| The Means Family... by David Clow |
Family lore passed from one generation to the other has it that three brothers named Means came from Ireland to America and settled in what was then called the Penn Counties, the three counties William Penn organized in 1662. They are said to have settled in Bucks Co. Pennsylvania about 1720. . . Records in Bucks County and Dauphin County give names of three Means brothers as John, Hugh and Samuel. It is also possible that these brothers landed first in Boston in 1718, wintered there the first winter and then move to Pennsylvania. John Means in Bucks County, Pennsylvania... My ancestor is JOHN MEANS, he emigrated from Fermanagh County in Ireland, and settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was born 1678 in Tyrone, Ireland and the son of JOSEPH MEANS who was born in 1653. John�s age coming to America is not known. But he died in Makefield , Bucks Co. Pa. in 1739. He was a native of Ireland but of Scotch Irish ancestry. John Means was a widower when he came to America, and he married a widow, Mary Kelley. She had several children by her formal husband, John, George, Joseph and Nancy. Nancy Kelley married Robert Means a son of Johns from his first wife, my ancestors. Her first name is unknown but last name was McCORD she was born 1678 also in Tyrone. JOHN and McCORD�s Children were WILLIAM MEANS, Robert, Nancy and Alexander. William Means in Lebanon County Pennsylvania ... WILLIAM MEANS my 6th Great grandfather was the oldest son of John. He was born in Fermanagh County Ireland. He was an adult when his father emigrated to Pennsylvania. William was remarkable for his stature, he had strength beyond that of most men of the day. He married ELIZABETH, last name is unknown, and settled on Quinapalilla Creek in Lancaster County, now Lebanon County Pennsylvania. Children to this marriage, were, ROBERT MEANS, John, Sally and Isaac, there were probably more children. Robert Means and Elizabeth Robertson Means in North Carolina... ROBERT MEANS my 5th Great grandfather was born in Pennsylvania and 1735. He left Pennsylvania and moved to North Carolina about 1760, and settled in Rockingham County. Another account said that he moved to N.C. in 1779, going to Guilford County, which is now Rockingham on the Mayo River near the Virginia State line. Robert married ELIZABETH (BETSEY) ROBERTSON. He had a land grant in Rockingham County deeded 1779 this was for 135 acres and on December 5,1780 he acquired 82 more acres. These are records in the Rockingham County Courthouse. Robert Means at one time had 85 acres adjoining the lands of Champion Gibson on both Hunters and Dalton Creeks of the Mayo river he acquired this 85 acres on Feb. 7, 1813. He acquired another 50 acres on both sides of the Hickory Creek this date is unknown. Robert Means acquired different lands ranging from 25 acres to 200 acres at several different times, dates range between 1810 and 1820. There were two or three transactions between William Means and Robert Means, these could be either between he and his dad or between he and his son William. There is mention of a 25 acres land transfer between Robert Means and Fountain Means this would be his grandson and of course my 3rd Great grandfather. Below is a copy of Robert Means will� In the name of God Amen, I, Robert Means of the county of Rockingham and in the state of North Carolina, been at this time week of body, but of sound and disposed mind and memory, and calling to mind the mortality of my body, knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, and uncertain of the time when, do make an ordain this mine last will and testament, in the manner and form following. I commend my soul to God he gave it to me and my body to the earth to be buried in decent and Christian like manner, at the discretion of my executors to be hear after nominated. Touching my worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me I will dispose in the manner following. Item 1st. I give and bequeath to my son William Means one dollar, to him and his heirs. Item 2nd. I give and bequeath to my son James Means one dollar. Item 3 I give and bequeath to the children of my daughter Rebecca Grogan, deceased, 30 dollars. Item 4 All the residue of my estate, both real and personal, to be sold by my executor, and after my just debts are paid to be equally divided among my daughters, Jane Campbell, Mary Barnes, Elizabeth Ridder, Nancy Sharp, Flemin Sharp, Martha Vernon, the children of my daughter Ann, deceased, and the heirs of my son Robert Means, and my daughter Rachel Smith. Lastly I do nominate, constitute, and appoint my trusty friend Josiah Claybrook, my executor of this my last will and testament in witnesses where of I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this 20th day of May 1822. Robert Means (x his mark) Seal Witnesses Neheniah Vernon, Absolom Vernon, and John Claybrook State of North Carolina, Rockingham County August session 1822. Children of Robert Means� William Means Born 1757 and died in 1822. Another account indicated that he died in N.C. about 1819. He married Susan Joyce in Rockingham County, North Carolina where all their children were born. It is said two of his children came from Kentucky to Indiana about 1820 and settled in Shelby County. All of these children except Robert were large in stature. James Means Died in Rockingham County, North Carolina. Another account indicates that he emigrated to Shelby County between the year's 1820 and 1825. He married Mary Smith who died in Minnesota. Robert Means Born in 1777, he died 1817 in Rhea Co. Tenn. At the age of 40 years. He lived in Greenville, Tenn. This family moved to Eutowah Co. about 1819 and there are many descendents of this line. Rebecca Means Married Mr. Grogan. Jane Means Born 1759, married Mr. Campbell. Mary Means Born 1762 married Mr. Barnes. Elizabeth Means Married James Riddle and lived in Rhea Co. Tenn. Nancy Means Married Mr. Sharp. Fleming Means Married Mr. Sharp. Martha Means Married Mr. Vernon, she died in Madison, Indiana. Rachel Means Married Thomas Martin Smith, Thomas�s parents were Drury Smith and Betsey Vaughn Rachel and Thomas lived in Rockingham Co. N.C. Ann Means No children at her death, no name for her husband. William Means and Susan Joyce Means of Rockingham Co. North Carolina... WILLIAM MEANS, was born 1757 and died in 1822 in Rockingham County. Another account indicated that he died in N.C. about 1819. He married SUSAN JOYCE in Rockingham County, North Carolina. Susan was the daughter of ELIJAH JOYCE, 1752-1804. All their children were born in Rockingham County. It is said that their children came from Kentucky to Indiana about 1820 and settled in Shelby County. All of these children except Robert were large in stature. Children of William and Susan Joyce Means� Alexander Means Was born in Rockinghim County N.C. January 28,1798. He died in Shelby County Indiana September 16, 1846 at the age of 48. He married Elizabeth Edwards who was born January 28, 1794. She died Oct. 29, 1861. Alexander and his brother Fountain Means came to Shelby County in 1822. He married Elizabeth Edwards the sister of Fountain�s wife. They settled in Jefferson County Indiana and remained there for three years. In 1825 they moved to Shelby County and settled in Moral Township on the Michigan Road adjacent to the present day Pleasant View, the town the two brothers created. For several years Alexander kept a tavern for the accommodations of the traveling public. He cleared the heavy timber from his fields and followed farming for most of his life. He installed a wool carding machine in Pleasant View and carded the farmer�s wool into roles for the housewives to spin into yarn for clothing. In the winter of 1824 Alexander and Fountain bought a wagon loaded with salt at Madison and hauled it to Indianapolis where they found two small stores to buy their salt. At that time timber stood where Indianapolis is today. Stumps were standing in what is now Washington Street. After depositing of their salt the brothers started for home but at Buck Creek some ten or eleven miles east they where water bound and had to hold over for a few days. As soon as they could cross the creek they returned to Pleasant View, which was one half miles east of the creek, and stopped a few days with Jordan Wright a relative of theirs. They then returned home. Alexander�s wife shared the hardships of setteling in the new country until his death. She survived him and cared for their children until she passed away and 1861. She was the mother of all eleven children. Alexander Means was a successful business man and at his death owned over 1100 acres of land. He was well respected and had many frends. Their children were Fountain, Susan, Nancy, John, Julia, Henry, Elizabeth and Alfred. Fountain Means Was born November 1, 1802 in Rockingham County North Carolina. He married Letty Edwards on October 24, 1822 in North Carolina, she was born January 1, 1802. More on Fountain and Letta below� John Means Patsy Elizabeth Abigail Robert Nancy Celia William Fountain Means and Letty Edwards Means of Shelby County Indiana... FOUNTAIN MEANS my 3rd Great grandfather was born November 1, 1802 in Rockingham County North Carolina. He married LETTY EDWARDS on October 24, 1822 in North Carolina, she was born January 1, 1802. Letty was the daughter of James Edwards also of Rockingham Co. Fountain Means and his brother Alexander Means left their North Carolina home with their families, in a two-horse wagon in 1828, and made their way overland to the state of Indiana. They first located in Jefferson County near Madison Indiana. Alexander was the first of the brothers to purchase land. He purchase 80 acres in Moral Township, Shelby County, on Sept. 4, 1827, from the United States Government. Their first job was to clear the land covered with primeval forest for their fields, and to construct a log house, confronting each day the trials and struggles of the wilderness. The village of Pleasant View was being born. Land at this time was selling for $1.25 per acre, John Quincy Adams was president. Alexander recorded tract #1, it was described as west half of the northeast quarter of Section 40 in township 14, range 5. and contained 80 acres. Abstract shows it was surveyed July 6, 1836, by John H. Messinger for Alexander Means and recorded July 20, 1836. The town derived its name from the landscape that stretches in all directions. The plat had for its center the top of a ridge from which point a large area of the countryside was visible. The ridge on which it was located was five miles long and was the highest point between Cincinnati and Indianapolis according to a survey in the late 1840 for the railroad. At one time Pleasant View was considered for the site of the state capital. Sixty two lots were originally laid out with East and West Streets named for fruit trees. The North, South streets were giving names of forest trees such as Sycamore, Walnut and Elm. In the beginning early trading was established by Frederick Thatcher. Located on an original Indian trail, and later known as Michigan road Pleasant View became a stage coach station. It soon became a popular place for gathering in exchanging produce for goods. The Inn or Tavern was probably the most thriving business of all. The original tavern building was constructed of poplar and oak with hand-hewn logs. The tavern was a two story structure with a small cellar store room. The lower floors contained three large rooms each 20 feet square. The floor was made of oak planks and the doors were hand cut oak. The second floor also had three rooms and an open porch stretched across the front of the building. The structure had a six foot wide brick fireplace at the east end. In front the pioneers related the events of the day. At one time more rooms were added on the first floor to the rear of the building. Livestock pens were constructed to the rear of the main building. A brick store was built to the west end of the building in 1840. This was the first hotel and general store. Travelers could feed their horses and stay overnight here. Meal time was announced by a bell and they would all set around one large table. Turkeys as well as cattle were herded up and down the Michigan Road and at dark turkeys would roost in the trees until morning. Early industry at Pleasant View including making of coffins from poplar logs and water pumps of all sizes were made by James Inlow. Later there were two good hotels and several stores and shops. Perhaps the most enterprising business was wagon making, and the iron work made by the blacksmith Thomas Smock. Wagon beds, spokes, tongues and hubs were made by Jacob Flyeagle. John Smith operated a General Store, and he also sold whisky. The general store was in the old Hubbard house, one of the oldest in the state of Indiana. There were several doctors practicing in Pleasant View. Hopes for a growing community diminished in the mid 1800s when the Lawrence and Upper Mississippi railroad soon to be renamed the Indianapolis Cincinnati railroad built its line a few miles south of Pleasant View. The towns of Acton, London and Brookfield became favorites and families moved away from Pleasant View and businesses closed. Fountain and Letty Means added acreage to their holdings several times, and Fountain continued to buy land up until his death. At the time of his death he had four hundred acres. Letty Edward Means shared her husbands adventures, as well as his failures and successes as a devoted wife until she died in 1849. In 1853 Fountain sold some land to John Joyce and Mr. Joyce platted his own town, he called it Brookfield. Fountain and Letty raised thirteen children. Years after Letta�s death, in 1849, Fountain married his second wife Margaret Robinson, left the farm and move to the village of Brookfield on the Big Four Railroad. He ran the general store in Brookfield for many years. Then sold the store and moved back to the farm, where he lived until his death at the age of 65 years. His second wife survived him. He was an honest, honorable, upright man. He was a good citizen and respected by all that knew him. He was a member of the Methodist Church, a Democrat until the Civil War and after that a Republican. Letty Edwards Means died in 1849 near Pleasant View, Shelby County Indiana. Her place of burial is unknown. Fountain Means died January, 1866 near Pleasant View, Shelby County Indiana. His place of burial is also unknown. Children of Letta and Fountain Means� Ellonder Means Born Sept. 12,1823 married Thomas Parrish. Martha Means Born November 18,1824, she married Benjamin Dake. Elizabeth Means Born March 13,1826. She married James Folden. Celia Means Born Nov. 4,1827, died young. Lucinda Means Born March 6,1829 died at about three years of age. Nehemiah Means Born Sept. 13, 1830. More on Nehemiah below� Nehemiah Means and Martha Hughes Holmes Means of Shelby County Indiana... NEHEMIAH MEANS, my 2nd Great grandfather, was born in Moral Townships in Shelby County Indiana, September 13, 1830. He was the sixth child born to Fountain and Letty Means. He grew up on his father�s farm assisting with the clearing of the land along with other farm duties. His education was limited being received from a poorly equipped subscription school. Nehemiah was the oldest member of the East Union Baptist Church, was a trustee and a deacon for 19 years. He always took interest in the church work, after joining in 1868. He married MRTHA HUGHES HOLMES, Oct. 14, 1849. Martha was the daughter of GEORGE WASHINGTON HOLMES and SARAH FLOYD. After he and Martha were married they rented a farm from her father, George W. Holmes for six years, then purchased the property at the expiration of the lease. They later added acreage giving them a total of 200 acres of choice Indiana farmland. The land on the northeast side ran up to the old Michigan Road and the house sat facing the road, today this is Inter State 74. They lived there eighteen years, later Nehemiah built a new home on the same farm and lived here until his death. Shelby County History describes him as a good farmer keeping his surroundings in good repair, indicating up to date management. He was one of the oldest born residents of moral townships as well as one of the most highly respected citizens. Nehemiah and Martha had seven children five lived to adulthood. Martha died in 1862. She is buried just a quarter of a mile east of the London cemetery in the Holmes Means family cemetery, a small family cemetery in the middle of a field on land her father owned. Nehemiah married three more times, Lucinda Rouse in 1865, Elizabeth Harriman in 1880 and Olive Rush in 1890. With Lucinda Rouse these children were born, Albert Preston Means, Carey S. Means, Anna Means, Willard Means and Ezra P. Means. With Elizabeth Harriman only one child was born Roy J. Means. No children were born to his fourth marriage with Olive Rush. Nehemiah Means died on his farm near London, Indiana and is buried in the London Cemetery. Children of Martha and Nehemiah Means� Sarah Jane Means Sarah Jane Means was born November 3, 1851, she married Archibald Howard Joyce August 14, 1870. They moved to Barton County Missouri and farmed in the Forest Grove neighborhood south of Lamar. More on Sarah Means below� Margaret Emily Means Margaret married Frank Mc Donald in 1876 and lived in Sugar Creek Township in Shelby County. Their son Ora became Coroner of Shelby County. John Robert Means died 1887. George Fountain Means 1887. Thomas Hendricks Means Tom was born June 28, 1859, married Anna Grahim, they moved to Missouri and have five children. He died December 20, 1919 in Barton County Missouri. Sarah Jane Means and Archibald Howard Joyce of Barton County Missouri... In 1870 ARCHIBALD JOYCE having moved to the Barton and Jasper County areas in Missouri, returned to Shelby Co. Indiana to marry his girl friend SARAH JANE MEANS. Sarah was the daughter of NEHEMIAH MEANS and MAY HOLMES MEANS. After the married couple returned to Lamer he taught school for 2 or 3 years, then moved to a farm about four miles South of Lamer. The farm was located across the road from where the old Forest Grove Baptist Church stood. (Sec.7 Twp31 R30) Richland Township. The Church set on the south side of the road the Joyces were on the North. His first farm consisted of 40 acres, the second place had 80 acres, later he purchased a farm with 320 acres. The Joyces had eleven Children, the boys Ollie, Caroll, Alexander, Estell, and Floyd. The girls were Gertie, Ocie, and Ivy. Three other died in infancy. Arch. and Sarah Jane owned 160 acres south of Boston, this is what was later known as the Joyce Place, in the North part of section # 31. Maps show the town of Beloit, Missouri this would later become Boston, Missouri. Beloit in 1886 set on a main street, which was the township line, and contained 22 blocks. The Missouri Pacific railroad ran first on the East side of the main street and then in the middle of town crossed the street and ran along the West side. Beloit had a Stock Yards, Post Office, School, Drug Store, the Thompson Bros. Store, and the Depot. Dr Speeces residence was also shown on the map and another school was about half a mile East of the Forest Grove Church in section 17. Neighbors of Arch. and Sarah Joyce were J.W. Lee to the East, this is the farm Arch�s son Estell would later rent after he married Ethel Selvey, J.F. Metz and C. Ludwig to the South. The Ballew�s were to the North, also the Stockdales and Metz to the West. Grandma, Sarah Jane Joyce was a small woman, almost petite, she hurt her back when she was young and as she got older she had a hump on her back and walked stooped over, she was average weight for a small women. Her hair, she always kept long and combed up on her head, she had never cut her hair. She usually wore a plain print dress for everyday. She liked long sleeve white blouses and long black skirts. She was a hard working woman. The family went to the Forest Grove Baptist Church which was one mile north of Boston. Cap and Lea lived with her on the farm and once or twice a year she would make the three or four mile ride from Boston to her son Estells for a visit. Estell and Ethel lived 3 miles southeast of Lamar, she would stay a week or two. When she came to visit, she spent most of her time setting, resting and catching up on the news. A family story� many times Grandma Joyce would get up in the morning, go to the chicken house, catch a chicken, wring its head, dress it, and have it fried for breakfast by the time everyone was ready. After breakfast she would always help with the chores, then return to the house to start all over again with the housework. The whole family described her as a workhorse. Archibald Joyce died March 8, 1906, from blood poisoning contracted from a injury. Estell was nineteen years old. Obituary for Archibald Howard Joyce.. This obit. was in the Jasper, Missouri newspaper March 8,1906. Prominent farmer passed away this Month� Succumbs to the effects of blood poisoning after a brief illness. A. H. Joyce, perhaps one of the most prominent citizens of Barton County, died this morning at eight o'clock at his home northeast of the city, after a brief illness of lead poisoning. A short time ago Mr. Joyce suffered from a sore toe but it was supposed to gotten almost well. Sunday he suffered from what he thought was rheumatism. While bathing his foot with warm water the toe began to bleed profusely and a doctor was summoned. By an operation on the calf of his leg, a bad case of blood poisoning was discovered. The ailment soon affected the heart that had been rather week anyway, and resulted in his death as for stated. Mr. Joyce�s death was a great shock, not only to the family, but to the whole community as well, as very few knew that he was sick. He leaves a wife and eight children as follows. Carol choice of Lamar, Reverend O. P. Joyce of Kansas City, Add Joyce of Lamar, Mrs. Frank Lee and Miss Ocie, and Ivy, Mr. Estell Joyce and Floyd, the last four being at home. Funeral services will be held at the Forest Grove Church Saturday, March 10, at 11 o'clock A.M. Interment in the Forest Grove Cemetery. Mr. Joyce was born in Marion County, Indiana Nov. 20,1847 making his age 58 years old three months and ten days. He came to Barton County in 1868 and for the past twenty two years has lived on the farm on which he died. He was a fine Christian man in all but the name implies and all who knew him would join in grieving his passing. _________________________ Jane Means Joyce died August 23, 1932. She died at her daughter�s, Gertie Joyce Lee, home at sixth and Braodway in Lamar, Missouri. She told many times, she wanted to die in her own bed but as her health declined she agreed to go to her daughters home for care, which was only a few weeks before her death. After Sarah died the farm was sold. Jess Hubbs from California bought the farm well worth his money. The proceeds were divided between the eight sons and daughters. Arch. and Sarah Joyce are both buried in the Forest Grove Cemetery three south of Lamar. Forest Grove Cemetery is located on three acres and is down a dirt lane that keeps it hidden from the road. It was half a mile South of the old Forest Grove Baptist Church, the old Church is gone. A few items that belonged to Arch. and Sarah Jane Means Joyce still remain as prized possessions of the family. Those include a rocking chair, a straight chair, a beautifully carved table, the chairs match the table. The most treasured piece of all is the handmade wedding dresser of Arch. and Sarah Joyces. This dresser had a small piece of marble on the top, and was upstairs in the bedroom at the old Joyce place, the house is still there, �98. Later the dresser was in the basement at Cap Joyces home but now has been restored and is in very caring hands. Another straight chair of the Joyces survived, it has a cane bottom. Smaller items include Grandma Joyces tea pot. Most of the small items that might have survived the times were sold in an estate sale of Cap and Lea�s Joyce after they died. Grandma Joyce, when she was alive, gave a lot of items to her son Caroll�s family. Children of Archibald and Sarah Jane Means Joyce� Oliver �Ollie� Joyce Born in Boston Missouri. Later he became a Baptist minister and moved to Kansas City where he spent his life preaching the gospel. Ollie married Jennie Dean Stockdale they had a large family a son Winfred married Maude. Caroll Joyce Born 1871 in Boston, Barton County Missouri. Caroll married Nellie Weddle, they lived in the Forest Grove area, South of Lamar. At one time he lived and worked for the Farmers Exchange in Jasper, Mo. Caroll died 1941 in Carthage, Missouri. Caroll and Nellie children were Gladys, Estella, Ruth, May, Dorothy, Mary Gayle, Archie, Glen. Maggie E. Joyce Born March 11, 1876 and died Sept. 11, 1876 is buried in the East Cemetery this cemetery is in Lamar in Section # 30 Add Joyce Born in 1877 in Boston, Missouri, he married Mary Mack and he died in 1920. Add died from the flu epidemic in 1920. Gertie Lee Joyce Born 1880 in Boston, Missouri, she married Francis A. Lee. Frank Lee was County Treasure for Barton County and they lived in Lamar. She died in 1938. Their children were Howard and Spon. Howard married Lotte and their son is Richard Lee who married Smitty. Ocie Joyce Born 1882 in Boston, Missouri she married Alex Hill, they moved to California and she died in California. Ivy Joyce Born 1884 in Boston, Missouri, she married a Gleason, she also died in California. Estell Joyce In Chadwick�s History of Shelby Co. Indiana, on page 914, and at the end of several pages about our Grandparents Means, Estell is mentioned as a son of Archibald Howard Joyce and Sarah Jane Means. The clip says the Arch. Joyce family moved to Missouri to raise their children. Frank Joyce Born February 29, 1888 and died August 3, 1889. Grandma Joyce blamed herself for his death. She had gone out to pick blackberries, she got awfully hot and when she returned she nursed the child and he later died. She always felt she had caused his death from �summer complaint�. Harry Floyd or �Cap� Joyce Born November 13, 1890 in Boston Missouri. Cap received his nickname when he and his dad Archibald took a team and wagon over to Kenoma to pick up a load of lumber in order to build a shed. After they loaded the wagon Arch. handed Floyd the rains, he was setting up on the wagon seat, and as Floyd took the rains he drew them just as tight as he could and one of the men in the group said look Arch he looks like a little Captain. The Captain was shortened to �Cap� and Floyd was known the rest of his life as �Cap� Joyce. He first married Nell, she died during child birth, he later married Leah Arner, Cap and Leah had 5 children Floyd Joyce, Erma Lee Joyce, Jewell Joyce Gardner, Jean Joyce, Annetta Joyce. March 17, 1967 Harry Floyd Joyce (Cap) died of a heart attack. He was 76 years old, he and Leah lived at 200 West First Street, Lamar. Cap was buried in Lake Cemetery, Lamar. The HOLMES Family... The earliest records of my Holmes family are found of NATHAN HOLMES in the federal census for the year 1800. Nathan Holmes is living in Tioga County, New York. Today Binghamton, New York, a city of 50,000 is the same area. Nathan is listed with a wife, two sons and a daughter in the household. The Census report indicate that his birth year was around 1770. In 1810 he moved with his family to Franklin County, Indiana, in what was then in Indiana Territory. NATHAN HOLMES married LYDIA WINCHELL the date is unknown, the Winchell family came fairly early to America, arriving in Massachusetts around 1636 from England. Lydia was the daughter of ROBERT RUGGLE WINCHELL and his wife MARTHA HUBBARD WINCHELL. She was born in 1778. Robert Winchell�s father was BENJAMIN WINCHELL, and both Robert and Benjamin served with the colonial forces during the American Revolutionary War. A good book on the Winchell family is Newton H. Winchell and Alexander N. Winchell taking the Winchells back to 1635 in America. This book was published in 1917. Most of the Winchells lived and died in Brookville, the county seat of Franklin County, Indiana. Robert and Martha Winchell are probably buried in Franklin Co. Both the Holmes and Winchell families moved at the same time to Indiana. Robert Winchell built the first brick home in Brookville. Sometime after 1830 he moved to Shelby County Indiana. Nathan purchased 40 acres of land from the United States government most of the land at that time was selling for 1.25 per acre. Some of his children had moved to Shelby County earlier. NATHAN HOLMES was killed by a falling tree while clearing his land in July of 1834. Nathan is buried in a small family cemetery just three hundred yards east of the present day London, Indiana City cemetery. The cemetery is in section 25, in Moral Township. At the time of Nathan�s death the town of London didn�t exist and the land either belonged to George Washington Holmes, Nathan�s son, or George�s son Nathan W. Holmes. The older Nathan only lived a mile or two from this location. Later my 3rd Great grandfather Nehemiah Means owned the same piece of land. Two years after Nathan�s death, Lydia married Noah Casto, and at the time of her death in 1850 she was residing with her son Anson L. Holmes in Green Lake, Wisconsin. She is buried in the cemetery at Princeton in that county. Ten children were born to Nathan and Lydia Holmes. James Brewster Holmes born August 9, 1798, my ancestor George Washington Holmes born June 11, 1800, Nancy Ann Holmes born around 1812, Elizabeth Holmes, Anson Laraby Holmes born around 1817, Lucinda Amanda Holmes, Lydia Holmes, Thomas Holmes, Benjamin Holmes, and John Holmes. In a book, titled George Holmes of Massachusetts, some of his descendents moved to Indiana and to the Shelby County area, it gives George�s wife as a Brewster and it tells of a son Nathan Holmes. The connection has not been made but it�s a good possibility and reason for more research for the father and mother of Nathan Holmes. Another possibility is of a James Holmes that lived in Tioga, New York. James Holmes was in the Revolutionary War, and in his papers he tells of living with his father, no names are given but another good possibility. These two Holmes connect in the George Holmes book even though James is from New Jersey. Children of Nathan Holmes and Lydia Winchell Holmes� James Brewster Holmes James was born in Tioga County, New York, this county was later made into Broome County in 1798. He moved to Indiana territory, with his parents in 1810, and later moved to Shelby County Indiana around 1821, shortly after it was opened for settlement and married Margaret Floyd on January 16,1823. Margaret was the daughter of James and Martha Hume Floyd. James Brewster Holmes was a farmer all of his life, and served as a justice of the peace, and real estate broker in the small town of Fairland, Indiana. He died August 23, 1882 and his wife died Sept. 12,1873. They are both buried in the Fairland, Indiana cemetery. Their children are Andrew Jackson Holmes born May 22, 1825, George Washington Holmes born Sept. 27,1827, Nathan Holmes born 1829, Lydia Ellen Holmes born 1834, Sarah Elizabeth Holmes born 1838 and Martha Jane Holmes birth date is unknown but she died at about four years of age. George Washington Holmes My ancestor, is detailed later. Nancy Ann Holmes Nancy was born around 1812 in Franklin County, Indiana. She married John Talkington on March 11, 1830. They later moved to Shelby County and the John is listed as a boot and shoemaker in the 1850 Census. Their children are Lydia Ellen born 1833, Pauline born 1837, Nancy Jane born 1842, Sarah A. born 1844, George born 1846, William born1849, and Mary F. born 1853. Anson Laraby Holmes Anson was born in Franklin County, Indiana around 1817 and lived in Shelby County and LaPorte County, in the early 1840s he and his family moved to Green Lake County Wisconsin, he married Minerva Parkhurst a girl from New York, she was born April 9, 1821. Anson was a farmer and live the few miles from Princeton Wisconsin. He died around 1873 and Minerva died in 1893. Their children are, Charles F. Holmes born June 5, 1852, Lydia A. Holmes, born 1853, Mary M. Holmes born Dec. 16, 1857, Elizabeth Holmes born March 17, 1859, and Ida Amelia Holmes born June 21, 1861. Elizabeth Holmes Was born in Tioga County New York and was married to Lazarus Rasnick in Franklin County Indiana Oct. 2, 1823. Three children are listed in the household in the 1830 census but nothing else is known. Lucinda Amanda Holmes Was born probably in Franklin County and was married to Jedidiah Jackson in Shelby County, Indiana on Oct. 5, 1835. Jedidiah may have been a hat maker by trade, as he owned the equipment to make them at his untimely death in October 1837, just two years after their marriage. It is not known if any children were born of this marriage or if Lucinda remarried. George Washington Holmes and Sarah Floyd Holmes in Shelby County Indian... George Washington Holmes, son of Nathan and Lydia Winchell Holmes was born in Tioga County, New York in 1800. He moved first to Franklin County Indiana in 1810 and then to Shelby County Indiana and 1821. George married Sarah Floyd a sister of his brother�s, James Brewster, wife Margaret Floyd, in Shelby County, March 18, 1824. His adult life was spent in farming. George Washington Holmes died in 1885 and Sarah in 1862, they are both buried in the small family cemetery, the same cemetery his father is buried in just east of the London City cemetery in London, Indiana. In October 1998 on a visit to Shelby County, I found the cemetery was called the Holmes Means Cemetery, it is in Section 30 and the graves numbering 11 or 12 are of Nathan Holmes, George Washington Holmes and his wife Sarah Floyd. Louise a daughter of Nathan W. Holmes. Catherine wife of William Martin, Peter Crum and his wife Elizabeth, Thomas S. Floyd, Martha Holmes, wife of my Nehimiah Means, George a son of Nehimah and Martha Means, John R. another son of Nehimah and Martha Means. Margaret a daughter of Alfred and Susan Means, and Amanda another daughter of Alfred and Susan Means. Most of the tombstones have been knocked over, many are covered with dirt and grass and the George Washington Holmes stone, a very large six or seven foot, polished granite has fallen over and two trees have grown around it making it impossible to right. This small family cemetery sets in a field, in a grove of trees, and a fence as been erected around it housing both the graves and a dog named Moogy acts as security for the cemetery. The owner of the property Jeff Allison lives next to the cemetery and takes care of it. Nehimiah Means who died later in 1909 is buried in the London City Cemetery, just three hundred yards west of the Holmes Means family cemetery. The farm on which the Holmes Means cemetery sets was probably first owned by Nathan W. Holmes, son of my Nathan Holmes. Nathan W. later moved to Cowley County, Kansas and Nehimiah Means owned it during the late 1800s. As I stood in the middle of the cemetery taking photos and making rubbings of the stones, I was walking on the same ground walked on by three or four generations before me. At the time of his death George Washington Holmes lived in Brandywine Township in Shelby County. His farm consisted of one hundred and sixty acres. Section 36 on the Brandywine Creek. Children of George Washington Holmes and Lydia Winchell Holmes� Nathan W. Holmes Nathan was born 1825. Later he moved to Kansas. Martha Hughes Holmes Martha was born 1832. Martha Holmes married Nehimiah Means on October 14, 1849 in Shelby County Indiana. Their daughter Sarah Jane Means married Archibald Howard Joyce and later moved to Barton County Missouri. Their stories are in other chapters. George Washington Holmes Jr. George was born 1835. Sarah Jane Holmes Sarah was born 1840. The HUME Family... MARTHA HUME, my 5th Great grandmother was born about 1762 and raised in the Charleston area of South Carolina. Most feel she was the daughter of WILLIAM HUME of South Carolina. William Hume is said to have been the only Hume in South Carolina at the time of Martha�s birth. William was the son of GEORGE HUME who first came to America. It also appears that William, if he was her father, died during the mid 1820s. No record of Martha Hume�s first marriage has ever been found but family lore has it that she married a Doctor Oldham, a physician and surgeon, during the Revolutionary War and she found herself, as a nurse, working with her husband treating the wounded and caring for the sick. During the Revolution the doctor was captured and killed during the Battle of Cowpens. Martha is also reported to have had two brothers that fought and died in the same battle. Martha Hume is said to have been a close friend of Francis Marion the �Swamp fox�. Another story is that a flag barrier named Hume was fighting and died with Francis Marion. The Battle of Cowpens took place in a North Carolina pasture January 7, 1781. The battle was fought near the Broad River about two miles south of the North Carolina State line. Morgan the American Commander selected the river to be at his back. Other commanders were Col. Washington, Howard, McDowell, Pickens, Cunningham, Beatty, Triplett and McCall. The British made their advance at seven in the morning. The Americans moved around the left flank of the British, they retreated, guns were captured. The American cavalry, under Washington, was held out of sight, with the British on the run the cavalry made their move. The battle was over. Americans totaled 1250 men, with 72 casualties. The British killed or wounded totaled 129. Col. Washington was cut on the Knee. The next battle they would fight would be the Guilford Court House Battle. After the war Martha, around 1795, married James Floyd in South Carolina and, about 1805 moved to Madison County Kentucky. In 1809 he�s found on the tax records in Madison County Kentucky, it shows 1 white male over 21 years of age possessing four horses. In 1811 shows 1 white male over 21 years of age and owning only one horse. In 1812 shows 1 white male over 21 years of age and owning two horses and 23 acres. James Floyd died in Kentucky and Martha decided to move with her three daughters to Indiana. She was a mid-wife and this gave her means of making a living, even if what she received for her services was food or goods. In 1820 or 21 they found themselves in Dearborn County Indiana. Then in October 1822 continued the trip to Shelby County. She made a good living and when James Brewster Holmes married her daughter Margaret she financed them for their first 40 acres they bought in Shelby County. Another story, about Martha Hume Floyd, is that at one time she rode a horse to Huntsville Alabama from Indiana to visit her brother Thomas Hume. It appears that Thomas her brother died in 1847/48. So the date is not certain nor the motive for the long ride. It would have to have been important to make such a journey. Thomas was in the cotton gin business and was in Huntsville in the early 1800s. Records show that within this Hume household there is a William Hume and he is much older than Thomas, in 1819 Thomas deeded five acres of land to William Hume. In 1822 Thomas was granted power of attorney over William Hume. One land transaction, in Madison Co. Kentucky listed several Humes and among them was a Thomas and Martha Hume selling a piece of real estate. Martha Hume Floyd died May 15, 1854, in Shelby County, Indiana. Her tombstone said she was about �eighty five� years old. She is buried in the Parish Cemetery, Sec. 36 two miles south of Shelbyville, Indiana. Each Memorial Day a flag is placed on her grave for her service in the Revolutionary War. Children of James Floyd and Martha Hume Floyd� Sarah Floyd was born 1802 in Kentucky, she is my 4th Great grandmother. She married in Shelby County, March 18, 1824, to George Washington Holmes, son of Nathan and Lydia Winchell Holmes, he was born in Tioga County, New York in 1800. Sarah Floyd�s sister Margaret, married Georges�s brother James Brewster. George Washington Holmes died in 1885 and Sarah in 1862, they are both buried in the small family cemetery, Holmes Means Cemetery, the same cemetery his father is buried in just east of the London City cemetery in London, Indiana. Margaret Floyd was born about 1806 in S.C. or Kentucky, she married James Brewster Holmes January 16, 1823. James Brewster Holmes was the son of Nathan Holmes of Tioga County, New York. James Brewster was born Aug. 9,1798 in Tioga County, died Aug. 23,1882 in Shelby County, Indiana. Margaret Floyd Holmes died Sept. 12,1873 in Shelby County, Indiana. |
Descendants of Martha Hume Generation No. 1 1. MARTHA1 HUME was born 1770 in South Carolina, and died May 15, 1854. She married JAMES FLOYD Unknown. He was born Unknown in North Carolina. More About JAMES FLOYD: Burial: Fairland Indiana Cemetery Children of MARTHA HUME and JAMES FLOYD are: 2. i. SARAH2 FLOYD, b. 1802, Kentucky; d. 1862, Indiana. 3. ii. MARGARET FLOYD, b. Unknown; d. September 12, 1873, Indiana. Generation No. 2 2. SARAH2 FLOYD (MARTHA1 HUME) was born 1802 in Kentucky, and died 1862 in Indiana. She married GEORGE WASHINGTON HOLMES March 14, 1824 in Shelby Co, Indiana, son of NATHAN HOLMES and LYDIA WINCHELL. He was born June 11, 1800 in Tioga, New York, and died May 13, 1885 in Shelby Co, Indiana. More About GEORGE WASHINGTON HOLMES: Burial: London, Shelby Co, Indiana Children of SARAH FLOYD and GEORGE HOLMES are: 4. i. MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, b. 1832; d. May 30, 1862. ii. NATHAN W HOLMES, b. 1825. iii. GEORGE WASHINGTON HOLMES, b. 1835. iv. SARAH JANE HOLMES HOLMES, b. 1840. 3. MARGARET2 FLOYD (MARTHA1 HUME) was born Unknown, and died September 12, 1873 in Indiana. She married JAMES BREWSTER HOLMES January 06, 1823 in Shelby Co., Indiana, son of NATHAN HOLMES and LYDIA WINCHELL. He was born 1798 in Tioga Co., New York, and died August 23, 1882 in Indiana. Children of MARGARET FLOYD and JAMES HOLMES are: i. ANDREW JACKSON3 HOLMES, b. May 22, 1825. ii. GEORGE WASHINGTON HOLMES, b. September 27, 1827. iii. NATHAN HOLMES, b. 1829. iv. LYDIA ELLEN HOLMES, b. 1834. v. SARAH ELIZA HOLMES, b. 1838. vi. MARTHA JANE HOLMES, b. Unknown. Generation No. 3 4. MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES (SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born 1832, and died May 30, 1862. She married NEHEMIAH MEANS October 04, 1849 in Shelby Co., Indiana, son of FOUNTAIN MEANS and LETTY EDWARDS. He was born September 13, 1830 in Moral TWP, Shelby Co., Indiana, and died May 06, 1909 in Shelby, Indiana. More About MARTHA HUGHES HOLMES: Burial: Holmes and Means Cemetery, Moral Twp, Indiana More About NEHEMIAH MEANS: Burial: London Cemetery, Shelby Co, Indiana Children of MARTHA HOLMES and NEHEMIAH MEANS are: 5. i. SARAH JANE4 MEANS, b. November 03, 1851, Shelby Co., Indiana; d. August 21, 1932, Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri. 6. ii. THOMAS ADISON HENDRICKS MEANS, b. June 28, 1859, Indiana; d. December 20, 1919, Barton Co., Missouri. iii. MARGARET EMELINE MEANS, b. January 12; d. Unknown; m. FRANKLIN MCDONALD, January 30, 1876; b. Unknown; d. Unknown. iv. JOHN ROBERT MEANS, b. Unknown; d. Bef. 1887. v. GEORGE FOUNTAIN MEANS, b. Unknown; d. Bef. 1887. vi. RICHARD R. MEANS, b. January 06, 1854; d. December 17, 1926, Shelby Co, Indiana. More About RICHARD R. MEANS: Burial: Pleasant View Cemetery, Shelby Co., Indiana vii. ALBERT PRESTON MEANS, b. 1852, Shelby Co, Indiana; m. ATTA, Unknown; b. Unknown. Generation No. 4 5. SARAH JANE4 MEANS (MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born November 03, 1851 in Shelby Co., Indiana, and died August 21, 1932 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri. She married ARCHIBALD HOWARD JOYCE August 14, 1870 in Shelby Co, Indiana, son of ANDREW JOYCE and KETURAH MANN. He was born November 29, 1847 in Marion Co., Indiana, and died March 08, 1906 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri. More About SARAH JANE MEANS: Burial: August 22, 1932, Lamar, Barton, MO More About ARCHIBALD HOWARD JOYCE: Burial: March 10, 1906, Lamar, Barton, MO Children of SARAH MEANS and ARCHIBALD JOYCE are: 7. i. ESTELL5 JOYCE, b. June 06, 1886, Boston, Barton Co., Missouri; d. August 13, 1940, Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri. 8. ii. CARROLL JOYCE, b. 1871, Boston, Barton Co., Missouri; d. 1941, Carthage, Jasper Co., Missouri. iii. ADD JOYCE, b. 1877, Boston, Barton Co., Missouri; d. 1920; m. MARY MACK, Unknown; b. Abt. 1879, Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri; d. Unknown. 9. iv. GERTIE LEE JOYCE, b. 1880, Boston, Barton Co., Missouri; d. 1938. 10. v. OCIE JOYCE, b. 1882, Boston, Barton co., Missouri; d. Unknown, Callifornia. vi. IVY JOYCE, b. 1884, Boston, Barton Co., Missouri; d. Unknown, Callifornia; m. HARRY GLEASON, Unknown; b. Unknown; d. Unknown. vii. FRANK JOYCE, b. February 29, 1888; d. August 03, 1889. 11. viii. HARRY FLOYD JOYCE, b. November 13, 1890, Boston, Barton Co., Missouri; d. March 17, 1967, Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri. ix. OLIVER PRESTON OLLIE JOYCE, b. Unknown, Boston, Barton, Missouri; d. Unknown; m. JENNIE DEANE STOCKDALE, Unknown; b. Unknown. x. MAGGIE JOYCE, b. March 11, 1876; d. September 11, 1876. 6. THOMAS ADISON HENDRICKS4 MEANS (MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born June 28, 1859 in Indiana, and died December 20, 1919 in Barton Co., Missouri. He married NANCY JANE GRAHAM September 16, 1879 in Indiana. She was born May 06, 1861 in Carroll Co., Kentucky, and died March 03, 1958 in Barton Co., Missouri. More About NANCY JANE GRAHAM: Burial: Lake Cemetery, Lamar, Barton, Missouri Children of THOMAS MEANS and NANCY GRAHAM are: 12. i. ELMER HOLMES5 MEANS, b. November 07, 1881, Shelby Co., Indiana; d. July 30, 1972, Orange Co., California. 13. ii. ORIE MEANS, b. Unknown. 14. iii. CLARENCE MEANS, b. Unknown. iv. MARIE MEANS, b. Unknown. v. FLOYD MEANS, b. Unknown. Generation No. 5 7. ESTELL5 JOYCE (SARAH JANE4 MEANS, MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born June 06, 1886 in Boston, Barton Co., Missouri, and died August 13, 1940 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri. He married ETHEL SUSIE SELVEY February 03, 1909 in Jasper, Jasper Co., Missouri, daughter of ROBERT SELVEY and MARTHA HALL. She was born February 25, 1887 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri, and died March 09, 1981 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri. More About ESTELL JOYCE: Burial: August 15, 1940, Lamar, Barton, MO More About ETHEL SUSIE SELVEY: Burial: March 12, 1981, Lamar, Barton, MO Children of ESTELL JOYCE and ETHEL SELVEY are: i. LUCILLE SELVEY6 JOYCE, b. May 21, 1914, Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri; m. HAROLD EDWIN CLOW, April 20, 1935, Joplin, Jasper Co., Missouri; b. July 08, 1915, Appleton City, St. Clair Co., Missouri; d. October 13, 1996, Joplin, Jasper Co., Missouri. More About HAROLD EDWIN CLOW: Burial: October 17, 1996, Lamar, Barton, MO ii. WILBUR ROBERT JOYCE, b. November 09, 1919, Boston, Barton Co., Missouri; m. FERNE SCHWARTZ, Unknown; b. Unknown; d. October 21, 1988, Joplin, Jasper Co., Missouri.. More About FERNE SCHWARTZ: Burial: Lamar, Barton, MO. 8. CARROLL5 JOYCE (SARAH JANE4 MEANS, MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born 1871 in Boston, Barton Co., Missouri, and died 1941 in Carthage, Jasper Co., Missouri. He married NELLIE WEDDLE Unknown. She was born Unknown in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri, and died Unknown. More About CARROLL JOYCE: Burial: 1941 Children of CARROLL JOYCE and NELLIE WEDDLE are: i. GLADYS6 JOYCE, b. Unknown; d. Unknown. ii. ESTELLA JOYCE, b. Unknown; d. Unknown. iii. RUTH JOYCE, b. Unknown; d. Unknown; m. LEE CLEMENTS, Unknown; b. Unknown. iv. MAY JOYCE, b. Unknown. v. DOROTHY JOYCE, b. Unknown; d. Unknown. vi. MARY GAYLE JOYCE, b. Unknown. vii. ARCHIE JOYCE, b. Unknown; d. Bef. 1959. viii. GLEN JOYCE, b. Unknown; d. Bef. 1959. 9. GERTIE LEE5 JOYCE (SARAH JANE4 MEANS, MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born 1880 in Boston, Barton Co., Missouri, and died 1938. She married FRANCIS A. LEE Unknown. He was born Unknown, and died Unknown. Children of GERTIE JOYCE and FRANCIS LEE are: i. HOWARD6 LEE, b. Unknown; m. LETTIE STOCKDALE, Unknown; b. Unknown. ii. FRANCIS LEE, b. Unknown. 10. OCIE5 JOYCE (SARAH JANE4 MEANS, MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born 1882 in Boston, Barton co., Missouri, and died Unknown in Callifornia. She married ALEX HILL Unknown. He was born Unknown, and died Unknown. More About OCIE JOYCE: Burial: Lamar, Barton, MO Children of OCIE JOYCE and ALEX HILL are: i. BEULAH6 HILL, b. Unknown. ii. GENEVIEVE HILL, b. Unknown. 11. HARRY FLOYD5 JOYCE (SARAH JANE4 MEANS, MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born November 13, 1890 in Boston, Barton Co., Missouri, and died March 17, 1967 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri. He married (1) LEAH ARNER Unknown. She was born Unknown. He married (2) NELL MCLAUGHLIN Unknown. She was born Unknown. Children of HARRY JOYCE and LEAH ARNER are: i. IRMA LEE6 JOYCE, b. December 20, 1919, Boston Co., Missouri; d. September 05, 1989, Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri. More About IRMA LEE JOYCE: Burial: Oakton Cemetery ii. JEWELL J. JOYCE, b. Unknown; m. JOHN GARDNER, Unknown; b. Unknown. iii. JEAN L. JOYCE, b. December 18, 1922. iv. ANETTA JANE JOYCE, b. Unknown. v. FLOYD ALLEN JOYCE, b. Unknown. 12. ELMER HOLMES5 MEANS (THOMAS ADISON HENDRICKS4, MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born November 07, 1881 in Shelby Co., Indiana, and died July 30, 1972 in Orange Co., California. He married MYRTLE LEATHA SELVEY February 08, 1902 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri, daughter of ROBERT SELVEY and MARTHA HALL. She was born September 07, 1884 in Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri, and died May 28, 1933 in Whittier, California. More About MYRTLE LEATHA SELVEY: Burial: May 1933, Whittier, CA Children of ELMER MEANS and MYRTLE SELVEY are: i. LAMOINE6 MEANS, b. December 29, 1906, Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri; d. July 03, 1996, Oregon; m. CONNIE CARNAHAN, Unknown; b. July 09. ii. LESTER MEANS, b. October 08, 1920; m. FLORENCE, Unknown; b. Unknown. 13. ORIE5 MEANS (THOMAS ADISON HENDRICKS4, MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born Unknown. He married NITA Unknown. She was born Unknown. Children of ORIE MEANS and NITA are: i. RAY6 MEANS, b. Unknown. ii. NITA MEANS, b. Unknown. 14. CLARENCE5 MEANS (THOMAS ADISON HENDRICKS4, MARTHA HUGHES3 HOLMES, SARAH2 FLOYD, MARTHA1 HUME) was born Unknown. He married SIBBIE BROWN Unknown, daughter of SEYMOUR BROWN and RUTH JOYCE. She was born Unknown, and died Unknown. Child of CLARENCE MEANS and SIBBIE BROWN is: i. MAXINE6 MEANS, b. Unknown. |