George Seager

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Biography

George Seager came to America in 1812 with his two brothers, John and William Seager. On the surface, it seems like a routine immigration, except for the fact that George “was a machinist and it was against the law for a mechanic to come to the United States. He was one of the first machinists to come to this country” Not much is currently known of George’s life before he came to America. He “was born in Birmingham, England in 1785.” He lived there until he departed for the United States. (Source 1)

When he arrived, he settled in New York City for two years. While there he worked building a set of wool cards which were sent to Pennsylvania and then he built machinery for spinning cotton yarn. In 1814, He went to Paterson, New Jersey for three years and continued working. In 1817, he moved to Woodburn, Montgomery County, Ohio. His residence in Woodburn is confirmed by the 1820 Federal Census. (Source 5) Woodburn no longer exists. While in Ohio, he built machinery for a cotton factory for two Englishmen, Charles and Thomas Baston. During his time in Ohio, he made the decision to move to Clinton County, Indiana. He went out to Clinton County in 1828 and decided on a location for his new home. He left his brother-in-law money to purchase 160 acres of land. The land was purchased, the home built and then George went back to Ohio to collect the family. (Source 1)

Settling Clinton County, Indiana

George and his family arrived in Clinton County, Indiana on 31 March 1830*. “The family consisted of George and Sarah Seager, and six children, John being the youngest child.” During his first year in Indiana, George built another carding mill as well as a saw mill. George had business from Chicago, which was eighteen miles away and from Indianapolis that was nine miles away. (Source 1)

When George’s first wife Sarah passed away, George married Sarah Fowler (Kesler). She had three children from her first marriage: Inman Herman, Almira and John M. Fowler who George raised from the time they were young. George and Sarah added two more children to the family: Nancy Jane and Robert Wallace Seager. (Source 2)

The 1850 Census notes that George is a farmer with land valued at two thousand dollars. (Source 2)

By 1860, George has transitioned from farming to becoming a grocer. His two youngest children, Nancy Jane and Robert are still at home and both are in school. Sarah is at home also and Samuel Seager, George’s son from his first marriage has also joined them. The 1860 census notes that Samuel Seager is insane. His condition, whatever it was, required him to live under the care of others and, most likely, was what resulted in his living with George and his family is his mid 30’s. (Source 3)

George's Passing

George passed away on 16 April 1861 and is buried in the Seager Family graveyard alongside his first wife, Sarah. He was survived by five of his ten children with his first wife, Sarah: John Seager, Thomas, George, Martin S. and Harriet H. Burget (Seager, Lucas) and his two children with his second wife, Sarah Seager (Kesler): Nancy Jane Seager and Robert Wallace Seager as well as his second wife Sarah.

His estate was split by location. John, Thomas and George, children by his first wife inherited all property outside of Jefferson including the sawmill, factory and all of his tools on the condition that they paid $100 per year to his son Martin S. His property in Jefferson was left to his wife, Sarah for the purpose of educating his children with her, Robert and Nancy Jane. He also left a cash bequest to his daughter Harriet. (Source 4)

Sources

Source 1 - History of Clinton County, Indiana: Together with sketches of its cities. Available as a free Ebook: 'http://www.archive.org/stream/historyclintonc00unkngoog#page/n748/mode/2up'

Source 2 - 1850 United States Federal Census – Jefferson, Clinton County, Indiana (attached)

Source 3 - 1860 United States Federal Census – Jefferson, Clinton County, Indiana (attached)

Source 4 - Last Will and Testament of George Seager (1785-1861)

Source 5 - 1820 United States Federal Census - Woodburn, Montgomery County, Ohio (attached)

Source 6 - Frankfort Crescent, published 17 Mar 1880, page 8 (attached)

Research Notes

This ancestor qualifies you for membership in The Society of Indiana Pioneers: 'http://www.indianapioneers.com

• There is conflicting documentation about when George Seager (1785 - 1861) and his family arrived in Indiana. Source 1, the biography of John Seager, has the family arriving in Mar of 1830 and a blurb in the Frankfort Crescent after the death of George Seager (son of this George Seager) has the family arriving in August of 1830 (Source 6).