Roots Trek

Monday, February 22, 2016

Nathan Hammond and Rachel Blackburn Hammond

If you look closely at the pedigree chart above you'll see that we're now following Elizabeth Ellen Harbaugh's ancestral lines.

I don't have any information about Peter Harbaugh and his wife Sophia so I'll have to skip them. Next in line would be Nathan Hammond and Rachel Blackburn.

Rachel is the sister of Thomas Blackburn, one of Adam's ancestors, so all the family information I posted about Thomas also applies to Rachel. That actually makes things just a little bit weird. Adam Ickes is the descendant of Thomas Blackburn. Adam's wife, Elizabeth Ellen Harbaugh, is the descendant of Thomas' sister, Rachel Blackburn. Both Thomas and Rachel are the children of John Blackburn, so if you follow both Adam's and Ellen's lines back to the Blackburn family they converge with John Blackburn and from there back have exactly the same ancestors. John Blackburn is Adam's 3rd great-grandfather and Ellen's 2nd great-grandfather. That makes Adam and Ellen not only husband and wife, but also 3rd cousins once removed. If I continue to follow both lines down to me, that makes me my own 7th cousin once removed.

Here's what it looks like:

I guess that would also make my siblings my 7th cousins once removed, my children would be my 8th cousins, and my grandchildren are my 8th cousins once removed. OK, I gotta move on to something else. This is giving me a headache.

Rachel Blackburn married Nathan McGrew in 1767. Here's the references to the marriage as recorded in the minutes of the Quaker monthly meeting:

10 Oct 1767 "Nathan McGrew & Rachel Blackburn appeared at this meeting & signified their Intentions of marriage with each other, John Wright & Benjamin Loan are appointed to make the necessary enquirey into his conversation & from all others on that account & report to next meeting."

11 Nov 1767 "Nathan McGrew & Rachel Blackburn appeared at this meeting & signified that they continued their Intentions of marriage with each other & nothing appearing to obstruct they are left to their liberty to accomplish the same according to the good order used amongst friends, & John Wright, & Benjamin Loan are appointed to be it so accomplished & report to next meeting, & produce the marriage certificate to be recorded."

12 Dec 1767 "The friends appointed to attend the marriages of Nathan McGrew & Rachel Blackburn, & Moses Blackburn & Mary McGrew reports they were orderly accomplished & they produced the marriage certificates to this meeting."

Rachel and Nathan McGrew had one daughter named Rebecca who was born in 1768. It's likely Rebecca never knew her father as it is presumed he died in 1768.

Rachel married Nathan Hammond in 1771. The Hammonds were also active, devout Quakers as Nathan's father, John, was often assigned the task of seeking out and reporting on church members whose conduct had been put in question. According to the Quaker records, Rachel's marriage to Nathan Hammond wasn't nearly as joyous and celebrated as was her first marriage.

13 April 1771 "Manallen meeting informs this that Nathan Hammond & Rachel McGrew had accomplished their marriage by the assistance of a Priest (they being precautioned) this meeting appoints Samuel Wright & Benjamin Wright to prepare a testimony against them & produce it to next meeting."

1 May 1771 "One of the friends appointed to prepare a testimony against Nathan Hammond & his wife produced one which is as follows Viz Whereas Nathan Hammond & Rachel his wife having had their Education amongst us the People called Quakers, but for want of faithfully adhearing to the directions & guidance of the Spirit of Grace in their own hearts, gave way so far to a libertine spirit as to be guilty of dancing, & likewise went & was joined in marriage by the assistance of a Priest (or some such way) for which Evil conduct we deny them the said Nathan Hammond & Rachel Hammond to be any longer members of our Religious Society until their future conduct recommend them worthy, which that it may is our desire; which was approved of & signed on behalf of this meeting by the clerk & John Wright & George Wilson are appointed to shew it to them give them a copy if desired with notice of the Priviledge of an appeal which if they decline then to be it read in a Publick meeting at Manallen & return it to next meeting."

It wouldn't be until November of 1778, 7 1/2 years and 4 children later, that Nathan and Rachel would request re-admittance to the church.

7 Nov 1778 "Manallen Meeting Informs this that Nathan Hammond and his wife appear to be defirous to be reconciled with Friends, and he appeared at this meeting and offered a paper of acknowledgment which is left under consideration till next meeting."

12 Dec 1778 "The case of Nathan Hammond and his wife being considered in this Meeting, it appears to be most safe to appoint some Friends to have an opportunity with them and report their sense to next Meeting, Therefore William Underwood, William Garretson, Benjamin Underwood, Harman Updegraff, and Peter Cleaver are appointed to that service."

9 Jan 1779 "Three of the Friends appointed in the case of Nathan Hammon and his wife reports that they (with some women Friends) had a prity seasonable opportunity with them and that they did not find anything in their minds to discourage them from attending this meeting and they appeared and offered the following acknowledgment /viz/ (attachment unavailable) which was read and accepted."

13 Mar 1779 "Manallen Meeting informs this that Nathan Hammond requests that his four children (to wit) Deborah, Sarah, John and Mary may be received under Friends care, which is granted."

The history books indicate the Hammond family from which Nathan descends immigrated to America from Sussex County England in 1702. Centuries prior to that they hailed from a Viking Chieftan who raided England's Norfolk and Suffolk Counties in the 9th Century. This was especially interesting to me since a completely different family line of mine came from Norfolk and Suffolk Counties and immigrated to Utah in the 1880s. (But let's all hope and pray I don't turn up any more inbreeding.)

Nathan & Rachel moved from Adams County to Bedford County sometime before 1790 and by 1794 Nathan owned 400 acres of land in Bedford County. His will indicates that his son, Samuel, had taken over the farm, but it was collectively inherited by all of Nathan's children until Samuel paid his siblings a predetermined amount of money as their fair share of the inheritance.

The 1861 map shows a location of the farm owned by the "Hammond Heirs" in Bedford Township, northwest of the Borough of Bedford.

The area of Nathan's farmland today was relatively flat and wide open. If I didn't know better I almost would have thought I was back home in Texas.

Nathan and Rachel had at least 7 children. There could have been more who didn't live into adulthood.

Here is Nathan's will:

In the name of God Amen, I Nathan Hammond of the Township and County of Bedford in the State of Pennsylvania, being somewhat weak in body but of sound mind memory and understanding, do make and publish this my last will and testament as follows, I commend my soul to God that gave it and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors herein after named. And as to my worldly estate both real and personal I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner to wit I direct: that all my just Debts and funeral expenses be paid by my executors, out of my personal estate as soon as convenient after my decease, I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Hammond two horses, of his own choice with hears for the same, my wagon, one plough, and one good bed and bedding, which is to be his full of his share of personal estate, I direct all the residue of personal estate to be sold by my executors, and the proceeds thereof I bequeath and devise as follows, to my son Nathan the sum of sixteen dollars, to my daughter Rachel Harbaugh the sum of forty Dollars and the remainder after paying my Debts funeral expenses and the legacies to Nathan and Rachel as aforesaid, to be equally divided among all my children (except my son Samuel). I give devise and bequeth unto my son Samuel Hammond this plantation and tract of land whereon I now live, with the appurtenances in the township of Bedford aforesaid adjoining land of Henry Kuntz, and others, and out of which my said son Samuel is to pay the following legacies, to wit, to my son Nathan Hammond the sum of five hundred dollars, three hundred dollars to be paid two years after my decease, one hundred dollars three years after my decease and one hundred dollars ten years after my decease – to my son John Hammond three hundred dollars four years after my decease – to my daughter Rachel Harbaugh two hundred dollars six years after my decease. To my daughter Deborah Camron two hundred dollars eight years after my decease to my daughter Sarah Wolf two hundred dollars nine years after my decease all the legacies aforesaid to be a lien upon the tract of land aforesaid until they are paid. And lastly I appoint my son in law John Wolf and my son Samuel Hammond Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty fifth day of October A.D. 1816.

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All original content, images, commentary, etc. copyright © by Joy Denison 2015-2016. All rights reserved. All writings, poems, speeches, essays, images, scans, likenesses, etc. by Adam Ickes (b 1845) as well as personal histories, images, and all other content by all persons referenced and discussed within the pages and posts in this blog may not be copied, shared, or reproduced in any way without expressed permission by the owner unless included here from other referenced sources or are historical records already considered to be in the public domain.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

The Ickeses

From never knowing another Ickes outside the members of my immediate family (other than a couple of aunts) the Ickeses were everywhere in Bedford County.

The first thing we saw was a sign for Ickes Ultralight Airport.

Then we noticed this large farm truck.

As we were driving around I also spotted a street sign for Ickes Heritage Road (if I remember right), but we couldn't figure out how to get back there later to capture an image. There's also Ickes Road and Ickes Hill listed on a current map, but we didn't get to those places.

We looked in the Bedford County phone book and counted 69 current Ickes listings. We also found Ickes Drugs listed, so we had to go by and check it out.

Ickes Drugs is located on a historic street in downtown Bedford. We got there a little before it opened and waited in the car. A lady came and sat on the bench out front and another lady came from inside the store and sat next to her. I had one burning question on my mind.

I got out of the car and asked the ladies, "How do you pronounce the name of this drug store?" They looked at a little puzzled, probably wondering why I cared, and then one of them responded, "ick-əs." Woohoo!! They actually pronounce it "correctly"!

I found out the owner of the store, Gary Ickes, wouldn't be there until the afternoon so we left and came back later in the day. Gary is a 3rd generation pharmacist following his father and grandfather. The store had been passed down through the generations. It was fun to chat with him. I'm not sure how we're related as he believes he descends from Matthias Ickes who had settled in Pleasantville. I can't find any documented evidence that tells me how Matthias and John are related, if they are at all. Some of his features did remind me of my dad though. And everyone should check out his drug store - it got really good online reviews!

When we went to check out the burial place of Thomas and Mary Callihan (discussed in an upcoming post), the directions I was given indicated that we would need to park at Robby Ickes' house. Robby lives just outside Pleasantville and works as an auto mechanic in town. Finding his house was easy, but I didn't want to leave my car at his house and traipse around his property looking for headstones without his permission. So I sent Brent up the hill while I stayed behind with the car. Brent was gone for just a few minutes when Robby pulled up. Apparently his sister-in-law had driven by while the neighbor was trying to figure out what we were doing there. Between the two of them Robby got word that people were hanging out at his house and he came home to see what was going on. (Pleasantville is a very small town!) He was very nice and full of information. From the paternal ancestry he gave me and with what I was able to figure out, Robby and I are 6th cousins once removed. Robby's little blonde daughter was adorable. He even drove both of us back up the hill so I could see the Callihan burial ground for myself. Robby was absolutely the best!!

I told Robby I thought he looked like my son, Stephen, but I had no idea just how much until I actually compared photos. They would be 7th cousins. The beards and the body types are really the common denominators.

Robby Ickes, my 6th cousin once removed

My son Stephen

St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church

St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pleasantville

Conrad Ickes was a very devout church goer. When he bought farm land near Pleasantville in 1836 he and his family would have to travel back to the Messiah Lutheran Church in Dutch Corner or to the Old Log Union Church in Schellsburg (where multiple denominations met) in order to attend services.

Beginning in 1848, 12 years after moving to the Pleasantville area, Lutheran services finally commenced in a schoolhouse near Pleasantville as well as the home of the local clergy. In 1853 a meetinghouse was finally erected. Conrad was one of two Elders and church officers. The meetinghouse was a white frame building, 32 ft. X 40 ft., and stood on the corner of Hench St. and Church St. There were thirteen members with 40 scholars attending the Sabbath School.

Conrad's sons, Adam and Richard, were very much involved in the church as well. Adam became the superintendent of the Sabbath School beginning in 1872. According to Aunt Alle, he was also the church organist from 1872 until 1884 when the family moved to Nebraska (which I find extremely interesting since I've been a church organist and pianist beginning at age 12).

As the congregation grew, the need for a new church building became a priority. In 1882 Adam Ickes was appointed a member of the committee to acquire land on which a new church building would be erected. A lot was soon acquired in Pleasantville, but the actual construction of the new church didn't begin right away. By 1884 the congregation had grown to 65 members and 110 scholars attending the Sabbath School. In Conrad's will, dated Feb 1885, he stipulated that $200 would be donated toward the construction of the new church building as long as work commenced within 2 years. With Conrad as a principle member of the building committee, foundation work for the new church began on 7 May 1886. More about the construction, the timeline, and the items placed in the cornerstone can be found here.

The new brick church building was located just a block and a half from Conrad's house.

Much discussion took place as to whether or not to build the new Lutheran church building with brick. It was determined it would cost $313.50 more than wood, but ultimately it was decided that it was worth the added expense. They purchased 60,000 brick and paid brick layers $1/day. The total cost of the project was about $4,000.

Construction took 9 months and the church was dedicated on 2 February, 1887. Conrad died in May of that same year.

We were in Pleasantville our first day, but went back early the next morning to take photos of the church when I could capture images in better light. The morning dew created striking images on the front doors. It was also great having my husband with me (who is a structural engineer and currently works for the largest brick manufacturer in the US) who could explain details in the foundation stone and masonry work.

I found out from Robby Ickes (I'll talk more about him in subsequent posts) that the church was sold a few years ago as the congregation numbers had dwindled to a point that continuing to operate the building was no longer possible. It was purchased by a man who owned an auto salvage business in Pleasantville. We went by his place of business as Robby had assured me he would be happy to let us tour the inside of the church. He was out for lunch. But having been told that an auction had been held, all of the contents of the church sold off, and that it was now used as storage for the auto salvage business, I decided I didn't want to go inside after all. I would rather just imagine how the inside of the church would have looked to Conrad and his family. The stained glass cathedral windows and the intricate brick work outside must have been mirrored inside with hand carved pews, detailed moldings, and a grand podium. The Ickes family, along with other members of the community, contributed to the church with generous donations and much sacrifice. I can only imagine entering that grand brick structure on the day of dedication and feeling a sense of love and devotion for the God who brought them all together to accomplish such a magnificent project. It was and is a worthy tribute to the God they worshiped and loved.

Conrad Ickes' grave marker with St. James Church in the background

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

Conrad Ickes' Will

"I, Conrad Ickes of Pleasantville, Bedford County, State of Pennsylvania being of ill health and of sound and disposing mind and memory calling to mind the frailty and uncertainty of human life and being desirous of settling my worldly affairs and directing how the estates with which it has pleased God to bless me shall be disposed after my decease while I have strength and capacity to do so, do make and publish this my last will, and testament and as to my worldly estate and all the property real and personal or mixed of which I shall die seized and possessed or to whom I shall be entitled at the time of my death or decease, I devise bequeath and dispose thereof in the manner following, to-wit: 1st. I give and bequeath to my wife all the property she brot along with her at the time of our marriage and all the property she has bought and paid for since, namely one cow one sewing machine carpet in the parlor and marble top stand and one chamber set furniture one common bedstead and bedding for two beds set comm. On chairs and one table one bereaw and plated ware spoons, rocking chair (Kane bottom) also to have the cooking stove and pipe and the parlor stove and pipe the sink knives and forks and all such other things necessary for housekeeping also my wife to have the use of the house and lot in which I now reside in for one year after my decease free and also the use of the pasture lot. Lot adjoining my farm near Pleasantville for the term of one year free also the one third of the income of the farm near Pleasantville. Namely one third of the grain one third of the hay and one third of the fruit and one third of the potatoes same as y share of the proceeds of said farm for one year after my decease. And further at the expiration of one year after my decease my wife Mary can have her choice of taking the use of the house and lot in which I now reside and the pasture lot aforenamed. At the rate of sixty dollars per year and in case that she should not choose to do so at the expiration of one year after my decease she is to receive sixty dollars a year annually our of the farm near Pleasantville it being the interest at 6 per cent of one thousand dollars it to be paid to her annually as long as she remains my widow and then in that case the house and lot in Pleasantville and the pasture lot containing five acres more or less to be sold.

"2^nd I give and bequeath unto my son Richard W Ickes the mansion farm situated in King Township now in the occupancy of said Richard, he is to have said farm by paying thirty seven hundred dollars for the same. Richard is to pay my grandson Harry C. Wilt one thousand dollars when he becomes twenty one years of age and if Harry should not live then this share or amount to be equally divided between my sons, namely Adam and Richard, and further Richard is to pay at the rate of four per cent for this amount annually to my wife so long as she shall remain my widow and when Harry becomes of age Richard is still to continue paying my wife as long as she remains my widow Forty dollars a year in this farm. And further I desire my son Richard W to take charge of my grandson Harry Wilt and care for him after my decease until he becomes sixteen years or old enough to go to a trade, also give him a free school education.

"3^rd I give and bequeath unto my son Adam Ickes the farm near Pleasantville adjoining Riley B. Davis and others by paying twenty seven hundred dollars for the same and if Adam should not want the aforesaid farm at the price I have fixed upon it, then my Executor is to sell it to the best advantage in cash or in payments as he may think best and the amount to be paid to my son Adam and further if the farm should not sell for twenty seven hundred dollars, Adam and Richard then to have equal shares after settling up my estate, paying all expenses share and share alike. My personal property to be sold and all debts to be paid including a note that my wife holds against me at the present time for two hundred dollars.

"4^th. I also bequeath to the building of a new Lutheran Church in Pleasantville the sum of two hundred dollars to be paid in manner follows – each one of my sons to pay out of his share one hundred dollars provided the church be built inside of two years from the date hereof of this will.

Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Richard W Ickes my executor.

"In testimony whereof I the said Conrad Ickes have to this my last will and testament contained on two sheets of paper and to every sheet thereof subscribed my name and to this last sheet thereof I have here subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 21^st day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty five. signed Conrad Ickes

"This is to certify that I Mary Ickes wife of Conrad Ickes after having been duly informed of the contents of the foregoing will of my said husband do accept to take the same after his death in lieu of any other provisions the law might make (namely three hundred dollars law) and do so of my own free will and without any compulsion. In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal the 21^st day of February AD 1885. signed Mary Ickes

"P.S. June 27, 1885. Now I sold Richard W. Ickes my son a note against Geo. A. Wilt and Lida V. Wilt given June 27^th 1877 and Richard gave me one hundred dollars for it Feb. 21^st 1885. Now if Geo. A. Wilt don’t pay this note before Harry C. Wilt becomes 21 years of age Harry C. Wilt must pay Richard W. Ickes or his heirs one hundred dollars with interest from Feb. 21, 1885 for this note. signed Conrad Ickes

"Now, Jan. 26, 1899, I, Harry C. Wilt, the within named grandchild and legatee of Conrad Ickes, dec’d, having attained full age at twenty one years, acknowledge that I have this day received of and from Richard W. Ickes, devises of said Conrad Ickes, the sum of eight hundred and sixteen dollars and 41 cents which with the note of George A. Wilt and Lida V. Wilt this day amounting to $182.59 is in full satisfaction and payment of the special legacy of One Thousand dollars herein directed to be paid by said Richard W. Ickes to me. signed Harry C. Wilt

"I, Clarence A. Diehl, Register for the of Wills and granting Letters of Administration in and for said county, do hereby certify that the foregoing copy of the Last Will and Testament of Conrad Ickes, late of Pleasantville Borough, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, deceased, is true and correct, so full, perfect and entire as the same remains of record and on file in said office. Will Book 6, page 339. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 14^th day of March A.D. 1936. Clarence A. Diehl, Register

_______________________

Wow! If you took the time to read it that's some kind of long, confusing will! No wonder his wife Mary decided to take a lump sum of $300 rather than doing all that math and jumping through all those hoops.

Several aspects of this will is really of interest to me. First, considering the fact that his grandfather started life virtually penniless, relying on government land grants in payment of his Revolutionary War service, I'm amazed at the wealth and assets Conrad amassed. If the value he placed on his farms was correct, in 2016 dollars they would now be worth over $170,000. That doesn't even include the value of his house in Pleasantville, his 5 acre pasture lot in Pleasantville, his livestock, his household goods, and his farm tools. Considering the size of his grave marker he was probably one of the wealthiest men in the small borough of Pleasantville. I am in awe as to what could be accomplished in just two generations.

Second, I hate being reminded of the second-class status of women. He left his wife, Mary, all the stuff she previously owned before they were married and all the things she bought. And then he had to mention the $200 loan she was required to pay back. Unbelievable.

Third, this will makes me feel like I personally know Conrad as he mirrors someone else I know very well - my dad. It seems to me that maintaining his influence and control over his property, assets, and family members as long as he can - even after his death - was important to him. Other very similar personality traits jump out at me as well. They both created a much more comfortable lifestyle than that of their parents. They both seemed quite ambitious and worked hard to improve their lives. They both valued education and provided needed resources so their children (or grandchildren) could be well educated. Although not explicit in his will, culture at the time Conrad lived would dictate a very patriarchal system. I'm sure Conrad, just like my dad, maintained complete power and autonomy within their respective homes.

Is it genetic or coincidental? Is it nature or nurture? According to the experts the jury is still out. (Click here for more info.) Ask me and I'll tell you genetics absolutely has to be part of the equation.

One more interesting thing about the will. I copied it from a transcription that was done by my Aunt Alle. The last paragraph she included, which certifies the validity and the recording of the will, was not found in the will book. I have no idea where that came from. The strange thing is that it was dated 1936. He died in 1887. Why would it take 49 years to finalize probating his will, especially since his two sons died in 1914 and 1917? Well, while I was searching out other records that might explain it, I came across a piece of history I never would have expected. You'll have to wait for the details, but let's just say it involves property foreclosure, eviction, unemployment, marital separation, economic depression, adultery, murder, and suicide. O. M. G.

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Conrad Ickes and Elizabeth Lingenfelter Ickes

Conrad Ickes was born in 1812, probably in the house located on the original homestead in Dutch Corner. His parents, Adam and Mary, and his grandparents, John and Mary (Elizabeth) were all living there together.

Various tracts of land were bought, sold, inherited, divided, sub-divided, etc. between John and Adam and Adam and Conrad. Until I dig deeper through all the land records including deeds, warrants, patents, surveys, and maps I can't state definitively who lived exactly where and when. I do know, however, that Conrad spent much of his adult life on a farm very close to the borough of Pleasantville and adjacent to George's Creek. Conrad also purchased a 2nd farm located in Union Township.

Conrad's farmhouse Near George's Creek, 1861 map

This house and barn sit on the exact location of Conrad's house

Farmland adjacent to the house

Conrad and Elizabeth's lives together were filled with heartache and loss. Their first child, Mary Ann, died when she was only 4 months old. Elizabeth became pregnant with her second child, Daniel Webster, just 2 months later. Daniel married when he was about 19 years old and relocated to Sandusky County Ohio. On 4 Oct 1868 (when Daniel was 28 yrs. old) their oldest son, George died. He was 8 1/2 years old. The very next day their 7 yr. old daughter Elmira died. Eleven days later, on the 16th of October, Daniel died, leaving his wife alone with their 21 month old daughter, Elizabeth. In December of that same year, daughter Elizabeth died.

Conrad and Elizabeth's son, William, came next. He died when he was 17 years old. Adam, my 2nd great-grandfather, was the next born and outlived both his parents. Daughter Mandilla was born two years after Adam and died at the age of 12. Her mother was buried right beside to her. John Clayton, born a year and a half after Mandilla only lived 11 months. He was followed by Richard Watson, the only other child to outlive Conrad and Elizabeth.

Their last child, Eliza Virginia, was married at the age of 17 and died at the age of 19, just 2 months after giving birth to her first child.

Conrad's wife, Elizabeth, died in January of 1868 (the same year son Daniel and all three of his children died) and is buried on a hill overlooking the farm.

Family Cemetery (now called Hoover Cemetery) overlooking Conrad's farmland

Elizabeth Lingenfelter Ickes' grave marker

A view near the cemetery. Conrad's house would have been just beyond the closest trees.

Shortly after the death of Elizabeth, Conrad purchased a house in the borough of Pleasantville. He married Mary Blackburn who outlived him. Eventually his Pleasantville home was demolished and in 1947 the Blackburn funeral home was built in its place. He also purchased a general store in Pleasantville from his son Adam.

Location of Conrad's house in Pleasantville, 1877 map

Conrad was described by his granddaughter, Allegra (Aunt Alle), as a "very strict church man". He was an Elder and a very active member of the Lutheran Church. He was a director and a member of the building committee for a new church building, St. James Lutheran Church, located in Pleasantville. It was completed in 1877. Conrad died 3 months after the church was dedicated and was buried in the Pleasantville Cemetery.

Conrad's grave marker in the Pleasantville Cemetery

Conrad's grave marker with St. James Lutheran Church in the background

Aunt Alle wrote of him, "He lived a quite, retired life after moving to town, owned two farms, spent his time hunting and looking after his farms."

Conrad Ickes 1812-1887

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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

John Lingenfelter and Elizabeth Wisegarver Lingenfelter

John Lingenfelter is one of those people that genealogists would say were dropped by aliens and then fell off the face of the earth. Some believe he was the son of Christian, who had a son named John, but I think that very well could have been an entirely different John Lingenfelter.

He first shows up in St Clair Township, Bedford County in the 1820 census and is consistently there through the 1870 census, although the person who indexed his 1850 census record thought his name was "Thos Tongafetter". I don't know - you tell me:

1850 US Census, John Lingenfelter "Thos Tongafetter" family

John was listed in the census records as a farmer, but per the 1861 map he had already moved to Pleasantville and was living in town.

1861 Pleasantville Map

John died in 1873, so the 1877 map shows "Mrs. Lingenfelter" living in the same location. This Mrs. Lingenfelter is not his wife, Elizabeth, as she had died in 1855. John remarried and had helped support and raise step children as his last wife, Rebecca, was significantly younger than he and brought several minor children with her.

We drove up and down that street many, many times while we were in Bedford County. Both Conrad Ickes, who was married to John and Elizabeth's daughter, and their son, Adam, (John and Elizabeth's grandson, obviously) had lived just a block or so north. By the time we got there the original Lingenfelter home was long gone.

1877 Pleasantville Map

John and Elizabeth had 12 children of their own, 4 of which died before reaching adulthood. There is no record (that I can find) showing where John was buried. Here is John's Will:

"The Last Will and Testament of John Lingenfelter Sr. of the Township of St. Clair in the County of Bedford PA. I John Lingafelter considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following: first I give and Bequeath unto my wife Rebeca Lingafelter all my household estate in the town of Pleasantville township and County aforesaid and as to my personal property I give and Bequeath all to my wife Rebeca Lingafelter whom I hereby appoint sole Executrix of this my last will and testament; hereby revoking all former wills by me made

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the fifth day of January One thousand eight hundred & sixty nine."

Based on the maps and his will I would speculate that his land had already been divided up among his children. Land records and deeds might be able to verify that.

Findagrave.com showed Elizabeth to be buried in the cemetery adjacent to the Horn United Methodist Church. It was on our list and map to visit. While we were trying to find an alternate route to the Adam Ickes homestead Brent saw on the map that the Horn church and cemetery we along our path. We stopped and began looking for Elizabeth's headstone. We looked and looked and found nothing.

Finally, in a section with other Lingenfelters, Brent noticed a broken headstone that was laying face down. He picked it up and sure enough it was Elizabeth's.

Horn United Methodist Church

Elizabeth's broken headstone laying down on the ground. If I remember correctly, Her daughter, Rachel,
who died at age 18, is buried just to the right of Elizabeth, marked by the other large headstone.
The small, unmarked headstones could be marking the graves of her other deceased children.