It is not difficult to see why our ancestors chose to emigrate to America. A look at history shows our ancestors survived the Williamite Wars, which occurred because James, the successor to Charles, declared himself a Catholic with intentions to raise his son as a Catholic. James' daughter, Mary, was a Prostetant and married to William of Orange. Thus, we had the Jacobites against the Williamites and the fighting waged for quite some time. The Ulster Scots began leaving for America in increasingly large numbers during the Williamite Wars and in 1718, the emigation began in ernest as eleven Presbyterian ministers and about 300 members petitioned the governor of New England, Samuel Shute, for a grant of land. As most of this group went to Maine and settled in New Hampshire and Maine and our ancestors settled elsewhere, it is reasonable to believe that they were not among this large group of emigrants. The religious wars in Ireland have been waged for hundreds of years, but our ancestors left after a single century. John, Hugh and Samuel left Ireland for the three counties William Penn established in 1662. They departed Ireland at Londenderry and landed in Boston Massachuttes on October 14, 1718, remaining there until Spring, when they moved to Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. Approximately 300 Scots arrived about the same time and thus there was insufficient housing for the new arrivals. Some had to stay on the boats over the winter and the majority of the Scots who migrated settled in Maine and New Hamsphere. Our relatives choice of a different location is a little odd in light of this and I note that there are records of many Means in the Massachuttes area, so apparently there were other family members who stayed behind.
John Means was a widower with three known children, his first wife's last name was McCord and she was born 1678 in Tyrone.
According to Means in America, copyright 1972 by Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong, John left Ireland from Londenberry, arriving in Boston, Massachuttes on October 14, 1718, remained there through the winter, and then John and his children moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania about 1720. They remained there until his death in 1739 and he is buried in the Deep Run Presybterian Churchyard in Bucks County. John's first wife's name is unknown, but they had the following children:
John married his second wife, Mary Kelley, in 1723. Mary came from Ireland with seven children and settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Quoting from The Means Family in America, edited by Elizabeth Ciseel Foglesong, Copyright 1972:
Of her other children, the following is known:
In the name of God, Amen, I, John Means, of the Township of Buckingham and county of Bucks and Province of Pennsylvania, being weak of body but sound in mind and memory prayed to God therefore do make this my last Will and Testament as follows:
IMPRIMIS. I give to my son William Means all my waring aparril.
Item. I give to my son Robert that part of the land I now hold which was bought by David Law, his paying the demand of David Law.
Item. I give to my son Alexander the two hefers.
Item. I give to my daughter Sara 1 sow pig.
Item. I give to my daughter Ann (Nancy) the benefit of amount of thirty shilling owe from Alexander Rudy.
Item. I give to my daughter Elizabeth, 1 sow pig.
I desire my neighbors, Robert Smith and Richard Norton to assist my wife by way of advise in such things as her business may require. In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of January, One thousand seven hundred and thirty nine.
Sealed and delivered by the above john Means for his Last Will and Testament.
Witnesses - Richard Norton, James Temple, Robert Smith
Mary Kelley Means administered on the Estate, date of her bond, 18 March 1739, 40 pounds security.
WILLIAM:
To quote from the Means Family in America, edited by Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong, copyright 1972 by Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong, printed in the United States of America:
William Means, born probably in Ireland; died probably in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He had already arrived at man's estate (21) when he arrived in America with his fther in 1718. As was mentioned in the account of George Means he was a man of remarkable stature and strength. he married but his wife's name is not known. They settled after their marriage at Quitapanilla Creek, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and had the following known issue:
Robert, John's brother, was probably born in Ireland. His birthdate is not known. He married his step-sister, Nancy Kelly, on September 16, 1742, at the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA. She was 21 years of age. They lived in Bucks County until 1770 when they, with their family and other brothers and sisters, moved to Mifflin County, PA. At an area known as Perguson's Run of the Juniata Valley, and bought land and built cabins for their large family of 10 children. During his sister Nancy's captivity, he also cared for 6 of her children for three years. He lived there until his death in 1779. all four of his sons served in the Revolutinary War, three as Army officers, and one as a Navy Ensign.
William's sister, Nancy, was only one year of age when John brought her to America. She first married William Sloan, having four children prior to his death. She then married John Wasson, having three children by that marriage. In the spring of 1776, they were all living in Peters Township, Cumberland County, PA. Nearby Ft. MCord had fallen to the Indians so Reverand John Steele's Meeting House had been made into a fort to protect the community. They were there when John decided to retun home to plant his crops. Later, Nancy left the seven children at the meeting house and followed to help John. They were attacked and John was killed, scalped, and mutlilated. Nancy was carried off by the Indians and held in the wilderness until December 1, 1759 when she and three others were turned over to Lt. Gov. James Hamilton by Delware Chief Teedysung. Six of her children lived with her brother, Robert, for those years.
In the spring of 1756, we find Ann (Nancy) Wasson living with her second husband , John Wasson, and seven children on a plantation of 460 acres in Peters Twp, Cumberland County PA. These were very dangerous times, as there had been many Indian uprisings, and Fort McCord had fallen with the loss of many lives. Rev. John Steele's meeting House had been turned into a fort for the protection of the women and children of the neighborhood. John had taken his family to the fort for safety and as it was seeding time had returned to his plantation to till the fields. Ann, leaving her children at the fort, returned to assist her husband, and without any warning they were attacked by the Indians. John was killed and scalped. Ann was taken captive.
Without warning they were attacked by the Indians. John Wason was horribly mangled and scalped. Ann Wason was taken captive. The following account is from the Pennsylvania Gazette, Page 108, 1756:
On Wednesday 26th May, 1756 they (the Indians) came to the plantation of John Wason in Peters Township, Cumberland County, whom they killed and mangled in so horrid and cruel manner, that a regard to decency forbids describing it, and afterwards burned his house and carried off his wife. A part of Steele's and Peter's men when out after the enemy, but to no purpose.[The children were sent to live with an Uncle Robert Means]..
Ann Wason was held captive for three and one half years. Some idea of where she spent her captivity can be gained from the following extract from a biography (King of the Delawares. Teedyscung by Anthony F.C. Wallace, pages 211 and 212). At Assinisink (in the southern part of New York) Teedyuscung--only a guest at the conference at the Munsee town--bluntly demanded the Ekoan, the Munsee chief, deliver up to him the thirteen prisoners which Ekoan admitted having. Edoan refuesed even to answer this presumptuous request and Teedyscung was obliged to collect as best he could two elderly white women and two boys, quite naked and destitute, to carry down to Brother Onas (Indian title for William Penn and the government of Pennsylvania)... At the end of November Teedyscung returned to Philadelphia with the four prisoners and six horses to prove his loyalty to the British cause. Ann Wason is identified as one of the elderly women.
On December 1, 1759, Ann Wason was delivered by Teedyuscung to James Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania. The official record of this delivery is found in an original manuscript, the property of the State of Pennsylvania, in the State Library at Harrisburg, which reads:
Memorandum of Ann Wasson: She was taken in the year 1756 in the beginning of May at Caghnehscheeky in Cumberland County, her husband, John Wasson, was then killed scalped. She left seven children about two miles off, and she hope [sic] they are alive some where. She is unable to support herself. She has two brothers some where in Chester of Bucks County.
When she was returned to white authorities, James Hamilton stated to Teedyuscung, Brother; The sight our flesh and blood, after a dedious captivity, gives us great pleasure, and I thank you for the return of the four prisoners, and expect you will continue to do your utmost that all be retuned to us as soon as possible. (Gave a strong of wampum). (Pennsylvania Archives: Fourth Series, Vol. 3. page 6).
The condition of the prisoners is described by Lieutenant Governor Hamilton as being naked and destitute in a messsage he sen tto the Assembly on December 7, 1759....
Just when and where Ann Wason was united with her children is not known, but in Pennsylvania Archives, Eighth Series, Vol. VII, page 5658: showsd the following entry in a list of of expenses of the Commissioners of the Province approved by the Provincial Assembly:
November 10, (1760) Ann Wasden to take to Conegocheague -- L 5-0-0.
In 1769 find Ann Wason is lised as a member of the congregation of Dr. John King at Mercersburg. It is not known when she died or where she is buried.
On Oct. 30, 1772, Thomas Wason, on behalf of himself, his mother, brother and sister, entered a caveat against the acceptance of a survey on Peters Twp. This is the last date on which there is any evidence of her being alive (Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Ser. Vo. 2, pg. 511
Many years later, the remains of John Wasson were found:
In Nov. 1951, while digging a ditch along the South Penn railroad, a farmer uncovered the skeleton of a man believed to be that of John Wasson. The examining pathologist reported that the man was brutally attacked with both a tomahawk and war clubs. Marks on the skull and other indications pointed to a violent death; ribs were fractured by blows to the body, and one of the skeleton's arms was broken by twisting.
John Means, son of William Means was born about 1687 in Basking Ridge, Somerset, New Jersey and died after 1739 in Makefield, Bucks Co. He was buried in Deep Run, Church Yard, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. John married married twice: (1) Dinwitle and (2) Mary (Spencer) Kelley (a widow) [Note: NEW JERSEY MARRIAGE BONDS for Bishop, Daniel, and Rebecca Prickett, spinster, both of Chester Co. of Burlington. April 20, 1752. Bondsman, Thomas Farley. Witnesses; John Means, Luck Tuckniss.]
William Means was born about 1710 in Basking Ridge, Somerset, New Jersey. William married Martha Paine, the daughter of Robert Paine, about 1729. He was buried in Deep Run, Church Yard, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania
Robert Means was born in PA about 1735. In 1756, at about 21 years of age, he married Elizabeth Robertson and they moved to Guilford County, North Carolina, which is now Rockingham County, on Means Creek between Glenns Chapel and the Mayo River near the Virginia line. This was prior to the battle of Guilford Courthouse on March 15, 1781, in which he took part. He had received a grant of 135 acres from the state of North Carolina in 1779 and later purchased more land. Robert left a will in North Carolina.
Last Will and Testament of Robert Means
Rockingham Co, NC Will Book A, pp 259-260
In the name of God Amen, I, Robert Means, of the county of Rockingham and in the state of North Carolina, being at this time weak of body, but of sound and disposed mind and memory, and calling to mind the mortality of my body, knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, and uncertain of the time when, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in manner and form following; that is to say, I commend my soul to God who gave it to me and my body to the earth to be buried in decent and Christian like manner, at the discretion of my executors to be hereafter nominated, an touching my worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me I will and dispose in the manner following:
Robert Means (his mark) Seal
Nehemiah Vernon
Absolom Vernon
John Claybrook
THE HERITAGE OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
Published by the Rockingham County Historical Society
has the following information about Robert Means:
725...Robert Means was granted a parcelof land near Glenn's Chapel and Mayo River in 1779, containing 135 acres, also owning land on Hickory Creek, and later purchased other land.
Robert Means was born ca. 1735 in Pa. He was the son of William Means; he died in 1822 in Rockingham Co., N.C. He married ca. 1756 in Pa to Elizabeth (Betsy) Robertson, born ca. 1737 and died before 1822. Means Creek in the Ayersville and Glenns Chapel area was named after Robert Means ca 1780-1800.
Entry by Zelma Joyce, Scott Sources: The Means Family of America by Elizabeth Foglesong, research by Barnes and Smith Descendants, family Bible, Jamie Smith.
726... Robert Means married Elizabeth Robertson in Penn., and most of their children were born in Penn. Robert Means received a land grant in Rock. Co., N.C. in 1779. The grant was between present day Glenn's Chapel and the Mayo River. He later got another State grant and bought other land in the same area. A creek in this area is named for this family and is called Means Creek today. Most area people do not know why it is called Means as there are no Means living in Rockingham Co today. They have been gone for over 150 years. Only descendants of female Means remain as the others went West to mainly Tenn. and Indiana.
Robert Means served in the American Revolution. He was at the battle of Guilford Courthouse. A grandson states he had often heard his grandfather, Robert Means tell of his experience in the battle of Guilford Courthouse. He thought grandfather Means was in the Militia and not the Continental Army...
Robert Means was supposed to have lived in Virginia a few years before coming to Rockingham County, N.C. Some of his children, prior to 1779, could hae been born in Virginia.
Entry by Jamie Smith. Sources: Wills, Deeds of Rockingham Co., N.C. Census, The Means Family of America, Early Settles of Rockingham and Stokes Counties, Book I.
William was born in PA, but spent most of his life in North Carolina. He was born in 1757 and moved to North Carolina with his parents prior to the Revolutionary War. He joined his father, Robert, at the battle of Guilford Courthouse and probably fought in other tours of duty as a state Militiaman. William was 40 years of age when he married Susan Joyce in 1797. She was the daughter of Elijah Joyce and his wife, Elizabeth Allen Joyce, daughter of Valentine Allen. After his death, all his children moved west, except Patsy Eliza Means Smith. Most of those who moved west settled in Indiana.
The North Carolina Archives have records from William Mean's estate. William died without leaving a will and thus there are records regarding the settlement of his estate.
State of N. Carolina Toby Turn 1826
Rockingham CyIt is ordered by the Court M... A. Philips to survey and the family c.... affidavid to divide the land of Wm. Means Dec viz ..... Bradlove Am Martha Samuel Ayres. His Dotton & Tmiblaybrack and report to next Court.
[Signed by Alyallavarb]
[next page] Executed on the 10th March 1826
[signed] ....Philips
Next document:
Know all men by these presents that we Ina Draper and Celia Draper his wife,
Late Celia Means, of the County of Marion and State of Indina, have made,
ordained, donstituted and appointed and do by these presents make, ordain,
constitute and appoint, John Draper of the County of Marion and State of
Indiana our true and lawful attorney for us and our anems and for our use to
ask, demand, sue for recover and receive of and from Richard Smith of
Rockingham County in the State of North Carolina, all such sum or sums of
money that is coming to us from the Estate of William Means Senior deceased,
late of Rocking County in the State f North Carolina, or in whose hands
soever the same may be found, the said sum or sums of money that which is
coming to us from the said estate of the said William Means Senior,
deceased, of Rockingham County in the State of North Carolina and also all
such other sum or sums of money, debts, goods, owing and demand whatsoever
which one or shall be due owing payable and belonging to us by any means
whatsoever for or on account of our full share and part of the estate of the
said William Means Senior deceased giving and granting to our said attorney
by these [word undecipered] full power and authority in and about the
premises to take and use all lawful ways and means in our names for the
accomplishment of the object aforesaid and upon the receipt of such debts
dues or sum of or sums of money for us and in our names to make seal and
deliver acquittance or other sufficient discharges and generally to do and
perform all other acts and things necessary to be done and performed in and
about the premises as [word undecipered] and fullly to all intents and
purposes as we ourselves might or could do if personally present and
attorneys one or more under him for the purposes aforesaid to make and
constitute and again at [word undecipered] to revoke, hereby ratifying and
confirming whatever our said attorney shall lawfully do in the premises by
virtue of these presents in witness thereof we have here unto set our hands
and seals this twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and thirty eightNotifying and confirming whatever our said attorney shall lawfully do in the premises by virtue of these presents, in witness whereof, we have unto set our hands and seals this twenty-first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight,
Signed sealed and delivered Ira D. Draper
in the presence of for
Adam Wright Celia Draper
Cassandine Enemo MARKState of Indiana
Marion CountyBe it remembered that the above and written named Ira Draper and Celia Draper his wife, late Celia Means, came this day personally before me the undersigned, one of the associate judges of the Marion Circuit Court, and acknowledge that they signed, sealed and delivered the above and written power of attorney as their act and deed for the purposes therein specified and contained, giving away my hand and seal this ... twenty first day of August in the year of our lord one thousand five hundred and thirty-eight.
Adam Wright [seal]
Associate Judge of the
Marion Circuit Court
In the State of Indiana
Marion County
I Robert B. Duncan Clerk of the Circuit Court of the Couty aforessaid do hereby certify that Adam Wright before whom this ... acknowledgments of Ira D. Draper and Celia Draper appear to have been taken was at the time of taking the same on of thiscase of the Means ........... Associate. Judges of said county of Marion hereby elect, confirmed, and qualified to duly ...... and empower by the ... .of ... State of Indiana to take and certify such acknowledgements and to fulfill faith and credit an .... and aught to be given to said officers.
In Testimony whereof, .... office the seal of said Circuit and subscribe my name at Indianapolis, this twenty first day of August A.D. 1838
Robert B. Duncan
[unreadable words]
I William W. Wick presiding judge of the fifth judicial circuit in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that Robert B. Duncan who as clerk ofthis court has made the above written certificate isclerk as aforesaid and that his said certification is one form of law
William W. Wick
[another document]
State of North Carolina
Rockingham County
November 1838
The written power of attorney was produced in open court and is appearing to the satisfaction of the court that the accompanying certificates were in due form of law the said power of attorney together with the certificates was ordered to be registered.
Lest J S Holdenly
State of North Carolina
Rockingham County
A Abracham Perkins Publish Register for .. county do hereby certify that the ..... power of attor & certificate ... duly registeried in book seen on page 115 giving .... my hand in office this 25th day of Dec A.D. 1838
S. Perkins, P.R.
[another page]
State of North Carolina
Rockingham County
J. Thomas T. Sharp petitions register for the county aforesaid do certify that the within division may duly registration 2nd bok of page 35 given [cannot read three words] of office this 1st d... 1826
A page follows with a drawing of the land and proposed division. Platted to 50 poles
The Division of the Lands of Means and [cannot read]
[a line I cannot read]
State of North Carolina
Rockingham County
In persona.. of an order issuing from the Worshipful Court of the county aforesaid attested by Robert Galloway Esquire Clerk of the same .... date February, Sessions.... 1826
Empowering Bergman Breslove-In... Martin; Samuel ...., Thomas Dalton and John Claybrook, commissioners together with .... Philips surveyor of this said county, to divide and make partition of the lands of William Means, deceased.
On examination thereto made we find to contain a hundred and twenty four acres of same .... lying and living on both sides of Hickroy Creek. The waters of the Mayo River in the county aforesaid.
Which we divide and apropriate amongst the heirs and Representatives of said deceased____ who are Alexander Means, John Means; Elizabeth Smith, wife of Edward Smith, Fountain Means, Abigail, wife of George Fee. Robert Means, Wiliam Means, son or William. Nancy Means and Cicley Means, sons and daughters of the deceased
[next page]
The lots:
No. 1 to Robert Means
No. 2 to Cicley Means
No. 3 to John Means
No. 4 to Fountain Means
No. 5 to Elizabeth Smith, wife of Edward Smith
No. 6 to William Means son of William
No. 7 to Abigail, the wife of George Fee
No. 8 to Nancy Means
No. 9 to Alexander Means
No. 1 to Robet Means. Twenty four acres of land_____ Beginning ata post oak then West Twenty poles to Gum Saphin then North one hundred and ninety three poles to [cannot read] Saplin. The corner of No. 2 then East twenty poles to a post and then South with John Means line [cannot read word] of two [cannot read word] of the May River. One hundred and ninety three poles to the first station and contains twenty four acres of land.
No. 2 to Cealey Means... twenty five acres of land beginning at a Hickory Saplin the corner of No. 1 then West [word] of Hickory Crrek, Eighty three poles to a witch hazel bush standin gon the West bank of said Creek and the [word] of No. 3 and with that line South [word] the Creek forty eight poles and a fraction, to a Maple standing in a hollow near a branch and the corner of No. 3..4.5 then with the line of No. 5 East eighty three poles to a Black Oak then North with No. 1 forty eight poles and a fraction to the first Station___________
No. 3 to John Means, Twenty five acres of land beginning at a witch hazel standing on the West Bank of Hickory Creek and the corner of No. 2 then West [word] one branch eighty three poles to a large Black Oak then South forth Eight poles to a persimon bush, the corner of No. 4, and with that line East [word] of Hicckory Creek Eighty three poles to a Maple Standing in a Hollow near a branch the corner of No. 2, 4.5 then with the line of No. 2 north forty Eight poles [word] the Creek again to the first Station; and contains Twenty five Acres of Land_______
No. 4 to Fountain Means Twenty five acres of Land Beginning at a persimon Scrub the Corner of No. 3 then South forty Eight poles, [word] the Creek, four poles to a Chestnut Bush. The corner of No. 7 and with that line East [word] one branch Eighty three poles to a Black Oak then North with the line of No. 5 forty Eight poles to a Maple standing in a Hollow near a branch, and the Corner of #2.3.5 then West with the line of No. 3 [word] the branch again Eighty three poles to the first Station and Containing Twenty five acres of Land.
No. 5 to Elizabeth Smith, wife of Edward Smith twenty five Acres of land Beginning at a Maple the Corner of No. 2:3:4 then South with the line of No. 4 forty Eight poles to a Black Oak then East with the line of No. 6 Eighty three poles to a Hickory Saplin then North with the line of No. 1 forty Eight ples to a Black Oak then West with the line of No. 2 Eighty three poles to the first Station and contains Twenty five acres of land.
No. 6 to William Means, son of William. Beginning at a Black Oak the corner of No. 7 then South with that line forty Eight poles to a Peach Tree the other Corner of No. 7 then Running East with the line of No. 9, Eighty three poles to a post Oak then North with the line of No. 1 forth Eight poles to a Hickory Saplin the corner of No. 5 and with that line West Eighty three poles to the first Station and contains Twenty five acres of land.
No. 7 to Abigail the wife of George Fee Twenty five acres of land. Beginning at a Chestnut Bush starting on the South of the said Hickory Creek four poles and the corner of No. 4 then South forty Eight poles to a Rock the corner of No. 8 and with that line East [word undreadable] on branch of said creek eighty three poles to a peach Tree the other corner of No. 8. Then Running North with theline of No. 6 forty Eight poles to a Black Oak the corner of No. 6 then West with the line of No. 4 [word] the Creek aforesaid Eighty three poles to the first Station and Contains Twenty five acres of land.
No. 8 to Nancy Means twenty five Acres of land. Beginning at a Rock the corner of No. 7 then South [word] on branch forth Eight poles to a Chestnut then East Eighty three poles to a Rock the Corner of the Corner of No. 9 and with that line North forty Eight poles to a peach Tree the Corner of No. 7., 7., then West along the line of No. 7 Eighty three poles to the first Station and Contains Twenty five Acres of land.
No. 9 to Alexander Means Twenty five Acres of land. Beginning at a Rock the corner of No. 8 then East Eighty three poles to a gum Saplin the Corner of No. 1 and with that line North forty Eight poles to a post Oak the Corner of No. 6 and with that line West [word] of one Branch Eighty three poles to a peach Tree the Corner of No. 7 & 8 then South with the line of No. 8 forty Eight poles to the first Station and Contains Twenty five acres of land.
[Word] there is to be added to Each lot rom No. 2 to No. 9 of 49 Inches on the North and South lines of Each lot.
|
Valuation
of the [indistinguishable word] Lots |
|||
No. 1 |
24 acres at |
$2.50 is |
$60.00 |
2 |
25 |
2.50 |
62.50 |
3 |
25 |
2.50 |
62.50 |
4 |
25 |
1.50 |
37.50 |
5 |
25 |
2.00 |
50.00 |
6 |
25 |
2.25 |
56.25 |
7 |
25 |
1.50 |
37.50 |
8 |
25 |
1.25 |
37.50 |
9 |
25 |
1.50 |
37.50 |
224 acres |
$435.00 |
||
| The average Amount is..... | $48.33 |
| No. 1 pay N. 4 | 10.83 |
| 4. Own share in Land | 37.50 |
| 48.33 | |
| No. 1 pay 7 | .84 |
| 2 pay 7 | 9.99 |
| 7 own share in land | 37.50 |
| 48.33 | |
| No. 2 pay 8 | 4.18 |
| 3 pay 8 | 12.80 |
| 5 pay 8 | .10 |
| 8 own shares in land | 31.25 |
| 48.33 | |
| N. 3 pay 9 | 1.37 |
| 5 pay 9 | 1.57 |
| 6 pay 9 | 7.29 |
| 9 own share in land | 37.50 |
| 48.33 |
The undersign [word undistnguishable] duly sworn further appropriate no award; that is to say the properties of the lot number are Robert Means; shall pay the propritor of the Lot Number four Fountain Means; the sum of Ten dollars and eighty three cents and shall further pay again to the propritor of Number Seven Abigal Fee Wife of George Fee the sum of Eighty four cents the properties of lot Number Two, Ceclia Means shall pay to the propritor of the lot number seven Abigal Fee the sum of Nine dollars nd Ninety nine cents and Cealy Means shall pay again to the propritor of the lot number Eight Nancy Means the sum of four Dollars and eighteen center.. the propertor of No. 3 John Means shall pay to Nancy Means the sum of Twelve dollars and Eighty center the propritor of the lot No. 5 Elizabeth Smith wife of Edward Smith shall pay to Nancy Means Ten Cents.The propritors of No. 3 John Means shall pay to the propritors of No. 9 Alexander Means One dollar and thirty seven cents and Elizabeth Sith shall pay again to Alexander Means one dollar and fifty seven cents. The propritor of the Lot No. 6 William Means son of William Means shall pay to the propritor of No. 9 Alexander Means the sum of seven dollars and eighty nine cents.
To all which with the aforesaid division as they are said off [word] and numbered is by these presents submitted to and ratified. In testimony hereof we the underassigned commisioners have hereto set our hand and cause our seals to be affixed on the 10th day of March AD 1826.
William's two older children were twin sons, Alexander and John, born Jan. 20, 1798. Alexander moved first to Jefferson County, Indiana in 1822, where he stayed for three years. In 1825, they moved to Moral Township, Shelby County, near the town of Pleasant View. He not only farmed, but also kept a tavern for several years and installed awood carding machine in Pleasant View; carding the farmers' wool into rolls from which the farm women spun yarn to weave into material for clothing. He and his wife, Elizabeth, had 11 children.
John arrived in Shelby County in 1827, bring with him his brother, Robert, and sister, Nancy, both of whom were unmarried. John bought land next to Alexander, which he farmed. He also helped in establishing the tavern and ran a stage station and was Post Master of Pleasant View for many years. He and his wife, Nancy, had nine children.
The book, Means in America, edited by Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong, Copyright 1972, Published in the United States, states the following concerning these ancestors:
William Means was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina, in 1804. In 1827, he married Morning Belton in Jefferson County, Indiana, but they did not settle in Indiana until 1830 or 1831. His brother Joseph also married in Jefferson, Indiana in 1827. Mary Means and her children and their families seem to have left North Carolina in 1830. William and Morning first settled in Johnson County, Indiana, then Marion County, and later (around 1860), they settled in Shelby County near other relatives.
William went into the distillery business, making Apple Jack, Peach Brandy, and corn and rye whisky in the grand ole North Carolina style. He was also a shoemaker and after he retired from the distillery business, he spent the fall and winter making shoes for his neighbors. William and Morning were the parents of 12 children, including Thomas Pickey Means. William and Mourning were buried in the Joyce Cemetery in Shelby County, Indiana (Moral Township - NW Shelby Co.). This is in Section 12 (SW, NW quarter), Twp. 14N, Range 5E about 1/4 Mile south of Rd. 1100 North on Sycamore Rd. Sits in a field behind a house and barn on the former Gus Neiman farm. The inscriptions follow:
Mourning, wife of William Means - June 14, 1872 aged about 60 yrs.
William Means April 1, 1881 aged about 78 years.
-------- of Wm. Means June 14, 1872 (see Mourning above)
Thomas Pickey Means was born in Indiana on January 3, 1834. He and Elizabeth Simpson were married February 22, 1860 and started housekeeping in Shelby County, Moral Township. She lived only a few years after their marriage, dying between 1867 and 1873, when Thomas married a second time, to Melissa Gofey, on March 2, 1873. She was remembered as a good step-mother. Thomas died January 10, 1908. Marie Boyer, sister of Bertha Means Basey, remembers her in the Means book on page 5: She was still too young to go to school. Thomas, on his way elsewhere on business; stopped by the farm to see them. He told Marie to keep a watch for him and he would wave to her on the way back. But he never came. He had been killed in a horse and buggy accident.
Eli and Tibitha Means : Eli and Tibitha, were distant cousins whose great-grandfather were brothers and they were both born in Shelby County, Indiana, in 1860. They were married on January 28, 1880. They had five children: four girls and one boy. Walter, the son, died before reaching full maturity at 18 years of age and unmarried. Clarie, the eldest, married George Abel, and died after bearing two sons, Roy and Ray, whom Eli and Tibitha raised. Eli and Tibitha also raised LaVonne, the daughter of Marie Boyer. Their youngest daughter, Marie, married Elmer Jackson and then Edgar Boyer. She also had a son, Lester Jackson.
Bertha Mae Means was born April 4, 1897, the fourth born to Eli Clifford and Tibitha Evaline Means. Bertha married Charles Archie Basey on April 22, 1914 and they had two boys and two girls: Herbert was born prematurely on June 17, 1914, and died the same day. Helen Marie was born December 31, 1916 and died with pneumonia six years later on February 25, 1923. Carl Wilbur was born November 2, 1919. Mildred Lucille was born October 30, 1926, was never married, and died on July 10, 1962.
From Bertha Means Basey's notes, as transcribed by Irene Basey
Eli Means was the son of John Fountain and Elizabeth Jackson Means. He was a veteran of the Civil War. He died in 1905 and buried at London. His wife died before my time. children were: Alice Elcina Mohr, Alanzo (who died before my time), John, Nancy, Valentine, George, Mary Bell Mohr, Elizabeth Curry and Jessie Luella Leonard and Eli Clifford (Dad).
There were several 35 or so children of Dad's sisters and brothers, but can't get all their names. This is about all I know of his family.
My grandpa - Thomas Pinkney Means was born January 15 about 1835. he had several brothers and sisters, mostly sisters. I don't know the name of his parents. He died January 10, 1908 buried in Pleasant View cemetery. He married Mom's mother Elizabeth Simpson. They had 5 children: 2 died in infancy She died young. Mother was the youngest child. Tom and Ellen were twins. Ellen died when a young girl.
Tom was married but died with T.B. in 1893. Mom's mother also died with T.B. Later Grandpa married Melissa Ann Daileys Coffey, a widow with 2 children. Then they had 5 children. Three lived to adulthood. Ollis and Gilford Means and Laura Jordan. Ollis was married to Stella Hanes and she died leaving no children. Then he married Flora Burk. They had 6: Raymond, Tom, Ralph, Ann Duncan, Mary Owens, Adda Jones. Gilford had a son Earl. Laura had 6: Ethel, Themla, Estel, Irene Shaw, Lawrence and Charleen Metigger. Mon and Dad were married Jan26, 1888. They had 5 children: Clara born November 13, 1888 died April 22, 1914, left Roy and Ray Abel. Walter died August 1910 at the age of 18.
Maud was born July 18, 1893 died Aug 9, 1964. She was married in 1915, Dec. 29 to Roy Downing who died in 1928, leaving her with 3 children: Clarence, Marie and Bill. Later she married George Wilbur Clark and they had Violet and Maxine. Marie had Lavonne before she was married. Then she married Elmer Jackson and Lester was born. In a few years they separated. Later she married Ed Boyer. Marie was born July 6, 1903. I was born April 4th 1897. Married Archie Basey April 22, 1914. 4 Children were born: Herbert died at birth. Helen died at 6 years. Lucille born October 30, 1926 died July 10, 1962. Carl was born Nov 2, 1919. Not much is known about grandpa's or grandma's ancestors. I was only 10 when Grandpa died. My step-grandma was the only grandma I ever knew. She died Nov. 1919.
Copied December 13, 1979.