1840 October -- The following verify's that Hannah (Zebulon's wife) was still alive in Oct. of 1840.
INDIANA METHODISM, A SERIES OF SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS, GRAME AND HUMOROUS CONCERNING PREACHERS AND PEOPLE OF THE WEST FILM #0873,999 FHL CHAPTER 5 PG.66-78 The following was found in an article written by J. Walter Fiers about the history of Jay County, Indiana.
"XCVI - An Eccentric Pioneer - The history of Richland township can not be fully written or understood unless there be included something of the people and their life who lived along the Mississinewa. There were the earliest settlements, the first trading places, the first mills, and the first churches. The settlements extending several miles north and south of the river, depended largely for their support, upon the river settlements. A short distance south of the Mississinewa, there lived an eccentrick pioneer, who will be remembered by many of our older citizens. The meeting of this man by the young preacher who was on this circuit in 1840, will be of interest to many of our citizens.
The Rev. J. L. Smith [one of my ancestors' brothers] had gone to Winchester to preach in October, 1840. He staid for the night at Judge Goodrich's. He was received at the Goodrich home with a hearty welcome, and was entertained according to the generous style of Virginia hospitality, the heartiness of his welcome was in no way diminishing on its becoming known that he was a native of the Old Dominion, and that he was a son of a family classed as one of the F. F. V's. The story is told in Mr. Smith's own words.
"On making a call at the Judge's store, I was surprised to see among the many customers present from the surrounding country, an old neighbor from Ohio, a now aged man, who, at an early day had migrated to Indiana. I had not seen him for many years, and had almost forgotten that such a man as Zebedee Cantrall had ever lived. He was a man in good circumstances and respectably related; but unfortunately, he had contracted habits of intemperance, and at the time referred to was evidently, to some extent, under the influence of strong drink. The unexpected meeting of the man awoke the power of slumbering recollection. A panorama of forgotten scenes were brought up in rapid review. I secretly wished that I might not be introduced to the man, and said to myself, 'If I am introduced, I hope that I shall not be recognized.'
"However, before there was time for any formal introduction, the old pioneer drew nigh and surveying me from head to foot, thus began: 'I say, stranger, ain't your name Smith?' Here the Judge interposed with, 'Yes, Mr. Cantrall, that is our young preacher, Brother Smith: I hope you will come and hear him preach, and get better acquainted with him. See here, Jedge, you're nowhere; why, I've knowed this boy from his childhood; he had the best old Methodist mother in greene county, and he is the best boy you ever saw. Why, Jedge, this boy once saved me from a big lickin' at a general muster at Caesarville. You see that I was a little 'how come you so' and two strappin' fellows jumped onto me; but this boy happened to be at hand, and he cleaned them both out in less than no time and you see, jedge, I've kinder liked him ever since. And I can tell you more, Jedge, once I was in Xenia when Main street was knee deep in mud - well it was not exactly what one would call mud, but a kind o'slushy fritter batter. I was 'putty well up' swingin' first one side and t'other side of old gray, when my saddle girth broke, and down I come kerwhallop in the mud. It was cold and raining and there lay old Zeb from shoulder to flank in the loblolly. And then the clerks and the people in the shops and stores all went to laughin' at me. But this here boy, Jedge, just waded right out in the rain and mud, fixed my saddle girth, helped me into the saddle, and fixed my hands in old gray's mane, and I went right straight home. And, Jedge, this is the first time I've seen the boy since. And now, Jedge, I want to do something for him: so, if he wants anything out of your store, just let him have it. Old Zeb is good for it.' Then turning to me he said, 'Now, my son, anything I've got is yours. I want you to come to my house up on the Mississinewa and see me. You know that I'm no Christian; I'm a poor wicked old man, but I have a big family of boys and girls, and maybe you can do them some good. I'm a hardened old sinner, but I want you to come and see me.'
"Trading, meanwhile, had ceased. Clerks and customers were all attention, eager to catch every word of Zeb's speech. Years had passed since the occurrences that he related. The wonder is that any trace of them should have remained in his memory, he being, as he was, under the influence of strong drink when they occured. Even after so many years of constant inebriation, he was able to relate the facts, including minutest details in consecutive order, exhibiting a remarkable memory, despite the whiskey soaked condition of his brain.
"Poor old Zeb! All through the upper Mississinewa country he heralded the name of the young preacher, preparing a way for the gospel messenger to the cabins of the people, nor did he fail to give of his substance for the support of the church. His wife and several of his children made a profession of religion. The old gentleman became serious but I do not know whether he ever overcame his appetite, or how he finally left the world."
