Fleming Web End Notes

800.: The Mt. Collins Cemetery, as described in Throop (1987), p. xiv, “is located across the Allegheny River from Tionesta, Pennsylvania, on the side of a large hill.”
801.: March 1999 information from Penelope Repko (Argenta, Illinois).
802.: History of Forest County, 1867 -1967, Files of Forest Press, by Ronald Childs
803.: 1900 federal census for Tionesta Borough, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 113; 1910 federal; census for Tionesta Borough, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 181B; 1920 federal census for Tionesta Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 2A.
804.: 1910 federal; census for Tionesta Borough, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 181B. Names (no dates) are also listed in History of Forest County, 1867 -1967, Files of Forest Press, by Ronald Childs; also in part from information of Penelope Repko (Argenta, Illinois).
805.: This information from March 1999 information of Penelope Repko (Argenta, Illinois), who cites as her sources: birth date from Register of Births, Forest County, Pennsylvania (LDS film 1314246); death date from Social Security Death Index
806.: 1930 federal census for Tionesta Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 2A.
807.: This information from March 1999 information of Penelope Repko (Argenta, Illinois), who cites as her sources: Register of Births, Forest County, Pennsylvania (LDS film 1314246); and October 1964 obituary of John’s sister Marguerite Dorothy Fleming.
808.: Dates from March 1999 information of Penelope Repko (Argenta, Illinois), who cites as her sources: Register of Births, Forest County, Pennsylvania (LDS film 1314246); and Marguerite’s October 1964 obituary.
809.: Throop (1987), p. 41.
810.: From Marguerite’s obituary via Penelope Repko (Argenta, Illinois).
811.: From a 30 November 1998 email and March 1999 information of Penelope Repko (Argenta, Illinois) (via email), including children of Edward and Edna Fleming Head. Penelope cites as her sources the 1910 and 1920 censuses, and the Social Security Death Index.
812.: 1900 federal census for Harmony Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 28. 1910 federal census for Harmony Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 8A. 1920 federal census for Harmony Township, Forest County, Pernnsylvania, page 5A.
813.: Martha’s dates from Throop (1987), p. 54.
814.: federal census for Tidioute, Warren County, Pennsylvania, page 4A.
815.: Specific dates for Etta Fleming Vail are from March 1999 information of Penelope Repko (Argenta, Illinois).
816.: Throop (1987), p. 119.
817.: 1880 federal census for Southwest Township, Warren County, dwelling 18, family 18, page 260B.
818.: This from the Democratic Vindicator, 30 June 1892, reporting their marriage.
819.: 1900 federal census for Harmony Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 761; 1910 federal census for Harmony Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 102A; and 1920 federal census for Harmony Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 4B.
820.: 30 November 1998 and March 1999 information of Penelope Repko (via email).
821.: 1930 federal census for Tionesta Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania, page 3A.
822.: Burial location of Frances and Judith from Throop (1987), p. 119.
823.: Josephine was not mentioned as a daughter in Venango County Orphans Court Docket 4, p. 32, 27 August 1870. However, an Elmira Fleming was mentioned. The 1870 federal census for Harmony Township, dwelling 85, family 82, page 19, lists Josephine but no Elmira. I am assuming that Josephine and Elmira were the same person.
824.: Birth date from March 1999 information provided by Penelope Repko (Argenta, Illinois), who cites her source as Forest County Marriage Licenses, Vol. 13, 1885-1928 Index, p. 58.
825.: Democratic Vindicator, 21 November 1889,
826.: From a photocopy of Josephine’s Application for Membership to the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Number 253417, approved 29 May 1929. The photocopy was sent to me in June 1999 by Gina Matthews, Council Bluffs, Iowa.
827.: 30 November 1998 and March 1999 information from Penelope Repko (Argenta, Illinois). Penelope cites her sources for names and birth months as the 1900 census. Information for Maxwell Weikal from the 1930 federal census for Sugar Creek Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, dwelling 45, family 54, page 5A. Information for Melgar Weikal from the 1930 federal census for Cranberry Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, dwelling 228, family 239, page 12B.
828.: In part from information from Jordan (1913), p. 250, including child of Daniel and Mary (Lewis) Delo.
829.: Death date of Mary Frances from “Howard and Oules Family,” online at Ancestry.com, updated 22 January 2003, contact person: Kenna Clayton (via email).
830.: 1910 federal census for Spring Creek Township, Logan County, Oklahoma, page 201B; 1920 federal census for Lincoln, Montgomery County, Nebraska, page 1A; and 1930 federal census for Lincoln, Montgomery County, Nebraska, page 6A.
831.: Copeland family group records sent to me June 1999 by Marilyn Copeland (North Olmsted, Ohio) (via email); 1870 federal census for Allegheny Township, dwelling 258, family 275, page 38.
832.: 1930 federal census for Lakewood Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, page 18A.
833.: 1900 federal census for 38th Ward, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, page 92. 1910 federal census for Rockport Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, page 17A.
834.: 1880 federal census for Oil Creek Township, Venango County, dwelling 155, family 162.
835.: This information is from the Helen Palmer material, 1996. Specific birth and death dates from United States Social Security Death Index. Also, various articles in the Oil City and Titusville, Pennsylvania, newspapers reviewed.
836.: In 1996, Monroe addresses taken from a web site of addresses showed two Wayne Monroes in Winterhaven: Wayne C. Monroe, 4216 Cedarwood St., Winter Haven, FL 33880-1607; and Wayne L. Monroe, 1202 12th Ct., NE., Winter Haven, Florida 33881-2731.
837.: Family group sheets of the ancestors of Christopher F. Lytle, sent to me by Jack Tracy Lytle of Newark, Ohio; and Helen Palmer material (1996).
838.: Helen Palmer material (1996)..
839.: 1910 federal census for Coffeyville, Drum Creek, Montgomery County, Kansas, page 138A.
840.: 1920 federal census for Coffeyville, Montgomery County, Kansas, page 5B.
841.: Date from 1900 soundex for Fleming of Pennsylvania (FHL film 1247877).
842.: Information from 28 August and 15 October 1995 letters of Ed Waddell (Pleasantville, Pennsylvania), including children of Earl and Jesse Fleming Shoup.
843.: Dates from Tidal Cemetery (Madison Township, Armstrong County) list provided by the Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Historical Society.
844.: 1920 federal census for Madison Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, page 6A.
845.: 1930 federal census for Madison Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, page 7A.
846.: Information from an 28 August 1995 letter of Ed Waddell (Pleasantville, Pennsylvania).
847.: Names from information in a 28 August 1995 letter of Ed Waddell (Pleasantville, Pennsylvania).
848.: . Dates from her stone as reported in a Tidal Cemetery (Madison Township, Armstrong County) list provided by the Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Historical Society.
848b.: . In part, from Mary Alice Fleming's obituary, 12 September 1975 in Simpson's Leader-Times (Kittanning, Pennsylvania); online in the "Stories" section of ancestry.com.
849.: Information from a 28 August 1995 letter of Ed Waddell (Pleasantville, Pennsylvania), including children of Clyde and Annabelle (Fleming) Waddell.
850.: 1930 federal census for Oil Creek Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, page 2A. Ed Waddell, born circa 1929; married Anna Grace; their children were Amy Waddell Penn (Albuquerque, New Mexico), Phillip Waddell married Debbie [—?—] and lived in Pleasantville, Ken Waddell lived in Pleasantville, and Bill Waddell who lived in Pleasantville.
851.: 1890 birth date from the 1910 federal census for Madison Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, page 2.and listed as Ivan E. Fleming. In the 1900 federal census for Madison Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, he was reported born June 1886.
852.: Information of 28 August 1995 letter of Ed Waddell (Pleasantville, Pennsylvania), including child of Earl Fleming.
853.: Parents names from “Morris family tree,” online at Ancestry.com; contact person Dan Morris, updated 1 December 2002.
854.: 1910 federal census for Lake Anthony Township, Chaves County, New Mexico, page 136A.
855.: 1930 federal census for Alhambra Township, Los Angeles, California, page 4A.
856.: 1930 federal census for Cisco Township, Eastland County, Texas. page 10A.
857.: Information on Merl Heald from 22 July 1997 letter of Ann Heald Grosshart, a daughter of Merl Heald.
858.: Sent to me 9 November 1997 by Ann Grosshart (Tulsa, Oklahoma).
859.: Information received from Ann Grosshart in a 22 July 1997 letter.
860.: IRecords of my mother (Edith Marie Fleming Clifford) and my records.
861.: Records of my mother (Edith Marie Fleming Clifford), my records, and personal communication with William Caldwell.
862.: Records of my mother.
863.: Records of my mother and personal communication with Margaret Ann Fleming, Holiday, Florida.
889.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 21.
890.: Giddens (1938), p. 8.
891.: Giddens (1938), p. 14.
892.: Letter of 28 October 1998 from Samuel T. Pees, Professional Petroleum Geologist, Meadville, Pennsylvania.
893.: Botsford (1946), p. 79.
894.: Henry (1873), p. 93.
895.: Henry (1873), p. 91; Giddens (1938), p. 59.
896.: Heinen (1992), p. 445.
897.: Bell (1890), p. 314; Asbury (1942), p. 71.
898.: For example, Henry (1873), p. 92; Newton (1879), pp. 278 and 292; McLaurin (1902), p. 68; Giddens (1938), p. 64; Dolson (1959), p. 26.
899.: Venango County Deed Book Q, pp. 538-539, instituted 1 Sept. 1859, recorded 17 Jan. 1860 (FHL film 864548).
900.: Venango County Deed Book Q, pp. 546-547, instituted 2 Sept. 1859, recorded 19 Jan. 1860 (FHL film 864548).
901.: Venango County Deed Book R, p. 25, instituted 5 Sept. 1859, recorded 29 March 1860 (FHL film 864549).
902.: Weber and Pees (1989), p. 39, report the well was never finished.
903.: Venango County Deed Book Q, pp. 437-438, instituted 26 Sept. 1859, recorded 7 Oct. 1860 (FHL film 864548).
904.: Venango County Deed Book Q, pp. 541-542, instituted 27 Sept. 1859, recorded 18 Jan. 1860 (FHL film 864548).
905.: FHL film 864548.
906.: Venango County Deed Book S, p. 359, instituted 29 Nov. 1860, recorded 31 Dec. 1860 (FHL film 864550).
907.: Venango County Deed Book U, pp. 36 and 37, recorded 1861 (FHL film 864551).
908.: Venango County Deed Book QQ, p. 158, instituted 10 March 1865, recorded 27 March 1865 (FHL film 864568).
909.: John J. McLaurin lived in Franklin, Venango County. He was born 29 November 1841, died 28 August 1923, buried in Franklin Cemetery, as reported in the Venango County Genealogical Newsletter, Winter 1993. He married 29 November 1877 Elizabeth S. Duff, born 21 January 1845, died 25 October 1927, buried in Franklin Cemetery. The marriage date was reported in Oil City Weekly Times, 7 December 1877, from Venango County Genealogical Club Newsletter, summer 1991.
910.: These figures courtesy of Tammy Schreffler, Storage and Retrieval Coordinator, 400 Market Street, 10th Floor, P.O. Box 8555, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-8555.
911.: Fox (1989), p. 46.
912.: Pees (1989), p. 5.
913.: Bell (1890), p. 315.
914.: Weber and Pees (1989), p. 38.
915.: Fox (1989), p. 50.
916.: Dolson (1959), p. 92.
917.: Dolson (1959), p. 93); also “Titusville’s Centennial of Oil, 1859-1959,” under the auspices of the Titusville Trust Company and circulated on the internet via PACRAWFO-L@rootsweb.com.
918.: A recent book on John Mather is John A. Mather: The Legacy of Pennsylvania’s Oil Region, by Ann Stewart, Linda Riels and Dixie Morrow. The Colonel Inc., 1995, 60 pages.
919.: Giddens (1948), pp. 125-135.
920.: Henry (1873), p. 97.
921.: Bell (1890), p. 725.
922.: For example, Bell (1890), pp. 324-325; Asbury (1942), pp. 147-157; Giddens (1948), p. 53.
923.: Venango Spectator, Franklin, 21 November 1860, from Asbury, 192, p. 83.
924.: Giddens (1938), p. 183.
925.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 82.
926.: Asbury (1942) p. 84.
927.: Giddens (1938), p. 164.
928.: Swetnam and Smith, 1976, p. 202.
929.: Venango County Deed Book RR, p. 387-389, instituted 31 July 1865, recorded 29 Aug. 1865 (FHL film 864568).
930.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 305.
931.: Henry (1873), pp. 95-112.
932.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 285.
933.: Henry (1873), p. 98.
934.: The information on the seed bag is from Cone and Johns (1870), p. 134, and McLaurin (1902), p. 77..
935.: Venango County Deed Book FF. pp. 443-444, instituted 22 September 1864, recorded 1 December 1864 (FHL film 864559).
936.: Henry (1873), pp. 497-499.
937.: Henry (1873), p. 499.
938.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 248.
939.: Henry Rouse, born 30 August 1837, was a native of Wesfield, Chautauqua County, New York. He taught school in Warren, Pennsylvania (Bell, 1890, p. 666).
940.: Giddens (1938), pp. 76-77.
941.: Cone and Johns (1870), pp. 313-314.
942.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 314.
943.: FHL film 863700.
944.: Bell (1890), p. 661.
945.: Venango County Deed Book GG, page number is blurred, instituted 9 Aug. 1864, recorded 10 Aug. 1864 (FHL film 864560)—I could not determine the page numbers for most deeds in this Book because the ink had run.
946.: Venango County Deed Book V, p. 149, instituted 5 April 1861, recorded 8 October 1862 (FHL film 864552).
947.: Steele (1902), p. 169.
948.: McLaurin (1902), p. 130.
949.: Henry (1873), p. 93.
950.: Henry (1873), p. 93.
951.: For example, Cone and Johns (1870), pp. 136-137; Henry (1873), pp. 248-249; Newton (1879), pp. 314-315; Bell (1890), pp. 312-313; McLaurin (1902), p. 76; Giddens (1948), p. 10.
952.: Henry (1873), p. 106.
953.: Venango County Deed Book R, pp. 271-272, instituted 3 April 1860, recorded 9 June 1860 (FHL film 864549).
954.: Asbury (1942), p. 95.
955.: FHL film 857352.
956.: Venango County Orphans Court, Docket 1, Number 14, 15 June 1843, p. 148, “Petition of William Story in the Estate of James Story” (FHL film 857352).
957.: See Venango County Deed Book R, p. 271, family 272, instituted 3 April 1860, recorded 9 June 1860 (FHL film 864549).
958.: Henry (1873), p. 105.
959.: Henry (1873), p. 105.
960.: Henry (1873), p. 105; and Dolson (1959), p. 25.
961.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 258.
962.: Crawford Examiner, Meadville, 15 December 1863, from Giddens (1938), p. 118.
963.: Bell (1890), p. 649, but gave no date.
964.: Venango County Deed Book UU, p. 157, instituted 8 December 1864, recorded 7 January 1865 (FHL film 864570).
965.: Newton (1879), pp. 376-377; McLaurin (1902), p. 132; Asbury (1942), pp. 108-110; and Dolson (1959), pp. 136-138,
966.: There are photographs of A. G. Egbert, p. 60, and Milton Egbert, p. 133, in McLaurin (1902).
967.: According to Asbury’s (1942), account, p. 108, he would have died between 1860 and 1862.
968.: 1870 federal census for Armstrong Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, page 8; 1880 federal census for Armstrong Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, page 1A. There is a biographical sketch of our Alexander Davidson in Culbertson (1923), pages 431–434. According to Culbertson, Alexander became wealthy from the oil produced on his farm in the Petroleum Center, Cornplanter Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, area. The family eventually moved to Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, where Alexander became a gentleman farmer.
969.: 1860 federal census for Cherrytree Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, page 92.
970.: Newton (1879), p. 570; Bell (1890), p.92.
971.: Bell (1890), p. 97.
972.: Bell (1890), p. 597.
973.: 1850 federal census for Cherrytree Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, dwelling 700, family 728, page 196.
974.: Information on Alexander’s wife and children and year of death from Newton (1789), p. 570..
975.: Information on Alexander’s wife and children and year of death from Newton (1789), p. 570.
976.: Her husband would probably have been Thomas Neill
977.: Nancy’s will was written 1 September 1855, recorded 26 June 1860; she mentioned sisters Mary Irwin and Jane Davidson (Venango County Will Book 3, p. 246) (FHL film 857351).
978.: Venango County Deed Book P., p. 363, instituted 27 July 1857, recorded 12 January 1858 (FHL film 864547).
979.: Venango County Deed Book R, pp. 632-633, instituted 3 April 1860, recorded 9 June 1860 (FHL film 864549).
980.: Venango County Deed Book R., pp. 444-445, instituted 28 January 1860; recorded ?July 1860 (FHL film 864549).
981.: Venango County Deed Book U, p. 336, recorded 25 January 1862 (FHL film 864551).
982.: Venango County Deed Book W, pp. 507-510, instituted 17 April 1863, recorded 16 September 1863 (FHL film 864553).
983.: Henry (1873), p. 356, writes of the partnership between Dr. A. G. Egbert and Charles Hyde and developing the widow Davidson’s farm.
984.: Venango County Deed Book X, p. 281, instituted 23 December 1863, recorded 1 [?2] January 1864 (FHL film 864553).
985.: Asbury (1942), p. 110.
986.: From the “Monks-Rohrer Letters,” edited by Caroline Monk, Cleveland, Ohio, no date (a letter to her from Emory University indicates the letters were compiled after 1960). The letters pertain to correspondence between Zerah Coston Monks and Hannah Rohrer, starting in 1859 and continuing through the mid-1860s. Hannah Rohrer, born 1842, was a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Richardson) Rohrer of Stewart’s Run, Hickory Township, present-day Forest County. Coston Monks, born 18 July 1841, was a son of Reverend William and Harriet (Burns) Monks of Curllsville, Monroe Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Coston and Hannah were married 7 September 1865. Coston Monks eventually became a carpenter in Ohio, but was also a teacher and a Civil War veteran, with action at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. These fascinating letters were thought valuable enough by Dr. Bell T. Wiley, Emory University, because of Coston’s Civil War experiences and because the correspondents were “of engaging personality and admirable character,” to be filmed by Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. The original letters are in the possession of Emory University. The letters pertain in part to the Rohrer family of Stewart’s Run. The Rohrer family knew our Hickory Township Flemings. Indeed one of the daughters of Jacob and Nancy (Richardson) Rohrer of Stewart’s Run, Lyde Rohrer, married James Harvey Copeland, a son of Alden and Rachel (Fleming) Copeland (#85 of “Flemings”). Another daughter of Jacob and Nancy Rohrer, Ellen, married Elbridge Holmden, son of Thomas Holmden of Pithole fame. For more information on the Rohrers, see “Flemings” and the “Holmdens of Cornplanter Township.” Caroline Monks, who compiled the letters, was a daughter of Coston and Hannah (Rohrer) Monks’ son William Monks. My copy of the Letters was sent to me by Dolores Zamora, Houston, Texas, who is a great great granddaughter of another daughter of Jacob and Nancy Rohrer, Louisa Rohrer (Fair).
987.: The Rooker farm was apparently part of Walter Holmden’s original claim; an 1864 deed between Jesse Rooker to J. M. Rugg lists Rooker’s “undivided one half of our hundred acres in Cornplanter Township. . . known as part of the Old Holmden Tract” (Venango County Deed Book II, p. 677, instituted 30 June 1864, recorded 13 June 1865) (FHL film 864562).
988.: Giddens, 1938, p. 127, but he did not mention the John Holmden-Blackmer farm.
989.: Copeland (1937), p. 241. The children of Harvey and Mary (Corbit) Copeland were Justin, Azro (b. 16 March 1832; married a second cousin Sarah Ann Copeland, b. 3 May 1835, daughter of Ira and Lydia (Thompson) Copeland), Edwin Charles (b. 28 June 1837), Eliza Jane, Marthina, and Otis Copeland.
990.: Venango County Deed Book Z, p. 314, instituted 27 April 1861, recorded 18 October 1864 (FHL film 864555).
991.: Venango County Deed Book OO, pp. 122-123, instituted 14 April 1864, recorded 8 September 1864 (FHL film 864557).
992.: Darrah (1972), p. 122.
993.: For example: Cone and Johns (1870), pp. 358-386; Henry (1873), pp. 235-241; Bell (1890), pp. 654-660; McLaurin (1902), pp. 173-188; Giddens (1938), pp. 127-140; Asbury (1942), pp. 93-134; Dolson (1959), pp. 177-197. Leonard (1867), 106 pages, Darrah (1972), 252 pages, and Burgchardt (1989), pp. 78-83, are specific to Pithole. The early book by Leonard, although without sources, is important because he was there and wrote it in 1867 when there was still a semblance of Pithole. Indeed, the book was published in Pithole. Part Two of Leonard is a collection of mainly fanciful, tall tales, but Part One has first hand information on the Copeland and Holmdens’ farms. According to Asbury (1942), pp. 192-193, Charles Leonard was an editorial assistant to Lee M. Morton of the Petroleum Centre Daily Record, and it was while working for Morton in Pithole City that Leonard wrote The History of Pithole. The book apparently did not sell well, Morton recalling that he lost about five hundred dollars on the venture. Asbury (1942), p. 193, mentioned, however, that by the 1940s, a copy might sell for as much as two hundred dollars.
994.: Unless otherwise indicated, the information on the Holmdens prior to the oil excitement is from “The Holmden Family Tree, 1788 to 1915” (in the form of a chart), sent to the Venango County Genealogical Club by Richard Hammell, 5144 Strongs Ridge Road, Bellevue, Ohio 4484 (no date). I do not know if Richard Hammell is the author. There are no sources for the information on this 18 inches by 20 inches chart. Whoever compiled the chart did not carry our Elizabeth Ann Holmden Watson’s line further and only mentioned two of their children. Nevertheless the names and dates were accurate. Also, I understand from a Rohrer researcher, Dolores Zamora (via email) [1998], that the descent of Elbridge and Ellen E. (Rohrer) Holmden—Elbridge was a son of Thomas and Sarah (Henderson) Holmden—is also accurate. Because of the large number of specific marriage dates, I believe whoever constructed this chart had access to family bibles.
995.: In 1850, after Walter had died, Sarah was living with her son John and daughter-in-law Betsy (Rooker) Holmden; re 1850 Venango County federal census for Tionesta Township (part of present-day Cornplanter Township), Venango County, Pennsylvania), dwelling 1126, family 1156.
996.: Darrah (1972), p. 5 gives “about” 1837 as the year.
997.: Venango County Deed Book DD, p. 615, instituted 20 January 1865, recorded 11 February 1865 (FHL film 864558).
998.: One would suspect that Philena and Betsy Rooker were related to the Rookers who were early settlers of the Pithole area. According to Cone and Johns (1870), p. 366, William S. Rooker was the original owner of the Rooker farm on Pithole Creek. It is known that the farm was leased 16 March 1864 by Jesse and Nelson Rooker to E. Weiss of New York for $2.00 (Venango County Deed Book DD, p. 522; FHL film 864558) and sold in June 1865 by Jesse Rooker to J. W. Banta, James Bates and others for $280,000 (Giddens, 1938, p. 13, and Darrah, 1972, p. 35).
999.: “The Holmden Family Tree.” Based apparently on his stone: “60y/11m/6d” and dying 15 May 1849, but see next end note.
1000.: Bell (1890), p. 655; McLaurin (1902), p. 174; and Darrah (1972), p. 5, give Walter’s death as 1840. Possibly the 1840 death date is a transcription error of the date on his stone; reported as 1840 first by Bell and Bell’s date then possibly being followed by McLaurin and Darrah. None of the references nor “The Holmden Family Tree” gives a source. His stone in Memory Acres Cemetery reads “In memory of Rev. Walter Holmden who died May 15, 1849, aged 60y 11m 6d.” “The Holmden Family Tree” also reports Walter died May 1849.
1001.: “The Holmden Family Tree.”
1002.: Bell (1890), pp. 655 and 733.
1003.: . Letters of Administration were granted to Thomas Holmden and P. McKissick 18 May 1849 (Venango County Will Book 2, p. 786) (FHL film 857351).
1004.: 1850 federal census for Tionesta Township (part of present-day Cornplanter Township) Venango County, Pennsylvania, dwelling 1126, family 1156.
1005.: Venango County Deed Book DD, p. 609, instituted 13 January 1865, recorded 8 February 1865 (FHL film 864558).
1006.: These popular books were not intended to be scholarly treatises, and most authors give few specific sources for their information (Giddens, 1938, and Darrah, 1972, are exceptions); usually though there are credits or acknowledgments at the beginning or end of each book. Botsford (1948) is an exception with no indication of sources. Botsford describes idiosyncrasies about the Holmden family (and many other families) that only a family member or a close friend living in the household would have known. Some of the names also appear to be fictitious. The book is more in the realm of a historical novel, and when read in this light, it is one of most entertaining of the books on the oil excitement of Venango County.
1007.: Darrah’s Pithole the Vanished City (see References) is one of the most reliable sources for the events at Pithole. William Culp Darrah (born 12 January 1909 in Reading, Pennsylvania, died 21 May 1989) was a distinguished scientist with diverse interests and an international reputation. Best known for his outstanding accomplishments in paleobotany, Dr. Darrah was also an award-winning authority on photographs and a most respected historian of geology and related areas, witness his Pithole the Vanished City (see text) and his consummate Powell of the Colorado (Princeton University Press, 1951, 426 pages). Author of over 100 publications including books, William Darrah was honored in 1995 with the issue of The William Culp Darrah Memorial Volume of The Geological Society of America (Historical Perspective of Early Twentieth Century Carboniferous Paleobotany in North America). In Memory of William Culp Darrah. Geological Society of America Memoir 185, 404 pages). The lead article in the Memoir was William Culp Darrah (1909-1989): A portrait, by Elsie (Darrah) Morey, his daughter, and Paul C. Lyon. Here is the Abstract (page 1):
“William C. Darrah was, above all, a paleobotanist by both inclination and training. His life and career exemplified an enthusiastic search for knowledge, which was fostered by an unflagging interest in the world around him. His creativity crossed over into several diverse fields, including the history of geology and photography. He will be long remembered for his startling paleobotanical discoveries in the 1930’s, his 1969 monographic work on late Carboniferous floras, and his role as an educator and promoter of paleobotany.”
1008.: Dolson (1959), p. 180.
1009.: Giddens (1938), p. 119.
1010.: “Holmden Family Tree.”
1011.: 1850 federal census for Cornplanter Township, dwelling 28, family 28, page 95: Abraham (Sr.) (age 63), Sarah (age 47), Henry (age 27), Julia Ann (age 25), Mary (age 22), John L. (or S.) (age 21), Jane (age 18), George C. (age 15), Sandra E. (age 12), Abraham (age 9), Ruhane (f) (age 7), and Robert (age 4). There were also two Prather families enumerated in Cherrytree Township in 1850: Thomas (age 42) and Mary Ann (age 44) Prather and family at dwelling 731, family 759, and Abraham (age 35) and Margaret J. (age 36) Prather and family at dwelling 732, family 760. Thomas and Abraham were sons of Henry Prather (Bell, 1890, p. 590), and were probably related to the Cornplanter Prathers.
1012.: Dates from a Plumer Cemetery (Cornplanter Township) list compiled 1983 by M. Rodgers and in the possession of the Venango County Genealogical Club.
1013.: Bell (1890), pp. 648-649, who lists both Abraham S. Prather and George C. Prather as sons of Abraham and Sarah (McCalmont) Prather. Abraham (Sr.) was born 19 September 1786, died 7 July 1850; his wife, Sarah (McCalmont) Prather, was born 14 February 1804, died 26 December 1871. Both are buried in Plumer Cemetery, re Plumer Cemetery (Cornplanter Township) list compiled 1983 by M. Rodgers and in the possession of the Venango County Genealogical Club. This list gives Sarah’s maiden name as McCalmont.
1014.: Venango County Deed Book Z, p. 4, instituted 9 March 1864, recorded 2 May 1864 (FHL film 864555).
1015.: Venango County Deed Book Z, p. 4, instituted 13 January 1864, recorded 2 May 1864 (FHL film 864555).
1016.: Venango County Deed Book Z, p. 4, instituted 16 March 1864, recorded 2 May 1864 (FHL film 864555).
1017.: If this Thomas Brown was the diviner, could the June date for the diviner doing his work be wrong, and he actually did it in March before the Faulkner-Holmden deed?
1018.: According to Darrah (1972), p. 7, the company was organized 25 April 1864; Giddens (1938) reports the company formed in June 1864. Darrah (1972), p. 7, states that I. N. Frazier was appointed Superintendent, “but shortly thereafter [Frazier] became stricken by a fatal heart attack.” However, McLaurin (1902), p. 174, shows a photograph of the Frazier well taken in the spring of 1865 and identifies Isaiah Frazier and his horse. Dolson (1959), p. 181, also mentions Frazier dying of a heart attack, but does not give the date.
1019.: His full name is known from Leonard (1867), p. 8; Asbury (1942), p. 178; and Darrah (1972), p. 7.
1020.: Giddens (1938), p. 127; Darrah (1972), p. 7.
1021.: Dolson (1959), p. 180.
1022.: Darrah (1972), p. 7, who cites C. C. Leonard, The History of Pithole, 1867, p. 8, as his source.
1023.: Henry (1873), p. 109.
1024.: Leonard (1867), p. 8.
1025.: Venango County Deed Book DD, p. 393, instituted 18 October 1864, recorded 12 December 1864 (FHL film 864558).
1026.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 367.
1027.: Leonard (1867), p. 8, states the well came in on about 8 January.
1028.: McLaurin, p. 174. According to Leonard (1867), p. 7, it was the fourth sand.
1029.: These figures are from Henry’s (1873), p. 240 detailed account.
1030.: Leonard (1867), p. 17.
1031.: Venango County Deed Book DD, p. 615, instituted 20 January 1865, recorded 11 February 1865 (FHL film 864558)
1032.: Giddens (1938), p. 128, who cites the Oil City Register, 1 June 1865 and the Titusville Morning Herald, 11 May 1866.
1033.: Giddens (1838), p. 127; Burgchardt (1989), p. 80.
1034.: McLaurin (1902), p. 177; Asbury (1942), p. 186; and Darrah (1972), p. 28.
1035.: There are numerous Venango County land deeds in the name of Thomas G. Duncan. A few list Thomas G. Duncan’s address as Plumer (for example, Venango County Deed Book FF, p. 89, instituted 19 September 1864, recorded 10 October 1864, FHL film 864559). However most list his locality as Allegheny County, or Pittsburgh; for example, Venango County Deed Book Y, p. 444, instituted 14 August 1863, recorded 29 April 1864; Venango County Deed Book Y, p. 446, instituted 1 September 1863, recorded 29 April 1864; and Venango County Deed Book Y, p. 448, instituted 9 October, recorded 29 April 1864 (FHL film 864554). Who then was Colonel A. P. Duncan? There is an 1860 Venango County land deed between R. and A. C. Duncan of Pittsburgh to John Sloss? (Venango County Deed Book FF, p. 244, instituted 21 December 1860, recorded 26 October 1864, FHL film 864559). There is a land deed (Venango County Deed Book Z, p. 214, instituted 1 December 1863, recorded 21 July 1864, FHL film 864555) between the Michigan Rock Oil Company from Duncan and Dunlap mentioning Jackson Duncan, Robert Duncan, Alex Duncan and George R? Duncan, all of Allegheny County. Possibly Alex Duncan was A. P. Duncan. Although Darrah (1972) never states that Thomas G. Duncan was the father of Col. A. P. Duncan, this is the connotation from my reading of page 227. That there was an A. P. Duncan in Venango County in the 1860s and 1870s we known from Bell (1890), p. 134: “A. P. Duncan elected representative for Venango County in 1865,” and p. 803: “Major James M Bredin in 1870 ran against Col. A. P. Duncan for state representative.” McLaurin (1902), p. 177, does not clarify matters when reporting the purchase of the Holmden farm by “Duncan and Prather.” He tells us in the same paragraph that Colonel A. P. Duncan commanded the 4th Cavalry Company “that first mustered in Venango County [probably in 1862] and every member carried to war a bible donated by Mrs. A. G. Egbert” [the wife of A. G. Egbert, see under “The Hyde and Egbert Farm”]. Since the Fourth Cavalry was made up of many Venango County men, Bell (1890), p. 291, gives its roster. There was no Colonel A. P. Duncan, but there was, in the Fourth Cavalry, Company L, a Captain Alender S. Duncan.
1036.: The information about the Orphans Court petition is from Deed Book DD, p. 609, see next.
1037.: Venango County Deed Book DD, p. 609, instituted 13 January 1865, recorded 8 February 1865 (FHL film 864558). Note that the deed was instituted two weeks before Thomas Holmden petitioned the court for permission to sell (if this is not a transcription error).
1038.: Venango County Orphans Court Docket 2, p. 472, 27 April 1865 (FHL film 857352).
1039.: Venango County Deed Book DD, p. 611, instituted 1 February 1865, recorded 8 February 1865 (FHL film 864558). This deed gives the most detailed description of John Holmden's tract in relation to those of his brothers.
1040.: Henry (1873), p. 236.
1041.: Giddens (1938), p. 129-130.
1042.: Henry (1873), p. 109; Darrah (1972), p. 28.
1043.: Darrah (1972), p. 29.
1044.: Darrah (1972), p. 122.
1045.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 382.
1046.: Leonard (1867), p. 17.
1047.: Leonard (1867), p. 7.
1048.: Leonard (1867), pp. 7-8.
1049.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 367; Giddens 1938), p. 135.
1050.: Page 52 of the “The Monks-Rohrer Letters.”
1051.: Darrah (1972), p. 32.
1052.: Leonard (1867), p. 48, who reports it was opened by Captain S. S. Hill.
1053.: Giddens (1948), p. 60.
1054.: In 1865, James Rooker, Jessie Rooker, Jr., Betsy Rooker [Holmden] Blackner, Caroline Rooker Lyons, Philena Rooker [Holmden] Babcock, and Jessie Rooker, Sr., sold the Rooker farm to James A. Bates and James W. Bonta for $180,000 (Venango County Deed Book OO, p. 565, instituted 21 July 1865, recorded 7 August 1865) (FHL film 864566). . Venango County Orphans Court Docket 2, p. 525, 15 July 1865 (FHL film 857352).
1055.: Venango County Orphans Court Docket 2, p. 525, 15 July 1865 (FHL film 857352).
1056.: For example, Henry (1873), p. 237.
1057.: For example Henry (1873), pp. 237-239; McLaurin (1902), p. 177; Giddens (1938), pp. 133-134; Darrah (1972), pp. 40-41; Burgchardt (1989), p. 81. Darrah (1972), p. 40, credits Henry (1873) for the most accurate account of these dealings—much more accurate than newspaper accounts.
1058.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 367.
1059.: Darrah (1972), pp. 41-42..
1060.: Darrah (1972), p. 174.
1061.: Leonard (1867), p. 11, reported that as the time of “writing” [which would be 1867], the farm was owned by two oil companies and H. H. Honore and Samuel J. Walker.
1062.: Henry (1873), p. 239.
1063.: For example Asbury (1942, p. 187); Burgchardt (1989), p. 81.
1064.: Henry (1873), p. 237.
1065.: Cone and Johns (1870), p. 367.
1066.: Giddens (1938), p. 140.
1067.: Asbury (1942), p. 187.
1068.
1069.: Darrah (1972), p. 171.
1070.: 1850 federal census for Cornplanter Township, Pithole Borough, pp. 225-228.
1071.: Burgchardt (1989), p. 82.
1072.: Darrah (1972), p. 232.
1073.: Leonard (1867), pp. 9 and 49. It is not clear whether Leonard’s statement “Holmden house” refers to Thomas Holmden’s house, as I have interpreted it, or to a “Holmden House,” and therefore a hotel in Pithole, as interpreted by Asbury (1942), p. 189. Leonard said nothing about a hotel and did not capitalize “house,” which he did if they were hotels, e. g. Eckert House, Globe House and many others; also I have no information on a “Holmden House” hotel in Pithole City.
1074.: “The Holmden Family Tree;” “The Monks-Rohrer Letters,” p. 92.
1075.: “The Monks-Rohrer Letters,” p. 92.
1076.: “The Monks-Rohrer Letters,” p. 62.
1077.: Dolson (1959), p. 181; Darrah (1972), p. 8.
1078.: Abstracts from the Petroleum Centre Daily Record, 24 November 1871, from Venango County Records, p. 31: “George C. Prather died at his brother’s, A. S. Prather, home. George Prather was raised in Plumer . . . In 1865 together with Thomas H. [sic] Duncan, he brought the Holmden farm at Pithole.”
1079.: Abstracts from the Petroleum Centre Daily Record, 22 March 1872, from Venango County Records, p. 34: “The will of Thomas G. Duncan of Battle Creek, Michigan, proved. . . made his fortune at Pithole, died in Europe some time ago . . . mentions brother James; blind daughter of James; another brother [not named]; mother [not named], a sister [not named].”
1080.: Copeland (1937), p. 241; and 1850 federal census for Tionesta Township (now part of Cornplanter Township), Venango County; dwelling 1121, family 1151, page 222.
1081.: Copeland (1937), p. 241.
1082.: Maiden name from a 3 August 1998 letter and family group sheets of Joyce M. Taylor (La Luz, New Mexico). Birth year from the 1850 federal census for Tionesta Township, Venango County (now part of Cornplanter Township); dwelling 1121, family 1151, page 222. Also enumerated in the household of Parcus and Eliza (Conley) Copeland were Adelia Copeland, age 6, and William Williamson, age 6. Parcus and Eliza Conley Copeland had one child, Adelia, born circa 31 October 1843; Parcus and second wife, Elizabeth [Vangiesen] Culbertson Copeland had four children: Rhoda, Orren, Elizabeth (Eleanor, Lizzie) and Lina Copeland (Copeland, 1931, p. 241).
1083.: From a 3 August 1998 letter of Joyce Taylor (La Luz, New Mexico).
1084.: Throop (1987), p. 27.
1085.: Venango County Deed AA, p. 47, instituted 25 February 1864, recorded 15 April 1864 (FHL film 864556).
1086.: The hotel was to become one of the more lavish ones of the Pithole area, called the Morey Farm Hotel, or Morey House. McLaurin (1902), p. 185, called the Morey House on the Copeland farm “the oasis in the desert, serving meals that tickled the midriff and might cope with Delmonico’s.” The Morey House was destroyed by an arsonist’s fire, 1 October 1866 (Leonard, 1867, p. 46).
1087.: Darrah (1972), p. 42.
1088.: Venango County Deed Book DD, p. 652, instituted 21 January 1865, recorded 25 February 1865 (FHL film 864558).
1089.: Venango County Deed Book JJ, p. 275, written 3 April 1865, recorded 4 April 1865 (FHL film 864563); Darrah (1972), p. 46.
1090.: Henry (1873), pp. 240-241.
1091.: Venango County Orphans Court Docket 2, no. 13, p. 310 (FHL film 857352).
1092.: 3 August 1998 letter of Joyce M. Taylor, La Luz, New Mexico.
1093.: This account of Coal Oil Johnny is mainly from McLaurin (1902), pp. 146-148; Asbury (1942), pp. 114-137; Botsford (1946), pp. 181-196; Dolson (1959), pp. 95-120; and especially John Steele’s autobiography (Steele, 1902, 211 pp.). I give only a few specific citations for this section. See the References section for an assessment of John Steele’s autobiography.
1094.: 1860 federal census for Cornplanter Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, page 139.
1095.: Steele (1902), p. 39.
1096.: Steele (1902), p. 66.
1097.: FHL film 857367.
1098.: FHL film 857352.
1099.: Steele (1902), p. 40.
1100.: Steele (1902), p. 53.
1101.: Steele (1902), p. 67.
1102.: Steele (1902), p. 107.
1103.: Steele (1902), p. 66. I have not found this document.
1104.: Asbury (1942), p. 135.
1105.: According to Dolson (1959), p. 120.

The Oil Creek Flemings

and related families

End Notes, 800 - 1105

Oil and Our Oil Creek Ancestors