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Samuel Ewin/Ewen/Ewing: His Life and Descendants

Richard C. and Cheryl Lee Ewing-Jonsson (+1 540.347.3215, jonsson1 at EarthLink dot net)

In 1683, William Penn wrote a letter advertising for colonists for his proprietary colony called 'Pennsylvania.'"[This was] his most effective promotional tract to The Society of Free Traders in London. In it he described the attributes of the proprietary colony. It proved successful; by 1700 Pennsylvania’s population reached 21,000." [1]

"William Penn offered 200 acres to any settler able to pay immediate quitrent, with 50 additional acres for every servant he brought over, but the recipient was required to improve his land within three years or have it recovered by the proprietor." [2]

"In March 1777 an Act was passed, which appointed registers and recorders for the new State …" [3] This Act basically ended the acceptance of subsequent 'tomahawk claims' and 'improvement claims.'

Samuel Ewin/Ewen/Ewing — who was born circa 1743 and died circa 1808 — was one of the colonists attracted by William Penn's advertisement. For forty years he resided on the same property that fell, over the years, in many jurisdictions: at first, the property was in Teboyne/Toboyne Township, Cumberland County; then it was in Barree Township, Bedford County; then in Barree Township, Huntingdon County; and finally it was in West Township, Huntingdon County.

The major intent of this article is to provide the necessary evidence to establish the presence of Samuel Ewing (s. maker[4]), prior to 1777, in the newly acquired territory in Pennsylvania below the West Branch of the

Susquehanna that was purchased at the Treaty of Albany in 1754 from the Indian Tribes and specifically in the upper region of Shavers Creek. The article also endeavors to distinguish him from other members of the Ewing Family that lived in the region. This article also provides a continuity of direct family ties to a seventh generation branch of the descendants of Samuel and Sarah Ewin/Ewen/Ewing through their son Samuel Jr.

In 1768, Samuel Ewin/Ewen/Ewing is found in Teboyne/Toboyne/Tyborne Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Assuming his age to be twenty-five at the time, the year 1743 is a reasonable estimate of his year of birth. It appears that Samuel Ewin/Ewen/Ewing came to Toboyne Township, Cumberland County, from the border region of Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The record shows Samuel Ewen/Ewing (s. maker) having fifty acres, one or two horses and one or two cattle throughout his adult lifetime in the Shavers Creek Manor region.

Samuel Ewing of West Township, Huntingdon County, died in October/November 1808. He died intestate, and on November 9, 1808, his wife, Sarah, and son, Samuel Jr., were served a Letter of Administration, due December 9, 1809. His land was apportioned within the family and in 1812 a one-third portion was sold to the McCormick Family. In 1815, Robert McCormick sold a tract of land that contained a portion of the Samuel Ewing property purchased in 1812. The resale of this portion was legitimized with a statement:

… part of the same tract of land heretofore mentioned was held by Samuel Ewing by an improvement the said improvement being made according to law previous to the year 1777 and seen in 1800 and divided between the heirs of the said Samuel Ewing since his decease agreeable the intestate laws of the Commonwealth …

Deed: Robert McCormick (and Jane his wife) to Mark McDonnald [sic] 18 May 1815.

Samuel Ewing Sr. (Toboyne) married Sarah _?_ and they had two sons, Samuel Jr. and James. Samuel Jr. moved to Muskingum, Ohio. James remained in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. An 1815 Huntingdon deed of sale provided a listing of issue implying age sequence, making Samuel Jr. the third child of Samuel Sr. and Sarah, preceded by Sarah (Jr.) and Martha, followed by Catherine, James, and Mary.

Samuel Ewing Jr. married Elizabeth _?_, and they had two sons, James and Martin R. Ewing. In the 1880 census, Dr. James Ewing of Hebron, Ohio, noted his father was born in Pennsylvania. In the same census, Dr. Martin R. Ewing of Pickerington, Ohio, noted his father was born in Maryland. Both noted that their mother (Elizabeth) was born in Pennsylvania. Of interest for the analysis presented in this article is that the East/West territorial border dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland was resolved by the Mason and Dixon Line survey between 1765 and 1767 — the period just prior to the arrival of Samuel Ewing Sr. in Teboyne.

The basis for the conclusions reached in our analysis follows. In the following, * Ref: items provide evidentiary support for the analysis. The non-asterisk, Ref:, items provide a timeframe, evidence and/or potential familial context. Notes: provide commentary to assist readership.

: Ref: 1728/29 – Four men named William Ewing in Chester: one went to Bucks County, one went to Amelia/Prince Edward County, one remained in Chester County and lived in West Nantmel Township, one who is in the East Nottingham Tax Records, Chester County, is believed to be the William Ewing who married Jean Gordon. (Fife,[5] page 376) and died in Tyrone 1774 (Fife, pages 376 and 368).

 Ref: 1733 – On 6 March 1733, William Ewin requests 200 acres of land in the township adjoining the Barrens of the County of Chester for which he agrees to pay … (Fife, page 376).

 Ref: 1734 – William Ewing is found on the Tax list of East Nottingham Township. (Fife, page 376)

 Ref: 1737 – William Ewing, 39th of 63 men signing a road petition to the Court of Common Pleas. (Fife, page 376).

 Ref: 1739-1749 – Tax records nonexistent. (Fife, page 376)

 Ref: 1750 – William Ewing appears on the Tax record of Londonderry County. (Fife, page 376)

 Ref: 1754 – Treaty of Albany; land south of West Branch of Susquehanna was purchased.

 Ref: 1754 – Newly purchased territory called Tyrone Township, Cumberland County.

 Ref: 1760 – William Penn 'proprietaries' acquire 2,608 acres"for their own use" on the headwaters of Shavers Creek and called it Shavers Creek Manor. The tract was surveyed for settlers in 1762.

Note: This area ultimately became part of Barree Township. This area is also where we find Samuel, William and Thomas Ewing as well as other familiar names in the overall research, e.g., Chaney, Ricketts, Cotton, McCormick, and Cresswell.

 Ref: 1761 – William Ewing appears in West Pennsboro, Cumberland County, with Thomas Ewing,"… who it seems is a son. It is someone for whom he is responsible." (Fife, page 380).

Note 1: Margaret Fife concludes Chapter XXXIX with"I believe, most sincerely, he is brother to those other men named Ewing in East Nottingham twp, Chester County, Pennsylvania beginning with 1729" (Fife. page 381).

Note 2:"Those others" (mentioned in Note 1) are:"Esther Ewing m. to James Cowden; Henry Ewing of East Nottingham, Londonderry, and Oxford Townships, Chester; John Ewing of East Nottingham; Samuel Ewing of West Nottingham who married Rebecca George, and twin of Henry (above); Alexander Ewing who died in East Nottingham in 1752 (intestate) and had many children. I believe all these people are children of one James Ewing who lived on INCH ISLAND in Lough Swilley." (Fife, page 381).

 Ref: 1763 – Teboyne/Toboyne/Tyborne Township created from Tyrone Township, Cumberland.

 Ref: 1763 – William Ewing was in Tyrone with Thomas Ewing, the elder, by 1763. Thomas stayed with him through 1771 when he seems to have obtained land in Barree Township, Bedford County (Fife, page 368)

 Ref: 1767 – Barree Township created within Cumberland from sections of Toboyne.

 Ref: 1768 –"The first reference to Ewing in Tyrone" (Fife, page 368).

Note 1: Fife does not mention any given names.

Note 2: Research shows that three Ewin/Ewen/Ewing members were in Tyrone/Toboyne at the same time — William Ewing, Thomas Ewing and Samuel Ewing. The relationship must have been reasonably close.

 Ref: 1768 – William Ewin 200a W, 15 C (Tax record, Tyrone)[6]

Note: William Ewin /Ewing has now been 'seen' in Pennsylvania since 1728 (40 years) (Fife, page 376).

 Ref: 1768 – Thomas Ewin 150a W, 12 C (Tax Record for Tyrone, Cumberland)

* Ref: 1768 – Samuel Ewin with 45a UnW, and 5a C, 1h, 1c (Tax listing for Teboyne Township, Cumberland County, Gillian K. Leach, Pioneer Historical Society, Bedford).

Note 1: Samuel must have been at least twenty-one years of age.

Note 2: Samuel was an ‘s. maker’ (1798 West Township Tax List). He had apparently completed his apprenticeship, and was looking for a place to pursue his business interest.

 Ref: 1769 – William Ewin /Ewing is in Tyrone with 100a W, 17a C, 1h, 1c – also Thomas Ewing (Fife, page 368).

Note 1: What happened to 100 acres in the lapse of one-year? Was there a transaction?

* Ref: 1769 – Samuel Ewin with 50a UnW, 3a C, 1h, 1c (Tax listing for Teboyne, Gillian K. Leach, Pioneer Historical Society, Bedford)

 Ref: 1771 – William Ewing with 100a W, 10a clear, 1h, 1c – also Thomas Ewing"Renter" (Fife, pages 368 and 380)

 Ref: 1771 – Thomas Ewing"seems to have obtained land in Barree Township, Bedford Co" (Fife, page 368)

 Ref: 1771 –" Thomas Ewing, however, acquired land in Barree Township, Bedford County, near to the land that William Ewing (died 1774) had purchased" (Fife, page 380)

 Ref: 1771 – Dispute begins between Cumberland and Bedford re: ownership of Barree Township (see Ref: 1779)

 Ref: 1772 – William Ewing with 100a W, 15a clear, 2h, 1c (Fife, page 368)

 Ref: 1773 – William Ewing with 100a W, 20a clear, 1h, 2c (Fife, page 368)

 Ref: 1773 – Samuel Ewing (first son of William), born circa 1751, marries Jean Neal, born circa 1758 (Fife, 370)

 Ref: 1774 – William Ewing of Tyrone writes his Will (Fife, page 368). He refers to his wife, Jean/Jane Gordon, his sons, Samuel, James and Alexander, and his daughters, Martha and Jean /Jane. Leaves his land to sons, Samuel, James and Alexander.

Note: Thomas Ewing (who traveled with him) is not mentioned in the 1774 Will.

 Ref: 1774 – Samuel Ewing (only Ewing in Tyrone) probably already married (Fife, page 368)

 Ref: 1775 – Samuel Ewing (only Ewing in Tyrone) (Fife, page 368)

* Ref: 1776 – Samuel Ewing is in Tyrone Township with 50 acres (Fife, page 368).

Note 1: This must be Samuel (s. maker) of 1768 – 1769. See 1777 – Samuel Ewing as Freeholder. Also see 1779 — Fife shows Samuel as only Ewing in Tyrone with no land (Fife, page 368)

 Ref: 1776 – James (Ewing) is a 'freeman' (Fife, page 368).

Note: Second son of William Ewing

* Ref: 1777 – Freeholders of Barree Township, Bedford County, petition for Justices of the Peace to the Assembly in Philadelphia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, listing seventeen freeholders including Chaney Ricketts, James Cresswell, Alexander McCormick, Thomas Ewing and Samuel Ewing. Bedford County document, October 4, 1777. The document basically states"we did not meet this past April to elect two person to be justices etc." Also refers to the Northwest District of the aforesaid Township. (Reference courtesy of Georgia (Ewing) Morgan, document housed in www.Footnote.com)

Note 1: The freeholders indicated that they were part of Bedford even though the dispute over ownership was not settled until 1779.

Note 2: Samuel Ewing ’s land bordered on the land of Alexander McCormick so they knew each other (see 1812, 1815, 1826).

 Ref: 1779 – 1771-1779 Dispute settled. Barree Township assigned to Bedford County.[7]

 Ref: 1779 – James Ewing (second son of William Ewing, deceased 1774) purchased his brothers (Samuel's and Alexander's) portions by an indenture dated March 27, 1779 (Fife, pages 368-369).

 Ref: 1779 – James Ewing sells land to Jacob Myers on April 6, 1779 (Fife, pages 368 - 369)

 Ref: 1779 – Samuel Ewing is the only Ewing in Tyrone Township with no land (married) (Fife, page 368)

Note: This must be Samuel Ewing son of William Ewing and Jean Gordon.

* Ref: 1779 – Samuel Ewen 50a, 2h, 1c, no sheep (Bedford County Tax page 31) (Gillian K. Leach, Pioneer Historical Society, Bedford, Pennsylvania)

Note: Barree is now officially in Bedford County; see Samuel Ewen in Ref: 1780.

 Ref: 1779 – Alexander Ewen — Single Freeman. Page 31 Barree Township.

 Ref: 1779 – Thomas Ewing — 200a, 1 dwelling (Bedford County Tax page 46 Barree – Gillian K. Leach Pioneer Historical Society, Bedford, Pennsylvania).

 Ref: 1780 – Alexander Ewing (third son of William, deceased 1774) only Ewing in Tyrone; no land; listed as 'freeman' (Fife, page 368)

* Ref: 1780 – Samuel Ewing 50a, 2h, 4c (Tax Record Toboyne, Gillian K. Leach, Pioneer Historical Society, Bedford, Pennsylvania)

* Ref: 1780 – Samuel Ewen, Barree Township, Bedford County. According to a compilation of tax lists by John 'D' and E. Diane Stemmons. (Gillian K. Leach, Pioneer Historical Society, Bedford, Pennsylvania)

* Ref: 1781 – Bedford 'Special Tax – An Act for raising additional Supplies for the year 1781' – For:"Redeeming the Bond of Credit of the United States of America and for Providing Means to bring the present War to a happy Conclusion." Listed, amongst others, is: Samuel Ewings in Barre [sic] Township, Bedford County, with fifty acres being taxed; State - 3.5, State Tax - 4.2, County tax -.8 (Gillian K. Leach – Pioneer Historical Society, Bedford, Pennsylvania)

* Ref: 1782 – Samuel Ewen/Ewing found in Barree Township, Bedford (Burkholder, Ruth – RMB Services, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada – March 21, 2006)

* Ref: 1784 – Samuel Ewen shown with 50a, 2h, 1c, no sheep (Bedford County Tax, page 31) (Gillian K. Leach, Pioneer Historical Society, Bedford, Pennsylvania)

* Ref: 1785 – Taxable Citizens in Barree Township included, amongst others: Thomas Erving [sic], Samuel Erving [sic], John Erving (Sr.) [sic], John Erving (Jr.) [sic], James Criswell [sic], John Cotton, Robert Criswell [sic], Alexander McCarmick [sic], John Young [sic], John Erving [sic], Caney Rickets [sic], John Rickets [sic] Edward Rickets [sic]. Single Freeman: John Erving [sic]. (Barree Township Tax Assessment Listing[8])

 Ref: 1786 – William ’s sons — the three Ewing brothers Samuel, James and Alexander — were issued Warrants for land in Washington County, Pennsylvania: Alexander – February 15, 1786; Samuel – February 22, 1786; and James – April 5, 1786 (Fife, page 370).

 Ref: 1787 – Huntingdon County is formed out of Bedford, includes Barree Township. (Africa,[9] page 48)

* Ref: 1788 – First Barree Township assessment in Huntingdon included; Thomas Ewing 300 a. L, 2h, 2c, Samuel Ewing 50a. 2h, 2c, John Ewing (Sr.) for Harshaw - 300a. L, 2h, 1c, John Ewing - 50a L, 1h, 1c (Africa, page 210).

* Ref: 1789 – Barree Township tax list shows Samuel Ewing 50a. 2h, 2c

 Ref: 1790 – Cumberland Census shows a Samuel (Fife, page 370)."Samuel, eldest son of William Ewing, applied for land in Tyrone Township, Cumberland County, and received a warrant (#120) in 1795. By that time he appears to have moved on to Bedford County, Pennsylvania. He is shown on the 1790 Census of Cumberland County but not on the tax records after that; for example, I have not located them." (Fife, page 370).

Note 1: This entry is most interesting and somewhat confusing. Warrant #120 is for a Samuel Ewing, for survey, 220 acres, Tyrone, 1 June 1795 – Return, 24 Feb 1816 - Patentee, Joseph Musselman (Pennsylvania Archives).

Note 2: Huntingdon is formed from Bedford in 1787 (Africa, page 48) — reducing Bedford County to its present size and location.

Note 3: Samuel, son of William is in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1786 as we see in the 4th paragraph of Fife, page 370. Also see the 1786 entry in this study.

Note 4: Coincidentally, Samuel (Jr.), son of Samuel (s. maker) appears with 200 acres in 1795 in Barree, Huntingdon. See 1795 Tax List as well as in 1811,1815 and 1820, Samuel, son of Samuel, is buying land in Muskingum, Ohio.

Note 5: Also, William McClintock, Toboyne, deeded land to a Samuel Ewing in 1813. Deed dated 23 Feb 1813 – Bk V, page 263 (McClintock Chronology - Jack McClintock).

* Ref: 1790 – Barree Township tax list shows Samuel Ewing 50 a, 2h, 2c

* Ref: 1790 – Census shows Samuel Ewing with one male (+16 head of household), two males (pre-16), and four females.

Note 1: Samuel Ewing (Sr.) had two sons, Samuel (Jr.) and James who fit the pre-sixteen description.

Note 2: The census shows four females. Samuel had four daughters. Sarah, his wife, is still alive. One of the daughters apparently is not in the home in 1790.

* Ref: 1792 – Samuel Ewing — Barree Township tax list 50a, 1h, 2c

* Ref: 1793 – Samuel Ewing — Barree Township tax list 1h, 2c

* Ref: 1794 – Samuel Ewing — Barree Township tax list 50a, 1c

* Ref: 1794 – Samuel Ewing Junr — Barree Township tax list 1h, 1c

* Ref: 1795 – Samuel Ewing Senr — Barree Township tax list 50a, 2h, 2c

* Ref: 1795 – Samuel Ewing Junr — Barree Township tax list 200a, 2h, 1c

 Ref: 1796 – Samuel Ewing was married to Nancy Cotton on May 3, 1796, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, at the First Presbyterian Church in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, by Rev. John Johnston (see Marriages: Rev. John Johnston, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania – Huntingdon Historical Society, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania)

Samuel Ewing was born February 2, 1771, in Donegal, Ireland. Nancy Jane Cotton was born March 21, 1775, in Huntingdon, daughter of John Cotton and Mary Ricketts. This Samuel Ewing (of Donegal) subsequently removed to Beaver County with his father-in-law, John Cotton. Samuel Ewing died in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Samuel’s Will was written January 10, 1827 (Documentation – Judith Warth - 2006)

Note1: Samuel Ewing (above) indicates he is born in Donegal.

Note 2: Based on later information from a Robert Ewing residing in Stranorlar Parish, County Donegal, Ireland, and dated August 12, 1875, re: his ancestral family descending from a Thomas Ewing residing in Cavan Townland, County Donegal. The genealogical story relates that he, Samuel Ewing (of Donegal), surprised everyone and"left for America as a boy" (1785 Document – Courtesy of Judith Warth - 2006).

Note 3: In the 1875 letter, we find that Samuel"who left as a boy" for America, was the son of a Charles Ewing and a second wife named _?_ Ewing. It seems highly coincidental that Samuel Ewing (Donegal) would choose West Township, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, if there were not already a relative there. Therefore, it would appear that a family member (from Donegal) was already residing in West Township, Pennsylvania. In keeping with 'tradition,' new arrivals frequently stayed with relatives until they 'got their feet on the ground.' Samuel Ewing (Sr.) of West Township may have been a relative of Samuel Ewing (Donegal).

Note 4: A West Township 1798 accounting shows Samuel Ewing as 'Irish' (Africa ).

* Ref: 1797 – Samuel Ewing — West Township Tax List - 50a, 2h, 2c - is listed as an 's. maker'

* Ref 1797 – Samuel Ewing — West Township Tax List (s. maker) - $231

* Ref: 1797 – Samuel Ewing (Irish) — West Township Tax List - $56.67; also paid for landlord

Note 1: Samuel Ewing (Jr.) is not shown?

 Ref: 1798 – West Township is formed from Barree Township (Africa, page 404)

* Ref: 1798 – West Township, first accounting of people: Samuel Ewing (Sr.) 300 a, Samuel Ewing (Jr.), Samuel Ewing (Irish), Thomas Ewing (Sr.) 300a, Thomas Ewing (Jr.) (Africa, page 404).

 Ref: 1798 –"No West Township Tax list so marked"

* Ref: 1799 - January — Thomas Ewing brings Trespass Suit against Samuel Ewing. Settled and Thomas paid all costs. Samuel signs release as 'Samuel Ewen.'

* Ref: 1799 – Samuel Ewing — 300 acres

* Ref: 1799 – Samuel Ewing Junr — nothing

* Ref: 1799 – Samuel Ewing (Irish) — 2h, 2c

* Ref: 1799 – In March, Samuel Ewing (Jr.) and his wife, Elizabeth, buy a building lot in Petersburg (Burkholder, Ruth – RMB Services, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada – March 21, 2006)

* Ref: 1799 – In August, Samuel Ewing (Jr.) and wife, Elizabeth, sell the building lot in Petersburg (Burkholder, Ruth – RMB Services, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada – March 21, 2006)

* Ref: 1800 – Census for West Township, Huntingdon County, shows three entries for Samuel Ewing :

Census Page 166 shows Samuel Ewing as age 45+ with wife age 45+, one male aged 10-16 and four females between ages 10 and 26. As we will see in an 1815 land sale document (Robert McCormick ), the male would be James and the daughters would be Sarah, Catherine, Martha and Mary.

Census Page 166 shows Samuel Ewing ages 16-26 and wife aged 16-26 with one male child aged 0-10. This child would be James (Dr. James Ewing of Hebron, Ohio), who married 1st Amanda Atkinson, and 2nd Julia Weatherwax. A second son born in 1810 was Martin R. (Dr. Martin R. Ewing of Pickerington, Ohio) who married Vashti Ricketts, daughter of 'Col' John Ricketts.

Census Page 163 shows a Samuel Ewing as aged 16-26 with wife aged 16-26 and no children.

* Ref: 1800 – Samuel Ewing (Irish) — Tax list - crossed out

* Ref: 1800 – Samuel Ewing — West Township Tax List 300a, 2h, 2c

* Ref: 1800 – Samuel Ewing Junr — West Township Tax List 1c

* Ref: 1801 – Samuel Ewing Senr — West Township Tax List 300a, 2h, 2c

* Ref: 1801 – Samuel Ewing Junr — West Township Tax List 1c

* Ref: 1802 – Samuel Ewing Senr — West Township Tax List 300a, 1h, 1c

* Ref: 1802 – Samuel Ewing Junr — West Township Tax List 1h

* Ref: 1803 – Samuel Ewing — West Township Tax List 300a, 1h, 1c

* Ref: 1803 – Samuel Ewing Junr — West Township Tax List 1c

* Ref: 1804 – Samuel Ewing — West Township Tax List 300a, 11h, 1c

* Ref: 1804 – Samuel Ewing Junr — West Township Tax List 1c

* Ref: 1805 – Samuel Ewing — West Township Tax List 300a, 1h, 2c

* Ref: 1805 – Samuel Ewing Junr — West Township Tax List"not shown"

* Ref: 1806 – Samuel Ewing — West Township Tax List 300a, 1h, 2c

* Ref: 1806 – Samuel Ewing Junr — West Township Tax List 1c

* Ref: 1807 – Samuel Ewing — West Township Tax List 300a, 1h, 1c

* Ref: 1807 – Samuel Ewing Junr — West Township Tax List 1c

* Ref: 1808 – Samuel Ewing Sen — West Township Tax List 200a, 1h, 1c

* Ref: 1808 – Samuel Ewing Junr — West Township Tax List 100a, 1h, 2c

* Ref: 1808 – September-October — Death of Samuel Ewing (Sr.)

Note: If his age was about 65 at death then his birth would be circa 1743.

* Ref: 1808 – November Memorandum: Letter of Administration to Sarah Ewing and Samuel Ewing of the Estate of Samuel Ewing late of Barree. Inventory to be exhibited by 9 December 1809 (Alberta Y, Haught, Huntingdon Historical Society).

Note: This would be Sarah Ewen/Ewing (Sr.). In an August 1810 notice (see below), we see the death of"an old lady named Ewen."

* Ref: 1809 – Samuel Ewing Sr. — West Township Tax List 200a, 1h, 1c

* Ref: 1809 – Samuel Ewing — West Township Tax List 100a, 1h, 1c

* Ref: 1810 – August 23rd Notice in Huntingdon Gazette re: death of"old lady named Ewen" in Shavers Creek. (Alberta Y. Haught – Huntingdon Historical Society).

Note 1: Ms. Haught goes on to say"the name Ewen is not known in the area."

Note 2: This appears to be our Sarah, wife of Samuel Ewen/Ewing, deceased, as Samuel signed his name as ' Ewen' in the conclusion of a 1799 altercation with Thomas Ewing.

* Ref: 1810 – Census shows S. Ewing, female, as head of household with two male children (0-10), one male (10-16) and herself (26-45).

Note 1: Younger Sarah never married (Also 1838 Orphan’s Court document indicates"no issue.")

Note 2: It appears that Sarah (Jr.) is 'baby sitting' Samuel Jr.’s two sons (see Ref: 1811) plus one other.

* Ref: 1810 – West Township, Huntingdon County Tax rolls – Samuel Ewing (Jr.) 100a, 1h, 2c

* Ref: 1811 – Samuel Ewing (Jr.) — West Township, Huntingdon County Tax rolls – Samuel is no longer on the West Township Tax rolls but we find both Sarah Ewing and Sarah Ewing (Jr.).

* Ref: 1811 – Sarah Ewing – West Township Tax List 1c

Note: There are no other ladies of that age, owning taxable property, called Sarah Ewing in West Township, so this entry for Sarah Ewing is considered as an aberration of the Tax accounting system.

* Ref: 1811 – Sarah Ewing Jr. – West Township Tax List 50a, 1c

* Ref: 1811 – Samuel (Jr.) and Elizabeth Ewing, on June 1, 1811, bought two building lots in Springfield, Muskingum County, Ohio (Burkholder, Ruth – RMB Services, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada – March 21, 2006).

 Ref: 1812 – West Township, Huntingdon, Tax roll for this year is nonexistent.

* Ref: 1812-1815 – A Huntingdon County Bill of Sale dated May 18, 1815, from Robert McCormick, son of Alexander McCormick, to a Mark McDonnald [sic] fortuitously relates the original ownership of a portion of the land sale:

a)"Whereas Samuel Ewing late of the township and County aforesaid was seized and possessed of a tract of land situate in the Township aforesaid and being so seized and possessed died intestate leaving issue Sarah Ewing, Martha Ewing intermarried with Thomas Kinney, Samuel Ewing, Catherine Ewing intermarried with William Jones, James Ewing, and Mary Ewing intermarried with William M. Ramsey. And whereas the aforesaid heirs have mutually agreed to Divide the above mentioned property into three equal shares whereby Sarah Ewing, William Ramsey and Mary his wife became possessed of one third part all of which this have by a conveyance bearing date the sixth of April 1812 granted and sold to Robert McCormick aforesaid…"

b)"part of the same tract of land heretofore mentioned was held by Samuel Ewing by an improvement the said improvement being according to law previous to the year 1777 and seen in 1800 and divided between the heirs of the said Samuel Ewing since his decease agreeable the intestate laws of the Commonwealth the said parcel being the share of the aforesaid tract Bounded and Described …"

 (Burkholder, Ruth – RMB Services, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada)

Note 1: The description of the Samuel Ewing property puts it adjacent to the McCormick property.

Note 2: We find a fortuitous listing of the issue of Samuel (and his wife Sarah ).

* Ref: 1813 – Sarah Ewing (Jr.) — Sarah (Sr.) is gone from the Tax Rolls

* Ref: 1814 – Sarah Ewing (Jr.) is gone from the tax rolls

* Ref: 1817 – Samuel and Elizabeth Ewing in Muskingum. They buy 50 acres from Jonathan Carlisle.

* Ref: 1820 – Samuel Ewing buys a total of 111 acres (which includes the first 50) and he enters the Salt Manufacturing business (Burkholder, Ruth – RMB Services, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada –March 21, 2006).

* Ref: 1821 – Samuel Ewing enters into a major contract for 1,000 bushels of salt (Burkholder, Ruth – RMB Services, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada – March 21, 2006)

* Ref: 1826 – Samuel and Elizabeth Ewing, on June 15, 1826, sell their holdings in Zanesville (Burkholder, Ruth – RMB Services, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada)

Note: A comment in the Dr. Martin R. Ewing write-up addresses the death of his father, Samuel :"He died when his son (Martin) was only 15 years old." That, arithmetically, would be 1826.

* Ref: 1826 – Sarah Ewing reappears in West Township and buys a small piece of land from Alexander McCormick, son of Alexander McCormick, on June 20, 1826. (Alberta Y. Haught, Huntingdon Historical Society).

Note: Alexander McCormick refers to her as"Sarah Ewing Jun’r."

* Ref: 1838 – Sarah (Jr.) dies intestate. An Orphan’s Court proceeding results in the assignation of James Ewing (brother) of West Township and Martha (sister) as heirs. James, apparently acting for the family, sold the property to Isaac Neff that Sarah had purchased from Alex McCormick in 1826. Sister Catherine ’s name was struck from the documentation. (Georgia (Ewing) Morgan, document from Alberta Y. Haught, Huntingdon Historical Society).

Note 1: Neff’s Mills was established on the property of Alexander McCormick.

Note 2: This is another important document as it substantiates the relationship of three of the children of Samuel Ewen/Ewing and Sarah.

The above documentation constitutes the evidence proving the existence of the immigrant ancestor, Samuel Ewin/Ewen/Ewing (s. maker) and his wife, Sarah, in the year 1768 in Teboyne/Toboyne Township, Cumberland County. It appears that he stayed in one place during his lifetime in Pennsylvania, while the politics of location nomenclature swirled around him: Teboyne/Toboyne Township, Cumberland; Barree Township, Cumberland; Barree Township, Bedford; Barree Township, Huntingdon; and West Township, Huntingdon.

First Generation

The above documentation also provides an insight to the first generation of descendants of Samuel and Sarah Ewin/Ewen/Ewing. Samuel and Sarah Ewing had six living children, all identified in a Huntingdon document of land sale (to Robert McCormick ) in 1815.

The children, in listed sequence, were:

·         Sarah Ewing (Jr.) – never married. Died intestate circa 1838. According to the 1838 Huntingdon County Orphans Court proceedings Sarah Ewing"died without issue."

·        Martha Ewing intermarried with Thomas Kinney. According to the 1838 Huntingdon County Orphans Court proceedings Martha Ewing (sister) was classified as an heir to Sarah.

·        Samuel Ewing (Jr.) married Elizabeth. Samuel (Jr.) died after June 15, 1826, in Muskingum County, Ohio.

·        Catherine Ewing intermarried with William Jones. According to the 1838 Huntingdon County Orphans Court proceedings"Cathy died without issue."

·        James Ewing married _?_ and lived in West Township. According to the 1838 Huntingdon County Orphans Court proceedings James Ewing (brother) was classified as an heir to Sarah.

·        Mary Ewing married William Ramsey. She was not mentioned in the 1838 Orphans Court proceeding. She is either 'location unknown,' or dead.

Second Generation

The following identifies the second generation of descendents of Samuel and Sarah Ewin/Ewen/Ewing.

The children of Samuel Ewing (Jr.) and Elizabeth _?_ were:

·        James Ewing was born January 15, 1800, in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and died December 14, 1884 (Pataskala Cemetery), in Pataskala, Ohio. He married (1st) Amanda Atkinson who died March 31, 1845 (Hebron Cemetery, Ohio), and (2nd) Julia Weatherwax who died March 8, 1886 (Pataskala Cemetery, Ohio).

·        Selections from an article in The Newark Weekly, Newark, Ohio:

Dr. James Ewing was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, on the 15th day of January 1800, and died at the residence of his son-in-law Mr. Joseph Atkinson near Pataskala on Sunday last of Paralysis of the brain.

Mr. Ewing came to Ohio from his native state at the age of 14 years. His father purchased a farm near the West bank of the Muskingum River about 5 miles below Zanesville upon which he erected large salt works which he operated for several years.

Till the age of 23 Mr. Ewing began the study of medicine and on the first day of December 1826 received his diploma from the Medical Society of the 15th District of Ohio at Zanesville.

(Courtesy of Burkholder, Ruth – RMB Services, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada)

·        Martin R. Ewing was born September 13, 1810, in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and died September 5, 1888, in Pickerington, Ohio. Martin R. Ewing married (1st) Natalie _?_, and married (2nd) July 6, 1841, Vashti Ricketts, the second child of Col. John Cotton Ricketts[10] and Mary Long.

·        Selections from an article published in Methodism in Pickerington (Brill, 1905):

Martin R. Ewing was born in Pennsylvania, September 13, 1810. His parents came to Ohio and settled in the village of Putnam now a part of Zanesville, when he was only six months old. Here his father engaged in the manufacture of salt. [His father] died when [Martin] was only fifteen years old.

Young Ewing, being a very studious boy, prepared himself for teaching. He began teaching at eighteen years of age, studied medicine under an elder brother, Dr. James Ewing of Hebron, attended Cincinnati College of Medicine where he graduated with honors, then began the practice at Somerset. Later he removed to Pickerington, then to Hebron, and finally returned to Pickerington in 1864, where he spent the remainder of his days.

He lost his faithful companion [Vashti Ricketts ] June 10, 1885 … Her body rests in Violet Cemetery.

He began to fail in health … and on September 5, 1888 he passed to his reward …

(Courtesy of Burkholder, Ruth – RMB Services, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada)

Note: Both Drs. James and Martin R. Ewing participated in the 1880 Ohio Federal Census. Dr. James Ewing noted that his father, Samuel, was born in Pennsylvania and his mother was born in Pennsylvania. Dr. Martin R. (who presumably had been at home at the time of his father’s death) noted that his father, Samuel, was born in Maryland and his mother was born in Pennsylvania.

Third Generation

The following identifies the third generation of descendents of Samuel and Sarah Ewin/Ewen/Ewing (from Vashti Ewing 's Will dated June 10, 1885).

The only child of Dr. Martin R. Ewing and Natalie _?_ was:

·        Mary E. Ewing died in infancy.

The children of Dr. Martin R. Ewing and Vashti Ricketts were:

·        Margaret F. Ewing married I. T. Fishbaugh,

·        John M. Ewing,

·        Saluda M. Ewing married John Leef of Columbus,

·        Mary E. Ewing married Virgil L. Weakly,

·        James D. Ewing died in infancy,

·        Olin R. Ewing married Mary Agnes Mason of Piqua,

·        Florence V. Ewing married Franklin P. Stout of Columbus, and

·        Irvin Ewing of Ypsilanti, Michigan (married and divorced Addie Buckingham.

Fourth Generation

The following identifies the fourth generation of descendents of Samuel and Sarah Ewin/Ewen/Ewing.

The children of Irvin Ewing and Addie Buckingham:

·        Roy Virgil Ewing (Sr.) was born May 7, 1880 in Pickerington, Ohio, died 1936 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and married Mabel Elizabeth Beibrick on December 7, 1916. Mabel Elizabeth Beibrick was born January 1896, and died in California in 1955.

·        Ezra Atruce Ewing was born November 13, 1884 in Pickerington, Ohio, died June 21, 1952, in Pickerington, and married (1st) Pearl Friend and (2nd) Lolah Holiday.

Fifth Generation

The following identifies the fifth generation of descendents of Samuel and Sarah Ewin/Ewen/Ewing.

The children of Roy Virgil Ewing (Sr.) and Mabel Elizabeth Beibrick are:

·        Roy Virgil Ewing (Jr..) was born November 5, 1917, died July 7, 2004, and married (1st) Leila Westphal on June 29, 1941 and married (2nd) Patria Edellyn Talbot on September 1, 1963. Leila — who had a twin brother named Lee Westphal — was born May 29, 1920, and died 1 May 1959. Patria was born January 4, 1919 and died 2003.

·        Ava Adeline Ewing married Willard Webb.

·        Orin Curtis Ewing died as a teen when his shotgun discharged accidentally while hunting.

·        Carol Marie Ewing married Lawrence Samuels.

Sixth Generation

The following sixth generation of descendents of Samuel and Sarah Ewin/Ewen/Ewing are still living.

The children of Roy Virgil Ewing (Jr..) and Leila Frances Westphal are:

·        Cheryl Lee Ewing married (1st) David Henry Russell and (2nd) Richard C. Jonsson.

·        Nancy Eileen Ewing married Arthur Mark Tiscareno.

·        Debra Louise Ewing married Michael Ryan Dickerson.

Seventh Generation

The following seventh generation of descendents of Samuel and Sarah Ewin/Ewen/Ewing are still living.

The descendants of Cheryl Lee Ewing and Lt. Col. David Henry Russell are:

·        David William Russell married Ashley (Donna Marie) Sinopoli – with issue.

·        Scott Colin Russell married (1st) Cheri Hall – no issue, liaison with Ashleigh Chastain – with issue, and married (2nd) Jacqueline Amanda Price – with issue.

The descendants of Nancy Eileen Ewing and Arthur Mark Tiscareno are:

Jason Mark Tiscareno.

Traci Marie Tiscareno – with issue.

The descendant of Debra Louise Ewing and Michael Ryan Dickerson is:

Nathan Ryan Dickerson married Kristina Marie Shell – with issue.

 


 

Tax Record Abbreviations:

a

acres

c

cattle

C, clear

cleared

h

horses

hc, h.c.

horned cattle

I

improvement

s

sheep

L

surveyed

UnW

unwarranted

W

warranted

   

 

Cheryl Lee Ewing-Jonsson is a fourth great-granddaughter of Samuel Ewing (c1743-1808) of Eastern and Central Pennsylvania. She received her M.S. in Human Resources and Training from Leicester University, U.K., and teaches personal computer applications to clients at several Departments of Rehabilitation within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Richard C. Jonsson is an engineer out of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)2, Rochester, New York. He was born, raised and schooled in northern India. He joined IBM after graduating from RIT and has had management assignments in the U.S., U.K., France, and India, with short assignments in Australia, Canada, and Japan.

Richard has twice been to Northern Ireland to absorb its history. Both Cheryl and Richard have recently driven the length of Donegal (old Raphoe), Ireland, in order to visualize that portion of Cheryl’s heritage.


 

[1] http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/7440

[2] http://www.hoover.org:80/publications/policyreview/3459836.html [archived, 2009]

[3] www.Phila.gov/phils/Doc/Invento/exeml.htm [dead link]

[4] The designation 's, maker' appears in several documents. It appears to mean 'shoes/saddles/harness – leather – maker.'

[6] Taxes were dependent on one's holdings: land, dwellings, horses, cattle, etc. Abbreviations — h, c, C, UnW, W etc. — are used in these tax record citations to indicate these influences on the tax. These abbreviations are explained in the table at the end of this article.

[7] www.rootsweb.com/pacumber/towns.html [dead link]

[8] www.pa-roots.com/bedford/taxlists/tl1785barree.html

[9] Africa, J. Simpson. 1883 History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, Pennsylvania, Louis H. Everts, Philadelphia, 1883.

[10] John Cotton Ricketts was the son of Lt. Edward Ricketts and Millicent Green. Lt. Edward Ricketts was the eldest son of Cheney Ricketts of Barree Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. (Courtesy – Doris Rex Schutte, Researcher, Bonita Springs Florida)