Joslin Family :: Summary of Evidence

As stated in the first post in this Joslin Family series, there isn't any documentation that explicitly states that my 3rd great grandfather, Lysander Price Joslin, is the son of James and Abigail (Goodrich) Joslin. In correspondence (1968-1982) between my grandmother, Irwin Joslin, and Mrs. Edith Wessler the "connection" was made between Lysander and James and Jonas Joslin, in Delaware County, Ohio.

This series of posts has presented the documents and evidence that has been found in the last twenty years or so. We still don't have "that" one document stating a relationship but I do think the cumulative effect of the evidence available is sufficient to "prove" that Lysander is the son of James and Abigail Joslin and that James is a son of Jonas and Ruth (Dyer) Joslin.

Utilizing census records, we have shown that there was only one Joslin family in Delaware County, Ohio during the time period in question (1820-1850) consisting of Jonas and his children. And, in Whitley County, Indiana in 1840-1860, there was only one Joslin family consisting of James and Abigail and their six children. Death records are not available for the two oldest children, Lysander and Fanny, but records for two other children confirm that their mother was Abigail Goodrich. The death record for another child gives her name as Mabethy Goodrich.

Records in Delaware County, Ohio

• In 1818 Jonas Joslin purchased land in Delaware County, Ohio.
• The only 'Joslin' families in Delaware County, Ohio during the 1820-1840 time period were Jonas Sr., James, and Jonas Jr. The two Jonas' remained in Ohio.
• There were nine 'Joslin' families found in the 1820 Ohio census index at ancestry.com but Jonas Joslin was the only one in Delaware County, Ohio.
• In 1822, the land purchased by Jonas Joslin Sr. in 1818 was sold by Jonas and his wife Ruth to James Joslin and Jonas Joslin Jr. with the stipulation that Jonas Sr. and Ruth were to retain use of the premises during their lifetimes. This would seem to indicate transfer of property to their children.
• According to his family Bible records, Lysander Price Joslin was born on May 1, 1825.
  Lysander was most likely named after Price Goodrich, his mother's brother. Both Price and Abigail were undoubtedly named after their father's mother, Abigail Price. Future posts will provide evidence that Abigail is the daughter of Bela Goodrich and granddaughter of John and Abigail (Price) Goodrich.
• No record for the marriage of James Joslin and Abigail Goodrich has yet been found. However, newspaper abstracts indicate that James and his wife Abigail were married prior to July 13, 1826.
• In the 1830 Delaware County, Ohio census for James Joslin, Lysander would "fit" in the family as the one male 5-10 years of age.
• James Joslin sold his land in Delaware County to Jonas Joslin Jr. on August 29, 1837 and sometime thereafter removed to Whitley County, Indiana. That land had been purchased from Jonas Joslin Sr. in 1822.

Records of James and Abigail Joslin, and children, in Whitley County, Indiana

• On September 20, 1837 James Joslin purchased land in Whitley County from the United States. It was patented on August 20, 1838.
• We don't know exactly when the Joslin family arrived in Whitley County but the county history books state that James Joslin was among the 12 residents of Troy Township to cast a vote in the first Presidential election held there on July 4, 1839.
• According to the online index on ancestry.com there were two households with the surname of Joslin and one Joselin living in Indiana in 1840. Also one household with the spelling of Jocelin and two with Jocelyn. However, there was only one Joslin family in Whitley County, Indiana in 1840 and that was the household of James Joslin. Lysander would "fit" into that family as the one male 15-20 years old.
• In 1841, Lysander purchased 40 acres of land from James and Abigail Joslin. This is a portion of the land that James Joslin "of Delaware County, Ohio" purchased from the Federal Government in 1837. At the time the deed of sale was signed, Lysander was only 16 years old.
• On January 16, 1843 Fanny Joslin was married to Joseph Shoemaker in Whitley County. Fanny was about 16 years old at the time of her marriage. As an underage minor it would be extremely unlikely that she would not be living with her family. She "fits" into the family in the 1840 census as the one female 10-15 years old.
• On August 21, 1843 Lysander Price Joslin married Lydia Robison in Whitley County.
• The 1844 Tax Duplicate for Whitley County shows that both Lysander and James were property owners.
• In 1844, Lysander was taken before a local court for nonpayment of a debt. Naby Joslin testified that Lysander was a minor when the debt was incurred back in January 1843. Could this be considered evidence that Naby is Lysander's mother?
• Also in 1844, James and Nabby Joslin sold the remainder of their land to Edwin and Joseph Joslin. Edwin was only 14 years old at the time of the transaction and Joseph was a month shy of 12 years. Would they sell their land to two minor boys if the boys weren't their children?
• In the 1850 Federal Census for Whitley County, Indiana, Lysander P. Joslin is listed on page 471b. The James Joslin family is on the next page (472a). There were no other Joslin families in Whitley County at that time.
• No further record of James Joslin has been found beyond the 1850 census. There is no estate file for him in Whitley County, Indiana nor is there a guardianship record for the minor children.
• All of the census records found for them show that Lysander, Fanny, Edwin, Joseph, and Emily Joslin were all born in Ohio. The last child of James and Abigail, Mary Lucicia was born after the family came to Indiana.
• On January 21, 1851 Lysander purchased 20 acres of land from Edwin Joslin, which James had sold to Edwin in 1844. Lysander also purchased Joseph's 20 acres on November 1, 1853. Thus he became the owner of the original 80 acres that James had bought from the U. S. Government in 1837.
• On October 12, 1854 Emily Eliza Joslin was married to John Long in Whitley County, Indiana. Emily "fits" into the Jonas Joslin household in the 1840 census as the one female under 5 years of age. She is also listed with the family in the 1850 census.
• Edwin M. Joslin married Sarah Fellows on November 9, 1854 in Whitley County, Indiana. In the 1830 census, Edwin "fits" into the Jonas Joslin household as the one male under 5 years of age. In 1840 he would be the one male 10-15 years old. He is listed with James and Abigail in the 1850 census.
• In the 1860 Federal Census for Whitley County Abigail Joslin, Price Goodrich, Silas Goodrich and Lysander P. Joslin are all listed on page 762. There were no other Joslin families in the county at that time.
• On June 2, 1861 Joseph A. Joslin was married to Prudentia Noble in Whitley County, Indiana. Joseph "fits" into the Jonas Joslin household in 1840 as the one male 5-10 years old. Joseph is listed with James and Abigail in 1850 and with Abigail in 1860.

The place of birth for James and Abigail

• In the 1850 census, James was listed as born in L C (probably Lower Canada) and Abigail was born in Connecticut. The 1860 census gives her birthplace as Ohio. In 1870 and 1880 (as the wife of Samuel Pingree) her birthplace is given as Connecticut.
• Though not all of the census records for their children agree, the majority indicate that James was born in Canada or Vermont and that Abigail was born in Connecticut.
• The 1880 census (Cheyenne Township, Barton County, Kansas, page 93) for L.P. Joslin shows that Lysander's father was born in Vermont and his mother in Connecticut.
• In 1880, the census (Lewisburgh Township, Montgomery County, Kansas, page 21) shows that Fanny's father was born in Canada and her mother in Mass.
• The 1900 census (Antelope Township, Logan County, Oklahoma, page 1) Fanny's father was listed as born in Canada (Eng) and her mother in Connecticut.
• The 1880 census (Michigan City, La Porte County, Indiana, page 38) shows that Edwin's parents were both born in Vermont.
• In 1900 (Island Grove Township, Sangamon County, Illinois, page 109) and 1910 (Perry Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, page 59) the census records show that Edwin's father was born in New York and his mother in Connecticut.
• The 1880 census (North Township, Marshall County, Indiana, page 38/34b) shows that Joseph's parents were born in "Penn" [Pennsylvania].
• In 1900 and 1910 (North Township, page 12b and 167 respectively) the census shows that Joseph's father was born in Vermont and his mother in Ohio.

Death Records and Obituaries

• Lysander's obituary (transcribed, near bottom of post) published in the Columbia City Weekly Commercial May 31, 1899 states that he was born near Columbus, Ohio. It does not provide the names of his parents or siblings.
• No death record is available for Lysander. He died May 14, 1899 in Keighley, Butler County, Kansas and is buried in Lyndon, Osage County, Kansas.
• There is no death record available for Fanny Joslin Shoemaker O'Bryant who died on June 6, 1905 in Lincoln County, Oklahoma. No obituary has been found for her either.
• Edwin's death certificate gives his mother's name as Mabethy Goodrich. His father's first name is not given. Edwin died on April 6, 1916 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
• Joseph's obituary in The Weekly Republican, Plymouth, Indiana of June 26, 1919 does not give the names of his parents but it does say that he was born in Delaware county, Ohio.
• Joseph's death record in Marshall County, Indiana (Book CH-30 page 113) does not give the name of his father but it does show that his mother was Abigail Goodrich.
• An article in the Columbia City Post of January 3, 1914 announced the death of Prudentia (Noble) Joslin, wife of Joseph. It stated that she was an aunt of Mrs. William Brubaker of this city.
• The death record for Emily Joslin Long in Whitley County (#108-29) shows that her father was Thomas Joslin. He was born in Canada. There was no Thomas Joslin in Ohio or Indiana. Emily's mother was given as Abigail Goodrich, born in Ohio.

Additional Evidence

• Donna Shoemaker Ihns, a descendant of Fanny Joslin Shoemaker O'Bryant, submitted a supplemental application to the DAR in 2005 for the service of Joseph Josselyn, aka Joseph Joslin (1743-1829). I contacted Donna recently and learned that her application had been approved even though she had no "direct" evidence to "prove" that Fanny was the daughter of James and Abigail Joslin. Her evidence consisted primarily in the census records showing that there were no other Joslin families in Ohio or Indiana in which Fanny could belong. Also the two land records - the one of 1822 which gives Jonas Sr. and Ruth use of the land during their lifetime, and in 1837 where James sells that land to Jonas Jr. Additional evidence given was the fact that Fanny was underage at the time of her marriage to Joseph Shoemaker, presuming that as a minor she was still living with her family.
• A journal entry made by Elizabeth Quillen, daughter of Della Joslin Quillen and granddaughter of Lysander Joslin, dated February 21, 1917 stated: "My grandfather Joslin's mother was English. She was a Goodrich." Elizabeth was 24 years old when the journal entry was made. The journal information was received in 2004 from Jocelyn Camp, niece of Elizabeth Quillen.
• The sixth child of James and Abigail is Mary Lucicia Joslin. She is listed with James and Abigail in 1850 as Mary L. and as Lucicia with Abigail in 1860. She *may* be the Mary Joslin who married J C Whited on July 3, 1862 in Henry County, Illinois. In 1880 John Whitted and Mary were still living in the town of Hanna in Henry County. She may have died there or in Omaha, Nebraska where her husband was found in the city directories 1887-1896. A son also lived in Omaha. Additional research needs to be done to determine if Mary Joslin Whitted is the daughter of James and Abigail.
• Lending to the veracity that the Mary Joslin who married John Whitted is the daughter of James and Abigail, and that the Mrs. Abigail Joslin who married Samuel Pingree in Henry County, Illinois is "my" Abigail Joslin, is the fact that Edwin Joslin, listed as Edwn Josslyn, was residing in the town of Hanna in Henry County in 1860 (page 952 of the census). Samuel and Abigail Pingree were living in the town of Phenix in Henry County in 1870 and 1880. Google Map of Hanna and Phenix.

For reference: Index to all posts on the Joslin Family

Abigail Joslin :: 1870 Marriage to Samuel Pingree

Photocopies of the marriage record for Abigail Joslin and Samuel Pingree were received in October 2004 from Jon Pontzius. He had received them from Donna Shoemaker Ihns sometime in 2003. Jon and Donna are both descendants of Asa Shoemaker. Jon is also a descendant of Price Goodrich and Donna is a descendant of his sister, Abigail Goodrich Joslin. Thus they are double cousins to each other and each is also related to me! Confusing, eh? What would we do without fellow family researchers willing to share information?



Front of packet:
Marriage License No. 418
Samuel K. Pingaree and Abigal Joslin
Issued June 25, 1870
Married June 30, 1870
Registered July 7, 1870
on page 30 of Marriage Register
F. G. Newton, Clerk

=+==+==+=

Marriage License
State of Illinois, Henry County

To any person legally authorized to solemnize Marriage
Greeting:
You are hereby authorized To join in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony and to celebrate the Rites and Ceremonies of Marriage between Mr. Samuel K. Pingree and Mrs. Abigal Joslin according to the usual custom and laws of the State of Illinois, and you are required to return this License to me within thirty days from the celebration of such Marriage, with a Certificate of the same appended thereto and signed by you under the Penalty of One hundred Dollars.

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of said County this Twenty Fifth day of June AD 1870
F. G. Welton, By L. C. Caufield [?] Deputy County Clerk

State of Illinois, Henry County } SS
I James Shelten a Preacher of the Gospel hereby certify that on the 30th day of June 1870 I joined in Marriage Mr. Samuel Pingree with Mrs. Abigail Joslin agreeably to the authority given in the above License & on the custom & laws of this State. Given under my hand and seal this 30th day of June AD 1870. James Shelden, seal.

=+==+==+=

Samuel and Abigail were found in the 1870 census residing in Phoenix, Henry County, Illinois (page 12/130, dwelling 83, household 83): Saml K Pingree is 61 years old and is a Domestic Servant. He was born in Maine and cannot read or write. Abigail is 65 years old and keeping house. She was born in Conn [Connecticut) and cannot read or write. Also in the household is Ester, 91 years old and born in N.H. [New Hampshire]. Most likely she is Samuel's mother.


They were found in 1880 in Phenix, Henry County, Illinois (page 6, dwelling 59, household 60): Samuel Pingree is a 71 year old farmer. He was born in Maine and his parents were born in New Hampshire. Abigal is his 75 year old wife. She is keeping house and was born in Connecticut. Her parents were born in Connecticut.


The census records "fit" the information that is known about Abigail Goodrich Joslin. She was born about 1805 in Hartford County, Connecticut.

Additional research by Donna did not uncover a cemetery or burial record for Abigail or Samuel in Henry County. She did find a record of Samuel selling his land on March 12, 1888 to Nicholas O'Bryan. Samuel Pingree was "of" Marvin, Phillips County, Kansas at the time. Donna did not find any record of Samuel owning land there or a cemetery record for Samuel or Abigail.

Donna also said that Joseph Shoemaker (husband of Fanny Joslin) was buying and selling land in Henry County but she didn't give me any dates. By 1860 Fanny and Joseph were living in Page County, Iowa. They were still in Whitley County, Indiana in 1850. Donna stated that records in other states (Iowa and Oklahoma) show that Joseph was a land speculator, buying and selling land wherever they lived.

We know that Edwin Joslin, Fanny's brother, was residing in Henry County, Illinois in 1860. So it is likely that Fanny and her husband were there also. Perhaps Abigail followed them shortly after the 1860 census (she was still in Whitley County then). It is also possible that the Mary Joslin who married J C Whited on July 3, 1862 in Henry County is Mary Lucicia, daughter of James and Abigail Joslin. Additional research needs to be done to try and verify it, but it does seem feasible.

Jonas Joslin :: 1850 Ohio Census

The Jonas Joslin family was originally found on microfilm of the 1850 census in Liberty Township, Delaware County, Ohio. Knowing that the surname was misspelled by the census taker as "Gloslin" an alternate name request was submitted to ancestry. As a result, they now show up in the online index when searching for Joslin.

Page 417/208a Dwelling 1511 Family 1514

• Jonas Gloslin, 81, Real Estate valued at $1500, born Mass
• Jonas Gloslin Jr., 42, born Canada
• Lucy Gloslin, 42, born NY
• John Gloslin, 21, born Ohio
• Leucretia Gloslin, 19, born Ohio
• Nancy Gloslin, 16, born Ohio
• Jane Gloslin, 15, born Ohio
• Wm Gloslin, 14, born Ohio
• Mary Gloslin, 9, born Ohio
• Elisabeth Gloslin, 7, born Ohio
• Charles Gloslin, 2, born Ohio

Page 418/208b continuation of Dwelling 1511 Family 1514

• Fanny Gloslin, 40, born Canada

Page 418/208b Dwelling 1512 Family 1515

• Benjamin Bartholomew, 70, born Conn
• J Gloslin, 21, born Ohio
• Lovina Gloslin, 21, born Ohio
• Franklin Gloslin, 1, born Ohio

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

Note that Jonas Sr. is listed with a real estate valuation rather than Jonas Jr., which I find a bit odd since James Joslin sold the original homestead to Jonas Jr. in 1837. The land records need to be checked to see if there are other transactions for them, it could be that Jonas Jr. sold that land.

The J Gloslin enumerated in the household of Benjamin Bartholomew is probably John Joslin, son of Jonas Jr., although John is also listed in the household of Jonas Sr. (John H. Joslin was married on June 13, 1848 to Lovina M. Pain).

The other item of interest revealed in this record is birthplaces: Jonas Sr. was listed as born in Massachusetts; Jonas Jr. and Fanny were both born in Canada.

Jonas Joslin :: 1840 Ohio Census

Several years ago I found Jonas Joslin in the 1840 census in Delaware County, Ohio - by viewing the microfilm and looking through all of the pages for Liberty Township. Luckily there are only a few pages for Liberty Township.

A recent search of the online index at ancestry.com for the 1840 Ohio census for "Josl*" turned up eight results. Jonas Joslin was not among them and there was no "Joslin" family listed in Delaware County, Ohio.

Jonas Joslin is indexed as 'Jonas Joflin' in the ancestry index. I finally found him in the index by searching for first name of Jonas and last name blank in Delaware County, Ohio. A correction has been submitted to ancestry to aid others in finding him.


Liberty Township, Delaware County, Ohio - Page ?? I have "30" written in my notes, probably from the microfilm. The ancestry image has "0100" stamped along the right side. There is "186" written in the upper right corner but it is crossed through. It is Image 3 of 6 for Liberty Township.

In the 1850 census, Jonas Sr. is listed as head of the household with Jonas Jr. and his family in residence. Based on that, I've made the assumption that in 1840, Jonas Sr. was the head of household and Jonas Jr. and his family resided with him. But I could be wrong ;-) Ruth, the wife of Jonas Sr. had passed away on August 27, 1830.

The probable household of Jonas Joslin in 1840:

• 1 male under 5 [1836-1840... William, son of Jonas Jr., born 1836]
• 1 male 10-14 [1826-1830... John, son of Jonas Jr., born 1828]
• 1 male 30-39 [1801-1810... Jonas Jr. born 1807]
• 1 male 60-69 [1771-1780... Jonas, Sr. born 1769]
• 3 females 5-9 [1831-1835... 3 daughters of Jonas Jr., Lucretia, Nancy and Jane]
• 2 females 30-39 [1801-1810... Fanny, daughter of Jonas Sr., born 1810, and Lucy, wife of Jonas Jr., born 1807]

The Death of Ruth Joslin :: 1830

Official death records were not kept in the early days in Ohio. Then, as now, people often relied upon the local tabloid for news of their friends, neighbors and relatives.

Carol Willsey Bell compiled "Delaware County, Ohio Genealogical Abstracts" in 1980 and on page 51 we find the following entry, citing the Ohio State Gazette: "Sept. 16, 1830 - Died in Liberty Tp. on 27th ult, MRS. RUTH JOSLIN, w/o Jonas, age 59 years." The term "ult" refers to the previous month, i.e. Ruth died on August 27th 1830.

In 1992, Mary V. Reed compiled "Abstracts from Miscellaneous Delaware County Ohio Newspapers 1821-1857" and on page 49, citing the Ohio State Gazette and Delaware County Journal of September 16, 1830 is the entry: "Died in Liberty Township on the 27th ult. Mrs Ruth JOSLIN, aged 59 years wife of Mr. Johns JOSLIN."

From another "Joslin" researcher, I found out that Ruth's tombstone resides within the confines of the Delaware County Historical Museum, or at least it did several years ago. The inscription was transcribed as "Ruth wife of Jonas Joslin died Aug 27, 1830 aged 59 Years."

In this online listing, Ruth is shown as having been buried in the "Joslin Cemetery" along with Jonas Sr. The cemetery is shown as #9 on this map and was located in the southern portion of Liberty Township near the Franklin County line. From its location, I am presuming that the cemetery was on the Joslin farm.

James Joslin :: 1837 Sale of Land to Jonas Jr.

On January 10, 1822 Jonas Joslin Sr. and his wife Ruth sold 100 acres of land to James Joslin and Jonas Joslin Jr. with the stipulation that Jonas Sr. and Ruth would have use of the land during their lives. In 1822, James would have been about 26 years old and Jonas Jr. was not quite 15 (he was born on February 25, 1807).

Probably in preparation for moving his family to Whitley County, Indiana early the next year, James sold that same land to Jonas Joslin Jr. on October 28, 1837. It does not contain the clause giving Jonas Sr. and Ruth use of the land. I'm wondering now if I didn't miss a land record. It seems odd that the amount of land in this 1837 transaction is 100 acres, the same as in 1822. Perhaps, it is because James and Jonas Jr. owned the land jointly. The important thing, for me at least, is that the record still shows that James Joslin's wife was named Nabby! This 1837 record was found in Delaware County, Ohio Deed Book 16, pages 249 and 250.

[Bottom of page 249]

Filed & Recorded 28th Oct 1837
A Picket [?] Sr. Recorder. Delaware County Ohio
James Joslin deed to Jonas Joslin Jr.}

Delaware County Ohio, to wit; Know all men by these presents, that we James Joslin and Nabby Joslin, wife of said James Joslin of Liberty Township, Delaware County and State of Ohio for and consideration of the sum of Five Hundred Dollars paid (or Secured to be paid) by Jonas Joslin Jun'r of Liberty Township County and State aforesaid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have remised, released and forever quitclaim unto the said Jonas Joslin Junr his heirs and assigns all the estate, right, title and interest whatsoever, both in law or equity which we the said James Joslin and Nabby have in and to the following described land namely, lot No 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, supposed to contain one hundred acres more or less, so that we nor either of us, our heirs or assigns or any other person or persons in trust for either of us or them, shall or will have any claim, right, title or interest in and to the same or any part thereof, but that we the said James Joslin & Nabby Joslin our heirs and assigns and every of them from all estate right, title and interest in and to the Same, shall be by these presents forever debarred. In witness whereof the said James Joslin and Nabby Joslin have here

[Top of page 250]

unto set their hands and seals this twenty ninth day of August Anno Domini Eighteen hundred and thirty seven.

Executed in presence of
P. E. Buell
William Hills

[signed by]
James Joslin {seal}
Nabby Joslin {seal}

State of Ohio Delaware County SS. Personally came James Joslin and [blank space] Joslin his wife signers and sealers of the above instrument and acknowledged the same to be their voluntary act and deed for the purposes therein expressed. The said [blank space] Joslin wife of the said James Joslin being by me first examined by me separate and apart from her said husband and the contents of the above deed by me made known to her, declared that she did voluntarily sign seal and acknowledge the same and that she is still fully satisfied therewith. Witness my hand this twenty ninth day of August AD. 1837.
Philaster E. Buell. Justice of the peace
A Picket. Jr., Recorder, Delaware County, Ohio
Filed and Recorded 28th Oct. 1837.

Edwin M. Joslin :: 1916 Certificate of Death

This week I received several death certificates that had been ordered from the Indiana State Board of Health, among them that of Edwin M. Joslin. His father's name is not given and his mother's name is listed as Mabethy Goodrich. That information was provided by Edwin's daughter Nellie Gunkle. To me, it seems feasible that "Mabethy" could be a corrupted version of "Nabby" which is how Abigail Goodrich was found in several other records, or perhaps it is wishful thinking - but at least his mother's maiden name was given as Goodrich!


357 stamped in upper right corner
13939 stamped on left above name

Place of Death: County of Tippecanoe, Township of Perry
Indiana State Board of Health / Certificate of Death / Registered No. 115

PERSONAL AND STATISTICAL PARTICULARS

Full Name: Edwin M. Joslin
Sex: Male
Color or Race: White
Widowed
Name of Wife: Sareph A.
Date of Birth: Dec 17, 1829
Age: 86 years 3 months 20 days
Occupation: Retired Farmer
Birthplace: Ohio
Name of Father: --- Joslin
Birthplace of Father: unknown
Maiden Name of Mother: Mabethy Goodrich
Birthplace of Mother: unknown
Informant: Mrs. Ed Gunkle
Address: La Fayette, R.R.L.
Health Officer: Dwight R. Baker

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF DEATH

Date of Death: April 3, 1916
Cause of Death: Arterio Sclerosis
Duration: two years
Signed: J. E. McCabe, M.D.
4/6, 1916
Address: Buck Creek
Place of Burial or Removal: Isley
Date of Burial: 4-9 1916
Undertaker: Dwight R. Baker

Joslin Family :: 1830 Census Delaware County, Ohio

The 1820 census of Delaware County, Ohio included only one Joslin family, that of Jonas Joslin. The 1830 census includes just two Joslin families: Jonas and James, both in Liberty township, listed seventh and fifth from the bottom of page 85. Additional research provides us with the names and ages within the square brackets.

The probable household of Jonas Joslin:

• 1 male under 5 [1825-1830... grandson, John, age 2, born June 1828]
• 1 male 20-29 [1800-1810... son Jonas Jr., 23, born February 1807]
• 1 male 60-69 [1760-1770... Jonas Sr., 61, born March 1769]
• 2 females 15-19 [1811-1815... daughter Fanny, about 20, born about 1810 and one other, name unknown]
• 1 female 20-29 [1800-1810... Lucy, 23, wife of Jonas Jr., born August 1807]
• 1 female 50-59 [1770-1780... Ruth, 59, wife of Jonas Sr., born 1771]

Elizabeth, aged 16-25 in the 1820 census, was married to Milton Bartholomew according to "Abstracts from Miscellaneous Delaware County Ohio Newspapers 1821-1857" extracted by Mary V. Reed, Delaware County Genealogical Society, 1992, page 38. Citing the Franklin Chronicle, Worthington, Ohio of March 19, 1821: "Married on Thursday 15th inst. in Middlebury, Delaware County by Nathan Carpenter Esq. Mr. Milton Bartholomew to Miss Elizabeth Joslin." There were no entries for the two unknown females aged 16-25 that were in the Jonas Joslin household in 1820.

From published newspaper abstracts we learned that James and Abigail Joslin were married prior to June 30, 1826. The 1850 census and additional research gives us the names and dates within square brackets.

Probable members of the James Joslin household:

• 1 male under 5 [1825-1830... son Edwin, age 1, born December 1829]
• 1 male 5-9 [1820-1825... son Lysander, age 5, born May 1825]
• 1 male 30-39 [1790-1800... James, about 34, born about 1796]
• 1 female under 5 [born 1825-1830... daughter Fanny, about 4, born about 1826]
• 1 female 5-9 [born 1820-1825... Unknown]
• 1 female 20-29 [born 1800-1810... wife Abigail, about 25, born about 1805]

Jonas Joslin Sr. :: 1822 Land Sale to James and Jonas Jr.

On January 10, 1822 Jonas Joslin Sr. and his wife Ruth sold 100 acres of land for $800.50 to James Joslin and Jonas Joslin Jr. with an important clause that gave them (Jonas Sr. and Ruth) use of the land during their lives. This would seem to indicate some degree of relationship between Jonas Sr. and Ruth with James and Jonas Jr. This was the same land that Jonas and Ruth had purchased for $1,050 on October 20, 1818. The record can be found in Delaware County, Ohio Deed Book 5, pages 526-528.



[page 526]
Jonas Joslin
To } Deed
James Joslin & Jonas Joslin Jr

This Indenture made and concluded this 10th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two by and between Jonas Joslin & Ruth his wife of Delaware County in the State of Ohio of the first part and James Joslin & Jonas Joslin Junior Witnesseth that the said Jonas Joslin & Ruth his wife for and in consideration of eight hundred Dollars fifty cents to them in had paid or secured to be paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged

[top half of page 527]
527 } given granted bargained sold released conveyed confirmed and by these presents give grant bargain sell release convey and confirm unto the said James and Jons Joslin Junior and unto their heirs and assigns forever a lot of land viz; lot number sixteen in the west 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 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 Joslin Jr and James Joslin and unto their heirs and assigns forever and the said Jonas Joslin & Ruth his wife for their heirs executors and administrators covenant and promise to and with the said James and Jonas Joslin Jr their heirs and assigns that they are lawfully seized of the Premises aforesaid that they have good right and full authority to sell and convey the same in manner aforesaid and that the said Premises are free and clear from

[bottom half of page 527]
all encumbrances. And Further that they the said Jonas Joslin and Ruth his wife their heirs executors and administrators will well warrant and truly defend the premises aforesaid unto the said James and Jonas Joslin Jr. and unto their heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims of any persons or person whomsoever except a reservation of the use of the above described premises during our lives. In testimony whereof the part - to the first part here hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year above written.
Jonas Joslin {Seal}
Ruth Joslin {Seal}
Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of}
Nathan Carpenter}
Sophia Weaver}

The State of Ohio Delaware County}
Personally appeared before me Nathan Carpenter one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County the within names Jonas Joslin and Ruth his wife Who she being first examined separate and apart from her husband both acknowledged

[page 528]
the foregoing instrument to be their free act and deed for purposes therein mentioned Given under my hand and seal this
Nathan Carpenter JP {seal}
Reced & recorded this deed Feby 14th 1822
J A Hughs Recorder Del Cty

Joslin Family :: The Marriage (?) of James and Abigail

Somewhere in the deep, dark recesses of my memory is a nagging thought that the early marriage records for Delaware County, Ohio were "lost" in a fire or flood or something. I don't have the marriage record for James Joslin and Abigail Goodrich. I can't imagine making a trip there (which I did in the late 1980s) and not obtaining the record if it was available.

A place search for "Delaware Ohio" in the Online FamilySearch Library Catalog shows two entries for Delaware County marriage records.

• The early marriage bonds of Delaware County, Ohio, 1832-1865 Daughters of the American Revolution. Delaware City Chapter (Delaware, Ohio). Microreproduction of typescript (3 volumes) written 1940, in the State Library of Ohio, D.A.R. Collection, Columbus, Ohio.
• Marriage records, 1835-1951 Ohio Probate Court (Delaware County). Microfilm of original records filmed at the Delaware County courthouse and Delaware County Records Center, Delaware, Ohio. Includes general index to volumes 1-4; remaining volumes individually indexed.

From that we can see that the earliest recorded marriages that are most likely available are from 1835 (or perhaps they haven't been filmed) with some bonds from as early as 1832. But if these are all that are available, 1835 is too late for my Joslin family. According to his family bible records, Lysander Joslin was born May 1, 1825. Presumably, his parents would have been married prior to that date ;-) but perhaps not. We have no record of their marriage. Not in the official records nor in any personal family records.

However, several intrepid souls have literally scoured the early Delaware County newspapers for articles relating to marriages and other vital records and abstracted them for publication. For which I am very grateful!

In "Delaware County, Ohio Genealogical Abstracts" by Carol Willsey Bell, 1980 we find this entry from the Delaware Patron & Franklin Chronicle of July 13, 1826: "James Joslin vs. Abigail. Wife Abigail left my bed & board at Liberty Tp., will pay no debts."

A similar entry was found in "Abstracts from Miscellaneous Delaware County, Ohio, Newspapers 1821-1857" compiled by Mary V. Reed and Sharlene Shoaff, 1992. From the Delaware Patron of Thursday July 13, 1826: "Whereas my wife Abigail has left my bed and board - I am determined to pay NO debts of hers. James Joslin. Liberty June 30th, 1826.

This evidence seems to indicate that James and Abigail were married sometime prior to June 30, 1826. Assuming that Lysander is their son and first child, Abigail would have been pregnant with her second child at that time, Fanny Philanda Joslin was born in October 1826. Apparently James and Abigail reconciled as they had more children and in 1838 moved to Whitley County, Indiana.

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).

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