There are only a few hundred affiliate libraries in the country. This designation means local patrons will now have greater and more convenient access to a vast collection of genealogical records through FamilySearch. The popular online service provides over 6 billion searchable names and 2 billion digitized images of historical records—plus the local guidance and support of the History Center’s dedicated staff.
“This is a tremendous resource for not only our community but surrounding areas,” said Shelby Boatman, executive director of the Clinton County History Center. “We’re honored to provide greater access to these historical records and to help individuals discover more about their ancestry, right here in Clinton County.”
Access to the expanded FamilySearch collections is available only in person at the History Center during public hours, including Fridays 1-4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., or by appointment by calling 937-382-4684.
“Libraries are wonderful local gathering places for learning. We are excited to have the Clinton County History Center as our newest FamilySearch Affiliate Library. It will help FamilySearch expand opportunities for fun, personal discoveries and family connections to the local community,” said Paul Nauta, FamilySearch public relations manager.
FamilySearch adds over 300 million free records and images online each year from around the world and manages the famous FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its collections include billions of birth, marriage, death, census, land, and court records from more than 130 countries to help you discover and connect with your ancestors.
About FamilySearch
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. It is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. For over 100 years, FamilySearch and its predecessors have gathered, preserved, and shared genealogical records globally. Patrons may access FamilySearch services for free at FamilySearch.org or at more than 5,000 FamilySearch centers in 129 countries, including the main library in Salt Lake City.
The Journal – Republican was published weekly 1868 – 1913. I thought it might be fun to check the news of one hundred twenty – five years ago to see what was important to the people of Wilmington. By January 10, 1900 the paper was known as The Wilmington Journal. At that time each community had their reporter who furnished “news of the week” and kept the community informed of the latest “comings and goings”. The following is as written.
In Martinsville A. R. Garner, wife, and son ate dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Cox at Christmas. Charley Ayres has moved his dry goods store into the Odd Fellows building. Mrs. Maggie West has been quite sick the past few days with some sort of head trouble. James Barclay Pucket died at his home. He was seventy years old and leaves a wife and ten children, all of whom are grown.
In Port William M. C. Powers preached two very interesting sermons at the church on Sunday and Tuesday evenings. Ed Borton is erecting a new barn. Miss Zella Weer resumed her school duties after spending her holidays in Clarksville.
In Sabina the news of the week was a shipment of hogs to the Cincinnati market. George Manmisel shipped twenty-five head with a total weight of 17,110 pounds. The largest hog weighed 800 pounds. The venerable James Richey died at his home near Union last Thursday morning. He was buried in Sabina.
From Deserted Camp it is noted that Charles Benlehr returned to Hiram College last week to finish the theological course of that institution. Charles Cammack had a runaway accident Saturday. While he and Earnest Starbuck were driving into Wilmington the fractious young horse became frightened and started to run. The horse dashed across the road and into the fence throwing both men out and destroying the buggy. The horse tore loose from the buggy and ran. Mr. Starbuck was thrown forcibly against a telegraph pole and was knocked senseless. Mr. Cammack is very unfortunate with his rig as this is the fourth time it has been wrecked in the past two years.
Some news of Oakland reported the telephone poles have reached as far as Kingman. Harrison Mullen met with quite an accident a few days ago. His horse became frightened while hitched to the milk wagon and ran away. The wagon was almost demolished. Harry Venard has gone to Columbus to enter a commercial college. Isaac Spray still remains very sick.
The report from the College and vicinity – Willa Ballard has gone to Oklahoma to teach at a Government school. College opened on Wednesday with an enrollment of one hundred. The Clinton Telephone Company has placed one of their fine instruments in the study room. Virgil Miller is expecting to go to the Paris Exposition.
Courthouse news can be found on page six of the paper and page six presents advertisements for the “latest cures for every ill”. The Wilmington Lecture Association is presenting a lecture entitled “Dawn of the Twentieth Century”. The speaker is the Honorable G. A. Gearhart. The lecture begins at 8:00 and admission is fifty cents.
]]>This month I am using portions of a letter written by Lieutenant John Austin while he was a prisoner in Confederate prisons. His father was D. S. Austin of Clinton County. Lieut. Austin was captured November 24, 1863 at Mission Ridge and was taken to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. Libby was a terrible place but was supposed to be “better” than Andersonville. He was kept at Libby until May 7, 1864 and was then moved to Macon, Georgia and later to Columbia, South Carolina. This letter was posted as: Military Prison, Columbia, S.C. November 30, 1864. Please note that only portions are used but we have the entire letter at the Clinton County Genealogical Library.
My Dear Father: I take the present opportunity to write a few lines, hoping I may shortly have a chance to send by private conveyance. As I have not heard from home since yours of May 16th, 1864, and do not know whether you have heard from me since I left Libby, I scarcely know what to write. I wrote twice from Macon, Ga. Last Summer, but from what I can learn, they never went farther than the prison office.
July 27th, 600 of us were started from Macon to Charleston, where we arrived the 29th. (I hope some time to tell you of the “Knights of the Red Lamp” or the 600 who took a train.) At Charleston they confined us two weeks in the jail yard. It was next to a hell on earth. August 13th they gave us the Roper and Marine Hospitals – the best quarters we have had since we have been prisoners of war. I was in the Roper.
The trip from Richmond to Macon last Spring came near being my last. When we were sent to Charleston, my health was improving slowly, but lying in the jail yard nearly used me up. After we had been in the Roper about two weeks, I had a severe attack of the Cholera Morbus. I was sent to a hospital at Rickersville on Charleston Neck and remained there until September 29th.
The way our batteries (the Union) on Morris Island sometimes shelled the city was sublimely awful; but I did not fear them in the least, nor did any of the prisoners, although the Roper buildings were struck twice, and the day before we left, a 200 pounder passed directly over us.
Since I commenced this sheet, we have received an old mail that had been lying back somewhere for a month or more. I received yours of August 14th and September 23rd. The $20.00 you sent me was taken our before it reached me – probably at Charleston.
We can buy a substitute for Northern articles at the following prices: Shoes – $35.00 per pair, Socks – $10.00 per pair, bacon – $7.00 per pound, butter – $12.00 per pound, sweet potatoes – $20.00 per bushel, corn meal – 24 cents per pound, sorghum – $7.00 per gallon. They have not issued us one ounce of meat since we left Charleston October 5th. Our rations for five days now consists of two quarts of meal, one to one and a half pints of very poor flour, a pint of rice, and a quart of sorghum with about two spoonfuls of salt.
A prisoner’s life is a hard one. So full of cares, anxiety, and disappointment. About 200 left on the way up from Charleston but most of them were recaptured. Some are being brought in and more are going out, and the beauty of it is the rebs have been unable to discover the leak. Three of us remain for we are unable for the trip, even if we had shoes and sufficient clothing.
The hospital accommodations are very poor. My health is better now than for eight months previous. I feel thankful that I am still on the land of the living and still have hope of seeing home and friends again on earth; yet our lives are in danger at all times, not from only disease, but the guards sometimes shoot into camp and they have a battery bearing on us which they are excitable enough to open upon us if they fear an outbreak.
I try to bear my imprisonment with patience and hope all is for the best. Do not be uneasy about me, but commit me to the care of a kind and merciful providence. I expect to send this by Lieut. D. W. Tower, 17th Iowa. Remember me to all inquiring friends. Your son, John W. Austin
Please remember we have the entire letter if you are interested.
]]>Abraham Lincoln was assassinated 160 years ago. There had been four years of terrible conflagration and the loss of thousands of lives. I have chosen to honor Black History Month by featuring two of the black volunteers who served from Clinton County. All of the black troops for whom we have information will be featured in the Clinton County History Center display opening in March.
We must recognize those who, at the time, were not recognized as full citizens. They were seen only as residents. There were black troops from Clinton County who signed up as soon as they were allowed and went to fight for the preservation of the Union. In the 1915 Clinton County History book, 27 names are given. I am sure we do not have the names of all black Civil War veterans buried in Clinton County, but we should put forth our best effort to recognize those for whom we have names.
The enlistment of black recruits came as a result of the fact that some states could not meet the pledged quota of men from their state. Massachusetts was one of the first states to accept black recruits and some Clinton Countians were in Massachusetts units.
David Wood, a.k.a. David Woods, was a private in the 27th Regiment, USCI (United States Colored Infantry), Company I, and is shown as 32 years of age. He was born in Virginia and enlisted May 18, 1864. His enlistment occurred in Hillsboro, Ohio. He was discharged Sept. 21, 1865. According to the official roster of the units from Ohio, this unit saw action in Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. One of the longest and most intense battles of the war occurred at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 9 – 30, 1864.
Several other units from Clinton County were also at that site. In our Clinton County marriage records, we show that one David Woods married one Martha Rollins on March 3, 1864. In the 1870 census for Clinton County, we find one David Woods, age 41, and wife Martha living on Grant Street in Wilmington. They have a son Frank aged 6 years, a son James aged 3 years, and a daughter Anna aged 1 year.
The next soldier I wish to feature is William Hargrave. He became a sergeant in the 55th MVI (Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry), Company C. It was extremely unusual for a black soldier to obtain a rank above private. He was born in Wilmington, Ohio and his age is shown as 22 years. He enlisted May 21, 1863 at Readville, Massachusetts and was discharged Aug. 29, 1865. Information for this soldier was found in our book of black soldiers serving from Ohio and is also on the National Park Service Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War site. On the government site he is shown in as private and out as sergeant. On Sept. 12, 1867, William Hargrave married Virginia Ricks. He is shown on the Veteran’s Schedule of 1890. In the 1850 census he is shown in the household of Jorden and Elizabeth Hargrave. In the 1870 census he is shown as residing with wife Virginia.
There are several places to look for possible answers. Do you have a Civil War soldier? Would you like to have them recognized? Check with the researchers at our library. We may be able to help.
]]>As we close out 2024, we at the Clinton County History Center are thrilled to share the incredible milestones we’ve achieved this year. It’s been a season filled with community engagement, impactful projects, and meaningful progress—none of which would have been possible without our amazing volunteers, members, and supporters.
Here’s a look at what we accomplished together in 2024:
Our Volunteers Shine Bright
This year, our dedicated volunteers donated an astounding 2,573 hours of their time to preserve and celebrate Clinton County’s rich history. From assisting with exhibits to helping at events, their contributions make everything we do possible.
Welcoming New and Familiar Faces
We were delighted to welcome over 500 visitors to the History Center in 2024! Whether attending programs, exploring exhibits, or visiting our archives, your presence makes our work worthwhile.
Securing Support for the Future
Thanks to the generosity of grant organizations and community partners, we secured $43,600 in grant funds. These funds are already being used to support specific projects, develop engaging programs, and improve our facilities.
Membership Growth on the Rise
We’re proud to announce a 12% increase in annual memberships compared to last year, with a 24.9% growth since 2022. Our members play a vital role in supporting the preservation of local history, and we’re so grateful for their continued commitment.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we celebrate the accomplishments of 2024, we’re already looking ahead to what’s next. One of the highlights of 2025 will be the launch of our new exhibit, Lincoln’s Legacy: The Civil War & Clinton County’s Connection 160 Years Later. This engaging display will commemorate the 160th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and explore Clinton County’s unique ties to the Civil War and the Underground Railroad.
With exciting plans for this exhibit, as well as community events and programs, we can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together in the coming year.
On behalf of the Clinton County History Center, thank you for making 2024 such a memorable year. Your time, support, and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind our mission to preserve and share Clinton County’s history for generations to come.
Stay connected with us by following our social media channels, signing up for our newsletter, or becoming a member today. Let’s make 2025 our best year yet!
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As Paul Harvey might have said – and now the rest of the story.
Matthew Rombach, father-in-law of General Denver, has an interesting history. It seems much more adventuresome than that of his wife, Catharine Kautz. The Kautz family was reputed to be “well-to-do” when they came to America and settled in Hamilton County and later many of the family lived in Brown County, Ohio.
According to information in the records of Clinton County History Center we find in the Ohio Biographical Sketches of Ohio information that Matthew was the youngest of four children born to Charles and Francesca Rombach in the Black Forest, Baden, Germany. The family owned a large amount of land which signaled wealth. At age sixteen Matthew was placed in a clock factory to learn the trade. In 1830 he and three other young men decided to venture to the “new world” of America. The parents learned of the plan and moved to discourage it.
I am sure none of us have ever dealt with a very determined teenager who knew exactly what he wanted out of life. Ha!!! Ha!!!!
The next part of the story is that the parents would not fund Matthew’s adventure. Matthew decided to “go-it-alone” and proceeded to hike from Baden across France on his way to London. From London it seems he served as part of the ship’s crew and after landing in New York proceeded to Philadelphia where he contacted a clock-maker and worked there for a period of time. He then moved on to Lancaster, Ohio. In 1831 he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. This may seem a rather irresponsible jump but when checking the 1830 census records I found there were many Romback, Rombuch, Rombough, and Rombach families with other Germanic spellings located in Cincinnati. He found his cousins!!!!
It is not known how he met Catharine Kautz but we know that Catharine’s family was also from Baden. It appears Matthew and Catharine were married in Hamilton County in 1832. THE QUESTION!!! What happened next? If George Kautz was writing to General Denver, could there be a connection to the Brown County Kautz family?
In Brown County deed records I found Matthew Rombach purchased land from George Kautz – the deed dated 07 January 1833. In November of 1836 Matthew purchased a second piece of land from Ludwick Weber. In June of 1842 Matthew sold both parcels of land to Willliam K. Wood. In this deed it is shown Matthew was a resident of Clinton County, Ohio. Louisa/Louise, the daughter of Matthew and Catharine had been born in Brown County in 1836.
And now the rest of the story! Marie Elizabeth Bohl, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Bohl, was born in 1876 in Brown County, Ohio. On October 3, 1900 she married William Adam Kautz. Marie Elizabeth is the sister of my maternal grandmother. When the lineage is proven, the common ancestor for my family and the Rombach family is Johann Martin Kautz and Eva Salome Loeser who lived in the area of Baden, Germany. Johann lived 1754 – 1816 and Eva Salome lived 1754 – 1829. The world of genealogy is smaller than you think.
]]>As our volunteers in the genealogical society continue to work on our many projects, we sometimes find a previously unknown or unnoted tidbit that may help fill in a portion of the history of an early citizen of Clinton County. The information for the General James W. Denver family and the Matthew Rombach family has influenced the history of Clinton County. In this article I will attempt to refresh the memory of some or provide information for those who do not know the history. Mark Huber, Archival Assistant for the Clinton County History Center, is in the process of scanning the papers of the Honorable James W. Denver.
One day Mark was scanning and had a letter from one George Kautz in Brown County, Ohio. My comment was, “My gosh, I wonder if those are my people.” The Kautz family was one of the early settlers in Brown County. The clue sent me on a search. Who was George Kautz and why would he be writing a letter to General Denver? Sometimes truth really does seem stranger than fiction.
I would first like to review a bit of the history of General Denver. Patrick Denver, Jr., father of James W. Denver, came to Clinton County in 1832 and purchased 222 acres of land on what is now Dwiggins Road. The Denvers built a replica of their previous home in Virginia. There were originally five fireplaces in the home. According to an article in our family files this house still stands and is located across the road from “Peelle’s pool”. Many old-timers in Clinton County will know the exact spot. The “pool” was formed when the gravel in that spot was used on the county roads and left a large hole, which, when filled with water as it rained became the public pool in the 1920’s – 1950’s. It was the site of many family reunions and church picnics.
The story of James W. Denver himself is quite striking in his journey from childhood to the time of his death. He had received limited schooling as he was the eldest of ten children and his labor was required on the farm of his father. He left the farm and studied law at the University of Cincinnati – graduating in the Spring of 1844. After graduating he moved West toe Platte City, Missouri. At the outbreak of the Mexican War, he recruited Company H, Twelfth United States Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned Captain by President James K. Polk. This seems to have been the impetus for his political and military career. He returned to Wilmington in 1848 to recover from yellow fever. After leading a group of thirty-four people to Sacramento, California in 1850, he was elected to the California State Senate and in 1853 became California Secretary of State. He was elected to the U. S. Congress in 1853.
In 1856 General Denver married Louisa/Louise Rombach, daughter of Matthew Rombach and Catharine Kautz, both of German heritage – hence the Louisa/Louise name whether you chose the German or English version of the name. It seems Mrs. Denver sometimes traveled with General Denver but preferred staying at the home in Wilmington.
In 1857 General Denver was appointed U. S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs by President James Buchanan. In 1858 he moved to the Kansas Territory and was appointed governor of that territory. The city of Denver was established in the Kansas Territory but it is said General Denver visited Denver only twice. In 1861 he was appointed Brigadier General by President Lincoln and served in the Civil War. After the Civil War he had a law practice in both Washington D. C. and Wilmington, Ohio. At one point it was suggested that he run for president of the United States but as we all know, politics is very fickle and that event did not occur. After a very illustrious career he died in Washington D. C. in 1892 and is buried at Wilmington in Sugar Grove Cemetery. Part 2 later…
]]>We often find a “movement” in a community that may have long-lasting effects. It appears the Commercial Club of Wilmington may have been one of those entities that shaped the business history of Clinton County. This endeavor was first discussed and then organized as a body in 1901 and had sixty charter members. There was no “fire-brand” to keep the club growing so it was just “existing” for several years. Nothing gets things going like a good controversy.
In 1910 Dr. George Wire was president. All the streets of Wilmington appear to have yet been dirt streets. In 1913 a levy was passed to have a contractor cover the dirt streets of Main, South, and Locust with bricks. The work was dutifully begun and in very short order created a problem for city hall. Some of the residents objected to the work necessary to prepare the streets to be covered with bricks. It encroached on some of their lawns and they promptly filed a lawsuit – halting the work. The Commercial Club was actively revived in 1914 and a group of merchants promoted a campaign to pave the streets with brick. The litigants settled and the project was begun again.
The first meetings of the newly revived club were held in the Masonic Temple building and in 1915 the meetings were moved to the Samuel Walker building. By 1914 one Matthew Romback Denver had returned to Wilmington and he was chosen president of the Commercial Club of Wilmington. The membership grew to one hundred forty-four members. Dues of $5.00 for the first year and $2.00 per year thereafter were approved. Rural residents who sold animals, fowl, and produce for their income were also encouraged to join. The election of M. R. Denver as their president seemed to be the “spark” that was needed.
We have a list of the 1914 members. M. R. Denver was president, G. P. Thorpe was vice-president, Frank A. Peelle was secretary, H. N. Henderson was assistant secretary, and Frank L. Gallop was treasurer. You may recognize the family names of some yet today: Farquhar, Williams, Murphy, Rannells, Doan, Buckley, Starbuck, Terrell, Hoskins, Champlin, Walker, Bailey, Hiatt, Linton and others.
Over the years there were many parades and in 1915 the Xenia Club organized one hundred sixty-nine cars from their club to be in the parade. The African-American community raised more than $200.00 to bring the Ninth Battalion Band of Columbus which was a very well-known African American band.
By 1920 the club began looking for a “home of its’ own”. The Club chose to purchase a house at the southeast corner of Walnut and Sugartree streets. At the time it was known as the “South House”. The Club developed the multi- story building that many of us will remember as the “Eagles building”. There were rooms for meetings, recreation, a club room, and the kitchen of the facility could produce meals for lavish parties for more than two hundred persons. The Club was active in promoting street lights and other utilities that we enjoy today. Alas, over the years the Club became less relevant and sold the building to the Eagles. The space is now occupied by CVS pharmacy and its’ parking lot. As we understand it the Commercial Club was the forerunner of the present Chamber of Commerce.
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I have mentioned before about the treasures in the deed books. If you were researching this family, you might be doing a happy dance with all the information given – or perhaps you would just rely on the sheriff.
The following persons are named individuals in this property dilemma. [I found the titles quite interesting.] Sir John Hall Knight was a Captain in the Royal Navy and Superintendent of Her Majesty’s dock yard at Deptford in the County of Kent. Henry Creed of Norfolk Crescent, Hyde Park, is named as a Captain in the Honorable East India Company. These two distinguished gentlemen were executors of the estate of Admiral Peter Rebouleau, eldest son of Stephen and Elizabeth Rebouleau who had been named in the will. Elizabeth was one of the devisees in the will of one William Hill Sargent and referred to Daniel Beauchamp of Hagerstown Fields in the county of Middlesex as being the daughter of Edward Sargent of Kingston upon the Thames in the county of Middlesex. Joseph Phillips, Sr. and Joseph Phillips, Jr. are named and Joseph Phillips, Junior is the son of Leah Phillips, deceased, formerly Beauchamp. Susannah Beauchamp was the daughter of Edward Sargent of Kingston upon the Thames – Edward being the son of Benjamin.
Jane Reynolds of Number 53 Charing Circle of Westminster in the county of Middleboro is a widow and the daughter of Benjamin Sargent. Annabella Brown and her husband, George Joseph Brown, were named and Annabella is cited as the daughter of the Edward Sargent of Kingston. Mary Travers of Ringwood in the county of Hampshire, a widow, is named. She was the daughter of Hannah Hounslow, formerly Hannah Sargent and her husband is William Hounslow. The above- named persons are devisees of William Hall Sargent, deceased, of the state of Virginia, United States of America. William Fanning was named as the attorney and legal representative who had the legal right to make all decisions regarding properties in the United States of America.
An entry which is part of the record was provided by the consulate of the United States of America located in London and certified that the information provided is true and accurate. The above provided information used a total of six pages in Deed Record U: pages eleven through sixteen. It all boiled down to Jabez Harlan, Sheriff of Clinton County, Ohio declaring that the information was complete and a deed was to be issued for Daniel Huffman, the buyer. The seal of Sheriff Harlan was provided June 10, 1849. Amos T. Sewell and William Crumley were witnesses and it was recorded as a legal document on June 22, 1849. When a deed is presented as a result of the death of the owner, all persons having any claim to the proceeds are to be shown with accompanying documentation. HOPE YOU GOT IT!!!!!! This document covers at least four generations.
]]>This story was written by Genealogical Society volunteer, Beth Mitchell, who holds nearly 35 years of experience with the archival records at the History Center.
If you are interested in history the early deed books may produce some real treasures. It seems that, sometimes, an event produced at the courthouse did not fit the description of something to be entered under a specific topic such as weddings, probate information, leases, etc. I think the clerk knew it needed to be recorded somewhere so the deed book became the place of choice. Please remember the spelling may be as it appears in the book and punctuation was minimal.
In Deed Book O an entry was made dated May 3, 1841. It seems Thomas Steele owed one Mary Carter two hundred dollars and also owed his son Thomas R. Steele three hundred dollars. He had signed notes that the amounts were due on demand. The following was used to satisfy the debts: one gray horse, one sorrel mare, grass for two horses, one iron gray mare, two red cows, one two year old heifer calf, thirty-one hogs, three hundred fifty bushels of corn in the cribs and shock, ten acres of wheat on the ground, the right to cultivate twelve and a half acres of ground in corn this season, saddle, bridle and buffalo robe, one and one fourth acres of oats in the ground, thirty-eight bushels of wheat in the mill, fifty dozen sheaf of oats, four bushels of oats and bran, wheat fan grind stone, scythe and cradle, flare in the sheaf, sugar kettles and clocks, one hundred fifty weight of sugar, three hundred weight of pork and bacon, some flour in the house, some potatoes, a sled, double trees and single trees, one two horse plough and two shovel ploughs, two axes, two forks, one bureau cupboard, two chests, six window chairs, two tables, four feather beds, four under beds, and four bed steads. [This seems like a lot of possessions to trade for five hundred dollars debt.] In 1830 the first law was passed by the federal government that soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War could receive land instead of cash pay. The Virginia Military Survey included thousands of acres in the Northwest Territory (mainly Ohio) and thousands of acres in Kentucky. The land was awarded according to rank and length of time served. General Horatio Gates received at least six thousand acres in Clinton County. Baron Von Steuben, the German who trained many of the American troops, received six thousand acres in Washington Township. These guys never set foot in Clinton County but it was an asset to them. Many of these persons assigned their land to an agent who sold it for them. The original survey numbers are found in the deed. Another treasure to be found is family information. Many of the men who received land died before the land could be sold or they could move to the frontier. When they died any family members (heirs) who were included in the estate must be named. This means the names of children and any daughters who had married would be named as would also their husbands.
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