

According to the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court Records (Journal 12 p431 - 22 Dec 1884; Journal 13 p64 - 16 Mar 1885; Roll 41 case number 1383 - 1 Nov 1884) Esther C. McLain wanted a divorce.  Note that the divorce proceedings showed that Esther told the court that she was married on 24 Apr 1872 in Hillsdale Co, MI, by HG Dover.  The couple had three living children, James Harrison, Ruth Irene, and Frederick, ages 11, 8, and 4, respectively.  Esther said she had limited means and that her husband had failed to provide her with any necessities of life.  He was willfully absent for three years; William remained idle but he was physically capable of working.  She requested custody of the children, and reasonable alimony.  The court granted the divorce, allowed that Esther be awarded the 40 acres of land (which was her property anyway), and husband William was given visitation rights to see the children.

William H. McLain died on 1 Aug 1902 @78Y 3M 21D as found in his obituary (Montpelier Enterprise, 14 Aug 1902) and was buried in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Montpelier, OH.  Esther C McLain married David Flegal on 15 Oct 1900 in Gratiot Co, MI - he was married once before and she was married twice before.  Esther died on 12 Aug 1906 in Gratiot Co, MI.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Perky

George W. Perkey v Elizabeth Richie/Richey Perkey

Plenty of Nasty Talk in Williams County, Ohio, Divorce cNovember 1848

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 20 November 2014) - check comment at bottom for updated info

Highly improper conduct can vary from one geographical and historical era to another.  The reader can determine if this early Williams Co, OH couple was inundated with accusations from nosey neighbors and concerned relatives.  If they had been left alone, perhaps there would not have been a divorce or was this action justified?  You decide.

Roll 7 Box 22 (#11) of the Williams Co, OH Civil and Criminal Court Records in Nov 1848 tells the tale of a couple who lived in this county about ten years before tongues wagged and reputations were ruined but eventually one of the parties appears to have rebuilt a damaged name and was accepted by society in Florence Twp, Wms Co, OH.  Obviously, other details had to be pieced together from various sources.

George W. Perkey was born 28 Nov 1815 in Columbiana Co, OH, the ninth of ten known children in the family of Daniel and Sarah Firestone Perkey.  George married Elizabeth Richey, daughter of Abraham and Catherine Glass Richey in Butler Twp, Columbiana Co, OH on 18 Sept 1837 where Elizabeth was born c. 1816.  Her parents were also married there on 26 Feb 1815.  The Richey family lived there according to the 1820 federal census where father Abraham later died in 1823.  Peter Richey was named both the administrator of the estate and the guardian for minors Elizabeth, William, Isaac, and Rebecca Richey.  In Columbiana Co, widow Catherine Richey married widower John Allomong, a native of Berks Co, PA, and sometime in the 1840's they moved to Florence Twp, Section 8. 

Perhaps earlier the young Perkey couple traveled here in June 1838 and the couple was enumerated in the 1840 Florence Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p232 as George W. Perky with male under 5 =1, m 20-30 =1, female under 5 = 1, and female 20-30 = 1.  Other records indicate that they had at least 4 children, 2 of each gender; one son, Daniel or David Perky is known to have lived to be enumerated in later census records.

Depositions from neighbors abound with sordid details of Elizabeth's improper conduct with William Demming between the summer of 1845 to Feb 1846, and again in Aug 1846.  People were called before the Wms Co court to state their claims.  Some of those called were James McClenan of Florence Twp, Sarah and James W. Welsh formerly of this twp but in 1846 living in Celina, Mercer Co, OH, David and Martin Perky, Lydia Sickles of Richland Twp, Steuben Co, IN, and Henry Rummell also of Steuben Co who was the brother-in-law of George Perkey.  All told tales of secret meetings between Elizabeth and William Demming down in the marsh.  Sometime later this couple took a sleigh ride together which the neighborhood felt was highly improper.  Lydia Sickles related that in Aug 1846 Elizabeth and William were living together as husband and wife but she did not state where this alleged cohabitation took place.  On 17 Dec 1846 George Perkey told the court "his wife had prostituted herself to the purpose of fornication and adultery with William Demming".  A published statement to that effect appeared in a local newspaper on 27 Sept 1848.

According to Issue Docket of Clerk of Court, Nov 1848, George Perky v Elizabeth Perky, divorce, decreed couple to have custody of the children; perhaps this was meant to be shared custody or a split of several to each parent. By Nov 1848 George was granted a divorce but he had to pay the court costs. 

What happened to George after this is not known at this time, but on 8 Sept 1850 Elizabeth Richey Perkey married widower Cyrenus Palmer in Wms Co, OH (V2 p113) and is enumerated with Cyrenus in the 1850 Florence Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p62B as Palmer, Cyrenus 50 NY, Elizabeth 35 OH, several Palmer children, and Daniel Perkey 7 OH.  They were also listed in the 1860 Florence Twp census, PO Lukes Corners, p19 as Cyrus Palmer 61 NY, Elizabeth 44 OH, William H. 8 OH, Margaret 7 IN, and Silas Palmer 4 OH.  By the 1870 Florence Twp census, Edon, p12, William H. Palmer is living with his step grandfather, John Allomong 74 PA and step uncle Joseph Allomong and his family. His father Cyrenus died in 1864 and his mother Elizabeth passed away in 1899 in Wichita, Kansas.

Elizabeth known as "Betsey" and Cyrenus Palmer were the parents of William Henry (27 Mar 1852 - 13 Apr 1917; m1 Annie J. Stewart; m2 Celestia Prough); Margaret 1853 IN - aft 1905) and Silas (1856 OH - aft 1905).  Elizabeth's stepfather, John Allomong, was first married to Julianna Elizabeth Rarick who died in Columbiana Co, OH 17 Feb 1827, probably in childbirth.  One of their sons, Joseph Allomong united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, leaving the Lutheran faith; father John Allomong was not pleased with this switch and John refused to give Joseph an 80 acre farm in Florence Twp.  Joseph moved to Alvarado, Richland Twp, Steuben Co, IN and eventually farmed 456 acres there.  Joseph also switched to the United Brethren Church because there was no close Episcopal Church in his neighborhood. 

Henry Rummell, George Perkey's brother-in-law, had married George's older sister Elizabeth Perkey and they were the parents of 16 children.  Another older Perkey sister, Sarah, had married Robert Carlin and they too lived in Richland Twp, Steuben Co, IN.  One of their sons would eventually become the Superintendent of the Steuben County Schools.  The Carlins are buried in NW Twp, Wms Co, OH in the Columbia Cemetery.  Elizabeth Richey Perkey Palmer's mother and stepfather are buried in the Leggett Cemetery, Florence Twp, having died 18 July 1859 @67Y 4M 13D (Catherine Allomong) and 31 Mar 1872 @75Y 8M 13D (John Allomong).



Pam,

I am researching the Perkys as part of my Firestone project and I would like to bend your ear on George Perkey and his family. I found your article on their divorce a while back but am just now working on this branch of the family.

After his divorce from Elizabeth, George moved to Hancock Co., IL and later to Adair Co., MO where he is found in the 1860 census along with his son Daniel Perkey. At the same time, Elizabeth is still living in Ohio but by 1870 she has moved to Carroll Co., MO where Daniel Palmer is included in her household, the same age as Daniel Perkey and no Daniel Perkey is found in the census of the same age by any variation of the name. There is a Civil War service record for Daniel Perkey from Adair Co., MO who had joined the Missouri Home Guard, a Union unit.

Name: Daniel Perkey
Event Type: Military Service
Event Year: 1861
Age (Original):
Military Unit Note: Missouri Home Guards, N-Pi
Affiliate Publication Title: Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Missouri
Affiliate Publication Number: M405
Affiliate Film Number: 716

He was the only Daniel Perkey in the state at the time so it seems this is him. Daniel is living with his mother after the war and enumerated as Daniel Palmer as mentioned above.

There is a marriage record for Daniel Palmer in Madison Co., Iowa in 1860 to Angeline Stover.

Name: Daniel Palmer
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 07 Dec 1869
Event Place: Madison County, Iowa, United States
Spouse's Name: Angeline Stover
Reference ID: p 116
GS Film Number: 1028196
Digital Folder Number: 004310072
Citing this Record: "Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934"
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KCWZ-DDL : accessed 18 Nov 2014

They are found in 1870 living in Madison Co., IA,
Daniel Palmer, 27, OH
Angeline Palmer. 24, IN

In 1880 they are found in Union Twp., Worth Co., MO. he is indexed as David Parmer but the image could be Daniel or David but the wife is Angeline and the children match the 1900 census so I'm sure it is him.

David Parmer, 36, OH, OH, OH
Angline Parmer, 34, IN, PA, OH
Samuel Parmer, 9, IA, OH, IN
Claud Parmer, 8, IA, OH, IN
Ralph Parmer, 5, IA, OH, IN
Cora S Parmer, 2, IA, OH, IN

In 1900 they are in Plattville Twp. Mills Co., IA
Daniel Palmer, July 1843, 56, OH, PA, OH
Angeline Palmer, May 1846, 54, IN, PA, OH
Claud Palmer, Apr 1872, 28, IA, OH, IN
Ralph Palmer, Mar 1875, 25, IA, OH, IN
Pearl M Palmer, Apr 1883, 17, IA, OH, IN
Lewis Palmer, Nov 1885, 14, IA, OH, IN

I searched for a Daniel Palmer of the same age that existed prior to 1870 with no luck and there is no duplicate census records for another Daniel Palmer after 1870 so it would seem that this Daniel is Daniel Perky. The variations in parents nativity seems to fall in line with other census records as George himself is enumerated as being born in Ohio in some records and PA in others.

George Perky married Anna Mason in Illinois in 1851.

Name: George W. Perky
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 10 Apr 1851
Event Place: Hancock, Illinois, United States
Spouse's Name: Anna Mason
Reference ID: bk 1
GS Film number: 954177
Digital Folder Number: 004661306
Image Number: 00311
Citing this Record: "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934"
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KFK3-RF6 : accessed 03 Nov 2014

They had 5 children, Melissa, Marian, Monroe, George W. Jr. and Clarence E. He was living alone in Hancock Co., IL in 1850 before his marriage to Anna. In 1860 they had moved to Liberty Twp., Adair Co., MO where Daniel Perkey is included in the household. In 1870 they had moved to Walnut Creek, Adair Co., MO. George died there in 1872 and his will was registered and went through probate there. It includes mention of two children from his previous marriage, Catherine and Sarah but not Daniel.

Last Will & Testament of G. W. Perky

Last Will & Testament of George W. Perky of Walnut Township Adair County and State of Missouri & by occupation a farmer.

I give bequeath & devise all my estate both real & personal as follows namely:

To my daughter Catherine A. Burns, residing near Lafayette, State of Indiana the sum of One Dollar.

To my daughter Sarah A. Smith of Carroll County, Mo, also one dollar.

To my daughter Melissa Perky, my son Marion Perky, my son Monroe Perky & my son George W. Perky, one dollar each, last four named living at home with myself and their mother.

And the remainder to my wife Anna Perky and I desire her to take care of the unmarried children & pay off all my debts as soon as practicable.

This will also applies to any property now due my by right of will or inheritance.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this Thirty first day of October 1871.

George W. Perky {seal}

The above instrument was signed & sealed in our presence & at our residence in Morris Township Sullivan County, Mo. the date above written by George W. Perky of Adair County Mo. Oct 31st 1871.

Attest{ Franklin Williams
      { Mary Williams

County of Adair

I Jacob Sands Clerk of the Probate Court of Adair County having examined the foregoing instrument of writing purportions to be the last will & testimony of Franklin Williams and Mary Williams the witnesses above named, do adjudge & declare the said instrument of writing to be the last will & testament of George W Perkey decd.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Probate Court of Adair County at office in said County this 10th day of February AD 1872

Jacob Sands Clerk
Probate Court Adair Co.

Notice the name is written as both Perky and Perkey. I wonder if Daniel is left out because he adopted the Palmer name or is he dead? Images of the will and probate records can be found on Family Search, Missouri Probate Records 1750-1998.

I just finished up Catherine's line. She married George W. Burns and their family stayed pretty much in the Tippecanoe Co., IN area. Now I am moving on to Daniel and the other children. I just wanted to pass on the information on George so it doesn't seem like he just fell off the face of the earth. Perhaps at some point you can update your article.

Elizabeth's son Silas moved to Kansas as did her daughter Margaret Melissa who married Hiram Smith. Elizabeth died in 1899 at Melissa's home in Wichita, KS.

I would like to hear your opinion on the Daniel Palmer mentioned above and if you want to see any of my Firestone information you can find it online at the link in my signature below.

I look forward to hearing from you!
--
Denny Shirer - drdx@neo.rr.com - Canton, OH
Shirer Family Genealogy -
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mysong