Contributor: Sharon Welton

AMBROSE CAMPBELL
ca 1776–ca 1828/29
Youngest son born to George & Cathy Campbell
almost two and a half centuries ago, neither famous nor infamous,
he left an interesting paper trail from which it has been possible
to discover his friends, neighbors, children, and movements from
Amherst County, VA to Estill County, KY to Pickaway County, OH

a) The first legal document found, in which Ambrose is mentioned by name, is the will of his father, George Campbell, Sr. The will is not dated but was probated 07 Feb 1791 in Amherst County. It is probable that George died shortly before this date. Several bequests were made, including a colt which would become the property of Ambrose upon his attaining the age of “maturity” [21]. All other property, including real estate, was left to George’s widow, who is unnamed in this document.

b) Ambrose appears next on the 1794 Amherst County Personal Property Tax List, as a “tithable minor, living in the household of his mother, Caty, who was responsible for payment of any taxes. He is apparently about the age of 18. The list of 1797 also shows him as living in his own household next to that of his mother. He owns one horse which is probably the now grown colt bequeathed to him in his father’s will. It appears that Ambrose has reached the age of “maturity”. This list gives his name as “Ambrose Campbell, Jr”. This is not precisely an error, but it has led to a great deal of confusion and will be explained in detail below. The 1799 tax list, which is undated, shows Ambrose’ mother, Caty, but Ambrose does not appear at all and may be living elsewhere in Amherst County.

c) Ambrose was making preparations for his upcoming marriage, and along with his prospective father-in-law, George Gillespie, had posted a bond dated 02 Jul 1799 in the amount of $150.00.
“……there is a marriage intended shortly to be had solemnized between Nancy Gillespie (spinster) and the above bound Ambrose Campbell……”
Gillespie family history suggests that Nancy was born about 1779 to George & his first wife, Mary Moore. She was apparently the youngest of twelve children.

d) Nancy’s father, George, died intestate shortly before 21 Feb 1803. He was a wealthy man and left a very large and complex estate, the settlement of which would take eight years and over fifty pages of court records before it was finalized in 1811. An appraisal of his personal property was concluded by 20 Jun 1803 and a subsequent auction of this property was held at the end of November that year. Nancy’s husband, Ambrose, was among those bidding and the total of his bids came to over 93 pounds.

e) Just under a year later, on 26 May 1804, Ambrose sold his wife’s 1/12th inherited share of her father’s estate to David & James Garland for 55 pounds. This deed was proven 17 Sep 1804 at the Amherst County Court.

f) A Deed of Trust was arranged between Ambrose & Thomas Aldridge, 31 Jul 1805. Various possessions belonging to Ambrose were placed in the hands of Aldridge to secure payment of a large debt owed to David & James Garland, which was to be repaid by 01 Sep 1805. Although the exact amount of the debt plus accrued interest is unknown, the court had imposed an additional penal sum of over 60 pounds. In the year 2020, this sum would have amounted to over six thousand U.S. dollars.
This deed was ordered to be recorded 21 Oct 1805, suggesting that Ambrose defaulted on payment.

g) An Ambrose Campbell is found on Amherst County Personal Property Tax Lists for 1800 & 1803-1806, which consistently show him on list “A” as a white male over 21, with two horses. His tax was .24 for the years 1800, 1803, & 1804. He is not found in 1801 nor 1802, and although he appears on the lists of 1805 & 1806, there is no tax amount given for him. This individual is believed to be the son of the deceased George & his wife, Caty Campbell.

h) Ambrose was heavily in debt by the autumn of 1805. He not only owed money to the Garlands plus the additional fine, he also owed a large sum to the Gillespie estate for his bids at the 1803 auction.

It is likely that Ambrose will be sentenced to a jail term for debt, but unfortunately the court order records for this time period are missing. However it has been suggested by undocumented & unsourced family histories that he was incarcerated for an unknown period of time, and that, eventually, unnamed “friends” paid for his release.

CABELLSVILLE JAILHOUSE – (excerpts)

The jailhouse was built at the Amherst County seat, Cabellsville, in 1761 and used until 1810 when the county seat was moved to it’s current site in Amherst town, and Nelson County was created from land which once was Cabellsville and north Amherst County.

Amherst County was considered part of the backcountry when it was founded, and the county seat was roughly in the middle of the county, from which it would be easier to travel for court day, which was held one day a month. Unless, of course, the sessions ran long….which meant that court day turned into court days, which continued until all cases from the month were dealt with.

In the backcountry, almost everyone who committed or was accused of committing a crime did spend some time in the jailhouse. This was because of the court day system, which meant that even if a person was accused of wrongdoing near the beginning of the month, those charges were not heard until court day. So they would have to wait in the jailhouse until then.

One crime for which a person could spend significant time imprisoned was non-repayment of debts. In some locations there were separate buildings for debtors prisons and criminal prisons, and in some cases, it was the same building. White men were routinely imprisoned for failure to pay debts, but their white wives were not imprisoned nor otherwise held accountable.

A requirement of all backcountry courthouse complexes was the curtilage, a plot of land laid out around the curtilage with clearly marked boundaries, in which non-violent criminals such as debtors sentenced to spend time in the jailhouse, could access during the day. They were allowed to walk around, talk to people, and/or make business dealings, as long as they were back in their cells by night time.

Ganzert, Jessica L.,”Unwritten Records: Crime and Punishment in Early Virginia” (2020) USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.(http://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/8200)

No information has been found to indicate where Nancy Gillespie Campbell was living during her husband’s incarceration, and there has been no indication of how she managed to survive or if she did. The Gillespie family history suggests that she died in 1811, but no evidence to support this has been found. In addition, Ambrose married for a second time in 1810, so it might be assumed that Nancy expired sometime between late 1805/1806, and the end of 1810. Although some researchers have maintained that Ambrose and Nancy had three children, the oldest boy being born ca 1803, nothing has been found to support this claim.
There are no further records found to date which show Ambrose, son of George & Caty Campbell, in any Virginia county until 1815.

SOURCES:

1a) Rev. Bailey Fulton Davis – Amherst County Virginia, Wills (-1761-1865), p46; citing Am;h wb3: 169-170

1b) Familysearch.org>search>catalog: Personal property tax lists, 1782-1851, Amherst County, VA, 1782-1803, Film #7846299

COMMENT:

An NGS study course from the 1990’s clarified the “Jr” next to Ambrose’ listing, under “terms of relationship”. Although Sr. & Jr. now indicate a father/son relationship, in early America they could also indicate an uncle/nephew relationship or no relationship whatsoever. There was another, much older, Ambrose Campbell living in the same area as Ambrose, son of George & Caty, who was often mistakenly identified as either Ambrose’ father, or Ambrose himself.

1c) Familysearch.org: Marriage bonds and other marriage records of Amherst County, Virginia, 1763-1800: compiled by William Sweeny. Includes index. Available on microfilm and digital images.

1d) Davis – Amherst County Virginia, Wills (-1761-1865), p140-141; citing Amh wb5: 41-50

COMMENT:

In March 1811, Henry Campbell, brother of Ambrose, brought suit against the administrators of George Gillespie’s estate, claiming that he had gone “security” for Ambrose, for an unspecified amount of money, “finding that Ambrose was in declining circumstances & was parting with his property”. Henry couldn’t tell the court exactly when this happened, but he wants to be repaid and expects the estate administrators to do so.
Virginia Memory: Chancery Records Index Number: 1818-004 [Amherst/Nelson Counties] Plaintiff – Henry Campbell; Defendants – Admr of George Gillespie.

1e) Rev. Bailey Fulton Davis – The Deeds of Amherst County Virginia, (1761-1807) and Albemarle County, Virginia, (1748-1763), p430; citing Amh dbK: 282

1f) Davis – Deeds of Amherst County, VA (1761-1807) and Albemarle County, VA (1748-1763), p434; citing Amh dbK: 324

1g) Familysearch.org>search>catalog: Personal property tax lists, 1782-1851, Amherst County, VA, 1782-1803, Film #7846299 & 1804-1823, Film #7846300.

1h) There is no evidence providing the identity of the “friends”. However, many Amherst Co. families moved into the Kentucky counties of Madison & Estill beginning in the late 1790’s, and it is probable that Ambrose was with them. An Estill Co. court case from 1816 gives the surnames of witnesses, which include Ambrose, and it is believed that the “friends” were among these witnesses.

(Part 2)

AMBROSE CAMPBELL
A New Beginning

“Know all men by these presents that we Ambrose Campbell and Joshua Mize are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the just and full sum of 50 pounds to which payment well and truly to be made to the said common we bind ourselves our heirs & jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed and dated this 26th day of December 1810 ——-

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound Ambrose Campbell and ‘Ginne’ Witt of this county if there be no lawful cause to obstruct the same then the above obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue. Teste, R.P Clark. [Signed] Ambrose X Campbell, Joshua Mize. Estill County. This bond was acknowledged by the obligons[sic] thereto subscribed and committed to record. R.P Clark.”

“This is to certify that I celebrated the rites of marriage betwen[sic] Ambrose Campbell and ‘Ginny’ Witt of Estill County on the 27th day of December [1812] according to the rites and cerimonies[sic] required by law.
Given under my hand this 16th day of February 1811. [Signed] Jesse Thomas”

COMMENT:
The year “1812” is an error made by Jesse Thomas. The marriage was performed 27 Dec 1810.

(Joshua Mize was married to Elizabeth (Betsy) Witt, eldest child of William & Mildred Baber Witt.)

Given his probable birth year of 1776, Ambrose would have been about 34 at the time of his second marriage. Since there was no permission from a parent or guardian, it is probable that his bride, ‘Ginne’/’Ginny’, was at least 21 years of age. There is, of course, the possibility that she had been previously wed. After extensive research, very little is known about her, and the above document is the only legal source, found to date, which proves her existence.

RESEARCH NOTES:

18 Feb 1808 A commission from the Kentucky Governor appointed Justices of the Estill County Court. Among those appointed to that position was Bennett C. Clark.

01 Apr 1808 Robert P. Clark, son of Bennett, was appointed Clerk of Court. Although Robert was not yet 21 years of age, he was examined by the court and judged to be well qualified to discharge the duties of any county court, circuit court, or court of equal dignity.

16 May 1808 James Clark, son of Bennett, licensed as attorney and appointed counsel to the court.

Bennett Clark was born in Bedford County, VA, and was part of a very prominent political & legal family in Kentucky. The Estill Co., KY personal property list for 1811 shows him as the owner of 550 acres on the Kentucky River. Another very prominent & wealthy man whose name appears next to his in 1811, is Green Clay, who played an important role in many lives, including that of Ambrose Campbell.

Additionally, Ambrose is not enumerated on the 1810 U.S. Census for Estill County, KY, nor any other 1810 census. However, an individual appearing in this census, and later found in close proximity to Ambrose on property tax lists, is Francis Crouch, sometimes listed as Francis C. The census day of 1810 was August 06, and Mr. Crouch is found on p. 742, three names below that of William Witt. (This is William Witt, Sr., not to be confused with his son-in-law, who is listed on the same page as Joshua Mize.)

a) 1812
Campbell, Ambrose
white male over 21 – 1
horse – 1
tax – none
Ambrose & his wife have established their home, where they will live through the year 1816.

COMMENT:

June 18th 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain, and subsequently, Estill County men enlisted for the war under Green Clay, who was commissioned as a General in the KY Militia. (Estill County Timeline)

b) 1813
Campbell, Ambrose
white male over 21
2 mares
Oldham’s Militia Co. 78th Kentucky Regt.

COMMENT:

The tax list above is extremely interesting. The two mares in Ambrose’ possession and the indication of his militia regiment strongly suggest that he is one of 1200 Kentucky men under General Clay. This group “had left Cincinnati early in April”, and by the 5th of May had succeeded in forcing their way, “under a heavy fire from the Indian and Brittish [sic] Batteries” into the garrison, then called Camp Meigs. These troops along with many others, were successful in holding the American position, at what became known as Fort Meigs, through at least two sieges, 26th of April to May 9th and 21st of July to July 29th. It is not known when Ambrose nor any of the troops with which he served, returned to their homes. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, 24th December, 1814. Kentucky Volunteers were signed up for six month enlistments.

c) 1814
Campbell, Ambrose
white male over 21
1 horse
tax – 20

d) 1815
Campbell, Ambrose
white male over 21
no horse listed (see below)

COMMENT:
In this same year, Ambrose made the first of his two known trips back to the Commonwealth of Virginia, probably traveling on his horse. His mother, Caty, is now deceased & he sold his portion of the estate of his deceased father, George Campbell (Sr) to John, Ambrose’ brother.

Text of Indenture:
Nelson County, Virginia
Deed Book 2, pp 368-369

“This indenture made this 30th day of June in the year 1815 between Ambrose Campbell and John Campbell, both of Amherst County, witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of ten pounds current money of Virginia the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged before the recording and delivering of the presents by the said John Campbell to the said Ambrose Campbell, hath bargained, sold, alined[sic], and confirmed to the said John Campbell, his heirs or assigns forever in fee simple, all his right, title and interest amounting to one thirteenth part of the following five tracts of parcels of land situate and lying on the waters of Tye & Piney Rivers and in the County of Amherst & Nelson, viz, one tract containing one hundred & sixty-three acres, one other tract containing one hundred & sixty-two, & three other tracts, one of sixty-eight, one of fifty-four, and one of thirty-three acres, with it being all the lands of George Campbell since dec’d, possessed of the right and title to the said John Campbell, his heirs or assigns forever. He the said Ambrose Campbell, for him, else his heirs, executors or administrators, to the said thirteenth part of the land aforesaid, doth forever warrant and defend against all claims whatsoever – In witness, I have here unto set my hand and seal the day above written –

Signed, sealed & delivered, In the presence of
Thomas Aldridge x his
Jesse Wright x Ambrose x Campbell seal
George Campbell x mark

At a Court held for Nelson County, the 28th Day of August 1815 – this deed was proved by the oaths of Jesse Wright & George Campbell, two of the witnesses thereto, and ordered to be [held] for further proof, and at a Court held for the said county the 25th day of March, 1816, this deed was further proved by the oath of Thomas Aldridge, another witness thereto, [and] ordered to be recorded. Teste, Spotswood Garland, CK”

Note:

By the date of the above indenture (30 Jun 1815), Ambrose & his wife are expecting their first child.

e) 1816
Campbell, Ambrose
white male over 21
1 horse
tax – 15

Note:

Ann Campbell (Hogeland) was born 30 January 1816. (Ingham Hogeland Family Bible)

COMMENT:
01 June 1816 Ambrose, among others, was summoned as a witness in a case between two brothers, John & Major King. The case itself is not important. However, the surnames of the witnesses appearing therein, are primarily those of former residents of Amherst County, Virginia. Some of these individuals were probably responsible for providing the money to secure Ambrose’ release from Cabellsville jail. (See Sources for complete listing)

Note:
Another child, named John, was born to Ambrose & his wife. It has been suggested that his birth year was also 1816, but no source or proof of this year has been found as yet. If John was actually born in 1816, the earliest possible month of his separate birth would have had to be sometime in October. It is possible that John and his sister, Ann, who gave birth to twins several years later, (Ingham Hogeland Family Bible) were also twins.

Research Notes:
Ambrose second wife, “Ginne”/”Ginny”/Jane (?) died sometime in late 1816 or early 1817, leaving as her only known survivors, a bereaved husband and two infants. Her burial site is unknown, but is most likely close to their home in Estill County. Her parents & her life prior to her marriage to Ambrose remain a mystery. No known siblings or other relatives have been found. However, she left a legacy in her DNA which passed to at least five descendants in the 5th, 6th, & 7th generations. DNA testing has shown small amounts of either East Asian or Native American in the 6th & 7th generations, while the 5th generation shows a small percentage of Native American and Indigenous American. This information has been very interesting to discover. It may also be the reason for the lack of information about this woman, who is undoubtedly some degree of Native American.

f) 1817

Ambrose is not found among those named on the Estill Co. personal property lists of this year. At some point he realized that his two children needed more care than he could possibly give them and, before embarking on his last trip to Virginia, he temporarily left them in the hands of someone he knew and trusted, who would tend to their needs until his return. This journey was probably made on the back of a horse, so taking two babies was not a possibility. In addition, Ambrose had definite goals in mind which included finding a suitable woman who was willing to become his mate, help raise his children, and possibly bear him additional offspring.

Ambrose was successful in his quest, but how he found a single young woman who was not only willing to marry him but also willing to make the journey “back to Kentucky and become the step-mother of his two children, is unclear. However, it is possible that Ambrose’ older brother, Edward Campbell, who had been a resident of Lexington, Rockbridge County, VA for some time, may have played a role. He is found on p 280 of the 1820 U.S. Federal Census and John Cheatham/Chittum is listed on p 281. The census is alphabetized by first letter of the surname.

Rockbridge County Marriages [VA] – Man’s Name p. 46

“Campbell, Ambrose & Rhoda Chittum 19 Jul 1817; d John min – Samuel Houston, Presbyterian”

g)1818
Campbell, Ambrose
white male over 21
no horse
no tax

COMMENT:

The personal property tax lists were taken in the early months of the year, then alphabetized in the spring/early summer. Ambrose & Rhoda were obviously back in Estill County by at least early 1818 or shortly after their marriage in 1817.

h) 1819
Campbell, Ambrose over 21
no horse
no tax

i) 1820
Campbell, Ambrose over 21
1 horse
tax – 30

August 07, 1820
Ambrose Campbell
1 male, under 10
3 females, under 10
1 male, 26 thru 44
1 female, 26 thru 44
1 person engaged in agriculture
Total free white persons – 6

Note:
This is the only census taken during Ambrose’ lifetime, in which he is listed by name. He is now abt. 44 years of age. His wife, Rhoda, is the female, 26 thru 44. The male under 10 is Ambrose’ son, John, now approx. 4. One of the females under 10, is his daughter, Ann, who turned 4 in January. Both of these children were born in Estill Co., KY. The other two females under 10 are likely: Rhoda, (always referred to as the oldest by descendants of Ambrose & his wife, Rhoda) probably born in KY in early 1818/1819 and Elsie, probably born in 1819 or 1820, before the census date of August 07, also in KY.

J) 1821
Campbell, Ambrose over 21
no horse
no tax

COMMENT:
In 1822, a new category was added to the personal property lists of Estill County, and possibly others. In each of the six districts of the county, the number of children between the age of 4 and 14 was requested.

k) 1822
Campbell, Ambrose over 21
no horse
4 children

Note:
The four children are (presumably) listed above: Ann, John, Rhoda, Elsie. Although another daughter, Fannie/Frances, was born the 1st of March 1822, she was not included on the list because her age didn’t meet the criteria of 4 thru 14. Elsie is problematic because she would have to be born in 1818 in order to be one of the 4. Perhaps she and her sister Rhoda were both born sometime in 1818. (?)

l) 1823
Campbell, Ambrose over 21
no horse
5 children

Note:
The five children are probably Ann, John, Rhoda, Elsie, & Fannie, although Fannie really doesn’t qualify because she is only about a year old. Another daughter, Catherine, was added to the family on the 18th of May 1823, but is not included on the list.

Neither Ambrose, his wife, Rhoda, nor any of their children are found in any Estill County, or other Kentucky records after 1823.

SOURCES:

– -Bond & Marriage – Campbell
Ancestry.com, Kentucky, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1783-1965 [database on-line] pp 11-12
-Marriage – Mize
“Kentucky County Marriages, 1797-1954”, FamilySearch
-Research – Clark
“The Beginning of Estill County, 1808-1869, Court Records”: Vol 1, 1808-1814, pp 1-2. Compiled by Puckett & Rogers

2-a) Estill County (Kentucky) [personal property]Tax books 1811-1827, DGS-7834423, Film 7954,
FamilySearch. Tax year, 1812

b) “Ibid”, 1813

Research – Comment:
There are a multitude of online records with information about the War of 1812. Intensive searches of these have been conducted in an effort to find Ambrose Campbell, as well as other Estill men who took part in the many battles. The records used were (in no particular order): WikipediA; “Kentucky in the War of 1812”/Google Books; p318, “Green Clay and the War of 1812”/ Ohio History Central; “William Dudley”/ Google Books; “Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kentucky”, “Soldiers of the War of 1812”/ The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society; “Notes on Kentucky Veterans of the War of 1812”, G.G. Clift/ Kentucky Historical Society Map Collection; Transcript – “Camp Meigs” National Archives; “War of 1812 Discharge Certificates”.

Searching the above proved to be an exercise in futility. Neither Ambrose nor the names of any other Estill men were found. However, an explanation was finally given by the Kentucky Genealogical Society in “Kentucky’s Hidden Heritage”, [online] – “The destruction of Kentucky’s original State level records was a great loss for future historians and genealogists

3-c) “Ibid”, 1814
d) “Ibid”, 1815
e) “Ibid”, 1816

Research – Comment:
“The Beginning of Estill County, 1808-1869, Court Records”: p148
Witnesses known to be former residents of Amherst Co., VA – Zachariah King, Samuel Puckett, Elisha Witt, William Witt, Sr., Ambrose Campbell, John Abney, Andrew Lackey, Sr., & Principals, John & Major King. Others mentioned Stephen Trigg, William Bennett, William Dunaway, John Holeman, Celia King.

f) “Ibid”, 1817

“Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1789”, FamilySearch

g) “Ibid”, 1818
h) “Ibid”, 1819
I) “Ibid”, 1820
j) “Ibid”, 1821
k) “Ibid”, 1822
l) “Ibid”, 1823

(Part 3)

Following the end of the War of 1812, American families began migrating north and west into newly opened territories. Howard County, Missouri was organized in 1816 and in 1818, Bennett Clark and his extended family moved from Estill County to a new home there. Subsequently, in 1820, Bennett was elected from Howard Co. to serve as one of Missouri’s first State Senators.

As previously mentioned, William Witt (Sr.) was enumerated in the 1820 U.S. Census for Estill Co. KY, which took place in August of that year. Soon after, William and many of his children also left their long-time homes and, following Bennett Clark’s lead, resettled in Howard County, Missouri. William’s brother, Elisha, remained in Estill Co., as did William’s daughter and son-in-law, Betsy & Joshua Mize. William died in Howard County, late in December of 1827.

John King arrived in Kentucky with his parents and siblings around 1807-1808. His older brother, Major, acted as bondsman for his marriage to Lucinda (Lucy) Southern in Madison Co., KY, 05 Nov 1810. The 1820 U.S. Census for Estill Co., shows John as being 26-44 years of age (probably b. ca 1785), his wife, Lucy, 16-25, and five children under the age of 10. Personal Property tax records for 1823 list him as a white male with 2 horses and 4 children between the ages of 4 & 14. In May of that year, John & Lucy appeared as witnesses in a lawsuit between two of their close neighbors. No further records are found for them in Kentucky, and it is assumed that they have begun to make preparations for their journey to a new home.

Ambrose and Rhoda Campbell were likely making similar plans and preparations for their own departure from Estill Co. Some of Ambrose’ longtime friends and neighbors had already left the county for new homes elsewhere and he may have been considering doing the same. Fortunately, he had some ideas about where they might make a  new home, having traveled through much of the newly opened territory during his service in the War of 1812. Possibly they’ll travel in the company of John King & family. Although John is younger by several years, he & Ambrose have known each other since leaving Virginia and have remained friends. Their respective children are also about the same ages. Neither of these families appear in Kentucky records after May of 1823, but they may have waited until the spring of 1824 before beginning their journeys.

Moving, under the best of circumstances, is difficult. Not only would the Campbell’s be packing household items, they would be packing equipment for their journey, including rifles for hunting and protection. Food, water, clothing, bedding, some sort of shelter, cooking items such as pots & pans, and something to transport it all. There was no horse listed for Ambrose on the 1823 tax list, so perhaps they built a travois which could by pulled by an adult or one of the older children.

The route they selected would most likely be the one Ambrose had taken on his trips home, during and after the War of 1812.

1a) SCIOTO TRAIL: Straight south from Sandusky Bay, on Lake Erie, along the Scioto River to Portsmouth on the Ohio River, being the northernmost extension of the Warrior’s Path. Abt. 220 mi.

WARRIORS PATH OF KENTUCKY: A continuation of the Scioto Trail in a southern direction from the Ohio River, through the counties of Greenup, Carter, Rowan, Bath, Montgomery, Powell, Estill. Abt. 130 mi. (After leaving Estill County, the path continues on to the Cumberland Gap.)

Ambrose and his family would, of course, head north on these trails and only travel the Scioto Trail as far as the southern portion of Pickaway Co., OH. It is 64 miles from Portsmouth to Circleville, the county seat. It is approximately 130 miles from Estill Co., KY to Portsmouth. The total trip would be about 190 miles.

Research Notes:
An intensive search for John King in any Ohio record was unsuccessful. However, the 1830 U.S. census record for Boone County, Indiana (taken June 1^st) provided the name of a John King, who would prove to be the man from KY. Boone Co. was organized in 1830 and, at the time of the census, there were only 622 residents living within it. The Boone County Genealogy website provides this 1823-1824 description – “An unbroken wilderness, no roads, no mills, deep-tangled brush and vines, and a good portion of the land covered with water.” John King was also enumerated in 1840 & 1850, and left a will dated 04 Aug 1853, which named his wife Lucy, and their children.
(Indiana, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1798-1999, Will Record, Vol 1, 1853-1877) -[online]

Given the above information, it is possible that Ambrose, John, and their families traveled at least some portion of their respective journeys together since, initially, both families would journey north through KY. The Warriors Path splits north of the Red River, the easternmost portion heading toward Portsmouth, OH and the westernmost portion heading towards Maysville, KY. John’s journey would be much shorter if he traveled to Maysville, took a flatboat to Cincinnati, and then continued overland to his destination. Ambrose would have a longer journey, veering east after crossing the Red River, on his way towards Portsmouth. It is about 30 miles from Estill county to the split north of the Red River, so if the Campbell & King families traveled this distance together, the horses owned by the Kings, would have been immensely helpful for everyone. If they did not travel together, the Campbell family would have been on foot for the entire journey.

A statement found in an old Campbell family record suggests that Ambrose and family arrived in Ohio in 1825. No record or source has been found for this date. But 1825 seems likely, given the difficulties they faced. First and foremost – the Ohio River, in the early 1820’s was low in summer and often frozen over in winter, preventing the use of flatboats for crossing. So the family may have had to spend the winter on the Kentucky side rather than move north into Ohio. In addition, the children old enough to walk could be expected to travel only a mile or so a day, per each year of age. They would then need to be carried, probably on the backs of their older siblings. Ambrose would likely be guiding and guarding his family but could occasionally carry a child. Ambrose’ wife would not be much help. She was about to give birth to their son, George, born (probably in Kentucky) the 5^th of May, 1824.

b) George Campbell – Obituary

Research Notes:
The land which, in 1803, would become the state of Ohio, was previously part of the Northwest Territory, created in 1787. In 1790, the territorial governor and legislature began creating county and township governments in order to achieve local control of this area. Parts of some of these counties were subsequently used to create more counties, including Ross, Fairfield, & Franklin. Then on March 01, 1810, Pickaway County was formed from portions of those three counties and Scioto township was transferred to Pickaway from Franklin County on the same date. Pickaway’s Jackson Township was organized in 1815 and shares it’s northern border with Scioto Township. This area was also part of the Virginia Military District, and land lying therein had been reserved by Virginia as payment for it’s Revolutionary War veterans in lieu of cash.

c) In 1815, Christopher Strader Sr. & wife, Elizabeth became the owners of Military District Survey #1108, which had been granted to Robert Rose, a surgeon & veteran of the Rev.War from Virginia. This survey contained between 1200 & 1600 acres, which the Straders then deeded to four of their children, Mary, Jacob, Catherine, & Magdalena, who had been settled on the property by 1811. Jacob received the southernmost portion, his section being on the south boundary of Pickaway Co.

COMMENT:
Although the above states that the four Strader children had been “settled on the property by 1811”, the 1820 census of Pickaway Co., indicates that Jacob was residing in Scioto Twp., in the northern portion of the county.

In 1812, Scioto Chapel was erected by the “Christian Faith Denomination” in Scioto Twp., Pickaway Co. The first elected deacons of this chapel were Jacob Strader and William Miller, husband of Mary, Jacob’s sister.

COMMENT:
An effort to find more information about this church was not successful. A Pickaway County historian was consulted in 2015. but was only able to verify that all the church records had been missing for many years and had likely been destroyed. However, the chapel was probably still viable at the time  Ambrose was making his journeys home during and after the War of 1812, and he may very well have met some of the church members at that time.

d) Ambrose & family probably went on into Ohio once the river was ice-free and safe to cross. If this leg of their journey was in spring of 1825, George would have been almost a year old, and another child, Sarah, was added in that same year. Ambrose would have been looking for a place which he & his growing family could call home. Perhaps he inquired about available land at Circleville, the county seat of Pickaway, and was told about the property in Jackson Twp., then owned by Jacob Strader. There are various descriptions of this area in Pickaway Co. histories, some of which estimate it contained about 40 square miles, was bordered by the Scioto River on the eastern boundary, with Darby Creek running diagonally through it, and that it embraced “a large proportion of as good land as can be found in the State.” The Campbell family eventually settled in this area following their long journey from Kentucky, and it is thought that this occurred in mid to late 1825.

The year 1826 was a hard year for the pioneers of Jackson Twp.  An epidemic, which they called a malignant disease known as the “old plague”, ran rampant throughout the area causing the death of many family members and neighbors. There are few accounts of this illness. However, it was not confined to Jackson Twp. but swept over the Ohio Valley where the first reported death was in early 1826. Another name for this disease was “black tongue”,  a common term for diphtheria, the symptoms of which include a thick gray membrane covering the throat and tonsils. Malaria was also considered a possibility, but the symptoms include a throat and tonsil pallor which is not consistent with “black tongue”.

Unfortunately the Campbell family did not escape the ravages of this disease. A letter written in 1930 by a daughter of Catherine Campbell (Rubey) gives unsourced information which has helped in determining the approximate death years of Campbell family members, beginning with those who succumbed to the “old plague”. It appears that Rhoda, her sister Elsie, their mother Rhoda, and a newborn unnamed child all died in 1826. This letter also contains the statement: “The next year Grandpa died of malaria”. This information, because of the records which appear directly below, does not appear to be accurate. Ambrose had to have lived through most of the year 1828, if not longer, in order to have a tax assessment in 1829.

e) An extensive search has provided only one record for Ambrose Campbell, proving that he was a resident of Jackson Township, Pickaway County, Ohio. This record is a tax assessment for the year 1829, and it shows one horse, valued at 41 dollars as Ambrose’ only possession. It is not known if Ambrose was still living on the date of this assessment.

COMMENT:

f) It is likely that Ambrose had been a tenant on land owned by Jacob Strader. An 1828 Tax assessment shows Jacob as the owner of 320 acres in Jackson Twp., Pickaway Co. OH, and indicates that the original owner was an “R. Rose”. This document proves that this is a portion of the land deeded to Jacob by his parents after 1815, described above as “being on the south boundary of Pickaway County”.

Research Notes: 
A search for early cemeteries in Jackson Township did not provide conclusive information regarding the Campbell family “plague” victims. A short description of early burial places is as follows: “The first burials were probably made in the Hall burying ground on the bank of the creek”. (The name of the creek is not given.) Lists of burials begin in 1807 and continue through 1826. “Another old burying ground was southeast of the John Fleming residence”. Checking the 1810 U.S. Census for the residence of a John Fleming was not possible due to the loss of the Federal census for all Ohio counties, except Washington. A short list of victims succumbing to “The Old Plague” gives a number of names including that of a John Cochran, whose death was evidently the first in the township, occurring on the sixth of January, 1826. No burial sites are given for these victims.

(Ohio Genealogy Express – History of Pickaway County, Jackson Township) – [online]

The distance, in miles, from the southern border of Pickaway County, OH to Grove City in Franklin County, OH is roughly thirty miles. The “Scioto Cemetery” a.k.a. “Strader Graveyard” is a short distance down a country lane off Hiner Road in Grove City. Although some researchers maintain that the deceased members of the Campbell family were interred in the Strader Graveyard, it seems highly unlikely.

The deaths of the first four victims probably occurred within a few days of each other, and the risk of disease transmission increased considerably following the death of an “infectious” patient. The remains would not have been transported on a wagon for any distance, much less through any residential area such as Grove City, OH. It seems logical that the burials would have occurred in the nearest cemetery or even on the Strader property where the Campbell’s had been living. It is probable that, after the death of Ambrose, he was buried near his wife and children.

The enumeration of the 1830 U.S. Federal census began on 01 Jun and, by that date, the Campbell family had been reduced to six children: Ann, John, Fanny, Catherine, George, and Sarah. It is possible that these orphans were taken in by members/former members of the Scioto Chapel, and a careful look at the census may suggest the households in which the children can be found.

g) Beginning with Jacob Strader, who played a rather large role in the Campbell’s lives, in 1830 it is found that his household in Scioto Twp., contained a female between the ages of 5 & 9, and a female between the ages of 10 & 14. These two girls are believed to be Sarah, about 5 and her older sister, Ann, age 14. There are other children in the home, who are probably the children of Jacob & his wife, Elizabeth, both 40-49. No further records have been found for Sarah and it is assumed that she died sometime after June 1^st. If so, she may be the only Campbell possibly buried in the “Strader Graveyard”.

h) In 1830, William Miller and his wife, Mary, sister of Jacob (above) were living in Madison Twp., which shares a border with Scioto. There are two females, ages 5 thru 9, who are most likely the sisters, Fannie, age 8 & Caroline, age 7. Other children found in the Miller household are believed to be the children of William and his wife, whose ages are also 40-49.

There were several families with the surname “Seeds” who, in the early 1800’s, moved to Ohio from Pennsylvania. Some of them settled in Franklin County and some in Pickaway County, but it is not known how or if these families are related. In order to locate the two Campbell sons, John & George, the primary focus was  the Seeds families living in Scioto Twp., Pickaway Co. at the time of the 1830 Federal Census.

i) The household of William Seeds was located a short distance from that of Jacob Strader. William was twenty years older than either Jacob or William Miller, and this is reflected in the age span given for the two males and one female residing in the home, all of whom are 20-29. There is also a male “under 5”, who may be a grandson of William and his wife, who is 50-59. In addition, there are two males, 10-14. One of these is Samuel, b. 1817, youngest son of William and his wife. It is likely that the other 14 year old is John Campbell, b. 1816/1817.

j) The family of Robert Seeds is listed next to that of William, and it’s possible they are brothers. Robert’s age is 50-59, his apparent wife is 40-49, and there is a very young group of children in the home, all of whom are under age 14. Included in this group are 2 males between 5 & 9, and it is probable that George Campbell, who had his sixth birthday in early May, is one of them.

WHAT BECAME OF THE SURVIVORS?

George and John:
When George was 18, he went north to Auglaize County to assist in clearing timber and build a plank road. 1840 is the year given for this. He then returned to Franklin Co., OH, where he had grown up.(The above is edited information from a 2002 online post, which is no longer viable)

According to his birthdate, George would have turned 16 in 1840, and although he may have spent part of his early years in Franklin County, no records were provided. Additionally, Auglaize didn’t become a county until 1848. However, the information does give clues suggesting the whereabouts of George & how he might have been employed at the time. It is assumed that he had traveled north to be with his brother John, who may have been employed in the area.

Research Notes:
“The Miami and Erie Canal Deep Cut is a long section of the Miami & Erie Canal near Spencerville in western Ohio.” “Built between 1825 & 1845, the canal stretched from Cincinnati to Toledo, by way of Dayton.” “Construction of the canal, in particular the cut, was an extremely labor-intensive job performed by local hires.” [et al] “This is now a National Historic Landmark, parts of which span the Allen/Auglaize County line.”
(Miami and Erie Canal Deep Cut – Wikipedia)

John would have been 23-24 in 1840, probably on his own and working for some time. It is logical that he would have taken part in the canal construction effort going on in Ohio, and it is also logical that George would have heard about job possibilities from him. Unfortunately, there has not been much information discovered about John. His name & birth year are only known because of an old family history. He is presumed to be the male under 10 listed in the household of Ambrose Campbell on the 1820 census of Ravenna, Estill County, Kentucky. He is also assumed to be one of the children between 4 & 14 on the 1822 & 1823 Estill Co., personal property tax lists for his father, Ambrose. He has not yet been found on any later legal documents, including censuses.

Old family histories have provided the only other pieces of information, both of which are apparently guesses. The first is that he may have moved to Oklahoma and the second is that he died in Arkansas. This information has not been very helpful, in that, Oklahoma didn’t become a state until 1907, well after John’s life expectancy. Censuses for Arkansas have not provided any information about him. Perhaps he decided to join the rush to the California gold fields in 1849. He would have been about 33 years old at that time. This has  yet to be explored.

George was back in the area where he had originally lived, by the fall of 1844. He met a young woman named Miranda Burton, and they were wed on the 25^th of September. The ceremony was performed by Robert Seeds, Justice of the Peace of Franklin County, OH. This is not the same person in whose household George was raised in Pickaway County. That Robert Seeds would have been 60-69 in 1840, and does not appear on that year’s census. The Robert Seeds who officiated at George & Miranda’s marriage was apparently raised in Jackson Twp., Franklin Co. and was 30-39 in the 1840 census. Any relationship between the two men is unknown. Eventually, George & Miranda moved to Auglaize Co., where George would live for the remainder of his lifetime. His death occurred 04 May 1885.

The 1840 U.S. Census for Scioto Twp., Pickaway Co. shows a cluster of familiar names in close  proximity to one another. Briefly, William Seeds, now 70-79, has a 20-29 year old male in his household, likely his son Samuel. Next to William is a Catherine Seeds, probable widow of William’s brother, Robert. A few households from Catherine is the widow, Elizabeth Strader, and living with her is a female, 15-19, presumed to be Fannie Campbell. Next door to Elizabeth is the home of Elias Ruby/ Rubey, 20-29, living with his wife, Catherine Campbell, age 15-19, and their son, under 5.

Catherine, Fannie, Ann:
Although no official record has yet been located, it is the opinion of descendants that Catherine & Elias were married in Columbus, OH, 19 March, 1839. Their young son is the first of fifteen children  born to this union. The 1854 Iowa State Census shows the Ruby family living in Pleasant Ridge Twp., Lee Co. IA. By 1880, Catherine & Elias are found in Union Co., IA, living in separate households, and they divorced 08 Dec 1881. Catherine died in Creston, Union Co., 15 Dec 1893.

Ohio County Marriages, 1789-2013, reveals the marriage record of Fanny Campbell & Samuel Seeds in Pickaway Co., 04 March, 1842. The 1854 Iowa State Census shows them living in Pleasant Ridge Twp; Lee Co. IA, close to the Ruby household.

By 1858, they are in Lewis Co., MO, where their eighth and final child is born. They are not found on the 1860 Federal census. “Frances Ceeds” is living with her sons, Ira, Lewis K., & Andrew J., in Denton Co., TX at the time of the 1870 census.

By 1873, Fanny had purchased 160 acres of land in Montague Co., Texas. Her affidavit was made before the Clerk of the Montague County Court, 18 Jan 1877. On that same date, she was issued a cattle & livestock brand to be placed on an animal’s right side hip and to read “FS”. Although some of Fanny’s descendants have suggested that she died about 1875, the above records show she was alive at least two years later. Her death likely occurred between January 18, 1877 & September 30, 1880.

A document recorded 23 Mar 1885 mentions John S. Seeds, A.J. Seeds & Ira Seeds, as “the only known heirs and legal representatives of Frances Seeds”. Note: John S. is the firstborn son of Fanny & Samuel, probably named for her brother/his brother-in-law.
(https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1095/?name=Verneice_Campbell+pg=4+death=NC)

Ann Campbell, born to Ambrose & his #2 wife, “Ginne Witt” has the distinction of being the oldest survivor. Ann left the Strader household between 1830 & 1836, and it is believed that at the time of the 1840 U.S. Federal Census of Hamilton Twp., Franklin Co. OH, she is living in the household of an A.J. Williams, age 20-29, with their daughter, Amanda, b. 20 Aug 1836. Ann’s age is given as 20-29. No further records have been found for Amanda’s father, and it is assumed that he died sometime before Ann’s marriage to Ingham Hogeland, 29 Dec 1849, in Franklin County.

Two children, Allen Joseph & Jane Manerva, were born to this union prior to the Hogeland family relocating to Pleasant Ridge Twp., Lee Co. IA, where the 1854 Iowa State Census shows the household with 2 males & 3 females, one of whom is Amanda. Ann gave birth to several more children, most of whom did not survive infancy. Those who did survive were two daughters, Marella Ann & Elmirah.

After Ann’s husband, Ingham died in late 1866, she & some of her children and their spouses made their way to Gove County, KS, where they purchased land and prepared to settle permanently. Unfortunately, this didn’t work out for them and eventually they sold out. Allen Joseph & his family moved across the border into Nebraska, where they remained. Jane Manerva & her family returned to Iowa. Marella Ann & her family traveled through Oklahoma into Arkansas, taking Marella’s mother, Ann, with them. Elmirah married several times and lived primarily in Iowa. Ann died in Denning, Franklin Co., Arkansas, 27 Aug 1899.

SOURCES:

1a) Migration Trails
(The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, Eleventh Edition, Everton Publishers, Logan, Utah) Maps – pp.M66 & M67/Descriptions – pp.M61 & M62

1b) Ohio Obituary Index
<https://www.rbhayes.org/ohio-obituary-index> Click “Search The Ohio Obituary Index”, (Campbell, George, St. Johns, OH, 5, 1885)

3c) Christopher Strader
susanleachsnyder.com/Generation9ChristopherStrader.html(1815)

3d) Jacob Strader
susanleachsnyder.com/Generation8JohnStrader.html

4e) Ambrose Campbell
“Ohio Tax Records, 1800–1850”, FamilySearch
href=”https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7JVP-RP6Z”>https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7JVP-RP6Z

4f) Jacob Strader
“Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850”, FamilySearch
(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7JK8-D56Z)

5g) Jacob Strader
“United States Census, 1830”, FamilySearch
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH56-4HD

5h) Wm Miller
“United States Census, 1830”, FamilySearch
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH56-W6B

i) William[s] Seeds
“United States Census, 1830”, FamilySearch
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH56-4CV

j) Robert Seeds
“United States Census, 1830”, FamilySearch
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH56-4CV

Researched & Compiled
2015-2025
by Sharon Woodson Welton

Contributor: Linda Bright

🟪 Coordinator’s Remark
Adapted from the *History of Auglaize County, Ohio (1979)* with some edits. I knew Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong and remember their deep ties to the community. This account reflects both the published record and my own memories.

Stephen and Viola Engel Armstrong

Stephen Koenig Armstrong and Viola Louise Engel were married October 8, 1929, in the living room of his parents’ home on Wapakoneta Pike, between St. Marys and Wapakoneta, Ohio. Stephen was the first child of Willis and Laura Koenig Armstrong. His sister Mary Barbara, was born two years later.

Viola’s parents were Martin and Caroline Katter Engel. Martin Engel died when Viola was two years old and her mother later married William Korspeter.

Stephen and Viola were both born in St. Marys, Ohio, and grew up in Noble Township. His early schooling was in a one-room schoolhouse in Noble Township with Sadie Miley as his teacher. Viola attended school as well in one-room schoolhouse, later graduating from Blume High School, Wapakoneta, in 1925. Stephen also graduated in 1925.

In 1930, Stephen was employed in the office of Hon. Joseph T. Tracy, State Auditor of Ohio, as Assistant State Examiner. Later he was appointed to State Examiner, a position he held for many years. During this time, the family moved to many counties across the state.

In 1944, Stephen was appointed Superintendent of the Department of Mental Health and Correction, as Auditor with his office located in Columbus, Ohio. It was at this time that the family purchased a home in Wapakoneta to settle down, as they say. Stephen took a leave of absence from the state position to be close to family and accepted a position with the town as City Service Director. However, auditing being his favorite employment he returned to Columbus to serve as Assistant Director of Mental Health and Corrections for the State of Ohio. He maintained the position until retirement in May of 1970.

He was active in community service, holding membership in the Lion’s Club and the Society for Crippled Children and Adults. He also served on the boards of the Boy Scouts of America and the Auglaize County Library. Both Viola and Stephen were member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, in Wapakoneta. They lived in the Wapakoneta community for 35 years.

The Armstrongs had three children, Neil, June and Dean. Neil married Janet Shearon, of Evanston, Illinois, they had two sons, Eric and Mark.

June Armstrong is an R.N. and married Dr. Jack R. Hoffman, of Crestline, Ohio. They are the parents of seven children, Jayne, Jeffrey, Jonn, Jacalyn, Jodi, Jenifer and Jason.

Dean Armstrong married Marilyn Miller of Chicago. They are the parents of Jay, Ann and Ellen. Dean works for General Motors in Anderson, Indiana.
 From “A History of Auglaize County, Ohio, published 1979, Page 261″

Contributor: Linda Bright

🟪Coordinator’s Remark
Continuing the family history of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong. This account of their son, Neil Armstrong, reflects both the published record and my own memories of the family.