James Chenoweth (twin of John)

JAMES OF PERRY CO., OH 1768-1846, from http://www.chenowethsite.com/ch1jj30.htm

Much of James, said to be the twin brother of John, is unknown. Born in Hampshire Co., VA (now WV), he was a son of John Chenoweth and his 2nd wife, Eleanor Parke. The children of James in both the Cora Hiatt book and the Harris book are wrong. A detailed look at this mistake can be found on the backgrond page..

Cora Hiatt lists the wife of James in one case a Susan McBride and in another case a Nancy McBride. In reality James married Sarah McBride, probably in Virginia, the daughter of James McBride and Sarah Edwards of Hampshire Co., VA. This James McBride had married third, Mary Chenoweth Ashbrook, the aunt of James(4). When the marriage of James(4) and Sarah took place is unknown. What is known is that Sarah McBride's sister, Elizabeth, gave land in her will that she had received from her father, James, to her sister, Sarah Chenoweth, and that in 1830, James Chenoweth and his wife, Sarah McBride, of Perry Co., OH deeded Sarah's brother, Stephen McBride, this land that had been left to Sarah.

It is known that James left Virginia for Perry County, Ohio along with his brothers Elias and Absolum. He purchased land there in 1813 and shows up in both the 1820 and 1830 Censuses of that county. It is thought that for at least the last ten years of his life, James lived in the Delaware Co. area of Indiana, where he died at the age of 78. A will for James in Grant Co., IN [abutting Delaware Co.] names children not traditionally assigned to him, but rather misplaced to an Arthur(2) line of Absolom(4). Many of the children in question are found in the Henry County area [again, abutting Delaware Co.] in the 1850 Indiana Census. What happened to Sarah McBride is unknown, but she appears to be alive in the 1840 Census with James in Indiana. Where James or Sarah are buried is also unknown.

The questions that remain are what of the two known children traditionally given to James by Cora Hiatt: Henry S and John W. Of the six children listed by Cora, these are the only two to have real lives and descendants to present day. It is presently belived that this James was not the James of Perry Co., OH, and may be James Francis, son of Thomas.

Children of JAMES CHENOWETH and SARAH MCBRIDE are:

• John K. b. 1797, Hampshire Co., VA (now WV); d. Abt. 1830, Fairfield Co., OH; m. CATHERINE PETERS, February 11, 1820, Fairfield Co., OH; b. Abt. 1800, Virginia.
• Nancy b. Abt. 1798, Virginia; m. JOSHUA SHIELDS, June 11, 1816, Ohio; b. Abt. 1794, Pensylvania.
• William b. October 11, 1806, Hampshire Co., VA (now WV); d. February 25, 1870; m. MARYLANDER BURGESS, April 18, 1831, Hocking Co., OH; b. February 12, 1816, Anne Arundel Co., MD.
• Absolom b. August 12, 1807, Hampshire Co., VA (now WV); d. June 20, 1853, Perry Co., OH; m. SARAH G. BURGESS, January 06, 1832, Hocking Co., OH; b. September 22, 1814, Anne Arundel Co., MD; d. December 26, 1891, Perry Co., OH.
• James, Jr. JR., b. Abt. 1810, Perry Co., OH; d. Bef. 1900; m. NANCY SKINNER, February 21, 1834, Perry Co., OH; b. 1812, Pennsylvania; d. February 09, 1902, Kansas.
• Sarah Ann b. Abt. 1810, Hampshire Co., VA (now WV); d. August 23, 1883, Henry Co., IN; m. OLIVER CROMWELL BALL, December 28, 1827, Perry Co., OH; b. May 15, 1803, Fauquier Co., VA; d. March 22, 1864, Franklin twp., Henry Co. IN.
• Lydia b. Bet. 1810 - 1817, Perry Co., OH; m. JOHN HOLMES KETCHUM, May 21, 1835, Perry Co., OH; b. Bet. 1800 - 1817.
• Stephen K. b. 1818, Perry Co., OH; d. March 14, 1881, Henry Co., IA; m. CASSANDRA PERFECT, February 11, 1841, Henry Co., IN; b. 1822, Marion Co., VA (now WV); d. May 15, 1892, New Castle, Henry Co., IN.

The Will of James Chenoweth

Grant Co., IN dated Feb 4, 1846

scanned from transcription sent by Peter Chenoweth, RECORD OF WILLS (Will Book A 1839-1853 P 9)

Know ye to whom these presents may cover , t----- , that I James Chinoweth being weak in body, though sound in mind, and in memory do make and declare this to be my last will and testament, revoking all others; First I commend, my soul to God, who gave it, and my body to be in earthly intered at my decease, and as to the property, I possessed, I will to my several children in the following manner, to wit, First I give son, Stephen K. Chinoweth, my farm as his forever after my decease, in consideration of which my will is my son , Stephen K. Chinoweth, pay my son Thomas [name Thomas crossed out] John's children one hundred dollars, two years after my decease. I give my daughter, Lydia Ketchum one blue , red and white double coverlet, and that a light calico quilt be attached to my bed and bedding. I give to my son Stephen K. Chenoweth, one big kettle, one skillet and broadcoat?. I give to my daughter, Sarah, my hatchet, and my plough and groove pliers my will is that after these articles above issued(?) be taken out, that all the balance of my property both real and personal be sold to wit my Smith tools, wagon gears, ploughs, hoes, --------. saws, chisels, augers, with all my other farming utensils, my cow, mare, hogs and sheep, my tubb(?), cupboard, clock, knives and forks with all the rest of my household and kitchen furniture, also my half of the crop of wheat, thats now growing on the farm and the money, divided as follows, to wit, first that all my lawful debts be paid, then that my son James, receive twenty-seven dollars, as a balance of his legacy to make him equal with rest of the heirs, and that the balance of the money, be equally divided among all my children (except my son Stephen K(alaier?), who is not to have any part in that, but my wish is that my son Johns children have their proportionable part with the rest, I appoint and ordain Oliver G. Ball to be the Executor of this my last will and testament

In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and seal, this fourth day of February, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Six.

                                     James Chinowerth (seal)

Signed sealed and Delivered in the presents of

• Charles Millett
• John G. Millett
• State of Indiana, Grant County:

Be it remembered that on this twenty-ninth day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-Six, personally appeared in the Clerks office of the Grant Probate Court, Charles Millett of lawful age, being one of the subscribing witnesses to the last will and testament of James Cheneworth, late of Grant County, Indiana;-deceased, who being duly sworn upon his solomn oath, saith that he and John G. Millett are the subscribing witnesses to the last will and testament of James Chinoweth, 'Late of Grant County, deceased, as made and published by heirs on the fourth day of February, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-Six, and that said will was duly witnessed by us in the presence of the said James Chenoweth and that I verily believe said will was duly Executed by the said James Chenoweth at the time of making, and Executing said will, and that said James Chenoweth was of full age to devise? his property and of sound mind and memory at the time of making and executing said will and that said Testator signed said will without coercion or restraint of his own free will and accord.

(signature Charles Millett)

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 29th day of May A.D. 1846 Signature A.Steele,C.G.C.C.

Statement by A. Steele, Clerk Grant County Court