Atkinson, James

Summary of James ATKINSON - 5 May 2010
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Name: James ATKINSON
Sex: Male
Father: Cornelius ATKINSON (abt 1732 - Apr 1815)
Mother: Mary (CROSS) STEPHENS ( - 1807)

Individual Facts
Birth abt 1762 , Cumberland Co., PA
Death abt Sep 1841 (age 79) , Monroe Co., OH
Burial abt Sep 1841 (age 79) Cameron, Monroe Co., OH, Cameron Cemetery

Marriages/Children
1. Mary BROWN
Marriage abt 1799 (age 37) Ohio
Children
... Cornelius Brown ATKINSON (abt 1806 - aft 1880)
... Kinsey ATKINSON (abt 1816 - 22 Mar 1865)

Notes (Individual)
General:
James Atkinson

PARENTS: Cornelius Atkinson and Mary (Cross) Stephens

Problem: Was the date of birth, 1762 or as Rose Abersold Dietrich has it, 1759 in PA? James Atkinson testified, at the Pension Hearing of his brother, Charles, in 1832, that he was 70 years of age. Birth date calculated, Abt. 1762.

MILITARY:
James and Charles Atkinson, enlisted with their father, Cornelius Atkinson. These boys started careers as frontiersmen patterned after that of their father and for the next 20 years or more were frequently engaged in military service, against the Indians or otherwise in defense of their country.

Later in the Revolution, another brother, William Atkinson, enlisted in the Pennsylvania Militia, as a member of Robinsson's Rangers (Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, Vol. 23, p. 196) For other sources of information see Cumberland county, PA Deed and Orphan Court Records; Dauphin Co., PA Orphan Court records; Hains History of Perry County, PA; DAR Book 140, p. 235. (Source: Catherine Fedorchak, Vol. II, p. 60 - furnished by Robert Guilinger)

MILITARY: Revolutionary War Service Records - Cornelius Atkinson and sons, James and Charles Atkinson

MILITARY:
Cornelius Atkinson served as a Lieutenant with the 2nd Battalion of Northumberland County Pennsylvania Militia. Colonel James Potter was the Commander.
1st Company. Arthur Taggert, 1st Captain.
... Cornelius Atkinson, 1st Lieutenant
... 85 Privates
... Cornelius Atkinson's sons, James and Charles Atkinson served
... as Privates in the company.
(Source: Pennsylvania Archives. 5 Series. Vol. 8, pp. 641-667-F85-F854-. 67.)

MILITARY:
The Atkinsons also served as Ranger on the Frontiers - Northumberland County,
Pennsylvania. 1778-1783.
... Cornelius Atkinson 1778-1783; James Atkinson 1778-1783;
... Charles Atkinson 1778-1780.
(Source: Pennsylvania Archives. 3rd Series. Vol. 23, pp. 245-338-343- 711.
[Note: REH found this information about the war records in the Data File of Cornelius Atkinson at the DAR in Washington, DC.]

MILITARY: James Atkinson was a Sgt. in Capt. James Seal's Company for 265 days. Charles was a Pvt. in the same company. (Source: Pennsylvania Archives, 6th Series, Vol. 5, pages 618, 630) (Source: Catherine Fedorchak, Vol. II, p. 61 - furnished by Robert Guilinger)

MILITARY:
Recd. Washington 3d February 1795 of Jno. Wilkens Junr. sixty two dollars sixty seven cents in full for my services as a sergant in Capt. James Sealses compy. of State militia also two dollars for the use of my gun in said service as witness my hand
D 64-67
JAMES ATKINSON
Test
Thos. Gillispie.
(Source: Muster and Pay Rolls, p. 630 - furnished by Robert Guilinger)

EMIGRATION: About the end of the 18th century, ca. 1799, brothers Charles and James Atkinson moved to the Northwest Territory and settled on Sunfish Creek in what is now Monroe Co., Ohio. There within the next 3 to 4 years they were joined by their brothers, William, Isaac, Mitchell and their sister, Mary Jones-Inghram. (Source: Catherine Fedorchak, Vol. II, p. 61 - furnished by Robert Guilinger)

RESIDENCES: A Brief History of Adams Township, Monroe Co., OH Adams Township was organized on 6 Mar 1826. Sunfish Creek flows through the middle of Adams Twp. Piney Forks is a tributary of Sunfish Creek. The township is bordered by Sunsbury, Switzerland, Salem, Green and Center townships.

Early settlers of Adams township were Charles and James Atkinson, Gilbert and Mitchell McCoy, Elias Conger, Christian Hartline, Phillip Noland, Robert Norris, Samuel Bracey and the families of Mellott and Powell.

The village of Cameron was established in 1837 by James and Mary (Brown) Atkinson. James was an early settler and a Revolutionary War veteran. Cameron was originally named Jamestown. The first church in Adams Twp. was built near Cameron in 1825. Other churches: Mt. Zion Chruch of Christ (formerly known as the Bracey Church), Goudy Church of Christ, Mellott Ridge Church of Christ, Pleasant Grove Methodist Church, Cameron Church of Christ. (Source: The Navigator, Monroe County Chapter OGS, June 1991, Vol. 4, No. 2 - furnished by Joyce Posey)

REFERENCE:
According to Hardesty, James Atkinson laid out the town of Jamestown on the Sunfish creek, near the mouth of Atkinson's Run in Monroe Co., OH. The name of Jamestown was changed to Cameron, OH in 1860. [Note: Some list the year as 1837. REH]

BIOGRAPHY:
James [Atkinson], the son of Cornelius [Atkinson], was engaged with his brother Charles in protecting the frontier at that time against Indian hostilities and both emigrated to this State at the same time. James was a single man at the time he came to this State, but soon afterward married Mary BROWN (usually called Aunt Polly ATKINSON by the young people in earlier times) and shortly after their union, moved to Licking county in this State among the Indians, but remained there but a short time when they moved back to this county and settled on Sunfish creek near the mouth of Atkinson's run, bought a quarter section of land from the government, erected a house thereon, and laid out the town of Jamestown (now called Cameron), and having lived there for many years, and raised a large family of children, he died at a good old age, and his remains were interred in the Cameron cemetery; his relict (Aunt Polly) lived in this county several years after his death, and moved with one of her sons to Wood county, West Virginia, and there died at a very old age. (Source: History of Monroe County, Ohio; H.H. Hardesty & Co., Publishers, Chicago and Toledo, 1882, 31)

EMIGRATION-RESIDENCES: James and Mary Atkinson moved to Licking Co., OH. Then they moved back and settled on Sunfish Creek near Atkinson Run, where they bought 1/4 section from the government. They erected a house and laid out the town of Jamestown (Cameron), OH. James died there. His wife moved to Wood Co., WV with one of her sons and died there are at a very old age. (Furnished by: Delbert Henthorn)

MILITARY: According to Ulysses Grant Ross, James enlisted in the American Army and served the entire time of the Revolutionary War.

RESIDENCES: Charles and James Atkinson were early settlers at Sunfish Creek, Salem Twp., Monroe Co., OH (Found in Monroe OGS Navigator, July 1994, page 56, no source citation)

EMIGRATION: According to Robert Guilinger, siblings, Charles, James, William A., Mary, Isaac, and Mitchell Atkinson moved from Pennsylvania to Monroe Co., OH about 1799. He did not state his source for this conclusion.

CONFLICT-DEATH: Robert R. Guilinger lists the date of death as, Sep 1841. Others have listed 1845 in Monroe Co., OH. In 1843 and 1845 Legal Notices were posted pertaining to his Estate Settlement.

James W. Henthorn Makes Claim - 18630804

James W. Henthorn
Makes Claim for Goods Furnished During Civil War
4 August 1863

OHIO & MISSISSIPPI RAILWAY COMPANY

State of Ohio) Hamilton County) S.S.

Before Mr. J.W. Carter a Justice of the Peace in and for the Township of Cincinnati County and State aforesaid comes James W. Henthorn resident of Washington Township, county of Ripley, state of Indiana who being duly sworn makes oath and says that on the 13th of July A.D. 1863 as av. Genl. Hobson in command of a force of United States soldiers being then in pursuit of the Rebel Gen. John Morgan and Rebels under the command of said Rebel Genl. John Morgan passed through the adjoining township Franklin some one or more of the men in the 2nd Tenn. Regt. - then under Genl. Hobson took from him one mare also at the same time some one or more of the men took from the affiant for the use of the U.S.C. Cavalry Regiment then under the command of Genl. Hobson the said parties at the time of taking said mares gave affiant receipts or papers purporting to be such which are herewith presented. The following is a description of the Mares afore offered to Witt -

one brown in color 16 hands high 7 years old no mark about her that affiant knows of Also one brown mare 15 hands high 12 years old no marks that affiant Knows of also one gray mare - about 15 hands high 6 years old.

Affiant further says that the Grey Mare was worth $100.00 and brown mare 12 years old was worth $100.00 and brown mare 7 years old was worth $120.00

Affiant says that as much as the said horses were taken from him and the value above stated is reasonable price he ought to receive said amount for said horses.

Affiant further makes oath and says he is now and has ever been a loyal Citizen of the United States of America and that he will ever bear true faith and allegiance to the said United States.

Sworn and subscribed to before me this (4) day of August A.D. 1863
John W. Carter

/s/James W. Henthorn

<->

Attached to this was the following:

State of Ohio Hamilton county, S.S.

Before me J.W. Carter a Justice of the Peace in and for the Township of Cincinnati County and state aforesaid personally came John Craven, a resident of Washington Township, Ripley County and State of Indiana who duly being sworn makes oath and says that he knows that the statements set fourth in the within affidavit sworn and subscribed to by James W. Henthorn are true and correct.

Sworn and subscribed to before me this (4) day of August A.D. 1863

John W. Carter
John X Carter (mark)

All of the document was handwritten by Mr. Carter and was in fair shape at the time it was transcribed.

******

Power of Attorney - James and Dorcas Henthorn - 18150814

James and Dorcas Henthorn
of
St. Genevieve County, Territory of Missouri
Grant Power of Attorney
to
John Henthorn
14 August 1815

Know all men by these presents that James Henthorn of the county of Ste. Genevieve and Territory of Missouri, am seized in fee of part of a Tract of Land containing the quantity of three hundred acres (be the same more or less) situate-lying and being in Union township, Fayette county and state of Pennsylvania which said tract or parcel of Land is bounded as follows, to wit, on the northwestern side by the land formerly occupied by John Henthorn, on the North East by the land formerly occupied by the Widow Murphy, on the east side by land formerly occupied by Wm. Campbell and on the south by lands formerly occupied by Samuel Kendall - be the same bounded as it may - it being the same tract and parcel of land - descended to me as one of the legal heirs and representatives of same James Henthorn Senior, deceased -

Now know ye that the said James Henthorn and Dorcas my wife, have made, constituted and appointed by these presents do make constitute and appoint John Henthorn of the County of Monongahela, and state of Virginia, our true and lawful attorney, for us and in our names to lease, let, sell or demise in any wise appertaining and belonging to such person or persons, and for such a term, or number of years, and all, and under such yearly, or other rents as he shall see fit, or otherwise to sell and dispose thereof, either for life or lives, or to sell, grant and convey the same absolutely in fee simple. For such price or sum of money; and to such person or persons as he shall think fit and convenient; and also for us - and in our names to seal, execute, and deliver such deeds, conveyances, bargains and sales for the absolute Sale or disposal thereof, or any part thereof with such clauses, covenants and agreements to be therein contained as our said Attorney shall think fit and expedient; Hereby ratifying, confirming and allowing all such lease or leases, deed, conveyances, bargains - or sales which shall at any time hereafter be sealed and executed by our said attorney, touching or concerning the premises.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this fourteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and fifteen.

Signed sealed and delivered
in the presence of
Tho Oliver

s/James Henthorn
s/Dorcas (X) Henthorn

Territory of Mo
County of Ste. Genevieve
Personally appeared before the undersigned Notary public in and for the county of Sainte Genevieve duly commissioned and sworn as residing at the towne of Ste. Genevieve James Henthorn and Dorcas his wife and duly acknowledged that they and each of them signed and sealed and delivered the within letter of attorney for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.

In testimony thereof I have hereto affixed my notarial seal. Given under my hand at Ste. Genevieve the 13 day of Aug. in the year 1815.
Tho Oliver, Notary Public
Wafer seal
(Furnished by Raymond M. Bell)

Conger, James Lockwood

James Lockwood Conger

John Conger, who settled in Woodbridge, N. J., in 1667, was the ancestor of nearly all the native-born Congers in the country. He had two wives and a large family of children. From that day there has been a steady stream of Davids, Johns, and Josephs in succeeding generations of the family, most bewildering to one member of it, Mr. Charles L. Conger of McIntosh, Minn., who is patiently compiling a Conger Genealogy.

Very little has been preserved of the Cleveland life of James Lockwood Conger, a lawyer residing in the city between 1826 and 1840, save through a package of old letters written by Mrs. Conger to her only sister, Mrs. Erwina Miner of Centerville, Fairfield Co., Ohio. James L. Conger, b. in Trenton, N. J., was the son of David and Hannah Lockwood Conger, who later lived in Phelps, N. Y. He received his general education in that locality and studied law with Judge Ewing of Ohio.

In December, 1824, he married in Lancaster, O., Miss Paulina Belvedere Clark, daughter of Dr. Ezra and Sarah Clark, pioneers of that county and formerly of Middletown, Vt. James Conger was only nineteen years old and the bride but eighteen. The youth of the couple and the fact that they remained in Lancaster two years, suggests that he may have pursued his law studies after the marriage. A little boy named Seneca was born to them in Lancaster, who died young.

In April, 1826, they started for New York State to visit Mr. Conger's parents and perhaps with a view of settling near them. An acknowledgment of money received by the couple at that time is here given because of its phraseology

"Received, Lancaster, O., April 25, 1826, of our revered father, Dr. Ezra Clark, three hundred and fifty dollars towards our portion. J. L. CONGER. PAULINA B. CONGER."

They drove a span of horses all the way to eastern New York and return, as far as Cleveland, which they reached September 6th of the same year. And in this month begins the series of letters previously mentioned, a half-dozen only, but covering several years of the Conger's residence in Cleveland. These letters are unusual for that day and generation. The penmanship is beautiful, the composition correct in every particular. The writer must have been a woman of charming personality; a brave woman possessing great fortitude, but shy and sensitive, sweetly grateful for every kindness shown to her.

The depth of her affection is revealed in the messages to her aged father whom she seems to have idolized and whom, so far as the letters reveal, she never met again in this life. On her trip to New York she met Mr. Conger's family for the first time. Of these new relatives she writes

"I frequently think of the remark you made when we were last together, `Do not be too sanguine in your expectations of James' parents,' and I was cautious not to be so. But my own could not do more for me. James' sisters were all equally kind, each striving to be most so. I was almost afraid to mention anything I wanted for fear one of them would get it for me, and they seemed to think they could not give me enough. I really think the whole family would have liked to come on to Cleveland with me, they were so truly attached.

"Father Conger and James went to New York City, returning before July 5th. They purchased about three hundred and fifty dollars worth of books and other things. Father brought me a beautiful figured silk dress and other smaller presents."

The young couple drove back to Cleveland, but various and sundry household furnishings donated by the elder Congers were shipped by canal and Lake Erie. One barrel when opened was found to contain everything necessary for the laundry, while mop and dish-cloths had been tucked into another one. Nothing necessary or convenient in that line had been omitted or forgotten. And, just as the team was about to start on the long western journey, father Conger had placed a bill in his young daughter-in-law's hand, to be used by her for any personal need on the way.

When they reached Cleveland they found Mrs. Reuben Wood, wife of the future governor of the state, preparing for a visit to her former eastern home. Her sister was to accompany her, and they intended to remain until spring. Evidently the Conger and Wood families were previously acquainted. The latter at once turned over the house they occupied, with all the heavier furniture to Mr. Conger, at a rental of $80 for the eight months' use of it. This sum also included the kitchen garden well stocked with a variety of vegetables and five bushels of peaches yet ungathered.

The departure of Mrs. Wood and her sister is told in one of the letters. "They started on Sunday, September 10th. We went out on a lighter about a mile from shore to the steamboat with them. The waves were very high and became seasick on the way. Notwithstanding, on the whole I had a pleasant ride."

The young wife seems to have been very lonely in the new strange town, her only acquaintance in it having been Mrs. Wood whose return she pathetically anticipates. Meanwhile, Mr. Conger had purchased a lot on the south-east side of the Public Square. The east corner of the May Co.'s big department store now covers the site, and upon this he began the erection of a small frame-house, which, four years later, was considerably enlarged.

Mrs. Conger dwells upon the delights of its possession; speaks with pride of the sodding of her "door yard," and of her planting in it a rose, a lilac, and a snowball bush; of the high board fence surrounding three sides of the lot, and a little later of the arbor covered with five kinds of grapes, and of the square of English strawberries each side of the arbor, from which she picked sixteen quarts of fruit.

Stand, if you will, in front of the towering Cushing Building and imagine the little home, the lilac, and the snowball bush!

The furnishing of their house progressed slowly.

"I believe all the furniture we have, so far, are fees. James has sent to Pittsburgh, by a man who owes him, for a carpet for the front chamber and hall, and I have just finished a pretty rag-carpet for the back room."

The second summer after the house on the Square was occupied Mr. Conger's sisters, Hannah and Phebe, both mentioned as "beautiful young girls," make the family a long visit. We can imagine how pleasant those months must have been when we are told that "there are numerous young men in town, but very few young women." And in connection with this who can not read romance in the opportunities afforded in the statement, "There are many beautiful walks and rambles on this delightful lake. Every Sunday, after meeting, James and I take a walk by the lake, and often through the week we stroll through the Square and Ontario street to it and spend the twilight hours there." This was written August, 1827.

James Conger must have given evidence of unusual ability in his profession for one so young, or he never would have found himself associated with Thomas Bolton, one of Cleveland's most able jurists. "Bolton & Conger, Attornies and Counsellors, Hancock Block, No. 93 and 95 Superior Street," they announce professionally.

Some time after the panic of 1837, that was the cause of scattering many of the numerous Cleveland lawyers and doctors to all points of the compass, James L. Conger removed to Belvedere, Mich., where in 1847, after four years of battling with tuberculosis, Mrs. Conger died, aged forty-one. Mr. Conger married again, but there is no record furnished of this union. He became a prominent man of that community and at one time represented it in the lower house of Congress in Washington. He died in St. Clair, Mich., in 1876, aged seventy-one, and was buried in Columbus, O.

Children of James L. and Paulina Clark Conger:

Seneca Conger, b. 1825; died in infancy.

Helen Edwina Conger, b. Jan., 1827; m. Thomas Lough.

William James Conger, b. 1829; m. Abby Louise Meckler. He died in Columbus, O., 1882.

Three younger children died in infancy.

Helen Edwina Conger was born four months after her parents arrived in Cleveland, and often returned in after years to her native town, ever since it became "Greater Cleveland." She was welcomed each time in the homes of our oldest families as a loved and honored guest, for she was an unusually bright, attractive woman. She died but recently, leaving two daughters.

Mrs. W. B. Waggoner, one of them, resides in the city.

When James L. Conger removed to Michigan, he sold his Cleveland residence property to Dr. Erastus Cushing. He may have received less than $1000 for it. Today the lot is worth $8000 a foot front; a traffic tally recently taken showed that in the business hours of the day an average of 5134 persons pass this spot hourly.
(Source: The Pioneer Families of Cleveland, 1796-1840 by Gertrude Van Rensselaer Wickham, Vol. I & II; Found on the Internet, April 2006)