From: quinn <rsajaq@erols.com>
To: Bruce Clawson <brclawson@angelfire.com>,
 	Bill Clawsom <BCLAWSON@hntb.com>,
 	Al Paschen <alpaschen@netnitco.net>
Subject: [Fwd: Clawsons]

Attached is the second of two large Clawson files sent me by e-mail.
This one is from John Laird and is an attempt at a family history.  He
attached John m. Lois to the Garret Clawson line.  John is currently
taking a sabbatical from genealogy.

Jim
------------------------------------------------------------------
From: JohnLaird9@aol.com
Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2001 13:13:21 EDT
Subject: Re: Clawsons

Good to hear from you.  I'm a descendant of Josiah Clawson, youngest brother 
of Peter Sr.  I've done extensive work on the Clawsons, compiling information 
from many other sources into one text document.  It's easier to just attach 
that document rather than explain it.  It's in text only format, which means 
that once you've downloaded it -- you open it *through* your word processing 
program.  Let me know what you think and what you might have to add.  I am on 
a hiatus from family history -- not because I'm not addicted to it, but 
because I have a personal project that's overwhelming and it will last about 
a year.  Thanks again for writing.

Best, John

The Garret Clawson Family of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana

The first record of the Garret Clawson family is in southwest Pennsylvania ca 1777.  The father died within a few years.  One son, a Revolutionary War veteran, remained in Pennsylvania, while the other four brothers, one sister, and probably the mother, removed to the southwest Ohio frontier in the early 1790's.  Two brothers and two nephews moved further west to Fountain County, Indiana in 1824.  The remaining family lived in counties in southwestern Ohio.  The common thesis is that the Garret Clawson family came from Holland.  There are many researchers working on at least one line of this Clawson family, and there are conflicting versions of the family's ancestry and history.  

This document seeks to record information about the first few generations--name, birth, marriage, and death dates, and location, as well as various stories contained in county histories and public records-and the substantial work of Charles Clawson--in the hopes of helping those researching this family.  Included is some information published but not necessarily substantiated with the goal of considering different possible theories on potential connections.  This narrative also will provide a list of major sources and also those researching at the end in the hopes of bringing people from similar lines together.  Additional information is always welcomed.

Garret Clawson, Sr./Mary Clawson -- Garrett Clawson Senior and his wife Mary are believed to have immigrated from Holland, eventually settling near Uniontown in what is now Georges Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  There are no known records of the Clawson's immigration, marriage, birth, death, or burial.  Subsequent research points to six children: 1) Peter Clawson, born 1758, died August 1836; 2) Garret Junior, born December 25, 1759, died August 14, 1830; 3) Mary, born about 1762, died between 1805/20; 4) John Clawson, born about 1764, died November 15, 1827; 5) Thomas Clawson, born August 12, 1768, died 18 September 1836; and 6) Josiah Clawson, born May 14, 1775, died June 14, 1827.

There have been some questions raised about proving the relationships as listed above -- but they do tie together in different ways.  Peter, Josiah, and Thomas all purchased land in Ohio at exactly the same time and general location, and Thomas and Josiah traveled to Indiana with two of Peter's sons in 1824.  Thomas granted a small parcel of land to Peter and Mary Shanks in Ohio.  Garret Jr. and Thomas purchased land in the same location in Pennsylvania on the same day, and it also appears that Thomas, Peter, and Mary Clawson all had adjoining land in Pennsylvania.  John went to Ohio near the time of the other three brothers, had a son named Garret, and is listed in a Draper Papers interview both as a brother of Josiah as well as being with Thomas during an altercation with Indians.  Future histories show the Clawson brothers born in Pennsylvania, except John has been listed by some as born in Virginia, which could be consistent due to the fact that southwest Pennsylvania was claimed by Virginia in that period.  

The naming of the next generation also offers clues.  Garret Jr. had children named Thomas, Mary, Garret, Josiah, and John.  Peter had children named Garret, Mary, Josiah, John, and Peter.  Mary had children named John, Mary, and Peter.  Josiah had children named Mary and Josiah.  Thomas had children named Mary, Josiah, Thomas Jr., and Garret.  John had children named John, Josiah, and Garret.

A Charles Clawson narrative (which appears to be the first of two narratives on Clawson family history by Charles), is the best, most descriptive discussion of the Pennsylvania era of our Clawsons: "The immigrant forefather of the Clawson family, his wife Mary, and their children settled near Uniontown, in what is now Georges Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1776 or 1777. Pennsylvania had purchased this territory from the Indians in 1768 and created it as Westmoreland County, but Virginia disputed the Pennsylvania authority. Virginia forcefully retained jurisdiction during the colonial period and erected the counties of Yohogania, Monongalia, and Ohio in the District of West Augusta, a subdivision of Augusta County, which included all the land west of the Allegheny mountains. . .

. . . Garret Clossen, possibly our first forefather, was listed on the muster role of Gaddis' Command, in the Monongalia Militia (no date recorded) at Fort Liberty, which was organized by Thomas Gaddis in September 1776. The name of the fort was soon changed, indicating that the muster role was possibly dated in 1777 or earlier. It was located about two miles south of Uniontown, where a large population of Baptists resided, and close to where the first Baptist Church in the county was organized.

Garret Clawson (Jr.) was drafted into the 13th Regiment of the Virginia line, known as the West Augusta Regiment, in May 1778, and served as a private in Captain Thomas Moore's Company with Uriah Springer as Lieutenant. Their service was entirely in the west, doing duty in detachments at Forts Pitt and McIntosh and along the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny rivers. On September 14, 1778, the 13th was redesignated the 9th Regiment and that was the regiment most reference books list him in. He served for one full year and was discharged on June 1, 1779. Although conscription was not authorized, he and many others were drafted because the various regiments were not able to muster enough men.

The family moved to the west side of the Monongahela river sometime before 1781, and settled about a mile east of the present village of Jollytown, in Greene County, Pennsylvania, then near the western edge of Monongalia County, which became Greene Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. (Greene Township became Greene County in 1796) Washington County was formed out of the District of West Augusta on March 28, 1781, and included all the land west of the Monongahela river and south of the Ohio river, but the dispute over the southern and western boundaries raged until August 23, 1785, when the permanent boundary line was completed. In the meantime, an agreement had been reached, which provided that the settlers be given until April 10, 1788, to convert their squatter's rights on the land before he died, which was passed on to his widow; whereas, Mary Clawson was listed as head of the household on the first tax list of Greene Township, Washington County, in 1781. She was taxed on one hundred acres of land, one horse, and one cow at a value of 22 shillings. (Pa. Archives, 3rd Series, Vol. 22, p. 736) . . .

. . . John Clawson was a private in Captain John Guthrey's Company of the Pennsylvania Militia, in 1782, which was recruited from Whiteley and Greene Townships. (The Tenmile Country, Leckey, 1977, p. 135)

Mary Clawson was again listed on the Assessment Roll for Greene Township in 1784. (The Tenmile Country, p. 135) . . . . It is not known why Mary was not listed on the tax list in 1785. Thomas was not listed on the list until 1789, because he was not required to pay until he attained the age of 21. There is no tax valuation for 1789, but Thomas paid of the higher taxes in the township for that year, therefore, he must have had considerable property.

Garret (Jr.) was warranted, 'Two hundred acres of land, on the waters of Dunkard Creek joining lands of Thomas Clawson and Peter Clawson and on Rudolph Highly's little run in Greene Township', dated October 15, 1787 (original warrant, no. 175) His land was 'appropriated', therefore, it was returned by the government for one reason or another.

Thomas was warranted, 'Three hundred acres of land, including an improvement, joining lands of Joseph Reed's Heirs on the waters of Dunkard Creek in Green Township', dated October 15, 1787. (original warrant, no. 176) His interest was to commence on March 1, 1786, which was the date of improvement, probably a cabin. He was only seventeen years of age at that time. This land is very hilly, of almost mountainous terrain. A small mountain stream, still known as 'Clawson Run', probably named after Thomas, descends a very narrow beautiful valley and flows into Dunkard Creek, which is along a level, wider, and even more beautiful valley. His cabin was probably near the confluence of these two streams. He purchased this land for thirty pounds Pennsylvania currency, the equivalent of about ninety dollars, or about thirty cents per acre. He sold this land to James Bradford shortly before the date of assessment in 1790, but a deed was not recorded because he still owed a balance of twenty dollars and eight cents on the warrant. Each state had their own official currency.

It has been determined that Mary's and Peter's land probably joined Thomas' land in the upper valley of Clawson's Run, which was later warranted to Stephen Gapen. They either owned the land or had rights to it, but did not have Pennsylvania warrants, therefore, it is possible they had Virginia claims. Mary owned 100 acres of land, Peter 150, and Thomas 300, therefore, they controlled 550 acres all together. By viewing this land, it becomes quite apparent that they engaged in the occupation of hunting and trapping, or at least temporarily carried on the tradition of their father, who originally selected this land as a frontiersman. This also substantiates a passage in the, 'History of Montgomery County, Ohio,' whereas, 'A man by the name of Clawson (probably Peter), who was a celebrated hunter, etc.'. (See Ohio chapter) There was, and still is, an abundance of beaver, deer, and other game, but there was only enough level ground to do a limited amount of farming. Thomas had the most ideal farmland, along the fertile valley of Dunkard Creek.

Garret (Jr.) removed to Woodbridgetown (now near Smithfield), Georges Township, Fayette County, sometime before 1790, where he married Kezia Sturgis, daughter of Phineas Sturgis, on July 29, 1790 at the Georges Creek Baptist Church.

Mary probably moved in with one of the children in 1789, as she was no longer listed on any other records. Thomas and Peter both sold their land and disappeared from all records in 1790. It is supposed that they were in transit during the 1790 canvass, and consequently were not counted in the 1790 census.  As far as is known John never owned any land, but he apparently removed at or about the same time as Thomas and Peter. The 1790 census lists a Jonathan Clawson, with wife, and one son under sixteen years of age. Later court records reveal a Jonathan Clawson, who died in 1817, leaving wife Elizabeth and son Josiah. Our immigrant ancestor, probably named Garret, was most likely one of the multitude of frontiersmen or militiamen who lost their life on the Indian frontier." 

The Shanks History, quoted extensively in the section below on Mary Clawson Shanks, Garret and Mary Clawson's presumed daughter, offers a more detailed possibility of Garret Sr., and his wife Mary in this era: "Garrett was listed on the Muster Roll of Gaddis' Command, in the Monogahela Militia (no date recorded) at Fort Liberty, which was organized by Thomas Gaddis in September 1776.  The name of the Fort was soon changed, indicating that the Muster Roll was possibly dated in 1777 or earlier.  The fort was located about two miles south of Uniontown, Greene County, where a large population of Baptists resided, and close to where the first Baptist church in the county was organized.  The Clawson family moved to the west side of the Monogahela River sometime before 1781 and settled about a mile east of the present village of Jollytown, in Greene County, Pennsylvania, then near the western edge of Monogalia County, which in turn became Greene Township, Washington County; this was near Gerrards Fort.  Mary was listed as head of household on the first tax list of Greene Township, Washington County in 1781; Garrett had apparently already died between 1775 and 1781 . . . "

This version is supported by the fact that in Greene County, Pennsylvania, Gilmore Township, just north and east of Jollytown, is a stream named "Clawson Run". It flows south across the state line a few miles away into Maryland.  Nearby in the same township is a stream named "Garrison Fork", which could be named for the family whose daughter married Peter Clawson.

"Jack" Dove, great-grandson of Garret Sr.(son of Sophia, daughter of Thomas, son of Garret, Sr.), wrote a letter from the "Soldiers Home Cal." on April 24th, 1924 that reflects the history of his own family and the Clawsons)and indicates he probably fought in the Civil War.  In part: "My Great Grand Father Clawson[Garret, Sr.] emigrated from Holland he was Duch[Dutch].  Settled in Pennsylvania before the revolution where my grandfather [Thomas Clawson, Sr.] was born and raised." 

According to some Clawson family researchers, Garret Sr. died circa 1780 in the district of West Augusta, Virginia -- which is now located in Greene County, Pennsylvania.  He is shown in 1777 militia records, as described above.  The conclusion as to when Garret died is supported by the fact that Mary appears by herself in a 1781 record, shown below.  Charles Clawson did an incredible amount of work on the early Clawsons, and his history of the Clawson family in Pennsylvania in this period supports this conclusion and is deep in research and rich with historical detail.

Mary is shown in the "Effective Supply Tax" list from 1781 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, with 100 value, one horse, one cow, the two animals having a value of 22(Abraham "Covatt", most likely Covalt, the father of Thomas's future wife Sophia is shown on the same page).  Mary is also shown in the 1786 Pennsylvania state census in Bethlehem Township of Washington County as Mary "Closon".

The Clawsons are shown from 1785 to 1789 in the Greene Township (later Greene County) Tax Records.  In 1785, John and Garrett are shown as single freemen, each with a tax of 10 S (shillings?).  In 1786, John, Peter, and Mary are all shown in Greene Township tax records, with John and Peter each listed for 1 S and 6 D.  Mary was listed for 2S.  In the 1787 tax listings, there are entries for John, Peter, and Mary, with John at 6 D, Peter at 1S, 4D, and Mary at 2 S, 10D.  

In 1788, there is a tax valuation listing as well as the tax records.  In the valuation listing, Peter is shown with 150 (acres?) land, 9S, 0D, 2 horses, 10S, and 1 cow, 2S.  Mary is shown with 100 land, 6S, 2 horses, 10S, and 2 cows, 4S.  John Clawson is shown with one cow, 2S.  In the tax list, Peter is shown with 2S, 2D, Mary is shown with 2S, 2 D, and John is shown with 2 D.  Mary Clawson disappears from these records in the 1789 listing, when Peter Clawson is shown with 3S, 1D, John is shown with 1 S and 2D, and Thomas Clawson is shown as a single freeman with 12S, 4D.  Abraham Covalt is shown in the listings in the same township from 1785 through 1789.

According to Clawson researchers, Mary moved to Ohio in the vicinity of Columbia ca 1791 with her sons Thomas, Peter, and Josiah.  There is no further record of her. 

The Clawson Ancestry -- Much of what we know about the Clawson's ancestry is due to research on different descendants.  There is a good body of work on Thomas done by Charles Clawson, a Thomas descendant.  There is work on the Clawsons done due to links with the Luce, Covalt, and Shanks families.      

The most tangible piece of evidence on the Clawson ancestry comes from "Jack" Dove, great-grandson of Garret Sr.(son of Sophia, daughter of Thomas, son of Garret, Sr.), who authored a notarized letter from the "Soldiers Home Cal." on April 24th, 1924 about his personal ancestry.  In the part about the Clawsons, he wrote: "My Great Grand Father Clawson[Garret, Sr.] emigrated from Holland he was Duch[Dutch].  Settled in Pennsylvania before the revolution where my grandfather [Thomas Clawson, Sr.] was born and raised."

Charles Clawson wrote, in "The Clawson Family in Pennsylvania" about the possible family heritage: "Our Clawson family heritage in America started sometime around the middle of the 1700's.  There are no connected records of our family which can definitely be established before Thomas, only scattered notices about the Clawsons. As stated in the letter by Jackson Dove, Thomas' father was the progenitor of our family, who came to this country from Holland and settled in Pennsylvania.  Family stories handed down from generation to generation suggest that there were several members of the family who came over together, which is evidenced by the fact that at least two other families had the same early history as ours - Cornelius Clawson, born in Holland in 1726, who settled in Pennsylvania, and the Clawson family in Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia). They probably landed at Philadelphia, and family stories again suggest that they first settled in a colony with the other emigrant passengers of their ship, but shortly thereafter moved on to another place. There is no clue as to where they settled first, however, the area where they settled second was probably in the southwest part of Pennsylvania where the first records are found of Thomas, August 12, 1768 - September 18, 1836, and Garret, December 25, 1759 - April 14, 1830, who in all probability, were brothers.

They were both warranted land in Washington County in 1787, and they were both of the Baptist faith as was that of Cornelius. Garret was a private in the 13th Regiment of the Virginia Line in the Revolutionary Army, which was enlisted from southwest Pennsylvania.  D.A.R. Lineage Book 48, Page 208, states that Garret was born in Greene County. This establishes our first forefather as a frontiersman, more often called squatter, because they settled in the wilderness west of the Proclamation Line of 1763. This was Indian territory past the crest of the Alleghenies, which was claimed by England. They forbid the colonists to settle there, but this did not discourage many. Those who did venture across did not have clear title to their land, but expected, or hoped, to eventually get a grant from the government. After finding and clearing their land, many of these frontiersmen became restless and pushed on to pioneer another frontier farther west, as Thomas did. They were usually tough, proud, and persistent with a great capacity to endure. A piece of land meant more to them than the hardships of the wilderness, Indian raids, and disease.

Also listed in southwest Pennsylvania are John in Greene County, Andrew (son of Cornelius) in Washington County, Cornelius Junior and Peter in Westmoreland County, and Peter, Richard, and Josia in Cumberland and Huntingdon Counties. These persons were probably all related and were probably all of the second generation.

Our emigrant ancestors of the first generation may have been named Garret (Dutch, Gerrit), Josiah (Dutch, Jozias), Peter, Thomas, or John, which were all old Dutch names and all popular names handed down from generation to generation. James Timothy Clawson, in his research of the Clawson family, said G. Clawson (possibly Garret), was the father of Thomas, however, there are no records to prove it. It is my opinion that he was born Gerrit Klaassen, but when he arrived in this country the spelling of his name was changed to the phonetic pronunciation - Garret Clawson. This happened to almost all of the early emigrants who spoke with a foreign tongue unless they were well educated and insisted on the old country spelling. He probably did not have any formal school education, as it was with most of the people of that time. By all of the indications, even some of the second generation did not have a formal education, although Thomas appears to have been a shrewd, well educated man."

The Shanks Family History (titled "Shanks Sea To Sea 1760-1994", published in 1995, and researched and published by Wanda Thomas Burns), centered around Joseph Shanks and his wife Mary Clawson --the daughter of Garret Sr., and his wife Mary Clawson.  This work offers a similar version of the Clawson family history: "Peter Shanks, son of Joseph and Mary [Clawson], stated that Mary Clawson was of Holland birth and of Welsh parentage; she immigrated to America in her youthful days and the marriage was celebrated in Pennsylvania about the time of the War of Independence.  John, the oldest son of Joseph and Mary, always stated that the family were Scottish."  The same history also states, listing Charles Clawson as a major source, "Garrett Clawson Senior and his wife Mary immigrated from Holland with their family, settling near Uniontown in what is now Georges Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  It has been said that Mary was from Wales, but we have no proof and her maiden name is unknown at this date.  However, it is established that they came from Holland and had the following known children. . .[the six]" 

Despite the Shanks Family History version above, there is a slightly different version in the 1894 Delaware County Indiana biography of Judge Joseph S. Buckles, who is listed as "a son of Rev. Abraham and Elizabeth (Shanks) Buckles. His mother was Elizabeth Shanks whose parents were Joseph and Eleanor (Clawson) Shanks respectively of Scotch and German descent."

In the "Ancestry of Georgia Loy Quinn", written by Helen Quinn of Springfield, Ohio and self-published in 1989, there is more speculation about the Clawson ancestry: "Most Clawson researchers agree that the immigrant ancestor of Mary Clawson Loy was Gerrit Claussen and that he came from the Netherlands about 1750, probably with his brother Cornelius. They probably settled first near Germantown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, which was Dutch before the Germans arrived.
  
It is thought by some researchers that Gerrit Claussen had four sons: Thomas, Peter, Josiah, and John. The Clawsons migrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to southwestern Pennsylvania, as evidenced by these entries in the Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, Volume 26, page 546: Washington County, Pennsylvania Clawson, Thomas 300 acres 10-15 1787 and Clawson, Garret 200 acres 10-15-1787. In the 1790 census of Pennsylvania, there are these Clawsons: Huntingdon Co. p. 122 Peter Clawson: one male over sixteen, four under sixteen and two females; Josia Clawson: one male over sixteen; Richard Clawson: one male over sixteen, four under sixteen and three females. In Washington County, p. 248: John Clawson, one male over sixteen, one under sixteen and one female.  In Fayette County, p. 106, Garrett Clawson, one male over sixteen; in Bucks County, p. 46, John Clawson, three males over sixteen, two under and five females; John Clawson, one male over sixteen and two females, and on p. 53, John Conrad Clawson, one male over sixteen, one under and two females. . . Descendants of the immigrant, Cornelius Clawson, migrated to Butler County, Ohio, in 1802."

Based on all this information, the most likely ancestry is Dutch.  It is rumored that Charles Clawson was frustrated at the inability to find earlier records that might help solve this mystery.  Thirty years have passed since Charles did the bulk of his research, and with the advent of the internet and the transcribing of additional early records, further research might be warranted--considering variations on the name, what might be able to be found about Dutch settlements in Lancaster County, what might be able to be learned from the ancestry research on other early Clawson lines mentioned above, and some inquiry about the places in New Jersey where many of the Pennsylvania and Ohio families, associated with the Clawsons in those years, came from.   

Clawsons on the Ohio Frontier.  Only Garret Jr. remained behind in Pennsylvania.  Mary and her sons Thomas, Peter, and Josiah appear to have gone to Ohio as early as 1790.  Son John and daughter Mary either went to Ohio near that time or a few years after.  Many of their experiences were common,  so the early Ohio years are presented here with added historical perspective.

The best narrative specifically on the Clawsons in early Ohio again comes from Charles Clawson.  While pieces of the story follow from other sources, Charles Clawson's description is first to put them all into perspective: [NOTE: Charles had a section on Thomas serving at Fort Pitt in 1791, with General St. Clair, but concluded that this Thomas was "not our Thomas". I find in other notes that there was a belief that this Thomas was born in New Jersey.]

"Peter, Josiah, their mother Mary, and probably others, arrived in Ohio at about the same time as Thomas, and resided in or near Columbia. Thomas and Peter were required to volunteer in the local militia in January 1792, according to the Militia Returns, Rolls of Companies, 1792-1799, 'Militia Volunteers from the Territory west of the river Ohio, from the 25th of January to the 27th of January 1792, inclusive: Privates, among others, Thomas Clawson
and Peter Clawson'.

Thomas, and possibly other members of the Clawson family, probably settled amongst the settlers of Covalt's Station in February 1792, where Thomas became acquainted with Sophia Covalt, the daughter of Abraham Covalt, who founded Covalt's Station in the untamed 'Indian Country'. Abraham was a stalwart man with considerable Indian fighting experience. He served as a Captain of 'Minutemen' or 'Indian Spies' during the Revolutionary War in Bedford County (now Fulton County), Pennsylvania. After the war, he and his family removed to Greene Township, Washington County (now Greene County), Pennsylvania, and settled a short distance west of Gerrard's Fort, and were reasonably close neighbors of the Clawson family by a distance of fifteen miles. They may have known each other, but there is no evidence to substantiate it. Abraham and his family left Pennsylvania on the first of January 1790, accompanied by seven other families totaling forty-five persons, plus twenty head of cattle, seven horses, swine, sheep, and farm implements. They had two flatboats of their own construction, one for the families and the other for the livestock. They arrived at Columbia, at the mouth of the Little Miami River, on January 19th, and at their final destination about a week later, where they constructed a stockade fort known as Covalt's Station. During that early pioneer era, stockade forts, known as stations, were strategically located throughout the Miami Purchase for the mutual safety of the settlers, where patches of ground could be cleared and cultivated. Covalt's Station was established in January 1790, one of the first in the Miami Purchase, and was the most distant outpost. It was situated on an elevated plain on the west bank of the Little Miami River approximately nine miles north of Columbia, which is now part of the suburban village of Terrace Park. It was constructed in a square with a strong blockhouse at each corner. Seventeen small cabins were arranged between the blockhouses to form the outer walls, with the roofs sloping inward to fortify against Indian intrusion as much as possible. Openings between the cabins were closed by tall pickets. The plain around the fort was cleared of trees and improved for planting, which was separated from the hills on the north by a deep ravine and small stream, known as Covalt's Mill Run, later known as Mill Run, but more recently referred to as Redbird Creek, where Abraham built the first grist mill in the Miami Purchase. A marker commemorating Covalt's Station now stands in the courtyard of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Terrace Park, which is on the north side of the plain at the edge of the ravine. The fort was a short distance south of this marker and the mill was downstream of the marker, closer to the river.

The Indians were extremely hostile, invading the fort on occasion, but usually prowling in the vicinity and attacking individuals or small groups outside the fort. In June 1790, Abraham Covalt Jr., while hunting with companions, was killed and scalped a few miles north of the fort. A month later, a friend of his was killed near the fort on his return from Columbia. On March 31, 1791, Abraham Covalt, two of his sons, and Joseph Hinkle were making shingles a short distance form the fort when they were attacked. As told by his daughter, Mary (Covalt) Jones, 'Hinkle was not shot, but his head was half cut off with the tomahawk and then scalped. Captain Covalt was wounded in two places, one ball passed through his breast, the other through his arm. He told his sons to make their way to the fort, that he was wounded. He ran with axe in hand about a hundred yards and fell across a log with his arm under his head. The scalping knife soon robbed it of the auburn locks that clustered round his noble brow.'  Timothy, his oldest son, witnessed the massacre and reported that 'Abraham was shot by the Indians two or more balls taking effect, he was then scalped and tomahawked. This deponent being within eighty or ninety yards distant at the time.'  They were all buried near the fort.

In the summer of 1791, General Arthur St. Clair asked for volunteers from all the stations to join with him to fight against the Indians in the upcoming campaign. All the able bodied men from Covalt's Station complied, but this left their settlement so weakened that the remaining families had to temporarily move to Gerard's Station, a short distance east of Columbia. Very few men returned from that battle, which was the infamous 'St. Clair's Defeat', but by February 1792, there were enough new settlers to reoccupy Covalt's Station, and it is believed that Thomas and maybe other members of the Clawson family were among those newcomers. A complement of twenty soldiers was also stationed there for the protection of the settlers. Their barracks was located a short distance west of the fort, at the present address of 601 Wooster Pike. One of the soldiers was John Dove, who married Lucy Covalt, sister of Sophia. The Indians then became more troublesome. There were several more skirmishes and a few more settlers were killed and scalped, but the fort was never breached. After General 'Mad Anthony' Wayne defeated the Indians in late 1794, all hostilities stopped, but by then five settlers and one soldier had been killed, and three settlers had been captured, never to be heard from again, and presumed to have been killed. After the treaty with the Indians was signed on July 30, 1795, the land as far north as the Greenville Treaty Line was to be opened for settlement as soon as it could be surveyed.

Thomas Clawson and Sophia Covalt were married in November 1794, by John Smith, the first ordained minister of the Baptist Church of Columbia, although they were not members of that congregation because the distance was too far to travel through Indian country. It is supposed that they became members of the Little Miami Island Baptist Church, located on an island a short distance below Covalt's Station, when it was organized by John Smith in 1795, however, it was disbanded in 1816, and no records have been found. There is no evidence that Thomas was affiliated with any other church before he married Sophia, but he became a very religious member afterwards. Abraham Covalt had contracted with Major Benjamin Stites in 1787 or 1788 for the purchase of his land in Ohio. Major Stites was a personal friend from the Goshen Baptist Church in Pennsylvania, and was the founder of Columbia, who also instigated the Miami Purchase. Because of the urging of Major Stites, Judge John Cleve Symmes had petitioned the government for the purchase of approximately one million acres of land between the Miami Rivers at 67 cents per acre. At that same time, the government was selling land to individuals at two dollars per acre in 640 acre sections with restricted credit terms. Judge Symmes proposed to offer his land at half that price for smaller lots with more liberal credit terms, but there was a dispute over the boundary and title for several years to come. A clear title to Covalt's Station depended on Judge Symmes' satisfactory arrangement with the government, and finally, in September 1794, Symmes received a patent for approximately one fourth of his original petition, the acreage he could pay for under an act of 1792, with the remainder still in dispute. Because of the decease of Abraham, a deed was issued to his son Cheniah on June 4, 1795, for the following tracts of land in the 5th Township, 2nd Fractional Range:

"110 acres, all of fractional Section 22; 318 acres, all of fractional Section 23; 461 acres, all of fractional Section 28; 320 acres, south half of fractional Section 30.

A total of 1,209 acres were purchased for the sum of 806 dollars in 'certificates of debts due from the United States', the equivalent of $1.50 per acre. Cheniah transferred fifty acres of the northeast corner of Section 23 of Covalt's Station to Bethuel Covalt on January 29, 1796, which was clearly described the improved land and Covalt's Mill Run. Thomas Clawson was a witness. On that same date, Bethuel sold the same land, and again, Thomas was a witness. That parcel of land eventually became the village of West Milford.

A return for Columbia Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, householders. Daniel Reed, Assessor, August 22, 1796: Clawson, Thomas 246 acres, $.89; Clawson, Josiah, 190 acres, $.75; Clawson, Peter, 0 acres; Covalt, Geniah, 406 acres, $1.80; Covalt, Timothy, 240 acres, $.94; and Covalt, Bethuel, 340 acres, $1.29.

The location and disposition of the above Clawson lands is unknown. There are no existing records, therefore, they may have been relinquished due to the Symmes land dispute.

Thomas apparently contracted with Judge Symmes for a parcel of land in Section 31, near Bellbrook in Green County, where he and his young family settled sometime between 1797 and mid-1799. Thomas was received into the Middle Run Baptist Church of Bellbrook by experience on August 24, 1799, the first month after it was founded, and Sophiah was received by experience on September 21, 1799. They were granted a letter of dismission on January 24, 1801, and removed to Centerville in Montgomery County, a distance of about five miles west, where they were received into the Sugar Creek Baptist Church of Centerville by letter on January 30, 1801. They were both baptized on May 23, 1801, at Middle Run, which was after they had transferred. Several people were baptized on the same date, therefore, the occasion was probably an Association meeting.

Peter was listed as living in Anderson Township (east of Columbia) in December 1799, and apparently departed without fulfilling some of his obligations. A notice was placed in the 'Western Spy and Hamilton Gazette' (Cincinnati newspaper) on May 8, 1802, 'The public are cautioned against received two several obligations given by the subscriber (Abraham Demott) to Peter Clawson, the one for $90 payable the first of December 1802, the other for $100 payable the first of December 1803, as the said obligations were obtained from the subscriber without consideration and he is determined not to pay them.' Most of the Clawson clan were in Centerville by 1801, including Peter. John, an older brother of Thomas, came from Pennsylvania in 1800 or 1801. Mary (Clawson) Shanks arrived in 1803, and Timothy Covalt, brother of Sophia, and his wife Sarah, joined them in 1805. Although there was no membership list of Sugar Creek Baptist Church, Thomas and Sophia Clawson, Mary Clawson, Joseph and Mary Shanks, and Sarah Covalt were members, according to the minutes of the business meetings. Josiah Clawson married Sophiah Luce on December 15, 1801, by Daniel Clark, Minister of the Gospel, probably at Sugar Creek. Sophia was the daughter of John Luce, who was received into the Sugar Creek Baptist Church, with his wife, on March 1, 1800. Daniel Clark was a circuit riding preacher, who followed the Clawson migration route from Pennsylvania to Columbia, Covalt's Station, Bellbrook, and Centerville. His preaching circuit included Sugar Creek on the first Lord's day of each month, and Middle Run on the fourth."[end, this section of Charles Clawson narrative]

As stated above, the Clawsons were very involved with the Covalt family in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. The book "Descendants of Covalt/Covault/ Covolt", written by C. Richard Covault and published in 1990, gives additional information useful in the Clawson family history. Abraham Covalt served with the Pennsylvania line in the Revolutionary War, was a devout Baptist, and founded Covalt's Station in the Ohio frontier in 1789. The Clawsons lived near Abraham in Pennsylvania prior to the establishment of the Ohio settlement; Abraham's daughter Sophia married Thomas Clawson; Abraham's son Cheniah served with Josiah Clawson in the Scouts and Spys; Abraham's grandson Jonathan married Garret/Mary's granddaughter Eleanor Shanks; and Abraham's grandson William married Hannah Clawson, also presumably a grandchild of Garret and Mary.

Abraham purchased tracts of land on the west side of the Little Miami River in the Ohio wilderness in the Symmes Purchase. Major Benjamin Stites of Redstone, PA, a fellow Baptist, was involved in the purchase and it is speculated in the Covalt book that Abraham, probably with Major Stites, made at least one voyage to the Ohio country to select the land.

Mary Covalt, Abraham's daughter, recounts that initial trip with forty-five settlers -- including twelve Covalts -- to the original settlement(a portion of her statement was included in the Charles Clawson narrative): "The group left the First of January 1789 and arrived at the mouth of the Little Miami River the 19th of January 1789" at what is now called Columbia. The Covalt book picks up the story: "The float trip was made in two flat bottom boats, one 55 feet in length, the other 40 feet. One boat carried the farm implements and 20 head of livestock, including cattle, swine, sheep and seven horses. One boat carried millstones for a grist mill. Apparently the Captain prepared carefully for the success of this new community. One of the men, Joseph Hinkle, was a millwright."

"A tent camp was set up at Columbia for the women and children while the men went up the Little Miami River to build a fort. The site selected for Covalt's Station was at Round Bottom, twelve miles up the river from its mouth and a little below the present site of Milford. It is believed to be the first station, properly so called, to be erected in the Miami Valley. This site, now Terrace Park, at the confluences of the East Fork of the Little Miami River and the main river, was a natural one."

"The usual plans for forts was a rectangle with cabins on the inner walls, with a block house at each corner. However, Captain Abraham modified the basic plan to protect the stock. From a drawing, by Lt. Cornelius Sedam to General Josiah Harmer dated 31 January 1791 shows how the fort was modified, with 17 cabins to a side and two areas for the livestock. This made a large structure covering 40,000 square feet, about the size of Fort Washington.  A mill was constructed of round logs between the fort and the river, with a tub wheel or a small overshot wheel. Early mills of this type were commonly called corncrackers and capable of grinding two or three bushels of meal a day.  It's hopper was filled in the morning and left to turn non-stop for the day. The Covalt Cemetery was probably sixty feet from the mill."

"Mary Covalt's narrative tells of the hardships of frontier life, its sudden violence of Indian attacks and the deaths of loved ones. Her brother Abraham Jr. was killed in the latter part of January 1791, her father in March 1791.  The station was abandoned in the fall of 1791 during Gen. St. Clair's hapless expedition against the Indians. The inhabitants moved to Garrard's Fort, which was easier to defend, returning to the Covalt Station the following spring.  Like many of these stations in Hamilton Co., following Gen. Wayne's victory over the Indians and the signing of the Greenville Treaty in 1795, the Covalt Station was abandoned and reportedly burned in 1810. Prior to the demise of the Station the property was sold to Samuel Heighway on 29 January 1796 for $200." He later sold the track to Christian Rue on July 24, 1806 for $959.

The Covalt book states about Thomas Clawson that: "Various records indicate that Thomas, his mother Mary and two brothers removed to the vicinity of Columbia, OH in 1791.  They settled among the settlers of Covalt's Station in February, 1792. Shortly after the Indian incursions ceased.  Thomas married Sophia Covalt, at the First Baptist Church of Columbia. The Covalts had been long standing members of the Baptist faith, where Thomas became a devout  member."

Josiah would have been about sixteen at the time the family reportedly moved to Covalt Station. By 1794, when he would have been nineteen, he was serving with Cheniah Covalt in the Scouts and Spys.  While the Covalt book indicates that Thomas moved to Ohio in 1791, there is no reference to Thomas, his mother, or any of his brothers (except Garret, who remained behind in Pennsylvania) in the 1790 census.  It is worthy of research to see if there were any land sales in Pennsylvania by the Clawsons that might indicate a time of the move west. 

One other interesting connection about Covalt Station comes from the 1881 Fountain County (Indiana) History.  In a biography about David Dove, a Newtown farmer, the ancestry of the Doves is discussed and John Dove is mentioned as "one of the garrison at Covalt Station, a frontier outpost".  Jonathan Dove married Sophia Clawson, Thomas and Sophia Clawson's youngest child.

The Clawson's presence was confirmed in the Draper Papers, interviews done in the mid-1800's by Lyman Copeland Draper.  The Papers contain 18th and 19th century Americana and were acquired by Draper for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.  From the Draper Papers Series CC, Volume 13, Notes of 1842 Interviews by Rev. John D. Shane, #26. Levi Buckingham (Page 89): "Came down from the Red-Stone, Spring of 1789. Latter part of April. Staid little better than a month. Then returned and came down again in the next Spring - 1790. Mr. Covalt came down a little before I did, it may be a few days. We went back together. While here, we came up to this place, and we looked at the lands. It was all surveyed by this time. David McKinney, Covalt, a surveyor, & c. and myself came up. There were 4 or 5 of us. Covalt had been up before, and picked out where Ready's is, and that same fall after me came back, built a station. McKinney. Closson. 3 acres for one dollar."

Draper Papers. Series CC. Volume 13. It is unclear who the following interview is with, but is appears to be right after the Levi Buckingham interview. It reads: "John Closson, and others, were at work in John Smith's meadow, mowing, and they stopped to drink with them. They were out far from White's Station.  They were waiting, I think, to get something more. Bailey and Si Closson, Bro [Brother]: to John Closson, were out all one summer, spying between Fort St. Clair and Fort Hamilton. = ((They stopped to drink with them - i.e. Stites and Ruder stopped?)) After they ((that is S & R)) went on, they heard the indians say yo ho to stop their horses so they could shoot; and could see their handkerchiefs above the flash of the gun. The place behind the logs was all scraped clean (Page 65) so they could lie clean, and make no noise. Stites threw himself down on his horse's neck, and the bullit went right over, and wounded Ruder, so that he dropped his shoe. They were riding side and side, so close they could touch. Stites was riding a horse, so quick starting, that just say go, and he started off, and throwing himself forward so, he supposed the spurs ran into him, so that he made an uncommon start. Looking back, he saw some 4 Indians following; and calling to Reeder, said, Why don't you hurry on? The Indians will get you. He said he couldn't his young mare was not used to going without the whip. Only threw up her head, when the bridle was jerked. Stites knew their guns were empty, or they would have shot him again, and so they looked back and saw the Indians standing on a dividing ridge, looking after him.

Silver spurs & high topped boots ((Who had - Baily, or Closson, or Stites, or Ruder or the Indians?)) Indians near enough to throw their tomahawks. ((That is, when they shot at Stites & Ruder?))

Draper Papers. Series CC, Volume 13. P. 109. Unclear who the interview was with. " . . . Levi Buckingham, Richard Fletcher, and Abraham Covalt, son of this old man, were out hunting. Abraham Covalt in front. He was shot in front, on the Miami, above Covalt's station. Where he was shot, Levi Buckingham ran up a hill, and Dick F. along the hollow, till he stumbled and fell, where he lay as dead still the Indians passed and were out of sight, pursuing Covalt, whom they saw to be wounded. By the time they overtook him, Fletcher was up and gone. They run on down the bottom towards the Fort. He escaped by the same awkward stumbling while running in some future campaign.

Major Riggs, and perhaps some others, were killed at Covalt's Station after I was there.

John and Thomas Closson went out on hearing a gun fire; and found an Indian who had chased and perhaps caught a horse belonging to old Mr. Bailey. They shot the Indian at the place, which was always after that called Indian-run."

A second good summary of the Clawson's early years time in Ohio comes in an article from the Centerville Historical Society's 1977 publication, "A Sense of Place in Centerville and Washington Township", in an article about the "Thomas Clawson-Robert McEwen House" in Centerville, Ohio:  "Thomas Clawson came into the Northwest Territory from Fort Pitt in the Army of General Arthur St. Clair; and he had fought in the unsuccessful campaign at Fort Recovery in 1791.  The next year he was joined by his brother Peter in the Militia Volunteers from the territory west of the Ohio River.  There is no record that the third brother, Josiah, was with them in the militia service.

"After General Wayne's victory over the Indians in 1794, the brothers contracted with John Cleves Symmes to purchase land in Washington Township.  Peter and Josiah obtained land containing good mill streams in the northwest quadrant of the township.  Thomas made his purchase of land in the southwest quadrant on what is now Yankee Street.

"When the first preemption act was passed by Congress in 1799, the Clawsons lost their right to the land they had purchased from Symmes, and were required to re-purchase it from the Federal Government.  Thomas made his first preemption payment to the Cincinnati Land Office on December 29, 1801; but the payment was for land in the northwest quadrant instead of his original holdings in the southwest part of the township.  Peter and Josiah also had to re-purchase their land from the Federal Government."

"Thomas Clawson was quite active in local affairs having served as the first Township Treasurer, and as a manager of The Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Company of Woodbourne.  The house was built a short time after 1802; family tradition indicated 1806.  It was very large for its time . . . Clawson sold the house to Richard Haines in 1824 . . ."

Josiah Clawson (also spelled Closson) was shown as having enlisted in the "Scouts and Spies, Kentucky" from July to November 1794.  The muster card reads, "Muster Roll of a company of spies under the command of Capt. Ephraim Kibbey, doing duty with the Legion of the United States, commanded by Major General A. Wayne."  Also enlisted was Jeniah Covalt, of the family that Josiah's brother Thomas married into, and who had established "Covalt's Station" in Columbia, Ohio, where the Clawsons were reported to have settled.  Josiah was listed as a private, his service from July 15 to November 9, his salary forty-one dollars per month for a total of $118 during his service.  He was shown as mustered present on July 15 and July 24.

[HISTORICAL NOTE: In 1790 Congress authorized the President to call the militia of Virginia, Kentucky, and western Pennsylvania to assemble at Fort Washington (Cincinnati) to move against Indians in the Ohio area.  An army of between fourteen and fifteen hundred men, less than a fourth of whom were regulars, was placed under the command of General Josiah Harmar.  They burned villages and destroyed supplies of corn, but some were routed by the Indians.  Arthur St. Clair took over as general, and envisioned forts every twenty-five miles from the Ohio River to Lake Erie.  Many in the army deserted, and there was a major defeat in November, 1791, in which St. Clair was shot.  

St. Clair was replaced by General Anthony Wayne in April 1792.  He gathered twenty-five hundred men near Pittsburgh and proceeded in the spring of 1793 to Cincinnati.  He built Fort Recovery in December 1793 on the site of St. Clair's defeat at Fort Greene Ville.  Fort Miamis was rebuilt in April 1794.  In the valley of the Auglaize, Fort Defiance was built.

The 1958 "A History of Ohio", further states "Overtures of peace having been proposed by Wayne but not accepted by the enemy, he advanced down the Maumee Valley, and the two armies met on August 20, 1794, at Fallen Timbers (above the present Maumee), so-called because there were many dead trees felled by a hurricane some two years before.  The enemy army consisted of somewhat under two thousand warriors, commanded by the Shawnee Blue Jacket, as Little Turtle--the ranking chief--had disagreed with the proposed arrangements.  The battle had been carefully planned, and the Americans charged in open order in two lines with horsemen on the blanks.  In less than an hour the Indian army was in flight, and, as Theodore Roosevelt wrote, the Americans had won the greatest battle of forty years of warfare with the tribesman.

For three days the Americans continued the work of devastation, after which they retired up the Maumee and eventually reached the juncture of the St. Joseph and St. Mary's rivers (the scene of Harmar's defeat), where a fort was erected by Colonel Hamtramck and named in honor of the victory of the recent campaign.  Wayne himself was back at Fort Greene Ville in November."]

The Butler Co., Ohio, 1882 History and Biographical Cyclopaedia  [pp. 11-15] contains two interesting pieces of correspondence from 1792.  The first one refers to a Clawson who served as a scout.  It could be either Thomas, or Peter, who had enlisted in the militia sometime in 1792, according to the Centerville history account.  It could also be the Thomas listed as being in Pratt's company, who appears in my notes and a Charles Clawson reference to be from New Jersey and not our Thomas.  The second piece of correspondence below refers to Pratt's company:

To: "Brigadier-General James Wilkinson."

"Dear Sir,- BAILEY and CLAWSON left this on the night of the 7th, which was the evening of the day they arrived. They reported that, two miles on the other side the Seventeen Mile Creek, about half-past five o'clock P.M., they saw three Indians standing in the road, with their faces toward St. Clair, and about one hundred and fifty yards in their front.  They took to the left of the road in order to make the fort for which they were bound. A foot from the road, in crossing a branch, they saw two watching at a lick; in running down the bank their belts broke, and they lost their packets, after which, at a little distance, they saw two-more Indians, who pursued them. They say they heard the savages in pursuit until yesterday ten o'clock, when they struck a creek, the center of which they took and kept until they struck the river- I suppose ten miles.

"Yours, with great respect,
"John Armstrong.
"Fort Hamilton, June 11, 1792."

On the same date, General Wilkinson writes: 

"Fort Washington, June 11, 1792. 

"Dear Sir,- I this morning received your letter of last evening, and  regret the accident which has befallen my last dispatches, though I think it as fifty to one the enemy have not got them, for it is probable they were not in view when the papers were dropped, and if they were, their attention would have been too much engaged to regard the packet. 

"By this conveyance you will receive the iron, hemp, and two scythes, etc. I have ordered HODGSON to send out the window-glass, and every other article which has not been heretofore furnished, and to strengthen your garrison I send you the fragment of Pratt's company at this place.  One-half the scythes, fairly assorted, must be sent forward to Fort Jefferson, and I must flatter myself that you will employ your utmost exertions to procure the largest quantity of hay profitable in your neighborhood. This is, indeed, an object of great magnitude. When the grass is finally secured, it is my purpose to throw a small quantity of salt among it, in order to render it palatable and nutritious. I this momentous business you shall command every requisite aid, and must duly notify me of every want. 

"The lieutenants stationed with you and at St. Clair are to accompany  Lieutenant Hartshorn to Fort Jefferson, where they are to continue for the security of the bullock and grass guards at the post. The regular transport of provisions which are now about to commence will furnish frequent opportunities of writing, and, as the horse will make their head-quarters with you, you can at any time employ a party to come on to this post. I expect one hundred mounted riflemen from Kentucky in six or seven days, engaged for three months to ply on the communication to Jefferson.

"With much esteem, I am, dear sir, yours sincerely,
"James Wilkinson,
"Brigadier-general. 

"N.B.- You must consider the order restraining the movement of the  commanding officers of posts as done away, and are to exercise your  discretion. The cavalry are to receive your orders after they return  from Jefferson. 

In the same Butler County history, pp. 16-20, there is a reference to a Josiah Clawson taking an oath as a scout and spy in 1792.  Our Josiah was probably in southwest Ohio at the time, only seventeen, but is shown in muster records to have enlisted in the scouts and spies in 1794.  That passage from the history follows:

Much of the success obtained by our army in 1794 was owing to the experience gained by the spies, who were active, vigilant woodsmen, and watched the movements of the savages with unceasing vigilance. It is to be wished we could have had the names of those who thus acted, as well as of the garrison in the fort, but they are no longer preserved. Some of them have been left to us, however, and are given in the following paper:

AGREEMENT 

"We, the subscribers, having engaged as spies, scouts, and messengers in the service of the United States to be stationed at Fort Hamilton, St. Clair, and Jefferson, do covenant, bind, and oblige ourselves to receive, obey, and, as far as may be in our power, carry into effect all the lawful commands which may from time to time be given us by the commandant of the post where we may respectively be stationed, for and in consideration of which we are, by agreement with Lieutenant-colonel Commandant Wilkinson, to be subsisted with a Continental ration per day to each of us, and are to receive one dollar for every day of our service, from the time of muster until discharge.

"As witness our hands, at Fort Washington, the 12th of May, 1792.

"Daniel GRIFFIN,  John FLETCHER, Daniel CAMPBELL, Josiah CLAWSON, Resin BAILEY, Joseph SHEPPERD."

[NOTE: In the correspondence above, it mentions both Bailey and Clawson as scouts, maybe the two by that name that were signators above.]

A passage in "The Frontier Republic: Ideology and Politics in The Ohio Country 1780-1825", by Andrew R. L. Cayton, describes the background on the Symmes Purchase and the resulting predicament for settlers like the Clawson brothers: "The Federalists' insistence on restrained development and national control seemed absurd; society, they believed, worked far more harmoniously if men were left alone to decide what their best interests were, if power was in the hands of locally elected officials and not in those of arbitrary officials appointed by a distant national government.

Many settlers in the Miami Valley were coming to the same conclusion in the late 1790's. Hundreds of immigrants to that region had bought land from the speculator John Cleves Symmes, and thereby had become caught in a web of legal and economic difficulties created by Symmes's greed and congressional negligence. 

A native of New Jersey, Symmes had purchased several hundred thousand acres from Congress in 1788 and simultaneously secured an appointment as one of the first three judges of the Northwest Territory.  Sympathetic to the Federalist vision of the West in the beginning, Symmes quickly proved to be more interested in making money through the rapid resale of his land. The exact boundaries of his purchase remained unclear, a situation that the eager Symmes exploited by selling land outside of the legal limits of his purchase.

The judge further complicated matters by failing to meet his installment payments to Congress. Thanks to the effective lobbying of his friends Elias Boudinot and Jonathan Dayton, Congress extended Symmes's purchase to cover his illegal sales. In 1794, the judge received a final patent for 311,682 acres extending northward from the Ohio River between the Little and Great Miami rivers.

Symmes had not learned his lesson, however. He continued to sell land beyond the limits of his patent. 'As an American,' he told friends in an echo of the claims of squatters, he had 'the right of Adam to the soil . . . founded in prior occupancy.'  Such assertions did little for the settlers who paid Symmes for land only to find their titles declared invalid by the territorial government. Under the federal Land Act of 1796, they were asked to pay two dollars per acre for the land they had already purchased from Symmes.  The government, of course, did not recognize their transactions with Symmes and argued that their land was still the property of the United States. A 1797 congressional act granting preemption rights offered settlers little relief because it required full payment within two years.

Governor St. Clair's efforts to protect the interests of the government outraged Symmes and brought the two into open conflict along lines similar to those of the Massie-St. Clair dispute. Again, the underlying issue was local versus national control of territorial society and development.  Judge Symmes's quarrels with St. Clair and Secretary Winthrop Sargent and his anger at the federal government's insistence on the original boundaries of his purchase led him to an increasingly strident defense of local and popular rights against the governor's 'acts of tyranny' and his 'arbitrary conduct'.

The 'Migrating Multitudes,' as the Symmes purchasers called themselves, were just as outraged at their predicament. 'There are great numbers sate (sic) down upon verbal contracts,' St. Clair informed Secretary of State Timothy Pickering.  Having paid cash to Symmes, which 'he positively refuses to return,' and unable to make payments to the government, many people in the Miami Valley found themselves squeezed between Symmes's determination to hold the land he claimed and the government's determination to enforce its rights. The owners of the disputed land really had only two options. They could support Symmes against the government or join the government against Symmes. In other words, they could appeal to either local or national authority.

While some men chose the latter course, most found their futures too tightly linked to the judge to defy him. Without legal titles, some 400 purchasers of land from Symmes argued in 1799 that they bore 'the expences (sic) of a free people' while they enjoyed 'none of their privileges.' Although the government required them to pay taxes, Governor St. Clair refused to allow them to vote for representatives to the territorial assembly because of the property qualifications established by the Ordinance of 1787. 'You stand in respect to the right of voting,' St. Clair told them, 'precisely on the same ground as those who had sat down on the public lands that are not claimed.' Deserted by the territorial government, the settlers had little choice but to throw their lots in with Symmes.

The settlers finally got some relief in March 1801 when Congress created a commission to hear the Symmes claims. Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin appointed William Goforth and John Reilly of Columbia (a settlement near Cincinnati) as commissioners, but the process of resolving and confirming the tangled land titles was a long and tedious process.

If anyone deserved to be castigated for the land problems in the Miami Valley, it was John Cleves Symmes. But most farmers found their interest and those of the judge too overlapping to attack him. And Symmes courted popular support and encouraged people to see him as a fellow victim and as the only man who could set things right. Governor St. Clair, on the other hand, attracted the wrath of settlers because of his obstinate refusal to curry public favor.  Indeed, he persisted in denying that purchasers of land which Symmes did not legally own were even citizens of the territory. To do so was, in St. Clair's mind, tantamount to abandoning the Northwest Territory to irregular procedures and local autonomy -- the very things Congress had hoped his government would prevent.

The governor's paramount loyalty was to the government of the United States and its best interests. But Symmes, and the settlers who had purchased land from him, saw St. Clair as an obstacle to profitable and peaceful development of the Miami Valley. It is not surprising, therefore, that they became staunch supporters of a statehood movement in the Ohio Country. The creation of a state would put more power into local hands and free the Americans north of the Ohio River to handle their problems as they saw fit. Statehood, to many residents of the Miami Valley, was not just a right; it was an 'absolute necessity'."

On October 22, 1800, a petition was presented to Congress -- signed by about 329 men whose property was in question in the Symmes Purchase.  Among those signers was Josiah Clawson, as well as his brothers Thomas, Peter, and John; and Josiah's in-laws John, William, and Justice Luce.

A portion of the petition read: ". . . Many of us migrated with our families immediately after the termination of the Indian War under all the disadvantages incident to such a crisis. . . . much of the money remaining after payment for our lands has been expended, and the whole of our labour employed in clearing the wilderness, and making such other improvements as the wants and conveniences of Society require . . . Roads and Mills have been subjects of much labour and expense.

For several years we felt secure and laboured with chearfulness (sic), nor was it until June one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine (1799) that we were fully convinced that Mr. Symmes' claim was held as a nullity, when the Act of Congress reached us granting the right of pre-emption to purchasers of certain descriptions.

Our situation a year ago induced us to forward an address to your Honourable body by the Gentleman delegated to Represent the Territory in Congress.  As we have not obtained the relief we prayed for in that yet, we . . . trust that our case will be taken into consideration early in the ensuing Session, and that the question will be determined whether we can apply without further waste of time to Mr. Symmes for our titles or a reimbursement of our monies.

Should Mr. Symmes not obtain a patent, we trust that all of us who hold under his claim until one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine (1799) will obtain a pre-emption right upon the same terms on which Mr. Symmes might have held the same had he complied with the terms of his original contract."  [This was reprinted in Ohio Records and Pioneer Families, Volume 31.] 

Josiah, Peter, and Thomas Clawson's land entries were made on December 31, 1801.  Josiah's was land grant #888, for almost 109 acres in Range 6 M. River, Town 2, Section 31.  It was very near his brother Thomas' land in what became Centerville Township.  This was in the disputed Symmes Purchase, and they were confirmed in their "pre-empted land" at a later date.

There is also an unrelated Clawson Montgomery County story from the 1882 history of Montgomery Co., Ohio, which Charles Clawson alludes to in his narrative: "a man by the name of Clawson, who was a celebrated hunter, once went to the shop of Edmund Munger to have some blacksmithing done, but was told by Mr. Munger that he could not do the work, as his family was out of meat and he must go to the woods and kill some turkeys.

'I can kill more turkeys that you can,' said Clawson, 'and if you'll go into the shop and do my work, I'll go into the woods and do your hunting.'  The proposition was accepted, and Clawson, with an old horse and a boy, started into the woods.  In the evening, he returned and made good his boast, for the old horse was loaded down with twenty-one fine, fat turkeys."

Clawsons On The Indiana Frontier.  The Pioneer Ancestors of Members of the Society of Indiana Pioneers show that Thomas Clawson came to Fountain County in 1824.  The first white settlers came to that County in 1823, the first land entry was taken in 1821, and the County was organized and the first Court convened in 1826.  As you can see below, the Clawsons were part of  that first government organization. 

The 1850 Indiana Gazetteer indicated that Fountain County was about 400 square miles in area, and contained ten townships: Jackson, Fulton, Wabash, Cain, Van Buren, Troy, Richland, Shawnee, Logan, and Davis.  Clawsons seem to have been concentrated in Shawnee and Richland Townships, although after the first years they were found in some of the others.

In 1830 Fountain County's population was 7,644, by 1840 it was 11,218, and in 1850 had grown to 13,500.  By 1950, the County had only grown to 17,836.  The Wabash River runs to the west and north boundary of the County.  

Because of the proximity to Warren County across the Wabash from some of the Fountain Co. settlements, many Clawsons from this branch settled there as well.  There is a cemetery in Warren County that contains many Clawson family members.   Four major Clawsons came to the area -- Thomas, Josiah, Garret, and Peter.  Thomas and Josiah were brothers and Garret and Peter were likely sons of their brother Peter, who remained in Ohio.

In the "History of Fountain County, Indiana, 1983", published by the Fountain County Historical Society and Printed by the Taylor Publishing Company, is an article on the "Clawson Family in Shawnee Township", which reads: "The Clawson family was among the first pioneers to settle in Fountain County, Indiana. It was four years after Indiana became a state. Several of the Clawsons migrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio and then to Indiana.

Thomas Clawson and his wife Sophia Kellogg [sic] settled around Newtown, and my great-grandfather Garret Clawson and his wife Deliliah Shroyer settled in what was later to be Rob Roy. The new purchase lands in Indiana territory opened for settlement in 1824 to be sold in eighty-acre plats at $1.25 per acre.

Thomas and brother Josiah Clawson, cousins of Garret and Peter Clawson [sic], and several other members of the family took advantage of the economic opportunity.  They arrived in Fountain County in the fall of 1824. They were the trailblazers for many friends and relatives soon to follow. Descendants of Garret Clawson still live in Fountain County but some of them moved to Warren County, Indiana, and into the state of Illinois. Thomas C. purchased over eight hundred acres of land at a cost of more than $1100.00, mostly in Shawnee Township, Fountain County, Indiana.

Church affiliates from Ohio and probably Thomas, were the founding members of the Big Shawnee Baptist Church near Newtown. Thomas was elected Justice of the Peace in 1827, and Fountain County representative in 1831. Thomas and Sophia and other members of his family were buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery west of Newtown. Garret and wife Deliliah are buried in the Old Rob Roy Presbyterian Cemetery.

Garret and his brothers and cousins cleared several acres of land from Newtown to Rob Roy on either side of the Big Shawnee Creek west within a mile of the Wabash River.

Garret and Delilah purchased land on the west side of U.S. 41 which was later known as the Nave farm and later the Murdock farm. . ."

A Charles Clawson narrative on the Clawson family immigrating to Indiana adds details about the probable route from Ohio to Indiana and who might have been on the trip: "The Clawson Family in Indiana. Fountain County. History recalls that pioneers followed the frontier for many reasons, but the most prevalent was the search for inexpensive land for their future prosperity, and because they preferred the frontier way of life. Whatever the reason, the opening of the 'New Purchase' lands in Indiana provided the opportunity for Thomas and Josiah Clawson to again be among the first pioneers to settle in a new territory, for the fourth time. They were also the trailblazers for many friends and relatives soon to follow. They and other early settlers traveled to Fountain County by way of Strawberry Trace, also known by other names, which was a primitive Indian trail widened for teams of oxen that stretched all the way to Greenville, Ohio. From about Winchester, it generally followed the high ground along the southern bank of White River to Strawtown, where it crossed the river to Cicero; thence along the Indian trail to Thorntown; thence down the Indian trail on the south side of Sugar Creek to Crawfordsville; thence along the Indian trial to the headwaters of Coal Creek in Fountain County. Other family members known to have made that first journey were sons Thomas Jr. and Garret, sons-in-law John G. Buckles and George Ives, their wives and dependent children, and probably others. They arrived during the late summer of 1824, in anticipation of land to be sold by the government in the Crawfordsville Land District, which had been well advertised in Ohio and the eastern states. This land was ceded by the Indians at the Treaty of Saint Mary's in October 1818, and the 'Rectangular Survey' was completed in April 1822, which divided the county into 'Congressional Townships', tracts of land six miles long and six miles wide consisting of thirty-six sections, each section containing 640 acres. Since Thomas and Josiah were among the first permanent settlers, they selected some of the most desirable land on the Shawnee Prairie, so named because of a tribe of Shawnee Indians, who had a large village a few miles east of Attica in the 1790's.

The land sales at Crawfordsville began on December 24, 1824, beginning at the southern part of the district, therefore, Thomas and other settlers had to remain in Crawfordsville for five days or more until their desired land appeared on the docket. Unlike the land system in Ohio some twenty-five years earlier, the Land Act of April 24, 1820, provided for a minimum sale of eighty acre tracts at the minimum price of $1.25 per acre, and the terns were cash at the time of sale. The Act of April 5, 1832, provided for a minimum of forty acre tracts. Thomas purchased somewhat over 800 acres of land at the cost of more than 1100 dollars, mostly in the present Shawnee Township. He selected Section 27 for his homesite, and his house still remains, although slightly remodeled. Except for the circular staircase, it was originally almost a carbon copy of his house in Ohio."

>From Chapter Three of the "Recollections of the Early Settlement of the Wabash Valley", by Sandford C. Cox, published in 1860 in Lafayette, Indiana by Courier Stream Book and Job Printing House, there is a description of the process the Clawsons went through to purchase their Indiana land: "Crawfordsville, Ind., December 24, 1824. The land sales commenced here to-day, and the town is full of strangers. The eastern and southern portions of the State are strongly represented, as well as Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.

There is but little bidding against each other. The settlers, or 'squatters', as they are called by speculators, have arranged matters among themselves to their general satisfaction. If, upon comparing numbers, it appears that two are after the same tract of land, one asks the other what he will take to not bid against him. If neither will consent to be bought off, then they retire, and cast lots, and the luck one enters the tract at Congress price--$1.25 per acre--and the other enters the second choice on the list

If a speculator makes a bid, or shows a disposition to take a settler's claim from him, he soon sees the white of a score of eyes snapping at him, and at the first opportunity he crawfishes out of the crowd.

The settlers tell foreign capitalists to hold on till they enter the tracts of land they have settled upon, and that they may then pitch in--that there will be land enough--more than enough, for them all.

The land is sold in tiers of townships, beginning at the southern part of the district and continuing north until all has been offered at public sale. Then private entries can be made at $1.25 per acre, of any that has been thus publicly offered. This rule, adopted by the officers, insures great regularity in the sale; but it will keep many here for several days, who desire to purchase land in the northern portion of the district.

A few days of public sale have sufficed to relieve hundreds of their cash, but they secured their land, which will serve as a basis for their future wealth and property, if they and their families use proper industry and economy, sure as 'time's gentle progress makes a calf an ox'. . .

It is a stirring, crowding time here, truly, and men are busy hunting up cousins and old acquaintances whom they have not seen for many long years. If men have ever been to the same mill, or voted at the same election precinct, though at different times, it is sufficient for them to scrape an acquaintance upon. But after all, there is a genuine backwoods, log-cabin hospitality, which is free from the affected cant, and polished deception of conventional life."

Charles Clawson also includes a different version in a later narrative on the Clawsons early time in Indiana, much of which is a compilation from later County histories: "The Clawson Family in Indiana", from the Charles Clawson narrative: "Our Clawson family was among the first pioneers to settle in Fountain County, Indiana, and here again they were among the first to settle a new territory.  Their route of travel from Montgomery County, Ohio, was probably overland to Fort Recovery and then via the Wabash River. They settled in Shawnee Township, near what was to become the settlement of Rob Roy, and played an important part in its development. It became a major town in the county, and was later to be a contender for the county seat.

Josiah (son of Thomas) was probably the first of the family to settle in Fountain County, and was possibly the first white man in that area, as indicated by the Fountain County Deed Records, Book 1, page 109, July 2, 1820: Josiah Clawson and Mary his wife sold to Daniel Millen the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 29, Township 21, Range 7, 22 acres in Shawnee Township. According to history, the first white man in this area was in 1822. According to Jack Dove, the Indian tribe in Fountain County was Potawatomi, which belonged to the Miami Confederation. The story is remembered by the older members of the family that the Indians were friendly and sometimes they would venture into Rob Roy to watch while the settlers had their monthly
meetings.

It is not known where Peter and his family settled, however, it is thought to have been in Wabash County, because in a deed record, Thomas listed his last residence as the County of Wabash. There are Clawsons all along the Wabash River from Wabash to Covington.

'In 1824 Thomas Clawson (Senior) and Wilson Claypool settled on both sides of the Big Shawnee in Shawnee Township. Thomas Clawson, a stalwart sire of several stalwart sons, and Wilson Claypool were the nucleus of the other. To this settlement was soon added others, and on the south side of the stream, on Section 28, Abraham Clawson, James Goodwine and James Foster.' (Beckwith, History of Fountain County, 1881, page 341)

'Peter Auter married January 6, 1848 to Sarah Clawson, daughter of Abraham Clawson who came from Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1825 . . . Her father (Abraham Clawson) had two children, Sarah and Jonathan. The latter died in the Civil War in 1864 at Bolivar, Tennessee.' (Beckwith, ibid. page 365) 'In 1824 Thomas Clawson (Senior) and Wilson Claypool began the task of Home-building.' (T.A. Clifton, Past and Present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana, 1913, page 168)

'Thomas Clawson (Junior) commissioned Justice of the Peace on July 8, 1826.' (Indiana Historical Collections, XXIX, page 659)

'The history of the government of Fountain County dates back to July 14, 1826, when the first meeting of the Board of Justices was held.' Thomas Clawson (Junior) was one of these first five justices. (Beckwith, ibid, page 32, and Clifton, ibid, page 60)

'John Clawson of Newtown, Richland Township, son of Moses and Joanna (Bake) Clawson was born in this township on February 1, 1844. His grandfather Clawson (Josiah Senior) came to Fountain County in 1826 and kept the hotel at Attica for a short time. Moses was 13 years old when they arrived.' (Beckwith, ibid, page 273)

'July 24, 1826, Josiah Clawson was appointed lister for Shawnee Township and territory above Pine Creek under the jurisdiction of Fountain County.' (Beckwith, ibid, page 341)

'Thomas Clawson (Junior) elected Justice of the Peace and took office in March 1827.' (Beckwith, ibid, page 355) 'Garrett Clawson, James Hatton, and Robert Wilkinson, in Sept. 1827, viewed a road, beginning at Grahams Mill, thence north to the half-mile stake between Sections 20 and 21, thence north with the section line, thence north to the west line of John G. Buckles land, thence north to the southeast corner of Evan Hintons field.' (Beckwith, ibid, page 344)

'In September 1828, Thomas Clawson (probably Senior), Thomas Hinton, and George Hollingsworth laid out a road commencing at Myers Mill on Big Shawnee, thence south of east to Fosters line, thence south of east to Abraham
Clawson's line, thence south to the road leading from Attica to Crawfordsville.' (Beckwith, ibid, page 344)

'Thomas (Junior) and Timothy Clawson immigrated to Davis Township in 1829. Thomas first bought out a man named Munson, who did not long remain. These brothers lived on Section 22; Timothy where George Brown does.' (Beckwith, ibid, page 440) Thomas Junior, Thomas 3rd, and Timothy all owned land in Section 33, however, Thomas Junior was in Indiana by 1826, as is stated before, and Timothy's first child was born in Indiana in 1828. Timothy probably settled in Indiana in 1827, shortly after his marriage to Mary Ives.

'Thomas Clawson was elected as Fountain County Representative in 1831.' (Beckwith, ibid, page 45) This was probably Thomas Junior, however, he moved to Warren County in 1832 or 33.

'Abraham Clawson, retired farmer and veteran of the great Civil War, is one of the older native citizens of Fountain County, having been born in Davis Township on the 4th day of February, 1836. His parents, Timothy and Mary (Ives) Clawson, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively, reared a family of ten children and were among the well known and highly esteemed residents of the community where they passed the greater part of their lives. Timothy Clawson came to Indiana when 19 years old and by occupation was a farmer. He was a man of excellent parts and high moral standing, a successful tiller of the soil, and his influence was excerted (sic) for the good of his neighbors and fellow citizens.' (Clifton, ibid, page 733)

History of Warren, Benton, Jasper, and Newton Counties, 1883: 'Thomas Clawson
(Junior) was in Washington Township, Warren County, Indiana, by 1836.' (page 51) 'Thomas Clawson (Junior) began selling merchandise in November 1836, in Rainsville.' (page 110)"

Religion Among The Early Clawsons.  It is unclear whether the Clawsons were Baptists during their Pennsylvania years.  The Covault book states: "Thomas [Clawson] married Sophia Covalt, at the First Baptist Church of Columbia. The Covalts had been long standing members of the Baptist faith, where Thomas became a devout  member."  It is clear the Clawsons were strong Baptists after their move to Ohio.  Thomas Clawson and Peter Shanks were members of the Centerville Baptist Church.  The minute book from 1799 is on film with the Salt Lake City LDS library, and specific references from that minute book are located in this narrative with the persons they referenced.  Josiah Clawson and Sophia Luce were reportedly married in the Sugar Creek Baptist Church in 1801.  Many of the Clawsons of the pioneer period in Fountain County, Indiana -- including Thomas and Josiah -- are buried at the "Old Baptist" Cemetery near Newtown.  The religious affiliation did begin to break down after those first generations.  According to the Tippecanoe IN County history, Thomas' daughter Cynthia was a devout Methodist.  Garret Jr's. daughter-in-law was also active with the Methodist Church. 

One method of research for the early Clawsons would be to search for more early religious records through the Baptist Church. 

The Oldest Child/The Peter Clawson Branch.  Peter Clawson and Dolly Garrison.  As shown above, Peter Clawson was born in 1758{according to records of many researchers.  Piecing together the two census entries in 1820 and 1830 would place his birth year between 1770 and 1775.  Teresa Clawson's 1850 census entry would place her birth year as ca 1760].. Peter is shown in a Greene County, PA, history to have been paid as an Indian spy ca 1782-which would lend more credence to the 1758 birthdate.  According to a document prepared by Mrs. Roberta Russell of Parshall, Colorado, he married Dolly Garrison in 1783.  His will lists eleven children: Elizabeth, Frederick, Josiah, Joseph, Samuel, Garret, Peter, Garner, Mary, Margaret, and John C. Clawson.   The will lists John as the youngest, and lists the following surnames for the women: Mary Welch, Margaret Garret, and Elizabeth Enis.

Peter was shown in the militia returns in Ohio in 1792, is shown to have purchased land in Hamilton(later Montgomery) County in 1801, was among the taxpayers there in 1804 and 1812, and Dolly reportedly died about 1817.  Peter was shown with both Dolley and his second wife Teresa in property transactions in 1818, was shown in the Montgomery County census in 1820, and was shown in the 1825 Montgomery County tax records.   Two of Peter's children -- Peter and Garret -- traveled with their uncles, Thomas and Josiah, to Fountain County, Indiana ca 1824.  Peter died in August 1836 in Shelby County, Ohio.  

The Pioneer History of Greene County, Pennsylvania, published in 1941 by the Waynesburg Republican, and written by L. K. Evans, p. 86 describes frontier warfare. In the course of this description, the following was written: ". . . from the records of the Supreme Executive Council of the State that an order be drawn on the 2nd of November 1787, in favor of the Lieutenant of Washington county for 27 pounds, 2 shillings and 6 pence to be paid to Frederick Crow, Stephen Gapen, William Crawford, Jesse Vanmeter, Peter Clawson and others, for their services in watching the movements of Indians and protecting the frontiers in the year 1782."

Peter is shown in the tax records of Greene Township (later Greene County) PA from 1786 to 1789.  Complete records for all Clawsons are contained in the section on Garret Sr. and Mary above.

Terri Gorney of Fort Wayne Indiana submitted a brief history of the Clawson and Garrison families to "Our Keystone Families in the Middletown PA Press & Journal of September 15, 1993. In that submission, she wrote about the Garrisons that" The Garrison family is believed to have originated in Maryland. In the 1780's, Frederick Garrison moved his family to what is presently Dunkard Township, Green Co., PA.

Peter left Pennsylvania for frontier Ohio, and by 1792 is shown in the militia returns in Ohio(and he may be the Ohio scout referred to above in the Butler County history).  He is also shown(spelled Clauson) to have purchased land in Hamilton(later Montgomery) County on Christmas Day, 1801.  He was among the taxpayers there in 1804 and 1812, and was shown in the census in 1820.  He is shown in Montgomery County in the 1825 tax records.

Peter is shown in the Centerville History, "A Sense of Place" on the List of Original Land Entries Made at the Cincinnati Land Office.  He is shown in Range 6, Township 1, Section 3, SE Lot 3, 157.64 acres, dated December 25, 1801, certificate #946.

In the Abstracts of the Western Spy & Hamilton Gazette, an early Ohio newspaper, is a brief item from Volume III, Number 144, Saturday May 1, 1802: "Abraham Demott regarding notes to Peter Clawson."

Peter Clawson is shown to have gotten one vote in the 1804 Montgomery County election for Representative to the Ohio General Assembly.  A Peter Clawson is also shown as one of the Washington township men who served in the War of 1812.

Peter Clawson was also involved in many suits over violence.  In the August 1806 term, he was charged and admitted guilt for an assault.  In the September 1808 term, he brought charges against Edmund Vansel claiming three different assaults.  After a jury trial, Vansel was found guilty of two and acquitted of a third.  Vansel forfeited his bond for this case at one point.  In the same court term, James Anderson brought a case against Peter Clawson for damages -- "case disc.".

In 1808, Peter Clawson is shown to have sold land in Montgomery County to James Anderson(Book B, p. 121).  The deed was for 110 acres in Washington Township, SE Quarter of Section 3.

In the May 1809 term, Peter Clawson was accused of assaulting John Ewing, a judge of Common Pleas.  Clawson pled guilty, and was fined. In the September term the same year, he was accused of not paying a debt and was ordered to do so.  George Tennery brought charges for damages in the same term, and the case was "disc.".  On Aug 30, Peter Clawson was accused of unlawfully threatening six men, the indictment was quashed the next year.  In May 1810, he was accused of assaulting George Sourbray, but escaped before the writ was served.

Captain Thomas Clawsons Company, Ohio Volunteers, formed for the War of 1812, included Private Peter Clawson.  Peter's son would have been eleven in 1812, lending to the possibility that this was Peter Sr. 

In Terry Gorney's 1993 brief history above, she notes that Dolly Clawson's father Frederick Garrison died in 1813 in Greene County, Pennsylvania. His will is recorded there in Will Book 1, pg. 113. In it, the following family members were named: wife, Margaret, and children: Jacob, Dolly Clawson, Leonard, George, Rebecca Foreman, Barbara Stone and Elizabeth Dunham; and grandchildren: Frederick Clawson, Margaret Clawson and Job Dunham."

He was involved in estate sales in Montgomery County in the September 1810, May 1812, and July 1819 terms.  Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book F, p. 328, February 27, 1818, Peter Clawson and wife Dolly to Garret Clawson, (son of John--this note being both in the Quinn and Charles Clawson narratives). Southwest corner of Southeast quarter of Section 3, Township 1, Range 6, lands between Miami Rivers.

Peter was shown in the 1816 Montgomery County tax records as a "proprietor" in Washington Township, as were brothers Thomas and Josiah.  

Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book F, p. 415, February 27, 1818, Peter Clawson and wife Dolly sold to the heirs of John Ewing, part of southeast quarter of Section 3, Township 1, Range 6.

The James Clawson family group sheet on the Garret Sr. family shows Peter married a second time after Dolly Garrison to Teresa (Terassy), and places the marriage date about 1818.

Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book G, p. 132, June 13, 1818, Peter and Terresay Clawson to Joshua Buckly, East part of quarter of Section 3, Township 1, Range 6, lands between Great Miami River and Virginia Reservation.

One of these previous transactions was in the new Town of Woodbourne (the origin of which is described more clearly in the section on Peter's brother Thomas, one of the principals in the Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Company).  In "The Sense of Place", the early times in Woodbourne are described: "In 1818, the company began to offer town lots for sale in the Woodbourne plat.  Many of the first buyers were looking for a profit on their investment.  Some of the company shareholders bought lots -- Noah Tibbals, Ethel Kellogg, Edmund Munger and Peter Clawson, to name a few."

In the 1820 census records for Washington Township in Montgomery County, Peter is shown with a man and woman over forty-five, a man between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, and four boys -- three between ten and sixteen, and one under the age of ten.

Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book I, p. 561, August 13, 1824, Peter Clawson Sr., and Taresa, to John Elwell, lots 3 and 4 in the town of Woodbourne for $35.  [There is also the following deed later on: Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book N, p. 163, Peter Clawson from John Harris, Thomas Clawson, Anna Baker, Henry Stansel, Peter Sunderland, Richard Mason, Trustees of Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Co. of Centerville for the sum of $54-for lot no 3-4 on Plat of Town Woodburn recorded in Plat Bk 3, pp. 414-415.]

Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book K, p. 245, July 27, 1824, Peter Clawson and Terresay to Hannah Wheatley (Mrs. Richard) part of SE Quarter of Section 3 , Township 1, Range 6, lands between Miami Rivers. One lot, $15.

The 1825 compilation of Ohio tax records lists a Peter Clawson in Montgomery County.  The index compiled indicates a few codes, such as the page in the tax records and also the type of tax record and whether any lot number was listed.  Looking at the precise record could reveal the property description in a manner that matches the property descriptions in this section.  The only other Clawson listed in Montgomery County in the 1825 tax records was Garret Clawson, presumably Peter's son left for Indiana shortly after the record was made.

Peter Clawson and his wife Teresa are last mentioned in the Montgomery County deedbooks in 1830 when they sold land to Benjamin Dubois for $550, witnessed by Josiah Clawson. Soon thereafter Peter and Teresa moved to Shelby County, Ohio.

In the 1830 Shelby County census, in Grayson Township, there is a Peter Clawson, likely ours, shown with one man and one woman between fifty and sixty, and one man between fifteen to twenty.

There is a further Montgomery County reference to Peter in the book "Sense of Place": "To the northwest of Woodbourne, Richard Wheatley was progressively buying out Peter Clawson.  By the 1830's, Josiah Clawson had moved onto his brother, Peter's land.  They had a sawmill on the Rahn Road branch of Hole's Creek."  This is likely Peter's son Josiah, rather than his brother -- who had been in Indiana since 1824.

Peter Clawson (Sr.) died in 1836 in Shelby County, Ohio. His estate was probated in August of that year. His will mentions his wife "Terasy" and children Garrett, Frederick, Mary Welch, Margaret Garret, Elizabeth Enis, Josiah, Peter, Samuel, Garner, Joseph, and John. His will reads as follows:

"The last will and testament of Peter Clawson of Shelby County and State of Ohio. In the name of God, I, Peter Clawson considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory (blessed be all mighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say, First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Terasy Clawson all my real estate so long as she shall remane my widow to have and to hold the same to her own proper use and benifit as long as she shall live and remane my widow. and I further will and bequeathe unto her all my personal property after paying all my just debts out of my personal property.  Item Second I give and bequeathe to my youngest son John Clawson Twenty acres of land to come in possession of the same at my wife's decease said twenty acres of land to be masured commensing at the northwest corner and running south eighty rods hence east forty rods thence north eighty rods and thence east forty rods to the place of beginning. Item Third I give and bequeathe to the rest of my children: Garrett Clawson, Frederick Clawson, Mary Welch, Margaret Garret, Elizabeth Enis, Josiah Clawson, Peter Clawson, Samuel Clawson, Garner Clawson, and Joseph Clawson the ballance of all my rest estate after my wife decease each one of the last mentioned children to share equilly and I do hereby appoint James Akin sole executor of this my last will and testament I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Thirtieth day of July in the year of our Lord one-thousand eight-hundred and thirty six. /s/Peter (x - his mark) Clawson. Witnesses, James Stephens and James Akin.

Teresa is shown in the 1850 census with John Clawson In Washington Township, Shelby County.  She is shown as Tevussa (Terassa?) Clawson, 90, born in Pennsylvania.

Peter Clawson and Dolly Garrison are listed in the First Families of Hamilton County, Ohio - The Index of The Official Roster Volumes 1 and 2 (combined).  These volumes have not been actually reviewed to see which information is listed for each.

Peter and Dolly's Children.  Frederick Clawson -- son of Peter.  A Frederick Clawson is shown in Montgomery Co. records to have married Sarah Aiden (other records say Aiken) on August 5, 1813  The same records show a Frederick Clawson married Barbara Smith on June 18, 1818.  

Carole Nation's book lists the family of Peter Clawson's son Frederick and his wife Sarah Aiken as: 1) William Clawson; 2) John Clawson, born after 1824; 3) Susan (Susannah) Clawson, married Samuel Packer; 4) Levina Clawson, married James R. Johnson; 5) Sarah Clawson, married Joseph Childers; 6) Eliza Clawson, married Robert H. Flinn; 7) Jane Clawson, married John D. Baer; and 8) Elizabeth Clawson.

There were two Frederick Clawsons shown in the 1820 Ohio census in Montgomery County, one in Washington township and one in Madison township.  The Frederick in Madison Township was shown as being between eighteen and twenty-six, with a woman between the ages of sixteen and twenty-six, and a son and daughter -- each under the age of ten.  The Frederick Clawson in Washington Township shows one man between the ages of twenty-six and forty five, three women between the ages of sixteen and twenty-six, and three girls under the age of ten. 

Frederick Clawson is shown in the 1830 census in Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, next to Joseph Clawson, with one man and one woman each between thirty and forty, two girls between ten and fifteen, two girls between five and ten and two girls and one boy under the age of five.

The Miami Valley Pioneers shows a Frederick Clawson to have been present in Montgomery County in 1804.  In the May 1809 court term, six people were charged with stoning and disturbing the peace at Frederick Clawson's house.    Frederick "Clason" was shown as being involved in Montgomery County estate sales in the September 1820 and February 1822 court terms.

Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book K, p. 207, Wilson Clark to Frederick Clawson.[ca 1824] 

Josiah Clawson -- son of Peter.  James Clawson of Lake Havasu City, Arizona was a descendant of Peter Clawson through his son Josiah Clawson, born 1801 in Ohio, married Sarah ca 1823, and the father of Josiah Clawson Jr., born 1825 in Ohio. 

A family group sheet for Josiah Clawson, son of Peter and Dolly Clawson, was prepared by descendant James Clawson. It shows Josiah born 1801 in Pennsylvania or Ohio, married Sarah, no last name, in an unclear year, Sarah having been born in 1803 in Ohio. Josiah is shown as having died on June 29, 1847 in Shelby County, Ohio and buried in Wright Cemetery, in Shelby County. There is no death date or burial location for Sara.

The family group sheet shows ten children for Josiah and Sara: Garrett; Josiah Jr., born March 22, 1825, married Rosan Enoch on June 15, 1845 in Shelby County, and died on April 15, 1888 in Carroll County, Indiana (buried Zion Cemetery there/the same cemetery in which Peter Clawson Jr. and his family members are buried); Andrew; Thomas, born February 21, 1849 in Shelby County (NOTE: this date is after the same family group sheet said that his father Josiah had died), married Elizabeth Houser; Sarah Hane, born September 30, 1847 in Shelby County and married John F. Mann; Cinda Rella, born 1833; Mary; Lucinda, married October 5, 1856 to William H. Mann; Hannah Malissa, born 1841 in Ohio, married George W. Ernst on November 23, 1857 in Shelby County; and Eliza, born 1845 in Ohio, and married to ??? on March 21, 1861 in Shelby County.

Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book L, p. 584, John Reed to Josiah Clawson [ca 1826].  It is unclear which Josiah this was, but since the eldest Josiah was already in Indiana with his brother Thomas and Thomas' son Josiah was likely already in Indiana -- it is either this Josiah or John's son. 

In the 1830 Montgomery County Ohio census, Washington Township, is shown Josiah Clawson, shown with a male between sixty and seventy, a man between thirty and forty, a woman between twenty and thirty, a boy between ten and fifteen, three boys between five and ten and one boy under the age of five.  He is shown on page 224.  On page 225 are shown Joseph and Frederick Clawson next to each other.  It is likely that this is Josiah, Peter's son, with a father-in-law or other older male relative in the household.

Joseph Clawson -- Peter's son. A Joseph Clawson is shown in the 1820 census in Montgomery County in Washington township, with one man between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six and one woman between the ages of sixteen and twenty-six.  A Joseph is shown in Montgomery Co. records to have married Margaret McGrath in Montgomery County on December 17, 1827.

Carole Nation's book listed Joseph Clawson as the tenth child of Peter Clawson and Dolly Garrison, married to Margaret McGrath. They were shown to be the parents of ten children: 1) Perry Clawson, born ca 1827; 2) Elizabeth Clawson, born ca 1829; 3) Peter Clawson, born ca 1832; 4) Elias Clawson, born ca 1833, married Susan Christman (six children: William G., Perry, James, Lewis F., Tunis, and Elizabeth); 5) Sarah E. Clawson, born ca 1835; 6) John Clawson, born ca 1837; 7) Lucinda Clawson, born ca 1839; 8) Nancy Clawson, born ca 1840; 9) Julia Ann Clawson, born ca 1842; and 10) Eveline Clawson, born ca 1844, married William Butt, and two known children: Charles Butt and Harvey Butt. 

In the 1830 Ohio census in Washington Township, Montgomery County is shown Joseph Clawson, shown with one man and woman each between twenty and thirty, one girl and two boys under the age of five.  He is next to Frederick Clawson in this listing.

In the 1840 Shelby County Ohio census, in Washington Township, is shown Joseph Clawson, with a man between twenty and thirty, a woman between thirty and forty, a boy and girl each between ten and fifteen, a boy and girl each between five and ten, and one girl and three boys under the age of five.

Samuel Clawson -- son of Peter.   James Clawson's family group sheet for Peter and Dolly Clawson shows that Samuel Clawson their child, was born on October 7, 1810, married on April 5, 1832 in Dayton, Montgomery County, and died on March 7, 1877 in Shelby County, Ohio.

One descendant provided the following information about Samuel:  He was born 1803 and died March 7, 1877.  He is buried in Old Orange Cemetery in Orange, Shelby County.  His find on Family Search has Samuel's death as March 7, 1832, but it is believed to be a typo, transposed from his marriage   April 15, 1832 to Ellen (aka Eleanor) Huston.

Their children were:  William G., born June 6, 1845, and died November 4, 1921; George W., born about 1833 and died November 21, 1869; James H., born about 1834;  Frederick, born about 1833 and died January 3, 1915; Sarah, born about 1843; Samuel, born about 1851 and died December 28, 1914; Margaret, also known as Jane, born about 1855;  Nancy, born about 1836;  Terrissa, born December 11, 1839 and died June 4, 1913; and August, born 1848 and died 1918.  

Garret Clawson -- son of Peter.  Later censuses show him born ca 1787 in Pennsylvania, although other researchers show the date to be 1794 or 1795.  The Miami Valley Pioneers show a Garret to have been present in Montgomery County in 1804.  He married his wife, Delilah Shroyer/Sawyer, in Butler Co., Ohio on Dec 25, 1811 (she is shown to have been born in 1794 and to have died on Mar 9, 1866.  The marriage date is shown from the records of Mrs. Alice Clawson Kellogg, and her records show it to have taken place in Butler County, Ohio).  He was shown in Montgomery County, Ohio estate sales in 1812, 1815, 1817.   

LDS records show his children through 1818 being born in Ohio and from 1820 on being born in Indiana, but that it unlikely -- especially since the 1820 census shows a Garret Clawson in Montgomery County.  It is more likely that this Garret, shown by later censuses in Indiana to have been born about 1787 -- and married to someone born about 1790 -- is this same Garret Clawson and came to Indiana after 1825.

The 1820 census in Washington Township of Montgomery County shows Garret between the ages of twenty-six and forty-five, with a woman the same age, and three boys and three girls all below the age of ten. 

The 1825 compilation of Ohio tax records lists a Garrett Clawson in Montgomery County.  The index compiled indicates a few codes, such as the page in the tax records and also the type of tax record and whether any lot number was listed.  Looking at the precise record could reveal the property description in a manner that matches the property description below.

Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book K, p. 246, September 17, 1825, Garret and Delilah Clawson to Hannah Wheatly SW corner of SE Quarter of Section 3, Township 1, Range 6, lands between the Miami Rivers.  This is significant because Peter and Terresey [sic] Clawson sold land in the same section to Hannah Wheatley, wife of Richard, one year before.

Garret is the only Clawson besides Peter to be shown in the 1825 Montgomery County tax records.  Garret reportedly moved to Fountain County, Indiana with his uncles ca 1824.  The Fountain County history indicates that Garrett Clawson helped in the layout of one of the County's first roads, and he is listed in the 1830, 1840, 1850, and 1860 censuses there.  Garret is shown to have died in Fountain County on May 5, 1863.

In the "History of Fountain County, Indiana, 1983", published by the Fountain County Historical Society and Printed by the Taylor Publishing Company, is an article on the "Clawson Family in Shawnee Township".  There is information about Garret and his family, as the submitter was a Garret descendant: "Thomas and brother Josiah Clawson, cousins of Garret and Peter Clawson [sic], and several other members of the family took advantage of the economic opportunity.  They arrived in Fountain County in the fall of 1824. They were the trailblazers for many friends and relatives soon to follow. Descendants of Garret Clawson still live in Fountain County but some of them moved to Warren County, Indiana, and into the state of Illinois. . ."

"Garret and wife Deliliah are buried in the Old Rob Roy Presbyterian Cemetery.

Garret and his brothers and cousins cleared several acres of land from Newtown to Rob Roy on either side of the Big Shawnee Creek west within a mile of the Wabash River.

Garret and Delilah purchased land on the west side of U.S. 41 which was later known as the Nave farm and later the Murdock farm. Fifteen children were born to Garret and Delilah on this farm: Elizabeth, Peter, Frederick, Jacob S., Mary Ann, Sarah J., Josiah D., Teresa G., Catherine M., Hannah D., Elenor, Rebecca F., George S., William G., and Lydia Maria."        

Garret is shown in the records of Mrs. Alice (Clawson) Kellogg, quoted in the narrative of Charles Clawson, to have had fifteen children with his wife, Delilah Sawyer: Elizabeth, Sept 18, 1812; Peter, Nov 7, 1813; Fredrich, Feb 14, 1815; Jacob S., May 24, 1816; Mary Ann, July 25, 1817; Sarah J., Sept 24, 1818; Josiah D., Feb 23, 1820; Teresa G., July 21, 1821; Catherine M., Dec 24, 1822; Hannah D., July 6, 1824; Elenor, Feb 5, 1826; Rebecca F., Oct 26, 1827; George S., Mar 17, 1829; William G., Jan 16, 1831; and Lydia Maria, June 27, 1833.  All of Garret's children that survived childhood appear to have lived and married in either Fountain or Warren Counties, in Indiana. 

Garrett is shown in a Fountain County Deedbook in an early land transaction there, quite possibly to a relative of his wife Delilah: Book 1, p. 115. Garrett Clawson and Delilah his wife sold to George Shroyer. June 13, 1827. Part of Section 19, Township 21, Range 7.

Garret Clawson is shown in Fountain County in the 1840 census with one man between fifty and sixty, one woman between forty and fifty, two men between twenty and thirty, three women between fifteen and twenty, one boy and two girls between ten and fifteen, and one boy between five and ten.

The Garrett Clawson listed in the 1850 census in Fountain County is shown as fifty-five years old(1795), having been born in Pennsylvania, and being a farmer with land valued at $3,000.  He is shown as having a fifty-six year old wife named Delila who was born in Virginia.  Children listed are Jacob(36, a farmer and born in Ohio), George(21, a farmer and born in Indiana), Rebecca(21, and born in Indiana), and William(19, a farmer born in Indiana).  There is a Jacob below shown as having gotten married in 1846, but his wife is not listed with this group. 

In the 1860 census, Garret is shown in Fountain County as a 77 year old farmer born in Pennsylvania, with Delilah, age 70 and shown to have been born in Virginia. 

In the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Delilah is shown buried in Rob Roy Cemetery, Delilah Clawson, wife of Garret Clawson, d. March 9, 1866, aged 73y.

Garret Clawson is shown in Fountain County marriage records shown to have married Margaret Stoutzenberger on September 2, 1867.  Given the death of Delilah and the census entry below, it appears to be this Garret.   Garrett is shown in the 1870 census in Shawnee Township of Fountain County, age 83, a retired farmer born in Ohio.  He is shown with Margaret, 50, "keeping house" and also born in Ohio. 

The abstract of Indiana wills from 1850-1880 shows a probated will for Garret Clawson in Fountain County in 1876.  That will follows in its entirety: "Last Will and Testament of Garrett Clawson. I Garrett Clawson, of Rob Roy, Fountain County, State of Indiana, make and publish this my last Will and testament.

1st: I direct that my body be decently interred and that my funeral be conducted in a plain manner corresponding with my standing in Life, and as to such worldly estate as it has pleased God to intrust me with, I dispose of the same in the following manner towit:

I direct that first, that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first moneys that shall come to the hands of my Executor from any portion of my estate real or person;

I give and bequeath to my wife Delilah all my household goods.

Secondly: I wish all of my real estate to be sold, as soon after my decease as can conveniently; I give to each of my daughters One hundred dollars, to be paid to them out of my estate when it is settled up and no more.

I give and bequeath to my sons Frederick Clawson, Jacob Clawson, George Clawson, and William Clawson five thousand dollars, what the home place sold for, -- to be equally divided between them.

I give and bequeath to my five sons Frederick, Jacob, Josiah, George, & William the residue or balance of my estate to be equally divided between them.

And I do hereby make and ordain my worthy and esteemed friend Harley Greenwood Executor of this my last will and testament.

In Witness Thereof, Garrett Clawson, the testator, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty Second 20th day (sic) of Sept. in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred Sixty, 1860. /s/Garrett (x - his mark) Clawson Seal

Signed, sealed, published and declared, by the above named Garrett Clawson, as his last will and testament in presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto in presence of the said Testator, and in the presence of each other. /s/Israel Kieffer. David Snider."

There was a sworn statement titled "Concluded", dated February 28, 1876 in which Israel Kieffer swore before Elliott N. Bowman, Clerk of Fountain County Circuit Court that he said the late Garrett Clawson sign the last will and testament on September 22, 1860.

The significant thing about the will was that it was prepared and signed sixteen years before Garrett died. His first wife had died in the interim, and the will refers to her rather than his second wife Margaret. The daughters are mentioned, but not named. Five sons, Frederick, Jacob, Josiah, George, and William were named.  A sixth son, Peter, was not named and does not show up in later census records, indicating that he died young.

Elizabeth Clawson -- shown to be the oldest child of this Garret, born on September 18, 1812.  Fountain County marriage records show a marriage of Elizabeth Clawson to Curtis Creel on June 2, 1833.  A second marriage for Elizabeth, shown as Elizabeth Creel, is shown to Archibald Burgess on November 15, 1837, indicating Curtis' death by this time.

In the 1850 census in Fountain County, Logan Township, are shown Archibald Burges, 42, born in Va, with Elizabeth, 37, born in Ohio, and Thomas, 11, Josiah, 7, William, 7, Jacob, 5, Garret, 4, Rebecca, J., 1, and Delila A., 4(?) months, all born in Indiana.

Peter Clawson -- shown to be the second oldest child of this Garret, born November 7, 1813.

Frederic Clawson -- son of Garret above, shown to be the third oldest child, born in 1815. Fountain County marriage records show Frederick Clawson  married to Agnes Ann Marlatt on March 7, 1839.  Frederic is shown in the 1840 census with one man and woman each between twenty and thirty, and one girl under the age of five.

This Frederick appears to be the Frederick shown in the 1850 Tippecanoe County census in Wayne Township, taken Aug 12, as Frederick Clawson, 34, steller(?), born in Ohio, with Agnes, 34, born in Va, Eliza, 10, Garret, 4, and Abraham, 1, all born in Indiana.

In the 1860 census, he is shown in Fountain County on a farm next to the Marlatt family, age 46, a farmer born in Ohio with Agnes A., age 45 and born in Virginia.  They are listed with five children, all born in Indiana: Eliza 20, Garrett B., 14, Abram, 11, Delilah J., 9, and Emiline, 7. 

>From "Mann's Chapel Cemetery Inscriptions", a publication of the Illiana Genealogical Society, about a cemetery located in Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois. Shown in Row 13, are Frederick Clawson, died November 10, 1875 at age 60y, 8m, 26d. Agnus A. Clawson is buried next to him, having died on September 9, 1874 at age 59y, 6m, 4d.

Eliza Clawson -- son of Frederic and Agnes.  This is likely the Eliza shown in Fountain County marriage records as marrying Lewis L. Overbay on March 12, 1863.

Alonzo Clawson -- son of Frederic and Agnes.  From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Alonzo Clawson, son of F. & A.A. Clawson is shown buried in Rob Roy Cemetery, died June 19, 1843, aged 1y, 3m.

Delila Jane Clawson - daughter of Frederick and Agnes.  Records of Susan Allison on-line, show that  Delilah Jane Clawson was born in 1851, and died December 9, 1874 and is buried in Mann's Chapel (where her parents were buried).  She married Irvin P. Gouty, born in 1852, on October 10, 1872 in Vermilion County, Illinois.  They had one child, George, who was born and died in 1875(no explanation was made as to how George was born in the year after his mother died).  Irvin is shown to have died in 1876.

Jacob Clawson -- son of Garret, shown to be the fourth oldest child, born in 1816.  Jacob Clawson is shown in Fountain County marriage records as having married Elizabeth Brown on March 29, 1846.

>From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, there is a record that Elizabeth Clawson, wife of Jacob is shown buried in Rob Roy Cemetery, d. January 20, 1847, 19y, 1m.  In the same records, there is an Alphonso Clawson, son of J. & E. Clawson, buried in the Rob Roy Cemetery, died February 1, 1853, aged 6y, 12d.  That indicates that Elizabeth had died a day or two after she gave birth to Alphonso.

There is what appears to be a second marriage listed for Jacob in Fountain County marriage records, to Mary R. Nehemiah on February 14, 1858.

Jacob Clawson is shown in the 1860 census in Fountain County as a "day laborer", age 44 and born in Indiana(wrong), with Mary 24, Charles E., 6 and Pilander[sic], 1, all born in Indiana. 

He is shown in the 1870 census in Shawnee Township, age 54, born in Ohio, with Mary 32, Chas Albert, 15, Philander, 11, Ida, 9, Alice, 6, Emma 4, and Henry 3.

In the 1880 census he is shown in Shawnee Township as Jacob S., 64 a farmer born in Ohio with both parents born in Ohio, with Mary R., 41 "housekeeping" born in Indiana, father in Pa., and mother in Ohio, with seven children, all born in Indiana: C. Albert, 24 a carpenter, Philander P., 21, a laborer, Ida A., 19, Alice S., 16, Emma J., 13, J. Henry 11, and Lizzie M., 8.

Alphonso Clawson -- son of Jacob and Elizabeth above.  From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, there is an Alphonso Clawson, son of J. & E. Clawson, buried in the Rob Roy Cemetery, died February 1, 1853, aged 6y, 12d.

Ida A. Clawson (Keefer) -- daughter of Jacob above.  She is shown in Fountain County marriage records to have married Robert D. Keefer on September 9, 1880.

In the 1881 Fountain County history, there is a biography of Robert: "Robert D. Keefer, carpenter and grocer, Rob Roy, son of Israel and Margaret (Hall) Keefer, was born in Shawnee township, January 10, 1856.  His parents removed form Ross county, Ohio, to this place in 1854.  He obtained a common school education, and at the age of eighteen began to learn the carpenter's trade.  He has followed this business to the present time.  Mr. Keefer was married, September 9, 1880, to Miss Ida, daughter of Jacob Clawson.  She was born October 16, 1860.  Her mother's maiden name was Mary Nehemiah.  The Clawsons were early settlers in this part of the country.  Mr. Keefer is a young man of spirit and enterprise, and in politics a republican."

Emma Clawson (Gummert) -- daughter of Jacob above.  She is likely the Emma shown in Fountain County marriage records to have married Charles Gummert on October 19, 1882.  She would have been sixteen at the time, but there are no other apparent Emma Clawsons in Fountain County at this time.  There is a Gummert, apparently "Chas.", who signed as a witness to one of the statements of Josiah D. Clawson in the affidavit for a civil war pension.

Mary Ann Clawson -- daughter of Garret, born July 25, 1817, shown to be the fifth oldest child.  She is shown in Fountain County marriage records as having married Samuel Wilson on November 21, 1837.

Samuel C. Wilson and Mary F. are shown in Davis Township, Fountain County in the 1850 census, with Samuel C., 34, a farmer born in Ohio, Mary F., 31, born in Ohio, and Margaret A., 10, Martin, 7, and Eleanor, 4, all born in Indiana.

Mary Ann Wilson is shown in Fountain County marriage records to have married Israel Keefer on March 10, 1865.

Sarah J. Clawson -- daughter of Garret, born Sept 24, 1818, shown to be the sixth oldest child.

Josiah D. Clawson -- son of Garret above, born in 1820, shown to be the seventh oldest child.  There is a civil war pension index entry for Garret Clawson as the soldier of the 86th Indiana Infantry, Company C. His mother filed for a pension from Indiana on January 22, 1895 and his father from Indiana on August 21, 1888. His parents were listed as Sarah A. and Josiah D. Clawson.  The contents of that file, including summaries of affidavits from Sarah and Josiah, and a copy of their marriage record, is described in the section on their son Garrett below.

Fountain County marriage records show a Josiah Clawson married Sarah Ann Erwin on February 15, 1842 (There are two Josiah's of the same age in this era, the other being a son of Josiah).  

This Josiah Clawson is listed in the 1850 census, being 29 and a farmer with land valued at $500 and having been born in Ohio.  His wife is Sarah, aged twenty-six, born in Indiana.  They have two children, Garret, aged seven and born in Indiana, and Elizabeth A., aged three and born in Indiana. 

In the 1860 census they are shown in Fountain County, he being 40 and a farmer born in Ohio, Sarah A., being 36 and born in Indiana, with five children all born in Indiana: Garret, 17, Elizabeth J., 13, Benjamin 9, Allen 4, and Lena, 2.

Shown in 1880 census in Shawnee Township, Fountain County is Josiah Clawson, 60, born in Ohio with his father born in Pennsylvania and his mother in Virginia, with Sarah A., 54, housekeeping, born in Indiana with her father born in North Carolina and it unclear where her mother was born, and Emma, 18, at home and Jas., 12, at home, both born in Indiana with their father born in Ohio and their mother in Indiana.

They are shown in the 1900 census soundex in Shawnee Township, Fountain County, enumerated as: Josiah Clawson, born in Jan 1824 In Ohio, age 76, with Sary A. wife, born in Indiana in January 1824, age 76, with Allen son, born in in Indiana in Sept 1855, age 44, with Roena Foarman, Friend, born in Indiana in Dec 1832, age 67. (There is a second, separate card in the soundex index which lists Josias Clawson Feb 1820 80 born Ohio living in Fountain County, Shawnee T., with Allen Clawson son, no other info recorded.)

Josiah D. Clawson is shown in the Fountain County compiled cemetery records to be buried in Brown Cemetery, born February 23, 1820 and died August 13, 1903.  His wife Sarah A. is shown buried in the same cemetery three years earlier, having been born January 19, 1824 and died June 10, 1900.

Charlotte Miller, a Josiah descendant, has this as his family's listing:  Garrett b. 12-1842 Fo. Co. Died 5-5-1863 Murpheesboro, Tenn.; Leilah  b. 11-5-1844 Fo. Co. Died in infancy; Elizabeth b. 3-25-1847; Ben b. 10-30-1850  m. to Sarah Brown and Martha?; Rachel  b. 12-29-1852 Died in infancy; Allen   b. 9-22-1855  Cebeb. 5-2-1858 M. Joe Pearson; Emma b. 8-2-1862 m. Charley Gummert; James   b. 7-29-1867 d. 10-30-1958 m. Eva Lavinia Wheat, b. 6-16-1876 d. 5-18-1967.  She writes: "James was my grandfather. I knew Ben, Allen and Emma also."

Garret Clawson -- son of Josiah D. above, this is the Garret listed in Civil War muster records as Garret Clawson, 86th Indiana, Company C. Enrolled August 13, 1862 at Attica by Captain Dicks. Mustered in September 4, 1862 at Indianapolis by Captain Miller. Age 19, hazel eyes; black hair; height, 5'6"; dark complexion; born Fountain County; Farmer. Died at Murfreesboro, Tennessee on May 5, 1863.

He is believed to be buried at Stone's River National Battlefield Cemetery at Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  His parents are shown in the civil war pension index in relation to Garret. His mother was listed as Sarah A. and his father as Josiah D. Clawson. He is shown as having served in the 86th Indiana Infantry, Company C.  His mother applied for a pension on January 22, 1895 from Indiana, and his father applied for a pension on August 21, 1888 from Indiana.

The summary of the contents of the pension file includes the following items: a record from the Adjutant General's Office in Washington, D. C., dated November 6, 1888, which states that Garrett Clawson was a private of Company C, 86th Regiment of Indiana.  He enrolled on August 13, 1862 at Attica, Indiana for three years.  It further states that he was on the roll from enrollment to October 31, 1862, present; then in November and De3cember 1862 he was absent sent to Hospital at Bowling Green, Kentucky on November 5, 1862.  In January and February, 1863, he was present, and same again to April 30, 1863; his last enrollment card shows that he died at Regimental Hospital at Murfreesboro, Tennessee on May 5, 1863.  Regimental hospital records show him on September 18, 1862 with no diagnosis or prescription, admitted on May 3, 1863 with diarrheas and died May 5.  The transcript from final statement shows him dying at the Regimental Hospital in Murfreesboro.

There is an affidavit of Josiah D. Clawson in from of the Clerk of the Fountain County Circuit Court, dated October 28, 1891, which indicates that Josiah D. Clawson, father of Garrett Clawson, deceased, of Company C of the 86th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, had applied for a pension as the dependant father of said Garret Clawson, deceased.  On October 17, 1891, he received notice that his claim had been rejected.  It states that Josiah was "totally disabled", the rejection of the application was a "great injustice", the deceased soldier's mother was still living and "has been for several years feeble in health and not able to perform labor", and that Josiah "is advanced in years".  It is signed, Josiah D. Clawson, and witnessed by J. G. Keefer and H. R. Claypool.  

There is an affidavit of Sarah A. Clawson, age 71 years, of Rob Roy, Fountain County, dated November 11, 1895. She indicates that she is the claimant in this pension application, and that she has no property of her own. There is an affidavit of Sarah A. Clawson, dated August 13, 1897, before H. C. Wyand, Clerk of the Fountain County Circuit Court.  Sarah and her husband Josiah were said "both unable to do any kind of labor".  Witnesses were Daniel Pasley and C. (Chas?) Gummert.

There is a marriage license copy prepared by F. W. (?) Macoughtry Clerk of the Fountain County Circuit Court on December 22, 1890, which shows that Josiah Clawson and Sarah Ann Erwin were married on January 27, 1842.
 
There is an affidavit from Elias Pugh, age 59, dated April 8, 1891, in which he states that he has known Josiah D. Clawson since infancy, and that Josiah is "feeble in health". 
 
There is an affidavit from Martin Wilson, age 46 years, of Rob Roy in Fountain County, dated May 6, 1889. He indicated that he was a private in Company C of the 86th Indiana Volunteers, along with Garret Clawson, and that he was present when he died. Witnesses to this affidavit were John G. Keefer and H. R. Claypool. 
 
There was an affidavit from Alexander Whitehall of Attica, Fountain County, he aged 62 years, dated February (?) 30, 1888. He indicates that he has been a physician and surgeon for forty years, and acquainted with Josiah Clawson for thirty years. 
 
There was an affidavit from John W. Johnson, of Covington, Fountain County, age 42, dated May 23, 1896. He indicates that he is acquainted with both Sarah and Josiah Clawson. 
 
There is an affidavit by Henry B. Jones of Rob Roy, Fountain County, age 57 years, dated May 21, 1896. He indicated he was a neighbor of Josiah and Sarah Clawson, and that Josiah was feeble in health. 

Delilah A. Clawson -- daughter of Josiah D. above.  In the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Delilah A. Clawson, daughter of J.D. & S.A. Clawson is shown buried in Rob Roy Cemetery, died August 6, 1846, aged 1y, 9m, 1d.

Benjamin Clawson -- son of Josiah D. above, shown in the 1880 census in Shawnee Township age 29(seems like "Benj. G." in listing), born in Indiana with both parents born in Ohio, with Sarah C., born in Indiana with both parents born in Indiana, and two children Finfola E., 8, and Harry W., 1, both born in Indiana.
 
The 1900 Indiana soundex shows Benjamin and his family in Troy Township of Fountain County, although with a slightly different birthdate as the cemetery record below: Benjamin Clawson, born in October 1851, age 48, with Sarah E. wife June 1855, 45, W. Harry, son, Feb 1870, 21, and Ollie son April 1885 15, all born in Indiana.

In Beulah Shawnee Cemetery (also known as Beulah Presbyterian Cemetery and Claypool Cemetery) are shown B. (Benjamin) C. Clawson, 1852- and Sarah his wife, 1854-1912.

Cebe Clawson -- daughter of Josiah D. above, and Sarah Ann Erwin.  Ancestor of Eleanor Marshall's husband.   Cebe is shown in Fountain County marriage records to have married J.W. Pearson on August 15, 1877.   They are both buried at Silver Island Cemetery in rural Fountain County.  Silver Island Cemetery is located just North of Waterman/Lodi, Parke County, Indiana.  Their daughter Lula Pierson's grave  is also there.  She is buried next to first husband Charles H. Marshall.  She had remarried two years after he died and was then married  to Hamer Pritchard.

Teresa G. Clawson -- daughter of Garret above, shown to be the eighth oldest child, born on July 21, 1821.

Catherine Clawson (Reynolds) -- daughter of Garret, shown to be the ninth oldest child, born on December 24, 1822.  She is listed in the Fountain County marriage records as having married John Reynolds on April 18, 1841.

In the 1850 census in Richland Township, Fountain County, taken 5th of ??, are shown John Reynolds, 38, farmer, born in Pa, with Catherine, 23, born in Ohio, George, 8, Delila, 5, and James, 2, all born in Indiana.

Hannah D. Clawson -- daughter of Garret, shown to be the tenth oldest child, born on July 6, 1824.  Hannah Clawson shown in Fountain County marriage records as having married Jonothan(sic) Gundy (Gandy?) on May 5, 1842.  Hannah Gundy is shown in Fountain County records as having married William H. Covalt(same surname as Sophia Clawson's maiden name) on December 16, 1845 in Fountain County.

William and Hannah are shown in the Fountain County 1850 census in Van Buren Township, taken November 20, as William Covalt, 39 farmer, $1600, born in Ohio, with Hannah, 26, Jonathan, 19, farmer, Lois J., 16, all born in Ohio and Catherine, 3, and John W. (H?), 1, both born in Indiana.  Hannah had box 12 checked.  Jonathan and Lois J. had boxes 11 checked. 

In the Ford County, Illinois 1860 census in Patton Precinct, numbered 1/2, is William H. Covalt, farmer, $4000/1200, born in Ohio, with Hannah, 35, born in Ohio, Alonzo, 16, Catherine, 13, John 12, and Garrett, 10, all born in Indiana, and William 3, and Albert, one month, both born in Illinois.

>From the 1990 Covalt family book by C. Richard Covault, quoted in other parts of these notes, there is a section on William H. Covalt, which includes a significant amount of information about Hannah as well: "WILLIAM H. COVALT, son of Jonathan Covalt and Catherine Highland, born April 6, 1811 in Hamilton County Ohio; died September 27, 1870 in Ford County, Illinois. Buried in the Old Paxton Cemetery, Ford County, married first Elizabeth Lyman, daughter of James Lyman, born November 23, 1812, Hamilton County; died April 2, 1844, Fountain County. The 1850 census lists two children. Children of William H. and Elizabeth Lyman, 1) Jonathan: born May 16, 1831, Hamilton County, Ohio, died April 10, 1886, Labette County, Kansas; 2) Lois J.: born ca 1834, Hamilton County, Ohio; married John Cook, October 13, 1855.

William H. Covalt married second Mrs. Hannah D. Clawson (Gandy), December 16, 1845, Fountain County, Indiana. Hannah was born ca 1825, Ohio, died May 1913/15, Ford County, Illinois. It is assumed that she was the granddaughter of Garrett & Mary Clawson. The 1850 census lists Alonzo Gandy, Hannah's son and two children of William's. The 1860 census Paxton Pricent, Ford County, Illinois, lists the family and William as a farmer.

Children of William H. Covalt and Hannah Clawson, 1) Catherine: born ca 1847, Fountain County, married Mr. Frickel; 2) Garret Clawson: born June 1850, Fountain County, Indiana; 3) William, born February 1854, Ford County, Illinois; died November 1914; 4) John Wallace: born June 1855, Fountain County, Indiana; died January 17, 1913, San Bernardino County, California; 5) Albert: born ca 1860 Ford County, Illinois; 6) Silas, born March 1865, Ford County; died October 15, 1865, age 7 m. It is possible that he is the son of a third marriage, the tombstone reads 's/o W.H. & L.D.'; 7) Charles Thomas: Listed in Wm. H.'s will. Note: Albert is not listed in the 1870 Census."

It is likely that the sixth son is of William and Hannah D., and the first letter of her name is either misread or miswritten. It is also likely that Hannah is the great-granddaughter of Garret and Mary, her grandfather being Peter, and her father being Peter's son Garret.

Delilah Covalt -- daughter of Hannah and William H.  She is shown in compiled Fountain County cemetery records as buried in Rob Roy Cemetery, having died August 28, 1854 at age 2y, 4m, 9d.

Infant Son Covalt -- son of Hannah and William H., shown in compiled cemetery records to be buried in Rob Roy Cemetery, having died December 19, 1853 at 26d.

George Covalt -- son of Hannah and William H.  He is shown in compiled Fountain County cemetery records as buried in Rob Roy Cemetery, having died March 8, 1855 at age 1m, 26d.

Elenor Clawson -- daughter of Garret, shown to be the eleventh oldest child, born on February 5, 1826.  There is an Ellen Clawson, likely this daughter of Garret, shown in Fountain County marriage records as having married Samuel Warrick on March 9, 1848.

Rebecca F. Clawson -- daughter of Garret, shown to be the twelfth oldest child, born on Oct 26, 1827.   This is likely the Rebecca shown in Fountain County marriage records to have married William W. Conner on March 10, 1856.

They are shown in the Warren County census in 1860 as William W. Conner, 28, farmer, property value, $400/$300, with Rebecca, 31, and Abigail eight months, all born in Indiana.

George Clawson -- son of Garret, born in 1829, shown to be the thirteenth oldest child.  Fountain County marriage records show George S. Clawson marrying Mary Ann Mumma (Murray?) on October 7, 1855.

He is shown in the 1860 census in Fountain County as a farmer age 31 born in Indiana, with Mary A. age 26 and born in Tennessee, with Charles E., 4, Almaretta, 2, and Mariah, six months -- all born in Indiana.

He is shown as George S. in Shawnee Township in the 1880 census, age 57 a farmer born in Indiana with his father born in Pa. and his mother born in Va., with Mary A. 45 "housekeeping", born in Pa., and with both her parents born in Pa.  They are shown with Francis H., 18, Wm. H.., 17, Isaac B., 9, and Marshall R., 6 -- all born in Indiana with their father born in Indiana and their mother born in Pa.

George is shown in the 1900 Indiana census soundex in Shawnee Township, Fountain County as George S. Clawson, born in Indiana in March 1829, age 71, with Mary A. wife, born in Pennsylvania in September 1834, age 65, and Charles E., son, born in Indiana in July 1856, age 43.

In the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, George S. Clawson is shown buried in Beulah Cemetery, born March 17, 1829 and died November 6, 1915.

George's widow Mary Ann is shown in the 1920 Indiana census soundex in Covington on 10th Street as Mary Ann Clawson, 84, born in Pennsylvania, and Charles Clawson, son, 63, born in Indiana.

In the same Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Mary Ann Clawson is shown in Beulah Cemetery, listed in compiled records as the wife of George S., with only her birthdate of September 28, 1834 listed.

In the "History of Fountain County, Indiana, 1983", published by the Fountain County Historical Society and Printed by the Taylor Publishing Company, is an article on the "Clawson Family in Shawnee Township", which contains information about George and descendants: "George S. Clawson born in 1829, married Mary Ann Mumaw, who came from Pennsylvania, born in Germany. They were my grandparents.

To this union was born seven children -- Charles E., Frances, Almaretta, Maria, William H., Marshall and Isaac.

William H. Clawson was born in Rob Roy in 1863 and married Estella Armenia Watts in 1888. He died in 1964 being one hundred (years old. William and Estella celebrated) their sixty-ninth wedding anniversary together. Estella died in 1957. They are buried in Beulah Cemetery east of Rob Roy.

Eight children were born to them: Archie, Arletta, Bessie, Arthur, Leona, Maria, Charles and Dorothy.

William "Bill" Clawson was the village blacksmith and worked in his shop until he was ninety-five years old. His first blacksmith shop was located in Rob Roy on the west side of the railroad track north of the grain elevator. Later he built a shop on the east side of the railroad track on the Attica Newtown road. His motto was 'it is far better to wear out than to rust out.' He was always looking to the future, never the past. He was twenty years ahead of time as a mechanical genius inventing the first demountable rim for an automobile, one of the first acetylene welders in the country, made his own oxygen and acetylene and was welding aluminum in the early 1900's. He also invented a machine to make the wooden rim of a wagon wheel and he also made one of the first steel mould boards for the horse-drawn plow.

He attended school in a log cabin located between Little and Big Shawnee Creek in Old Rob Roy. He was a lifetime Democrat and the first time he voted was for Grover Cleveland for president of the United States. His hobbies were gardening in the summer and playing his banjo in the winter months. He taught the blacksmith trade to his brother-in-law, Millard A. Watts and also his
youngest son, Charles Clawson. His son Archie, employed at Harrison Steel castings for fifty years, married Della Potter. They had two children, Mary Clawson Purviance and Archie Clawson Jr.

The daughter, Arletta married Thurman Fix and they had four children, Helen Merle, Dwayne and Gwendolyn Fix Burns. Daughter Bessie married James B. Wilson and to this union two children were born, Evelyn Wilson Clark and Gerald Wilson. The son Arthur was self-employed most of his working years as an auto mechanic and had as his hobby building and flying airplanes and gliders. He married Lorena Wilson and they had two sons, Arthur Jr. and Dale. Arthur Jr. is married to Ariel McMurtrie and they have five daughters, Sarah, Sisanna Clawson Scecina, Martha Clawson Johnson, Mary and Jennifer. Arthur Jr. is employed at Radio Materials Corporation, following his grandfather's footsteps, is Superintendent of the Machine Shop. Dale is married to Betty Jaynes and has one daughter, Lisa Clawson Aldridge. He is also employed at Radio Materials Corporation as Electronic Engineer and Quality Control Manager.

Leona and Dorothy died in early childhood.

Maria, the daughter lives in Rob Roy in the Clawson home place. Charles the youngest son, married Josephine Hutchins. For several years he worked as a blacksmith at Harrison Steel Castings Company. Later he had a Blacksmith, Machine, and Welding Shop on South Perry Street in Attica. Later he moved his shop to the Attica downtown area. He later bought the Attica Hardware Store and operated it for several years. He now has a blacksmith shop at his home.  He and his nephew Arthur Jr. both served on the Attica City Council and the Attica Zoning Commission.

The Clawsons living in Attica are active in the First United Methodist and United Presbyterian churches. The Clawsons are an industrious family and all are very active in community affairs.  Submitted by Charles Clawson."

Almaretta Clawson -- daughter of George above, shown in the 1880 census in Shawnee township as 22, a "servant", born in Indiana with a father born in Indiana and a mother born in Ohio.

Almaretta Clawson is shown in Fountain County marriage records as marrying William Foreman on March 7, 1882.  William's father was Peter Foreman, the husband of Caroline Clawson Foreman -- the widow of Allen Clawson, the son of Josiah Clawson.  One of Peter's other sons, James, married Charlotte Clawson, the oldest child of Allen and Caroline Clawson.

William Foreman is shown in the 1910 census in Fountain County, Richland Township, 53, born in Indiana, with his father born in Ohio and his mother in Indiana, with Almaretta, 52, born in Indiana with her parents born in Indiana, and Etha, born in Tennessee, with both her parents born in Indiana.  They have been married twenty-eight years, and Almaretta has had two children, one of which was living at the time of the census.

William and Almaretta are shown in Shawnee Township in the 1920 census, William, 62, born in Indiana with his father born in Ohio and his mother born in ??, and Alma R., 62, born in Indiana with her father born in Indiana and her mother born in ??.

Isaac B. Clawson - son of George above.  He is shown in the 1900 Indiana census soundex as: Isaac B. Clawson, born in September 1870, age 29, living in Indiana Fountain County, Cain Twp.  Hillsboro, with Lulu wife born March 1875, age 25, Ruth M. dau born in Jan 1895 age 5, Clyde son, born in Jan 1898, age 2 Indiana, and Minnie dau born in March 1900 (no age copied), all born in Indiana.

They are shown in the 1920 Indiana census soundex on Jefferson Street in Covington as Ike Clawson (Isaac, son of George S. Clawson by note of Gary Purviance), 53, with Lula, wife, 43, Ruth, daughter, 24, Clyde, son, 22, Vera, daughter, 19, and Ruth Glenna Clawson, granddaughter, one year and three months, all born in Indiana.

William H. Clawson - son of George above.  He is shown in the Clawson bio above as "William H. Clawson was born in Rob Roy in 1863 and married Estella Armenia Watts in 1888. He died in 1964 being one hundred (years old. William and Estella celebrated) their sixty-ninth wedding anniversary together. Estella died in 1957. They are buried in Beulah Cemetery east of Rob Roy.

Eight children were born to them: Archie, Arletta, Bessie, Arthur, Leona, Maria, Charles and Dorothy."

He is shown in the 1920 Indiana census soundex in Rob Roy as William Clawson, 57 , Stella Clawson, wife, 49, Maria Clawson, daughter, 17, Arthur H. Clawson, son, 21, (also enumerated with his brother Archie in Attica), and Charles, son, 12, all born in Indiana.

Archie W. Clawson - son of William H. above, and grandson of George.  He is shown in the 1920 Indiana census soundex in Attica at 106 North Sixth St. as 30, with Della M., wife, 26, Mary L., 6, daughter, Archie W., son, two years, eight months, and Arthur H. Clawson, brother, 21, Mary A. Potter, sister in law, 19, James D. Potter, 21 and Stephen H. Potter, 24, both brothers in law, all in the entry having been born in Indiana.

William G. Clawson -- son of Garret, shown to have been the fourteenth oldest child, born on January 16, 1831.  Presumably this is the William Clawson shown in Gary Purviance's records as having married Minerva Greenwood on May 29, 1855.  Gary shows that this marriage is shown in family records, but has not been found in official records.  It is unclear where this marriage would have occurred.

In the 1850 Fountain County census in Shawnee Township, Minerva is shown with her family, as Minerva Greenwood, 12, born in Indiana, with her parents Harley, 49, born Maine???  farmer, and Francis, 43, born in Va(?), James, 19, Frances 12, born in Germany(?), and Eliza Smith, 17, and Sarah Coe, 16.

Lydia Maria Clawson -- daughter of Garret, shown to have been the fifteenth oldest child, born on June 27, 1833.

Peter Clawson -- Peter Sr.'s son.  Peter is shown in Montgomery Co. records to have married Sarah Iford on September 11, 1823.  He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio in 1801 and died in Carroll County, Indiana in 1872.  It indicates that Sarah was born in Maryland in 1804 and died in Carroll County on October 27, 1870.  Peter moved with his brother Garret and uncles Thomas and Josiah to Fountain County, Indiana and is shown there in the probate of the estate of one of Sarah's parents in the late 1820's, and is shown there in the 1830 census as well.

According to the Helen Quinn research, Peter and Sarah's children were: Ellen, died young; Josiah, born 1825, married Malinda Hatton and buried in Zion Cemetery; Abraham, born ca 1830, married first, Sarah Nipper and second Alice Lipstrap and died Tippecanoe County, Indiana, buried in Colburn Lutheran Cemetery; George Mortimer, born February 2, 1831, married Nancy Elizabeth Ball, died 1874 and buried in Zion Cemetery; Lewis B., born June 22, 1835, married Malinda Lynch and died December 19, 1895 and buried in Zion Cemetery; Vine, born 1836, married Cynthia Vorhees, died 1862 in Nashville, Tennessee in Civil War; Fidelia Cecilia, born 1839, married first, Allen Shipley, and second Lewis Sink; Robert, born 1842; Mary, born October 9, 1844, married Henry Freeland Loy on August 27, 1863, and died on April 18, 1913 and buried in Zion Cemetery; and Margaret, born October 9, 1844, married James K. Lee in 1871 in Tippecanoe County.

Peter does not show up in Fountain County records after 1830, and is shown to have moved to Monroe Township in Carroll County, Indiana.  He is buried in the Zion Cemetery there with Sarah.  They are reported to have had eight children, George, 1829, Abram, 1830, Lewis, 1836, Vine, 1838, Cecilia, 1839, Robert, 1842, and twins Mary and Margaret, 1844.

Susanna Ifert (Iford?), Peter Clawson's mother-in-law bought land in Fountain County on March 8, 1825 in Section 28, Township 21 north, Range 7 west. Her will was probated in Fountain County in May 1830. A copy of her will, dated October 8, 1829, follows: "Susannah Iferd's Last Will - Fountain County. State of Indiana. I Susannah Iferd being come near my disolution and latter end. I do hereby make my last will and by these letters I do give and bequeath to Peter Clawson my well beloved son-in-law as follows. Twenty acres of land being and lying in the south end of the west half of the north west quarter of section twenty-eight in township twenty one north of range seven Within the district of Terre Haute and State of Indiana beginning at the half mile stake in the section line thence running east eighty poles on to the east boundary of said lot thence north forty poles. Thence west eighty poles. Thence south forty poles to the place of beginning so as include twenty acres - And all the residue of the above described lot of lands I will and do give and bequeath to my dearly beloved son Abraham Iferd. And I further will give and bequeath to my son Abram Iferd at my decease all my household property that I may be seized of or own at that time and all my cattle and hogs and such other property as I may have at my decease - In testimony I do hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of October one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine - Attest Susanna (x - her mark) Iferd (seal). Signed and sealed D. McMillon, Abraham Clawson and Mathew Bolin.

Peter Clawson is shown in the 1830 Fountain County census with a man between thirty and forty, a woman and man each between twenty and thirty, and a girl and a boy each under the age of five.

Peter Clawson purchased land in Section 7, Monroe Township, Carroll County on May 27, 1833. On February 2, 1836, Sarah Iford Clawson purchased land in Section 8 of Monroe Township.  Each paid $1.25 per acre for the land.

In the 1845 Carroll County tax list, Peter Clawson paid taxes on land in Jackson Township, section 7 and in Deer Creek Township (Delphi) on section 3.

Peter Clawson is shown in the 1850 census in Carroll County, 50, property worth $1400, born in Ohio, with George, 21, Abram, 14, Lewis, 12, Cecilia, 11, Robert 8, Mary, 6, Margaret, 6, all born in Indiana. With them is Abraham Iford, 55. (Their oldest child, Josiah, 25 in 1850, was not living at home at this time).

In the 1860 census, Peter Clawson is listed in Carroll County as 55, a farmer born in Ohio, with Sarah, 53, born in Maryland, Vine, 23, a farmer and laborer, Robert, 18, Mary, 15, Margaret, 15, all born in Indiana and Abraham, 50, a laborer born in Maryland.

In the 1863 Carroll County township map, Peter Clawson was shown as owning 160 acres in section 10 of Deer Creek Township, southwest of Delphi, not far from the present highway 421.

Peter Clawson died on his farm in 1872. Sarah Ifert Clawson died October 27, 1870. They are buried in Zion Cemetery in Carroll County.

In the 1874 Carroll County atlas, Mary Loy, wife of Henry Freelin Loy and daughter of Peter Clawson, was shown as having land in the northwest corner of Madison Township.  Land is also shown belonging to Mary's brother-in-law John Lowe and the Peter Clawson estate.  The Peter Clawson estate land is just west of Radnor.

Abraham Clawson -- son of Peter Jr. In the 1860 census in Carroll County, Indiana in Deer Creek Township (Delphi) are shown two Clawsons: Abraham, 29, Mary, 17(ink spot over name, presumably Mary), Lewis, 2(?), and George Clawson, 3, all born in Indiana.

In the 1900 census soundex there is an Abraham of this age born in Indiana in Benton County, Hickory Grove Township.  The entry includes Abraham Clawson, born in October 1830 in Indiana, age 69, with Alice wife, born (no month) 1850 in Ohio, age 50, and Becca Liptrap dau born (no month) 1879 in Indiana, age 20, Rita Liptrap granddaughter, born Jan 1893 in Indiana, age 7, and Percy McCrea, boarder Aug 1868 31 Canada (Eng).

Lewis Clawson -- son of Peter Jr.  Three pages after Abraham Clawson in the 1860 census in Carroll County was Lewis Clawson, 24, a farmer, with Malinda, 21, and Charles, seven months, all born in Indiana. 

Lewis is shown in the 1880 Indiana soundex in Madison Township in Carroll County as Lewis Clawson, 43, born in Indiana, with Melinda, 40, Charles A., 20, John N., 19, Lewis H., Lucy L., 13, Cecilia J., 10, and William T., 3, all born in Indiana.

Charles Clawson - shown in the 1900 census soundex in Madison Township, Carroll County, likely the Charles shown above.  His entry reads: Charles A. Clawson, born December 1860(age not copied), with Flora wife born in July 1873, age 27, Charley R. son, born Feb 1892, age 8, Johnnie son, born in Apr 1893, age 7, Jessie son born in Aug 1894, age 5, Mabel dau born in July 1896, age 3, and Harvey son born in May 1900 - all born in Indiana.

John Clawson - shown in the 1900 census soundex in Madison Township, Carroll County, likely the John N. shown above.  His entry reads: John N. Clawson, born in Feb 1861 in Indiana, age 39, with Mattie wife born in March 1869, age 31, William son Sept 1894 5, Omer son May 1897 3, all born in Indiana, and John Clever Bo (Boarder) Dec 1866 34, born in Michigan.

Vine Clawson -- son of Peter Jr., shown above with him at age 23 in 1860.  Civil War Muster Records, found in the Indiana State Library, include: Vine Clauson (sic) Company K, 41st Indiana Regiment; enrolled December 5, 1861 at Delphi by St. Evans; Mustered December 21(4?) at Indianapolis, by Col Ross(?); Died at Nashville, Tennessee, March 16, 1862.

There is a Civil War pension file for Vine Clawson, filed in 1863 by his widow Cynthia A. Clawson on behalf of herself and a minor son Vine. Enclosed are a number of related documents. A certificate from the Adjutant General's Office in the Executive Department of Indiana shows that Vine Clauson (sic) enrolled as a Private in the 41st Indiana, 2nd Cavalry, Company K on December 5, 1861. He was mustered in at Indianapolis on December 24, 1861 for a three year term.  His age was not shown. His death was reported on the same form to have happened at Nashville, Tennessee on May 16, 1862. His widow applied for a pension on February 7, 1863 and his minor applied for a pension (or one was applied for in his behalf) on November 30, 1865.

Cynthia A. Clawson applied for a pension and is shown to have remarried twice, to have lived at 545 E. Third St. in Peru, Indiana in the latter part of her life, and to have been dropped from the rolls in January 1914 due to her death on December 15, 1913. 

The declaration for the original pension, dated, September 12, 1912, indicates that Cynthia Ann Nofsinger was 68 years of age, that she was a residence of Peru Iondiana, that she had remarried Henry Nofsinger on December 15, 1906 at Peru, Indiana, that the said soldier, Vine Clawson, was born on or about the year 1839 in Carroll County, Indiana, and that she believes he had blue eyes, dark hair and light complexion.  No height or permanent scars were listed.  His occupation was a farmer.  Her marriage date was listed as August 27, 1861 in front of Jonathan Gillam, and that neither had been previously married.  Vince had died from disease at Nashville, Tennessee on May 16, 1862.  They had one child, Vine Clawson, born on June 12, 1862, and there were no other children.

There is a marriage license transcript included for Cynthia Ann Voorhees and Vine Clawson from Carroll County, Indiana.  It indicates they were married on August 24, 1861, in front of Jonathan Gillam, Justice of the Peace. 

There is a signed statement from M.C. Evans, taken in the County of Carroll, Indiana, appearing to have been notarized by Henry M. Graham in August 1863, which states that Vine Clawson was a private in Company K, 2nd Indiana Cavalry, and "that on the march of the 2nd Indiana Cavalry from Nashville to Pittsburgh Landing, said Clawson was left sick at Camp Spring Hill; this was about the middle of March 1862; that this deponent never saw said Clawson afterwards, but has witnessed that he died at one of the Hospitals in Nashville, Tennessee."

There is a certificate included in the file that shows that Peter Clawson was listed as the Guardian of Vine Clawson, dated June 6, 1865.  The certificate was signed by A. Garrett, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Carroll County, Indiana.

There is an affidavit taken on October 25, 1912 by George E. Clawson, age 29, resident of Leabonon (sic) in Boone County, Indiana, which reads "That he is a second cousin to Vine Clawson, who was the former husband of Cynthia A. Nofsinger, now of Peru, Indiana; that the true and correct way of spelling the surname of the said Vine Clawson, was and is 'Clawson', instead of 'Clauson', and that although the name of said Vine Clawson is sometimes written and spelled as 'Clawson' and 'Clauson' it relates to and in fact is one and the same person, and the true and correct name is 'Vine Clawson'."  /s/George E. Clawson.

There is a marriage license transcript included for Jefferson Weigle and Cynthia Clawson in Carroll County, Indiana, indicating that they were married on December 12, 1863.  The wedding was in front of Moses Plank, Justice of the Peace.  There is a notation that Cynthia is her correct name, although Lucinda was incorrectly given in another place.

There is an affidavit taking on November 16, 1912, by John Diehl, age 48, of Peru, Miami County, Indiana, which states :"That he was personally acquainted with Jefferson Wikle, former husband of Cynthia A. Nofsinger, during his life time; that the same Jefferson Wikle was one and the same person as the person mentioned in the marriage license of said Cynthia A. and Jefferson Wikle as 'Weigle', and that the true and correct name of the former husband of said Cynthia A. Nofsinger was 'Jefferson Wikle'." /s/John Diehl.

There is an affidavit given by Dr. M.A. Jordan on November 18, 1912, indicating that he was the treating physician "during the last final days of the illness of Jno. G. Kisler (?), and that he died on the fourth day of May, 1890.

There is an affidavit of Dr. A. H. Kalbfleisch, age 65 years, of Peru, Miami County, Indiana, given on September 12, 1912, which states "That he was acquainted with Henry Nofsinger, husband of the above named claimant, Cynthia A. Nofsinger, during the latter portion of his life, and was the attending physician during the last sickness of the said Henry Nofsinger; that the same Henry Nofsinger died at Peru, Miami County, Indiana, on the 27th day of July, 1912." /s/A.H. Kalbfleisch, M.D.
 
An affidavit taken on November 16, 1912 in Miami County, Indiana by Cynthia A. Nofsinger, who is listed as 68 years old and residing in Peru, Indiana. She stated that she "is the widow of Vine Clawson"; that he owns a house in Peru that is a six room cottage.  The affidavit further states: "That the true and correct name of the former husband of this affiant, and under whom she is now seeking a pension, is and should be spelled Vine 'Clawson', instead of 'Clauson'.  /s/Cynthia A. Nofsinger. 

Vine Clawson, Jr. - son of Vine Clawson and Cynthia, born a few months after his father died in the Civil War and referenced in his mother's pension application above.

Vine is shown in the 1900 census soundex as Vine Clawson, born in Indiana on June 1862, age 37, enumerated in Cass County,  Miami Township, with Margaret wife April 1861 39 Indiana, Hattie dau Sept 1884 15 Indiana, Jessie dau March 1886 14 Indiana, and Eva dau Feb 1889 11 Indiana.

George Clawson -- son of Peter Jr.  In the 1916 County History for Carroll County, Indiana, on pp. 599-600 are shown George Clawson, who married Nancy Elizabeth Ball. They had seven children, Ella (deceased), Rebecca (deceased), Fidelia (married Empson Loy), Peter, Mary, John, and Thomas (deceased). George was killed on Sugar Creek when a threshing engine exploded.

Bonnie Maxwell, a George descendant, wrote: "George Mortamore (as my great-granny spelled it) Clawson died young as the result of being too near an exploding threshing machine near Sugar Creek in Carroll County.  I don't have a photo of him, but I will send you one of Cecilia Fidella, his daughter.  George's wife Nancy Elizabeth Ball later married John Allen and she had a general store in Radnor.  She died in 1902 and is buried at Zion.

After George and Nancy were married in 1855, they went to Storey Co., IA, with Nancy's family, returning to IN in 1860.  They went back to IA in 1864, crossing the Mississippi partly by boat and partly by walking on the ice. They returned again to IN in 1867 in a covered wagon during a drought so severe that pump handles were chained down and locked.  There were also problems with horse thieves in IL during that time."

Garret Clawson -- related to Peter Jr.  In the 1860 census for Wayne Township in Montgomery County, Indiana is shown John Fouts, 26, a farmer, Sophia, 32, Mary, 5, William, six months, and Garret Clawson, 12, all born in Indiana.

Garner Clawson -- son of Peter, Sr., mentioned as a legatee in his 1836 will.  There is a "Gardner" Clawson listed in Montgomery County, Indiana marriage records as marrying Charlotte Huston [his brother Samuel married someone by the same last name in Ohio four years later] on March 6, 1828.  Garner Clawson is listed in the 1830 census in Montgomery County, Indiana, shown with a man twenty to thirty, a woman fifteen to twenty, and a girl under the age of five.  

There is a Garner Clawson listed in Rush County Indiana in the 1840 Census, an entry which I have yet to obtain.  In the 1850 census, there is a listing for a "William G. Clawson" in Union Township of Rush County, Indiana.  He is shown as 50, a shoemaker, born in Ohio, with Charlotte, 39(sic), also born in Ohio, and Nancy, 21, Samuel, 17, also a shoemaker, Eunice, 14, Alfred, 13, George, 12, Garret, 10, Isaac, 8, William, 6, and Jesse, 2, all born in Indiana.  

The 1850 census entry -- matched with the marriage record, 1830 Montgomery County census entry, and what I expect I will find when I obtain the 1840 entry for Garner Clawson in Rush County - shows that the William G. Clawson in 1850 is actually the Garner Clawson of the marriage record and previous census entries.  He was born ca 1800, which matches the possible age of a Peter child (there were children of ages older and younger than this), shows a marriage to Charlotte about the right time for all the children to be born in Indiana, and shows the children to be of the right age to be of this marriage.  It places William Garner Clawson as the patriarch of the Rush County Clawson line.

Isaac Clawson - son of William Garner Clawson and his wife Charlotte, shown above in the 1850 census entry as born ca 1842.  This Isaac Clawson was inducted into an Indiana Civil War regiment,  the record of which shows he was born in Rush County ca 1843: Isaac Clawson, 131st Indiana, Company I. 13th Cavalry; three years. Enrolled January 20, 1864 at Adams, Indiana by Captain Muth. Mustered February 29, 1864 at Indianapolis, by Captain Thatcher; age, 21; blue eyes; dark hair; height, 5'6"; complexion, fair. Born Rush County, Indiana, farmer. Discharged, Indianapolis, June 20, 1865.

Samuel Clawson - son of William Garner Clawson and his wife Charlotte, shown in the 1880 census soundex in Union Township, Rush County, as 46, born in Indiana, with Mary A., 37, William 21, Flora E. George (raising), 3, William Cook, 21, all born in Indiana.

Jesse Clawson - son of William Garner Clawson and his wife Charlotte, shown in the 1880 Soundex in Rush County, in Rushville Township as 30, with Prudence 26, Clara B., 1, Marion Johnson, brother in law, 13, all born in Indiana.

Also in the 1880 Soundex in Rush County, in Washington Township, is: Martin Clauson(sic), 30, born in Ohio, with Mary A., 27, born in Ohio, Howard, 4, f and Holley, 1, born in Ohio.

Mary Clawson -- daughter of Peter, Sr.  A Mary Clawson is shown in Montgomery Co. records to have married Timothy Marsh on January 23, 1808.

Margaret Clawson -- daughter of Peter, Sr.  A Margaret is shown in Montgomery Co. records to have married William Thomson on October 19, 1820.

John Clawson -- son of Peter Sr.  The book, "Sarah Anna Jewell and Rodolphus P. Clawson -- Their Ancestors, Descendants & Related Families", by Carole Clawson Nation, published in 1986, focuses on Garret Clawson, Sr., his son Peter, and his youngest son John C. This is the descendancy of the author, Carole Nation. The section on John C. Clawson follows:

"John C. Clawson. The youngest son of Peter and Dolly (Garrison) Clawson was born 1809-13 in Ohio. He first married Anna Kenias (Keness, Caness, etc.) 21 July 1833 in Shelby County Ohio. John and Anna had 5 children: Mary, Peter, Michael, John and William.

In 1836 John's father, Peter, died and John's step-mother Terasy then resided with John and his family until her death between 1850 and 1860.

John is shown in Washington Township, Shelby County in the 1840 census, right above his brother Joseph Clawson, with one man between twenty and thirty, one woman between sixty and seventy, one woman between twenty and thirty, and two girls under the age of five.  The older women is quite likely his step-mother "Terrasy" Clawson.

1850 census Shelby County, Washington Township, Ohio. John Clawson, 48, b. Ohio, Ann, 25, b. Ohio, Mary, 10, b. Ohio, Peter, 8, b. Ohio, Michael, 4, b. Ohio and Teresa, 90, b. Pennsylvania.

Sometime between 1856 and 1858 John's wife, Anna, apparently died and he remarried to Sarah Elizabeth Webber on 29 July 1858 in Sidney, Shelby County,
Ohio. John and Sarah's first child, Rodolphus P. was born 30 September 1859 in Ohio.
  
1860 census Shelby County, Loramie Township, Ohio. John Clawson, 47, b. Ohio, Sarah E., 21, b. Ohio, John, 9, b. Ohio, William, 4, b. Ohio, and Rodolphus, 9/12, b. Ohio.

The age of John in 1850 is 48 and in 1860 is 47. The 1850 census is notorious for errors and I believe his age in 1850 should have been about 38. Ann's age probably should have been 35 not 25. 1870 census Shelby County, Cynthian Township, Ohio. John Clawson, 58, b. Ohio, Sarah E., 31, b. Ohio, Rodolphus, 10, b. Ohio, Loretta F., 9, b. Indiana, James, 7, b. Ohio, Eliza, 5, b. Ohio, Samuel, 4, b. Ohio, and S. Clementine, 1, b. Ohio.

1880 census Shelby County, Cynthian Township, Ohio. John Clawson, 71, b. Ohio, Elizabeth, 41, b. Ohio, D.P., 20, b. Ohio, Loretta, 18, b. Ohio, Garett, 17, b. Ohio, Eliza, 16, b. Ohio, Sammy, 14, b. Ohio, Clementine, 11, b. Ohio, Allis, 8, b. Ohio, Alfonso, 6, b. Ohio, Matilda, 4, b. Ohio, James, 2, b. Ohio, and Biddy, 2, b. Ohio.

Notice that in the 1870 census James is listed between Loretta and Eliza and that in the 1880 census Garett is listed in that place and James is shown as age 2.

John died sometime after 1880 and his widow, Sarah Elizabeth Webber remarried to a Mr. Schappie, (Chapes, Chappier, Shappie, Charpiot, Charpier, Sharpier, etc.) To date no marriage record has been located apparently due to the complicated spelling variations. Sarah (Libby) died 24 August 1910 in Springfield, Clark County, Ohio and is buried in Ferncliff Cemetery."

The Second Oldest Child/The Garret Clawson, Jr. Branch.  Garret Clawson, Jr. and Keziah Sturgis.  According to revolutionary war pension records, Garret Clawson was born Dec. 25, 1759, applied for a pension on March 4, 1822 in Greene County, PA, was a resident of Dunkard Township at the time, married Kezia(or Kiziah) July 29, 1790 at Woodbridgetown in Springfield Township in Fayette County Pa., and died on April 14, 1830 in Fayette County, Pa.  The Revolutionary War pension file abstract (and Bible records from Garret Clawson printed in a 1957 D.A.R. magazine) show Garret Clawson  fought in the Virginia line and lived after the war in Pennsylvania.  

The pension records show that Garret's widow Keziah was born April 27, 1774, applied for a pension on November 6, 1838 in Fayette County, her sister Mary Fields was living in the County at the time, and in 1848 she was a resident of Wood County, Virginia, living with her only living daughter at the time(unnamed). Keziah is shown in the Family Bible to have died on April 3, 1853.
  
Bible records show twelve children: Leah(b. April 3, 1791), John(b. April 8, 1793), Mary(b. March 25, 1795), Phineas(b. Aug 10, 1797), Lotow(b. July 11, 1799), Thomas(b. Aug 22, 1801), James(b. Sept 20, 1803), Isaac Sturgis(b. Nov 20, 1805), Garret(b. Jul 18, 1808, in Masontron in Greene Co according to an LDS ancestral file record), Kezia(b. Sept 12, 1810 and d. Jul 27, 1819), Abia(b. Jan 13, 1813 and d. Jul 15, 1819), and Josiah(b. Aug 29, 1815 and d. 16 months, not shown in 1819).  [NOTE: The Family Bible also lists a death for Poliah Clawson on July 10, 1819, although it does not state how she fits in.]

The Bible records show these additional death dates for some of the above: Poliah Clawson, July 10, 1819; Isaac S. Clawson, 1836; Kiziah Clawson, April 3, 1853; John Clawson, 1858; Leah Clawson Griffin, January 25, 1878.

The family Bible of Garret and Keziah Clawson was entered into the pension file for the Revolutionary War pension request. Included was the cover page of "The New Testament" translated from the Original Greek, printed by Mark and Charles Kerr, "His Majesty's Printers" in Edinburgh, and dated 1793. The transcription of the pages of Clawson family births and deaths has been published in a number of publications, and the handwritten entries shown in the file match those transcriptions.

Garret is shown (in Pa. Archives, Third Series, Vol 12, p. 736) as being on the 1785 tax roll in Fayette County(his tax listed as 15.0).  Garret is also shown as a Single Freeman in the Greene Township tax recods in 1785, along with his brother John.  He is shown in the 1786 Fayette County, Pa. census in Springhill Township in Fayette County.  Garret is shown in the Washington County, Pa. Warrantees of Land(Pa. Archives, Third Series, Vol 26, p. 546) as Garret "Clauson" and filed for 200 acres on October 15, 1787.

The listing of Fayette County (PA) taxpayers shows Garret listed from 1785 to 1798. As shown above in the references from the Pennsylvania Archives, he is listed in Springhill Township in 1785 as Garrett Clauson, in 1786 under the same spelling and is shown as single. In 1787 and 1788 he is shown as Garrett Clawson in Union Township.

Garret is shown in the 1790 U.S. census in Fayette County, Georges Township, with just himself(shown as over 16), and a woman of an undetermined age(Kezia). 

The tax record listing above shows that in 1793 he is shown as Garret Clawsen in Georges Township. In 1794, 1795, and 1798, he is shown in Georges Township. John and Andrew Clawson are also shown in 1794 in Georges Township, and John is shown there in 1795. 

In the 1800 census in Fayette County, Springhill Township, Garrett Clawson is shown with one man over forty-five, one woman between twenty-six and forty-five, and two girls and three boys under the age of ten.

In the 1810 census of Fayette County, Garret Clausin(sic) is shown in Springhill Township with one man over forty-five, one woman between twenty-six and forty-five, one man between sixteen and twenty-six, one girl and one boy between ten and sixteen, and five boys under the age of ten.

>From the Garret Clawson pension file is a letter dated 1822 about his service: "Fayette County. Fourteenth (?) Judicial District, of Pennsylvania. On the fourth day of March A. D. 1822 personally appeared in open Court it being a Court of Record now in session for said County Garret Clawson aged sixty two years resident of Greene County in Dunkard Township who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows that he enlisted or was drafted and placed in the regular service in the year 1778 for the twelve months in the Company under command of Captain Moore under the command of Col. Bell under Genl. McIntosh in the Regiment in the Pennsylvania line in the Continental establishment. That he was in the battles of [appears to have been left blank] and several skirmishes. That he has now in his possession no other testimony than what he offers of his services.

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale (?) or in any manner do hereto of my property or my part thereof with interest thereby on to diminish at not being myself within the provisions of an act of Congress intended(?) an act to provide for the certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or doth there me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto amended and by me subscribed. /s/ Garret Clawson Given and subscribed in open Court March 4 1822 coran M. B. Freoon Prithy(?)

The index of Fayette County PA wills shows Jarred(sic) Clawson with a will in 1830 (volume 1, page 318).

The 1850 census of Wood County, VA(now West Virginia), shows a Leah Griffin, 57, born PA, was residing in the home of Edward and Maria Roe. Also in the home was Keziah Clawson, also born PA, age 76.

In "Marriages and Death Notices extracted from the Genius of Liberty and Fayette Advertiser of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, 1805-1854", published by the Closson Press in 1981, are shown the following:  On April 3, 1853, in Wood County, Virginia, Mrs. Kezia Clawson died of inflammation of the lungs, in the 79th year of her age, and formerly of this county.

There were a number of requests in the Garret Clawson pension file from possible descendants seeking to document the record of an ancestor. One example is a letter from Mr. Joseph Luts of the Cheyenne Wyoming Sons of the Revolution. The letter to him, dated June 5, 1934, reads: "Dear Sir: Reference is made to your request for the record of Garret Clawson, a soldier of the Revolution.

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim W. 3776, based upon the military service of Garret Clawson.

He was born December 25, 1759, place of birth and names of parents not given.

He enlisted in May, 1778, place not stated, and served one year as private in Captain Thomas Moore's company in Colonel Bell's Virginia regiment.

He was allowed pension on his application executed March 4, 1822, at which time he was a resident of Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.

He died April 14, 1830, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

This soldier married July 29, 1790, at Woodbridgetown, Springhill Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Kezia (maiden name omitted) who was born April 27, 1774.

She was allowed pension on her application executed November 6, 1838, at which time she was a resident of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. In 1848 she was living in Wood County, Virginia, with her only daughter, her name not designated. [This was likely her only *living* daughter, and the location is now in West Virginia].

Garret and Kezia Clawson had the following children: Leah, born April 3, 1791.  John, born April 8, 1793. Mary, born March 23, 1795. Phineas, born August 10, 1797. Lotow, born July 11, 1799. Thomas, born August 22, 1801. James, born September 20, 1803. Isaac Sturgis, born November 20, 1805. Garret, born July 18, 1808. Kesia, born September 12, 1810 and died July 27, 1819. Abia, born January 13, 1813 and died July 15, 1819. Josiah, born August 29, 1815 and died ?? 16, 1819. The widow's sister, Mary Fields, was living in Fayette County, Pennsylvania in 1838.

Very Truly Yours, A.D. Hiller, Executive Assistant to the Administrator."

Garret, Jr., and Keziah's Children.  Leah Clawson -- daughter of Garret, Jr. and Keziah, their oldest child.  She is shown above as born on April 3, 1791, and is shown in a family Bible as named Leah Clawson Griffin, and dying on January 25, 1878.  Information from K. William Bailey shows these dates for Leah and places her death in Williamstown, West Virginia.  He places Ebenezer's birth at August 12, 1788 in Kent County, Delaware, and his death at July 26, 1848 in the present Williamstown, West Virginia. 

The 1850 census of Wood County, VA(now West Virginia), District 65, taken July 6 of that year shows a Leah Griffin, 57, born Pennsylvania, was residing in the home of Edward and Maria Roe. Also in the home was Keziah Clawson, also born Pennsylvania, age 76.  

Also shown were Edward Roe, 38, a carpenter, property value $1,000 born in Virginia with Maria Roe, 28, born in Pennsylvania, Louisa Roe, 7, America Roe(Female), 3, and Georgieana Roe, six months, all born in Virginia.  After Louisa Roe, there is a check in Box #11.

The Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Quarterly, Volume 21, #1, of the Summer 1994, p. 31 has an article on the "Griffin Family of Fayette County". From that article, "The Griffin family in early Springhill Township, Fayette County, Pa. was founded by two cousins who migrated from Delaware. Isaac and Charles Griffin were grandsons of Samuel Griffin of Duck Creek, New Castle County, Delaware. The Griffin family were farmers and millers.

Isaac Griffin was born on February 27, 1751 in Kent County Delaware, the son of Samuel and Martha Griffin. He married Mary Morris, daughter of James and Ann Tilton Morris on March 10, 1774. They had ten children the first born in 1776 and the last born in 1795. The sixth child was Ebenezer Griffin, born August 12, 1788 and died after 1836 after removing to (what later was West) Virginia. He married Leah Clawson and they had six children.

John Clawson -- son of Garret, Jr. and Keziah, their second child.  He is shown as born on April 8, 1793 and is shown in the Family Bible as having died in 1858.

Mary Clawson -- daughter of Garret, Jr., and Keziah, shown in the family Bible to have been their third child, born on March 25, 1795.

Phineas Clawson -- son of Garret, Jr., shown in the family Bible to have been their fourth child, born on Aug 10, 1797.  DAR Lineage Book #48, p. 208 has an entry from Mrs. Catherine May Clawson Sumner, born in Monroe, Wisconsin, and the wife of Louis D. Sumner[vital statistics from the Monroe WI Sun, posted on the Green County Wisconsin GenWeb page show that Catherine May Clawson married Louis D. Sumner on September 4, 1895]. She was the daughter of Phineas Josephus Clawson and Catherine Laird Moore; the granddaughter of Phineas Clawson and Hannah Ross; and the great-granddaughter of Garret Clawson and Kezia Sturgis. Mrs. Sumner's entry indicates that Garret Clawson was born and died in Greene Co., PA, and was a private in the Virginia militia in 1788. 

Phineas and his brother James are shown on adjoining lines in the Greene County, 1830 Pennsylvania census in Cumberland Township.  Phineas Clawson is shown with a man and woman each between thirty and forty, two girls between five and ten, and two girls under the age of five.

There are obituaries, and one note of a card of thanks, for Phineas Clawson and his wife--which provide many details about their lives and family.  They are from the Broadhead newspaper in Wisconsin, and have been provided by a Clawson descendant:

"Mrs Elizabeth Clawson whose maiden name was Ross, was born in Green Co.  Pennsylvania, Dec. 16, 1810.  Her father died when she was still very young,  and she with several brothers and sisters were left to the care and guidance  of her mother.   Mrs Ross was an earnest, energetic woman of strong religious tendencies, a member of the Baptist Church, and she reared her children in the fear of God, inculcating great reverence for the Sabbath, and strong opposition to mere worldly pleasure.  From the principles and teachings of her mother, Elizabeth never turned aside.  A thoughtful and attentive Sunday School scholar, she became when she grew older the earnest and devout Sunday School teacher; Wherever she lived, until increasing age and feeble health forbade, she was always found in her place at Sunday School.  While still a small child the first temperance society in the state was organized and she signed its pledge, a pledge which she never broke, an instance which but illustrates the rare fidelity which characterized her in every relation of life.
     
When a little more than nineteen years old, on Feb. 21st, 1830 she was united in marriage with Mr. James Clawson, who after fifty six years of happy wedded life is called to mourn her loss.  For sixteen years after their marriage, Mr and Mrs. Clawson make their home at Muddy Creek, Green Co., Pennsylvania, and in 1836 both were baptized and united with the Baptist Church at Big Whiteley in that state.  In 1846 they removed to Green Co., Wis settling near Juda, and became active members in the Baptist Church in that village.  In 1870 they removed to Brodhead, where they have since resided.  While they found pleasant companionship in the Baptist Church here, they retained their membership in the church of Juda.
     
Mrs Clawson was never in the enjoyment of firm health, and for many of the later years of her life was quite feeble and a frequent sufferer; naturally quiet and reticent her feebleness enhanced these traits, but she was ever a power for good in her family, and the neighborhood where she lived.  A loving wife, a kind and affectionate mother, she saw her children growing up around her, in the early life led to Christ and united to the church of her choice.  Of the six who called  her mother, two died in childhood, two later in life, and two remain to mourn her loss.
     
Mrs Clawson`s last illness was long and painful.  For nearly eight months she was compelled to keep her bed, for months at a time obliged to lie continuously upon one side, her body racked with pain.  Often she longed and often she prayed for release if thus the Father willed, yet waited patiently trusting in her Savior, testifying of His sustaining grace and of the exceeding preciousness of the Christian hope.  About 2 O`clock on Thursday morning, July 8th, the longed for summons came and the weary spirit left the house of clay "for the house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens."  A sincere Christian, without hypocrisy, pure in thought and in character, her life is her own sufficient eulogy.  Truly of her it may be said,  "Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also and he praiseth her. "  Besides the sorely bereaved husband, who himself in feeble health, devoted every moment to thoughtful tender care of her, there remain two children, Mr J. R. Clawson of Shell Rock Iowa and Mrs Miranda Swan, of Brodhead, and eleven grand children.
     
The funeral services were held at the Baptist Church in Brodhead on Friday morning at ten O`clock and were conducted by Rev. B. L. Prescott, of Juda, assisted by the pastors of this village.  The sermon was from the beautiful and comforting words found in 2 Cor. 5:1.  "For we know that, if the earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God, A house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."  The platform and pulpit were beautifully decorated with flowers and plants, and upon the casket rested a sheaf of wheat and an Achor of pure white flowers expressive of the life fully ripe for the sickle, and the sustaining faith which entered in beyond the vail.  The music by a quartette choir consisting of Mesdames Stone and Dunwiddie, and Messrs. Stevens and Williams with Mrs Sweeney as organist, was choice and appropriate.  The church was well filled by a large concourse of sympathizing friends, who by their presence testified to the loving power of a gentle, consistent Christian life.  The remains were interred beside those of friends and relatives in the cemetery at Juda."
                 
Card of Thanks.  "Mr Jas. Clawson and family desire to return sincere thanks to the friends and neighbors, who during the long and painful illness of the beloved wife, and Mother, performed so many acts of loving, helpful service; to those who kindly adorned the church and arranged the floral offerings for the burial service; to the singers for their comforting music, and to the many who manifested sympathy and kindness in the hour of their deep affliction."

The other Obituary Notice from the Brodhead Independent newspaper reads: "Mr Phineas Clawson, who died in the village March 26, 1882 was born in Fayette County Penn. Aug 10, 1797, and was consequently nearly eighty-five years of age.  He was the eldest of a family of ten children, of which only the youngest, Mr James Clawson of this village, survives him.  March 16th, 1820 he married Miss Hannah Ross who preceded him to the unseen world a little less than four years ago.  There were born to them ten children, of whom eight are living, two having died in infancy.
	
In 1851, he removed to Waukeaha where he remained until 1865 when he came 
to Brodhead, which was his home until the close of his mortal life.  In early life, he joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but some forty-five years ago he joined a Baptist church in Pennsylvania of which Rev. G. R. Patton now of Juda, was pastor, being then in his early ministry.
	
His funeral services were held in the Baptist Church of this village, March 28, and were appropriately conducted by Rev. Patton.  there were present, six of his children, and a large number of his grandchildren.  There was also a large attendance of his old friends and neighbors who assembled to pay respect to his memory.   His remains were taken to Juda and interred by the side of those of his departed wife.
	
Such is the brief sketch of a life protracted far beyond the usual and extending through some of the most important periods of our country`s history.  Mr Clawson  was a man of strong will and intense convictions, and pursued what he believed to be right, with unflinching courage and devotion. 
  
In his native state, his home was near the Virginia line, and fugitive from slavery was sure of a welcome, shelter and protection; and of whatever might be necessary to aid him onward to the next station of the "Underground Railroad,"  which led to freedom.  The slave hunter however, received a reception that soon convinced him that his safety was to be found in a hurried departure.
	
Mr Clawson was also an earnest advocate of public education, and in that cause contended zealously against ignorance and prejudices, and the results of his labors are to be seen even to this day in his early home.  He was one of the first to espouse the temperance cause, and in it was willing to spend his time and money, and to make many personal sacrifices.
	
But the good man has gone.  'He rests from his labor and his works to follow him'."

Lotow (Lott) Clawson -- son of Garret, Jr., shown as the fifth child, born on July 11, 1799.  A Lott W. Clawson is shown in the History of Fayette Co., Pa(Ellis, 1882) as having kept tavern for a period of time in Georges Township.  He is shown in the history of North Union and South Union Townships as having been involved with the Andrew McMasters tavern, originally built in 1825.  Mrs. L.W. Clawson is shown as "prominent among the workers" at the Methodist Protestant Sabbath-School in Fayette County.

In the 1830 Pennsylvania Census, Fayette County, Union Township, Lott W. Clawson is shown with a man and woman each between twenty and thirty, two females between five and ten, and two males under the age of five.

In the 1840 Pennsylvania census, Fayette County, Union Township, L. W. Clawson is shown with one male and female each between forty to fifty,  one female between fifteen and twenty, one male between ten and fifteen, one female between five and ten and one male and one female each under five.  Jno Broomfield is three lines above L.W.  In the index, it identified another Clawson as nearby, but there is no other one.

In "Marriages and Death Notices extracted from the Genius of Liberty and Fayette Advertiser of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, 1805-1854", published by the Closson Press in 1981, are shown the following:  On Tuesday, May 12, 1840, by the Rev. William Brownfield, Mr. James Dugan of Dunbar Township was married to Miss Keziah Ann Clawson, daughter of L. W. Clawson of Monroe.  Also shown in the same source is: On February 14, 1854, by the Rev. William Brownfield, Mr. George Washington Emmerson and Miss Harriette M. Clawson were married.

In the 1870 census, there were two Clawsons in Fayette County: Lot W., 70, born in Pennsylvania and living in North Union Township, and William, 45, born in Pennsylvania and living in Menallen Township. In the 1870 Pennsylvania census in Fayette County, North Union Township, p. 318, is shown Lot W. Clawson, 70 (76?), Wagon Maker, with Elizabeth F., 34 (24?), keeping house, Mary J., 25, Thomas C., 14, worker brickyard(?), Sal(?) R., a female, 13, at home, Phineas (?), 9, Elleren(?), female, 8, and Sarah A., 1, all born in Pennsylvania.

Thomas Clawson -- son of Garret, Jr., shown as the sixth child, born on Aug 22, 1801.  Thomas is shown in Freeport Borough in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania in the 1850, 1860, and 1870 censuses.  In each case he is shown with his wife Mary, and children Isabella, Caroline, Elizabeth, Kiziah, Thomas, Sarah, and Margaretta.

In the 1850 census, Thomas Clawson is shown in Freeport, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 40(49?), no occupation, born in Pennsylvania, with Mary, 29, Isabella, 7, Caroline, 4, and Kiziah A., one month, all born in Pennsylvania.  With them are Amelia Galbraith, 18, and Elizabeth Clawson, 6, also born in Pennsylvania. Isabella was in school in the past year, and the census was taken on August 20 of that year.

In the 1860 census, Thomas Clawson is shown in the Boro of Freeport in Armstrong County, 59, with Mary S., 42, Isabella, 16, Elizabeth, 14, Caroline B., 12, Kisiah, 10, Thomas W., 7, Sarah, 5, and Maggie, two months, all born in Pennsylvania. Thomas Clawson's occupation is listed as gentleman, and the five oldest children are listed as having been in school. The census was enumerated on June 13 of that year.

In the 1870 census, Thomas Clawson is listed in Freeport Boro, Post Office Worthington in Armstrong County in Pennsylvania. He is 69, listed as a salt (?) manufacturer, with Mary, 52, keeping house, Keisia, 19, at home, Thomas, 17, at home, Sarah, 17, at home, and Margaretta, 10, at home. They are all born in Pennsylvania, and the census was enumerated on June 28. With them are Elizabeth King, 24, keeping house, and Franklin King, 30, conductor on railroad, born in Pennsylvania. This appears to be the Elizabeth that was Thomas and Mary's daughter.

James Clawson -- son of Garret, Jr. shown as the seventh child, born on September 20, 1803.  James and his brother Phineas are shown on adjoining lines in the Greene County, 1830 Pennsylvania census in Cumberland Township.  James is shown with a man and woman each between twenty and thirty. 

In a Butler County, Ohio History, in the section on Fairfield Twp., p. 479, there is a reference that could be to this James, although the birth dates do not match, the Fayette County, Pennsylvania location does.  However, James went west to Wisconsin, and this biography lists his wife and children as having lived long past that time in Butler County: "James Clawson was born in Fayette Co., PA in 1795, & was married for the  first time in 1816. His wife was Rebecca Vail, born in PA in 1798, &  dying in Butler Co. in 1869. He had 12 children, eight of whom reached  maturity & married, & four of whom are still living."

The 1850 Wisconsin census, Town of Sylvester, District Four, Green County, is shown: 19/20 James Clawson, 45, farmer $2,000, Elizabeth, 37 Josiah, 8, Keziah, 14, Rebecca, 6, all born in Pennsylvania.  With them are Wm. Sturgis, 15, farmer, born in Illinois.  A list above them shows a Brownfield, a family with which the Clawsons were associated in Pennsylvania: 14/15 B. B. Brownfield, 33, painter, $200, Elizabeth, 28, John A., 4, all born in Pennsylvania.

An obituary from the Brodhead Independent Newspaper in Wisconsin was provided by a Clawson researcher, which puts together many of the details of the life of James: "Died-At his home in Brodhead, October 1, 1890, Mr James Clawson.  The deceased had been sick for some time, suffering from a complication of  diseases with the infirmities of old age.
     
He was born in Fayette County, Pa., Sept. 20th, 1803.  February 21st 1830, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ross.
     
In 1836 he and his wife united with the Baptist Church at Big Whitely, having made a profession of faith in their Saviour, which faith they  continued to hold until it proved its value in the dying hour and became a light for them through the "Dark Valley."
     
In 1849 they removed to Wisconsin, location in Green County, near the village of Juda.  Here they became identified with the Baptist Church, then and for many years after, under the efficient pastoral care of Rev. Patton.  They continued worthy members of this church until their membership was removed to the Church triumphant.
     
>From their coming to Wisconsin until 1870 their lives were passed on the farm.  In this occupation they were sufficiently successful to retire from the severe labor of farm life, and came to Brodhead for a home for their old age.  July 1886, the wife was taken from her husband`s side, she going to her reward.  Since that his health, has been quite poor, and at times he was a great sufferer.  In all this he had all the care that loving hands could give; his daughter, Mrs Swan, being untiring in this ministry, and during the last severe sickness she was constantly by his side.
     
The deceased was possessed of a kind and pleasant disposition which make for him many friends wherever he lived.  He had strong convictions of right and duty and stood manfully by these.
     
On the morning of the 1st of October, after having passed, by a few days, his 87th birthday, very quietly he breathed his last on earth and his spirit went home to join her who had preceded him by so short a time.
     
The Funeral services were held at the Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. B. L. Prescott, assisted by Revs. Woodruff and Sheldon.  The sermon preached was from the text Duet. 3:24, 25.  The choir of the church sang some of the old hymns so dear to the heart of every aged Christian.  The pall bearers were J.J. Newman, Daniel Dunwiddie and Hom. Franklin Mitchell, of Juda, W. Mitchell, O.H. Parker and John Adams, of Brodhead.  His remains were taken to Juda for burial beside those of his wife.
     
The son J. R. Clawson , of Shell Rock Iowa, and daughter, Mrs Swan, with other friends have the sympathy of the community in their sorrow.

Mrs Swan and her daughter, Mrs Henry Davis, desire to return thanks to the many friends and neighbors who were so constant and untiring in their manifestations of love and sympathy for the dear father during his years of feebleness and illness, and who aided and comforted them in the sad hour of death and burial." 

Josiah Clawson - Likely the son of James and Elizabeth above.   There is a son listed in James obituary, Mr. J.R. Clawson of Shell Rock, Iowa.  This fits the Josiah, listed at age eight in the 1850 census.  That is of the age to fight in the Civil War in the 1860's.  In the 1877 Green County history, there is a listing for Civil War soldiers, which included: Josiah R. Clawson, residence Jefferson, a Corporal in the 22nd Regiment, Company I. He was mustered in in August 1862 and mustered out in October 1864.

Isaac Sturgis Clawson -- son of Garret, Jr. shown as the eighth child, born on November 20, 1805, and shown in the Family Bible to have died in 1836.  The index of Fayette County PA wills shows Isaac Clawson, with a will in 1836 (volume 2, page 74).

Garret Clawson -- son of Garret, Jr., shown as the ninth child, born on July 18, 1808 (in Masontron in Greene County according to LDS records).

The 1850 Wisconsin census, Green County, Town of Jefferson, District #4(p. 209), shows: Garret Clawson, 41, wagonmaker, $500, Oliva (Olive?), 41, Frances, 19, all born in Pennsylvania.  The age of this Garret fits the Garret above, and his brothers Phineas and James came to the same County in the same decade.

In the History of Green County, Wisconsin by Helen M. Bingham, 1877, published by Burdick and Armitage in Milwaukee, p. 172: "The first dwelling house in Juda was that of George Debolt who built a dwelling and a blacksmith shop about the time the first church was built. The next comer was Garrett Clawson who built a wagon shop. . ."

Kezia Clawson -- daughter of Garret, Jr., shown to have been the tenth child, born on September 12, 1810 and died on July 27, 1819.

Abia Clawson -- daughter of Garret Jr. shown to have been the eleventh child, born on January 13, 1813 and died on July 15, 1819

Josiah Clawson -- son of Garret, Jr., shown to have been the twelfth child, born on August 29, 1815 and died at age sixteen months.

The Third Oldest Child/The Mary Clawson Shanks Branch.  Mary Clawson and Joseph Shanks.   Joseph Shanks was born on October 26, 1760 in Kent County, Delaware. He married first Mary Clawson ca 1786/88 in Pennsylvania. A Shanks family history states the following about Mary and Joseph: ". . . probably born about 1766 in Pennsylvania; apparently died after about 1805, but before the 1820 Federal census in Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio; It has been speculated that Mary was possibly a daughter of Peter Clawson rather than Garret. Peter Shanks son of Joseph and Mary Clawson (Shanks) stated that Mary Clawson was of Holland birth and of Welsh parentage; she immigrated to America in her youthful days and the marriage was celebrated in Pennsylvania about the time of the War of Independence.  John the oldest son of Joseph and Mary always stated that the family (was) Scottish. Thomas Clawson son of Garret and Mary Clawson stated that Mary Clawson Shanks was his sister making Garret her father. The fact that Joseph and Mary purchased their property from him and made their home next to his as recorded in the 'Northwest Quadrant' suggests that this is correct. Mary was buried in Sugar Creek Baptist Cemetery, Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio. Doctor Charles W. Clawson is doing research to establish the property parent of Mary. Their children: John 1789; Eleanor 1790/1793; Joseph Junior 1794; Peter 1795; Elizabeth 1799; Benjamin 1802/1804; Mary 1794/1804; and Esther/Hester 1804/1810.

Joseph and Mary followed the Clawson family to Ohio with a group of Baptist colonists in 1794. They finally made their way to the rest of the family in Centerville in 1803. As we find in 'The Northwest Quadrant' the statement 'The smallest portion of land in 1812 was a twenty-five acre corner that Joseph Shanks obtained from Thomas Clawson on the Franklin Road (Miamisburg-Centerville Pile). This area is now occupied by the Countyside Nursery'. Mary had membership in the Sugar Creek Baptist Church, along with other close members of the family, and appeared in the church records in 1803, but there are no further records of her.

On 3 December 1803 Joseph and Mary Shanks were received by letter into the Sugar Creek Baptist Church, Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio a few miles north of their previous location in Hamilton County, probably earlier in the same year. On the 2nd of June 1804 Joseph was in trouble with the church, and the record for that day states that 'Abner Garrard to 'cite' Brother Shanks, and Sister Shanks to 'cite' Sister Mason'.  On 30 June 1804 'church satisfied with members' not filling their seats. Brother Shanks except.' On 4 August 1804, 'Brethren Blair and Hencock to visit Brother Shanks in regards to his non-attendance.' At the 6 October 1804 meeting it was reported by Brother Stansil who said he had conversed with Brother Shanks, and he told him he did not think he should attend, but the church receiving information from Sister Shanks of his intention to come next meeting deferred discussion.

At the November 3rd meeting Brother Shanks gave reasons for not attending and was accepted. No further mention of Brother and Sister Shanks found in existing records, and they go only to 1814. The current church will not permit copying of subsequent records. The church had major controversy in mid-1810 and 1820's and split into two groups.

Joseph appeared on the 1804 tax records of Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio as owning 40 acres of land in the south corn of Section 31, Township 6, Range 2 and bordered by Franklin Road. By 1809 the tax records show him as having 40 acres, but the rate was for only 25 acres for 1809 through 1813. A map created form the 1812 tax records pinpoints the location of this acreage in the southwest quarter of a quarter section, the remainder of which was owned by Thomas Clawson.  [This land was referred to in the 1985 Centerville History, "A Sense of Place": "The smallest portion of land in 1812(in the Northwest Quadrant of the township) was a twenty-five acre corner that Joseph Shank(sic) obtained from Thomas Clawson on the Franklin Road (Miamisburg-Centerville Pike).  This area is now occupied by the Countryside Nursery."]

The 1820 Federal census of Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio listed Joseph Shanks with 1 male 45 and over (Joseph), 1 male 16-26(probably son Peter), 1 female 16-26, (probably daughter Mary), 1 male 16-18 (probably son Benjamin), and 1 female 10-16 (probably daughter Esther). Since no-one of an age to have been his wife Mary Clawson was listed, she is presumed to have died by 1820."

The same biography lists Joseph Shanks Sr. selling fifty acres in Miami (formerly Washington) Township on April 11, 1823 to Peter Eagle. He married in 1823 a second time to Elizabeth Armstrong Ennis, the widow of John Ennis, who had died in 1820 in Greene County Ohio. In June 1824 he was appointed guardian of Elizabeth's minor children. 

In the 1830 census for Fayette County, Indiana is listed on p. 80 Joseph Shank (sic) with one man and one woman each between sixty and seventy, one woman between twenty and thirty, and one man between fifteen and twenty.

Joseph was shown in the federal census of Fayette County, Indiana in 1840. In 1850, he was shown as age 86, born in Delaware. He sold his Fayette County land in 1851 and moved in with his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Abraham Buckles at Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana ca 1851.

Joseph died in Delaware County, Indiana at the home of his daughter Elizabeth Shanks Buckles on October 5, 1855 at the age of 95 years, 11 months, and 9 days. He is buried in Beech Grove Cemetery in Muncie. He is the earliest yet identified member of this particular lineage. Joseph's will was dated February 16, 1852, and was filed on October 9, 1855 in Delaware County. It was settled in 1856 and 1857, and was the subject of a court case between Abraham Buckles, Joseph's son-in-law and executor, and the estate, in 1857. 

Joseph's will named his son-in-law Abraham Buckles, his grandson Bethuel Covault, sons Peter and John Shanks, Elizabeth Buckles wife of Abraham, the heirs of Elanor Covault late wife of Ephraim, the heirs of Mary Ferguson deceased late wife of Price Ferguson, to the heirs of Benjamin Shanks deceased, to Ether Michael, and Joseph Shanks.

Mary and Joseph's Children. 

John Shanks -- Shown above as born in 1789, which would make him the oldest child of Joseph and Mary.  John Shanks was shown in the group sheet of Norma Griggs to have been born in Pennsylvania in 1789, married March 17, 1810 to Elizabeth Gerrard near Troy, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and died September 4, 1871 at Lathrop, Clinton County, Missouri. Elizabeth is shown to have died on September 12, 1851 in Hen Peck in Carroll County, Indiana and is buried in Deer Creek (cemetery, or town?) in Carroll County. John is shown to have married a second time to Nancy Ball.

The family group sheet shows thirteen children for John and Elizabeth: Abner
Shanks, born December 27, 1810 in Montgomery County, Ohio, married Ana Lennon on November 11, 1833, and died in 1880 in Marion County, Oregon; Mary Shanks, born in Ohio on May 11, 1812, married to Daniel Lennon on November 17, 1831; Martha Shanks, born November 12, 1813 in Ohio married to Daniel Blue on February 2, 1832; Joseph Shanks, born April 11, 1815, married Elizabeth; John Shanks, born November 3, 1817 in Ohio and died January 7, 1818; Elizabeth Shanks, born April 29, 1819 in Ohio and died January 4, 1824 in Ohio; Moses Shanks, born January 26, 1822 married Emily Blue, and died September 6, 1890 in Carroll County, Indiana; Martin Shanks, born April 16, 1824 in Ohio; Leusinda Shanks, born April 3, 1827 in Ohio; Henry Shanks, born July 12, 1829 in Ohio, married Mary Blue in 1859, and died December 19, 1912 in Carroll County, Indiana; Robert Shanks, born November 1, 1833 in Carroll County, Indiana, married Joanna Mowdy on February 8, 1856 and died March 10, 1920 in Lathrop, Clinton County, Missouri; Thomas Jefferson Shanks, born July 2, 1832 in Carroll County, Indiana, married January 1, 1852 in Carroll County, Indiana to Isabel Peterson, and died October 8, 1860 in Panora, Guthrie County, Iowa; and Nancy Ann Shanks, born July 1838 and died March 17, 1839 in Carroll County, Indiana.

In the Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War of 1812, there is a list of the Roll of Capt. Thomas Clauson's[sic] Company from Montgomery County. The service period listed is from August 23 until September 17, 1812. Among the twenty-nine listed privates is John Shanks.

There is a John Shanks shown in the Lost Creek Township, Miami County Ohio 1820 census, two lines above his sister and brother-in-law, Ephraim Covalt.  John is shown with one man and one woman, each between twenty-six and forty-five, and three girls and two boys under the age of ten, with one person engaged in agriculture.

Moses Shanks - shown above as a son of John.  In Cass County Indiana in the 1860 census in Deer Creek Township is listed on p. 689 in same township is Moses Shanks, 38, farmer, $2000/650, born in Ohio, with Emily, 33, born in Fayette County, Ohio, and Hezekiah, 15, a farmer, Minerva, 12, Wilson, 9, Lambert, 7, and Virally (?), 2, all born in Cass County, Indiana.

Henry Shanks - shown above as a son of John.  In Cass County Indiana in the 1860 census in Deer Creek Township is listed on p. 684, Henry Shanks, 31, Farmer, $1000/835, born in Miami County, Ohio with Mary (May?), 26, born in Illinois and Leonides P., 7, Margaret E., 5, Anna, 3, and John W., all born in Cass County, Indiana.

Eleanor Shanks -- Shown above as born in 1790/1793, which would make her the second oldest child of Joseph and Mary.

In "The Descendants of Covalt, Covault, Covolt" authored by C. Richard Covault and published in 1990, there is a section on Ephraim Covalt and Eleanor Shanks: "Ephraim Covalt, son of Abraham Covalt and Lois Pendleton, born ca 1782, Bedford Co. PA; died September 1859, Logan Township, Fountain County, Indiana, age 78y; married Eleanor Shanks, ca 1821, Hamilton County, Ohio.  Their age was from the 1850 census, Fountain County, Indiana. Eleanor is the daughter of Joseph Shanks and Mary Clawson, born ca 1784, PA, and the granddaughter of Garret and Mary Clawson. Ephraim and Eleanor joined the Honey Creek Baptist Church, July 1, 1820, Hamilton County, Ohio. Ephraim was a Private in the War of 1812, serving from August 23, 1812 to September 1812 in Captain Thomas Clawson's Company, Montgomery County, Ohio. John Shanks, Eleanor's brother was in the same company. Ephraim was a cooper by trade.  The children were born in Hamilton County, Ohio. 

Children of Ephraim Covalt and Eleanor Shanks: 1) Ephraim Thomas; 2) Benjamin, born ca 1812/14, died ca 1876; 3) Elizabeth, born ca 1817; 4) Bethuel (Mathuel), born ca 1819; died November 13, 1870, buried Old Baptist Cemetery. He was a shingle maker and lived with an Aunt, Elizabeth (Shanks) Buckles, in 1850 Hamilton Township, Delaware County, Indiana; 5) Jonathan, born ca 1822; 6) Peter, born ca 1823; and 7) Mary Ann, born June 1, 1826 and died May 25, 1904."(The spelling of Ephraim in this book is Ephriam, and I have added the full listing of certain words that had been abbreviated in the book).

Ephraim Covalt is shown in the Lost Creek Township, Miami County Ohio 1820 census, two lines below his brother-in-law, John Shanks.  Ephraim is shown with one man and one woman, each between twenty-six and forty-five, and one girl and three boys under the age of ten, with one person engaged in manufacture.

Joseph Shanks, Junior -- Shown above as born in 1794, which would make him the third oldest child of Joseph and Mary.

Peter Shanks -- Shown above, as born in 1795, which would make him the fourth oldest child of Joseph and Mary.  He is shown in family group sheets prepared by Norma Griggs to have been born on August 15, 1795 at Cincinnati, Ohio, married to Leah Schenck on May 10, 1821, and died in 1833. Leah and he had at least one child, Phoebe A. Shanks, born October 4, 1830 in Miami County, Ohio married Samuel Sayres Yates on March 9, 1851, and died in 1857. The source was the World Family Tree.

In the Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War of 1812, there is a list of the Roll of Capt. Thomas Clauson's[sic] Company from Montgomery County. The service period listed is from August 23 until September 17, 1812. Among the twenty-nine listed privates is Peter Shanks.

>From the Troy, Piqua, and Miami County, Ohio history by Thomas Harbaugh in 1909, p. 655 was a biography of Wm. T. Shanks: "Peter Shanks, grandfather of William T., was the first of the family to come to Miami; he came from Pennsylvania and entered the tract in the southern part of Brown Township which has since been known as the old Shanks homestead. He also entered the eighty acres to the west of it, but was obliged to give it up. He continued to live on that farm until his death at the advanced age of ninety-three years.  His trade was that of a cooper. His wife died at that place at an early age." In this bio, William T. Shanks is said to have been born September 16, 1849, the son of Daniel and Jane (Yates) Shanks.  This is of interest, as the LDS file shows another Yates married to another Shanks.

Elizabeth Shanks -- Shown above as born in 1799, which would make her the fifth oldest child of Joseph and Mary.  Elizabeth was referenced in the last days of her father above, as she had married Abraham Buckles and Joseph was living with them in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana prior to his death in 1855.

Abraham Buckles is mentioned in the history of Centerville/Washington Township in Montgomery County, during the discussion of the original School house No. 1 within school District One.  He is listed as a trustee in 1827.

In the 1894 and Biographical Record of Delaware County, Indiana, A.W. Bowen, from page 211: "Rev. Abraham Buckles, late of Muncie, was born in Ohio August 26, 1799 and died at his home near Muncie, Indiana on October 9, 1878, in the eightieth year of age. His father John Buckles was a native of Virginia . . .  Abraham was married, September 3, 1818 to Elizabeth Shanks, a lady of German and Welsh descent. After the marriage, he removed to Springfield, Ohio, and thence to Miami County in that state. In 1829 he was ordained a minister of the Baptist Church. In October 1833 he removed, with his family, to Delaware County, Indiana and settled on a farm near Muncie, where he resided until the close of his life. . . He had five children, Honorable Joseph S.; Thomas N., now in California; John S., deceased, formerly an able lawyer in Genesco, Illinois, Mary (Mrs. Goble); and Ellen (Mrs. Campbell) who died a few years ago."

>From the 1908 History of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume I, edited by G.W.H. Kemper, M.D., Chicago, the Lewis Publishing Company, p. 51: "The Buckles family had left England in the eighteenth century and located in Virginia before the Revolution. In the years of dissent from the established church and while the seeds of discord with the mother country were bearing their first fruit, the Buckles family were active in the faith of the Baptists. Before the close of the century the family had removed to Ohio, where in 1799 was born Abraham Buckles. Thirty years later he was ordained a minister of the Baptist church, and shortly after coming to Muncie, in the fall of 1833, organized the first Baptist church. He achieved the remarkable record of serving over forty-five years as its pastor, without receiving any salary for his services. He died in 1878, when nearly eighty years of age. His son, Joseph S. Buckles, was a prominent lawyer and man of affairs in this county, whose career is outlined on other pages. "

In the 1840 Delaware County, Indiana, census p. 547 is Abraham Buckles with one man between fifty and sixty, one man and one woman between forty and fifty, one woman and two men between twenty and thirty, one man between ten and fifteen, one boy and one girl each between five and ten, and one boy and one girl each under the age of five.

In Delaware County, 1850, enumerated in District 24 Harson(?) Township, is Abraham Buckles, 50, farmer, $3,000 born Ohio, with Elizabeth, 51, also born in Ohio and John, 20, Mary, 18, born in Ohio and Eleanor, 13, born in Indiana, and Bethuel Covalt, 30, shingle maker, born in Ohio.  It is likely that Bethuel is the son of Elizabeth's sister.

Abraham and Elizabeth are shown in the 1870 census in Center Township, Delaware County, Abraham, 71, a farmer, Elizabeth, 71, keeping house, both born in Ohio, with Adeline, 20, at home, born in Indiana, and Bethuel Covault, 54, a shingle maker born in Ohio.  On the next page was Thomas Buckles, 19, a farm laborer born in Indiana, living with Edward Wilson 21, a farmer.

Thomas Newton Buckles -- son of Abraham and Elizabeth.  Next door to Abraham in the 1850 census in Delaware County, Harson(?) Township is Newton Buckles, 33, farmer, $4,0000 born in Ohio with Rachel Buckles, 25, also born in Ohio and Frances, female, 5, Abraham, 3, Margaret J., 2, and Eleanor, 1, all born in Indiana.  Given the listing of children in the biography above, this is likely "Thomas Newton".

Joseph S. Buckles -- son of Abraham and Elizabeth.  In the biography of Judge Joseph S. Buckles in the same book, "born Springfield Ohio, July 29, 1819 "a son of Rev. Abraham and Elizabeth (Shanks) Buckles. His mother was Elizabeth Shanks whose parents were Joseph and Eleanor (Clawson) Shanks respectively of Scotch and German descent."  He married Catherine H. Williams on January 27, 1842, and they had eight children.

Benjamin Shanks -- Shown above as born in 1802/1804, which would make him about the sixth oldest child of Joseph and Mary.  Benjamin was shown in the Norma Griggs group sheet to have been born about 1806, married Rebecca Ennis on December 2, 1826 in Montgomery County Ohio, and died about 1847 in Moline, Rock Island County, Illinois. His wife Rebecca was born December 24, 1811 in Sugar Creek Township, Greene County, Ohio, and died in Adams, Gage County, Nebraska. She was married to Benjamin Cole and two other husbands after Benjamin.

They had nine children: Joseph Shanks, born in Ohio in 1827 and died ??(unclear on family group sheet, reads 1828-1917); Elizabeth Jane Shanks, born 1830 in Ohio, married Thomas Van Tyle in 1849 in Rock Island County, Illinois, and died in 1857 in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa; Mary Shanks, born in 1832 in Indiana , married Lewis Edwards, and died in 1898; Hester Shanks, born 1835, married George Drown, and died in 1912, possibly in Seattle, Washington; Ellen Shanks, born September 20, 1837 in Joliet, Joliet County, Illinois, married George Allen in 1854 in Rock Island County, Illinois, and died in 1917; Absalom Shanks, born in 1839 in Moline, Rock Island County, Illinois, married Sarah Tuttle in 1865 and died in December 1907 in Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska; Margaret Shanks, born in 1842 in Moline, Rock Island, Illinois, married Lucius Oren Stevens in 1856, and died in 1925 in Seattle Washington; Rebecca Shanks, born in 1844 in Zuma Township, Rock Island County, Illinois and died in 1910; and Benjamin Franklin Shanks, born about July 1846 in Moline, Rock Island, Illinois, married Harriett (Hattie) Curtis) in 1867 and died in July 1807 in Comstock, Custer County, Nebraska.

In Fayette County, Indiana in the 1830 census, p. 10 is Benjamin Shank (sic) with one man between twenty and thirty, one woman between fifteen and twenty and one boy and one girl each under the age of five.  Benjamin's father Joseph was in Fayette County in the 1830 census as well, although they were not enumerated near each other in that census.

Mary Shanks -- Shown above as born about 1794/1804, which would make her about the seventh oldest child of Joseph and Mary.

Esther/Hester Shanks -- Shown above as born about 1804/1810, which would make her about the eighth oldest child of Joseph and Mary. 

The Fourth Oldest Child/The John Clawson Branch.  John Clawson and Lois.   "The History of Preble County, Ohio" published in 1881 by H.Z. Williams & Bro., has a biographical sketch of John Clawson, which reads "John Clawson, familiarly known as 'the great Indian fighter,' was one of Lanier's earliest pioneers, having settled on Banta's fork as early as 1805.  He was a native of Virginia, born about the year 1765.  Reared in the midst of the Indian depredations upon the white settlers in his native State, he formed, early in life, an intense antipathy to the race, which clung to him through life.

[John is shown in the tax records of Greene Township (later Greene County) PA from 1785 to 1789.  Complete records for all Clawsons are contained in the section on Garret Sr. and Mary above.]

"About the year 1788, he came down the Ohio and settled at the mouth of the Little Miami, where he lived until his removal to this township.  While residing there he became a great hunter, and was somewhat celebrated as an Indian spy.  He would often lease the small settlement on the rivers, and go off into the wilderness with his rifle and remain for weeks at a time.  He would shoot an Indian at sight.  He had frequent encounters with them, and had many narrow escapes, but always came out victorious.

"He seemed bent upon the extermination of the race, and believed in inflicting the same cruelties practiced by the savages, and always scalped his victims.  He was a man of great personal courage and great physical strength.  He resided in this township a few years, and then moved down on Four Mile creek, in Dixon township.  In 1818 he removed to the State of Indiana where he died three years afterward."

There is a John Clossen referred to in the Draper Papers in two instances that tie him to this biography above, and to brothers Thomas and Josiah.  One entry reads: "John and Thomas Closson went out on hearing a gun fire; and found an Indian who had chased and perhaps caught a horse belonging to old Mr. Bailey. They shot the Indian at the place, which was always after that called Indian-run."  The other entry reads:  "John Closson, and others, were at work in John Smith's meadow, mowing, and they stopped to drink with them. They were out far from White's Station.  They were waiting, I think, to get something more. Bailey and Si Closson, Bro [Brother]: to John Closson, were out all one summer, spying between Fort St. Clair and Fort Hamilton."

>From the Hamilton County Deed Book A (1787-1797) p. 305: September 11, 1795. Joel Williams of Hamilton County, Territory Northwest of the River Ohio to John Clawson. For $100; fifty acres being part of Section 34, Township 4, ER(ERange?) 1, bounded on the East by James Cunningham, on the north by James Snowden, on the West by lands the property of Joel William, on the south by Abraham Voorhies land. /s/Joel Williams, Phebe Williams. Witnesses, Alex Walker, Aaron Cadwell. Acknowledged Aaron Cadwell. Recorded July 29, 1796.

In a 1960 article on "Some of Preble County's Earliest Pioneers, 1798-1804" in "Ohio Records and Pioneers Families", J. Clawson is listed as a settler.  In 1799 memorial to the federal government for land, Thomas and John Clawson are listed together -- as are Thomas and Peter Clawson.  It is possible that Josiah is mixed up with John. 

An LDS ancestral file record show him to have married Lois, Louisa, or Louise Clawson in 1796 in Miami Co Ohio, and that they were the parents of nine children born in this period in Ohio -- John in Miami Co., and the remaining children in Preble Co.: John(1797), Asa D.(1799), Elizabeth(1801), Samuel(1802), Lydia(1806), Sarah or Sally (1807), Josiah(1809), Garret C.(1811), and Isaac D.(1813).  Lois is shown to have died on August 5, 1851 in Preble County.  This file is good for using the order and names of the children to compile information, but future census and other records seem to indicate that some of these birth years are not correct.

Elaine (Kelly) Alderfer and Duane Murphy name the children of John Clawson Sr. and his wife Lois in their research. There are nine children, and they are: 1) John Clawson Jr., born January 23, 1797 in Miami County, Ohio, married Mary Kelly on November 23, 1820 in Butler County, Ohio, and died October 29, 1867.  Mary was born July 13, 1797 in Campbell County, Kentucky, and died December 15, 1872 in Preble County, Ohio; 2) Asa D. Clawson, born 1799 in Ohio, married Sarah "Sally" Hopkins on July 13, 1818, and died March 13, 1865; 3) Elizabeth Clawson, born 1801 in Ohio, married Enoch Taylor on December 25, 1819; 4) Samuel Clawson, born 1802, married Mary Lewis on December 20, 1821; 5) Lydia Mary Clawson, born in Ohio, married George Marion Kelly on March 1, 1821 in Preble County, Ohio and died August 24, 1894 in Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana at home, 88 years, 6 months, and 7 days. George was born July 22, 1800 in either Butler or Preble County, Ohio, and died October 22, 1872 in Kokomo.  Both are buried at Crown Point Cemetery in Kokomo, Indiana; 6) Sarah "Sally" Clawson, born February 25, 1806 (same year as her older sister, appears in correct) in Ohio, married Samuel Myers on April 24, 1834, and died October 7, 1877; 7) Josiah Clawson, married Phoebe Woodward on November 27, 1817, and died in 1869; 8) Garret C. Clawson, married Nancy Busson on July 4, 1824; and 9) Isaac Clawson, married Rebecca Woodward on February 24, 1831.

John is shown in Montgomery County records in a November 1804 term case regarding unpaid debt for bricks.  He was a member of the jury.  He served on a second jury in the same term.  In August 1806 court case in Montgomery County, he received damages for a defaulted note.

In the April 1810 term in Preble Co. court, John Clawson served on a grand jury.  John is shown in the 1811, 1812, and 1816 Preble County tax list.  

In the Preble County 1820 census a Jonathan Clawson is shown in Dixon Township, as are entries for Asa and Josiah.  The Dixon Township reference seems to be consistent with the biography above, although not consistent with a move to Indiana in 1818.  That listing for Jonathan Clawson shows a man and woman each over the age of forty-five, two sons between sixteen and twenty-six, one son between sixteen and eighteen, two girls and two boys between ten and sixteen, and one boy under the age of ten.

The 1825 compilation of Ohio tax records list three Clawsons in Preble County at that time: John, Sr., John W., and Josiah.  It is likely that it is this John and his sons John and Josiah. 

There are references to a John Clawson in 1827 and 1849 Preble County probate records, and records show that John died on November 15, 1827 in Preble County.

Louisa is shown living with daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Enoch Taylor in the 1850 census in Preble County, in Washington Township, listed as Louisa Clawson, 83, born in New Jersey.

The LDS Microfilm containing the family of John and Lois Clawson was filmed on roll #1553878, Batch #5028618, and was submitted by Ambrose D. Kelly of Portland, Oregon.

John and Lois's Children.

John Clawson, Jr. -- the oldest son of John and Lois.  The ancestral file record shows his birthdate to be Jan 23, 1797, that he married Mary Kelly on Nov 23, 1820, and that he died on Oct 23, 1867.  Eleanor (Kelly) Alderfer, and Harry Murphy of Dayton, are descendants of John Clawson. As well as research on the nine children of John and Lois, they  have done research on John Jr. and family and show that John Clawson Jr. married Mary Kelly and had eight children: 1) Wilson T. Clawson (born March 7, 1823, married Elizabeth Catherine Stover on June 13, 1852, and died on December 22, 1899); 2) Joseph Clawson (born ca 1825, and may have died at age one year); 3) Margaret Clawson (born 1825); 4) John Clawson III (born November 7, 1827 in Ohio, married Lovie McCabe, born in Delaware in 1825, on September 12, 1847, and died July 29(19?), 1869); 5) Jefferson (Milton J.) Clawson (born 1829, married Jane Amanda Bonfill on October 16, 1851, and died August 12, 1854); 6) Josiah F. Clawson, born January 1831, married Catherine Meffert on November 10, 1853, and died in 1910); 7) Francis Marion Clawson (born October 7, 1833, married Christine Meffert on November 10, 1853, and died July 1, 1900(06?); and 8)Mary Clawson (born September 28, 1834, married Henry Heckman on August 21, 1855, and died on November 23, 1900; Henry died in 1911.).

[Josiah F. Clawson, the son of John and Mary, was written about in the History of Preble County: "Josiah F. Clawson was born in Dixon township in 1831.  His parents, John and Mary Clawson, emigrated to Ohio at a very early day, and lived in Dixon township.  In 1855 Josiah married Rachel Mettert, who was born in 1838.  Their three children are still living(written in 1881).  Mr. Clawson owns seventy acres of land in section one, of Jefferson township, where he resides.  Mrs. Clawson's parents, Frederick and Catharine Mottert, emigrated to Ohio at a very early day."]

There is a John Clawson shown in Dixon Township in Preble County in the 1830 census, with one man and one woman each between thirty and forty, one girl and one boy each between five and ten and two boys under the age of five.

John is shown in the 1850 census in Preble County, Washington Township, taken July 23, as John Clawson, 54, no occupation listed, value of real estate owned, $4,000; born in Ohio, with Mary, 52, born in Kentucky, and Margaret, 24, Jefferson, 21, Josiah, 19, F.M., male 17, Mary, 15, all born in Ohio.  Josiah and F.M. were listed as farmers. 

The 1992 Preble County History that begins with a history of John Clawson, the "Indian Fighter", speaks of John Clawson's son, John and his descendants: "Their (John and Lois Clawson's) eldest son, John--one of eight children--was born 23 January 1779[likely a typo, actually should be 1797] and died October 20, 1867. The family Bible stated he was one of the first white males born in the Miami Country. He was a farmer in Lanier Township and a member of the German Baptist Church. John was married November 23, 1820 to Mary Kelly, daughter of Joseph Kelly and Ekeziah Blackford. They had eight children."

Wilson Thompson Clawson -- Eldest child of John Clawson Jr. and Mary Clawson.  The 1992 Preble County History continues about this line: "The eldest was Wilson Thompson Clawson, a cabinetmaker, born 7 March 1823 and died 22 December 1899. On 13 June 1852, Wilson married Elizabeth Catherine Stover, born 4 November 1829 and died 10 February 1890, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Boyer Stover. Wilson and Elizabeth are buried in Antioch Cemetery. They had six children.

The eldest was Perry Stover Clawson, a farmer born 9 July 1853 and died 6 April 1918. He married 18 October 1881 to Ella Smith, born 18 October 1856 and died 3 January 1939. Perry and Ella are buried in Mound Hill Cemetery. They had three children.

Their eldest daughter, Stella C. Clawson, was born 6 December 1882 and died 22 August 1965. She married 11 December 1906 to Clarence Cleveland Jones, a blacksmith, born 30 October 1884 and died 1 March 1951. After they moved to Montgomery County, Clarence worked at National Cash Register until he retired. Both are buried in Mound Hill Cemetery.  Clarence and Stella had five children but only two survived to adulthood.

The eldest, Ivan Robert, was born 19 September 1906 in Sugar Valley and died 12 January 1968. He married 12 September 1931 to Helen J. Cook, born 25 June 1905 and died 19 August 1981. She was the daughter of Daniel Orion Cook and Maude E. Gunekel. All are buried in Twin Valley Cemetery. Ivan was an electrician and worked for Dayton Power and Light Company until he retired. He became a Thirty-third Degree Mason in 1962.

The children of Ivan and Helen Jones and Carol and Sandra. Carol Kay, a beautician, born 25 May 1934 and married 13 December 1969 to Robert R. Tanner, born 29 February 1928 and died 13 December 1989. He is buried at Bear Creek Cemetery. Carol and her daughter Christina are living at Lakeview, Ohio.

Sandra Jean Jones married Robert Edward Andrew and they live on a farm near Lewisburg(See Robert E. Andrews Family).

Clarence and Stella's daughter Gertrude I Jones, born 28(?) April 1920, a bookkeeper, retired from Monsanto Research Miamisburg, Ohio, and resides at Russell's Point, Ohio (Submitted by Sandra Jones Andrews)."

John Clawson (III)  -- son of John Jr., married Lovey McCabe.  Ancestor of Harry "Duane" Murphy.  According to Duane's family group sheets, this John was born November 7, 1827 and died July 29, 1860.  Lovey was born July 17, 1825 and died January 6, 1894.  

William R. Clawson - son of the third John and his wife Lovey.  In the 1992 Preble County History, in a section titled "The Arts, Artists and Musicians of the Past", there is a biography for William Reuben Clawson: "Artist William Reuben Clawson (January 16, 1855-November 22, 1924) was born in Eaton to John and Lovey Clawson. He married Clara Mina Bonaker, daughter of Joseph F. and Catherine Bowman Bonaker. Both families lived on North Maple Street.

Mr. Clawson's art studio was in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati. He worked mostly in oils and specialized in painting beechwood forests. According to his great-niece, Catherine Hoover Rillieux, many of his paintings hung in Cincinnati hotels and, at the time of his death, he was preparing for an exhibit at the Marshall Field Company in Chicago. A Clawson oil painting hangs in the Brooke-Gould Memorial Library in Eaton. Mr. Clawson was also a designer of wallpaper.

William and Clara Clawson had three children--Zelma, Fern, and Fred. His daughter Zelma married Grant Hoover, longtime Eaton dry (?)." ]

Asa D. Clawson -- the second oldest child of John and Lois, shown in the 1820 Preble Co. census.  Shown above as a son of John, who would have been twenty-one at the time of this census.  According to LDS records, he married Sarah or Sally Hopkins on July 13, 1818, and died in Preble County on March 13, 1865.

There is a listing in the Preble County 1820 census in Dixon Township for Asa Clawson, with a woman between twenty-six and forty-five, a man between sixteen and twenty-six, and a girl under the age of ten. 

In the 1830 Ohio census in Washington Township, Preble County, Asa Clawson one man and one woman each between thirty and forty, two boys between five and ten, and one boy and one girl each under the age of five.

Asa is shown in the 1850 census in Preble County, Washington Township, taken July 24, as Asa Clawson, 51, farmer, property worth $600, born in Ohio, with Sarah, 57, born in Kentucky and Cornelius, 23, Catherine, 18, and Lavina, 19, all born in Ohio.  The number two was listed under category #10.

Elizabeth Clawson -- the third oldest child of John and Lois, born in 1801 in Preble County.   She married Enoch Taylor on December 25, 1819.

Enoch and Elizabeth are shown in the 1850 census in Preble County, Washington Township, taken July 27, as Enoch Taylor, 49, born in North Carolina, a farmer, value of real estate $10,000; with Elizabeth, 49, Jane, 24, Nancy, 22, Mary Ann, 20, John M., 18, William H., 16, David G(?), 13, Elizabeth, 9, Enoch M., 7, all born in Ohio; Louisa Clawson, 83, born in New Jersey, and Joseph Eller, 24, born in Virginia.  Next door was Samuel Taylor, 23, born in Ohio, with Sarah A. Taylor, 24, also born in Ohio.

Samuel Clawson -- the fourth oldest child of John and Lois.  He is shown as having witnessed the will of Thomas Massie in 1824 in Preble County.  The ancestral file record shows that he married Mary Lewis.  Preble County marriage records show Samuel married Mary Lewis there in 1821.

In the 1830 Ohio census in Jackson Township, Preble County, is listed Samuel Clawson one man and one woman each between twenty and thirty, one boy and one girl each between five and ten, and three girls under the age of five.

Samuel is shown in the 1850 census in Preble County, Washington Township, taken July 22, as Samuel Clawson, 48, Farmer, born Ohio.  Column #11, 4; Mary, 44, Clarissa, 17, Isaac, 15, Samuel, 13, F.M., male, 10, W. S.(?), male, 8, and C.E., one month, female, all born in Ohio.

Francis M. Clawson - quite possibly the F.M. Clawson shown as a son of Samuel above.  There is a Francis M. Clawson in Indiana muster records for the Civil War.  The age matches this F.M. and is six years younger than Francis M. the son of John Clawson Jr.  He was shown as born in Preble County Ohio, which indicates the likelihood that they were the same Francis.  The Indiana muster record was: Francis M. Clawson, Enrolled and mustered January 30, 1865; 153rd Indiana, Company B; Private; at Wabash, Indiana; age 26; hazel eyes; dark hair; 6'1"; light complexion; born Preble County, Ohio; Painter; mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky on September 4, 1865. Promoted 1st Lieutenant on March 2, 1865.  There was a second muster record for a "Frances" Clawson that could have been earlier service by the same Francis: Frances Clawson, 3rd Infantry, Company F, three years, dates unclear. Mustered at Indianapolis. Mustered out at Indianapolis, June 1, 1864.

Isaac Clawson - quite possibly the Isaac Clawson shown above as a son of Samuel.  There is an Isaac in Indiana Civil War muster records that fits the age of this Isaac, and was mustered in a Wabash, Indiana - where Francis M., probably brother of Isaac, was mustered in a few days earlier.  The record: Isaac Clawson, private. 153rd Indiana, Company B. Enrolled February 4, 1865 at Wabash, Indiana by Captain Cowgill; Mustered same place, same person, same date; Age, 27; hazel eyes; light hair; height, 6'; light complexion; born Preble County, Ohio; farmer; mustered out at Indianapolis, May 18, 1865.

Lydia Clawson -- the fifth oldest known child of John and Lois, she was born February 17, 1806 in Preble County.  She married Marion Kelly on March 1, 1821, and died on August 24, 1894.  Researcher Dan Bollinger writes that Mary Lydia Clawson was the daughter of John and Louise Clawson.  Mary married George Marion Kelly March 1, 1821 in Preble Co., Ohio. Children: John Clayton 1832, George C. 1838, Lydia Ann 1836, Josiah Todd 1848, Ambrose Dudley 1849, and Matthew Thomas Kelly 1841.

Work contained in information from Joe Arnold, submitted by another Clawson researcher, reads: "Lydia and Sara Clawson birth years are both listed as 1906, but on February 17th and 25th respectively. Is there an error, or could they have been twins?  Per Lydia's obituary: Her family early settled in western part of Howard Co., IN; for a time lived at Alto; moving later to Kokomo. She was survived by five children, eighty-three grandchildren and sixty great-grandchildren. She was a member of the old school Baptist Church for fifty years, the last twenty-five in Kokomo. Services were conducted in her home, 131 North Buckeye St., Kokomo, by the Rev. Robert Thompson of Greenfield. Her obituary in the Kokomo Daily Tribune on August 8, 1894, stated that only five of ten children were living then. Later date of the death of her son, Joseph R. does not agree. 1938 is apparently incorrect. George was a son of Joseph L. Kelly, Jr. and E. Keziah Blackford. Lydia's mother had seventeen children. A sister of George, Mary Kelly, was married to Lydia's brother, John Clawson, Jr. The parents of George M. Kelly were Joseph L. Kelly, Jr. and E. Keziah Blackford."

Sarah (Sally) Clawson -- the sixth oldest child of John and Lois, born in 1807.

Josiah Clawson -- shown to be the seventh oldest child of John and Lois, shown in listings above to have been born in 1809.  However, this seems to be a birth year too late to fit the entries of this Josiah in the 1820 Ohio, and 1830 and 1840 Indiana censuses.  There is a Josiah shown in the 1820 Preble Co. census, who had two children by that time.  Josiah is shown to have moved to Henry County Indiana ca 1821 and in the Henry County history is shown to have had children by that time.  Josiah if actually born in 1809, would have only been eleven at the time of the 1820 census.  There is a Josiah in Ohio records that married Phoebe Woodward.  Isaac below married Phoebe's sister, Rebecca.  The Josiah that is named in the will of Phoebe's father below, in a record from 1850, names Josiah and Phebe and children Andrew G. Clawson of Delaware County, Indiana; Fidelia, the wife of William Wayman, and James, Rachel, Nathan D., and Asa G. Clawson, all of Henry County, Indiana.  It is likely that this is the Josiah who was in Preble County, likely the son of John, born in the 1790's sometime.  If Josiah was related to another early Clawson branch -- like the one from Berkeley Co, Virginia (later West Virginia), the Henry County biography would have named a state other than Pennsylvania as his birth state.  However, if that entry was accurate, and his birth date was in the 1790's in Pennsylvania, it indicates that John, his father, might not have been in Ohio by that time.

There is a listing in the Preble County 1820 census in Dixon Township for Josiah Clawson, with a man and woman each between the ages of twenty-six and forty-five, and one boy and one girl each under the age of ten.  There is a Josiah Clawson listed in Preble County in the 1825 tax return, which would not match a 1821 date of moving to Henry County.

Josiah is shown in the Henry County, Indiana 1830 census with one man and one woman each between thirty and forty, one boy and one girl each between ten and fifteen, one girl and three boys between five and ten, and one boy under the age of five.

Josiah is shown in the Henry County, Indiana 1840 census in Franklin Township with one man and one woman each between forty and fifty, one man and one woman each between twenty and thirty, two men and one woman between fifteen and twenty, two men between ten and fifteen, and one boy and one girl each between five and ten.

This is the Josiah mentioned in the will below, along with Josiah and Phebe's children.  In the Preble County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court Records, there is a record dated October 5, 1850, "Isaac Clawson, et al. vs. Asahel Woodward, et al. In Chancery. Filed June 7, 1849. Thomas Woodward, deceased, left will which was proven in April, 1822, but no inventory was filed. Widow, Rachel Woodward died in 1836. Children: Nathan Woodward, deceased, died in 1832 without issue; Mahlon Woodward; Asahel Woodward of Henry County, Indiana, his children--Vienna late Woodward, wife of Samuel Hazzard, Thomas B. Woodward, Pyrus Woodward, and Franklin Woodward, all of Henry County, Indiana; Phebe late Woodward, wife of Josiah Clawson, her children--Andrew G. Clawson of Delaware County, Indiana, Fidelia late Clawson, wife of William Wayman, James Clawson, Rachel Clawson, Nathan D. Clawson and Asa G. Clawson, all of Henry County, Indiana; Eli Woodward of Warren Co., Indiana, his children--Ezrqelda, Melissa, Josiah, George W., Bethena and Ann Woodward, all of Warren County, Indiana. The grandchildren named above were all born prior to the death of Thomas and wife Rachel Woodward, as were the following list of grandchildren(whose parentage is not given: Rebecca, wife of Isaac Clawson, Rachel Hickman, George Hickman, Thirza, wife of Stephen McWhinney, Evan Woodward, Levi Woodward and Eli Woodward. (623)"

Josiah and Phoebe are mentioned in the biography of his son, James in the "History of Henry County, Indiana", Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1884, biographical section: "James S. Clawson was born in Preble County, Ohio, May 20, 1821, a son of Josiah and Phoebe (Woodward) Clawson, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Kentucky. Both moved to Ohio when quite young, with their parents, and were there married. They came to Henry County, Ind., in 1821 and settled on Flatrock. Josiah Clawson entered 160 acres from the Government and after living on it fifteen years exchanged it for a farm two miles north of New Castle, containing 320 acres now known as the Jno. Huddleson and Jas. Richey farms. He lived on this farm about twelve years after which he sold it and went into the drug business with his eldest son, Dr. A.J. Clawson, at New Castle, and in 1858 he retired from business and he and his wife lived with their son, James S., until their death. Phoebe, his wife, died in 1861, and Josiah, in 1869. They had a family of ten children; but four are living. James S. remained with his parents till manhood. . ."

Josiah and Phebe's Children.  A. J. Clawson -- shown in the Henry County history as the oldest son of Josiah and Phoebe, having been in the drug business with his father in New Castle, Indiana, after his father retired from his farm.

A. J. Clawson is listed in the 1850 census in New Castle, Henry Township, Henry County, taken July 23, as A. J. Clawson, 31 a physician born in Ohio, Elizabeth 26(?), born in Kentucky and Parmelia(?), female, 6(?), Ruch(?), 5, and Jane, 2, all born in Indiana.

Asa Clawson -- son of Josiah and Phebe, he is shown in New Castle, Henry Township, Henry County in the 1850 census, the census taken July 22, as Asa Clawson, 19, a tailor born in Indiana is enumerated with William Waynian(?), 32,  tailor and his family.  Fidelia, 30, is William's wife.  This is the William Wayman and Fidelia, Asa's sister, listed above.

Fidelia Clawson (Wayman) -- daughter of Josiah and Phebe, she is shown in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana in the 1850 census, as William Waynian(?), 32,  tailor and his family.  Fidelia, 30, is William's wife.  Asa Clawson is shown in this household.

James Clawson -- son of Josiah and Phebe, he is likely the James shown in Prairie Township in Henry County in the 1850 census, taken September 23, as James Clawson, 29, farmer, $1600 born in Ohio with Mary Ann, 25, Clarissa C., 5, and John, 2, born both in Indiana.

James S. Clawson is shown in the 1880 Indiana census soundex, 59, Henry County, Prairie Twp., with Sophrona J., 43 Jessie J., 21, Joseph, 18, Mary F., 15, Chas E., 11, Estella, 6, all born in Indiana.

>From the "History of Henry County, Indiana", Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1884, biographical section: "James S. Clawson was born in Preble County, Ohio, May 20, 1821, a son of Josiah and Phoebe (Woodward) Clawson, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Kentucky. Both moved to Ohio when quite young, with their parents, and were there married. They came to Henry County, Ind., in 1821 and settled on Flatrock. Josiah Clawson entered 160 acres from the Government and after living on it fifteen years exchanged it for a farm two miles north of New Castle, containing 320 acres now known as the Jno. Huddleson and Jas. Richey farms. He lived on this farm about twelve years after which he sold it and went into the drug business with his eldest son, Dr. A.J. Clawson, at New Castle, and in 1858 he retired from business and he and his wife lived with their son, James S., until their death. Phoebe, his wife, died in 1861, and Josiah, in 1869. They had a family of ten children; but four are living. James S. remained with his parents till manhood. After his marriage he lived on a farm north of New Castle three years and then purchased the farm upon which he now resides, which contains 460 acres of fine land. Although his means were limited when he began life he has been successful and now has a good property. He pays special attention to the raising of grain and stock. Mr. Clawson was married in his twenty-second year to Miss Mary A., daughter of Jesse and Sarah Ice. They have six living children--Caroline C. (wife of G. E. Messerley), John M., Orlistus P., Jessie J., (wife of F. B. Hurst), Josiah L., Mary F. In 1866 Mary A., his wife, died, and in 1869 he was again married to Sophronia J., widow of Dr. J. J. Drummond and daughter of Jacob V. and Rachel Hickman, of LaPorte County, Ind. By this second marriage he has two living children--Charlie E. and Estella F. Mr. Clawson was twice engaged in the dry-goods business, and in 1882 was a candidate for Representative on the Democratic ticket. He and his wife and all of his children except his youngest daughter are members of the Christian church."

John Mortimer Clawson -- the son of James and Mary.  From the 1884 "History of Henry County": "John Mortimer Clawson, a son of James S. and Mary Ann Clawson, was born in Henry County, Ind., Sept. 26, 1847. He attended the district school and when eighteen years of age taught one term of six months. He afterward attended Franklin Academy, Johnson County, Ind., and Eureka College, of Illinois. He then began clerking for Hiram Allen, and in 1871 formed a partnership with Henry Rieman, in the general mercantile business, in Springport. In 1872 he sold out at auction and again clerked for Hiram Allen a year. He then engaged in farming a year and then went to New Comer, Delaware Co., Ind., and engaged in the general mercantile business a year. In 1875 he returned to Springport and bought the store of Hiram Allen. He was appointed express and railroad agent and remained in Springport something over three years. He then sold his store to Manning Smith and bought a farm a mile southwest of Springport, where he lived four years, when he rented his farm and moved to Muncie and engaged in the boot and shoe business about a year. He then returned to Springport where he still resides, engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Clawson is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity; a member of Muncie Lodge, No. 433, Delaware County. He was married in 1874 to Margaret, daughter of Hiram and Mary J. Bell, of Delaware County. He and his wife are members of the Christian church."

John and Margaret are shown in the 1900 Indiana census soundex, as John Clawson, born September 1847, age 52, born in Indiana, living in Henry County, Prairie Township, with Margaret Clawson, wife, born in Indiana in November 1852, age 47.

Orlistus Clawson - the son of James.  Most likely the "O." Clawson listed in the 1880 Indiana census soundex in Prairie Township of Henry County as: O. Clawson, 28, born in Indiana, with J. A. Clawson, 29, Claud L. 7, born in Indiana and W. J. Seitz, 23, born in Pa.

Shown in the 1900 Indiana census soundex as: Onlertes(?) P. Clawson born in January, 1852, in Indiana, age 48.  Enumerated with Sarah E. Dunbar as a boarder.

Joseph Clawson - the son of James.  He appears to be the Joe Clawson in the 1900 census soundex in Prairie Township, Henry County: Joe Clawson, born in March 1862 in Indiana, age 38 Indiana, with Lawania wife born in Nov 1862, age 37, Lenard son born in Oct 1888, age 12, James Luellina Si(?), born in March 1882, age 18, and Peter Grely Si(?) born in July 1877, age 22, all born in  Indiana.

[Unconnected (as yet) - Henry County Clawsons from the 1880 Indiana Census soundex: Thomas Clawson, Henry County, 50, born in Indiana, Henry Twp., New Castle City with Rebecca, 49, born in New Jersey, George, 16, Myrtle, 9, all in Indiana, Emma E. Wilcoxon(?), 29, daughter, Ida Pearl, granddaughter, 6, all born in Indiana.

In 1880 in Liberty Township, Henry County are: John B. Clawson, 31, with Laura E., 28, Ernest, O., 1, born in Ohio, and Euphama Davis, mother in law, 50, born in Indiana.]

Garret C. Clawson -- the eighth child of John and Lois.  The ancestral file record shows that a Clawson by this name was born in 1811 in Preble County, the son of John and Lois(or Louise) Clawson.

In Preble County, 1830 Ohio Census, is listed Garret Clawson in Dixon Township, with one man and woman each between twenty and thirty, one boy between five and ten and two girls under the age of five.  A Garret born in 1811 would be under twenty in the 1830 census, but it is possible that he was slightly older or did not accurately reflect his age in 1830.  A Garret that was the son of John would be a likely Garret to be in Preble County in 1830.

Isaac D. Clawson -- the ninth and apparently youngest child of John and Lois, shown born in 1813.  An Isaac Clawson was shown marrying Rebecca Woodward in Preble County in 1831.  This is the Isaac Clawson mentioned just above under the section of Josiah and Phebe Woodward Clawson--named in the delayed probate action of his father-in-law Thomas Woodward.  There is an Isaac D. Clawson shown as a member of Congress prior to the Civil War, signing an item against slavery.  It could just be a major coincidence.  The book is a history of the Civil War and is dated April 1862 in Richmond.  It is in the Making of America On-Line database of nineteenth century books and journals in America.  

The Fifth Oldest Child/The Thomas Clawson Branch.  Thomas Clawson and Sophia Covalt.  Thomas Clawson was born in Pennsylvania on August 12, 1768, married Sophia Covalt (born  January 7, 1775 in Bedford, Pennsylvania)  in November 1794 in Hamilton County, Ohio(most likely at Covalt's Station).   They appear to have had twelve children: Abraham, Mary, Lois, Josiah, Thomas Jr., Rachel, Garret, Timothy, Vienna, Ephraim, Cynthia, and Sophia--all born in Ohio. Thomas died in Fountain County, Indiana on September 18, 1836 and Sophia Covalt Clawson died August 21, 1843, also in Fountain County.

On the issue of children, Charles Clawson states that the "Children of record compiled from the Probate Administration Records, Box 103, are: Thomas Junior, born 1790 - 1800; Mary, wife of John G. Buckles; Abraham, Sept. 6, 1795 - Nov. 16, 1847; Rachel, wife of George Ives; Josiah, born, 1799; Vienna, wife of John Mathews; *Garrett, born, 1805; Timothy, February 25, 1806 - Feb. 14, 1874; Cynthia, wife of Orson Kerr;, Ephraim; Sophia, born 1814, youngest child, wife of Jonathan C. Dove. *The records indicate Garrett to be a son, however, they do not positively prove it."  This identifies ten children, suggests Garrett as an eleventh, and does not include a twelfth.  Lois is the likely twelfth child not included.  Jack Dove's statement, listed in the next paragraph, suggests twelve children, six boys and six girls -- which supports the idea of Garrett and Lois as children of Thomas.

Jack Dove, Thomas' grandson, made a statement, dated April 24, 1924, in 1965 in the possession of Mrs. Arthur J. Nelson of Hoopeston, Illinois, that has been quoted above about the Clawson Dutch ancestry. There is further information about Thomas Clawson, Jack's grandfather, in the statement: "(Thomas Clawson) was born and raised (.) emigrated to Ohio where he raised a family (of) twelve children 6 boys and 6 girls and every one of them raised families also (.) he settled in Fountain Co. in 1824 just 100 years ago. Mother [Sophia Clawson Dove] was 10 years old at the time. She was the youngest of the twelve. There were Indians there at that time Pottowatmies (sic) I think they were a friendly tribe don't think the whites had any trouble with them although it appears that there was still a good many were there mother remembered them well . . ."
.  
Thomas Clawson is likely the Thomas Clason or Claton who is listed below Mary "Closon" in the 1786 census of Washington, Co., Bethlehem Township, Pa.  He was shown filing for 300 acres in Washington County on October 15, 1787, the same day as his brother Garret applied for 200.  Thomas is shown in the tax records of Greene Township (later Greene County) PA in 1789 as a "Single Freeman".  Complete records for all Clawsons are contained in the section on Garret Sr. and Mary above, and included these years in Greene Township was an entry for Abraham Covalt-Thomas' future father-in-law.

A Thomas Clawson was listed as being in Pratts Company, of the Second Regiment of U.S. Levies in 1791-92 as a private, under Lt. Col. Gibson -- but it appears not to be our Thomas.  In the Ohio history section at the beginning of this document, there is a piece of correspondence about Pratt's Company and a Clawson who was a scout there at the time.  A Thomas was definitely in Pratt's company, but the reference could be to either he or his brother Peter as the scout.

Thomas was not shown in the Pennsylvania census in 1790, and was likely in southwest Ohio between 1790 and 1792, as shown by his military service above.  He married there in 1794, and his first son was shown to have been born in Greene County in 1795, and two of his next three children were shown to have been born in Hamilton County in 1797 and 1799.  He is listed in a letter to the federal government in 1799, shown as having purchased land in Hamilton County on Dec. 29, 1801 -- within days of Peter and Josiah Clawson.  No other Clawsons are shown to have purchased land in Southwestern Ohio during this period.  Thomas is listed in a 1799 memorial to the federal government -- once with Peter Clawson, and once with John Clawson(could either be Josiah, or John from adjacent Preble County -- as discussed in "Preble County").

Thomas Clawson is shown in the Centerville History "A Sense of Place" on the List of Preempted Symmes Land Purchasers in Washington Township as of 1801, with 250 acres in the northweast corner of Range 5, Township 2, Section 5.  He also is shown "A Sense of Place" on the List of Original Land Entries Made at the Cincinnati Land Office.  He is shown in Range 6, Township 2, Section 31, SW Part Lot 3, 184.96 acres, dated December 29, 1801, certificate #428(?).

Thomas was active in the Baptist Church in Centerville.  The First Baptist Church of Centerville OH Minute Book - Nov 2 1799 - Dec 5 1863(Film # 1686034) contains many references to Thomas: January 3 (?), 1801.  After Divine service proceeded to business.  1st.  Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife renewed by letter.

Feb 6 1802 Met and after Divine service forwarded to business.  1st. of Br. B Archer chosen Moderator.  A Moderate shall be chosen as need requires.  2nd. Brethren B. Wallingford, T. M. McGrew T Clawson and N Notts visited land for their meeting house according to appointment.  We found land suitable and made report.

July 31 Brother Clark delivered a comfortable discourse form 1 Peter 2 ch 25 v.  Chose Br. Archer moderator and forwarded to business.  1st on motion agreed that we have some notes(?) to go by.  2. On motion agree that brethren Gerrard Archer Clawson Blair and Knotts prepare those notes (?) and present them to the Church at the next meeting.  3. Brethren Garrard Archer Luce and Clawson be our messengers to the next association (?) with the letter and that they make application for the most association (?) to be holden at Sugar Creek.  4. Brethren Garrard and Clawson to write this latter to association.  5. Agreed that we set on foot a subscription for the support of the gospel. 6th agreed that trustees be appointed to superintend the building of the meeting house. 7th moved and carried that brethren T.(J?) Luce B Archer and T. Clawson are empowered to have the hewing of the logs for country produce. 8th moved that brethren T Hancock and Wm Hatfield mark out the road from the meeting house to Wilsons settlement and make report at our next meeting for business. 9th moved and carried that Br. T. Clawson mark a rod from the meeting house to McGrew's settlement and take some persons with him to assist and make report at our next meeting.

date? [about thirty pages after previous item] 2nd item of business Br. Mason and Thos Clawson appointed to settle with deacons and make report at our next . . . "

In the 1804 Montgomery County tax list(the County at the time included territory now in Preble, Montgomery, and a portion of Clark Counties), Thomas, Josiah, and Peter Clawson were shown.  So was John Buckles, a child of whom later likely married a child of Thomas Clawson.  Thomas was shown on a jury in the February 1805 Montgomery County court term. 

In "A Sense of Place", the second printing of which was done in 1985 by the Centerville Historical Society, records of the Montgomery County Commissioner meeting abstracts were printed for 1806.  They showed that on September 2, 1806, it was "ordered that John Bradford, Robert Edgar, and Thomas Clawson viewers and Joseph Wilson Surveyor with chainmen & c. meet at Samuel Becks on the last Monday of October next and view and make return of a road from thence to McDaniels mill passing by Judge Archers and Centreville and make report to us at our sitting in December . . ."

In the record for Tuesday, December 2, 1806, it was written that "It appears that the road from Samuel Becks to McDaniels mill has not been viewed therefore it is ordered that Thomas Clawson, Benjamin Maltbie, and Benjamin Robbins viewers and Benjamin Archer esq. surveyor with chairmen do meet at Samuel Becks on the second friday of December instant and report to us their view & survey at our next meeting in March next . . . "

Thomas is shown on a grand jury in the August 1807 term, and a grand jury in the April, 1808 term.  Thomas was accused of assault in the April 1808 term, but it was dismissed.

In the book, "Pieces of the Past: Early Centerville/Washington Township History", by Howard R. Houser, published by the Centerville Historical Society in 1994, it was written: "In 1809, there were nine frame, brick or stone houses in Washington Township which were taxed.  Two stone houses were owned by Aaron Nutt, Sr.  Thomas Clawson had a braced frame house with brick nogging (same construction as the Ewing home) which was taxed."

Thomas Clawson was elected treasurer of Washington township in the early years, and served through 1809.  The Lindsay M. Brien book, "Miami Valley, Ohio Pioneers", refers to Thomas as "treasurer of [Washington] Twp. for many years".  He was also shown in that township's tax records in 1810.  In the roster of Ohio taxpayers in 1812, Thomas, Josiah, and Peter Clawson are all shown in Washington township in Montgomery County.

In the Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War of 1812, there is a list of the Roll of Capt. Thomas Clauson's[sic] Company from Montgomery County. The service period listed is from August 23 until September 17, 1812. Captain Thomas Clauson is listed, as are Lieutenant John Archer Jr., Sergeant William Blair and Ensign Benjamin Luce. Among the twenty-nine listed privates are Ephraim Covolt[sic], John Dunkin, John Gerrard, Peter Loy, John Shanks, Abraham Clauson, Moses Luce, Peter Clauson and Peter Shanks.  In the Sugar Creek Baptist Cemetery in Montgomery County, a John Dunkin is buried(1762-1821) with the tombstone inscription that he was a private in "Captain T. Clauson's Company in the War of 1812".  

Records in these years were kept in the docket court about those who made purchases or owed debts involving estate settlements, and Thomas was involved in such sales in the Dec. 1806, Sept 1810, April 1815, June 1819, July 1819, November 1819, and July 1821 terms.

In 1815, it was decided that Montgomery County needed a woolen and cotton factory on Hole's Creek.  From "A Sense of Place": "In 1815, Massee Hole (the widow of Dr. John Hole) sold 61 acres on the north boundary of Section 32 through John L. and Nancy Hole, to Thomas Clawson and William Luce.  These men were the principal motivators in forming the Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Company of Centerville.  This land lay along the north branch of Hole's Creek and within the next five years would become the town of Woodbourne or Woodburn. . . .

"The town started as a company town.  The Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Company owned the entire town initially.  The company contracted for a spinning and weaving mill, dam and race in 1817.  The design for the machinery was brought from England by Samuel Gerrard.  He was able to interest many of the township's more prosperous farmers and merchants into investing in this enterprise.  In the first year, there were 47 shareholders, with William Luce, Thomas Clawson, Francis Dils and John Harris being the major investors.  The shareholders elected Benjamin Maltbie, Thomas Clawson and Thomas Newton as managers, who then contracted with an operating company to run the mill."  From another source it was listed that the trustees first met in 1816, and operations commenced in 1817.  Thomas Clawson was among one of the original stockholders, and elected one of the first three managers of the company. 

Thomas was shown in the 1816 Montgomery County tax records as a "proprietor" in Washington Township.  Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book E, p. 283, February 24, 1817. Thomas and Sophia Clawson, and William and Judith Luce sold to trustees of Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Company of Centerville for $2,000, part of Section 32, Township 2, Range 6, land between Miami Rivers. Witnessing was Josiah Clawson.  Land records of Montgomery County showed that Thomas and his wife Sophia sold the S.W. Quarter of Section 31(T2, R6, twenty-five acres, land between the Miami Rivers) to William Buckles on July 14, 1819.  By the 1820 Ohio census, he is shown in Washington township with Josiah and Peter, although many new Clawsons are shown in this County in this census.

In the 1820 census, Thomas is shown at the end of Centerville town in Washington Township, with a man and woman both over the age of forty-five, three men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six and one between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, one woman between the ages of sixteen and twenty-six, two boys and one girl between the ages of ten and sixteen, and two girls under the age of ten.

In the 1820 census there is a second Thomas shown in typed records for Wayne Township in Montgomery County.  This Thomas is over forty-five, with a woman between the ages of twenty-six and forty-five, two girls and one boy between the ages of ten and sixteen, and three girls below the age of ten.  If there was an error and Thomas was between twenty-six and forty-five -- this could be Thomas' son.

In "Once Upon a Town and Township, Centerville-Washington Township 1796-1971", published by the Centerville Historical Society in 1971, a document was included on the April 3, 1820 election in Washington Township, in which twelve different office holders were elected.  Thomas Clawson and Benjamin Robbins were listed as having been elected "Fense Viewers"[sic].

In the book just cited, there was also a section on early history: ". . . townsmen were supporting two meeting places--a tavern and a church.  Peter Townsley's tavern (now the remodeled home of James H. Gates, 610 West Whipp Road) became a gathering place for budding industrialists, farmers and townsmen.  Men like George Minnerup, Thomas Clawson, Aaron Nutt, Samuel Wilson and Benjamin Maltbie probably met there to discuss politics or the price of crops and manufactured goods."[If Thomas Clawson was as devout a Baptist as the earlier passages suggest, one wonders whether he would have frequented a tavern.  Especially since he is shown in early Fountain County as the Justice of the Peace collecting fines related to temperance.]

In the 1825 tax records for Ohio, only Peter is still shown in Montgomery County.  By now Thomas and Josiah have gone.

A good summary of Thomas Clawson's time in Ohio comes in an article from an unknown publication about the "Thomas Clawson-Robert McEwen House" in Centerville, Ohio:

"Another of the oldest houses in the northwest quadrant of the township, and one similar in construction to the Ewing house, was the Thomas Clawson house.  It was better known as the McEwen house, and was located about one hundred yards northeast of the corner of McEwen Road and the Miamisburg-Centerville Pike(State Highway 725).  When this research program was started in 1974, this house, although vacant, was still intact.  Today, it no longer exists.  Where it once stood, a roadway now passes over its foundations.  We include it in our review as a tribute to one of our fine pioneers - Thomas Clawson -- and to the McEwen family who lived in it so many years.

"Thomas Clawson came into the Northwest Territory from Fort Pitt in the Army of General Arthur St. Clair; and he had fought in the unsuccessful campaign at Fort Recovery in 1791.  The next year he was joined by his brother Peter in the Militia Volunteers from the territory west of the Ohio River.  There is no record that the third brother, Josiah, was with them in the militia service.

"After General Wayne's victory over the Indians in 1794, the brothers contracted with John Cleves Symmes to purchase land in Washington Township.  Peter and Josiah obtained land containing good mill streams in the northwest quadrant of the township.  Thomas made his purchase of land in the southwest quadrant on what is now Yankee Street.

"When the first preemption act was passed by Congress in 1799, the Clawsons lost their right to the land they had purchased from Symmes, and were required to re-purchase it from the Federal Government.  Thomas made his first preemption payment to the Cincinnati Land Office on December 29, 1801; but the payment was for land in the northwest quadrant instead of his original holdings in the southwest part of the township.  Peter and Josiah also had to re-purchase their land from the Federal Government.

"Thomas Clawson was quite active in local affairs having served as the first Township Treasurer, and as a manager of The Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Company of Woodbourne.  

"The house was built a short time after 1802; family tradition indicated 1806.  It was very large for its time. Like the Ewing house, the construction was braced frame with brick nogging.  The full basement was constructed of limestone with bark covered walnut beams supporting the house.

"There were two rooms in the front divided by a wall of one-inch thick walnut panels; and each room had a large brick fireplace with fine Federal mantel.  The back room was the kitchen, and it had two built-in corner cupboards and horizontal and vertical walnut paneling.  Upstairs, in front, there were three small bedrooms with thin board walls, and with the hall in back as in the Ewing house.  Another bedroom was located over the kitchen, with a separate stairway to it.

"Clawson sold the house to Richard Haines in 1824 . . ."  Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book I, p. 543, June 19, 1824, Thomas and Sophia Clawson to Nev(?) Haines for $2,000 part of SW quarter of Section 31, Township 2, Range 6, lands between the Miami Rivers.

The Pioneer Ancestors List of Members of the Society of Indiana Pioneers indicates that Thomas Clawson came to Fountain County from Ohio in 1824.  There were six separate filings for land by Thomas Clawson(it is likely that this and other historic records referred to Thomas Clawson Senior not Junior) in Fountain County, on December 29 and 30, 1824, January 21, 1825, and June 18, 1828.  It is possible that the last one was his son's.  A Thomas Clawson, along with Garrett Clawson, were among the first Fountain County settlers that laid out roads there.  In the 1888 Tippecanoe County History biography of Thomas' daughter Cynthia and her husband Orson Kerr, Thomas is described as: "one of the old and honored pioneers of Fountain County".

In the "History of Fountain County", Thomas Clawson is mentioned at a settler at the Shawnee Township and was described as "a stalwart sire of several stalwart sons", and Thomas Clawson is shown as having been chosen as one of the first two justices of the peace for Fountain County.  The following story is told in "History", under the heading of "Temperance Work":  

"The day that Shawnee was constituted a township the court granted Leonard Keep license to vend foreign merchandise and spirituous liquors.  Joseph Collier was taken as one of his sureties.  Collier was soon after, with Thomas Clawson, elected justice of the peace, and took oath of office March 1827. 

"In the court records, not long after, there was placed among the entries of fines collected this curious item: 'Collected by Thomas Clawson, as fines, from Joseph Collier and Thomas McKibben, for an affray, $100 each -- $200.'  Comment is needless." 

Another set of references to Thomas' early years in Fountain County is found in the "History of Fountain County, Indiana, 1983", published by the Fountain County Historical Society and Printed by the Taylor Publishing Company, in an article on the "Clawson Family in Shawnee Township", which begins: "The Clawson family was among the first pioneers to settle in Fountain County, Indiana. It was four years after Indiana became a state. Several of the Clawsons migrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio and then to Indiana.

Thomas Clawson and his wife Sophia Kellogg [sic] settled around Newtown, and my great-grandfather Garret Clawson and his wife Deliliah Shroyer settled in what was later to be Rob Roy. The new purchase lands in Indiana territory opened for settlement in 1824 to be sold in eighty-acre plats at $1.25 per acre.

Thomas and brother Josiah Clawson, cousins of Garret and Peter Clawson [sic], and several other members of the family took advantage of the economic opportunity.  They arrived in Fountain County in the fall of 1824. They were the trailblazers for many friends and relatives soon to follow. Descendants of Garret Clawson still live in Fountain County but some of them moved to Warren County, Indiana, and into the state of Illinois. Thomas C. purchased over eight hundred acres of land at a cost of more than $1100.00, mostly in Shawnee Township, Fountain County, Indiana.

Church affiliates from Ohio and probably Thomas, were the founding members of the Big Shawnee Baptist Church near Newtown. Thomas was elected Justice of the Peace in 1827, and Fountain County representative in 1831. Thomas and Sophia and other members of his family were buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery west of Newtown. . . ."

There are a number of Fountain County deedbook transactions involving Thomas prior to 1830: Book 1, p. 54. January 9, 1826. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife to Wilson Claypool for 240 dollars. 80 acres. Section 21, Township 21, Range 7.

Book 1, p. 213. January 10, 1826. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife sold to George Ives for 100 dollars. 40 acres. Section 21, Township 21, Range 7.

Book 1, p. 318. August 23, 1828. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife sold to Abraham Clawson for 500 dollars. Two eighty acre parcels in Section 28, Township 21, Range 7.

Book 1, p. 424. July 10, 1829. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife to Benjamin Foster for 300 dollars. 80 acres in Section 27, Township 21, Range 7.

There are two Thomas Clawson's listed in Fountain County in the 1830 Census, most likely both junior and senior.  Thomas Clawson Sr. is shown in the 1830 census in Fountain County with a man between sixty and seventy, a woman between fifty and sixty, a man between twenty and thirty, and a woman between fifteen and twenty.

There are a number of Fountain County deedbook transactions involving Thomas in the 1830's: Book 9, pp. 20, 21, 22. November 2, 1831. The United State government issued Land Patents to Sophia Clawson [Charles Clawson speculates that this was probably the Sophia that was the wife of Thomas, although Josiah's widow Sophia could well have been this Sophia], 80 acres in Section 25, Township 21, Range 7, and 80 acres in Section 23, Township 20, Range 7.

Book 9, same pages as above in book 9. Sophia Clawson sold the parcels above to the State of Indiana.

Book 3, p. 86. April 12, 1832. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife deed of gift to Orson Kerr for dowry. 80 acres. Section 4, Township 21, Range 7.

Book 3, p. 163. April 24, 1832. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife sold to James Foster for 500 dollars. 80 acres. Part of Section 29, Township 21, Range 7.

Book 5, p. 72. July 6, 1835. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife to G. S. Fleming. Part of Section 22, Township 21, Range 7.

Book 6, p. 203. February 26, 1836. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife to William Stephens. Part of Section 27, Township 21, Range 6.

In the records of the Indiana State Militia from 1812-1851, found in the Indiana State Library, is a Thomas Clawson, Major, 74th Regiment ISM, Commissioned March 30, 1832.  Timothy Clawson was commissioned in the same regiment the next year, and Thomas Jr. was shown in a different regiment two years earlier, making Thomas Sr. the most likely one to be the major in this listing.

In "A Biographical Directory of the Indiana General Assembly, Volume 1 1816-1899" published by a Committee of the Indiana Assembly in 1980, there is a listing for Thomas Clawson. Thomas' entry is based on the William H. English Collection of the Indiana Historical Society Library, consisting of information about nineteenth century legislators gathered for a biographical directory -- much of the information coming from legislators and family members or descendants. In this instance, the biography of Thomas Clawson is very confused. It seems to combine the histories of Thomas Jr. and Sr. into one. The History of Fountain County from the 1980's has a section on Shawnee Township in which it indicates that Thomas Sr. was the legislator. The biography follows:

"Clawson, Thomas. House, 1831-32 (Fountain). Born ca 1799 in Ohio. Married. Children. Moved to Fountain County, Indiana, in 1824. Carpenter; farmer; employed in road construction. Democrat. Justice of the peace, 1826, 1828; member of board of justices, 1826."

This biography seems to mix up the birthdate of Thomas Jr. with some offices that I have assumed Thomas Sr. had. Thomas Jr. was a carpenter, as it is likely he was building the Claypool house ca 1825 mentioned in the 1881 Fountain County History. I have always assumed it was Thomas Sr. who was a Justice of the Peace.  Thomas Jr. did not appear to have children prior to 1832. I am willing to assume from all this that it was Thomas Sr. who had the stature to be elected in 1830.

In the Fountain County book for Letters of Administration, Letters of Testimentary or Letters of Guardianship(a summary of which is on file at the Sutro Library) it is shown that Thomas Clawson Jr. and Timothy Clawson were entered on October 29, 1836 about the deceased Thomas Clawson Sr.  Cemetery records compiled in the early 1930's place his death on September 18, 1839 in Fountain County.  However, the year appears wrong, as his probate was filed in October, 1836.  The same cemetery records, compiled by the DAR, show Thomas died at age 68y, 6d, 1m.  He is buried in Hushaw, Dazey, Stephenson or Rupert Cemetery.

[Transcribed notes from the estate file of Thomas Clawson, Sr. of Fountain County follow.  They are significant because they list a number of children and sons-in-law as heirs.

February 11, 1839. Received of Thomas and Timothy Clauson Eight dollars 37 1/2 (cents) its in part to be allowed out of my part of the Estate of Thomas Clawson deceased of Fountain County. /s/Jonathan C. Dove

January 23, 1839. Received of Timothy Clawson and the Administrator of Thomas Clawson (?) the sum of forty Dollars. /s/Ephraim Clawson

January 23, 1839. Received of Timothy Clauson one of the Administrators of the Thomas Clawson deceased sum of one hundred dollars. /s/Josiah Clauson

August 24, 1838. Then received of Timothy Clauson one of the administrators of Thos(?) Clauson, dest. twelve dollars. /s/A. Clawson

September 15, 1837. Received of Thomas Clauson sixty dollars in part of my part of the estate. /s/Ephraim Clawson

November 26, 1836. For value received we promis to pay Bartain (?) Bunnel(?) guardian for William and Thomas Buckles the heirs of John G.(?) Buckles deceased the sum of forty dollars ten cents (?) after date with use from date this 26 day November A.D. 1836. /s/Thomas Clawson, Timothy Clauson, Administrator of T. Clawson, decased(sic).

January 20, 1838. Received of Timothy Clawson one of the Administrators of Thomas Clawson deceas. the sum of twelve dollars. /s/Orson Kerr.

Received of Thomas and Timothy Clauson administrators of the Estate of Thos. Clawson decised(sic) one hundred and sixteen dollars and fifty cts to be applied on my part of the above Estate Feb the 7 AD 1839. Test: Mary Moore. /s/Rachael (x - her mark) Ives.[Note: There is a marriage for Mary Clawson and John Moore in 1838 in Warren County].

Received of Thomas and Timothy Clauson Administrators of the Estate of Thomas Clauson Deceased, the sum of four hundred and ten dollars and thirty nine cts as sd decased was gardeen for William and Thomas Buckles the heirs of John J. Buckles decased (sic) This 26 day of November 1836. Test: J.C. Dove. /s/Bartain (x - his mark) Bunell, gardeen.

April 2(?) 1838. Received of Timothy Clauson one of the Administrators of Thomas Clawson Decies. the sum of fifty five dollars and fif cents. /s/Jonathan Dove.

Received of Thomas Clauson one of the Administrators of the Estate of Thomas Clauson deseased, Eight hundred dollars this 7 day of April AD 1837. /s/Sophia Clawson. Appears to have been witnessed by Orson Kerr.

Settle on 29th of August 1835 and remaine du to Garret Clawson one hundred and seventy four dollars 95 cents. /s/Thos Clauson

Received of Timothy Clawson one of the administrators of Thomas Clawson deciest the sum of forty dollars this the twenty fourth day of May 1837. /s/J. C. Dove

Reseived of Thomas Clawson twenty five dollars on Ephraim Clauson account or on my part of the Estate this 20 day of October 1837. /s/Orson Kerr

April 27, 1830. Received of Timothy Clauson administrator of Thos Clauson deciest the sum of two hundred dollars This is my hand /s/Abraham Clauson

Reseived of Thomas Clauson one of the Administrators of the Estate of Thomas Clauson Decised the sum of one hundred dollars on my part as one of the heirs of the Estate, March the 3 AD 1838. /s/John Matthews

Know all men by these presents that we Thomas Clawson of the County of Warren State of Indiana and Timothy Clawson, Orsen Kerr, and A. Clauson of the County of Fountain State aforesaid am held and firmly bound unto State of Indiana in the penal sum of six thousand dollars the payment of which we bind ourselves our heirs executors & Administrators firmly by these presents signed & sealed with our hands our hands (sic) and seals the 28 day October 1836.

The condition of the above bond is such that whereas Thomas Clawson and Timothy Clawson has this day taken out Letters of Administrators in the probate court of Fountain County on the Estate of Thomas Clauson Dec. late of said County of Fountain. Now should the said Thomas & Timothy Clawson faithfully discharge the duties of Administrators of said Estate then this obligation to be null and void otherwise to remain in full force and Virtue in Law

Signed and Sealed the day and year above written in the presence of these witnesses William Buckles Josiah Clawson. /s/Thomas Clauson Jun. Timothy Clauson Orson Kerr A. Clawson. (a seal followed each of the signers)  Here end the notes from estate file.]

Sophia Clawson is listed in the 1840 census, as her status as a widow she allowed her to be listed as head of household in that census.  Sophia Clawson is listed with one female between sixty and seventy, one female between fifteen and twenty and one female between ten and fifteen.  Sophia Covalt Clawson died August 21, 1843 in Fountain County.  She is shown buried in Hushaw, Dazey, Stephenson or Rupert Cemetery, died August 2, 1843 age 68y, 7m, 14d.

Sophia Covalt Clawson's heritage, as listed in an ancestral file submission, includes a grandfather Abraham Covalt, born Oct 9, 1714 in New Jersey, dying March 19, 1780 in Greene, W, Pennsylvania, and marrying Elizabeth Gustin(born May 5, 1714 in Stonington, Connecticut) on December 14, 1736 in Sussex, New Jersey.  His father, Bethuel Covalt, was born in Wales on October 15, 1642.  John Gustin, Elizabeth's father was born November 5, 1691 in Lynn, Essex Co. Mass. 

Thomas and Sophia's Children.  Abraham Clawson -- The oldest child of Thomas, was shown in "Miami Valley Pioneers" to have been born there September 6, 1795.  Marriage records show he married Elizabeth Cline on August 20, 1821 in Greene County, Ohio, and they had two known children--Sarah and Jonathan.  Abraham died in Fountain County on November 16, 1847.  His wife Elizabeth died in Fountain County in 1870.

Captain Thomas Clawsons Company, Ohio Volunteers, formed in 1812 for the War of 1812, included Private Abraham Clawson.   He is shown as a "hand" that worked one of the first days of operation in 1816 for the woolen and cotton factory his father was involved with. 

The biography of Abraham's son-in-law Peter Auter, in the 1881 Fountain County history, states that Abraham "came to this township [Shawnee] from Pickaway county, Ohio, in the fall of 1825, and improved the farm now owned by Ben Malatt."  

Abraham Clawson is shown in Fountain County witnessing the 1829 will of Sarah Iford (Ifert), his cousin Peter's mother-in-law[The will is shown in its entirety in these notes under the Peter Clawson Jr. listing].

In the 1830 census in Fountain County, Abraham Clawson is shown with one man and one woman between thirty and forty, one boy between five and ten, and one girl under the age of five.

Abram Clawson is shown in the 1840 census in Fountain County with a man and woman each between forty and fifty, and two females and one male between ten and fifteen.

>From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Abraham is shown buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, died November 16, 1847 at 52y, 2m, 10d.

Elizabeth Clawson is shown in Fountain County in the 1850 census, as age 52 and "birthplace not known".  She is shown with Margret Covalt, 24, born in Indiana, Jacob Matthews, 23, Laborer (could be Mathers), Jackson Sewart, 9, Elizabeth Mathers, 6 (could be Matthews).

She is shown in the 1860 census in Shawnee Township of Fountain County as being 62, born in Ohio and a "house mistress".  She is shown with Albert A. Clawson, age 6 and born in Indiana, who was the son of Jonathan and Mary(below).

In the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Elizabeth Clawson is listed as the wife of Abraham, buried in Beulah Cemetery, having died on February 28, 1870, aged 69y, 11m, 1d..

Jonathan Clawson -- shown in the Fountain County marriage records as having married Mary Bodleman (Bidleman?) on April 18, 1847.  If he is the same Jonathan who was the son of Abraham, he died as shown below.

Jonathan and May (Mary?) Clawson are shown in the 1850 census in Fountain Co., Shawnee Township, Indiana. They were listed on page 99, listed as Jonathan Clawson, 25, Farmer, value of real estate, $1000, born in Indiana, with May (Mary) Clawson, 23, Delphene, 1, and Harriet (Seward?), 11.

Mary M. Clawson, wife of Jonathan G. Clawson, is shown in compiled cemetery records to be buried in Rob Roy Cemetery, having died May 12, 1855, age 31y, 3m, 20d.

There is a Jonathan Clawson who married Lucy Coon in Fountain County on August 9, 1855.  There is no other apparent Jonathan of this generation that fits.

According to the biography of his brother-in-law Peter Auter, it was stated that Jonathan was a member of the 76th Ill. Vols., and died of disease in 1864, at Bolivar, Tennessee, after two years' service. 

Charlotte Barnes Lewin obtained Jonathan's pension file, and transcribed it - which is included below:

"Jonathan Grady Clawson - Military Pension Records. 

Document Number 1:  Box # 33807, Article# 168575, Delphene, Freeman C., Alvin A., John W., minor children of Jonathan G. Clawson

Document Number 2:

Adjutant General's Office,
Washington D. C., 1872

Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 202.380, and to return it herewith with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.

It appears from the Rolls on file with this Office, that Jonathan G. Clawson was enrolled on the 5 day of Aug., 1862 at Ash Grove in Company K, 76th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve 3 years or during the war, and was mustered into service as a Corporal on the 22 day of Aug., 1862 at Kankakee, in Co. K, 76 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war. On Muster Roll of Co. "K" of that Regiment for the months of Nov. & Dec, 1862, he is reported "Died"      Return for Nov 1862 reports him sick at La Grange, Tenn. since Nov. 28, 1862.

Inventory of Effects reports him died in General Hospital, La Grange, Tennessee December 4, 1862, which date is accepted as the correct date of death - of pneumonia. How it occurred, not stated.

I am Sir, very repectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. P. Martin
Assistant Adjutant General

The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Document Number 3:

State of Illinois	} ss
County of Iroquois	}

On the 3 day of June A. D. 1873 personally appeared before me A. Honeywell a Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid this being a Court of Record John S. Darrough ho is well Knowing to me as a reputable good citizen and is entitled to credit and mantly (?) qualify to testify, and of then being duly sworn according to Law makes the following declaration, in order to obtain the pension provided by the acts of Congress for children under sixteen years of age that he is the only Legal Guardian of Jonathan G. Clawson legitimate children of Iroquois County and State aforesaid ho was a Corporal of Company (K) of the 76 Regiment, Illinois Volunteers in the War of 1861 who enlisted under the name of Jonathan G. Clawson at Ash grove in the County of Iroquois and State afoesaid on the 5 day of August A. D. 1862 the cause of sikness affiant is unable to state who died at Lagrange Tennessee on the 3 day of December 1862 and he bore at the time of his death the rank of Corporal in Company (K) of the 76 Regiment Illinois Volunteers that he left no widow surviving, that the said Jonathan G. Clawson married twice the first time he maried Mary Bydleman on the 18 day of April A. D. 1847 by William Worthington, a Justice of the Peace of Fountain County in the State of Indiana who died on the 12 day of May A. D. 1855.

the said Jonathan G. Clawson remaried to Lucy Coon on the 9 day of August A. S. 1855 at Fountain County in the State of Indiana by H. Martin a Justice of the Peace of Fountain County in the State of Indiana, ho, died on the 4 day of January A. D. 1861 that the forefoing are the only surviving Legitimate children of said Jonathan G. Clawson who are under sixteen years of age at the time of his death to wit:

Delphene Clawson was born 	April 15		1849
Freeman C. Clawson was born 	May 26		1851
Alvin A. Clawson was born	September 4		1853
John W. Clawson was born		October 3		1856

that said children was the issue of Jonathan G. Clawson, the said Delphene, Freeman C. and Alvin A. Clawson are the ofspring of Jonathan G. Clawson and Mary his first Wife, that said Jonathan G. Clawson and Lucy his second Wife have only one child surviving them to wit John W. Clawson that their Father was married under the name of Jonathan G. Clawson to Mary Bydleman on the 18 day of April A. D. 1847, and that the said Jonathan G. Clawson remarried Lucy Coon on the 9 day of August A. D. 1855 as is shown by further evidence Mar 1st (B) the reason why affiant was not appointed Guardian of Delphene Clawson before his appointment was made she married one James P. Wiggins, affiant  further refers to the former Aplication of the former Guardian of Wilson S. Kay, where necessary papers was furnesht affiant made a allius (?) application after his appointment and sent with the application a certifyt copie of his Guardianship which is on fyle in your honorable Department that the said children have not aided or abetted the rebellion, and that no other application been filed on ther behalf only as above stated the number the claim affiant dont remember; that he hereby appoints Joseph  G. Popper his Attorney to prosecute the above claim, that his residence is Watseka Iroquois County Illinois this same as his and his attorneys Post Office address.

				John D. Darrough
				Guardian

Also personally appeared George A. Woodford and Sylvanus C. Munhall residents of Watseka Iroquois County in the State of Illinois, persons who I certify to be respectable, and entitlet to credit and who being duly by me sworn says the were present and saw John S. Darrough the claimant sign his name to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claiment and their aquaintance with him that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and, that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.

				George A. Woodford
				Sylvanus C. Munhall

Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 3 day of June A, D, 1873, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration and were fully made known and explained to the applicant and Witnesses before swearing, I further certify that the Witnesses as well as applicant are mantly (?) qualifyt to testify; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
				A. Honeywell
				County Clerk

In Testimony Whereof, I W. C. Wilcox Clerk of the Fountain Circuit Court, hereunto subscribe my name, and affix the Seal of said Court, this 9th day of August, 1855.

				E. C. Wilcox Clk

Be it further Remembered, That on this 18th day of August 1855, the following certificate was filed in my office, to-wit:
Indiana, To-Wit, Fountain County:

This certified that I joined in marriage as husband and wife Jonathan Clawson and Lucy Coon on the 9th day of August 1855.

				W. Martin Jusice of the Peace

State of Indiana, Fountain County, Sct. 1

I W. D. Kerr Clerk of the Circuit Court, within and for said County, to hereby certify, that the foregoing is a tru, full and complete transcript of the marriafe record of Jonathan Clawson and Lucy Coon as the same appears of record and on file now in my office.

In Testimoney Whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of said Court, at my office in Covington, this 1st day of December 1866.

				W. D. Kerr, Clerk
				Circuit Court of Fountain County.

State of Indiana, Fountain County, ss

To any person empowered by law to Solemnize Marriages in said County. You are hereby authorized to join together as husband and wife Mr. Jonathan Clawson & Miss Mary Bydleman accorfing to the laws of the State of Indiana. 

In testimonty whereof I Joseph Ristine Clerk of said County hereto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court at Covington this 16th day of April A.D. 1847.

				J. Ristine Clerk
				By G. W. Lawson Deputy

State of Indiana, County of Fountain

I Wm. Worthington a Justice of the Peace, do hereby certify that Jonathan Clawson and Mary Bydleman were by me joined together a Husband & wife on the 18th day of April A. D. 1847.

				William Worthington a Justice of the Peace

Filed and Recorded April 18 1847.
				J. Ristine Clerk

State of Indiana	} Sct.
County of Fountain	}

I, Elliot N. Bowman Clerk of the Circuit Court within and for said County - do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true, full and complete transcript of the Marriage Record of Jonathan Clawson and Mary Bydleman, as the same appears of Record in my office.

In Testimony whereof I hereunto subcribe my name and affix the seal of said Court at my office in Covington this 5th day of June A.D. 1873:
				E. N. Bowman Clerk, 
				Circuit Court of Fountain County
				By S. F. Miller Deputy

Document Number 10

State of Illinois	} ss
County of Iroquois	}

Declaration
John S. Darrough
Sheldon, Illinois
Pensions - Guardianship Information

On the tenth day of July A. D. 1871, personally appeared before me A. Honeywell a duly authorized officer of a Court of Record in and for said county and state, John S. Darrough who being duly sworn according to Law makes the following declaration, in order to obtain the pension provided by acts of Congress for Children under sixteen years of age, that he is the only legal guardian of Freeman C. Clawson, John W. Clawson and Alvin A. Clawson, legitimate children of Jonathan G. Clawson, who enlisted under the name Jonathan G. Clawson at Ash Groce in Iroquois County, Illinois on the fifth (5) day of August A. D. 1862 in Company "K" in the 76th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry - in the war of A. D. 1861, who died at Lagrange in the state of Tennessee on the 3rd day of December A. D. 1862, cause of death unknown to affiant, he bore at the time of his death the rank of Corporal in said Co. "K" 76th Regt. Ill. Vols; said Jonathan G. Clawson left no widow surviving him; The aboved named are the only surviving legitmate children of said Jonathan F. Clawson who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his death except Delphene Wiggins intermarried with one James P. Wiggins, that said children were the issue of the same Jonathan Clawson and were born as follows:

Delphene Clawson was born April 15th 1849, Freeman C. Clawson was born May 26th	1851, Alvin A. Clawson was born September 4th 1853. These three children were born of Mary Clawson the first wife of said Jonathan and who died on the 12th day of May A. D. 1855 - John W. Clawson was born October 3rd 1856; of Lucy the second wife of the said Jonathan and who died on the 4th day of January A. D. 1861; that the father was married under the name of Jonathan Clawson to Mary Bydleman on the 18th day of April A. D. 1847 by William Worthington a Justice of the Peace in Fountain County in the state of Indiana; and to Lucy Coon his second wife on the 9th day of August A. D. 1855 at Fountain County in the state of Indiana by W. Martin a Justice of the Peace.

The said children have not aided or abetted the rebellion in the United States, that no prior application has been filed in their behalf, nor by the mother she having died before the death of the fatherm that the residence of the applicant is Iroquois County, Illinois and that his post office address is Sheldon, Iroquois County, Illinois

					John S. Darrough

Also, personally appeared
A. H. South - and
A. W. Hogle - residing at Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw John S. Darrough, the claimant sign his name to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with John S. Darrough that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.

					A. H. South
					A. W. Hogle

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 11th day of July A. D. 1871, and I certify that the contents of the said declaration and affidavit were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, and that I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.

					A. Honeywell
					County Clerk 

Delphine Clawson (Wiggins) -- daughter of Jonathan.  Charlotte Barnes Lewin has done research on this line, her own, and has some basic information from an obituary on Delphine's husband, James Phillip Wiggins. The information is that they were married at Danville, Illinois, August 30, 1866 after James was discharged from the civil war. He served in Co. B, 125th Illinois Volunteer infantry.  Shortly after their marriage they moved to Fountain Co., Indiana and about 1870 they moved to Wilson Co. Kansas. In 1891 they moved to Yates Center, Woodson Co., Kansas. He died October 18, 1906. They had five children one of whom was Gertrude Jane Wiggins.  This information was from Charlotte Barnes Lewin, who also wrote: "I know that Delphine is buried in the Yates Center cemetery.  My mother said she believed when they lived in Wilson Co. they owned an Inn or Hotel of some sort. I haven't confirmed that. Mother said she thought it was in Altoona, Kansas".

Sarah Elizabeth Clawson (Auter) -- shown in Fountain County marriage records as having married Peter Auter on January 6, 1848.  The History of Fountain County biography of her husband, shown below in its entirety, lists her as one of two children of Abraham Clawson, states that she was born in 1830 in Fountain County, and that she and Peter were the parents of eleven children, nine living at the time of the biography in 1881. 

>From the 1881 History of Fountain County, the biography of Peter Auter: "Peter Auter, farmer, Rob Roy, son of James and Martha (Malatt[sic]) Auter, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, December 27, 1822. His father died when he was eight years old, and in October of the same year (1830) his mother emigrated with her family of six children, Harvey, Peter, John, Mary Jane, Elizabeth and Ann, to Shawnee township, stopping first in Rob Roy; with the exception of three years that he was in Richland, he has lived here since. His mother died in September 1848. He was married January 6, 1848, to Sarah Clawson, daughter of Abraham Clawson, who came to this township from Pickaway county, Ohio, in the fall of 1825, and improved the farm now owned by Ben Malatt. Mrs. Auter was born on this place in 1830. They have had eleven children: Elizabeth, born March 3, 1849; Margaret born August 29, 1851, died January 25, 1856; Abram, born August 12, 1853; John, February 25, 1856; Wilson, born November 24, 1857, died August 12, 1860; Marshal, born October 5, 1859; Solomon, born April 7, 1861; Martha Ellen, born February 14, 1866; Susie, born January 1, 1869, and Edgar Ingo, born May 9, 1871. Mrs. Auter belongs to the Christian church. Her father had two children, Sarah and Jonathan. The latter was a member of the 76th Ill. Vols., and died of disease in 1864, at Bolivar, Tennessee, after two years' service. Mr. Auter was drafted, and furnished a substitute for the army at a cost to him of $1,200. He is a democrat."

In the 1860 Fountain County census in Richland Township are shown, Peter Auter, 37, farmer, property value $1890/$590 born in Ohio with Sarah, 30, Elizabeth, 12, Abraham, 7, John, 5, Wilson, 3, Marshall W., 10 months, all born in Indiana.  With them is Joseph Houshaw, 24, farm laborer, born in Indiana and John Marlatt, farm laborer, born in Ohio.

They are shown in the 1880 census in Shawnee Township, Peter a farmer age 56, born in Ohio with both parents born in Virginia, Sarah E., 49, a housekeeper born in Indiana with her father born in Ohio and mother in Pennsylvania.  They children, all shown as having been born in Indiana with their father born in Ohio and mother in Indiana, were Abram, 26, married and a laborer, John 24, a laborer, Marshall W., 20 at home, Solomon 19 a laborer, Eva 16, Martha E., 14, Susan 11, and Edgar J., 9.

Mary Clawson -- Thomas and Sophia's second child, born in 1797 in Ohio, and shown in Miami Valley Pioneers to have married John Buckles on Oct. 21, 1819.

There are two references in Thomas Clawson's probate record to John G. Buckles, deceased: "November 26, 1836. For value received we promis to pay Bartain (?) Bunnel(?) guardian for William and Thomas Buckles the heirs of John G.(?) Buckles deceased the sum of forty dollars ten cents (?) after date with use from date this 26 day November A.D. 1836. /s/Thomas Clawson, Timothy Clauson, Administrator of T. Clawson, decased(sic).

Received of Thomas and Timothy Clauson Administrators of the Estate of Thomas Clauson Deceased, the sum of four hundred and ten dollars and thirty nine cts as sd decased was gardeen for William and Thomas Buckles the heirs of John J. Buckles decased (sic) This 26 day of November 1836. Test: J.C. Dove. /s/Bartain (x - his mark) Bunell, gardeen."

These references indicate that John was deceased by 1836, and left at least two heirs, William and Thomas Buckles.  

Lois Clawson -- The third child, born in Ohio on March 3, 1798.  In 1815 in Ohio, she married William Buckles, who was born in Kentucky on May 18, 1795.  The marriage record appears from the ancestral file, but does not appear in Ohio marriage records as I have been able to research.  In the Centerville history "Sense of Place", there is a reference to William Buckles' Smith Shop in Centerville in 1816.  It is unclear if it is this William, but it is surely someone from his family if not him.  

Many members of the Buckles family emigrated from Ohio to Indiana with the Clawsons.  Lois and William had Sophia(Sept 15, 1816), Thomas G.(June 1, 1818), William M.(August 28, 1823, the first of their children shown to be born in Indiana--the previous having been born in Ohio), Lois(Aug 7, 1826), John W.(Feb 11, 1830), Abner Jared(Oct 29, 1833, Warren Co Indiana), Mary Ann(March 29, 1838), and Louisa J.(March 8, 1842, Van Buren County, Iowa).

In the Warren County, Indiana census for 1830, p. 360/181, is shown James Buckel, with one male between forty and fifty, one woman between thirty and forty, one man and one woman each between fifteen and twenty, two women between ten and fifteen, and one woman between five and ten.

Three lines later in the Warren County 1830 census is shown William Buckels with one man and one woman each between thirty and forty, one man and one woman each between ten and fifteen, one boy between five and ten, and one boy and one girl each under the age of five.

On the next line is Henry Buckels with one man between twenty and thirty and one woman between the ages of fifteen and twenty. 

William Buckles in shown in the tax records of Van Buren County, Iowa in 1847
and 1849. 

With the exception of their oldest child Sophia, who married James Goodwine and had twelve children in Warren County Indiana, all the remaining children of Lois show children born in the next generation in Van Buren County, Iowa.  She is shown to have died in Troy, Van Buren County, Iowa on February 8, 1876.  

Sophia Buckles (Goodwine) -- oldest child of William and Lois Clawson Buckles, shown above.  James and Sophia are shown in the Warren County 1850 census in Pike Township, taken August 4, as James Goodwine, 38, Farmer, $6,000 born in Ky, Sophia, 34, born in Ohio, with Mary J., 15, Charles, 13, William, 11, Francis, 8, Washington, 6, Luiza, 5, Christina, 3, Indiana six months, John Zwick, 17, farmer, all born in Indiana.

In the 1870 Warren County census, in Pike Township, p. 342, was shown James Goodwine, 58, born in Kentucky, Sophia Goodwine, 55, born in Ohio, and Mary Goodwine, 35, born in Indiana.  Four lines below them was Marion Goodwine, 19, born in Indiana.

>From the "History of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana", published in Chicago by F.A. Battey in 1883, from the section on Pike Township in Warren County (p. 171) is the following biography: "James Goodwine, land owner and stock dealer, was born in Kentucky June 19, 1812, and is the third of the eight children of James and Elizabeth (Snyder) Goodwine. The elder Goodwine was a soldier of the war of 1812, also of the Black Hawk war; was a pioneer of Warren County, and for many years Commissioner of the same. When our subject was an infant, his parents moved to Jackson County, Ind., and thence to Bartholomew County, where Mrs. Goodwine died and James first attended school. Afterward, the family removed to what is now Liberty Township. Mr. Goodwine died in this county in 1851. On August 15, 1833, our subject was married to Miss Sophia Buckles, a native of Ohio, daughter of William and Lois Buckles. To this union were born twelve children--Mary J., John, William H., James, Frank, Washington, Louisa L., Christiana, Indiana, Marion, Horace, and Fremont; of these, five are deceased.  Mr. Goodwine's first land purchase was forty acres from his father to which he has continued adding until he now owns 10,350 acres, only ninety of which are not drained and improved; he has also given a good farm to each of his children. Mr. Goodwine handles from 1,200 to 1,500 head of cattle every year, and has 7,500 acres of pasture, and 1,000 acres of meadow land. Since 1874, he has been President of Warren County Agricultural Association. He is a liberal and energetic citizen, contributed freely to every worthy enterprise. He had three sons in the late war--John (who died in the service at Savannah), and William and Frank (who were in Libby prison). He is a Republican, but liberal, and Mrs. Goodwine is a member of the Universalist Church."

Thomas Buckles - shown above as a son of William and Lois, born ca 1818. In the 1850 Van Buren County Iowa census in Chequest Township, p. 363 is 85/85. Thomas Buckles, 32, farmer, born in Ohio, with Hannah, 30, also born in Ohio, and Aurelia, 8, born in Iowa.

John Buckles -- likely the John shown above as born in 1830, son of William and Lois.  He is shown as traveling to Oregon with his uncle W. Ephraim Clawson and his family.  In the Lois Clawson Stroud tale of that trip, she said: "In the year 1852 there was quite an emigration to Oregon, and Mother said my father's health was poor; the Drs. advised him to change climate so they sold their farm and prepared for the long hard journey across the plains to the new country of Oregon territory. . . Our family consisted of Mother, Father, sisters, Martha, Catherine, Sophia, and brothers David, Milton and myself, my cousin John Buckles and Abram Harris." 

She later states in the same narrative: "In the spring of 1853 we moved on a place on the Columbia River about three miles above Rainier.  My second sister was married that April and my older sister and cousin went to Astoria to work."

Later, she wrote: "At the time we were in Portland in 1853, on the east  side of the river was vacant land but was heavy timber.  The man that moved us to Polk Co., Mr. Stephens I think, wanted Father to take a donation claim there but the prairie country had the lure for him - so we went to Polk Co. where I growed to womanhood.  We had not been there long till one night in the summer Mother thought she heard a woman scream and she answered it.   My cousin had come home and he got a fire chunk and waved it around so if any one was lost they could see it, but no one came.   So in a day or two one of the neighbors killed a panther over on the Lacriole Creek so we all judged it was it that was screaming, as they scream like a woman." 

Even farther on, she wrote: "My cousin came home before Father died but went to southern Oregon and went soldiering soon after." And then: "Somewheres about this time the Civil War commenced. . . While I was there our cousin came from southern Oregon and made his home with us and he stayed with my brothers as long as he lived.  There was nothing more than usual for some time.  He told of something happening to him that was unusual but will tell it you later."  The story does not seem to appear in the version I have.

In the 1860 Oregon census in Josephine County, Slate Creek Precinct, p. 215 is shown 214/98. Edwin Potter, 35, farmer, 0/400, born in Ohio, with Mary Potter, 29, housekeeper, 1200/0 born in Ohio, J.R. Guest, 10, male, S.A., 8, female, W.H., 5, male, and Emma, 1, female. With them is John Buckles, farm laborer, born in Indiana.

Abner Buckles - shown to be a child of William and Lois. In the 1860 census in Chequest Township, 1860 Iowa, Van Buren County, is shown Abner Buckels, 26, Farmer, 3300/450, born in Indiana, with Julian, 21, also born in Indiana, John W., 3, William, 1, both born in Iowa, Mary A., 21, born in Indiana, and Lewis, 62, born in Ohio(?).

Josiah Clawson -- the fourth child of Thomas and Sophia, was born in 1799 in Ohio.  Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book G, p. 411, Josiah Clawson and Mary his wife to Henry Brandenburg part of NE quarter of Section 17, Township 2, Range 8, (Wayne Township), lands between the Miami Rivers July 6, 1819.  The other Josiahs in Montgomery County had not married a Mary by this time, so this deed record is placed with this Josiah.  This appears to be correct, given the deed in Fountain County below.

In the Fountain County Deed Book 1, p. 109. July 2, 1820. Josiah Clawson and Mary his wife sold to Daniel McMillen for 350 dollars. 22 acres. Section 29, Township 21, Range 7.  While this is dated as the first property transaction for Fountain County, I have always thought the date is a typographical error.  The first land purchases were reported to have happened in 1821, with many of the early ones having taken place in 1824 through the Crawfordsville land office.

In the records of the Indiana State Militia from 1812-1851, found in the Indiana State Library, is: Josiah Clawson, Lieutenant, 63rd Regiment ISM, Commissioned, April 14, 1830.  Thomas Clawson, Jr. was in the same regiment at the same time, indicating it was probably this Josiah.

Josiah Clawson is shown in the 1830 census in Fountain County with one male between thirty and forty, one girl between five and ten, and one girl under the age of five.

Another early Fountain deed transaction appearing to involve this Josiah was: Book 3, p. 161. December 19, 1831. Josiah Clawson to John Foster, part of Section 29, Township 21, Range 7.  There's an additional deed reference where it is unclear which Josiah it was: Book 8, p. 174. November 4, 1827. Josiah Clawson to Samuel Ellis. Part of Section 21, Township 21, Range 7.  It is likely this Josiah, as his uncle -- Thomas's brother -- died on June 15, 1827.

Josiah Clawson was shown in Fountain County marriage records as marrying Sarah Hoshaw on July 15, 1832.  It appears that this was Josiah's second marriage, having married someone named Mary prior to the 1819 deed transaction in Montgomery County, Ohio.  She was still alive in Fountain County at the time of their land transaction there, but does not appear alive in the 1830 census listing -- although there were two girls of Josiah and Mary's alive that year.  There appears to be no Ohio marriage record for this Josiah.

A Josiah Clawson that fits this one's age is shown in the Fountain County 1840 census with one man between forty and fifty, one woman between the age of thirty and forty, one woman between twenty and thirty, one boy and one girl each between five and ten, one girl and two boys under the age of five. 

Josiah Clawson is shown in Richland Township, Fountain County in the 1850 census, 50, a farmer, with Sarah, 43, both born in Ohio, and Louisa, 17, Gabriel, 15, Catharine, 14, Abraham, 12, Jacob, 10, Margaret, 8, and Sarah J., 4, all born in Indiana.

There is a Louisa Clawson, daughter of J. & S. shown in compiled cemetery records to be buried in Rob Roy Cemetery, died February 13, 1852 at age 18y, 9m, 5d.  The only couple with these initials old enough to be the parents of Louisa would be Josiah and Sarah.

In the Champaign County, Illinois, 1860 census, in Town 18 Ct R 10 E  (?) is shown Josiah Clawson, 62, farmer, property value $7320/$840 born in Ohio, with Sarah, 53, born Ohio, Gabriel, 25, farm labor, Abram, 23, farm laborer, Jacob, 21, farm laborer, Margaret, 17, domestic, and Sarah, 14, all born in Indiana.

In the 1870 census in Champaign County, Illinois, in Sydney Township, is shown Josiah Clawson, 72, a farmer born in Ohio, with Sarah, 60(40?), keeping house, born in Ohio, Abraham, 33, born in Indiana, Sarah J., 23, at home, born in Indiana, and Martha Stewart, 13, at home, born in Illinois.  It is possible, given the age and birthplace, and the birthplace of the others in Indiana, that this Josiah is Thomas' son. 

The Covalt book has a section on Josiah Clawson, son of Thomas and Sophia, that indicates he was "born ca 1799, Montgomery County, Ohio, died December 8, 1864, Fountain County, Indiana; married Sarah Hushaw, 15 July 1832, Fountain County. The 1850 census for Logan Township, Fountain Indiana lists the family and Josiah as a farmer with his farm valued at $2,000. The children were born in Fountain Co. Indiana.

Children of Josiah and Sarah Hushaw were: 1) Louisa, born May 8, 1833 and died February 13, 1852, age 18y, 5d, buried Rob Boy Cemetery; 2) Gabriel, born ca 1835; 3) Catherine, born ca 1836; 4) Abraham, born ca 1838; 5) Jacob, born ca 1840; 6) Margaret, born ca 1842; and 7) Larah [sic] I., born ca 1846."  This entry is correct in the birth and marriage of this Josiah, and the listing of his children.  However, the death information applies to the Josiah who was son of Thomas Sr.'s brother, Josiah Sr., not this Josiah.  It is likely that this Josiah died in Champaign County, Illinois sometime after 1870. 

Thomas Clawson, Jr. -- the fifth child of Thomas and Sophia, was born in Ohio in 1800.  Thomas Clawson is shown in Montgomery County, Ohio records to have married Julia Ives on August 9, 1821, and Fountain County marriage records show a marriage for Thomas to Elizabeth Dove on June 23, 1831, indicating that Julia had died by the time of his 1831 marriage.  However, Julia's death is not referred to in her father's 1835 will in Ohio [abstracted below in the section on Rachel Clawson] -- even though George Ives' death [Julia's brother married to Thomas Jr.'s sister Rachel] is referred to.

Thomas and Julia are shown in a number of early Fountain County land transactions: Book 1, p. 215. September 5, 1828. Thomas Clawson Junior and Julia his wife to George Ives for 500 dollars. Three parcels, one for 80 acres in Section 22, a second for forty acres in Section 21, and a third for 16 acres in Section 15, all in Township 21, Range 7.

Book 2, p. 12. November 8, 1828. Thomas Clawson Junior and Julia his wife to Leuben Putnam. City lot adjacent to Sugar Alley in Attica.

Book 4, p. 80. December 12, 1832. Thomas Clawson Junior and Julia his wife to Michael Wagoner. Two parts of section 33, Township 22, Range 6.

Book 3, p. 203. December 28, 1832. Thomas Clawson Junior and Julia his wife to William Van Meter. Two parcels in Section 33, Township 22, Range 6.

Book 4, p. 221. July 21, 1834. Thomas Clawson Junior and Julia his wife to Barton R. Keep. Part of Section 16, Township 21, Range 7.  

Thomas Clawson is shown in the 1830 Fountain County census with a man between thirty and forty, a woman between twenty and thirty, two girls and one boy between five and ten, and two boys under the age of five.

There was a Thomas Clawson elected to the Indiana General Assembly in 1830.  It appears to be Thomas Sr., but pieces of the biography of that legislator appear to fit Thomas Jr.  The biography and explanation is contained in the section on Thomas Sr.

In the records of the Indiana State Militia from 1812-1851, found in the Indiana State Library, is Thomas Clawson, Jr., 63rd Regiment ISM, Commissioned September 10, 1830. 

Thomas is shown in Fountain County's history to have been a carpenter who built early dwellings for Evans and Wilson Claypool.  He is shown in a Warren County, Indiana, history to have been selling merchandise in Rainsville Township there in 1836. 

Thomas is shown in Warren County in the 1840 census with one man and one woman each between the ages of thirty and forty, one girl and two boys between the ages of ten and fifteen, two boys between five and ten, and one girl and one boy each under the age of five. 

The Thomas Clawson listed in Fountain County in the 1850 census is shown as being forty-four, a farmer born in Ohio with Elizabeth, forty-one and born in Ohio with seven children, all born in Indiana: Lucinda, eighteen, Sophia, seventeen, John, fifteen, a laborer, Mary A., eleven, Liotha L., nine, Elizabeth, seven, and Nancy E., five.  

>From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Elizabeth Clawson, wife of Thomas Clawson, is shown buried in the Old Baptist cemetery, aged 42 years, 4m, 10d, died May 20, 1851.

The Covalt book has a section on a few of Thomas Clawson Sr.'s children, including Thomas Jr. The section on Thomas Jr. reads: "Thomas Clawson Jr., son
of Sophia Covalt and Thomas Clawson, born ca 1800 in Montgomery County, Ohio.  Married first Julia Ives, August 8, 1821. No issue. Married second, Elizabeth Dove May 23, 1831, Fountain County, Indiana. She is the daughter of Lucy Covalt and John Dove, born ca 1809, Hamilton County, Ohio, died May 20, 1851, buried Old Baptist Cemetery. Thomas and Elizabeth were first cousins. The 1850 census for Davis Township, Fountain County, lists the family. The children were born in Fountain County.

Children of Thomas Clawson Jr. and Elizabeth Dove: 1) Lucinda, born July 3, 1832, died November 17, 1850, age 18y, 4m, 14d, buried Old Baptist Cemetery, Fountain County; 2) Sophia, born ca 1833; 3) John, born ca 1835; 4) Margaret, born ca 1839; 5) Liotha, born ca 1841; 6) Elizabeth, born ca 1843; and 7) Nancy, born ca 1845."

Many unanswered questions and research curiosities seem to surround this Thomas.  Many researchers list no children by his first wife, yet he is shown with a woman of a wife's age and five children under the age of ten in the 1830 Fountain County census.  Thomas is shown to have been married to Elizabeth Dove in 1831, yet is shown in an 1834 deed record with Julia as his wife.  Titus Ives' will in 1835 names this daughter, and does not indicate a death by that time.  Thomas and his father are possibly confused in a number of early Fountain County references -- indicating that it is unclear which Thomas was an early Fountain County Justice of the Peace and State Assemblyman.  Charles Clawson opts for Thomas Jr. in many of these cases, as shown in his narrative above in the early Indiana section.  

Lucena Clawson -- daughter of Thomas, Jr., probably the oldest child, died in 1850, and is buried in the Clawson family cemetery.  I have a picture of her tombstone and cannot make out other details.  According to compiled cemetery records, she died November 17, 1850 at age 18y, 4m, 14d. 

Sophia Clawson -- daughter of Thomas Jr., likely the second oldest child.  This is likely the Sophia who is shown in Fountain County marriage records as having married Nicholas Holstine on April 31, 1853.

In the 1860 Census, they are shown in Shawnee Township in Fountain County, Indiana, in an enumeration taken August 13, as Nicholas Holston, 32, Farmer Property value of 0/$500, with Sophia, 27, Mary F., 6, William J(?), 4, Martha C.(?), 2, all born in Indiana.  Sophia's entry had box 13 checked.

John Clawson -- son of Thomas Jr., likely the third oldest child.  This is likely the John Clawson who is shown in Fountain County marriage records marrying Clarissa Irving on August 11, 1859.

There is a Civil War muster record in the Indiana State Library for Jno. Clawson. 86th Indiana, Company C. Enrolled August 13, 1862 at Attica Indiana by Capt. Dicks; mustered September 4, 1862 at Indianapolis by Captain Miller. Age, 26; blue eyes; dark, hair; height, 5'10"; dark complexion. Born Fountain County, Farmer, mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, June 6, 1865; Sergeant November 25(?), 1863; returned to private on May 31, 1864.  This John fits the age of the John above with Thomas in the 1850 census.

John Clawson is listed in the Civil War pension index.. He served in the 86th Indiana Infantry, Company C. He applied for a pension on December 20, 1886.

Mary Ann Clawson -- daughter of Thomas Jr., at the age shown in the Covalt book to be "Margaret".  This is likely the Mary A. Clawson shown in Fountain County marriage records who married Jonathan Goble on January 24, 1856.

Elizabeth Clawson -- of the right age to be the Elizabeth that was the daughter of Thomas Jr., she would have been the sixth oldest child, shown in the 1860 census in Fountain County, Elizabeth Clawson, 17, born in Indiana is listed as living with the Claypool Family.

Rachel Clawson -- the sixth child of Thomas Sr. and Sophia, was born April 26, 1803 in Ohio.  She is shown in Miami Valley Pioneers to have married George Ives.  She died August 28, 1846.  George is shown in the 1830 census in Fountain County, but is likely to have died by 1835.  

The  reason for this conclusion is his mention in the Montgomery County Will Book D, page 76 will for Ives, Titus H., dated October 4, 1835, recorded April 5, 1845; wife Mary; sons Titus and Howell; heirs of son George deceased; heirs of Eunice Watson deceased; daughter Julia, wife of Thomas Clawson; daughter Mary, wife of Timothy Clawson; daughter Nancy Ives. [Charles Clawson NOTE: Of the above children, Julia married Thomas Clawson on August 8, 1821; George married Rachel Clawson on December 25, 1823, and Mary married Timothy Clawson on March 15, 1827. All these Clawsons were children of Thomas and Sophia Covalt Clawson.]

George Ives is shown in the 1830 Fountain County census with one man between twenty and thirty, one boy between five and ten, and one boy under five, one female between fifteen and twenty, and two females under the age of five.

The note from Rachel included in Thomas Clawson's estate above, reads: "Received of Thomas and Timothy Clauson administrators of the Estate of Thos. Clawson decised(sic) one hundred and sixteen dollars and fifty cts to be applied on my part of the above Estate Feb the 7 AD 1839. Test: Mary Moore. /s/Rachael (x - her mark) Ives."  All other sons-in-law alive at the time of Thomas' probate were listed instead of Thomas' daughters, appearing to confirm that George Ives was not alive in 1839.  

Garrett Clawson -- Thomas and Sophia's seventh child, born June 13, 1804 in Ohio.  Miami Valley Pioneers show Garret to have been born in 1805.  Records show a Garret Clawson being married in Warren County, Indiana to a Mary Gregory on April 9, 1843 and dying on April 24, 1850.  Given the census records below listing children born as early as 1835/6, it is likely that Garret was married once prior to Mary Gregory.

Garrett Clawson is shown in the 1830 Fountain County census with a man between twenty and thirty and a woman between fifteen and twenty.

The Garret that is likely this one is shown in Warren County in the 1840 census with one man between thirty and forty, one woman between twenty and thirty, one girl between ten and fifteen, one boy between five and ten, and three boys under the age of five. 

Garrett Clawson is shown in Warren County, John Q. Adams Township in the 1850 Indiana census, 45, a farmer born in Ohio, with Mary (Gregory), 26, born in Indiana, Thomas, 14, Cornelius, 13, Timothy, 10, the three all born in Ohio, and Elijah, 6, Rachel, 4, and Garret, 2, the last three all born in Indiana.

Garret Clawson, presumably this Garret, is shown in Brussell Cemetery, Warren Co (as transcribed in "Warren County Cemetery Inscriptions") having died April 24, 1850 at age 45y, 10m, and 11d.

Timothy Clawson -- the eighth child of Thomas and Sophia, born February 25, 1806 in Ohio.  He is shown to have married Mary Ives on March 15, 1827, and Miami Valley Pioneers show Mary's birthdate to have been Jan 23, 1805. Timothy married Nancy Fields after his first wife died.  The Indiana Ancestors indicate that Timothy came to Fountain County in 1824, and bought land there in 1828.  Timothy appears to have had five children by Mary, and seven children by Nancy.  One child by each wife did not live but a few months, which likely explains why in son Abraham's biography it is listed that Timothy had ten children.

In the biography of Timothy's son, Abraham [transcribed in its entirety below], it was written about Timothy and Mary: "Timothy and Mary (Ives) Clawson, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively, reared a family of ten children and were among the well known and highly esteemed residents of the community where they passed the greater part of their lives.  Timothy Clawson came to Indiana when nineteen years old and by occupation was a farmer. He was a man of excellent parts and high moral standing, a successful tiller of the soil and his influence was exerted for the good of his neighbors and fellow citizens."

Timothy Clawson is shown in the 1830 census in Fountain County with a man and woman each between the ages of twenty and thirty and a boy under the age of five.

In the records of the Indiana State Militia from 1812-1851, found in the Indiana State Library, is Timothy Clawson, Captain, 74th Regiment ISM, Commissioned, November 12, 1833.  Thomas Clawson was named a Major in the 74th Regiment the year before.  There is a second listing for Timothy Clawson, Captain, Independent Blues ISM, Commissioned, September 16, 1842. 

Timothy is shown in an early Fountain County land transaction: Book 3, p. 310. May 18, 1832. Timothy Clawson and Mary his wife to Timothy Brown for 90 dollars. 40 acres. Part of Section 4, Township 21, Range 7.

>From the Timothy Clawson biography in the Charles Clawson narrative: "Children: Phineas, June 14, 1845-November 15, 1930; Cyntha, February 7, 1847-August, 1908; Joseph H., April 19, 1849-April 3, 1925; Sophia, February 13, 1852-September 3, 1942; John, February 10, 1854-July 1932; James B., August 2, 1856-December 6, 1906; and Jacob, February 24, 1858-July 25, 1858.

Timothy first settled in Davis Township, Fountain County, Indiana, and then later moved to Medina Township, Warren County. After he settled on his property in Medina Township, he set aside a small piece of his land known as the Clawson Cemetery, in which he buried two of his infant sons (according to family stories). Later he built the Clawson School in front of the cemetery for the education of his own children and the education of other children in the area.

Nancy Field told the story many times that she was part Indian, which has been suggested to have been Potawatomi. Her brother John denied it because in those days it was disgraceful, but it is the opinion that she really was part Indian."

Timothy Clawson is shown in the Fountain County 1840 census with one man and woman each between thirty and forty, one male and one female each between the ages of ten and fifteen, two boys and one girl between the ages of five and ten, and one boy under the age of five.

In Independence Cemetery in Warren County is buried Mary Clawson, consort of Timothy, died October 20, 1843 at 37y, 8m, 27d. This would place her birthdate at January 24, 1806.

In Armstrong Chapel Cemetery in Warren County in Liberty Township is buried Clawson, infant son of T & M, died November 12, 1850 at three days.

Timothy Clawson listed in the 1850 census Medina Township, Warren County, in an entry on page 64 taken on October 2, as Timothy Clawson, 44, farmer, $2,000, born Ohio with Nancy, 26, Garret, 22, farmer, Thomas, 19, farmer, Timothy, 16, farmer, Abraham, 14, Pilannious (?) male, 5, and Joseph A., 1, all born in Indiana.

In the 1860 census, Timothy is shown in Warren County, 54 born in Ohio, with Nancy, 37, Abraham, 24, "Finiss", 15, Cynthia, 13, Joseph H., 11, Sophia, 9, John B., 6[born Feb 10, 1854, married on March 27, 1879 to Melissa Pearson, daughter of Samuel and Jane Pearson; two children, Celia and Zada; elected to the township council], and James B., 4, all born in Indiana.  Timothy Clawson died on February 14, 1874.

Garret Clawson -- oldest son of Timothy and Mary, shown as having been born on August 19, 1828 and died on October 30, 1893.

Garret Clawson is shown in the 1860 census in Warren County, age 31,  a farmer born in Indiana, with Mahala, age 29, Thomas, 5, and Mary A., all born in Indiana as well.  In Independence Cemetery in Warren County is buried  Garret Clawson, born August 19, 1828 and died October 30, 1893.

Nancy Clawson -- second oldest child of Timothy and Mary, shown as born on August 24, 1830 and died on October 6, 1830.

Thomas Clawson -- third oldest child of Timothy and Mary, shown as born on October 3, 1831 and died on October 22, 1855.  In Independence Cemetery in Warren County is buried Thomas Clawson, son of Timothy and Mary, died October 22, 1855 at 24y, 19d.

Timothy P. Clawson -- fourth oldest child of Timothy and Mary, shown as born on December 24, 1832 and died on March 28, 1868.   This Timothy is shown near his father Timothy in Medina Township in Warren County 1860 census, Timothy Clawson, 26, a farmer and Rachel A., 20, both born in Indiana.

Abraham Clawson -- fifth oldest child of Timothy and Mary, shown in the 1860 census listing above with Timothy and his second wife Nancy.  Civil War Muster Records, found in the Indiana State Library, include: Abraham Clawson, 77th Regiment, Company I, Fourth Calvary; enrolled August 9, 1862 at Indianapolis by F. Crumpton; Mustered August (?) 9, 1862 at Indianapolis by Lt. Morris. Age 26; Eyes, Blue; Hair, Light; Height, 5'9 1/2"; Complexion, Dark; Nativity, Fountain County. Occupation, farmer. Mustered out, Nashville, Tennessee, June 30, 1865.

>From the "History of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana", ca 1890(p.733-4) ABRAHAM CLAWSON - "Abraham Clawson, retired farmer and veteran of the great Civil war, is one of the older native citizens of Fountain county, having been born in Davis township on the 4th day of February, 1836. His parents, Timothy and Mary (Ives) Clawson, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively, reared a family of ten children and were among the well known and highly esteemed residents of the community where they passed the greater part of their lives.  Timothy Clawson came to Indiana when nineteen years old and by occupation was a farmer. He was a man of excellent parts and high moral standing, a successful tiller of the soil and his influence was exerted for the good of his neighbors and fellow citizens.

Abraham Clawson was born February 4, 1836, and grew up amid the general atmosphere and wholesome influence of rural life. In youth he was given the best educational advantages obtainable and for a number of years attended the
schools of Independence, besides doing considerable study and reading at home.  During his school period he devoted the summer months to farm labor and while still young began the struggle of life upon his own responsibility. It can be truthfully said that, in the best sense of the term he is a self-made man, as he had no assistance worthy of mention nor the aid of influential friends in
his efforts to obtain a start in the world. By the exercise of those traits of industry and frugality by which he has ever been characterized, he secured a
tract of land which he at once proceeded to improve and to which he has since
added until he now owns a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres in Warren township, the greater part in an excellent state of cultivation and otherwise well improved. This farm, which adjoins the May gravel road, in one
of the best agricultural districts of the above township, is admirably situated for crops and stock raising and has long been considered among the best and most valuable tracts of land of like area in the county.

Mr. Clawson was first married in September 1866, to Abigail Smith, who bore him four children: William, deceased; Emma, deceased, wife of William J. Bader; Ida and Abbie, deceased. Sometime after the death of the mother of these children Mr. Clawson contracted a matrimonial alliance with Emma Cottingham, of Fountain county, the marriage, which was solemnized in 1875, being without issue.

As stated in the initial paragraph, Mr. Clawson was a soldier during the late Rebellion and for a period of three years rendered valiant service for his country in a number of campaigns and battles. He enlisted in 1862 in the Fourth Indiana Cavalry, which formed a part of the Army of the Cumberland and while at the front bore his full share of the hardships and privations which fell to the lot of the men in the ranks, while in many bloody contests he nobly earned the reputation of a brave and gallant soldier. He is a Democrat in politics, but not a partisan in the sense of seeking official honors, and in his fraternal relations he belongs to the Masonic brotherhood. Some years ago he turned his farm over to other hands and retired from active life, since which time he has been living in quiet and content, enjoying the fruits of his many years of toil and the confidence and esteem of his fellow men."

Abraham is shown in the 1880 Indiana census soundex as Abraham Clawson, 43, Warren County, [ed63 sheet 17] Warren Township, born in Indiana; with Emma E., 32, born in Ohio, William, 12 and Emma A., 10, both born in Indiana.

Abraham and Emma are shown in the 1900 Indiana census soundex in Warren Township, Warren County, Indiana, with Abraham Clawson, born Feb 1836, age 64, born in Indiana, with Emma C. wife, born Oct 1847, age 52, born in Ohio.  Shown with them is William Martin, Sc(?) Jan 1879, born in Indiana.

There is a civil war pension index entry for Abraham Clawson. His widow is shown as Emma E. Clawson, and he is listed as having served in Fourth Indiana Calvary, Company D and 154 Co. 2 Batt VC C. He applied for an invalids pension on February 17, 1873, and his widow applied for a pension on January 29, 1923 from Indiana.

Abraham Clawson is buried in Mound Cemetery in Warren County, with the inscription 1836-1923, 4th Indiana Calvary, Company I. With him is Emma E. (wife), 1847-1928.

In a publication, "Family Memories", prepared for the Independence Sesquicentennial [Warren County] in 1982, there is a section on the "Bader-Clawson" family.  The section on the Abraham Clawson and his family: "Abe Clawson was born near Riverside, February 4, 1836. When 10 years old he moved with his parents, Timothy and Mary Clawson, to a farm about 4 miles north of Independence. During the Civil War he served in the Union Army for 3 years in the 4th Indiana Cavalry.

In September, 1866, he married Abigail Smith, daughter of Sovine Smith. They had two children, Emma (Bader) and William. Mrs. Clawson died in 1872. In 1873 he married Emmaline Cottingham, the daughter of Robert H. and Lavina (Mahurin) Cottingham and a teacher in the Warren County schools. Abe Clawson died in 1922 and Emma in 1928. Abe was a half-brother of Phineas Clawson.

William and Daisy Clawson were the parents of Webster Clawson who married Grace Trott. . ."

Emma Clawson - The daughter of Abraham and Abigail.  In a publication, "Family Memories", prepared for the Independence Sesquicentennial [Warren County] in 1982, there is a section on the "Bader-Clawson" family.  The section on the Clawsons: "William J. Bader served as the Warren County School Superintendent from 1900-1908. . . He married Emma A. Clawson, the daughter of Abe and Abigail Clawson. Their daughter, Lois, born March 24, 1896, married Earl Whitsel August 2, 1921. She died December 28, 1921. Their other daughter, Elizabeth, then married Earl Whitsel. Emma Bader died March 6, 1907 and William Bader married Eva Talbott in 1910. . ."

Phineas Clawson -- Timothy's sixth child and the oldest child of Timothy and Nancy, born June 14, 1845 and died November 15, 1930.

>From the Charles Clawson narrative is the following biography of Phineas Clawson, presented in its entirety: "Phineas was born in Medina Township, Warren County, Indiana, on June 14, 1845, the first child of Timothy and Nancy (Field) Clawson. He died on November 15, 1930, in Warren County and is buried in the Independence Cemetery. Occupation - Farmer.

He married Mary H. James on December 10, 1868. She was born on April 6, 1848, and died on July 30, 1876, aged 28 years, 3 months, and 24 days, according to her gravestone in the Independence Cemetery. They had one child: Charles D. February 19, 1872-October 17, 1936.

He married Emaline Samantha Melvin on April 19, 1877. She was born in Medina Township, Warren County, Indiana, on May 24, 1849, and died of heart trouble on April 16, 1915, at Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana. She is buried in the Armstrong Cemetery near Greenhill. Her name is Emoline on her gravestone.

Children: William Melvin, January 15, 1878-September 26, 1958; Alva Lee, August 25, 1880-December 5, 1956; James Timothy, December 15, 1882-July 13, 1959; and Noble Phineas, June 21, 1887-.(This was prepared in the 1960's)

Phineas married Susan Cannutt Knowles on April 18, 1916. She was born on April 11, 1857, and died on February 15, 1925, and is buried in the Independence Cemetery. Cannutt was her maiden name and Knowles was her married name from a previous marriage. She and Phineas had no children."

They are shown in the 1880 Indiana Census soundex in Waner Township in Warren County as Phineas Clawson, 35, with Emeline, 30, Charles D., 8, Melvin J. 2 all born in Indiana and Jacob (relationship listed as C -- cousin?), 35, Indiana.

Phineas is shown in the 1900 Indiana census soundex in Warren Township in Warren County, enumerated as: Phineas Clawson June 1845 54 Indiana, with Emoline S. wife May 1849 51 Indiana, Lee son Aug 1880 19 Indiana, Timothy son Dec 1882 17 Indiana, and Noble son June 1887, 12 Indiana.

Charles D. Clawson - only child of Phineas and Mary James above.  He is shown in the 1900 Indiana census soundex in Warren Township in Warren County as Charles Clawson, born February 1872 in Indiana, age 28, with Mary his wife, born May 1871 in Indiana, age 29, and John Henry Sc. Born in March 1883 in Indiana, age 17.

Cynthia Clawson -- Timothy's seventh child and the second oldest child of Timothy and Nancy, born February 7, 1847 and died in August, 1900.

Joseph H. Clawson -- Timothy's eighth child and the third oldest child of Timothy and Nancy, born April 19, 1849 and died April 3, 1925.

Sophia Clawson -- Timothy's ninth child and the fourth oldest child of Timothy and Nancy, born February 13, 1851 and died September 3, 1942.

John B. Clawson -- Timothy's tenth child and the fifth oldest child of Timothy and Nancy, born February 10, 1854 and died July 1932.

>From the "History of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana", published in Chicago by F.A. Battey in 1883, from the section on Warren Township in Warren County is the following biography: "JOHN B. CLAWSON is a son of Timothy and Nancy Clawson, and was born in this township February 10, 1854. He remained at home and passed his boyhood with his father, whom he assisted in summer and attended school in winter. March 27, 1879, he was married to Melissa Pearson, of this county, daughter of Samuel and Jane Pearson; to which union have been bestowed two children--Celia and Zada. He was elected Justice of the Peace, and served for eighteen months. About 1880, he engaged in mercantile business at Independence, which he still continues.  In 1882, he was elected Township Trustee by the Democrats. Mr. Clawson is a Master Mason, and a Past Grand in the order of Odd Fellows. He is, besides, a very worthy gentleman and a highly esteemed citizen."

John is shown in the 1880 Indiana census soundex in Independence, Warren Township, Warren County as John B. Clawson, 26, born in Indiana, with Mellissa, 19, born in Ohio and Celia C., 7 months, born in Indiana.

John is shown in the 1900 census soundex in Troy Township in Fountain County as John Clawson born Feb 1854 in Indiana, age 46, with Melissa wife born in Ohio in Aug 1860, age 40, Zadie(?), Dau, born in Feb 1884, age 16, Grover, son, born in Nov 1885, age 15, Cecil, son born in May 1892, age 8, Merlin Furr, grandson, born in Sept 1897, age 3, and Chelcie Furr, grandson, born in March 1898, age 2, all the children born in Indiana.

James B. Clawson -- Timothy's eleventh child and the sixth oldest child of Timothy and Nancy, born August 2, 1856 and died December 6, 1906.

Jacob Clawson -- Timothy's twelfth child and the seventh oldest child of Timothy and Nancy, born February 24, 1858 and died July 25, 1858.

Vienna Clawson -- Thomas and Sophia's ninth child, born in Ohio on March 8, 1808, shown in Fountain County marriage records to have married John Mathews on December 7, 1826, and died on April 13, 1845.

According to a family group sheet provided by Joan Frost, John and Vienna had eight children. The family group sheet shows that John Mathews was born on July 29, 1800, married Vienna Clawson in Fountain County on December 7, 1826, and died on April 8, 1850. He is shown buried at Jones Cemetery in Rainsville, Fountain County, Indiana. Vienna Clawson Mathews is shown to have been born on May 8, 1808, and died April 13, 1845. She is also shown as buried at Jones Cemetery.

Joan Frost's family group sheet shows that their eight children were: 1) Jacob, born August 29, 1827 and died December 6, 1874. He married Clarissa Reiser(born September 3, 1825) on August 13, 1851; 2) Timothy, born March 13,
1830; 3) Maryann, born November 12, 1831; 4) Thomas born February 17, 1833, married a woman named Jane; 5) Tobias Leonard, born May 9, 1837; 6) Abram (Abraham), born September 2, 1839 and married a woman named Nell; 7) Rachael Jane, born January 10, 1842, and died June 9, 1913, married first, John S. Lewis on October 29, 186-, and second, Sidney B. Gebhart, October 12, 18--; and 8) Sarah Elizabeth, born January 22, 1844 and died in 1921, married Charles Peterson.

Jacob Mathews -- oldest son of John and Vienna above.  Jacob Mathews, 23, born in Indiana and Elizabeth Mathew(Mathers), 6, born in Iowa are shown with Elizabeth Clawson, 52, in the Shawnee Township, Fountain County, 1850 census.  Elizabeth, Abraham Clawson's widow, was their aunt.

>From "Mann's Chapel Cemetery Inscriptions", a publication of the Illiana Genealogical Society, about a cemetery located in Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois. Shown in Row 6 are Jacob Matthews, born August 29, 1827 died
December 6, 1874, with Clarisa (wife of Jacob) Matthews, born September 3, 1825 and died January 10, 1907. They are buried next to Martha J. Clawson, born 1859 and died 1937.

Ephraim Clawson -- the tenth child of Thomas and Sophia, born in 1810.  Fountain County marriage records show Ephraim marrying Elizabeth Hoshaw on May 15, 1832.  His brother Josiah married Sarah Hoshaw two months later.  Listed in the 1840 census in Fountain County as Ephriam, his date of death was listed in some research as June 9, 1854, at Eola, Polk County, Oregon.  

Gary Bondahl lists information about this family, listing Ephriam (spelled "iam", in some records I had "corrected" the spelling to "aim", a more common usage).  Interestingly his name is shown as William Ephriam Clawson.  His wife, Elizabeth Hoshaw Clawson, is shown as born on September 22, 1812 and died on February 15, 1886.  They are shown on Gary's list with the following children: Martha, Catherine, Sophia, David, Milton, and Lois.  He indicates it is possible that there is a younger sister.

Ephraim is shown in the 1840 census with a man and woman between the ages of twenty and thirty, two girls between five and ten, and one girl under the age of five.

In the 1850 Iowa census in Davis County, Grove Township, p. 303: Ephraim Clawson, 40, farmer, $600, born in Ohio, with Elizabeth, 39, also born in Ohio, and Martha, 17, Catherine, 16, Sophia E., 11, David, 8, Milton, 5, all born in Indiana, and Lois, M. L. V., 2, born in Iowa.

A fascinating account of this family comes from the youngest sister listed above, provided by Gary Bondahl.  Titled "The Hardships of Pioneer Life", it is shown to be by Lois Melissa Louisa Virginia Clawson Stroud (1848-1930):

"In a pioneer country in A. D. 1848 in Davis County, Iowa, there came a little youngster to greet its parents and family.  It must have been welcome as both parents and two oldest sisters all had a name for it, so it was named Lois Melissa Louisa Virginia Clawson.   With so much name it grew and done well amid all the hardships of pioneer life.  Of course as it was the youngest of six living perhaps it had an easier time than the older children. . . . 

In the year 1852 there was quite an emigration to Oregon, and Mother said my father's health was poor; the Drs. advised him to change climate so they sold their farm and prepared for the long hard journey across the plains to the new country of Oregon territory.  At that time the Oregon territory included the domain from the north California line to the Canadian line and east to the summit of the Rocky mountains, which includes Oregon, Washington and Idaho states at this present time.  Our family consisted of Mother, Father, sisters, Martha, Catherine, Sophia, and brothers David, Milton and myself, my cousin John Buckles and Abram Harris.

As we had to haul our provisions to last us across plains which took six months it was no small problem to comprehend, for when anything give out or wore out there was no way of replacing it, as I surely found out before we were anyways near across by experience; although I was so young I remember quite a few happenings that occurred.

We had three ox teams of three or four yoke to each wagon and the wagons were well filled and were what they call double decked, that is a second bottom and wagon bed on the other.   With those well filled and as well equipped as they knew how, we were soon to start on the long journey that none of those mentioned ever retraced in this world as I am the only one left; all the rest have crossed over the divide to the great eternity that awaits us all.

It was some grief to leave our old home in Iowa where I and some of the rest had spent the first years of our lives, but as children with Father, Mother, sisters and brothers we were soon satisfied and of course looked forward to the home in Oregon.  The journey was long and dusty and tiresome; although young, I remember many incidents of the journey and my Mother and sister told me many.   There was quite a train of us that traveled together for safety from the Indians.  We could not travel many miles in a day, for we had to camp where we could get water for the cattle and ourselves, and sometimes they laid by a day for the women to wash, and the cooking was done by camp fires mostly.   My father had a small sheet iron stove made, just could set two pie plates in it, was all the stove that was in our train.   Sometimes others would cook on it when it was not in use by us.   In many places wood was scarce and sage brush were used; the continuel smell of sage  almost makes me sick now to smell it.    We would get so tired riding, I and brother Milton, we would want to walk and Mother would take us out to walk, but I was so small I would soon tire and have to ride again.  If brother was with me we could play and it was not so lonesome, but sometimes he preferred to walk, and I was alone in the wagon, and dust rolling up in clouds until it seemed it would almost choke me, and I would cry myself to sleep as it was all I could do.   My shoes wore out and my little four year old feet could  not walk far at one time.   You may think this was cruel treatment but how could it be helped?   It was just a part of the hardships of pioneer life, it would not be helped. I know they done the best by me they could.   The rest walked ---the team drivers and my sisters and oldest brother.  Mother would ride sometimes for to satisfy me -- but it was better to walk on ahead of the wagons as they were out of the dust.  My two oldest sisters practically walked from Iowa to Oregon, but they must not get too far ahead of the wagons on account of the Indians;   they would lay down and rest until the wagons come near again. . . .

My Father started with two horses but after we crossed the Missouri River one disappeared.  He hunted for it three days, was unsuccessful and the train was getting too far ahead so the one horse was all there was in our train.  The captain, Mr. Pierce, would take it, ride ahead, find a camping place, return and report how far to camp as near as he could guess.   The many hardships of the long journey--there was the fear of Indians attacting us any time; they always drove the wagons in a circle of nights for some protection in case we were attacted; they always guarded the cattle at night to keep them from being run off by Indians--I think three changes of guards ever night, so all got some rest as to be able to drive their teams next day.

There was not much sickness in our train.  There was two cases of cholera but father had went to his Dr. and he fixed up a generous bottle of medicine for it so Mother gave it to them and both got well but one was very sick man -- and only two deaths, a Mrs. Charles Abraham and her infant child.  My sister Catherine and Mother both had the Mountain fever after we crossed the Rocky Mountains but not near our journeys end, but both recovered but just think --- to be so sick and have to be jolted over a dusty road in a wagon -- no springs.  It sure was some trial and hardships but it was not possible to stop long for anything as it would imperil all the lives of the whole train, as the provisions were getting low and it was getting late in the fall and the Cascades Mts. to cross --I remember we were camped on the John Day River,   I think they layed over one day for a wash day.  I, brother Milt and some other children seen some Indians come on the hillside across the river and drive off a fat cow--I claimed it, I suppose is the reason I recollect it  The cattle  had been taken across to keep them from wandering back on the road; there was good grass on a fine hillside in plain view of the camp.  Of course we ran to Mother and told her, but she could do nothing but just let them alone and not get in trouble with the Indians---At that time Father got on the horse and went to The Dalles and bought a sack  of flour and carried it out on the horse, for it took us some two or three days to travel there and my sister was in bed sick with the Mt. fever at that time.  When we got to the Dalles they drove the cattle over the mountain and constructed some kind of flat boat of two scows and platform to take us down the River, I suppose to the Cascades Falls as the boats could run up that far.

We lived the winter of 1852 and 1953 on Suvies Island on Mr. Charlton's place and in their old house as they were earlier settlers and had built them a new house---we were glad to meet with such a good chance as houses were scarce and the rainy season coming on.   The men folks worked at any work they could get and one of my sisters worked away from home, too.  We did not suffer for food as some of the earlier immigrants did - my father-in-law crossed in 1845 and they too wintered on Suvies Island and he said he would go and work a week for a bushel of wheat, pack it home on his back and his wife would make wheat hominy of it, and that and meat was all they had to eat - The Hudson Bay Company told him he could kill enough hogs to supply them with meat, as they had hogs on the island that was fenced by water.  We were not so hard run for eatables as in seven years there was much more raised.

In the spring of 1853 we moved on a place on the Columbia River about three miles above Rainier.  My second sister was married that April and my older sister and cousin went to Astoria to work.  Then Father got to feeling so bad; he heard of a cousin in Polk County so he went up there for six weeks; when he came home he looked so well and felt so well, they concluded to move up there and they did.

We went on a boat to Portland; at that time Portland was a small place.  There was a general store there and they went in to buy some things they needed.  I seen some little tin cups; I wanted one.   And the children were not raised as now, I was timid but Father told me he would give me the money if I would buy it.   It was a trial for me but I so wanted it so I bought it.   That is about seventy-four years ago.   Now children never seems timid in anything - seem to think they know it all.  I suppose as times change people changes too and children change,  but I am old-fashioned enough to think the old way was much the best way to raise children instead  of letting them grow up like weeds without any controls over them;  I think many go to the bad for the lack of making them see right from wrong.   It is the parents fault often for not learning them right when young enough to control them;  poor children, must they go from bad to worse until when grown they do something and are sent to the penitentiary or hung for murder when some judicious punishment might have saved them both body and soul?

At the time we were in Portland in 1853, on the east  side of the river was vacant land but was heavy timber.  The man that moved us to Polk Co., Mr. Stephens I think, wanted Father to take a donation claim there but the prairie country had the lure for him - so we went to Polk Co. where I growed to womanhood.  We had not been there long till one night in the summer Mother thought she heard a woman scream and she answered it.   My cousin had come home and he got a fire chunk and waved it around so if any one was lost they could see it, but no one came.   So in a day or two one of the neighbors killed a panther over on the Lacriole Creek so we all judged it was it that was screaming, as they scream like a woman.

Not long after that  Father found a piece of land and we moved on it and it was not long until he took sick again.   My sister lost her husband and come  home.   She was in delicate health at the time.  We had used up about all our means then  so were hard run for a living - four of us small children and my sister with a young infant.  It did look blue and there were no rich people to hire work done.  So finally my widowed sister went to Salem to work for three and a half dollars a week at a hotel and took her baby with her, too.  Poor sister, it was an awful hard task but she was a brave woman and did not shirk her task although I realize how awful hard it was for her but did not at the time as I was too small, but she was my choice then.   My sister worked in Salem until June.  When my Father died she came home and stayed some weeks, it was a sad time in a new country and provisions scarce and no money, small children.   My cousin came home before Father died but went to southern Oregon and went soldiering soon after.  My sister weaned her little babe as she could not give it proper care with her work and left it with Mother.  Of course, we all loved the little one as our own;  it sure did seem one of us, it sure had all our love and care.  My younger sister went there to work too but was too young to stand the hard work and had to come home.   My sister worked hard and helped Mother but Mother took care of the little one for her, too---and of course I would cry every time she came home and had to go away again.   It seemed it would just break my heart but it didn't;  guess it was made of good material for it has had many hardships and troubles since."

In "Genealogical Material in Oregon Donation Land Claims", published in 1957, by the Genealogical Forum of Portland, Oregon, there is a listing for land claim #1730 for Ephraim Clauson (sic) in Polk County. He is listed as born 1810 in Ohio, and settled his claim on December 8, 1853. He is shown as marrying Elizabeth Hursaw on May 15, 1832 in Fountain County, Indiana. He died June 9, 1854 on his claim. Noted on the affidavit were John W. Buckles and Norman Scott. In a separate claim, it is stated that Elizabeth remarried Henry Hawkins in Polk County on October 29, 1857. He was born in Nelson County, Kentucky in 1792 and married his first wife, Patsy Crofton on October 4, 1810 in Hardin County, Kentucky.

Elizabeth is shown to have remarried Henry Hawkins in Oregon in 1857. In the 1860 Oregon census in Polk County, Independence Precinct, page 549, is 680/603 H. Hawkins, 66, Farmer, 5600/2155, born in Kentucky, with Elizabeth, 48, born in Ohio. Next door, 681/604 are David Clawson (?), 18, farmer, 700, born in Indiana, with Milton, 14, Melissa, 12, both also born in Indiana.   

Cynthia Clawson -- Thomas and Sophia's eleventh child, born on August 21, 1812 in Ohio, shown in Miami Valley Pioneers to have married Orson Kerr(Fountain County marriage records place the date at December 5, 1828).  LDS records place her death on October 22, 1875.  Records alternately refer to Orson's surname as Kerr and Carr.

>From the Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, published by the Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago in 1888: "ORSON KERR, a prosperous and respected farmer of Tippecanoe County, is a Pennsylvanian by birth, born April 19, 1805, a son of Samuel Kerr, deceased. He was reared a farmer, which occupation he has followed principally through life, and his education was obtained in the pioneer schools of Franklin County, Ohio, to which county his parents removed when he was a boy. He came to Indiana in 1827, settling in Fountain County, this State, where he was married December 25, 1828 to Miss Cynthia Clawson, a daughter of Thomas Clawson, who was one of the old and honored pioneers of Fountain County. Of the eight children born to this union only four are living, named as follows--Sophia, John, Timothy, and Thomas. Two daughters, named Sarah and Jane, died after reaching maturity, the latter leaving a child named Lislie Orean. Mr. Kerr became a resident of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in 1835, in which year he settled on his present farm on section 22, Jackson Township. By industry and good management he has succeeded well in his agricultural pursuits, and after selling some land and giving 120 acres to his children, he still has 300 acres, his land being well improved and under cultivation. He was bereaved by the death of his wife in 1875, who had shared with him the vicissitudes of life for nearly fifty years.  She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a consistent Christian. Mr. Kerr has been a member of the same church for the past fifty years." Note: Jackson Township in Tippecanoe County adjoins Fountain County, and is just a few miles from the Clawsons of Shawnee and Richland Townships in Fountain County.

Orson Kerr is shown as selling land in sections twenty-four and twenty-five in Richland Township to Charles Taylor on August 25, 1835.  Charles Taylor's daughter Caroline would later marry Cynthia Clawson Kerr's cousin Allen Clawson, son of Josiah Clawson. 

In the 1840 Tippecanoe County, Indiana census, Jackson Township, p. 414, is shown Orson Carr (sic), with one man between thirty and forty, one female between twenty and thirty, one boy and one girl each between five and ten, and two boys under the age of five.

Orson and Cintha are shown in Jackson Township in Tippecanoe County in the 1850 Indiana census, taken August 1, as Jackson Township, Orson Kerr, 44, farmer, $8,000, born in Pa with Cintha, 38, bon in Ohio, and Sophia, 20, Samuel, 18, Thomas, 16, Timothy, 14, Mary, 8, Sarah, 6, John, 3, all born in Indiana, and box #11 checked for six children Sophia through Sarah, and Anson(?) Bell, 26 brick moulder, b ??Renkiram??, Anthony Bastion, laborer, 19, born ??Renk, Louzo Woody, 18, born Ohio, laborer, John Swank, 17, born Indiana.  The last four entries had box #11 checked.

In Tippecanoe County, Jackson Township, in the 1860 census is listed Orson Kerr, 55, farmer, 2000/5000, born in Pa, with Cintha, 47, b Ohio, and Samuel C., Thomas F., 24, Timothy S., 22, Jane J., 16, Sarah, 14, and John W., 13, all born in Indiana.  With them is Charles Wyman, 21 a farm laborer, born in Germany. 

Sophia Clawson -- the twelfth child of Thomas and Sophia, born 1814 in Ohio.  Fountain County marriage records show she married Jonathan C. Dove(b. 1807) on May 13, 1835, and that they moved to Vermilion County, Illinois in 1853.  They had three known children, Abram(1838-1870), Jackson(1843-1924), and Della Martin (b. 1835).  John Dove, an ancestor of Jonathan, was at Covalt Station in frontier Ohio with the Clawsons -- as briefly described above in the frontier Ohio section.

Jackson "Jack" Dove, son of Sophia, made a statement dated April 24, 1924, about the Clawson's Dutch ancestry and about Thomas Clawson.  There was also information about Sophia Clawson Dove and her family: . . . Mother (Sophia Clawson Dove) was 10 years old at the time[Thomas moved to Fountain County in 1824]. She was the youngest of the twelve. There were Indians there at that time Pottowatmies (sic) I think they were a friendly tribe don't think the whites had any trouble with them although it appears that there was still a good many were there mother remembered them well my father left there in 1853 moved to Ill. 14 miles north west of Danville near where the town of Colison is now I was then 10 years old I dont think there was any railroads in Danville then am not sure the Wabash may have been built."

Jonathan Dove listed on the next line below Sophia Clawson in the 1840 Fountain County census, with one man between thirty and forty, one woman between twenty and thirty, and one boy and one girl each under the age of five.

They are shown in Vermilion County, Illinois, in the 1860 census, Middlefork Township, taken July 31, as Jonathan Dove, 32, farmer, property value $150/$310; Sophia, 46, both born in Ohio and Thomas B., 18, Jackson, 16, Garret, 14, Marion (male), 12, Elizabeth, 10, and Fidelia, 6, all born in Indiana.  

Jonathan Dove and Sophia Clawson Dove are listed in Butler Township, Grant Post Office in Vermilion County, Illinois in the 1870 census. Jonathan is 53, a farmer, $820 of property, born in Ohio, with Sophia, 55, keeping house, born in Ohio, Janie, 20, teaching school, born in Indiana, Fidelia, 16, teaching school, born in Illinois, Jackson, 26, farm laborer, born in Indiana, Joseph, 22, born in Indiana, Sarah, 28, born in Illinois, James 8, born in Illinois, and Joseph, 4, born in Illinois.

The Sixth Oldest Child/The Josiah Clawson Branch.  Josiah Clawson and Sophia Luce.  Josiah Clawson/Sophia Luce and Their Descendants

Josiah Clawson was my great-great-great grandfather.  He appears to have been born in Pennsylvania, moved to Ohio with his family in the late 1780's or early 1790's; was in Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio by 1796; and moved onto Fountain County Indiana in 1824 where he died three years later.  He married Sophia Luce in Ohio in 1801, who survived him by thirty years.  They had seven known children.  This narrative seeks to compile all information about Josiah's ancestry as well as Josiah and Sophia and their descendants, who primarily remained in Fountain and Warren Counties in Indiana and Vermilion County, Illinois.

Josiah and Sophia Clawson -- Josiah was born on May 14, 1775, most likely in Pennsylvania.  A Josiah Clawson is shown above as having taken the oath as a scout and spy in 1792 in southwestern Ohio.  He is first shown for sure in any records as a "Spy" in the 1794 Indian Wars and He is shown again when he was listed in the tax returns of Columbia Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1796.  Josiah married Sophia Luce on December 15, 1801, and purchased land in Hamilton County on Dec. 31, 1801.  He was among the taxpayers there in Washington Township, then Montgomery County in 1804, 1810(listed as "Jonah"), and 1812, and was shown in the census in 1820.  He was gone by the time of the 1825 tax roll, and appears to have moved to Fountain County, Indiana in 1824 with his brother and nephews.  He died there three years later.

Josiah likely moved to frontier Ohio with his family in the circa 1790.  Thomas and Peter Clawson had sold their land in Pennsylvania by 1790, and none of the family shows up in the 1790 census, presumably because they were in transit or established outside the census' ability to find them in the Ohio frontier.  Josiah has not been found with certainty in any record prior to 1794, because of his young age--his father dying before he was six.  Wherever it can be established that his brothers and mother were, is likely where Josiah was until he personally appears in official records. 

Daniel Reeder, Assessor for Columbia Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, shows Josiah with 190 acres, taxed at 75 cents on August 22, 1796.  Thomas, Josiah's brother, is shown with 246 acres, and also listed are Timothy, Bethuel, and Geniah Covalt.

John Luce, Sophia's father, was received into the Sugar Creek Baptist Church on March 1, 1800.  The Clawsons were among the earlier members of this church, which was founded about 1799.  Josiah and Sophia were married by Daniel Clark, Minister was December 15, 1801, most likely at the Sugar Creek Church.

[NOTE:  One researcher of early Ohio has written that Thomas Clawson, Josiah's brother, was a member of the Middle Run Predestinarian Baptist Church before he went to the Centerville church (Sugar Creek) in Montgomery County.  The two churches were sister churches.  Likely the same people went on different Sundays sharing ministers.  These churches were so close in history that in the Centerville records there is a statement that a committee was formed to lay out a path between them--several miles but still a "path".  Of course, that path is a road today.]

[NOTE: Sophia Luce Clawson was referred to as "Suppie" in the 1994 Luce Genealogy entitled "The American Descendants of Henry Luce of Martha's Vineyard".  This genealogy places her ancestry as sixth generation, through her father John, his father Benjamin, his father David, his father Eleazer, the son of the immigrant Henry Luce.  John moved many times "in search of land investments"(as the Luce Genealogy puts it) -- having been born in May 1764 in Roxbury, Morris County, New Jersey, and lived in Augusta, Albemarle and Rockingham Counties Virginia, and finally Montgomery and Clark County Ohio.  John died ca 1823 in Clark County, Ohio.  He married Elizabeth Hays ca 1780-82 in Rockingham County, Virginia.  She died ca 1819 in either Clark or Champaign County, Ohio (she's buried in Talbert Cemetery four miles from Urbana, Ohio).  Sophia was the oldest of five children, the second being William (b ca 1783), the third Moses (b ca 1785), the fourth being Hannah (b ca 1788), and the fifth being Benjamin (b ca 1790).  John Luce has a brother named Justis, who shows up in the narrative of Symmes Land Purchasers.]  

Josiah's land entry was made on December 31, 1801.  It was land grant #888, for almost 109 acres in Range 6 M. River, Town 2, Section 31.  It was very near his brother Thomas' land in what became Centerville Township.  This was in the disputed Symmes Purchase, and they were confirmed in their "pre-empted land" at a later date.

In the April 1807 Montgomery Court term, when he was listed as constable of Elizabeth Township, Josiah was accused of taking a horse; the indictment was quashed and he was paid costs.  In the term beginning the following December, again listed as constable, he was the target of a suit involving two silver watches.

Josiah Clawson was shown as constable in Washington Township in 1808 and 1809, according to the Book of Proceedings of Washington Township.

In the May 1809 term, he was charged with taking and detaining a grey mare, but the writ was quashed when the accuser failed to appear, and Josiah recovered costs.  He was also charged with contempt during this term, but the charges were dismissed.

In the January 1810 term, he posted a bond for George Bodkin, and had to forfeit it when Bodkin missed three different changes to appear.  In the May 1812 term, he served on a jury about failure to deliver flour at a flour mill.

Josiah's brother, Thomas, was a Captain in the War of 1812, heading what is referred to in official records as Captain Thomas Clauson's(sic) Company.  Among the members were Moses Luce, Sophia's brother and Josiah's brother-in-law.  The Company appears to have been raised in Montgomery County, and also contained members of the Shanks family.

The Centerville Historical Society book, "A Sense of Place", provides a map reconstructed from the 1812 tax records of Washington Township.  Josiah is shown just northwest of the center of the township.  Thomas Clawson is shown just due west of the township center, and Joseph Shanks has a small section of the southwest portion of Thomas' land.  Peter Clawson has a parcel in the far northwest section of the township.  John Luce and William Luce have adjoining parcels just south of the township center.  Timothy Covault is shown not far from Thomas Clawson.  John Shanks is shown with a parcel in the southwest portion of the township.

Josiah was shown in the 1816 Montgomery County tax records as a "proprietor" in Washington Township, as were brothers Thomas and Peter. 

Josiah was listed as a buyer in estate sales held in the May 1812, June 1814, December 1815, April 1817, June 1820, October 1820, July 1821, and February 1822 terms.

On February 10, 1818, Josiah Clawson sold his land in Washington Township to William McLucas for $800.  It was listed in the northeast corner of Section 31, Township 2, Range 6.  Josiah Clawson signed and Sophia Clawson had an x for "her mark".  Titus Ives and Samuel McLucas witnessed.

In the 1820 census, a Josiah Clawson is shown in Dayton Township in Montgomery County.  Charles Clawson believed that this was Josiah and Mary Clawson, of another family branch.  Yet the listing fits all known family members of our Josiah. This listing shows a man and woman between the ages of twenty-six and forty-five, one boy between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, one boy and one girl between the ages of ten and sixteen, and two boys and two girls under the age of ten.

It is most likely that the Clawsons came to Indiana in 1824.  The Fountain County Historical Society's 1983 "History of Fountain County Indiana" has a section titled the "Clawson Family in Shawnee Township" in which it is stated "Thomas and brother Josiah Clawson . . . arrived in Fountain County in the fall of 1824 . . . The new purchase lands in Indiana territory opened for settlement in 1824."  The 1883 Beckwith Fountain County History shows Thomas Clawson settling in Shawnee Township in 1824.  The 1913 Clifton book on Fountain and Warren Counties has Thomas Clawson beginning the task of home-building in 1824.

The Pioneer Ancestors of Members of the Society of Indiana Pioneers show that Thomas Clawson came to Fountain County in 1824(based on an application by Clawson researcher Charles Clawson).  The first land entry was taken in 1821, the first white settlers came to Fountain County in 1823, and the County was organized and the first Court convened in 1826.  The Josiah shown in Dayton Township in the 1820 Montgomery Co., Ohio census was gone by the time 1825 tax records were taken.  Josiah and Sophia's daughter Luce died on February 1, 1825 and is buried in Fountain County -- indicating they were there by that time -- and that Luce Clawson died during that first winter in the Clawson's new home.

In the 1881 History of Fountain County, it was written about those who "came in the spring of 1824, the contest for existence was a hard one.  'There were houses to build, roads to blaze, forests to clear, rails to make, fences to build,' and every effort to make to win break from the wilderness, 'and to keep the wolf from the door during the coming winter.  With the utmost exertion their crops must be light, as the forest was thick and green, and it was impossible to get rid of the shade of overhanging trees during the first year.'  All they had was a little clearing in the midst of a dense forest, with a  cabin on one side and a patch of blue sky above.  'The soil was rich and productive, however, and blessed with rain and sunshine, they raised some corn and beans and potatoes, on which, with the game that was plenty within easy reach, they lived through the winter without suffering or destitution'."

Josiah Clawson's Indiana Land Certificate was obtained from the Bureau of Land Management.  Dated April 15, 1825, and nominally carrying the signature of President John Quincy Adams--the real signature was of the G. G. Commissioner of the General Land Office. The certificate, numbered 2738, names Josiah Clawson of Wabash County, Indiana. It shows that Josiah had deposited in the General Land Office a certificate from the Crawfordsville Land Office in Indiana under the provisions of the April 24, 1820 congressional Public Lands Act. The property in question was the west half of the south east quarter of Section Number Fourteen in Township Number Twenty and North of Range Number Seven west in the District of Terre Haute and State of Indiana, containing eighty acres. This appears to represent the land registered in December, 1824, at the Crawfordsville land office.  A property transaction shown below has Sophia Clawson, Josiah's widow, selling land a few sections away in the same township and range in 1831.

Josiah Clawson was also chosen as "lister" (for Shawnee Township and territory above Pine Creek under the jurisdiction of Fountain County) for the first Fountain County election, held in 1826.

A Fountain County History description of Josiah's son Moses and grandson John reads: "His(John's) grandfather Clawson(Josiah) came to Fountain county in 1826, and kept hotel in Attica a short time."  

Josiah Clawson is shown in the compiled cemetery records as buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, having died on June 15, 1827 at 52 years, 1 month, and 1 day.  The oldest remaining stone in this cemetery is of Luce Clawson, and the second oldest is of Josiah[However, it was not visible during my visit in 1996].  The cemetery was laid out from east to west with a part of the first row for Josiah and his family, a part of the next row for Thomas and his family. . .  The Old Baptist Cemetery was originally known as the Shawnee graveyard and may have been first constituted as a Clawson cemetery, as they were the only ones to use it before 1835 and because it was established before the church or its members were there.  It is in Richland Township about three miles northwest of Newtown.

Josiah is shown in the probate records of Fountain County in 1828.  Those records refer to his widow, Sophia, his "infant heirs" Moses, John, Allen, and Josiah, as well as his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Martin Grant.  The probate records show that Josiah left a parcel of property in Attica upon his death.   

Fountain County censuses show Sophia there in 1830, 1840, and 1850.  Sophia is shown in the 1830 census with one woman between forty and fifty, one man between twenty and thirty, two men between fifteen and twenty, and two boys between ten and fifteen.

Sophia Clawson also filed for two different parcels of land in Fountain County, one on May 27 and the other on May 28, 1831.  An early deed book abstract shows Book 2, p. 301. July 23, 1831. Sophiah (wife of Josiah), to Josiah Bryant two undivided thirds of portions of Section 25 in Township 21, Range 7 and Section 23, Township 20, Range 7.

Sophia is shown in the 1840 census in Richland Township of Fountain County, with one woman between fifty and sixty, one man between thirty and forty, two men between twenty and thirty, one man between fifteen and twenty, one boy between ten and fifteen, one boy between five and ten, and one girl under the age of five.

She is shown in the 1850 census in Shawnee Township of Fountain County, age 66, born in Virginia.  She is shown as living with her son Allen, age 36, single and a farmer.  With them are William Ferguson, 16, a laborer born in Ohio, and Elizabeth Ferguson, 14, born in Indiana.  It is likely that these are Sophia's grandchildren by her daughter Mary and Elijah Ferguson, married in 1828 in Fountain County, and who have not been found in later records.

As well as Sophia's tombstone -- which implies 1785 as a birth year and March 14, 1858 as her death date (Old Baptist Cemetery, she was shown as 73 years of age) -- we have three census references (1830, 1840, 1850) to assist us with the question of her age.  The 1850 census shows Sophia as age 66 and born in Virginia.  This would place her birth year as 1783 or 1784. In the 1840 census, Sophia is shown as being between fifty and sixty, which would place her birth year between 1780 and 1790.  In the 1830 census, Sophia is shown as being between forty and fifty, which would also place her birth year between 1780 and 1790.  It is likely that her birth was in the 1783-1785 range.  This would have placed her at sixteen to eighteen at the time of her marriage.

Charles Clawsons' records show eight children, William, Luce, Moses, Allen J., Josiah Junior, Elizabeth, Mary, and Sophia. I have found no evidence of Josiah and Sophia having a daughter named Sophia.  I believe the confusion stems from a mention of a Sophia during the probate of Josiah's estate.  While his widow Sophia was mentioned frequently, there was a reference to Sophia, the infant heir of William Clawson, Josiah and Sophia's oldest son, who died within a matter of months of his father Josiah.  This fact was picked up by Clawson researcher Charles Clawson and is one of the few differences I have with his voluminous and well-documented research.

William Clawson -- shown in records of Charles Clawson to have been  the oldest child of Josiah and Sophia, born in September, 1802.  He was shown in Fountain County probate records to have died in this period, and left an infant heir Sophia.  The same Clawson records show a second child, William.  Catherine, his wife, reportedly left the state after his death and appointed Thomas Clawson and his son Thomas as estate administrators.

William Clawson's death was August 16, 1827.  His tombstone in Old Baptist Cemetery in Fountain County indicates that he died on this date at the age of 24 years, 11 months, placing his approximate birth on September 16, 1802.  I have found no marriage date for him.  It is my conjecture that Catherine returned to Ohio when she left the state after William's death.  However, after searching subsequent censuses, I have not yet found a record of her or her children.

Mary Clawson -- shown in Charles Clawson's records to have been the daughter of Josiah and Sophia, most likely their second child.  Mary Clawson is shown in Fountain County marriage records as having married Elijah Ferguson on May 15, 1828, and they both are listed in Fountain County court records among the heirs of Josiah Clawson. 

Fountain County marriage records show that Mary Clawson married Elijah Ferguson on May 15, 1828.  Elijah is shown in the 1881 Fountain County history as having been a juror at the September 1830 Fountain Court in the murder trial of John Richardson, who was found guilty and sentenced to hang.

I can find no death records for them, but they are not shown in the 1850 census, when their two children are shown with their grandmother Sophia Luce Clawson, and their uncle, Allan Clawson.

William Ferguson -- probably son of Mary and Elijah, he is shown with his grandmother Sophia and uncle Allen in the 1850 Fountain County census as William Ferguson, 16, a laborer born in Ohio, as well as his sister Elizabeth.  It is significant that he is shown as having been born in Ohio -- which would have been in the 1834 period, which is possibly validated by the following information.  William Ferguson is shown as buried in Fountain County, having died on March 27, 1863, aged 28 years, 10 months, and 26 days -- placing his birth about May 1, 1834.  (Given his age and the year, it is possible he was killed in the Civil War.)  

Elizabeth Ferguson -- probably the daughter of Mary and Elijah, she is shown with her grandmother Sophia and uncle Allen in the 1850 Fountain County census as Elizabeth Ferguson, 14, born in Indiana.  She is shown with Allen Clawson in the 1860 census, age 24, born in Indiana.  There is a marriage for an Elizabeth Ferguson in Fountain County to John Gott on September 15, 1861.  There are marriages for an Elizabeth Ferguson in Fountain County in 1851 and 1855, but since this Elizabeth was still shown as Ferguson in 1860, the 1861 marriage is likely her.

Civil War pension records show that John W. Gott was in the Indiana 86th Infantry, Company C.  That was a regiment that recruited Fountain County soldiers.  Shown as his widow was Elizabeth Gott, who received a pension on February 20, 1863 -- indicating his death in the war.  A minor was shown in these records -- John C. Gott -- who qualified for a pension on May 12, 1865.

In the Indiana 1900 census soundex, C-500, is shown Isaac Coon, born January 1822, 78, born in Indiana, listed in Fountain County, Richland Township, enumerated with James H. Moore, who is Isaac's son-in-law.

Elizabeth Clawson -- daughter of Josiah and Sophia, their third known child, shown in Fountain County marriage records as being married to Martin Grant on March 20, 1828.  Charles Clawson's records show her born on February 2, 1809, and dying on January 24, 1846.

Elizabeth, the wife of Martin Grant, is buried in Old Attica Cemetery in Fountain County, having died January 24, 1846 aged 37 years, 11 months, and 22 days.  This would place her birthdate about February 2, 1808.  Martin Grant is buried in the same cemetery, having died November 20, 1846, aged 43 years, 17 days.  This would place his birthdate about November 3, 1803.  

Three of their young children are also buried in the same cemetery -- although the birthdate of none is evident from the tombstones.  David Grant, son of M. and E. Grant is shown as having died April 1, 1831.  Grant, Infant Daughter of M. and E. Grant is shown with no dates at all.  Mary A. Grant, daughter of M. and E. Grant is shown as having died on July 2, 1834.  

Martin Grant is shown in the 1840 census in Logan Township in Fountain County between the age of thirty and forty, with a woman in the same age category, and four children, a boy and girl each between the ages of five and ten, and two boys under the age of five.

Samuel Grant -- Samuel Grant is shown in Fountain County marriage records to have married Catherine Stephens on January 14, 1858.  He is shown in the 1860 census, next to Allen Clawson, 23, a farmer, born in Indiana with Catherine 24, born in Ohio, and Martin A. Grant, 1, born in Indiana.  With them is Elizabeth Stephens, 54, born in Ohio.  

Martin Alra Grant is buried in Fountain County, son of Samuel and Catherine Grant, having died May 1, 1861 at age 2 years, 6 months, 7 days.  This would place his birthdate about October 23, 1858.  I believe it is a safe assumption that Samuel is one of the four children of Martin and Elizabeth Grant, and Martin Alra a grandson.

Samuel and Catherine are shown in the 1900 census in Fountain County, Samuel born in Indiana in September 1836, with his father born in New Jersey and his mother in Ohio, with Catherine, born June 1836, born in Ohio with her father born in Massachusetts and her mother in Ohio.  They have been married 41 years.  With them are Nellie R., 29, born March 1871, and John, 22, born in November 1877, both born in Illinois, with their father born in Indiana and their mother in Ohio.

Nellie R. Grant -- daughter of Samuel and Catherine, shown in Fountain County marriage records (with them listed as her parents) to have married Willis Endsley on June 17, 1901.

Sam S. Grant -- son of Samuel and Catherine, shown in Fountain County marriage records (with them listed as her parents) to have married Oriana Campbell on October 12, 1898.

Josiah Grant -- probable son of Martin and Elizabeth, he is shown in the 1860 census, 19, a farm laborer in Fountain County, born in Indiana, a few pages from Samuel Grant.  He is living with John A. Grant, 25, shown below.  Josiah Grant was shown to have married Rebecca J. B. Prather on March 16, 1862.  There is an Isiah Grant shown in Fountain County death records to have died on June 15, 1902 in Attica at age 65.  This would be four years older than the age Josiah was shown as in the 1860 census.

John A. Grant -- John A. Grant is shown in Fountain County marriage records to have married Mary E. Rowley on November 24, 1858.  He is shown above with Josiah Grant in the 1860 census, likely his brother, both likely sons of Martin and Elizabeth Grant, as John A. Grant, 25, a farmer, Mary Ellen Grant, 20, and Olive, three months, all born in Indiana.

A John A. Grant was shown in Fountain County marriage records to have married Mary C. Thompson on March 18, 1880.  

John A. Grant was shown in Fountain County cemetery records as having been buried in Riverside Cemetery, 1831-1893, and a member of Company C, 86th Indiana Volunteers.  Mary E. Grant, his wife, is shown in Riverside Cemetery, 1840-1931.  The Civil War pension records index shows that he was a Corporal in Company C, 86th Indiana Infantry, getting a pension on March 1, 1877.  His widow, Mary E. Grant, received her widow's pension on June 17, 1893, and was living in Indiana at the time.

Ollie F. Grant -- quite likely the Olive Grant above, daughter of John and Mary Grant, shown in Fountain County marriage records as marrying John L. Weber on October 28, 1880.    

Luce Clawson -- Charles Clawson's notes show her as a daughter of Josiah and Sophia,  most likely their fourth child, born January 27, 1812 and dying Feb. l, 1825.  She is buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, having died February 1, 1825, age 13y, 1m, 5d.  This was evident during my 1967 visit, but not during 1996.  This would have been the first winter the Clawsons were in Fountain County.  The name Luce is clearly given because it is her mother's maiden name.   

Moses Clawson -- son of Josiah, most likely their fifth child, he is shown in Charles Clawson's notes to have been born Dec. 18, 1813 and to have died on July 19, 1872.  Fountain County marriage records show Moses Clawson married Joanna Bake on February 23, 1837.  They had at least twelve children.  

He is listed in the 1840 census in Fountain County, with a man and woman each between twenty and thirty, and one female between the age of five and ten.  

In the 1860 census, Moses is shown in Richland Township in Fountain County as age 46 a farmer born in Ohio, with Joanna, 43, also born in Ohio.  They are shown with eight children all born in Indiana: Martin, 19; Lucretia, 18; John, 16; Bake, 10; Asher, 8; Allen, 5; Adaline, 6; and Charles, one month.

In the 1870 census, Moses is shown in Richland Township of Fountain County, age 56, a farmer born in Ohio.  He is with sons, Bake, 20, Asher, 18, and Allan, 15; and daughters, Sophia, 20, and Adaline, 16.  Sophia is shown as "keeping house". 

The 1881 history of Fountain County, p. 273 reads: "John Clawson, farmer, Newtown, son of Moses and Joanna (Bake) Clawson, was born in this township (Richland) February 1, 1844.  His grandfather Clawson came to Fountain county in 1826, and kept hotel in Attica a short time.  Moses was but thirteen when they arrived.  When he married he settled in Richland township, where he and his wife died, the latter in 1861, aged forty-four, and the former July 19, 1872 at the age of fifty-nine.

In the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Joanna, wife of Moses Clawson, is buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, having died November 7, 1861 at age 43 years, 9 months, and 22 days.  The same records show Moses buried in the same cemetery, having died July 10, 1872 at age 58 years, 7 months, and 4 days.

John Clawson was named executor of Moses Clawson's estate, with John C. Smith and John Stephens also having administrative roles.  William Taylor(most likely the brother of  Moses' sister-in-law Carolina Taylor Clawson) was one of the two appraisers of the estate.  Among the buyers of items from the estate were: Asher Clawson, William Taylor, Bake Clawson, H. Ferguson, Josiah Taylor, Caroline Clawson, John Grant, Martin Clawson, Francis Clawson, Addie Clawson, and Allen Clawson.  Notice of the estate was published in the Attica Ledger for three weeks running, Aug. 8, Aug. 15, and Aug 22.  It was mentioned that Moses had been the guardian of Bake, Asher, Adeline, and Allen Clawson.  

Listed as heirs were Martin and Alta Clawson, Asher, John, and Bake Clawson, and to John C. Smith, Guardian of Adaline and Allen Clawson.

Christopher Clawson -- son of Moses and Joanna, most likely their first child.  Joanna's father was probably Christopher Bake, explaining the name.  In the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, he is shown buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, having died August 20, 1839 at age six months.  This would place his birthdate at about February 20, 1839.

Martin Clawson -- son of Moses and Joanna, most likely their second child, born in November, 1841.  Fountain County marriage records show Martin G. Clawson married Alta Earl on April 10, 1870[The Martin G. could mean Martin Grant Clawson, after his uncle].  They are shown in the 1870 census in Richland Township, age 26 a farmer born in Indiana, with Alla 24, keeping house and born in Indiana.

Martin B. is shown in Richland Township in 1880, age 39 a farmer born in Indiana with parents born in Ohio, with Alba M. "keeping house", born in Indiana with parents born in New York and Ohio, and Homer, age 9, born in Indiana with both his parents born in Kentucky.  Asher, 28, a teacher and brother of Martin is shown with them.

Martin is shown in Troy Township of Fountain County in the 1900 census, as Martin G., 58, born November 1841, with Alta M., 55, born November 1844, and Homer, 29, born December 1870, all born in Indiana.

Martin is shown in Newtown Cemetery, born December 7, 1840 and died November 11, 1905.  From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Alta M. Earl Clawson is also shown buried in Newtown Cemetery, born November 14, 1843 and died October 6, 1910, listed as the wife of Martin Clawson.  Fountain County death records show that Alta M. Clawson died on October 5, 1910 in Veedersburg at age 66.  Martin G. (Martin Grant?) Clawson is shown in the same records as having died on November 11, 1905 in Covington at age 64. Alta M. Clawson is listed in the Fountain County willbook of 1910-1923, #30.

Lucretia Clawson -- daughter of Moses and Joanna, most likely their third child.  In compiled Fountain cemetery records, she is shown as their daughter, buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, having died February 22, 1866 at age 23 years, 9 months, 9 days.  This would place her birth about May 13, 1842, which is not consistent with the November, 1841 birthdate of Martin Clawson.

John Clawson -- son of Moses and Joanna, born in February 1844, most likely their fourth child.  The Fountain County History states ". . Mr. Clawson(John) and Miss Frances Ann Stephens were married August 2, 1866.  She was the daughter of John and Mary (Wilkinson) Stephens, and was born June 21, 1847. . . Mr. and Mrs. Clawson have one child, Mary Joanna, born March 17, 1868.  

Mr. Clawson is a member of the Richland Regulators, a horse company organized for the protection of its members against thieves, for the recovery of stolen property, and for the bringing of offenders to justice.  He owns a good farm of 143 acres, valued at $7,000.  In politics he is a democrat."

Fountain County marriage records show John Clawson married Frances N. Stephens on August 9, 1866.

In the 1870 census, he is shown in Richland Township in Fountain County, age 26, a farmer born in Indiana, with Frances, 23 "keeping house", and Mary J., 2, the latter two born in Indiana as well.

In the 1880 census, he is shown in Richland Township age 36, a farmer  born in Indiana with both his parents born in Ohio, with Francis M., "keeping house", and Mary J., 12, and his brother Asher, a teacher, age 27, born in Indiana with both parents born in Ohio.

They are shown in Richland Township in the 1900 census, John, 56, born in February 1844 in Indiana with his father and mother both born in Ohio, with Frances A., 52, born June 1847 in Indiana with her parents both born in Ohio.  They have been married thirty-three years.  With them is a daughter, Anna, 32, born March 1868, single, born in Indiana with her parents both born in Indiana.

In the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, John Clawson is shown buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, born February 1, 1844 and died February 15, 1901.  Fountain County death records show the death year as 1907, with John's age as 63.  The same cemetery records listed above show Frances Ann Clawson also buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, born June 21, 1847 and died October 6, 1925.

Anna (Mary Joanna) Clawson -- daughter of John and Frances above.  Anna Clawson is buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, having died January 7, 1929 at age 60 years, 9 months, and 20 days.  This would place her birth about March 18, 1868. 

William Clawson -- son of Moses and Joanna, most likely their fifth child, shown in compiled Fountain County cemetery records as buried in Hushaw, Dazey, Stephenson, or Rupert Cemetery, having died May 13, 1848 at two years, 8 months, and 1 day.  This would place his birth about September 12, 1845.

Josiah Clawson -- son of Moses and Joanna, most likely their sixth child, shown in the compiled cemetery records to be buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, having died November 9, 1853 at age six years and three months.  This would place his birth about August 9, 1847.

Bake Clawson -- son of Moses and Joanna, most likely their seventh child, born in May, 1850.  Fountain County marriage records show Bake Clawson marrying Julia Floyd on September 7, 1876.   

They are shown in the 1880 census in Richland Township, Bake, 30 a farmer born in Indiana with both his parents born in Ohio, with Julia, 21 "keeping house", born in Indiana but with her father born in N.Y.(?), and her mother born in Indiana.  They have two children with them, Della, 2, and Edith, five months (the census was taken on June 7), both born in Indiana.  Enumerated with them was Alice Floyd, listed as Bake Clawson's sister in law, 18, also born in Indiana.

>From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Bake Clawson is shown buried in Old Baptist Cemetery in Fountain County born May 9, 1850 and died June 4, 1883.  Julia I. Clawson is shown remarrying Joseph A. Bell on November 21, 1886, in Fountain County.

Julia D. and Joseph Belle are shown in the 1900 census in Richland Township.  They have been married thirteen years.  Joseph was 45, born in February 1855 in Ohio, with both his parents born in Ohio.  Julia D., 41, was born in March 1859 in Indiana, with her father born in New York and her mother in Indiana.  With them is Edith Clawson, shown as Joseph's step-daughter, 20, born in June 1880(Jan?) in Indiana with both her parents born in Indiana.  Also with them are Floyd Belle and Orson R. Belle, 12 and 9.  Edith is also shown in a second 1900 census entry as a servant to Herbert Campbell. 

Della Clawson Witt -- daughter of Bake and Julia.  Fountain County records show that Della married Bernard Witt on January 8, 1900.  They are shown in Richland Township of Fountain County in the 1900 census, with Bernard S. Witt, 25, born in Indiana in May 1875 and Della, his wife, 23, born in August 1876 in Indiana, and their daughter, Bernice, four months and born in Indiana in February 1900.

Sewell C. Witt -- There is a birth record in Fountain County for Sewell C. Witt, born on July 29, 1909 to Bernard and Della Clawson Witt.

Edith I. Witt -- There is a birth record for a Edith I. Witt, daughter of Bernard and Della Clawson Witt, born in Fountain County on September 5, 1914.

Bernard Witt, Jr. -- There is a marriage record for Bernard Witt, Jr., shown in the marriage record to have been born on April 29, 1917.  He married Cletus F. Elton on December 13, 1938. 

Edith Clawson Stanfield -- daughter of Bake and Julia.  Fountain County records show that Edith married William V. Stanfield on December 21, 1904.  They are shown in Newtown in Fountain County in the 1920 census, with William V. Stanfield, 47, born in Kentucky, with Edith his wife, 37, born in Indiana, and their daughter, Laveda, four years and ten months, born in Indiana.

William V. Stanfield -- There is a birth record in Fountain County for William V. Stanfield, the son of William V. and Edith Clawson Stanfield, on December 21, 1912.

Laveda Stanfield -- There is a birth record in Fountain County for Laveda Stanfield, the daughter of William V. and Edith Clawson Stanfield, on February 18, 1915.

Asher Clawson -- son of Moses and Joanna, most likely their eighth child.  Shown in the 1880 census as a 28 year old teacher living with his brother Martin.  There is no record of him after this year that I have found yet.  This would place his birth ca 1851/52.

In the 1881 Fountain County history, there is a section on Richland Lodge, No. 205, F. and A. Masons.  Listed as one of the officers for 1880 is Asher Clawson, J.D.

Adaline Clawson -- daughter of Moses and Joanna, most likely their ninth child, born in November 1853 and listed as "Addie" in Moses' probate account sale.  Fountain County marriage records show Adaline Clawson married Julius A. Gambold on April 25, 1875.

They are shown in the 1880 census in Veedersburg, Van Buren Township, Fountain County.  Julius is 31, born in Indiana, with Adaline Gambold, 25, Gertie, 4, Grace, 3, and Kate, nine months, all born in Indiana.

Fountain County birth records show a Gambold baby girl was born to Julius Gambold, with the mother's maiden name of Clawson.  The baby was not named, and the birth date was September 15, 1894.  In the 1900 census below, this was Nalide.

They are shown on Sherman St. in Veedersburg in the 1900 census, with Julius A. Gambold, 51, born December 1848, Adaline, 46, born November 1853, Gertrude, 24, born April 1876, Grace, 22, born July 1877, Kate, 20, born September 1879, Bonnie E., 16, born April 1883, Lucretia J., 14, born March 1886, Nalide, 5, born September 1894, and Helen A., 3, born August 1896.

In the 1920 census, Lucretia Gambold is shown, 32, born in Indiana, in Beech Grove, Marion County, Indiana.  Living with her are three of her sisters, Helen, 23, Nalide, 25, and Grace, 42.

Kate Gambold -- Fountain County marriage records show that Kate Gambold, the daughter of Julius Gambold and A. Clawson, at age 22, married John Dyer on January 1, 1901. John Dyer is shown in the 1920 census in Marion County in Indianapolis, 42, with Kate, 48, Kathleen, 17, Rosemary, 10, and John, 9, all born in Indiana. They live at 2848 Washington Blvd., in Indianapolis. This is the only match to John Dyer and Kate Gambold in the 1920 census, and seems to fit a 1901 marriage, although Kate is shown as a few years older than earlier censuses. 
 
Allen Clawson -- son of Moses and Joanna above, most likely their tenth child.  There is a marriage in Fountain County marriage records for Allen Clawson, marrying Mary Belle Biggs on November 20, 1879.  He is the one Allen in Fountain County of the age to be in this marriage at that time.  

He is shown in the 1910 census in Shawnee Township, Fountain County, 54, born in Indiana with his father born in Ohio and his mother in Indiana[placing his birth year ca 1856].  He is shown with Rowena Foreman, 78, his aunt, who was born in Indiana with her father born in North Carolina and her mother in Pennsylvania.  Roena Foreman, wife of Michael Foreman, is shown in Hopkins Cemetery in Fountain County, born September 15, 1830 and dying March 14, 1912.  Michael is buried in the same cemetery, having died on February 1, 1872, aged 38 years.

Leander Clawson -- son of Moses and Joanna, most likely their eleventh child, shown in compiled cemetery records to be buried in Old Baptist Cemetery, having died February 25, 1860 at age two years, four months, and eleven days.  This would place his birth date at about October 14, 1857.

Charles Clawson -- son of Moses and Joanna, most likely their twelfth child, shown in the 1860 census above.  From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Charles, son of Moses and Joanna Clawson is shown in Old Baptist Cemetery, having died May 20, 1861 at age one year, four months, and five days.  This would place his birthdate at about January 15, 1860.  

Allen Clawson -- the sixth child of Josiah and Sophia, he is shown in the Charles Clawson records to have been born on Dec. 8, 1816.  There is a listing for him in Fountain County, Richland Township in the 1850 census.  He is shown as being thirty- five years of age in 1850, a farmer with land valued at $1600 and having been born in Ohio.  In that census, he is shown as living with Sophia Clawson, age sixty-six, born in Virginia.

Fountain County marriage records show that Allen married Caroline Taylor (Larue) on August 3, 1854.  She was married previously in 1851 in Fountain County to David Larue, but I can find no death record for him.  Caroline Clawson married a third time after Allen Clawson's death, marrying Peter Foreman in Fountain County on March 28, 1877(Peter Foreman was the father of Caroline's son-in-law James Foreman).  Caroline died in Warren County, Indiana on April 30, 1911.  She was born in North Carolina on October 19, 1830, the daughter of Charles Taylor.  

He is shown in the 1860 census in Richland Township, age 43, born in Ohio, and married to Caroline, age 28, born in N.C..  With them are three children, Charlotte, five, Emeline, 3, and Willard, 2.

In the 1870 census, Allen Clawson, a 53 year old farmer born in Ohio -- with property valued at $8,000 and personal property valued at $3,824 -- is listed with his wife, Caroline, 39, born in North Carolina and shown as "keeping house" in Troy Township of Fountain County.   They are shown with seven children: Charlotte 15, Eveline, 13, Willard 11, Melissa 9, Moses A., 7, Julia A., 5, and Allen D., 2.

>From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Allen Clawson is shown buried in Old Baptist Cemetery in Fountain County, his tombstone showing him having died on January 21, 1872 at age 55 years, 1 month, and 13 days.

Allen Clawson's probate record shows he died intestate.  Horatio R. Claypool was named administrator.  Among the buyers at the account sale were Allen's widow, Caroline, William Taylor, Asher Clawson, and Bake Clawson.  Listed in the probate record were Caroline ("age unknown"), Lottie 18, intermarried with James Foreman(this record was dated March 1874), Leah, 16, Willard, 14, Melissa, 12, Moses, 10, Julia, 8, Allen D., 4.  The probate notice was listed in the "People's Friend" of Covington from February 2 to February 24, 1874.  

His widow Caroline remarried local farmer Peter Foreman.  They are shown in Richland Township in 1880, Peter, 58, a farmer born in Ohio with both his parents born in Ohio, Caroline, 49, keeping house and born in North Carolina with both her parents born in North Carolina, Melissa Clawson, 19, keeping house, Moses, 16, farmer, Julia, 14, keeping house, and Allen, 12, a farmer, all born in Indiana with their father born in Ohio and their mother in North Carolina.  With them is Albertus Taylor, 53, brother of wife, blind and unemployed the last twelve months, born in North Carolina with both his parents born in North Carolina.

Peter and Caroline are shown in Shawnee Township in the 1900 census, Peter, 78, born March 1822 in Ohio with his father born in Pennsylvania and his mother in Ohio, and Caroline, 69, born October 1830 in North Carolina with both her parents born in North Carolina.  They had been married twenty-four years.  Caroline is shown as having had seven children, with six living at the time.

Caroline was shown in the 1910 census with Charles and James Foreman. She was listed as Caroline, 79, "mother-in-law" of James, shown as born in South Carolina with her parents born in North Carolina.

There are two obituaries of Caroline.  One, in the May 11, 1911 Fountain-Warren Democrat reads: "Mrs. Caroline Foreman, wife of the late Petter [sic] Foreman of Fountain died at the home of her son, M.D. Clawson[sic], at Slone in Warren county, Sunday, April 30, 1911.  She was 80 years, six months and eleven days old.  She had been a sufferer of stomach trouble for six weeks before her death.  Mrs. Foreman leaves six children to mourn the loss of a mother.  The children are: A.D. Clawson, Morris[sic] Clawson, Mrs. James Foreman, Mrs. John Hopkins, Mrs. Elias Johnson, and Mrs. W.W. Crane.  Clifford Foreman and Ora Kinney of Peru and Delmer Kinney of San Francisco, Calif., are grandchildren and were present at the funeral.  Burial was made in the Baptist cemetery near Newtown." 

An obituary in the May 5, 1911 Covington Republican read: "Mrs. Caroline Foreman, the wife of the late Peter Foreman, of Fountain, died at the home of her son, A.D. Clawson, at Sloan, in western Warren county on Sunday at the age of 80 years, 6 months and 11 days.  Stomach trouble of six weeks duration was the cause of her death.  She leaves six children, A.D. Clawson, Mrs. W.W. Crane, of Sloan, Mrs. Elias Johnson of Hedrick, Moses Clawson, Allen Clawson, Mrs. John Hopkins of Fountain, Mrs. Jas Foreman, Clifford Foreman, Ora Kinney, of Peru, and D.E. Kinney, of Frisco, Cal., all are grandchildren.  All the children and grandchildren were present at the funeral, which was held Tuesday from the residence, Rev. M.J. Lake, of Hillsdale, Ind., officiating.  The remains were taken to the Baptist church this side of Newtown for burial, the services there being in charge of Rev. Miller, of Waynetown."

There is no death record for Caroline on file with the Fountain-Warren Health Board. 

Charlotte Clawson -- oldest child of Allen and Caroline.  Fountain County marriage records show Charlotte Clawson marrying James S. Foreman on March 16, 1873.  

The 1900 census shows them in Fountain County with Charlotte, 44, born in July 1855 in Indiana and her father born in Ohio and her mother in North Carolina, and James, 51, a broom maker born in January 1849 in Indiana with his father born in Ohio and his mother in Indiana.  With them are Burton L., 24, day laborer, born in September 1875, Clifford, day laborer, 23, born in February 1876, Clinton, 16, day laborer, born in February 1883, Carline[Caroline?], 14, at school, born in April 1886, and Della M., 9, in school, born in February 1891.  All children were born in Indiana with their father born in Indiana and their mother in Ohio(error).  Also with them is Delmer Kinney, 21, illegible relationship, born in August 1878 in Indiana with his father born in Ohio and his mother in Indiana.

James and Charlotte are shown in Shawnee Township in the 1910 census, James, 61, born in Indiana with his father born in Indiana and his mother in Ohio, and Charlotte, 55, born in Indiana with her father born in Ohio and her mother in South Carolina.  They were shown as married thirty-seven years and with Christine, 26, born in Indiana and her parents born in Indiana.  Also with them was Caroline, 79, "mother-in-law" of James, shown as born in South Carolina with her parents born in North Carolina.  

Burton Foreman -- son of James and Charlotte, he was married to Arminda, born in 1877, and they had five children, James, born 1900, Bertha, born 1902, Arthur, born 1904, Acy F., born 1907, and Willard, born 1910.

They are shown in the 1910 census on the next line to James and Charlotte Foreman, Bert, 35, born in Indiana with both his parents born in Indiana, Arminda, 33, born in Indiana with her father born in Ohio and her mother in Tennessee, and James 10, Bertha, 8, Arthur, 6, Acy F., 3, and Willard three months, all born in Indiana with their parents born in Indiana.  Arminda is shown as having had five kids with five living, and they have been married for eleven years.

Clifford Foreman -- Fountain County marriage records show that he was married to Maggie Brooks on October 5, 1897.  His parents were shown as James and L. Clawson (Lottie?).  Maggie Foreman, wife of Clifford Foreman, is buried in Portland Cemetery on March 4, 1898 at 21 years, 3 months, 27 days.  Clifford Foreman is shown in Fountain County marriage records as remarrying on October 26, 1903 to Beulah W. Gumert.

In the 1920 census, Clifford Foreman is shown in Miami County, 42, with Beulah, 41, Louise, 15, Thomas J., 12, Winifred B., 8, and Charlotte, one year, one month, all born in Indiana.

Della Foreman -- daughter of James and Charlotte, shown in Fountain County marriage records to have married Harry Kell on October 12, 1908.  Her birth date is shown to be February 28, 1891.

Eveline Clawson -- second of Allen and Caroline Clawson's children, Fountain County marriage records show Eveline Clawson marrying Harrison Kinney on December 2, 1875.  Harrison Kinney is shown buried in Brown Cemetery in Fountain County, having died on February 13, 1888 aged 38 years, 5 months, and 13 days.  That places his birthdate about September 1, 1849.  They had four children, Ora L., Delmer Ellsworth, Weber, and William A.   

Harrison appears to be one of the Knox County, Ohio, Kinneys and related to Sarah Kinney, Allen David's husband.  A Harrison Kinney was shown in the 1860 census in Berlin Township, Knox County, with James, 48, and Elizabeth, 43.  There is also the name Ellsworth in this family. 

Harrison and Evaline(sic) are shown in the 1880 census in Shawnee Township with Harrison, 29, born in Ohio, Evaline, 22, born in Indiana, Orie L, 3, and Delmer E., 1, both born in Indiana. 

Eveline married second, John M. Hopkins, born 1867.  They are shown in the 1910 census in Fountain County, married nineteen years, with John 43, a merchant born in Indiana with his father born in New Jersey and his mother in Indiana.  Eva is shown as 53, born in Indiana with her father born in Indiana and her mother in North Carolina.  With them is Jennie, 24, born in Indiana with both her parents born in Indiana.

>From the letter from Ellsworth Kinney, July 15, 1998: "As I am sure you knew, the inscription (on the grace of Eveline Clawson Kinney Hopkins) was Eva Kinney and not Eva Hopkins, her second husband. My sister told me that this was this way due to the fact that Delmar wanted it that way and that he paid for it. Next to Eveline was her father Allen J. Clawson and on the other side was W. A. Kinney (William A. Kinney) my dad's youngest brother and her youngest son."

Neither Eveline or John Hopkins are shown in the 1920 census soundex for Iowa.

Ora Kinney -- son of Eveline and Harrison, Ora was born on August 8, 1876 and died on February 13, 1920.  His obituary from the Fountain-Warren Democrat of February 19, 1920, read: "Ora Kinney, a former resident of Fountain, this county, but who for several years had been farming near Marshfield, Warren county, died at the St. Elizabeth hospital in Danville, Ill., Friday evening between 6 and 7 o'clock.  Death was caused by neuritis of which he had been ill for two weeks, he having been removed to the hospital for treatment on Monday preceding his death."

"The deceased was 44 years old and was born at Fountain, seven miles southwest of Attica.  He was a son of Harry and Elva Clawson Kinney.  The father died at Fountain just 32 years to the day before the son's death.  A younger brother, William A. Kinney, died about a year ago."

"The deceased is survived by the widow, two sons, and a daughter.  He also leaves a mother, now Mrs. John M. Hopkins of Williamsport, and two brothers, Delmer A. Kinney, a conductor of the Wabash railway, and Wilber Kinney, also an employee of the Wabash railroad."  

>From the July 15, 1998 letter from Ellsworth Kinney: "The next place we went to was the cemetery at West Lebanon, Warren County, IN, there I located the graves of Ora L. Kinney, my dad's oldest brother. Helena Kinney, wife of Ora, Loran L. Kinney, son of Ora, Flora M. Kinney, wife of Loran and Harold Lee Kinney, son of Loran and Flora." 

Delmer Ellsworth Kinney  -- son of Harrison and Eveline.  A death certificate from Iowa shows that Delmer Ellsworth Kinney was born on August 29, 1878 in Judyville, Fountain County and died November 30, 1948, having resided in Fort Madison for twenty-five years.  He was shown as a Conductor in the Missouri Division for the A.T. & S.F. Railway Company.  He never married.   He is shown above with his Aunt Charlotte in the 1900 census.

In a letter from Ellsworth Kinney to me, dated July 15, 1998, he passes on the following about Delmar: "We went to . . . the old school house at Portland Arch, where Delmar taught school when he was young. The story on this was that when the children were being told by Delmar to go back into the school after recess and before he could get back in the building they would lock the door so he could not get back in. I never did find out what the end result of this was."

"Another story about Delmar that I got from my dad. When Delmar was Conductor on the Santa Fe Railroad on the Super Chief, he was punching tickets, two old ladies taking notice that he had on a large diamond ring, and also taking notice that he did not have any teeth, one lady said to the other, you would think that if that old fool could afford a diamond ring like that he would be able to afford some teeth, Delmar overhearing this turned to them, reaching into his pocket and said, see lady I got the teeth too."

"Delmar is the only one of my dads brothers that I ever knew. My dad was forty
eight years old when I was born so that is the reason I don't remember any of my grand parents." 

Delmar Kinney is not shown in the 1920 census soundex for Iowa.

Weber Kinney -- son of Harrison and Eveline.  His tombstone in Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville, Illinois shows his birthdate as August 6, 1882 and his death on July 20, 1961.  His wife was also shown on the tombstone as Mayme Moulton Kinney, born October 23, 1889 and died on July 6, 1973.  They lived in Danville, Illinois.

William A. Kinney -- son of Harrison and Eveline.  Shown above in Ora's obituary as having died a year or so before Ora's death in 1920.  William A. Kinney is shown in Fountain County cemetery records to be buried in Hushaw, Dazey, Stephenson, or Rupert Cemetery.  He was born in 1884 and died in 1918.  Cinda, wife of Wm. A., is shown in Brown cemetery, died May 18, 1874 (sic) aged, 23 years, 3 months, 8 days.

Willard Clawson -- third of Allen and Caroline Clawson's children, Willard Clawson is shown in Fountain County cemetery records as having buried in Hushaw, Dazey, Stephenson or Rupert Cemetery, the son of A. and C. Clawson, died March 16, 1875, aged 16 years, 6 months, and 11 days -- placing his birth date about September 5, 1858.

Melissa Clawson -- fourth of Allen and Caroline Clawson's children, Fountain County marriage records show Melissa Clawson marrying Elias Johnson on February 23, 1882.  George A. Johnson was born in August 1882.  Grover James was born in December 6, 1884, married Stella Siddens on December 22, 1906, and was killed in a cyclone on April 17, 1922.  He had one child, a son Estel.  Melissa was born in November 1860.  Elias was born in February 20, 1857 and died December 5, 1927 in Warren County, Indiana.  Fountain County death records show his father as James Johnson and his mother as Jane Kipp.

Elias and Melissa are shown in the 1900 census in Jordan Township of Warren County, Elias E., 43, born February 1857 in Indiana, with Melissa, 39, born November 1860 in Illinois, George A., 17, born August 1882 in Indiana and Grover S., 15, born December 1884 in Indiana.

Elias and Melissa are shown in the 1920 census in Warren County, Elias, 63, Elisa, 58, his wife, Gilbert, 33, his son-in-law, and Cora, 33, Gilbert's wife, all born in Indiana.

The December 8, 1927 Fountain Warren Democrat  carried "Williamsport Man Dies Suddenly": "Elias Johnson, proprietor of the Commercial hotel at Williamsport, died suddenly Monday morning.  He and another workman, were cutting logs in a woods near town.  They had just felled a tree when Johnson leaned against another tree to rest.  He fell to the ground, evidently having suffered an attack of heart trouble, and died almost instantly."

"Mr. Johnson was 68 years old, and is survived by a wife and two children.  The funeral was held yesterday morning at the M.E. church in Williamsport, and burial was made in Highland cemetery."

>From the West Lebanon Gazette of December 8, 1927: "Elias Johnson, 70, formerly of Hedrick but for the past few years making his home at Williamsport, died suddenly Monday morning.  With others he was engaged in cutting timber for Roy Fox in the Wm. Burr woods near Carbondale when he was seized with an attack of acute indigestion and expired in a few minutes.  Owing to the soft condition of the ground it was necessary to carry the body three fourths of a mile through the woods to Mr. Fox's machine and it was brought to Williamsport.  Funeral services were held yesterday morning at 10 o'clock and the remains brought to the West Lebanon cemetery for interment beside his son, Grover Johnson, who was killed in the Hedrick cyclone five years ago."

George Johnson -- son of Melissa and Elias Johnson.  A George Johnson is shown in the 1920 census in Warren County, with George, 38, Stella, 38, Kenneth, 15, Lawrence, 14, Herschel, 12, Robert, 3, and Mary, seven months, all born in Indiana.

Grover Johnson -- son of Melissa and Elias Johnson.  He was killed in a cyclone in 1922.  His obituary from the West Lebanon Gazette: "Grover James Johnson, youngest son of Elias and Melissa Johnson, departed this life, Monday April 17, 1922, being instantly killed while bravely attempting to protect himself and loved ones from the fearful cyclone which left death and devastation in its wake, reducing to a mall of shapeless ruins the major part of the hamlet of Hedrick, Ind., where he resided.  He was born in Fountain County, Indiana, Dec. 6, 1874.  At the age of fifteen years he removed with his parents to Hedrick, Warren county, Ind., which became his permanent home.  He was united in marriage Dec. 22, 1906, with Miss Stella Siddens, to this happy union was born one son Estel who survives him. . ."

"At 37 years, 4 months and 11 days in the prime of manhood he met his tragic death and leaves father, mother, a loving wife and son, one brother and one sister, many other relatives, and an entire community to mourn his loss . . .  Burial was made in the West Lebanon cemetery . . ."

Grover Johnson is shown in the 1920 census in Warren County with Grover, 35, Stella R., 33, and Estheal, 13, all born in Indiana.

Moses Clawson -- fifth of Allen and Caroline Clawson's children, Moses was born September 11, 1863, and died September 4, 1937.  Known in the family as "Uncle Mose". 

Fountain County marriage records show Moses' wife's Beulah's surname to have been Denton, and show they married on October 3, 1889.  The records show her birthdate as March 24, 1870, and her tombstone in Old Baptist Cemetery shows she died in 1949.  He was known as "Mose".  Of their children, Ruby was born in January 1890 and Ruth in June 1894.  Family records show Mose to have died on September 4, 1937.  Mose was born in September, 1864 in Indiana.

Moses in shown in the 1900 Indiana census soundex in Troy Township of Fountain County, enumerated as: Moses Clauson [ed72 Sheet 4] born in Sept 1864 in Indiana, age 36, with Beulah wife Sept 1881 29, Ruby dau Jan 1890 10 and Ruth dau June 1894 6 all born in Indiana.

They are shown in the 1920 Indiana census soundex on 10th Street in Covington as Mose Clawson, 56, Bulah Clawson, wife, 49, and Ruth Clawson, daughter, 24, all born in Indiana.

Ruby Clawson Bell -- daughter of Moses and Beulah.  Fountain County marriage records show Ruby married Robert O. Bell on December 19, 1917.  Ruby is shown in the 1920 census as 29, born in Indiana, enumerated on Adams St., Newtown, Fountain County, with Julia I. Bell, her mother-in-law. 

Ruth Clawson Stephens -- daughter of Moses and Beulah.  Her obituary stated: "Ruth C. Stephens, 90, a resident of Waurika Nursing Home in Waurika, Okla., and a native of Fountain County, Ind., died Sunday (Nov. 4, 1984) at the nursing home after a long illness."

"A resident of Waurika since this past July, Mrs. Stephens was a member of the Waurika First Christian Church.  She was a former resident of Veedersburg, Ind., and she and her husband, John, were former longtime residents of the Salem community near Covington, Ind."

"Born June 15, 1894, in Fountain County, she was a daughter of Mose and Beulah Denton Clawson.  She married John Harvey Stephens Nov. 1, 1924.  He died Jan. 3, 1968.  Survivors include an adopted son, Rev. Charles Wood II, and his wife, Doris, both of Waurika."

"She also was preceded in death by a sister, Ruby Bell.  Services were today at Willis C. Worley & Son Funeral Chapel in Waurika.  The Rev. Charles Wood officiated.  Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. EST Wednesday at Old Baptist Cemetery near Newtown, Ind.  The Rev. Wood will officiate.  Bodine & Shelby Funeral Home in Covington will be in charge." 

Julia Clawson -- sixth child of Allen and Caroline Clawson, shown in the Fountain County history to have married Wentworth W. Crane, son of Elijah, and had two children that lived to adulthood, one a daughter, Lulu May.

Julia Clawson, born in 1865, is shown in Fountain County marriage records as having married Wentworth Crane on October 21, 1886.  She was born on December 9, 1865, and died August 9, 1932.  Wentworth Crane died in 1952.

When the Hedrick Relief Committee was organized following the 1922 cyclone, W.W. Crane was named Secretary and Solicitor of the organization, and "Mesdames" W.W. Crane was also named to the committee.

Wentworth Crane is shown in Fountain-Warren Health Board death records as having been born July 30, 1866, the son of Elijah Crane and Eliza Glover, and died on January 31, 1952.  The same records show Julia Clawson Crane born December 9, 1865 and dying August 9, 1932 with her father Allen Clawson and her mother Caroline, both born in Indiana(sic). 

Elbert L. Crane -- shown as buried in Brown Cemetery, Fountain County, the son of W.W. and A.J.(sic) Crane, born May 26, 1889 and died August 16, 1889. 

Luella May Crane -- daughter of Julia and Wentworth, she was born in May, 1891.  She died in 1960.  Her married name was Miller.  

Jesse Levor "Boss" Crane -- son of Julia and Wentworth, he was born September 10, 1898, and died in December, 1975.  He apparently never married. 

His obituary from the Attica Ledger Tribune on December 9, 1975 read: "Jesse Levor Crane, 77, lifelong resident of Warren County died at 5:15 p.m. Sunday at the Indiana State Hospital in Logansport where he was admitted a few months ago.  There are no immediate survivors."

"He was born September 10, 1898 in Hedrick, the son of Wentworth and Julia Clawson Crane.  He was preceded in death by the parents and a sister.  Funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Fisher Funeral Home, Williamsport, with the Rev. Joe Shryock officiating.  Burial will be in the West Lebanon Cemetery. . ."

Walter Salts added this note to the obituary, "'Boss' was a mentally handicapped fellow who lived in nursing homes later in his life."  

Allen David Clawson -- my great-grandfather, was born to Allen Clawson and Caroline Taylor on May 13, 1867, their seventh and last child.  He is shown in the 1870 census with his mother and father in Troy Township, age 2, and with his mother and stepfather Peter Foreman in the 1880 census in Richland Township, age 12.  He married Sarah Ann "Sadie" Kinney, and died on August 13, 1927.  Sarah Ann "Sadie" Kinney Clawson was born on March 19, 1870 in Knox County, Ohio. Sadie Clawson died on January 4, 1942. 

They are shown in Knox County, Wayne Township in the 1900 census, with Allen D., 33, born May 1867, a day laborer born in Indiana with his father in Ohio and his mother in North Carolina, with Sada, his wife, 30, born March 1870 in Ohio with her parents in Ohio, and Hoy H., 9, born in May 1891 and Edna M., 6, born August 1893.  Both children were born in Ohio with their father born in Indiana and their mother in Ohio.  Allen and Sadie were married ten years.  She was shown as having had three children, two of which were living.

They are shown in Newark City, Licking County Ohio, in the 1910 census, Allen D., 42, born in Indiana, Sadie, 40, born in Ohio, Hoy, 18, and Edna, 16, born in Ohio.

They are shown in Danville, Vermilion County, living at 718 Jackson in the 1920 census.  Allen is 52, born in Indiana, Sadie A., 49, Hoy H., 28, Edna M., 25, Harry A., 8, all born in Ohio and Paul H., 4 born in Indiana.

Allen D.'s newspaper funeral notice read: " Funeral services for Allen D. Clawson, 60, will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon from the home of the deceased's son, H.H. Clawson, 205 W. Seminary St.  The Rev. M.B. Stine will have charge of the services and burial will be in Springhill cemetery.  Members of the I.O.O.F. lodge of which the deceased was a member will have charge of the services at the grave."

"Mr. Clawson, a resident of Danville and vicinity for many years and employed for the past several months as a collector by Byron Bilderback, local automobile dealer, died at Lake View hospital at 10:15 o'clock Saturday night, a brief account of which was published n Sunday's Danville Morning Press."

"Mr. Clawson had been in failing health for several months and in a serious condition for several days.  He resided on the Dixie Highway, about three miles north of Danville.  The deceased was a native of Indiana and was born at Newtown, May 13, 1867, a son of the late Allen and Caroline Taylor Clawson.  The widow, Mrs. Sadie Clawson; one son, H.H. Clawson, a daughter, Mrs. Ralph Laird, 308 Robinson St; a brother Moses Clawson of Covington, Ind., and three sisters, Mrs. W.W. Crane, Sloan, Ind., Mrs. Elias Johnson and Mrs. John Hopkins, of Williamsport, Ind., survive him."

Sadie's obituary, headlined "City Woman Dead at 71", read: "Resident of Danville since 1913, Mrs. Sarah Ann Clawson, 71, died at 1 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 1942, at home of her daughter, Mrs. Ralph Laird, 1405 Robinson St., where she had been bedfast for the past several weeks."

"Mrs. Clawson was removed to her daughter's home about a month ago following two weeks illness in St. Elizabeth Hospital.  Prior to going to the hospital she had made her home with her son, Hoy H. Clawson, 2827 N. Vermilion St.  She had been in failing health for the past year."

"Born March 19, 1870 in Fredericktown, Ohio, she was a daughter of Harrison and Harriet Kinney.  Her husband, Allen D. Clawson, preceded her in death in 1927.  Surviving are the two children, Mrs. Ralph Laird, at whose home she died, and Hoy H. Clawson, also of this city; a brother, John D. Kinney, Newark, Ohio; and a sister, Mrs. Myrtle Westler, Fredericktown."

"Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Callahan Funeral Chapel with the Rev. A.F. Bremicker, D.D., pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating.  Interment in Springhill Cemetery."   

Hoy H. Clawson -- only son of Allen David Clawson and Sadie Kinney Clawson, and was the father of Paul, Harry, and Mary Virginia Clawson.  Hoy H.(I do not have the middle name, he was jokingly nicknamed "Hard-Hearted" Clawson) Clawson was born May 18, 1891 in Norwalk, Ohio. 

Hoy had four wives: 1) Susan Irene Wyatt, whom he married in April 1911, and who was the mother of Paul and Harry; "Susie" is shown in Vermilion County death records to have died on January 16, 1918; she is buried in Atherton Cemetery having been born in 1891 and died in 1918; 2) Stella. I have no further information about her; 3) Lucy White, born March 12, 1894 in Marshfield, Indiana, whom he married in January 1920, and who was the mother of Mary Virginia Clawson Jackowski; and 4) Ina Mavis Franklin Lambert, who he married January 23, 1940, and who was Gen Franklin Scott Clawson's sister.  Hoy Clawson died Sept 17, 1963.  Susan Wyatt Clawson, Hoy's first wife, died in Vermilion Co. on January 16, 1918.  Hoy was divorced from his second wife, Lucy, who died on December 10, 1985.  Mavis survived Hoy, and I do not have a death date. 

Hoy's obituary read: "Hoy H. Clawson, 72, of Danville Route 5, Brewer Rd.; retired Danville auto salesman, died at 11 a.m. Tuesday (Step. 17, 1963) at an out of town hospital.  Born May 18, 1891, in Norwalk Ohio, he was a son of Allen and Sadie Kinney Clawson."

"His schooling was at Fredericktown, Ohio after which he was employed in a Norwalk steel mill.  Mr. Clawson was then employed by the New York Central Railroad, transferring to Danville in 1913.  He was later employed as an auto salesman for 32 years before retiring in 1956."

"He was married in April of 1911 to Susan Satchel who preceded him in death.  Surviving from this marriage are two sons, Harry A. and Paul H. both of Danville, nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  He was married in January of 1920 to Lucy White.  Surviving from this marriage is a daughter, Mrs. Frank (Mary Virginia) Jackowski of Danville."

"He was married Jan. 23, 1940 in Champaign to Ina Mavis Lambert.  Surviving from this marriage is a stepdaughter, Mrs. Aleen Lambert of Oharga.  Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Edna Laird of Danville."

"Mr. Clawson was a member of Olive Branch Masonic Lodge 38, the Danville Consistory, War Dads and the Central Christian Church.  The body is at Pape Memorial Home where friends will be received . . . Rev Don Goodwin officiating.  Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park.  Olive Branch Lodge will conduct Masonic rites at 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home." 

Paul Clawson -- Hoy's oldest son, was born March 5, 1916 in Danville, Illinois.  He died November 12, 1990 in Danville.  He owned Clawson Texaco in Danville from 1951 to 1978.  He was a member of the Vermilion County Board for nine years.  He married Nadine Traphagen, by which he had three sons, Harold, George, and Robert.  She died.  I have no birth or death date for her.  Fountain County marriage records show Paul married Nadine Traphagen on November 10, 1934.  Paul married second Genevieve Franklin Scott (Mavis' sister) on August 28, 1945.  They had one daughter, Paula.  Gen is still living.

Of Paul's children, I have the following information: Paulette, daughter of Paul and Gen, was born in the month of March, 1949, married Earl Watkins, and they had Paul Wayne Watkins, born in 1969.  I have no marriage or name of wife for George Clawson, but have three children shown for him: David, Brenda, and Melissa.  Additionally, Gen had two small daughters at the time she married Paul Clawson -- Linda Scott (1940) and Roberta Scott (1937), and Paul and Gen raised them as their own. 

Harry Allen Clawson -- second child of Hoy and Susie, he was born January 19, 1912 in Norwalk Ohio.  He married Mildred "Mid" R. McAlister on May 1, 1937, in Danville, Illinois.  Mid is shown (on their tombstone) to have been born on July 19, 1912.  Harry died on August 19, 1983.  Of the three daughters, Pat married Kevin Gerard; Peggy's middle initial is A.(I do not know if it's a nickname for Margaret); and Ann married Brent Inman.

Harry's obituary reads: "Services will be at 2:00 p.m. today at Pape Memorial Home for Harry Allen Clawson, 71, of Danville Route 3 (Poland Road).  He died at 9:55 a.m. Friday (Aug. 19, 1983) at Lakeview Medial Center.  Death was attributed to natural causes.  Services will be conducted by Anchor Masonic Lodge.  Burial will be at Embery Cemetery at Collison. . ."

"Clawson operated Harry Clawson Welding Service from 1951 to 1972.  Before that, he was a tool and die maker at General Electric.  He was a member of Anchor Masonic Lodge 980 and Gao Grotto.  He enjoyed carving ducks, gardening and the outdoors."

"Born Jan. 19, 1912, in Norwalk, Ohio, he was a son of Hoy H. and Susan Irene Wyatt Clawson.  The family moved to Danville in 1915 and he attended Danville schools.  He married Mildred R. McAlister on May 1, 1937, in Danville.  She survives."

"Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Kevin (Pat) Gerard and Miss Peggy A. Clawson, both of Danville, and Mrs. Brent (Anne) Inman of Williamsport, Ind.; a brother, Paul H. of Danville; a sister, Mrs. Frank (Mary) Jackowski of Danville; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild."  

Mary Virginia Clawson -- daughter of Hoy and Lucy, married Frank Jackowski.

Edna Mae Clawson -- my grandmother, Edna Mae was born August 3, 1893 in Fredericktown, Ohio and the only daughter of Allen David Clawson and Sadie Kinney Clawson.  She married Ralph Hebron Laird, Sr., in Vermilion County Illinois on June 12, 1915, had four children, Harold, Robert, Juanita, and Ralph, Jr., and died in Vermilion Co, Illinois on July 18, 1970.  Ralph Laird Sr., was born on July 28, 1895 in Danville, Illinois and died in Danville on July 28, 1955.

They are shown in the 1920 census in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois with Ralph, 24, a plumber with W.S. Hammond & Co., born in Illinois with his father born in Illinois and his mother in Indiana, Edna, 24, born in Ohio with her father born in Indiana and her mother in Ohio, Harold, three years, eleven months, and Robert, one year, two months, both born in Illinois with their parents born in Illinois.  The census was taken in January, 1920. 

Harold Calvin Laird -- oldest son of Ralph and Edna, he was born on February 14, 1916 and died in 1959.  Cathren Steube, from whom he was divorced, was born on February 7, 1916.  Harold and Cathren were married on April 24, 1937.  Sondra Sue Laird was born April 1, 1939.   Sally Ann Laird was born on February 5, 1942.  

Robert Allen Laird -- second child of Ralph and Edna, he was born on November 28, 1918.  He married Maxine Jamison in 1947 and died in 1992.  Linda May Laird was born on May 2, 1948.  Linda married Wilbur Bolton and they live in Danville, Illinois -- where she is a member of the Board of Aldermen. 

Juanita June Laird -- third child of Ralph and Edna, she was born on March 9, 1920, married on February 16, 1947, and died on November 8, 1976.  

Ralph Laird, Jr. -- fourth and youngest child of Ralph and Edna.  In one of those strange quirks, Ralph Laird Jr. was not given a middle name, so he's a Jr., but does not have his father's middle name.  Ralph Jr. was born on March 23, 1924 and married Dorothy Ofstedahl on July 14, 1946.  She was born August 5, 1924.  They have three children, John, born March 29, 1950, James Allen, born April 12, 1952, and Thomas Michael Laird, born February 11, 1958.  Laura Ann Kirn married Tom on May 9, 1987.  Jeffrey was born on April 30, 1991, and Anna was born on January 14, 1995.

Josiah Clawson -- the seventh child of Josiah and Sophia, and one of two Josiah's in this area with a similar age -- the other being the son of Garret.  Charles Clawson shows his birthdate as November 26, 1819.  Josiah Clawson is shown in Fountain County marriage records as having married Harriet Brady on January 22, 1846.  

The 1850 census shows this Josiah Clawson, aged thirty that year, as a farmer, with land valued at $700 who was born in Ohio.  His wife is named Harriet, age 23 and born in Indiana, and they have two children, John Clawson, age two, and Sophia Clawson, age one -- both born in Indiana.

In the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Harriett Clawson, wife of Josiah, is shown buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery, having died on August 19, 1855, at age 27 years, 1 month, and 27 days.  

There is a marriage record in Warren County for Josiah Clawson and Sarah A. Houser on April 8, 1858.  The other three marriages for a Josiah in this region in this era were all in the 1830's -- although two of them were to women named Sarah and the third was Josiah and Harriet.

In the 1860 census, Josiah is shown as 38 and born in Ohio, with Sarah E., 28, and John, 12, Sophia J., 10, Jackson 9, and William, 1.  There is a tombstone in Old Baptist Cemetery for Olive Clawson, daughter of Josiah and Sarah E., died January 24, 1863. 

Josiah's tombstone, as shown in the compiled cemetery records in Old Baptist Cemetery, shows his death on December 8, 1864 at age 45 years, 4 months, and 17 days.  Charles Clawson's notes show "civil war veteran" next to his name, but a request for pension records produced none -- and were later verified by the fact that there is no Josiah shown in the civil war pension record index.

Sophia Jane Clawson -- likely the daughter of Josiah and Sarah above.  There is a marriage record in Fountain County for Sophia Jane Clawson, marrying Newman Jones on October 10, 1878.  There are two other Sophias of the right age to be in this marriage in Fountain County, but this is the only Sophia shown in any other record with the middle initial J.

Jackson Clawson -- son of Josiah and Harriet.  Jackson Clawson is shown in Fountain County marriage records as marrying Emma Trott on July 30, 1882.  They had at least three children, Bertha M., Bessin, and Frank.

They are shown in the 1900 census in Fountain County, as "A. J."(? - Andrew Jackson?) Clawson, 49, born September 1850 in Indiana with both his parents born in Indiana, and Emma, born May 1860 in Indiana with both her parents born in Indiana.  They were married nineteen years.  With them were Bessa S., 14, in school, born September 1885 in Indiana with both parents born in Indiana, and Frank A., 5, born May 1895 in Indiana with both his parents born in Indiana.

Jackson is shown in Shawnee Township in the 1910 census as Jackson Clawson, 51, Emma, 49, and Frank, 14, all born in Indiana with their parents born in Indiana.  Jackson and Emma have been married twenty-seven years, and Emma is shown to have had three children, two of which were living at the time of the census.

>From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, Emma, wife of Jackson A. Clawson, is shown buried in Portland Cemetery, shown as born 1860 and died 1910.  Fountain County death records show that Emma died on December 20, 1910 in Shawnee Township at age 50.  The same cemetery records listed above show Jackson A. Clawson buried in Portland Cemetery, born in 1850 and died in 1925.

Bertha M. Clawson -- daughter of Jackson and Emma.  From the Fountain County cemetery records compilation originally compiled by the Quibache Chapter of the DAR in 1930-3, she is shown buried in Portland Cemetery in Fountain County, born December 21, 1882 and died June 8, 1898.

Bessie Clawson -- quite likely the "Bessa" mentioned in the census above, a daughter of Jackson and Emma.  There is a Bessie Clawson in Fountain County marriage records, having married Hugh Shaffer on October 9, 1905.  His birthdate is shown in those records as Feb. 20, 1881. 
  
William Clawson -- son of Josiah and Harriet.  William Clawson is shown in Fountain County marriage records as marrying Mary King on March 27, 1878.  They had at least one child, Eva.

They are shown in the 1880 Indiana census soundex in Van Buren Township in Fountain County as William Clawson, 21, born in Indiana, with Marey, 20, and Eva, 1 both born in Indiana.

They are shown in the 1900 census in Van Buren Township of Fountain County with William, 40, born February 1859 in Indiana, Mary, his wife, 41, born September 1858 in Pennsylvania, Eva M., a daughter, 22, born January 1878 in Indiana and Viola, 19, a daughter born August 1880 in Indiana.  

Research Tasks:

1. Try to find records of William and his family.  William Clawson could have married Catherine --- prior to 1827 in Ohio.  Catherine Clawson could have remarried using that name (or her maiden name, which could be searched for if a William/Catherine marriage record could be found).  William and Sophia Clawson, infant heirs of William, could be found in future marriage records or censuses.

2. Look for Elijah Ferguson and Mary Clawson in records of Ohio.  Given that William is shown as being born in Ohio ca 1834 (in the 1850 census), it is possible that Mary and Elijah were there and that's why there's no probate or tombstone record for them in Fountain County.        

3. Census records to check for descendants:

Elijah Ferguson/1830-40.
Kate Gambold, 22, married John Dyer on January 1, 1901.  1910/1920 census.
Elizabeth Ferguson married John Gott on September 15, 1861. 1870/1880 census.
Bessie "Bessa" Clawson married Hugh Shaffer on October 9, 1905.(he was born 2-20-81)
Nellie R. Grant married Willis Endsley on June 17, 1901.
Sam S. Grant married Oriana Campbell on October 12, 1898.
Ollie F. Grant married John L. Weber on October 28, 1880.
Della Foreman married Harry Kell on October 12, 1908 (born February 28, 1891)
Josiah Grant m. Rebecca J. B. PRATHER in 1862.
John A. Grant m. Mary E. ROWLEY in 1858.
Della Clawson m. Bernard WITT in 1900.
Edith Clawson m. William STANFIELD in 1904.
William Clawson m. Mary KING in 1878.

4. Fountain County birth records to check:

Robert and Ruby (Clawson) Bell -- married late 1917.  Check after 1920.

Clawson Researchers:

Bonnie J. Maxwell, 4361 Hamby Road, Georgetown, IN 47122-9723; descendant of Peter Clawson through his son Peter and his son George M.;

Terri L. Gorney, 4723 Barrington Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46806-2672, descendant of Peter Clawson through his son Frederick and his daughter Lavina.

(Harry) Duane Murphy, 2024 Litchfield Ave., Dayton OH 45406-3812 descendant of John Clawson, his son John Clawson and Lovey McCabe, and their daughter Elizabeth "Lizzie" Clawson.

The LDS Microfilm containing the family of John and Lois Clawson was filmed on roll #1553878, Bath #5028618, and was submitted by Ambrose D. Kelly of 7635 S. E. Johnson Creek Blvd., #31, Portland, OR 97206.

Norma Griggs/Shanks researcher/children are Shanks descendants
email: ngriggs@ccp.com

Paul Gilbert from Mukilteo, WA
Interested in Shanks research, not a Shanks descendant, but good friend of one; WPGilbert@aol.com

Albert J. "Perk" Bingham
Bainbridge Island, Washington
email: perk@eskimo.com

Gloria Buckles Reid
glreid@arkansas.net
descendant of Lois Clawson Buckles

Candace Clawson Spence
email: nostal@carlnet.org

Sue Stewart
suestewart@wa.freei.net
Descendant of Thomas Jr.

Charlotte Barnes Lewin
descendant of Delphine Clawson (Wiggins)
email: MacsLewin@aol.com

Candy O.
Descendant of Delilah Clawson
email: taterman@cyberhighway.net

Candy Harrison
great-great-granddaughter of Lewis Clawson, son of Peter Jr.
email: indiana@bellatlantic.net

K. William Bailey
Fayette PA Clawson researcher
kwbailey@sssnet.com

Joan Frost/descendant of Vienna Clawson Mathews
18733 62nd Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98155

Marvin Shaffer
email: wo1skip@mscomm.com
descendant of Bessie Clawson/Hugh Shaffer/posted Fountain Co Query

Arlene O'Kieff Rainelli/Indiana County PA lines--not ours--very helpful
5501 5th Avenue
Altoona, PA  16602

Charlotte Miller/descendant of Josiah and Sarah Erwin Miller thru son James
email: samchar@mail.k-inc.com

Dan Bollinger/descendant of John and Lois Clawson by daughter Lydia
email: danial@netnitco.com

Ellen Freberg/descendant of Garret Jr. by son James
E-mail: edavis89@hotmail.com

Unhooked Clawsons From Early Ohio:

Jacob Clawson -- shown as purchasing something in a Montgomery County estate sale in March, 1817.

Rachel Clawson -- is shown in Montgomery Co. records to have married George Ives on December 25, 1823.

Lavina A. Clawson -- shown as marrying Abraham J. Brown in Preble County on March 1, 1860.

Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book Q, p. 342, Clawson and Howard to Jacob Hufford.

Unhooked Clawson From Early Fountain County:

John Clawson -- shown in the 1840 census with two males and one female between twenty and thirty and two females and one male under the age of five.

John Clawson -- listed in the 1840 census in Fountain County.  A John Clawson is listed in Richland in Fountain County in the 1850 census.

"Bus" G. Clawson -- In the 1880 Fountain County census, "Bus" G. Clawson is shown in Shawnee Township, 29, a farmer born in Indiana with both his parents born in Ohio, with Sarah C., 26, housekeeper, Finfola E., 8, and Harry W., 1, all born in Indiana with their parents born in Indiana.

Unresolved Query: Posted by Linda Doty <Kinquest@pyramid.net> on Thu, 15 Jul 1999, in response to Clawsons in Fountain Co, posted by John Laird on Sun, 11 Jul 1999--"Is there some connection to Thomas Clawson Bunnell, b. Dec 1853 in Fountain Co. IN to Barton Bunnell, Jr. and Malinda Dice, daughter of Frederick Dice and Catherine Miller? Always wondered about that. LINDA"