Contributed by William L. De Coursey
1830 - Executive Document 31 of the House of Representatives, 21st Congress, 2nd Session, December 6, 1830, REJECTED APPLICATIONS FOR PENSION UNDER THE PENSION ACT OF 1818 lists the name of Peter DECOURSEY, Private, a resident of Ohio. He was refused a pension as he "served in a Regiment not on the continental establishment" (Service in county militia was not recognized for pension purposes until 1833). An attempt to obtain a copy of the pension papers from the National Archives in 1973 brought this reply: "We have examined the General Accounting Office ledger of Suspended and Rejected Revolutionary War Pension claims and have noted that the application papers of Peter DECOURCY, who applied under the Act of 1818 from Ohio, have been missing since September 1877. Nothing further has been found relative to this case." See also SAR #101318.
1830 - Federal Census, Trumbull Co., OH, Milton Twp., p.185 lists Abraham DECORSEY as a head of household with 2 males under 5, 1 male 20-30, 2 females under 5, 1 male 5-10, and 1 female 20-30. Also on same census is listed David DECORSEY with 1 male 5-10, 1 male 20-30, 1 female under 5, 1 female 50-60, and 1 female 60-70.
1830 - Federal Census, Medina Co., OH, p.205 lists Isaac DECOURSEY in Montrose Twp. with 1 male 15-20, 1 male 40-50, 1 female 10-15, and 1 female 30-40. Same census on p.181 lists Jonathan DECOURSEY in Wadsworth Twp. with 3 males under 5, 1 male 5-10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 15-20, 1 male 40-50, 1 female 10-15, and 1 female 30-40.
1830 - Federal Census, Geauga Co., OH, p.215 lists James DECOURCEY in Perry Twp.
1830 - The Indian Removal Act, signed by President Andrew Jackson in 1830, demanded that all Indian tribes east of the Mississippi cede their land to the United States in exchange for territory in the West. Many Delaware, Shawnee, and other Indian nations left peacefully; others, principally Cherokee, were evicted from their prosperous farms in the winter of 1838, and forced to march across country under military guard to a reservation in Oklahoma. Four Thousand Indians died along the way in this "Trail of Tears" --- victims of disease, exposure and the brutality of the troops. Pvt. John G. BURNETT, a soldier who helped round up the tribe, wrote that the Cherokee were driven into the stockades "with the sky for a blanket and the earth for a pillow." About 1,000 escaped into mountains in western North Carolina. Along the trail, they were forbidden to have campfires and slept on the ground chained to wagon wheels. The weak were left to die. It was a sad day in our history. USA TODAY NEWSPAPER (Oct. 26, 1988), pp.1A-2A; ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA (International Edition 1965), v.20, p.698.
1830c- Mary (FRANKS) HELMICK, first wife of Nicholas HELMICK, died about 1830. She is buried near Norton, Ohio in the Emanuel United Church of Christ burial ground.
1830 - Nicholas HELMICK is shown in the 1830 census of Norton Twp., Medina County, Ohio.
1831 - Nicholas HELMICK was a resident of Norton, Medina County, Ohio in 1831. Pension.#W489; Blwt.#36736-160-55.
1831 - Brigham YOUNG was born at Whittingham, Vt., 1 June 1801, joined the Mormons in 1831, and became associated with Joseph SMITH at Kirtland, Ohio in 1832. Upon the assassination of Joseph SMITH in 1844, Brigham YOUNG became the successor of SMITH as head of the Mormon Church. Brigham YOUNG, Jr. married two daughters of Isaac and Harriet Page (WHEELER) DECKER of Portage Co., Ohio. Elinor Randlemon, OURS - THEN AND NOW, pp.62-64.
1831 - Enoch Van WYE married, 18 May 1831, at Trumbull Co., Ohio, to Dianna PENNEL, daughter of John and Hannah (DECOURSEY) PENNEL.
1831 - Thomas BALLARD married, 30 August 1831, at Trumbull Co., Ohio to Mary PENNELL, daughter of John and Hannah (DECOURSEY) PENNEL.
1831 - Luther BARNEY (1757-1844) moved to Ellery, Chautauqua Co., New York in 1831. Young's HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA CO., NEW YORK (1875), p.325.
1832 - Luther BARNEY of Chautauqua Co., New York, on 12 Oct. 1832, filed for a pension on his service in the Revolutionary War. BARNEY FAMILY NEWSLETTER, No.22, p.5; Pension File #W.4124.
1832 - Gilbert TRACY (1761-1841) was allowed pension on his application executed 11 Sept. 1832, while residing in Scipio, Cayuga County, New York. Pension File #W.4088.
1832 - Benjamin VanAKEN (bapt. 13 Feb. 1756, died 18 Sept 1835 - D.A.R. records) married Margaret CHESNEY. She was a sister to Maria CHESNOR who married Benjamin CORSA (also known as Benjamin RACER), a half-brother to Peter CORSA (Peter DeCOURSEY).
Benjamin VanAKEN served in the same military company with Peter CORSA in the Revolutionary war.
Benjamin VanAUKEN filed for a pension in 1832, and his widow also filed for a pension. (Pension File #W3630). Testifying for Benjamin VanAUKEN were Moses VanGordan and Jacob SHOEMAKER. Some extracts from these pension papers follow:
"State of Pennsylvania, Pike County, ss:
On this twentieth day of November, A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty two in Open Court before the honorable John COOLBAUGH and Daniel DINGMAN --?-- --?-- judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county of Pike now sitting appeared Benjamin VANAKEN a resident of Middle Smithfield township in the said County now in the seventy seventh year of his age who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress June -?- 1832. That according to the information he received from his parents he was born in what was then called Minisink in the state of New Jersey in the year 1757 and when a child went with his parents to Middle Smithfield township in now Pike County and where he since and now resides --- that about two weeks after the battle of Trenton he was drafted in the Militia of Pennsylvania in the company commanded by Captain John VANNETTEN in the regiment commanded by Colonel Jacob STROUD which was stationed at a place called the six mile run near Brunswick in the state of New Jersey --- and that he then served a tour of two months. His first Lieutenants name was Benjamin ERNEST --- the second lieutenant's name was Jacob DECKER --- The troops were under the command of General PUTNAM --- he further saith that some time after the expiration of his tour above mentioned he was again drafted for another tour of two months, and served for two months under Captain Patrick Campbell, that his company was stationed at a place called the crooked billet, eighteen miles from Philadelphia --- the British at that time lay at Philadelphia --- deponent does not recollect the name of the Colonel --- the lieutenants name was Robert MITCHELL --- the name of the Second lieutenant was John DEWITT --- he further says that after the expiration of his second tour he was again drafted in the Pennsylvania Militia for two months and served out the tour of two months in a company commanded by Captian L--? ZAYNE(?). The company was stationed in Middle Smithfield township in said County for the purpose of defending the inhabitants from the incursions of the Indians, which were then frequent (-illegible-). We --?-- the woods several times but were in no engagements --- Henry SHOEMAKER was the lieutenant of the company --- He further says that after the expiration of his above mentioned third tour of duty he together with seven privates under the command of Captain --?-- SHOEMAKER volunteered his service and went on pursuit of a body of Indians who had made an incursion into the neighborhood and captured and took as prisoners William COURTRIGHT, John SEAL(?), and Edward WYNNINS, that the party overtook the Indians --- killed one Indian --- released William COURTRIGHT and John TEAL and rescued them from the Indians --- Edward WYNNIS was killed by them and scalped before they got up with them. --- He further says that shortly afterwards he in company with several of his neighbors pursued a party of Indians who had made an incursion into the neighborhood and had taken and carried off as prisoners Emanuel GONSALUS and John DALY --- could not overtake them --- etc."
Testifying for Benjamin VanAUKEN were Moses VANGORDAN and Jacob SHOEMAKER (kin of Peter and Magdalena (VANAKEN) DECOURSEY). Included with these papers is the pension application of Margaret VanAUKEN, widow of the soldier, and records from the Walpack Church of the marriage of Benjamin VanAUKEN and Margaret CHESNOR and their children's baptisms. Pension File #W3630.
1832 - On 3 September 1832, Nicholas HELMICK, aged 72 years, of Chippewa Twp., Wayne Co., Ohio applied for a pension on his service during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Pension.#W489; Blwt.#36736-160-55.
1832 - Nicholas HELMICK (1814-1854), son of John HELMICK, Sr. and grandson of Nicholas HELMICK (1760c.-1844), was married 27 December 1832 at Wayne County, Ohio to Catherine "Hattie" FRANCE. They removed to Indiana.
1833 - Michael HELMICK (1800-1885), son of Nicholas and Mary (FRANKS) HELMICK, was married 7 February 1833, at Wayne County, Ohio, to Christiana FISHEL by John ALLISEN, J.P. Michael HELMICK died 20 Feb. 1885 at Hillsdale, Michigan.
1833 - A. V. MILLS was born 3 Sept. 1833 at Orange County, New York. He came to Wisconsin in July 1846, with his parents and settled in Whitewater, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. A. V. MILLS married, 15 March 1855 to Miss J. HAMILTON. They were members of the Congregational Church. HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, WISCONSIN (1879), p.694.
1833 - On 18 Dec 1833, there is a record of an Original Land Entry in the name of Isaac DECORSEY for R6E, Twp.4S, Sec.10, W1/2, NW1/4 in Allen County, Ohio. The patent for this property, issued 16 October 1835, was signed by President Andrew Jackson. A photostatic copy of this deed is in the possession of William L. DeCoursey of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This property was part of the Shawnee Hog Creek Indian land in Ohio that had been abandoned by the Shawnee Indian Nation in exchange for land west of the Mississippi River, in accordance with the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
1833 - Sarah DECOURSEY married 24 Dec 1833 to John Heriss in Medina Co., Ohio. She was daughter of Jonathan and Betsey (PRIGMORE) DECOURSEY.
1834 - The will of Henry PURGET of Hampshire County, Virginia, names wife, Elizabeth; sons William, Henry, George, Fred; daughters, Mary RACER and Elizabeth SHOEMAKER. Ross B. Johnston, WEST VIRGINIA ESTATE SETTLEMENTS, (1977), p.22.
1834 - Nicholas HELMICK (1760c.-1844), widower, married 2nd, 11 March 1834, at Hancock County, Ohio, to Sarah (LITTLETON) WARD, widow of Willis Jesse WARD. According to Janice B. Reddin, "the WARDs were originally from Northampton County, (Virginia or Penna.??), as was Nicholas HELMICK."
1834 - Moses HELMICK and Sarah WESTFALL were married, 2 August 1834, at Pendleton County, Virginia. Frederick HEDERICK, bondsman, makes oath that Moses HELMICK is over 21 years old. A number of HELMICK marriages can be found in Mary Harter's, PENDLETON COUNTY, VIRGINIA MARRIAGE BONDS 1791-1853 (1979), p.13; and Mary Harter, MARRIAGES OF PENDLETON COUNTY VIRGINIA 1788-1853 (1978), p.29.
1834 - In November 1834, Enoch Van WY was chosen as guardian by John PENNELL, son of John and Hannah (DECOURSEY) PENNEL, until he reached age 21. Trumbull County, Ohio Guardianships Book.7,p.444; Mrs. Grace Marvin Winnagle, ABSTRACTS OF PROBATE RECORDS, TRUMBULL COUNTY, OHIO, (1986), p.153.
1835 - Daniel BOYD married, 26 February 1835, at Trumbull County, Ohio to Mary PENNEL, daughter of John and Hannah (DECOURSEY) PENNEL.
1835 - Oct 16, 1835. Isaac DECORSEY of Medina Co., Ohio was issued an original patent for 80 acres of land in sec. 10, Shawnee Township, Allen Co., Ohio on what was formerly the Hog Creek Indian Reservation. The patent was signed by President Andrew JACKSON. It appears as though Isaac DECORSEY never occupied this land, but remained in Medina County until 1836 when he sold this land to his brother-in-law, Jacob FLEMING, and removed to Wisconsin. Allen County deeds, v.364, p.547, Cert. #2243.
1835 - Benjamin and Jane (DECOURSEY) REED entered 80 acres of government land in sec.21 of Shawnee Township, Allen Co., Ohio, but later settled farther north along Hog Creek in Sec.15. They were members of the Shawnee Methodist Church. He died in Allen County in 1872 and is buried in the Shawnee Cemetery in Sec.2, Lot 67. A roll of purchasers of U.S. land on the Hog Creek Indian reservation, as well as the tax list of 1834 includes many of the families related to or closely associated with the DECOURSEYs. For a list of early settlers on Hog Creek see HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, OHIO (1885), p.538-539.
1835 - On 11 Nov. 1835, Adam HELMICK sold lot 57 in Norton Twp., Portage Co., Ohio to Alfred LORD. Portage Co. Deeds Vol.L,p.93; Vol.GG,pp.417,511.
1836 - Henry FRANKS (1763-1836) died 5 May 1836, at Chippewa Twp, Wayne County, Ohio. His widow, Christina (MASON) FRANKS, died 1842-43 at Doylestown, Ohio.
1836 - After the death of his first wife, Nancy (EDDY) DeCOURSEY, David DECOURSEY (1798-1870), son of Peter and Magdelena (VAN AKEN) DECOURSEY, married second, 7 August 1836, at Medina County, Ohio to Alice Ann MANNING, daughter of --?-- and Katherine (HELMICK) MANNING, and granddaughter of Nicholas HELMICK.
David and Alice (MANNING) DECOURSEY removed to Coshocton Co., Ohio and had children: Elizabeth DECORSEY (m. Jeremiah PEART?); Jane DeCOURSEY m. 1865 H. M. BARBER; Juliette DECOURSEY; William DECOURSEY m. 1880 Sarah SHEARING; John DECOURSEY m. 1880 Sadie CARPENTER; and perhaps others.
David DECOURSEY (1798-1870) was a brother to Isaac DECORSEY who married 21 Jan 1815 at Stark county, Ohio to Sally HELMICK, daughter of Nicholas HELMICK.
Alice Ann (MANNING) DECORSEY was mentioned in the will of her grandfather, Nicholas HELMICK in 1844.
David DECOURSEY was a resident of Coshocton co., Ohio from about 1840 until his death, 27 Dec 1870, at Franklin Station, Coshocton County. His widow, Alice (MANNING) DECOURSEY, married second, 9 Aug 1884, to James HOLMES. See David DECOURSEY's Civil War Pension #WO 449-599.
1836 - On Aug 16, 1836, Isaac and Sally DECOURSEY of Montville, Medina Co., Ohio, deeded land in Allen Co., Ohio to his brother-in-law, Jacob FLEMING. Deed book vol.C, p.424-425. Abraham DECOURSEY also settled in Allen County in 1836.
1836 - C. RACER, D.C. RACER, and Joseph HOLDREN recorded land in Black Creek Twp. and Liberty Twp. in Mercer Co., Ohio in 1836. See HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO, p.418,423. Two daughters of Joseph and Grace (COLEMAN) HOLDREN married sons of Benjamin and Mary (CHESNOR) RACER. See: Schumacher & Bowan's ATHENS COUNTY, OHIO - FAMILY HISTORY (1987), pp.92-93.
1836 - Peter DECOURSEY married first, 13 October 1836, in Medina County, to Elizabeth CALBRITZER, by Cyrus Hard, J.P. Vol.A, p.151.
Elizabeth CALBRETZER was probably daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Catherine (WALTZ) CALBETZER; and granddaughter of Peter and Eva (MILLIRON) WALTZ of Doylestown, Ohio.
Elizabeth Catherine (WALTZ) CALBETZER was sister-in-law of Adam HELMICK (1788-1848) who married Christina WALTZ. See: A ROSTER OF REVOLUTIONARY ANCESTORS OF THE INDIANA DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, v.1, p.667; D.A.R. #353661; Cuyahoga Portage Chapter DAR, SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO BIBLE RECORDS (Akron, 1972), p.187.
1836 - Abraham RAPPELYE, married, 20 December 1836, to Anna Rebecca WALDRON (1804-1868), daughter of Peter and Edna (SWARTWOUT) WALDRON. James Riker, REVISED HISTORY OF HARLEM (1904), p.705,716.
1837 - Peter DECOURSEY is listed as one of those who came to Johnson's Rapids, Jefferson Co., Wisconsin for the purpose of settling prior to 1837. Ref: John Henry Ott, JEFFERSON COUNTY WISCONSIN (1917), Vol I, p.149,298.
A severe drought in eastern Ohio in the mid 1830's may have prompted the DECOURSEY's and others to seek new lands in the west. Isaac DECOURSEY and family followed Timothy JOHNSON of Monteville, Medina Co., Ohio on an expedition to Jefferson County, Wisconsin. They were among the first settlers of Watertown, Wisconsin. Ref: HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, WISCONSIN (1879), p.336-407,442-443. Also John Henry Ott's JEFFERSON COUNTY, WISCONSIN (1917), Vol.I, p.149,298.
When Timothy JOHNSON and the DECOURSEY's arrived in the vicinity of Watertown, Wisconsin, "the banks of the river were thickly fringed with a beautiful growth of cedars, the background being thickly wooded on the east side with stately oaks and on the east with a forest of maples, elm and ash." Elmer C. Kiessling, WATERTOWN REMEMBERED (1976), p.29.
1838 - Jesse DECOURSEY (1814-1901), son of Jonathan DECOURSEY, married (2nd) 12 Apr 1838, to Catharine WEST (1819-1884) in Portage Co., Ohio (v.1, p.1172). They had nine children including: Sarah (1839-1866) married William HUNTINGTON; Mary E. DECOURSEY, born 1849 IN, married Mr. MEAD; Samuel DECOURSEY, b.1851 IN; Jerome DECOURSEY (1855-1925); and Frank DECOURSEY (1858-1921). Jesse and Kate DECOURSEY removed to Indiana in the early 1840's, and then to Eaton Rapids, Michigan about 1857. Jesse DECOURSEY, like his father, was a stonecutter and a worker in Marble.
Sabra Petersmann, 6626 Cahuenga Terrace, Los Angeles, Calif. 90068, wrote in 1975, "For the last eight or nine years I have been tramping through cemeteries, mostly in the Midwest, looking for interesting motifs on gravestones. I'm particularly fond of the many variations on the Mourning Scene--willow, urn, coffin, mourning woman, lamb, etc. --- In Monroe County, Indiana there are a number of early and beautiful weeping willows, many of them signed by or attributable to a J. CORSAW. Although there are no death records or estates for any CORSAW recorded in the county, on the basis of several CORSAW family stones in the Rose Hill Cemetery (Bloomington, IN), I believe he lived there between 1840 and 1850."
Mrs. Jonathan DECOURSEY, Sr., Mrs. Jonathan DECOURSEY, Jr., and Mrs. Jesse DECOURSEY were residents of Wadsworth, Medina Co., Ohio in 1838. This branch of DECOURSEY's removed first to Indiana and then to Eaton Rapids, Michigan. WOMEN OF THE WESTERN RESERVE, p.877-892.
1839 - Sarah, dau of Jesse and Catherine (WEST) DECOURSEY, was born in 1839 in Ohio. She married William Junius HUNTINGTON. She died in 1866 "as a result of burns suffered when a hired girl poured kerosene on live coals in the stove." She is buried in Blk.C, Lot4, Rosehill Cemetery, Eaton Rapids, Michigan. William HUNTINGTON died 25 May 1913, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. They had two children: (1) Cora Ella HUNTINGTON, b. 12 Aug 1862, d., 26 Oct 1936, married 24 Sep 1885 David Heber Hamlin and (2) Kleeber Erastus HUNTINGTON, never married. Victor WALWORTH, a descendant of Sarah (DECOURSEY) HUNTINGTON, was living in Columbia, SC in 1984. Cora's children married in to the families of WALWORTH, LIVINGSTON, WHITTUM, STETLER, FARRAND, MATTHEWS, and PETTIJOHN. Information from Victor Walworth, Columbia, South Carolina.
1839 - "Died at her home in German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, on Sabbath morning, the 12th day of October 1839, Mrs. Barbara FRANKS in the 98th year of her age. The deceased was born in Germany, A.D. 1741, and came to America in 1754 in company with her father, Conrad BRANDBERY and family, who were in indigent circumstances. She was sold as a servant to pay the passage, to a Mr. MILLER of Maryland, who treated his servants about as he did slaves, with a great deal of severity. At length the days of her jubilee arrived and she married Jacob FRANKS (son of Michael FRANKS I). Then they emigrated to Western Pennsylvania and settled on the waters of Brown's Run in Fayette County, Penna. In the forest with no other covering save the arch blue sky, adorned in the evening with the twinkling stars, such place by care and industry afterwards became their asylum.--- She was enrolled a member of the German Presbyterian Church and continued such upwards of 60 years.---" From transcript of obituary in: Franks, Alice A., and Sublette, Donald J., THE MICHAEL FRANKS FAMILY HISTORY AND GENEALOGY (Uniontown, Pennsylvania 1979).
1840 - Philemon BARNEY is listed on the 1840 Census of Conneaut Twp., Erie Co., Penna., page 144.
1840 - According to James M. BURROUGHS, 1301 - 10th St. NW, Austin, Minnesota, the 1840 Census of Conneautville, Spring Twp., Crawford Co., Penna. includes:
Will BARNEY, 1 male 20-30, 1 female 20-30.
Joseph BARNEY, 1 m. 10-15, 2 m. 15-20, and 1 m. 50-60.
1840 - The 1840 Census for Spring Twp., Crawford County, Penna. shows two BARNEY families: Will Barney (age 20-30), wife and daughter under 5 years of age. Also listed is a Joseph BARNEY (age 50-60), no wife, but with 3 sons and 2 daughters. BARNEY FAMILY NEWSLETTER, No.48, Dec. 1990, p.8.
1840 - Listed on the index to the 1840 Census of Crawford Co., Penna. are the following:
Daniel TRACEY p.418 Sadsbury Twp.
John TRACE p.427 Vernon Twp.
John TRACE p.428 Vernon Twp.
1841 - Gilbert TRACY (1761-1841) died at Venice, Cayuga County, New York, 9 June 1841.
1840 - John J. PENNELL married, 7 April 1840, at Trumbull County, Ohio to Nancy BOOTH. John J. PENNELL married again, 20 August 1840, at Trumbull Co., Ohio to Elizabeth HOOK. Are these the same man? Which of these is John PENNEL, son of John and Elizabeth (DECOURSEY) PENNEL?
1840 - Orrin MILLS was born, 7 July 1840, at Hermon Twp., St. Lawrence Co., New York; died, 31 Oct. 1917, at Port Orchard, Kitsap Co., Washington. He married first, 21 April 1868, to Harriet BRITT who died, 12 July 1869; he married second, 28 March 1870 at Mankato, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota, to Harriet's sister, Martha Isabelle BRITT. In October 1861, while a resident of Trivoli, Blue Earth Co., Minnesota, Orrin MILLS enlisted at Fort Snelling in the 3rd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. His residences after leaving the service were Blue Earth Co., Minnesota from Sept. 1865 to March 1866 and 1871 to 1891; Faribault Co., Minnesota from 1866 to 1871; and Kitsap Co. Washington from 1891 to 1907. Orrin and Harriet (BRITT) MILLS had one daughter, Carrie MILLS, born 6 July 1869. Orrin and Martha (BRITT) MILLS had children: Orrin Olney MILLS, b. 24 Oct. 1871; Nancy Harriet Elizabeth MILLS, born 28 May 1878; Mary Florence MILLS, b. 17 April 1878; William Britt MILLS, b. 5 Feb. 1880; Agnes May MILLS, b. 14 June 1882; and Estelle Jane MILLS, b. 1 Jan. 1885. All children except Carrie were living in 1915. - Information from Civil War Pension file #WC-851,109.
Note: Orrin Mills (1840-1917) was probably a nephew (or brother) to Larrissa MILLS (1828-1881) who married, 5 July 1846, at Jefferson Co., Wisconsin to Peter DeCOURSEY.
1840 - Elizabeth DECOURSEY married, 20 Aug 1840, to Charles HOVER in Wayne Co., Ohio. LDS Film #317527.
1840 - U.S. Census of Shawnee twp., Allen Co., Ohio lists Abraham DECOURSEY as a head of household with 2 males 10-15, 1 male 40-50, 1 female 5-10, 2 females 10-15, 1 female 15-20, and 1 female 40-50.
1840 - A John DECOURSEY married, 1840, to Elizabeth HODGINS in Ontario, Canada. For his descendants see L. Hodgins, HODGINS, KINDRED FOREVER, Chap.115,116, pp.333-340.
1840 - David DeCORSEY is listed as a head of household in Wadsworth Twp. Medina Co., Ohio in 1840, p.187.
1840 - Isaac DECOURCEY appeared as one of the 45 heads of household in Watertown, Wisconsin census in 1840.
1840 - Ambrose Lewis COMSTOCK married 31 December 1840, to Mary DECOURSEY, daughter of Isaac and Sally (HELMICK) DECOURSEY, at Watertown, Jefferson Co., Wisconsin. The COMSTOCKs removed to Leon, Monroe Co., Wisc. about 1850. They had children: Eleanor Jane (1841-1925) m. Judson FULLER; Harriet Malinda (1844-1906) m. (1st) A. E. DOOLITTLE, m. (2nd) Robert RAY; Emeline Eliza died young; William Henry COMSTOCK (1848-1944) m. Alice CRAWFORD; Lovina Janet (1850-1933) m. William CRAWFORD; Jared COMSTOCK (1853-1927); Levi H. COMSTOCK (1856-1940) m. Jennie LEARY; Florence m. (1) Joel TUCKER, m. (2) Erwin CROFF; and Charles B. COMSTOCK m. Elizabeth Ann DAVIS.
Ambrose Lewis Comstock died 11 Aug 1862 at Corinth, Mississippi, as a result of wounds received in the Civil War. His widow Mary (DECOURSEY) COMSTOCK, married Mr. LUKEN. See Nat'l Archives Pension file #WC 160749; John Adams Comstock, COMSTOCK FAMILY (1949), pp.81,161,273,391; Janneyne Gnacinski, TERRITORIAL MARRIAGES, JEFFERSON COUNTY, WISCONSIN (1972), p.2.
1840 - Nicholas HELMICK, age 81, a resident of Portage Twp., Hancock Co., Ohio, was on a list of pensioners in 1840, and on the 1840 Census.
1842 - John H. BARNEY (1819-1855), probably son of Luther and Lavina (LOOMIS) BARNEY, married 14 April 1842 at Vernon Twp., Crawford Co., Penna. to Mary Ann TRACEY. They had children: Frances BARNEY m. Mr. WOODWORTH; Henry BARNEY (1844-1910) m. (1) Mary Ann PASCO, m. 1880 (2) Mary KIRKBRIDE; George BARNEY (1843-1862); and Emma Anna BARNEY (1854-1929) m. (1) Isaac Henry DECOURCEY, m. (2) John BYRNES, m. (3) Martin J. MAIN. See CRAWFORD DEMOCRAT (April 19, 1842) for marriage announcement of John BARNEY and Mary ann TRACEY.
1842 - A John BARNEY paid taxes on property in Summerhill Twp., Crawford Co., Penna. in 1842 and 1844.
1842 - Juliet, dau. of Abraham and Margaret (PEARCE) DECOURSEY, married 24 Mar 1842, to George Coon or Kuhn.
1842 - Jane (STROUD) BUSH (1765-1842), daughter of Col. Jacob STROUD, Revolutionary Soldier, died 10 Dec. 1842 at Delavan, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, and is buried there. She married, John BUSH, son of John and Sarah (RICHARDS) BUSH. John BUSH died at Lansing, New York, 15 Aug. 1832.
Jane's sister, Rachel (STROUD) REES (1774-1854), died at Delavan, Wisconsin, 25 April 1654, and is buried there. Rachel STROUD married at Stroudsburg, Penna, 4 Oct. 1792, to Samuel REES (son of Samuel REES and grandson of Evan REES), born 20 Sept. 1760, and died, 16 Feb. 1841, near Stroudsburg.
The two widowed sisters, Rachel (STROUD) REES and Jane (STROUD) BUSH, are found in sparcely populated Wisconsin Territory, prior to 1842, but following their husbands' death. It is likely that they were in the company of grown children. It is interesting to note that these cousins of Isaac DECOURSEY died less than 30 miles from Watertown, Jefferson Co., Wisconsin where Isaac DECOURSEY settled in 1837. Isaac's father, Peter DECOURSEY had served under their father, Jacob STROUD, in the American Revolution. Isaac DECOURSEY and the STROUD sisters were related through the DEPUY line.
See: Robert Brown Keller, HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA (1927), pp.58-71; Floyd G. Hoenstine, THE 1955 YEAR BOOK of the PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (1956), p.576; Pennsylvania Society S.A.R. #2223.
1842 - DeLoss White VAIL (1817-1899) was an earlier pioneer settler of Coldspring Twp. Jefferson Co., Wisconsin Territory in 1842. He was the great-great grandson of Isaac VERMILYEA and Josyntje VanOBLINIS, and hence a distant cousin of his contemporaries in Jefferson County, Isaac and Peter DeCOURSEY.
1843 - Eleanore, dau. of Abraham and Margaret (PEARCE) DECOURSEY, married 25 Oct 1843, to Tobias Coon or Kuhn.
1844 - Deborah (WOODWORTH) TRACY, widow of Gilbert TRACY, was allowed pension for her husband's Revolutionary War service, on her application executed 12 January 1844 while she was residing in Middlefield Township, Geauga County, Ohio. Pension File # W.4088.
1844 - C.C. HAMLIN, recalling life in Watertown in 1844, wrote: "The wants of the pioneers were few. A stove and a pitchfork would suffice, the stove to hold the fire which broiled the farmer's river porker and the pitchfork to impale the finny rascals that slept in quintuple layers in their liquid bed below the log dam." And Fabius COOLEY, who came to Watertown as a small boy in 1838, claimed that fish were so plentiful, you could catch them with your hands. WATERTOWN DEMOCRAT (JULY 26, 1855); Elmer C. Kiessling, WATERTOWN REMEMBERED (1976), p.21.
1844 - Isaac DECOURSEY was appointed "Overseer of Highways (dist.#2)" for Watertown, Wisconsin in 1844 and 1846. HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, WISCONSIN (1879), p.442,443
1844 - Nicolas HELMICK, of Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio, made his will on 21 February 1844. He bequeathed to "beloved wife, Sarah HELMICK, in lieu of dower, the plantation where we now reside," the southwest corner of Sec. 21, twp.2, North Range 10 East, containing 40 acres. He bequeathed to granddaughter Katherine MANNEN (dau. of Katherine MANNING, deceased), $25; to grandson, William MANNEN (son of Katherine MANNING, deceased), $25; to granddaughter Alice Ann DeCORSEY (dau. of Katherine MANNING and wife of David DECOURSEY), $25.00; to granddaughter, Katherine MANNEN (daughter of George and Dorotha MANNING), $25; to grandson, George MANNEN (son of Dorotha MANNING), $25; to youngest son, Michael HELMICK, $50. The remainder of his estate he bequeathed to his children and grandchildren: Adam HELMICK, John HELMICK, Michael HELMICK, Mary CRUMBAUGH, Sary DeCORSEY (wife of Isaac DECOURSEY), Charlotte HOLMES, and Nancy SMITH. "William MANNEN and Alice Ann DeCORSEY being children of my deceased daughter Katherine MANNEN are to have one equal share with my own children. Also Mary WHITMAN (dau. of Katherine MANNING?). Katherine MANNEN, and George MANNEN, children and heirs of my daughter Dorotha MANNEN to have one equal share with my own children, that is to say, the first three named grandchildren to be considered as one heir and the two next mentioned grandchildren to be considered one heir and to have the same share as their mothers would have if living, exclusive of the first bequest to them given." He appointed "my beloved neighbor, Jacob LOEHR, to be the executor." David EDGINGTON and Valentine MILLER were witnesses to the will. Hancock County, Ohio, Will Book.1, page 91.
Nicholas HELMICK died 26 September 1844 at McComb, Hancock County, Ohio. He is buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Section.A, Lot.51, Grave.1, Portage Twp. Hancock Co., Ohio. His will was entered for probate on 14 October 1844 and Jacob LOEHR qualified as executor. For some reason, not stated in the records, the heir's portions were not distributed until 1859 and 1860. In the record of the public sale of his personal property, one Isaac FRANK was one of the purchasers.
In the summer of 1977, William L. and Mertle J. (BIRD) DECOURSEY of Minneapolis, Minnesota visited the grave site of Nicholas HELMICK at Hancock Co., Ohio. They took photos of the marker which reads:
NICHOLAS HELMICK
VA. MIL.
REV. WAR
1844 - An Adam HELMICK, of Pendleton County, Virginia, made his will, 31 Aug. 1844. He names wife Catherine; sons, Abel, Corelins, Moses, Nathaniel, Elihue, and Thomas; daughters Anny and Elizabeth. Ross B. Johnston, WEST VIRGINIA ESTATE SETTLEMENTS, (1977), p.144.
1844 - Abraham FRANKS was Justice of the Peace in Chippewa Twp., Wayne Co., Ohio in 1844-1847.
1844 - Luther BARNEY died, 30 Sept. 1844, at the age of 87 at Ellery, New York and is buried at the Bemus Point Cemetery at Bemus Point, Chautauqua Co., New York. His second wife, Ruth (GARRISON) BARNEY died four years later, on 16 Oct. 1848, at the age of 71. BARNEY FAMILY NEWSLETTER, No.24, p.12-18; No.47, p.13; SOLDIERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION BURIED AT CHAUTAUQUA CO., NEW YORK, p.24; Pension File W.4124.
1845 - A John BARNEY, born ca.1820, married ca.1845, at Conneautsville, Spring Twp. Crawford County, Penna, to Betsey BURROUGHS (1826-1911), daughter of Thomas BURROUGHS. They had children: Julia 1846, Melvina 1848, Betsy 1849, Mary 1852, John B. BARNEY 1856, Fred B. BARNEY 1859, and Delia 1865. This John BARNEY is buried in the Conneautville cemetery. Information from James M. BURROUGHS, 1301 - 10th St. NW, Austin, Minnesota. GENEALOGICAL HELPER (Sept/Oct 1988), p.229; BARNEY FAMILY NEWSLETTER, No.48, Dec. 1990, p.8.
1845 - John BARNEY paid taxes on property in Beaver Twp., Crawford Co., Penna. in 1845, 1847, and 1849. Almena BARNEY began to pay a tax in Beaver Twp. in 1851. - Information from Crawford County Historical Society.
1845 - Isaac DECOURSEY was a defendant in the District Court for Jefferson County for "entering and cutting and carrying away trees" on U.S. treaty land. He was acquitted, and the case was appealed. SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN, July Term 1845, "United States vs. DECOURSEY", US1PIN508.
1845 - Jacob HILL, son of Elijah and Vermilla (CARTER) HILL, was born 16 December 1845 in Porter Co., Indiana.
1846 - On 5 July 1846, Peter DECOURCY, a widower, son of Isaac and Sally (HELMICK) DECOURSEY, was married to his second wife, Larrissa MILLS at Ixonia, Jefferson co., Wisconsin by Ebenezer Shumway, J.P. Janneyne Gnacinski, TERRITORIAL MARRIAGES, JEFFERSON COUNTY, WISCONSIN (1972), p.9.
1846 - John HELMICK, Sr. (1790c.-1871), son of Nicholas and Mary (FRANKS) HELMICK, married (2nd?) 17 September 1846, at Wayne County, Ohio. to Mary HOUTER or HOUTEN. He died in 20 Apr 1871 at Wayne County, Ohio and is buried at Hillsdale Co., Michigan. MARRIAGES OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
1847 - Edward G. DECOURCY, son of Peter and Larissa (MILLS) DECOURCY was born in 1847, near Watertown, Wisconsin. See Pension file #FA-P-411-227.
1847 - In a chancery petition to sell land dated 17 Nov. 1847, named as heirs of Nicholas HELMICK were: Sarah, John, Michael and Nancy [sic] Adam HELMICK; Mary WHEATMAN, William MANNEN, Geo. and Catherine MANNER, Eliza Ann & Sarah DECORSY, Mary CRAMBAUGH, Chas. HOMES, and Nancy SMITH. Franks, Alice A., and Sublette, Donald J., THE MICHAEL FRANKS FAMILY HISTORY AND GENEALOGY (Uniontown, Pennsylvania 1979), p.204.
1847 - On 5 May 1847, A John BARNEY sponsored the citizenship of John FRETWELL, born 1813, of Yorkshire England. ERIE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA NATURALIZATIONS (1983) printed volume, p.41.
1848 - Another John BARNEY, son of George and Rhoda M. (LUTHER) BARNEY, was born 9 December 1824 at Collins, Erie Co., New York. He moved with his parents to Wisconsin in 1840. The father, George BARNEY, died 5 Sept. 1882, in Iowa. "John BARNEY lived with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when he started for himself and engaged at farming for some four years in Wisconsin. He then returned to New York state and remained until 1854, when he again settled in Wisconsin. In 1856 he started for Minnesota and landed in Medford, Steele County, Minnesota on June 15, 1856, traveling from Prairie du Chein to Medford with an ox team, and being ten days on the road." This John BARNEY married 23 August 1848, to Abigail ALLEN. They had children: George W. BARNEY; Manley H. BARNEY; Hattie BARNEY m. 1878 Mr. GIBSON; Minna BARNEY m. 1886 Charles JOHNSON; and Milton BARNEY. HISTORY OF STEELE AND WASECA COUNTIES, MINNESOTA (1887), p.307. See also Census of Medford, Steele Co., Minnesota (1870), p.646-647.
(Notice that this John BARNEY appears to have been closely associated with the family of John BARNEY (1819-1855) who married 1842 to Mary Ann TRACEY. These two John BARNEYs probably were cousins.)
1848 - Isaac Henry DECOURCY, son of Peter and Larissa (MILLS) DECOURCY was born 1 Feb 1848, at Watertown, Jefferson Co., Wisconsin.
1848 - William Henry COMSTOCK, son of Ambrose Lewis and Mary (DECOURSEY) COMSTOCK, was born 4 June 1848, at Watertown, Wisconsin. He married in 1872 to Alice M. CRAWFORD.
1848 - Peter DECOURSEY was elected Commissioner of Highways in Watertown, Wisconsin in 1848.
1849 - Abel TAYLOR and Elizabeth MILLS were married, 18 February 1849, at Palmyra, Jefferson co., Wisconsin, by Charles DeWITT, J.P. Janneyne Gnacinski and Chirstine Nowak, WISCONSIN "MEETING PLACE OF THE WATERS" (1976), p.29.
1849 - Mary E. DECOURSEY, dau. of Jesse and Catherine (WEST) DECOURSEY was born about 1849 in Indiana. She married Mr. Mead and resided in Hastings, Michigan.
1849 - Abraham DECOURSEY, son of Abraham and Margaret (PEARCE) DECOURSEY, married 6 Jun 1949, to Sarah Ann Young in Allen Co., Ohio. They had children James, Alfred, William, Francis, John, Oscar, Margaret Adeline GILLILAND, and Edith. Natl. Archives Civil War Pension #WC398633.
1849 - Elizabeth, dau. of Abraham and Margaret (PEARCE) DECOURSEY married 14 Jun 1849 to George BROWN.
1849 - Pol-Louise POTIER de COURCY, born 1814, Landerneau France, died 1891 Saint Pol de Leon, was a French historian and Genealogist. Among his works are NOBILIARE et ARMORIAL de BRETAGNE (1846), DICTIONAIRE HERALDIQUE de BRETAGNE(1855), and HISTOIRE GENEALOGIQUE et CHRONOLOGIQUE de la MAISON ROYALE de FRANCE - Minnesota Historical Society Library #CS586/ff.A6/1726. The index to the last work, in particular, contains many references to surnames connected with the Walloon immigrants to New Amsterdam. I have been unable to consult this work, since it is written in the French Language.
1849 - In 1849, Crawford County, Wisconsin was divided. "In the division LaCrosse and Monroe Counties were at first one, bearing the name LaCROSSE County, with the little settlement at Prairie La Crosse its county seat and post office." Monroe County Historical Society, THE BEGINNING, MONROE COUNTY, WISCONSIN (1974).
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