Jonathan Zane and Crawford's Defeat

So I've been focusing my genealogy research more on  the Nichols and Zane families than on Mom's admittedly extremely tangled families. Plus, a LOT of my research on Mom's side is on my old PC and hopefully I can pull stuff from it at some point. Or it's in storage. Anyway...I've posted about the Zanes, specifically my 4th great-grandfather Jonathan and his brothers and sister before. I meant to post this on 4 June but forgot and the reminder I had in my calendar was on the wrong date. I'll probably change the date on the post later on.  

So Jonathan Zane. I've found info where he took part in Aug. 1774 Wakatomika (sometimes spelled Wapatomika) Campaign, the defense of Fort Henry (Wheeling, WV) in both Sept. 1777 and Sept. 1782, Gen. Daniel Broadhead's 1779 expedition up the Allegheny River against the Munsie and Seneca Indians (where he had a minor wound), the Crawford Exepdition (25 May-12 June 1782), and the Coshocton Campaign under Col. David Shepherd in 1791. Most of the campaigns, he's simply listed as a guide, but the Coshocton Campaign, he is listed as a spy. All this after helping settle Wheeling in 1769/70. In the past, I came across a song about Crawford's Sandusky Campaign. "Crawford's Defeat by the Indians". It mentions Zane in the song, although the broadside printing spells his name Zeans.
One thing the Wiki says about the song is the following:

As for what tune, or tunes, "Crawford’s Defeat" was originally performed to, that is impossible to determine unless a broadside were to surface with the melody indicated. Even so, we could only be sure of one tune to which the ballad was sung. Still, the meter is a common one, and there are many tunes that would fit nicely with the words. Based on the rhythm of the lyric, "Crawford’s Defeat" could very easily be contained in a 3/4 or 6/8 time signature. In his "Historical Account of the Expedition Against Sandusky," Consul Willshire Butterfield indicates that the vast majority of the volunteers were of Scotch-Irish descent.[7] Thus, it's likely that whatever tune "Crawford’s Defeat" was originally performed to was a popular Scottish or Irish folk song; for instance, a song such as "Last May A Braw Wooer," "Kellyburn Braes," "Bonnie Dundee," "Bonnie Strathyre," Or Even "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms."

And then it also mentions there's only one known recording of the song. "The only known recording of "Crawford’s Defeat by the Indians" was performed by Jaclyn Bradley Palmer & Ceud Mìle Fàilte in preparation for the 230th anniversary of the Crawford Expedition. It is based on the familiar melody of "Bonnie Dundee" and includes a brief interlude, "Fortune Favours the Strong," written by Paul Kirk, who plays fiddle on the recording." 

Below are two copies of the lyrics to the song, with slight differences. The Wiki about the song does state: "Stanza Seventeen incorrectly states 'all that’s able to go, the rest we must leave.' Crawford's orders specified that the wounded were to be transported, either on horseback or by bier. None were to be left behind on the retreat, which began after dark on the night of June 5." 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford%27s_Defeat_by_the_Indians
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_expedition

"Crawford’s Defeat by the Indians" (1791 Reprint) from Wikipedia

from Caldwell's History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio.

These last two items are from the book listed below. And I'm throwing them in just because they discuss the kind of man Jonathan Zane was. They aren't specific to the Crawford Expedition. In fact the first page is about the Wakatomika Campaign in 1774. The second on is a bit of a bio on him (I do have the pages on his brothers as well that I may end up sharing in later things). And does mention a bit about the Crawford Expedition. It also lists his children. He had both a brother (1753-1816)),  a son (1778-1815), and an uncle (1710-1795) all named Isaac. The brother is known for marrying Myeerah, the daughter of Chief Tarhe. I am descended through his son Issac and Isaac's wife Mary French Zane. They died in 1815 (cholera or yellow fever epidemic) and Jonathan and his son Asa were granted custody of the children (yes I have a scan of the probate and guardian record from Muskingum Co. OH!!!). 

Caldwell, John Alexander. History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio: And Incidentally     Historical Collections Pertaining to Border Warfare and the Early Settlement of the     Adjacent Portion of the Ohio Valley. Wheeling, WV. The Historical Publishing     Company, 1880. Google Book Search. Web. 17 June 2019.

#30DayFHWChallenge Day 2

Day 2: Think of your ancestor as a character in a novel, and describe him or her in a few short paragraphs. What color are her eyes? What is she wearing? How does she carry herself? What kind of voice does she have?

Thinking of an ancestor as a character in a novel is easy when said ancestor IS a character in a novel.  The above illustration is Howard Chandler Christy's interpretation of how Jonathan Zane looked. Jonathan Zane was my 4th great-grandfather on my Dad's side.  Jonathan, along with his older brothers Col. Ebenezer Zane and Silas Zane, settled Wheeling, WV in 1769 along with some others from the Moorefield, Hardy Co. WV area. Of course both were in VA at that time. Wheeling was first called Zanesburg but they changed it at some point. I've also seen his character described in other books. Since I know better than to inadequately try to better what someone has done, I will describe him as quoted.

Two men in the brown garb of woodsmen approached. One approached the travelers; the other remained in the background, leaning upon a long, black rifle.

Thus exposed to the glare of the flames, the foremost woodsman presented a singularly picturesque figure. His costume was the fringed buckskins of the border. Fully six feet tall, this lithe-limbed young giant had something of the wild, free grace of the Indian in his posture.

He surveyed the wondering travelers with dark, grave eyes.

— The Last Trail, Zane Grey

At one point in the book, his own brother says, "Jonathan does not seem to realize that women exist to charm, to please, to be loved and married. Once we twitted him about his brothers doing their duty by the border, whereupon he flashed out: 'My life is the border's: my sweetheart is the North Star!"

Zane Grey describes the brothers as similar in appearance. "Colonel Zane laid his hand on his brother's shoulder, and thus they stood for a moment, singularly alike, and yet the sturdy pioneer was, somehow, far different from the dark-haired borderman."

And the woman in the book who falls in love with him, describes him as follows:

He was clad from head to foot in smooth, soft buckskin which fitted well his powerful frame. Beaded moccasins, leggings bound high above the knees, hunting coat laced and fringed, all had the neat tidy appearance due to good care. He wore no weapons. His hair fell in a raven mass over his shoulders. His profile was regular, with a long, straight nose, strong chin, and eyes black as night. They were now fixed intently on the valley. The whole face gave an impression of serenity, of calmness.
Helen was wondering if the sad, almost stern, tranquility of that face ever changed, when the baby cooed and held out its chubby little hands. Jonathan's smile, which came quickly, accompanied by a warm light in the eyes, relieved Helen of an unaccountable repugnance she had begun to feel toward the borderman. That smile, brief as a flash, showed his gentle kindness and told that he was not a creature who had set himself apart from human life and love.

— The Last Trail, Zane Grey

In Myers' History of West Virginia, Sylvester Myers quotes
De Hass' Extracts from Withers' Border Wars

Ebenezer Zane's Brothers.
(De Hass' Extracts from Withers' Border Wars.)
In the spring of 1771 Jonathan and Silas Zane visited the west and made explorations during the summer and fall of that year. Jonathan was, perhaps, the most experienced hunter of his day in the west. He was a man of great energy of character, resolution, and restless activity. He rendered, efficient service to the settlements about Wheeling in the capacity of sp3^ [sic] He was remarkable for earnestness of purpose and energy and inflexibility of will, which often manifested itself in a way truly astonishing. Few men shared more of the confidence and more of the respect of his fellow men than Jonathan Zane. He was one of the pilots in Crawford's expedition, and it is said, strongly admonished the unfortunate commander against proceeding; as the enemy were very numerous and would certainly defeat him. He died in Wheeling, at his residence, a short distance above the site of the old first ward public school. He left large landed possessions, most of which were shared b}^ [sic] his children.

 Benjamin Blumel, in The Zanes: A Frontier Family, also quotes Withers, saying, "The brothers, Ebenezer, Silas and Jonathan, who settled Wheeling, were also men of enterprise, tempered with prudence, and directed by sound judgment. Ready at all times, to resist and punish the aggression of the Indians, they were scrupulously careful not to provoke them by acts of wanton outrage, such as were then too frequently committed along the frontier."

Blumel also quotes a genealogical manuscript by Alma A. Martin, saying, "While Jonathan Zane was involved in many battles with the Indians he did not consider himself an Indian fighter or killer. There is a family story that Jonathan was sitting peacefully in a tavern in Wheeling, in the later days, when a stranger came up to him and asked how many Indians he had killed. Jonathan was so angry and insulted that he got up and walked out without finishing his drink."  At one point in the book Blumel refers to Jonathan Zane as "Deathwind" but he was NOT known by that name. Jonathan as well as his Zane siblings got along with certain tribes, such as the Wyandot tribe of Chief Tarhe. Tarhe's daughter fell in love with and married Jonathan Zane's brother. So the Zane family definitely didn't have problems with all tribes, certain ones, yes. Especially the ones the British soldiers stirred to attack Ft. Henry in Sept. 1777 and Sept. 1782. Col. Ebenezer Zane also had a guide named Tomepomehala who accompanied Jonathan Zane and Ebenezer Zane's son-in-law, John McIntire, on their survey of what became Zane's Trace in southern Ohio to Maysville, KY.

The man known as Deathwind, le vent de la mort (French), or Atelang (Lenape) was Lewis Wetzel. Wetzel was well known by the Native Americans and his scalp, had someone taken it, would have been a major coup. He had a reputation for having little patience or mercy. His parents and sisters had been killed by members of a tribe which left him angry.  

#30DayFHWChallenge Day 1

Day 1: Write a letter to an ancestor you've never met. Include questions you've always wanted to ask him or her, plus some that reflect what you've already learned about your ancestor (for example, "Do you enjoy your new job?" or "How are you coping with your father's death?"). Read editorial intern Madge Maril's response to the prompt if you need inspiration.

Map showing Robert Zane's land in NJ

Dear Robert Zane,
What must it have been like for you to live during the English Civil War, have to leave England during Cromwell's time as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland?  After being born in Yarcombe, England in 1642, leaving for Dublin, Ireland must have been a big change. But you met your wife there. You also sailed from Dublin, to New York and back in 1673 on the Mary of Salem. You then returned to Elsinburra (now Elsinboro, NJ) aboard the Griffith (or Griffin in 1675 with other Quakers who were looking for somewhere to settle. This led to what is called "The Irish Tenth" or "Fenwick's Colony". Again, you returned to Dublin. In 1677, aboard the Mary of Dublin, you returned to  West Jersey where you settled along Newton Creek, near Salem.  On that trip, you were accompanied by your son, Nathaniel Zane. You lost your wife, Margaret, sometime before sailing or during the trip. It couldn't have been easy to care for a young child on a voyage like that. Do you enjoy living in Fenwick's Colony or as some people call it "The Irish Tenth"?  Was it a huge adjustment or were you able to easily adjust? 
Curious,
Your 7th great-granddaughter

Yarcombe, Devon, England to Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, Ireland to Elsinboro, NJ

Elsinboro, NJ to Gloucester, NJ

30-Day Family History Writing Challenge

My love of genealogy is not something shocking to many people who know me.  I was the kid who always loved sitting with the older people in the family and listening to family stories. Couple that with my love of history and the fact that I rather enjoy researching things and well, it makes sense. Anyone who knows me well, also knows that I am rather nitpicky and somewhat exacting about details. That can be a good thing or a bad thing. When it comes to genealogy, it's a good thing.  So when I found that  Family Tree Magazine had a 30-Day Family History Writing Challenge, I decided it might be something to do. I may or may not complete it, my health issues and how I am feeling will determine that. But, I haven't been inspired to write anything for a long time so it's definitely going to be a challenge.

In case anyone is curious, the image above is one I found and then edited. The image originally had different pictures. Of random people. So I chose my own pictures.  The picture on the right is an artist's rendition of Jonathan Zane. The family picture on the left is of Charles and Sarah Merritt and their combined children. The information I have says it's Myrtle Pickett, Mabel Pickett, Hazel Merritt, Oscar Merritt, Charles Merritt holding Kathryn Merritt, Sarah Merritt (standing behind Charles) and Russell Pickett. But judging by the ages of the girls in the front, the baby CANNOT be Kathryn. Mabel Pickett was born 19 Feb. 1911. Hazel Merritt was born 14 Oct. 1911. Myrtle Pickett was born 9 Sept. 1912. Kathryn Merritt was born 15 Dec. 1913. The older three girls look a good bit more than one to two years older than the baby. Now an explanation. Charles Merritt first married Grace Runion. Then he married Sarah Ann (Runion) Pickett after Grace passed away.

Sarah and Grace's father was William Newton Runion (1836-1932). William married Sarah McCloud (1846-1873) on 23 May 1867. She died 27 Feb. 1873. Then William married Lydia Pickett 27 Jan. 1874. Lydia died 13 Mar. 1883. He then married Margaret Stevens. Margaret died in 1886.  Lastly, he married Eliza Catherine Wilcox on 12 Oct. 1887. Between his four wives, he had 18 children. I am skipping his children with his first and fourth wives to make this less confusing (it's confusing enough as it is without adding in all of the siblings). With Lydia, William Runion had four children: James, Sarah (b. 30 Jul. 1878), Minnie Bell and an unnamed daughter.  With Margaret, William had Grace (b. 30 June 1885), Ira Clay (1886-1975) and James Marion (who died at birth). Lydia's parents were Aquila and Mary Pickett. They had a number of children in addition to Lydia (b. 1845). One of their sons was Jason Pickett (b. 1840, d. 19 May1904). He married Sarah Craver (9 Oct. 1867) and had two daughters. According to census records, their daughters were: Cora (b. 1869) and Dora (b. 1872). After Sarah died, he married Martha Ann Joseph (known as Annie). They married on 28 Dec. 1875. They had Marshall (b. 1876), William Joseph (b. 13 Nov. 1878), Ora (b. 10 Sept. 1881), Otis (b. 10 Sept. 1881), and George H. (b. 1886).  After Jason Pickett died, Annie married James Michael Handley and they went to NE sometime between 1905 & 1910 (see below) for awhile. By the time James Michael Handley died in 1915, he and Annie were back in Vermilion Co., IL. In fact, Jason Pickett who died in 1904 and James Handley who died in 1915 are buried in Pleasant Grove Cem., Oakwood, Vermilion Co., IL. There is a marker for Annie there as well but it has no death date. She did remarry after James Handley died to a John W. Smith. He died in 1919 and is buried at Oakwood Cem., Oakwood, Vermilion Co., IL with his first wife. I have no actual info on what happened to Annie after Smith died. She is NOT listed as being buried in Oakwood Cem. and as I said, the Pleasant Grove Cem. has a marker for her with no date of death. It's possible she remarried a fourth time after John W. Smith died. If so, I have no concrete record of it. Here are pics of her with Jason and James (none with John-she had a thing for those J names huh?) as well as pics of the headstone for Jason, James and Annie. You might notice the stone looks rather similar. That's because three of the four faces have names on them. Jason one on side, James on the opposite and Annie (as Annie Smith) on another side. The fourth is blank. Update Nov. 2019: After the death of James Smith, she married Gulford Pritchard in 1920 in Champaign Co., IL. They lived in Fountain Co., IN.  He died in 1923 and is buried beside his first wife at Pleasant Grove. Annie died in 1926 in Fountain Co., IN and per her death certificate is buried in Pleasant Grove Cem.

Martha Ann "Annie" Joseph Pickett & Jason Pickett

James Michael Handley & Martha Ann Handley

Jason Pickett

James Michael Handley

Martha Ann "Annie" Joseph Pickett Handley Smith

Confused yet??? I'll add a graphic that shows how people are connected.

William Joseph Pickett, William Russell Pickett, Sarah Ann Runion Pickett (before Feb. 1911).

William J. Pickett married Sarah Ann Runion 30 Jan. 1898 in Vermilion Co. Illinois. Yes, they were first cousins, his father and her mother were siblings. The Jason Pickett family moved to Vermilion Co. IL sometime after 1880 as the 1880 census shows them in Hendricks Co., IN still. I am unsure when Sarah went to Vermilion Co. IL. Sometime between their marriage and 1910, William and Sarah, along with his mother, Annie, who had remarried after Jason died. She married James Michael Handley in 1905. By 1910, William and Sarah Pickett, James and Annie Handley, George H. Pickett, Marshall Pickett, Ora Pickett and Otis Pickett were all in Nebraska. The Handleys, Marshall, Ora and Otis were all in Merrick Co., NE while George and William were in Platte Co., NE. George Pickett is in Platte Co., NE, Monroe Twp. Supervisor's District 3, Enumeration District 186, Sheet 2A, Line 9, House number 16, Dwelling 17.  William Pickett is in Platte Co., NE, Monroe Twp. Supervisor's District 3, Enumeration District 186, Sheet 2B, Line 5, House 24, Dwelling 25. Listed with William is his wife Sarah, and William R. (listed as their 6 yr old son). William R. Pickett is William Russell Pickett (b. 1904). He went by Russell, likely because having two Williams in the house was confusing. William Joseph went by Willie from what I can tell. Russell was the son of William Joseph Pickett's brother Ora. But he was raised as William and Sarah's son. William and Sarah had a daughter, Mabel (b. 19 Feb. 1911). Sarah was two months pregnant, when, on 22 Feb. 1912, William died after an illness of several weeks. His funeral was held at Monroe Congregational Church and he was buried at New Hope Cemetery (on the church grounds).

Here is a transcript of his obituary from The Columbus Telegram 1 Mar. 1912.

PICKETT--William Pickett died at his home at O'Kay at about 1 p.m. on Thursday of last week, after an illness of several weeks. He was a little past 33 years of age. He became converted in 1907, and lived a quiet, christian [sic] life, beloved and respected by all who knew him. Deceased leaves to mourn his demise a wife and infant daughter, an adopted son, a mother, a step-father and four brothers, besides a host of friends. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. G.H. Philips of Monroe, were held at the Congregational church Sunday afternoon, and the body was laid to rest in New Hope cemetery. Those from a distance who attended the funeral were two brothers and a number of old friends from Central City, and the father and a brother-in-law of Mrs. Pickett.

Area outlined in red shows location of unmarked grave of William J. Pickett

O'Kay  is an small rural area in Monroe Twp., Platte Co. The photo below shows where O'Kay, as well as Monroe. Cong. Church and New Hope Cem. are from the town of Monroe, NE. The yellow shaded area shows where William and Sarah lived. Exactly where, I am unsure. I've circled the church and cemetery in red. The town on Monroe is southeast of both of those along the Platte River.

OK, so we've got cousins William and Sarah married. And they're raising his nephew William Russell. So, Sarah is Russell's adopted mother/aunt by marriage/first cousin once removed. Yeah I know. But it gets more convoluted, just wait.  As I said, William and Sarah had a daughter, Mabel and then seven months after he passed away, Sarah had their second daughter, Myrtle (b. 9 Sept. 1912).  By virtue of being William's cousin, that makes Sarah the first cousin once removed of her own daughters. Yeah, told you it got more confusing didn't I?  Just wait....

As noted in William's obituary, Sarah's father and one of her brothers-in-law came to NE for his funeral. I am not sure if she returned to IN with them at that time or waited a bit. I do know she was definitely in NE until after 9 Sept. 1912 as her daughter was born in NE. I am not even 100% sure which of her brothers-in-law was at the funeral but I have a guess. Departing from Sarah for a bit...

Charles and Grace Merritt

Grace Runion (Sarah's younger half-sister) married Charles Alvin Merritt (b. 23 Dec. 1887). Grace was a few years older than Charles. They married 30 Jun. 1908 in Hendricks Co., IN.  Their son, Charles Oscar (known by family as Oscar) was born 5 Jul. 1909, their daughter Hazel Agnes was born 14 Oct. 1911 and their daughter Mary Kathryn (per Sarah's Bible, also spelled Catherine in places) was born 15 Dec. 1913.  Grace Merritt passed away 14 Feb. 1914.

Marriage License, Charles Merritt and Grace Runion

So, Sarah's husband William died in 1912, her sister Grace in 1914. At some point Sarah and the three children, Russell, Mabel and Myrtle, end up back in Indiana. Sarah's alone raising three children ages, 10, 3 and 2.  Charles is alone and raising three children, 5, 3, and 2 months. On 18 Nov. 1914, Charles Merritt and Sarah Ann (Runion) Pickett married in Hendricks Co., IN. She was 9 yrs older than he was. But the age difference didn't seem to matter. Between them they had her adopted son Russell Pickett (10), his son Oscar Merritt (5), her daughter Mabel Pickett (3), his daughter Hazel Merritt (3), her daughter Myrtle Pickett (2) and his daughter Mary Kathryn (11 months).

Marriage License, Charles Merritt and Sarah Pickett

Sarah & Charles Merritt, 50th Anniv. Nov. 1964 with daughters: Myrtle Eggers, Mabel Copenhaver, Hazel Weaver

Not surprisingly, they went on to have two sons together. Their sons were: Marshall Woodrow (b. 1 Nov. 1915) and Aaron Alvin (b. 18 Sept. 1919). (I do not have pictures of all of the kids as adults unfortunately.) When Charles died in 1971, they'd been married nearly 57 years.

Mary Kathryn lived with her maternal grandfather, William Newton Runion and his fourth wife, Eliza. She is in their home on the 1920 and 1930 census. Both are in Eel River Twp., Hendricks Co., IN.  The 1920 census has her name as Mary K. Merritt and the 1930 census has Mary C. Merritt. Sarah's Bible has her listed simply as Kathryn. Her marriage license uses Mary Catherine.  Charles and Sarah Merritt are listed in Middle Twp., Hendricks Co., IN in 1920 and Center Twp., Hendricks Co., IN in 1930. Yeah having synonyms for twp. names is odd in my opinion. This shows where the various twps. are located. Also of note: in legal descriptions of land, if a section, twp, range, meridian are listed it is a different type than a named twp. That's a Congressional twp. or survey twp. and is used in surveying land. "The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is the surveying method used in the United States to divide real property.
It is regulated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)"
"A Congressional Township is a square parcel of land measuring six miles (more or less) on each side, oriented along cardinal (north-south and east-west) lines"

Hendricks Co. IN, 1920

Now to make it more interesting.... Charles Merritt was the son of John Wesley Merritt (1843-1921) and Lydia Louzina Lamb Merritt (1856-1895). Their other children were: Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Merritt McCloud (1874-1959), Nora Belle Merritt Eggers Wilson (1876-1953), Anna Luettie "Annie" Merritt McCloud (1880-1965), Lillian Mae Merritt (1880-1883), John William "Bill" Merritt (1883-1960), Elizabeth Tessie Jane "Janie" Merritt Maden (1885-1966), an infant son, Merrill (1888) and twins, Della Frances Merritt (1891-1960) and James Wesley Merritt (1891-1973).  You'll notice Lizzie and Annie both married men with the last name McCloud. If they're related to each other via the McCloud side, it's distantly enough I've yet to find it.  Also, the first wife of William Newton Runion, father of Grace Runion Merritt and Sarah Runion Pickett Merritt, was a McCloud. But if there's a connect between her family and those of Lizzie or Annie's husbands, I haven't found it.

Lydia Louzina Lamb Merritt & John Wesley Merritt

Nora Belle Merritt (her Find a Grave spells it "Bell" but the other records I've seen, including her obituary which is one of the pics on Find a Grave show it as "Belle") married George Granville Eggers. Nora Belle was born 18 Jul. 1876 and died 21 Feb. 1953. George Granville Eggers was born 26 May 1874 and died Nov. 1945. George Granville Eggers and Nora Belle Merritt married 27 Oct. 1895 in Hendricks Co., IN. Their children were: Opal Lorena Eggers (1896-1927), Elmer Harold Eggers (1906-1978), Ottie Adolph Eggers (1907-1985), Arley Wayne Eggers (1909-1984) and Vera Irene Eggers (1913-1997).  After George Granville Eggers died in 1945, Nora Belle married James Wilson (1867-1958) on 22 Jan. 1947. George Granville Eggers is buried at Hadley Friends Cem., Hadley, Hendricks Co., IN. Nora Belle Merritt Eggers Wilson is buried near her father, John Wesley Merritt at Knights of Pythias Cem., Lizton, Hendricks Co., IN (as are many of her siblings and their spouses, including Charles and Sarah Merritt).  The graves of both George Granville Eggers and Nora Belle Merritt Eggers Wilson are unmarked.

Opal Lorena Eggers (in white), George Granville Eggers, Nora Belle Eggers (dark dress), Arley Wayne Eggers, Doc Eggers, Harold Eggers.Approx. 1910-12.

The middle son of George and Nora Eggers was Ottie Adolph (O.A or "Doc") Eggers. He was born 27 Nov. 1907. He married Myrna Turner and they had a daughter, Noretta Eggers. After they divorced, Doc married Myrtle Pickett. Yes, I've mentioned that name before. She was the daughter of William J & Sarah Pickett, and the step-daughter of Charles Merritt. As in the same Charles Merritt who is the brother of Nora Belle Merritt Eggers. They married 19 Dec. 1932 in Paris, Edgar Co., IL. Doc & Myrtle had two daughters, Norma Eggers and Virginia Eggers. Since Noretta, Norma and Virginia are living I am not listing additional information about them.

Doc and Myrtle Eggers

Norma, Virginia, Doc and Noretta Eggers, mid-1940s.

Doc passed away 25 Aug. 1985 and Myrtle 10 Aug. 1989. Both are buried at Cloverdale Cem., Cloverdale, Putnam Co., IN.

I owe being bitten by the genealogy bug ("What's that?" you ask. I'll explain.) to both Myrtle Eggers and her sister, Hazel. Technically, cousin/step-sister but they never made that distinction, and Charles Merritt was the only father Myrtle knew since William J. Pickett died before she was born. Grandma and Aunt Hazel both would often tell family stories when I was little. So, I grew up hearing those stories and being interested in them. For some odd reason as a kid, I seemed to easily pick up and memorize names, dates and relationships. I wish now I had written the stories down.  One thing that I recall hearing a bit about was my Grandma not knowing where William Joseph Pickett was buried. Somewhere in Platte Co., NE. It was a brick wall for me from my late teens when I began digging up clues to family history.  It frustrated me for over 20 years!  Finally in 2012, I got a few clues. I found the transcript of his obituary which led me to the community of O'Kay and the "Cong. Church". That led me to finding Monroe Congregational Church and I found it was on the National Register of Historic Places. That led me to a Wikipedia entry on it, which in turn led to pictures on Wikimedia Commons. The user who had photographed both the church and cemetery was gracious enough to double check his files to see if he by chance had a picture of Willie's grave. He didn't. But he was going to be in the area and offered to double check when he was. He arrived and there was a caretaker there mowing. The caretaker had the register so along with the information I was able to give him, they were able to find the grave in spite of it being unmarked. He still took pictures for me. I was thrilled to finally bust through that wall after more than 20 yrs of wondering. That's part of why I enjoy genealogy. Well combined with my love of history.

Now that I've rambled on....
The picture on the left, as I said was Jonathan Zane. He was my 4th great grandfather on my Dad's side. He lived in (and helped settle) Wheeling, WV along with his brothers. Col. Ebenezer Zane is considered the founder but brothers Silas and Jonathan were with him.  Col. Ebenezer Zane is an ancestor of the author Zane Grey, who when he found journals written by Ebenezer decided to write a fictional series based on the journals. That resulted in the Ohio Border Trilogy of Betty Zane, Spirit of the Border, & The Last Trail. The Zane family was interesting. I've mentioned them a few times though so I won't go into it here.

Now I am off to catch up hopefully. Only day 2 and my rambling introduction (possibly unnecessary) has me behind already. Oh well. It's my post, I'll ramble if I want to!

The Zanes & Lewis Wetzel: The Second Siege of Fort Henry (WV), Zane Grey's Border Trilogy

You know how when you read a good book and find that you put yourself in the role of one of the main characters? Well on occasion that can be dangerous!!!

Helen Sheppard & Jonathan Zane Frontispiece of The Last Trail

"He was clad from head to foot in smooth, soft buckskin which fitted well his powerful frame. Beaded moccasins, leggings bound high above the knees, hunting coat laced and fringed, all had the neat tidy appearance due to good care. He wore no weapons. His hair fell in a raven mass over his shoulders. His profile was regular, with a long, straight nose, strong chin, and eyes black as night. They were now fixed intently on the valley. The whole face gave an impression of serenity, of calmness."

"Helen was wondering if the sad, almost stern, tranquility of that face ever changed, when the baby cooed and held out its chubby little hands. Jonathan's smile, which came quickly, accompanied by a warm light in the eyes, relieved Helen of an unaccountable repugnance she had begun to feel toward the borderman. That smile, brief as a flash, showed his gentle kindness and told that he was not a creature who had set himself apart from human life and love."  (The Last Trail, Zane Grey, pg. 31)

Jonathan Zane & Lewis Wetzel illustration from The Last Trail

Sounds like a good looking man, well-respected and valued from other descriptions. Not one to be messed with as he could be a tough enemy to have. Saved many a family from trouble on the border between WV and OH. He also had his bad side (depending on which side you view it from.) He was judge, jury and executioner many times when one caused trouble for the towns. Unlike some (Lew Wetzel for one) he was not wholly of the opinion that "the only good Indian was a dead one", but those who had fallen under the spell of those "white redskins" like Girty, Eliot, McKee, etc. he had no use for. Why? Because unlike the groups who had become peaceful to the settlers who treated them fairly, these men were vindictive, stole for the sake of it, were brutal to the women they abducted, etc. I do not feel Native Americans were treated fairly by whites. That's a given. But, just as not all whites treated the Native Americans unfairly, not all Native Americans were horrible. The greater numbers were only reacting to the wrongs they had suffered. So many times we see history as black and white and yet there are all kinds of grey areas. For the settlers who had paid for their lands and treated the Native Americans fairly, they still had to endure the attacks of those who were not treated fairly by other settlers. But they relied on men like Wetzel and the man I described above. 

The weird part comes in reading a book where you do find yourself imagining you taking the place of a main character. Harmless enjoyment of the story right? Except when you realize the book is about a person that if not for them, you might not exist! As in the case of my reading of Zane Grey's fictional, yet based on history, stories set on the border of WV/OH, the Border Trilogy. Betty Zane, The Spirit of the Border and The Last Trail.  (All of the links are to free versions of the books on Google Play. Project Gutenberg also has all three books for free.) All three have as main characters men like Col. Ebenezer Zane (aka Eb) and his wife Bess (a sister of the famous Maj. Samuel McColloch of McColloch's Leap renown), a stronger woman than I could ever be; his brothers: Isaac, kidnapped at age 9 by members of the Delaware tribe along with brothers Andrew, Silas (killed by Indians along the Scioto River), and Jonathan; as well as people such as their only sister Betty, and borderman Lewis Wetzel. Andrew was killed trying to escape, Silas and Jonathan were ransomed. But not Isaac. No, he was adopted into the tribe and called "White Eagle" and was the son-in-law of Chief Tarhé (also known as "The Crane" or "Standing Crane"), after marrying Tarhé's daughter, Myeerah, or "White Crane". Isaac was a translator, and helped with many treaties between the US government and the Delawares. Jonathan became a borderman and Silas was in charge of the garrison at Ft. Henry, which was located in present-day Wheeling, WV. Betty Zane, youngest sibling and only sister of the Zane brothers is considered the "Heroine of Ft. Henry" during the attack of the fort because on Sept. 11, 1782 Betty made a run from the fort to her brother's home to get powder. Why send a woman and especially a young one such as Betty? Well, first, few in the area were faster at running than she was. She was typically only bested by her brothers and Lew Wetzel. Second, they were out of powder, depending on the source you believe, her brothers had "carelessly" according to the Wiki article left the powder at the home of Ebenezer. Now, he had stayed in his home in order to protect it along with his slave Old Sam, Jonathan Zane and Martin Wetzel, (according to Martin Wetzel's Find A Grave, their father, John Wetzel/Whetzel was also present at the second siege) Lewis Wetzel's brother, as Silas was commander of the fort at the time. (Although many sources state Ebenezer was the fort's commander, see "Story of Fort Henry" source 12 for comment re:Silas being in charge of fort .)

According to "The Story Fort Henry"¹, "In September, 1782, occurred the last siege of Fort Henry, regarded by some as the last battle of the Revolution. A force of forty irregular British soldiers and 238 Indians, under Captain Bradt [possibly Brady?] , made the attack."  The total number of the fort's defenders was around 40 and that included the garrison, the local men and young boys who could handle a rifle as well as women who could load the rifles, cool the overheated rifle barrels, etc for the men. The Zane men had just days before seen barrels of powder in the store room of the fort. Yet when defenders went to retrieve them during the siege, they were gone. So, the logical thing was to send someone to Eb's cabin just outside the fort, which they knew had a quantity of powder. But sending even a young boy would have been sending that boy to his death. He'd be mowed down by the bullets of the British and their Native American allies. So Betty volunteered. The women had been helping defend the fort by making bullets, reloading guns, nursing injuries, cooling the gun barrels and she heard her brother Silas, Lew, and some of the other men discussing the need for powder. Legend has it that she volunteered knowing she might not make it or might get shot. Her brother Silas was not wanting to send his only sister to what he feared would be her death. But, she prevailed & Lewis Wetzel had faith in her ability as well. The story goes that once they saw her, the Indians jeered "Squaw!" and let her alone as she made her dash to the cabin. But on the return trip, realizing that she was taking supplies to the fort, they began to shoot at her. She made it back to the fort, with her skirts having been shot through at least once and having been grazed by a bullet. 

Illustration of Betty Zane's heroic run for gunpowder
during the attack on Ft. Henry on 11 Sept. 1782

Heroism of Miss Betty Zane at Ft. Henry 11 Sept. 1782

Why is it odd though that I am imagining the man I described as being one darn fascinating,  good-looking, appealing, downright sexy man? And why do I find the history of him, his family and friends like Wetzel so fascinating?  Because he is one whom, without him, I'd not be here. He was my 4th great-grandfather, Jonathan Zane. So, that is why it can be dangerous to imagine yourself in the story!!! It's a bit disconcerting to find yourself imagining that you are the heroine who finds herself growing to love Jonathan when he's an ancestor of yours. With the reputation both Jack and Wetzel had, you'd think I'd find them repulsive or to have hands too stained by blood to find them fascinating. But, it is precisely their reputations that draw my fascination.

Jonathan Zane

From HISTORY OF THE PAN-HANDLE, West Virginia, 1879, by J. H. Newton, G. G. Nichols, and A. G. Sprankle. Pages 131-134. 

 JONATHAN ZANE was, also, born in Berkeley county, Virginia. He accompanied his brother, Ebenezer Zane, to the West in 1769, when they explored the surrounding country, and located the town of Wheeling. He also made explorations in the summer and fall of 1771, in company with Silas Zane, up and down the Ohio - soon becoming familiar not only with the regions east of that river, but also the wilderness beyond. He was perhaps, the most experienced hunter of his day, in the frontier country.

It would have been difficult to find a man of greater energy of character - of more determined resolution, or restless activity. He rendered efficient service to the settlers about Wheeling, in the capacity of a spy, and a guide to direct the forces through the wilderness in several of the important campaigns from the commencement of the Dunmore war until the close of the Revolution. He was a guide in the Wakatomica campaign of 1774. He also accompanied General Brodhead in the same capacity, in the expedition up the Allegheny against the Munsies and Senecas in 1779, in which he was wounded.* (Anthony Dunlevy's Declaration for a Pension, October 3d, 1832.) In the memorable campaign of Crawford against Sandusky, Zane was again one of the guides to direct the army through the wilderness, and was a confidential advisor of the commander, with whom his opinions had great weight. It is plain, too, that if his advice had been promptly acted upon, the terrible calamity that befell the unfortunate expedition would have been averted. When the army had reached the Sandusky plains and found a deserted town, Zane advised an immediate return, and Col. Crawford knowing him to be exceedingly well versed in Indian strategy was strongly impressed with his views and felt personally inclined to adopt them. Zane urged that the absence of any sign of the Indians on the plains was a certain indication that they were concentrating at some point not far distant for determined resistance. He also reasoned that a further march into their country was only giving the savages time to gather reinforcements at their place of rendezvous, and that they would be able to concentrate against the Americans an overwhelming force. But when the council of officers was held Zane's warning was not duly heeded-the officers and men did not want to return without firing a gun - the army continued its march until the Indians were met - and the lamentable disaster followed.

Jonathan Zane was remarkable for earnestness of purpose, an energy and inflexibility of will which often manifested itself in a way truly astonishing. Few men shared more of the confidence or respect of his fellow men than Jonathan.

He was one of the best marksmen upon the border. He prided himself particularly upon his skill in shooting. He was once returning home from hunting his horses, when, passing through some high weeds near the bank of the river at a spot within the present limits of the City of Wheeling, not far from his house, he saw five Indians jump into the stream and swim for the island in the Ohio, opposite the place. Having his rifle with him, he rapidly took aim at one of the savages -fired, and the Indian sunk. Loading and firing in quick succession, three more were killed before reaching the opposite bank. The fifth and last one, seeing the fate of his companions, concealed himself behind a "sawyer," near the shore of the island, hoping thus to escape the deadly aim of the white man. After several ineffectual attempts to dislodge him, the effort was about to be abandoned, when Zane noticed a small portion of his body protruding below the log. Drawing a fine sight on his rifle, it was discharged, and the fifth savage floated down the river. He piloted expeditions against the Indians; in the one under Colonel Brodhead, up the Allegheny, in 1779, he was severely wounded. He was one the pilots in Crawford's expedition, and, it is said, strongly admonished the unfortunate commander against proceeding; as the enemy were very numerous, and would certainly defeat him. He died in Wheeling, at his own residence a short distance above the present site of the First Ward Public School. He left large landed possessions, most of which were shared by his children.

The children were Catharine, Eliza, Cynthia, Sally, Hannah, Nancy, Isaac, Asa and Benjamin.

 

Jonathan "Jack" Zane

My great-grandparents were Amos and Cynthia Charlotte (Zane) Nichols. She was the daughter of Isaac (not the one previously mentioned, but his nephew) Zane and wife Mary French Zane. They died of what appears to be cholera when she was about 10 years old. Her grandfather Jonathan and uncle Asa were given custody of the children of Isaac and Mary. Cynthia was raised by Jonathan. She married in 1823, the same year her grandfather died and they moved from southeastern Ohio to central Illinois in the late 1820s or early 1830s. She and Amos as well as their son John, a Civil War veteran, are buried less than 4 miles as the crow flies from my Dad's house where we lived when I was born and where I spent a number of weeks during the summer. Never once did I hear family stories such as this. Or of my great-grandfather Benjamin Nichols, a Civil War veteran and one who thankfully missed being part of Custer's Last Stand thanks to drawing guard duty over some of the equipment Custer left behind. After that near miss, he left the army. The family story, which I learned from my Aunt Betty the week I spent with my family in April 2001 when my Dad died, was that Benjamin, partially deaf from having been too near cannons during the Civil War, also had a fondness for drink. He walked from his farm outside of Waynesville (in northern DeWitt Co.) to Heyworth (in southern McLean Co.) to the bar in Feb. 1917. The desire for drink and the companionship of friends must have been strong to induce him to walk over 4 miles from his farm into town in the middle of February!  The family story goes on that at some point he decided to return home. At some point, his diminished hearing and the amount of alcohol consumed caused him to pass out (or possibly fatigue caused him to decide to go to sleep). He would likely have been alright except for the fact that he passed out on the railroad tracks. In due time, a train came along. His diminished hearing in combination with the alcohol, caused him to be unable to hear the warning whistle of the train and so he was killed by the train. Whether a true story or not, I do not know. What I do know is that he died on 14 Feb. 1917, and was buried in Rock Creek Cemetery. I have been unable to find any record of such an accident around that time. I would think an accident such as that would make local newspapers. I hope to find out the truth at some point.

Now, Wetzel, with all that can be said against him, which is plenty, was also fascinating. Long black hair that when combed out came down to below his knees. Hands too blood-stained to allow him to give reign to falling in love with a woman, although, reportedly there was one he possibly loved but knew he couldn't be worthy of. This was a man who could reload his gun at a dead run. Fleet of foot, sharp eyed, keen eared, quiet. Another person cast as the hero yet one with plenty of faults. And possibly distantly related to another of my 4th great-grandfathers.

Lewis "Deathwind" 'Le Vent de la Mort" "Atelang" "The Wind of Death" Wetzel

Even knowing there are many fictionalized stories, the ones that are known to be true of the Zane brothers and Lew Wetzel are fascinating. And the fictionalized stories are wonderful, yet they have their faults as well. But, as the author says in his introduction to Betty Zane, "Few of us are so unfortunate that we cannot look backward on kith or kin and thrill with love and reverence as we dream of an act of heroism or martyrdom which rings down the annals of time like the melody of the huntsman's horn....". In the introduction to The Spirit of the Border he writes, "The author does not intend to apologize for what many readers may call the "brutality" of the story ; but rather to explain that its wild spirit is true to the life of the Western border as it was known only a little more than one hundred years ago." and  "It is to a better understanding of those days that the author has labored to draw from his ancestor's notes a new and striking portrayal of the frontier; one which shall paint the pioneer's fever of freedom, that powerful impulse which lured so many to unmarked graves; one which shall show his work, his love, the effect of the causes which rendered his life so hard, and surely one which does not forget the wronged Indian."

Last but not least, I cannot wait to read the Spirit of the Border in comic format! I found a number of Zane Grey books that were released in comic form on the Internet Archive. But of the Ohio trilogy, only Spirit was done in comic form.

Zane Grey's Spirit of the Border comic book

Last but not least, a description of each book in the Border Trilogy:

 Betty Zane (1903)

From Fantastic Fiction: "With an Indian attack looming on the horizon, the men, women, and children at Fort Henry wait for the conflagration and rely on the courage of Betty Zane."

From Google Books:(free to read/download) "During the American Revolution, Betty Zane helps her brothers save their frontier settlement from British troops and Indians."

Betty Zane can be read/downloaded for free from Internet Archive, & Project Gutenberg)

The Spirit of the Border(1905)

From Fantastic Fiction: "Wetzel, the Avenger, devotes his life to the defense of the settlers against the renegades who terrorize the frontier."

From Internet Archive (audio recording of book): "This is an early novel by the phenomenally successful author of frontier, western and sports stories. It deals with historical characters and incidents in the Ohio Valley in the late 18th century, especially with the foundation of Gnaddenhutten, a missionary village intended to bring Christianity to the Indians of Ohio, despite the violent opposition of both Indians and white renegades. This turbulent adventure romance features the heroics of a semi-legendary frontiersman, Lewis Wetzel, who attempts to protect the settlers from hostile Native Americans and the vicious white outlaws the Girty brothers."

The Spirit of the Border can be read/downloaded for free from Google Books as well as Internet Archive, & Project Gutenberg.

The Last Trail (1900)

From Fantastic Fiction: "Born to the lonely wilderness trail, famed borderman Jonathan Zane roams the rugged Ohio frontier, fighting to protect his homestead from attack. Braving certain death against a gang of outlaws and savage Shawnees, Zane struggles to save the life of the woman he loves."

From the Internet Archive (audio recording of book): "Return with us to those thrilling days of yesteryear as Mike Vendetti narrates this early Zane Grey novel of hardy pioneers taming the wild west. Yes, despite the difficult times, romance flourishes and the bad guys are eliminated almost single handedly as our heroes Jonathan Zane and his sidekick Lew “Deathwind” Wetzel fight their way through mud, blood, gore, savage Indians, and despicable outlaws, to make the land safe for pioneer families as they settle the wild west."

The Last Trail can be read/downloaded for free from Google Books as well as Internet Archive, & Project Gutenberg.
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1. Brooks, A.B. "The Story of Fort Henry". West Virginia History, A  publication of: West Virginia Archives and History. Volume I, Number 2 (January 1940), pp. 110-118