John Pratt Nesbit

Nesbit Family History

INTRODUCTION: This is a facsimile produced by the Nesbitt/Nisbet Society, Australia from a photocopy of the original manuscript of the “Nesbit Family History” by the late Reverend John Pratt Nesbit of Princeton, Indiana, who worked on the project for nearly thirty years.

The photocopy was supplied to the Nesbitt/Nisbet Society-Australia in 1993 by Raymond John Nesbit of 545 Hartnell Place, Sacramento, Ca. 85825; who had this to say of the project:

“The author traces the Nesbit history from the time of William the Conqueror (1072) through the migration of the five sons of John Nesbit of Roxburghshire, Scotland to the USA in 1725. It covers in some detail the descendants of the five sons up to the late 1930s.

“It was my privilege to meet the author when he stayed at our home in Bedford, Ohio for a few days in the late 1920s. My father, John Clyde Nesbit (1875-1951) was his first cousin.

“This unpublished manuscript has been in the possession of our family for nearly fifty years”.

Raymond John Nesbit,
545 Hartnell Place,
Sacramento, Ca. 95825.
(916) 020 2382.

THE NESBIT FAMILY

For over twenty years I have been gathering data about the descendants of John Nesbet who was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland in 1702 and died in Hopewell Twp, Cumberland Co., Pa. in 1767. He was the son of Allan Nesbit who died in Roxburghshire, Scotland in 1720. According to Dr. Allan Nesbit, a grandson, John Nesbet came to this country in 1725 with his mother, and married the next year a Miss McDowell who came on the ship with him.

According to the History of Lawrence Co. Pa., written by William, James or Francis Nesbit of Mt. Jackson, Pa., three grand-sons: John Nesbet came to America in 1735; but this can hardly be true as he signed a call for the Rev. Alexander Crighead D.D. in 1732, who in 1733 became Paster of the Newville church.

In her book titled “The Nesbit, Ross, Porter, Taggart Families of Pennsylvania”, Mrs. Blanche Hartmen of Pittsburgh, Pa. says, “John, Alexander, Thomas, Allen and James Nesbit came from Scotland in 1728”. This accords with the records of Chester Co., Pa. in the Historical Library, Philadelphia, Pa., where the statement is made that “Allen, John, Alexander, Thomas and James Nesbit landed at Chester, Pa. in 1728”. Allen and John settled in Hopewell Twp. Cumberland Co., Pa. Alexander seems to have settled in Lancaster Co., Pa., Thomas in Franklin Co., Pa. and James in York Co., Pa.

THE NESBIT HISTORY

In her book, Mrs. Blanche Hartman claims that the name Nesbit, originally spelled, was derived from “The unique conformation appearing in relief on a portion of the land where the Nesbits dwelt, and that ‘naes’ or ‘nis’ means a prominence, and a ‘bit’ a piece, signifying a nosepiece. That the family was originally called Naesbit because they lived on a hill that looked like a nose”, but she adds - “the family deriving its name from the land of the Nesbits is said of a truth to have been of Norman origin”.

The ‘de’ attached to the earlier bearers of the name probably points to its French origin. According to the early records - “the first ancestor of whom we have any record was granted a large tract of land in Berwickshire, Scotland by William the Conqueror who invaded Scotland in 1072 to punish the Scottish who invaded the north of England. It was the custom of William to place a baron, friendly to him, over a conquered territory, who built a castle and manned it with soldiers to hold it in subjection to the Crown. After his defeat by William, Malcolm agreed to submit to the authority of William I, and gave his son as a hostage. After the death of William I, Malcolm again invaded the north of England and was defeated and slain in battle by William II in 1093. It was probable at this time that the castle of the Nisbets was built. For Alexander, the antiquarian Nisbet, writes - “The castle of the Nisbets stood memorable for the fatal overthrow of the youth of Lothian by the English and the rebel Earl of March until the time of Sir Alexander, Sheriff, in the reign of Charles I who demolished it and built in its stead the Manse of Nisbet”.

That the early members of the family were barons appears from the deeds executed by them and the signing of their allegiance to the Kings. In 1097 a baron by the name of Philip De Nesbyth deeded a tract of land to an order of monks in Berwickshire. In 1124 to 1153 during the reign of David I of Scotland, a Philip De Nesbyth was a witness to the King’s Charter given to the monks of Coldingham, Berwickshire. In 1296 when the barons of Scotland signed submission to King Edward I of England the name of Philip De Nesbyth appears as one of the signatories. In 1296 James and John Nisbet swore fealty to Edward I, using what became the Scottish way of spelling Nisbet.

According to “Anderson’s Scotch Nation” - “The land of the Nesbits was in the Parish of Edrom and East Nisbet was known as Bighouse, and several families branched at various periods from the chief stick”. These were scattered over Scotland and were driven by persecution to Northern Ireland and some to America. Some became noted merchants and magistrates in Glasgow.

“King Robert Bruce gave a charter to Adam Nisbet of Nisbet to the land of Knocklies. This Adam, or an Adam who succeeded him, flourished in the reign of David II and became prominent in Southern Scotland. Adam was the successor of Philip Nisbet and he of Adam Nisbet. Sir Alexander Nisbet who demolished the castle of Nisbet and built the House of Nisbet was a man of great ability and loyal to Charles I. He was principal Sheriff of Berwickshire during the reign of Charles I and opposed the Covenanters who forced him to leave the country where he joined the King’s Army in England and lost his life fighting loyally for the King.

“His elder son Philip, was travelling abroad and hearing of his sovereign’s troubles returned to England and offered his services to his majesty who knighted him and gave him command of a regiment. He was Lieutenant Governor of Newark-upon-Trent when the Scottish Covenanters besieged it effectively. He was apprehended in Scotland when he returned there and taken to Glasgow where he was tried and executed on October 28, 1646. His brothers, Alexander and Robert, both Captains were killed in the field following Montrose. John, the fourth son, was married and died in England, leaving a daughter. Adam, the youngest son of Sir Alexander Nisbet, married Janet Aikenhead”.

It was their son that wrote the book “A System of Heraldry” from which the above quotations have been taken.

At the time he was the only male representative of the “Ancient and Honorable Family of Nisbet”.

Mrs Blanche Hartman said that George Knight Nesbit of North Carolina, now deceased, claimed that our Nesbit line is descended from Gospatrick, Earl of Northumbria (English) who purchased the Earldom from William the Conqueror who later forced him to flee to Malcolm III, Canmore who was the King of Scotland and his cousin Gospatrick, whose line was long and powerful in the history of Scotland, from whom descended the Earl of ........... and March, Gospatrick II and the Earl of Dunbar, Gospatrick III who died in 1...6. (Parts missing from original).

Northumbria was an Anglo-Saxon Kingdom and had two divisions, Bernicea and Deira, each with a dynasty of its own. York was the capital of Deira. As Northumberland was invaded and conquered by the Danes and their blood mingled with Anglo-Saxon, Mrs Hartman thinks the Nisbets have Danish as well as Anglo-Saxon blood. ........... Earl of Northumbria was a son of Soward, the Dane who came with Canute to Northumbria. She claimed that if Gospatrick came from Normandy, his name would have been spelled Fitzpatrick instead of Gospatrick. But I do not know how to tie up Earl Gospatrick with Philip De Nesbyth of Northumbria, Scotland.

The Nisbets of Greenholme, a family of good old standing in the shire of Ayr, descended from Nisbet of Nisbet.

Of the last Nisbet, was Nisbet of Hardhill in the Parish of Loudoun, Ayrshire. About 1490 he joined the Lollards who were at the time especially strong in south-eastern Scotland, the stronghold of the Covenanters. Owing to persecution, Murdoch Nisbet fled to Belfast, Ireland with his testament, but about 1500 A.D. returned to Scotland. James Nisbet of Hardhill, a grandson of Murdoch was the father of at least two sons, James born in 1625 and John in 1627, both of whom were martyrs. Capt. John Nisbet helped win the Battle of Drumclog when Graham of Claverhouse was defeated and a number of his men put to death: but later the Covenanters, for whom Capt. John Nisbet fought, were defeated by the English in Lanarkshire and Capt. John Nisbet was compelled to hide. He was betrayed, and captured by Lieut. Nisbet and executed in Edinburgh in 1685. His son Hugh Nisbet fled to Ireland and settled in Killeylaugh, County Down about 1680. According to an ancient record, “...... he was kin to the Nisbets of Scone and Berwick and to Allen, John, Alexander and Thomas who crossed the seas about 1728 and settled in Penn-land”. The Nesbits who came to America from the north of Ireland are probably descendants of Hugh Nisbet or the relatives who fled to escape persecution.

James Nisbet, the elder brother of John, was captured at the funeral of John, Lt Nisbet and was executed when he refused to give up the Covenanter faith. A descendant of James came to Newark, N. J. and latter settled in Wilkes Barre and Plymouth, Pa. and founded a colony on the Susquehanna River and was the ancestor of the Nesbitts who reside in that region and at Mansfield, Ohio. The settlement was first made on the north side of the Susquehanna where now stands the City of Wilkes Burre. The history and genealogy of this family was written by Mr Harvey, titled, “The Harvey Nesbit Families”.

Mr Lawrence Nesbit of Edenburg, [sic] Pa. descendant of Dr. Allen Nesbit of Mt. Jackson, Pa. to whom I am indebted for much of the information I am giving concerning the Francis Nesbit branch of the family does not think that John Nesbit, our ancestor, whom Dr. Allen Nesbit claimed to have come from Scotland in 1725 was a brother of Allen, John, Alexander and Thomas Nesbit who crossed the seas at about 1728 and settled in Penn-land. But I am of the opinion that he was a brother, because he and Allen settled in Hopewell Twp., Cumberland, Co. Pa., and John settled the estate of Allen and the names Allen, John, and Alexander are names common to the family.

A-1 Allen Nesbit, eldest son of Allen Nesbit, was born in Scotland, settled in Hopewell Twp., Cumberland, Pa. He was a taxpayer in 1733 in that part of Lancaster Co. that later became Cumberland Co., and together with John the tailor, was instrumental in calling the Scottish Divine, Rev. Dr Craighead to the Newville Church in 1739, “... from Pequea, Lancaster Co., a charge he gave, his Newville pastorate to assume in 1733”. Allen Nesbit, John Nesbit Jr. and John Nesbit Sr. were taxpayers in Hopewell, Twp., Cumberland Co., Pa. in 1751. Allen probably died in 1761, as according to the Orphans’ Court Docket at Carlisle, Pa. John Nesbet on December 7, 1761 took out letters of administration on the estate of Allen Nesbit, late of Cumberland Co. deceased. The following is a copy of the appraisement of his estate.

This is the aprisment of the Esteete of Allan Neesbit.

leate Desesd is ass foles ----
the Rige Bible, and Confeson of feath 0-18-0
Wats Salms, the docrin of the Bible and Psalm, these books 0- 2-6
C...ars and the collection of sermons 0- 4-6
to sadle 0- 2-6
To shears and coler, too horstrees and clenos and too old Bees 0-10-6
to a brige Coote, Streate cote and Jacket 1-10-6
to a pere of lather britches and stokons 0-16-6
to a tow olde bages and a pare of trowsers 0- 2-0
to tow old Beedticks, tow blankets, tow Civerlents, One quilt and a Sheat, A bolster 5-00-0
to a cetle 0-10-0
to a pote and tools 0- 5-0
to a bed, a cleaner and a Candlestick 0- 7-0
to a gridle and Boots and Crook Rack 0-10-0
to a Kege, Peall and dich 0- 5-6
to a springe wheate 0- 4-0
to ax and sproting shers 0- 5-4
To a dresser 0- 2-0
The priesment of the parteion of Alen Neesbit, late Deed
prayeed by us at L 40.00
We could find no record of his leaving any children.

Attorney J.R. Miller of Carlisle, Pa. now deceased, who looked up records for us at Carlisle, Pa. claimed Allen Nesbit died in Tobyne Twp., Perry Co., Pa., then a part of Cumberland Co. John Jr. may have been his son. Tax List shows Allen, John Jr., John Sr. in 1751.

A2 John Nesbet as he spelled his name, my ancestor, record given later.

A3 Alexander Nesbit seems to have settled in Lancaster Co.

A4 Thomas Nesbit settled in Antrim Twp., Franklin Co. on the Conecochique Creek where he owned in 1762, 150 acres of land, and in 1764, 300 acres. On December 24, 1770 Thomas Nesbit deeded his son, William Nesbit 150 acres of land. On April 25, 1783 in a release deed given by the widow and daughters of Thomas Nesbit, the statement is made:

“Whereas, Thomas Nesbit, late of Cumberland Co., yee man died in estate (? intestate) leaving issue, one son and a widow and four daughters, viz. William, Jean, Mary married to Hugh McKee, Frances married to William Sloan, Susannah married to James McKee and Martha married to James Dixon”.

The records show that after the death of her husband, Jean Nesbit resided in Air (? Ayr) Twp. Bedford Co. The only history I have of the family comes from Robert Nesbitt of Xenia, Ohio written in Feb. 1865 when he was 75 years old. He says, “There was a William Nisbet settled in Franklin Co. Pa. near McConnelstown. His sons were James, John, Thomas and William. Three of them, James, Thomas and William settled on Twin Creek, Preble Co., Ohio in a village called New Lexington, all are dead. Their families are scattered through the west. There was a Thomas Nesbitt some 50 years ago in Perry Co. on Jonathon’s Creek who claimed to be related to our family. There also was a James Nisbet in Franklin Co. who lived in McConnelstown. He also claimed some distant connection with our family”.

A-5 James Nesbit settled in York Co., Pa. and a record of his descendants can be found in a book titled “The Nesbit, Ross, Porter, Taggart Families of Pennsylvania”, compiled by Mrs. Blanche Taggart Hartman of Pittsburgh Pa., a copy of which is in the Library of Congress at Washington D.C.

THE JOHN NESBIT BRANCH OF THE NESBIT FAMILY

A-2 John Nesbet was born in Scotland in 1702 and died in Hopewell Twp, Cumberland Co. Pa. in 1767, the son of Allen Nisbet who died in Scotland in 1720; and it is with his descendants we shall deal. In securing much of the history of this family we are indebted to Lawrence Nesbit of Edenburg Pa. whose grandfather, Dr. Allen Nesbit of Mt. Jackson gave him the records of the family.

In a letter to his daughter, Dr. Allen Nesbit wrote: “I Allen Nesbit of Willow Grove Farm near Mt. Jackson Pa. on which I have lived for 68 years, am the son of Francis Nesbit, deceased in 1802, he being the son of John Nesbit of Cumberland Co. deceased in 1767. He being the son of Allen, deceased in Scotland in 1720. All pure legitimate Scotch blood”. He states in his memorandum that John Nesbit was born in Scotland in 1702, came to this country in 1725 and married a Miss McDowell who came over on the same ship with him. He had five sons, John, Allen, James, William and Francis, and four daughters. The sons were all soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Allen was captured”. The Nesbits in Scotland were followers of John Knox and like other dissenters suffered persecution from the English Church. Portions of the family went to Belfast, Ireland.

John Nesbit made calculations to go to South America: but for some reason changed his mind, and came to Pennsylvania according to the History of Lawrence Co., Pa. about 1735.

That the death of John Nesbet, the emigrant, took place in 1767 appears from the Orphans’ Court Docket No. 2 page 142 at Carlisle Pa.., is when letters of administration were granted on the estate of John Nesbet to Elizabeth Nesbet (his wife) and David Semerel Nov. 12, 1767. On the first day of August, 1770 there appears on the same docket and page, a file of the administrator’s account showing a balance in their hands of 157 pounds 5 shillings and 2 pence which was distributed by the court as follows, to wit: Elizabeth Nesbet, the widow, 52 pounds, 6 shillings and 4 pence. To the eldest son William Nesbit, 20 pounds, 19 shillings and 4 pence. To Janet , wife of George Ross 10-9-8 2/15, Francis 10-9-8- 2/15, Eleanor 10-9-8 2/15, James 10-9-8 2/15, Sarah 10-9-8- 2/15, John 10-9-8- 2/15, William 10-9-8 2/15, Margaret 10-9-8 2/15, Elizabeth 10-9-8 2/15. Total 157-5-, 2/15. (sic). In the above record the name John appears twice; but the first John was a mistake and should have been James as we give it. Dr. Allen Nesbit gives James as one of the five sons of John Nesbit Sr.

In Docket No. 2 page 143, Elizabeth Nesbet, widow of John Nesbet presented her partition in court praying the court to appoint George Ross guardian over the persons and estates of John, Sarah, William, Margaret and Elizabeth, minor children, under the age of fourteen years, of the said John Nesbet deceased. This was August 1770.

In her book, page 9, Blanche Hartman quotes: “John Nesbit, the farmer (who lost his lands on the Conedequinet in Cumberland Co. where one Sterrit was awarded the claim) John the tailor and Allen were taxpayer in Lancaster Co., now Cumberland Co., in 1733 where they were instrumental in calling the Scottish divine, Rev. Dr. Craighead in 1739 from a congregation at Pequea, Lancaster Co. a charge he had given up in New Castle (Newville) pastorate to assume in 1733”.

It is difficult to explain why John Nesbet who died at the age of 67 in 1667 and who married Miss McDowell one year after his arrival in America in 1725 or 1728 could have five minor children under the age of 14 years in 1770. We know that Francis, the third child, was born in 1749 and William was born about 1761 and Elizabeth, the youngest, about 1765, about 36 years after the marriage of Miss McDowell if they arrived in 1728 at Chester Pa. according to the record. If Francis was born in 1749, his sister Janet, would probably have been born in 1747 and Allen, the eldest, in 1745, as children were usually born about two years apart. If married in 1729 why did they have no children until 1743 and then have ten?

If the writer of this article on the Nesbit Family in the History of Lawrence Co., Pa. was correct when he said John Nesbit came from Scotland in 1735, or if according to one tradition in the family, he came on the ship with John Wesley and Gov. Oglethorpe in 1733 it would be easier to explain, but the records show that Allen, John, Alexander, Thomas and James Nesbit arrived in Chester, Pa. in 1728, that John settled at Conedoquinet Creek appears since the farm Francis Nesbit sold in 1802 is described as part of the estate of John Nesbit Sr. he purchased from John Nesbit the younger, the elder having died intestate, and the said John Nesbit, the younger, and William Nesbet and Eleanor Griffin and Sarah Miller Elizabeth Nesbit, being together with the said Francis Nesbit ‘being’ sons and daughters and heirs at law to wit: That part of the said larger tract which lies entirely on the southward of the said Conedequinet Creek to which he gave a deed to Henry Stephel signed Francis and Ann Nesbet, Mark X.

This certainly links Francis and William Nesbet with the John Nesbet Sr. whose estate was probated Nov. 2, 1767, but in the meantime Eleanor had married William Griffin and Sarah had married Isaac Miller, before deeding their share of the estate to Francis Nesbet, March 1, 1786.

Children of John and Elizabeth Nesbit

B-1 Allen Nesbet, eldest son who according to English law, received Aug.1, 1770 twice as much as the nine other heirs.

According to Dr. Allen Nesbit, he was a soldier in the Revolution and was taken prisoner by the British in Gen. Heratin Gates’ campaign in South Carolina, and that Allen died in the hands of the British from poisoning. Gen. Gates having been appointed to the command in the South, was determined to seize Camden, South Carolina, (S.C.). He made unwise choice of roads and engaged the enemy with an exhausted army. Aug. 16, 1780. When within ten miles of Camden he delayed two days giving Cornwallis time to come from Cumberland to assist Rawdon. Gates also made a mistake in sending 400 of his best troops on the foray. With 3052 soldiers, of whom 1400 were regulars, he faced 2000 British veterans. Both parties attempted to march at night, but when the surprise failed, they waited until morning. The Americans, left with raw troops, was routed, the right composed by Maryland regulars held the ground bravely until attacked on an exposed flank; they were compelled to retire, but in good order. The Americans lost in killed and wounded 1000, and 1000 were captured; the British loss was only 324. It was a case of bad generalship on the part of Gen. Gates who fled to the north.

In the Cumberland Co. Records of Deeds Vol. I. k, page 553, Alex. Murrays Esq. of Tobyne Twp. deeded to John All_n Nisbet of same Twp. 211.. acres of land as Administrator of the heirs of John Twine, dated Oct. 5, 1786. In Deed Book Vol. I. B” B. page 180 is a deed from Allen Nisbet and Margaret Nisbet, his wife, to Alexander Nisbet and John Nisbet, Toboyne Twp. Cumberland Co. in which Allen and his wife Margaret transfer their part of 326 acres left by Alex. Murray, being part of the estate of Alexander Murray which he bequeathed to his four daughters, viz. Margaret Neisbet, Mary Fisher, Isabella Murray and Jane McCrea.

(Signed) Allan Nisbet and Margaret Nisbet.

This Allan Nesbit who is an ancestor of Andrew A. Nesbit of Green Park, Pa., Perry Co. could not have been the son of John Nesbit I if Dr. Allen Nesbit was correct in claiming he died a British prisoner, but he may have been the son of Allen Nesbit I, brother of John Nesbit I, whose estate John administered in 1761. Andrew Nesbit gives his line as follows: Andrew A Nesbit, son of Samuel Nesbit son of Allan Nesbit. Mrs. Bowers of Blain Pa. says:

“My mother’s name was Jane Nesbit, born in 1833: her father’s name was Samuel Nesbit, born in 1788, my great- grandfather was John Allen Nesbit. Mrs. C.M. Bowers gives the children of John Allan and Margaret Murray Nisbet as follows: John, Margaret, Ann, Samuel, Susan, Allen and Fisher Nesbit. Samuel was my grandfather and the descendants of the others are living in different parts of Perry and Franklin Counties.”

Army Records of Allen Nesbet, son of John Nesbet I

Pennsylvania Archives Series 5. Vol. 6 page 588, Allen Nesbet private, Capt. Samuel McCune’s Co., dated Philadelphia 1776. McCune was from Cumberland Co., Pa. In same Vol. page 463, Allen was ensign in Capt. William Blaine’s Co., 7th Bat., Cumberland Co. in service May 1778. Capt. Blain came from the part of Cumberland Co. within the confines of Perry Co. There is an Allen Nesbet in 5th Bat. Cumberland Co. Militia Vol. 6. page 358 in 1781 and 1782. This is probably the Allen Nesbit who married Margaret Murray; and a cousin of Allen, son of John I.

B-2 Janet Nesbet who married George Ross.

Janet’s name was given second in the list of the heirs of John Nesbet I, which seems to follow in order according to ages.

While George Ross was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, he was a practicing attorney at the Carlisle Bar at the time. He could not have been the husband of Janet Nesbit as he was at that time married to Ann Lawler, a Scotch lady who bore him three children, George, James and Mary. George Ross Jr. married Mary Bird and Ann Ross married James Hopkins: so attorney J.R. Miller of Carlisle, Pa. was mistaken about her marrying George Ross, the signer, though he may have been guardian of five minor children of John I.

B-3 Francis Nesbet was born in Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., Pa. and died on a farm near Mt. Jackson Pa., Oct. 19, 1802. He was the third child of John and Elizabeth Nesbet and purchased from the heirs part of his father’s farm in Hopewell Twp. on the Conedequinet Creek which he sold in 1802 and moved to Mt. Jackson, Lawrence Co., Pa. He married Anne Thompson, born Aug. 2, 1751, died June 7, 1823 near Mt. Jackson: both are buried in Westfield Presbyterian Church Cemetery near Mt. Jackson, Pa.

In the spring of 1801, Francis Nesbit, and Wm. Espy who married Francis’ eldest daughter, Elizabeth, went to Cumberland Co., Pa. and located on “Donation Tract No. 1786”, near Mt. Jackson, Pa. This was probably given to him by the government as back pay as a Soldier of the Revolution. It was supposed to contain 400 acres, but a survey showed it contained 500 acres. Francis Nesbit returned to Cumberland Co. and having sold his farm in April 1802, moved with his family to the farm near Mt. Jackson, Pa. and settled on that part of the 500 acres that was later owned by his son Dr. Allen Nesbit, his grandson John Milton Nesbit, and his great grandson Lawrence Nesbit, to whom I am indebted for much of the information concerning the family. I have also been helped by Mrs. Thelma F. Lee of Washington D.C.

Wm. Espy had arranged to build on Hickory Creek, so when Francis returned to Cumberland Co. he brought the mill gearing with him and he and Epsy built the mill. Francis sold his interest in the mill and took all the land except 100 acres. Francis died the next October and was the first person buried in the cemetery of Westfield Presbyterian Church where a monument stands at his grave, placed there by Ambrose Nesbit. In signing his name to the Deed in Cumberland Co., he spelled it Nesbet, but on the monument it is Nesbit.

The History of Middle Springs Presbyterian Congregation near Shippensburg, Pa. compiled by Rev. S.S. Wiley, for many years pastor of this congregation, has Francis Nesbit listed as one of those who subscribed towards the building fund, and he may have been a member of this congregation. The first church of Middle Springs was built in 1738, and on December 27, 1742 John Blair was ordained pastor.

According to the History of Lawrence Co., Pa., “The Nesbit Family left a good farm, a brick house, a distillery and malt house in Cumberland Co. Pa. to live in Lawrence Co. in a round log cabin with clapboard roof and a loft floor: their bed was primitively made of small poles laid on forks driven into the ground. A split log with feet in it answered for a table. A small piece of split wood used with feet set in for chairs, and a couple of leaves of greased paper for window glass”.

“At the time the Nesbits came here, there was but one or two log cabins in Darlington and not over a dozen families in the bounds of what is now North Beaver Twp., and part of them squatters that soon moved away. During the next two or three years, twenty or thirty families came in, principally from Cumberland County”.

“The load of things the Nesbits brought with them from Cumberland Co. consisted principally of iron and other fuxtures for the grist mill, a barrel of salt, one of flour, two sets of china cups and saucers, two sets of pewter plates, a pewter mush-basin, a cedar churn and a tub”.

In affectionate memory of olden times they brought with them a singularly built arm-chair that had been brought from Scotland about seventy years earlier. They began at once to build the mill, as they had to pay 18.00 per barrel at Beaver Falls, 20 cts for meat and 1.25 per gallon for whisky, which they considered indispensable in those days, and was furnished to the hands with bread and meat. In 1803 the log nesting-house was built, now the site of the Westfield Presbyterian Church.

Military Record of Francis Nesbet in War of The Revolution

Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 6, page 26: Francis Nesbet was a private soldier in Capt. Alexander Peeble’s Company, 1st Bat., Cumberland Co. Militia, Oct. 1777. In the same Vol. page 28 he was a private in the company of the renowned Capt. Joseph Brady, 1st Bat., Cumberland Co. Militia. In the same Vol. page 400 he was a private soldier in Capt. Wm. Moorehead’s Co., 6th Bat., Cumberland Co. Militia 1780 commanded by Col. Dunlap whose command was from Carlisle Pa. It was customary to shift soldiers from one company and battalion to another.

The Children of Francis and Ann Thompson Nesbet

C-1 Elizabeth Nesbit was born in Hopewell Twp., Cumberland Co., Pa. April 27, 1780. She married Wm. Espy, born 1771 in Cumberland Co. Pa. They had eleven children:
1. An infant born Jan. 1, 1797, 2. an infant born Sept. 10, 1799, 3. Thomas Espy born Aug. 9, 1801, 4. Francis Nesbit Espy born Apr. 12, 1803 died young, 5. Robert Hamilton Espy, 6. Rachel Espy, 7. Betsy Espy, 8. John Espy, 9. Jean Espy, 10. Nancy Thompson Espy, 11. Patty Espy.

Wm. Espy was a surveyor by trade. He and his father-in-law, Francis Nesbit built a flour-mill on Hickory Creek in 1802. He bought out Francis Nesbit’s interest in the flour-mill and sold his interest in the 500 acres they had purchased (with the exception of 100 acres) to Francis Nesbit. Francis Nesbit divided the 400 acres among his four sons, John, James, Francis and Allen; and Allen received the home place on which his father, Francis had originally settled. William Francis, another son received a farm near the Westfield Presbyterian Church.

William Espy, the sole owner of the mill ran it until 1806 when he traded it for a farm, to a man named Wylie.

Children of William and Elizabeth Nesbit Espy

D_3 Rev. Thomas Espy who married Mary L. Tait, moved to North Carolina. He had at least one daughter.
E-1 Harriet Newell Espy married Zebelan Baird Vance. She was born in Buncombe Co., N.C, May 13, 1830 and died Apr. 14, 1894. He was Governor of North Carolina and represented North Carolina in the United States Senate from 1858 to 1861 as a States Right American. He was a Colonel in the Confederate Army from 1861 to 1862 and was Governor of North Carolina from 1862 to 1864 as a strong champion of the Confederate cause. He was again Governor of North Carolina from 1876 to 1879 and a United States Senator from 1879 to his death in 1894 and in his office took high rank as a statesman.
D-5 Robert Hamilton Espy, born March 8, 1805 died December 29, 1875. He married Mary Ann Bell by whom he had nine children. They moved to Jones Co., Iowa.

Children of Robert Hamilton and Mary Ann Bell Espy

E-1 William Nesbit Espy born Feb. 24, 1827. He married and had three children.
F-1 Mrs Frank Espy Scott.
F-2 Frank Espy.
F-3 Robert Espy.
E-2 Elizabeth J. Espy born May 15, 1829: married Mr. Sanford.
E-3 Mary L. Espy born Feb. 15, 1833: died 1890 at Scotch Grove, married Mr. Stutevent. Had children.
E-4 Henrietta Espy born Apr. 20, 1838.
E-5 James S. Espy born June 30, 1840: married Elizabeth Smith, June 30, 1865.

Children of James S. and Elizabeth Smith Espy

F-1 Norman Ross Espy born Feb. 14, 1867.
F-2 Robert .......... Espy born Sept. 2, 1869: married Anna M. Fallstrom. Had one son.
G-1 Robert Espy.
F-3 Sybil Espy born ..... married Wm. Nelson, March 18, 1897.
F-4 Anna Espy born ..... married Joseph Eby Mar. 10, 1897.
E-6 Martha Espy (twin) born June 30, 1842 died 1943.
E-7 Caroline Espy born Sept. 30. 184?: married Mr. Sutherland.
E-8 Robert J. Espy born Oct. 21, 1844: married Mary Carey. Had a daughter.
F-1 Blanche Espy born ......... married David A. Chenoweth, live at Indianapolis, Indiana.
E-9 Amanda Espy born Oct. 20, 1849: married D. Sutherland: died 1882 at Manning, Ohio.
D-6 Rachel Espy born Feb. 1807.
D-7 Betsy Espy born May 27, 1809
D-8 John Espy born Mar. 2, 1811: married Jane Anderson. Had one son.
D-9 Jean Espy born ........ 3, 1813.
D-10 Nancy Thompson Espy born April 19, 1815.
D-11 Nancy Espy born June 18, 1817.

C-2 Judge John Nesbit of Mt. Jackson, Pa.
Judge John Nesbit was the eldest son of Francis and Ann Thompson Nesbit. He was born in Cumberland Co., Pa. Apr. 29, 1782 and died Jan. 8, 1864. He came with his father to Mt. Jackson in 1802. He married first, Elizabeth Clark who died in 1847. He settled on a farm of 100 acres given him by his father on which he laid the town of Mt. Jackson, Pa. According to Charles F. Nesbit of Washington D.C., the author of “An American Family”, Judge John Nesbit knew Henry Clap and Andrew Jackson both well. “There is still in Alwington the big four-posted mahogany bed Henry Clay slept in when visiting Judge Nesbit. Of Andrew Jackson he told the story which he had from Jackson”.

“When a mere boy Jackson joined the Revolutionary Army. He was taken prisoner. A British officer ordered Jackson to blacken his boots. Jackson refused. The officer kicked him and again ordered him to black his boots. Jackson again refused. The officer struck him with his sword cutting a bad gash along the back of Andrew Jackson’s neck and shoulder. It was badly treated, or not treated at all and left a welt through life, and gave Jackson a stiff carriage. He said after the war, he never saw a British uniform until he caught and hung Arbuthnot, for selling firearms to the Indians, and after that, not until he saw ‘redcoats’ advancing on his cottonbale breastworks at New Orleons. When he saw them ‘this scar’, said Jackson, pointing to his shoulder, ‘burned like fire, it was as red as a poker laid on me. After the battle it felt better’”.

The Children of Judge and Elizabeth Clarke Nesbit

D-1 William Nesbit died young.
D-2 Edward J. Nesbit died young.
D-3 Walter C. Nesbit died young.
D-4 Rebecca Nesbit born 1810 died 1895 unmarried.
D-5 Anna T. Nesbit died young.
D-6 Eunice Nesbit died young.

D-7 John Clarke Nesbit born Mt. Jackson, Pa. about 1811 died in Lowery City, Mo. 1891. He married Harriet Newel Coffin of Newburyport, Mass. by whom he had three children. They lived together within a few months of 50 years. They followed their sons to Mt. Jackson Pa. to Lowery City, Mo. in 1870 and gave five acres of land off the farm in St. Clair ....... on which was built the Westfield Presbyterian Church, named after Westfield Presbyterian Church near Mt. Jackson, Pa. of which his father Judge John Nesbit was an elder. John Clarke Nesbit learned the hat-making and shoe-making trades. He was postmaster and collected 25 cts to send a letter, and kept a hotel and ran a store. When they came to Missouri he bought 160 acres of land for about 8.00 per acre. He had several thousand dollars and money loaned from 1 to 2.5% per month. He was a man of excellent judgement and was frequently called to Jefferson City, Mo. to sit on the Federal Grand Jury.

Charles F. Nesbit gives an interesting brief biography in his book “An American Family”.

Three sons of John Clarke and Harriet Newel Coffin Nesbit

E-1 Hon. Francis Clarke Nesbit, born near Mt. Jackson, Pa. in 1838 died at Newport News, Va. Apr. 21, 1894. He married Ellen Maria Wright, Talmadge, Ohio, Oct. 29, 1861, born in Talmadge, Ohio 1837: died in Lowery City, Mo. May 4, 1904.
They had three children. One who died in infancy and two who grew to manhood. Charles and Francis Wright Nesbit.
Elen Wright Nesbit was a descendant of Capt. John Wright of the Revolutionary Army. Her father, Dr. Amos Wright was born in a log cabin in Talmadge, Ohio in 1808 and was the first white boy born in Summit Co., Ohio and one of the first white boys born in the Western Reserve. One girl was born in Southern Co. before him. Dr. Amos Wright practiced medicine for many years in Talmadge, Ohio.

Hon. Francis Clark Nesbit, in Pennsylvania practiced law, removing to St. Clair, Mo. He bought a farm and raised stock there, then he practiced law, and was elected to the Legislature of Missouri and Secretary of State. At the close of his term in 1885 he was presented with a fine gold watch and chain. He moved his family to Washington D.C. where he became the Chief Clerk of the United States Department of Agriculture. Then with his brother Scott he formed the Firm “Nesbit & Nesbit, Real Estate Loans and Insurance”, of Washington D.C.

He was a man who stood fair dealings, honest and upright in his own dealings, and in his law practice he would defend only those whose cases he knew to be just. In his public life he retained the respect and confidence of the public.

Cildren of Francis Clark and Ellen Marie Wright Nesbit

F-1 Charles Francis Nesbit, was born Talmadge, Ohio, June 23, 1867. He married Clara Ford in Washington D.C. Jan. 10, 1893. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio. They have one son Frank Ford Nesbit.
Charles Francis Nesbit resided in Washington D.C and was the Insurance Commissioner for the District of Columbia from 1914 to 1917. In the Fall of 1817 he was appointed Commissioner of the Division of Military and Naval Insurance of the War Risk Bureau, which had been created by law, and served until the close of World War I, resigning in the Spring of 1919. He helped plan and carry into effect the war insurance policies of the US Government, and was a Deacon of the Church of the Covenant, Presbyterian, Washington D.C. He died in Washington D.C. on April 25, 1934. He preserved the same cheerful spirit to the end.

Son of Charles Francis and Clara Ford Nesbit

G-1 Frank Ford Nesbit, born Washington D.C. June 28, 1894. He married Agnes Trwobridge (sic) on Oct. 27, 1920. They had one daughter.

Daughter of Frank and Agnes Trwobridge Nesbit

H-1 Barbara Agnes Nesbit, born in Washington D.C. Mar. 6, 1925.
F-2 Walter Wright Nesbit, born Feb. 15, 1871, St. Clair Co., Mo. He married Beulah Brush at Washington D.C. Oct. 1902. They have one daughter.
G-1 Virginia Nesbit, born, Fairfax Co., Va. Sept. 17, 1903.
E-2 Charles Wright Nesbit, son of John Clark Nesbit was born at Mt. Jackson Pa. on Jan. 29, 1843. He married at Edinberg, Pa, Elizabeth Craig on May 16, 1867. She was born in Alleghany Co., Pa. June 15, 1930. They have four children. He bought a farm when he moved from Mt. Jackson Pa. to St. Clair Co., Mo. He had run a general store in Mt. Jackson Pa. with his brother Scott. On his farm in Missouri he became a breeder of thoroughbred stock. Later he organised and ran a bank in Lowery City, Mo.

Children of Charles Wright and Elizabeth Craig Nesbit

F-1 Theresa (Tressie) Nesbit was born in Edinberg, Pa. Feb. 22, 1867. She married at Lowery City, Mo. Jan. 21, 1893, Milborn M. Shields b. ....... in Lexington, Mo. Aug. 12, 1861 and died at Des Moines,. Ia. Sept. 25, 1899. She attended the Syn ........ Female Seminary at Fult... and won first prize in the reading contest and received a prize of a bouquet of roses from the White House Conservatory at Washington D.C. sent to her from President Cleveland.
F-2 Sarah Ashton (Sade) Nesbit, born St. Clair, Mo. July 2, 1871. She was unmarried.
F-3 John Clarke Nesbit, born in St Clair, Mo. Mar. 28, 1873. He married at Lowery City, Mo. Aug. 10, 1896 May Crawford. He died Feb. 11, 1921

Children of John Clarke and May Crawford Nesbit

G-1 Charles Clarke Nesbit, born in Lowery City Mo. Nov. 6, 1897. He died Jan. 3, 1907.
G-2 Harriet Nesbit, born in Lowery City, Mo. Feb. 21, 1908.
G-3 Janet Clarke Nesbit, born at Lowery City Mo. Mar. 5, 1911.
F-4 Charles Dwight Nesbit, born St. Clair Mo. Nov. 20, 1877. He married Beulah Dawson at Lowery City, Mo. Oct. 21, 1914. They have two children.

Children of Charles Dwight and Beulah Dawson Nesbit

G-1 Charles Dawson Nesbit, born in Lowery City, Mo. Nov. 5, 1917.
G-2 Helen Elizabeth Nesbit, born May 26, 1921.
F-5 Newell Jackson Nesbit born Sept. 5, 1879. He married at Lowery City, Mo. Olive McCracken ,Dec. 25, 1904. They have two children.

Children of Newell Jackson and Olive McCracken Nesbit

G-1 Mary Elizabeth Nesbit born at Durant Okla. June 6, 1906. She married at Wichita Kan. June 6, 1928 to George Edward Cumstock.
G-2 Francis Nesbit born Sept 1, 1908: married at Wichita Kan. Apr. 19, 1930 (1936 ?) to John Harrell of Wichita.
E-3 Albert Scott Nesbit, son of John Clark Nesbit, born at Mt. Jackson Pa., Nov. 25, 1846. He married Annetta Johnson, born Edinberg Pa., Mar. 12, 1850. She died at Washington D.C. Jul. 13, 1923. He died at Washington D.C. Dec. 25, 1925. They had three children, Grace, Harrison and Donald. A. Scott Nesbit ran a general store in Mt. Jackson Pa. with his brother Charles. At about 1870 the brothers sold their store and went to St. Clair, Mo. and bought a large tract of land and for a time were engaged in farming and stock raising. He later moved to Osceola, the county seat of the St. Clair Co. and organized and ran a bank. He dealt also in real estate in Osceola and was a member of a lumber company at Memphis Tenn. In Charles F. Nesbit’s book on the American Family, there is an interesting account of his experiences as a banker in Osceola.

President Cleveland appointed Albert Scott Nesbit Chief Clerk of the US Internal Revenue and later as a clerk in the US Treasury Department, Distribution Office of the US Coast and ....detic Survey. He was one of the organizers of the Farquer National Bank and a director. Later he became receiver of Insolvent National Banks under the US Treasurer.

In 1880 or 1882 while still residing in Osceola he was sent as a delegate to the Presbyterian General Assembly at Saratoga Springs N.Y., and took his wife Annetta, and Grace and Harrison with him when he visited Mt. Jackson. While they were in Pittsburgh they called upon Mr. John Harper, President of the Bank of Pittsburgh, and Harrison as a little boy sat in the lobby while his father talked with the President. In 1910 on the 100th anniversary of the organization of this bank, Harrison became its President.

Scott Nesbit purchased an estate near Warrenton Va. which later he called “Alwington” which he beautified and made his home. It later became the property of Harrison. After his wife died Scott Nesbit made his home in Clair Hotel, Washington D.C. and I called on him there. He was in poor health and was cared for by his daughter, Mrs. Grace Hordern. I gave him a copy of the genealogy and history of the Nesbit family as I gathered it up and he was greatly pleased to receive it.

He was a genteel, gracious and lovable gentleman.

Children of Scott and Annette Johnson Nesbit

F-1 Grace Nesbit born in St. Clair Co., Mo. Feb. 9, 1871: married Herbert Radcliffe Hordern Aug. 19, 1891. He was born in England. They have seven children.
G-1 Herbert Radcliffe Hordern, born near Alaxandria, Va. June 12, 1892. He graduated from Virginia Military Institute. During World War I he went to England and enlisted and was made Lieutenant of the Irish Guard. He saw service in Belgium and France and was severely wounded in the battle of the Somme, July 1916, and for a time was paralyzed below the waist, but he recovered so that he could walk with a cane.
G-2 Donald R. Hordern, born and died at Alexandria Va. Sept. 23, 1893.
G-3 Dorothy Radcliffe Hordern, born Sept. 13, 1895, married Thomas Wallace Smith Jr. of Pittsburgh Pa. Oct. 25, 1922. She died in Pittsburgh Pa. Jan. .. 1929. They had three children.
H-1 Thomas Wallace Smith III, born July 31, 1923.
H-2 Carter Smith, born March 15, 1926.
H-3 Dorothy Smith, born Dec. 15, 1928.
G-4 Constance Radcliffe Hordern, born Warrington, Va. Jan. 31, 1897: married Gerardus Banyer Clerk at Alexandria Va., Nov. ....... 1923. They had two children.
H-1 A child who died at birth in 1924.
H-2 Herbert Michael Clark, born in Washington D.C. Jul. 22, 1930.
G-5 Ceric Radcliffe Hordern, born Apr. 12, 1899: died 1900 at 14 months.
G-6 Hugh Radcliffe Hordern, born Warrington Va. Sept 2, 1902. Died Sept. 21, 1902.
G-7 Hilda Radcliffe Hordern, born Jan. 13, 1910.
F-2 Harrison Nesbit, born Osceola Mo. Sept. 15, 1875: married Edith Caroline Herron Nov. 25, 1896. He was born in Flushing N.Y. Aug. 26, 1879. He was killed in an automobile accident Oct. 21, 1931. When he and his daughter were returning from Baltimore Md. to his estate “Alwington” near Warrington, they crashed into a parked truck on the Ballimore Boulevard near Muirkirk, Md. His daughter Elizabeth was severely injured but recovered. He was president of the Bank of Pittsburgh, from 1910 to May 28, 1931, when he was given leave of absence, and he returned to his estate in Warrenton Va., one of the finest in that section. He was also president of the Peoples’ National Bank of Warrenton and President of the Fauquier County Publishing Co. of Warrenton.
Harrison Nesbit attended the public schools of Osceola, Mo. where his father was in the banking business. In 1888 his father sold out his interests in the bank and moved to Warrenton Va. Harrison attended the Episcopal High School near Alexandria Va. He later attended the Berkel School Washington D.C. then the Massachusetts School, of Technology, Boston, Mass. and the National University Law School at Washington D.C. and received the degree of Bachelor of Law and L.L.M. He was assistant Law Officer for the Department of Commerce, and later, Chief National Bank Examiner for the District, including Chief President of the Bank of Pittsburgh on its 100th Anniversary, Feb. 10, 1910, the oldest bank west of the Allegheny, and had acted as Federal National Treasurer of the Democratic Party.

Children of Harrison and Edith Caroline Herron Nesbit

G-1 Scott Herron Nesbit, born Washington D.C. June 23, 1901: married Ruth Harrison Channon, born Chicago, Illinois, 1903. They were married in the Episcopal Cathedral, Washington D.C. They have three children.
H-1 Elizabeth Leigh Nesbit, born in Pittsburgh, Pa. May 26, 1925.
H-2 Harrison Nesbit II, born Apr. 2, 1927, Pittsburgh, Pa.
H-3 Scott Herron Nesbitt, born Jul. 7, 1930, Pittsburgh, Pa.
G-2 Edith Caroline Nesbit, born Washington D.C., Sept. 19, 1909.
G-3 Nancy Elizabeth Nesbit, born May 15, 1912. Pittsburgh, Pa.
F-3 Capt. Donald W. Nesbit, USN, born Osceola Mo. Dec. 7, 1877: married Nancy May Pike Jan. 1, 1916, born Surrey Co. N.C. Apr. 7, 1895. Capt. D.W. Nesbit was appointed from civil life to the navy and commanded the Nevada in W.W. 1 and saw service at sea. He was in charge of the Library Loan Drive in the Navy in the squadron to which his ship belonged. After the war he was Commander of the Naval Station at Hampton Naval Base in Virginia. His family reside in Washington D.C.

Children of Capt. Donald W. and Nancy May Pike Nesbit
G-1 Nancy Constantine Nesbit, born Mar. 30, 1917.
G-2 Donald Wallace Nesbit Jr., born Aug. 1, 1918.
G-3 Harrison Scott Nesbit, born Jan. 29, 1920.
G-4 Mary Harriet Nesbit, born Feb. 12, 1921.
G-5 John Pike Nesbit, born, Jun. 27, 1923.
F-4 Edith Nesbit, fourth child of Scott and Anette Nesbit, born Sept. 2, 1884 at Osceola, Mo.: married L. Noble, born Indianapolis, Indiana. They have no children and reside at Warrenton, Virginia.
E-4 Emaline Coffin Nesbit, daughter of John C. Nesbit died Oct. 29, 1842.
E-5 Harriet Theresa Nesbit, daughter of John C. Nesbit, d. Oct. 29, 1842.
D-8 Capt. Francis Nesbit, eighth child of Judge John Nesbit, born Oct. 1, 1807 at Mt. Jackson, Pa. died Mar. 30, 1884: married Nancy Baker, lived and died on a farm near Mt. Jackson, Pa. When he was a young man he went south on a steam boat, where he enlisted and served as a Captain in the Seminole War.

Six Children of Capt. Francis and Nancy Baker Nesbit: born at Mt. Jackson

E-1 John Nesbit IV, went to Iowa, married and had a family.
E-2 Carrey Nesbit was killed working on the railroad.
E-3 Frank Nesbit was killed, also working on the railroad.
E-4 William Nesbit went west.
E-5 Belle Nesbit taught school in Iowa.
E-6 Fred Nesbit lived in California.
D-9 Eliza Nesbit, ninth child of Judge John Nesbit, born at Mt. Jackson, Pa. 1818: died Dec. 25, 1900 at New Castle, Pa.. Her husband, John S. Officer, was a cabinet-maker at Mt. Jackson. After his death his widow Eliza, moved to New Castle, Pa.

Seven Children of John S. and Eliza Nesbit Officer born at Mt. Jackson

E-1 Robert Officer, a soldier in the Civil War, B Battery, 1st Pa. Artillery, married and settled at Palestine, Ohio.
E-2 William Officer, a soldier in the Civil War, B Battery, 1st Artillery, Pa.; was a Corporal. A bachelor.
E-3 George Officer, bachelor, died of tuberculosis at New Castle, Pa.
E-4 Sarah Elizabeth Officer, born Oct. 25, 1839, d. New Castle, Pa. on Apr. 18, 1908. She married George Cooper a storekeeper in Mt. Jackson, Pa. During the Civil War he did big business. Later moved to New Castle, Pa.

Three Children of George & Sarah E. Officer Cooper, born Mt. Jackson, Pa.

F-1 Clara Cooper, married Wm. W. Eichbaum, a baker in New Castle, Pa. They reside at 319 N. Jefferson St., New Castle.
F-2 Dana Cooper married B.F. Butler who ran a large clothing store in New Castle, Pa. They reside at 407 N. Jefferson St.
F-3 George L. Cooper resides in New York.
E-5 Alice Officer, married Capt. Harvey Cooper of Battery B. 1st Penn. Artillery. A monument is erected to this company in Mt. Jackson, Pa. Cemetery. He ran a general furnishing and clothing store in New Castle, Pa. They had the child, Mary Cooper.
F-1 Mary Cooper married Luther Sefrass. They reside at 321 N. Jefferson St., New Castle, Pa. They have the Bible of Judge John Nesbit with the record of the family.
E-6 Mary Officer died unmarried.
E-7 Kitty Officer married Hosea Swisher and had two children.
F-1
F-2
D-10 Elizabeth Nesbit, tenth child of Judge John Nesbit born in Mt. Jackson, Pa.; married Mr. Wilson in Salem, Ohio, and had two children

Children of Elizabeth Nesbit Wilson, born in Salem, Ohio.

E-1 Lizzie Wilson.
E-2 Rev. John N. Wilson, a Presbyterian Minister.
After the death of his first wife, Elizabeth Clarke, Judge John W. Nesbit married in ....... as his second wife, Mary ........., by whom he had two children, James T. Nesbit and Olive Nesbit, born in Mt. Jackson, Pa.

The two Children of Judge John Wilson Nesbit and Mary ........... Nesbit

D-11 James T. Nesbit married Belle Reid and lived in Mt. Jackson. Pa. He was a soldier in the Civil War, Battery B. 1st Penn. Artillery. He was shot in the leg which made him a cripple. They had one child, Mary Nesbit, born in Mt. Jackson. Pa.

Child of James T. and Belle Reid Nesbit

E-1 Mary Nesbit, unmarried.
D-12 Olive Nesbit married Rev. Mr. Scott and had one child. Dr. Scott, a physician in Kansas City, Mo.
C-3 Annie Nesbit, the third child of Francis and Ann Thompson Nesbit was born in Cumberland Co., Pa. Nov. 8, 1784 and married Rev. John McCurdy who was settled at Cadis, Ohio.
C-4 Francis Nesbit II, fourth child of Francis and Ann Thompson Nesbit was born in Cumberland Co., Pa. Feb. 9, 1786 and died at Mt. Jackson, Pa. in 1816. He married and settled on a 100 acre farm given him by his father. He had one child.
D-1 Francis Nesbit III, died young.
C-5 William Nesbit, fifth child of Francis and Ann Thompson Nesbit was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Aug. 3, 1788 and died at Mt. Jackson, Pa., Nov. 18, 1847. He married Martha Caldwell, Nov. 5, 1811, born May 24, 1786 and died Oct. 9, 1864. Settled on a farm purchased for him by his father, near Mt. Jackson, Pa. where they spent their life. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was an Associate Judge at Beaver, Pa. They had no children.
C-6 James Nesbit, sixth child of Francis and Ann Nesbit, born in Cumberland Co., Pa. Aug. 20, 1793 and died near Mt. Jackson, Pa. Aug. 15, 1885. He married Nancy Hurrah born Apr. 1, 1801, died June 16, 1893. They lived first in Beaver Co., Pa. then settled on a farm at Mt. Jackson, Pa. They had seven children: James, William, Nancy, Margaret, Albert, Martha, and a son that died in infancy. All children were born in Mt. Jackson, Pa.
James Nesbit was a soldier of the War of 1812 and acted as confidential secretary to Commodore Perry. He was with Perry in his celebrated battle at Lake Erie. He was an elder in the Westfield Presbyterian Church, a Justice of the Peace, and an Associate Judge in Beaver City, Beaver Co.

The Seven Children of James and Nancy Hurrah Nesbit

D-1 James Nesbit, born 1831, died Mt. Jackson, Pa. 1915. He married Matilda Henry, born 1832, died Mt. Jackson, Pa. 18_3, married Oct. 14, 1859. He purchased his Uncle William’s farm and spent his life on it. They had three children: Mary Blanche, Jennie and Nettie. He was an elder in the Westfield Presbyterian Church. The children were all born in Mt. Jackson, Pa.

Three Children of James and Matilda Henry Nesbit

E-1 Mary Blanche Nesbit married Sharp Fullerton. They had no children.
E-2 Jennie Nesbit married Thomas Gilkie, a civil engineer. They reside in New Castle, Pa. and have two children, Pauline Gilkie and Carnella Gilkie, born in New Castle, Pa.
F-1 Pauline Gilkie graduated from the New Castle High School and attended Westminster College at New Wilmington, Pa.
F-2 Carnella Gilkie.
E-3 Nettie Nesbit married James Fullerton. They reside on her father’s farm which her father bought from his uncle, William Nesbit. They have two children, Frances and Gertrude, born at Mt. Jackson, Pa.

Children of James and Nettie Fullerton

F-1 Frances Fullerton graduated from New Castle High School and later taught school.
F-2 Gertrude Fullerton graduated from New Castle High School.
D-2 William Nesbit, second child of James and Nancy Hurrah Nesbit, born Sept. 6, 1828, died Apr. 10, 1859, unmarried.
D-3 Nancy Ann Nesbit, third child of James and Nancy Nesbit died in 1914, unmarried. Her father willed her the farm. After living on it for a number of years she sold it and built a house in Mt. Jackson in which she lived until she died.
D-4 Margaret Nesbit, fourth child of James and Nancy H. Nesbit married James Hayes. They lived on a farm near Mt. Jacksom, Pa. and had two daughters Thresser (sic) Hayes and Myrtle Hayes, born near Mt. Jackson, Pa.

The Children of James and Margaret Nesbit Hayes

F-1 Thresser (sic) Hayes married Harry Fullerton and have two children.
G-1 Mary Allen (sic) Fullerton married a Mr. Hoffmaster and they live on a farm near Mt. Jackson and have one child, Mary Allen Hoffmaster
G-2 A son ?
F-2 Myrtle Hayes, second child of James and Margaret Nesbit Hayes married Wylie Brewster. They have one adopted child.
D-5 Albert Nesbit, fifth child of James and Nancy Hurrah Nesbit born Nov. 28, 1834 died Sept. 1837.
D-6 Martha Nesbit, sixth child of James and Nancy Hurrah Nesbit, born Mar, 1, 1840, died Sept. 15, 1841.
D-7 A son that died in infancy.

THE HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF DR. ALLEN NESBIT WAS PREPARED

BY MRS. THELMA LEE A DESCENDANT, AND IS AS FOLLOWS

C-7 Dr. Allen Nesbit a twin, was the last of ten children b. to Francis Nisbet and his wife Anne Thompson, was b. in Cumberland Co., Hopewell Twp. Penn., July 29, 1796. At birth he was just 14 oz. When 6 years old, his parents migrated to Beaver Twp. Lawrence Co. and settled on Hickory Creek on land given to his father as recognition of his military service. In his 72nd year he was able to write without the use of glasses and weighed 135 lbs: could shoulder a sack of wheat and carry a barrel of flour. It is related that at the age of 70 he could run and jump over the poles on which kettles were hung for boiling maple sap. These poles were hung 4 feet above the ground. He was a man of small physique but very active. Became a physician of the botanic school and was in active practice until his 76th year. He d. in 1885 on the old homestead at Mt. Jackson and is buried together with other members of his family in Westfield Cemetery. He m. Nov. 1, 1820 Anne Robinson (b, 1802, d. Sept. 11, 1845) by whom he had a large family: m.2 to Melison Newton, a widow and daughter of Elisha Blake of New Milford, Conn. She d. in 1877. Three sons were born to his second wife.

Issue of Dr. Allen Nesbit

D-1 Florella Nesbit, b. Sept. 29, 1821, d. Aug. 19, 1842.
D-2 Martha Nesbit, b. Sept. 9, 1823, d, Mar. 4, 1902
D-3 Isaac Andrew (Ambrose) Nesbit, b. 1826, d........
D-4 John Milton Nesbit, b. July 4, 1828, d. Jan. 10, 1913.
D-5 Anne Elizabeth Nesbit, b. 1830, d. Jan. 26, 1876.
D-6 Selina J. Nesbit, b. 1834, d. Feb. 21, 1866, unmarried.
D-7 Homer Kossuth Nesbit, b. 1851 at Boardman, Ohio, d. .........
D-8 Charles Allen Nesbit, b. Apr. 1, 1853 at Boardman, Ohio.
D-9 Willis Granville Nesbit, b. Sept. 8, 1855 at Boardman, Ohio.

Continuing the lines of the above

D-1 Florella Nesbit, born Sept. 29, 1821, d. Aug. 19, 1842;, m. Joseph Patterson. They had two children, Anna and Florella Jane Patterson.
E-1 Anna Patterson married Charles Wylie, a harness maker. They lived in Columbia, Ohio and had one child that died young.
E-2 Florella Jane Patterson b. Mar. 20, 1842, New Castle, Pa., d. Northfield, Ohio, Apr. 20, 1890, m. John Nesbit of Northfield, Ohio Oct. 11, 1866. The had six children, William, Annie, James, John, Ambrose and Delmar. They were all born on the farm that their grandfather, John Nesbit settled on in 1832, when he came to Northfield from Westmoreland Co., Pa., which was purchased by his son John Nesbit IV.
The record of this family will be found under John Nesbit III.
D-2 Martha Nesbit, dau. of Dr. Allen and Anne Robinson Nesbit, b. Sept. 9, 1823 at Mt. Jackson, Pa., d. Mar. 4, 1902. Is buried in Westlawn Cemetery, Canton, Ohio, m. Dr. Jesse Wilder Baker, b. Butler Co., Pa., May 4, 1818 and d. at Gnaddenhutton, Ohio, Mar. 26, 1893. At the time of his death he was the County Doctor.

The Issue of Dr. Jesse Wilder and Martha Nesbit Baker

E-1 Martha Miranda Baker, b. Apr. 12, 1850 at Hilltown, Pa., d. Mar. 21, 1931 at Chicago, Ill.
E-2 Charles Albert Baker, b. Jan, 28, 1852 at Hilltown, Pa., d. June 23, 1879, unmarr.
E-3 Elizabeth Nesbit Baker, b. Aug. 16, 1854 at Mt. Jackson, Pa., d. Jan. 26, 1928 at Jamestown, N.Y., Unmarried.
E-4 Nesbit Wilder Baker, b. 1856 at Mt. Jackson, d, Feb. 1, 1909, was m. but left no issue.
E-5 Emma Baker, b. Nov. 14, 1857 at Harmony, Pa., d. Dec. 18, 1918 at Buffalo, N.Y., m. three times. No issue.
E-6 Infant, stillborn.
E-7 Edward Baker, b. Feb. 9, 1861 at Harmony, Pa., d. Feb. 3, 1889, unmarr.
E-8 James Ambrose Baker, b. Sept. 2, 1863 at Marlough, Ohio, no issue. A jeweller, is now retired. Lives part of his time in Washington D.C.

E-1 Martha Miranda Baker (See E-1 p. 16) eldest child of Martha Nesbit and Dr. Jesse Wilder Baker, was b. at Hilltown, Pa. Apr. 12, 1850. On Aug. 1, 1868 at Louisville, Chic., m. Daniel Gross, son of Christian Gross, b. Jul. 4, 1844 on his father’s farm near Freeburg, Ohio, d. Sept. 16, 1901 at Alliance, Chic. from pneumonia contracted while marching in G.A.R. parade. He served as a private in the Ohio Volunteers, enlisting Sept. 29, 1864. By trade he was a carriage-maker in the days when carriages were made by hand and required much skill. They lived in Paris, Ohio.
Martha Baker Cross d. Mar. 21, 1931 at the home of her daughter Melcenia Gross Bacon, Chicago, Ill. Both she and her husband, as well as her son Nesbit Leroy Gross and daughter Minnie De 'Ette Gross are buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Chicago, Ill.

Issue of Daniel and Martha Miranda Baker Gross

F-1 Minnie De 'Ette Gross, b. May 11, 1869 at Paris, Ohio, d. Sept. 16, 1901 at Citronel, Ala., unmarried.
F-2 Bessio May Gross, b. Sept. 2, 1870, m. Sept. 21, 1894, Charles F. Ziegler, well- known lawyer of Philadelphia, Pa. He d. Nov. 22, 1914. No issue.
F-3 Charles Albert Gross, b. Sept. 11, 1872.
F-4 Harry Willis Gross, b. Sep. 3, 1879.
F-5 Nesbit Leroy Gross, b. Aug. 4, 1877 at Paris, Ohio, d. Spring 1908, m. Catherine Sullivan. No issue.
F-6 Melcenia Gross, b. Oct. 20. 1881.

F-3 Charles Albert Gross (See F3 above) son of Martha Miranda and Daniel Gross was b. Sept. 11, 1872 at Paris, Ohio and d. Jan. 3, 1929 at Canton, Ohio. Is buried at Westlawn Cemetery, Canton, Ohio, m. in 1899 Dade Rheinbaldt, whose brother later became treasurer of Stark Co. She d. in 1922 from influenza.

The Issue of Charles Albert and Dade Rheinbaldt Gross

G-1 Harold Fernando Gross, b. Apr. 21, 1900 at Canton, Ohio, d. there Oct. 1922 from influenza. Unmarried.
G-2 Jesse Daniel Gross, b. June 23, 1906; works in County Treasurer’s Office.
F-4 Harry Willis Gross (See F4 above) son of Martha Miranda Baker and Daniel Gross, b. Sept. 3, 1879 at Paris, Ohio. As a very young boy enlisted in the First Ill. Volunteer Infantry; saw service at Santiago, Cuba, in Spanish-American War. Followed railroading and went west to Mexico in that capacity. Later made roadmaster at Guthrie, Okla. Has succeeded himself five times as member of Grievance Committee of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Lives in Kansas City, Mo. In 1899, m. Nell Crow, dau. of Rev. John Wesley Crow.

The Issue of Harry Willis and Nell Crow Cross

G-1 Emmerson Wesley Gross, b. Mar. 21, 1900; m. Nov. 7, 1925 Nadine Alexander, widow with a son. Is efficiency expert with Armour & Co., Chicago, Ill. No issue.
G-2 Bessie May Gross, b. Jan. 17, 1902.
G-3 Harry Willis Gross, b. June 28, 1904; civil engineer with Sante Fe. Railroad.
G-4 Nellie Dorothy Gross, b. May 26, 1908; m. Sept. 13. 1931 Dr. George A. Walker. Grad. with M.D. Degree from Lawrence, Kans. University. Is now doing intern work at Braddock, Pa. No issue. Has one step daughter.
G-5 Martha Miranda Gross, b. Dec. 1913. In business for herself in Kansas City, Mo.

G-2 Bessie May Gross (See G2 p. 17) dau. of Harry W. and Nell Crow Gross, b. Chicago, Ill. Jan. 17, 1902, taught school in Wyoming where she met and m. Apr. 16, 1921, Raymond Grant Ramsay (b. July 11, 1895 in Traverse Co., Mich). He served with the E.E.F. in the World War. (1914-1918).

The Issue of Raymond Grant and Bessie May Gross Ramsey

H-1 Rosalie May Ramsey, b. Apr. 12, 1923.
H-2 Margaret Dorothy Ramsey, b. Feb. 28, 1925.
H-3 John Grant Ramsey, b. Feb. 26, 1927.
H-4 James Walter Ramsey, b. Apr. 6, 1931.
F-6 Melcenia Gross, youngest child of Martha Miranda Baker and Daniel Gross, b. at Paris, Ohio, Oct. 20, 1881: (m.1) Nov. 3, 1900, John Jacob Fick, Aug. 10, 1910. from whom she was later divorced: (m. 2) George Lawrence Bacon, member of the Chicago Board of Trade.

The Issue of John Jacob and Melcenia Gross Fic

G-1 Thelma De 'Ette Fic, b. Aug. 3, 1901, dau. of Melcenia Gross and John Jacob Fic: educated at public and private schools and University of Colorado: m. Oct. 30, 1920 George W. Lee son of James Lee, pioneer settler of Nebraska. George W. Lee served with the A.E.F with the 347th Field Artillery in World War. (1914-1918).

The Issue of George W. and Thelma De 'Ette Fic Lee

H-1 Mary Virginia Lee, b. Sept. 19, 1921.
D-3 Squire Isaac Andrew (Ambrose) Nesbit, eldest son of Allen Nesbit; b. Mt. Jackson, Pa. Apr. 14, 1826, d. 1900: learned the marble-cutting trade from James Gailoy of Mt. Jackson, beginning his studies at the age of 17 years. In 1849 he went to California. Upon return enlisted in Cooper’s Battery B., being elected First Lieut. He had command of the Battery during the Battle of Gettysburg. Was elected Squire after the war. On Nov. 11, 1875, m. Annie Ray Gormley a widow. Shortly after, purchased a farm on Mahonington Pike, where he died. Was elected Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Mahonington Pike. He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, New Castle and his grave is marked. No issue.
D-4 John Milton Nesbit, fifth child of Dr. Allen and Anne Robinson Nesbit, b. July 4, 1828, d. Jan. 13, 1910 on the farm inherited from his father on which Francis Nesbit I settled in 1802. It is now owned by Lawrence Nesbit. John Milton Nesbit m. Sarah Baker in June 1856. She d. June 10, 1880. After their marriage they lived for a time on the old homestead, then moved to Mt. Jackson, then to the farm of James Nesbit and back to the old homestead. They had four children, Lawrence, Mary Ann, Cassius and Elizabeth. All were born near Mt. Jackson.

The Issue of John Milton and Sarah Nesbit

E-1 Lawrence Barker Nesbit, b. Feb. 7, 1858. A bachelor who lived with his sister Mary Ann on a farm which Francis Nesbit settled on and which Dr. Allen Nesbit and his son John Milton Nesbit lived on, and where they died. . At this time, July 19, 1934, Lawrence B. Nesbit is paralysed and in hospital at New Castle, Pa.

In response to a letter sent to Mt. Jackson, Pa. inquiring about the Nesbit family, we received a reply from Lawrence B. Nesbit giving us much of the information about the ancestors and descendants of Francis Nesbit I. Later we visited with him and his sister at their home and secured a great deal of information about the family
E-2 Mary Ann Nesbit, b. 1860. She lived with her brother Lawrence on the old Nesbit homestead, but since his illness, has been staying in New Castle, Pa.
E-3 Allen Cassius Nesbit, b. .... 1862, a bachelor, worked for the US Government in Pittsburgh, Pa. and New York, d. July 15, 1933.
E-4 Elizabeth Nesbit, d. in infancy.
D-6 Selena Nesbit, the daughter of Dr. Allen Nesbit, b. 1832, d. Feb. 21, 1866.
After the death of his first wife, Dr. Allen Nesbit m. Melissa Newton, by whom he had three children, Charles A., Homer and Willis G., all born at Boardman, Ohio.
E-7 Charles A. Nesbit, b. Apr. 1, 1850, d. July 2, 1925. He was a travelling salesman and served as President of the Travelling Mens’ Association. He was a popular salesman and lived and died in Cleveland, Ohio.
E-8 Homer Nesbit, b. 1851, d. ..................... a bachelor in California.
E-9 Dr. Willis G. Nesbit, M.D. In Sept. 1855 m. Kate McNab, lived in Cleveland, Ohio, where he d. Jan. ... 1920. Has one daughter, Minnie.
F-1 Minnie Nesbit, b. Apr. 29, 1877, Cleveland, Ohio, d. Jun. 18, 1828, m. Frederick Greer and lived in Cleveland until her death. So far as is known, they had no children.

This closes the records of the descendants of Francis and Anne Thompson

Nesbit, so far as we have been able to gather them.

The first entry is on page 8.

The Children of John and Elizabeth Nesbet, cont’d from page 6

B-4 Eleanor Nesbet, fourth child of John and Elizabeth Nesbet, m. William Griffen, on Aug. 23, 1770. As Eleanor Nesbit she received in cash from her father’s estate 10L, 9s, 8 2/15th. p. (sic) from the administrators, Elizabeth and Samuel Semeral.

On Mar. 1, 1786 she deeded her share of 150 acres, being part of the estate of John Nesbit Sr., deceased, to her brother Francis Nesbit. The deed conveyed the interest of “John Nesbet, the younger, William Griffen and Eleanor, his wife, Isaac Miller and Sarah his wife and Elizabeth Nesbet, the younger to Francis Nesbet, the younger and his heirs forever”. I could find no further records of William and Eleanor Griffen.
B-5 James Nesbet, fifth child of John and Elizabeth Nesbet.

Dr. Allen Nesbit gives James as one of the five sons of John Nesbet Sr., but this does not appear in the settlement of the estate, but in the record of the estate of John Nesbet, the name appears twice. We believe the first John Nesbet in the list should have been James Nesbit. He received the same as Eleanor. He does not sign the deed to Francis Nesbet, but neither does Allen, Janet or Margaret. They may have received as their share the real-estate on the northern side of the Conedequinet Creek, as the 150 acres deeded to Francis Nesbet is described as “being part of a tract of land of which John Nesbet died seized and possessed” (sic).

Revolutionary Record

James Nesbet, B5 above, was a Sergeant in the First Bat. Cumberland Co. Militia on Jan. 17, 1777: commanded by Col. Ephran Blaine and Capt. Methias Saddlor.

B-6 Sarah Nesbet, sixth child of John and Elizabeth Nesbet, m. Isaac Miller on Aug. 23, 1770: she received same in cash as Eleanor. On Mar. 1, 1786 she signed the deed to Francis Nesbet for 150 acres she heired (sic) from her father, as Sarah Miller, wife of Isaac Miller.
Mrs. Hettie McConnell Van Horn (1857-1927) of Northfield, Ohio, told me that Eliza (Lyde) Miller, who married Squire Anderson, was a daughter of Isaac and Sarah Nesbit Miller and that they lived in Kent, Partage Co., Ohio. Anderson was a Justice of the Peace. That Lyde Miller had one brother whose son, John Ray Miller, visited Northfield, Ohio with her. She, Eliza (Lyde) Miller also had a brother, Dr. Miller M.D.

B-7 John Nesbet, seventh child of John I. and Elizabeth Nesbet, received the same as Eleanor from their father’s estate. On Mar. 1, 1786 he joined his brother William, and sisters, Eleanor, Sarah and Elizabeth in deeding 150 acres to their brother Francis. In 1770, the petition of his brother to the Cumberland Co. Court appointed George Ross Guardian of the persons and estates of John, Sarah, William, Margaret and Elizabeth, minor children of the Said John Nesbitt, deceased, under the age of fourteen”.
B-8 William Nesbet, eighth child of John and Elizabeth Nesbet, b. about 1760/62, d. in Northfield, Ohio about 1836. He m. Esther Robinson and they lived in Cumberland Co., Pa., Williamsburg, Pa., Fairfield Twp., Westmoreland Co., and in Northfield Twp., Summit Co., Ohio. He received the same amount in cash as the other heirs, and joined in the deed of the 150 acres to Francis. He was not married as the deed was not signed by a wife.

His grandson, James M. McElroy (1821-1906) in a paper read at the Nesbit-McElroy Reunion, Oct. 7, 1899 says, “When I went to live with my grandfather and grandmother, William and Esther Nesbit, I was four years old. I lived with them most of the time until I was eight years old. Grandfather said his father and mother were born in Cumberland Co., Pa. He was twelve or fifteen years old when the Revolutionary War broke out. His father liberating four or five slaves, enlisted in the army from which he came home with the fever, and he and his wife both died of it. The eldest son (Allen Nesbet) got the real-estate according to the English Law, but there was plenty left to give the others a good start in life. He went to New Castle and bought a large tract off a doctor and two farmers. They all lived to be old men and left a large connection. William Nesbit went to a town on the Susquehanna River and built a large brick hotel and store, and was a prosperous man. Soon he lost a good deal of the money. He and two or three others went bondsmen for a treasurer. The treasurer skipped out and they had to pay the bond.

My mother, Ruth Nesbit McElroy, was b. in 1799. The town in which she lived was Williamsburg, called after grandfather William Nesbit. After his loss he sold out and moved to Westmoreland Co. Uncle William sold out his farm in Westmoreland Co., Pa. and came to Northfield, Ohio in 1832 and settled on the farm that is now owned by Alexander Nesbit”.

Respectfully

James M. McElroy.

Willam and Esther Robinson Nesbit came from Westmoreland Co., Pa. to Northfield, Ohio and made their home with their son, William Nesbit II, mentioned above as uncle William, until their death. They are buried in Northfield Cemetery, but no tomb marks their grave. They were members of the Fairfield Associated Presbyterian (Seceder) Church in Westmoreland Co., Pa., of which Dr. Joseph Schroggs was pastor for over forty years and of Northfield, Ohio Associated Presbyterian Church.

Revolutionary Record of William Nesbet

Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. 6., page 138: William Nesbet was a private in Capt. Woods’ Co., 1st Bat. Cumberland Co. Militia, 7th Company of which Col. James Johnson was the Commander, Aug. 1, 1780 to Aug. 1782.

Same volume pages 279 and 604: William Nesbet Aug. 31, 1793 was elected ensign of the 3rd Company of Militia in Huntington Co., Pa., and on the 14th of Oct. 1797 was elected Captain of the same company. Williamsburg, where James McElroy says his mother Ruth was born in 1799 was in Huntington Co. at that time, although now in Blair Co., which was made out of Huntington in 1846. According to the above record, William Nesbit must have come to Williamsburg before 1793.

If Dr. Allen Nesbit was correct in his statement that John Nesbet who came from Scotland was the father of Francis Nesbet, that he died in 1767 and the records of the courts verify Dr. Nesbet’s statements, then James M. McElroy was mistaken about William Nesbit’s father and mother being born in Cumberland Co., Pa., and the fact that Wm. Nesbit signed the deed to the farm given to Francis Nesbit with the other heirs mentioned in the settlement of the estate of John Nesbit Sr., all goes to prove that Dr. Allen Nesbet was correct. If William Nesbit was the brother of Francis, as James McElroy states, and as other relatives of the family affirm; if William was the younger, then Sarah and John, and they were both under 14 as the court records shows, then William would be about 9 in 1770 and about 13 in 1775 when the War of the Revolution broke out. This would make him 18 or 20 when he served in the army in 1780 to 1782. This accords with James M. McElroy’s statement that “William was aged from 12 to 15 when the Revolutionary War broke out”.

William Nesbet was the great grandfather of the Rev. John Pratt Nesbit D.D., the compiler of the “History and Genealogy of the John Nesbet Family”.

William Nesbet I, had eight children, Elizabeth, John II, William II, Anne, Mary, Ruth, David and James.

The Children of William I and Esther Robinson Nesbit

C-1 Elizabeth Nesbit, first child of Wm. and Esther Robinson Nesbit was born about 17_0 (indistinct on original) probably in Cumberland Co., Pa. She married John Halferty Nov. 30, 1808 in Westmoreland Co., Pa. He was b. Dec. 2, 1780, the son of Edward Halferty, and had three brothers and four sisters.

According to Mrs. Dora H. Chasey of Richland, Iowa, John and Elizabeth Halferty lived in Westmoreland Co., Pa. until 1822 when they moved to Richland Co., O. (sic). Eight of the children, Edward, William, James Flack, Robert I, John, David, Robert II and Samuel were born in Westmoreland Co., Samuel being a baby at the time of moving to Ohio.

According to Peter F. Halferty of Aberdeen. Washington, a grandson, they moved from Westmoreland Co., Pa. to Mansfield during the late 1830s. He says “My father, James Flack Halferty and his ten brothers and one sister (Betsy) were born there. In 1850 they altogether moved to Washington and Keokuk Counties, Iowa, except Edward who strayed away to Lancaster Co., Wis......... -- I have heard my father say that grandfather John Halferty was from Londonderry, Ireland”.

The following was copied from Mathew Henry’s Commentary

“I, John Halferty was b. on 2nd day of Dec. 1780 according to the account my father, Edward Halferty gave me. I, John Halferty was m. to Elizabeth Nesbit on the evening of Nov. 30th. 1808”.

The Issue of John and Elizabeth Nesbit Halferty

D-1 Edward Halferty, b. Oct. 20, 1809, d. Aug. 7, 1892.
D-2 William Halferty, b. Feb. 18, 1811, d. Dec. 30, 1899.
D-3 James Flack Halferty, b. Sept. 15, 1812, d. Sept. 6, 1896.
D-4 Robert I, Halferty, b. June 9, 1814, d. June 16, 1817
D-5 John Halferty, b. Mar. 17, 1816, d. ............
D-6 David Halferty, b. Nov. 9, 1817, d. Aug. 31, 1902.
D-7 Robert II, Halferty, b. Dec. 17, 1819, d. Oct. 1883.
D-8 Samuel Halferty, b. Jan. 22, 1822, d. ...........
D-9 Thomas Halferty, b. Apr. 1, 1824, d. ...........
D-10 Jacob M. Halferty, b. Oct. 26, 1825, d. Oct. 10, 1908.
D-11 Zephaniah Halferty, b. Jun. 7, 1827, d. ......... 1911.
D-12 Elizabeth Halferty, b. Jan. 8, 1830, d. Sept. 12, 1910.

According to Dora Halferty of Avilla, Ind., Edward Halferty, father of` John Halferty who married Elizabeth Nesbit, was born in County Down, Ireland in 1748 and died in Westmoreland Co., Pa. Mar. 23, 1825. Edward and his brother Arthur were educated for the Priesthood, their father being a strong Catholic. When they completed their education, they were expected to take the prescribed vows to enter the order of the priesthood, a thing their father was determined they should do.

The boys had become Protestant in their belief and did not want to enter the priesthood, but the laws of the church were severe and they had to obey, or suffer persecution. Rather than become priests, the boys left their native land, their father’s house with all his wealth, and emigrated to America.

Their mother being Protestant in sentiment, gave the boys the money. They came to Massachusetts in 1770 where Edward worked as a surveyor. Both were soldiers in the War of the Revolution. (Commenced 1775).

The Revolutionary War Record of Edward Halferty

“His name appears as a Lieutenant in the Return of Militia Officers of the County of Westmoreland, Sept. ......, 1776, 2nd Bat., Lieut. Col. John Rumsey in Command”.

“The name of Edward Halferty appears as Captain, 3rd Co. in the Return of the 3rd Bat. of Westmoreland agreeable to the different elections, July 7, 1779; Col. Abraham Henricks in Command”.

“Edward Halferty was a Private of the 1st Class in Capt. John McConnell’s Co. of the 4th Bat. in Cumberland Co. Militia, commanded by Lt. Col. Samuel Culbertson in 1780, 18,_2. He was promoted to the rank of Col. of the 5th Regiment in a Return of officers of the 6th Regiment of the Militia of Westmoreland Co. made by Ch_ien Campbell, Esq., Brigadier Inspector of the Militia of said County, Tuesday, Jul. 2, 1783”.

“Edward Halferty came west of the Allegheny Mountains with his regiment to fight the Indians who were troublesome after peace had been declared. He decided to stay West and located in Westmoreland Co., Pa. He Married Margaret Flack about 1777 and they had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. His wife Margaret died in 1834 aged 77 years. (Est. date of birth 1757).

In Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland Co. Pa., Edward Halferty built a large nine room log house where they lived and died Presbyterians. They were Laid To Rest in Fort Palmer Cemetery, Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland Co., Pa. Edward Halferty held Warrentee Deeds to 100 acres of land, Mar. 30, and Aug. 25, 1786 and to 200 acres Feb. 28, 1793.

The Children of Edward I. and Margaret Flack Halferty

Isabel Halferty, b. Sept. 19, 1778, m. Andrew Ramsey, four children, two sons, two daughters; d. Sept. 19, 1863.

John Halferty, b. Dec. 2, 1780, m. Elizabeth Nesbit, Nov. 30, 1808.

James Halferty, b. ............. .

Nancy Halferty, m. Daniel Maddox.

Robert Halferty,

William Halferty, (grandfather of Dora Halferty of Aville, Ind.) b. Apr. 1, 1788, m. Elizabeth Luther, b. Apr. 12, 1814, d. Apr. 1, 1854, aged 40 years. They had nine children: James, Edward, Margaret, Isabell, John, William, Mary, Robert and Jane.

Margaret Halferty, b. 1790 m. Robert Phillips in 1811, had seven children, Edward Phillips, b. 1792, d. 1877 aged 85 years, Mary Halferty Phillips, b. 1794, m. Major John Cauffiel (sic) May 10, 1814, had five children.

The Children of John and Elizabeth Nesbit Halferty

D-1 Edward Halferty, b. Oct. 20, 1809, d. Mt. Hope, Wis. Aug. 18, 1891, m. Phanean (Fanny) Barr. She was b. in Westmoreland Co., Pa., Mar. 1, or 29, 1807, d. Mt. Hope, Wis. Nov. 27, 1901. Both are buried at Mt. Ida Cemetery near Lancaster, Wis. They were m. in Fairfield Twp., Westmoreland Co., Pa. and went from there to a farm near Danville, Ohio, Richland Co. His brother, Zephanias lived on the farm and Edward taught school. He was also a charcoal burner, a teamster and a storekeeper. Children, Mary, Elizabeth, Jacob, John, Margaret, Susanna, William and Henderson. All b. Richland, Ohio.

“According to his children a customer entered his store for some purchases. He was smoking his cigar, and being very polite, laid it on the counter while he waited on his customer. He picked it up to resume smoking and accidentally put the burning end into his mouth. Of course it burned him and that made him angry. He went to the door and threw the cigar as far as he could and never smoked again. The store was in Newville, Ohio. He was always temperate in his habits. They had eight children.

In the Fall of 1853 or 54 they drove overland from Ohio to Wisconsin. When he sold his farm in Ohio he was paid in gold. There were no banking facilities then and that was the way they brought their money to Wisconsin. Grandma bought some stout cloth, and made a sort of waist belt with straps over the shoulders and quilted each gold coin in separately in the waist. Edward Halferty wore that gold-filled waist belt under his shirt and none were the wiser. He had bought corn in Iowa intending to move to Richland, Iowa where his brothers had located but got on the wrong road at Chicago and arrived at Grant Co, Wisconsin.

He had previously made a trip to Iowa and was not favourably impressed with the flat land, so friends persuaded him to remain in Wisconsin. He wanted to be near timber and running water. It took just four weeks to the day to drive from Ohio. As Aunt Susanna remembers, they drove two horse teams and one ox. team.

There were three covered wagons and one two-seater covered buggy which was drawn by one horse. They brought their household goods and furniture with them. Two young men wished to come to Wisconsin with them and came along for their board and passage; and some drove wagons. Edward Halferty planned to start on a certain day, and on that morning it rained hard, but that did not change his plans. They started right out into it. A great many friends came to say “goodbye”, among them the Baptist Minister, Rev. Wilson. They held a prayer meeting just before they started. The minister accompanied them three miles on horseback in pouring rain”.

Edna Halferty

Lancaster, Wisconsin.

The Children of John and Elizabeth Nesbit Halferty

E-1 Mary Halferty, b. Dec. 2, 1831, m. John Law, June 28, 1848. He was b. Nov. 2, 1820 at Newville, Ohio; d. Dec. 2, 1913. He d. Jan. 21, 1913, [sic], buried at Red Cloud, Nebraska. Lived in Id, Nebraska.

The Children of Mary Halferty and John Law

F-1 Isaphene Law, b. Keokuk Co., Iowa, Apr. 15, 1854, m. Fred Reed, Nov. 19, 1874, b. in Massilon, Ohio 1853. She resides at 813 17th St. Santa Monica, California.

The Children of Fred and Isaphene Law Reed

G-1 George Edward Reed, b. Mar. 5, 1876.
G-2 Julielma Reed, b. Mar. 15, 1881.
G-3 Hugh Reed, b. Jun. 21, 1884.
G-4 Una Reed, b. Jul. 23, 1894.
F-2 Virgil Law, b. Aug. 2, 1862, m. Margaret Scott, b. Sept. 2, 1865. Reside at St Cloud, ....... Nebraska.

The Children of Virgil and Margaret Scott Law

G-1 Vera Law
G-2 Joseph Law
G-3 Henry Law
G-4 Don Law
G-5 Vashti Law
G-6 Forrest Law
F-3 Ida Law, b. Feb. 22, 1859, m. Joseph Stewart, Jan, 31, 1879, b. Aug. 17, 1846, d. Jun. 17, 1727. (Maybe that should read 1927 ?).

The Children of Joseph Law and Ida Law Stewart

G-1 John Clay Stewart, b. Aug. 19, 1881.
G-2 Esther Fay Stewart, b. Sept. 25, 1883.
G-3 Earl Stewart, b. Jan. 10, 1886.
G-4 Mary Grace Stewart, b. Jan. 16, 1888.
G-5 Olive Irma Stewart, b. Feb. 25, 1891.
G-6 Manly Stewart, b. Feb. 4, 1893.
F-4 George Law, b. Jan. 27, 1873, resides at Red Cloud, Nebraska.
E-2 Elizabeth Halferty, b. Jun. 25, 1833, d. Jun. 8, 1902, m. Johnson Andrews, Jun. 17, 1873, b. Apr. 22, 1834, d. Feb. 19, 1912, lived at Ollie, Iowa.
E-3 John Halferty, b. Jan. 12, 1835, m. Elizabeth Whiteside 1860, b. Jun. 23, 1840, d. Jan. 20, 1916. He d. Jul. 4, 1917. They lived near Mt. Hope, Wisconsin. He spent his last days with his daughter in Salem, Oregan. They are both buried in Mt. Ida Cemetery near Mt. Hope.

The Children of John and Elizabeth Whiteside Halferty

F-1 Edward Halferty, b. Jan. 1, 1862, d. in California.

F-2 James Halferty, b. ............ m. Mary Hall, buried Fort Worth Texas.

F-3 Fred Halferty, dentist, m. Blanche Moran, reside Lancaster, Wisconsin.

Child of Fred and Blanche Moran Halferty

G-1 John Halferty, electrician, m. Margaret Herberlein, reside Cashton (or Gashton), Wisconsin.

The Children of John and Margaret Herberlein Halferty

H-1 Miriam Blanche Halferty.
H-2 John Edward Halferty.
F-4 Charles Halferty, b. Mar. 8, 1871, m. Kate Mulligan 1901. Res. S. Dakota.
F-5 Downer Halferty, b. Sept. 2, 1872, d. Apr. 15, 1923, m. Minnie Plimpton, buried at Salem, Oregan.

The Children of Downer and Minnie Plimpton Halferty

G-1 Lloyd Halferty, electrician.
F-6 Nellie Halferty, b. Jun. 16, 1873, m. O. Ben Darling, b. Apr. 28, 1871, reside Salem, Oregan. R.R.8. Box 260. On a ranch.

The Children of O. Ben Darling and Nellie Halferty Darling

G-1 Grace Darling, b. Jan. 27, 1905, m. Samuel Forcheck, Dec. 4, 1931, reside at Portland, Oregan.

The Children of Samuel and Grace Darling Forcheck

H-1 Paul Stanley Forcheck, b. May 4, 1933.
G-2 Lila Darling, b. Dec. 13, 1906, m. Eldon Patterson, Jun. 10, 1929. He d. May 30, 1932 at Bolder, Colorado. She lives with her parents . One child.
H-1 Joyce darling Patterson, b. Feb. 4, 1931.
E-4 Jacob Halferty, b. Apr. 15, 1837, d. Jul. 23, 1840.
E-5 Susanna Halferty b. Nov. 28, 1839, d. Sept. 5, 1929, m. Johnson McKenzie, b. Mar. 17, 1823, d. Apr. 27, 1894. They were m. Oct. 30, 185_.
F-1 Frank McKenzie, b. .......... m. Harriet Limpert, one daughter, Natalie, d. Kenosha, Wisconsin.
F-2 William McKenzie, b. .......... m. Ella Nicolline, one son, Benjamin, m.; had one daughter, Fa...is McKenzie, d. about 1930.
F-3 Benjamin McKenzie, b. .......... m. Jennie ..........., one child who lived in Boston, Massachusetts.
F-4 Kathryn McKenzie, b. ........ m. John Charles Churchill, lives 224 Vineland, N.J. Two children.
G-1 Charles Churchill.
G-2 Elizabeth Churchill.
F-5 Hugh McKenzie, b. 1873, d. 1876.
F-6 Phanias (Fanny) McKenzie, b. .........., m. Rat Carthew: two children. She and the children live at 1123 Hines St., Salem, Ohio.

G-1 Kathryn Carthew.

G-2 Mac ..... Carthew, .................... Richland, Indiana.

E-6 Margaret Halferty, b. Nov. 6, 1841, d. Feb. 14, 1909, buried at Lakeside Cemetery, Cannon City, Colorado, m. Dr. Loren Wade, Nov. 6, 1860, b. Jan. 10, 1823, Madison Co., N.Y., d. 1885 at Whig, Grant Co., Wis. She resides at Cannon City, Col.

The Children of Dr. Loren Wade and Margaret Halferty Wade

F-1 Fannia Anna Wade, b. Aug. 2, 1861, m. Herman Bickle, Aug. 18 or 19, 1895, d. Nov. 30, 1932, buried at Cannon City, Col. Her address is 905 19th St., Cannon City, Col.
F-2 Eva Johanna Wade, b. Aug. 28, 1865, d. May 24, 1920. Unmarried.
F-3 Pitt Abraham Wade, b. Aug. 23, 1867, physician, m. Alice Zener, Dec. 31, 1900, b. Aug. 21, 1875. Reside 1106 Park Ave., Col

The Children of Dr. Pitt Abraham Wade and Alice Zener Wade

G-1 Harold Zener Wade, b. Mar. 9, 1902, d. Mar. 16, 1902.
G-2 Theodore Everett Wade, b. Sept. 13, 1904.
G-3 Julia Margaret Wade, b. Aug. 24, 1905, m. Leron D. Lane. One child.
H-1 Raona Joan (or Raona Jean) Lane, b. May. 22, 1932.
G-4 Grace Kathryn Wade, b. Jun. 8, 1907, d. Aug. 8, 1907.
G-5 Helen Dorothea Wade, b. Apr. 20, 1910.
G-6 Pitt Wade, b. Aug. 4, 1907.
G4 and G6 above are readable on my copy. Obviously a typing error my the compiler.
F-4 Ben Orlando Wade, b. May, 1, 1870, m. Anna Johnson 1898.

The Children of Ben Orlando Wade and Anna Johnson Wade

H-1 Burt Oliver Wade, M.D., b. Sept. ....., 1904.
H-2 Clara Myrtle Wade, b. Apr. 2, 1905, m. ............. .
H-3 Ernest Marion Wade, b. Apr. 3, 1906, m. an M.D.
H-4 Rosalie Wade, b. ....., 1914, d. 1918.
E-7 William Halferty, enlisted in 41st Reg. Co. A. May 5, 1864, d. of disease at Memphis, Tenn. Sept. 13, 1864. He was too young to enlist so his father gave him permission to enter the army.
E-8 Henderson Halferty, b. Sept. 30. 1846, d. Feb. 10, 1922, m. Anna Bryhan, Feb. 8, 1882, b. 1855. She resides at Lanacster , Wisconsin.

The Children of Henderson Halferty and Anna Bryhan Halferty

F-1 Burr Jones Halferty, b. Dec. 10, 1882, m. Cora Bohl, Dec. 8, 1915, b. Dec. 11, 1885. They live on part of the farm his grandfather, Edward Halferty obtained direct from the government, near Lancaster, Wisconsin.

The Children of Burr Jones Halferty and Cora Bohl Halferty

G-1 Edward Halferty, b. Jul. 2, 1917.
G-2 Donald Henderson Halferty, b. May 24, 1919.
G-3 Marjorie Jeanne Halferty, b. Aug. 12, 1923.
F-2 Laura Halferty, b. Mar. 3, 1884, m. Harvey H. Croft, Feb. 28, 1906, b. Mar. 8, 1875. Reside at Lancaster, Wisconsin.

The Children of Harvey F. Croft and Laura Halferty

G-1 Clarke LaVeren Croft, b. Nov. 11, 1909.
G-2 Norton Evans Croft, b. Nov. 28, 1915.
F-3 Maude Halferty, b. Oct. 30, 1886; office clerk for the Schelgel Drug Store at Davenport, Iowa, m. Fred W. Pressler, Oct. 17, 1917. He d. Aug. 1880. No children.
F-4 Phania (Fanny) Halferty, b. Jun. 10, 1889, Lancaster, Wis. Unmarried.
F-5 Edna Halferty, b. Apr. 14, 1893, unmarried, resides at Lancaster, Wis. Edna furnished the data for the Halferty family and is interested in family history.
F-6 Clay Evans Halferty, b. 30, 1895, m. Leona Burkhardt, Nov. 21, 1929, b. Oct. 5, 1900. He served with the 32nd Division during the World War (1914-1918), and is now an officer and Director of the Union State Bank. They reside in Lancaster, Wis. They have one child.
G-1 James Burkhardt Halferty, b. Oct. 9, 1930.

The following was furnished by Miss Edna Halferty

of Lancaster, Wisconsin

About Edward Halferty Sr. and Family

“I do not know much about grandmother Halferty’s history, except that she lived on a farm in Pennsylvania. Her father died when she was young, leaving her mother with two daughters. Grand mother was the elder and they were very poor”.

As to the trip to Wisconsin, Edna says: “at the end of three miles they stopped at the home of friends and stayed all night, and started out the next morning. For all that crowd, grandma baked all the bread. They camped at night sleeping in a tent, the rest in the wagons, except the two or three nights they stopped at farmhouses. Often along the way, people gave them fruit, milk etc. Saturday at noon they stopped and grandma baked bread in her ‘bake’ kettle over the camp fire. She could not bake enough on Saturday so had to bake again on an evening during the week. They never drove on the Sabbath. If they were near a church they attended the service. They all kept well and enjoyed the trip: had lots of fun. They went through Chicago, but their memory of Chicago was that of a mud-hole. On the way they passed through Platteville, (a small city sixteen miles from Lancaster) and there they bought some bread, the first bakers’ bread they had ever tasted. The family had not moved out of the house when grandpa came, and another family had come along the Ohio with no place to stay, so for a few days there were three families living together in a little log house. On Christmas Day that year it was pleasant and grandmother took a long walk over the farm without a wrap and bareheaded. She brought with her from Ohio lots of dried fruit.

“Grandpa took up government land, bought more from individuals and farmed until he tired. He did some speculating in land. Part of the farm we now have was obtained directly from the government. At one time they were Baptists, but later joined the Advent Church. When grandpa Edward Halferty retired he moved into Lancaster, Wis. and lived there until he and grandma were too old to live alone. They then stayed with their daughter Margaret, at Mt. Hope, Wis., and then with their son John, who too lived at Mt. Hope. Mt. Hope is near Lancaster. For a time before grandpa died he was blind.

“Their son William enlisted with the 41st Reg., Co. A, on May 5, 1864 and died of a disease, Sept. 13, 1864 at Memphis, Tenn. He was too young to go to war, so grandpa had to sign papers granting him permission to enter the Service.

“Mary, the eldest child and her husband John Law were living in Iowa near the brothers of grandpa when her sister Elizabeth visited and met Solomon Andrews and married him. Benjamin Andrews was her step-son. Later the Laws moved to Red Cloud, Nebraska.

“Susanna and family lived on a farm near Lancaster, later in this city, and died at Box 224, Vineland, New Jersey, at the home of a daughter who still lives there. Her one daughter, Fanny, lives at 1123 Hines Street, Salem, Oregon.

“Margaret married Dr. Loren Wade. They lived at Rockville, Wis. and then at Mt. Hope, Wis., then they moved to Cannon City, Col. to be near her children. A son, Dr. Pitt A. Wade and one daughter, Mrs. Herman Bickle live there now at 1106 Park Avenue and 905 19th Street, respectively.

“Henderson Halferty, my father, was born at Danville, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1846, (the youngest of seven children) named for Dr. P. Henderson of that place. He came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1854. On Feb. 8, 1882 he married Anna Bryhan and lived on a farm at Lancaster, died in Lancaster Feb. 10, 1922. Mother is still living”.

Edna Halferty

April 3, 1934.

D-2 William Halferty, b. Feb. 18, 1811, d. Dec. 20, 1899, second son of John and Elizabeth Nesbit Halferty. William married Hannah Pierce, had one son who died in Civil War, adopted a daughter Cecilia Shaffer, now deceased.
D-3 James Flack Halferty, b. Sept. 15, 1812, d. Sept. 6, 1896, (m1). Jane Wilson about 1838 who died in 1857. (Prob. 1847), (m.2), Mrs. Edward Ramsey of Ohio, maiden name Leah Teeter in 1848, b. May 20, 1819, d. Sept. 12, 1893.
He was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., lived for a time in Mansfield, Richland Co., spent two years in Wis. near his brother, Edward, but later settled in Indiana.

The Children of James Flack Halferty and Jane Wilson Halferty

E-1 John Halferty, b. 1840, d. Sept. 10, 1863 at Memphis, Tenn. of a disease. He enlisted at Lancaster, Wis. Aug. 9, 1862 in Co. C. 25th Reg. Wis. “When he was twenty years of age he was considered the best mathematician in Iowa”.
E-2 Harriet Halferty, b. 1842, m. Judge William Clemens about 1869; one son, Frank Clemens who died young.
E-3 Maranda Halferty died young.
E-4 Hannah Halferty, b. ............, m. ............ Sprague, lived in Des Moines, Ia.; five children.

The Children of James Flack Halferty and Leah Teeters Ramsey Halferty

E-5 Peter F. Halferty, b. Sept.1_, 1849, Mansfield, Richland, Co. Ohio.

He m. first, Kate Cawker, originally spelled Cocker, b. in England Jul. 12, 1854, d. Jun. 24, 1914. Six children. He m. (2nd) Mrs. Botenberge, 1918. They reside in Aberdeen, Washington State.

Peter F. Halferty writes:

“Elizabeth Nesbit Halferty and John Halferty were my grandparents. They lived in Westmoreland Co., Pa. where my father James Flack Halferty and his 11 brothers and one sister, Betsy were born. They moved to Mansfield, Ohio during the late 1830s. In 1850 they all moved to Washington and Keokuk Counties, Indiana except Howard who strayed away to Lancaster, Grant Co., Wis. I cannot give you the names of their descendants further than you have listed. I have heard my father say that my grandfather John Halferty came from Londonderry, Ireland, where we have many relatives. My father, James Flack Halferty, homestead 160 acres near Beliot, Kansas in 1870, became worth around one hundred thousand dollars, and found little difficulty in securing four sections of land which he farmed extensively. He also owned several thousand Texas cattle and thorough-bread trotting horses. Grasshoppers, prairie fire, drought, hot winds and high taxation broke him in part. His sporting may have been a factor in his downfall. He mortgaged all his land for more than it was worth and left the property a very poor man as all his land was taken by the money-lender except one quarter section on the river bottom which he wished to me subject to mortgage of eight hundred dollars. I accepted the land on account of my sweetheart, who taught school to support her aged parents. I farmed the place and kept my bachelor’s hood for five years. I finally traded 150 acres of the land and received a clear title of ten acres of level bottom land, which was cut off by the river, which I thought I could irrigate and make a fortune gardening as nearly all vegetables were shipped in by the grocers”.

“I laid bricks every day I got a chance at five dollars a day in Denver, and returned home with seven hundred and seventy-eight dollars and twenty five cents. I met a very sad sweetheart, she had lost her parents a few days before I returned. A banker had foreclosed a mortgage on her home and all was lost except the furniture, and it took all her savings except $82.00 to meet the unreasonable demands of the banker on the furniture”.

“We were married the next day without the thrills of wedding bells, wedding breakfast or a honeymoon trip. I paid $2.50 for a little wedding ring and placed it on her finger, that I should replace it with a different one in five years. She was as pleased as if she were an heiress receiving a $5,000.00 one. There was a mingling of gladness and sadness as I kissed the tears coursing down her cheeks. We were crying and smiling. We moved our furniture into our little log house the same day we were married. I went to work in earnest making things convenient for my wife, cutting wood for winter and making arrangements for some kind of pumping to irrigate the land”.

“I paid $200. for a windmill which could not water a sheep at the end of a ditch one hundred feet long. My wife wept and I was badly disappointed but determined that I would not yield to her pleadings to move to Denver. That evening we were looking over an old pictorial Bible and I saw a picture of the oldest horse ever known to run pumping water to irrigate land in Egypt 2000 years B.C. I almost yelled ‘Eureka’. I told her I could make her one at a trifling cost that would do the business”.

“The next morning I went to work and in thirty days the crude machine was in operation with the capacity of 36,000 gallons of water in ten hours, which was an ample flow to irrigate my land”.

“This was, I believe the first irrigation project in Kansas. By levelling the ground I gained the necessary elevation for the water ditches. I bought seven sore-back ponies for $35.00 which answered the purpose of running the treadmill and working in the garden. After the ground was all seeded and water could be turned on any place needed, and all bills were paid I had just $7.32 to live on until we could sell the garden produce. Our cow that I got as payment for building a stone fireplace was a wonderful help as poor people could not get credit at the store. I told my wife that if it came to the worst we could live on milk as I had done for over a year. I saw she thought I was lying, so I hastened to say that it was when I was a baby”.

“I planted an acre of onions, one of cabbage, one quarter acre of cucumbers, one fourth of tomatoes, one half of sweet corn and the balance in field corn for my ponies. I sold nearly all for green corn for a big price as the farmers raised nothing on account of the hot winds. The hot weather seemed to make my irrigated stuff grow better”.

“The garden did not grow fast enough to suit my finances and we ate our last morsel of food for breakfast and our money was all gone two weeks before we could hope to market anything. I did not know it, but my wife made the excuse that she did not feel well when I asked her why she did not eat more. The dear woman had been living on little that I might have more on which to work. That evening when I went to the house my wife was weeping as she told me we had eaten the last mouthful we had. Things looked blue. We were too proud to beg or borrow from our poor neighbours. The next morning, not having had supper or breakfast, I drove to town. I did not owe one cent, but the grocers said that they could not give credit to anyone.”.

“I hurried home thinking that I would sell a span of ponies for what I could get. As I drove into the garden I looked at the seed onions. They were a pretty sight, about six inches tall. The thought came to my mind, oh, they are big enough! I leaped from my wagon and pulled a few of them. They were about as big as peas. I went into the house and found my wife crying. I kissed her and told her we could get all the grub we needed, but I would have to pull some onions to fill orders in town. We went to work and soon had 164 bunches neatly tied, washed and placed in a wash tub. I knew my wife was very hungry and insisted that she would accompany me into town. She was too proud and refused to ride in our carriage that cost the fabulous sum of $26, but consented to go to the edge of town where there was a spring and shade tree. I got the best possible speed from our moth-eaten team. At the spring I helped my wife out, placed a blanket in the shade and brought a bucket of water and gave her a drink, watered the steeds and hurried on to town. I sold 12 bunches of onions to the leading hotel for 60 cents. I bought balona, crackers, cheese, big red apples, five cents worth of smoking tobacco and made those crowbait (ponies) trot all the way back to the spring. We had a feast, carving the cheese and balona and serving it on big squares of crackers, with much ceremony. I gave the ponies another drink and some oats and went back to town and sold the rest of my onions and took orders for $11 worth to be delivered next morning. We had plenty of groceries in a box and drove home in good spirits. We arrived home at about four o’clock: my wife commenced preparation for a good meal and I prepared onions for market. I felt our troubles were over and told my wife to look in the corner of the box where she found the big red apples and a sack of candy. I had plenty of tobacco in my tobacco box”.

“As I had neglected my irrigation, I thought I had better operate my pump till twelve o’clock that night. The pump would not work, some miscreant had filled the pump with gravel. I had to work all night to clean it out. By daylight the pump worked all right. I tried to think it a practical joke though I was worried about it. All went well for two weeks, then I found my horse-power damaged, which caused me to work hard for more than a day to repair. I said nothing, but hung a red lantern there and nailed a danger sign to the post. I was not bothered again for ten years”.

“Such potatoes, onions, corn, tomatoes, cabbage heads, cucumbers! Everything we planted, never had been grown in that country before. My cabbage heads weighed twenty pounds, a water pail full was the average yield per hill for potatoes. We hired four women to pick cucumbers and tomatoes and two men to work in the garden. Produce sold at a high price. For many days I sold from the dilapidated old rig four times what that outfit cost.”.

“To make the story shorter; I had $860 in the bank that Fall, after having bought a good team of horses, a market wagon and harness, two cows, two breed cows, three dozen chickens, an Irish Setter puppy, a complete set of garden tools, some good clothes for my wife and myself, and material to be made into dainty little garments”.

“Ten years later, I was rated by Bradstreet at $45,000: had built a good residence and more modern irrigation and greenhouses, and was a shipping and wholesale and retail business. The latter part of July 1889 I had $30,000 invested in garden irrigation plant, greenhouses, potted plants and fixtures, 17 acres of onions, 130,000 sweet potato plants, four acres of Hubbard Squash, 20 acres of sweet corn and many other varieties of vegetables. The garden was in excellent condition, the greenhouses were things of beauty and had been paying a big profit.”.

“On July 25, 1889 I returned from market about 11 o’clock and my wife was standing at the door as white as chalk. ‘Oh dear, we are ruined’, she said, ‘somebody has pulled up all the melons, made a total wreck of the greenhouses and the irrigation plant; and from appearances, they must have driven our stock over the garden all night. The help drove them out after you left for market this morning, everything seems trampled to the ground’”.

“Like a prophesy came the fulfilment of what a doctor had told me that morning in town, as he stopped me to admire the span of matched horses I was driving. ‘Something will happen to bust you’ he said. The horses were as near as like as two peas in a pod, thoroughbreds, dark chestnut sorrels with white manes and tails. They could trot a mile in four minutes to the market wagon. Their dam was a thoroughbred I had bought to work on the water power ten years before. I broke them to work and I loved them. Possibly they were the innocent factor in causing the ‘green-eyed monster of envy’ to effect my downfall”.

“All my wife had told me was as true as gospel - the melon vines wilted and great melons lay in plain view over the field. By an old patch on the sole of the shoe noticeable along the rows of melon rows I recognised the footprints of the man who had been working a few days in the gardens. I took the County Judge and Sheriff to the scene and they made careful measurements of the tracks. In less than two hours the culprit was in jail. He stood trial and was promptly sent to the penitentiary for five years. I received several anonymous letters, stating the writer would ‘get me’ if I did not let up on George, and I had better get out of the country. I showed the letters to the county officials and they gave me permission to carry a gun. In my youthful days I was a cowboy and had ridden all over the cattle country from Texas to Northern Nebraska. I had known the culprits to have been cattle rustlers and thieves, and they knew me, and I think they were as afraid of me as I was of them. I was afraid they would steal my horses and burn my buildings. For over twelve months I slept with my clothes on. When the dog barked I slipped out and around the place for two or three hours. I worked hard every day trying to make a little from the wreck. I only made $2,500 when I could have made $40,000”.

“Every night my wife would throw her arms around my neck and plead with tears in her eyes that I should move to Astoria where her brother lived. Poor dear, she was only a shadow of herself. She had lain awake night after night listening for the rattle of my six-shooter. I realised that I was not treating her as I should. I told her to get ready, and she and the children could go visit her brother and I would bach and try and establish my business. She would not listen to that proposition for a moment .... then I promised her I would have a public sale notice printed and sell everything to the highest bidder for cash, except my thoroughbred horses and Irish setter. I wired a gentleman in Kansas City I would accept $1000 for my span of thoroughbred horses. Oh, how I regretted parting with them. Had it not been for my wife and children I would have preferred death to giving to the three of four disreputable scoundrels. Everybody knew their hides were chucked full of double-distilled essence of pure unadulterated, boiled-down cussedness. However the conditions made the old saying true, ‘ the game is not worth the candle’”.

“We were ready to start for Astoria the third day after the sale. We bade our friends ‘goodbye’ and received the good wishes of many of the best people of that locality. When we were comfortably seated in the car, I noticed that my wife looked relieved and happy, and that made me happy. Our children seemed much interested and soon lost the scared look caused by the ordeal through which we had passed. I felt weary and sleepy, though much relaxed. The car-wheels as they bumped over the joints, saying ‘all right, all right’, as I dropped into the first peaceful slumber I had enjoyed for months”.

When Peter F Halferty reached Oregon he still had serious obstacles to overcome. He had pioneered in Kansas an irrigation, he was also the originator of the great clam industry on the Pacific and the founder of Pioneer Canneries of minced clams.

In an article published in July 17, 1927 we quote the following:

“Necessity and a few jars started the clam industry. Peter F Halferty first attempted to can Oregon bivalves and sell them to the people of Astoria. July is the season when the beaches and the clam digger hies forth to secure the delicious bivalves which are distinctly a product of the north-west. Nowhere else in the Pacific Coast is found the justly famed razor clam”.

“The canning of minced razor clams has become a great industry, the season is short, only three busy months, March to June. Canneries operate all along the coast and diggers flock in from all points, coming in touring cars with camping outfits, to pitch tents around the canneries, and the whole scene is one of concentrated activity”.

“Razor clams are dug at low tide, for as the water recedes they bury themselves in the sand. It requires a great deal of experience to capture Mr. Clam, while with all the might of his digging muscles he goes down out of reach. A quick thrust of a shovel, a quicker grasp with the hand or he is gone. The motions become automatic and after a while an expert clam-digger brings in from 200 to 600 pounds a day”.

“The industry had its beginnings at a little beach town in Oregon during the panic of 1893. Peter F. Halferty lived on a rented farm near Warrington at the mouth of the Columbia River. He had a sick wife and five children and no way of supporting them. In casting about in some way to make a living he conceived the idea of mincing clams that were so plentiful along the beach, and peddling them to Astoria, the nearest large town. His wife did not think it practical, but necessity pressed, so he cleaned and chopped clams and filled four dozen jars. He processed in a wash boiler and took them the next day to Astoria. He peddled them from house to house and sold them all. Encouraged by this evidence of his product being saleable, he canned more, he was just as successful in repeating his orders, but a doubt arose in the mind of the successful canner. Would his product keep? So, as a matter of economy he had asked that his jars be returned and the people were glad to take advantage of the lower price by returning the jars”.

“To make sure of keeping the quality of the clams, he set aside a jar or two from each canning and stored them in a high cupboard. In a short time explosion in the cupboard testified that the clams would not keep. It therefore became a matter of grim necessity to get the jars back before they popped and ruined his trade. The trouble was finally overcome by adding salt to the water in which the clams were bottled, making a denser liquid which boiled at a higher temperature. Steam processing was unknown and for ten years all canning was done in the water-batch way.”.

“When he had perfected his canning processing method he began to can in tins. This marked a distinct transition. So far he had gotten along famously by peddling along the routes of the river towns from Astoria. His only help was his family and an Indian boy or girl. Now he began to expand his business necessitating credit, larger equipment, pay for diggers, cannery helpers and the expense to the larger enterprise and the creation of interest among dealers to carry it.”.

“Allan and Lewis, Portland Wholesalers, were friends in this extremity. They extended him credit and gave him sound advice. Interesting were the experiences he encountered in introducing his then unknown delicacy to a wider circle of trade. He did not confine his efforts to houses, but invaded office houses and banks and business places to demonstrate its value. Once he was arrested for distributing food without a licence. With a demand created and established, the rest was easy. The years of uncertainty and experiment were well behind and the true period of expansion began. In 1900 the Sea Beach Packing Co. to Grays Harbour, Washington, established its cannery at Markham, another was built at Westport, then at Aberdeen Copalis, Moclips,Wash. and Cordova, Alaska”.

“The problem was to conserve the fruit of the enterprise. Here the sagacity and keen business insight of Mr. P. P. Halferty appears. He rejected all partnership offers. He fought through the need for financial aid. Now, he was to fight ruinous competition from those who decided to make capital out of his pioneering efforts. His main defence was the ignorance that prevailed about the supply of clams. He told his would-be partners ‘go ahead and can, I have no monopoly on canning clams, but remember that there is just twelve miles of beach here worth working. Go ahead and make all the money you can’. They invariably backed out. The air of mystery he threw around the canning business in absence of other protection was a factor in eliminating competitors. No one was quite sure he knew how to can clams and Mr. Halferty was not disposed to give the trade secrets away”.

“The secret was the sifter of the fine beach sand, kept under lock and key and sifted at intervals over the vats to secure successful cooking, and the addition of salt to the water to increase the temperature was the last essential to perfect processing. Another secret was the pouring of the clam liquor over the filled cans - in private compartments - where only members of the family worked. No one knew exactly what the process might be. This prevented others from imitating. In time the secret leaked out and other companies started in, and many canneries are putting up canned clam under different brands. Thus the clam canning industry was established”.

Mr P. F. Halferty now lives at Aberdeen, Wash. He still retains an interest in the various canneries he has built, but the active management has passed to his son, Guy F. Halferty of Seattle, Wash.

On Feb. 9, 1933 Peter F. Halferty wrote, “I had a book published in 1916 and have just finished a revision, ready for publication. ‘A Theory on the Foundation of the Solar System and the Origin of Life’”.

In February 1933 he suggested to the Legislature of the State of Washington that they declare a moratorium on farm mortages for twenty years at 4% per annum and that the United States Government issue script for these mortgages and the mortgages be deposited to secure the script.

For several years he has devoted himself to fishing and other congenial pursuits.

Seven Children of Peter H. and Kate Cawker Halferty

F-1 Guy P. Halferty, b. Dec. 19, 1882 in Beloit, Kansas, m. Grace Shaw, Feb. 20, 1904. Have two children. He is the manager of the Pioneer Minced Sea Clam Cannaries and resides at Seattle, Wash.
G-1 Guy P. Halferty Jr. b. Feb. 7, 1906.
G-2 Donald Halferty, b. Jan. 6, 1907, d. when 18 months old.
F-2 Nellie Leah Halferty, b. Nov. 11, 1884, Beloit, Kansas, m. Clarence Lillie, b. Aug. 5, 1880, Michigan. One child.
G-1 Kathryn Lillie, b. Aug. 10, 1904, m. Alvin Anderson, b. Aug. 1, 1906. Two children.
H-1 Keith Peter Anderson, b, Apr. 4, 1930.
H-2 Joyce Aline Anderson, b. Jul. 12, 1932.
F-3 Alice E. Halferty, b. Sept. 4, 1886, Beloit, Kansas, m. Joseph King, Dec. 30, 1908 in Aberdeen, Wash. Two children.
G-1 Joseph J. King, b. Sept. 27, 1910, Aberdeen, Wash.
F-4 Damon J. Halferty, b. Nov. 20, 1888 near Beloit, Kansas, m. ....arbary Cavanne, Dec. 12, 1919 in Aberdeen, Wash. Have two children.
G-1 Richard J. Halferty, b. Nov. 26, 1912.
G-2 Wilbur D. Halferty, b. May 20, 1915, Aberdeen, Wash.
F-5 Frank Halferty, b. Feb. 11, 1892, Astoria, Oregan, m. Pluma, V. Vaughn, b. Jul. 18, 1896. Six children.
G-1 Glen Halferty, b. Dec. 12, 1916, Aberdeen., Wash.
G-2 Mildred F. Halferty, b. Dec. 31, 1918, Aberdeen, Wash.
G-3 John Halferty, b. Aug. 10, 1921, Aberdeen, Wash.
G-4 Edward A. Halferty, b. Feb. 19, 1924, Aberdeen, Wash.
G-5 Walter F. Halferty, b. Aug, 20, 1927, Aberdeen, Wash.
G-6 Alton G. Halferty, b. Jun. 16, 1930, Aberdeen, Wash.
F-6 George Halferty, b. Apr. 15, 1894, Skepanon, Oregan. A bachelor.
F-7 Phillip Halferty, b. Nov. 7. 1896, Skepanon, Oregan, m. Hazel H. Woodsworth of Hoguian, Wash. He died in 1928 in Miami, Florida. Had two children.
G-1 Phillip Harrison Halferty, b. Sept. 9, 1920, d, Mar. 29, 1924.
G-2 Clarence Woodsworth Halferty, b. Sept. 23, 1922, d. Apr. 3, 1924.
E-6 Elizabeth Halferty, b. ................ m. ...................... Hall, ................ d. ................... Several children.
E-7 Edward Halferty is in Colorado.
E-8 David Halferty.
D-4 Robert Halferty I, b. Jun. 9, 1814, d. Jan. 16, 1817.
D-5 John Halferty, b. Mar. 7, 1816, d. ............ m. ............. Jane Wilson (sister of James Flack) Halferty’s first wife. Lived on farm near Richland, Indiana.
E-1 George Halferty, b. ........................ m ............................ and had three children.
E-2 Mary Halferty, m. ................ Mr Long. She lives in Richland, Ia. and is 85 years old and has had eight children, grandchildren and gr. grandchildren. One son died.
E-3 Emma Halferty, m. ............. Mr. Thornburg. One child died.
E-4 Loretta Halferty, m. ............. Mr. Cox. Three children.
E-5 Fanny Halferty, m. ............... Mr. Chacey. Three children.
E-6 William Halferty, m. .................................. Five children.
E-7 James Halferty, b. ....................................... Three children.
D-6 David Halferty, son of John and Elizabeth Nesbit Halferty, b. Nov. 9, 1817, d. Aug. 31, 1902; lived on a farm near Richland, Ia., m. Polly Brolliar, d. ........ Eight children.
E-1 Elnora Halferty, b. ................ m .................. Mr. Roop. Had four children.
E-2 Jordan Halferty, b. ................ unmarried.
E-3 Columbus C. Halferty, b. .............. m. ............... Had two sons.
E-4 Zephaniah G. Halferty, b. .............. m. ............... Had four sons.
F-1 Thomas Halferty.
F-2 Jack Halferty.
F-3 Ray Halferty.
F-4 David Halferty.
E-5 Leonidas C. Halferty, b. .............. m. .............. Living at Casmere, Wash., four children, three grandchildren and one gr. grandchild.
E-6 Van Halferty, b. .............. m. .............. lives at Popular Bluff, Mo. Six children.
E-7 Dora Halferty, m. .............. Mr. Chacey, live on farm near Richland, Ia. Two children
F-1 Richard Chacey, b. near Richland, Id., m. one child. He is an x-ray technician, lives at Los Angeles, California.
F-2 Inez Chacey, b. near Richland, Ia., m. Mr. Thompson, one child.
D-7 Robert Halferty, b. Dec. 17, 1819, d. Oct. 1833. In the history of Keokuk, Co., Ia. the following record is given concerning Robert Halferty, published in 1880.
He was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., came to Ia. in 1854 and lived on section 26 near Ioka, Ia., m. Sept. 9, 1846 Miss Rachel Crouner and they had eight children. He served as a Justice of the Peace.
E-1 Martha Halferty, b. .............. m. .............. Mr. Mickey. Five children.
E-2 John Halferty, b. .............. m. ............... Four children.
E-3 Squire Halferty, b. .............. m. .............. Ten children.
E-4 George Halferty, b. .............. m. .............. Unmarried.
E-5 Verona Halferty, b. .............. m. .............. Mr. Roop. Five children.
E-6 William Halferty, b. .............. m. .............. Twelve children.
E-7 Green Halferty, b. .............. Died young.
E-8 Infant, b. .............. Died.
D-8 Sarah Halferty, b. Jan. 1, 1820 or 1823. d. .............. One daughter.
D-9 Thomas Halferty, b. Apr. 1, 1824, d. ........... . Unmarried.
D-10 Jacob Methiat Halferty, b. ............. d. ............. m. Sarah Parker.
E-1 Clementine Halferty, b. ............ m. .........Mr. Loose. Four children.
D-11 Zephaniah Wade Halferty, b. Jan. 7, 182_. d. 1911. m. Hannah Rowland. Four children.
E-1 Hannah Elizabeth Halferty, b. .............. m. Mr. Webb. Lived at Larned, Kan.
E-2 Nora Halferty, b. .......... m. ........Keyondall (sic), lived at Larned, Kan. Five children.
E-3 Cora Halferty, b. .............d. .............. when aged 18 years. Unmarried.
D12 Elizabeth Halferty, b. Jan. 8, 1830, d. Sept. 12, 191_, m. ............... Armentrout. Seven children.
E-1 Ann Seville Armentrout, b. .............. m. ...............Mr. Shane, Five children.
E-2 Jacob Armentrout, b. .............. m. ............... Lives in California.
E-3 Elizabeth Armentrout, b. ............. m. ................ Mr. Bassett. No children.
E-4 Anneta Armentrout, b. ..............m. ...............Mr. Anderson. Live in California. Two children.
E-5 James Armentrout, b. ..............m. ................ Lives in California.
E-6 Marcus Armentrout, b. .............m. ............... Lives in California.
E-7 John Armentrout, b. ..............m. ................Unmarried.

This concludes all we were able to gather about the Halferty family

C-2 John Nesbit III, second child of Wm. and Esther Robinson Nesbit was b. Jan. 29, 1792, probably in Cumberland Co. Pa. We have no record of his father being in Williamsburg, Pa. until 1793. He died in Northfield Twp., Summit Co., Ohio, Nov. 21, 1861. He married Ann Mathews, the daughter of Wm. Mathews, Sept 19, 1820, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Joseph Scroggs D.D., Pastor of Fairview Associate Presbyterian Church. Ann Mathews was born Mar. 14, 1794 and died Apr. 17, 1859 in Northfield Twp. Both are buried in the Northfield Twp Summit Co. Cemetery, Ohio.

Ann Mathews parents, William and Martha McConnell Mathews came from County Tyrone, Ireland about 1786. The Mathews family settled firstly in Summerset Co., Pa. In 1796 William Mathews purchased a farm in Fairfield Township (on which Ann Mathews grew up) which has been owned by a Mathews or a descendant ever since. John and Ann were members of the Fairfield Associate Presbyterian Church, and Dr. Scroggs, their pastor, baptised all their children in Westmoreland Co. Martha, Esther, William, Archibald, James, John and Mary Jane were born in Fairfield Twp., Westmoreland Co., Pa., but David and Margaret Ann were born in Northfield Twp, Summitt Co. Ohio.

John Nesbit III, started in business by procuring a six-horse team and wagon and hauled goods from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and made considerable money. On June 11, 1823, he purchased a 131 acre farm from Richard Halferty in Fairfield Twp., Westmoreland Co., Pa. paying 500.00 cash and the balance in three years. He was living on the farm at the time of its purchase at 5.00 per acre. On Aug. 15, 1817, John Nesbit had purchased 100 acres of land in Fairfield Twp. which John and Ann Nesbit deeded to Andrew Lute in May 1823 for 250.00 The money secured from the sale of this farm may have been used in the purchase of the farm from Edward Halferty.

During 1831 John Nesbit went to Cleveland, Ohio and came near purchasing a farm between the villages of Cleveland and Newburg, but decided the land was too wet, so purchased a farm in Northfield, near to the town of Brandywine on the Cuyhoga River where there was a mill and store. The farm had a fine spring and a small house, but the land was mostly timbered. It contained 124 acres and was purchased from Charles McCreery for 496.00, Apr. 23, 1831, to whom he sold his farm in Pa. In this deal the name was spelled John Nesbet, just as his father William and his grandfather John spelled it: but John Nesbit’s children changed the spelling to Nesbit. In Scotland the usual spelling is Nisbet; in the north of Ireland Nesbitt, but have found it to be spelled Nesbyth, Nisbit, Neesbit, Neasbit, Nesbite; but all are probable descendants of William De Nesbyth to whom William the Conqueror gave the large tract of land in Berwickshire, Scotland, later known as “Lands of the Nisbets”, in the Parish of Edrom, now called Bighouse.

On Oct. 23, 1833 John Nesbet deeded the farm he purchased from Edward Halferty to Charles McCreery for 600.00, but there was a defect in the title which was corrected by court action, Nov. 31, 1841. In the deed, names were spelled John and Ann Nesbet.

In the Spring of 1833 John Nesbet moved his family to Fairfield Twp., Westmoreland Co., Pa. to his farm in Northfield, Ohio. According to Rachel Cochran, a daughter of Rev. Scroggs D.D. who remembered their departure from Fairfield Twp., they started from Charles McCreery’s farm with whom he had exchanged farms. They had baked bread for the trip overland in a schooner wagon drawn by four horses. The Halfertys helped them get started. They took their cooking utensils with them, and a cow to supply milk for the children was tied behind the wagon, but they made beds for the children on the ground. When evening came they would camp at some sequestered place; the father would get the Bible out of the wagon, gather the family about him and Worship God by reading a chapter, sing a psalm and pray. One night a thief milked their cow, so the children had no milk for their breakfast. They came to Pittsburgh and had to go through the narrows before crossing the Ohio River on the ferry. Here James, the baby of three years, came near to losing his life. He rolled down a steep bank of the river and all that kept him from falling into the river and being drowned was that he caught on a small tree from which his father rescued him by letting himself down from tree to tree where James was lodged and then pulling himself and the boy up the bank by grasping trees.

One day there was a cold rain and they all got wet and chilled, but a German family opened their home to them that nig