A Whole Lotta Family - Person Sheet
A Whole Lotta Family - Person Sheet
Birth13 Feb 1762, City of Westminister, Greater London, England352
Immigration1775, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co, Province of Pennsylvania, BCA Age: 12
Death10 Feb 1826, Sheshequin Twp, Bradford Co, Pennsylvania11 Age: 63
BurialBlack (Patterson) Cemetery, Sheshequin, Brandford Co, Pennsylvania756
FlagsRevolutionary War
FatherWilliam Ferguson II (1739->1762)
MotherMargaret Donald (1745-1783)
Spouses
Death12 Oct 1845, Coles Co, llinois Age: 76
BurialDry Grove Cemetery, Paradise Twp, Coles Co, llinois754
FatherCapt Jonathon Arnold “Jon” Franklin Sr (1738-1778)
MotherRuth Hickok (1727-1777)
ChildrenStephen (1793-1863)
Ruthem M “Ruth” (1795-1858)
Jemima Rose (1797-1872)
Elizabeth (1799-1863)
Benjamin Franklin (1802-1860)
William James (1805-1879)
Arnold F (1807-1900)
Charles D “Curtis” (1815-1892)
Notes for James William Ferguson
William was born in England and ran away from home at the age of 13. He came to America on a British man-of-war, deserted ship and joined the American army. He spent the winter of 1777 with Washington at Valley Forge, losing the toes on one foot. He married Patience Franklin in approximately 1782 and they had 8 children.11
William James Ferguson's given name was orginallly James William but he choose to use them in reverse. According to an elderly family member he choose to use William as his first name as there were already several James in the family.
William Ferguson left home at the age of 13. He to came to America from England as a cabin boy with his Uncle (who was the ship's chaplain) on a British Man O War ship.
Revolutionary War Veteran
Upon reaching Philadelphia he deserted the British ship and joined the American Army as a drummer boy (fifer) and served in different capacities throughout the Revolution.
There is a record in the 5th Series, Vol,2,page 633 at the Pennsylvania Archives of him serving in the Revolutionary War as a Fifer. He is on the list January 1, 1777. He spent the winter of 1777 with General George Washington at Valley Forge where he lost the toes off one foot.
William first carried arms at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, June 28, 1778,. He was a Private with the
1st Pennsylvania Regiment Continental Line until they went out due to no pay, hunger, and they were ragged.
William re-enlisted and served to the end of the war.
His name appears on the field and muster rolls for April 1780 as Fife Major, being second-in-command of a corps of drums, responsible for the training and discipline of the regiment’s fifers.
There is no record of his discharge papers.
1780 marriage to Patience Franklin
They were married in the township of Luzerne, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. On his Army paperwork as will as his marriage cert. he listed his name as William James Ferguson. There were eight children of this union (for list, see below).
In Heverly's "History of Sheshequin 1777-1902," p. 235-36:
William Ferguson, who had married Patience, sister of Mrs. Ichabod Blackman, came to Sheshequin with his brother-in-law, 1791; children were William, Benjamin, Stephen, Arnold F., Curtis, Jemima, Elizabeth, and Ruth N. Mrs. Ichabod Blackman was Elizabeth Franklin, daughter of Jonathan Franklin.
The following is from Heverly's "Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, Pennsylvania," p. 215:
William Ferguson, a brother-in-law of Ichabod Blackman, came to Sheshequin, 1791, settling on the Theodore Smith place. . . He cleared a considerable part
of the farm and died thereon. Some years after the death of Mr. Ferguson, the property was sold to Hezekiah Smith.
William had a store account in the area from March 28, 1792 to September 26, 1807. The charges were: Whisky, Kettle, Shot, 6 Flints, Power (Powder?), Tea, Calico, Salt, Knife, Pair Sleeve Buttons, Pepper, Allspice, Cream Jug, Cambric, Thread and Sundries, Credit by Cow and Note.
Bradford County, Pennsylvania Tax Lists:
William Ferguson is first shown on the 1796 Bradford County, Pennsylvania Taxables in the Tioga District. In 1796, this was a 12 mile strip running across the county from Breakneck Run to the New York State line. He is then listed on the 1812-1826 Wysox Taxables. This was probably the same property as the names of the townships changed during this time period.
1800 Ulster, Luzerne County, PA Census:
Ferguson, William--1 Male Under 10, 1 Male of 26 and under 45, 1 Female of 26 and under 45.
1810 Wysox, Luzerne County, PA Census
Forgason, William--4 Males Under 10, 2 Males of 16 and under 26, 1 Male of 45 and up, 3 Females of 10 and under 16, 1 Female of 26 and under 45. (It is not known whether there was an additional child born to William and Patience. If so, it is not known what happened to that child. No mention is made of a sixth son. This could be a mistake by the census taker.)
Bradford County, Pennsylvania Taxables:
In 1812, William is shown as owning one house, sixty acres of improved land, one hundred acres
of unimproved land, two horses and three cows.
In 1817, William owned forty acres of improved land, one hundred eighty acres of unimproved land, one cow and two oxen.
In the book entitled "History of Sheshequin 1777-1902" by C. F. Heverly, p. 235-36, there is mention of a road which was built leading to William Fergason’s, At a court of quarter sessions, December 1819. road from Isaac Horton's to Road leading from Dr. Gillett's to William Fergason's, the petition of Isaac I. Low, Peter Barnard, John Smith, Warren Gillett, Zadoe Gillett, Renssaelar Jenks, Daniel Brink, Isaac Horton, James Shores, Elijah Horton, Franklin Blackman, Isaac J. Horton and Josiah Tuttle, inhabitants of Ulster and Wysox, was read, setting forth "that petitioners are in great want of a road to accomodate them from Overton mill in Old Sheshequin, therefore pray the court for the appointment of viewers to lay out a road to begin at Isaac Horton's, to run easterly up Horn creek to intersect the road leading from Dr. Gillett's to William Fergason's" etc; whereupon the court appoint Jos. Kingsbury, Richard Horton, Franklin Blackman, Josiah Tuttle, Samuel K. Gore and Ebenezer Shaw. February sessions, 1820, viewers report in favor of road. May sessions report finally confirmed and road ordered opened to the wider 30 feet. This was the first road from the river to Hornbrook, thence up the creek to the Macafee place. In 1829 this road was re-viewed, changed and lengthened from Daniel Brink's to the Woodburn place.
1820 Wysox, Luzerne County, PA Census:
Forgason, Wm--1 Male to 10, 3 Males 10 to 16, 1 Male 26 to 45, 1 Female 16 to 26, 1 Female 45 and up. Occupation - Agriculture (Stephen, Ruthem, and Jemima have married and left home by the time of this census.) The family owned fifty acres of improved land, two hundred and ten acres of unimproved land, one house. one horse, three cows,
and two oxen.
Bradford County, Pennsylvania Taxables:
In 1823, William owned fifty acres of improved land, two hundred and fifteen acres of unimproved land, one house, two horses, two oxen,
and three cows.
From 1826-28, the property is listed taxable as William Ferguson's Estate.
From 1829-1832, property is listed taxable to William Ferguson,
the original William Ferguson's son
Excerpt from will written 30 Jan 1826:
In the name of God Amen. Now Know ye, that I, William Ferguson of the Township of Wysox, County of Bradford, and State of Pennsylvania being in a low state of
health and desirous of making this Instrument as my last will and testament
It is my desire that my landed property should be kept together for the comfort and support of my Kind and well respected Wife Patience -- and considering a
duty Incumbent on me do Will that She have a decent and good support from the Holmestead lot of farm called the middle lot during her natural life and the
bay mare for her riding Beast and one cow
It is my desire that my three sons William Arnold and Curtis Should Remain with their Mother in the full occupancy of the Holmestead untill they become of age and that all my movable property shall be considered by them to be applied to the dischargeing and payment of Debt, due from use and that William, Arnold and Curtis shall be considered equal in proportion in paying and securing the title of the three lots Subject to the council and direction of my Son, Stephen to pay all lawful debts as before mentioned as well as physicians for attending to me in sickness. That the Sheep is to be considered to belong to my affectionate Wife for use and for clothing the family.
As a Kind and affectionate Family it is my desire that they keep together all the balance of Property after paying the Debts for the comfort and at the direction of my wife Hereby Will authorise and appoint Stephen Ferguson my First Son to be the Lawfull Executor of this my last Will and Testament and to direct and order all
things concerning my Estate accordingly and hoping that this my last Will and Testament will be considered effective and binding upon all my beloved children that no disturbance nor bad feelings should arise among them after I Shall be dead and gone. Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of January 1826
Making void all former Wills and Memorandums concerning my affairs and Estate --
In the presence of Harry Morgan William Ferguson
[his daughters, all married at the time, received sixty dollars each]
Death - 10 Feb 1826
William died at the age of 63. He was buried at Black Cemetery, Sheshequin, Bradford County, Pennsylvania
His children were:
William, a shoemaker, married Nancy, daughter of James Shores, and removed to Paradise Township, Coles County, Illinois
Stephen married a Miss Atwood of Wysox and also went to Paradise Township, Coles County, Illinois;
Benjamin married and removed to Fillmore County, Minnesota ;
Arnold F. married Elizabeth, daughter of Franklin Blackman, removed to Streator, Ill., where he died;
Curtis married Ethlinda, daughter of Caleb Shores, and lived at Ghent;
Jemima married Jesse R. Drake of Wysox;
Elizabeth married Elijah, son of Elijah M. Horton;
Ruth N. married Isaac Jayne Horton13
William James Ferguson's given name was orginallly James William but he choose to use them in reverse. According to an elderly family member he choose to use William as his first name as there were already several James in the family.
William Ferguson left home at the age of 13. He to came to America from England as a cabin boy with his Uncle (who was the ship's chaplain) on a British Man O War ship.
Revolutionary War Veteran
Upon reaching Philadelphia he deserted the British ship and joined the American Army as a drummer boy (fifer) and served in different capacities throughout the Revolution.
There is a record in the 5th Series, Vol,2,page 633 at the Pennsylvania Archives of him serving in the Revolutionary War as a Fifer. He is on the list January 1, 1777. He spent the winter of 1777 with General George Washington at Valley Forge where he lost the toes off one foot.
William first carried arms at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, June 28, 1778,. He was a Private with the
1st Pennsylvania Regiment Continental Line until they went out due to no pay, hunger, and they were ragged.
William re-enlisted and served to the end of the war.
His name appears on the field and muster rolls for April 1780 as Fife Major, being second-in-command of a corps of drums, responsible for the training and discipline of the regiment’s fifers.
There is no record of his discharge papers.
1780 marriage to Patience Franklin
They were married in the township of Luzerne, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. On his Army paperwork as will as his marriage cert. he listed his name as William James Ferguson. There were eight children of this union (for list, see below).
In Heverly's "History of Sheshequin 1777-1902," p. 235-36:
William Ferguson, who had married Patience, sister of Mrs. Ichabod Blackman, came to Sheshequin with his brother-in-law, 1791; children were William, Benjamin, Stephen, Arnold F., Curtis, Jemima, Elizabeth, and Ruth N. Mrs. Ichabod Blackman was Elizabeth Franklin, daughter of Jonathan Franklin.
The following is from Heverly's "Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, Pennsylvania," p. 215:
William Ferguson, a brother-in-law of Ichabod Blackman, came to Sheshequin, 1791, settling on the Theodore Smith place. . . He cleared a considerable part
of the farm and died thereon. Some years after the death of Mr. Ferguson, the property was sold to Hezekiah Smith.
William had a store account in the area from March 28, 1792 to September 26, 1807. The charges were: Whisky, Kettle, Shot, 6 Flints, Power (Powder?), Tea, Calico, Salt, Knife, Pair Sleeve Buttons, Pepper, Allspice, Cream Jug, Cambric, Thread and Sundries, Credit by Cow and Note.
Bradford County, Pennsylvania Tax Lists:
William Ferguson is first shown on the 1796 Bradford County, Pennsylvania Taxables in the Tioga District. In 1796, this was a 12 mile strip running across the county from Breakneck Run to the New York State line. He is then listed on the 1812-1826 Wysox Taxables. This was probably the same property as the names of the townships changed during this time period.
1800 Ulster, Luzerne County, PA Census:
Ferguson, William--1 Male Under 10, 1 Male of 26 and under 45, 1 Female of 26 and under 45.
1810 Wysox, Luzerne County, PA Census
Forgason, William--4 Males Under 10, 2 Males of 16 and under 26, 1 Male of 45 and up, 3 Females of 10 and under 16, 1 Female of 26 and under 45. (It is not known whether there was an additional child born to William and Patience. If so, it is not known what happened to that child. No mention is made of a sixth son. This could be a mistake by the census taker.)
Bradford County, Pennsylvania Taxables:
In 1812, William is shown as owning one house, sixty acres of improved land, one hundred acres
of unimproved land, two horses and three cows.
In 1817, William owned forty acres of improved land, one hundred eighty acres of unimproved land, one cow and two oxen.
In the book entitled "History of Sheshequin 1777-1902" by C. F. Heverly, p. 235-36, there is mention of a road which was built leading to William Fergason’s, At a court of quarter sessions, December 1819. road from Isaac Horton's to Road leading from Dr. Gillett's to William Fergason's, the petition of Isaac I. Low, Peter Barnard, John Smith, Warren Gillett, Zadoe Gillett, Renssaelar Jenks, Daniel Brink, Isaac Horton, James Shores, Elijah Horton, Franklin Blackman, Isaac J. Horton and Josiah Tuttle, inhabitants of Ulster and Wysox, was read, setting forth "that petitioners are in great want of a road to accomodate them from Overton mill in Old Sheshequin, therefore pray the court for the appointment of viewers to lay out a road to begin at Isaac Horton's, to run easterly up Horn creek to intersect the road leading from Dr. Gillett's to William Fergason's" etc; whereupon the court appoint Jos. Kingsbury, Richard Horton, Franklin Blackman, Josiah Tuttle, Samuel K. Gore and Ebenezer Shaw. February sessions, 1820, viewers report in favor of road. May sessions report finally confirmed and road ordered opened to the wider 30 feet. This was the first road from the river to Hornbrook, thence up the creek to the Macafee place. In 1829 this road was re-viewed, changed and lengthened from Daniel Brink's to the Woodburn place.
1820 Wysox, Luzerne County, PA Census:
Forgason, Wm--1 Male to 10, 3 Males 10 to 16, 1 Male 26 to 45, 1 Female 16 to 26, 1 Female 45 and up. Occupation - Agriculture (Stephen, Ruthem, and Jemima have married and left home by the time of this census.) The family owned fifty acres of improved land, two hundred and ten acres of unimproved land, one house. one horse, three cows,
and two oxen.
Bradford County, Pennsylvania Taxables:
In 1823, William owned fifty acres of improved land, two hundred and fifteen acres of unimproved land, one house, two horses, two oxen,
and three cows.
From 1826-28, the property is listed taxable as William Ferguson's Estate.
From 1829-1832, property is listed taxable to William Ferguson,
the original William Ferguson's son
Excerpt from will written 30 Jan 1826:
In the name of God Amen. Now Know ye, that I, William Ferguson of the Township of Wysox, County of Bradford, and State of Pennsylvania being in a low state of
health and desirous of making this Instrument as my last will and testament
It is my desire that my landed property should be kept together for the comfort and support of my Kind and well respected Wife Patience -- and considering a
duty Incumbent on me do Will that She have a decent and good support from the Holmestead lot of farm called the middle lot during her natural life and the
bay mare for her riding Beast and one cow
It is my desire that my three sons William Arnold and Curtis Should Remain with their Mother in the full occupancy of the Holmestead untill they become of age and that all my movable property shall be considered by them to be applied to the dischargeing and payment of Debt, due from use and that William, Arnold and Curtis shall be considered equal in proportion in paying and securing the title of the three lots Subject to the council and direction of my Son, Stephen to pay all lawful debts as before mentioned as well as physicians for attending to me in sickness. That the Sheep is to be considered to belong to my affectionate Wife for use and for clothing the family.
As a Kind and affectionate Family it is my desire that they keep together all the balance of Property after paying the Debts for the comfort and at the direction of my wife Hereby Will authorise and appoint Stephen Ferguson my First Son to be the Lawfull Executor of this my last Will and Testament and to direct and order all
things concerning my Estate accordingly and hoping that this my last Will and Testament will be considered effective and binding upon all my beloved children that no disturbance nor bad feelings should arise among them after I Shall be dead and gone. Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of January 1826
Making void all former Wills and Memorandums concerning my affairs and Estate --
In the presence of Harry Morgan William Ferguson
[his daughters, all married at the time, received sixty dollars each]
Death - 10 Feb 1826
William died at the age of 63. He was buried at Black Cemetery, Sheshequin, Bradford County, Pennsylvania
His children were:
William, a shoemaker, married Nancy, daughter of James Shores, and removed to Paradise Township, Coles County, Illinois
Stephen married a Miss Atwood of Wysox and also went to Paradise Township, Coles County, Illinois;
Benjamin married and removed to Fillmore County, Minnesota ;
Arnold F. married Elizabeth, daughter of Franklin Blackman, removed to Streator, Ill., where he died;
Curtis married Ethlinda, daughter of Caleb Shores, and lived at Ghent;
Jemima married Jesse R. Drake of Wysox;
Elizabeth married Elijah, son of Elijah M. Horton;
Ruth N. married Isaac Jayne Horton13