There Is A Doctor in the House

By Teresa Martin Klaiber Feb. 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znTVi3CDouY – then and now!

Halderman home left, Feyler Home right, Carriage House behind, 9^th & Gay, Portsmouth, OH

All my life I have been surrounded by medical professionals.  My father was a veterinarian. A maternal great granduncle was a veterinarian in Europe before WW I. Don’t forget to spay and neuter. 

My maternal grandfather was a dental surgeon who promptly diagnosed, at my birth, that my mouth was to small, my teeth would be crowded and I would need braces. He was spot on.  I wonder if that is why I always have had such a booming voice, to compensate for the small mouth.  There should be a joke somewhere in that but I digress. 

My great uncle was a physician, to please his father, who practiced a few years, stated medicine was bunk, and stopped practice to enjoy homegrown philosophy, collecting clocks, books, cats and stamps.  But he is a story for another time.  He was not the only medical person to drill into me that every medicine you take will have cause and effect.  Try to stay away from them. 

Henri Halderman doing home visits 1910, Powhatan Point, Ohio

In our family, my great grandfather, Stephen Simpson Halderman, was believed legendary. He was a successful physician and surgeon, who had a wonderful practice, built a hospital, and was good at real estate. He had been deceased twenty years when I was born but his presence was felt by the family. Maybe my thinking he had a bigger than life personality comes from my hauling around the huge ornate framed portraits of him and his wife.  I think I inherited them simply because I had the wall space. 

Stephen Simpson Halderman

He was also written up in several 1880’s history books with vanity biography’s included.  Those were not always correct and several errors appear in his.  S. S. Halderman was born Stephen Simpson Halterman 31 January 1852.  The family bible, his passport and letters all say he was born at Chillicothe in Ross County, Ohio.  But those vanity biographies stated he was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania and moved to Jackson County, Ohio.  It would take genealogy sleuthing to unravel the error and realize that the family was from adjoining Beaver, Pike County, Ohio; not Pennsylvania.[i]

Stephen Simpson Halterman/Halderman

His parents John J. Halterman, a circuit riding minister and farmer, resided in Scioto Township, Jackson County prior to Stephen’s birth.  He was the youngest of eight children.  One of his brother’s Daniel Ripley Halterman died in October that same year S. S. was born.

By the time Stephen was ten, the family had moved to Miami County.  His father died in 1866[ii] when Stephen Simpson Halderman was only fourteen.  His mother remarried in 1870 in Shelby County, Ohio. Stephen went back to Pike County, Ohio to reside with an older sister, Nancy Halterman Brown.  The 1870 census states S. S. is a carpenter and joiner, now seventeen.  Through the years the family knew that his older sisters had been close and helped to raise him.  Carpentry may have been a way to earn money for his medical education.

Stephen Simpson Halderman a young man.

The family never discussed or appears to have known that mother Isabella had remarried.[iii]  Over the years Stephen Simpson Halderman set moral proprieties that his growing family must follow.  When Isabella died in 1889 she was buried in Pike County as Mrs. Isabel Halderman. 

Stephen married Anna Katherine Gorath at Berlin Cross Roads, Milton Township, Jackson county, Ohio 28 August 1873.  He managed to put himself thru the Medical College of Ohio and graduate in March 1875, with a wife and tiny daughter Ruhama May Halderman who was born in May 1874 at Berlin Cross Roads.  By the time they married Stephen is consistently spelling his name Halderman.

Stephen Simpson Halderman in top hat with school mate Dr. Robinson at Medical School of Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio

Halderman set up his first medical practice in Sciotoville, Scioto County. Those first few years were colorful.   He purchased property and Arson struck three members of the Pension Examination Board of which he had become a member, in 1886.  When interviewed  he stated “…he did not lose any sleep in keeping a vigilant watch…the board aimed to impartially discharge the duties of the office and report according to the nature of the disease of the applicant.”[iv]  By then the Halderman’s were proud parents of Ruhama, Henri Gorath and Laura Halderman.

At the age of 33, a no nonsense, doctor removed to Portsmouth, Ohio where his family and practice could grow.[v]  The Halderman’s purchased a brick two story home, with an amazing curved staircase on the corner of 9^th and Gay[vi] where their youngest daughter Katherine Marie Halderman was born, in 1892, in the upstairs room overlooking City Park, later named Tracy Park.  The Portsmouth Daily Times reported:

“Dr. S.S. Halderman is the happiest man in town. He is so happy he can't talk over the telephone for laughing. Somebody brought a girl baby to his house last Thursday, and now he acts just as if the thing never happened to anyone before. It has been thirteen years since the like occurred in Doc's family - a long time between children, one would imagine. That is what makes him so happy. He rang the curtain down thirteen years ago and supposed the show was over.”

As his practice grew, so did articles in the local Portsmouth, Ohio newspapers.  Papers of the era were sometimes dramatic but one particular article shows, again his love and care of people. 1892 July 16 Portsmouth Times Nellie Purtle a girl of 14 took an overdose of laudanum Thurs morn because her mother       scolded her for hanging over the gate so late with her fellow.  Dr. SS Halderman administered an emetic and gentle Nellie was rescued from a sad end. 

Portsmouth, Ohio was a hub for the Scioto Division Norfolk and Western Railroad, and short lines. In 2003 this compiler published Scioto Division Norfolk & Western Railroad Life and Limb 1895-1928.  Halderman was the Scioto Division surgeon and kept detailed records of the many maimed, wounded and healing success’s which I hope have helped others on their own genealogy journey.   

By 1902 S. S. Halderman needed to move his family practice out of his home.   Stephen Simpson Halderman and Joseph S. Rardin purchased property at 44 East Ninth Street, Portsmouth, Ohio.  The property faced Tracy Park.    They converted the existing building into Park hospital.  Rardin and Halderman along with other area physicians saw a need for seriously ill and injured people to receive proper care that they could not receive in their own home or at a boarding house. 

Park Hospital, Portsmouth, Ohio

Stephen Halderman’s son, Henri Gorath Halderman was house physician. A total of twelve patients could be treated at any given time. Park Hospital included an operating room six private rooms and a ward.  It had a reception room, nurses’ quarters and dining room. The laundry was in a separate building

Patient records were carefully handwritten in a 8 ½ x 14" lined ledger maintained by Dr. Stephen Simpson Halderman.  Park Hospital records from November 1903 through December 23, 1908  were carefully preserved by his granddaughter Mary Helen Feyler Martin who in turn has shared them with daughter and compiler Teresa Lynn Martin Klaiber.  The records have been transcribed for my blog readers in six entries posted in 2018 at this site.

 Stephen Simpson Halderman loved to travel.  His oldest daughter Ruhama married  Eugene Graham Anderson in 1897.  The Anderson brothers were well known for their mercantile business both in Portsmouth and Huntington, West Virginia.  Ruhama and Eugene moved to the state of Washington.  Halderman kept a tight watch over his family and in 1909 travelled to Saskatchewan and King County, Washington.  When he returned he wrote about his western trip for the Portsmouth Daily Times.[vii]

Anderson Brothers, Portsmouth Ohio Postcard

He was politically active in the Democratic party donating a whopping $1.00 to the election of Woodrow Wilson as president and Thomas R. Marshall for vice-president. His family attended the Episcopal Church where he was a vestryman.  When Katherine married and the military shipped them to Honolulu, S. S. was determined to meet his new granddaughter.  They travelled to San Francisco and took the S. S. Sachem in December to meet baby Betty Lee Feyler born there in October.

In January 1920 he sat down to write his son and report on the family:

“Dear son, rcd our mail letter and razor strop now I have 2 bought one in Frisco. The folks have a nice house and seem to enjoy … Howard works from 8 to 12 as is in the office then comes to lunch returns to the office at one and is usually through at 3. It is wonderful how --- you -- sleep ...the weather is warm but then is always a breeze that one does not feel the heat except in the direct rays of the sun. Yesterday about 4 pm I looked at the thermometer mercury stood at 72 degrees f. We sleep under blankets ..with the doors open - out on to the porch. Betty has a crib on wheels on the upper porch - screened and less than ---up her bare feet and legs....Tell Ada May that the first thing Betty Lee tried to play with was the rattle she sent. Now about the --- tax report. I talked with ... definitely collect ...advised me I will write B. E. Williams Columbus O and tell him that my income will be mostly the same as last year. Send a ck for about half the amount and tell him that I will send a complete report in April. You will receive blanks for the purpose. Keep them carefully and also keep a -- book for ---I have not advanced any suggestions but only listened and both Howard and Katherine have their faces set towards the states and civil life. This post is the finest of the few I have even seen. Large area several miles long - perfectly saved roads and ...side walks Everything in circles for the officers quarters and in squares of the privates. Fine con...and...slate roofs vines and flowers and...of very description. We had ...breakfast...plenty of sweet milk.Betty Lee is perfect in development ...healthy and sleeps ...of the time...seldom cries and only when hungry. The parents are particular that she be not disturbed or taken except at feeding. She gets her last meal at 6 pm or at times 6.30 is put in her crib in her own room adjoining Howard and Katherine and that is the last you hear of her until the next morning then she does not cry. I think she would wait longer for her breakfast but Katherine and Howard...but everything is on the dot....I don't know how long I can stand this idleness but if it becomes to dull I will try to get an earlier boat. I am booked now to leave here March 3rd and will advise you if I should decide that we sail earlier....We spent a pleasant 2 days in Frisco ....”

Katherine and Howard, along with Betty returned to Portsmouth, Ohio where Stephen’s second granddaughter Mary Helen was born in the same room, as her mother, overlooking Tracy Park, 13 December 1921.  A home was built next to Stephen and Anna, on Gay Street, with a dental office attaching both homes.  He kept his youngest close. While Ruhama was  residing across the country there continued constant contact, letters and news articles.  Henri, as stated before, was not happy as a physician but lived his life in the house on the corner of 9^th and Gay.  Their sister Laura also grew up in Portsmouth, never married and lived at home until her death in March 1944.

The Ohio State Medical Association presented Stephen and Anna Gorath Halderman with a beautiful silver set on the occasion of their Golden Wedding Anniversary.  This compiler treasures the set complete with two goblets and engraving and I try to keep it polished.

Stephen Simpson Halderman died 30 March 1929.  The editorial for the Portsmouth Daily Times, like the published biographies, has a few flaws.  The Medical College of Ohio was well established by the time he went there. 

 The late Dr S S Halderman was truly a man who had lived a life of service to his fellow man. He was one of the few survivors … older type of country doctor and physician. He began his practice in the rural sections and there he learned to respond at all hours and at all times...When later he came to the city to practice he did not deviate from the habits of his young manhood. He was at the call of any one who desired his services...doctor prepared himself well for his profession and he kept up with the progress of medicine. He became an expert surgeon, in addition to being a general practitioner, in fact was an all around medical man, one of the best in the state....president of the Ohio State Medical Association....organized the Medical College of Ohio...organized the Central National Bank...associated with the Commercial Building and Loan Company...His death causes much regret to many...

I always wonder what makes a person “tick.”  My great grandfather left home at such a young age, and succeeded beyond expectations.  He had this drive to keep his family in the best of positions and close yet, I would find out along my genealogical journey, in his own words he knew very little about his own background:

Sciotoville, Ohio March 15, 1889 Mrs. O A Barbe McLaughlin Mt Auburn, Cin., O Dear Madam Yours of March 4th received promptly and I did not answer immediately ...I tried to get accurate data but could get nothing very definite. Father died while I was quite young and his books and papers were not preserved. He had quite a library and many valuable papers. I know very little of my ancestors. Trusting the enclosed may be of some value. I am very resp. Stephen S. Halderman[viii]

He is legendary in this compiler’s mind.  He took care of not only his own but many others.  From a teen with nothing to financial stability, he taught the family dignity, work ethics, love and financial responsibility.  He invested wisely and I wonder if he realized those choices would help all his children  thru their final years and beyond.  It is quite a legacy.

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[i] Halderman, Stephen S.," 15 March 1889; letter, Box 7; Olive McLaughlin Collection; Cincinnati History Library and Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.

[ii] D. Adams Co., Oh and buried there.

[iii] Ohio, Shelby M Records . Isabella Halterman to Eli Baldwin

[iv] Scioto Chapter Ohio Genealogical Society, Newsletter Jan/Feb 1992

[v] Bannon, Stories Old and Often Told

[vi] Portsmouth Times 23 Aug 1890 purchased from estate of Frdk Gabler

[vii] Portsmouth Daily Times. 22 Jul 1909

[viii] Halderman, Stephen S.," 15 March 1889; letter, Box 7; Olive McLaughlin Collection; Cincinnati History Library and Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio

HANNAH

Teresa Martin Klaiber Feb. 2020

Everyone begins their genealogy journey with a simple lined chart.  My journey started, as a child, when mother shared my baby book. The very first page was the chart, which she had filled out, showing three generations.  By the time I was married my chart was a bit longer, filled with names and dates.  Those blank lines can be addicting, like adding puzzle pieces, but something is still missing; the heart of the people, their story.

Blogs, in today’s world, give me a chance to write the stories I learned along my genealogical journey.  After all we are a combination of who came before us. We are honoring their memory.  We should celebrate their accomplishments and learn from their errors.

As I write, today, it is drizzling, similar to the day I visited Hannah Collins Clayton.  We were driving from someplace to someplace when I realized it would be just a short side trip to Smith Cemetery in Wesley Township, Washington County, Ohio.  Hubby nodded and I swear I heard a groan and felt rolling eyes from the backseat gallery of sons, who were forced to visit many cemeteries as they grew up.

The cold granite stone stood tall among many, honoring Hannah and husband Alexander Clayton.  The symbolic drapery is said to be the veil between life and death graces their stone adding elegant dignity.  As I stood in the drizzle, I thought about how they had laughed, made mistakes, lived lives with all its up’s and down’s.  I promised to learn more about Hannah’s story.

Hannah has not been a common given name in our direct family.   Hannah which means favour or grace.  Recently another Hannah graced us with our fifth grandbaby which drew me back to my 3^rd great grandmother.  Hannah born 6 August 1802 in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania who died 17 June 1883 in Bartlett, Wesley township, Washington County, Ohio.

Hannah Collins married Alexander Clayton (s/o John Calvin Clayton). They both grew up in Perry County, Ohio, attending Unity Presbyterian Church.  I located their marriage 3 May 1832.[i]  I was a bit surprised to realize she did not marry until she was 29 years old. 

Hannah’s father died either shortly before their marriage or immediately following.[ii], She appears with her married name on partition records for Benjamin Collins, just four months after her marriage to Alexander.  Maybe she had been his caregiver?

Through the wonderful network of genealogists, a letter copied by B. F. Carroll, surfaced and was shared which sheds some light about Hannah W. Collin’s as both a caregiver and her late marriage to Alexander Clayton.

Elizabeth Carroll Hayden wrote me in February 2002: "I found a 2nd manuscript written by my great grandfather [B. F. Carroll] .... He also copied a letter she had written to family back in Pennsylvania. It was written to her cousin John McAlister[iii]...."

"Respected Friends: - I embrace the present opportunity of informing you that I am in a reasonable state of health at the present, for which I have reason to be thankful. It is a long time since I have heard anything from you or any of our friends in that part of the country and I know but little of the situation of my friends and therefore have but little to write.

My brother and sisters are or have been all married and left me alone with my father and mother, who are now old and frail. Sister Jane is a widow with five sons who live with her and manage the farm. James has three living and two dead. Sally has three living and three dead. Polly had three living and one dead. Remember me to my friends in that county. especially to your son Hugh as I can remember more about him than any of the rest. I wish you would write to us and let us know how you are coming on and our friends generally in that country, and invite Stephen George if you have an opportunity to write us.

No more at present
Your affectionate friend
[signed] Hannah W. Collins

As I continue to write the drizzle has now turned to rain and the story is not the one I had hoped to write.  Hannah has seen much grief with the death of six nephews and nieces and a brother-in-law, along with being left as care giver for her failing parents.

With Hannah’s information, even though the letter was undated, knowing that Jane’s husband, Thomas Beard died circa 1826 we can surmise the approximate time Hannah sat down to write.  Benjamin Collins, Hannah’s father, does not appear on the 1830 census and it is believed he died about 1829-30.  Thus, the letter was written between 1826 and 1829/30. 

The records of Unity Presbyterian Church state Hannah’s mother, Mary Collins, was deceased by 1 April 1835.  She is believed to be the elderly female listed in David Carroll’s household in 1830.  David Carroll had married Hannah’s sister Elizabeth. Another sister had married Thomas Carroll.  Thus, if Hannah acted as a caregiver, by 1830, she had some relief and help.

Meanwhile, Alexander Clayton had purchased 60 acres of land in adjoining Morgan County in 1825 from Moses Goodin,(s/o Moses Goodin, who had married Alexander’s grandmother Mary, after the death of grandfather Thomas Clayton). About the same time, Alexander’s father sold Moses Goodin land in Clayton township. Alexander lost money when he sold the property in Deerfield Township, Morgan County, two years later.   Within three months, January 1828 he partnered with John Huston for a town lot in New Lexington.  He sold his undivided half the next year for $400.00 to Joseph R. Thomas of Putnam, Muskingum County, Ohio.[iv]  He now was doing better and had enough to support Hannah who he married in May 1832.

After their marriage Hannah became pregnant, already 33 years old, and had her first child, Elizabeth 5 June 1835 in Perry County.   Shortly after, the Clayton’s packed up and moved to Washington County, Ohio.

They already had family residing in Washington County.  Alexander’s great uncle Joseph Clayton had died 7 May 1829 and was buried in Smith Cemetery, Wesley Township.  Alexander’s great aunt by marriage would be laid to rest in Smith Cemetery when she died in May 1840.

Alexander and Hannah Collins Clayton resided near Plymouth and Bartlett in Wesley Township where she, as his wife, signed several deed transactions as Hannah W. Clayton.  Alexander farmed, she kept house and gave birth to three more children, all sons: David Elzy Clayton 17 Jul 1837, James Allen Clayton 4 Feb 1840 and Isaac Calvin Clayton 17 April 1843.  Hannah was 41 years old when baby Isaac was born, dubbing him a “late in life” child.

Could Hannah Collins Clayton be gripped with yet more death and sadness?  Yes.  Her brother James Collins died 7 January 1849 in Logan County, Ohio, just 55 years old.  Sister Jane Collins Beard would follow him to the grave 20 July 1850, in Perry County.

Where does a woman find strength, except in God, when it storms around her? The cloak of death would again touch Hannah.  This time with more heartbreak. Daughter, Elizabeth died at the age of 18[v] and was also laid to rest in Smith Cemetery in 1853.   

I am sure she was still mourning when news reached her that sister Mary Collins Pugh had died in Van Buren County, Iowa 14 November 1859 followed by the shock that sister Anne Collins Carroll had died the 28^th of the same month in New Lexington, Ohio.  In fact I wonder if she might not have known about Anne’s death before finding out about Mary.

In her late 50’s, the Civil War would touch their lives. All three of her son’s volunteered to serve the Union cause.  David Elzy saw service in Company G of the 92^nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  James Allen joined Company D of the 148^th as did Isaac Calvin Clayton.  Not all was gloom.   In January 1865 they celebrated the marriage of youngest son, Isaac Calvin Clayton to Anna Jane Graham in Wesley Township. Three months later they travelled to Morgan County 11 April 1865 for the marriage of James Allen Clayton to Sarah J Ellis.  On the road again they travelled to New Lexington for the wedding of David Elzy Clayton to Harriett Griffith 27 February 1866.

Knowing their sons were safe after the war she enjoyed the birth of 16 grandchildren. As a grandmother, myself, I know it is the ultimate joy in life and it comforts me to know Hannah found joy after facing so many deaths in her lifetime.  I wonder if she thought about the footprint she would be leaving for her descendants. Would she leave a little of the fortitude of endurance during the sad occasions that happen in life?   She would have one last death to face before facing her own demise.  Her steadfast, providing, husband, Alexander died 12 April 1879 and was laid to rest in Smith Cemetery.  Hannah’s death would follow four years later on 17 June 1883.

Hannah W. Collins Clayton was the youngest of seven known children of Benjamin Collins and wife Mary McAlister Collins.  Born 6 August 1802 in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania she would also be considered a “late in life” baby.  Her father was an Ensign in the  2^nd Lost Creek regiment of the militia in Mifflin County.[vi]   Hannah was around eight years old when they migrated from Mifflin County to Perry County, Ohio.  I hope that she enjoyed a happy, carefree childhood, as all children should.  The Stephen George[vii] mentioned in her letter, was a teacher, circa 1810, on Lost Creek about 1 ½ miles from McAllisterville.  It is easy to visualize him teaching Hannah her letters.

She was the granddaughter of Hugh McAlister born in Ireland circa 1731 who settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and became a prominent pioneer in the Lost Creek Valley of Cumberland County, now Juanita County.  Hugh enlisted in the French & Indian Wars at the age of 22.  He was at Fort Duquesne in 1755, the year after it was built.  Today we know the area as Pittsburgh. 

The next time I visit Hannah Collins Clayton, I will understand that she is at peace among those that went before her.  That above all she honored those she loved.

A Fallen Limb

A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says,
“Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times,
the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived
while I was strong.
Continue my heritage,
I’m counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely
the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease,
my soul is at rest.
Remembering all,
how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions,
no matter how small.
Go on with your life,
don’t worry about falls.
I miss you all dearly,
so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes
we’re together again.”
– Author Unknown

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[i] Ohio, Perry Mbk 1 p 134

[ii] Ohio, Perry dbk E p 224

[iii] John McAllister, John McAlister, William McAllister and Stephen George all appear on the same p. Fermanagh twp., Mifflin County, PA 1820

[iv] Ohio, Perry dbk D 196 & D 199

[v] 7 Jun 1853

[vi] Thomas Lynch Montgomery, Pennsylvania Archives Sixth Series (N.p.: Department of Public Instruction, 1907), Volume V page 400.

[vii] History of that part of Susquehanna & Juaniata Valley…p. 841

The Naughty McGrew’s

Compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber Feb. 2020

I have several genealogical lines that embraced the Quaker faith.  The Society of Friends was founded in England, by George Fox.  They believed that God exists in every person and believed in spiritual equality for men and women alike.  They were pacifists that in many cases refused to take legal oaths nor fight.  They were abolitionists in Colonial America. 

They were forbidden to marry outside their faith. They were forbidden to bear arms. While they were not forbidden to drink alcohol they were forbidden to drink in excess.  They dressed plainly and were forbidden to dance.  Almost everything they did in colonial time was reported to a committee set up for both men and women in their faith.

I have a double direct McGrew line on my maternal side.  Two McGrew sisters married eventually bringing their lines back together, while another sister married into another yet another branch of my family.  At least 11% of the dna flowing in my veins is Scotch Irish from both my maternal and paternal family.

There were nine children in Finley And Dinah Cox McGrew’s family.  Both Finley and wife Dinah Cox McGrew are buried in Sewickley Friends Cemetery, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.  Finley was active on many committees, as required, in the Quaker minutes. Their first son John was born in October 1760. 

The second son, James Cox McGrew was born in 1762. James Cox McGrew kicked up his heels a bit.  The committee took action.  The 13^th day of the 3^rd month 1786: 

“Whereas James McGrew son of Finley had a right of membership amongst us the people called Quakers but hath given way so far to a libertine spirit as to be guilty of taking strong drink to excess and dancing for which disorderly conduct we disown him the same James McGrew from being any longer a member of our Religious Society until his future recommend him worthy.”[i]

I especially like the use of the word libertine in the written record. While the definition means without moral principles it also represents a free thinker in the matters of religion. 

But James Cox McGrew was not the first sibling to get in trouble with the church.  Mary, daughter of Finley and Dinah McGrew was written up in the Menallen Women’s Monthly Meeting 12 day 1^st month of 1784.

"Huntingdon Meeting informs that Mary the daughter of Finely [sic] McGrew hath left the parts in a disorderly manner with a young man in the night season which being considered in this meeting it is thought best to appoint a friend to unite with Men friends in writing to some friends of Hopewell Monthly Meeting and endeavour to inform themselves whether or no or in what manner she was married, therefore Alice Hendricks is appointed for that service who is desired to report to a future meeting."

Mary had married 25 September 1784 Jacob Ong. Jacob’s father was Jeremiah Ong. (Mary McGrew Ong is the compilers 5^th great aunt).

4 Jun 1784: Menallen Monthly Meeting minutes: "The Friends appointed in the case of Mary Ong, formerly McGrew report they performed the service and a testimony was produced to this meeting which was approved and signed being as follow viz Whereas Mary Ong formerly McGrew hath had a birth right amongst us the people called Quakers but hath so far given away to a libertine spirit as to go away in a disorderly manner with a young man in the night season to whom we are since informed she is married contrary to the good order used amongst Friends, for which misconduct we do hereby disown her the said Mary Ong to be any longer a member of our society untill her future conduct recommend her worthy which that it may is our desire for her.”

There is that use of libertine spirit again. It is believed that Jacob Ong while likely born a Quaker was already disowned for having served in the Continental Army (8th Regt, Pennsylvania Line) during the Revolution.  Later records indicate they were restored to the faith and appear in Hopewell Friends records before migrating to Jefferson County, Ohio.

Next in line of children born to Finley and Dinah Cox McGrew was Nathan born the 1^st day 6^th month 1765.  Just before his 18^th birthday Nathan celebrates, and like his siblings is reprimanded.  Three representatives “had the opportunity with him since last meeting and inspected in his conduct and acknowledged that he had been guilty of horse racing and dancing and they were of the mind that he was not in… situation of mind to condemn his misconduct…prevailing for this restoration…” [ii] Three more people of the faith were appointed to pay him another visit.  Apparently, horses were in the “blood.”  James Cox McGrew is thought to have raised and sold horses.

The Pennsylvania German and Swiss, enjoyed folk dance, especially enjoying the fiddle.  The Scotch and Irish of other faiths enjoyed their music and a hornpipe was made by Pennsylvanian, John Durang.[iii]  There were taverns and halls for dancing jigs and English reels.    It is not hard to envision the Quaker youth being drawn to the festivities of their neighbors.[iv]

As a mother I can only imagine how stressful these infractions were to their parents who followed the faith so closely.  They wished their children the best and that included their own religious training.  At this writing, the compiler finds only one child, Finley (Jr.), that the parents can praise for not being called upon for an infraction.   With a sigh, the siblings were not done expressing themselves.

Dinah (born the 9^th day 3^rd moth of 1769, named for her mother), before her 17^th birthday along with younger sister Rebecca, only 15 years old, are caught dancing.  “…hath been guilty of dancing therefore this meeting appoints Susanna Wright and Mary Garretson to unite with Men Friends in treating with them on that account and support their sence of the situation of their minds to next meeting.”  The case continues for several visits with the girls.  Dinah married John Hoop and this compiler’s ancestor, Rebecca survives her punishment and marries James A. Mains in the Menallen Monthly Meeting in 1788.  Rebecca McGrew Mains is this compiler’s fifth great grandmother.  Rebecca McGrew Mains died the 10th day 11th month 1852 and is buried in the Friends Cemtery, Sewickley, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, long forgiven for her youthful indeiscretion with dance.  

Oh, yet again, we are not done with our story.  The youngest daughter of Finley and Dinah Cox McGrew, born 10 September 1776, at sweet 16 marries Presbyterian, William Wilson  (Also the compiler’s fifth great grandparents).  A bible record indicates they were married 18 Oct 1792.[v]  Providence Preparative Meeting “…informs that Margaret Wilson formerly McGrew hath accomplished her marriage with a man not of our society by the assistance of a magistrate. This meeting appoints Mary Coope and Susannah Talbot to join Men Friends in a visit to her endeavor to lay before her the inconsistency of their conduct and without sufficient cause to forbear prepare a testimony against her…next meeting.”[vi] 

The youngest son  of Finley and Dinah Mcgrew, Jacob was born circa 1779.  When about 21 years old he married his cousin Jane McGrew, the daughter of James Blackburn McGrew and Elizabeth McFerran McGrew.[vii]  The minutes for the 6^th mo 1800 and 7^th month 1801 state “The Friends of Jacob and Jane McGrew’s case report the service is performed and have returned the testimony being as follows – Whereas Jacob McGrew and Jane his wife (they being first cousins) that so far deviated from the good order established amongst us as to accomplish their marriage by the assistance of a hireling teacher for which we disown them from membership with us until they…become sensible of their error and make satisfaction to Friends which that they may is our desire.”[viii] [ix]  It is not unusual to find cousin marriages when doing early genealogy.  The Quaker’s were ahead of their time concerning this rule for first cousins.  Two generations later George Graham would marry Mary Jane Mains, 2^nd cousins plus man and wife.

All of these siblings were active in their communities, raised children that went on in many walks of life.  If not for those that pushed the limits of things they questioned or did not believe in, I would not be writing today with music playing in the background.  One of my fondest memories is my mother carefully cleaning a record and placing it on the record player, swaying to the music.  She showed me how she did the jitter bug in high school with a huge smile on her face.  She also insisted I take cotillion lessons along with social etiquette of the 1950’s. My first date was at the Country Club for a dance. I must say my dance card was usually full during my teen years, thanks to her guidance.

It is simpler to end this tale of religious disobedience with a chart that explains my relationship of the McGrew’s, Mains and Ong family for the reader.

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[i] Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Minutes, 1780-1811; Collection: Baltimore Yearly Meeting Minutes; Call Number: RG2/B/M461 1.1.

[ii] Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Baltimore Yearly Meeting Minutes; Call Number: RG2/B/M461 1.1.

[iii] https://www.colonialmusic.org/colonial-music-resources/2-uncategorised/32-dances-of-colonial-america.html

[iv] Wood, Robert, “Tavern Frolics” Berks-Mont. Berksmontnews.com. 11 Jul 2016

[v] Dinah Ann [Wilson] Graham, first edition (Marietta, Ohio: Richardson Printing Corp., 1967), Page 17, 18.

[vi] Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Women's Minutes, 1786-1823; Collection: Quaker Meeting Records; Call Number: MR-O-0050, Page 77.

[vii] James Blackburn McGrew is a brother of Finley McGrew who married Dinah Cox.

[viii] Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Minutes, 1783-1804; Collection: Quaker Meeting Records; Call Number: RG2/O/R44 1.1 page 296

[ix] Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Minutes, 1793-1804; Collection: Quaker Meeting Records; Call Number: MR-O-0051. Given from Redstone