Father
1811-1854
Benjamin Heacox shares a tombstone at Hice-Pershing with his wife, Margaret (Hice) Heacox, 1818-1908, who survived him by more than 50 years. This is a stone most likely erected after her death. The tombstone of their son, Robert, who died of typhoid fever while in service during the Civil War, is nearby.
Benjamin has presented a number of research challenges for his descendants --- and others (including me). He most likely is an older son, perhaps the eldest, of Benjamin Heacox Sr., a Connecticut native who settled in the neighborhood immediately across the river from Hice-Pershing --- in what eventually became St. Clair Township, Westmoreland County, prior to 1820 --- and married Elizabeth Yates. But descendants who have attempted to reconstruct the family of Benjamin Sr. and Elizabeth usually have not included Benjamin Jr. in the mix.
These were near neighbors of my ancestors, the Gasper Hill and Abraham Myers families, who no doubt could have filled me in on the Heacox family, too --- but neglected to do so.
Benjamin was by occupation a founder. There were iron foundries is this neighborhood from its earliest days and the 1845 Laurel Hill Furnace remains to remind us of that early industry.
The senior Benjamin became something of a mythic figure as years passed --- and he did live long, but not quite as long as his tombstone in Oak Hill Cemetery, Clay County, Indiana, suggests. The inscription on that stone states that Benjarmin Sr. was born Dec. 26, 1776, and died July 26, 1880, nearly 104.
Benjamin Sr. apparently was told that he was born on the day Washington crossed the Delaware during the Revolutionary War --- the night of Dec. 25-26, 1776. Benjamin most likely knew full well that the relevant part of the date was Dec. 26, not 1776, but seems to have joyfully added something like 20 years to his lifespan when he grew old to enhance the legend. His children believed his story, and inscribed the tall tale in stone.
Benjamin "Haycock" appears first in the 1820 census of Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County, as a man aged 16-26 with a wife, also aged 16-26, and two children, a boy and a girl, under 10 years of age. The family also is enumerated in 1830 and 1840 Westmoreland census records as near neighbors to my ancestors, who lived just north of the later (1865) village of New Florence.
By 1850, Benjamin and Elizabeth and their younger children had relocated in Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County, where both were enumerated as age 56, producing ca. 1794 birth dates for both. Elizabeth reportedly died in Clay County, Indiana, during 1859 --- not long after the family had resettled there.
Benjamin Sr. was enumerated in the 1880 census of Clay County --- just before his death --- as age 92, producing a birth year of 1788, still more than 10 years removed from the legendary 1776 eventually inscribed on his tombstone.
So far as Benjamin Heacox Jr. is concerned --- an 1811 birth date would mean that his parents were in the neighborhood of 17-18 when he was born, certainly possible. But my guess is that he actually was born a couple of years later, perhaps closer to 1815 (his age was given as 35 in the 1850 census of Fairfield Township, Westmoreland County).
Whatever the case, Benjamin Jr. married Margaret Hice ca. 1842. They and four young children were living with her widowed mother, Mary Hice, when the 1850 census of Fairfield (later St. Clair) Township, Westmoreland County, was taken. His occupation was given as "railroad contractor." My great-great-grandfather, Jacob Myers --- who lived nearby --- was a railroad contractor, too, so I'm guessing they may have worked together.
Benjamin and Margaret (Hice) Heacox had six children --- Robert, born ca. 1843; Elizabeth, born ca. 1845; Mary, born ca. 1847; George, born ca. 1849; Gibson, born ca. 1853; and Hiram, born ca. 1855 (perhaps posthumously).
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Elliott, Margaret Jane
Wife of James Elliott Jr.
(No further information; base of stone is buried)
Record of a tombstone for Margaret Jane Elliott is included in the Treasures of the Past inventory of Hice-Pershing Cemetery, but not among the Hice-Pershing memorials at Find A Grave.
Elliott is an old family name in East Wheatfield Township, where a James Elliott was among the earliest businessmen at Armagh, the township's (and Indiana County's) oldest village. But I was unable to link a family that might have included Margaret and James Elliott Jr. to any of those obscure lineages.
The family of a James Elliot Jr., age 25, and wife, Margaret, age 23, was enumerated in the 1850 census in Hice-Pershing neighborhood of East Wheatfield Township, near the families of both Hugh Hice and Daniel Pershing. Their children were John, age 6; Ellen, 3; and Isabella, 6/12.
I have been unable to locate this family, or what might have remained of it, in subsequent census years in Pennsylvania or elsewhere.
It seems likely that this is the Margaret Jane Elliott buried in Hice-Pershing, but much remains to be discovered.
(No further information; base of stone is buried)
Record of a tombstone for Margaret Jane Elliott is included in the Treasures of the Past inventory of Hice-Pershing Cemetery, but not among the Hice-Pershing memorials at Find A Grave.
Elliott is an old family name in East Wheatfield Township, where a James Elliott was among the earliest businessmen at Armagh, the township's (and Indiana County's) oldest village. But I was unable to link a family that might have included Margaret and James Elliott Jr. to any of those obscure lineages.
The family of a James Elliot Jr., age 25, and wife, Margaret, age 23, was enumerated in the 1850 census in Hice-Pershing neighborhood of East Wheatfield Township, near the families of both Hugh Hice and Daniel Pershing. Their children were John, age 6; Ellen, 3; and Isabella, 6/12.
I have been unable to locate this family, or what might have remained of it, in subsequent census years in Pennsylvania or elsewhere.
It seems likely that this is the Margaret Jane Elliott buried in Hice-Pershing, but much remains to be discovered.
Elder, William A.
Son of J.C. and J.A. Elder
Died Dec. 6, 1881
Aged 25 Years, 21 Days
William was a son of John Caldwell and Julia Ann (Dillon) Elder who most likely buried their son --- and his younger brother, Charles A., a year earlier --- here because they were living nearby at the time. John and Julia were Indiana County natives whose families lived nearer the village of Armagh. Charles Elder died Dec. 17, 1880.
During April of 1886, John, Julia and several of their children joined their son and brother, Phillip, at Julesburg, Colorado, and during 1887 they homesteaded east of Holyoke, in Phillips County, Colorado. Julia died in Colorado on Sept. 28, 1901. John then retired and returned to Pennsylvania, living the rest of his life among his children. He died 16 November 1916 reportedly while staying with his daughter, Rosa, at Downington, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
A more complete account the the family may be found here in a report prepared by Victor Elder.
Died Dec. 6, 1881
Aged 25 Years, 21 Days
William was a son of John Caldwell and Julia Ann (Dillon) Elder who most likely buried their son --- and his younger brother, Charles A., a year earlier --- here because they were living nearby at the time. John and Julia were Indiana County natives whose families lived nearer the village of Armagh. Charles Elder died Dec. 17, 1880.
During April of 1886, John, Julia and several of their children joined their son and brother, Phillip, at Julesburg, Colorado, and during 1887 they homesteaded east of Holyoke, in Phillips County, Colorado. Julia died in Colorado on Sept. 28, 1901. John then retired and returned to Pennsylvania, living the rest of his life among his children. He died 16 November 1916 reportedly while staying with his daughter, Rosa, at Downington, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
A more complete account the the family may be found here in a report prepared by Victor Elder.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Elder, Charles F.
Son of J.C. & J.A.
Died Dec. 17, 1880
Aged 11 years, 4 months, 19 days
Charles was a son of John Caldwell and Julia Ann (Dillon) Elder who most likely buried their son --- and a year later his older brother, William --- here because they were living nearby at the time. Both were Indiana County natives whose families lived nearer the village of Armagh. William Elder died 6 December 1881 at age 25 and was buried by Charles's side.
During April of 1886, John, Julia and several of their children joined their son and brother, Phillip, at Julesburg, Colorado, and during 1887 they homesteaded east of Holyoke, in Phillips County, Colorado. Julia died in Colorado on Sept. 28, 1901. John then retired and returned to Pennsylvania, living the rest of his life among his children. He died 16 November 1916 reportedly while staying with his daughter, Rosa, at Downington, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
A more complete account the the family may be found here in a report prepared by Victor Elder.
Died Dec. 17, 1880
Aged 11 years, 4 months, 19 days
Charles was a son of John Caldwell and Julia Ann (Dillon) Elder who most likely buried their son --- and a year later his older brother, William --- here because they were living nearby at the time. Both were Indiana County natives whose families lived nearer the village of Armagh. William Elder died 6 December 1881 at age 25 and was buried by Charles's side.
During April of 1886, John, Julia and several of their children joined their son and brother, Phillip, at Julesburg, Colorado, and during 1887 they homesteaded east of Holyoke, in Phillips County, Colorado. Julia died in Colorado on Sept. 28, 1901. John then retired and returned to Pennsylvania, living the rest of his life among his children. He died 16 November 1916 reportedly while staying with his daughter, Rosa, at Downington, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
A more complete account the the family may be found here in a report prepared by Victor Elder.
Butler, S. Orville
Son of G.W. & D.C. Butler
Died May 28, 1889
S. Orville most likely was the second child of George W. and Delilah "Lila" Catherine (Lynn) Butler, although he is not listed in lineages put together by Butler descendants. The Treasures from the Past listing confuses the issue a little by interpreting his mother's initials as "A.C.," but that most likely is a misreading of "D.C." George Butler was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Fulcomer) Butler, also buried at Hice-Pershing.
George W., born 19 July 1859 in Indiana County and married Delilah "Lila" Catherine Lynn on 22 June 1886 in Indiana County. Their first recorded child, according to online lineages, was Willa May, probably born during 1887; and their second, Stella M., born during 1891. S. Orville fits into a slot between the two and probably died not long after birth. Their other two children were Myra Lynn, born 1899; and Edward George, born 1903.
The family moved from Indiana County to Johnstown ca. 1903 and George died there on 30 December 1910. Lila lived until 8 January 1940. Both are buried in Grandview Cemetery at Johnstown.
Died May 28, 1889
S. Orville most likely was the second child of George W. and Delilah "Lila" Catherine (Lynn) Butler, although he is not listed in lineages put together by Butler descendants. The Treasures from the Past listing confuses the issue a little by interpreting his mother's initials as "A.C.," but that most likely is a misreading of "D.C." George Butler was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Fulcomer) Butler, also buried at Hice-Pershing.
George W., born 19 July 1859 in Indiana County and married Delilah "Lila" Catherine Lynn on 22 June 1886 in Indiana County. Their first recorded child, according to online lineages, was Willa May, probably born during 1887; and their second, Stella M., born during 1891. S. Orville fits into a slot between the two and probably died not long after birth. Their other two children were Myra Lynn, born 1899; and Edward George, born 1903.
The family moved from Indiana County to Johnstown ca. 1903 and George died there on 30 December 1910. Lila lived until 8 January 1940. Both are buried in Grandview Cemetery at Johnstown.
Dorney, Phebe (Phoebe Hill)
Wife of Abraham
Died June 28, 1878
Aged 66 years, 9 months, 25 days
Phebe (or Phoebe) lived with her husband, Abraham, and their five children just across the Conemaugh River from Hice-Pershing in the compact neighborhood of Fairfield, later St. Clair, Township, Westmoreland County, just upstream from the later village of New Florence (incorporated in 1865).
She was a daughter, perhaps the eldest child, of John and Elizabeth Hill and a granddaughter of neighborhood pioneers Gasper and Phoebe Hill, all of whom quite likely are buried in Hice-Pershing as well. A calculation based upon her age at death results in a birth date of 3 September 1811. She probably was born not far from where she died.
Census records suggest that Phoebe's marriage to Abraham Dorney, member of a pioneer Indiana County family, occurred ca. 1838. Their five children were: Isaac Dorney, born October 1839, died 1910, buried Armagh Cemetery, Indiana County; James Dorney, born ca. 1843; Benjamin F. Dorney, born October 1845, died 1913, buried Armagh Cemetery; Lavenia Dorney, born ca. 1849; and Elizabeth Dorney, born July 1854, died 1934, buried Armagh Cemetery.
Abraham Dorney still was living in the family home near New Florence when the 1880 census was taken, but has not been found in census records thereafter. He probably died during the periord 1880-1900 and was buried in Hice-Pershing Cemetery, too, but that conjecture cannot be confirmed.
Phoebe (Hill) Dorney's youngest brother, Josiah C. Hill, is buried in Salem Cemetery, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa.
Died June 28, 1878
Aged 66 years, 9 months, 25 days
Phebe (or Phoebe) lived with her husband, Abraham, and their five children just across the Conemaugh River from Hice-Pershing in the compact neighborhood of Fairfield, later St. Clair, Township, Westmoreland County, just upstream from the later village of New Florence (incorporated in 1865).
She was a daughter, perhaps the eldest child, of John and Elizabeth Hill and a granddaughter of neighborhood pioneers Gasper and Phoebe Hill, all of whom quite likely are buried in Hice-Pershing as well. A calculation based upon her age at death results in a birth date of 3 September 1811. She probably was born not far from where she died.
Census records suggest that Phoebe's marriage to Abraham Dorney, member of a pioneer Indiana County family, occurred ca. 1838. Their five children were: Isaac Dorney, born October 1839, died 1910, buried Armagh Cemetery, Indiana County; James Dorney, born ca. 1843; Benjamin F. Dorney, born October 1845, died 1913, buried Armagh Cemetery; Lavenia Dorney, born ca. 1849; and Elizabeth Dorney, born July 1854, died 1934, buried Armagh Cemetery.
Abraham Dorney still was living in the family home near New Florence when the 1880 census was taken, but has not been found in census records thereafter. He probably died during the periord 1880-1900 and was buried in Hice-Pershing Cemetery, too, but that conjecture cannot be confirmed.
Phoebe (Hill) Dorney's youngest brother, Josiah C. Hill, is buried in Salem Cemetery, Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Conley, Kate
Died Sept. 21, 1873
Aged 19 years, 11 months
The conjectural inscription above is based upon the Treasures of the Past inventory of Hice-Pershing. The same death date is given at the Find A Grave Hice-Pershing memorial listing for Kate, but that listing apparently derives from Treasures of the Past and a date of birth, 21 October 1853, has been calculated and added.
Kate's tombstone is in the foreground here of a generic photo added to the Hice-Pershing Find A Grave site by Sue Lackey.
The stone also shows up at left, in the middle distance, of this photo, also Sue Lackey's. The tombstones of Kate's aunt, Elizabeth Myers, and uncle, George Myers, also are evident some distance to the right of her tombstone. They may be buried in the same row, perhaps separated by other unmarked Myers graves.
Kate (or Catharine) was the only child of Phoebe Myers, youngest daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Hill) Myers, and an unknown father whose surname was Conley (or Connolly). They apparently were married after 1850, since she assumed his surname, but by 1860 he had died or departed. The Myers family lived across the Conemaugh River from Hice-Pershing in what became St. Clair Township, Westmoreland County.
Kate appears first by name in the will of her grandfather, Abraham Myers, dated 23 March 1858. In that will he makes bequests to his daughter, Phoebe "Connolly," and his granddaughter, Catharine "Connolly." Catharine was to receive $100 under terms of the will.
Kate was enumerated as Catharine in the 1860 census entry for the St. Clair Township home of the Myers family, by this time headed by her uncle, George Myers. Her age was given as 6 and she had attended school within the year. The census taker apparently assumed, or was told, that both Kate and her mother were using the surname Myers.
She was enumerated, again in the household headed by her uncle, in the 1870 census, but this time as "Kate" Myers, age 16. Her mother, also enumerated as Myers, remained a resident of the family home, too.
During 1875, two years after Kate's death, her mother married George W. Osborn, some 10 years her junior. They lived for a time in Bedford County, then moved to Johnstown, Cambria County, ca. 1888, apparently just prior to the great Johnstown flood. The remainder of their lives were spent in Johnstown. Phoebe died 27 February 1910 and was buried in Johnstown's Grandview Cemetery.
Aged 19 years, 11 months
The conjectural inscription above is based upon the Treasures of the Past inventory of Hice-Pershing. The same death date is given at the Find A Grave Hice-Pershing memorial listing for Kate, but that listing apparently derives from Treasures of the Past and a date of birth, 21 October 1853, has been calculated and added.
Kate's tombstone is in the foreground here of a generic photo added to the Hice-Pershing Find A Grave site by Sue Lackey.
The stone also shows up at left, in the middle distance, of this photo, also Sue Lackey's. The tombstones of Kate's aunt, Elizabeth Myers, and uncle, George Myers, also are evident some distance to the right of her tombstone. They may be buried in the same row, perhaps separated by other unmarked Myers graves.
Kate (or Catharine) was the only child of Phoebe Myers, youngest daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Hill) Myers, and an unknown father whose surname was Conley (or Connolly). They apparently were married after 1850, since she assumed his surname, but by 1860 he had died or departed. The Myers family lived across the Conemaugh River from Hice-Pershing in what became St. Clair Township, Westmoreland County.
Kate appears first by name in the will of her grandfather, Abraham Myers, dated 23 March 1858. In that will he makes bequests to his daughter, Phoebe "Connolly," and his granddaughter, Catharine "Connolly." Catharine was to receive $100 under terms of the will.
Kate was enumerated as Catharine in the 1860 census entry for the St. Clair Township home of the Myers family, by this time headed by her uncle, George Myers. Her age was given as 6 and she had attended school within the year. The census taker apparently assumed, or was told, that both Kate and her mother were using the surname Myers.
She was enumerated, again in the household headed by her uncle, in the 1870 census, but this time as "Kate" Myers, age 16. Her mother, also enumerated as Myers, remained a resident of the family home, too.
During 1875, two years after Kate's death, her mother married George W. Osborn, some 10 years her junior. They lived for a time in Bedford County, then moved to Johnstown, Cambria County, ca. 1888, apparently just prior to the great Johnstown flood. The remainder of their lives were spent in Johnstown. Phoebe died 27 February 1910 and was buried in Johnstown's Grandview Cemetery.
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