Thursday, July 1, 2010

John Hamilton Morgan visits Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana, cousins. 1882.


Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana from Wikipedia.

These biographies of Capt. James and Elizabeth S. McCoy Morgan’s three oldest daughters, helped identify several “cousins” John Hamilton Morgan wrote in his journal of visiting.

Amazet H. Morgan
b. April 23, 1822, Nicholas Co., Ky.
p. Capt. James Morgan, Elizabeth S. McCoy
m. April 22, 1842, Rice R., son of Willard Cobb
d. June 6, 1881, Decatur Co., Ind.

Rice R. [Reuben Rice from NFS] Cobb
b. Jan. 2, 1811, in Vermont
p. Came to Indiana with his father [Willard NFS] when nine years of age
d. June 5, 1897, Indianapolis, Ind., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. [Cassandra] Robbins.

"He was a farmer, merchant, and stock dealer, and very successful. He and wife spent many winters in Tallahassee, Fla. For some twenty years made large shipments of mules to the South. Traveled extensively in the United States. Held no public office, except president of Decatur Co. Agricultural Society. Was a prominent citizen in his county.

"Mrs. Cobb was much attached to her kindred, very proud of her lineage, and was the family genealogist. The spot just east of Greensburg, Ind., now occupied by the Odd Fellows’ Home, is the site of their once model farm home. Four children came to this home, all born in Decatur Co., Ind.

Sarah Jane Morgan
b. March 28, 1824, near Greensburg,Ind.
p. Capt. James Morgan, Elizabeth S. McCoy
m. first, Oct. 5, 1837, to Elkanah Lathrop, who died Jan. 20, 1851, Greensburg, Ind. She was married, second, Feb., 1861, to James Chambers, her deceased sister's husband,
d. June 11, 1887, and buried at South Park Cemetery, Greensburg

James Chambers
b. Nov. 23, 1822, Kentucky,
d. April 29, 1899, Shelby Co., Ky.
"Sarah Jane had four children by Lathrop, and at the time of her marriage with Chambers he had five children. She was the same kind, loving mother to his children that she was to her own … "

Mary E. Morgan
b. Nov. 7, 1825, Decatur Co., Ind.
p. Capt. James Morgan, Elizabeth S. McCoy
m. Feb. 20, 1844, James Chambers
d. May 29, 1859, Greensburg, Ind.

James Chambers
b. Nov. 23, 1822
d. April 29, 1899, Shelby Co., Ky.

"Mrs. Chambers was never rugged in health. Mr. Chambers was a man of good ability and good education. A farmer most of his life. He also engaged in merchandising, lumber, and milling business for years. He resided in Decatur and Bartholomew Counties, Ind., and lastly Shelby Co., Ky., and died in the latter. He taught school in his younger days, and preached the gospel as opportunity offered, but was never ordained to the gospel ministry. Upon the death of his wife he married Sarah Jane [Morgan] Lathrop, sister to his first wife. No children by second marriage. He married the third wife, who survived him. Mary E. had five children, all born in Decatur Co., Ind."
From John Hamilton Morgan's Journal in Special Collections at the Marriott Library, University of Utah.
It appears President Morgan had an opportunity to visit family and friends.

1882
October 23 
All of the remaining Elders left this a.m. and during the day brother Snow and myself attended to getting our correspondence into shape. At 7:30 left for Cincinnati.

October 24
Arrived at 3:39. Met Len. Wiles and cousin R. R. Cobb. Went home with the latter and stayed all night. Met a number of old acquaintances and relatives.

October 25 Cousin Cobb lent me buggy and horse and I drove out to cousin Jim Chambers and spent the day quite pleasantly visiting and talking with the folks. Assisted him with some logs and walked about over the farm some. Very pleasant weather for visiting.

October 26 Drove back to town and from there to Marshall Hamiltons. Went out the Michigan Road and at the Toll Gate met Perry Treman, and had quite a talk with him. At the Clemens Schoolhouse called and paid Eliza Treman a visit and had a look at the old house. From there drove by the old Homestead and to Clay Elders, and visited for an hour or so. Then to cousin Sarah Rankines, then to Wood Hamiltons and from there to uncle Marshalls where I spent the evening quite pleasantly.

October 27 tarted early this a.m. and drove to town and at 10 a.m. took train for Indianapolis where I visited cousin Robbins and uncle Morgan Hamilton. Attended the Grand Opera with cousin Gail Hamilton and saw the Hanlons play. Stayed all nigh at uncle Hamiltons.

October 28
Left Indianapolis at 8:50 a.m. on Wabash train for Peni,? Where I changed cars and at Attica changed again and arrived at Oliver Shelbys. At 6 p.m. met and was warmly welcomed by all the folks.

October 29
Drove up to Dave Fergusons at 9 a.m. and had a short visit. Returned and had dinner at Shelby. Attended meeting in the p.m. and met brother and sister Graham in the evening.

October 30 Bid the folks goodbye and at 8:30 a.m. took train for Attica. Changed cars and went to St. Louis arriving at 8 p.m. When to the St. James where after writing a few letters, retired to bed.

October 31
At 8:30 left over the O. an M. for Cincinnati. Had an unpleasant ride and arrived at 7:30 p.m. and took train for Chattanooga.

November 1 Arrived at 8:30 and met Elder Snow. Spent the day in looking over matters connected with the emigration and mission and wrote a number of letters.

From Nicholas G. Morgan, list of Southern States Missionaries: Alphonso Snow, set apart April 7, 1881, returned April 7, 1883.

Oliver Shelby is a friend from John Morgan's first mission to this area and mentioned here.
William McCoy and His Descendants, compiled and published by Lycurgus McCoy, 1904.

2 comments:

  1. I'm sure it was really exciting finding out more about these cousins.

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  2. I'd seen McCoy on one of my Mother's old family records. But finding out where the McCoys and Cobbs came from really excited me. And then to find the Cobb cousins giving John Morgan and his visitors rides during their Florida visit, really made me happy. Especially since I'd come to understand that Rice Cobb lived in Greensburg, Indiana, and in Tallahassee, Florida.

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