Barber County Kansas
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Barber County Kansas |
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by John Laird
John T. Clawson and Family. John T. Clawson – son of Timothy Clawson and his wife Rachel Benson, shown above with his mother in Warren County at age 7 in 1870 and with her again at age 17 in Kansas.
There is a brief biography of John in “Chosen Land – Barber County, Kansas: John J. Clawson. John T. Clawson, nine years of age, and his mother, Rachel Benson Clawson Wright, first settled in Ellis Co., Ks., coming from Indiana. In 1884 John came to Pratt county proving up land and staked a claim for his mother. She wanted more rolling land so she proved up 160 acres which is now owned by her grandson, Robert S. Clawson. Mrs. Wright married Isaac Ray of Wellsford in 1892 and made a home south east of Wellsford.
John T. Clawson and Nannie Walker were married by Rev. Owens at the home of her parents, Ben and Elizabeth Walker, west of Sun City on December 19, 1886. John and Nannie were the parents of Claude B., J. Timothy, Mary Abbigal (Fulton/Howard), Althea G. (Shutts), Robert S., Carl H., Ralph Ray, Audrey (Russell), and Harold who passed away at the age of one.
The oldest seven children all attended school at the Old Rock School, which was over a mile from home, and we walked each day. A school house was built in 1909 near what was known as Kling. It was nearer to the Clawson home.
Kling was where gypsum was quarried. The Best Gypsum Co. had a string of houses for workers to live in. The houses were moved to Sun City in 1919-1920 where the gypsum is presently mined.
At one time John J. Clawson drove a freight wagon from Wichita to Medicine Lodge. He said the reason Sun City was so named was because it was surveyed on a Sunday. Sun City had a stockade during the Indian scare time also.
Robert S. Clawson served in World War I.
The Kansas Prairie Dog was a weekly newspaper, published in Lake City, Barber County, Kansas in at least the 1880’s. In the issue of Dec 23, 1886, pg 4, col is shown “Married: At the residence of the bride's mother in Sun City, on the 19th of December by Rev. Owens, John T. Clawson and Miss Nannie Walker.”
John is shown in the 1895 Kansas State census in Turkey Creek Township of Barber County. Shown are J. T. Clawson, 32, born in Indiana; Nannie, 27, born in Kentucky; Claud Clawson, 7; J. T. Clawson, 5; Marie Clawson, 3; and Altha Clawson, 1, all born in Kansas.
John is shown with his family in Turkey Creek Township, Barber County, Kansas in the 1900 census, taken on June 4, 1900. Shown are John T. (?) Clawson, head, 37, a farmer born in July 1862 in Indiana with both his parents born in Indiana. With him is his wife Nannie, 32, born in August 1867 in Kentucky with both her parents born in Kentucky. They are shown to have been married fourteen years, and Nannie is shown to have had six children, six of them living in 1900. With them are six children, the oldest four shown as “at school” and all shown as born in Kansas with their father born in Indiana and their mother in Kentucky: Claud B., 12, born in November 1887; John T., 10, born in August 1889; Mary A., 8, born in October 1891; Altha G., 6, born in December 1893; Robert S., 4, born in April 1896; and Carl H., 2, born in May 1898.
They are shown in the 1910 census in Turkey Creek Township, Barber County, Kansas, in a census taken on May 12 and 13, 1910. J. G. Clawson, a farmer, 47, born in Indiana with both his parents born in Indiana is shown with Nannie 41, born in Kentucky with both her parents born in Kentucky. They are shown to have been married twenty-two years, and she is shown as having had nine children, with eight living in 1910. With them are Claud B., 22, listed as “home farm”; J. T. Jr., 20, also listed as “home farm”; Albie M., 18; Altha G., 16; Robert S., 14; C. H. (son), 12; R. R. (son), 9; and N. A. (daughter), 5, all born in Kansas with their father born in Indiana and their mother in Kentucky.
They are shown in the 1920 census in Turkey Creek Township, Barber County, Kansas, in a census taken on January 30, 1920. John T. Clawson, head, 57, a stockman on a ranch born in Indiana with his father born in Indiana with both his parents born in Indiana. With him is his wife Nannie, 52, no occupation, born in Kentucky with both her parents born in Kentucky. With them are three children, all born in Kansas withtheir father born in Indiana and their mother in Kentucky: Carl H., son, 21, farmer; Ralph R., son, 18, farmer; and Nannie A., daughter, 15, attended school in the past year. Also with them in the entry was M. E. Davis, 75, no occupation, mother (in law?, can’t read clearly), born in Kentucky with both her parents born in Kentucky.
John and Nannie are shown on Main Street in Sun City Town, Sun City Township, Barber County, Kansas in the 1930 census, taken on April 23, 1930. John T. Clawson, head, 67, no occupation, age 24 at the time of his first marriage, born in Indiana with both his parents born in Indiana. With him is Nannie, wife, 62, no occupation, 19 at the time of her first marriage, born in Kentucky with both her parents born in Kentucky.
From the August 5, 1937 news paper of index references in Barber County is the following: “John Clawson died suddenly at his home in Sun City, at the age of 75 years.”
John Timothy Clawson, Jr. – shown with his parents at age ten in 1900. He is shown in a World War I draft registration card as John Timothy Clawson, dated June 5, 1917. He is shown as John Timothy Clawson, 27, born August 25, 1889 and living in Durhead (?), Kansas. He is native-born in Kling, Kansas. He is farming, employed by himself, has had no prior service. His signature is John Timothy Clawson, but it looks like he had written “Tim” by itself originally, and had to add the “othy”. He is tall, with blue eyes, and light hair. He is living in Durhead, Burks County, Kansas.
Althea (Clawson) Shutts – shown above at age 6 with her parents in 1900. Her obituary, from a Barber County undated newspaper on ancestry.com : “Mrs. Althea Clawson Shutts passed away Wednesday evening, May 15, at the Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital. Althea Clawson was born in the community of Sun City December 21, 1893, to John and Nannie Clawson. On January 29, 1913, she was united in marriage to Irl Shutts. To this union were born four children. She resided in the Sun City community her entire life, 46 years living on the farm, and the remaining 16 years in their home at Sun City. She was a member of the Sun City Baptist Church, the Rebekah Lodge, and the Home Demonstration Unit, being a charter member for 23 years. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Irl; sons Curtiss, Beaumont, Kansas, and Byron, Pratt, Kansas; daughters, Addie Hogard, Attica, and Lena Quinby, Towner, Colorado; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Tim, Guymon, Oklahoma, Carl, Gruver, Texas, Ray, Randell, Kansas, and Robert, Medicine Lodge; two sisters, Abbie Howard, Coats, and Audrey Russel, Duquoin, Kansas, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.”
Robert S. Clawson – shown above in 1900 at age four with his father and mother. Shown Sunnyside Cemetery in Barber County, Kansas as Robert S. Clawson, Private U. S. Army, World War I, 1896-1988. In the same cemetery is Hattie L. Clawson, 1903-1948.
In Barber County enlistment records, there is a listing for a World War II enlistment of Robert S. Clawson, Jr. on April 9, 1942. There is also an enlistment for David Clawson on December 17, 1945.
There is an obituary for the wife of Robert S. Clawson, quite likely the second wife, from Barber County newspapers:
“Evaline L. Clawson, 97, died July 31, 2000, at Kingman Hospital, Kingman. She was born October 17, 1902, at Okarche, Oklahoma, the daughter of Charles E. and Lucy E. Andrews Barnard. She came to Kansas in 1905 by covered wagon to live near Medicine Lodge, there she attended Walstead Grade School and graduated from Medicine Lodge High School in 1921. She taught school for 29 years. She got her first teaching certificate from the State in 1921. She took extention courses and summer schools from the College of Emporia and Kansas University, her Bachelor Degree came from Northwestern State College of Oklahoma in 1959. She taught in several Barber County country schools, also Croft, Coldwater, Lake City and Kiowa. She belonged to First Christian Church, was Past Worthy Matron of Order of Eastern Star, past president of Business and Professional Women, past treasurer of the Retired Teacher's Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, the Barber County Historical Society and life member of the Kansas State Teacher's Association. In 1922, she married Albert C. Walker. They made their home on a ranch west of Sun City. He preceded her in death. On August 3, 1950, she married Robert S. Clawson of Sun City. They made their home there on a ranch for a few years, then moved to Medicine Lodge. He also preceded her in death. Survivors include: two sons, Harold K. Walker, Milton-Freewater, Oregon, Ervin G. Walker, Medicine Lodge; two stepsons, Marion A. Clawson, Norwich; two brothers, Charles A. Barnard, Yelm, Washington, and William E. Barnard, Medicine Lodge; two sisters, Alma Hoagland, Pratt, and Geneva Wheat, Bella Vista, Arkansas; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Julia Knowles. Her body was bequeathed to the University of Kansas Medical School at Kansas City. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge. Memorials may be sent to the Kansas State Teacher's Association, in care of Larrison-Forsyth Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge.
Carl H. Clawson – shown above with his parents at age 2 in the 1900 census and age 12 in the 1910 census. There is a World War I draft registration card dated September 12, 1918 and on file with the Barber County draft board in Medicine Lodge. Carl Helem Clawson of Kling, Barber County, Kansas was born on May 4, 1898 and is age 20. He is white, native-born and a farmer with J. T. Clawson of Kling, Barber County, Kansas and listed J. T. of there as his closest relative. His signature is Carl Clawson, and he is shown as medium height and built, grey eyes, and brown hair.
Ralph Ray Clawson – shown above with his parents at age 12 in the 1910 census. He has a World War I draft registration card, dated September 12, 1918 and filed with Barber County’s draft board. He is shown as 18, born on August 24, 1900 in Kling, Kansas. He is a white, native-born farmer employed by J. T. Clawson of Kling, Kansas who is also listed as his closest relative. He signed the card “Ralph R. Clawson”, medium height, slender built, grey eyes, and brown hair.
John T. Clawson’s parents,
Timothy P. Clawson and Rachel Benson.Timothy P. Clawson -- fourth oldest child of Timothy and Mary, shown as born on December 24, 1832 and died on March 28, 1868. Warren County marriage records show that Timothy P. Clawson married Rachel A. Benson on March 15, 1860.
Timothy is shown near his father Timothy in post office Poolsville, Medina Township in the Warren County Indiana 1860 census, taken on August 4, 1860. Timothy Clawson, 26, a farmer with property valued at $400 and Rachel A., 20, both born in Indiana. The box is checked that shows both of them married within the past year.
Timothy P. Clawson is shown in Union Cemetery in Warren County as Timothy P. Clawson, died 3-28-1868 at 35y., 3m., 4 d. That would place his birth date about December 24, 1832.
In the 1870 census, Rachael Clawson, 30, is shown living with Stewart Benson, a farmer – and a seven year old son, John J. Clawson, 7, is with her. It is likely that this is the John Clawson mentioned in 1874 as a grandson of Timothy in his probate. This census listing was in post office Independence, Warren Township, Warren County, Indiana, taken on July 2, 1870, and is the next entry after Phineas and Mary Clawson. Shown are Stewart Benson, 23, farmer, property valued at $400, born in Indiana. Rachael Clawson, 30, property valued at $1200/$100, keeping house, born in Indiana is with him, as is John J. Clawson, 7, also born in Indiana. In the entry is Frances E. Clawson [sic], 21, born in Indiana, and Frank Benson, 14, born in Indiana, and shown as having attended school in the past year. [There is a family of Bensons – John and Ruth - in Medina Township in Warren County in the 1860 census – with the oldest being 22 and next oldest 18, providing a place for Rachel, 20 that year. There is a Robert S., 13, who could be Stewart at age 23 ten years later – and a George F., 5, who could have been Frank, 14, ten years later.]
Rachel and John are in Kansas by 1880, showing Rachel with a new last name and divorced. They are with Robert S. Benson, 33, the Robert S. of 1860 and the Stewart of 1870. The entry is in Liberty Township of Elk County, Kansas, taken on June 10, 1880. Shown are Robert S. Benson, 33, a farmer born in Indiana with his father born in Ohio and his mother in Indiana. With him is George F. Benson, 24, brother [the Frank of 1870], farmer, also born in Indiana with his father born in Ohio and his mother in Indiana. Rachel A. Wright, 40, sister, keeping house, divorced, also born in Indiana with her father born in Ohio and her mother in Indiana. With them are Jess (James?) A., 23, brother and Sarah, 21, sister, both teaching school and both born in Indiana with their father born in Ohio and their mother in Indiana. Carl Wright, 3, nephew, at home, born in Kansas with his father born in Ohio and his mother in Indiana. Also with them is John T. (L?) Clawson, 17, nephew, works on farm, born in Indiana with his father born in Ohio and his mother in Indiana. The next entry shows Alpheus Wright, 33, a farmer born in Ohio, with his wife Rebecca and a three year old son Charles.
In the brief biography of John in “Chosen Land – Barber County, Kansas, there is a mention of Rachel, his mother: John J. Clawson. John J. Clawson, nine years of age, and his mother, Rachel Benson Clawson Wright, first settled in Ellis Co., Ks., coming from Indiana. In 1884 John came to Pratt county proving up land and staked a claim for his mother. She wanted more rolling land so she proved up 160 acres which is now owned by her grandson, Robert S. Clawson. Mrs. Wright married Isaac Ray of Wellsford in 1892 and made a home south east of Wellsford.”
This is borne out by the 1900 census entry in Banner Township, Pratt County, Kansas in the 1900 census, taken on June 5, 1900. Isaac H., Ray, 68, head, a farmer born in October 1831 in North Carolina with both his parents born in North Carolina. With Isaac is Rachel A. Ray, 60, born in December 1839 in Indiana with her father born in Ohio and her mother in Indiana. With them is James M. Ray, 40, listed as farmer, partner and son, born in November, 1959 in Illinois with both his parents born in North Carolina. On the next line is John Ray, a farmer born in Illinois with both his parents born in North Carolina, with an unclear age – probably 30. His wife, to whom he has been married eight years, is 27. Ancestry.com read his age as sixty.
Timothy P. Clawson’s father, Timothy Clawson. Timothy Clawson -- the eighth child of Thomas and Sophia, the progenitor of many Clawson descendants in the Warren County Indiana region. Timothy is also the ancestor of Charles Clawson, a leading Clawson researcher. Between Charles Clawson’s history, and Warren County publications such as “The Independence Sesquicentennial”, much has been written on Timothy and his descendants.
Timothy was born February 25, 1806 in Ohio. He married Mary Ives on March 15, 1827. Miami Valley Pioneers show Mary’s birthdate to have been Jan 23, 1805, but her tombstone shows Mary having been born a year later. That tombstone shows that she died on October 20, 1843. Timothy and Mary appear to have had at least five children, four that lived to adulthood and two that had long lives: 1) Garret (August 19, 1828-October 30, 1893); 2) Nancy (August 19, 1830-October 6, 1830); Thomas (October 3, 1831-October 22, 1855); 4) Timothy P. Clawson (December 24, 1832-March 28, 1868); and 5) Abraham (February 4, 1836-January 11, 1923). From the 1840 census, it appears that there were two other girls in this family, one born about 1830, and another born between 1830 and 1835.
Timothy married Nancy Fields after his first wife died, marrying her on February 18, 1844. Nancy is shown to have been born on February 11, 1825 and died on July 27, 1890. Charles Clawson’s biographical sketch of Timothy lists the children from his second marriage as: Phineas, June 14, 1845-November 15, 1930; Cyntha, February 7, 1847-August, 1908; Joseph H., April 19, 1849-April 3, 1925; Sophia, February 13, 1852-September 3, 1942; John, February 10, 1854-July 1932; James B., August 2, 1856-December 6, 1906; and Jacob, February 24, 1858-July 25, 1858. There is also an unnamed infant son shown in Warren County cemetery records as having died on November 12, 1850 at age three days.
The Indiana Ancestors, based on the application for membership by Charles Clawson, indicate that Timothy came to Fountain County in 1824, and bought land there in 1828. As shown above, Timothy appears to have had five children by Mary and seven children by Nancy. One child by each wife did not live but a few months, which likely explains why in son Abraham's biography it is listed that Timothy had ten children.
In the biography of Timothy's son Abraham [transcribed in its entirety below], it was written about Timothy and Mary: "Timothy and Mary (Ives) Clawson, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively, reared a family of ten children and were among the well known and highly esteemed residents of the community where they passed the greater part of their lives. Timothy Clawson came to Indiana when nineteen years old and by occupation was a farmer. He was a man of excellent parts and high moral standing, a successful tiller of the soil and his influence was exerted for the good of his neighbors and fellow citizens."
Timothy Clawson is shown in the 1830 census in Fountain County with a man and woman each between the ages of twenty and thirty and a boy under the age of five (son Garrett). There is no township or date listed for this entry, although daughter Nancy was alive in August and this does not list her so it was probably before that. It is also quite likely that Timothy was living in Shawnee or Richland Township at the time. Thomas Clawson, his brother is seven entries above him on the page; Garret Clawson his brother is nine entries above him and Sophia Clawson (his aunt, the widow of Josiah) is ten entries above him.
In the records of the Indiana State Militia from 1812-1851, from the Indiana State Library, is Timothy Clawson, Captain, 74th Regiment ISM, Commissioned, November 12, 1833. Thomas Clawson was named a Major in the 74th Regiment the year before. There is a second listing for Timothy Clawson, Captain, Independent Blues ISM, Commissioned, September 16, 1842.
Timothy is shown in an early Fountain County land transaction in Book 3, p. 310, dated May 18, 1832. Timothy Clawson and Mary his wife sold forty acres of land to Timothy Brown for 90 dollars, land that was part of Section 4, Township 21, Range 7. Timothy Clawson is shown in the Fountain County 1840 census in Davis Township, no date listed, with one man and woman each between thirty and forty (Timothy and Mary), one male and one female each between the ages of ten and fifteen (Garret is the male, unclear who the female is), two boys and one girl between the ages of five and ten (Thomas, Timothy and an unclear female), and one boy under the age of five (Abraham). There were no other Clawsons who appear near them in the census.
In Independence Cemetery in Warren County is buried Mary Clawson, consort of Timothy, died October 20, 1843 at 37y, 8m, 27d. This would place her birthdate at January 24, 1806, which is a year later than that shown in the Miami Valley pioneers. [Mary is shown in her father’s 1835 will in Montgomery County, Ohio – contained in its entirety in the section her on George and Rachel Clawson Ives – and is mentioned in that document as the wife of Timothy Clawson.]
The Timothy Clawson biography in the Charles Clawson narrative lists the children by Nancy Fields shown above, and then states: “Timothy first settled in Davis Township, Fountain County, Indiana, and then later moved to Medina Township, Warren County. After he settled on his property in Medina Township, he set aside a small piece of his land known as the Clawson Cemetery, in which he buried two of his infant sons (according to family stories). Later he built the Clawson School in front of the cemetery for the education of his own children and the education of other children in the area.[It is possible that the two children were the girls shown in the 1840 census, but not listed elsewhere.]
Nancy Field told the story many times that she was part Indian, which has been suggested to have been Potawatomi. Her brother John denied it because in those days it was disgraceful, but it is the opinion that she really was part Indian." [It is unclear how this fits with her 1880 census entry, which shows her father born in New York and her mother in Kentucky.]
Timothy Clawson listed in the 1850 census Medina Township, Warren County, in an entry on page 64 taken on October 2, 1850. He is shown as Timothy Clawson, 44, farmer, property valued at $2,000, born in Ohio with Nancy, 26; Garret, 22; farmer; Thomas, 19, farmer’ Timothy, 16, farmer, Abraham, 14 Phanious (sp?) male, 5; and Joseph H., 1, all born in Indiana. Thomas, Timothy and Abraham are shown to have attended school in the past year.
In Clawson Cemetery in Warren County in Liberty Township is buried Clawson, infant son of T & M, died November 12, 1850 at three days. This would have happened after the 1850 census entry.
In the 1860 census, Timothy is shown in Medina Township, Warren County, Indiana, taken on July 27, 1860. Timothy is shown as 54, a farmer with property valued at $8,000/$1200, born in Ohio; with Nancy, 37; Abraham, 24, farmer with personal property valued at $300; Finnius [sic], 15; Cynthia, 13; Joseph H., 11; Sophia, 9; John B., 6; and James B., 4, all the rest born in Indiana. Phineas, Cynthia, Joseph, Sophia, and John are all shown as having attended school in the past year. Also shown in the entry was Andrew Smith, 25, a farm laborer, property valued at $300, born in Ohio.
Timothy and his family are shown in Medina Township, Warren County Indiana in the 1870 census, taken on June 21,1870. Shown are Tim Clawson, 64, farmer, property valued at $9000/1330, born in Ohio; with Nancy, 45, keeping house; Cynthia, 22; Joseph H., 21, farm hand; Sophia, 15; John B., 16; and James B, 13, all born in Indiana. John and James are shown to have attended school in the past year. Timothy, Joseph and John Bethel are listed as males eligible to vote. Also listed in this entry is John Bethel, 27, farmhand, and Emily Fields, 8. John Bethel was born in Indiana, and Emily in Illinois. It is also indicated that Emily attended school in the past year.
Timothy Clawson died on February 14, 1874. Phineas Clawson was the administrator of his father’s estate, although in another location Joseph Clawson was also listed as the administrator. The final record of the estate appeared in Warren County probate records in May, 1875. Listed as surviving Timothy were children Garret Clawson, Abraham Clawson, Phineas Clawson, Joseph Clawson, Sophia Clawson, Cynthia Clawson, John Clawson, and James Clawson. Also listed was grandson John Clawson.
Nancy is shown in the 1880 census in Medina Township, Warren County, Indiana, in an entry taken on June 8, 1880. She is shown in the entry of her son James Clawson as 55, mother, keeps house, born in Indiana, with her father born in New York and her mother in Kentucky.
Nancy Clawson died on July 27, 1890.
Timothy Clawson’s parents, Thomas Clawson and Sophia Covalt. Thomas Clawson and Sophia Covalt. According to his tombstone, Thomas Clawson was born on August 12, 1768, and died on September 18, 1836. Presumably, he was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Fountain County. He married Sophia Covalt, whose tombstone shows she was born January 7, 1775, and died August 21, 1843. She presumably was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania and died in Fountain County. They were married in November 1794 in Hamilton County, Ohio, most likely at Covalt's Station.
They are known to have had at least twelve children, who are listed following in the likely order of their bith: Abraham, Mary, Lois, Josiah, Thomas Jr., Rachel, Garret, Timothy, Vienna, Ephraim, Cynthia, and Sophia--all born in Ohio. Thomas’ probate documents names all but Lois in some manner. Jack Dove’s 1924 affidavit on family ancestry states: "(Thomas Clawson) was born and raised (.) emigrated to Ohio where he raised a family (of) twelve children 6 boys and 6 girls and every one of them raised families also (.) he settled in Fountain Co. in 1824 just 100 years ago. Mother [Sophia Clawson Dove] was 10 years old at the time. She was the youngest of the twelve. There were Indians there at that time Pottowatmies (sic) I think they were a friendly tribe don't think the whites had any trouble with them although it appears that there was still a good many were there mother remembered them well . . ."
Thomas Clawson is likely the Thomas Clason or Claton who is listed below Mary “Closon” in the 1786 census of Washington, Co., Bethlehem Township, Pa. He was shown filing for 300 acres in Washington County on October 15, 1787, the same day as his brother Garret applied for 200. Thomas is shown in the tax records of Greene Township (later Greene County) PA in 1789 as a “Single Freeman”. Complete records for all Clawsons are contained in the section on Garret Sr. and Mary above, and included these years in Greene Township was an entry for Abraham Covalt—Thomas’ future father-in-law.
A Thomas Clawson was listed as being in Pratts Company, of the Second Regiment of U.S. Levies in 1791-92 as a private, under Lt. Col. Gibson -- but it appears not to be our Thomas. In the Ohio history section at the beginning of this document, there is a piece of correspondence about Pratt's Company and a Clawson who was a scout there at the time. A Thomas was definitely in Pratt's company, but the reference could be to either he or his brother Peter as the scout.
Thomas was not shown in the Pennsylvania census in 1790, and was likely in southwest Ohio between 1790 and 1792, as shown by his military service above. He married there in 1794, and his first son was shown to have been born in Greene County in 1795, and two of his next three children were shown to have been born in Hamilton County in 1797 and 1799. He is listed in a letter to the federal government in 1799, shown as having purchased land in Hamilton County on Dec. 29, 1801 -- within days of Peter and Josiah Clawson. No other Clawsons are shown to have purchased land in Southwestern Ohio during this period. Thomas is listed in a 1799 memorial to the federal government -- once with Peter Clawson, and once with John Clawson(could either be Josiah, or John from adjacent Preble County -- as discussed in “Preble County”).
Thomas Clawson is shown in the Centerville History "A Sense of Place" on the List of Preempted Symmes Land Purchasers in Washington Township as of 1801, with 250 acres in the northweast corner of Range 5, Township 2, Section 5. He also is shown "A Sense of Place" on the List of Original Land Entries Made at the Cincinnati Land Office. He is shown in Range 6, Township 2, Section 31, SW Part Lot 3, 184.96 acres, dated December 29, 1801, certificate #428(?).
Thomas was active in the Baptist Church in Centerville. The First Baptist Church of Centerville OH Minute Book - Nov 2 1799 - Dec 5 1863 (Film # 1686034) contains many references to Thomas: January 3 (?), 1801. After Divine service proceeded to business. 1st. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife renewed by letter.
Feb 6 1802 Met and after Divine service forwarded to business. 1st. of Br. B Archer chosen Moderator. A Moderate shall be chosen as need requires. 2nd. Brethren B. Wallingford, T. M. McGrew T Clawson and N Notts visited land for their meeting house according to appointment. We found land suitable and made report. July 31 Brother Clark delivered a comfortable discourse form 1 Peter 2 ch 25 v. Chose Br. Archer moderator and forwarded to business. 1st on motion agreed that we have some notes(?) to go by. 2. On motion agree that brethren Gerrard Archer Clawson Blair and Knotts prepare those notes (?) and present them to the Church at the next meeting. 3. Brethren Garrard Archer Luce and Clawson be our messengers to the next association (?) with the letter and that they make application for the most association (?) to be holden at Sugar Creek. 4. Brethren Garrard and Clawson to write this latter to association. 5. Agreed that we set on foot a subscription for the support of the gospel. 6th agreed that trustees be appointed to superintend the building of the meeting house. 7th moved and carried that brethren T.(J?) Luce B Archer and T. Clawson are empowered to have the hewing of the logs for country produce. 8th moved that brethren T Hancock and Wm Hatfield mark out the road from the meeting house to Wilsons settlement and make report at our next meeting for business. 9th moved and carried that Br. T. Clawson mark a rod from the meeting house to McGrew's settlement and take some persons with him to assist and make report at our next meeting.
date? [about thirty pages after previous item] 2nd item of business Br. Mason and Thos Clawson appointed to settle with deacons and make report at our next . . . " In the 1804 Montgomery County tax list (the County at the time included territory now in Preble, Montgomery, and a portion of Clark Counties), Thomas, Josiah, and Peter Clawson were shown. So was John Buckles, a child of whom later likely married a child of Thomas Clawson. Thomas was shown on a jury in the February 1805 Montgomery County court term.
In "A Sense of Place", the second printing of which was done in 1985 by the Centerville Historical Society, records of the Montgomery County Commissioner meeting abstracts were printed for 1806. They showed that on September 2, 1806, it was "ordered that John Bradford, Robert Edgar, and Thomas Clawson viewers and Joseph Wilson Surveyor with chainmen & c. meet at Samuel Becks on the last Monday of October next and view and make return of a road from thence to McDaniels mill passing by Judge Archers and Centreville and make report to us at our sitting in December . . ."
In the record for Tuesday, December 2, 1806, it was written that "It appears that the road from Samuel Becks to McDaniels mill has not been viewed therefore it is ordered that Thomas Clawson, Benjamin Maltbie, and Benjamin Robbins viewers and Benjamin Archer esq. surveyor with chairmen do meet at Samuel Becks on the second friday of December instant and report to us their view & survey at our next meeting in March next . . . "
Thomas is shown on a grand jury in the August 1807 term, and a grand jury in the April, 1808 term. Thomas was accused of assault in the April 1808 term, but it was dismissed.
In the book, "Pieces of the Past: Early Centerville/Washington Township History", by Howard R. Houser, published by the Centerville Historical Society in 1994, it was written: "In 1809, there were nine frame, brick or stone houses in Washington Township which were taxed. Two stone houses were owned by Aaron Nutt, Sr. Thomas Clawson had a braced frame house with brick nogging (same construction as the Ewing home) which was taxed."
Thomas Clawson was elected treasurer of Washington township in the early years, and served through 1809. The Lindsay M. Brien book, “Miami Valley, Ohio Pioneers”, refers to Thomas as “treasurer of [Washington] Twp. for many years”. He was also shown in that township’s tax records in 1810. In the roster of Ohio taxpayers in 1812, Thomas, Josiah, and Peter Clawson are all shown in Washington township in Montgomery County. In the Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War of 1812, there is a list of the Roll of Capt. Thomas Clauson's[sic] Company from Montgomery County.
The service period listed is from August 23 until September 17, 1812. Captain Thomas Clauson is listed, as are Lieutenant John Archer Jr., Sergeant William Blair and Ensign Benjamin Luce. Among the twenty-nine listed privates are Ephraim Covolt[sic], John Dunkin, John Gerrard, Peter Loy, John Shanks, Abraham Clauson, Moses Luce, Peter Clauson and Peter Shanks. In the Sugar Creek Baptist Cemetery in Montgomery County, a John Dunkin is buried(1762-1821) with the tombstone inscription that he was a private in “Captain T. Clauson’s Company in the War of 1812”.
Records in these years were kept in the docket court about those who made purchases or owed debts involving estate settlements, and Thomas was involved in such sales in the Dec. 1806, Sept 1810, April 1815, June 1819, July 1819, November 1819, and July 1821 terms.
In 1815, it was decided that Montgomery County needed a woolen and cotton factory on Hole’s Creek. From "A Sense of Place": "In 1815, Massee Hole (the widow of Dr. John Hole) sold 61 acres on the north boundary of Section 32 through John L. and Nancy Hole, to Thomas Clawson and William Luce. These men were the principal motivators in forming the Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Company of Centerville. This land lay along the north branch of Hole's Creek and within the next five years would become the town of Woodbourne or Woodburn. . . .
"The town started as a company town. The Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Company owned the entire town initially. The company contracted for a spinning and weaving mill, dam and race in 1817. The design for the machinery was brought from England by Samuel Gerrard. He was able to interest many of the township's more prosperous farmers and merchants into investing in this enterprise. In the first year, there were 47 shareholders, with William Luce, Thomas Clawson, Francis Dils and John Harris being the major investors. The shareholders elected Benjamin Maltbie, Thomas Clawson and Thomas Newton as managers, who then contracted with an operating company to run the mill." From another source it was listed that the trustees first met in 1816, and operations commenced in 1817. Thomas Clawson was among one of the original stockholders, and elected one of the first three managers of the company.
Thomas was shown in the 1816 Montgomery County tax records as a "proprietor" in Washington Township. Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book E, p. 283, February 24, 1817. Thomas and Sophia Clawson, and William and Judith Luce sold to trustees of Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Company of Centerville for $2,000, part of Section 32, Township 2, Range 6, land between Miami Rivers. Witnessing was Josiah Clawson. Land records of Montgomery County showed that Thomas and his wife Sophia sold the S.W. Quarter of Section 31(T2, R6, twenty-five acres, land between the Miami Rivers) to William Buckles on July 14, 1819. By the 1820 Ohio census, he is shown in Washington township with Josiah and Peter, although many new Clawsons are shown in this County in this census.
In the 1820 census, Thomas is shown at the end of Centerville town in Washington Township, with a man and woman both over the age of forty-five, three men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six and one between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, one woman between the ages of sixteen and twenty-six, two boys and one girl between the ages of ten and sixteen, and two girls under the age of ten.
In the 1820 census there is a second Thomas shown in typed records for Wayne Township in Montgomery County. This Thomas is over forty-five, with a woman between the ages of twenty-six and forty-five, two girls and one boy between the ages of ten and sixteen, and three girls below the age of ten. If there was an error and Thomas was between twenty-six and forty-five -- this could be Thomas’ son.
In "Once Upon a Town and Township, Centerville-Washington Township 1796-1971", published by the Centerville Historical Society in 1971, a document was included on the April 3, 1820 election in Washington Township, in which twelve different office holders were elected. Thomas Clawson and Benjamin Robbins were listed as having been elected "Fense Viewers"[sic].
In the book just cited, there was also a section on early history: ". . . townsmen were supporting two meeting places--a tavern and a church. Peter Townsley's tavern (now the remodeled home of James H. Gates, 610 West Whipp Road) became a gathering place for budding industrialists, farmers and townsmen. Men like George Minnerup, Thomas Clawson, Aaron Nutt, Samuel Wilson and Benjamin Maltbie probably met there to discuss politics or the price of crops and manufactured goods."[If Thomas Clawson was as devout a Baptist as the earlier passages suggest, one wonders whether he would have frequented a tavern. Especially since he is shown in early Fountain County as the Justice of the Peace collecting fines related to temperance.]
In the 1825 tax records for Ohio, only Peter is still shown in Montgomery County. By now Thomas and Josiah have gone.
A good summary of Thomas Clawson’s time in Ohio comes in an article from an unknown publication about the “Thomas Clawson-Robert McEwen House” in Centerville, Ohio:
“Another of the oldest houses in the northwest quadrant of the township, and one similar in construction to the Ewing house, was the Thomas Clawson house. It was better known as the McEwen house, and was located about one hundred yards northeast of the corner of McEwen Road and the Miamisburg-Centerville Pike(State Highway 725). When this research program was started in 1974, this house, although vacant, was still intact. Today, it no longer exists. Where it once stood, a roadway now passes over its foundations. We include it in our review as a tribute to one of our fine pioneers - Thomas Clawson -- and to the McEwen family who lived in it so many years.
“Thomas Clawson came into the Northwest Territory from Fort Pitt in the Army of General Arthur St. Clair; and he had fought in the unsuccessful campaign at Fort Recovery in 1791. The next year he was joined by his brother Peter in the Militia Volunteers from the territory west of the Ohio River. There is no record that the third brother, Josiah, was with them in the militia service.
“After General Wayne’s victory over the Indians in 1794, the brothers contracted with John Cleves Symmes to purchase land in Washington Township. Peter and Josiah obtained land containing good mill streams in the northwest quadrant of the township. Thomas made his purchase of land in the southwest quadrant on what is now Yankee Street.
“When the first preemption act was passed by Congress in 1799, the Clawsons lost their right to the land they had purchased from Symmes, and were required to re-purchase it from the Federal Government. Thomas made his first preemption payment to the Cincinnati Land Office on December 29, 1801; but the payment was for land in the northwest quadrant instead of his original holdings in the southwest part of the township. Peter and Josiah also had to re-purchase their land from the Federal Government.
“Thomas Clawson was quite active in local affairs having served as the first Township Treasurer, and as a manager of The Farmers and Mechanics Manufacturing Company of Woodbourne.
“The house was built a short time after 1802; family tradition indicated 1806. It was very large for its time. Like the Ewing house, the construction was braced frame with brick nogging. The full basement was constructed of limestone with bark covered walnut beams supporting the house.
"There were two rooms in the front divided by a wall of one-inch thick walnut panels; and each room had a large brick fireplace with fine Federal mantel. The back room was the kitchen, and it had two built-in corner cupboards and horizontal and vertical walnut paneling. Upstairs, in front, there were three small bedrooms with thin board walls, and with the hall in back as in the Ewing house. Another bedroom was located over the kitchen, with a separate stairway to it.
"Clawson sold the house to Richard Haines in 1824 . . .” Montgomery County Ohio Deed Book I, p. 543, June 19, 1824, Thomas and Sophia Clawson to Nev(?) Haines for $2,000 part of SW quarter of Section 31, Township 2, Range 6, lands between the Miami Rivers.
The Pioneer Ancestors List of Members of the Society of Indiana Pioneers indicates that Thomas Clawson came to Fountain County from Ohio in 1824. [This year is stated by Thomas’ grandson Jackson Dove is his 1924 statement about family ancestry, which is included below in his entry. He also states that Thomas and twelve children, six boys and six girls.] There were six separate filings for land by Thomas Clawson(it is likely that this and other historic records referred to Thomas Clawson Senior not Junior) in Fountain County, on December 29 and 30, 1824, January 21, 1825, and June 18, 1828. It is possible that the last one was his son's. A Thomas Clawson, along with Garrett Clawson, were among the first Fountain County settlers that laid out roads there. In the 1888 Tippecanoe County History biography of Thomas' daughter Cynthia and her husband Orson Kerr, Thomas is described as: "one of the old and honored pioneers of Fountain County".
In the "History of Fountain County", Thomas Clawson is mentioned at a settler at the Shawnee Township and was described as "a stalwart sire of several stalwart sons", and Thomas Clawson is shown as having been chosen as one of the first two justices of the peace for Fountain County. The following story is told in “History”, under the heading of “Temperance Work”:
“The day that Shawnee was constituted a township the court granted Leonard Keep license to vend foreign merchandise and spirituous liquors. Joseph Collier was taken as one of his sureties. Collier was soon after, with Thomas Clawson, elected justice of the peace, and took oath of office March 1827.
“In the court records, not long after, there was placed among the entries of fines collected this curious item: ‘Collected by Thomas Clawson, as fines, from Joseph Collier and Thomas McKibben, for an affray, $100 each -- $200.’ Comment is needless.”
Another set of references to Thomas' early years in Fountain County is found in the "History of Fountain County, Indiana, 1983", published by the Fountain County Historical Society and Printed by the Taylor Publishing Company, in an article on the "Clawson Family in Shawnee Township", which begins: "The Clawson family was among the first pioneers to settle in Fountain County, Indiana. It was four years after Indiana became a state. Several of the Clawsons migrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio and then to Indiana.
Thomas Clawson and his wife Sophia Kellogg [sic] settled around Newtown, and my great-grandfather Garret Clawson and his wife Deliliah Shroyer settled in what was later to be Rob Roy. The new purchase lands in Indiana territory opened for settlement in 1824 to be sold in eighty-acre plats at $1.25 per acre.
Thomas and brother Josiah Clawson, cousins of Garret and Peter Clawson [sic], and several other members of the family took advantage of the economic opportunity. They arrived in Fountain County in the fall of 1824. They were the trailblazers for many friends and relatives soon to follow. Descendants of Garret Clawson still live in Fountain County but some of them moved to Warren County, Indiana, and into the state of Illinois. Thomas C. purchased over eight hundred acres of land at a cost of more than $1100.00, mostly in Shawnee Township, Fountain County, Indiana.
Church affiliates from Ohio and probably Thomas, were the founding members of the Big Shawnee Baptist Church near Newtown. Thomas was elected Justice of the Peace in 1827, and Fountain County representative in 1831. Thomas and Sophia and other members of his family were buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery west of Newtown. . . .
" There are a number of Fountain County deedbook transactions involving Thomas prior to 1830: Book 1, p. 54. January 9, 1826. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife to Wilson Claypool for 240 dollars. 80 acres. Section 21, Township 21, Range 7.
Book 1, p. 213. January 10, 1826. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife sold to George Ives for 100 dollars. 40 acres. Section 21, Township 21, Range 7.
Book 1, p. 318. August 23, 1828. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife sold to Abraham Clawson for 500 dollars. Two eighty acre parcels in Section 28, Township 21, Range 7.
Book 1, p. 424. July 10, 1829. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife to Benjamin Foster for 300 dollars. 80 acres in Section 27, Township 21, Range 7.
There are two Thomas Clawson's listed in Fountain County in the 1830 Census, most likely both junior and senior. Thomas Clawson Sr. is shown in the 1830 census in Fountain County with a man between sixty and seventy, a woman between fifty and sixty, a man between twenty and thirty, and a woman between fifteen and twenty.
There are a number of Fountain County deedbook transactions involving Thomas in the 1830's: Book 9, pp. 20, 21, 22. November 2, 1831. The United State government issued Land Patents to Sophia Clawson [Charles Clawson speculates that this was probably the Sophia that was the wife of Thomas, although Josiah's widow Sophia could well have been this Sophia], 80 acres in Section 25, Township 21, Range 7, and 80 acres in Section 23, Township 20, Range 7.
Book 9, same pages as above in book 9. Sophia Clawson sold the parcels above to the State of Indiana. Book 3, p. 86. April 12, 1832. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife deed of gift to Orson Kerr for dowry. 80 acres. Section 4, Township 21, Range 7.
Book 3, p. 163. April 24, 1832. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife sold to James Foster for 500 dollars. 80 acres. Part of Section 29, Township 21, Range 7.
Book 5, p. 72. July 6, 1835. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife to G. S. Fleming. Part of Section 22, Township 21, Range 7.
Book 6, p. 203. February 26, 1836. Thomas Clawson and Sophia his wife to William Stephens. Part of Section 27, Township 21, Range 6.
In the records of the Indiana State Militia from 1812-1851, found in the Indiana State Library, is a Thomas Clawson, Major, 74th Regiment ISM, Commissioned March 30, 1832. Timothy Clawson was commissioned in the same regiment the next year, and Thomas Jr. was shown in a different regiment two years earlier, making Thomas Sr. the most likely one to be the major in this listing.
In "A Biographical Directory of the Indiana General Assembly, Volume 1 1816-1899" published by a Committee of the Indiana Assembly in 1980, there is a listing for Thomas Clawson. Thomas' entry is based on the William H. English Collection of the Indiana Historical Society Library, consisting of information about nineteenth century legislators gathered for a biographical directory -- much of the information coming from legislators and family members or descendants. In this instance, the biography of Thomas Clawson is very confused. It seems to combine the histories of Thomas Jr. and Sr. into one. The History of Fountain County from the 1980's has a section on Shawnee Township in which it indicates that Thomas Sr. was the legislator. The biography follows:
"Clawson, Thomas. House, 1831-32 (Fountain). Born ca 1799 in Ohio. Married. Children. Moved to Fountain County, Indiana, in 1824. Carpenter; farmer; employed in road construction. Democrat. Justice of the peace, 1826, 1828; member of board of justices, 1826."
This biography seems to mix up the birthdate of Thomas Jr. with some offices that I have assumed Thomas Sr. had. Thomas Jr. was a carpenter, as it is likely he was building the Claypool house ca 1825 mentioned in the 1881 Fountain County History. I have always assumed it was Thomas Sr. who was a Justice of the Peace. Thomas Jr. did not appear to have children prior to 1832. I am willing to assume from all this that it was Thomas Sr. who had the stature to be elected in 1830.
In the Fountain County book for Letters of Administration, Letters of Testimentary or Letters of Guardianship (a summary of which is on file at the Sutro Library) it is shown that Thomas Clawson Jr. and Timothy Clawson were entered on October 29, 1836 about the deceased Thomas Clawson Sr. Cemetery records compiled in the early 1930's place his death on September 18, 1839 in Fountain County. However, the year appears wrong, as his probate was filed in October, 1836. The same cemetery records, compiled by the DAR, show Thomas died at age 68y, 6d, 1m. He is buried in Hushaw, Dazey, Stephenson or Rupert Cemetery.
[Transcribed notes from the estate file of Thomas Clawson, Sr. of Fountain County follow. They are significant because they list a number of children and sons-in-law as heirs.
February 11, 1839. Received of Thomas and Timothy Clauson Eight dollars 37 1/2 (cents) its in part to be allowed out of my part of the Estate of Thomas Clawson deceased of Fountain County. /s/Jonathan C. Dove
January 23, 1839. Received of Timothy Clawson and the Administrator of Thomas Clawson (?) the sum of forty Dollars. /s/Ephraim Clawson January 23, 1839. Received of Timothy Clauson one of the Administrators of the Thomas Clawson deceased sum of one hundred dollars. /s/Josiah Clauson
August 24, 1838. Then received of Timothy Clauson one of the administrators of Thos(?) Clauson, dest. twelve dollars. /s/A. Clawson
September 15, 1837. Received of Thomas Clauson sixty dollars in part of my part of the estate. /s/Ephraim Clawson
November 26, 1836. For value received we promis to pay Bartain (?) Bunnel(?) guardian for William and Thomas Buckles the heirs of John G.(?) Buckles deceased the sum of forty dollars ten cents (?) after date with use from date this 26 day November A.D. 1836. /s/Thomas Clawson, Timothy Clauson, Administrator of T. Clawson, decased (sic).
January 20, 1838. Received of Timothy Clawson one of the Administrators of Thomas Clawson deceas. the sum of twelve dollars. /s/ Orson Kerr.
Received of Thomas and Timothy Clauson administrators of the Estate of Thos. Clawson decised(sic) one hundred and sixteen dollars and fifty cts to be applied on my part of the above Estate Feb the 7 AD 1839. Test: Mary Moore. /s/Rachael (x - her mark) Ives.[Note: There is a marriage for Mary Clawson and John Moore in Warren County, having taken place on July 12, 1838].
Received of Thomas and Timothy Clauson Administrators of the Estate of Thomas Clauson Deceased, the sum of four hundred and ten dollars and thirty nine cts as sd decased was gardeen for William and Thomas Buckles the heirs of John J. Buckles decased (sic) This 26 day of November 1836. Test: J.C. Dove. /s/Bartain (x - his mark) Bunell, gardeen.
April 2(?) 1838. Received of Timothy Clauson one of the Administrators of Thomas Clawson Decies. the sum of fifty five dollars and fif cents. /s/Jonathan Dove.
Received of Thomas Clauson one of the Administrators of the Estate of Thomas Clauson deseased, Eight hundred dollars this 7 day of April AD 1837. /s/Sophia Clawson. Appears to have been witnessed by Orson Kerr.
Settle on 29th of August 1835 and remaine du to Garret Clawson one hundred and seventy four dollars 95 cents. /s/Thos Clauson
Received of Timothy Clawson one of the administrators of Thomas Clawson deciest the sum of forty dollars this the twenty fourth day of May 1837. /s/J. C. Dove
Reseived of Thomas Clawson twenty five dollars on Ephraim Clauson account or on my part of the Estate this 20 day of October 1837. /s/Orson Kerr
April 27, 1830(39?). Received of Timothy Clauson administrator of Thos Clauson deciest the sum of two hundred dollars This is my hand /s/Abraham Clauson
Reseived of Thomas Clauson one of the Administrators of the Estate of Thomas Clauson Decised the sum of one hundred dollars on my part as one of the heirs of the Estate, March the 3 AD 1838. /s/John Matthews
Know all men by these presents that we Thomas Clawson of the County of Warren State of Indiana and Timothy Clawson, Orsen Kerr, and A. Clauson of the County of Fountain State aforesaid am held and firmly bound unto State of Indiana in the penal sum of six thousand dollars the payment of which we bind ourselves our heirs executors & Administrators firmly by these presents signed & sealed with our hands our hands (sic) and seals the 28 day October 1836.
The condition of the above bond is such that whereas Thomas Clawson and Timothy Clawson has this day taken out Letters of Administrators in the probate court of Fountain County on the Estate of Thomas Clauson Dec. late of said County of Fountain. Now should the said Thomas & Timothy Clawson faithfully discharge the duties of Administrators of said Estate then this obligation to be null and void otherwise to remain in full force and Virtue in Law
Signed and Sealed the day and year above written in the presence of these witnesses William Buckles Josiah Clawson. /s/Thomas Clauson Jun. Timothy Clauson Orson Kerr A. Clawson. (a seal followed each of the signers) Here end the notes from estate file.]
Sophia Clawson is listed in the 1840 census, as her status as a widow she allowed her to be listed as head of household in that census. Sophia Clawson is listed with one female between sixty and seventy, one female between fifteen and twenty and one female between ten and fifteen. Sophia Covalt Clawson died August 21, 1843 in Fountain County. She is shown buried in Hushaw, Dazey, Stephenson or Rupert Cemetery, died August 2, 1843 age 68y, 7m, 14d.
Sophia Covalt Clawson’s heritage, as listed in an ancestral file submission, includes a grandfather Abraham Covalt, born Oct 9, 1714 in New Jersey, dying March 19, 1780 in Greene, W, Pennsylvania, and marrying Elizabeth Gustin (born May 5, 1714 in Stonington, Connecticut) on December 14, 1736 in Sussex, New Jersey. His father, Bethuel Covalt, was born in Wales on October 15, 1642. John Gustin, Elizabeth’s father was born November 5, 1691 in Lynn, Essex Co. Mass.
Thomas Clawson’s parents, Garret and Mary Clawson. Garret Clawson, Sr./Mary Clawson -- Garrett Clawson Senior and his wife Mary are the progenitors of our Clawson line. It is believed by some researchers that they immigrated from Holland, and by others to be from New Jersey.
It is more likely that at least Garrett was of the line from New Jersey. Garret first shows up in the Revolutionary War period in a Maryland unit and then in southwest Pennsylvania. They eventually settled near Uniontown in what is now Georges Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. There are no known records of these Clawson's immigration, marriage, birth, death, or burial.
Research points to seven children: 1) Peter Clawson, born 1758, died August 1836 in Shelby County, Ohio; 2) Garret Junior, born December 25, 1759, died August 14, 1830 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania; 3) Mary, born about 1762, died between 1805/20, probably in Montgomery County, Ohio, and married to Joseph Shanks; 4) John Clawson, researchers differ on which John Clawson in future records is this child, he is quite possibly the one born about 1764, and died November 15, 1827 in Preble County, Ohio; 5) Thomas Clawson, born August 12, 1768, died 18 September 1836 in Fountain County, Indiana; 6) Josiah Clawson, born May 14, 1775, died June 14, 1827 in Fountain County, Indiana; and 7) Hannah, who married Mathew Bolin in Ohio in 1808, and was likely later in Fountain County, Indiana.
There have been some questions raised about proving the relationships as listed above – but they do tie together in different ways. Peter, Josiah, and Thomas all purchased land in Ohio at exactly the same time and general location, and Thomas and Josiah traveled to Indiana with two of Peter's sons (some researchers believe they were the sons of John) in 1824. Thomas granted a small parcel of land to Peter and Mary Shanks in Ohio. Garret Jr. and Thomas purchased land in the same location in Pennsylvania on the same day, and it also appears that Thomas, Peter, and Mary Clawson all had adjoining land in Pennsylvania. John went to Ohio near the time of the other three brothers, had a son named Garret, and is listed in a Draper Papers interview both as a brother of Josiah as well as being with Thomas during an altercation with Indians. John also had property near the other Clawsons in Montgomery County right after 1800. Future histories show the Clawson brothers born in Pennsylvania, except John has been listed by some as born in Virginia, which could be consistent due to the fact that Virginia claimed southwest Pennsylvania in that period, but the question of which John is ours in that area in that period still is not completely settled.
The naming of the next generation also offers clues. Garret Jr. had children named Thomas, Mary, Garret, Josiah, and John. Peter had children named Garret, Mary, Josiah, John, and Peter. Mary had children named John, Mary, and Peter. Josiah had children named Mary, Thomas, and Josiah. Thomas had children named Mary, Josiah, Thomas Jr., and Garret. John of Preble County had children named John, Josiah, and Garret. There are no Hannah’s that seem to be in these lines, except a daughter of Garret, the son of Peter.
A Charles Clawson narrative includes the best, most descriptive discussion of the Pennsylvania era of our Clawsons: "The immigrant forefather of the Clawson family, his wife Mary, and their children settled near Uniontown, in what is now Georges Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1776 or 1777. Pennsylvania had purchased this territory from the Indians in 1768 and created it as Westmoreland County, but Virginia disputed the Pennsylvania authority. Virginia forcefully retained jurisdiction during the colonial period and erected the counties of Yohogania, Monongalia, and Ohio in the District of West Augusta, a subdivision of Augusta County, which included all the land west of the Allegheny mountains. . . . . .
Garret Clossen, possibly our first forefather, was listed on the muster role of Gaddis' Command, in the Monongalia Militia (no date recorded) at Fort Liberty, which was organized by Thomas Gaddis in September 1776. The name of the fort was soon changed, indicating that the muster role was possibly dated in 1777 or earlier. It was located about two miles south of Uniontown, where a large population of Baptists resided, and close to where the first Baptist Church in the county was organized.
[Frank Crosswhite, a Clawson descendant, offers the following on Garret’s first military service listing: In the Upper District of Frederick County, Maryland on July 20, 1776 our Garret Clawson, as “Garrett Closson” was enlisted by Lieutenant Christian Orndorff into Captain John Reynolds’ Company of Maryland troops. (From Archives of Maryland, Volume 18, g. 50. Muster Rolls and Other Records of Service of Maryland Troops in the American Revolution.)
Recruitment in 1776 for Frederick County was done in three districts: 1) Lower District, which became Montgomery County, 2) Middle District which remained Frederick County, and 3) Upper District which became Washington County. Garret Clawson was in the Upper District. There were three companies for the Upper District lead by 1) Captain Aeneas Campbell, 2) Captain John Reynolds and 3) Captain Henry Hardman. Garret Clawson was in the 2nd Company. Under Captain John Reynolds were 1st Lieutenant Moses Chapline, 2nd Lieutenant Christian Orndorff (spelled Orendoff in other documents) and Ensign Nathan Williams. These companies do not appear to be part of any regular regiment, so may have been part of a battalion of militia. No other records for these companies exist after the initial recruitment lists. When enlisted these men were “effective and able-bodied” and had to be passed on by someone other than the recruiter. A Major Francis Deakins approved some of the units but not the one Garret was in. I think that Deakins was regular army. After the war Deakins was entrusted to survey the land to the west of Fort Cumberland in Washington County to be made into 50 and 100 acre parcels for regular army veterans, with 100 acres going to any recruiter who had signed up 20 or more men. This was to satisfy promises made when soldiers were originally recruited. Christian Orndorff had enlisted 22 men including Garret so possibly he had been looking for this additional acreage. But I think that the acreage was only for regular army.
By 1778 the 2nd Battalion of what had been the Upper District, now Washington County, was lead by Captain Christian ”Orendoff,” Jr. with a 1st Lieutenant Joseph “Rennolds” said to be son of John in the original document. This sounds like the same unit that Garret had been in. This was definitely a militia unit and the men were drafted for 9 months. Service in the regular army was for 3 years or the duration of the war. An inducement to enlist in the regular army was a promise of 50 acres of land after the three years of service, so I do not think that the regulars were drafted. On the page of the Maryland Archives listing Garret Clawson (as “Garrett Closson”) only one soldier is listed as a volunteer so Garret’s enlistment would appear to be for 9 months of compulsory militia service. Assuming that he fulfilled his service on April 20, 1777 the earliest he could have arrived in Monongalia County, Virginia (i.e. southwestern Pennsylvania) would have been in May of 1777.
Garret’s unit in Maryland, from the names of the officers, probably was centered around Elizabeth Town, now Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland. This was the eastern terminus of Braddock’s Road, which led to Beeson’s Town, now Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Garret must have been in northern Virginia before Fall of 1777 since he was recorded on the roll of Captain Thomas Gaddis’s Company of Monongalia County Militia taken at Fort Liberty. By Fall Gaddis had switched his allegiance to Pennsylvania and was a Colonel in the Westmoreland County Pennsylvania militia.
In 1777 the Indians of Ohio, under leadership of British regulars from Detroit, were extremely active in crossing the Ohio River in large bands to attack the forts, killing and scalping defenders in western Pennsylvania and northern Virginia. The likely reason for Captain Gaddis’s militia to have mustered at Fort Liberty in Ohio County, Virginia would have been to come to its assistance or to the assistance of Fort Henry (later Wheeling, West Virginia) which was threatened just to the south. Unfortunately many soldiers were killed in this region at about this time and their names have been lost to history. It was at this time that the British commander at Detroit, Henry Hamilton, was offering the Ohio Indians a large bounty, paid in commodities and hardware, for each scalp taken from settlers on the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Hamilton became known as the “Hair Buyer” and countless men, women and children were killed and scalped on the frontier by Indians seeking commodities and hardware. It was during this period of terrorism that Garret Clawson, Sr. died, perhaps even as early as 1777.
Garret likely had gone up Braddock’s Road before 1777 to find suitable land before bringing his family and this could have been before being drafted in Maryland. One would doubt that he would bring a wife and 6 children with no place to settle. On the other hand people were fleeing the war in the East and from a look at some of Maryland’s regular army units, desertion sometimes was over 50%, so departures could be hasty.
The Dunkards for whom Dunkard Creek was named had trapped in the Whitely Creek and Dunkard Creek area in what is now Greene County, Pennsylvania at an early date. These were the Eckerlin brothers. They had purchased furs from the Indians while headquartered in Frederick County, Maryland in the 1750’s to sell them to a fur company owned by the Calvert family of Maryland. If we only knew what occupation Garret, Sr followed! ]
Garret Clawson (Jr.) was drafted into the 13th Regiment of the Virginia line, known as the West Augusta Regiment, in May 1778, and served as a private in Captain Thomas Moore's Company with Uriah Springer as Lieutenant. Their service was entirely in the west, doing duty in detachments at Forts Pitt and McIntosh and along the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny rivers. On September 14, 1778, the 13th was redesignated the 9th Regiment and that was the regiment most reference books list him in. He served for one full year and was discharged on June 1, 1779. Although conscription was not authorized, he and many others were drafted because the various regiments were not able to muster enough men.
The family moved to the west side of the Monongahela river sometime before 1781, and settled about a mile east of the present village of Jollytown, in Greene County, Pennsylvania, then near the western edge of Monongalia County, which became Greene Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. (Greene Township became Greene County in 1796) Washington County was formed out of the District of West Augusta on March 28, 1781, and included all the land west of the Monongahela River and south of the Ohio River, but the dispute over the southern and western boundaries raged until August 23, 1785, when the permanent boundary line was completed. In the meantime, an agreement had been reached, which provided that the settlers be given until April 10, 1788, to convert their squatter's rights on the land before he died, which was passed on to his widow; whereas, Mary Clawson was listed as head of the household on the first tax list of Greene Township, Washington County, in 1781. She was taxed on one hundred acres of land, one horse, and one cow at a value of 22 shillings. (Pa. Archives, 3rd Series, Vol. 22, p. 736) . . . . . .
John Clawson was a private in Captain John Guthrey's Company of the Pennsylvania Militia, in 1782, which was recruited from Whiteley and Greene Townships. (The Tenmile Country, Leckey, 1977, p. 135)
Mary Clawson was again listed on the Assessment Roll for Greene Township in 1784. (The Tenmile Country, p. 135) . . . . It is not known why Mary was not listed on the tax list in 1785. Thomas was not listed on the list until 1789, because he was not required to pay until he attained the age of 21. There is no tax valuation for 1789, but Thomas paid of the higher taxes in the township for that year, therefore, he must have had considerable property.
Garret (Jr.) was warranted, 'Two hundred acres of land, on the waters of Dunkard Creek joining lands of Thomas Clawson and Peter Clawson and on Rudolph Highly's little run in Greene Township', dated October 15, 1787 (original warrant, no. 175) His land was 'appropriated', therefore, it was returned by the government for one reason or another. Thomas was warranted, 'Three hundred acres of land, including an improvement, joining lands of Joseph Reed's Heirs on the waters of Dunkard Creek in Green Township', dated October 15, 1787. (original warrant, no. 176) His interest was to commence on March 1, 1786, which was the date of improvement, probably a cabin. He was only seventeen years of age at that time. This land is very hilly, of almost mountainous terrain. A small mountain stream, still known as 'Clawson Run', probably named after Thomas, descends a very narrow beautiful valley and flows into Dunkard Creek, which is along a level, wider, and even more beautiful valley. His cabin was probably near the confluence of these two streams. He purchased this land for thirty pounds Pennsylvania currency, the equivalent of about ninety dollars, or about thirty cents per acre. He sold this land to James Bradford shortly before the date of assessment in 1790, but a deed was not recorded because he still owed a balance of twenty dollars and eight cents on the warrant. Each state had its own official currency.
It has been determined that Mary's and Peter's land probably joined Thomas' land in the upper valley of Clawson's Run, which was later warranted to Stephen Gapen. They either owned the land or had rights to it, but did not have Pennsylvania warrants, therefore, it is possible they had Virginia claims. Mary owned 100 acres of land, Peter 150, and Thomas 300, therefore, they controlled 550 acres all together. By viewing this land, it becomes quite apparent that they engaged in the occupation of hunting and trapping, or at least temporarily carried on the tradition of their father, who originally selected this land as a frontiersman. This also substantiates a passage in the, 'History of Montgomery County, Ohio,' whereas, 'A man by the name of Clawson (probably Peter), who was a celebrated hunter, etc.'. (See Ohio chapter) There was, and still is, an abundance of beaver, deer, and other game, but there was only enough level ground to do a limited amount of farming. Thomas had the most ideal farmland, along the fertile valley of Dunkard Creek.
Garret (Jr.) removed to Woodbridgetown (now near Smithfield), Georges Township, Fayette County, sometime before 1790, where he married Kezia Sturgis, daughter of Phineas Sturgis, on July 29, 1790 at the Georges Creek Baptist Church.
Mary probably moved in with one of the children in 1789, as she was no longer listed on any other records. Thomas and Peter both sold their land and disappeared from all records in 1790. It is supposed that they were in transit during the 1790 canvass, and consequently were not counted in the 1790 census. As far as is known John never owned any land, but he apparently removed at or about the same time as Thomas and Peter. The 1790 census lists a Jonathan Clawson, with wife, and one son less than sixteen years of age. Later court records reveal a Jonathan Clawson, who died in 1817, leaving wife Elizabeth and son Josiah. Our immigrant ancestor, probably named Garret, was most likely one of the multitude of frontiersmen or militiamen who lost their life on the Indian frontier."
The Shanks History, quoted extensively in the section below on Mary Clawson Shanks, Garret and Mary Clawson's presumed daughter, offers its own narrative of Garret Sr., and his wife Mary in this era: "Garrett was listed on the Muster Roll of Gaddis' Command, in the Monogahela Militia (no date recorded) at Fort Liberty, which was organized by Thomas Gaddis in September 1776. The name of the Fort was soon changed, indicating that the Muster Roll was possibly dated in 1777 or earlier. The fort was located about two miles south of Uniontown, Greene County, where a large population of Baptists resided, and close to where the first Baptist church in the county was organized. The Clawson family moved to the west side of the Monogahela River sometime before 1781 and settled about a mile east of the present village of Jollytown, in Greene County, Pennsylvania, then near the western edge of Monogalia County, which in turn became Greene Township, Washington County; this was near Gerrards Fort. Mary was listed as head of household on the first tax list of Greene Township, Washington County in 1781; Garrett had apparently already died between 1775 and 1781 . . ."
This version is supported by the fact that in Greene County, Pennsylvania, Gilmore Township, just north and east of Jollytown, is a stream named "Clawson Run". It flows south across the state line a few miles away into Maryland. Nearby in the same township is a stream named "Garrison Fork", which could be named for the family whose daughter married Peter Clawson.
“Jack” Dove, great-grandson of Garret Sr.(son of Sophia, daughter of Thomas, son of Garret, Sr.), wrote a letter from the “Soldiers Home Cal.” on April 24th, 1924 that reflects the history of his own family and the Clawsons)and indicates he probably fought in the Civil War. In part: “My Great Grand Father Clawson [Garret, Sr.] emigrated from Holland he was Duch[Dutch]. Settled in Pennsylvania before the revolution where my grandfather [Thomas Clawson, Sr.] was born and raised.”
According to some Clawson family researchers, Garret Sr. died circa 1780 in the district of West Augusta, Virginia -- which is now located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. He is shown in 1777 militia records, as described above. The conclusion as to when Garret died is supported by the fact that Mary appears by herself in a 1781 record, shown below. Charles Clawson did an incredible amount of work on the early Clawsons, and his history of the Clawson family in Pennsylvania in this period (much of which is quoted above) supports this conclusion and is deep in research and rich with historical detail.
Mary is shown in the “Effective Supply Tax” list from 1781 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, with 100 value, one horse, one cow, the two animals having a value of 22 (Abraham “Covatt”, most likely Covalt, the father of Thomas’s future wife Sophia is shown on the same page). Mary is also shown in the 1786 Pennsylvania state census in Bethlehem Township of Washington County as Mary “Closon”.
The Clawsons are shown from 1785 to 1789 in the Greene Township (later Greene County) Tax Records. In 1785, John and Garrett are shown as single freemen, each with a tax of 10 S (shillings?). In 1786, John, Peter, and Mary are all shown in Greene Township tax records, with John and Peter each listed for 1 S and 6 D. Mary was listed for 2S. In the 1787 tax listings, there are entries for John, Peter, and Mary, with John at 6 D, Peter at 1S, 4D, and Mary at 2 S, 10D.
In 1788, there is a tax valuation listing as well as the tax records. In the valuation listing, Peter is shown with 150 (acres?) land, 9S, 0D, 2 horses, 10S, and 1 cow, 2S. Mary is shown with 100 land, 6S, 2 horses, 10S, and 2 cows, 4S. John Clawson is shown with one cow, 2S. In the tax list, Peter is shown with 2S, 2D, Mary is shown with 2S, 2 D, and John is shown with 2 D. Mary Clawson disappears from these records in the 1789 listing, when Peter Clawson is shown with 3S, 1D, John is shown with 1 S and 2D, and Thomas Clawson is shown as a single freeman with 12S, 4D. Abraham Covalt is shown in the listings in the same township from 1785 through 1789.
According to Clawson researchers, Mary moved to Ohio in the vicinity of Columbia ca 1791 with her sons Thomas, Peter, and Josiah. There appears to be no further record of her. There is a Mary Clawson who is listed in the first years of the Centerville Baptist Church in Montgomery County, Ohio – and this is where sons Thomas and Josiah, and son-in-law Joseph Shanks were members. It is unclear which Mary Clawson this is, but the original Mary – widow of Garrett – is the only known Mary of this branch to have been the age to have been a member. There is no known burial record or stone for Mary in early Ohio.
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