The McElwain
Family Lines
It's Proud I am that I'm Irish
Our Newly found Irish Ancestry
McElwain Genealogy
And Collateral Families
My name is Barbara (Hays) Clayton, the daughter of the late Dewey and Florence (Altevogt) Hays, born 23 June 1958 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. I attended McClernand, Bunn and Iles Grade Schools and then attended Thomas Jefferson Middle School. I graduated from Springfield Southeast High School in 1976. I also graduated with a Degree in Cosmetology from Modernistic School of Beauty Culture in 1976. I ran the Swirl N’ Curl Beauty Shop from my home, from 1977-1987. In 1985 I began taking part time college courses at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Il, while awaiting acceptance at St. John’s School of Nursing in Springfield, Il. I began attending St. John’s School of Nursing and Springfield College in Illinois
in 1987, graduating Phi Theta Kappa from Springfield College in Illinois and St. John’s School of Nursing in 1990.
On 03 August 1976 I met the man of my dreams. His name is Olin Dale Clayton, son of Dale and Lavonne (Armentrout) Clayton, born 20 March 1951 in Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Il. Olin’s father served in WW II in the US Navy as a Radarman 2nd Class, aboard the carrier, the USS Nehenta Bay. Dale’s brother Charles “Warren” Clayton also served in the US Navy aboard the USS Fanshaw Bay and their brother Carl Marvin Clayton served in the US Army.
My husband and I were blessed with two wonderful children, Belinda Suzanne Clayton born 27 June 1979 in Litchfield, Montgomery County, Illinois and Andrew Olin Dale Clayton born 08 August 1980 in Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Il. Belinda graduated from Raymond Lincolnwood High School in Raymond, Il in 1997 and Andrew in 1999. Their father is employed with Bridgestone/Firestone Tire in Decatur, Illinois. Olin was
employed with Hillsboro Glass in Schram City, Illinois for 20 years, but in 1997, the plant was bought by an Iranian and he closed the factory to keep it from competing with his other glass companies. Hillsboro Glass had operated for over 97 years. Olin was President of USWA Local 4369, during his last 11 years there. Olin is now a member of USWA Local 713 and is active in his local as an organizer and Rapid Response Committeeman..
My mothers parents were the late Gus and Vera (Stark) Altevogt. Gus Altevogt was the son of John and Lettie (Sammons) Altevogt, born in Irving, Montgomery County, Il. John Altevogt was the son of Louis and Anna (Heidemann) Altevogt. Louis Altevogt was born in Germany, the son of William Altevogt. Anna (Heidemann) Altevogt, the wife of Louis Altevogt was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1860, the daughter of German born immigrants, John and Anna (?) Heidemann. John Heidemann was born in West Fallen, Germany and came to America in 1859. In 1861, he served in the Civil War with Company E, 5th Missouri Volunteers. John and Lettie (Sammons) Altevogt, Louis and Anna (Heidemann) Altevogt and John and Anna (?) Heidemann are all buried in McCord Cemetery in rural Irving, Montgomery County, Illinois.
Copies of the Altevogt/Heidemann history are on file with the Nokomis Library, 22 South Cedar, Nokomis, Illinois 62075 and court house records for 5 generations are on file at the Montgomery County Courthouse, Courthouse Square, Hillsboro, Illinois 62049.
Dewey Hays was born 14 December 1927 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. He married Florence Altevogt on 20 December 1957 at the First Church of God in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. The minister’s name was Kenneth Tabor. About 2 years later, my parents were notified that the minister that married them the 1st time was a fraud. My parents would marry again on 21 January 1959 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Il. Justice of the Peace, Frank A. Ledferd officiated. Dewey and Florence (Altevogt) Hays had 7 children:
Barbara Elaine (Hays) Clayton born 23 June 1958
Vera May (Hays) Durstine born 01 Aug 1960
Carol Jean (Hays) Thompson born 11 April 1962
Sandra Kay (Hays) Emerson born 18 May 1965
Jimmie Dean Hays born 03 March 1963
David Lee Hays born 07 June 1966
Brenda Lee (Hays) Mehlberg born 14 Jul 1973
Dewey and Florence (Altevogt) Hays were divorced in 1977. Dewey Hays died 14 Jan 1994 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Il. Dewey died from Melanoma with mets. Dewey was cremated, without family authorization, as the Funeral Home Director signed the forms for cremation himself. My parents never kept close contact after the divorce, but W.W. White & Pettiford Funeral Home, never bothered putting anything in the paper and they never attempted to locate next of kin. We involved an attorney, but bottom line, if you don’t suffer a mental illness or heart attack secondary to such news, you have no legal recourse to sue the funeral home, as they say “you can’t prove harm by their actions”. Dewey’s ashes were interred into his sister, Virginia (Hays) Boyd Tucker’s grave at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Sangamon County, Il.
Dewey Carroll Hays was the son of Otis and May (Thomas) Hays. Otis Dewey Hays was born 08 March 1899 in Moweaqua, Christian County, Il. Otis married May Lena Thomas on 24 August 1920 in Taylorville, Christian County, Illinois. Otis and May (Thomas) Hays were parents of seven children:
Violet Florence Hays born 11 June 1923 in Decatur, Il and died 29
February 1924 in Decatur, Illinois. Violet was buried in Fairlawn
Cemetery in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. Adron Lucille Hays born 22 November 1924 in Decatur, Illinois and died 07 September 1925 in Decatur, Illinois. Adron was buried in Fairlawn Cemetery in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois.
Virginia Marie (Hays) Boyd Tucker born 25 March 1925 in Decatur,
Illinois. Virginia was 1st married to a Herman Boyd, as discovered in the newspaper obit of Herman and Virginia Boyd’s son Jackie. They had a son named Jackie Boyd who was born 01 July 1943 in Decatur, Illinois and died17 March 1944 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. Jackie is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. Now Virginia (Hays) Boyd Tucker had 2 daughters that I remember her talking about and their names were Patsy Marie and Mary Ann, but I am not certain if their last name was Boyd or Tucker. Virginia lived as a common law wife to two Tucker brothers named Robert and Wesley Tucker. I learned about these “common law” relationships through records of my father’s from Lincoln State School in Lincoln, Illinois. Otis and May Hays would divorce in 1937 in Macon County, Illinois and
May would become too ill to take care of her children, as she was
granted custody due to Otis’ relationship with another woman, who was named Mrs. McClanahan, in the divorce record. The divorce records stated that May’s children were for awhile cared for by her father and step mother, Willis and Abbie (Pruitt) Thomas in Taylorville, Il. But later three of the boys would be placed in State School’s due to “marital difficulties”. Dewey and Dale Hays would be placed in Lincoln State School in Lincoln, Logan County, Il and John in Vandalia State School in Vandalia, Fayette County, Illinois. My dad’s file gave a great deal of info about their family difficulties. Virginia’s girls have never been heard from, as my family once told me, that her two girls were taken
away from her, for what reason we don’t know? Virginia did grieve to see her daughters again, until the day she died. She would die 11 March 1981 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Il from cancer. She was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. Why Virginia and her sister Erma were never placed in facilities, I just don’t know?
Erma (Hays) Whennen Mills was born 21 June 1929 in Decatur,
Macon County, Illinois. Erma was 1st married to a George Whennen,
who fathered 5 children, whose names, no one knows. Mr. Whennen
would walk out on his family for some unknown reason and Erma and
her kids were starving to death. Rather than see her children suffer, she agreed to have her kids put up for adoption. This data again was found in Lincoln State School’s records. Years later Erma would marry an Ernie Mills on 26 April 1953 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois and they would have a son named Ernie Mills. Erma (Hays) Whennen Mills died 05 October 1955 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois due to cancer.
Erma was buried in Fairlawn Cemetery in Decatur, Macon County,
Illinois. Someday, I would like to find Erma’s children, as I never knew her.
John Arthur Hays was born 29 January 1932 in Decatur, Macon
County, Illinois. John was married to a woman named Mary (Dunn)
Frietag Bowman, but she always went by “Jean”. Jean had a daughter named Sue Frietag by a previous marriage and a son named Doug Bowman and a daughter Becky Bowman by another marriage. John and Jean Hays never had children, simply because everyone knew that Uncle John was born sterile. John and Jean (Dunn) Hays moved to Stephenville, Texas a few years prior to 1985. The summer of 1985, John’s niece Wanda Hays, a daughter of his step sister Barbara, came to stay with him in Stephenville, Texas for the summer. Wanda told the family that on approximately 10 Sept 1985, Jean (Dunn) Hays entered she and John’s bedroom and drove her elbow into John’s groin. Wanda stated John cried out in excruciating pain and Jean began screaming obscenities and stated “I want you to die, you’re worthless.” John was so injured he couldn’t walk and for several days he lay in bed crying out for
help, but Jean refused to hear his pleas to take him to the hospital. Finally on 15 September 1985 Jean agreed to take him to Stephenville Hospital, but by this time, John was so critical, he had to be flown to Fort Worth, Texas, where John died from urosepsis. Uncle John’s wishes were to be buried in Fairlawn Cemetery with his mother and sisters, but Jean would humiliate him still, by having him buried in Point Pleasant Cemetery in Mt. Zion, Macon County, Illinois. No headstone has ever been bought for John’s gravesite and their has been plenty of time. Wanda told family, that after the funeral at JJ Moran’s in Decatur,
Illinois, Jean told Wanda, “honestly Wanda, I didn’t know he was hurt that bad.” Wanda Hays lives in Florida, has never been married and isunable to have children due to cancer problems.
Dale Eugene Hays, the last child of Otis and May (Thomas) Hays, was born 02 January 1934 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. Dale never married and never had children. He was the kindest man I ever knew. It’s too bad, life didn’t deal him a better chance. Dale Hays died from lung cancer on 30 May 1996 in Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois. Dale was buried in Fairlawn Cemetery in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. His bronze headstone, that I purchased for him, reads “Kind and Caring Uncle”.
After Otis and May Hays divorced, Otis married a Hazel Davidson, a one time resident of Lincoln State School. They had a daughter named Barbara Jean Hays. Barbara Hays had a daughter named Wanda Hays, whose father is unknown. Barbara Hays later married a John Tuttle and had three children named, John, Brian and Joetta. John and Barbara Tuttle divorced and she later married a Gene Grove, they too divorced. Barbara later married my mother’s brother, Gus John Altevogt and they reside in Witt, Montgomery County, Illinois. Gus and Barbara Altevogt have never had children. May (Thomas) Hays died 23 Aug 1948 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois and was buried in Fairlawn Cemetery in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. Otis Dewey Hays served in the US Army during WW II. Otis Hays died 23 May 1976 in Decatur,
Macon County, Illinois and he was buried in Camp Butler National
Cemetery in Springfield, Il. He is buried in Section E-grave #1900.
Otis Dewey Hays was the son of George and Hattie (Miller) Hays. George Thompson Hays was born 11 September 1877 in Macoupin
County, Illinois. George T. Hays married Hattie Miller, daughter of Renes and Hilda (Hilton) Miller on 02 October 1898 in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Illinois. Hattie Miller was born 24 January 1875 in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Il. George and Hattie Hays divorced while their sons, Otis and Ernest Hays were young toddlers. Hattie (Miller) Hays later married Elmer Jacobs on 03 April 1902, in Taylorville, Christian County, Illinois. Hattie (Miller) Hays Jacobs died 14 November 1945 in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. Hattie is buried in the Jacobs Family Cemetery in Moweaqua, Illinois. George T. Hays lived in common law with a woman named Tina Heigner, daughter of German immigrants, August and Agnes Heigner. Ms. Tina Heigner was a well known “madam” in Springfield, Il. I once seen a newspaper clipping in the Springfield Journal, where she was visited early one
morning, by two men, thinking them early customers, but alas, they were plain clothed officers, who arrested her for “bootleg liquor”, they found in the bottom of a false bottomed drawer. I have some photos of her, in some really unique dresses. Tina Heigner died in Springfield, Il and George T. Hays died 25 July 1955 in Springfield, Illinois. He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Clear Lake Township in Springfield, Illinois.
George Thompson Hays was the son of Henry and Elzirah (Irvin) Hays. Henry Hays was born 13 March 1841 in Sangamon County, Illinois. Henry was 1st married to a Ruth Tilley and after her death, he married Elzirah Irvin, daughter of William and Sarah (Rader) Irvin on 07 Aug 1873 in Taylorville, Christian County, Illinois. William Irvin was a Pvt in the Mexican War serving with Captain Bogard’s 4th Illinois Volunteers. After the Mexican War, William Irvin served in the Civil War with Company E, 6th Illinois Cavalry as a Blacksmith. William Irvin is buried in Bethel Cemetery in Sharpsburg, Christian County, Illinois.
Henry Hays, son in law of the above William Irvin, served in the Civil War as a Pvt in Company E, 32nd Illinois Infantry. He was wounded in the Battle of Bentonville, S.C. Henry Hays died 18 May 1914 in Moweaqua, Shelby County, Illinois. Elzirah (Irvin) Hays and her husband Henry Hays are buried in the Hays Family Cemetery in Moweaqua, Illinois.
Henry Hays was the son of Andrew and Sarah (Hall) Hays. Andrew Hays was born 26 June 1820 in Martin County, Indiana. Andrew Hays married Sarah Hall in Springfield, Sangamon County, Il. Andrew Hays also served in the Mexican War as a Pvt. Andrew Hays died in Moweaqua, Illinois on 25 July 1891. He and his wife Sarah are also buried in the Hays Family Cemetery.
Andrew Hays was the 16th child of William and Elizabeth (?) Hays. William Hays was born about 1780 in North Carolina. He and his wife Elizabeth are buried in Union Baptist Cemetery in Girard, Macoupin County, Illinois.
May Lena (Thomas) Hays was the daughter of Willis and Alice
(Blewett) Thomas. Alice Blewett was the daughter of Howard Malcolm and Elizabeth V. (McElwain) Blewett. Howard Malcolm Blewett served the Confederacy during the “War Between the States”. He served with Companies B, D, and L of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, riding with “Morgan’s Raider’s.” Howard Malcolm Blewett was captured at Rankin Point, Ohio 21 July 1863 & transferred from Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois 13 Feb 1865 to Point Lookout, Maryland for exchange. Paroled 14 April 1865 on “Oath of Allegiance, at Chattanooga, Tennessee.” He was then transferred to Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, Va, due to severe malnutrition due to starvation and disease. This writer is a
member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Confederate
Dames Chapter #1225 in honor of my great, great grandfather, Howard Malcolm Blewett. Howard Blewett and his wife Elizabeth V. (McElwain) Blewett are buried in the McElwain Family Cemetery in Simpson County, Kentucky. Howard Malcolm Blewett died in 1921. Elizabeth (McElwain) Blewett died 12 June 1880 in Simpson County, Ky. Elizabeth V. (McElwain) Blewett, was the daughter of John Samson and Nancy Ann (Hurt) McElwain, as the 1850 Simpson County, Ky Census, lists the following children for John age 58-m and Nancy age 53-f McElwain:
J.H. McElwain age 22 male
Wm. A. McElwain age 21 male
F.M. McElwain age 16 female
N.A. McElwain age 12 female
E.J. McElwain age 10 female
On March 19, 2000 the Irish mystery of the McElwain’s has been solved. I found a cousin on line by the name of Dorothy Donnell Steers, who was looking for a John Sampson McElwain, who was the son of Irish immigrants, John Samson and Frances (McElwain) McElwain, who arrived in Cecil County, Maryland about 1800. She stated they lived there until about 1812 and then moved to Kentucky. Dorothy stated their was a daughter also named Frances Sidney McElwain. After looking at some Kentucky biographies on the McElwain family in Warren, Simpson, Todd and Logan Counties in Kentucky, it was discovered that an Alexander McElwain, born 1797 in Ireland, was the son of Sampson
and Frances (McElwain) McElwain.
The following history is from “History of Todd County, Ky” ed. J.H. Battle, 1884, F. A. Battery Publishing Co., 1884, pp. 325-326. James C. McElwain was born May 14, 1821, near Russellville, Ky., removed with his parents in childhood to Todd County, where he was reared and still resides. He is the son of Alexander, a native of the city of Cork, Ireland, where he was born in 1780, and immigrated with his widowed mother to
Maryland, in 1790, thence to Logan County, Ky, about 1800 (whither his mother and family followed him), and purchased 1,000 acres of land south of Shakertown, where his mother died. Alexander married Mary W. Frazier, of Logan County, and to them were born: Frances (Parrish), Eliza J. (Young)., Mary (Young)., John W., Caroline (Harrel), James C., and Alexander B. James C. was married in 1841 to Miss Mary, daughter of Gabriel L. Yancy, of Todd County, and this union was blessed with:
Clementine (Chiles)., Maria L. (Bronaugh), James W., Mary W. (Hord)., and Edward L. After the death of his wife in 1861, subject married, in 1862, Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of George O. Thompson, of Hopkinsville, Ky, and from this union sprang: Ellen G., George A., Gertrude and Carrie. Mr. McElwain is engaged in the business of farming, owning 225 acres of very fine land, which he is successfully cultivating in wheat, corn and tobacco. He is a Cumberland Prebyterian, a Granger, formerly an Old Line Whig, but now a Democrat!
The above mentioned Alexander McElwain was the son of Alexander and Frances (?) McElwain. Alexander McElwain Sr. died in Londonderry, now known as Derry County, Ireland. His wife Frances would leave Ireland a widow with 11 children. Her daughter Frances, was my 4th great grandmother. She married John Samson McElwain, as stated in grandmother Francis McElwain’s will, on file in Logan County, Ky. But the dilemma here, is who did John Samson McElwain belong to? Many assume Frances McElwain and John Samson McElwain were 1st cousins? John and Frances (McElwain) McElwain were parents of John Samson McElwain, who married Nancy Hurt, daughter of John Hurt, as stated in their marriage license on file in Warren County, Ky.
The following history is taken from “Simpson County Kentucky
Families-Past and Present” page 14:
Frances McElwain, was the daughter of Lord Rowden of
Londonderry, Ireland. She ran off and married a “commoner”,
Alexander McElwain. Her family disowned her. They were the parents of 11 children. They lived in Cork, Ireland. After a period of time, Alexander died and Francis decided to come to America. She paid passage for her 11 children, an aunt and an uncle and also for seven white servants and all their personal belongings. They came across in a wooden hull ship, taking nine weeks and three days before they landed. Francis bought 384 acres of real estate in Annapolis, Montgomery County, Maryland, near Rockville. She paid 642 pounds for the 384 acres in 1791. Later she decided to come to Kentucky. In 1810 she purchased 1273 acres some two and one half miles southeast of Auburn
on Highway 1039, then it was the great Kentucky Road. She died in 1825 and along with most of her children, are buried on the farm on the Simpson-Logan County line. Some of the land is owned by Dodger and Vardee Hollins and some owned by James Wilson at the present time, September, 1988. Article was submitted by David Appling.
The following is a transcribed copy of the will of Frances (Rowden) McElwain, my 5th great grandmother. Her will is on file in Logan County, Kentucky:
Logan County, Kentucky, Will Bk C, pp 175-176, 16 December 1813,
probated 04 April 1825.
In the name of God Amen. I, Frances McElwain of the county of Logan and State of Kentucky, knowing the great uncertainty of life and certainty of death, do make this my last will and Testament, revoking wills heretofore made, in substance and form as follows:
Item. To my Son James McElwain I give and bequeath to him and his heirs forever one negro boy known by the name of Nathan? also one other negro boy by the name of Edestley? also my wagon geer? and the four horses that are known as waggon horses & also all my stock of cattle, also horses, sheep and hoggs not hereafter disposed of, and I...in consequence of leaving my said son James to support my daughters Ann McElwain, Mary McElwain, Grasah McElwain and Margaret McElwain so long as they shall remain unmarried or seek proper to live with their Brother....and....?
Item. To my son Joseph McElwain I give and bequeath to him and his heirs forever one negro boy named Charles also one mare and colt, one bed, bedstead and the clothing thereunto belonging together with-/-cow and calves.
Item. To my daughter Ann McElwain I give and bequeath to her and her heirs forever my negro girl Sylvia with all her issue, also bed, bedstead and the clothing thereunto belonging together with one young horse.
Item. To my daughter Mary McElwain I give and bequeath to her and her heirs forever, my negro girl Amey with her increase, also one bed, bedstead and and the clothing thereunto belonging, together with one young horse.
Item. To my daughter Graseal McElwain I give and bequeath to her and her heirs forever my negro girl Evennah with her increase, also one bed, bedstead and the clothing thereunto belonging together with a sorrel horse known by my -?- family as hers.
Item. To my daughter Margaret McElwain I give and bequeath to her and her heirs forever my negro girl Sylvia with her mother Letty and their increase, also one bed, bedstead and the clothing thereunto belonging, together with one young horse.
Item. To my daughter Lydia, who intermarried with David Russell, I leave one cow and calf. I give her no more, having at her marriage given her a negro girl named Cass with her future increase, also a bed, bedstead and clothing thereunto belonging together with a mare.
Item. To my sons Michael McElwain, Alexander McElwain and my
daughter Francis (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s 4th great grandmother) who intermarried with John Samson McElwain and my daughter Elizabeth who intermarried with William Orr, I leave and bequeath to each of them ten dollars in cash to be paid by my executor hereafter named.
Item. I leave and appoint my son James McElwain my sole executor to fulfill and carry this my will into effect.
In testimony whereof I, Frances McElwain, hath set my hand and affixed my seal, this sixteenth day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and thirteen. Signed and sealed in presence of John McCutcheon, William McCutchen and Gale L. Ewes?
Signed Francis McElwain.
Logan County Ct. At a County Court held for said county at the
courthouse in Russellville on the 4th day of April 1825 the within last will and testament of Frances McElwain, deed, produced in open court, proven by the oaths of John and William McCutcheon, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded and the same together with this certificate
Howard Malcolm Blewett was the son of Edward and Lucy (Leaton) Blewett. Edward Blewett was the son of Eli K. and Elizabeth Ann (Williams) Blewett. Elizabeth A. Blewett was the daughter of Edward and Rebecca (Houstes) Williams, born 09 October 1776 in Pennsylvania. Eli Blewett was born 15 March 1765 in Blewett Falls, N.C. Eli married Elizabeth Williams 23 November 1791 in Richmond County, N.C. Eli K. Blewett died 08 March 1837 in Woodbury, Warren County, Kentucky. His wife Elizabeth died 25 August 1867 also in Woodbury, Warren County, Kentucky. Both are buried in Old Zion Church Cemetery in Warren County, Kentucky. Eli Blewett was the son of William and Elizabeth (Morris) Blewett.
Willis Thomas, spouse of Alice Blewett, was born 25 August 1876 in Kentucky. Willis Thomas married Alice Blewett on 12 December 1894 in Simpson County, Ky. Willis Thomas would leave his family in Kentucky and marry a woman named Abbie Pruitt on 10 December 1918 in Taylorville, Christian County, Illinois, but never divorced his 1st wife. Willis Thomas died 26 August 1941 in Taylorville, Christian County, Illinois and he is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville, Il, along with his brother William and his 2nd wife Abbie.
Willis Thomas was the son of Isaac and Lucinda (Henson) Thomas. Isaac Thomas was born 30 November 1845 in either Allen or Simpson County, Ky. Isaac married Lucinda Jane Henson, who was born 15 March 1855, the daughter of Riley and Sarah (Wright) Henson. Isaac Thomas died 27 January 1915 in Simpson County, Kentucky and was buried in Black Jack Cemetery in the same county.
Lucinda (Henson) Thomas was the daughter of Riley and Sarah
(Wright) Henson. Riley Henson was born 10 August 1828 in Simpson
County, Kentucky and died 20 May 1911 in Temperence, Simpson
County, Ky. Riley’s wife Sarah was born 12 September 1827 in Simpson County, Kentucky and died 25 July 1920, also in Simpson County, Ky. Both Riley and Sarah Henson are buried in Hopewell Cemetery in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky.
Sarah (Wright) Henson was the daughter of James Kennan and
Malinda (Todd) Wright. James Wright was born 1800 and Malinda was
born between 1800-1810.
Riley Henson was the son of James and Lucinda (Ward) Henson, both born 1813.
This writer will be traveling to Kentucky in June to visit several cemeteries and learn more about my Irish heritage.
The following history is from “History of Todd County, Ky” ed. J.H. Battle, 1884, F. A. Battery Publishing Co., 1884, pp. 325-326. James C. McElwain was born May 14, 1821, near Russellville, Ky., removed with his parents in childhood to Todd County, where he was reared and still resides. He is the son of Alexander, a native of the city of Cork, Ireland, where he was born in 1780, and immigrated with his widowed mother to Maryland, in 1790, thence to Logan County, Ky, about 1800 (whither his mother and family followed him), and purchased 1,000 acres of land south of Shakertown, where his mother died. Alexander married Mary W. Frazier, of Logan County, and to them were born: Frances (Parrish), Eliza J. (Young)., Mary (Young)., John W., Caroline (Harrel), James C., and Alexander B. James C. was married in 1841 to Miss Mary, daughter of Gabriel L. Yancy, of Todd County, and this union was blessed with:
Clementine (Chiles)., Maria L. (Bronaugh), James W., Mary W. (Hord)., and Edward L. After the death of his wife in 1861, subject married, in 1862, Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of George O. Thompson, of Hopkinsville, Ky, and from this union sprang: Ellen G., George A., Gertrude and Carrie. Mr. McElwain is engaged in the business of farming, owning 225 acres of very fine land, which he is successfully cultivating in wheat, corn and tobacco. He is a Cumberland Prebyterian, a Granger, formerly an Old Line Whig, but now a Democrat!
The above mentioned Alexander McElwain was the son of Alexander and Frances (?) McElwain. Alexander McElwain Sr. died in Londonderry, now known as Derry County, Ireland. His wife Frances would leave Ireland a widow with 11 children. Her daughter Frances, was my 4th great grandmother. She married John Samson McElwain, as stated in grandmother Francis McElwain’s will, on file in Logan County, Ky. But the dilemma here, is who did John Samson McElwain belong to? Many assume Frances McElwain and John Samson McElwain were 1st cousins? John and Frances (McElwain) McElwain were parents of John Samson McElwain, who married Nancy Hurt, daughter of John Hurt, as stated in their marriage license on file in Warren County, Ky.
The following history is taken from “Simpson County Kentucky Families-Past and Present” page 14:
Frances McElwain, was the daughter of Lord Rowden of Londonderry, Ireland. She ran off and married a “commoner”, Alexander McElwain. Her family disowned her. They were the parents of 11 children. They lived in Cork, Ireland. After a period of time, Alexander died and Francis decided to come to America. She paid passage for her 11 children, an aunt and an uncle and also for seven white servants and all their personal belongings. They came across in a wooden hull ship, taking nine weeks and three days before they landed. Francis bought 384 acres of real estate in Annapolis, Montgomery County, Maryland, near Rockville. She paid 642 pounds for the 384 acres in 1791. Later she decided to come to Kentucky. In 1810 she purchased 1273 acres some two and one half miles southeast of Auburn on Highway 1039, then it was the great Kentucky Road. She died in 1825 and along with most of her children, are buried on the farm on the Simpson-Logan County line. Some of the land is owned by Dodger and Vardee Hollins and some owned by James Wilson at the present time, September, 1988. Article was submitted by David Appling.
The following is a transcribed copy of the will of Frances (Rowden) McElwain, my 5th great grandmother. Her will is on file in Logan County, Kentucky:
Logan County, Kentucky, Will Bk C, pp 175-176, 16 December 1813, probated 04 April 1825.
In the name of God Amen. I, Frances McElwain of the county of Logan and State of Kentucky, knowing the great uncertainty of life and certainty of death, do make this my last will and Testament, revoking wills heretofore made, in substance and form as follows:
Item. To my Son James McElwain I give and bequeath to him and his heirs forever one negro boy known by the name of Nathan? also one other negro boy by the name of Edestley? also my wagon geer? and the four horses that are known as waggon horses & also all my stock of cattle, also horses, sheep and hoggs not hereafter disposed of, and I...in consequence of leaving my said son James to support my daughters Ann McElwain, Mary McElwain, Grasah McElwain and Margaret McElwain so long as they shall remain unmarried or seek proper to live with their Brother....and....?
Item. To my son Joseph McElwain I give and bequeath to him and his heirs forever one negro boy named Charles also one mare and colt, one bed, bedstead and the clothing thereunto belonging together with-/-cow and calves.
Item. To my daughter Ann McElwain I give and bequeath to her and her heirs forever my negro girl Sylvia with all her issue, also bed, bedstead and the clothing thereunto belonging together with one young horse.
Item. To my daughter Mary McElwain I give and bequeath to her and her heirs forever, my negro girl Amey with her increase, also one bed, bedstead and and the clothing thereunto belonging, together with one young horse.
Item. To my daughter Graseal McElwain I give and bequeath to her and her heirs forever my negro girl Evennah with her increase, also one bed, bedstead and the clothing thereunto belonging together with a sorrel horse known by my -?- family as hers.
Item. To my daughter Margaret McElwain I give and bequeath to her and her heirs forever my negro girl Sylvia with her mother Letty and their increase, also one bed, bedstead and the clothing thereunto belonging, together with one young horse.
Item. To my daughter Lydia, who intermarried with David Russell, I leave one cow and calf. I give her no more, having at her marriage given her a negro girl named Cass with her future increase, also a bed, bedstead and clothing thereunto belonging together with a mare.
Item. To my sons Michael McElwain, Alexander McElwain and my daughter Francis (Barb (Hays) Clayton’s 4th great grandmother) who intermarried with John Samson McElwain and my daughter Elizabeth who intermarried with William Orr, I leave and bequeath to each of them ten dollars in cash to be paid by my executor hereafter named.
Item. I leave and appoint my son James McElwain my sole executor to fulfill and carry this my will into effect.
In testimony whereof I, Frances McElwain, hath set my hand and affixed my seal, this sixteenth day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and thirteen. Signed and sealed in presence of John McCutcheon, William McCutchen and Gale L. Ewes?
Signed Francis McElwain.
Logan County Ct. At a County Court held for said county at the courthouse in Russellville on the 4th day of April 1825 the within last will and testament of Frances McElwain, deed, produced in open court, proven by the oaths of John and William McCutcheon, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded and the same together with this certificate
Howard Malcolm Blewett was the son of Edward and Lucy (Leaton) Blewett. Edward Blewett was the son of Eli K. and Elizabeth Ann (Williams) Blewett. Elizabeth A. Blewett was the daughter of Edward and Rebecca (Houstes) Williams, born 09 October 1776 in Pennsylvania. Eli Blewett was born 15 March 1765 in Blewett Falls, N.C. Eli married Elizabeth Williams 23 November 1791 in Richmond County, N.C. Eli K. Blewett died 08 March 1837 in Woodbury, Warren County, Kentucky. His wife Elizabeth died 25 August 1867 also in Woodbury, Warren County, Kentucky. Both are buried in Old Zion Church Cemetery in Warren County, Kentucky. Eli Blewett was the son of William and Elizabeth (Morris) Blewett.
Willis Thomas, spouse of Alice Blewett, was born 25 August 1876 in Kentucky. Willis Thomas married Alice Blewett on 12 December 1894 in Simpson County, Ky. Willis Thomas would leave his family in Kentucky and marry a woman named Abbie Pruitt on 10 December 1918 in Taylorville, Christian County, Illinois, but never divorced his 1st wife. Willis Thomas died 26 August 1941 in Taylorville, Christian County, Illinois and he is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville, Il, along with his brother William and his 2nd wife Abbie.
Willis Thomas was the son of Isaac and Lucinda (Henson) Thomas. Isaac Thomas was born 30 November 1845 in either Allen or Simpson County, Ky. Isaac married Lucinda Jane Henson, who was born 15 March 1855, the daughter of Riley and Sarah (Wright) Henson. Isaac Thomas died 27 January 1915 in Simpson County, Kentucky and was buried in Black Jack Cemetery in the same county.
Lucinda (Henson) Thomas was the daughter of Riley and Sarah (Wright) Henson. Riley Henson was born 10 August 1828 in Simpson County, Kentucky and died 20 May 1911 in Temperence, Simpson County, Ky. Riley’s wife Sarah was born 12 September 1827 in Simpson County, Kentucky and died 25 July 1920, also in Simpson County, Ky. Both Riley and Sarah Henson are buried in Hopewell Cemetery in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky.
Sarah (Wright) Henson was the daughter of James Kennan and Malinda (Todd) Wright. James Wright was born 1800 and Malinda was born between 1800-1810.
Riley Henson was the son of James and Lucinda (Ward) Henson, both born 1813.
This writer will be traveling to Kentucky in June to visit several cemeteries and learn more about my Irish heritage.
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