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03/20/09 |
            
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Travel to Washington, DC for Pension at 99 Years Old JOSEPH WARNER, our Revolutionary ancestor was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, in March, 1738. His father came to the Colonies at an early date, from Dublin, Ireland. He married a lady from London, England—a school teacher--and settled in Maryland. To them were born nine children, Joseph being the youngest. We have no record of the other children, save one item. A sister named Elizabeth is said to have married a man named Watson In a deposition made by one Peter Helphinstine concerning Joseph Warner’s service in the Revolutionary Army, mention is made of Walter Watson who served in the same regiment. He may have been his brother-in-law. This deposition was carried to Washington, D.C., by Joseph Warner when he made application for a pension. There are two depositions on file in the Pension Office at Washington, D.C., of which I have copies. He was eight years old at the time of his father's death. Two years later his mother died. His early education was received from his mother who continued her calling as a teacher as long as she lived. After her death Joseph was adopted by friends. The name of the family is not known, but he is said to have had a good home with them. He has told of an illness he had at one time. He was thought to be dead and arrangements for his burial were being made. It was probably a cataleptic attack, as he said he was fully conscious of all that was being said and done although utterly unable to move or make a sound. His foster mother refused to believe him dead and would not consent to his burial. The condition was overcome and he recovered. He always cherished unbounded gratitude to her. He remained with these friends until of age. In 1767 he was married to Ruth Troat, a native of Virginia. A grandson, writing of her in her old age, said, "She was an unusually active woman, quick on foot, a bright and sparkling manner." Eight children were born to them--William, Joseph, John, Robert, Henry, Margaret, Sally and Amelia. William, married, 1st Elizabeth Denty, 2nd Susanna Weiser. Joseph, married Sarah Atchison. John, married Sophia Weiser. Robert (have no record). Henry, married Sally Kirby. Margaret, married William Wingate. Sally, married, 1st Mr. Conley, 2nd Justice Jones. Amelia, married Samuel Carr. They left Maryland in 1776 and settled in Fairfax County, Virginia. Joseph's land adjoined that of George Washington on the West. At one time he overheard Washington berating a poacher he had caught on his premises. He was using severe language. Joseph, being of a rather democratic nature, thoght the rebuke disproportionate to the offense. He was a planter by occupation, but not a slave owner. Here he joined the Revolutionary Army, serving in the regiment of Colonel Harrod, under the command of General Stephens. He was wounded in the Battle of Germantown, a bayonet wound on the skull some three or four inches long. In his old age when recalling his army experiences, he would become very animated, seeming to renew his youth and living over again his army days. When forty-two years of age he was converted, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at Alexandria, being the sixth person to join that Society. The Rev. John Potts received him and his wife into that church. According to records the services at this place were sometimes disturbed by unruly sailors. Joseph is said to have "restrained them by force." Throughout their lives, wherever their home chanced to be, this couple were faithful, consistent, active Christians. In 1802, at the age of sixty-four, he came to Ohio, bringing with him a goodly company--children and grandchildren. The journey was made by wagon-train and horseback. Through forests, over mountains and fording rivers, the long, arduous journey was safety accomplished. The first settlement was made in Belmont County. After a few years at this point the colony again took up its march and came to Madison County and settled in and around what is now the town of London. Joseph, the head of the colony, selected for his homestead a tract now lying west of the town, known to later generations as the Albert Rankin farm, later still as the Kemp farm, and afterwards owned by a Mr. Tway. There on a knoll Joseph built his log cabin home. There he and his wife lived until near the end of their long lives. From his home he could look abroad upon the homes of his descendants. To the westward adjoining his farm lay that of his son John; beyond John's that of his youngest daughter, Amelia, the wife of Samuel Carr. Still farther to the west, on an eminence in the center of his farm, Joseph junior had built his log cabin. Northwestward of the Carr farm, adjoining the Kirkpatrick place, was the home of the daughter, Sally Warner Conley. She later married Justice Jones. Her daughter Ellen Conley married Joseph Kirkpatrick. Kirkwood Cemetery covers part of the Kirkpatrick place and was named in honor of the former pioneer. To the eastward, including part of the site of Oakhill Cemetery and the Richmond home place, was the home of William, the grandfather of the writer. The first home was put up on the eastern edge of the two hundred acre tract but later on another was built on the site now occupied by the Richmond home. Northward, including land now occupied by the Children’s Home, was the home of the daughter Margaret, wife of William Wingate. Robert's farm lay west of the present site of the town, on the Springfield road, known at one time as the Creighton Rayburn farm. Henry settled at Mechanicsburg, later going to Indiana. The London-Charleston turnpike went through some of these farms. A part of John's land was taken for a toll gate. A toll house was built there and John, leaving his home farther back on the farm, went to live in the toll house, becoming the keeper. There with his wife, Sophia, was spent the remaining years of his life. They were childless but had taken into their home and hearts Elias, a son of William and Susannah. Susannah and Sophia were sisters. A fine spring of sulphur water was near the house, but is now lost. Later on Joseph and Ruth, his wife, left the homestead and went to the home of their son Henry at Reading, near Cincinnati. Here in 1835 the wife died, aged about eighty-six years. She was buried in a graveyard near Reading. The grave cannot now be located. Joseph returned to London and lived in the home of his son, Joseph Junior. It was from this home he made his memorable journey to Washington, D.C., and from this same home he started his final trip to Illinois. This place is known to later generations as the Eli Warner farm. Eli was a son of Joseph Junior. Joseph seemed much given to journeying, and was not always reasonable about his proposed trips. It sometime became necessary to take his pony to some neighboring farm to prevent him from stealing away on dangerous journeys. Cousin Rachel Scarff once told me she was sometimes sent to take the pony away and was always fearful lest grandfather should find that she had taken it away, and should punish her for it. When about ninety-nine years old he made a journey to Washington, D.C., to make application for a pension. He went on horseback. His faithful pony, called Sibbie, carried him safely there and back. On this same tried and trusty friend, he later, at the age of one hundred years, journeyed from London to various places in Indiana, visiting children and grandchildren living in that state. He rode from Ft. Wayne to Benton, some fifty miles, in one day, spent three weeks in North Webster, went from there to Goshen, thence to Chicago, then to Springfield, Illinois, following an Indian trail and stakes forty miles without passing a house. This long and remarkable journey ended at the home of his daughter, Sally Warner Jones, at Cherry Point, Marshall County, Illinois. On his way he stopped at a mill to ask the way to the Jones home and found there a son-in-law of his daughter, a Mr.Kester. The remaining years of his life were spent at Cherry Point. He seems to have been a man of determination and action, rather self-willed in fact. A short time before his death he proposed returning to Ohio. Knowing the family would not consent he stole away one cold day on old Sibbie. He rode some twelve miles across a lone prairie before reaching a house. Here he spent the night. These friends notified the family of his whereabouts and he was persuaded to return. He was never absent from the church services. Whoever else failed to go, his place was never vacant. One stormy Sunday his daughter suggested his staying at home. He was not minded to follow her advice and, fearing they would leave him, started off and walked the half-mile to the church. A creek had to be crossed, the only bridge being two poles laid across. They were covered with sleet, but he crossed safely by crawling over them. He died at the daughter’s home, September 5th, 1842, aged nearly one hundred and four years. His grave is in Cherry Point Cemetery. His monument records his Army Service and a D.A.R. marker has been placed there by the Streator Chapter, D.A.R. WILLIAM WARNER William Warner, a son of Joseph Warner, was a native of Virginia, born in 1768. He was a planter by occupation but not a slave holder. He married Elizabeth Denty, also a native of Virginia. To them were born six children: Mary, William and John, twins, Henry and Elizabeth, twins, and Joseph. Mary, married Patrick McLane. William, married Sarah Kelly of Mechanicsburg, Ohio. John, died unmarried soon after entering upon the practice of medicine. Henry, married Keturah Humphreys Gosslee. Elizabeth, married William Pinclxard. Went to Alton, Ill. Joseph, married Frances Smith of Charleston, Ohio. Elizabeth Denty Warner died in Virginia about 1797. William Warner took for his second wife Susannah Weiser. To William and Susannah Weiser Warner were born eight children: .George, Samuel, Daniel, Thomas, James, Elias, Dennis and Rebecca. George, married Elizabeth Cartmill. Samuel, married Mary Scott (?). Daniel, went to Illinois. Have no record of him. Thomas, went to Cincinnati. Died unmarried. James, went to Indiana. Died unmarried. Elias, died unmarried. Dennis, married Mary Chenowith. Rebecca, married Patrick McLane. William and Susannah Warner came to Ohio at the same time that the entire Warner family came. They went to Belmont County and later to Madison County. He located two hundred acres of land east of the present site of London, and raised his log cabin on the eastern edge of the tract, but later put another on the place where the Emma Richmond house now stands. William Warner was a strong type of the early Methodist. The writer remembers him as he sat in his accustomed place in the church. Few remain who can recall the appearance of that church, the second one built by the Methodists of London. It stood on the corner of Oak and Second Streets. The George Lewis house now occupies the site. It was a square frame building, surmounted by a bell tower, and was painted white. There were galleries on three sides. On each side a space was left for the stoves used in heating the house. There were long wooden pews. Grandfather Warner sat near the stove on the men's side of the house. In that day the women sat on one side, the men on the other. This seating differed from that of the Quakers in that there was no partition between, to be closed on occasions. He was a shouting member. His usual exclamation before seating himself was, "Glory! Amen!" and all through the service his voice was heard in hearty responses. As he advanced in years the distance from his home on the eastern edge of the town to the church seemed to him too great, and he removed to a home at the corner of Second and Water Streets, near the church. Here he and his wife spent the remaining years of their lives. She died in 1855 and he in 1856, aged about eighty-eight years. They were buried in the old Methodist grave yard, corner of Walnut and Fifth Streets. Later the bodies were removed to Kirkwood Cemetery. HENRY WARNER Henry Warner, a son of William Warner and Elizabeth Denty Warner, was born in Fairfax County, Virginia, near Alexandria, on the Potomac River, June 15,1795. His father, William Warner, was a son of Joseph Warner and Ruth Troat Warner. His mother belonged to the Denty family of Virginia and was related to the Lee family. Henry was about seven years old when his grandfather, in true patriarchal fashion, gathered together his five sons and three daughters and their families and journeyed to Ohio, surely a goodly company. William purchased two hundred acres of land east of the town of London. It was then a collection of less than a dozen houses. Henry, a lad in his teens, assisted his brother-in-law, Judge Patrick McLane, in laying out the town site. He had very little formal schooling, but was truly a self-educated man. I remember hearing him talk about studying his mathematics by firelight. On February 22nd, 1823, he was married to Keturah Humphreys Gosslee, a daughter of Richard Gosslee and Elizabeth Brown Gosslee. Richard Gosslee was a native of Delaware, of French patronage. Elizabeth Brown Gosslee was a daughter of Humphreys Brown of Maryland. Her parents dying when she was a small child, she was cared for and brought up in the home of an uncle named Tuttle. The Tuttles were slave holders but freed their slaves before going to Ohio. They settled in Ross County, near Chillicothe. Richard and Elizabeth Gosslee settled first in Ross County and here their oldest child, Keturah Humphreys, was born. Later they left Ross County, going to Madison County to the region then called the Barrens. Eight sons and four daughters were born to them. He was a Methodist, having joined that church when twenty years of age. Soon after coming to the new home a class was organized and preaching services were held in the home, there being no church near. Later he was an active founder of the Concord church, donating the land on which it was built. Family worship morning and evening was never omitted, no matter what the rush of farm work might be. He appeared to have but one work, one subject of thought, and that the service of God. Seventy years of his life were given to this service. From this home Keturah was married. Her trousseau was bought in Chillicothe. I have heard her tell of riding there on horseback, carrying home her purchases. The most troublesome parcel to carry was the large bandbox containing the leghorn bonnet, trimmed in white ribbon. The wedding dress was of white sprigged muslin. She is said to have been the prettiest girl in the county and was a beautiful woman. Henry and Keturah established a home in London, eleven children were born to them, and together they walked life's pathway for fifty six years. Henry's business interests were varied. He was a merchant, real estate dealer, a surveyor, filled several county offices, was sheriff of the county four years and county treasurer from 1834 to 1848. He was county surveyor a number of years, and was often called to do surveying in adjoining counties. His memory of surveys made was remarkable. As long as he lived men came to him to settle questions of lines and boundaries and he was always able to do so. There never seemed any confusion in his mind relative to these questions. He joined the Methodist church in early manhood and set up the family altar, conducting the worship so long as his health permitted. He was a loyal citizen, never missed voting at an election until he was physically unable to go to the polls. A memoir written at the time of his death says, "Many anecdotes are related by old citizens illustrative of his rigid honesty and his eccentricity, for eccentric he was to a very marked degree. Kind of heart when convinced of duty or charity deserved, he was nevertheless one of the most sarcastic of men. Once when he was representing his own cause before a magistrate, the lawyer for the other side remarked that he did not want to take advantage of Mr. Warner as he saw he was there without counsel. "Oh! go on," said Mr. Warner, "your side of the case is in the same condition." He was an invalid for many years, retiring from business some twenty years before his death. He passed away at the age of eighty-three, leaving his widow, seven children, sixteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Keturah Warner was a woman of strong character, sound judgment and unusual poise. She had eleven children, her husband was active in the life of the community, and their home was the center of constant hospitality, but through all vicissitudes she guided and directed her household with wisdom and discretion, teaching them by precept and example the beauty and worth of a sincere Christian life. Her pastor, Rev. B. L. McElroy, said of her. "Sister Warner was one of the most remarkable women whom it has been our pleasure to know. Very few have lived to walk with God across so large a part of the century. A member of the Methodist church for seventy-five years, she bad marked its development into its present strength, out of very meager beginnings. Possessing an intellect of unusual vigor, she kept herself abreast of all great movements. When well advanced in years she read a large part of the Chautauqua Course, and always kept her hopes alive and active. In her faith the world grew constantly better, and she rejoiced and was glad to see take the day of the Lord. So long as sight enabled her to do so, she read her Bible devotedly. Seated at the window one day, reading her Testament, her vision suddenly failed, and thus the last book that she read was the one that had given such comfort to her years. For seventy-three years she lived in the town of London, coming there as a bride of seventeen in her sprigged muslin and her leghorn hat, and dying there at ninety, after seventeen years of widowhood. Increasingly through all those years she possessed the respect and love of her children, the esteem and affection of her neighbors and friends. Her descendants have been men and women of character and distinction. They have taken a creditable part in the life of their times, and it is the earnest hope of the writer that present and future generations may draw some inspiration from this brief sketch of their ancestors and realize anew the value and the responsibility of their inheritance from men and women whose courage, industry, and sincere piety made them significant figures in the pioneer history of Madison County. GENEALOGY
2nd Generation William, 1768-1856, married, first Elizabeth Denty, second Susanna Weiser. Joseph, married Sarah Atchison. John, married Sophia Weiser. Robert. Henry, married Sally Kirby. Margaret, married William Wingate. Sally, married, first Mr. Conley, second Justice Jones. Amelia, married Samuel Carr. William Warner and Elizabeth Denty had children: 3rd Generation Mary, married Patrick McLane. William, married Sarah Kelly. John. Henry, married Keturah Humphreys Gossice. Elizabeth, married William Pinckard. Joseph, married Frances Smith. William Warner and Susanna Weiser had children: George, married Elizabeth Cartmill. Samuel, married Mary Scott. Daniel. Thomas. James. Elias Dennis, married Mary Chenowith. Rebecca, married Patrick McLane. Henry Warner, 1795-1878, and Keturah Gosslee had children: 4th Generation
5th Generation
5th Generation
William Rodgers, born April 8, 1853, died Feb. 12, 1854. Robert Henry, born Feb. 2, 1855, died Oct. 1, 1868. Hattie Briggs, born April 24, 1863, died May 25, 1891. Richard Almgill, Jr., born Feb. 10, 1866. Warner, born June 3, 1868. Mary Keturah Harrison rnarried Samuel Franklin Marsh (died Dec., 1892) on September 15, 1868. Children: 6th Generation Harry Harrison, born June 8, 1869. Samuel Franklin, Jr., born October, 1871. Richard Harrison, born March, 1875, died June 11, 1896. Louisa Mary, born September, 1876. Harry Harrison Marsh married Jean Morrison London, March 8, 1893. Children: 7th Generation Warner Harrison, born Feb. 26, 1894. John Londen, born Nov. 1, 1895. Harry Harrison, Jr., born Nov. 20, 1897. Warner Harrison Marsh married Ann Emelie Rogge, April 30,1923. Child: 8th Generation Warner Harrison, Jr., born Nov. 8, 1924. John Londen Marsh married Alberta Louise Stifel, January 4, 1927. Harry Harrison, Jr., married Violet Edith Murray, October 30, 1926. Louisa Maria Harrison married David Kemper Watson at London, Ohio, Oct. 29, 1873. Children: 6th Generation Marie Margaret, born Sept. 24, 1875. James Harrison, born Sept. 18, 1885, died June 26, 1916. Marie Margaret Watson married Dickson L. Moore at Washington, D. C., April 2, 1902. Hattie Briggs Harrison married Arthur Robinson at Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 23, 1888. Richard Almgill Harrison, Jr., married Blanche MacDowill at Vincennes, Indiana May 24, 1916. Child: 6th Generation Louie Jane, born July, 1920.
5th Generation Laura Keturah, born Aug. 8, 1867, at St. John, N.B. Henry, born Aug. 8, 1868, died Apr. 14, 1869 John Robinson, born Jan. 29, 1870. - Agnes Louise, born March 29, 1872, died April 23, 1926. James Taylor, born Nov. 20, 1873, died June 16, 1932. Richard Harrison, born May 8, 1875, died in infancy. Mary Robinson, born April 18, 1876. Laura Keturah Warner married Charles J. Coster at St. John, N.B., June 21, 1893. Children: 6th Generation Bayard Coster, born Ati,-,. 31, 1894. Kathleen Coster, born Sept. 18, 1895. James Taylor Warner married Grace Powell at Detroit, Michigan, October 2, 1901. Children: 6th Generation John Powell, born April 19, 1903. William James, born August 9, 1913. Robert Robinson, born June 20, 1915. James Taylor, Jr., born August 4, 1917. Nancy Anne, born September 16, 1922. John Powell Warner married Alice Moco at Detroit, Michigan, June 23, 1924, Child: 7th Generation Suzanne Warner, born May 5, 1925. William James Warner married Dorothy Cummins at Detroit, Mich, June, 1942. Children: 7th Generation Mary Grace, born March 26, 1943 Elizabeth Ann, born Feb. 29, 1944 Margaret Cummins, born December 15, 1945 Robert Robinson Warner married Francis Merrill at Charleston, W.Va., May 4, 1940. Children: 7th Generation Robert Robinson, Jr., born Nov. 2, 1942 Jonathan Merrill, born May 14 1944 William Park, born November 18, 1948, died Nov. 12, 1984 Christopher James, born May 3, 1952 James Taylor,-Jr., married Magdalena Himmelspach at Farmington, Mich., Nov.2, 1940 Children: 7th Generation Mary Robinson, born Sept. 12, 1942 Kathleen Anne, born Dec. 21, 1944 Nancy Anne Warner married Peter Cummins at Detroit, Mich. April,1942.Children: 7th Generation James Warner, born March 21, 1947 Grace Elizabeth, born Feb. 27, 1949 Peter Bayard, born Nov. 27, 1950 Thomas Charles, born Aug.14, 1957 William Joseph, born July 23, 1958 Robert Warner Bayard Coster married Grace Roberts at Frankfort, Mich., Dec, 25, 1928. Child: 7th Generation Kathleen Grace, born Dec. 26, 1929 Kathleen Grace Coster married Donald Gruschow at Detroit, Mich. Feb. 22,1952. Children: Janet Gay, born April 14, 1956 Robert, born Dec. 25, 1966 Mary Robinson Warner married Robert Anthony Connelly at Royal Oak, Mich., Oct. 24, 1969. Child: 8th Generation Steven James, born Feb. 21, 1973 Megan Lee, born Nov. 19, 1977 Kathleen Anne Warner married James Michael Connelly at Royal Oak, Mich.,Aug. 24, 1968.Children: Kristin Kay, born June 11, 1970 Laura Elizabeth, born Aug. 15, 1972 Kathryn Lynn, born April 26, 1977 Susan Patricia, born Feb.22, 1979
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