"Will of Isaac Miranda"
In the Name of our god amen The Twentieth Day of June in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & thirty two I Issac Miranda of the county of Lancaster & Province of Pennsylvania Gent.
being of very sick & weak in Body but of Perfect mind & Memory thanks be given unto God therefore Calling onto Mind the Mortality of my Body and knowning that it is appointed for all Men once to dye do make and Ordain this my Laast Will & Testament this to say principally & first of all I give and Recomend my soul into the Hands of God that give it And for my Boby I recommend it to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my Executor nothing doubting but at the Generall Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased me in this Life I give devise and Dispose of the frime in the following manner
Imprimis It is my Will and I do order That in the first Place all my Just Debts and funerall charge be paid and satisfyed. Item It my Will that my Plantation in Dunegall in the County aforesaid and all Effects thereunto amounting very near the Sum of Two hundred Pounds be sold at a publick Vandue by my Executor here under mentioned and that all my Just Debts be paid and answered out of the same and that the Remainder be paid to Thomas Leech. Item I give and Bequeath unto Ma Meranda my duaghter my two houses in the City of Philadelp now rented to one Mr. Biles together with all my household goods Bookes Cother Moveables. Item I give and Bequeath to James Hamiton if he marres my daughter all my Land which I bought of Joseph Pidgeon lying and being upon Rareington River which is Three Thousand Three hundred and fourteen Acres of Land but it is here my will that the foresaid tract of Land be sold at a Public Vandue by my Executrix and the Money I give to the aforesaid. Item I will that the one Thousand two Hundred & Fifty Acres of Land which I bought of William Betle lying & being upon Rough away in the Jerseys be likewise sold at a Public Vandue and the money given to my Loving Son George Meranda. Item I give and Bequeath unto my beloved daughter Mary Meranda aforesd. my Gold Watch and Chain & Diamond Rings together with all my plate Locked up in a trunck now lying at the House of Thomas Leech in Philadelphia and my late Wifes Cloaths. Item I give in Trust to Thomas Leech whom I likewise Constitute make and ordain my only & Sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament all the money due to me from William Rawle in Order to pay what is due from me and the Remainder I give to my aforesaid Executor he taking care of my Daughter Mary and whereas their is Ninety Five Punds St coming from England by Perquin & Sitwell in Iron ware I desire & it is my Will that my aforesd. Execut do sell the same and the Money I give to James Hamilton if he mares my Daughter other ways to my Daughter Mary Meranda. Item I do hereby desire that my Execut may order to be taken up Eight breeding Mares two White Horses and a Sorrell Horse now run in the Woods and the said Creatures be sold and the money I give to George Meranda upon the Conditions aforesaid or else other ways. Item I do hereby further desire my aforesaid Execut to Collect and receive of these Persons hereafter, Charles Empson the sum of Twenty Pounds, Hannah Grounden the sum of Thirty Three Pounds widdw. Allison of Burlington the sum of Fifty Pounds, Samuel Gaines of New Castle the sum of Ten Pounds, Patrick Martin the sum of Twelve Pounds & John McCain in the Sum of Seven pounds of which said Sums of money I do give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Meranda And further whereas it is my will that what my Brother Joseph Meranda Steward of Tuscany has left me by Will or will leave me I do hereby give to James Hamilton if he Maries my daughter otherways wholly to herself and I do hereby utterly disanull revoak & disallow all and every other former Testament Will Legacies & Execut, by me in any ways before this time name willed & bequeathed Ratifyed Confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament Only this Mentions before Sealing and Delivery that I give my son Samuel Meranda One English Shilling In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the Day & Year first above written.
Signed Sealed Published pronounces & declared by the said Isaac Meranda as his last Will and Testament in the Presence of the subscribers Samuel Bethell, Edmond Cartleetge Jr., R. Marsden
My Deeds is in Simon Edgell hands in the High Street in Philadelphia to whom I owe not a peny
I give 500 a. of Land for my Son Samuel out of my Daughters Tract and the same Power that I gave to James Mitchell & John Catherwood by virtue of Power of Attoeney I will and bequeath to my son George to to receive & pay as he see meet and to have my Plantation in Dunnegall and th Wam Soon at Saml Bethelly and the two White Hores Therefore I now make the afd Power of Attorney void & of no effect as witness my hand
Isaac was a Huguenot Frenchman, his place of birth may have been Italy, Spain or other Jewish population center of Europe, but it is believed his father Emanuel Miranda through efforts to avoid religious persecution chose to identify with French Huguenots who also became outlawed in most of Christen-dom following the revocation in 1685 of the Edict of Nantes. Emanuel moved the family to London, England. Isaac it is assumed also was in London but left for the British colonies in America. The date of his arrival is not established, but it is felt he may have been in New York and the Jerseys for a time before making his residence in Philadelphia where he became naturalized and became a British subject Dec. 5, 1710. (see MS for more details of Isaac Miranda )
"Will Of James Meranda"
I James Meranda of Bracken County being of sound mind and memory and being apprised of my growing infirmity arising from age, and that death is the common lot of all men, do make and ordain as for my last Will and Testament as follows, to wit:
First after my just debts and funeral charges are paid. It is my will and desire that my beloved wife Susannah have use of my house and Garden, all the house hold and Kitchen furniture farming utentials, A Grey mare and sadle comonly used by her, and all that part of the tract of land whereon I now live East of a line to be run due South through my land to the back line, for and during her natural life, and whereas I have given to my son James, Samuel and Isaac, as much as will nearly amount to their proportion of my estate, now it is my will and desire that after the death of my beloved wife, that part of my land left her East of the line to be run a due south course through my land to the back line, together with the remaining personal Estate be sold on a reasonable credit for the best price that can be had, that Two Hundred Dollars a part of the proceeds of said Sale be paid over to my son James his heirs or assigns and One Hundred Dollars a part of said Sale be paid to my son Samuel his heirs or assigns, and the remainder by equally divided between the rest of my heirs, viz: my son Thomas, Jonathan and John and my son in law Michael C. Snyder, and the children of my Deceased Son Isaac and the survivors of them and their heirs, my son Isaacs children having only the proportion equal to the said Thomas Meranda, Jonathan Meranda & Michael C. Snyder.
I give and bequeath to my son Jonathan all the land that may lay South West of a due South line from his upper Corner on the River to my back line to him and his heirs for ever. I give and bequeath to my son Thomas, all the land in the following bounds, to wit: to begin at the upper corner of my son Jonathan on the River Ohio thence with Jonathans line a due South course to my back line. thence from the beginning, up the River Forty poles to a large Sycamore on said River bank thence a due south course to my back line and with the same to Jonathans Corner to him and for his heirs forever. I give and bequeath to my son John all the land lying within the following bounds, to wit: Beginning at the upper corner of my son Thomas on the bank of the River, thence with his line a due south course to my back line, thence from the beginning up said River forty poles from thence a due South course to my back line, and with the same to Thomas Corner to him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my son in law Michael C. Snyder all the land lying in the following bounds to wit: Beginning at the upper corner on the River of my said John thence a due south course with said John line to my back line, thence from the beginning up the River to the Mouth of my land then there the same due South course to my back line and with the same to John Corner to him and his heirs forever, exception never the less, my house and garden during the life of said wife, It is further to be understood that I charge the land hereby bequeathed to my son John and my son in law Michael C. Snyder for the payment of five Basketts of corn or three bushels of wheat, per annum for each and every acre of land Cleared thereon, unto my said wife for during her natural life, on Case she may stand in need thereof,
And lastly I do hereby Ordain Constitute and appoint my beloved wife Susannah my son James and my friend Martin Marshall my whole and sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and assined my Seal this first day of June Eighteen Hundred and Sixteen
Signed, sealed & published and
Declared in the Presence of
(Seal)
James Meranda -- Sent
James Armstrong
Arthur Thorne
Samuel Sharpe
Nathaniel Patterson
Vachel Weldon
Bracken County Court March 1818
This last Will and Testament of James Meranda, Deceased was proven in open court by the oaths of Nathaniel Patterson, James Armstrong and Vachel Weldon, Subscribing Witness thereto, was ordered to be Recorded which is duly done. Att. John Colglazer, D.C.
GENERATION 2. & 3.
Isaac and Mary (?) Miranda
Their Children:
(1) George was the oldest son of Isaac Miranda. He was probably a convert to Christianity. In the 1739's he carried on his father's business of Indian trading in western Pennsylvania. He was known to have been on the upper Ohio River Valley and Allegheny River as early as 1736. In his father's "Will" he was heir to land in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
On 9 July 1737, George was married in Swede's Church in Philadelphia to Ann Magdalen Many.
Archives from New Jersey Library record that he died interstate before May 1792 and that Ann Magdalen Miranda was appointed administratrix.
George Miranda, son of Isaac Miranda, was reported on the Wabash River in the year 1748. He, it is further said, joined Peter Chartier, a half breed, as the only traders to sign a petition dated 1748 which, with the names of 94 Indians, was submitted to the governor requesting that liquor not be sold to the Indians. This was at Chartier's village north of the Forks of the Ohio River in todays western Pennsylvania. During the time of the above mentioned conflict it is said George accepted a French commission, at least for a while, to be commandant of the French outpost on the Wabash.
Ann and George had two children: Mary, who died 5 June 1740 and Jeremiah, who died 30 July 1742.
Since records show that George had four other children, he was evidently married previously. Four sons were: Samuel, John, James, and Abraham. (cet ??)
(2) Mary was probably a Christian, only known daughter of Isaac and Mary Miranda. Mary Miranda was married 4 July 1736 to Francis Many at Swede's Church in Philadelphia. Cemetery records of Christ Church in Philadelphia show the following:
5 Sept. 1738 -- Anne Manny dau. of Francis
3 Dec. 1738 -- Mary Manny dau. of Francis
26 Sept. 1744 - Mary Manny wife of Francis
15 Jan. 1752 -- Margaret Manny (?) dau. of Francis
10 July 1756 -- Manij son of Francis
(3) Samuel the son of Isaac Miranda was a young man in 1732 when his father died. He had lived with Indians on the frontier several years and on learning of his fathers pending death returned to Lancaster Co. and was given additional inheritance by his father, It is said he had with him his son, George, born to him and an Indian maid, at the time the child was about two years of age.
It seems Samuel and his family dwelt with the Indians and had been sympathetic with the French and their Indian allies throughout the conflicts between the French and English (French and Indian War). On the frontier Samuel Meranda was in the business of trade with the Indians as was his son, George b. ca. 1730.
The name of George's mother remains unknown. His wife, also an Indian woman, is unknown. George's children is believed to be James and Samuel who were at Fort Jackson in western Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War.
Generation 4.
James, the son of George, married Susannah Owens. Her father was of the same sort as was George and his grandfather Samuel. John Owens also a trader among the Indian tribes had a large family by an Indian woman. Some of his sons were notorious as frontiersmen and Indian fighters in the conflicts throughout the last half of the eighteenth century. His daughter, Susannah, married James Meranda about 1767-8 during the lull between the two major wars in the late colonial period. It is probable they were in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania for a time prior to settling on land next to Fort Jackson in present day Greene Co., Pennsylvania, where they remained until after the Revolutionary War. One might believe that James and Susannah were as much Indian in blood as white. To that date their ancestors consisted of Jewish and American Indian lineage.
Generation 5.
Our next ancestor is their son, Samuel Meranda, who had a colorful life for the first half of his life. His mother-in-law was a sister to James Herrod, a frontiersman of note. The names of men in Frontier History of that period were known to the family and often closely related. (see MS for further records)
The James Meranda Story
Generation 6, 7, & 8.
Our ancestor, James Meranda, was the son of Robert L. and Mercy Caroline (Davis) Meranda. He was born March 17, 1846 in Clark Co., Ohio. The following year the family was in Darke Co., Ohio where they remained only two years. In 1849 his father moved the family to Randolph Co., Indiana, settling in section 15 of Franklin Twp. south of the little mill town of Ridgeville.
They were late comers to the area. The last of the government land had been sold in that county n 1840. Three routes lead into the northern part of the county, two from Winchester and one from Union City. All roads remained in a primitive state for many years as the ax was the major tool in road construction and even late comers found themselves cutting a path into the forest to establish a farmstead. James Meranda's youth was spent in a totally rural atmosphere being little effected by events beyond the local settlement.
His first encounter with the outside world came as a result of the Civil War. In 1862 at the age of 16 years he saw his brother, Milton, enlist in the all volunteer 55th Indiana Regiment for a three month enlistment, all believing it was going to be a short war. Milton returned home in September of 1862 having seen nothing of the rebels with his zeal for soldiering considerably dampened.
It seems James had his own ideas of soldiering and twice attempted to enlist in the army counter to his parents wishes. Not being 18 years of age and his own man his efforts had failed. Early in 1864 a call went out for volunteers for the 124th Indiana Regiment being formed at Camp Wayne, Richmond, Indiana. Being only one month short of his eighteenth birthday, James this time succeeded, enlisting on February 12, 1864 at the recruiting station at Winchester, Indiana and returned home with 60.00 dollars bounty money in his pocket. On March 7th he reported to Camp Wayne and was assigned to Company "H" of the 124th Indiana Regiment. On the 12th he was in the camp hospital with the Measles, like most Indiana farm boys isolated in rural areas, all were at great risk to communicable diseases when brought together in army camps. With low immunity even childhood diseases were often life threatening. This same month James' 12 year old brother died. Could the cause of Samuel's death have been Measles ?
The 124th Indiana Regiment was moved to Indianapolis leaving James in the hospital at Camp Wayne.
On March 19th the Regiment left for Louisville, Kentucky and thence to Nashville, Tennessee. At Nashville the 124th Indiana Regiment was attached to the 23rd Army Corps, Army of the Ohio.
The Atlanta Campaign began on May 1st. 1864. The !24th Indiana marched south encountering enemy resistance in Georgia at Dalton, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, and Allatoona Hills.
James did not leave Camp Wayne until early in June after Allatoona had been taken by the Union Army. Operations were directed toward Marrietta and Kenesaw Mountain in June with an assault on Kenesaw Mountain on the 27th. James may have been on line with his Company for a time in June but was in no action against the enemy. On the 27th James was in the hospital at Allatoona with Pneumonia. He rejoined his Company after the capture of Allatoona and soon thereafter reported to the hospital at Marietta with Pneumonia and Dysentery. He reported for duty next on September 12th. The 124th Indiana Regiment was at the time in camp at Decatur east of Atlanta. where they remained until the Confederate Army under General Hood moved out of Atlanta and advanced north to cut Union lines of Communications. On October 4th James was on duty with "H" Company joined in the pursuit of Hood. The march and exposure did James in again. He reported to the hospital and was diagnosed as having "Disease of heart" and was given furlough on the 5th of November.
James made the journey home and returned to Nashville on the 21st of November. The trip must have been made on the railroad cars which gave him a few days at home.
On the 23rd he reported for duty below Franklin. No sooner than he reported on line, General Schofield ordered the 23 rd Corps to fall back north to Franklin. Company "C" of the 124 Indiana Regiment was captured by the confederates in the withdrawal. On the evening of the 30th a battle line was drawn at Franklin on the south edge of town. General Hood attack but was repulsed after several attempts were made to carry the position. Confederate loses were great. December 15th on a line south of Nashville Union forces attach General Hoods Army and inflicted a ruinous defeat upon the southern army. It is stated the Confederates left 7500 dead on the battle field in these two engagements. The Union Army pursued the defeated army to the Tennessee River and them went into Camp at Columbia
On January 11th 1865 the Regiment marched to Clifton where it embarked on transport to Cincinnati. The Battle of Franklin and Nashville were the two battles inwhich James Meranda seen action during his service in the army.
James' brother, Milton, had enlisted at Winchester, Indiana on the 30th of November. (the same day that James was in the most hazardous action he personally experienced during the war.) Milton was reported on the muster rolls of Co. "H" 124th January of 1865. They may have first seen each other at Columbia or Clifton, Tennessee, more likely in camp at Columbia, Tennessee for the 124th marched to Clifton on the Tennessee River and there boarded transport (river boat) to Cincinnati, Ohio. In all they were in transit from mid January until February 24. They arrived in Washington D.C. by railroad cars, where they boarded a troop ship to pass down the coast to Morehead, North Carolina.
On the 1st of March the regiment joined the campaign of North Carolina. In the advance on Kinston the young Captain James I. Neff of Randolph Co., Indiana, Captain of Company "H" of the 124th Indiana Regiment. was killed during a charge against the enemy at Wise Forks.
From Morehead to New Bern is about 36 miles of swampy low ground and about 37 more miles of higher ground to Kinston. The action at Wise Forks took place 4 miles east of Kinston. James and Milton were not in that action but were at the hospital at New Bern. James had came down with Malaria Fever and Milton had also broken down on the early stages of the march. Milton's medical record states the following: "March 8th 1865; From exposure to rain while sleeping on the ground without tents got clothing and blankets soaking wet and heavy caused rheumatism and at the same time on the same march, from hard marching, blanket and clothing wet and heavy caused piles. He broke down and gave out in the march and was treated at New Bern and remained under treatment until mustered out in August 31, 1865". James was returned to duty and was in the marches terminating at Charlotte, North Carolina. The Regiment was sent to Greensboro in late August and mustered out on the 31st.
BIOGRAPHY
OF
MILTON MERANDA
History of Randolph Co., In.
By Tucker
Published 1882
Milton Meranda, farmer, P. O. Farmland, was born in Clark Co., Ohio, December 22, 1840. His father, was born in Bourbon Co., Kentucky, October 9, 1809, but was reared and educated in Clark County, Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Mercy Caroline Davis. She was born near Yellow Springs, Ohio, in 1814. Both came to Randolph Co., Indiana, in 1849, locating in Franklin Township, where they remained until death.
Milton the subject of this biography, enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Indiana Regiment for the three months' served early in the late war, and re-enlisted in Company H, One hundred and twenty-fourth Regiment, for one year. He participated in the battles at Nashville, Wise's Fork and elsewhere. He was married on the 1st of October, 1865 to Matilda A Faust, daughter of Christian Faust, who was born in Know County, Tenn. Mr. Meranda and his wife are the parents of six children, viz., William F., Rosanna, James I., Lillian, Peter L. and Doralee.
He was engaged in farming during the greater part of his life, but for the past twelve years he has been engaged in milling pursuits, having an interest in a good saw-mill at Shedville. In politics, he is a democrat. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church.
George, James younger brother, enlisted in the Union Army on January 21, 1865. He was with the 147 Indiana Regiment, Company "A". He was in no combat but also suffered ill health. George Meranda's phsyical discription as stated in his service record was five foot seven inches, hazel eyes, dark complexion and brown hair. James Meranda's record stated him to be five foot nine inches, gray eyes and dark complexion and black hair. George and Milton both had pension records in the Military files. James had none as he died before an act to provide veterans pension was passed by Congress.
The 124th Indiana Regiment lost 155 men of which 129 were from diseases. Of the original 1037 enlisted men forming the regiment in March of 1864. Only 565 men were mustered out at the final muster in August of 1865. Wounds and various disabilities took a heavy toll resulting in early discharges.
.The much depleted 124th Indiana Regiment arrived at Indianapolis on the 10th of September, 1865 and after ceremonies at the State House Grove the men were given their final payment and discharge from further military duty.
Sometime after returning home James was attracted to a young girl living north of the Mississinewa River in the home of John Wilson. She was Joanna Addington the daughter of Joab and Barbara Harshman Addington. Her father had died soon after her birth and her mother then married John Wilson who had lost his wife and was left with several children. In the year 1864, 19 persons were found in the household.
In 1867 John Wilson made plans to move the family to Missouri in the Fall, the same year James Meranda was certain he wished to marry Joanna but her mother and step father would not give their consent as Joanna was much to young to marry. When the family packed their wagons and left for Missouri Joanna went with them, leaving James behind much distressed.
It has been told that James parents did all they could to discourage him from following the Wilsons to Missouri. As the weeks passed James finally left home and made his way to Missouri where with consent of John Wilson and her mother, Joanna and James were married, February 6, 1868. Joanna was 15 years of age and James was nearly 22 years. James provided for his family by farming on various rented farms located around Pineville, Mc Donald County, Missouri. James lived in Missouri for a total of 18 years.
The first child born to James and Joanna was a daughter, Mercy Ann Meranda born May 25, 1870. As was the norm of the time every second or third year another child was born. Minerva Alice Meranda was born October 18, 1872, Effie Elizabeth Meranda was born March 31, 1875, Rose Altha Merandaborn August 16, 1877, James Delver Merandaborn October 19, 1880 and on December 8, 1883 the twins Lona Dale Merandaand Lawson Meranda were born. Lawson lived but one week and the mother lived but one month and three days. Joanna died January 11, 1884 and was buried on her 31st birthday.
James never recovered from the grief he felt, He shot himself in the chest on August 3, 1886. Lawson, Joanna, and James are buried at the Shelt Neol Cemetery, McDonald County, Missouri. Also buried there are John Wilson, Joanna's mother, Barbara and other relatives.
James Meranda Suicides
The Pineville News
August 4, 1886
Illustrated History
McDonald County, Missouri by Sturges
Gc 977.801, M14s, Ft. Wayne Library
Yesterday afternoon James Meranda, a farmer who has been living near this place for the past twenty years, and for the last two years on Mrs. Chenoweth's Place, one mile north of Pineville committed suicide by shooting himself through the heart with a rifle gun of 44 caliber. Mr. Meranda's wife died over two years ago, and he has been very despondent since, sometimes remarking that he thought of killing himself, but no one had any idea of his doing so. He had been in unusual low spirits for the last four or five days, but went about his work on the farm as usual, plowing until noon yesterday.
Shortly afternoon he took his gun and started toward his corn crib, looking back as he walked off. His oldest daughter age 17 years, thinking from his action there was something wrong ask him where he was going, when he replied that he was going to the crib to shoot a rat. He then went on and got in the crib and shot himself as above stated. His daughter, as soon as hearing the report of the gun and him halloo, ran to the crib and found her father dying, with a bullet hole in his left breast, and his gun lying on one side of his body and the ramrod on the other, which goes to show that he used the ramrod to push the trigger.
Deceased leaves six children, five girls and one boy, their ages ranging from 2 to 17 years.
* Minerva Alice Meranda, then 14 years of age, stated years later that it was she who found her father in the corn crib and she closed the crib door to keep the hogs out, that her sister, Mercy Ann was visiting their Aunt Dove that day. The following day they tried to wash their fathers clothes and hung them on the fence to dry.) cet.
About the time the last children were born to James and Joanna Meranda in 1883 the family had moved to a farm owned by Mrs. Chenoweth, located a mile north of Pineville, Missouri. This was the place the children remembered as their home in Missouri. Vaguely the two older daughters recalled their grandmother Wilson and two aunts, Aunt Lin and Aunt Dove. It was these aunts that the children turned to after their father 's death.
The problem of finding homes for the orphans was taken over by Lewis McPherson Meranda "Mac", James' oldest brother. Mac went to Missouri by train and after settling affairs there returned with the children to Indiana. Their only close living relation in Indiana were their father's side of the family, all strangers to them when they arrived there.
Mercy Ann Meranda, the eldest, was 16 years of age and was left in the home of Rueben Miller at Ridgeville, Indiana. Rueben MIller had married James Meranda's sister, Elizabeth, January 11, 1859. Mercy worked for her Aunt and Uncle and taught school for a time. Her home with the Millers was little over five years. In 1892 she married Samuel Bullock of Dunkirk, Indiana where they made their home. Mercy and Samuel Bullock had one daughter Eula. Eula married Fred Hambrock and to them were born six children. Samuel Bullock died ca 1935 and Mercy died in 1959 they are buried in the I.O.O.F cemetery northwest of Dunkirk. Eula and some of her children are also buried at this location.
Minerva Alice Meranda, was 14 years of age when she went to the home of John Henry Hoppes east of Redkey, Indiana. Here she lived and worked for her keep until her marriage to John Abraham Carder, October 19, 1890, one day after her 18th birthday. Abe and Minerva made their home on their farm two miles south of Redkey, Indiana. For the next 38 years they lived on this farm in a neighborhood of related Carder families. Minerva and Abe were the parents of seven children: John Parmer, Pernacy Mae, Maggie Ree, Rosemary, Chester Lee, Delver Fremont, and Dale. Due to several factors, Abe seemed to have little control over, the farm was lost to the Redkey Bank in 1928. Abe, Minerva and Dale moved to a farm north of Fairview where they remained about one year. Late in 1929 a second move was made. This time Abe rented a farm in Blackford County located about one mile southwest of the little town of Millgrove. Failing health and bad luck in the years of the Great Depression ended further efforts at farming in 1933. Moving to Eaton, Abe lived four more years, dying October 28, 1937. Minerva lived for another 25 years. Supporting herself by staying with elderly persons unable to fully care for themselves, receiving a small wage most of which she saved. She died January 15, 1963. In here estate was a respectalbe bank account which was left to her children. Minerva and Abe are buried in the old Carder family plot in the Hill Crest Cemetery south of Redkey, Indiana about a mile from their old homeplace.
Effie Elizabeth Meranda was 11 years of age, to young to earn her keep, so was placed in the orphanage at Knightstown, Indiana. At that time it was an orphanage for the children of deceased Civil War Veterans , later it was for those of later war veterans. Effie remained there until of age, then went to Dunkirk, Indiana where she married George W. McKitrick on March 28, 1894. The couple remained in Dunkirk for several years where their two children, John and Mary were born. The family moved to the Independence and Kansas City, Missouri area. After her husbands death Effie lived with her daughter, Mary McKitrick, at Topeka, Kansas where she died on January 29, 1957. Effie and George W. McKitrick are buried at Independence, Missouri. They have one granddaughter.
Rose Altha Meranda was 9 years of age when her father died. Upon arriving in Indiana she too was placed in the orphanage at Knightstown, Indiana. In 1897 she was living at Dunkirk, Indiana where on December 2, 1897 she married Robert Rozzell. Their children were: George Dewey b. 1898, William Lawrence b. 1900 and Regina b. September 19, 1903. Rose Altha lived in Dunkirk, Indiana 41 years and died there January 31, 1936.
James Delver Meranda was six years of age when the Kitselman family at Ridgeville, Indiana took him into their home. In time they adopted him and gave him their name, which he used the remained of his life. It is said that they were kind and generous to him. The family was very well to do and could have made James Delver a wealthy businessman but he choose to leave home. Going to west central Illinois, southwest of Springfield, he purchased a farm and on January 16, 1915 he married, Katherine Andell. They have one son James A. Kitselman now living at 25 Cottage Ln., Murryville, Illinois zip 62668. James Delver was a successful farmer, having a large farm and spacious home. He was a small man, perhaps not more than 5 foot 2 or 3 inches in height and about 130-40 pounds. His son was a much larger man. James Delver Meranda Kitselman died March 7, 1957. Katherine "Kate" died several years later. Both are buried at Winchester, Illinois.
Lawson Meranda died at age of 7 days and is buried near his mother.
Lona Dale Meranda was not yet three years of age when her father died, James and Ann Tharp Addington at Ridgeville, Indiana took her into their home and adopted her as their own daughter. (James Addington and Lona were related, being 2nd cousin once removed.) Lona was well provided for and had many advantages. She married a young man, Basil Bell, on his death bed only a few hours before his death, Basil was buried in the Hill Crest Cemetery south of Redkey, Indiana. Lona second married John Mitchell on November 6, 1906. Their children were Robert A. Mitchell born 1907-8, Joseph Paul Mitchell born 1910, Harriet Janice Mitchell born 1911 and Harold Eugene Mitchell born 1916. Their home was on the old Mitchell farm located at the west edge of Ridgeville. Lona Dale was heir to the old James Addington property on South Walnut St. where she grew up. Today her son, Harold, lives there. Lona Dale died May 7, 1960 and is buried in the Fountain Park Cemetery at Winchester, Indiana.
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