Tombstone Tuesday :: Christian and Sarah Schuder

Christian Schuder (Jr.) and his wife Sarah Nancy Huntsicker are buried in the Syracuse Cemetery at Syracuse, Kosciusko County, Indiana. Christian's inscription is on the west side of the marker while Sarah's is on the east side. They are my 2nd great grandparents.



CHRISTIAN / SCHUDER / DIED / SEPT. 2, 1885 / AGED / 72 Y. 1 Mo. / & 14 Ds.



SARAH / WIFE OF / C. SCHUDER / DIED / JUNE 14, 1883 / AGED / 66 Y. 4 Mo. / & 12 D's.

The last digit in the year on Sarah's marker is difficult to read, even using the "foil" method but I think it is 1883. Birth dates, below, were calculated from their age on the markers and dates of death.

Christian is the son of Christian Schuder Sr. and Anna Eva Christina Stoever. He was born July 19, 1813 in Montgomery County, Ohio. Sarah was born February 2, 1817 and, according to census records, Pennsylvania was her place of birth, parents unknown. Christian and Sarah were married on December 22, 1842 in Montgomery County, Ohio. Sometime between 1860 and 1870 they moved to Jackson Township, Elkhart County, Indiana. Between 1870 and 1880 they moved a short distance to Van Buren Township, Kosciusko County.

Christian and Sarah (Huntsicker) Schuder were the parents of six children, all born in Montgomery County, Ohio. Two children died young. Only two of their children had children.

• Clinton Newell Schuder (1843-1858) died when 14 years old.
• Isaac Shuder (1846-1905) married Nancy Jane Lavering, had nine children. They are my great-grandparents. Their daughter Elsie married Charles Wilson Wiseman.
• Louisa Dora Schuder (1849-1922) never married. No children.
• Sarah Ann Schuder (1851-1853) was about 18 months old when she died.
• Diana "Anna" Schuder (1854-1902) married Solomon Coy. No children.
• Malen Schuder (1856-1920) married Alice Clem and had three children: Floyd, Ethel, and Dora.

All photographs were taken by me on July 11, 2007 and September 1, 2008.

Joslin Family :: 1820 Ohio Census

As we learned in this July 1969 letter from Irwin Joslin to my Grandmother, he found only one 'Joslin' family enumerated in the 1820 census in Delaware County, Ohio and that was Jonas.

Just to be sure, I recently searched the 1820 Ohio census index at ancestry.com for "Josl*" and got nine results:

• Ezekiel Joslen is in Tate, Clermont County
• Mary Joslen in Franklin, Clermont County
• Phebe Joslen in Franklin, Clermont County
• Amasa Joslin in Kirtland, Geauga County
• J J Joslin is in Deerfield, Warren County
• Jonas Joslin in Liberty, Delaware County
• Reuben Joslin in Mesopotamia, Trumbull County
• Wm Joslin in Deerfield, Morgan County
• J Joslin in Washington, Warren County

And, searching for "Joc*" found a "Luther F B Joclin" in Cincinnati, Hamilton County.

Viewing each of the pages for Liberty and Orange townships in Delaware County confirmed that Jonas Joslin was the only 'Joslin' family enumerated in those townships. Actually, I have viewed the entire Delaware County census on microfilm, looking for other families, and there is indeed only one 'Joslin' family in the county.

The Jonas Joslin household was enumerated in Liberty Township. Jonas is the second name on page 95a. A family history published by Jean Oldham Heuman in 1998/9 states that "there were two sons and five daughters" in the Jonas Joslin family but names are known only for the two sons and two of the daughters: James, Jonas Jr., Elizabeth, and Fanny. I suspect that Mrs. Heuman may have based the number of children in the family on the 1820 census. There are potentially three additional females (one aged 10-15 and two 16-25 in 1820) in the family whose names are unknown.


Based upon what is currently known about the family, the 1820 census enumeration may have included the following:

• males under 10 = 0
• males 10 thru 15 = 1 [born 1804-1810...Jonas Jr., 17, born in 1807]
• males 16 thru 18 = 0
• males 18 thru 26 = 1 [born 1794-1804...James, 24, born about 1796]
• males 26 thru 44 = 0
• males 45 and over = 1 [born before 1775...Jonas Sr., 51, born in 1769]
• females under 10 = 0
• females 10 thru 15 = 2 [born 1805-1810...Fanny, about 10, born about 1810; and one other, name unknown]
• females 16 thru 25 = 3 [born 1794-1804...Elizabeth, 18, born in 1802; and 2 others, names unknown]
• females 26 thru 44 = 0
• females 45 and over = 1 [born before 1775...Ruth, wife of Jonas Sr., about 49, born about 1771]
• Foreigners not naturalized = 0
• Number of persons engaged in agriculture = 1

Jonas Joslin :: 1818 Ohio Land Purchase

The first record we have of Jonas Joslin (under the name of Jonas Joshin) in Delaware County, Ohio is his purchase of lot #16 in the third township on October 20, 1818. The lot consisted of 100 acres and was purchased for $1,050 which seems like a lot to me for the time period. The transaction was recorded in Deed Book 4, pages 403 and 404.

=+==+==+=

Page 403

Merrit Foote by his Atty Benjamin Bartholomew
To } Deed
Jonas Joshin

This Indenture made and concluded this twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen by and between Benjamin Bartholomew of Delaware County in the state of Ohio as attorney in fact for Merrit Foote of the County of Newhaven in the State of Connecticut of the [other is crossed out] first part and Jonas Joshin of said Delaware County in the state of Ohio of the other part. Witneseth that the said Benjamin Bartholomew for and in consideration of the sum of one thousand & fifty dollars and to him in had paid or secured to be paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath given granted bargained sold released conveyed and confirmed and by these presents give grant bargain sell release convey and confirm unto the said Jonas Joshin and unto his heirs and assigns forever a Lot of land viz lot number sixteen in the east tier of lots in the fourth section of the third township in the nineteenth range of the united States military lands and within the said county of Delaware and being a log of land purchased by the said Merrit Foots of Ralph Richardson & Dorcas his wife by a deed dated 6 day of October 1817 and supposed to contain one hundred acres more or less To have and to hold the above described premises with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining unto him the said Jonas Joshin for and unto his heirs and assigns forever And the said Benjamin as S P atty

Page 404

as attorney as aforesaid for the said Merrit his heirs executors and administrators does convenant and promise to word with the said Jonas Joshin his heirs and assigns that he is lawfully seized of the premises aforesaid that he has foresight and full authority to sell and convey the same in manner aforesaid and that the said premises are free and clear from all incumbrances And further that he the said Benjamin as attorney afforesaid of the said Merrit Foote his heirs executors and administrators will well warrant and truly defend the premises aforesaid unto the said Jonas Joshin and unto his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims of any person or persons whomsoever. In testimony whereof the party [of crossed out] to the first part has hereunto set his hand and seal this day and year above written

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of

Benjamin Bartholomew attorney in fact for the said Merrit Foote

{The word convey between the 7th & 8th line from top and the word his between the 11th, 12th and between the 14th and 15th lines were inserted before the signing}

Noah Spalding
Ebenezer Goodrich

The State of Ohio Delaware County
On this day of October 1818 personally came before me the [word illegible] one of the Justus of the peace of said County Benjamin Bartholomew and acknowledged that he signed the within deed for the purposes therein mentioned Given under my hand & seal
John Roberts {seal}
a Justice of the Peace

Received & recorded this deed April 1st 1819
J. L. Hughs. [?] Recorder D. Cty

The death of Emily Joslin Long :: 1929

A copy of Emily's death record was obtained from the Health Department in Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana and is recorded in book 3, page 50.


first page of death record #108

Second column:
Full Name: Emily E. Long
Place of Death: Columbia Township Whitley County, Ind.
Sex: Female
Color: white

Third column:
Name of Husband or Wife: John Long
Date of birth: Dec 12 - 1837
Age: 91 Yrs. 11 Mos. 24 Days
Occupation: Housewife

Fourth column:
Birthplace: Ohio
Name of Father: Thomas Joslin
Birthplace of Father: Canada
Name of Mother: Abigail Goodrich
Birthplace of Mother: Ohio

Fifth column:
Informant: M. R. Long
Address: Anderson - Ind
Filed: Dec 31 - 29
Name of Health Officer or Deputy: E. U. Nolt, M.D.


second page of her death record

First column:
Date of Death: Dec 6 1929

The rest of the first column and the second column are the physician's statement.

Third column:
Place of Burial: Salem Cem - Noble Co., Ind.
Undertaker: Charles s. Smith
Address: Columbia City
Date of Burial: Dec 8 1929
Was Body Embalmed? Yes

==+====+====+==

The given name of "Thomas" for her father on the death record is not correct but it does give his surname, Joslin, and his place of birth is probably right (Canada or Vermont in other records). There was no Thomas Joslin in Delaware or Franklin County, Ohio during the time that Emily was born. Given the fact that she is listed in the 1850 census with James and Abigail Joslin, I'd say it was a pretty safe bet that her father was James Joslin. The other really important fact shown on the death record is that her mother was Abigail Goodrich!

Emily's obituary was published on December 6, 1929 in the Columbia City Post, Whitley County, Indiana. A full transcription of the obituary was posted in March along with photos of her gravesite as well as those of her husband and two of their children. The obituary confirms her date of birth stating "The deceased was born on December 12, 1837 and at the time of her death lacked but six days of being 92 years old." It also said she "was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Long [sic] and was born at Columbus, Ohio. When a small child she came with her parents to Lorane."

James and Abigail Joslin lived in the southern portion of Liberty Township, Delaware County - near the Franklin County line and a few miles north of the largest city in the area, then as well as now, Columbus.

Emily Eliza Joslin was married to John Long on October 12, 1854 in Whitley County, Indiana. Her obituary stated that "She was the mother of eight children, seven having preceded her in death." While John's obituary stated "Seven children was the result of this union, three of whom preceded him." Though they may have had seven or eight children, only the names of four are known.

• Edwin Monroe Long was born November 10, 1856 and died July 8, 1928. He is buried in Salem Cemetery next to his parents. Edwin married Dora J. Bowlby on November 18, 1877 and they had two children: (1) Estie A. Long married Samuel Swihart, had seven children and lived in Allen County, Indiana. (2) Coral Long may have first married Charles E. Spaid and later Earl Haynes or Haines. She lived in Spokane, Washington and Missoula, Montana.
• Jennie Candice "Candas" Long (1863-1911) married Ferdinand Myers on December 9, 1882 in Whitley County, Indiana. She is buried with her husband in Salem Cemetery next to her parents. They had five children: Flossie (married Virgil Nobles), Grace, Mabel (married Byron Ayres), John, and an unnamed female.
• Cora Alice Long was born on January 4, 1866 and died on July 6, 1926. She was married on August 16, 1890 in Whitley County, Indiana to Charles Winton Burnworth. They were the parents of six children: Lena Vivian, Emily Orene, Melvin Lafayette, Gladys Victorien, Doris Elbertine, and Clyde Charles. My grandmother was good friends with Gladys for many, many years. In the summer of 2005, I discovered that a niece of Gladys' lived just two blocks away from me. She had compiled a history of her branch of the Burnworth family and loaned me her book so that I could make a copy. It was a treasure trove of information on the family!
• Mott R. Long was born in November 1866 and died on July 15, 1950 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana. He was married to "Pearl" and had a step-son, Rollin.

The Death of Joseph A. Joslin :: 1919

Joseph's certificate of death was obtained from the Health Department in Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana back in May 2001. Even then, they would not make a copy of the actual entry. I requested a "genealogy copy" so, thankfully, on the back of the death certificate she typed the "additional information" that wasn't included on the face of the certificate.



Information from the front of the certificate:

Joseph A. Joslin died June 21, 1919 at Plymouth, Indiana. He was 86 years old at the time of his death. Cause of death was Chronic Colonietis and Senility. It was signed by L. D. Eley, M.D. He was buried June 23, 1919 in the Bremen Cemetery by J. L. Bunnell, Undertaker. The record was filed on June 23, 1919. Certificate No. 1662 recorded in Book CH-30 Page 113.

Additional information typed on the back by the Clerk

Date of Birth - Sept. 11, no year given in Ohio
Retired farmer
No father listed
Mother - Abigail Goodrich

==+====+==

So, here we have it, finally! Something that definitely connects him directly with his parents, though only his mother's name is given. At least it is something!

Joseph's obituary, published on June 26, 1919 in The Weekly Republican, Plymouth, Indiana does not give the names of his parents but does say that he was born in Delaware County, Ohio:

Joseph J. Joslin, aged 86 years, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J.W. Burger, 220 N. Walnut street, this city, at 4:20 Saturday morning after a week's illness. Mr. Joslin was born in Delaware county, Ohio but for several years has lived on a farm near Lapaz. He is survived by four children, Mrs. J.W. Burger of Plymouth; Mrs. Seymour Kanaar, of Lowell, Ind.; Mrs. Silas Wener of Bremen, and Delbert Joslin who lives on the old homestead near Lapaz. The funeral was held in Lapaz Monday afternoon, at 1:30, and burial was in the Bremen cemetery.

His obituary was also published in the Plymouth Weekly Democrat on June 26, 1919:

James [sic] J. Joslyn died Saturday morning at 4:20 o'clock at the home of J. W. Burger, corner of Walnut and Washington streets, aged over eighty years. He came here from Lapaz and was making his home with the family and was the father of Mrs. Burger. He had been sick for more than a week. The funeral was held at Lapaz Monday at 1:30 p.m. and the body was taken to Bremen for burial.

It's odd that in most other records I've found for Joseph his middle initial is shown as "A" and not "J" as in the two obituaries.

Joseph A. Joslin :: 1861 Marriage to Prudentia Noble

Census records from 1850 through 1910 for Joseph A. Joslin show that he was born in Ohio about 1830-1832. The 1900 census gives his birth date as September 1832. Joseph would "fit" into the family of James and Abigail Joslin in the 1840 census as the one male 5-10 years old. Joseph is also listed in the 1850 census with James and Abigail and in 1860 with Abigail.

Joseph A. Joslin, age 28, was married on June 2, 1861 to Prudentia E. Noble, age 24, in Whitley County, Indiana as recorded in Marriage Book 2A page 55, which is located at the County Archives in Columbia City, Indiana. Prudentia was the daughter of Zenus and Catherine Noble.

Indiana, to=wit: Whitley County.

To All Who Shall See These Presents, Greeting:

Know Ye, That any person legally authorized to solemnize Matrimony is hereby licensed to join in Marriage as Husband and Wife Joseph A. Joslin and Prudentia E Noble and for so doing this shall be his sufficient authority.

In Testimony Whereof, I Wm E. Merriman Clerk of the Whitley Circuit Court, hereunto subscribe my name, and affix the seal of said Court, this 28th day of May 1861. Wm E Merriman Clerk

Indiana, To-Wit: Whitley County.

This certifies that I joined in Marriage as Husband and Wife Joseph A. Joslin and Prudentia E Noble on the 2nd day of June 1861.

Rufus W Dodge J.P.

==+====+====+==

Joseph and Prudentia moved to a farm in North township, Marshall county, Indiana in the fall of 1864 or 1865 and can be found in the census records there from 1870 through 1910. They resided on the farm until Prudentia's death on December 30, 1913. Joseph then moved to the nearby town of Lapaz where his daughter Ida lived. A son, Delbert, lived on the old homestead at the time of Joseph's death in 1919. Joseph and Prudentia were the parents of five known children:

• Flora E. Joslin, born December 1861, married Cyrus Wener. They had four children: Homer, Fannie, Vera, and Noble Wener.
• Ida A. Joslin, born February 1863, married John William Berger. They did not have any children.
• Jennie C. Joslin, was born about 1869. She married Seymour Kanarr and they had one son, Joseph Kanarr.
• Delbert A. Joslin, born November 1875, married Almeda Thomas. They had two sons Roscoe Glen and Herbert Leon Joslin.
• Phoebe Joslin was born on December 18, 1877 and died at the age of 24 on October 27, 1902. She taught school in Lapaz for one year after graduating from high school. Then attended Valparaiso College and Marion Business College. She became ill with ulceration of the stomach and died within a week.

On June 8, 1911 the Plymouth Democrat published a short article about a party that was given for Joseph and Prudentia. I wonder if a descendant has a copy of the photograph that was taken?

Sunday being the fiftieth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Joslin, a number of relatives and friends gathered at their home near East Lapaz and spent the day with them. Mr. and Mrs. Joslin came to this country in 1865 and settled in the woods on the farm where they now reside.

A fine dinner was one of the main features, strawberries and ice-cream were served in the afternoon. The day was spent in talking of the past and present, singing and recitations. Oliver Harbaugh took a photograph of the group. Those present were C. R. Noble of Promise City, Iowa; John Beard, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Schuman and daughter, Lucile of Columbia City, Miss Fannie Wener of South Bend, Mrs. C. F. Wener and family, Mrs. Leah Eversole and Miss Blanche Dilly of Bremen, Mrs. J. W. Burger and Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Joslin and children, Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Kanaar and son of Lapaz.

They received several nice presents which were a brooch pin, belt pin, watch chain and charm and fancy fan. Their many friends wish them many more anniversaries.

Joslin Family :: 1860 Federal Census

The 1860 Federal Census for Whitley County shows Abigal [sic] Joslin and Lysander Joslin, both on page 80, residing in Troy Township.

Abigal [sic], in dwelling 576, is listed as age 50 and born in Ohio. In her household are Joseph Joslin, age 25, born in Ohio and Lucicia Joslin, age 17, born in Indiana.

Joseph Joslin is also enumerated in the household of Price Goodrich (dwelling 577, page 80). In this census entry Joseph is 26 years old, born in Ohio.


In Dwelling 580 we find the household of Lysander P. Joslin. He is a 35 year old farmer with a personal estate valued at $475 and born in Ohio. Unless I missed some records, Lysander still owned the land he purchased from his father in 1841 and from Edwin in 1851 and Joseph in 1853. I have the record from when he sold the land to Nicodemas Coleman in October 1866. So why didn't Lysander have a valuation listed for his real estate? Note that Knickademus Coleman, a 22 year old Master Wagon Maker resides in the household listed before Abigail. Not that it makes any difference but I thought it was interesting ;-)

Listed in the household with Lysander were his wife, 34 year old Lydia, who was born in Ohio; John G. Conner, a 21 year old laborer who was born in Germany; and seven children, all born in Indiana: Analiza, 15; Melissa M., 11; Luther, 8; Roxey, 6; John, 4; Minerva, 1; and a male Infant, 2 months old [this would be Andrew who was born on May 30th].


Notably absent in 1860 is Abigail's husband, James Joslin. We do not know if he died between 1850-1860 or if he simply went somewhere else. The cemeteries were read by members of the Genealogical Society of Whitley County between 1996 and 2000 and there is no marker for James. There were several earlier cemetery publications and no entry was found for James in those books either. A check of the estate and probate packets turned up nothing for James. Mary Lucicia was only 17 in 1860 but there is no guardianship record for her. There would be no death record for James since the county did not begin recording deaths until about 1882. Various and numerous searches for James (he was born about 1796 in Canada or Vermont) have been done in the 1860 census index for 'all' states and have been for naught. James is not residing with any of his other (presumed) children.

• Fanny, with her husband, Joseph Shoemaker and seven children, are living in Fremont Township, Page County, Iowa (page 968).
• Edwin (found as Edwn Josslyn) is living in the Town of Hanna , Henry County, Illinois (page 952) with his wife Sarah and three children.
• Emily and her husband, John Long, and son Edwin, are living a few miles north of Abigail and Lysander in Washington Township , Noble County, Indiana (page 9).

Tombstone Tuesday :: Robert Quillen and His Wives

The remains of Robert Quillen and his second wife, Marcelle Babb, reside in a mausoleum at Cannon Memorial Park in Fountain Inn, Greenville County, South Carolina. He was the son of James Downey and Mandella (Joslin) Quillen and a grandson of Lysander and Lydia (Robison) Joslin. Robert was my 1st cousin 3 times removed.

For some reason, being in the mausoleum was a bit of a 'disturbing' experience for me. One of the custodians of the cemetery unlocked the building and went in with me to find the Quillen vault, and I'm glad he was there. It was dark inside, even with the lights on, and was just plain creepy. I get goose bumps just looking at these pictures and thinking about it. I have no such qualms about going to a cemetery and spending hours there. Perhaps it is the confined space of the building and the closeness of the remains that bothers me...

The Quillen crypt is the middle one in the photo above.

QUILLEN
MARCELLE BABB / JANUARY 16, 1898 / JUNE 9, 1971
ROBERT / MARCH 25, 1887 / DECEMBER 9, 1948

Robert's first wife, Miss Donnie Cox, is buried in the Fountain Inn Municipal Cemetery, Greeneville County, South Carolina in the same plot as his parents, J.D. and Della (Joslin) Quillen.

MISS DONNIE / WIFE OF / ROBERT QUILLEN / 1882 - 1922

Edwin M. Joslin :: 1854 Marriage to Sarah Fellows

Census records from 1850 through 1920 for Edwin M. Joslin show that he was born in Ohio about 1829-1830. The 1900 census gives his birth date as December 1829. Edwin would "fit" into the family of James and Abigail Joslin in the 1840 census as the one male 10-15 year old.

Edwin M. Joslin, age 24, was married on November 9, 1854 to Sarah Fellows, age 15, in Whitley County, Indiana. In March, I discussed my search for Edwin and his family. By this time the county was using printed forms with blanks left for names and dates. The information that was hand-written in the record is shown in bold text.

Whitley County, Indiana Marriage Book 1 page 182, located at the County Archives, Columbia City, Indiana.

Edwin M. Joslin to Sarah Fellows } SS Be it remembered, That on this 7th day of November 1854, the following marriage license was issued, to-wit:

Indiana, To-Wit: Whitley County, SS.

To all who shall see these Presents, Greetings

Know ye, that any person legally authorized to solemnize matrimony is hereby licensed to join in marriage as husband and wife Edwin M. Joslin and Sarah Fellows and for so doing this shall be his sufficient authority.

In testimony whereof, I Richard Collins Clerk of the Whitley Circuit Court, hereunto subscribe my name, and affix the seal of said Court, this Seventh day of November 1854. R. Collins, clerk

Be it further remembered, That on this 1st day of February 1855, the following certificate was filed in my office, to-wit:

Indiana, To-Wit: Whitley County.

This certifies that I joined in marriage as husband and wife Edwin M. Joslin and Sarah Fellows on the Ninth day of November 1854.

Samuel D. Klugston
Minister of the Gospel

Emily Eliza Joslin :: 1854 Marriage to John Long

Census records from 1850 through 1920 for Emily Eliza (Joslin) Long show that she was born in Ohio. The census records also indicate that she was born 1837-1838 and the 1900 census gives her birth date as December 1837. Emily would "fit" into the family of James and Abigail Joslin in the 1840 census as the one female under age five.

Emily Joslin, age 16, was married on October 12, 1854 to John Long, age 27, in Whitley County, Indiana. The obituary notices for Emily and John as well as photos of their gravesite were posted last month.

By this time the county was using printed forms with blanks left for names and dates. The information that was hand-written is shown in bold text.

Whitley County, Indiana Marriage Book 1 page 187, located at the County Archives, Columbia City, Indiana.

John Long to Emily Eliza Joslin } SS Be it remembered, That on this 11th day of October 1854, the following marriage license was issued, to-wit:

Indiana, To-Wit: Whitley County, SS.

To all who shall see these Presents, Greetings

Know ye, that any person legally authorized to solemnize matrimony is hereby licensed to join in marriage as husband and wife John Long and Emily Eliza Joslin and for so doing this shall be his sufficient authority.

In testimony whereof, I Richard Collins Clerk of the Whitley Circuit Court, hereunto subscribe my name, and affix the seal of said Court, this Eleventh day of October 1854. R. Collins, clerk

Be it further remembered, That on this 12th day of January 1855, the following certificate was filed in my office, to-wit:

Indiana, To-Wit: Whitley County.

This certifies that I joined in marriage as husband and wife John Long and Emily Eliza Joslin on the 12th day of October 1854.

John S. Hiltula [??], M. Gospel

Joslin Family :: 1850 Whitley County Federal Census

As shown previously, the household of Jonas Joslin was the only 'Joslin' family in the 1840 Federal Census in Whitley County, Indiana. In 1850, 'Joslin' families can be found in the ancestry online index in seven counties in Indiana including Carroll and White in the west-central part of the state; Brown, Owen, and Vigo in the southwest; and Starke and Whitley in the northern portion. There are two 'Joslin' households in Whitley County: James and Lysander. The entire census for Whitley County has been viewed on microfilm and there are no other Joslin households in the county.

1850 Census, Whitley County, Indiana, dwelling 270, family 278, page 472a

James Joslin, 54, farmer, born L. C. [probably Lower Canada although it has been interpreted as South Carolina by some researchers]
Abigail, 46, born Ct [Connecticut]
Edwin, 20, farmer, Real Estate valued at $200, born O [Ohio]
Joseph, 17, farmer, Real Estate valued at $160, born O [Ohio]
Emily E., 12, born O [Ohio]
Mary L., 6, born Ia [Indiana]
Bela Goodrich, 74, born Ct [Connecticut]

Lysander Price Joslin was married on August 23, 1843 to Lydia Robinson. Their family is listed in the 1850 census on the page preceding that of James and Abigail.

1850 Census, Whitley County, Indiana, dwelling 262, family 270, page 471b

Lysander P. Joslin, 25, farmer, Real Estate valued at $350, born O [Ohio]
Lydia, 24, born O [Ohio]
Ann E., 5, born Ia [Indiana]
Melissa M., 11/12, born Ia [Indiana]

Fanny Joslin, the sixth 'child' of James and Abigail, was married to Joseph Shoemaker on February 5, 1843 and they were also living in Whitley County in 1850 (page 460).

While the 1850 census does not provide relationships to the head of household, the fact that James Joslin was the only 'Joslin' found in Whitley County in 1840 carries a certain amount of 'weight' indicating that he is the father of the children listed in his household in 1850 and he is really the only candidate to be the father of Lysander and Fanny as well.

James Joslin :: 1844 Sale of Land to Edwin and Joseph Joslin

These are the land records previously mentioned in which James and Abigail Joslin sell the remaining 40 acres of their land purchased in 1837 to Edwin M. Joslin and Joseph A. Joslin. Edwin was only 14 years old at the time and Joseph was a month shy of 12. Edwin and Joseph each paid $50 for their 20 acres of land. Edwin sold his land for $200 on January 21, 1851 to Lysander P. Joslin (Deed Book E page 213). On November 1, 1853 Lysander also purchased Joseph's 20 acres for $300 (Deed Book G page 143).



On the left is the record of sale to Edwin. Joseph's record is on the right. Click on the images for a larger version.

Whitley County, Indiana Deed Book "D" page 187
Transaction dated August 1, 1844
Filed August 14, 1849 9 A.M.
James Joslin & wife To Edwin M. Joslin Warrantee Deed

This Indenture made the first day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and fourty four between James Joslin and Abigail Joslin his wife of the County of Whitley and State of Indiana of the One part and Edwin M. Joslin of the County and State aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said James Joslin for and in Consideration of the sum of fifty dollars to him in hand paid by the said Edwin M. Joslin... a certain tract or parcel of land in the County of Whitley aforesaid as following towit the South half of the North East quarter of the North West quarter of section Twenty five in Township thirty two North of Range Eight East in the district of Lands subject to sale at Fort Wayne Indiana Containing twenty acres...

Signed by James Joslin and Abigail Joslin
Witnessed by Nancy Cozens
John H. Alexander, Justice of the Peace

=+==+==+=

Whitley County, Indiana Deed Book "D" page 188
Transaction dated August 1, 1844
Filed August 14, 1849 9 A.M.
James Joslin & wife To Joseph A. Joslin Warrantee Deed

This Indenture made the first day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fourty four between James Joslin and Abigail Joslin his wife of the County of Whitley and State of Indiana of the one part and Joseph A. Joslin of the County and State aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said James Joslin for and in Consideration of the sum of fifty dollars to him in hand paid by the said Joseph A. Joslin... a certain tract or parcel of land in the County of Whitley aforesaid it being the North East quarter of the North West quarter of Section twenty five in Township thirty two North of Range Eight East in the district of land subject to sale at Fort Wayne Indiana Containing twenty acres...

Signed by James Joslin and Abigail Joslin
Witnessed by Nancy Cozens
John H. Alexander, Justice of the Peace

Lysander Joslin :: 1843 Marriage to Lydia Robison

Federal census records for Lysander Joslin from 1850 through 1880 consistently show that he was born in 1825 in Ohio. The 1885 and 1895 Kansas state census records provide the same information. Regarding age and place of birth, the census records for both Lysander and his wife, Lydia, are the most consistent of any of my ancestors.

Records from the family Bible of Lysander and Lydia show that they were both born in 1825 - he on May 1st and she on October 10th. When they were married he would have been 18 years and 3 months old while she was two months shy of 18.

Whitley County Marriage Records, 1st Book (1836-1847), #76 located at the County Archives, Columbia City, Indiana.

/ 76 / [written in the middle of the page in the left margin]

Sate of Indiana
Whitley County } Be it remembered that on this 21st day of August 5 AD 1843 A Marriage License was issued by the Clerk of the Whitley Circuit Court Authorizing the Marriage of Lysander Price Joslin and Lydia Robison which is in these words to wit "State of Indiana Whitley County ss. To any person legally authorized to Solemnize the rites of Marriage Greeting - you are hereby authorized and empowered to Join together as Husband and Wife Lysander Price Joslin and Lydia Robison and for so doing this shall be your warrant.
Witness Richard Collins, Clerk of the Whitley Circuit Court and the Seal thereof at Columbia this 21st day of August A.D. 1843 ~ R. Collins, Clerk

And afterward to wit on the 4th day of December AD 1843. James Grant filed in this office a Certificate of the Marriage of the parties aforesaid which is in the words following to with. "State of Indiana Whitley County } Be it remembered that on the 23rd day of August A.D. 1843 by virtue of a license from the clerk of the Whitley Circuit Court I did join in Marriage Lysander Price Joslin and Lydia Robinson as husband and wife ~

In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this 4th day of December AD 1843 ~ James Grant JP

The Whitley County Historical Museum, in Columbia City, has some early marriage documents for the years 1838-1847. Along with the original marriage returns there are some affidavits (usually confirmation of age by someone who knows the bride and/or groom) and parental consents (if the bride or groom was underage). No affidavits or parental consents have been found for Lysander or Lydia.

Related Posts:

• Lysander and Lydia Robison Joslin
• Children of Lysander and Lydia Robison Joslin
• Lysander Joslin Family - Index to Posts

Fanny Joslin :: Marriage to Joseph Shoemaker

Census records for Fanny (Joslin) Shoemaker from 1850 through 1900 show that she was born in Ohio. It has been presumed that because the James Joslin household was the only Joslin family in Whitley County, Indiana in 1840 then Fanny must be the daughter of James and his wife, Abigail. Fanny "fits" into their family as the one female age 10-15 in that census.

Census records also indicate that Fanny was probably born in 1826 or 1827. However, in the 1850 census she is listed as 20 years old. In 1860 and 1870 she is 33 and 43 respectively. In 1880 she is age 51. The 1900 census shows that she is 73 years old and gives her birth as October 1826.

If Fanny was born in October 1826 then she would have only been 16 years old at the time of her marriage. The Whitley County Historical Museum has some early marriage documents for the years 1838-1847. Along with the original marriage returns there are some affidavits (usually confirmation of age by someone who knows the bride and/or groom) and parental consents (if the bride or groom was underage). There is no affidavit or parental consent on file for Fanny. Either she was 18 years or older or the original document has been lost.

Whitley County Marriage Records, 1st Book (1836-1847), #68 located at the County Archives, Columbia City, Indiana.

State of Indiana
Whitley County } SS Be it remembered that on the 16th day of January AD 1843 a Marriage License was issued by the Clerk of the Whitley Circuit Court authorizing the marriage of Joseph Shoemaker and Fanny P. Joslin both of Whitley County Indiana ~

/ 68 /

Recorded Feb 13. 1842 State of Indiana Whitley County} I Horace Tuttle enacting as a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Certify that Joseph Shoemaker and Fanny P Joslin both residents of Sate and County aforesaid was by me lawfully joined in Marriage on the fifth day of February 1843 ~

Given under my hand and Seal this 13th day of February 1843 ~Horace Tuttle a Justice of the Peace

The original marriage return. Located at the Whitley County Historical Museum in Columbia City.

The 1850 Federal Census of Whitley County, Indiana (page 460) shows 20 year old Fanny P. Shoemaker in the household of Joseph Shoemaker. He was 28 years old, a farmer with real estate valued at $150. He was born in N.Y. [New York] and she in O [Ohio]. Also in the household were 3 year old Joseph H. and 1 year old Emily M. both born in Ia [Indiana]. (portion of ancestry.com image)

Did Fanny name her first two children, Joseph and Emily, after her younger brother and sister? Little Joseph's middle name was Hiram, he later used the name Hiram Joseph.

About 1859, Fanny and her family moved to Page County, Iowa where they were found in the 1860 and 1870 census. By 1880 they had moved to Montgomery County, Kansas. Fanny and Joseph later moved to Logan County, Oklahoma where he died about 1890-91. Fanny married Pleasant O'Bryant in 1895. She died in 1905 in Lincoln County, Oklahoma. Fanny and Joseph are buried in Logan County. Oklahoma did not begin filing death records until 1908, but it was not mandatory until 1917. Therefore, there is no death record available for Fanny. Several years ago I corresponded with a descendant of Fanny's son, Hiram Joseph Shoemaker, and she has been unable to find an obituary for Fanny.

The 1900 census shows that Fanny was the mother of 13 children with 11 of them still living. The names are known of only 11 children. The first five children were born in Indiana, probably Whitley County. The last six were born in Iowa, probably Page County.

1. Hiram Joseph Shoemaker, born August 4, 1845. He married Dillia Bellis and had eight children. They lived in Kansas and Iowa.
2. Emily M. Shoemaker, born 1849. Listed with parents in Page County, Iowa in 1860. No further information.
3. Ellen Lucinda Shoemaker, born July 3, 1850. She was married twice. First to Marshall Hendrickson with whom she had 5 children and second to J. T. Ayers with whom she had 4 children.
4. Alice Shoemaker, born 1854. She married James Davis Bellis and had one child.
5. Phoebe Shoemaker, born 1856. Listed with parents in Page County, Iowa in 1870. No further information.
6. Mary Shoemaker, born 1858. Listed with parents in Page County, Iowa in 1870. No further information.
7. Samuel Shoemaker, born 1860. He was living with his parents in 1880 in Montgomery County, Kansas. No further information.
8. Viola Shoemaker, born 1862. She married John L. Spikes and had 3 children. They lived in Oklahoma as well as Cochise County, Arizona. In 1930, Viola was living with her daughter Grace and son-in-law Carl Forth in Redondo Beach, Los Angeles County, California.
9. Hulda Shoemaker, born 1864. She is listed with her parents in 1880 in Montgomery County, Kansas. No further information.
10. Francis Shoemaker, born 1866. He was living with his parents in 1880 in Montgomery County, Kansas. No further information.
11. Martha Sarah Shoemaker, born 1868. She is listed with her parents in 1880 in Montgomery County, Kansas. No further information.

James Joslin :: In a Matter of Debt

Yesterday afternoon I was going through my "Whitley County" folder and re-discovered a document that I forgot that I had. It was one of those where you got it but you'll do something with it later. So now, later has finally come! This is a page (there were no page numbers) copied from the "Troy Docket" book at the Whitley County Historical Museum. Well, at least it was there back in 2001 when I made this copy!

It may be or could be the reason that James and Abigail Joslin sold the remainder of their land to Edwin and Joseph Joslin less than a month after this case was filed. I'm still not convinced though. Where, or how, did two young boys, age 14 and 12 respectively, come up with $50 each to purchase the land? Or, perhaps, the $50 was written into the "contract" because that was fair market value? And James "sold" the land to the boys to keep it in the family?

Essentially, in this case, James owned up to the fact that he owed several debts and agreed to pay them. Price Goodrich then put up security and the debts were paid on February 7, 1845. But, I wonder, who actually paid the debts? Did Price? Regardless of how they were paid or who paid them, the debts were satisfied. When all was said and done, James and Abigail no longer owned their land in Troy Township…

=+==+==+==+=

Troy Docket. No page number. Filed July 16, 1844.

Francis L. Machugh Plantiff vs James Joslin Defendant } In an action of debt. Be it remembered that on the sixteenth day of July 1844 Francis L Machugh filed the following as a cause of action against James Joslin on which the following proceedings were had to wit: Four notes discribed as follows No 1 bearing date December 19th 1841 due one day after day amount $6.68 No 2 bearing date November 24th 1843 due one day after date amount $5.00 No 3 bearing date February 25th 1843 due one day after date amount $7.00 No 4 bearing date July the 16th 1844 due on demand (waving all relief on appraisment law) which the plantiff ordered erased and the relief law extended.

On the [blank space] day of of July 1844 a Summons issued directed to George H Stocking constable actionable on the 7th day of August 1844 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon

This day August the 5th 1844, came the defendant of this cause and ordered that Judgement Should be entered against him for the amount of Said notes interest and costs

It is therefore considered that the plantiff recover of Said defendant twenty five dollars and fifty cents debt and damages and all costs with interest thereon at the rat of six percentum per annum from the date of this Judgement

Justices fees summons $ 0 12 ½
Judgement 0 25
Bail 0 25
Const fee Service and interst $ 0 30

I Price Goodrich do hereby acknowledge myself security for the above defendant James Joslin for the payment of the above Judgement with the interest which may have accrued thereon at the expiration of one hundred and twenty days from the rendition of the same and all costs Witness my hand and seal this 5th day of August AD 1844. Price Goodrich {Seal}

Issued on execution January the 6th 1845
February the 7th 1845 execution returned, money made in full
Received of George H Stocking cons $27.78 in full of the foregoing Judgement. James Grant Justice of the Peace

A Noble Life :: A Farmer's Wife

Lellah Golden "Goldie" (Wiseman) Quine, daughter of Samuel and Amanda (Alexander) Wiseman, was born on May 8, 1890 in Kosciusko County, Indiana. She eloped with Clarence Quine and they were married on September 19, 1914 in Centreville, Michigan.

They became the parents of four daughters, two of whom are still living. Clarence and Goldie lived on their 80 acre farm three miles east of Warsaw, Indiana until the early 1940s. During World War II Goldie and Clarence both worked at the Kingsbury Ordinance Plant in Laporte County, Indiana.

Goldie passed away on August 6, 1973 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Indiana. The photo is not dated. It is from my Dad's collection. Goldie was a sister of my grandfather, Charles Wilson Wiseman.

Contributed to the 12th Edition of Smile For The Camera.

A Little Bit of Sunshine

From snow on Monday and temperatures in the 30s, to glorious sunshine and 60s today! Wow, I am soooo ready for warmer weather.

James & Lysander Joslin :: 1844 Tax Duplicate

The 1844 Tax Duplicate for Whitley County, Indiana is located at the County Archives. There was no date written in the book, just the year 1844 written on the inside front cover. The Genealogical Society of Whitley County published a facsimile of the Duplicate in October 2000, which includes copies of the pages of the original text as well as an index of all names listed therein.

The names were listed in semi-alphabetical order by township, for example, all the surnames beginning with "J" were together for that township but not in alphabetical sequence. There were no page numbers though page numbers were assigned when the GSWC published their book. In that publication, Lysander and James are listed on pages 39 and 40.

=+==+==+=

No 3 Troy Township Continued

Lysander Joslin, Number 132, No Poll, SE NW, Section 25, Township 32, Range 9, 40 acres, land valued at $100, improvements valued at $15, value of land and improvements $115

Note: Lysander was born in May 1825 and would have turned 19 years old in 1844. Therefore he was too young to vote, thus no poll tax for him.

James Joslin, Number 133, 1 Poll, NE NW, Section 25, Township 32, Range 9, 40 acres, land valued at $100, improvements valued at $40, value of land and improvements $140

Lysander has Personal Property valued at $35, total value of taxables $150, taxes were: state 31 cents, county 67 cents, road 50 cents, total am't of Taxes $1.48, Remarks: Paid

On the line with James' name, there is a notation written in the first three columns that looks like Rate (or Late) paid 50 but I'm not sure. James has Personal Property valued at $60, total value of taxables $200, taxes were: state 42 cents, county $1.30, road 50 cents, total am't of Taxes $2.72, Remarks: D $2.22 [Delinquent ?]

James Joslin :: 1841 Sale of Land to Lysander

On July 2, 1841 James Joslin and Abigail, his wife, sold 40 acres of the original 80 that he had purchased from the United States on September 20, 1837 in Whitley County, Indiana to Lysander Price Joslin for $50.

The unusual thing about the transaction, at least to me, is that Lysander was only 16 years old at the time of the transaction. Then, three years later, on August 1, 1844 James and Abigail sold the remaining 40 acres (20 acres each) to Edwin M. and Joseph A. Joslin. (Those two records will be posted in the near future.) Edwin was only 14 years old at the time and Joseph was a month shy of 12. Edwin and Joseph each paid $50 for their 20 acres of land. If long time readers think all this sounds a bit familiar, it's because I mentioned these transactions briefly back in October 2007.

As I said back then, it just makes you wonder what was really going on. There must have been a reason that James and Abigail sold the land to their young sons (presuming that they are their sons) but I doubt that we will ever know why.

For some reason, I always thought that there was a minimum age of 18 or 21 for purchasing land, but apparently there isn't. The only reference I've found to the legal age for buying land was a post on a mailing list that says that a person did not have to be 21 to own land, whether by purchase, grant or inheritance. But, he did have to be 21 to sell it.

My research notes show that Lysander purchased Edwin's 20 acres on January 21, 1851 for $200. Edwin turned 21 the previous December. Joseph sold his 20 acres to Lysander on November 1, 1853 for $300. Joseph had turned 21 in September.

=+==+==+=

Whitley County, Indiana
Deed Book A Page 505
Dated July 2, 1841
Filed June 13th 1842
Recorded June 16, 1842

505

[Written in left hand column] Filed June 13th 1842

This Indenture made this Second day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one by and Between James Joslin and Abigail his wife of the County of Whitley and State of Indiana of the first part and Lysander Price Joslin of the County and State aforesaid of the Second part. Witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the just and lawful sum to them paid of Fifty Dollars the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged by the said party of the first part hath granted bargained Sold and Conveyed and by these presents doth grant bargain Sell and Convey unto the Said party of the Second part his heirs and assigns forever all the following described premises to wit. The South half of the East half of the North west quarter of Section Twenty five in Township No Thirty two North of Range Eight East Containing forty acres according to the original Survey. To have and to hold the above described premises hereby Sold and Conveyed unto the Said party of the Second part his heirs and assigns forever together with all the hereditament and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining unto the party of the Second part to his own proper use benefit and behoof. And the Said party of the first part for themselves their heirs executors and administrators hereby covenant to and with the Said party of the Second part his heirs executors administrators and assigns that they the Said party of the first part are the lawful owners of the Said premises and have good right full power and lawful authority to Sell and convey the Same in manner aforesaid that the same are free from all incumbrances and that the Said party of the first part will Forever Warrant and Defend the Same against the claim or claims of all and every person or persons whomsever.

In testimony whereof the Said James Joslin and Abigail his wife have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and Year first above written.

James Joslin {Seal}
Abigail Joslin {Seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered }
In presence of
James Grant
Sarah Ann Pierce

State of Indiana Whitley County } SS

Personally came before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County James Joslin and Abigail wife of the Said James Joslin Known to me to be the grantors named in the above Deed of conveyance and acknowledged that they signed and Sealed the Same for the use and purposes therein expressed And the Said Abigail wife of the aforesaid James Joslin being by me examined Seperate and apart from the Said husband acknowledged that She executed the Same freely and without any fear or compulsion from her Said husband.

Given under my hand and Seal this Second day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one.

James Grant J.P. {seal}
Recorded June 16th 1842

Tombstone Tuesday :: JD and Della Quillen

Mandella Joslin, more commonly known as Della, was the 13th child of 15 born to Lydia Robison and Lysander Price Joslin in Whitley County, Indiana. Della was married to James Downey Quillen on July 30, 1884 in Barton County, Kansas. He went by James but more commonly was known as JD. Della and JD moved around quite frequently, residing, among other places, in Osage County, Kansas as well as Port Orchard, Kitsap County, Washington and Fountain Inn, Greeneville County, South Carolina.

Della and JD were the parents of five children:

1. Leroy "Roy" Quillen (1885-1917) and his wife Anna had a daughter, Pauline, who was born about 1911. He died in Winlock, Lewis County, Washington less than a month before his 32nd birthday.
2. Verni Robert Quillen (1887-1948), known as Robert, was a popular newspaper columnist in the 1930s and 40s when he resided in Greenville, SC. He was married twice and adopted a daughter.
3. Lydia Elizabeth Quillen (1893-1983) married Berthier Henry "Bert" Deason. They resided in Greenville, SC. No children were born to them.
4. Marjorie Quillen (1903-1903) was born on January 6th and passed away two weeks later on January 20th. She is buried in the Overbrook Cemetery, Osage County, Kansas.
5. Della Lucille Quillen (1909-2000) was married to Donald Charles Agnew. He taught psychology and philosophy at several Universities and was president of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia. They had two daughters, one of whom I have corresponded with.

JD and Della (Joslin) Quillen are buried in the Fountain Inn Municipal Cemetery, Greeneville County, South Carolina. In the photo above their graves are the last two flat markers on the far left.

DELLA JOSLIN / WIFE OF / J. D. QUILLEN / December 9, 1866 / February 7, 1943

J. D. QUILLEN / 1860-1919

Such a Sad Sight

Mother Nature dumped about four inches of snow overnight in Northern Indiana. The wind has done more damage to the daffodils than the snow though. They had just started to bloom yesterday. They'll survive, just a little worse for the wear… and maybe not quite as pretty as they would have been.

The "Top" Genealogy Websites and Blogs

Congratulations go out to the bloggers who have made the ProGenealogists list of the 25 Most Popular Genealogy Blogs! The selections were "evaluated based on their overall content, Technorati rating, and industry experience." The list is "as of 3 April 2009" and they note at the bottom of the post that "Due to the ever-changing nature of the blogosphere and the authority basis of Technorati rankings, it is anticipated that this list will change frequently."

There was only one blog on the list that I wasn't familiar with so I checked it out. The last post was made in January and there were less than 50 posts in all of 2008. There were some good search tips posted and the articles are well written so maybe its inclusion proves the old adage that quality is better than quantity.

ProGenealogists also has a list of the 50 Most Popular Genealogy Websites for 2009. That list includes some sites I've never heard of and some that I've heard of but never used. Guess I need to check them out sometime!

I first read about the lists over at Leland Meitzler's GenealogyBlog, which is rated #23. Leland's post includes a press release with more information about the two lists.

James Joslin :: 1840 Whitley County Federal Census

In this previous post we learned that James Joslin "of Delaware County, Ohio" purchased 80 acres of land in Whitley County, Indiana from the U.S. Government in September 1837 and that it was patented in August 1838.

We don't have a firm date as to when James and his family arrived in Whitley County but on page 227 of "Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana" (edited by Goodspeed & Blanchard, 1882) it shows that James Joslin was among the 12 residents of Troy Township to cast a vote in the first Presidential election held on July 4, 1839. And, in "Recollections of Early Troy by Mrs. Fannie Marrs" published on page 253 in the 1907 "History of Whitley County, Indiana" (edited by Kaler & Maring) she states "My father, Price Goodrich, landed here in June, 1838. James Joslin, John Black and Harlow Barber, with their families, came in 1839."

There are a myriad of spelling variations for the "Joslin" surname. Just change the o to a, the s to c or sc or ss or sh, the e to y or omit it entirely… so I generally use the wildcards "Jos*" or "Jas*" for searches when wildcards are allowed. Some of the spelling variations that have been found are: Jaaslin, Jaclen, Jaclin, Jaclyn, Jaslin , Jocelin Jocelyn, Joscelin, Joscelyn, Joselin, Joshlin, Joshlyn, Joslyn, Josselyn, Josslin, and Josslyn. On one occasion it was spelt Gloslin, but the vast majority of the time my particular family has been found as Joslin.

A search of the ancestry.com online census index for 1840 using the wildcard search of "Jos*" shows two households with the surname of Joslin and one Joselin living in Indiana. There was also one household with the spelling of Jocelin and two with Jocelyn. The only household in Whitley County, Indiana in 1840 was that of James Joslin. (I have viewed every page of the 1840 census for Whitley County to verify that there are no other Joslin families included.)

James Joslin is the fourth name listed on page 455. Price Goodrich, probably a brother of James' wife Abigail, is the sixth name. A portion of the record, cropped from the ancestry.com image is shown below, click on the image for a larger version.


In the Whitley County Marriage books are records for 10 individuals with the "Joslin" surname. Five of them are for known children of Lysander Price Joslin. The remaining five are:

Fanny P. Joslin to Joseph Shoemaker on February 5, 1843 (1st Book pg 68)
Lysander Price Joslin to Lydia Robinson on August 23, 1843 (1st Book pg 76)
Emily Eliza Joslin to John Long on October 12, 1854 (Book 1 pg 187)
Edwin M. Joslin to Sarah Fellows on November 9, 1854 (Book 1 pg 182)
Joseph A. Joslin to Prudentia E Noble on June 2, 1861 (Book 2A pg 55)

Given the fact that James Joslin is the only "Joslin" household in Whitley County in 1840, it has been presumed that the individuals listed in the above marriage records are the children of James and Abigail Joslin. And, yes, I am quite aware that all of the "children" listed in a household are not necessarily the children of the head of household. That fact notwithstanding, and with additional research that has been done on each of them (sources available upon request), the household of James Joslin in the 1840 Whitley County census appears to be:

• 1 male 5-10 [1830-1835...Joseph A. was born September 11, 1832]
• 1 male 10-15 [1825-1830...Edwin Mattoon was born December 17, 1829]
• 1 male 15-20 [1820-1825...Lysander Price was born May 1, 1825]
• 1 male 40-50 [1790-1800...James was born about 1796]
• 1 female under 5 [1835-1840...Emily was born December 12, 1837]
• 1 female 10-15 [1825-1830...Fanny Philanda was born October 1826]
• 1 female 30-40 [1800-1810...Abigail was born about 1805]

James Joslin :: 1837 Land Purchase

The earliest record found so far for James Joslin in Whitley County, Indiana is his purchase of land from the U. S. government on September 20, 1837 and which was patented on August 20, 1838.

In September 2000 a distant cousin, Richard Kutz, sent me copies of the land entry files he had received from the National Archives. The Original Patent Records can be searched and viewed online at the General Land Office Patent Search site but only the patent record is available online. The land entry file for James Joslin included the application for purchase as well as a receipt for payment.

A portion of the left side of the application for land purchase is cut off. I've added what I think it should say in square brackets. Text displayed in bold face is written on the application, the other text is printed.

Land Office, Fort Wayne, Ia. Sept 20 1837

I, James Joslin, [of] Delaware County, Ohio do hereby apply for purchase E ½ NW ¼ Section numbered 25 in Township numbered 32 N. of Range number 8 E. containing 80 [acres], according to the returns of the Surveyor General, for which I have agreed with the Register to [pay] at the rate of One Dollar and Twenty-five cents per acre.
for James Joslin
Price Goodrich
I, Robert Brackenridge, Register of the Land Office, do hereby certify that the lot above de-[scrib]ed, contains 80 acres, as mentioned, and that [the p]rice agreed upon is one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre.
R. Brackenridge, Register.

The interesting thing about the land entry application is that the entry was signed by Price Goodrich "for James Joslin" indicating, perhaps, that James didn't make the trip to the land office. I wonder if he even saw the land before he purchased it or did he rely on Price to select good land? Also, did you notice the abbreviation "Ia." was used for Indiana?

This record also confirms the speculation noted by Irwin Joslin in his letter to my Grandmother on July 29, 1969 that James was "of Delaware County, Ohio" indicating that he was indeed living there, at least in 1837.

The receipt for payment is also dated September 20th 1837 and it shows that James paid $100 for his 80 acres.

The land purchase was not filed in Whitley County until October 14, 1885. It was found, after an extensive search, in Whitley County Deed Book 15, page 314. Two paragraph breaks have been added to the transcription to make it a bit easier to read.

[page] 314 certificate No. 20721 } United States to James Joslin.
Filed Oct. 14" 1885 at 3 P.M.

The United States of America, To all whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas James Joslin of Delaware County, Ohio has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Fort Wayne where by it appears that full payment has been made by the said James Joslin according to the Provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th day of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provision for the sale of Public Land" for the East half of the North West Quarter of Section twenty five in Township thirty two North of Range Eight (8) East in the district of land subject to sale at Fort Wane Indiana, containing eighty acres, according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been purchased by the said James Joslin.

Now know Ye, That the United States of America, in consideration of the Promises, and in conformity with the Several acts of Congress in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted and by these presents Do give and Grant unto the said James Joslin, and to his heirs, the said tract above described. To Have and To Hold the same together with all the rights, priviliges, immunities, and appurtenances of what so ever nature, thereunto belonging unto the said James Joslin and to his heirs and assigns forever.

In Testimony Whereof, I Martin Van Buren, President of the United States of America, have caused these letter to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the twentieth day of August in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and of the Independence of the United States the sixty third.

By the President: Martin Van Buren
By M. Van Buren Secy.
Jos. S. Wilson acting Recorder of the General Land Office
Ad interimRecorded. Vol 42 Page 127

A set of plat maps drawn from the "Original Land Entries of Whitley County, Indiana" was published in 1981 by Stuart Harter, Churubusco, Indiana. Below is the southeast portion of the drawing for Troy township. In the upper left corner of Section 25 is the land of James Joslin. Among his neighboring landowners were James Goodrich and Price Goodrich. In Section 22 is the land of Bela Goodrich and two more properties for James Goodrich. In Section 23 is the land of Ralph Goodrich which borders that of James Goodrich in section 22.

Of course, just because James Joslin purchased land in Whitley County does not necessarily mean that he ever actually lived in the county. There were land speculators back in those days too... but he wasn't one of those speculators.

Joslin Family :: What Happened Next?

There are no more letters written between Irwin and Grandma in her files though I'm sure they stayed in contact with each other. I wonder, why didn't she keep all of his letters?

Grandma received a letter from Mrs. Edith Wessler dated November 7, 1970 that went on about several different Joslin families that she thought might be possibilities. But the letter is confusing. (For reference, Mrs. Wessler is the lady that published "The Jocelyn-Joslin-Joslyn-Josselyn Family" in 1961 and had written to Grandma in 1968, which is the letter that started this series, see bottom of post for links.) Grandma made a notation on the November 7th letter that she answered it in December but there is no copy of her letter in her files.

In another letter from Mrs. Wessler, dated December 23, 1970 she mentions that Grandma had sent her a copy of a letter from Mr. Joslin. Irwin's wife, Alice had passed away on May 17th, 1970. Mrs. Wessler goes on to say that "Mr. Joslin mentions seeing my book in the Fort Wayne library. On page 125 under 99-Joseph Joslin, is Jonas, 3rd child, born March 1, 1769. I have no record of whatever became of any of the children of this Joseph Joslin except the 4th child, Samuel. In the last few years, I have corresponded with two of the descendants of Samuel, who settled in Ringe, New Hampshire. He died there at the age of 49 years."

That is the last letter from Mrs. Wessler in Grandma's files. But Mrs. Wessler and Irwin continued to correspond with each other. In May 2000, I received copies of two letters from Richard Kutz that Mrs. Wessler wrote to Irwin in December 1980 and December 1982. Richard is a grandson of Phoebe Joslin, sister of Irwin's father Virgil.

In those two letters to Irwin, Mrs. Wessler provides information that she believes makes the connection between the Jonas Joslin in Delaware County, Ohio and 99-Joseph (mentioned above) in her book. Her information came from Mrs. Jean Oldham Heuman, a descendant of Jonas through his son Jonas Jr.

As I later found out, Mrs. Heuman is the researcher who originally located the 1794 marriage record of Jonas Joslin and Ruth Dyer in Franklin County, Vermont and the Alien Registration Card in Ottawa, Canada which I wrote about in the post Roadblock - Ruth Dyer and Jonas Joslin and which I wrongly attributed to Donald Joslin. The "credit" for finding those two documents should actually go to Mrs. Heuman.

The tradition in Mrs. Heuman's family has it that "In 1816 the oldest child, James Joslin, age 20, came with the younger son, Jonas Joslin, Jr., age 9, by canoe from Lake Champlain, Canada, to Liberty Twp., Delaware Co., Ohio. They brought the family's heirloom, Joseph Joslin's old Revolutionary War flintlock rifle (which is still in the family), and staked out a claim, put in crops and built a two-room log cabin for the family. Jonas Joslin, Sr., wife, Ruth Dyer and five daughters, age range 6 to 19, followed by canoe later in the season."

Mrs. Wessler's letter included this transcription of a record in "The Book of Aliens, 1794-1795" No. 43, Ottawa, Canada, which Mrs. Heuman says was in Jonas' own handwriting:

"I Jonas Joslin, do hereby declare that I am a native of the United States of America from the state of Massachusetts in the town of Leominster. My age is twenty-four years. My trade or occupation is that of a farmer, that for this six months last past, I have resided in the Seignory of St. Armand in Mississkuoi Bay, and came into this Province of Lower Canada, by land, on the East Side of Lake Champlain on the 18th day of March 1793, and now reside on the aforesaid Seignory of St. Armand as witness my hand at Mississquoi Bay this 9th day of January 1795. Signed: Jonas Joslin".

According to that record, signed in January 1795, Jonas was 24 years old. Jonas, the son of Joseph, was born March 1, 1769 so the age would be off by a year or so. Unless he was giving his age at the time he entered Lower Canada.

So, at this point, the "data" that connects James Joslin to Jonas and Jonas to Joseph comes from:

1. Ohio Census records of 1820 and 1830 for Liberty Township, Delaware County, discussed in a previous post.
2. A family tradition passed down through the Jonas Joslin Jr. family.
3. The 1794 Franklin County, Vermont Marriage Record of Jonas Joslin and Ruth Dyer.
4. Entry No. 43 in "The Book of Aliens, 1794-1795" of Ottawa, Canada.
5. Page 125 of "The Jocelyn-Joslin-Joslyn-Josselyn Family" compiled by Edith S. Wessler.

Is that sufficient evidence to make those connections? A bit weak, I think.

Irwin obtained Mrs. Heuman's address from Mrs. Wessler and they corresponded but I have no record of it, except for some brief research notes compiled by Irwin in June 1983. I received those notes from my 1st cousin, David Phend in March 1991. I think David got them from Grandma's files.

A couple of weeks ago I did a search for Mrs. Heuman and found a message board posting from 2006. Taking a chance that the email address was current I wrote to her asking if she had found anything new on the Joslin family, particularly the connection between James and Jonas Sr., but she said she had no new information.

Grandma passed away on May 3, 1984 and all of her genealogy papers went to my Uncle Bill, cousin David's father. It was about 10 years ago that I was given those papers. I'm pretty sure that Irwin continued to correspond with Grandma until her death. Irwin passed away on January 16, 1990 (that's weird, January 16th was Grandma's birthday). Most of his research papers went to his brother George and his wife Lorene. When I visited George and Lorene last year I copied some of Irwin's papers, among which was a letter that my Aunt Phyllis wrote, at the request of Grandma, in November 1983 to Irwin correcting some family information as well as telling him about Grandma's cancer and how excited she was about her upcoming family Christmas dinner.

Shortly after Irwin died in 1990, Lorene wrote to Aunt Phyllis and she passed the letter on to me. By that time I had been interested in the family history for a few years and eagerly responded to Lorene's letter. We corresponded off and on for several years and lost contact with each other in the mid 1990s. Then came the "Internet Age" and we reconnected in 1999. Since then we've learned an awful lot about the descendants of Lysander and Lydia Joslin, but little more about his (presumed) parents, James and Abigail, or his (presumed) grandparents, Jonas and Ruth.

Other posts in this series:

• Joslin Family :: Heritage Tour and Research Trip
• Joslin Family :: First Contact
• Joslin Family :: Grandma Responds to Irwin's Letter
• Joslin Family :: Irwin's Letter of March 25th
• Joslin Family :: Grandma Invites Irwin to Visit
• Joslin Family :: Irwin Visits Grandma

Up Next: What evidence is there to connect Lysander Joslin to his presumed parents James and Abigail (Goodrich) Joslin? Shouldn't we really "prove" that Lysander is their son before going back to earlier generations? It would all be so much simpler if something like this actually happened...