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Maps |
Maple
SUGAR GROVE AREA – {Taken from The William Maple and Related Families of Jefferson County, Ohio by, Fay Vance Morrison who prepared the following for a family reunion at Austin Lake, August 7, 1993.} The Maple family is of French origin. The earliest ancestor to come to America was an exiled Huguenot who finally settled in Middlesex County, New Jersey, near Princeton, in colonial days. They were followers of John Calvin, as were the Presbyterians. The country surrounding Princeton was known as Mapelton. (Source: Biography and Portraits of Monongalia Co., W.Va. pg. 177. Note: Monongalia Co. which split up and became part of PA and WV) The first deeds in New Jersey found the name to be spelled Shake-maple. Maple families were known to have scattered from France to Holland and to the British Isles during the Reformation. Over time different spellings have been used, such as, Mapel, Maples, Maypole, and Mahpel.
William Maple (Revolutionary Patriot) was born in Middlesex County about 1738 and lived there during the Revolution. He would have been about 38 when he served as a teamster or wagonmaster in the Battle of Trenton, considered one of Washington’s greatest victories.
When William Maple arrived in the Northwest Territory near the area between Empire and Stratton, he was in his late 50’s and he must have been tough. He had a new wife, Anny Moore. His first wife was Kiziah Larrison, deceased, reportedly a descendant of a Danish nobleman. Their children, as listed in the old family Bible were; Abigail, William, Dolley, George, Sarah, Ann, Clarissa, Benjamin, and Kiziah. (Note: A Kiziah Maple married a George Culp.)
We can only imagine the life of that family, the first settlers, to clear land, build, and provide food by hunting. They may have had a friend in Mr. Vantilburg, for he, too, was from the same area in New Jersey. (Note: In Washington DAR Library notes that Henry Vantilburg was a cousin to Kiziah Larrison, Wm.’s first wife.)
When Wm. Maple Sr. died his son, George was named administrator of his estate. In the history of Doyle he states the following, "Wm. Sr. was buried on the hill above Port Homer on the Patrick Haley place. He died Aug. 13, 1813, age about 75 yr."
It was recorded in the old family Bible (Source: Application to DAR of Dorothy Maple Wagner of Seattle, file # 50499) that Anny Moore gave birth to Jacob, May 1, 1798, Elizabeth, Rachel, 1806, and Mariah.
Wm. Maple’s son, Benjamin, was a Captain in the War of 1812. (More of Benjamin to come in future newsletter article, living in Ross Twp.)
In the Early Marriages of Jefferson County, Ohio 1789 – 1838 lists 36 Maple marriages. Can you imagine how many Maples there were in Ohio alone?
Wm. Maple’s son George was born July 11, 1799 and died in 1863. He married Sarah Bekman (sometimes recorded as Peckham) who was born July 4, 1799 and died in 1818. (The author notes two questions: Where are they buried? Possible in the Osage area?)
George Maple’s son was Elias Maple. He was born about 1822 in Ohio and married Margaret Groves September 10, 1848. Margaret was born in 1815 and died in 1886 in Knox Twp. This couple is the parents of Mary Jane (Jennie) Maple Lawrence (as listed on her Ohio Death Certificate). Her death certificate shows that she was born October 10, 1847 and date she died is listed as January 14, 1931. She is buried in the New Somerset Christian Church cemetery. The U.S. Federal Census confirms her birth year and that of her twin brother, William.
NEW SOMERSET AREA – Mary Jane Maple and John P. Lawrence were married Feb. 17, 1870. John was born October 17, 1847 at New Somerset and lived there all his life. He died there July 14, 1927 at the age of 80 yr. He followed the trade of blacksmith and the couple was members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). New Somerset had a log schoolhouse, which served until 1840 when it was sold to the highest bidder for 75 cents. James Baxter made the highest bid and he reconstructed the logs into a chicken house. In 1840 a new frame building was built, which served its purpose for nearly 40 years. When it had outlived its usefulness and was auctioned off to John P. Lawrence who moved it to the lot at the corner of Steubenville and Union Streets and converted it into a blacksmith shop. It was sold by the school board for $16.00 (Source: Dr. Shillings Historical Notes of Knox Township. More is written in his notes about the schoolhouse.)
John P and Mary Jane Maple Lawrence had two children; George and Margaret C. Margaret were born March 7, 1871 in New Somerset. Margaret died at the home of Clifford & Lelia Van Dyke. They were living in the old Sugar Grove schoolhouse (neighboring home of brick next to cemetery) converted to a very livable home by son, Elmer L. (Pete) VanDyke. Margaret died on May 18, 1956.
George, son of John P and Mary Jane Maple Lawrence always lived in New Somerset. He married Maggie Parsons. They spent many hours in their garden, where they grew most of their vegetables, fruit trees and berry bushes.
EMPIRE – Elmer H. Van Dyke lived in Empire. He operated the big livery stable where horses and buggies and surreys with fringe on top were rented out and furnished transportation all over the area. Upstairs over the livery stable he operated a roller skating rink remembered well by those of the Cora, Jim, Charley, and Harry era. The writer, Fay Vance Morrison, notes hours that her parents, Jennie Van Dyke and James Vance would spend skating. They were both proficient on roller skates and at least her father was a very good ice skater. In those days the Ohio River froze over in the winter.
There were floods (Jun 1901) and many can recall the ruined hardwood floor of the old skating rink and the large grand piano that played the music for the skaters. It would clink if anyone pounded its keys hard enough, after the flood. The flood of 1936 washed away all evidence of the blacksmith shop, the livery stable and the old house where Uncle Tick and Lelia Van Dyke lived. Many houses, outhouses and sheds in town were washed away. (End of Fay Vance Morrison’s writings for the reunion.)
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